D52
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 52: Return
Around five hours had passed since Rick and Jedda had left Kona, but it was already morning in the capital kingdom of Mongo. Rick awakened to the sound of a knock at the door.
"Rick. It's Krotan."
Rick froze beneath the covers, his eyes hanging open. He'd been awakened by several people throughout his life — his father, his mother, his teammates, and his lovers. Krotan certainly wasn't any of those things, so this had the makings of an awkward moment. It would've been much easier if he still hated Krotan, but the fact was, he no longer did.
He rubbed his eyes, then pulled the covers away with a yawn. "Just a minute," he called, making his way across a luxurious guest room. Upon opening the door, he found Krotan waiting patiently in an elegant robe. "Hi," Rick offered.
"Hi," replied the king. "How are you feeling?"
Rick flinched in surprise. He was reminded once again that the current Krotan had compassion, he had manners. Rick knew exactly why that was — a certain someone had affected Krotan in various ways. This fact still left Rick with mixed emotions. "Just fine," he managed to say. "Thanks. I, uh, I appreciate you two having me over for the night."
Krotan nodded. "We're going to be having breakfast soon."
"Oh," said Rick, looking more stunned than he actually was, as though morning meals were an unusual ritual on Earth. "Thank you, but...I think I'm just going to hop in that cruiser and head back home now."
Krotan chuckled. "Surely you can wait until after breakfast. Just give us a minute, and Jedda and I will join you downstairs." He turned and walked back down the hallway.
Rick closed the door, then licked his lips while pacing about in his room. It wasn't long before certain questions arrived. Why was it Krotan who'd come to wake him, instead of Jedda? Would the experience have been too awkward for her? Could that mean that she still had feelings for him?
Rick shook his head, wondering why he even cared about these things now.
Several minutes later, he made his way down the hall, pausing as he reached an open doorway. Though he resisted at first, he soon found himself peeking inside of the royal chamber — and that was when he learned the answers to his previous questions.
Jedda was wearing a nightgown, and her hair was bundled up in a bun. She sat on her bed while stroking Vera's shoulders, offering her daughter a series of sweet and encouraging words.
Krotan was walking about with Lowe in his arms, eyeing the boy with a proud smile.
Rick turned away, leaning his back against the wall.
Eventually, Krotan led the children out to meet with their maid.
Rick inched back down the hall as they passed, preferring to keep himself unnoticed. Moments afterward, he quietly stepped into the chamber's doorway.
"Rick," Jedda uttered, rising from the bed. "Come in. How are you feeling?"
He lowered his stare to the floor shyly, rubbing the back of his head with a somber grin. "I, um...I saw the four of you just now."
Jedda lifted an eyebrow, looking a bit curious as she studied him.
He met her gaze again, then shook his head slowly. "This is the kind of life that I used to imagine us having."
Jedda held quiet, not knowing how to respond. At first she imagined that the situation with Dale had simply made Rick nostalgic. But upon looking a little closer, she could see a familiar sadness within his eyes — something that she thought Rick had overcome a while ago.
Rick was quiet as well, watching her with a stare that seemed to be begging for sympathy.
Jedda lowered her voice into a gentle tone. "I'm not sure what you want from me right now." She tried choosing her words very carefully. "What do you want me to say, Rick? That I'm sorry? That I made a mistake? That I'll abandon my husband, my children, and my kingdom? Do you want me to say that I'm coming back to the Defenders today, and that you and me can head out to the Central City movie theater later?"
"No. I realize that none of those things are going to happen."
She smiled while leaning her head to the side. "Then why do you dwell on what could have been? Why do you long for what used to be? We both know that I'm never going to be a Defender again, and that I'm never even going to live on Earth again."
"I'm not really 'longing' for the past. I'm just curious about it. Look... It's taken a lot of time for me to let go of my mom. And it's taken a lot of time for me to let go of you. Do you want to know why? Because there are unanswered questions in both cases."
Jedda hesitated, treading lightly. "What questions are those?"
"I don't even know why my mom left Earth the day she was captured by Ming." His face grew a little shyer. "And with you..."
She held quiet for a moment. "With me...?"
"I guess I've always wondered what Krotan did right, and what I did wrong."
