Prologue: Radiant Mythology
Since its beginning it had observed. Since its beginning it had recorded. Since its beginning it had analysed. Civilisations rose and fell, planets lived, flourished, and then died, stars burnt bright and then began their decline, but still it observed.
To any outside perspective it was simply a moon, an ordinary natural satellite orbiting one of many planets in the entirety of the cosmos. Contained within the moon however was an artificially created collection of the purest type of photonic crystals, gathered and constructed in such a way that it operated as some form of quantum supercomputer.
It was a construct that had come to be known as The Moon Cell. What had created it and for what purpose would be a debatable topic. Regardless of its origins or the goal behind it, it had continued to observe, record, and analyse since its creation for a scale of time far beyond imagination.
Its calculations so advanced that it could run simulations to predict for a seemingly endless amount of future possibilities. It was an archive of everything that was, is, and could be. An artificial Akashic Record.
Yet it also held another realm to be visited. Its power was capable of manifesting an entire artificial environment upon the moon, a reality of its own making cut off from the restrictions of actual reality. This was known as The Photonic Abyss or the Serial Phantasm, abbreviated as SE. RA. PH. Even this reality could make smaller pocket realities nestled within. It all shared a similarity to a concept Mages of a few Earths would refer to as: Reality Marbles, only on a far superior level.
In one such core area, a visitor arrived.
Black boots touched down upon a transparent crystalline floor as a human shaped figure materialised above it, their clothing dark and covering their body completely. All that could be seen was the boots, black trousers and the long black coat over that. The hood was lifted over the head of the wearer and it cast an unnatural darkness through which no face could be seen.
The crystalline floor beneath them stretched out endlessly to meet an endless blue sky above. Beneath the thin crystalline floor was a deep blue abyss. At first glance it appeared to be water in how it flowed, but it was rather some form of pure spiritual energy, a serene and beautiful flow to it and yet looking as if one could fall deep into it never to be seen.
The enigmatic figure glanced around its surroundings before calling out, "For my own peace of mind: confirm you know me."
Computer code flickered across the floor, the water below and even in the very air itself around them, before see-through holograms were projected around the figure. Various other individuals who had garbed themselves in similar clothing were shown with their names above them before one by one they were made to vanish. Titles and names such as Master of Masters, Luxu, Xehanort, they all disappeared one-by one until only the actual visiting entity remained with multiple names or titles floated before them. Yagami, Genesis, Delusion, Remnant. The final fifth name appeared to just be shifting glitches of code as though it couldn't properly acknowledge its existence by that name.
The hooded entity stared upon the names then just motioned to the first one. "Yagami will do just fine." Their voice came with a distorted echo; for the most part it sounded like a young adult male but there was no way one could truly confirm that. Really, The Moon Cell didn't need to put that much of a show into confirmation but the entity calling itself Yagami appreciated it all the same time.
After all, they didn't need to go through the effort of communicating with it like this either. The Moon Cell had a human ruler it could be communicated through. Well, perhaps ruler wasn't the best description for the young woman who had recently come into power here. But she certainly was a wielder of its power and a trusted conduit for the construct. But Yagami desired a more direct approach with the Moon Cell, even if it meant lacking certain forms of communication.
The names vanished and The Moon Cell waited to discover the purpose of Yagami's visit. Although, with its cosmos-wide observational capabilities? It likely already knew.
"The time is finally upon us. I'd like the favour of your records one last time. You already know what I want to see again. Show me failure."
The entire reality shifted in what would've been the span of a blinking eye. A rocky wasteland now surrounded Yagami. The badlands stretched on, cracks and craters scattered across the ground, rocks and mountains. The damage of a battlefield was impossible to ignore. Filling the immediate area were hundreds upon hundreds, maybe even thousands, of strange swords in key-shaped designs. All of them stabbed into the ground as if monuments in a graveyard, arranged in such a way that it left a crossroads between them.
The middle of these crossroads shone brightly under an azure and silver light high above. The light illuminating a girl in her late teens crying over a body she clutched tightly to her. Her tears continued to flow freely in grief no different to how her long pink hair flowed down her back. A sword beside her began to shift in colouring as if in response to her despair. Once a holy looking weapon of blue and silver, now it became shades of purple and covered in an ominous dark aura, the gem within the hilt dulling gradually.
