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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Chapter 3: Beyond the sunshine
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Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
~Love Rescue Me - U2
The day unfolds as any other; a brilliant sunrise waking the inhabitants of Earth, the busy people rise and make about their day. In the middle of this splendor, a university is makes preparations to farewell its graduating students in a spectacular ceremony; they are the first since the war to graduate. Among the graduating students to grace themselves on the graduation planner, Tina Corman stars as the valedictorian of the year. All those who matter to who have replied that they will attend; her extended family, the Space Knights. It came as no surprise to Tina that her superficial mother wouldn't be attending. The campus was alight with excitement, yet Tina was subdued. At the tender age of sixteen, she had joined the ranking of heroes and had aided in Earth's desperate struggle for survival. Tina prides herself on being the baby of the team no more, now a brilliant woman; today's ceremony will prove her point. Even so, her early baptism by fire into the real world' has left its fair share of scars. This promising morning, she finds comfort in a solitary walk, admiring the beauty of a planet that was so close to destruction. So caught up in awe, Tina doesn't notice the stalking shadows closing in on her...
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Do I have to wear this Star? I feel so...
Oh stop your whinging...
Whinging?! I wasn't whinging, I was...
Whinging. Complaining, grumbling, objecting, I don't care how you say it, same dif to me. Put it on!
You know babe, I'm not really used to hearing you say, 'Put it on', but, oh, what is it that you say..."
"You'll be hearing, 'not tonight' from now on if you don't hurry up." Receiving a teasing wink from his wife, he continues, knowing he's not going to get anywhere. Blade smiles all the same.
"How you can wear what you want and be as comfortable as you want, and I have to wear a damn straight-jacket is beyond me.
Blade, you're a grown man, stop whinging! Adam doesn't need me to dress him anymore, I hoped I didn't have to dress the father of my child...
Sure, yak it up, laugh at...
Oh gee you two, knock it off would you! You'll teach Adam bad manners. With the reprimanding look from Maggie, both Star and Blade grow quiet. Adam looks happily to his parents from Maggie's arms but then begins to struggle; wanting his mother. Maggie tries to hold him back.
I think he wants to be put down Maggie.
How would you know?
I'm his mother, Star feels the heat rise to her neck, and Blade squirms, feeling very uneasy.
Momma! Momma! Adam continues his struggle as Maggie tightens her grasp. Star moves towards the two to take her son from Maggie's grasp.
Come to Momma, baby. Adam happily reaches towards his mother while Maggie grudgingly hands the young child to his mother. Blade, feeling VERY uneasy, moves around pretending to look for something. Star turns to find some of Adam's toys, stored in their room for when one year old is present.
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Well, well. If it isn't my daughter the Space Knight, or, do you prefer just Space Knight, not daughter?
What would you expect? Actually, I'm surprised you noticed anything outside your perfect little world, mother.
You can be so hurtful with your words, Tina.
I learned from the best.
I came here, wanting to see my daughter graduate from her life as a Space Knight.
The Space Knights are the best thing that happened to me, mother, so naturally I suppose, you'd want to see me give that up.
Why naturally. You were always in danger Tina, and I couldn't do anything for you...
You never did anything for me that I appreciate. Tina turns, desperate to flee from this, not today, her day. But then remembers Maggie's words...
Don't give that bitch the satisfaction of knowing she got to you!'
No, I'm wrong mother, I should thank you for doing the best thing for me in the world.
You finally see things my way...
Thankyou for signing the papers, allowing me early access into the Space Knight Academy. Without your signature, I never would've known what it feels like to belong to a family, people who love and respect me. A place, where I am wanted. So thankyou, for doing everything I hated and the only thing I appreciate.
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Maggie, what was all that about?
What was what, Ringo?
You know what I'm talking about.
Damn you, Ringo, damn you to hell! You think it's easy for me?
Do you think it's easy for me either Maggie?
You don't have to be over here all the time. It's not healthy for you to be here so much, I'm surprised Blade hasn't told you to get lost, go home to your wife.
WHAT?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SUGGESTS TO COME HERE!! If you had a problem with visiting our friends, why do you suggest it? And just what are you insinuating?
You know damn well...
That's bullshit Maggie. What's wrong with you? I don't care if you can't have kids...
YOU'RE A LYING BASTARD RINGO!
The couple continue their arguing while Blade and Star attempt to ignore it. Star is still trying to get Adam to take his last nap before they all leave to go to Tina's graduation, but...
What's going on with Maggie? I mean, I understand what she's going through, but, does it mean, well, she's just turned into Super-Bitch overnight!
I don't really think any of us can understand what Maggie's going through, and I'm sure the news has hit her like a bus, love. I mean, Ringo and Maggie have just started out, and the natural thing, is that they want to start a family. Imagine, all your hopes and dreams, blown away like a leaf in the wind. Being told that your dream won't come true - imagine never being able to hold your own child in your arms? I never thought I'd be the maternal type, but since carrying Adam, it was just the most amazing feeling. It's only natural Maggie would want to experience that too but...Maggie's going through a rough patch, and we're her friends. We have to be there for her. Shh, Adam. Come on honey, you need a little rest.
