Sigma gazes at Danielle, a cold fury in his eyes. Readying his sword, he lunges at her with a vicious swing. Caught off guard by his speed and somewhat weakened by his earlier attacks, she is unable to dodge him easily. She is caught by a diagonal slash from the energy blade, the barrier she managed to bring up barely saving her from being cut in half. The keen blade cuts into her slightly, dripping a trail of blood as it is brought about for another attack.
She fires a blast of purple energy directly at his face, the ensuing flash of light as it hits his barrier creating enough of a distraction to give her time to regroup. A thin crimson line wells up on her shoulder as she backs hastily away. Wincing in pain, she brings her right hand up to cast Resta on her bleeding left shoulder. The wound closes slowly, glowing with a faint white light through the rapidly appearing scar.
Wow...that actually hurt. If I hadn't put the barrier up, I would've been killed. I'm underestimating him... I've let him play for far too long.
"Hah, do you still scoff at my power now? Foolish little . I will so enjoy watching you die..."
"Sorry. I'm not exactly in the mood to get killed by a insecure teenager with a sword fetish and self-esteem issues. The whole emo thing is dead anyway. No one cares how insignificant you are, really. So you're a clone, exactly like someone else. It's ok. You don't need to be an individual to die a slow, painful death. I don't discriminate..."
Enraged by her continual taunting, Sigma dashes at her with a series of furious attacks. Her barrier is able to block some, but the numerous hits that connect despite her attempts at dodging begin to take their toll. Her body is soon decorated with a series of shallow cuts, souvenirs of the strikes that got through her barrier. The few counterattacks she manages to mount are blocked or stopped by his ever-present sword. Every punch or kick she throws is turned into a hasty dodge as she moves out of the path of his blade. The energy attacks she fires are seemingly absorbed by his blade, and she pays for her attacks with fresh wounds each time. Each cut seems to pulse and burn with an intense energy.
Winded, she backs away from him as he wheels about for another series ot attacks. He picks up speed, charging at her with his blade outstretched. She floats nimbly aside at the last second, allowing him to slam full force into the solid metal wall behind her. He shakes his head dizzily, placing a hand on the wall to steady himself. As he attempts to recover, she fires a Demon Roar at him from a short distance away.
The glowing black halo rushes towards him, looming ever closer as he regains his bearings. Heartbeats before the attack connects, he swings his sword at it in a lazy, ambivalent strike. The blade connects with the energy blast, making the halo compress slightly as he flings it away with a flick of his wrist. It impacts with the side wall, demolishing it in a massive explosion. The cloud of dust that rises up obscures her vision, and Danielle begins to cough as she frantically looks around for her assailant.
Wonderful...I gave him a smoke screen. I have to take that sword out. It gives him far too much of an advantage.
Hmm...it seems to absorb part of the destructive power of my attacks. But if I give it more energy than it can handle...
Her gaze is caught by a flicker of motion out of the corner of her eye. Whirling, she fires a beam of purple energy through the smoke. It does an admirable job of taking out the explosive flare of energy he had generated there, but he is unharmed as he is far away. He lurks above her, readying his weapon as she fires blindly around her, the flash of energy she had created not helping her visibility.. He descends as she fires blasts wildy, gaining momentum to fuel his strike.
She fires another blast at an imagined specter of movement amidst the smoke. A searing wave of agony flows through her as she is struck in the back by his blade. She is batted towards the ground, unable to catch herself. She impacts with full force, lying limply as she struggles to gather the energy for a Resta. Her back is on fire, and it feels as if she has been opened up from neck to tailbone.
Luckily for her, the damage is not as bad as it feels. She had turned at the last second, and as such only caught a glancing blow. She casts Resta on herself, closing the wound on her back as she gets to her hands and knees, the curtain of her red hair hanging in her face.
"Well...that was cute. Hope you enjoyed your little sneak-attack. It'll be that last thing you do."
Sigma's only reply is a harsh laugh as he raises his sword above his head. He channels energy into it, the blade radiating a bright white light as he fuels it. It doubles in size, the aura from it flooding the dim interior of the mines with light.
"Rayblade!" he cries, fulfilling his destiny as an anime stereotype. A ball of energy appears at the tip of his upheld sword, growing in size as white energy begins to sparkle around him. His wings extend as he lunges downwards, flying at her in a devastating attack.
Danielle slowly gets to her feet, her hands beginning to radiate a dark, smoky energy. Sinous tendrils of shadow grow around her hands as she takes a slightly more balanced stance, bracing herself for the inevitable impact. The purple aura around her grows in size and intensity, sending jolts of purple lightning jumping from her body to the metallic floor around her.
She looks up, only able to see a bright blur of light as the mad clone descends. Shockwaves rush through the mines as he collides with her block. The interacting energy fields combine to create a massive burst of released energy. The floor buckles underneath them, collapsing into a crater as he presses his attack.
When the glare of the conflicting energy fields dies down, Danielle has her hands in front of her, managing to barely block Sigma's Rayblade attack. Her hands glow with a dark energy as she catches his weapon in between her hands.
His aura flares as he presses towards her, landing on the ground for more leverage. She strains, drawing more and more power from the Profound Darkness. Her muscles are tightened, every fiber of her body tensed as she struggles to hold back his attack. The crater they are in is punched about five feet into the metal floor, revealing rock below it. Danielle shifts, beginning to be pushed back slightly as the rock slides beneath her, the ground being slowly vaporized as she flares with energy.
For once, both Sigma and Danielle seem to be struggling equally. The look on his face reflects his tension as he endeavors to break through her guard. His blade descends, drawing ever closer to Danielle as he pushes with all his might. Blood begins to seep down her arms as her iron grip on the energy katana allows it to press through her barrier, cutting into her. At the sharp stab of pain this causes, she redoubles her efforts.
