Chapter 23: The Holy War, Part 1
The forces aligned for one goal: stop Gaia from resurrecting. The Swan prepared for war with the Shitoreyu Empire. The fallen country of Havoniwa and the kingdom of Shurifon still have forces that have joined the country of Swan in the war against Babalun's forces. They engaged the fighting as the Swan made approaches. King Shurifon dragged giant catapults with Sacred Mechanoids in cocoons in the basket ready to launch. In one of the ships heading to the area, Ash, Lapis and the Pokémon gathered in the hangar. "Are you sure about this, Ash?" she asked.
"It's not an easy decision but it's not a choice I have at this time," Ash sighed. "I'd rather keep my Pokémon safe. They'll be out of action while I do what I can to stop the threats." Ash's Pokémon protested about his choice to be involved in a war. "Guys, all I want right now is that you'll be okay."
("But, Ash!") cried Gliscor.
("We need you with us!") growled Infernape. Ash smiled to the group.
"I'll be back," he promised. A screen emerged with King Shurifon emerging.
"Ash, we've reached the Holy Land, and the resistance is present with more of the prototype Shields of Gaia with mounted guns," he informed.
"Should we be surprised?" sighed Ash. "Careful with your soldiers. We'll be around shortly." Margo also came on to substitute for King Shurifon.
"Ash, again… I wish it was you as the King of the Swan," she huffed.
"Trust me, I wouldn't be ready to lead even Havoniwa just yet," Ash shrugged. "By the way, I heard from Kenshi that you're on his catapult?"
"I am, and ready for launch," Morga grinned. "Ash, you gotta survive this, for your creatures and for the empress and princess." Ash nodded while Mexiah's students emerged and Morga cut the connection.
"Prince Ash, are you gonna be alright?" asked Bwoole. Ash turned to the girls.
"It does sound like a lot but as long as we keep our heads in this fight," Ash started.
"The thing is, whoever one of us gets you," Gryino stepped up. "The rest of us will be her bridesmaids for the wedding!" Ash gulped before taking a deep breath.
"If we fail, there won't be any weddings to have together," he pointed out. "Besides, I'm a little young to marry anyone."
"Nonsense about that," Yeliss denied. "All we need to do is survive this before we think about rings and gowns."
"But you are correct about not falling in battle," Wreda agreed. "And we'll do the same." Ash nodded as he boarded Excalibur.
"Then, let's take back the Highlands, girls!" he cheered. Activated, Excalibur came out of the vessel with the Swan adjacent to it. The Swan was towed by Wahanly's MechaWorkers as it jumped over destroyed rail tracks. Ash looked down to see the MechaWorker in action and Wahanly driving. "Looks like the MechaWorker doesn't need wings."
"Nope, and it gives me a chance to try some new gizmos!" sneered Wahanly.
"Hooray for Aunt Flora for not being a complete idiot," Lashara nagged. "She had holes dug up in the Highlands for Ahou Barrier Reactors before supplying the tracks with Ena."
"Not to mention that the destroyed tracks are so far apart that it gives my MechaWorker a chance for a running jump!" added Wahanly.
"Yep, the Empire's far dumber than her," Ash agreed. He managed to connect with Maria and Yukine. "What's the word, Maria?"
"We're about to reach the rendezvous point momentarily," Maria announced.
"Alright, I hate to see you and Lashara bite the dust," Ash wished.
"As do I, since we can marry once this is over," Maria cooed.
"IN YOUR DREAMS, COUSIN!" snapped Lashara. Ash shyly laughed to Maria's ploy. An armored train from Havoniwa took a different track as it spotted the flying tower that hovered over the academy.
"Warship Babel in sight," one man reported. The roofs of the cars opened as cannons rose from each car. "Fire!" It shot volleys at Babel who began to fire back. Wahanly's MechaWorker disconnected the cables, allowing the Swan and the joining ship to fall toward the river. They crossed a barrier.
"We're back in the draft," Lithia announced.
"Alright, I'll hop back over," Ash excused himself as Excalibur jumped from Lithia's ship to the Swan. After landing, he waited for the next order so he disengaged from Excalibur to let it recharge. Wahanly came to Excalibur on her MechaWorker.
"Are you sure about leaving your Pokémon to Lithia?" she questioned.
"It'll work," Ash assured. "Those girls care a lot about me and my Pokémon." That's when they saw the ship turn around. "They're flanking to the rear for stragglers."
"Right, meaning Babalun's gotta know we're coming," Wahanly believed. Ash nodded, feeling trustworthy to Lithia's protection. "You feel anxious to stop Babalun?" Ash glanced to the sky.
"More like ending the war," he groaned. The fighting became intense as catapults were near the gate. On the cliff side, metal armors severed giant cords of Shitoreyu's Sacred Mechanoids, causing them to cocoon and drop shields. More catapults came with cocooned Sacred Mechanoids.
