Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story

"Home"

"What's wrong, hon?" Sheila asked, playing with her sister's golden hair. Bright moonlight was cutting into the room, the chamber that they'd chosen to share for the night.

Hadea moved her back onto Sheila's chest, letting out a sigh as they lay on the bed. "I adore Castra with all my heart...but I never, ever should have come back here. I should've realized it'd be hard to leave."

Sheila knew exactly how Hadea felt. They lived on Earth, but this was home. The beautiful palace enchanted her, conjuring memories of childhood. Many were good. Others were not. She wanted to bask in the former ones, but knew it was best not to mention those. That would make it harder for Hadea to go, which was exactly what she needed to do. Hadea had a kingdom to run on Earth.

She had to bring something unpleasant up, something that would help drive Hadea away. "Mongo is not a utopia. I see the same issues that I've always seen. I see revolution and bigotry." She paused a second. "Remember our maid? Remember Tyne?"

Hadea made a scoff. "Who could forget? That woman was a shallow, prejudiced loon. 'You'll never rule the planet. You're not green. The people won't ever place you on the throne.' "

Sheila felt a laugh welling up in her. "Remember when we put all that paint in her tub, making it look like a bubble bath? When she jumped out, she was covered in white."

Hadea didn't bother to suppress the giggle. "And then you said- -"

" 'It's looks like you're not green either.' "

Both of them tittered for a number of seconds.

Sheila turned her gaze to the tall window. "I heard it took a week for her to wash that out."

Hadea held quiet, not responding.

Sheila had a feeling that the mood had changed. Hadea never basked in amusement long.

"I must take over," Hadea declared.

"What do you mean?" She already knew.

"You said it yourself: Mongo has need of a ruler now, someone who'll undo our father's deeds. I have led people ever since we were girls. That is the fate I was given at birth."

Sheila never doubted that while they were kids. Her sister was destined to do great things. People around them had sensed it too. Several village children had followed Hadea, turning to her when they shared a cause, listening in when she took a stage. Some of them admired her bravery. Others had relied on her cleverness.

Hadea stood up and stared straight at the pane, holding her gaze on the land below. "Even before I set foot in this home, even before I was ever a royal...I knew I was born to be Mongo's queen."

A voice called out. "Where does that leave me?"

Sheila swung her head toward an open door, seeing Castra standing in turquoise light. Her white robe fluttered as she entered the room.

"I only came to see if you two were well," Castra revealed. "I didn't expect a conspiracy."

"No one's conspiring," Hadea replied. "My only concern is what is best for this world."

"And that would mean kicking me off of the throne?"

Hadea sighed again. "Castra..." she muttered, pausing a second. "You are still learning how leadership works. I have been a ruler for a number of years."

"And you have a kingdom to go home to."

Sheila had wondered when that would come up. What would become of the Netherworld?

All of a sudden, Hadea faced her. "I will leave Sheila to rule that land."

Sheila was stunned. "Hold on now." She rose from the bed and got onto her feet. "I... I... I can't do that."

Hadea raised her brow, looking confused. "Both of us know you are fit to lead."

Sheila felt a thrill rising up in her. Then she did her best to push it right back down. "I'm not a single woman. Not anymore." Sheila couldn't live in the Netherworld. She had a kid and husband to consider now. If she went there, she'd have to take Flash. She knew that he wouldn't be pleased with that. Flash simply wasn't the royal type. He'd want their child on the surface too.

Another voice came. "Perhaps it is best that I rule here."

Sheila turned her stare to the opposite door, seeing Aura standing in a thin nightgown.

Aura walked forth. "You have another kingdom on Earth, Hadea. Castra's presence draws rebel groups. And Sheila lives the life of a commoner now."

"Wait, wait, wait..." Castra said, stepping in the circle with the rest of them. "It's not fair to say that I'm drawing rebels. I drew one group, which we've stopped."

Sheila ran her gaze over each of them, then let a soft giggle escape her mouth. Despite the grave nature of their current talk, she had to recall something dear to her.

"What's so funny?" Castra asked.

Sheila looked down. "There was a night many years ago, a night when we each came up to this room." It had to be around two decades back. "We were ignorant to affairs of state. No one debated who should rule the world."

Hadea made a nod. "The only concern in the room that night...was who was going to win that game we played."

"The old board game," Castra said. "The one that we used to keep under the bed."

Aura made a squint, looking intrigued. It seemed she and Sheila had the very same thought: could the game actually still be there?

Aura bent a little, lifting a sheet, casting her gaze on a sight below. Then she looked up with a special grin. Seconds later, she pulled the game, setting it down at the others' feet.

"Unbelievable," Castra uttered.

Sheila felt an old warmth coming back.

They each sat down and took a spot at the game, playing in the place where they'd played as girls.

Jedda leaned back into Krotan's hug, holding her gaze on the windowsill.

"So when do you want to go home?" he asked.

She let herself pause to consider that word. "Maybe we already are home now."

Krotan quivered, but held her close. She knew she'd excited him with what she'd said. "I have my husband, and our kids. I even see a nice little jungle ahead."

Krotan giggled.

She stroked his hand. "This certainly feels like home to me."