D21
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 21: Maturity
Over the past several weeks, Rick heard, a town near the capital city of Mongo had been terrorized by rebels. The group was opposed to a newly elected governor, who'd made numerous changes that strayed from tradition.The rebels had taken several actions since announcing their arrival. Citizens had been frightened, knights had been attacked, and empty council buildings had been utterly destroyed.
The group had stayed quiet for one week now, leaving everyone to wonder what their next move would be.
"This has gone far enough." With a bold glare and tightened fists, Rick turned around and faced his soldiers. "Just because they haven't killed anyone yet doesn't mean that they aren't planning to. We're going to make sure that doesn't happen."
The Mongoians looked on with hardened stares.
"I've just received a tip on the location of their hideout. I'm flying over there now to bring this rebellion to an end." He lifted a fist. "Now who among you is coming with me?"
The Royal Guards stormed through the doors of a run-down building, shouting orders as they aimed their weapons.
The rebels jerked into action and drew their own blasters, brown capes flapping as they dove for cover.
Amidst a mass of smoke and lasers, Rick marched slowly across the center of the room, paying little mind to the chaos around him. He held his gaze on one of the rebel leaders, who waited with a laser whip in hand.
With a growl, the Mongoian rebel lashed his weapon at the young man's head.
Rick dodged the swings with little effort, then floored his opponent with a quick backhand.
Across the room, the second rebel leader began making an escape.
Rick pulled his blaster and fired a single shot, tagging the retreating rebel across the shoulder.
The leader screamed, then crashed through a window.
As the Guards began taking control of the battle, many of the rebels began to yield.
The subdued leader snarled again. "This wasn't part of the agreement."
"I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't really care," said Rick. "Your rebellion ends now."
Rick held his stare high while kneeling before the throne. "And then we turned them over to the local government. A search for the rest of their group is currently underway."
Hadea held quiet while looking downward, drawing her closed lips toward her left cheek.
The other knights were lined up behind their captain, kneeling in silence as they watched from afar.
Hadea lifted her gaze a little. "Rise."
Rick began to stand.
"Not you," she said quickly. "Them."
Rick's mouth fell open. Seconds later, he dropped back to his knee.
After the other knights had left, Hadea locked her stare on Rick. "You may have noticed that the rebels had ceased their attacks over the past week. That is because I'd opened discussions with their leaders. We were on the verge of a peaceful resolution to this conflict."
Rick shook, feeling a chill stir him from within.
"By making things violent again, you undid everything that I'd been working toward. Now the rebels will assume that they've been mislead and betrayed."
Rick felt his cheeks going red. "Why didn't you tell me about any of this before?"
"Why would I? Your job is to defend, not to attack."
"I..." He licked his lips, glancing back and forth. "I..."
"No one told you to go out there and do what you did. You made that decision on your own — without permission."
Amidst a slow and lingering period of silence, Rick simply began looking down at the floor.
Hadea tapped a finger, watching him closely. "Part of me is glad that you're willing to take initiative as a leader..."
He looked up with a hopeful twinkle in his eye.
"But that doesn't mean that it's okay to be reckless."
Rick's jaw sagged again. After a moment of hesitation, he heard himself mumble. "What can I do?"
She looked away. "We'll discuss this further at a later time. You are dismissed."
Rick stood, paused, then quietly left the room. He felt his stomach churning as he staggered down the hallway.
A robed noble nearly crashed into him. "Sir Rick!"
He reached down, taking the man by the shoulders. "What's going on?"
"Radar just picked up an unidentified aircraft approaching the capital."
Above the canyon, the shadow of a stolen vehicle began ominously pushing forth. Aboard the ship were the rebel leader and his remaining teammates, all of whom intended to use the kingdom's citizens for target practice.
Upon seeing the distant capital up ahead, the leader readied the ship's weapons. "Hadea will now learn the price of betrayal," he murmured.
Suddenly a smaller craft rose into view, charging straight at the enemy vehicle.
The leader froze in surprise, then began firing.
The smaller ship made a number of maneuvers, expertly dodging each of the shots. Then the small craft returned fire, hitting the larger vehicle in all the right places.
As the enemy ship hit the canyon's ground, a number of rebels began emerging from the wreckage.
The Royal Guards stormed onto the scene, subduing the intruders immediately.
After the skirmish had ended, one of the knights looked up toward the smaller vehicle, which was flying around in circles now. Then he spoke into a device attached to his shoulder. "Great job, Rick. We've got things under control down here."
"Good," said the young man in the craft.
Moments later, Rick began flying over the capital. While watching all of the citizens on the ground, he let himself breathe a sigh of relief.
"When I think about what could have happened today..." Rick wheezed, running a hand over his face.
Hadea looked a tad unsettled herself, eyeing the boy on his knee with a slight frown.
"All of this reminds me of something that my mom used to say: Actions have consequences."
A hint of fascination crossed Hadea's face. She lifted her chin, and spoke calmly. "She was right."
"It's one thing for those consequences to affect me...but I couldn't bear having my actions come to hurt others." He shook his head, and lowered his voice. "I don't belong here. I'm no knight."
Hadea interlocked her fingers. "I'll be the judge of that. I'm a queen, after all."
Rick held his stare on the floor.
"By acting on pure emotion, you made a reckless mistake." Hadea paused, then leaned forward. "But today, you also took the time to acknowledge your mistake, and to make it right. And that means that you do possess the key quality required of a knight..." She placed a finger under his chin. "It means that you possess maturity."
Rick eyed her in surprise.
Hadea straightened herself and leaned back again. "Rise, Rick."
He slowly stood.
"You are dismissed."
After a moment, Rick bowed his head, then exited the room.
Hadea noticed something from the corner of her eye. Upon turning to her left, she saw the Phantom looking on from a shady doorway.
After a few seconds of silence, he let himself grin.
Hadea glanced in the direction that Rick had gone, then turned back to the Phantom with a smile of her own.
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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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