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Area-08: The Arcadia
Ashe groaned as she pushed a large piece of metal plating off of her. Standing on wobbling legs she coughed when she inhaled the smoke from the currently raging fire. She closed her visor when she felt her eyes begin to sting.
Examining her surroundings Ashe winced at the destruction her train had caused.
The area she was currently standing in was the massive train depot that resided inside the base of The Arcadia's main tower. Several of the trains that were stationed there were now illuminated by the inferno. Warning lights and sirens blared as many repair and service Mechaniloids rushed to the flames. Taking this as her opening, Ashe made her way to one of the trains.
Hiding beside the machine Ashe slumped to the ground, pain from her side suddenly shot through her body, making her jump in surprise. Stifling a cry she reached a hand to her side.
She was surprised to feel a warm substance on her hand. Pulling it back she cringed at the sight of blood on her glove. Her armor then dissipated as both Model A and Totten materialized before her.
Ashe are you alright?! That was one heck of an entrance!
"Yeah, I'm fine A. Just a little frazzled is all."
Model A gave her a sideways glance, Ashe simply chuckled when she felt Totten activate her Subtank.
A little frazzled? You just got out of a train crash and explosion, how are you not in shock?
"Let's just say that I am used to going through stuff like that."
It was the truth, besides living through the crash of the Raider ship, many times in her life she had to deal with her mother's accidental mishaps. She could still feel the heat from the fridge detonating. So it was honestly no surprise that she wasn't shaken that badly.
Totten shook her head as the Subtank finished draining, she looked to Ashe with worried eyes.
'You really need to make sure you don't do something like that again. Not even you could survive wounds like that.'
"Okay, let's just get this over with."
Totten and Model A both looked at each other as Ashe stood, but they both nodded and vanished. Ashe's armor materialized in a flash, the girl winced, but she ignored the pain as she looked around the train. Upon confirming that the Mechaniloids were still occupied with the mess she made, she quickly made her way out of the hanger.
Area-08: Gates to the Tower
The Tower's road ways were in ruin. Several armies worth of Mavericks fought against the Arcadia's warriors. Repliroids and Cyber-Elves fought bravely, but one could easily tell that they were outnumbered. Ashe winced when she saw a platoon of Repliroids torn apart by Jackal type Mechaniloids. Ignoring the gruesome sight she turned at the sudden beeping on her visor's HUD. A large energy reading was being displayed in the entrance hall of the Tower.
"What in the world is that?"
'It would seem that another one of Atlas's comrades is waiting for us. Perhaps if we defeat them we could stop this blood shed.'
Nodding Ashe proceeded to dash through the roads that led into the tower. She avoided the few mavericks that crossed her path, and assisted any Arcadian combatant that she could find.
She stopped to shoot a Mobile Galleon Shroud through its core, as it detonated she rushed over to the Knight Cyber-Elf that was being attacked. Said Cyber-Elf floated towards her with a smile.
'Thank you Ashe, I thought I was a goner!'
Ashe simply waved off the Cyber-Elf's statement with a smile.
"No problem Cira, just make sure you don't get caught again. Can't always be there to save you."
Cira laughed and flew towards a group of Cyber-Elves battling a Scorpion Tanker. Model A materialized as Ashe fired a shot at the Tank's stinger, halting its strike at Cira. Said Elf quickly shouted a thanks.
So, how is it that you know that Cyber-Elf?
"Well besides practically living here before this adventure, that was Totten's little sister."
You lived here?
'How else would she have known who Harpuia was?'
"Yeah, but now is not the time, nor the place for that story. We have a bad guy to stop."
Area-08: The Phantom's Trickery
Ashe burst through the massive shutter that lead into the entrance hall with several plasma shots. Molten metal and glass fell around her as she skidded to a stop. Quickly spinning around she lifted her guns, preparing herself for anything that could happen. The room was darkened because of the closed shutters, but Ashe could still make out the shapes of bodies and destroyed machines. Even though she could see all of that, she couldn't find her opponent.
Her visor suddenly started giving readings that told her that her enemy was all around her. She didn't like that fact one bit.
"YOU HAVE ARRIVED ROCKMAN MODEL A. HOW PREDICTABLE YOU ARE."
Ashe spun around to face the voice, but there was nothing there. She gritted her teeth as the voice chuckled, an empty sound. Ashe gave a laugh of her own as she started scanning the darkness.
"And why does that make me predictable?"
"WE SIMPLY NEEDED TO ATTACK YOUR HOME, AND LOVED ONES. YOU CAME TO ASSIST AS PREDICTED. YOU ARE SO MUCH LIKE HER IN MANY REGARDS."
Ashe didn't know what the person was talking about, but she felt both complimented and insulted at the same time. Her visor gave a silent warning at movement to her right, and she tracked it as the voice continued.
"NOW WE HAVE THE GUARDIANS AND THEIR CHOSEN. YOU ALL SHALL DIE HERE."
"Yeah, no."
