A/N: Well, hello there... Few days ago I came up to the idea to write some multi-chap to GF fandom and here it is... Kinda short story what takes place while Season 2, details can be found in the Chapter. The main characters are D'Jok and Tia (whoa, what a surprise, I never write about them) but the others appears too, I try to give everyone something to say. I hope you'll enjoy reading it and - as usual - leave a review aftermath, it's really important to me. ;)
PS This story includes swearing and may include some adult themes in the future, so I rated it T.
Chapter One
"Okay, Snow Kids, we're done for today," Aarch said to his players via the holo–handset. "Clamp, let them out the holo–trainer."
"Yep," Clamp murmured – he didn't talk a lot generally – and hit some buttons on his keyboard, which was understandable only for him and occasionally Thran.
The holo–trainer disappeared and Snow Kids were again in the gym. "Oh, dude," Micro Ice said, "I though we'd never leave the pitch."
"We need to train hard if we want to win the Galactik Football Cup once again," Aarch reprimanded him. "But you're doing well and you deserve a little relax. Go to your rooms and chill out a little bit. We're seeing tomorrow at 7 a.m."
"Love it," Micro Ice grumbled but Aarch couldn't hear him.
Tia left the gym at the very end. She didn't rush, she had no reason for. Since Rocket had left the team she lived in a numbness, doing the same things every day – waking up, eating a breakfast, training, going back to bed. No going out, barely talking, mostly tears. She hated it but couldn't stop at once. Why did Rocket leave? was the question she asked herself all the time. There was no need to leave, Rocket knew everyone from Snow Kids would help him to get back the possibility to play in the team. Tia blamed herself for Rocket's leave, she was sure she could have done more to make him stay, stop him somehow...
She entered the canteen where everybody was but she wasn't in a mood for eating, so she just a down next to Mei and stared at her plate. She didn't listen to her mates' talk and the truth was she didn't care about it. All she cared about was Rocket.
But was it necessary?
Rocket had left a month before and hadn't given any sign of life at all. Anybody didn't know where he was and what was he doing. Was he on Genesis or maybe came back to Akillian? No one knew but everyone was worried.
But it seemed Rocket didn't worry.
No, I can't think like that, Tia thought. Rocket is disoriented and feels left but surely he cares about Snow Kids. But the fact was Rocket left Snow Kids just before the Cup... Was it a sign of caring about the team? Tia's heart felt it was but the mind felt something else...
It wasn't the matter of Snow Kids, though. But Rocket didn't give any sign to her, Tia, his girlfriend, who loves Rocket and Rocket loves her back... apparently. If Rocket really loved you, he would give you a sign, girl, a voice appeared in her mind.
Stop, she thought. She didn't want to think about it now when everybody sees because she was sure she'd cry like a baby.
She raised her head and tried to join her teammates' conversation. Secretly she hoped no one had noticed her shining in tears eyes.
"Okay, so what are we doing this evening?" Micro Ice asked, looking at the team expectantly.
"Cyclops–Rykers game is tonight," Thran said. "I think we should watch it because we're gonna play against Rykers."
"Cool, I hella love idea of spending another night watching TV," Micro Ice grumbled. "No going outside, dudes?"
"I would like to go outside," Yuki said, smiling slightly. Micro Ice grinned.
"Brilliant! Let me take you for a walk, ma'am," he said gently and together they left the canteen.
"Actually, I want to go shopping..." Mei said. "D'Jok, would you–"
"No, Mei, I don't think so," D'Jok interrupted her, stood up and left the canteen. Tia raised her eyebrows, surprised by D'Jok's aggressive voice but Mei looked like everything was okay.
"What's wrong with him?" Thran said Tia's thoughts loud.
Mei shrugged. "We argued a little. Such a quiet days. Happens. But don't talk about it, let's just go and watch this game, okay?"
"Yeah, why not," Thran answered. He seemed to be not sure what he should've say. He stood up as well as Mei, Ahito and Mark. "You go with us, Tia?" he asked.
"Erm, I'm not sure," she answered. All she wanted in that moment was lying down on the bed and crying for Rocket. "Maybe next time."
"Come on, Tia, join us," Mei said. "You've been crying in your pillow for a month, don't you think it's enough?"
Tia didn't know what to answer. Mei had always said what she thought but this time Tia felt like her friend had slapped her in the face. But wasn't she right at once? "Uhm, okay..." said Tia quietly, standing up. "I'll go with you."
"Great." Mei gave her a smile and they followed Thran, Ahito and Mark to the TV room. They sat down and turned the TV on.
"We came too early," Mark said, looking at his holo–watch. "There's thirty minutes left."
"What makes us possible to watch the Arcadia News," Thran stated and switched the channel. The Arcadia News' logo showed up on the screen and its jingle played on. After the intro Callie Mystic's face appeared on the screen.