Maybe you should sing to him, he loves that.
Yeah, do you want to join in?
Uh...yeah, why not. Star thinks for a bit, then finally begins Adam's favourite lullaby...
I hold you late at
night
I know what I was put here to do
I turn off the world
And I listen, to hear you sigh
And I will sing my Angle's Lullaby...
As Adam drifts off, Blade and Star embrace, continuing the lullaby. Unbeknownst to them, the gaze of a not-so-friendly visitor flares...
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Do you hear something Maggie?
No one forever near...
Oh yeah, sure. Say that because you know you're losing. Stop stalling, we were arguing!
The one you can always call...
No, shh! It's singing. Maggie, please, calm down. Blade and Star are probably trying to get Adam to sleep. We've got to be quiet.
Right now all you know to fear...
Any excuse to run from me to Star!
Are the shadows on your wall...
I'm here, close enough to kiss, the tears you cry...
You pathetic humans. With your squabbling, I'm surprised that any child would find any happiness here.
I will sing my Angel's Lullaby...
Yes, ME. Now, shut up if you want your precious Saviour' and his son to live.
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So tell me how to stop
the years from racing
Is there a secret someone knows
I'll always care; show me the memories that I'm chasing
I'll never be ready to let go...
Why can't it be this way for me too? Blade...I never realised you could sing. Strange, I've known you for years, and I'm still learning about you. Perhaps because I so wrapped up with Conrad...'
And when the world
seems cold
You feel that all of your strength is gone
There may be one tiny voice; your reason to carry on
And when I'm not, close enough, to kiss the tears you cry
You will sing your Angel's Lullaby.
Why can't Cain be like this with our children?'
Blade and Star look down at their sleeping son, and gently place his head on his pillow; Adam reaches for his blankie. Star smiles and reaches for her husband's hand, but finds nothing. She turns to see him seated next to Adam's bedside, sighing.
Blade, what's wrong? Is it...are you thinking about...Cain again?
Why do you ask?
Upon hearing his name, Blade turns his head in surprise before sighing again.
Yeah, I can't help it. You know, whenever we sing that to Adam, I can't help but remember my own childhood. My mother would always sing that to us to get us to go to bed. I just hope that he's...
You should stop thinking of your brother as he was. He's an malevolent warlord now, get used to that! Blade and Star turn to see a familiar face...
Oh, why all the melodramatics? Get over it...
No, it's just...you're...pregnant..!
I'm female, I am meant to reproduce...
But who is...
The father?
Cain...that bastard." Blade says sorrowfully with realisation. "Katherine, how? When...I mean you...
I know, why Conrad's younger brother? Well, that is a long and depressing story that I don't feel like getting into at the moment.
Fair enough. So why are you here?
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A lone black limousine pulls away from the university grounds, leaving in its wake a subdued, yet satisfied Tina. Feeling as though some of her past has been put to rest, she allows herself to enjoy the day. This is after all, her day; no one can take that away from her now.
I hope you believe all that crap you just blabbed girl, she's never gonna let you forget one word.'
Sometimes, a parents best intentions can be hidden by their fear, Tina. When you have children of your own, perhaps you'll understand that...'
No,' Tina thinks, You're just a selfish bitch, mother.'
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Into her guise as Sword, Katherine flies off to her unhappy temporary home above the earth. The only reason they reside there, is that Blade was able to get them that section of the Space Ring under some sort of jurisdiction she didn't really care to notice. All that seemed to matter, unlike that of her husband, was to flee from this sess-pool of unhappy memories. This ball of dust can spin in space; until the end of time for all she cared.
The revelations of what his sister-in-law just revealed stuns Blade into a deep silence. Star just looks at Adam, ready to burst into tears at any given moment. Ringo and Maggie, ceasing their quarrel overhear the recent events with shock. At this point in time, not one of them thinks any differently, with the same thoughts echoing in their individual minds.
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Strong arms come from behind to grasp Tina in a tight embrace. Instinctively knowing who it was, Tina allows her body to relax. Behind her, stands her stunningly handsome boyfriend. A boyfriend who was an enigma, but it was that air of mystery around him that made him seem that more exciting. In a way, he reminded Tina of Blade, way back in the beginning of his days with the Space Knights. Tina turns to face her boyfriend in a passionate embrace. She was young, in love, nothing could hurt her again.
But then, nothing lasts forever.
~ End Chapter 3
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::Authors note::
Ah, now where did the inspiration for Tina's mother come from? It wasn't very hard to picture Tina's mother, she was written in after a breakthrough in therapy...joking...well...almost. Don't worry, the bitch mother from hell won't be a regular member of the Before Armageddon team. As for the song Star and Blade sing to Adam, it's Angel's Lullaby, sung by Richard Marx. I thought the words especially poignant, considering when you think how their family life turned out =(.