"These weapons were created by my future son-in-law!" proclaimed King Shurifon. "Fire!" The catapults fired the cocooned Sacred Mechanoids over the gate. Upon landing, Morga and another Sacred MechaMaster activated their frames and weapons came soon after. Morga's laugh made King Shurifon shiver. A bloodbath was about to commence. Back on the Swan, Kenshi, Chiaia, Wahanly, Aura and Ash boarded their Sacred Mechanoids and Excalibur respectfully.
"We will be arriving at the Holy Land soon," Lashara warned. "We hope you're all prepared. No matter what, our mission is to prevent Gaia's resurrection. Babalun must not succeed." One of the maids discovered a threat.
"Empress Lashara!" she spoke up. "There's a Sacred Mechanoid in front of us!" A zoom in on the screen revealed Dagmeyr's Sacred Mechanoid. Chiaia recognized the frame.
"Sir Dagmeyr!" she gasped.
"No, just Dagmeyr!" snapped Ash. "No one can call him Sir when he's betrayed us!"
"I-I know, but what is he doing!?"
"You ask me, he's issuing a challenge!" Looking up, Dagmeyr eyed the Swan.
"Ash Ketchum!" he called out. "I challenge you to a duel: you and me!" Ash grinned to the demand.
"This is about payback for what happened in the coliseum, right?" he wondered. Before he could step up, Ash spotted something in Dagmeyr's Sacred Mechanoid's hand. "Hey, what's that?" Everyone looked to find a large podium-like device that Dagmeyr held. Wahanly realized the device.
"That's a MechaLord's Barrier Reactor!" she determined.
"Now what?" wondered Aura. "We can't get near him if he intends to confront us."
"Is he trying to blow us up?" wondered Chiaia.
"Yeah, I'm weighing he wants to sacrifice us for Babalun," Wahanly guessed. To Ash, Dagmeyr didn't want to fight.
"See, you've proven my point, Dagmeyr!" he sighed. "You'd rather go out like a coward than battle me for real!" Dagmeyr did not appreciate the belittling.
"Don't mock me, child!" he stammered.
"Actually, you're the child! You can either battle me like a man, a real Sacred MechaMaster by throwing out the Reactor or you can leave us for good!"
"You don't understand! My father knows that he can control Gaia once it's resurrected!"
"And he's also willing to throw you away at the drop of a cap from what I figure! I don't know too much about Babalun but I'm wondering who the bigger coward is: you for throwing your life away or your dad for abandoning his kid!?" Dagmeyr seemed taken aback by Ash's harshness.
"There's no mistake as who's the real deal and who's a pretender," Aura summed up. Dagmeyr tossed the reactor before slicing the cord. It fell harmlessly to the ground.
"Fine!" he surrendered. "But let's see who the real coward is!" Ash nodded to Dagmeyr's new stance. He turned to Kenshi and the girls.
"Get going," he hushed. "I'll catch up."
"Please, don't kill Dagmeyr," Chiaia wished.
"Trust me, when I'm done, you can do whatever you want with him ," Ash grinned. With Excalibur, he leaped onto the ground as Dagmeyr drew a long sword.
"Never have I been so insulted by a Highlander," he growled.
"So why call me out to battle you?" asked Ash. "The coliseum fight?" He drew his Ena Sword but not the Shield of Hikari. It remained on the ship.
"I want to prove to my uncle and my father that I am capable of ending a Sacred MechaLord such as Excalibur. Any special Sacred MechaLord has names like Excalibur and Gaia."
"So, this is more of a test of skill to see if you can face your dad?"
"Don't misunderstand me, Ash! I fight to avenge the Mest name and for Cordyline!" To Ash, Cordyline was killed sometime ago.
"When was this? I know I didn't face her for awhile."
"All you need to know is that she's dead… and you bear responsibility!" Dagmeyr charged with his long sword while Ash swatted it aside. They clashed swords over and over. Dagmeyr took to the air while Ash raced below. "Come at me!" Excalibur flew up after Dagmeyr and their swords clashed some more. Ash took the offensive as he slashed away, forcing Dagmeyr onto his heels. "No way you can fight me like this!" He rose his shield and Ash switched the Ena Sword off. Dagmeyr charged with the shield in front of him. "You fool!" Excalibur lowered its shoulder and absorbed the shield's charge from Dagmeyr. So close, Dagmeyr rose his sword to strike Excalibur. Ash pushed forward and planted Excalibur's foot and scooping Dagmeyr's frame. Dagmeyr gawked to the position. "What the-" Before he could figure it out, Ash dunked the Sacred Mechanoid to the ground, face first. Dagmeyr struggled to stand after that slam. "Well… that was a first. I've never been slammed to the ground like that." When he returned to his feet, he faced Ash once more. "Something tells me that was a move from your world."
"You could say that it was Vital Throw." Back on his feet, Dagmeyr prepared himself while Ash brought out the Ena Sword once more.
