Hearts in time: Beginnings
part six: Oracle
By Lance the Flamesniper
Queen Serenity frowned at the note she'd just received. On one hand the note and it's deliverer
were a sign that the would-be Warrior Prince and Swordmaster that she'd sent was still alive and thus,
had proved that his title was well earned. On the other hand the news in the letter was rather disturbing.
Conspiracy, terrorism and the belief that more of the same was in the offing was the order of the day.
"You have testified, Sailor Venus, that this man Feldspar told you of the plot to destroy the Oracles?"
"Yes I did your majesty. He also implied that there was other mischief a toe," the newly placed
Sailor Senshi mistated as she nodded. "It was weaponmaster Lance's belief that haste was needed.
Based on the facts as I know them I would say he was correct."
The Queen nodded, ignoring the midpronounced phrase. "It was his suggestion then that you be
sent here then?"
"It was my Queen. He was of the opinion that the Moon Kingdom would be better defended than
any palace on Venus."
"He would be correct in assuming that I would hope," sighed Serenity. "The letter also goes on
to suggest that the weaponmasters and Lords be dispatched to watch these Negaverse Movement
operatives on the various planets. What do you think Weaponlord Birch?"
Birch cleared his throat. "The young weaponmaster has been raised in a time of peace. It could
well be that he is suffering from Glory Sickness and merely seeing something that is not there. However,
I do not think that to be the case in all honesty. I believe that trying times are coming and that we need
to follow the lad's advice in this reguard."
"Very well Birch. I hearby order that weaponmasters be dispatched to all planets. Their orders
are to watch the negaverse movement and if needed aid Weaponmaster Lance in his activities."
Birch bowed deeply and set about the scrambling of the weaponmasters.
********
Princess Setsuna leaned against a balcony that over looked the sea. She didn't want to be here.
She wanted to be out there, with her prince. She knew she couldn't catch up with him, but it didn't stop
her from wishing, worrying and wanting.
"Excuse me? Are you Princess Setsuna?" A voice asked.
"Yes?" Setsuna responded as she turned. Before her stood a girl around Serena's age with bright
blue eyes and spun gold colored hair ornamented with a red bow. Like Setsuna the young woman before
her was clad in a Sailor Senshi's uniform only hers was orange with high heels instead of boots. "You're
Mina, princess of Venus correct?"
Mina nodded then handed a folded peice of paper to Setsuna. "I'm supposed to give this to you."
"Are you now? Tell me, who is this from?"
"A handsome warrior," Mina smiled. "He said that he knows you and hinted that you might be
worried after him."
Setsuna nodded as she opened the letter.
'Setsuna. I miss you greatly. Your gift however, is a wonderful blessing that will serve well in the
trying times ahead. I will need both faith and friendship to get through this. There is evil afoot my dear
friend and for now I am the lone blade standing against it. I know not when I shall see you again, but
when we are reunited I shall pray that we are never separated again. I miss you my star of the evening.
Remember me well until we meet again. Yours in Friendship forever. Lance.'
Setsuna smiled sadly. "He was right. I am worried for him. But I shall have faith and wait forever
for my dear friend's return."
"You will be in good company. I've heard that the other Senshi are to be gathered soon," Mina
chirped. "And the queen wished to speak with you later."
"Oh? Whatever for?"
"She didn't say," Mina said. "But she did say she'd send someone for you when she was ready."
'I wonder what the Queen want me for?' Setsuna asked as she headed toward the guard's training
center. She needed to work off some steam.
*****
Mercury was a unique planet in the Millenium for many reasons.
The first unique thing about it was the planet itself. The planet didn't rotate. Because of this one side
was always facing the sun while the other faced away. This meant that half the planet was so hot that no
one could live on it and the other was too cold. It was only on the boarder between the two was the only place
people could live. The only problem with that was that the constant mix of heat and cold made for wicked
crosswinds and devistating storms. Because of this most cities were underground.
The people of Mercury were incredibly intellingent and inventive. Most of the inventions in the Millenium,
from starliners to starsteel, were either created or perfected by the Mercurians. Because of their living
arragements being underground they tended toward pale skin, dark eyes and hair colors varying from dark blue
to vivid silver.
The government was equally unique. The leaders, called magisters, were chosen by someone or
something known as the Oracles. This choice seemed to be based on a person's achievements, intelligence,
disipline and various other ideals. The Oracles also behaved as spiritual advisors and prophets.
Lance suspected that the various duties might be why they'd been targeted. He's love to see these
oracles, but so far his stay on Mercury had been nothing but a pain. Most of it centered around the rather
strange obsession the Mercurians seem to have with rules and regulations. Upon leaving the starliner his
boots were confiscated because of some law against bringing items made of buckskin to Mercury. Next went
his dress uniform's shirt due to some restriction prohibiting the use of silver as an ornament. The final insult
came when he was asked to turn over his sword because he lack proper weapons permits.