"I'm...not...going...to lose...to... you!" she says through gritted teeth as her gradual slide across the ground slows, then stops. She flares with an angry red light as she abandons all pretense of self-control. Her eyes glow red as the energy pouring out of her makes her hair stick up, as if she was shocked by a massive static discharge. Seconds later, she is surrounded by an interlacing web of dark red lightning as the omnipresent aura around her begins to glow a fierce red. Jolts of lightning jump from her body as she grows stronger, opening herself fully to the darkness. The black shadows around her hands grow in size, becoming less transparent as she powers up. Her wings extend fully, sable feathers falling off of them to dissolve into smoky black wisps.
Sigma shifts his grip on his katana, attempting to use his greater height and weight for leverage. White light radiates from his body as his wings spread, ethereal feathers of energy floating off the wings to dissolve into light. Danielle's hands pulse with black energy as she begins to feed the power of darkness into his blade. Waves of energy rush up and down the blade, growing in intensity as they travel.
The black waves rebound as they hit either the tip or hilt of the blade, gaining speed and power as they are sent back to Danielle's interlocked hands. They seem to absorb the blood dripping from her palms, growing ever larger as she feeds energy into the weapon. Every time the waves of energy consuming the blade grow larger, Sigma's sword shrinks and dims slightly, it's power seemingly being corrupted and drained by her attack.
Realizing what she is attempting to do, Sigma stops pushing and begins to pull, trying to remove his weapon from her grasp. Caught off guard for a brief second at the change in direction, she is pulled towards him. She reacts faster than he does, planting her feet and pushing downward with her hands, chanting a spell as she does so.
"Little girl...breaking my sword won't help you any. I can create another. It is an extension of my power."
"Yes, it is. That means that if I cause all of that power to be drained away, you will be weakened. Hope you enjoy this. It's probably the only time you'll ever get a girl to touch your sword."
"Grrrraaahh!" he yells, all the more determined to kill her now. She finishes chanting her spell, and arcane circles of black runes appear in mid-air, circling around his feet. Another circle of runes appears around each of her hands, causing them to glow more brightly. Sigma's blade flashes brightly for a second, then loses the aura around it. With the completion of the spell, Sigma seems to weaken, the strain of his efforts more apparent on his face.
"You little ! What have you done!"
"I'll explain this slowly, since you're a moron." Danielle replies, breathing more easily as the strain on her body is lessened. She is standing straight, pressing his blade towards the ground, preventing him from moving away.
"I've placed a hex on both you and your weapon. You are now much more vulnerable to energy attacks. I required prolonged contact to be able to get the hex past your barrier. Luckily for me, you're an idiot and gave me that opening. When you get hit, it's going to hurt a lot worse now. However...since my attacks are boosted, I have to be careful to give you the painful, lingering death you so deserve."
Sigma stops talking, a worried look coming over his face as he applies all his power to resist her. I can feel myself weakening. She's not bluffing. I must defeat her. Lord Zionus, I shall not fail you!
Danielle surges with dark energy as her grip tightens. The waves of energy nearly double in size, becoming larger than the blade of Sigma's sword. She turns her glowing red gaze on Sigma, smiling a sardonic smile.
"Well...get ready to die. It's been fun, but I have stuff to do." Danielle taunts him, charging energy for a Demon Roar in her closed hands. The waves of dark energy rush to her hands, forming into black spheres of power. She begins to pull in opposite directions, the Demon Roar growing in the gap between her hands. Sigma attempts to pull away, but a barrier of purple energy springs solidly up from the arcane circle that surrounds him, pinning him to the spot.
The black spheres of energy divide in half, then divide again before swarming towards Sigma. Two remain on the blade, floating over Danielle's hands. The Demon Roar grows to massive proportions, the black halo of power enveloping the length of Danielle's body. The blood that still drips from her hands is drawn to the spheres, which begin to send sparks of purple lightning to the Demon Roar.
A look of panic comes over Sigma's face as he realizes he is fully within her power. He attempts to put up a barrier to shield himself from the imminent attack, but is assailed by purple lightning from the arcane circle around him.
"You're probably wondering why that barrier is so strong. I fueled it by letting it feed off of my blood that you spilled. This Demon Roar is going to rip through your barrier and utterly destroy you. Enjoy your trip to oblivion!"
Danielle brings her hands apart, shattering the blade in half. White light pours from it like water from a broken container. Sigma's aura seems to dim as his face grows pale. The black spheres that hover near him slam into him, piercing visible holes in his barrier. He staggers, falling back against the arcane cage she created around him. The black spheres seem to absorb the released energy, growing in size as they feed power to the Demon Roar, which grows to more than twice Danielle's height.
The glowing black halo singes away a strand of Sigma's hair that strayed into it, as Danielle flashes him a feral grin. With the last of the released power absorbed to feed her attack, Danielle's entire body flares with red light.
"Omega Demon Roar: Blood Oath!" Danielle screams, releasing the massive attack. It slams into the arcane barrier around Sigma, pressing him backwards as the purple cage shatters, it's power absorbed by the Demon Roar. Unable to dodge, he throws up his hands in a futile attempt at a block. The attack hits him, held back for only a split-second by his straining hands. He is enveloped by the Demon Roar, the black halo surrounding him as it glows with red light.
Heartbeats later, the roiling orb of energy at its heart reaches critical and explodes, causing a chain-reaction that transfers all the stored power into pure destructive force. A black ring of light shoots out laterally, followed near-instantaneously by a shockwave that crumbles the walls in the mines. A black dome of energy grows from the attack, expanding to consume the entire mine as it explodes. Ground, metal and debris are vaporized the second they are touched by the attack as the explosion rushes outwards. Glass in settlements miles away shatters, and the earth quakes as Danielle's attack engulfs him. His high-pitched scream is drowned out by the roar of the enormous blast.
