Chapter 10 - Extinguishing the Flame
New Tekkadan Base
Today is Tuesday, at 8:38 in the morning. Looking on the monitor for any signs of the assailant of Amber, were Orga, Gaelio and Mikazuki.
(A/N: The series started in Remnant on a Saturday, which means two days have passed straight to Tuesday after yesterday's Chapter 9.)
After what transpired yesterday, Orga thought it'd be a good idea to inform the one person he trusts implicitly: Mikazuki. Biscuit, Fumitan and even Gaelio were concerned with how the ace pilot would react, but as usual, Mikazuki will follow whatever Orga tells him as long as he can fight. So the five of them are the only people who knew about what's going on and still need to decide to tell the rest of Tekkadan, and worse case scenario, the students.
"Anything, Orga?" Mikazuki asked, which Orga shook his head.
Gaelio sighed, "Man… why is it so hard to find a couple of criminals here?"
"Why don't you help instead of wining, Gali-Gali?" Mikazuki taunting the ex-Gjallahorn soldier, now an accomplice to Tekkadan, as their trust in him is moot.
A red tick mark on Gaelio's forehead showed his irritation of the "nickname" he despised, "After all this time, you still call me that?"
Mikazuki didn't answer, which irritated Gaelio again. Orga sighed as he kept trying, but nothing came up.
Suddenly, a message from an anonymous sender delivered a message: Cinder Fall's at an old warehouse in the city. She'll leave by 2:16, so it's best to strike now.
Orga was surprised, but started to get suspicious for a bit that even though he found Cinder, someone just willingly give that information has to be some kind of setup. But this maybe the only chance to get Cinder and bring her so Ozpin's plan to retake the Maiden's powers will tip the scales against Salem. Mikazuki and Gaelio were probably thinking of the same thing.
"So what should we do, Orga?" Mikazuki awaiting the orders of his best friend, which Gaelio is uncertain of himself.
"This maybe someone's idea of a sick joke - but this is our best chance to grab her before she gets away," Orga explained, having revealed his intentions.
Mikazuki nodded, but Gaelio was silent as he thought to himself as he crossed his arms together, "There's only one person capable of pulling something like this off…"
Kimaris offered a suggestion, "We both know who found them. So it's best to take this chance rather than having another one of your issues…"
Gaelio sighed and decided to along. "We best leave immediately if he hoped to get a head start," he explained.
Orga traced the coordinates and found the location on the monitor, "then it'll be just the three of us. Easier for a surprise attack." Orga explained as Biscuit just entered.
"Found them, Orga?" Biscuit asked.
"Yeah. Me, Mika and Gaelio are gonna catch them before they get away. You'll be in charge until I get back." Orga explained, which Biscuit realized he'll have to keep quiet about it.
"Are we really gonna keep what Ozpin told us a secret?" Biscuit asked, which Orga wasn't sure right now.
"You'd best do it sooner than later." Gaelio said, chiding Orga.
"Let's just go already." Mikazuki said, being the first to head out.
Gaelio and Orga soon followed behind, leaving Biscuit with no other choice but to keep quiet.
XXX
Chryse Autonomous Region
"This better be important," Eugene said, after having done Mobile Suit practice with Kudelia and Atra, both whom piloting skills are showing promise, "I've got other things to worry about."
"Sorry, deputy boss," a Tekkadan member said, which another one said, "but you're not gonna believe who's here."
"Who?" Eugene asked, until he cringed upon seeing the person behind the two members. It was Todo Mirconen, the last person the new Spinner Rodi pilot wanted to see, "You gotta be kidding me…"
"Hey there, deputy boss," Todo greeted, which Eugene didn't return, "I knew I'd find you here."
"The hell are you doing here?" Eugene asked, venom in his voice as he hasn't forgotten Todo's past treachery.
"Is that anyway to greet someone who's come to deliver you some good news?" Todo asked, which now confused Eugene until he saw three people get out of the car he arrived with upon coming to Mars.
One of the people Eugene immediately recognized was Takaki Uno, a former Tekkadan member who left after the Arbrau-SAU war out of guilt for Aston's death and Radiche's lies.
"It's good to see you, deputy boss!" Takaki hollered, waving to greet his surprised superior.
"W-What are you doing here?! I thought you were back on Earth with old man Makanai!" Eugene exclaimed.
"Well, Mr. Makanai told me to come to you since I found this in his office." Takaki explained, showing a familiar rock Eugene quickly recognized, "T-That's…"
"This same rock fell to Ms. Almiria's home. Managed to sneak her out since her father refused to let her out of his sight. By the way, she came to me since I was close to her-" Todo was jabbed by Almiria Bauduin, who happened to come along with Takaki and his younger sister Fuka, who didn't want to be alone and vowed to be by her brother's side.
