Disclaimer: Same as before, so don't bother asking…

Chap. 19

Flashback...

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

Aria reached down to her shirt and Cain looked away. But rather than put it on, she reached into the front pocket and pulled out a small object. Silently, she stabbed it into his shoulder. He looked at her in surprise, but then his eyes slowly closed and he suddenly collapsed on her. She held him for a moment. The tranquilizer had done its job. Slowly she laid him on the ground and put her shirt on. As she did, she looked down on him. I know you will be angry at me for this, but I have to. She finished dressing and bent down next to him. Softly, she caressed his check and gave him a light kiss.

"I love you."

Flashback end…

I love you. I never said that to anyone before. I've known, trusted, and maybe even liked other guys. But never once have I ever truly loved them. Not like him. Firewave continued to move through the corridors. Not like this. Not enough to risk my life like this. Firewave reached a giant pair of doors and they opened before her. Before her was a massive hallway that lead upward. She checked the map schematic. The Controller's core is just beyond here. So why does this look too good to be true? She then saw it. Two dark figures were seen above the top of the hall. Two Ravens. Both were two-legged type AC's. The first one was middleweight with a laser rifle. The other was heavily armored, armed with a bazooka.

"You have defied The Controller. Prepare to die."

Both Raven jetted toward her and began firing. Aria quickly dodged to avoid the fire as she assessed the situation. Okay, two Ravens. I have to keep moving and wear them down. Firewave unleashed a wave of bullets from her machine gun, shooting the first Raven. Since it has lighter armor, it would be easier to defeat first. However, the Raven dodged behind a column, blocking her fire. At the same time, the heavy Raven fired at her with his bazooka. Firewave barely managed to dodge the fire when the first Raven came out and fired its laser rifle. Firewave was hit by the energy, but kept moving.

"Give yourself up. Death come to all of us, so why don't you make yours quick?"

"Who do you think you are?"

"I am the Apocalypse!"

Apocalypse? The Raven that attacked Darkhand. Firewave suddenly shot forward and fired at him. Apocalypse took the fire and activated its EO orbiter. Firewave sidestepped the energy beams, but was suddenly hit from behind. The second Raven had fire missiles at her. Fortunately, they were small missiles and didn't cause too much damage. However, now it was firing another swarm at her. Firewave activated her missile interceptors and thin beams of energy destroyed them. Apocalypse managed to turn around and now both Ravens were beginning to close in on her. She then got an idea. Firewave backed up further and the other Ravens were backing her against the wall. Suddenly, she OB and shot right past them. Then in one fluid motion, she shut of the over-boost, slid and turned on the ground, activated her linear cannon, and locked on to the second Raven. A white light flew out and the second Raven managed to avoid it, but the force of the beam destroyed its left arm.

"Alright!"

She didn't notice the object that flew out of Apocalypse and hovered toward her. Firewave was about to fire again when she saw it.

"Holy...!"

She retracted her cannon to dodge it, but it was too late. The missile impacted her with a tremendous explosion.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"

Firewave slammed backward and the two Ravens began to close in on her again. Inside, Aria jerked the controls, but the machine didn't respond.

"Come on, move! Firewave, please."

The two Raven were now before her, guns raised.

"Bye, bye."

Aria closed her eyes and she heard the sound of weapons fire. But she was still alive. She opened her eyes and looked. Apocalypse and his partner now faced a single high-red Raven. Its right arm was colored black.

"Darkhand?"

Apocalypse looked at the Raven. "Fool. No one defies The Controller. Didn't you learn that last time?"

"Guess I'm a slow learner. But don't worry, I came prepared."

Suddenly from above him, another Raven appeared and slid in front of Darkhand. A familiar blue-white blade ignited from the white colored AC.

"Leave him to me, Darkhand."

Glaive.