XI - BEFORE ARMAGEDDON
Written by Star
E-mail: star_aki@hotmail.com

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Disclaimer (the stuff for lawyers):

Tekkaman Blade/Tekkaman Blade 2 OAV/Teknoman characters all belong to Sotsu Tatsunoko Productions, Urban Vision, and Saban Entertainment.

~All ficitonal characters and events belong to the author
~No money is being made here

This story may be freely distributed provided each of the following conditions are met:

[1]The above disclaimer accompanies all copies;
[2]The story is distributed in its entirety;
[3]No consideration is requested or recieved in connection with the distribution

Other use of this story is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.

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::Authors Note::

Before I begin, I would like to thank Leizel for allowing me to write this series. Her series, Armageddon has captivated my imagination, and anyone who is a fan of Teknoman/Tekkaman Blade can appreciate that. Reading her Armageddon story-line, I always wondered what her characters lives would've been like before Armageddon...hence, 'Before Armageddon'.

Before Armageddon has been written with Leizel's (permission!) guidance and this is as much her baby as it is mine. I hope you enjoy the prequel to Armageddon.

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Chapter 1: Dreams in Vain

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Be the difference that makes a difference, you are the difference
~Jewel - Spirit

The solar eye rests comfortably outside; giving warmth to the planet below. As a young family sit down for a summer lunch, a warm Pacific breeze wafts in from the east...

So, I take it the Commander's still trying to get you to go back?

Yeah Maggie. I thought he was resigned to the fact that Blade and I are parents now, Adam is our first priority. Everything else comes after our son.

Well, no other navigator could replace our beautiful Star, hey Blade? Uh, Blade?

Ringo, Maggie and Star direct their gazes at Earth's hero, the formiddable Tekkaman Blade; whose gaze is firmly fixated on his wife - Star, gently smiles back and kicks him under the table; breaking Blade from his trance.

Ow! Huh...What...Did I miss something?

Oh, real quick there super hero. Hey Maggie, I'm a bit worried of the genes Blade may have passed onto Adam, who, has hopefully inherited Star's brains. Ringo jokes and pokes his wife in her ribs.

Hey screw you Ringo! I oughta...

"Hey sport, how's my little man toda...!? The infant Adam rushes over to his father; who is in complete and utter shock that his son spoke his first words! Star's mouth practically drops to the floor - jumping out of her chair, while Maggie and Ringo are left speechless. Blade's mood changes from warrrior-hostile, to light-hearted paternal...

"Star!! Star!! Did you hear that?!?!?!"

"He said 'Dadda'...oh my baby!!!"

The young parents gush over their young child, and Star insists of taking a photo. Ringo groans, and Maggie elbows him. Adam is squeeling at all the attention; Blade keeps throwing him in the air and catching him again. Star rushes out with her camera in hand...

"Ahh! The infamous camera! What would life in the Carter household be like, without the coveted camera??" Ringo teases.

"Used more often than a photographer's camera!" Maggie joins in.

"Do you two want to continue being Adam's Godparents?!"

"Yes Star..."

"Then shut up and get in the photo!!!" The group of friends combine to make a photo; in the hope that these memories will never be forgotten. Star aligns the angle, puts it on timer, and rushes in to get in herself. Jumping on Blade's lap just in time to get her son positioned inbetween them, with Maggie and Ringo on either side.

*SNAP!*

"Well, getting back to our argument..."

Brains or not, we all know where he get's his looks from." Blade sniffs proudly.

Dadda silly!

You got that right sweetie!

Hey Star! You're supposed to support me, not pay me out.

Star's love-struck Blade, but she's far from stupid! Maggie smiles, remembering her own crush. Ringo turns to his wife and tries to smother his usual roaring laugh. However, catching the wistful look in Maggie's eyes make his own cloud over; the question forming on his lips is smothered by the ringing of the phone.

I hope that isn't Jamison again. If it is Star, tell him...that Adam's first words were," Pointedly looking at Ringo. "Adam just said 'Dadda', his first word. Oh yeah, and no, we're not to going back to the base." Blade turns from Star as she walks inside, shaking her head. Facing his fellow ex-Space Knights, he rolls his eyes back. "There's no immediate danger, why can't he let up?"

