Note: To clear things up, I shall clarify what race the elemental sisters are... mostly since I kinda don't make things too clear.
Flora: Human Aqua: Fox Sky: Grassrunner Nature: Haren
Near noon, the sun shined down upon the desert with heavy rays. Moving through the already oven-hot desert was the same dune buggy Wes had driven since the regents started attacking. Everything so far was quiet, Ryu at the drivers side, keeping his eyes sharp on the road. Wes sat shotgun, silent, his face bandaged with a few of the white sheets covered in blood. He glanced outside, taking a deep breath, seeing the endless depressing desert outside his window.
"How you feeling Wes? Your head still hurting? Your brain still pulsing with pain? Bet you wish for me to heal you now, huh?" Nina muttered, insulting Wes directly as he growled under his breath.
"SHUT IT NINA!!" Ryu demanded, yelling in a deep voice.
A few moments of peace past, only the sound of the motor could be heard purring as Ryu continued driving to the nearest city where they were located.
"Are we THERE yet?" Nina grumbled, as she groaned acting all tired out.
"Nina... for the seventeenth time, WE'LL GET THERE WHENEVER WE GET THERE!!" He shouted, Nina leaping at the tone of his voice.
Silence remained, as Ryu glanced to the outer road, before he spotted a sign to the left. In a quick glimpse he sighed in relief, continuing his drive. He smiled, knowing once he got to the town he would soon be relieved of the boring drive.
"Ryu... just what town did that sign say was ahead?" Mai asked her voice town desperate.
"It said Proto Vech three miles away. You sound like you've seen a ghost or something, mind telling us before it's too late?" Ryu requested, as Mai took a sigh.
"That town is full of droids, most created by the technology guru regent himself, Glitz. We could be entering a trap." She remarked, crossing her arms.
"Long as the town ain't filled with armed robots ready to fire on us we have nothing to worry about." Ryu mentioned still driving.
"That's something I don't think I can answer." Mai stated, as she leaned back.
"We'll find out when we get there. It's more then obvious that the regents will be there at some point... question is how do they find us so fast?" Ryu mentioned, really wondering how the regents were able to find them in only a few days.
Little did Ryu even know that as the dune buggy drove, a bot the size of a fly was latched right at the axles, setting off a radio frequency that was sent through the web directly to the Glitz, who analyze the origin and locked them, the process taking only one hour at most.
INSERT BREAK
"Well, by coincidence or by sheer luck, the renegades are heading to Proto Vech... I will indeed show them the hospitality they deserve." Glitz commented with a cackle.
Quickly marking down the main location, he immediately sent the location directly to Hudson, knowing it was wise to alert the main leader before anyone else.
"Maybe now I shall be able to test a few of my Mechs. Mwa ha ha haaaa!" He said, glancing over to one of his models, a fluster of excitement pursed upon his face.
Daylight shined into the ever so ordinary built home, rugs aligned upon the carpets, the room cleaned and neatly organized, toys placed in the right box, and desks neatly organized with papers, several with math problems answered, waiting to be reviewed. The kids already were playing, most already were around the videogames, multiplayer galore already in session, as they attack numerous hordes of enemies, working as a team to get through the dungeon. The game was one of those hack and bash games, set in a midevil time period, but even as things grew repetitive, it was an addictive game.
A few waited, groaning as they waited their turn. Yet, all grew silent as the sound of the door opening broke all activity commencing in the room. All eyes glanced over, widening in fear as they glanced up at the figure dressed in a long raven black trenchcoat, his grim face putting fears in the hearts of the young children.
Slowly did Hudson make his way inside, glancing down a the terrified children, he smiled, looking at them, even as they shook with fear, they still had it better in this orphanage then he did. Looking down at a blond haired human, whose blue eyes already were welling up with tears as Hudson walked closer.
"Do you know where I can find the four elemental sisters?" Hudson asked calmly.
The boy started to pant faster, shaking still terrified by the man, as he screamed loudly, crying out loud for help. Immediately did the door burst open, a kitsune running in with a irate frown on her face.
"You kids better not be-" She stopped short, stopping Hudson, gasping slowly, as he glanced over to her.
"Hudson, w-what brings you here?" She said, knowing she didn't attend the meeting with her sisters could mean the end of her.
"Aqua, I see you're still healthy." He remarked, taking a few short steps towards her.
"P-please forgive my absence at the Regent Meet, b-but-"
"No need for apology, you sisters do have the kids to take care of. Still, down to business, I must see all four of you privately; there are some matters I must discuss." He mentioned, Aqua nodding as she bowed respectfully, before parting to call on the others.
It took only a few minutes before the four sisters came together, leading Hudson into their office, offering him one of the cushioned chairs.
"I'm sure you four are well aware of why I am here, correct?" He spoke calmly.
"Yes... who is it we are to be assigned to go after?" One asked, as Hudson took a deep breath.
"The Fae... so far I have lost seven regents to that group..." He remarked, looking through one of the glass windows, into the room that was a one way view, as he watched the children play calmly.
"Understand that I have the utmost respect for what you sisters do, but by Auron's orders, I am forced to call upon all regents, no matter what their position is." He remarked sadly, really not wishing he didn't have to go through with this.
"You always a sap for those who raised orphans, huh?" The grassrunner stated, seeing the guilt in his eyes.
"Being a boy who grew up in a crummy orphanage, I always did have a soft spot for those who tried hard to raise kids... It's hard to imagine anyone to replace you four..." He said, taking a deep breath, trying to hold back his tears.
"Hudson, do not worry about us..." The human replied, looking to them.
"Yes, we are the mistresses of the four elements..." The Haren commented.
"For the children, we shall prevail." The grassrunner stated.
"Or die with regrets." Aqua finished, closing her eyes.
"If you die, I will make it my utmost responsibility to find four ladies who are as worthy as you four, maybe not magic users as yourself, but as caring and outgoing as yourselves." He stated, with his hand over his chest. "Of that I promise." He swore, but was really truthful of it.
"We shall not fail." The four stated mutually.
Hudson stood, smiling at the four, as he walked to the door.
"Just to warn, our mechanical lover Glitz will also be on the battlefield, the Fae's group is within Proto Vech, his home town. Knowing him, he'll bring a few mechs, so be alert, y'know how he gets with his toys." Hudson said in a despicable tone.
"That old hornsman really can't grow up." The human of the quartet remarked, shaking her head.
"Still, he may be the only one who can take out the dragon, so leave the blue haired boy to him." He notified, as the four nodded.
"Remember, I want them alive. May you four prevail; I pray for your lives... may victory be yours." Hudson said, finally leaving them.
The four glanced to one another, uneasy with the idea of even confronting the fea's group, with already a few regents falling in battle.
"We must go, Auron will not take kindly if we take our sweet time." The grassrunner stated.
"Our substitutes will take over for now... but we cannot mention anything of what is expected... I cannot bear to see the children cry." Aqua stated, frowning as she glanced to them.
"Aqua, it will not happen. Sky, Nature and I shall not allow it to. We have the power, and we shall not fall." Flora remarked, taking a deep breath.
"Flora, you, Nature and Aqua go on ahead, I'll call for the substitutes. I'll meet you three in Proto Vech, so get a move on." Sky, the Grassrunner remarked, as the three nodded, going off.
Sky picked up the phone, taking a deep sigh, as she looked to the children, her heart already fearing this would be the last time she would see them.
Proto Vech, a city that appeared to be utopia. The skyscrapers with windows that shined in the distance, the side shops nicely kept, the roads seemed recently paved, the streets clean with not a trace of trash to be found anywhere. A few people walked along the streets, but robots appeared to be moving along as well. Ryu drove slowly, thrity miles per hour at most, as he glanced around, amazed by the well kept town.
"Damn... I have never seen a city like this... it's almost perfect..." He commented amazed.
"The bots are designed mostly for labor and maintenance. Most of these robots were created right here in this city. That is why there are so many around the streets." Mai mentioned, as they passed by a round cylinder shaped robot, apparently a trash cleaner, cleaning up most of the trash that was around.
