To provide c&c for this fic, please post publically or e-mail
bgcrisis@rma.edu or fido@rma.edu
The FFML Refugee List
Okay, I FINALLY finished chapter 3 (Rough draft) of Sylia's
Choice(Originally Nightmares and Dreams; Sylia's Choice) but
since I still want to proofread and edit I thought I'd send out the
first chapter now and the second next week after I finish editing it.
So here's chapter one!
Enjoy
David Lindquist
fido@rma.edu
Quote= "Fanfic writing is like building a car with C&C being the tune-up!"
Sylia's Choice
Part 1
by
David Lindquist
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Bubble Gum Crisis and all characters there of are the
copyright of AIC. All AD&D Oriental adventures character and
setting copyright of TSR inc. All rights reserved.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FORWARD: This started out as my second fanfiction. It became
one of the hardest thing I have ever wrote. It took me 2 months just to
write the opening paragraph and it never got any easier.:) I would work
on it in spurts or whenever I couldn't work on anything else. It became
an albatross around my neck at time but I stuck with it and eventually
succeeded. I'd like to that those that helped me get this fic
finished:
Gary Kleppe
Karaohki
Jeanne Hedge
the FFirc chat group
the FFML(May it come back soon)
and anyone else I missed.
Thanks and enjoy!!
This story takes place one week after BGC video no. 6 (Red
Eyes).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sylia's Choice Part 1
As she slipped into her warm bath, Sylia realized just how
weary her body felt. *I hope this helps,* she thought. *If it
doesn't I don't know how much more of these nightmares I can
take.* Sylia's troubles began the night after their battle with
Largo. She went to bed early. She awoke an hour later soaked in
sweat and almost screaming in terror. Ever since that night, the
nightmares would come to torment her. Even worse, the constant
barrage she endured disrupted her ability to gain any benefits
from her slumber, making her tired and irritable. All her efforts
to counteract the nightmares failed. She tried to combat it by
swimming but quickly realized that it wasn't working. Finally, in
an act of desperation, she decided to try one of her mother's
favorite stress relief techniques, a long hot bath. Sylia
remembered when her father told her the story of when they moved
to Megatokyo and her mother's insistence on possessing a large
bathtub. How he scoured the city to find it then paid for it with
his own money and the joy in her face when she saw it. Those
baths became one of the few memories Sylia recalled of her
mother.
*I loved it when mother and I took those baths
together,* she thought, a small feeling of contentment
settled on her as she slowly twirled a finger in the water.
Beep!
Beep!
The video-phone ringing instantly banished the feeling of
peace she achieved only a moment ago, replacing it with feelings
of irritation. Sighing, she retrieved the waterproof remote
control from its place and pointed it towards the one way
audio-visual-phone entertainment center embedded in the far
bathtub wall. Pressing the caller id button, the screen
immediately identified the caller.
*Mackies calling from Raven's garage? I hope he isn't
overworking himself repairing the old hardsuits.* Sylia pressed
the accept button. The screen instantly changed showing the image
of a greased stained, sweaty, concerned looking Mackie.
"Sis? Are you okay? I'm not getting a visual on you," Mackie
said.
"I'm fine," Sylia responded. "I am just taking a bath."
Sylia watched as her brother's eyes glazed over and an silly
grin formed on his face.
"You're ...ah completely nude then" he stammered out.
"As I recall, that is how a bath is normally taken," Sylia
said, not quite able to keep the irritation out of her voice. *I
wonder if he is ever going to grow out if that,* she thought as
she watched her brother try to compose himself. *I'd better find
out what he called for before he says something I will make him
REALLY regret.*
"What did you want to talk about, Mackie?"
"Well....um... I got the.. ah...old equipment fixed except
for the ......fourth item. Ah..... That'll have to be totally....
err... replaced, but if we need the others we'll have them," he
replied, still trying to compose himself.
*At least he hasn't totally lost his senses.* Sylia thought.
After their battle with Largo, Sylia decided to upgrade the
security systems at all the Knight-Sabers facilities. Until they
were set up she instructed the other members not to say anything
about their work unless it was face-to-face.
"Anything else?" she inquired.
"Uh....I wanted to remind you that Priss will be getting out
of the hospital tomorrow afternoon. From what I've heard, the
hospital will be glad when she's gone."
Sylia smiled at that remark. *Priss must be getting back to
normal then.*
"Oh...almost forgot..," Mackie said, bring Sylia's attention
back to the view screen," I'm going to be spending the night
here. It's okay with Doctor Raven. There's a project I want to
finish up. Unless....ah..... you need me?"
