Apocalypse Battles: Stage I: Blind King

by Chief Aki

The sequel to the Awakening...Blade and the groups have reached Crystal Island only to find new allies and new and old enemies but now the mysterious Tekkaman Starlight appears to help Blade in his most desperate hour!

5. Revelations

Disclaimer:  All respectable characters are owned by their creators.  All other characters are owned by 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; yumi0@yahoo.com

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Enjoy yourself.  These are the good old days you're going to miss in the years ahead.

                                                                                                -Anonymous

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Episode V: Revelations

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"Sara!  You should be taking it easy!" David says, running towards Sara, who's walking from her bed.

"I'm fine, David," Sara comments back, but then loses her balance, and nearly falls, leaning on a table for support.

"See what I mean," David chides her, as he picks her up and carries her back to bed.

"How am I supposed to get stronger if I'm stuck in bed all the time," Sara complains, "I need to get moving and strengthen myself.  What if the Radam…"

David puts a finger to her lips, hushing her, "Don't worry; I'll take care of them."

"But, who's going to take care of you?"  Sara asks, concerned. "Who's going to watch your back?"

"Let me worry about that," David answers her, "You just concentrate on resting and getting better."

Sara replies by making a pouting face and David laughs.  It has been a week since the disaster at the base.  Sara's still recovering, but now has been moved from a hospital bed to the comfort of her own room.  David slightly rubs his jaw as she complains about her cabin fever, remembering the blow Star has socked him when she found him; Ness literally had to tear her off of him so she wouldn't kill him.  David, of course, admitted for the first time in his life that he deserved it.  Sara looks out the window, talking about all that she's missing, while David thinks back to an earlier conversation.

David had been sitting at Sara's bedside in the hospital when he heard the door open.  Thinking it was the Chief; he didn't even bother to turn around, but was surprised when he heard Mac's voice.

"Looks like you've been through hell," Mac said to him.

"I guess you could say that,' David replied depressingly.

"This isn't like you, to stand and watch over one woman," Mac responded, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" asked David, sounding a bit irritated.

"Well, you nearly bit Anita's head off when she came in here, and the David I've known is a fun loving guy," Mac replied. "So something's on your mind."

There was silence in the room as neither spoke for a moment.  Then, Mac made a bold statement.

"You love her, don't you?" Mac asked.

David looked up, startled for a moment.  Then, he got a sad look and turned back to watch her.

"I guess," David admitted, "but if she survives, will she feel the same about me?"

"There's only one way to find out," Mac told him.

"Yeah, but who wants a man like me," David said, "Look at who I am.  Will she accept me once she knows who, or better yet, what I am?"

"You know what I think?" Mac said, "I think that was just a covering, but Sara saw past that and saw who you really were, and you fell in love with her, right?"

David said nothing about Mac's comment.  Mac gazed from David to Sara.

"Mac?" David asked out of nowhere.

"Yeah?" Mac answered.

"Do you think people can change?" David inquired softly.

"Of course they can," Mac replied to him.

"What about me? Do you think I can?" David questioned.

"You know what I think?"  Mac responded, "I think you have already begun to change."

"But, even if I am, I'm not capable of love," David told the old man.

Mac stared at his back with his brown eyes, "Why would you think that?"

"Because everyone I love dies," David said, tears forming in his eyes, "I'm cursed…to be alone."

"Listen, I know what happened to your parents was tragic and it should have never happened to them or anyone there for that matter.  But your uncle knew the risks when he took this job, just like you did.  I knew him, he would have rather died heroically like he did fighting for what he believed, than sitting there, letting what happened happen.  At least, he tried to stop it and knew the possible consequences of his actions and faced them with dignity, not disgrace," Mac answered.

David put his head down, not saying a word.  Mac rested a hand on his shoulder.

"And besides," Mac continued, "It's only a curse if you let it."

David looked up at him, before Mac smiled at him reassuringly.

"Well, I have to be going," Mac said, walking away, "I'll check in on you two later.  Hang in there, David."

David turned back to Sara as the door closed.  He softly stroked the side of her face before he began to cry.

"David?" Sara asks, disturbing him from his thoughts.

"You sure are one strange girl, you know that?" David says, teasing her, "But…"

"But what?" Sara inquires, and looks at him with interest.

David looks away, "Nothing."

Sara looks at him, hoping he is going to say what she thinks he is going to or better yet, hoped.  Sara smiles, figuring out a way to find out.

"So…" Sara says, drawing the word out, "Anita's told me that you've gone from a player to a one woman man."

David looks at her, startled and unable to say anything.  In the back of his mind, he is planning different way to kill Anita for opening her big mouth.

"Is it true?"  Sara asks, interested.

"What exactly did she say?" David questions.

"She told me about how much of a player you used to be, but when you met this woman, you changed, and now it seems you're totally devoted to her."

David just blinks, trying to form the words he wants to say.

"That woman…she said it was…" Sara tells him, drifting off.

"Yeah?" David asks, the only word he manages to get out.

"She said that woman was me…" Sara says finally.

David sort of looks down, unable to make eye contact.  He wants to tell her so badly but the words for some reason can't seem to come out.  He finally lifts his head and gazes into her blue eyes.

"David?  Is it true?" Sara asks, her eyes lighting up in hope, "Do you…"

He answers her question the only way he can think of at that moment in time.  He leans forward and softly kisses her on the lips.  Sara is taken by surprise but is soon lost in the sweetness of it.  David finally pulls away, staring warmly at her.  She looks at him, blushing, with excitement and confusion.

"Does that answer your question?" he asks smiling.

"David," she whispers.

He looks away for a moment, wondering if he's living in a dream.  David wonders if she even accepts him for who he is, now that she knows his past.  She gently places her hand under his chin, and forces him to look at her.

"I don't care what you were in the past.  It's who you are now that counts," Sara tells him softly.

When she says that, David feels a great burden lift off his soul.  A burden he's been carrying around for years.  At last, his curse is broken…forever.

"Sara," he whispers and wraps his arms around her, drawing her close.

She looks up at him, and he can see the love in her eyes, the love that only she can give him, her and nobody else.  He lowers her head towards hers, his mouth drawing near hers.

"I…I love you," he says, just before he kisses her.

She wraps her arms around him, embracing both him and their kiss.  David has never taken such pleasure in just a kiss.  All the feeling that is in their kiss, none of the women David had slept with can amount to.  At the moment, David wants no one but Sara.  He doesn't want her for sex, like most women, just for her to be by his side.  The kiss is enough for him.  She is the one, the one that David has been searching for all this time.  The woman who understands and loves him for who he truly is.

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Shara Summers walks down one of the many halls in the Crystal Palace.  She sighs softly to herself.  Things aren't turning out so well for her after all.  She has talked to the Queen that morning and she is very upset about what happened to Sara and Sylia.  She demands to know what happened there, which is an answer that Shara can't give her.  She brushes a strand of her silver hair out of her face as she continues to walk.  Suddenly, Shara stops when she senses a familiar presence and looks up with her blue eyes to see Cid standing there, staring back at her with his baby blues. 

"Cid," Shara says softly.

"Don't blame yourself, Shara," Cid tells her, "There's nothing any of us could've done.  I'm sure Sylia knew what she was getting into."

"Yeah, but I should have watched for Sara also," Shara replies sadly.

"You're not responsible for what she does, and even if that's true, shouldn't be the other way around?  After all, you're the younger one."  Cid states.

"Yeah, but you know how reckless my cousin has always been," Shara speaks defensively.

"I know," Cid responds, walking towards her.

Shara scratches her head, "I don't know what to do anymore.  The Queen is so uptight about what happened."

Cid holds her in his arms, "She just worries about all of us.  She's grown up with all of us, and she considers us her friends.  We're all very dear to her.  Just like you are dear to me."

Shara smiles and lays her head on his chest, softly closing his eyes, "Cid Young, sometimes I don't know what to do with you."

Cid smiles, resting his head atop of hers.  His blond hair streaks across her silky silver hair.

"Sometimes, I don't even know what to do with myself," Cid replies.

"I probably should check on Sara," Shara whispers quietly.

"Yeah, let's go," Cid says warmly.

Shara and Cid part from their embrace and walk arm and arm to Sara's room.  Meanwhile, a figure steps a bit out from the shadows, strands of white hair covering his shadowed face, contemplating on the scene, he has just seen.  As the disappeared from view, the man steps out from the darkness into the light, revealing himself to be Edge.  He carefully watches the two, his dark eyes concentrating specifically on Cid.

"Young…" Edge whispers, closing his eyes.

His mind and soul seem to go back to another time, another place.  He slowly opens his eyes, a dulled pain held within him.

"…Fiala…" Edge says in deep emotion.

