Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 8

BOOM!!!!! KABOOOMMMMM!!!!!!!!!

Glaive was continually dodging the heavy fire Apocalypse was hurling at him. The second the match started, he started firing his bazooka and Glaive had to retreat and hope for an opening. Unfortunately, no such open came and Glaive nearly met his end when one of the shells nearly blasted his head off. And they were still coming. This guy just doesn't let up! Apocalypse then opened his orbiter cannon and fired three orbit pods around Glaive. The pods began shooting energy beams at him and Glaive had to retreat again. As Glaive flew to avoid the laser fire, Apocalypse opened two new pods on his back. What the...? He's got an EO too? More energy fire came and Glaive was at a major disadvantage. Worse yet, Apocalypse rearmed his bazooka again and Glaive now had to deal with three types of fire.

Meanwhile, Interceptor was dropped off in the wasteland to face the massive MT. Accompanying him was Dagger, a middleweight AC with hover legs and armed with a laser rifle and energy throwing blade. On its back was a set of missile pods.

"So Interceptor, you ready?"

"I was born ready." Inside Koemai activated the OP-INTENSIFY unit and set the AC in battle mode. "Time to kick butt."

It was then that the MT made its way across the horizon. Whoa! That thing is huge.

That's the target. We're still unsure of its full potential. Be careful!

Both AC's split up on both sides. The MT did nothing aside from hovering around. Suddenly, four projectiles flew out. They were confused at first, but then Dagger called out.

"Look out! Those are missile pods!"

As he shouted the warning, swarms of missiles flew out at them. They boosted away, but were hit by a few of the missiles. To make it worse, it was launching another set of missile pods.

"What the...? I don't believe this!"

Both AC's retreated and hid behind the giant derelict spaceship there.

"Got any plans?"

"Yeah. One of us needs to draw its fire while the other attacks. I'll draw it out since my AC is faster and your weapons are stronger."

"Right. Just be careful. The last thing I need is Diana killing me for letting you die."

"On the positive side, I won't die alone. Let's do this!"

Dagger flew out and just as planed, the MT attacked him. At the same time, Interceptor flew out and locked on. The lock came faster than expected.

"Alright. This optional part really works. Eat hot death!"

Interceptor fired and its missiles pummeled the AC. To his surprise, damage appeared to show on the MT. Interceptor continued his rain of fire and the MT stopped.

"Alright, we did it!"

"Wait a minute. Look."

The MT started to shift and break apart. No, it was splitting in two! Another MT detached and flew in the air.

"Two of them!"

The flying MT started firing rounds of grenades at Interceptor, causing him to fly back. Meanwhile, the first MT continued firing missile pods at Dagger. Dagger was beginning to run out of places to dodge while Interceptor was getting pummeled. Three of the grenades hit him full force and Interceptor was knocked aside. Interceptor arose and the flying MT locked onto him again. Suddenly, Dagger flew up to him.

"We have to abort. We can't fight these guys like this."

Interceptor remained quiet for a moment.

"Alright. But my system has been fried. I can't move."

Dagger moved closer, "Get in then."

The cockpits opened and Koemai jumped out of his smoking AC with the option part in hand. He entered Dagger and Dagger flew off. The two MT's were still firing on them. Keini had to try hard not to get to badly hit by the swarms of grenades and missiles.

Keini looked at the radar, "I'm not sure if we'll be able to escape."

"Don't worry. I left them a parting gift." Koemai took a squeeze button out of his pocket. "Goodbye, Interceptor." He squeezed the trigger.

Behind them, Interceptor began to glow in red and the MTs started to pass it. The machine suddenly exploded and the explosion hit both MTs. They weren't damaged, but it was enough to slow them down while Dagger flew away.

"Those two are definitely on my list."

Arena...

Glaive was still flying around avoiding the fire from Apocalypse. Doesn't this guy run out of ammo? Glaive decided that enough was enough and turn in to attack. He dodged through the fire Apocalypse was sending out and fired a grenade. It hit, but Apocalypse wasn't damaged. I thought so. Glaive flew past him, hoping to hit him while he was turning around. But Apocalypse was also equipped with a booster extension, allowing him to make a quick turn and continue to fire. Glaive was cornered and the AC was coming at him.

"Hahahaha!!!!! Surrender now! You can't beat me. I am the Apocalypse!"

"Oh ye of little faith. Why did you give way to doubt?"

"Huh?

Suddenly, Glaive over-boosted and flew straight at Apocalypse. He was caught of guard as Glaive fired a grenade at Apocalypse at near point blank range. Apocalypse reeled back, shocked by the power, but still in the fight. Aiming his bazooka again, he pulled the trigger, but the bazooka exploded in on itself. Glaive had hit it in his attack, disabling it. Apocalypse looked back at Glaive, who was coming at him again. Quickly, he raised his shield and blocked a slash. Glaive backed away, but suddenly rushed forward again in another assault. Again it was blocked, but the shield's power was lower and Apocalypse backed away. He deactivated the shield and re-opened the EO. The beams fired and Glaive flew back again. The EO then retracted again and Apocalypse armed the large missiles. Glaive waited and the missile fired, flying at him slowly. Glaive then over-boosted again, dodging the projectile and flying at him again. Apocalypse re-activated his EO again and Glaive twisted away from the beams. Unknown to him, the large missile was still flying around and closing in on him. By the time he saw it, he raised his right arm in defense and the missile exploded, destroying the entire right arm. Glaive flew back again, now without a grenade launcher. He looked up as another large missile flew at him. That will destroy me for sure. Unless.... I have to do this right.

Glaive flew at Apocalypse, just like last time. And just like last time, the missile followed.

"Foolish mortal. You didn't learn from the last time?"

The EO's ejected out again and fired, but Glaive didn't turn to avoid them. Rather he flew through them. Glaive's blade came out and he appeared to look like he would slash down, but he suddenly jumped over behind him. Apocalypse wondered why, but then he saw. The large missile was still coming and it exploded in his face. Apocalypse reeled, fairly damaged now. It took the pilot awhile to recover and he used his extensions to turn to Glaive. But he saw another shock; Glaive was coming at him again, blade ignited in the air. Apocalypse could only watch as Glaive rushed him at full force, knocking him down to the ground. Then the white-blue blade slashed down and....stopped right in front of him.

"Huh? What are you waiting for? Finish it!"

".........." Glaive backed away and began to walk away.

"Finish it! I would have shown you no mercy."

"I'll remember that next time."

Winner: AC Glaive.