Mars

A ruby flies through the universe at faster-than-light speeds. It hides an immense space within. A curious-looking old man works at a table surrounded by various pieces of equipment. The old man is dressed in a brown uniform with a gold badge. The gold of the badge is oval-shaped and divided into eight curving designs. In the center, the badge reads "Empyrean Workshop, Head Craftsman, (H.C.) Ryle Ore." Ryle Ore's more puppet-like than human.

"Have you found someone, Grandfather?" a delicate feminine voice from the shadows asked.

"I have," the old puppet man responded to the shadow's question.

"At last, we have hope!" The shadows exclaimed in excitement.

"He's on a planet called Earth. It's one of the last Legacy planets, and it will take us a few years to reach Earth, but we'll finally have a Legacy Inheritor. It'll take a few years to get to Earth. He might be a little old for a mortal, but we can fix that." H.C. Ore said without looking up from his work. His delivery of the information was flat, but a burning fire radiated from within his eyes.

"We can finally participate in the Legacy competition, Our workshop has the chance to reenter the world once more!"

"It's too bad it's taken so long. We had one of the first slots to choose from, but I couldn't find anyone I liked," H.C. responded.

"Why do you think this candidate is a match for our workshop," the shadows asked.

"He has the most wonderful imagination I've seen. He's extremely creative, but lacking in ability. This is another thing that we can fix. For our workshop, the most important thing is a lively boundless imagination." H.C. said still working without stopping.

"Is that why I failed as the Head Craftsman, Grandfather? Was my imagination lacking?" The shadow asked.

"No, my dear, you had a different problem. It was the times you were born in. A gentle soul such as yourself who sought peace over all things couldn't compete in that generation of War," he responded.

"Those brutes wanted me to create nothing but weapons so they could kill each other," anger and sadness spread from the shadows.

"The shop was too amazing to sit out of the wars of the time. You had willing customers but refused to sell, what else could they do? They worried you would side with someone and become exclusive. It was safer to destroy you along with the workshop.

Ahhh, my dear, let's not discuss the depressing past. Instead, we should get ready for the future. Help me with this gift for our legacy inheritor." As the old man spoke a mechanical arm emerged from the shadows and helped make micro welds.

The sound of sparks was the only sound the workshop emanated.

Numerous years later, on Earth, a battle between two armies was happening. There were differences between the two armies. One army wore an array of armor. Some of the armor had weapons attached to parts of the armor. The weapons ranged from crude crossbows to shoulder-mounted laser cannons.

The other army contained five-member teams. Each team had a medieval knight, a person shooting strange arrows, and a person with a staff with enchantments on their lips. A large rock-like creature attacked by throwing its body into the sea of armored fighters. Finally, a small humanoid about the size of half a human with large feet stepped in and out of the shadows. Sometimes they stole items, while at other times they assassinated.

There was some variety to the teams, but not much. The teams seemed powerful, but the armored army tore through them ruthlessly. Among the army was a man with an armored vest, helmet with an electronic piece over his left eye, and a graying red beard poked out. There was also a gauntlet on his left arm, and his right hand shot a laser gun. Even among the armored fighters, he seemed to stand out.

A thin and lightly armored man ran up to the strange warrior.

"Captain Mars, the enemy's legacy has been broken! The masters have won! We just need to lock down the last of their fighters and clean up!"

"Great! Take two squads and lock down the two wizard teams in Widow Park. I'll lead the last squad to take out the annoying group next to Ming's Store." Captain Mars said.

"Yes, sir!" The man said and collected the two squads Captain Mars indicated.

"Alright, it's time for the final push!" Captain Mars shouted as he called on the members of his squad to rush out to fight against the remaining wizard team in their area.

Twenty minutes later, the entire battlefield was quiet. Once the fighters of the opposing army learned that their Legacy Inheritor was defeated, the Fantasy Army surrendered.

"Ok, Melvin, D.J., clean up and inventory. I need some new stuff for the store! Use this bag of holding." Captain Mars said as he tossed a small leather pouch to Melvin.

"I don't get it, Cap, you're clearly a great soldier. Why sell battlefield curiosities? You should join full-time." One of the soldiers said as he walked over.

"Two reasons, we have no idea how long these current guys are going to be in charge. If you join the main army your fate is tied to the legacy. Guys forced to fight usually get better treatment if their side loses. Second, I hate fighting. These Legacy people are stupid. If I had an inheritance this isn't how I would go about doing things." Captain Mars responded.

