Chapter 11 - Peace's Price
The Red Dragons war wasn't turning in the special forces' favor, despite the death of the crime syndicate's fallen leader and the infiltration. Both Zero and Zoroark were barring the exit as a new wave of agents were attempting to break through; while the infantry outside were retreating from the heavy onslaughts.
Little did the small army knew was that the Dark and the Light Stones were illuminating as brightly as Sirius within Lizzie and Beth's pockets. The lines of defense were failing from the Dragons' destructive artillery and the landscape wasn't helping them in terms of cover nor room for advancement.
Several Dragons were aiming their machine guns at the helpless fleet...
"Hold position! We got movement, coming fast!" one of the agents shouted. "Closing in by about three hundred feet!" He looked down at his indicator and saw two massive beasts rapidly descending.
Out from the clouds, Zekrom and Reshiram finally made it from Earth at the Dragonspiral Tower. The reinforcements arrived unleashing their wild fury at the Red Dragons, mostly their lethal Yakuza. Using their fangs tossing them off the ridged cliffs, or their own weight to crush them, they weren't a force to be reckoned with! Neither when they were utilizing their intense flames or lethal electricity. Their rough exteriors were proven to be futile against their fatal bullets and grenades. They, the Hunters, and the Reploids fought with whatever they could. The strenuous atmosphere and the constant, chilling winds kept holding them back, though.
Other assassins managed to reach the base and started to break into the Tower. Zero and Zoroark were helplessly trapped, trying their best to defend the incapacitated Julia with their lives. Their strength was dwindling, and they braced for the worst. The agent broke his disguise and discarded the reflective shades, and Zero drew out his Z-Saber while loading his Z-Buster.
"Brace yourself, Zoroark! We must save Julia!"
The assailants temporarily stopped when they noticed the roof began to collapse. A chunk fell at a distant corridor and some leftover dust rained onto their precious spiffy tuxes. All of a sudden, they were flattened in an avalanche made out of very large pieces of ice. The Tower was unprotected despite being underneath a small alcove.
Zero and Zoroark noticed the silence and the Maverick Hunter struggled to open the door against the enormous, crystal-like shard. "Zoroark, hold open the door. I'll try and carve our way out of this." Using his Z-Saber, he downloaded the neon orange Fire Saber again which worked wonders on the damage left by the enormous ice. It melted like magic, revealing the bone-crushed members beneath.
They couldn't stand the demolition, though they rightfully deserved it!
Zero told Zoroark to carry Julia's still body out, though they were greatly worried if they should be immersed into the battlefield once more. Their special forces were depleting on all supplies and ammo due to the advancing syndicate with the arrival of Reshiram and Zekrom; even still, victory looked very bleak from here.
Suddenly, the Tower briefly shook, as if an earthquake hit it. Zero suspected it was due to the Pokémon using the move like Aurorus or the two Swasbucks. But it wasn't what he thought when even more chunks of the so-called indestructible mountain collapsed onto the Tower itself. It was even enough to break through the entire roof and dim the lights, making the room's barely seeable.
"We're gonna get buried up here!" Zero screamed. He grabbed Zoroark and pulled him and Julia as they ran for their hides. "Move, Zoroark! Hurry!"
The two Legendary Dragons knew at this rate their Trainers, nor their allies, would survive another large attack. Their only chance was to wipe out every last surviving member of the syndicate, both from above and below the fleet. Zekrom took the bulk, while Reshiram alternated from aiding its partner, as well as melting the shielded ice making the summit of Olympus Mons collapse onto their enemies. It was also more deadly as the Fire-Types who're still able to fight added onto the heat left by the Vast White Dragon. Both Reshiram and Zekrom had the method to utilize the treacherous environment to their advantage.
Reshiram used its most potent flaming abilities yet to mop the floor with its enemies, while also causing the once unconquerable mountain to collapse. It, along with the constant onslaughts from both sides, wasn't enough for the highest peak in the universe to handle. Briefly, the battle screeched to a halt as everyone saw debris and particles of dust and ice rain down onto them.
"Oh no..!" Trudy muttered. "Run!"
