"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 were created by me and will not be used without my explicit permission. No money is being made here.

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To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act of kindness is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.

-Gandhi

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Episode XI: Bliss and Tragedy

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"It's hard to believe that we haven't been attacked for a long time," Yumi declares, staring into the sunny sky.

"Yeah, you would think they give us a night off on training exercise thought," Hayato replies, his green eyes gazing straight at her," It's the pits."

Yumi giggles as she observes the white fluffy clouds. She closes her blue-green eyes and sighs softly.

"I know, but we must be stronger," Yumi comments in a soft tone, "Especially now, since the Chief is no longer in battle. You know, I've never seen D-boy so happy before."

"Well, of course he's happy," Hayato answers back, "He's going to be a father; but I too am not used to him being so happy all the time. It's sort of scary."

Yumi bursts out in laughter, holding her stomach. Hayato just looks at her, confused.

"Hayato! You're weird!" Yumi laughs, much to Hayato's distress.

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Star looks up at the ceiling lights, taking deep breaths, as her mind wanders out into space. Suddenly, a figure looks over her, disturbing her thoughts. She gazes up at the woman with green eyes and fiery red hair.

"Doctor Kaiou," Star says a bit startled.

"Are you all right, Lady Star?" Jessie asks concerned for her patient.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Star answers calmly, "Just out there today.

"Okay, you had me worried there for a minute," Jessie admits with a sigh of relief.

Star smiles as Jonny walks over to her side. He smiles at her for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Well, the results will be done in a moment," Jonny informs her, "And someone is here to see you. Shall I send the person in?"

"Yes," Star nods, "It's all right."

"All right, we'll be back in a moment," Jessie says as the two doctors leave.

Star closes her eyes and sighs contentedly. As she closes her eyes, images appear in her mind. She's standing amidst a burning field, surrounded in dead bodies and rubble. Star can feel the heat throughout her body and suddenly the image of Tekkaman Saber flashes in front of her, as scores of Radam march towards her. She tries to materialize her crystal, but nothing happens. Star stands in fear as they keep on coming towards her. Then, there's a bright flash of light and she's transported to another battleground, smoldering in its aftermath. On the top of a cliff, illuminated by the moon, stands a woman with long black hair. A heavily pregnant woman. She tries to see who it is, but the woman's face is turned away so she can't see. The ground begins to rise and fall and trees collapse around them both. Ariadne's face envelops her vision, screaming in pain with sweat dripping down her face, and a cry fills the air, almost sounding like an infant. Bat-like wings materialize and spread before her as it reveals a figure hidden by darkness. Star stands there with wide green eyes before she suddenly, for some reason, whirls around and sees two men on the ground before her, covered in blood. Two crossed swords plunge into the ground between her and them as she recognizes one of them. Star stares at the face of her grandfather, Cecil, and covers her mouth in horror. Her green eyes move to the dead man beside him, an exact copy of him except for the scar that cascades from the right side of his forehead, across the bridge of his nose and down to his left cheek. The ground cracks around the young woman, surrounded by this horrible vision, and breaks away, leaving Star to fall into nothingness as the darkness consumes her. She screams horrifically as she falls, only to be overpowered by the voice of Rosa as she hears her grandmother scream for her lost husband's name hysterically. A shining, pulsating light appears above her as the angelic form of Shara Carter appears, spreading out her angel wings to full length, her beauty only masked by the sad, painful wails that are heard from her, but they change pitch and tone, only to be recognized by Star, as her own voice.

Star's eyes fly open and she lets out a startled gasp as she feels a hand gently grab her arm. But, she lets out an even more startled cry as she quickly sits up and feels a searing pain in her lower abdomen. Her green eyes fill with the pain that she's feeling. Star sees Ness in front of her, his own green eyes filled with fear.

"Doctor Kaiou!" Ness yells as he holds Star in his arms, trying to ease her back down in the hospital bed.

Jessie and Jonny both run in, upon hearing his cry. Ness gently lays his future wife down, trying to calm her down, wondering what is prompting this all of a sudden as pain and fear run in Star's emerald eyes.

"What happened?" Jessie demands, looking at her.

"It hurt so painfully, so fast," Star says in a whispered breath.

"All right, can you point to the general region?" Jonny questions, casting a glance up at Jessie.

"Right about here," Star whispers painfully, as she waves her hand over her lower abdomen.