Ashe then spun around and fired several shots at the area where the movement was tracked. There was an explosion and a groan. The darkness in the room seemed to shudder, and that fact caused Ashe to feel her blood run cold. Yet she was not one to show fear, so she decided to taunt the phantom.
"So, are you going to come out, or am I going to have to keep blasting you?"
The darkness again shook, it seemed to start pooling together as a lone crimson orb lit up at its center. Ashe stepped back as a mask materialized around the orb. A body soon followed, it slumped over as the orb began to shine brighter.
"I AM SIARNAQ: ARTIFICIAL SHADOW CHOSEN. THIS IS WERE YOU FALL."
Ashe fired at Siarnaq, but he simply faded into the wall and reappeared on a raised platform. His black armor forming from the darkness. He raised his hand and formed a massive four pointed star. He then tossed it, Ashe yelped as she rolled to the side.
The star impaled the floor and started shining. It detonated, launching several more throwing stars. Ashe lifted her arms to block the attack. She could feel the blades shred her armor, and she heard Model A scream in pain.
"Model A, what's wrong?!"
I don't know, those blades, they actually hit me...
'It would seem that his weapons are at a similar frequency to your own A, this could be troubling. For if you take too much damage Ashe, it could result in Model A dying.'
Ashe gritted her teeth as she again opened fire, and Siarnaq again vanished into the darkness. Lowering her guns Ashe spun around several time to see where the phantom was going to materialize next.
There was a sound of blades unsheathing above her, and she instinctively dodged backwards. Siarnaq then landed where she had been, several spinning violet blades tearing the floor apart.
The phantom stood, drawing a short sword from his back, a dark chuckle came from him, making Ashe shiver.
"IMPRESSIVE, NOT MANY HAVE SURVIVED THAT."
It was a compliment, but it seemed as if the phantom was taunting her. He again slouched over, baring the blade at her. Ashe raised her guns, feeling the heat of the gathering charge.
"YET, YOU SHALL NOT SURVIVE THIS."
Area-08: Arcadia of Wind
Harpuia stood dumbfounded at the person standing before him. It was a woman wearing black robes with the hood drawn, one vibrant blue eye shined. Several large restraints were wrapped around her body, giving her the appearance of a sarcophagus. Ignoring the fact that Fefnir lay on the floor with a burning hole in his stomach Harpuia's shock turned into rage.
He pointed his blade to the woman as she smiled.
"I assume you are the enemy commander? What are you doing attacking the Arcadia?"
"Oh Sage, it is so nice to finally see you outside that test tube. You look more impressive with a body I must say."
Harpuia flinched at the woman's words. What did that mean? Harpuia faltered, but he kept his blade straight as memories resurfaced.
"No, it can't be..."
The woman again laughed as several Model Ws began circling her, their crystals shining the same blue as her exposed eye.
"Yes my little Guardian, I am the woman behind this chaos, your captor. You may call me...Vile."
Area-08: The Phantom's Trickery
Ashe rolled once more as Siarnaq's attack destroyed where she had been standing. She then fired two full charge shots at the phantom. One managed to score a hit before he faded, while the other harmlessly splashed against the wall.
She smiled when she heard Siarnaq let out a pained howl. He then rematerialized before her, his chest plate smoking.
"OBSERVATION: YOU ARE A BETTER SHOT THEN PREVIOUSLY PREDICTED. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM."
"Oh yeah? And why is that?"
Siarnaq again lowered himself, more of the swirling blades began to circle him.
"IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, FOR I HAVE BEEN GIFTED WITH THE POWER TO RIVAL EVEN THE FALSE CHOSEN. YOUR ATTACKS MEAN NOTING TO ME."
The man then vanished and appeared right in front of Ashe, startling her long enough for him to grab her. The blades then began tearing into her armor, she winced when she heard Model a begin to whimper and shriek.
"Okay that's it!"
Ashe's body exploded into white light, throwing the phantom away from her. She charged forward as her armor shifted and altered itself into its Rosepark mode. She punched the dazed Siarnaq with an electrified spike.
The punch pierced his already damaged chest plate, electricity sparked and started coursing through his armor. There was a bright flash and a small explosion, Siarnaq was then sent flying. Smoke and metal flying through the air as the phantom began to fade. Ashe shifted into her Chronoforce configuration as the dial in her helmet began to slide open.
"Oh no you don't!"
An aura formed around Ashe as the world around her began to slow to a halt. She then charged forward as her arms shifted into their buster mode. She punched the frozen Siarnaq and unloaded fully charged shots into the Maverick's chest.
Time started flowing once more as the ice exploded, throwing the phantom to the floor. Siarnaq bounced and slid towards the wall.
Not finished with the phantom, Ashe's armor exploded into flames as her Buckfire armor materialized. She began charging her arrows as she walked towards her downed opponent. Lifting her busters the dial on her helmet turned red as she heard Siarnaq let out another empty laugh. Ashe ignored this as she fumed with rage.
