Hearts in Time Beginnings
Part 3: Setting to motion
By
Lance the Flamesniper
Prince Lance lay on his bunk staring at the ceiling of his cabin. There wasn't
much to do during a trip on a starliner. Nothing much but to meditate, walk between
the decks or just sit and think. He supposed he should be greatful for silence now.
When he got to the Moon Kingdom it would be all hurry, noise and rushing. So unlike
a starliner.
The ship itself was a wonder from the Mercurian Technocracy. It sailed on the
Solar and Cosmic winds of the universe. At the most it would take only a week to get
to the Center of the Millenium, for starliners were the fastest things in the universe
aside from light. On a starliner a person could reach anywhere with a couple weeks.
For the most part people didn't travel much further than Kimoku, though no one knew
just was was beyond that distant world. No one who's ever gone beyond there ever
returned.
All his life, Lance had dreamed of being a swordmaster or maybe even a
swordlord. He was taught by the best of the aging weaponmasters and knights on
Pluto, listened to the wisest philosophers and tried not to sleep through hours of
diplomatic lectures by the most talented beaurocrats. For the most part diplomacy
seemed to be made up of equal parts stubborness, back slapping, open mindedness,
insult throwing and being able to outshout whoever you were arguing with. He shook
his head. He most definitely disliked the art of diplomacy. There were other things to
think about. Especially about what was going on with him.
He'd arranged to go to the Moon Kingdom to complete his training for a two
important reasons. The first was that one had to go to the Moon Kingdom to take
swordmaster trials. If he passed his style would be listed and he would earn a
starsteel weapon made to his specifications. He could then bond himself to the blade
and begin his life of service to the Neoqueen as a weaponlord. It was what he wanted,
even dreamed about.
Or was it?
Over the last almost two centuries something had changed in his life. That
something was that he'd met a girl named Setsuna when they were younger, and
despite his better judgement allowed her to break through any defenses he might have
to keep her distant. They'd became great friends, completely inseparable.But lately
things had gotten rather strange. It was almost like for the first time he'd noticed that
Setsuna was a woman. And that was the second reason he'd opted to go to the Moon
He was basically running scared. Running from having to choose, running from the way
he felt. Running from making a choice. But what would he be choosing? And when he
thought of Setsuna did it feel like someone set his room on fire?
He didn't know. And yet he did. He knew that what he was feeling was slowly
driving him crazy. He also knew that if what was wrong with him was what he thought it
was, then he wasn't worthy of it...or her. 'But you can become worthy,' his heart told
him. 'And when are ready she'll be waiting.'
"I wish I was as sure of that as you are," he growled out loud as he rolled onto
his side to think.
********
In her castle on Earth, Queen Beryl, the young ruler of the most minor kingdom
on the planet, was seething. She had offered her kingdom to be merged into the Golden
Kingdom through a marriage between her and Prince Darien. She'd been refused. For
some reason though this annoyed her more than it normally would.
"How DARE he choose that Moon Bitch's brat over me!" She thundered. "He
belongs with ME!"
"And he will queen," a voice said from the shadows. "If I help you."
"Who's there?" The queen demanded.
From the shadows came a massive creature, more shadow than substance.
"I am Metallia."
"A demon?" Beryl hissed. "And what need have I for you?"
"You have been shunned by the immortals of the sky and the Golden Kingdom.
It is a spell from the Witch Queen of the Moon and her powerful Silver Crystal. She has
enslaved your Prince with it, but I wish to help get your revenge. But we'll need help to
sway the Golden kingdom and I'll need energy to make unbeatable weapons," Metallia
intoned.
Beryl thought about it. Especially about that powerful Silver Crystal. "Very well.
How do we go about this?"
"All will be taken care of Beryl, " Metallia replied. "But first you must swear
your soul over to me."
"For my Prince, I swear my soul's allegance to you. Anything to get my
vengence!"
********
Chronos looked up from the Game table. Across from him was Necros.
"Interesting move, having this construct of yours steal the soul of an Earth Queen."
