By Gisela "Jayce" Riggio (Jayce6@gte.net)
and Kristen "Erana" Carlson (kmcarl@net1plus.com)
DISCLAIMERS: *Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors* is copyright 1985-present to DIC Audiovisuel and ICC TV Productions, Limited. The SFM Entertainment Division of SFM Media Corporation distributes this series. It is a Canada-France co-production. The authors make NO claim of ownership to any of the characters, locations, and/or situations associated with the above program/film/books. All original characters, locations, and situations plus the story itself are the authors' property and cannot be used without permission. *Second Legacy* characters, effects, and situations are the property of Kristen "Erana" Carlson and cannot be used without permission. This is a piece of non-profit fan fiction. Please send all questions, comments, thoughts, and remedies to Jayce6@gte.net -- flames will be forwarded to the Monster Minds' complaint box.
Author's Notes: Several years ago, when I first became involved in Wheeled Warriors online fandom, I had the good fortune to meet Erana, who had her own vision on how the Lightning League's quest would end. She graciously asked me to co-author it, and we had much fun in the process, ultimately writing Darkest Day. It was also meant to be the start of a "second season" of sorts called *Second Legacy*, introducing new characters created by Erana such as Ishra, Dr. Zavier, the Star Phoenix, Crystal, and Towan, hence their inclusion in this tale. It is with her permission that I humbly present this for your viewing pleasure.
Genre: Series Epilogue with Action, Adventure, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Humor, and Missing Scenes all mixed in. This takes place in the last moments of and immediately following "Circus Planet", presuming that episode is the final one for the television show, and includes references for many of the previous episodes.
Italics = Dreams, thoughts, and visions
CAPITALS and Underlining = Emphasis in dialogue
...Last time, on Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, the Lightning League gained and lost everything in the Temple of the Star Phoenix! Journeying there in hopes of finding out Audric's location from the ancient entity, they were forced to fight squads of Monster Minds! During the battle, the troopers' leader, Commander Ishra, stole the powerful Ring of Fire and nearly killed Jayce. The Star Phoenix saved him, but at the cost of her own life. Meanwhile, Sawboss' troopers on the planet Xix captured Dr. Zavier! The geneticist was forced to develop Root-immune clones of the Monster Minds that would survive their original bodies' destruction by the Root! He hid his daughter Crystal, the only one who had survived his experiments safely, before being captured. She used the shape-shifting gift he gave her to follow him, in the process rescuing the sorceress Towan from a Monster Mind attack. Now Crystal seeks her father deep within the cloning complex beneath the planet. In the temple, Audric was dragged in by Ishra after two Saw Troopers captured him! He tossed his Root to Jayce, who successfully caught it without harm! The Monster Minds fled with Audric as their prisoner, and the League now faced the monumental task of grafting the Roots together -- somehow...
Sawboss teleported his headquarters to a desolate planet deep in the heart of Monster Mind territory. It was a world covered in sharp brown rocks, abandoned crumbling cities, chilling gale-force winds, and trillions of Monster Mind vines. There was a sense of anticipation mixed with foreboding, as if ultimate salvation and damnation would soon be taking place. Dust mixed with exhaust fumes cast an ominous gray pall over the landscape, much like a permanent blanket of doom. Several thousand ships orbited the small planet and patrolled nearby space. Swarms of troopers crawled all over the continents and islands, guarding the large, dark-orbed headquarters. The troops gloated and rumbled with evil smirks. They had Audric; the universe was theirs for the taking!
However, Sawboss was NOT pleased by the turn of events or by his new commander's actions. Ishra and Audric glared at him sitting on the throne, the former with contempt and the latter with proud defeat. The scientist was in poor shape with purplish-black bruises all over his body, scorch marks on his back, and his left broken arm held in place by a crude, self-made sling. His torn clothes were little better than rags. He was beyond fear, calmly awaiting his fate in this ice-cold place of thick shadows and evil plants.
"You let him do WHAT?!?!?!?" Sawboss roared, jumping up from his throne to thrust an accusing finger at Audric. His orange-slitted eyes glared daggers at Ishra.
She stood ramrod straight, staring up at him coldly while refusing to be intimidated. "He threw his half of the Root to his brat. Jayce now has both halves."
"You stupid, insolent WRENCH!" Sawboss shouted in an enraged tone, fists and voice shaking with pure anger. The other humanoid Monster Minds moved quickly away from them with fear written all over their faces. "What possessed me to promote you to commander?! Our facilities are not yet completed! If that boy combines the Roots before the clones are ready, we're finished -- because of your infernal bumbling!"
"But Sire, we DO have something the whelp doesn't!" she smiled sweetly, grabbing hold of a savagely beaten Audric. She flung him forcefully in front of her, throwing him against the throne column with a sickening CRUNCH! He landed hard on the floor, huddling there in agony. Raising his head, his eyes darted over to her, glowing with rebellion and triumph. "Without his miserable father, Jayce and his miserable friends will never be able to figure out how to put the two Roots together! They don't even know our current location -- thanks to the warp-capable ship we used to escape!"
"DON'T underestimate the boy!" Sawboss snapped, eyes narrowing dangerously. "He's thwarted several of our plans before, not to mention that wizard of his may know a way." A thoughtful expression crossed his face as he raised a fist to clench it in front of his chest. "But... even if they do reunite the Roots, the only way it can be 100% effective is if they plant it right here at my feet!" He gestured at the floor, waving a hand over the exact spot before bringing it and his gaze up to encompass the entire room. "This planet is so heavily protected that NO ONE will be able to get though!!!" Sawboss grinned maliciously.
