Title: An Alternate Future
Author: trin_chardin
Rating: PG13
Genre: Action, Angst
Characters: Ensemble Story
Spoilers: "Underworld" movie
Summary: [AU] When vampire and lycan are at the brink of extinction, a hybrid goes back in time to change what is to happen.
Author's Notes: My first "Underworld" fanfic, though I've written - and continue to write - for other fandoms. This is an idea I've been fiddling with for some time and thought to give it a try. Feel free to comment.
Disclaimer: I don't own the movie "Underworld", its characters or plot concept.
-----
An Alternate Future
Chapter One
Nemea slipped silently into the inner sanctum of her parents' chambers. Heavier footsteps followed, yet failed to match her swift stride. As if oblivious to her companion, she continued to the farthest wall and flicked open a metal panel. Fingers angrily jabbed in the proper code and a concealed door hissed open. With her shadow still at her heels, she descended the narrow stairway to find bright lights automatically flicker to life at the bottom. It revealed a sanitized lab in blinding white and impregnable metal. She immediately headed to the freezer and punched in another password so she could retrieve a clear vial.
"You can't do this," the other protested.
She picked up a clean syringe as if she hadn't even heard him. Rolling up a sleeve, she emptied the vial's contents and injected them into her body. The tube and injection shattered on the floor as she started to spasm. Her companion took hold of her arms so she couldn't hurt herself. The look on his face was resigned. He'd felt obliged to try and stop her, but he knew she would go through with it no matter what. She was angry, running on adrenaline and emotions. He knew that, but a part of him had come to believe that maybe she was right. This was the only way. Once her body stilled, her closed eyes fluttered open to reveal deep blue orbs. He smiled sadly as he pushed back a stray lock of dark hair.
"I always wondered what color your eyes were."
She pulled away and examined them for herself on the metal counter's reflective surface. But, she only let herself be distracted for a moment. She switched on a computer and called up the program she was looking for.
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"It's the only thing left to do."
"You do realize that if you went back..."
"Things would change," she stated flatly.
"Not necessarily for the best."
"It couldn't be worse than now."
"We don't know that."
She didn't reply as she continued to type.
"Not only the bad will change, Nemea. What of the good? Your mother would never have met your father. The line of hybrids that has come into being will cease to exist." His voice softened. "Everything they fought for would never have happened."
"But, they would be alive in their own way. They would not suffer."
"And you think they would prefer that over the love they shared?"
"How can they chose, Razor? They're dead," she snapped.
The werewolf shoke his head at his much younger charge.
"So, you purge yourself of Lycan blood and go back to undo what has come to pass. ...You will be behind enemy lines, Nemea. Alone, without allies or resources - "
"Lucian will be there, as will Sonja. There's also my father's memories of the past."
"But, do you seriously think you can survive in their world? On their terms? ...Do you really think you can stop countless centuries' worth of war and bloodshed?"
"I have to try, Raz."
"...How exactly do you plan to do it?"
"The boy is the key."
"Your father wasn't even sure of the child's importance. For all we know - "
"But, he believed in the possibility. That is why he started this project."
"The machine hasn't even been tested yet!"
A final key was clicked and her eyes held his.
"It will be now."
"Then, I'm going with you."
"No. Someone has to stay."
"But - "
"As soon as I leave, you have to destroy the lab. We can't risk the vampires finding this place or using the machine. ...I'll be fine, Raz."
She smiled at her bodyguard and stepped into the metal chamber. After the door had closed, light gleamed at the bottom, slowly rising up to meet the rest of her. For an instant, she felt like she was being tugged in all directions. Then, there was a sickening lurch as it all came rushing back, like a dying star collapsing into itself.
To be reborn, one must first die.
*****
It was a starless night. The moon was wrapped in cloud and shadow, just a whisper of silver peeked out. Yet, that could not hide the fullness of its shape. Mothers held their children close as the darkness came to life and howled to its celestial mistress. But, one boy wandered through the woods without fear. He walked alone, a stray stick in hand. It rose and fell in wild, uncoordinated arcs as he beat at the bushes. Boredom was clearly written on his face. He'd escaped his escort just minutes ago, slipped away in a moment of confusion. There had been a strange howling as they returned from feeding. The lycan vassals with them had become uneasy and started to whimper. The boy had taken his chance and left unnoticed. He wanted to go exploring before they tucked him off to bed.
Why did they treat him like a child anyway? He was his father's heir, a pureblood. No man or vampire should dare to cross him or presume to order him about.
"Alone at this time of night, young one?"
His head snapped up to meet cold blue eyes.
"I'm older than you, woman," he hissed.
Showing his fangs, he went for her neck. But, she caught him by the shoulders as he leapt and flashed her own teeth in return.
"I think not," she told him.
"Let go of me," he growled.
She promptly dropped him on the ground, from where he glared at her.