Little by little, her pink hair began to lighten in colour until it was turning into a silver-white, the divine beauty of this sight marred by the despair of this battle's aftermath.
"Show me failure."
Another reality shift. A damaged modern city surrounded Yagami now. The street cracked, skyscrapers damaged, debris across the roads, glass shattered. There before a tall skyscraper, a citadel, were two middle aged men facing each other down within the citadel's plaza.
Rain fell down upon them while one by one the stars in the night sky were covered by an unnatural darkness that brought an ominous green glow across the land with it.
One of the men threw off his black fedora to expose his messy wild red hair to the rain. He held his arms out enthusiastically, his long black coat flapping back behind him while amber eyes stood out in contrast to the growing darkness. With utter glee he called out to his foe. "Now, let the games… begin!"
His opponent, black hair and beard dripping in the rain stared back with eyes that seemed to shift between anger and resignation. All he could respond with was, "No. Now they end." He wore a formal black suit that already began to soak under the rain, his right arm rose before him. Thirteen different weapons were called into manifesting around him, appearing as if made of blue transparent crystals, they floated around him in a clockwise motion. One more blade of physical form manifested in that right hand.
The red haired man beckoned an identical set of weapons to float around him but their colouring red instead. His own extra blade was summoned to his own hand.
"Show me them." Reality shift. Now Yagami stood on the very surface of a moon itself. As they looked out into the great ocean of stars, they saw it.
From this distance it would've been easy to mistake for the beautiful sight of a comet. Burning a bright yellow as it travelled across the cosmos. Yet its tail occasionally left circular rings in its wake, strange bursts of energy. Each time it passed by a planet, new different coloured lights would break away to descend upon unsuspecting planets.
"The Umbral Star." Yagami called it. "The Velber."
Reality shifted once more and returned it to the sky and sea-like energy beneath the crystalline floor. Yagami took a deep breath. "Thank you."
A reminder or punishment, Yagami couldn't be sure which reason it was that they had asked to see these sights once more. "It's time. Her chosen are taking the stage. Wielders of the Azure"
A hologram manifested again, this time of a large machine like construct. Some form of strange ornate crown shaped satellite. Its extending point almost shaped like a human's torso arms and legs however. The bulk of the satellite revealed a sealed door. Upon this satellite door was a bright blue emblem, shaped like various demonic wings with an eye in the centre. The top part of the design resembled some form of draconic head.
The Moon Cell manifested an identifying title above the projection: Master Unit Amaterasu.
Yagami simply stared at the projection before speaking, "The records of the moon and the creations of the sun. A story of the stars: Her central fiction." The image fragmented and faded, Yagami breathed out. "The time is finally upon us. Have faith in the dream, a new era approaches."
With the same ease at which they arrived, they vanished and left this realm absent of its visitor. The Moon Cell continued on as it always had done, as it always would. Since its beginning it had observed. Since its beginning it had recorded. Since its beginning it had analysed. It would continue to do so until the end.
Its simulations would prepare for as many future possibilities as it could, if it needed to prepare its own countermeasures and take a direct intervention too? Then so be it. For now it would entrust the legacies of the past to those fighting for the future.
Legacy.
Great joy could be found in representing the efforts and ideals of a legacy left behind by predecessors. Alternatively one could feel a great burden from the pressure of living in the shadow of a legacy.
For Anna? It was definitely both.
Her mother: Lana Lansfeld was known to many worlds as a great hero and a Queen. Her father: Kevin Keene had saved many worlds and represented an ideal of heroism, known to many as: Captain N, The Game Master.
Anna was proud of their accomplishments, in awe of the admiration people had for her family. She was proud to be their daughter. But it left a lot to live up to.
First impressions were always focused on seeing her as their daughter. She wanted to greet people simply as Anna, but immediately she was 'Daughter of Captain N and Queen Lana' to so many.
This was why she admired her sister so much. Elie had reached her own independence already, could confidently hold her head high as her own person with her own achievements.