"It's not a construct it's a youma. My brother Chaos taught me how to make
them. Not only has she taken Beryl's soul but I've instructed her to twist Beryl's love
of her noble Prince into a jealous, all consuming lust. Soon all she'll think of is how
to destroy the Moon Kingdom, the Silver Millenium and anything else that tries to
stop her from getting her prince."
'We shall see about that,' Chronos thought as he looked at his peices. This
may not have been something he'd wanted. Peace was great for his slow manipulating
of these petty fools around him, but to rid the universe of Necros would be a pleasure
he'd risk war to do. Plus he had to admit this was turing out to be fun. Still he had his
trump card. Setsuna's "hidden" fiance.
*********
Setsuna Looked herself over in the mirror. She turned first to one side then to
the other before nodding. Her body was maturing nicely, if she did say so herself. And
when she arrived at the Moon Kingdom she would be escourted off the starliner by
Lance. Not because she asked him to, but because he was always doing things like
that.
Lance as a strange topic for her. On one hand she wanted to see him succeed
in his quest to become a swordmaster, a true warrior-prince, and yet she didn't want to
see him become a Swordlord. Being a Swordlord meant surrendering completely to that
way of life excluding everything else. Meaning Lance would never settle down or raise a
family. For some reason that last part made her more upset than anything. It was like
when she heard he was leaving for the Moon. It felt as if her heart was about to break.
Then she learned that she had been invited to become a Senshi. Knowing she would
travel with Lance made her heart soar.
It was like a dream for her. Traveling with her childhood friend. Maybe as a senshi
she could even find a way to become Lance's partner. Then they could travel together
thoughout the Millenium sowing the seeds of peace eternal while finding solace in each
others arms. Setsuna blinked at that last thought and decided to lay off the Venusian
romance scrolls. Still the image of her entwined with her hansome best friend would not go
away. She had to think of something else but the image invaded her mind, causing her body
to flush with an intense heat. If only she was brave enough to make the first move.....
"Stop that!" She scolded herself. "He's your best friend for pity's sake! It...it isn't
like that between us."
She only wished that somehow she could convince herself that was true.
*********
In his room Lance's eyes snapped open. All this thinking about what a certain
princess did or didn't mean to him was getting to him. He needed to think about something
else. Anything other that those sparkling magenta orbs or the lustre of her Dark green mane
or any of the other myriad things that he'd noticed since they hit the time of maturing....
"Arrrgh! Stop it Lance!" He growled as he proceeded to bang his head against a
wall. "She's your friend you idiot! The only one you got! The fact that she's attractive should
not change that!"
For him this was becoming a mantra as he repeated it over and over. Several hours
later it was to this mantra that the Starliner passed Jupiter.
********
Meanwhile on Earth whispers were spreading. The bethrothal of the teenaged prince
to a child of the moon, was not going to bring the Earth into a peaceful union. The whispers
claimed that it a clever scheme by the Witch Queen Serenity to enslave the Earth. It's
people's souls would be used to feed her terrible spells. When people wanted proof the
whisperers would point out the people who had been founded with life forces drained since
the announcement.
The public at large would dismiss the accusations, but a few listened and they'd tell
others. And so began the Negaverse Movement as they came to be called. They chose their
name as that was what they claimed the Witch queen was, all that was Negative in the
Universe. They preached isolationism and talked of revolution. but all they did was talk, they
didn't act.
The government of Earth, the Golden Kingdom knew of them but basically ignored
them, focusing instead on trying to find who was stealing lifeforce from its subjects. The
victims were picked at random and taken out in not set pattern. This made it impossible for
the constabulary of the Kingdom to hunt the feinds responsible. However, while they were
distracted, the Negaverse movement began to branch out. Beryl sent members to Mercury,
to Venus, to Mars and sent more out to take root further out. Their missions were clear: sow
the seeds of dissent, distract everyone from looking too closely at Earth until it's too late.