"I'll keep it in mind. Now…" They clashed swords again and for a minute, they seemed even. Dagmeyr dropped back a step and Ash sensed an opening. They rushed at each other and a series of slashes later, Excalibur's Ena Sword turned off. After a minute, Dagmeyr's frame lost his sword, shield and his arms. He fell to his frame's knees. Excalibur turned to face Dagmeyr as Emera raced onto the battlefield.
"STOP!" she cried out. "PLEASE! DON'T KILL DAGMEYR! I BEG OF YOU!" The two Sacred MechaMasters looked to Emera. "You've already won! The least you can do is spare Sir Dagmeyr!" Excalibur hoisted Dagmeyr up and carried him to a wall for support. Dagmeyr looked up to Ash.
"I-I don't understand," he gawked. "Why? We're enemies! We're in a war! This is no time for chivalry!" Ash smirked at Dagmeyr.
"You may be my enemy, but you've also earned my respect," he briefed. "Anyone who gives me their all shows me their true strength. Besides, your frame can't fight. Taking you out like that is a cowardly move. You're looking for someone without a heart that can end your life." Excalibur turned to leave.
"WAIT!" screamed Emera. Excalibur turned and knelt to Emera before Ash stepped out.
"What's up?" he asked. Emera sighed in relief.
"I do thank you for sparing Sir Dagmeyr's life," she praised. "When you see the Headmistress again, give her my apologies for betraying the academy." Ash nodded to Emera's request.
"I'll let her know," he promised. Emera nodded as Dagmeyr scoffed to Ash's detriment.
"He's definitely king material," he snickered. Meanwhile on the armored train, Flora sat patiently with Maria when a notice came over. It's one of her maids.
"Queen Flora, I have some bad news," she reported. Flora suspected the Shitoreyu Empire.
"Is it Babalun?" she guessed.
"No, it's Team Rocket. They've escaped their cells and are heading to the Holy Land on a few air bikes." A question arose within Flora.
"Is the crimson still wearing the 'slut' outfit?"
"Yes, we've burned the uniforms of the two."
"Then they'll be getting a massive dose of pain when they see their bonding agent get slain." Elsewhere, a pulse rippled to Aura.
"One of those waves!" she alerted. To Kenshi and the girls, Gaia was awakening. Tremors quaked the Holy Land as black mist shot up from the coliseum's hole like a geyser.
"BEHOLD… THE SACRED MECHALORD'S RESURRECTION!" bellowed Babalun. A light emerged. Finally, a giant black frame emerged with a halo in the back. Kenshi and the girls trembled in fear.
"No…" shuttered Aura.
"The Sacred MechaLord…" gulped Wahanly.
"We're… too late…" muttered Chiaia. On Excalibur, Ash flew as fast as he could. Suddenly, a screen came on and Morga showed up.
"Ash, we've got a problem," she spoke.
"Is Gaia appearing?" he guessed.
"Yeah, and Babalun's done the work."
"I'll be there soon. The final battle's about to start!" They disconnected and Excalibur raced to find the Holy Land after the delay. Kenshi emerged with the Tenchi Sword, ready to face Gaia. Ash carried the reactor Dagmeyr wanted to use. He reached the Swan and landed.
"I take it you won against Dagmeyr?" guessed Wahanly.
"I did," Ash confirmed.
"You didn't kill him, right?" demanded Chiaia.
"I left him for you to deal with," Ash replied.
"Good boy!" grinned Chiaia. "But now, we need to fight Gaia and Kenshi's holding up pretty good."
"Alright, let me take the shield and I'll see you on the front line," Ash excused himself before taking off with the Shield of Hikari in hand, but not the reactor. When Excalibur reached the Holy Land, he found Kenshi and the other Sacred MechaLord battling. It looked even. "Maybe he won't need my help." That's when a weird light emerged as the two jumped back. The light came at the top of Gaia. In an instant, Babalun appeared. Ash, Kenshi and the girls gasped to Babalun's arrival.
"What is he doing!?" barked Lashara. Babalun gazed at Ash and Kenshi.
"Sacred MechaMasters from other worlds," he called down. "Prepare to experience Gaia's true form!" That's when Babalun melted into a back sludge and entered Gaia's hull. Then, a heartbeat. Ash and Kenshi's hairs began to stand up.
"I don't like the look of this," Ash growled. Gaia rose the arms before it turned to ooze and engulfed Gaia.
"Was… Babalun… not human to start!?" trembled Kenshi. The ooze cocooned Gaia. Finally, blades emerged from its back. The cocoon dissipated to which a black man-like Sacred MechaLord emerged with a metallic garb on like a cape.
"I AM THE PERFECT FORM OF GAIA!" shrieked Babalun. Ash and Kenshi now faced a foe unlike anything they've seen. Everyone watching became fearful, dreading Gaia's new form and basing attack. What can they do against a foe that's "perfect"?
TO BE CONTINUED…