Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own this, blah, blah, blah.

Silvace Atronach- It's the only level I've played it on, heh.

Italics indicate thoughts

( '…….' Indicates when Dingo is thinking)

(-…….- indicates a memory)

(Plain italics indicates when Jehuty is thinking)

Chap. 5

Mars. The fiery colored planet named after the Roman god of war. And from the looks of things on the surface, that name is justified. Ruined structures were scattered all over before me. What could have done this to an entire world? I continued my descending flight an ultimately landed on a hill overlooking a canyon with more ruins. As I looked, the sun was setting on the horizon. That seemed to be the only beautiful sight here. Everything else was desolation. This had to be the work of BAHRAM, Anubis's army. But why? Even for someone as maniacal as Anubis, this was just too much. While I pondered these things, Dingo was conversing with Ken. Which I found distracting seeing as how his thoughts kept interlinking with mine. Anyway, from what I've learned, things were not good.

BAHRAM had grown in power since the times that I slept. Because of Anubis's power, all of his forces had grown in power as well because of him. The Space Forces of Earth became helpless as it was completely dominated by it on Mars, thus BAHRAM now controlled Mars. The few that were still alive tried one last ditch effort to stop them.

'That was foolish.'

Unfortunately, I had to agree with him. And that is what happened. BAHRAM crushed them and they were scattered further. It was then that one of them found the Vector Cannon technique. But they seemed to have disappeared, which was what the LEV soldier on Phobos was here to find them. But still, why all of this? What is the point?

-The reason why we were born to begin with. The time has arrived to complete our destiny.-

What destiny? Unless...

Aumann.

I should have known. That was what he was talking about. He was right. I have been asleep in the snow too long. Aumaan was Anubis's fortress. It was created solely for his use. Once it is finished, no one will be able to stop either Anubis or Aumaan. The fortress will become a million times stronger than Anubis himself, out-rightly becoming the most powerful force in existence. The Vector Cannon technique was the only thing that can break through its gates and allow for an attack.

How could I have forgotten this? About Aumaan? That was one of the first things I knew when I awoke. Maybe it was...because I wanted to forget. Because I knew what would happen. In truth, the fortress of Aumaan could also be controlled by me, since I am Anubis's twin. And it is because of that that I am powerful enough to fight against BAHRAM. It is what I am destined for. My destiny...and my curse.

'Someone's coming.'

Dingo's thought alerted my own senses as well. Something was coming, fast. I tried to pinpoint it and I was directed toward the sun. At first, I saw nothing. But then, a sparkle appeared within. It came closer, at rapid speed. When it was close enough, I was able to make out its shape.

A bird?

A metallic falcon was flying straight at me, like a bat out of hell. It swooped through the canyon rocks and boulders with great agility. Suddenly, its eyes glowed and beams of light shot out...at me! I barely dodged as the beams destroyed the rocky outcrop behind me. The flying raptor continued toward me and flew over my head. As it did, I felt something...strange. I turned, ready for it to make another pass, but what I saw instead shocked me.

The falcon had swept its wings forward and suddenly spun in the air. But as it did, it changed. The rolling bird became a mass of changing parts. It then stopped spinning and stopped itself in mid-spin. It had transformed into a humanoid figure; its wings swept on it back. He gave me a glare and I knew this was going to be trouble.

'I'll shoot it down.'

No Dingo, wait. But that didn't stop me from firing a couple of bolts at him. The falcon-warrior dodged the blasts easily and reverted into its bird form. It then swooped off into the sky, circling around me. His wings rose slightly and the feathers fell off. The feathers swarmed at me and I had to dodge them. The feathers hit the mountain behind me and destroyed it. He's using them like missiles! He continued to fly and drop his feathers, destroying the area around me as I dodged them. Guess I'll have to stop him after all.

As he flew in for another pass, I did a spread beam attack. Beam trails of light followed, but they were unable to catch up to his speed. I tried again, but with the same results. It was then that he slowed down and hovered in one spot. I guess now we can talk.

I hate being wrong.

The falcon suddenly screeched out and ripples of sonic waves hit me. I was hurled back a bit, but I wasn't too badly hurt.

"Here I come!"

The falcon changed into his warrior form once again and charged. I raised my blade just in time to block his strike. Even though he had no blades, his clawed hands were weapon enough. We clashed in the air repeatedly and I could see this was getting nowhere. He was anticipating my every strike. Just who is this guy? I jumped back to re-evaluate him. From the looks of his armor, he looks like a LEV soldier, but unlike any I had seen before. And I certainly don't remember any of them having the skill to transform. And his aura…Why did he feel so... However, my thoughts were interrupted when I saw him glowing in bright yellow. He shot his hand forward and a burst of energy slammed into me, really hard. I flew back a great distance until I hit the side of the cliff, hurting me more. Geez, even Anubis doesn't hit like that. I shook it off just as the warrior came at me again, talons flailing through the air. I rapidly put my shield up and his strikes were blocked. A little too well, I noticed. Releasing the shield, we clashed again and as before, neither of us hit each other. Seeing that he was getting nowhere with me like this, he reverted back into his bird form. I watched him swoop around me and release a swarm of feathered missiles. I had to move constantly to avoid them all and he swooped away. Was he retreating? No such luck. The falcon came straight at me again and let out...a tail? Three blue-glowing feathers were now trailing behind him in a shimmering light.

