Disclaimer: See chapter one
Chap. 39
Space Knights Command Center...
Aki sat in her office, a dark gaze focused as she spoke with an OZ general who was currently accusing the Space Knights in defending the Sank Kingdom's borders against Romefeller and forming an alliance with the kingdom. Aki expected this, but it still irritated her.
"The Space Knights have formed no such alliance." Aki explained firmly. "While it is true that one of our knights is in the kingdom, she has been ordered only to battle any Radham threat, not Romefeller."
The general however, sneered, "Oh really? This shows otherwise."
He then clicked on a dial and the screen changed. Aki watched as it displayed the battle between the Romefeller Dolls and the Sank Kingdom's White Taurus. But what it was focused on was the scene when Yumi used the Reactor Voltekka to shield Relena from the attacking Dolls. The tape cut off abruptly, and the commander's face reappeared.
"Care to explain this?"
Aki was unfazed, "I can assure you that this is not what you believe it to be."
The general gave a dark smirk, "Well as the saying goes, a picture's worth a thousand words. You're treading on dangerous ground, knight."
"If you will let me..."
Click...
Aki sighed as the general severed the transmission. She knew that Romefeller was only using this to have a excuse to try an aggressive tactic against them, but now it seems that they are using it against the Sank Kingdom as well. 'Time is running short for us.' she mused bitterly. Switching the monitor back on, she contacted the lower level of the command center.
"How's it going down there?"
Honda's face came up on the viewer, "We're moving as quickly as possible. But even so, we've got several days work going on down here."
"How long?"
The elder mechanic sighed deeply, "At this rate, a week. I can probably speed it up to five days, but there are no guarantees."
Aki nodded, "Keep at it. They have to be ready as soon as possible."
Honda nodded and the transmission cut off again. Aki closed her eyes and relaxed against the back of the chair. After she sat still for a couple of minute, a shadowy figure emerged from behind her and looked down at her. But Aki didn't move.
'It has been a long day.'
Moving over to the sleeping woman, D-Boy softly lifted her up and carried her to a nearby bed. Aki didn't awake as she was gently placed on the bed, where she relaxed into it. D-Boy smiled and lightly brushed a lock of hair away from her face. Aki smiled within her sleep and D-Boy turned away from his love.
'Rest, Aki. You'll need it.'
***********
Elsewhere in the Command Center...
Dead sat outside the deck of the command center, thinking about the arrival of Tekkaman Slayer. He knew it was her. She was the only one who ever called him 'little one'. But what happened to her? How did she survive? And how did she become the dark tekkaman Slayer. Was it the same as with him? An accident that brought it about by pure chance? Or was it something else? Dead sighed mentally. He was glad that David had not told the Chief that Slayer was his sister, but David pointed out that he would have to tell her eventually, and soon. He just needed time to thi...
Tssshhh...
Dead's head suddenly snapped upward. A shimmering glow appeared on his forehead, showing the mark of his tekka-set crystal. Someone was calling him. And he knew who it was.
'Little one.'
Dead slowly stood up and walked away, unaware that another figure hand exited the command center and was watching him...
************
Sank Kingdom...
In one of the larger rooms of the palace, Quatre was sitting before a large piano. His eyes closed, the only thing that moved were his fingers as he rapidly keyed every note, creating beautiful, but sad music. The music seemed to reflect Quatre's current frame of mine. The music continued for some time until Quatre finally finished the song. Slowly Quatre opened his eyes and he sighed to himself. The sound of light clapping caught his attention as he turned his head to see Noin applauding the song.
"You play marvelously, Quatre." she noted, "But the song...so melancholy."
Quatre looked away, seeing that the music had made his mood obvious. Seeing the young Arabian's discomfort, Noin changed the subject, "Romefeller is mobilizing its forces. It seems that they are no longer nervous about a possible fight in the Sank."
Quatre continued to stare down, "Last time, we had surprise on our side. But I fear that that won't be enough next time."
Noin nodded in agreement, "You're right about that. Right now, they're moving into Luxemburg to finish the Treize Faction. Given Romefeller's resources, we'll be in a tight spot if they decide on a full-scale attack here."
