D9
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 9: Redemption
Krotan had battled with Ming to a draw, their forces all but destroying each other.
While each side was vulnerable, the armies of planet Zolan had risen again and reclaimed power. Afterward, Ming was thrown back into prison — but he wasn't headed there alone. Due to the damage he'd inflicted amidst his attack, Krotan was sentenced to a year in jail.
One month after his capture, the young King of Mongo was paid a visit.
"Jedda," said a wide-eyed Krotan.
The queen stood in a gray corridor, casting her gaze into a shady cell. Her eyes were mostly placid, but flashed a hint of sorrow now and then.
He walked to the bars, reaching out to touch her face.
She returned the gesture, then lowered her hand. "Are you all right?"
Krotan sighed. He glanced around for a moment, then lowered his voice. "What's the plan?"
Jedda lifted an eyebrow.
He gripped the bars. "How are you going to get me out of here? What do you and our people have in store?"
Jedda looked him in the eye, holding quiet for a while. "Nothing."
Krotan flinched.
"You're going to have to serve the entirety of your sentence."
A wave of confusion arose in him.
Jedda closed her eyes briefly. "I told you that you could have hatred, or that you could have love...but that you couldn't have both. You made your choice."
"Jedda..." Krotan began to fidget. "Just use the necklace to set me free."
She paused to stare. "And when our daughter gets older and learns what I did...what exactly will that say to her? That we don't have to face consequences for our actions? That I can simply clean up any mess she makes?"
Krotan grew tenser. "All I want right now is to come home. I love you, and I love Vera."
She nodded. "But you hate your father more. That's why you're here."
"No. I don't hate him more than I love you. I'm here because I made a mistake, because I let myself be weak. You were right. I never should have chosen Ming over the two of you."
"But you did." Her eyes gleamed with sadness. "Vera's too young to realize that now...but what happens when she gets older, Krotan? What happens next time you decide to run around the galaxy acting on your hatred? How many of these incidents will she have to endure while growing up?"
"Jedda..." He took her hands. "We need to be together now. That's what's best for our daughter."
"No, Krotan." Jedda lowered her gaze, holding quiet for a while. "You need to find redemption in here, so that you can be a better father out there. That's what's best for our daughter."
His watched her with shaky eyes.
Taking his face in her hands, Jedda pressed her lips against Krotan's. Her tears began flowing as he slowly kissed back.
Pulling away, Jedda stumbled down the corridor, brushing a hand across her face.
Krotan stared after her, watching until she left his sight.
Jedda sat near the center of a large white cell. "My heart says to bring him home now. But my head says that he needs to stay there for a while." She lifted her gaze. "What does my mother say?"
Hadea paced about with Vera in her arms. She turned toward Jedda, lifting an eyebrow.
Jedda interlocked her fingers, listening closely.
"Let him stay there. For good."
Jedda fidgeted. "What do you mean?"
"I want what's best for you...but I'm not certain that he can provide that anymore."
"Why?"
"He doesn't truly love you."
A current of fear swept over her.
"If he did, he never would've chased off after Ming."
"He made a mistake. I can tell that he's sorry for it."
She chuckled. "And? I was sorry for having to hurt my victims while I conquered the galaxy." Hadea eyed her prison with resentment. "But I know now that I'd do the same things again. Krotan is no different."
Jedda paused, then shook her head slowly. "That's not true."
"Really?" Hadea lifted an eyebrow. "Then what is the difference between Krotan and myself?"
A long silence lingered as Jedda watched Hadea. The question seemed to echo through the room.
Eventually, Jedda let her gaze drift to the floor.
The Phantom sat on a couch with Vera at his side. "Over the past several years, I've watched you build a family of your own."
Jedda listened on from a table. Her hands were cupped just beneath her chin.
"On some occasions, I've been very proud. And on others, I wasn't sure how to feel." He moved his gaze from Vera to Jedda. "Hadea and I don't agree on much, but in this case, she has a point. You need to find a difference between those two. You need to know that Krotan is someone who's worthy of your faith."
Jedda lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Every now and then she eyed the crib, watching Vera sleep.
The question had lingered through her mind all evening. What was the difference between Krotan and Hadea? What would deter him from repeating his mistakes?
A clap of thunder arrived in the evening sky. A slew of raindrops showered the kingdom.
Turning on her side, she tucked her head against a pillow and closed her eyes.
One Year Later
A large group had gathered outside of Krotan's prison.
Donned in a sparkling tiara and a flowing cape, Jedda stood before a crowd of Mongoian guards and nobles.
A noisy gate rose, and a robed nobleman walked out. "Queen Jedda, on behalf of Zolan, I'd like to thank you for your patience as both governments saw this matter through to the end."
Jedda flashed a half-smile and a polite nod, knowing that he was actually thanking her for not invading Zolan and taking Krotan by force.
Seconds later, Jedda's eyes began to brighten.
Two guards accompanied the King of Mongo outside. Once they'd removed the bindings from his hands, he quietly thanked them while eyeing the ground.
Jedda approached slowly.
Krotan lifted his gaze.
Unable to hold back any longer, Jedda rushed forth and embraced her husband.
He closed his teary eyes, hugging her back. Once they'd faced each other, Krotan spoke with a shaky voice. "I understand what I did, Jedda."
She ran her hands along his face.
"I left Mongo without a king, you without a husband, and Vera without a father.
"You were right. Over this past year, I needed to face the consequences of my actions, not avoid them. That was the only way I could fully comprehend the pain that I was inflicting on myself...and that I was inflicting on others.
"I don't ever want to inflict that sort of pain on anyone again."
As she looked into his eyes, and listened to his words, Jedda finally found the answer to Hadea's question.
The difference was that Krotan actually loved the people he'd hurt — far more than Hadea ever had. That was what would deter him from repeating his mistakes.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at him. "Come on," she said softly, "let's go home."
Krotan stood alone in a sunlit bedroom, letting himself appreciate the familiar sights. Before long, a certain movement caught his eye.
He'd heard it before, but now he'd experienced it for himself. There was something special about seeing your child walk for the first time. It seemed to speak volumes about Vera's potential. He couldn't help wondering what else she was going to accomplish.
Vera paused, stopping to wave at him from behind a stuffed toy.
With a shaky chuckle and an awestruck stare, Krotan lifted a hand and waved back.
The moment was bittersweet. Krotan knew that this wasn't the first occasion on which his daughter had walked. That was something he'd missed, because of his choices. He couldn't allow himself to miss any other special moments — not with Vera, and not with Jedda. He'd do whatever it took to be there for his family. He'd be a better father and a better man.
Jedda approached him from behind. "She's something, isn't she?" His wife crouched. "Come here, Vera," she uttered in a sunny tone.
Vera jogged up to her mother.
"This is your father."
Krotan crouched down with them, running a hand over Vera's curious face.
"And he's home."
Eyeing each other with warm smiles, he and Jedda joined hands.
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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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