"Yes, my Lord, and by then the facilities will be up and operational. No matter what those miserable humans do, we win!" Ishra responded persuasively, chuckling evilly at the thought.
Audric laughed bitterly, gazing at the two of them with dark amusement. "Look at yourselves, thinking you've already won! My son will come and finish you all. Every sentient being will fight back -- you can't silence millions upon millions of voices across the universe crying out against your tyranny. Your rule will fall!"
She snap-kicked Audric in the stomach, then laughed and jumped over his prone form to savagely punch him in the kidneys. "Filth! Maybe we can't stop all those insignificant voices now, but in time, we WILL take control of every galaxy and eliminate all essence of your kind! But, you won't have to trouble yourself with such things, human -- since you won't be around much longer," she snarled, crushing her foot down on the side of his head.
"I'm not afraid to die," Audric gasped defiantly. "I will gladly lay down my life if it will aid my son to send you back to the hell from whence you came!"
"Fine, if that's the way you want it!" Ishra growled. Grabbing him by the neck, she hauled his body up high, pulling her fist back for the killing blow.
Audric closed his eyes, at peace in the face of death.
Sawboss held his hand out towards them, speaking in an annoyed, threatening tone. "Hold, Commander!"
She glanced at him questionably, dropping her fist.
"We don't want to make a martyr here -- it would be SUCH a waste of flesh. We need to test our "equipment" first, and I think Audric here will suit well for the... experimentations. If you're quite done here, return to Xix -- I want you to replace the current trooper in charge of operations there." He threw her a nasty smile. "I hope you can run things faster than he does! When everything is ready, return here for further instructions."
After throwing Audric down hard on the ground, she saluted Sawboss. "Yes, sir!" Ishra viscously kicked Audric in the back, then laughed all the way out the room.
Sawboss chuckled wickedly as he settled back onyo his throne, casually pushing a button on one of its arms. "What a dilemma. Now that I have you, I'm not sure what to do first. Oh well: I'll just do whatever amuses me the most..."
Two small humanoid Saw Troopers entered the throne room to stand at attention in front of their leader. "Yes, Your Eminence?" they echoed together.
"It's time to test the Truthseeker. I will be personally interrogating THIS one!!!"
They dragged Audric away as maniacal laughter echoed throughout the building.
Three days after leaving Phonesia, the Pride sat motionless in deep space. It was far from any inhabited sectors, quite literally in "the middle of nowhere," with only the surrounding starfield to keep it company.
The League prepared for what may be the final confrontation -- for either side. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife: everyone knew exactly what was at stake and focused on their tasks to take their minds off the sheer enormity of their situation.
While Gillian labored over the Roots, the others triple-check the vehicles and weapons; Jayce went to help Gillian when he was done.
Herc returned to the helm. He worked laboriously over his beloved ship's circuitry, trying to prep it enough to smash through Sawboss' defenses. He tinkered with the wiring underneath his helm console on Battle Base's bridge.
Oon sat on the port window's ledge, shining his lance diligently. His hands trembled as he worried about the upcoming battle and feared for Master Audric, sensing that he was badly hurt and in terrible danger, yet never dropped his sacred weapon.
All was quiet save for occasional crackle of exposed components and the slight hiss of metals being welded together.
The bridge doors hissed open. Flora flew in on Brock to hover above the helm. She cupped a hand beside her mouth and called out, "Herc!"
Startled, he jumped up to bang his head on the inside of the console. "OW!!"
"...Sorry," she guiltily mumbled.
Ducking out, he rubbed the back of his aching head, then sat on the deck to look up at them. "It's okay, Flower-Face," Herc replied tiredly. "What's up?"
"Have you heard anything from Gillian or Jayce yet?"
"Nope," he replied, shaking his head. "They're still working on those Roots -- but I'm sure they'll let us know if something happens."
"I guess," Flora said in a worried tone. She jumped off of Brock to land on the deck, then knelt beside Herc. "What do YOU think is going to happen? Are we really going to win?"
Herc blinked at her in surprise, eyes widening slightly. He turned fully towards her and confidently stated, "Of course we're gonna win! We'll wipe the floor with those Moss-Heads and eat the leftovers for dessert!"
She bowed her head down, hugging herself while shivering from an internal chill. "It's just that I feel so scared, something just doesn't seem right."
"Look, Flora, it's all right to be scared. I'd be worried is anyone wasn't in THIS kind of situation!" Herc confirmed in a concerned tone. He glanced at the Squire and continued with "Take Oon, for example: he's scared stiff 99% of the time..."
Oon glared up from his work with narrowed eyes. "HEY!"
"...But that doesn't mean he runs away every time he's afraid."
Flora nodded rapidly in response. "I know, I know -- but that's Oon."
Giving them both an irritated look, the Squire resumed his task with a loud "Hmph!"
She spoke faster and faster, making her agitation obvious. "Gillian and Jayce aren't afraid, you're not afraid..."
Herc lowered his voice confidentially. "Just because people don't show it doesn't mean they're not scared, Little Orchid. Jayce is worried over about leading us into our 'last' battle. He and Gillian fear for you, Brock, the Zoggies..."
Oon jumped off his perch, running over to stand beside the helm console. "And me, too!"
Herc gestured at Oon, giving him an peevish glance for overhearing. "And even Oon."
