Disclaimer: All respectable characters are owned by their creators. All other characters are the creation of me and may not be used without my explicit permission. No money is being made here.
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"Apocalypse Battles: Legend of the Crystal Warriors"
'Stage I: Blind King'
Written by: Chief Aki
E-mail: chiefaki@hotmail.com
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It takes a lot of understanding, time and trust to gain a close relationship with someone. As I approach a time of my life of complete uncertainty, my friends are my most precious asset.
-Erynn Miller, age 18
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Episode IV: Mystical Love
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Sara sits in a pasture of emerald grass, observing the sapphire sky. She gazes at the lazy, angel-white clouds rolling by. Suddenly, a ship flies by, and disturbs her from the thoughts that have been spiraling about her mind. She shakes her head, watching the ship, and recognizes it as one of the Amazons', preparing to land. She soon hears soft footsteps behind her, approaching. She slowly turns her head and sees David looking down at her. Sara turns her gaze from David back to the sky.
"It's a nice day out," Sara starts, waiting for an answer, but gets none, "Have a seat?"
David sits down and looks at her, as they say nothing. Sara continues to watch the ship continue to land, and wonders if the Queen herself will come soon. She knows that the Queen must meet with her mother and the others. So much has changed in the short time since she has left Sirene City.
"David?" Sara asks out of the blue, startling him from his own thoughts.
"Yes, Sara?" David questions back as he watches the wind play with the wisps of her snowy-colored hair.
"Don't you think that it's odd?" Sara inquires, her crystal blue eyes staring out to the clear sky, "The Radam, I mean? It's been weeks since any of them have shown their face."
David shrugs, looking up at the sky with her, "Who knows."
"I wonder if they're up to something?" she thinks out loud.
David looks back at Sara, watching her for the moment. She can feel his eyes, watching every slight movement she makes.
"Sara?" David asks which causes her to look at him. She stares into his blue eyes, his golden hair flowing in the breeze.
"What is it?" Sara inquires.
"Can you tell me," David starts to ask, "about the Amazons?"
"Well, I guess I can try," Sara answers.
David keeps looking at her, waiting.
"I don't know the whole story exactly," Sara starts, looking away, "but some type of being approached Siren, and told her to build an army of women in order to help protect the Crystals and prepare for the Great War. Siren did as she was told and went to five of her most powerful priestesses. They were given magic and Siren designated her head priestess, Medea Leonhart, to become the Amazon Queen and proclaimed that Medea's descendents will reign as the future queens. The other four were great sorceresses and server under Queen Medea's rule, and aided her in the ruling of our people. All five of them together were known as the Amazon High Council as their descendents are today. Five new sorceresses were born to lead the Amazon Nation to greatness. Siren became the Amazon Guardian and considered all Amazons her children. But some time ago, something happened and forced Siren into a deep sleep. Even though she is unable to be here, she still guards us. She advises all of the Amazons through the five descendents, the present Amazon High Council, for only they can hear her voice. Siren is supposed to awaken when the Great War comes and reaches its peak and the Crystals are in danger."
"So, only five of them can talk to Siren?" David questions.
"Well, supposedly…" Sara starts.
"Supposedly?" David says, an eyebrow raised.
"There's actually six.." Sara admits.
"Six?" David inquires.
"Shara and I were brought to the Amazons when we were little and have been Amazons ever since, and on top of that, they though it was strange that she and I can use magic. Shara, being more devoted than I, learned more of the Amazon ways and became their high priestess. Even though, usually, a high priestess is unable to hear Siren's voice, for some reason, Shara does. The first time in history since Siren went into her deep sleep. Somehow, reasons unknown, Siren and Shara manage to communicate with each other. I remember Shara kept telling me that we had to go back home, go back to Crystal Island. 'Help the Crystal Warriors' I remember her saying. 'Save the Crystals.' At the time I thought she had lost her mind. Who would've thought it was true and that I'd be here with my real family and that I'm a Crystal Warrior, whose mother is a princess. Who would've thought?"
Sara sighs and shakes her head, "I wonder why I can't talk to her, but Shara can. Maybe, it's cause Cid is Siren's favorite.
David raises an eyebrow at her, "So tell me about jerk face, since you two have such a wonderful history together."
Sara giggles softly at his sarcasm, and then continues, "Cid is the only survivor of the Young family. His mother, Fiala, was one of the five previous sorceresses. She was murdered and so was his half-sister, Clio. His uncle was Commander Tomi Jamieson, which I'm sure you know was the Father of the Space Knights. Jamieson helped us develop the Leiko and some of the earlier designs of our sol tekka. Cid, I'll have to admit, is a genius like his uncle; he helped with the upgrade modifications on the Leiko and evolved our sol tekka into what you see today. He's also quite a skilled little sorcerer."
"And Cid's father?" David asks, noticing Sara hadn't said a thing about him.
"No one knows who his father is," Sara answers, "All that supposedly died with Fiala and Queen Jocasta, except I know there's a record in some book she kept that no one's been able to find. But personally, I think Jocasta's son probably knows. He would've been old enough to remember all this, but he's not telling. I know that by finding who Cid's father is, we'll be able to understand his powers."
"Are his power really that interesting?" David questions, looking at her.
"They more of scared me than interested me at first. I don't worry about it since I've become stronger than he has. But he's even more powerful than Jocasta's son and the Queen, and technically speaking that's not supposed to be. I know Cid's father is the key to all of this. I think that's why he wanted to come, besides the fact that he's totally head over heels for Shara. To see if he could find out whom he is."
Suddenly, it is silence again. David starts to open his mouth to say something, only to be interrupted by some yelling Sara's name. Sara stands up and turns around, a smile erupts on her face, and she takes off, running. David gets up as well and turns to see her heading towards a woman who also happens to have white hair.
"Sylia!" Sara rushes over to her, hugging her.
Sylia hugs her back and looks at her with sparkling silver eyes, "My, my, Sara. I've heard you've got into some trouble over here."
"Yeah, I have. When did you get here, Sylia?" Sara asks.
"On the last ship," Sylia answers, "How could you? Without your partner in crime!? Is that anyway to treat a person who's been your friend since childhood!?"
"Sorry, next time, you're in, I promise." Sara states, "Forgive me?"