"Listen to me VERY carefully," Lance gritted out as he stood in the place they'd sent him to file a
complaint. "I am a weaponmaster who very much needs to speak with the magister."
"If you are a waponmaster then would show us your weapon?" The clerk replied.
"I don't have my weapon, it was taken from me because I don't have a permit."
"How can you be a weaponmaster without a weapon?"
"I HAVE A WEAPON!"
"Then let us see it," The clerk answered.
At this point Lance felt like beating his head on the clerk's desk. "I don't have my weapon with me
because some restrictive, anal retentive fool took it from me for lacking a permit. Now, you will find a way for
me to get my shirt, boots and sword back. If you do not I swear by the Kami I will tie your tongue in a bow
around your neck."
The clerk gulped. "P-perhaps if you filled out some release forms we could allow you to have your
items returned to you."
Lance smiled, now he was getting somewhere. "Sure, hand me the forms and I'll fill them out right
away."
Lance had expected that it would be a form maybe two pages long. What he got when the clerk
returned was a stack of papers roughly the thickness of an encyclopedia. Lance responded in kind.
"Sir!" The clerk panicked. "Don't bang your head on the desk like that!"
******
Birch shook his head. It was simply amazing. He'd come to the training area to watch the next
group of Adepts practice and what he found instead was a group of bruised Adepts trying their luck against
a lone woman with a bo. The fact that the woman was a princess didn't even register really. All he noticed
was her skill.
Her bo twisted as whirled as if caught in a tornado. Low feints, high blocks and devistating strikes
to the ribs, back and head were being mixed with kicks of numerous kinds. One Adept tried to get the drop
on the young woman from behind only to find his kodachi blocked with a bo and the heel of her foot driven
into his groin. From the high block she spun swinging the bo striking another adept in the head before
parrying a spear in the same motion. The skill level beteween the adepts and the girl were just too uneven.
All too soon the Adepts were in heaps on the floor at the Weaponlord could see who casued the carnage.
What he saw left him with just one question.
"What kind of nobles do they raise on Pluto?"
"Sorry Weapon Lord. With my usual sparring partner away, I needed to find someone to practice
with," Setsuna replied sheepishly. "I had assumed that all Adepts would be at least close to his equal in
skill."
"Your usual sparring partner?" Birch repeated.
"Yes. Swordmaster Lance and I used to practice together. I had to stay sharp to keep up with him,
but he taught me everything I know."
"I see," Birch replied. "In all my years I've never seen a person of Lance's skill. Most Adepts to
pass their training end in draws against weapon masters in the trials."
Before he could ask any further questions though a messenger approached. "Princess Setsuna, the
queen will see you now."
*******
About fourteen pages into the encyclopedic form Lance was beginning to wonder how anything got
done on Mercury. The first page seemed like it would have sufficed to get his perloined equipment back. It
had asked for his name, planet of birth, date of birth, personal id number and reason for filling out this form
(to which he'd written to "get back my shirt, boots and sword").
After that things got rediculous. Starting on page two there were a list of questions intent of defining
WHY he was on Mercury. These ranged from the usual "How long do you plan on staying on Mercury?" to
the more bizarre "Do you wish to bodily harm any government official?". Lance was once again about to
bang his head on the desk again, when a box thumped down in front of him.
Lance blinked at the box then looked at the person carrying it. She was young, about Serena and
Mina's age with deep blue hair and sapphire eyes. She had the look of a very bright young lady and was
dressed in a regal blue gown.
"Are you the of the Golden Unicorn clan?" She asked.
"Why yes I am. Why do you ask?"
The young woman seemed to miss the question. "Are you here on a mission of dire importance?
"Yes I am and I need to get to it quickly. There is danger afoot."
"Then I return your equipment to you. You must come with me right away!"
Lance opened the box and smiled. Inside was his shirt, boots and best of all his starsteel katana.
"Thank you," Lance said as he quickly dressed.
"Sir!" the clerk cried as he rushed toward Lance. "You can't put those on without filling out the..urk!"
"You wished to see my weapon," Lance replied with his katana pointed at the man's throat. "Get a
good look."
"Yes, it's a nice sword," The clerk conceded. "Still we must have you fill out these forms."
It was then that the girl stepped forward. "He is permitted through by order of the Magister. She sent
me to retrieve and bring him to her."
"Y-yes Princess Amy."
Lance nodded at the clerk as he sheathed his sword. "It's been a pleasure meeting you. We really
mustn't do this again some time."
With that the weaponmaster left the clerk to his thoughts.
********
Lance walked slightly behind the princess and off to the left as they walked. It was an old lesson he'd
learned. This way if he needed to he could draw his blade quickly and not worry about accidentally hurting the
princess. "I wonder how the Oracles knew I was here?"
"The oracles know a great many things. I do appologize for not meeting you right away. It took us a few
days to consult the Oracles," Amy replied.
Lance smiled. He decided this girl was definitely likeable. "It's no problem. I just wish that the paper work
was simpler around here."
