Book 5: The Blaster Master
Final Chapter: The Last MetaFight
The Mutant Core's Domain
After Jason, Geiz, Gunvolt and Houki entered the domain, they saw a very long straight path with lots of spinning razor traps along with conveyor belts ahead. "Now where would that Mutant Core be?" Geiz pondered while looking around.
"Let me check." Jason responded, using his Zikan Phone to check the layout of the domain. "Right there." He pointed at the mutant icon on the far north of the map.
"The domain map is nothing but a straight line?" Houki questioned. "I was expecting at least a few rooms or detours."
"Looks like it's not the case this time." Gunvolt replied. "It's like the Mutant Core is expecting our arrival."
"Yeah." Joule agreed. "But remember, we're only here to lure the Mutant Core out in the open, not fight it head on."
"Don't worry, Joule. We didn't forget." Jason assured, dispersing the map and putting away the phone. "Alright, let's go."
As the quartet head deeper into the domain, they avoided the traps, navigated past the conveyor belts and obstacles, and destroyed the blocks and mutants in their path. Eventually, they stood at the entrance of the next area.
"This is it, we're here. I can sense the Mutant Core's aura up ahead." Joule informed.
"Everyone ready?" Jason asked the group, responding with a determined nod. "Good. Then let's…"
"Huh? Wait a sec…"
"What's wrong, Joule?" Gunvolt asked.
"I'm sensing another aura in the same room where the Mutant Core is. And… it's letting out a dangerously powerful aura. What's going on in there?"
"Wait, we're not alone?" Houki gasped.
"I've got a bad feeling about this…" Geiz frowned. "Let's hurry inside and find out!"
"Right!" The others nodded before the group ran inside the next area which contained another recharge platform. After using the platform, they went to the last room where they saw something unexpected which utterly shocked them.
"What the… there's a person here?!" Jason gasped, which earned the person's attention and turned to face them. Said person was wearing a dark cloak with icy blue highlights with a hood above the person's head.
"My my… I never expected visitors to appear in a place like this." The person spoke in a male's voice while the door closed behind the group.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" Jason asked, carefully raising his Blaster Rifle.
"Ah, of course. Where are my manners." The person replied, removing the hood which revealed to be a man with short black hair parted from the right with a blue streak on the front, a blue right eye and a yellow left eye along with wearing blue rimmed glasses. "My name is Zwei, and as for the reason why I'm here…" He took out what was in his pocket and showed it to the group which greatly shocked them. "It's because of this."
"That's…!" Geiz's eyes widen, recognizing the familiar object. "A Gjallarhorn Fragment!"
"But I thought we had it already after defeating the Mutant Lord!" Jason recalled.
"Oh? So you know what this object is?" Zwei mused, until realization sets in upon looking at Geiz and Gunvolt. "Ah… that explains it. You two must be Kamen Rider Geiz and Azure Striker Gunvolt, correct?"
"Eh?!" Houki gasped. "He knows about the two of you?!"
"But how?! We didn't even meet this guy yet!" Joule questioned.
"Wait a gacking minute…" Gunvolt began to remember what happened after the battle of Eden. "...You wouldn't happen to know someone named Eins, do you?"
"Oh, so you did remember him. That's good to know." Zwei replied, putting away the fragment.
"Then this could only mean one thing; you're a Neo Time Jacker general!" Geiz deduced with a frown.
"No wonder he knew about you two… Eins must've told him about it!" Joule realized.
"You know, I'm amazed that you've assembled your very own team, Geiz." Zwei mused.
"Hey, your colleague is the reason why Copen and I joined the team considering what he did to Zeno and Moniqa, along with Xiao and Nori!" Gunvolt frowned.
"How dare he…!" Houki frowned before pointing her katana at Zwei. "Your faction is also the reason why me, Ichika, and my friends are warped away from our world due to the Dimensional Quakes!"
"That was a minor miscalculation on our part, mind you." Zwei replied. "The only reason why that happened is because of that meddling snitch that broke apart the complete relic while we're transporting it. Causing the Dimensional Quakes is not what we had in mind."
"Doesn't change the fact that your group is stealing a very powerful relic that could damage the multiverse!" Geiz retorted.
Zwei sighed and shook his head. "Critics these days…" He then turned to the Blaster Master. "As for you, you mentioned a Gjallarhorn Fragment in your possession, correct?"
"?!" Jason stuttered upon hearing that. "Damn it. Maybe I should've kept my mouth shut."
"Honestly, I thought a world would have at least one fragment hidden. But it looks like I was mistaken." Zwei remarked.
"You're not taking away the fragment we got." Jason frowned, pointing his rifle at Zwei.
"No need." Zwei waved his finger. "You have yours, I have mine. So consider this even. That said, I'm going to take my leave since my job here is done."
"You're not going anywhere…!" Houki retorted as she was about to make the first move… until she noticed multiple target markers around the floor, especially the ones everyone was standing on. "Eh?!"
"Oh dear. I did not expect company." Zwei said, adjusting his glasses.
"Wait. You mean to say that you didn't know about an infected battletank hiding in this domain?!" Jason questioned.
"What battletank?" Zwei tilted his head.
"Incoming missile bombardment!" Joule quickly informed.
"Everyone, get close to me now!" Gunvolt ordered as the group got close to him before he unleashed his Flashfield for protection, while Zwei summoned a spiked ice barrier around himself.