"Moving on…" Almiria muttered, as she showed an annoyed expression.
"Now, now, Ms. Almiria," Fuka trying to ease her tensed new friend, which she decided to show another piece of the same fragment as the one in Takaki's hand as well as the one the remaining Tekkadan members found.
Eugene was at a complete loss, "What the hell is going on that these stones look exactly the same?!"
XXX
City of Vale - Abandoned Warehouse
It was now 10:29, just four more hours before Cinder and her faction make their getaway. She, Emerald, and Mercury watch as several White Fang members start loading up the Dust into crates to be shipped out of the city, since they're still in the clear without anyone having found them. However, a moment later, a large explosion occurs as the warehouse doors fly past them. They look back to the cloud of smoke, only for several rounds to fly out, taking out the White Fang goons in the area. Mercury and Emerald take out their weapons while Cinder remains calm. Soon enough, Orga (in his personal white Shiden), Mikazuki (in Barbatos Lupus) and Gaelio in (Vidar) walked out of the smoke, the latter two each carrying two unconscious White Fang members before tossing them to Cinder's feet.
"My, my… seems someone's good at making an entrance." Cinder muttered, eyeing the bodies before looking back at the three Tekkadan fighters.
"Took us a whole to find you, assailant. The time has come for you to answer for your attack on the Fall Maiden." Gaelio explained, declaring Tekkadan's intention.
"Since when do Atlas robots speak like human?" Mercury asking Cinder.
"You'll find out we're not robots soon enough," Mikazuki gripping his metal hands on his sword-mace two-handed.
"What do we do? From what she said, these guys aren't pushovers by the looks of them." Emerald noted, keeping her guns trained on the trio.
Cinder steps forward with her still calm expression, "Who are you?"
"Just call us Tekkadan. Who are you?" Orga asked, having his assault rifle trained at Cinder.
"Not important. I must say, you three definitely seem like the types to possess overwhelming power. Makes it sad that you boys are wasting it in such a manner." Cinder replied.
"And what does that mean?" Gaelio asked.
"You three possess such strength, and yet you follow the orders of those beneath you. Why waste it on the weak when you could rule them? You three could be capable of a lot much more than this. I'm sure there have been those that see each of you as tools, weapons. Don't you three want something better than this? Join me and my group, and all your desires will be granted. With our combined might, we can rule this entire world and change it in our own image. So, what do you say?" Cinder asked.
"… There have been people who've seen me as a weapon, a tool, and used me and my friends more times than I can count…" Orga began, making Cinder smile. "But…" Orga said, making the pseudo-Fall Maiden lose that smile. "There are many people who treat me as an equal, call me, Mika, even this guy a friend," Gaelio exclaimed "Hey!", "and who wish to fight beside us. But more importantly, us in Tekkadan never have a place to return to. No grand ideals or aspirations. No foundations, or anything to fall back to. To protect what matters to us, we have to keep pushing forward. And to protect those people we cherish, we won't let anyone stand in our way, nor abandon our friends for some sick lust for power!" Orga hollered.
"We don't care who or what you are. All you and your cronies be nothing more than a forgotten memory." Mikazuki explained, readying himself to fight.
"You don't know us, lady. Because I finally found my new reason… that's to see these people shine through the darkness, as beacons of hope. Our duty to protect the weak as the strong. So guess what… we decline your offer." Gaelio explained, raising his Burst Saber at Cinder. Barbatos and Kimaris smirked at seeing their respective partners and Orga giving their speeches.
"Why I couldn't agree more." A voice said, alerting everyone upwards as a loud crash came down; two metal figures came out of the smoke as Orga, Mikazuki and Gaelio immediately recognized them.
Coming from the smoke were McGillis in his Bael form, and Isurugi in his Reincar form. The Tekkadan trio were surprised, with Orga and Gaelio exclaiming "McGillis?!"
"More of these abominable machines?" Cinder asked, getting irritated.
The White Fang members who were with Cinder were shaking with absolutely fear, having heard rumors about their Vacuo branch wiped out with no mercy, and could only say one thing in their minds: "It's the 'Devil'!"
"Forgive our intrusion, but it's much easier to capture you with more numbers." McGillis explained, raising one of Bael's swords at the maiden.
"I'd take it you're the one who tipped us off, Chocolate Man?" Mikazuki asked, which Isurugi grumbled before clearing his throat, "Yes we did. Now they can't escape."
"Never would've imagined four three Gundams fighting side-by-side after so long," Bael noted, which didn't impress Barbatos or Kimaris due to their pilots' histories.