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Meanwhile, in the deep outer reaches of the solar system, the entire Radam fleet sits, not moving.  Beyond the orbit of Pluto and Charon, it waits for its next move, towards the decimation of life in this region of the Universe.  The Radam flagship, in the back of the fleet, has battles waging inside of its walls.

Inside a prison cell, a figure stirs from its corner.  It shows its face in the dim light, the long black hair dripping down, revealing itself to be Ariadne Summers. Yes, she is Ariadne Summers, or once was, and because of that she is sitting here.  How long, who knows, many questions run through her mind.  How is her sister behaving?  Where's Cain?  Is he all right?  Did her father hurt him?  She had not only disobeyed his orders, she had infuriated him with what he called lack of judgment.  She has made the best decision in her life.  A decision that has made her happy.  She thinks back to the most important part of her life so far.

She remembers being pulled through the gateway back onto the ship before she went unconsciousness.  When she woke up, she was in her father's throne room.  Cain and Hera were both unconscious at her side.  Why was her father dragging them into this?  They have done nothing wrong.

"Welcome back, Ariadne," her father said coldly.

"Thank you, Father," was all that Ariadne could manage to reply with.

He said nothing to her for a couple moments, just boring down on her with his eyes, those scrutinizing eyes.  Meanwhile, Cain and Hera were groggily waking up.  Cain looked up and saw Ariadne, and started to smile, but noticed the look on her face before staring straight at Golbez.

"Master," Cain said with his head bowed.

"Are you three just a bunch of incompetent fools!?" Golbez roared, "You can't even defeat a bunch of lousy tekkaman!"

"But, Father," Hera spoke up, "Those tekkaman outnumbered us two to one!"

"She does have a point," Cain said, agreeing with her for once, "There were six of them, and three of us."

Golbez just growled, which caused Cain and Hera to shut their mouths.  Ariadne started to tremble, knowing he hadn't even begun on her yet.  Cain looked at her, from the corner of his eye, worried, not knowing why she was trembling.  Golbez, now getting that out, gazed back at Ariadne, getting back to the main agenda.

"And as for you," Golbez stated calmly, which made Ariadne flinch, and had Hera have a look of fear in her eyes.

"Yes, Father," Ariadne answers, scared out of her wits.

"What were thinking when you summoned Narse!  You weren't supposed to summon her yet!  She was supposed to be a secret until the time is right.  Now because you did they know the type of powers we have!" Golbez yelled so loud, that probably everyone on the ship could probably hear him.

"Father," Ariadne started to say, defending herself, "I had to, I had to try to stop Starlight!"

Ariadne winced and braced herself as a sudden force flung her back like a rag doll.  She hit the wall with a thud, and slid to the ground.  She struggled to bring herself to her knees, gasping in pain.  She saw Cain stand up to face her father, and terror gripped her soul.  Hera looked at him like he was out of his mind.

"Golbez! Stop it!" Cain yelled, "She did nothing wrong!  We had to summon Narse!  It was our last resort!"

Golbez used his powers to pin Cain up against the ceiling, about to crush him with the intense pressure that was keeping him up there.  Hera looked at Cain in horror, before glancing up at her father.

"He's right!" Hera blurted out, "You weren't there so you didn't know what happened.  I know you can sense when Ariadne summons Narse, but that's it.  You have no clue what happened."

Golbez's eye narrowed at her, which caused Hera to recoil in fear, and said with sarcasm, "Will you care to enlighten me then?"

"She had to summon Narse because…." Hera said fearfully.

"Because…?"  Golbez asked, and waited for an answer.

"Because Starlight awoke Tiamat," Hera answered meekfully.

Golbez's eyes widened, "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive." Hera said calmly.

He carefully brought Cain down from the ceiling and turned away from them all. Hera stood up and walked slowly towards him, while Cain made his way back to Ariadne, helping her to her feet.

"You're just upset, aren't you, Father?"  Hera questioned, "Because King Cecil has an upper hand on Earth?"

"Leave me, Hera," Golbez told her, "I have much to think about."

"Yes, Father," Hera complied, relieved that she was able to calm her father's temper.

Ariadne sighs; remembering that memory, but soon recalls a more recent memory.  A smile spreads slowly across her face, even though it's the memory that put her here.  She had been standing in her quarters, looking out into the seemingly distant space in front of her.  She gazed from the ship to ship in her father's fleet, and through it all she caught a glimpse of the edge of this solar system.  A tiny moon circling a small planet.  She remembered the name of that moon.  Charon is what the people of Earth called it that circled the planet name Pluto.  His presence brought her back from her endless wanderings within the deep recesses of her mind.  She turned around, seconds before the door opened, knowing he was walking in.  The door slowly opened and Cain looked at her with his emerald eyes.

"Ariadne…"  Cain said softly, "Am I disturbing you?"

"No, not at all," Ariadne answered, "Come in."

Cain entered the room as her door closed behind him.  He slowly walked to her and embraced her in a tight hug.  She gladly returned the gesture.

"Are you all right?"  He whispered gently to her.

"I'm fine," she consoled, "What were you doing back there?  Trying to get yourself killed?"

"I…I don't know," Cain admitted, "I felt I had to protect you.  Maybe because I'm so deeply in love with you."

"Cain…" Ariadne said blushing. "You didn't have to do that.  You don't know how much I thought I was going to lose you today."

"You will never lose me," Cain told her, and held her close, "But sometimes I get scared that I'll lose you.  I've lost so much to my brother in this war."

"Don't worry about me," Ariadne soothed him, softly running her fingers through his hair, "Your brother won't take me from you, and you'll always have me.  But I'm afraid that time will take you from me."

"Why is that?" Cain asked, a bit hurt.

"Your life is so short compared to mine.  I can never age, never grow old," Ariadne answered sadly, "My father and mother are the same.  They've lived for hundreds of thousands of years, trapped within this war."

"Then let me be trapped with you," Cain told her, for which he receives a startled look, "I rather exist like them with you, then to die and be on the other side without you, if there's a way.

Ariadne hugged him tightly, closing her eyes, "There is a way,"

Cain held her close, "Marry me, and let me find that way."

"Marry you?" Ariadne said, gazing into his passionate green eyes, startled that he actually popped the question and that he knows about the ceremony. "But who would….?"

Suddenly, her door opened and a woman with blue eyes and long blue hair stepped in, and smiled, "I will do it."

"Andromeda?" Ariadne said, "How did you know…"

"Cain told me already," Andromeda replies, "I just want you to be happy.  Ariadne, you're the closest thing I have to a daughter.  It will be my honor to perform the ceremony."

Cain smiles, and looked at Ariadne, "So will you…"

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Ariadne answered him with a kiss.

Andromeda had already gathered everything they needed for a small wedding; obviously that woman was prepared for anything.  All of Ariadne and Cain's generals were there, with some lesser subordinates who knew about the two for a while, and were waiting for this eventuality.  Andromeda gave Ariadne a beautiful black and red dress to wear.

"Andromeda?" Ariadne asks in astonishment, "Where did you get everything?  How do you get arranged so quickly?"

Andromeda smiled, "That's one of my hidden talents; besides, and everyone out there helped me.  They all knew this would come eventually, and are very happy for you.  Now here, try this on.  This was supposed to my wedding dress, but…"

"But.." Ariadne inquired, "What happened?"

"He died," Andromeda said sadly, "Just a day before our wedding."

"I'm sorry," Ariadne quietly said.

"No, it's okay, besides I think he would be happy that I gave this to someone who really needed it and wanted it."

"Thank you so much," Ariadne hugged her.

"Now, hurry up and get dressed," Andromeda ordered, pushing her.

Ariadne came out a few minutes later in a strapless black dress, the bodice very form fitting, the top of it curved, exposing a bit of cleavage but not too much.  From her waist, the dress slowly begins to fan out decorated with red satin ribbon curling around it.

"Andromeda?" Ariadne asked in a confused voice.

"Yes, what is it?" Andromeda questioned.

"Isn't a wedding dress supposed to be white?"

"Yeah, but who in the Radam would wear a white wedding dress?"

"True."

The both ended up laughing, as Andromeda put Ariadne's hair up in a bun with tendrils falling around her face, surrounding them with red roses.

"Do Mother and Father know?" Ariadne asked out of the blue.

Andromeda sighed, "No, everyone is keeping hush hush about it.  They wouldn't be happy.  Your mother would, but…"

"Father wouldn't…" Ariadne said finishing, "He has never approved of anything I have done."

"Well, once this is over, there is nothing he can do to change it, right?" Andromeda said with a wink.

"You'll actually go up against him?" Ariadne asked with surprise.

"Let's just say we thought they were very busy and didn't hear your announcement of me performing it, okay, okay," Andromeda said, trying to cheer her up.