"Emergency maneuvers! Get the hell down!" X cried out.
The Trainers immediately withdrew each of their active Pokémon, but they didn't have the time nor patience to call back their mighty Dragons. Zero dashed away as fast as possible, and Zoroark created the illusion of another Rapidash to increase its speed while still carrying Julia's limp body. In the nick of time, they made it out, though they still had a ways to go as they quickly descended the uneven, disturbed trail. The remaining fully-functional Reploids carried the humans away and made the escape faster, although they needed to keep their footing from the slippery terrain.
Victoria soared over the demise as she saw the massive clouds of melted ice and thick dust blanketing the slope. She lowered the carrier, with Zeros cowering in fear, and managed to punch a button that opened a hatch from the side. She spoke from a loudspeaker over the ruckus of the falling debris, "Guys! Enter the open hatch of my truck! Get inside now! Run for cover, you can't stay here! Get outta there!"
Everyone obliged as they barely heard Victoria's pleas over the roars of the mountain's demise. They ran and leapt as far as they could, with the Reploids coming in first. The deck shook as each of them landed harshly on the ramp. Then there was X who loaded the dock. But just as he was about to seal the opened latch, he heard cries realizing it was his partner, Zero. He looked back and saw a fiery figure rapidly descend the peak as fast as the eye could see. The steed wearing the sneering eyes and green irises leapt with Julia slipping from its back. Zero lurched as he caught her in his arms while he made a humongous jump! For a few moments, Zero glanced at her grace which caused his mind to shift back to Iris again. Then, he noticed he was just a few feet short. He outstretched an arm, though X using his quick reflexes caught him!
The landing caused the truck to tilt over as the Maverick Hunters held on for dear life. They were eventually able to pull each other up thanks to some helping hands from Reploids and humans, though there was still something that was amiss. Everyone was accounted for, excepting the two Legendary Dragons!
Reshiram stopped its rage, realizing its Trainer wasn't going to make it out alive. The truck was moving at a snail's pace from all the weight of what was left of the special forces, including the masses of the Reploids, X, and Zero. The added weight caused the truck to become vulnerable to oncoming heavy debris, which hit it on contact driving it down from just a few miles up! The wide shield volcano was too much for the liftoff!
"Everybody hang on! All hands brace for impact!" The driver yelled.
The sudden demise had damaged Victoria's truck, forcing it to shut down and nearly kill her in the process. The Reploids covered the unfortunate humans and Pokémon who were exposed. While Reshiram was holding back the avalanche as much as it could, its mistress, Lizzie, begged it to escape with them. Same thing with Beth and her Zekrom.
As if speaking telepathically, they said they must go without them. That this...was the only way. Despite their promises for victory and survival, Beth and Lizzie kept imploring them to leave.
X recovered and kept starting Vicky's truck. Unfortunately, the vehicle left by the impact was nonfunctional, so Zekrom leapt down the trail and charged the engines using its awesome turbines from its tail, giving it a power boost. The astronomical weight was too strong for Reshiram alone. Zekrom, too, was caught in the crossfire, while letting Beth as well as her compatriots escape with their lives. The ferocity was more than they could handle, and with a few stowaways left by the lucky few Reploids and a lifeless Julia, they were able to survive and leave the devastating peak, with the two Legendary Dragons sacrificing themselves as they stayed behind, near the summit. The helm went active again and X ascended the truck while the Dragons kept holding the crumbling ice and dust, smiling at the warriors they proudly served.
While the two perished, the Stones lost their luster. Both Lizzie and Beth began to sob for the sacrifices they made, as well as angrily accepting their refusal to be called back to them.
X cried out as he looked over and saw Victoria impaled by a fallen metal spike coming out from the middle of her chest. With an enormous, open gash left by the crash landing, X, Zero, the Reploids, Trudy, and Faye witnessed Victoria dying afterward, while the Trainers comforted the distraught cousins.
"Ergh... Zero, everyone..."
"You shouldn't talk." Faye said, laying a comforting hand on her cheek. She as well as others had to constantly look away from that gruesome open wound. They were even thankful that her cat wasn't here to see it.
