Disclaimer: Wow, I'm actually using one of these. It's given that I don't have any ownership of Advance Wars or the characters of Final Fantasy... Duh. But the characters Glenn, Brad, Aldrea, Ashley, and Cecil, are used from "Bahamut & the Guardian Forces" by the permission of Gregory Stephen/nightdragon0. So you know, you should go read it, you would enjoy it.
-Advance Wars 2
--Project Black Portal
---Chapter 6: The Snake's Challenge
"Holy hell! That place is huge!" Glenn uttered.
He stood at the foothill of a mountain overlooking the little valley where the Anaconda Installation sat. The Mini-Cannons surrounding it looked like two story tall spheres with a cannon barrel sticking out of it. The loud sound of scraping metal echoed throughout the valley as it turned, surveying the area. The base itself sat in the middle, a tall milk can shaped structure with ledges holding more cannons around the middle.
It seemingly loomed over everything around it and every inch of it was a jet black color. Several windows were illuminated with a eerie yellow glare and shadows could be seen moving by it every once and awhile.
Hm.. I've seen bigger. Bahamut mumbled after a time.
Glenn began to try to get closer, moving through the trees until he could go no further without stepping into the open. He was now at the corner of the fortress, with two Mini-Cannons currently directed upward. There was some cities in the distance, but one could only feel like they were adequately watched over by the huge mini-cannons.
"Man, if that's mini... I would love to see what the regular size is..." Glenn said upon seeing the Mini-Cannons up close.
They seem to put a lot of confidence in their cannons. This side of the fortress is practically abandoned.
Before they could do anything more, alarms began to go off and lights began to flash on the exterior of the fortress. The Mini-cannons began to swivel into their default positions and await something.
"Uh... I hope that isn't for us..."
It was then Glenn could see a door open up and begin to spill tank divisions and troops into the valley. They scrambled along the little roads and all headed into different directions. Rocket trucks came next, strange flat faced cars with a launcher on the back. You couldn't see its wheels and gave it the illusion it was hovering. The only reason why you knew it had wheels was the screeching sound it made as it took a turn at top speed.
It seems Yellow Comet is done just standing around. And frankly I am too.
Then they heard a familiar screech, and looked upwards seeing Valefor soar along. It circled the fortress for awhile and then finally headed toward the very top.
"It's Valefor!"
Glenn, quickly...
It was then that Glenn slowly began to take the shape of a dragon, his hands changing to claws and wings extending from his back. Before long, Bahamut now stood among the trees. Without saying anything more, he leapt into the air and darted toward the top of the fortress. Strangely enough, none of the mini-cannons opened fire as he quickly ascended to the pinnacle of the base.
The top of the fortress looked like a half dome and partially un finished. A great deal of it was simply a flat surface where Valefor waited... accompanied by Adder and two soldiers holding Lash's Nutcrackers.
Geez... look at that guy's skin. He looks like he's never had a day in the sun.
"I'm more concerned about why they're sitting up here waiting for us."
Bahamut landed across from Valefor and Adder, giving a good distance in-between them both. Adder stood with his arms behind his back and gave a crooked smile upon seeing the dragon arrive.
"You must be Bahamut. The leader of the group of GFs... correct?" Adder began. "I've heard so much about you. Lash wanted me to tell you that she's still angry you broke her toy the last time you fought."
Bahamut paid no attention to Adder and turned toward Valefor.
"Valefor! Yna oui ymm nekrd?"
Adder raised an eyebrow at this and gave a laugh.
"So... you must know that gibberish Valefor speaks? I'm actually kind of amused. It took the fun out of my sessions with her when I couldn't understand her groveling. That's half the fun of torturing someone."
This guy is sick. I'm already tired of looking at him. Glenn muttered.
"Valefor... Fryd'c fnuhk? Cyo cusadrehk!" Bahamut tried again.
There was no response from Valefor who simply continued to glare at Bahamut.
"Glenn... She's not talking to me. Can you reach Cecil?"
"No... she isn't replying either."
Adder tapped his boot on the metal platform and got their attention once again.
"Confused? Heh heh heh, maybe I can help you. How I do love educating the ignorant."
Adder paused as he began to saunter on over to Valefor. He ran his arms up and down her right wing and then spun around quickly to face Bahamut.
