Just the Beginning

Title: Just The Beginning
Author: silversun
Fandom: Chronicles of Riddick
Pairing: Riddick/Vaako
Rating: Overall NC-17
Feedback: Yes! I'd really like some. :)
Disclaimers: The Chronicles of Riddick is the playtoy of David Twohy and Universal Studios, are sadly, not mine. :(
Summary: The end of an adventure, or a beginning?
Notes: Thanks so much for you guys support and feedback. It made this unexpected project easier to get through to the end. I hope you're satisfied with the entire thing, since I had a good time writing it. Many happy plot bunnies to you all. :D


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Mother Soryn stood at the center of the council room, dressed in a gown of white flowing to the floor. The other council members dressed similarly, the room hushed from the formal gathering. The doors opened and Riddick entered the high-ceilinged room, the ceremonial robes he wore gave him a regal presence, like that of his father. One of power, strength, and grace that the people once followed and would follow again.

Riddick nodded at each of the council members, and stopped in front of Mother Soryn. She smiled, the light curling down from the windows to highlight in her hair. A glimpse of pride in her eyes made them sparkle before her face became completely serious.

"Here you stand before the council as a lost son of our planet, back to reclaim your rightful role as the prophecy stated. Here to right a wrong and put an end to the evil that threatens us all. Son of Darien and Marcia Riddick I give you the gift of all Furyan's, now and in the future for the trespasses against us. The Rage of Furya," Mother Soryn said, placing a hand on his shoulder to press down. Riddick smoothly knelt, his bare chest aglow in the light shining down on him, his altered glasses protecting his eyes. Riddick frowned, his brow furrowed as the council members began a low humming sound.

Mother Soryn leaned forward, placing a hand against his chest. As a vibration started through his body from her hand, he looked up into her eyes.

"A mark you will bare, as we do."

A flash of light erupted from her hand and into Riddick's chest, the energy curling around his shoulders and over his chest, expanding for a beat of his heart before collapsing into the handprint on his chest. Sharp convulsions rocked his kneeling form, his head tipping back as a wave of fervid rage engulfed his body and mind. Exploding outwards, the force of the wave knocked him backwards.

Silence reigned as the humming stopped and everyone watched Riddick as he lay on his back, the only sign of life the harsh rise and fall of his chest. Slowly he turned to his side, one knee and hand on the ground to push himself up. When he made it to his feet he turned and looked at the solemn group, the white of their robes not hiding the glowing handprints on their chests.

"Now you know the anger of an entire race..."

~~~

On Basilica, Vaako remained doubled over the table in his quarters, struggling to get his breathing under control. Though Riddick had closed off their link as they weren't sure what to expect, a surge to his heart had almost knocked him off his feet. As he slowly straightened, he unconsciously rubbed at the throb in time with his heartbeat.

Vaako looked over as his comm. beeped, and reached down to grasp it with a trembling hand.

"Vaako."

"Commander, this is Reev. The Lord Marshal must have been successful in obtaining the energy. The energy reading on the containment field is extremely high, higher than I've ever seen. It should be more than enough to blow the core of the ship. We'll head up to the ship as soon as the Lord Marshal is finished with his business here."

"Excellent. Tell the Lord Marshal that the people have separated onto the necessary ships. We also have a fleet of men who wish to be in the fighter group, and the best has picked to escort us. Everything's a go from our position."

"I will correlate the message, Commander. Reev, out."

"Vaako, out," Vaako said ass he lowered his hand, sighing to expel the last of the shakes that shivered through his body. Turning at a sound behind him, Vaako saw Fury sitting on her haunches her head tilted up to stare at him. With a small smile, Vaako sat down and rubbed behind her ears, her purr vibrating into his hand. Rising, she placed her paws on his legs and nuzzled against his face, her silky fur brushing over him.

"Guess I'm not the only one who misses him," he said as he ran a hand down her back. Fury stared at him, huffed and gracefully removed her paws from him, already heading back to the main room that had become her lounging area.

With a short sigh he stood and left, mind already halfway on more duties he needed to see to. So intent on his thoughts, he didn't notice how Fury's eyes glowed in the dark corner of the room as she watched him leave.