"Well, maybe I can get one of them to help me go shopping, since Ryu is a DAMN GROUCH when it comes to shopping." Nina mentioned, glaring at Ryu when criticizing him.
Ryu only ignored her, as he turned into a drug shop, parking in a spot directly in front of a store. Shutting the ignition key to shut off the car, Ryu took a deep breath, opening the drivers side stepping out of the car, the rest of the party following directly behind him. Entering inside, Ryu looked around the aisle stacked store, items on each shelf, signs hanging above the gaps, listing all items there. Magazines placed upon racks, the area was indeed well organized, like any. Though, out-of-towners would feel a bit perturbed, considering only robots ran the store, from the front counter to even the stockers.
Most of the party split up, Mai picking up a guide to Proto Vech, as she held the magazine with her right hand, licking her index finger, as she flipped through pages, reading each one slowly. Nina strolled around looking at each of the items, her hands behind her back, looking innocent as usual. Ichiro already seemed to just stand near Mai, almost still as a statue, though his breathing gave way the idea. Wes though, was eye-locked by an odd booth, walking inside, as a neon light went on for a few seconds, then died out, as Wes walked out, his face back in order, healed like he never even did have a scratch as he removed each of the bandages.
Quickly getting what Ryu needed, he walked over to the check-out counter, placing the pack of panacea tablets on the counter, the robot scanning them, before it calculated the price, announcing it was worth three hundred zenny. Reaching into his pack, Ryu carefully picked out a few coins, before placing them on the counter, giving the approximant price. Oval shaped droid immediately took the item, placing it in the bag, as it properly handed it over to Ryu.
"Mai, Wes, anyone with party Ryu, get your asses in gear and get a move on." Ryu called out, Mai looking up from looking at her magazine, as she placed it back on the shelf, strolling out of the area, the rest following.
"Huh? Wes, just how did your face get healed so fast?" Nina asked, seeing his one battered face healed to normal.
"Some booth, I think it was called the 'Rejuvenator'. I walked in, put a fifty zen coin in, and woyla, healed to my old charming face." He answer, smiling brightly as he praised his good looks.
"Charming? More like hideous with that goatee on your chin, not to mention you smell bad." Nina teased, giggling as she did.
"Good to see your healthy again." Ryu mentioned, as he walked to sit shotgun.
Once more did the party take their seats, their next stop the inn to at least get a room for the night. Ryu sighed, leaning back in his chair, thankful that he wasn't driving the car. It was one thing when you were driving a bike, considering you had to keep balance on it to even remain safe. The dune buggy though was more of a chair, and just sitting while driving was really a bore for Ryu's exercised body. He glanced out still seeing the numerous shaped robots roaming the town, only a few human or intelligent organic beings passing by once every moment.
"Hey Mai, if robots take care of most things in town, then why are their few humans here?" Nina asked, glancing over to her.
"Most of the people who live here do the repairs for the robots, from programming check ups to even repairs. I only read a bit of this in the guide, but it makes sense, eventually the bots start having errors, and programmers are needed to clear up any errors within the droids hard drive." Mai mentioned, her eyes closed and her arms crossed as she spoke.
"Droids are mere puppets, yet the humans are the doctors... how odd." Ichiro mentioned, scratching his chin.
"They are expensive, with all the microchips used to make such robots and give them such a idea, well... cost are around the fifty thousand zenny just to create one. Either way, they are still in the testing each in the environment, that's why this city was created. If anything, these robots may be the hope of the future." Mai said, looking at them.
"Sounds more like biological beings like us are out of a job." Wes muttered, spitting at the thought.
"I wouldn't bet on it, not many places can afford the robots at for that much zenny. Plus, there's the magnet reaction that would wreak them when it is placed on them." Ryu mentioned, knowing the effect of magnets on microchips was the same effect as Water to fire.
"Those cartoons are old age Ryu, these robots are only partially effected by the magnetic forces given off by magnets." Mai noted, as she sighed. "The only good thing is Glitz isn't thinking of creating emotional chips for his robots. Laden only knows that if he did, we'd possibly would be dealing with the scenario of robots revolting against us." Mai continued, giggling at the thought.
Ryu snorted, already he heard many tales about that, including the idea of a robot with emotions. To him, it was senseless to even create one such as that, all emotions did was develop soft spots and create hatred and bigotry among people. The robots would indeed go as far as killing humans if they had such chips installed within them.
"Here we are, Utopia Inn. Odd, to find a inn like this in the same city that is just like a utopia." Wes mentioned as he stepped out of the car, unlatching his coffin from the top, and slowly pulling it down from the top.
"Mai, that one mag say anything bout the inn's here?" Ryu asked looking to Mai who shook her head.
"I only read about the city, mostly on the robots... I didn't read much else." Mai said, crossing her arms.
"Who cares, lets just get a room." Nina said, running ever so eagerly into the area, Ryu and the others following behind.
Ryu looked around, awed by the marble floor with not a stain or spot of dirt upon the carpet, the furniture looking brand new, no stitching or grooves implanted in any of the settee. All brochures organized in each of the racks they were kept in. Artwork decorated the tan wall neatly hung, most paintings being of landscapes of the past. Lamps remained on the nicely crafted tables, really adding class to the area. At the front counter was a robot, the same the was in the drug store, only having a different color frame and the eyes.
Walking to the front counter, as he glanced to the robot with a eager smile.
"Book me a decent room for five, one not expensive and poor as crap." Wes remarked, as he laid his hands palms down on the table.
A few beeps and other noises followed, as the robot printed out a sheet of paper, listing the room number and the floor the room was located on.
"That-will-be-three-hundred-zenny!" The robot announced, Wes digging through his zenny pouch, as he pulled out the zenny, handing it to the robot, who handed him the key and the location of their room.
Wes smiled, as he turned, looking to the other party members, as he motions for them to follow, walking to the elevator. Nina leaped ahead, pressing the up button, as the elevator opened up, the party boarding as Wes tapped in the room number.
"So what room number do we have?" Ryu asked, as Wes glimpsed at his ticket, as he looked up at Ryu.
"Five hundred seventy two, on the thirteenth floor." Wes replied, as he sighed, still holding his coffin with one arm.
"Hope your not planning on leaving us again." Nina warned with a deep voice.
Wes remained silent, closing his eyes, as he took a deep sigh.
"Nina... answer me this... what would happen if Ryu was killed?" Wes asked, Nina immediately going quiet, her face going pale, as she glanced down, her hand covering her left side of her chest.
She glanced to Ryu, the though easily something she couldn't bear to fear. She couldn't dare think to even trend upon the area, it was too much she could even think of. Ryu didn't seem to even care, his eyes glancing ahead to the door, waiting to reach his room.
"That's what I thought... I lost Kiki, someone I started to love, and then she died in my arms. Coping with the death of loved one is something everyone deals with, it is a pain buried deep in your heart, and it takes time and friends to overcome for most. Me... I guess it takes a few fights to get me to realize why I should live." Wes remarked, as the elevator stopped with a ding, the door opening as the five walked calmly out.
Nina treaded behind, her face glancing to the ground, indeed had Wes hit a weak area in Nina's heart.
"Don't let it get to you... he just wants you to back off." Mai mentioned, placing a hand on Nina's shoulder.
Nina nodded, as she looked up, following the party to their room.
Four Eighteen wheelers entered the city, each one having no drivers as they stopped directly near the factory. The back area opened, as a figure walked out, looking at each of the trucks, smiling as he each one opened up fully, revealing several parts that once assembled would create a battle mech of chaos.
The hornsman smiled, glancing at each of the parts, a few maintenance bots hovering down, grasping down calmly on the steel parts, each one taken to a platform to be assembled, the robots using a few needles to connect each of the body parts needed to create the full-scale mech that Glitz designed for battle.
"My beauties today will be the day you shall shine... as we finally have worthy adversary." Glitz chatted, as the parts were now placed together, but the connecting still needed to be done.