Ariadne looked at herself in the mirror, wondering how they would feel about his when they found out.  Then, she realized it is too late for them to say anything, for them to intervene, to stop her from what she truly wanted.  She smiled to herself; already know how special and glorious this day will be.  She would gain a love and be joined with the missing half of her and yet she will be given her freedom. Her independence.

"There," Andromeda finished, snapping Ariadne out of her thoughts, and gave her hug.

"Thank you," Ariadne whispered tearfully.

"Now, don't you dare cry on me!"  Andromeda yelled at her, smiling.

"Right," Ariadne smiled, and nodded.

"I have to go to the altar, and make sure everything is all set," Andromeda said, bounding off, closing the door behind her.

Ariadne watched her go before turning to look back at herself in the mirror.  She wondered if she should be doing this, nearly diving into the wrath of her father.  She shook her head, and told herself that this is what she wants.  Her love for Cain will come first, and nothing will stop her, not even her own father.  Then a knock on the door came, nearly scaring her out of her wits.

"Yes?" Ariadne called out weakly.

"It's time," a man's voice said through the door.

Ariadne took a deep breath and walked for the door.  She stood before it, looking at it carefully, knowing the next time she steps through this doorway; she will no longer be Ariadne Summers.  The door opened and a young man with gold eyes and black hair stared back at her.

"Narcissus," Ariadne said in a whispered breath.

Narcissus smiles back at her as she remembered clearly who he was.  He was one of Cain's generals in his army of tekkamen.

"Nervous?" Narcissus asked, teasing her a bit.

"Like hell," Ariadne replied.

Narcissus held out his arm, "Ready?"

Ariadne nodded, and took his arm, "Let's go."

Both of them stood in front of a huge doorway, which would eventually lead into a banquet room.  The doors slowly opened and everyone turned to look at the two, and gasped in amazement.  Ariadne gazed straight up at the aisle and saw Cain's face, knowing she had taken his breath away, just by the look he had.

She and Narcissus slowly proceeded down the aisle, as everyone looked in amazement.  She could feel the nervousness cascade through her entire body. She felt Narcissus' arm pull away from her and slowly climbed the steps to Cain's side.  His eyes moved up and down, taking in every inch of her, which almost caused her to laugh.  Ariadne looked back at her maid of honor, Veda, her head general, whose blue eyes were almost filled with tears, only to be covered up by her strands of black hair.  She carefully looked over Cain's shoulder, to see a man by the name of Mayon, his white eyes looked from his leader to his leader's soon-to-be Queen, and brushed a strand of blond hair out of his face.  Obviously, he was Cain's best man.  Finally, her eyes traveled to Cain, who looked so ravishly handsome in a black tuxedo.  He softly smiled to her, as they seemed to gaze at each other forever.  Andromeda looks at the two, smiling.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today," Andromeda started to say, but everything seemed to just roll by Ariadne, and she didn't hear a thing.  She gazed at Cain, absorbed in the moment.

"Drink from this cup, was the next thing Ariadne heard Andromeda say, which caused Cain to look away, breaking Ariadne from her moment.

Andromeda handed Cain a cup made of gold.  The liquid smelled of sweet wine, which it was, mixed with drops of Ariadne's eternal blood.  Cain raised the cup to his lips and took a sip.  Then, he handed the cup to her, watching her with his warm green eyes.  She took the cup with both hands and brought it to her ruby lips, then passed it back to Andromeda.

"Now, the rings, please," Andromeda said calmly with a smile.

Ariadne turns to see one of her generals, Ravi, holding out a ring.  She looked into his purple eyes that matched the color of his hair as he nodded at her.  She took the ring in her hand, and studied it for a moment.  A simple gold band that it was and she wondered where this came from.  Out of the corner of her eyes, she thought she saw Andromeda crying from just looking at it.  She gazed at Cain, who was smiling at her, his emerald eyes radiating of love. She flashed the band in front of him with a smile.

"With this ring, I be wed," Ariadne said, for Andromeda drilled it into her head a mere hour before, "To love and cherish.  For better or worse.  In sickness or health, for all eternity, til death to us part.  Cain Carter, do you accept this ring as a token of my undying love?"

"I do," Cain said with a smile and no hesitation.

She slipped the band on the ring finger of his left hand.  After that was done, a young woman approached Cain, her amber eyes glittering at Ariadne in happiness.  Her long green hair swished as she turned her head towards Cain, handing him a gold-banded ring, holding a blood red ruby, surrounded by shimmering diamonds.  Ariadne took one look at it, and thought she was going to pass out.

"Thank you, Hestia," she heard Cain say quickly in a mind link, which the girl backed off, nodding in reply.

Cain turned his gaze back to Ariadne, now his turn to flash the ring in front of her. Her dark eyes followed its every movement in anticipation.

"With this ring, I be wed," Cain said, starting to repeat her words, "To love and cherish. For better or worse.  In sickness or health, til death to us part.  I pledge my love for all eternity.  Ariadne Summers, do you accept this ring as a token of my faithful and eternal love?"

Ariadne's eyes started to fill with tears as she smiled, "I do."

He smiled at her lovingly as she slipped the ring on her finger.  A tear of happiness rolled down Ariadne's cheek as she watched him.  Andromeda watched, beaming.  She took a glance at each one, and then looked out at the audience for a moment, before turning back to Cain.

"You may now kiss the bride," Andromeda said, trying to contain all her excitement and joy.

Cain's face had slowly made his way towards hers.  Apprehension was heavy in the air, as all quieted for this sacred moment.  A soft, gentle kiss sealed their union.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Andromeda said very happily, but had sudden look in her eyes that was unnoticed by the new couple and the overjoyed congregation.  She had felt "him" coming, but it was already too late for him to stop anything.  Ariadne looked up at her, and grew concerned, which caused Cain to look at Andromeda as well.

"What is it?" Ariadne asked, worried.

Her question was answered as they turned to see their friends and subordinates run and duck for cover.  The doors flew open and Golbez stalked in, obviously just finding out and furious.  Ariadne looked at her father in fear as Cain held her close, protecting her, as Golbez stared at them both with cold blue eyes.

Ariadne smiles wistfully.  Yes, she was once Ariadne Summers, but that girl is no longer, she is gone.  Now, there only exists a woman in her place by the name of Ariadne Carter.  She hears footsteps coming now in the distance, and opens her eyes, as they grow closer.  She looks up as the door opens and she sees Andromeda gazing at her with painful blue eyes.  She wonders what tortures and punishments had been dealt to her for what she had done.  Her body didn't show any marks, but her eyes showed all the pain.  Ariadne wonders why Andromeda hadn't been killed.  Could it be her mother somehow intervened, being Andromeda's closest friend?

"Ariadne," Andromeda says sadly, "Your father wishes to see you."

"I knew he would eventually," Ariadne now says, standing up, walking towards her.

"Follow me," was all that Andromeda can say, before leading Ariadne out of her prison.

"Andromeda?" Ariadne asks as they walk down the hall to her father's room, "Can you tell me one thing?"

"What is it?" Andromeda weakly asks.

"Is Cain…" Ariadne starts to say, "Is he all right?"

"All I know," Andromeda states, "Is that he's alive."

Ariadne nods, courage filling her heart, as a look of raging flame shine through the dark brown eyes.  Knowing that Cain is alive is enough strength for her to face her father.  They stop in front of the big chamber doors that lead to her father's throne room, and Andromeda places her hand on Ariadne's shoulder as if almost wishing her luck.  She doesn't even look back as the doors open and she steps bravely inside.  She turns to see the doors close behind her, before she turns and sees her father staring at her.

"It's nice to see you too, my daughter," Golbez says maliciously, "Oh, and I brought your little friend.

Cain appears from the darkness and falls to the ground.  She rushes to his side, holding him in her arms.  She looks at the bruises and the cut and the blood that has dried on his forehead.  Tears swell into her eyes, knowing what he must have went through to look this bad.

"Cain," Ariadne says tearfully.

"I'm all right," Cain says painfully, "Really, I am."

Ariadne looks up at Golbez, rage burning in her eyes, "Why? Why are you doing this?"

"I did this for your own good, Ariadne," Golbez answered, "You need to be taught this lesson."

"Why are you always making my decisions for me!  I'm not a child!  I'm grown up; I'm an adult!!  I can make my own choices, my own decisions!" Ariadne screams.

"Yeah, I've already seen the type of decisions you can make," Golbez retorts.

"You don't understand!!" Ariadne yells so furiously, it causes her father to blink. "I love Cain, and there's nothing that will change that!"

Golbez growls, "Must I show you where your loyalties lie!  Shadow Bomb!"

Ariadne raises her hands, "Lightning Ball Conform!"

Both energies explode, canceling each other out; the smoke hisses as father and daughter stare at each other.

"Nice one, daughter," Golbez snips. "Your magic is strong."

"You should know, you're the one who taught me," Ariadne snaps back.

