"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 go to 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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The greatest gift is a portion of thyself
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Episode X: Surprise!
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Star yawns and stretches as she awakes to the streams of morning rays sparkling through her window. She sits up groggily, running her fingers through her mussed emerald-colored hair.
"What a beautiful morning," Star says aloud to herself, as she looks out with her crystal clear green eyes.
Then, she stands up, slipping on her satin robe over her nightgown. She gazes through the window at the city below. It has been about a month since the Festival of Sirena started and it's just wrapping up now. A whole month since she had spent the whole night of passion wrapped in Ness' arms. Star feels giddy just thinking about it. Her gaze moves from the window to the clock and her green eyes widen.
"Shit! I'm late!" Star exclaims as she rushes towards the bathroom.
Suddenly, she stops as something just realizes in her scatterbrained head. Star gazes back at the clock, and her eyes reveal a twinge of shock.
"There's no way," she says to herself, "That can't be today's date…oh my…could it?"
Star now runs into the bathroom to jump into the shower, hurrying as fast as she can. She knows that Ness will be here to see why she is so late, and she has to be gone by then, she just has to.
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"I can't believe how quiet things have been lately," David says, from his spot in the control room, "Can't you Ness?"
Ness shakes his head, suddenly jarred from his thoughts. David has retrained himself to call the one and only Tekkaman Blade by his real name now. With the exception of Star and Tina, David is the only Space Knight that really knows his true name.
"Yeah, it's sort of scary," Ness answers, leaning back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head.
"I wonder where Anita is," David states in a rather calm tone, "She was supposed to introduce us to the new pilot.
"Yes, you're right," Ness comments a bit confused, "What is his name anyway?"
"Vincent Tilmitt, I believe," David answers for him, "I heard the two go way back. Rumors has it, they sort of had a thing going on. He trained at the very same pilot academy as her. In fact, he was one of their very best."
"So, why didn't he say a pilot?" Ness questions, now quite interested.
"He disappeared a few years back after a trial run," David continues on, "Reports say that his ship hit the ground and exploded into a giant fireball. But, he was really rescued by the Amazons and have been fighting with them ever since. Weird huh?"
"I guess so," Ness shrugs.
Suddenly, the door opens and Yumi rushes in. She breathes heavily until she sees Ness and quickly straightens up and salutes.
"Commodore," Yumi says, "Have you seen the Chief?"
"She hasn't even been here this morning," David answers for Ness.
Yumi looks over at David, then casts a look at Ness, "She hasn't? That's strange. The Chief is usually on time if not, early."
"I know," David nods, then casts a look at Ness, "but lately, she's been showing up late."
Ness sighs and stands up, "What's so important, Yumi?"
"Well, we've just finished looking over the blueprints for the Blue Earth Craft Two," Yumi informs him, "And we need her approval to start construction."
"Go ahead," Ness orders to her, "I know she wants construction started right away."
Yumi nods and salutes, "Yes, Commodore."
Ness softly shakes his head, "Yumi, I need you watch the control room. David, go tell them begin construction. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Yes sir," David replies, and takes off.
"Right, Commodore," Yumi answers, sitting down in her chair.
Ness slowly makes his way down the steps and walks out of the control room. He can't understand why Star is being so late; it is so unlike her. She say she is just tired when he asks about it, but his instincts tell him it is something more. Something that he is going to find out.
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Star quickly wraps a bathrobe around her as she flies out of the bathroom like a demon. She opens the door to her royal chamber, making sure no one is in the palace corridors, before rushing across the hall. She repeatedly pushes the doorbell button to Sara's room.
"Come one, come on," Star says aloud, nervousness in her voice, "Answer."
Seconds later, the door hisses open, revealing Sara Summers running a brush through her snow white hair. Star rushes in without saying a word. Her younger sister turns, a bit bewildered, as the door shuts behind her.
"Well, hello," Sara says a bit upset, "What do you need?"
"I need to borrow something to disguise myself in, so I'm going to wear some of your clothes," Star answers.
"What?" her sister asks confused, "What for?"
"Don't worry about it, I just need something like now," Star replies impatiently.
"Uh, okay," Sara tells her, giving in, "But, I'm in on whatever you're on."
Star sighs, "Sara."
"No deal unless I'm in," Sara states, hands on her hips.
"All right, you can come with me," Star affirms with a sigh.
After about fifteen minutes of Sara and Star ransacking the drawers, Star and Sara both walk out into the desolate corridor. Star wraps her hair up and tucks into the cap she places on her head, the baggy shirts and jeans covering up her figure.
"We have to hurry," Star tells her, "Before Ness gets here.