"Have you forgotten, WE were sent to aid in your battle." Flora remarked, Glitz slowly turned with a frown pursed upon his lips.
"Silence... can you not see I am having a moment with my babies? This day is a big step for them, since they shall face a dragon. For so long I hoped one survived, so I could finally use these mechs to their full advantage. I still wonder... thirty years ago, they were lambs for the slaughter... yet now, one dragon and his party have taken us out one buy one. Maybe once I shall have a challenge for my magnificent fighter mech." He praised, his hands held up to the assembled bot.
The four sisters only glanced to the man with spaced out glances, really bewildered by Glitz's queer praise to his creation.
"Now I see why Zeek referred to him as a weirdo." Sky commented loudly, Glitz ignoring her.
"Your four just handle his partners... I want the dragon for myself... he will prove to be a valuable guinea pig for my precious." He remarked, with a cackle.
"Alright already, your obsessed with your creations... now will you tell us where the hell our targets are?" Nature asked, annoyed by Glitz constant praise to his robots.
"If you must know, Utopia Inn, but I have a few robots already armed and ready to make their move... just wait outside, my bots shall flush them out. Just remember, the-"
"We know." Aqua cut in.
"THE DRAGON IS YOURS!!" The three remarked loudly, Glitz not flinching as they shouted all.
"Good..." Glitz remarked, glancing back at his bot.
"Do not mind these cretins my dear sweet baby. They have no respect for your glorious upcoming battle. We shall reign victorious, as we bash that dragon to oblivion. You are but one of my greatest masterpieces, and shall be known as the dragon slayer." Glitz shouted, the four sisters slowly backing away, already freaked out by the weirdo's pep talk.
"Finally, I can use the damn microwave." Wes remarked, as it beeped signaling the food was done.
Ryu walked over, opening the door, and taking out his romen, his nostrils sniffing the lovely flavor of the artificial powder beef flavoring, the steam already brushing against his face as he held it close to his face.
"Ryu, wake up already!" Wes remarked, flicking his nose.
Ryu glared with a flared eye at the Woren, but snorted, walking to the table. Wes only snorted, as he placed his burrito inside the microwave, setting it to the appropriate time to defrost and get it ready for a good meal.
"You really don't know the smell of a good bowl of romen when its well done." Ryu remarked, slowly gathering a few strands of the noodles with his fork, and placed them in his mouth, as is teeth removed the noodles from the fork.
"Food is food Ryu, ya either eat it or you don't..." Wes remarked, crossing his arms glaring to Ryu with a unpleasant frown.
Ryu didn't remark, he only ignored Wes's remark, as he gathered the romen noodles with his fork, this time slurping them up with his lips. Wes clenched his teeth, covering his pointy triangular ears with his hands, as he glared to Ryu angrily. He was about to yell when a bright reflected sunlight hit his eyes, a steel frame catching his eyes.
"SHIT, HIT THE DECK!!" Wes remarked, as he jumped for cover, Ryu doing the same as several shots burst through the windows and hit along the back area, forcing the two to take cover behind the table.
"Regents... must be using the robots to get us!" Wes remarked, as the hellfire stopped.
Ryu reached into his holster, pulling out his gun, as he waiting, knowing the enemies had to be moving in. Taking one deep breath, he jumped out from behind the table, opening fire at point-blank range disabled the robots mainframe. Immediately the now inoperative robot fell to the ground with a loud clank, Ryu immediately placing his gun back into his holster.
"Wait, one robot alone can't make bullet marks like this... unless-!" Ryu was immediately ransacked from behind as he flew face first into the wall.
"Ah, you just rest up, let 'ol Wes have a crack with these tin heads!" Wes remarked, cracking his fist.
The robot glared at Wes, as his arms morphed into two pistol noses. Wes only gulped, as he took a step back. In the blink of the eye a red and white figure appeared in the blink of an eye, as the robot remained still, before falling apart.
"Bout time you got here Ichiro..." Wes spat, taking a step close.
"Better late then never as some say." Ichiro remarked, sheathing his sword.
"Enough chit-chat, two bots are just the first wave, the second ain't gonna be a chip off the old block of the first... and I doubt its triple the amount we just faced!" Mai noted.
At that moment did a bird like robot break through the wall, debris of the dry wall and frame flying into the apartment, the four party members shielding themselves at the debri that flew at them.
"RYU!?" Nina shouted, as she looked onward at the worst event she could ever witness.
The robotic bird grasped Ryu tightly with its robotic claws, as it moved out of the room, using the rotor engines to easily escape the room. Mai growled, opened fire upon the bird, but her shots were only were wasted as the armor on the bird block each of the bullets.
"Shit, it's getting away!" Wes remarked, his fist slamming down hard upon the counter, the thing falling apart upon his fist's impact.
"RYU!!" Nina yelled, trying to run after, but was stopped dead in her tracks, as Ichiro grasped her left wrist tightly.
"LET ME GO!!" Nina shouted, struggling to get free.
"Nina, we have no other alternative, we have to leave before the robots really tear this place apart." Mai mentioned, as she took a few steps back.
"You three go on ahead, I'll meet you outside." Wes remarked, as he ran off to get his main gun.
"You re- Wes... damn woren." Mai remarked, growling at the result.
Immediately she heard a sigh, finding Nina slouched over Ichiro's shoulder. He didn't make any eye contact, as he turned away from Mai, and dashed to the exit. Mai noticed a few more robots moving in, as their red markers shot out, marking their targets. Mai quickly dashed for the door as they opened fire upon her, the shots missing her only bye a hairs length. Her feet immediately slipped, as she fell to the ground, the bots having a perfect shot on her, she closed her eyes, her arms shielding her head. The sound of a few metal tints and her body not in pain was only the first shock as she opened her eyes to find Wes standing in front of her, the coffin shielding her.
"Not today tinheads!" Wes said in a cocky tone, as he opened fire on with his twin mini-guns, tearing each of the two bots apart.
Cracking a smile, it was short lived as a few more ascended from below, their red markers all scanning to the woren.
"Time to leave the building!" Wes remarked, Mai leaping at his comment, and already getting several steps ahead, as the two took the stairs down.
A few shots rang out from behind, but not one bot tried to stop.
"Jeez, you think Ichiro would give a hand since he escaped." Wes nagged, Mai only punching his shoulder.
"You try to keep a unconscious girl safe and try to fight with a sword." Mai spat, as the two kept going down the floors.
The two immediately ran into the checkout room, only to find Ichiro, and a now fully awakened Nina stood in fighting stance, weapons drawn and ready. Turning to the exit, Mai gasped, noticing that the ones blocking the way were four female sorceresses. Each dressed in the colors the represented their elemental powers.
"The Elemental Sisters... the best magic users within the Gunsmith Regents. Each one being a mistress in one elemental area of the spells." Mai mentioned, drawing her gun.
"Good to see you as well Mai." Flora mentioned.
"Four to four, the odds are even, lets just see who will win this battle." Aqua mentioned, gathering her magic.
"Where the hell is Ryu?" Nina demanded, glaring at the four.
"The dragon? Glitz has plans for that boy." Sky answered, crossing her arms.
"Well, if your gunna stand in our way, then your already asking to die." Mai remarked, as she fired in vain, the bullets stopped dead in their tracks.
"Fool, always opening fire before thinking." Nature remarked, as she concentrated once more.
At that moment, the four sisters cast two combined spells, Flora and Sky combined their spells, to form a powerful Gigaflare, the party evading and making haste to escape the deadly explosive spell, the room becoming engulfed by the flame.
The second immediately followed, as the ground crumbled below there feet, the spell known as Disaster causing the ground to get muddy.
"Take this!!" Nina yelled, as she chucked a Thunderstorm spell towards the group, the Fire and Earth adapts falling back, but the other two absorbing the attack.
"Nice shot Nina." Wes cracked, Nina only smiled gleefully to him.
"Aqua! Sky!! Show the fae the power of the Elemental sisters!" Flora spat, slowly getting to her feet.