Amy smiled."Don't we all?"
Lance laughed. "I wouldn't expect a royal to dislike their own beaurocracy."
"And I wouldn't expect a prince to be a weaponmaster," Amy shot back.
"Point."
"Tell me, Weaponmaster, what is the nature of the mission you are on?"
"Please call me Lance, princess. I'm here because I have reason to believe that the Negaverse movement
might try to destroy the Oracles."
"I see," Amy replied. "There are people here curious about the Negaverse movemnt. Mostly unhappy folk
who believe that the Millenium is to blame for their woes."
"There are people like that everywhere I imagine," Lance stated. "Still there are other ways other than
terrorism to get a point across."
"You are either very wise for your age, Lance, or very well blessed in common sense," the young princess
intoned.
"Most likely the latter than the former," Lance replied quietly as his mind drifted back to a certain green
haired young woman. "Because I most definitely do not feel wise."
**********
The Magister of Mercury was a severe looking woman with sharp silver-blue eyebrows that matched her hair.
Her eyes were on the silvery side of grey encased in the angelic features of her face. Her figure was trim and toned.
All in all Lance could imagine her battling on the front as a soldier rather than running a planet.
"So you're Swordmaster Lance," the Magister stated. "I am amazed one so young can wear the title so
well."
"I thank you Magister," Lance began. "But only time will tell how well I wear my title."
"Well spoken young one. The Oracles told me that you were here but not why."
"I fear that the Negaverse movement may try to cause mayhem on the planet. I base this on the testimony of
the Princess of Venus, who was captive of their sect on Venus."
"This is indeed dire news," The Magister replied. "I will dispatch to you the aid of Princess Amy as she is a
Senshi in training. She is also most knowledgable in the use of computers and machines."
"That is most gracious of you. It's also very much appreciated as I have no idea how to use a Com-put-er,"
Lance responded as he worked with the foreign word.
*********
Topaz smirked. Things were going swimmingly. Her people were setting up their diversions within the next
few days she would able to destroy the Oracles.
Her plan was brilliant. Her followers would stage protests, riots and attacks on the Starsteel foundries, ship
yards and factories of the planet while she and a collection of specially picked people slipped into the Temple with
the Oracles and dispatched them.
She knew her plan would work because she's researched the constabulary and their reaction times. She
knew which locations they'd go to first and how many were on duty at any given time. It would all be perfect.
********
The Temple of the Oracles was a massive structure made of marble. It's steepled ceiling was held up by
massive draconian style pillars and had a mural of the universe painted upon the interior ceiling.Without a doubt it
was a very serene and peaceful place to be in. Not that it mattered to the two people who were there at the moment.
Princess Amy sat across the room from her would be partner for this mission. For the life of her she didn't
know what to make of the Swordmaster. She would have expected peaceful meditation or disciplined practice of his
fighting style. Instead he was sitting silently, intently staring at what appeared to be a locket.
"I suppose I'm not what you expected," Lance replied as he felt Amy's eyes on him.
"What?" She responded while trying to act like she hadn't been staring.
"I'm not what you thought a weaponmaster is like. I'm willing to bet if you'd met me before I became a
weaponmaster, I'd better fit your mental picture of one," Lance replied in a flat tone. "At one time I lived the art."
"If that's the case, what changed you?" Amy asked.
Lance snapped shut the locket with a soft click. then muttered under his breath. "You'll meet her soon
enough."
Amy was about to ask what THAT meant when all hell broke loose.
*******
At the iron ore refinery there was an explosion using Jupitari black powder. At the shipyards a riot broke
out. The same kinds of mayhembroke out at various armories, public buildings, refineries and factories all over
Mercury. Guards and the civil defense corps were being hard pressed for to keep up. All of it was dutifully reported
by the young Senshi as it came up on her mini-computer.
"Are you sure this is going to be their main target," She asked then looked over her shoulder. To her
surprise the weaponmaster was already on his feet and waiting.
"Yes, those all have to be distractions," Lance stated with a nod. "I'm sure of it because this is the only
place they don't seem to want guards."
Amy had to admit that made some kind of sense. She was about to acknowledge the point when the doors
to the temple were kicked open forcefully. In stormed about a half dozen men and one tall woman with acidic yellow
hair. Sailor Mercury reacted on instinct
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" She called out as the entire room filled wth icy cold mist.
Lance wasted no time. As soon as mercury fired her attack he was in motion. A high overhead strike to block
the man with the trident and get under his guard. Two strikes, one to the stomach one to the face and he's down. Next
one has a ax, blocked the first three swing before hitting his target in the gut with pommel of his katana, an uppercut
to the face took the the man down. Lance had to admit this was hardly fair though, as his enemies seemed more
hindered by the icy mist than he was.
