Z.E.F.I.E. Zone of Enders

Chapter II: The Old Crowd…

Mission

Objective: Master Transforming Orbital frame and protect Tokyo from possible invaders.

Reward: Unknown.

Mission Time: Unknown. Complete objectives as fast as possible.

Mission Start.

Alright, first thing's first, gotta find those damn things. There!

(Play FFVII: Advent Children: Tatakau mono Tachi –FFAC Version-)

Within the newly finished Transforming Orbital Frame created by S.C.I, sat Zero, trying to find out exactly what he was doing. Luckily for him he quickly spotted what he was looking for in the form of three Unmanned Orbital Frames that looked like skeletal lizards with twin blades of red energy protruding from their hands.

"There they are…now, how the hell do I attack."

"This frame is equipped with a mouth-mounted particle cannon, projectile spines, energy rods on the mane for firing potent electrical blasts, and really sharp claws, which incidentally can be infused with energy to make them cut through almost anything."

"Plus this thing's fucking huge so I could crush basically anything."

"…I forgot about that…"

"For an AI you're pretty human Zefie."

Unknown to him, Zefie smiled.

"You're the first person to realize that Zero."

"Alright, time to go to work."

The giant black Wolf mechanoid dashed towards the floating Frames. It got behind them and let out a menacing howl. The Frames turned around and evaluated their opponent, but before they could strike, Zero attacked.

"Now! Gospel Cannon!"

The wolf head opened up and from its mouth fired a potent beam of energy which tore through the three Frames.

"Enemies approaching from behind, looks like a whole squad of them."

"Uhh…how many would that be?"

"Fifty."

Zero sweat dropped. "You're kidding…right?"

"No…they're all Raptors, just like the ones you just demolished, so it shouldn't be much of a problem."

Zero just sighed. He turned the frame to meet the incoming threats.

"Well…here we go again…Gospel CANNON!"

Another beam of white energy tore at the incoming Raptors; however the majority of them managed to get out of the blast radius.

"Estimated ten enemies destroyed from the last attack."

"Only TEN?"

"While mass-produced, Raptors are quite smart…occasionally. It seems that each part of the squad has a Leader. They seem to have formed Parties."

"You mean like in an RPG?"

"I guess you could look at it that way. I was just recently activated so it'll take me a few minutes to figure out which ones are the leaders. Think you can hold out?"

Zero smirked under his hood. "I do love a challenge. You've got five minutes."

"Starting timer."

Zero focused on having the frame charge for its electric attack.

"Purple Electric!"

Five of the ten parts of the Mane began glowing. Moments later they fired potent beams of purple lightning at the incoming raptors. Five more were destroyed.

The Raptors began closing in on the Frame which Zero had mentally named Gospel. He instructed the frame to leap backwards out of the swarm's way.

Shit…this form, although powerful is too cumbersome. It's too big to do any real evasion.

"Zefie, though I love this challenge, could you hurry it up? Gospel's not that good at dodging things, and I have very little intention of seeing how much damage it can take."

While he thought and spoke, he continued to leap around firing small beams of lightning at his opponents to keep them at bay.

"Two more minutes Zero, that's all I need."

"I'll give it a shot…I wonder…can I…?"

He began focusing his thoughts. The eyes of Gospel glowed a fierce red and it roared at the swarming enemies. His hands blurred together in the form of strange signals.

"Raiton: Raijin Heki!"

Immediately after completing the last sign, he slammed both hands on the console and focused. Gospel let out a snarl as all ten parts of its mane began glowing. Moments afterward, torrents of lightning could be seen encircling the great beast. A few of the raptors took its stationary state as a sign to attack it. However as the got within a few feet of it they were suddenly assaulted by the lightning that had gathered around it.

Zefie was impressed; she wasn't the only one though.

"Zero, I'm putting a marker on-screen for the Raptors that are the party leaders. Destroy them, and the squad will be like a swarm of stationary flies."

"Still annoying, ugly as hell, and easy to kill right?"

Inside S.C.I. HQ Monitor Station…

"What the hell was that?"

"I don't know sir, that wasn't one of the weapon functions…"

"It would seem like our intruder is a skilled Runner."

Everyone turned to see the C.E.O. of Science Computer Industries enter the room.

"Matsuda-sama."

"Relax everyone; I'm just here to enjoy the show."

"Sir, should we take him in custody?"

"No, let him fight, and let him be free. We will approach him at a later time. I wish to see his skills."

"Well, it certainly looks like an interesting situation."

Everyone once again turned to see a tall short-haired, blonde woman walk into the room.

"Miss Weinberg, it is an honor to see you here."

"Likewise Mister Matsuda. I have the others preparing to join the battle."

"I take it the goods have arrived safely?"

"With Orbital frames of such caliber as Jehuty, Anubis, Ardjet, and the transforming LEV Vic Viper, I'd say it nearly impossible for them not to have."

Suddenly a transmission came in.

