Hi everyone, welcome back! I'm so glad that the last emotional roller coaster of a chapter was so well-received. It seemed like an appropriate end for the Iacon Relic hunt arc, and now we kick off the aftermath/Geass hunt arc and things are going to be quite emotional and epic going forward as we get closer to the end. Thanks again for all your patience, and now, let us begin.
Make Them Hurt
After departing Paris, Beta Team rode through a Groundbridge vortex back to Horai Island. Bumblebee, Arcee, and Smokescreen rode in their respective vehicle modes with Milly riding on Arcee, Sayoko and the recently defected Jeremiah inside Smokescreen with the Phase Shifter kept in the passenger seat, while Bumblebee had Nunnally, Shirley, and Rivalz inside.
"So, mission complete." Rivalz said with a grin as he sat in the back, putting his feet up on the passenger seat with pride. "We got a fancy Cybertronian weapon, and we messed up that one Con's paint!"
"Not to mention with Jeremiah on our side now, we might have a shot at taking out the Geass Order." Shirley beamed.
"[We still have to be careful. Not everyone is gonna be happy to see Orange-boy again]" Bumblebee put in.
"I know, but we're that much closer to ending this war." Nunnally smiled. "I wonder how Lelouch and everyone else have been doing on their missions."
"Probably taking names and kicking ass like us." Rivalz said with confidence as they exited the vortex and returned from Horai Island.
Beta Team exited from the Groundbridge where Nina was the one to meet up with them. Bumblebee and Arcee allowed their respective passengers to step off before transforming while Smokescreen remained in his vehicle mode as he and Sayoko kept an eye on Jeremiah.
"Nina, you wouldn't believe what happened to us!" Shirley began. "Our was mission was a success and we've got so much more than…" However, she stopped when she noticed a look of worry on Nina's face, tears in her eyes. "Nina… what's wrong…?"
"It's… It's Rai and Bulkhead…."
Shirley and Nunnally hurried as fast as they could, Nina leading them, Bumblebee, Arcee, Rivalz, and Milly toward Horai Island's medical facility. Smokescreen and Sayoko had taken Jeremiah and the Phase Shifter to a more secure location in the meantime. The two Autobots and former Student Council members were shocked once they entered the main facility area where the Autobots of Omega Team were being treated.
Warpath, Chromia, and Wheeljack laid on their backs on metallic carriers, hooked up to Energon IVs as their injuries were treated. Wheeljack and Warpath had tubes connecting to their missing parts, the former for his joint where his right arm was located and the latter for the gaping hole in his chest where his cannon once was. Ironhide sat up straight as his body was administer a rampant coolant like solution due to his exposure to hot magma.
Perceptor oversaw the treatment as they directed the human engineers on their instructions.
"Make sure Wheeljack and Warpath both have constant Energon flows." Ratchet instructed. "Warpath especially has suffered critical damage."
"Ironhide's temperature is lowering, but don't remove the coolant yet." Perceptor also said.
"I'm fine… just worry about the others…" The veteran Autobot brushed off as he looked towards Chromia with concern, as well as Bulkhead on the far side of the room as Ratchet treated him personally.
"Bulkhead, respond!" Ratchet had placed Bulkhead in a specialized capsule to cleanse any toxic exposure, as well as administer rapid shocks to try and stir him conscious.
Nunnally, Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz were all shocked and horrified to say the least. All these Autobots were from the Wreckers, and they were among the toughest Autobots around. To see them all in such a state was almost unthinkable. What in the world happened to them!? Just who was it that put them through such trouble!?
"[Ratchet, what happened?!]" Bumblebee went over to the medic.
"Tox-En exposure, among other things!" Ratchet responded as he remained focused on his work. "Bulkhead has suffered a near-complete system's failure!"
"Hold on… Tox-En?" Arcee wasn't sure she heard that clearly. The last thing any Bot wanted was to hear the Cons got their hands on that.
"What about Rai? Where is he?!" Nunnally exclaimed with worry for her half-brother.
"Over there." Ratchet directed to another area of the facility where humans would be treated. He'd show them personally, but he had to focus his efforts on Bulkhead. Bumblebee and Arcee both motioned for their human companions to go on ahead while they helped to look after their fellow Autobots.
Nina led her friends to the spot where Nonette and Tamaki were both being treated by human doctors, among them was Akari. Nonette had a bandage over her face and her left arm all wrapped up while Akari held a flashlight to the struggling Tamaki's eye.
"Hold still… I need to see if you have a concussion…!" She tried.
"Forget about me! Rai needs help!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"What about Rai?!" Shirley exclaimed as they noticed the former Student Council arrive on the scene. "Where is he?!"
"Behind that door." Akari answered. "Our best doctors are looking after him, but he's undergoing surgery right now and we can't have…"
"Surgery?!" Rivalz exclaimed. "What the hell happened?!"
"That monster V.V. happened." Nonette said with a growl, taking them all by surprise, particularly Nunnally.
'V.V.? Our uncle? The man that Cera told us about?'
"How long will he be in there?" Milly asked. "When can we see them?"
"Who knows…" Akari replied. "But trust that he's in good hands. I promise, they won't let him die."
Despite her assurances, all of them, especially Nunnally and Shirley, couldn't help but look with worry and concern for their precious friend. But it wasn't just him, they also glanced behind to see Bulkhead was in a similar boat. Only a few moments ago did they all feel happy and proud at their recent victory…
But now, that feeling was gone. Replaced with fear.
The Nemesis – Bridge
Megatron paced back-and-forth as he addressed the leaders of the retrieval teams, with the exception of Shockwave as he had returned to the Geass Order already, consisting of Knock Out, Starscream, Steeljaw, Schneizel, Onslaught, Soundwave, and Barricade with Nemesis Prime right beside him.
"So, to summarize, from these events we have successfully gained the Apex Armor, the Resonance Blaster, a mutant Driller, and just enough Red Energon for at most a single dose." Megatron began. "These may seem like accomplishments… however, considering that our enemies have gained not one, but two Relics of the Primes, we have lost a significant advantage! The only thing that could have possibly even those odds would have been a biological weapon that could potentially wipe out not only our enemies but sentence the human race to extinction!" He stopped pacing as he faced Barricade and Nemesis. "So, tell me… what excuse do you have for failing to retrieve the Tox-En?"
"None offered, Lord Megatron." Barricade admitted. "We failed to retrieve it. The Wreckers had us out-maneuvered and did their best to destroy any trace of Tox-En."
"But one good thing has come from it." Nemesis Prime reported. "That worthless Kaizaren and that green Autobot are now finally dead!"
Megatron raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Starscream scoffed. "One Autobot and a worthless human is hardly an accomplishment. The Combaticons have accomplished just as much and at least were able to retrieve something of a prize."
"Quality, not quantity Starscream." Nemesis Prime told him. "That bumbling and self-righteous idiot was one of the original Autobots to appear on Earth alongside Prime, so he was close to Zero, as was Kaizaren, who also happened to be one of the best pilots in the Black Knights. This has struck a major blow to them, because it makes them hurt!"
"Really, now?" Starscream didn't seem convinced. "If that is all true, you could have also made them martyrs which would only provoke our enemies to seek vengeance upon us."
"Then I'll kill them too! I'll slaughter anyone who stands against us, now that I have this power!" Nemesis Prime clenched his metallic fists together, looking at them with sadistic glee.
"Power that I have granted you and can just as easily take away." Megatron stated. "But my dear Victor, are you absolutely certain that Bulkhead and Kaizaren have been exterminated?"
"By my very own hand, Lord Megatron." V.V. grinned from inside his mechanical body. 'Prime, Lelouch, I hope that hurts. But I promise, I'm going to make you both hurt even more. It's no less than what you deserve!'
Meanwhile, crawling through the areas in-between the walls of the Decepticon warship, the one place that couldn't possibly have any surveillance, was none other than the young Autobot, Hot Shot.
After surviving his encounter with Nemesis Prime at the Equator, Hot Shot had told Warpath about a plan he just came up with. Even if they destroyed the Tox-En, there was still a possibility that the Cons could have gotten some of the other Relics. So, while his teammates returned to Horai Island, Hot Shot was able to stealthily slip in through the Groundbridge portal that allowed Squadron X and Nemesis Prime to return to their own base before moving quickly to avoid being spotted. From there, he could find a way to get any of the other Relics the Cons may have retrieved and bring them back to base.
It was safe to assume that his plan had worked. Now he was on-board the ship, and it was time to send a message to his allies. He opened up his comns and sent a signal through a binary code so that Soundwave couldn't intercept and track, letting them know that he was on-board and would await a response. Once he gets it, he'll undergo radio silence and await further instructions.