Immediately the two sisters concentrated their powers, once more Mai fired away, trying to mow down the sisters, but once more the absolute defense shield blocked it. The two once more opened their eyes and cast the Thunderstorm spell right back at the party. The bolts of disaster moved fast, striking dangerously at both Wes and Ichiro, sending the two flying onto the ground. The two groaned loudly, both staggering as they tried to stand to their feet.
Nina closed her eyes, gathering all the energy, as she cast a rejuvenate spell, healing the two wounded worriers to near full health. She took a deep breath, noticing Wes didn't have his gun armed to fire at any given moment.
"Damn it Wes, why the hell are you not fighting them." Nina demanded, Wes taking one breath, as he glanced stern eyed towards her.
"I have too much respect for them... I can't kill someone who makes such an effort to take orphans in and raise them... I know they are our enemies... but I wont fight them..." He said, shielding himself with his coffin.
"Idiot... they will kill us... its their duty." Mai mentioned, glaring to Wes with demented eyes.
"Oh well." Wes shouted, glancing at them with a solemn face, "I don't care how hard you hit me, I wont fight you." Wes said, closing his eyes.
"Ha, Mai dear, you four are wanted alive..." Nature remarked, as she walked in.
"What!?" Mai said, shocked by the fours words.
"Enough... sisters, we must succeed. Not for Auron... not for Hudson... but for the orphans who we have looked after the last few years." Flara mentioned, as she stepped forth.
"If you want a duel, I have but one request." Ichiro mentioned, as his arms where to his sides.
The sisters glanced to one another with odd faces, possibly making their decision to agree with his terms.
"Depends... what is it you ask for?" Flora asked, as she glared to Ichiro.
"We take this outside, before this entire building engulfs all of us." Ichiro mentioned, the four sisters huddling together, as they spoke over the idea.
Once more they faced Ichiro, with emotionless faces.
"Even as you are our opponents, we agree to the samurais terms." Flora mentioned, as the four turned around, walking out of the hotel, the four party members followed.
The metallic bird swooped down, hazardously dropping Ryu down on the hard floor below, above the dome walls began to close above, the sun rays slowly shutting, a loud clang emitting throughout the closed in arena, as artificial lightings shot from above, lighting the maze filled area, the walls smooth and slippery, making it impossible to even escape.
"Greetings dragon, prepare yourself... in this labyrinth you shall know all hell." Glitz mentioned, as Ryu groaned, getting up to his feet.
A loud clanking noise echoed throughout the entire area, Ryu immediately drew his gun, sidled against the wall, as the metal figure moved forth. One quick move, Ryu pulled the trigger as he opened fire upon the head of the moving robots. The huge tower like robot fell immediately, the entire chip system falling out as it did. Ryu though didn't have a second to spare, as he glanced behind, finding several hovering robots right behind, the same types he faced at the hotel. Opening fire, he blasted each right in their faces, the shots going through each striking the critical hit Ryu was looking for.
"I ain't in the mood for games Regent!!" Ryu barked out, as he glanced to the ceiling as he yelled.
Not a rasping or mocking response followed, dead silence was the only thing that followed. Ryu though knew something was up when he heard a click finding a wall closing in from behind. Pushing his feet off the ground, he dashed away, leaping into the one intersection, as he tumbled forth. A loud crash emerged behind, the sound echoed throughout the dome.
Ryu only took one breath before noticing a robot was directly in his path, a four legged robot, designed with the look of a demon wolf stood within Ryu's path. It let out an ear-piercing mechanical roar, as it glared with read eyes, before firing three mini missiles to Ryu, who went down flat on the ground, as the missiles skid by him. The beast leaped forth, nearly pouncing on Ryu, but missed as its target rolled aside, drawing his broadsword and in one swift throw, he plunged it into the head of the mechanical beast.
The beast immediately started jolting with bolts, before its eyes died out, its body collapsed to the ground. Moving in, Ryu grasped the hilt tightly before pulling his sword out, and breaking speed with an explosion right behind.
"Lets see, dead end to the left, path to the right... guess it's a warm up for the start." Ryu mentioned, as he took off once more.
He took only a few steps, as several turrets built into the maze walls revealed themselves, opening fire upon Ryu, who slipped into the break off placed right near there.
"Great, where's Wes when you need 'em?!" Ryu spat, shaking his head.
Spells shot forth, fused spells from the elemental sisters clashing with Nina's, each canceling out as they hit. Nina took a few breaths, it was indeed hard to pull off a combination spell, even with all the effort, the body still did have some strain, but the brain took the worse of the exhaustion.
"Don't get tired now Nina... we're the only ones who can save Ryu." Mai remarked, as she took out a bullet, marking her target, the generator shield upon Flora's waist, remaining out to the eyes to not tarnish her thin and fit figure
Firing away, the bullet tripped the shield, Flora immediately stopped, as she slowly took a few steps back.
"Your damn shields gone Flora, time to die n-" Immediately was she shoved aside, Wes standing before her, a grim pursed on his lips.
"Woren, you dare strike your own ally!?" Mai questioned, teeth clenched as she breathed deeply.
"Enemy or not, I wont allow them to die... even if it means I must attack Nina, then I will." Wes remarked sincerely.
"Then your with them" Mai stated, as she pointed her gun directly at him, "That makes you my enemy..." she said, placing her index on the trigger.
"Mai, don't-"
At that moment, Mai glared ready to make the shot, but a loud 'oft' caught her by surprised, as Wes fell to the ground, unconscious, right behind him was Ichiro, who glanced still emotionless to Mai.
"Ichiro... you?" She said, caught by surprise by his move.
"I don't wish to kill them, but my orders are to protect her from them." He said, turning to the four girls.
"Like you four I am nothing more then a soldier following his orders... but unlike you, I still will live on after I fail. Why allow Auron to control you, why let them force you into a duel to the death?" Ichiro asked, as the four glanced to him with bitter eyes.
"Dear brother... same we are by blood and race... we are with Auron til death. Our orphanage is great as it is because of their funding." Sky stated as she stepped forth.
"Turning against them would be exactly the same as slapping them right across their face!" Aqua continued, stepping forth right next to Sky.
"You see them as corrupted, we see them as our brethrens." Nature stated, stepping forth as well.
"We are doing this for them... it is our duty to repay them for all they have given to us." Flora finished, as she closed her eyes, they once more gathered there magic.
"Ichiro, we have no other option, death is the only path for them..." Mai remarked as she took out her gun, firing upon Flora, directly hitting her in the gut.
Immediately did nature counter, as she cast a rejuvenate spell, healing the wound and cleansing it of damage, the opened are now healed.
"Nina... can you-" Mai stopped, noticing that the fae was on her knees taking a few deep breaths.
"Damn it! Nina, take a breather... Ichrio, its just us now." Mai mentioned, opening her gun up, as she loaded an elemental bullet in, clicking the clip in place.
"On one condition... Promise you won't kill them!" He requested, Mai grunting, as she glared to him.
"You gotta be joking." Mai replied with desolation.
"Try me!" Ichiro growled, with a staid glance on his face.
Mai grunted angrily, with the odds against her she had no choice but to be forced into promising to help him if she was to even last this round of the fight.
"Fine, I won't kill them, just do your job and stop them!" Mai remarked, loading the elemental bullets into her gun, knowing each one would be able to cancel out the shields powered by the sisters elemental powers that ran through their body.
The sisters remained silent, gathering up their energy to unleash a magic spell upon the party. Yet at that very moment did Ichiro move in swiftly, his fingertips pressing two pressure points within Flora's shoulders, her arms going immediately limp, not longer able to move and conjure up the power needed to cast a spell.
"My arms!?" Flora cried, shocked that she was unable to even move them.
Though that didn't stop the three others, as Aqua and Nature cast a disaster spell directly to Mai, who was caught directly in the dead center of the attack, as she fell backwards, landing on the ground with a loud thump. She stood to her feet once more, groaning at the pain running through her body, as she lifted her gun up, taking direct aim at Aqua's shield generator, as she opened fire upon it, the bullet sped at an unseen eye speed, breaking through the generator, as the shield fell, degenerating immediately.
