Disclaimer: Own nothing, make no profit. This work of fanfiction is cowritten by Lightning Flash and Sarah Frost who, aside from the pretty pattern of words and a few OCs that we're not particularly interested in copyrighting, own no characters or situations presented in this fanfic.
A/N: This is AU. What is AU about this, is that we are assuming "Sixth Dimension and other associated dimensions real, complicated places", and "Lord Fear was actually competent and had a Cause". LightningFlash actually has a Cool Weird Theory regarding the former proviso and if asked nicely will probably talk about it.
In this chapter, the famous writer Mark Twain is quoted; we make no attempt to claim his genius as our own.
PROLOGUEA long, long time ago, in a dimension far away (and no, we don't own Star Wars, either)…
…there was a war, over the possession over a powerful magical artefact, known as the Amulet of Zoar, that would give a skilled user the ability to dominate the entire Sixth Dimension.
…For many years, the amulet had remained secure in the hands of its guardians, the Lightning Knights, keepers of peace. Until an undead sorcerer rose again, gaining power, and the amulet was shattered.
…In the parallel quests of the Lightning Knights and the sorcerer's followers to find the pieces off the amulet before any other could, both sides were transported to another dimension, where their battle was played out.
...There's a long story attached to that, tales of war and hatred and fights and betrayal, but you would know the gist of that.
…Suffice it to say…ultimately it was the Knights who were victorious, after one of the sorcerer's servants chose to betray her master for love, and for a time the Sixth Dimension was saved.
In the end, there are four of them, trudging up the path to the tower, through the dark-coloured mud left by the rain, and they all look the worse for wear; a red-haired woman with a black smudge across her cheek, a man half-machine mounted on a squeaking wheel, and two figures leaning against each other as much for support as affection, a green-skinned woman wearing an oversized jacket over something red and tattered, and a blond man with a red-stained cloth around his left leg.
Another man, older than any of the four, comes out to meet them, moving with the grace of one well-trained in unarmed combat, and raises an arm in salute. He nods.
"Nice to have you back, Knights," he says.
Sparx reaches into her pocket, and throws him something golden and glittering. The Lightning Knight called Portius pockets it, and grins at her.
"Good for you, lass. Knew you'd come through."
He fixes a steely gaze on the blond man and the dark-haired woman, still standing together.
"Out of uniform, I see. And as for you, young woman, I'm placing you under arrest."
"Commander, I can vouch for her—" Ace begins, tightening his grasp on her in a protective gesture.
She speaks for herself, meeting Portius' eyes and speaking in an even tone.
"By all means, arrest me. I recall the last time I found escape less than challenging."
He stares at her for a long moment, then breaks into harsh laughter.
"No sense waiting around out here. Better come in."
The Knights receive two weeks of time off, with nothing better to do than to wait for their wounds to heal.
The days are long then, and sunny; time stretching out for them, and nothing to do but to rest and recover.
After the first couple of days, Sparx finds herself bored, and spends time with Random playing chess. She wins a surprising number of games. Ace and Lady Illusion appear to enjoy the chance to spend time together, though she takes care to stay out of the way of the other Knights. They're in love, and for the first time they have the chance to be together without obstacle, lying in the sun together wrapped in each other's arms.
Towards the end of the two weeks, he finds her running several computer searches on the Knights' database. She tells him that she's planning to go to the Third Dimension, where there are some opportunities for the talented mercenary. She says she'll write, and one day she simply disappears.
He's not worried for her; he's on duty again and that gives him enough to worry about, and a few weeks later a letter does arrive, with a return address included. Sparx is excited to launch on another adventure, and Random joins her after extensive therapy at the hands of the Knights' most trusted medics. Ace notices they both seem calmer and more contented, and he's happy for his friends.
One year later, a new adventure begins…
CHAPTER 1: LETTERS HOME
There were four letters home, written sometime in the long warm days of rest and recover, before the new adventure could even be considered, and two received replies.
Adair and Jane Granger,
8 Kings Terrace,
Meridian,
The Sixth Dimension
Dear Father and Mother,
As the adventurer von Wittenberg once said, rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated! I just had to…travel for a while, out of reach for the most part. It's a long story, and I'm not sure you want to know the full details, but our world is safe, for now. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that at least. My friends are also safe, and we're nearly recovered now. We'll be back on active duty in four days' time. The rest has been good although I'm looking forward to getting back to work again. Hopefully nothing too stressful will come up soon, we've had enough of that to last us a lifetime! And I've met this girl. This woman. Her name's Elspeth.I don't think you'd approve, but she's really very nice once you get to know her and she's saved my life several times over. I've never met anyone like her before. And tell Buzz that yes, she is female. Most of the time. (Joke!) I got his last letter, and I don't think I agree with the principle that a different girl every week is a proof of masculinity.
