D26
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 26: Mothers
Rick and LJ stepped out of a portal, appearing in a dim and misty place.
"The Netherworld?" LJ glanced about. "What exactly are we doing here?"
" 'We,' aren't doing anything," Rick said. "I'm the one who's got business here."
"So when do I get to know what that business is?"
Rick sighed. "Go home, man. You didn't need to follow me all this way." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I appreciate the concern. You know I do. But this is something that I've got to handle on my own." He turned and headed toward the distant palace.
"Rick," LJ said. "Hey. Wait up."
After being admitted into the throne room, with LJ at his side, Rick paused upon spotting the queen.
Hadea sat quietly in her chair, studying her guests with a slightly curious expression. Before long, she placed her gaze squarely on Rick.
He walked forth, leaving LJ behind, then stepped to the throne and knelt before Hadea. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I wasn't quite ready to discuss this with anyone else — not my father, not the Phantom...and not my best friend." He cast an apologetic glance in LJ's direction, then glided his eyes down to the floor. "I guess I was feeling a little too ashamed to bring this to them."
Upon hearing that, Hadea wasn't sure whether to be touched or not. Holding quiet, she leaned back a little and listened as carefully as she could.
"It's about the girl I've been dating..." Rick had briefly mentioned her during the big dinner gathering many months ago. He and Hadea had also discussed her in private during their stay on Mongo.
"Monica, was it?" she asked.
"Right. Monica," Rick said flatly. He paused as his cheeks began to redden. "She's pregnant." He turned again, seeing LJ fidget. "But it's not my kid," Rick mumbled, facing Hadea. "She's pregnant with another man's baby."
Hadea lowered an eyebrow.
"I feel like it's my fault that she strayed. I wasn't invested enough in the relationship." His head sagged a bit further. "I started dating her while rebounding — after I'd lost Jedda for the second time," he admitted. "Monica always claimed that I was too detached, too distant. So while you and I were serving on Mongo, she had a one night stand with an ex-boyfriend."
Hadea noted a minimal amount of hurt or anger in Rick's voice.
"But here's the thing: she's had some time to sort out her feelings, and she thinks that we should give our relationship a second chance. Once the baby is born, she wants me to come and try living with them." He lifted his gaze, looking Hadea in the eye. "Do you think I owe that to her?"
"Why would you 'owe' that to her?"
"Like I said," Rick muttered, "it is kind of my fault that she strayed."
Hadea narrowed her eyes. "You might have driven her away, but you didn't drive her into anyone else's bed. She made that decision on her own."
Rick quieted, running a hand through his hair.
"So if you're under the impression that you owe her something, you don't."
"Perhaps not...but maybe I should reunite with her anyway," he mumbled. "I'm thinking that it might be beneficial for me."
"How so?"
He frowned a tad. "It took me a while to get over Jedda, but I still find myself thinking about her at times. Maybe if I gave myself exactly what Jedda has — a partner, a kid, and a sense of family — I'd be taking the final step needed in order to move on."
"Let's not forget that this Monica is a person, not a tool. You're either committed to her or you aren't. She shouldn't be viewed as a means of 'moving on.' "
He opened his mouth in silence, then turned away for a moment. "You're right."
LJ folded his arms, listening closely.
Rick sighed. "I guess I'm just trying to figure out if I actually am ready to be committed to her, as you say."
Hadea stared. "What was your reaction when you learned that she'd strayed?"
He went quiet, letting himself remember.
"Was there hurt? Was there pain?"
His voice lowered to just above a whisper. "No."
Hadea's tone softened a bit as well. "Then you likely aren't looking for a commitment — because you don't love her."
Rick closed his eyes. He hadn't wanted to admit it to himself, but in his heart he knew that Hadea had spoken the truth.
As the reality of her words sunk in, he quivered repeatedly where he knelt. "Growing up," Rick said, "I always knew that my dad felt more at home in a cockpit than he did in his own house. He loved my mom, but he also left her feeling neglected at times. I told myself that I'd never make a woman feel the same way that she did." He began to mumble. "And now I seem to be doing exactly that."
Hadea opened her lips a little, feeling a strange compulsion as she heard Rick beat himself up. "It's not the same situation at all — at least it doesn't sound that way to me. Your parents were in love. You and Monica are not. She can't possibly feel the same level of emotion for you that your mother did for your father."
Rick noticed a hint of comfort amidst his shame, a soothing feeling that he seemed to recognize.
"However, if you still feel compelled to make things 'right,' then you can still be there for Monica...as a friend."
He stroked the side of his head. "I think she'll want more of a commitment than that. I think she might view me as half responsible for her being pregnant."
