B15
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 15: Life
A crackle of thunder echoed over the grounds — the grounds where his mother had been laid to rest.
Veena was gone. Nowhere to be found. All Rick could spot was the dug-up grave, a feat Veena's powers were likely behind.
Though he tried his hardest to resist the urge, he slowly found himself taking everything in.
A light downpour.
A closed casket.
A moment so familiar it unsettled his stomach.
He sensed the same feeling in his sister and dad, both looking queasy in the spot on his right. All of them appeared to have the same concern: what would they find if they opened the box?
Veena had come to revive his mom. None of them knew why she wanted to. All he really wondered was if she had.
He took a slow step toward the brown rectangle. Something was waiting on the very top. It looked like a tablet, a thin device. Did Veena leave a message for the group on that? What had she wanted to inform them of?
He kept moving forward. He needed to know.
Before he could reach the small screen, however, Amy grabbed his palm and caressed it in hers. "Just hold on a second," she whispered to him. "We need to inspect things before we proceed."
Rick released a breath. Amy was right. He was too anxious to think clearly.
The tablet floated over right into her hands, Amy's power pulling it straight through the air. Rick eyed the screen right alongside her, seeing a picture of exotic text. He'd never read words such as these before. He wasn't quite sure what it all relayed.
"An incantation," Amy declared. "The language of magic." She squinted a bit.
Rick noticed April and his father approaching. Then he locked his gaze onto Amy again. "What does it say?"
She hesitated. "It claims to be a spell that awakens the dead. Veena must have got it from the temple site."
His mind drifted back to the obvious question. "Do you think she's used it to awaken my mom?"
She held her stare forward, watching the casket. Then she released a regretful sigh. "I think that there's only one way to find out."
Rick began to quiver. He knew what that meant. The four of them had to open that thing up.
Amy placed her hands over both of his shoulders, facing him with a warm tenderness. Seconds later, she tossed a quick glance at his father and April. "I want the three of you to stand back over there." Amy planned to open the casket alone. She didn't want them viewing his mother's corpse.
Rick paused a moment, then walked away, eyeing Amy with a continuous awe. Part of him was grateful for what she was doing. Part of him didn't want it done at all. The thought of disturbing this grave was odd. But Veena was the one who had started it.
April and his dad took their spots at his side. Both appeared smitten as they gazed ahead.
Amy held her focus on the casket again, seemingly calling her power forth. Rick heard a snap. Then he heard another. The lid rose up moments afterward.
Rick trembled harder. What did she see?
Amy turned and fastened her gaze on his. She wore a gentle look as she licked both lips. "I see Dale's skeleton resting here. She's wearing that dress from the wall photo."
He couldn't find words as he processed this. Veena had not brought his mother back. Why did the girl leave the tablet, though?
Amy stepped forth. "I think that Veena knew you were following her. She probably figured that you'd bring me or my dad."
April shook her head. "I don't understand."
"Veena wants me to revive your mom," Amy explained. "She thinks I'll awaken my darker self." Amy looked pale. She seemed concerned. "Bringing Dale back takes necromancy. That would mean casting a wicked spell."
Rick didn't know all the ins and outs, but Amy did have another side to her. He had seen the signs when they'd rescued May — when Amy reduced Garax to shreds. Amy was fighting that darkness now. So far she'd managed to keep it at bay, but everything could change if she used this spell.
Rick didn't want to focus on that thought. The last thing he needed was another loss. Losing his mom had been devastating. A chunk of his heart had been ripped away. He'd never planned on loving so deeply again.
But then a new person had entered his life, someone whom he cherished quite differently, but someone whom he valued every bit as much. Chances were that Rick couldn't have them both. It sounded like a trade was about to occur. Mom for Amy. Amy for Mom. Was he going to make that sacrifice?
"Ames..." He fidgeted while studying her. "I... I..." He took a slow breath. "I don't want you casting this spell of yours. I can't lose you." He closed their gap and took her hands in his.
Amy's gaze softened as he stroked her skin. "You won't," she promised.
"Ames," he muttered.
"It's okay, Rick."
Using her power, Amy lifted him a few inches high, then sat him down again a good distance away. Turning aside, she spread her arms a bit while she focused on Dale.
"Amy! No!" Rick began running.
"Le tu go fa..." she started to chant. She quivered a little while she muttered the words, as though they were taking their toll already. A flash of black lightning enveloped her.
"Amy!" he uttered.
"Le cann tu tay..." She trembled again. The lightning grew thicker as it swirled about.
Rick could see her eyes. Both had gone red.
