Chapter Five
Matt stood on the grass next to the pond in the park, he stared off into the distance for a second, it had been nearly a week since he'd arrived on Mirinoi. Mike and Leo had brought him up to speed on all that had taken place during the last two years since he'd seen them. A lot of what they had told him was amazing.
Shaking his head, Matt assumed a ready stance. Then he slowly began to move his arms and legs in a complex pattern, each move containing a power punch or kick. When he finished his pattern, he spoke up: "What can I do for you Maya?" He turned and smiled at the young woman standing behind him with a startled look on her face.
"How did you know I was standing here?" she asked.
"Part of my training has taught me use all my senses. I could feel you here before I even see you."
"Wow," Maya said before remembering why she was there, "I came to see you because there's someone you need to meet."
"Oh?" Matt said, his eyebrows rising in surprise, "Who?"
"His name is Jara," Maya replied, "He a wise man that lives in a village at the edge of the jungle. There's something he needs to tell you."
"About what?"
Maya calmly said, "About why you are here."
It didn't take more than twenty minutes to walk to Maya's home village. All the while Matt couldn't help but wonder what it was that this man Jara had to say. As they entered the village he saw groups of people staring at him with looks of surprise, but then they turned back to what they were doing as he and Maya approached a small hut.
"Hello Jara," Maya said entering the hut.
"Maya," Jara said looking up from the Galaxy Book, "To what do I owe this visit?"
"I've brought someone here to see you," Maya replied with a smile. Without another word she signaled for someone outside.
Jara's eyes went wide as Matt entered the hut. Then he smiled, "Hello Matt, welcome to my home, I've been expecting you."
Matt looked at him in surprise, "How do you know who I am?"
"Please," Jara said offering him a chair, "Sit down and I'll explain."
After he was seated, Matt stared at Jara for a second then said: "Maya says that you know why I'm here."
"Indeed I do," Jara replied, "This may sound hard to believe, but you were brought here by destiny."
"Your right, that sounds hard to believe."
"Then perhaps this will help," Jara said showing Matt the Galaxy Book, Matt's eyes went wide as he saw the picture of him. He dropped the book on the floor and stared at Jara in amazement.
"This is all a lie," Matt said slowly backing up towards the door, "A sick and horrible joke. I don't believe any of this." He turned to leave.
"Have the nightmare's gotten worse Matt," Jara said.
Matt stopped and whirled around. "How do you know about them," he said startled.
"Because, they are a part of your destiny, as am I," Jara replied.
Matt slowly sat back down and then said, "It's been happening a lot more for the last month or so, and always the same one. I was trapped fighting some sort of strange man, he wore some sort of black outfit and had slightly green skin," Matt revealed, then he looked at Jara, "Who is he?"
"He is an evil being know as Skokahn," Jara replied. "He is the most powerful evil entity we know of. He's also the reason why evil exists in our universe. According to the Galaxy Book, he came to this universe centuries ago. The gateway he'd come through was protected by a guarding, but Skokahn was able to trap the guardian in a void and keep him their. With the gateway left open, all that is evil has seeped into our universe."
"So where do I enter the picture?" Matt questioned.
"According to the legend," Jara continued, "There would come 'The One', which is you, a being representing all that is good in this universe. You would after much training by me, challenge Skokahn to a final battle, during which if it seems his defeat is emanate, the sword of the ancient ones would appear, and you would be able to use it to defeat him."
"When is this battle to take place?" Matt asked starting to understand.
"The battle will take place during Skokahn's accension, a period of time during which his powers will be at their greatest high," Jara replied, "As will your abilities."
"There's no way for me to avoid this is there?" Matt said worried.
"No," Jara said calmly, "You must face your destiny, or all will be lost, not just our world, but also the universe."
"When do we begin then," Matt said after a moment's thought.
"Tomorrow," Jara said, "Skokahn undoubtedly already knows of your arrival here on Mirinoi. You must keep your guard up at all times. And you should also warn your friends, Skokahn won't hesitate to cause them harm if it will help him defeat you."
"I will," Matt said as Maya led him out of the hut.
Two hours later Matt was sitting with Mike and Kendrix at a table in a small cafe near the GSA building listening as they were telling him about the situation with Leo and Karone.
"So let me get this straight," Matt said, "Leo's in love with Karone, she's in love with him, but neither wants to admit to."
Mike and Kendrix nodded.
"And I thought I had serious issues in my life," Matt said shaking his head, "Have you tried talking to either one of them?"
"It doesn't help," Mike replied, "Leo's afraid that if he admits to Karone that he loves her, she'll just shoot him down cold."
"And Karone's afraid to get close to Leo because she doesn't believe he's really in love with her, even thought she's in love with him," Kendrix added.
"Well," Matt said after a moments thought, "Romance has never been my best subject, but something tells me I'm going to be playing Cupid for those two."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Matt," Mike said with a grin, "I mean when was the last time you've ever been in love."
Matt glared at him for a second then said, "One does no have to ever have been in love to see it. I could see there was definitely something going on between those two the day I arrived here. You guys have just made it more obvious for me."
"Well in that case," Mike said as he and Kendrix were getting up from their seats, "Good luck on your little mission Matt. Kendrix and I have to return to our duties for the day, we'll see you later this evening."
"Okay," Matt said watching them leave, "Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get those two love birds together."