"For hurting Model A, you are going to-"
Ashe was cut off as she was suddenly pushed back by Siarnaq detonating. Correcting herself she was about to throw her arms forward and fire, but she was suddenly halted by a sudden burning pain in her stomach. Looking down slowly she saw Siarnaq's blade stabbed into her gut, it was attached to a floating blob of darkness.
Siarnaq's laugh, now turned wicked, filled the area. His body materialized, the lone red orb glaring at her seemingly with glee.
"I INFORMED YOU OF MY POWER, YOU DID NOT LISTEN."
The blade then was pulled out and Ashe fell to her knees, holding the smoking wound with a shocked expression. Her armor faded back into its basic configuration and then shattered like glass. The phantom again laughed with sinister intents as he inched closer.
"NOW I SHALL END YOU AND GIVE YOUR LIVEMETAL TO MY MISTRESS AS A PRIZE."
Raising the blade he then sliced downwards, letting out another laugh to fill the darkened room.
"No."
Siarnaq halted his laughter and looked down to his prey and actually felt surprise at the sight before him. His blade, which he was sure had cut into the girl, was actually gripped tightly in her now smoking hand. She looked up to him with bared teeth, and eyes that glowed a faint pink. Siarnaq tried to pull his blade from the girl's grasp, but was shocked to feel that the girl's grip was tighter than it possibly should have been.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"
Ashe didn't answer him, for she started to stand, her hair slowly fading from its usual silver coloration to a dull blue. Faint lines formed under her eyes as she leaned closer to the phantom.
She then issued a single command to the phantom as she raised her other hand.
"Break."
She then punched Siarnaq in the face. There was the sound of crunching metal as the phantom flew back. He smashed into the wall and slid down to the floor. Synthetic blood dripped down his face as he covered was was exposed through the now broken mask.
Looking back he saw Ashe standing there with an armored hand extended, he also saw his lower arm and sword in her grasp. She lowered her arm and began walking forward, Siarnaq quickly stood and initiated his internal Transerver as she inched closer.
"MISSION OVERVIEW: IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETE. RETREATING."
The phantom then vanished as Ashe charged, she punched forward and the wall exploded. She had been too slow. Rage filled her as she screamed, and the room exploded from sheer force.
Totten suddenly materialized before the enraged girl, her voice was calming and quiet.
'Shh, Ashe it is alright, Model A is fine. You need to calm down before you do something you will regret.'
The girl's glare shifted to the Cyber-Elf, who didn't falter, Ashe's body then seemed to become relaxed as the Cyber-Elf nodded. She lowered her arm as the armor faded, Ashe's expression returning to normal.
"I...I did it again, didn't I?"
Totten shook her head as Ashe's coloration slowly returned to normal. The Cyber-Elf let out a mental sigh when she saw the lines begin to recede. Shaking her head she placed a hand to her temple.
"I can't believe I blacked out again, and in the middle of a battle. That could have ended badly."
'Yes, but I would be more concerned about Model A's health before you worry about a trivial outcome to a conflict.'
Ashe's eyes suddenly widened in realization as she pulled out Model A. The Livemetal was cut up in a few places, but it seemed like nothing to major.
"Model A, are you alright?"
Yeah...just need to get a few E-Crystals in me and I should be right as rain. Thank you for worrying about me though.
"Anytime, now I know you got pretty banged up, but are you ready to go again?"
The Livemetal began to float, her eyes burning brighter as she nodded.
You bet your rear I am! Now let's go kick some butt!
There was another flash and Ashe's armor materialized. She turned towards Totten and smiled.
"Now, let's grab that guy's Data and go help Harpuia!"
Ashe walked back as Totten turned to the Data cube that floated in the area where the Chosen had vanished. Its violet coloration pulsated with something sinister. Totten was about to advise against what Ashe was about to do, but as soon as she was about to voice this line of thought; Ashe absorbed the cube.
There was a mini shockwave that rippled through the room, Ashe fell to her knees groaning in pain as her armor began to reconfigure itself like before. Totten could hear the data being read by Model A.
Extracting Code: P-w to A-01
Cipher: Phantom X Removed
Beginning Playback 02:
Okay, so you have unlocked the second cipher. The pain you are probably feeling is more excruciating than the last time, and again I apologize.
Now, what I am about to tell you...is something really bad.
Another chapter complete. I hope you enjoyed!
Okay, first off, how late this chapter was. I could not for the life of me get this chapter written how I wanted it. It was put down and picked back up several times. I had to re-write several parts, and take some out. I also got lazy, I am sorry.
The hardest part was writing Siarnaq honestly. I wanted him to be a dark character, but nothing to sinister. His part alone had to be edited several times.
I shall now say that that will never happen again, or at least I will try and never let this happen again.
Stupid Siarnaq.
Now, what happens to Ashe is something really fun, and a huge thing with the plot later on. It is starting here for several reasons. I will tell you now that it is both in parts to do with Model A, and Ashe herself.
Anyone get the reference with Vile's name?
Anyway, I apologize once again.
I hope you have enjoyed.
Have a nice day!