Tomorrows Yet to Come (CC ALL,YTEEN/MATURE) [COMPLETE]

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – Countdown to Action

“Do you think they’re all right back there?” Ava whispered.

“I believe that they are finally saying goodbye” Che’koth replied.

“Goodbye! Goodbye to who?” asked Zan. “Which one of them is leaving?”

“Neither of them is leaving, Zan,” Che’koth said softly. “They are finally saying good bye to the child they lost. And with that, comes grieving.”

“I thought they got all of that straightened out back in California?” said Michael. “At least Max told me they had.”

“He may have thought they had straightened everything out,” said Kyle, “But both of them were falling apart inside. That’s why Liz threw herself into that weapon project, and why Max was all about getting rid of Kivar. They were focusing on anything except what they needed to focus on.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Ava asked her husband.

“Because telling all of you wouldn’t have changed anything, and they weren’t ready to hear it,” said Kyle. “It had to happen on it’s own.”

“Very good, Kyle, you are becoming very adept at this power you are developing. Not only have you learned to read the emotions of others, you are learning how to use what you’ve learned so that it benefits people.”

“Well, it’s not quite as cool as blowing things up,” said Kyle, “But now that I know how to use it, it is pretty useful.”

“I think we should probably all start doing something. We don’t want to look like we’re all sitting here waiting for them when they come back,” said Isabel.”

“But that’s what we are doing,” said Michael.

“Right, Space Boy, but they don’t need to know that’s what we’re doing,” said Maria. “How about we get started on Liz’s banner to hang from the palace?”


________________________________


Max and Liz emerged from the tunnel a short while later, both their faces showed traces of the tears they had shed, but a light shined from their eyes that had been missing for a very long time.

Max hugged Liz quickly before going to talk to Michael, while Kyle and Maria came to stand next to Liz.

“All right, Chica?” Maria asked.

“Better than all right,” said Liz. “Thank you, Maria.”

“Don’t thank me yet. What are you getting, Kyle?”

“Life is good again,” Kyle answered. “He hugged Liz and whispered, “Don’t do that to us again, okay?” before pulling away to go work with Ava on the banner.

“What’s he talking about?” said Liz with a small giggle. “He’s acting weird.”

“You have just been given the Kyle Valenti ‘I’m Okay’ seal of approval, that’s what. Kyle filled us in on what was going on.”

“Kyle knew?” asked Liz. “And he never said anything? Why?”

“Something about it not being time, and it had to come from you,” said Maria. “He’s pretty smart, sometimes. But let’s not tell him that, okay?”

“You know it,” said Liz. “So, what are we doing here?”

“Working on your banner,” said Maria. “We decided to get it finished so we’re ready whenever D-Day arrives.”

“When are we going to do this?” Liz asked the room in general. Everyone turned to look at Max, expectantly, and waited for an answer.

“Che’koth, how long will it take to retrieve the troops you left to guard our parents?” Max asked. “If we’re going to go on a full blown offensive, we’re going to need them.”

“If I can use the travel devices that Alex has made, almost immediately. If we use the Granolith, it will take at least 24 hours.”

“Well, I have twelve made already,” said Alex. “If you need more, it will take another day. Or can you just use what we have made, and do it in shifts?”

“We can do it in shifts,” said Che’koth.

“All that’s left is to set a definitive date,” said Max. “How about the day after tomorrow?”

“Max, it’s after midnight,” said Liz, gently. “Do you mean tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I guess I do,” said Max, flushing slightly. “Great, my first decision, and I muffed it.”

“You didn’t, Max,” said Liz. “There’s a lot going on, and I just wanted to clarify it, that’s all.”

“Okay, so we have a time, now what?” asked Zan.

“I’m not sure,” admitted Max.

“We divide up,” said Zan, “And each of us covers a different area of the city. You should probably take the palace area,” he added. “You and Liz.”

Everyone was silent as they digested the unsaid message in Zan’s words. “You’re the king, I’m nothing,” echoed in his words.

“I have an idea,” said Liz.”

___________________________________--


“They are here, Kobodi. That’s why our troops on that hideous, backwards planet can’t find them. We’re scouring Earth looking for them, and all the time, they’ve been up here,” said Kivar.

“What makes you so certain, Lord Kivar?” asked Kobodi, cringing inwardly at the tongue-lashing or worse he knew he’d receive for his question.

Kivar sat heavily in a chair in his planning room and sighed. “Why am I forced to work with such fools,” he said out loud. “The throne,” you imbecile. “The only person who can activate the throne and cause the seal to appear is the king, or a direct blood descendant to the king.”

“Perhaps your Queen sat on the throne and caused the seal to appear,” Kobodi ventured.

“Don’t you listen, you simpleton?” roared Kivar. “I said the king, or a direct blood descendant. My Queen is not Zan’s descendant. She is his sister. No, he is here, somewhere on Antar. He is the one causing such dissent among the people. We must find him, and kill him. Again!”

“It has to be either Ma’nith or Kahtair, the trainees who went to search the throne. Kill them and be done with it,” suggested General Kobodi.

Kivar screamed in anger. The sounds of his shouts filled the small room. He threw off an energy bolt at General Kobodi, causing the General to fly across the room and crash into a wall.”

“You are the most worthless excuse for an Antarian that I have ever seen!” yelled Kivar. “Where is you mind? Don’t you think before you speak? Explain to me how either one of them could possibly be Zan. Ma’nith is a twin you fool, and we’ve seen him and his brother together. There is no way one of them could be Zan.”

“What about Kahtair?” gasped Kobodi. “He could have modified his appearance.”

Kobodi screamed in pain as Kivar hit him with another energy bolt, this one stronger than the last. Moaning in pain, he pulled himself to a sitting position and looked at Kivar, struggling to hide the hate he felt coursing through his veins.”

“Kahtair is too short to be Zan, you fool,” Kivar ground out between clenched teeth. “He could have modified his outward appearance, but there is no way he could have changed his height. Recall the Aberjani from Earth. There is no need for them to be there. If Zan is here, he’s planning something. I want to be prepared.”

Kobodi watched from his position on the floor as Kivar left the room. When his strength returned, he pulled himself up, and teetered precariously to a nearby chair. Collapsing in the chair, he sat heavily, and let his head fall on the table.

“Simpleton am I?” he said, his voice filled with hatred. “He is the simpleton. He is going to run off to his little cloned plaything, and he forgets the rumors that two clones of Zan were sent to Earth. “He thinks it can’t be Ma’nith because he’s a twin, but what is he having his scientists develop right now? A clone, a twin for his precious Vilondra. Fine, so be it,” he said. “What’s done is done. No longer will I allow myself to be his whipping boy.”

Kobodi pushed himself up with the help of the table, and staggered for the door. As Kivar had tortured him, he came to a decision. He knew that either Ma’nith or Kahtair was Zan. He just had to figure out which one it was, and destroy him. Then, and only then would Kivar recognize that he was an asset, and not a liability.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – One – Max is Outed

The dining area was again covered with posters, and now and again, snatches of music would be heard, but the Director and the faculty were unable to determine who was doing it. Liz looked around and realized that the entire song was posted, in bits and pieces around the dining hall. The director was reluctant to cancel classes again, and he announced to the students that they should ignore what the saw in the dining hall.

“Long live King Zan!” shouted one of the students in response to the Directors announcement.

“Students!” shouted the Director. “The Training Academy has always been, and will always be a non partisan school. You are here to learn, the instructors to teach. You are all entitled to your own beliefs, but I ask, nay, implore that you do not allow them to interfere with the learning.”

The students quieted down, trying to respect the wishes of the Director.

“Thank you,” said the Director. “I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I do not wish to cancel classes again, nor do I think you want that to happen. I am going to ask all of you to proceed to your classes. I won’t be foolish and ask you not to talk about what’s going on, but I will ask you to keep it out of the academic environment as much as possible. Thank you.”

The students began to talk again, this time more softly, when General Kobodi’s voice rang out across the hall.

“All Aberjani trainees will report to the training room, immediately.”

The Aberjani trainees stood, and left the dining hall. As they left, Max managed to walk past Liz and squeeze her hand. “Just a few more days, and I will all be over,” he whispered to her. “I love you.”




“Ma’nith and Kahtair, come to the front,” shouted General Kobodi. Kyle and Zan looked at each other and shrugged and stepped to the front of the room. Kobodi examined them the way someone would look at something nasty they found on their shoe before he spoke again. “Perhaps we should ask Za’nith to join you at the front,” said Kobodi, his voice silky.

Max, Kyle and Zan looked up at Kobodi, their gazes unblinking as Kobodi paced in front of them.

“I don’t see any sense in wasting anybody’s time. I want to know which one of you is Zan,” he said.

The three looked at each other, in feigned confusion.