"Yes, that's true, and that's why you'll never win against me!  Lightning Bolt Assault!" Golbez yells as streaks of lightning head towards Ariadne.

Ariadne gasps, but Cain summons the strength to stand up and stands in front of her, using his own body as shield.  Ariadne falls to the ground, as he pushes her away.

"Cain!" Ariadne screams.

"Barrier Circle!" a woman's voice cries as shield erects over them, and lightning passes by harmlessly.

Ariadne turns around, looking behind her, as she sees Acacia appear, holding up her staff.

"Your Majesty," Cain says weakly.

"Mother," Ariadne whispers.

"Golbez, that is enough!"  Acacia yells, "I know you're angry, so am I.  But at least I understand; I would have done the same thing under her circumstances.  And if you insist to try it again, you'll have to go through me.  So I suggest you back down, unless you feel like killing your own wife today."

"Acacia, don't interfere," Golbez warns, a bit of hesitation in his voice.

"I have to.  Ariadne is my daughter too, you know," Acacia growls.

Husband and wife stare straight into each other's eyes, not backing down from one another.  Ariadne stares frightened at her parents as she holds Cain, who's now fallen to his knees, in her arms.  Cain wonders what exactly going on.

Golbez suddenly turns away from her, unable to look at his wife any longer, not daring to even look at her or Ariadne and Cain.  Acacia throws her head back and laughs.

"It's hard for you to admit isn't it?  You're losing control; the children are growing and walking their own paths.  You cannot choose for them any longer, and you hate it.  You've always been the center of everything, or have tried to have been, my dear husband.  But the more you try, the more you lose it.  Look at what happened here.  It's time to step back," Acacia points out. "Time to step back and let destiny unfold.  Don't push everyone away.  What we've worked for is now set in motion, it's all right."

Golbez lowers his head, not saying a word.  Ariadne looks at her mother, wondering if every word she said was true.  She had never thought her father might be scared of losing everything.  She looks at him as he turns around, staring at her sadly.  It is then, that she sees the truth, that he is afraid.

"Father," Ariadne says softly, "I'm sorry."

"No, it is I that should be asking for forgiveness," Golbez admits, "I can't believe what I almost did."

"It's okay, Father," Ariadne answers him.

Golbez actually smiles for once and looks from his daughter to Cain.

"You really do love him," he whispers.

She replies to her father with a nod, as she keeps holding Cain in her arms.  Golbez closes his blue eyes and motions for them to go, as if nothing had happened.  Ariadne looks at him for a moment before her and Cain slowly walk away.

When they reach their room, Cain looks down at her.

"What was that all about?" Cain asks confused.

"I…I don't know," Ariadne answers, "He just changed suddenly.  I think he realized what he's been doing.  Are you okay?"

"Yes, just some scratches," Cain says with a smile, "Nothing I can't handle.

Ariadne smiles to herself.  She looks around at their new quarters, observing all the things that were now in it.  Mother and Andromeda somehow managed to move all their things in here.  She gazes at the bed and remembers the first time she had shared herself with him, back on Earth.  Then, Ariadne looks at a corner, which lays bare.  For a minute, she thinks she sees an image of something that the future could lay near.  She thinks back to the obvious signs she has encountered in the past few days.

"Room enough for two," Cain says, holding her, "Isn't it?"

"Yeah," Ariadne nods, then looks up at him, "But do you think there'll be room enough for three?"

******************************************

"Lady Shara!" a woman's voice cries out, making Shara turn around, seeing that it's Priss.

"Priss," Shara says, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, have you seen Cid?"  Priss asks her.

"Why?" Shara inquires, "Did something happen?"

"Some of his generals have just arrived on the last ship, that's all," Priss answers.

"He's around somewhere.  He said he had some business to take care of," Shara replies. "I'm sure we'll find him.  Where should I tell him to meet?"

Priss looks at her strangely, "Right now, they're on the Eternal Harvest."

"Good, thank you," Shara tells her, "That's all."

Priss walks, but stops and looks back at her one more time, then takes off.  Shara closes her eyes and concentrates.  She seeks out his presence, and calls his name mentally.  Her thoughts travel through the streams of consciousness until she feels his presence.

"Cid," she calls out to him.

"Shara," Cid answers her.

"Where are you?" Shara asks, before a familiar presence becomes known, "Oh, Siren, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to disturb…"

"It's okay, child," Siren answers calmly in her mind, her voice sounding young and naïve, but the way she speaks reveals the experiences she has obviously had through her life, "Is there something wrong, Shara?"

"No, not really," Shara replies, "The Eternal Harvest is here."

"Oh," Cid replies, "All right.  Siren, may we continue this later?"

Shara bites her lip, he sounds a bit irritated.  She must have interrupted something important.

"Yes, we shall; I'll be here waiting when you need me.  Goodbye, my children," Siren speaks quietly, before her presence within their minds disappears.

"Cid, I'm sorry," Shara apologizes as their minds are still linked together.

"It's all right," he sighs, "It can wait till another day."

"You should've told me to wait until you were done," Shara comments, and then gets curious, 'but what was it?"

"Nothing, she was going to give me some more information about my father, nothing more, nothing less."

Shara almost feels like she is going to cry.  She knows how important any information about that is to him.

"Cid…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…" she sniffles.

"Shara, don't cry," Cid consoles, "It's okay, really, baby."

"But she was going to give some information about your father.  I shouldn't have tried to find you.  I'm really sorry," Shara says tearfully, starting to cry, and severs her link with him.

Cid opens his eyes, looking down at a field of amaryllis from the cliff he is standing on. The cool breeze tugs at his wavy blond hair.

"Shara!" he says exasperated.

He shakes his head, wondering why she does this.  The last thing he wants is for her to be upset.  He wants to go find her, but he knows he has to get to the Eternal Harvest.  Maybe, when he comes back, she'll be calmed down by then.  He sighs; hating his job, for making him put things back that should be first.

He quickly walks to the landing docks of Crystal Island.  He stops gazing up at the terraces leading up to the palace.  He gazes around at what once was a deserted city, the buildings seemingly made of the same material as the palace, now being taken over by the new occupants of the city, most of them Amazons or refugee Space Knights.  Crystal Bay, as the city was called, was like a diamond surrounded by a field of emeralds.

He turns and sees the gigantic bay leading out into the ocean.  They often call it Leviathan's Playground.  He watches as construction robots submerge underwater to begin on the new Commander Center under Star's orders, after severely chewing out her man for what happened to her last pride and joy.  She proclaims that this one will be bigger and better than ever.  He's never seen a woman so excited by her work, except for Sara, so it's obvious it runs in the family.  He guesses they get it from their father, who as of the moment is helping his eldest daughter with her plans, being the expert engineer that he is.  Cid then continues heading towards the landing docks.  When he reaches them, he sees a small cruiser, which he recognizes immediately as the Eternal Harvest.

"Looking for me?" a woman's voice call out to him.

Cid turns to see a blue-eyed woman, staring at him, with a hand on her hip.  Her blonde hair falls a bit past her shoulder and an amused smile shows on her face.

"It's been awhile," Cid tells her.

"Yes, it has," the woman replies.

"General Tsukino!" a familiar voice cries.

They both turn and see Nene running towards them.  When she reaches them, she quickly salutes.

"They're all ready to go," Nene tells her.

"Good, tell them they may go ahead, and leave when they wish.  You're going with them, Nene?" Tsukino asks.

"Yeah, we all have to restart somewhere," Nene says sadly.

General Tsukino lays a hand on Nene's shoulder, "Good luck."

"Thank you," Nene says, before taking off to catch her ship.

"I never knew you to have such a kind heart, Sonya," a man says, approaching both her and Cid.

"Curtis Mizuno, you're one to talk," Sonya quips back, staring straight into the man's blue eyes. 

Curtis runs his fingers through his short red hair, "Yeah, I know."

"I see you two haven't changed," Cid says smiling, "Where's Luke?"

"I haven't seen Mister Hino since we got here," Curtis says with an amused look on his face, "Knowing him, he's probably chasing Kino around."

Both men end up laughing, and Sonya rolls her eyes.  Curtis shakes his head at her.

"Lighten up, Sonya," Curtis tells her.

Sonya turns her head and sees two distinct figures. "Speak of the devil."

Cid and Curtis turn to see a man and a woman approaching them.  The man walks proudly, his jet black hair whipping in the breeze.  The woman brushes back strands of long brown hair.

"Hey, Luke, where you've been?"  Curtis asks with an innocent smile.

"Just walking with Kita," Luke answers, ignoring Curtis' smile, and the meaning behind the question.

"Cid, it's been a long time," Kita says, "Where's Shara?"

"She's sort of upset right now," Cid answers with a sigh.

"Now what did you do?" Sonya demands.

"Nothing," Cid says. I was talking to Siren when she contacted me, and she didn't know, and now she thinks I'm mad at her."