"Welcome in the evening Arcadia News," she said and started to share the news from the galaxy. "Today Obia's ambassadors, Marie and Stephen Dubois got arrested in their mansion on the Obia moon, then transported to the Technoid jail with an escort. The reason is still unknown, every asked Technoid officer keeps quiet but–"
Suddenly someone turned TV off. Everybody looked at Tia who was staring on the screen with pale face and wide–open eyes. "Oh my God," she whispered, she couldn't utter nothing more.
"Tia..." Mei started but didn't finish. She – like all Snow Kids' members – was shocked and disoriented. "I'm sure this is some terrible mistake, it's not possible your parents got arrested!"
Tia just shook her head without a word and stood up. "I want to be alone, don't you mind?" she asked, her voice was trembling. Nobody said anything so she left the common room and ran to hers and Mei's bedroom. She laid down on the bed and curled up, trying not to shake in a fear.
Her parents got arrested and were in the Technoid jail... but why? They were politicians, why would they got arrested? Tia often argued with her parents but in fact she loved them and was sure they were innocent. But what happened that innocent people were arrested?
There was no one to help them and Tia realised that she has to get her parents out of the prison. But how come would she do it? There was no chance to make it done on her own, she was just a fragile girl, nothing more.
She started to make a plan in her mind. She needed help, yes. But whose help? Her teammates? Tia thought they would try to help her but they were as weak as she was. No, Snow Kids couldn't know a thing about her plan.
So who? Rocket? But at first she would have to find him and convince him to come back. Her heart was breaking in two but she knew there was no time for looking for Rocket.
And then an idea came to her mind. Pirates! They were the best option, definitely. With their help Tia could rescue her parents before they went to prison. But at first she needed to find someone who would led her to Pirates and convince them to help her.
There was such kind a person. Very near her.
She stood up, forgetting about her sadness and broken heart. At that moment she was determinate and ready. She knew what to do, who to find. Tia didn't want to wait, she realised she had to do things quickly, there were no time to waste.
At first she had to find D'Jok.
It started to rain seconds after D'Jok entered the pub called The Slug's Eye, so he sighed, relieved and walked toward the barman's counter. The robot which was Pirates' cook was cleaning some glass. "You lookin' for someone?" the machine asked and D'Jok was sure if it had eyes it would have look at him suspiciously.
"Yeah, actually," he answered. "I'm looking for Sonny Blackbones."
"Don't be kiddin', boy."
"You stupid machine, how much times have I to tell you he's my father–"
"There's no such information in my memory," the robot said mechanically.
"Oh, go fuck yourself," D'Jok growled and went away to look for Sonny or at least Artie, Corso or Benneth but none of them was around. Finally he noticed a young man who D'Jok knew worked for Pirates. "You saw Sonny?" he asked him.
"Yeah, he's sitting in the back," the man said.
"Cool. This robot's not much helpful."
"Sometimes I wonder why Sonny didn't scrap him."
D'Jok gave him a little smile and went to the back–office. Everytime he wanted to talk to his father he needed to spend at least an hour to find him and that slowly made him pissed off. He loved his father and cared about him but sometimes he wished Sonny being somewhere around, when D'Jok wanted just to talk to him, such a father–son chat.
He open the back –office door and saw Sonny, Artie and Corso sitting by the small table and talking quietly. Not sure if he should interrupt them, D'Jok coughed slightly to make the Pirates notice him. Artie was the first one to raise his head. "Whoa, look guys who came here!" he grinned. "How're you doin', bro?"
"Great, thanks man. Hello, dad." D'Jok looked at his father, for a moment he was scared he came in the bad moment but when Sonny gave him a big smile he sighed, relieved.
"Hi, kid." Sonny walked toward him and gave him a hug. "Something happened?"
"Not really," D'Jok said. "Just wanted to talk to you."
"Great to see you," Sonny said. "Guys, could you leave us alone, please?"
"No prob, boss." Artie grinned again and left the room along with Corso who just frowned and said nothing.
"Sit down, feel free." Sonny pointed at the table. "You wanna eat something?"
"Sure, why not."
Few minutes later they both had a plate with warm food on the table. Sonny leaned to his son slightly and observed him attentively while he was eating. "So you're doing well, kiddo?"
"Yeah, everything is cool, dad. And please, don't call me kid anymore, I'm nineteen..."
"Okay, young man," Sonny mocked him but D'Jok only smiled. "You know, probably I'm not the best father of the galaxy but I can see something's eating you, D'Jok. You came to talk about it, huh?"
D'Jok shrugged, not sure what to say. "Kinda... it's a stupid problem, I mean... it's about Mei. I've got a feeling we've been arguing all the time recently, always about little trifles."
"I don't think it's stupid," Sonny said, "on the contrary – it means you care about you relationship if you're worried."
"Yeah but I'm not sure if she cares too." D'Jok stabbed by a fork a portion of meat on his plate.
"Your mom and I had some arguments too," Sonny said. "But we always made out because–"
Suddenly the door open and Artie ran in the room along with Benneth. They both looked like something bad has happened.
"Sorry for interrupting, boss," Artie said, "but we've just learned out that..."
"...Obia's ambassadors got arrested by Technoid," Benneth completed the sentence.
"What?" Sonny looked at them in disbelief. "How do you know?"