“Zan?” said Max. “I’m not sure what you mean. I am Ma’nith, my brother is Za’nith, and this is Kahtair. None of us are known as Zan.”

“Don’t lie to me!” screamed Kobodi. One of you activated the throne, and I demand to know which one of you it was.”

“As we explained to you, and Lord Kivar, that symbol was already on the throne when we entered the room,” said Kyle. “Lord Kivar believed us. Are you saying that Lord Kivar is wrong?”

“Impudent pup!” roared Kobodi. He directed an energy bolt at Kyle but before it could reach its mark, Max threw up an energy shield to protect the three of them. At the same time, Michael fired a bolt at Kobodi, knocking his already weakened body off its feet.

Max grabbed Kyle and Zan, and turned to run when he stopped, shocked by the site of the other Aberjani trainees kneeling down on one knee, their hearts covered by their right fists.

“Hail King Zan!” they shouted as one. “Long live King Zan.”

“Stop it,” said Max. Stand up, all of you. There are no kings here.”

“If it pleases Your Majesty,” said Quor`toth, rising from where he knelt. “Only the King can produce a protective shield such as the one you produced.”

“I’ve seen plenty of you throw up a shield in training,” said Max.

“True, but none have had the Antarian seal on it,” said Quor`toth.

“Antarian seal?” asked Max, weakly. “It didn’t, did it?”

“Yes, Sire. You must have activated it when you took the throne. It was you that sat on the throne, was it not?”

Max glanced quickly at Michael and the others and saw that all of them wore looks of resignation. Max shook his head at Michael, Zan and Kyle, as he passed his hand over his face and changed his appearance to its original form.

“You are alive,” said Quor`toth. “How may we serve you, My King?”

“Stop calling me that, for one,” said Max. “At least for now. Right now, we have to figure out what to do with him.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder and pointed at the body of General Kobodi.

“He’s not going to be out long,” said Michael. “I was set on stun.”

Max quickly changed his appearance back to that of Ma’nith and turned to face Kobodi who was starting to stir. He moved forward t stand next to Zan and Kyle, unaware of what was occurring behind him.

“Who dared to fire upon me?” shouted Kobodi as he dragged himself to his feet.

“I did, General,” rang out in the room, and a shocked Max turned to see the other trainees, moving to stand next to him. Even more amazing was the fact that all of them had modified their appearances to resemble Ma’nith and Za’nith.

“I’ll destroy you all!” shouted Kobodi. He raised his hand to fire when a voice rang out.

“Cease this foolishness this instant, General Kobodi,” came a voice from the back of the room. “What is going on here?”

“Director, it is none of your concern,” said Kobodi with all the strength he could muster. “This matter shall be handled by myself, or Lord Kivar.”

“Lord Kivar instructed me to come find you, and instead, I find you threatening my students. You there,” he added, pointing at one of the trainees. “What is going on here?”

“General Kobodi accused one of the other trainees of being King Zan. We all know it to be nothing but foolishness, but the General was quite insistent.”

“Fine, fine,” said the Director, “But why have you all changed your appearance to look the same?”

“Because, Director, if he accuses one, he accuses all. We are a team,” explained the student.

“Very admirable,” said the Director. “General Kobodi, Lord Kivar is here, he wishes to address the trainees.”

“No!” shouted Kobodi. “That is, I mean, now is not a good time.” He looked out over the trainees, all of them looking exactly alike, and he broke out in a cold sweat. “I will talk to Lord Kivar, and tell him,”

“Tell me what, General,” said Kivar, walking into the room. He stepped up onto the podium, next to Kobodi, surveyed the trainees and exploded with laughter.

“Would you care to explain the meaning of this, Kobodi” Kivar asked, his voice silky.

“Actually, Lord Kivar,” said Max, stepping forward. “We were working on a plan to show General Kobodi.

“And what would that plan be, if I may ask?” said Kivar.

“We were trying to find a way to figure out who was spreading the filthy lies about Zan being alive,” improvised Max. “We thought that if we took the guise of Zan, and went out into the city, we might be able to draw out some of the rabble rousers.”

“Yes, but none of you look like Zan,” said Kivar.

“General Kobodi was doubtful about the success of our plan, and wanted proof, so we all changed to look like one of the trainees, and we were going to go out into the school, and see if we could fool the other students.”

“Now we know why I was in charge of strategic planning,” Michael whispered to Kyle. “There is no way Kivar is going to buy that load of bull.”

“Interesting,” said Kivar, his voice hardening a little. “Are you sure that is all there is to it?”

“Yes, Lord Kivar,” said Michael, still in his Ma’nith disguise, stepping forward.

Kivar’s face darkened with anger as he looked from the trainees to General Kobodi. He wasn’t sure if they were telling the truth, or if they were lying to cover their tracks, or Kobodi’s.

“And which one of you came up with this plan?” he asked.

“I did, Lord Kivar,” said Quor`toth stepping forward. “We were all sickened by the filthy rumors that have been spread about, and we wanted to do something to help.”

“Show your true selves, all of you!” demanded Kivar.

The trainees restored their appearances and faced Kivar with unflinching dignity.

“Again, which one of you came up with this plan?”

“It was I, Lord Kivar,” said Quor`toth.

“And you are?” asked Kivar

“I am Quor`toth Slenia,” answered Quor`toth.

“Slenia, Slenia, oh yes, your father is one of my lieutenants is he not?”

“Yes he is,” said Quor`toth.

“He is a very loyal soldier,” said Kivar, as are you. I like your plan, but at this time, I do not want it implemented. You have shown great initiative by devising such a plan and your ingenuity will not go unrewarded. Director, what do you suggest I give this young man?”

“Perhaps a day free of classes?” offered the Director.

“So be it,” said Kivar. Quor`toth Slenia, you are free from your classes for the rest of the day.

“Thank you Lord Kivar,” said Quor`toth.

“Kobodi, come with me!” snapped Kivar. He strode out of the room, the Director and General Kobodi trailing in his wake.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Author’s Note Well, my goal was to have this finished before the DVD’s were released. Obviously, I didn’t make it, but I’m pretty close . Hopefully, our story will be wrapped up by the end of the week.

Chapter Sixty – Two – Return to Earth

“You are very lucky, Kobodi,” said Kivar as he exited the Training Academy. “Your trainees are very loyal. They were willing to lie to me to protect you. Why is that, do you think?”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean, My Lord,” said Kobodi.

“You were trying to find out if one of them was Zan, of course,” said Kivar, his voice almost cheerful. “Obviously, they banded together to protect one of their own. It is just as obvious that you mind warped them into confessing to that ludicrous plan. It is lucky for the trainees that I realized that, because my initial impulse was to kill them for lying to me.”

“Lord Kivar, I did not mind warp the trainees to say that,” said Kobodi, struggling to keep the fear from his voice.

“Kobodi, haven’t you learned yet it is wise not to lie to me?” said Kivar. “You are lucky I do not have time to deal with this right now. I want you to oversee the recalling of the Aberjani. I want them back from Earth as soon as possible.”

“Yes Lord Kivar,” said Kobodi.

“Don’t think, for an instant, that I have forgotten your insolence, Kobodi. You will be punished.”

“Yes, Lord Kivar,’ said Kobodi, striving to keep the hatred from his voice.



Che’koth exited the Granolith, and looked around. He checked the timepiece that Jim Valenti had left. He was unable to tell time by traditional Earth methods, but the Sheriff had kindly marked the hours that he would stop by and check to see if there were any messages. Che’koth was pleased to see that he didn’t have long to wait before Jim arrived.

While he waited, Che’koth looked again at the pods that had housed his family, and brought them to safety. Tucked inside one was the blanket he had wrapped around Liz when she lost her child. He felt a tear roll down his face, but he didn’t brush it away. Liz was such a strong woman; she would make a wonderful Queen.

Che’koth shook his head sadly, for he knew deep in his heart that Liz would not remain on Antar, nor would Max. A choice had been made when the pods had been sent to Earth. If they survived, they would build their own lives. They couldn’t be expected to return to live on a planet they knew nothing about.

A sound drew his attention away from the pods, and he turned to find Jim Valenti watching him.

“It amazes me too,” said Jim. “I come out here and stare at them all the time. I can’t believe that those kids traveled here in those, and they protected them for so long.”

“It was a terrible risk, but we had no choice,” said Che’koth. “I’m glad to see you my friend,” he added, trying to shake off the sadness that he felt.

“What brings you here Che’koth?” asked Jim. “Do the kids need more food?”

“No, I am here to bring back the troops we left down here,” explained Che’koth. “Kivar is recalling the Aberjani, so there will be no need for them to remain.”

“That’s great!” said Jim, excitedly. “That means the kids will be home soon!” He looked at the expression on Che’koth’s face, and his exuberance faded. “They will, won’t they?”

“I’m afraid that they won’t be home right away,” said Che’koth.

