| Chapter 87 Kevin stood still as one of the servants tightened his armor. It was early morning, the suns hadn't even risen yet. But he had been awake for hours already. He was to nervous and worried to sleep. He didn't know what this day would hold, if he would see the end of it. He'd never thought about dying, but in the past two days, that'd been all he could think of. He wasn't ready to die, but then, who was? He finally came to the conclusion, that if it happened, it happened. There was nothing he could do about it. So now, he was determined to fight as well as he could, and watch out for Nick. He looked up as the door to his room opened, and A.J. and Howie walked in. Immediately A.J. laughed. Kevin looked down at himself, "What?" "Dude you look like some kind of gladiator or something," A.J. chuckled. Howie smiled, "Yeah, you kinda do man." Kevin stepped over to the mirror, inspecting himself. Well damn, he did resemble Russell Crow in that movie The Gladiator. He flexed his arms, making sure he could move with ease. The breastplate was a little bulky, but the arm and leg shields were comfortable. The servant that was dressing him handed him his sword, then bowed and left the room. Kevin took a deep breath and sheathed his sword, "Ok, so I do look like a gladiator, this stuffs gonna protect me ... I hope." The two glanced at each other, "We hope so too man," A.J. said. "Come on, let's see if Nick's ready," Kevin said, heading to the door. The three walked down the hall to Nick's room. As they got closer they could hear loud music coming from it. They recognized it as one of Nick's favorite CDs. Howie laughed, "Leave it to Nick to alleviate the pressure with loud music." "Isn't that the song he used to always play ...before all this started?" A.J. asked, trying to hear the words through the door. The three stood still, listening. "Yeah it is," Kevin said. He reached out to open the door just as the song ended, then started again. The door swooshed open and they walked in. Nick had his back to them, a couple of servants helping him get into his armor. As the lyrics started, he sang along with the song, bobbing his head to the beat. When this began I had nothing to say And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me I was confused And I let it all out to find/ that I'm Not the only person with these things in mind Inside of me But all the vacancy the words revealed Is the only real thing that I've got left to feel Nothing to lose Just stuck/hollow and alone And the fault is my own And the fault is my own Nick held his arms out for the servants so they could place his armor over them. I want to heal I want to feel What I thought was never real I want to let go of the pain I've held so long (Erase all the pain til it's gone) I want to heal I want to feel Like I'm close to something real I want to find something I've wanted all along Somewhere I belong Kevin glanced at the other two, they looked back. Now somehow this song made sense. Even before Nick was taken, he was searching for a place of his own. And I've got nothing to say I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face I was confused Looking everywhere/only to find that it's Not the way I had imagined it all in my mind So what am I What do I have but negativity �Cause I can't justify the Way everyone is looking at me Nothing to lose Nothing to gain/hollow and alone And the fault is my own The fault is my own As Nick broke into the chorus again, the servants moved to his legs. Fitting the armor to his body. The three hung back, not sure what to say. The words of the song seemed to echo Nick's time here. How his time as King had not been what any of them had imagined. His struggles with the council, with their constant ridicule of his way of doing things. And his constant feelings of never fitting in, of being looked on as a spectacle, a freak� even among his own people. I will never know Myself until I do this on my own And I will never feel Anything else until my wounds are healed I will never be Anything til I break away from me And I will break away I'll find myself today As Nick once again belted out the chorus, he flexed his arms and legs, getting a feel for the armor. He stared at himself in the mirror. His white spiked hair a clash against the golden armor. One of the servants handed him his crown, and he placed it on his head, his lavender eyes taking on a new brilliant glow. He smiled as he sang the last few lines of the song. I want to heal I want to feel like I'm Somewhere I Belong With that he flicked his hand towards the stereo and the music shut off. He turned and looked at his friends. All three were staring at him, awe on their faces. Nick flashed them his famous grin, "What? No jokes about how I look?" The three silently shook their heads. Nick took his sword from the servant that held it out and walked past them, "Come on, we've got a long day ahead," he said as he left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian took a deep breath as he zipped up his flight suit. He was nervous, and excited. It was an odd feeling. Knowing that he would be in charge of the fighters, and that people would die because of his actions that day. Hardly something to be excited about, but he was ...at least that's the only way he knew of to describe the massive flocks of butterflies in his stomach. Today he would have to prove himself like no other. Sure he was great in the simulators, but what was he going to do once he was actually out there, in a real battle? He laced up his boots, his mind going into over drive. Maybe he wasn't cut out for this after all? Was it still considered murder if it was in a war? He'd never killed anyone in his life, and he sure as hell didn't want to start now. Just as he finished tying his boots a knock came at the door. "Come in," he called, standing up to face his visitor. Commander Worsham walked into the room, "Good, you're ready. We've got a lot of things to go over with the pilots before this thing starts." "Um, commander? I've been thinking, and I'm not so sure I can do this," Brian said. The