"All right," Sara utters softly, laying a hand on her sister's hand supportively.
Both women race down the corridors, trying to leave as fast as they can. Their footsteps echo down the empty halls. The outside world greets them warmly as the sun basks down on their faces. Wind wisps through Sara's hair, and the scent of lilies float through the air. Star begins walking down the main path from the palace, when Sara stops her. She tugs at her shirt, pulling her in the opposite direction.
"There's a back way into the city, if we go this way," Sara admits.
"Okay," Star nods and follows her sister.
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Ness walks through the palace, deep in thought. Why is Star acting this way? Is it something he has done? He's startled from his thoughts when he realizes he's at Star's door. He stands there for a moment, before opening the door, and softly walks in.
"Star?" Ness calls out, "Star?"
There is no answer to his cries. He walks about her quarters, seeing no sign of her.
"She couldn't have left already," Ness utters to himself, confused, "I would have met her on the path."
He quickly exits her quarters, thinking of where she can be. He wonders if maybe something between her and her mother unexpectedly came up. He decides to find Princess Terra and see for himself.
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Adonis Pablochiva laughs sadistically from his chair on his flagship. He watches the bases of Mercury fall to pieces.
"Those fools, to think they can ever stand up against the Radam," he thinks aloud, "Now, they will realize their mistake."
"Sir," a young officer reports, "the men below report that all the survivors are now our hostages."
"Survivors?" Pablochiva questions with a raised eyebrow, "There will be no survivors, kill them all."
"But sir, Lord Cain's orders!"
"I don't care!" he barks angrily, "That boy's orders can wait! We'll just see how my way works out. Tell them to destroy everything and kill anyone who sees them!"
"Yes sir," the young officer salutes and rushes off.
Adonis watches as his men turn the bases into rubble, sparing nothing. Then, he bursts into demonic laughter once more.
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Back on Tellus, Natasha watches the waves crash against the rocky shores on the east side of Crystal Island. She hears soft footsteps behind her, and whirls around, the winds tugging at her fiery hair.
"Goliate," she whispers softly as she looks at the approaching man.
"Natasha, what's wrong?" he questions in a soft tone.
Natasha crosses her arms and shivers. She shakes her head softly as he watches her for an answer.
"I don't know," Natasha stammers out. "It's like this nagging feeling in my soul, and I don't understand why. Something is terribly wrong. I feel like there is evil about, trying to surround us."
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Saber watches gleefully as the resistance forces of Jupiter fall. He knew this would be too easy. He metal-clad feet echo through the halls of the gigantic space station that has been orbiting Jupiter. Tekkaman Saber can sense the spidercrabs at work and almost feels pity for the human race. He begins to wonder if he is human any more. He stops to look at a mutilated body of a little girl, and a pang of remorse and guilt washes over him. Why is he feeling this way? He kneels down beside the still little body and folds, what he can anyway, her arms across her tiny little chest. Tekkaman Saber bows his head in silence before waving his black armored hand over her bloody face, closing the child's eyes. He hears a laugh explode behind him in the empty corridor. He quickly stands and turns, looking at a human soldier laughing at him.
"So, the almighty Tekkaman Saber is not as heartless as he wants us to think," the man says with a sneer.
Saber quickly growls, and swings his lance, quickly beheading the soldier. He huffs angrily before walking on. Pablochiva's soldiers have been annoying the hell out of him, no wonder the Radam thought it would be easy, we look pitiful on the outside, fighting each other for stupid reasons and our greediness, not to mention selfishness. Well, at least that's one less greedy and annoying soldier he'll have to put up with.
Meanwhile, within the bowels of the Radam ship, Ariadne watches the battle calmly. She can sense all the destruction taking place, and more importantly the remorse and guilt in Saber's heart. She gently rubs her slightly bulging stomach as she thinks of all the lives that are lost.
"It's really sad, that most of those lives must be destroyed," Andromeda states disgusted, startling Ariadne from her thoughts. That they could be joined with us, but they chose that path, not us."
"I know," Ariadne says softly.
Then, she gasps as her tekka sign flashes on her forehead. She can sense imminent danger but from which direction? She closes her eyes trying to fix on it, then opens her eyes, wide with fear. The danger she's feeling is coming from the space station, she knows that somehow Cain is in danger. Ariadne turns and rushes out of the room as fast as she can. Andromeda turns startled, watching her go.
"Ariadne! Where are you going!" she cries out fearfully.
Everyone looks at her surprised as she runs down the corridors. She turns around a corner and stops, gasping for breath.
"Wow," Ariadne comments, breathless, "You're really getting me out of shape, little one."
