Part 13 - The Calm Breaks

Michael hit the rock hard and slide down to its base. He lay there a moment, disoriented, and then instinctively rolled to the side. Good thing, too, because the next second the boulder exploded right where he had been. Ignoring the pain in his head, Michael looked over to where the attack was coming from. A low noise, almost a growl, came from his throat as he saw who it was.

"What's the matter, guy? Weren't expecting anyone to interrupt your lonely rock-breaking?" Nicholas looked at Michael scornfully. "I have to admit, I didn't think you had fallen quite so far as to actually find the need to attack rocks. What's the matter? Can't handle anything that fights back?"

"Come and see," he responded, standing up and holding up his hand. Instantly, the white flash of his energy came out and sped toward where the younger-looking alien stood. Nicholas just laughed and held up his hand. A force field formed around him, effectively dissipating Michael's attack. Next thing Michael knew, he was flying through the air again. This time, he didn't run into a rock. He lay there on the ground. Even without looking, he knew that his head was bleeding. He wondered how badly he was hurt, but didn't think it would really matter. He looked up to see Nicholas walk over slowly.

"You know, you Royal Four are actually quite a disappointment. I'm almost tempted to keep you alive just so that the people back home can see how pathetic you are." Nicholas sighed. "But no, Kivar wants you dead, so I guess dead you'll have to be. Small loss."

Nicholas bent down next to Michael and yanked back his hair so that he had to look up at him. "Does this seem at all familiar, old friend? You were much harder to kill the last time around."

"If you're going to kill me just shut up and do it." Michael could barely concentrate with all the dizziness and pain from his head.

"Now, I know that you were never exactly the brightest guy on our planet, but surely even you can see that you're not in any position to be giving me orders. It really is sad, though. Your name used to be enough to terrify any of our people. I knew soldiers who would rather take the risk of execution for desertion than face you in battle. They said you could never be defeated. But you were." Nicholas threw Michael's head back. "And now look at you. Pitiful." Nicholas slowly walked around Michael's body. "Well, after you're dead, it should be a clear path to the others. I can't wait for the reunion with the royal couple. Not to mention those cute little Earth girls you seem so fond of."

Michael suddenly had a thought of Maria being tied up by the Skins the way Tess and Isabel had been. There was no way he was going to let that happen. His hands glowing again, Michael threw himself to his feet. He held up his hand, and Nicholas's went up to protect himself. Instead of attacking him as he thought, Michael threw his body at the smaller alien. Nicholas was caught completely off-guard. Use the element of surprise, Michael thought. He had known that once. Now that he had Nicholas down, he had no intention of letting him back up again.

Michael started punching Nicholas. In the face, in the stomach, everywhere he could reach. And he hit him with his full strength. He heard the sound his fist made in the other's Husk, and was glad. It was good to be able to hit someone finally. When he had Nicholas unconscious, he could go for the vulnerable spot on his back. Michael looked down at the battered face and pulled his fist back for one final blow. Nicholas threw his arm over his face in a protective gesture. Michael froze.

How often had he done that himself? Hank would come home drunk, and barge into his room. Michael would awaken, and put his arm over his face, preparing for the coming blow.

Now he looked at his hand, covered in Nicholas's blood. He was becoming Hank. What irony. All those years, he could never fight back in his own defense. And now, when he was free of Hank and on his own, he acted just like his father. He was truly following in his footsteps.

While Michael hesitated, Nicholas kicked him and then threw him through the air again. This time, he followed up with wave and wave of blasts. Michael couldn't even get up. The pain was too much. He knew that he couldn't get up again, and cursed himself for his weakness and hesitation - luxuries that he couldn't afford.

Then suddenly, Nicholas went flying through the air by him.

Totally confused, Michael looked away from Nicholas. A strange man was coming towards them. A man who held his hand up in the same way Michael and Nicholas had while fighting. Michael kept his own hand up as he carefully looked at the stranger. He was tanned, with dark hair and eyes, and was wearing clothes similar to what any of the neighboring ranchers might wear - jeans, a flannel shirt, cowboy hat. As the stranger limped ever closer, Michael put his hand down. Although he was certain he had never seen the man before in his life, he seemed familiar anyway, and Michael felt that he was safe. Just as Michael had felt that Maria would never hurt him, he felt that this man would not harm him either.

The stranger stopped a few feet from Michael. The two watched each other carefully. The stranger slowly let down his hand. Only then did Michael look over to see how badly Nicholas had been hurt. He was shocked to see that Nicholas had disappeared. Michael frantically looked around, but didn't see the Skin. Cursing under his breath, he turned back to the stranger. The man was watching him with a smile.

"I've been waiting a long time for this," he said. Then, completing Michael's shock, he walked over and gave the teen a big hug.

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