Joe7 Fanfiction Gallery, Great Shadow

Welcome! Here you are my fanfiction: it is really long, but, if you want to know all the story in manga format, at last in general, you can click here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=46358243&st=15#lastpost


THE GREAT SHADOW

1 - The Beginning

"It's been so long since I dreamed Rubina."

But in that dream she was there, still alive, with those sparkling eyes and flaming red hair that he still looks dancing before him, in the new day. It had been many years since her death, but sometimes it seems like yesterday. He still remembers the mountain meadow with that pungent smell, where he clutched her lifeless body. Remembering this, Duke’s eyes grow damp.

"It 's strange that I remember above all that sunset."

Rubina was died when the sun began to decline. And that sunset was crimson, with clouds of undefinable colors. He cried like never before, in front of a sun of fire that was extinguished, and that emphasized the gigantic figure of Grendizer, who had a silent and indifferent expression. A giant robot could not cry, and at that time Duke, even if it was absurd, hated Grendizer for this.

A thousand memories overlap in his mind when, at one point, he recovered and returned to thinking about that dream. Last night he dreamed Rubina. But what strikes him is the nature of the dream. Rubina of the red hair did not seem happy. Of course, when Duke knew her, when she was alive, he usually saw a joy in his eyes which hid a fund of sadness, perhaps for being the daughter of Vega, or otherwise knew that only his spirit. Perhaps a dark premonition of how her story would end. But in that dream she was worried. And she said:
"Duke, the great shadow approaches. Be careful. "
Duke. His real name, which he led early, before being called Daisuke, when he was on Earth. Rubina was the only able to call him Duke in that way deep, intimate, that always enchanted him.

It was not a dream, Duke feels it. It was a warning. Something big is coming, something so terrible that even the Vega army cannot compare to this.

Hikaru stretched in the bed like a cat. She had slept well, and now she sees the light of the sun that lights up the room. With a hint of a smile, she gets out of the bed and put on her robe. For a moment she looks in the mirror and she put a hand through her hair, straightening. Her long hair were become very beautiful. She should have them grow up a long time ago.
Once Goro said to her:
"Why do not you grow your hair, Hikaru?
"Do not be silly, Goro. For one who works in the fields, long hair is a hindrance. In this way, they are more comfortable "
"And how will you get noticed by Duke, then?" He said with sly air.
"Mind your own business!" Hikaru replied angrily, and Goro had run away.
Hikaru is pleased remember: that little thug of Goro! Naida, certain with her long hair would not have been happy to milk the cows ... And since the I've come a long way, thinks Hikaru. Queen of Fleed and wife of Daisuke...
At the thought of Duke, Hikaru turns to him. He’s standing, rapt, watching from the balcony of the garden palace with a look pensive and melancholy. She had not seen that look in his eyes for much time: Hikaru realizes that something happened.

"Good morning, Duke" she says suddenly, breaking the silence. "Did you sleep well?"
Duke, deep in thought, is not responding. Then, at some point, he shake and speak in haste, as if to apologize:
"Good morning, Hikaru"
Then comes back the awkward silence. Duke is confused by what happened, and does not know how to proceed. But Hikaru resumed immediately.
"There's something wrong, right? I see from your eyes "
"And what do they say my eyes?"
"A lot of things. For example: 'I am concerned that a sudden something happened and I do not know how to say it, especially to Hikaru, because she cares about me and I don’t want to worry her. No, it’s better not to tell anyone and keep it for me'. I know your style, king of Fleed. I guessed, eh? "
Duke was surprised. Hikaru never ceased to amaze him. Only she could read in his mind like a book. Nobody, except perhaps his parents, could understand his thoughts up to that point. Nobody, also Naida or even Rubina: who knows, maybe if they spent more time with him...but the meetings with them had been brief and tormented. But Hikaru was different: Duke and her had known and studied for many years and they become one the mirror of another. The days in which Hikaru was looking at him only with admiration were past, and now her look remained, but more mature, combined with a deep knowledge of him, which perhaps had begun to develop since they had met for the first time. And he felt always so open to her to feel embarrassed: that is why he had never clearly open to her when they were together on Earth? Not only because of the torments of war against Vega, but also for fear? Fear to be deeply known by her?
Duke, driving out those thoughts that had come like a waterfall, answers to Hikaru in a tone almost of relief
"You guessed it, my queen. Yes, something happened. Last night I dreamed. Rubina had appeared to me and told me to pay attention to the Great Shadow."
"The Great Shadow? What's that? "
"I do not know. But I feel it is something serious. Maybe Rubina wanted to warn me from beyond. It was what I was thinking. "
"Maybe that Vega returns?"
"His planet was destroyed, along with his army and he is dust and ashes. We do not do novels: those who die will not return. "
Hikaru hugs Duke from behind, resting her head on his back. "So it's something else, something ..."
Hikaru stops abruptly, as if it had come up with something. Duke turns.
"What is it, Hikaru?"
"Now that I think ..." Hikaru became worried and puzzled, as if she is going to say something absurd, but perhaps not.
"Duke, you know that sometimes I like watching the stars from the telescope of Mount Jibera...because I can see the Earth from Fleed"
"I know. Why you are talking about this?"
"Because ..." Hikaru hesitated for a moment "because the other day the astronomer Larus showed me an area of space, to the west, where there are no stars."
"There are no stars? What do you say? It will be a nebula, a cosmic effect that does not make them visible to the naked eye ... "
"No. At that point, before there were the stars. Larus told me. And that black area, without stars, it looked like a giant hand. It had the shape of a hand, believe me! I did not spoke to you about this because it seemed absurd, and Larus had promised to give me some more accurate data. Also, you should take me for a fool."
Duke does not believe his ears. It's the most incredible story he has ever heard. Possible that the monstrous "hand" is the Great Shadow? After a moment of silence, Duke answers:
"It makes no sense. However, you were right to tell me about it. We're going to change us, now: the ambassadors of Geobaldi should come today. But as soon as possible I want to talk with Larus. I'd like to see things clearly."
Duke encircles the shoulders of Hikaru with one arm and kisses her to calm her.
"Do not worry," he says looking into her eyes.
"I do not care" reply with sincerity Hikaru "and neither you should. Whatever it is, we will fitting together. Come on, let’s go!"
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Next week: The enemy!

You can comment here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1080#lastpost

Edited by joe 7 - 28/9/2011, 13:57

Summary: Duke and Hikaru were married and they are living on Fleed as king and queen. Duke had a dream in which Rubina, the daughter of Vega died years ago, warns him about danger: a mysterious "Great Shadow" ...


Hadi, the maid, moves the curtains. The sun is already high, it is time to rise up for everyone, even the prince. The room suddenly is no longer in the shadows, and the rays of the sun show the fine furniture, the coloured walls full of drawings of fabulous characters, the toys scattered everywhere.
Hadi looks to the crib in the middle of the room: the little prince Rex is still asleep. The maid looks down tenderly to him: he has not yet five months, and his hairs are beginning to grow. He holds tight the teddy bear with his arm and put his thumb in his mouth. He always sleep in this way, Hadi knows it very well: she loves that child as if he would be her son.
Well, he has a peculiar name for a baby ... Rex King.
The queen Hikaru had explained to her the meaning of the name, times ago: "Duke asked me how to call our son. Since Duke means “leader” for us on Earth, I wanted to give the child a name similar to his fathers’ and at the same time bigger, that means the best wishes for a happy life, a life as a “king”. But not that of a king who lives isolated in his palace, but a wise king at the service of his people, as to be twice times a king, Rex King: in fact, “Rex” means king in latin tongue."
After what has happened up to the planet Fleed and to the King Duke Fleed, give name of greetings to the children is a common thing. Many newborns have names full of hopes, as a reaction after the apocalypse that happened in the past because of Vega. Hadi also had to live out the experience, and her flesh and spirit will be forever marked.
I hope nothing happens to him, at least, thinks Hadi, recalling the cruelty of the invaders of Vega.
Suddenly, the queen Hikaru enters to greet her son: every morning there is the same ritual. Hadi steps aside.
"How's the baby Rex? He slept well, Hadi? "
"Like an angel, your majesty"
"I'm happy" Hikaru caresses him lightly on the cheek, without waking him. "Today we have visitors, Hadi: Geobaldi’s community. However, I will try to be in a hurry: I will be here at the afternoon, but I intend to do before. As much as possible, I want to be near him and feed him myself. You think of everything, Hadi, I trust you. "
"Thank you, Your Majesty"

At the same moment, a pair of snake eyes is watching the scene from an image surrounded by fire. A woman with long, straight black hairs, is observing the scene with his arms folded, smiling cruelly. In the smile, fangs are shining. With one hand shaking her arm, clad in burnished steel armor that covers the whole body of her from the neck. She turns to a shadowy, black point. Looking carefully, someone can perceive a vaguely human figure seated on a throne of stone. In all that black, just two flame eyes shine an unnatural light.
The woman, talking to the being with glowing eyes, observes:
"Here, Dark One. It’s him. Rex, they call it. How many idiotic things I must hear..." and makes a face of disgust.
"Let them do, Jezabel" responds the mysterious being on the throne, with a hollow voice, which seems to come from beyond the grave. "Now they cannot do anything, it's all in my hands. The Shadow will triumph over every expression of life."
Jezabel bows deeply in front of the being called the Dark One.

Duke Fleed looks closely through the telescope of Jibera.
There is no doubt: in that area, at the west of space, there are no stars! It's a pure black, unnatural thing. Even its shape is strange: a huge, scary claw hand, which seems to grow and advance.
"But… it moves! That thing seems to move! “ says Duke, shocked.
Larus, the astronomer, nods. He strokes his black beard black, with traces of white, with a worried look. He holds a folder of data, which unfortunately he knows to be useless: that mysterious phenomenon is inexplicable. He became almost crazy to try to find a precedent in the annals of Fleedian astronomy, at least those who survived to the invasion of Vega. Nothing, not even the slightest hint of a similar event happened in the past. He shakes for a moment some hair of the beard to the nervousness, and answers:
"Yes, your majesty. No matter how absurd, that "thing" moves. "
"But what can that be? A sort of black hole? "
"I've never seen one like that in my entire life, your majesty."
"Since when there is it?"
"A few days ago. But it seems to come from very far away from areas not perceived even by the sonar. "
Duke rises from the chair of the observatory, angrily.
What the heck is that thing? The "great shadow" mentioned by Rubina? And how could I fight something that devours planets? If it were an army like that of Vega, I could do something. But here? I do not know even where to start.
"Larus," he says suddenly, "this problem must remain secret as possible. The panic in front of such a thing would be tremendous. "
"Yes, your majesty. But it is difficult to hide something so obvious. I'm sure now many will wonder why there are no stars. "
"The important thing now is not talk about it, so that it is satisfied that an optical illusion or something due to situations that do not know. Of course, sooner or later it will happen, but better after then before. In the meantime, keep studying the problem and let me know the slightest anomaly. I want to be informed in real time. "
"Yes, your majesty. But what do you think to do about this? "
"I know some people who can help me out. Meanwhile, do as I said. "
Larus bows and Duke exits quickly from the observatory.
The situation is terribly serious. If that black hole - or whatever it is - comes here, it is the end for Fleed. I have to ask for help from someone else. Perhaps my father on earth...and Alcor... I have to contact them soon!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

25 April: the following. Problems on Earth...Alcor, Maria Fleed, and other people!

If you want, you can comment here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1095#lastpost

If you want to see the history in word formate, you can click the allegate at the bottom.

Edited by joe 7 - 12/7/2011, 15:55

NOTE: Here, in Italy, Koji is called Alcor and he is not the pilot of Mazinger Z. In future, he will meet the Koji of Mazinger Z

Summary: Duke and Hikaru were married and they are living on Fleed as king and queen, and they have a child, Rex King. Duke had a dream in which Rubina, the daughter of Vega died years ago, warns him about danger: a mysterious "Great Shadow" ...

The horse gallops like the wind, and Alcor feels the evening breeze on the cheeks. He feels at peace with the world: at that moment, everything seems nice.
From that height he can see the Rocket Ranch, with the woods and mountains all around. The sun sets behind the peaks, lengthening the shadows. A picture postcard.
It was been a long day, at the observatory of Professor Umon: since it become a center of advanced scientific research, Alcor, who is now the assistant number one of the professor, had not a moment of pause. Dozens of tests on new types of metals and alloys, a myriad of mathematical analysis on subatomic structures, a multitude of research in unknown areas of space...for Alcor all this was exciting, but also tiring.
Conferences, meetings, discussions, organizations ... but, at the end of the day, a ride to the Ranch compensated everything.

Although Maria was happy, she did not want to see Alcor for only a little time, and often she came to see the research center. Alcor had protested, but Maria was inflexible.
"I’m taking you something to eat and I’m coming to say how are you, what's wrong if a wife wants to meet her husband?"
Even though it was a lot of time ago, Alcor still cannot realize that Maria had become his wife. Maybe she would be more quiet after the wedding. But of course not! She is always the same, a quicksilver girl who had always something to do: to ride a bike, to put on a new fence, to help cows giving birth, to organize horse breeding and cultivation. Rigel now would not be able to do something without her. And not only this: her exceptional intelligence and acuity in some mathematical calculations surprised many people at the research center. Definitely an inexhaustible gal. With only a secret regret: she has not yet a child. Maria does not talk about this, but Alcor understands this from so many clues: the way she sets the children, some moments in which she sighs staring into space.
Alcor seeks to dispel these thoughts: sooner or later the child will come, it takes patience!

He tends the reins and the horse gallops toward the house.
"Hey, Alcor!"
Goro greets him when he sees him, sitting on the fence of the ranch. He is now grown; although he is still a boy, he is beginning to work a lot with his father.
"Hello, Goro! Where is your father? "
"He is always there, at the top, to look through the telescope."
Alcor looks up and sees Danbei fixing the sky with his telescope, then he sits screaming on the radio:
"Alieeeeeens, where aaare youuuu? We are your frieeeends!! We are waiiiiting for yoooou! " ("Aliens, where are you? We are your friends!! We are waiting for you! " : he is screaming real high…)
Coming down from his horse, Alcor shakes his head and says:
"After all this history of Vega, how can he continue as before?"
"Well, he documented" replies Goro "He knew that there are alien races as the Boazan, or the Cambels, even a Princedom of Zeon or something. In short, it is his obsession."
Alcor smiles. Perhaps, Danbei does these things to not think for Venusia, light years away from Earth, there on Fleed. Although Danbeil is happy for his daughter, he, like a father, lacks her daughter. Poor guy…

"Alcor, ugly bum that you are! Do you think to get back at this time of the day? "
The scream of Danbei shakes the ex-pilot of TFO, which is confounded, not knowing what to say.
Rigel immediately goes down from the tower of his observatory staff, using a rope. However, with a movement too sudden, he loses his grip and slams his head on the ground. But he gets up at once and walks over to Alcor with the determination of a tank. Danbei beats the finger on Alcor’s chest, yelling:
"There are a lot of things to do! Breeding, bringing the horses at the watering place, the cultivation of beets! How dare you to do nothing and leave everything to Maria? Eh? Make your wife work? Shame on you! "
Alcor is resumed and then he blurts out:
"But ... but what are these talks? You know I’m working at the Research Center with Dr. Umon! I cannot do two things at once! "
Danbei crosses his arms and, turning away, says:
"These are all apologies! The real work is this, not that stuff you are doing at that research center! You all are just cooking your brain! "
You are the person with a cooked brain, you turnip head!
Alcor was dying to tell him this phrase, but with a miraculous effort manages to restrain himself.
"Ah, I'm going to see if Maria is well!"
Alcor gets out quickly, regardless of the cries of the "poor guy" Rigel. He has not changed an inch. With or without Hikaru, Danbei is Danbei.
Alcor and Maria’s home is close to the main building of the Ranch. Alcor reaches it with a jump and, just he is coming in, he feels that something is wrong. He does not smell of dinner: nevertheless, Maria prepared it. Turning around, he sees Maria sitting on the floor, with her legs crossed, looking away slightly upward, silentiously. Alcor, scared, says:
"Maria! What have you got? "
With that voice, Mary's eyes returned to normal.
"Oh, what? Alcor? But you're here already? What time is it? "
"It will be the past eight ... what happened?"
"Suddenly I heard something today...you know that I have a special bond with my brother Actarus!"
"Yes, I know, you have the skills of mental telepathy and the like ... what happened to Actarus?"
"I felt like a call for help. Alcor, he's in trouble! And I fear that something very serious! "

