Today I want to give a shout out to all of you whom has commented on this story. I am so happy you all like it. I will put in a lot of the same elements as in season one, two and three, the difference is Helenas presence, wich does change things for the better. As for writing about other charracters, that will happen if I get inspired and feel like I know them well enough. For now, I do feel like the pirates is the easiest to write about. And also, because their story is so schrouded in mystery. But thank you all of you for the encouragement. There is still plenty of chapters to come on this story.
Well, this was the night. He was playing with the All Stars. He knew several of the snow kids had an issue with seeing him as a leader and captain. He wasn't Rocket. But the way it looked to him, he was here, defending his teams honour and colours in this match. Rocket had gotten upset over being suspended, and left his team hanging. Well, Sonny and his pirates had taken it upon them to look for Rocket, but from what his mother had told him, had no luck yet. His father was worried about something else too, but what that was, he didn't know. It felt as if his father was protecting him, until he either had evidence to prove it, or something gave him a clear indication of the level of danger. He had gotten used to his fathers way of dealing with matters now. He would be told if there was a need for worry. Till then, he had to focus on this match.
Helena had been greeted by Sonny at the hotel before the match. She was dressed in a very sporty manner today, not to attract attention, but to feel comfortable during the match. She had already started to grow nauseous. They had been four months pregnant already according to her doctor. And from the sonograms, it looked like it was a baby girl this time. That had put a smile on both expectant parents faces. A full family, son and daughter. But the doctor wanted to keep a close eye on Helena from now. Due to the crash on Akillian and the massive bleedings she had when she birthed D'Jok, he wanted to keep a closer eye on her, as this could cause health issues down the line. Sonny, as the professor he once was, also looked at all her test results and read outs, and agreed with her doctor. They were not going to take any chances. Helena got lucky once, there was no telling if this would happen again.
This meant, Helena would have to stay on after the final sixteen. Her doctor was on Genesis. And it was better for her to stay here. In a sense, this was helpful to her son too, whom wanted to stay around his model girlfriend Mei. And Sonny was not all that comfortable coming to Akillian. So Genesis was to be a more neutral ground. But Helena worried still, how would this feel for her roomate, her guardian angel when she almost passed years ago. But as it turned out, there was no real need for this worry.
Maia had taken the news calmly. Helena got the impression she had gotten a vision about it. It was time for the two of them to start their separate lives.
Helena was a bit teary eyed when she told her. Maia just smiled.
"Dont be sorry Helena. You will do fine. You got Sonny now. With their current status, he doesnt need to hide. Akillian is still a place with a lot of bad memories for him. With you on Genesis, that may help him heal some of that. The most important thing for him, are yours and D'Joks safety. And off course, the little one that is coming. Your family is more important than Akillian" she said.
Helena chuckled.
"Tell me about it. I cant even go have morning sickness without him getting worried. He had it his way, I would be locked up aboard his ship, where he could keep an eye on me at all times. Most likely, he would tell me to stay in bed all day. I keep having to remind him, Dame Simbai needs my help with Ahito, and I am only pregnant,not in mortal danger" Helena said.
Maia nodded.
"Perhaps not Helena, but I sense something is threatening in the background. I don't get a name, but I have visions, of yellow, evil eyes. It may be nothing, but be on your toes regardless. You deserve this love and happiness you and Sonny have now, as a family. I dont want anyone to destroy that for you" she said.
Helena sighed.
"Are you and Sonny speaking to each other about this behind my back? He was worried at the dinner last night, thought he had seen someone that fell to his death years ago. You got visions of it, and he feels like he is haunted by a ghost. One that should be buried in the past. I must have been affected by him, when I thought a patient resembled Bleylock" she pointed out.
Maia agreed. No one knew in full what had happened to Bleylock. Not that there had been any investigation into matters, but a body was never found. Maybe his family wanted it that way. But the eyes still bothered her. Maia decided not to say anything for now.
It was no point in stressing Helena out too. All she had seen was visions, and as of now, they made no real sense. It was eyes, evil yellow eyes, but no more than that. There was a signal at Helenas hotelroom door. Sonny had arrived. He waved a quick hello to Maia, before he gave his pregnant wife a kiss and the arm. Helena ended their conversation as Corso waited to drive them to the stadium.
There was four seats in the front. One for Duke Maddox, one for his assistant, and two for Sonny and his wife. Corso, as the bodyguard, sat directly behind Sonny, with other Technoid staffers. As they had arrived, it was clear, Corso was still not comfortable with being close to Technoids people. Helena had noticed him turn to Sonny before they entered, to ask if this was really wise.
Sonny seemed aware of Corsos discomfort and calmed his friend, pointing out that simple fact that they had immunity and should enjoy it. She always had the feeling Sonny didn't think this was going to last, but he was used to take advantage of the gifts given while still available to him.
As they entered, Duke Maddox greeted them.
