INTO THE BLACK

“Sounds like it's all happening there Julie.”

“You better believe it Ted. It's a veritable who's who onboard Mykur's Castle tonight as A-listers celebrate the defeat of the evil Prince by his own son, Blade. It's hard to believe that just a few short days ago the universe was on the verge of a galactic war and now the biggest threat is the sore heads everyone's sure to be nursing come tomorrow.”

“Haha, have fun Julie.”

Everywhere he looked Jupiter saw camera crews and media. He searched around the room looking for some familiar faces. At the far side of the ballroom he could see Abe and Google by the bar as Abe appeared to shove Google in the direction of a familiar looking girl. Uranus. Google nervously began to talk to her.

To the right he spotted Liberty, hands bandaged, hugging and talking excitedly with her brother and parents. She looked more alive and vibrant than he'd ever seen her before. She couldn't stop smiling and laughing. It made her all the more beautiful. Watching them with their parents, he couldn't help but wonder how Billy would cope. How would he sleep at night knowing he'd murdered his own father? His question was answered when he looked to the left and saw Billy fast asleep despite all the media firing questions at him. Then he saw her by Billy's side.

Belle.

She smiled and waved him over to a quiet part of the room.

“It's amazing to think it's all over, isn't it?”

“I'm still getting my head around it,” Jupiter replied.

“You must be rich now.”

“Actually no. Technically Billy was the one that killed Mykur so the reward goes to him. Which, I guess makes you rich... being his guardians.”

“Didn't you hear? He's already donated all his money to victims of his father. He doesn't even want to take over the role as prince. He thinks his family has done enough damage. Raymond Tonkins is now in charge of all the planet's Mykur franchised with instructions to set them free.”

“Do you think he's going to be ok?”

She looked across at Billy as he slept soundly.

“Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. I think in time, he'll be fine,” she said. She paused as she looked at Jupiter.

“Thank you,” she said, letting her hand gently cup his face.

“What for?”

“You kept him safe... and...,“

“What?”

“I know what you did... at Soulmates Inc. Seeing you again after all these years, I finally worked out what really happened. You sacrificed your happiness so I could be with Harvard, didn't you?”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Jupiter said uncomfortably.

“Fine, be like that. But for what it's worth... in another lifetime, I'm sure we would've been amazing together.”

Jupiter shook his head.

“In another lifetime, you'd still choose him. He's your soulmate, I know – and not because some computer says it's so. Because the way you look at him, the way you are when you're with him. And yeah, it hurt like hell, but I guess... sometimes life deals you a bad hand.” He glanced across at Liberty on the other side of the room and smiled. “But one bad hand doesn't mean it's the end of the game.”

Jupiter felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Abe standing behind him.

“They just brought in The Blackbird - docking bay 3.”

“Does anyone have any idea what's onboard?”

“As far as I can tell, no. Mykur's distrust of people seems to have worked in our favour.”

“I'll take care of it.”

#

Jupiter couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched as he placed the solid metal case down by his bed onboard The Love Crusader.

“What are we going to do with it?” Liberty asked, entering the room

“The Trinity Key? Find whatever it opens, I guess. What would you do?”

“Personally, if it can't be destroyed I'd hide it somewhere no one will ever find it. It's too risky; if it fell into the wrong hands... Mykur might be dead, but that doesn't mean the galaxy is free from all evil.”

“We could sell it for more money than you could ever imagine,” Jupiter pointed out.

“You'll do what's right. I know you,” Liberty said with a smile.

“Oh you think you know me, do you?” Jupiter asked, returning her smile.

“I do. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to get to know you better though,” she said as she pulled him into a kiss.

That night Jupiter and Liberty felt like somehow in a dark galaxy everything made sense. That the universe played to some wonderful symphony that only they could hear. That they were more alive than anyone else had ever been.

Three times.

#

Liberty woke up early to find Jupiter's side of the bed empty. On his pillow, there was a note. Clearing her eyes of sleep, she began to read.

I've taken The Trinity Key. Please don't waste your time trying to find me. With the money I make from selling it, I can stay hidden forever. Liberty... I'm sorry.

Jupiter Black.