Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 21

Glaive and Apocalypse clashed into each other, blades sparking against each toher. Apocalypse was the first to back away and fire his bazooka. Glaive dodged the shots and returned fire, but Apocalypse suddenly shot away in the other direction.

"Surprised? I'm equipped with a highly advanced OP-Intensify unit. A perk for loyalty to The Controller." Apocalypse fired some more. "I'm far more powerful than you."

Glaive continued to wheel around the continuous shell fire. Damn, he is stronger than before.

Meanwhile, Darkhand had his hands full with the other Raven. It continued to fire its laser rifle at him, keeping him off guard. And whenever, Darkhand fired back, the Raven would always dodge the energy blasts.

"Damn it. Hold still!"

Darkhand switched to his laser cannon and slid around. With his Intensify option part active, he could now move while using back cannon type weapons. But despite that, the Raven still avoided the shots.

"Why can't you just stand still and die!"

The Raven twisted around and fired small object from its back. The objects encircled Darkhand.

What are...? Crap, orbiters!

The little objects suddenly fired beams of energy at him and Darkhand flew away. But the orbiters continued their assault, keeping Darkhand off balance. Eventually, the orbiters stopped and exploded away. But Darkhand had lost visual of his opponent.

"Where did he...Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Darkhand was hit from the back, destroying his laser cannon and damaging his chain gun. The Raven swooped from behind and fired a swarm of laser attacks. Darkhand was forced to run while the Raven continued on his back.

Meanwhile, Glaive was being hammered back by Apocalypse. His speed and heightened energy reserves were beginning to wear him down.

I should have equipped the Seraphim parts. I might be able to win with...wait. What am I saying? It's not the power of the machine that makes the Raven, but the skill of the pilot.

Glaive suddenly changed direction and over-boosted toward Apocalypse.

"Ah, ah. That won't work on me again."

Apocalypse activated his EO system and thin beams of energy fired out. At the same time, he backed away just as Glaive fired his grenade launcher, missing him totally. But the explosion blinded Apocalypse briefly and Glaive fired again, destroying his TITAN large missiles. In a rage, Apocalypse fired his bazooka, hitting Glaive and damaging his grenade launcher. Glaive backed away, but Apocalypse was relentless and Glaive was cornered.

Great. I'm overheating. Controls are down.

Apocalypse saw that Glaive couldn't move.

"Ha. Busted."

____

Darkhand was still running away from the Raven, trying to avoid the deadly laser rifle.

"That's it. No more running."

Darkhand suddenly jettisoned his chain gun, grabbed it, twisted around and tossed it at his opponent. The Raven was pushed back by it and Darkhand fired, striking the leg. The Raven bent down and raised his laser rifle, but Darkhand was already on him, his green blade blazing and slicing down on the rifle. The rifle was pushed back and Darkhand reared his right arm back.

"Now you'll know why I'm called Darkhand!"

The black arm shot forward and crushed in the AC's head, obliterating it. Still holding it, Darkhand drove the AC straight into the ground, smashing it down.

"So...this is what justice feels like."

____

Apocalypse slowly made his way to Glaive, taking his time to enjoy his victory.

"I want you to know, I'm going to enjoy this."

Inside, Cain was frantically working on the controls. Come on, just a few more seconds.

Apocalypse raised his bazooka and aimed it at the cockpit.

"Leave him!"

Apocalypse turned to see Firewave aiming its linear cannon at him. Apocalypse swiftly moved and fired at her before she could lock on.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Firewave fell down again and Apocalypse laughed, "How sweet. Fresh meat." He aimed at her, "And here I though you were already dead. Fortunately, I can correct that error."

Suddenly, Apocalypse lurched to the side in sparks. On the side, Glaive had stabbed him with his blade and Apocalypse fell to the side.

"Never take your eyes off your true opponent!"

Glaive charged again and Apocalypse struck out in a panic. But the heavy armored arm moved too slowly and Glaive avoided the blow and his blade came up. What? He damaged the Intensify option? But how? Apocalypse shot back and fired his bazooka, but Glaive dodged the shot and came in a furious rage.

"RAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

The blade struck just below the cockpit and Glaive pushed him down, impaling him into the ground. Glaive watched as Apocalypse's systems burned, overheated and eventually shut down. Glaive then removed the blade, but didn't shut it down.

"Finish it."

Glaive said nothing and merely raised the blade. The blade swooped down and stopped right in front of Apocalypse.

"It is finished."

Glaive moved away, but unknown to him, Apocalypse slowly rose and aimed his bazooka.

"You...are a fool!"

Suddenly, Apocalypse exploded in a white explosion of light. Glaive turned to see only charred remains of the massive AC. Looking further down, he saw Firewave, her linear cannon lined with energy. It was then that Darkhand made his way to Glaive.

"Are you okay?"

Glaive didn't say anything as he looked over at Firewave. Darkhand was about to ask again when a massive pair of doors opened at the far end.

"That's The Controller's central area."

Glaive still didn't respond.

"I'll go ahead. You should go to her."

Glaive then came out of his trance, "Right. We'll catch up."

Darkhand entered the massive doors while Glaive made his way to the damaged Firewave. Glaive bent down before Firewave and the cockpit opened. Firewave's hatch opened as well and Aria came out bruised and battered, but alright. She climbed into Glaive and sat next to the pilot.

"Why?"

Aria looked up at him, "I didn't want to see you die."

"But you should have known that I would come."

She smiled, "I did. But I hoped that I would have handled everything by then. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Cain smiled as well, "Don't be." He hesitated a bit, "About what you said in your letter. Did you really...?"

"I need a little help in here."

Darkhand!

"I'm on my way."