"Of course," Sylia says happily, tugging Sara by the arm, "C'mon, there's a lot we have to talk about."
"Sylia, hold on!" Sara cries out as she's getting dragged away, and turns to look back at David. "I guess I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, later," David says, as Sara goes off with Sylia, looking at her with longing eyes.
"So, who's that?" Sylia asks with a smile on her face.
"Oh, that's just David," Sara replies as they walk down a dirt path.
"Just?" Sylia says, and eyebrow raised, "Looks like more that a "just" person to me."
Sara stops and looks at her, "And what is that supposed to mean?"
Sylia looks at her, "Nothing. Just take it easy, okay?"
Sara just sighs and walks along her friend's side. Sylia gazes about her surroundings in silence.
"So, what brings you to Crystal Island, Sylia?" Sara questions in a plain tone.
"Oh, nothing," Sylia tries to answer nonchalantly.
Sara stops as Sylia keeps walking. Sylia stops and turns, looking at her childhood friend.
"What?" Sylia asks.
"I know that tone of voice," Sara states, "What are you up to now?"
"Oh, come on, Sara," Sylia replies defensively.
"Sylia," Sara warns.
"Don't you wish it can be like the old times again?" Sylia asks pleadingly.
"You know that it can't, Sylia," Sara answers, "Things have changed."
"Yes, I know," Sylia says, "But, just this once can it be like old times?"
"What did you have in mind?" Sara replies sighing.
*********************************
David stands solemnly over a tombstone. It is erected in Dead's memory.
"I'm sorry," David says quietly, "My friend. I couldn't save you."
David looks up, gazing out into the blazing ocean. Sunset is already approaching. He gazes back down at his friend's forlorn grave before he hears footsteps approaching.
"David," a voice says which he recognizes as Sara's.
"Sara," David says softly as he looks back at her.
"David," Sara quietly speaks, "I'm sorry about your friend."
David closes his eyes and sighs, "I am too."
Minutes seem to pass on in silence. Out of the blue, Sara rushes toward him, wrapping her arms around David. She buries her face in his chest, as he wraps his arms around her, holding her close.
"David, promise me," Sara begins to say, "Promise me, you'll survive. You'll stay alive. That you won't die on me. Promise me."
"I promise," David answers her softly and soothingly.
"Thank you," Sara whispers breathlessly.
David softly pries her a bit away from him, just enough to look into her eyes, "Sara, what's going on?"
Sara pulls away and turns around, her back to him, so he can't see her face.
"Nothing," Sara says, "Don't worry about it."
"Sara, what's happening? It has to do with that Sylia girl, doesn't it?" David asks, a bit defensive.
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself," Sara says in a tone that makes David doubt her, "I just…I just wanted to make sure you're safe while I'm gone."
"Gone?" David asks, astounded, "When are you leaving?"
She looks out to the fire dancing across the ocean's surface as the sun lowers itself, "Sunset."
Sara turns and looks into his sapphire-colored eyes, which are now crying out for her. David steps toward her and she jumps up into the air, disappearing, and reappearing on a hill that rise a short distance away from where she once stood. The jump, obviously evidence of the kind of strength and power running through her body, a power inherited by blood. She gazes down at him, her snow-white hair playing in the wind. Then, she turns around and runs away.
"Sara!!" David cries, but there is no answer, except for the comforting gust of wind. David stands there a moment, then runs after her, in some hope of catching her.
David heads straight for the designated landing area. He wants to tell the Chief, in hopes of her stopping Sara, but he doesn't have the time. He stops at one of the various landing sites, where a ship just finished loading. He watches as Sara calmly enters the ship.
"Sara!" David cries out as the ship's door closes and it fires up its engines.
He stands there, watching as the ship takes off, heading straight towards the setting sun. David finally comes to his senses and gets a sudden idea. He runs for the area where the Blue Earth is kept. He can't take the Blue Earth Craft, there are too many people around it, and besides it can't detect any Amazon ships under cloak. But maybe, the Blue Earth could, after all both the Blue Earth and the Amazon ships were designed by Jamieson, it might be able to detect them, and besides, there's really no one around it to stop him from taking it. He has no clue why he's doing this, why he has to follow her. It's something he feels in his soul, something's terribly wrong.
"I don't think they will mind if I borrow it for awhile," David says to himself.
He runs to the area where the Blue Earth is kept. David quickly glances about to see if anyone is around, then rushes aboard. Upon entering the control room, David quickly transfers the navigator's controls to the pilot's counsel and fires up the Blue Earth's engines.
"C'mon baby," David says to it, "You worked for my uncle, so you better work for me. Don't start quitting on any of us Richards now."
The Blue Earth raises itself into the setting sky and takes off, going after its prey. Suddenly, the comm link screeches, which indicates to David to prepare for the ripping of his life, as Star's angry face appears on the screen.
"Uh, hi, Chief," David stammers, trying to put on his best grin, "You sure look lovely today. New shampoo?"
"Cut the crap, David!" Star yells, "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Taking the Blue Earth for a test drive?" David says innocently.
"The Blue Earth doesn't need a test drive, you moron! Get your trashy &*(&*)^&^(&^%^&$%#( white ass back here!
David blinks at the amount of words that came out of that last sentence. And in his head, he swears if he wrote down every single word she had said in that last sentence, it be at least three pages. He wonders if D-boy did something…or better yet, didn't do something to piss her off royally. Then, maybe again, he thinks it could be PMS, but he sure as hell isn't going to ask.
"It doesn't? Well, that idea's out the window," David says, "Well, uh, Sara's playing a game of tag, and I have to catch up."
"Sara!?" Star says and shakes her head, thinking, "What the hell is she doing? Has she lost her freakin' mind! She is so gonna get it when I find her!!"
"Don't worry about her," Star finally says, "Get back here, or I'm gonna have your ass in a sling!"
David knows he's not going anywhere with this, and he starts playing with the frequency, causing everything to break up.
"Uh, Chief, you're not coming in very well," David says, "I think there's something wrong with the comm system."
"Comm system, my ass! Get back here and that's an order!"
"Heh, heh, he warned me about your temper," David says innocently.
"What!? Who?" Star says furiously, and then glances away at someone, and David figures she's glaring at D-boy, and starts laughing.
