Sorry I wasn't able to update yesterday, we had guests for dinner so I was busy. As for RandyPandy's guess, it was Forte. After all, he isn't gonna take the trouble of breaking into the Resistance Base just to steal a cookie. Anyways, here's the next chapter:

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Resistance Trailer

"Well, things have calmed down a bit since the party. Still, I wonder when Weil will make his move." Ciel looks at Rouge. "How's the situation at Area Zero?"

"Area Zero's situation is nominal. No permanent damage has been done to the Human Settlement." Ciel and Zero sigh with relief as the computer beeps.

"I'm receiving word from the Resistance. Opening Channel," Rouge clicks a few more buttons as the face of the Operator from the base appears on the monitor.

"Ciel! Zero! It's terrible! The base radar has detected a large energy signature! The energy signature is coming from space!"

"Space!?" Ciel looks worriedly at the screen as the Operator tries to continue, but static starts to interfere with the signal.

"The energy signature is off the charts! It's… Area Zero! Get out… there!" Static replaces the image on the screen as Rouge tries to fix it.

"What is it!? Respond! What's going on up there?" Ciel looks as Rouge for information regarding the signal.

"Something's overriding the signal… It's Neo Arcadia!"

"Hehehe… Bwahahaha!" Zero tenses as he hears the voice.

"I knew it… Dr. Weil!"

"I told you, Zero! You don't have a chance at stopping Ragnarok! Laying down a blanket of destruction from the comfort of my space cannon was what Ragnarok was built for the whole time! The eight warriors were nothing more than a diversion until I could complete Ragnarok!"

"Operator! Can you transfer me to Ragnarok?"

"It's no good, I can't pinpoint the coordinates! I can't send you anywhere without a destination."

"You pathetic insects thrill me to no end, getting excited about your precious nature. I want to hear your screams as you meet your doom!"

"The only one that's doomed is you!" Another voice hacks into the signal.

"How dare you! That voice… Craft!"

"I've destroyed Ragnarok's remote control system. I am no longer your dog to yank around by chain! Now I control Ragnarok! Your space cannon is no longer pointed at Area Zero… It's pointed at you and Neo Arcadia!"

"Seduced by the sweet words of a woman! Unbelievable! You do realize just how many humans and reploids are living under my control, don't you?"

"Are you saying I should be loyal to those who follow you? Not doing… Not thinking… Just waiting at your beck and call? I've fought too hard and long for humanity to let you take control! I will change the world!"

"What!? So you're just going to attack Neo Arcadia instead? There are still humans and reploids living there." Ciel tries to talk some sense into Craft, but both Craft and Weil cut the transmission before she could finish. "Come in Resistance Base!"

"…el! Com…! Cie…Communications restored! Ciel, come in!"

"Get everyone in the Resistance Base to Neo Arcadia! Get the humans and reploids out of there! Even if you have to force them out, try to save as many people as you can! Too many have already seen enough suffering."

Rouge starts to type in a few keys. "We've traced Craft's signal, coordinates are set for Ragnarok's control room. Since this is a force transfer, your position will be a bit different from Craft's."

"Alright, transfer me. Ciel…Don't give up hope."

"Zero!"

"Alright, ready for transfer." Zero warps out of the room, leaving only Ciel and Rouge.

"Zero… Come back to us…"

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Ragnarok Control

I've finally made it. Zero prepares to go in the room, but falls as Ragnarok begins to tremble. He's already fired Ragnarok!

"It already fired! Ciel! Respond!" Zero tries communicate to the Resistance Trailer, but gets nothing but static. "It's not working… What's going on up there?"

I have to stop Craft from doing anymore damage! Zero goes in the room to find Craft at the control terminal.

"Zero… What are you doing here?" The control terminal slides up as Craft greets him.

"I won't let you fire again!"

"You were after Weil, weren't you? Ragnarok is charging up for a second shot. This will change the world and the people in it…"

"Do you think Neige would approve of what you're doing?"

"I know this may make me seem like Weil. I don't care if people think I am a Maverick! Someone has to fix humanity's course."

"If you plan on firing again, I will stop you!" Zero dashes at Craft and prepares to slash him, but Craft gets out his bayonet and pierces Zero.

He's stronger than before! He isn't holding back this time. Guess I won't hold back either! Zero raises his arm up as a grey light surrounds him, transforming his armor to a black color.

"Even in that form, Zero, you won't be able to defeat me." Craft jumps in the air and aims his laser down diagonally. He pauses for a moment and then fires his beam while moving forward.

I can't dodge it! Guess I'll just need to meet his attack head on. Zero jumps up and unleashes a charged slash at Craft, knocking him down. Zero uses a downward stab, but Craft rolls out of the way and fires tosses three grenades as Zero reaches the ground, two of them hitting Zero.

Craft jumps into the air and tosses a large grey bomb. I need to destroy it before it hits the ground! Zero does an upward slash to destroy the bomb, but Craft fires a homing missile and knocks Zero as he lands from the attack.

He's a lot stronger than I originally thought. I'll have to use my full power! Craft lands as he points the laser at Zero. Now!

Craft fires the beam, but Zero disappears just before it hits. "Where are you, Zero?" Zero appears behind Craft and grabs onto his arm.