"Okay…" Hot Shot muttered to himself as he tried to crawl his way deeper as quietly as possible. "Better make myself comfy. Probably gonna be in these walls for a while."
Horai Island
Optimus Prime and Zero all gathered at the bridge of the Ark with various individuals, all of whom had led the teams for the retrieval of the Iacon Relics to summarize and review their missions. This group also consisted of Ohgi, Bumblebee, Sayoko, Leila, Ultra Magnus, Cornelia, Tohdoh, Jetfire, Cera, Marrybell, Orpheus, and even Diethard to speak on behalf of Omega Team. Kaguya was present as well.
"Based on all your reports, it seems most of our missions were a success." Optimus began. "We've retrieved a Phase Shifter, the Enigma of Combination, and even the Sky-Boom Shield; we've also prevented the Decepticons from obtaining the Red Energon as well as Tox-En."
"Though many of these were all at a cost." Tohdoh said as many looked down as they all thought about the loss of Air Raid, Zi Dien, Urabe, Tink, as well as the fate of Omega Team as many of them were currently being treated.
"It is also important to recognize that the enemy was able to retrieve some of these Relics as well." Ultra Magnus put in. "The Apex Armor and Resonance Blaster will certainly prove to be a challenge for us."
Cera gave a slight scoff. "If you believe that to be a challenge, you clearly are overlooking the fact that Shockwave now has a pet monster that can put our monster to shame."
"Grimlock was able to overpower a Decepticon Combiner, but now there's something stronger than him?!" Ohgi questioned in shock.
"Yes, but let us all remember what else we've gained." Marrybell stated. "How about the entire Iacon Database?"
"A victory, indeed." Zero nodded. "T-AI, I trust you have fully recovered?"
The holographic girl representing the Ark's artificial intelligence appeared before the group. "Rested and ready." She smiled.
"You have access to the Iacon Database? How many more coordinates are left uncoded?" Zero asked.
"There's only one set remaining." T-AI reported. "But I plan to devote my entire time to decode it."
"Please do. Let us know the second you have it done." Zero instructed. "Even one of these Relics can still tip the odds in either favor."
"Rodger." T-AI saluted before her holographic form vanished.
"Speaking of odds and Combiners, you were able to retrieve the Enigma of Combination?" Jetfire asked Leila.
"Yes… although, there is something of a complication." She replied.
"What do you mean?" Orpheus asked.
"The Enigma seems to be permanently fused with my Knightmare." Leila tried to explain it as best as she could. "Anna and her team are looking it over as we speak, but they seem unable to remove it. And it feels inactive…"
"What do you mean by 'it feels inactive'?" Kaguya asked.
"I… can't quite explain it but… ever since we formed Hercules, I could feel some kind of connection with the Enigma." Leila explained. "Even now I still feel it, but it feels more asleep."
"Based on what you've told us of your mission Leila, my guess is that the Enigma has synced, so-to-speak with your Geass, as well as the neural connection your Knightmare has with the rest of your team." Optimus theorized. "This unique circumstance has allowed the Enigma to activate, sensing the bonds you have formed with Akito and the others in order for you to create this unique Combiner."
"But Leila isn't a Prime." Cornelia said. "And I seem to recall you saying how only a Prime can use an artifact like that, such as the case with the Forge of Solus Prime."
"The Enigma is different from other such Relics." Optimus explained. "One does not have to be a Prime in order to activate it. In a way, the Enigma itself is sentient, choosing to bestow the ability to combine with those who possess a unique Spark that connects and binds them."
"I think I understand…" Cera seemed to follow along. "While humans don't possess the Cybertronian Spark, Leila's own Geass is unique even among others I've granted. Her ability to reach out to others and connect to them, along with the emotional connection she has with her team, may have created a 'Spark' all on its own, one that the Enigma assumed was worthy of such a gift."
The group seemed to at least have a basic understanding of what Optimus and Cera assumed, with Leila herself feeling honored. A Relic of the Primes had chosen her to possess such a gift? It almost felt like she was blessed by a guardian angel. She silently vowed to use this ability to help liberate this world from the Decepticons that were slowly choking it.
"So, we can't use it to combine all our Knightmares into one giant city-sized Knightmare?" Ohgi asked. "Or even every single Autobot?"
"No, I do not believe that to be the case." Optimus confirmed.
"Even so, this does give us an advantage." Zero said. "And thanks to Cornelia and Commander Magnus, we do have a Relic that can be used by Optimus which could tip the odds in our favor even further."
"Indeed, but there is one other topic that must be discussed from our mission." Ultra Magnus revealed.
"Schneizel is planning to betray Megatron." Cornelia revealed. "I suspect he allowed us to retrieve the Sky-Boom Shield so that Megatron would be more focused on us and less focused on him."
"I can't say I'm surprised." Zero said, a scowl underneath his mask as he thought of the snake that was his elder half-brother. "But even Schneizel can't pull something off like that alone. He must have someone helping him."
"[Probably Starscream]" Bumblebee assumed. "[It makes the most sense, he's always wanted Megatron's job]"
"Those two do make a deadly combination." Jetfire said.
"Is there a possibility we can make this work for us?" Tohdoh asked Optimus.
"Without knowing the extent of their plan, we can only make assumptions." The last of the Primes answered.
"Doesn't seem like we can do much about Starscream and Schneizel right now." Diethard said. "So let us focus more on what we can do, specifically how one of our own was able to infiltrate the Decepticon-warship."
"We did receive confirmation from Hot Shot that he is now on the Nemesis." Zero stated. "We responded to tell him to go on standby and await further instructions, while doing what he can to see if he can locate any of the lost Relics that may be onboard. But he won't make any moves unless he hears from us."
"What about Gottwald?" Orpheus asked.
"Rakshata and Fixit are working on that." Sayoko replied. "He's held in a secure location and kept under heavy guard."
"[Considering he's one of Shockwave's experiments, we need to be extra careful.]" Bumblebee added. "[Need to make sure the cyclops didn't leave any surprises in him]"
"But this could be very fruitful." Leila said optimistically. "We could learn the location of the Geass Order and all the Thought Elevators! Destroying all of that could deal a devastating blow to the Decepticons!"
"I agree that the idea seems promising, but we cannot afford to drop our guard." Ultra Magnus said. "Even if the information he has is true, a direct assault on Shockwave's base of operations will not be an easy fight, with or without the Driller at his command."
"So let us take this one step at a time." Zero said. "Kaguya, how is it going with the UFN negotiations?"
"Very smoothly." Kaguya smiled. "Everyone seems to be on-board with this charter. Considering the only other option is facing the Decepticons alone without any kind of support… It should be obvious which route they'll chose."
"The greater the numbers, the better the odds." Tohdoh said in agreement.
"We could be close to winning this war, but we must still proceed with caution." Optimus told everyone. "The more we back Megatron into a corner, the more desperate he'll get. And we all know just how far he's willing to go to get what he wants."
"For now, let us all rest and recover." Zero said. "Mourn the loss of our comrades, celebrate our victories, but our job is not done yet. Today, we rest. Tomorrow, we prepare for the next battle. Dismissed."
With that, everyone stood up and left the meeting, leaving only Optimus, Zero, Bumblebee, Sayoko, and Cera. The young revolutionary took off his mask to reveal a look of anger on his face, one that his closest friends and allies present all recognized and they knew exactly why he was feeling that way.
Back at the medical facility, Bulkhead, Chromia, and Warpath all laid back in stasis, the two larger Autobots needing Energon IV to keep them stable as Warpath had his chest wound covered up with a metallic plate with Ratchet overseeing their procedures. Ironhide and Wheeljack were both awake, the former sitting up as he saw Fixit helped to attach a replacement arm to Wheeljack.
"Take it easy there, little guy. I need two arms." Wheeljack said in a joking sense to try and instill some humor.
"I assure you Wheeljack, your new arm will be fully integrated within a few cycles." Fixit replied as he continued to work.
Ironhide then glanced toward the humans consisting of Kallen, Suzaku, Shirley, Euphemia, (who carried Arthur in her arms), Nunnally, Milly, Rivalz, and Nina, as they waited outside the surgery room where Rai was still being operated on. Arcee, Tamaki, and Nonette awaited with them, the two Black Knights having bandages on various parts of their body. The veteran Autobot knew how waiting was the most difficult part for something like this, and how he wished these kids wouldn't have to go through something like that.
The group heard the sound of approaching vehicles and turned to see the arrival of Optimus and Bumblebee's vehicle modes, the doors opening as Lelouch, Cera, and Sayoko all stepped out as the Autobots transformed. Nunnally wasted no time in running up to her brother and hugging him with worry, which he was quick to return. He looked towards all his friends with an expression of concern as they wordlessly shared eye-contact with him, showing they expressed the same amount of concern.
"How bad is it?" Lelouch asked Ratchet.