Numerous missiles from above bombarded the entire room with explosions everywhere until the bombardment stopped with smoke filling up the room. Once the smoke dispersed, Gunvolt dispersed his Flashfield and sighed with relief. "That, was way too close…"
"No doubt about it. The infected SOPHIA III was the one responsible for this." Jason deduced.
Houki then looked around the room, until she noticed some broken ice shards along with a Dimensional Veil that appeared for a brief moment before it vanished. "Tch… he got away." She muttered.
"We'll get him next time." Geiz said before staring at what's ahead. "Besides… we have bigger fish to fry."
"Guys… this dangerous aura… It's coming this way!" Joule warned after sensing it.
The group looked ahead as they heard engines running and wheels turning. Something dangerous is approaching. And when it came into view, it was revealed to be the red Metal Attacker known as SOPHIA III; now infected by a powerful blue creature known as the Mutant Core that's been planted on top of it with its blue and red veins crawling all over the metal frame. It also has a yellow eye with a black vertical pupil. The group gasped in horror at the state of the MA.
"SOPHIA III…" Houki whispered.
"Damn… what did that mutant do to you…?" Gunvolt added.
"It's already been fully infected. There's no hope of freeing it from the mutant's grasp." Joule grimly stated.
"Well Jason, any second thoughts?" Geiz asked.
In response, Jason was silent for a moment as he stared at the infected MA, before shaking his head with his resolve solidified. "...It's not my MA anymore. For the sake of the Earth and the people I care for, it must be destroyed."
"Then let's take this fight outside." Geiz noted.
"Um… guys? We've got a problem." Gunvolt spoke up before pointing at the closed door. "Our way in is closed."
"Eh?!" Houki exclaimed. "You mean we're trapped?!"
"I'll see if I can use my Septima to force open the door!" Gunvolt said, heading for the door and using his Septima at it. "Cover me until then!"
"Right!" The three nodded before facing the infected MA with its weapons primed.
=WARNING=
THE LAIR OF
"INVEM MA-XX"
=INVEM SOPHIA=
(Play BGM: The Mutant's Lair (Boss 2) from Blaster Master Zero OST)
The MA immediately aimed its cannon towards Gunvolt and fired Crusher Shots at him. "Oh no you don't!" Geiz countered by summoning the Axe Legion to protect Gunvolt with its energy barrier. "Try to get its attention away from GV!"
"Maybe this will work!" Jason complied, deploying several turrets around the MA as they began firing at it. However, their shots did nothing due to the MA's energy shield. "Damn it, forgot about the energy shield." He muttered.
"We're only here to distract it! Never mind if it blocks our attacks!" Houki reminded, pulling out her other katana. She then fired red lasers at it along with launching blue slash-waves, but the MA's energy shield was still able to block them. The MA then turned its attention to the IS student and fired Warhead and Homing Missiles. "Gh?!" Her eyes widened before slashing away the approaching missiles at lightning speeds, but was suddenly struck by an explosive cannon shell, sending her crashing towards the wall.
"Houki!" Jason exclaimed before dashing towards her while the MA aimed its cannon and charged its energy. It then fired a Maximum Shot, only for it to be reflected by Jason who managed to reach Houki in time and deployed a reflector shield in front of the two, sending the shot back to sender. "You okay?" He asked, offering a hand.
"Ugh… Despite my IS frame's energy shield taking heavy damage from the cannon shell, I can still keep going." Houki replied after shaking her head, and then took his hand to pull herself up. "Still…" She observed the MA destroying the deployed turrets with the Crusher Shot easily. "I never thought I would face an even stronger foe than the Silver Gospel."
"Looks can be very deceiving, as they say." Jason agreed. "GV, how's that door coming along?!"
"Tch… it's taking a bit longer than I thought! Gacking mutant must've made the door more difficult for me to open using my Septima!" Gunvolt informed, trying to open the door with his Septima. "At this rate, we may need a Plan B!"
"Well that's reassuring…" Geiz muttered in annoyance, switching the Axe Legion to the Arrow Legion before the two fired energy arrows at the MA with their bows. However, their shots didn't even make a dent due to its energy shield. Instead, it got their attention and fired a Cannon Shot in retaliation. "Oh crap!" He exclaimed as he and his Legion jumped away in time to evade the large cannon blast. "Geez… that thing can blast through a door, no doubt…"
"A door…" Gunvolt whispered, overhearing the Rider's comment.
"GV, is something wrong?" Joule asked.
Gunvolt began to smirk before moving his electrified hand away from the door. "Joule, I think I have my Plan B."
"Wait, really? How?"
"Just watch." Gunvolt replied before facing the MA who's still aiming at Geiz and his Legion. When the MA fired another Cannon Shot at the two, Gunvolt quickly lightning flash-stepped in front of the two, raised his hand and used his Septima to stop the cannon's movement.
"Whoa…!" Geiz responded with awe. "Did you just…"
"Hey, if Magneto can do it, then maybe I can too." Gunvolt smirked. "You're right, Geiz. Watching movies can make you learn cool stuff."
"Seriously? You learned that skill from a movie?" Houki questioned.
"Hey, if it works, then it works." Gunvolt shrugged.
"So what are you gonna do with that cannon shell? Throw it back to the MA?" Jason asked.
"Actually… it's this!" Gunvolt replied, launching the shell right at the closed door, causing a huge explosion that blew the door wide open.