"Maybe one of us, should talk to her, right Sonya?" Kita says looking over at the blonde woman, who nods back.

"But first, is finding her," Sonya states.

*******************

"Mac, are you sure these are the latest reports?"  Star asks with a confused look on her face.

"Aye, Chief, those just came in from the last of our satellites hours ago, before it was destroyed," Mac answers her calmly.

"What was the position of the satellite?" Ness asks, looking at the report with her.

"The last signal indicated it was in space between the Neptunian moons and Pluto." Mac states. "Their position is just outside the orbit of Pluto and its moon Charon, but they don't seem to moving much. The satellite got too close and it was destroyed."

"Great, now we're blind," Star sighs, sitting down, and Ness comforts her by gently rubbing her shoulders, "but why are they sitting there?  What's going on?  And more specifically, what are they planning?"

"There's no use thinking about it," Mac says to Star's disdain, "All we can do is to be alert and try to prepare as much as possible."

"So, basically back to where we were in the beginning," Star says, and in frustration throws the report across the room. "I can't believe this shit!"

Star grits her teeth, trying to find something say, but can't and in the end, just screams in frustration.  Ness just looks at her, knowing when it's better to back off.

"What about the military?" Ness asks, trying to change the subject a bit, "We know that they're in league with the Radam.  Most of the fleet is in space with the Radam at this moment, but I'm sure that there has to be some groups scattered here and there."

"There are, but their forces are hard to pinpoint.  There is no way of knowing what their positions are." Mac reports.

"Great.  Not only are we blind, we're clueless," Star growls before pounding her fist into the counsel. "Damn it!  Why does every time we go a step forward we take about ten million frickin' steps backward."

"Star?" Ness asks, "What's wrong?" You haven't been acting yourself lately."

"Nothing," Star answers, brushing him off, "Nothing at all."

"Yes, there is Star," Mac tells her and takes Ness' side, "You've been acting like this ever since your sister got hurt.  We know you're upset, but don't let your emotions totally rule your judgment."

"I'm over that," Star sighs, "What bugs me is how she got hurt.  Didn't you notice that no one and I mean no one wants to talks about it?  None of the girls Sara was with, or David, or even Sachiel and the others.  Sachiel and Cecil have been talking in hushed whispers for days.  Don't you think it's a bit odd, that they got all the way down to the hidden compartments of the base, with only one causality?  You would think going up against an entire base; there would be more deaths.  But, there's only one.  They're hiding something, and that's got me worried."

"There's nothing we can do until they tell us, Star," Ness soothes her, "We have to focus on other things."

"I know," Star admits, "So, how will we know when these stranded military groups will…"

Suddenly, the alarms interrupt her sentence.  She turns on the main screen and a squadron of sol tekka and military ships are approaching.  She drops her head.

"Me and my big mouth," Star says.

Terra rushes into the room, checking out the screen.  She brings up the holographic grid of the island in the middle of the room, showing three more squadrons approaching from different directions.

"I'll stay here and coordinate the attack," Cecil says, appearing from nowhere, "The rest of you get out there now."

"Don't worry, the numbers aren't as bad as they were before, keep up communications with each other, so you know what's going on at all times," Rosa tells them, and puts on her headset.

"Star, get your Space Knights together, and have them attack the head squadron," Kain says, "I'm sure the Amazons will take care of the rest.  The rest of you come with me, most likely they'll head for the city first.  Make sure the civilians are safe."

Kain and his group take off as Star punches through to the launch bays.  Anita's face appears on the screen.

"Anita, get as many pilots up as you can!  We'll be out in a moment," Star orders.

"Roger, Chief," Anita replies, before disappearing from the screen.

Star looks up at Ness, "Let's go."

****************

Cid and the others in the city, watch as the battle quickly intensifies.  They quickly drop from view as military troops drop from the sky.  They quickly infest the city with their vile presence.  Cid isn't concerned with them, he feels uneasy.  Something is wrong with all of this.  Some strange presence makes his stomach turn but he can't sense where it's from.

"You think you guys can take them?"  Cid questions.

"Think?  We know," Sonya replies, "Boys like them are too easy.  What's wrong Cid?"

"I need to check something out," Cid answers, "This doesn't feel right."

"Right, you go ahead," Curtis tells him, "We'll take care of these imbeciles.  Let's surround them."

All four of them jut into the shadows, and disappear from view.  Cid runs off, seeking the reason of his uneasiness.

Battle cries rise and fall through the air like rolling waves of the sea.  In the midst, a young woman reaches out to protect a young child alone in the streets, only to become a target of a murderous soldier.  She cries out as the soldier takes aim and tries to shelter the child from the view.  But before the man can strike, he is kicked aside and through a window.  A figure flips through the air, landing in front of the two, her long brown hair flinging the wind and her deep brown eyes gazing with a bloodthirsty look on them.

"General Kino!" the woman cries out happily.

"Get out of here," Kita says as she whips out two sticks and with a flick of her wrists, they spread out into two razor sharp metallic fans.

The woman complies and takes off running for her life.  Kita's eyes narrow as she smiles mischievously.  She jumps into the air, letting out a laugh that puts the fear of God into any nonreligious man.  She twists her body, swinging her arm, and lets go of one of her fans, and then spins around counterclockwise, letting go of the other.  Her fans cut through bone and flesh, causing screams of pain and anguish.  She catches them as they return to her.  Landing on her feet, she flings the blood off of them onto the ground.  Luke jumps down from his hiding place.  A soldier looks up, just moments before Luke flings his spear down, hitting the man through the head, the soldier's brains splattering on the street.   Using his legs, Luke pushes off the man's chest as he falls, flipping in mid-air, as the soldiers try their best to shoot him, amazed by the sheer strength in his eloquent moves.  He places his feet on the wall of the building and pushes of, heading back towards the group.  He swings his spear so the tip slices a soldier's neck, and the butt of it hits a soldier in the head causing them to fall to the ground.  Curtis runs in from the opposite side, holding a soldier by the neck with a club.  With one effortless movement he breaks his enemy's neck.  Two soldiers rush at him as he eliminates one of their kind.  He kicks one soldier and quickly throws the lifeless body at the other, knocking him over.  The remaining soldiers take shots at him, but he springs into a one-handed flip and whirls out his laser gun and skillfully shoots his targets.  Kita, Luke and Curtis disappear from the battle as quickly as they had appeared.  A figure quickly moves from place to place, keeping them from focusing on a target.  Sonya suddenly slides in from an alley, a machinegun in hand.  With a smile, she lets loose rounds of laser fire, quickly destroying what's left of this ragtag group of scoundrels.  Sonya looks up into the sky to see an emerald streak cutting across the sky, before turning to others.

"Let's take care of the rest of these military bastards!" Sonya exclaims as all nod in approval before all of them take off into the glorious flames of battle.

*************************

Tekkaman Scimitar soars through the sky, in search of his uneasy feeling.  He feels a very weird presence, a very disturbed presence.  He makes a sudden correction in his course.  Suddenly, a black comet cuts across the afternoon sky, speeding away in the direction he has been heading in.  The tekkaman is relentless in its pursuit of whatever it's after.

"Shara," Scimitar says softly, knowing she senses it as well.

Scimitar chases after Rapier, knowing she's heading for the very same thing as he is.  A lone figure watches them from the forest as they speed above and lets out an evil giggle.  The ones she wanted had come at last, the ones like her.  They had both walked into her trap.

**************************

Sara sees the battle unfold in her room.  She slowly slips out of bed, heading to the balcony door.  She quickly glances around before opening it and stepping out into the raging world.  She grasps her emerald tekka crystal in her hand tightly.  David had left her earlier but told her to stay in bed, but she has a feeling that something is wrong, and that she's needed.  She raises her crystal into the air, and takes to the sky as a brilliant green streak of light.

Moments later, David enters the room, only to find her missing.  His eyes catch that the balcony door is open and runs to it, seeing a green comet grace the skies.

"Damn it!" David says, as his crystal appears, "Tekk Setter!"

The form of Tekkaman Summer is seen taking flight.  He roars through the skies in search of his love.

Winter heads in the same direction as Rapier and Scimitar had, sensing their presence, and feels Summer behind her, catching up.  She flies even faster, catching up with Rapier and Scimitar as they suddenly stop, flying back as some type of figure shoots up from the forest below.  Summer, given this time, is able to catch up to her and grabs her.

"What are you doing?"  Summer asks but Winter just stares in the direction of Rapier and Scimitar as if glued.

"On my…" Winter says, unable to finish the sentence.

Summer, then glances in the direction Summer is looking in, "No way."

"Surprise, surprise," says the creature that looks too familiar to them both.

"It can't be," Winter replies, "Sylia…"

"Genesis Angel," Summer whispers.

"You know this thing?" Rapier asks astonished.

