"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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Disclaimer: All respectable characters are owned by their creators. All other characters are made by me and may not be used without my explicit permission. No money is being made here!

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If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.

-St. Francis of Assisi

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Episode VIII: Sisters' Reunion

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Weeks have passed since Genesis Angel's attack on Crystal Island. Star, Ness and Tina have been working around the clock, getting the new Command Center working to its full potential, and overseeing the construction of the academy as well. They also have begun looking for their missing Space Knights and had notice that things weren't adding up. Sara, Shara and Cid aren't talking about what happened to Yumi, even though Tina know that they know where she is. She couldn't help the fact she didn't know, because right after the battle in Sirene City, she had been ordered up into space to destroy the Space Ring, so she knows what happened to Yumi or Natasha in the aftermath. Star's noticing of her mother's strange behavior becomes much more evident. Driven with curiosity, she has asked her mother is she knows anything, and is answered with a flat no. The answer drives Star to the conclusion, that her mother is hiding something about her Space Knights, but she doesn't know what, and can not prove it either. Why is she doing all this? Why is she eluding her own daughter? What's so important that she will not tell her? Star feels herself wrapped up in her own little world of mystery and intrigue. Does her mother feel that it will be better if she doesn't know?

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Terra's eyes gaze into the screen, showing the inner depths of the palace. Her eyes focus on the object in the center, a tekka plant. One of the remaining figures begins to stir from their sleep. She calmly stands up, shutting off the monitor, and walks out of the room.

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Meanwhile, a figure stirs in the depths down below, struggling to be free of its prison. The tube encasing it, raises itself, sprawling its contents all over the floor. The figure reveals to be a young woman, groggily tries to sit among the green liquid, when it feels something looking down at it.

"It's good to see you awake," a woman's voice says.

The young girl pushes away strands of her blonde hair, still covered in the green liquid, to look up at the speaker with her blue-green eyes. She stares at the woman, who appears out of the shadows, revealing herself to be Terra.

"Chief?" the girl asks groggily, holding her head, unable to focus.

"No," Terra answers, "But, I'm a friend."

"My head hurts," the girl whines, trying to sit up, "What's going on? Why am I here?"

"You've been asleep for awhile," Terra tells her, "Asleep until the time was right to wake you. What's your name child? Do you remember?"

"It's Yumi," she answers weakly, "Yumi Francois."

"Well, Yumi," Terra says, and grabs her by the arm, raising her up from the floor, "Let's get you cleaned up before you go out into the world.'

"What's your name?" Yumi asks slowly, trying to get used to walking again after such a long sleep.

"It's Terra," she answers calmly.

"Terra, am I still Tekkaman Hiver?" Yumi questions, "I mean my crystal was…"

"No, no longer. You still have the Reactor Voltekker Star installed in you, but your new tekkaman form is strong than before," Terra informs her as they walk, "From now, you shall be called Tekkaman Spring."

"Spring…" Yumi drifts off softly.

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Cain glances over at Ariadne, who's sleeping peacefully on the couch. He glances over the reports, before looking back over at Ariadne, who turns to her other side in her sleep. Cain lets out a soft sigh, before going back to the reports.

"Hmmm…judging from these reports," Cain whispers aloud to himself, "Hera must be at Cressida by now."

He glances back over at his wife as strands of her dark black hair fall across her face. Cain closes his emerald eyes, remembering the sound of their child's heartbeat when they heard it for the first time, a sound he can never forget. He smiles to himself, until a bleeping sound from the other room grabs his attention.

"What the…" Cain says, his voice drifting off.

He gets up, walking into the other room, closing the door behind, so not to disturb Ariadne. He calmly sits back down as Hera's face appears on the comm screen.

"Where's Ariadne?" Hera asks impatiently.

"She's sleeping, what do you want?" Cain questions with a snap.

"I'm on the outskirts of Bianca," Hera answers, "What am I supposed to do now?"

"Chill Hera, and have faith in the Radam Queen," Cain tells her nonchalantly, "Golbez has already consulted Tria about this, she's sending one of her daughters to help us with your father's plan. One of them will meet with you soon. Just relax and don't panic."

