As Life Goes On

Ted meets one more Ghost from his past...literally.

 

---

 

Chapter 26: As Life Goes On

 

---

 

Two Years Later...

 

 

“Well Abyssion, this is a fine mess we got ourselves into.” I said at Nick and Alana's 3rd Birthday Party. “Because of what our kids did, we're now family.”

 

“What's more twisted is the fact that you had another child with Hannah.” he replied. “For pity's sake, you have nine children already.”

 

“Well, Ted always said he wanted a big family.” Terra remarked as she joined us. “What's the total count now?”

 

“Katrin and Fin at 26 with Ann.” I began. “Celes at 21 and now turning three, Nick and Alana. Mark Anthony at 17, Serenity at 7 and Ted Jr. at 2 with Terra. Marie Kwan at 18 with Leanne and finally, Martin at 2 with Hannah. Oh and of course, 10 year old Angel, who was adopted. A perfect 10 on my part and yet...”

 

“Don't tell me you want more children?!” Ann asked as she came over. “Can we at least wait until Nick and Alana are a bit older?”

 

“I'm not having another baby so soon, either.” Terra added.

 

“Now is not a good time for me, either.” Hannah finished. “Leanne and Julie? Oh right, they're both dead!”

 

“Dead but not forgotten.” I heard an eerily familiar voice say. I looked at Ann, who looked just as confused as I was.

 

“Well, don't look at me.” She said. “I didn't summon her!”

 

“Oh, come now Ted.” The voice said again. “After all these years, have you really forgotten about me?” Emerging from the house was Leanne Kwan only she didn't look dead to me.

 

“Is this someone's idea of a joke?!” I exclaimed in shock as she walked over to me.

 

“Not in the least bit.” Celes said as she came over with Marie. “Jenna's a Spirit Medium. She's channeling Leanne's soul through her own body.”

 

“Such an art is normally so dangerous.” Ann remarked. “I've seen cases of people who are overcome by the spirits the host. I don't think that will be a problem with Leanne but...”

 

“Well, aren't you going to say something?” Marie asked me. “It really is her.”

 

“I..I'm at a loss for words...” I trailed as I fell to my knees. “All these years I couldn't help but wonder if you'd forgive me for being the direct cause of your death. Then, when I found out Marie was alive I couldn't help but wonder if it was fate.”

 

“It's ok.” Leanne replied as she took my hands in hers. “We were soldiers back then. I knew the risks and even when I became pregnant, I stayed behind. Knowing you and our daughter are together is enough to make me happy, don't you think? On top of that, she has brothers and sisters, too.”

 

“Contrary to what some people may think, we know you're not a monster.” said Fin. I looked to see everyone gathered around. “You've saved the world on many occasions and raised all of us. That's more than enough proof for me.”

 

“Even when you kept the secrets of your past from me, I knew it was because you love me.” said Katrin. “I'm sure that's what kept you going doing the darkest moments of your adult life.”

 

“You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration.” Celes sang.”You bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiration!”

 

“I wanna have you near me.” Mark joined in. “I wanna have you hear me saying--”

 

“No one needs you more than I!” Marie finished.

 

“Dad, you're my hero!” Serenity exclaimed. “Even when you don't save the world, I love you a lot more.”

 

“When I first met you, it was in that death camp.” said Angel. “The one thing I learned from you back then that I will always remember is no destiny is absolute.”

 

“Just admit it, Ted.” said Tom with a smile. “You're well-loved. Hell, I doubt I'd still be in the business if not for you. You always find a way to keep things interesting.”

 

“Don't forget you're also a Champion of Earth.” said Abyssion. “Self-doubt clouds the mind.”

 

“You're not that bad in bed either.” Hannah remarked. “Not that I only love you for that, of course.”

 

“Having known you longer than anyone else in this room, I know there can only be bigger and better things in store for you.”

 

“I just don't know what to say.” I finally said. “Thank you, everyone.”

 

---

 

“It looks like it's time for me to go.” Leanne said suddenly.

 

“What do you mean?” Marie asked.

 

“It's nothing.” Leanne replied with a laugh. “Jenna just wants her body back. Before I go, I want you and Ted to promise me something.”

“And what would that be?” Dad asked.

 

“I want you two to go on a vacation together.” she replied. “Just the two of you. You've both been through a lot in your lives and yet...you both have been holding back.”

 

“How can you tell?” Marie asked.

 

“I can feel it.” she replied with a smile. “The hesitation in you two. It's a real shame with Ted in particular. If he were to use his full potential, he'd have no problem using the Trinity Blade.” Before anyone could question her further, her spirit left Jenna's body.

