Harry: Welcome back!

Web: Holy E-mails, Batman! Look at the unanswered reviews! Okay, let's see... Jill, there's a duplicate Harpuia running around. He's the one that's been calling the shots and making life tough for Zero and Ciel.

Harry: PRIVATE, -sweatdrops over joke- Dere'll be a few more familiar faces in the future sequel. But let me say dis now. IRIS WILL NOT BE RESURRECTED!

Web: Right, Iris will stay dead. Period. Anyways, Rioni Riishu, like I said, it was originally Axl that Ciel met in the prison, but I had to change it to Alia. Obviously, I missed a couple of 'he's... And I went back and rewrote this chapter just for you, enjoy! And this fic will end by Sunday at the absolute latest, since that's when I'm dropping fan fiction forever.

Harry: APRIL FOOLS!

Web: As if I'd give it up. Anyways, I just realized that on the sixteenth, I'll have been at FanFiction for one year!

Harry: Start da chapter, we'll celebrate later!

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"Wiel!" The Thunder Guardian screamed at the other Harpuia and the deranged scientist. "Impersonation of a Neo Arcadian Guardian will not be tolerated!"

"I may be… an imposter…" The copy of Harpuia seethed as it got to its feet. "But I'm still you. And as such, my power rivals your own, I could wipe you out easily."

"Challenge accepted." Harpuia drew his swords.

Half a second later, two burst of light exploded out of the roof. One crackling with golden electrical power, the other flaming with orange energy.

The golden streak curved around, as did the orange one. The two locked onto each other and raced in on a collision course, with a blast of intense light, the two met in mid-air, high over the streets of Neo Arcadia..

As his golden electrical powers swirled through the air around him, Harpuia's daggers flashed out to catch his opponent's thrust. With a grunt, the Thunder Guardian knocked his opponent's swords away, and lashed out with his own attack.

From his orange fireball, Copy-Harpuia fell back to avoid his adversary'sslicing attack.Once the blades had passed, the duplicate dove forward, swinging his swords and unleashing an 'X' shaped burst of energy.

Harpuia launched himself to one side, still trailing electrical power behind him, and slipped past the attack. Instantly he had rocket up over his opponent's diving slash and was shooting back down to counterattack.

The orange streak changed course and shot upward to meet the golden one.

Copy-Harpuia's eyes blazed in anger, his blades crashing against the original's. Acting entirely on rage, the duplicate lashed out wildly, slashing, thrusting, and parrying without reason.

The Thunder Guardian proved his reputation true, sidestepping and dodging the attacks. It wasn't easy and required intense concentration, but he managed to deflect and escape from every one of his opponent's attacks. Breaking out of their current bout, Harpuia shot away from his opponent and curvedaround in a wide arc, building up momentum for another strike.

Copy-Harpuia also curved about, preparing his own attack.

The two met in a blinding explosion, the fighter's swords crashed against the other's blades, and locked into place. Each Harpuia straining to maintain their defenses- Each one refusing to give in to the other's power.

The real Thunder Guardian blocked his opponent's thrust with his right dagger, and drove his left one in for the kill- only to have it stopped by his adversary's blade.

Copy-Harpuia spun around in place, knocking his opponent's swords away. Using his new momentum, he struck out with his left dagger, aiming for Harpuia's chest.

The Guardian saw the move coming a split second too late. Attempting to dodge, Harpuia flew to the left, only to have the opposing dagger ram into his side and dig into his body.

Undaunted, the Thunder Guardian pulled free, allowing the sword to rip its way out of his body.

Copy-Harpuia glared his challenge, daring his opponent to take the battle to the next level.

Desptite the gaping wound in his side, the Thunder Guardian rose to the challenge.

Both Reploids broke off their assault, streaking higher into the sky. At random intervals, one would shift course to attack the other. Their paths would cross, and then separate as the defending Reploid blocked the attack. A few second later, the process would repeat itself.

