Two years earlier
"Why are you fighting Naga?!" a distraught Balance had called out to Garu. He had grasped his leg.
"Hurting Naga is the only way to return him to normal!" Lucky had cried out.
"No..." Balance had said.
This wasn't happening. Naga wasn't evil. This was all just a stupid dream that Balance couldn't wake up from.
Naga had taken this moment of distraction to continue his fighting spree, using every bit of his power to attack his comrades, to the point where they had changed back to their normal forms, leaving them helpless on the ground.
"I feel amazing!" Naga cried out. "This is what emotions are!" He paused and looked at the bodies on the group. "I have no further use for you guys. That's why we're through."
Lucky, Hammie, Garu, Kotaro, and Balance tried to get up, but they had been too weak. There was nothing they could do as Naga set the Dark Kyutama in his seiza blaster and activated the Dark Galaxy.
"Naga..." Lucky tried to speak, but even he was too weak at the moment.
Naga screamed out as the Dark Galaxy powered up. Just as he was about to shoot, a woman appeared, paralyzing Naga and Akyanba, successfully stopping the attack.
"Here is your chance," the old woman cried out, turning to the others. She turned back to Naga and Akyanba, making sure they stayed in their paralyzed state.
However, the others were too stunned to get up right away. The old woman was nearly identical to Naga. "Two Nagas?" Lucky asked.
"What is going on?!" Hammie cried out.
"Hurry!" the old woman cried out.
"Ok!" Lucky cried out, and as quickly as he could, he summoned the Shishi Voyager, picking up everyone he could... including the mysterious old woman.
"Ma!"
"My baby!"
Balance ran as fast as he could to the golden, mechanical woman in front of him. She dropped the overnight bag she was holding and embraced him.
Naga was trailing behind, feeling somewhat left out. He tried to smile.
"Let me look at you," the old woman said. "You've been taking great care of yourself. Look how perfectly polished you are!" She looked up and noticed Naga standing behind them. "Is this man the reason?" she asked, smiling and nodding towards Naga.
"Oh, Naga," Balance said. He pulled Naga towards him. "This is Naga Ray. He's my aibou and my best friend. Nothing more and nothing less! Naga, this is my mother, Terazi."
"Very pleased to meet you, Naga," Terazi said. "Congratulations on your hard work as a Kyuranger."
"Nice to meet you, too," Naga said. "And thank you very much."
Balance picked up Terazi's bag. "I can't believe you came all the way to Jigama to see me."
"The Tenbin system isn't that far," Terazi said. "Besides, I could use a break from work. I took a month off. Feels great."
"Let's get back to the apartment," Balance said. "I bet ya want to relax."
Terazi nodded, and if she was able to smile, she would have. She followed Balance to the docking station's shuttle, and once again, Naga lagged behind.
"You don't have a vehicle?" Terazi asked as they flew back to Balance and Naga's place.
"Nah," Balance said. "You gotta get a license and insure it. I don't bother. We don't need it, anyway. We can walk where ever we want to go."
"This planet is cold," Terazi said. "Doesn't it bother you having to walk, Naga? You're cold-blooded, aren't you?"
Balance looked at Naga. Naga looked back, kind of surprised that Terazi of all people, knew that. "It's true, I am cold-blooded," Naga said. "And it's cold, but it's fine. I'm used to it."
"You're cold?" Balance asked him. "You never told me that."
Naga looked around to all of the other people in the shuttle. Although this planet had plenty of light, many of the people on this planet always wore heavy or layered clothing, along with hats and earmuffs. Not once had Naga even thought twice about why, but he kind of figured at the moment that he wasn't the only one who was cold. "It's ok," Naga said. "I can adapt to temperature."
Terazi looked at Balance, and he could feel her nagging him, even without words.
"He's fine, Ma," Balance said. "He just said so."
Terazi looked back at Naga, whose face was blank. She looked back at Balance.
The shuttle stopped then, landing in front of a fancy looking apartment complex. Balance grabbed Terazi's bag, and the three got off the shuttle.
"Irongate Suites," Terazi read off the sign. "A bit flashy, isn't it?"
"It's fine, Ma," Balance said. "Besides, we're Kyurangers. We got a little bit of celebrity status here, ya know? Gotta keep up with appearances. Am I right, buddy?"
Naga looked at Balance and nodded. He followed behind as Balance took Terazi up to their place.
When Balance unlocked the door and opened it, Terazi was nearly speechless. It was more like a hotel suite than an apartment. It was tiny and cramped. The living area didn't seem to have room for the ugly, uncomfortable looking sofa that was practically thrown into the room. The decor was a little too perfect, like it had already been sitting there when they moved in, and there was a shelf filled entirely with gawdy treasures. Terazi knew those were from Balance's pointless treasure hunts.
"This is it, this is home," Balance told his mother.
"I'm sure you could have bought a nice house somewhere," Terazi said.
"Nah, don't need one," Balance said. "We got everything we need here. It's fine."
"You're paying for a giant hotel room," Terazi said. "I know you can afford a house." She started wandering around and opening doors, though she only found two. "One bedroom? You boys share?"
"Yeah, why not?" Balance said. "It's just sleep."
"Just sleep?" Terazi said, almost accusing him of something. "Balance, are you and Naga-"
"Ma, we're not like that," Balance said.
Terazi shook her head and kept wandering around. After looking it over a couple of times, Terazi said, "There's no kitchen."
"We don't need one," Balance said. "I don't eat, only drink and soak up the sun."
"Naga is organic," Terazi said. "Surely, he eats."
"There's a diner half a block from here that we frequent," Balance said. "Naga eats there."
"Every day, for all of his meals?"
"He's never once complained."
Terazi looked over at Naga, who had a blank expression on his face. She turned her attention back to Balance very quickly, and it made Balance jump.
Two years earlier
Balance was the only one unfazed by the old woman's similar looks to Naga.
As Lucky, Hammie, Garu, and Kotaro curiously looked on, Balance stayed back. He wasn't unfamiliar with the concept of Naga's species looking just alike... hell, he had been there enough times to notice. Sure, he had been fascinated the first time, but... he was more worried about the words coming out of the old woman's mouth.
"My name is Echidna. I have come to kill Naga Ray."