Flora remained somewhat doubtful, staring at Herc. "Really?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "but anyway, even if you are scared, we can't just run away." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "We stand and fight because we know it's the right thing to do. If we turn our backs, it would be just as bad or worse as if we were doing something wrong. That's why we still keep fighting, understand?" Herc gazed firmly into her eyes, hoping to impart some strength and reassurance into the plant-girl.
She smiled with new determination and hugged him warmly. "Yeah, I do. Thanks, Herc! I know what I have to do now!"
"Uh, well, you're welcome, Flora," he replied, sounding flustered.
She bounced up and charged at the Bridge doors, Brock flapping desperately after her to keep up. They nearly ran over an entering Jayce, who dodged out of their way in time.
He watched them leave, then glanced questionably at Herc. "What was that all about?"
"Beats me," Herc shrugged, equally mystified. "I told her that it was okay to be afraid -- first time ol' Carrot-Kid's ever listened to me!"
Jayce smiled, rested his hands on his hips, and spoke in a teasing tone. "Herc Stormsailor: captain, ex-pirate, criminal, smuggler -- and now morale booster. I wonder: can 'family man' be close behind?"
"Hmph!" Herc grinned. "You TRY to do something marginally nice, and what happens? You never get to live it down!" He shook his head in mock disdain, his expression turning serious. "How's it going, hotshot?"
Total exhaustion and frustration struck the younger man. He sighed and ran both hands through his hair, making it stand on end. "You mean it's NOT going. No matter what we do, we're still at Square One! Even the information I learned at Dreamworld isn't helping much -- there's no telling WHAT effect protomatter radiation will really have on the Roots, and we can't risk damaging them to find out! Gillian's called it a day so we can get some rest and try it again first thing tomorrow."
Herc whistled and crossed his arms. "THAT bad, huh?!"
"I'm afraid so," Jayce grimly confirmed.
Oon gripped Jayce's leg gently. "Don't worry, Master -- you'll find a way!"
Jayce glanced fondly down at his Squire. "I hope so, Oon. Too many lives depend on this." Looking back up, he continued with "We better find an alternative solution soon fast -- for Flora's sake."
Herc didn't like the sound of that, holding his hands up. "Whoa, kid. What're you talking about?"
"Is there something wrong with Flora, Master Jayce?" Oon asked in a concerned tone.
Jayce shook his head. "Nothing -- not yet, anyway. If we can't find another way to join the Roots, Flora's the only key to combining them."
Herc frowned and glanced behind him, jabbing a thumb at the exit doors. "Does she know that?"
"No. We want to be absolutely sure we have no other choice before we DARE ask her. There's a very real possibility that the Roots' joining might affect her -- permanently."
"Good thing you haven't told her yet, Master; Flora wouldn't wait for you to be finished before trying to do it herself!" Oon exclaimed with widened eyes.
Jayce and Herc nodded silently in agreement.
Flora stared intently at a triple-locked safe in the lab. The locks began turning on their own, finally opening with soft clicks. The Roots floated out to land on a laboratory table, which she leaned on to study them closely. She gave them her undivided attention, as if she could see what must be done by looking at them long enough.
On the planet Xix, a lone little kitten wandered around the massive cloning facility. In this new form, Crystal dodged between rows of cloning cylinders and patrolling Monster Minds.
The place itself felt sterile and cold, filled with experiments meant for a sinister purpose. The only chambers that were properly maintained are the cloning ones; the rest had fallen into obvious disrepair.
She pushed through the overwhelming feelings of hostility to press onwards. Finally, her effots are rewarded; she spotted her father sitting in the corner of a cell.
Zavier's elbows rested heavily on his knees as he buried his head in his hands. His clothes were streaked with brown dust and various chemicals. His blond hair was in complete disarray, bangs falling into his eyes and the rest sticking out everywhere. The scientist was past exhaustion, too tired and weary to fall asleep.
Crystal stood just beyond the cell bars, calling to him with a "Meeeooow!"
Zavier lifted his head up, his expression softening a little. "My, haven't you gotten lost, little one?" He tapped his hand on the floor beside him and made cat-like noises. "Come here. Come here, little kitty."
She slipped through the force bars with ease and crawled into Zavier's lap.
He stroked her back as she closed her eyes, purring contentedly. "What on earth are you doing in a place like this?"
"I should ask the same of you, Dad," Crystal replied.
He paled in shock, raising the kitten up to eye level. "Crystal!?" he asked in a hushed tone.
The kitten impossibly smirked. "The one and the same."
"I told you NOT to follow me!" Zavier sternly rebuked her. "You're putting your life in danger. You must leave this place!"
"I can't, Daddy," Crystal pleaded. "I can't leave you here -- they'll kill you! I have to SAVE you!"
"No, Crystal!" Zavier hissed. "My life is a small price to pay. I won't let you fall into that black-hearted Ishra's hands! She's far too dangerous for you to risk your life foolishly." He switched to a more gentle voice. "I'll never forgive myself if you die because of me..."
Crystal was visibly unnerved. "W-Who is this... Ishra?"
"A viscous, arrogant, good-for-nothing Monster Mind bitch!" Zavier replied in an angry tone. "She wouldn't think twice to kill you or me or even her own kind to get what she wants. Promise me you won't confront her or try to rescue me UNTIL you've found the Lightning League."
"But... Dad!"
"Promise me, Crystal!" he demanded. Zavier spied a platoon of Gun Troopers approaching his cell from a thousand feet away. "PLEASE!"
"I-I promise," Crystal vowed in a tiny voice.
"Good," Zavier nodded. He kissed her forehead and placed her back on the floor, pushing her towards the bars. "Now go, Crystal. Don't let them find you!"