"This is it…" Copy-Harpuia spoke for the first time as he rushed in and slashed at his opponent. "Our final exchange… One will not walk away…"

"And it will not be me!" The real Harpuia screamed back. Changing course, he launched himself in a wide circle, preparing himself for the final attack. Energy streamed around him, crackling support, and giving him the strength he needed to continue despite the pain throbbing through his broken side.

Copy-Harpuia's fireball swerved around and headed back the way it had come- gunning for Harpuia. The duplicate Guardian hauled back his daggers, his sights set on the original's chest.

The real Harpuia also prepared his swords for his strike. It was now or never…

The two crossed paths, energy exploding around them.

Harpuia's swords slammed against his duplicates for less than a second, before his momentum carried him on past his opponent. Copy-Harpuia also shot past his adversary, and began counter-measures.

Both Harpuia spun around with only two yards separating them, and launched themselves again.

"This ends now!" Copy-Harpiua slashed wildly at the original's head, intent on taking it off.

"I couldn't agree more!" The Thunder Guardian's blades snapped up, deflecting the attacks. Instantly his right blade was batting Copy-Harpuia's swords aside, while his left was gathering a storm of electrical power behind it.

Harpuia's blade found its mark, ripping into his opponent's chest.

For a long moment, the two floated there silently, the hailstorm of power slowly dying out around them. Neither spoke, as if unable to believe that the battle was over.

Copy-Harpuia eyes bulged, then slid to a close.

It was over.

The Guardian retrieved his sword, allowing his lifeless duplicate to plunge un-mercilessly to the ground below.

"Its over…" Harpuia gasped, and then he too half-flew, half-plunged downward.

He'd definitely be feeling this battle tomorrow.

Meanwhile…

Zero dangled from Sigma's arm. The Maverick had him in his grip, and was holding him inches above the floor, but at Sigma's chest level. The Hunter's hand felt along his belt in an effort to find his Saber… but came up empty. The weapon must have fallen from his hands during the battle.

"Yes, after 250 years, I have finally succeeded in destroying you." Sigma leveled his Saber, and prepared to finish off his opponent.

"I'm still breathing aren't I?" Zero snapped back as he desperately tried to find a way out of his predicament. But the Maverick's grip was as hard as iron, it wasn't going to give.

"Yes," Sigma hauled the Hunter in close, so that the two's faces were inches apart. The Maverick grinned wickedly into his adversary's face as he finished his statement. "But not for long…"

In desperation, Zero took advantage of their close quarters and whipped his head back. The next instant he had gotten up close and personal with Sigma- by snapping his head forward and ramming his forehead into Sigma's own.

The Maverick howled in pain as he lost his grip on the swordsman for one critical second. Without delay, Zero wrenched himself free of Sigma's grasp, and snapped his foot up into his adversary's face.

Enraged at the beating, the huge Maverick swept his arm around, knocking Zero away and sending the red Reploid tumbling to the ground.

The swordsman crashed into the floor with incredible force, as he skidded to across the floor, the Hunter caught sight of his Saber lying on the ground a short distance away. The problem was that it was on the other side of the room, with Sigma right smack dab in his way.

Before he could think of a plan, the Maverick was on him. The huge beast snatched up Zero and pitched him headfirst across the room, straight towards the concrete wall…

The Hunter twisted around as he drew his Recoil Rod; this would require split second timing. His weapon reached full charge and sprang to life as he closed in on the barrier; the blade caught in the smooth surface and went to work, propelling Zero back the way he had come.

The Hunter flew past the startled Sigma, crashed into the ground a short distance away from his Saber, and hurriedly scooped it up as he got to his feet. As he had hoped, the Maverick was already charging forward at him at incredible speed.

Zero steadied himself, and waited for the Maverick to get in close…

"How persistent you are, Sigma."

The Maverick whipped past the Hunter…

And then collapsed to the floor, a gaping slash having been ripped through its being.

With an audible sigh, Zero slumped forward, gasping for breath. That was one fight he did not want to have to repeat.