If Balance was able to, he would have lost his breath at that moment. He felt a bit dizzy and lightheaded. He didn't quite understand his reaction to Echidna's words at that moment.
"What do you mean by that?" Balance cried out.
"Having emotions is a threat to our species," Echidna said. "That is why Naga Ray must be eliminated."
"But isn't Naga one of your people?" Balance asked, jumping in closer to her. "How can you say something so cruel?!"
"You are the outsider who seduced him and took him away," Echidna said. "You are the one who is cruel."
Lucky, Hammie, Garu, and Kotaro looked at Balance in shock. He looked back at them. With a thousand thoughts, he turned away, and said, "It's because that's what Naga wanted." He looked back up at Echidna. He was nervous, as nervous as a mechanical being could be. "We're going to save Naga, so go away!"
Balance started running off, as fast as he could despite being injured. He could hear the others calling out for him, but Balance knew he needed to get out of there- and quickly. _
"I don't approve of your living situation," Terazi was telling Balance.
"Ma," Balance was saying. "This place is fine."
"There is not enough space," Terazi said. "The more I think about it, the more I believe you boys need a bigger place. At least another bedroom and a kitchen." She paused. "And your sofa is uncomfortable to sleep on."
"I can get you a hotel room," Balance said. He was getting frustrated.
"I don't need a hotel room," Terazi said. "But I would like to visit you more often, and I want to be comfortable when I do. Your brother has a guest room for me."
"Brother?" Naga said.
"Yeah, I got a brother named Justice," Balance said. He turned his attention back to Terazi. "Ma, he's got a good job, and a family. I'm here with my buddy, we're happy bachelors. Playing the field, a little bit."
"Ok," Terazi said. "Let's go there for a minute, shall we? You got Naga here, what if he decides he wants to... entertain? Where does he take the pretty lady?"
"Ma!" Balance cried out. "That's... that's none of my business!"
"I could move out," Naga said quietly, even though he didn't want to be apart from Balance.
"That's stupid, and we've had this talk," Balance said. "You aren't going anywhere. I promised to take care of ya, and I am, aren't I?"
Naga nodded.
"Look," Terazi said to Balance. "I'm your mother, and I want you to be happy, but I also want you to be taking good care of yourself." She pointed at Naga. "Now, if Naga is the only thing you got going on for you, you need to take care of him properly."
"I'm not his mother," Balance said. "He's fine."
"Mother..." Naga whispered to himself.
"Maybe I should move in then," Terazi said. "I'll take care of the boy like he's my own son."
"The boy is twenty-three years old," Balance said. "He's a man."
"How does a mother take care of her son?" Naga asked.
Terazi and Balance both turned to him, and Terazi looked at Balance.
"I'll show you," Terazi said.
Two years earlier
"She said there's no returning him to normal," Kotaro said sadly.
"No," Garu said. He was angry. "We can't give up!"
"There is but one way," Echidna said. "Naga Ray will be eliminated. And the peace of the Hebitsukai System will be maintained."
"I won't let you do that!" Lucky cried out, nearly challenging her. "Naga is our comrade!"
"Let her do it," Balance said from the back, and everyone turned to look at him.
"Balance!" Hammie cried out. "You're ok with that?!"
Balance stood up straight and looked directly at Echidna. "What you do is none of my business. I will protect Naga."
Echidna stared at him with a blank expression.
"I swear to rescue him."
"Are you sleeping?" Naga had whispered to Balance.
Balance stirred a bit and groaned. It was around midnight, and Balance had spent the day watching his mother shop, and he had carried around the eight million bags of stuff she bought but didn't really need. He really just wanted to sleep.
"No," Balance said. "Trying, though."
"Sorry," Naga said.
Balance knew if he didn't pay attention to Naga, he'd never get to sleep. "Why? What's up?"
"I wanted to talk to you," Naga said. "But if you're relaxing, I won't bother you."
Balance opened his eyes and sat up. Naga was standing there, and he had a facial expression that Balance was having a hard time reading.
"Let's talk, then," Balance said impatiently.
"I'm sorry," Naga said.
"What's on your mind?" Balance asked, wanting to get to it.
"I... uh... I have something I want to ask you. A favor, maybe? I mean, you can say no, I won't get upset, but..."
"What is it? I'm sure whatever it is, we can work it out." He quickly added, "In the morning, though."
"I want to go back to my home planet."
"Your... home planet?" Balance suddenly sat straight up.
"Yes," Naga said. "It's my dream. And you said you'd go with me."
Balance thought for a moment. He could vaguely remember their time with the Kyurangers, and a conversation about what they wanted to do with their lives when they finally had peace. Balance had told them he just wanted to hunt for treasure with Naga, but Naga had told everyone he wanted to go back to his home planet to teach them how great emotions were. Balance had jokingly called it a vacation, but he knew better.
"Naga, I appreciate the idea, buddy," Balance said. "But... aren't you wanted? They sent some bitch up to kill you."
"Echidna is not a bitch," Naga said quickly. "And I still want to go."
"It's dangerous," Balance said. "We're not going."
Naga sat up straight and looked Balance in the eye. "Then I will go without you." He stood up.
"Whoa, whoa," Balance said, sitting straight up. "You're not going. And if you are, then you aren't going without me."
"Then I guess we're going together," Naga said. "Because I've already made up my mind."
"But you're wanted," Balance pointed out. "You're going to be killed. Echidna is probably going to be waiting for you at the gate, gun in hand. You're safe on this planet."
"Echidna will not do anything to me," Naga said.
"How do you know that?" Balance stood up. "She came to Earth just to assassinate you."
Naga ignored the question. "Look, I just want to go. Soon. Now's the time. Nothing's going to happen," Naga said. "I'm going there to tell everyone how great emotions are."
"That makes no sense."
"It does to me."
"Well, it's cheesy, and they aren't going to listen to you."
"How do you know that?"
"They have no emotions."
"I didn't have emotions, but I wanted them."
Balance groaned. "This is a suicide mission."
"It's not, Balance."
Balance sighed. This was a losing battle. "Ok," he finally said. "We'll go."
Two years earlier
Balance, Tsurugi, Lucky, Hammie, and Spada had raced to find Naga, and saw him trying to attack Echidna, using her own gun.