She gazes down at her little bulging stomach as she feels a flutter inside of it. Her dark eyes stare in amazement, as it does it again. She realizes her baby is moving and softly calms it by gently rubbing her hand over her stomach. Ariadne catches her breath slightly before taking off again, heading for the cargo bay.
She slows down, stepping inside the cargo bay. She has to stop whatever is going to happen, not only to ensure her father's plan, but to make sure Cain is safe from harm. She doesn't know what's calling her, but all she knows is that she has to go. She materializes her ruby tekka crystal and holds it up in the air. Ariadne doesn't know what is going to happen but she knows that she must do this. She closes her eyes, hoping for the best.
"Tekk Setter!" Ariadne yells as the ruby light envelops her.
She winces in pain as her armor changes slightly to accommodate the physical difference that is now evident in her. She opens her eyes as the light dissipates looking down at herself encased in her red and black tekka armor. Everything about her seems to be all right. Her gaze moves down to her stomach again, hoping that nothing has happened to the child inside. Evil activates the cargo bay door and it begins to open. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Andromeda pounding on the window from the control room.
"Sorry, Andromeda," Evil says, "But, I have to.
Tekkaman Evil fires her thrusters, exiting the Radam flagship, taking her first real look at the planet Jupiter. She flies towards the heavily damaged space station. Evil feels the eyes of many beings upon her as she streaks towards her goal. Mentally, she sends on message to the spidercrabs in their language, and they begin to follow her, some of them still carrying the tekka pods with them. She quickly looks back and forth, watching Tellus' military soldiers staring at her in a bit of confusion. Evil slows down her speed as she approaches her target, heading towards an airlock door. The airlock door thrusts open as she floats inside the chamber, and waits for it to compress and release the oxygen. After a few minutes of waiting, she steps into a small corridor. Evil looks around, trying to sense exactly where Saber is, while the juvenile spidercrabs, who are smaller than their adult counterparts and small enough to fit in, follow her.
"He's down in the lower levels," she comments to herself.
Tekkaman Evil takes off, sprinting down the hall, turning around corners and punching through door, not having time to worry about anything. She stops at a gigantic hole, which must been an elevator before someone blasted through it. Evil looks down the chamber, before jumping down in it, free falling. Her thrusters fire automatically as she nears the level Saber is on, slowing down. She examines yet another blasted hold before flying through and planting her feet on a stable surface. She wields her lance protectively as she cautiously moves down the darkened passageway. Due to her increased hearing capability of being in tekkaman form, she hears shots and screams down one of the many crossed paths. Evil prepares to move towards the sounds of the continuing battle raging inside the station's walls, but movement catches her eye. She whirls around as she sees a piece of metal hit her in the face. The tekkaman stumbles back bewildered from the momentum and force of the hit, as she crashes into the wall. Evil holds her head with her hand as she struggles up.
"That was a cheap shot," Evil mutters painfully as her head pounds, sustaining no real damage.
She hears a battle cry and quickly swings her lance, cutting the figure in half. The body's blood sprays everywhere, covering the wall, and herself. She sighs, leaning against the wall. Evil knows she has to find everyone quickly, tiredness is setting in. She races down the hall to where the battle seems to be taking place. She stumbles across the last battle scene, surveying it, bodies of soldiers, men, women, and innocent children. She gazes down at a child's body, shot in the back of the head, apparently trying to escape the chaos, and a tremble runs down her body.
Her thoughts are startled as she hears screams of terror and shots below. Evil quickly jumps down the blasted elevator shaft with the young spidercrabs in tow. As she lands and walks into the lower levels, shadows are cast on the distant wall as they turn down a gory offshoot. She can hear the cries through the wall next to her. Tekkaman Evil recognizes that the cries are not of her people. She cocks her arm back in position, and quickly and powerfully, punches through the wall.
People and Radam are startled as the wall crumbles next to them. As the dust clears and coats the floor, Tekkaman Evil stands between the Radam and the surviving humans of the space station. Saber gazes at her startled, not expecting her to be here. A military soldiers steps towards her, a gun aimed at her.
"What do you think you're doing?" the soldier asks cockily.
"Listen to me, there's danger here," Evil tells them, "We have to get out of here!"
"Get the hell out of the way bitch," the soldier orders her, "This is no place for a women."
Saber lets out a growl and Evil, in one effortless motion, slices the soldier in two. Blood and guts splatter all over the floor, causing the remaining human survivors to scream in fear.
"Evil, what do you mean there's danger?" Saber asks her, a bit worried about her condition.
"I don't know, I feel it," Evil answers back.
