Jonathan, Genesis, Thunder, Gladius and Dremora are under assault by dozens of Imperial soldiers. Trapped inside the entrance to the Palace, they have no choice but to fight against the overwhelming odds. The others try to take on the airborne soldiers, while Jonathan fights the soldiers on the ground. Jonathan is struggling to keep from having to use his powers. After Genesis takes out one of the soldiers, she tosses Jonathan a handgun. Jonathan uses it to take out two more, and then kicks a third in the jaw, grabbing his gun as well.

RODOM

Hmm…
I’m honestly impressed, "Princess".

You and your allies aren’t bad at all.

Of course, I WAS your instructor.

Dremora throws a soldier over her shoulder, into a wall.

DREMORA

That was YEARS ago, Granat.

I’ve learned a lot more since then.

RODOM

Is that so?

Well, then…show me what you can—

VOICE

No.

RODOM

Eh!?

Your Highness?

Jonathan looks around, confused.

JONATHAN

Is it just me, or is this guy talking to himself?

DREMORA

No…he’s talking to the Emperor…

XIRATOX

Allow ME to deal with them. Let them pass.

RODOM

As you wish, Sire.

Rodom turns to his soldiers and calls them back.

RODOM

Well, now…

Seems today is your lucky day.

Not only are you spared death at the moment….

….a TRUE demise awaits you at the hands of the Emperor himself.

Hahaha…

THUNDER

Oh, no, you don’t, jackass.

(Thunder surges his powers.)

After all the crap you put my people through, I’m not leaving until I’ve thoroughly kicked your ass.

GLADIUS

And we have unfinished business as well, Rodom.

RODOM

Ah….the Earthling.

I remember you.

You couldn’t stop me when I took that weakling child back on Earth.

Fine. Let’s make this interesting.

GLADIUS

(to Genesis)

Go on, girl. Find Terran and beat Xiratox.

We’ll take care of him.

THUNDER

Go on, Genesis.

We’ve got this.

Genesis hesitates.

GENESIS

Okay.

But don’t either of you die on me…

…or I’ll resurrect you and kick BOTH your asses.

Genesis, Dremora and Jonathan run up to the palace entrance and find a teleporter…exactly like the one on Yagamo. They disappear and reappear, and once again, they find themselves in familiar territory.

GENESIS

Whoa….this is just like Merlan’s ship.

….except, the layout is different.

JONATHAN

Hmm…so, which way do we go?

DREMORA
Um…I don’t know.

I was never allowed in this part of the palace.

Genesis starts to casually walk through the ship. As she does, a portal opens in front of her.

GENESIS

…..This way.

DREMORA

Huh? How do you know?

GENESIS
I…don’t know.

This all seems so familiar to me…

But I don’t know WHY.

JONATHAN

Um, oookay…

Well, we’ve got nothing else, so we might as well.

Genesis, Jonathan and Dremora enter the portal, going deeper into the palace.

Meanwhile, outside, Thunder and Gladius both attack Rodom Granat. However, protected by an energy field, neither one can get close enough to him to do enough damage. In fact, using his energy powers, Granat can use his power to attack Thunder and Gladius, and quickly raise it again to avoid any consequences.

THUNDER

Arrrgh…you coward!!

Stop hiding behind that damn shield!!

RODOM

Hehe…

Don’t tell me you’re getting frustrated, "Your Highness".

What would your parents say….?

If they were alive, that is?

Angry, Thunder fires a bolt of lightning at Rodom. His shield easily deflects it.

Gladius’ chest panel opens and he lets loose with a payload of missle-like energy modules. However, like Thunder’s bolt, the modules don’t even come close to striking Granat.

RODOM

This is too easy…

….hehe…

Almost as easy as it was for the five of us when we killed that daughter of yours two years ago…

Hahah…

GLADIUS

You son of a—

Before Gladius can move, Granat hits him with a gravity blast, making him fly backwards into the wall, leaving a huge dent in it.

Back inside the palace, Jonathan and Dremora continue to follow Genesis as she leads them through the alien corridors of the palace. Coming out of another portal, they find themselves in a section that’s extremely cold and sterile. There are no windows of any kind, and the floor, walls, and ceiling are all metal.

JONATHAN

Man, what’s going ON here!?

This place isn’t a palace…it’s more like a….lab or something.

DREMORA

Like I said, I’ve never been here before, so I don’t know.

But, how is it that YOU know your way around?

GENESIS
I…don’t know….

…it’s really weird.

Just then, Genesis’s head perks up. Her right eye glows brightly green.

GENESIS

Wait, I can sense something…

JONATHAN

What?

GENESIS

A…person….

DREMORA
The Emperor? Terran?

GENESIS

No…a child.

Dremora’s eyes open wide.

DREMORA
Where…!?!

WHERE?!!?

GENESIS
(thinks for a moment)

………This way!