commander stared at him, "You aren' t backing out on us are you? We need someone with your skill out there, we're facing bad odds as it is." "I know, I just .... I've never done this for real, only in simulators. What if I get out there, and I can't do it?" Brian asked, feeling embarrassed. The commander smiled and put his arm around Brian's shoulders, "You can do it. There's no way that someone with as much talent as you can get out there and not." Brian nodded slowly, still a little uncertain of himself. "Listen Brian, when you're out there, you won't have time to think about it. You'll just be relying on instinct to get you through," the older man said. Brian thought about it for a moment. He had to try. He owed that much to Nick. Besides his friend was counting on him. He could do this. "Alright, let's go," he said, heading to the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick stood in the throne room giving the palace guards and servants a few last orders. When he finished he dismissed them, waiting for them to leave the room before looking to those that remained. The council was there, his mother, Anthony, Ana, the guys, and Maire. As soon as the door shut, LaDonna walked forward, her eyes pleading, "Please don't go. You can command the army from here." Nick gave her a comforting smile, "I have to go mom, you know that." The queen shook her head, a few tears trailing down her cheeks, "I don't like this Nickolas. Something doesn't feel right." He placed his hand on her shoulder, staring straight into her eyes, "Wasn't it you that told me that sometimes we have to do things we don't like? I don't like this either, but it's something I have to do. I know it in my heart." "Damn you, using my own words against me," LaDonna smiled, through her tears. Nick pulled her into a hug, "I love you mom." The queen held him tight, "I love you too son, come back to me." Nick stepped back and nodded, giving his mother a tight smile. He spoke a few words with Joseph and Nathaniel, then made his way to Mason. The two just stared at each other for a moment. "Looking at you now, all I can see is that painting," Mason said. Nick nodded, "Me too." "Are you sure I can't go with you?" he asked. Nick shook his head, "No, the council is to remain here. You will have your hands full." Mason nodded, "Be careful Nick." "I will, you too," Nick said as Mason came forward and hugged him. "I am so proud of you, son," Mason whispered. The words were out of his mouth before he even knew it, he just hoped no one else heard him. Nick smiled, holding the man tighter. How lucky was he? Most people only got one father� he had three. "I'm proud of you too, dad," he whispered back as he pulled away. Tears shown in Mason's eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Nick moved over to A.J. and Howie, pulling them both into a bear hug. "You guys take care of the girls for me," he said. "We will man, you take care of yourself," A.J. said. "Yeah Nicky, don't try to be a hero or anything out there," Howie said. Nick laughed, nodding, "I'll try my best. I love you guys." "We love you too man," A.J. said as they hugged again. Nick held them for a bit longer than normal, and when he stepped back, his eyes were glassy. "Take care," he said, moving over to Anthony. "Hey cuz," he said, smiling at the younger man. Anthony did his best to smile back, but the fear in his face was evident. Nick pulled him over to the side, "Listen, I have something I need you to do." Anthony looked surprised, "Anything." "When the battle starts, I need you to go to my room. On my desk is the Book of Kings. Get it and take it to the council. Inside are some letters, and in those letters is the future of Celeste." Anthony stared at him, not really understanding what he said, but nodding anyway. "Don't forget, this is important," Nick said in a scolding tone, but a smile on his face. Anthony grinned, "I won't Nick. I just wish I was going with you instead." Nick shook his head, "No you don't. Your place is here ... you'll see. Take care Anthony." "You too Nick," the young man said, pulling the taller Nick down into a hug. After a moment Nick pulled back and gave him one last smile before moving over to Marie. "Hey," he said, pulling her into a hug. "Nick, please do what the guys ask. Be careful. You know Brian will be mad if he makes it back and you don't," she said, smiling at him. Nick smiled back, "Ohh I don't want that now do I?" She shook her head. "Take care of him for me, if he gets back before I do, K?" Nick asked. "I will," she replied. "You two are perfect together. I'm so glad you guys found each other," he said, giving her one last hug. "Thanks to you," she smiled. He nodded, flashing her a smile. Ana watched as Nick moved to stand in front of her. "Hi," he said. "Hi," she echoed back. She looked down at her feet. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but with the others there she couldn't. Nick reached down and pulled her chin up, "Take care of mom for me." She shook her head, "Please let me go with you." "I can't Ana, I need you here," he told her. Tears left her eyes, "Please Nick, I want to go with you." His heart broke watching her cry. This was harder than he thought. Tears welled up in his eyes and he shook his head, "No. You will be needed here." Ana opened her mouth to protest, but Nick placed his finger over it, "I have to do this without any help. I wish you could come too, but you can't. Please do this for me, don't argue. It's hard enough as it is." She bit her bottom lip and nodded. Nick pulled her into a hug, savoring the scent of her hair, the feel of her body in his arms. "I love you Ana," he said. She smiled through her tears, "I love you too Nick." As they parted he bent down and gently kissed her lips. Pulling away he smiled, as a tear slid down his cheek. He turned to see the stunned faces of just about everyone staring back at them. Oops. Well it didn't matter now did it? Ana shifted her weight from one foot to the other, feeling everyone's stares on her. Nick took her hand in his, causing her to look up. He smiled at