"No. That is all right," Sylia said." Just don't overdo it."
*I'd better check the changing room for hidden cameras tomorrow,*
she mentally sighed. She then said, "If that is it then good
night Mackie."
"Pleasant dreams, Sis." he said before he closed the
connection.
"That's what I'm hoping for Mackie, "Sylia whispered as she
pressed the disconnect button, closing the connection at her end.
She laid in the tub for a few minutes then she pressed the button
that set the timer alarm. *I'd better set the alarm, just in
case,* she thought, After she put the controller back Sylia
retrieved the wet, folded washcloth she prepared beforehand.
*Maybe after this I will be able to get at least get some rest
tonight.* Sylia thought as she laid back, put the wash cloth
over her eyes, and relaxed.............
She lost.
As the black mist crept closer to her, Sylia Stingray knew
she failed. Not just her mission. She failed them all. Her
teammates all dead. Her father unavenged. Genom free to conquer
the world.
"All because I failed," she whispered, tears forming in her
eyes as she stared at the mist now almost upon her. She sat on
the ground, her knees under her waiting for the end.
Her hardsuit broken and shattered like her spirit.
She couldn't fight it.
She didn't want to fight it.
She just wanted it all to end.
Sylia openly cried as the mist engulfed her. She felt it
invade her body, forcing her spirit out.
"I failed you Father," Sylia sobbed as she felt the last of
her spirit ejected from her body. "I failed you all...."
"Sensei? Are you okay?"
Lifting her arm from her eyes, Sylia slowly sat up from her
futon and looked at her student.
"Yes Nene-chan, I'm fine," she replied, hiding her own
concern over her dreams finish." Just a nightmare."
"A nightmare before this important a battle?" Nene said, a
worried look on her face. "That is a bad omen. A very bad omen."
"Is it almost dawn?" Sylia asked irritably.
"Hai, sensei," Nene replied.
"Go awaken the others. After you all have eaten, prepare the
horses. I wish to leave as soon as possible. I will eat in here."
"Hai sensei," Her orders received Nene stood up, gave her
teacher a low bow and left the small chamber.
Sylia watched Nene leave with a slightly guilty look on her
face. *I'll have to apologize to her later,* Sylia thought as she
watched Nene close the sliding door. A slight rumbling in her
stomach broke her train of thought. *I'd better get something to
eat.* After shifting to a kneeling position, Sylia placed both
her middle fingers down to her palms then she brought her hands
together. Bowing her head slightly she spoke.
"O' GREAT COTTAGE," Sylia said "PLEASE GRANT THIS
UNWORTHY PERSON SOME NOURISHMENT SO I MAY
FACE THE DAY!"
As she finished her incantation a globe of white light
slowly glided down to the floor. The instant the globe touched
the ground it transformed into a bamboo serving tray with a bowl
of rice, some fish, a teacup, some utensils and a kettle of tea,
all ready to use.
"My thanks," Sylia said moving towards the food.
*Adding the ability to produce meals to the origami cottage
definitely proved to be the best use of that limited wish,* she
thought as she poured the steaming tea into her cup. Putting the
kettle back and beginning to eat her meal, Sylia's mind began to
review what had sent them on what could be their greatest battle.
It all started four days ago. The Knight Sabers were in the
western most part of the Shou Lung empire, just finished tracking
down and destroying a group of Bakemono bandits who terrorized
the villages in the area for the past month Settling at a inn on
the outskirts of one of the villages, they sat in a corner of the
main tavern splitting up the spoils from the battle.
"This will bring some good coinage from a jeweler," Linna
said, examining a gold and diamond bracelet.
"Is that all you can think of Linna?" Nene asked a slightly
irritated look on her face. "Money."
"It's better than dreaming about some handsome samurai to
come along and sweep you off your feet!" Linna responded
irritably.
"Let's not go into that conversation again, okay?" Priss
interrupted, the pain of her hurt ribs showing on her face.
"Damn, who would have thought that little runt could hit so
hard."
"Your ribs still bothering you?" Sylia remembered saying.
"Yes," Priss replied "Very much."
Sylia reached into her small pouch and pulled out a small
blue vial. Leaning over the table they sat at she handed the vial
to Priss.
"Here," she said "Drink this."
Priss carefully took the vial from Sylia and drank. After a
few moments the tension in her body seemed to relax and a
relieved look cross her face.
"What was that stuff Sylia? I feel great!" Priss said.
"A healing potion," Sylia replied. "I picked it up at Chi
lun."