*********
The starliner was passing Phobos by the time Prince Lance had found a new
distraction. He was standing on the highest beam in the starliner's hold. In his hand was a
cutlass. It didn't feel right for his style. When he passed the trials he'd have a more suitable
weapon. Still one had to make due.
He began slowly, twirling the blade in a long lazy loop all the while walking the narrow
beam. Graceful slashes and deft parries soon formed out of the loops. It was in this state that
he found his mind at peace. Slash, parry, crossstrike. He leaped from one beam to another,
unleashing a graceful kick as he did so. It was on this beam that he shifted styles. He reversed
his blade using it to unleash graceful yet powerful reverse blade slashes that would run from hip
to shoulder, shoulder to hip, across the neck or a across the stomach.
The style was patterened after nature. He'd thought it up by watching a storm on Jupiter
through a telescope. It had been graceful, yet powerfdul. Beautiful yet deadly. He'd spent years
perfecting those motions. To become but a shadow of that storm. Thus the name he gave to his
style: The Shadow Storm. He'd worked to make every slash was elegant, powerful, beautiful and
deady.
And yet, it wasn't the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. The object he used to measure
beauty by is....Lance shook his head. 'Stop thinking like that dammit!' But it was already too late
his concentration was broke and his balance was lost. In mid air he twisted land in a crouch. He
needed to focus. If he didn't he would fail. HE would not fail. He could not fail! It was then he
realized it.
Lance's eyes widened in shock. Of all the things in the universe he'd gone and done the
one thing that he never thought he'd do. Somewhere, somehow, when he wasn't looking, he'd fallen
in love. He shook his head as if he could deny it. He wasn't ready. He wasn't WORTHY.
As he lay back to stare at the ceiling of the hold he realized the truth. He'd been going to
the Moon to run away more than anything else. To run from his problems. He was sure whether he
was relieved to know it or disgusted at his cowardice. He wasn't worthy of Setsuna. He knew it and
he was sure she did too. She deserved better than a coward. "I swear, if this is love I feel, I will
become someone worthy of you, Setsuna. I swear it!"
TBC
Part 3: Setting to motion
By
Lance the Flamesniper
Prince Lance lay on his bunk staring at the ceiling of his cabin. There wasn't
much to do during a trip on a starliner. Nothing much but to meditate, walk between
the decks or just sit and think. He supposed he should be greatful for silence now.
When he got to the Moon Kingdom it would be all hurry, noise and rushing. So unlike
a starliner.
The ship itself was a wonder from the Mercurian Technocracy. It sailed on the
Solar and Cosmic winds of the universe. At the most it would take only a week to get
to the Center of the Millenium, for starliners were the fastest things in the universe
aside from light. On a starliner a person could reach anywhere with a couple weeks.
For the most part people didn't travel much further than Kimoku, though no one knew
just was was beyond that distant world. No one who's ever gone beyond there ever
returned.
All his life, Lance had dreamed of being a swordmaster or maybe even a
swordlord. He was taught by the best of the aging weaponmasters and knights on
Pluto, listened to the wisest philosophers and tried not to sleep through hours of
diplomatic lectures by the most talented beaurocrats. For the most part diplomacy
seemed to be made up of equal parts stubborness, back slapping, open mindedness,
insult throwing and being able to outshout whoever you were arguing with. He shook
his head. He most definitely disliked the art of diplomacy. There were other things to
think about. Especially about what was going on with him.
He'd arranged to go to the Moon Kingdom to complete his training for a two
important reasons. The first was that one had to go to the Moon Kingdom to take
swordmaster trials. If he passed his style would be listed and he would earn a
starsteel weapon made to his specifications. He could then bond himself to the blade
and begin his life of service to the Neoqueen as a weaponlord. It was what he wanted,
even dreamed about.
Or was it?