“Are any of them hurt?” demanded Jim. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Relax, Jim Valenti, they are fine. They have, decided however that they cannot leave Antar until they rid our world of Kivar.”

“Rid your world of Kivar? He rules your world, he has armies behind him, and a band of nine kids think they can overthrow him? Are they insane? Are you insane for letting them?”

“You forget, Jim Valenti, that Max is my King. I have sworn an oath of loyalty to him.”

“You swore an oath to a person that doesn’t exist anymore, Che’koth. You swore an oath to Zan, but he’s not there, and Max is. He isn’t your king. He’s just a boy!”

“So Max keeps telling me,” said Che’koth, a small grin playing at the corners of his mouth. “However, this is their decision, and nothing I say will change their minds.”

“Then get the hell out of my way, and I’ll go up there and tell them that they’re being stupid,” said Jim.

“You know I can’t allow that to happen Jim,” said Che’koth. “Max and the others have come up with a rather remarkable plan. They began to implement it almost immediately. I’d like to tell you about it if you are willing to listen. I think you’ll find that they’ve thought things through and are going into it with their eyes open.”

Jim agreed reluctantly. Che’koth explained everything the group had done so far, and what their plans were. Jim was amazed at everything they had accomplished in such a short time.

“They’ve only been gone for a few weeks,” he said. “How did they manage to do this?”

“As you know, time passes differently on Antar,” said Che’koth, “But even so, they have done some remarkable things in a very short time.”

“No kidding,” laughed Jim. “Inventing penicillin, that’s classic Maria.”

“You laugh, but it served to throw suspicion off of Liz at a time when a classmate was accusing her of treason.”

“Treason?” asked Jim. “What are they doing that’s treasonous? Never mind,” he added as he realized what he had just asked. “I suppose trying to overthrow Kivar would be along the lines of treason. So this is all my fault, huh?”

“What do you mean? asked Che’koth. “How could you have possibly started this?”

“Well, if I hadn’t sent that cd up to Maria, she never would have heard that stupid song, and then none of this would have happened,” sighed Jim.

“I’m afraid they already had reached that decision before Maria found that cd,” Che’koth said. “It just gave them, ah, I believe Maria referred to it as a theme for the prom.”

Jim laughed, knowing the expression was pure Maria. He asked after each of the kids, and passed messages along from their parents.

“They all send their love to you, as well,” said Che’koth. “And they ask you not to worry. This is something that they have to do. None of them felt that it would be right to return to Earth without trying to do something.”

“They’re good kids,” said Jim. “I hate this, but I understand why they feel they have to do it. I don’t think I should tell their parents though, do you?”

“That is wise, Jim Valenti. You will bear a difficult burden, keeping this secret, but it is for the best.”

“So, should we start rounding up the troops and bring them back here?” asked Jim.

“No, that will not be necessary,” said Che’koth. “Alex managed to duplicate the technology used by the Aberjani to travel. He sent me back with the belts the Aberjani use. It will allow our people to return to Antar, to a specific location.”

“I still think we should bring them all out here,” said Jim, the start of a plan running through his mind. “It would be just our luck to have somebody see one of them disappear.”

Che’koth agreed, and he and Jim drove into town and began to recall the rebel troops. They brought the first group back to the Granolith, and they, along with Che’koth transported back to Antar. Moments later, Che’koth returned, with the belts to allow the second wave of rebels to return to their planet.

“I do wish you’d let me go back with you,” said Jim. “There must be something I could do that would help those kids.”

“The only thing you can do is stay here, where you will be safe. I have no doubt that you would be a worthy ally any other time, Jim Valenti, but you are not equipped to fight a battle on Antar.”

Jim grudgingly agreed, and he and Che’koth brought the remaining troops back to the Granolith. Jim watched closely as Che’koth instructed the rebels on the use of the belts.

“I’m going to send them back in pairs this time,” said Che’koth. “The area Alex programmed them to return to was a bit cramped when the first batch arrived simultaneously.”

Soon, all the rebels were back on Antar, and Jim and Che’koth remained in the Granolith Chamber.

“There’s nothing I can say to persuade you, is there?” asked Jim.

“I’m afraid not,” said Che’koth.

“Are you a parent, Che’koth?” Jim asked suddenly.

Che’koth smiled sadly as he thought about his beloved Zan and Vilondra and how he lost them, only to have them return as Max, Zan and Isabel, and how he would soon lose them again.

“Yes my friend, I am a parent,” he said.

“Good, then you’ll understand why I have to do this,” said Jim. He reached up suddenly and brought the handle of his service revolver crashing down on Che’koth’s head. He quickly removed the belt Che’koth wore and fastened it around his own waist. He activated the belt and faded from sight just as Che’koth opened his eyes.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Author’s Note: Thanks to all of you who pointed out that there may very well be students who will betray them. While it is a VERY valid point, I’m going to explain it away nicely in this chapter because if I explored those avenues, the story would go on forever :lol

Chapter Sixty – Three – Goodbyes

Max looked at his friends, his expression worried.

“Is everybody ready for this, because it’s not too late. You can still back out and go home. I’d totally get it if you did. Hell, part of me wants to do that, too.”

“Max, we’re in this together,” said Liz.

“Yeah, you’re just trying to get rid of us so you can hog all the glory,” joked Zan

“We’re a team, Maxwell. We’re not going anywhere,” added Michael, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

“Anybody else,” asked Max, looking at Maria, Ava, Alex, Kyle and Isabel.

“We’ve decided to follow Isabel’s advice and just ignore stupid remarks like that,” said Maria, a smile hovering on her lips. “She said it worked well when you were kids.”

Maria’s comment caused the others to burst into laughter and the tension that filled the room began to dissipate.

“So, what do you say?” asked Ava. “One last batch of popcorn before we get organized.”

“How about popcorn and organization together?” said Alex. “We have a lot to accomplish tonight. Or do we want to totally relax for a while, first?”

Relax was the general consensus, and it wasn’t long before the smell of popcorn permeated the small room.

“I know we agreed to relax,” said Isabel, “But I’ve been wondering about something. Max said he revealed himself to the trainees, but what if one of them is loyal to Kivar, even without the mind warp. Won’t he turn us in?”

The others looked at Isabel in shock; none of them had even considered that possibility. Their fear was palpable as they tried to consider what to do.

“You can all relax,” said Kyle. “None of them are loyal to Kivar. I got a good read on all of them while Max was doing his presto chango act. In fact, they are all so angry at being mind warped that all they can think about is destroying Kivar.”

“Thank God,” said Isabel.

“I can’t believe I never even considered that,” said Max. “I keep telling everybody I’m not a king, and this just proves it. How stupid could I be. I almost put all of us in jeopardy.”

“When you’re done beating yourself up,” said Zan. “Could you please pass the popcorn. I don’t get why you’re so bent, Max. It happened, yeah, but you took a chance, a risk. That’s what being a ruler is all about. Sometimes you just have to react. You don’t have time to examine every angle. Do you suppose that tomorrow, when the shit hits the fan that you’re going to have time to look at every possibility. Hell no! The only thing you’re going to be able to do is make a choice and hope for the best. Now, since we’ve started talking about it, let’s just get to the planning.”

Liz reached over and gently squeezed Zan’s hand. He was so like, but so unlike her husband. She knew it had been hard for him, finding his place in their closely-knit group, but slowly he had found his place. Nobody else would have been able to find the right words to absolve Max of the guilt he felt, but Zan was able to do it. Liz knew he’d always have a place in her life and in her heart.

Michael had a map of the city, spread out on the table, and Max and Kyle sat next to him pointing out various locations. Zan and Alex worked together, gathering supplies, readying for tomorrow’s battle. Maria and Isabel put some finishing touches on the large banner, and Liz and Ava hurriedly put together several more banners to hang in various places around the city.

“What time is Che’koth expected back with the first contingent of rebels?” Liz asked to the room in general.

“I guess it depends on how long it takes to round them up,” said Kyle. “And on where they do the transport. I mean, it wouldn’t be too cool to have people disappear in the middle of downtown Roswell.”

“Well, the belts are programmed to transport back to this location,” said Alex, “So we’ll know as soon as they get back.”

As Alex spoke, the room suddenly became filled with what seemed like a hundred bodies. Michael started to grab one of the intruders when Max pulled him off, yelling.

“Michael, no, don’t!” he shouted. “It’s Che’koth and the others!”

Michael released his intended victim, and everyone scrambled to make room for the new arrivals. Each one of the new arrivals knelt down on one knee and placed their right fists on their hearts.

“King Zan,” said one of the men. “We are honored to serve you.”

Max shook his head in resignation and smiled at the men. “Please all of you, stand up. I want to thank you for all that you did to protect our families on Earth.”

“It was our pleasure, Majesty. And now, we look forward to serving you on Antar. Please, tell us what you wish us to do.”

