FAN FICTION: Nightmares and Dreams SERIES: Bubblegum Crisis STORY 1: Sylia's Choice part 2 by David Lindquist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Bubble Gum Crisis and all characters are the copyright of AIC. All Oriental adventures are the copyright of TSR. They are used without permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORWARD: This is part 2 of my fan fiction. Unfortunately I won't be able to begin writing part 3 until after April. But to make up for it, I might make a timeline based on this fanfiction. It will involve more than just BGC. See the afterwords for a possible list of who will be involved. C&C and MST welcome. Enjoy! This story takes place one week after BGC video no. 6 (Red Eyes). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sylia stared at her half-eaten meal while she regained some of her composure. *I must keep my mind on our job, * she thought, as Sylia mentally subdued the doubts within her. * If Mason is alive, I will need all my abilities to defeat him and I can't afford any distractions. * With the emotions again under control, Sylia quickly finished her meal. Sylia then slowly bowed her head and closed her eyes. "I AM DONE WITH ALL YOU PROVIDED," she spoke, then clapped her hands together twice and commanded, "BE GONE!! " At her command both the tray and futon disappeared in a flash of white light, leaving nothing behind to indicate their existence. "Again you have my thanks," she whispered. Sylia then stood up and walked towards the far end of her bed chamber. Against the far wall the shrine of Walakomu sat, almost as if it anticipated a request. On the shrine laid her weapons and the various parts that made up the O-yorio battle armor she used. Sylia stopped a few steps from the front of the shrine, untied the belt that secured her night clothes and let them slide down into a pile at her feet. Her nude body shivered slightly despite the warmth of the chamber. She knelt on one knee and bowed her head. "WALAKOMU, AGAIN I MUST ASK FOR THE USE OF YOUR ARMOR SO I MAY DEFEAT MY ENEMIES?" she spoke. Sylia lifted her head to look at the small statue of an o-yorio armored warrior set in the middle of the shrine. In her mind, the weariness she battled earlier resurfaced and a part of her hoped that Walakomu would not grant the request. That hope vanished as the statue began to glow with a golden light. The glow expanded until it covered her katanas and every piece of armor on the shrine. * The decision has been made, * she thought as she again mentally forced the emotions from her mind. *Walakomu granted my request and I must succeed in my goal. * "My thanks," she sighed. Sylia leaned forward, and picked up the clothing she wore under the armor. As she put on the various garments, Sylia's thoughts turned to the question that haunted her for the past week. * How could he survive? * Sylia mentally asked herself, *I know my blade pierced his heart and if that didn't do it, dropping the castle on him should of completely crushed his body. * She just slipped on the kobakama when Sylia remembered a little known legend. It stated that there existed a spell so evil, the gods decreed that any who used it would face their wraith. The spell supposedly allowed a powerful mage or priest to become a form of undead called a lich. Sylia froze as the possible answer formed in her mind. *Mason possessed an almost fanatical obsession for ancient history, * she thought as the color drained from her face. * and a copy of the spell could have survived through the purges, especially with the confusion of the Gods War. If he rediscovered it....* Her body shuddered slightly at the thought. Walakomu's nemesis, the Dragon Lord, transformed himself into a lich and his power rivaled the gods. Sylia quickly finished dressing, deciding not to tell the others about her revelation without more proof. She gave her clothes a final check. Satisfied, Sylia began to don the O-yorio armor. As Sylia put on the armor, she carefully adjusted each piece until it fit comfortably. She made a final adjustment to her hachi-maki, then reached for and retrieved the two scabbards that held her katanas, Kotetu and Muramasa. *I have gone through a lot of battles with these blades, * she reminisced, * but if I'm correct, this is going to be the truest test of my skill. * Sylia then proceeded to strap the katanas on her back. "Tap.....tap....tap." "Come in Nene-chan," Sylia said, fastening the final strap of the scabbards. She watched the chamber door