~~~

"So it's done," Riddick said to Vaako as he walked beside him to the throne room.

"Everything's set. Just you're last meeting with the Necromongers that decided to go, and we'll be ready," Vaako said as he glanced over at Riddick. His bondmate had just left the ship Reev, Dar, and he had returned in from Furya, and they were immediately off to something else. They hadn't had a minute alone.

"What happened on Furya?" Vaako asked quietly as they took the lift to the throne room. Riddick looked at him, a slight frown marring his features.

"As well as can be expected. With the containment device in the room with me, we got the energy," Riddick said, partly distracted as the lift stopped.

Vaako watched his back for a moment, and with a breath followed, quickly catching up to Riddick who had slowed down until he was beside him.

"I," Vaako began, then paused. Perhaps with everything going on, talking about what happened could wait until it was over. Riddick didn't need to be distracted with his experience for now. He'd tell him about the intensity of rage that had crashed on him and the shakiness afterward. Even now, the throb in his chest, which had momentarily intensified when Riddick came on the ship, was dropping to barely noticeable.

Looking up, Vaako found Riddick's eyes on him. With a smirk he brushed his armored shoulder against Riddick's.

"I expect you to be civil. This is the last chance we have to convince these people to stay here and live."

Riddick sighed, apparently eager to get it over with.

"Yeah, I'll be civil as long as they are. Let's see who breaks first," Riddick said as the stepped into the corridor before the throne room. Stopping at the gated doors, Riddick nodded at the guards as they opened them, and stepped through. With Vaako and his advisors behind him, he strode to the throne, his carriage demanding respect from those around him.

The quiet conversations died as Riddick looked over the crowd, considerably smaller than the one he had first addressed.

"You all know why we're here. This is the last time for you to back out. There's no turning back after this," Riddick said, his voice carrying through the room.

"We will stick to our faith, Lord Marshal. We shall see the Underverse come!" former advisor Taalh said loudly, Lady Terrah on his arm. Her eyes glinted maliciously, a smirk crossing her face when she met Vaako's eyes.

"Not all of us are so weak as to believe your mistrust of the Underverse. You are not one of us, what you see as death, can only be the glory six Lord Marshal's before you experienced," Lady Terrah said, her head held high as murmur's of agreement went through the crowd.

"So be it." Riddick said, impatiently standing from his seat.

"We leave tonight."

~~~

"Make sure none of the ships are between the beam's position and the moon," Riddick said as he paced the bridge of Vaako's Frigate. Everyone who wanted to stay were on the Basilica, the fighters and officers to return were on the Frigate. Even Fury had stubbornly forced her way onto the ship with them, now resting in their quarters.

"Lady Terrah's planing something," Vaako said as he leaned in to quietly speak in Riddick's ear when he came in range.

"Not much she can do. It'll go down fast when it happens. She won't have time," Riddick said, his eyes glued to the screen. The portal would open at any minute.

"Just the same, I'll watch your back," Vaako said, voicing his apprehension. Riddick shot Vaako a look and cupped his hip, his cloak hiding the intimate touch.

"Nothing new. Don't worry so much, I've got your back. And there's a group of guys who are some of the best at what they do backing us up." Vaako stared into his eyes for a moment and nodded.

"I know," Vaako said, his eyes leaving Riddick's to watch as the screen lit up, a large beam from the planet hitting a reflective portion of the moon. The light fractured to reveal an obsidian-like oval in space, the surface clearly reflecting the ships and space, Furya a looming globe behind.

"Lord Marshal, we are now in position to enter the portal. Awaiting your command," one of the ships officers said, a slight tremor in his voice. Riddick had the thought that to them, this would be like entering the Underverse itself.

While it might have intimidated others, he wasn’t afraid of the dark.

"Let's move."

With nothing more than a second of complete silence, they passed through to the other side, a ripple the only sign of her passing. No one spoke when the Phantom fleet came into view on the other side. The largest ship hung in place, the fighter ships flitting around it in a complex pattern. Looking at the mother ship was like looking at two ships, one solid, the other a lurking shadow behind, like a man and his shadow becoming animated.

"Move in, go straight for the main ship and keep communication lines open," Riddick said as he paced.

Vaako watched as they approached the mother ship, waiting for it to begin. Would they be well received, or turned away?

"Sir, we're receiving a transmission from the ship."

"Let's hear it," Riddick said, moving forward to lean over the comm. as the man pressed a button, a gravely voice speaking from the unit.

"Zhylaw the Last. We have been awaiting your return. Harbor within us," the voice said, the fighters parting before them, creating a clear line to the main ship.

Riddick turned away to find Vaako behind him, his head tilted to the side as their eyes met.

"We don't want to keep them waiting, do we," Riddick said. The Frigate was soon close enough to come under the Phantom's shadow.

"'Bout time we got out of the light..."