Naga had paralyzed her, and he had used that paralytic power to raise the gun to the old woman's head, and he had been teasing her with the trigger, when the others had attacked him. They hadn't attacked hard enough to do anything but interrupt Naga, allowing Echidna's freedom. Echidna had collapsed to the ground, and the others quickly stepped in front of her.
"There you are! I've missed you, Balance," Naga said.
"Naga! I will restore you to normal, no matter what!" Balance said calmly.
This prompted an attack from Naga. Balance and the others changed quickly, and the next fight had begun. Balance had headed straight for Naga, though he was somewhat distracted, busy wondering about something he had just noticed...
"We're here."
They had been traveling for two days and had taken turns driving the Hebitsukai Voyager. Balance had told his mother that they were going on a mission for the Kyurangers and hoped in no way that she would have caught on to the lie. She didn't want them to go but didn't even try to stop them.
Balance was very ready to get out of the voyager, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to step foot onto a planet that wanted to kill Naga.
Naga had immediately gotten up, double checking for his seiza blaster and Kyutama. Balance did the same after a moment. He looked out of the window and noticed they were in a giant dirt patch.
"We're not in a docking station," Balance said.
"We'd have to go through security."
"That makes us an unidentified flying object," Balance said. "You're drawing more attention to us that way."
"Yeah, but this way, we can run if we have to."
"You said we were going here for peace."
"Do you think it's going to work out that way?"
"Naga..."
"It's ok," Naga said. "I'm going to protect you."
"I'm not the one who needs protection. Echidna wasn't trying to kill me."
"Stop saying her name," Naga said.
Balance was taken aback at those words, but he stopped talking and didn't fight it anymore. They quickly got out of the Hebitsukai Voyager, and Balance looked around.
"Do you know where we are?"
"We're in Tanith," Naga said. "My hometown."
"The sunlight feels good here."
"It does." Naga sighed.
"Hold it right there!"
Naga and Balance turned. A group of security guards had found their way to them, holding their guns out.
"Sagepoyo," Balance said, dropping his smile and his shoulders.
"Naga Ray!" one of the security guards had called out.
"How do they know who you are, you all look the same!" Balance cried out.
"I'm pretty sure I'm the only one here with the Hebitsukai Voyager and a seiza blaster," Naga said.
Balance looked at the voyager, and then back at Naga. "Good point," he said.
"We're going to run," Naga said.
"No, we're not," Balance said, grabbing Naga's jacket. "Face the music. Maybe they won't kill you."
The security guards had caught up to them. There were four of them. One of the guards grabbed Balance by the arm, and two of them grabbed Naga's arms. The fourth one spoke.
"Naga Ray, you have been wanted by the government ever since you gained emotions," he said. "We will need to eliminate you."
"No," Naga said. "I need to find somebody. I want to see her, and then I'll take my leave. You don't need to eliminate me."
"Echidna did not do her job," another security guard said.
"Where is she?" Naga demanded. "I need to see her!"
"You have no right to be asking us any questions or making any demands," the first guard said.
Balance looked at Naga. He was confused. Was Naga here... to see Echidna?
The guard holding onto Balance held him tight. Balance could have easily escaped, but he wasn't sure if they would take it out on Naga or not, and he didn't want to risk it.
"Leave him alone," Naga said. "He didn't do anything wrong."
"He kidnapped you," the first guard said. "He is the reason you became emotional. You are both a threat to this planet."
Naga looked at Balance, who couldn't look back. The guards dragged them back to the city.
Balance watched as the citizens of Tanith stared them down. Their faces were blank, but Balance could tell there was at least an ounce of curiosity in them. After about a twenty-minute walk, Naga and Balance were taken to some sort of jail center. It looked very different from what Balance had seen in the past. And Balance, sadly, had seen the inside of a lot of jails.
"Naga Ray," the main security guard said. "Trespassing. Emotional threat to society."
"Naga Ray," the woman behind the counter said. "Birthdate?"
"July 4th, 1996," Naga said.
The woman looked at Balance. "And you?"
"Balance."
"Same charges," the security guard added.
"Birthdate."
"March 26th, 1717."
"Birthdate."
Balance found it humorous that the lady didn't believe him, and he tried very hard not to laugh. "March 26th... 1986," he said. Not like he had his birth certificate on him, anyway.
"Lock them away," the lady said. "We will sort out their mess in the morning."
The security guards nodded and took the two back to a jail cell.
There were no windows, only bars. The guards threw some food and water at them, and locked the cell, taking away the keys. They shut off most of the lights as they left.
When the guards were gone, Naga spoke up. "Are you all right, Balance?"
"Naga, I'm locked in a concrete room," Balance pointed out. "There's no light in here. You know I don't like the dark."
"I'm sorry."
"I told you this was a bad idea. The only thing going for us is that your people don't have enough emotion to form a mob."
Naga chuckled.
"That wasn't a joke."
"You're my best friend, Balance."
"And you're mine, but that isn't helping right now."
"Balance."
"Yeah, Naga."
"I'm sorry."
"...yeah."
Balance leaned up against the concrete bars, staring at his partner. This was weird, and not how he knew most jails to work. They hadn't taken any ID or done any paperwork. Just calmly put them in a cell.
"Naga?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are we here to see Echidna?"
Naga paused. "I need her, Balance."
"You need her like you need a hole in the head, which you might get if we find her."
"She's not going to kill me."
"The last time you saw her-"
"I know what it looks like," Naga said. He paused. "Maybe we should call Stinger or Ra-"
"We're not calling anybody," Balance said. "They don't need to know what we're doing. Besides, if we do that, Ma will find out I lied to her."
"Maybe they will still come and rescue us."
"We can rescue ourselves. I've been in bigger pickles than this. We just might have to deal with until morning."
Naga got quiet for a few minutes, and then spoke up. "I'm getting us killed."
"We're not going to get killed."
"You said this was a suicide mission."
"Doesn't matter, I'm not ready to die." He paused. "Please tell me why we're here to see Echidna."
"I can't talk to you, Balance."
"Yes, you can."
"You're angry at me."
"No shit I'm angry at you," Balance said.