Danielle slumps to the ground, exhausted and spent as the destructive wave rushes towards her. A split-second before it connects, she charges power and rushes skyward, barely managing to escape being vaporized by her own blast. She dodges the debris that falls from the ceiling, blasting a few chunks out of her way as she flies up a nearby mine shaft. She makes it out the top just as the gigantic explosion sends a gout of flame out of the shaft, then begins to consume the area of the mines. She watches from afar as the entire area of the mines is vaporized, support struts collapsing as the tons of earth above the subterranean complex plummets into the mines.
The shockwave and explosion died down, and Danielle fluttered down to rest upon the massive pile of earth, breathing heavily.
"I...think I overdid it just a little..." She says weakly, before falling onto her side and slipping into the waiting arms of unconsciousness.
Nova opens his eyes slowly, the world gradually transitioning from blurry to in focus. As he sits up the world around him whirls like a carnival ride. He falls backwards, but is stopped by someone's hands catching him. A few seconds later, he manages to recognize the person who is holding him up. His chest aches, and his head swims, but he is alive.
He gazes up at Kiara as he regains his bearings, briefly surprised to see tears at the corner of her eyes. Shaking his head to clear his vision, he sees Axios slowly walk into the room. Kiara releases him, sitting back with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. Nova reaches a shaking hand up to brush his dark hair out of his eyes, then smiles at his teammates.
"You're alive!" Axios said, limping over to Nova's bed and clasping his shoulder in greeting before slumping into a chair beside him.
"Barely. He was far too strong..."
"Yeah. I'm still wondering how we managed to survive." Kiara said, leaning back in her chair and propping her feet on Nova's bed.
"Well, according to Labyrinth...that kid Ayame was able to teleport past Sigma's barrier and teleport us out. She was just in time, too. X got taken out soon after you did." Axios said, relaxing into his chair.
"A kid rescued us?" Nova said, an incredulous look on his face.
"Yeah, that's what Labby said. She stayed behind to fight Sigma." Axios replied, staring at the ceiling.
'Is she insane? And why didn't she leave? Sigma took out seven skilled hunters effortlessly. None of us even managed to scratch him." Nova stated, a scowl on his face.
"Nova, Ayame is X's niece. She was also somehow connected to that Danielle incident. If she can control that kind of power, she might be able to defeat Sigma." Kiara interjected.
"Has Labyrinth been able to find anything else out? And how are the others?" Nova asked, settling back onto his pillow and lacing his hands behind his head with a small wince.
"Nothing when I last talked to him, about ten minutes ago. At least, nothing he would tell me. But there was a lot of activity around the scanning station. Sounded like one hell of a fight." Axios said.
"And the others are pretty much fine. X is still out, but his friends are in there with him. The two droids and the force we met are being treated now. The doctors said they should be fine." said Kiara, as she shifted her legs to lean farther down in her chair.
"Well, I guess we'll find out more soon. I'm really tired, so I'm going to get some sleep. Sorry I'm not more talkative." Nova said, laying back onto his bed.
"You were the last one of us left standing, Nova. I think you've earned some rest." Axios said, shifting to a more comfortable position as he reclined his chair. "A nap sounds good anyway."
"Heh, thanks. Are you two planning on staying in here?" Nova asked, yawning.
"Yes, if that's ok with you. If Sigma shows up, we're throwing you at him and running anyway. You're our back-up plan." Axios said with a grin.
"Axios...be reasonable. We all know you are the team distraction." Kiara said, smiling at him. "I'm just going to go to sleep here, too. This chair is comfortable, and most of the other rooms are too noisy."
The Dreamchasers soon slept, resting after their incredible efforts. They had succeeded in rescuing X, and coming back from a seemingly impossible mission.
Elsewhere, on Ragol...
Danielle rises from the ground, shaking her head slowly to clear it. To her surprise, she is still in control of Ayame's body.
Wow...the brat didn't yank control back yet. That's strange. Usually when I use that much power, she takes over again the first chance she gets.
Danielle, the "brat" as you call her isn't in control at the moment. I am. My younger self is dormant at the moment, scared by the shock of facing Sigma. I decided to let you retain control for a little while. For one, you did something decidedly unselfish. Two, I can have her regain control at any time if you decide to get kill-crazy again. Ayame spoke into Danielle's mind as Danielle stood.
Well, that's nice. So terribly kind of you. As long as I do the dirty work and be a good girl, I get to stay? Oh well. at least I got to kill something that looked like X. That will satisfy me for a bit. He was a lot tougher than X was, though. I creamed X easily the first time I fought him. The clone was drawing power from that Zionus bastard. Who, incidentally, is next on my "people I'm going to enjoy killing" list. I hate televangelists, and anyone stupid enough to make another X is someone who should not be allowed to continue breathing.
I don't blame you. Zionus needs to be stopped. Perhaps we should head back to the Resistance's base. You are rather injured, and I'm sure Ayame will want to go there eventually to see X. Just remember...no killing.
Alright already. Geez, what do you think you are...my conscience?.
Danielle mutters "Hinas", and teleports to the headquarters of the Resistance.
Deep within the mines, a dim white glow can be seen emanating from the massive pile of rubble...
The doctor brushed sweat off his forehead, then looked down at his patient. The man's body responded remarkably well to treatment, and he was out of critical condition in a matter of moments. However, there still seemed to be a pervasive weakness filling him, a hollowness about him.
