Disclaimer: See chapter one

AN: Sorry for the long overdue update. I had to put on my super-duper thinking cap.

Chap. 46

Sank Borderline...

"We're under attack. We need rein...."

That was the last communication said before the pilot of the Sol-Tekka was destroyed along with his machine. The cause of which was still roaming around. Standing amid the carnage of Sol-Tekkas and Dolls was Wing Tekkaman Epyon. Still driven by the Epyon crystal, Wing had fought without letup, destroying anyone that came close to him and not receiving so much as a scratch himself. Looking up, the berserk gundam caught sight of a retreating Sol-Tekka carrier. Opening his wing protrusions, Wing Epyon shot into the air, unsheathed his sword lancer and ripped right through the carrier, causing it to explode. Looking away from his destroyed target, Wing Epyon landed again and looked toward the sky. A bright blue star shone in the fading sunlight and it seemed to get brighter. Wing Epyon folded his arms and stood by the cliff, watching the star. But the flashing tekka-set on his forehead told him that it wasn't a star. Not at all.

"Z...e...r...o..."

======================================

Space KnightCommandCenter

The three remaining Space Knights were gathering in the command room awaiting the arrival of the OZ commander that was supposed to come in and take over. Millia, Honda and Aki all stood quietly with the OZ soldier surrounding them to keep them under guard. Then the door of the command room opened and another group of OZ soldiers entered in. Coming up from the midst of them was a sturdy looking man with a thick beard. His brownish hair was short and his face was well scarred, giving him an imposing visage. His eyes stayed focused on Aki.

"Aki Kisanagi. I am General Dontello. From this moment on, you and your group will be working under me. I give the orders and you follow them, understood?"

"Understood." Aki replied simply, despite the tension that was brewing in her.

The general looked over and behind her at the others. His eyes moved quickly before they were trained on Aki once again.

"Where's the rest of your team?"

"I'm afraid that they abandoned the command center after the surrender."

The general snorted, "Such lack of loyalty and discipline. I must say, I'm disappointed." He turned around and strode through the room briefly. "After all I heard about the Space Knights, I didn't think something like this would happen. Very disappointing."

Aki said nothing in reply, causing the general to wonder about the circumstances of their disappearance. 'But that can wait until later. Romefeller said they needed a tight reign on the Space Knights and that's just what I'm going to do.'

"Well then, let's get down to the ground rules. First off, Chief Aki, you are restricted from using your teknobot and transforming. Doing so will make you a target for the dolls, no questions asked. To ensure that, your teknobot is being detained as we speak."

Aki wasn't surprised by this, but there were still others to consider. "And how do you expect this place to function?" she questioned. "Without the others, we don't have a reasonable defense against the Radham."

"The others left, so that's your problem." he shot back. "As for defense, OZ will handle that. So far, this place will only be used for advanced monitoring. Your scanning systems are the most advanced and they will serve us well."

"So we're just a monitoring station?" Aki asked with disdain.

Dontello heard her tone and smiled, "That's right. There's no need for you to do anything else. If you have a problem with that, then you'll just have to deal with it." His gaze returned upon her, "Do you have a problem?"

"No."

The general moved back over toward her, feeling that he was going to drive the final nail here. "I am your commanding officer, 'Chief'. You should address me as such. Clear?"

Aki narrowed her eyes, but responded, "Clear, sir."

============================

Outer Space...

In the deep blackness of space sat a construction of immense form. A light grey/silver structure that was diamond shaped in the center, with four longer diamonds around it, like a strange flower. Various forms of equipment and people floated around the gigantic monstrosity, working on various parts to complete it. While this work commenced, inside a departing shuttle, Tuberoff looked on at the massive battle-station with great joy. 'Battleship Libra. Its power will make OZ unquestionable.' For the past several months, Tuberoff had pushed all the resources obtained from the colonies onto this project. A battle-station with power that would surpass even Barge. But as much as he would have enjoyed overseeing further construction, he was needed back on the Lunar Base. But soon, he would return just as it is active.

"Libra. The epitome of Romefeller's might."