"It killed Sylia," Winter admits.

Scimitar looks straight at Genesis, she looks so different, so familiar.  He can't place it, but he knows she reminds him of someone.  There are a couple scars and cuts that are reminders of her last battle.  Obviously, due to the short amount of time between battles, she must have quick regenerative capabilities.

"Awwww…" Genesis Angel says smugly, "Don't tell me you don't want to play."

"They might not, but I will," says Rapier, taking up her challenge.

"My, my, how enthusiastic you are!"  Genesis Angel replies mockingly, "Let's see how enthusiastic you'll be once I'm done with you!"

Rapier brandishes her sword, preparing for battle.  Genesis Angel's eyes flash violently, and she spreads out her wings fully.  Scimitar takes out a sword, hovering by Rapier's side.

"How heroic!  You wish to protect my sister!" Genesis Angel laughs evilly, leaving them all confused, "I guess you all must have a death wish."

"Sister!?" Summer questions.

Genesis Angel eyes the Crystal Palace, knowing her sister is deep asleep inside.  Scimitar, deciding to kill first, ask questions later, charges at her, raising her sword.  Genesis Angel, without casting a glance, grabs his sword by the hand, startling everyone there but her.  The orange blood oozes from the sliced hand as she swings Scimitar carelessly aside like he was a fly.  A cloud of dust indicates his embrace with the soil.

"Scimitar!"  Rapier cries, then looks at Genesis growling.

"Oh, I'm so scared," their enemy cries sarcastically, a hand on her hip.

Suddenly, both figures take flight, gracing the skies with their battle-raging cries.  Rapier charges at her, swinging her sword.  She catches the tip of her wing.  Angel winces and grabs her by the arm, digging in her claws.  Rapier retaliates by slicing deeply into Angel's arm with her other sword before pushing her away.  Genesis Angel flies up, gathering energy in her hands.  Winter gasps and knows what she's going to do.

"Everyone, get out of the way!" Winter cries out.

"Energy Arrow!" Genesis Angel screams, letting loose a blast of energy.

Winter and Summer take flight away from the energy.  Rapier barely dodges it, but is knocked away when the energy implodes with the ground, creating a huge blast.  Summer and Winter look away from the blast, due to the bright light it creates.  Genesis Angel seems to pay no attention to Rapier, who struggle to stand up from her impact crater, and stares at the two remaining tekkamen.

"Please, c'mon guys, this is too easy," Genesis Angel says as fire spirals around her.

Summer stands in front of Winter, protectively.  Their enemy laughs maniacally as the fire spirals faster and faster.

"Fire Arrow!" she screams as streams of fire spurt out at the two.

Summer, in one quick motion, throws Winter out of the way, before taking the full brunt of the attack.  Summer cries out in pain as he falls to the ground, his armor seeming to be smoking from the intense heat of the flames it endured.  The sheer force seems to break away pieces of his armor.  He struggles to get up as Winter sprints towards him.  Genesis Angel quickly spots this as she swings her arms upward as streaks of water follow.  She flings her arms straight out in front of her.  The water flows forth, growing larger.

"Water Dragon!" she screams as the water takes the form of a dragon.

Winter looks at it frozen, as it flings towards her.  The impact is so great; she flies backwards, tearing through several trees in the forest, leaving a wake of destruction.  She moans, struggling to get up, but can't move.  Summer weakly tries to get himself up in an effort to protect her.  He can't believe how much stronger she has become.  Sudden, emerald and sapphire comets cut through the sky.  Genesis Angel smiles, for she is waiting for them.  As the comets turn about fiercely, she laughs, for they have no idea of her Radam origins, and the true power lying inside.  She holds up her hands in the air, lightning and fire mixing into one big ball.  She lowers her arm, bringing the ball of energy in front of her chest as the comets disappeared, and reveals the forms of Tekkaman Blade and Starlight.

"Ruby Lightning!" she screams as she thrusts her arms forward, releasing the ball.

The ball of fire and lightning shoots forward like a comet on its intended target.  There wasn't even a moment to say anything as Blade is engulfed by this comet of fury, and lets out a horrific cry, and Starlight stops, watching in horror, as the comet takes Blade with him, smashing itself into the ground. She quickly flies to his side, where he lays motionless, his armor heavily damaged.  She takes him in his arms, cradling his head in her hands, crying.

"Blade, Blade," Starlight cries out as she turns to only see Genesis Angel take off in retreat from her, heading straight towards the Crystal Palace, "Blade…please answer me.  You can't leave.  Damn it!  Answer me!"

Blade's only reply is that of raising his arm weakly to place his hand in hers.  She quickly reaches over gently grabbing his, now completely unaware of events going on around nor caring.  The only answer gets is his thoughts.

"Get her for me."

"I will, I promise I will.  Hang on, damn it.  I'm not letting you go that easily.  You're going to walk with me down the aisle like we always planned and dreamed, do you hear me?"

"No matter where I am, my love, I will always walk with you."

"Blade!  Blade!"

"Don't worry; get her…before something terrible happens."

"All right, don't you dare die on me.  DON'T YOU DARE!"

"Not unless…I want…your wrath…and have a….death wish."

"Blade, hang on.  I love you."

He replies by squeezing her hand.  She whispers for him to hang on before she lets go of his hand, trying to get him comfortable as much as she can, before taking off like a bat out of hell.  Genesis Angel just made three big mistakes.  First, she messed with her Space Knights, second, she messed with her family, and third, final and most important of all, and she messed with her man.  That was a big mistake, a very big mistake.  Starlight took like no one had ever seen, a thirst of blood and vengeance driving her body, mind, heart, and soul.  It pulses through her veins, a quench that will not be denied.

************************

Ariadne watches as the ships descend on Charon, planting spores and developing bases on the moon's soil.  She watches until Charon resembles nothing more than a Radam planet or moon, being covered with their technology.  She eyes Pluto as a ruby streak of light bursts towards the small, desolate planet on the outskirts of the star system.  The first phase of her father's plan has begun.

*****************************

Starlight roars in pursuits of her query, but is unable to close the gap.  Genesis Angel makes a beeline for the Crystal Palace.

Mac appears, rushing outside, a giant bazooka in hand.  Lifting it on his shoulder, he takes aim on she approaches.  He fires a shot of sparkling Z-tron energy.  She screams as the energy engulfs her, tearing some of her ebony feathers in her wings, orange blood shooting from the wounds inflicted.  She holds herself, almost wrapping up into a ball as the energy begins to disappear, lucky that her body can withstand such a hit.

She shivers in the aftermath and growls dangerously.  Then, quickly regaining her composure, takes off after Mac.  Starlight, still pursuing watches in horror.

"Mac, look out!"  Starlight cries out in vain.

Unfortunately, it comes too late, as Mac is unable to move fast enough.  She watches blood spurt as she sees an arm go flying, as Genesis Angel tears him limb from limb.  She lets out a cry of anguish for the man who has been like a father for her, before it turns to pure rage.  Starlight lets out a bloodcurdling scream, more vicious than any Carter broth can produce.  Genesis Angel whirls around, now finished with her murderous work, and uncurls her slender claws, Mac's fresh blood dripping from them.  As much as this half-human, half-Radam creature wants to play with her game, she has much more pressing matter on her mind.  Her long blonde hair flies up as wind whips around her sinisterly.  She swings her left arm to the sky, letting go a blast of wind, then repeats it wit her right arm, as twin blades of violent gusts cut their way towards Starlight.

"Emerald Typhoon!" Genesis scream as the winds fling towards their prey.

"Wha!?" Starlight says startled as the gusts hit her, throwing her backwards, chunks of her armor flying about her.

She falls to the ground, unable to move.  She can't understand how powerful this creature is, what exactly is she?  She winces as she tries to move, and reaches for her lance beside her.  She breathes heavily as she is unable to, severely weakened by the attack.  Back at the presence of the first battle scene, Blade struggles with himself to get up, sensing his love's distress.  Enraged, he stands up, but falls to his knees. He quickly forces himself to try and stand, struggling against what his body is telling him to do.  But as long as Star is concerned, he will never give up, never.

***************************

Meanwhile, within the flames of battle inside the city, Terra turns towards the Crystal Palace, as well as her sister Celes.  They both feel it; both being mothers, they can feel the distress of their children.  They also feel a strong presence, a very strong evil presence, and the sense of a losing battle.

"Was it…" Celes asks in fear, "a trap?"

Edgar turns and looks at his wife, "Terra?"

Locke glances over at his wife as well, "Celes, what is it?"

Terra takes off running, making her way towards the palace, her younger sister in tail.  Being the confused husbands that they are, they call after their respective wives, clueless of what is happening.

"The children!" Terra cries, sprinting as fast as she can.

Edgar and Locke exchange glances before racing after them, now realizing the danger each other's kids are in.

