Well, I've been pretty busy with homework lately, so I haven't had a lot of time to work on this fanfic. Anyways, this chapter covers a lot of things, so it's a bit longer than usual:
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Guardian HQ
Prairie enters the medic bay to see Vent and Aile sitting by the last, unconscious patient, X. "Has all the residents of Innerpeace been transported to the repaired Inner Hospital?"
"Yes, everyone helped. Including Prometheus and Pandora, but I didn't really get any signs of emotion from them showing that they cared in any way about the injured whatsoever."
"Well, the important thing is that they helped." Prairie looks out the window to look at the repaired Innerpeace. Although the city was repaired, the scars that Shademan left will remain for quite some time.
"We need to do something about this situation fast! We can't just sit back while they attack us one at a time." Vent looks outside as well. "If we keep on doing this, then we'll be destroyed one at a time!"
"There's nothing much we can do. We barely have any clues where to begin. The only information we've received is where one of Shademan's men can possibly be. Everyone needs to recover before we go after them."
"Was that remark supposed to be aimed at me?" X opens his eyes and slowly sits up. "I guess everyone's pretty busy or injured right now to go around looking for fights." The three others sigh as they realize there's nothing they could do.
Aile puts her hand on her head as she closes her eyes with a look of pain on her face. "Is there anything wrong, Aile?" Prairie moves closer to her as her posture returns to normal.
"It's nothing. I've just been having these headaches lately. One minute they're here, and the next, they're gone. It's probably just the stress I'm under right now."
"Well, you two should go to your rooms and take a break. Both of you have been working nonstop since the attack on Innerpeace, and humans need sleep. You two should both go rest up, I'm sure it'll make you feel better." Vent and Aile nod as they leave the room.
"I better leave as well, since I have some work to do. Get well soon, X." Prairie waves to X as the door closes behind her.
"I feel so bored being cooped up in bed all day… at least they have T.V." X reaches for the remote control and clicks the power button, but nothing happens. "Great, the batteries are dead."
X gets up to manually turn on the television, but finds there aren't any buttons on it. "Oh right, they took the buttons out a hundred years ago." The thought of manually taking apart the television and then try to turn it on somehow was tempting at first, but X realized he didn't know the first thing to do other than how to take it apart.
X sighs and gets back on his cushy white bed. "Well, at least they aren't making us sleep on boards like they did back at Maverick Hunter HQ. You'd think they'd be able to afford beds with all the money they spent on weapons."
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Prairie and Ciel's Room
Prairie looks over the reports sent by Guardians concerning suspicious actions that are probably caused by Shademan's troops. Prairie sighs as she thinks over their options. If I send a troop of Guardians to try and get a closer look, they'll probably just be destroyed. Fefnir, Leviathan, and Harpuia are busy with work of their own, and the rest are in no condition to be fighting.
The sound of the door opening turns Prarie's attention away from the reports sent by the Guardians and she turns to find that Forte was the one who entered the room. "Hello, Forte, were have you been?"
"I was looking around for things to do." Forte plops down on his mattress as he looks at the amount of paperwork on Prairie's desk. "Is there anything wrong?"
"I've received reports from a team of Guardians who noticed suspicious activity in an area, but I'm not sure of what to do about it. One of Shademan's men could be there, and if that's the case, then none of them would stand a chance."
Forte gets off his mattress and stands up to look over Prairie's head at the paperwork. "If it's really bothering you that much, I can go and see what's wrong."
Prairie turns her attention away from the paper and spins her chair so that she's facing Forte. Now that he mentions it, it could work, but still… "Are you sure you're ready for this? This could be your first real battle."
"I want to be able to help you and everyone else. This is the only thing I can do right now that can make a difference."
"Alright, if you're sure about this, then I'll transport you to the area." Forte nods as Prariie stands up, signaling him to follow her. They enter the Command Center and Prairie sits down in a seat and points to a trans-server.
"I'll alert a few Guardians to give you some back-up, but be careful, alright?"
"I will." Prairie punches in a few keys and Forte disappears. I know there's nothing I can do to stop Forte from wanting to go in battle again. I just hope that this time, he can settle down and find happiness instead of shutting himself off from the world like he did last time… Don't leave me again, Forte.