The pilot merely looked at him briefly and then back. Tuberoff didn't want any useless chanter, especially from underlings. But the way the pilot looked at him made him suspicious.

"Do you disagree, soldier?"

The pilot looked back at him with a grin, "Yeah, I do. I disagree with the part of it being Romefellers might."

Tuberoff was suddenly shocked to see that lower down, the pilot was holding a gun on him. Tuberoff arose in shock, but he heard movement behind him and a pair of hands grabbed hold of his arms. Looking to the side, he saw two other soldiers holding him still.

"What is the meaning of this?" he roared.

The soldiers pulled him into the back of the shuttle where Tuberoff saw the officers that had come with him. They made no move to help him and Tuberoff noticed that each one of them had a tekka-set crystal as well as white bands around their arms. Tuberoff was soon met with the group leader. A wizened-looking elderly man with glasses.

"Who are you?" Tuberoff demanded. "What is the meaning of this?"

The leader simply smiled lightly, "Outer space belongs only to us colonists. We of the White Fang will make sure of that."

Tuberoff blinked, "White Fang? Colonists?"

One of the soldiers suddenly came up to the leader, "Quinze. Message from Libra. Everything is secure."

Quinze smiled broadly, "Go. Everything's going according to plan. Report back. Tell them, 'the sheep is in the pen'."

The soldier saluted and moved off while Tuberoff looked on in a greater shock. 'Libra? Impossible!' Quinze noticed his shock and smiled once more before moving away. Tuberoff looked away toward the window and saw a group of ships beginning to surround them. All Sol-Tekka carriers. 'But why would they need carriers?' Then it hit him.

'They're going after Lunar Base!'

============================

The flashing blue energy of a crystal hawk descended on the Earth and skimmed over the water. The energy faded, revealing the armored visage of Zero. Currently, the only thought occupying his mind was reaching the Sank Kingdom. But as he approached, his tekka-set flashed and he looked ahead. Before him, standing on a cliff was...another tekkaman.

"E...p...y...o...n..."

As he spoke, the tekkaman in question crouched low and raised his blade. Seeing that a fight would commence, Zero shot upward into the air and Wing Epyon followed.  Zero stopped and summoned his own lancer. Meeting the charging tekkaman head on, Zero slashed out and their lancer clashed with great energy. The two backed away and shot back, meeting in an even heavier strike.

"H...Heero Yuy!"

"Zechs!"

The two back away again, their minds beginning to surface from the crystals power.

"What are you doing here?" Zechs shot out; his voice strained from his slipping control over Zero.

Heero replied in kind, "That crystal you're using...is a mistake."

Wing Epyon suddenly lunged and Zero managed to block the blow. But it was a feint for Wing Epyon to go past him and lash out with his heat rod whip. But Zero's speed helped him twirl around, slap away the heat rod and ignite his left arm voltekka. A stream of energy fired, but Wing Epyon's speed was just as fast and he dodged the beam. He the struck out and once more, the two tekkaman were in a saber lock.

"Are...you...my enemy?" Zechs asked, his control almost gone.

"Ask...Zero..."

Wing Epyon suddenly pushed back and lunged once more, this time tackling Zero. But Zero managed to flip around and push him back instead, smashing him right into the ground. Dust blew up from the collision and the ground crumbled around. But when it cleared, the two tekkamen were both unharmed and again locked in a lancer hold. The struggle went on for a few minutes before their tekka-sets flashed and they shot into the air, continuing their intense battle.

====================================

Romefeller Foundation.

Relena sat at a clean table by the side of a tall window which overlooked the front yard of the mansion estate. Her eyes looked sadly outward as the butler came and informed her that Duke Dermail will meet her shortly. Relena nodded, but said nothing and kept her gaze outside. She had lost everything. Her kingdom was in ruins and her ideals of peace along with them. But she realized that in order to keep peace, she had to surrender. But now she was at the mercy of Romefeller.

"You must be terribly saddened by the loss of your country, Princess Relena."

Relena slowly turned her head to see Duke Dermail walking toward her. The butler was at his side and at a nod from his master, he poured a kettle of tea into the cup that was before Relena. After doing so he left the room, leaving Relena with Dermail. Dermail stood by the table, but made no move to side down.