"Anyway…" Orga muttered, regaining his composure, "Let's get down to business!"
Cinder sighed, "Too bad. Seems I have no choice…but to kill you then," she said before firing a ball of fire at the five Mobile Suits.
XXX
Venator - Training Course
Inside the training room of Tekkadan's new ship, Hush (in his Hekija MS) along with Ride (in his Riden-Go) were getting manhandled by Lafter in her Hyakuri (who was recently customized personally during her time in Mistral to be more suited in the air, along with better handling, attitude control, thruster and ammo fuel, and resilience against enemy attacks) in aerial combat.
"C'mon, boys! You can't just simply expect your enemies to show an opening if they're going to predict that!" Lafter scolding the two rookie pilots, both whom are managing to get up.
"Ms. Lafter's as strict as ever…" Ride said, adjusting his metal wrist to make sure nothing's damaged.
"Now I know how Mr. Dante feels," Hush feeling sorry for his senior having to deal with back on Mars in daily mock battle training as he got up, "but I do by best to learn and not complain!" Hush hollered, trying to show confidence.
"Not how I remember when Mr. Chad kicked your butt when he trained with you." Ride noted, teasing his fellow pilot.
"Really? You weren't even watching." Hush said, having a sweat drop on his metal forehead when he doesn't wanna remember how his and Chad's mock battle went.
"Less talking! More training!" Lafter yelled to get their attention, causing the two to yelp and immediately confront Lafter again.
In the training course control room, Biscuit, Masahiro and Aston were watching the battle to record some valuable data. Some of the teenage Faunus were also watching the battle, and needless to say, they were at awestruck.
"That's so amazing…" A female deer Faunus commented, joined by a fellow female pigeon Faunus and female hare Faunus as they admired Lafter's prowess.
"Leave it to Ms. Lafter - ferocious in battle AND in training," Biscuit commented, not surprised of Lafter's eagerness for fighting mixed with her strict mentorship.
"I'm surprised my brother's dating her." Masahiro said, which earned him a light punch to the shoulder from Aston, which he smirked.
"What? Jealous?" Aston teased, which Masahiro did the same gesture Aston did to him.
"Speaking of… where are the boss, Mr. Mikazuki and that purple-haired guy?" Masahiro asked, which Biscuit gulped.
"W-Well…" Biscuit couldn't think of a lie to fool them as the others continue to stare at their strategist.
XXX
Mikazuki dodged another fireball from Cinder with ease, before blocking an attack from Mercury with his weapon, which Isurugi used to shoulder-tackle the leg fighter back. Mercury easily regained his balance and began thrusting his leg forward, firing Dust bullets at the two only for Isurugi to use his Valkyrja Buster Sword to block the bullets easily, which Mikazuki took advantage to strike. The same time, Emerald fired her bullets at Gaelio, who easily deflected them with his Burst Saber with his right hand, before firing one of his handguns at Emerald, forcing her to dodge only to be met with Orga swinging the partizan in his right hand only to be met with her blades, with enough force to push the thief back into several crates, which Gaelio dashed forward to keep her off her feet. In the center, McGillis clashed swords with Cinder, who used her magic to create fire glass weapons such as the twin swords she's using right now. Cinder attempted a right strike, which McGillis easily blocked then struck with his left, which Cinder blocked as well before letting go of her swords to strike McGillis unguarded. But the rebel Gjallahorn soldier used his electromagnetic cannons to blast her back, which her Aura protected her from severe harm. Mercury and Emerald diverted the attention of their opponents to McGillis to back up Cinder, as several White Fang soldiers fired their weapons to keep the four experienced MS pilots at bay. McGillis blocks both a roundhouse kick from Mercury and a blade attack from Emerald, before the two quickly jumped back to attack again. McGillis attempts to strike, but Emerald rolls under one strike while Mercury spins over a second and ends up pinning McGillis, but he engaged his suit's thrusters to blow her back while also charging Mercury. Mercury performs a front flip kick, but McGillis deflects it with his left sword and then thrusts his right sword, striking Mercury in the chest. At this point, Cinder joins again, as did Mikazuki who left Isurugi to finish off the White Fang goons.