Over the last almost two centuries something had changed in his life. That
something was that he'd met a girl named Setsuna when they were younger, and
despite his better judgement allowed her to break through any defenses he might have
to keep her distant. They'd became great friends, completely inseparable.But lately
things had gotten rather strange. It was almost like for the first time he'd noticed that
Setsuna was a woman. And that was the second reason he'd opted to go to the Moon
He was basically running scared. Running from having to choose, running from the way
he felt. Running from making a choice. But what would he be choosing? And when he
thought of Setsuna did it feel like someone set his room on fire?
He didn't know. And yet he did. He knew that what he was feeling was slowly
driving him crazy. He also knew that if what was wrong with him was what he thought it
was, then he wasn't worthy of it...or her. 'But you can become worthy,' his heart told
him. 'And when are ready she'll be waiting.'
"I wish I was as sure of that as you are," he growled out loud as he rolled onto
his side to think.
********
In her castle on Earth, Queen Beryl, the young ruler of the most minor kingdom
on the planet, was seething. She had offered her kingdom to be merged into the Golden
Kingdom through a marriage between her and Prince Darien. She'd been refused. For
some reason though this annoyed her more than it normally would.
"How DARE he choose that Moon Bitch's brat over me!" She thundered. "He
belongs with ME!"
"And he will queen," a voice said from the shadows. "If I help you."
"Who's there?" The queen demanded.
From the shadows came a massive creature, more shadow than substance.
"I am Metallia."
"A demon?" Beryl hissed. "And what need have I for you?"
"You have been shunned by the immortals of the sky and the Golden Kingdom.
It is a spell from the Witch Queen of the Moon and her powerful Silver Crystal. She has
enslaved your Prince with it, but I wish to help get your revenge. But we'll need help to
sway the Golden kingdom and I'll need energy to make unbeatable weapons," Metallia
intoned.
Beryl thought about it. Especially about that powerful Silver Crystal. "Very well.
How do we go about this?"
"All will be taken care of Beryl, " Metallia replied. "But first you must swear
your soul over to me."
"For my Prince, I swear my soul's allegance to you. Anything to get my
vengence!"
********
Chronos looked up from the Game table. Across from him was Necros.
"Interesting move, having this construct of yours steal the soul of an Earth Queen."
"It's not a construct it's a youma. My brother Chaos taught me how to make
them. Not only has she taken Beryl's soul but I've instructed her to twist Beryl's love
of her noble Prince into a jealous, all consuming lust. Soon all she'll think of is how
to destroy the Moon Kingdom, the Silver Millenium and anything else that tries to
stop her from getting her prince."
'We shall see about that,' Chronos thought as he looked at his peices. This
may not have been something he'd wanted. Peace was great for his slow manipulating
of these petty fools around him, but to rid the universe of Necros would be a pleasure
he'd risk war to do. Plus he had to admit this was turing out to be fun. Still he had his
trump card. Setsuna's "hidden" fiance.
*********
Setsuna Looked herself over in the mirror. She turned first to one side then to
the other before nodding. Her body was maturing nicely, if she did say so herself. And
when she arrived at the Moon Kingdom she would be escourted off the starliner by
Lance. Not because she asked him to, but because he was always doing things like
that.
Lance as a strange topic for her. On one hand she wanted to see him succeed
in his quest to become a swordmaster, a true warrior-prince, and yet she didn't want to
see him become a Swordlord. Being a Swordlord meant surrendering completely to that
way of life excluding everything else. Meaning Lance would never settle down or raise a
family. For some reason that last part made her more upset than anything. It was like
when she heard he was leaving for the Moon. It felt as if her heart was about to break.
Then she learned that she had been invited to become a Senshi. Knowing she would
travel with Lance made her heart soar.
It was like a dream for her. Traveling with her childhood friend. Maybe as a senshi
she could even find a way to become Lance's partner. Then they could travel together
thoughout the Millenium sowing the seeds of peace eternal while finding solace in each
others arms. Setsuna blinked at that last thought and decided to lay off the Venusian
romance scrolls. Still the image of her entwined with her hansome best friend would not go
away. She had to think of something else but the image invaded her mind, causing her body
to flush with an intense heat. If only she was brave enough to make the first move.....