"Two down, two to go." Mai mentioned, as she staggered, trying to keep herself standing.
The shots still continued, as Ryu kept himself hidden behind the wall, keeping himself safe from the hellfire of bullets rapidly firing upon where he was standing.
"Great, cornered by an onslaught of rapid shots in a damn maze... And not a damn delay of time in between each shot." Ryu hopelessly remarked, clenching his fingers into a fist slamming it upon the wall perpendicular to him.
Surprisingly did the wall open, falling into the ground, a few grooves marked to mark where the wall once was. Taking a chance he jumped forth, as he ran along the path, turning at the corners, following a short but seemingly endless path, as he reach what appeared to be a dead end, but not one of despair. There right in front of the wall was a machine, armored with chrome metal alloy, a cockpit locating right at the area between what appeared to be two arms.
"Hmm, what do we have here?" Ryu said to himself, jogging over, as he frantically took a seat inside.
Looking upon the panel, he proceeded to push the key marked ignition, the vehicle immediately jolted up, standing erect, as a few of the buttons blinked.
"Blast! He found the Ride Armor... I thought those things weren't going to be put in for weeks." Glitz remarked, pulling his hair in frustration.
He knew just how altered his plans were, considering his robots were not the types that could match the power of the mechanical labor/battler mech was. Even with his hords of droids, they were still a few dozen soldiers facing a heavy armored tank. The odds apparently were even, but Glitz only snickered.
"Even so, that old relic is nothing to my beauties, AHAHAHAHAH!!" Glitz stated, as he cackled loudly.
"Now let's see, missiles, gattling gun shots, arm pistal cannons... OH YEAH!! Now, how do you move this thing?" Ryu said, as he grabbed the two joysticks to his side, pushing the right one forth, as the arm thrusted forth, throwing a punch.
"So that moves that button forward to punch, then this one moves the other, but how do you get the damn legs to even take a step!" Ryu bickered, as he noticed to pedals below his feet.
Stepping lightly on the one to his right, the bot took a soft and steady step forward. Pushing a bit more down, the bot move a bit more pacingly, as Ryu pushed it down to find the robot running fast, he immediately released the peddle, but was to late as the robot smashed into the was. Ryu was thrown forth, smashing upon the panel, as he pushed himself up, gulping as he feared the bot would unleash the weapons. A few seconds passed as nothing happened, no a shot, or compartment opened to fire away.
"Huh?" Ryu looked over the panel, as he noticed a odd switch direcly to his left, marked as the safety switch.
It was apparently off, considering nothing happened when Ryu had impacted into the panel. Flipping it into the active system, a computerized feminine voice spoke.
"Weapon-systems-now-armed." It mentioned, a wolfish smile curled on Ryu's face.
He glanced below, seeing a clutch to his left and right, apparently the turning switches, as he pressed the one to his left; it immediately turned facing to the left. Pressing the one to his right, the bot pivoted to the open pathway of the maze, as Ryu pressed the advancement pedal, moving the mechanical suit forward.
Looking over the other statistics, Ryu easily found out how to work the robot, from its arms that were given the option to fight, using a stick that was right now set in labor mode, but once switched, it could got into battle or grasp mode. Ryu set it into battle, as he looked over the panel containing buttons that helped create boxing-type gloves that easily gave the newbie pilot an idea. Pressing the one that created a mace like appearance for battle, Ryu immediately pressed the trigger at the top of the joystick, as the arm thrust forth, bashing into the wall, as it cracked up like a windshield hit with a rock.
Throwing a few more did Ryu get the hand of controlling the bot, with all the labels on, it indeed was easier to get the hang of controlling the robot.
"At least this baby is newbie friendly." He commented, as he stepped forth, smashing through a few maze walls.
"DRAGON, YOU DARE TO CHEAT YOUR WAY THROUGH THIS MAZE!?" Glitz shouted loudly through the loudspeaker.
"Cheating when it's a mere game is for the pathetic, but when it's a deathtrap like this, the rules don't apply, especially for me!" Ryu replied, as he smashed once more through the walls.
He stopped when he noticed a small projection light, as he pressed the display button under it, noted as 'display button'. Immediately did a square screen light up in front of him listing the vital statistics of each area on the ride armor. A blast upon the armor robot woke Ryu up, as cylinder shaped robots closed in on the ride armor, firing beams from their pupil areas.
"Bad move. Twin gattling guns activate!" Ryu shouted, pounding his fist on the main panel.
"Auto-guns-activated... targets-detected-and-locked-on... opening-fire-now!"
Immediately did the twin guns return fire, tearing through the metal surface in a sheer rain of bullets, as they halted fire, the robots pieces lying everywhere upon the floor. Ryu smiled, noticing each one was gone. Pounding away once more at the maze walls, breaking apart the steel wall in just a one-two punch, marching onward, as he smashed down walls blocking is path.
A few hidden torrents opened up and fired upon the ride armor. Ryu smirked, pressing the shoulder lasers, two twin shoulder staffs rose out, automatically firing directly upon the laser area's. Each blew up, going down one by one, Ryu smiled as he smashed through the wall once more, marching the ride armor onward, firing his gattling guns upon any other bots that got in his way.
Ryu only went through perhaps a quarter of the maze, as he arrived in the round coliseum sized part of the maze, as he glanced around, amazed by the size of the area. His attention upon the large open area was shattered, as a group of Wiredine's and Arthropods closed in upon where the ride armor stood.
"Anthropods, initiate combination mode to Wiredines!" Glitz shouted, as the Arthropods immediately morphed opening up from the center.
The Wiredines immediately secured their arms, as the Arthropods linked upon their shoulders, forming the model known as Life Deleter. The robots immediately opened fire, their arms giving off a stronger laser beam with the aid of the Arthropods. The ride armor immediately shook as the beams impacted the armor.
"Oi! You buggers are REALLY pissing me off!" Ryu shouted, pressing the missile button, as the naval area on the robot opened up, several missiles launching away, as they crashed and exploded upon impacting the Life Deleters.
Ryu didn't take his hands off the joysticks yet, he knew more were on their way. His gut always was dead correct, as a few golden robots marched forth, closing in upon where Ryu stood. Ryu smiled, pressing the auto gun button, only to get no reaction.
"Unable-to-initiate... ammunition-depleted."
"Damn... let's see... bingo!!" Ryu remarked, pressing the laser shot, the shoulders opening up, rising up to the main levels.
Several groups of Dominators marched towards Ryu, who watched from the monitor, as he awaited for their destruction.
"Targets-detected... locked-on... firing-lasers-now!"
Red lasers shot forth, tearing cleanly through the robots body. Ryu smiled, watching as each of the robots was torn apart by the beams fired upon them.
"Anyone else" Ryu asked, receiving no answer.
"What's the matter, did I send a fear into your mainframes?" Ryu mocked, only to be surprised as his left shoulder laser blew up.
Glimpsing behind him, Ryu growled, seeing a few Floating Gunner Bits hovering towards him. Immediately did he hit the clutch to the right, the bot rotating around as Ryu used his arm to smash apart the bits.
"The smaller they are the easier to kill!" Ryu stated with a laugh.
His gloating was cut short, as a large group of Servent bots closed in upon where the ride armor stood. Pressing the harpoon panel, the elbow areas on the suit opened up, as two harpoons shot forth, the force strong enough to plant their sharp spikes deep within the armored Servents.
"Catch o' the day." Ryu remarked, as he pushed the clockwise rotation pedal down, moving the mode to labor, he grasped onto the steel line, as the robot began to spin around, throwing the bot around, as it smashed apart most of the bots that were surrounding him.
The sound of metal colliding into one another rang throughout the dome, as Ryu finally cut the line off, letting the Servent and the harpoon fly off, smashing into the walls of the maze.
"Hah, now that was fun." Ryu shouted, stepping forth to the piles of wrecked robots, as he stepped purposely on each one, crushing them down into the ground.