Crystal ran out to hide behind some nearby stalagmites, watching as her father was dragged away.
Zavier was taken a short distance, then dropped at Ishra's feet, slamming chest-first into the cold stone floor.
"Well, well, so we meet again. Hello, Dr. Zavier," Ishra said smoothly.
"Hello, Commander Ishra. To what honor do I deserve this unexpected visit?" he responded warily.
"My lord has sent me to oversee the facility's completion," she revealed, then pointed at him. "You are here because I want something from you."
"What more could you possibly want from me? I told you everything about my cloning experiments. I've given you ALL that I have!" Zavier frowned.
Ishra favored him with a cold, calculating look. "I really doubt that, but there's no reason to press you now. What I'm truly interested with has nothing to do with facility. Where's your daughter, Zavier?"
"What are you talking about?!" he gasped in feigned shock. "My daughter's been dead for years!!"
"Don't lie to me, Zavier!" she snapped. "I know quite well that your daughter is alive on this planet! If you talk now, I won't hurt her -- much."
Zavier glared at her, speaking in a furious tone. "For the last time, my daughter is DEAD!!!!" He lunged at Ishra, fingers reaching for her throat, only to be restrained and held in place by a Gun Trooper.
"You stubborn, foolish humans," Ishra sighed. She walked behind him to the opposite metallic wall and opened one of its panels. Ishra drew out a box, opened it, and removed a syringe-like device. "Always protecting your weak offspring. You could have saved yourself and your daughter, but now..." She drove the syringe forcefully into Zavier's shoulder.
"AAAAAAAARGH!!!" he screamed in pain, falling to his knees with the Gun Trooper still holding him.
Crystal winced sympathetically, shooting a murderous look at Ishra.
"Since your job is done here, we must ensure that out secret chambers are safely hidden. We will NOT have you giving away our plans! I've just injected you with a slow-acting poison. You'll be dead before sundown." A deadly grin twisted her face as she leaned down to yank his head up, staring into his eyes. "If you tell me where your daughter is, I'll give you the antidote."
Zavier spat into her face. "Go to hell!!!"
Ishra slapped him hard, snapping his head back with the blow. "So be it, FOOL!"
"You're still going to lose, Ishra! The Lightning League will destroy you and your demonic kind!"
"I'm counting on it!" she laughed ruthlessly. "The League will find a way to reunite the Roots and destroy us, I'm certain. But we will strike them down when they least expect it. I know what Jayce will do as soon as he destroys us -- return THIS pretty little thing to the Star Phoenix." She dangled her hand with the Ring of Fire in front of his face. "When the rebirth celebration commences on Phoenesia, I shall attack from behind and tear his throat out. Oh, what a pleasant sensation THAT will be!"
Zavier was quietly enraged. "You'll never get away with this."
"Jayce once said that before when he tried to prevent me from taking the Ring of Fire. But, as you can see, we found out who was truly right. Goodbye, Zavier. Don't worry; your daughter will join you soon!" She turned to the Gun Troopers. "Take him out the south entrance and leave him in the woods to die! The scavengers will do the dirty work for us," she ordered with a malicious smile.
"Yes, my lady!" They dragged Zavier away.
Crystal followed after them, keeping far enough away to avoid detection.
In Sawboss' headquarters, the suffocating darkness and silence were shattered by an echoing scream as an accompanying sound of vamped-up electricity shook the walls. Seconds later, they were both heard again.
Sawboss tapped a few buttons on his throne-arm, watching with dark satisfaction as Audric fell unconscious on the Truthseeker, a torture device. The scientist was shackled spread-eagled onto a gray circular standing frame. Numerous yellow and gray wires poked into his body, touching the largest and most sensitive nerve bundles. His body was covered in cold sweat and bloodstains, highlighting new and old bruises all over his dull skin. His clothes were ripped beyond repair. Sawboss sat on his throne from high above, with Monster Mind troopers all around the room looking on.
A humanoid Terror Trooper walked over to forcefully shake Audric's head, then slapped, punched, and kicked him several times.
He didn't stir.
"He is unconscious again, My Lord!"
Sawboss sadly sighed. "Throw him back in his cell! There's no point in torturing the accursed Audric if he cannot FEEL the pain," he laughed.
"At once, Excellency!"
"Let the wretched human rest for now, then bring him back here!" Sawboss commanded, his voice echoing all through the throne room. He rubbed his hands together in evil anticipation. "I want him to amuse me for as long as he can..."
The trooper tore him out of the torture device, dragged him back to his cell, and brutally threw him in before slamming the door with an ominous BANG! It then placed twenty K.O. Troopers there as guards.
They saluted and faced outwards, guns and hammerballs ready.
Several minutes elapsed before Audric chanced moving. He painfully sat up, wincing as fresh waves of pain consumed his aching body. He shut his mind to the agony and shivered slightly against the damp chill, hugging himself to keep the tremors down. I have to find some way out of here so I can send a signal to Jayce! It's the ONLY way to destroy Sawboss' headquarters! He furtively glanced around the dimly-lighted cell, a barely-habitable, windowless gray room composed of metal walls and a sliding door.