"Why would she talk to you? After you left her at the whims of someone like me... It's so very lonely in a room all alone for hours on end, when the only person you can talk to is electrocuting you day after day after day."
Bahamut narrowed his eyes and gave a hard stare at Adder.
"You're looking to get your head ripped off..." Bahamut warned.
"Heh heh heh... Oh... I think I am the least of your worries. Valefor, go show Bahamut how relieved you are to see him."
With that, Valefor let out an angry cry and darted toward Bahamut. The dragon was caught off guard and tried to move, but was too slow as Valefor hit him and they both went tumbling off the side of the tower. There was a long pause before Valefor soared back up. Bahamut was slow to follow but flew up to her level and moved away.
What's her problem? She almost killed you!
"I don't know. But I'm not going to believe paleface over there..."
Look out! Here she comes again!
Bahamut dove out of the way as Valefor almost impaled him with her beak. She spun around and spread her wings.
"Yllaccehk cocdasc... ehedeydehk... Energy Ray!" She cried out.
"What the hell!" Bahamut yelled confused.
What did she say? Glenn asked.
"She's not making any sense!"
A large yellow beam erupted form Valefor's mouth and streaked across the sky. Bahamut had tried to dive again but wasn't fast enough. The beam danced up and down his back and sliced through the wheel.
"ARRRRGG!!!!" He roared. "Son of a @#$%!"
Adder walked to the ledge to watch and snapped his fingers. One of his soldiers disappeared for a short time to bring back binoculars. He quickly snatched it away and put it up to his eyes and began to laugh.
"Heh heh heh... this is worth every minute..."
"Sir..." The other soldier spoke up. "Yellow Comet is approaching the fortress."
"Set the Mini-Cannons on automatic and blow away anything that approaches."
"Yes sir!"
Another roar made Adder turn back to the fight as Valefor tore away at Bahamut with her talons.
"By the gods! If she just wasn't so fast! Avoiding her could be easier!" Bahamut cursed.
We gotta do something! Before she rips your wings off!
A deafening roar erupted from below as the Mini-cannons began to spray the area with their explosive shells. The ground would heave as they blew up a targeted area and now it was almost impossible to hear anything clear. It wasn't long until Valefor and Bahamut managed to fight their way in front of one.
Look out! Cannon!
"Dammit!"
Bahamut managed to bat Valefor away and they both went spinning away from the cannon which tried to shoot them. Instead a section of the mountain was leveled. Trees were turned up from their rooted positions in the ground and a crater sat in it's place.
"Valefor, cdub ed! E tuh'd fyhd du rind oui! Pid oui'na naymmo beccehk sa uvv!" Bahamut warned.
Valefor began to charge up for another Energy Ray, but before she could use it, a barrage of missiles flew from nowhere and hit her dead on. She disappeared behind a cloud of smoke and fire and then fell to the ground lifelessly. Bahamut's eyes bulged and he quickly looked around to see a Yellow Comet missile truck in the vicinity.
Cecil! Valefor! Dammit! Who shot those? Who?
"No... How could.. You! Damn you!" He roared angrily. "You @#$% fools!"
Bahamut landed before the collection of trucks and let out another furious roar. The Yellow Comet soldiers backed away in fear as Sonja stepped forward.
"Why! What the hell were you thinking! I was trying to reason with her!"
"I suggest you give another glance upon the body before saying anymore." Sonja pointed. "By the way, you're welcome."
Bahamut was filled with so much rage, he barely had enough clarity to turn and glance upon the spot below where Valefor had been blown to pieces. But could now see something interesting. Wires hung out of the body parts and the head was now a metallic skull after the skin had been burned off. Now Bahamut was more confused than anything else and turned back towards Sonja.
"A robotic clone. I told you, they are very skilled at it. I realized trying to force the original would be far to costly when they could just copy the body and create clones. But I just wasn't sure..."
Damn, that's why Cecil wasn't talking to me. She wasn't even there!
Now Bahamut turned back towards the fortress and looked up towards the top. He took off and avoided the Mini-Cannon fire that was directed at other targets. Adder still stood at the top with a smile.
"Heh heh heh... How did you like that? That Valefor was almost better than the original."
"Shut the @#$% up!" Bahamut ordered. "I've enough of Black Hole and your crap! Where's the real Valefor! If you tell me, I might just refrain from spreading your ashes all over this tower of junk!"