The trio heads in a certain direction, with Genesis leading the way. They eventually reach a bolted door. Dremora runs up to it, banging on it.

DREMORA

Beldez!? Belle…!!?

Are you in there!!?

There’s no answer.

DREMORA

BELLE?!!

A faint voice is heard on the other side.

BELDEZ
Who’s there?

A look of joy washes over Dremora’s face.

DREMORA

Hold still, hon…we’re gonna get you outta there.

Dremora steps away from the door and tries to blast it open. However, too sturdy, the door doesn’t even budge.

DREMORA

Dammit…!!

JONATHAN

Maybe there’s another way in?

GENESIS

No…this is the only one.

DREMORA
How do you know?!

GENESIS

I…just know.

DREMORA

Well, just great…how are we supposed to—

VOICE

Please, allow me.

Myaga walks up to the trio.

DREMORA
Panma..? How did you …?

MYAGA

I used to LIVE here, Dremora. Remember?

Now, step aside. I’ll open this.

Myaga walks up to the door and presses a panel next to it. An instant later, the door opens. Without hesitation, Dremora springs into the door. Inside, the room is nice and cozy. Beldez is sitting on what looks like a bed of alien origin, and around her are lots of toys and such. Not paying any attention to that, Dremora runs up to Beldez and hugs her.

DREMORA
(tears in her eyes)

Oh my God…

Belle…sweetie…I…I never thought I’d see you again…

GENESIS

Wow…I’ve never seen Dremora so…

….fragile.

JONATHAN

Yeah, no kidding.

Kinda destroys my dominatrix fantasy.

(looks around)

Wait a second…

If Beldez is a "hostage", why is this room so cozy?

And why isn’t anyone here to guard us?

Dremora continues hugging Beldez.

DREMORA

Oh, Belle…

I’ve waited so long to see you again.

I…

BELDEZ

….

Who are you…..?

Dremora is taken aback by this…but it’s not totally unexpected.

DREMORA

Oh, that’s right…you wouldn’t know me, sweetie.

I’m your mommy.

I’m Mommy.

BELDEZ

No you’re NOT!!!!

You’re LYING!!!!

You’re not my mommy!!

DREMORA

W-Wha…!!?

Beldez…what are you!!?

Just then, Myaga enters the room, and Beldez runs to her.

BELDEZ

Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Genesis, Dremora and Jonathan are totally blown away by this

JONATHAN

Wait…did she just…

GENESIS
Call her….

DREMORA

…."Mommy"??!

Beldez continues to hug Myaga.

GENESIS
Wait…Now it makes sense!!

JONATHAN

What?

GENESIS

Despite the fact that the Emperor supposedly hates girls, Beldez has been well-taken care of.

She’s well-nourished, and she has a nice place to live.

And supposedly, Beldez was taken from Dremora three years ago, and Myaga supposedly left the Empire six years ago.

So, there’s NO WAY Beldez could know who Myaga is unless….

A smile crosses Myaga’s lips.

MYAGA

Very good, Genesis. You don’t disappoint me.

DREMORA

P-Panma…!?

What’s going on?!?!

MYAGA

The time has come for you to know the truth, Dremora.

But first, I have something to take care of.

And just to be on the safe side, I’m taking Beldez with me.

DREMORA
What!?!?

No, you can’t…!!!

MYAGA

Come to throne room and everything will be explained to you, my dear Dremora.

But for now, farewell.

DREMORA
Panma!!!

BELDEZ!!!!!!!!

A portal opens behind Myaga and she disappears. Dremora breaks down into tears and falls onto her knees.

DREMORA
No!!!

Why…..!?

Why is this happening!?!?

GENESIS

Myaga’s been fooling you all this time, Dremora….

…This whole time, she knew where Beldez was….but she kept it to herself.

DREMORA

No…this…this can’t be happening.

No….

Jonathan kneels beside her.

JONATHAN

Hey, come on!!

Snap out of it!

We gotta rescue your daughter….

DREMORA

And THEN what?!!?

Are YOU going to betray me, too?!!?

JONATHAN

…..Dremora, listen to me.

1. I’m dying.

Genesis gasps.

GENESIS

What!?

JONATHAN

Yeah…I was created with a stupid "flaw".

Every time I use my powers, I’m creeping closer and closer to death.

When I found this out, I only had three months…but since then, who knows!?

DREMORA

Why…why are you telling me this…!?

JONATHAN

I’m telling you this…

Because I’ve got to get everything out into the air before it happens.

Look, I haven’t known you for too long, but you’re by far the strongest, most honorable woman I’ve ever met. And I….I think I’ve fallen in love with you.

DREMORA

…..

JONATHAN

But, none of that matters.

The only thing we have to worry about right now is finding your daughter and putting an END to this once and for all.

DREMORA

….Jonathan, I….

JONATHAN

Don’t say anything, okay?

Just show me the strong woman that I’ve come to admire.