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"I've managed to locate a transmission. They've made their move and sent someone to Metalman's area. The energy signature matches Forte's!" Magnetman's face appears on the monitor with Guardian HQ behind him.
"Forte? So the mechaniloids cameras were accurate after all. No matter, his power levels are unstable and quite low right now." Shademan gets up on his chair and types in a few co-ordiantes.
"Should I launch an attack right now?"
"No, just stay hidden and keep me alert on any other movements. I'll head over to Metalman's area and greet Forte."
"Understood, Magnetman out," the screen blackens and Shademan types in a few different keys before Metalman's face appears on the monitor. "Metalman, Forte is coming in your direction. Hold him off until I get there."
Metalman nods before Shademan presses a button and the transmission ends. "Since I don't want the signal to be traced, I guess I'll just have to get there on my own, how troublesome."
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Guardian HQ
"We've located a high energy signature just outside of the base. Should we pursue it, Model W?" Pandora contacts Model W and Phantom while Prometheus guards the hallway in case someone passes by.
"I won't have Shademan interfering with my plans. Go ahead and destroy whoever's out there."
"Got it." Before Pandora could turn off the communication, Aile appears before them. There's something very different about her, she's like totally different person. Pandora turns to Prometheus and mouths something along the lines of : "We've been caught, idiot."
"Let me take of this one, I want to see how powerful this new temporary body of mine is." A very strange voice comes out of Aile's mouth, confusing Pandora and Prometheus.
"Omega, good to see you're finally able to resurface again without the brats using the biometals. Do you need Pandora and Prometheus's help?" Model W starts speaking with "Aile" before Pandora and Prometheus realize what's going on.
"I'm not sure how long I can stay in this body, so try to cover for me if anything goes wrong." Pandora and Prometheus nod before "Aile" starts to leave.
"Wait, what about the other brat?"
"I made sure that he's asleep before I took over this body."
"I meant why didn't you pick him instead?"
"I needed to find a more suitable host, so I'll see which of the two chosen ones is better. I've already got a feel for his power, so I'm trying this one." Aile opens the door and jumps down from the airship.
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"I've arrived, Prairie, what do I do now?" Forte looks around at the barren wasteland as he speaks with Prairie via a communicator. "There doesn't seem to be anyone here."
"Alright, wait for a minute as I perform a scan." Forte stays still as the clicking of keys is heard on the other side of the communicator. "There should be an entrance five steps north of our current location, the energy signals are coming from underground."
"Alright, I'll check it out." Forte moves forward three steps as dust begins to collect on his feet. Forte raises his hand and fires a charged buster downwards to find a set of stairs leading down. "It's just as you said, I'm going in."
"Tell me what you see." Forte looks around to find a huge assembly line. Cloaked by the shadows, he was able to make out the outline of mechaniloid grunts working on the assembly line, creating more mechaniloids.
"I see an assembly line and a bunch of non-combat mechaniloids working on combat mechaniloids."
"Alright, come back up and wait for reinforcements."
"Roger." Forte turns and heads up the stairs again. What's that noise? Forte identifies the sound as the whirring of blades and quickly ducks as it gets louder, scratching his helmet.
"Forte… you… al…" Prairie's voice is cut off by static as Forte tries to respond.
"Prairie? Can you hear me?" Forte speaks into his communicator, receiving only static in response. "Are you there?"
"Well, I didn't think I'd see the day where the mighty Forte would willingly work with someone." Forte turns to find a red robot with metal blades on his helmet and shoulders. "I guess the rumors true that you've lost your memories and abilities to fight."
"Who are you?" Forte backs away as he prepares to exit the room.
"You don't remember me anymore? Well, I am Metalman. It's pretty crowded here, so let's take this outside, shall we?" Metalman charges at Forte and brings his fist out as Forte tries to block the attack with his arms. Metalman uses his other hand to punch Forte in the guts, knocking him out the exit and into the air.
Metalman jumps up and positions himself above Forte before raising his fist and to punch the black reploid. Forte defends himself by blocking the attack with his arms, but is still knocked down by the force of Metalman's attack.
