Chapter 24: The Holy War, Part 2

Perfect Form Gaia… Babalun fused with Gaia in front of Ash and Kenshi. Those surrounding the Holy Land were trembling in fear. Without wasting a moment, Maria started to make an order. "All cannons!" she shouted. "Aim it at Gaia-"

"Maria, wait!" shouted Ash. Maria seemed taken aback.

"But, Ash-"

"Everyone needs to leave!" Ash's roar made Lashara and Maria flinch. "Besides, the frame's too sturdy for any firepower to damage it!" Lashara had faith in Ash's judgment.

"Babalun's body has strengthened the armor!" she warned. "It's best to follow Ash's advice!" Gaia turned to the Tower of Babel and open its jaws. Inside was a cannon that formed light into it. Suddenly, a laser shot from Gaia and nailed the flying fortress. The Tower began to explode and fall from the air, those inside screaming as they're about to crash. The train had backed away after the warning and was out of Babel's path. Gaia continued to blast away at anyone around the Holy Land.

"He just killed his own men," Kenshi gasped.

"Nothing but pawns for his own quenching of power," Ash growled. "He's got nothing to lose with Gaia. This means we can't pull any punches." Kenshi heard Ash's anger before gripping the Tenchi Sword tight. They charged at Gaia, the evolved Sacred MechaLord charging the laser and facing down its opposition. Meanwhile, the ship carrying Ash's Pokémon reached the Swan. They're the last ship to enter and soon, Mexiah's students walked out with Lithia having Pikachu on her shoulder. Havoniwa and Shurifon kingdoms united on the Swan, King Shurifon embraced his daughter, Flora hugged Lashara, much to Lashara's chagrin and Maria hugged Pikachu.

"The Shitoreyu Empire's fleets are defeated," Lithia reported as Headmistress came from behind.

"And all of the students we fear would be caught in the crosshairs are safe," she added. Everyone turned to Chiaia, Wahanly, Aura and Yukine who were worried about Ash and Kenshi. Flora heard the report from her daughter about the occasion.

"I see," she sighed. "So we were unable to stop Gaia's resurrection." Chiaia, Wahanly, Lashara and Maria groaned to the truth.

"I know we would've made it if not for Dagmeyr's stupid duel," Chiaia moaned. King Shurifon cackled to Chiaia's defeated stance.

"Of course!" he realized in his laugh. "As a Sacred MechaMaster, it was natural for him to address it so. He has such heart and courage! This is why Ash is destined to be the next king of the Swan!" He bellowed more laughter while Lashara wasn't as enthralled.

"Unfortunately, Gaia's already surpassed our worst fears," she debunked. Pikachu's concern became more and more noticeable. "Somehow, Babalun has merged with the Shield of Gaia and became one being with the Sacred MechaLord. He became Gaia!"

"Is that so?" pondered King Shurifon.

"That would mean Babalun succeeded," Flora guessed. A nod from Lashara's head made Ash's Pokémon fearful.

("Then… Ash and Kenshi don't stand a chance?") feared Pikachu. Wahanly had more.

"Before Ash arrived from his duel with Dagmeyr and before the merging," she briefed. "Kenshi and the Sacred MechaLord were even. Now, even with Ash at his side, it may not be enough to win the day." Everyone looked out to the laser beams shooting into the air.

"Ash and Kenshi were like brothers," Chiaia realized. "They looked out for each other. Now, they're fighting as one and they're fighting for us." Everyone looked helpless. They want to enter the fray and save Ash and Kenshi. Finally, Aura decided that sitting back isn't an option.

"Listen, Ash and Kenshi can't do it alone!" she growled. "We owe our lives to them! And besides, we're a team, a united squad! That's how Ash fights!" Chiaia, Wahanly and Yukine nodded and started to run to their Sacred Mechanoids. Lashara and Maria looked to each other, willing to join.

"Shall we?" urged Maria.

"We shall," Lashara agreed.

"In that case," Flora muttered before grinning. "I wanna go too!" Lashara and Maria didn't accept it and stepped on Flora's skirt, tripping her and planting her face to the ground.

"You will stay on the Swan where it's safe," Maria scorned.

"Bad girl!" scowled Lashara. "Bad Aunt Flora!"

"WHY!?" cried Flora. Meantime, Gaia bashed Ash and Kenshi around, the Sacred MechaLords fighting with all their might. Excalibur rushed with Ena Sword and slashed, but Gaia swatted Excalibur to the ground while Kenshi's Sacred MechaLord leaped up, the Tenchi Sword cocked back.

"USELESS!" growled Babalun before shooting his laser. Kenshi swung his sword, hoping to slice through the strike. However, the laser blast pushed the forces away from each other as Excalibur rushed again with Ena Sword and Shield of Hikari. Kenshi saw it and didn't like the outcome.

"Ash, back away!" he shouted.