He also saw several scattered junk piles of discarded metals, glass, and dead plants mixed together. Hmmm, this looks like the equipment wing in my old lab. I wonder if... Yes! This is the old storage compartment! And that's the ventilation shaft behind that plate. Audric glanced at the door, then tried to get up. His legs were too sore and strained to support his weight, much like the rest of his body. Biting back a cry of pain, he quietly fell back on the floor. After making sure the troopers hadn't heard him, he silently crawled and dragged himself over to the plate. Now, all I have to do is pry this thing off. Scrounging in a nearby pile produced a shard of glass. He ripped a piece of fabric from his tunic to wrap around one end, then used it as a screwdriver to loosen the four bolts holding the plate. Slowly but surely, they were removed and the cover pried off. Audric slipped gingerly into the spacious shaft and threw the bolts down it. He tucked the shard into his belt, then put the plate back, tying a few pieces of fabric to keep it in place.
There! This will definitely throw them for a loop! Now, if I remember correctly, the comm station is THIS way... He crawled down the dirty airshaft, smiling and chuckling silently to himself.
Oon watched over the Pride during its first night shift, sitting at his usual station on the Bridge. Different outside scenes flashed across the three front viewscreens in five-second intervals, revealing empty stretches of space. It was peaceful and quiet; nothing was amiss and all seemed right with the universe. He stretched and closed his eyes. "*YAWN!* I'm glad my shift's over now. *Yaaaaaawn!* I'm so tired."
The Bridge doors opened to reveal Herc lumbering in. He cracked his jaw yawning and stretched, muscles rippling with the effort. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes and running a hand through his hair, he greeted Oon with, "Evening, Tin Man."
"Hi, Herc!"
Herc glanced at the viewscreens, noting the lack of activity. "Any trouble out there?"
Oon shook his head. "No, it's been quiet."
"Not surprising, considering we're in deep space -- unless more of our usual luck pops up," Herc grimaced. "Guess I'll get some more repairs done to keep from falling asleep; the monitoring system is on the fritz again!"
"Need any help?" Oon asked.
Herc waved him off. "Nah, I'll be fine. Minor computer glitch, thanks anyway." He opened the helm console up and began fiddling around with the circuitry.
"Okay, well, good night, Herc."
"Uh-huh," Herc replied absently, already absorbed in the technical difficulties staring at him.
Oon stepped onto the lift and descended to the habitation level. As he exited, his eyes widened when he found the entrance to the main lab wide open. "Huh? Why is this door open? I thought it was locked," he observed in a startled tone. He gripped his lance in an "en guard" position and paced into the darkened room. "M-Master Jayce? G-G-Gillian?"
A small crash echoed from the far corner.
Oon shook a bit, then swung towards the sound. "W-who's there? Show yourself!"
Suddenly, he was bowled over by three small yapping robots. Both Squire and Lance landed with loud metallic CLANGs! "Yyeeeahhh!!!!" A light snapped on to reveal Flora's ever-faithful Zoggies crawling all over him. "Ohhhh, get OFF of me!" He became puzzled as they ran away to hide behind some tables. "Why are you in the lab? You're not supposed to be here." He retrieved his lance, then saw someone standing by the door controls. "Flora!!" he gasped, blinking in surprise.
She had both Roots clenched in her left fist. "You don't make things any easier, Oon," she sighed.
"What do you mean? A-And what are you doing with the Roots?"
"What does it look like?" she smirked, closing and locking the door. The lock faintly glowed at her touch. "I'm gonna join the Roots!"
Oon clutched his lance tightly in one hand, stretching the other towards Flora with a pleading gesture. "But-But you can't! Master Jayce and Gillian haven't finished t-t-testing them yet!" He trembled in fear for his friend. "You could get h-h-hurt -- or WORSE!"
Flora smiled sadly at him, speaking in a strong, firm voice. "I know, Oon. But they won't find an answer soon enough. If we don't do this quickly, Audric will be killed! He's MY father, too! I have to do what's right -- no matter what!" She walked to the center of the room and sat cross-legged on the floor, preparing herself. Her body glowed with a fiery golden aura, and her eyes were fixed on the Roots in her hands.
He ran towards her. "No, Flora, you can't!" Before he could reach her, he was lifted straight up into the air. "Wwwaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!"
"I'm sorry, Oon," Flora apologized, sounding regretful, "but I can't let you or anyone else stop me." With a wave of her hand, she hung him on a high hook mounted on the wall.
His Magic Lance clattered to the floor.
"But thank you -- for always caring." She turned her attention back on the Roots, which started to twitch a bit in their medallions.
Oon flailed about, desperately trying to get down. "Nooooooooo, Flora!! Don't do it!! Help!! Master Jayce!!! Gillian!!! Somebody!!! ANYBODY!!! Heeeeellllllllppppp!!!"
Herc continued his work under the helm console on the Bridge. Various tools, computer components, and mechanical pieces were scattered about, and he had been muttering to himself for the past half-hour while examining specific circuits. "Stupid blasted video/monitor input chip!!!! I'll never see the end of this mess!" he growled. "I swear, Old Girl, if it doesn't work this time around, I'm going to tear that blasted motherboard right out of ya!" He closed the panel and sat in his chair. After tweaking the controls a little more, he crossed his fingers and pressed a button.
The monitor at his console flickered first with static, then displayed a clear picture of the Bridge.
"Yahoo!!!!!" Herc yelled ecstatically, thrusting his fist in the air. "The Pride of the Skies II is back in business! Now, let's see: Engine Room..." Current images of each area were shown on his monitor. "Yes! Uh, Storage Room 1, yep... Storage Room 2, uh-huh... Rooms 3 and 4, check." Leaning back, he allowed himself to relax while stroking his chin. "Hmmm, great so far... okay, let's go on to the habitation level."