To think...I'm treating a legend. I'm worried about how his vital signs and general physical condition don't match the scans we are getting from him. It's like a part of his life energy has been removed. Even Resta and Trimates don't seem to be able to get him back to full capability. He should be registering higher on the functioning and ability tests, considering how great a hunter he is... Oh, well. Nothing I can do about it now, except run more tests and try to keep him comfortable.
"Rest well, X. The nurse will be around in about an hour or so to check on you."
The long-haired hunter's eyes glinted at this, and a small smirk came to his face. "Alright. Thanks, doc. Is there anyway I could get a computer placed in here?"
"We'll see. Right now, you should get some rest. I have other patients to attend to, so I'll check in later." The doctor left the room, continuing his rounds. He was so absorbed in thought that he nearly ran into a black-haired Hunewearl with an eye-patch that was standing outside in the hallway. She was accompanied by a tall red-and-black Hucast and a shorter Hunewearl in a gray outfit with light blue hair.
"Excuse me." the doctor said, dodging the Hunewearl. He straightened up, then looked at them more closely.
The Hucast spoke. "We were wondering if we could go in to see X now. The nurse said his treatment was almost complete..."
"Yes, I'm the doctor that was treating him. His treatment is indeed complete, but you shouldn't go in to see him right now. He needs rest, and..." the doctor's comment was cut off by the taller Hunewearl heading for the door.
"You can't go in there right now. I'm very sorry." the doctor said, stepping in front of her.
"Move. Now." Leah said, attempting to push past him. When he continued to block her path, she delivered a right cross to his jaw that knocked him sprawling to the floor. She stormed past him into the room.
Keiko healed the doctor with Resta, then looked up as JiEin followed Leah into the room. "Sorry about that. She's been pacing out here for the past two hours. He...means a lot to her. She's practically family. Next time...just get out of her way. She's vicious when she's like this."
"Hmph. Well, he does need rest. I take no responsibility for this, but I suppose I can allow it this once. Just please try to make sure she doesn't stay too long." The doctor said as he turned to leave.
"I'll try. And thanks for saving him and all." Keiko said as she stepped into X's room.
Leah walked up to the dozing X and delivered a hard roundhouse slap to his face, sending him reeling.
"Ow, skank! What the hell was that for?" He asked, rubbing his cheek gingerly as he was shocked into awareness.
"That was for almost dying, and rushing off to get controlled by Zionus. And nearly killing Ayame."
"And this..." she said, flinging her arms around his neck and holding him tightly, nearly cutting off his airway. "is for making it back alive. I'm so glad you are ok!" she said, burying her face in his shoulder as tears began to flow.
X's eyes strayed to the top of her low-cut shirt, but the lack of oxygen due to her crushing embrace soon made his vision too dark to enjoy the view.
As he began to turn blue, Leah finally noticed his gasps for air and loosened her grip.
"Oh, sorry X. I'm just so happy." she said, sitting on the bed.
JiEin and Keiko came into the room, catching the end of the display.
"Hello, X. Good to see you still breathing. What's it feel like to be the meat shield this time?" JiEin said, stepping near the bed. Keiko was unable to see over him, so she transitioned into her cat form and leaped around him, curling up at the base of X's stomach and purring loudly.
Surrounded by his friends, X began to recount what happened.
Labyrinth gazed at his monitor screens, taking information from the six monitors far faster than a human would be able to.
This is not good. Large amounts of energy are being detected from Ragol, in two separate areas. The energy signal of Danielle seems to have moved, but the other two are akin to Zionus. I wonder if I can get a visual feed...
Tapping a few keys, the view on the top right screen switches from a scanning log to a camera feed. A bright, actinic flare of white light is seen, accompanied by a loud explosion and the sounds of screaming. Seconds later, the view from the camera fades to static and blacks itself out.
Well, that is definitely not good. It appears that someone or something is on a rampage. As Sigma seems to be stuck in the mines...I can only assume it is Zionus. I must find a way to warn the people on Ragol...
On the surface of Ragol, Zionus is at the end of a ten-mile trail of destruction. He has cut a vicious swath through the settlements, killing all in his path.
Pathetic fools. I am their god now. They will bow or be annihilated.
He is approached by a middle-aged man holding a photon rifle.
"Why are you destroying our homes and killing our families? We have nothing to do with you. We just wanted to be left in peace..."
"You are impure. The only peace attainable for you is through me, straight to the void. Repent and be saved. Deny me, and face indescribable torment."
The man gripped his rifle with shaking hands, and slowly raised it to his shoulder. "Get out, mister. We won't bow to you. We've done nothing wrong. I tried to warn you..." With this, the man sealed his fate, firing four shots from the outdated weapon that impacted on Zionus' barrier with no effect.
Two more villagers peeked their heads out from behind the ruins of their home. Zionus gestured, melting the mans rifle into slag and lifting him into the air. As the man squirmed in Zionus' grasp, a look of abject terror came over his face. "Please..." he said, gasping for breath as Zionus tightened his mental grip. "I...have a family."
"Then be sure to tell them of the wonders of my paradise." Raising his other hand, Zionus fired a beam of energy from his palm that split into five as it lanced toward the man. Each separate beam hit him, one in each limb and one in his torso.
Bluish white flames appeared where each of the beams hit, slowly spreading across the man's body as he cried out in agony. The flames spread, devouring flesh, clothing and bone with a ravenous hunger. Zionus kept the man alive til the very last instant, prolonging the agony long after the man should have been dead. He formed a shell of energy around the dying man, keeping his charred body intact until the holy flame had reduced him entirely to cinders. Dropping the field, Zionus allowed the man's ashes to blow away on the wind.
"The flames of purification devour all. My glory is the only route to true salvation. Hear me and tremble, mortals!" he cried. Gazing up at Pioneer 2, he gathered light around himself. With but a thought, he warped there, leaving devastation all around him.