He didn't have much time to think on it as he suddenly found himself ducking kicks and punches from a pair of
unarmed fighters. He ducked, dipped, dodged, sidestepped and avoided their strikes as best he could. An opening
came when one accidentally kicked the other in the face. While the one was stunned Lance used nerve points he'd
learned as part of first aid to paralyze his partner's knees. The man toppled into a heap as Lance turned on his other
attacker.
The man got into his fighting stance again only to have Lance smile and seemingly fade into the mists. The
man wheeled left and right looking for this target. Lance meanwhile had grabbed another of his attackers, a man with
a short sword and threw him at the unarmed fighter. The fighter only saw someone coming at him and released a kick,
only releasing after his "attacker" was unconscious who he'd hit. The fighter nerously looked around the mist looking
for the warrior. Unknown to him Lance had loomed out of the shadows behind him. His opponent's first clue something
was amiss when he suddenly couldn't breathe because something had wrapped around his neck and was squeezing.
The more the fighter struggled the tighter the grip got. His vision wavered as his brain began to protest it's lack of air.
Finally the man passed oput as the icy mist lifted.
The last of the would be attacker panicked. Clearly to him the Oracles had summoned a demon to defend
them. With that in mind, he dropped his flail and ran passed the woman. She looked decidedly unimpressed. "So,"
She began. "Someone summoned a weaponmaster."
"Yes, but with Feldspar's penchant for gloating, it was easy to find you." Lance replied cooly.
"Seems then that you're a loose end," She hissed as she drew her rapier and a dagger. "I, Topaz, hate
loose ends!"
Lance's katana was drawn in a flash. "We shall see. En guarde!"
The two met in a fury of slashes and parries. Amy could only watch in amazement as Lance seemed to
ecome a blur of slashes, crossstrikes and probing thrusts, all of them blocked by Tapaz's rapier and dagger. Just
as suddenly Topaz was on the offensive striking with reposts aimed at Lance's head. Lance twisted getting inside
her guard and unleasted a backhanded strike sending the warrior sprawling.
Topaz spit out a mouthful of blood. "You'll pay for that!" she hissed before using her sevret weapon. "Acid
spray!"
Lance rolled under the blast of liquid. He noticed that when it hit the wall it began to eat the rock instantly.
Making a note of it he rolled forward again brining his blade in up into a diagonal strike that would have sheared
Topaz hip to shoulder has she not blocked the strike with her sword. Lance spun with his attack bringing the
blade down in a slash aimed at her right shoulder. Once again she blocked the attack with her Rapier, only to
have the blade shear in half afterwards.
'Time to finish this,' Lance thought. "Celestial blade...SLASH!" He called out as he let loose a blast of
pure mana.
Topaz didn't have time to scream as she exploded into shard of rock.
"Another Golem," Lance mumbled. "Where is the negaverse getting them?"
"Perhaps they're building them from scratch," Amy suggested.
Lance had only one response to that. "Great."
******
The Bard looked at his class and couldn't help but smile. They were all on the edge of their seats,
hanging on his every word. No one would know it, but this was what he taught for. A brief glance to the
shadows proved that his watcher was enthralled by the tale as well.
"So what happened next?" Samantha asked.
The Bard smiled before beginning again. Yes, he definitely enjoyed teaching.
********
Several hours later Lance returned to the Temple of the Oracles. Topaz's remains had already been
removed as had the unconscious Negaverse operatives. Hopefully they'd yield some new leads. He'd need
them to figure out what these terrorists were going to do next. But that wasn't why he was here. He strode
through the main lobby into the court of the Oracles.
What he found was three spectral people. One looked like a girl of about five, another looked to be
a teenaged version of the first and the last like an old woman. They all seemed to float on the air as if they
were merely a mirage.
"Behold! Behold!" Called out the old woman. "Here stands a Weaponmaster!"
"A weaponmaster with a troubled heart," The teenager added.
"A heart that is heavy and confused," The child finished. "Born under a troubled star into a troubled
time was he."
"Fate forces him to fight," The teenager agreed. "Many times will he and win many times he shall."
"For that is what he was raised to do," The Old crone supplied. "But war is not his only desire. He
is not glory sick as some."
"Indeed not," stated the child. "Love is his desire."
"Love of his Evening Star," The three intoned at once.
"It is the path to the star that he seeks as well as the path to peace," The child added, almost as
an afterthought.
"With the last we can help but the first is more tricky," the Crone cackled.
"Those who will to harm the lands hide amoung the lands of the shadow storm, where dragons
dwell," The child responded.
"But the path of love will be found with Time, in time," The Teen retorted. "Though dark days dwell
in your path brave warrior, your nobility of soul will guide you. As will the gift we give unto you."
In Lance's hand appeared a crystal carved into the shape of a star that hung upon a silver chain.
When he looked up to ask what it was the words didn't even need to be spoken by him.
"We gift to you the star of Pluto," All three chimed. "May it burn brightly in times of peril to forever
light the path of the rightous."
With that the Oracles faded, leaving Lance in a darkened room. He had a lot to contemplate.
