Chapter Text
Prologue: Hearted Depths.
“Recently… my dreams have been rather weird… I’ve always wondered… are the real… or not?”
(Unknown P.O.V.)
One word could describe the situation that I was in right now – falling. And to think it started out so well… my friends and I were hanging out by the beach when suddenly things began to get worse:
Everyone began to disappear except for me and Olivia who found herself standing in the ocean with a smile on her face and asking me to take her hand. I ran up to check and see if she was okay but the waves crashed on both of us. Soon, I was falling through the darkness like there was no tomorrow.
It seemed like a never-ending fall until my body rose up and I landed gently on a strange platform of some kind – the weird thing was that I was still breathing. Looking down, I immediately saw my own reflection:
My long dark red hair was tied up into a ponytail while my light brown eyes were currently staring at where exactly I was. Instead of my pajama, I wore my usual outfit: a medium blue halter top that was decorated with a big purple paw print and two purple butterflies, lime jeans also decorated with purple butterflies and purple sandals.
At this very moment however – white birds flew into the air from beneath my feet and I noticed that I was standing on a crystal platform that depicted a young maiden with black hair and pale snow skin – from the looks of things she was sleeping with an apple that was bitten. Around her were seven young men and some animals. Gosh, I just love animals so much…
“So much to do and so little time… can you take a step forward and face your destiny?”
Since I didn’t know where to go, I decided to step forward and face my destiny like the mystery voice told me. Upon reaching the center, three pedestals arose from the ground.
“Power sleeps within you…”
A red shield was spawned on the first pedestal.
“If you give it form…”
On the second was a staff with a mouse head on top of it.
“It will give you strength.”
Lastly, a sword was summoned on the third and final one.
Taking a look at all of the weapons, the voice spoke once more. “Choose carefully.”
Hmmm… what should I choose… the sword… No, I’m not fighter… I love to resolve things peacefully. What about the staff… tried my luck at being a magician. Didn’t work… I guess the shield is the viable option. Plus, I like the fact that I can use it to protect myself and my friends… wherever they are.
Walking over and picking up the shield, the voice spoke once more:
“Power of the Guardian – the shield to defend the people that are close to you. Strength to protect others. Do you accept this power?”
With a smile, I gave a nod as the shield disappeared like magic! My eyes widened a little bit.
“Your path is set – what will you give in exchange?” I didn’t need to answer that one since it was obvious – the sword.
Once I picked it, the voice spoke yet again. “Power of the Warrior – Invincible courage. Power of terrible destruction. Do you give up this power?”
“Yes. I do.” Just like with the shield, it disappeared like magic.
“You have chosen the powers of the guardian and gave up the powers of the warrior. Do you accept the form you have chosen?” I gave a nod as the pedestals went back into the ground.
Before I could tell what was happening, the platform that I was standing on shattered yet again and I fell into the darkness. Soon, I landed and found myself on another glass platform which was colored dark blue with another maid that had blonde hair and beautiful ballroom dress. Around her was a castle with a carriage and people dancing.
I didn’t have time to explore as the shield magically reappeared in my hands.
“You’ve gained the power to fight. Try swinging it.”
Obeying the voice, I swung it into the air and noticed how easy that was.
“You’ve got it! Use this power to protect yourself and others from any danger you may come across.”
Protect myself? From what exactly…?
I’ve got my answer in the form of strange small shadows with yellow eyes crawling out of the ground – my eyes widened as I began to shake a little bit in fear.
“At times, you may have to fight – keep your light burning strong.”
Upon hearing those words, one of the creatures jumped up to attack but I swatted him away with my shield. Suddenly, my scared look was gone and it was replaced by an attacking position.
Another one jumped up but I swatted that one as well. Both shadows disintegrated into smoke as I stood victorious… that was close.
“Watch out! Behind you!”
I was startled by the voice speaking as a shadow managed to get onto my back. I attempted to shake it off as best I can. “Get off! G-get off!!!” It released itself from my halter top and it landed a few feet away but didn’t have a chance to attack me due to the fact that I swatted it away.
After taking care of the remaining shadows, a dark void opened up and covered the entire platform. Before I could even get away and get my barring, I was immediately sucked into it and plummeted onto a new platform:
It was pink with three silhouettes decorating it – there were hearts all over the platform. Getting up and looking around, I noticed a door in the middle – weird place to have a door. Maybe it’s the way out…
No such luck because when I walked over to it, it was closed completely. “Darn it… what I am going to do now?”
But just then, I heard a clicking noise from behind me… did… the door just opened by itself? How does that work…? Actually, never mind – no need to question the logic in this weird world of dreams…
I walked over and opened the door gently – as it turns out, a bright light blinded me completely. Nevertheless, I continued on forward and once everything died down… I found myself in a familiar park.
