[Mobliz] Natasha Chapter 37 You Are the Light on the Darkside of Me The evening sun burned as bright as it could in the west, a fight it was destined to lose, at least until the next morning when it would receive new life in the east. The moon was visible, but not quite the dominant light in the sky. It was only a matter of time, however. Soon enough the hours of night would fall upon the Returner Capital. These were things that Natasha could not take the time to notice tonight. Normally she was in complete control of her emotions and how she acted on the outside, however tonight was different. Normally she could suppress feelings of anger and sadness, but things have changed. The event she had been hoping for since the Imperial Battle of Jidoor was about to take place. For the first time in her life since her days of being a little girl back in the Karn's household, Natasha was overrun with feelings of uneasiness. Frantically she strode behind Locke Cole, long time friend of....her. "Locke, do you really think this is a good idea?" she nervously babbled like a little girl, "I mean, I just don't know if I'm ready for this to happen." Locke was keeping up at a pretty good pace over to the courthouse where Banon was. He wasn't meaning to out race the Returner Commander, however it appeared that the granite slab of emotion that was the daughter of Gestahl had a fault in it, and when exposed the bricks would fall one by one, "I know your nervous, but now is as good a time as any. This could be your only chance to talk to her, you know. Plus I think she deserves to know the truth on exactly why your mother ended up where she did." "I just don't know," she sighed, still trying to keep up the pace, but found herself tagging along like a new born puppy, "I've played this over and over again in my mind, but now that its about to happen...." "Don't worry," Locke responded, he could see the courthouse was not far aware, "Your sister is a very understanding young lady. I speak from experience. Just remember that you've had time to accept what you know. You might need to give her time to accept it as well. I don't think you just up and decided that it was perfectly okay to be the daughter of the world's destruction in one day." "Thank you for once again reminding me of that, Locke," Natasha snorted, this time she sounded more like herself rather than the jittery little girl she had been before. This was a good thing, at least Locke thought so. "So sorry, Nat," Locke smiled, "But it the honest to Goddess truth. Figaro wasn't built in a day, and I doubt that Terra will be the picture of excitement when she hears you out." "If I get my foot out of my mouth long enough to tell her," she mumbled. "Locke? Natasha?" Banon's voice came from the left, he was obviously on his way home, "Why are you going to the courthouse?" "We were coming to find you," Locke said, "The grapevine tells me that a certain half-sister of a certain Returner Admiral happens to be in town. Thought you might like to join in on the meeting." "Oh really?" Banon's eyes grew large, "Yes, yes indeed. This is something I would like to be witness to." "You don't really have to Banon," Natasha shook her hands, as if motioning for a penalty in a game of Chocoball, the nervous little girl had returned to her persona, "I mean, I'm not even sure if she should know or..." "Don't babble, Nat," Banon cut her off, "You sound like a sixteen year old about to go on her first date." "I'll be fine," she sighed. It appears the adrenalin rush that was in her bloodstream had now come to a screeching halt, "I just want to..impress her." "If you don't, you can impress me," Locke smiled, tilting his eyebrows up and down, always witty. She couldn't hold in a small laugh, "Unfortunately you're not my target audience tonight, Locke, I'm sorry to disappoint you." He sarcastically sighed, "Oh well, back to the drawing board." Banon did a good job of withholding his laugh. The Goddesses know that he would be doing his share of it right now. Locke had that kind of effect on people. No matter the situation, he always kept a stiff upper lip. It was a quality that Banon had admired for years. ************************************************ "Duane!" Locke smiled upon the door's opening, it had been a long time since he had seen this young man. He hadn't appeared to change much. Still as uneasy as ever, expecting to worst of every situation. "Locke? Locke Cole?" Duane turned his mouth as close to a smile as he possibly could, "Its been a long time, Locke! How have you been?" "Oh fine," Locke beamed a smile back, "How is Katarin? And the little one?" "Couldn't be better," Duane answered, then casting his eyes on Banon and Natasha, "Sir Banon, a pleasure to see you, and Admiral Gestahl..." "We hear you have some rather important company, Duane," Locke slapped him on the back, "Terra's hiding out here?" Duane nodded, "How did you find that out?" "Oh I have my sources," Locke smiled, "I believe the Admiral here has something to discuss with her." "Yes," Duane's face got long, "I'm sure she does." Locke snickered under his breath, Duane hadn't changed one little bit. He was still worried about Terra, protecting her from anything at all. Obviously Duane knew already, he just neglected to part the information to her. Wether it was merely just him being forgetful, or purposely omitted from his memory would probably remain a mystery. Locke, however, would bet on the latter in a heartbeat. "Terra!" Locke yelled, loud enough where the dead could hear him, "Come on out, Terra!" "Locke?" Terra's voice came from behind a door in the other room. She strolled into the main room, and a large smile crossed her lips, it had been some time since she had seen Locke. "This is a rather odd place for us to run into each other, don't you think?" "Certainly is," Locke smiled, then a warm embrace took place, "Its so good to see you." "Likewise, I was wondering how long it would be until I saw some familiar faces around here, with the Returners being here and all," she replied. "Good to see you Terra," Banon smiled, standing proudly. "Banon," she smiled back, "Glad to see you as well." Uncharacteristically not in the conversation was Natasha, who was doing her best to blend into the background. It was rather tough doing so. She normally was the type who demanded attention from the time she entered the room until the time she left. Keeping among the shadows was a new twist for her. Terra had noticed her, but thought it best not to say anything about the woman until she was