"Zero, X..." she coughed up some blood. "You must...to this. Give her my blood. For Spike and for Julia..."
Her voice was nearly audible when she explained that she was a Type-O, much like Spike and Vicious. "Hurry. He needs this. To be happy, reunited with his beloved..! I would wish for the same thing with Ural..." she sighed.
Still not quite unnerved by Vicky's condition, Zero applied the last, intact syringe he managed to find before he and Zororark got trapped during the ambush. Like a dedicated surgeon, he drew in some of her blood flowing from the gash.
"Faye, please look after my only companion, Zeros. He truly needs a friend... And, please...let Spike and Julia be able to lead a happy, peaceful life, together... The war should be won now. May my spirit fly among the stars, with Ural..." She was able to make a smile, thanking her newfound friends, before she gave her last breath and closed her eyes.
Everyone, including the Reploids, were in mourning for all the sacrifices they had endured over these past several hellish days. As far back as when the dreadful nightmare first began... Was this truly the end?
Spike's eyes went into rapid-eye movement, his lids looked as if they were fluttering around 100 miles a second. Mr. Appledelhi, Macintire, and Edward gave Jet whatever medical supplies they can get their hands on whether it'd be some ice packs or a couple of extra-strength pain relievers, though the retired officer exerted himself trying to awaken him, but he wouldn't even budge; it was as if he was having a very horrifying nightmare just waiting to consume him. Ein at times licked their faces as a constant reassurance for their pain and suffering, never leaving their side.
The gang hardly noticed the landing of the Red Tail, Space Shuttle, nor Vicky's truck. They all abruptly looked up as they heard the handle jiggle and in popped Trudy, Faye, X, Zero, and Mary all wearing grim expressions on their faces.
"Agh, guys... You're back." Jet was very astonished upon their return, as well as their condition seeing the filth, cuts, and bruises all over.
"Oh. Did you guys win? Was it the Red Dragons?" Macintire queried, wearing the same shock as Jet.
As did Mr. Appledelhi, "I actually killed their leader, Kim Yokushimo; Jet told me all about him, and they had a struggle. I was lucky I was able to use his gun and make a clear shot."
Edward and Ein stormed to them. "Did ya win?! Are the baddies gone?!"
"Whoa, Edward!" Faye tried to keep the hyper-active kid back. "I-I think we should turn on the Televid to find out."
Everyone did just that. Sure enough, there was a newsbreak; a male announcer was briefing over the destruction of Olympus Mons. Jet and the others were stunned at the sight of it. Mary explained it was actually the Trainers' Fire-Types, the Reploids scorching skills, as well as Reshiram who showed up as a reinforcement. She went on that it, Zekrom, and Victoria died for the cause, along several casualties from the ISSP and Reploids.
As soon as the young host mentioned the Red Dragons have surrendered, everyone cheered! The surviving officers, with the assistance done by the Reploids, had caused them to falter. He mentioned that with every agent captured, all veterans that participated should receive a hefty bounty. But, unfortunately, the joy was only short-lived, as they discussed about those they had lost, even the Bebop.
Despite the hurrah from the outside, Spike was still in a comatose state, or rather a dream state, in between life and death, or order and chaos. While in limbo, he actually wound up in a desolate, dark area.
"Spike." someone whispered to him, causing him to stir, barely opening his eyes as he saw a bright light linger over him. Through the glare and his blurry vision, he thought he saw double, though he later recognized it was only Shin and Lin.
"Spike, it's us, Shin and Lin." Lin said with a slight grin.
"You need to rise up, Spike." Shin said in a more serious manner. "The war has been won. You're a free man now."
Spike barely moved a muscle; he felt his body was being weighed down by an anvil. Or he was just paralyzed by all the physical torment he took. "Ergh, Lin, Shin... I can't move. Ergh, I don't have the strength."
He heard and saw other spirits encouraging him to come to: Annie, the twins Shin and Lin, Rocco, even his late mentor Mao Yenrai.