"How will I know what she'll look like when she gets here?" Hera inquires, quite impatient, "I mean, all the Radam look the same to me."

"Trust me, you will know," Cain states in exasperation, "Look, I have to go. Contact me once you've established forces on Uranus. That's all, Cain out."

Hera is about to say something, but Cain quickly turns it off. Closing his eyes, Cain lets out a drawn out sigh. He opens his eyes as the door opens and sees Ariadne standing in the doorway. She smiles softly, gazing at him with soft brown eyes.

"I thought you might be in here," Ariadne says warmly, "Is something wrong?"

"No," Cain answers, standing up, "C'mon, how about we get some dinner started."

"As long as I'm not cooking," Ariadne says with a giggle.

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Tekkaman Ashura hovers above her small fleet, observing every detail from her position. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees another small fleet heading her direction, coming from way of Neptune and the outer Uranian moons. A bright streak of light cuts across the blackness of space, ahead of the incoming fleet. It quickly catches up to Ashura's fleet. The comet disappears, revealing a figure covered in tekka armor. Her sharp claws grip around her lance, as she steps one of her feet forward on her hovercraft, revealing the three talons on her foot. Her long elegant blue tail swishes about as her eyes flash red, and her long peach colored hair flows around her. She spreads out her angel-like wings, yellow in color.

"I am Gaia," the tekkaman says gruffly, introducing herself, "sixteenth daughter of Tria, and princess of Radam."

"Hello, Princess Gaia," Ashura says a bit impatiently, "I'm sure you know who I am."

"We have heard of you, Ashura," Gaia acknowledges, "Daughter of the great Master."

"Good, so let's get the party started," Ashura says, to much of Gaia's confusion.

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"I wonder what this is all about?" Star asks Ness as they walk down the hall of the Crystal Palace, "Why would Mother summon us?"

"Who knows," Ness answers calmly, "Maybe it has do with her acting strange all of a sudden."

Star and Ness walk to the throne room of the palace, where their eyes lay upon Star's mother. Terra stands there, with her arms crossed, talking to Aeris. She suddenly stops, turning from Aeris to her daughter. David walks in behind them with the others.

"Good, you're all here," Terra says.

"Mother, what's this about?" Star asks.

Sara, Shara and Cid cast glances at each other nervously. David looks at the three suspiciously, noticing their looks, before turning back to Terra himself.

"Well, someone you know is here to see you," Terra says calmly.

"Someone we know?" Star asks puzzled.

"Yes," Terra nods, "You may come out now, child."

The wall behind Terra slides open, and a young girl steps out. She stands there, in her white cut-off top and short shorts. Her blonde hair now reaching down to the middle of her upper back and the longer part of it, flowing down to her knees. She opens her blue-green eyes, looking at every one sadly. Star, Ness and David stand there, almost in shock.

"I'm sure you remember Yumi," Terra states.

"Yumi?" David asks, not believing this, "Is that really you?"

Yumi nods, and closes her eyes, smiling, "Yeah, it's me."

Ness looks at her, observing the new Yumi. She has grown up in a short amount of time, even her voice sound more adult now, instead of like a twelve-year-old.

"It's good to have you back, Yumi," Star says happily.

"It's good to be back," Yumi replies softly, "Chief."

Sara looks at Yumi, "So, what shall be your first order of business, Princess Yumi?"

"Princess?" David asks, astounded.

"Yep, Miss Yumi Francois here is the Amazon Princess," Sara answers, "Didn't know that did you?"

Shara and Cid glare at Sara as she smiles the most innocently she can. They know from previous experience that Sara can't help but give Yumi or Aeris some type of grief.

"Sara, leave Yumi alone," Aeris warns.

"Awww…your cousin is a big girl now, Aeris. She can take care of herself," Sara says.

"I don't know, what I'm going to do," Yumi answers shyly to Sara's question.

"Oh, c'mon, we all know what you're going to do. After all, you are the Amazon Princess. You're going to find some nice guy and….you know," Sara says, elbowing her a little bit with a smile on her face, "I'll find you one, if you want."