************************

The parents of the Summers girls aren't the only ones aware of what's going on.  Cid's generals had watched the scene unveil from their viewpoint, and had come to the conclusion that she had to be stopped no matter what.  They watch as Genesis Angel stares at the fallen Starlight, trying desperately to grasp for her lance despite the pain and weakness she is feeling.

"We have to do something," Sonya tells the rest.

"Close range won't work though," Curtis says softly "Kita and you are the only one with long range weapons. It's the only sure way to at least keep some kind of distance out there."

"What's the plan?" Luke asks watching their enemy carefully, "What is she waiting for?  She's just watching Starlight."

"She's enjoying it, relishing the moment," Sonya says bitterly, "Kita, I'll attack from the back, and get her attention, you come around us both then attack."

"Right," Kita answers.

Both women disappear from their place in attempt to battle what seems to be a nearly invincible foe.  Genesis Angel slowly starts walking towards Starlight, now taking her time in preparation to end her suffering.  Sonya doesn't try to hide that she's coming from behind, and in one swift movement, takes aim, and lets the bullets fly.  Genesis Angel tries to dodge but can't, due to the lightning speed of the energy bullets.  Some breeze by her, but she cries out in pain as one hits her wing, then her left shoulder, and even in her side and one of her thighs.  Kita slips in behind, swinging both of her fans, cutting into each side of Genesis Angel.  She growls in pain.  Kita take a fighting stance as her fans come back around and she catches them.  Genesis Angel screams, knowing that her strength if finally starting to weaken.  She shoots up into the air, preparing to launch her next attack.  Kita and Sony both prepare themselves for anything.  Their enemy spiral in the air, as energy gathers around her for the next attack that can mean their final blow.

******************************

"General Aino! Wait! You're going to take her on!" A woman cries, "At least you should wait for General Meiou!"

"I don't have time; Sonya and Kita don't have time."

"Shouldn't you wait for Tome and Tenou?"

"They'll join me when they're ready, not get out of my way, I'm leaving."

"Yes, m'am."

********************************

Sonya dodges the arrow of energy flung at her.  She rolls on the ground and quickly stands up, and quickly sees a figure jumping about around them.

"Now, it's time for you to die!" Genesis Angel screams, throwing her arm behind her head, starting another attack.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you to play nice!"

Genesis Angel stops and glances up as a young woman jumps into the air.  In a sleeveless black cat suit with a solid red strip going down each, with deep blue eyes and long flowing black hair; the young woman has a mischievous smile dancing on her face, as her brass knuckles glimmer in the sunlight.  Sonya recognizes her at once as Kaeli Aino, one of Cid's generals sent on recon.  She is one of the few descendents of the widespread Amazon clans that had once flourished.  Sonya remembers the many reports on the woman that she is the last of the Ice Amazons, a clans from way up north, thought to be exterminated, their backbones and souls hard and cold as steel.

"Kita!" Sonya yells in warning, before moving away in retreat.

"Ice Blade Avalanche!" Kaeli screams as gigantic javelin of ice hurtle at their wounded opponent

Genesis Angel moves as quickly as she can, but is impaled in her wing, while small shards shoot straight through her right shoulder.  She painfully pulls the ice from her wing, flinging it at her nearest opponent.

"Kita, look out!" Sonya cries as Kita turns staring straight into the whirling shard.

"Sapphire Whirlwind!" says a voice as the ice is disintegrated by a waterspout of water.

Both women look up to see a beautiful young woman with long gorgeous blonde hair, her short green dress blowing in the breeze.

"Well, well," Sonya replies, "If isn't Lina Meiou of the Sea Amazon clan."

"Kita, are you all right?" Lina asks.

"Yeah," Kita says breathlessly, realizing how close to death she came.

Genesis Angel doesn't like how this is turning out.  She is tiring out and getting quickly outnumbered.  She looks for a way of escape, all the while cursing herself for not reaching her goal.  Genesis Angel suddenly makes a run for it, only to encounter a big red cougar pouncing straight at her.  It flings her to the ground, digging its claws into her shoulders, and then quickly flips off of its opponent.  A light grows around it as it flips in mid air, as the fur comes apart form its bare skin, growing into long bushy red hair.  The cougar's paws extend into slender fingers; its jaw pushes itself in as the rest of the body retreat into a shape of human female.  She lands on both feet, and looks up at her fallen opponent.  She is dressed in what most people think is typical Amazon garb.

"How rude, you guys were going to start the game without me," the red head woman replies.

"We never leave you out Kat," Lina answers, "You're the fun of the party."

"Such truth," Kay says smugly, "But we mustn't forget Nina."

A gigantic white bird graces the skies above them, and it turns around to face them, as the wind spirals around it, turning into a young blond woman.  She takes out an automatic bow, equipped with energy arrow of her own.  The woman land gently on a cliff's edge, making her appear as light as a feather.

"It took you long enough, Nina," Kat tells her.

"I had some traffic along the way," Nina replies calmly.

Genesis Angel backs away; she has to come up with something fast, before something really bad happens.  A ball of light forms in her hand, and she throws into the ground, and it explodes into a blast of light.  Everyone turns away, shielding their eyes, temporary blinded.  When the light dissipates, Genesis Angel is gone obviously in retreat.

"Where the hell did she go?"  Nina asks quickly looking around.

"We must have tired her out, otherwise she wouldn't have run away," Kita answers.

Sonya remains silent as the others talk among themselves.  She wonders why these four women came here.  Four women, each a respectable survivor of what was once flourishing Amazon clans.  Sonya looks over at Kaeli Aino of the Ice Amazons, to Lina Meiou, survivor of the Sea Amazons.  Then, she glances over at Kat Tomoe of the Forest Amazons, and Nina Tenou of the Sky Amazons.  Each woman was brought here.  Why?  Suddenly, something clicked in her head, something remembered.  The legend, the prophecy, can it be coming true?  The Amazons now existed under one big nation, one purpose, and are now helping the Crystal Warriors.  Can it be, this is the Great War they were predicting?  No Amazon denies that this war isn't worth fighting for, they know it is.  But until now, the Crystal Warriors have remained hidden, so they figured a bigger, much more important war was yet to come, even though it was so hard to imagine.  But, now all the pieces of the legend are coming together.  The Amazons united, the appearance of the Crystal Warriors, a war that puts everything to the test, the alliance between the Amazons and Crystal Warriors, it is all coming true.  Her eyes widen in realization, that it isn't be long.  It won't be long before Siren awakes from her deep sleep.  She wonders what kind of power will be unleashed by the awakening of the Mother of the Amazons.

***************************

Blade feels a sudden presence over him and looks up to see Terra's face.  Her eyes have a twinge of fear running in them.  He untransforms and nearly collapses, but Terra catches him.

"Where's Star?" Terra asks fearfully.

"She took off after that creature, towards the palace," Ness replies.

"Take it easy," Edgar says as he looks down at the two, "We'll go on ahead. Terra, stay here with them."

"Right," Terra nods, and watches her four comrades taking off in search of her daughter, then looks down at Blade, "You'll be okay?"

"Yeah," Ness winces, "Star, she is…"

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's okay," Terra tries to say reassuringly.

"Mom…"

Terra looks over to see Tekkaman Winter, getting up weakly.  She quickly glances over at Scimitar and Rapier, leaning on each other for support and obviously engaged in some type of mental conversation.  Winter starts to walk, nearly falling with each step, before she trips and starts to fall.  Summer, who has managed to get up as well, weakly catches her, and slides to the ground with her, breaking her fall.  Terra looks around, sadly.

"I'm surprised you all made it like you did," Terra admits, then looks to the sky, "That was no normal foe.  Just take it easy, all of you.  You did your best, and I'm proud."

They all nod at her as she tries to keep up their morale, but inside their egos have been ripped to shreds.

*******************************

Meanwhile, Starlight opens her eyes to see a group of women looking down at her.  She doesn't recognize any of them and wonders who they are.  They step back as she suddenly sees the face of her father looking down at her.

"Star, are you okay?" Edgar asks very concerned about his child.

"I'm okay," Starlight says weakly.

"Celes, your cure spells won't be enough, I feel," Edgar says quietly, "We know that the tekka armor system affects their bodies differently.  They're more resistant to pain and injuries but are just as resistant to treatment.  We'll need the aid of modern medicine for her."

"Yeah, but does anyone here know a doctor?" Celes asks.

"There is one," Sonya speaks up, "She's done tests and treatments on primary bodies, she might be able to help."

"Find her," Edgar orders.

A glow emanates around Starlight as she returns to her human form.  She glances at her father before passing out.

***************************

Sara looks weakly at David, who's sitting across from her in the med bay.  He glances back at her.

"Why did you go out there?" David asks, "When you knew you weren't in any condition to fight."