"Oh... The real Valefor... We have her schueduled for disposal."
"I seriously doubt that!"
Bahamut watched as Adder tilted his head to the side as if trying to decide something and then gave a broad smile. He took a small step to the right and shook his head as if pitying the dragon before him.
"Ahh... The confident ones are always the best to break. So full of hope... Until their world comes crashing down around them." Adder paused in thought. "I wonder... could you take one? What about two? No... three is surely a challenge for the mighty Bahamut."
Adder snapped his fingers and one of the soldiers began to relay something through their intercom in their suit. There was a chorus of screeches as three Valefors emerged from behind the fortress and began to fly in their direction.
Whoa... Bahamut, are you seeing things? Glenn commented.
"No... he really has... three Valefors... behind him..."
Adder made a quick glance back and then back towards Bahamut.
"I hope you have enough strength to put on another show for me. You did dally around quite long with the first copy. Valefor two, three, and four! Tear Bahamut apart!"
They screeched in response and darted forward with their talons extended. But this time, Bahamut was on the offensive and promptly tore one apart right there and then. The other two managed to swipe him but failed to make it count. He didn't waste any time and spun around.
"Impulse!"
Four dark spheres shot out and began to track the two other Valefors. One darted out of the way while the other was blown to pieces. Adder noted this and turned back toward his soldiers.
"How many more Valefor drones do we have?"
"Weapons room reports eight sir."
"Heh heh heh... Just release them all."
"Uhh... Sir... are you sure? Testing them all at once like that?" He stopped talking as his CO now gazed upon him in a furious way. "Um... Affirmative sir."
By the time they had turned back around, they had missed a vicious dogfight between Bahamut and the remaining Valefor clone. But eventually the dragon had wiped out the robot and flapped his wings slowly. It was easy to see he was wearing out.
"Take that... you damn... fakes..." He declared breathlessly.
Uh... Bahamut...
Bahamut looked upwards to see himself surrounded by eight more Valefor copies.
"Heh heh heh... it only hurts for a moment!" Adder announced. "Sidewinder!"
A glow began to encircle the Valefor copies. They all screeched at the same time and dove at him with amazing speed, now faster than before. Their target shot upwards and they soon followed nearly colliding into each other. There was a flash and Energy Rays shot all over the place in a blur carving up whatever they touched.
Adder ducked for cover as one seared its way across the roof of the fortress. Several of the Yellow Comet and Black Hole forces went for cover as beams streaked across the ground. Tanks went up in smoke as the larger targets couldn't move fast enough. Some of the Mini-Cannons below took damage as they were hit. It seemed like the Valefors were out of control and it wasn't hard for Bahamut to get hit in the chaos.
You can't keep this up... Not after that guy's CO Power. They're too fast!
"Shut up Glenn!" Bahamut roared while tearing apart another one of the Valefor copies. "There's no running from them now! I'm just gonna destroy every last... arrgggg!!!"
The blinding speed of the Valefor copies allowed one to charge into his back and send him spiriling toward the fortress. It wasn't long until the dragon plunged into the roof and landed in a heap a couple feet away from Adder. He had begun to get back up when the Valefor swarm descended upon him in seconds, slashing and tearing away at him with their talons and beaks. He rolled onto his back and began to throw his claws around blindly.
"Arrrrrgggg! Ouch!!! Get them off of me! The hell! Ahh! Dammit! CUT IT OUT!"
"Heh heh heh!" Adder cackled. "I meant it when I said 'Tear Bahamut apart'!"
Adder watched intensely as scales began to fly from the chaos and landed at his feet. But it was soon interrupted as two rays shot from the sky and hit the pile dead on. Adder's soldiers stepped forward to shield him from the blast as gears and other fragments flew out. When it was clear, there was only five copies remaining, and Bahamut's wounds were slowly healed.
"Where... did that come from?" Adder looked like he had swallowed poison. "Was that... Phoenix Flame? No... it can't be... That's impossible... Phoenix was terminated..."
Phoenix dove from the sky and took out another one of the copies as Bahamut finally got off the ground growling in anger.
"Flak... no...!" Adder realized. "That damn fool! Flak! He said it was dead!!! What the hell was he thinking!!!!"