"Evil, right now is not the time for this," Saber tells her a bit nervously, glancing at his forces looking at the two.
The rebellious people belonging to Tellus recoil in fear, all except one that is. A young girl with stringy blonde hair approaches Evil from behind, her blue eyes shimmering with curiosity. Evil turns around a bit surprised, and kneels down looking at her. Meanwhile, the adults try their best to call the child back but to no avail. But, in trying to call the girl back, they see a horrifying revelation.
"Look at the tekkaman stomach," a person said from the crowd.
"That tekkaman, she's pregnant!" another person cries in fear.
Evil ignores the comments and gazes at the little girl, "Hello there, what's your name?"
"My name is Cynthia," the little girl replies innocently, "I'm five years old."
"That's wonderful Cynthia," Evil tells her sweetly, as Saber and other stand in shock of what's going on, "Hey, would you like to go with me?"
"Will I get to be as strong as you are?" Cynthia asks, oblivious to what's going on.
"Of course, we can make that happen," Evil says to her softly.
"Okay," Cynthia nods happily, "I want to go. Can I bring my friends?"
"Sure, that would be wonderful," she answers her.
Tekkaman Evil stands up slowly, gazing at Cynthia, then moves her look to the huddling group. Mothers clutch their scared children tightly to them, fearing for what they expect to happen. She stares at them for a peaceful moment, observing them in silence. Then, in one, quick, graceful moment, she whirls away. The wall begins to shake and crumble as tentacles burst through the surrounding walls. People scream in terror as they are separated from their children. Brief wails come from the children before they are engulfed in the tekka pods.
Tekkaman Evil slowly walks away, as the spidercrabs go in to finish their work on the distraught survivors. But in the midst of the chaos, a man holds up a hand held laser cannon.
"Damn you! We won't let you take them!" the man yells.
Evil whirls around in surprise and horror as he aims at her. Saber dashes for her, trying to get her out of the way. But, the man fires the laser cannon.
"Saber!" she cries out as it heads straight for her.
Five young spidercrabs through themselves in front of the beam, easily distengrating, but enough to slow it down. Saber reaches her, and pulls her of the way as the beam shoots through the spidercrabs and through the wall. Saber and Evil stare at the gaping hole.
"Looks like they got some new toys we didn't know about." Saber says after a couple moments, then looks at her, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Evil slowly nods.
The spidercrabs return viciously to the work, not leaving anything behind that could be identified. The tekka pods reappear sliding alongside to their princess. Saber turns and looks at the remaining soldiers.
"What the hell are you staring at!" Saber barks, "Get back to your ships!"
"Yes sir!"
The soldiers, Radam and military alike, turn on their heels and quickly exit. Saber's gaze turns back to his wife as she sits there, catching her breath from all the excitement.
"Evil," Saber whispers softly,
"Saber," Evil says breathless, then leans into him, exhausted, "I made it."
"Are you sure? Are you sure you're all right?" he asks concerned.
"Don't worry. I'm fine," she answers with a slow nod, "just a little tired, that's all."
"What are you doing out here?" he inquires, now that things have settled down, "That was stupid you know. You know you shouldn't be out her. The baby…"
"It's all right," Evil answers him, "The baby is fine. All I worried about was you, I could sense the danger."
"Well, it's over now," Saber tells her, and picks her up in his arms, "But you're going to see Brisa whether you like it or not."
"All right," Evil agrees slowly, knowing he meant it and she can't convince him otherwise.
"C'mon," he says to her softly, "Let's go home."
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Star and Sara huddle in the bathroom in Star's quarters, looking down at the sink.
"Are you sure you did it right?" Sara asks.
"Of course I did," Star answers, "I can read directions you know."
"I can't believe this is happening," Sara says astonished.
"You? What about me?" Star snaps back.
"Whoa, just take it easy and watch it will you?" Sara responds to her sister's snap.
"All right, all right," Star says in exasperation, "How long is this supposed to take? I feel like I'm going to be sick from waiting forever. And I want to get out of here before Ness comes looking for me.
"It's only supposed to take a couple of minutes. Don't worry," Sara consoles, holding her by the arm.
Star looks at her sister for a moment and Sara gazes back at her, confused.
"What's up, Sis?" Sara asks curiously.
"I'm wondering, about if the results come out," Star starts out slowly, "…you know. Will anybody be there no matter what happens?"
"I don't know about the rest of them," Sara answers, gently squeezing her arm, "But I'll be here for you no matter what."
Star smiles softly at her, her green eyes showing appreciation for her sister's support. Sara's blue eyes widen as her mouth about jumps open.