Several pictures of unused cabins blinked into view, followed by interior shots of Gillian and Jayce's rooms, showing them sound asleep. Flora's room was brought up next, showing that only Brock was inside, sleeping in a pile of blankets in a corner. "Huh? Now where's Flora this time of night?" He started checking various locations. "She's not at her usual hiding places either... WHY do I have a bad feeling about this?!" he exclaimed in a worried tone.
The monitor image flicked over to the main lab.
Herc gawked at the sight of a glowing Flora and struggling Oon. "Space Rats!!! I hate it when I'm right about stuff like this!" Leaping to his feet, Herc sprinted towards the lift. On the way, down he called Jayce via their communicators. "Jayce! Jayce! Come in, kid! There's gonna be biiiiiiiig trouble!! Jayce!! Wake up, hotshot!!"
Jayce's eyes snapped open as he quickly sat up. "What's the matter, Herc?"
"Flora's in the lab -- she's trying to combine the Roots!!"
"WHAT?! I'm on my way!" Jayce shot out the door, contacting Gillian to fill him in.
Herc reached the main lab first and tried to open the doors, but they wouldn't budge. He attempted to force them open to no avail. "The dang thing's fused!" *Wham!* He started banging hard on the doors. *Wham!* "Flora!" *Wham!* "C'mon, Flower-Face, open up!" *Wham-wham!* He pounded even harder. "Don't touch the Roots!!" *Wham-wham!* "Let me in!!" *Wham-wham-wham!* "FLORA!!!" *WHAM!!!* Herc threw his shoulder full-force against the doors with no effect. He glared at them, grimacing and rubbing his sore arm.
Flora turned her head towards the noise, then returned her attention to her work. Her eyelids and hair drooped in sheer exhaustion. "Not-Not much time left," she whispered in a tired voice. "Gotta hurry -- get this... over with." Closing her eyes, she rested the backs of her hands on her knees, holding a Root in each one.
They began to glow with a green-blue aura and floated upwards. As soon as they were at eye level, the medallions opened up, setting the Roots free. The empty medallions fell to the ground.
"Oh please, hurry! Hurry!" Oon pleaded, struggling even more forcefully.
Herc was attempting to bypass the doors' control panel when Jayce and Gillian ran up.
Jayce pointed at the doors. "She locked them?"
"Not just that -- the whole blasted thing's fused solid and we're running out of time!" Herc replied in a deadly serious tone.
The League heard a frenzied flapping, then turned just in time to see Brock shooting towards them. They hastily jumped out of the way as he slammed his body against the doors several times, then pounded them with his tail. He only backed off when it's apparent that he's not making a dent, moving away to chirp worriedly.
"Gillian, is there anything you can do?" Jayce asked.
The wizard casted a spell that sends small white spinning "stars" all over the doors' surfaces. "I'm trying, my boy, but the entire lab -- including the doors -- is magically shielded."
"Flora can DO that?" Jayce looked at the doors in awe.
"She can now," Gillian replied in a strained voice. He tried harder, then gasped in pain. "I'm sorry, lad, but I can't get through!"
Jayce put a hand on Gillian's shoulder. "It's all right. Let's see if the Ring of Light can help." He aimed his right fist at the doors. "Ring of Light, Magic Might!" Nothing happened. "What the -- !? Ring of Light, Magic Might!" The talisman remained completely quiet. He stared at it in disbelief.
Herc shook his head. "Save the questions for later -- we'll have to break our way in!" He unsheathed a dagger from his belt. "Don't know if this'll work, but it's worth a try!" Wielding it like a machete, he hacked away inside the control panel, destroying anything keeping the doors closed.
Inside, Flora remained in a trance-like state.
Oon stared fearfully at her and moaned, "H-H-Hurry, my Master, pleeeeeeeeease hurry!"
The room flashed in gold light as the Roots' glow brightened.
"Almost... t-t-there" Flora hissed through clenched teeth.
The Roots visibly changed, glowing with Flora's golden aura. They sprouted stems and leaves, winding around each other. They brought the two Roots closer and closer together, until all that could be seen was a green mass of vines and roots. Finally, a golden stalk rose from the it, sprouting two bright yellow leaves. The clump of green matter withered, died, and fell off the golden stalk, disintegrating before it hit the floor. All that remained was the single golden Root plant floating in the air.
Flora barely held onto consciousness; her eyes were glazed as she swayed weakly. She began to fall backwards when the doors finally opened.
Herc threw himself across the room, barely catching the plant-girl before her head could hit the floor.
The others crouched down around them.
"Flora! Oh, nooooo!" Oon groaned from where he was hanging.
Herc cradled her gently in his arms. "Why'd you do it, kid? Why?" he softly asked.
Flora gazed at the new plant, floating in the air right above her. "I told the Phoenix... that I would do what had to be done... even if the cost was my powers... my life," she replied, sounding very calm. She turned her head to smile up at Herc. "I-I did the right thing." She closed her eyes and fell limp in his arms.
Jayce was completely stunned, looking at her in sheer agony. "Is she... is she..."
Gillian leaned over to check Flora's pulse. "No; she's alive, but barely," he stated in an extremely worried tone. "We must get her to the infirmary quickly!"
Herc and Gillian rushed out the lab with Flora, her faithful pets at their heels.
Jayce spotted Oon and let him off the hook.
"Flora did this, too?" Jayce asked in astonishment.
Oon was in tears, violently trembling. "I-I-I'm sorry, Master. I tried to s-s-stop her, but she hung me on the wall!" He hung his head, speaking in a crestfallen voice. "I failed you."
