Chapter 1

"His royal highness Prince Tyler." cried the footman as the doors swung open. Tyler walked into the room his eyes laying upon his father who sat on a large red and gold throne. He looked regal, his head held high. A heavy golden crown upon his head. He stood out in the large room around him. Red and gold banners hung on the ceiling with a striking lion in the middle ready to pounce. Balconies lined the sides of the room. Some noblemen and ladies stood silently watching Tyler as his footsteps echoed throughout the room. 

"I heard you've been busy as of late son." the king's voice was thick with disapproval. Tyler sighed, it was always like this with his father. His father seemed to notice the sigh and this seemed to have riled him up more. "I heard they found you, drunk as a skunk lying in the middle of a brothel!" Tyler looked down. "Do you think those before us would be happy with the way you are conducting yourself? This kingdom was built on their hard work and the sacrifices of so many!" he roared.

"I'm sorry father," was all Tyler could get out. He hung his head as he stood before his king. The king seethed as he gazed at his son. 

"I want you to do something for this kingdom Ty." With the use of his nickname Tyler looked up. "Too long have I let you break and stretch rules and act as though you were not a part of the royal family. I have been in correspondence with the Japanese empire and they have agreed to let a member of the British royal family to live within their castle walls for a couple of months." Tyler's eyes widened and he could hear a few gasps coming from those up on the balcony above him. Confused, Tyler wondered why his father wanted him to go there? Was it just to get rid of him? Had he really gone too far last night at the pub? 

"Why me father? Why not Edmund?" he referred to his elder brother, next in line for the throne. 

"Edmund has other duties to attend to, especially since time is passing so quickly. Ever since the world war we have been expanding and gathering the western world creating this beautiful British Empire. The Japanese as well have been doing the same in the east. We haven't spoken with them since they decided to not use that atrocious bomb on us." The king paused, his gaze roaming the balconies above. 

"Only just recently did I decide to start writing up peace treaties. They made their decision back then, taking revenge with the same bomb that had tried to forsake their cities and releasing it on their enemies instead. We were fortunate at that time. Only in the past year have they allowed our citizens to enter their cities, so I hope you can be there to help bridge our two empires." The king looked down at Tyler. Tyler realized that his father was giving him a chance to redeem himself. He also didn't have much choice in this matter either. Standing up straighter he took a step forward. 

"As your loyal servant, I will do as your majesty bids," he spoke formally as he knelt down on the ground, bowing his head. Such formality was required when accepting a request from the king. Even if he was your father. The king nodded. 

"They are expecting you in the evening, your uncle and brother will escort you.  Tell me about their society, how it works, what are the citizens like, what is their law enforcement like. Do well my son. " he said. Tyler nodded and walked toward the exit. He could hear the people on the balconies whispering behind him. He'd been waiting a long time for his father to request something from him. His chest ached as he reminisced the days his mother was still alive. When things were better. 

Tyler met his brother outside in the hall. He was dressed in a white royal uniform with a golden sash across his chest. Edmunds face though was sullen as he looked at his brother.  He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. 

"Don't worry, I'll do well and make father proud that I'm his son," he said reassuringly. Edmund gave half a smile. 

"It's not that I don't trust you brother but you're known to create trouble you know," Edmund said. Tyler chuckled. He didn't mean to make trouble. It was only that there was nothing to do in this place and his father never gave him any responsibilities, why not just have a bit of fun. It was all harmless anyways. Just a couple of totally wild parties that's all. They walked along the hall together and Tyler could see the open doorway to the landing port. As they approached a strong breeze blew in. The city lay out before them, towering buildings and flying ships. Some hover bikes and hover boards zoomed past. The people on them dressed in colorful outfits. The landing port was literally a large balcony that ships could land on. Buildings were so tall nowadays that hardly anyone ever walked on the earth below. A large ship lay waiting for the two of them. Tyler got on and saw his uncle sitting up with the pilot. His uncle looked up when he saw the two of them enter. He gestured to the pilot and he closed the hatch in the ship and took off. 

"Ty!" exclaimed his uncle getting up and shaking Tyler's hand. "Your looking grown up!" he gestured to Tyler's outfit. Tyler was wearing a maroon royal uniform much the same as Edmund beside him. He figured his uncle only mentioned it was because he never usually wore the uniform. He was often seen wearing the same type of colourful outfit as those that zoomed past their ship. His shoes were still outfitted with a hoverboards magnet, they were just black and well hidden. He always had them on just in case, his own hoverboard safely in his pocket packed as a small cylinder. 

"Are we leaving straight away? When did you guys find out about this?" Tyler asked a little miffed that everyone already knew about his own circumstances except himself. Instantly knowing what he was thinking his uncle ruffled his hair endearingly.

"We only found out yesterday. We went to tell you last night before the meeting with his majesty but you were occupied obviously. So I took the liberty to pack your things. They're already here on the ship." Tyler looked around and saw some boxes packed into the corner. His head swam at how fast things were moving. It didn't seem like everyone knew about this only yesterday. It was like they had it planned for months! He looked out the windows and saw the ship was whipping between buildings. The beautiful palace with its large turrets was a small speck in the distance. Suddenly a silent monster seemed to wake up inside him.

"Wow, looks like you guys are happy to see me disappear aren't you," he ground out glaring at the two of them. Edmund shook his head and his uncle gave him a whack on his back. 

"Don't blame us Ty. You're the only one who can do this kind of job. You've always been the best at relationships. It's not that we want to get rid of you," his uncle reassured him. Tyler looked at his brother and Edmund gave a short nod of agreement. 

"I've never seen a bigger socialite in my life, the citizens love you," Edmund said truthfully. Tyler noticed a hint of bitterness in his brother's voice. Edmund has never been great at making friends. He took things too seriously. Making sure he did his duty as heir to the throne. Tyler deflated. 

"Okay, I get it," he sighed "I'll try my best." 

"You'll do great, just be careful and don't do anything to piss them off," his brother said reassuringly. Tyler smiled and walked to the front of the ship. 

"We're almost there my lord," the pilot said gesturing at a ship in the distance. Ships these days were faster than the airplanes of the past. Already they were over the top of a large expanse of water. The ship in the distance was a pure black colour unlike theirs's which was more a dark grey. As they got closer, the back of the ship was open as it floated in the air. He noticed a person standing out on the back dressed in white. With dark black hair a common colour for the Japanese. He wore large white pants and a white and gold haori which was like a jacket, hanging on his shoulders. He looked important. Especially with no guard around him, he looked very sure of himself. He stood straighter when we opened our ships compartment. Stepping out, I greeted him in the way I knew which was traditional in the Japanese empire. A long deep bow. He gave a smile and bowed back the same. He took a step forward then and held out his hand. 

"My name is Junpei, I am prince of the Japanese empire," he greeted. His grip was strong. I noticed there were callouses on his hand. 

"I am Tyler, second prince to the British Empire. It is good to meet you Junpei," I gestured to my brother and uncle. "This is Prince Edmund and my uncle Henry." The two bowed to the prince who returned it. 

"It is good to meet you Prince Tyler, I am guessing it is you who will be joining me back home. It is good that our two countries can finally begin connecting since the opening of our boarders. I hope that this bridge can remain open for centuries to come." The prince sounded genuinely pleased about the whole situation which Tyler felt some relief from. He bid his uncle and brother farewell. His luggage was taken over by staff who used devices that made it float across the two ships. Then they were off. Off to a new world which Tyler felt some trepidation for but mostly he felt excitement.