TBC
part six: Oracle
By Lance the Flamesniper
Queen Serenity frowned at the note she'd just received. On one hand the note and it's deliverer
were a sign that the would-be Warrior Prince and Swordmaster that she'd sent was still alive and thus,
had proved that his title was well earned. On the other hand the news in the letter was rather disturbing.
Conspiracy, terrorism and the belief that more of the same was in the offing was the order of the day.
"You have testified, Sailor Venus, that this man Feldspar told you of the plot to destroy the Oracles?"
"Yes I did your majesty. He also implied that there was other mischief a toe," the newly placed
Sailor Senshi mistated as she nodded. "It was weaponmaster Lance's belief that haste was needed.
Based on the facts as I know them I would say he was correct."
The Queen nodded, ignoring the midpronounced phrase. "It was his suggestion then that you be
sent here then?"
"It was my Queen. He was of the opinion that the Moon Kingdom would be better defended than
any palace on Venus."
"He would be correct in assuming that I would hope," sighed Serenity. "The letter also goes on
to suggest that the weaponmasters and Lords be dispatched to watch these Negaverse Movement
operatives on the various planets. What do you think Weaponlord Birch?"
Birch cleared his throat. "The young weaponmaster has been raised in a time of peace. It could
well be that he is suffering from Glory Sickness and merely seeing something that is not there. However,
I do not think that to be the case in all honesty. I believe that trying times are coming and that we need
to follow the lad's advice in this reguard."
"Very well Birch. I hearby order that weaponmasters be dispatched to all planets. Their orders
are to watch the negaverse movement and if needed aid Weaponmaster Lance in his activities."
Birch bowed deeply and set about the scrambling of the weaponmasters.
********
Princess Setsuna leaned against a balcony that over looked the sea. She didn't want to be here.
She wanted to be out there, with her prince. She knew she couldn't catch up with him, but it didn't stop
her from wishing, worrying and wanting.
"Excuse me? Are you Princess Setsuna?" A voice asked.
"Yes?" Setsuna responded as she turned. Before her stood a girl around Serena's age with bright
blue eyes and spun gold colored hair ornamented with a red bow. Like Setsuna the young woman before
her was clad in a Sailor Senshi's uniform only hers was orange with high heels instead of boots. "You're
Mina, princess of Venus correct?"
Mina nodded then handed a folded peice of paper to Setsuna. "I'm supposed to give this to you."
"Are you now? Tell me, who is this from?"
"A handsome warrior," Mina smiled. "He said that he knows you and hinted that you might be
worried after him."
Setsuna nodded as she opened the letter.
'Setsuna. I miss you greatly. Your gift however, is a wonderful blessing that will serve well in the
trying times ahead. I will need both faith and friendship to get through this. There is evil afoot my dear
friend and for now I am the lone blade standing against it. I know not when I shall see you again, but
when we are reunited I shall pray that we are never separated again. I miss you my star of the evening.
Remember me well until we meet again. Yours in Friendship forever. Lance.'
Setsuna smiled sadly. "He was right. I am worried for him. But I shall have faith and wait forever
for my dear friend's return."
"You will be in good company. I've heard that the other Senshi are to be gathered soon," Mina
chirped. "And the queen wished to speak with you later."
"Oh? Whatever for?"
"She didn't say," Mina said. "But she did say she'd send someone for you when she was ready."
'I wonder what the Queen want me for?' Setsuna asked as she headed toward the guard's training
center. She needed to work off some steam.
*****
Mercury was a unique planet in the Millenium for many reasons.
The first unique thing about it was the planet itself. The planet didn't rotate. Because of this one side
was always facing the sun while the other faced away. This meant that half the planet was so hot that no
one could live on it and the other was too cold. It was only on the boarder between the two was the only place
people could live. The only problem with that was that the constant mix of heat and cold made for wicked
crosswinds and devistating storms. Because of this most cities were underground.
The people of Mercury were incredibly intellingent and inventive. Most of the inventions in the Millenium,
from starliners to starsteel, were either created or perfected by the Mercurians. Because of their living
arragements being underground they tended toward pale skin, dark eyes and hair colors varying from dark blue
to vivid silver.
The government was equally unique. The leaders, called magisters, were chosen by someone or
something known as the Oracles. This choice seemed to be based on a person's achievements, intelligence,
disipline and various other ideals. The Oracles also behaved as spiritual advisors and prophets.
Lance suspected that the various duties might be why they'd been targeted. He's love to see these
oracles, but so far his stay on Mercury had been nothing but a pain. Most of it centered around the rather
strange obsession the Mercurians seem to have with rules and regulations. Upon leaving the starliner his
boots were confiscated because of some law against bringing items made of buckskin to Mercury. Next went
his dress uniform's shirt due to some restriction prohibiting the use of silver as an ornament. The final insult
came when he was asked to turn over his sword because he lack proper weapons permits.