"Ironhide and Wheeljack should be fully operational shortly, as should Chromia." The Autobot medic informed. "Though Warpath has suffered massive Energon loss, his life is no longer in danger. Bulkhead, however…"
"Just give it to us straight." Lelouch told him.
With a sigh, Ratchet replied. "Though Tox-En exposure could have been far worse, it has done a number on his systems, corroding and corrupting his own internal Enegron flow. That combined with the injuries his sustained, notably the trauma to his central neural conduit, means he will be offline for a while. Currently, all the corrupted Energon has been flushed from his system, and once he regains his strength I will begin operating."
"And Rai…?" Cera asked.
"We just finished up." Cecile stepped out with Akari and a few other doctors. "He has a mild concussion, multiple fractures, thankfully no internal bleeding. Unfortunately, his entire left arm had to be completely amputated. That could not be saved."
"Is… Is he going to be okay…?" Shirley asked. "He's not going to…"
"He won't die." Akari quickly assured, paying a glance to Kallen and Arcee with assurance before addressing everyone else. "But he will be out of it for a while."
Though that was a huge relief for everyone, knowing that their friends would survive this, the physical trauma that they've endured, mostly Rai having lost his left arm, would take some time to recover and that was something that none of them wished their closest friends would ever have to endure.
"Well… look at the bright side… he's gonna get a cool robot arm, right?" Rivalz said, trying to inject some humor. Though it didn't seem to work.
"What happened?" Lelouch got to the point. "Who or what did this to them?"
"The Decepticons from Squadron X, those wannabe Wreckers." Wheeljack answered as he tried to sit up, but Ratchet prevented him from doing so. "But it wasn't just them…"
"Yeah, it was that little shithead, V.V." Tamaki said with a growl. "Little psychopath…"
"But it's not just that." Ironhide stated. "He's got himself a robotic body that looks exactly like yours, Optimus." He told his leader. "I'd say he's about as strong and fast as you. He calls himself Nemesis Prime, now."
"Isn't that also the name of the Decepticon's ship?" Milly asked.
"Yep." Arcee confirmed.
"So… we have an evil clone of Optimus?" Shirley asked.
"I wouldn't say that." Euphemia said. "From what we've heard, he doesn't have Optimus' personality; just his appearance."
"Still hits like a wrecking ball." Wheeljack said with a groan.
Lelouch's fists clenched. V.V. again. He always seems to be causing the most trouble, just like his vile brother. Even if Charles was dead, it still felt like a piece of him was still here to haunt him out of spite. Especially in the fact that he now apparently bore the appearance of Optimus Prime, the one being in the universe that Lelouch respected and admired above all else.
"Lelouch, Optimus, I'm sorry." Nonette said as she stood up to address the pair. "I take full responsibility. Rai was only injured trying to protect me."
"It's not your fault." Lelouch replied. "No one here is responsible for what happened. None of us could have expected V.V. to gain such power. But, there is something we can do right now…"
"Lelouch…" Suzaku recognized the look in his eyes as well as his tone. "You're not thinking about going after him, are you?"
"Of course, I am." Lelouch confirmed. "V.V. alone is dangerous enough, but the fact that he now apparently has the strength to rival Optimus…"
"[And you're right to be worried about that.]" Bumblebee quickly said. "[But we can't act rashly about this. And don't deny it, everyone here who knows you knows that you want payback for what happened]"
"Fine, I won't deny that I have revenge on my mind." Lelouch stated. "But we can't let V.V. roam free with his newfound power. He's a graver threat to all of us now than he ever was."
"Lelouch is correct." Optimus agreed. "Based on what we know of the powers of a Code, notably on how one does not age, as well as V.V.'s own experiences, we can assume that he is mentally unstable. That combined with strength that rivals my own not only makes him a threat to this alliance, but to all of humanity."
"If he's got powers like you, can you do something about it?" Nina asked Cera.
"If you're wondering if I can take away his immortality, I cannot." Cera explained. "The only way a Code can be removed is for it to be passed down from a Code user to someone that already has a Geass. I cannot strip his power away."
"Is there anything at all you can do to him?" Kallen questioned.
"Through in-direct contact I can affect his mind, send in shock-images and cause hallucinations… but that's about it. I cannot kill him, nor can he kill me." Cera answered.
"What's your plan, Lelouch?" Arcee asked. "We all know how you're always three steps ahead."
"My first step would be to draw him out into the open." Lelouch explained. "We would find a way to overpower him, and then contain him. If we can't strip his immortality away, then we can eject him into space to remain frozen for all eternity."
"What's to stop the Cons from just snatching him back up and thawing him out?" Wheeljack asked.
"Then we take a ship, find the nearest black hole and drop him in." Lelouch replied. "No less than what he deserves."
Everyone recognized the tone in Lelouch's voice. Though he did have a solid plan, or at least a good concept of what to do, they can tell that he was angry and wanting revenge, which none of them could fault him for. Most of them all felt exactly the same way he did.
"You can't do it alone, Lelouch." Kallen said. "If he's as strong as Optimus now, you are going to need back-up."
"I know." Lelouch nodded as he looked towards Optimus. "I need your help with this, Optimus."
"Of course." The Autobot leader nodded without hesitation.
"[I'm in too.]" Bumblebee stepped forward.
"So am I." Suzaku stood up as well.
"Same here." Arcee stepped up.
"You know, I'm in." Kallen volunteered.
"I'll help too." Cera was on-board.
Lelouch knew that they all knew that he had revenge in mind, but there was that pragmatic part of him that they all agreed with in that V.V. couldn't be allowed to roam with his newfound power. So, in order to rid the world of this menace, as well as avenge their friends, they would stand by him through thick and thin.
"Thank you."
"Big brother… is there anything the rest of us can do…?" Nunnally asked.
Lelouch had a sad smile as he put a hand on his sister's shoulder. "Stay here and be here for Rai and Bulkhead when they wake up." He looked to everyone else. "I promise, we'll be back soon."
"I know you will." Euphie smiled, turning toward Suzaku with a loving smile as he gave a nod and a smile of his own before they proceeded to leave. Optimus, Bumblebee, and Arcee all transformed as Lelouch, Suzaku, Kallen, and Cera all stepped on and rode off.
"Is there anything we can do to help Rai or Bulkhead right now?" Rivalz asked Ratchet, Cecile, Akari, and Fixit.
"We've done all we can for now." Ratchet answered. "All we can do now is wait."
Wheeljack noticed how concerned the kids all were. "Hey, don't you worry. Wreckers don't go down easy, and it's gonna take a lot more than that to put em out."
"They'll be right as rain in no time, you'll see." Ironhide also assured.
Hearing their assurance did help, the wait alone was still torturous. Nunnally sat down next to Euphemia as the elder half-sister wrapped one arm around her to pull her into a hug, even as Arthur curled up in her lap. Sayoko sat down next to her as well, rubbing her hand down Nunnally's back. Shirley also looked the most worriedly towards not only Bulkhead, but the door that the unresponsive Rai was behind. Shirley was surrounded by not only Milly, Rivalz, and Nina, but even Nonette and Tamaki as they tried to provide what comfort and assurance they could.
Nemesis Prime walked alone through the halls of the Decepticon warship. As he walked, many Vehicons he passed by stared at him questionably, stepping aside to steer clear of him as he continued to walk.
'That's right, keep your distance.' V.V. thought with a smirk. 'Not only am I stronger than all of you, I carry the face of the one you undoubtedly fear the most. But I promise, you should be far more afraid of me than him! So, grovel in fear, Decepticons! I am your Nemesis too!"
"Who does that punk think he is?" One Vehicon questioned irritably. "Thinks he's one of us?"
"A scavenger turned wannabe Prime." Another muttered.
"A parasite feeding off our scraps." A third said.
Nemesis stopped in his tracks before he turned his red optic gaze onto them. "Would you care to repeat that?"
Meanwhile, in the medical-bay Sky-Byte helped to buff Knock Out's finish and clean up all the cosmetic damage he sustained on his previous mission.
"Hold still, I'm almost done." Sky-Byte said to him as he buffed his side.
"Remind me again why you offered to help with the detail?" Knock Out questioned.
"Just helping a fellow Con." Sky-Byte said honestly.
"Well take it easy. Breakdown was always a maestro behind a rotary buffer." Knock Out said.
"And done…" Sky-Byte just finished up as Knock Out admired his own appearance once more. However, the sounds of blaster fire and crashes could be heard from outside.
"What is going on out there?" Knock Out questioned as the two stepped out to see what the commotion was about. "How am I supposed to concentrate when…" Sky-Byte suddenly pushed him to the side as a Vehicon was sent flying and crashing into the door that closed on them.