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Stalking the Space Ring, Katherine Carter searches hopelessly; trying desperately to find the most important object in the world - Conrad's engagement ring.

Not looking for this I hope Katherine. Katherine Carter gasps as her husband steps behind her...

Cain, what are you... She stops mid sentence as her husband holds up the ruby engagement ring.

Really Katherine, I thought you'd forgotten Conrad - as Darkon, he treated you with disregard.

Only in front of the others. In my battle with Blade, he called out to me, told me to save myself - he still loved me. He wished that no one saw his weaknesses, which explains what you saw.

Love is a human frailty; making the subject weak. Yet it made my twin strong. I know what you're thinking Katherine, but you...

How dare you even suggest that you know me well enough to read my thoughts! Conrad was the only person who knew me that well. To even presume to know me as your brother knew me is...

Blasphemy? You talk of blasphemy," Cain chuckles, and cups Katherine with his palms posessively. "Well dear Katherine, I bed with you - his lover. How more need I know you?

You heartless bastard, I bear your child! You said you loved me... She didn't love him back, no, her only love lay dead in the ground. But love in any form was better than none at all.

Your point Katherine?

You made your own point Cain - love is Blade's strength, but you treat it as a virus, a weakness.

A leader must show no weakness, any weakness, in order to remain strong. If what you say is true, my older brother was ignorant of this fact and by continuing his affection towards you, he weakened himself. I will not show you or anyone else what either of my brothers disgustingly display. Don't expect from me what your previous lover showed you, lest I become vulnerable.

So, your child doesn't even matter to you...

The two Tekkamen cease their arguments as their son stumbles into the room. Waiting for his parents reactions, he looks up into their eyes; Katherine reacts as any mother would...

Katherine rushes towards her son, cradling him in her arms. Meanwhile Cain remains stoic, watching the scene in front of him with little interest.

You may have your ring, Katherine. It is your property, but stinks of Conrad's defeat. Do not show that affection in front of me again Katherine, it disgusts me. If you must act like a mother, do it away from me.

You said it yourself, Cain, Blade is made strong because of his love for his wife. He draws on their strength while you weaken from your lack of. The love Blade shares with his wife reminds me of the love Conrad and I once shared; pure, and acts as a deep well of strength for them both. By ignoring love Cain, your well is empty. Why ignore that point of strength, when you may very well need it to defeat him?

Oh, and I suppose I will die from my thirst of love? Get out of here before I kill you and your son!!

You are Darkon's brother, but you aren't half the man Conrad was. And never will be, Katherine thinks sadly.

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Blade breaks out in a sweat and wakes from his sleep. He turns to his wife who is sleeping soundly; regular breathing. Rising from their bed, Blade moves to sit on the wide window sill. Blade stares blankly at the moon, remembering what he prefers not. He utters his older brother's name sadly, and turns to go back to bed. He needs warmth that only Star can give, but after silent debate, chooses not to wake his wife from her slumber. Instead of curling up by Star's side, Blade turns; feeling the sudden need to be elsewhere. He turns the doorknob and exits his room. Blade makes his way past various rooms, until finally stopping. Feeling the need, he enters and sits by his bed, watching him sleep; his constant and regular breathing, his little movements as he dreams. Smiling as he watches the infant, Blade dreams of his son's future - hoping it is a happy and carefree one.

You look more like Star when you sleep; I have so many dreams for you, Adam. I hope you never have to fight for survival. If it were up to me son, I would never have you fight at all. With that said, Blade continues to sit on and watch as his son sleeps and contented with the moment, allows a smile to grace his face whilst gently stroking his son's hair. Due to his present state of contentment, similar to that experienced by the sleeping Adam, Blade is unaware of the two sets of eyes resting upon him. One gaze comes from sad brown eyes, hidden in Adam's room; the other gaze emanates from unusually drained ruby eyes, hidden by branches in a tree outside Adam's room.

~End Chapter 1