Mercedes and Evan: a Maplestory romance

A few notes before I continue...

1. I don't own anything that is directly related to Maplestory, like the characters, their stories, the areas mentioned, etc. I do, however, own the original story of this, like the relationship between Mercedes and Freud, or Mercedes and Evan for that matter, and some of the dialog. Any truth behind said things is purely coincidental. No stealing, please.

2. There may be things that I mixed up on. I own an Evan in the actual Maplestory game, but it is my lowest level character, so I haven't advanced into his story very well. All I know of Evan, Mir, Freud, and Afren I got from the Maplestory wiki or my boyfriend, who is a high level Evan(and my husband on Maplestory, actually). I have a Mercedes, however, which I am leveling at a fast pace, so I know her story pretty well. There shouldn't be any problems on her end.

3. Warning to first-time Maplers and/or Evan or Mercedes players, there may- no, WILL, be some spoilers in here. The story begins from Mercedes at level 65 or so. If you don't want to ruin the surprise of what is in store for Mercedes and what happens to Evan, you should stop reading right this moment and go play Maplestory. I'll wait for all those people to leave.

...

Gone? Okay, good.

4. This is my first fanfiction, and really one of my first attempts at writing something that isn't role playing, school-related, or related to real life, so please bear with me and leave some helpful feedback and tips if I have done anything wrong.

Now, ONWARD TO THE STORY!

The World I Once Knew

The world was so... new.

I frowned as I sat in my makeshift throne, a present from the Elders, looking around from my perch. I could see the slimes clearly, bouncing around with stupid little grins. The occasional adventurer killed a few to continue down the path, or just walked right by them, too advanced to care.

I watched those advanced men or women with interest. As if it were yesterday, I saw those same type of people fighting for their lives against slimes, stronger ones that would slaughter the weak with one bounce and wound even me.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen yesterday. No, yesterday, I fought a monster I have never dreamed of seeing in a place that shouldn't even exist. I sighed.

Suddenly, something hit my chair, knocking me out of it. I turned, my bowguns appearing in my hands, ready to be fired. I was prepared to unleash my full power on the intruder, but stopped, for it was only a slime.

It was alone, likely to have bounced high enough to reach this little perch in the tree. It looked up at me with a cute kitty smile. Cute. But, unfortunately for it, annoying. I lifted one bowgun and shot 2 arrows at it, my movements so quick that it barely had time to utter a squeak before it died and faded away.

I smiled ruefully to myself. It would be back, there was no doubt about it, with no memory of me. I grabbed my chair and stashed it into my bag, then jumped over the edge all the way down the tree to the bottom. I winced when I landed, scaring a few slimes. I chuckled to myself, remembering the faces of Aran and Freud when I scared them like that.

I slowly made my way home, too lost in thought to mind the slimes, my thoughts wrapped around the fond memory of my two dearest friends.

I had no clue if they were alive. Athena told me that Aran has escaped his icy prison a while before I had, or so it was rumored, but I have no idea where he is now. Getting stronger, perhaps. He was always looking for ways to get stronger, even when he had reached his limit in strength. Plus, if his curse was like mine, he would've been knocked down in power and magic. He'd have to retrain.

I just hope he hasn't died trying.

Freud... I wonder if he was even frozen at all. My head knows the answer: not likely. Freud took a fatal blow from the curse. Afren told me so. Freud would be long since dead. My heart wouldn't accept this, however.

My feelings for the two had always been mixed. Aran and I had a long-standing partnership. However, we had a falling out not too soon before the big battle, when I had done something that angered him. I still feel guilty, not because of what I had done, but for letting us depart angry at each other. Now who knows how my friend will feel about seeing me?

Freud... I wasn't sure about. I mean, on one hand, I see him as being a great friend. He was loyal, kind, honest, quite intelligent. He was powerful, having bonded with not only A Onyx dragon, but THE KING of Onyx dragons. He was a good partner in battle, and sometimes a good opponent.

On the other hand, he was attractive and was very good at leaving me and many other girls speechless and blushing.

My confusion is assured.

I had absolutely no idea if his feelings stretched beyond friendship, either. Heck, I wasn't sure MINE did. There were days when he gave me a friendly hug or a polite bow or just outright stared at me and there would be something different, almost... eager or emphasized, about his movements or expression. He got increasingly strange as the big battle against the Black Mage came close. I still remember how, before we went to face him, he looked like he wanted to tell me something, and he started to, but then changed his mind.

Now, I'll never know what he wanted to say.

I had to stop and take a deep breath, trying not to blink and let the tears run down my cheeks. Once I was sure I was calm, I realized I was already at the entrance to Elluel.

I took another breath and stepped into town. I was greeted by the Cygnus Knight guards. They gave me polite bows and murmured 'Your Highness'. I nodded in acknowledgement and walked by, passing a few beautifully-structured houses, made my way to the big tree, and approached the Elders.

The Elders, an old man of grey hair, a young lady of brown hair, and a man of blonde hair much like my own, bowed and murmured formal greetings. I greeted them back and immediately asked for news.