A few more robots emerged, a few Goldine's and the rest being Jurafaduel's. Ryu immediately initiated the gun modes within the ride armors forearms. Immediately did Ryu fire away, blowing the bots apart in just one shot, each one falling to the ground afterward. Ryu remained still, as he took a deep breath, knowing it was not over with just yet.
A large Sevant, a few feet taller then the original models rise up from an open area on the ground. Right then and there did a few models Ryu fought appear, morphing as four Wiredines combined, forming one leg area, another four doing the same, before both newly formed pieces combined with the Servant. Gold whistlers, about dilated by two times their width and height launched up and connected to the forearms, a hand sprouting out on both sides. Goldines connected upon the shoulders, while a few Sweepers moved forth, breaking in two, as they combined to the lower areas along the bots midsection. Indeed did the bot look a bit odd, but it indeed looked a lot more tougher then the hordes of robots Ryu faced.
"You think making a bigger droid from a bunch of robots is gunna scare me... let's go!!" Ryu shouted as he switched to fighter mode.
The bot glanced over to him, raising its hands up slowly, it fired its fists at the Ride Armor, Ryu easily blocking the first one, as the second fist was shot, blocked by Ryu's forearms. Immediately did Ryu return fire, as he shot the right and left hands at the robots head, both smashing hard into the bots face. Advancing forth, the hand returned to their rightful place, as Ryu pressed the trigger to the right arm, as it thrust forth to make a smash hit. The bot though, having its hands back on the wrist, punched with its left arm, both punches colliding with sheer force, clangs ringing throughout the area.
The Mega Servant tried to slam its arm directly upon Ryu, but the ride armors left arm easily caught the incoming arm by the forearm area, holding it back from its impact. Ryu grunted, holding the joysticks carefully, easily trying to hold his ground. Unbeknownst to Ryu was the glowing areas upon the Mega Servants shoulders, as they charged up, firing upon the shoulders and chest area tearing apart the arms on the ride armor. Ryu gasped, shocked by the sudden attack that disarmed his mech permanently (Pun intended) as he watched the robot draw its right arm back, before delivering a devious punch to the ride armor, sending it flying back, and smashing into the arena walls.
"Gahhh!!" Ryu quickly slammed his fist on the missile button.
"Warning! Missiles-Jammed! Warning! Missiles-Jammed!"
"Fuck... what about all other weapons?" Ryu asked, as he got a few statistics, his heart dwelling as he read each one, finding all were down.
"Just my luck, every compartment is either damaged, jammed or depleted. Isn't there anything I can use!" He demanded, before getting another option.
"Hmm... sounds good." He said, looking over the panel.
Standing the ride armor up, he smiled, pressing the button, as two long cannons moved into firing position, horizontal to the shoulders as they erected out the second shotpoint. Another moved up from the lower waist area, not damaged by the last deadly blow, Ryu smiled, as each one charged up, the target already in place, as Ryu gave a wolfish smile.
"Delta cannon fire!!" He shouted, as a large triangular beam fired, breaking through the entire body of the robot, blowing it's chest area apart, as Ryu smiles, seeing victory was already in his hands.
The robot fell to the ground, jolts of electricity fizzling over it, as it glanced up into the ceiling. Ryu took a deep breath, already the ride armor was in a critical state, as the computer beeped loudly, the one alarm warning of the critical state for anything such as this. A loud clang caught his attention, as he glanced up, finding a silver mech, with two neon green eyes, and human like face. Its entire body was designed with armor that resembled a middle age knight, from the helmet around the head area, to the armor that covered most of its body. Indeed was it a work of art, from the almost unnoticed joint parts within the arms. His hands brandished a large rifle in his right hand, and a pentagon shaped shield in the other.
"Bravo dragon... but the wars just started! Say hello to 'Alpha Knight Silver'!" Glitz commented, as he took aim with his gun, targeting the chest area of ride armor.
"Say bye-bye to your toy dragon!" Glitz stated, as he fired one shot, tearing through the midsection, ripping a hole directly in the center of the ride armor.
The ride armor fell forward, smashing onto the ground, Ryu falling out of the pilots seat, as he rolled a few feet from the now deactivated ride armor. Standing to his feet, Ryu drew out his gun, grasping it firmly in his right hand, his sword in his left, as he glared to the robot.
"Do you think you can stop me with a pathetic sword!?" Glitz daringly retorted, advancing forth as he fired several rounds directly near Ryu.
Ryu smirked as he charged forth, avoiding each and every one of the attacks. Glitz halted his fire, as he remained open to an attack. Ryu immediately slashed forth, sending his sword upon the armor with all the might he had. The broadsword only shattered to pieces as it struck upon the armor, the shards falling to the floor, as Ryu gazed wide-eyed at his now shattered sword.
"What, are you gonna cry over a petty little sword!" Glitz remarked, as his left armored leg swept forth.
Ryu nimbly rolled out of the way, missing the swipe by a hair. Making his way into the walls of the labyrinth, he quickly took out any ammo stored in his coat, placing it into his pockets and zenny pack.
"Better save what I can," he thought, taking what he could from his coat.
Glitz immediately took action, his mech going airborne to scout the fleeing Ryu out. Immeidatly he saw the blue coat, as he fired forth with a dead-on blast, blowing away the area around, as he smiled, laughing sinisterly.
"AHAHAHAHA, is that all dragon? Not even one ounce of your power... I'm truly disappointed in you, I expected much more from a race that harnesses the ultimate power." He ranted, glancing down at the huge hole.
His apparent victory turned sour as a his Alpha Knight shook from a sudden attack. Glancing to the screen, he gasped, noticing his shield was torn in half.
"That damage... could it be?"
Another impact rocked the Alpha Knight, as he this time his right arm was totaled, a large slice directly from the bicep area down to the hands, his gun fell from the hands, smashing apart upon impacting the ground.
Glitz turned forth, as a large humanoid figure with wings flew at him, before reaching the light, the red eyes gleamed hauntingly as the camera suddenly went dead, snow now the only thing left on screen. Immediately his stomach went numb, tensing up by the sudden change, as the mech fell to the ground dangerously, the sudden stop easily giving a tingling gut feeling. Ryu landed right before the now headless Alpha Knight, a wolfish smile pursed upon his lips.
"You wanted my power... and you have it!" Ryu mentioned with a sinister tone.
Slowly did the Alpha Knight stand, as it staggered, the damage really did take a toll on the great bot.
"This isn't the end dragon... a true genius always has a plan b." Glitz stated, as a robot a few feet taller, entered the scene, another mech, but a lot more advance, crimson all over, and a more triangular head with tiny yellow eyes.
"Crimson Omega, my newest model in my series. Unlike Alpha Knight who I've had since the Dragon Purge, this baby has a few new arsenals packing. You're the perfect guinea pig to test my greatest fighting robot of all!" Glitz stated, as Ryu smirked, charging forth with a predator speed, as he leaped, bringing his right arm back, getting ready to slash the robot down to size.
Immediately his plan failed as he was stopped dead in his tracks by the defense shield, preventing him from striking the robot.
"The same shield the regents use to keep themselves safe. I created it myself... but this perhaps is the strongest since I use a power source of nuclear cells. With the half-life they possess, you have no chance of even breaking the strongest defense ever created." Glitz proposed, laughing madly as he swung forth the fist, slamming Ryu hard, as he flew down, smashing into the ground roughly.
Pushing himself off the ground, he glanced up, resisting the pain that throbbed in his chest. The Crimson Omega marched directly over to where Ryu was, its foot lifting high above him, before slamming down from above. Ryu immediately rolled aside, avoiding the foot from above, as into the ground with a deadly crash, leaving a large gap on the ground. Ryu staggeringly stood to his feet, glaring at the mech, taking a few deep breaths.
"You're a tougher challenge compared to the ones in Dragonier. Though this baby is nothing compared to Alpha Knight..." Glitz mentioned, as the left hand transformed into a mini-gun, this one the type mounted on a tank. "DIE DRAGON!!"