The huge dark hand progresses. One star is too close, and it flashes as if it is asking for help. Soon after, it switches off. Another star has disappeared into the darkness.
Even if it seems incredible, some planets are living in this darkness, shining a grim light. The biggest planets are seven, including the greatest: Acheron, where there is a castle so large to covering with its ebony towers all the globe around. Its name, Darkhold, is pronounced with fear, even among the planets of darkness: the horrors that happen in it would make mad even the bravest man or a sane man. Darkhold, being a castle with virtually no boundaries, is divided into many sectors, each with its own specific role: the training of armies, the construction of spaceships and fighting robots and also Bedlam, the most feared section, reserved for torture, human sacrifice or genetic experiments.
To the north of the planet, a huge tower soars high, surpassing all others, as almost to defy the sky, similar to the tower that once built and called Babel. It called the Solitude tower. In the upper floors of the Solitude tower there is the residence of the throne room, where, at the center of dark draperies, illuminated by a row of blazing braziers, lies a being nameless and faceless, which controls all the darkness of the Shadow. Once he had a name and a face, but there were forgotten for centuries: he is called now Dark One, because the light does not reflects on him. The black of his body is broken only by two glowing flames, which would correspond to his eyes.
Right now, he's happy, because now is the time that he was waiting for so long. Now his goal is near. Suddenly, he feels something next to him and speaks in a hollow voice:
"Who is it?"
A slender female figure shows herself before the throne, illuminated by the iridescent lights of the braziers.
"I’m Jezabel, my lord. I wanted to tell you that he has arrived. "
"Garuda?"
Jezabel answers, hiding her disappointment.
"Yes, Dark One."
"Let him enter."
Garuda, one of the six generals of darkness, stepped forward, walking straight in an arrogant way and kneeling before the Dark One, almost mocking.
"Hail, Dark One."
He is covered by an extremely elaborate armor, casting reflections that vary with every movement. His black hairs rival with the dark of his eyes. He gets up slowly, keeping one hand on the hilt of the sword and the other to hold his helmet. His coat is shaken slightly.
"How can I serve my lord?"
Although the phrase is obsequious, the smile of Garuda while he has pronounced gives some serious doubts about his sincerity.
Jezabel is no longer able to restrain:
"What is this insolence, Garuda? Remember who is the person to which you are talking!"
The air begins to crackle around Jezabel, while her eyes blaze with anger.
Even the air around Garuda takes on a strange, almost brilliant shape.
"What are you talking about, Jezabel? I'm just doing my respects" replied Garuda, still smiling.
The wrath of Jezabel is growing, but at the same time, she feels unsure. Garuda has a power that - perhaps - rivals with that of the Dark One, and Jezabel, although it is stronger than all the generals of darkness, knows the danger of a duel between them. But she cannot hold back.
"Enough!" thunders suddenly the Dark One, raising imperiously his hand, and both stop, perhaps with relief. "We're not here to argue. Garuda, I called you because I want you take care of Fleed. "
"I should personally take care of that insignificant planet? It seems a waste of energy, almost an insult. We conquered worlds and empires much wider!"
"It is indeed a planet to be nothing, but crucial to my plans. You should know that over there lives the king which led to the collapse of the Vega Empire"
"I heard about it. An empire quite poor. Does not that seem disproportionate to send me and my army against that planet? It is like sending an elephant against an ant"
"Who told you to do this in person? No, I want you to send one of your Beast of the abyss. At least, in respect of the king, and his famous weapon..."
"The robot Grendizer?"
"Right."
Garuda placed his hand on his chin, thinking.
"I do not know if Grendizer can measure up with a Beast of the abyss…anyhow, I will send it today"
"You can go, then"
Garuda turns in an insolent way and so leaves, followed by the glare of Jezabel.
Once he is out, Jezabel turns to the Dark One, saying:
"My lord, why you do not let Garuda respects you? Yes, he is said to be almost as strong about you, but ... "
"Let him believe it, Jezabel" answers the Dark One, with a smile, impossible to note in his black shape.
"Eh?"
"Garuda serves me well: he is full of strength. So, let it be deceived. When he will be no more useful, I will cut him off"
"But ..."
"Do not think about it, Jezabel. Garuda aims only to domination and power. The same things that I wanted, once"
"And now, what you want, my lord?"
"A new creation, Jezabel. All the creation made in my image and likeness. And we are very close to this result. "
She does not know what to say: this is the first time she hears the Dark One speaking so explicitly.
"Jezabel, now Garuda will do his part. When the time comes, you know what to do"
"Of course, Dark One."
And Jezabel smiles.

Professor Umon lights his pipe and blows a puff of smoke. It's the only way he knows to calm his nervousness. For two days he tried to contact Fleed without the slightest result. Since Alcor and Maria had come to the research Centre in the night, very worried, because they thought Duke was in danger, he ordered to Hayashi to contact Duke and Hikaru on Fleed, with no response.
We have had the last contact only the day before! What the heck is going on? Magnetic interference? Maybe.
But the worried tone of Maria concerns him: her mental link with Duke Fleed is very solid, despite the immense distance that separates them, and she does not worry for no reason. Frankly, Umon does not know what to do. Fleed is too far away, and he once had spoken with Duke about teleporters: but they were very difficult to install, and, in addition, they were still at an experimental level.
Umon inspires some more smoke from his pipe, looking out the window at the setting sun. He loves Duke as a son, and he had suffered very much for his safeness during the terrible war against Vega. Every time that Duke leaved for a mission, that could be the last one. Yes, Umon was worried the same also for the others: but he and Duke had a special bond, a single understanding. He taught to him the basics of language and culture of Earth, he gave to him protection and support. Umon has no relatives, except for some distant cousin with whom he has lost contact. His work had involved him so much that he had never find time to marry and make a family.
That evening, in which he had found Duke dying by the roadside and leading to his house, he realized he had found a family. The loneliness of both - Duke and Umon - were filled each other with an unexpectedly reciprocity.
And now, he finds yet that sense of fear in his heart, that he hoped not to experience again: fear for a son in danger and his inability to help him.

The Grand Vizier, holding the stick, notes with concern the men who work on the computer console. Even if he is old, he can lead the problems of the kingdom of Fleed with a vigor and energy that surprised the young ones. Generally, however, these were diplomatic or administrative problems: in front of this problem, however, he feels helpless.
A messenger is coming up to him, and the Grand Vizier, without turning around, knows who is him and what he wants. Several times this scene was repeated.
"Honourable Grand Vizier, his majesty the king Duke Fleed wants to know if the communications with the Earth have been restored"
The Grand Vizier sighs and smooths his long white beard: he has never seen the king Duke so concerned to be nagging. Clearly, contacting Earth must be of exceptional importance, given the insistence of the king. But a king cannot be send to the devil: with calm, the Grand Vizier must find the right words to answer to him, even though he knows that any answer will be unsatisfactory.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing new. The technicians are working, but I think there is no failure in the machinery. There are outside interference. I do not know whether these interference are casual or wanted. Tell the king that, if possible, I would like to talk to him"
The messenger nods and walks away. There's something underneath, thinks the Grand Vizier. Every meeting with the ambassadors was canceled, and the hangar and the launch pad of Grendizer were tested, along with the powerful robot. And the king is not one person who worries about nothing. No, I really have to talk to him. I do not believe that these "external interference" are casual...
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next (2 May): Happy birthday, Hikaru (Venusia)! And...Kandura, the Beast of the Abyss!

If you want to comment, here is the link: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1110#lastpost

If you want to see the episode in word formate, you can click on the allegate at the bottom.

Edited by joe 7 - 12/7/2011, 16:03

Summary: Duke and Hikaru were married and they are living on Fleed as king and queen, and they have a child, Rex King. Duke had a dream in which Rubina, the daughter of Vega died years ago, warns him about danger: a mysterious "Great Shadow" ... Now, Fleed and Earth cannot comunicate between them. Not only this: a mysterious man, the Dark One, is sending Garuda, one of the Six Shadow Generals, against Fleed...

The dinner was wonderful.
Fleed’s food has amazing similarities with the food of Earth, thinks Hikaru. Duke nods to call the waiter: it's time to take away the dishes. Hikaru and Duke spoke of many things: their memories of life on Earth, their newborn child, the plants of the garden that Hikaru loves. Usually, at the table they avoid talking about serious topics, to be able to spend a peaceful moment in the midst of the labors of the day. But, generally they do this after eating, and only if necessary: and, unfortunately there are serious arguments in abundance to talk about. This mysterious "large shadow", the lack of communication with Earth, the feeling of an imminent threat. To calm down a bit, Hikaru wants to talk about this with Daisuke. But, unexpectedly, when the waiters have gone away, Daisuke rises from the table and walks toward her.
"Did you have eat well, Hikaru?" says Duke, putting himself behind Hikaru, who was on the chair.
"Well, yes, Duke" says her, a bit surprised by his behavior. "Do you want to tell me something?"
Duke puts his hands on the shoulders of Hikaru.
"I know that you are worried about these things that are happening. But there is always hope: the scientists are working continuously to restore contacts with the Earth and that "thing" in space is kept under observation. Grendizer is at full strength, just in case. Only, I'm sorry to tell you these things today. "
"What do you mean?" replies her, turning to him. It happens in an instant: as from nowhere, a diamond necklace is the front of her chest.
"Happy birthday, Hikaru."
She blushes, troubled. He was so worried that she had forgotten her birthday! Lowering her eyes in embarrassment, she observes the necklace, lifting it with one hand. It's a wonder, with some brilliant jewelry as well to form a semi-circle on the chest and set in a black Fleedian obsidian Fled, very valuable.
"Duke, you should not have ... well, ... I mean, thank you, but it’s too beautiful..."
"Not even half of you," answered Duke, looking into her eyes, smiling.
The kiss is instantaneous and natural. Once detached, Duke holds out his hand to Hikaru.
"The surprises are not over. His Highness the Queen wants to follow me?" he says with a bow.
"Stop making fun of me, Duke! What have you done now?" says her, trying to be serious, but she smiles.
Duke is happy: at last, now Hikaru has forgotten the situation and is back to smiling heart. He knows he has suffered much in herself because of the sense of threat and oppression that gave the 'shadow' and because of the absence of relations with the Earth. Duke knows Hikaru knows, and he knows what she feels.
The king and the queen walk side by side, until they reach the access to the throne room. The soldiers of the royal guard are expose their sheathed sword and placing them upright on the floor, in greeting. On the door, a man greets them with reverence: he is Amauta, the captain of the royal guard.
"I greet you, Your Majesty," says Amauta, kneeling.
Duke waves him to get up and puts a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm glad to see you're in good shape, Amauta"
The captain Amauta is a legend on Fleed: at the time of Vega’s invasion, he was part of a band of rebels who, with guerrilla tactics, attacked Vega’s outposts on Fleed, and he was the terror of the commanders of Vega.
He has not only enviable strategic and tactical capabilities, but has also an hardened physical body, combined with exceptional skill of the sword: his technique Kasumigiri could break with a marble column as if it were air.
Duke and Amauta know and esteem each other, each knowing what he suffered - and fought - the other. More than a meeting between a king and a captain of the royal guard, it seems to attend a meeting between two ex-comrades. Hikaru had seen the skill of Amauta with his sword and she was impressed. To see him together with soldiers of the royal guard makes her feel calmer.
"Do you want to enter the throne room, your majesty?" asks the captain.
Duke nods, and, at a sign of Amauta, the huge marble gate creaked open. Once inside, the door closes behind Duke and Hikaru.
The throne room is strange, so deserted. Hikaru looks around: even if she is a queen from several years, it is still hard to believe that she has to sit on that throne. After all, she still feels like someone who works at the ranch: he had dreamed many times to still be there, at the ranch, to look after the horses or milking cows. And she happens to wake up with a start, when these dreams are very intense, sometimes even feeling the smell of hay and grass. She looks at the real symbol of Fleed: the eight-pointed star, between the two thrones.
"Are you looking the king symbol?" says Duke, and Hikaru comes back to reality.
"Ah... yes, Duke, I was looking to it for no particular reason."
"If you are interested, in this board on the wall there is an exact copy of the star: it is made of gren, the same material of Grendizer."
"Really?" says Hikaru, looking carefully at the object "It's very hard, the gren?"
"Basically, it is one of the strongest metals in the universe."
"But King-Goli had snatched Grendizer’s arm, that time."
"Of course. That monster was the result of years of experimentation with Vega on the gren. In exceptional circumstances, gren can break. But it is very, very difficult: it is no coincidence that only that monster could do this and no one else monster could, nor before or since"
Hikaru looks the star: it is not very big, it could hold in her hand. And Grendizer is made of that material.
It makes a certain impression knowing this, she thinks.
"However, we are not here for this, Hikaru. Here's what I wanted to show you"
Duke, moving a tent, shows a large machine, similar to a huge door with a blank space in between. Hikaru does not understand.
"What is that thing, Duke?"
"My birthday present: I am sure you will like more than the necklace." answers Duke, with an air of mystery.
Hikaru is no longer in the skin by curiosity.
"And tell me what is it, a good time! You know that I do not understand anything about machines!"
"I have my doubts: once, you were the pilot of Marine Spacer…anyway, this is a teleporter: with this, you can move from Fleed the Earth and back in a moment"
"What?" Hikaru does not believe her ears.
"Exactly." Actarus answers.
"But...you said that you cannot communicate with Earth right now!"
Duke's face darkens a little.
"Unfortunately, it is true, and therefore even the teleporter does not work: we had already tried. But the day before communications stopped, it worked fine. You could send objects and animals without problems. You still need to experience it for people, but we were sure of the success. I did not speak to you about this before, because I wanted to be sure. But, when this story is over, you will be able to go to Earth and back as if through a door. And once installed another teleporter on Earth, even our friends will be able to do the same"
Hikaru, still in disbelief about what he heard, approached the teleporter, touching it with caution.
"Do not worry, it's off." says Duke with a smile.
"Well...thank goodness, I would not break something…"
"The energy of the teleporter is very big, in fact: we must use it carefully. But do not worry, its use is very simple and secure, like the electric wires of the light. "
"Clear." answers Hikaru and, turning to Duke, adds: "Wow, Duke, it is a wonderful gift...I cannot wait to try it as soon as possible" and she embraces the king of Fleed, euphoric. "If you knew how many times I missed for the ranch of my father, for those summer nights ..."
"I know, Hikaru." says Duke, hugging her.
"Duke…" says Hikaru, looking into his eyes "in these years I began to understand your nostalgia when you were among us on Earth"
Duke does not answer immediately. Fondling Hikaru, says:
"Yes, and the strange thing is that sometimes even I feel nostalgia for the Earth now that I’m now at my house. It’s destiny for me to be a nostalgic" concludes with a laugh.
Hikaru holds Duke stronger and at one point she says:
"But I'd like to give you a gift, Duke"
"Yes? And what would it be?"
"A brother or sister for Rex"
"Eh?" Duke blushes at once.
"Yes," Hikaru adds with a mischievous smile, stroking the face of Duke "Poor baby, all alone...you don’t think that he needs someone like him?"
"But ... to make a baby it takes two people..."
"Really? I did not know this!" answers Hikaru with a false ingenuity "It's a topic that I do not know. Come on, let's go to sleep, so you will be able to explain it”
Definitely, the Hikaru of the past would never have spoken so... thinks Duke, following her with an embarrassed smile.
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Next (9 May) Garuda!

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Edited by joe 7 - 12/7/2011, 16:04

Summary: A mysterious being, the Dark One, sends Garuda, a General of Oscurity, against Fleed. On Fleed, Duke and Hikaru married and they have a son, Rex, of three months.

Among the seven Planets of Darkness, the one most similar to Acheron, where lives the Dark One, is the Styx. From the return spaceship, Garuda, one of the Six Dark Generals, observes with satisfaction that planet. It is the center of his empire. From the spaceship, he can contemplate the planet Styx as if he could hold it in his hands. A regime of terror submits the various races of that world, where people lived in peace before being invaded by Garuda and the Dark One.
Garuda liked that world from the first time he had seen him: he had decided that it would be the foundation of his future empire. An empire based on fear and terror guaranteed absolute fidelity, and the principal planet had to be a good example of submission. From there, his rule had extended far beyond the borders of the Dark One, but his lust for power was never satisfied, it increases with every success, every achievement.
A day will come when I and the Dark One will face. I look forward to! At the end, even the castle of Darkhold will be mine. What satisfaction will be seeing the face of Jezebel ... but I must not forget the other Generals.
Each time he encounters the Dark One, the desire to challenge him is getting stronger, but he must be patient, it is not yet time.
While he reflects on these topics and all sort of these things, the spaceship lands on the highest tower of his castle. The servants on the tower approach immediately to Garuda, greeting him respectfully, inwardly trembling in fear of saying a single word or gesture out of place that could infuriate their lord. Several men have died by his hand for a similar error, and for that the servants are more vigilant than ever. One of them keeps the mantle, while Garuda delivers his helmet to another, walking down the stairs to the courtyard, which contains the throne room. Once seated on the chair, a maid pours the wine in a cup. Garuda drinks in silence, then called the steward of the court, the superintendent's most important castle.
"Boris!"
"Yes, my lord?"
"Call Myrain."
"It will be done, my lord!"
Boris goes away quickly. Meanwhile, Garuda reflects. A Beast of the Abyss, said the Dark One. It is strange: normally, for an invasion, the usual thing is bombing and advancing troops. The beasts of the abyss are used only when the troops meet resistance. Who knows what thinks the Dark One. However, I am curious to see how strong is this Grendizer ...
Of all the six Generals of Darkness, only Garuda can send the Beasts of the Abyss, hell beings living in another unknown dimension. But he cannot send them alone: such monsters must be called from their dimension, and an evocative is needed. In the whole universe, the evocative are rare to find: finding only one evocative is almost a miracle. But Garuda had found her, among the people of elves: the blonde Myrain. Elves are one of the many races that live in the Styx (of course, the planet once was not called this, but its original name was forgotten). If the elves and other races are alive, this is due thanks to the services of Myrain: an evocative is very valuable for Garuda.
Suddenly, at the bottom of the throne room there is a buzz: Myrain is coming. Her beauty always attract everybody's eyes. The woman elf appears at the entrance, walking with grace and diaphanous appearance, showing the characteristic of her people. Her clothes swaying with her movements, and her blondie hair move with every step. Her regular face, her eyes deep blue, along with pointed ears, always attracts attention - and admiration - of the observers.
Myrain stops in front of the throne and kneels in front of Garuda, saying in a voice that sounds almost like a song:
"Did you call me, my lord?"
Even Garuda remains puzzled for a moment before speaking. Every time he sees Myrain, he is amazed, as if it was the first time.
"Yes, Myrain" answers Garuda, coming to himself "I have called you to summon a Beast of the Abyss. I want Kandura. "
Myrain knows what will do that monster, but she has no choice: if she does not recall it, her offspring will be exterminated, along with the other: few would survive the fury of the general. And every time she makes an invocation, she feels dying inside, because she knows that sche chooses the destruction of a people to save her people. And every time she asks if it's the best. Despite this, she replied:
"It will be done, my lord."
That said, Myrain gets up and walks away, under the gaze of all. Nothing has been said to her, as always: Garuda does not want to show it, but it’s an annoyance for him. He knows that everyone is afraid of him and tremble at his nod: Myrain does not tremble. Certain she respects him, but she does not fear him. And Garuda feels this as a limit to his power, but he does not know how to fix it.
Myrain climbs the stairs of the castle, reaching a large outdoor plaza on a tower. Nobody goes with her: the invocation should be made only with her: if someone would be with her, he would lose his life and perhaps even his soul. With a chalk, the elf tracks some symbols on the stone floor, then she is placing at the middle of them. She stands still and concentrated, with hands clasped and eyes closed for some time. Then, suddenly, she beats hands twice and begins to dance. A harmonious dance, where the drapes of the clothes give the impression of her figure walking on air. During this dance, it is possible to hear a sound, but it does not come from the mouth of Myrain: and the sound becomes music that is becoming stronger and more rhythmic, becoming one with the elf. Myrain’s breathing becomes labored: the evocation is difficult, especially that of a Beast of the Abyss.
Suddenly, something appears in the air: a flat disc, made of light. Myrain stops: the evocation was accomplished. From the disk slowly appears a giant monster with huge arms and teeth like a shark, with no trace of the neck between the head and torso. It’s Kandura, one of the most powerful Beasts of the Abyss.
Myrain collapses on the floor on her knees, exhausted, while Kandura screams with a voice of thunder, scaring all who live in the castle. Garuda also hears the scream, and he is happy: the invocation is successful. With a gesture, he disappears and appears on the tower, before the monster.
"Kandura, I order you to go on Fleed. Destroy everything you see. "
The beast of the abyss, screaming, raises a fist to crush the little arrogant being speaking in front of him, but Garuda blocks the shot with one hand without effort.
"You have a great strength, but you do not have to use it not against me. And now go!”
Concludes, screaming.
Kandura, impressed, going up into the air to move away to Fleed.
Garuda looks at the monster, until it disappears on the horizon. Then, he turns to Myrain: she bows down to him and turns away in silence. Garuda is perplexed. Without even realizing what he is doing, she raises a hand as if to call her, but then stops. He turns his foot on a blackbird on the tower, watching the scenery. All I see is his property, he knows it well. However, he looks around him and he sees that there's no one beside him. Suddenly, he feels strangely alone.
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Next (16 May): Attack!