~~~

Riddick stepped off the ship into the large empty space of the hanger. Taking off his glasses, his eyes quickly adjusted to the dim room. Looking around, every object he saw was physical yet metaphysical, a dizzying effect when he stared to long. Making sure not to focus on one thing, he was able to keep everything in perspective.

Feeling a hand on his arm, he looked over his shoulder to see Vaako list to the side, as if trying to balance the room. The men behind him didn't look like they were faring any better. Only Fierce seemed to be steady on his feet, his eyes in motion. When he looked at him, they nodded to each other.

"Go back on the ship. I've got the package handled with Fierce and Traax. You need to be ready to take us out of here as soon as we get back," Riddick murmured to Vaako, watching as Fierce told the men how to cope with the double vision.

"I should be with you," Vaako said, recovering from the temporary dizziness as he did his best not to focus.

"Stay. We need to get out of here quick, and you're the best with this ship," Riddick said, watching as the far door opened. In truth, the place was bringing out the fight or flight instinct, and Riddick wanted Vaako as far away from it as possible, which was in the ship. Probably sensing the turmoil in him, Vaako finally nodded and headed back to the ship with Fury in tow, his mind going over last minute checks.

Riddick turned to face the open doors, waiting as the interior door opened. Several guards came out, a helmet on their heads with some type of visor over their eyes. A figure in black robes appeared behind them, the being astral gliding across the hanger to stop directly in front of them.

"We see that Zhylaw the Last was not successful in keeping his life. What is the calling of the man who defeated him?" the Phantom asked, it's voice hive-like, many voices in one.

"Riddick," Riddick said, tensing when some of the guards approached.

"Why have you come, Riddick?"

"I found Zhylaw the Last's journals. They spoke about you, and his mission, so I decided to finish what he started. I brought the converts in the second ship, as well as a gift," Riddick said, gesturing for his men to set the box holding the energy containment device on the ground between them.

"We see...And what did you desire in return? Perhaps an army of your own? Or the power Zhylaw the Last possessed?"

"No, I just want to get the converts out of my way. That and a clear shot back to my universe with what I chose to keep."

"And what would you kept?" the Phantom asked. Though its face was hidden, Riddick had the feeling it was studying him.

" I don't want or need the whole army. Just these men with me on the ship, and if you're as powerful as Zhylaw the Last thought, than you don't need them," Riddick said, closely watching the Phantom's reaction. If it didn't take the bait, he'd have to try and talk his way onto the ship.

"Such a small thing to ask. Then we will give you what you request, as you have returned to us what is ours. And for your doubt in our power, we shall show you what you have never imagined. Then take these head ornaments, Riddick, they will help you to see well. Come," the Phantom said, a hand gesturing to the helmets the guards held out. Grabbing one, Riddick pulled it over his head and the room instantly solidified into one.

Seeing the helmets in place, the Phantom turned to glide out of the hanger.