"Listen to me VERY carefully," Lance gritted out as he stood in the place they'd sent him to file a
complaint. "I am a weaponmaster who very much needs to speak with the magister."
"If you are a waponmaster then would show us your weapon?" The clerk replied.
"I don't have my weapon, it was taken from me because I don't have a permit."
"How can you be a weaponmaster without a weapon?"
"I HAVE A WEAPON!"
"Then let us see it," The clerk answered.
At this point Lance felt like beating his head on the clerk's desk. "I don't have my weapon with me
because some restrictive, anal retentive fool took it from me for lacking a permit. Now, you will find a way for
me to get my shirt, boots and sword back. If you do not I swear by the Kami I will tie your tongue in a bow
around your neck."
The clerk gulped. "P-perhaps if you filled out some release forms we could allow you to have your
items returned to you."
Lance smiled, now he was getting somewhere. "Sure, hand me the forms and I'll fill them out right
away."
Lance had expected that it would be a form maybe two pages long. What he got when the clerk
returned was a stack of papers roughly the thickness of an encyclopedia. Lance responded in kind.
"Sir!" The clerk panicked. "Don't bang your head on the desk like that!"
******
Birch shook his head. It was simply amazing. He'd come to the training area to watch the next
group of Adepts practice and what he found instead was a group of bruised Adepts trying their luck against
a lone woman with a bo. The fact that the woman was a princess didn't even register really. All he noticed
was her skill.
Her bo twisted as whirled as if caught in a tornado. Low feints, high blocks and devistating strikes
to the ribs, back and head were being mixed with kicks of numerous kinds. One Adept tried to get the drop
on the young woman from behind only to find his kodachi blocked with a bo and the heel of her foot driven
into his groin. From the high block she spun swinging the bo striking another adept in the head before
parrying a spear in the same motion. The skill level beteween the adepts and the girl were just too uneven.
All too soon the Adepts were in heaps on the floor at the Weaponlord could see who casued the carnage.
What he saw left him with just one question.
"What kind of nobles do they raise on Pluto?"
"Sorry Weapon Lord. With my usual sparring partner away, I needed to find someone to practice
with," Setsuna replied sheepishly. "I had assumed that all Adepts would be at least close to his equal in
skill."
"Your usual sparring partner?" Birch repeated.
"Yes. Swordmaster Lance and I used to practice together. I had to stay sharp to keep up with him,
but he taught me everything I know."
"I see," Birch replied. "In all my years I've never seen a person of Lance's skill. Most Adepts to
pass their training end in draws against weapon masters in the trials."
Before he could ask any further questions though a messenger approached. "Princess Setsuna, the
queen will see you now."
*******
About fourteen pages into the encyclopedic form Lance was beginning to wonder how anything got
done on Mercury. The first page seemed like it would have sufficed to get his perloined equipment back. It
had asked for his name, planet of birth, date of birth, personal id number and reason for filling out this form
(to which he'd written to "get back my shirt, boots and sword").
After that things got rediculous. Starting on page two there were a list of questions intent of defining
WHY he was on Mercury. These ranged from the usual "How long do you plan on staying on Mercury?" to
the more bizarre "Do you wish to bodily harm any government official?". Lance was once again about to
bang his head on the desk again, when a box thumped down in front of him.
Lance blinked at the box then looked at the person carrying it. She was young, about Serena and
Mina's age with deep blue hair and sapphire eyes. She had the look of a very bright young lady and was
dressed in a regal blue gown.
"Are you the of the Golden Unicorn clan?" She asked.
"Why yes I am. Why do you ask?"
The young woman seemed to miss the question. "Are you here on a mission of dire importance?
"Yes I am and I need to get to it quickly. There is danger afoot."
"Then I return your equipment to you. You must come with me right away!"
Lance opened the box and smiled. Inside was his shirt, boots and best of all his starsteel katana.
"Thank you," Lance said as he quickly dressed.
"Sir!" the clerk cried as he rushed toward Lance. "You can't put those on without filling out the..urk!"
"You wished to see my weapon," Lance replied with his katana pointed at the man's throat. "Get a
good look."
"Yes, it's a nice sword," The clerk conceded. "Still we must have you fill out these forms."
It was then that the girl stepped forward. "He is permitted through by order of the Magister. She sent
me to retrieve and bring him to her."
"Y-yes Princess Amy."
Lance nodded at the clerk as he sheathed his sword. "It's been a pleasure meeting you. We really
mustn't do this again some time."
With that the weaponmaster left the clerk to his thoughts.
********
Lance walked slightly behind the princess and off to the left as they walked. It was an old lesson he'd
learned. This way if he needed to he could draw his blade quickly and not worry about accidentally hurting the
princess. "I wonder how the Oracles knew I was here?"
"The oracles know a great many things. I do appologize for not meeting you right away. It took us a few
days to consult the Oracles," Amy replied.
Lance smiled. He decided this girl was definitely likeable. "It's no problem. I just wish that the paper work
was simpler around here."