slide open and her student enter. Nene wore her normal journey attire; blue pants, a pair of high boots, and a pink blouse with the opening tied all the way up to the nape of her neck. Attached to her belt hung the two tai-fa. The blue hooded, magical cloak she wore perfectly accented her clothing. With the hood folded back, it showed Nene's pinned back pink-red hair. * She looks so mature in those clothes, * Sylia thought with a bit of pride. * Like a true sorceress of power. I taught her well. * Nene bowed then spoke. "We are ready to leave, sensei," she stated in a level voice. "Excellent," Sylia replied, "I want you to get three necklaces of adaptation from the armory then meet me at the entrance." Nene turned to comply with her order. As Sylia watched her leave, she came to a decision . Sylia turned to the shrine and picked up a small pouch. Opening it, she reached in and pulled out a small golden pin. * I'll give the teleport brooch to her before we leave, * she thought. * At least she will have a means of escape if we fall in battle and it will give Mackie some piece of mind. * She returned the brooch to the pouch then tied it to her belt. * Time to leave, * Sylia thought as she retrieved the kabuto and put it on. Sylia then concentrated her thoughts on the O-yorio armor. A second later, she felt the mempo appear in place over her face. "Perfect," she said to herself. With a thought, she dispelled the face mask. * I'm ready. * Sylia left her chamber and walked through the hallways towards the main entrance. As she strolled around the last corner, Sylia couldn't help but smile slightly. Nene patiently stood by the entrance with the three necklaces clutched in her hand. * She's definitely come a long way from the serving girl we met at that inn, * Sylia thought, as the memory of that timid girl rose to the forefront. "Sensei!" Nene said, an eager look adorned her young face. "I have the necklaces you wanted." "Thank you, Nene," Sylia replied. "Take one for yourself and give the other two to Priss and Linna. We may need them on the job." "Hai, Sensei," Nene confirmed as she took one of the necklaces and placed it around her neck. "I'll do it as soon as I see them." "Nene," Sylia said, her smile replaced with a slight frown. "I want you to wear this." She reached into her pouch, pulled out a small emerald brooch and handed it to her. "It's enchanted with a one charge teleport spell. It will take you to a place near Raven's knoll." Nene looked at the brooch with a confused expression. "Thank you, Sensei," Nene responded then asked, "But why give this to me?" "If we fall into a trap and there is no way to overcome it," Sylia said, her face expressionless, "I want you to use it to save yourself." "I can't do that, Sensei!!!" Nene wailed, her eyes wide with shock. "I have a responsibility to you....." "And _I_ have an responsibility as your sensei to protect you," Sylia replied, cutting Nene off in mid sentence then she sighed. "Nene, "she said," It would put my mind at ease to know that you have a means of escape so please don't argue with me on this point." Sylia watch as her student's face took on a defeated expression . "O.. o-kay," Nene said. She brushed back the cloak she wore and pinned the brooch on her blouse. She then returned the cloak back to its original position. "Besides," Sylia said with a sly smile. "If anything happened to you, Mackie would never forgive me." Sylia watched Nene as she lowered her head and blushed furiously at her remark. "Are you ready to go?" Sylia asked after it appeared Nene regained some of her composure. "Hai, sensei," Nene said still showing some redness in her cheeks. "Let's go then," Sylia replied as she opened the door. Nene followed right behind. They walked through the opened entranceway and exited the cottage. She noticed the red hue of the dawn casting it's rays over all of the countryside. * Another bad omen, * Sylia thought glancing at the red sky. "It's about time you two showed up!" Linna said with a note of frustration in her voice. "It's not easy holding three horses by yourself you know!" Sylia turned and looked at her fellow kensai. Linna wore her usual forest green chainmail. The razor chain, Linna's weapon of choice, hung coiled on her belt. She held the reigns of Sylia's and Nene's horses in one hand, the other clutched the reigns of her own steed. Next to Linna, Priss already sat upon her horse, her blue leather armor creaking softly as she shifted in the saddle. Sylia could tell from the