"No, back me!" countered Ash. "Now! I'll block you!" Excalibur jumped to avoid another laser shot from Gaia. Kenshi's frame sneaked behind Excalibur as Gaia charged another laser shot. It fired and Excalibur kicked Kenshi's frame up and curled both of them, riding the shield like a sled. However, a quick adjustment from Gaia blew Ash and Kenshi apart, both landing away from each other. Gaia glared down to the two Sacred MechaLords.

"EVEN WITH YOUR SPECIAL FRAMES, ALL YOU'VE DONE IS PROVE THE LIMITLESS POWER I POSSESS," Babalun scoffed. Ash and Kenshi groaned as they stood.

"Man, I thought it was bad enough fighting Gaia as it was," Kenshi gulped.

"It's like we're battling the Regi trio in one!" groaned Ash. "But we can't give in!" Excalibur rushed once more with Gaia constantly firing his laser. Ash saw where Gaia aimed and strafed enough for Excalibur to slash away with the Ena Sword. The strikes left gashes but they instantly healed. Kenshi tried with his Tenchi Sword but the results were the same.

"FOOLS!" taunted Babalun. "THE OUTCOME WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME!" Aura, Chiaia, Wahanly and Yukine arrived in their Sacred Mechanoids but all they could do was watch.

"Ash…" murmured Wahanly.

"Kenshi…" mumbled Aura.

"If those two continue," Chiaia warned. "They'll reach their operational limit. Can't we do anything?" Wahanly didn't know what to do. Excalibur's Ena Sword wasn't able to do any damage, same with the Tenchi Sword. Everyone watched from all the vessels that remained, the shelters they hid in, viewing the vain of Ash and Kenshi against Gaia as it kept charging at the two.

"DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS FUTILE!?" he bellowed.

"I'll let you know when I feel like telling you!" yelled Ash as he charged once more. He felt the strain of battling Gaia at this pace. "Okay… is it just me or am I at my operational limit?" Gaia fired his laser again, striking the shield. Excalibur pushed but before he could reach, the laser enveloped the shield before shattering it, the pressure too much and it shot through the frame around the diaphragm. Ash felt extreme pain from the blast as he fell.

"ASH!" cried Lashara and Maria. Ash felt the pain, breathing labored and his eyes dilated.

"Ash, no!" yelled Kenshi. Gaia pursued Kenshi as Wahanly reached Excalibur.

"Ash, are you alright!?" she shouted. Excalibur tried to move.

"Stay down!" advised Aura as she and the others reached Excalibur. "You've reached your operational limit! Anymore and you'll suffer permanent damage!" Ash seethed in pain.

"It hurts…" he groaned as he forced Excalibur back on its feet. "But I can do it!"

"Don't be an idiot!" warned Chiaia. Ash concentrated as he stood up.

"I'm only an idiot if I just let Gaia win…" he hushed before he bellowed himself. "I DON'T DO ANYTHING HALFWAY!" He began to glow blue immensely. The glow seeped onto Excalibur as the injury began to heal. The girls gasped to Excalibur's newfound ability.

"What's going on!?" wondered Aura. Seeing the glow, Wahanly believed Ash tapped into a new power.

"His aura!" she concluded. "And he's enveloping Excalibur with it!"

"And I'm picking up his operational limit restoring!" added Chiaia. Only equipped with the Ena Sword, Excalibur looked up to Gaia and Kenshi with the latter still swinging in vain and the former shooting his laser like a machine gun.

"Hey, Wahan," Ash spoke. "That reactor I brought from my duel with Dagmeyr…" Wahanly's face beamed.

"Of course!" she realized. "We can recharge the Ahou Barrier reactor and you can use it on Gaia!"

"But can you give us enough time?" asked Yukine.

"You got it," Ash agreed as he took off after Kenshi and Gaia.

"Ash!" alerted Kenshi. Excalibur had his Ena Sword but when he charged it up, the sword beamed white.

"YOU RECOVERED," Gaia scoffed. "NOT THAT IT MATTERS!" He shot his laser once again, but Excalibur smashed the beam back, decapitating the head and destroying the laser in a massive explosion. The Pokémon cheered, thinking Ash beat Gaia.

("How about that!?") cheered Buizel. Gaia screamed in pain.

"YOU BASTARD!" it shouted. "FOLLOWERS NEVER DEFY THEIR GOD!" That's when black ooze began to form from the missing head of Gaia. The other Sacred Mechanoids continued charged the reactor Wahanly brought over. Aura, Chiaia, Wahanly and Yukine poured energy into the Ahou Barrier Reactor. "BEHOLD THE TRUE ESSENCE OF GAIA AND YOU'LL FACE THE FATE OF DEFYING YOUR GODDDDDDDDD!" Ash and Kenshi didn't look in good shape, but Ash's tongue still had venom to spit.

"We're defying god?" he sneered.

"All you did was pervert it into an abomination!" argued Kenshi.

"Big deal if I am," Gaia snickered. "You'll realize the real power I hold!" Hands forming, it shot lasers back at Ash and Kenshi. Excalibur had its Ena Sword drawn again.

"If we destroy Gaia too soon, we'd destroy Doll as well!" warned Kenshi. Ash looked to Kenshi, wondering about the briefing.