"Just you wait 'til my father hears of your impertinent behavior."
"That is if you ever reach home."
The boy's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean? You wouldn't - "
"No. But, he would."
The boy turned around to see a lycan. It was clearly one of his father's vassals. But, he didn't like the glassy look of its eyes or its frothing mouth.
"Don't move, boy."
One moment, she was right beside him. The next, she had leapt over him, landing in a crouch at the lycan's feet. She kicked at them and as he fell, she went for his throat. The boy had watched his father's warriors spar in past, but he didn't think he'd seen any of them move this fast. And the way she knew every weakness on the other's part, it was like she thought like one of them. Even the preternatural grace of her movements was tinged with a brutal edge. It was as if she...
For the first time since the fight started, she discarded the use of her knives and swung free her sword from its scabbard on her back. She drew it level to her shoulder and parted head from body. A kick to the decapitated lycan's chest caused it to fall on its back. One last practiced flick of the sword spattered blood on the earth. After a cloth had wiped the rest, it was sheathed and she turned to face him. She continued to use the cloth to clean the blood from her face.
"You are well?"
He nodded solemnly. In his household, he had not learned to treat women with anything but the obligatory respect due to their sex. However, this one was something else. A true warrior. It was unheard of, and with his repect, she'd also earned his fascination.
Then, just as silent and sudden as the lycan, the boy's escort arrived on the scene. The foreigner who'd just arrived at court led them. The shadows worshipped his dark skin, yet the scowl on his face was still evident. With a wary eye on the woman, he spoke.
"You should know better than to wander about alone, Your Highness."
"Oh, but I wasn't alone." The boy smiled at his new-found companion.
"And who may you be?"
"Nemea." A curt reply.
"I am Kahn, and this is Sacha. He is the son of our liege, the lord of this land. We are indebted to you for his life."
The last words seemed to grate at the other's throat. Clearly, he did not like the idea of being indebted to another for what was supposed to be his duty, especially not to a woman. Yet, she simply inclined her head in acceptance of his words.
"We wish for you to accompany us to our lord's home. He would want to meet his only son's savior. ...Besides, daylight is coming and I am certain you are in need of shelter."
This one did not miss much. Even with her fangs retracted, he knew her for what she was. She only prayed that what remained of her father's blood would not betray her. Or if it did, they would not think much of it since they were constantly surrounded by the breed. After all, who would think that a hybrid could already exist at that time?
Author: trin_chardin
Rating: PG13
Genre: Action, Angst
Characters: Ensemble Story
Spoilers: "Underworld" movie
Summary: [AU] When vampire and lycan are at the brink of extinction, a hybrid goes back in time to change what is to happen.
Author's Notes: My first "Underworld" fanfic, though I've written - and continue to write - for other fandoms. This is an idea I've been fiddling with for some time and thought to give it a try. Feel free to comment.
Disclaimer: I don't own the movie "Underworld", its characters or plot concept.
-----
An Alternate Future
Chapter One
Nemea slipped silently into the inner sanctum of her parents' chambers. Heavier footsteps followed, yet failed to match her swift stride. As if oblivious to her companion, she continued to the farthest wall and flicked open a metal panel. Fingers angrily jabbed in the proper code and a concealed door hissed open. With her shadow still at her heels, she descended the narrow stairway to find bright lights automatically flicker to life at the bottom. It revealed a sanitized lab in blinding white and impregnable metal. She immediately headed to the freezer and punched in another password so she could retrieve a clear vial.
"You can't do this," the other protested.
She picked up a clean syringe as if she hadn't even heard him. Rolling up a sleeve, she emptied the vial's contents and injected them into her body. The tube and injection shattered on the floor as she started to spasm. Her companion took hold of her arms so she couldn't hurt herself. The look on his face was resigned. He'd felt obliged to try and stop her, but he knew she would go through with it no matter what. She was angry, running on adrenaline and emotions. He knew that, but a part of him had come to believe that maybe she was right. This was the only way. Once her body stilled, her closed eyes fluttered open to reveal deep blue orbs. He smiled sadly as he pushed back a stray lock of dark hair.
"I always wondered what color your eyes were."
She pulled away and examined them for herself on the metal counter's reflective surface. But, she only let herself be distracted for a moment. She switched on a computer and called up the program she was looking for.
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"It's the only thing left to do."
"You do realize that if you went back..."
"Things would change," she stated flatly.
"Not necessarily for the best."
"It couldn't be worse than now."
"We don't know that."
She didn't reply as she continued to type.
"Not only the bad will change, Nemea. What of the good? Your mother would never have met your father. The line of hybrids that has come into being will cease to exist." His voice softened. "Everything they fought for would never have happened."
"But, they would be alive in their own way. They would not suffer."
"And you think they would prefer that over the love they shared?"
