D2
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 2: Homecoming
Deep inside the royal palace of Mongo, a former prince was kneeling at Hadea's throne. His eyes were fixed on the marble floor. She found herself pleased with his show of respect.
"You wished to see me...majesty?" he asked while adjusting his lengthy cape.
"Indeed, Krotan," Hadea replied, running a finger along her chin. "Though my success was inevitable, you proved most convenient in my conquest of Mongo. I will reward you as stipulated."
He quivered a little, raising his eyes. "There is still only one thing that I desire."
Hadea nodded, speaking flatly. "To marry my daughter. To marry Jedda."
Krotan held silent, trembling.
"As you wish. While you will not bear the title of king, you have my word that you shall rule together."
Krotan's eyes shone with gratitude. "When?" he asked.
"Now," she said.
While walking alongside Rick, Jedda suddenly disappeared.
Rick jerked in shock, swinging his head about. There was no sign of her anywhere on the street. "Jedda? Jedda?!"
Jedda materialized within the palace. Absolute horror had gripped her frame. It took several moments to gather her bearings.
Several of the pale guards began to approach.
She spun immediately into a roundhouse kick, knocking her surprised foe onto the floor. As another man started reaching for her, she grabbed secured his arm, struck with her knee, and flipped the stunned guard right onto his back. Twirling around, she floored a third opponent with a vicious punch.
Before she could move upon anyone else, Jedda felt a force holding her in place. Seconds later, she rose from the floor. It seemed she was caught telekinetically.
"That is enough, daughter," Hadea said.
Jedda began floating toward Queen Hadea, eyeing her with a mixture of caution and awe. Upon coming to a halt, arms pinned at her sides, she was stunned upon seeing what the queen was wearing. "The Necklace of Oros?" She glanced between the jewel and Hadea's face. "How? I destroyed it."
"You merely thought that you did. You weren't there the day that I attacked the base and reclaimed what was mine."
The girl whispered. "Then that's how you've been able to invade all these planets."
Hadea paused, staring at her for a moment. "I had to delay our reunion until the conquest and violence had passed."
Jedda remained stunned.
"Don't look at me like that." Hadea's voice had lowered, and all smugness left her tone. "I'm not your enemy. I'm your mother."
She turned her head. "No," she murmured.
"Jedda..." Hadea stood and stroked her face. "You're even more beautiful at present than when you were human."
Jedda shook, feeling a familiar terror stir her spine. "What are you talking about?" A part of her didn't want to know.
The queen lowered her hand, eyeing her closely. "Surely you've noticed the changes by now. Over the past year, you've experienced enhancements in your stamina, your agility, and, obviously, your strength." Hadea glanced toward the fallen guards. "Perhaps you've kept this hidden from others...but you know that you're a different being now than you were before we met."
Jedda quivered, avoiding eye contact now.
"You were unconscious for a good deal of that day — the victim of an experiment gone wrong. When I treated you, I saw what the tribal doctors had been afraid to tell your father: that it was too late for you to simply be revived.
"Essentially, the human Jedda Walker died in that accident."
Jedda faced Hadea, eyes full of fright.
"In order to save your body, I had to largely transform it. You may look the same, but you are a member of my race now."
She began to tremble again.
Hadea simply watched her with a calm stare.
"No..." Jedda shook her head.
The queen held silent.
"You're lying."
Hadea lifted an eyebrow.
Tears welled in Jedda's eyes. "I'm still human."
Hadea looked aside, chuckling a tad. "Yes, some of your humanity remains — your stubborn refusal to accept reality, for example." The queen began stroking Jedda's face again. "But the truth is, you have a third parent now. My blood flows through your veins. I am every bit your biological mother as the human who gave birth to you."
Jedda watched her in awe.
"Why does this cause you distress? Have you not always wanted a mother in your life?"
A conflict rippled through Jedda's mind. For a few seconds, she felt something tempting, something exciting...something that she told herself to resist.
"I know how it feels to live without a mother," Hadea revealed.
A spark of curiosity appeared within her.
Hadea's eyes softened. "For many years, I dreamed of bringing the galaxy under my control. I've done that. Now I'm ready to do what the humans call 'settling down.' All I want at present is for you, I, and your father to build the family that we never got the chance to build before."
Jedda flinched. "My father? Is he here too?"
"No. I don't believe I should bring him here until well after the wedding."
Her voice lowered as a chill shot through her. "What wedding?"
Hadea paused. "There is a fourth person who shall join our family..."
Jedda looked across the room, seeing someone approaching from the shadows.
"Your husband," said Hadea. "Krotan."
As Krotan emerged, he eyed Jedda with a smile that was half excited, half mischievous.
Jedda whipped her head back to Hadea. "I will never marry Krotan." As usual, Jedda sensed a certain strangeness as she said his name — wishing that she could feel as angry as she sounded. "I'll never embrace either of you."
Hadea nodded, looking sterner. "Have you not wondered why I've yet to invade Earth?"
Jedda fidgeted again.