Naga frowned. He looked over at the food that the guards had left. He quickly grabbed for it, and started eating. Balance noticed something weird.
"Is... is that good?" Balance asked. "You're grinning."
"Am I?" Naga asked.
"Naga, don't be like that. This is serious. So you need to be serious."
Naga dropped his grin, went silent, and stayed that way the rest of the night.
Two years earlier
"I'm sorry for all of the problems I caused everyone," Naga said, bowing to his comrades. Balance bowed as well. "I am sorry."
"Hey, don't act so alone garu!" Garu cried out. "Aren't we comrades?"
"I'm happy you're back, Naga," Kotaro said. Garu and Raptor agreed.
Balance stood up straight, patting Naga on the back.
Naga stood up straight as well. "Thank you..."
Balance couldn't handle the emotion anymore. He immediately turned and raced up the stairs.
"Balance, what is it?" Stinger asked.
Naga looked on with curiosity. Why was Balance storming off?
"Say something, Balance," Hammie said.
"No... I..." Balance said, trying to wave them off.
"Be more happy!" Lucky said. "Balance, you're the one who worked the hardest!"
"That's right. Naga is waiting for you to say something!" Spada said with a grin.
Naga managed a quiet smile at his aibou, even though Balance was facing away from him.
"Oh, really?" Balance asked. He quickly turned around, and his face was covered in diamond tears, surprising everyone that he was capable of such a thing.
"Naga..." Balance said. "Naga!"
Balance jumped down the stairs and threw his arms around Naga, whose arms had been involuntarily outstretched. Naga was slightly thrown off, but he had his arms around Balance as well, thought it was mainly just a physical reaction, and not really returning the hug.
"Naga, I missed you!" Balance cried out. He pulled away from Naga, most likely to see the look and reaction of Naga. He pulled Naga closer to him, and this time, Naga held onto him, though he still seemed confused over the concept of a hug. "I'm glad you're back! Thank you!"
As Balance cried out Naga's name again, Naga had a tear in his eye. Naga didn't know what name to put on Balance's emotion, and he was slightly confused. If Balance was so happy, then why was he sobbing? Whatever this emotion was... Naga tried to smile at it, though it only lasted for a split second. But Naga was fine. Balance wasn't the only one who got his best friend back.
After a moment, Balance pulled away and thanked their comrades. Naga turned. Hammie had been crying, but she was smiling. Everyone seemed happy that Naga was back, and they were celebrating and giving out high fives.
Echidna, who had been sitting quietly, observing the reunion, got up and tried to walk away without being noticed, but Naga had noticed.
"Echidna," he said, and she stopped walking and turned around. Everyone else had also turned their attention to her.
Echidna looked Naga in the eye. "I still do not believe that emotions are necessary," she told him. "But you are all strong because of your emotions."
Naga contemplated her words for a second, momentarily taking his eyes off her, but immediately looking at her again as she continued to speak.
"Naga," Echidna said. "I leave the galaxy in your hands."
Echidna left, and Naga spoke as she did.
"Thank you," Naga said, and Balance bowed at her.
Balance wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep, but he woke up to the sound of a security guard banging on the bars. Balance opened his eyes and looked up.
"There is somebody here to see you."
Balance paused. Who the hell was it? Stinger couldn't possibly have known about this already, could he? Did Naga call him even after he told him not to?
"Naga, wake up," Balance said, wondering how Naga was sleeping through this.
"You have five minutes," the guard said. He left, and a woman walked up to the cell.
"Naga, wake up," Balance said. Naga finally stirred awake, and saw the woman standing in front of him.
"Echidna," Naga said.
Balance was confused about how Naga could recognize her out of all of the people on his home planet, and especially without hearing the sound of her voice first.
"Naga," Echidna said.
"We need to get out of here," Naga said.
"I need to speak with you," Echidna said.
"Why would you do that?" Balance asked. "You hate Naga."
"I do not understand the emotion," Echidna said.
"I think you do, and I don't want you talking to him."
"I need to speak with both of you," Echidna said. "You made a mistake coming here. This planet is not safe for either one of you."
"And it's not safe for you, either," Naga said. "Echidna, the guards know for a fact now that you did not kill me. They will be after you."
"I will do as they say," Echidna said. "It is important that the two of you remain safe."
Balance was confused. Why was Echidna concerned about their safety? And why was Naga so concerned about hers?
"How did you know we were here?" Balance asked.
"Everyone knows. A lot of people saw you being taken in. Your ship is still parked in the field."
"Has it been messed with?" Naga asked.
"I do not think so," Echidna said. "It is Kyuranger property, and no one will go near that."
Naga looked at Balance. "We need a plan."
Balance thought for a moment. "All we need to do is get outside," Balance said. "I can call my voyager."
"It will alert Raptor there is a problem," Naga said.
"When we're safe, I'll just tell Raptor yours had an issue," Balance said. "We'll get back to Jigama and return them both."
The guard walked back up to them. "Time is up," he said. "They have decided to release you. You are free to go."
Balance was really confused about the way this place worked. Maybe they just weren't used to having people in jail? This place wasn't big, and if Balance had to guess, it was probably just for passing by aliens for the most part.
"Come on, Balance," Naga said.
Balance hadn't realized that he had zoned out. Probably overthinking everything. Naga had stood up and reached out to him. Balance grabbed Naga's hand, and Naga had led him out of the door, with Echidna right behind him.
This was crazy. This was too calm. Balance's head was hurting.
Once again, there was no paperwork. Balance and Naga simply walked out of the door, and Echidna trailed behind them.
As quickly as they had gotten out, and before any of them could react, a man walked up to them holding a gun. He was wearing a uniform, but Balance couldn't place what kind it was. Maybe he was a detective or something.
He raised the gun to Naga's head without saying a word.
And before Naga could react, Echidna had gone up and shoved him out of the way, as the man started to shoot.
"Naga!" Balance cried out.
Another man came up holding a gun, aiming it at Balance. Balance was able to duck out of the way, but then he noticed something.
Echidna was completely covering Naga, who was shaking.
Had Echidna known this was going to happen? Was this why everyone was so calm? Was this a plan of some sort?
The guns fired off again, and one of them grazed Balance's arm.
"Balance..." Naga said.