Philus, the blonde man, sighed.

"No, milady. Nothing has changed here nor have the Cygnus Knights detected suspicion." I frowned. I had expected some change, since I haven't been back in Elluel in a few days. Danika, the young lady, piped up when she saw my disappointment.

"Athena sent for you, though" I lit up in attention and she smiled in response.

"Really? Good! I was just about to go there, in fact." I said my goodbyes to the Elders and was just about to climb down the miniature hill the Tree was on when I heard Danika behind me, yelling

"Wait! Your Highness!" I turned to face her as she ran up to me. She hesitated, probably catching her breath, before asking, "W-what is the outside world like so far, milady?" I smiled wryly and patted her shoulder as I told her.

"Too confusing and overwhelming. I absolutely envy you for being so unaware." She probably didn't know if that was a compliment or an insult, but my smile convinced her it was the former. She smiled back, nodded, and went back up the hill while I dashed off to the portal.

X-X-X

Henesys...

It's a bustling town, to say in the least. It was always crawling with adventurers, mostly those who were only just starting out. I've been in all the towns on Victoria Island and, out of all of them, Henesys seems to be the focal point of the continent.

It was also the home to Athena Pierce, a former elven child and sister of Danika the Elder, now a revered bowman trainer. I've reunited with her not too long ago, and I was happy to learn that she had not forgotten me or her roots. It is upsetting, however, to learn of all the horrors that have occurred while I was in a deep sleep.

The Black Wings, for instance.

For there to be a group of people who wanted to revive the Black Mage... It was unsettling. Plus, they seemed to know too much about me. Quite unsettling.

I've been ambushed twice, three times if you count those little animal-like minions attacking while I was getting purified water. It was unacceptable.

Athena also told me of surprising and confusing things. The Cygnus Knights, for example. Not only was their existance and the existance of their Empress total news to me, I was surprised that she could be in charge of these so-called Knights. She looked so... young, and feeble, like she had a deadly illness slowly eating her away. It wasn't reassuring to put my town's safety in her hands, but Athena assured me that it was the right thing to do.

I made my way into her home and looked up at the half-floor above me. Sitting at her desk was Athena herself, lost in thought and in paperwork. I didn't want to disturb her, but I was too anxious about what she called me here for. My hands itched to be occupied.

"Athena" I called gently. Her head jolted up in attention.

"Queen Mercedes!" She exclaimed. She stood and jumped down in front of me to kneel at my feet. I had to smile.

"Rise, child. There is no need to be so formal."

"A-ah, sorry" She rose, blushing. "I'm a little angsty today. Plus, you're a queen. It's proper to bow to your queen." She straightened at that fact. I nodded in response.

"True, but I am also your friend, and it is also proper to hug your friend." I smiled and held my arms out. She grinned and gave me a hug.

"Thank you, Mercedes. I needed that." She ran her fingers through her hair and paced the floor. "Arg, not only do I have several bowmen applications to go through, but Mrs. Ming Ming wants to drop by and uuuurg" She grumbled in annoyance, then just as quickly remembered that I was in the room and began stammering out apologies. I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it, Athena. Just let me know how I can help." Athena frowned slightly stubbornly.

"Well, if you mean with MY problems, I can handle it, no problem." I smiled a little. Ah, elven pride. I'm glad that no amount of change to the world has changed that. "...as for YOUR problems, milady, that's why I sent for you." She continued. I nodded. Athena wasted no time explaining.

"Apparently, the Resistance heard through the Cygnus Knights about you and your quest to stop the Black Mage. They want to join us, but the leader wishes to discuss it with you first." I nodded gravely. I had learned from Athena before about the situation in Edelstein and the creation of the Resistance. It was saddening, how poorly those people are treated. Athena dug out a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Here is a free pass to the Edelstein ship. Once there, head to the underground headquarters. Be wary of Black Wings members in town. Some are Resistance members in disguise, but others can recognize you and capture you." I nodded to the flustered bow master.

"I'll be fine. No worries, Athena." She nodded and looked at the wall clock.

"Crap, I'm going to be late! I'm sorry, milady, I have to run. I'll talk to you soon?" She asked. I nodded in agreement and left so she could lock up her home in peace. I made my way across the town to the taxi when something had occurred to me...

Where WAS the underground headquarters?

I cursed under my breath and started back to Athena's house, but I could already see the dark windows from where I stood and I knew my friend had left. I frowned. Not good. How does one go to a meeting and not know where the place is? I sighed and walked on to the direction of the taxi, thinking that I could ask for directions, though I will surely be in danger if I tried that.

I looked up and around, hoping for inspiration to strike, when my eyes fell upon a strange sight. I froze. I stared at a man, talking to Chief Stan in what seemed to be a heated discussion (probably about his runaway son). Normally, I wouldn't be bothered by this.

...Except for the big black dragon hovering beside the man.

My jaw almost dropped in shock. The dragon... it looked... it looked just like...

Afren?

s-so that means...

...

FREUD?