Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Chapter Sixty – Five – Stand Up and Face the Enemy

Kyle climbed up on to a low roof in the marketplace, and Zan lifted Ava up, while Kyle reached down to grab her. Zan scrambled up beside them as the sound of Pat Benatar filled the air. Banners inscribed with the words from the song appeared, anchored to the roofs of various buildings. Kyle smiled with satisfaction, pleased to see that Che'koth's rebels had managed to get all the banners in place.

The confused citizens stopped and looked around, trying to figure out what the music was, and where it was coming from. A roar went up from the crowd when somebody spotted Zan standing on the roof, next to Ava and Kyle, their fists raised up towards the rising sun.

The people began to chant, calling out Zan's name. Ava nudged Zan discreetly, and he moved forward and used his communicator to amplify his voice.

"It is time to free ourselves from the bonds Kivar has used to enslave us!" he shouted. "People of Antar, join me in reclaiming our world from that usurper, Kivar!"

"Kivar is our true Lord!" shouted one of the people in the crowd. "He freed us from the tyranny of the Royal Family!" He fired off an energy bolt at Zan, but people in the crowd jostled him causing his shot to go wide.

Zan watched as the crowd turned on the person and began to rain blows down on him.

"Don't!" Zan shouted. "Leave him. We need to move forward to take the palace."

As planned, they jumped down off of the low roof, and made their way to the palace, the large crowd following behind them while the amplified song echoed throughout the marketplace.

Isabel and Alex made there way to the business district just as the sun broke on the horizon.

"Damn," Isabel said. "We're running behind."

"We're fine, Isabel, relax," said Alex. "Look that's where we need to be." He pointed to the center of the business district where a large statue of Kivar was located. They stopped, and both of them fired repeated bolts of energy at the statue until it collapsed to the ground.

Alex jumped up on the rubble and held his hand down to Isabel to help her scramble up beside him. The morning sun began to filter in among the tall buildings as a crowd formed, called by the sounds of the statue tumbling to the ground. The communicators planned by the rebels came to life, and the sounds of music filled the area.

"Look, it's Princess Vilondra," somebody called out. "She left the palace!"

"Vilondra, the real Vilondra is dead!" shouted Isabel into her communicator. Her amplified voice carried over the crowd, and her words shocked them to attention. Kivar killed her, but our trusted scientists managed to recreate our essence. We were sent to a planet called Earth in the hopes that we would survive to come back and fight for our world. I am now called Isabel, and I am here to fight for you, to fight with you to free you from Kivar's rule!"

"You lie!" shouted one person. "Vilondra is in the palace with Lord Kivar!"

"There is another," agreed Isabel. "She was created by Kivar's scientists, but they were unable to duplicate the process used to give me life. She is defective. She doesn't speak. You people knew the real Vilondra. She was not meek and mild. She fought for what she wanted, as do I. And what I want is your freedom!

Banners spilled down from the tall buildings, the words written on them echoing the words of the song that played around them.

"It's time for you to make a stand!" shouted Isabel. "And with the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice. It's a do or die situation, we will be invincible! Fellow Antarians, I carved those words into the throne room floor. My brother, your King is here. Come help restore him to his rightful place as the King of Antar!"

The gathering crowd roared their show of support, as Alex and Isabel jumped down off the rubble and made their way to the palace, with the crowd falling in behind, cheering madly.

"Ready?" Liz asked.

"As I'll ever be," said Max. "Let's do it!"

They approached the palace slowly, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. All too soon, they reached the rendezvous point, and the contingent of rebels that Che'koth had arranged for them to meet.

"Welcome, majesty," said one of the rebels, stepping forward. "I am Radnar. Che'koth sent us to meet you."

"Max, wait," said Liz, holding up a restraining hand. "How do we know this isn't a trap?"

"You're Queen is quite wise, Majesty. But we have words, given to us from Che'koth that should reassure you," said Radnar. "Che'koth said we should call you Max, and if we did not, the Queen would bestow upon us the most dreadful titles imagined."

Liz swallowed a nervous giggle, and beside her, Max relaxed slightly, and smiled at the men.

"Thank you," Max said. "You've all worked so hard, and done so much. When we are successful, it will be because of you."

"We are honored, Majesty, to do whatever we need to restore you to your rightful position," said Radnar.

Max shook his head ruefully. Che'koth may have said for the men to call him Max, but apparently, the message didn't really sink in.

"Is everything ready?" Max asked.

"Yes, Majesty. Everything is as was requested," answered another of the rebels. If you are ready, we'd best hurry. The sunrise will soon be upon us.

Radnar led Max and Liz through a labyrinth of passageways to the bottom of a staircase.

"We'll take it from here, Radnar," said Max. "You go get into position."

"Are you sure, Majesty?" Radnar asked. "I am reluctant to leave you alone here."

"It has to be done, we need you out there, helping to coordinate everything," said Max.

"As you wish, Majesty," Radnar replied. He bowed to Max, and made his way back through the passages to the outside of the palace.

Max and Liz climbed the flight of stairs and climbed out onto a deserted balcony. Max nodded to Liz, and she reached out, and pulled on something, and the giant banner the group had labored over cascaded from the roof above them, ending just above the balcony where they stood.

"Liz, it's blank," said Max, struggling to contain his panic.

"I know," said Liz, with a sweet smile. "Don't worry. Maria had an idea."

"Maria had an idea?" he asked weakly. "No, nothing to be worried about, there."

"Max, you should relax," said Liz. Well, not relax," she amended, "But have a little faith."

As she spoke, the sun broke over the city. Max looked down to the city below, and saw what looked like thousands of people moving towards the palace. The suns rays caressed the banner, and Liz reached her hand out and touched it, and a blaze of color exploded across it.

The crowd shouted out, and Max spun around to look at the banner. Emblazoned upon it was a series of pictures. On upper left corner there was a picture of himself, with Liz at his side. In the next corner, an image of Isabel and Alex. On the lower right corner, Michael and Maria and the fourth corner had an image of Ava and Kyle. His eyes drank in Maria's "surprise" and he turned to Liz and smiled as the music rang across the city, spurring the citizens to join the fight for freedom.