Balance didn't respond. It had only scraped him, and his arm had nothing but a scratch. Another shot was fired off. These people weren't good at hitting moving targets.
Balance looked over and the gunman who was trying to hit Naga was trying to avoid hitting Echidna. Echidna wasn't moving.
"Move, Echidna," the gunman said.
"I cannot."
"I said move."
"I need to protect my son!" Echidna cried out.
If Balance had breath, he would have lost it at that point.
Son.
Her son?
Balance felt something strange at that moment.
Feelings of confusion. Of shock. Of anger.
The emotions felt as though they were dripping down Balance's spine.
It nearly hurt.
It was nearly too much.
"Don't black out, don't black out," Balance whispered to himself. He shut his eyes and took a breath, before opening them up again.
The gunman walked up to Naga calmly, and aimed the gun right at his head. He shot the gun, and Echidna had moved Naga out of the way, but as she did, the bullet grazed her cheek.
Balance quickly pulled out the Tenbin Kyutama and set it in his seiza blaster and slid it outward.
"Seiza Go! Tenbin Voyager!" cried out his seiza blaster.
Balance pulled in Naga, along with Echidna, and they flew away quickly.
"Balance..." Naga said.
"Let's just get out of here," Balance said.
Balance quickly flew them over to Naga's voyager.
"Do you want to drive it or send it back to the Battleship Orion?" Balance asked.
"I'll send it back," Naga said, and he did.
"I need to go back," Echidna said. "I cannot go with you."
"For what?" Naga asked. "I don't want you to."
"They want to kill you," Balance said.
"They are not after me, they are after you," Echidna said.
"You're not going back," Balance said quickly. "We're taking you with us."
"You cannot take me with you," Echidna said.
"You're Naga's mother," Balance said. "And if that's how they're going to treat you, you're better off with me and Naga, in our warm, safe home in the Ite system."
Naga's jaw dropped, and Echidna stared at him blankly.
"Balance..." Naga said.
"I can't leave you behind," Balance said. "There's no way. Do you have any other family members that we need to find? I'll take everyone you want me to."
Echidna shook him head. "Naga and I are the only ones in our family left."
"Comrades?"
"What are comrades?"
Balance looked over at Naga, and he shook his head sadly. He looked over at Echidna. "You're injured."
"It is not serious," Echidna said. "Please take me back."
"No," Naga said. "It's dangerous now."
"He's right," Balance said. "You tried to protect Naga. You're wanted now."
Echidna looked at Naga. Naga nodded.
"Balance and I will protect you and take care of you," Naga said.
"You do not have to do that," Echidna said.
"We want to," Balance said.
Echidna looked at Balance. "You want to?"
"Yes," Balance said.
"Echidna," Naga said. He ran his finger over her cheek. He held out his finger, which had some of her blood on it. "Balance, don't we have a first-aid kit here?"
"Everything is in your voyager," Balance said.
"I will call it back," Naga said.
"Don't worry about that right now," Balance said. "We'll warp it home."
"We'll be using the Kyutama's energy. Raptor will notice and call us."
"We'll just tell her we're tired and that we're sorry. The energy will come back. We need to get somewhere safe."
Naga thought for a moment. "Warp it back to Jigama," he said.
Terazi had been awake when Naga opened the apartment door. Balance was a little surprised when they walked in and saw her sitting on the sofa, already polished.
"Balance... Naga..." Terazi said. "You're home!"
"Yes," Naga said, as he turned on the light. That was when Terazi noticed they were not alone.
For a moment, Echidna simply stood and stared at Terazi. Terazi had stood up and made her way to them slowly.
"You're injured," Terazi said. She immediately swarmed to Echidna. "Let me take care of your wound."
Echidna could only blink at first. She had moved her fingers up to her face and ran them over her bloodied cheek.
"It doesn't look deep," Terazi said. "I'll go get the first-aid kit. You can sit down." Terazi hurried into the bathroom.
Naga turned to Echidna. She was still staring, but Naga couldn't figure out where.
"We'll get you cleaned up," Balance said.
"Who was that?" Echidna asked quietly.
"That was my mother," Balance said. "When she comes back, I'll introduce you properly."
"She does not know me," Echidna said. "Yet, she immediately offered to help me."
"That is the kind of person she is," Naga said. "She knows that if we brought you here, that we must trust you. We don't let just anyone in our home."
"Sit down, please," Balance said, pulling out a chair at the table.
Echidna nodded and did as she was told.
Terazi emerged from the bathroom seconds later, first-aid kit in hand and a hot washcloth in the other. She bent over Echidna, and carefully wiped her face down.
"Is that too cold?" Terazi asked.
"It feels good," Echidna said softly.
"I tried to get it hot," Terazi said. "I know your species is cold-blooded."
"Thank you very much," Echidna said quietly.
After the blood had been wiped, Terazi took out an antibiotic ointment and wiped it over the wound on Echidna's face. Echidna grimaced for a second, but it wasn't clear if it was because it was cold, or it stung, or if she just wasn't expecting it. Terazi quickly threw a bandage on top of it and stood up straight.
"Is that all right?" Terazi asked.
Echidna nodded slowly.
Terazi looked over at Naga.
"This is Echidna Ray," Naga said. "She is my mother."
"Echidna-san," Terazi said. "I am very pleased to meet you."
Echidna could only nod.
"This is Terazi," Naga continued. "She is Balance's mother."
Echidna stood up slowly and bowed to Terazi. "Terazi-san," she said, "thank you for all of the kindness you have shown my son."
"Call me Terazi," Terazi said. "No need for formalities with me."
Echidna nodded again. "In that case, please do not be formal with me, either. I do not deserve it."
"I'm sure that's not true." Terazi looked over at Balance. "What happened? You said you had a Kyuranger mission!"
"I'm sorry, Ma!" Balance cried out. "Naga wanted to go back to his home planet. I didn't know what he wanted, but he had insisted, and I didn't want him to go alone. It turns out that Naga was still wanted, despite being a Kyuranger. We were nearly killed just for being there." He looked over at Echidna. "But Echidna showed up. She protected him. She was injured trying to shield him."
"Well, I'm glad you're here," Terazi said. "And if that's how your own people are going to treat you, you're better off here."
"Balance told me the same thing," Echidna said.