"How can they chose, Razor? They're dead," she snapped.
The werewolf shoke his head at his much younger charge.
"So, you purge yourself of Lycan blood and go back to undo what has come to pass. ...You will be behind enemy lines, Nemea. Alone, without allies or resources - "
"Lucian will be there, as will Sonja. There's also my father's memories of the past."
"But, do you seriously think you can survive in their world? On their terms? ...Do you really think you can stop countless centuries' worth of war and bloodshed?"
"I have to try, Raz."
"...How exactly do you plan to do it?"
"The boy is the key."
"Your father wasn't even sure of the child's importance. For all we know - "
"But, he believed in the possibility. That is why he started this project."
"The machine hasn't even been tested yet!"
A final key was clicked and her eyes held his.
"It will be now."
"Then, I'm going with you."
"No. Someone has to stay."
"But - "
"As soon as I leave, you have to destroy the lab. We can't risk the vampires finding this place or using the machine. ...I'll be fine, Raz."
She smiled at her bodyguard and stepped into the metal chamber. After the door had closed, light gleamed at the bottom, slowly rising up to meet the rest of her. For an instant, she felt like she was being tugged in all directions. Then, there was a sickening lurch as it all came rushing back, like a dying star collapsing into itself.
To be reborn, one must first die.
*****
It was a starless night. The moon was wrapped in cloud and shadow, just a whisper of silver peeked out. Yet, that could not hide the fullness of its shape. Mothers held their children close as the darkness came to life and howled to its celestial mistress. But, one boy wandered through the woods without fear. He walked alone, a stray stick in hand. It rose and fell in wild, uncoordinated arcs as he beat at the bushes. Boredom was clearly written on his face. He'd escaped his escort just minutes ago, slipped away in a moment of confusion. There had been a strange howling as they returned from feeding. The lycan vassals with them had become uneasy and started to whimper. The boy had taken his chance and left unnoticed. He wanted to go exploring before they tucked him off to bed.
Why did they treat him like a child anyway? He was his father's heir, a pureblood. No man or vampire should dare to cross him or presume to order him about.
"Alone at this time of night, young one?"
His head snapped up to meet cold blue eyes.
"I'm older than you, woman," he hissed.
Showing his fangs, he went for her neck. But, she caught him by the shoulders as he leapt and flashed her own teeth in return.
"I think not," she told him.
"Let go of me," he growled.
She promptly dropped him on the ground, from where he glared at her.
"Just you wait 'til my father hears of your impertinent behavior."
"That is if you ever reach home."
The boy's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean? You wouldn't - "
"No. But, he would."
The boy turned around to see a lycan. It was clearly one of his father's vassals. But, he didn't like the glassy look of its eyes or its frothing mouth.
"Don't move, boy."
One moment, she was right beside him. The next, she had leapt over him, landing in a crouch at the lycan's feet. She kicked at them and as he fell, she went for his throat. The boy had watched his father's warriors spar in past, but he didn't think he'd seen any of them move this fast. And the way she knew every weakness on the other's part, it was like she thought like one of them. Even the preternatural grace of her movements was tinged with a brutal edge. It was as if she...
For the first time since the fight started, she discarded the use of her knives and swung free her sword from its scabbard on her back. She drew it level to her shoulder and parted head from body. A kick to the decapitated lycan's chest caused it to fall on its back. One last practiced flick of the sword spattered blood on the earth. After a cloth had wiped the rest, it was sheathed and she turned to face him. She continued to use the cloth to clean the blood from her face.
"You are well?"
He nodded solemnly. In his household, he had not learned to treat women with anything but the obligatory respect due to their sex. However, this one was something else. A true warrior. It was unheard of, and with his repect, she'd also earned his fascination.
Then, just as silent and sudden as the lycan, the boy's escort arrived on the scene. The foreigner who'd just arrived at court led them. The shadows worshipped his dark skin, yet the scowl on his face was still evident. With a wary eye on the woman, he spoke.
"You should know better than to wander about alone, Your Highness."
"Oh, but I wasn't alone." The boy smiled at his new-found companion.
"And who may you be?"
"Nemea." A curt reply.
"I am Kahn, and this is Sacha. He is the son of our liege, the lord of this land. We are indebted to you for his life."
The last words seemed to grate at the other's throat. Clearly, he did not like the idea of being indebted to another for what was supposed to be his duty, especially not to a woman. Yet, she simply inclined her head in acceptance of his words.
"We wish for you to accompany us to our lord's home. He would want to meet his only son's savior. ...Besides, daylight is coming and I am certain you are in need of shelter."
This one did not miss much. Even with her fangs retracted, he knew her for what she was. She only prayed that what remained of her father's blood would not betray her. Or if it did, they would not think much of it since they were constantly surrounded by the breed. After all, who would think that a hybrid could already exist at that time?