B6
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Forward
With special guest Marzena
"In this universe, the Netherworld had a king whose alliance Ming wanted, so he married young Hadea off to become the Queen of the Netherworld."
Preview
Presented by Marzena
Amy tries to get rid of her powers and asks Damian Dark to ban them since Mandrake won't help her.
Ming wins a war against the Netherworld and kills the current king.
April wants to make sure that Rick does not turn to Amy just because he can't have Jedda.
Chapter 6: Crescendo
The palace quivered — once again. Rick had to struggle to stay upright. He threw another glance at the windowsill. The kingdom was literally falling apart.
A missile wailed through the foggy air, the latest of several he'd heard today. A burst erupted soon afterward. Fire arose in a distant field.
Amy was floating in the space beside him, holding her mother protectively. They'd come here seeking Hadea's help. The battle began just before they could ask.
Hadea faced a window at an opposite wall, hands cupped firmly behind her back. "Force field up," the queen commanded.
A palace guard scrambled to the room's controls — a blue touchscreen mounted onto a wall. The Nether technology was fascinating.
A gold force field rose around the palace; it lingered along every windowsill.
All of a sudden, a stray missile screamed toward Queen Hadea.
Rick felt a chill rising up his back. He knew that he couldn't rescue her in time.
The queen held firm, hands still cupped.
The missile exploded right in front of her face, the thick force field blocking all of the flame. Hadea hadn't flinched in the very least.
Then a pale servant ran into the room; Rick recognized him from his last trip here.
"Highness!" the robed man said as he knelt. "We have identified the enemy leader." The man hesitated, looking more tense.
Hadea turned around. "Speak," she uttered. She seemed curious as to why he'd paused.
"They are being led by your father Ming. He's fled from Mongo and found more troops."
The queen's gaze rose to the ceiling now. If she was surprised, she gave no sign.
"Your husband has gone to challenge him in a duel."
Video screens were set up in the room, many of which were broadcasting the fray.
Rick looked aside, then quivered in shock. A dark realization crept into his mind.
"What is it?" Amy muttered, reading him well.
"This was the reason Ming wanted you dead. He knew that you might pose a threat to him." He trembled again. "And if he decided to target you...he'll also target Monitor." He reached frantically for his mobile phone, one tooled to work in the Netherworld. He had to make sure everyone was safe.
Despite all the modifications made, it seemed that his call wasn't getting through.
Then he glanced over at the video screens. Maybe one of those could display his home.
Rick started rushing toward the Golden Queen. "Hadea!" he called, seeking permission.
A horde of armed guards stepped in front of their ruler.
Rick skidded still, raising his hands.
Then a noblewoman walked up to him. "You will address the queen properly — and you will approach when you have consent."
Though they were supposedly allies now, Rick was a guest in Hadea's land. He was expected to show respect. He bent his legs and dropped onto his knees. He wasn't concerned about pride right now.
The armed group parted, revealing the queen.
"Highness," Rick uttered. He glanced at a screen. "Please allow me to observe my home. I dread that your father has attacked there too."
Hadea made a nod at the noblewoman.
"Rise," the robed lady said to Rick.
Rick got up.
Amy approached. Her mother was still fast asleep in the air. "Highness," she said, kneeling herself. "My foster mother May was attacked by Ming. I've come to request that you save her life."
Another loud blast rippled through the grounds. Rick saw a flare on the fields ahead.
Hadea looked over at the nearest screen. Her pilots were fleeing Ming's fighter crafts.
Then the queen turned to the kneeling girl. "Perhaps you and I can assist each other."
Rick jogged over to a screen as well. He had to get a view of his team's home base.
Hadea's technology was complicated. Nothing Rick Gordon couldn't handle, though. Within a few minutes, he had a clear view of the Defenders' home. Monitor was currently under attack. Someone at a cannon shot a roboship down. Then another person hit a pair of planes, taking both out with a single shot.
"Good job, sis," Rick remarked, even though he couldn't spot April at all.
Then he heard a ruckus from within the room. He turned once more toward Hadea's court. Everyone had gathered around a screen.
Rick stepped forth, watching too. Ming was in battle with the king of the land, a blond-haired man Rick had seen in a portrait.
The king swung his blade.
Ming sidestepped. Then he responded with a swing of his own.
