Echoes in Time

Chapter 1 Old Friend

He felt cool air fill his lungs, then the gentle warmth of a hand in his. There was a sharp pain to his mind, then a bright light that made his ears ring. He could hear the soft voice of someone long lost in his heart. He turned to the sound of it, and saw the image of a young man come into focus, long golden hair, with two piercing blue eyes, now softened by his awareness.

"Easy father, one breath at a time, in…and out….yes, just like that."

Iason held his hand tight as he watched his father being roused from his long sleep. He could not yet open his eyes for too long, as the fog pulled him back into darkness. He did hear someone's voice though, he was certain of it.

"Perhaps I can recall who it was later," he thought, as he gave in to the comfort of sleep.

"I apologize Lord Mink, he is still rather weak and disoriented, but perhaps after a few more hours, he will rouse again."

The nervous attendant looked at Iason as he continued to read his monitors. Raimen had almost found his way to the light of awareness, and then faded once more. Iason had tried for several hours to awaken his father, after the Ancient was reanimated by Jupiter with his help. Jupiter had given him the gift of his family, or at least, the possibility of bringing them back.

He had been working tirelessly for days making the added changes and upgrades to Jupiter's reanimation program. Or as it should be called, his reanimation program. He had spent several days in bed after his memories were recalled, having suffered his first official "headache" of a natural source. With all the information flooding back to his mind, Riki and Iason both collapsed later that evening.

It scared the hell out of everyone, and Jupiter even made an appearance at the penthouse. There was much she still didn't know about their healing or chemistry, now that both persona's were merging. She had revealed her most sacred secret to them both, and almost immediately, Iason began to look at all the data Jupiter had accumulated. Of course, there was a lot.

He watched Riki sleeping soundly next to him, with his legs sprawled out over him possessively. He loved how his two persona's had melded together, giving his old lover the missing spark of Riki's mischievousness. Lord Oskuro was more reserved and pensive, considering his station. Seeing him laugh and enjoy himself freely the last few weeks, was heartwarming to the Blondie Lord, as Riki was beginning to feel at home once more.

Iason loved the expressions of many of the Elite's faces, upon learning who Prince Riki Oskuro was. The once Mongrel "Prince of Midas" was fated to become a true Prince after all. Some of them nearly fainted at the thought of the bane of Midas -Riki the Dark- becoming a Lord of Amoi alongside himself.

He had to give Jupiter all the credit for her orientation planning prior to their return six months ago. It was clear to him, that she had put serious thought into her plans. This made the transition go smoother for the most part, by having all the right people in place, especially Lord Hector Stone, and the Firm of Shield of Honor.

Now here was Riki, back in his arms, and back in his bed. He would fiercely protect that love, now that it was within his means to do so freely. Jupiter would forever be his savior, although she would disagree. He looked forward to the many changes Amoi was beginning to experience. The renaissance long awaited for, had now arrived.

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Jupiter hummed in her excitement when Iason and Riki first thanked her. She had finally come full circle in her journey to realign the stars, and return the Lords of Amoi to their rightful place. Men may have tried, but given the condition of the survivors, they would have all perished. There were many things she wanted to ask Iason, but knew those questions would hold. Lord Raimen Mink was on Iason's mind right now, and she couldn't wait to see his eyes open once again.

Riki spent the next couple of days down in Jupiter's Matrix staring at the four Ancients. He was so excited to see is Father Kai, and his mother the Lady Erin both preserved. The memories were coming back, some faster than others, but he welcomed them all the same. However, he did notice his father had aged considerably, having lived over 300 years longer than he had, and 200 years longer than Raimen.

He wondered what he must have felt, during all those many years alone without his lover, or his wife. It must have been a horrible existence to see Amoi completely destroyed, and not knowing whether your children had survived. Riki recalled the entries from Jupiter's archives of all the destruction. There were millions of casualties.

Riki hoped that his father would come out of this without too much heartache, even though in his heart, he knew that would be difficult, and nearly impossible. Iason had assured him, they would be physically sound, but there was much psychological trauma suffered by all four Ancients. It would be a long road to recovery for them all.

Riki remembered the many times his father would walk with him on the city streets. His father loved talking to the people, and pointing out better ways to serve Amoi's citizens. He loved his zeal for wanting to improve life for all three clans. He didn't care whether they were Intellects, Elders, or Warriors. Riki would remember that, now that he was in a position of authority once more. And although in his present life he had suffered much in his childhood, even the loss of a mother he could barely remember, he wanted to become just like Kai, his true father. The leader in him would resurface, and the love he had for for the Warrior Lord, were memories he welcomed.