"Star, look, it's….its…" Sara stammers out in shock, "It's changing color!"
Star about faints when she looks at the little tube on the sink changing color. She slowly begins to sit down, her hands reaching behind her to find the edge of the tub. Suddenly, out of the blue, they hear Ness' voice call out for his fiancé, obviously back to see if she's here.
"Star, do you know what this means!?" Sara exclaims in a whisper, now growing excited.
Star's green eyes are mixed with shock and twinge of fear, "It's positive."
They both look up, startled, as the bathroom door opens, and Ness looks at them both with relieved green eyes, but soon turns to worry as she sees the expression on Star's face.
"Star? Sara?" Ness says slowly, gazing back and forth between the two sisters, "What's going on?"
"Uh, nothing," Sara chirps innocently, trying to cover up everything.
Ness looks over at Star, as if waiting for an answer. Star tries to open her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. She doesn't know what to say herself. Both girls follow his gaze as he catches the tube out of the corner of his eye.
"What is that?" Ness demands, turning his look back to them.
Sara quickly cast glances between Ness and the tube, while Star sits frozen to her spot. She chuckles a bit, smiling innocently.
"What are you...oh…that…" Sara laughs it off, trying to play dumb, and sees Ness crossing his arms, "It's a…it's a….it's a…….Star?"
Sara smiles meekly at her as she turns the spotlight to her big sister. Star just glares at her.
"Gee, thanks," Star mutters.
"Star, what is happening?" Ness inquires, "What is going on?"
"Ness, honey, sweetheart," Star says, trying to sweeten him up, "I don't know how to tell you this. I wasn't even expecting it myself."
Ness walks over and kneels by her side. His green eyes gaze into her, and Star resists the urge to just break down and cry. Tears dot her emerald eyes as he takes her hands in his.
"Shh…Star, it's okay. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's all right," Ness soothes her.
"Ness…I…I…" Star stammers out.
"It's okay, Sis," Sara consoles her, "He has to know."
He looks from Sara to Star, wondering what they're talking about. Star takes in a deep breath, preparing for what's to come.
"Ness?" Star asks softly.
"Yes?" Ness replies, curious.
"I'm pregnant," Star blurts out, with her eyes closed, now unable to look at him.
Ness' eyes widen in shock and his mouth drops open. He tries to say something but nothing comes out except guttural sounds.
"..uh..h…what?" Ness finally stammers out.
"Oh boy," Sara comments, shaking her head.
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Two tekkamen streak through the sky, facing each other in combat. The setting sky sets them ablaze in the armor. Two men watch silently as metallic clashes are heard above.
"Hey, David," a young man's voice calls to him from behind.
David turns around, his blond hair tugging in the breeze. His crystal blue eyes search for what is calling him and sees Hayato standing there.
"What's up Hayato?" David asks a bit surprised.
"Have you seen Yumi?" Hayato questions.
David raises an eyebrow, and shakes his head. He turns around, trying not to chuckle.
"She's watching the control room for the Commodore," David answers, his eyes turning back to the combat.
"I see," Hayato answers, walking up beside him, "Those two aren't doing too bad."
The two tekkamen separate from their struggle and land on opposite sides of the lily field. The white and black armor of the female tekkaman glitters in the fiery sun as her red hair flows gently in the breeze. She brandishes her tekka sword as she stares at the massive white, black and shimmering gold giant of a tekkaman staring back at her.
"Is that all you got Autumn?" the male tekkaman cries out in a tired breath.
"Look who's talking, Sahaquiel," Autumn replies calmly, "But you have gotten a lot better since our last exercise. You still need some practice though."
"Oh, give me a break," Sahaquiel whines.
David and Hayato laugh as Sahaquiel groan. He should have been prepared for a comment like that, especially since it's Natasha, the one and only Tekkaman Autumn.
"Natasha has a point though, Goliate," David yells out to them, "We all have to be strong if we are going to win this war, and must be able to work together as a team, unified as one."
Sahaquiel sighs, and prepares to duel with Autumn again. Hayato looks at David with a very surprised look, and David catches it out of the corner of his eye.
"What?" David asks, wondering what Hayato is up to now.
"Never expect that to come out of your mouth," Hayato answers.
"Well, you'll hear me says things that you wouldn't expect form me, so get used to it," David tells him.
"You sure have changed," Hayato states.
"We all change at one time or another, there are things that happen in our lives and we have to change; it comes to us as a surprise," David says, gazing into the sun slipping under the covers of the deep blue ocean, then adds, "It's just matter of when and where we change Hayato."
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If you would be loved, love and be lovable.
-Benjamin Franklin
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