"Do you really think they would do that?"
"We have to be ready for that possibility." she answered sadly.
Quatre closed his eyes in thought. 'What can we do?' We're obviously outnumbered. And it's only a matter of time. But still, we can't just give up. There has to be something we could do.'
"I think I know where to get some help."
***********
Graveyard...
Dead slowly walked toward the gates of the cemetery, entering the ancient burial site. His tekka-set shimmered constantly as he followed the call of Slayer. Walking pass the grey slabs of stones, he reached the small pond on the opposite side of the hill. It was there that he saw Slayer. She was in human form, dressed in leather clothes and jacket. Her green hair waved through the wind as Dead walked up behind her.
"Auroua? Is that really you?" he asked.
A deep smile coursed over the woman's lips, "It is little one."
Dead moved closer, a slight frown on his face. "I...told you to stop calling me that."
"Heh, yeah you did." she laughed. "But since when did that stop me?"
Dead began to show a smile, but it quickly faded away. "Auroua, how did you survive?"
"Careful." She turned her head and her eye caught his sideways. "You may make it sound like you might be disappointed." she continued icily.
"You know that not true." Dead countered. "But after the bomb, no one survived."
"You did."
"Not at first." he said darkly.
Auroua turned to face him fully, "Ah, so that's why you're calling yourself Dead End now." She placed a hand on her hip, "I guess it's genetic. We're survivors, you and I." Her eyes locked with his, "That's why I'm here for you."
Dead narrowed his eyes, "For me?"
"Yes. This world will soon end. But there is hope for you yet. You are strong. You can survive." She slowly let out her hand to him and beckoned.
"Come with me and live."
Dead didn't answer her. He didn't know what to think of all of this. His sister had unexpectedly returned from the dead and now he had the chance to rejoin her. But for what purpose? To destroy the world? Was she really with Radham? He didn't know what to do. But before he could think about it any more, his tekka-set shimmered again, along with hers. Turning their heads, they saw David standing nearby beside one of the tombstones.
"No Dead. Think about what she saying."
Auroua smiled evilly at the appearance of the blond Space Knight, "Ah, if it isn't the boy toy. Come for another kiss?"
Dead quickly faced David, "David, stay out of this."
Auroua shook her head as she began to raise her arm, "Actually, David could provide some amusement while you figure things out."
Dead turned back, seeing that her upraised hand held her red tekka-set crystal. "What are you...?"
Her body began to glow in deep red energy, her grin never leaving her face.
"Time to play again, David. Tek-Setta!!!!"
Her glowing body exploded in a flash of energy and was followed with a sound of shattering glass. When the light cleared, Auroua was replaced with her dark alter-ego; Tekkaman Slayer.
David just back and summoned his own crystal, but Dead called out to him.
"David, don't!"
David didn't listen as he raised his hand, "Tek-Setta!!!"
David's body exploded with energy as well and he had transformed into his tekka-form, Tekkaman Sommer. Slayer called her lancer out and pointed it at him.
"Come, Sommer. Come to the slaughter."
***********
Sank Kingdom...
"Hey, what the...? Come back here."
Hayato yelled in vain as a figure entered Alpha ship and flew off to the sky. Hayato and Yumi watched as the ship disappeared into the clouds.
"Aw, man. We're in deep trouble now."
Yumi continued to gaze into the air. "That...was Heero. Where the heck is he going?"
Hayato didn't answer and just fumed at Heero's act. The action was also noticed by the inhabitants of the palace. Particularly Noin, Quatre and Relena.
"Heero?"
"Where is he going?" Noin questioned.
Quatre's tekka-set shimmered briefly before he answered. "Luxemburg. He's going to fight in the battle." Turning to Noin, "I better go immediately. I'll try to return as fast as I can."
Noin nodded and Quatre left the room, leaving Noin and Relena behind. Noin looked over at Relena as she continued to gaze out the window and into the sky. Relena had hoped that Heero would stay behind longer, but the battlefield had obviously called to him again.