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I'm sorry if I was late: I have had some problems...here you are the following episode...excuse me...

The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, and Garuda, his servant, have sent a monster on Fleed.

Daisuke collects the hay at the Rocket Ranch: it was a beautiful day, Vega did not attack and even Dambei has not grumbled a lot. He hopes that this could last forever, but he knows that it is impossible. How to confirm his fears, now he hears the clock ticking. Professor Umon is calling him:
"Duke, the Shadow is attacking!"
"What? You mean Vega, father? "
"No, no ... the Shadow!"
The ticking gets louder, louder and louder, until daisuke wakes up and looks around. He is in bed, sleeping next to Hikaru, and he still hears that noise. He understands that it is the radio: the Grand Vizier is calling for him. Duke quickly opens the contact.
"What is it?"
"Your majesty, the orbital satellites have identified something big going towards us!"
Actarus is now fully awake.
"Where is it heading?"
"To the east, about one hundred kilometers from here. Scheduled to land in twenty minutes. "
"Open anti-aircraft batteries immediately! I will leave now with Grendizer! "
Duke closes the radio and gets up, quickly changing. Hikaru wake up and understand everything. She cover herself with the sheet and kneels on the bed.
"You have to go, right?" says her with a little fear. Then, she tries to smile: "Fix it quickly and come back soon!"
Duke smiles to her in turn, to calm her. Kissing her, whispering:
"Do not worry!"
Before leaving, stop hesitating, he turns to Hikaru and says to her:
"I love you."
"Me too."
A farewell and he disappeared. Hikaru remains stationary on the bed, without moving. She does not want to admit it, but she has a bad feeling. She fears to have seen Duke for the last time.

Duke runs, as he did once, towards the hangar of Grendizer. Her trained body responds as it was yesterday. He dives into the door and hand over a mobile seat that flows fast through the tunnel of metal. Here is the output, where Duke Fleed is suspended in midair in a huge hangar, where it is difficult to identify the walls. While the movable seat goes away, Duke Fleed shouts the word he hoped not to scream anymore:
"GRENDIZER!"
His figure was enveloped in a flash, then the clothes they wore were replaced with a tight suit and a golden helmet. Rather than fall, he planes straight on the seat of the powerful robot. A button pressed, and immediately the windshield was set. The right hand of Duke Fleed grasps the departure handle: without hesitation, he pulls it toward him, crying:
"GRENDIZER, GO!"
The robot, with the Spacer, has a slight vibration, as if it was waking from a long sleep. The eyes of Grendizer, first off, light up full of life, as if they show a long-suppressed desire to fight. The Spacer, with Grendizer, slides down the ramp with an unusual speed, almost yearning to get out. The huge door opens, showing the water from the waterfall that flows right in front of the exit. Grendizer exits out in an instant, throwing splashes of water shining in the morning sun.

The anti-aircraft batteries fire continuously against the being that is coming up on Fleed, without result. These are swept away in a minute from a white light coming out from the eyes of the monster.

Kandura is coming.

His landing causes a shock to scare the unsuspecting inhabitants of Fleed that live ten kilometers away, already worried about the noise of the anti-aircraft batteries, which did not fire from the time of the terrible invasion of Vega.

Kandura is coming.

Every step of the monster shakes the earth, and the soldiers run away as far as possible. Along with a terrifying scream, Kandura’s white light covers the hills and woods in front of him, causing the drying up of water and the destruction of all the trees. In a short time, around him there is only the desert.

Suddenly, there is a shining point in the sky: Grendizer appears. Duke Fleed looks shocked the devastation that the monster caused. In a few moments, he turned the woods and hills in a wasteland.
He must not absolutely get to the capital, at all costs! thinks Duke Fleed.
It 's the first time, from long, he fights without his companions: Koji, Maria, Hikaru, Dr. Umon... for a moment, he acutely feels the lack of his friends. Only now he understands how precious was their help. But there is no time to think about this: only Grendizer is between Hikaru…and Rex, his son, and the monster. A monster big at least five times Grendizer.
"Anyway," says Duke Fleed harshly "I assure that you will not pass!"
And, almost without realizing it, he has already begun to attack with Grendizer:
"Space Thunder!"
The horns of Grendizer, still on the Spacer, crackling of energy, charging at the most powerful way: Duke Fleed wants to use immediately the most powerful weapon of the robot. A blinding flash comes from the horns and invades the whole monster, which launches a cry of surprise. But it remains unscathed.
"He has endured more than a billion of volts!" Duke Fleed hardly believes it. But he reacts immediately: Grendizer moves its arms, putting them in front of him:
"Hand Beam!"
Three high-power laser beams snap from each back hand of the robot, hitting Kandura on its face. At the same time, Duke cries:
"Screw Crusher Punch!"
Continuing to deliver the laser, the hands, along the forearm, are detached from the robot and the blades resting on them bend forward, turning at an incredible velocity. The impact of the laser and the rotating blades is terrible: Kandura, screaming, covers its face with its hands and sways for a moment.
But, although wounded, Kandura straightens instantly and raises a huge fist against the insect that bothers him. The speed of the beast is more than what one would expect, given its size. The Spacer avoids the blow by a whisker, while the drilling hammers come back on the robot. Duke Fleed drives the Spacer up in a pull-up fast. The monster was wounded, though slightly. But, looking carefully, Duke Fleed sends an exclamation of dismay.
The wounds that the beast has received are healing quickly. But it is not only this that scares Duke Fleed: on the land, suddenly, appeared two young boys.
What on earth are they doing here? I gave the order to evacuate the area! thinks Duke Fleed angrily.
The problem is that also Kandura had seen them. Without even thinking, Actarus pull the lever up, going down with the seat and reaching the controls of the giant robot, after making the turnaround for the release.
"Grendizer, out!"
Immediately, the robot-samurai comes out in mid-air, while Kandura goes to the two boys. But at the same time Grendizer launches the Space Thunder that blocks the monster for a moment. Grendizer lands on feet with a loud roar, continuing to launch the Space Thunder, acting as a shield to the two boys. Kandura shouting and, raising its hands, go forward against Grendizer.
"Double Harken!"
The blades come out from the shoulders of Grendizer, together with the rods, which connect to each other. Grendizer awaits the monster, while the boys are so terrified that cannot even move. The giant foot of Kandura strikes against the robot-samurai, with a terrible pressure of hundreds of tons. Taking before him the Double Harken with both hands, Grendizer resists: but the monster increases the pressure.
Although Grendizer is made of Gren and therefore can withstand the attack of Kandura, its internal circuits are not made of Gren, and mourn for the terrible strain to which they are subjected. Duke Fleed looks worried the indicators, all under the red: an internal explosion is possible. But he cannot move from there, or the boys will die. Sweating, Duke Fleed feels close to death.
__________________________________________________

Next (25 May):the attack of Jezabel!

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The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, and Garuda, his servant, have sent a monster on Fleed.

At the gate of the royal palace of Fleed, the guards are worried. Everyone knows that, for the first time in years, the king Duke Fleed has gone into battle with Grendizer, their ultimate weapon. This is not a good sign: the invasion of Vega had started exactly at the same way, these years ago. However, they are all sure of the victory of their king: Grendizer is considered invincible by Fleedians, after his triumph against Vega.
Suddenly, they see a figure walking towards them. Keeping alert, they observe her carefully. It 's a woman, rather pretty, even if she has something disturbing. Perhaps her black hairs, a bit too long, which move with unnatural way, almost serpentine. Perhaps that strange black and bright armor she wears. But perhaps, above all, her eyes: cold and ice, yet strangely attractive. She advances toward them with incredible safety, stopping a short distance from they, looking at them. The guards are dismayed and perplexed. After a moment of silence, the woman speaks, in a firm voice, used the command:
"Let me enter. Now. "
The guards, really surprised, don’t know what to say, and one of them finally speaks:
"I'm sorry, but this is the royal palace. Only who is invited can ... "
He cannot finish the sentence: with incredible speed, she tightens his throat with one hand, lifting him off the ground effortlessly and slamming him against the gate, that trembles from the impact.
"I am Jezabel, lieutenant of the Dark One. Nobody can say ‘no’ to me!"
The others react by putting their hand halberds, pointing them to the mysterious woman.
"Put him down!" they cry.
But Jezabel does not even listen to them: with her free hand, she strikes the doors of gate with violence, which opens with a roar. Letting go of the guard, she enters to the path to the palace without looking anyone. The guards don’t believe to their eyes: the gate was closed with a steel bar hardened and she opened it, breaking the steel bar like a breadstick.
She must have a terrifying force, they think, while the guard who was taken to the neck massages the painful part, still feeling the terrible grip on himself.
After the amazement, they call the others by radio:
"A fool woman has entered the royal castle! She is in front of the main door: stop her by all means. Be careful, she is very strong: if necessary, use the laser! "
Jezabel walks slowly, as if she had nothing else to do. As soon as she set foot on the first step of the entrance, she hears a voice from the upstairs, crying:
"Stop now and put your hands up! Otherwise, we will shoot!"
Looking up, she sees a row of soldiers, holding laserguns pointed at her. Without answering, she up the stairs.
"Stop! This is the last warning! "
Jezabel continues to rise.
"FIRE!"
The laser crackle and a row of bright lines, red and yellow, cut down on the female figure, which becomes filled with white light for the contact. This concentration of laser would knocked down even twenty fleedian tank of the last generation: but the men, terrified, soon realize that being moves forward again, as if the lasers had been drops of rain. They continue to shoot, but it is useless: the woman is already on them and she moves one arm at high speed: it can hardly be seen. It seems that the movement of the arm did not result in anything, but suddenly five men die, slashed almost without realizing it.
The survivors scream and shy away: they do not dare to shoot, while Jezabel is walking away from them, without bothering them a minimum of attention. A little blood drips from her hand.
The lieutenant of the guard, who is with them, feels tremble his legs, but he reacts strongly and try to speak. He orders:
"Call captain Amauta, now! That monster entered the royal palace!"

At that moment, Hikaru, with her baby son, Rex, in her arms, with Hadi and some other maids are heading towards the garden, when they are stopped by captain Amauta, running shocked toward them.
"Your majesty! An intruder entered into the Royal Palace and no one can stop him! Come with me soon, I have to take it to a safe place! "
Hikaru and the maids, frightened, follow the captain without question and arrive at the throne room.
"This is the most protected area of the palace" says Amauta "retreat here, everyone!"
Once they are inside, Amauta closes the heavy doors of the throne room, sealing it completely. Then, he take his sword and waits, along with his men.

Meanwhile, Hikaru, without speaking, put her son in the arms of Hadi. Before the maid can say anything, Hikaru take her, saying:
"Follow me, Hadi and all of you, soon!"
Everyone go to the section of the room which is located behind the throne, while Hikaru goes a few steps away from them and press a button hidden in a wall. A transparent barrier energy comes between Hikaru and the others.
"Do not move there. Meanwhile, I rest on call"
"Your majesty, do not do crazy things! Come here also you, too!" says Hadi, upset.
"I commend you Rex, Hadi. Think you about him"
Then, Hikaru turns and, standing, looks to the door closed. She tightens her lips: other than fear, she feels the anger growing within her for that enemy, whoever that is, threatening everyone, including her son.
Should cost me my life - she thinks angrily - will not happen anything to Rex!

The sound of footsteps is becoming clearer. Amauta and his men, hearing her coming, are careful.
"Nobody move!" says Amauta says "Leave her to me!"
Jezabel appears. She stops for a moment, looking around, and looks up Amauta.
"I think it's better that you put aside" says the woman, facing the captain.
"We are soldiers of the royal guard. We are not allowed to put aside, even at the cost of life" replies him, advancing on Jezabel, while the sword in his hand shines, threatening.
"You are accused of intrusion into the royal palace" continues Amauta "and of murder of five men. If you surrender, the judge will be lenient with you"
Jezabel, surprised, remains for a moment without words.
"You're funny. You've almost made me laugh. Step aside and you'll happen nothing"
"No."
Amauta is ready: the time for talk is over. He feels a great power in the figure that stands before him: he must use the technique Kasumigiri without delay. Suddenly, no one talks, the two opponents see one the other in silence. All around stand still without moving: you could hear a pin drop. The tension is very strong.
Then, Amauta reacts: the sword becomes an invisible flash. Soon after, the men, including the captain, remained open-mouthed: Jezabel stopped the blade of the sword, holding it between two fingers, as if it had never moved. Simultaneously with the surprised look Amauta, with a grin Jezabel hold stronger the sword between her fingers, breaking the blade in two. This time Amauta not have time to wonder again: a terrible kick in the chest crashing him into a wall, five feet away.
"Captain Amauta!" cry all.
But he does not hear them: he sees everything as if it was under a veil, which becomes more dense and dark with every passing moment. His body falls to the floor, leaving a trail of blood. He knows he is dying, but his last thought was for the queen.
I'm sorry, Your Majesty...I could not...
But he cannot continue. He is already dead.

The men of the royal guard do not believe it: their hero, captain Amauta, killed in an instant by a woman stranger. They had fought with him against veghians for a lifetime, and they wanted him well as a friend, more than as a commander. Everyone react with anger:
"You'll pay for this!" they cry, and attack with their swords Jezabel. She has a grim smile, like a wolf, showing her canines. The fingers of her hands become razor-sharp and strike deep. Her eyes turn white, and she feels overwhelmed by the ferocity that screams inside her.
The massacre takes a few moments.

Hikaru, on the other side of the door, hears the cries and the dull thuds with anxiety, then happens a surreal silence.
What happened? she asks.
Moments later, a roar shakes the walls of the room: the bottom of the door flies into a thousand pieces, and Hikaru must be careful not to be hit by debris. She raises her arm instinctively, covering her face: when she lowers it, sees a figure in the middle of the open hole. At the beginning, it is blurred by the dust that is raised, then it becomes more clear: it’s a woman clothed with a dark armor, with long, black hairs. She stares her with an evil eye, smiling. At that time, Hikaru realizes that no one was left alive. Now she is alone.
_____________________________________________________________

5 July: Grendizer and Kandura!

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The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, and Garuda, his servant, have sent Kandura, a monster on Fleed. Besides, the Dark One sends Jezabel, a powerful woman who enter into the Royal Palace, killing several men and the Captain Amauta, and reaches Hikaru and Rex...