Hmph. They defeated my servant, and seek to resist my will wherever they go. I shall have to teach them a lesson...
On Dezolis, Sage is telekinetically carrying the partially reactivated Brom as the others search the rubble. After about twenty minutes, Yokote nearly trips over the lip of a concealed metal door amidst the rubble. Kneeling down, he brushes aside the dust and small debris that cover it. Etched into it's surface is some faded lettering.
"L..a..n..d..a..l..e" he spells out, after a difficult attempt at deciphering it. Drawing one of his sabers, he ignites it for better illumination. "Landale Service Hangar, Main Entrance." Standing, he reports his find to the others.
'Jadrek was correct. The hangar for the ancient ship is here. I'm standing by the doorway." he said, waving them over as he deactivates his saber.
The others walk over, Brom still being levitated by Sage. A few minutes' work has the hangar door opened, and the groups descends into the complex. Lights spring to life as they approach, illuminating a well-lit and clean metallic complex underground. Stopping before a massive door as the reach the end of the downward slope, they attempt to open it.
"Enter password, please." a chirping mechanical voice sounds as Lissandra touches the access panel.
"Um...anyone know the password?" she asks.
"No clue. Just try something random." Lorna says, gazing around the room.
"Landale" Liss types in, which is met with a "Password is incorrect' response from the cheery mechanical voice.
Ten minutes and around thirty more passwords later, and the door is still shut.
Sage slowly lowers Brom to the ground, debating whether or not to try another futile Resta. Deciding not to waste the energy, he releases him from the telekinetic field, lowering him onto the ground above a circular pattern etched into the metal. If Sage had not turned away to assist the others, he would have noticed a very faint green glow begin to emanate from the section of flooring.
With a flash of purple light, Danielle appears outside the Resistance's Headquarters. Looking around, she sees that the streets are nearly deserted. With a thought, she releases herself from drawing on her conduit's power, forcing her wings into dormancy.
The aura around her fades and disappears, leaving her looking relatively normal. Except for being beat up, battered and rather disheveled looking. She asks a passing soldier for directions as she steps inside, smiling as he seems unable to tear his gaze from the rents in her clothing.
"Hey you. Where's Labyrinth?" she asks, her voice losing its divine majesty as she reverts to a regular newman form.
"I'm sorry, but you're not authorized to know that." he said.
"Well, sorry for you." Reaching out, she touches the man on the forehead before he can move. With a quick use of her telepathic powers, she finds the information she is looking for and continues on, leaving the man slumped against the wall.
Moron. If he could have stopped gawking at me for a second, he would have realized who I was. Hmm...maybe the brat will let me have control long enough to have a little fun. If everyone looks at me like that...
Her brief reverie was interrupted as she reached Labyrinth's office. Knocking on the door, she was beckoned inside.
"Hiya, Lab." She says, her voice a bit hoarse from the smoke she inhaled in the mines.
If androids could look surprised, Labyrinth would be. His shock was betrayed by the slight hesitation in his response.
"Hello, Ayame. Or is it Danielle?"
"Duh, it's Danielle. Notice the hair, and the fact that I'm far hotter than her."
"Right. How, or more precisely, why are you here?" he asks, standing.
"Oh, relax. If I was gonna blow the place up, I would've done it already. I beat Sigma, after the brat nearly got herself killed. I took over and kicked his ass. In gratitude for that, she let me stay for a while. Made a stupid 'no-killing' rule, but other than that let me have my fun. I figured I should come back here, as all my stuff is here."
"You...defeated Sigma? Very impressive. Are you alright? You look physically damaged."
"I'm sore as hell, exhausted and drained. I'll have to let the brat come back for me to really rest, but I wanted to have a little fun first. Is X here?"
"Yes. Be warned, if you attempt to harm him I will be forced to stop you."
"I'm not gonna kill him. Geez, Lab. Relax. For an android, you are really uptight. I mean, sure...last time we met I tried to kill you, but I'm better now. Can't you just let bygones be bygones?"
"I suppose. I'll take you to his room, but I must accompany you. I do not wish him to be killed after all the trouble we went to in rescuing him."
"Alright, alright. Fine. Buzzkill."
Labyrinth left the room, keeping a close eye on Danielle as she walked beside him. He sent a coded message to Dr. Hahn as he walked, informing him of her arrival.
The skies above the high-rent district of Pioneer 2 opened up, a bright flash of light searing the artificial night. Zionus appeared, glowing with divine power.
"Pathetic trash of humanity...prepare to be judged!" he cries, extending one hand palm outwards as a ball of white energy coalesces in front of it. With a disdainful flick of his wrist, he hurls it towards a high-rise apartment building.
The orb of destructive force impacts at its base, liquifying the first few floors. As the building starts to crumple, three more orbs reduce the remainder to dust, incinerating all inside. The few residents that manage to run screaming outside are cut down by white beams of light that consume them with blue flame until they are reduced to cinders.
Zionus turns to the next building, a large office complex. Gathering power, he points his hand at it. White wisps of power appear from mid-air, drawn to his hand as a bright glow forms. Seconds later, he fires an enormous white beam from his palm, raking the coherent stream of energy across the width of the building. It slices through it easily, melting support girders and shattering glass. He hovers down slightly, raising his arm to blast the beam up the vertical length of the building.
He increases the intensity of the beam, charging it with power until the building and all that are inside are reduced to ashes. The beam continues, hitting the outer wall of Pioneer 2 and piercing through easily. The vacuum of space begins to rush in, enlarging the hole rapidly as the failsafes kick in, isolating the block from the rest of Pioneer 2. The few people in this section that weren't at work or school rush to the transporters, but only around half are able to get away.