"All right, just take some deep breaths," Jessie orders her, as she gently feels Star's stomach if it's anything she can physically detect, "Jonny, run some ETs quick."

"Right," Jonny nods, running out of the room.

"Don't worry Lady Star," Jessie assures her, "Just relax, we're going to run some more tests. We'll be done soon."

"Okay," Star nods.

Ness softly strokes the side of her face, trying his best to comfort her. He gently squeezes her hand as he trembles slightly from fear himself. He know this isn't going to be no easy pregnancy for Star. After all, they are the first full fledged tekkamen to survive long enough in this war to have a child, and no one knows what to expect. And considering what has happened to the primary bodies, this isn't going to be a walk in park for them. This will most likely be the most challenging thing that will ever happen. Fighting Radam is one thing, he knows what to do, what he must to do, to ensure the safety and life of everyone he cares about. But, pregnancy, children and fatherhood, is like the unexplored depths of space. He has no clue.

"Everything is going to be fine." Ness consoles her and himself, "Don't worry."

Jessie sighs, deep in thought as Jonny comes back drawing more blood and taking stats on her vitals. A few minutes pass, before Jonny reenters the room, gazing at his partner with his blue eyes as he wonders if she's thinking what he is. She raises her head as he hands her the results, and her eyes catch his and seem to acknowledge his idea. They both know it can be many possibilities but their instincts are telling them what it most likely is.

"What is it?" Star pleads with them "What's wrong?"

"Well, we can't really tell," Jessie answers, "It can be anything, but something so sudden most likely could be a result of you pulling an abdominal muscle. Putting too much strain can do that, but it's too early to say for sure. I suggest taking it easy from now on.

"She will," Ness answers for Star, nodding, "I'll make sure of it."

"Good, if anything else happens, like her condition seems to worsen, come see me immediately," Jessie orders, "I don't care if that mean waking me out of a dead sleep, you hear me?"

"Yes, Doctor," Star and Ness affirm at the same time.

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"David," Sara says softly, nibbling on his ear.

"Hmm..?" David whispers, as he encases her in his arms.

"Are you supposed to be in the control room?" Sara whispers back as she softly kisses down the side of the cheek.

"No, Yumi's in there," David answers as they hold each other in the empty hall, "Commodore went to see the Chief. She had to see the doctor today."

Meanwhile, Hayato and Goliate turn around the corner and freeze at the sight of the two cuddling in the hall. Both men quickly dive back around the corner, carefully eavesdropping on the two. They both try to contain their laughter as David affectionately kisses Sara on the cheek, holding her close to him.

Sara softly giggles as David tickles her neck with his breath. David closes his blue eyes, enveloped in the moment. He realizes how lucky he is to have Sara on the cheek, holding her close to him.

"Hey, what's going on?" Goliate whispers.

"Shut up!" Hayato hisses with a finger to his lips.

"Sara," David says softly, as softly rocks her side to side.

"What is it, David?" Sara asks in soft tone, as she relaxes in his embrace.

"I think my nose is going to bleed," Goliate whines in a whisper.

"Then, stick your thumb up it!" Hayato snaps under his breath.

"Sara, I don't think I'm in love with you," David says, his blue eyes shining with affection.

"David?" Sara questions, looking up at him, her own blue eyes filled with confusion.

"I think I'm addicted to you," David states in the softest tone possible, as he lowers his lips to hers, "Because, what I'm feeling right now is more than love."

"David," Sara whispers, a blush erupting across her face.

David and Sara's lips met in a touch of romantic bliss. David feels the soft touch of her fingers as she runs them through his blond hair. His arms tighten their hold around her waist, feeling the curves of her hips. The world and time itself seemed to have stopped for them as they immersed themselves in their own dreams. But, a large crash startled the two young lovers from their own world. David's blue eyes narrow maliciously as he finds Hayato and Goliate laying in a heap on the floor. Both mean quickly scramble to their feet as they realize what trouble they have just landed in.

"What the hell are you two doing her?" David asks angrily.

Hayato looks at Goliate before moving his gaze to Sara and David. His green eyes sparkle with a glint of mischief, as he smiles the most innocently he can. One thought only crosses his mind—payback's a bitch.

"And here all this time, David want us to think he was a smooth ladies man, but out comes the soft side," Hayato chuckles, then mocking David in a high tone, "I don't think I'm in love with you.

"I'm addicted to you," Goliate jumps in.

