FAN FICTION: Nightmares and Dreams BOOK 1:Bubblegum Crisis STORY1:Sylia's Choice by David Lindquist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer:Bubble Gum Crisis and all characters thereof are the copyright of AIC. All rights reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORWARD: This is my second fanfiction This story takes place one week after BGC video no.6(Red Eyes). Thank you and enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sylia's Choice Settling into her warm bath, Sylia Stingray was unusually concerned. *I hope this works,* she thought. *I've tried almost everything else and I still can't relax.* Every night since their battle with Largo a week ago, Sylia mind was assaulted with nightmares. She would wake up numerous times during the night sometime barely stifling a scream. She tried swimming in her private pool in order to remove the tension that she felt was causing her troubles. Sylia quickly realized that it wasn't working. In desperation, she decided to try one of her mother's stress relief techniques.Taking long, hot baths had been her mother's second favorite way of relieving stress. Her mother insisted on a large bathtub when Sylia's parents moved to Megatokyo. In order to get the tub, Sylia's father paid for it from his own pocket. Those baths were also one of the few memories she had of her mother. *I loved it when mother and I took those baths together,* she thought, slowly twirling a finger in the water. "Beep.......Beep!" Her enjoyment of those memories was interrupted by the ringing of the video phone. Sighing, she retrieved the waterproof remote control from its place and pointed it towards the one way audio- visual-phone entertainment center that was embedded in the far bathtub wall. Pressing the caller id button the screen immediatly identified the caller. *Mackies calling from Raven's garage? I hope he isn't overworking himself.* 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 said."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, just barely keeping the irratation 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 nerviously said. *At least he hasn't totally lost his senses.* Sylia thought. After their final battle with Largo, Sylia decided to upgrade the security systems at all the Knight-Sabres facilities. Until they were set up she had instructed the other members not to say anything about their work unless it was face-to-face. "Anything else?" she asked. "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,* she thought. " 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 alright," Sylia said." Just don't overdo it." *I'd better check the changing room for hidden cameras tommorow,* she mentally noted. 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 layed 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 had prepared beforehand. * Maybe 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................ *Wha....?* *Where am I...?* *How did I get here?....* *Who was that?.....WHO AM I?!* "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. Just a nightmare," she said. "A nightmare before this important a battle?" Nene said, with a worried look on her face. "That is a bad omen. A very bad omen." "Is it almost dawn?" Sylia asked irritably. "Hai, sensai," 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 sensai," Her orders recieved 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 apoligize 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 had 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. Bowwing 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 was definetly one of my better ideas,* 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 final battle. It had all started four days ago. The Knight Sabers were in the western most part of the Shou Lung empire. They had just destroyed a group of Bakemono bandits that were raiding villages in the area. Settling at a inn on the outskirts of one of the villages, they were sitting in a corner of the main tavern splitting up the spoils from the battle. "This will bring some good coinage from a jewler," 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 hansome samurai to come along and sweep you off your feet!" Linna responded. "Let's not go into that conversation again, okay?" Priss interupted, the pain of her hurt ribs showing on her face. "Damn, who would have thought that the runts could hit so hard." "Your ribs still bothering you?" Sylia remebered saying. "Yes," Priss replied "Very much." Sylia reached into her small pouch and pulled out a small blue vial. Leaning over the table they all were sitting at she handed the vial to Priss. "Here," she said " Drink this." Priss carefully took the vial from Sylia and drank it. 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 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 differant 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 reconized their demeaner instantly. * Samurai bodygaurds,* she thought, *but I can't make out who they are gaurding.* 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. *Now 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 leaving the five men, 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 barkeep's face went white 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 allright, Mutako, they will not harm me." Sylia recognition of his voice was instantainious. *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-Sabres were momentarily shocked at sight of Lord Quincy. They quickly recovered and each of their faces showed the hatred the Knight-Sabres 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 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, 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. Maison had been their most persistant enemy, attempting to kill 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 fued once and for all. The battle was the most intense and bloody the Knight-Sabres had ever participated in only ending when Sylia drove Kotetu, one of her katanas, through Maison'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 lived. "Impossible," she said matter of factly, "Mason is dead." " I thought so too," Quincy quietly spoke then he 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. I am willing to pay you for the time." Sylia thought for a few seconds then 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 Sabres. Quincy sat at the table's head, his back to his own samurai. Sylia reached into the same pouch she kept her spell conponents in and pulled out a small timeglass. She set the timeglass on top of the table with the sand in the top. "You have until this," she spoke, pointing towards the timeglass, "runs out to convince me." Sylia watched as Quincy's face turned a dark red and his eyes became slits. He sat there, glaring at the timeglass for a few seconds then he turned and looked at Sylia. "Very well," he said as his face beginning to return to normal. " Two weeks ago the village of To Lon was destroyed by what we thought was a bandit raid. We sent the 5th Genom Light calvary battalion to deal with the problem. The village was leveled to the ground and the heads of the village leaders were impaled on pikes." "What happened to the other villagers?" Sylia asked. "Butchered," Lord Quincy replied emotionlessly "The commander sent a scouting party to backtrack and find the attackers point of origin." " Let me guess," Sylia interupted. "The trail lead to Hibiki castle." "Yes," he said. "Apparently something blasted its way out of the rubble and started destroying whatever crossed its path." "What makes you think it was Mason?" Sylia asked. 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 was a medium sized ruby . Sylia examined the ruby and saw the letter G embedded in the top.* It's his ring,* Sylia confirmed mentally. "It was found near the temple ruins at Satome." 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 doubt forming in her eyes. 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 recieved word of the massacre." It was then that Sylia began to believe him. *Madigan and Mason were lovers up to his death,* She thought. *She also didn't take the news of the emperor's refusal to grant the Genom clan the right of vengeance against us very well either. If anything would make her leave her lord his return would be it* Sylia then noticed that the sand in the timeglass had almost run out. *His evidence is weak but my instincts says to believe him,* she continued ,*In any case it is worth investigating.* Sylia reached out to the timeglass and took it from the table. She returned it to her pouch. "I want one-half million Ch'len for taking the job," 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 pouch and scroll. "You will need this to pass the garrison surrounding the temple and here is your fee." He placed the two item on the table near her. "I figured you would charge me double your usual rate so I had this made up."