Academy Chronicles: Rise of the Skylanders
Chapter 22: Final Preparations
Getting into the Dreamcast, we begun to discuss our final plans to stop LOSE from overthrowing the multiverse from LOSE.
Time to put these leader skills to work.
"It hit me, Sonic…" Kyoko said to me as we talked from across our seats.
"I believe those Monokubs intended to be caught by me in the first place…"
"How could that be?" I asked, confused.
"Listen. You noticed how LOSE's intention was to copy your abilities to make an unstoppable army? That can't happen unless they can lure you into a trap. So that's what they did." She explained.
"…She's right!" Makoto pointed out. "They took AE's code, and hoped Kyoko would find out! They make their escape into Skylands, and you would follow them far enough to get captured and copied!"
"How would they know we were here, though?" Tails asked. "It's not like we put flyers that we would have a meeting today, and thus would be the perfect time to break in."
"However, our meetings are weekly." Kyoko added. "Considering how long we've been fighting, it's only a matter of time until they know when we meet up. They certainly know where. Our affiliation with Borg Industries has been anything but secretive."
"Me and Kyoko just came along for the ride. They just wanted you to follow them. They didn't expect us." Makoto said to me.
Then it hit me.
He just wanted us.
Not Makoto, not Kyoko.
Just us, The Disciples.
"…And that's how we'll win." Sonic said. "They don't expect you two to fight back."
"H-Huh?" Makoto asked, taken off-guard.
"There has to be a machine that will hypothetically generate those Liberators. While we take LOSE down via the Front Lines, you move ahead and destroy the machine!" I explained. "It's foolproof!"
"That is if they didn't know those two were with us earlier." Homura refuted. "They could've easily prepared for them."
"True, Transfer Student…" Sayaka nodded. "Buuuuut, they know Sonic's overprotective. They wouldn't expect him to drag you into a full-fledged battle like this."
"Um, are you really okay with this, Sonic?" Madoka asked.
I felt my hands shake for a moment as the prospect of Makoto and Kyoko getting killed in battle flashed in my mind. The many ways I would cause their deaths… and how it could be avoided if I don't let them go.
But if I do, there's no way we'll survive. They're prepared for all of us. Once we die, they're next.
There's no other choice. I have to defy the shaking. I let them travel with them this far… Just remember that, Sonic…
"I-I am…" I muttered. "They're our only chance."
"It's settled, then. I'll call on some of my Skylanders to assist." Spyro said. "We can't lose at any costs."
"Then let's do this…" I said, determined. "Just…"
I turned to Makoto and Kyoko from my seat.
"Bring as much protection as you can. I can't afford you two getting injured badly."
"Understood." Makoto nodded.
"Tails, I need you to circle and scan over the island once we're close. I need schematics. We need to know the best entry point for Makoto and Kyoko, and where the rest of us can strike." I tell Tails.
"Got it." Tails replied.
"Let's rock and roll!" I finally declared.
With Tails activating the ship, the Dreamcast lifted off the ground. Kicking into overdrive, it flies away from the Cloudbreather Dragon's shrine. Speeding as fast as it can go, it made its way to the Arkeyan factory where Onk Beakman is held.
Where LOSE's final plan is being set in motion.
After a couple minutes of soaring through the endless clouds of Skylands, passing islands, airships and floating sheep, we finally received signs that we were close.
As we continue, we noticed islands which were populated with the rusty robotic remains of Arkeyan soldiers of Skylands' past. They only become more and more frequent as we inch closer to our destination. The clouds got darker, the amount of airships bearing tourists and travelers practically screeched to a halt. None can be seen at all.
It's nothing short of an Arkeyan graveyard. For any of my robot friends, this must be gruesome in their eyes.
"It's a good thing none of my robotic Skylanders were brought along here." Spyro commented, looking out the window.
Well, good thing I'm not the only one thinking that.
"Nearing our destination!" Tails alerted us all. My heart began to pound. This is it.
The Dreamcast veered off once nearing a large island in the distance. It spun around, the cannon on the top acting as a camera, scanning around the island. It covered the large building standing in the middle of it all. From within the Dreamcast, a hologram reconstruction of the island appeared in the middle of the hall from a projector from the top of the roof.
Getting out of my seat while Tails continued to drive, I observed Tails' capture while the others huddled around. Naturally, Sayaka is next to me, leaning forward to make her own observations.
I noticed a series of red blips at the front, alerting me to signs of life in the area.
"We have potential enemies stationed here. They're all grouped around." I pointed out. "We'll appear in plain sight to them, and they'll send their troops. Looks like behind them is a door, this is probably where the Liberators are gonna be sent off."
"Alright, gotcha, gotcha!" Pop Fizz said with a thumbs up.
"Meanwhile…" Sayaka put her hand in front of the hologram and swiped, spinning the image until we see the back of the island, noticing a purple blip for a robotic energy signature.
"Looks like we got a guard in the back, guarding the way in. Makoto, Kyoko, you gotta knock it out and go in. Travel in that factory, find the machine, shut it down." She said.
"Just to add…" Spyro put his claw up. "My Skylanders are hiding around… here, away from enemy sight for now." He circles his claw around an area near the front. "We'll station here and meet up."
I clasp my hands together.
"Are we clear?!" I called out.
Everyone nodded, vocally agreed or cheered.
"Then let's end this."