"Die, BAHRAM!"

The feathers now seemed to have multiplied as swarms of them came at me. I had to use every skill and maneuver I knew just to dodge them. This can't get worse. The falcon then stopped in mid-air and let out a loud screech, sending out ripples of energy. But unlike before, there were now three waves of them coming at me. I really ought to shut up. Thinking fast, I shot backward, just enough for the ripples to converse and pass around me harmlessly. Looking forward, I saw my opponent was still. He's open. Quickly I charged the metatron into a solid sphere and let it fly. The falcon was hit hard and was forced to revert into its humanoid state again. Growling slightly, he charged at me again and sparks flew from the exchange. He backed away to charge again, but instead of fighting back, I put my shield up. His strikes didn't penetrate me and he was left open again. Now! Without a second lost, I charged and unleashed my fury against the winged warrior. He let out a cry of pain and flew backward. Finally, something is going my way.

I really ought to shut up.

Somehow, he managed to stop himself in mid-air and charge at me again. Talon and blade clashed once more and we were held in a lock. This is crazy. I don't care if he's a LEV or not. No one is normally this strong. Who is he? Why does he feel so...?

"I'm not your enemy!"

"You're a Frame warrior. What else can you be?" came the shrill reply.

I continued to struggle with him. Why does he feel so...familiar? I never met this guy before, and yet...wait. Not him; the runner. I've faced this runner before. No, not faced. This one is too distinct to be someone I fought. Distinct enough for me to remember where I felt this before.

"Leo?"

The winged warrior jumped back away, obviously surprised by what I said.

"How do you know...?" He stopped briefly and then started again, surprise on his face once more. "Jehuty? You are Jehuty?"

"Yes."

"So...we finally meet."

"Who are you?"

The winged warrior spread his wings slightly, "LEV warrior V2. Call me Vic Viper."

I examined him, once again noting his appearance.

"You're a LEV?"

His eyes narrowed, "Don't be so surprised. It's the runner, not the frame that makes the difference. You above all people should know that."

It was true. My true force and power could only be released by the runner. Leo may have been a kid when he awakened me, but he had an unprecedented natural talent. But what was he doing out here?

"What brings you out here?"

The same as you, I gather." He then added grimly, "Aumaan."

"I see..." I tried to push away the negative thought, but it apparently echoed in my voice.

"So it is true. You are ...cursed."

I wasn't really surprised by this. Leo knew about my dark destiny with Aumaan. "Yes. I have been cursed with destruction should I be defeated or taken into Aumaan. It was a safeguard in case something went wrong."

"And you are still going?"

"If I can defeat Anubis and stop Aumaan, then my life if worth giving."

"And what about your runner? Does he feel the same?"

I was going to answer when...

'Self destruct? Are you crazy?'

"Apparently not. But he will go."

Vic gave me a penetrating glance, "How are you sure?"

"Long story. Sufficient to say, he feels the same way as you. He wants to save me by defeating Anubis."

"Sorry Jehuty, but if anyone is going to take down Anubis and stop Aumaan, it's going to be me."

"What do you mean?"

"Leo cares a great deal about what happens to you and he doesn't want you killing yourself. That's why we're going to handle things."

"But..."

"Don't argue. Think of it this way. If I fail my mission, then you can have a crack at it. I'm going there as soon as I help the Earth Force soldiers."

"Fine then. Why not? Okay, I'll give you a head-start."

"That's all I'll need. Speaking of which, you'll need this."

"What...?"

His clawed hand reached out to me and a bright green glow shimmered around him and swarmed at me, engulfing my body. Wait, this is...another technique. I felt the new powers fill my body and a new ability became a part of me.

-Gauntlet-

Vic spoke again, "Judging by the way it worked on you, it's quite useful. It's not powerful in itself, but in closed environment like this one, it's a nightmare. It has enough force to smash an opponent into nearby wall and damage them further."

"Hey, give me a break."

"Heh, I suggest you watch yourself." His look became dark, "Frame warrior or not, this place is under BAHRAM control. Proceed with caution." He then smiled, "It'll make my job a lot easier."

With that, Vic Viper turned around and began to morph into his bird form. With a powerful thrust he shot away into the skies once again.

"Until we meet again, Frame Warrior Jehuty."

AN: Sorry about the above instructions, but I noticed that I use italics a lot in this chapter so I didn't want people to be confused.