“I wish they’d stop treating me like I was a god or something,” Max whispered to the others. He turned back to smile at the men. “Please, all of you go home and see your families. Report back here in three hours.”

“With pleasure, your Majesty,” said the men.

Che’koth led them down the tunnel passage and out into the city. He quickly returned to the hidden room to confer with Max and the others.

“Jim Valenti is bringing the second group to the Granolith,” said Che’koth. “He pointed out that it wouldn’t be wise to have our people vanishing in the middle of town.”

Laughter erupted around him, and Che’koth looked puzzled until Liz pointed out that Kyle had said essentially the same thing.

“Oh God,” Kyle moaned. “It’s my worst fear come true. I’m turning into my father.”

The laughter subsided, and Che’koth prepared for his return journey.

“Are you sure this isn’t too much for you?” Max asked. “One of us can go back if you want to rest Che’koth.”

Che’koth, touched by his son’s concern smiled. “No, I shall be fine, Max. You seem to have everything under control. I want you to promise me something though.”

“What Che’koth?” Max asked, his curiosity piqued by Che’koth’s concern.

“No matter what happens tomorrow, no matter what you see, or what you hear, you won’t let it distract you from the mission at hand.”

“Of course, Che’koth,” said Max.

“Max, I’m serious,” said Che’koth. “If all goes well there are some things that could occur that would become quite a distraction for you. I want you to promise me that you’ll stay focused. All of you, stay focused,” said Che’koth, his voice harsh. “I will not see you before the battle tomorrow, and I fully expect to see all of you at its end.”

“I don’t understand,” said Max. “Won’t you be coming back with the others?”

“No, I have a few things to attend to, but I will be back before the battle,” Che’koth explained.

“Okay then, before you go,” said Max. “When it’s over, no matter what, everyone comes back here. Agreed?” He looked around the room, and everyone nodded their agreement. “Che’koth?”

“Aye, Majesty, I will be here,” said Che’koth.

“Don’t call him that,” everyone said at once, and Che’koth smiled faintly. One by one, he hugged each of the kids.

“Be safe,” he said softly and disappeared from sight.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Chapter Sixty – Four – The Call to Arms

They stood in the darkened tunnel, unsure of how to proceed. They were about to take the biggest step of their young lives, and there was a chance that not all of them would survive. They moved, without conscious thought into the foursquare position that activated the Granolith. Max and Zan at one corner, with Isabel standing several steps away from them. Michael stood diagonally across from Max and Zan, and Ava diagonally across from Isabel. Liz, Alex, Maria and Kyle formed the inner square facing outward to look into the eyes of those they loved best.

Liz reached out and took one of Max’s hands, and one of Zan’s as well. The others each reached out and did the same. Nobody spoke, and the moment was more powerful because of the silence. Finally, reluctantly, Max dropped Liz’s hand and turned to the others.

“You all know what to do?” he asked, and they all responded with nods. “It’s not too late to back out you know.”

“Maxwell, it is too late,” said Michael. “We’re in this for the long haul.”

“Will I sound like a sap if I say I love each and every one of you?” Max asked.

“Yeah, you will,” said Kyle. “And if you even think about hugging me, I may have to kill you.”

“I guess I’ll take that risk,” Max. He moved out of the square formation and pulled Kyle into a hug. “Be safe Valenti.”

“You too, Evans,” said Kyle, his eyes suspiciously moist.

Max moved to hug Alex, Zan, and then Michael, and by this time, none of the men had dry eyes. Maria looked at Liz, and rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, but she, as well as the others was touched by the show of emotion.

“Okay, break it up,” said Maria. “Either that, or start hugging us before we all begin to wonder about your choice of partners.”

Her wisecrack served to reduce the high levels of emotion that filled the tunnel. They all exchanged final hugs, but there was less of a feeling of desperation about them.

“Are you ready, Maria?” Max asked. “You’re key to all of this. Timing is everything. We really want to the effect of the sun rising on the banner just as everything starts.”

“I’m ready, but did anybody bother to check the weather forecast,” she joked.

“As if the sun would not dare to shine when King Zan fights to take back his throne,” said Ava, her eyes full of laughter.

“Yeah, and by the way Your Majesty,” said Kyle, grimacing over the words. “When this is all said and done, I’m looking at an earldom or something, right?”

“More like court jester, Valenti,” said Alex. I’m getting the earldom.”

“Not wanting to rain on the title parade or anything,” said Isabel. “But maybe we ought to go win this thing, first.”

“Are you implying that there is a possibility we may not win this, Isabel?” Liz asked in her most condescending voice.

“No, I’m implying that we have about 30 minutes to get into position,” laughed Isabel.

“Oh, well in that case,” said Liz. “We’d better move.”

They made one final check to ensure that everyone had everything and that they knew their positions. The all hugged each other one final time, none of them acknowledging that it could be the last time, and they moved out. Michael and Maria moved up into the school, while Max, and Liz, Isabel and Alex, and Kyle and Ava and Zan moved out into the city. In their haste to move out, none of them noticed the body lying on the ground in the shadows of the tunnel.

_________________________________


The sun began to rise over the horizon, and the city came to life. People began to fill the market area. There was a feeling of excitement in the air that could not be contributed to the regular market day.

At the Training Academy, hungry, weary students filled the dining hall. At first, nobody really noticed the banners on the wall until Quor`toth caught Michael’s eye and saw him nod. Reacting quickly, Quor`toth grabbed one of the banners that hung on the wall and jumped on a table.

“Fellow students, the time has come!” he shouted. “We have been oppressed by Kivar long enough! The Royal Family is among us, ready to take their rightful place and reclaim the throne of Antar. Look at the banners, you’ll see them. We must fight, we will be INVINCIBLE.”

Michael jumped up on another table, with Maria by his side, and the students began to yell and scream. Michael grabbed a banner and began to wave it, inciting the students to cheer louder.

“General Rath, we heard you had been killed!” shouted a student.

“Kivar did kill us!” shouted Michael. “But those loyal to the house of Antar managed to clone our essence and send us to another planet, across the galaxy where we could live in safety until we could return to free you. That time is NOW!”

Shouts filled room, and the instructors came running to try and quash the student rebellion. Maria grabbed the communicator out of her pocket, and the sounds of Pat Benatar filled the school, and the city beyond.

“Take to the streets!” yelled Michael. “We’re storming the palace to rid our planet of Kivar.”

The students began to push out of the dining hall, shoving the instructors out of their way. Jara Kobodi slipped into the room unnoticed through a back entrance and made her way to the table where Michael and Maria stood.

“Traitorous whore!” she yelled. She raised her hand to aim an energy bolt at Maria, but another student shouted out a warning, and Maria and Michael spun around, and Maria fired her own energy bolt, striking Jara Kobodi directly in her heart.

“That felt far too good,” said Maria. “Come one, we need to get to the palace.”

Michael jumped down off the table and reached up and swung Maria to the ground. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the hallway and down to the hidden room.

“Come one, we’ll go out through the tunnel,” he shouted over the noise of the rioting students.

“You were fantastic,” Maria panted, struggling to keep up with the pace Michael had set.

“You weren’t to shabby yourself,” he said. “They went wild when they heard that music.”

The couple ran through the tunnel, and came out onto a street filled with chanting people. Someone spied Michael and began to cheer.

“Look, it’s General Rath! It’s true, it’s true!”

“To the palace, to the palace!” Michael and Maria shouted as one. They joined the stampeding crowds, never noticing the figure that slipped out of the tunnel behind them.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – Five – Stand Up and Face the Enemy

Kyle climbed up on to a low roof in the marketplace, and Zan lifted Ava up, while Kyle reached down to grab her. Zan scrambled up beside them as the sound of Pat Benatar filled the air. Banners inscribed with the words from the song appeared, anchored to the roofs of various buildings. Kyle smiled with satisfaction, pleased to see that Che’koth’s rebels had managed to get all the banners in place.

The confused citizens stopped and looked around, trying to figure out what the music was, and where it was coming from. A roar went up from the crowd when somebody spotted Zan standing on the roof, next to Ava and Kyle, their fists raised up towards the rising sun.

The people began to chant, calling out Zan’s name. Ava nudged Zan discreetly, and he moved forward and used his communicator to amplify his voice.

“It is time to free ourselves from the bonds Kivar has used to enslave us!” he shouted. “People of Antar, join me in reclaiming our world from that usurper, Kivar!”

“Kivar is our true Lord!” shouted one of the people in the crowd. “He freed us from the tyranny of the Royal Family!” He fired off an energy bolt at Zan, but people in the crowd jostled him causing his shot to go wide.

Zan watched as the crowd turned on the person and began to rain blows down on him.

“Don’t!” Zan shouted. “Leave him. We need to move forward to take the palace.”

As planned, they jumped down off of the low roof, and made their way to the palace, the large crowd following behind them while the amplified song echoed throughout the marketplace.


