Four children finding themselves aboard a very different ship in a very different setting.
The place marked "Observation" led to an open area.
"About time you got here. That corridor was destabilizing."
They were surrounded by stars, that was what had caused Naruto to stumble to a stop. That was what caused the others to gawk. Only the fact that they weren't alone and that someone had spoken caused them to startle free from gawking.
The speaker was standing at the ship's rail, looking out onto that vista. A crumpled hat on dark hair, long coat, odd clothing of some unfamiliar fashion. A dog of medium size and thin build was curled up nearby, but the ear flicking certainly indicated that the dog was paying attention to him.
"Are you responsible for us being here?" asked Sasuke, kunai drawn in one hand.
"Me? Hardly. I am Harbinger, child."
"Harbinger of what?" asked Sakura, thinking that had sounded like a title.
"Harbinger of prophesy, of adventure, of hard times and golden ages," responded Harbinger. "So, which one of you is the Hero?"
"Sasuke," responded Sakura.
The stranger regarded them briefly. "No. He's the Lancer, I think."
"'Lancer'?" asked Sasuke.
"In life as in fiction, everyone has their roles to play," said Harbinger. "You are the Lancer, the prodigy. The talented one who believes he doesn't need the others but will forge his own path."
Sasuke frowned. How did this guy know him?
"Maybe I'm the hero then," said Sakura.
"You..." Harbinger considered her for a moment, then shook his head. "No. You're 'the Chick' - intelligent, talented, but your potential pales when compared to the others. Eventually you will end up with either one of two partners."
"What makes you think I'm the 'chick' - Hinata's also a girl," pointed out Sakura.
"Interesting," said Harbinger. "She is also a Hero in potential. The warrior princess who is shy and unconfident, with a tragic backstory. You'd think she would be the heroine, but I see that isn't the case. Ah. It's you."
"I'm the Hero?" declared Naruto. "I knew it!"
"Before you celebrate too much, know that most Heroes die before their potential is realized," said Harbinger. "And even then - you will suffer great hardship on the path to reaching your goals. It will be long, painful, and you will face many enemies. In other words, a typical adventure."
"Oh," said Naruto.
"Well, enough," said Harbinger, straightening up. His dog got up as well, raising to a sitting position. "I'm here in an official capacity after all. I'm the guy who gives the Oracles their prophesies, visits the Child Of Prophesy to drop off their Legendary Weapon or Meaningful Heirloom and such. Normally I don't actually manifest a physical avatar but I wanted to see with my own eyes you four dimension travelers."
"Well you met us, now send us back," said Sasuke, readying himself to attack.
"Can't do that," said Harbinger. "I'm a minor godling, an aspect of Fate - and Magical Fate at that."
Sasuke moved, quickly. His plan was to put his kunai against this stranger's throat and demand return back to that classroom they'd been waiting in.
Finding himself suddenly halfway across the ship's deck, his back pressed against a mast, and the stranger using one hand to hold him by the neck up against it - that hadn't actually been part of the plan.
"Bad Lancer," said Harbinger. "No bonuses for you."
"What - crap!" managed Naruto. "I didn't even see him move."
"Byakugan," tried Hinata. "What?! He... doesn't have a chakra network. He IS chakra."
"Just because I'm a relatively minor godling in the scheme of things doesn't mean I'm not still a godling," said Harbinger, still effortlessly holding Sasuke up. "You, Hero. This ship is yours. It is what is called a Planejammer. A Spelljammer that is retrofitted. Runes along the inner surface of the keel maintain the air envelope and gravity plane. The spelljammer helm will accept your magic and allow you to fly this ship."
"Uhm," said Naruto, considering what to do. Sasuke was still not exactly what he would call a friend, but it wasn't right to see him being held like that.
Sakura charged forward but found Sasuke flying at her at high speed a mixed blessing. Mixed because it ended up with Sasuke sprawled on top of her but frankly that hurt.
"Like I said, I can't return you home," said Harbinger. "You have to earn that yourself. It was not my doing that brought you here. This Planejammer is a retrofitted Eel Ship to be specific. What you do with it from here out is your own lookout."
"So where is here?" asked Naruto, looking around.
"You are currently at an altitude, or height off the ground, of 22,500 kilometers," said Harbinger. "You are currently over the world of:"
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(Posted Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:41)
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