"Spike, my boy." Annie spoke. "You've gone a long way since you became a member of the syndicate. You becoming a bounty hunter and a renowned anti-hero, trying to reunite and live peacefully with Julia. You found her, and your friends are reviving her as we speak. You'll be together yet. And your blood ties with Vicious has been permanently cut."
"She is right, Spike, my son." His face shot up when he heard Mao in the heavens. Still, he didn't have the vigor to get up. "You must get up. Julia awaits you. The Red Dragons have been captured and slewed; I can finally rest now since Vicious nor Yokushimo could no longer influence the syndicate. The Van may have been murdered as well, I saw them die by the corruption Vicious laid."
"But I knew since then that you will lead them. This is even better since they are gone, and only you and Julia could be our budding legacy." Shin added.
"Is that...Julia?" Jet asked curiously.
"Yeah, Jet; I met her once when I saved her that one time. And she knew Spike." Faye answered.
"Oh, I hope we're not too late." Trudy said as pessimistic as ever. Edward got her fingers crossed as tightly as possible.
Zero and X laid her down on an unfolded green cot beside Spike. The red bot inserted the syringe into the back of Julia's neck. He then leaned over and whispered in her ;eft ear the same incantation as Kim and his foot soldiers used. Gradually, life started to return to her. Her cheeks were growing red, her skin was returning to its light peach-pinkish hue, her heart began to pump blood, and her breathing started shallowly.
"Julia..? Julia." Zero kept saying her name, attempting to awaken her. "Spike needs you, wake up."
Eventually, she did just that. Her eyes opened very slowly as she moaned, while her head constantly moved. Her mind barely registered that she was even alive. Her vision cleared and she saw Zero and the others smile over her.
"Who...who are you?"
Faye stepped forward. "Don't you remember me, Julia? I saved your life while the Red Dragons were chasing you. You seem to know Spike, and you wanted some bounty hunters to look after you." She then smiled, "Well, so are we." She showed and introduced her to the group. Though, Edward had to be sent away for awhile by Macintire to keep the silence.
Zero stated of Victoria's fate, and that she was willing to donate her blood to Julia, reviving her and reuniting with Spike instead of turning into a puppet hellbent on war and chaos. "Though, I used the black magic incantation, I actually deleted it from my internal memory banks."
"Why? Why did you do that?" X asked.
"I was awakened by Dr. Wily and infected with the Maverick Virus, so I barely know a thing or two about using a very sinister spell to resurrect someone. Besides, it's the only way to end this nightmare..." he looked down at Spike. "And maybe...his." He had some insecurities about the madman who destroyed the Bebop and nearly slewed his former friends. He also recently discovered that he, too, used to be one of the top assassins of the syndicate, no different than himself. He was truly on the fence as to whether or not he should spare him.
Julia glanced over and saw him. She gasped, "Spike!" She immediately went over to him, startling the onlookers.
She whispered to him as he still slumbered, "Spike..? Spike. If you could hear me, come back. To me, to us. I...I love you, Spike, and that's all that matters. It's all a bad dream, Spike. Come out of it, and end it now." Her last sentence caused her voice to crack under the desperation.
"Julia is right." Everyone looked over and saw Zero step up. He stated earnestly, "Spike's soul would never find any rest nor peace. He'll only know the influence of Vicious' blood within him then the nightmare will begin again!" His voice calmed some. "Julia, only you can do this. Let it end, tonight."
Julia nodded then looked toward her loved one again. "It's all...still a dream, Spike. Just a dream." She leaned in, then kissed him passionately on the lips, then on his forehead. Soon enough, Spike began to take in deep breaths. She watched him very closely as she readjusted his hands attempting to rest them on his rising and falling chest. She laid a hand on top of them and caressed them gently, even his left cheek.
"Guys." Trudy ran toward the group. "We need to hurry. The Reploids are leaving. Oh, hi, Julia."
She only gave her a small smile.
"On my way." Zero said. He followed X and they all followed them out, but Faye hesitated. Ein gave them one last lick as a final goodbye to both lovebirds.
"Julia. Are you coming with us?"
She slowly shook her head. "I'd prefer to stay with Spike if you all don't mind."
She nodded and headed out with the others.
