Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Pirate in her Garden…
In all the four kingdoms there was no princess as popular as Anastasia of the Stardew Crown. Her kindness was praised far and wide, her promenades admired by the maidens of all the lands and her gardens were approved by nature lovers everywhere.
A princess beloved by all…what could be better? But if so...why did she have a sad expression on her face? Christian pondered both as he came face to face with her in her garden.
Anastasia gasped. In front of her was a man with a half mask half scarf on his head, a long jacket made of leather, horrible pants and a staff on his back . No one was supposed to be walking around at 2am. Get to the garden and locate the Seed of Life from his intel. That was the simple plan, Christian thought.
Anastasia was too stunned to speak yet had no idea that Christian was even more shocked. She had decided to step outside for a midnight walk to clear her head from a troubled day.
How did this man get past the security let alone get this close? Where are the guards?? Anastasia panicked.
Suddenly the bushes around them shuffled restlessly. She was about to scream when suddenly he pointed his staff at her and a beam of light erupts and surrounds her. She was unable to move let alone scream. Christian moved his staff and her body levitated slightly, moving along accordingly. He ran inside the nearest door which resembled the many tales of the princess’s room according to the media of the masses.
Christian quickly closed the door, using his staff then set Anastasia on a nearby chair. He suddenly starts mumbling and energy again erupts from his staff and seemingly surrounds the entire room. Anastasia found herself in control again and immediately screamed.
For a good minute, and then stops once she realized no one was coming. She glanced at the desk in her room, supporting a long pin she had used for previous hairstyles. It wasn't a lot against this man of magic but it was something. She could rush him at the right time and stab him in the neck or throw it very fast at his eye like a dagger. Christian glanced at the needle and sighed.
“If you feel safer you are welcome to grab it” he offered. He had not given the best impression and her fear was very understandable.
She quickly jumped off her bed and grabbed the needle and held him in a guard position. She had seen the knights of her castle and knew that much from all their tomfooleries with each other.
“Who are you and what were you doing in my garden?” she yelled. “Release me from this spell and let me leave at once you foul ghoul!”
Christian winced. “Glad I blocked any sound from leaving this room then jeez…and no I'm not a ghoul…well depending on who you ask. Anyways I didn't mean to scare you like that so can you please stop yelling so loud. Nobody was supposed to be walking around the garden at this time from what my intel said. Now I'm never gonna find it…” He sighed.
Anastasia blinked.
“Are you a moron?” she asked.
“Excuse me?’’ Christian blinked twice, flabbergasted at the random insult though that insult earlier could have been accurate.
“You break into my garden in my house and expect me not to yell?” She questioned him incredulously.
“Fair enough, my mistake” he quickly answered back.
Anastasia was taken aback. For a supposed thief he sure conceded to her immediately and weirdly enough was not trying to hurt her. He instead stood by the window going into the garden, a good distance from her. She could make a run for it…but something told her he would use his staff on her again and stop her. She had never encountered any thief in her kingdom, especially this close to her. She assessed the situation and decided she would have to keep him talking and distracted and find an opportunity to dash fast enough. If she could slam him through the window…there was a chance.
“So are you gonna answer my questions or not?” she again demanded.
“Right,” he said. “ I'm here to steal something very important from this castle.”
“Maybe you are stupid, what kind of thief announces that he will rob you?” she immediately snapped. Somehow this man switched her mood from pondering to mad in a matter of seconds.
“Well I wasn't going to announce it but it seems necessary to calm you down,” he answered.
“ I am perfectly calm,” she responded sarcastically. “Strange man with a mask in a terrible outfit drags me to my room using strange abilities. Of course I'm calm! What made you assume I would need to calm down?!’’ Her voiced had pitched
Christian scratched his head. Everything he seems to say pissed her off even more. This could not go on forever, his spell would only last for a couple more minutes.
“Ok for your information I took you back here because someone else was in the garden. I heard a metal sound coming from those bushes. Probably a sword or maybe a dagger…’’ he started pondering.
‘’Oh my hero!” she rolled her eyes. “ I don't need your help. Would you leave me alone and crawl back into the hole you came from?”
“One question and I'm gone”
“Wha…ok sure”. Anastasia had started gathering leverage for her feet. While all her emotions towards him rang true, she did still manage to distract him enough to scoot near the door. Just a little bit more…
“Why were you crying?”
She blinked again. Of all the questions she expected, this was not one of them. She stared at him expecting him to reveal this was a jab but only found earnesty in his dark eyes. Her shoulders slumped. She had been holding these feelings the entire week. She did not get opportunities to express anger…after all she was the kind and dutiful princess of the crown.