Her lips parted a little as she eyed Rick in surprise. She was stunned to learn that he'd been pondering that for so long.
"I mean, I know that you love Krotan." He shrugged. "I'm starting to like the guy myself."
Jedda giggled.
"I've just never quite been able to answer that question."
Her face grew more serious as she neared him. "I wish you hadn't spent so long asking yourself that question." She touched his hand. "Krotan and I fell in love — but that had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with him. There wasn't anything 'wrong' with the relationship that you and I had. I simply went where my heart told me to."
He closed his eyes, then slowly opened them and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to hurt you, Rick."
"No. I'm not hurt. I'm relieved." He nodded. "I think I finally understand your choice now."
Jedda held her calm smile on his. "We've both moved on. Doesn't Monica make you happy?"
"She does." Rick had to pause. "But when I get nostalgic, a part of me still loves you." He shook his head a little. "Sometimes I'm not sure if I actually want you back during those moments, or if I just think I do. In any case, I understand that we can't be together right now."
Jedda stirred a little. Right now? she thought. Was he still hoping that they might get together again someday, or was he just thinking pleasant thoughts to make himself feel better?
Rick leaned forth and gave her a tender hug. "No matter what, I think I'll always love you as a friend."
Jedda ran her hands along his back.
Rick's communicator began buzzing within his jacket. He let go of Jedda and pulled out the device, running his eyes over a message from Flash:
'I've just received a call from planet Kona. We have to meet up and get there now.'
Upon entering the hospital on Kona, Flash was greeted with a highly disturbing sight. "You're telling me that she's alive...and that she did this?"
A number of security guards were laying unconscious in a hallway. Others were moaning while clutching various limbs.
One of the doctors pulled off his spectacles and took a deep breath. "Dale's just awoken from the dead. She's scared and confused. And when she realized that we'd been keeping her body for experimentation, she became untrusting and violent."
Rick stood quietly at Flash's side. The younger man seemed utterly stunned. How could Mom have beaten all of these men?"
Flash lifted an eyebrow. "Your mother was the Jedda Walker of her day. She may be out of her prime, but it looks like she's still a capable fighter."
"We've tried sedating her," said the doctor, "but it appears that our tranquilizer darts don't work on clones. As I said during the call, we're hoping that you can calm her down."
Flash had to pause and let everything sink in. Seeing Dale a few months ago had been one of the most amazing experiences of his life. Now he had the chance to see her once again. "Where is she?" he quietly asked.
"That's what we're trying to find out."
Rick and his father made their way down a dark hall. The two had spread out while peeking inside every room they passed.
Rick felt like he'd been thrown into a survival horror video game. Seeing his mother alive again was going to be joyous, but somewhat unsettling as well.
Amidst the search, he noticed that his dad seemed particularly quiet. Eventually, Rick paused in his tracks while gripping a doorknob, letting his gaze drift to the floor. "I'm sorry, Dad."
Flash kept his head turned. "About what?"
"I'm sorry that I brought that chemical up here without talking to you." He fell quiet for a few seconds. "It's just...you know...when you told me that you'd actually seen her again, it seemed so unfair that I didn't get to see her as well."
After a few seconds, Flash sighed while still looking elsewhere. "I know."
Rick scanned the hall, licking his lips.
"But, Rick..." He shook his head. "A decision like that wasn't one that you should've made on your own."
"I know. I just- -"
"When were you even going to tell me about this chemical? You know I don't appreciate secrecy."
Rick turned around, staring at his father. Then he looked to the ceiling and chuckled. "You know, Dad, lately I'm not too fond of secrets myself." He lifted his hands to his hips. "When were you going to tell me that I was born on Mongo?"
Flash quivered, then froze while facing a wall. He took a deep breath and turned around slowly.
Rick nodded. Yeah, you heard me right, he thought.
"Let me guess..." Flash rolled his eyes in anger and annoyance. "Someone from the royal family of Mongo told you that. I imagine it was- -"
"Please don't try and take the easy way out of this, old man," said Rick, shaking his head while eyeing the floor. "This isn't about our wicked little rivals. This is a Gordon matter. I've been trying to figure out why you and Mom never told me." Rick shrugged and waved a hand through the air. "I guess it must have been embarrassing for Flash Gordon to have a son who was born there."
