Disclaimer: SF西遊記スタージンガー , "Starzinger" and its characters are property of TOEI Animation.
Mother…
She couldn't help it.
Belamis liked her from the first time she saw her on the screen.
Dr. Kitty looked very much like her own mother. Middle- aged, black hair, fair skin, tall, slender and surely brilliant. But what really struck her was the gentle smile; the profound affection in her eyes when she looked at Aurora and Kugo. Just the way her own mother used to look and smile at her.
She missed her terribly.
Inevitably, memories, like a slow parade, began to pass. They haunt her every day, since the awful day she watched her die. Her mother's death, tragic as it was, marked her forever.
But this was bad timing, because Belamis only allows flashbacks to come when she is all alone.
Taking her eyes off the screen and trying once more to communicate with the Great Planet helped her in making the painful memories stop. The last experience helped too, since suddenly her instincts warned her not to become so fond, for a second time, of whoever resembles her mother. First time she made a mistake with Queen Lacets.
Kugo's voice also brought her out of the trance.
"Dr. Kitty! Professor Dodge!" Kugo nodded and proudly greeted them. "Our mission is about to get accomplished. We'll be arriving at the Great Planet pretty soon!"
"Those are the best news I've ever heard in my whole life," A broad smile appeared behind Professor Dodge's thick, white mustache and long white beard.
"No doubt you and your cyborg friends have made a great job," Dr. Kitty's expression was that of admiration and gratitude. Then she addressed the rest of Aurora's guardians, "It's a great pleasure for me to finally meet you. Although we have not been formally introduced, Aurora has told me about each of you. Don Hakka, Djorgo and Belamis…"
Dr. Kitty looked every one of them in the eye, and each nodded gently at her. Even though it happened so fast, Belamis guessed this time she couldn't be wrong. She could tell Dr. Kitty was indeed an extraordinary person.
"Professor Dodge and I are very grateful of you. We have to thank you so much for protecting our dear Aurora and for helping Kugo during this long journey. We always knew Aurora would face great dangers. That's why we gave this important mission to the best cyborg in the Solar System to carry it out. During the journey, Aurora and Kugo had good luck. They found you. In a way I think you were also destined to join Aurora on this mission. I have no doubt Aurora have been accompanied by the best cyborg warriors in the whole galaxy."
Next both scientists gave a special message to Kugo.
"Kugo, I want you to know that I always thought you were the right man for this job," Dr. Kitty confessed, "I celebrate you proved right."
"I must say I had my doubts…" Professor Dodge chuckled, then a tear seemed to form in the only eye others could see, " But now I have to say that I am proud of you, son!"
"I…" Kugo was moved, "I'm honored, thank you." Although he felt he had to say something else, nothing came out. He didn't want to look weak before the others.
"One more thing: please come back to Earth as soon as you can," Dr. Kitty requested.
Upon hearing this, all festive moods collapsed at the realization of the other side of their current situation: they were living their last moments together. Djorgo's expression turned sad, Don Hakka didn't finish his sandwich; he suddenly had no appetite at the thought of not being with the princess anymore. Aurora's smile vanished and Belamis just hid her disappointment. Farewells were imminent.
Professor Dodge, oblivious to what was happening, announced with enthusiasm, "Among other things, you'll be please to know that I have designed new and powerful improvements for you."
"Hmmm…" Kugo hesitated. He quickly looked at Belamis and they exchanged a glance. The idea of going back to Earth or being more powerful than he already was didn't appeal to him. Not for the time being. Unable to say the real reason why he would like to say a bit longer, he had no choice but to agree, "Sure, I'll be back."
Professor Dodge arched an eyebrow. He knew Kugo's ego was huge, so this lack of interest in his proposal was not like him. He kept on staring at Kugo while Dr. Kitty and Princess Aurora were saying their goodbyes, wondering what could possibly have happened to him.
Maybe he really has changed after all, the professor concluded when the chat ended.
Belamis fixed her eyes on the Great Planet, pretending she didn't care about what she had just heard.
I knew it couldn't last…
Before she went straight to the Monster of Light, she had no hope. She was content with the couple of hours she spent with Kugo. The moment they became friends, she thought that being his friend would be more than she could ever expect.
Really?
AH! Her heart skipped a beat at her own discovery.
But he'll leave and I… She sighed and closed her eyes, frustrated.
She got a reality check. He had a place to go, a home planet to return. She had nothing.
We should remain friends then… while it lasts…
While Belamis stayed lost in her thoughts, Princess Aurora left to change her outfit for one more appropriate for her arrival at the Great Planet. Don Hakka stayed and took the seat behind Belamis. Djorgo left his seat next to Belamis, so Kugo took it. Kugo, like his friends, also realized he would never be with the princess again. This made him sad. But just to imagine that he will never be with Belamis again was breaking, crushing his heart.