The Netherworld king barely ducked aside. He looked quite nervous as he backed away, his gray armor smeared with a line of red. It seemed that he'd bested some of Mongo's troops, but Rick knew he'd have a harder time with Ming. The merciless one was a pro at this; all of Ming's opponents surely knew that well. Most were defeated through fear alone. The king only had a few seconds to live.
Amy stepped forward, eyes on the fight. "I can fly there and intervene right now."
Hadea reached out, holding her back. "No," she uttered. "Not just yet."
Rick flinched a little. What did she say? She didn't want Amy to save the king?
Ming strode forth with a widening smirk.
The Netherworld ruler made a shaky swipe.
Ming ducked quickly, then popped right up, swinging his blade in a backhand slash.
Almost everyone in the room cried out. The Netherworld's king had just been killed.
Hadea took a breath, still looking calm.
Rick studied her in a state of shock. Why had the queen allowed that to occur?
"Force field down," Hadea said.
The golden force field began to fade.
"Now," she muttered, turning to Amy.
Amy rose, then flew outside. Moments later, Ming's roboships started falling apart, ravaged much like the one Garax flew.
Some of the planes made a quick escape. Rick hoped that Ming hadn't gotten away.
Amy returned, landing slowly. Rick was relieved to see her well.
"I couldn't bring all of the fighters down," Amy relayed as she faced the queen. "They scurried just as I was weakening." Amy was strong, but she had limits — according to what she'd said to Rick. "They're gone for now, but I think they'll be back."
Rick eyed the opposite video screen. Monitor had thwarted Ming's fighters too.
Hadea eyed the woman laying at her feet. Amy's foster mother still needed help. The queen spread her arms. May began glowing. Seconds later, she started to rise.
"May!" Amy cried, running to her, pulling the woman right into her arms.
"I'm giving them up," Amy declared, eyes closed firmly as she held her brow.
"Why?" Rick asked, crossing the floor, sitting beside her on the edge of her bed.
"Seriously?" she said with a wince, her eyebrow rising as she stared at him, as though he was the most dense person alive.
"Ames," he muttered.
"No really," she said. "Are you asking me a serious question right now?"
"Why do you want to give your powers up?"
"Because they bring nothing but trouble my way. People fear me. People hunt me. People want to use me to fight their wars. I'm done with this crap. I'm giving them up. If Dad won't help, I'll look elsewhere."
"What does that mean? You'll look 'elsewhere.' Where exactly are you going to turn?" He had a certain sense of what she planned to do. He seriously hoped he was wrong, however.
"I'm making a bargain with Damian Dark."
"No," he said, eyeing his lap.
"Rick..." she mumbled.
"No, no, no. Ames..." he groaned, "have you lost your mind?"
"It's easy for you to sit there and judge. You don't know what it's like being me."
"Sure," he said, chuckling a bit. "Growing up wishing that your dad was around? I have no clue what that feels like. Thinking that a sibling gets most of the love? I guess I can't relate to that one either." He shook his head as the memories flared. "Knowing that you'll never live a normal life...because you weren't born to normal folks?" He stroked his head, then shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I don't know anything about- -"
"Rick..."
"What?"
"Shut your damn mouth." Amy locked her lips right onto his.
Rick twitched a bit, responding in kind.
He closed his eyes as they deepened the smooch. She yanked on his shirt, tugging it up. They separated as she ripped it off.
Then he pulled Amy's shirt over her head, casting his gaze on her ebony bra.
They kissed again.
A gentle knock came.
"Ames," April called, pushing the door. "I..." She froze, staring at them.
Rick scrambled quickly, grabbing his shirt.
April glared, then turned and left.
"Hey," he called, chasing her down. He pulled the shirt on as he entered the hall. "Wait a minute. What's the matter, A?"
"Rick..." she muttered, shaking her head. "Whatever's going on, that's between you two." She paused a second. "Just make sure you're not using her."
"Using her?"
"You know what I mean."
"No. I don't. I can't read minds."
She swung her hands, walking away.
"A?" he called. "What's going on?"
"Amy isn't Jedda Walker, Rick."
Rick couldn't help but to scowl a little. His sister thought he was rebounding? "Hey," he said, catching up.
April stopped, facing him.
"I'm perfectly aware that she isn't Jedda. Amy and I have more in common."
She licked her lips, looking aside. Maybe she was starting to get it now.
"Look," he said, "let's discuss this later." Rick ran up to Amy's room again. The window was open.
Amy was gone.
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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