"Because I expected that I'd encounter some resistance on your part." She retook her seat, resting her arms along those of her chair. "You will cooperate, or I will complete my conquest of the galaxy."
Jedda watched them both, flabbergasted. As she looked deeply into Krotan's eyes, she could tell that he'd been waiting a long time for this. And as she looked back into Hadea's, it was clear that she'd meant exactly what she'd said.
She lowered her gaze to the marble floor. A slow tear trickled right down her face.
For a long time, it seemed her destiny had been decided by others. She'd vowed to never let that happen again.
But while staring down, Jedda heard a statement echo in her head. She knew that she had to keep her world safe. That was what being a Defender meant.
Krotan stood in front of the altar unclothed — a part of tradition when a noble married, even though he wasn't a noble now. He'd crossed a platform above an outdoor crowd, slightly elevated above their heads. Now he was standing with the minister. Twin tents stood at the other end. Everyone was waiting for the bride to emerge.
Heads began turning as the music changed. All eyes focused on the second tent.
A naked Jedda strolled out of the dark. Her breathing was heavy. Her eyes were tense. She paused where she stood, then steadied herself, easing her way right across the aisle.
Krotan watched with anticipation, utterly thrilled this was happening.
As Jedda continued, all of the commoners began to kneel.
Her lips began to shake as she noticed the gesture. She frowned a bit, then threw her gaze forth, eyeing the altar as she took a breath.
Jedda stood with Krotan in a dark bedroom. Both were still nude, save for the rings gleaming on their hands.
She faced a wall, maintaining her silence.
"If you think this to be temporary," Krotan said, "then I'm afraid that you're quite mistaken. In all of Mongo's history, no couple has ever gotten divorced."
She twitched a little. What did he mean?
"There's no divorce on planet Mongo — certainly not for members of the royal family. When you enter into a Mongoian marriage, you have entered into the bond forever."
Jedda's head lightened. She struggled to stand. Deep within the back of her mind, of course, she'd naturally hoped to escape one day. But that was beginning to seem unlikely. She didn't know how to pilot Mongo's ships, nor did she know the pathway to Earth. Aside from that, she knew the Defenders couldn't look for her, because they were forbidden from approaching Hadea.
Krotan walked up, holding her shoulder. There was a gentleness within his touch. "My longtime dream has been to rule at your side. Today, that dream has finally come true. I may not be king, and you may not be queen, but we're husband and wife, and that is all that matters." He turned her around, holding her waist.
Jedda shook again as their gazes met. He'd rarely offered this kind of tenderness. From what she knew, for most of his life, being forceful had been his gut instinct. That was the effect Ming had on him. But as she looked deep within Krotan's eyes, she sensed he didn't want to be that way now — not anymore, not with her.
She let her eyes study his muscular chest.
And that was when she finally confronted the truth, a truth that she'd hidden for quite a while: she hated how brash Krotan could be, and deep in her heart, she hated herself — for a well-hidden attraction to him.
Krotan leaned forward, taking his time, giving her a chance to turn away if she pleased. And when she didn't, he pressed his lips right atop her own.
Jedda held still, then kissed him back.
As they neared the bed, he eased on his back as the kissing continued, letting her breasts nestle right upon his chest.
Jedda moaned.
Moments later, he turned her over, looking at her in near disbelief.
As his lips started sinking right into her breasts, Jedda watched the ceiling with her mouth half-open, her toes quivering. All sense of reason faded from her mind. She couldn't really tell if she was sad about her home, or accepting of it. Either way, she felt a tear slide down.
Scene Commentary
"Don't look at me like that." Hadea's voice had lowered, and all smugness left her tone. "I'm not your enemy. I'm your mother."
Hadea and Krotan have something in common — a genuine affection for Jedda. This got me wondering something: If the two of them are capable of so much tenderness, are they also capable of becoming better people overall? I became very fascinated with this topic, and I wish that the TV show had explored it as well. Had that happened, I imagine that we might have seen a Romeo and Juliet-style relationship between Krotan and Jedda, along with an interesting triangle involving Krotan, Jedda, and Rick.
Krotan walked up, holding her shoulder. There was a gentleness within his touch. "My longtime dream has been to rule at your side. Today, that dream has finally come true. I may not be king, and you may not be queen, but we're husband and wife, and that is all that matters."
In the TV show, Krotan makes it clear that he wants to marry Jedda. It seems that a tiny portion of DoE fans were actually fascinated by this relationship, or even fond of it in some cases. I probably fell somewhere in the middle. So, this was another scenario that ended up lingering in my mind for years — the idea of Jedda and Krotan actually going through with the wedding, and dealing with the aftermath.
Krotan leaned forward, taking his time, giving her a chance to turn away if she pleased. And when she didn't, he pressed his lips right atop her own.
Jedda held still, then kissed him back.
Krotan's attraction to Jedda isn't one-sided. This is how I ultimately imagined their first night together — Jedda giving into her feelings for Krotan, then getting swept up in a moment of passion.
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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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