The frightened boys look before the terrible spectacle: two giants, one much larger than the other, facing each other and their size cover the sky. They know one of the giants: it's the robot of their king, the famous Grendizer, their idol. At their home, they have dolls and drawings of him: they would never have thought of seeing him in person, so close, so alive and mobile, even more spectacular as they imagined. But the fear they feel blocks the joy of seeing their favorite hero: the giant enemy is enormous, not even the Vega monsters were so big. In addition, its roars are terrifying: they immobilize their entire bodies, making them unable to react with fear. They ventured into the woods two hours before, to explore it - even after many years after the invasion of Vega, the green areas of Fled are still only a few - and, for the sake of adventure, they were hiding when the army had mobilized evacuation. They do not stop to repent and curse themselves for their choice: the monster had made the earth shake and made disappear all the woods along the rivers in front of him. Everything died before the light sent from its eyes. When Grendizer was appeared, they thought were safe, and they had made a run. But Kandura had seen them. Humans. Its food.

The arms of Grendizer tremble under the strain: Duke Fleed cannot imagine how many tons of pressure that abomination is having on him. The foot of Kandura gets down slowly, slowly, more and more on him.
We must react as soon as possible: Grendizer cannot continue.
With a quick move, the robot-samurai spins the blades of the Double Harken, which penetrate into the palm of Kandura’s foot. Soon after, Grendizer launches the Space Thunder at full power into the wound of the monster. For the second time, Kandura is in pain: it backs off, putting its feet on the ground for a moment. But it is more than enough to Grendizer.
“Spacer, come quick!"
The UFO of Grendizer comes from the top, stopping near the ground: the robot-samurai picks up the kids with its hand and puts them in the cockpit of the Spacer.
"Spacer, go!"
And the UFO sails, distancing of hundreds of miles in few seconds. The automatic control will land the disc and open the window of the cab, allowing to the kids to get off and run away. Grendizer is preparing for battle, but the effort was terrible, and his movements are more fatigued. Duke Fleed understands that.
I do not have time: Grendizer was tested to a too high stress. I have to finish this battle soon.
Kandura stops for a moment: that insect is more resilient than it thought. It raises a hand toward him, and, from underground, sprout roots like snakes that wrap Grendizer between their turns. Duke Fleed did not expect this: the monster has not only destroyed the forest, but made what remains of this desolation as its servant. The dead roots are continuously increasing, showing a tenacity and strength far greater than that of common wood. It is no longer wood: it is something not dead, but still living.
From what kind of hell has come that demoniac being? – thinks Duke Fleed – not even in the army of Vega I saw such a concentration of pure evil.
Moving as quickly as possible, Grendizer cuts the tentacles that surround him, using the blades of the Double Harken, but every cut will cause the release of new turns. The chest of Grendizer heats: the Antigravity Ray causes the removal of the monstrous roots, at least in front of him. Duke Fleed moves the lever to the maximum and the beam loses its anti-gravity range of rainbow colors, becoming all red: a pectoral ray of destructive power instantly pulverizes all the roots that come under its action.
But Duke Fleed cannot enjoy the success: while Grendizer was undertaken to unravel the roots sprawling, Kandura approached him and gets up from the top a terrible blow that strikes like a hammer on Grendizer. There is no choice: Grendizer raises his right hand to stop that wave, and the impact has the same sound of thunder.
Kandura has its eyes wide with surprise: Grendizer is still standing and has stopped his hand. By what material was made that insect, not to shatter a similar impact?
It stops hesitant: for the first time in its life, Kandura is perplexed and does not know how to react. Meanwhile, the Spacer returns to Grendizer, in the order of mind command of its master. The boys were saved and are running to home. At a command of Duke Fleed, Grendizer jumps on the disc space, standing. Grendizer and the Spacer rise from the ground, while the feet of Grendizer are magnetized on the surface of the UFO: from now, it is virtually impossible to separate them. Duke Fleed has made a decision.
I have to hit very, very hard. Grendizer is at the end of his reserves of energy. Now that monster must be killed at all costs, and I think I found a way.
Grendizer and the Spacer turn away from Kandura with great speed: reach quickly the clouds and overcome them. Already reach the stratosphere, and it too is exceeded. After a while, at great speed, they are all coated with flame from the impact of the air, and they reach the space.
"It 's time, Grendizer. One last effort"
Obeying to the orders of Duke Fleed, the robot-samurai kneels over the Spacer, magnetized on its surface. He puts his arms in front of him, opening up both the Screw Crusher Punch, making them spin at maximum speed.
"Spacer, dive at full speed!" cries Duke Fleed.
The Spacer goes down versus Fleed, increasing its speed until it becomes a comet of fire that coming down to earth. The Screw Crusher Punch of Grendizer increase their power as the speed increases, helped by the gravitational pull. They have never become so sharp and deadly before now: they can hardly be seen with the naked eye.
Kandura observes something that comes close to him with lightning speed: the impact is almost instantaneous and devastating. Even before realizing it, a huge hole has opened in its chest: Grendizer and the Spacer, using the force of the impact with the Screw Crusher Punch pierced the monster from side to side. The giant turns to its enemy and goes to him, not realizing that it is already virtually dead. Duke Fleed does not want to give another chance to that abomination: it must not absolutely regenerate itself.
"Double Harken!"
Grendizer puts the Double Harken upright before him: the Spacer is placed in the great hole in the chest of Kandura and ascends rapidly. The blades of the Double Harken penetrate into the meat of the giant, splitting in two its monstrous face. While the Spacer is raised above the monster, it explodes in a huge roar.
Grendizer won, but it was a painful victory. Duke Fleed orders to the Spacer to come back on the ground and Grendizer goes away from the Spacer, reaching the ground. But, after a few steps, he fell to his knees on the ground. He tries to get up using the Double Harken as support, but he can use only the arm that holds the Double Harken. The other arm remains inert, while smoke comes out from the joints of the robot. The controls do not respond anymore, and Duke Fleed understands: Grendizer has exhausted all the energy. He open the glass of the cockpit and jumps to the ground, managing to touch the surface without suffering too much gravity. Duke Fleed, exhausted, takes off his helmet and looks Grendizer with compassion, while his lips open with a smile.
"You were great, Grendizer. But the enemies are very strong: I must think of something to do in the future ... "
Duke Fleed then turns towards the capital, and her smile becomes a grimace of fear and feel a pain at heart. From there rises a large cloud of black smoke due to a huge fire, visible for miles.
Hikaru!
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Sunday 12 July: Hikaru and Jezabel!

You can comment here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1140

You can read this in word format clicking on the allegate.

The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Kandura, a monster, on Fleed: the monster was defeated by Grendizer. But, at the same time, the Dark One has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and the Captain Amauta, and reaches Hikaru and Rex...

In the throne room, it is possible to hear a strange background hum.
For a moment, the two women are looking one to another without talking: the emissary of the world of darkness, Jezabel, and the woman of Earth who has become queen of a distant world, Hikaru. Of the two, the first one speaks with a mocking tone:
"You have to be that little queen!"
Hikaru does not react. Calm down, says to herself. Make speaking her. Gain time.
"The captain Amauta ... you killed him, right?"
"Amauta? Ah, it was his name?" Replied the other, turning his gaze for a moment in the direction of the corpse. "It is a nice name, and he was also a handsome man. Too bad I killed him. "
Hikaru's hands clenches into a fist, trembling slightly, but remained firm. Damn ... Calm down!
"May I know, at least, who are you and what do you want?"
The mysterious woman responds with a slight bow, perhaps ironic or grotesque, perhaps both.
"I am Jezabel, right arm of the Dark One and commander in chief of the Six Generals of Darkness"
"So there are you people behind that 'hand shadow' in space?"
"Of course!"
"I understand. But you did not answer to my second question. What do you want from us? "
"From you, nothing. We are interested in your son. "
For a moment, Hikaru is paralyzed from the shock.
"Rex?" she whispered, refusing to believe it.
"Exactly. It will be a very important human sacrifice"
Suddenly, Hikaru feels her spirit cold and determined as ice.
"You're completely crazy!”
While she says this, the laser gun (extremely powerful, which Duke Fleed gave her in past), comes out from the sleeve where Hikaru had hidden it. Holding it in her hand, she shoots at short distance from the face of Jezebel: but she is not taken by surprise: despite the rapidity of the action, the palm of her hand magically appears between the gun and the objective, turning the laser beams in innocuous fireworks. Before Hikaru realizes it, Jezebel grasps the gun with her hand and crushes it in a moment, making it fall to the ground.
"You're a bad girl ... you must be punished!" she says with a grin.
Immediately, a sharp slap on the cheek affects Hikaru, making her break down on the ground, stunned. She tries to get up, but she feels her legs weakened by the blow, and feels also the taste of blood in her mouth.
What a slap…I was never hit so hard!
She moves her hands at random, on the floor, almost like a blind, looking for a help, a weapon. Suddenly, she grabs something pungent and observe it secretly, keeping her face turned down. The six-pointed star ... the copy of the real symbol! It must be fallen off the board due to the destruction of the door, shooking the walls. It is made of gren, said Actarus... one of the strongest metals in the universe. Hikaru hides the star in her hands, trying to gather strength, pretending to look defeated. Staying with her face to the ground, she says, with the mixed mouth, struggling to articulate the words:
"Why? Why do you want to kill him? "
"Don’t worry, we will not kill him now: only after two weeks, when the seven stars will be aligned. Before sacrifice, the offer must be in perfect health. But forget it: you will not see this scene!"
While Jezabel speaks, the fingers of her hands are sharpening again and getting up to kill Hikaru without mercy. But, unexpectedly, Hikaru jumps up and hits her face with the gren-made star, crying with a loud voice:
"Don’t touch my son!"
Jezabel screams and backs, surprised: she did not expect a similar reaction. She put a hand over her wound face, and when observes it, she sees, for the first time, her blood. For a moment she is surprised and cannot believe it: that unnecessary being has wounded her. It had never happened before. She watches Hikaru with surprise, then the anger explodes inside her, making her cry out in anger:
"HOW DARE YOU?"
An huge explosion shakes the whole royal palace, making it tremble from the ground. Tongues of fire tens of meters high get up, burning and blackening everything. The survivors are running scared: the Grand Vizier also was saved with difficulty. For a moment everyone remain incredulous, watching the flames destroying the house of the king. Then, the Grand Vizier reacts: orders to take all fire hydrants and fire extinguishers, and the people, first in a daze, takes over and tries to execute the commands in the elderly.
The Spacer is rapidly approaching to the city wounded by fire. I hope that nothing has happened to Hikaru and the little one! thinks Duke Fleed with anxiety. He has cold sweat at the thought of what he could find. A crowd has fallen on the road to watch the giant bonfire that threatens to burn also what is near, and Duke Fleed recognizes that is the area where once stood the royal palace. What had happened? And Hikaru? The Spacer lands in a clearing, not far, and Duke Fleed removes his helmet, leaving it on the seat. He runs towards the fire, with the heart in throat. People recognizes him as he passed and steps aside.
"It's him!"
"The king!"
"Let them go!"
"But what happened?"
At the end, he arrives at the gates, where he sees a horrendous fire that burns everything and gives off heat for miles around. The water jets, even they are powerful, still cannot dampen the flames. Duke must resist to that tight feeling in his stomach. A soldier, next him, greets him and Duke asks:
"What happened? Where is the queen? "
"I...I don’t know, your majesty. It seems that there was an intruder, it is not very clear, maybe he put a bomb...I know nothing about the queen. There is the Grand Vizier, he could say something. Duke, recognized him, runs straight for the elderly.
"Grand Vizier! The queen...WHERE IS SHE?"
"Your majesty...I…I don’t know" he says, confused "Captain Amauta died and the royal guard was decimated ... I'm trying to understand what happened. A very powerful person came here..."
Duke realizes that the Grand Vizier is circling the answer, and he feels something snap inside him. With anger, he grabs the elder and says, staring into his eyes:
"When the explosion and fire happened, Hikaru...WHERE WAS SHE?"
The Grand Vizier is forced to tell everything.
"She...she was in the throne room, your majesty...with the little prince Rex...the explosion...I fear ...I fear it is started from there..."
Hikaru is dead? Dead? Duke does not believe it. He had seen her this morning. She was alive. He hailed her. He...
Suddenly, he cannot stand and he is kneeling on the ground, looking blankly ahead. He hear the talks of the people around him, shaking him. The Grand Vizier is telling him something, but he does not understand, as if he was in another world. He feels the fire, the voices, the screams, the smoke, the hectic pace, his own body as if they were something that happens to another. He cannot even cry: he feels beyond the tears, empty and tired.
At the same time, miles away, by a strange coincidence, Grendizer is knelt down and motionless on the ground, at the same position of Duke Fleed, as if, this time, the robot-samurai share his pain, while he seemed indifferent at the eyes of the Duke, when Rubina was dead. But this is of no consolation for Duke Fleed.

The waves advance and recede, and then forwards again. Hikaru feels her feet wet and wakes up.
Where am I? What happened?
She opens her eyes and looks around: she is lying on a beach at night. There is some moonlight that allows her to see well enough. Slowly, the memories of the last moments come to mind of Hikaru: Jezabel ... Rex ... What happened to Rex? Jezabel had taken him? And I, why am I here? Am I on Fleed? Or on Earth? I do not understand anything.
Hikaru rises with difficulty: she feels her cheek that hurts. She start walking somewhere, staggering. Then, the whole world revolves around, and she feels again plunged into darkness. She falls on the beach without noticing.
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I'm going to holiday for a little: Sunday 10 July: the past of Jezabel!

You can comment here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1140

You can read this in word format clicking on the allegate.

The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and kidnapping Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously…


I'm back, thinks Jezabel anxiously, as she looks around: she is back in Darkhold. Teleportation has worked well.
At times, the mission was to become a failure. She managed to take the child before everything blew up. What happened? Jezabel tries to understand. She was wounded on the cheek, then she went against Hikaru to make her in pieces. But she was still holding that object which wounded her, and she used it to defend herself: Jezebel had to avoid it, and then stop her momentum. But soon after, she grabbed her clothes and threw her against the wall.
And, from there, all hell broke loose. Something, just where she had thrown her, has exploded. Hikaru should be burned to death, Jezabel thinks, but the explosion was so strong that I was slammed against an invisible force field, installed before I came. Protection. I understood that the target was there. I had to act quickly before the flames flare up everywhere: I went through the force field and snatched the brat from the screaming housewives who were there. Then I teleported and I came back here. What was that explosion?
While Jezebel reflects, she observes the baby: he is sleeping peacefully. The cataleptic effect - a little magic - worked immediately. Better so. She hates the screams of babies. Then, Jezabel touches the right cheek: it is still bleeding.
Damn.
Suddenly, she feels the presence of someone and whirls, covering the wound with one hand.
"Who is there?" screams with fury.
A female figure, partly covered by a shell and with his face half-covered by a helmet with visor, comes from the dark, hesitating, his blond hair slightly moved.
"I…I’m Jocasta of the Amazons, commander. Are you all right?"
What a pain, that girl!
"Stop with the stupid questions. I’m not in the mood" answers Jezabel, taking care to not show that part of her face disfigured. "What are you doing here?"
"It’s for the control of the army, commander. The Amazons are already deployed. We are awaiting only you"
It is not possible. It was today? I had forgotten.
"It’s undone."
"What?"
"Are you deaf? I said it's canceled. We'll do it again. Go away. Ah, no, wait: take this kid and bring him in the sacrifices area. At once, clear?"
"Yes, Captain" replies the other, taking the baby and leaving in a hurry: knowing the character of her master, she understands that, at the moment, it is very wise to stay away from her. But she cannot help but wonder what happened to her face.

Striding and continuing to keep the wound covered, Jezabel comes to her apartments. She gets rid of the maids with sharp orders and closes the door inside. Only then she relaxes, leaning her back against the door and sighs. She takes off the armor with a nervous calm and she dips in the warm water of the swimming pool, washing herself carefully. Then, she realizes that cannot postpone. She must look in the mirror.
She does not have the courage, but she must do this. Slowly, she puts in front of the mirror. The light illuminates merciless the scar: the whole right cheek was scratched with a vertical cut.
Jezabel looks stunned that horror for long moments. Then, she feels shaken and puts a hand on the mirror. She was injured. Jezabel, the right arm of the Dark One, the one who controls the Six Generals, was injured by a stupid, weak, ordinary woman. What nonsense. Gradually, the cut heals and the cheek will return as before, at least she hopes: her ability to heal quickly has always been effective. But that's not the point.
Who cares if I’m able to heal the wounds? For many days the scar will remain. Many will see it. Even that damn Garuda. She had to hit me in the face, that dirty woman... But what was made that damned object in her hands? Not even a blade of steel is capable of so much!
The hand resting on the mirror bends like claws, with sharp fingers starting to penetrate the glass, forming large cracks. She looks down and gritting her teeth, cursing again Hikaru, regretting the fact of not having been able to kill her with her hands. Hands that have killed for all the life. She comes to mind when she used it to survive.
She does not know on what planet she was born, or on what city. She never knew her real name, nor whether she really had one. She does not even know if she ever had parents or if she was the result of an artificial chromosomic union. She only knows that, when she was a child, she had to be a beast to survive. She stealed wherever possible. She fought dogs or other wild animals to get a piece of meat on a bone. Rather than live, she existed. A continuous run, a constant struggle. She killed, if possible, to have a minimum of survival for the future. But in such a hell is not possible to live long. She remembers well, about that moment: she was reduced to a pile of rags in the street, dying and crying, which no longer had the strength to continue. And then she would have died, if he had not passed.
He was not yet called Dark One, he was not a living shadow: he had a human face, even though his eyes had something cold that the little girl, also in that state, could notice. He could pass away, as did everyone before him. But he stopped and looked at her. He had brought her to his house. Since then, she was taken: she was bathing, dressing, eating like never before. He also gave her a name, which now she carries with pride. Her gratitude to the stranger had no limits. One day, when he told her that he wanted a good bodyguard, she took the assignment very seriously. Shortly, she had climbed all the steps of the arts of battle: her fury in combat impressed even the most experienced warriors. Through bionics and mysticism, the Dark One used her it to test new ways and new openings of power ever reached by mankind. Even if she had not become invulnerable, she was very close. Even if she did not become immortal, she was very close. But not only this: she was able to establish her personal army of Amazons, becoming a source of terror for its extermination ability. The power struggle also was fierce: at the end, she managed to become the commander in chief of the Six General of Darkness. Everything for him.
Jezabel still is looking her face. Her eyes moisten. For a moment - but only for a moment - she understands that, despite all her power, everything she has, everything she has done, she, in her soul, is still like that child full of rags crying in the street. The hand holds stronger the glass and it breaks into a thousand pieces.

