Royal duty: Terra and Geo-force

By Geo-force

Author's Note: At the time of this story, Bryon is 10, Terra is 9. This is my take on Geo-force and his sister Terra's background. Geo-Force is a character from the comics, not a fan-character made by me.

Chapter 1

In the very heart of Europe, high in the Alps, lies the old Kingdom of Markovia. Untouched by time, this kingdom has kept alive the old customs of chivalry and honor.

For sixteen hundred years, Markovia has prospered under the wise rule of the Markov family. It is hoped that success will continue under the two youngest members of the Royal house: Prince Bryon, and the Princess Terra.

"Prince Bryon, please pay attention!" Bryon Markov was snapped out of his daydream by the rapping of his Tutor's cane on the table. "If you have finished your nap, your majesty, I would like to move on to the next subject."

The young prince was in the Royal library, being taught his daily lessons by his old tutor, Dimitri. His favorite subjects (History and literature) were over, and Dimitri had launched into a math lesson that nearly put Bryon to sleep.

"But teacher, it's such a nice day out" the young prince pleaded. "Couldn't we cut it short for today?"

The old tutor sighed "Very well, but be sure to be here early tomorrow!" Bryon grinned triumphantly as he jumped out of his chair and ran toward the door. "And don't forget to do your science homework!." Dimitri yelled after him.

The young prince barely heard him as he ran down the corridor and out into the open sunlight.

Outside, the high turrets and tall ramparts of the royal palace rose around Bryon like tall mountains. His family's ancient castle looked like something out of a fairy tale. The young Prince ran across the massive courtyard towards the royal gardens.

At the very center of the Gardens, he could make out several members of the queen's court sitting at tables, sipping tea and gossiping. "Oh great, mother's having another one of her tea parties again.." He said to himself, rolling his eyes.

As his eyes scanned the Duke and Duchesses, Barons and Baronesses, Bryon spotted his mother, Queen Vanessa, at one of the Tables, surrounded by her ladies in waiting. Dressed in her formal white gown, with white nylon gloves and a diamond tiara, the Queen was considered the most beautiful woman in all Markovia.

At her side sat Bryon's little sister, Terra. She wore a smaller version of their mother's outfit, and had their mother's blond hair and blue eyes, as well.

The little princess was having her hair braided by one of her handmaidens when she spotted Bryon. "Big brother!" Terra came running to where he stood. "Why you out here? Old Dimitri bore you with his dumb old lessons again? Why don't you come and join us?"

Bryon shook his head. "Not today. Have you seen father?" The little princess just shrugged. "Last time I saw pappa, he was heading for the throne room."

At that moment, the Queen called out "Terra, come here!" The princess turned "Coming, mama! See you later, big brother!" She ran back to the table.

Bryon went back into the palace and headed for the throne room. Curiosity got the better of him. Why was father not at the party with the queen?

His answer came in the form of two voices coming out of the throne room. Bryon heard the voice of his father, and the voice of an older woman talking to each other Bryon hid and listened in.

Old woman: "King Viktor! You must allow me to resume my experiments! I can create super humans that can defend Markovia!"

King Viktor: "Absolutely not! Those are my children! I will not allow you to use them like lab rats!"

Old Woman: "You're just afraid that Queen of yours will hate you forever!"

King Viktor: "Enough! We will speak no more of this! Dr. Helga Jayce, You are not to lay a hand on the prince or princess! Is that understood?"

Old woman: "Understood, your majesty."

At tha,t Bryon ran away before either of them came out of the throne room. Experiments? On him and Terra? What could he mean? Well, father had taken care of it, so he pushed it out of his mind, and soon forgot the whole thing.

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Six months later, Terra awoke in the middle of the night, to the sound of the thunder and pouring rain outside the palace. She tried to go back to sleep, when she thought she heard two people... arguing in the hallway outside her bedroom door.

Tiptoeing past her two sleeping handmaidens, the little princess open the door to her room. A little farther down the hall, she could make out her parents, the king and Queen, arguing. She kept the door open a crack and listened.

Queen Vanessa: "Viktor! Have you gone mad! How could you even think of letting that woman experiment on our children? Have you lost all reason?"

King Viktor: "But my darling, think of their duty to the kingdom. They will be given the power to defend our land.."

Queen Vanessa: "No! It is disgusting! I will not even consider it!"

Terra saw her mother began to storm off in anger. Enraged, the King grabbed her wrist "Blast you, woman! Why won't you listen to reason?" The Queen began to struggle against her husband's grip. "Let go! Let me go!" Panicked, the queen ran down the hallway, towards the stairs. When she reached the top step, she slipped..

"Aieeee!" The queen violently tumbled down the stairs, landing at the bottom with a sickening "crack" "Vanessa!" The King ran down the stairs in a panic.

The Queen's body lay on the cold stone floor of the castle, silent and unmoving. "Vanessa, no... I didn't mean to... " The King ran out of the room. "Guards! The Queen needs a doctor! Now!"

Having witnessed the whole thing, the shocked eight-year-old Terra approached Queen Vanessa.s body. "Mama?... "

Terra stared into the closed, unblinking eyes of mother. The eyes that, when she was born, had first welcomed the little princess into the world. The eyes that comforted her when she was scared during a storm, and had shined with joy at every one of her birthday parties. Eyes that would never open again..

"Mama.,. Please get up.. Mama.."

Outside, the rain just kept pouring down...

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A few weeks later, King Victor was back in his throne room with the old scientist, Helga Jayce. The look on his face was as cold as stone, unmoving and unfeeling, when he turned and spoke.

"Dr. Jayce, you may begin your experiments again. My children are yours to do with whatever you see fit."