The rapid fire of bullets echoed in the coliseum, as Ryu fled, even in his condition, he still was not too weak. His body seemed to have recovered a minor amount of his health. The bullets trailed right behind, as the Omega Crimson repeated his attacks.
"Damn... this guy's thoroughly prepared. I need to find a way to break that shield!" Ryu though, still keeping his distance from the shots that trailed right near his heels.
Ryu then took a chance, leaping high into the air, with a breakneck speed did his hands smash with full might against the absolute defense shield, each time the shield flashing with each furious blow. Ryu knew the strength he possessed was deadly, he beat the first regent with it, and took an entire horde of creatures down with it. Even something this advance was no match for a power that, as legends say, defeated a god. Ryu though was slapped away, sent hurdling at breakneck speed into the stands of the arena, making a huge imprint upon the area.
"Is that all you have to show?" Glitz asked aberrantly.
Ryu stood to his feet, staggering once more, as he glared to Glitz, who stood a good thirty yards from him.
"Dragon, I give you credit for being a worthy opponent for my precious."
The left hand of the mech shifted inside the forearm, a cannon tube spurted out.
"This ones for Alpha Knight, you murderous bastard!" Glitz yelled furiously.
"That bastard! He'll destroy this entire town... I have only one chance to stop him!"
Ryu took a deep breath, as he leaped up, the Crimson Omega following his move, as it charged up. Ryu knew he had one chance; he took enough of an ass kicking that would've killed even an armadillo. Though even with the tiny wings, he still had one chance. The cannons fired away, as Ryu glanced at them, timing at the right second to make his break, making it a close call to resist being vaporized by the deadly electric shots that swerved towards him.
Making a quick movement, the shot sped by, impacting the ceiling as it blew through the ceiling, giving a deadly force of the sheer laser cannon throwing him back, flying uncontrollably into the ground back first.
Mai breathed deeply, looking over to the now paralyzed sisters that had been taken down by Ichiro's pressure point attack. Ichiro remained standing tall, remaining near Nina to protect her from the robots that may have returned.
"Well sisters... it took two people to beat ya asses... how does it feel to be utterly defeated like this?" Mai derided angrily.
"Don't push your luck traitor!" Flora hissed, glaring to Mai with a enraged face.
A groaning alerted everyone, as everyone glanced to the now conscious Nina.
"The fae awakens... amazing she is after all the magic she used." Sky remarked, as she laughed.
A loud explosion silenced the area, as everyone glanced to see the large beam blowing apart a huge chuck of the dome, the beam flying into the sky. Indeed did the sight cause some scene, with the huge ray blowing a hole directly within the roofed dome.
"RYU!!" Nina cried out glancing to the beam.
"Alright, what exactly is Glitz planning to do with Ryu?" Mai demanded, glimpsing to the sisters.
"Why do you wanna know?" Sky taunted, with a obnoxious smile.
Mai marched forth, taking out her gun, pressing it to Sky's head as she growled.
"You won't, you wouldn't backstab your own partner..." Aqua mentioned with a devious smile.
"Allow me!" Ichiro spoke up, as his hand grasped around Flora's shoulder, as he squeezed it tightly, flora screaming loudly at the pain.
The sisters watched in horror, as he pressed upon her shoulder, the screams of pain striking their conscious point. Their once proud and prude faces turned to fear and agony, watching their sister suffer as Ichiro grasped her in a painful area.
"S-stop it... we don't know much... only that he is using his mechs to test the dragons full power." Sky spoke up, begging him to stop.
"Yeah, we don't know anything else that weirdo is planning." Aqua mentioned, a bit tear eyed from seeing her sister in pain, truly she couldn't stand to witness such things.
Mai took deep disgruntled breath, still gazing over to where the dome was. With what she had just witnessed, it was only a sign of things to come. Omens of disaster filled her heart, that blast being the sign of one about to unfold.
Ryu grumbled, piles of the arena already piled on top of him, as he pushed himself up, glancing to the Crimson Omega, as it turned to him.
"STILL ALIVE!! No matter... it's time to unleash the full power of my true beauty." Glitz remarked, as the shoulder areas opened up, two missiles emerging from each side.
"What the hell are those thing?" Ryu demanded yelling loudly.
"Cluster Missiles, once I fire them off... this entire city shall be reduced to ruins." Glita announced with a cackle.
"YOU MONSTER!!" Ryu cried, as the missiles immediately were shot up into the sky.
"Mahahahahahaha, lets just see just see if you can prevent the town from becoming wrecked!" Glitz replied, launching the clusters up into the sky, several to a gross dozen shot out from the Crimson Omega, soaring up into the clouds.
From the far distance did the rest of the part watch, seeing each of the clusters roar off into the sky, vanishing after reaching a unseeing height.
"What the hell?"
"Cluster Missiles. I read about them in an article of Technology Today..." Aqua stated, looking up at the sky.
"A bit nerdy aren't we?" Sky teased, giggling.
"It's no time to joke Sky! Those missiles pack a heavy punch, one explosion is the first second, the next is a circled of explosives that follow in a ring right around the origin of the first impact area. Glitz truly has gone mad." Flora stated, shaking her head.
"How are we to stop him?" Nature asked worried.
Flora glanced to Ichiro, as she sighed.
"Hey, Ichiro is it? Listen... those missiles are going to come down and eradicate both of our parties... I ask that you release us from our paralyzed state if you wish to survive this onslaught." Flora pleaded.
"What!? No way, no how, they are lying. If anything, they'll attack as soon as they are free!" Nina mentioned, rambling on and on about how untrustworthy it was.
Ichiro paid no attention to Nina's incoherent whining, as he locked in eye contact to Flora, staring deep into her eyes, as the two remained in a trance for a few seconds, though it seemed like an eternity. Ichiro took one deep breath, swiftly dashing forth as his hands tapped a few pressure points so fast that it was unseen by the naked eye. The sisters sighed in relief, as they rubbed their arms, stiff from the long rest. Flora smiled to Ichiro, before glancing to the still unconscious Wes.
"How long is he going to be out?" She asked, glancing back to Ichiro.
"Another hour... I hit a pressure point that easily put him out for a good while." Ichiro mentioned, remaining tall as he spoke.
Flora nodded, turning to Mai, as she reached into her pocket taking out a medal, with four of the elements symbols placed on the medals in four areas.
"Mai, give this to the woren, tell him it is proof that he is the heir to the Elemental Sisters orphanage. We ask he takes over after he's done protecting Nina." Flora said, a sad emotion gleaming in her eyes.
"I don't understand... why are you now helping us?" Mai asked, confused by the sudden change of the sisters actions.
"We knew Auron was becoming corrupt... but we couldn't dare betray them. They gave so much to us; toys, furniture, food, even when we couldn't repay them. We couldn't dare turn their offer down... the children would suffer so much if they didn't have such things. It's hard to even bear the sight of children suffering... especially since poverty is something we wanted to prevent them from living in." Flora spoke sadly, shaking her head.
"So why change now? What are you planning to do?" Mai asked, tilting her hand.
"Us sisters can communicate by a mind link... we talked it over while our bodies were frozen. We feel Wes will make a great successor for our orphanage." She said, the sisters going into for corners, each facing one another, forming a diamond around the party.
"We will create a barrier to protect your four from the clusters... let it be our way of atoning for what we have done." Flora said, closing her eyes.
The sisters began concentrating, their bodies glowing as a odd pyramid like dome began to manifest over Mai's party. It shined like a rainbow, the colors morphing at a seizure like pace. Mai looked up to the sky, the missiles now were in view, as they pounded the ground, the loud roars of explosions rang through the town, the shrieking of the missiles coming down, following the loud blasts. The horror Nina witness made her fall to her knees, closing her eyes, her hands covering her ears.
"NO... It can't be real, it's a dream... IT'S A DREAM!!" She cried out, shivering as tears streamed down her face.
"The horror of technology... the devastation of bombing... indeed a nightmare..." Ichiro mentioned, pressing his palms together as he paid his respects to the innocent ones dying from the missiles.