"Bring the gift," Riddick told his men as he strode after it.

~~~

Riddick was disgusted by the time they reached the core room. Like on the Basilica, the Phantom ship had conversion chambers, and the amount of people having their life force sucked out of them was disturbing.

The Phantom itself was just one representation of its kind. The most Riddick got from it was that they were a linked entity, their thoughts synchronous. When they went by a section of pure black, an occasional gray shadow showed the other Phantom's as they went about their business.

The core room itself held a circular dais with a spherical beam of energy constantly replenished, a field holding it in. In front of it was a man-sized block wall of opaque crystal-like substance. The Phantom stepped up to it and turned to face them.

"When there are new converts, at times they need assertion of their decision. Here we teach them with an example. It is also where we take energy," the Phantom said as the robe dropping from its body. The body beneath was incorporeal, a shadow of a being with indistinct features. It raised its arms, placing them on the wall as it began to glow.

"Be ready," Riddick whispered to Fierce. The Phantom glowed with the gray light as an arc of energy raced from the beam to the wall, to slide through its body.

The Phantom turned to them, it's form still glowing with the energy it absorbed. Soon the black robe once again covered it as it descended from the dais.

"So you need to be in contact with the wall to absorb energy?" Riddick asked as he gestured for his men to place the gift against the block.

"As it is a conductor, we are constantly part of it, though we take energy as we need to...But, tell us again, Riddick, why you have come?" Riddick's eyes narrowed as his instincts thrummed in warning.

"I told you, to get rid of the converts," Riddick said, eyes taking in the room, possible escape scenarios flying through his head.

"We see...There is another opinion of your purpose, and it was given to us," it said, waving a hand to the guards by the side. They moved forward and opened the box, lifting out the energy containment device.

"We were informed that perhaps this is not the 'gift' you made it out to be, but a destructive device. You are of the Furyan's, and this device contains their energy. Take the device, destroy it, and bring in the lesson," the Phantom said, it's multiple voices booming through the room.

Riddick tensed as the guards circled around him and his men, ready to spring into action as soon as an opportunity presented itself. His mind raced with questions of how they found out, and who told as he waited to see what was going to happen.

The room entrance opened and admitted a group of guards with something dragging in the middle. Stepping to the side, the front guards reached back and hauled a body out from the ranks. Riddick gritted his teeth as Vaako came into view, apparently unconscious.

"He will suffer, consciously, and you will watch," the Phantom said.

"And you will be rewarded." Riddick growled as the guards stepped aside to show Lady Terrah and Taalh.

"It is our duty to serve you and the faith, my Lord," Lady Terrah said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. Taalh took her hand onto his arm, and both bowed to the Phantom.

The guards around Riddick pointed their gravity guns in his face when he started towards the pair, the usually impassive men weary of the sheer menace radiating from him.

Lady Terrah caught the little play and smiled, the spitefulness twisting her features made her beautiful face something repulsive.

Riddick's hands formed fists as he silently vowed to kill them with as much pain as he could inflict. Then he was distracted as Vaako stirred, his head lifting as he dangled from the guards grip, showing a bruise on his temple. Looking around, Vaako caught sight of Riddick and the men behind him being held back at gunpoint.

Opening their bond, Riddick gave him a nod, sending his determination through. They would get out of here one way or another.

The Phantom glided to Vaako and swept a hand down in front of his body. Its head turned until it stopped at Riddick.

"I see there's a connection between you. This is a suitable punishment, then. To sever it," the Phantom said, gesturing to the guards. Vaako was dragged to the crystal-like block and placed up against it. Four bands of energy appeared around his wrists and ankles, holding him in place.

"Now you will learn, that you cannot stop our purpose," the Phantom said, as it raised its hands to the wall.

As the Phantom approached, Vaako looked up into the robe filled with shadow, only to see a shape take form behind it. A tall, dark-haired woman drew closer, her body passing through the Phantom, making the robed figure disappear. She stepped in front of Vaako and held her hand out, over his chest. Hazel eyes stared into his, a beautiful smile alighting her face.

"You've found your mate, and have returned to your home. Take this 'memory' of all Furyan's and live, my son," she said, her hand glowing as it pressed against his chest, convulsions shaking his body against the wall. Just as the beam of convert energy arced into Vaako, a backlash of Furyan energy raced along the beam and into the core.

