Vulcan strutted into the room, glancing around the throne room of King and Queen Epsilon. It was smaller than he had remembered, but, of course, the last time he had been here was when he was a kid, being admitted into the King's soldiers service. He was trained, obviously, and had only actually entered into the service when he turned seventeen. Man, had that been a twist. His life was different now, much more serious. He had always been the smartass in the academy -- the one that never listened, instead flirting with his female classmates. He had been tolerated, always being told "you'll change when you enter the guard for real." Vulcan had waved off their words, knowing he would never change: he was Vulcan Cassiopeiae, professional disrespective smartass.
He was sure of that until he graduated. Suddenly he was thrown into a man's life, and not in the back lines. Mewni was at war. It was a war that had been raging for three years, and Vulcan had never paid attention to the classes where the terribleness of the war was displayed by the pictures generated in scary 3-D detail into half of the room. He had always been picking his nails, fiddling with his hair, or flirting in adult ways with the nearest girl, who was probably ignoring him.
Some girls found the hot bad boy sexy, and tried to get his attention. They got it. Most times when Vulcan skipped class you could find him in a closet with a pretty girl. Unlike some guys, he strung them along instead of leaving them and making them bitter. He was a smooth talker and was great about explaining to girls that he helped a lot of other students with their homework and that's why he was always around other girls. He was careful not to be touching the girl he was currently with when another of his girls passed by. They ate it up, but he knew that some of them only did it because they liked him too much to give him up by arguing with him.
Vulcan was quite happy with his life, but one day it was over. Suddenly he was forced to latch his uniform jacket. Suddenly he was away from the girls, and if he tried to flirt with another of the soldiers, he was punished. His diet was restricted, and, worst of all, he was given a sword and told to fight for his King and home. This was terrible! He tried to avoid his job at first, and then discovered that it wasn't excused. He would be at the briefing. He would not hide in the back rows. He was fast; he was strong. They needed people like him. Day after day Vulcan ran through fields of tall grass, thick forests that tripped him up, or swimming through terribly cold rivers. The Mewni warriors were on the offense. They were quickly driving the enemy back.
Until they realized it was a ruse. A false lead to keep the bulk of the soldiers away from the capital. Then they were running back, hardly stopping to get food out of their packs to eat on the run; they only slept for about four hours before being jolted awake by another soldier and running on.
Days past, and news of the fall of the capital spread. The army of Mewni ran faster until they were there and battled their way through the enemy camps and back to the castle. They collapsed inside past the castle walls, and the wounded were taken to the infirmary and the others were given one day and one nights rest before they were back on their feet, battling on the walls or making forays into the city to fight back the enemy as they tore faster and faster through the lower town.
Vulcan was one of the wounded, and by the time he was healed he was being summoned to the throne room. Not sure what this was about, but renewed back into his old ways by return to his home, he walked into the throne room, a swagger in his step and his shoulder only twinging a bit. He walked to the center to stand next to a woman he had seen before in the academy but had been a year ahead of him and had been one of the ones to ignore him in the school, so he didn't know her well.
She was about a head shorter than he was, and very slim and fit, from what he could see around her cape. She didn't have very large breasts, but she made up for it in a gorgeous face and very shiny hair. She was wearing a very... nice outfit, very fitted. And a great deal of her leg was showing. Vulcan hadn't seen so much of a girl for eight months.
He was about to make a suggestive comment when the doors next to the dais for the thrones opened and the King and Queen entered. The girl was bowing before he could blink, and he followed suit hastily. The King and Queen strode regally to their thrones and sat, the Queen a moment after her husband to denote his superiority. The girl stayed bowed, but Vulcan itched to stand. He twitched twice before the King said, "Rise."
The girl straightened slowly, but Vulcan was up almost before the word was out of the King's mouth. The King chuckled softly. "I see I have chosen well. Vulcan Cassiopeiae, meet Nova Arcturus."
Nova turned to him, a cold look in her eyes. She extended a hand. Vulcan laughed.
"Why so serious, Nova? Lovely name, by the way." He winked flirtatiously.