"This tea was grown in my garden." he said in a kind manner. "It may not satisfy your taste but please do try it."

Relena simply looked up at him and replied, "Lord Dermail, there is no need for your hospitable treatment towards me." Looking down, she continued softly, "I...I have surrendered to you."

Dermail looked away from her and toward the window, "So you would prefer a prison? There's no need for it. After all, we have rescued you."

Relena narrowed her eyes, "Rescued me?"

Dermail nodded as his gaze swept over the courtyard outside, "All you ever wanted was peace. That's why we have supported you. But former OZ traitors and rebels moved in to destroy your ideals of total pacifism."

"What are you saying?" the girl questioned.

Dermail grinned slightly, "The Romefeller Foundation has rescued you in order to protect your ideals." He turned his head to her, "That is how the public sees this Sank Kingdom conflict."

Relena was taken aback by this, "What?!"

"Your beautiful and noble speech has reached the hearts of the entire world. And we have fought to protect that hope from being extinguished."

Relena almost jumped from her seat as she declared, "No one will believe such a thing."

Dermail folded his arms behind him; his face still in perfect calm and control, "They will when we appoint you, Relena Peacecraft, as the Foundation's representative."

This newest surprise was oddly met with more calm, "Me...as Romefeller's representative?"

"Yes. And by doing so, the Romefeller Foundation will gain trust from the world, allow our World Nation to become a reality." He stopped to look at her more directly, "Of course it will be necessary for you and I to agree. You WILL be the Foundation's representative, Princess Relena."

Dermail blinked briefly and looked up in thought, "Oh no, for that matter, 'Princess' would no longer be appropriate for one who stands on top of the world. 'Queen' Relena would be far more suitable."

Relena frowned deeply, "I decline. I will not betray the people who have fought for me."

"Are you certain of that?" Dermail asked quickly. "You would be on the highest position of the entire Earth."

Relena continued to refuse, "I do not want it. I will not stand over the sadness of oppressed people."

Dermail gave a single laugh, "Even though our means are different, our goals are the same. You wish for peace, do you not?"

Relena clenched her hand in a tight fist, but didn't respond. As much as she didn't like it, this was a way to bring about peace. But would it be true peace? She knew better than that. This was obviously a way to use her status as a figurehead in order to strengthen Romefeller's claim. But still...

"You still have time to think it over." Dermail went on to say as he moved toward the door to leave. But before he left, "But don't forget. While you are here thinking, others are out there fighting and dying for peace. How many that dies all depends on the time you take."

===============================

Lunar Base

The shuttle had arrived, along with a platoon of Leo Sol-Tekkas. The base was completely unprepared for the arrival and especially for those inside who were rounded up by the White Fang soldiers stationed onboard. Tuberoff, lead by Quinze and a troop of soldiers, was led one of the communications relay on the Lunar Base. Quinze indicated to one of the officers, who activated the relay and thus put him on line with all the colonies.

"We are the colony revolution fighters, White Fang. Fellow colonists, now is the time to stand. At present our comrades have Tuberoff, the tyrant, in confinement. We do not need to obey orders. Earth has stripped us of resources and labor. But we were never meant to be their equals. The Radham war both showed us and gave us our strength and resolve."

From the L2 colony, Duo watched the speech as well, much to his discomfort.

'Just great. Those guys are going to start another war.'

"Join us. Join us in the fight for freedom! Let us build peace in space!"

Quinze then signaled to cut the transmission and then looked over at Tuberoff, "Now it's your turn, colonel. Now it's time for you to declare OZ's defeat to the colony citizens."

Tuberoff scowled, "I will do no such thing!"

Tuberoff suddenly yanked free from one of the guard's hold and rushed into the other, pushing him away. As the soldier stumbled, Tuberoff took flight, dashing into the corridor behind. The soldiers ran after him, but Tuberoff quickly ran off into another corridor and sealed it behind.

'It doesn't matter now.' Quinze thought. 'The revolution has already begun.'

