Ethereal Gates

Chapter 1

Have I ever told you about my son?

Remarkable boy. Quite smart!

He was born here in the Great Clock, in the exact center of the universe. Give or take, fifty feet.

My son's name is XJ-0461.

But the Zoni know him as their prince.

Many years ago, a great tragedy occurred in the universe. As a result of a plethora of time paradoxes created by the Fongoid race, who had been blessed with the gift of time travel from the mystical Zoni race, a rift was ripped open in the time-space continuum, nearly leading to the extinction of all life and the destruction of all planets. In order to avoid this disaster, the leader of the Zoni race, Orvus, created a marvelous facility in the exact center of the universe, the "Great Clock". It was used to keep time in order, and dealt with any time anomalies or ripples or irregularities in the universe. However, with great power and great responsibility came great risk.

The clock, much like time itself, was a gift, and not to be tampered with. For one misuse of its powers could destroy the time-space continuum, and therefore the entire universe. That was why Orvus sheltered himself in the facility along with a good friend of his, to protect the clock from anyone who dared to take control of it and use it for their own selfish purposes. Armed with shields, teleportation, a Chronoscepter and millions of Zoni subjects, Orvus swore that he would protect his chamber, the Orvus Chamber, with his life.

However, Orvus knew that he would not be able to protect his chamber forever. No one could live forever, and that rule applied to the Zoni as well. He was an aging Zoni, and though he was still spry enough to take out any intruders, he knew that he needed to have a plan for when he would eventually disappear from the clock. Though he had full confidence in his faithful colleague, Sigmund, Orvus believed that a bigger step had to be made, and he knew just what direction to go in. And that was when the process of it all started. The process of bringing about an heir to the Zoni throne.

...

ACT I: "Royalty"

"Sigmund! Sigmund, come quickly!"

At the call of a familiar voice, disproportionate yellow eyes shot up from his work. His long fingers paused while winding one of the many time cleaners that rattled as they began to work. In a fit of slight panic, the floating, garbage can-looking robot quickly wound the last time cleaner and placed it down so it could join its friends and go to work, then hovered out of the chamber to find his colleague.

Originally an ordinary janitorial bot from Planet Viceron, Sigmund had been found by Orvus many years ago and had been recruited to help take care of the Great Clock. It was a big responsibility to handle, yes, but he considered it an honor to work with Zoni King Orvus himself. But what was Orvus calling him for during a time like this? It must have been very important. Even though he was prone to it, Sigmund tried his best to refrain from freaking out. He was a very nervous robot.

Sigmund came to a halt when he exited one of the many chambers in the clock. He blinked as his gaze followed the bridge that sat in front of him. Its blue glass finish reflected the majesty that was the Great Clock. Golden chambers, buildings, and rings, Zoni fluttering about, sparks of time energy flowing gracefully through the air... it would be almost too much for someone who had not witnessed the clock's beauty. Sigmund looked up from the bridge and gasped a bit as he saw his good friend, Orvus, floating near the edge of the connecting platform. The little pink Zoni, dressed in a teal Zoni suit of protective armor and with his Chronoscepter in hand, had his eyes wandering about the scenery, as if he was taking in the Great Clock for the first time. He was the most powerful Zoni in the facility, yet he was also very gentle, and he liked to simply sit and watch his subjects zip about and the Clock work its magic. It was only when Sigmund approached him from behind that he managed to pull his eyes away.