Demonic Showdowns

"Welcome, descendants of the neosapiens," Sigfried said when they found him, "From the look on your face, I take it you would like to know the truth about your ancestors, I am a very perceptive Demon. I saw how you were in the World's Footprint, the History Shrine. You were perplexed, I know the things they wrote there are quite different than what you know from your lessons, Shaman child. So at least you have questions for me. If you want to know the truth, about your blood and power, then I will be happy to tell it."

"I'm not afraid of the truth, I was told from a young age to always embrace it with open arms. Now tell us what you know. I will judge whether you are lying to hurt us, or telling the truth. For as you are one perceptive Demon, I'm one perceptive Shaman," Virginia stated. She looked him in the eye, so to keep the advantage at all times. For if he tried anything, his eyes would warn her that she and the others were in real danger, and they could dodge. Also, her hands were on her ARMs, so she could fire if the need arose.

Sigfried told them, "A long time ago, your people lived on another world, along with mine. We were of one race, that is until the nanomachines were discovered. My people began to evolve their bodies, as yours were reluctant to do so. Those of us who had claimed the eternal life the nanomachines gave then became the supreme rulers, taking your people as our servants. Your ancestors couldn't fight as well as us, and were often used as diversionary tactics in battle, to be sacrificed for the army's victory. But one day our homeworld began to die, and we had to leave. Then, we all found Filgaia. It was mostly uninhabitated, except for those blasted Elw. Your people and mine all fought against the Elw, trying to claim this planet as their new home. But then, your foolish ancestors turned against the Demons, joined the Elw and began to fight for Filgaia and the Guardians. It was an annoyance, for even with their weaker bodies they were still able to use the power of ARMs, our signature weapons. If they hadn't defected, we would have won."

Virginia aimed her ARMs at Sigfried, a fire in her eyes. "Well, if I was a slave, I would be happy to leave my master. For if you used them to die so your men could live, they must not have thought well of you as masters. In that situation, it was only natural to defect, to be able to live without being slaughtered."

"No matter no, though," Sigfried informed her, "For the Gem of the Guardians, the Treasure of the Adlehyde Family, the Teardrop now belongs to me. I can use its power to heal my wounds, there's no way you can win now, girl. You might as well submit to me, I won't hurt you if only you do whatever I say. Now then, first you can clean up the mess you made in this fortress, then you can allow me to turn you all into Demons, and finally, you can help me conquer Filgaia, so I can rule over it for all eternity." He began to laugh, looking every bit the part of a madman. Then, he held up the Teardrop as if to taunt them with it.

Oh Teardrop, Gem of the Guardians, come to me now. I, Virginia of Adlehyde, call you to me, to smash the ancient enemy of our people. The one who wished to do us harm in the ancient times, the one who still wishes to create evil where there is only peace. Aid me in my battle, so we can at last be free, the girl silently chanted. Suddenly, the gem on Sigfried's neck came to life. It lifted itself off of him, and settled itself onto Virginia. She smirked at him, as if to say he'd lost. Not that it made the Demon Lord give up, if anything he was more determined to win. He then ran at Virginia and struck her with the Dark Spear.

Taking damage, she fell to the floor, and Jet caught her. He held her close to him, not caring at the moment if Gallows saw and teased him. Virginia's life was in danger, and she needed his help. So he embraced her, and gave her a kiss. As his touch began to heal her wounded form, his kiss did wonders for the girl's mind. For when she opened her eyes, his own purple spheres met her blue ones. They were lost in each other for a little while, until a Sieg Impulse brought the two out of their reverie and back to the battle.

Virginia called out, "This is for all the innocent lives you've stolen over the years!" Then she and Jet cast the Airget-Cannon on Sigfried. He began to reel from the attack, but wasn't out yet. As he was still on the rebound, Virginia flew high into the air, and began to concentrate. She struck him with her Saint spell, as Jet joined Clive and Gallows in firing a Gatling. Sigfried began to convulse, and soon he dissipated into light. But before he did, he told them that he'd be back. The girl believed him, she knew he wasn't gone.

Well, don't you just hate it when you're right about something like that? For after they'd finally been able to destroy the base, and get Maya out since she'd set the detonator and then explored the armory a little to kick Sigfried's butt, said Demon reappeared. But he was different, combined with one of his Fafnir Dragons to form a more powerful Demon. Lombardia began flying around and trying to dodge Sigfried's, now called Dragon Sieg, attacks, while her four Dragoons fired off the built in cannons on her back at the enemy.

Clive pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Well, we certainly are in a bit of a bind. There's got to be a way of destroying this thing. Jet, Virginia, do you think you can fire another one of your Airget-Cannon attacks at the Demon? Being that he is anti-Filgaia, and your powers come from the planet, they just might cancel Sigfried's own power out, just like they did when we fought against Leehalt in the science chamber."

"Can't you see she's plain exhausted?!" exclaimed Jet, "You're supposed to be a scientist, Clive, you should see that she's not holding up too well. We've used three Airget-Cannons today, as well as one of the Airget-Beams and several Airget-Healings. That's too much to handle, if we do that it might just put her out of commission for at least a week." He didn't mention how tired he was, best not to sound weak.

"What if thou were to combine thy power with my cannon? Thou art a very strong individual, and I know thee wilst be able to do so. This will keep thy energy from draining, as it wilst be my systems that go wrong instead," Lombardia suggested. It did seem like it would work, for the Dragon never gave an idea to the team unless she was sure that no one would be hurt by it. She hadn't lived all these years for nothing.

So Jet and Virginia stepped up to the cannons, and began to charge them with their power. Then, they shot off the newly charged bullet at Dragon Sieg, blowing strait through him. The immense power of the Dragon, combined with the healing power of Filgaia, was enough to destroy the Demon Lord, once and for all. As he began to explode, Lombardia drove the team away from the area so they wouldn't get hurt too.

They watched the final fall of Deus ex Machina from a small cliff nearby. Maya and her team left early, searching for a new gem. Virginia and Jet, both still a little woozy from their efforts earlier that day, were holding on to one another, trying to balance. Clive took one look at them, and smiled. He could see that no matter what his origins were, and no matter how much he tried to hide it, Jet had a true heart. It was clear that he loved Virginia, as much as it was clear that the girl had returned his feelings. Watching them made him homesick for Humphrey's Peak, and his own family. He'd have to go there once they'd reported to Halle and Shane. For they had the right to know that the threat Shane had dreamt of was finally gone.

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Teefa's Last Words…

And there you have it, Chapter 3 closes. Ah, I love it when I get some nice things done. Ok, we're almost to Beatrice. Got some ideas to make her pretty mad, due to guess who?