Said Vehicon got up to open fire on the charging Nemesis Prime, who pulled back a punch to pulverize him. But Sky-Byte pulled the Vehicon out of the way in time. Knock Out tried to grab a hold of Nemesis' arm to stop him, but he slammed his arm and Knock Out into the wall to force him to let go before kicking him down.
Sky-Byte quickly transformed into his shark-mode and flew at Nemesis, biting down around his neck-area to restrain him, pinning him against the wall. "Don't move if you don't want me to rip your head off!" Sky-Byte warned the growling Nemesis.
Knock Out pulled himself up but gasped as he saw the large scratch and dent on his chest from the kick he received. "I just buffed that!"
The group consisting of Optimus, Zero, Bumblebee, Suzaku, Cera, Kallen, and Arcee all hid behind some rocks and tree-cover. The Shinkiro, Lancelot, Guren, and pink Akatsuki behind them as the group observed a single Vehicon guarding the entrance to an Energon mine.
"Signal's pretty weak." Arcee said as she held out her scanner. "We won't find much of an Energon deposit out here."
"That's fine, we don't need the Energon." Zero said.
"So why are we at a Decepticon mine?" Kallen asked.
"V.V. could be potentially anywhere; from the Geass Order to Darkmount to the Nemesis Warship, so rather than waste time and resources trying to find him, we'll have Megatron hand him over to us." Zero explained. "All Decepticon mines have to have some form of communication with the Decepticon network, correct?"
"In order to ensure the excavation and transit of whatever they find, yes." Optimus confirmed.
"[So, we're going to call up Megatron and ask him to hand over V.V.?]" Bumblebee asked. "[How do we know he's even going to go for it?]"
"Because both Megatron and V.V. share the same weakness. Pride." Cera already understood Lelouch's plan. "V.V. is arguably the most arrogant person on the planet, even more so than Lelouch and the late Charles. If he has a body now that gives him power equal to that of Optimus, it's all gotten to his head."
"And given the damage he left Rai, Bulkhead, and everyone else in, he'll assume he's at least inflicted a few casualties, when really he hasn't." Zero continued.
"I see… We're going to goad him into attack us." Suzaku understood.
"Megatron does not take failure well either." Optimus added. "Once he learns someone under him was unable to complete the task, he will send him to 'redeem' himself."
"Using their own macho against them, eh?" Kallen grinned with Arcee. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."
"So, what are we waiting for?" Arcee had her Energon blasters at the ready.
There were at most ten Vehicon guards with six miners working on extracting the small amount of Energon throughout the large cave. However, their work was quickly interrupted by the sound of an approaching vehicle. Their attention turned toward the cavern entrance to see the semi-auto truck mode of Optimus prime drive directly toward them before coming to a stop.
"Abandon the excavation. Now." Optimus demanded as he transformed to reveal himself. "Leave now and be spared."
Immediately, all the Vehicons, including the miners, aimed their Energon blasters at Optimus. Before they even had a chance to fire at them however, an energy beam carved through the ceiling above Optimus to blast a hole to expose the outside, shinning in the bright light of day… which then had a shadow cast over it. The source of said shadow was none other than the hovering Shinkiro, being every bit as dramatic as usual.
They were given their chance to flee but chose to fight. And now comes the fire.
The Lancelot, Guren, and pink Akatsuki then appeared and flew around the Shinkiro to engage the Vehicons just as Arcee and Bumblebee sped past Optimus to also take part.
Bumblebee pounded down one Vehicon before finishing him off with an Energon blast to the head while he was down. Two tried to charge Bee from behind, only to be swiftly cut down by the Lancelot with dual MVS swords, both the black and yellow Autobot and white Knightmare came back-to-back to take down any other Vehicons approaching them.
Arcee rode in her motorcycle mode as three Vehicons from an upper ledge tried to shoot her down, but a pair of Slash Harkens shot out from the Guren to decapitate one and pierce through the spark chamber of the second. The third Vehicon tried to fire at the Guren directly, but Kallen was already on him as she extended her Surger claw forward to grasp his face before activating it. The Vehicon didn't last two seconds before he burst into flames. Arcee drove directly towards an incoming Enegron drill that a miner tried to ram her with, but she transformed and leapt over the drill itself, landing on the top just in front of the miner at the controls and shot him down with her blasters.
Cera's pink Akatsuki impaled one Vehicon with her katana before shooting another with her wrist-mounted gun. As four came toward her to shoot her down, Optimus had already blasted them with his Ion Cannons, destroying them in less than a second.
Only four more Vehicons remained, which Zero locked on with his Knightmare's weapon systems before firing his Hadron cannons to obliterate them in one shot.
It didn't even take two minutes for the group to secure the mine as they regrouped together. "The mine is ours." Lelouch grinned from inside the Shinkiro. "Time to make a call."
The Nemesis – The Bridge.
"Just look what that little psycho has done!" Knock Out exclaimed as he, Sky-Byte, and Nemesis Prime were on the bridge, the Decepticon doctor and Sharkticon speaking to their leader.
"Spare me the dramatics Knock Out. It's merely a scratch." Megatron told him.
"This isn't about me, Lord Megatron!" Knock Out quickly stated. "All that power little Vicky here now wields has gone to his head!"
"I have to agree." Sky-Byte added. "Even if you are able to control him Lord Megatron, that doesn't make him less of a threat! He attacked our own soldiers without provocation! What's to stop him from doing something worse?!"
"This little freak is nothing more than an abomination! A sadistic child playing with power tools!" Knock Out added. "He should be contained, restrained even!"
"Try it, and I'll grind you into this warship's hull until you're nothing more than scrap metal!" Nemesis Prime stood over Knock Out.
"Do you see what we mean?!" Sky-Byte said to their leader. "Lord Megatron, I rarely question you, but I must protest this choice of yours! Even if this 'Nemesis Prime' is useful, he needs to be properly contained! I suggest we place him in stasis in-between missions so that none of our own can be harmed!"
Megatron contemplated Sky-Byte as well as Knock Out's complaints and suggestions. Yes, there was the clear risk in giving V.V. this kind of power, he knew that going in. But Megatron still had him at the leash with his Dark Energon connection. But perhaps there was less risk in Sky-Byte's suggestion in keeping Nemesis in stasis.
"Lord Megatron…" A Vehicon at a console got his attention. "We're receiving an emergency transmission from Mine TCB-15."
"What seems to be the problem?" Megatron asked as he walked up.
"Unclear my liege. The caller will speak only to you."
Megatron then opened the channel. "What is it?"
"Hello Megatron, it has been a while."
He recognized that voice. "Zero… As always, you have a flare for the theatrics."
"I suppose I do, such as how I was swiftly able to take over this mine of yours." Zero replied.
"You should know by this point that the loss of one asset is hardly a blow to the Decepticon cause." Megatron told him. But he had a sneaking suspicion there was more to this than what it seemed; there always was an underlying motive behind Lelouch's actions.
"I'm well aware of that, but I needed to get in contact with you and this was the only way. You have something I want, and I would appreciate it if you were to hand it over." Zero instructed.
"And what pray tell, would that be?"
"Your little false Prime that tried to kill Rai and Bulkhead." Zero revealed, but it was the wording that really caught Megatron's attention.
"'Tried'? Are you implying the Autobot and Black Knight lives?" Megatron turned toward Nemesis in a surprised expression.
Underneath his metallic body, V.V.'s face scowled. "He's bluffing! We all know Lelouch is a liar!"
"It's no lie. Your precious Nemesis Prime has failed you, Megatron." Zero told him. "Here is my proposal. I've located another Energon mine that I will attack. If you don't want to lose that one as well, send V.V. I'll be sending you the coordinates. Farwell."
The communications feed cut off. Everything on the bridge became silent as all set their eyes on Megatron who had yet to give a response. And when he did, he was less than pleased.
"You allowed them to live?!" Megatron shouted at Nemesis Prime, glaring at him in fury.
Seeing his anger caused V.V. to work up a cold sweat. All the while Knock Out chuckled
"Some Prime. At least OP can get the job done." Knock Out smirked.
"So, he's not only dangerous, but incompetent." Sky-Byte added, sounding more disappointed than anything. "Seems like a wasted investment."
"M-Megatron…!" V.V. tried to protest only to back away in fear as the Decepticon leader marched toward him. "I was certain of it! Even if they made it back… there's no possibility Kaizaren or that worthless Bulkhead could have survived what I did to them…!" He found himself back against the wall as Megatron leaned in close.
"You have failed!" Megatron told him. "If you wish to redeem yourself, then you will go and bring me Lelouch's head!"
Horai Island
Rai continued to lay unconscious on his bed. IVs and several other similar devices were hooked up to his body, including a heart-monitor that showed a steady heartbeat. It seemed he would recover just fine…. That is if one didn't consider that his left arm was completely gone, having been amputated at the joint. The wound was already cauterized and sealed, and he would be getting a prosthetic at a later date.