"Uh, guys," Sara warns as she sees the fire of murderous rage burn in David's blue eyes,

"Because this more than love I feel," Hayato and Goliate both try to say before bursting into laughter.

"That does it!" David yells, causing both men to stop laughing," You're both DEAD!"

"Oh shit," Goliate says slowly as he watches David run at them.

"RUN!!" Hayato screams as he beats a hasty retreat around the corner, Goliate in high gear behind him.

Sara calls out after her boyfriend but he's already around the corner and hot on the two men's heels. She softly sighs as she brushes a strand of her angel white hair from her face.

"I guess boys will be boys.." Sara says, shaking her head softly.

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The fiery planet of war, Mars, is surrounded by its seemingly docile captors. Its two moons, Phobos and Deimos, continue on their way, as if oblivious to what is going on around them. Across the solar system, Mar's sister, Venus, is being held as well. Now only one planet remains; Tellus is oblivious to the danger impeding on its serenity. The Radam have become more confident in each stride they take and each body that falls; it will only no be a matter of time before they will take the true quarry of their fight.

The Radam flagship floats silently outside the orbit of Mars, holding lives that are sleeping peacefully. Well, most of them are peaceful, but some....

Ariadne Carter awakes suddenly from her deep sleep, and softly rubs her face, trying to awake. The sudden jabs and kicks from inside quickly bring her to attention, and she softly runs her hand over her bulging stomach. Her dark eyes seek the darkness and looks out the glass pane that separates their room from the deepness of space, to the rebellious yet conquered planet of Mars. She feels that something is wrong, but she doesn't know what it is. She brushes away a strand of her black hair as her eyes travel to her sleeping husband, who is still unstirred. After a few moments of gathering her strength, she musters herself out of bed. Her black nightgown brushes against the red-carpeted floor. Her dark brown eyes gaze at the planet, wondering what is wrong. Can it be Hera? Is she in some type of danger down there? Ariadne shakes her head, knowing that can't be it, Hera is better than that. Her hands gently rub her growing abdomen as she tries to distinguish what it is that she's feeling.

Cain rolls over in his sleep, reaching out for something that isn't there. He wakes up with a start at the absence of his wife. Cain sits up in bed, as his emerald eyes search the room, and spots his wife standing, as if in a trance, in front of the gigantic window.

"Ariadne?" Cain asks softly, which she doesn't hear, as he stands up.

Ariadne's gaze turns from Mars, to the darkness of space. She can feel it now, it is coming from out there. Her dark eyes widen as she senses it, the pain, the sadness, the grief, and the fear. Who is it coming from? She feels sadness for whomever is sending this out to her. Her thoughts are startled as she feels Cain's arms wrap around her.

"Ariadne, what's wrong?" Cain asks softly, and concerned.

"Nothing...nothing at all. I just can't sleep, that's all," Ariadne answers in a soft whisper.

Soft kicks emanate from within, as if their child is almost demanding a bit of attention. Ariadne smiles softly as she looks down at her enlarged belly. In response, she softly rubs her stomach, calming and reassuring the baby inside.

"Keeping your mother up late at night I see," Cain comments with a smiles, obviously thinking of the baby as well.

"Yes, stubborn like you wouldn't believe," Ariadne replies with a chuckle, "Wonder where that comes from?"

"Not from my side that's for sure," Cain says, looking away a bit innocently, with a smile.

"Yeah, sure," Araidne states, sticking her tongue out, and tries to be silly.

Both of them laugh softly in the darkness. Cain kneels down before her, resting the side of his face against her stomach gently. His hands slowly run up and down her stomach and he smiles as he feels the child's kick against him. Ariadne slowly strokes the side of his face as he closes his emerald eyes.

"I can't believe," Cain softly begins to speak, "That our child will be here soon."

"Yes, I know," Ariadne answers in a whisper, "It's sometimes hard for me to believe it myself. But, soon, my husband, you will be holding our little baby girl. A beautiful girl, who I have a feeling, will take after her father, the way she's acting now."

"A daughter..." Cain states, drifting off, with his green eyes now opened and filled with happiness.

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Ness stares down at the seemingly endless paperwork, sitting on Star's desk in their quarters. He takes a sip of his coffee as he looks over them, never seeing so much in his life, but then, he didn't look over every detail of Space Knight business as her second-in-command until now. It's no wonder to him that Star gets stressed, to go through this every day. His thoughts are interrupted when there's a ring at the door.