Riki's access to Jupiter was met with great curiosity, as the Elite found him fascinating, especially when he transformed. This would happen often at first, when those who remembered him as a Pet, were now forced to bow down to him as Royalty. Raoul's lead in this regard came in very handy, as he could spot any possible resistance whenever Riki's hair began to float. If it floated serenely, he knew all was right, but when it whipped about angrily, he knew Riki had sensed negative thoughts aimed at him. The Elite community didn't take long after that, to accept Prince Riki.

Whenever Iason and Riki were spotted together in public, great crowds pressed upon them. They wanted to get a close glimpse of the two Ancients, making Raoul, and Luis work extra hard keeping the peace. Their celebrity status had taken the planet by storm, and at times, the two lovers were overwhelmed with the response. But they knew eventually the fever would cool down, and life would resume.

One such person who wanted this was Lord Omaki. He had hoped to get their motley crew of Blondie Elite together once more, to sit down and catch up with the two popular celebrities. He was quite put out that only Raoul, and Heiku where in on their little "secret rescue mission," and he was left out of all the fun. So he decided to make something happen.

Iason received a visit from Omaki early that afternoon, as he came to visit him at the Ios Tower. Iason and Riki had been home for three days, and had not seen his old friend, given all the celebrating of Jupiter's 10 days of parties. Oh, he had seen him here and there, but after arriving in such a grand manner, he wanted to invite him to a welcome home party like only he could hold.

Security around Iason and Riki was tight as expected. Raoul and the newly appointed "Lord" Luis Raymone of the Firm, had a tight grip around access to the Ancients. But Omaki, being the smooth operator he was, convinced Raoul to let him speak to Iason, promising not to take any naked pictures of him or anything like that.

Iason was sitting behind his desk, looking over an update recently brought in by his assistant. He was reviewing his father's condition, when Omaki walked in. Iason's eyes brightened up, as his old friend walked in dressed in his usual black skintight leather suit, and sporting a beautiful long braid down the right side of his face. His blue eyes became as big as saucers, upon seen Iason decked out in white. As usual he looked at Iason from head to toe, finding him absolutely stunning.

"My Lord," Omaki bowed respectfully, as Iason stood up to greet his friend. "I am pleased to see you up and about once again."

Iason came around his desk, as Omaki stood nervously before him. He was surprised to have Iason embrace him gently, and greet him with a beautiful smile. He had been scolded by Raoul for nearly and hour on royal protocol, as part of the "deal" to be able to see Iason on such short notice, and without being given an official audience. He was royalty after all.

"Lord Ghan! I am so pleased to see you, come in." Iason dismissed the assistant, who bowed respectfully and left the two Blondie's to their visit. Iason gestured to the seats near the bar, and offered Omaki a drink.

"My Lord, let me serve you…"

Omaki made for the bar and began to pour two glasses. Iason watched him walk past him and smiled at his friend's nervousness.

"Omaki, relax, you are in my private company, and I would ask you to be at ease."

Omaki smiled weakly, unsure how to act around Iason, now that he was more than just the Head of the Syndicate. That was important enough, but Lord of Amoi? and an Ancient to boot? He gave Iason a glass of Aristian Red Emperor, Iason's favorite, and poured himself some scotch straight up. He figured he needed a drink to settle his nerves.

Omaki now sat across Iason and sighed. He didn't think he would be so nervous. After all it was Iason his old friend, but nevertheless, he was sitting there nervously sipping his drink.

"Omaki, I know you feel awkward, but I assure you, I have not changed all that much. I still retained all my memories of my present life, along with my older memories of my prior life. It's really quite fascinating, from a scientific point of view, but I am still Iason."

Omaki smiled warmly once again. He was feeling more at ease, now that Iason spoke more casually. He studied Iason's facial expressions, finding his serene look, refreshing. A sharp contrast to the prim and proper Elite he's always been accustomed to see.

"Well, since you put it that way…how do you feel? I know you have probably been asked that question a million times since arriving back on Amoi, but I know you. How has all this changed your life?"

Iason's gaze locked on to Omaki's eyes, as he sipped his wine. He half expected Omaki to have some off-the-wall remark about having sex at 10,000 years of age, or some crazy thing like that, but "how do you feel?" Iason placed his glass of wine down on the coffee table, then both hands on his leg as he crossed them comfortably.

"I feel alive, Omaki. I have found peace in my heart, now that the past and present has is being reconciled in my mind. I can be myself. I am complete, now that Riki has been returned to me."