"Well you aren't," she repeated. "Sometimes it's only natural to blame yourself when the people around you make rash decisions. Being a queen has taught me that."
He found himself eyeing her in fascination.
"But ultimately, people are responsible for their own actions," said Hadea.
Rick remained quiet as he pondered her words.
"If Monica truly values the bond that you share, then I believe that she'll welcome a relationship in which you're supportive of her, but honest about your feelings. That seems like the fairest thing for the both of you." Hadea paused. "I suggest that you propose such a friendship to her, and if she declines, then it's her loss."
After a few more moments of silence, Rick slowly rose. "Thank you. I appreciate your time."
The queen nodded.
LJ patted Rick's shoulder as they turned to leave.
As Rick's parting words began echoing through her mind, Hadea felt a mysterious warmth brewing within herself, a familiar feeling that left her a little confused.
It had been over seven years since Jedda and her birth mother had last met. Jedda had spent most of that time living on Mongo, having briefly left during her pregnancy.
While growing up, she'd only gotten to visit her mother in prison once a year. In short, the two had spent less than 18 hours of their lives talking.
At present, the pair had met up at a park in Africa. Twin cups of cappuccino sat on the table between them, and the voices of young children hovered over their conversation.
Jedda brushed back a thick lock of hair, eyes brimming with curiosity. She hesitated a second before speaking. "When were you released?"
Jade Walker eyed the playground with a calm stare, arms crossed as she watched the children frolic. Her raven curls fluttered across her brown leather jacket. "My sentence ended just recently."
As a long breeze swept over the park, Jedda straightened her dress and took a deep breath. "I guess we have a lot to catch up on."
Jade took a sip from her cup. "You can thank your father for that."
Jedda shook a little.
"I'm sure you know the finer details of the story by now." She turned her smug gaze in Jedda's direction. "Your father had a choice between keeping his family together and tearing us apart. He chose the latter."
Jedda shyly averted her gaze. "Listen, I can't imagine what it was like being in prison for as long as you were...but my father isn't the one to blame." A calmness settled into her expression as she eyed Jade again. "Ultimately, people are responsible for their own actions."
Jade smirked. "Those aren't your words, are they? Seems like something your dad would say."
She held her tongue a moment, then lowered her voice. "My point was, no one forced you to turn traitor."
" 'Traitor?' " She scoffed. "It sounds like you still believe in the concept of 'loyalty.' "
Jedda stared in fascination.
"But I guess that's to be expected. You were only a Defender for a few years." Her locks began to rise amidst a long breeze. "You stay in the game long enough, and you learn that everyone's 'loyalty' expires once a better offer comes along."
She narrowed her eyes. "What exactly happened in your case?"
"I decided that my services were worth a lot more than I was getting paid. The government didn't agree. So when their enemies came calling with a finer proposition, I accepted it."
Jedda slowly looked her up and down. "Was it really that simple for you?"
After a quiet moment, Jade held a palm up. "I'm sorry. I'm sensing that this is getting unpleasant, and the last thing I want is for this to be unpleasant."
Jedda licked her lips while glancing away. Seconds later, she looked up at Jade and offered a small grin.
Jade took another sip. "In any case, Jedda, we actually don't have that much catching up to do. I know of all that you've garnered, all that you've gained — a kingdom, a husband, a daughter..." Her gaze simply froze on Jedda for a few seconds. "Imagine my surprise upon learning that you'd moved to another planet."
Jedda blushed.
Jade shook her head, then squinted. "Is that meant to be temporary?"
Jedda lowered her own drink from her mouth. "It's not meant to be temporary. Earth will always mean a lot to me..." She paused to admire her surroundings. "But Mongo is home."
"Why?"
She smiled at the table. "Well, you know that old saying about home and the heart."
Jade settled her stare on Jedda's ring. "While we're on that subject, tell me about your husband. Tell me about Krotan."
Jedda grinned.
"And Rick Gordon. What ever happened to him?"
She took a slow breath, exhaling through her nose. "It's been a while since he and I dated." She let herself grin. "Looking back, I can see why I fell for Rick at the time. I had every reason to. He was sweet, he was handsome, and he had a dashing aura about him." A brief silence hung over the table. "But with Krotan," she murmured, feeling a sudden warmth within, "things were different. During our first year together, we found certain matters that we could bond over."
"Like what?"
She hesitated. "Like how we both had only one parent around while growing up. How we were both part of dynasties that we didn't honor. How we planned to start one of our own someday..." Jedda smiled a little as the memories came back to her. "We began to comfort each other amidst that bonding process. We began to surprise one another with how well we knew each other. And before we realized it, what had begun as a marriage based on attraction became a marriage based on love." She looked down at her interlocked fingers. "I think that my heart was captivated by Rick...but touched by Krotan."
