For The Soul of The Stars: Abandonment

Written By: Lynderia

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of the wonderful and exciting anime Outlaw Star. However, I do own Kat, Proteus, The Dark Stars and many others.

Surprisingly, she had slept a wonderful sleep last night. The rest was good for her; she didn’t have any nightmares. Melfina hummed a song as she set the table for breakfast.

Proteus couldn’t help but smile as Melfina set the table. Jim was now helping her. He was happy they functioned well after all that happened last night. Last night was a night he definitely wouldn’t forget.

“Hey, is breakfast ready?!” Aisha said in her usual happy tone knowing food was being served. She was thankful for Proteus placing her in that chamber. She felt great, even though her pride was hurt, but it was now time for the wonderful breakfast Melfina had cooked. Aisha happily took her seat.

“Good morning.” Suzuka said taking her seat. She wondered what type of an adventure today would bring. Everyday seemed like an adventure, her life was never boring when she hung around Gene and the others. “Smells good, Melfina.”

Last night’s event brought many questions to his mind. Gene was now confused as ever, but at least he wasn’t tired anymore. This was one morning, in what seemed like an eternity, he had woken up refreshed, renewed. Gene sat down and smiled. Things actually seemed normal. “So, what are we having?” A smile grew on his face as Melfina sat down.

Melfina looked up at Proteus, “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“There’s something I forgot to do.” Kat wasn’t in her room last night, and there was only one other place she could be. Proteus walked to the garage door and opened it. He scanned the room. He found her sitting in a corner staring into nothingness. Proteus walked over to her. He wasn’t that angry at her still, but, “Get up. You’re going to have breakfast with us.”

Kat didn’t make any sign that she heard him.

Proteus dragged her to her feet, and led her to the dinning area.

She didn’t make any protest. She was still staring into nothingness. Was she in shock? “Sit down Kat.” Proteus told her.

Kat made no move. She stood motionless and emotionless. Proteus pushed her into a seat.

Everyone was a bit surprised with Proteus’ actions but said nothing and continued to happily chat amongst themselves.

Kat tuned them out. She was staring at the plate of food placed in front of her. She was not strong enough. They would always be stronger than her, wouldn’t they. Kat continued to think. The best thing she could do, she supposed, was leave-before it was too late to do so. Maybe if there were only three of them, even four, she could stand a chance, but there were five.

Proteus glanced at Kat once in awhile between conversations. She was totally detached from them. “Kat, aren’t you going to eat anything? It’s really good.” She said nothing, not even her usual retort about Melfina. “At least try some!”

Still no response. “Let me try.” Aisha said. She filled her fork with some eggs and launched them at Kat, which landed on her face. Aisha began to laugh, but still there was no response from the girl.

He couldn’t take it anymore. “Kat, I’m was really upset with you last night. Tell me what’s going on with you?!” Proteus said, almost pleaded.

Kat continued to stare at her untouched plate.

“Kat?” Jim asked. Was she even listening to them? They had to be a reason why she left last night.

No answer. The group only stared at her.

Kat stood and began to walk toward the garage.

“Kat, where are you going?” Proteus asked, surprised she moved.

“I’m leaving-leaving for good. I’ll be taking my stuff with me. I’ll leave you money so that you can take care of yourself for a long time.” Kat said.

Shock filled his eyes. Proteus didn’t mean to push her away. He was angry, “Is that all you have to say?”

“Catalog and file all belonging to K.D.” Kat commanded. Her small blue case seemed to be floating around collecting things.

She was going too far. This was drastic. Was she leaving because he made her sit to eat breakfast with them? Proteus stood abruptly and slammed his fist onto the table. “You’re not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong? I’m sorry. Is that what you want me to say.”

He was sorry. He really didn’t have anything to be sorry about. She was the one who was sorry, especially for what she was about to say. Kat filled her lungs with air, and wished for courage. “Sorry? You’re sorry! I’m sorry you and those ugly losers didn’t die!! I told them to leave before Jaguar came to collect Jim, and what do you do? You kept them here, interrupting my life! Please help me, the bad man is after me,” Kat mocked, “How pathetic! I thought you were better than that-better than them.”

Proteus casually walked toward her and stared into her eyes. He couldn’t read her. She had cut him off. Now he knew the coldness others experienced. He raised his hand and slapped her. “Bitch. You’re such a cynical, morbid, and selfish bitch!! I’m happy you’re leaving. Go back to the hell you came from.” He began shoving her toward the door. “Hell is the only place that wants you, so go!!” Proteus screamed at her.

It hurt. Not the slap, his words. Kat felt her heart shatter. She knew it would hurt to push him away, but she didn’t expect it to hurt so much. She wanted to turn around and bury herself in his embrace and tell him she was sorry, that she didn’t deserve him, but she didn’t. Kat said nothing and kept her gaze on the door.

Proteus wanted her to say something, anything. Why wasn’t she saying anything? She didn’t even make a retort.

“Cataloged and filed all objects belonging to K.D.” a computerized voice confirmed as Kat’s small blue case floated towards her hand.

Kat grabbed the handle until her knuckles turned white. This was it. Everything she owned was in this small blue case. Sub pockets were a work of art, her mind mused. Kat felt her empty hand begin to shake; she forced it to stay still as she grabbed the door knob and walked out into the world. This time was different, ‘Good-bye, Proteus.’ her mind whispered.