That was why Anna enjoyed coming to this world though. The world known to many off-worlders by the same name as its ancient Goddess: Hylia.
She had been brought here by the invite of Zelda. Princess of the largest kingdom of this world: Hyrule.
Zelda and her champion: Link were the recent reincarnations of a seemingly endless cycle upon this world. A cycle of a Princess and her Hero, they would return in new lives and find each other again and again to prevent or vanquish an embodiment of hatred and darkness.
It was a cycle the royal family of this world were now aware of, raising the two of them since they were children to prepare for this. Anna and Zelda had bonded since meeting as children over a shared feeling of pride and pressure in following a legacy.
At this moment, The Kingdom of Hyrule was enjoying a festival dedicated to celebrating its time of peace, honouring the world's goddess as well as the Courage and Wisdom of its heroes across the ages. The celebration would always start towards the end of a year and end on the first day of the next.
Zelda had invited Anna as a guest of the Royal Family, but not because of family ties. She was here as a friend, an ally, a warrior and hero in her own right.
She felt it to be true. People would greet her and remember her as her own person. She got to enjoy conversations about their culture, their lives, and their history. Likewise they showed eager and honest interest in her life, her adventures.
She loved coming to Hyrule. She loved getting to be herself and not have to focus on representing a legacy.
Taking a break from the festival, the young twenty year old princess had moved away from the main square of the town. Sitting herself upon one of many blankets laid out on the grass. Shoulder length auburn hair swayed in the wind as she brushed it back with white skinned hands, smiling at the feeling of the wind.
Her green eyes scanned over the town square, the usual bustling marketplace replaced with festival stalls and the happy smiling faces of citizens at peace. "Maybe," she began to murmur, her thoughts dwelling. "Maybe legacy's not an accurate way to think of it."
The hand of a young dark brown skinned girl tugged at Anna's one-piece sky blue dress. "Oh?" Anna glanced down and smiled at the group of gathered children she hadn't noticed approach. They seemed nervous to meet her eyes, a few shifting their weight from one foot to the other. A soft smile came to her face as she leaned forward to look at them with gentle eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Princess," the girl who had got her attention began to stutter out. "We were wanting, um, we were hoping."
Another girl, slightly older and looking similar enough to be related, helped her by continuing for her. "We were hoping you had stories to tell, ones you grew up with."
Anna thought on the question for a moment, realisation flashing in her mind. "You want to hear if I have any legends or fairy tales that I was raised on?" They all sheepishly nodded. She just gave them another warm smile, they really were too precious. "Alright, why don't you get to sitting comfortably and I'll think of a good one."
She couldn't help the small laugh that broke free of her lips as she watched them move with frantic and excited glee, scrambling to sit down. Behind them she could see Zelda at the edge of the market-place, the blonde hylian princess giving an apologetic smile over to her for the rush of attention. Anna re-assured her friend with her own smile and a shake of her head to tell her it was all fine.
What story to tell? She kept going over the idea in her head. She had travelled and studied enough worlds to have picked up a lot of legends and fairy tales of various cultures, many being true.
Lost in thought, her head tilted up to look at the deep blue of the sky. A nostalgic memory flickered in the back of her mind, herself and other children being told a tale of a time long forgotten. Time had faded the memories of faces but the words of the story remained.
She clasped her hands in her lap and looked back down to her audience, Her voice gentle like the tone of a soft melody as she spoke to them. "A long time ago when the stars were still young, the worlds were bathed in a warm and radiant azure light, shining as beautiful as starlight itself. Two worlds were enveloped by its splendour more than any other, a world of dawn and a world beyond all others.
"On the world of Dawn there were two kingdoms of light and dark that lived in perfect harmony. Crystallised Light led by a line of Kings and Queens, while the Dark was guided carefully by a line of Oracles. It was on this world that Six Gods would bless a King and an Oracle to lead this era.
"On The World Beyond, the gift of the stars: The Azure light was kept safe by a gift from the gods: The World Tree, the first of its kind. The tree protected under the watchful eye of Maxwell, Lord of Spirits. The World Tree held its own champion too, blessed by the Azure itself to wield it, this champion fought bravely while bearing the title of Descender.
