Author's Notes: This is my humble little attempt to flesh out select characters in Spider Riders...an anime series that only lasted 52 episodes. That is hardly enough for a decent plot, let along character development. So, lots of room to explore!
Spoiler alert!!! I the time I wrote this, I have watched Spider Riders up to episode 49 (out of 52) so far. I know USA's CW Network has aired only to episode 20. DON'T READ BEYOND THIS POINT RIGHT HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT BITS OF SPOILERS!
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This little fic takes place somewhere after episode 41 but before entering the the Labyrinth. And this tale is spoken from Prince Lumen. And yes, his spider, Ebony CAN speak, although we don't actually hear him do such until episode 45.
from the personal journal of Prince Lumen...because sometimes my brother is so misunderstood! But please don't tell him I shared this! Pretty pleeeeeasse! If he found out I was reading his private stuff and sharing it, he'd never speak to me again and that would make me reeeeeallly sad! Princess Sparkle
Normally I wouldn't even consider writing my thoughts or feelings down. Normally, I'd opt for a nap right about now. But, something tugs at me deep inside, something I can't shake or simply ignore. And by the Oracle, I feel this needs to be written so that one day, perhaps, just once, someone will understand why I am the way I am.
I don't even know where to begin. I mean, this goes back farther than I can even remember. Probably from before I even took my first steps. But upon our return from Nuuma, I am deeply concerned about the outcome of these constant battles with the Invectid. Our victories pale in comparison to the larger scale of the problem. We are at an impasse. Two of the four Oracle keys on each side. I try not to allow the others to see that I'm thinking much farther ahead and where it is progressing. I want them to enjoy every little victory. Keeps morale up you know. Ebony constantly reminds me that we need all eight spider riders for any hope and chance of overall victory. Eight!? At present, our current force, including myself is five, six if you count my little sister, Sparkle, of which I do NOT count because I simply can't bear to thrust her into the darkness of battle. Her sweet innocence is something I cling to and never wish to see disappear...probably because I lost mine before I even knew what it was. So back to this Spider Rider count. Six...perhaps seven if you count one among our enemy...Aqune and her spider, Portia. Okay, so where or who is the eighth!? Perhaps a surprise is in the making for us just as Magma popped out of the woods seemingly out of nowhere to join our ranks not too long ago. But, it sure is difficult to form a plan of action or see victory if you don't even have all the pieces you know you need! And will this eighth Spider Rider even appear in time? Our battles are becoming exponentially darker and more ominous. Invectid attacks are much more numerous now too. It is wearing on our ranks. Even with Slate back as Arachna Knight Commander, it feels like we are worse off than before. Hunter and Corona are showing signs of exhaustion, where before, they remained positive and upbeat. Igneous and Magma keep their macho toughness outward, but I can sense they too, are tired and worn. Myself...more naps, more sleep, and realizing, I really should be a little more active, but my obligations as ruler of this kingdom wear me out worse than as Spider Rider Captain.
Ahh, my naps. They really are a necessity you know? My escape from reality. A relief of the stress, tension, and depression that weigh on me from sunrise to sunset. Having to rule Arachna way before I ever thought I'd have to is beyond explanation. And doing so without parental support is almost unnerving. It's taxing on my body and mind. Perhaps the others don't understand how much responsibility can weigh on the body and mind. I was also trained to believe that conservation of energy is of utmost importance in wartime situations. But I digress. I was forced to grow up much too quickly. I have my own personal war within. Part of me wants to be "mature and princely" while the other part yearns to play, party, and do other things those my age do. Finding compromises between these two parts of me is also difficult work. I am glad my sister can be herself, act her age, and retain her youth. This for me, would be the greatest victory of all. She is all I have left of my family. And I will not let her down. I want to be there for her...for whatever reason. I am not only her prince and older brother. I have to be something of a father to her as well. Overprotective? Yes, I'll admit that. What brother (or father) wouldn't be of such a precious little girl.
The age thing. Yes, we're teenagers. Igneous and Magma late teens, pretty much adults. Hunter, Corona, and myself, early teens, but all forced to live beyond our years. Queen Illuma of Nuuma rattled all of us when she asked us to flee rather than defend her and her kingdom, stating that we were all just kids. Just kids!? I beg to differ. Every generation is a little more advanced than the last--knows a little more a little earlier than the last. All of us Spider Riders have been born in time of war. Honestly, I don't think any one of us will ever say we are kids. Lost that status back when we could say the word 'spider'. But, out of respect for the Queen, I, and thank the Oracle, the others, especially Hunter, kept quiet about the insult. We simply proved her wrong by ignoring her order to leave and defended her kingdom and the last Oracle key as best we could. We had not come all that way for nothing afterall. That was NOT a pleasant journey to reach her and I will NEVER, EVER go through that again! What a horrible, horrible ride across the sea. Magma was seasick. Igneous weirded out, Corona's awful cooking, Hunter's overzealous desire to work...and me, I was suffering from homesickness. I'd never been beyond Arachna's kingdom before. Nobody was behaving as we usually do. Maybe there was something in the water...or Corona's concoctions (don't say anything to her...I may be Prince, but a woman scorned knows no ranks and I've witnessed her anger upon Hunter. I do NOT desire such treatment).
And that brings me to one of my most faviorite of subjects...girls and love! Aside from naps, this subject ranks as a top priority for me (in more ways than I'll mention here...I'm not THAT stupid, you snoops!). I'd gladly throw down my life for a cute girl, or even moreso, more than one cute girl! But, alas, not a single girl or woman will take my advances seriously. I have wealth, looks, status, charm, skills as a warrior, politician, athlete, and so much more! What am I missing that causes my boat to sink before I even leave the dock!? Ebony says I should ask a female what girls like in guys, if I am to learn the ways to navigate a female. But whom? Let's see...Corona...no way! She'll boot my fine princely butt so far beyond this palace, I'd need an Invectid just to fly me back! One of the batty old women in the castle? I'll hear another lecture about how a prince should not stoop beneath his station to woo females and that I should be concentrating on things other than girls. Yeah, whatever! There are some things beyond my control you know? My dear Lady Noia? Are you kidding me!? That would tip my hand and she'd read me like an open book. Some of the older girls in the village perhaps? They already laughed me away. And to suck it up and ask older males like Igneous or Magma--have you seen either of them serious with a girl? My point exactly. And Hunter...utterly clueless. Corona has a crush on him and he just doesn't get it. It's so obvious too! She's practically writing it on his forehead! Hmm, that gives me an idea...later though...if I'm awake longer than Hunter is. I still owe him for the time I was napping peacefully and he placed my outstretched hand in a bucketfull of warm water and well...let's just say, payback is most definitely due for that little humiliation. Trying to hide then explain why some of my clothing smelled of urine was one of the most embarrassing things I've ever done and I don't embarrass easily! Perhaps I should learn to do my own laundry? On second thought, no. But enough of this for now. I feel as though I am rambling with no direction to this whatsoever. No matter. I need all this out of me anyway. I can't speak to the others due to my rank as Prince and Captain of the Spider Riders. I must retain my outward aloofness and confidence for their benefit, even if they think I'm lazy. I'm not always like that you know. Some of it is indeed an act--to put the others at ease--or in Hunter's case, ruffle his feathers a little bit. Gotta keep the fire stoked afterall. I see a lot of myself within Hunter and he inspires me and perhaps gets under my skin as well. "Never Give Up!" uhm, okay, but can I have a nap first?
Prince Lumen
P.S. I do have more to say, but I really do need a nap. Maybe another entry...another day.