"Alright, we can leave!" Houki smiled, sheathing her katanas. "Jason, grab onto me!"
"Okay!" Jason nodded and grabbed her hand before throwing a Flash Bomb to Gunvolt who then caught it. "GV, use that to blind the mutant for a while!"
"Right!" Gunvolt replied before facing the mutant while the others quickly head through the opened door. The MA took aim at the Azure Striker and fired another cannon shell. However, Gunvolt used his Septima to catch the cannon once more. "Catch us if you can!" He then threw the Flash Bomb towards the mutant's eye, then launched the cannon towards the bomb before retreating through the open door at lightning speed. The moment the shell made contact with the bomb, it caused a huge blinding explosion that blinded the mutant's eye.
"Eve, get those vehicles running! The Mutant Core is right on our tail! I repeat, the Mutant Core is right on our tail!" Jason contacted his partner via his helmet's comms line as the group quickly ran back to the domain entrance.
"Roger! I'll let the others know immediately! Come back as soon as possible so we can finish this!" Eve responded.
"Got it! Jason out!" Jason replied and cut the comms, but then noticed capsule drones heading straight towards the group. "Incoming!"
"Allow me!" Geiz complied, switching his Legion to the Arms Legion, went inside it, dashed in front of the group and bashed the oncoming drones with its fists. Once the drones were destroyed, the group quickly moved on ahead.
However, the infected MA left the previous room but with its eye red due to the effects of the Flash Bomb. It then fired bombardment missiles all over the area in a blind rage, trying to hit the group escaping.
"Wow, this thing is really desperate to kill us!" Joule remarked.
"Considering what I just did earlier, I can see why!" Gunvolt replied.
"Less talking, more escaping!" Houki shouted as the group resumed retreating.
"Everyone, over here!" The group then heard Samus' voice up ahead and saw the bounty hunter with her arm cannon ready and fully charged. "You guys go on ahead! I'll catch up after I slow down the mutant!"
"Thanks, Samus! Don't go dying on us!" Geiz replied as the group quickly went past Samus and out of the domain.
"Heh, wasn't planning on it." Samus smirked as she noticed the infected MA slowly approaching while blindly firing its missiles all over the place. In response, she aimed her arm cannon on the ceiling above the MA and fired Diffusion Missiles at it, causing the entire ceiling to collapse in bursts. With her task complete, she quickly went after the group before the entire area collapsed.
(BGM End)
Once Samus is outside, she quickly boarded the SOPHIA Zero as the vehicles revved up their engines. "Punch it, guys!"
"Right!" Jason, Gunvolt and Geiz responded, stepping on the gas as the vehicles boosted towards the way where they first came in.
"By the way, while you guys were inside the domain, Samus and I planted several Power Bombs around this area." Copen informed.
"I think one Cannon Shot is enough for a chain reaction to blow this fortress to smithereens." Lola added.
"The Bronya suggests firing the shot once we're outside." Bronya also added.
"Thanks for the info!" Jason replied. "GV, once we're outside, let's fire our MAs' cannon shell!"
"Roger!" Gunvolt noted as the vehicles continued their escape while avoiding the planted Power Bombs.
Eventually, they arrived outside of the cannon's turret and stopped several metres away from it to avoid the blast radius.
"Jason, Gunvolt, make the shot count." Adam said.
"Don't worry, we won't miss." Jason assured as the MAs' cannon aimed at the planted Power Bomb at the turret cannon's barrel.
"Let's see if our mutant foe survives… THIS!" Gunvolt shouted as the MAs fired their cannon shells right onto the bomb, causing an explosive chain reaction to the other planted bombs. The numerous explosions was enough to obliterate the entire fortress.
"Wow. That is one massive explosion." Grey remarked.
"There's no way that mutant can survive that." Volnutt added.
"Don't let your guard down yet, though." Gilliam cautioned. "Remember, it still has its energy shield for protection."
"Ah, right." Aile remembered. "Maybe those explosions will be enough to disable the shield and its regeneration, at least."
"Eve, check the Receiver." Jason requested.
"Right." Eve complied, checking SOPHIA Zero's systems… and noticed the signal ringing rapidly. "Uhh… guys?"
"Let me guess… it's not dead yet." Geiz guessed.
"Nope! Everyone get ready!" Eve replied as the vehicles turned their attention to the destroyed fortress… and saw the infected MA come out of the wreckage with the mutant's eye glaring angrily.
"Something tells me it looks pissed…" Houki remarked.
"Considering what we've done to it so far, I can see why." Gunvolt replied.
"Hm?" Joule began to sense something different from the infected MA. "Hey, I think we've done enough damage to its energy shield! It can't use it anymore!"
"Then we might have a chance!" Jason replied.
"Alert! Something large is about to crash onto us from above!" Adam informed.
"Oh crap, move!" Geiz shouted as the vehicles quickly moved back in time to avoid the attack from above.
"Oh no… you again?!" Houki exclaimed as the group noticed the attacker revealing to be the toad mutant guardian from Sector 4.
"The toad mutant…!" Grey remembered.
"Huh, I was wondering if the Mutant Core revived that guardian yet." Gunvolt said.
"So this fight just became a 2 vs 3." Lola remarked.
"What should we do?" Copen asked the group.
After a few moments of pondering, Jason began to speak up. "Guys, go and deal with the mutant toad. SOPHIA Zero will fight the Mutant Core."