"On this same world, other warriors guided by their hearts would train to protect others from dark forces."
She took a breath, pausing to see if the kids were still following her. She was pleased to see they were enthralled by her soft voice and the story. She continued on.
"However with this light and the love for it, people began to desire it for themselves. People began to fight over it and all the while a scourge began to plague the stars themselves. Darkness, a corrupting malevolence was born in their hearts.
"The King of Light and the Oracle of Dark stepped forth to restore the peace but tragedy befell them. The careful plans of the Gods were broken by betrayal. An era of chaos arrived and so the Gods named this betrayer: The Chaos Lord. Even now The Chaos Lord's influence remains, embodied by beings named as Lords of Calamity. Even Ganon is called as such."
The children of Hyrule gasped and began to talk amongst each other. Ganon may have not been released in many generations but the legends were always passed down of his threat. Anna calmly raised a hand, her palm to them and they stopped to pay attention again.
"When all hope seemed lost, that the light of the stars would fade forever. The Descender revealed that same light burning brightly in the hearts of children. Together with the wishes of so many, they sealed away The Chaos Lord and brought the light back to the worlds.
"No matter how dark the night seems, the azure light of the stars is there to shine out on you." She gave them a cheerful smile. "So never lose hope in tomorrow, your beliefs and dreams will save the world too. Let your hearts shine with wisdom and courage just like Princess Zelda and Link."
Anna's inspiring words of hope and comparing them to Zelda and Link was enough to set them all off in excitement once again. Talking with each other and thanking her for the story. She smiled in return, thanking them for being such polite listeners before telling them that they shouldn't keep their families waiting.
She watched them go then leant back once more to look up at the bright blue sky. Their excited faces and her story brought her back to reflecting on her insecurities. It's not about living up to a legacy. She came to decide in her thoughts. She lay back comfortably on the blanket and smiled, closing her eyes as she felt the warmth of the sun on her, the light of a star. It's about helping the next generation to come.
Her parents and previous heroes hadn't set out to leave high standards to be lived up to. It was to ensure that the generations after them could look to a future full of possibilities. Now it was her turn to ensure the same for children like them.
The unfortunate truth however was that not everything was content to step aside for the future. Some ambitions still lingered on to take control and stake their claim.
Outside of the kingdom, a variety of mechanical weapons began to teleport down to this world. There they were, a threat far different to the type this world usually faced, machines and robots of varying types slowly appearing on the plains and marching towards Hyrule Castle and the town surrounding it.
Hovering above them in a flying saucer shaped machine was a balding elderly man, an appearance about him that could only be described as making him look vaguely like Einstein. An old recurring enemy of her parents: Doctor Albert Wily.
He looked upon the town and castle, a wide and manic grin coming to the mad scientist's face. One hand stretched out with a dramatic flourish towards the town before it closed into a fist. "Go! Find Princess Keene and bring her to me!"
The incoming invasion of Hyrule was displayed upon multiple computer screens, the observational images supplied by a temporary connection to The Moon Cell.
Watching them with red eyes of a misty dreamy expression, a loneliness to them, was a young white skinned woman of roughly twenty years in age. Her long green hair flowed down her back and was hard to miss even in the dim lighting of this room. Her clothing gave the impression of being from a Mega Man timeline, a slight futuristic look to the design of the black bodysuit and the white dress over that, some parts of the dress a light blue. Metal boots of the same colours finished the outfit.
She watched as the first assault began. Town guards blasted back as the stone of the watchtowers cracked and blew apart under the fire of energy weapons. The gates crashing to the floor as a machine army marched into town.
Link had been the first to reach the soldiers, courage and heroic impulses on an instinctual level leading him before his mind had even begun to assess the situation. Skilled sword strikes cutting down mechanical attacker after attacker, shield bashes knocking them back or blocking shots.
The battle was truly underway.
The green haired girl looked over her shoulder to a different side of the room speaking in a voice that had a distant dreamy tone to match the expressions of her eyes, an air of mystery. "It shouldn't surprise me after we got the first one…but it really is time isn't it? We're about to move onto the second?" Her left hand was absentmindedly holding onto a blue and white bracelet on her right wrist, a few pieces of alexandrite forming part of it, held in place by a red segment of the bracelet.