"Always a pleasure to watch a good match in the company of a gorgeous woman. You are radiating my dear. Marriage really does become you Helena" Duke Maddox greeted.
Helena blushed, but smiled politely back. She took the seat to the furthest end, in case she had to go vomit.
Sonny sat down beside Duke Maddox. There was a sense of tension between them. Duke Maddox made a job offer to Sonny, covered up off course, indicating, he should consider coming back to Technoid.
Sonny kept his voice low, but it was clear, this conversation didn't make him feel good about things. Helena focused on the match. For now, the little baby lay still inside her womb. Her daughter to be. Hers and Sonnys.
The All stars was in it to win it it seemed. D'Jok scored on a pass from Warren of the Lightnings. Helena could tell Sonny forgot where he was when that happened. He cheered for his son and his team, and loudly. Even Corso got carried away. Causing Duke Maddox to give him a less than happy look. Corso quickly changed his wording somewhat, to calm the grumpy Duke. Sonny looked over his shoulder.
"Easy Corso. Lets not offend our host. It was a great goal, but the match isnt over yet. A lot can still change" Sonny reminded him.
Corso nodded. It didn't seem very likely to happen though, but they had to keep it civil for now.
Bleylock was furious. So, Duke Maddox invited Blackbones to sit in his private box and watch the match. Sonny undoubtedly was not rooting for Technoid, whom would root for a team of tin cans. He tried once to sway him, making him think the droids could have human traits after all, thanks to his invention, The Meta Flux. He should have known, Sonny was a brilliant scientist, top of his class, bored out in normal schools. He did his best work when posed with challenges that seemed insurmountable to most. Sonny attacked it, looking at all possible angles, and then, came up with a plan that worked. Off course Maddox was going to make an attempt at getting him back to Technoid now. Sonny was by far the best they had. That stung, along with many other choices Sonny had made. He shouldnt even be alive, he should have drowned in the reservoirs, problem solved. But off course now, that was when things fell apart. Sonny had his own men, the pirates, that saved him. And he in turn saved the galaxy. Well, it wasn't over yet. And as soon as Nether ball had gotten him what he wanted,Sonny, the pirates, the entire galaxy, was going to feel his power and wrath.
The All stars won, despite Sinedd having an ego moment on the pitch. Sonny could understand that Duke Maddox was unhappy. Technoid was an under dog team, like his own pirates. If the galaxy only knew how easily the pirates could have changed that image, shown their true power.. but it came with a risk, one he was not willing to take. True, at the moment, things were good with Technoid, expect the occasional reminder of the past. Sonny recalled the headaches that plagued him for years. Corso always thought it was due to stress. Sonny wasn't so sure. That made him ask Clamp to check. And his suspicion was confirmed.
His headaches came from exposure to flux. And with Helenas new pregnancy, Sonny wanted to make sure, she had no residue absorbed either. The thought had not really crossed his mind until now. He knew D'Jok had gotten it, while in the womb. The same with the rest of his team. The effect could be measured as far as the Obia moon, with the ambassadors daughter also having it. He had to find time, along with Clamp, to have a further look at it. But right now, he needed to test Helena. And he was not sure what to say to convince her to do this. Maybe the best way, was being straight up and honest. It also meant, they had to revisit the last few hours they had, before the cursed meta flux separated them for 16 long years. Well, he got to celebrate the 16 th birthday of his son, and the ones that amounted to his son now being 20. With an ego that at times was a bit much for his mother to handle. Somehow, if this was to work out with the new baby, his daughter to be, he had to find a way to combine the two families in his life, The pirates, and Helena and D'Jok.
And what the pirates had as their foundation, was that one thing he needed to do it. They worked together. As a family. If Bleylock was alive, they would find him. Sonny could imagine how furious he would be if so was the case. He would be seeking revenge. But where would he strike?
Sonny realised they had a lot to do, to get on the trail of his nemesis. As long as they had immunity, it would allow them to move around openly and do their job. Off course, some of the pirates struggled to adjust, not really feeling this freedom was their thing. At days, he even felt like that himself. But Helena, and his son, always reminded him of the blessing this was.
As they started to empty the box, Sonny took Helenas hand.
"Honey, with this pregnancy..I got a few things we need to talk about. I..spent the last four years coming to terms with some of these regrets, but I realise, now that we are having our second bundle of joy, there is things we need to address. I don't like having to talk it out but.." Sonny started.
He felt Helena stop him, by squeezing his hand gently.
"I have known this would come Sonny. I also know you, you are always trying to protect others. But in doing so, you way too often, neglect yourself and your own needs. It is time to face it now my love, I chose you once, and I chose you twice. I will always be by your side, there is nothing you can say that will make me run. If I had to become a pirate myself to be with you, I would. I know you have fears connected to this. Don't do this to yourself Sonny. Tell me, from your heart,how you feel, always. Like Corso is by your side, so am I. And I am not giving up on us, or our family, no matter how things looks" she said.