Zionus notices the fleeing crowds and obliterates the teleporter with an energy blast. Rising above the panicked crowd, he gathers power with both hands and rains down devastation on them, incinerating them in a matter of moments. One survivor, slumped under the pile of charred bodies, rises slowly to his feet. He is lifted by Zionus' powers, carried aloft into the air.
"Please, don't kill me. I'm the head of the largest technique disk manufacturer on Pioneer 2. I can give you great power..."
"Fool. What do you know of power? I am a god. How have you come about this pathetic 'power' you speak of?"
Reaching into the man's mind, twisting and burning, he forcibly extracts the memories from him. As the man's mind caves in upon itself, Zionus allows the shattered person to drop to the ground. Before the catatonic man can hit the ground, Zionus swoops over to him, cleaving him in half with a massive energy blade. He blasts the remains of the man to cinders, then flies out of the gaping hole in Pioneer 2's hull.
In Resistance HQ, Danielle stops for a second. Labyrinth turns to her, wondering what she is up to.
"What are you doing?" he asks, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"Changing. You can't see it, but any human or newman that sees me will see me in different clothing. I look kinda beat up, and I want to look my best for my dear uncle." she replies.
Labyrinth and Danielle reach X's room, and they step inside. X looks up from his bed, awakened from a light doze.
"Lab? And who's the nurse? Is it time for my spongebath already...?"
"Yes sir. But I've heard so much about you..." Danielle says, slinking towards X. Labyrinth attempts to speak, but his speech is hindered by the toggle switch Danielle hit telekinetically as she walked towards X. Labyrinth, set on 'mute', is unable to speak. He stands there, ready to stop Danielle if she tries anything. To his eyes, she is acting very strangely anyway.
Danielle slinks towards X, leaping onto his lap as he sits up.
"Um...hi. If all nurses are like you, I could grow to like being in the hospital." X says, a grin appearing on his face. I really hope Leah doesn't come in right now. This nurse is very...friendly. And her outfit is much, much better than the others...
Danielle smiles at X, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you, X. I'm a big fan..." she says. This is going to be hilarious. When he finds out who I really am..hahahaha. It'll be better than killing him. She attempts to hide the evil grin on her face as she hugs him, and since his attention is on other things at the moment, she succeeds.
Labyrinth gives a beep from the corner, his emergency protocols overriding the 'mute' switch. The sensors in his office, programmed to keep track of information and route it to him were going haywire.
"Danielle! Zionus is on Pioneer 2. He can detect you. You have to revert back to Ay-..." Whatever Labyrinth was about to say was cut off by Neifirst as she stepped up to him and placed a finger over her lips, warning him to be quiet.
She grinned, then nodded at X who was still...entertained by Danielle. Danielle was sitting in his lap, smiling evilly as he hit on her. The flustered hunter didn't even seem to notice, as groggy as he was from the medication he was on. That, and the distraction caused by his new nurse's outfit.
Danielle's expression changed as she reached out with her senses. Oh, damn. Labyrinth was right. Guess now's as good a time as any to give X a heart attack. Sighing inwardly, she allowed Ayame to regain control. Instantly, her hair and eyes changed color, her facial expression changing to a happy amusement. Her eyes were closed as she was still not entirely back in control yet.
X reacted, mildly startled. "Whoa! And you have color-changing hair. Lab...do you think you could cause me to be permanently laid up in the hospital?"
Neifirst let out a harsh laugh. "No, but I'm sure Leah will. How nice of a way to greet your niece..." Neifirst said, unable to contain her guffaws of laughter.
"My...niece...?' X replied, panic rising in his voice. Gazing at the semi-unconscious girl sitting in his lap, he looked at the clothing and hair, and a spark of recognition came to his face. Oh my god...it is her. Damn, she grew up quick. I wasn't out that long, was I? And how did she change that much? Reacting quickly, he shoved her away as uncertainty changed to utter horror on his face.
The shock of X pushing her away snapped Ayame awake as Danielle released the last vestige of control over their shared body. Danielle's sardonic laughter rang through Ayame's head as she relinquished control to Ayame.
Ayame's eyes opened, and she let out a squeal of glee as she beheld X. Lunging forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck in a bearhug.
"Uncle X, Uncle X, Uncle X! You're ok! Yaaaay!" she yelled as she tackled him.
X fainted as his head was slammed into the wall by his hurtling niece.
In another area of the Resistance HQ's medical wing, Cranberry, Black Raiden and Striker are being treated. Cranberry watches as the technician completes his repairs on Striker. Black Raiden stands to the side, leaning against the wall. Cranberry is sitting in a chair, relaxing.
The technician finishes connecting a few wires and closes Striker's chest plate. Striker's eyes flicker on, and he moves his head from side to side, testing his systems.
"Well, that's better. What should we do now?" he asks.
"I'd like to stay and help them fight that Sigma guy. He needs to be taken out, and his boss Zionus too." Black Raiden says, standing up as she moves away from the wall.
"I agree. I don't like being nearly scrapped for no reason. Cran, what about you?" Striker asks, getting to his feet.
"Zionus is evil. If I can do anything to stop him, I will. Let's go find Labyrinth. We can't hunt with Zionus wreaking havoc, anyway."
The group of hunters leave the room, heading for Labyrinth's office.
Zionus flies out into space, surrounded by an energy shield. In his divinely-powered body, he has no need to breathe. The debris from Pioneer 2 that hits his shield is vaporized on contact. He flies towards the nearest residential block, unleashing a beam of energy that cuts them off from Pioneer 2. He welds the gaping hole cut into the hull shut, then warps inside.
People are screaming and running around, buildings collapsing as the ceiling becomes the floor, and the artificial gravity cuts off. A few people manage to make it to the teleporter before Zionus blasts it to atoms.
