Undying Star: Prolouge, Chapter 1 & 2 (Patreon)

Made some changes and add some details.

Fanfic of BTD, most Characters belong to NinjaKiwi! Awesome game, you should buy it!

Prologue

A peaceful land in the middle of a thriving forest. Disturbed by a rumbling in the sky. A red dot appears surging with power. Not a second later, a figure forms from the red dot, the lake below has its still waters disturbed. A giant humanoid figure swirled into reality upon the clouded sky. A figure in a form in which a stranger would think, a Dark God with a presence of authority and dominion. Gigantic as the mountains surrounding the lake. With a crown embedded with mystical red gems, dull shining red eyes, and intricate carving on its body, a form of a colossal being.

The giant drops to its knees into the lake. A brutal wave came crashing through the trees surrounding the lake, knocking everything down. The giant’s entire being moaned as it slowly fell on its chest, sinking into the lake. 

In just moments, silence. The giant’s body disappeared shortly after it appeared. As nature was disturbed, it slowly recovered its peace.

Walking through the rocky shores of the lake, a small brown-furred monkey limped towards the trees. His tail is being dragged behind. Through the way he walked, he had resolved. A being with a goal.

+++

Chapter 1

Sol Everheart's Encounter

A shimmering light, giant, and powerful; chosen to wield the power of the True Sun God, Sol. One of the daughters of a great Sun God lost against the waves of floating rubber. Dark as that day may be, Sol was given the mantle to carry on her father’s power and protect the last continent.

A day like no other for Sol being taught by a hero, Adora.

The two gathered in the training ground near Eknom Central’s borders. Every monkey and tower witnessed the sight of the two in-sync with one another, with Adora’s decades of experience with mentoring TSGs she assisted the young Sol’s power. Sol was chosen abruptly when her father passed. Overwhelmed by the responsibility of handling the power of the Sun is no easy feat. No one knows except higher-ups that Sol Everheart is training to control her power.

Normally, TSG would have the pyramid near her vicinity, she can hide it for a while in order to save space for the other Towers training in this area. Every tower needs to have time to manifest upgrades, so that they are physically and mentally prepared. If not trained, it has severe consequences.

…

Then there was a Dart Monkey, his name was Uno, the basic, the most common building block of the defense of the last continent. A Dart Monkey may only have their darts but their throwing arm is strong enough to endure waves upon waves. Over time, as other types of towers grew and come to be, being a Dart Monkey became stagnant.

Uno, in-line with his other Dart monkey peers, standing shorter than others, he had a peculiar smiling face that never seemed to falter. Though, it may look like a mask, but when others looked at him, they felt comfort(?) and sometimes uncomfortable. The feeling of the hot concrete beneath his feet made him fidget with his fingers, his short tail swung behind him, annoying the person that was before him. 

“Hey look, the TSGs in the main training ground!”

“She’s really pretty.”

“Apparently, she’s also with Adora too.”

Uno looked beyond his peers ahead of him and spotted the TSG in the horizon. The TSG’s moving form was slow yet elegant. One of many times he first saw the gal. His peers were right, Sol was a pretty monkey, or maybe just because she’s the Sun God? No, Uno knew that wasn’t it.

Amidst the chatter, they were immediately shut after the one leading the group ordered them to quiet down. Walking further in the grounds, segments of places where other Towers were training caught everyone’s attention. The alchemists tested their potions, the ninjas moved swiftly, boomer-angers threw their boomerangs, glue gunners, snipers, and many more.

“Do you think we can transfer to other Tower types?” someone spoke from behind.

“The contract said we can, but we would need to prove we can handle it.”

“The process is pretty slow too…”

Uno tried to remember if he did change a type of Tower. But he doesn’t really remember, it’s not that important to him now anyway. He’s too busy thinking of what’s about to happen next.  

Not long after the long walk, the group of Dart Monkeys arrived at their training grounds. They trained throwing accuracy, speed, and endurance today. For at least 4 hours. Between those 4 hours, there were the occasional booms and thuds being felt throughout the training grounds.

“Hey what’s that in the sky?!”

Something golden shimmered and left a trail of smoke. Someone yelled once again, “It’s a fucking ROCKET!”

“Scatter!”

Uno staring at it for a few more moments, he finally noticed the others fleeing as the golden rocket seemed to angle towards their location. The direction it went was kind of off, thought Uno. Therefore, he ran as well.