amused expression on the bushi warrior's face that Priss took some pleasure from Linna's problem. "Nene," Sylia said, "would you go and relieve Linna of our mounts?" "Hai, sensei," Nene replied. She walked over to their horses and took the reigns from Linna. "Here," Nene said, as she held out the necklaces in her other hand towards her teammates. " Sensei wants you and Priss to wear one of these." Linna took the necklace and placed it around her neck. She then marched to the side of her horse and lifted herself into it's saddle. With an angry expression, she turned and glared at Priss. "You could have at least went to see what took them so long! " Linna hissed. "They're here now aren't they?" Priss responded with a smirk on her face as she slipped on her own necklace . Sylia ignored the bickering that developed between them and turned back to the cottage. She smiled as she raised her right arm to the sky. "ORIGAMI COTTAGE!!" She commanded. "REVERT!" As Sylia finished the command words a blue light surrounded the cottage. The cottage shimmered slightly changing into a colorless version of itself. It then folded itself in half. It continued folding itself until it was the size of a teacup. The storage process done, Sylia walked over and picked up the small paper replica of the cottage. As she walked to her horse Sylia pushed the paper replica together, flattening it out entirely and placed it in a small bag that hung on her horse's saddle. "I wish I could create things like that," Nene sighed. "Keep studying and someday you will," Sylia said, settling herself in the saddle. She watched as Nene climbed onto the horse, petting its neck gently after she settled into the saddle. Sylia then looked at the others. "Everyone ready?" She asked. "Hai!!" the other three Knight Sabers replied almost in unison. "Knight Sabers! Sanjo!!" she shouted, digging her heels into the horse's ribs and galloping down the road. The other three followed right behind her. They traveled for most of the morning noticing the gradual change in the countryside from flat green fields to rocky brown hills. As they rode, the moods of the Knight Sabers changed with the terrain, becoming grim and determined. The sun approached midday when they neared the rendezvous point. "How much further? "Linna asked, wiping the sweat from her eyes. "It should be just over this hill, "Nene replied, pointing at the hill in front of them. Sylia looked around the area as they rode towards the hill. * Something's not right, * she thought. "Knight Sabers! Stop!!" she ordered. The others halted their horses, slight confusion shown on their faces. "What's wrong?" Priss asked. Sylia didn't look at Priss when she answered. Her eyes fixed on the top of the hill in front of them. Trying to get some clue as to what lay beyond it. "There are no sentries posted," she said. "So?" Priss replied testily. "They probably think everyone's too scared to bother them. Arrogant bastards. " "No, Priss," Nene interrupted. "It is standard procedure to post them." "Nene is correct," Sylia said. Taking her eyes off the hilltop, she turned to the others. "Ready your weapons but don't draw them unless I tell you to, "Sylia ordered as she reached back and undone the loops that held her two katanas in their scabbards. Her preparations complete, she watched Priss adjust her battle ax for easier access. The predatory smile on her face told Sylia that she hoped for the chance to use it. * Always eager for a fight Priss? * she thought. * Well, I think you will have more than enough opportunity to satisfy your bloodlust before this ends. * "Ready, sensei," Nene said, her hands nervously fidgeting with the ends of the her horses' reigns. "Excellent," She replied. "This is what we will do. I will take point. Linna, you're the rearguard. Nene, prepare a fog cloud spell to cover us in case we have to retreat and Priss," Sylia said looking at the blue leather armored bushi warrior, "your with me." The others quickly agreed to the plan then moved into their positions. After they signaled their readiness, the Knight Sabers began the trek up the hill. As they rode up, Sylia tried to mentally prepared herself for the worst. When they reached the hills summit, nothing could have prepared her for what she saw on the other side. The torn and mutilated corpses of numerous soldiers and their mounts littered the hill slope. Their blood created small streams that flowed to the bottom of the hill. Among the remains laid their weapons, most of them shattered