"Well, this is my Balance, and he's very intelligent," Terazi said. "I'm proud of him. He went to university and studied engineering, and planetary sciences. Not that I'm showing him off or anything."
Echidna nodded. "I understand. Naga graduated from high school, but he did not attend college. He was employed before he left the planet, however. He was an apprentice in the health field."
"I didn't go, either," Terazi said. "But Naga is amazing. He's very bright, very caring, and very emotional. He's protective, strong, and he's incredible as a Kyuranger. He risked his life for the galaxy. It doesn't surprise me that Naga was working in the health field. He seems to like helping people."
"Likes...?" Echidna asked, trailing off.
"Could I get you a drink? I can make tea or coffee," Terazi said.
"I am all right, thank you," Echidna said.
Balance turned to Terazi. "Ma, coffee and tea sound crazy good right now."
Three years earlier
Balance knew he had screwed up.
As he ran for his life from the identical security officers, carrying the treasure he had unsuccessfully stolen, he was suddenly caught off-guard when one of them ran directly up to him.
Balance managed a fake laugh as he held up the treasure and said, "I was just going to deliver this!" He held up for the security officer to see.
The man made his way to Balance even faster. Balance was scared for his life.
"Sorry!" Balance cried out as he placed the box on the ground. "I was lying! I'll return it! So please!" Balance attempted to run backwards away from the man, shaking uncontrollably, and ended up tripping over himself. "Just spare my life! Please!" He covered his face with his arms.
"I want emotions," the man said.
"Eh?" Balance asked, looking up at the man.
"Peace despite emotions," the man said. "A world where everyone smiles and enjoys being together."
Balance slowly sat up a little. "You want emotions?" he asked.
The man nodded.
Balance turned away from him, and whispered to himself, "If I use him, I might be able to escape."
"What is it?" the man asked, a little forcibly.
Balance quickly stood up. "Then follow me!" he cried out. "If you come with me, I'll teach you about emotions!"
"Emotions," the man said as he contemplated Balance's words. After a moment, he pointed, motioning Balance to follow him, and Balance followed him to safety.
"Here's your tea," Terazi said, handing Echidna the cup.
"Thank you," Echidna said.
"Of course," Terazi said. She sat down next to her. She could tell Echidna was uncomfortable but stayed where she was. She looked over at Echidna. "So, she's your mother."
Naga nodded slowly. "She is the one who gave birth to me, and raised me," he said.
"That would be a mother, Naga," Terazi said.
"Ya know, by going back, you've kind of made sure that you're not welcome on your own home planet anymore," Balance told Naga.
"I know." He looked over at Echidna. "I am very sorry."
"Naga, why did you come looking for me?" Echidna asked. "I do not understand."
"Because you are my mother," Naga said. "I need you, Echidna."
"Why do you need me?"
Naga sighed. "Balance has his mother, and I see them interact. I got jealous. Terazi said she would show me what a mother's love was, and I wanted it." He paused. "Now that I understand it, and have witnessed it, I wanted you around. You are my mother." He paused. "I know what I did was very selfish. I almost got all of us killed. I am sorry."
"There is nothing to be sorry for," Echidna said.
"You are not angry with me?"
"I do not know how to be angry properly. But I do know that I want you to be... happy."
"Whoa, whoa," Balance said. "That's a really weird thing to hear coming from you. Don't you have something to say to Naga?"
"What are you saying, Balance?" Terazi asked. "Let them have their moment."
Balance looked at Naga. "We're overlooking something here, aren't we? I mean, I guess the ending's crazy good, but-"
"I tried to kill Naga," Echidna said quietly and quickly. "I am sorry."
"Ok," Terazi said. "Balance, you're right. You are overlooking something." She turned to Echidna. "I probably don't want the details, do I?"
"Echidna traveled to Earth just to eliminate Naga, two years ago," Balance said. "There's a lot of things I'm confused about right now. That's one of them."
"We don't have to talk about that right now," Naga said.
"I will not hide the things I have done," Echidna said. She looked over at Balance. "I do not want Naga to go through the same things that his father went through."
"His father?" Balance asked. Naga had mentioned before that his father had passed away, but he had never given him any details, and he had never wanted to ask. "What do you mean?"
"Naga wanted emotions," Echidna said. "He had the same aspirations as his father. When I married him, he taught me what he knew."
"Your husband did?" Balance asked.
"His name was Typhon," Echidna said. "We were married very young. It was arranged, like most marriages on our planet. He very much wanted children. He wanted to learn happiness. After a while, he had motivated me, and I, too, wanted to learn happiness." She looked over at Naga. "You got you desire to learn from him. He was very well read and very smart." She looked back to Balance. "When they found out that Typhon had learned how to smile, they had him killed. Having emotions is a sin on our planet. He could not fight back like you just did. Naga was two years old."
"Gods," Balance said quietly. He looked at Naga. "You never told me that."
"Naga did not know the details," Echidna said. "I did not allow it. For a long time, Naga did not see what I went through. I was punished for my husband's sins."
"But Naga wasn't on the planet anymore," Balance asked. "Why did you go after him?"
"When Naga left the planet, I was imprisoned for it," Echidna said. "But it was my own fault that Naga left the planet. I had spent most of his life trying to shield him from the outside world of emotions. I wanted to protect him, because that is what his father would have wanted. Naga was so curious about emotions, that when he was twenty years old, he found you, Balance, and ran away from home."
Balance looked at Naga. "I took you away. She was locked up because of me."
"It was my fault," Naga said. "You did not do anything wrong."
"Naga's sins are my sins. He is my son, and I am responsible for his actions," Echidna said. "When I was to be released, they spoke of Naga being a Kyuranger, but said he had joined up with Jark Matter. They have been watching you, Naga. I was sent to eliminate you as a test of my devotion to our home planet, and to see if I needed any more rehabilitation." She paused. "In the end, I could not eliminate you."
"What happened when you got home?" Terazi asked.
"I simply told them that we could not take him away from being a Kyuranger. I spoke of the dangers of Jark Matter and they did research. I showed them the importance of the war. I was still imprisoned, but they let me go when Don Armage was defeated. However, they did state that if you ever came back, they would eliminate you." Echidna paused. "When will you take me back?"