It was one of Sol’s manifested rockets spread out near her vicinity, incinerating foes who were hit by it, except her allies. They didn’t have to be concerned as much about friendly fire but the rocket is still a solid matter that can injure those who are directly hit with it. It was the fateful day when Sol Everheart’s first ever friendly fire came to be, hitting Uno square in the head.

…

Uno let time pass as he had his eyes closed, he felt being moved around in a lot of places. People talking with concern, haste, and contempt. He heard too familiar whispers he learned to ignore but take note of, always. Finally, when it got quiet in a while, Uno slowly opened his eyes, revealing a white ceiling. He was in a hospital bed not far from the training grounds.

Not long after the silence, the dart monkey felt the ground shake briefly before spotting two giant eyes of light from the window. Uno felt the eyes of the giantess scan him from head to toe. Her voice is soft, yet powerful enough to make an ordinary monkey or tower kneel. "Hello Mr. Uno, you’re… finally awake, thank goodness"

"Hi"

"Your head... do you still feel pain?" the Sun God softly spoke, as if she could destroy the 'poor' monkey with only her voice. Weirdly enough, no one seemed to bother her for being huge and peeking through a hospital window. Wondering how would the other patients would react when a giantess, let alone the Sun God out their window.

Uno's short frame in the bed shifts as he wriggles to check the bandages on his head. "I am... I'm fine, I didn't lose memories about getting donuts after the training yesterday."

There was silence after his reply, but was interrupted by an unexpected snort from the Sun God's direction. Sol, had her mouth covered, seemingly trying to stop a giggle. "Sorry, I didn't mean to display such..."

"It's okay, at least I didn't lose my ability to joke" Uno's still smile is somewhat elongated, "I got the beautiful Sun God to laugh at my joke!"

Sol finally released her giggles and warmly smiled at the Dart Monkey celebrating like a statue in the bed. “You are odd, Uno. However, in a good way.”

"I will be going now, there will be someone to check up on you. A very dear friend of mine, she is a nice lady and I hope you two can get along."

"Ok, thank you!"

...

After Sol's visit a few moments ago, the silence was deafening. This must be the 50th time or more he must’ve been on this specific hospital bed. The same wind coming from the hole in the window. The window showing the bustling city, the city full of the cycle of life. The Eknom Central was not a bad place to live in. Though it may be kind of compressed, this was the year wherein the government decided to expand to the east. Structures combined with trees, not straying away from nature. Its monkey inhabitants were still swinging and climbing across branches to get where they needed to be.

The people he knew, tried to save, cherished, befriended, and many more were here and some where else. Helicopters occasionally flew by, the same path as he remembers. The same albino super monkey, passing by in a hurry. The same two white doves perching on the building next block. He may know what has happened, but things didn’t go for him like those in those portrayed in the movie. Every different action he made, costed another.

Interrupted his line of thought, the door of the room unlocks and reveals an immortal hero.

"Dart Monkey, Uno."

A similarly close presence to Sol, Adora. Her crown was the first thing that always attracted his attention. That annoying crown. Then her iconic, swaying flame-like hair restrained by a golden band.

"Hello Ms. Powerful Hero Adora"

"Yes, good afternoon, Adora's just fine" Adora's eye visibly twitched at such the long remark of her 'title', " Well Dart Monkey Uno, I'm here to get to the point you see."

"You can call me Uno then."

"Would you like compensation for Sol's “mistake” of hitting you?" Adora was quite perplexed, no she was confused. How could anyone survive a 2-ton golden rocket hit on the head? The Dart Monkey looked fine, however, he's mentally damaged from that.

"No"

The hero raised an eyebrow, "It’s protocol, but are you certain you have no desires?"

"I've been hit by something worse, I'm fine!" Uno pumped his fist in reply, he briefly shot up the bed to show his energy.

Adora had a bad feeling rising in her gut, "Uno, did someone come here before me?" Even though this dart monkey isn't as influential as other towers, Adora considers them a valuable asset in defending their world. Could it be, that someone had prevented or worse... threaten Uno to shut his mouth about Sol's mistake? Maybe them?--

"Sun God Sol was here before you."

Adora's eyes widened a bit, "What? No one else?"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Good" Adora sighed, 'Good enough... but I doubt this won't be in their radar. Their obsession with the Sun God can be detrimental to those who do not view their God the same as them.'