Isabel and Alex made there way to the business district just as the sun broke on the horizon.

“Damn,” Isabel said. “We’re running behind.”

“We’re fine, Isabel, relax,” said Alex. “Look that’s where we need to be.” He pointed to the center of the business district where a large statue of Kivar was located. They stopped, and both of them fired repeated bolts of energy at the statue until it collapsed to the ground.

Alex jumped up on the rubble and held his hand down to Isabel to help her scramble up beside him. The morning sun began to filter in among the tall buildings as a crowd formed, called by the sounds of the statue tumbling to the ground. The communicators planned by the rebels came to life, and the sounds of music filled the area.

“Look, it’s Princess Vilondra,” somebody called out. “She left the palace!”

“Vilondra, the real Vilondra is dead!” shouted Isabel into her communicator. Her amplified voice carried over the crowd, and her words shocked them to attention. Kivar killed her, but our trusted scientists managed to recreate our essence. We were sent to a planet called Earth in the hopes that we would survive to come back and fight for our world. I am now called Isabel, and I am here to fight for you, to fight with you to free you from Kivar’s rule!”

“You lie!” shouted one person. “Vilondra is in the palace with Lord Kivar!”

“There is another,” agreed Isabel. “She was created by Kivar’s scientists, but they were unable to duplicate the process used to give me life. She is defective. She doesn’t speak. You people knew the real Vilondra. She was not meek and mild. She fought for what she wanted, as do I. And what I want is your freedom!

Banners spilled down from the tall buildings, the words written on them echoing the words of the song that played around them.

“It’s time for you to make a stand!” shouted Isabel. “And with the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice. It’s a do or die situation, we will be invincible! Fellow Antarians, I carved those words into the throne room floor. My brother, your King is here. Come help restore him to his rightful place as the King of Antar!”

The gathering crowd roared their show of support, as Alex and Isabel jumped down off the rubble and made their way to the palace, with the crowd falling in behind, cheering madly.


“Ready?” Liz asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” said Max. “Let’s do it!”

They approached the palace slowly, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. All too soon, they reached the rendezvous point, and the contingent of rebels that Che’koth had arranged for them to meet.

“Welcome, majesty,” said one of the rebels, stepping forward. “I am Radnar. Che’koth sent us to meet you.”

“Max, wait,” said Liz, holding up a restraining hand. “How do we know this isn’t a trap?”

“You’re Queen is quite wise, Majesty. But we have words, given to us from Che’koth that should reassure you,” said Radnar. “Che’koth said we should call you Max, and if we did not, the Queen would bestow upon us the most dreadful titles imagined.”

Liz swallowed a nervous giggle, and beside her, Max relaxed slightly, and smiled at the men.

“Thank you,” Max said. “You’ve all worked so hard, and done so much. When we are successful, it will be because of you.”

“We are honored, Majesty, to do whatever we need to restore you to your rightful position,” said Radnar.

Max shook his head ruefully. Che’koth may have said for the men to call him Max, but apparently, the message didn’t really sink in.

“Is everything ready?” Max asked.

“Yes, Majesty. Everything is as was requested,” answered another of the rebels. If you are ready, we’d best hurry. The sunrise will soon be upon us.

Radnar led Max and Liz through a labyrinth of passageways to the bottom of a staircase.

“We’ll take it from here, Radnar,” said Max. “You go get into position.”

“Are you sure, Majesty?” Radnar asked. “I am reluctant to leave you alone here.”

“It has to be done, we need you out there, helping to coordinate everything,” said Max.

“As you wish, Majesty,” Radnar replied. He bowed to Max, and made his way back through the passages to the outside of the palace.

Max and Liz climbed the flight of stairs and climbed out onto a deserted balcony. Max nodded to Liz, and she reached out, and pulled on something, and the giant banner the group had labored over cascaded from the roof above them, ending just above the balcony where they stood.

“Liz, it’s blank,” said Max, struggling to contain his panic.

“I know,” said Liz, with a sweet smile. “Don’t worry. Maria had an idea.”

“Maria had an idea?” he asked weakly. “No, nothing to be worried about, there.”

“Max, you should relax,” said Liz. Well, not relax,” she amended, “But have a little faith.”

As she spoke, the sun broke over the city. Max looked down to the city below, and saw what looked like thousands of people moving towards the palace. The suns rays caressed the banner, and Liz reached her hand out and touched it, and a blaze of color exploded across it.

The crowd shouted out, and Max spun around to look at the banner. Emblazoned upon it was a series of pictures. On upper left corner there was a picture of himself, with Liz at his side. In the next corner, an image of Isabel and Alex. On the lower right corner, Michael and Maria and the fourth corner had an image of Ava and Kyle. His eyes drank in Maria’s “surprise” and he turned to Liz and smiled as the music rang across the city, spurring the citizens to join the fight for freedom.

[majiklmoon]

Thanks for all the support. i was hoping to get the battle wrapped up in one part, but of course, that isn't going to happen.

__________________________________________

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – Six – The Battle Part One

“There they are,” said Liz, pointing to where Michael and the others had gathered.

“Ready?” Max asked.

“Not for this part,” said Liz, “But it’s not like we have a choice.”

She wrapped her arms around Max’s neck, and he reached up grabbed a pulley on a wire.

“Hold on,” he said.

Liz planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “For luck,” she said.

“You’re a queen, Liz, not Princess Leia,” Max said. He gave a jump and they slid down the wire just as the Aberjani came rushing out onto the balcony.

They slid down the wire, landing in front of the palace gates where Michael and the others were waiting.

“Michael, behind you!” Max shouted as he and Liz touched the ground.

Michael whirled around and began firing upon the guards that poured out of the castle. The others followed suit, and the guards began to fall. Max gave the signal for them to stop firing, and raised a shield to protect them while he spoke to the crowds gathering in front of the castle.

When the shield was visible, the people began to chant their support, and many of the guards stopped firing in shock at the sight of the royal seal.

“Radnar, are you’re men ready?” shouted Max.

“Aye Majesty!” shouted Radnar from the crowd. “To arms Antarians, to arms! Long live King Zan!”

Max lowered the shield and they began to fire on the guards again.

“We must take the palace!” he called to the rebels.

Michael began to press forward towards the castle, with Max at his side.

“We have to find Kivar and take him down!” Max shouted as he blasted a guard. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, and he choked down the gorge that threatened to rise up into his throat.”

“Oh shit, Maxwell, here come the Aberjani,” warned Michael. “Alex, I hope that trigger mechanism works right.”

“Don’t worry, it will,” Alex shouted. “Good luck!” He broke away, followed by Zan and together they led a group of rebels around one side of the palace looking for another entrance. Isabel and Maria led another group of rebels around towards the back of the palace. Michael, Max, Liz, Ava and Kyle pushed forward, pressing towards the gates, firing energy bolts all the way.

The Aberjani, led by General Kobodi came charging out, carrying the weapon conceived by Liz and Alex in their hands. It was almost comical to see the mind warp breaking on some of the Aberjani as they fingered the trigger mechanism. Those that had been mind warped stopped dead, and fell to their knees as the warp broke. However, there were quite a few Aberjani that were not affected by the trideka. Max assumed that they were loyal to Kivar in their own right.

They began firing at the Aberjani, and the Aberjani fought back, firing not only on them but on their compatriots that were no longer mind warped. Screams of agony filled the air as bolt after bolt crashed into the rebels and Aberjani alike.

________________________________________

Zan held a hand, signaling Alex and the other rebels to wait. He moved ahead several yards. He motioned to the others to move up to where he waited.

“Looks like it’s clear up ahead,” he whispered. “I think we should move in, and try to come up around the Aberjani that are out front. That way we’ll have them virtually surrounded.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Alex. “But don’t you think you should stay in back? We don’t want you out in the line of fire.”

“The hell we don’t!” snapped Zan in an angry whisper. “What’s the matter, don’t you think I can handle it?”

“Of course I think you can handle it,” said Alex. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. You’re the king, remember?”

“I’m not the king, Max is, now lets get our asses and gear and move out,” said Zan.

Zan let out a battle cry and charged towards the palace, Alex and the rebels racing behind him. From out of nowhere, a group of soldiers loyal to Kivar appeared, firing energy bolts at the small band of rebels. Zan, acting instinctively, threw up a shield, which caused the bolts to rain harmlessly around them.

“Okay, I want all of you to get into formation,” shouted Alex. “When I say now, Zan, I want you to drop the shield for 3 seconds then put it back up. That should give us each enough time to get off a couple of shots. Make sure you count though,” Alex warned the rebels. “I don’t want our blasts bouncing back at us when Zan puts the shield back up. Ready, NOW!”

Zan dropped the shield, and Alex and the others each fired off a couple of energy bolts before Zan put the shield back up. Alex watched with pleasure as the troops loyal to Kivar dropped back and ran towards the palace.