"OI! Corinne! Where the FUCK are all these bastards coming from! A hundred MORE just spawned out of frikkin nowhere!"

"I don't know Zero, has Zefie picked anything up?"

"Negative Matsuda-san. They truly just appeared out of nowhere. Gospel doesn't have the weapons to handle such an army. Even though Zero hasn't used two of the weapons left, we both know it wouldn't be enough, Gospel is too big."

"I'll see what I can do."

Suddenly an unknown voice appeared.

"No need Lady. The Cavalry has arrived!"

(Play FFVII:AC: Saranai Tatakau Mono Tachi –FFAC Version-)

From the sky came three orbital frames and one LEV class mech. The first to appear was a humanoid one that was nearly completely red. It had six wing-like boosters floating just behind its back and the head of a Jackal. The boosters fired twenty zigzagging spheres of blood red energy that flew towards the Raptors and the newly appearing Cyclops'. It then vanished in a ripple of air and then reappeared next to Gospel.

"Is that?"

"Yes it is."

Next came another humanoid frame. This one was blue and white. It had a strange face that looked like a glaring Chinese man. (A/N: No offence to Chinese men meant, it was the closest thing I could think of to describe N.Jehuty's face…especially since I haven't played the game in months.) On its right arm was a blade, and on its left was a shield. Two small wing-like boosters were floating just behind its back. It shot its hand forward and hundreds of small curving blue beams flew towards the incoming group of enemy frames. It too vanished in a ripple of air and appeared on Gospel's other side.

The next was yet another humanoid Frame. This one however was distinctly female as the color scheme was black and grayish-white. Another strange looking but obviously feminine face along with what looked like what was supposed to be hair framing it. A long flowing cape accompanied it. Suddenly the frame curled up and then spread its arms and legs causing the cape to seem like it shattered. The hundreds of pieces of the cape all swirled around the frame which then pointed at the enemies, launching them all at the group. The frame then sped over to where Gospel was floating next to the first, red frame.

The last to appear was what looked like a fighter jet. It flew in firing missiles and twin blue beams at the group before rotating and then transforming into a humanoid shape. It was a grey color with the wings turning into bladed arms. The legs formed from where the front of the jet was and the body formed from the center. It chose to hover next to the blue frame.

Zero looked around, confused as hell, but sensing the immense power these four strangers held.

Am I even needed anymore? I mean, they seem to be strong enough to handle anything…

"Corrine…who are they?"

"Allow me to introduce the saviors of the galaxy. The one in the red orbital frame, Anubis, is Dingo Egret, former BAHRAM Runner who defeated Colonel Nohman in combat to stop a plan to wipe out the solar system. Anubis was formerly run by Nohman, but he made a clone to try to mass-produce it. That's the Anubis Clone, but was augmented to be as powerful as the original."

Hmph…saved the solar system huh? He must be skilled…

"The one in the blue frame, Jehuty, is Leo Stenbuck. He was the original Runner of Jehuty during the Antillia Raid, but stopped to pilot the Transforming LEV Vic Viper when Jehuty was hidden on Callisto. During the final battles against BAHRAM, Dingo was Jehuty's Runner. Leo's returned to his piloting days as the Runner of Jehuty though."

Now Zero started to feel really inferior…but then shook it off. Why would I feel that way? I could whup all their asses in actual combat.

"Next is Ken Marinaris, the runner of Ardjet. She was another key figure in stopping Nohman and his plans, though spent most of the final battles either injured or hiding. She can hold her own though and went toe-to-toe against Dingo, who was a very skilled runner, while he was piloting Jehuty."

Finally a woman. Was afraid it'd turn out to be a sausage fest.

"And last but not least the new pilot of Vic Viper, Celvice Klein. She was originally a civilian trying to avoid getting killed during the Antillia Raid, but since recovering from a near fatal wound has been training herself to be able to pilot at least a LEV. After the ordeal with BAHRAM she was given Vic Viper to pilot as Dingo wanted the Anubis clone while Leo took Jehuty back."

And another woman, a cute one to boot…but, no she's tied to that Leo guy…

Suddenly four screens appeared on the sides of his HUD.

"Hey! No fair we don't get to see his face!"

"Heh, sorry lady, but the cloak and hood were what I was wearing when I got in here, and I prefer for very few people to see what I look like when I'm on a mission."

While they were chatting, Jehuty and Anubis had cleaned up the rest of the enemies.

"Well…that's over with."

"Not Quite Mister Egret. I'm picking up something HUGE on my radar, and it's coming in fast!"

"ADA, do you see it too?"

"Negative Leo, but I am registering a disturbance in the winds above us."

They all looked up to see a big orb drop down from the sky.

"No way, Zakat!"

"All humans will be purged from this world…"

That doesn't sound fun.

And with that, Zakat fired its particle beam.

And with that I end the chapter. Next chapter will be out far sooner than this one was. I already have everything in my head. Could be out maybe even tomorrow or later today, who knows.