'Heero...'
***********
The sky over the cemetery sparked with sounds of clashing and blazing light as Slayer and Sommer battled. Sommer was caught off-guard last time they battle and felt more prepared to fight her. But despite that, Slayer was still picking him apart. She was just as powerful as Dead, and not as hesitant to kill him. She dove in on the Knight and struck down with her lancer. Sommer blocked the blow, but it had stunned him enough for her to kick him in the face. Sommer staggered back in the air and Slayer rushed toward him. Sommer tried to sidestep the attack, but she had flown by and grabbed his leg. Dragging him toward the ground, Slayer released his leg and tossed him down. Sommer was barely able slow himself down and his back smashed against one of the tombstones. Weakly getting back to his feet, Sommer looked over at Dead, who was watching the battle.
"Dead…"
Dead didn't move and simply gave a helpless look. At that moment, Slayer jumped down and landed behind Sommer.
"Come with me Dead. There's no reason to stay here."
Sommer steadied his legs and faced the dark tekkaman, "Leave him…alone."
Slayer simply chuckled, "Now I can't do that. See, I want my brother back with me. Don't you want the same, Kenji?"
Dead blinked at the sound of the name. His name… He hadn't heard it in a long time. Dead stood still for a moment and then involuntarily took a step…
"Voltekka!!!!"
Sommer had heard enough. Using the time to re-gather his energy, Sommer arched his arms back and then flailed them forward, firing a Voltekka blast. Slayer didn't flinch as the beam smashed right into her, causing a big explosion. Sommer stood ready to fight should she come out of the smoke, but in truth, he knew he spent the last of his energy in that blast.
"Does this mean you don't like me?"
Sommer blinked in surprise as Slayer stood, not before him, but right beside him. Sommer turned just to have the evil tekkaman give him a right hook to the jaw. Sommer flew back, nothing to stop him from flying through several tombstones and eventually hitting the ground. He struggle to rise, but was unable to and only managed to lift his head slightly. Slayer strode to him.
"No more? Oh well. It was fun while it lasted."
Slayer stopped walking and then raised her lancer. Another blade materialized and in between them were Voltekka cells. Dark energy charged around the weapon and she aimed it straight at Sommer. Sommer looked in horror, knowing the he can't stop or avoid it.
"Voltekka!!!!!"
A black beam of intense energy fired and swooped straight at Sommer, tearing up the ground. Sommer was forced to lay there and watch his death come right at him. But before the beam could reach him…
"Voltekka!!!!"
Another black beam clashed with her and the two exploded with tremendous force. Sommer looked as Dead, now in his tekka-form had fired his own voltekka in order to stop it. Slayer slowly turned to him.
"Are you really going to fight me, Kenji?"
Dead didn't move. He couldn't let David get killed. But at the same time, he didn't think he could really fight his sister. 'What…can I…?'
Tsssrrrrrr
Suddenly, all three heads turned up to the sky were a white beam of light swooped straight at them and exploded in the sky. Looking up, a form could be made out in the blinding light. A figure both Dead and Sommer recognized.
"Tekkaman Blade!"
As the white tekkaman hovered in the sky over them, Slayer looked back at Dead, "Well, I guess we'll have to wait for another time." She began to shimmer with energy.
"I'll see you later, little one."
Slayer suddenly shot off into the sky and disappeared. Blade didn't pursue her though and looked back at the others below. Sommer had managed to get back on his feet again and he moved over to Dead.
"Dead, are you…?"
But Dead didn't reply and simply turned around and walked away.
************
Luxemburg...
The battle had been raging for hours. The once beautiful landscape of Luxemburg was now ravaged with fires, debris, and remains of Sol-Tekkas, mostly Leos. The fighting continued and it was obvious that the Virgo Sol-Tekka Dolls had the advantage. Heavily armed and emotionless, the Dolls stomped over the landscape, demolishing the opposing Leo Sol-Tekkas. Yet despite the overwhelming odds, the soldiers continued to fight, doing everything they can to fight back. But despite their valiant efforts, they were no match for the Virgos and were slowly being destroyed.