As they fired, there was a loud explosion, and a bright flash of color filled he sky around them. Alex whirled around trying to see where the flash came from.

“What was that?” he shouted. “Did anybody see where it came from?”

“Forget it!” shouted Zan. Let’s go.” Zan, took off running after the troops. They sped closer to the castle, dodging intermittent energy bolts fired at them from the palace.

“Do you think you can hold that shield while we run?” asked Alex

“Yeah, I think so,” said Zan. He put up the shield, and stopped running to stare at the shield. He blinked his eyes several times waiting for the image to change, but it stayed. On his shield was the Antarian seal.

“What do you think it means?” he asked an equally confused Alex.

“Damned if I know,” said Alex. “We’ll figure it out later.
______________________________________________

“Come on,” Maria whispered to Isabel. “We can get in this way, right?”

“Yeah, Che’koth marked it on the map,” said Isabel. “Let’s go.”

She opened the door, and followed Maria and the troops into the palace.

“Flush out as many troops as you can,” Isabel whispered to Maria. “I have to go do something.”

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Maria demanded. “There is nothing in the plan about us splitting up.”

“Think of it as one of your famous surprises,” said Isabel. “Now go, will you? I’ll meet you at the throne room. If you get there before I do, start sealing it up. I don’t want that bastard to ever set foot in it again.”

Maria looked worried, but she also knew by the look in Isabel’s eyes that nothing was going to change her mind.

“Fine,” she said, hugging the taller girl. “But if you die, you can explain it to Alex, okay?”

“Right,” laughed Isabel. “I’ll be sure to do that. Now go, will you?”

Isabel watched as Maria and their small band of rebels slipped down the hallway. As soon as they were out of sight, Isabel began to make her way towards her parent’s bedchamber.

“Come Vilondra, my pet. We must get you to safety,” Kivar said.

Isabel peered around the corner and saw Kivar, leading her double down the hall. She stepped out into the hallway and raised her hand.

“That’s right, you bastard, you mustn’t forget your little plaything.”

Kivar stopped dead and spun around, and his eyes widened at the sight of Isabel standing before him.

“Vilondra, my love, is it really you? You’ve come back to me.”

“I’ve come back to kill you, you sorry excuse for a human,” said Isabel, her voice edged with steel. She stepped forward, moving closer to Kivar and her clone.

“Vilondra, love, didn’t you learn the last time that it is pointless to try and resist me? I always win in the end,” said Kivar.

“Right, you won by mind warping the entire world into believing that you are a good and just leader. Or did you win by making yourself a duplicate of me to be your plaything? You’re lucky she can’t talk Kivar, because if she could, she’d probably tell you the same thing.”

“Vilondra, my love, stop it,” said Kivar. “You love me, you know you do. Just as I have always loved you.”

Isabel watched as the Vilondra clone stiffened slightly. She turned to face Isabel and smiled slightly and touched first her face then Isabel’s. The clone then lowered her hand to Isabel’s chest, and Isabel crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

“My God! What did you do to her?” roared Kivar. “You’ve killed her!”

“I protect you,” whispered the clone.

Kivar roared with anger and grabbed the Isabel clone by the hand and dragged her down the hallway. He opened a door, and shoved the clone inside an empty room.

“Get in there you stupid bitch and stay there. I have to go see if I can save her.” He slammed the door on the clone and ran back down the hall to where Isabel’s body had fallen.

Kivar pulled up short when he arrived at the spot to find Isabel’s body had disappeared.

“Not again!” he shouted. “I’ll not lose her again!”

He ran back down the hall to the room that imprisoned the clone and threw the door opened. He rushed into the room and reached for the clone. Just as he reached for her, the clone pressed her hand to her heart and fired an energy bolt into her own body, causing it to burst into flames.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – Seven – The Battle Part Two

“Isabel, Isabel, wake up. Don’t be dead, Isabel.”

Isabel, moving upward through the layers of consciousness groaned.

“Maria?” she whispered. “See, I kept my promise, I’m not dead. I just wish I was.”

“That’s good, but I’m not Maria,” said the voice.

Isabel struggled against the fog that clouded her mind and she forced herself to open her eyes. The image in front of her wavered in and out of focus, and Isabel blinked her eyes several times, unwilling to believe what she was seeing.

“Sheriff Valenti?” she asked, shocked. “Is that you? What are you doing here? Oh, please, don’t tell me I had an accident and this has all been some type of Dallas shower dream?”

“It’s me, Isabel. I’m here, and let me tell you, I was so worried when I saw, hell, what did I see? It looked like you, knocking you unconscious.”

Isabel groaned as she pulled herself to a sitting position. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Never mind that, HOW did you get here?”

“Well I’m here because I didn’t like the thought of you kids fighting a war without some back up,” explained Jim.

“Jim, we have half the damn world behind us,” said Isabel.

“Well, now you have half the damn world plus one behind you,” said Jim. “As for how I got here, that’s a little bit more complicated. We don’t really need to go into it now.”

“Yes, we do,” said Isabel, her voice growing suspicious. “As a matter of fact, I think we need to go into a couple of things, right now. First, tell me exactly how you got here.” She held up her hand and pressed it against Jim’s chest. “Or you will be very sorry.”

Jim swallowed deeply, trying to calm the fear that rose in his chest. This was an Isabel he had never seen before, a serious and deadly Isabel. He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and prepared to explain.

“I met Che’koth in the pod chamber, and he explained about the belts that Alex had created. I helped him round up the rebels, and we brought them back to the pod chamber to transport out. I didn’t think it made a lot of sense to have people disappearing in downtown Roswell.”

At this comment, Isabel smiled recalling Kyle’s reaction when he found out he and his father were thinking the same way.

“Anyhow, I told Che’koth I wanted to go back with him to help you, and he disagreed. So I persuaded him that he was wrong,” explained Jim.

“Persuaded him, how?” questioned Isabel, not liking the tone of his voice.

“With the butt of my service revolver,” Jim admitted. “I whacked him over the head and knocked him out. I grabbed his belt and here I am.”

“Che’koth went down to Earth yesterday,” said Isabel suspiciously. “Where have you been since then?”

“Lying in a huddled mass in some tunnel,” said Jim. “I guess space travel doesn’t agree with me. I slept for what seemed like forever. I followed some people out of the tunnel today, but I didn’t realize it was all of you until you were out of sight.”

“This is all quite well and good,” said Isabel, almost convinced. “But I’m still not sure. Give me one good reason why I should kill you right here.”

“Because I never told your parents I caught you and Alex parking out in Millers Woods one night when you were supposed to be at the library,” said Jim.

“Sheriff, it really is you!” cried Isabel. She threw herself into the sheriff’s arms and hugged him tightly. “How are our parents? How is everybody?”

“Everybody was fine,” said Jim. “Or they were the last time I saw them.”

“Look we need to get out of here,” said Isabel. “Follow me.”

“Follow you?” Jim asked. “Isabel, you can barely sit up, let alone lead me anywhere. What happened back there anyhow? Who was that other person?”

“The guy was Kivar,” said Isabel. “The woman, well she was another me; a plaything he made for himself.”

“A plaything he made for himself?” queried Jim.

“Yeah, you know, a duplicate, a clone. Kivar wanted Vilondra, and when she wouldn’t bow down to him, he killed her, but he realized that he needed her, so he made himself a new one,” Isabel explained bitterly. “Now help me up, we need to get out of here before he gets back.”

Jim stood up and helped Isabel to her feet and helped her down the hallway.

“Why did she do that to you?” asked Jim. “Or should I be asking why didn’t she kill you?”

“I don’t know,” said Isabel. “She can’t speak, and I heard that she doesn’t really think. She just wanders around after Kivar, like a little puppy dog.”

“Were are we heading now?” asked Jim. “Someplace where you can rest, I hope.”

“Up here,” said Isabel, pointing to a staircase. “We’re meeting Maria and the rest of our team at the throne room. We’re going to try and seal it off so that Kivar can’t get in there again.”

“Can you do that?” Jim asked, helping Isabel up the stairs.

“We’ll find out in a second,” said Isabel. “Look there they are.”

“Um, Isabel, why do you have someone who looks suspiciously like Sheriff Valenti with you?” Maria asked, her voice trembling.

“Possibly because it is Sheriff Valenti,” said Isabel.

“Okay, Isabel, why are you practically being carried by Sheriff Valenti?”

“Because I tracked down Kivar, and his little Vilondra clone knocked me out.”

“I don’t suppose you though to bring any cedar oil with you?” Maria asked Jim who shook his head.

“I give up,” said Maria, throwing her hands up in the air. “We had a plan. I specifically remember a plan. But is anybody following the plan? No, I don’t think so.”