"Were you trying to save her?"

"Yeah, and if it's been as long as we've all been out here, she's running out of time!" To Ash, Doll was in a crisis.

"I have an idea. Get the reactor when it's charged and I'll deal with freeing Doll. I'll need the Tenchi Sword for it." This made Kenshi grin as he tossed the Tenchi Sword.

"Go to town!" The two Sacred MechaLords split as Excalibur raced at Gaia who fired over and over with the lasers. With both swords in hand, Excalibur swatted back the shots.

'Alright, I got one shot at freeing Doll,' Ash minded. 'Inner Lucario… Inner Lucario…'

"You cannot penetrate the Shield of Gaia!" scowled Gaia. "Those swords are weak and can't do anything to me!" Excalibur cross-slashed both swords before releasing them.

"It's not the swords that will get through!" countered Ash as it looked like he balled energy in Excalibur's hands before slamming them, palms out, onto Gaia. The amount of force blew a hole into Gaia. At the moment, the core was ejected and bounced off the cliff as Chiaia raced in and rescued the core.

"I got her!" she claimed. White as a sheet, Doll looked lifeless. Kenshi came back with the reactor compacted but glowing brightly. Excalibur saw it.

"Kenshi, pass it!" commanded Ash.

"Alright!" agreed Kenshi as he hurled the reactor. Gaia's gaping hole began to repair. In a flash, Excalibur stabbed the Tenchi Sword through to keep the hole open. It caught the reactor before partially removing the Tenchi Sword and fitting the reactor in.

"Time for your last ride, Babalun!" grinned Ash. Excalibur and Kenshi's Sacred MechaLord pushed Gaia upward.

"You cannot stop Gaia!" roared Gaia. Ash and Kenshi grinned.

"Oh, Gaia," Ash teased. "We're not stopping you." Now, they seethed.

"We're ending you!" bellowed Kenshi as he sneaked a press on the gravitational ring. With one immediate push, Gaia was hurled into orbit. The compressed monolith was now a rocket flying higher and higher, no way to stop even as it reached the edge of gravity. Finally, a white ball emerged, growing rapidly before dissipating. Ash and Kenshi fell back to the Holy Land, breathing heavily. Landing, the other Sacred Mechanoids joined and Excalibur was now brown, rusty… kneeling, Ash began to fall out as Kenshi and Chiaia caught him.

"Whoa, hero!" joked Chiaia.

"You really pushed yourself," Kenshi warned. As the other girls came to Ash, Wahanly was eager and hugged the recovering Ash.

"That was totally unbelievable!" she cheered while holding Ash up. "I never saw someone overtax their operational limit and then restore it with their aura! It defies anything about Sacred Mechanoids but I can make the exception!" She kissed Ash on the cheek, making sure he felt the smooch.

"Thanks, Wahan," he giggled. "All that's left is the Mest he and his family made." While chuckling, Chiaia softly slapped Ash on the head.

"Did you just pun Babalun's name, goofball?" she teased.

"Not even Kenshi could pull of what you did," Aura shrugged. "And not any Sacred MechaMaster will attempt to copy it anytime soon." Doll soon appeared and substituted Wahanly to hug Ash.

"Thank you!" she cried. "Ash, you're indeed one of a kind! While I want to love Kenshi to all eternity…" Kenshi gulped to Doll's confession. "You are indeed the king of the Holy Land." That made Ash huff a chuckle.

"We did it because we listened to you two," Yukine smiled.

"And if I was any younger, I'd definitely seek you as a husband," Wahanly joked. Ash glanced to see ships from everywhere descend upon the group. Girls cheered on as they began to beg for Ash and Kenshi.

"MARRY ME, KING KENSHI!" they all shouted. "MARRY ME, PRINCE ASH!" With the flood of girls coming, Ash, Kenshi and the girls wondered what was going on.

"That will not occur!" opposed Aura. "He is already declared to marry into the Shurifon family!"

"Hardly!" denied Maria. "He's going to marry Yukine and be part of the family!" Yukine blushed to the offer.

"The possession of Ash and Kenshi belong to the Swan and our occupants!" scoffed Lashara. Everyone made pleas for Ash and Kenshi. Morga swooped in and declared a statement.

"Anyone who wants to marry Ash and Kenshi will have a 'first come, first serve' basis!" she brought up. Ash and Kenshi now realized they had hundreds of girls willing to descend upon them.

"We may need to run, Ash," Kenshi advised.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Ash agreed. That's when the two scrambled away. The girls gave chase. Seeing a fork in the road, Ash and Kenshi split apart. Mexiah's students were ready to make their splits as well.

"Gryino and I will go after Ash!" chose Yeliss.

"Alright, Bwoole and I will find Kenshi!" decided Wreda. They reached the split and each half of the girls after the two while Lashara and Maria find one more declaration.

"HEY, LEAVE ASH TO US!" they cried out. No one listened. Now, Ash and Kenshi have scores of girls who are after them to wed. Who will take Kenshi? Who will take Ash?

TO BE CONTINUED…