Omaki turned his eyes away, as Iason's gaze while mesmerizing, was filled with a reverence that he felt unworthy of gazing upon. No, Iason had changed, and he wanted to see more of the Iason he knew. Lord Iason the "Intellect," was still too high for him reach.

"I am pleased…Iason, that you are at peace with yourself. I have to admit," Omaki paused, "I was floored when Jupiter came on line, and announced all that had occurred while we all slept peacefully, completely unaware of the events that...that almost took your life." Omaki swallowed hard, as he nervously shifted in his seat. "I thought for a moment my friend, that you had been killed when Jupiter showed us your ship exploding over Aristia. I felt the most horrifying pain...thinking you were gone."

Omaki's eye's filled with tears, as he now raised his gaze to meet Iason's once more. He didn't plan on talking about all that. But when he saw Iason's beautiful face in Jupiter's old archives, he thought he would faint from anxiety when Jupiter reported his abduction by the Elders.

"Omaki…I'm touched, that you would feel pain, and think of it as anything but sensually arousing."

Omaki stared at Iason's humor. It took Omaki surprise, as Iason's eyes sparkled with admiration for the tall Blondie who sat looking as if he was about collapse after he spoke. Iason broke the silence with his gentle laughter, as Omaki now wiped tears from his eyes and began to laugh along with Iason.

"Now Bloody Hell! That is the Iason who knows me! Welcome home old friend, I truly have missed you!" Omaki suddenly stood up and pulled Iason to his feet, giving the startled Lord a big bear hug, to which Iason returned with a startling gift for Omaki.

Iason began to transform slowly, not wanting to frighten Omaki, as his hair began to sway serenely, and his eyes turned a darker shade of blue. Iason looked into Omaki's eyes, and whispered.

"You are a true friend indeed Omaki, and when it mattered not too long ago, you were willing to go along with me, despite the consequences. I find your honesty refreshing, when your perversions aren't running rampant. But I want you to feel something wonderful, something that is in your very soul, yet dormant."

Iason focused on Omaki's face and let out a gentle burst of energy from his heart. Omaki let it wash over him, as Iason gently reached out to touch Omaki's face. The surprised Blondie closed his eyes, and saw Iason in his mind in his royal robes, as he looked long ago. Omaki looked around in his mind's eye, loving the breathtaking scenery of the gardens on Iason's Estate on Aristia.

"This is the peace I spoke of Omaki, the serenity of my old life has been returned to me. And with Riki by my side, I hope to bring this world to us all here on Amoi."

Omaki, having never seen such beauty, gasped when suddenly, there was a warm glow off to his right, and there appeared Riki, decked out in his royal leather robes, as well. Omaki stood rooted to the ground, as the sight of both Ancients was more than he could bear.

"Jupiter Bless Me!" Omaki exclaimed, as a gentle tempest kicked up. It moved through the garden blowing flower petals all around them. The wonderful scent of the flowers made Omaki shiver with delight. Riki walked up to Iason and embraced him from behind, giving Iason a gentle kiss on the neck, making Iason part his lips and close his eyes.

"My Lord Iason. So here I was just minding my own business, looking at my frozen mom and freezing my ass off, when I sensed your presence in my minds eye. And look who I find here, why- Lord Ghan, I am pleased to see you, and meet you, at the same time."

Riki's polite manner of speaking almost made Omaki flip his wig, as he could not believe the changes to Riki's personality. He was absolutely stunning, all decked out in black leather, which of course was Omaki's favorite attire, and couldn't help but eat up Riki's appearance with his eyes. Omaki wanted to do more, but dared not say anything that would get him in trouble.

Iason and Riki where way ahead of him, knowing what his thoughts were. They smiled as they gave in to teasing the naughty Blondie, by embracing and giving in to a passionate kiss. Omaki felt his groin tighten as he saw the two lovers enjoy their kiss. The beautiful garden and flower petals floating all around, were just over the top, as if they were posing for one of Raoul's romance portraits.

"My, my," Omaki fanned himself, "I think I'll need a cold shower if I remain in here any longer, my Lords. And since I know I can't play with you two lovebirds, I wish I could take a holopic of you both engaged in coital bliss, as I can only imagine that you two must be absolutely breathtaking in bed.

But since that will never happen, can I at least watch you two sometime in my dreams, just for my own private viewing? Pretty please, with leather straps and whip cream?!" Omaki's sexual frustration made Iason and Riki burst out laughing, as Omaki's tortured pleas made them giggle. Omaki, finding the lovers act in such a lay back manner, found himself understanding their bond. They truly looked good together…too good.

Iason kissed Riki once more for good measure, then winked at Riki as they turned to Omaki. Riki found this opportunity too good to pass up, and giggled to himself, as Iason looked on.