As he currently laid in the bed, Shirley, Nunnally, Rivalz, Milly, Nina, Sayoko, and Euphemia, along with Nonette and Tamaki continued to wait outside, not just for him, but also for Bulkhead as he laid in a similar condition, with Ratchet overseeing his recovery.
"They're going to be okay." Ironhide said, getting all their attention as he appeared to have recovered for the most part, along with Wheeljack, though Chromia and Warpath were still lying down and recovering as well.
"I know, but still…" Shirley couldn't take her eyes off either Bulkhead or the room where Rai laid.
"Don't worry. They'll be back up before you know it." Wheeljack said with a grin.
"Hey… Shirley…" Nonette got her attention. "During our mission, when Rai, Bulkhead, and I were trying to get the Tox-En up to the volcano… all he would think about was you."
"Really?" She looked up in surprise.
"Yeah, kid's got it bad." Tamaki grinned, only to get elbowed in the side by Nonette, which caused Shirley to blush.
"What he means to say is… Rai has something very important to tell you." Euphemia said to Shirley. "But… we'll wait till he recovers, and he will, so that you can hear it from him personally."
"I think we can all take a guess what it is though." Milly teased, in an honest attempt to alleviate the situation.
Something important? Shirley couldn't help but look even more worried now. Though she was confident Ratchet, and all the doctors would see to it that Rai had gotten better, it also made her concerned that if something were to happen and she'd never hear it from him.
"They're still recovering?" Everyone looked to see Misty enter the scene.
"Misty." Nunnally looked in surprise, and even more so to see another girl with her. "Alice?"
"Hello everyone." Alice smiled.
"What are you guys doing here?" Rivalz asked.
"We heard what happened." Alice answered. "So… we decided to see if we can help."
"I'm afraid there's not much that can be done at this time other than waiting." Ratchet said.
"That's not quite what we meant by 'help.'" Misty explained. "For something like this… I think that it's important to spend your time with friends, right? Well, that's who we brought."
The mysterious girl gestured behind her to reveal several of their other friends had come to join them, human and Autobot alike. This included Elita-One, Ohgi, Cornelia, Guilford, Chigusa, Jazz, Gino, Smokescreen, Leila, Akito, Strongarm, Ayano, Sideswipe, Ryo, Grindcore, Yukiya, Anna, Kaguya, Tianzi, Xingke, Orpheus, Monica, Marrybell, Oldrin, and Ashley. Even Diethard had arrived as well.
"You… you all came…?" Shirley asked.
"Of course, they're our friends." Leila smiled.
"Family, even." Cornelia added.
"And we'll be here for when they wake up." Jazz said with a smile. Elita even looked with a smile and a nod towards Ironhide and Ratchet, who nodded in return as well. Grindcore even did a hand-clasp with Wheeljack, the two fellow Wreckers.
This alone brought Nunnally to tears as Euphie pulled her in close with an emotional smile of her own. So many people were all here together, people that were even once enemies, but now stand together. Not just as allies in a war, but as friends, family. This was the kind of world she always wanted to see; different people coming together and being there for one another. This was the world that she, Lelouch, and Optimus hoped they would create once this war is over.
'Big Brother… Optimus… Suzaku… all of you… I know you'll come back.' Nunnally thought. 'And when you do… let's make this world a gentler place for everyone.'
The Shinkiro stood in a large canyon-like area, facing an opening that led into an Energon mine. These were the coordinates that was sent toward the Nemesis. Now, all that needed to be done was to wait. It all seemed quiet, the only sound being the wind to kick up some dust and pebbles which blew against the Shinkiro's metallic body.
Suddenly, a Groundbridge portal opened, allowing the black-colored and red-optic doppelganger of the Autobot leader to step out and face the Shinkiro.
"Lelouch." Nemesis Prime said with a grow, V.V. inside glaring with all the hate he could muster. "As usual, you have to try and ruin everything."
"You're certainly one to talk." Lelouch's voice was heard from the Shinkiro in response. "Do you even know how many lives you and your brother have ruined? All because of your petty ambitions?"
"What right do you have to be angry at that?" V.V. growled. "They were just steppingstones in this already-ruined world. The world Charles and I strived for was what's important, everything else is empty and meaningless. But thanks to you and your pathetic friends, Autobot and Black Knight alike, our world is lost forever. Charles is dead because of you!"
"Good." Lelouch replied. "My only regret is that I didn't do it myself."
V.V. growled from inside the Nemesis Prime once more and was tempted to attack, but he soon gave a sinister chuckle. 'Trying to rattle me up? Goad me into attacking and laying into whatever little trap you've cooked up? Well two can play at that game."
"I actually know how satisfying that is." Nemesis Prime revealed. "To not only be rid of someone you hate with a passion, but to do it with your own two hands. After all, you can't even begin to imagine the joy I had… when I gunned your mother down."
There was no response. All became deathly silent as that bomb was dropped.
"You heard right, Lelouch." V.V. sneered. "I killed your precious mother, Marianne Vi Britannia… and you know what? I also shot Nunnally! I was tempted to kill her as well, but Charles felt that the loss of her eyes and legs were enough. Oh, yeah, Charles knew about all that as well. Marianne, Nunnally, the fact I did it… All thanks to our contract. The ability to alter memories certainly comes in handy… doesn't it?"
No more words were spoken as the Shinkiro fired its Hadron cannons at Nemesis, who rolled out of the way to unleash the fire from his Ion Cannons. Fortunately, the Shinkiro hovered from the ground and moved at speeds equal to Nemesis, returning fire with its knee-mounted slash harkens, which Nemesis Prime blocked with its arm blades before moving in to close the gap.
However, right as the distance was closed… another Groundbridge portal was opened up as the metallic fist of Optimus Prime came out to deck his doppelganger across the face and knock him down. Though Nemesis was quick to recover, he gazed up to find himself out-numbered as Bumblebee, the Lancelot, Arcee, the Guren, the pink Akatsuki, all surrounded him with Optimus standing alongside the Shinkiro.
"Prime…" V.V. growled. The hate he felt for Lelouch was nothing compared to the burning rage he felt for the Autobot leader that brought all of this to him. "We finally meet face-to-face. Like looking in a mirror, wouldn't you say?" He joked sadistically as the Nemesis stood up to face Optimus directly.
"Your blood-stained path ends here, Victor." Optimus Prime declared.
"Either come quietly or be taken!" Arcee readied her Energon blasters along with Bumblebee.
"And I really hope you wanna be taken." Kallen glared as she flashed her Surger claw, a brief shine on the metallic device.
"So, you laid a trap, hmm?" Nemesis Prime lulled just as the canyon wall behind him, the one that was over to the entrance to the Energon mine shattered in a massive explosion. "Well, so did I."
Emerging from the dust and rubble was a massive black-and-purple metallic fortress that bore a similar resemblance to that of the Siegfried, only far more advanced. It had an appearance akin to an upper body with a large metallic chest, its 'arms' being huge cone-like devices and a canon-device hooked to the bottom. It had a central head unit that bore an appearance similar to that of a Sutherland.
"You like it?" Nemesis introduced. "A far greater improvement of the Siegfried unit, even after Shockwave's modifications. It took some convincing, but he was able to let me borrow it for this particular event. I call it the Dark Fafnir, named after the dragon that the Siegfried of myth fought. Clara, why don't we show them what it can do?"
Inside the massive unit, hooked up to it through various cables, was a cyborg girl with pink hair and blue eyes; though her head and upper body appeared to be the only organic parts left of her as the rest was all mechanical. Unlike Alice and the other Dark Headmaster units, Clara Lanfranc was thoroughly integrated into the Dark Fafnir. She heard V.V.'s command and opened fire.
A volley of missiles was unleashed from the back and rained fire down on the group, forcing them to split and dodge to avoid the resulting explosions on the ground. While most were now scattered, Optimus Prime was alone as Nemesis Prime quickly came to him and rammed him with his shoulder to send him crashing into a large rock.
"Clara, destroy the others! Prime is mine!" V.V. ordered as Nemesis tried to lay a punch on the downed Optimus, but he rolled off the rock to avoid the punch that shattered the rock to pieces.
Optimus opened fire with his Ion Cannon, forcing Nemesis to dodge as he returned fire with his own identical weapon. The two look-alikes charged and fired at one another before closing the distance and engaged in close-quarter combat.
Bumblebee ran around the side of the Dark Fafnir and opened fire at it, though his Energon blasts did little to even damage it, though it did get the unit's attention as the right cone spung to life with energy before firing a large beam at the Autobot scout, who transformed to drive away and avoid getting blasted away.