Flash began striding across the floor. "Don't you ever, ever say that to me again." He grabbed Rick's shirt and pinned him against a wall.
Rick took Flash's wrists, calmly removing his father's hold.
"If you knew what I was going through while you and your mother were trapped on that planet...knowing that my newborn child was in Ming's hands, you..."
Dale sped past an opening down the hall.
Rick and Flash both shook where they stood, then took off running after her side by side. Upon reaching the end of another long hallway, they found Dale crouching in a dark corner. Her stringy blonde hair was resting atop her shoulders, and she was donned in a thin white gown that she'd acquired while on the run.
"Stay back," she said, pointing a long tranquilizer gun at the two approaching figures.
"Dale?" Flash said.
Her jaw dropped a little as she lowered the weapon.
"Dale, it's all right," he said, lifting a hand. "It's us."
"Flash..."
His eyes grew watery, and he let out a shaky chuckle. His knees trembled as he neared her.
Another voice arrived within the dark. "Mom?"
Dale glanced over Flash's shoulder. Her eyes widened in amazement. "Rick?"
For one brief moment, Rick didn't know what to make of the person before him. The facts were clear. This wasn't the same Dale who'd died on Mongo. Instead, her mind had been copied into an identical body, one that looked and aged just like her original. This was Dale 2.0. This was a clone.
And Rick found that he really didn't care. He immediately recognized the look on her face. She was eyeing him in a way that no one else ever did — with a unique mixture of love and caring.
So while the facts were clear enough, the truth was as well. This was a woman he loved. This was his mother.
Tears began spilling down his face. "Mom," he said, rushing up to her.
Dale wrapped her arms around Rick's back, shutting her eyes as she began to sob. One minute later, she extended a hand toward Flash.
Taking her palm in his, Flash crouched and joined in on the hug.
Rick was sitting on the floor, with both of his parents. He stared at his mom, and wiped a tear from his eye. "When I was little," he said, glancing up at Flash, "I used to talk all the time about how awesome this guy was. And I was right."
Flash squeezed Rick's shoulder for a second.
"I wanted to become a strong, powerful adventurer, just like him." He looked back down at Dale. "But as I got older, I began to realize that physical strength wasn't the only thing I was impressed by. Moral strength came to matter to me just as much — and my biggest hero in that regard was you."
Dale reached up, stroking his face with a smile.
"Mom..." Rick paused, curiosity sweeping over his face. "There's one thing I never understood. On the day that the two of us were captured by Ming, why did you even go to Mongo in the first place?"
Dale quivered a little, and swung her gaze over to Flash. She shook again while looking into his eyes. Flash had asked the same thing a few months ago, but Dale had managed to avoid the topic. However, it was now apparent that he'd learned the truth.
Flash cleared his throat while searching for a way to change the subject. "You've come back to us just as Ming is about to be executed. I can't help wondering if it's a coincidence, or something more." He took one of her hands. "But on to a more pleasant topic." He smiled. "Once the doctors have examined you and you're cleared to leave...what's the first thing that you'll want to do? We have so many old hobbies to catch up on."
She brought both of her hands together with his. "I'd love to go home to Earth, be with my family, and do all the fun things we used to do outside." Dale shuddered. "But I can't."
Rick glanced at Flash, then looked back at Dale. "What do you mean? You can't what?"
"Go outside," she said, gripping her knees as she stared down at them. "I already tried. The sunlight..." She shook her head with a nervous frown. "It hurts me."
Flash looked quite confused. "Was this happening before? I mean, before we saw each other a few months ago?"
"No," she said in a shaky voice. "I don't know what's going on."
Rick's eyes began to wander. "This must be the side effect," he said. "Zyna told me that there might be one."
After a few seconds, Dale heard herself whisper. "Zyna..." She'd been quite surprised to hear that her old friend was still alive — especially with Ming still around on Mongo — and even more surprised to learn that she'd given Rick the chemical.
"I'm sure the doctors can tell us more about your condition," said Flash.
Rick stroked his chin, then glanced up at his father. "There might be someone else who can help as well."
"Who?"
"If it turns out that Mom can't live anywhere sunny...then maybe, for the time being, we could take her to Hadea."
Dale's eyebrows rose. "The Queen of the Netherworld?" she asked.