Jade nodded, sporting a superior expression. "I hear that he hasn't always been the noblest of men, that he still teeters on the brink from time to time."
Jedda looked down and crossed her arms on the table. "My husband is by no means perfect. Throughout our marriage, he's had his issues with power and hatred. But he's worked to overcome those issues, and that's helped to make me proud of him."
"And what exactly are those issues about?"
"Krotan was abused while growing up. That made him want to lash out at Ming — and it made him want to bully others as well." She looked up at Jade's face. "But after we married, he no longer sought the throne just to spite his father, or to prove his power. As our love grew, as we reigned together, he began to appreciate the difference between ruling people and helping them."
"Because of you?"
Jedda glanced off shyly.
"Sounds like you've been quite good for him."
"He and I have been good for each other."
Jade fell briefly silent as she looked Jedda over. "I was always concerned about the harm that my absence would cause, but it seems that I had nothing to worry about at all." She shrugged. "You wound up with a simply beautiful life."
Jedda winced, her eyebrows lowering in a frown. "My current life is something that I would never change...but my childhood was a very different story."
Jade fidgeted a little.
Jedda looked down into her cup. "You know, a while ago my husband got in trouble with the law, and he was sent away to a prison himself. I saw to it that he began making things right as soon as possible, so that prison wouldn't become a lasting part of our lives — so that our daughter wouldn't have to grow up with one of her parents missing.
"I wish that I'd been driven by mere paranoia, but I actually had a very specific reason to be worried: I was thinking about you."
Jade lowered her head, running a hand through her hair. "Are you saying that because of me, you had an unhappy childhood?"
"I'm saying that it felt like an entire part of my childhood was missing. There were so many lonely moments when I reached for you...and in each of those moments, you were never there." Jedda slowly shook her head a little. "I found reasons to blame everyone for that pain — my father, you, even myself." She let her gaze drift away. "I can't say that my childhood was entirely unpleasant. But it was a lot grimmer and darker than it needed to be."
Jade's cold eyes began staring a hole in the table. "I hear that in recent years, someone's come along to brighten things up." Her fingertips squeezed into the plastic container, gripping it as though she was holding a person's neck. "This woman, Hadea...she confuses me. I realize that she's been there for you, but why has she been calling herself your mother?"
Jedda took a slow breath, treading lightly. "Because she is. It's not a term of affection." She looked down at her lap. "It's actually a fact now."
Jade's face began to slowly redden. "And how did that come about?"
As the memory of a terrifying experience flashed through her mind, Jedda's breathing became slow and heavy. "Several years ago...I was in an accident that essentially killed me." She fidgeted while recalling the worst day of her life. A surge of power had ripped through her body, and a slow look of horror had swept over her face. She'd closed her eyes amidst the pain and fright. Before long, blood had exploded from both of her nostrils, and a long red burst erupted from her mouth. Her insides began to grow numb and stiff. Her body refused to obey her commands.
She'd opened her eyes to see her father and Rick looking on in terror, which only increased her own level of fear. She tried reaching for them, and found that she couldn't. And as their faces began fading into the dark, Jedda realized that she was blacking out — but knew that she wasn't falling asleep.
Jade looked on as the young woman trembled.
Jedda took a deep breath, composing herself. "I was hours away from death when Hadea stepped in. She performed a blood transfusion that transformed my body into something stronger." Jedda had briefly awakened during the process, seeing random images through groggy eyes. A pale physician had entered the infirmary, pulling a thin white cover from her body. Another physician stepped forward, approaching her with an ominous needle. And in the end, a golden-haired woman stood over the table, eyeing Jedda with a concerned stare.
Jade lowered her eyebrows, looking Jedda over. "What do you mean 'transformed?' "
"The majority of my body isn't human. Not anymore." Jedda had initially lived in denial, ignoring the signs that kept creeping up in private. "The transformation saved my life. Afterward, Hadea's healing powers revived me from a vegetative state." She thought back to the first minute of her rebirth. A lovely bedroom had greeted her eyes; Hadea's hand cupped the side of her face.
For a moment, the young Defender had assumed that she'd actually died, because she appeared to be receiving a divine reward. She'd long dreamed of seeing a woman stand over her in bed, stroke her cheek, and tell her that everything was going to be all right.
Upon realizing that she was still alive, Jedda had lifted her hands to touch Hadea, seeking to return the woman's affection.