The Dark Fafnir felt multiple hits across its body as the Shinkiro, pink Akatsuki, Lancelot, and Guren, with Arcee riding on top, all flew around it and fired several of their long-ranged weapons at it. But the Dark Fafnir proved to be just as fast as it was big, flying straight up to fire another beam from its left cone, forcing the group to scatter once again. Kallen flew the Guren forward and launched its Surger claw, attached to an extending cable forward, where it clamped onto the right shoulder-area of the larger unit. Kallen retracted the cable and used this to zoom in while also activating the Surger, sending a pulse of radiation through the internal systems of the Dark Fafnir.
However, right before it got much closer, a shield-unit was brought online to push off the Surger Claw before it did much damage. Fortunately, the Guren was close enough to allow Arcee a chance to leap off and land on top of the larger unit. It tried to spin itself to throw Arcee off, but she dug in her right arm-blade to keep herself steady before firing in the direction of the head-unit with her Energon blaster. As the Dark Fafnir tried to shake her off, it appeared vulnerable for the Lancelot to come in with its MVS blades and went for an impalement toward the head-unit…
Only for the Dark Fafnir to cross its right cone and block Suzaku's attack before a set of slash harkens was fired from the central area. "Damn!" Suzaku growled as he was forced backwards. The Dark Fafnir then opened fire with another volley of missiles, which appeared to throw off Arcee and send her falling, but the pink Akatsuki quickly flew in to catch her.
"Suzaku, let's make it rain!" Kallen told him.
"Right!" Both the Lancelot and Guren flew straight up and above the Dark Fafnir, their respective Energy Wings shinning brightly and unleashed a massive rain and red and green energy projectiles, all condensing down on the Dark Fafnir. However, it activated its shields once more just as the projectiles struck.
A massive flash of red and green, followed by an explosion, lit the sky. The dust quickly settled however to reveal that the Dark Fafnir had taken no damage. It's shields had effectively protected it, much to the shock and frustration of the two young pilots.
"Are you scrapping kidding me?!" Kallen exclaimed.
"Kallen… that weapon on its bottom…!" Suzaku warned, his cockpit's systems alerting to its sudden charge.
The massive cannon on the Dark Fafnir's bottom was already charging up to maximum power. Its output was almost three times as strong as a Hadron blast. It fired a massive energy beam toward the Guren and Lancelot.
Suddenly, the Shinkiro flew up just in time and fired its own main weapon: the central cannon. The prism was not launched beforehand, so it only fired a single energy beam but that was enough as the beam impacted that shot out by the Dark Fafnir.
*BOOM!*
An even larger explosion lit up the sky than before, the black, red, and white Knightmares flying back a bit to gain some distance as they watched the smoke clear away. Once again, the Dark Fafnir was undamaged, but since the Shinkiro's central cannon was only meant to halt its initial attack, that was to be expected.
'Even the Shinkiro's strongest weapon could barely match it. If that thing's main weapon hit us… I doubt there'd be anything left.' Suzaku thought as a nervous sweatdrop rolled down his face.
Kallen clenched the controls of her Knightmare, looking toward the Shinkiro with a fierce yet anxious expression. 'Lelouch… we're counting on you.'
Down below, Optimus clashed his arm-blade against that of Nemesis Prime, the latter relentlessly slashing at him like a madman, but when he went for an impalement thrust, Optimus swerved and grabbed his doppelganger by the arm before pulling him forward to trip him over his extended foot. Nemesis rolled on the ground before quickly getting back up and drawing his Energon Axe and swung it at Optimus, who jumped backwards before pulling out his own Energon Axe to block and parry his attack. Once again, Nemesis swung wildly and rapidly, contrasting Optimus' precise and calm parries and blocks. But even as they locked their weapons, sparks of energy clashing from the collided blades, Nemesis Prime delivered a kick to Optimus' chest to push him back.
"How does it feel to get knocked down by your own reflection, Prime?" V.V. taunted as he attacked again with his axe, which Optimus parried once more. "You are literally your own worst enemy here, and that speaks true even before all this!" Nemesis reached forward to grab Optimus by the shoulder and pulled him in to a knee right into his abdomen before spinning around and then letting go to send Optimus rolling across the ground. "Everything that's happening now is your fault! If you had killed Megatron on Cybertron, he would never have come to Earth! He would never have met me and Charles, and we wouldn't even be here!" He fired his Ion Cannon at Optimus, who ran and dodged the blasts before returning fire at Nemesis' feet to trip him up.
Optimus then moved in to get in close while Nemesis was down and tried to bring down his Axe, but Nemesis quickly brought up his own Axe before throwing it backwards to knock both weapons away. While in this position, Nemesis Prime grabbed Optimus by the waist and pushed upward before running straight through a pile of stone before pinning Optimus to the ground and proceeded to try and pummel him down.
"But more importantly… if you never met Lelouch… never changed him from the path that we set him on… Ragnarök would have already begun by now!" Nemesis tried to punch Optimus again, but the true leader of the Autobots caught the fist in his own hand. As he began to stand up, Nemesis tried to throw another punch, but Optimus caught that fist as well and kept a firm grip on both. Even as Nemesis struggled, Optimus would not budge.
"I have many regrets." Optimus Prime spoke up. "But coming to Earth and meeting Lelouch is not one of them." He lifted both his arms and Nemesis off the ground before slamming him down hard. As Nemesis tried to stand up, Optimus delivered an uppercut to send him back up in the air, flying some distance away, and crashing to the ground. "You see the people of this world as tools to use, pieces on a chess board to be directed and manipulated, but they are so much more than that." Optimus continued as Nemesis stood up and tried to deliver a punch, which Optimus parried before punching Nemesis in the face. "They are free to choose whatever path they want in life, be it good or ill, and nobody has the right to take that freedom from them. Not even you." V.V. growled again as he tried to punch Optimus once more, but he dodged and delivered a kick to the side to knock Nemesis down again. "You killed Lelouch's mother, crippled his sister, and hurt so many others… and you may have indeed set him down a path you wanted… but I helped him to show what other paths he could take. I didn't direct or tell him what he should do, I simply showed him what he was capable of. He chose this path of his own will, chose the path away from what you and your brother wanted. But you are here of your own choice. Not his or mine."
"Shut up!" Nemesis Prime shouted as he tried to slash with his arm-blade, but Optimus easily parried that strike with his right arm-blade and grabbed that arm with his left hand before delivering a headbutt to knock Nemesis down again.
"You chose to plot with Charles." Optimus continued. "And while I'm not completely certain of the circumstances, I can likely assume that you chose to go to Megatron, assuming your own immortality could trump whatever powers he had at the time. You chose to underestimate him and that led to where you are now. You imprisoned and enslaved now, because of your own choices. Not mine and not Lelouch's, and you have no right to blame us for that."
V.V. had enough. In a roar of furry, he brought up both his Ion cannons and fired a charged, point-blank, shot from both. No time to dodge, Optimus crossed his arms to shield himself, but the impact of the blast was enough to send him crashing through several rocks and into the ground. Not giving him the time to recover, Nemesis quickly got up and was ready to gun down Optimus right then and there…
Only for Bumblebee's vehicle mode to zoom straight at him, transform and use the momentum gained to ram him in the back and knock him to the ground. As Nemesis tried to push himself up, Bee was already in front of him as he pounded Nemesis across the face relentlessly before delivering a flipping axe-kick to his jaw and send Nemesis reeling up. Bee then tried to press the attack, but Nemesis had already recovered and pounded him to the ground with a single punch.
"Stupid bug!" V.V. spat, only to grunt as he felt a slash to his side, courtesy of Arcee who skidded past him with his arm-blades.
"C.C.! Now!" Arcee shouted, causing Nemesis to turn around and see the incoming pink Akatsuki.
'C.C.'s here. Of course, she is. This is your fault, too! Your fault for abandoning us!' Nemesis readied his Ion cannon as V.V. looked in a mixture of hate and sadistic joy. 'This won't kill you, but it will make you hurt!'
As he prepared to fire and focus solely on the incoming Knightmare in front of him, Arcee smirked.
"Gotcha."
A single charged shot was fired, but just before it made contact with the pink Akatsuki, its cockpit opened up, revealing that it was not green-haired immortal as V.V. thought…
But rather the armored and masked revolutionary, Zero himself! Using his armor's boosters, Zero flew straight from the open cockpit, right before his borrowed Knightmare was shot down, and right toward the face of Nemesis Prime.
V.V.'s pupils shrunk, his eyes so wide and circular that they were completely round. "WHAT?!"
