FAN FICTION: Nightmares and Dreams
SERIES: Bubblegum Crisis
STORY1: Sylia's Choice
Part 1
by
David Lindquist
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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.
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FORWARD: This is the first of my second fanfiction. It is
also the hardest thing I have ever wrote. It took me 2
months just to write the opening paragraph and to tell you
the truth I STILL don't know how it will end.(I have two
different ending in mind. I'll probably flip a coin) :) I would
like to thank everyone who helped me. I
don't know when part 2 will be out.
Thanks and enjoy!!
This story takes place one week after BGC video
no.6(Red Eyes).
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Sylia's Choice part1
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-Sabres
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
tommorow,* 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 otijsan," 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 messager 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 SABRES = Four warriors out to gain vengeance
against the Genom clan. They are:
SYLIA STINGRAY = leader, 15th level
Kensai/30th level wu-jin. 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 wujin 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-jin. 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-jin(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.
SATOME = 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.