As the others continued to talk Sylia looked around the
room. She was the first to notice the five men entering through
the outer door. Four of them wore full O-yorio armor but each one
carried a different weapon. The first one carried a pair of
katanas similar to her own strapped in an X formation on his
back. The second carried two kamas hanging from his belt. The
third carried a large battle axe while the fourth had a chu-ko-nu
and a pair of sias. She recognized their demeanor instantly.
*Samurai bodyguards,* she thought, *but I can't make out who they
are guarding.* Her attention turned to the fifth member of their
group. He was dressed in a black hooded robe that covered the
figure from head to toe.
*Why do you look so..... familiar?* she thought. Just then one
of the samurai turned towards their table.know I can find out
what clan has their loyalty.* Sylia got a good look at his helmet
insignia. Her anger flared at the sight of the golden letter G that
was on the helmet.
"Sylia? What is it?" Priss asked.
"Genom Guard," Sylia replied. Her attention never leaving
the five men as they walked towards the barkeep.
"Here!?" Linna said her and Nene's conversation silenced at
the mention of their greatest enemy.
"Prepare yourselves," Sylia said "but don't draw your
weapons unless I say so. Understood Priss?"
"I thought he was going for his sword!" Priss said
defensively, releasing the catch that held her ninja-to in it's
scabbard.
Linna readied her razor chain, smiling slightly at Priss's
outburst. Nene ignored the conversation as she gathered some
spell component for quick access. Her eyes never left the five
men as Sylia undid the holding cord that kept her katanas in
their scabbards. She watched as the man in the black robe pulled
a small pouch out and handed it to the katana wielding samurai.
The samurai walked to the barkeep and leaned over the bar. As he
talked to the barkeep Sylia noticed that the color drained from
the barkeep's face and he began to sweat. The samurai finished
talking, handed him the pouch and walked back to the robed man.
The barkeep looked at the pouch for a few second, grabbed his
coat that was hanging behind him and half walked/half ran out the
door. After the barkeep left the robed man began to walk towards
their table. He stopped when one of the other samurai started to
walk with him. He turned and said to the samurai:
"It is all right, Mutako, they will not harm me."
Sylia instantly recognized the figure's voice. *Lord
Quincy?* she thought *Why would our worst enemy come to
us alone and be so sure we will not kill him?* As Sylia's mind
pondered her own question, she watched Lord Quincy walk
up to their table.
"Greeting, Sylia-san" he said he then reach up and pulled
his hood back. The other three Knight-Sabers shocked at sight of
Lord Quincy. They quickly recovered, each of their faces showed
the hatred the Knight-Sabers felt for him.
"What do you want?" Sylia said "I know you didn't come all
this way just to give us your salutations."
"True," he replied. "On behalf of the emperor, I wish to
hire you."
"When hell freezes over!" Priss barked out.
Sylia turned and stared disapprovingly at Priss. They looked
at each other for a few moments then with a disgusted expression
on her face, Priss broke eye contact, folded her arms across her
chest, and slouched slightly in her chair. Smiling slightly at
her victory, Sylia turned her attention back to Lord Quincy.
"Though I wouldn't had put it quite that way," Sylia said,
her smile fading." My opinion is the same as hers."
"Even if it means the final destruction of Mason?" he
replied.
Sylia couldn't hide the surprise at the mention of his name.
Mason's obsession with Sylia made him their most persistent
enemy, attempting to capture then destroy them on more than one
occasion. The final straw came when one of his attempts missed
them and killed friends of Linna and Priss. They tracked him to
Hibiki Castle with the intent of avenging them and settling their
feud once and for all. The battle became the most intense and
bloody the Knight Sabers ever participated in, only ending when
Sylia drove Kotetu, one of her katanas, through Mason's chest.
Then as a warning to others, Sylia cast a spell that collapsed
the castle on top of his corpse. Her mind refused to accept the
possibility that he survived.
"Impossible," she firmly stated, "Mason is dead."
"I thought so too," Quincy quietly spoke, causing Sylia to
raise an eyebrow in curiosity. He then gestured with his left
hand towards the table set next to them.
"Please, can we talk privately and let me present my
suspicions to you," his voice then took a haughty tone" I am
willing to pay you for the time."
Sylia ignored his insult as she contemplated his request.
After a few seconds she silently rose from her chair and walked
to the other table, followed by Lord Quincy. Sylia sat down at
the side of the table with her back towards the other Knight
Sabers. Quincy sat at the table's head, his back to his own
samurai. Sylia reached into the same pouch she kept her spell
components in and pulled out a small hourglass-like object. She
set the object on top of the table with the sand in the top.