DREMORA

Okay…I’ll…I’ll try.

…Thank you, Jonathan.

JONATHAN

Look, from now on, I’d appreciate it if you called me "Johnny".

DREMORA

Okay…."Johnny"…

JONATHAN

Now, are you ready?

DREMORA
Yeah…

JONATHAN

Gen…do you know where to go?

GENESIS
I think so…Yeah.

JONATHAN
Good…

Then let’s go find Myaga.

Back outside, Thunder hits the ground hard, his arm bleeding. Gladius, his armor cracked in places, tries to get up. Above them, Rodom Granat hovers.

RODOM

Hmph. How pathetic.

Well, I guess that now’s the time to finish you.

I’ll send you to meet your daughter and parents.

Granat uses his powers to increase the Gravity in the area. Thunder and Gladius feel their bodies being pulled to the ground. Being flattened by the gravity, they groan. However, Gladius uses the opportunity to increase maximum power to his right arm. When he does, he’s able to lift his right arm enough to fire a metal orb at Granat.

RODOM

Haha!

How pitiful!!

Do you REALLY think that’ll work on ME!?!?

Rodom uses his power to increase the amount of gravity on the orb. It starts to slow down its upwards ascent. After a moment, he finds that it’s right next to him.

RODOM

Ha! That didn’t even come CLOSE to hitting me!!

GLADIUS

Y-You’re right….

…but there’s just one little thing…

RODOM

Eh…?

GLADIUS

It doesn’t detonate on impact…

…but by REMOTE.

RODOM

What?!!?

The orb explodes, and Rodom Granat attempts to get his shield up in time. However, he fails miserably, and the shield actually traps the blast INSIDE itself. Rodom screams in pain as the blast rips him apart. Free of the gravity’s pull, Thunder and Gladius move out of the way as the shield collapses and the force of the explosion is unleashed. After it has passed, the two of them arise and head into the palace, following the others.

Back in the palace, Jonathan, Dremora and Genesis enter the throne room. When they arrive, it’s completely empty.

DREMORA

Where….where are they?!!?

Where are they!?!?

JONATHAN

Okay, Myaga, come on out!!!

Stop hiding.

MYAGA
Hiding…?

You assume someone is actually afraid of you.

The trio turn and find Myaga standing across the room. Next to the throne.

DREMORA

What…what have you done with my daughter!?

MYAGA
I’ve put her someplace where she’s safe for now.

DREMORA

"Safe"…?! Safe from what?!?

MYAGA
From YOU….and your influence.

DREMORA

My….influence?!

MYAGA

Please try understand, Dremora. Your daughter is the latest child born to the Lemuan Race. Though she is already tarnished with the genes of other, "lesser" races, she may still prove to be invaluable to our races’ continued survival.

DREMORA

"Tarnished"!?

What…what are you SAYING!!?

MYAGA

(sighs) To explain it to you, I suppose I will need to start at the beginning.

First off, you are standing within the Imperial throne room, and yet, there is something missing. Do you realize what that is?

JONATHAN

Yeah, there’s no "big, bad Emperor" here.

Where is he? Getting lyposuction?

MYAGA

He’s dead.

EVERYONE

WHAT??!

MYAGA

He’s been dead for quite some time, now.

Six years, in fact.

DREMORA

Six years….!?

That…that was when you left the Empire!

MYAGA

Well, that’s only PARTIALLY true.

While it is true that the Emperor and I had a falling out, let’s just say that it ended differently than I originally stated.

You see, Xiratox grew far too confident for his own good.

He forgot who was REALLY in charge.

He has stopped being an asset to me and became a liability.

Him and his dreams of an "ordered" world.

GENESIS

You….killed him?

MYAGA

Correct.

Xiratox had forgotten that everything he had amassed was due to ME. All the power he wielded was because I allowed it. When he began to try and oppose me, I was left with no choice but to eliminate him.

DREMORA

But…but….then who…?

MYAGA

Be patient, Dremora…I will get to that.

We Lemuans mastered the art of psionics long ago. After all, we ARE psychic spirits in nature. Elemenians possess powerful amounts of psychic energy, so that power came to great use. It was through my experimentation that I augmented Xiratox’s power and helped him become the most powerful psychic on the planet. However, I also implanted a "failsafe" into his mind that prevented him from reading or attacking my mind. Also, it allowed me to shut his mind down whenever I liked.

But, with Xiratox out of the picture, the Empire would lose its focus and drive. Even worse, they could possibly turn against ME.

But, then I decided to download Xiratox’s mind and personality into this ship’s computer.

JONATHAN

Ship….?

MYAGA
Ah, you still haven’t realized it…

This palace isn’t really a "building" at all.

This is the ship that I first arrived to this planet on.

GENESIS
So then, all this time…the Emperor has been…a MACHINE!?!?

MYAGA

That’s correct.

And none of you could tell the difference.