"If you need assistance, Uno, you may call Patch at this number, if anyone or anything catches your attention. Or if you decide to get compensation." the hero grabbed a slip from her coat's pocket and handed it to the Dart Monkey.

"Ms. Patch?!"

"This is an important matter."

"Thank you, Hero Adora, for a hero to visit me, I must've taken a lot of your time." Uno fidgeted with his stubby fingers.

"I'll be on my way, Uno."

Uno waved the hero bye until she was out of sight. Hero Adora had visited him, for two important reasons, she didn't want a pesky organization to interfere with this incident and she was worried about Sol's being taken advantage of. Truly like that of a mother, an adoptive mother, a beetle taking care of a giant. This is where it all starts, the chaos of Sol's vicinity is in effect.

+++

Chapter 2

Returning back to duty, Sol flew across the plains of grass, south east of Eknom central. Despite her colossal size, she didn’t disturb the nature of life around her. Without the bustling city of intelligent beings who worshipped and praised her non-stop, nature is where she retreats. She found herself in the middle of the plains, surrounded by towering trees. These trees were planted by Mother Tree’s sons and daughters. Lifted over their shoulders and planted here to thrive. 

Looking at the animals around her roaming about quietly, it was a success. This place was also a reserve for wildlife and plants. When places were recaptured from the bloons, these will be transported to repopulate the recently successfully defended area. 

The method was ‘Reclife’: Deploy, Defend, Victory, Clear, Terraform, Transfer, Defend”. It was the current cycle of everyone’s life in this world right now. Was there other continents struggling the same as their civilization was? They didn’t know what was out there anymore, beyond the vast ocean of floating rubber. 

She sat giant form on the grass, her knees on her chest, overlooking the night sky and the glowing city. It was peaceful and quiet.

Not long after, peace was disturbed when she felt a familiar presence quickly flying towards her direction, Adora.

“Adora?” the giant saw the approaching hero, her face was coming into view. An expression the hero made that was far too familiar.

“Sol” Adora stopped mid-air, crossing her arms with a small yet visible frown on her face.

Sol form shrunk, still gigantic, though she only tucked her knees tighter with her arms, “I should’ve been more careful, I’m sorry.” apologetic, Sol’s eyes dimmed a little.

“You could have, however, it’s too late to have regrets. What’s done is done.” Adora was a tough nut to crack. But being around her for a while now, she knows the hero cares for her. “You didn’t focus.”

“I was focused, I was just–”

“Getting lonely” Adora finished for her.

Sol opened her mouth to retort, only to frown at the truth Adora has been obviously noticing. It’s difficult for Sol to get acquaintances that would treat her as an equal. Mostly everyone is worship here, except for Adora or Patch or that one commander. But they were too battle hardened to talk about anything else other than work.

“Sol, we are experiencing hard times… since your… father passed. You are plunged to inherit his great responsibilities.” Adora remarked, “Hold on firm, soon you will be able to have space to think. You… no, we need to make sure our people feel safe.”

“It’s difficult Adora”

“It is.” The hero floated closer to the giantess, hoping those words were of comfort. She was not good at it but she tried.

Sol frowned for a moment, before shifting from where she was. The giant’s eyes dimmed even more.

“Will they be involved?”

One group amongst the Monkeys had their way of taking advantage Sol’s kindness; an organization called the Sun Scripture. Fanatics of the Sun God. Unfortunately they have been around since the super monkey had discovered the Sun God upgrade.

“I believe they will be..” Adora had her doubts, when the pesky Sun Scripture she dislikes the most gets a hold of that information. It could bring a whole bucket of their titter tattering.

“Is Uno okay when you got there?”

Adora glanced at the direction she came from, “Yes, fortunately.” It’s a miracle thinking more about it, but she has too much on her plate to analyze it right now. Though, him being fine and had no demands was advantageous in avoiding an annoyance. She will visit him again.

Sol on the other hand wished she could learn to shrink more often. The convenience of being able to hide her colossal size to be able to blend in with the crowd and be one of them.

“Can we focus on being able to shrink?”

“Because of the Dart Monkey, yes?”

Adora read through Sol’s intention to learn a rudimentary ability.

“I won’t deny that.”

“So be it.”

It takes a lot of focus to be able to shrink for a period of time. A TSGs power that was passed on so hastily was explosive to one’s soul that could burst if not maintained properly. Adora became Sol’s teacher, Adora being immortal helped but immortality has its price.