Jayce smiled gently at him, giving him a kind look. "No you didn't, Oon. You could never fail me." He put him down on the ground and patted his friend's head affectionately. "You did what you could. But you know how stubborn Flora can be..." Jayce walked over to the floating Root, carefully cupping it in his hands. "I only wish this could have happened differently." How many more lives will pay for our victory?
In a small starlit woodland clearing ten miles away from the facility, Zavier was dropped facedown on the fresh earth. The poison had taken hold swiftly, so much so that he no longer had the strength to turn his body over so he could breathe.
"This is good enough, he won't be found. Let's return and report to Commander Ishra!" the Gun Troopers' leader snapped. One by one, the Monster Minds left, dissolving back into the forest.
Crystal waited up in a tree until all of them were gone, then leapt down and rushed into the area. Quicker than thought, she switched back to human form. "DAD!!!!!" Dropping to her knees beside his inert form, she turned him over and cradled his head in her arms, tears welling up in her eyes.
Zavier smiled and tried to focus on the figure above him, but his vision was quickly fading. "Crystal? Is that you -- I can't make you out." He tried to raise his hand to her.
Crystal took his hand to place it on her cheek. Tears have stained her face, running onto the hand she lovingly held. "Yeah, it's me. I'm sorry, Daddy. I should've stopped them before they got this far."
His eyes brightened a bit. "I'm glad you didn't, little fledgling; don't blame yourself! Ishra would have killed you the instant you started an uprising." He coughed harshly, the force alone wracking his body. "Besides, we can't change the past. There's nothing you can do to stop me from dying, Crystal. I had hoped they would keep me alive until the Lightning League destroyed them so we could be together again. I'm sorry things didn't work out as I thought -- I didn't want to leave you so soon."
She tried to appear strong, only partially succeeding. "Don't worry -- Towan's with me. She'll... make sure I-I behave."
Zavier chuckled thoughtfully. "Good. I just hope the 'mother of all mothers' is ready for you! *Sigh* Now, listen carefully, fledgling. I don't have much time left, but you MUST warn the League!"
"I re-remember Dad, Crystal sniffled. She quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her other hand, making sure not to jar him, and took a deep breath. "I'll tell them."
"Yes, but you didn't overhear Ishra's conversation back there. Crystal, she has it all planned! The Monster Minds' destruction, new clones to take their place, everything! She already knows that Jayce will defeat them. She plans to kill him on Phonesia when he returns the Ring of Fire to the Star Phoenix." He sucked in air through his teeth. "You must get there before they do. You must alert the League! If they lose Jayce, I don't think they can survive. Warn them BEFORE the rebirth ceremony: that's when Ishra and her new race will strike. Got that?"
Crystal gave him a puzzled look. "Yes, but -- why are you telling me this? You're not dead yet. I can get Towan..." Her voice trailed off as she witnessed her father slipping away before her eyes.
He shook his head violently. "NO! It's too late for me. The Monster Minds are already looking for you, now that their damned facility is completed. You must leave quickly!" He stopped as a hacking, painful cough rattled through him. "Oh, my dear Crystal -- I'm so sorry you couldn't have a normal childhood. I curse myself for not being a better father." Zavier gasped for air. "...I also never told you how much you look like your mother... she would have been VERY proud of how you turned out. You deserve to know more about her, but I was too much of a coward to revisit the past."
"Don't you dare blame yourself!" she replied in a rough voice. "You're a wonderful father. I love you so very, very much! I'll never leave you -- NEVER!!!!!"
Zavier smiled peacefully. "Promise me... one more thing, Crystal."
"Yes?"
"When you have children..."
"Daaaaaaad!!" Crystal replied in a mortified tone.
Zavier gripped her other hand to his chest with all his remaining strength. "No, I mean it. When... you have children, try to make them understand why... I can't be there for them." He grimaced in pain. "Tell-Tell them how much I would have loved to see them, hold them, cherish them. How I will ALWAYS... be with you and them in spirit." His tone turned pleading. "Please Crystal, tell them about me."
Crystal was crying hard. "I-I will!! I'll tell them how much a wonderful father you are. How selfless you are. How kind and gentle and smart you are."
He smiled warmly and managed a faint, happy laugh. "Thank you for... this most precious... of gifts. I will miss you so much... I love you... my sweet Crystal... take care of... yourself." He slipped into unconsciousness, eyes closing for the last time as a calm look appeared on his face. His breath became shallower and quieter.
She laid her head on his chest, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "I-I love you... t-t-too... Daddy," she said in a strained voice.
Zavier lay still, his hand still tightly gripping Crystal's.
She started crying uncontrollably, with great wrenching sobs that rocked her body with the sheer force of her grief. Suddenly, she threw her head back to scream in pure anguish and animal rage, her voice a yell mixed with a monstrous roar: "NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Several hours later, Xix was awash in moonlight. A rising full moon illuminated the landscape with pale, cream-colored rays. Two smaller crescent moons orbited near it, adding their own green and red beams to the scene.
Towan paced around the grove of trees she had hidden for the entire afternoon. It was now well past midnight. She rubbed her arms due to nerves and the slight chill, glancing about warily. "Ohh, I KNEW I shouldn't have let Crystal go in there alone -- she's gotten herself caught. Good stars, I hope she's all right," she sighed, sounding frustrated. "How am I ever gonna get her out of that weed-infested hole?!"
"You don't have to." Crystal emerged from the forest behind Towan, holding a pack over one shoulder. Her face and voice were cold as stone, and dirt and grass stains marked her clothes.