"Alright, Jason. He's all yours." Geiz replied.
"We'll keep the mutant toad away while you settle the score with the infected MA." Gunvolt said.
"Thanks." Jason replied as SOPHIA Zero turned its sights onto the infected MA, while the other vehicles focused on the mutant toad.
"Good luck, everyone. And fight with everything you've got!" Eve said.
=WARNING=
THE LAIR OF
"INVEM MA-XX AND THE EARTH-SHATTERING TYRANT"
=INVEM SOPHIA AND RIBBIROLL=
(Play BGM INVEM MA-XX (True Final Boss) from Blaster Master Zero OST)
SOPHIA Zero began its attack with a Spark Tackle onto the infected MA, who responded with the same weapon as the two collided into a power struggle.
The mutant frog leaped into the sky while Rairyu and the Time Mazine fired their weapons at it. When the mutant is about to perform another body slam, the vehicles hovered away from its landing zone as the mutant unleashed an earthquake on impact. The mutant then launched bubbles from its mouth, which were quickly destroyed by the Time Mazine's beam vulcans. But then it was wrapped around after the toad followed up with a tongue wrap. "Oh, for the love of…!" Geiz muttered, trying to break free from its grip.
"Allow me!" Gilliam retaliated, jumping out of the vehicle, pulling out a plasma sword from his gauntlet and slashed the mutant's tongue off, freeing the vehicle from its grasp.
The toad was about to retract its tongue back into its mouth, only for the tongue to be grabbed by an invisible being, which revealed to be Project Bunny who turned off its cloaking, holding the tongue while the arm cannon was pointed at the toad. "Swallow this." Bronya said as the mecha fired a powerful missile right onto the toad's open mouth before releasing the tongue.
The missile exploded right into the toad's stomach which staggered it as the Time Mazine, Bunny and Gilliam regroup with Rairyu. "If you think that you're going after Jason, then you'd best think again!" Gunvolt taunted the mutant before the group resumed their attack.
Back with the two SOPHIAs, they broke off their power struggle and fired Warhead and Homing Missiles at each other. Every single missile collided with each other, none of them went through. Invem SOPHIA fired Crusher Shots at the MA, who countered by deploying a Shield Mine in front of it to block them. Invem SOPHIA fired a Maximum Shot, but the shield held up with no problems. SOPHIA Zero then retaliated with Laser Shots which passed through its own shield and dealt damage to the infected MA, pushing it back a few steps. Invem SOPHIA hovered into the air and unleashed the Thunder Breaker multiple times, forcing SOPHIA Zero to drive away from it.
"This mutant is seriously persistent, especially since it has all of the MA's weaponry!" Houki muttered.
"Now you know how I feel when I fought the SA-X." Samus said.
"However, both of them lacked one very important thing." Adam said.
"A human's determined willpower, adaptability, and fighting spirit!" Jason finished, timely reversing the MA to avoid the Thunder Breaker attack pattern and countered with Homing Missiles and Laser Shots onto Invem SOPHIA's underside, causing its hovering to malfunction and crashed into the ground.
"Nice going, Jason! I think you've disabled its hovering function and the Thunder Breaker!" Eve praised.
"How did you know where to shoot?" Houki asked.
"I've driven the MA since the beginning, so I should know its strengths and weaknesses, both inside and out." Jason answered.
"Nice move." Samus praised. "I was able to defeat the SA-X since it still retained its ice weakness despite having a fully upgraded power suit."
"Hence why Samus has the Ice Missiles in her arsenal." Adam added.
The Mutant Core began to frown with rage before Invem SOPHIA's tires turned downwards, changing them into anchor hooks and then opened up its main cannon which generated green energy.
"So that's how you wanna settle this, huh?" Jason said, changing SOPHIA Zero into Turret Mode and opened up its main cannon, charging with pink energy.
Once both MAs' energies are full, they unleashed their Acceleration Blasts at each other as the massive beams collided into a power struggle.
"You've got to be kidding me. Despite the damage the Mutant Core took, it's still in equal footing with SOPHIA Zero?!" Samus questioned in disbelief.
"I guess even an infected being such as this can learn about fighting spirit." Adam remarked.
"Don't give in, Jason! Keep going!" Eve supported her partner who's still pulling the trigger.
"Come on… just one more push…!" Houki whispered… until she remembered one special feature only her IS has. In response, she jumped out of the MA and donned Akatsubaki again.
"Huh?!" Eve gasped, noticing Houki's actions. "Houki, what are you doing?!"
"...Tipping the scales!" Houki replied as she placed her hands on the back of SOPHIA Zero. "Kenran Butou!" The IS began to glow gold after her shout. Not only that, the MA also started glowing gold due to Houki placing her hands on it.
"The IS and the MA… They both turned gold?" Samus commented in surprise.
"Not only that, this… Kenran Butou, it's drastically increasing the energy recovery rate, on top of giving out a power boost." Adam added. "Most impressive, Tabane Shinonono."
"Jason!" Eve called out.
"Yeah! Better make use of this! FULL POWER!" Jason shouted as he pulled the trigger once more, causing the Acceleration Blast to turn gold as the large beam slowly pushed back Invem SOPHIA's beam. And eventually, the infected MA was engulfed with a fully powered gold beam, incinerating the Mutant Core's eye and its veins along with the MA's armor being torn apart, piece by piece.