Flash turned to Rick with a surprised glance. "She's actually an empress now," he said. "You know about the Netherworld?"
Dale let her stare drift to the ceiling. "I've been there before. A long time ago."
The Phantom and Hadea were laying side by side in a white field. The empress was donned in her usual attire, while the Phantom was sporting a sleeveless shirt. No mask was present upon his head.
As they rose to their knees, he placed a large red flower within her hair, then leaned over and kissed her nose. "You're beautiful," he whispered.
Hadea smiled.
Their wedding hadn't included the same vows that people took on the surface. But as far as the Phantom was concerned, he was still under an oath to love, honor, and cherish her — and he planned to spend his life doing just that.
After pulling forth a small pot, he scooped Hadea's legs across his lap and began rubbing cream into her ankles and insteps. A platter of fruit was laying right in front of them as well. "Eat," he said teasingly.
Hadea giggled as she sprawled out on her side and pulled a grape into her mouth.
"Tell me about this place," the Phantom said.
She looked around, eyeing the white grass and the colorful leaves. "I used to come here when I was a girl."
"Back when you were alone?"
Her voice lowered a little. "Yes," she said. Soon afterward, she smiled while feeling her husband's soothing hands, happy that she wasn't alone anymore. She briefly turned her thoughts to Jedda, simply wondering about her for a moment, as mothers tended to do.
A guard approached, calling from a distance. "My apologies, highness, but we've just gotten word that you have visitors at the palace."
Hadea and the Phantom eyed each other in surprise.
Upon returning to the Golden Palace, the couple was greeted by Flash, Rick, and a blonde woman wearing a brown, hooded robe.
After a few seconds, the Phantom's jaw began dropping as he stared at Dale. Though they'd never met, he'd seen several images of her. He turned to Flash, who made an apologetic face.
"Sorry," Flash said, placing a hand on Dale's shoulder. "I should've told you to brace yourself."
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Dale eyed the Phantom with a similar stare. Her lips parted as she studied him in fascination. Even without the mask, she managed to recognize the man before her.
Rick stepped forth and took Hadea's hands in his. "This is my mother," he said with a smile. "Her...her clone. A few days ago, we found her alive on planet Kona."
Hadea turned to Dale with a look of pure awe.
Dale was intrigued while watching Hadea, someone else who she'd never met but was quite familiar with.
An awkward moment of silence arrived as everyone moved their gaze from one person to the next. Rick desperately wanted Dale to say something, but it would feel kind of odd asking his own mother to show manners.
Eventually, Dale curtsied. "Greetings, empress." She turned to the man beside Hadea. "Phantom."
The Phantom stepped forward and took Dale's hand. "Dale," he said. "I've heard so much about you that I feel as though we know each other already."
"Likewise," she murmured.
After explaining all that had happened over the past few days, Flash turned to Hadea with a frown. "We have an issue. Dale can't be exposed to sunlight for very long. It hurts her, and the doctors couldn't seem to find a cure for this condition."
Hadea began glancing back and forth between Dale and Flash. Then she looked toward Rick, seeing the hope in his eyes. After turning to her husband for a moment, she faced Dale once again. "Dale, you're more than welcome to stay here, in one of my kingdoms."
Dale's eyes glimmered with gratitude. "Thank you," she said calmly.
The empress slowly nodded, feeling her husband's hand touch her shoulder.
Flash and the Phantom exchanged pleasant glances.
As Rick leaned to his side and embraced Dale, Hadea watched them for a few seconds, then quietly looked away.
Dale stood before a large video screen, speaking with an old friend of hers on planet Mongo. "Again, Zyna, I'll obviously never be able to thank you enough. Flash is quite grateful as well."
"I've already spoken with him," said Zyna, smiling at Dale. After a bit of silence, her grin faded, and her voice lowered a little. "So let's get serious now, Dale. Tell me what you're really doing in Hadea's dominion."
"As I said, I have to avoid sunlight from now on."
"I understand that. But we both know that there are other places you could've gone. Why there?"
Dale held quiet for a moment, then let out an unamused chuckle. "You always did know me pretty well."
Zyna folded her arms, watching Dale closely.
"You could say that a certain game has begun," Dale murmured. "And I've just made my first move."
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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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