She gritted her teeth, clearly in pain. That seemed to be the price of resisting the dark. She dropped to one knee. Her head had sagged. Then she looked up with her crimson stare. "Le...le... Le tu ko cay!" A huge burst of blackness flowed out of her.
"Amy!" he shouted. He covered his face, losing his footing as he felt the wave.
Silence prevailed for a number of seconds.
Rick began struggling to stand again.
"Mom?" April's voice cut through the air.
Rick eyed her, as well as his dad. Both of their expressions were filled with awe. Turning his head, he realized why.
Rick had seen a lot on his missions in space — alien cultures, mystical powers, and technical marvels that staggered him. He'd also seen much via journeys on Earth — secret locations, great scenery, and magical feats that had left him stunned. Each of those sights were incredible. But he could say now, beyond all doubt, that none could compare to the present one — the sight of his mother rising up from her spot, all of her beautiful flesh restored, eyeing the group in bewilderment.
Rick only watched for a couple of seconds. Then he turned his gaze to the girl on the ground. Amy was crouching, catching her breath. He rushed to her side and wrapped his arms on her frame. "Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly. "I'm all right, Rick." She stood with him. "It almost got me...but I fought back. I wasn't going to lose my mind to that."
He and Amy had an extended hug. Then they turned around and stood side by side, seeing the woman who was standing now. She'd moved from the casket and stepped on the ground.
Rick was amazed as he got a good look. Everyone else appeared just as jarred.
"Dale?" Flash was approaching her, right palm shaking as he neared the spot.
April's hands were resting right over her mouth, wide eyes twitching while she watched the scene.
Holding fully silent as her long locks blew, Dale glanced about, her thin lips parting.
Another crack of thunder echoed over the grounds.
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Chapters
Volume I
As the New Rebellion rages across Mongo and Earth, Jedda and Krotan unite against Ming — and find themselves pursued by one of his ships.
2: Mongo Is Burning — Part 1
Desperate to end the battles, Krotan and Jedda, who have fallen in love, agree to a politically driven wedding — which Rick opposes.
3: Mongo Is Burning — Part 2
Despite growing opposition to the wedding, Jedda and Krotan remain firm in their decision.
Rick observes Amy venting, then ends up on a wild ride.
Amy visits her ailing foster mother, only to realize that she's fallen into a trap.
Rick and Amy take May to the Netherworld, where an invasion has begun.
Against the wishes of Rick and others, Amy makes a bargain with Damian Dark.
While the Defenders scramble to catch up with Amy, another battle occurs in the Netherworld.
Volume II
Flash sets out to free Ming, who has vital information regarding an impending attack.
Lothar and April move to counter an assassination attempt.
The team hurries to prevent LJ and Rick from carrying out an assault on another planet.
The Royal Five converge to counter a group of outlaws who've abducted Castra's husband.
Despite Castra's objections, Hadea grows tempted to remain on Mongo and take over as queen.
Kshin and LJ suspect that Veena is planning to bring her father back.
The Gordons arrive at Dale's grave.
Castra and her relatives vie for the position of queen on Mongo.
Volume III
Dale reveals the identity of her first child.
Veena uses her powers to help others.
Flash gets a startling surprise while chasing Ming.
20: The Princess Makes Her Move
In Dimension K, Ming weds his ambitious stepdaughter Hadea.
A visitor arrives from Dimension Y, intent on taking Dale back with her.
Duffy attempts to bond with Dale, who learns of a portal to another dimension.
After arriving on Earth K, the duo find themselves captured by Queen Hadea, who tasks Dale with a mission.
Now a mother of four, Dale attempts to help ease tensions between April and Duffy.
Rick learns that Duffy might have another special ability.
Volume IV
After using her seer to avert a grim future, the Hadea of Earth K believes herself unbeatable.
April receives a visit from her aunt, Commander Abigail Gordon, who seeks her help on a mission.
Amy confronts her mother Cathleen, who is attempting to conquer Earth P.
On Earth C, Agent Kristina Graf seeks members for a new defense team.
April and Duffy are approached by Kent Madden's daughter Clare, who claims to need their help.
Sheila reflects on her choices.
32: Parental Guidance Required
Duffy develops an unexpected bond.
The Defenders are challenged inside Monitor.
In response to the recent assault, Abby and Dale take action against Madden.
Duffy begins acclimating to life on Earth B.
Krotan receives comfort from Jedda in the midst of a new matter.
Amy seeks to help an old friend.
Hadea and Jedda bond on Earth H in the series finale.
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