"Because I had to, I just knew I had to," Sara says, trying to defend herself.

"Didn't you know you could've of easily gotten killed for pulling that stunt?" David argues, a bit upset at her.

"David…I..I'm sorry," Sara says sniffling, not understanding why she herself had done it.

"Hey," David says, realizing that she must be upset as it is, "C'mon, Sara, don't cry."

Sara just looks away, tears rolling down her face, as she looks at her unconscious sister and her sister's fiancé.  David sighs, mentally kicks himself for what he's done, and slowly walks over, sitting next to her.  He wraps his arms around her, holding her close.  He lowers his mouth to her ear, so she can hear him.

"Look, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to yell at you," David apologizes in a whisper, "It's just been awhile since I've had someone to care about.  I'm afraid I'm going to lose you.  I get scared."

"It's okay, David," Sara says softly.

*****************************

"Star…Star…"

"Ness…is that…you…"

"Yes…are…you okay?"

"I guess, what about you…you…"

"Shhh…I'm fine….I'm more worried about you…"

"Ness…don't be…"

"I will always worry about you….I love you…"

"I love you too…"

"Don't worry…"

"About what?"

"I will walk down that aisle someday…that's a promise I intend on keeping."

"Ness…"

"Star…"

"Sweetheart…"

"Yes, Star?"

"Mac…he…he…"

"He what?"

"That monster killed him….I couldn't save him…"

"………Shhhh, I'm sure he knew what he was doing, it's okay, it's okay…"

"But.."

"He understood the consequences, Star, we can't dwell on it, and I'll miss him too.  Now, all we can do is find Yumi and the others for him.  That's what he wanted."

"I know."

Star's eyes flutter open, and she slowly turns her head, seeing Ness resting in the bed next to her.  Ness opens his own eyes, and glances over at her, staring into her eyes with own emeralds.  They both smile at each other, but their eyes reveal the pain that they feel for their lost friend.

"I see you're awake," a woman's voice says.

They both look to see a young woman with green eyes and long red hair, in a white lab coat.  Ness and Star sit up at the same time, staring at this woman who's apparently a doctor.

"Who are you?" Star asks curiously.

"I'm Doctor Jessie Kaiou," the woman replies, then swings her hand to a young blonde man with blue eyes, sitting in the corner, "and this is my associate, Doctor Jonny Chiba."

"Pleased to meet you," Jonny says quietly.

Star looks over at Ness, before glancing back at Jessie.  Jessie smiles at her, noticing the engagement ring on Star's finger.

"Engaged, huh?" Jessie asks, and smiles

"Yeah," Star answers, looking over at Ness warmly.

"When's the date?" Jessie inquires.

"We haven't set one yet," Star tells her.

"We don't want to get married until we find some people," Ness replies.

"Hmmm, well, since you two are very powerful tekkamen, your wounds healed quite nicely, you should be fine as long as you rest up," Jessie replies, looking at their charts, "Your tests came back very interesting."

"How so?" Star asks, a bit nervous.

"Oh, you're fine, it's just interesting data," Jessie answers, "We're researching the effects of the tekka armor system and the possible effect it can have in the future.  From now one, I'll be keeping a close eye on you two.  But, it's nothing serious, mostly research purposes.

Ness folds his arms, it there is one thing he hates, it is being a guinea pig of some research experiment.  He has experienced that many times in the past and doesn't like it.  But, what really peeves him off is that they wanted to use Star as well.  That is the one thing he hates more, someone messing with someone he cares about.

"Is that all?" Star asks eagerly, "May we leave?"

"Yes," Jess says walking away, then sharply turns around again. "Oh, I don't mean to go off on a tangent.  Are you two thinking about having kids after you're married?"

Star and Ness glance at each other, wondering if she's crazy.  Then they look back at her, staring for a moment.

"Yeah," they both say at the same time.

"Hmmm.." Jessie says lost in thought.

"What is it?" Star asks curious.

"Well, primary bodies, when they have children, most of them don't tend to make it," Jessie answers, "We believe it has something to do with the genetic altering that occurs.  But, you see, two full-fledged tekkamen have never had children before.  We have no clue what the possible effects will be with that.  We're guessing it'll be one of two possible results."

"What is that?" Star inquires a bit fearfully.

"Well, one, the child will die or will have some major defects or, two, the child can be a tekkaman naturally.  There would be no need for tekka plants in that case," Jessie states.

"A child born as a tekkaman?"  Ness asks with wide eyes.

"Yes, a natural-born tekkaman," Jonny answers, "As it would be called.  That's why we need to keep a close eye on you two, especially you, Star.  If you ever become pregnant, we need to know.

"Right," Jessie agrees, "We will have to keep a close eye on you.  For the effect of the pregnancy could affect the mother as well.  Anyways, getting back on subject, if you notice anything, contact us immediately.  I must be going now; I have other patients I must attend to.  Good day."

Star and Ness watch both of them leave.  After the door closes, Star lowers her head, taking a deep breath.  Ness goes to her side, embracing her in a hug. 

"I never really though that far about when we have kids, you know?" Star admits, "I never thought about the effects that being a tekkaman could have on our children.  Ness, what are we going to do?  What if the effects cause…"

"Hush," Ness softly commands, "There's no need to worry about it.  We know what we'll have to face in the future, but we'll deal with it when we cross the bridge, okay?  That's all we can do.  Take it as it comes at us.  Listen to me, that scare me too, but right now there's nothing we can do.  We have to focus on what we're doing now."

"I know, but…" Star says in a whisper.

He softly grabs her by her arms, and turns her so she's looking at him.  His emerald eyes gaze in hers.  Her bottom lip slight trembles, revealing the chaos churning inside her.

"We'll focus on what we're doing now, because when it comes time for us to have a family, I want to focus on that and be there for you, no matter what.  This isn't going to be easy for the both of us, I know that.  That way, we can face what will happen together, do you hear me?  Because I know you'll need me more than anything else at that time.  So just relax, and focus on finding the others.  That's all we can do now."

Star nods and snuggles into him, seeking comfort.  He holds her close, knowing how she feels; he's scared too.  But he knows there is nothing they can do to change these things, they both will have to deal with what is dealt to them.  He only hopes it is a lucky hand.

************************

"Cid, are you all right?" Shara asks softly.

"Yeah, just thinking," Cid answers, staring out into space.

"I'm sorry about earlier," Shara apologizes.

"Sorry about what?" Cid asks, now looking at her.

"About interrupting your conversation with Siren," Shara says.

"It's okay.  Finding my father is important.  I have lots of things to ask him, like why he left my mother, but you're more important to me than anything.  You've stuck by me, through it all, when I lost my mother, I lost Clio, and besides every good time I've ever had is because of you.  So I can never be upset at you."

Shara slightly blushes, "Oh, Cid…"

Suddenly, Edge appears out of the shadows, scaring the young lovers out of their wits.  Shara places a hand over her head, taking a deep breath, while Cid narrows his eyes at the man.

"Edge, you scared me!" Shara says breathlessly.

Edge ignores Shara and turns to Cid, "Cid Young, twenty years old, born on May twenty-first, twenty-two eighty-two.   Correct?"

"Yeah, so?" Cid says defensively.

"Fiala was your mother, correct?" Edge questions.

"Yes," Cid answers back.

Edge stops for a moment, his back to them both.  Shara looks at him, wondering what he's up to.

"Do you know what your father left?" Edge asks out of the blue.

"Do you?" Cid asks suspiciously.

"The man got himself in quite a bit of trouble, and was afraid of what would happen if they found out about your mother.  She was quite a target, blossoming in her pregnancy with you.  He told her she had to leave, and escaped barely, with his life.  He missed you both very much, even though he never got to see you born.  Your mother understood, and accepted it, though from what I heard, it pained her greatly.

"You knew Cid's mother and father?" Shara asks.

"I did, I knew them well," Edge answers with his back still turned against them.

"Could you possible tell me who my father is?" Cid asks, knowing he's at the tip of the truth.

"Yes, I can," Edge says solemnly.

"Well?" Cid inquires.

"Your father…is me, Cid," Edge answers as he turns around, "I'm your father."

"No way," Cid says not believing it, "You can't be.."

Edge sighs, and says the only thing he knew would convinced his son, "What was it your mother said…you can't help the path your on, you just walk it, just like you can't help falling in love with someone,

"You just do and accept it," Cid says finishing it with him.

Shara stares at Cid, and then at Edge, she can see a resemblance.  More noticeable is the blue eyes, but also the build, and the apparent coldness that gives way to the warm interior beneath.  She looks at them, as the truth sinks into Cid's mind and questions start to form in his mind.  As each other get over their feelings and the past is forgiven, a bond starts to form.  Shara sees Cid in a different light.  He's found out where he really came from; he had become whole

****************************

The family—that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.

                                                                                    -Dodie Smith

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