"Sara!" Shara hisses, as Yumi looks all flustered.

Yumi, deeply inside, wishes Hayato was in the room to drive the attention away from her. She wonders where he is anyway, did something happen to him? Meanwhile, Sara crosses her arms, smiling smugly to herself, and tries to contain her laughter as Aeris just glares at her.

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Meanwhile, within the depths of a dark cavern, figures mourn their siblings' demise. Genesis Angel punches her fist into the wall in pure fury. Tanith watches, curled up in a ball, as her mother releases her anger. She turns to see her surviving siblings take care of the new hatchlings that have just arrived into this wretched world.

"How dare they! How dare they!" Genesis Angel roars as she keeps punching the wall.

Tanith feels weird suddenly, and shakes her head, shrugging off the feeling. Genesis Angel stops as well, staring at the ceiling, and senses something.

"Mother, what is it?" Tanith asks confused.

"Gather the rest of your siblings, we attack now," Genesis orders.

"What, why?" Tanith questions in surprise.

Genesis Angel smiles evilly. She has been waiting for this day to come and now it is here.

"It's time you met your beloved aunt face to face," Angel tells her daughter, "Ready or not, Yumi, here we come."

Genesis Angel laughs maniacally as her children suddenly scramble, upon hearing the news. Tanith watches as her younger siblings become excited. They have been born weeks after the battle and had not seen the death of their kind like she has. She wonders how many more of her sisters and brothers will have to die before her mother and her aunt will finally face each other in combat. She listens to her other siblings, who survived the first attack with her, bark orders, as Tanith curls tighter into a ball, mixed with anger and fear. She vows to herself that those tekkamen will pay for what happened to her dead sisters.

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Yumi stares out at the sunset, shivering in the cool breeze. She feels something deep within her soul, something's wrong. It feels like some mysterious force is calling out to her in warning. Yumi turns around as she hears footsteps approaching softly. Aeris stares straight at her cousin, a pain filling her blue eyes.

"Do you sense it?" Aeris asks calmly.

"Yeah, I sense something," Yumi answers in a quiet tone, turning away from her.

"All of Siren's children sense it," Aeris tells her gently, "But, you probably sense it most of all."

"What is it?" Yumi questions, crossing her arms and shivers, "It feels like someone is walking on my grave."

"It's her," Aeris answers quietly.

Yumi turns around, looking straight back at her cousin. She wonders what she means and what she's getting to.

"Her?" Yumi asks confused.

"It's Umi," Aeris answers in a whisper, "Your twin sister."

"It can't be," Yumi argues back, not believing it, "Umi died that day, with Mom…she…"

"She's alive, but not the Umi you remember, Yumi," Aeris tells her, "She's now Genesis Angel, one of General Pablochiva's forgotten toys."

"Pablochiva…" Yumi utters out in a hoarse whisper, tears brimming her blue-green eyes.

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Genesis Angel closes her eyes, whispering a spell as her children gather around her. Fire encircles them as her golden hair raises up towards the ceiling of the cavern. She opens her blue-green eyes as a bright light flashes around them, disappearing.

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The rays of the setting sun stream across the sparkling water calmly, dancing the Command Center in fiery light. Star sighs, standing out on a pier, immersed in deep thought. She closes her green eyes as Ness wraps her arms around her, soothing her.

"Who would've thought?" Star says softly, "That Genesis Angel is Yumi's…"

"I know, I know," Ness consoles her.

"Poor girl," Star whispers as she watches the setting sun.

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Meanwhile, a bright glow emanates from a filled tube, in the depths of the palace. The dark silhouette of a figure begins to move as it senses the impending danger forced upon its own kind.

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A bright light shines above the city as flames spread themselves out, revealing Genesis Angel and her children. The alarms sound, as people run panic strickened through the streets. The Space Knights are quickly brought to attention as a familiar foe reenters the scene, this time more prepared and with more numbers. Genesis Angel lets out a sadistic laugh as she unleashes her children upon the island once again. She hopes this will divert the Space Knights long enough for her to hunt down her true quarry.