None of them talk for a few minutes.
Belamis threw a glance at Kugo. Like she did a minute ago, he was staring at the Great Planet. She barely knew him, but guessed he was feeling blue like Hakka and Djorgo.
"Where are going exactly?" Belamis broke the awkward silence between them. Couldn't stand seeing Kugo so quiet. She prefers the arrogant, funny, talking non-stop guy.
"Royal Palace," Kugo answered and asked Djorgo to looked up for the exact location.
"Right away," Djorgo waited patiently for the computer to get the data.
"From the Royal Palace the Princess will transmit the Galaxy Energy to the rest of the galaxy," this time Kugo started the conversation. "The Queen of the Great Planet is expecting Princess Aurora. The old queen will leave the throne and give it to the Princess. Aurora will be the new queen and then she will revive the Galaxy Energy."
"And that will be the end of it!" Don Hakka snapped. "I always wanted this day to come and now, when it has finally arrived…" his voice broke. He shed some silent tears, then continued, "I've thought that I would be happy, but to think that we'll not be with the Princess anymore saddens me. I'm gonna miss her so much! And what about you guys? Don't you feel like I do?"
Again, there was a long, awkward silence.
Djorgo crossed his arms on his chest and gazed at the floor.
"Sorry," Don Hakka shuddered and also bowed his head after noticing he shouldn't have asked the last question.
Kugo stood up and turned to say something. But before doing that, he looked at Belamis. For a brief moment, they stared at each other. In that brief but deep look she found the same bittersweet taste, the same feeling of knowing that, although it was wonderful to be together, pretty soon they'll have stay apart. As for Kugo, he found in those precious blue eyes a good reason to stay… indefinitely.
"You know what?" Let's not ruin the moment," Since Belamis' eyes lifted his spirit, Kugo opted for cheering his friends up as well and added, while still looking at her, smiling, "Who knows, maybe we can ask the Princess to find us a good excuse to stay here for a while."
Belamis, trying not to smile, pretended she didn't take the hint.
Still, Don Hakka didn't seem convinced.
"I wonder what could be wrong?" Djorgo's voice brought all of them back to the task at hand, "The computer can't give us data on the Royal Palace location."
"And that means it would take us longer to find it," Don Hakka wasn't optimistic at all.
Then something bizarre happened. An emerald green beam of light wrapped Queen Cosmos up. Next, a magnetic force pull Queen Cosmos to what seemed to be the center of the planet.
"Something strange is going on," Belamis' narrowed her eyes, suspicious, "We've been…"
"Seized? Ha!" Kugo mocked.
"Do you think this is funny?" Belamis spoke like a Captain to a soldier, stood up as quickly as she could, crossed her arms on her chest and shot him a very stern look. Djorgo and Hakka watched the scene, holding their breaths. A clash of titans was the last thing they wanted right now.
"I'm just kidding! Don't get mad Captain, please," He raised his hands, turned palm sides out to Belamis in a shielding defense. "Look, I think the Old Queen has just found us."
"Are you sure isn't dangerous? It could be a trap, you know," Belamis' voice denoted concern, but her demeanor was still stern and doubtful.
"Just relax and enjoy the view, Ok?" Kugo got closer to the glass panes, "Dr. Kitty says it is a beautiful planet. She also assured us we have nothing to worry about while we're here."
"Well," Belamis sighed, her head up, chin out and one palm gripping the other hand behind the back, "If you say so."
"Trust me." Kugo flashed her a smile and there was truce.
Djorgo and Hakka let the air out of their lungs, relieved. Then Djorgo and Don Hakka stood next to Kugo.
The four cyborgs watched mesmerized as the beauty of the Great Planet revealed to them. The sky was clear and below it, the waters of a vast ocean had a green blue color. As Queen Cosmos heads to the only continent in the planet, the huge spaceship decelerates and slowly decreases altitude, allowing a better view of what seemed to be a prelude to paradise. Before them stretched a long mountain chain, all covered with dense forests. Streams, rivers and magnificent waterfalls could be seen amidst the lush vegetation. After the mountains, a river runs through a green wide valley. A few minutes later, appeared the first of several villages along the river. Images of excited, enthusiastic villagers looking up at Queen Cosmos singing, dancing, waving their hands to greet the Princess appeared on the screen. Finding people was a nice surprise, but spotting a small city was almost incredible. Preparations for the arrival of Princess Aurora were underway. The valley ends, the land raises again in a narrow gorge. Set in arid land, the pyramidal shaped palace had a bright green shine and radiated a multicolor light from the top of a tall, sheer, red brick cliff.
Queen Cosmos landed on another cliff directly across the Royal Palace.
Kugo, Djorgo and Belamis were impressed. Don Hakka stood in awe.
"This is a special place," Don Hakka managed to say.
"I can feel that too," Djorgo assured without taking his eyes off the outstanding building.