“ My life is going to be thrown away”
“What happened?” he asked.
“ Don't you read the papers?” she eyed him slightly annoyed again.
“Did not get the opportunity to do so this week” he answered and was met only with a sigh.
“ Prince Buddy of the Terraria Kingdom is coming tomorrow..or I guess today…and I'm supposed to marry him for diplomatic purposes”
“Ah, makes sense. Maybe your kingdoms can finally stop fighting after this”.That name is still funny, Chris thought.
She raised an eyebrow. “At my expense? Does that seem fair to you? What am I saying, you are a thief! What do you know about fair? I know nothing of this man and I'm supposed to throw away the rest of my life and be surrounded by even bigger walls.”
“Would you rather have another war then?” He smiled a bit.
“Of course not…but..”
“Buuut?”
“ I wish…there was another way. There are things… I wish…I could have..done”
“ I get it,” he said, “The world is a big place. Many things to do…”. The spell had dissipated a minute ago yet they had continued talking without yelling anymore.
“You’re lucky I suppose. A thief sure but at least you can go wherever you want…well until you get arrested anyways.” She sat down on her bed defeated. He was right, the world was big yet the state of things…tip toeing the line between war and peace.
A light shimmered and Christian’s clothes started to change. No more terrible pants. With a sleek jacket to boot as well as a triangular hat on his head, his mask was gone. Anastasia’s eyes widened. He was not just a thief… but a magical pirate.
“What if I told you there was something that could change the state of everything?” He asked. “The wishing Island.” he pushed further. “Heard of it?”
She nodded slightly annoyed again. Everyone knew of it, news did reach her after all. It was the dream of every pirate to head there and gain a wish…unfortunately everyone who went there only had two endings…madness or death.
“You and every crazy pirate out there always want to find it. When will you learn that it's impossible?” she said.
“Not my only desire actually. The world is filled with wonderful objects that can be put to good use. Like the object Im stealing from your kingdom soon enough…the Seed of Life which can repopulate a forest in minutes.” He was ready to leave.
“Think about this…you want to save yourself from your fate? A pirate can do this”. With that he ran out into her garden and disappeared into the night…
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Jane had seen extraordinary things before…yet had seen nothing like the man in the garden at all. She had been staking out the castle looking for exit points and advantageous places when she came across the princess and the man in the garden. Her appearance was just as told in the papers. She would make a great wife to the prince of Terraria…if that man was not going to die in 10 hours.
She leaned against a wall and sighed. This was her final chance to prove herself to the League…and she had almost blown it. Had her cover been blown she would have been left with nothing. The league would view her as a failure… Compared to the last two people she had spared pain, she thought Anastasia would have been much easier on her mind. I mean surely this princess was a pompous high above all rich asshole like all the others she had met in her life?
Yet as she watched the princess through the week, she had seen someone sheltered by the people around her, assuming a persona not true to herself. She found the drawings the princess threw in the trash. They were solid and with practice could do better if she gained professional help. Yet she would never get the chance to do so…
She thought of this, yet she had no clue what Buddy’s personality was like, though she had been assured he was a terrible person. Everything she was going to do was justified…right? He was a pompous asshole probably, like all the others she had met previously. At the very least she would save Anastasia from him. The man in the garden worried her tho. She did not know for sure, but strongly felt she may fight him today…
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Today was finally his day, his chance to make a difference. The two nations were at a crossroad for war and peace and he would make a difference. Uniting the kingdoms by marrying Princess Anastasia was his biggest chance to make a difference. Buddy straightened his jacket and brushed his hair. It was showtime. He walked out of his coach, his main bodyguard Myre, very close behind him. They received a warm welcome from the suitors and butlers, making their way to greet the royal family. A rush of nervousness created sweats across his face, he could not make any errors today.
Anastasia stayed close to her parents, the conversation of last night still on her mind, yet the anxiety of meeting this prince was overwhelming. Buddy and his guards were welcomed into the royal room and their eyes met. At that moment both of their fears melted.
“Welcome to our kingdom Prince Buddy”, the king beamed. “May your stay in our kingdom be well”.
“Thank you, your highness. Your welcome is very appreciated” Buddy bowed. “Your wonderful kingdom reflects your wise ruling”. The King beamed even more. Anastasia took a deep breath, the hardest part was yet to happen.