No one was allowed within the throne room, and several provisions were made to insure that the secret was not leaked.

Furthermore, within the ship’s AI, Xiratox is completely under my control.

DREMORA

But…then…why did you join the rebellion!?!

MYAGA

I realized that if I "switched sides", I would easily be given significant influence to the rebellion due to my time as Empress.

JONATHAN
And this way, you could control both the Empire AND the Rebellion….

DREMORA

But…I trusted you….!!!

You raised me when I was a child…!!!

You were the one who told me to become a soldier…to fight against my father!!

MYAGA

The Emperor resented being subservient to me, and so, he took his frustrations out on the other women of the planet. It was pathetic, really…

…but it was actually quite useful in building a bond with YOU.

You were always stubborn…and you refused to let the Emperor treat you like you were nothing.

DREMORA

You…you were USING me!?!?

MYAGA

Of course. I CREATED you.

DREMORA
WHAT?!!?

MYAGA
Is it really so hard to believe?!

You’ve always known that you were the Emperor’s daughter…but have you never wondered why you never knew who your mother was…?

DREMORA

…

MYAGA

Technically, you’re not truly the Emperor’s "daughter".

Rather, you’re a clone.

DREMORA

A….a CLONE?!!?

MYAGA
I blended the Emperor’s genes with some randomly selected ones from other Elemenians.

I created you in the hopes of bringing out the FULL potential of an Elemenian’s power.

Have you not wondered why even though less than 10% of women have ANY powers at all, you’re more powerful than most MEN?

DREMORA

….I’m….a clone….?

MYAGA

Yes.

And you were a valuable tool as well.

However, your usefulness was compromised after you got pregnant.

You and Zepheron were planning to run away to the planet Earth and raise your child.

I couldn’t allow that.

So, I ordered the child taken "hostage" by the Emperor.

Under the hope that your daughter would someday be returned, you were willing to do just about anything.

DREMORA
You…were behind all of that?!?!

How…how COULD you!?!?

I TRUSTED you!!!

I fought for you!!!

MYAGA

Of course you did.

When Zepheron betrayed you, you formed a hatred of males. I was able to use that to make you more loyal to ME.

DREMORA

But, what have you been doing with my daughter all this time!?!?

Why does she call YOU her mother?!

MYAGA

Because I deserve to be called that.

DREMORA

What…!?

MYAGA

Beldez is a Lemuan child. Already, her intellect has grown farther than her age portrays.

She will someday surpass YOU in intelligence.

Do you REALLY think you could adequately raise such a child?

DREMORA

Are you…are you telling me that you think I’m an UNFIT mother?!?!

MYAGA

I don’t "think" it. I "know".

Beldez requires tutelage from someone who is on her level of aptitude. She requires someone who can train her in the true heritage of the Lemu.

Obviously, you don’t qualify.

DREMORA

You…you BITCH!!!!!

MYAGA

Ah, yes…vengeful anger. The last resort of someone unwilling to accept their own inadequacies.

DREMORA

….

JONATHAN

That’s bullsh*t!!

MYAGA
What?!?!

JONATHAN

You think you’re so goddamned perfect? If your people were so smart, why are THEY the ones that are extinct, huh!?

Why are we still here while the rest of your kind have gone the way of the dodo!?

MYAGA

…

You don’t know anything.

JONATHAN

I know that in about five seconds, I’m going to jam an icicle where the sun don’t shine.

I will NOT stand here and let you break down Dremora like she’s a piece of trash!!

MYAGA

Dremora was a tool that has outlived its usefulness.

What ELSE should she be called?

Dremora roars in anger and charges towards Myaga. However, as she nears the throne, she hits a deflector shield and comes flying back.

MYAGA

Don’t bother. There’s no way into this field.

It’s totally impregnable.

VOICE
Oh, I don’t know about that.

Myaga turns and sees Thunder and Gladius.

JONATHAN
What the hell KEPT you guys?!!

GLADIUS

Well excuse us..! We didn’t have a clue how to navigate this place.

I had to use my sensors.

MYAGA

Well then…

It seems that you all have me at a bit of a predicament.

JONATHAN

Oh, you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet.

Just wait until we teleport into that little field of your and….

MYAGA
Just a moment.

There’s a little someone I want you to meet.

JONATHAN

Huh?!

Myaga walks over to the throne and presses a button. As she does, the wall behind her opens and a familiar face walks through.

GENESIS
Oh my God…!!!

TERRAN!?!?!

Terran walks forward, his eyes closed and his head lowered. He walks out of Myaga’s shield and stands in front of the heroes.

GENESIS
T-Terran..!?

Can you hear me!?

Terran?!!

XIRATOX

Hehe….

Not quite.

DREMORA

F-Father?!??

XIRATOX

Well, hello there, Daughter.

How do I look!?

I recall you being attracted to someone who looked quite similar to this…

GENESIS

But…but how!?!?