"I guess it runs in the family, they all say I'm just like my uncle," David says grinning, dropping a hint before turning off the communications.
"What!?" Star says confused, as the screen in front of her goes black.
"I am so dead meat," David says as he flies off.
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Star, meanwhile, begins to piece everything together as it dawns on her, "I can't be…"
"What?" D-boy asks softly, not wanting to provoke her, wondering what's got her so uptight.
"I should have known the similarities weren't a coincidence," Star says, dropping her head on the console in front of her, "Of all the people I had to save, it had to be Ringo's nephew."
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David follows the Amazon ship he's able to detect it on the Blue Earth's sensors, just like his theory thought it would. He remembers that they won't be able to detect him because all the ships besides the Leiko don't have wide sweeping sensors, at least that's what Sara told him.
He remembers the good old days just before Black September. Even though tension was in the air, his mother, Cecilia, had always kept his spirits up and made it seem to him like there was no war about to rage outside.
"Mom? Mom?" A young David cried out as he walked through the house, then heard his mother.
"I won't go! I can't!" he heard his mother scream.
"Cecilia! Listen to me!" a man's voice said which he recognized as his uncle's, "You have to leave! It's not safe! All hell is about to break loose out there!"
"Uncle Ringo?" David asked in a whisper, and listened in.
"And who's going to protect David, Ringo! For God's sake! My husband, my Chris, is now lying on the street from trying to protect him! I couldn't stop them! They took him and changed my baby into a monster!"
David flinched at those words. He knew his mother acted differently but she always said that she didn't hate him. That, he wasn't one of those monsters, but he felt deep in his heart, that something was amiss. Now, he knew how his mother really felt. She truly believed he was a monster, and his blue eyes stung with tears.
"My little David," Cecilia continued, "is a primary body now! He can't leave, they'll kill us both!"
"Cecilia," Ringo said, "We'll get you and David both out. The Space Knights will protect you and him, I promise."
"Your promises aren't worth the paper you write it on! Get out!" Cecilia ordered, sounding hysterical.
"Cecilia! Please! Think about David!" Ringo pleaded with her.
"GET OUT!" Cecilia screamed.
Ringo stormed out of the room and almost knocked David over.
"Hey, kiddo," Ringo said solemnly, then noticed his tears, "Are you okay?"
David looks at him, "What's going on? Why is she yelling at you? Why does she think…?"
"Don't worry about it, David," Ringo replied, interrupting, and kneeled down before him, "Look, you're not a monster. What you have is a gift. It can be a blessing and a curse. You can make it a blessing and help people and be a hero."
"A hero like you, Uncle Ringo?" David inquired.
"No, not like me," Ringo chuckled, "Even better, but if you make it a curse and do bad things, you'll turn into a monster. It's all up to you, to make the choice about what to do with your gift."
He looked at his uncle, at the blue eyes and blond hair, defining all those of Richards's bloodline. His mother and his uncle were brother and sister and looked similar. David also looked like a younger version of his uncle back when Ringo was a child.
"Are you leaving?" David asked.
Ringo laid a hand on David's shoulder, "I have to, David. You take care of your Mom, all right?"
David nodded slowly, "All right."
"Don't worry, I'll be back. I'll take you and your mother to the Space Knight Command Center and teach you how to be the best pilot there is."
"You will, Uncle Ringo?" David asked, "You'll let me fly the Blue Earth?"
"Of course, when you become a better pilot. I'll let you fly my baby." Ringo said to his nephew.
"Promise?" David questioned, perking up.
Ringo stood and walked away and opened the door. He turned around and stood in the doorway.
"It's a promise. I'll see you later."
David watched his uncle leave, not realizing that would be the last time he would ever see him.
David sighs, as he tags the Amazon ship.
"That's one promise you couldn't keep, Uncle Ringo," David says solemnly.
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"Sylia? Are you sure this is a sound plan?" Sara asks in doubt.
"Of course! Sylia is awesome when it comes to great plans!" a girl with dark brown eyes and hair replies.
"Priss! I didn't ask you!" Sara yells.
"Oh," Priss answers.
"Oh, you worry too much, Sara," Sylia replies, "Doesn't she, Nene?"
A young blue-eyed, blonde Amazon looks up from one of the consoles. She looks over at Sara and smiles.
"Yes, you do, Sara," Nene says innocently.
"Hey, Sylia!" a girl says, looking back at her with silver eyes and short brown hair.
"Yes, Linna?" Sylia asks.
"We're approaching the base," Linna replies.
"Good," Sylia states, "Chocolate, what's the sensors say?"
Chocolate, with blue eyes and short red hair looks back at her leader with a teasing smile.
"It's heavily fortified," Chocolate reports, "Looks like we're going to have some fun tonight."
"All right! It's time to rock the party!" exclaims a girl with fiery red eyes and exuberant pink hair.
"Tira, behave yourself!" Chocolate yells, which causes Tira to giggle.
"All right, "Sylia orders, "Nene, take us down. We're going in."
"Roger," Nene replies, "Beginning landing procedures for Blossom."
"I hope David is all right," Sara says to herself wistfully.
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David pays close attention as the Blossom prepares to land and pulls back a bit, knowing very well that they are heading straight for the military base.
"Sara, what are you doing?" David asks to himself, "For Christ's sake, don't do it."
The Blue Earth slows down, and lands in a clearing. David wastes no time jumping out of the pilot's seat and runs for the nearest exit.
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The Blossom as well slows down and lets down its landing gear.
"I assume the Blossom was in stealth mode." Sylia says.
Nene shakes her head, "Uh, no, I sort of forgot to do that. But don't worry, I'm sure nobody's noticed otherwise we be getting fired at all ready."
"You either have nerves of steel or no common sense at all," Sylia replies, walking away, "Land the ship."
The Blossom lands in a clearing, enveloped by the treetops that nearly cover it when they are not blowing around by the gusts of wind surrounding the ship. The engines slow and go to sleep. The branches of the tall trees calm and blanket as much of the ship as they can. Sara steps out, her white hair caressing the breeze. She looks back as Sylia and the others exit the Blossom.
Sara Summers then gazes up at the light of the moon. She wonders if David is angry. Is he worried? Will he miss her? Does he care? Will he forgive her? She lets a soft sigh escape her lips as she ponders these questions.
