AN at the bottom!

Chapter Three

"What the bloody hell are you doin' here, Bana?" Nia yelled. "You're supposed to be dead!" She launched a flurry of attacks against the giant Nopon, sending him flying backwards. He stood up and brushed himself off, before smiling evilly.

"Dumb cat!" He exclaimed. "Bana never die! Bana stay alive to get revenge on meddling Leftherian and cohorts!" He drew a Shield Hammer from his back, a Blade materializing by his side. "Bana force himself to be Driver and stole Core Crystal. Bana is real Driver now!"

The giant Nopon rushed forward with surprising speed and jumped in the air. "Hammer Beat!" He yelled, slamming the hammer into the platform, shockwaves slamming his enemies. The group was sent flying in all directions before regaining control. Standing up, Rex rushed forward as Pyra and Mythra lent their power to him simultaneously. Wielding both of the Aegis swords, he jumped. "Double Spinning Edge!" He cried spinning as Fire and Light swirled around him.

Suddenly, Bana threw his hammer in the air as his Blade rushed forward, grabbing it and slamming it down on Rex. With a sickening thud, he was knocked out of the air, his attack diffusing. Before Bana could finish him off, blue flames surrounded the corrupted official. Backing away from the fire wall, he glared at the Flamebringer, who stood on the other side of the barrier menacingly, Brighid standing behind her with her hands outstretched, keeping the wall burning.

Mòrag glared right back at the Nopon. Hatred burned in her eyes with the same intensity as her blades fire. She could not simply stand by as the person who nearly killed Niall was still alive. But her better judgement kept her actions in check, though her eyes still betrayed her.

"Rex!" Nia cried, transforming into her Blade form as Pyra and Mythra both ran towards their Driver. Nia knelt by Rex's side, who was currently unconscious, and concentrated. She created a small, healing barrier over Rex. Turning towards Bana, she drew her Catalyst Scimitar and sliced the air, sending a beam of water towards Brighid's fire wall.

"Bana…" She growled. "You messed with the wrong people." She dashed forward with inhuman speed, running through the gap she made in the barrier Brighid cast, much to her surprise. Bana's Blade tried to attack her, but she sliced through his weapon and hit him to the side. Meanwhile, Zeke brought his sword in front of him and ran at the Blade. "Stratospheric Thunder!" He yelled, striking the Blade, sending it even further away from Bana, shattering the Ether Link. He continued to keep the Blade occupied as Nia approached Bana.

"L-listen, cat," He stuttered backing away. "If you let Bana get away, Bana give you riches. Fame. Anything you want! Just let Ba –"

"Shut it, you," She spat as Bana recoiled, growing silent. "I don't care what you'll give me. You hurt my friends. You hurt my Rex. That is inexcusable."

She raised her sword and swung down with all her might as it glowed bright blue. "LAST… HOPE!"

The light extended from her sword to the overgrown Nopon. Suddenly, he staggered, his eyelids drooping. Gasping for breath, he reached out towards the Flesh Eater. Lines of ether linked from him to all of others, any wounds or scratches on them fading away as Bana's life force was drained.

Struggling against Nia's wrath, the Nopon gave in and passed out, unable to suffer any longer.

The commotion around them was still raging as the bystanders were running around, still frightened by the earlier explosion. Taking advantage of this, Nia transformed back into her Driver form as Brighid dropped the barrier.

Rex gasped as his consciousness returned. He picked up his swords and jumped to his feet. "Where are ya, Bana?" He said, bouncing on his toes slightly. "I'm gonna make you… Pay?" He trailed off as he looked forward and saw the large, furry Nopon lying utterly defeated behind a very relieved Nia, who was looking at him. Around him, his friends were putting their weapons away as they relaxed a little.

"Eh… Did I miss something?" Rex asked, returning Mythra's sword to her, and putting Pyra's at his hip.

"You sure did, chum!" Zeke exclaimed. He suddenly appeared behind the Salvager, scaring him and his Blades.

"What the –!" He exclaimed. "Zeke! Don't do that!"

Zeke patted his back a little too forcefully, making the boy stagger forward. "Sorry… I'm just in utter and complete awe!" He pointed at Nia theatrically, Pandoria mimicking his movements. "I knew Nia was strong, but it seems that she, too, has can unlock hidden potential," he winked at her before continuing. "That makes her even stronger! Like that, she might even be able to rival the power of the Zekenator!" He said, looking at her with a theatrical gleam in his eyes.

"Well thank you, Shellhead!" She replied, walking towards them.

"Ah, you shoulda seen it, chum. She was all, 'You hurt my Rex. NOW YOU'LL FACE MY FURY!'" He made his voice significantly higher, doing a surprisingly good imitation of Nia, accent and all, and proceeded to slice at nothing with imaginary swords.

Rex simply stared at the boisterous man before realizing what he said. Turning red, he looked over at Nia who had stopped in her tracks, her face buried in her hands. 'Was she… blushing?'

"Lady Mòrag… Huh?" Said an Ardainian soldier who had stepped off their boat. "Is that… Bana?"

"Indeed." Mòrag turned to the soldier. "Please take him back where he belongs, Padraig. Breaking out of our prison is no easy feat, but I need you to inform his keepers to have him under surveillance at all times, with no exceptions."

"Y-yes, Lady Mòrag!" He saluted her and rushed over to Bana, and tugged at his large hands, dragging him onto the transport as the others watched in silence. Nia slinked over back to the group, keeping her distance from Rex. Her words from the Sprit Crucible Elpys rang in his mind.

"I love you, Rex." That's what she said. He then inwardly cringed as he remembered his response.

"I love you… And all you guys!" Oh man… He felt like such an idiot. He glanced back at Nia, who was still just as red-faced as he was, but she looked over and grinned sheepishly. He tensed a little. 'Did her smile always look this pretty?' He wondered, before shaking himself out of his thoughts. Coming back to reality, he saw another Ardainian soldier beckoning them to board the ship, other officials having already arrived at the scene. He followed behind the others, who were all boarding the ship.

Pyra, Mythra, and Nia were all in front of him, talking with each other. He smiled lazily as he looked at them.

'What next?" He wondered as he boarded behind them.

Okay. That was sort of shorter, but I didn't want to have to take a 4 month break just to write another chapter, so this is the result.

I'm not the best at action scenes, but I'm sorta happy with it, I guess. It's better than some others I've tried XD.

Also, there aren't gonna be anymore updates until next week cause I'm busy, sooooo... yeah.

Please review if you'd like, and thank you all so much!