I thought it took a few days for the Emperor to…

MYAGA
That was once true…when he had a HUMAN body.

But in his mechanical form, Xiratox does not require much time at all to build his psychic strength.

Now, his persona and memories are implanted within Terran…

…but he is still obedient to ME.

GENESIS

No…!! Terran…!!!

Fight him!!

Please….Fight him!!!

XIRATOX

HAHAHA!! You fool!!

Terran isn’t fighting me at all.

He WANTS this.

GENESIS
That’s….that’s not TRUE!!!!

MYAGA

This has worn thin.

Xiratox, dispose of them, quickly please.

XIRATOX

Yes, Mistress.

Xiratox starts to build up his power within Terran’s body. Everyone braces themselves. However, before Xiratox can attack, another blast of energy comes from nowhere, striking him.

MYAGA
Who….!?!?

Yet another figure approaches from the shadows…

VOICE

Hahaha…

Hasn’t THIS been rather interesting…?

Zepheron confidently walks into the middle of the room, his hands behind his back and a huge grin on his face.

XIRATOX

W-What…!?

But I thought that you—

ZEPHERON

Oh, PLEASE….did you really think I didn’t see that coming?

Don’t insult my intelligence.

MYAGA

What…what do you want, Zepheron!!?

ZEPHERON

Hehehe….

Well, my dear Miggy…

…I can call you "Miggy", right?

I’ve been thinking.

I’ve come to realize that when switching bodies, the Emperor needs to re-learn how the brain of that body controls it, am I correct?

Also, he would need to readjust his psychic pattern to fit the individual’s brainwaves.

If that’s the case, then…during the time after the switch, wouldn’t he be unable to use ANY of his powers to their full extent?

MYAGA

…..

XIRATOX

….

ZEPHERON

(his power begins to build)

Heh…I thought so.

Before anyone can blink, Zepheron zooms across the room and punches Xiratox square in the jaw, sending him flying into the wall.

JONATHAN
Holy….

THUNDER

Did you just see that!?!?

Zepheron starts to laugh loudly, his power surging even more.

ZEPHERON
HAHAHA!!!

This is the moment I’ve been waiting for…

The TWO people I hate the most merged together in a PITIFULLY weak excuse for a body…

HAHAHA!!!

Ripping you two apart is going to be SO much fun….

End of Chapter One

ZEPHERON

Hahaha…

I’ve waited 20 long years for this moment…

It’s taken YEARS of planning and patience, but now…it’s finally happened.

The "mighty" Xiratox and my dumbsh*t of a brother both trapped in a weakened body.

Hahaha…

Well, then gentlemen…

Are you ready for some PAIN?!

MYAGA

Don’t be intimidated, Xiratox.

Remember what you can do now.

Xiratox, angry, charges up Terran’s power.

XIRATOX

Heh heh heh…

Well then, the "trash" has started to think he’s actually WORTH something, huh?

You pitiful moron.

You are, were, and always will be one thing: Worthless, meaningless refuse.

Zepheron’s eyes grow brightly, he begins to growl angrily, and the entire room starts to shake as his power rises.

JONATHAN

That…that didn’t seem like such a good move…

ZEPHERON

Worthless…?!!?

You pompous, hypocritical bastard!!!

"Worthless"…I’ll show you worthless…

…when I’m dancing on your bloody carcass!!!!

Zepheron dashes up to Xiratox and punches him in the face. The blow staggers Xiratox and Zepheron then grabs his head and rams it into his knee. After that, Zepheron uppercuts Xiratox, making him bounce off of the wall and hit the ground. Zepheron then creates blades under his feet, just as he did with Terran on Earth. He puts his foot onto Xiratox’s back and starts to dig into it.

GENESIS

We-We gotta do something?!

THUNDER

Yeah, but what!?

There’s no WAY we can stand up to either of those guys.

JONATHAN

And even worse than that, who do we help?

The Emperor or Zepheron?

ZEPHERON

Hahahaha!!

Come on, "Master"…don’t give up NOW.

Surely someone as "great" as you won’t lose to a worthless, meaningless wretch like ME.

Come on, beg me for mercy!!!

Come on, you retarded prick!!

BEG!!!!

Genesis’ powers begin to grow. Her right eye beginning to blaze bright green.

GENESIS

Well, I’ll tell you ONE thing…

…After what Zepheron did to us on Earth…

There’s no WAY he and I can be on the same side!!!

Zepheron continues laughing sadistically as he tortures Xiratox. Then, out of nowhere, Genesis flies in and shoulder tackles him, knocking him into a nearby wall.

GENESIS

This is payback for Earth, you sick freak!!

Zepheron, startled at first, starts to regain his composure. He stands up and chuckles at Genesis.

ZEPHERON

So…you survived.

But, I can see that you’re in a hurry for me to kill you again.

Hehehe…

Wait your turn, honeybuns…

….I’ll get to all of you eventually.