"Sylia?" Priss asks, "Don't you think it's odd that we haven't been noticed or anything?"
Sylia shakes her head, "Don't worry about it. Let's go."
They walk through the dense forest that secludes the base from humanity. The moonlight dances through the cracks in the treetops. Sara doesn't like how this is feeling. It's almost too easy.
"I don't like this," Nene says, uneasy, "I'm getting really bad vibes about this."
"Oh, just shut up and keep moving, Nene," Linna tells her.
Sylia pushes the group forward, while Sara brings up the rear, just in case. Suddenly, Sylia stops, causing the whole group to nearly fall over each other. Sara just shakes her head.
"Hey, what's going on?" Chocolate asks.
"That's strange," Sylia says quietly, thinking out loud.
"What is?" Tira questions.
"Nothing," Sylia answers, "Hikaru, Fuu, take out the perimeter defenses. Once defenses are cleared, Tira, Chocolate, move forward. Linna will be the first to go inside, and then the rest of us will follow. All right, let's move out!"
"Roger!" the rest of the group answers.
Sylia's white hair blows in the cruel breeze as she observes the eerie calmness of the base. She looks over as Hikaru, who is Tira's younger sister, and looks exactly like her, and Fuu, a young girl with bright emerald eyes and sandy blonde hair. Sylia gives them a sight nod and they're both off.
With skill, even though showing a bit of inexperience, they make their way towards the base's perimeter.
"You think they can do it?" Sara asks.
"Of course, they're young but they've got some skills," Sylia answers.
"If you say so," Sara states.
Suddenly, an explosion rips through the fence guarding the base. The defense guns come on immediately and automatically but are quickly destroyed. Meanwhile, Tira and Chocolate decode the lock for the door. Linna appears next to them while the rest of the group runs to catch up. The light on the door flashes green as the base encases itself in silence once again. A few seconds later, Linna's shrill scream pierces the night. It sends everyone dashing in, making them unaware of the figure following them.
"Linna!" Nene cries.
As soon as they're inside, they gasp in horror. Blood is caked everywhere, bodies shredded, little parts and organs strewn all over the floor.
"Poor bastards," Priss whispers.
Sylia kneels down, touching the blood with her index finger and rubs it against her thumb. Then she smells it.
"They haven't been dead long, maybe a few hours," Sylia states as she stands up.
"Let's be careful, guys. Whatever killed them might still be here," Sara says, looking around cautiously.
All of them nod slowly at each other, and cautiously, start to move forward. Fuu stops frozen to her spot, her breathing becoming slower. All of them turn around and look at her.
"Fuu? What is it?" Hikaru asks, a bit frightened.
"I think someone is following us," Fuu answers in a whisper.
Tira and Chocolate look at each other, and move back towards the door. They position themselves on either side, keeping to the darkness.
"Fuu, stay right where you are, don't hide." Linna replies, "When we tell you, walk forward slowly, so we can draw them in here."
"What!? I'm bait!?" Fuu whispers fearfully.
"Don't worry," Nene soothes her, "Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise."
Fuu slowly nods at her, as they all disappear into the darkness. As they do, Priss gives her a slight nod, telling her to move forward. Fuu cautiously steps down the hall, away from the door. She looks straight ahead down the hall as she walks, trying not to look back. They all can hear the person coming now, whoever or whatever it is, is not very good at following someone, or perhaps they want to be heard.
Tira and Chocolate's bodies tighten, preparing to strike. Suddenly, the figure stumbles in, seeming to lose its balance for a moment. This split second is all that the two women needed. Tira trips the figure causing it to fall, while Chocolate hits from behind, delivering a blow to its head. The figure crashes to the ground, which they now recognize as man, and holds his head tightly.
"Oh, damn, that hurt," the man says as Sara begins to recognize him with his somewhat disoriented blue eyes, and golden hair.
"David!" Sara yells at him, rushing out of the darkness, and dives at him, quickly wrapping him in her embrace.
"Well, I love you too," David says half-joking.
Sylia and the others just stare at the two. Sylia sorts of has an annoyed smirk on her face, while the others look at Sara in surprise. They've never seen her like this before; but then again Sara hasn't been in love before.
"Why did you hit me?" David asks a bit hurt, as he gently rubs his head.
"I'm sorry," Sara replies, "We thought you were something else."
"Something else?" David questions, and then notices all the bodies, "Good God, what happened?"
"We didn't do it!" Sara says defensively, knowing what he's thinking, "They were already dead when we found them."
"I believe you," David says softly to her, gently cupping her chin in his hand.
Sara smiles at him as he gazes warmly into her eyes. Sylia breaks it up by clearing her throat.
"So, what are we going to do about him?" Sylia asks.
"What do you mean, what are we going to do about him?" Sara says standing up, glaring straight at Sylia.
"You know exactly what I mean," Sylia answers.
Sara lets out a smile, knowing what Sylia wants to do, and knowing it won't go through, considering she's the one in command.
"He'll come with us," Sara says coldly.
"What!?" The rest of the group exclaims.
"Does anybody have a problem with it?" Sara asks in authoritative tone, "If not, you can come with us, if you do, you can leave."
The group of Amazons just stands there, looking at her. They know Sara wouldn't say something like that unless she meant it. They all shake their heads, telling Sara that they don't have a problem with it. All except Sylia that is. She stares straight at Sara before glaring at David.
"Sylia?" Sara questions in a demanding tone.
"I don't have a problem with it, Sara," Sylia answers flatly, then turns and starts walking down the hall, "No problem at all. Let's go."
The rest of them follow Sylia down the corridor. Sara looks up at David.
"Why'd you come?" Sara asks, almost sounding desperate.
"Because I had to," David answers, "I can't let you go alone. I feared that something would happen to you, and I can't imagine my life the same without you."
"David," Sara whispers.
Fuu turns around and notices that Sara and David are just standing there, "Hey, are you two coming or not?"
Sara shakes her head suddenly, "Yes, hold up."
Sara runs to catch up with Fuu, with David by her side.
********************************
Deep within the depths of the base, a figure stirs from its sleep. The dim light reveals it to be a figure of a woman, or what was once a woman. She smiles to herself; she can sense their presence even this far down. She is growing one step closer to her goal. The day will come when she truly faces her sister in combat. There are a few things that she will need to draw her sister into the open.