"Now, now, sister," Genesis Angel says to herself, "It's time for you to come out and play. Don't make me come find you."

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Familiar explosions are heard in the distance, as Yumi perks up from her down trodden thoughts, her heart beating a mile a minute. She knows exactly what is happening and sprints off in the direction her soul leads her. This is the moment is the one she'll forever fear.

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Star looks up from the pier at the Command Center, quickly regaining her train of thoughts. She glances over at Ness, who nods at her. Then, like a flash of lightning, sapphire and emerald comets line the sky.

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Yumi slows down to a walk as she enters the charred forest, evidence of her friends' last battle with her sister. Fear drives her beating heart, as she knows she's getting closer to what she's searching for. Small fires dot the landscape, engulfing what is left to burn. She hears the sharp cracking of a branch and whirls around. Yumi comes face to face with a green-colored figure. Recognizing the blue-green eyes and the long blonde hair. Genesis Angel puts her hand on her hip, smiling a bit maliciously.

"Umi," Yumi says, emotion cracking in her voice.

"It's good to see you to, little sister," Genesis Angel replies smugly, "You've finally decided to come out of your rat hole, I see. You really disappoint me."

"I don't want to fight you, Umi," Yumi pleads, "Please, don't do this."

"Umi's dead, there's only Genesis Angel now," her sister snaps.

Yumi takes a step back, shaking her head, tears brimming in her eyes. She doesn't want to do this, she can't do this. How can she? This is her sister that she's facing.

"I can't fight you," Yumi cries, "Please, listen to me, sister."

"you really want to die that much?" Genesis Angel asks calmly, "Yumi, don't avoid it. We both know Pablochiva planned this from day one. Let's not keep him waiting. I'll give him the show he's always wanted."

"Damn it, Umi! Listen to me!" Yumi yells, now desperate, "It doesn't have to be this way! We can fight Pablochiva!"

"Oh, don't worry about Pablochiva. We Radam are only using him for our advantage. When we're through, we'll take care of him. Don't worry about that. But, I'm not fighting you mainly for his show. He'll get that though, that's for sure. But, I do not tolerate traitors, even if the traitor is my own sister!" Genesis Angel snaps back.

"How am I a traitor!?" Yumi cries out, confused, "I've never done anything wrong to our people!"

"You've betrayed the Radam, Yumi. You are a tekkaman, aren't you?" Genesis Angel asks, her eyes narrowing. "Do you remember where that came from? Radam. You should be following Master Golbez's command instead of fighting alongside these damn rebels."

"I will never fight for the Radam, Umi," Yumi tells her, "Never, not as long as I live."

"Then, it's a truly sad thing, it is," Genesis Angel replies, "I grow tired of this girl chat. For now, you must die, Yumi!"

Yumi looks at her shocked, as water gathers in a circle around her sister. Genesis Angel smiles evilly at her younger twin.

"I thank our mother for being an Amazon," Genesis Angel states, "I'm sure you won't mind telling her when you join her!"

"Umi, no!" Yumi screams as her sister prepares her attack.

"Shine Aqua Mandala!" Genesis Angel screams as she flings the stream of water at her sister.

Yumi jumps up, using her strength given to her as an Amazon and a Tekkaman, dodging the razor-like streams of water. She jumps from charred branch to charred branch, dodging the deadly attack. She stops breathing heavily, as her sister recharges for another blow.

"Not bad, sis," Genesis Angel comments, "But, you won't dodge this next one."

Yumi watches in horror as fire flashes around her sister like lightning. Genesis Angel spins around as the fire spirals around her. She raises her hand, then thrusts it down, releasing bolts of fire.

"Burning Thunder!" Genesis Angel screams.

Yumi stands there, and watches the flames scream towards her. She feels powerless to do anything. How can she fight her sister? Suddenly, she's pulled away from the flames, just moments before it blasts the tree into a ball of fire. She looks up at her savior, Tekkaman Scimitar.

"Princess Yumi, are you all right?" Scimitar asks, gently setting her down.