Jocasta exits quickly from the area of the sacrifices. She hates that place, and she would have gladly preferred not to go there, but she has to obey to the orders. Now, the baby is there, and she feels a little pity for him. At least, no one will hurt him and he will be in suspended animation until the day of sacrifice. The offer, in fact, must be pure, says the Black Priests, with their absurd white clothes. Definitely not very coherent. Jocasta despises them all, especially Sukeli, their leader.
I'm really glad I did not see him. Less I see him and better I will be.
The gods they worship are abominations, real devils. Jocasta does not wants anything to do with that world: she is a warrior, and prefers fight looking the enemy in face. These things disgust her.
She goes to the great hall and calls her attendant:
"Caledonia!"
"Yes, captain?"
"The control of the troops has been postponed. Melt the ranks"
"How? But the commander Jezabel told..."
"I know. Now she has changed her mind. In fact, I think it's better that we leave this planet for a while: I think that the commander wants to be alone. Call with us ten trusted amazons: we will look at training centers and combat zones. In short, we will make a tour"
Caledonia is not surprised. The mood swings are typical of Jezabel, and it's always good not to contradict her.
"All right, Captain: I'm going."
____________________________________________________________
Next (21 July): Funerals: the pain of Duke Fleed. And also something mysterious…

You can comment here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1140

You can read this in word format clicking on the allegate.

Edited by joe 7 - 20/7/2011, 14:11

The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and kidnapping Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously. Now, Duke thinks that Hikaru and Rex are dead…

The funeral of the victims of the Royal Palace is followed by a large crowd. In particular, Amauta was much loved by the people, because in the dark days of the domination of Vega, he and the Prince Duke Fleed was their only hope. Now, because of all these deaths, along with the death of the Queen Hikaru and the Prince Rex, not to mention the destruction of the Royal Palace, everyone still fears the return of that damn past. Everyone also talked about a huge monster, stopped by Grendizer: now the robot is being repaired: the battle was terrible. And everyone fear that it is only the beginning.

Duke knows that he must be present at funerals to calm the people: then he participates, but he would like to be alone. Sure, he is sorry for Amauta, one of his best friends, but there is no comparison with the loss of Hikaru and Rex. The whole time of the funeral, Duke cannot think of anything but Hikaru.
He remembers the first time he saw her. Professor Umon, who was with him, knocked the house of Danbei to present him his “son”, when a girl opened the door for them, and he saw Hikaru for the first time. He was surprised: he had never seen a girl with short hair. Naida, Rubina, all the girls he knew had very long and loose hairs. In addition, Hikaru’s eyes were special: a cross between a little and dreamy girl and, at the same time, mature and practical. Large eyes, simple, non-magnetic like Naida’s eyes, or shining, like Rubina’s eyes. Yet, they had a special charm.
Maybe he was in love with her at first sight without knowing it. And he was realizing it only when he saw her during the race in aerobics: nobody would have imagined such grace in a simple country girl. But he felt guilty for this, in front of Rubina, thinking about her with regret, wondering where she was over. Also, he wanted to stay away from Hikaru - even if it cost him - not to involve her in his world, a world of war, blood, revenge and death. If she would see all this, Hikaru’s eyes would lose that innocence he loved, and Duke did not want this. But it was not possible to keep such secrets for long time. Once Hikaru discovered everything, she wanted to fight alongside Grendizer, and Duke was contrary. He did not want her to do the end of Naida, or worse. He remembers that time when Hikaru was almost dead when Blacky invaded Umon’s Institute. Only a transfusion of his blood on Hikaru had allowed her to continue to live.
Memories of Hikaru come on Duke’s mind as a waterfall, while the rites of funeral are continuing. That time she was on horseback. Or when they were together for the first time in that cave. Or when she listened to her with a guitar serenades in the moonlight. Or all the times that they were interrupted by Danbei when they spoke to each other. Or when she had a face full of circles and "x" drawn in felt pen several times because she had lost the badminton at the first day of the year. And more pictures, countless.
Why he had not brought her on Fleed, when all was over? Sure, because Rubina was just died...but why he did not, at least, promise her that he would return? He became shy as a schoolboy? Or he was still shocked by what had happened? Or he was worried about the planet Fleed, which he thought it was dead, when instead it was returning to live? Maybe no one will ever know the answer.
And Hikaru? Why she did not tell me a word when we were about to leave for Fleed, Maria and I? I spoke with everyone, with Hikaru just a glance.
Yet, we had plenty to say. Something held us back.
What, perhaps not even she could tell. Perhaps the fear of the unknown? Perhaps the realization that, once made a certain discourse, their lives would change forever? Then, they were able to find one to another, they were married, they had given birth to a son. Maria had returned to Earth to marry Alcor. All's well that ends well. But this happens in fairy tales, and this is reality, and in reality, when something ends, another thing begins. And now? Hikaru is dead, Rex is dead, also Amauta. The contacts with Earth have not yet been restored, and this in truth for Duke is a relief, even if he does not want to admit it. What would he say to Alcor and to everyone? And Danbei, how would he tell him? "I'm sorry, but your daughter is dead ..." Only thinking about this, Duke is yet sick. And Maria? She loved Hikaru as a sister...it was thanks to her that we were able to get married at the end. At least, now I have an excuse to postpone…but sooner or later I have to tell her, thinks Duke. Although it may be cold comfort, one thing is certain: whoever is behind this "Shadow" will pay. I will not let it will make again his evil ways, at all costs. Grendizer will rage like never before. But I have no illusions: the enemy has an incredible strength and endless powers to his service. This will be my last battle, but you will die with me.

The Grand Vizier observes with sadness the ruins of the Royal Palace from his bedroom window. Before the sunset, everything seems more desolate. The funeral is over and the king has just returned to his apartments, in this building which is the "Residence", a secluded area for relaxation or sport, which was distant from the Royal Palace and then had survived to the disaster. The king remained pale throughout the day, and the elder Great Vizier is not surprised. The only thing that the king Duke Fleed had told him was about Grendizer: he intends not only to repair it, but also to reinforce it at higher levels. But this is very dangerous: its power will grow, of course, but the risk will be very high for the pilot.
Duke Fleed and Grendizer fight when they are in symbiosis: the levers and buttons are only apparently outside. But all the driver is involved: his body, his mind, even his soul. Controlling a power so great is normally dangerous, but it is even more dangerous if he wants to strengthen to higher levels. The risk of destroying his body and lose the reason is very high, but the king has decided.
What he gonna do? He wants to die? But he cannot abandon the people of Fleed. I hope that does not give me the mantle of command...I would not be able to hold it. But I'm afraid he will do so.
As the sun goes out and the first stars appear, the Grand Vizier, who had remained standing at the window all the time to think, suddenly feels that something pulls his cloak. Surprised, he turns and sees nothing. Then, he lowers his head and sees a girl with clear and long hair, dressed in a simple and common way, who was pulling the cape to attract attention. The elder is astonished, not only for not having heard her coming, but for the fact that a girl could not have ended here, with all the electronic monitoring and controls at every step.
"What are you doing here? Who are you? " he asks.
The girls smiles quietly smiles and says:
"This is for His Majesty" and hands him a piece of paper folded into four squares. The Grand Vizier takes him, startled, and looks for a moment the page. A piece of plain paper, taken from a book of elementary schools. For a moment, he does not understand anything.
He turns to the girl to talk to her, but he sees no one. He looks around: nothing. He opens the door and tells to the guardian:
"Guard, where is that girl? He was here a moment ago! "
"What girl, sir? No one came in and no one came out from here. I've always been in my place, I would have noticed! "
The Grand Vizier thinks for a moment that he was become senile, if now he begins to have visions. Then, observes the paper: it is real!
"Look around the room and search around the building! A girl came here, Find it now! "
The guard is surprised, but acts in a hurry: he calls men and contact security. The research last all night: no girl, no secret passage, no trace of teleportation. Whoever she was, she has evaporated.
_________________________________________________________________

31 July: What happened to Hikaru? And what was written on the message? Who sent it?

If you want to comment, you can post here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1170#lastpost

If you want to see the episode in word format, you can click on the enclosure below.

The story so far: Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and kidnapping Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously. Now, Duke thinks that Hikaru and Rex are dead: but, after the funeral, a mysterious girl gives a message to the Great Vizier for Duke Fleed…

Hadi, Hikaru’s servant, wakes up from a dreamless sleep. She looks around: she is in bed in a room that smells of disinfectant. An hospital. She looks at her arms: these are bandaged. Now she remembers. She was miraculously escaped from the explosion of the Royal Palace of Fleed, when Jezabel appeared. Before the flames flare up, she had broken a window and Fleed over the rooftops. But she was intoxicated and had burns. The other maids, Ryui and Sara, followed her. They were been reached by relief immediately, but the wounds were serious. Only Hadi had recovered recently and had told to an astonished Grand Vizier that Prince Rex must be still alive: that woman in black armor had taken away the baby from her arms with a simple push, but it was enough to send her to the other side of the room. And, before she could react, the woman had disappeared with teleportation. And to think that the funeral had already done for the Prince! If she could recover before ...
But Hadi, deep in her thought, only now realizes that there is someone sitting in front of her bed. Looking at his face, saw that the king, Duke Fleed himself, observes her with a smile.
"Are you okay, Hadi?"
"Majesty!" The servant left speechless for a moment.
"Do not move, Hadi. You went through a bad experience: your body and your spirit are still in shock. You need rest" adds Duke Fleed, taking her hands. After a pause, he continues:
"Thank you for letting me know that my son is alive. In fact, I now believe that even Hikaru is alive"
"The queen is alive? But how? She was involved in the midst of that explosion!"
"We were so stunned by the events that we have failed to notice the details. Your story has explained many things. We thought that the person who had entered the Royal Palace had planted a bomb, but it was not so"
"So, who caused the explosion?"
"Indirectly, I am the culprit"
Hadi does not understand. Duke Fleed resumes:
"In your story, you said that the woman Jezabel, was destroying the entrance door, right?"
"Exactly."
"And the debris of the door were all over, right? Some debris had to be pretty big"
"It’s true. But so what? "
"Well, there, in the throne room, there was the teleporter, the birthday present I had prepared for Hikaru. The debris hit the machine, damaging it and activating it. You had mentioned about a buzz in the room, right? "
"Yes, I had noticed."
"It was the teleporter damaged. It contained an enormous amount of energy, needed to allow transport by Fleed to the Earth, given their great distance. Theoretically, the machine was indestructible: the debris that damaged it had to go in terrible speed. It's a miracle if nothing happened to Hikaru at that moment, when she was right in front of the door"
"Maybe it was the safest place. I have seen that the debris were gone to all the sides of the throne room, not to the center. Maybe that Jezabel did a spell"
"Who knows? We still know little about our enemies. In addition, you told me that Jezabel took Hikaru and she has thrown her against the wall. The teleporter had to be right there"
Hadi tries to remember that moment. And comes to her mind that, in front of the wall where Hikaru had been thrown, there was a kind of machine that sent smoke and sparks.
"But ... if the teleporter exploded, I fear that the Queen..."
"No," says Duke Fleed, sure of himself "By a mysterious case, before it exploded, the teleporter is turned on by itself and it has led Hikaru elsewhere"
"Where?"
"I do not know"
"But are you sure?"
"I just received a communication from a person who seems to know many things. He had sent a mysterious little girl to the Grand Vizier to give him the message. Soon, I'm going to find him. But first I wanted to see you"
Hadi feels better. She does not insist more on the subject. After a moment of silence, she asks:
"And the other maids? Ryui, Sara?"
"They're still in intensive care, but I think it will be saved. You were very good, Hadi: your immediate reaction has saved the lives of you and all the others"
Seeing the embarrassment of Hadi, Duke Fleed changes the subject.
"Before going, I would like to ask you something."
"Yes?"
"You have dealt a serious danger, risking your life, in part because of us, who have involved you. Maybe it's better if you find an activity more secure, where you will not ever make these experiences. There are many enemies around me and to Hikaru. Dangerous and ruthless enemies. What do you think? No need to worry about money"
Hadi did not expect this speech. Stay away from the queen Hikaru? And Rex? For a moment, she is puzzled. Then, she answers:
"Your Majesty, I have seen the invasion of Vega. I could almost say that in comparison, what happened to me is now a picnic. Forgive me, but I prefer to stand near the queen until the end"
She stands in the middle of the bed and firmly grasps the hands of Duke Fleed, despite the arms bandaged.
"Your Majesty – she continues - I'm sure you will be able to find Hikaru...I mean the queen, and bring the child here. Yes, I know you will succeed! "
Duke Fleed is surprised by Hadi’s safeness and understands that it is useless to insist.
He gets up and helps the servant to lie down on the bed, saying:
"I hope so. I promise however that I will do everything possible and more. Now, I have to go meet the person you spoke. "
"Who is this person, Your Mayesty?"
"He calls himself the Ancient One"
Hadi had already heard of him, but she thought it was a legend.
"The Ancient One? And where do you meet him? "
"At Tanzin Boche."
The servant is speechless. Tanzin Boche? In Fleedian tongue, it indicates the planet's most inhospitable region: the Land of Starvation.