Zepheron puts his hand out towards Genesis, and she goes flying backwards. Thunder catches her, but the force knocks both of them to the ground. Groaning, they start to get up.

GENESIS

W-We’ve got to stop him…

I need to…ugh…I need to try and enter Terran’s mind…

…to save him…

THUNDER

Are you sure, Gen?

You’ve always HATED using your telepathy that way.

GENESIS
I don’t….I don’t have a choice.

I HAVE to save Terran.

Please understand…

There is a moment of silence.

GLADIUS

Okay. We’ll keep Zepheron busy. You try to save Terran.

GENESIS

Got it.

JONATHAN

Alright…now this is some crazy sh*t, dude.

We’re talking about taking on a guy who has the power to level cities in the vague hope that we can rescue someone whose mind has been taken over by a dead Emperor.

….

GOD, I love this!!

The group all attack Zepheron en-masse, except for Dremora. Dremora hesitates for a moment and looks at Myaga, who stares right back at her unflinchingly. However, she then joins the others in the fight.

Meanwhile, Genesis goes over to Xiratox, who has managed to get to his feet.

XIRATOX

You DARE to oppose me on your OWN?!

GENESIS

I don’t need help to deal with the likes of you.

I’m going to get the man I love back…

…and there isn’t a damn thing you can do to STOP me.

Genesis’ right eye glows once again, and Xiratox starts to groan in pain. He grabs his head as Genesis uses her telepathy to enter Terran’s mind. For a few moments, everything goes blank.

When Genesis’ awareness returns, she finds herself standing in utter nothingness. Only an eerie fog can be seen, stretching as far as she can see.

GENESIS
I’ve…I’ve done it…

I’ve entered Terran’s mind…

Now, I just need to find his consciousness…

As Genesis continues to look around, she finally notices a house. The house is exactly the same as the one where Terran lived before his parents’ deaths. Genesis, of course, doesn’t know that, and she approaches the house cautiously. She walks onto the doorstep and holds her hand up to the door. Then, a powerful shock courses through her body, knocking her back.

As Genesis gets back to her feet, she builds her powers again.

GENESIS

Nice try, Xiratox…

But you can’t keep me out….

….NOTHING CAN!!

Genesis fires a powerful blast into the door. It’s blown clear off of its hinges and the entrance is left open, allowing Genesis to enter.

Back in the real world, both Genesis and Xiratox look like they’re trances as their bodies merely levitate slightly off of the ground. Also, the others continue their fight against Zepheron, all four of them attacking him at once. As Gladius charges Zepheron, Dremora fires a blast of flame into his back. Zepheron staggers from it, and then Jonathan punches him in the jaw with an enlarged "ice-fist". While Zepheron is down, Thunder then fires a bolt at him.

JONATHAN

(out of breath)
G-Good…We need to keep up this sort of teamwork.

And don’t…ngh…don’t let him get n-near you.

Keep your distance.

THUNDER

Hey, look, man…you look like you’re in pretty bad shape.

Maybe you should…

JONATHAN
This isn’t time to be worrying about ME.

If we don’t stop this guy, we’re ALL dead.

ZEPHERON

No, you don’t seem to be understanding…
….every last one of you are DEAD anyway.

How much you piss me off just determines how SLOWLY you die.

THUNDER

We’ll see about that!

Thunder prepares to fire another blast at Zepheron, but Zepheron uses his gravity powers to knock Thunder against a wall. Gladius attempts to attack Zepheron from behind, but Zepheron kicks him. Lastly, Jonathan tries to attack Zepheron again, but Zepheron’s body becomes liquified and the blow travels right through him. Zepheron then grabs Jonathan’s arm and throws him to the ground. Zepheron’s other hand starts to charge up, but Dremora hits him with a blast, knocking him back.

Dremora helps Jonathan to his feet, pulling him out of harm’s way.

DREMORA
Hey….are you okay?

JONATHAN

Yeah…I’m….(cough)….fine.

Zepheron turns towards them and starts to laugh.

JONATHAN
What the hell’s so funny?

ZEPHERON

Oh, nothing…

I just find it extremely amusing that after she couldn’t handle a REAL man…

Dremora seems to have attached herself to a little BOY.

Hahaha!!!

JONATHAN

Ugh…there’s nothing dumber than someone who laughs at his own jokes.

Oh yeah, and for the record, you can call me a "boy", but I bet Dremora could say who the truly "little" one, is.

ZEPHERON

Heh. Maybe you should try saying that AFTER you’re old enough to potty train.

JONATHAN

You know, for someone who calls himself a "man", you sure are whiny.

"Waaah! I hate you! Waaaaah!!"

Geez, I’ve seen two-year-olds that are less annoying.

Maybe you just need to go suck on something.

ZEPHERON

If you’re done boring me, I’d like to get back to killing you now.

JONATHAN

Well then, pull up your skirt and take a crack at it, Princess.

