Disclaimer: Same as before

Episode 8-

The two dark men stood before each other, not saying a word, but rather reading each others faces. Unfortunately, neither of them had any expression to read. But deep inside, Ezekiel was burning with questions.

"Can you help me?"

"Possibly. Let me see your crystal."

Ezekiel held out his hand and his dark blue teksetta materialized. D-Boy examined it briefly. In the middle of the crystal was a large crack, like a scar.

"How did it crack?"

"When I first transformed. There was a disruptor crystal in the area that made it difficult to transform and it cracked as a result."

"I see." He handed the crystal back to him. "Come with me."

Ezekiel followed D-Boy outside to the beach. Then he turned back to him.

"Tek-set."

Ezekiel nodded and raised his crystal, "Tek-setta!"

A flash of light surrounded him and he transformed, with D-Boy standing in front of him impassively. Ezekiel finished his transformation into Tekkaman Zero. D-Boy walked up to him and examined the armor. Looking up, he saw the glassy headpiece on the forehead was slightly shattered.

"I see. Turn back."

Zeri obeyed and reverted back to Ezekiel, his clothes mostly in tact aside from his shirt, which was partially shredded. D-Boy noticed this, he has good control.

"Fortunately, your crystal is only partially cracked. It may be easier to repair. But you'll have to re-enter a Radham pod."

"No! Those things have given me nothing but nightmares."

D-Boy's eyes slanted underneath the glasses. This was the first time Ezekiel had shown any emotion. He has been through a lot. Like me.

"The only other option is to relinquish you powers. You will never become a Tekkaman."

Ezekiel looked away, "If that's the case, then I'll gladly give them up. Being a Tekkaman has given me nothing but pain and suffering."

D-Boy didn't even flinch, "Perhaps you should think about this. Is that what you really want?"

Ezekiel was about to answer, but stopped himself. Is it? If I am no longer a Tekkaman, I won't be able to help the others as I have before. But I killed Tera with these powers. What does that make me?

D-Boy turned around, "There's something else that you and the others should know about. Go to the conference room."

Ezekiel tried again to read D-Boy, but it was a total failure. It was as though he was in complete control of his emotions. Ezekiel nodded and left D-Boy alone. D-Boy looked into the sunny sky. He must be strong for the task at hand. We all must be.

_____________

The Space Knights have re-gathered in the conference room. They were surprised to see Ezekiel join up with them. Even more surprising was that standing next to the Chief was D-Boy himself. He rarely appeared publicly and even rarer at a general meeting. D-Boy remained neutral as he spoke.

"Space Knights. You are performing well in your duties as anticipated. I wish that this wouldn't happen, but time won't allow for anything else."

"D-Boy?"

"It has been discovered that the Radham have been amassing their forces near Pluto. That is why their attacks have increased lately. But the attacks have only been a distraction to complete their base there. If that happens, then they will have a strategic advantage over us. They may even be able to invade Earth as before. We must prevent that from happening. Therefore Space Knights, effective tomorrow, you will launch on the Blue Earth to fight at Pluto. The Chief will discuss the details of the mission as you go. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

The Space Knights saluted and began to leave, but Ezekiel remained where he, knew that they wanted to speak to him alone. D-Boy walked down from the desk before Ezekiel.

"Well. Have you thought about it?"

Ezekiel struggled within himself. The mission D-Boy mentioned was very important. More than likely, they would need his help. But, he didn't want to re-enter a pod. Too much has happened to him already. He didn't want it anymore. He couldn't deal with it.

"I....can't. I can't do it."

D-Boy remain emotionless, "If that is how you feel, I understand." With that, D-Boy left the room, leaving with the Chief. "Return to your quarters."

"Yes, Chief."

Ezekiel walked to his quarters, So this is it. I am no longer to be a Tekkaman. That is what I wanted, wasn't it?

The alarm suddenly flared to life, signaling a Radham attack. The Space Knight's were totally unprepared, but launched into action nevertheless. In orbit was another swarm of Radham, along with a dozen or so warships. The Space Knight tekkaman engaged them in battle and it instantly turned fierce. Down below, Ezekiel watched the battle from below and saw they were having trouble. What could he do? What should he do?

"What will you do, Ezekiel?"

Ezekiel turned around to see D-Boy behind him.

"What can I do?"

"Two things. Fight or flight."

Ezekiel looked back up and D-Boy continued, "Will you run because of something in the past or will you fight for the future?"

Ezekiel stared up, absorbing D-Boy's words, Fight or flight? Would Tera want him to run? He hand held the cracked crystal in his hand and he gripped it. No, he would not run. Not from this.

"For you Tera", he whispered to himself then raised the crystal, but D-Boy grabbed his arm.

"Wait." Then D-Boy held out his other hand and the emerald crystal formed in it. "Now!"

"Tek-setta!!!!!!"

A blue and green light shot into the sky. They reached space and their transformation was complete.

"Tekkaman Zero!"

"Tekkaman Blade!"

The two Tekkamen blasted into the fight in a blaze of light. The others saw the astounding power as the two of them shot through the enemy Radham. But it was Natasha who spoke first.

"Are we going to let them have all the fun or what?"

The other three nodded and together, all seven Tekkamen attacked the Radham with renewed determination and strength. In no time at all, the Radham began retreating once again and all the Tekkamen lined up.

"Combine power!"

With that command, all of them opened their Voltekka cells. As Ezekiel did his he thought, I will fight. I will fight. Even if I am to die, I will fight!

"VOLTEKKAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The combined blasts created waves of light and energy that completely eradicated the Radham. Not a single one escaped. Blade then faced Zero, "Fight or flight?"

"I will fight."