Then she'd noticed that her wrists were bound, and a slow wave of fear had begun sweeping over her.
Jade scowled. "And you believe that this makes Hadea your mother?"
"It's not what I 'believe.' It's what happens to be true. I've had blood tests done. Biologically, it's the exact same relationship that you and I have — just without a birth."
"So you've simply embraced her as your mother? Just like that?"
She looked off, her voice lowering again. "It took me a while to embrace Hadea. When we first met, she was a villainess, and I was a 'heroine.' But as the two of us spent more and more time together, I began to notice something strange: she genuinely cared about me, despite the sides that we were on."
Jade ran a thumb over her knuckles.
"She's spent the last several years proving it. She's compassionate, she's affectionate, and she's reliable as well. She listens to me, and I listen to her." Jedda brought her gaze forward again, cupping her hands on the table. "Hadea's my mother, and that's never going to change."
A slow breath escaped Jade's mouth. She sensed that the red in her cheeks hadn't gone anywhere.
"But you're my mother as well."
Jade flinched.
"That's why I came here today — to honor our bond."
She began to feel some of her anger subside.
"Are you all right?" asked Jedda.
"I'm fine." Jade cleared her throat. "It was nice of you to come here out of respect...but I was hoping that you'd come for another reason as well. I was hoping that you wanted to get to know me."
Jedda's lips parted a tad.
"Because I certainly want to get to know you, Jedda." Her face became soft and affectionate. "I know that I've done the exact opposite of what a mother should do: I've caused you pain for the majority of your years."
She held quiet, watching Jade with placid eyes.
"But I also know that you have a great ability to forgive mistakes. You forgave Krotan's. You forgave Hadea's. I'm asking if there's a possibility that you can forgive mine."
Jedda looked down at the table, stroking her fingers with an uneasy stare.
"I know that you don't owe me a second chance. I realize that you can simply walk away." A slow frown crossed Jade's face. "But before you do, try putting yourself in my place. Imagine how you would feel if one day Vera shut you out of her life."
Jedda shivered, glancing up at her.
"I never stopped loving you." Jade smiled a little. "Give me the chance to prove it."
A cloud of silence lingered over them.
After a while, Jade sighed while looking down at her lap.
Seconds later, Jedda reached past her drink, extending her hands to the center of the table.
Jade glanced up with a surprised expression. Moments afterward, she took Jedda's hands within her own.
Jedda held still, eyeing the woman with a welcoming grin.
A rush of warmth began spreading through Jade, and she closed her hands while returning the smile.
The Phantom sat before a large video screen, which was receiving a direct transmission from the Netherworld.
"I just tried contacting Jedda on Mongo." Hadea lowered an eyebrow and flashed a hint of confusion. "They claimed that she's spending time with Jade."
The Phantom lowered his gaze. "I meant to tell you." He slowly faced her again. "She's been released from prison."
Hadea froze, merely watching the Phantom as his words sunk in. Moments later, she quietly glanced off to the side.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," she mumbled. "I suppose I always knew that this day would come." Hadea shrugged a bit. "And I can't exactly blame Jedda for seeking out Jade. Lately I've been more of a mother to Rick than I have to my daughter."
A half-grin crept over the Phantom's face. "Maybe Rick is more in need of your help right now." He paused, immediately regretting what he'd said. "That didn't come out properly. I wasn't suggesting- -"
"No. You have a point. Jedda's running a kingdom, raising a daughter, and experiencing the joys of a happy marriage." Hadea's eyes slowly drifted upward. "Perhaps she doesn't need me anymore."
Jade stood with her back turned to a dark alley. "It's dangerous to keep meeting like this."
A voice arrived from within the shadows. "We need to minimize electronic communication. There's too much risk of detection that way." The man paused. "Did she consume it?"
"I slipped it into her drink before she arrived."
"Splendid. Then everything is going according to schedule. You know what your next task will be."
Jade deepened her voice. "I warn you, Ming, if this concoction does anything more than you claim it will- -"
"Fear not." The cold face of Ming the Merciless emerged from the darkness. "Once this is over, you and I will both have exactly what we want."
Scene Commentary
Jedda looked down into her cup. "You know, a while ago my husband got in trouble with the law, and he was sent away to a prison himself. I saw to it that he began making things right as soon as possible, so that prison wouldn't become a lasting part of our lives — so that our daughter wouldn't have to grow up with one of her parents missing.
"I wish that I'd been driven by mere paranoia, but I actually had a very specific reason to be worried: I was thinking about you."
The long scene between Jedda and Jade is one of my favorite conversations. It was kind of fun to explore some of the Walker family history.
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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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