and broken. The trail of death and destruction continued through the remnants of a large military encampment. Blood from the hill pooled near the various shredded tents deposited around the destroyed carts and shelters. Beyond the camp, they spotted about forty stone statues, all facing the same point in the road that led to the abandoned temple. The statues appeared as if they were attacking the same area, and some even rode horseback. At that point in the road set a small chest with an unidentifiable, severed head place on top. "Who...what could have done this?" Nene asked, eyes brimming with tears. "Mason," Sylia replied, her face emotionless except for a fiery rage building in her eyes. "Let's move." They carefully trotted down the hill and through the camp, trying to avoid corpses and scanning the scene in an effort to spot a possible ambush. The stench of the bodies would have overwhelmed them if not for the necklaces Sylia given them. Sylia glanced at the statues as they rode past. *I should change them back, * she thought. * They might provide some useful information if nothing else. * Her stomach felt ill with the very thought of her giving aid to any Genom troops. * On second thought, * she mused, *I think I will wait until after we deal with Mason. At least we won't have to worry about an ambush when we leave the temple! * Satisfied with her decision, Sylia shifted her thoughts when she noticed they neared the gruesome marker to the temple road. She suddenly felt the aura of several powerful mystical spells emanating from the head. "Halt," Sylia commanded, stopping her own horse about 15 feet from the chest. The others also stopped their mounts, still on watch for a possible ambush. "Nene," Sylia said turning to the young mage. "Take a magic reading on the severed head. I felt some enchantments emanating from it." "Huh...Oh! Hai, sensei," Nene replied, her eyes red and puffy from the tears she cried at the Genom Guard's fate. * Nene, * Sylia thought, as she watched her pupil draw her staff from it's place, * I sometimes forget that you still possess the innocence of youth. * She continued to observe Nene as her pupil prepared to attempt the reading. Nene turned her horse length wise and aimed the tip of the staff at the head. "STAFF OF DETECTION," she said, "REVEAL THE NATURE OF THE MAGIC SET AGAINST US." At the finished of her words, a blue beam of light streaked out of the staff tip and enveloped the severed head. It pulsed around the head but the color never changed then it shut off. Sylia knew what that meant. "I'm sorry, sensei," Nene said, her eyes downcast, "There's an obscure spell among the magic. I can't get a reading." "Damn," Sylia said, a slightly disappointed tone in her voice." I should have expected the spells would be shielded somehow." Sylia returned to her thoughts as Nene placed the staff back in it's storage area. * What are you up to Mason? * she mentally asked herself then sighed. * Unfortunately there is only one way to find out. * Sylia looked at the other Knight Sabers as they continued on their watch. "Okay," she said, instantly getting the other's attention. "The only way we will find out what spells enchant that head is to activate them. I need you three to get off your horses in case the spell spooks them." "What's the plan, Sylia?" Priss asked as the four warriors began to dismount from their steeds. "Try to activate the spells, "she replied swinging her right leg over her saddle and setting it on the ground. "by becoming their target." Sylia removed her left foot from the stirrup and turned towards the others. The other three held their horses, concern etched in their faces. "My armor will offer me some protection besides," she said in an attempt to reassure her team, "it's our only viable option." The other reluctantly agreed with her assessment of the situation. She walked her horse over to Nene and handed her the reigns. "Nene, I want you to watch the horses, If they spook, just let them go. We will recover them later." Sylia said. "Priss? You and Linna prepare to assist me just in case I need it." "Right," Priss said, as she confirmed Sylia's orders. While the two moved into position, Sylia watched Nene take Linna and Priss's horses. She still wore a concerned expression. Sylia barely heard the whispered words a few seconds before she started on her walk to the chest. "Be careful, sensei," she whispered. Sylia slowly walked towards the chest. Her eyes transfixed on the severed head in an attempt to detect