"Take you back?" Naga cried out. "I don't want you to go back!"
"Is that a good idea?" Terazi asked gently. "Wouldn't this mean you're wanted now, too?"
"You shouldn't leave here," Balance said. "Please stay with us."
Echidna looked around the room. "There are no accommodations for me, and I will not impose on your life."
Terazi slapped Balance on the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?" Balance asked, rubbing his shoulder.
Terazi looked up at Echidna. "Balance and I are going out for a little while. Balance, give Naga and Echidna some money so they can go eat."
Balance handed Naga some cash. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to give these two some time to talk alone," Terazi said. "Come on."
Naga and Echidna sat at a table in the diner. Echidna had never tasted food that had any sort of flavor to it, as food on their home planet had been bland. Food there was not meant to be enjoyable, rather, it was meant to only feed. Echidna had had a very simple breakfast but did have a hard time eating the "spicy" food.
Naga was bored with the food. It was the same thing day in and day out. He had always sat at the same table, with the same view, looking at the same servers. The food there wasn't terrible, in fact, it had been enjoyable at one point. But not anymore.
They had eaten in silence. Naga ate until he just wasn't hungry anymore, leaving food on his plate that he couldn't stand to take another bite of. He had almost wished they were back in the jail cell. The food was different, and, despite their problems that night, he had enjoyed it.
"Naga," Echidna said. "Is it really all right that I am here?"
Naga looked up at her. "I wouldn't have gone for you if it wasn't," he said. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Balance does not like me for what I tried to do to you," Echidna said.
"He's fine now. I know him. He understands."
"Why did his mother take him away?"
"She wanted us to have time to ourselves, I guess. Talk and things."
"What should we talk about?"
"I don't know," Naga replied. He paused. "Do you want to go home?"
"I do not know. What is it that you want from me, Naga?"
Naga paused. "Could I tell you the truth?"
"Please do."
Naga took a deep breath. "I wanted to find you and bring you here because I wanted you to be my mother again. I want to leave everything bad in the past. Balance's mother has shown me what a mother's love is. I want that from you."
"A mother's love?" Echidna asked. "I do not know how to show that."
"I can teach you," Naga said. "And the more I think about it, the more I want it. Obviously, I can't keep you here, and you're free to return whenever you feel like."
"But you do want me here?"
"More than anything else." He smiled at her. "You're my family."
Echidna wasn't sure how to respond to that, but she smiled back at him.
"You... you can smile?" Naga cried out.
"Your father taught me how," Echidna said. "But I have not done it in such a long time. I hope I did it correctly."
"I liked it," Naga said. "It felt... warm."
"I do not know what that means."
"I don't really understand it myself." He smiled again. "There's a lot of things I don't know about emotions. Balance tries to explain things to me. He's a good teacher."
"He is very emotional," Echidna agreed.
Naga looked down at his food and completely gave up on it. "I want to take you shopping. You'll need clothes and toiletries."
"I do not want you to spend your money on me."
"Well, do you have any money?"
"No."
"Then please let me take care of you."
Echidna paused but nodded. "Thank you very much," she said.
Naga smiled one more time.
Balance and Terazi had gotten home late. Naga and Echidna had been waiting for them but weren't worried. They had sat at the table, drinking tea. Echidna had had a shower, and she had put on some new clothes that Naga had bought her. He had tried to take the clothing she had been wearing to wash it, but for some reason, she had refused. Still, she was clean and comfortable.
"Did you enjoy your day?" Terazi asked.
"I do not quite understand what enjoy is," Echidna said. "However, I did appreciate the time alone with my son. I would like to spend time with him alone again."
Balance grinned. "I guess you did enjoy it," he said.
"Emotions are unusual," Echidna said. "This will take some time to get used to."
"But it's worth it," Naga said. "Right now, I can't imagine my life without them." He smiled and looked over at Balance. "What did you guys do all day?"
Terazi looked over at Balance and elbowed him. She seemed happy.
"Well, if you guys are up to it, I kinda got something to show ya," Balance said.
"Oh," Naga said. He looked at Echidna. "Is that ok, Echidna?"
"Yes," Echidna said. "It is fine."
"Good!" Terazi said, grabbing Echidna by the arm. "Let's go. Shuttle is waiting."
"Shuttle?" Naga asked.
"Come in, it's a surprise," Balance said. He handed Naga his satchel, and the four hurried to the shuttle.
It didn't take long to get them where they needed to be, and as soon as Naga saw the surprise, he started to cry.
"Balance?" Naga asked.
"I got us a house," Balance said.
"Why did you get us a house?" Naga asked in between tears.
Balance looked at Naga, and then at Echidna. "My mom was right."
"Was that so hard, Balance?" Terazi asked. She looked at Naga and Echidna. "Isn't this great?"
Echidna looked at the house, and then back at Naga, who was still crying. "Naga, why does this make you feel sad? This is a good thing, is it not?"
"No," Naga said. "I am not sad. I am happy."
"But you are crying," Echidna said. "Does crying not indicate sadness?"
"It can also mean happiness," Naga said.
"I do not understand," Echidna said.
"You will," Terazi said. "For now, go check it out."
Balance led the way, and the rest followed him.
The first thing Naga noticed was that the house had a huge kitchen.
"You can cook in there," Terazi told him. She put her hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to eat at the diner all of the time anymore." She looked at Balance. "Balance is sorry."
"I'm sorry," Balance said. "I didn't even think about how bored you must have been."
"It's ok," Naga said. "I've always wanted to learn how to cook."
"Well, now's your chance," Terazi said. "I bought groceries, and I'll cook your dinner tonight."
"She called Spada for recipes," Balance said with a laugh.
Naga grinned.
"Oh, and look at this," Terazi said. "Three bedrooms."
"Three?" Naga asked.
"Yes," Terazi said. "One for Balance, one for you, and one for your mother."
"For me?" Echidna said. "I have no plans to impose."
"You're not imposing," Balance said. "Naga wants you here." He paused. "And if Naga wants you here, then I want you here."
"Are you sure that is what you want?" Echidna said. She looked at Naga.
"Yes!" Naga said. He was excited. "Please stay, Echidna."
"You would be happy if I stayed?" Echidna asked Naga.