"Yeah," Yumi nods, then slightly jumps with Tekkaman rapier appears next to her side.

"Looks like you two want another rematch," Genesis Angel cracks.

Rapier and Scimitar race after their enemy, and bring their weapons to full bear. Rapier glances back at the reluctant Amazon Princess.

"Yumi, you have to tekk set if we have any chance of winning!" Rapier says, before turning back to her opponent.

"You have no chance of winning!" Tanith says as she appears. "Frozen finale!"

A blast of snow pushes Rapier and Scimitar away from her mother. Genesis Angel glances up at her daughter.

"Mother, are you all right?" Tanith asks, which causes Yumi to glance at her in shock.

"I'm fine, Tanith," she answers, "Just taking care of some pests."

Suddenly, four streaks of light cut across the sky, curving back towards the battle. Scimitar and Rapier struggle to their feet as the four remaining Tekkamen stand protectively in front of Yumi.

"Since, you're all determined to die together," Genesis Angel states. "Leaves me no choice but to kill you all."

Lightning bolts flash down in front of her, as electricity runs in current throughout her body. The lightning gathers in front of her into a tightly knit ball, while streaks of lightning circle around her in chains, encasing her.

"Supreme Chain!" Genesis Angel screams as the streams of lightning wind towards her opponents.

Starlight grabs Yumi, taking her away from the blast, jumping up into the nearest tree branch. Blade shoots straight up into the sky, his hovering form watching their enemies. Winter and Summer try their best to maneuver from the attack, but are unable to dodge all of it. They both let out screams as they struck by the lightning. They fall to the ground, streams of electricity shooting through their armor.

"I can't move," Winter winces as they are pinned to the ground.

"Winter!" Starlight cries out to her sister.

Blade charges at Genesis Angel, bringing his lance to bear into the creature's heart. Genesis Angel clasp her hands together, then pulls them apart, forming a long energy sword. She takes off and charges at Blade. A large clang is heard as both of their weapons clash in a blind fury, locking themselves in a power struggle. Tanith watches her mother duke it out with Tekkaman Blade. She stands up as magenta-colored energy swirls up around her. She flies up into the air, twirling in circles. Then, she stops as she spreads out her black angel wings, sending boomerangs of energy at Blade.

"Chaos Hail!" Tanith yells.

"Blade, look out!" Starlight cries out hysterically.

Blade pushes Genesis Angel away, and turns to see Tanith's attack heading straight for him. He cries out in pain as the energy hits him dead on. Blade falls to the ground, crashing into a cloud of pain and dust.

"Blade!" Starlight cries out, leaving Yumi's side.

"Oh, no you don't," Genesis Angel whispers evilly.

Golden energy emanates from her as the ribbons rush towards Starlight, who's heading to Blade's side.

"Crescent Turbulence!" Genesis Angel yells as the ribbons cut into Starlight's armor.

Starlight screams from the impact of the attack. She shudders as her armor steams and sizzles, before falling to her knees. Tanith maneuvers herself behind the group while her mother keeps them busy. She flies straight at Yumi, who watches in horror, as her friends are beaten down one by one by her sister, her claws outstretched for the kill.

"Please, don't!" Yumi cries out to her sister, oblivious to her oncoming attacker.

Tanith lets out a smile, and then, Yumi's eyes widen as she senses her niece approaching her. She jumps into the air, whirling around in instinct, and produces two sharp blades, one held in each hand. Tanith cries out in pain, as Yumi slices into her side, orange blood spewing from the wound produced. Genesis Angel stares in shock and horror as she watches her daughter fall to the ground, her life energy soaking the dark soil. Yumi lands on her feet, tears building up in her eyes. She can't believe she did what she has just done.

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"Yumi, do you remember anything about becoming a primary body?" Aeris asked.

"No, I was too young," Yumi admitted sadly.

"We're all toys in his game," Aeris whispered out loud.

"You said that Umi was one of his forgotten toys," Yumi stated, "What did you mean?"

"Umi and you were part of an experiment," Aeris told her quietly.