"Don't...give up. Fight on...for Master Trieze!!!!!"
A blast exploded beside him, killing one of his soldiers. Looking at the source, he saw the advancing horde of the Virgos. With only three soldiers left in his troop, he was well aware that he wasn't going to survive. But that didn't matter. They would defend their master to the death.
It looked like in this case, that wouldn't be necessary....
"Tek-Setta!!!!!!"
Shooting from a nearby craft in the remaining bush, a flash of light soared through the air and reformed into...
"Tekkaman Wing!!!"
Without a second thought, Wing summoned his crystal-hawk mode and soared over the ground. With a screeching cry, he flashed through the Virgos, destroying them in the wave of energy. He then disengaged his crystal-hawk and shot back into the fight. Calling forth his lancer, Wing bore down on the Virgo and stabbed it through. He then jumped off the machine and slashed the next two. He then followed up by tossing his lancer at the other. The bladed weapon spun through the air and ripped through the Virgos with razor precision. Wing then lashed out his energy wire and brought his lancer back. Turning around to the other behind him, he continued the assault...
The Leo pilots watched in shock as the very thing they had fought before would come to help them now. Wing had demolished a great deal of the Virgos, driving them back. But they continued to battle with the tekkaman, activating their disruptor crystals to weaken him. As this went on, Wing began to show damage from the laser beams. Nevertheless, the tekkaman continued to fight on, never stopping once.
'I will fight on.'
Flying away, Wing began shot his arm forward and gripped his lancer. The Voltekka cells were summoned around it and began to charge. But a flash on his head caused him to pause and Wing cried in pain.
'No...time...limit...'
Wing strained as his head crystal flashed wildly. He lowed to the ground, staggering to hold his Voltekka upright. The pain in his head increased, but that didn't stop him from...
"VOLTEKKAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!"
The cannon-like weapon fire and it consumed the Virgos that were coming in on him. Wing fired the stream for a few minutes before stopping. Wing continued to scream in pain, but his body glowed and the armor dissipated. With his armor gone, Heero fell to the floor, holding himself up only by his hands and knees. The pain had been excruciating, but he will recover. But suddenly, a Virgo strode out of the debris and locked onto Heero. The laser cannon was about to fire when...
"No!"
Heero looked up to see the charging cannon, but was surprised to see one of the Leos tackle the Virgo, causing the cannon fire to miss him. The Leo continued to hold it, struggling with the machine before it began to glow. Heero watched at both machines exploded, caused by the Leo's self-destruct system. Heero looked at the scene and then over the horizon. He could see the reinforcements a distance away. Even with his powers, he wouldn't be able to take them all out. Even if he had the power, the 30 minute time limit would only work against him.
"....uuhhh..."
Heero heard the sound of weak mumbles. Looking at the wrecked scene before him, he saw the battered body of the Leo pilot who had self-destruct his machine. He was badly wounded and bleeding all over the place. Heero bent down next to the man and lifted his head up.
"Protect....Master Trieze....I....beg you...."
The man's body suddenly went silent. Heero lowered the soldier back to the ground and looked again at the advancing horde. There was one way to stop them. The soldier had shown him what he had to do. Re-summoning his cracked crystal, Heero made ready to transform when....
"Don't die yet, Heero."
Heero stopped. The voice had come from a megaphone from the castle that was at the far end of the battlefield. Someone was calling him from the castle. And he could take a good guess as to whom. Turning away from the horde of Virgos, Heero made his way to the castle to meet with none other than Trieze Khusrenada.
***********
The tension between Romefeller and the Space Knights increases. Relena tries to persuade Romefeller that the Space Knights are not aligned with the Sank, but she is caught within a Radham attack and Hiver saves her again. Meanwhile, Heero is called before an old enemy and finds that the battles are changing. Without knowing his true enemy, Trieze hands Heero a new crystal. Heero is soon endowed with powers seen only once, but finds his own sanity slipping away with it. And Fera arrives at the Command Center with an old friend. Next on Gundam Tekkaman: Dark Crystal Epyon.