Once the beam was dispersed, the team looked at the massive damage the infected MA took with burn marks everywhere and damaged machinery revealed from the broken frame. Not only that, the Mutant Core's eye was completely obliterated along with its veins. SOPHIA Zero reverted back to its Base Form while the golden glow from it and Houki dispersed.
(BGM End)
"Did we do it?" Houki asked.
"Considering the massive amount of damage the infected MA took, there's no doubt that we've succeeded." Adam answered.
"So, it's all over, huh?" Samus asked.
"...Not just yet." Eve answered, which surprised the group.
"Huh?!"
"I can still detect a very small signal from SOPHIA III. Don't worry, it's not the Mutant Core since we've destroyed it. Jason, could you do me one more favor?"
"What is it, Eve?" Jason asked.
"There should be a self-destruct system on that MA's console. Once you've activated it, we leave immediately." Eve requested.
"There's a self-destruct system?" Houki responded.
"Originally, if it were only me, I'd go into this area alone and activate the system to destroy the Mutant Core once and for all. It's my duty as an android to save everyone on Earth, after all. But… after meeting all of you, I'm not planning to die just yet. There's so many things you guys wanted to show me, and I want to see it all."
"Eve…" Houki whispered with a smile while everyone else shared the same feeling.
"One other thing to point out is that the Mutant Core will infect you the moment you try to activate the system with no one else to free you." Adam pointed out.
"Ah, right. That too." Eve noted. "Considering what happened back at the mutant meteor, I can understand why."
"Good."
"Good thing Fred was there to bail you out thanks to its wormhole function." Samus mentioned.
"Anyway, Jason? If you don't mind?" Eve requested.
"No problem, Eve. I'll do it." Jason accepted, disembarking SOPHIA Zero and approached the heavily damaged MA. "Houki, watch my back."
"Hai." Houki nodded, following behind Jason.
Once the two reached the MA, Jason went to the cockpit and opened it up. He found the console and typed a few buttons until he found the self-destruct sequence. "How long do you want me to set the detonation?" Jason asked.
"Hmm… around 15 to 30 seconds should be enough time for us to escape through Fred's wormhole." Houki answered.
"Okay, I'll go with 30." Jason decided, setting the timer and activated the system.
=Self-destruct System Activated=
=T-Minus 30 Seconds=
"Time to go!" Jason declared, closing the cockpit and dashed towards SOPHIA Zero with Houki following close behind. "Fred, we need a wormhole back to Guardian Base! We're leaving!"
Fred responded with a loud croak, summoning a large wormhole.
"Guys, we need to leave now! SOPHIA III is gonna blow!" Houki shouted to the other teams.
"Okay!" Gunvolt and Geiz replied as Rairyu and the Time Mazine dealt large amounts of damage to the mutant toad with missiles and cannon shots.
But then the toad turned its attention to SOPHIA Zero and is about to perform another body slam, only for it to be chained to the ground by Gunvolt who summoned the chains and also electrocuted them. "Don't even try!" Gunvolt said to the mutant as Gilliam, Jason and Houki quickly boarded the respective vehicles.
"Sorry to leave you hanging, but our friends are waiting. Ciao!" Geiz said to the toad mutant as the three vehicles boosted through the wormhole before it vanished, leaving behind the entangled and electrocuted mutant as the timer reached its final seconds.
=10=
=9=
=8=
=7=
=6=
=5=
=4=
=3=
=2=
=1=
*BOOM!*
And once the timer reached zero, SOPHIA III detonated into a massive explosion that covered not only the mutant toad, but also the entire dimensional space which began to collapse.
Guardian Base, Command Center
Back at the base, the Scout Team gave their report to Prairie after exploring the seven sectors once more, with the exception of Sector 7 since it was destroyed because of the mutant meteor detonating.
"I see." Prairie noted before nodding. "Thank you for the report. I guess it's safe to say that the entire underground area is officially mutant-free."
"Oh thank God, we can finally rest." Cecilia sighed with relief.
"Amen to that." Ashe agreed with a nod.
"So what's our next step? Besides waiting for the Strike Team to return." Shirabe asked.
"I'll give the EDF a call to repair the damages on the underground areas. The Guardians will also assist them." Prairie answered. "It'd be wrong to leave them alone like that despite the end of the ice age."
"Ah, that's fair." Charlotte noted. "I think the areas can still be inhabitable, both for shelter and resources."
"I agree." Laura nodded. "Maybe it's possible for another Team XDR Base to be stationed here?"
"Hmm… well there's a thought." Vent noted. "What do you think, Prairie?"
"A new Team XDR Base here…" Prairie pondered. "I'll have to ask Commander Mitsuba for permission first. If it's accepted, I'll notify Genjuro about it, along with asking for assistance."
"Understood." Vent nodded.
"There's also one other problem we need to be weary of." Laura spoke in a serious tone.
"Of course. The mutants hiding amongst the stars." Prairie noted, recalling the earlier conversation before the Scout Team was deployed.
"Would be nice if any of our mobile bases can go to space." Ashe said with her hands behind her neck.
"I think I remember the ZI-O Liner having that function. But it's never been tested yet." Shirabe mentioned.
"We also can't use Samus' spaceship since it's still under repair due to that dimensional crash landing." Vent added.
"We may not have the resources to build a mothership for space travel, so the least we can do now is to prepare defences for any future mutant attacks." Prairie stated.