But, before you do, you might wanna turn around.

Before Zepheron can move, Thunder hits him with another energy bolt and Gladius punches him in the jaw. Zepheron, growing angry, simply flexes and his powers explode, knocking everyone away from him.

Inside Terran’s mind, Genesis walks through the house. Everything is deathly quiet, and the strange fog even exists INSIDE the house as well. Genesis enters the living room, and suddenly, she hears voices.

KAREN

Jeff, honey…! It’s time for school!!

Come on downstairs!!

JEFF

Coming, mom!!

Genesis continues watching as a young Jeff, about six or seven, comes running down the stairs, excitedly. He runs into the kitchen and plops down on the chair.

KAREN

(kisses Jeff on the forehead)

Okay, then...hun…are you ready?

JEFF

Yeah!!

KAREN

Okay, then.

Question #1:

What’s the smallest unit of matter?

JEFF

An atom!

KAREN
Very good.

Okay, and now the next one…

What’s Newton’s third law of motion?

JEFF

For every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.

KAREN

That’s right!

Next one:

What’s 345 times 1242?

JEFF

Four hundred twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and ninety.

Come on, Mom…

…gimme a hard one!!

KAREN
(giggles)

Okay, okay…

Hmm…let me see…

Genesis walks away from the scene, going towards the rear of the house. As she continues her search, she comes across the sound of crying. Opening a door next to her, Genesis finds Jeff, in his early teens, sitting in his room, crying. As he does, his father walks into the room.

NATHANIEL

Hey….son. What’s wrong?

JEFF

E-Everything, dad…

NATHANIEL

Like what?

JEFF

I-I hate going to college.

Because I’m so much younger than everyone else, they all hate me. They treat me like I’m nothing.

NATHANIEL

It’s because you’re smarter than they are,son.

You know it, I know it…and THEY know it.

People who feel a sense of inferiority tend to dislike those that they feel are better.

JEFF

I know…But, why did it have to be ME!??

Why was I born this way!?

I’ve never had any friends…no one likes being around me…

…I’m ALWAYS alone…

Why couldn’t I have just been NORMAL!?!

NATHANIEL

Do you know what being "normal" means, Jeff?

JEFF

N-No…

NATHANIEL

"Normal" means that you’re just like everybody else.

It means that you are no more precious…no more valuable than anyone else.

If you died, and someone were to replace you, there’d be no point to your life. No one would even know that you were gone.

JEFF

…

NATHANIEL

Being different means being your own person….being special.

It means that you can fully enjoy life and everything it has to offer.

And you…you’re still young. There’s a lot more for you to discover.

Things that you will achieve that you can only IMAGINE right now.

JEFF

Huh…?

I…I don’t understand, Dad.

NATHANIEL

Someday, you will, son.

Someday, this will all make perfect sense.

Once again, Genesis leaves the room and goes towards the back of the house. She pulls open a clear, glass shutter door and goes out onto the back patio, where she finds Jeffrey….as he appeared right before the death of his parents…clipping some flowers.

GENESIS

Terran….?

Jeffrey ignores her and continues clipping the flowers.

GENESIS

Terran? Don’t you hear me?!

I know you aren’t just a memory illusion.

I can sense you.

JEFFREY

…

GENESIS
Terran, PLEASE…

We need your help! You have to help us fight against Zepheron and the rest of the Empire!!

JEFFREY

…I don’t know who you are, but you should leave my property before I call the cops.

Jeffrey stands up and takes off his gloves and wipes his feet off, heading back into the house. Genesis follows him closely, chasing him into the house.

GENESIS

Dammit, Terran!!

Don’t you ignore me!!

Look at me!!

I said "Look at me", dammit!!

Terran!

Terran!!

Answer me, Terran!!

Angry, Jeffrey turns around.

JEFFREY

Look, I’m busy!

So, just go away, Genesis!!

GENESIS

So…you DO know my name…

JEFFREY

….I don’t…I don’t know how I knew that…

…But just leave me alone, okay?

GENESIS

Terran, you—

JEFFREY

Why do you keep CALLING me that?!

My name is Jeffrey!!!

GENESIS

Terran, please…don’t you see what’s going on!?

Xiratox has you trapped in here!

He’s making you relive the happiest time of your life as he tries to completely take over your mind.

None of this is real! This is all just an illusion!!

JEFFREY

I…

VOICE

Don’t listen to her, Jeff.

She’s just trying to trick you.

Jeffrey and Genesis turn and see Karen and Nathaniel.

KAREN

Don’t you see, son?

She’s trying to tear apart our happy life together.

NATHANIEL

Forget all of that foolishness.

Didn’t we always say how bad war is?

Didn’t we tell you that fighting is wrong?

JEFFREY

Yeah, I…I’m sorry…

GENESIS

Terran, listen to me!!

They’re illusions!! They’re NOT really there!!

These AREN’T your parents!!