"Umi and I?" Yumi questioned, a lump in her throat.

"Yes, it's all here," Aeris answers, and handed her tan folder.

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"Umi, I don't want to fight anymore," Yumi pleads with her sister once again, "I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

"Yumi...you...have to..." Summer groans, getting up.

"She's not....your sister...anymore..." Starlight winces, "She's a monster."

Yumi shakes her head, refusing to believe anything, "Umi's not a monster!"

"I know it's hard, Yumi," Blade tells her, and struggles to his feet, "But, it's the truth; Umi is dead. That monster is only using her body."

"No, no, it can't be..." Yumi replies, tears dotting the corners of her eyes.

Genesis Angel's eyes narrow as she sees the moment of weakness as all the tekkamen stand up to help Yumi realize the reality of the situation and secretly charges up her next attack. They all look at each other, nodding and take off. The group of tekkamen all charge at Yumi's sister. Suddenly, waves of space distortion gather towards Genesis Angel, turning into a dark blue energy. She throws the energy straight at her opponents.

"Space Tide!" she screams, catching the tekkamen off guard.

They all scream as the blast hits them, and throws them backwards. Clouds of dust and rock spew as they create craters in the dark ground.

"Umi, stop this now!" Yumi cries as her tekka sign flashes, and her crystal materializes in her hand.

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"What type of an experiment was it?" Yumi asked, dreading the answer.

"It wasn't just any experiment," Aeris told her calmly, "It was "the" experiment."

" "The" experiment?" Yumi repeated in fear.

"The experiment to create the perfect soldier," Aeris answered sadly. "He wanted to see which was better, a human given the tekka armor system, or a human infused with true Radam DNA, which he managed to acquire somehow. But, what better way to test this theory, than with two sisters who were twins."

"The perfect soldier," Yumi said, as tears formed in her eyes.

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"My, my, Yumi, are you truly going to face me now?" Genesis Angel sarcastically.

"Just as you are no longer Umi, but Genesis Angel," Yumi replies as tekka armor develops, and begins covering up her body, "I am no longer your sister, Yumi Francois, but only Tekkaman Spring!"

A bright light shines as a form of a tekkaman flips in mid-air, landing in front of her opponent. Her long blonde ponytail flowing in the battle harden breeze, her black, red and white armor shimmering in the gaze of the sun. Tekkaman Spring brandishes her tekka sword encased with rubies and black diamonds.

"Impressive," Genesis Angel comments, then forms her energy sword.

"I never wanted it to come to this," Spring tells her.

"I did," her sister admits, before charging.

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"You were the lucky one," Aeris consoled, "He brought Umi back to life for a moment, just to stick the other strand of DNA in her. She mutated and became a killing machine, more specifically a machine now designed to kill you. It was nothing but a game to him."

"What about me?" Yumi inquired, not sure if she wanted to know the answer to the question.

"Obviously, he wanted you to become the tekkaman," Aeris answered, trying to keep all the emotion out of her voice, "But, he couldn't make a full fledged tekkaman, so he made you primary body, and made sure you couldn't remember exactly who did it to you, and experimented on others. How do you think Prague came about?"

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Two sisters soar through the air, clashing in combat. One is a tekkaman, one is a Radam, both are warriors on different sides of war. Their screams and cries rivet through the skies, as they fight in a battle destined since their creation into these roles.

Tekkaman Spring and Genesis Angel land on the opposites sides of the field from each other. They eye each other, knowing now the answer to the monster's theory. Neither looks more powerful than the other, or at least that's what they want to show. Genesis Angel's pose is very cool, confident and unrestrained, evidence of her strength and ability. Spring gazes at her, seeming looking the same, but in actuality, is struggling to keep standing, knowing how powerful her sister really is, and already shaken up that she's supposed to kill her. But, she can't give up; if she dies, the hope of Earth is lost. Genesis Angle just huff at her, uninterested and turns away. Hundreds of her children appear, swarming towards Tekkaman Spring. Upon seeing the advancement of these monsters leaves her no choice, and with a sudden determination and strength, Tekkaman Spring hops into the air, green energy flowing around her. The emerald crystal on her helmet lights up as streams of energy pulsate from it. She flies up in a twirl, before turning to face her sister, crossing her arms.