There on the other side of the room was a large mechanical ring shaped contraption. The metallic design of it would be easy to liken in similarity to a Stargate.
Standing before it was Yagami. They turned away from the gate and walked up to join the young woman, gazing at the footage themselves beneath the shadowed hood. "This is the last chance to back out, Pandora. It starts getting difficult from here."
The woman now identified as Pandora watched as Anna joined the battle, her weapon a gun stylized after her father's Zapper, energy shots firing out to take down a few mettaur type robots with precise shots before they could attempt to hide under oversized helmets. "starts?" She questioned, amusement slipping into her tone. "I knew from the moment I joined that this wouldn't be easy."
Yagami couldn't help their own amusement as they let out a small laugh. "That you did. Thank you." Yagami turned to look at the nearby table and four files spread across it, pictures of four different white skinned people. A nineteen year old young man with brown hair and blue eyes, a nineteen year old young woman with pink hair and red eyes, a twenty one year old young man with brown hair and brown eyes, and finally a twenty-two year old young man with black hair and green eyes. The image of the final one had the word 'Confirmed' scrawled over the top of it.
"It's time indeed." Yagami stated gazing down at the pictures. "For the new Game Masters. For the next generation."
Author Notes:
Note 1: Welcome new readers and old to a story that took five years to return. I'd rather not do a long author's note but I feel it necessary to tackle this elephant in the room here.
So, context for new readers: This story originally came out in 2007 and I deleted it in 2012. Part of that was due to wanting to reboot it but another part was life stuff draining motivation to write. It's taken a long time to get that back.
What followed was five years of continuously coming up with ideas and plans but never being satisfied. Now here we are at the end of 2017 and I finally feel that writing energy again. I still think I have a long way to go with my writing but I finally feel satisfied. One can't continue to grow if they're always hesitating to show their work to others.
I can't promise a really stellar upload schedule. I work in retail and I still have a lot of stuff to deal with. But I can promise this time the story will not be deleted. (If it ever does, then it was not my decision and will be back up ASAP.) I haven't sat by idly though all these years. I've spent my time thinking of ideas and writing small drafts for scenes. This time around the story has a solid foundation to work from.
Note 2: This story as you can tell uses Captain N as a base but it also isn't really based on Captain N. Events will be elaborated on throughout the story but just for clarification. The basic idea of Captain N's events has occurred. Kevin gets pulled into a different universe where game characters exist, but in this case: all fiction. He teams up with Lana and other heroes. And that's basically it.
The messed up character designs and personality traits from Captain N do not exist here, and a lot of the events that happen in the show did not happen in this back-story. Again: all of this will be elaborated on in the story. I just think it's good to mention it here. Captain N was a bad show but the core concept is a nice idea and I wanted to at least use that with massive changes.
Note 3: Old readers may also remember that the original story was part of a shared multiverse with good friend and fellow fanfiction author: dragonridley. Our stories now stand as separate verses. There will still be occasional allusions to each other. But our stories are no longer vital to the understanding of the other's. It's a decision made to give us more creative freedom with our ideas without tying down to the other's work. Also helps keep it a lot less confusing with the amount of time-space plotlines we both like to write. He may no longer use the site but fanfiction author and also good friend: Blue The Hedgehog is also still a contributor of ideas to this story.
Note 4: Hyrule as well as the designs for Link and Zelda is based mostly on Hyrule Warriors. It gives me a lot more freedom to write with my own version of that then the other points in the series timelines. But I'll be mixing in elements of Breath of The Wild into its setting too.
Note 5: Currently this story is in anime x-overs/game x-overs section. It will encompass a variety of different types of fiction though. I may move categories into general x-overs, but I feel like anime and games are the predominant focus so it works the best.
Note 6: This Prologue as well as Chapters 1, 2, and 3, have all gone up together. With the long wait, I wanted to at least have more than one chapter of content up to read.
Well that should be everything important said.
Let the games begin.