Author's note: This is meant as an interquel between "Part 1: The Rainbow" and (the eventual) "Part 2: The Child" of my "World's Treasure" series. You really do need to read "The Rainbow" first, and it would also be helpful to read "Missing Scenes"" and The Sparks Family Reunion" as well—especially that last one, where later chapters of this are concerned.
Prologue
As the light faded around him and he took his first glances around once he'd finally reached his destination… his eyes ancient, but his perspective refreshed… he couldn't help but ponder on how strange it was that this place hadn't changed at all. A flower here or there, perhaps, but not enough to make a difference. Not enough that he couldn't close his eyes and almost, almost fool himself into thinking she had just stepped away momentarily. That she'd just ducked into the cave behind him because someone had called her name, or because she needed to find a ribbon or a vine so she could tie off her latest bouquet of these flowers that she loved so much.
But it was just a fantasy, and he knew that.
So, he sighed, and opened his eyes once more, and turned away. He slipped into that realm whose paths he knew so well. That realm, which, in terms of inheritance, was half his to rule over. Though, in truth, he only claimed a third or so—and in practice he had all but abdicated in favor of… other things. Other thoughts, and foolish plans… and feelings of pique and bitterness that…
Well, those didn't matter quite so much, anymore. Not in the same ways, at least. And though he knew that he had only been granted a momentary reprieve from facing justice and judgement… that he would not be able to return to his kingdom in truth, to balance it out the way he was meant to be doing all this time… he also knew that he had to set his house in order, first and foremost, so he didn't leave an even bigger mess behind for others to clean up. And, with a situation this delicate and new, these things simply couldn't be rushed.
He knew that. Perhaps more than anyone—than his own counterpart, or even her—could.
So, he would need to research, and to carefully plot. To plan his course, and not show his hand too soon. But in order to leave the necessary stable foundation behind…
A shape, a worry, a dud of a spark which fails to ignite the tinder, and leaves them crying, crying...
Her friend, her allies, all freezing in the cold of the ice caging their bodies—both the real, and the imagined. The remembered, and the forgotten…
Bright lights tearing the sky asunder. A crater with the staticky, fuzzball of a friend of a friend-cousin-brother lying in the center…
If she were bigger, like them. Stronger. If she could have the chances it gave them, to hold on a little longer...
If she could travel far, far, far, like him, and lead a team of siblings into the unknown so that it, and they, become known the world around…
Then would this…? Could she…? Should she…?
…And what would happen if she didn't?
There.
A cornerstone. The first brick laid of the unknown many to come.
As he made his way towards it—preparing himself, and falling back into those old, remembered roles—he was careful to set aside a space in the back of his mind where he could just… observe. And plot. And plan for the future.
But in the meantime, and for the long term… until the time, and place, and person were right to strike… Doing his duty—grasping at his birthright—could only be a boon.
For her, and her.
And for them all, as they forged a path anew.
Author's note: Don't expect fast updates on this—Real Life, as always, is very busy for me, and I have a lot of other projects (both for fun and for my actual responsibilities) going on… But when the writing bug hits, it really hits, you know? So, I hope this can tide you all over in the meantime.