The spacecraft lands without a sound. It is an anonymous spaceship, perfect for those who want to travel in incognito. Duke Fleed goes out of the door, looking around. He looks a boundless desert, with faded horizon, almost as if he was looking through a mist, and the sun fills with a terrible light over everything. Even inside his costume insulation, Duke Fleed feels the terrible temperature.
It really deserves this name - thinks – Tanzin Boche, the Land of Starvation.
Until from the beginning of Fleed’s history, this place was always the most inhospitable of the planet. Even Vegans did not want to cross it, and they were not interested: the subsoil contains no wealth to be extracted, and it has not even the smallest possibility of cultivation. Just sand, sand and sand. No living being within hundreds of miles. And he has had a message that was really left from here, no matter how absurd.
Duke Fleed still thinks about that message that the mysterious girl had given to the Grand Vizier: a common graph paper in a notebook for school children, folded in four and a write-ordered with a perfect calligraphy. It was written:
"Courage, my king! The queen is alive, do not worry about her. You must think about the son. Come to me. The Ancient One "
Nothing else was written. Only after careful laboratory analysis, it was concluded that the message was left from Tanzin Boche. This result is illogical, but it had been confirmed by tests repeated several times. And more precisely, from this point of the Land of Starvation. In the middle of nowhere.
This Ancient One, who is him? My father once told me about him, describing him as a very old wise man, who once he consulted. Even my grandfather had consulted him. But how old is he? And is he the same person?
For a moment, Duke Fleed thinks: I must be stupid. With everything to do with this mysterious Dark One, I’m going to meet someone I don’t know in the middle of nowhere!. He looks around again, and hears only the stifling wind of the desert. He descends from the ship, following the steps, watching to see if it finds a trace, something.
But what I hope to find? A sign saying "Home of the Ancient One?"
"It’s better if you hurry, my king"
Duke Fleed whirls. A boy, holding a spear, which is tied with a red ribbon, had spoken to him.
From where come he? Nobody was there a moment ago!
Looking him good, Duke Fleed realizes that the boy is dressed with simple and poor clothes, with nothing on his feet. On the burning sand. Yet he shows no discomfort.
"It smells of copper in the air, you feel it?" continues the boy.
Duke Fleed notices it now, whereas before he had not noticed: a pungent, metallic odor.
"What do you mean?" asks, bewildered.
"Here comes the simun."
Te simun is the name of the sandstorm in the desert: a hell where there you cannot define the sky from earth and you die in an atrocious way, if you do not find shelter immediately. Duke Fleed looks at the horizon, and sees that it is becoming Dark One, not as transparent as before. Not even his helmet would be able to protect him from such a fury. Duke Fleed, frightened, says to the boy:
"Come with me, quick! Let’s climb on the ship and go away! "
But the mysterious boy, with authority, blocks him the passage to the ship, using the spear, and motioning with his head in denial. Then, still with the spear, he indicates a precise point. A cave in the middle of a block of rocks, which strangely Duke Fleed had not noticed before. He understand that he must go there. The simun comes with violence and Duke Fleed search the boy's hand, before heading towards the mysterious cave, but he disappeared. Duke has no longer time: the terrible dust storm is intensifying and he starts to see no more the ship. If he does not quickly reaches the cave, he will lose direction and will be the end for him. He rushes with great difficulty, despite the scary wind obstacles him and he reaches the interior of the cave. He takes off his helmet, coughing forcefully: the sand was able to penetrate even there. But at least now he is safe.
"Hail, my king"
Duke Fleed is directed toward the voice: in front of a fire, a very old man, dressed in rags, is sitting cross-legged. He's holding a stick. Looking into his eyes, he realizes that he is blind.
"Are you…the Ancient One?"
The old man nods, with a slight smile.
"They call me that. I have forgotten my real name a long time ago. I am a hermit, who lives here for a lot of years in prayer. But I beg you, my king, sit down. You must be tired. This fish is good, and this water is fresh. Eat and drink: you have to recover"
Duke Fleed, looking closely at the fire, observes three fishes skewered and fried, ready to eat, and a jug of fresh water with a glass.
Fish and water? In the desert? More and more absurd.
He sits, thinking that perhaps it is all a dream. He reaches out the hand to touch the fish, and he realizes that it is solid. It also tastes good. At that time, Duke Fleed realizes that since several days he has hardly eaten something. Suddenly, he feels hungry and, sitting cross-legged, eats fish with great pleasure, drinking a water with an incredible freshness. He feels full and in good shape. Then he turns to the elderly, who remained all the time in silence, and says, with a bow:
"I thank you for your kindness and hospitality. Forgive me if I have not yet submitted, even if you know who I am. I'm the king of Fleed, Duke Fleed: sometimes people call me Daisuke Umon"
"I know. And it is the name Professor Umon gave you, right? He is a very good person. It was a great grace for you to have met him. Without him, your story would finished before it even begins. You are right to call him father"
Duke Fleed is surprised: he realizes that the elder knows everything about him, even the most hidden thing.
"What should I call you?" asks Duke Fleed.
"Ancient One is good, it is not a problem. You have read my message, Duke Fleed, and you came. You have done well, because I have many things to tell you upon the threat of the Dark One "
"How do you know these things?"
"I had the grace to know. For example, there is a prophecy that speaks of you and the Dark One:
When aligning the seven fixed stars
the Apocalypse the Dark One will start
if innocent’s blood
will be cruelly shed.
Can stop him only the Great King,
if he will have seven knights on the battle ring,
if seven crystal he will light,
if seven colors he will meet right.
You and the Dark One must face one to another, and only one of you will survive"
Duke Fleed is without words.
The fire crackles, illuminating the interior of the cave with its changing light. Outside, the sand raised by the impetuous simun passes, howling. But the two men, sit at the opposite each other, cannot hear its voice, watching one to another in silence. Then Duke Fleed is the first to speak:
"But the Dark One, who is? Where he come from? What he wants?"
The Ancient One begins to respond: "A long time ago, in a galaxy far away..."
I must have already heard that phrase somewhere, thinks Duke Fleed.
"...there was a wise and just. His name does not matter, it is now forgotten. You need to know that the beginning of his kingdom was happy. But, after, he began to come to terms with his conscience to get immediate results. He got these results - or so he thought - but at cost of a part of his soul, which had become less sensitive to the good. Slowly, he became evil: one step at a time, a concession at a time, before saying that the end justifies the means, then saying that only the end is important. Good and evil became toys in his hands, with which he could share and play what he wanted. Coming to explore every possible evil in order to gain more power, eventually became the Dark One. "
"All this because he wanted to become powerful?"
"Even this. But happened a special event that has accelerated his road to evil"
"What event?"
"I'll tell you soon. Know that his goal for now is to make a new creation"
"A…new creation? And we, what have to do with that? Why he attacked us and kidnapped my son Rex? "
"The Dark One has an immense pride: for him, all creation is a mistake, and he wants to make it right, that is, as he wants. This is his goal. I cannot explain why, but he will get it, if he will kill your son on the altar, when the seven fixed stars of the prophecy are aligned "
"If these stars are fixed, how do they align?"
"It happens once every ten thousand years. Ask to the Fleed astronomer, Larus, to look from Jibera telescope the direction of the Hand of Darkness. You'll find that it tends to an area of space where seven stars, which are normally fixed, start to move"
"But why Rex? Why him? "
"Because Fleed and Earth are important. Even if they are located on the edge of the universe, in reality they are the pillars of everything. Do not ask me why: it is so. And your son, yours and Hikaru’s, carries the blood of the Earth and Fleed. The Dark One has been waiting for a birth like this. You can say that the "Hand of Darkness" began to move as soon as Rex was conceived. "
Duke Fleed is silent. Then another question arises:
"And where is Hikaru? Is she well? Is she alive?"
"She is well, my king, do not worry about her. She is not in danger: is your son who can die. "
"When these stars will be aligned? How much time have I?"
"Eleven days. Until then, the baby will not be touched: the offer must remain unchanged for them. You have to find seven knight and seven crystals, according to the prophecy. "
"What are these crystals?"
"They are the only objects on which the Dark One has no power. Seven crystals of a different color, which together will cause his end"
"And where are these crystals?"
"In the most secure place for the Dark One: in the heart of the "Hand of Darkness", where he exercised the utmost of his power. "
I imagined that would not be easy, thinks Duke Fleed, remaining silent.
While the simun blows out, the Ancient One continues to speak to Duke Fleed, who listens carefully.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next (10 August): you will discover where is Hikaru!

If you want to comment, you can do it here: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1185#lastpost

If you want to read the episode in word format, you can click on the enclosure below:

I thank MICHI, ISOTTA, ATARU for the pictures!

The story so far: (NOTE: If you want to see all the story, and also what will happen after, there is the link of the summary: but beware, there are spoilers! https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=46358243&st=15#lastpost)
Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and kidnapping Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously. Now, Duke thinks that Hikaru and Rex are dead: but a mysterious person, the Ancient One, tells him she is alive and give to him the informations about the Dark One. Hikaru was finished in an unknown beach…

Duke is looking her, happy and shocked. From now on, he is a father. For the first time, he observes his son. Hikaru is happy: the birth was long, but it was worth it. She squeezes and caresses the baby, while his eyes look at all surprised.
"He…he is beautiful!" says Duke, with a lump in his throat.
"It's true. He is really your son!"
"How we could call him?"
"I have not thought yet...we talked about it many times, and we have not decided anything!"
"I thought you liked Daimos."
"It's true, but I have the impression that this name has already been used...maybe Rex, what do you say?"
Duke does not respond, staring into space.
"Duke, are you well?"
A spot of blood appears on his chest: staggering, he collapses.
Hikaru shouts his name and looks up, seeing Jezabel, scratched on her cheek. The woman fixes on her, with her hand wet with blood, laughing.
"Do you remember me? Do you remember what you did on my face? Now you will pay! "
Her claws tearing Hikaru ferociously, with the child.

Hikaru wakes up, screaming. Her heart is pounding, and she feels the drops of cold sweat down his forehead. Trying to calm herself down, she looks around. She is at bed, in a room with a decor similar to the Earth. The sun seems quite high and filters through the curtains of the window.
But I was not at a beach? Am I ended up on Earth?
Suddenly, a door opens and overlooks a woman of advanced age. She is dressed in a simple way, with her hair up; she has an apron. With a worried look, she says:
"Oh, you have awakened! But what was that scream?"
Hikaru does not know her, but she understand her language. She is on Earth, then.
“Do not worry. I' m...I'm fine, thanks. I just had a bad dream. Where am I?"
"You are at home of Dr. Nakashima. My name is Yumiko, I am his wife. My son Jimmy has found you on the beach: he likes to swim at midnight and he has found you there. How are you?"
"Well, I'm a bit 'dazed, but I'm fine, thanks."
Then, Hikaru realizes she's wearing only a nightgown. She looks Yumiko quizzically. She replies:
"Your clothes were a mess. Burned and torn. I have put on you a nightgown who I took once: you are well! However, what you wore is there" and she indicates some clothes on a chair: once were clothes, but now no one would dare to wear them.
"I have put your necklace on the table"
Hikaru turns and sees the necklace that Duke had given to her at the day of her birthday. When was it? Only the other day, I think ... but it seems it was a century ago.
Hikaru picks it up in her hand and thinks about Duke: Is he back at Royal Palace? He had to go to defeat a monster…he has had success? I do not know anything. And Rex? Jezabel has got him?
She is going to ask if it is possible to contact Professor Umon, when appears from the door a boy with curly hair, dressed in jacket and jeans, which has a bag and greets her with enthusiasm.
"Oh, so you woke up! How are you, Hikaru?"
For a moment, she is surprised. She never saw that boy, how is possible that he know her name? Meanwhile, he continues to speak, sitting beside her.
"My name is Jimmy: I have found you yesterday on the beach. What a surprise! Queen Hikaru in person! How is Duke Fleed? "
Hikaru is more and more confused.
"Excuse me, but how do you know my name? Have we met in the past?"
"I expected that question. You don’t know me, but I know you: I'll show you"
He opens the bag, rummaging in a frenzy: he pulls out a laptop.
"No, not that. Could you hold me this a moment?" and hands it to Hikaru.
Then, he pulls out two or three machines with threads and buttons, and a bunch of other things that were not what he wanted, and passes them to Hikaru and in a little time she is quickly submerged in a sea of stuff. At the end:
"Here! What you're looking is always the last thing you find!"
He skips to Hikaru a DVD series with the image of Grendizer on the cover.
"It is the Ufo Robot Grendizer series: it has a great success here. Modestly, I founded a fan club. See? The girl here is you! "
Hikaru observes the drawing: it is very much like her, apart from the hair, which are short, like those who once wore. She knew nothing of this.
"From where come this stuff?" she asks, amazed. Observing DVD’s covers, she recognizes the faces of her friends and the enemies of Vega, including the monsters who had faced in the past: almost perfect reproductions.
"They made a cartoon series on you just Duke Fleed started away from Earth. It was not easy to find this DVD edition"
"Enough, Jimmy! - interrupts her mother - our guest is tired, do not fatigue her. Put this, sweetheart: you're still in her nightgown, had not you noticed?" and gives on a robe.
Hikaru blushes and immediately puts the robe. At that moment, at the room appeared a tall man with a beard and glasses. He wears a white coat and looks good-natured.
"Good morning, ma'am - he says – I am Professor Nakashima. Our son Jimmy is your fan, and yesterday he spoke a lot about you. Are you okay now?"
"Ah ... yes, thank you."
Instinctively, she touches her cheek, where Jezabel had hit her and she does not feel anything, only a vague tingling.
"You had a bad hit there. But I took over the bruise a cream of my invention, which, as you see, it worked. Now the bruise is almost gone"
"Thank you very much – answers Hikaru - I would ask you a favor: could you please call me Professor Umon? It is very urgent! "
"Well...I’m sorry, but you ask for the impossible, my dear girl."
"Why? Communications are not be interrupted also here on Earth, I hope?"
The three people that are around Hikaru, for a moment, are in a puzzled silence.
Jimmy is the first to speak.
"Excuse me, Hikaru…can I call you that? I'm afraid you have been mistaken. We are not on Earth"
"What? And where are we? On Fleed?"
"Not even. This is the Earth colony of the Betelgeuse planet"
Hikaru is speechless for a long time.

At the end of a good lunch, Hikaru tells her story to Dr. Nakashima and his family. After a moment of silence, Yumiko, the professor's wife, asks:
"And your son, what do you think was happened to him?"
"Maybe that Jezabel took him. He was not going to kill him, but to put him away. He wanted to sacrifice him when the seven stars will be aligned. Or so he said"
"And what does that mean?"
"That will kill him later. The problem is that I know nothing of these seven stars, or when they are aligned" responds Hikaru, worried.
"In twelve days, three hours and four minutes" says Jimmy.
Hikaru turns to him, amazed. The boy puts up his laptop that was on a chair.
"I installed the logger, so, while you told your story, at the same time my computer did an internet search on some keywords that I selected as you were talking" says proudly, showing the remote control. "A little invention that I did."
"I taught the basics of computing to Jimmy" explains Professor Nakashima "My son is a talented kid"
Wow, thinks Hikaru, I never thought such a thing were possible.
"And have you discovered something else?" asks Hikaru anxiously.
"So, first thing, in astronomy is known the phenomenon of ‘alignment of the seven fixed stars’, which happens once every ten thousand years. No doubt, Jezabel was referring to this. It will happens, as I said, in twelve days, two hours and fifty minutes"
Remarkable.
"What can you tell me about Jezabel? She was said to be the right arm of a man named Dark One, who commands six generals"
"The data are fragmentary. This Dark One dominates sections of the universe far away from here: also the Spatial Internet does not add much. Meanwhile, I can tell you that the ‘Hand of Darkness" that you have described is the mobile home of the planets of the Dark One and his generals, who can move on command, like spaceships. That's why you saw them move at the observatory of Fleed"
"But who is this Dark One?"
"I have discovered very little about him. Maybe, with more research...For now, I can tell you that he is a being "shadowed": a very rare event, characteristic of those who have reached a power so high that his body absorbs the presence of light itself and become a living shadow. He commands an exterminated army, led by six Generals leaded by Jezabel, his right arm. About her, I must tell that you have been very, very lucky. In fact, that woman is so fierce and cruel as to be called "the Bloody One". After that you have scarred her, you said that she had attacked you, and at that moment her eyes had turned white, right?"
"Exactly. It was awesome"
"It was the state of berserk" says Jimmy, grimly.
"Ber…what?"
"Berserk. The Vikings called “berserk” the warrior completely mad with fury, with an enormous strength; he did no longer distinguish friend from foe. The berserkers became so after drinking drugs or potions and they were always at the forefront of Viking invasions. Jezabel is the head of an army of Amazons, women warriors, greatly feared because they can go berserk in the state of command, in addition to be terrible warriors in normal conditions.
If it was not for the star of gren you had in hand, she would have torn you in a few seconds"
"Heavens" says Yumiko, impressed.
Hikaru reflects. Jimmy is giving to her valuable information. Now, she is beginning to understand the enemy: at last, something is beginning to turn in the right direction.
"But how did I come here?" asks Hikaru.
“This time, is Professor Nakashima who is talking.
"Only a teleporter machine can have brought you here. As I can understand, you have gone in an instant from Fleed to Betelgeuse. On the beach, where you were finished, I just did some analysis: there are unmistakable traces of teleportation"
For Hikaru, it is like a bolt in the dark that illuminates all things clearly.
Of course! The gift of Duke Fleed! Jezabel had thrown me against the teleporter machine! But it was not idle? Clearly, in some way, it was on!
"In fact, now that I think, in the royal hall there was a teleporter machine. But it should take me on Earth, not here. Or so Duke told me"
"Really?” says the professor, astonished “I would have liked to see it. The distance between Fleed and the Earth is very large; until now, was not yet invented a teleporter machine capable of filling a similar distance. Hmmm ... logically, I think that the teleported machine was damaged during your battle, so it was not be able to take you on Earth. For this problem, it has brought you here: it has analyzed you in an instant, it has identified as a woman of Earth and it has teleported you to the nearest place where there are people of Earth. Exactly, the Betelgeuse colony. What a wonderful teleporter machine."
"However, what is this ‘Earth colony of Betelgeuse’? I had never heard about it!"
"It's the best thing if I start from the beginning. I do not know if you know the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind by Spielberg, but something like that has happened to us. Years ago, I and some friends of mine were still on Earth and we were contacted by aliens who landed on Earth from Betelgeuse and needed help to come back home. We helped them, we have exchanged information for some time: we even came here at Betelgeuse several times, finding a climate and vegetation similar to that of Earth. Then, we moved here forever: we wanted to do an outpost where the humanity might, some day, open up the universe. We are also planning the possibility of making artificial colonies: we made some, albeit small, a kind of prototype. "
Nakashima gets up and takes a model from a shelf and shows it to Hikaru.
"Here, this is the model of colony we want to build. It will be called Side 1: We would like to contact the UN one day to have the necessary funds. Maybe it's crazy, but who knows, I think that tomorrow there will be a lot of space colonies"
"It’s his dream" says his wife, smiling, "and eventually he involved me also"
Hikaru is surprised: for once, an alien contact had not been a conflict!
"You were lucky to be here” continues the professor “We are the only ones of the Earth colony: all our comrades have returned home, and in a few days we will leave also. Now, I have a lot of years, and I would spend my last days on Earth. I collected all the information I needed, and, with the help of Jimmy, I can analyze it when we will get back. In addition, he has never seen the Earth, and he cannot wait to go there!"
"You have never been on Earth?" asks Hikaru to Jimmy, amazed.
"No, I was born here. But I've read and seen so much of the Earth, that I would like to see it. I knew my planet even watching Grendizer’s DVD, where there is you also!"
Hikaru smiles, embarrassed. Apparently, Jimmy had taken a great crush on her!
"But what will you do now, my girl?" Yumiko asks.
"I do not know... could you contact Fleed?"
"No, unfortunately, all communications are interrupted several days ago” explains Nakashima “I am afraid that this is due to your enemies. Also, I think it's better that you do not contact Fleed. If you do, the enemy will know that you're alive, will know where you are and you will be haunted. I do not think that someone like Jezabel forgive you for what you did to her"
"Right. Jezabel saw me going through the teleporter machine. So she knows that I'm alive. "
"You are mistaken" says Jimmy "according to my calculations, that teleporting machine must have been subjected to such a tension that it was exploded instantly while maintaining the transporter. It is very unlikely that Jezabel noticed of the transfer: the explosion was simultaneous. The barrier that you have put has certainly protected your son and your attendants, but I fear that the barrier may not have resisted to the action of Jezabel. She has sure broken the barrier and has took Rex. "
Then Hadi, Ryui, Sara...my maids...now that I think, what happened to them? Jezabel killed them?
"But surely Duke thinks I'm dead! I should contact him somehow!"
"The only way is to go in person to Fleed, because the communications are cut" says Nakashima "But now, Fleed is a supervised area: Jezabel can discover you! I do not think you will come alive to Fleed!"
Hikaru thinks of the nightmare she has just had on Jezabel and she shivers.
"Damn it, I don’t know what to do... maybe if I come with you on Earth?"
"We will leave in two days, but it will take a month or two of travel. I’m sorry"
Hikaru holds her thumb between his teeth, nervous.
What the heck can I do? Think, find something...I have to save Rex within these twelve days!
Suddenly, she has an idea. Crazy, really, but at this point there is no alternative.
"Jimmy" says Hikaru "You told me that Jezabel orders the Amazon, right?"
"Sure."
"Where are they, you know?"
"In the Shadow Zone, on the planet Acheron, where there is the Dark One. Why?"
Hikaru reflects, without answering.
"The Amazons accept candidates?"
"What?" exclaims Jimmy, startled.
"Answer me, please. They accept candidates? "
Jimmy, confused, consults the computer.
"Yes, the planet Bespin is a recruitment center for the Amazon. You can get the planet in a day's journey. You're not going there to became a candidate, I hope!"
"It is the only way to get quickly there to save Rex from that crazy woman."
"Jezabel is a crazy woman, but you also, for this idea!"
"I have no choice," replies firmly Hikaru.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next episode (20 August): Here come the Six Knight who will help Duke Fleed…

If you want to comment, here is the link: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1200#lastpost

If you want to read the episode in word format, you can click on the enclosure below:

Edited by joe 7 - 16/8/2011, 10:30

I thank MICHI, ISOTTA, ATARU for the pictures!

