Disclaimer: Saban owns them, not me. "Against All Odds" is property of Genesis. Yes, I remember the '80's! Barely....
Author's Note: This vignette is rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America. I know "Against All Odds" is a love song- well, sort of. But I thought it applied so well to Bulk and Skull's friendship, so I'm using it.

Against the Odds
by Ellen Brand

How can I just let you walk away,
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you...
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

Eugene Skullovitch sat in his backyard, staring up at the stars. Somewhere among those stars, his best friend, Farkus Bulkmeir, was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. The first adventure in that lifetime that he would undertake alone.

Skull sighed. He knew he'd taken the chicken's course, pretending to oversleep and miss his flight to Terra Venture. By now, Bulk had almost surely found the note that Skull had tucked into his suitcase last night at the going-away party. Probably he should have told Bulk in person... but he'd been afraid that looking into his friend's eyes, he wouldn't have the courage to stay.

For so long, the two of them had been a unit- Bulk and Skull. Can't have one without the other. Skull wasn't even sure he knew who he was by himself anymore- and that was why he couldn't go on Terra Venture, even though it meant he might never see Bulk again. He had to know who he was, even if it meant losing the only person who had ever been able to see into his soul.

How can you just walk away from me?
And all I could do was watch you leave,
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
We've even shared the tears.
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

Bulk stood by one of the panoramic windows that lined Terra Venture's observation deck, staring out into space. Crumpled in one fist was a note, written in a surprisingly precise hand. He didn't have to read it anymore- after the first ten times, he knew exactly what it said.

Dear Bulk,
Don't feel too bad about leaving me behind. I wasn't coming anyway. I know this is hard, but- I want to stay on Earth. Although part of me has always wanted to explore the stars, a bigger part is rooted here, in the place I grew up. I'm sorry I chickened out, and didn't tell you in person, but you've meant so much to me that I knew I wouldn't be able to go through with it. Take care of the Professor for me—he's going to need it. And I don't care what anybody says about Terra Venture's chances- I know that I will see you again.
Your buddy,
Skull.

Staring at the expanse of stars around him, Bulk was practically oblivious to the noises behind him. Professor Phenomenous had taken one look at his expression on finding the note, and was keeping everyone at a safe distance. So now Bulk was alone with his thoughts and memories.

How could Skull do this? They'd been inseparable since they were little kids. Since the day that Bulk had taken a skinny little weirdo under his wing, instead of pounding him in accordance with his first inclination. Since that day, the two of them had faced everything from biting flowers to legions of Cogs to the eternal quest for employment, but one thing had never changed. They had faced it together. Now Skull was back on Earth, with a widening gulf of space between them, and he hasn't even had the courage to say so in person.

So take a look at me now,
There's just an empty space.
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face...

Why couldn't you tell me? Bulk asked. Didn't you realize I would have given up Terra Venture in a heartbeat if you had wanted me to? I've wanted to explore space since- well, forever, but not by myself. It doesn't mean a thing without you here!

Terra Venture was a foreign place to him, with no links to the past they had shared. At least Skull would have the park, the Juice Bar, and all the places they had played or gotten into trouble- or both. Bulk had nothing but memories and a note that was already falling to pieces in his hands.

Take a look at me now,
There's just an empty space.
You coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face...

Should I have gone? Skull asked himself, staring up at the sky. I thought- I thought this would be better for me, but instead, I've got this great big hole inside. Despite his optimistic words in his note to Bulk, Skull knew quite well that the odds were that Terra Venture would never return. Just because evil had been purged from the galaxy didn't mean it couldn't return, and besides, there were a number of dangers that weren't evil. It could well be that he'd never see Bulk again.

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry.
There's so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

He shouldn't have done it by note, at least. He should have talked to his friend. Leaving would have been tolerable, although the pain still would have been enormous. But leaving without saying goodbye- that was unbearable.

I'm sorry, Bulkie. I wish- I wish you could still see me, so I could say the things I needed to. I'm not ever going to forget you, though. I promise you that.

Take a look at me now,
There's just an empty space.
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face...

I'm not myself without you, Skull. But I will keep on trying, and I won't give up hope. And when we find the new world- I'll be coming home.

Take a look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here,
You coming back to me is against all odds,
It's a chance I've got to take...

I'm sorry, Bulk. I screwed up. But I'm not giving up on you. And when you come back- I'll be waiting. There's nothing else I'd be willing to do.

A bright star in the heavens sparkled, and unknowing, two hearts made a wish on it, wishing for exactly the same thing.

Take a look at me now...

End