"It shall be soon, dear sister," the figure says maliciously, "It shall be soon."
**********************************
Meanwhile, back at the Crystal Palace, Terra suddenly grabs her chest and nearly collapses. Edgar grabs her and helps her sit down in a chair. Star looks at her mother, frightened.
"Mom!" Star cries.
"Terra, what's wrong?" Edgar asks fearfully.
"Don't you feel it?" Terra whispers, "Something's wrong, terribly wrong.
Star and Edgar then both feel it, the dark ominous presence of evil, like death waiting to be served. Star feels frightened by it and shivers. Ness wraps his arms around her protectively, not understanding what's going on, as her father tries to seek where this presence is coming from. Ness holds her close, comforting her the best he can.
"Star?" Ness whispers to her.
Star's eyes have fear driven into them, and her whole body is shaking. Edgar looks at Terra, trying to calm her down despite the own fear running through him. Star's green eyes widen as she covers her mouth almost crying out.
"Star?" Ness asks nervously.
"Sara…" Star utters in a fearful whisper.
********************************
"Man! That took us forever!" Hikaru cries.
"No doubt! Sylia, what's so important down here?" Tira asks.
"Yeah, for real," Fuu motions, "I want to get home. This place is really giving me the creeps."
Sylia stares at the huge door in front of them. It took them an hour to find the hidden elevator that has now brought them under the base. She wonders if what she and Sara are searching for is behind this door.
"Chocolate?" Sylia asks, "Can you decode the lock for this door?"
"Sure," Chocolate answers, "Stand back."
Chocolate kneels down and links up her decoder to the door pad. After a couple minutes of searching through nearly infinite combinations, the lock color goes green, and the door slowly begins to open.
"Chocolate, the girl genius, strikes again!" Chocolate comments to herself.
"Chocolate, you're so awesome," Linna replies.
"Well, I am a genius," Chocolate says egostatistically.
"Oh my gosh," Nene says in disbelief, as the door opens.
A slight glowing light emanates from the room as four various tubes hold distinct figures. The Amazons and David stare in disbelief at this, wondering if the creatures inside the tubes are the ones from the legends.
"What is this?" Priss asks amazed.
"Mystical…" Sylia answers, drifting off.
"What!? Are you sure?" Priss says, starting to flip out in disbelief.
"Mystical creatures," Nene thinks to herself, "One of the keys to awakening Siren."
Meanwhile, Sara leaves David's side and walks towards one of the tubes. Her eyes seem to be glassed over. David makes a step towards her, but stops trying to figure out her strange behavior.
"Sara!?" David calls out to her, worried.
Sara continues to walk towards the tube, as if she doesn't hear a thing. Her steps are slow and carefully placed. Her white hair blows up in a slight invisible breeze that appears from nowhere.
"What's going on?" Nene cries.
"I don't know," Sylia whispers.
Sara stops directly in front of the tube that contains the form of some kind of creature. She slowly looks up at it as a sign flashes on her forehead. Not that of her tekka sign but of an odd-shaped and slender hexagon. Her birthmark, indicating not only of her destiny as a Crystal Warrior, but also as a member of Lunarian royal family.
"What's happening!?" Linna yells.
Linna points to Sara and the tube as the glow on her forehead brightens, and the figure seems to generate a flash of light. Almost all of their mouths drop open as the figure starts to move as the liquid that holds it glows. Then, all of sudden bit by bit; the tube begins to crack.
**********************************
Meanwhile, at the Crystal Palace, Cecil watches Rosa trying to console their daughter. Star has already left to bring back Sara and give one of her Space Knights a piece of her mind. She has said it will be easy to track them, since she has learned from previous experience, because she has the Blue Earth installed with a homing device that only she and D-boy know the signal to. All they have to do is go to the location of the Blue Earth and track them down from there, considering David is following Sara, which shouldn't be too hard since they probably didn't wander too far off.
Cecil turns and looks out at the moonlight dancing across the sky. Suddenly, images flash through his mind. Images of Sara, glowing, and crack on a tube, containing a familiar figure. Cecil slowly grips the armrest of his throne. Rosa and Terra both notice this and look at him, both startled.
"Father?" Terra questions.
"Cecil," Rosa speaks, "What's wrong?"
Cecil pays no attention to them and the images flash through his mind. Then, all of sudden they just disappear.
"Can it be?" Cecil thinks out loud, "Sachiel?"
******************************************
The figure senses something impossible. Then, she lets out a laugh.
"Hmmm…even if it's been awhile since she's been in contact with them, I can still smell my sister's scent," the figure giggles evilly, "And looks like we might have a little princess on my hands. Looks like I get to kill two birds with one stone."
She stands up, letting her arms fall to her sides. Her talon-like hands caked with the blood of her past victims.
"And hiding those disgusting things here; who would've thought that Pablochiva was keeping a secret like that from us, tsk, tsk, tsk."
*******************************
"Sara!" David cries out, as he watches the liquid leak out as the tube begins to crack more.
Sara pays no attention, her snow-white hair whipping violently in the still air. She blinks as the tube cracks and suddenly shatters into little pieces. She, suddenly, awakes from her trance and crosses her arms, covering her face, as the explosion from the tubs throws her backward.
"Sara!" David yells for her, pushing past Sylia and the other, and runs to her side, as she groggily tries to sit up.
"What happened?" Sara says, holding her head, as she leans back into David's arms.
"You freed me," says a masculine voice, causing them all to look up as the figure shakes itself free from the liquid.
"It looks like a cross between a unicorn and a flying horse," Sylia says.
"It's one of the mystical creatures like in the legend," Priss states in awe.
The stallion stands about sixteen hands high, with a shiny but wet black coat with angelic white mane and tail and a single, spiraled golden horn on his forehead. He jumps down from his pedestal, landing lightly on the floor. The creature spreads his black feathered wings, which makes David guess that his wingspan must be as twice as long as his body. They all stand in awe at the mystical magnificence before them.
Sara suddenly and slowly stands up, against David's wishes. She stares quietly as the creature she has just now given freedom.
"Do you have a name?" Sara asks.
"Don't we all?" the creature replies.
"Great," David says, "Now, it talks in riddles."
Sara glares at David before back at the creature, "I suppose so."