"Sir!" One of the soldiers pointed. "Bahamut..."
"This is... an unlucky day..." Adder stated with a sickened look. "You two kill the dragon... I must... report to Hawke on this."
Adder turned and escaped down a stairway as the two soldiers gave an uneasy glance at each other. They eventually gazed back towards the angry Bahamut and soon followed after their CO in a sprint. Phoenix quickly landed beside Bahamut with a smile.
"Well, I see you're still up to your usual tricks." Phoenix began. "Just as reckless as ever."
"Shut the hell up!" Bahamut growled. "They were pecking me to death!"
"Nice to see you too."
Hey Glenn, I see you and Bahamut are doing fine. Ashley greeted through telepathy.
Hey... I didn't want to fight the horde of copies. That was Bahamut's plan. How'd you guys find us anyway? Glenn asked back.
It's a long story...
"Excuse me! Could we get back to the Valefor copies here!" Bahamut interrupted. "We can talk later!"
The two GFs looked back to see the remaining four charging up for Energy Ray. When they let loose, Bahamut and Phoenix had darted out of the way, and the roof was decimated. Large fragments began to rain down below landing on top of the mini-cannons and jamming them. Yellow Comet had begun to close in as well, now hitting the fortress with everything they had.
The remaining copies didn't last very long when the majority of their support had begun to retreat, leaving the fortress to it's own demise. Rockets began to nail the remaining cannons. Bahamut and Phoenix decided to leave the rest of it to Yellow Comet and landed near Sonja reverting back to their human partners.
"Oh man..." Glenn began holding his head. "I feel like I just got hit by a truck..."
Sonja stepped forward and glanced at Ashley.
"You must be Ashley... with the GF Phoenix."
Ashley gave her a funny look and turned to Glenn.
"Hey... how does she know that?"
"That's also a long story. But what about Valefor... Adder said they moved to dispose of her..."
"I wouldn't put much stock in Adder's words..." Sonja explained. "If you didn't notice, he loves to hear himself talk. We'll find your friend Valefor, I give you my word. As for now, you should get some rest. If that battle looked as half as bad as it did from down here, you'll be out for a long time."
Glenn soon fell to the grass and spread his arms out.
"Oh man... How about right here?" He grinned.
Great... now we'll never get you to wake up... Bahamut sighed.
-End Chapter
--Next Chapter: Starting Up the Storm
-Advance Wars 2
--Project Black Portal
---Chapter 6: The Snake's Challenge
"Holy hell! That place is huge!" Glenn uttered.
He stood at the foothill of a mountain overlooking the little valley where the Anaconda Installation sat. The Mini-Cannons surrounding it looked like two story tall spheres with a cannon barrel sticking out of it. The loud sound of scraping metal echoed throughout the valley as it turned, surveying the area. The base itself sat in the middle, a tall milk can shaped structure with ledges holding more cannons around the middle.
It seemingly loomed over everything around it and every inch of it was a jet black color. Several windows were illuminated with a eerie yellow glare and shadows could be seen moving by it every once and awhile.
Hm.. I've seen bigger. Bahamut mumbled after a time.
Glenn began to try to get closer, moving through the trees until he could go no further without stepping into the open. He was now at the corner of the fortress, with two Mini-Cannons currently directed upward. There was some cities in the distance, but one could only feel like they were adequately watched over by the huge mini-cannons.
"Man, if that's mini... I would love to see what the regular size is..." Glenn said upon seeing the Mini-Cannons up close.
They seem to put a lot of confidence in their cannons. This side of the fortress is practically abandoned.
Before they could do anything more, alarms began to go off and lights began to flash on the exterior of the fortress. The Mini-cannons began to swivel into their default positions and await something.
"Uh... I hope that isn't for us..."
It was then Glenn could see a door open up and begin to spill tank divisions and troops into the valley. They scrambled along the little roads and all headed into different directions. Rocket trucks came next, strange flat faced cars with a launcher on the back. You couldn't see its wheels and gave it the illusion it was hovering. The only reason why you knew it had wheels was the screeching sound it made as it took a turn at top speed.
It seems Yellow Comet is done just standing around. And frankly I am too.
Then they heard a familiar screech, and looked upwards seeing Valefor soar along. It circled the fortress for awhile and then finally headed toward the very top.
"It's Valefor!"
