MagiStream

This is a MagiStream fanfic, set in the distant (hopefully) future. Mankind has become extinct, and the companions are free to do as they please. However, many of these were the companions of dark magi, and cause havoc. To prevent any devestating wars, all creatures agreed to create a council. This council would have two of each species, one male and one female. However, after many years, it seemed that they were not needed, and they vanished into the mists of time. Almost as soon as they were deemed gone forever, a cruel companion known as only as Bloodtide began to rid his homeland of any magical creatures. Before anything could be done, all magical creatures had vanished, aside from Bloodtide. Yet legend states that they exist in a place only those who have the courage, the selflessness, the loyalty, and the pure heart would be able to find them. This is the story of such a creature. Born of two lowly cats, nothing special to look at. And her name?

The cat's name was Tangle.

I gasped for breath as I raced up the steep slope. What had happened? I could barely remember anything - all I knew was that I had to keep running. Images flashed through my mind, of fire, of screaming, of demonic laughter. I only knew a few things - my name was Tangle. I was a ginger cat with strange silver eyes. My parents, my siblings, my home... were gone. I was alone in the world. My father had done something to anger the Dark One, the 'King' of our land. He had retaliated with force. It was only luck that I had survived.
"What am I going to do?" I whispered. I knew I could not go back. The Dark One would be looking for me. But where would I go? There was only one thing I could take with me, and that was my secret desire. To kill the Dark One, and free every creature from his tyrannical reign. The only problem was, I had no idea how. As I admitted that fact to myself, it began to rain. Spotting what looked like an old badger den, I sniffed the air carefully. Nothing had been there for a while. Slipping inside, I curled up into a ball. Tomorrow I would start my mission. And make my parents' deaths no longer worthless.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"
I looked up into a grey face, filled with huge amber eyes. The old she-cat snarled at me. I scrabbld up, squeaking, "I'm so sorry! I couldn't smell anything - I thought this place was uninhabited!" I was so scared. What if she knew who I was? Thankfully, the hostile look in her eyes faded, becoming concerned and kind.
"Oh, it's all right, dear," she said warmly, "I haven't been here for a while, that's probably why. Besides, it's not like you've eaten anything. I would be able to smell it. What's your name?"
I knew the Dark One wouldn't know. "Tangle."
She nodded. "I am Galaxy. Are you hungry? I've just been hunting. Don't look so worried, I won't hurt you. I have something to say I think you will want to hear."

Curious, I ate the rabbit she offered me, then sat back.
"Have you heard the legend of the Magic Companions?" she asked. I nodded.
"Yes, I think everyone has," I said quietly. I didn't see why I had to hear it again.
"Well, I have something to add to that legend that not many know. They used to speak of a metal eyed cat, one who was not magic in any way, that would be their saviour. You have eyes that appear to match that description."
"What?" I gasped. I had grown up hearing the legend, but that was absurd! Me, saving the Magic Companions?
"It's true. I should know. My mother's mother was one of them."
I gaped at her. "You mean - they exist? It's not just a story?"
She nodded. "Some of her magic was passed onto me, young Tangle. And I know you will save them. Part of my 'magic' is that I can know any creature's life mission. And that is yours."
She stood up, ready to leave. "If you choose not to accept the mission, I will understand. However, it may be the only way to be rid of the Dark One. It's your choice."
Then she walked out of the den.

I gaped after her. What was she on about? All I wanted to do was avenge the death of my parents! How was I supposed to find the Magic Companions Council (if they actually still existed), and kill the Dark One? It was impossible. Absurd!
Yet something in my mind was nagging at me. It would sure be a lot easier if I could get some help, and if not, well, I had nothing better to do. So I made a decision. I went outside the den, letting the dawn sun shine on my face, highlighting the long scar I had gotten whilst I was fleeing my home.
"What is your decision?" came a voice. Galaxy was sitting, waiting behind me. I turned to face her.
"I accept my mission."
A smile appeared on her worn face. "That is good. My life has not been a total waste then," she added with obvious relief. "Come. I have an idea which way you must go." She got up, and for the first time, I noticed the strange marks on her back. Almost as though she had expected this, she said, "My ancestors were Magic Companions known as Atramentums. I believe I have both Light and Dark in my ancestry, however these markings are more the colour of the Dark kind. They were, however, not evil."

A few weeks later...
I blinked in the fading light, staring at the massive expanse of water that greeted me. "I have to cross this?"
Galaxy nodded. "This is as far as I go," she said, gazing across the water. "I cannot go any further."
"Why?" I asked. In the time we had spent together, she had been almost like a mother to me. No - more like a grandmother. Always offering advice, giving me gifts for no reason, that kind of thing. I didn't want her to leave me alone, in this strange place.
Her eyes turned dark, and she said softly, "I am a very, very distant relation of one of those on the Council. I am not allowed admittance to their home, as I have magical blood. Only those who are pure magic or pure normal may enter. Goodbye, Tangle, and good luck."
She licked the top of my head, and said softly, "If you return, I will see you again. If you need any creature in a fight, just find a star and shout out my name. I will hear you." She turned away, the marks on her back glowing, and she faded away into the forest.

I stood on the edge of the cliff, wondering what I had to do. Was I expected to fly, or swim or something? I couldn't do either. I could swim, but I would never make it all the way across. I turned in a slow circle, hoping to spot something. Pretty soon, I noticed a small island. The word Callisto shot through my mind. The small group of islands had to be stepping stones or something, surely. But could I swim to that first one? There was only one way to find out.

One waterlogged trip later, I stood on the first island. It wasn't actually that far, although the water was disgusting, and I was starving. The only problem was, the island was totally uninhabited. So I was forced to go to the next one. And the nest. And the next.

I couldn't do it. I had gotten to the final island, and there was nothing there but rocks, grass and trees. No fresh water, no prey. I was going to die here, alone and a failure. It was pointless. What had I been thinking, trying to free the whole world from the Dark One? I should have just stayed with Galaxy... I was tempted to call her, but I couldn't allow her to share my fate. I closed my eyes, and slipped into a hazy slumber. My eyes found a beautiful star, right before all was black.