The weather's lovely over here, it's spring this side of the dimension and though we've had a few showers it's still nice and warm. How is Meridian? It's autumn, right? I always loved that season, the leaves look so dazzling. I remember Mother always getting irritated at Buzz and myself jumping into piles of dry leaves for the crackling sound.
I hope the business merger you referred to in your last letter went well, and that both of you are well and happy. Say hello to Buzz for me.
Love,
Ace.
This one received a reply, after a week or so, and the addressee read it alone, one morning after breakfast.
Ace Lightning
Box 320
Lightning Knight Headquarters
The Thunder Tower
The Sixth Dimension
Son,
It's good to know you're alive. In future, your mother and I would appreciate your directing further communications to Box 21, Meridian City Centre. As you know, our great city is very proud of our human heritage. You're sure your people do not give out your true surname?
About this woman, we advise you to be careful; those kind of people are frequently not to be trusted. Of course we trust you, but you know they say powers are dangerous. Your brother is presently seeing Miss Elizabeth Charnwood; you remember her, don't you? The daughter of Thomas Charnwood, head of MetroCo? A most suitable young lady, in our opinion. We're hoping this may lead to an engagement.
Regards,
Adair and Jane Granger.
He showed Elspeth the letter, later, and she laughed and said his parents were probably right before pulling him into another kiss.
- -
The second letter received no reply, at least partly because the writer made some efforts to hide her location.
Dear Uncle,
From your previous missive I understand that some of the gossip concerning certain recent events has reached you by now. I don't plan to elaborate more than necessary, and by your standards I would never be able to justify several of my actions.
It is true I turned traitor, and fought with the Lightning Knights at the final battle. I acted to save our dimension—and entirely incidentally my own neck—from the clutches of an insane sorcerer. Unfortunately, however, I'm presently unemployed and my reputation as a mercenary has suffered; if you hear of anyone who's hiring, feel free to recommend me.
Please inform Lord Kaigoth Alain that this lowly halfbreed no longer considers herself engaged to him, though he really should have got the message before now. Should he wish to adventure a second duel, I'd appreciate it if you gently reminded him that I am not so willing to hold back as I was seven years ago. I may lack a powerful employer, but I am both willing and able to defend myself should it prove necessary.
With all due respect, Uncle, considering your understandable wish to advance the family fortunes I believe my second cousin Eilian has expressed some interest in our new Clan-Lord.
Regarding the particular rumour on the subject of the Mortalborn known as Ace Lightning that you wrote so lyrically about, I'm pleased to inform you that it is entirely founded on fact. We're in love. I'm sure you'll be happy for me. I believe you used the phrase, "following in the footsteps of my worthless mother"?
I doubt I'll have the opportunity to write to you again; I therefore wish to express my sincere gratitude to you on behalf of both myself and my late mother. You willingly offered both of us a home following the death of my father, generously ignoring any claims of hers to your father's legacy. No doubt it was due to your patient care that she lived only a few years upon returning to the Darkholt. I also must thank you for the opportunity you gave me to learn the arts of fighting and sorcery alongside your own offspring, my cousins Brendon and Kellamy; I am also grateful you did not choose to arbitrarily betroth me on the basis of my powers. Though I must certainly be excluded, I wish you and Lord Alain nothing but the highest success in your future political endeavours.
Your obedient niece,
Elspeth Aranya, Lady Illusion.
The third letter, written nearly a year after the other three, after other letters by the same author had failed to receive answers, was also never replied to.
Dear Sir,
If you refuse to read this, please pass it onto mother.
The vampires are stirring up trouble, and I will be out of this dimension on a mission for an unknown amount of time.
I write to you in the belief that these approaching battle will be my last. I have taken my place with the Knights, and am prepared to die for what is right. A brave Lightning Knight once told me that that is the greatest honour of all, no matter who you are. Perhaps he was right, even though he didn't believe it applied to the confused cyborg his son became.