The loud blasts were repelled from the party that was protected by the large dome. The explosions racked the ground, the shaking lasting for what seemed to be an eternity. Peace came, the dome still remained, but the bodies of the sisters were now gone. They had sacrificed their own lives to keep the four alive, indeed one not in vain. Large smoke covered the area, thick as a fog mentioned in stories centered in the sea.
"I can't believe it, he would go this far..." Mai mentioned shaking her head.
"When this smoke settles, we leave..." Ichiro mentioned emotionless, "We have no reason to stay here."
Mai nodded, Nina still remained on the ground. She didn't open her eyes, nor did she speak. She perhaps had witnessed something she never had wanted to see at all. Mai knew Nina would be tramitized by this, but as the old saying goes, 'Time heals all'.
"Where am I"
"Ryu..."
"Am I dead?"
"No... your just unconscious..."
"Father... my friends... their..."
"Alive and well... they are not lost."
Ryu looked up, seeing the image of them inside the dome, seeing the war torn city surrounding them."
"Ryu... the weapon you hold is a gun that was designed to enhance our power. The idea was to use it only if a race out there in the stars was so advanced that our power was no match for their technology. Indeed it was created for fear, but the time hasn't come for you to use your true power just yet..."
Ryu nodded, still feeling weak from the beating he took from the missiles.
"Use it Ryu, use it to take down that madman who has caused so much destruction... you have the power... use it for what your heart knows to be true."
Ryu nodded, as he slowly opened his eyes, finding himself buried under the piles of rocks and wreckage. Pushing his way up, he stood, finding the Crimson Omega standing tall, undamaged by the recent disaster.
"Still alive... well, I guess I'll put an end to it for good." Glitz remarked, as he took aim with the right arm, turning it to his sub-gun mode.
"Batter's up!" Ryu spoke in a whisper, as he grasped his gun tightly, taking aim to the arm.
Pulling the trigger, Ryu unleashed a high velocity shot, the bullet streaming out with a tail of light trailing behind, as it smashed into the right shoulder area, creating a huge hole around the shoulders, the right arm falling down, as it smashed upon the ground with a loud thump.
"SRIKE ONE!!"
"Grrr, taste the fury of my beam connon!" Glitz remarked, as the left arm morphed into a beam cannon, charging up as it got ready to fire upon Ryu.
Ryu cracked a smile, taking aim inside the cannon, as he fired away, the bullet penetrating all the way through to the back of the shoulder, the entire arm exploded as it fell to the ground in pieces, the bullet truly had done a good deal of damage upon the laser cannon.
"STRIKE TWO!!"
Glitz frantically tried to make a last ditch effort, but with the damage he already experienced from the last two shots, most of the power was now alterened because of the arms being removed. Ryu took one last shot, marking the target to be the chest area, as he took one last pull of the trigger, sending the high power buster bullet to the center, it pierced through with no resistance, Glitz screaming as it blew through, the entire mech finally blowing up, the last bullet being the final nail to the coffin for the Crimson Omega, Ryu smiled, seeing the toughest opponent ever now fall and explode, putting and end to a memorable battle for the dragon.
"STRIKE THREE... GAME OVER Crimson Omega!" Ryu said, putting his gun back into his holster.
Ryu walked off, all the destruction that had happened indeed was a sadness, but unlike last time, Ryu knew the only thing to do was move on. Even so, they couldn't be blamed for this, the entire
From a cliff-side area, right nearby the now dead town was a live coverage already taking place, a cameraman taking footage of the town now turned to rubble. The haren reporter stood in front of the rolling camera, as she held the microphone near her mouth.
"This is Gloria Devine reporting live from the Yelgo Plateau. What you see behind me is the city of Proto Vech now laying in ruins. From what eye witnesses have mentioned, an array of missiles were shot out around the coliseum located in the near dead center of the city. Afterwards, the missiles rained down upon the city, leaving the city in ruins as you see now. It is unknown why the defense systems were not activated, nor tried to shoot the missiles down, but the last known communication said to have been transmitted from the town mentioned someone by the name of Glitz has gone insane. If anything, this is indeed the same man who is known as the Mechanical Ace Glitz of the Gunsmith Regents. We await for any word on survivours. Rescue teams are so far on their way. This is Gloria Divine, ANN News."
"This is not good!" Thomas remarked, slamming his fist upon the chairseat, as he watched the news report.
"Blue Pheonix, our one agent might have been in that town during that attack. It may appear that the Fae and the others helping her were caught in the onslaught." The Haren mentioned, standing to his side.
Nathan remained silent, as he looked upon the screen.
"I dunno, I still have a weak reading on his transmitter... he might have abandoned it sometime before the impact." The haren mentioned, standing to Nathan's side.
"Try and make contact with him, I must know if he's alive." Nathan replied, the haren nodded, as she turned walking off.
"Blue Phoenix, we have lost communication and the signal to Lecha's position..." A female called out, as she ran to the leader.
"What? How long ago?" He demanded, very uneasy.
"A few seconds ago... we only are getting static... shall we send someone in?" The female human questioned.
Nathan remained silent for a few seconds, as he took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he thought over his next move.
"Do we have anyone near their last location?" He asked, having an idea.
"Yes, Ray is so far the closest around that area. He has so far become a merchant, and goes by the code-name Market Shaman. Shall I make contact with him?" The female asked, getting a nod from Nathan.
"Yes, tell him to head to that area and investigate the matter. We have to know just what happened at that area." He mentioned, taking a deep breath.
"Understood sir." The female replied, as she walked off.
Nathan remained silent, even with the wave of support the incident would cause, it was still heart wrenching to think of all the lives taken in a mere act of force.
"Bastards!" He muttered smashing his fist on the table.
Hudson watched bitterly, seeing the ravaged city from the tv set, already his frown pursed on his face as he witnessed the sight of pure disgust.
"Idiot! What in Myria's name gave you the right to even do such a thing." Hudson muttered enraged, but controllably.
Loud rapid beepings noted him to a call, as he graped the phone, picking it up, pressing the phone button.
"Hello!" He said in a raspy tone.
He remained silent hearing who it was.
"Fox, what the hell are you calling me at a-"
He remained silent, as he clenched his teeth hearing the news.
"The dream divers escaped!?" He said in disbelief.
The images of the now destroyed Proto Vech played on the screen, as a man sat behind his desk, relaxing with his arms crossed, leaning back in his chair, watching with a keen smile. Indeed did the images give him a pleased thought as he witnessed the aftermath of a attack that left a city in shambles.
"Pure destruction... the one thing this world shall feel." He mentioned, standing from his desk.
"I know your alive little girl... Even with all that ravaged force, I know you survived..." the man stalkingly mentioned.
"When you finally chirp out you hometowns location, the prelude to the new order shall commence... this world shall then fall into a new age of order... one that shall make sure this land of outlaws will cease to exist." He said, cackling madly as a crash of thunder rumbled behind him.
Next Time:
Draco: One once said, "with great power, comes great responsibility." To use your power to protect your friends, or to use it for your own gain. Though sometimes a power as great as a dragons comes in handy when a infiltrate and destroy mission is assigned to you. Then again, sometimes we all need a good reckless time to go all out in insane destruction.
Next Chapter: Demolition
Authors Notes
To prevent lawsuits, Ride Armor belongs to Megaman X7, which is owned by Capcom, and most of the robots with names are owned by Phantasy Star 4, which is owned by Sega.
Anyway, I know I lacked description for the robots with names, but my reason is I felt it would get repetitive, I mean, with listing the shapes, the eye color and the metals. Still, if you want to know what they look like, I say look up the game, and find them under the enemies section. I don't know if there is one, the web is huge enough to even locate such things.
I also would like to make a big thanks to the one called FaKe DaRtH, who has seemed to be the loyalist reviewer ever. Keep them coming my grand reviewer of all time. To the rest, I am disappointed. Anyhow, i plan to update in the end of August to those who even give a rats ass. Mostly cause i work at least 40 hours a week, and time now has became rare for me. Plus writers block, Chrono cross, and other things, time is indeed short for me. So at least read and review, if you can please.