“Focus Maria, focus,” said Isabel. “I’m here, we’re following the plan now.”

“Can you do it?” Maria asked.

“I’m going to try. Get the others to guard my back. You watch the sheriff,” she added in an undertone. “I’ll do this as quick as I can, and we’ll get the hell out of here.”

Isabel walked up to the throne room door and placed her hand over it. She focused intently on the memories Che’koth had implanted until she found what she needed. A burst of light shot out from her hand, and the door to the throne room disappeared, leaving only the Antarian Seal in its place.

“That was too cool,” said Maria, rushing over to Isabel, dragging the sheriff along with her. “Are you okay?”

“Surprisingly, I feel better,” said Isabel. “Stronger even. Come on, we need to get outside.”

The rebels, along with Isabel, Maria and Jim Valenti rushed down several staircases, and back out the side entrance. The battle raged around them, and Maria led them to a stand of trees that would provide some shelter while the organized themselves. Isabel grabbed one of the rebels and pulled her to one side.

“Do you see that man?” she asked, pointing to the sheriff.

“Yes, Princess,” said Lynran.

“Your job is to guard him with your life. Do whatever you have to do to keep him safe. He must be protected at all costs. Do you understand me?”

“Yes Princess,” answered the woman.

“Thank you Lynran,” said Isabel. “He is a very special friend to the royal family. People!” she shouted. “We need to make our way around to the front of the palace. Are you with me?”

“We are with you, Princess!” shouted the rebels. “We are with you!”


_______________________________


Kivar himself led the next wave of Aberjani’s out into the courtyard. He jumped up on a pile of rubble and began to scream directions. As he shouted, his eyes searched the approaching rebel forces until his gaze locked in on his hated enemy.

“Give up, Zan!” he shouted at Max. “I killed you once, I’ll kill you again!”

“Surrender Kivar!” Max yelled. “Surrender and we’ll let you live.”

“Fool!” shouted Kivar. “Haven’t you learned anything? There is no mercy for those weaker than you. You are too softhearted Zan. It has always been your greatest weakness!”

A loud explosion filled the air, and bright flash of light blinded everyone temporarily. Panicked shouts filled the air as everyone tried to figure out exactly what had happened.

“Shit, Maxwell, look!” Michael shouted pointing to the top of the palace.

Max along with the others looked up to where Michael was pointing. There atop the highest part of the castle was the Granolith, and it filled the air around it with a shimmering light.

“The Granolith,” people around Max whispered in awe. “The Granolith is back.”

“Max, focus!” shouted Liz, pushing to the ground as a bolt of energy passed over his head. “You have to focus, no matter what. Remember what Che’koth said?”

“I don’t know what kind of foolish trick this is, Zan!” shouted Kivar. “But it’s too late. The Granolith can’t help you. Kill him!”

Several Aberjani hefted their weapons and pointed into the growing crowd of rebels, but more threw their weapons to the ground and ran towards the rebels, their hands raised in the universal sign of surrender. Max reached down and grabbed one of the weapons and pointed it at Kivar.

“Go ahead, Zan!” shouted Kivar. “Do it. Nothing would give me greater pleasure!”

“As you wish,” said Max. He depressed the firing mechanism and watched with satisfaction as the energy bolt went straight to Kivar’s heart, incinerating him.

“No!” came the angry shout, and Max spun around to see General Kobodi battling his way towards him. He ran towards Max, his arm extended as he prepared to shoot a bolt of energy at the king he killed once already. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a figure tackled him and sent him flying to the ground.

“You son of a fucking bitch!” shouted Kyle. “I’ve been waiting to do this for to fucking long. He began to beat Kobodi with his fists shouting as he did.

“You killed her you bastard. You raped and killed her, and now, I’m going to kill you! You are a worthless piece of shit!”

Kyle was so intent on destroying Kobodi that he failed to notice one of the remaining Aberjani sneak up behind him and pull him off of Kobodi and throw him to the ground.

“You weak and worthless trash,” Kobodi snapped, through the blood that filled his mouth. “Who is it that you defend so honorably? No matter. I’ll kill you where you stand.”

“Kyle, look out!” screamed Ava.

“Ah, so that’s it,” said Kobodi, his eyes filled with hate. “Ava, the fair Ava. Yes, I did so enjoy my time with her. It was such a shame that she died so quickly. But fate has brought me another Ava. How kind.”

“You mother fucking son of a bitch,” said Kyle, struggling to stand up. “I’m going to kill you if it’s the last thing I do.”

“It very well could be,” said Kobodi. He raised his hand and pointed it at Kyle, firing a steady bolt of energy at him.

“Kyle look out!” a voice shouted, as someone knocked him to the ground.

Dazed, Kyle looked up to see Michael, Zan and Max all fire at Kobodi, causing his body to disintegrate into a pile of ash. He pushed himself up, trying to figure out who had pushed him out of the way. He looked around, and let out a scream filled with pain. Lying on the ground next to him was the body of his father.

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Author’s Note: I have to apologize to everyone. I know that somewhere in this story, I named Zan and Vilondra’s father, but I can’t find it anywhere. If anyone remembers it, or knows what chapter I put it in, please pm or email me so I can fix it.

Chapter Sixty – Eight – After the Battle

With the death of Kivar and Kobodi, those still loyal to them laid down their arms and surrendered. Michael directed Radnar to escort the prisoners to a holding area.

“If there is any resistance,” he said to Radnar. “Kill them.”

“I don’t think there will be, General. Now that the Granolith is back, they can see how wrong they were,” Radnar explained to Michael, but Michael wasn’t standing next to him any longer. He knelt, along with the King over the body of one of the fallen.

“Alex!” Isabel shouted, her voice filled with fear. “Please don’t let it be Alex!” She ran across the battlefield towards the small gathering. Liz stepped in front of her and stopped her.

“It’s not Alex,” Liz said.

“Then why won’t you let me through!” Isabel cried.

“Isabel, calm down!” shouted Liz. “Alex is over here. He was wounded slightly, but he’s going to be fine.”

“Who’s over there?” asked Isabel, “Zan, Kyle? Oh please don’t let either one of them be hurt.”

“Isabel, you need to go see Alex,” said Liz, gently, trying to steer her away from Jim Valenti’s body. “Come with me, okay?”

“How badly was Alex hurt?” asked Isabel, some of her panic subsiding.

“It’s just a flesh wound,” explained Liz. “He was grazed by an energy bolt, but it’s nothing serious. But he’s really concerned about you, so I promised to find you and bring you over to him.”

“Thanks Liz, you’re a good friend,” said Isabel.

Liz escorted Isabel to where Alex sat. She gave both her friends a worried smile before rushing back to where the others stood.

“Max, can’t you heal him?” Liz whispered slipping up beside her husband.

Max turned to Liz, his eyes filled with tears.

“I can’t,” he said, his voice thick with unshed tears. “I tried, Zan tried. Hell, we even tried together, nothing worked. He’s dead Liz.”

“Where’s Kyle?” Liz choked. “Is anybody with him?”

“Ava is with him. They’re over there,” Max said, pointing to where the other couple sat.

Liz looked over and saw Kyle sitting on the ground, his arms cushioning his head as he rested it on his knees. Ava sat with her arms around her husband and both sobbed uncontrollably.

“Should we go over do you think?” she asked as Zan joined their mournful group.

“No, I think they just need to be alone for a while,” said Max.

Liz moved in between the two men and put her arms around their waists. She looked over to where Maria stood, wrapped in Michael’s protective embrace.

Alex, Isabel supporting him on one side limped over to the saddened group.

“Why so glum?” he asked. “We won, right?”

“S-someone didn’t make it,” Liz said softly.

“What? What are you talking about? We’re all right here?” said Alex. “Kyle and Ava are over there, and here come Michael and Maria. Who didn’t make it?”

“Oh God!” whispered Isabel. “No. No, no, no!” she screamed. “Not the Sheriff. It can’t be the Sheriff.”

“You knew he was here?” demanded a shocked Max. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“Max, stop it!” said Liz. “Give Isabel a chance to explain. Don’t start attacking her like that.” She turned towards her friend and touched her softly on the arm. “Isabel, how did this happen?” Liz asked. “How did he get here?”

“I didn’t know he was here,” said Isabel. “It was when Maria and I took our group to the palace. We, well, we got separated,” said Isabel. “I went after Kivar. I wanted to stop him myself. But I couldn’t. He was, well, I don’t know what he was going to do,” she continued. “But my duplicate put her hand out and knocked me out.”

“What?” shouted Alex.

“I don’t think she was trying to kill me. I think, well, I think she knew what she was doing. She knocked me out to protect me. She wanted Kivar to think she had killed me. The next thing I knew, I was waking up, and Jim was there. Isabel broke down and began to sob. “I didn’t know what to do with him,” she continued. “I mean, I couldn’t drag him into battle, but I needed to be here. I assigned one of the rebels to guard him. I swear I did.”