"That seems to be the entrance," Belamis pointed to what looked like
a door, "It is like the emerald Aurora wears on her helmet; but much bigger."
"I'll take the princess to the palace," Kugo suggested since there was no bridge across the cliffs.
"That won't be necessary," Princess Aurora's voice startled them. They all turned to see her.
"Ahhh! The male cyborgs opened their eyes wide, as if they were admiring the most beautiful creature in the universe.
Even Belamis had to admit it. She looked gorgeous wearing a long, satin blue gray gown and a royal blue/fuchsia cape. The tiara, with the precious tear cut emerald, gave her a regal touch. Princess Aurora had the look of a real queen.
"I'm ready," Aurora turned to go. Sandness pervaded once more as they got out of the spaceship. Belamis showed some empathy towards them. She could understand how hard the farewell must be for Aurora and her guardians.
"Please, don't be sad…" Aurora began while gazing at their companions' long faces, but then the emerald of her tiara glowed, as did the entrance to the palace. A voice, the Queen of the Great Planet, could be heard.
"Princess Aurora, you must hurry! The galaxy cannot wait any longer!"
The emerald from the palace emitted a light bridge. The Queen was ready to receive the Princess.
"Wow!" Don Hakka exclaimed in astonishment.
"It's time for us to say goodbye," Aurora's eyes, like those of her protectors, were filled with tears.
Belamis noticed Kugo was frowning, breathing heavily. Worried, she placed her hand on his shoulder. Kugo glanced back at her, holding back the tears.
"I hate farewells!" He broke down, crying, and walked off.
Belamis watched him walk away until he stopped. She successfully refrain the urge to run to him and hold him.
Aurora and the others knew him very well. Kugo was tough but they've seen the soft side of him. And when that happens, it was better to leave him alone.
The galaxy was waiting, so Aurora began to say her goodbyes.
"Goodbye Hakka."
The big eater cyborg was already crying his eyes out.
"Goodbye Djorgo."
The long-haired cyborg smiled and asked caringly, "Would you be alone in this palace?"
"I don't fear to stay here by myself," she answered with a surprising confidence, "The Old Queen will stay with me for a while and I speak to Dr. Kitty daily."
After speaking to Djorgo, it was Belamis' turn to say goodbye.
"Belamis, please take care. I'm sure you new home is right here…" Aurora smile gently, then glanced at Kugo, "nearer than you think."
"Goodbye Princess," was the only thing Belamis could say. Aurora's word left her stunned.
For a few seconds, the princess kept glancing at Kugo. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, until she finally whispered, "Goodbye, my dear Kugo."
She sighed, turned around and walked through the light bridge. The bridge was vanishing behind her steps.
"PRINCESS AURORA!" Djorgo and Don Hakka cried out. " PRINCESS AURORA!
Kugo turned to watch. The call made him react. He rushed, passed Belamis by, and joined his friends. The trio called out louder:
"PRINCESS AURORA!" "PRINCESS AURORA!"
The princess disappeared behind the gate to the Royal Palace. Moments later, the palace glowed and the light, gradually, became more intense until it suddenly was blinding. The four cyborgs closed their eyes and seconds later, they saw something different. The pyramid, from its pinnacle, was sending out a multicolor ray of light to outer space.
Amazed, Kugo, Don Hakka and Djorgo exchanged looks. Now their faces, clouded by sadness moments ago, showed a smile. Witnessing the greatest miracle of all filled their hearts with joy. The long journey, the sacrifice and the dangers they all faced together… everything was worth it. Princess Aurora had fulfilled her destiny. The Galaxy Energy has been restored at last.
Appearing out of nowhere, a gentle breeze caressed them and a light rain, coming down from the heavens, blessed them. Little flowers emerged from the ground under their feet.
When he looked back, he found her, just a few steps behind him. Her sapphire eyes looking up, following the light and on her beautiful face, glittering with tiny drops of rain, a broad smile. Upon hearing his steps, she looked at him and smiled even more.
She smiled in a way he'd never seen before.
Captivated, he smiled back and gazed at her. He has always considered her a beauty, but this time, something else really appealed to him. Perhaps the light or the rain had something to do with it, but she looked more than beautiful. She looked radiant and incredibly happy. Kugo had a sudden wish to kiss her. Inadvertently, his body stepped closer but just when he placed his hands on her shoulders…
In a flash, Belamis' body glowed and moved so quickly that she seemed to disappear, just to glow again, reappearing ten meters away from him.
"Whoa!" Kugo blinked in astonishment, "I didn't see it coming!"
Belamis chuckled, saying this loud so he could hear her, "I think someone is coming. I'll check it out."
Behind him, Djorgo and Don Hakka laughed out loud.
"Well," Kugo couldn't help but laugh as well, "That trick never ceases to impress me."