"Very happy," Naga said, with the same smile.
"Then... I will stay."
"Agepoyo way!" Naga cried out.
Suddenly, Naga felt like a child again.
Three years ago
"We did it!" Balance said, as he and Naga hid with their newly acquired treasure box. Balance looked over, placing his hand on Naga's shoulder. "Be a bit more happy, 'k, 'k?"
"Happy?" Naga said, his face as blank as ever. "I do not know it."
Balance looked at him. There was partial confusion, and partial curiosity in his face.
"My treasure is... emotion."
"Right," Balance said. "Emotion."
Naga tried to smile but couldn't. "I want to try crying," he said. "I want to try being mad." He paused. "That's why I feel right in following you, Balance." This time, Naga did manage a quiet smile.
It had taken a couple of days, but Terazi had helped them move in and get settled. They needed furniture, and Balance had grabbed all of the gawdy treasure. Terazi hated looking at it, but she had bought and put up a few shelves in the living room so he could display them.
Nothing like displaying your stolen goods for everyone to see.
Naga had been in Echidna's bedroom helping her put her new belongings away. He had offered to take her back to their home planet so she could get her things, but she had insisted that the only thing she needed was in her jacket pocket.
Naga had looked at her curiously and wondered what it would take to get a peek into what was in there. Echidna had noticed this look, and though she didn't quite understand it, she handed her jacket to him.
Naga immediately reached inside and pulled out Echidna's most important belonging.
"That's..." Naga started to say, but he trailed off.
"It is the only photo I have," Echidna said. "When I was imprisoned, they had cleared my belongings. But I always kept this photo on me. It is all I have left of my time with Typhon, other than you."
Naga looked down at the photo and started to cry.
"Does the photo make you happy or sad?" Echidna asked.
"Both," Naga whispered.
"I do not understand."
"Neither do I," Naga said as he looked at the photo of his mother, his father, and himself.
Echidna walked over. "I believe this was your first birthday," Echidna said.
"You and Typhon are smiling," Naga pointed out.
"He was happy," Echidna said. "He had to develop this photo himself. He could not show it to anybody else, or we would risk getting into trouble." She paused. "This is my treasure."
"You can hang it up in here. It'll never get lost." Naga smiled at the photo. "Tomorrow we can buy a frame."
"Thank you," Echidna said. She paused. "Naga, may I ask you a question?"
"You can ask me whatever you want," Naga said. "I won't keep secrets from you."
Echidna nodded. "Do you really want to share a home with Balance?"
Naga blinked. Wasn't the kind of question he was expecting her to ask. "Balance is my best friend," he said quietly.
"That does not answer my question."
"I do," Naga said after a moment. "Right now, he's helped me a lot. I don't know what I would be doing without him right now. Probably still on our home planet, living like they want me to live, not how I want to be living."
"How is it... that you want to live?" Echidna asked.
Naga thought for a moment. "Well, the more I think about it, I think I enjoyed my job in the medical field," he said. "I have been thinking recently about attending a university here. There's one nearby, and the school has nursing classes I can take."
"You want to be a nurse?" Echidna asked.
"Yes," Naga said. "I don't think I'd make it as a doctor, but I want to help people." He paused. "There's this doctor I see. His name is Dr. Bastet. He is kind and caring. He has a nurse that works for him named Nora. She's from the Otome system. I talked to her once about nursing. She said she is very fulfilled with her job. She works very hard."
"Does she realize you speak so highly of her?"
Naga blushed. "I actually... really like her a lot," he said after a moment. "She's very smart, and caring, and she is really pretty." He cleared his throat. "Balance says I... have the hots for her."
"What does that mean?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Naga said. "But she is somebody I want to get to know. I almost asked her once to spent time alone with me, but I got nervous and I didn't ask her. I want to be her friend."
"Friend," Echidna repeated.
"Balance says I want to be... more than friends with her," Naga said. "But... I have never felt like this before. I do not know what to do." He paused and swallowed hard. "Back home, marriages were arranged, and we were told how many children we were to have. But here, I can do anything I want. Maybe one day I can get married to somebody and be happy. Maybe have a child of my own. Maybe as many as I want." He laughed. "But Balance says I need to find a woman first."
"That is... a good first step," Echidna said.
Naga smiled at Echidna's attempt at a joke. He looked down at the photo again. "Did... did Typhon want more children? Other than me?"
"Yes," Echidna said. "Of course, there was a two-child limit, but he did not live long enough to help me have another child."
Naga frowned. "I am sorry."
"It was not your fault," Echidna said.
"That was just a figure of speech."
Echidna nodded, even though Naga could tell she didn't quite understand.
"I'm happy you're here," Naga said, smiling. "Thank you, Echidna."
Echidna smiled again and nodded.
Balance woke up early the next morning. His window had a great view of the sunrise. He wondered if that was going to bother him later. He realized then that it didn't matter. At that point, he let his mind wander.
A few things had started to make sense to him after they had brought Echidna home. Balance remembered that Naga had attempted to attack Echidna, using his powers, but with her own gun, and Balance had taken note that, even though Naga had been viciously trying to attack his comrades, he seemed as if he was only playfully taunting Echidna. While he had gotten a few solid attacks on her, he never actually hurt her, and even when he held the gun up to her head, it had seemed like he was doing it only for his pure amusement, as he could have taken her out in a heartbeat... if he had really wanted to.
It also explained why the old lady couldn't take him out in the first place. She was just a frightened old woman, who didn't know she was frightened. She was weak, and, though she knew what she was up against, she wasn't prepared for it.
He realized then, that he was not alone.
Naga had crawled into the bed with him, somehow going unnoticed. He was curled up next to Balance, fast asleep, with his hand on Balance's chest.
They had slept close together before, many times in fact. Balance could tell that Naga felt safe around him, even though Naga never came right out and said it. Balance figured at this point that Naga had probably been nervous about his first time in a long time, sleeping in a room alone. Even when they were on the Orion, they had separate quarters, but Naga had often times snuck in and slept with Balance, especially when he was scared. Naga, often times, had reminded Balance of a toddler.
Balance knew Naga was home... and with Naga's mother being there, it was just a matter of time before Naga could sleep in his own bed.