"You have until this timepiece," she spoke, pointing towards
the object, "runs out to convince me."
Quincy's face showed no emotion as Sylia watched for a
reaction to her words, but his eyes betrayed the anger at his
treatment. He sat there, glared at the time piece for a few
seconds then he turned and looked at Sylia.
"Very well," he said as his eyes beginning to return to
normal. "Two weeks ago the village of To Lon was destroyed by a
bandit raid, or so we thought. We sent the 5th Genom Light
horseman battalion to deal with the problem. They reported the
village leveled to the ground and the village leader's head
impaled on a pike in the center of town."
"What happened to the other villagers?" Sylia asked, already
suspecting their fate.
"All of them murdered," Lord Quincy replied emotionlessly.
"even the animals. The commander sent a scouting party to
backtrack and find the attacker's point of origin."
"Let me guess," Sylia interrupted. "The trail led to Hibiki
castle."
"Yes," he said. "Apparently something blasted it's way out
of the rubble and started destroying whatever crossed its path."
"What makes you think it was Mason?" Sylia asked, a small
part of her mind beginning to form doubts of his death. Lord
Quincy reached into his robes and pulled out a small pouch. He
untied the drawstring then flipped it upside down spilling out a
golden ring onto the table. Picking up the ring, he handed it to
Sylia for her to inspect.
"That," he said pointing at the ring, "is my biggest
reason."
Sylia examined the ring closely. It had small diamonds
arranged in a circle around the setting. The setting held a
medium sized ruby. Sylia examined the ruby and saw the letter G
embedded in the top. *It's his ring,* Sylia confirmed mentally,
the small part of her mind that didn't believe he died growing
more and more prominent.
"It was found near the temple ruins at Saotome." Quincy said
drawing her attention back to him. "We believe that he is there."
"That only proves that someone might have done some
graverobbing," Sylia quietly contested, the part of her mind that
held on to the belief Mason was dead trying to regain the ground
it lost in this argument. Quincy drew in a long breath and let it
out slowly. He gazed straight ahead almost as if Sylia wasn't
even there.
"Madigan disappeared the night we received word of the
massacre."
It was then that Sylia became convinced of Mason's return.
*Madigan's loyalty to Quincy is almost fanatical,* She thought.
*She even gave up a chance for revenge on us when she held the
upper hand because of her loyalty. Only Mason, her lover, could
exercise enough control to convince her to abandon her lord.*
Sylia then notice the hourglass almost finished its cycle. *His
evidence is mostly circumstantial but my instincts says to
believe him,* she continued, *In any case it is worth
investigating.* Sylia reached out to the hourglass and took it
from the table. She returned it to her pouch.
"I want one million Ch'len as payment," she said gazing
directly at Quincy. "You can keep the money for this talk. It
proved ....interesting."
Lord Quincy raised an eyebrow at her words then reached into
the folds of his robe and retrieved a small bag and scroll.
"You will need the scroll to pass the battalion surrounding
the temple and here is a down payment on your fee." He said as he
placed the two item on the table. "Here is 100,000 Ch'len as a
down payment. The rest will be waiting for you at the battalion's
basecamp," He then stood up. "I will send an messanger to tell
them to expect you within the week. Good luck." He bowed to
her then turned around and left the building, his guards trailed
behind him.
Sylia didn't watch them leave, her thoughts were
entwined with the ring she held in her hands. *How could he
have survived?* she thought, then her face developed an tired
and weary expression. *Why can't this struggle end?*
"Sylia? Are you okay?" Linna asked quietly.
Sylia turned, slightly startled at the voice she heard. *I
was so self absorbed I didn't hear the others walk over.* Sylia
stood up and looked at the other Knight Sabers.
"I want everything prepared for us to leave here early in
the morning." she commanded, ignoring Linna's question.
"So we're going to take this job, huh?" Priss said, a slight
sarcastic edge in her voice.
"Yes," Sylia replied as she reached over and took the scroll
and pouch.
"I sure hope you know what your doing Sylia," Priss stated
plainly.
Sylia's response to Priss's words echoed in her mind as her
thoughts returned to the half-eaten meal before her.
"So do I Priss," she whispered.
"So do I."
END OF PART 1
PART 2: The Knight Sabers prepare for war and they discover just
how evil and powerful their enemy has become. To find out keep an
eye out for Sylia's choice Part 2. (Unless no one reads this then
I'll probably won't write it.)