Towan jumped back, gasping in surprise as she clutched her chest. "Don't sneak up on an old woman like that! You almost killed me with fright!"
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking..." Crystal numbly replied.
Towan stared at her in alarm, face paling in shock. "W-What happened? ... Oh no! Not Zavier. He isn't..."
Crystal was deathly quiet for a long moment. "Yes... he's gone... those bastards poisoned him, but I'm making sure that Dad's last wishes are fulfilled. We're going to Phonesia, Towan. Where's the nearest space port on this blasted rock?"
"Twenty or so miles away. Child, I'm so sorry..."
She held up a hand to stop the sympathy. "Save it, there's no time. We need to get off Xix NOW! The Monster Minds have begun searching for us." Crystal morphed into the shape of an animal that was a cross between a horse and a taun-taun. "Get on."
Towan sighed, then gathered Crystal's jacket, over-shirt, and pack. "All right, all right, I'm coming." She hopped on and they rode off. "Somehow, I doubt you have any plans of 'buying' a starship."
"No, the Monster Minds will be watching every port for us. We're going to steal one."
"I was afraid of that. I guess that's my department, huh?" Towan shook her head, then paused. "Crystal, I know you don't want to hear this, but I am truly sorry for your loss. I loved your father as a friend and as a great man. It's unfortunate that things happened the way they did."
Crystal tried to maintain control over her voice. "At least he's finally happy. He's with Mom once again." Will the pain ever go away, I wonder?
"I'm sure he would have wanted to see you get married with lots of little kids before he went. He loved you just as much as Loreena, never forget that," Towan gently replied.
"Is that the port ahead?"
Towan straightened up. "Yes, it is. What should we hit?"
Crystal studied the ships on view. "Something small, a two-passenger craft. It should be powerful enough to get us to Phonesia; we'll worry about how to get back later. I don't want too much nagging at my conscience."
The sorceress pointed to a small spacecraft with the appearance of a crouching silver-gray hawk with two blue-bubble eyes through which seats were visible. "How about that Starlet-class shuttle there? That's powerful enough to travel between galaxies."
"Looks good, but it's not gonna be easy with the owner having lunch right beside it."
Towan scoffed at this minor obstacle. "Maybe to a mere thief, but NOT to the universe's top magician! A simple invisibility spell will do the trick nicely." She dismounted Crystal, who transformed back into normal form, then summoned her staff into existence, thumping one end hard on the ground. The sorceress grasped the young woman's hand as a green circle drew itself around the two, growing and expanding into a sphere of translucent green light. They vanished from normal sight. "Now, if you'll follow me," she said in an amused tone.
They hurried over to the shuttle, going unnoticed by the black-suited pilot. The two slipped into it and started the takeoff sequence. When the doors slammed shut, the pilot jumped off the crate he was sitting on. He stared wide-eyed with his mouth agape, clutching a half-eaten sandwich as the ship blasted off. Once they have left of Xix's atmosphere, they made the jump to hyperspace.
Towan laughed as her spell wore off. "See, what did I tell you, child? Easy as pie! Phoensia, here we come!" Thrusting her fist into the air, she gave a small battle cry.
"I only hope we're not too late," Crystal replied darkly.
Sawboss monitored the final preparations, watching from his throne as several Monster Mind humanoids came before him to report. Everything was in readiness. Several hidden cloning chambers were scattered throughout the Empire and other locations. Information and technology caches were similarly dispersed. Last but not least, supplies and vital resources were stored away for future use. After having more torture devices brought in, he rose from the throne and pointed down at two Gun Troopers. "Bring that wretched Audric to me! He has had more than enough time to recover from my -- amusements," he laughed.
"Yes, Master Sawboss!" They saluted and zoomed off to the prison cells. Once there, they found the K.O. Troopers still on guard duty... but no sign of Audric in the cell. They all barged in to tear the room apart, but no trace of the scientist was found. "Excellency! The-The human has escaped!!!"
Sawboss stood straight up, his face a mask of pure rage. "ESCAPED?!?!?!?!?!?!?" He telepathically yelled at ALL the Monster Minds to "Find him NOW!!!! My WRATH upon anyone who fails!!!!"
The Monster Mind humanoids, troopers, and vines immediately searched through their respective areas, literally running over each other in their desperate attempts to find Audric. The only place they neglected to look in was the ventilation system...
Audric smiled grimly as they raced past his location. That's it; keep looking everywhere except where I am! He tightened his sling, then continued his journey to the communications room. He waded through black funguses, green molds, and decaying brown plant matter, making him even dirtier than before. All of my transmitting equipment should hopefully still be down here... He glanced through the grates to observe plant-humanoids furiously typing in commands, manipulating a dozen viewscreens in their efforts to find him. The ventilation shaft circled around the room, ending right behind the computers.
Moving there undetected, he quietly pried the panels off with his glass shard, then figured out a way to "piggyback" a signal within the current long-distance frequencies, making it impossible to trace or decipher. All that would show on the regular transmissions were brief bursts of static appearing to be minor technical difficulties to those not familiar with his secret codes. Jayce and Gillian will recognize this -- IF the signal gets through! He typed in a quick message about the Monster Minds' cloning plans and their headquarters' current location. After pushing a red button, the data rode within all signals transmitted out of that star system. Made it! Audric tensely listened for any signs of discovery. Hearing nothing after ten minutes, he rested for a bit, wincing at all the damage he suffered. Can't pass out now! I have to sabotage as much as I can before Jayce arrives! Audric glanced inside the panels again and returned to work.