The sky was a very dark red fading into black. And X was bidding Zero farewell.
"So where are you girls heading?" Trudy asked Mary. Her cousins were too busy loading up Victoria's truck.
"Home. The war is finally over. Our friends and families must be very worried about us, especially since none of us expected to land on Mars and fight an intergalactic conflict."
"Yeah I guess. We'll miss all of you. You guys did wonderful back there; we never would've won this fight without you."
"Nor would we without Reshiram, Zekrom, and Victoria. We should also pay our respects. And honor them."
Edward gave Trudy a giant, affectionate bearhug, repeating on how much she'd miss her. Trudy later gave Ein a joyful belly rub. She would definitely miss them dearly, and she hoped Edward and her parental guardians would call her and Jet anytime they wish.
The rest of the crew wished them a safe journey back, and Jet advised them to use the Hyperspace Gates like the last time they entered here. He couldn't have been anymore prouder. However, someone decided to stay. As the truck started its ignition and eventually lifted off through the thin atmosphere, Trudy noticed Zero looking up, watching X wave goodbye through the driver's side window to his new friends below. He saluted him and waved back.
"Zero," Trudy called to him, and he faced her wearing the same confident expression. "You've chosen to stay on Mars? Why?"
"Well, you know, I've decided to take a break from living on Earth for awhile. Sigma's gone, the Red Dragon syndicate has been thwarted, and Kim is no more. Besides, becoming a bounty hunter than a Maverick Hunter's not a bad idea. This could be a great opportunity for me, meeting other lifeforms, exploring other worlds. And X and I are finding peace at last. Let's hope Spike would do the same."
"We hope so, too, Zero. Glad you decided to stay with us and hang out." She smiled back at him.
Meanwhile, Julia watched the long truck ascend and soar away from Tharsis. She will never forget the time when she was able to receive another bill of life. Then, she heard a groan coming from Spike's gullet. She gasped while she looked down, watching her beloved finally and slowly open his eyes.
When his vision readjusted, he only let out a little whisper, "J...Julia..?"
Her smile grew wide. She lifted his head with her hand going behind his neck, lifting him to kiss her. She knew he wanted this for a long time. From that moment of bliss, he knew this was all too real to be considered another dream. And they couldn't be any happier; both he and Julia grinned as they looked deeply into their eyes, despite Spike having an artificial one.
It was as if time stood still when they warmed up toward each other. They kissed deeply, like there was no tomorrow. Thank goodness no one else witnessed their soulful reunion, pun intended.
A/N: Zekrom's, Reshiram's, as well as Victoria's sacrifices was another scenario I came up with five years back. They utilized the mountain's destruction as a way to kill off the remaining Red Dragons in order to help their comrades seize victory. I'm sure that Kyurem, their icy counterpart, would find another incarnate of the two Dragons somewhere and be reborn; they're three parts of one whole no doubt. After all, it's a war fic, so there has to be some casualties.
As for Vicky, I never wanted her to go, but I did want her to provide Julia another chance to live without the fears of being hunted down and then assassinated by Vicious and his thugs. I was so disheartened when Spike lost her before his own demise. So, let's hope Zero's method could work properly on her, and not let her turn into a violent rage-a-holic who's only a tool for killing and destruction.
I strongly recommend the "Destruction of Home Tree" from the legendary Avatar soundtrack during the collapse of Olympus Mons, along with "Grace's Laboratory" to set the mood; rest in peace, James Horner. The leave of the Earthlings would play the Credits theme from Mega Man X4.
Please keep in mind that as for an anime couple, I'd much rather prefer Spike x Julia than Spike x Faye; sure they have some things in common, are skilled bounty hunters, and have a dark past. But I'd much rather prefer Spike x Julia to have a better life they had before. Besides, Spike hated her since he labeled her as a "woman with an attitude." It's not that I hate Faye, it's only because she was my least favorite. Still, losing both Julia and Spike was heart-wrenching, especially since it's all during the finale. This weight is still heavy to carry to this day, and they were not kidding. So why not take advantage of the dark arts that were used from the very start. I could never be sure about Faye and Jet, though.