She withdrew her hand. "Don't you dare flirt with me, Cassiopeiae," she growled. He raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay, Miss Fussy...." he leaned forward slightly and looked at her hips "skirt thing." He leaned back and grinned at her. Her eyes flared. She grabbed him by the collar and jerked him to her level painfully.
"Keep your mouth shut and your hands to yourself, if you know whats best for you," she spat. Vulcan flinched in pain and tried to pull free, but she had him tight.
"How... how are you that strong?" he asked disbelievingly, trying to look at her hand as she gripped his jacket. "You're like... tiny."
Nova smiled grimly and let go. "I heard you were in the army. You're a wimp."
Vulcan barked a laugh. He looked at the King, his thumb jerked in Nova's direction. "What's she doing here? For that matter, why am I here?"
The King and Queen, who had watched their bantering with patient amusement, smiled. Both of them. At the same time. It was freaky. "You are here," said the King, "to guide our son, Leonis, to Earth. It--"
"Earth?" cried Nova, then looked horrified and quickly bowed again. "Forgive me, Your Majesties. I spoke out of turn."
The King waved it off. "It is well. Speak your concern." His eyes twinkled. "You seemed to have one."
Nova blushed, and nodded meekly. Vulcan stared at her. "My concern, Your Majesties, is that Earth is a..." she appeared to struggle for a word, "poor planet. It is not well cared for. I know it is the only life-supporting planet in this solar-system, but really, Your Majesties..." she spread her hands pleadingly.
"I understand your concern, Miss Arcturus, but you yourself spoke the truth: it is the only inhabitable planet for a century's travel in any direction. We are war, Miss Arcturus." Suddenly the King looked very old. His wife took his hand and he smiled at her, then returned his attention to the two people in front of him. "The war has gone badly, and we are concerned for Prince Leonis. He should leave this planet in case..." he trailed away silently. Nova and Vulcan were very still. The Queen picked up her husband's trail.
"The Prince will return when the war is over. A message will be sent to you three." Nova and Vulcan froze, staring blankly at the Queen. She laughed softly. "You two have been chosen to guide the Prince in his new life in Earth. We do not know what you will find there, nor what will happen. He will need protection. You have each been chosen for your special talents. Mr. Cassiopeiae-- yes, Miss Arcturus, even he," the Queen said this because Nova had made a little noise of protest "he is not how he appears. He was ranked second in his class, despite his..." the corners of the Queen's mouth twitched, but she fought it down. "...mannerisms. He will be a friend to Lionis, where you," she turned to Nova, "ranked top in your class, has many recommendations from the commanders of the Royal Guard,"
Ah, thought Vulcan. That was where her uniform is from. No woman that stiff would wear a cape that color without being commanded to.
"and has the most skill with a bow that I have seen in my life," finished the Queen. Nova's eyes widened. The Queen smiled. "Yes, Miss Arcturus, you heard me correctly. 'I have seen.' I saw promise from you since you entered the Academy, and I have tracked your progress, including visiting a few of your weapons lessons."
Nova was blushing furiously. She bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, almost in a whisper.
"You are most welcome."
"You are both invited to dine with us this evening," said the King. "In that way you can meet Prince Lionis in a less formal setting before you leave tomorrow. Mr. Cassiopeiae, we are sorry you were not able to rest more -- we heard of your injury -- but the need is urgent. You may go."
Vulcan and Nova bowed once more and exited the throne room, glaring daggers at each other. The royal couple could overhear Nova saying to Vulcan, "you will behave yourself. We will still be in front of the King and Queen. Don't eat like a pig."
"How do you know I even eat like a pig?" asked Vulcan indignantly. Their voices trailed away before the King and Queen could hear more. The Queen looked at the King.
"You really think this will work, love?" The King nodded firmly.
"Those two will be good for each other, and together they should be able to help Lionis in his new life."
"New life..." Lyra started to cry. Rigel stood, walked over to the throne next to his, helped Lyra stand, and hugged her tightly. She clung to him as she cried. "My baby... My baby..."