Everyone covered their eyes when the beam blazed brilliantly, blue energy devouring the gray until it burst free of the field. The wall's energy bands fizzled out, dropping Vaako to the floor. The Phantom in front of him let out an unholy screech, the sound echoing through the room. Its body alighted with a destructive force, disintegrating until only the robes remained to fall to the ground.

Seizing the distraction of the light show, Riddick grabbed his shivs and slammed them into the two guards on either side of him. Ripping them out he flew at the two in front of him, dodging their weapons as they swung around, slicing them open from navel to neck. Twisting around, he saw Fierce with a gravity gun, taking out the guards across the room, while Traax aimed for the ones by the door. Seeing the rest of his men holding it down, he quickly made his way to Vaako, grabbing a gun on his way. Reaching him, he returned fire to the guards, one arm hauling the motionless man behind the block for cover.

Looking up he caught Lady Terrah and Taalh duck through the door. Gritting his teeth, he promised to take care of them later and systematically took out the rest of the guards as they returned fire with his men.

Threat in check, Riddick looked down at Vaako, checking him over for any wounds. Vaako grasped his hand with a surprisingly strong grip, forcing him to stop the inspection.

"No time. We must go," Vaako said as Riddick wrapped his arm around his neck. Riddick stood, supporting Vaako's weight with an arm braced around his waist.

"I'll do it once we're on the-"

A tremor rippled through the ship, vibrations shaking the floor.

"Move!" Riddick yelled as he partly dragged Vaako out of the room. His men created a diamond around them as they made their way through the ship, the system's shutting down now that the energy core was gone.

They ran into a group of guards on the way to the ship and quickly dispatched them, the guards obviously not much in a battle against the hardened warriors. As they passed by a corridor, Riddick, hearing growling and yelling, paused for a moment. Telling his men to get to the ship, he gave up on Vaako doing the same when he clearly communicated his intentions to stay close through their bond.

Propping Vaako against the wall, Riddick looked around the corner and saw bright red marks on the ground. Looking closer he saw one in a paw mark, and came around to see around the bend. Taalh lay on the ground, unmoving, his throat ripped out. Lady Terrah was backed in a corner, Fury growling as she bared her bloody teeth to the terrified Necromonger.

Catching Riddick's movement, Lady Terrah looked up in terror. Seeing him, her face transformed, supplication mixed with allure.

"Lord Marshal, Riddick, help me. I can give you everything you need, be the best mate by your side. You could never find another of my caliber. Help me, and I will pledge myself to you completely, my Lord," she said, holding a hand out beseechingly.

Riddick strode from the shadow and put a hand on Fury's back, his head tilting to study her.

"You should've left it alone. You signed your own death warrant by messing with what's mine," Riddick said, his voice cold.

Looking behind him, Lady Terrah's eyes widened, hope blooming on her face.

"Vaako! Cylus, please. This is madness!" she cried, her eyes flashing in desperation.

"You made your bed...Now you can lie in it," Vaako said, turning to slowly walk away, the wall his support. Lady Terrah's face twisted with rage and she lunged after Vaako. Fury jumped forward and swiped her claws leaving a fatal tear in her abdomen. With a blank face, Riddick stared at her as she sank to her knees, screams of pain escaping her lips.

"No one comes between us," Riddick said, watching impassively as Fury jumped again, and Lady Terrah's screams were abruptly silenced.

Riddick turned and went after Vaako, mind already on his bondmate now that the threat had been dealt with. Running as the ships shaking became more pronounced, he caught up with Vaako and grabbed him around the waist to pull him along. Getting to the ship, Fury close behind, he shut the bay door and slammed a hand on the comm. unit as Vaako leaned against his side.

"Go! Now! Get the fighters out as soon as we clear the ship and head for the portal," Riddick ordered before leading Vaako to their quarters and dumping him on the bed.

"Watch over him," Riddick told Fury as he settled Vaako onto the bed. Fury settled down and began cleaning herself in front of the entrance. Vaako smirked and waved a hand in dismissal.

"I'm fine. Go to the bridge, where you're needed," Vaako said, closing his eyes.

Riddick made his way to the bridge and snapped out orders as they fought their way back to the portal. Having their communication so suddenly cut off, the Phantom fighters became uncoordinated as their main ship was slowly collapsing into itself.

The fighters, headed by Eleck, were quick to punch a hole through to their escape route, and boarded the ship just before she went through the portal. Watching the screen as it showed the destruction behind, Riddick saw the Basilica rapidly pulling away as the Phantom's ship began to blow.

Just as they reached the portal, it imploded, the shockwave rippling the surface of the portal as they slipped through. On the other side, in their dimension, only Furya and the calmness of space was reflected in the obsidian oval.

