D81
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 81: Found
The skies had grayed over Mandrake's mansion, and a quiet downpour was falling over the grounds. Dale looked on from a windowsill, liking the sights and sounds outside.
The chime of a doorbell spread through the room. The visitor was impatient, ringing every few seconds.
Dale adjusted her robe and strode across the floor, loose hair hanging over her shoulders.
The doorbell sounded off again.
"I'm coming. Relax." Dale glanced at a monitor that displayed a view of the porch. Her eyebrows lowered as she spotted the guest.
Kurt stood outside the house in a state of panic, wearing a brown leather jacket that hung below his waist. As the lock turned and the door opened, he flinched a little upon seeing the woman before him.
Dale propped an arm against the wall, eyeing him boldly. "I'll give you 10 seconds to walk away. You're not going to like what happens after that," she said.
"You should hear what I have to say."
Dale made a tight-lipped scowl and gripped the door with both hands, then swung it closed as hard as she could.
"Fine!" Kurt cupped a hand to the side of his mouth. "But in about 20 minutes, you're going to wish that you'd listened to me."
She froze in her tracks, glaring at the floor. Her heart told her to keep on walking, but her mind warned her not to take any chances — not when there were other people present in the home. She turned around and opened the door again.
Kurt looked past her, studying the house's interiors. "How many of you are in there right now?"
She hesitated, eyeing him with unabashed distrust. "It's just me, Kristina, and Atascadero."
Kurt closed his eyes for a second. "Someone's headed here right now. They're coming after your friend in there."
Dale flashed a suspicious frown. "You mean Atascadero?"
"That's right."
Dale threw a curious look behind her shoulder, glancing up toward Atascadero's room. Then she tightened her robe and stood before Kurt on the porch. A curtain of raindrops fell by the side.
"I assume that you of all people know her story," Kurt said. "Back in the old days — before the Defenders formed — you had info on pretty much all of us, right? My family, Ming's family, Hadea's..."
Dale thought of the many people she'd kept track of throughout the years. Atascadero wasn't among them. "She's one of the few players who I didn't have an eye on," she revealed. "But from what I've heard, her dynasty is...unusual."
"To say the least," he concurred. "Atascadero is from a kingdom called Eternis. They send their kids away for a decade- -"
"Then summon them home and decide which of them will be the next ruler." Dale nodded, folding her arms.
"Thing is, Atascadero refused to return when she and her sisters were summoned. This was several years ago." Kurt's eyes narrowed. "But now the kingdom wants her back again, and they're determined to bring her home this time. They'll use force if they have to."
Dale wore a suspicious glare. "And you know this how?"
He looked away. "Yesterday, I was approached by a couple of hunters from her kingdom. They'd been trying to find Atascadero for weeks."
Dale could tell that she didn't like where this talk was going.
"They asked me if she was staying with Mandrake, and I told them that she was. I also told them which home of Mandrake's they could find her in."
She brought her hands over her face and released a frustrated sigh. "Why?"
Kurt shrugged. "They said they were willing to pay well for the information."
Dale slid her fingers down her cheeks, watching him with steely eyes.
Kurt trembled a bit, and looked away. "Anyway, I knew from the start that I'd take their money and pull a double-cross. I figure I owe the Defenders that much for their help on that sea journey." Kurt had planned on phoning at first, but imagined that his news would be more believable if told in person.
Dale shook her head and tightened her fists while watching him.
"You don't have time to be angry with me. I repeat: they're coming after Atascadero."
A distant sight caught Dale's attention. Her lips parted as she saw an odd-looking helicopter drifting through the clouds and heading straight toward them.
Kurt looked over his shoulder. "And it appears that they're coming ahead of schedule."
Dale turned around and began marching through the house.
Kurt stepped in and swung the door closed, doing his best to keep up with her.
"One of these days, Kurt Walker, I really am going to pound you senseless."
"In the meantime, perhaps we should try working together," he said.
Atascadero stepped into a hallway as Kurt and Dale were passing, donned in a long red robe of her own.
"I need you to come with me," Dale said without stopping.
Atascadero flinched, sensing the tense mood.
"Kristina!" yelled Dale.
Seconds later, Kristina Graf appeared in a tank-top and pajama bottoms. "What's going on?" She scowled upon seeing Kurt. "What's he doing here?"
"Never mind," Dale said. "Come on. We're taking the shortcut to Monitor. Now."
Within moments, the four of them were standing before a large video screen in the Defenders' base, watching the helicopter as it began slowing down.
Atascadero stared in awe. "It's definitely from my kingdom. I've seen that vehicle before."
Kristina turned to her. "When?"
She looked away shyly. "This isn't the first time the knights have come after me."