The story so far: (NOTE: If you want to see all the story, and also what will happen after, there is the link of the summary: but beware, there are spoilers! https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=46358243&st=15#lastpost)
Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace, killing several men and kidnapping Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously. Now, Duke thinks that Hikaru and Rex are dead: but a mysterious person, the Ancient One, tells him she is alive and give to him the informations about the Dark One. Hikaru was saved by the Nakashima family, a terrestrial colony on the Betelgeuse planet. She decides to enter into the Amazons of Jezabel to save Rex…(please note: in this fanfiction, Koji Kabuto is the pilot of Mazinger Z; but he is not the pilot of the TFO of Grendizer. The pilot of TFO is another person, called Alcor, similar in all respect to Koji Kabuto. In fact, in Italy Koji Kabuto was called Alcor and for a long time in Italy was believed that Koji Kabuto of Mazinger Z and Alcor of the TFO of Grendizer were different persons…sorry for this!)

It took days of hard work, but now the new Cosmo Special is ready. Alcor has had to work almost continuously, so that it could be reinforced and adapted to go up to Fleed. There was nothing else to do: all the attempts to contact Fleed have all turned out a failure and the concerns of Maria should not be underestimated. The Drill Spacer and the Double Spacer have already been added: now must charge enough energy to the Cosmo Special because it could make the long journey.
Maria has spent the last days trying to contact telepathically her brother, getting only vague images and frustrating failures. She tried to relax by focusing on the problems of the ranch or helping Alcor in the design of the Cosmo Special. The feeling of danger and imminent threat dominates her more and more each day, and she cannot wait to go to find out what happened to her brother and Hikaru. Even Danbei begins to suspect something. For now, Maria has confided only to Goro, making him promise to keep it secret for now.
Suddenly, at laboratory the ticker starts ticking Hayashi, the operator, cannot believe his eyes: it is a message from Fleed! As soon as the machine has finished printing, he tears off the paper and runs to call Professor Umon. Briefly, the news goes around the Institute and, at the end everyone, including Alcor and Maria, gathered around a table where Professor Umon shows the message in his hand. But he adds, with a vexed air:
"The problem is that we fail to translate into our language. It seems Fleedian tongue, but it is not. Maria, what do you think? "
Saying this, the professor turns to Duke Fleed's sister and passes to her the message. She reads it carefully and, as long as she look on the sheet, her face darkens.
"Well?" asks Alcor, impatiently "Did you got something?"
"Very little" answers "This language is in the ancient tongue of Fleed, who no one speaks any more now and that is known only by the royal family. I began to study it as a child, then I continued my studies with my teacher when we escaped from Fleed to Earth. It is hard to follow. It takes me a little time. Professor, can I have a room for a while? I need to concentrate and be alone, to make a good translation"
"There are no problems. But, if that message comes from Duke Fleed, why he did sent it in that language? "
"The answer is simple" Maria responds "Because all communications on Fleed are under control. Someone, I don’t know who, is threatening them"

Now it is night, and Maria was closed in the room for several hours. Alcor paces nervously back and forth continued to wonder what on earth happened to Duke Fleed. Professor Umon tries to calm down, smoking his pipe in silence.
"Calm down, Alcor" says at one point the professor "You will see that Maria will be able to decrypt the message"
"I know, but I cannot keep calm. This inactivity is driving me crazy"
Suddenly, the door opens. Maria shows a sheet full of corrections; she is weary but triumphant.
"I did it...heck, it's years since I studied it last time! I have consulted a lot of dictionaries, going nearly mad! When this is over, Duke will pay for this! "
"Then it was him who sent the message!" says Alcor.
"Exactly"
"And what says?"
"Bring all the men in the room, professor" says, turning to Umon "We have something really big at stake"

All around the table, watch in silence the fleedian girl with translation of the message in her hand. They are very careful, even if it is late at night. Maria begins without preamble, telling what happened to Fleed: the Hand of Darkness, the coming of the monster Kandura, Jezabel's attack at the Royal Palace, the disappearance of Hikaru and Rex to get, at the end, on the meeting between Duke Fleed and the Ancient One.
"This mysterious Ancient One somehow has given to Duke Fleed the possibility of contact us, and he prudently sent us this message in the language of the past fleedian tongue. Now he's going to go in this ‘Shadow Hand’ with Grendizer to recover Rex and find the seven crystals. By tomorrow night, will come here from Fleed his Cosmo Special, driven by two Fleedians drivers: it will lead us all there. Duke Fleed is waiting for us"
"But we have our Cosmo Special" blurts Alcor "there is no need of another one!"
"No, Alcor, because our Cosmo Special has not have enough space for these ‘Six Knight" mentioned in the prophecy. Duke Fleed would us to find these six"
"The prophecy speaks of seven knights" corrects Alcor.
"Six" rectificates Maria "The seventh is Grendizer, at least as interpreted by my brother"
"And where we find six Grendizer in six days to be loaded on a spaceship?" asks Alcor, incredulous.
"Maybe I know where to find them" adds Umon, thoughtfully, "Let me make some phone calls" Saying this, he leaves the meeting room, while the others follow him with their eyes, putting themselves a thousand questions.


It is now late afternoon and at evening the Fleed Cosmo Special will come. In front of the open space behind the Research Institute, three people are standing, as if they are waiting for someone. Alcor is the first to speak.
"But are you sure they will come, professor Umon? We are waiting for hours!"
"If you talk about the Fleed Cosmo Special, it has already been spotted by my assistants. It will arrive after sunset, more or less"
"No," replies the other, impatient "I meant these damned 'knights'. Will they come or not? And are they also at the height of Grendizer?"
"I'm sure they are all powerful like the robot of Duke Fleed. The problem is that I'm not sure that they will come, given their commitments. We can only hope"
"I have confidence" says suddenly Maria. Then, as if she is seized by an intuition, she lifts her head toward the horizon and she sees someone approaching on a motorcycle. As the person becomes more visible, they realize that is a woman with an helmet and a yellow suit fitting. She brakes with a swerving, but perfectly controlled. She takes off her helmet, showing a cascade of brown straight hair and that highlight the glow of her skin.
"Good evening, Professor Umon. I’m Sayaka of the Photoatomic Institute (Koushiryoku Kenkyuujo): my father, Professor Yumi, sends to you his greetings"
"Thank you" replies the professor. Then, facing the other, adds: "Meet the daughter of Professor Gennosuke Yumi, a dear friend. She drives..." but Umon cannot continue, because Sayaka at one point exclaims, full of wonder, looking at Alcor:
"Koji! But what are you doing here? And who is that girl? "
Alcor does not know what to say and Maria asks to him, suspicious:
"What's this story? Do you know her? "
The boy, embarrassed, replies: "But...I do not know who she is!"
"HOW?" explodes Sayaka "We got married and say you do not know me?"
Maria grabs Alcor by the collar, saying with a sharp glance:
"What's this story? Are you playing a double game?"
Alcor is speechless and Professor Umon tries to get in the way:
"Calm down...Sayaka, he is called Alcor, not Koji"
Sayaka replies puzzled, turning to the boy:
"It means that, when you are here, you change your name? This is too much! "
She is about to attack Alcor, when Maria stops her by holding her arm. The situation is going to be explosive, when a voice behind them all stops:
"What's happening here?"
Turning around, they see a person similar to Alcor: Koji Kabuto had arrived a moment ago, but no one had noticed. Everyone is amazed by the great similarity between the two men: virtually, Alcor and Koji are like twins.
"Hey, that’s nice!" says Koji, laughing "I have been cloned!"
Then, shaking hands with Alcor, adds:
"I'm Koji Kabuto, the pilot of Mazinger Z. Sorry for my wife Sayaka, she is always a little impetuous. "
Sayaka, blushed, tried to apologize for the mistake. Umon tries to change the subject, saying:
"Will you bring Mazinger Z with you, Koji?"
"It’s already here, didn’t you seen?" says him, pointing to a spot at the top.
"I engaged the autopilot, and it followed me on my way here in motion. Here, it landed!"
A giant robot, with a glider on its back, lands a few meters away from everyone. In its arms carries another robot with feminine features, with a large glass dome on the head.
"It is Aphrodite A, my robot" explains Sayaka "As soon as we received your message, Professor Umon, we organized and we left. Obviously we will come with you on Fleed"
Koji nods. "We have a lot of combat experience. Anyone who is our opponent, he will be really troubled!"
Alcor says:
"Curious, though. Your robot has a design that closely resembles that one of Grendizer"
"Quite the contrary" replies Koji smiling "I was fighting against the hordes of Dr. Hell long before Grendizer was on Earth. However, this is a similarity that has surprised even me. And, you know, Mazinger Z is not the only robots to be built in this way...”
Alcor is struck by the observation. There's another robot similar to Mazinger Z and Grendizer? While reflecting, he realizes that are coming other two motorcyclists, a man and a woman. When yhey stop, the woman takes off her helmet: her face, very smooth, showing a dark complexion and long, black curly hair. A real beauty.
"Good evening, Professor Umon. I am Jun Tsurugi of the Fortress of Science" says in a soft and serene voice, with a hint of a smile.
"Hi, Doc" says abruptly the other man, taking off his helmet, showing a strong and determined face "I'm Tetsuya Tsurugi, the pilot of Great Mazinger. We spoke on phone yesterday"
Alcor warns in Tetsuya something different from the others. His look shows honesty and courage, but also a certain ruthlessness.
He reminds me in some way the commander Sadon of Vega, thinks Alcor, remembering the cruel and crafty pilot who was to kill Grendizer with the monster Zas Zas. A man who should not be underestimated.
Everyone, all of a sudden, feel a whistle, then, from the sky, descend two huge robots, one similar to Mazinger Z, but with more aggressive horns and emblem on the chest (in line with the pilot, thinks Alcor); the other one, with feminine features, has a vague aspect of Egyptian woman with dark skin (it must be the robot of Jun, guesses Alcor: also this robot is similar to the pilot).
"The Great Mazinger and Venus Alpha are ready, Professor Umon" says firmly Tetsuya "We will smash that Shadow guy to pieces, guaranteed!"
Jun nods, with sureness. "We will do everything we can, professor. Kidnapping a baby to kill him is monstrous; we’ll make pay!" Some things do not like to Jun.
"Do not get caught with emotion, Jun: it is dangerous in combat!" says Tetsuya.
"Look who's talking. The calmest man in the world" concludes the woman, mocking.
Tetsuya has no time to reply: suddenly, a car comes and goes down the driver, a girl with short hair and fastened by a headband. She greets Professor Umon, presenting herself:
"I'm Michiru Saotome of Getter Research Centre. My father has received your message and wanted to send you the most valuable elements of the Getter Team"
Three men are already out of the car: two are high, compared to the third, short and stout.
One of the three men shakes hands with Professor Umon, saying:
"Good evening, Professor. I am Ryoma Nagare, the commander of the Getter Team. You can call me Ryo. "
Umon feels, through the handshake, that, behind the kindness of that man, there is a fighting fury which rivals even that one of Tetsuya. Ryo continues:
"He is Hayato Ijuin Hayato, the pilot of Getter Two"
"It is a pleasure" responds a guy with a developed tuft of hair blacks with the look arrogant and confident.
"His skills and experience in battle rival with mines, Professor, so that he became the instructor of the new team of Getter pilots" says Ryo.
"It is heavier teaching that fighting, Professor: For me it's a holiday, believe me" responds the other, embarrassed.
I doubt it will be a holiday, thinks Umon, but I believe they know it all, after all...
"And he is Musashi Tomoe, the pilot of Getter Three, or Getter Poseidon" ends Ryo.
"This is a pleasure" replies the man, a short and stocky type, easy to underestimate, but terrible in combat. He faced death much more than the other two drivers.
"Not only he is smart" says Ryo, "but he was given for dead many times before to survive. We call it 'Musashi, the immortal'"
"Aaah, do not tease me, Ryo. Don’t listen, them, professor, they say nonsense..."
Umon nods, saying something, but, inside, he feels that they are not nonsense.
Ryo says, decided:
"The Getter Team is second to no one. That sort of Shadow will regret to have put himself in our way"
"Second? It’s an idiocy! The Great Mazinger is the strongest!" explodes Tetsuya, while Jun tries in vain to make him silent.
Ryo smiles. "I knew you'd say this, Tetsuya. After all this time, you still have not understood the quality of the team Getter? "
Alcor intervenes to calm people:
"Excuse me, but where are your robots piloted? I see only four spacecraft that have landed now"
Ryo is surprised:
"What are you saying, Koji? Have you lost your memory? Do not you remember us?"
"Koji is me, Ryo. He is Alcor, Duke Fleed’s friend" says Koji.
"Hell, if you resemble!" says Tetsuya, who only now realizes the fact. "I could not find a difference in any way. Did you have a hidden twin brother, Koji?"
"I do not know. But it is necessary that we know one to another. Ryo, why do not you show to Alcor the Getter Combination?"
Ryo indicates a white spaceship to Alcor and explains:
"That is the Command Machine. It does not combine: it is used primarily for hunting, even if it has combat skills. Michiru drives it. The other three ships combine in this way"
And, pressing a remote control, shows that the three spaceships come together in three different ways, forming: the red robot with a cloak, called Getter One and led by Ryo; the robot with a drill instead of a hand, and said Getter Two, led by Hayato; the squat robot with no legs, said Getter Three (or Getter Poseidon when it has legs), led by Musashi.
"Here" concludes Ryo "What do you think?"
Alcor has remained open-mouthed. His instinct as an inventor was excited for the surprise.
"Extraordinary! But what kind of design you have done to get this? It is virtually impossible!"
But a sudden noise interrupts the discussion: a motorcycle with two side wings is approaching, led by a man dressed in shirt and trousers with fringes, along with gloves with metal reinforcements on the knuckles. A large ship with two enormous cavities at each side follows him from behind. The centaur stops in front of Umon, while the spaceship lands.
"Good evening, sir. I am Hiroshi Shiba, of the Build Base of Professor Dairi. Jeeg Robot is ready to fight!" shows the man, shaking his hand vigorously to the professor’s hand.At the same time, a graceful female figure descends from the cockpit of the spaceship and greets the other with a bow.
"I’m Miwa Shiba, Hiroshi's wife. I drive the Big Shooter, which allows the transformation of Hiroshi in Jeeg Robot. I am pleased to meet you"
But how many are these robots? I did not even know one, and now they are springing up like mushrooms! thinks Alcor, while Maria, who had been observing with her fleedian eyes the robots who had come, considering their power and understanding that are at the same level of Grendizer, in front of Hiroshi she is puzzled. She approached him, looking at him with attention. After a moment of embarrassment, she says:
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Maria Grace Fleed, Duke Fleed’s sister. I thank you all for your help"
Then she turns to Hiroshi.
"You...excuse me, but you are a cyborg, right? I have never seen such a perfect combination of flesh and steel. Neither on Fleed I saw similar things"
Hiroshi is surprised to be recognized so easily. He responds with some hesitation:
"It was a work of my father, who died long ago. We still do not know how to explain how he did it"
"I can tell you with confidence" says Maria, "that your father has done a miracle. I can perceive a cyborg with no problems, but I really struggled to recognize you as a cyborg. In essence, you are a perfect balance between man and metal. Incredible"
"I don’t know if it is a good thing…" replies Hiroshi, while a shadow suddenly covers all: another giant robot has arrived, this time with a face similar to that of humans, with well-defined lips and a sort of effigy on the forehead, where at the center there is a red circle. A shuttle leaves the body of the robot: taking a closer look, it can be understood that it is a flying machine, landing on its wheels. While everyone is surprised, the car doors open and someone comes out with: a person with greenish hair and wearing an orange suit with a helmet under his arm.
Here comes another absurd type…thinks Alcor.
"Haran Banjo, of Daitarn 3" says the man, touching his forehead with his index and middle fingers together, in a sympathetic pose as a rogue bully "I am pleased to have received your message: I needed a little action!"
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Banjo" responds Umon, a little confused, realizing that the machine from that Banjo was down is a bit wobbly: just after goes down a group of people shouting and upset that he cannot see very well.
Eventually, one of them gets up: a very beautiful woman, blond-haired and fluffy look, that attracts all the males present.
She pulls out a pocket mirror to fix herself, then closes it and, with a smile model, says:
"Good evening to all. My name is Beauty Tachibana, and I am Banjo's assistant"
"Do not begin to give such airs, darling" says another woman behind her, with brown hair and smooth, except the curls near the ear. She is dressed in the latest fashion and her beauty has nothing to envy to the other girl. Addressed to others, with a bow of greeting says:
"Good evening. I am Reika Sanjo, of the Interpol. I usually assist Banjo in his business"
"I knew you would have trumpeted the history of Interpol. You always love to point out yourself, huh?" says the blondie girl, and Reika looks her crooked.
"I’m joining, too!" says a boy with curly hair.
"Enough, Toppi!" respond in unison the two girls.
Beauty adds:
"When we found out that you were secretly slipped in Daitarn, we tried to get you and it is your fault that we came out in that way from the car in front of everyone! You have made us look bad! This affair is not something for children!"
And Reika adds:
"For once I agree with that girl. Banjo, do something for this little brat!"
Resigned, Banjo sighs and approaches to Toppi, bending the legs and placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder. With a solemn tone, he says:
"Toppi, this time it is not like against Meganoids: we are making war against an empire. This time, we are really in danger of dying. And it is better if you are here, the risk is too high!"
Toppi listens with his arms crossed, then approaches and whispers in Banjo’s ear:
"You want me to tell everyone where you were last night?"
Banjo blushes and responds in a low voice:
"You're not going to say such a story, right?"
"What do you think?" responds Toppi with a perfidious smile.
Banjo gets up and coughs slightly.
"Um ... basically, Toppi now has grown, now he has learned many things, after all is a strong guy, you know you too, girls"
"It means being with us?" says Beauty.
"What nonsense, Banjo!" says Reika.
While Banjo tries to calm her assistants, a calm and poised man, smartly dressed in jacket and bow tie, pretty old but still vigorous, with a pair of white, well-groomed mustache, easily falls out of the car and approaches to Professor Umon, shooking hands and making a slight bow.
"Good evening, Professor Umon. My name is Garrison Tokida and I’m the butler of Mr. Banjo. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance: I read with interest your article on energy photons published on ‘Scientific American’"
"Ah ... nice to meet you, Mr. Tokida."
"Do not pay attention to them" adds Garrison, pointing with his chin Banjo and company "At first glance, they do not seem serious types, but I assure you that they are all good fighters"
"That car which flies is extraordinary" says Alcor, while his eyes shine in looking at the device.
"It is the Mach Patrol, boy" replies Garrison "It can go up to Mach 10 in training aerosistema. A real gem, if you grant me the expression. "
Umon looks up and says:
"I believe that now is the time of departure."
In fact, the Fleed Cosmo Special is here and it is landing. Everyone is quiet around the huge ship. From an open door go out two fleedian girls with a small floating robot.
"Good evening to all," says the first one, with flaming red hair and a suit fitting. He wears a pistol on her hip.
"I'm Keiko Tachibana, of the Royal Guard. The king sends you his greetings"
"And I'm Yuriko Tachibana, her sister" says the other, with black raven-haired with the same suit of Keiko. "Pleased to meet you. Oh, and it is Herbie, the robot"
The robot emits a beep in greeting.
"Well, it's time to go, then" says Alcor "The other Cosmo Special is ready, I will follow you with that"
"There's no need" answers Keiko "that ship can follow with no one aboard if we install the automatic control. So you can go with us. My sister can do it in a minute: she is a genius with machines"
"Consider it done" says Yuriko, walking away and saying to the robot:
"Follow me, Herbie."
Then, looking worried, Keiko turns to Umon:
"Have you found the 'Six Knights'?"
"Well, definitely more than six" says Umon says, but Maria contradicts him.
"Unfortunately, no"
The others turn to her quizzically.
"In Fleedian tongue, ‘Knight' also means 'group of knights'. And here are five groups, not six: Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Getter Robot, Jeeg Robot and Daitarn 3. Unfortunately, it lacks one"
"There's no time" says Umon "I hope these are enough"
"I hope so, too" says Maria, a little disappointed. Maybe my interpretation is wrong, thinks.
Immediately, however, a scream pierces the calm of the sunset. A kind of comet lands in front of everyone, rolling and bumping into the Fleed Cosmo Special. Tetsuya and Jun are struggling to believe their eyes when the dust settles and it is possible to see well the fallen 'comet'. It is Boss Borot!
In fact, from its opening-mouth come out Boss and his two assistants, Nuke and Mucha, rather than tossed.
"Boss, what the hell are you doing here?" cries Tetsuya, angry.
"Oh, Tetsuya, ugly coward!" cries Boss when he sees him, taking him by the collar "You wanted to leave me out of this business to make you great in front of Jun, huh?"
"What nonsense are you saying, Boss? Here is a serious stuff, don’t you understand? It’s a war! "
"So? The one against Mikene was a ballet? I say! They kidnap a child to kill him, and Boss Borot does nothing? Stories! Get away from the mind to put me aside!"
"How do you know all this, Boss?" asks Jun, puzzled.
"I have my sources of information" says Boss, helding head high, with eyes closed, her hand on his chest and holding a solemn tone.
Nuke tells Mucha with low voice:
"It was the raven-spy, right?"
"Sure" replies the other "In the intelligence it is very good, as well as to take pictures to Jun hidden when ..."
Boss’ punch goes down very fast on the head of Mucha, making him shut up instantly, while Jun asks:
"Why did you hit Mucha? What did he say? "
"His usual nonsense, let him lose" says Boss, embarrassed.
"I thought I heard my name" says Jun, suspicious.
"You have misunderstood. Do not waste time, guys, come on! Boss Robot is here, and we will win for sure! "
Alcor approaches to Tetsuya and asks:
"But...that robot…is strong?"
"What questions are you doing, Koji...ah, Alcor! Well, he's an idiot, but he is seriously committed.
Since there is nothing better and it is impossible to send him out of the way..." says the pilot of Great Mazinger, spreading his arms.
"I feel he is a brave man. Often this is enough" says Maria, who was behind them.
"Are you saying that, with Boss, the 'Six Knights' have been completed?" asks Alcor, confused.
"I think so" answers the Fleedian girl.
"Of course you do!" says Boss, decided, and bursts into a laughter "Now you’ll see, Tetsuya, what stuff is made Boss Borot!"
"Unfortunately, I know…" responds him, full of despair.
Yuriko, the Fleedian pilot, returns to her sister: the second Cosmo Special is ready. Exchanging the last greetings, all go on on the ship, which raises silent and walks away, followed by Earth Cosmo Special.
Professor Umon sees them move away in silence, with his assistants.
"Well, well" says a voice behind them.
Turning around, they see Danbei leaning against a wall, with an ear of corn in his mouth. Goro, sitting on the ground, watching them smile.
"But ... what are you doing here?" asks Umon, surprised.
"We wanted to see the parade. A real show!" says Danbei "My daughter Hikaru is already saved, with similar types! Remember, sir, that in the end I want them all to the ranch to celebrate! "
"How did you know everything?"
"Professor, do you think I look only extraterrestrials through the telescope? And with the radio I listen to only the spatial communications? And that Goro could hide something to me? It was hard to convince him, yes. However, let's go home, son. It’s already night, and we have a ranch to run"
"OK, dad. Good night, sir" greets Goro.
And the two move apart, under the gazed eyes of Umon, surprised and smiling. It’s so easy to shrug off someone as Danbei!
He pulls out his pipe, satisfied. He thinks that, with such a combination of giant robots, any enemy will suffer a defeat at the end. But at that moment, in the castle of Darkhold, is taking place the meeting of the six General of Darkness, and if Umon saw them, would have some doubt about the success.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