"Fools! You should be honored. Your lives will assist in the purging of the unclean. Bow to me, and beg for salvation."
Zionus cuts down a few random people, then blasts a hole in the hull and flies out before welding it shut against the vacuum.
He flies to the floating residential block, immobilizing it in the vacuum of space with his powers. He fires a few energy blasts at it, igniting it with a slowly burning blue flame. He stabilizes it, then gazes at the residential block nearest him.
Mintaka, eh? They'll die just as easily. All who oppose me must be judged...
Igniting the flaming wreckage of Rigel with another pulse of blue flame, he uses his powers to hurl the doomed residential block at the Mintaka block below.
Inside Rigel, the people cling to each other in their last moments, desperate for comfort. Luckily, they feel no pain as their ship impacts with the pressure dome of Mintaka, killing them instantly. The dome shatters, the remnants of Rigel crashing into Mintaka's main residential area. Blue flame erupts around the artificial meteor as a large explosion occurs.
The few people that weren't immediately killed or sucked out into space soon fell to the massive energy beam that Zionus fired, a double handed attack that scoured Mintaka down to its structural supports. Thousands perished at the hands of the mad god, their lives blinking out in an instant.
Observing his handiwork, Zionus begins to laugh. The fools will know to worship me now. They will bow to me or perish by my flames. None can withstand my power! Now, for a bit more business...
Warping to another point in Pioneer 2, he blinks out in a flash of white light.
On Dezolis, Sage's group continues to try the password door. They are having no luck, until they are startled by a metallic sound behind them. Whirling, weapons at the ready...they encounter the fully healed figure of Brom.
"What are you fleshbags doing?" he says, walking towards them.
"Brom, you're healed! How?" Yokote asks, a look of surprise on his face.
"How amazingly perceptive, meatsack.Sage dropped me on a healing pad. It repaired me." Brom replies.
"I...did?" Sage asks, puzzled.
"Yes, somehow. I assume that behind this door is what we came here to get?" Brom asks, reaching the door.
"Yes, but we don't have the password." Lissandra replies.
"Well, I'll take care of that." Opening up a compartment in his forearm, Brom extends a probe into the computer. Within moments, the door slides open. "There you go."
"How did you...?" Lorna asks, staring at Brom.
"I 'told' the computer that if it didn't open the door, I was going to hack it. With my Chainsawd. It complied nicely. Now, are we going to stand here until you pathetic humans rot, or are we going?"
They follow Brom into the hangar, lights appearing as they walk, illuminating their path easily.
At Resistance Headquarters, Leah and Keiko's meal is interrupted by a loud alarm. Rushing into the hallway from the cafeteria, they are nearly bowled over by Labyrinth.
"Lab, what's wrong?"
"Zionus found us."
Floating outside, Zionus appears in a flash of holy light. He casually destroys the front wall of the Headquarters, then calls out in a booming voice.
"You who hope to resist me...prepare to be judged!"
On Dezolis, Sage walks down a shallow ramp, leading to a long corridor. He and the others emerge into a very large, circular room, where a ring of light panels flash into life as they step into the room. The lights illuminate what appears to be a large shuttle, its smooth metallic lines gleaming in the light from the motion-activated panels.
The shuttle is perched on its landing gear, five-foot metallic legs ending in wheels. It seems poised to leap towards the sky, even after sleeping for countless years.
An ornate engraved plate above the door on the side of the ship reads "Landale." Unfortunately for the group, the door stands about ten feet off of the ground. The belly of the ship holds what looks to be a large door nestled in the middle of the landing gear, but it is sealed tight as well.
"Well, we found it. Now how do we get inside?" Yokote asks, standing back from the ship to gaze intently at it.
Sage gazes at the ship, then heads to the nearby computer terminal. After attempting a few commands, he finds it completely blocked. He sighs in frustration as the others examine the ship.
"Good question. Perhaps one of us could attempt to climb up and open the exterior door?"Lissandra offers, after looking around for an entrance.
Lorna stands, arms crossed. "This figures. They create this ship, leave it here for who knows how long, and then leave us no way to get inside. Good anti-theft device, though. Perhaps the ancients were on to something..."
"How's it going, meatbag?" Brom asks, addressing Sage, who is still working at the computer.
"Not all that well. I can't get past the opening screen on this control panel. It needs a password. Think you could work your magic again?" Sage asks, turning to Brom.
"Pathetic fleshie. Does the big, bad computer scare you? I'll hack it again." Brom heads over to the computer, extending a probe from his forearm into a port on its front as Sage walks over to the others.
He looks around for a moment, finding nothing to use as a handhold or place to step on."Hmm...I could try to levitate one of you up to the side door, if you like." Sage suggests as Brom interfaces with the computer.
Lorna laughs. "Well, if you really want to see up Lissandra's robes that badly..." Lissandra glares at her.
Sage blushes, then replies "I actually meant Yokote. He's fairly light, and agile enough to climb around."
"Very well. It's not that far of a drop. Brom, have you found anything yet?"
"Not yet. This one is a bit more stubborn. I did find out that the remote to control the entry ramp is locked inside the ship. And the side door is locked." Brom states.
"Wonderful. These people were so good at leaving help for us." Lorna says. She leans against the wall, pressing against a hidden panel. The panel beeps, startling her. She jumps away from the wall as lights on the Landale blink on.
A soft click is heard from the side door, and it recedes slightly from its frame.
"Good job, Lorna. I think that did it." Sage says.
"Yeah, the computer's babbling something to me about 'unauthorized access' or something." Brom says, typing a few commands into the keypad. "Might want to try the levitation thing."
"Ok, Yokote, you ready?" Sage asks, extending one hand palm outward and calming himself.