Amy smiled."Don't we all?"
Lance laughed. "I wouldn't expect a royal to dislike their own beaurocracy."
"And I wouldn't expect a prince to be a weaponmaster," Amy shot back.
"Point."
"Tell me, Weaponmaster, what is the nature of the mission you are on?"
"Please call me Lance, princess. I'm here because I have reason to believe that the Negaverse movement
might try to destroy the Oracles."
"I see," Amy replied. "There are people here curious about the Negaverse movemnt. Mostly unhappy folk
who believe that the Millenium is to blame for their woes."
"There are people like that everywhere I imagine," Lance stated. "Still there are other ways other than
terrorism to get a point across."
"You are either very wise for your age, Lance, or very well blessed in common sense," the young princess
intoned.
"Most likely the latter than the former," Lance replied quietly as his mind drifted back to a certain green
haired young woman. "Because I most definitely do not feel wise."
**********
The Magister of Mercury was a severe looking woman with sharp silver-blue eyebrows that matched her hair.
Her eyes were on the silvery side of grey encased in the angelic features of her face. Her figure was trim and toned.
All in all Lance could imagine her battling on the front as a soldier rather than running a planet.
"So you're Swordmaster Lance," the Magister stated. "I am amazed one so young can wear the title so
well."
"I thank you Magister," Lance began. "But only time will tell how well I wear my title."
"Well spoken young one. The Oracles told me that you were here but not why."
"I fear that the Negaverse movement may try to cause mayhem on the planet. I base this on the testimony of
the Princess of Venus, who was captive of their sect on Venus."
"This is indeed dire news," The Magister replied. "I will dispatch to you the aid of Princess Amy as she is a
Senshi in training. She is also most knowledgable in the use of computers and machines."
"That is most gracious of you. It's also very much appreciated as I have no idea how to use a Com-put-er,"
Lance responded as he worked with the foreign word.
*********
Topaz smirked. Things were going swimmingly. Her people were setting up their diversions within the next
few days she would able to destroy the Oracles.
Her plan was brilliant. Her followers would stage protests, riots and attacks on the Starsteel foundries, ship
yards and factories of the planet while she and a collection of specially picked people slipped into the Temple with
the Oracles and dispatched them.
She knew her plan would work because she's researched the constabulary and their reaction times. She
knew which locations they'd go to first and how many were on duty at any given time. It would all be perfect.
********
The Temple of the Oracles was a massive structure made of marble. It's steepled ceiling was held up by
massive draconian style pillars and had a mural of the universe painted upon the interior ceiling.Without a doubt it
was a very serene and peaceful place to be in. Not that it mattered to the two people who were there at the moment.
Princess Amy sat across the room from her would be partner for this mission. For the life of her she didn't
know what to make of the Swordmaster. She would have expected peaceful meditation or disciplined practice of his
fighting style. Instead he was sitting silently, intently staring at what appeared to be a locket.
"I suppose I'm not what you expected," Lance replied as he felt Amy's eyes on him.
"What?" She responded while trying to act like she hadn't been staring.
"I'm not what you thought a weaponmaster is like. I'm willing to bet if you'd met me before I became a
weaponmaster, I'd better fit your mental picture of one," Lance replied in a flat tone. "At one time I lived the art."
"If that's the case, what changed you?" Amy asked.
Lance snapped shut the locket with a soft click. then muttered under his breath. "You'll meet her soon
enough."
Amy was about to ask what THAT meant when all hell broke loose.
*******
At the iron ore refinery there was an explosion using Jupitari black powder. At the shipyards a riot broke
out. The same kinds of mayhembroke out at various armories, public buildings, refineries and factories all over
Mercury. Guards and the civil defense corps were being hard pressed for to keep up. All of it was dutifully reported
by the young Senshi as it came up on her mini-computer.
"Are you sure this is going to be their main target," She asked then looked over her shoulder. To her
surprise the weaponmaster was already on his feet and waiting.
"Yes, those all have to be distractions," Lance stated with a nod. "I'm sure of it because this is the only
place they don't seem to want guards."
Amy had to admit that made some kind of sense. She was about to acknowledge the point when the doors
to the temple were kicked open forcefully. In stormed about a half dozen men and one tall woman with acidic yellow
hair. Sailor Mercury reacted on instinct
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" She called out as the entire room filled wth icy cold mist.
Lance wasted no time. As soon as mercury fired her attack he was in motion. A high overhead strike to block
the man with the trident and get under his guard. Two strikes, one to the stomach one to the face and he's down. Next
one has a ax, blocked the first three swing before hitting his target in the gut with pommel of his katana, an uppercut
to the face took the the man down. Lance had to admit this was hardly fair though, as his enemies seemed more
hindered by the icy mist than he was.
