The Deliverance continued to push through the land as they grew closer to Desaix's fortress.
"So, who is this important someone?" Zexi asked.
"Her name is Mathilda. She is the founder of the Deliverance." Clive said.
"Definitely a big deal. And she's held by Desaix. Ugh…" Sectonia said.
"I don't get it, what's so bad about this Desaix guy again?" Ban asked.
"Desaix is the Chancellor of Rigel, a position he earned by betraying Zofia and killing the previous king." David said.
"He's a scumbag that exploits people for his own gain. All the more reason to take him down!" Alvin said.
"He has a Dragonshield, so normal attacks will barely scratch him. Which means, we'll have to rely on magic." Vera said.
"Wait...I wish to fight him." Gemina said.
"Gemina? Well, Color Fighting and magic are technically the same in principle, but…" Zelos said.
"I cannot stand anyone who uses their power to attain wealth and money. I wanna make him pay." Gemina said.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Didn't you tell us you were raised in a mining colony?" Zelos asked.
"Yeah, I'd want to bust him up too if I went through what she did." Genis said.
"It's done. Don't show him any mercy." Zexi said.
"I won't." Gemina said.
"Wait, a mining colony? Which one?" Ty asked.
"You know, when someone asks questions like that, it derails the seriousness." Gale said.
"I was just curious." Ty said.
"Besides, the journey wouldn't be enjoyable if we got that serious vibe all the time." Alvin said.
"Look, I am not going to go over the experience again." Gemina said. "Point is...Desaix is mine."
"Is she always like this?" Neu asked.
"I'm not sure. I barely know her." Rachel said.
"I only see her like this when you talk about rare gems or the fabled Eternity Gem." Tulip said.
"Either way, it's good to derail the seriousness every once in a while. Helps relieve some of the tension." David said.
"Though this moment will not last long. We're here." Clive said as they arrived at Desaix's fortress.
"It's likely he won't hand Mathilda over to us. No doubt he'll have archers at the ready." Alm said.
"Then we'll just have to fight archery with archery." Vera said.
"Hey, think you and the bird man can let me in on that action?" Python asked.
"Actually that won't be necessary." Gemina said. "Crystal Ballista!" she said creating crystal ballista from the ground as they fired at the archers and door as she headed in.
"Or we can...just do that." David said.
"Damn… remind me never to get on her bad side." Ban said.
Gemina walked through the fortress as crystals grew wherever she walked. "I've come for Desaix! Come out!" she called.
"You're making quite the mess…" a voice said as a man in armor with a shield with a dragon emblem came out. "So much rage.. And you're making crystals grow just by moving through my fortress. I suppose you've come for the Leader of Deliverance."
"Just shut up." Gemina said raising an arm as crystals grew out and hit Desaix point on as he coughed up blood.
"So much anger…" Desaix said. "What fuels it?"
"That you don't need to know, bastard!" Gemina said attacking once more.
"This woman is crazy!" he said as he ran to a private room.
"Oh you aren't getting away that easy." she said running after and to a heavily armed door. "Crystal Katana!" she said making a katana and slashed through the door. She then ran through as she saw Desaix running to the forest. "I can end it here and now. Ultimate Color Fighting Secret Art! Crystal...Wyvern!" she shouted creating a large serpent like dragon that surged forth, devouring all in its path, including the trees. When the dust settled, the crystal dragon stood in a coiled position as inside was a few soldiers and Desaix forever petrified inside.
"Gemina, thats enough!" Hope said as the others caught up.
"Hope's right. You didn't have to take it this far!" Lloyd said..
"It's fine." Gemina said happily. "We're good."
"No it isn't. Do you honestly believe you're any better than the people you lash out at?" Jude asked.
"You destroyed the fortress completely and cleared an entire forest. This isn't what color fighters, or heroes, should do." Continella said.
"I never said I was a hero. This was for the good of the people." Gemina said.
"That's not the point we're trying to make here! You're a hero as long as Zexi is your leader. What if you throw another fit like that and he gets caught in the crossfire, huh?" David asked.
"I would avoid it." Zexi said.
"Zexi, don't you see? We can't trust her if she's going to keep lashing out like this. Is what you went through really so painful that you have to be so serious all the time?" David asked.
"Will you calm down? They'll be free in a day anyway." Gemina said.
"David… I think it's best if you let this go." Hope said. "Wait...free?"
"Yeah. After the wyverns been unleashed for a day, it shatters into shards and releases anyone who has at least some kindness in their hearts." Gemina said.
"So Desaix will pretty much stay that way, no doubt. Still doesn't excuse the damages, though…" David said.
"It doesn't seem that bad." Gemina said as they saw parts of it blossoming with crystals.
"Wow… it looks even more beautiful now." Diane asked.
"I would have to agree." a voice said as a woman in armor with short blond hair approached.
"It is nice to see you safe, Mathilda." Clive said.
"Same as you, honey." Mathilda said.
"Wait, you two are in a relationship? You lucky bastard." David said.
"We're married actually." Clive said.
"Yes. Right after the fall of our kingdom we wed. Then I began the Deliverance." Mathilda said. "And I owe my rescue to this warrior."
"I accept your thanks." Gemina said.
"We saved her, so where to now?" Lacy asked.
"The Sluice Gate. The only way into Rigel." Clive said.
"Then let us move." Heart said.
As they continued their journey, the Celica group was moving through harsh mountain terrain as they were to approach a desert.
"Great. As if the mountains weren't bad enough…" Connor said.