"come in, door's open," Ness answers through the intercom on the desk.

The door slides open with a hiss, as David enters, looking at the paperwork with an amused look on his face. Ness just glares at him with his emerald eyes, telling him to not even say it.

"Oh Ness, you're no fun," David says a bit disappointed, "Lighten up a bit."

"I will once this stuff is over and done with," Ness tells him, then hands him a stack, "Look through these, and if there's anything to sign, sign it, I give you permission to sign it."

"All right, I get to be a paper pusher!" David says, trying to cheer up the mood in the room, "Where's a pen?"

Ness tosses him a pen, just shaking his head. He's not going to say a word about it.

"So, how's the Chief?" David asks as he scribbles away.

"The doctors think she's strained a muscle in her lower abdomen, that's the cause of the pain she's feeling," Ness answers softly, "Of course, they don't know for sure, so they told her not to do anything but rest for awhile to see if it might be anything else. It's weird, they seemed really nervous about it as if they were anticipating something else. Right now, she's taking a nap."

"And leaving the power in our hands," David adds, "The world must be scared now."

Both men laugh, as Ness gets up and pours another cup of coffee. He offers one to David, who just shakes his head, and then sits back down.

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Meanwhile, in the other room, Star wakes up, feeling a searing pain in her abdomen. She slowly sits up, wincing in every move she makes. Her green eyes open with fear, she knows something is terribly wrong. It shouldn't feel like this; she has to find Ness and fast. How she is scared, so scared. She flips over the covers to get out of bed and freezes in horror. She gently touches the inside of her thigh, and blood wipes off on her hand. Her green eyes fill with tears of fear and horror. She tries to form his name but she can't , nothing will come out. After a few moments of horrific silence all she can manage is a blood-curdling scream.

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Ness and David both freeze in the middle of their work as Star's scream pierces the air. Ness stands up quickly, his chair falling backwards.

"Star!" Ness cries out as he bolts to the bedroom.

The door slides open and he sees Star's horror-stricken face staring at the blood in her hand.

"Oh, please, no," Ness whispers to himself as he rushes to her side, "Star, calm down, okay? We're going to the doctor right now."

David stands in the doorway, not knowing what's going on or what to do. He can't see exactly what's happening; Ness is too busy hovering over her, but he does spot the puddle of blood on the bedsheet. Ness quickly turns and looks at him.

"Call the doctor now! Speed dial one!" Ness cries as he turns back to Star.

"Right!" David affirms, rushing out of the room.

Ness gazes at Star, whose whole body is shaking and has erupted into a fit of hysterical crying. He quickly grabs the blanket and wraps it around her, while trying to console her the best he can; even though he's fighting tears himself. His emerald eyes look at her, with a tint of fear residing within, as he lifts her up in his arms. Swiftly and gracefully, he carries her out of the room, staring straight into David's eyes.

"The doctor said she'll meet you in the med room," David tells him calmly.

"All right, thanks," Ness answers and rushes out of the room, leaving David behind.

David steps out, watching him carry Star down the hall as fast as he can. He feels a pang of remorse for the two. David knows the two fought hard to get to where they have today, they don't deserve this. Next thing he hears is Sara's voice calling to him, and turns around, seeing Sara rush at him.

"David? What's going on?" Sara asks desperately, "Doctor Chiba just called Mom, and she went ballistic and ran off, crying something about Star."

"I think..." David says, trying to form the words he wants to say, but finds it hard, knowing how much Sara cares about her big sister.

"You think what..." Sara says, on the brink of tears and shakes him, "Damn it! Say something!"

"I think the Chief is going to lose her baby," David answers sadly, and takes Sara into his arms, "I'm sorry, Sara."

"No!!" Sara screams, shaking her head, "It can't be! That's not supposed to happen to Star! She's supposed to be the one to be happy and well. She doesn't deserve this! It isn't fair!"

David just stares at her as she continues on her outburst. As soon as she stops, Sara collapses, breaking down into tears.

"Sara?" David questions, now worried.

"It isn't fair..." Sara sobs, holding her face in her hands, "...It isn't fair."