He didn't have much time to think on it as he suddenly found himself ducking kicks and punches from a pair of
unarmed fighters. He ducked, dipped, dodged, sidestepped and avoided their strikes as best he could. An opening
came when one accidentally kicked the other in the face. While the one was stunned Lance used nerve points he'd
learned as part of first aid to paralyze his partner's knees. The man toppled into a heap as Lance turned on his other
attacker.
The man got into his fighting stance again only to have Lance smile and seemingly fade into the mists. The
man wheeled left and right looking for this target. Lance meanwhile had grabbed another of his attackers, a man with
a short sword and threw him at the unarmed fighter. The fighter only saw someone coming at him and released a kick,
only releasing after his "attacker" was unconscious who he'd hit. The fighter nerously looked around the mist looking
for the warrior. Unknown to him Lance had loomed out of the shadows behind him. His opponent's first clue something
was amiss when he suddenly couldn't breathe because something had wrapped around his neck and was squeezing.
The more the fighter struggled the tighter the grip got. His vision wavered as his brain began to protest it's lack of air.
Finally the man passed oput as the icy mist lifted.
The last of the would be attacker panicked. Clearly to him the Oracles had summoned a demon to defend
them. With that in mind, he dropped his flail and ran passed the woman. She looked decidedly unimpressed. "So,"
She began. "Someone summoned a weaponmaster."
"Yes, but with Feldspar's penchant for gloating, it was easy to find you." Lance replied cooly.
"Seems then that you're a loose end," She hissed as she drew her rapier and a dagger. "I, Topaz, hate
loose ends!"
Lance's katana was drawn in a flash. "We shall see. En guarde!"
The two met in a fury of slashes and parries. Amy could only watch in amazement as Lance seemed to
ecome a blur of slashes, crossstrikes and probing thrusts, all of them blocked by Tapaz's rapier and dagger. Just
as suddenly Topaz was on the offensive striking with reposts aimed at Lance's head. Lance twisted getting inside
her guard and unleasted a backhanded strike sending the warrior sprawling.
Topaz spit out a mouthful of blood. "You'll pay for that!" she hissed before using her sevret weapon. "Acid
spray!"
Lance rolled under the blast of liquid. He noticed that when it hit the wall it began to eat the rock instantly.
Making a note of it he rolled forward again brining his blade in up into a diagonal strike that would have sheared
Topaz hip to shoulder has she not blocked the strike with her sword. Lance spun with his attack bringing the
blade down in a slash aimed at her right shoulder. Once again she blocked the attack with her Rapier, only to
have the blade shear in half afterwards.
'Time to finish this,' Lance thought. "Celestial blade...SLASH!" He called out as he let loose a blast of
pure mana.
Topaz didn't have time to scream as she exploded into shard of rock.
"Another Golem," Lance mumbled. "Where is the negaverse getting them?"
"Perhaps they're building them from scratch," Amy suggested.
Lance had only one response to that. "Great."
******
The Bard looked at his class and couldn't help but smile. They were all on the edge of their seats,
hanging on his every word. No one would know it, but this was what he taught for. A brief glance to the
shadows proved that his watcher was enthralled by the tale as well.
"So what happened next?" Samantha asked.
The Bard smiled before beginning again. Yes, he definitely enjoyed teaching.
********
Several hours later Lance returned to the Temple of the Oracles. Topaz's remains had already been
removed as had the unconscious Negaverse operatives. Hopefully they'd yield some new leads. He'd need
them to figure out what these terrorists were going to do next. But that wasn't why he was here. He strode
through the main lobby into the court of the Oracles.
What he found was three spectral people. One looked like a girl of about five, another looked to be
a teenaged version of the first and the last like an old woman. They all seemed to float on the air as if they
were merely a mirage.
"Behold! Behold!" Called out the old woman. "Here stands a Weaponmaster!"
"A weaponmaster with a troubled heart," The teenager added.
"A heart that is heavy and confused," The child finished. "Born under a troubled star into a troubled
time was he."
"Fate forces him to fight," The teenager agreed. "Many times will he and win many times he shall."
"For that is what he was raised to do," The Old crone supplied. "But war is not his only desire. He
is not glory sick as some."
"Indeed not," stated the child. "Love is his desire."
"Love of his Evening Star," The three intoned at once.
"It is the path to the star that he seeks as well as the path to peace," The child added, almost as
an afterthought.
"With the last we can help but the first is more tricky," the Crone cackled.
"Those who will to harm the lands hide amoung the lands of the shadow storm, where dragons
dwell," The child responded.
"But the path of love will be found with Time, in time," The Teen retorted. "Though dark days dwell
in your path brave warrior, your nobility of soul will guide you. As will the gift we give unto you."
In Lance's hand appeared a crystal carved into the shape of a star that hung upon a silver chain.
When he looked up to ask what it was the words didn't even need to be spoken by him.
"We gift to you the star of Pluto," All three chimed. "May it burn brightly in times of peril to forever
light the path of the rightous."
With that the Oracles faded, leaving Lance in a darkened room. He had a lot to contemplate.
TBC