Glenn, quickly...
It was then that Glenn slowly began to take the shape of a dragon, his hands changing to claws and wings extending from his back. Before long, Bahamut now stood among the trees. Without saying anything more, he leapt into the air and darted toward the top of the fortress. Strangely enough, none of the mini-cannons opened fire as he quickly ascended to the pinnacle of the base.
The top of the fortress looked like a half dome and partially un finished. A great deal of it was simply a flat surface where Valefor waited... accompanied by Adder and two soldiers holding Lash's Nutcrackers.
Geez... look at that guy's skin. He looks like he's never had a day in the sun.
"I'm more concerned about why they're sitting up here waiting for us."
Bahamut landed across from Valefor and Adder, giving a good distance in-between them both. Adder stood with his arms behind his back and gave a crooked smile upon seeing the dragon arrive.
"You must be Bahamut. The leader of the group of GFs... correct?" Adder began. "I've heard so much about you. Lash wanted me to tell you that she's still angry you broke her toy the last time you fought."
Bahamut paid no attention to Adder and turned toward Valefor.
"Valefor! Yna oui ymm nekrd?"
Adder raised an eyebrow at this and gave a laugh.
"So... you must know that gibberish Valefor speaks? I'm actually kind of amused. It took the fun out of my sessions with her when I couldn't understand her groveling. That's half the fun of torturing someone."
This guy is sick. I'm already tired of looking at him. Glenn muttered.
"Valefor... Fryd'c fnuhk? Cyo cusadrehk!" Bahamut tried again.
There was no response from Valefor who simply continued to glare at Bahamut.
"Glenn... She's not talking to me. Can you reach Cecil?"
"No... she isn't replying either."
Adder tapped his boot on the metal platform and got their attention once again.
"Confused? Heh heh heh, maybe I can help you. How I do love educating the ignorant."
Adder paused as he began to saunter on over to Valefor. He ran his arms up and down her right wing and then spun around quickly to face Bahamut.
"Why would she talk to you? After you left her at the whims of someone like me... It's so very lonely in a room all alone for hours on end, when the only person you can talk to is electrocuting you day after day after day."
Bahamut narrowed his eyes and gave a hard stare at Adder.
"You're looking to get your head ripped off..." Bahamut warned.
"Heh heh heh... Oh... I think I am the least of your worries. Valefor, go show Bahamut how relieved you are to see him."
With that, Valefor let out an angry cry and darted toward Bahamut. The dragon was caught off guard and tried to move, but was too slow as Valefor hit him and they both went tumbling off the side of the tower. There was a long pause before Valefor soared back up. Bahamut was slow to follow but flew up to her level and moved away.
What's her problem? She almost killed you!
"I don't know. But I'm not going to believe paleface over there..."
Look out! Here she comes again!
Bahamut dove out of the way as Valefor almost impaled him with her beak. She spun around and spread her wings.
"Yllaccehk cocdasc... ehedeydehk... Energy Ray!" She cried out.
"What the hell!" Bahamut yelled confused.
What did she say? Glenn asked.
"She's not making any sense!"
A large yellow beam erupted form Valefor's mouth and streaked across the sky. Bahamut had tried to dive again but wasn't fast enough. The beam danced up and down his back and sliced through the wheel.
"ARRRRGG!!!!" He roared. "Son of a @#$%!"
Adder walked to the ledge to watch and snapped his fingers. One of his soldiers disappeared for a short time to bring back binoculars. He quickly snatched it away and put it up to his eyes and began to laugh.
"Heh heh heh... this is worth every minute..."
"Sir..." The other soldier spoke up. "Yellow Comet is approaching the fortress."
"Set the Mini-Cannons on automatic and blow away anything that approaches."
"Yes sir!"
Another roar made Adder turn back to the fight as Valefor tore away at Bahamut with her talons.
"By the gods! If she just wasn't so fast! Avoiding her could be easier!" Bahamut cursed.
We gotta do something! Before she rips your wings off!
A deafening roar erupted from below as the Mini-cannons began to spray the area with their explosive shells. The ground would heave as they blew up a targeted area and now it was almost impossible to hear anything clear. It wasn't long until Valefor and Bahamut managed to fight their way in front of one.
Look out! Cannon!
"Dammit!"