"You're quite young for being a person that has the power to awaken me. I have been asleep for a very long time. I assume you're one of Lady Star's generation." The creature says to her.
"Lady Star is my sister," Sara speaks to him, "How do you know her?"
"The last time I saw her was right after her birth, before I was captured," the creature replies, "Lady Sara."
"How did you know my name without asking me?" Sara inquires, intrigued.
"I could hear their voices when you were awakening me," the stallion answers.
"And what may I call you?" Sara asks.
"My name is Sachiel," he says.
"Sachiel, huh?" Sara smiles, Not bad, not bad at all.
Sachiel turns around, walking towards the other three tubes, "We must free the others, and we don't have much time."
"Well, considering that everyone was dead long before we got here, we have nothing to worry about. We have some time on our hands," Fuu states.
"What do you mean everyone was dead before you got here?" Sachiel asks in a demanding tone.
"We got here and everyone was ripped to shreds," Sara answers.
"We must hurry. Lady Sara, help me free the others. We have no time to waste. The Radam are most likely still around and maybe waiting for the time to attack," Sachiel says, heading towards the nearest tube with Sara in tow.
"Are you saying we walked into a Radam trap!?" Hikaru exclaims ballistically.
Sachiel ignores Hikaru's comments and looks at Sara, "You must close your eyes and concentrate. Call to them through your mind. Then they'll do the rest."
Sara nods, "Right."
Sara and Sachiel close their eyes and are enveloped in silence. Suddenly, the figures inside begin to move. Explosions happen one by one as the tubes shatter. Sachiel's horn glows and erects a shield around them both, protecting them from the flying shards, while the rest of the group ducks for cover.
A mare that's about the same size as Sachiel shakes her head, her coat snow white instead of black. She spreads her white wings, before leaping to their side, her black hooves making a soft clicking sound on the ground. She has the same color mane and tail as him, but lacks a horn.
"Lilith, are you all right?" Sachiel asks.
"Yes, I am quite fine," Lilith replies, "What about Shamshiel? He always the wobbly one."
"Am not!" an impatient black unicorn says, stamping his foot the ground.
"Shamshiel, quit whining," a beautiful white mare says, lacking the wings or horns that the other three have.
"Well, I love you too, Ramiel," Shamshiel retorts.
"Knock it off, we have to figure out a way out of here," Lilith replies.
"She's right. Does anybody remember how we got in here, Sachiel says, "Because it sure wasn't by that elevator."
As the Amazons just stare at the four creatures having a conversation between each other, David wonders if Anita has been slipping any kind of happy pills in his food, without him knowing it.
"That's true," Sara says, jumping in, "There must be a secret passage or something."
Sachiel wanders around a bit, before stopping, staring at the wall. He suddenly wheels around, looking at his surroundings. He, then, lowers his head, sniffing at the floor.
"What is it, Sachiel?" Sara says, walking over.
"I've found it," Sachiel answers.
"Found what?" Sara inquires, "The secret passage."
Sachiel nods, "I remember when I entered, that the equipment was in the same place in my memory when you face it from this wall. Besides, there's a draft coming from the bottom."
"Which means the switch must be around here, somewhere," Sylia says as she begins to feel the wall, "Okay, girls, just don't stand there and look pretty. Give me a hand."
They begin to search around the room for anything that resembles some kind of mechanism. Priss sighs, stops searching, and lays her hand against the wall, only to nearly crash into it, as her hand suddenly pushes something in. The whole wall that they've been staring at suddenly raises itself revealing a hidden corridor.
"Priss, you did it!" Nene exclaims.
"It's my natural talent, I guess," Priss answers.
"Sure is dark in there," Linna says.
"Not any more," Chocolate states as she turns on a flashlight.
"Chocolate, you're such a genius," Tira says.
"I know, I know," Chocolate replies.
"Let's go, you guys," Hikaru states.
"Yeah, this place is creepy enough without it being a Radam death trap," Fuu says.
Chocolate hands Sylia and Fuu flashlights before leading the party through the hidden corridor. Sara walks next to Sachiel and doesn't even notice David's presence, until he suddenly takes her hand in his. Sara nearly jumps, and she looks to her other side and sees David smiling softly down at her. She leans against him as they walk together. She clings to him, fear clenching her heart. David senses this and holds her close in comfort. Out of the corner of his eye, he thinks he sees Sachiel smile a bit.
Sylia looks back at Nene, who's shivering, "What's wrong with you?"
"I've got a really bad feeling about this," Nene says.
"There's a light up ahead," Linna says.
They all rush towards the light, only to find a huge cavern, with many tunnels on the upper levels, where they can't reach. The only tunnel they can access is the one straight across from them.
"Looks like that's the path we're going to follow," David states calmly.
"Sylia, I really don't like this," Priss tells her, which startles everyone, considering Priss doesn't get scared that often.
"I've been waiting for you all," a high-pitched voice of a young woman says.
The whole group takes defense positions, looking around carefully. David makes a mental note that the voice almost sounds like Yumi's. A small figure can be outlined from the shadows.
"What!?" Priss exclaims.
"Who are you?" Sylia demands.
"I'm your worst nightmare come true," the voice replies, "but you can call me Genesis Angel."
The figure jumps into the air, spreading her black angel wings, revealing the gray nude body with long flowing blonde hair. Her blue hands slender down into sharp claws. Her long narrow tails spread out like a fan behind, each one with a needle-like point on the end. She raises her head and opens her eyes, revealing their blue-green color.
"What is that?" David asks disgusted.
"A Radam," Lilith replies, "A true Radam, partly. I sense she's half and half."
Sara turns to look at her, "Are you saying she's half human, half Radam?"
"So a true Radam looks somewhat like this?" Sylia asks herself.
"Oooh, are you frightened?" Genesis Angel asks, laughing sarcastically, then gets a serious look and malicious smile on her face, "You should be."
"Priss get the others out," Sylia orders, "Sara and I will take care of this. Now go!"
"Sylia!" Priss calls out.
"Sachiel! Get out of here now!" Sara cries.
Sachiel nods, "All right, two of you on my back, now!"
"Priss, get out of here!" Sylia yells as she aims her laser rifle at Genesis Angel.
"Priss, let's go!" Nene yells, grabbing her, pushing her towards Sachiel.
