Book One: Ballet - Prologue

Prologue

There is a planet on the other side of the Milky Way, which is just like our world. They have nations, varied cultures, diverse languages, and unique ways of life. This planet is named "Wuting", which here on planet Earth, is the Chinese word for "Ballroom". And true to its namesake, there are four basic styles of dance on this world: Ballet, Swing, Latin, and Hip-Hop.

So, in other words, this is a planet that celebrates ballroom dancing. Cool, don't you think?

And to start you off, here's your passport to this wonderful planet:

• The Polar Ice Caps are populated. The North is named "Aquafina" and the South is named "Dasani". Their cultures are French-based and Norse-based, respectively.. Some points of interest: Monsieur Pierre's Ecole du Ballet et Maitrîse de L'Eau (Aquafina), Kristall Gejsrar (Dasani), and Le Jardin des Poissons (Aquafina).

• A large landmass corresponding with Europe, Asia, and Africa on the Eastern Hemisphere is called "Terra Firma". Their culture is based on early 20th Century America, mainly the 20s to the 50s. Some points of interest: Kimberly Island, Old Moviewood, Art Deco City (Capital), Route 67 Desert and Rest Stop, Ten Thousand Things Public Library, and Yonkers.

• In the Western Hemisphere, there is a tropical archipelago, where all volcanoes are active, and the coastal sands are actually ash. This country is named "Pyromania", and it is known for its sweltering summers, lush vegetation, and lively attitude of its people. Their culture is a mix of Mexican, Brazilian, and Spanish. Points of interest: Isla Ascua, Distrito Federal, La Academia de Pirómania, Ciudad de la Fuente de Fuego, Los Gran Portones de Antonio, and El Palacio Real.

• There are four mountain ranges at the four corners of the world, known as Northside, Southside, Westside, and Eastside, one for each direction of the wind. On these high-altitude mountains are ruins of urban neighborhoods where buffalo-herding nomads once lived. They are perfectly preserved places, down to their spray paint art. Also, their culture was based on Urban Street Hip-Hop lifestyles.


So…now just sit back and enjoy your first trip across Wuting…

                                                                                          …from its South Pole to its North Pole.
--

Ballet. Swing. Latin. Hip-Hop.

My grandma used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace; when the Dancemaster kept balance between The Hydrophile Tribes, Terra Firma, Pyromania, and the Aerodynamic Nomads. But that all changed when the Pyromaniacs attacked.

Only the Dancemaster mastered the four dance styles. Only he could stop the ruthless Pyromaniacs, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.

A hundred years have passed, and Pyromania is nearing victory in the war. Two years ago, my daddy and the men of Dasani journeyed to Terra Firma to help fight against Pyromania, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe.

Some folks believe that the Dancemaster was never born to the Aerodynamic Nomads and that there probably won't be another one ever again. But I haven't lost hope. I still believe that somehow, the Dancemaster will return to save the world.

-Katarina Hansenshiver