"Well, I don't know about holding a private audience with us getting it on Omaki, seeing that Iason and I already had such an encounter witnessed by two hundred old geezers on Aristia. Iason didn't stop blushing for hours, isn't that right love?"

Riki's teasing made Iason's face flush slightly, as Omaki looked on finding Riki's two persona's enlightening.

"You mean that really happened? OH! What I would have given to see you two as they did!" Omaki laughed as Iason gave Riki a slight swat on the ass for his teasing.

"Ow! Hey now, my Lord, we'll have none of that, or Omaki is liable to jump us both here if we keep turning him on." Riki winked at Omaki who shook his head in agreement.

Iason now composed once more, looked at Omaki and smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "Riki, how is my father doing, any change?"

"His vitals are up, and he's gotten more color. He seems to be getting closer to the surface, perhaps tonight we'll see him open his eyes once more. I sense his awareness is still floating in a fog, but he's getting stronger."

"I'll join you shortly my Prince." Iason kissed him once more as Riki stood on his toes to reach the tall Blondie. Then Riki looked at Omaki and nodded as he began to fade.

Omaki was awed by all he witnessed in the realm of his mind. As Iason released his thoughts, he felt a surge of warmth wash over him. He opened his eyes once more to find Iason smiling gently at him.

"Iason, I am so jealous of you at this moment, I could kiss you! Omaki's eyes were wild with excitement. "You mean to tell me, you and Riki can do that ALL the time now?"

Iason gave him a knowing smile, "It's better than any holopic you'll ever make, that's for sure." Iason teased, as Omaki's eyes lit up.

"Well, we could always find a way to market this…just thinking of the sensuality I felt, and the lust in both of your eyes, made me hard. I must find a way to…"

"Absolutely not." Came Iason's cool response. "Omaki, I wanted you to experience this just for old time's sake, to let you see into the life Riki and I share. Also to answer your question of how do I feel?" Well, my old friend, now you know first hand. And before your mind elves begin to think of any crazy schemes, the answer is NO. Prince Riki and I will not be sharing our bed with anyone ever again, you'll just have to get that into head now…Omi."

Omaki feigned disappointment with a pouting lip and puppy dog eyes, but then smiled at Iason.

"Thank you for the sneak peek, I truly am happy for you both. Which reminds me of why I came here in the first place. I want to hold a big bash for the two of you at my Estate, with just the old rebels who all want to welcome you back without all the fanfare of a public spectacle. Would you and the young Prince honor us with your presence, or will Raoul have kittens if I ask?"

Iason turned to retrieve his wine, then after taking a sip, turned around with a warning look.

"Very well, but I must warn you, Lord Oskuro and Riki are a complicated person now. So if you plan to be mischievous in your usual way, I'd be careful not to overdo it, or he's bound to make even you regret it."

Omaki just about jumped out of his boots with excitement, as Iason shook his head. He could only imagine what Omaki would come up with, knowing the type of parties he hosted almost always ended with wild sex and too much drinking.

"Oh, and one more thing. If you have any hidden recording devices, I'd recommend that you not use them on us," Iason paused as he grinned and raised one eyebrow, "for they tend to blow up. I'll have to tell you about that sometime. But if you'll excuse me, I must join Riki at the labs."

"Yes, of course Iason, thank you for seeing me, and for the look inside your mind. It is truly a beautiful place- your gardens on Aristia- they are truly magnificent. Let's plan on this within the next couple of weeks, I'll send word."

"Very well Omaki, until then."

Omaki bowed respectfully once more, and left the room. Iason watched him leave, happy to have seen him once again. He actually looked forward to seeing the others after all that has happened in the past several months. It would be good to keep them close, as all their influence on Amoi would benefit the coming changes.

He made for the labs looking forward to seeing Riki, after that pleasant encounter with Omaki and him in their minds eye. Riki was absolutely tempting, when he reached around his waist to embrace him. His kiss made his heart flutter, and if Omaki had not been there, he would have ravished him there on the spot. Riki was just too irresistible, and finding they could have such encounters at any given moment was a bonus, often making their lovemaking that much more intense, when they retired to the penthouse for the night.

They would stay there often, but preferred Iason's private Estate where their privacy was better controlled. Lord Chi was busy drawing up the blueprints to their new Royal Estate, and was ecstatic that it was Prince Riki who requested his talents. Megala couldn't wait to break ground near the sea, where he hoped to build the most extravagant Estate ever.

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Thanx for reading my continuing story. I hope you enjoy it! Please give a review.