Priss jumps on Sachiel's back, and pulls up Nene, as she watches Genesis Angel prepare for her attack.
"Hang on!" Sachiel yells, sprinting off as Genesis Angel gathers energy around, "Everyone follow me!"
Lilith is next to follow, with Linna and Chocolate riding on her, hanging on for dear life. Genesis Angel throws her hands up in the air, the energy reaching what seems critical mass.
"Hurry!" Shamshiel says, as Tira pulls Hikaru up.
"It's time to die!" Genesis Angel says and hurls the energy at the three.
Shamshiel barely moves out of the way with the added weight on him. He speeds off like a rocket before she can hurl something else at him. Sylia jumps up on a ledge, taking a shot at the monster with her gun. Genesis Angel easily dodges it.
"Sylia!" cries Fuu, resting atop Ramiel's back.
"Don't worry about us," Sara cries, "Get out of here!"
Ramiel takes off, and Fuu reaches down and grabs David by the collar, pulling him up like he is nothing but a grain of sand. Least to say, David is not happy by all this, but before he can do anything, Ramiel is out of the cavern and racing down the corridor.
"Sara!" David cries out, his voice echoing through the tunnels.
"Be good, David," Sara thinks, "I…I..I love you…"
She closes her eyes, as the wind blows around her, a rod appearing in front of her. Sara grasps the rod, taking a fighting stance. One would think that you can't do much damage with a weapon like that, but Sylia knows better. Sara is so skilled with her weapon she can cause more damage than Sylia can with her rifle.
"So, you two think you got what it takes to take me on, do you?" Genesis Angel says with a smirk.
"You bet," Sylia replies.
"Let's see what you got," Genesis Angel retorts.
"All right, then," Sara answers, "Bring it on."
"You asked for it," Genesis Angel says.
She flies upward in a spiral, as energy swirls around her. She gathers it in the palms of her hand. She reaches her hand back over her head, stretching the energy out until it forms into an arrow.
"Energy Arrow!" she screams as she lunges it at them both. Sylia and Sara both maneuver out of the way of the attack as it collides with the ground. They watch as the arrow bursts into an explosion shaking the whole cavern and creating a huge hole. Sylia lands, quickly raising her rifle, and fires. The shot skins Genesis Angel's arms and brazes her wing. She grasps her arm and growls. Sara jumps, spinning into a ball, and heads toward the wall. Just before crashing into it, she places her legs outward, and using her feet, bounces off the wall, using it as a springboard. Doing a front flip in mid-air, she brings her rod down, hard. Genesis Angel grabs it with her hand, blocking Sara from attacking, but she has already anticipated the block. With one clean sweep, she double kicks Genesis Angel, pushing her away, spinning while still in the air, and swinging her rod like a baseball bat. Genesis Angel, totally surprised, gets slammed in the head by the sheer force and goes flying. Dust rises as she smacks into the nearby wall. Sara slides backwards a bit as she lands on her feet and kneels. She looks up through the strands of her white hair, smiling and giggling slightly. Sara is like any Amazon, when combat does occur; she thrives on it. Genesis Angel stumbles up, screaming of pure fury.
"I think we made her mad," Sylia says wincing a bit, as Genesis Angel charges at her, but moves out of the way so only one of her tails slices her arm.
"Good," Sara replies, jumping onto a ledge as their attacker whirls around, "We'll have more fun that way."
"You two are starting to really get on my nerves," Genesis Angel growls, "And now you will die!"
Her blonde hair flies up as she closes her eyes; her body seems to glow in flashes as energy cascades through her. Sylia just glances over at Sara.
"This is your idea of fun?" Sylia asks sarcastically.
Sara slightly smiles as the glow disappears from Genesis Angel's body. Suddenly, a light twinkles between the two.
"Sylia!" Sara cries as she jumps away, "Watch out!"
Sylia just manages to jump away from the blast bursting through the ground. The whole force of their enemy's attack shakes the cavern, the rippling spreading through the corridor.
*****************************
"David, what are you doing? You should be back there, fighting along and protecting Sara. But, yet, you're running away. What the hell is wrong with you?" David thinks to himself.
He hears the sounds of the blast echo through the shaking corridors. He decides that he has to do something, he must go back. He looks around for a way to get off the sprinting Ramiel. Suddenly, he sees a root of a tree sticking out of the ceiling, coming up. In one quick motion, he reaches up and slides off Ramiel, hanging on to the root. Fuu looks behind her as Ramiel feels the sudden lift in weight.
"David!!" Fuu yells, trying to get Ramiel to turn around.
"Don't worry about me! Keep going! I'm going back!" David yells as he drops to the ground.
The last thing Fuu sees is David looking at her, before Ramiel turns around a corner. David turns and sprints back towards the cavern, to save the only woman he has ever truly cared about.
*****************************
Meanwhile, Sara and Sylia maneuver for their lives, as a giant crater grows from the geyser of energy. Suddenly, Sylia jumps back; just before one of Genesis Angel's attacks gets her. The sheer force of it, however, sends her flying backwards. She collides with the wall and slumps to the floor, unconscious.
"Sylia," Sara yells as she heads for her.
Sara looks down with wide eyes as she senses the oncoming attack. She points her hands towards the ground.
"Barrier Circle!" Sara yells as a shield of protection encases her.
The blast of energy shoots up, sending her flying upwards. Even with her spell protecting her, cuts and gashes appear to the power of Genesis Angel's attack. Due to the fact Genesis Angel's spell threw her upwards; her barrier disappears as she smacks into the ceiling. Blood drips down her face as she looses consciousness. She starts falling down to the ground as her attacker flies at her, preparing to literally rip out her throat. A green glow flashes from the corridor that Sachiel and the others fled down earlier, and Tekkaman Summer appears, grabbing Genesis Angel by the waist, and slamming her into the ground, stirring up rocks and dust. He quickly jumps back and catches Sara in his arms. He slowly kneels down, gently stroking her face. Her blood wipes off on his armored hands.
"Sara…" Summer says in a choked voice, as her white hair becomes stained with her blood.
He glares over at Genesis Angel, who's slowly getting up, surprised by all this. Sylia shakes her head, coming back to consciousness, and then looks over in horror as she sees Sara render motionless.
"Damn you…" Summers says in a dangerously low tone, and clenches his fist.
