D19
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 19: Epilogue III
Jedda's expression kept vacillating. One minute she was sporting an apprehensive stare, the next she was flashing an innocent smile.
The Phantom knew exactly what all of this meant: his daughter was about to ask for something. And since he was pretty sure she could afford her own treats these days, it was probably going to be something big.
Jedda bit her lip for a second. "Krotan and I have business on another planet. We're going to be visiting the rulers there."
The Phantom studied her with a pensive stare. "For how long?"
"I'm not sure just yet, but we're going to need someone to look after Vera and Mongo while we're away."
He frowned while scratching his brow. "And you want me to do it?"
"You...and Hadea."
He paused where he stood, hand freezing in place.
Jedda let her shy gaze drop to the floor.
The Phantom began to wonder if she'd made this decision with her heart instead of her head. "Do you really expect the people of your court and kingdom to embrace Hadea?"
She sighed while looking around the room. "I don't expect them to embrace her, but I do expect them to accept her. I've had extensive discussions about this already. The nobles don't respect my mother, but they do respect me, and they've agreed to tolerate her as best they can."
His expression remained skeptical.
After a few seconds, Jedda pulled her father into a hug, pinning his arms at his sides and forcing eye contact. "So! Now that that's settled, how soon can you move in?"
The Phantom scoffed, pulling away from her embrace. "This isn't a good idea, Jedda."
"Come on. I'm asking you to look after my daughter and my kingdom." She shrugged with a smile. "Who can I possibly trust more than my father and mother?"
A hint of suspicion crossed the Phantom's face now. He began to notice a trace of playfulness in Jedda's tone.
She lifted a palm upon reading his expression. "This isn't another set-up. This is 100% real. I know that things are complicated between you and Hadea — but I also know that the two of you have to work those issues out on your own." Jedda hid another smile while averting her gaze. He sensed that she was glad that their issues existed, because that meant that a relationship existed as well. "All I'm asking is that you put those matters aside in the name of family, and for the sake of Mongo."
The Phantom sighed, turning away.
Jedda cupped her hands behind her back, then took a deep breath as she looked on patiently.
"I assume you'll be traveling with protection."
"The knight captain," she said, referring to the leader of the Royal Guards. "Him and a few others."
"And who'll serve in his place while he's away from Mongo?"
"We're still deciding that."
The Phantom turned around slowly. "I'll make the decision myself. If he'll agree to it, I want Rick to serve as my captain."
Jedda flinched in surprise.
"Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all," she said, looking away with a shrug.
He could tell that she felt a bit awkward. The thought of her old boyfriend living in her home must have seemed odd, but Jedda knew that Rick was a great soldier. She'd just asked her father to put his issues aside for Mongo's sake. It would be kind of hypocritical if she failed to do that herself.
The Phantom sighed again. "I still don't believe that this is a good idea, but I'm proud of what you've accomplished on Mongo...and I want to help anyway that I can."
Jedda blushed a little.
"Where do we go from here?"
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Several days later, Jedda teleported Rick, Hadea, and the Phantom to Mongo. Soon afterward, the king and queen said their goodbyes.
Rick took everything in. He and Krotan exchanged respectful nods. Hadea and Jedda shared a warm hug. Krotan kissed Vera's forehead as she played with his face. The Phantom shook Krotan's hand, then slapped him on the back. Krotan winced a little in response, then chuckled at his father-in-law.
After the rulers had departed, their three guests were momentarily left alone.
Rick stood with a pack over his shoulder, casting his gaze between Hadea and the throne. Before long, he found himself eyeing the woman with an untrusting stare.
Minutes later, a robed nobleman entered the room and bowed his head. "Greetings, Phantom," he said with a smile.
The masked man nodded back.
The noble hesitated, avoiding eye contact with Hadea for as long as he could. The grin left his expression as he finally faced her. "Greetings."
Hadea crossed her arms, showing no sign of discontent.
The man motioned toward the twin chairs on the platform. "As you can see, this is where the two of you will oversee daily matters relating to our kingdom."
The Phantom and Hadea threw curious glances at one another.
The host stroked his brow while eyeing the two of them. "It's quite unusual for a King and Queen of Mongo to not be wed, even when serving as acting rulers...but I trust that you'll be accepted regardless of that." He turned to the young man before him. "Rick, your fellow knights are stationed in the building just outside that window. As head of the Royal Guards, you'll live here in the palace with the acting king and queen."
Rick felt himself quiver. He wasn't looking forward to meeting the others, and imagined that he'd put that off for as long as possible.
"If you're ready, I'll show each of you to your chambers. Afterward, you can begin learning more about your roles here."
The Phantom turned to his companions.
Hadea lifted a hand to her hip, gazing forward with a confident smile.
A nervous Rick licked his lips, then glanced at the Phantom and made a slow nod.
After taking a deep breath, the man in the mask turned back to his host. "We're ready."
Volume III — End
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Chapters
Volume I
Shorly after Jedda leaves the team, Queen Hadea begins a galactic conquest.
Jedda finds herself back on Mongo — and reunited with Prince Krotan.
Despite their affection, Jedda endeavors to counter Hadea's plans.
Seeking to resolve the matter with Hadea, the Defenders begin a climactic mission on Mongo.
Rick enjoys a meaningful reunion.
Volume II
Jedda and Krotan confront their feelings.