"I guess that's fair." Cecilia noted, until the navigation console began to ring. "Ah, is that?!"
"Tulip?" Prairie asked.
"Wormhole has appeared outside of the airship!" Tulip informed after checking the console. "I think it might be our Strike Team!"
"Did they defeat the Mutant Core?" Charlotte asked.
"Only one way to find out! Come on!" Ashe replied, running out of the room with the others and Prairie quickly following behind.
Once the group were outside of the airship, they saw the large wormhole. Seconds later, SOPHIA Zero, Rairyu and the Time Mazine coming out of the wormhole before it vanished. "Heh, I knew you guys would make it back!" Ashe grinned as the Strike Team left their vehicles.
"Houki!" The IS girls ran up to Houki and hugged her with smiles on their faces.
"Cecilia! Charl! Laura!" Houki smiled and hugged back.
"By the way…" Laura spoke up as the girls broke off their hug. "Did you find Ichika or Rin in that area?"
"Sorry, but no luck in that place either." Houki shook her head.
"I see…" Cecilia noted in a sad tone, before shaking her head and smiled. "No matter. Those two can't be gone forever. He has to be in another world somewhere."
"Yeah." Houki nodded. "And we'll find him together, alongside Team XDR."
"Of course." Charlotte agreed. "Looks like our journey is just beginning, no?"
"Mm." Houki nodded before looking at the sky. "Ichika, Rin, hang in there. We're going to find you no matter what."
"Welcome back." Vent smiled as he and Ashe approached Aile, Grey and Volnutt.
"Thanks, it's great to be back." Aile smiled and hugged her twin as she and Grey dispersed their armors.
"So Grey, what does that area look like in there?" Ashe asked.
"It's kinda all over the place since it's a large dimensional space." Grey answered.
"There's also bits and pieces from the previous sectors along with the revived mutant guardians." Volnutt added. "But, nothing we can't handle."
"Revived mutant guardians?!" Ashe gasped.
"Yeah." Grey confirmed. "You can thank the Mutant Core for that."
"Bronya-chan! GV! Copen!" Shirabe smiled as she approached the three.
"Hey, Shirabe." Gunvolt smiled back.
"We're back, Shirabe-chan!" Lola greeted.
"Did anything happen on your side while we're gone?" Joule asked.
"No." Shirabe shook her head. "There've been no remaining traces of the mutants after searching all six sectors."
"Then that means the underground areas are officially mutant-free?" Bronya guessed.
"That's right." Shirabe confirmed. "Now the people of this world can live there again."
"Good to know." Copen noted. "It'd be a total waste to leave it alone even after the ice age."
"So true." Gunvolt agreed.
"I'm glad the team made it back safely." Prairie smiled as she approached Jason (with Fred on his shoulder), Eve, Samus, Adam and Geiz.
"Hope we didn't make you worry too much." Geiz replied as he, Jason, Samus and Gilliam removed their helmets.
"...Maybe just a little." Prairie admitted. "Anyway, the Mutant Core is eliminated, correct?"
"That's right." Eve confirmed. "Jason had to activate the self-destruct system on SOPHIA III once the Mutant Core is eliminated."
"We also had to fight a revived toad mutant, but it was no match for us." Gilliam informed.
"Still, fighting a fully powered infected MA is troublesome, but we're able to pull through in the end." Samus remarked.
"I also have to give credit to Houki and her IS for giving SOPHIA Zero a power boost that's enough to defeat the Mutant Core." Adam mentioned.
"Yeah." Jason agreed. "Houki's sister is quite the genius for installing a special function like that."
"I see." Prairie noted. "Anything else?"
"Well…" Gaius sighed. "You're not gonna like this next part. While we're inside the Mutant Core's domain, we ran into another Neo Time Jacker named Zwei."
"Not only that, he found another Gjallarhorn fragment before warping away." Jason added.
"What!?" Prairie exclaimed.
"Okay. That part, I have no idea." Samus remarked.
"To be fair, we were busy fighting the Mutant Core, so there wasn't any time to explain." Adam pointed out.
"Agreed." Gilliam nodded. "Still, I did not expect another fragment to appear in this world."
"Neither did we." Eve replied. "But at least we know that there's a possibility of more than one fragment hiding in one world."
"I tried to stop him from escaping, until the infected MA ambushed us with bombardment missiles." Houki spoke up.
"Good thing my Flashfield was able to protect you and the others in time." Gunvolt said.
"And you have my thanks for that, GV." Houki smiled.
"Though there is one other thing we've noticed about Zwei; he created an ice barrier to protect himself from the bombardment." Jason recalled.
"I guess that also means those Time Jackers have the ability to manipulate the elements, making them an even more dangerous threat than before." Gaius deduced.
"Agreed." Prairie nodded.
"You know… I think I might've dodged a bullet that one time." Houki pondered.
"Why is that?" Cecilia asked.
"He might've froze me on the spot if I got too close to Zwei without knowing what he's capable of."
"Ah, that's right." Jason noted. "Yeah, consider yourself lucky there, Houki."
"I wonder if the Neo Time Jackers are alchemists?" Shirabe pondered.
"Adepts maybe?" Gunvolt also pondered.
"Who knows." Copen shrugged. "Either way, we may have lost a fragment, but we're able to learn more about our enemies."
"Ja. That is indeed true." Bronya agreed.