Bahamut managed to bat Valefor away and they both went spinning away from the cannon which tried to shoot them. Instead a section of the mountain was leveled. Trees were turned up from their rooted positions in the ground and a crater sat in it's place.
"Valefor, cdub ed! E tuh'd fyhd du rind oui! Pid oui'na naymmo beccehk sa uvv!" Bahamut warned.
Valefor began to charge up for another Energy Ray, but before she could use it, a barrage of missiles flew from nowhere and hit her dead on. She disappeared behind a cloud of smoke and fire and then fell to the ground lifelessly. Bahamut's eyes bulged and he quickly looked around to see a Yellow Comet missile truck in the vicinity.
Cecil! Valefor! Dammit! Who shot those? Who?
"No... How could.. You! Damn you!" He roared angrily. "You @#$% fools!"
Bahamut landed before the collection of trucks and let out another furious roar. The Yellow Comet soldiers backed away in fear as Sonja stepped forward.
"Why! What the hell were you thinking! I was trying to reason with her!"
"I suggest you give another glance upon the body before saying anymore." Sonja pointed. "By the way, you're welcome."
Bahamut was filled with so much rage, he barely had enough clarity to turn and glance upon the spot below where Valefor had been blown to pieces. But could now see something interesting. Wires hung out of the body parts and the head was now a metallic skull after the skin had been burned off. Now Bahamut was more confused than anything else and turned back towards Sonja.
"A robotic clone. I told you, they are very skilled at it. I realized trying to force the original would be far to costly when they could just copy the body and create clones. But I just wasn't sure..."
Damn, that's why Cecil wasn't talking to me. She wasn't even there!
Now Bahamut turned back towards the fortress and looked up towards the top. He took off and avoided the Mini-Cannon fire that was directed at other targets. Adder still stood at the top with a smile.
"Heh heh heh... How did you like that? That Valefor was almost better than the original."
"Shut the @#$% up!" Bahamut ordered. "I've enough of Black Hole and your crap! Where's the real Valefor! If you tell me, I might just refrain from spreading your ashes all over this tower of junk!"
"Oh... The real Valefor... We have her schueduled for disposal."
"I seriously doubt that!"
Bahamut watched as Adder tilted his head to the side as if trying to decide something and then gave a broad smile. He took a small step to the right and shook his head as if pitying the dragon before him.
"Ahh... The confident ones are always the best to break. So full of hope... Until their world comes crashing down around them." Adder paused in thought. "I wonder... could you take one? What about two? No... three is surely a challenge for the mighty Bahamut."
Adder snapped his fingers and one of the soldiers began to relay something through their intercom in their suit. There was a chorus of screeches as three Valefors emerged from behind the fortress and began to fly in their direction.
Whoa... Bahamut, are you seeing things? Glenn commented.
"No... he really has... three Valefors... behind him..."
Adder made a quick glance back and then back towards Bahamut.
"I hope you have enough strength to put on another show for me. You did dally around quite long with the first copy. Valefor two, three, and four! Tear Bahamut apart!"
They screeched in response and darted forward with their talons extended. But this time, Bahamut was on the offensive and promptly tore one apart right there and then. The other two managed to swipe him but failed to make it count. He didn't waste any time and spun around.
"Impulse!"
Four dark spheres shot out and began to track the two other Valefors. One darted out of the way while the other was blown to pieces. Adder noted this and turned back toward his soldiers.
"How many more Valefor drones do we have?"
"Weapons room reports eight sir."
"Heh heh heh... Just release them all."
"Uhh... Sir... are you sure? Testing them all at once like that?" He stopped talking as his CO now gazed upon him in a furious way. "Um... Affirmative sir."
By the time they had turned back around, they had missed a vicious dogfight between Bahamut and the remaining Valefor clone. But eventually the dragon had wiped out the robot and flapped his wings slowly. It was easy to see he was wearing out.
"Take that... you damn... fakes..." He declared breathlessly.
Uh... Bahamut...
Bahamut looked upwards to see himself surrounded by eight more Valefor copies.
"Heh heh heh... it only hurts for a moment!" Adder announced. "Sidewinder!"
A glow began to encircle the Valefor copies. They all screeched at the same time and dove at him with amazing speed, now faster than before. Their target shot upwards and they soon followed nearly colliding into each other. There was a flash and Energy Rays shot all over the place in a blur carving up whatever they touched.
