B31
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 31: Dreamers
Mongo B
Several Years Ago
A pair of maids were toiling on the rug at her feet, fluffing her dress while she waited in place. Sheila took a gander at the distant pane, watching the stars as she prepped for the night.
It was going to be an eventful ball. Her father would announce his decision today. Someone was heading to the Netherworld — someone would be moving to a land on Earth. They would live there for a number of years, wife to a king who'd befriended the court.
Would it be Hadea, or would it be her?
The person who remained would inherit the throne. When Ming stepped down, eventually, Sheila or Hadea would assume his role. They'd have the greatest honor in the galaxy: ruler of Mongo, leader of all. Every noble wanted to claim this spot.
But Sheila never bothered to focus on that. She did as a girl, but not anymore. Hadea was a much better ruler than her. That was why Hadea would be chosen to stay.
A gentle knock came. A servant peeked in. "Your father, highness." He lowered his head, then moved to the side.
Moments later, her father appeared, strolling through the room with an aura of might. "Leave us," he said, addressing the others.
The servants rose quickly, then walked outside.
"I've reached my decision." He came to a halt. "I wanted you to learn this ahead of time, so that you can remain composed tonight."
Sheila looked down, eyeing the rug. "I already know what your choice will be."
"Hadea will go. You shall stay."
She looked back up, frozen in awe.
Earth B
The Present
"...Sheila," Tom whispered.
She flinched as she heard him, free from her trance.
"We're on in ten seconds."
She took another gander at the workout room, which was full of women in exercise gear. Everybody's gazes were fixed on her.
Then she threw her stare at the camera ahead, along with the director standing at its rear.
Tom raised a hand. "Five, four, three, two..."
The Universal Yoga theme music played.
Sheila flashed a smile. "Welcome back, friends. I'm Sheila Gordon. We're very glad you've let us in your homes today. Now early this morning, I was out and about, walking through the park on a stroll with my kid. A woman asked a question that I think I should share."
She knocked on the door.
LJ answered. "Hey," he said, looking surprised.
April made a nod. "Hi," she murmured. "I think that I left a small hair clip here."
He stepped right aside, letting her in.
"You really should ask who it is, LJ."
"I saw you through a monitor on my phone."
A couple minutes later, she'd found the clip. "All right, then... Thanks." She smiled.
"You don't have to leave so soon, you know."
April glanced about. "When's Kate getting home?"
He looked at the floor. "We're taking a break."
"Again?" she uttered — then scolded herself. She realized that she'd probably sounded much too brash.
"We broke up before. This is a break. It means we're still trying to save this thing."
She licked her lips, studying him. "Mind if I ask why you two broke up? I mean last time. What happened before?"
"Her mother had her eyes on a job elsewhere. Kate wanted me to move away with them. I kind of declared that my life was here. So..." He frowned, squirming a bit.
April stared. His life was here.
"Once her mom decided to pass on the job, me and Kate got back together again."
April heard a knock at the living-room door.
"Who is it?" he called.
"It's just me, babe."
April tensed.
He opened it.
Kate walked in, quietly, looking resolute as she watched her man. Then she realized that he wasn't alone. "April... Hi," she managed to say.
"Kate," she offered, forcing a grin.
Kate went to LJ and extended a kiss.
He turned away, awkwardly.
Kate looked confused for a couple of seconds.
April felt it best to remove herself — but that didn't mean that she had to leave. "Um, I'm going to use the bathroom a minute." She walked straight to it, shutting the door. She could hear them speaking as she tilted her head.
"Why did you just turn away from me?"
"I didn't want to do that in front of her." A long pause followed. "What?" he asked.
"You always have other priorities. You won't move away because your life is 'here.' Now you're putting April in front of us."
"It's not like that." Another pause. "I'm dealing with a whole lot of people now."
"And when will I be the most important one?"
"You are important. You know that, girl."
"That's not what I said."
April stayed in place for around five minutes, then told herself it was best to depart.
Things grew silent.
She opened the door. She didn't really know what was happening, but she did know it was time to leave.
LJ was waiting all alone again.
"What happened to Kate?"
He glanced to the side. "We kind of broke up."
April quivered, standing still.
"It wasn't in anger. It wasn't bad. She and I might even try to be friends."
She nodded at him, hoping it'd work.
"So..." he muttered. "Do you want to move in?"
"Thanks a lot, Tom. I'm glad it went well," Sheila declared as she walked through the house, holding the phone right against her ear. Today's episode had gotten good reviews. "I'll talk to you soon." She hung the phone up.
Seconds before she could drop the device, she heard a little chime from a dark-web page. Someone was trying to contact her, someone who'd attempted and failed before.
She opened the odd-looking page again. Why couldn't this person use normal means?
Then she froze as a face appeared. "Father..." she whispered. He'd finally emerged.
Ming studied her, icy as ever. "Do you recall what you said that day?"
She squinted a little. "What day do you mean?" She had to keep him talking to trace his call.
" 'I never expected that you'd choose me.' You were so excited that you got to stay. You thought you were going to rule Mongo soon." He scoffed a bit, shaking his head. "You could have had it all."
She looked at her ring and her daughter's crib. Then she turned back, lifting her chin. "I actually do."
The screen went black. He'd cut the transmission.
"I actually do."
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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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