"Yes. Just please try not to slam me into the ceiling or anything." Yokote says, smiling.
Sage grunts in reply, staring at Yokote as he reaches out with his powers. He wraps Yokote in a telekinetic field, raising him slowly as he maneuvers him towards the door.
Wow, I really have gotten stronger. Lifting a person used to be a strain if I had to sustain it. But this is nearly effortless now.
"Yes, well...I am helping a bit. But a lot of it is your own strength that you were simply afraid of using." Lutz says into his mind.
"Eh, good point. So, you back with me now? Not going to sulk endlessly?"
"Yes, you insolent child. I'm 'back with you'. Lorna is dangerous. I was just trying to protect you from that danger."
"Ok, well...thanks."
In the time it took for Sage and Lutz to converse mentally, Yokote was easily maneuvered to the door. He touches a panel beside the door and the door slides smoothly open. Sage gives him a slight telekinetic nudge, and he steps inside.
"Well, anything interesting?" Sage asks.
"Yes, I see a control panel. I'm lowering the ramp now." Yokote replies from inside the Landale.
Towards the middle of the ship, a slight metallic click is heard. The door in the belly of the ship opens and a boarding ramp slides out silently. It reaches the floor, settling onto it with a soft clang.
"There you go. You should be able to board now." Yokote says.
"One problem, fleshies. The 'guardian' has been summoned." Brom replies, turning from the computer and withdrawing his Chainsawd from a capsule.
Lorna and Lissandra had stepped toward the ship, but stopped as a black and grey android steps out from the shadows. His face is covered with synthetic flesh, and black hair covers the top of his head. from the top of his head. He moves with a lifelike motion, but the small humming noises coming from his servomotors reveal him to be a droid. That, and the weapon pods on his shoulders that are opened to reveal racks of missiles.
"I will not allow you to steal the Landale. State your business, or prepare to be terminated."
The group prepares for a fight as a spark of recognition fills Sage's head from his link to Lutz.
"I'll handle this. Please relax. I'm going to manifest my image for a moment." Lutz says.
"O...k. Have fun." Sage replies.
Sage steps toward the android, and glows with a soft white light. A ghostly image of a white-robed man with blue hair appears from his body, hovering in front of him.
"I am Lutz. This is my chosen vessel, Jonas Sage. The others are his companions. We come in the name of the Great Light. I command you to let us pass."
"Honored Lutz...my apologies. Please, go. I can accompany you to help you pilot the vessel, if you wish."
"There is no need. You must maintain your vigil here, Wren. I remember how to pilot the ship, and you could teach our android friend here."
"Very well." The android known as Wren steps toward Brom, who gazes at him warily.
"I will transfer the data directly." Reaching up, Wren places both hands on the startled Brom's head, and a green light passes from Wren to Brom.
"Well, that was fast. Thanks." Brom replies.
Wren backs away, and the manifestation of Lutz dies down.
"I wish you good fortune upon your journey, chosen of the Light."He replies as he retreats through a door on the other side of the room.
Sage and the others board the vessel, exploring it. After a cursory search, they meet in the cockpit.
"Well, seems like there is enough room for everything we may need. We can stop for supplies at the Esper Mansion." Yokote states.
Brom and Sage seat themselves at the controls as the others strap in. Hitting a button, Brom opens the hangar door, letting in the soft Dezolian light. The ship slowly rises into the night sky, then streaks towards the Esper mansion. After a flight of only a few minutes, it lands in the snow beside the Esper Mansion as dawn begins to brighten the sky.
The group heads inside to the mansion, awakening Jadrek. A brief discussion of the events ensues, then they head off to get some rest.
Later that day, the Landale is fully stocked with everything they may need, and the technicians at the Esper Mansion have ensured that all of its systems are in working order.
Sage winces as a shaft of afternoon sunlight hits him in the face. His attempt to roll over and cover his face with the pillow is stopped by Lissandra yanking the pillow away from him.
"Hey, what'd you do that for?" he asks, grumbling.
"We have a meeting. Come on, sleepy head!" Lissandra cries, dragging him from the bed. She threatens him with severe bodily harm, eventually coaxing him into consciousness. He complies, and begins to get ready.
Thirty minutes later, a slightly more awake Sage heads downstairs to the meeting room, where Jadrek, the Elders and his companions are clustered around a display.
"What's going on?" he asks, yawning.
"We have located the planet Rykros. Your companion Lorna was in possession of the Aero Prism, and it allowed us to pinpoint Rykros' location. You must go there to retrieve the Rings of Stars." Jadrek answers him.
"Ok. Anything else we need to know...?"
"Rykros is a dangerous place. It is filled with ancient monsters, and the rings are located inside three towers filled with traps and trials. They will test you to your utmost limits of strength, resolve and skill..."
"So...not a prime vacation spot, huh?" Lorna quips.
"Not...quite." Jadrek replies, a bit flustered. Lorna is still wearing only her Laconium bikini, and has gotten quite a few odd stares from the Espers.
"Well, as long as we get to kill stuff, I'm in." Brom pipes up.
"Should be fun." Lorna says.
Lissandra and Yokote chime in with their willingness to go, as Sage stretches and yawns again.
"Sure...why not? Can't be worse than what we've already been through. Mornings are evil." Sage says sleepily.
Lissandra looks around for something to throw at him. "Sage...it's mid-afternoon."
"Morning is relative. Whenever you wake up, that's considered morning. Anyway...ready to go, everyone?"
They reply in the affirmative and gather their gear, heading for the Landale. They are met outside by a party of Espers who see them off.
Ten minutes later, they are in the atmosphere above Dezolis, as the AeroPrism begins to shine. They lock the navigational sensors onto its beam and set a course for Rykros.