Adder ducked for cover as one seared its way across the roof of the fortress. Several of the Yellow Comet and Black Hole forces went for cover as beams streaked across the ground. Tanks went up in smoke as the larger targets couldn't move fast enough. Some of the Mini-Cannons below took damage as they were hit. It seemed like the Valefors were out of control and it wasn't hard for Bahamut to get hit in the chaos.
You can't keep this up... Not after that guy's CO Power. They're too fast!
"Shut up Glenn!" Bahamut roared while tearing apart another one of the Valefor copies. "There's no running from them now! I'm just gonna destroy every last... arrgggg!!!"
The blinding speed of the Valefor copies allowed one to charge into his back and send him spiriling toward the fortress. It wasn't long until the dragon plunged into the roof and landed in a heap a couple feet away from Adder. He had begun to get back up when the Valefor swarm descended upon him in seconds, slashing and tearing away at him with their talons and beaks. He rolled onto his back and began to throw his claws around blindly.
"Arrrrrgggg! Ouch!!! Get them off of me! The hell! Ahh! Dammit! CUT IT OUT!"
"Heh heh heh!" Adder cackled. "I meant it when I said 'Tear Bahamut apart'!"
Adder watched intensely as scales began to fly from the chaos and landed at his feet. But it was soon interrupted as two rays shot from the sky and hit the pile dead on. Adder's soldiers stepped forward to shield him from the blast as gears and other fragments flew out. When it was clear, there was only five copies remaining, and Bahamut's wounds were slowly healed.
"Where... did that come from?" Adder looked like he had swallowed poison. "Was that... Phoenix Flame? No... it can't be... That's impossible... Phoenix was terminated..."
Phoenix dove from the sky and took out another one of the copies as Bahamut finally got off the ground growling in anger.
"Flak... no...!" Adder realized. "That damn fool! Flak! He said it was dead!!! What the hell was he thinking!!!!"
"Sir!" One of the soldiers pointed. "Bahamut..."
"This is... an unlucky day..." Adder stated with a sickened look. "You two kill the dragon... I must... report to Hawke on this."
Adder turned and escaped down a stairway as the two soldiers gave an uneasy glance at each other. They eventually gazed back towards the angry Bahamut and soon followed after their CO in a sprint. Phoenix quickly landed beside Bahamut with a smile.
"Well, I see you're still up to your usual tricks." Phoenix began. "Just as reckless as ever."
"Shut the hell up!" Bahamut growled. "They were pecking me to death!"
"Nice to see you too."
Hey Glenn, I see you and Bahamut are doing fine. Ashley greeted through telepathy.
Hey... I didn't want to fight the horde of copies. That was Bahamut's plan. How'd you guys find us anyway? Glenn asked back.
It's a long story...
"Excuse me! Could we get back to the Valefor copies here!" Bahamut interrupted. "We can talk later!"
The two GFs looked back to see the remaining four charging up for Energy Ray. When they let loose, Bahamut and Phoenix had darted out of the way, and the roof was decimated. Large fragments began to rain down below landing on top of the mini-cannons and jamming them. Yellow Comet had begun to close in as well, now hitting the fortress with everything they had.
The remaining copies didn't last very long when the majority of their support had begun to retreat, leaving the fortress to it's own demise. Rockets began to nail the remaining cannons. Bahamut and Phoenix decided to leave the rest of it to Yellow Comet and landed near Sonja reverting back to their human partners.
"Oh man..." Glenn began holding his head. "I feel like I just got hit by a truck..."
Sonja stepped forward and glanced at Ashley.
"You must be Ashley... with the GF Phoenix."
Ashley gave her a funny look and turned to Glenn.
"Hey... how does she know that?"
"That's also a long story. But what about Valefor... Adder said they moved to dispose of her..."
"I wouldn't put much stock in Adder's words..." Sonja explained. "If you didn't notice, he loves to hear himself talk. We'll find your friend Valefor, I give you my word. As for now, you should get some rest. If that battle looked as half as bad as it did from down here, you'll be out for a long time."
Glenn soon fell to the grass and spread his arms out.
"Oh man... How about right here?" He grinned.
Great... now we'll never get you to wake up... Bahamut sighed.
-End Chapter
--Next Chapter: Starting Up the Storm