APPENDIX
BAKENOMO BANDITS = Creatures of various shapes, sizes and colors.
They often form bandit hordes under the command of an Ogre magi
or an Oni and raid different cities.
CHI LUN = A city in Shou Lung, known for it's sales of magical
items.
CH'LEN = Highest monetary unit in Kara-Tur.
CHU-KO-NU = Repeating crossbow.
GENOM CLAN = The most powerful clan in Shou Lung. Some say they
are the most powerful clan in Kara-Tur. They also have the
largest personal army of any other lord. The head of the clan is
Lord Quincy an 26th level samurai. He gives his loyalty to the
emperor but his ambition is to rule all of Kara-Tur. The Emperor
is very wary of him but can do nothing because of his powerbase.
Secretly the Emperor hopes that the Knight Sabers will remove him
as a threat, so he has subtly helped them in the past.
note: Lord Quincy secretly set Mason up for destruction by
promising reinforcements in case the Knight Sabers attacked and
not sending them.
GENOM GUARD = Bodyguard unit of Genom Clan. Samurai assigned to
protect hierarchy. Unless undercover must wear their full O-yorio
armor when on duty and all have magical weapons.
HIBIKI CASTLE = Mason's main base of operations. Almost all of
the people stationed here were fanatically loyal to Mason and
died with him when the Knight Sabers attacked. Sylia destroyed
the castle as a warning for anyone else who harmed a friend of
the Knight Sabers.
KAMA = Straight bladed sickle.
KNIGHT SABERS = Four warriors out to gain vengeance against the
Genom clan. They are:
SYLIA STINGRAY = leader, 15th level Kensai/30th level
wu-jen. Wants revenge on Lord Quincy for his part in the death of
her father and the destruction of her clan. She was given all of
her father's magical knowledge and power by an transference
spell. Sylia uses two katanas and wears a special suit of O-yorio
armor that allows her to use her wu-jen spells but at a price of
taking damage when she cast them.
note: When she received her father's abilities she was also
placed under a GEAS spell forcing her to gain vengeance against
Genom clan and restore her clans prestige and power. She does not
know this fact
PRISS ASAGIRI = 13th level bushi(fighter)/7th level yakuza.
Priss want revenge for the destruction of her yakuza clan (she
was the only survivor). Priss wears blue or red leather armor and
carries an ninja-to(sword) and sometimes uses an large magical
battle axe she calls LOVER.
LINNA YAMAZAKI = 11th level kensai. Linna challenged Sylia
to a fight at their first meeting. Sylia defeated her then asked
if she would join the Knight Sabers. Impressed with Sylia's skill
(and the bag of coins Sylia handed her) she accepted. Linna grown
to look at the others as family. Linna wear green chain armor and
uses a magical weapon called a RAZOR CHAIN.
NENE ROMANOVA = 6th level wu-jen. Nene is the only pupil of
Sylia. She impressed Sylia by risking her life to save the three
others from an assassination attempt. Nene wears an magic robe of
protection and uses a blowgun and tai-fa in battle. She also uses
a staff of detection but not in combat.
MADIGAN = Lord Quincy's chief magical advisor, 16th level
wu-jen(wizard). She was Mason's pupil and lover. She hates the
Knight Sabers tremendously.
O-YOROI ARMOR = O-yoroi armor is a complete suit of lace armor.
It is usually worn on special occasions and major battles.
ORIGAMI COTTAGE = The ORIGAMI COTTAGE is a mystical
object of some power. They appear as a small origami sculpture of a
cottage or home. Upon reciting the activating phrase the sculpture grows
to the size of an oriental home complete with stable. They are
very rare and valuable.
RAZOR CHAIN = This magical chain, in the hands of a kensai(weapon
master) makes it an extremely deadly weapon. It can decapitate a
person instantly upon striking them.
SAOTOME = A province in Shou Lung. Most famous for certain magical
springs that are suppose to be hidden in the mountains.
SHOU LUNG EMPIRE = Main nation in KARA_TUR. Currently at war
against the nation of Wa.
TO LON = Village at the foot of the mountain of Hibiki castle.
Destroyed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
desaix@sysnet.net
Sir Desaix, member # 116 of the Knights of the True Fiancee
anime fanfics available at
http://www.geocities.com/zednik.geo/fanfics.htm
List owner, FFML Refuge. To subscribe, head to:
http://www.geocities.com/zednik.geo/Refuge.htm
and follow the directions.
.---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
| Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
| Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
| Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject |
`-----http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt------'