Cinder conjures up her bow and fires off three arrows that land around Mikazuki and McGillis, forcing the two to jump back just as they exploded, and then fire off several rounds from their cannons at Cinder. Cinder evaded the shots, but as soon as she looks up, Mikazuki is already on her. She switches her bow to its dual sword mode, and the two clashed fiercely. While they seem even, Cinder soon enough found herself pushed back by Mikazuki's superior strength, and unknowing to her, his experience and immense reaction speed with the Alaya-Vijnana. As Mikazuki keeps her at bay, McGillis disarmed her of her left blade, and delivers three kicks to her body, with the third knocking her away. McGillis shifts to the left quickly as Emerald fires some more shots at him from behind. She then uses the chains on her weapons to wrap around McGillis, but Gaelio came to his former friend's defense as the chains wrapped around one of his arms. However, Gaelio pulls her in and strikes with his Hunter's Edge, kicking her in the chest and dealing major damage. Sending Emerald flying, Mikazuki, McGillis and Gaelio noticed Mercury break-dancing on the floor, and firing off a swarm of shots that fly in a circular formation above him. He then launches all the rounds at the three Gundam pilots.
Orga came in the nick of time after finishing off the rest of the White Fang goons, firing several rounds from his rifle to take out a few, before using his riot shield to block the rest that exploded. The three criminals regroup, but that is when Orga came out of the smoke and charged forward with speed that even Mercury couldn't react as he was his target, striking the leg fighter in the stomach hard then head-butting him to the ground hard. Cinder fires some more fire blasts at Orga, but Isurugi and Mikazuki came to his defense in time. Emerald comes at their left flank and fires more shots, only for Gaelio to dodge and get in close, detaching the blade of his Burst Saber at Emerald, blasting her back before he used a replacement.
"Arrgh! We can't land a decent hit on any of them!" Emerald hollered, getting up as she regroups with Cinder and Mercury.
"Emerald, time for us to leave." Cinder orders her.
Emerald nodded and activated her Semblance on all five MS pilots, making the three of them disappear. However…
"Not bad. However…" McGillis mutters as the sensors of his suits picked up his three oppressors easily. He then fires off some cannon shots at them, forcing them to block the shots and become visible again. "A feeble trick like that won't work on me." McGillis said.
"How did he see through my Semblance?!" Emerald freaks out.
"Based on what I've just seen, your ability manipulates one's senses making them hallucinate… but there are two errors to it. One, it can't work on multiple targets and can cause harm to yourself. The other is that your ability works on those of flesh and blood, not on someone armed with a mechanical mind such as my suit. Now then…" McGillis said, before Gaelio stopped him.
"Allow me." Gaelio said, which surprised everyone currently present.
"You sure?" Mikazuki asked, which Gaelio scoffed, "Don't patronize me."
Gaelio glared at his opponents getting ready to strike while speaking to Kimaris in his mind, "Kimaris, activate it."
Kimaris became a little surprised, but relented anyway, "You did use it thrice back in our world. But I guess you can deal with it."
"Then let's do it!" Gaelio hollered, now activating the secret weapon of Gundam Vidar: the Alaya-Vijnana System Type-E.
His eyes became bright pink and disappeared, alerting Cinder and her cronies, "What the-" Cinder couldn't finish when she was struck by a powerful kick to the side, knocking her into a wall.
Gaelio appeared in front of Mercury and Emerald, who had no time to defend as he slashed them hard with his saber, before he first made the move on Mercury, kicking him down to the ground very hard, depleting the rest of his Aura and knocking him out of the fight. Cinder fires off another blast of flames, but Gaelio leans his head back to avoid it easily. Gaelio then puts his Burst Saber aside and took out both handguns, firing several rounds at Cinder, who counters them with her fire attacks, and then rushes at her. But Emerald jumped in his way with her guns firing. Gaelio retaliated with his guns in a collision of bullets, but Gaelio's superior speed in the bullets knocked the guns out of Emerald's hands. She tried to make a desperate attempt escape from Gaelio using her semblance to make herself invisible, but Gaelio used his sensors to track Emerald, threw one of his handguns at her face to stagger her, then grabbed her face with the hand he threw the gun. Picking her up before slamming her to the ground head first as well, Gaelio's strength caused the last of Emerald's aura to deplete, knocking her out of the fight too. Gaelio then calmly picked up the thrown handgun, putting them away before turning his attention to Cinder, as Mikazuki, Orga, McGillis and Isurugi were impressed by Gaelio's extraordinary performance. Cinder gritted her teeth, "Months of planning to obtain what's rightfully mine - I won't allow some mere machine to stop me!" Cinder hollered, charging up her powers.