After a little bit of thought, he decided to go and talk to Karone first.
Karone stood staring out of the windows to her quarters at the vast jungle outside of the City Dome. Her thoughts once again were on Leo and that day. The kiss did mean something, whether Leo wanted to admit it was his decision, but one thing was certain, she loved him. But did he love her? She couldn't tell. Her thoughts were interrupt when the her door chimed. "Come in," she said turning around as Matt entered the room.
"Hi Karone," Matt said, "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine Matt, what brings you here?"
"I came to talk to you," Matt replied.
"About what?"
"You and Leo," Matt said.
Karone's smile disappeared and her voice became cold. "What business is it of yours?"
"He's in love with you," Matt said choosing his words carefully, "And I have a feeling you feel the same." His expression remained cool and calm.
Realizing he was right Karone stepped away from the window and sat down in a chair, tears forming in her eyes. "Why doesn't he just admit to it then? He's been distancing himself from me for the last week."
"He didn't seem so distant the day Deviot attacked," Matt pointed out.
"But that's it," Karone replied, "He doesn't seem to want to be around me since then, he treats me like I have some sort of contagious disease."
Matt looked at her knowingly then said, "I'll let you in on a secret Karone, Leo's only doing this because he's confused. He's have doubts right now, but eventually he'll snap out of it and come to his senses again."
"Do you really think so?"
Matt smiled and said: "If he doesn't, I'll have knocked the sense back into him myself. And I've got to tell you, that's not the easiest thing on the planet."
Karone smiled as Matt rose to leave. "Where are you going?" she asked.
Matt turned and said: "To have a talk with Leo."
Leo sat atop one of the many rocks on the sandy beach and watched as the sun slowly began to dip below the horizon. He wasn't really looking at the beautiful seen though, instead his mind was locked on one subject: Karone. He'd been afraid to go near her since the day Deviot attacked. He wasn't trying avoid her really, he was trying to help her avoid him. Since that day at the park and talking with Mike and Kendrix, Leo found himself somewhat confused. Did he love her or didn't he?
"Trying to make sense of it all?" said a voice behind him.
Leo turned to see Matt standing behind him with a knowing smile on his face. "How did you know I'd be here?" he asked.
"Well," Matt said sitting on a rock across from him, "I just remember how you used to come to the beach whenever there was something on your mind, and figured that just because you're on a different planet, doesn't mean you'd give up the habit."
"You know me all too well Matt," Leo said grinning.
"I guess so," Matt replied. "I talked to Mike and Kendrix, they've given me the low down on the situation."
Leo groan, and buried his head in his knees.
"Are you going to tell her the truth or not," Matt asked.
"How can I, when I don't even know the truth myself," Leo replied sadly.
"You love her don't you?" Matt asked.
"More than anything," Leo admitted, "But what do I do if she doesn't feel the same?"
"Don't you think you should find out?"
"Maybe," Leo said not taking his eyes off the ocean.
"Leo let me tell you what I know," Matt said, "I've only know Karone for only about a week, but I've known you most of my adult life. You and Karone were made for each other. She's beautiful, she's smart, she's funny, she's a strong woman, but one thing that shows more than anything, she's got a good heart. She has all the same attributes you have. Well except for the beauty part."
Leo laughed as this then said, "You really think she's the one for me?"
"Yes, I do," Matt said, "And I can tell you right now, if you don't tell her how you feel, you'll be turning your back on the greatest thing that has ever happened to you."
"All right," Leo finally agreed, "But when should I tell her how I feel?"
As Matt was turning back from looking at the setting sun, he looked behind Leo and a smile appeared on his face. "Don't look now cuz," he said, "But I think now is your chance."
Leo turned and saw Karone standing about twenty yards away with a look of hope on her face.
Matt watched as Leo got up and began to slowly walk towards her. As he sat their, he was reminded of a song he once heard.
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
"Hi," Leo said nervously as he walked up and stood in front of her.
To the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
"Hi."
"Karone I've been a complete idiot for the last week. I've been letting my fears get the best of me. I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time now. But I wasn't sure how you'd react."
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You still my heart, and you take my breath away.
"What is it Leo," Karone said softly looking right at him with hope in her eyes.
"I'm in love with you," Leo said, "Not casually, not slightly, but completely."
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
"You're in love with me?" Karone said staring at him feeling tears of joy forming in her eyes.
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
"I've wanted to tell you for so long," Leo said, "When I'm with you, I feel like I can do anything and I'm overcome with a feeling of warmth, when I'm without you I feel alone, and cold. Karone I love you. Not just with my heart, but with my soul and everything that I hold dear. You are the most important thing in this universe to me."
"Leo," Karone said softly as she started crying, "I love you too. I have since that day you tried to protect me when Magnetron attacked and stripped you of your powers. I've always wanted to tell you but I've been too scared to admit it. Now I'm not, I love you, and I never want to stop loving you."
Leo gently placed his hand on the side of her face and carefully brushed a tear away with his thumb. Then as the sun slowly began to set in front of them, he took her in his arms and they shared a long and passionate kiss.
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.
And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
As Matt sat watching the two, Mike, Kendrix, Kai, Maya, and Damon walked up behind him.
"I guess this means you talked to them," Mike said grinning.
"You better believe I did cuz," Matt said looking back at the new couple and smiling, "And I think they're going to be perfect together."
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
background How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?