"If you move up in the ranks, you'll have more say in how things are done, you should join. You're already an officer, they'll probably give you a real arm instead of that broken cybernetic hand you have."

"I like this broken cybernetic hand, Phil. To be honest, without my wife and kids...I can't bring myself to care." A sad look overshadowed Captain Mar's face. Phil felt things were awkward and left.

"You care enough to not get killed," another soldier walked over. This one had scars over his right eye. The eye was either dead or contained some type of device.

"Hey rust bucket," Captain Mar said without looking up. He was looking at a purple crystal.

"Still can't let go of your family? Start another one if you miss them."

Captain Mars shoved the crystal into a bag slung over his shoulder. He was ticked off.

"You can't replace your family, you should understand that better than anyone!"

"Yeah, and I haven't replaced my family, but I'm also not laying around like a dead fish. I still have some ambition."

"Really, Rusty? I don't see you joining the Legacy brats as a soldier. How are we different?"

"Why would I join these people? They're the ones that killed our families. The battles are a good way to get some payback," Rusty said.

"The legacy that killed your family and kidnapped mine was wiped out a long time ago. You aren't killing their people, you're just killing. I only kill because if I don't I'll be executed. And for your information, I haven't given up, my family might be alive still. Maybe I'll learn something if I stay here."

"If a trace of your family exists it isn't here. You don't leave here because you're afraid that the truth is that your family is as dead as mine. You stupid son of a --"

"Woah, fellas! Come on, you two are best friends what are you doing?" A man rushed over to split the two up. Rusty and Captain Mars both took a breath and calmed down.

"Sorry, post-battle nerves," Rusty said.

Captain Mars shook his head.

"Nah, you might have a point, but I don't know what to do. Even if I have a clue about them, what can I do? Once I join a legacy, I'm no better than a slave. If I don't have a legacy backing me, how can I have the power to do anything."

Rusty came over to Captain Mars and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. After looking at him for a moment, Rusty walked off.

"Thanks, Demarcus," Captain Mars said.

"No worries, I've never seen two guys be so close and yet ready to strangle each other at the same time. You two need couples therapy."

Without being able to help himself, Captain Mars started laughing.

"Now you're just projecting, I've seen you and the wife. Every time she gets done with you, you've lost an inch of flesh."

"Hey, it's not all bad. Oh, Biggie wants to know if the trade rules are the same?"

"Sure, bring whatever you find to my place. I'll make fair trade and take care of the taxes." Demarcus left and ran over to a large man covered in armor. He looked like a walking tank.

Like others who were still on the battlefield, Captain Mars continued to sort through the rubble looking for anything good. He didn't finish until midnight. His helmet's left cybernetic eye didn't detect any more objects. As he left he noticed something near a pile of rocks. The light from his eye was reflected by something.

Walking toward the object, Captain Mars bent over and discovered a ruby. It had a little dirt on it, maybe that's why no one noticed it. Without thinking too much, he tossed the ruby into the leather pouch tied to his belt.

"This bag of holding is fantastic, too bad I'll have to turn it in." Captain Mars thought to himself and he walked toward home.

By the time he returned home, Captain Mars was too tired to eat. He tore off his armor and battle gear. Even though his body was covered in grime, he lay down on the couch in the living room and fell asleep.

The next morning, Captain Mars woke up to stiff and aching muscles. He coughed until phlegm came out of his mouth and took a big breath of air and sat up quickly. The movement was too sudden, his back spasmed suddenly.

"Eeergh! I'm too old for this nonsense." Annoyed, Captain Mars gingerly got up and turned on the shower. After the shower, he moved more at ease, his muscles were a little more relaxed. Captain Mars had scars all over his body from the numerous battles he took part in.

Getting dressed, he quickly ate the remains of a pizza. He picked up his armor and separated the military clothes and tossed them near his washer. The armor he tossed into the bag of holding. Tying the bag to his belt, Captain Mars left his apartment. A few minutes later, he arrived at a grimey-looking store.

He took out a round device and punched in a code. An energy barrier disappeared from the door to the shop. Walking in, he went to the counter in the crowded store. There were all sorts of objects hanging from the ceiling and filling shelves. Things were more or less separated and organized.

Behind the main counter, there was a stool, Captain Mars sat on it. He untied the leather bag from his belt.

"Well, let's see what we've got!"