“This is… Heartlake City Park! How did I get here!?” I demanded with a yell before my eyes fell to 3 familiar faces – Stephanie, Andrea and Emma. But no sigh of Olivia…
“Before you procced further – you must tell me about yourself. Otherwise, the door won’t open.”
The first one that turned to look at me was Stephanie. “What is the one thing that is most important to you?”
An easy answer to that question. “Friendship.” I answered as Stephanie smiled gently. “Friendship really matters to you a lot, doesn’t it?”
“What do you want outta life?” Andrea asked next as I thought hard about what I wanted – my biggest goal was to become a vet and take care of all the animals in the world.
After a few seconds, I decided to answer the question. “More than anything, I want to accomplish my goal of being a vet.”
“Accomplish your goal, huh?” Andrea asked with a grin.
“Lastly, what is your biggest fear?” Emma spoke next.
That was an easy one. “My biggest fear is seeing the people and animals that are close to me being hurt or worse… dead.”
“Seeing someone getting hurt or dead that is close to you is your biggest fear, huh?” Emma asked with a sad smile.
“Friendship is important to you. You want to accomplish your ultimate goal and your biggest fear is seeing people that are close to you being hurt or dead. Your adventure will be a hard one but if you do a good job – things will end well in your favor.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I stated with a smile before another light blinded me and I found myself on another glass platform which was colored red and depicted a maiden long blonde hair and a purple gown. She was holding a rose for some reason… there were also three small women surrounding her and thorns as well.
“Be aware that the closer you get to the light, the more the darkness will try and draw you to its embrace.”
I had no idea why the mysterious voice said that but I sensed someone or something behind me. Taking out my shield, I immediately turned around but was astonished to see someone I wasn’t expecting at all:
“Olivia! You’re okay! I can’t-” Wait… something was wrong with her.
Sure, it was definitely my friend with her brown wave hair and light nougat skin. Her attire was the same – a pink tank-top with flowers decorated on it, a purple skirt and light pink ballet flats. But something was definitely wrong with her…
Just then, she began to get engulfed in a dark purple aura as her lips twisted into a smirk. Raising her head, she opened her eyes very slowly as a gasped in shock – they weren’t orange anymore. Instead, they were now amberish-golden.
She pulled out her right hand and summoned a strange dark-like blade. Oh, dear… this is definitely not Olivia now.
“Don’t be afraid… you hold the mightiest weapon of all… free your friend from the clutches of darkness. You can do it!”
My first instinct upon hearing that was running away until I realized there was nowhere to run at all but then I cast away my fear and prepared myself with my shield. It seems like I have to save Olivia from herself! I can do this!
My possessed friend charged forward and I immediately blocked her attack with my shield. Swatting her away, I immediately ran and stroked her face before she was knocked back. Yet, she wasn’t done at all…
Getting up, she smirked once more before jumping up and descending into the ground. Wha- where did she go…?
Just then, I heard the ground rumbling as I looked down and saw that something was coming up – no doubt Olivia who-
At my worst luck, the shield disappeared from my hands as I yelled out in shock. “No! Not now!” Just then, Olivia descended underneath me and knocked me backwards.
I attempted to get up but it was no use… for some reason, Olivia did something to my body. I can’t move… like at all! Oh, and guess who showed up in front of my face – my darkness-possessed friend.
With a smirk, she conjured up a dark fireball in her hand and sent it straight inside my body. “AHHHHHH!!!” I immediately screamed due to the darkness inside spreading completely.
No… way… out… Someone… p-please… s-save me…
“Don’t be afraid… you hold the mightiest weapon of all…”
Before I closed my eyes, I took one last look at the possessed Olivia who was no doubt begging me to join her in the darkness.
Soon, my eyes closed and sleep engulfed me completely – the voice spoke up for what was possibly the last time:
“Don’t forget… you are the one who will open the door.”
(Mia’s P.O.V. – Bedroom)
I cracked my open as I sat up and gasped for air… where am I… looking around, I immediately noticed that I was back in my bedroom. “Oh… thank goodness…”
It was just a dream… but better to be sure… looking down through the cracks in my bed, I sighed in relief – no strange creatures or evil friends. That was close…
Laying back down, I closed my eyes to take a few more seconds of sleep… until the alarm started to beep. With a growl, I slammed my fist on top of it…
I would have gone to sleep once more if a yell didn’t interrupt my peace and quiet. “Mia! Wake up! Girl, wake up please!”
Stephanie, no doubt… darn it… guess I’m not gonna get some sleep it would seem. Well, no use is making her wait… she is my cousin after all.
Getting up, I stretched my arms and walked over to the small bed where my dog Jacky was sleeping. “Hey, boy…” I said with a smile as I leaned over to pet him without waking him up.
“Guess it’s gonna be another fun-loving day in Heartlake City… first things first – clothes.”
What I had no idea however… was that a huge storm of darkness was brewing on the horizon. Neither did my friends know…