Buddy smiled. His biggest hurdle of a first impression was done successfully. The affairs then commenced. While both parties were aware of the intentions, it was made official to proceed to the affair at hand during a discussion. Buddy was to stay over for a month, and during that time the announcement of marriage would be made while he courted Anastasia. The result would be announced along treaties of peace between both kingdoms.
Myre, his bodyguard, stayed during all of this with a stern look which Buddy thought was odd. It was a serious deal, sure, but he remembered his parents telling everyone coming with him to be more cheerful and hold a smile on their faces. While all these affairs proceeded, Buddy offered Anastasia a promenade in her garden as was the custom thing to do.
They walked along the flowers for half a minute until Buddy chimed in first.
“Your garden is immaculate,’’ he complimented her.
“Thank you…I make sure to take very good care of them, although they could be much better ” she replied. She was still saddened by how things were going to play out yet Buddy with his presence alone seemed to make things better.
“You take credit from your achievements. These arrangements are simply stunning,” Buddy could not help but shower her with praise.
His words were sweet, yet it was nothing Anastasia had not heard before. This was one of the many things the public showered her with praise for constantly. She loved gardening but there was so much more out there. She thought of what the pirate said last night…
Buddy examined her face. “You seem unhappy, is the pressure getting to you? Am I too forward in advancing?”
“Oh no it's not you” she assured him smiling. She looked at his eyes again and felt more comfort. Could she talk to him like she had done with the mysterious pirate? Their conversation had ended faster than she would have liked. She had only met Buddy a few moments ago, yet felt the comfort of the presence of a longtime friend.
“Would it be selfish…to not want this marriage?” She continued cautiously. “So much to see in the world, an adventure to be had…but as your wife I will only be…just that.”
Buddy examined her carefully. “Denying your duty to the world for the sake of your own goals…I left that mindset a long time ago.’ Their eyes met again.
He sniped a flower and handed it to her. It was a Strelitzia.
“I, Buddy of the Terraria kingdom, make this vow, to make our partnership the greatest adventure of your entire life.”
Suddenly an explosion occurred inside the castle. Guards rushed towards that area yelling at the royal duo to stay in the garden with the 4 guards next to them. As they are guided through the garden, the bushes shuffle as they did during the night.
Jane jumped out with a split kick, knocking out 2 guards at once. An assasinnation by day of a royal family member was not an easy task, yet this was the hand she was dealt with for her past two failures. She did not know the origin of the explosion but this was her chance. The other guards lunged, but Jane evaded easily and swept their legs. Before they could fully fall on their backs, at lightning speed, she kicked them again and sent them flying, her sight now on Buddy.
Jane winced. She had overhead everything. But she had to do this…this was her only way out…she was going to crush both of their dreams to gain everything. Anastasia would probably be traumatized and Buddy would be dead. She lunged at them, her daggers ready to plunge into Buddy’s heart. Anastasia yelled and like a flash of light jumped between the two. Jane’s quick reflexes allowed her to stop just in time.
Stunned, they both locked eyes and Jane knew it was over. She could not do it anymore. She could not crush these two. She looked towards Buddy who rushed by Anastasia’s side, fists ready to fight.
WHOOoSH!!
An arrow flew by Jane headed towards Buddy. Jane did not think. She immediately threw her dagger an awkward angle, deflecting the arrow inches from her face. They all looked at a figure standing on top of the garden wall.
Jane gulped. It was Nyssa. Her superior had witnessed her failure first hand and was going to kill her on the spot, maybe even make her suffer for blocking the arrow. Jane understood things clearly now. The explosion, the lack of guards swarming them right now. The League was here and they were keeping the kingdom on their toes. But exposing themselves like this…for her? She did not understand. Surely Nyssa did not care that much about her?
Myre suddenly appeared behind them providing a second of relief for Buddy. This relief lasted only a few moments as Myre pulled a gun on him.
“This was not supposed to happen this way…” he lamented. “But I'm glad I'm gonna get to end you myself…traitor.”
As the trigger was being pulled a horrible sound burst through the group, dust sprouting from all sides. Nyssa jumped off the wall and landed next to Myre. Buddy coughed and wiped his eyes. He was more lost than ever on current events. He had no idea how many people were trying to kill Anastasia and him anymore.
The Dust settled and Christian stood with his staff pointed at the antagonistic duo. Another sound blast erupted from his staff, sending them flying. He looked back at the trio who were too stunned to speak.
“I don't know how to tell you this…but all three of you are in a buttload of trouble”. He pointed his hand at them.
“Join my crew and your fates will never stay the same”.
Anastasia, Buddy and Jane all looked at the pointed hand. A crossroad of destiny for the rest of their lives…