Meanwhile, Tuberoff had managed to find his way into a control room. Sealing the door behind, he quickly jumped on the terminal and accessed the Sol-Tekka Doll control system. 'Fools. If they think they can take control, then they've reckoned with the power of my dolls.' Fortunately, the White Fang hadn't yet situated their forces yet, so he would still be able to fight back and take back the base. 'I will not surrender. Not when the most powerful weapons are under my command.'

Outside in the various holding areas, the Virgo Sol-Tekka Dolls shimmered to life and began moving. The docking bay opened and the dolls flew out across the grey landscape of the moon. Seeing their targets before them, they wasted no time as the fired upon the White Fang. The White Fang was caught by surprise, but quickly entered into the fight. Inside the Leos, the soldiers morphed into the primary body forms, letting them move faster in their machines and match the Virgos briefly. In any even, a massive battle ensued. The winner, control of Lunar Base.

================================

Beach, unknown.

It was a quiet day on the beach, which was currently deserted. Not too far away from the beach, a rocky cove a stationed nearby. Yet, if you look close enough, a small cave could be seen within the rock of the cove. And inside the cave, a small jetship sat within. Alpha ship. Also, tracks could be seen on the sands of the beach that trailed from the cave and leading up to two figures walking.

"This has been a hectic day, huh?"

"Yeah. You could say that again."

Yumi and Hayato strode over the beach and headed for the nearby town. After the surrender, they had all separated to different parts of the earth. Naturally, Hayato accompanied Yumi while the others went their separate ways.

"So what do we do now?" Hayato asked uncertainly.

"I'm...not sure really." Yumi replied meekly. "Maybe wait for a sign."

"I don't know about a sign. But we should wait."

The two blinked and turned around to see the source of the voice. To their bigger surprise, it was Dead End, strolling right behind them.

"Dead?! You're here?" Yumi exclaimed.

Dead continued to walk slowly, but answered, "I figured I stay with you for a while. Is that a problem?"

"Not at all." the girl retorted. "It just that...well, I thought you would have went with David and Anita."

"Didn't feel like it." he replied. But the truth of the matter was that he really didn't want to see David right now. After their previous encounters with Tekkaman Slayer, there had been slight friction between the two friends. David would have tried to patch things up, but Dead would have none of it. Not right now anyway. And he couldn't have gone with Natasha and Goliathe for obvious reasons. He could have also gone solo, but for some reason, he felt that he should at least be with someone during this time. May as well be the 'children'.

"Besides, everyone's always saying that you two need supervision."

As if on cue, Hayato frowned, "Hey, what's that mean?!"

Dead stopped in his tracks briefly and turned to show Hayato a slight grin, "Oh, you should know Hayato. Everyone else does." His eyes shifted to Yumi for a moment, "Almost everyone."

Yumi blinked at his gesture and turned to Hayato, "Everyone knows what? What he talking about?"

Hayato blanched and quickly waved his hand, "Oh, it nothing. Nothing at all."

Dead continued to watch the exasperated boy with amusement, "Yeah. I'm sure it's nothing." Turning forward, he continued on his walk. "Well, we should get going, don't you think?"

"Hey, you're not the boss of us!" Hayato yelled. But that was soon knocked off to the side when Yumi rushed up with Dead. Waving back...

"Come on Hayato, let go."

Hayato blinked in stunned silence before his brain kick in and he ran after them. "Hey wait up!"

=============================

The land around the two battling tekkamen quickly became a wasteland as the fight went on. Both tekkamen were moving at insane speeds, constantly slashing at each other with increased ferocity and power for every blow and strike. But neither one managed to pull off a direct hit on the other, for their attacks would either be blocked, countered, dodged, or parried by the other. The crystals were feeding them more power, but the strain was beginning to take its toll on the two warriors. Nevertheless, their single-minded drive for destruction and victory was preventing them from stopping. The two repeatedly attacked each other in the air and soon shot toward the ground.

"Voltekka!!!!!!!!"