Corso smiled where he stood.
"Beautiful and smart. You really picked the perfect spouse Sonny. She is stronger than most people I know. I admire that in a woman. And I am relieved she is married to you. You need someone like her in your life" Corso said.
Sonny smiled,before he hugged them both, making Corso feel very uneasy.
"I have no idea what I would do without the two of you in my life. Lets get this taken care of Helena, and Corso, I want you to hear it too. I need you to understand just what we could be dealing with if worst ever comes to worst, and what nightmares we could be faced with if we fail".
Maia smiled as she watched D'Jok and The All Stars win the exhibition match against the Techno droids. This was a nice warm up, knowing both his parents sat and watched him. From Technoids box of all places. Clearly, Duke Maddox wanted to better his relationship with Sonny, and Helena would be due in just a few months to go on leave, for her new baby. For the Blackbones family, things was really looking good now. Then, she was struck with a vision. Those evil yellow eyes again. She could not get who they belonged to, but they felt like a threat. Towards whom? Sonny was the most obvious target, having survived against all odds, when Bleylock tried to kill him, and having dealt with the threat towards the galaxy in the aftermath. That had earned him and his men the immunity they now had, one Sonny knew how to put to good use.
She decided to use some breathing techniques she had learned from Sonny, to go deeper into her visions, fishing for more information.
He was so angry, for being pushed into this. But if he had not done what he did, Tia would have died. It felt like being punished for doing the right thing. Maybe the league would rule in his favour, but like his team mate D'Jok, Rocket had a big ego. By leaving, he was spared the embarrassment in front of his team. He would hear the decision soon enough. And now, Sinedd had offered him something else to do in the mean time. A new underground sport. Nether ball. He could make this sphere his home, start anew. His thoughts slightly graced Tia, but quickly went back to himself. Nether ball, or no nether ball? Participate in the trainings, and see his uncles disappointed face everyday? Hide, till a final verdict was called? He was 20 and a young man whom made his own decisions, with or without his girlfriends permission. Tia would do fine on the team without him there too. He knew how determined she was. Tia would rise to the challenge, she fit in, and sometimes, he felt like he didn't. It came to D'Jok now, to lead their team to victory. He always wanted this place anyway. Rocket knew D'Jok had wanted the spot on The All Stars, and even if he suppressed it, he had felt unhappy about Rocket being given this chance. Now, the roles was changed. Maybe this could help D'Jok grow some as a person. As for him, Rocket looked around inside the sphere. He kind of liked this place.
"Rocket, Welcome home".
It was midnight, time to get the nether ball started. Bleylock had hidden from the crew that Harris had gathered, some of Technoids more skilled scientists now days. Not creme of the crop like Sonny had been, but mediocre. Well, he had to make due with what was available. Tonight it was Kernor, the current ruler of the sphere, again fighting to keep her spot. She gave of a fairly good amount of flux, but not the extraordinary levels he hoped for. He needed a stronger player to take over the leading role. Kernor had defeated all she had met so far. Bleylock wondered when he would find a player strong enough to defeat her. So far,neither Harris, or any of the crew knew of the Sphere syphoning off clux from the players. They had no idea, these components belonged to the stolen goods from the many Holo trainers that had been ordered. Well, seemingly ordered. Bleylock had accomplices everywhere, and he had them place the orders,to avoid raising Sonnys suspicion. He didn't worry much about Clamp. Clamp was never the one with the genius mind of the two. That was Sonny. He should have kept a closer eye on him while he worked on the project, taken it before Sonny realised what was going on.
Instead, Sonny caught on early to what he planned, and intervened. And not only did he loose him as his lover and confidante, if you could call it that, he lost him as a friend and an allied.
Sonny became his mortal enemy, because he learned the truth about his dealings, with the pirates. They showed him the side Bleylock shielded Sonny from. And Sonny used that knowledge to fuel his rage and determination to get in his way. And he did it, successfully.
Bleylock shook his head. It would do him no good to focus on this now.
Whom was playing Kernor tonight? This was a new face in the underground club. Bleylock saw Rocket give Kernor a run for the money. Then, his eyes looked at the gauges. They spiked. Rocket wasted a lot of flux, and he was an aggressive player. All that flux, he would put to good use. If this kept up, he could exact his revenge on Sonny sooner rather than later. Him and his men was sure to turn up soon enough. With this speed, It would only be a few matches Sonny got as a free man before he would be hunted again. And that placed his son and wife in a vulnerable spot too. Bleylock grinned, his yellow eyes glowing with evil.
Rocket was the solution to his plan. Now, he had to make sure Rocket stayed the king of the sphere, until he was ready to execute his plans.
"Just you wait Blackbones, the fun is just about to start,prepare to become hunted again".