 

“What...what's that supposed to mean?” asked Hannah.

 

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Abyssion remarked.

 

“But I can't be the Master Champion...can I?” Dad asked as the three of them stared at their respective swords.

 

“Jenna, bring her back.” I said. “We need to ask Leanne what she meant.”

 

“I can't.” she replied as she knelt in front of us. “I'm too exhausted to call her back.”

 

“Damn!” The three of them said in unison.

 

“You know what this means, don't you?” Zenith asked. “We at least know for sure the Trinity Blade will be used by one of the Champions of Earth.”

 

“That's one way to look at it.” Angel remarked. “All that's left to figure out is the how and when.”

 

---

 

“Well, this looks like everything.” Fin said once he finished loading up a storage container with all the Guardians. We'd just finished collected some newly discovered Guardians from all over the world. To make sure they wouldn't fall into the wrong hands, we were going to put them in a vault on Kyomora.

 

“It better be.” I replied. “We’re going to be on Kyomora for a long time. I normally wouldn’t ask for everyone’s help but my kids and I would take awhile to clear out all the undesirables.”

 

“Think nothing of it.” Hannah said as she came out of the Storage Container. “This will be our chance to play with our new toys, after all.”

 

“I really want to know what Leanne meant about Dad.” I remarked. “I mean, how could he NOT be using his full potential?”

 

“Well, he is the Champion of Time.” Hannah remarked. “I should’ve expected as much. While I was on Kyomora I made a contract with a dragon of the Earth Element. Interesting, isn’t it?”

 

“I’ll say!” Fin replied. “Dad and Abyssion already have a dragon, to speak of. It’s as if you three are destined for something big.”

 

“You could say that again.” Hannah said with a laugh. “And to think I only recently got my wings!”

 

“All who wield a Guardian are entitled to getting a pair, I think.” Celes commented. “Still, that’s 48 weapons!” Right then Mark Anthony, Alex, Leon and Kyle teleported before us.

 

“Everything’s ready.” Mark Anthony announced. “Everybody ready to go?” We all nodded.

 

“I never thought I’d see the day when we’d be fighting a war on another planet.” I remarked. “At least not with our own planet in one piece. Still, it is something that must be done.”

 

“We’re going to wail on those who would dare oppose us.” Celes said with a smirk. “There's this one move I've been wanting to try out.”

 

“Sounds like someone's ready to go.” Fin replied with a smile. “Now how about we get going so we can finally...you know?”

 

“That’s what I’m here for.” Mark Anthony said with a laugh. “Behold my latest creation, the Earth-Kyomora Gateway. With this handy device we will all be transported to Starry Heavens on Kyomora. I’ve never tested it so we’ll all see it happen for the first time!”

 

“I’m gonna have to say no.” I replied as I stood in front of the box containing the Guardians. “Send me and the Guardians first. If it fails, I know how to get back here and kick your a*s.”

 

“I think we should all take our guardians first.” Hannah suggested. “Just in case.”

 

---

 

After doing that, Mark Anthony fired up his new toy and Katrin disappeared. A few moments later she called us to let her know she’d arrived safely with the rest of the Guardians. “Now for the rest of us.” I said.

 

“Damn…that drained a lot of my energy…” Mark said as he started breathing heavily.

 

“What?” I asked as he knelt in front of us.

 

“If I used a battery made of plutonium, it could kill us.” He explained. “The only reason I can use it with the old one is because of the filters I have in place to protect people. This one is powered by Force Energy but I think I have just enough left to get us all there.”

 

“And if you don’t?” I asked him.

 

“Either it won’t work and I’ll pass out or it will work but we’ll be scattered across the galaxy in transit.” Everybody just stared at him in shock.

 

“Let me restore your energy before you use that.” Alex said as he took out Resolve. “This should reduce the chances of anything going horribly wrong.” After his energy was restored we were ready to go.

 

“And now, it is time for us to go to Kyomora!” Mark Anthony said as a rune appeared beneath us. “Terra Force and Soul Force, grant us the power to space travel!”

 

“Hey, what the...!” Zenith suddenly exclaimed as his sword began to glow.

 

“Our swords are reacting!” Angel exclaimed before the two of them shot into the sky.

 

“Mark...MARK!” I exclaimed before we shot into the sky. We flew across the galaxy at a high velocity. The last thing I saw before I crashed into the planet’s surface was everyone landing in different places. I found myself inside of a strange city on Starry Heavens. “When I find you Mark, I am SO gonna kick you a*s.” I said before blacking out.