Against the wishes of his wife, Krotan grows tempted to pursue a vendetta.
Rick has a difficult time moving on.
In the wake of Krotan's actions, Jedda faces a difficult choice.
Hadea reunites with an old acquaintance.
The Royals of Mongo organize what's supposed to be a friendly feast.
A glimpse into the future on Mongo.
Volume III
Instead of spending a romantic evening together, as Jedda intended, Hadea and Phantom find themselves pursued.
Amid their exploits, Phantom and Hadea discuss personal matters.
Flash visits Ming's prison while thinking of Dale, and Rick learns that a new girl will be joining the team.
A vengeful woman targets Jedda.
The Defenders face an internal crisis.
Will she choose affection or ambition?
Needing to depart Mongo on business, Jedda and Krotan ask Hadea and Phantom to fill in for them temporarily.
Volume IV
As the enormity of his situation sinks in, an anxious Rick finds unexpected comfort.
Hadea continues to counsel Rick by reminding him that his actions have consequences.
Phantom and Hadea are advised to marry.
The acting rulers face a variety of issues on their big day.
The Defenders consider returning to solo work.
Volume V
Krotan and Jedda try to find time for their marriage while tending to duty.
Someone from Jedda's past returns.
Krotan and the guards attempt to defend the kingdom without Jedda.
Krotan and Ming have another confrontation under different circumstances.
Flash and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Rick prepares to leave the team, he and LJ receive a surprise visit.
Volume VI
The new trio embarks on a mission.
The Phantom is left startled by the recent development.
After spending a couple of days with Jedda, Rachel departs for the tme being.
In the future, Vera receives advice and comfort from her mother.
Jedda reflects on the recent years.
In the aftermath of an attack on her land, Hadea seeks help from a mercenary.
Flash is stunned by his discovery on a distant planet.
Volume VII
Hadea makes an announcement that leaves the Phantom unsettled.
The Phantom works to undo his mistakes.
In the future, the Royals of Mongo enjoy quality time together.
Rachel assists LJ and Hadea in very different ways.
Rachel adjusts to her new position awkwardly.
With Rachel and Jedda at her side, Hadea learns more about the history of her kingdom.
Volume VIII
The Phantom plans to propose.
Hadea and the Phantom attempt to work through their issues.
Rachel visits Hadea to discuss new intentions.
The Defenders confront a group of aliens who have descended on Earth, while Ming continues to scheme behind the scenes.
Flash, Rick, and Krotan engage Ming in battle.
Jade reunites briefly with her daughters.
A special occasion has finally arrived.
Volume IX
Rick has a meeting with Zyna that leaves him staggered.
Flash and Rick travel to another planet to investigate news.
Dale begins to set her agenda in motion.
The Royals of Mongo have a lengthy discussion about the past and future.
Dale takes bold steps forward.
Flash and Rick confront Dale to discuss her actions.
Empress Hadea appoints new queens.
Volume X
In the future, the royals have a discussion about politics on Mongo.
LJ and Lothar discuss family affairs.
Jedda views her official government profile to learn where she ranks among Mongoian queens.
Castra and Aura look to put their differences aside.
The Phantom learns more about Hadea's duties.
Volume XI
The Phantom, Hadea, and Rachel depart for a mission in the Bandar village.
Rachel heads off to find Kurt on her own.
Dale provides answers for Rachel.
Jade observes a significant discussion beween Phantom and Kurt.
Phantom learns that the village mission affected Hadea on a personal level.
Volume XII
Jedda and Krotan renew their commitment.
Krotan pampers Jedda as they discuss the future.
Nearly everyone joins the Phantom for a mission via boat.
The group arrives on Raven Island and learns the identity of the opposing team's leader.
Flash, Dale, and Rick spend time with Flash's sister, Commander Abigail Gordon, and her daughter Sara.
Rick and Kristina head off on a late-night mission.
Kristina, Rick, and Hadea confront their personal matters.
Once again, someone lands on Mandrake's yard during a storm.
Volume XIII
A woman arrives in the Netherworld, claiming to be the rightful ruler.
LJ, Rick, and Rachel investigate the Netherworld matter.
Flash and Dale's date is interrupted by news that Rick has been captured, and it's up to Kristina to save him.
While grouped together one night, several people must team up suddenly in order to defend the mansion.
Atascadero discusses her upbringing with Mandrake.
Volume XIV
Soldiers from Atascadero's kingdom come looking for her.
Ata heads to her kingdom to resolve the issues there.
Vera begins learning more about Jedda's past.
In response to the recent events, Hadea makes a controversial decision.
Rick attempts to resolve a certain personal issue.
Rick and his girlfriend decide to go their separate ways.
Flash, Dale, and Rick reunite with Dale's father, as well as Flash's.
Jonathan Gordon becomes overzealous, leading to repercussions.
Flash and Dale chase Ming down.
Kristina bonds with Rick in the aftermath of the events at the base.
Volume XV
In the future, Jedda and Krotan have to teach Vera the value of humility.
In the future, Vera is courted by several boys.
Rick and Kristina become stranded on an island.
Hadea is approached by an old suitor.
Kristina and Rick grow closer while stuck on the island.
Ata and Mandrake discuss their relationship.
Castra and her husband have a talk about their longtime commitment.
Krotan and Jedda discuss the past, and look to the future.
Flash and Dale reaffirm their feelings.
The series finale.
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