"They said it in the Arcadia News. No one knows why they got arrested but something is not going okay, boss..."
"Shit," Sonny swore and looked at D'Jok. "Kid, you better go home."
"Yeah," D'Jok answered. He's known Sonny for two years and he already was aware when the atmosphere goes high. He knew he had to leave now and it didn't make him angry or irritated. He understood. "See you, dad."
"Hold on, kid," Sonny said but didn't look at him anymore, focusing at information written on piece of paper brought by Artie. Some big Pirates' action was on the road and D'Jok didn't even try to fight with it. It was too late.
Coming back to the hotel, he thought about ambassadors' arresting. Why did it happen? Because of some illegal deals? Was it possible? Tia's parents seemed to be harsh and kinda haughty but doing crime things? Nah, Zaelion had the Pirates for this.
So it was strange they got arrested. They didn't worked for Technoid personally but went well with them. What happened then? Why did Tia's parents go to the jail?
As soon he thought about Tia, he felt a cold shiver through all his body. Tia! How come didn't he think about Tia?! Did she know about her parents? Of course she did, surely they talked about it everywhere – TV, newspapers, Internet... The news were released thirty minutes ago but D'Jok was sure everyone in the galaxy already knew that Obia moon's ambassadors were arrested.
Poor Tia, he thought. Rocket at first, now her parents... she must be devastated. Had anyone already cheered Tia up? D'Jok started to walk faster. Was there anyone for Tia in the hotel? So far D'Jok was the only person who supported Tia after Rocket's runaway and he actually worried about her, she was like a little sister for him. Definitely, he had to find her and make sure she's alright and safe. D'Jok might be an asshole (what everyone told him constantly) but he really cared about Tia.
He entered the hotel and went straight to his room sharing with Micro Ice. As D'Jok came in, he didn't see his best friend so he assumed Micro Ice was still outside. D'Jok put off his jacket and left the room to find Tia. The fact he didn't notice her anywhere was really making him anxious and worried more and more. He hoped Mei took care of Tia but did Mei think about it? Recently D'Jok had learnt to not trust Mei. Sometimes she did what she should have but sometimes (usually in the most important moments) she just went away. D'Jok had a feeling that this time she went away.
He reached to the common room and saw Mark, Mei (who crossed her arms on a chest and didn't look at him), Thran and Ahito sitting on the couch and watching the Arcadia News. "Hey guys," D'Jok said, "have you seen Tia?"
"Yes, she was sitting with us but then they said in the TV her parents got arrested so she left," Mark said. "She said she wanted to be alone, seemed to be pretty much upset."
"Oh, did she?" D'Jok growled and left the common room. He liked his teammates, he really did but why were they so narrow–minded? Why didn't they help Tia when she needed it so much?
D'Jok didn't exactly know why he got so emotional about Tia. He helped her to deal with a pain after Rocket's runaway and she was his friend, recently very close friend, almost like a sister... They spend much time together and D'Jok liked her more and more and was really happy when she smiled after all the pain she went through. Was it something bad he cared about her, wanted to see her happy, smiling? Was it something bad he was the only one person who helped her when her heart was broken in two? Nobody supported her, nobody cheered her up, nobody but D'Jok – who was called the biggest jerk around all the time. He knew there's some truth in it – sometimes he behaves like a big selfish twat – but he didn't want Tia to think about him like that.
"D'Jok!" he heard suddenly somewhere behind them and turned around. He saw Tia running to him and D'Jok sighed, relieved. Tia's face was pale, her eyes were red of crying but D'Jok was very relieved he saw her safe and sound. "I've been looking for you, D'Jok," Tia said, she seemed to be pretty desperate.
"So have I, kid." D'Jok gave her a smile although didn't planned it. Tia smiled back what makes her face looking illuminated. "I heard about your parents. How're you feeling?"
"I need to rescue them, D'Jok." Tia grabbed his hoodie and came closer. "And I beg you, help me."
D'Jok raised his eyebrows, surprised and shocked at once. "What're you talking about? What you wanna do?"
"I don't know exactly but I know I have to do something, anything... I can't just stand here and look at my parents being wrongfully sent to a prison, you understand? Please, D'Jok, you're the only one person who's able to help me."
"W–what do you mean? How the hell can I help you?"
"You're Sonny Blackbones' son, every Pirate in the galaxy will do whatever you want." A light of hope appeared in Tia's eyes.
D'Jok frowned. "I wish it looked like it. In fact I don't have much to say if it's about Pirates' actions–"
"But still more than average man does!" Tia almost yelled, she was getting more and more desperate. "I know it's crazy but I must do it, you get it? How about you? Would you just sit down here and do nothing if your dad got arrested by Technoid?"
"It's not the same thing, Tia..."
"Yes, it is!" Tears appeared in her eyes and D'Jok suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "I beg you, D'Jok, help me!"
"You're crazy, kiddie." D'Jok sighed, resigned. "Okay, come with me. Surprisingly I know where my father is right now what doesn't happen very often."
Tia just gave him a little smile and followed him.