Zero was already at Nemesis' face as his armor's right arm-blade extended, which he used to stab out the right optic. "You killed my mother!" Zero then used his other arm-blade to stab out the left optic. "Crippled my sister, then my brother and friend! Now you're trying to kill the people I see as my family!" He drove his arm-blades deeper, making sure he took out Nemesis' sense of sight. "And it wasn't just them… all the hundreds or even thousands of innocent people that you and Charles hurt or even killed…. Those you toyed with and those who cared for them… those that you never even gave a single thought for…do you know what they all say…?!"
Zero's mask opened to reveal the face of Lelouch, so twisted with such rage and righteous fury as he glared hatefully at the immortal inside the doppelganger of his beloved mentor and surrogate father.
"'It's our turn to take something away from you!'"
He was blinded. V.V. couldn't see anything now! Due to his nervous system being directly wired to the Nemesis Prime's skeletal frame, he was unable to see anything outside. But he did hear Lelouch's voice and every word he said. In a state of maddened rage, Nemesis tried to shake him off, but Zero used his armor's boosters to fly away even as Nemesis roared and tried to punch whatever was in front of him, but there was nobody. He was just throwing his fists wildly like a rabid animal, even as Optimus came up from behind and grabbed his arms to pin them behind his back.
"Your organic body may regenerate, but I do not believe your metallic one shares the same benefit." Optimus said.
As the Guren and Lancelot continued to keep the Dark Fafnir busy in the sky, the Shinkiro flew down while Optimus had Nemesis restrained; Bumblebee and even Arcee joined in to hold the struggling robot by the sides. The Shinkiro reached forward to grab the Nemesis unit by the head.
At the controls of the black Knightmare this entire time was Cera. She now had an indirect connection to V.V. and that was all she needed.
"Time to go to sleep, Victor." The Geass emblem on her forehead lit up as she activated her powers. She channeled it through her hands and the controls of the Shinkiro, through the Shinkiro itself and into the Nemesis body, and then into V.V.
V.V.'s mind was bombarded with every kind of shock image that Cera could send his way. While she couldn't see or control what exactly he was seeing, she was able to control how much she pounded into his twisted mind, and she pounded hard like trying to slam a sledgehammer into a wall trying to break it. Even if V.V.'s physical body can heal, his mind was a different matter.
From the death of his mother, Charles' own death, being tortured by Megatron and Shockwave, and even the haunting images of every man, woman, and child that he had directly or indirectly hurt from his own actions, Victor Zi Britannia saw them all. He saw them all at once as their ghostly figures moaned and shouted in hatred before enveloping his body, tearing at him with their hands to try and rip him to pieces from the inside. It all happened at once that V.V.'s mind was unable to properly process it… before it shut down completely.
As the Shinkiro let go, Nemesis Prime went limp. As Optimus, Bumblebee, and Arcee let go, the metallic frame of Nemesis Prime fell flat on its back on the ground.
Zero flew up into the palm of the Shinkiro as the cockpit opened to reveal Cera. "Well?" Zero asked her.
"He'll be out for a while."
"Then it is time to leave." Optimus said as he looked up to notice the Guren and Lancelot still keeping the Dark Fafnir at bay. "Kallen, Suzaku, prepare to retreat we are…"
Suddenly, a Groundbridge portal opened in front of the group, causing them to be put on alert as several dozen Vehicons quickly exited, along with half a dozen Insecticons. Immediately, Optimus, Bumblebee, and Arcee had their Energon blasters at the ready as the Vehicons aimed their weapons at them in response. The Shinkiro too readied its weapons as Zero quickly got into the cockpit along with Cera.
The portal remained open for a few more seconds to allow the leader of the Decepticons himself to step out.
"Optimus… and friends." Megatron greeted.
"Megatron." Optimus' optics narrowed.
"Dark Fafnir, stand down." Megatron ordered the massive unit.
Having been issued the command, the Dark Fafnir's assault halted, it's weapons powering down, much to the confusion of the two pilots.
"What… what's going…?" Kallen wondered aloud, but Suzaku's radar detected multiple Decepticon signals, with one in particular getting his attention.
"Kallen! Megatron's here!" He alerted.
Gasping and then getting serious, the Guren immediately flew down, landing behind Megatron on his right and aiming her Surger claw at him, while the Lancelot did the same on the left and pointed one of its swords toward the Decepticon leader as well.
Megatron looked more amused than anything before addressing the two leaders in front of him.
"You have certainly left an impression on our former prince, Optimus. But I never expected him to leave one on you…" Megatron began. "Granted, V.V.'s own unique abilities made it necessary, but taking advantage of his mental instability and his fixation on you… you would have made a fine Decepticon."
"I chose my side and I hold no regret over it." Optimus told his former friend.
"I wouldn't expect anything less." Megatron replied. "And Lelouch… your father and uncle have both proven to be quite the manipulators and schemers, but the fact that you were able to trick and outwit young Victor shows how you've surpassed both of them. And as tempting as it is to let you rid us of him, I cannot allow it. As bothersome as Victor is, he is still necessary for my plans."
"All the more reason to get rid of him." Zero stated.
"Yes… you could try and take him, and I certainly wouldn't mind fighting you for him." Megatron mused as he drew his blade, prompting the Autobots and Black Knights to prime their weapons as well. "But know this, Lelouch. He is necessary, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure he is brought back to my side, no matter the sacrifice. Are you willing to do the same?"
Lelouch glared hard at Megatron. He wanted V.V. gone more than anything, not just out of revenge for what he did to his friends and family, but because he was a legitimate threat. And the fact that Megatron actually did need him, meant that his removal would throw a wrench in Megatron's plans. But he also knew how far Megatron was willing to go. At present, even with Optimus by his side, as well as his best pilots in Kallen and Suzaku, they were still outnumbered and outmatched, and nothing was to stop Megatron from calling in more reinforcements. He happened to glance in the direction of Optimus and could tell from the look in his optics that he felt the same way. As much as they both wanted to stop V.V. and Megatron, they could not do so at this time. Lelouch even saw that Cera wanted this, but also knew that the odds of them getting V.V. away from here were low.
"Take him." Lelouch gritted his teeth. "But know this, Megatron…" He repeated the same tone. "Your hour of reckoning, as well as his, is coming, and it is coming soon. And I will be there to see your evil spark fade into nothingness. That I promise."
A smirk fell on Megatron's face. "I'm looking forward to it."
With reluctance, Optimus opened communications. "Groundbridge requested at our coordinates."
A vortex opened behind him. Optimus and the Shinkiro stayed behind to allow Bumblebee, Arcee, the Guren and Lancelot to enter first, followed by the two leaders before it closed.
Once they were gone, Megatron gave his orders. "Pick up that worthless failure." He ordered his Vehicons as they moved to hoist up Nemesis Prime. "Tell Shockwave to ready his laboratory for repairs."
Rai's eyes slowly flickered open, a soft white light shining down on him as he laid in a comfortable bed. An odd sensation filled his body as he slowly awoke, there was no pain whatsoever, something akin to numbness yet he could still feel his limbs and everything.
He gave a slight sigh as he tried to push himself up from the hospital bed he was lying on, only to find he had his right arm to support himself. Glancing to his left, he looked in surprise to see there was nothing past the shoulder. His entire left arm was gone.
"Take it easy…" Rai was even further surprised to see not only Lelouch standing at his bedside, but so many other people as well. Nunnally, Shirley, Cera, Tamaki, Nonette, Kallen, Akari, Suzaku, Euphemia, Rivalz, Milly, Nina, Ohgi, Kaguya, Chigusa, Leila, Cornelia, Guilford, Cecile, Sayoko, Akito, Ryo, Ayano, Yukiya, Anna, Misty, Alice, Gino, Monica, Oldrin, Marrybell, Orpheus, Ashley, Diethard, and even Fixit, all of whom looked around him with relieved and emotional smiles.
"You need time to recover." Lelouch told him. "Don't push yourself."
"Lelouch…? Everyone…?" Rai was suddenly embraced by Nunnally and Euphemia, both of half-sisters crying in joy.
"Rai… you're okay…!" Euphie stuttered.
"We're so… happy…!" Nunnally cried as well.
He even felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see the teary-eyed Nonette gazing down at him with her own emotional smile. Heck, even Arthur leapt up into his bed and purred as he brushed himself against his side.
"What about… Bulkhead… is he…?" Rai stuttered.
"See for yourself." Kallen said as they all cleared away slightly, revealing that his hospital bed had been wheeled out into the more open medical area where the Autobots would recover.
Much to Rai's surprise and relief, he found Bulkhead sitting up from his medical pad, most of his injuries patched up by Ratchet and Perceptor as Optimus, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ironhide, and Wheeljack were the closest to him, with Chromia, Warpath, Grindcore, Sideswipe, Strongarm, Jazz, Smokescreen, and Elita-One all present as well, looking just as relieved to see Bulkhead having recovered.