"Reactor Voltekker!" Spring cries as the form of her tekka crystal envelops her, and sends emerald energy crashing forth.

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Yumi's blue-green eyes widen in realization, "You mean?"

"Yes, they were all experiments to help him create you as the perfect tekkaman. He never expected the revolt to happen though, but it was what he needed. I'm sure the government was on to him. He used the revolt as a cover up, and destroy the city and all evidence of the true experiments."

"Prague was destroyed because of me?" Yumi said, falling to her knees, and began to cry, "Why? Why did this have to happen?"

"His dream is coming to reality but on a larger scale," Aeris told her, "If we win, Earth will survive and have a chance. But if we lose, Genesis Angel will lead the troops in the invasion and most likely we'll all die."

"This can't be happening!" Yumi yells, and busted into tears as she held her head in her hands.

"Yumi," Aeris said sadly.

"It can't be!" Yumi cried, as she shook her head in confusion and fear.

Aeris kneeled down and hugged her cousin, trying to comfort both Yumi and herself.

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Streams of emerald energy separate from the giant comet unleashed by Tekkaman Spring. Her nieces and nephews try desperately to escape, but the less evolved ones, not having so much speed are quickly annihilated. The sparkling energy homes in on its faster prey, who are trying to avoid these heat-seeking missiles on their tails. Genesis Angel cries out angrily, as Spring stands motionless, and concentrates, as her children are eliminated by the dozens.

"Yeah...go Yumi...kick her...ass..." Summer says weakly, unable to move, only able to watch.

Tanith stumbles to her feet, holding her side that is only now a mere flesh wound, due to her quick regenerative capabilities. She notices that her aunt is not moving, and quickly places the connection to her attack. Tanith growls as she watches the Reactor Voltekker destroy her siblings, and springs into the sky, undetected by Spring. When she reaches striking distance, she raises her blue clawed hand to deliver the blow from behind, when she sees a fast moving object out of the corner of his eye..

Out of nowhere, a tekkaman smashes into Tanith, both of them colliding into the ground. Tekkaman Spring, upon noticing this, stops her mental thoughts and the Reactor dissipates. She turns to see the tekkaman jump away from the impact crater, landing on a cliff. He bears his lance, the sun flashing on his black and gray armor. The new tekkaman gazes at her, before moving his look to Genesis Angel.

"How dare you attack my daughter," Genesis Angel growls viciously.

"How dare you be such a bitch," the tekkaman says, mocking her.

A vicious howl is heard, as Tanith shoots from the crater, in a blind rage. The tekkaman jumps out of the way, and by the look of his moves, Spring knows he is going to try and end the battle quickly. His voltekker emitters flip open and his eyes flash green. Any of the demon spawn within his vicinity quickly run away, fearing for their lives.

"Reactor Voltekker!" the tekkaman screams, as a blast of energy comes out and then heads out in whichever direction.

As soon as Genesis Angel's children hear those words, they take off, screaming. Genesis Angel easily dodges the attacks, noticing that this on is not as fast nor seems as powerful as her sister's. She listens to her children cry out for her do something. But, what can she do? Tanith hovers up by her side as the tekkaman's attack quickly disappears. They both notices that he can not hold the attack as long as Spring can.

Genesis Angel's children land on the ground, trying to recuperate, when an altar appears out of nowhere, a giant bubbling cauldron in the middle. Her children step back in fear, wondering what else can go wrong. A dark robed figure waves its hands above the bubbling stew as dark rays of light stream out. The creatures moan and groan falling to the ground in pain as their bodies rapidly decompose before their eyes. Genesis Angel throws up her hands .

"Winds of Protection!" she cries as she erects a barrier around herself, Tanith and her children within her immediate area.

Starlight looks at the dark robed figure, "It's Hades, the guardian of Saturn."

"If that's true," Winter winces, "then, who summoned it? Who has the planetary key?"