"Stop that!" She scolded herself. "He's your best friend for pity's sake! It...it isn't
like that between us."
She only wished that somehow she could convince herself that was true.
*********
In his room Lance's eyes snapped open. All this thinking about what a certain
princess did or didn't mean to him was getting to him. He needed to think about something
else. Anything other that those sparkling magenta orbs or the lustre of her Dark green mane
or any of the other myriad things that he'd noticed since they hit the time of maturing....
"Arrrgh! Stop it Lance!" He growled as he proceeded to bang his head against a
wall. "She's your friend you idiot! The only one you got! The fact that she's attractive should
not change that!"
For him this was becoming a mantra as he repeated it over and over. Several hours
later it was to this mantra that the Starliner passed Jupiter.
********
Meanwhile on Earth whispers were spreading. The bethrothal of the teenaged prince
to a child of the moon, was not going to bring the Earth into a peaceful union. The whispers
claimed that it a clever scheme by the Witch Queen Serenity to enslave the Earth. It's
people's souls would be used to feed her terrible spells. When people wanted proof the
whisperers would point out the people who had been founded with life forces drained since
the announcement.
The public at large would dismiss the accusations, but a few listened and they'd tell
others. And so began the Negaverse Movement as they came to be called. They chose their
name as that was what they claimed the Witch queen was, all that was Negative in the
Universe. They preached isolationism and talked of revolution. but all they did was talk, they
didn't act.
The government of Earth, the Golden Kingdom knew of them but basically ignored
them, focusing instead on trying to find who was stealing lifeforce from its subjects. The
victims were picked at random and taken out in not set pattern. This made it impossible for
the constabulary of the Kingdom to hunt the feinds responsible. However, while they were
distracted, the Negaverse movement began to branch out. Beryl sent members to Mercury,
to Venus, to Mars and sent more out to take root further out. Their missions were clear: sow
the seeds of dissent, distract everyone from looking too closely at Earth until it's too late.
*********
The starliner was passing Phobos by the time Prince Lance had found a new
distraction. He was standing on the highest beam in the starliner's hold. In his hand was a
cutlass. It didn't feel right for his style. When he passed the trials he'd have a more suitable
weapon. Still one had to make due.
He began slowly, twirling the blade in a long lazy loop all the while walking the narrow
beam. Graceful slashes and deft parries soon formed out of the loops. It was in this state that
he found his mind at peace. Slash, parry, crossstrike. He leaped from one beam to another,
unleashing a graceful kick as he did so. It was on this beam that he shifted styles. He reversed
his blade using it to unleash graceful yet powerful reverse blade slashes that would run from hip
to shoulder, shoulder to hip, across the neck or a across the stomach.
The style was patterened after nature. He'd thought it up by watching a storm on Jupiter
through a telescope. It had been graceful, yet powerfdul. Beautiful yet deadly. He'd spent years
perfecting those motions. To become but a shadow of that storm. Thus the name he gave to his
style: The Shadow Storm. He'd worked to make every slash was elegant, powerful, beautiful and
deady.
And yet, it wasn't the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. The object he used to measure
beauty by is....Lance shook his head. 'Stop thinking like that dammit!' But it was already too late
his concentration was broke and his balance was lost. In mid air he twisted land in a crouch. He
needed to focus. If he didn't he would fail. HE would not fail. He could not fail! It was then he
realized it.
Lance's eyes widened in shock. Of all the things in the universe he'd gone and done the
one thing that he never thought he'd do. Somewhere, somehow, when he wasn't looking, he'd fallen
in love. He shook his head as if he could deny it. He wasn't ready. He wasn't WORTHY.
As he lay back to stare at the ceiling of the hold he realized the truth. He'd been going to
the Moon to run away more than anything else. To run from his problems. He was sure whether he
was relieved to know it or disgusted at his cowardice. He wasn't worthy of Setsuna. He knew it and
he was sure she did too. She deserved better than a coward. "I swear, if this is love I feel, I will
become someone worthy of you, Setsuna. I swear it!"
TBC