any spell activation. About three feet from the chest, Sylia stopped. Her mind felt the various spell's activation. At the same moment, she heard the horse's neighs of protest and Nene's attempts to calm them. * Here we go, * she thought as she took a tentative step forward. Suddenly, the head's closed eyes flew open, the sockets filled with an eerie black light. Sylia unconsciously took a small step back from the gruesome visage. She watched the head stir from it's resting place then slowly rose until it equaled Sylia's height. It stared at her for a few seconds then spoke. "Greetings Sylia. I've been expecting you," it said in a light tone. "Sorry for the mess but my 'pets' and I got a little bored and we decided to go play outside." * That's Mason's voice!! * Sylia thought, a sick feeling rose within her at the recognition. It took a supreme effort to keep her expression neutral. "So you did survive," she said coldly. "You don't sound surprised Sylia," the head stated, his face in a mock pout. "After all the time and effort you put into trying to kill me, I thought you would be more upset at your failure." "I've come to the realization that sometimes I don't mind being wrong," she loftily replied then her voice became deadly serious as a predatory grin spread across her face, "Just as long as I get a chance to correct my mistake." "Oh you'll get your chance soon enough," it said venomously, "but first I need to get rid of some excess baggage." The head rose up at an angle away from Sylia. It stopped about ten feet away from her. * Excess baggage? * She thought as she watched the head's assent. * What could he mean...by... oh no, * Her eyes widened the moment Sylia realized his intentions. "Nooooo!!!" She shouted. Sylia leaped towards the head, her katanas drawn. She desperately prayed she could stop it before the head carried out it's goal. The pulsing eyes told her she would arrive too late. "TRANSMUTE ROCK TO MUD!" it said as it's eyes emitted two cones of black light. The cones swept over the statues placed around the battlefield. A flash of steel abruptly stopped the dark energy emissions as Sylia swung Kotetu down. The ancient blade cleaved the head in half, its two parts plummeted to the ground a good distance from where Sylia landed. She came down in a crouch, not wanting to turn around. The slurping sound bitterly confirmed her guess. Sylia reluctantly stood up, turned around and walked towards the split head. She stopped when she saw the now melting statues. * Damn you Mason," she thought, the anger rising within her. * This ends now. * She noticed the horses gone as the others walked up to her. "There went our reinforcements," Priss said with a slightly irritated expression on her face. "What do we do now?" "We finish this," Sylia coldly replied. "Once and for all." end of part 2 NEXT: The final battle begins but for Sylia it soon comes down to a choice. A choice that may not only affect her dream world but the future of the Knight Sabers in the real world as well! AFTERWORDS= O-kay! If your reading this then you must want to see the list of whom I might use in the timeline. There it is: 1. SAILOR MOON 2. GUNSMITH CATS 3. LOVELY ANGELS(D**** PAIR) 4. GOGOL 13, THE PROFESSIONAL 5. BEAN BANDIT 6 VAMPIRE HUNTER D 7. VENUS WARS(maybe) 8. PROJECT A-KO 9. BUBBLEGUM CRISIS There will be others but I can't remember who right now. Sorry. :( note: I would use OH! MY GODDESS!! but I'm not familiar with the series. APPENDIX CELESTIAL BUREACRACY= After the GODS WAR, a form of government was formed by the various mythos as a means to prevent conflicts of worship. Each area of worship(war, fertility, weather, and others) is separated into a different department with a greater god as department head. Under him/her is the various gods and goddesses worshipped by that area. The head of this massive bureaucracy is called Kama-sama, and holds the post for 500 years then a new head is elected from the leaders of each mythos but they are voted on by all the gods, goddesses and heroes. The Kama-sama can only appoint one god from his own mythos as head of a department. The other heads must be from other mythos. Unfortunetly the system isn't perfect in that minor deities who are used to wielding far more power than they have now can be 'enticed' to looking the other way by powerful mortals. DRAGON LORD = Warrior/mage who turned himself into a lich. Mortal enemy of Walakomu. He was destroyed by his enemy after he stole the power of MA YUAN(killer of the gods) in