Craft gets tossed into the air as Zero charges up his Z-Buster. A long ice javelin comes out of the buster and pierces Craft multiple times before he lands. Zero finishes off with a uppercut from his Z-Saber as he moves back.

"I see you were holding back until now… Don't underestimate me!" Craft gets out his bayonet and runs at Zero. Zero uses his Z-Saber to meet it.

Craft fires the bayonet, but Zero swings his saber upward, knocking the knife away. Damn it! I've left myself vulnerable! Craft realizes as well and tosses three grenades, all three of them hitting Zero.

Zero gets knocked back to the other side of the room from the explosion. Craft gets out his bayonet and stabs Zero in the chest against the wall, he fires the knife and pierces Zero.

"It's over, Zero." Craft aims the laser at Zero as he gets his gun out. Zero stands up just as Craft fires. Zero tries to block the attack with his saber, but Craft's beam pushes him back and knocks him away.

I need to get some hits in fast! If this keeps up, I won't be able to go on. Craft jump into the air and tosses large grey bomb. Zero jumps up the wall and does a flip. He aims his Z-Buster and fires a white laser, but it misses.

I can't slow down my landing! The grey bomb hits the ground and scatters into six pieces, one of them hitting Zero as he lands.

"Well, Zero, looks like you've finally been outmatched." Craft gets out his gun and points it at him. "What are you smirking at? Uhhh!" The beam Zero fired earlier bounces off the wall and hits Craft hard in the back. Zero dashes and swings his saber in an arc, hitting Craft as he falls to the ground.

Zero continues as he slashes at Craft with his saber. Zero dashes back and fires an explosive shot form his Z-buster as Craft stands up. Craft raises his gun up, blocking the attack.

"Looks like the fight is even now," Zero prepares to fire at Craft again. Craft smirks and moves into the center of the room. What's he doing? Craft jumps up and fires his beam straight at the ground, keeping him suspended in mid-air.

Craft fires out a large amount of missiles from his gun, hitting the whole room. This isn't good! Zero slashes at an incoming missile, but Craft fires another volley and one of them hits Zero. Zero rolls to the side to avoid a missile, but gets hit by another one.

They're everywhere! Craft fires one more volley, hitting Zero in the right arm, knocking the Z-Saber away.

"It's over this time, Zero!" Craft gets out his bayonet and dashes at Zero. Guess I've got no choice now. I'll have to take the chance.

Zero stands in one spot as Craft gets closer. "RAKUHOUHA!" Zero slams his fist into the ground, sending large energy balls fanning out.

Three of them hit Craft, knocking him away. "Is it over?" Zero's armor transforms back into normal after using the attack. Craft barely manages to stand up as electricity courses through his body.

It's no good! My systems aren't working properly! Electricy courses through Zero's arm, the one he used Rakuhouha with. His left shoulder pad starts to crack as well as his chest armor. My body can't stand the strain of using that attack!

Craft grabs onto his gun as Zero grabs his saber with his right hand. "AGHH!" Zero lets go of the saber as pain courses through his hand. Zero grabs the saber again, this time with both hands.

"I see using that attack has many negative side effects on you. This battle will end with one attack." Craft aims the laser at Zero and launches a weak beam. Zero blocks it with his Z-Saber and starts to move forward.

Just a bit more! Craft continues firing his gun as Zero tries to move forward. Come on, don't give way on me yet. Zero raises his saber up as he gets in range. Craft's beam pierces through Zero's body, creating a large hole. Zero slams the blade down on Craft with his remaining energy, destroying Craft's gun and sending out a large wave cutting Craft in the chest.

Craft falls to the ground as Zero follows afterwards. "Looks like… you've won, Zero. A… soldier can't… fight without weapons. I wasn't able… to change… the world."

"We're only reploids designed for war. It's not… our place to change… the world." Zero clutches the hole in his armor as he struggles to talk. "That's up to humans… like Ciel… and Neige. As reploids… we can only lend… strength to those… we trust."

"Trust!? Who should I be trusting? The humans who do nothing? The humans that fear us? Or the humans who try to conquer the world? We fight each other for them? This world is the way it is because of them! Why should I trust anyone? How can you trust them? How can you fight?" Craft puts his hands on the ground to support himself as electricity starts to surge through his body more from talking.

"I made a promise to a friend I intend to keep." Zero pauses for a moment to catch his breath. "To someone believed harmony between humans and reploids is possible. I trust that friend… and I trust everyone that friend trusts…"

"I… see… I couldn't even trust Neige… Even though She has always told the truth… AGH!"

"Craft!"

"Just leave… my body here… I can no longer… face Neige… I don't want to cause her… to suffer anymore." Craft's body stops moving as the color from his eyes disappear.

"Zero! Respond!" Ciel's voice gets through the communicator as Zero kneels on the ground.

"Ciel… I stopped… Ragnarok…"

"And Craft?"

"And Craft…."

"I'm sorry… I don't know what to say…"

"You don't need… to say anything… I'm coming… back. Transfer… me." Zero warps out of the room, leaving Craft's motionless body on Ragnarok.

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The next fight won't be in the game, and the one after that won't be in the game either. Anyways, R&R everyone.