Wing Epyon charged and his lancer's cells emerged and blasted outward, forming a massive blade of energy. With a cry, Wing Epyon raised the blade and smashed it down onto the earth and Zero. But Zero's wing protrusions opened and the tekkaman shot off to the side and in the air, leaving the destructive energy behind to tear up the ground. Seeing him now open, Zero positioned both his arms forward and summoned to combined energy of both voltekka cells.

"Voltekka!!!!!!!"

The dual beams fired and combined into a single force of destruction. Wing Epyon shot his head up and shot back and away, causing the voltekka to impact the ground and explode with tremendous force. More dust spewed up like a cloud before the two and they charged again, clashing on the ground with more force. They then backed away, their tekka-sets flashed rapidly. It was too much for them to continue. They had already maxed out their abilities and their energy was dangerously low. The two stood, ready to charge again.

"Naaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"

"Grraaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"

Suddenly, the two grasped their heads in pain and screamed. The tekka-sets flashed continuously as they knelt down to the ground, wracking their heads. Their armored bodies shimmered and glowed brightly until with one final cry, the armors shattered. The fragments floated in the air briefly and seemed to intertwine before they vanished altogether, leaving the two fighters naked, exhausted and spent. It only took a second for them to collapse completely onto the ground.

==============================

Lunar Base

The battle continued, quickly reaching a high intensity. Even though the White Fang soldiers were fighting better than anyone could in a Leo Sol-Tekka, they were still outmatched by the superior might of the Virgos. The fighting was so intense that it began to seep inside the base, with weapons fire blasting through the docking bays. However, this gave the White Fang a slight advantage, allowing the soldiers without Sol-Tekkas to battle in their primary body forms within an atmospheric condition. Within one of these, a team of primary bodies and Leo Sol-Tekkas were in a fierce firefight with the dolls. Neither group seemed to be backing off in their battle. But that was until the dolls began exploding from behind.

'What?'

A green light engulfed the entire corridor and the dolls were all decimated. However, the light continued through and was seen to be energy. The White Fang was shocked as the form of a tekkaman emerged through the light and rushed right through them. The Leos exploded while the primary bodies were ripped apart. The light finally faded down, revealing the tekkaman's true form. Tekkaman Altron.

"There will be no more fighting! Not in outer space!"

Twirling his double-trident lancer, Altron blasted right out of the corridor and toward the surface where the main battle was taking place. He barged right in and lashed across his front. He didn't care who it was, White Fang or Romefeller. They were fighting and he was going to stop it all. Both parties were in disarray at the arrival of the tekkaman. The White Fang were thrown into confusion at fighting enemies on two fronts, with a gundam tekkaman as their new great adversary. The dolls re-adjusted their battle tactics and fired upon the tekkaman as well, activating their disruptors. But that did very little to slow down the driven tekkaman as he ripped, slashed, and tore through them all without letup. As the dolls fell, Tuberoff watched from his controls.

"No. That's impossible. My dolls can not be defeated!"

The destruction continued on, but Tuberoff didn't believe in and went mad.

"My dolls of invincible!!!!! THEY CAN NOT BE DEFEATED!!!!!"

Suddenly, the door opened behind him and a figure stood there. Tuberoff turned around just as a bullet shot through him. With a smile, the figure moved into the control and pushed Tuberoff's dead body aside. It then began to hit a few key on the controls and ejected a device from it. It then turned, stopping briefly to see the image of the gundam tekkaman in action. Another grin formed and the figure left, with a tekka-set shimmering on its forehead.

==============================

Sank

Heero's eyes opened and his arms moved to lifted himself up. That wasn't without difficulty, but he managed to push his body up and his knee forward. As he looked up, he saw Zechs was already on one knee like himself, but he was looking down at his hand.

"It has changed. The crystal."

True enough, Zechs primary body crystal had been transformed fully. Instead of being two crystals with one within the other, it was now a single crimson tekka-set crystal. Heero blinked and looked down at his own, seeing that had changed as well into a slightly larger pale-blue crystal.

"It would appear that Epyon has chosen me." Zechs muttered. Looking back at Heero, "And Zero, you."

"Epyon showed me." Heero said shortly. "You will oppose me."

Zechs simply stared at the youth briefly and then turned his attention to the air. A good distance away, a group of carriers were approaching. Reinforcements.