Gene had been watching Proteus for the longest now. Proteus didn’t even mention Kat. This was very wrong. Wasn’t Kat Proteus’ friend-creator? It had been yesterday that Kat left. She didn’t even look back, and she had seemed so incredibly attached to Proteus too. Gene sighed, something was wrong with her, and now something was wrong with Proteus because of it. “Hey Proteus.”

Proteus looked up at Gene from his book. He had been trying to figure out what happened to Kat. Plus, he regretted the things he told her, but it was as if she wanted him to react that way now that he thought about it. “Yes.”

“I was wondering if you’ll be coming with us. I was planning on leaving today.” Gene told him. There was no point on staying here longer than necessary.

Proteus looked around the house from where he sat. It was empty-nothingness. She was looking at nothingness. “Yes. I’ll be going. No point for me to stay here.”

Gene noted how dull his eyes were. They did not hold any humor, happiness, or light; his eyes were dull-dark. Gene silently nodded.

“With the repairs, and new installed weapons, plus the labor, your bill is $5,000 wong.” Mr. Biggie said looking up from the calculator.

Jim’s and Gene’s mouths dropped. “How are we going to pay for this?!” Jim said.

“Hey, you wouldn’t be willing to take IOU’s, would you?” Gene grinned. They really couldn’t afford to pay this bill.

Biggie chuckled. They were okay kids. “Listen, since your friends of a friend give me what you can. I’m real easy on the good kids that pass through here.”

“25 wong, would you take that?” Gene asked hopeful.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take it. Besides, I can easily track you down if I wished Gene.” Mr. Biggie said holding out his hand.

Gene placed 25 wong into the man’s hand. Something else land in Biggie’s hand. A gold card.

“Take 2,000 wong. I’ll make sure Gene’ll pay the rest.” Proteus said leaning back into the shadows. He really didn’t feel like himself. He felt as if he lost something-apart of him.

Melfina watched him. She could some how feel his pain; he was in pain. Kat really had hurt him. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” She really wanted to ask how he was doing but she was too afraid.

“It’s really no problem. I’ve got enough, she made sure I would.”

He didn’t even say her name. It must be really bad. Aisha knew Proteus cared for Kat a lot. When she first saw him, he had been so scared for the fallen girl as blood ran from her back. Aisha just continued to watch Proteus.

Mr. Biggie nodded. He took the gold card and pushed it into a machine, then placed it on his desk. “It went through. And if it’s of any relevance. She hasn’t left yet, but she’s going to take Gemini with her.”

Proteus nodded as he took up the gold card, and walked out the office.

He wiped the fog from the mirror, and looked at his reflection. Until now, he never really knew why she had saved him. Harry sighed. After the Galactic Leyline incident he was so confused, he didn’t even know if he was the real ‘Harry.’ Ron had assured him that he was, and that there was nothing to worry about. However, Ron’s claims just wasn’t enough. Night after night, he could hear Ron scream his name while having a nightmare. It was so depressing. One day Ron mentioned Kat, and of course he remembered her. With those memories came memories of rejection, so why would she help him come back to the real world? Did she really love him, but didn’t want to admit it? Harry smiled at his reflection; he could imagine Kat doing something like that. Now it was time to test his theory.

Ron sat on top of the Shangrilla, and enjoyed the cool breezes. Soon, both he and Harry would be leaving this planet with an extra body. Memories flooded his mind. This was the planet he had met Hilda and Kat. What a pair those two were. He was called to make a deal on a ship, and those two were buying. One thing led to another, which led to other things bringing him to where he was today-a twenty-six year old outlaw with a brother who he needed to teach about the world of an outlaw. He didn’t regret anything in his life except one thing, the indirect cause of ‘Ice Hot’ Hilda’s death. Him, Ronald MacDougall, a feared Outlaw, having guilt over the death of a woman who had played with his mind and his heart? The truth was, after Hilda had died he didn’t really think about it, or cared to waste time to, but when Harry…died? Harry didn’t really die, did he? His heart broke when he saw his brother, Harry, on the ground unmoving in the Galactic Leyline. When Harry became trapped in the Shangrilla’s computer system, he had to save him. He had to save his younger brother who was his only family and friend. The only person he knew that might know how to save Harry was Kat, and the funny thing was after talking with her she agreed to help him, but why did she? Kat knew about how Hilda died, but she agreed knowing his involvement. He was grateful, and that’s when the guilt came full force. In a way, he had killed Kat’s sister, her mother, and best friend. He had taken away her family, but she gave his back, how ironic.

Ron’s sight became focused on a group of people heading towards him. He knew who they were, but why would they come here and why would they… He looked around and saw why. Why hadn’t he seen it before? The Outlaw Star was a post away from his Shangrilla. One thing he had to admit, was that the Xenon Spaceport was efficient. One part was to dock and repair ships and the other, which was a few blocks away, was to deport. Now he wished he had left earlier. He didn’t want any unwanted encounters.

End

After thoughts: Proteus and Kat separated?? What’s going on here? How could Kat leave him when he needs her more now than ever?! What is Kat’s connection to The Dark Stars? So, what did you, the readers, think?!! ~~Lynderia