KAREN

It’s all lies, Jeff.

She doesn’t even call you by your true name.

She keeps spouting this…"Terran" nonsense?

NATHANIEL

Now, just come with us, son…

GENESIS

Terran, don’t you remember everybody?

Indigo, Caroline, Merlan, Gladius….

Don’t you remember….me?

JEFFREY

…

GENESIS

Don’t you remember how I feel about you?

I….I love you, Terran….

JEFFREY

Gen….

I….

I remember.

NATHANIEL

If you do, then you must ALSO remember how you FAILED them.

Don’t you see? Everyone depended on you…and you let them all down.

GENESIS

That’s crap!

We came all this way to SAVE you!! Every one of us is now fighting for your life!

We all like you and respect you, Terran.

Out of everyone here, you were FORCED into this…

…and yet, you adjusted to it…and you embraced it.

That shows more courage than I’ve ever known.

KAREN

Getting involved in these peoples’ problems will only cause you more pain.

Let them deal with their problems on their own.

Let’s just live our lives our own way.

Jeffrey is silent. He contemplates everything for a moment. Karen walks toward him, preparing to give him a hug.

KAREN
Come here, my darling son…

Let’s just forget about everything…

JEFFREY

No…

My mother…

My mother would NEVER say anything like that…

KAREN

W-What…?

JEFFREY

My mother didn’t believe in fighting…but she would NEVER turn down a chance to help someone if she knew she could do SOMETHING.

My parents stopped fighting in the war, but they still provided relief services, volunteered at hospitals, and did lots of other things.

What you’re asking me to do is run away…

….and if I did that, my parents would NEVER forgive me…

GENESIS

(smiling) Terran…

NATHANIEL

Stop this foolishness, Jeffrey…

Listen to us…

JEFFREY

My name…is NOT Jeffrey.

Jeffrey Stanz died when his brother blasted him out of a window.

Jeffrey starts to be surrounded with a bluish energy. As it surrounds him, it starts to go glow brighter and brighter. Eventually, there’s a bright flash, and the next instant, Terran is standing where Jeffrey once was.

TERRAN

My name….is Terran.

And this farce…is OVER.

The house around them starts to fade away, disappearing completely. However, Jeffrey’s "parents" remain there.

KAREN AND NATHANIEL

You fool…

You think you can stand up against ME??!!

ME!??!

You are NOTHING.

Karen and Nathaniel start to blend together and change shape. Eventually, they take the shape of a darker form of Terran…as he appeared while under Xiratox’s control.

XIRATOX

This body…this mind…

Are MINE now.

And when I’m done with YOU, I’ll dispose of those friends of yours.

TERRAN

Come on, then. Take your best shot, Xiratox!

The two of them start to fight. Genesis stands back, waiting for a chance to help.

Outside of Terran’s mind, Jonathan groans in pain as Zepheron elbows him in the chest, shattering his ice armor. Dremora tries to help him, but Zepheron’s arm elongates and grabs her before she can get close, throwing her into Thunder. Then, the battle is suddenly interrupted by a loud yell. Everyone turns and sees Terran yelling in pain as he holds his head.

GLADIUS

She did it…! Terran’s fighting Xiratox!

Myaga watches, displeased.

MYAGA

Xiratox!! Forget about the boy!!!

Kill the girl!!

Back inside Terran’s mind, Myaga’s words reach into Terran’s mind.

XIRATOX

As you command, Mistress…

TERRAN

W-What are you…!?

Xiratox knocks Terran back. He then quickly turns towards Genesis. Genesis tries to put up a shield in time, but Xiratox easily breaks through it. The next few events happen extremely fast, and Terran doesn’t even realize what’s happened……until he sees it.

Xiratox stands in front of Genesis with a huge grin on his face, and Genesis has a blank look on hers. As Genesis looks down, she sees that Xiratox has formed his arm into a blade….and has pierced Genesis’ stomach with it. Pulling the blade out, Genesis starts to fall to the ground.

TERRAN

Gen…!! Oh my God…GEN!!!

Everyone pops back into the real world. Terran regains his senses and looks around the room. He sees Genesis fall to the ground. Rushing to her, he takes her into his arms…

TERRAN
No…dammit…

Gen….don’t you die on me!!!

Not now!!!!

Genesis, weakening, simply smiles at Terran and her hand comes up and caressing his cheek.

GENESIS

I…..I’m so glad I met you Terran…

Terran’s eyes begin to water.

TERRAN

Stop…stop talking.

Just…lay still.

GENESIS

Now that I’ve met you…I finally know what…it feels like….to love and be loved….

TERRAN
Stop it…!!

GENESIS

I’ll always love you, Terran….

Alwa—

Genesis’ hand drops, her eyes close and she goes limp. Terran, holding her lifeless body, starts to weep.

TERRAN

No…No….

Oh God….Gen!!!!

GEN!!!!!

End of Chapter Two