her, "We always said we'd face this together right?" She nodded as he turned back to the people in the room. "Before I go, there's something I need to say. I love Ana. I have for a long time. I don't care that she isn't the right class for a king. Before I got here, I was just a normal guy. I didn't even know I was royalty. What class you are shouldn't matter. It's what you feel. How that person makes you feel. Ana makes me feel normal, and loved. I can't imagine a day without her in it, and when she's happy, so am I. I guess I'm saying that class or not, I love her, and there's nothing you can do about it. You could punish us from now til the end of eternity and it wouldn't change the way I feel. The way we feel about each other," he said. Ana looked at him shocked, but relieved too. At least now it was out in the open. They would face whatever they had to, but they were no longer going to hide their love. "Now," Nick said, "We can deal with this when I get back." He gave Ana one last kiss, then motioned for Kevin and Rowland to follow him. As he walked to the door LaDonna gazed over at Mason, urging him with her eyes to do something. Joseph and Nathaniel just stood there, torn between the law and the king they admired so much. "Nick, wait," Mason said. Nick turned to face him. "You're right. What class you are shouldn't determine who you're allowed to love. We will change the law once you return. You deserve your happiness," he said. Nick took a deep breath and glanced at Ana. The happiness in her eyes was unmistakable. This was how he was going to remember her, full of love, happiness and hope. He nodded then turned and left the room, determined not to look back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian sat in his fighter, waiting for instructions to launch. He nervously adjusted his restraints and gave the control panel a once over to make sure everything was running smoothly. He glanced down at the picture he'd had made of Marie. "I love you baby," he said, sticking it next to him in a small crevice. The voice coming from the inside of his helmet brought him back to reality. "They are exiting their jump. This is it guys. Prepare to launch, and good luck," the voice said. Brian took a deep breath and looked out the docking bay doors to the vast expanse of space outside. Way in the distance he could make out large ships appearing in twos. He flipped the switch that released his ship from the docking locks, "This is Angel one, follow me out and form up." With that he pushed the stick forward and left the docking bay behind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick's transport arrived in the fields outside of Havendale just as the suns were rising over the horizon. He didn't wait for the machine to stop, jumping down as it slowed. He met one of his generals as he walked towards the front lines. "My king, they have already landed. Their army is forming just over the hill," he said. Nick looked across the field to the hill the general was pointing to. "Are we set?" he asked. The general nodded. "Good, get everyone in position, and wait for my signal," Nick said, finding the servant that held Thomas. He jumped into the saddle as Kevin and Rowland caught up with him. "Rowland, get you and Kevin a mount," he instructed. Rowland headed off to do just that. Nick looked down at Kevin, "You don't have to do this. It's not to late to go back." Kevin smiled, "That's funny, I was just about to say the same thing to you." Nick sighed, "So you aren't going?" "Are you?" Kevin asked. "No," Nick answered. "Then neither am I," he said. Nick wanted to argue with him, but he knew it was no use. Kevin was determined to stay there, and �protect' him. "Alright, you do as I say then," Nick started, "Stay with Rowland, and stay behind me. Defend yourself, but don't look for a fight. You aren't trained like most of us are, so rely on Rowland to help you. If things get to bad, get the fuck out, understand?" "Nick I won't leave you here," Kevin said. Nick leaned down in the saddle and placed his hand on his friends shoulder, "If things get bad, get the hell out. I can take care of myself, but I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt. Don't argue with me Kevin or I'll have you taken back right now. I'm the king, I can do that ya know." Kevin opened his mouth to protest, but Nick raised his eyebrow at him. The older man sighed in defeat, "Alright, if it gets bad I'll leave." "Good," Nick nodded, giving his shoulder a squeeze before sitting back up in the saddle. Rowland came over with the white unicorn and a bay. Kevin took the white one, just as Nick had seen in his dream. As they both mounted, Nick closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts. He smiled as a cool breeze swept across his face. They were here with him, he could feel them just as he could Rowland and Kevin. He took a deep breath, letting his soul calm and his mind rest on what he had to do. He felt a nudge and looked over at Rowland. "They're coming," he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian watched as the massive ships moved closer. He had his squadron a fair distance away from the big ships, not wanting to get caught in the cross fire when the massive vessels started firing at one another. He shifted in his seat as he saw the bay doors opening on the opposing fleet. "This is it guys. Shields up, weapons armed," he said, flipping the switch for his shields and then pressing the buttons to arm his weapons. He glanced down at the picture of Marie once more, then looked back up. Fighters were pouring out of the ships. For a moment Brian was numb. He'd never seen that many fighters in his life. His fleet was grossly outnumbered. He swallowed the lump in his throat, "This is Angle one. We're going in in a V formation, keep your wingmen with you. Good luck guys, we're gonna need it. Alright, on my count ....three ...two ....one," Brian pressed his ship forward to meet his enemy. Chapter 88 Song used: Somewhere I Belong, Linkin Park, Meteora, 2003. You can listen to this song under the Files section here. |