"Don't push yourself, Bulkhead." Ratchet told in his usual stern manner, all to cover that he was every bit relieved as everyone else. "You still require a great deal of attention before your fully recovered."
"Eh… I've been through worse." Bulkhead said. He then turned to his side to see his partner and friend looking happy and relieved, an emotional smile clear on his face as he lifted his arm for a thumbs up, which the Wrecker was more than happy to return.
"Everyone I… thank you…" Rai couldn't be happier than right now. Though he lost his arm, he'd give up that and a leg if it meant keeping his family here safe. He lost his old one at the hands of a monster, he'd be damned to lose another.
Especially… her.
The moment his eyes set on the happy and smiling Shirley, Rai knew what he had to do.
"Hey… if it's alright with you… can Shirley and I… have a moment in private?" He requested, causing her to look in surprise.
"I think that can be arranged." Lelouch said with a knowing grin.
Rai heard a cough from Bulkhead to get his attention and saw his partner grinning and winking at him, earning a chuckle from the young pilot.
Rai's bed was wheeled back into the room where he would spend the next couple of days to rest and recover, and per his request, everyone left him and Shirley alone, the two having their moment in private as she sat at a chair by his bedside.
"I… I heard you'd be getting a prosthetic soon." Shirley tried to stir up conversation.
"Yeah, probably gonna need it." Rai replied, looking toward his missing limb. "Gotta get back out there soon."
"Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Shirley told him. "You really scared me!"
"I… I'm sorry about that." Rai looked down.
"But… You may have also saved so many lives!" Shirley quickly added. "Ironhide and Euphie told me about that Tox-En stuff and how dangerous it was. You stopped Megatron from getting it! You're a hero… like always."
"I try my best… and I'm just glad that everyone's alright." Rai smiled. "Ya know… back when we were trying to get rid of that stuff… all I could think about was you." That got her attention. "You going with Bumblebee and the others to get a Relic really made me worried. But… at the same time… I had a feeling you'd be alright. I mean, you're one of the strongest people I know."
"I'm not that strong, Rai." Shirley tried to tell him. "I'm not a fighter or anything like that…"
"No but… you got the heart." Rai quickly said. "No matter what, you always try to help people, even those that you barely even know. You were one of the first people that tried to help me when I first stumbled onto Ashford… and even after joining the Black Knights you've always helped, even when making mistakes, that didn't stop you from trying to make things right and helping everyone. After I regained my memories, and I learned what happened to… to my family… you were there. Even with the risk of my Geass going out of control again, you were still there, always by my side, no matter what." He reached forward with his only hand and gently but firmly grasped hers as he looked her right in the eye. "You are one of the kindest, strongest, and most selfless people I've ever met in my entire life. I honestly believe I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. You helped me to see the best in myself, and it made me want to be the best. You have no idea how big an impact you've had on my life and that's why… I love you."
There it was. Those three little words. Just three words that can rock a person to their very core. Shirley's eyes widened to the point they were almost circular.
"I love you, Shirley Fenette." Rai confessed honestly, gripping her hand tighter. "And I want to make this world a better place for you, and everyone else. A place that you can really and truly smile, and I'm going to make that happen. I swear to you."
Tears were already flowing down Shirley's eyes as she grasped his hand back and a smile formed on his face.
"Oh Rai…" She couldn't find the right words. "You think I'm strong? That I made you into a better person…? I thought it was the other way around… Not only did you save my life several times… you helped to open my eyes… showed me what was wrong with this world and why so many people were suffering… but you also helped me to see what was so beautiful about it, why those people were fighting, what they were fighting for. That's… that's why I wanted to become a Black Knight… to help those people… to fight alongside them and… help make that world that you and Lelouch and Optimus and all our friends want to make so badly. Y-you… you inspired me to be so much stronger than what I was… and… I love how fierce you are… I love how devoted you are to the people you care about and… and I…"
She couldn't finish the words as she sat up slightly to press her lips against his own. She pulled away to see the surprised look on his face as she smiled emotionally and happily toward him.
"… I love you too!"
Both couldn't contain their tears or smiles as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself in closer to press her lips against his, a kiss that he was oh so happy to return.
He regained his consciousness the moment his visuals were repaired. The first thing he noticed was the metal ceiling of the laboratory he resided in, lying on an examination table.
"You have regained consciousness." Shockwave said, Nemesis Prime noticing his presence as the Decepticon scientist gazed down on him with his single robotic eye. "The only flaw to your newfound body is that it does not regenerate as your organic one does."
"So I've noticed…" V.V. groaned from inside as the Nemesis body attempted to stand up, but he gasped in shock to see the holographic form of Megatron appear before him.
"Resting comfortably my dear Victor?" Megatron asked in an amused sense. "It seems that despite your newfound power… you are not as invincible as you had hoped. You were not only overpowered but also outwitted by the very individuals you despise so much."
Lelouch. Optimus. But it wasn't just them. C.C. was with them as well! The thought of her helping them of her own accord when she should have been by hers and Charles' side made his blood boil! Just as it was Optimus' fault for coming to Earth and diverting Lelouch from the path he should have been on, it was also C.C.'s fault for leaving them! She supported Ragnarök as much as they did! And yet she had the audacity to attack him! Force him to see the faces of all the people that he had used when they had no right to fight back! She was a traitor! If it weren't for her Code, he'd kill her without hesitation!
"What is my next mission?" Nemesis asked, eager to get back into the field and kill as many Black Knights and Autobots as possible.
"Your current assignment is to remain here at the Geass Order." Megatron ordered.
"What?!" Nemesis stood up straight.
"With the momentum our enemies have gained, it stands to reason there is a very real possibility that the Autobots and Black Knights will stumble upon the Geass Order." Megatron explained. "You will assist Shockwave in defending it should the time come."
"I am not going to just sit by and wait like some dog!" Nemesis Prime spat.
"Remaining here to guard the Geass Order is indeed the logical choice." Shockwave agreed with his leader. "Though unlikely, it is still a possibility our enemies will discover this location."
"This is not up for discussion, my Nemesis." Megatron stated firmly. "You will remain where you are unless I say otherwise. Am. I. Clear?"
V.V. wanted to challenge his order. He wanted to go on the hunt. But he couldn't question Megatron. He literally had no way of fighting back thanks to the Dark Energon that connected directly to his brain. So with great reluctance, he gave a single nod.
"Transparent…"
"Good." Megatron smirked. "You can consider your punishment for your failure, the knowledge that your enemies, including the ones known as Kaizaren and Bulkhead, still live. As do Optimus, Lelouch, and all their friends. Even knowledge alone can be more torturous than any physical punishment even I can inflict."
The hologram deactivated. It was true… the fact that not only is C.C. with Optimus and Lelouch, but that Kaizaren and Bulkhead are still alive made him feel more vengeful and angrier than ever before. His rage would burn like a sun, and he would not rest until he was certain that they and everyone they care for is dead! He sincerely hoped his enemies would find the Geass Order… so that he can kill them with his bare hands, and make sure they were dead this time around.
Done.
Now that was quite a chapter, wouldn't you agree?
We had a real cathartic battle with Optimus and Lelouch going up against V.V./Nemesis. Props to Lelouch for managing to trick and outwit him along with Cera; showing once again how much of a chess master Lelouch truly is. He was actually able to trick V.V. this time around, something that never happened in the canon series… and given everything that little immortal prick put him through, it felt oh so satisfying to write it.
Though they were able to defeat him, Megatron would not allow the heroes to capture him. It's why Megatron keeps him around and even gives him a more useful role in the Decepticon ranks as Nemesis Prime, because Megatron still needs him for his plans. As for what those plans are… you'll just have to see.
We also got to see Clara, who is now a cyborg like Shin and is piloting the unit known as the Dark Fafnir, named after the dragon in Norse mythology that Siegfried fought, with her unit being based off the Sutherland Sieg that was piloted by Jeremiah in the canon series. And it is quite the monster in its own right.
And big surprise! Hot Shot is still alive! He's deep undercover aboard the Nemesis warship, planning on doing some sabotage and maybe even swipe a few Relics that he might be able to find while onboard. Though it's a good plan, he's very deep in enemy territory and has to be very careful.
Rai has recovered, along with Bulkhead. Given the latter's exposure to Tox-En wasn't as bad as the canon series, you can expect him to be back on the field much sooner than in the canon show. There's also the fact that Ratchet and Perceptor have more access to Cybertronian medical technology, leading to a faster recovery.
And Rai has managed to confess his feelings for Shirley, who feels the same way toward him. I loved writing that scene so much, every bit as I loved writing the dynamic between Rai and Shirley throughout this whole series. Those two deserve all the happiness in the world.
There is only one Relic left to be uncoded in the Iacon Database, and we can all take a guess as to what it is.
Until then, stay safe and stay healthy out there. Love you guys.