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~*Prologue*~

Many moons ago, when the Earth and its wielders were at peace, a prophecy was born. Created from deceit before lovers of old a child, a daughter, would one day stand against her greatest enemy in order to save the Earth she vowed to protect. This young woman would find the strength and courage to restore malady with balance and reunite a torn and bloody legacy.

Meanwhile, Time, having finally reached his breaking point sought to enlist the aid of Zeus. If anyone would find the vile creations Nature had been tinkering with a crime, surely he would. Providing the evidence he’d gathered, Time begged for action to be taken against Nature and her experimentations. Instead, angered for being brought into a matter that was best left between the couple, the Elder God cursed Time with the eerie prophecy. A punishment he believed the wise man would never truly respect nor fulfill.

Embarrassed and fearful, Time returned to his home betwixt and between to devise a solution to Zeus’ demand. Should he fulfill the cursed prophecy no one would be safe from Nature’s wraith, least of all the babe born of their commitment. How could he in full knowledge of the outcome, betray his former lover? They may not have seen eye to eye but they had always remained honest with one another. More importantly what of the child? How could he raise a daughter in a world where she would never be at peace? Each question that arose only sprung forth more uneasy answers and the hours were slipping away. Focusing both mind and body Time transported himself in search of his once beloved.

“I wasn’t expecting you.” A beautiful and venomous voice chimed.

“You wouldn’t have seen me had I asked.”

“Touché’.”  Nature sighed, tapping a restless hand against her golden, diamond studded, throne. Why would her former lover dare to enter her domain in the middle of their own personal war? How curious and yet how disturbing. Perhaps if she played her cards right all would be forgiven and she could continue her work. Flinging her floor length raven hair behind her, Nature moistened her ruby lips while awaiting his answer.

Time stepped forward, bowing slightly. “You loved me once, perhaps even love me still. I have no right to ask a favor of you but I am honor bound by Zeus and have no other option.”

“Zeus is a fool and fools forget their place. Now stop staling and tell me why you’ve come, Time.”

“I’ve grown tired and weary of the demands placed upon me. As much as I would like to be able to my powers prevent me from being in two places at once. I need someone to help me with my studies. I need an heir. I need a son.”

Twin emeralds of fury flashed in Nature’s eyes as she hissed out a single word. “Never!”

“Why would you refuse me an heir? You’re the one woman in all of creation that doesn’t need to birth a child to create life.”

“Have you foreseen that the child will be a son? I have no use of a daughter, or a son for that matter. I’m content with my position in this universe and to have a child would threaten that.”

Time growled, pacing. “What will it cost me to convince you?”

Laughter met the question as Nature stepped before him. This was her one chance and she would gladly take it. “If I agree to produce an heir with you, in return you will agree to allow me to perform my first trial of the Surebrec Virus on Earth. You see unlike the failed trials, I have perfected a strain that must be passed from mother to child. The virus becomes dormant within the offspring until a second dosage is administered. The mother, before you ask, remains unaffected and perfectly healthy. The only thing I require in return is that you swear not to interfere with this test.”

Guilt and shame filtered through Time’s conscious. The Surebrec Virus would literally lead to Hell on Earth. He’d been to the future enough times to see the wicked results. No one could control the virus inside them and eventually they all turned evil, mad, or died. Was it worth it to place so many lives at risk?

“Well?” Nature demanded with hands upon her hips. “Do we have an accord?”

Knowing that his answer may both condemn and save, he nodded.

Clapping her hands in excitement Nature whistled as a young teenage girl hobbled up. Pale faced and clearly heavily pregnant and about to give birth at any moment, the young girl knelt before Nature, her head bowed low.

“What is the meaning of this?” Time demanded, the nagging concern in the back of his mind ever growing.

“I’ve been planning for this moment for nine months my dear. This young lady here has volunteered to be my personal guinea pig and so she shall be!” She smiled, pulling a small syringe from a box beneath her throne. Holding it up to the light she tapped the barrel gently, releasing a few small drops of clear liquid from the needles point. Looking into the eyes of her adversary, Nature plunged the needle contents into the pregnant girl before her.

Watching in horror, Time caught the frail woman as she collapsed, her body convulsing as the solution permeated her system and unborn child. Nothing good could come of what had been allowed to commence here and now he was powerless to stop the wicked witch before him, or was he?

“Now for our child, Nature.”

Rolling her eyes, Nature clasped her hands with his. “By the power of the forces of nature and creation, I consent as Time’s lover of old to bring to life the heir he has foreseen. With light, shadow, and the stroke of midnight, we combine our strengths to create life.”

Thunder and lightning illuminated the palace exterior with eerie shadows as sparks of white light began to flicker. Bells and chimes rang, measuring out in twelve even tolls as midnight touched down upon Earth. Pure magic, the magic of life, gathered in intensity as twin cries echoed throughout the palace walls. Before the couple a baby girl wiggled a small fist in the air at an attempt to catch the lingering remnants of light and shadow. Beside her, resting in his mother’s arms, a baby boy wailed his annoyance to the heavens.

Nature, shocked at the sight and betrayal before her backed up, hitting her throne as a wave of panic swept through her. “You tricked me? You, of all the beings I know, lied? You?”

Time knelt grasping his wiggling daughter in his arms as he looked up at her mother. Guilt ate at his soul as he turned away. “The prophecy has been fulfilled, Mother Nature. Meet your new daughter, Ivie Alvera.”

In a flicker of light Time gathered his remaining strength and fled, taking the young mother and son with him and his daughter. While he may not be able to interfere with Nature’s trial directly, he could make her search to reclaim her prize.

“You may think you’re safe Father Time but hear my words! You’ve taken my end of this bargain so I’ll take part of yours! Twenty five years is a long time to live powerless in our world.”

Cradling Ivie in his arms Father Time cringed, wiping away a single tear from his eyes. Those words would be the bane of his existence and haunt him for as long as he continued to live. There was only one thing Mother Nature could take from her daughter for twenty five years and he could only pray to those who would listen that he would be able to keep her safe.