D37
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 37: Epilogue VI
Flash's cruiser sped through space. He clenched a fist upon spotting his target. After months of searching, he'd finally tracked down the alien satellite that had been sending signals to Earth. With this destroyed, Ming's robot bases would be out of commission.
Flash fired, and the satellite exploded.
Moments later, his eyes widened, and he began fidgeting at the controls. The blast was much bigger than he'd expected it to be. It didn't take long for him to realize that Ming, no doubt, had rigged his target somehow. Ming had probably known that someone would come to destroy it someday — and he'd probably hoped that the someone would be Flash.
The blast sent Flash's cruiser into a series of spins. The ship flew wildly while hurtling across space.
Flash struggled with the controls while grumbling under his breath. He could imagine Ming laughing somewhere.
The ship descended toward a small orange planet. It crashed there moments later.
Flash awakened in a dark room. His shirt had been removed, and his torso was bandaged. It appeared that he was in some sort of hospital.
Upon glancing through a window, he could see a red street and a number of small white buildings. Not much seemed to be happening outside.
A distant door began sliding open. Flash turned and saw a flood of light drifting into the room.
A feminine silhouette appeared in the doorway.
"You're awake," said the woman.
Flash squinted. He recognized the voice.
As the woman stepped forth and revealed herself, Flash Gordon got the single biggest surprise of his life. His body stiffened. His eyes froze in shock. "Dale?"
She nodded slowly, eyeing him with a skeptical, awestruck stare.
"It can't be." Flash stood.
"I said the very same thing when I saw you."
He ran his eyes along her loose orange shirt and black pants. Her hair rested atop her slender shoulders.
"When my friends brought you here...I didn't know what to think," she said.
Flash hesitated, then reached out slowly. As his hand touched her face, his heart began speeding up. "It can't be," he repeated. Tears filled his eyes, and he took Dale in his arms.
As she hugged him back, Dale felt a tear roll down her face as well.
"How?" he asked, facing her once more. "You...you died."
Dale shivered as a chill swept through her bones. When she managed to speak again, her voice had dropped to just above a whisper. "Is that what happened to my original body?"
Flash drew back a little. Another wave of awe and confusion spread over his face. "What do you mean by 'original' body?"
"Flash..." She lowered her head a moment, then looked him in the eye. "I'm a clone."
The two sat across from each other while holding hands.
"I remember everything up until the point when I was captured by Ming." She shook a little in Flash's grasp. "Ming wanted a 'copy' of my original self, in case something went wrong while I was being interrogated."
Flash scowled, but couldn't do so for long. A part of him was disgusted by what he'd just heard. But a bigger part of him was grateful to have Dale back.
"I escaped into space, and ended up here," said Dale. "I have all of my memories, and all of my emotions, but I've always known that this body isn't mine. It's not the one I was born with."
Flash eyed her in silence. After a few seconds, he looked down at her hands, and began stroking them.
Dale felt something warm brewing within. In that moment, she knew that none of what she'd said had changed his view of her at all.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"Planet Kona."
Flash glanced off. "Kona," he said quietly, pondering everything he knew about their location.
"I don't know how one would get to Earth from here," said Dale. "It seems that no one can pull that off."
"I can." He looked up and rolled his eyes. "That is, as long as I still have half a cruiser."
Dale smiled. "That definitely wasn't one of your better landings, fly guy...but it wasn't one of your worst either. The damage is fixable."
"Good." He felt a rush of excitement flowing through him. "Once that's done, you and I can go back to- - "
Dale pulled away and coughed. When she turned back to Flash, she was wiping blood from the corners of her mouth.
Flash paused, staring in silence for a moment. "Dale...you're sick."
"I'm not 'sick'..." Her gaze fell to her lap. "This body can't live as long as my original." She briefly quieted again. "The doctors say I only have a few days left."
Flash's eyes went wide as he shivered.
Flash opened his wallet and found a recently taken photo of himself and Rick.
Upon seeing her son for the first time in years, Dale fidgeted, and broke into a happy sob. She began walking around the room while holding the picture, just as she'd once done while holding Rick.
Three days had passed since Flash's arrival. Dale was now laying in bed, and Flash was sitting at her side. As flying had been deemed unsafe for Dale, the couple had remained on Kona.
"So what became of Dynak?" she asked.
Flash sighed, and found himself breaking eye contact. "Around a year and a half ago," he mumbled, "I had the option of shutting that computer down...and I took it." He couldn't bring himself to look at her. "Because I...I..."
Dale's eyes became soft and sympathetic. "You were letting go. You were moving forward. It's nothing to be ashamed of at all."
He turned to her again.
She reached out and took his hand. "I've been happy for several years now. I don't want this to be a sad farewell."
Flash shook his head slowly. "I've been happy for a while now too." He smiled. "I just never stopped loving you."
"And I never stopped loving you either." Her grip tightened a little. "We'll see each other again someday, on the other side. And when that happens, I want to know that you lived a fulfilling life. I want to know that you looked after our son, that you accomplished your goals, and that you met someone who made you as happy as you made me."
Flash squinted with a mischievous stare. "Tell you what: When we meet up in the afterlife, I want to taste one of your world-famous milkshakes again. Me and the guys from college have been missing those for years. Howard tried to replicate them a few times, but you know that guy, he can never get anything right."
Dale laughed.
He grinned while looking deeply into her eyes. "Do we have a deal, lovely lady?"
Dale stroked his hand. "We have a deal, fly guy."
Several days later, Flash sat among Mandrake, Phantom, and Lothar in their base on Earth.
"How's Rick handling all of this?" asked Lothar.
Flash grinned a little. "He was pretty stunned at first, but he's at peace now."
The Phantom touched Flash's shoulder for a second. "And how are you holding up?"
Flash looked down at the table. "The first time this happened, it felt like I'd lost something that I could never have back. This time, it feels like I've gained a few things."
Mandrake smiled. "What exactly?"
"Satisfaction, closure..." he paused, then looked up at his friends. "And a better outlook on tomorrow."
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Volume VI — 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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