Gaelio steadies himself with holding in both hands the Burst Saber. Cinder conjures up some glowing circles around Gaelio, as well as Orga, Mikazuki, McGillis and Isurugi, and all five move as each circle explode, avoiding to get hit. She keeps this up all over the warehouse, but none of her attacks leave their mark on any of the five pilots. She then focuses her power into a concentrated ball of fire and fires it at Gaelio a moment later. With the Type E system, Gaelio simply flew straight at it, and when the attacks gets close, he swings his sword down, cutting right through the attack as he got closer to Cinder. Cinder can only look in shock as the Kimaris/Vidar pilot flew through her flames, while Mikazuki and the others stood watching with impressive looks. When he gets close, he immediately detached another blade, causing an explosive burst with enough force to dissipate Cinder's Aura completely and knocking her to the ground, but she remains barely conscious as she struggles to get back on her feet. Meanwhile, safely deactivated the Type E System, Gaelio regrouped with Mikazuki, Orga, McGillis and Isurugi as the five slowly walks up to her, knowing that the battle is over.
"It's over. You've lost the fight." Isurugi said.
Cinder glares up at the quintet, "You imbeciles think you've won. This changes NOTHING! She will destroy you all, and then all the people you fight alongside, the people you care about; they will die at her feet." Cinder warns them.
"That remains to be seen. But as long as we live, we will stop your master's plans." Gaelio explained.
"Count on it." Kimaris said, agreeing with his partner.
"Why? Why when I was so close to obtaining the power that I deserved? Why must you rob me of what belongs to me?!" Cinder asked, in pure anger.
"Because power cannot be taken for oneself, rather power must be earned for oneself. More importantly, that power chooses its host, not the other way around. That power is meant to protect the world, to protect the innocent, not for one's personal gain. You stole a power that never belonged to you in the first place, a power that was never meant for one person." McGillis explained, having learned from his mistakes and telling Cinder how power should be use.
"Yes… Agnika earned his strength through countless years of training and battle, and use it to protect the people." Bael explained, remembering his former pilot's resolve to protect those who can't protect themselves.
"People like you… will never win against people like me, Gaelio… or Tekkadan." McGillis said.
"You… You… You bastard-" Cinder begins, only to be knocked out by a punch from Mikazuki.
"Just shut up already." Mikazuki said.
Orga sighed, "At least that's one problem to deal with. Let's get these three back to Ozpin, so we can figure out how to get Amber the rest of her power back."
"Allow the two of us to join you." Isurugi said, which leaves Orga and Gaelio conflicted after just fighting alongside the man who used them (more specifically Gaelio) for his ambitions.
XXX
Evernight Castle
Meanwhile, at Salem's domain, Watts approached her as she stands in front of the black pools of ooze that breed the Grimm.
"Madam, I regret to inform you that Cinder has been captured by the 'machines'. It seems she's failed in her objective. Should we prepare a rescue for her? As much as it pains me to admit it, she is still vital in our plans," Arthur asked.
"…No. She failed in her assignment. She failed ME. Her capture is a bit of a problem, but it is only a minor setback. Even if they manage to extract the other half of the Fall Maiden's powers from her, it wouldn't be enough against my ultimate creation. Isn't that right… my Eight Dukes of Hell?" Salem asked, turning her back to the pool, bubbling wildly as eight mysterious figures flew from the pool and onto the ground, kneeling in respect.
"As you command… My Queen." The first figure, who appears to be the leader of these individuals that now serve Salem.
XXX
Turbines Transport Ship
Inside the hangar, Atra was alone, looking at the Hajiroboshi. She still wants to believe her Mikazuki is alive, and that this Gundam will give her the power to find him. But she's struggling to keep onto that hope, and started to cry.
"Mikazuki…" Atra thought, as she gripped her fists hard and tears starting to flow down her face, with a single drop on the floor.
To the unexpected, the red eyes of the Hajiroboshi reacted and glowed brightly, much to Atra's shock.
The same time, the two stones the surviving Tekkadan members have are also began to shine at the same time as the Hajiroboshi, generating a massive light that enveloped Chryse.
XXX
Gjallahorn Battleship - Shipjack Class
Inside a secret hangar bay of his personal Shipjack-class ship, Arianrhod Fleet Supreme Commander Rustal Elion was looking at another machine that his family kept hidden for generations.
The machine's eyes lit purple in response to the Hajiroboshi unknowingly, which surprised Rustal a bit before he smirked.
"It seems… destiny is calling." Rustal said, before disappearing into the same white light that enveloped the Arianrhod fleet.
This just keeps getting better and better! McGillis and Isurugi join the fight after helping Mikazuki, Orga and Gaelio take down Cinder and her goons. But their loyalty after the Gjallahorn Civil War and in light of McGillis' actions are still in question. People were wondering if Atra and Kudelia will be reunited with Mikazuki, and I gave them their wish! Unfortanetly, it seems Gjallahorn will be coming too. And now Salem's got herself eight new subordinates! How will they fair against Tekkadan and their allies? Find out next chapter!