“Isabel, don’t do this to yourself,” said Liz. She stepped out of Max and Zan’s arms and moved over to hug the other girl tightly. “You had no control over what happened. You did the only thing you could.”

“Try telling that to Kyle,” Isabel cried. “His father is dead because of me.”

“My father is dead because he saved my life,” said Kyle softly. He nodded to Liz, and she stepped aside, and he wrapped his arms around Isabel. “I don’t know how he got here, but he died saving me. Can you honestly think of a better way for him to go out?”

“I don’t care,” said Isabel. “I gave a direct order to someone. It was the only time I’ve ever played the princess card, and where did it get me. I need to find Lynran, and I need to find her now.”

“Stop, Isabel,” said Che’koth, appearing out of nowhere, with Lynran cradled in his arms. “Kyle, your father fought with me to come here to help you. When I said no, he knocked me out and took my belt.”

“How did you get back?” asked Max.

“The Granolith,” said Che’koth, simply. “We have a lot to talk about, but first, I need you to heal Lynran.”

Che’koth laid the Antarian woman on the ground, and Max and Zan knelt down on either side of her. The placed their hands on her body and focused on her injuries. Within moments, she was sitting up.

“Princess, I am sorry,” she said to Isabel. “I failed you.”

“You did,” said Isabel, her voice filled with anger. “You allowed the first adult we ever trusted with our secret to die. I think it’s only fair that you die as well.”

“Isabel!” shouted Che’koth. “You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I?” Isabel snapped. “Jim was there for us every time we needed him. He put his life in jeopardy for us, and this is how we repaid him, but letting him die.”

“So be it,” said Lynran, standing in front of Isabel. “If the Princess feels that I should die, then that is what must happen.’

Isabel raised her hand and pointed it at Lynran, who stood stoically, waiting for the burst of energy that would end her life. An eternity passed in that moment, and Isabel lowered her hand and cried.

“I can’t, it’s wrong,” she cried. “I’m not like that, really I’m not. I’m not a monster like Kivar.”

“No my precious love, you are not,” said Lynran, moving to take Isabel into her arms. As she spoke, her appearance changed, until she stood before them, looking exactly like the woman who had spoken to them through the communicator so many years before.

“Look!” shouted a voice. “There, next to King Zan and Princess Vilondra. It’s King Drinian and Queen Kitana!”

Max and the others stared in shocked amazement at the places where Che’koth and Lynran had stood. The two people standing there resembled an older version of Max and Isabel.

“Is it?” Max started to ask than stopped.

“Come, my son,” said Drinian. We don’t have much time.”

[majiklmoon]

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.

Chapter Sixty – Nine – The Granolith

“What did you say?” asked a severely shocked Max.

“I said we don’t have much time,” said the other man.

“You called my your son, and those people are calling you the king. Are you my, our father? You’ve known all this time that you’re our father, and you haven’t said a word? And now you’re telling me we haven’t much time? Well screw you! I’ve made it this far without you. Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said to the others.

Max was so caught up in his anger that he didn’t notice the fist that came out from beside him and sent him flying to the ground.

“You God damned stupid selfish fucking son of a bitch!” shouted Kyle. “My God, Max. I am sick to death of you’re poor wronged little me attitude. You have a man standing here who has saved your ass on more than one occasion, and he’s your father. So he didn’t tell you, so what? He had his reasons. Why don’t you try acting like an adult instead of a spoiled boy king, and find out why. Now get up of your fucking ass and do what he’s telling you to do.”

Max jumped up off the ground and launched himself at Kyle. He raised his fist to strike back when Liz stepped in between the two.

“Max, stop it!” she shouted. “You don’t want to do this, you’re just upset because you couldn’t save Jim. Kyle’s right. Che’koth had his reasons why he didn’t tell you. You need to talk to him, and listen to him and found out why.”

“You knew, didn’t you?” Max asked, coldly. “You’ve known all along who he was, and you didn’t tell me.”

“I figured it out,” admitted Liz. “And you could have too, if you’d paid attention to somebody other than yourself. You know what, Max? Kyle’s right. You’re so wrapped up in your poor little me attitude, that you don’t notice things that are right in front of your face. Grow up, will you, before you lose everything that’s important to you.”

Liz turned away from Max and walked over to where Che’koth and Lynran stood.

“Drinian, Kitana, what do you need us to do?” she asked.

“Liz, don’t,” whispered Drinian. “Don’t put your relationship with Max in jeopardy because of us.”

“I’m doing this because I want to,” said Liz, and no other reason.

“Bring the body of your friend,” Drinian directed. “We must bring him to the Granolith, quickly.”

Everyone except for Max moved quickly and carefully lifted Jim’s body.

“Max, you would sacrifice someone you care about because of your pride?” Drinian asked.

Max didn’t say anything to Drinian. Instead, he moved into place and next to Alex and offered to take his place.

“No, I’m good,” said Alex. “It doesn’t matter how badly I hurt. If Che’koth, I mean Drinian says we need to do this, then I do it.”

As they carefully carried Jim’s body off of the battlefield, legions of citizens knelt down before them showing their support. Drinian and Kitana both offered reserved smiles to their subjects. Isabel cried unabashedly, the tears streaming down her face as she helped to carry the body of her friend. Zan looked stoically ahead, hurting more for his friends’ loss rather than feeling the loss himself.

Liz blinked rapidly, trying to staunch the stem of tears that streamed down her face. She watched Kyle, who was walking in front of her, carefully, trying to gauge his emotions. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain he was feeling right now.

As they walked, a voice began to sing out, soft at first, but growing stronger with each passing note. Liz looked over at Maria, unsurprised to see her friend singing, but instead of the pulsing rock beat they had grown used to. She gave the song a mournful beat.

This bloody road remains a mystery
This sudden darkness fills the air
What are we waiting for?
Won't anybody help us?
What are we waiting for?
We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible

This shattered dream you cannot justify
We're gonna scream until we're satisfied
What are we running for?
We've got the right to be angry
What are we running for?
When there's no where we can run to anymore

We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible
And with the power of conviction
There is no sacrifice
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible

Won't anybody help us?
What are we running for?
When there's no where, no where we can run to anymore

We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible
And with the power of conviction
There is no sacrifice
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible

As the last notes of the song, echoed across the battlefield, the mournful group entered the palace and carried the body of their fallen comrade up flight after flight of stairs until they reached the portion of the roof that now housed the Granolith.

Drinian motioned for the others to lay Jim’s body inside the Granolith. After they did, he moved closer to Max.

“You have to do this,” he said to his son. “You’re the king.”

“Damn it!” Max shouted, the tears falling freely down his face. “I keep telling you that I’m nobody’s king. I tried to save him, and I couldn’t. He’s dead.”

“He’ll do it,” said Zan, stepping forward. “We’ll do it, together.”

“You can’t, my Son,” said Drinian. “The Granolith chose Max, first. Don’t be afraid, Max.”

“I am afraid,” said Max in wonderment. “How did you know when I didn’t know?”

“He’s an empathy too, you idiot,” snapped Kyle. “Why do you think he was able to help me deal with my new powers? You shut yourself off from so much, Max,” Kyle continued in a softer voice. “Because you are afraid. Open yourself up to everything that’s happening. Trust the people around you. Trust us. We’re not going to let you down.”

The tears fell so rapidly from Max’s eyes, he could barely see as he moved over to where his parents stood, waiting.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to them both. “What do you want me to do?”

“Climb into the Granolith,” instructed Drinian. “And kneel down beside him. Look inside yourself, Max. You know what to do. You have to trust yourself.”

Max climbed into the Granolith and knelt beside Jim Valenti’s body. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Liz watched the range of emotions play across his face as he accessed the knowledge that he needed. Suddenly, the Granolith began to hum, very softly, and it’s base turned a rich dark purple color.

Suddenly, Zan jumped into the Granolith beside Max. He knelt down and whispered something in his ear. Max smiled at Zan’s pronouncement, and the two stood up and hugged quickly, before Max jumped out of the Granolith chamber.

“Quick,” he said to everyone. “Get into position. Come on, we don’t have much time.

They all reacted quickly, and assumed the positions they had first taken in the Granolith chamber when it was on Earth. As it did the first time, the color at the base of the Granolith moved slowly upward, lightening in hue as it moved closer to it’s apex. When the light reached it’s pinnacle, it was bright silver white, and it spilled forth from the Granolith, enveloping the room and it’s inhabitance in it’s dazzling light.

For several minutes, the room was filled with light, until it slowly began to recede back into the Granolith, growing darker and darker until it only the bottom was filled with a dark but dazzling deep purple color.

Max strained to see into the Granolith, but he was unable to make out anything through the darkness. Finally, the light faded away, leaving everyone staring in shocked amazement at what they saw.