brought into the conversation. "Well, um," Locke began with his smile, not really sure how to begin this conversation, "I must confess, I do have an alternate reason for visiting you here tonight." "Duane, could you please leave us alone?" Banon asked. Duane nodded, and silently left. He didn't want to see how this was going to end up anyway. "Oh you do?" Terra asked. "Yes," Locke smiled, "Please come over here, Nat." Natasha complied with Locke's order, doing her best not to make eye contact with Terra. "This is Natasha," he said. "She's the head of my Military," Banon added. "Nice to meet you, Natasha," Terra smiled, extending her hand for a polite handshake. "Likewise, Terra," Natasha replied, doing her best not to sound nervous, then complying with the handshake, "I've heard a lot about you from Banon and Locke." "Oh you have?" Terra looked surprised. "Natasha is kind of different, Terra," Locke was doing his best to keep his friend's opinion of Natasha high, "But she's someone who has a lot in common with you." "Really?" Terra asked. "Yes," Locke replied, "I'm sure you'll recognize her last name, Gestahl." "Gestahl," Terra said negatively, almost insulted. What could this Gestahl have that anyone could consider common ground? "Now wait," Locke smiled, "She's not a maniac. She's very misunderstood. My first reaction was similar to yours, only more vocal." "As only Locke can do," Banon snickered. Locke coughed sarcastically for a second, "Anyway, as I was saying. When I first met her, I was overwhelmed with disgust that anyone bearing that name was actually still breathing, however once I got to see her, the real her, and not the Gestahl in her, I saw that she is not an evil woman." Natasha threw him a surprised glance for a second, she was beginning to wonder who's side the Treasure Hunter was really on. "Plus I don't let just anyone head my military," Banon muttered, poking Locke in the ribs with his elbow. "Yes, I was just getting to that," Locke replied, "I have since gotten to know her, personally, and she honestly reminds me a lot of someone." "Of who?" Terra asked. "Someone she has a lot in common with," Locke stated. "You're confusing me Locke," Terra frowned, "You're talking in circles here, my friend." "My point is...," Locke began. "No," Natasha stated firmly, Locke and Banon were rather stunned to hear the "old" Natasha in this situation. The nervous school girl seemed to be completely gone, "I will tell her." "Nat, I'm not sure if.." Banon began. "I need to do this myself," Natasha stated, "She has the right to hear this from me. Not Locke." "I see," Locke stepped back, he smirked a bit at Banon, this is what he wanted to happen. "Terra," Natasha for the first time looked directly into the eyes of the young woman who ransacked Narshe years ago, which started the entire fall of the Empire. Her eyes were so soft and innocent. A sigh followed. "Terra, you and I have something in common. Something that you, nor I, did, but its something that we still must face. Its something I have faced over time, and have accepted." "I don't understand," Terra said, her expression changing to confused. "Then I will explain it fully," Natasha replied, "I am the product of an Imperial genetic experiment. I was created by my father to be one thing, and one thing only, the perfect killing machine. My hair is blonde, because he willed it. My eyes are blue, because that's what he wanted. My mind is filled with battle strategies and technical blueprints, because he wanted them there. I do not deserve to live this life, but instead of taking the easy way out, I have decided to try and repay my debt to this world by helping it heal, and destroying anything that gets in the way of it doing so." "I see," Terra looked concerned, "I know how you feel. To be a tool, and not a living being." "We do have that in common," she continued, "but there is something more as well. Something I cannot undo. Something I will apologize for in advance. I am sorry to unload this upon your innocent shoulders." "You make it sound pretty bad," Terra said. "Like I said, I've had time to accept this, and have even drawn strength and hope from it. I don't know how you'll take it. My father is indeed Emperor Gestahl, and I have accepted that the blood that runs through my veins is his blood. However, my mother, that has given me the hope and strength to continue my life, is Madonna Branford." "You..you can't be serious," Terra said, with nothing but negativity in her voice, "You...you must be mistaken." "I have checked every source, Terra," Natasha sighed, holding back the emotion she wanted to show, "After I was born, our mother left me in Jidoor, where I grew up with a foster family. She was being pursued by the Empire. She had to escape. She then ended up in the World of Espers. I believe you know the rest of the story." "I cannot believe this," Terra turned away from her half sister, "This has to be false..." "I'm sorry," Natasha sighed, "Its all true. I wish it wasn't, for your sake." "I delivered her," Banon quietly added, "She is really your sister, Terra." "I see," Terra coldly stated, its all she could muster up at the moment. "I can see this was a mistake," Natasha said, this time the emotion was clearly in her voice, no matter how much she tried to hide it, "I apologize for bringing this news to you, Terra. Please forgive me...." Terra was silent. Natasha felt a cold tear running down her right cheek. She was about to do what she swore she never would. Without saying another word, she started for the door, and exited as silently as she could. For the first time, in a long time, the mighty Admiral of the Returners, the Imperial Princess, Natasha Gestahl, cried into the darkness of the night, her sister, Terra, stood silently at the window, saying nothing. Banon huddled with Locke, "This is horrible." "I knew something like this would happen, but I didn't expect it to come to this," Locke replied. "Human emotions are never predictable lad," Banon looked out the open door, "So which one do you wish to council?" "You know that one better than I do," Locke pointed to the door, "I think you should take that one. I'll stay here and talk to Terra." "Understood," Banon replied, "Drop by later, and we'll see if what we said has accomplished anything. I'll probably be at Natasha's house if I'm not back here." "Good luck, old friend," Locke twisted a smile. "Same to you," Banon answered. Banon left through the door his Admiral had passed earlier. Locke looked over at Terra, who still hadn't said anything.