…

When midnight came, Sol floated above the pyramid in the center of the Eknom Central. It was a busy night, it always was. Civilians and Towers went on about their day and night rotating to keep the civilization alive. Helicopters and jets flew by momentarily. On the ground, some kneeled and bowed to her pyramid. As her keen senses observed these, it made her mind tired. However, she didn’t ignore the edges of her senses that surrounded the city’s borders. Never. She always kept an eye on the horizon. Anything can happen at any moment.

Looking upon the southern horizon, she saw the hospital building where her victim was residing, Uno. Looking back at Uno’s interaction with her, he was indeed peculiar, not someone who instantly bowed or worshiped her in place just for interacting with them. Throughout the years, she only had a few notable people she could approach. Her responsibilities had overtaken her desire to make friends or acquaintances; people to chat informally to and do things that a normal person would be able to do. Uno, sparked another hope in Sol. Ignoring the consequences of what would happen between them, she happily thought of how to make him a friend.

“I’ll meet him again someday”

…

In the hospital, Uno felt Sol’s warm gaze. It was a confirmation that his involvement with her will continue forth. He opened his eyes, revealing the white ceiling again, looking at his fingers he cracked them. Uno scratched his head and picked one fur out of his head, the fur, he threw it to the floor next to him. 7 dark phantoms of his figure appeared.

“Follow Adora and Sol from a distance.”

The phantom slowly blended with the shadow, leaving no traces. Due to his fine condition, lasting 2 days in the hospital the doctors were preparing him to be discharged. 

“His condition is excellent, as expected of Lady Sol, her control is impressive. Not even a scratch on the poor dart monkey.” praised a doctor.

“Friendly fire wouldn’t kill anyone anyway. Maybe this guy’s body is easy to knock over,” a nurse said.

Sol’s control was in fact not impressive, she was still learning until now. In another timeline, she killed someone with that rocket. Uno on the other hand caught that blow on purpose. It was one of many ways to reconcile with the girl.

Letting his legs slide off the bed, he sat looking through the window. Sol couldn’t exactly see him eye to eye. But Uno could, it’s as if they were staring at each other from afar.

“I’m saving life.”

…

…

…

After an uneventful night, Uno was discharged after morning arrived, he signed some papers and went on his way. They gave him a single ointment for his head. 

With nothing else in mind, he had one destination. The goopy long noodles shop he always went to was on the edge of northern Eknom Central. It was a long walk, the scenery was the same, colorful lights, buildings, and cars roaming about. Monkeys swung by vines are a form of transportation too. As he passed by several restaurants on his way, they smelt good but he had his preferences. The people he passed by chuckled because of his face and nothing more.

At one instance during his short trip, everyone in the sidewalk was gawking at a Hero, Quincy. He was in a regular civilian outfit, despite that his height and presence didn’t help him hide as he got his groceries

After 30 minutes of jogging to his destination, he was greeted by a too familiar restaurant front with a noodle bowl sign on top. He opened the doors and a lot of people were there. The owner of this place was a former Ninja Tower, she was the cook and a good one. Ninja Chef is someone who provided food for towers free of charge. 

Immediately spotting the chef in a ninja outfit, the only difference was she wore a white apron with the noodle bowl logo in the center. She moved about working on what she needed finished, a single customer sat in front of Ninja Chef. Engrossed with their books and bottles, browned furred monkey, spiky hair, orange long coat, and black strapped alchemist goggles around his head. His tail was a mess, limp on the floor carelessly.

“Strych, eat your food, come on.”

“Mhm, busy.”

“I won’t let you bring those trinkets of yours here next time if you don’t.”

“Alright, thank you.” The person named Strych stood up, and packed his books and bottles. He also took the paper bag with his food inside. When Uno saw his face, it was downcast. The alchemist went about his day exiting the restaurant.

Uno followed the retreating figure a bit until the Chef called for his attention.

“Hey, are you ordering fella?”

“Yeah! That one”

“That will be 30 coins”

Uno stood there for a bit, looking like he was processing what was said. Only interrupted by the gurgling of his stomach. Ninja Chef stood dumbfoundedly, even when her face was covered most of the way.

“Are you a tower by any chance, fella?”

“Yes…” Uno scratched the back of his head.

“Ok, sit down.”