I want to tell you, father, that the one thing you believed to be my greatest weakness has in fact become my greatest strength. I have conquered my darkness, and have become more powerful than even you could have hoped. But still you reject me. Why? The cause of your hatred is the one thing I would change in my life, I did not choose it. In some ways, it chose me. I have finally realised that I did not bring shame upon the family, and that if one of us has a reason to hate the other, then it is I. I choose not to hate you though, father. Hate is an un-Knightly virtue, and one I have finally purged myself of. Perhaps it is time for you to do the same.
You can cast me off, Father, deny my very existence, and ignore my death, but it will never stop me from being, now and always,
Your son,
Random Virus.
The fourth letter was replied to, but that reply has been lost.
Dear father Remus,
Ace, Random Virus, and I are back from White Hot Oblivion. The inmates were rebelling, but we got the situation under control easily. It was even hotter than we expected, and we had to leave early because our supplies were low. We ran into some trouble on our journey through the Datastream, but we came out on top. The style of fighting you taught me has never let me down.
How are you? I haven't seen you since I became a Knight. I wish I could have gone to mother's funeral, but I heard that the King was attending for publicity reasons. Ace and I go to Zalik's grave when we can, and I will make sure to visit mother's too. Zalik never told Ace that I was a princess, and Ace only knows that I'm a runaway you took in. I think it's better that he doesn't know the details. Is Reinhard dead yet? I haven't heard so, but I can hope. When he dies, the first thing I'm going to do is go to the Palace and see if my brother Ivory's still there.
Oh, father Remus, I wish you could see me as a Knight, the sword you gave me lit up with lightning, flying into some battle. I know you disagree with my choice to fight, but my dimension deserves peace, just as you desire peace for yours.
We have been having problems with the vampires, and my team, along with Portius', are being sent on another mission tomorrow. I will write to you when I return.
Your faithful daughter,
Sparx.
In the Mess Room at the Thunder Tower, some time later…
Sparx picked at the food on her plate while she flicked through a tabloid trash magazine, reading about the latest scandal at the palace.
"I don't know why you read those." Ace planted his tray on the table and took the seat opposite her.
"I like to know about the people I have sworn to give my life to defend." She glanced at the food on his plate. "How come you get the nice stuff? This food hall crap reeks." she pushed her plate away.
"Ah, Sparx. Always a picky eater," Random Virus rolled over to the table and sat his tray down. "Such a delicate palate," he teased.
"You had Dr. Grey today, didn't you?" she asked him.
"Yep. According to her, this," he tapped the metal plate on the side of his face with his fork handle. "Is a mask, behind which I hide all my emotions." Although he liked to laugh about his therapy, the cyborg knew it was doing him good.
"And how was the good doctor?" Sparx grinned suggestively at him.
"Fine," Random mumbled, suddenly finding the contents of his lunch fascinating. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Sparx glanced over at Ace, who was pulling some envelopes from his jacket pocket. "Letters from home?"
"Yeah." Ace rolled his eyes.
"How's Buzz the lady killer?"
"If you believe this," he held up his letter. "Then he's finally been caught."
"What are the rest of us women to do?" Sparx feigned distress.
"I'm sure that if you put on a dress and paraded past, he'd go after you," Ace smiled.
Sparx stuck her tongue out at him, then raised her eyebrow at the second envelope, the letter in which had already been read.
It was addressed in writing that looked like a drunken spider had walked through ink then over the envelope.
"How's Elspeth?"
"You really are too nosy, you know that?"
"No, I'm just bored."
"She's fine. She's got a job working for Father Time, after that she'll be able to visit. She wanted me to tell you that she's ready for that re-match you promised her."
"Tell her she's on," Sparx grinned. "How 'bout you, 'borg. Any word from home?"
"Nope." Random stabbed his fork into his food a little harder.
"You dad's still not replying, huh?" Ace asked him. Random just shook his head.
"Sheesh! Don't any of us get on with our parents?" asked Sparx.
"Oh, I get on with them," said Ace. "But that's about it. Have you heard from Master Remus?" he asked Sparx.
She sighed. "He went back to the First Dimension. But at least he's taken on some new students. I don't think I'll be seeing him for a while." She turned back to her magazine.
Random and Ace exchanged glances over her head, then turned back to their food.
"We're all lucky we've got us, then," said Ace, putting his letters away.
Sparx and Random raised their glasses. "Hear hear!"
A/N: Both LightningFlash and Sarah Frost love feedback. Review, please?