"Most importantly though, with the defeat of the Mutant Core, Earth is finally saved. So once again, thanks a lot for the help." Jason smiled at the group with gratitude.
"We're very grateful for your assistance." Eve also smiled.
"Heh. Anytime, Jason. You too, Eve." Gaius smiled back. "So Prairie, anything you want us to do next?"
"The Guardians will stay in this world to help repair the underground areas. The EDF will arrive later on to assist after I contact them." Prairie answered. "In the meantime, you're free to do your other tasks. You're planning to head for Liyue in Teyvat, correct?"
"Yup." Gaius nodded. "Gotta see how Zeo, Akira and the others are doing while I'm gone." He then turned to the group. "You guys wanna come to Teyvat with me?"
"You bet." Gunvolt accepted before sighing. "Too bad the Rite of Descension is cancelled due to the gacking Fatui. But I can still pay my respects in the Rite of Parting."
"Wait… what did the Fatui do?" Copen asked.
"They killed Rex Lapis the Geo Archon, stole his Gnosis, and fled back to Snezhnaya." Joule answered.
"Say what?!" Lola exclaimed.
"That's impossible!" Copen also exclaimed. "Zeo and his team are in Liyue! Shouldn't they be able to stop them?"
"According to Genjuro, Zeo's team were witnessing the Rite of Descension, until they saw the Archon fall from the sky and crashed. It was pronounced dead along with its Gnosis stolen after a closer inspection. Meaning the Archon was assassinated a day before the ritual" Gaius explained.
"The Fatui knew Zeo's team were coming?" Shirabe pondered.
"Most likely." Copen replied before frowning. "Damn them…"
"We'll get back at those bastards one way or another." Gunvolt said.
"Please do." Copen nodded.
"Umm… what are you guys talking about?" Houki asked with her hand raised and feeling confused.
"Ah. Sorry, Houki-san." Shirabe apologized. "It's a long story."
"Maybe we should prepare an encyclopedia on the worlds we've known so far." Grey suggested.
"Yeah, that would be a really good idea." Ashe agreed. "It'll help the newcomers get up to speed without explaining over and over again."
"That would be nice to have." Laura also agreed with Gilliam nodding.
"Ah, I forgot to mention one other thing." Prairie spoke up. "If you're planning to go to Teyvat from here, the Dimensional Gateway has finished construction."
"That's good to know." Gaius replied. "Is it in the Grand Nuage?"
"Actually, it's in my lab." Jason answered with a raised hand. "I gave them permission to build one there."
"You did?" Aile blinked in surprise. "Since when?"
"You can thank Dr. Fleuve for that." Eve answered. "He asked Jason about building a gateway in his lab and he accepted it without any problems. And besides, I know you guys will come back to this world again."
"Well, yeah. Jason and Eve are part of the team now." Vent smiled.
"So when will you be leaving, Gaius?" Jason asked.
"Right now. The sooner the better." Gaius replied. "Besides GV, anyone else wanna come to Teyvat with us?"
"I think most of us will stay and help with the repairs to the underground areas." Gilliam said.
"And if some of them want to travel to the Symphogear world, they'll let me know." Prairie added.
"Fair enough." Gaius noted. "Well GV, looks like it's just us heading for Teyvat."
"Don't forget about me too, Gaius." Joule spoke up.
Gaius chuckled in response. "Okay, you too, Joule."
"Gaius-san, GV, could you do me one other favour?" Houki requested. "If you somehow find Ichika or Rin in Teyvat, let us know okay?"
"And don't forget to keep them safe." Cecilia added.
"Of course. We'll let you know." Gunvolt replied with Gaius nodding.
"Come on, I'll take you two to my lab." Jason said, escorting Gaius and Gunvolt to his lab with Eve following behind.
"Have a safe trip to Teyvat!" Shirabe waved.
"And if you ever need our help, let us know!" Ashe added.
"We will!" Gaius replied. "But remember, careful not to use too much advanced tech in that world, or the Fatui will use that against us!"
"We'll keep that in mind!" Vent noted as the group watched Gaius, Gunvolt, Jason and Eve leave.
Jason's Laboratory
"Well here it is, guys." Jason gestured to the Dimensional Gateway that's recently finished and operational.
"Once again, I'm surprised you gave them permission to build this." Gaius remarked, now in his casual wear.
"Consider this returning the favour for everything you've done for me, Eve, the EDF, and this world." Jason replied.
"And we may need your help again in the future." Eve added.
"Of course." Gunvolt replied. "Just give us a call and we'll be there in a heartbeat."
"Speaking of helping…" Joule spoke up before appearing beside Gunvolt. "There's one thing that's been bothering me for a bit."
"What is it, Joule?" Eve asked.
"Before the mutants invaded Earth, they invaded Planet Sophia, right?"
"Mhm." Eve nodded.
"Are those the only planets the mutants invaded, or are there more?"
"Wait… are you saying that those two planets are not the only ones they've invaded?" Gunvolt asked.
"It was only an assumption, I think." Joule replied.
"Actually, you're onto something, Joule." Gaius said. "Mutant meteors crashed onto Planet Sophia and Earth from the sky. So maybe… there could be some kind of mutant planet that launched those meteors."
"So you're saying that there's a mutant even more powerful than the Mutant Lord and Mutant Core combined, hiding in their home planet?" Jason pondered.
"I think so. Mutant meteors can't just appear from out of nowhere. There has to be a main source somewhere."