"As long as we watch our step we'll be fine." Ace reassured.
"You say that like we're not doing things right." Connor said. "This ain't my first Desert crossing."
"I wasn't saying anything wrong, I was just trying to say to be careful because this terrain doesn't seem stable," Ace said.
"He's not wrong. Only pegasus knights and Mages can get across this place easy. Other units… not so much." Betty said.
"I'll scout ahead see if there are any enemies nearby." Stoj said as she flew over the mountain.
"Be careful Stoj!" Ace called out.
"Hey Ace, sorry about mistaking your warning. When you've been Bounty Hunting for as long as i have, youre kinda used to a few things." Connor said.
"It's alright it doesn't hurt to give advice, don't hesitate to ask your teammates for help." Ace said Smiling at him.
"Hold it!" Hawkeye said aiming a gun at Stoj.
"What are you…" Connor said as the gun fired, the bullet zooming past Stoj as it hit someone hiding on top. They were someone in cybernetic clothing.
"Damn, that hurts!" they said.
"Damn it. Cage the fairy!" they said as a net fired at Stoj trapping her inside. "Now kick their asses!" another said as a slew of soldiers came out.
"That armor...the Cypher Punks!" Odd said.
"Stoj! Damn you Cypher Punks! Give her back or you're gonna get burned." Ace said as his eyes glowed red and a silhouette of Ifrit appeared above him as it turned into Gauntlets.
"We don't think so kid. Let em loose!" another said as familiar robots came from the mountains. They were several Fulgore units.
"What in the? How did they?" Jago asked.
"You kidding? These seemed like they were put together by children. Hacking them was easy." another said as they laughed as they rained down on the group.
"Guys give me some cover while I rescue Stoj." Ace said as he punched and kick his way through some of the Cypher Punks with the Hellfire Gauntlets. "I'll be back as soon as I can!"
"You know… it would be interesting to have a Fulgore on OUR side." Twilight said.
"I think David's ship is teched-out enough to house one of their models." Oracle said.
"Plus, this alliance has the best tech specialists in the multiverse. Reprogramming one of them should be no problem!" Tails said.
"Hey, Ace! While your busy, capture one of those Fulgore things!" Natsu shouted.
"You got it!" Ace shouted as he was running towards one of the Fulgore's holding Stoj. "Alright you piece of junk! Hand over Stoj and prepare to be shut down!"
They shook their head no as they handed her over to a few of the punks.
"Let's book it!" they said as they slid down the mountain.
"Damn it! You just dug your own grave scrap pile!" Ace said. "Now Die!" He said as he was engulfed in flames and rushed towards Fulgore dealing a barrage of punches and kicks and finished by launching a large fireball. "Meteor Strike!"
The Fulgore unit then collapsed after losing power as Ace walked over to it and then collapsed onto his knees as he pounded his fist on the ground.
"Dammit! Dammit!" Ace yelled upset he failed to rescue his friend. "I'm so sorry Stoj. *Cries*."
"Don't worry. We'll get her back." Oracle said showing a device with a blinking light. "I shot a tracker into one of them before they escaped."
"Then we'll be able to track the bastards who kidnapped Stoj. Thank you Oracle." Ace said as he hugged her.
"Futaba Sakura. You can also call me that if you want." Oracle said.
"Futaba it is then." Ace said as he smiled when a neon green color appeared on his pendant.
"Anyway, it looks like they're headed for a stronghold in the desert. We can make it if we hurry." Oracle said.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Connor asked.
"Oh yeah. here's the Fulgore unit for you." Ace said as he showed the shut down robot.
"Perfect. But I'll have to take it apart for now so it doesn't come back online." Tails said.
"Understandable. We can repair and reprogram him once we get back to the ships." Twilight said.
"Come on everyone, my little sister is in danger." Ace said as he ran on ahead with his teammates.
It didn't take them long before they reached a small desert fortress after crossing the mountains. Inside were a large gang of bandits. They stood ready before they saw figures charging at them.
"Let's do it everyone!" Ace said. "Jexi, time for a combo attack!"
"Very well." Jexi said joining with Ace. "Ultimate Color…"
"Slamming Force!" the two of them said as they burst through the bandits and began invading the fortress.
"Nice Job!" Ace said Hi Fiving Jexi before walking over to an injured bandit. "Where is Stoj?"
"Sh-she's...we sold her. To that crazy seamstress." one of them said.
"Seamstress?" Ace said confused until he realized who it was. "Sadira."
"I don't think so. Likely, this seamstress is one of the Hobbyists." Sunset said. "But why buy Stoj?"
"I think I know why. In a universe immersed in technology, creatures like Fairies are hard to come by." Lucy said.
"More like non-existent. Technology eliminates the purpose of magic most of the time." Twilight said.
"What are they gonna use Stoj for?" Papelne said confused.
"I think it's best we rescue her before we have a chance to find out." Sunset said.
"Can you locate her, Futaba?" Ace asked.
"Well this seems like a wild guess but...it seems they're near a pirate hideout." Oracle said.
"We need to hurry. The more we talk here the less time we have to rescue her." Jago said.
"Definitely." Morph said.
They hurried off to the rescue but with Stoj.
"Help! Let me out of here!" Stoj shouted before a door slid over as a woman in a long dress approached.
"Now now. Nevermind all that. I don't need you crying for help." She said.
"What...what are you going to do to me?" Stoj asked.
"No worries. It won't hurt at all." she said getting out a pair of scissors and a measuring tape.