30 August: The Six Generals of Darkness!

If you want to comment, here is the link: https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=38631928&st=1200#lastpost

If you want to read the episode in word format, you can click on the enclosure below:

Edited by joe 7 - 30/8/2011, 18:17

I thank MICHI, ISOTTA, ATARU for the pictures!

The story so far: (NOTE: If you want to see all the story, and also what will happen after, there is the link of the summary: but beware, there are spoilers! https://gonagai.forumfree.it/?t=46358243&st=15#lastpost)
Duke Fleed and Hikaru married and they live on Fleed as king and queen. They have had a son, Rex, of two months old. A mysterious being, the Dark One, has sent Jezabel, a powerful woman, who enters into the Royal Palace and kidnaps Rex in front of Hikaru, who disappeared mysteriously. A mysterious person, the Ancient One, tells to Duke Fleed the informations about the Dark One. Hikaru was saved by the Nakashima family, a terrestrial colony on the Betelgeuse planet. She decides to enter into the Amazons of Jezabel to save Rex. At the same time, at Earth, Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Jeeg Robot, Getter Robot, Daitarn 3 and Boss Borot will go to Fleed to help Duke…

(please note: in this fanfiction, Koji Kabuto is the pilot of Mazinger Z; but he is not the pilot of the TFO of Grendizer. The pilot of TFO is another person, called Alcor, similar in all respect to Koji Kabuto. In fact, in Italy Koji Kabuto was called Alcor and for a long time in Italy was believed that Koji Kabuto of Mazinger Z and Alcor of the TFO of Grendizer were different persons…sorry for this!)

The Acheron planet is silent: in the castle of Darkhold is happening an important event. The six General of Darkness has been called and they are now sitting around a table, which at the top sits the Dark One. Jezabel is sitting beside him, with a thin scar that crosses her right cheek: none of them are going to ask to her how she is procured it.
At some point, the Dark One turns to Jezabel:
"Well, you can start."
She gets up and everyone sees her: raising an arm, she starts to speak with a solemn tone.
"You all generals, listen to me. For a long time we, followed the Dark One in the conquest and our power has increased continuously. Large expanses of the universe have fallen under our domain and now the final destination is near. The entire universe will bend to our will. The seven stars are going to align for the sacrifice and when it will be sacrificed, the final victory will be ours. However, enemies are coming, who want to hinder our goals: they want to take possession of the seven crystals. Each of you, like me, is a keeper of one of the crystals: they must not fall into their hands! These enemies must be not only defeated, but destroyed in a ruthless manner, visible to all, as a warning that in future no one dares even to think to hinder our way. This is my command"
After a moment of silence, Jezabel appeals to one of the six:
"General Feral, what do you say?"
A man of enormous size, covered with hair and with a head of a wolf, arms folded, responds with a harsh voice:
"There are no problems. Hunting the prey is a normal thing for a wolf. Regarding the example you asked me to do about them, I’m not called mangler for nothing"
Jezabel was expecting this response. Feral is the most ferocious of the generals, but also the most faithful.
Let’s move to the next, thinks.
"Baron Samedi?"
A scary being, with a withered face and pale as a corpse, white eyes and white long hairs, keeping his elbows on the table, shaking his gnarled hands with each other and said in a voice from beyond the grave:
"Incredible that there is someone who wants to challenge the Lord of the Graveyards. However, for me to kill the enemy is always an advantage: after death, he becomes an excellent servant"
A female figure, standing behind Baron Samedi, covered with animal skins, with long curly black hairs, strokes with a smile the head of the snake who wraps her. The animal responds with a hiss. Pomba Gira, the second in command to Baron Samedi, thus expresses her approval.
That general Samedi is always uncomfortable, thinks Jezabel. However, even he agrees. Next.
"Count Mecha?"
Everyone turns to a metal man, quiet and solemn. It is not correct to call it “metal”: it is a kind of organic steel, soft to the touch and appearance, but capable of being harder than diamond. The face of the Count has no nose and no mouth, except for a thin slit: the eyes are bright and two straight horns branch off directly from the sides of the face. A red coat gives him a look of nobility. The whole body, similar to wrought silver, sparkle so much to be strangely alive. His voice is cold and emotionless.
"Every form of life must be discarded. Whoever the opponent is already dead"
A woman behind him nodding. She has the same structural composition of Count Mecha: eyes glowing, metallic hair long until almost at the feet, face mouth-free with only a slight, delicate protrusion instead of a nose. A plate shines just below the left shoulder. She is Lady Selena, the woman of Count Mecha.
"Without Soul?" asks Jezabel, observing the next General.
The giant, more higher than the others, does not respond. He is the General in charge of the Without Soul, the chosen army of the Dark One: he created the army by himself. His body is similar to stone, and his face has no significant, if not a crack for eyes shining. He rarely speaks and does so even on this occasion. Simply,
with only one hand grasps the edge of the table before him (it was made up by reinforced titanium) and crumbles effortlessly. The message is clear, and Jezabel understand.
"General Shizuri?"
Shizuri, the Lady of the Snows, the only woman among the Six Generals, observes coldly Jezabel. Her beautiful face is all white, including the skin and the dress; her bright hairs are surmounted by a jeweled clasp. Speaking with a breath of ice, she says:
"The enemy will pay"
Then, backs to silence.
She is always been a woman of few words, thinks Jezabel. Let’s move to the aching tooth.
"General Garuda?"
The questioned remains silent. Myrain, the evoking woman-elf, standing behind him, suddenly frightened: she feels the tension in air.
"I do not like repeating myself, General. Your response?" adds Jezabel.
Garuda slowly rises from his chair and, resting his knuckles on the table, begins to speak, gazing Jezabel.
"It seems clear that I will destroy the opponent, as I have always done in the past."
"Maybe" she replies "But you failed with Duke Fleed. He has destroyed your powerful monster of the abyss and still lives, along with his robot Grendizer"
"Kandura has faced an enemy worthy of him and was rightly beaten and. Contrary to those who have faced weaker opponents and ended up humiliated” responds Garuda with a mocking air.
At these words, Jezabel is paralyzed with amazement, and burns of anger. She does not believe to her ears: Garuda know what happened and, worse, is challenging her. The reaction is violent and fierce: with a single shot of Jezabel, the general is forcefully thrown out of the hall, through the wall, which ends up in pieces, and ending up crashing into one of the many towers of Darkhold. Jezabel reaches Garuda to finish him in a flash: but he blocks the blow with one hand and hurls her violently against a tower that collapsed on top of her, burying her under a sea of debris.
The other generals observe the clash: someone for curiosity, others with interest: anyone who dies, is one less rival. Only Shizuri, the Lady of the Snows, is sitting quietly, sipping calmly the drink, in total indifference. Myrain looks upset, not knowing what to think. She feels completely foreign to all this.
Garuda, meanwhile, observes the debris collapsed on her opponent and draws his sword: No motion.
May already be over?
Then, he hears a laugh and sees a figure that rises smoothly from the ruins, picking up a huge boulder and putting it aside with only one arm. Jezabel smiles cruelly, by shining her canines. Her black long hairs are flapping in the wind.
"You do not understand, baby" she says quietly "Maybe you think I became your commander because I am the sweety-darling of the Dark One, and he wanted to give me a sop. Nothing could be further from the truth, baby: I got this far by killing anyone who opposed me. Anyone. And now it's up to you, baby: this is your last lesson. "
As she speaks, her eyes turn white and Garuda understands that she is berserk: she looks like a wild beast, ready to pounce. If Garuda wrongs only slightly, is already dead.
"Selena?" asks the Count Mecha.
"I cannot evaluate the situation, count. Their powers are the same: who will do a false step will die" answers Lady Selena, expert in tactics and assessments. "However, there is a 74% chance that Garuda will make an error: the wrath of Jezabel is very difficult to deal with."
Even though the gap is wide between the two adversaries, Jezabel fills it with only a leap, with hands that have become claws, ready to strike. Garuda, at the same time, gives a terrible blow with his sword. The impact is violent and many towers around them crumble to the shock wave.
When the vision becomes clearer, the generals observe a figure that is interposed between the two fighters, stopping the sword of Garuda with one hand and the claws of Jezabel with the other. The Dark One intervened in person. With one move, throws both away from each other.
"Jezabel, learn to control yourself" says the Dark One. The woman, embarrassed, kneels begging forgiveness.
"Garuda, you have abused of your authority. This must be the last time" says the Dark One, in a calm but terrible voice, with a look shakes deep Garuda, even if it is not noticeable externally. At that moment, the general realizes that his power, however great, cannot rivals at all with that of the Dark One.
"The discussion is over" concludes the Dark One "Each of you go back to his general headquarters to defeat his opponent who will come. Jezabel, follow me"
Jezabel glances of fire on Garuda, then turns and follows his master. Both go away, while the Generals watch them in silence. They understand that from now on, the battle has begun. But not only that: Garuda and Jezabel are now at loggerheads. The next time they collide, one of them will die.

Into the space back for the planet Styx, Garuda remains silent throughout all the journey. He does not think about Jezabel even though he knows that one day he will definitely face her. He thinks only to the Dark One: For the first time he felt his true strength and he was afraid. Now he is taken from the excitement: he wants to train and increase his strength. He cannot wait to compete again to defeat him, no matter at what price. In all his life, he supported battles against stronger opponents and he always won; but he did not met an enemy that was enough strong to scare him. He will certainly face the opponent who will come to pick the crystal - maybe will be Grendizer -, but his goal is the Dark One, now more than ever.

Even Myrain is quiet and looks out through the window of the spaceship with apprehension. It was the first time she saw the Six Generals together, and it was the first time she has seen such a concentration of evil. Not to mention the Dark One. And she is at the service of one of them.
What am I doing? asks puzzled.

Jezabel has returned to her work, directing the movements of troops with dry and precise orders. But she does not forget Garuda.
Whatever happens to finish this story - thinks - there will be no more Garuda. That's for sure.
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Next (10 September): Battle begins!

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