Dale activated a twin laser cannon that was positioned outside, aiming it directly at the approaching chopper. "Kurt," she said, glancing to her right. "Hit that button there. I'm going to try and hail them first." She looked back at the screen.
"This button?" Kurt asked, hitting the wrong one.
"No!" Dale snapped.
Seconds later, the door behind Monitor's landing strip began drawing open, allowing intruders easy access to the base.
"Close it," Dale growled, looking back and forth.
"I'm trying," he replied. As Kurt pressed another series of buttons, the cannon began to swivel away from the chopper.
"Stop hitting those." Dale glared. "You're throwing my targeting off."
Kurt raised his palms and shook his head. "I can't do anything right in your eyes."
As Kurt and Dale went on squabbling, the helicopter touched down safely on Monitor's strip.
Kristina spread her arms, interrupting the ruckus. "We've got company."
Five men in white masks and like-colored uniforms hopped out of the vehicle with scimitars in hand. Each began creeping into the base.
"Great," Dale sighed.
Atascadero lifted a slow hand to her chest. She'd always feared that this day would come. Her past had finally caught up to her. Unlike a certain woman from the Netherworld, she'd opted not to embrace the life of a queen. Instead, she'd chosen a different path for herself, believing that doing so was a natural right.
However, her family held a very different opinion, and had labeled her a disloyal daughter. She'd enjoyed her freedom for a number of years, but it seemed that all of it would end in about five minutes. She had no idea why Eternis wanted her back, but it was clear that the knights weren't going to take no for an answer.
A series of security cameras relayed shots of the men, pressing forward with their shining blades.
Dale turned to Kristina, then began looking the other woman up and down. "What fighting style are you Band girls trained in again?"
Kristina looked a little offended. It sounded like Dale was questioning whether or not she could take care of herself. "You don't have to worry about me."
"I'm not. I just need a teammate who can keep up with me in a real battle."
"Well, that makes two of us." Kristina flashed a taunting grin.
Elsewhere, the intruders continued making their way down a quiet corridor.
As one of the men approached a corner, he felt a fast chop swing into his throat. His eyes widened as he dropped his weapon, then grasped his neck.
Dale followed up her attack with a knee to the stomach, then floored the man with another knee to his head. She secured his blade and attacked one of his partners, chopping him down with a viscous swing.
As one of the other men lunged for Dale, a powerful laser shot forth and knocked him off of his feet.
Dale spun around, seeing a wave of smoke rising from Kurt's hand blaster.
Kristina rushed forth, thrusting her palm into the fourth intruder's face. She clinched with the man and tripped him to the floor, then followed up with a series of strikes.
Kurt aimed his weapon at the final opponent, who lifted his hands and dropped his sword.
As the battle quieted, Atascadero stepped forth, eyeing the scene nervously.
"So the intruders have been dealt with accordingly then? Thank you, sergeant." Mandrake hung up the phone. He looked across the room and spotted Kristina on a couch. "Have you seen Atascadero?"
She glanced up from her magazine. "She left for the station."
Mandrake frowned. "What station?"
"The one you were just talking to, I believe."
"What? Why?"
Kristina looked back down at the page. "She wanted to speak to one of those prisoners in private."
Atascadero stood across from one of the men behind bars. "I want answers. What's going on in my kingdom? Who sent you?"
The knight approached the bars and clenched them, eyeing her with affection. "No one sent us, Princess Atascadero."
"Then why are the knights after me?"
His stare hardened. "Because Eternis has been invaded. We're fighting to take back our kingdom."
Atascadero froze in shock. "Invaded?" She fell quiet while staring at him. "Eternis was invaded?"
"I'm afraid so."
Atascadero suddenly felt very guilty for avoiding her homeland for so long — for not keeping herself aware of what was happening there. She almost felt like the turncoat that people had always accused her of being.
The man continued. "Should we succeed in liberating Eternis, the kingdom will need a queen. It will need you."
A wave of fright washed over Atascadero's face. "What do you mean? It already has a queen." The last time she'd visited Eternis, her sister Karin was ruling. However, it had been quite a while since the two had spoken. Atascadero hesitated, then willed herself to ask her next question. "What's become of my sister?"
The man took a deep breath and lowered his gaze, then slowly looked back up at her. "Your sister, Queen Karin, was killed by the enemy leader."
Atascadero quivered. Her eyes became wide. After several moments of silence, she dropped to her knees and lowered her stare to the floor.
"I'm sorry," he said.
She brushed a hand over her face, then managed to speak again. "Who?" she muttered. "Who led this invasion?"
The knight hesitated. His voice filled with shame. "Princess Lydia did, highness."
Atascadero lifted her head with a look of anger and suspicion.
"The coup was led by your other sister."
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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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