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Ness stares at the wall in the waiting room, his thoughts drifting in the emptiness of conscious space. Suddenly, he feels a hand laying on his shoulder, and looks up straight into Terra's green eyes. He can see the resemblance. Star has eyes just like her mother, those beautiful green eyes that Ness has always loved to stare into. Those eyes just a mere hour ago were so different, eyes full of terror and pain. Wisps of Terra's green hair fall about her face, she can be Star's twin. Ness had always wondered where she got the green hair from after the accident when she first tried to become a tekkaman. He still remembers the sapphire color it had been before, it wasn't hard to notice her in a crowd. Some may have found it strange and peculiar for her blue hair, but he found it quite beautiful. Ness remembers the initial shock after the whole incident had been over and done with. Star could have lost her life or been drastically mutated but she had been lucky and only had a few genes altered or erased and were the ones that changed her hair from the sapphire to the emerald color she now has today. Star had been upset about it, but he was just happy that she made it through safe and alive. What a time for him to think of memories, but then again, it's all he can do besides wait.

"How are you?" Terra asks concerned for him.

"I don't know," Ness answers, unsure of himself.

Suddenly, Jonny enters the room, staring at the only three allowed in. Terra, Edgar and Ness. Each one turns his/her gaze upon him as he opens his blue eyes and prepares to speak.

"Is Star all right?" Terra asks before he can say a word.

"Yes," Jonny implies with a nod, "She's resting comfortably now."

"Doctor Chiba?" Edgar questions, breaking from his silence, "What's the situation?"

"Well, it might be better if Jessie told you herself," Jonny answers to best of his ability, "I'm just supposed to tell that Star herself is all right and is in stable condition."

"thank you," Ness manages to say, closing his green eyes.

Jonny looks at him sadly, before turning away and walks out of the room. It is another hour before someone enter the waiting room again. All three turn and stand as Jessie makes her appearance. Her green eyes gaze at each person in turn before they finally rest on Ness. You can see the great burden and sadness within. Jessie quickly brushes a strand of her fiery hair aside.

"Doctor Kaiou?" Terra asks, a bit worried about the condition of her eldest child.

Jessie ignores her and walks straight towards Ness. She stops right in front of him as they gaze into each other's eyes for the longest time. The young woman sighs, for this is the part of her job that she despises the most. How can she break the truth to him gently? Jessie reaches over and hugs him softly in condolence unknown to him, before stepping away.

"Lord Ness, I...I..." Jessie starts to speak, "I'm sorry."

Terra covers her mouths as she cries out and looks away. Edgar holds her in a tight embrace as she begins to cry.

"These things happen, I know you know that." Jessie continues, trying to keep her composure, "Especially since it's only the first trimester. Lady Star had a miscarriage.

A single tear escapes from one of his eyes, for he already knows the grief that must be burdening Star's heart.

"There's nothing we could've done," Jessie says with complete resolution, "I'm truly sorry."

The room is shrouded in silence as the news begins to soak into their minds. Ness looks back at Jessie, who is already awaiting the question.

"How's Star taking this?" Ness asks in a barely audible whisper.

"All right for now, we sedated before it was complete so she wasn't aware of it as it was actually taking place. We felt it would've been more traumatizing if she knew. She's sleeping peacefully." Jessie answers calmly.

"Thank you. You did the right thing by doing that. Star would have never forgave herself or get over it if she was completely aware. I do not want to her blame herself, when there was nothing she could have done to stop it. May I see her?" he inquires, fighting back more tears.

"Yes, follow me," Jessie answers as she turns around, walking away.

Ness follows in silence as they exit the room and enter the medical bay itself. He stops and gazes down at her through the glass window. Star's sleeping peacefully, thanks to sedatives. He looks at the clean neat surrounding, the medical equipment around her, it brings too many bad memories for him to almost bear.

Jessie motions for him and he continues onward as she opens the door for him, standing out of the way. Ness glances at her, before walking down the steps and looking at Star before him. All he can hear is the bleeping sound from the heart monitor and he fights the urge to cry again. Ness Carter walks beside her and sit in the chair next to her, watching her sleep.

"Star, this never should've happened to you," Ness says quietly, stroking the side of her face, "but, I guess things happen for a reason, maybe it's not our time yet. Star, don't blame yourself, please don't blame yourself. You had no control over it. No matter what happens, remember, I'll always love you. Don't forget it."

He lays his head down beside hers, and the tears he fights against so hard, begin to flow. It is then, and only then, alone and in the darkness, does he let his true sorrow show.

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You never know what happiness a simple act of kindness will bring about.

-Bree Abel

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