Sylia stares at Tekkaman Summer, entranced. A feeling suddenly wells up within her, a feeling she hasn't felt in a long time. The feeling she lost the day she lost the only man she ever loved, and their only child. She has never felt any kind of feeling after that. But, seeing how much David cares for Sara, and the feelings Sara returns to him, brings it all back. She had only argued with Sara because she was jealous and afraid, jealous that Sara had the ability to love and afraid that David would hurt Sara, the woman who is like a sister to her. Seeing Sara so close to having it all taken away from her, made Sylia feel angry. She knows now what she has to do, and the consequences that will come with it. Sylia jumps to her feet and shoots her rifle, hitting Genesis Angel in the arm. Genesis Angel recoils in pain. Sylia jumps in front of Tekkaman Summer and Sara.
"David, get Sara out of here, now," Sylia orders.
"What?" Summer says, taken back by Sylia's sudden confidence in him.
"Tell Sara, that our times in the past were good, and I'll never forget her," Sylia tells him. "She's my one true friend."
"Sylia!" Summer cries out, knowing what she's going to do, "Don't do it."
Sylia starts running towards their opponent, but glances back, "Don't worry, she'll understand. Be good to her, and tell her to be happy for my sake. You both made me be human again even if for a short while. Now, go before it's too late!"
Genesis Angel jumps up and charges at her. Sylia heads straight for her with a face that could scare death itself. Summer looks at her, before sprinting off, almost crying, and knowing how it's going to end for her.
"All right, you bitch," Sylia says with a growl, "Pay back time!"
Genesis Angel lets out a war cry, preparing to end the life of her challenger. Sylia holds out a Z-tron grenade and arms it. She smiles straight at her attacker.
"Let's see you escape this," Sylia says.
Genesis Angel knocks it out of her hands and head straight for her throat.
"Marron, I'll finally be coming back to you. And you too, my son, my Mackey."
************************
Tekkaman Summer sprints down the corridor, holding Sara close to him, as he hears a giant explosion.
"Sylia," Summer says to himself, "Thank you."
The corridors start to fall apart, and Summer sprints even faster. He knows that Sylia's life wouldn't mean much if he and Sara don't escape. A giant piece of dirt comes crashing down, and he leans forward, protecting Sara from the blow by taking it himself. He stumbles, but doesn't fall. Summer is off running again as soon as he regains his balance. He looks down at Sara's prone form.
"Hang on," Summer says in a worried tone, "We'll be out of this soon."
The moment he says that, part of the wall juts out almost smashing them both. As the whole base continues to crumble, he jumps out of the way, barely missing it. His senses being heightened in his tekkaman form, David hears a rumbling farther down the disorderly halls. The rumbling of an explosion seeking its way out. Just knowing that, Summer's adrenaline starts pumping, and the tekkaman runs like he never ran before. He looks ahead, seeing a dim light, which can only be the light of the moon. He jumps from place to place as he runs, expertly dodging the projectiles now flying from everywhere. Summer runs out of the tunnel and wastes no time heading straight into the skies, and minutes after he leaves the tunnels, fire engulfs the base. He jets towards where everyone is waiting. He softly lands and a glow surrounds him as he returns to his human form.
"Oh my gosh! Sara!" Priss says running towards them.
"What happened!?" Nene asks hysterically. "Where's Sylia?"
"Sylia is…" David starts but can't say it. "She didn't make it."
"NO!" Linna cries.
"Sylia…" Chocolate says, tears in her eyes while the others stand motionless.
"Sara needs help now. She's been hurt really bad," David says, fighting back the tears of his own, just by looking at her.
"Lay her down," Sachiel states, walking forward.
David complies and carefully lays her down, tears falling down his face. He calmly strokes her pale face with his thumb. Sachiel walks to her side, surveying her.
"Shamshiel, I'll need your help," Sachiel says, "We can heal her enough to keep her alive until help arrives. David, stand back."
David sits back and watches as Sachiel and Shamshiel lower their heads, touching Sara with their horns. A soft glow flows from them to Sara, as they begin the healing process. David watches, unable to do a thing, as Shamshiel and Sachiel try to help Sara stay alive. Priss and Nene sits down on either side of him, both grasping an arm, and using his shoulder to cry on. David doesn't even notice, all he notices is how pale Sara is. The moonlight shines through the clouds making Sara seem like a ghost to him. Lilith wraps one of her wings around the three in what is equivalent to a consoling hug. Ramiel looks down as the base collapsing in the breeze, and stamps one of her feet impatiently and flattens her ears. If the circumstances had been different, everyone would have noticed, due to the fact that Ramiel doesn't get irritated that much. Ramiel feels like something is wrong, like something is watching them. Suddenly, they hear the sounds of roaring engine coming closer. And almost all of them look up to see the Blue Earth Craft make a flyby. She spins around and prepares to land.
*****************************
"What are those?" Shara says, pointing to the creatures on the screen, "Are those…?"
"The mystical creatures," Cid says finishing for her.
Star takes a close look at them, before images flash through her mind. She holds her head, trying to untangle her thoughts. Ness places a hand on her shoulder, looking concerned.
"Star, what's wrong?" Ness asks.
"Sachiel?" Star says, a bit confused.
*******************************
There's movement among the burning rubble of the base. Dirt and rocks are pushed aside as a clawed blue hand surfaces. A gray colored figure slowly starts to crawl out of her hole. Her blue-green eyes flash maliciously as orange-colored blood oozes from her wounds.
"To think that a little girl thought she could destroy me with a toy."
*****************************
"Do you think she'll make it?" David asks quietly.
"There's a good possibility since help has arrived," Lilith consoles, "But there's always a chance…"
David nods slowly, understanding.
"You can't leave me, Sara," David says in a barely audible whisper.
When he tried to say the next words he wanted to say, they didn't come out. All he can do is say them in his mind. For it scared him, for all those he had cared about had died, killed in this everlasting war. Mom, Dad, Uncle Ringo, and now it seems the Sara might be taken as well. He wonders if he's cursed, cursed to wander alone for the rest of his tortured life. He can no longer speak the words he wants her to hear, afraid if he does, he'll lose her forever, another victim in this war. But still, they call out in his mind.
"I love you."
******************************
All you need is love.
-John Lennon
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