Genesis Angel growls as she holds up the field. Tanith stares at her in fear. A demon-like creature appears next, spreading his bat-like wings. He raises his arm into the air, as black energy gathers above the creature in a ball. It sticks its hand in the ball, and throws it at a group of the less evolved children who are outside the barrier. The ball of black energy consumes the group and begins to compress, crushing the creatures inside. The demon spins into a ball and disappear, turning into bats.

"What the hell?" Rapier struggles out, "Who's helping us?"

"Look!" Scimitar yells out, pointing towards the highest mountain peak of Crystal Island, where the form of a giant robot appears.

"It's Alexander," Winter states, "The guardian of Venus, if Mother told us correctly."

"Wait, doesn't Alexander use..." Rapier starts to ask, drifting off, "Oh no, take cover!"

The ragtag group of tekkamen muster all the strength they can to get up, running for the nearest safe place. Tekkaman Spring looks up to see as she sees streams of laser beams coming towards her.

"Spring, move it!" the mysterious tekkaman cries, and grabs her.

He moves her out of the way, as the lasers crash into the ground. Genesis Angel quickly strengthens the barriers, protecting everyone inside. A tear of blood flows from Tanith's eyes as she watches more death of family before her. But, the battle is far from over, as clouds began to swirl as bolts of lightning come down, spinning into the form of Quetzalcotl. It spreads its wings as lightning gathers in its beak; it releases the lightning and it shoots it into a huge dome. A single bolt of lightning comes crashing down, releasing the energy trapped inside, causing the dome to explode in a electrifying brilliance. It is followed by streams of fire streaking in the sky, and they swirl around, forming into a shape of a bird. A bright light flashes as a gigantic red bird appears, screeching on top of its lungs.

"It's Phoenix!" Starlight cries, standing up with new strength.

Phoenix seems to just look at Star and soars through the sky, not doing anything. Starlight nods and clenches her fist.

"All right, Phoenix!" Starlight yells with a sudden determination, "Let's end this!"

The bird lets out another screech that comes from the bottom of her soul. She hovers over the rest of Genesis Angel's forces.

"Let's go," Starlight say, "Phoenix! Do your Rebirth Flame!"

Phoenix howls once more as she spreads her wings and fire springs forth from all directions, evaporating the creatures that are still alive outside the barrier. As the fire burns the creatures, the tekkamen feel the strength being restored and their armor reforms the pieces that have been broken off. The flames die down, and Phoenix disappears in a whirl of fire. Genesis looks around her, and figures a retreat will be best for now. She produces a ball of light and her forces disappear into thin air. Tekkaman Spring falls down to her knees and fights the urge not to cry. The black and gray tekkaman gently lands beside her.

"Are you all right, Tekkaman Spring?" the tekkaman asks, looking down at her.

She stands up and solemnly nods. He reaches up, gently cupping her chin with his armored hand. A feeling of shock of remorse overcomes her as she gets a deja vous feeling. She gently places her hand over his. Starlight and the others glance over at the two, and wonder what is going on.

"Who are you?" Spring asks softly.

"You may call me, Matariel," he answers calmly.

"Matariel," she repeats in a whisper.

"Do you remember me?" he asks gently.

Tekkaman Spring gazes up into Matariel's opaque green mask, and a connection of minds and souls is made. She sees past the pain, past the armor, straight into the face of a boy she once knew. A boy she know will never be the same, for what he has become and the fact he's no longer a boy but a man. She cries out startled, scaring the rest of the Space Knights.

"Why?" she demands, but gets no answer, "Why?"

"It was not my choice," Matariel answers, "I didn't have a choice."

Spring, suddenly, rushes into his arms, and a light envelops her as she returns to her human form. Her nude body shivers with emotion and tears run down her face as he holds her close in comfort.

"What the hell is going on?" Summer asks, confused.

"Matariel," Yumi cries in a whisper.

Matariel runs his armored fingers through her long blonde hair as she cries, and soothes her softly in his hold, "Oh, Yumi."

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Peace, like charity, begins at home

-Source Unknown

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