"I don't know how Trieze thinks anyway." Heero replied as he arose fully from the ground.

Zechs looked deeper at his crystal. 'Epyon...Trieze...So it seems that you will aid me even now. Very well then.'

Zechs got to his feet and stood beside Heero, looking at the incoming carriers. Heero grasped his crystal and summoned its power.

"Tek- Setta!!!!!!"

The carriers in the air approached the fallen Sank Kingdom after receiving the call for reinforcements. The pilots aboard soon caught sight of the blue energy coming at them, but were helpless to do anything as the crystal hawk ripped through them, causing them to explode. The energy bird continued through them, wiping out several carriers in one pass. But it showed no sign of a repeat attack as it began to soar away from them and into the air. The remaining carrier opened and launched their Dolls in order to pursue, but they missed the second energy that flew up from the same area. It was another crystal hawk, emerald green in color.

With equally angry emerald eyes within...

=================================

Unknown...

The dark cavern was littered with weird blinking lights that flashed ominously back and forth. So it was a change when a brighter light flashed in the midst of the cavern. The light quickly disappeared, showing the figure of a man entering in. He walked into a brighter part of the cavern and knelt down before a massive dark figure before him.

"Have you succeeded, Sliver?"

"Yes sir. It was far easier than imagined. The human fools were so preoccupied that my presence there wasn't even noticed."

"Good. We have that gundam to thank for that. Soon will be our time to move in force. But there is still the problem with those gundam tekkamen along with the Space Knights."

"I have learned that the Space Knights have been divided." Sliver responded, pleasure evident in his voice.

"Good. Now we can kill them off piece by piece."

"Slayer is still on earth. But I fear she may not be serious about this."

"Let her have her fun. Her chaotic methods are useful for the moment. In the meantime, I want you to focus you efforts on the gundams. One managed to escape, but there are others and they must be dealt with before they could regroup together."

Sliver frowned at the mention of the one that got away. 'Hellscythe. I'll make sure to kill you next time.' Returning his attention to his master, "And what about the other Space Knights, master?"

"I'll leave that to him." Sliver stood up and looked over to where his master had indicated. There, a glowing pod pulsated on the wall. The beat quickly grew more rapid until the pod burst open. Dripping out of it, an armored form descend and knelt down on the ground. The armor sprang open wide and a dark emerald eye gleamed from it.

"Our first gundam. Tekkaman Shirken!"

"I hear you, my lord."

==========================

Romefeller

The late sunset was finally beginning to disappear over the landscape. Relena hadn't moved from her spot since Dermail's offer. Her mind was wracked with possibilities and consequences. But the question still remained. As she pondered over these things, the butler had placed a serving of food down before her and noticed her still gaze.

"Are you alright, miss?"

Relena shut her eyes briefly before turning to him, "I am fine, thank you." She looked down at the plate of food, but still made no move as she spoke again.

"Please inform Duke Dermail that I...accept his offer to be representative of the Romefeller Foundation."

==========================

Lunar Base

The base was ravaged by the battle and particularly the tekkaman. But parts of it were still fully functional and those who survived regrouped within. Inside, Quinze was in transmission contact with Serderci, the man who was in charge of the Libra takeover.

"A gundam? Why would a gundam attack there?"

"I believe that he was actually attacking OZ and we happened to be in the way." Quinze answered. "He didn't know our intentions."

"I see. And what of Tuberoff?"

"Dead. We found his body in a hidden Sol-Tekka Doll control room. But it makes no difference. How are things at your end?"

Serdeci grinned, "Control here is complete. And construction is still on schedule. Libra will be completed soon enough."

"Good. Keep me informed."

------------------------

Dead, Yumi and Hayato are held up in a small hotel trying to determine and decide on what to do. However, an encounter with Tekkaman Slayer causes them to spring into action. Relena prepares for her premier as queen and true to Dermail's plan, she is able to unite the world. In outer space, Quatre and Noin are attacked by a new tekkaman and Quatre is forced into a difficult position. Next on Gundam Tekkaman: The Birth of Queen Relena.