"I guess this mutant conflict is far from over, huh?" Gunvolt guessed.
"Unfortunately not, until we find the mutant's home planet somewhere in space, and destroy it once and for all." Gaius replied.
"Hmm…" Jason pondered with his hand on his chin. "I think I may need to ask Mayvy about space travel for the Metal Attacker."
"You mean for SOPHIA Zero?" Eve guessed.
"No. For the very first Earth-made Metal Attacker." Jason answered. "Think you can give me a hand with this project, Eve?"
"I think you already know my answer by now, Jason." Eve smiled.
"That's what I want to hear." Jason smiled back, before looking at Fred leaping happily on his shoulder. "And it looks like Fred agrees with me too."
"Well then, best of luck, you two." Gaius smiled, offering a fist-bump.
"Same goes for you, GV and Joule as well, Gaius." Jason smiled back as he and Eve accepted the gesture.
Gaius then went for the gateway controls and began setting the coordinates for Mondstadt in Teyvat. Once the coordinates were set, the gateway became active.
"Hey, wait up!"
"Hm?" The group turned around to see someone approaching, which turned out to be Houki in her IS uniform which surprised them.
"Houki? What are you doing here?" Eve asked.
"I've decided to go to Teyvat alongside Gaius-san, GV and Joule." Houki replied. "I've already asked Prairie for her permission, and she allowed me to go. Cecilia, Charl and Laura also supported my decision. Also, don't worry. I didn't forget about the rule about never using highly advanced technology unless otherwise, but I can still use my katanas, no problem."
"Huh. And I thought the four of you were gonna argue about who's going to Teyvat." Gaius remarked.
"Not this time, apparently, since they'll be busy helping out the Guardians and the EDF in this world. And besides, Ichika and Rin should be able to recognize me if we somehow find them in Teyvat."
"Hm, that's a good point." Joule noted.
"So, you guys won't mind tagging along?" Houki requested.
"If Prairie gave you permission, then I don't see why not." Gaius accepted with a smile and offered a hand. "Welcome aboard, Houki Shinonono."
"Thanks, guys." Houki smiled back, shaking his hand. "Jason, Eve, take care of my friends while I'm gone, okay?"
"No problem./They're in good hands." Jason and Eve replied with a smile along with Fred croaking happily.
"So… ladies first?" Gunvolt gestured to the active gateway.
"Oh no, we're all going at the same time." Joule insisted, grabbing Gunvolt and Gaius' hand. "Gaius, you hold Houki's hand."
"Eh?!" Gaius and Houki gawked with their faces red.
"D-don't decide things out of the blue, Joule!" Houki stuttered.
"Y-Yeah! What she said!" Gaius added with the same expression.
"Oh relax, it'll be fine!" Joule insisted, making Gaius hold Houki's hand.
"J-Just so you know, I'm not planning to get a girlfriend yet." Gaius commented.
"G-Good! But if you do… please don't ask me." Houki replied.
"Yes, ma'am. That never crossed my mind."
"Oh geez…" Gunvolt sighed and shook his head. "Anyway, ready to go?"
"Yeah./Ready./All set, GV!" Gaius, Houki and Joule replied.
"Then here… we… go!" Gunvolt declared as the four went through the gateway at the same time.
Afterwards, Jason went to the controls and deactivated the gateway. "Well… there they go."
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll see them again." Eve replied. "And maybe we'll go to the Symphogear world to see what it's like."
"They did say it was full of amazing places and cities. Most notably Japan, USA and England." Jason recalled. "Maybe we should go to one of those countries during our vacation, if we ever get one."
"That would be nice." Eve agreed with a smile.
The two were silent for a few moments, until Eve began to speak once again. "Jason? Could you please… hold me for a moment?"
"Oh, sure thing." Jason complied, holding the android by the hips, until it turned into hugging.
"I thought I was going to accomplish the mission all by myself…" Eve looked at Jason with the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. "But thanks to you, I'm alive and well. You were there for me, supported me, in ways that I will never be able to fully repay you for, so... I need to tell you this... and I'll happily say it a million times: Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Eve…" Jason whispered before smiling back. "You're welcome. But don't just thank me, you should also thank Xross Drive Rebellion for their help as well."
"Yes, of course." Eve nodded. "They've been a great help for the both of us."
Jason can't help but stare at Eve's happy smile, which is something he wanted to see once the Mutant Core is defeated. A glowing happy smile, straight from the heart. "By the way, Eve… there's something I need to tell you…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"I…" Jason was a bit nervous, trying to tell her what it is, so he whispered into her ear instead. And after hearing what he said, Eve gasped in surprise and began to blush.
"Jason… you…" Eve whispered… until she closed her eyes. Jason did the same to his eyes… and shared a kiss… in the lips. The two embraced each other, signifying a newly-born love for each other as Fred the frog watched on in satisfaction.
Book 5: The Blaster Master
Fin
Author's Note: And with that, the Book is finally finished. It took a very long time to get it done due to me doing my other stuff, but I got it done at last. However, this won't be the last time Team XDR will be in the Blaster Master world. If you remember the Blaster Master Zero trilogy, then you know what's coming next. But, that won't happen until the next arc.
Now though, it's time for Zeo and his team's adventures in Liyue. What will happen in the Nation of the Geo Archon? Only time… will tell…
Until then, thanks for reading this Book and see you in the next one!