an attempt to take over heaven. Walakomu mortal form died soon after his victory over Dragon Lord. GODS' WAR = A holy war that threatened to destroy all of Kara-tur. It started with a small farming town that offended a god of weather in one myth then started to worship a god of weather in another myth. It snowballed to a point where almost all the different myths became involved. Walakomu(along with a few other gods) was able to stop the total annihilation of their worshippers. Afterwards the gods developed the Celestial Bureaucracy as a means to prevent it from happening again. GOGOL 13= An assassin hired by the head of the Stingray clan to protect his daughter in case he was killed. After Sylia's father was murdered, Gogol 13 protected Sylia from numerous kidnap attempts backed by Mason. He mysteriously disappeared soon after she began her war against Genom. HACHI-MAKI = headband KABUTO = O-yorio armor helmet KOBAKAMA = trousers MACKIE STINGRAY(8th level wu jen)= Mackie is the younger brother of Sylia Stingray. He didn't take an interest with swordsmanship like Sylia but became fascinated with magic. So he is the student of Raven's but Sylia also tutors him. Mackie and Nene are on the verge of a romantic relationship. He will help the Knight-Sabers on jobs when needed. NECKLACE OF ADAPTATION = Necklace that protects the wearer from various environments. Including needing to breathe. OBSCURE(spell)= Spell designed to confuse a detect magic spell. A detect magic spell, when cast upon a obscure spell, will only show there is magic there but not what kind. RAVEN(23 level wu jen)= Raven was an ally of Sylia's father. When Sylia's father died, Raven took both Sylia and Mackie under his wing. Sylia didn't need full training, so he eventually took Mackie as his pupil. He is a kindly old man though he does not mince words and can be rather brutal in his assessments of people. Priss annoys him to no end, insisting on calling him 'Pops.' She has come close to being turned into another lifeform by him on more than one occasion though she seems to sense just how far she can push him. He has connection to an assassin known only as GOGOL 13. RAVEN'S KNOLL = Home of Raven and sometimes base for the Knight Sabers. TELEPORT BROOCH = a brooch that when activated instantly teleport a person to a specified location. It can teleport more than one person at a cost of one additional charge per person. It can NOT be recharged. STAFF OF DETECTION = a collapsible staff that can detect and analyze magic, treasure, monsters, traps, and secret doors. It has a limited number of charges plus a number of times it can be recharged after that it is useless. TABOOS = Taboos are things Wu Jen either have to do or avoid in order to keep all of their power. Due to the merging of wu jen and magic user into one major group, a wu jen must take a taboo at double the normal rates. Sylia has 3, 1. She must pay respects to any magical item she uses. 2. She can't make love with a member of the opposite sex for pleasure. 3. She must make weekly major offerings to the spirit powers. Nene has 1, 1. Obedience to her sensei WALAKOMU = Walakomu is a lesser god worshipped by those who seek justice against enemies that are 'above the law.' He is also the head of Internal Affairs for the Celestial Bureaucracy. (see: GODS' WAR) (note: Walakomu monitors Sylia from time to time. He is strongly considering giving her the job of coordinator of his investigative staff when she dies.) WALAKOMU'S ARMOR = Armor he used to defeat the Dragon Lord. It enhances the wearer's strength and speed, allow the wearer to fly for a short period of time and can detect magic. It's most important feature is the ability for a multi-class sorcerer to cast spells with the armor on but the caster takes some damage from any spell they cast. It is possible for a caster to die casting a spell against another opponent. The armor must be stored upon a special shrine dedicated to Walakomu and the user must ask permission for the armor in order to use it. If their request is granted, the shrine will emit a golden glow that will cover the armor. The glow will also enchant the users weapons to allow even non- magical weapons to damage monsters only affected by magical weapons. If the request is not granted the armor cannot be used. The user must also perform a duty for Walakomu once per year or they can't use the armor. Note: The detect magic spell is powered by a god not a mortal mage. It is somewhat more powerful than the normal spell.