~~~

"Eliza Vaako soon met Alex Cylus and fell in love with him not long after her womanhood celebration. Though he deeply enjoyed her company, he didn't return the same feelings. Having met no one else, he thought to marry her as he wanted a family, heirs, and planned accordingly. But Eliza was from the same village as Risa's mother, and they held a great feast where Alex and Sara met and were instantly attracted. He told Eliza of his interest in another, and began to court her. Eliza was hurt by this turnabout, and devastated when she discovered she was pregnant. It was considered disgraceful for a woman of status such as herself to be found with child, and no husband. Rather than be a complete outcast, she went off-planet to friends her father had made in his travels, and give birth to her child. She named him Cylus Vaako, wanting him to have something of his father. It was only a few months after his birth that she heard of the war taking place on Furya. She left her son with her friends, and returned to the planet to help, only to perish trying to help save the children..."

Riddick sat on a divan against the windowsill, his mind visualizing the events as they transpired. Vaako in the hands of a family that was murdered in his youth, left to fend for himself on the streets, until the Necromongers came to their world.

Standing, Riddick looked out the window of Mother Soryn's chambers, his eyes glowing in the night, only a candlelight illuminating the room.

"It's interesting that he ended up where he did, and how we met."

"Perhaps you could say it was fate..." Mother Soryn said, pleased at the uncovered events. Once Riddick informed her that Vaako released the Rage of Furya, she dug into her tomes of history and journals to try and place him among their people. It was remarkable how his parentage slowly took shape, supplemented by what Aereon could find. Risa had been just as surprised to learn she possessed a half-brother.

"He is healing well. How does he fare?"

The man being discussed was just recovering from the ordeal from the other dimension. A few days of rest had done much to improve Vaako's condition. The bruise on his temple was quickly fading and he was up and about for stretches of time.

"Fury, Rayna, and Trey are keeping him occupied. He thinks since I should have a heir that we should adopt the children," Riddick said distractedly, pacing in the open sitting room.

"I think that is an excellent idea. Under your guidance Trey would be an impressive leader, and Rayna has an uncanny awareness of her environment. I think she would be an asset to Trey, helping him to lead wisely. They 'are' quite taken with you and Vaako..." Mother Soryn said, watching Riddick as he swept pass.

"Yeah well, I need to think about it. I already have a race of people, a bondmate, and a pet to take care of," Riddick said, snorting when he thought of Fury being called a pet. More like a member of his continually-growing family.

"What do you plan to do, after you help the Necromongers?" Mother Soryn asked in curiosity.

"I don't know. Whatever the future throws at us, I have a feeling things won't be boring," Riddick said. Mother Soryn smiled at his words, pleased in the outcome of the prophecy and Furya's direction. The future looked to be bright indeed.

"I'm going to check up on them," Riddick said, nodding to Mother Soryn, as he headed out of her chambers.

In a dark corner of the room, Aereon blew on her hand and smiled. 'The odds are good...That your future will not be boring.'

As Riddick turned down the hallway to his quarters, he thought of the long talk he had coming with Vaako. He couldn't help but think about his response when he finds out about his actual origin. Though Riddick knew it wouldn't make a difference about Vaako being his bondmate, who knew he really would turn out to be 'a companion found of his own race.'

'He'll probably make a smart remark about prophecies,' Riddick thought as he approached his room.

Opening the door, Riddick caught Vaako smiling at Trey as the boy's hands flew through the air in the middle of some story, Rayna tucked against his side in sleep. Fury lay on the bed behind Trey, her head and paws resting on Vaako's leg. Catching movement in his peripheral, Vaako turned his head and smiled when their eyes met, his happy expression matching the contented peace humming through their bond. Vaako held his hand out palm up, inviting Riddick to join them.

Riddick thought of his past, the solitary existence he led before his life was invaded and turned upside down. And looking into warm hazel eyes, he decided the invasion hadn't been entirely unpleasant.

Reaching out, Riddick grabbed hold of his future.