Forte lands on the sand, scattering the dust upon impact as Metalman slowly descends. "Looks like you really have lost all your power, this is just pathetic."
"Don't underestimate me!" A purple plasma bullet exits the dust in the air as it flies towards Metalman. Sands start to pick up as the bullet picks up speed and pierces Metalman in the left shoulder, exploding on contact and knocking the bulky robot down.
Forte dashes out of the dust with two blades in hand as he jumps at the fallen Metalman. Metalman grabs onto Forte's arms with his hands as he holds him back.
"You may have been the strongest of all of us three hundred years ago, but now you're weak!" Metalman does a flip and pins Forte down to the ground. "I'll just finish you off right now, Metal Blade!"
A spinning metal blade appears on Metalman's right hand as he holds Forte's neck down with his left hand. Forte tries to free himself from Metalman's grip as the blade moves closer. I can't die here, not like this!
Forte grabs onto Metalman's right hand with his own just as the metal blade makes contact with his helmet. Forte's other hands transform into a buster as he punches Metalman's chest and launches a charged shot. A purple light engulfs the two of them before Metalman is sent flying off.
"Don't think that's enough to finish me, Metal Blade!" Metalman throws two metal blades as they whirl around and start to move toward Forte. Forte jumps into the air, but the metal blades curve upward and knock him back down.
Metalman starts to walk forward as Forte stands up, clutching his left arm with a huge gash on his left shoulder and electricity oozing out. His right leg also has a huge gash and he is struggling just to stand up. If he attacks now, then I'm done for. I need to think of something quick!
Metalman picks up speed as he dashes at Forte. "You can't dodge this attack now. I'll crush you with my bare hands!" Sand begins to surround Metalman as he picks up speed, the sand covers Forte as Metalman brings out his fist. His fist makes contact with something hard as a deafening crack is heard.
"I guess since I defeated you, that'll make me the strongest Robot Master. WHAT!?" The sand clears and Metalman realizes that it was just a huge chunk of ice that he hit. He looks at Forte and notices his original black and gold armor has changed into black and turqoise. "My hand's stuck!"
"Now it's time for me to attack!" Forte's armor transforms back into its original shade of gold and Forte raises his hand while transforming it into a buster and gathering energy.
"Damn it! I can't move…" Metalman struggles to free his hand, but Forte unleashes the blast. Chunks of red armor scatter into the air and Metalman falls down. "Looks like you just might be the strongest Wilybot… even after all these years…"
Forte's right leg gives away as he kneels down to the ground, watching Metalman's explosion. "Looks like you really are still alive." Forte quickly looks up to see a purple figure hovering in the air.
"Shademan…"
"I'll just take care of you right now in case you grow up to be a problem for us!" Shademan's claw digs into Forte's armor as he extends his armor, bringing the black reploid down.
Shademan's arm returns to its normal length as he lands and walks toward Forte. "To be honest, you did a lot better than I expected, defeating Metalman like that. I won't allow you to live on!" Shademan swipes at Forte, but Forte manages to roll out of the way and only receive a small scratch on his cheek.
I don't want to die like this… Prairie… "Forte… Com… Communications have been restored. I'm getting you out of there right now!"
"Crush Noise!" Forte disappears before he receives the full impact of Shademan's sound wave. "You got lucky today, but I'll get you next time."
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Outside Guardian HQ
"Why can't I defeat you!?" Magnetman launches three Magnet Missiles at Aile, but she just jumps up and spins her new purple saber, sending out ice waves and destroying the attacks.
"Give it up, you're pathetic." The strange voice coming out of the human's mouth sends shivers down Magnetman's artificial bones as Aile moves closer. Magnetman creates a barrier to protect himself, but Aile's purple saber cuts straight through it, taking Magnetman's left arm.
"How did you get so powerful!?" Magnetman's remaining hand starts to glow and so does Aile's dark red boots. "I've immobilized you, now DIE!" Magnetman charges at the red clad chosen one in desperation.
"Get out of my sight, weakling." Aile's hand starts to glow as she punches the ground, sending out bright waves of light fanning outwards, crushing Magnetman's remaining arm.
"You're annoying me. I'll just finish you off now." Aile dashes toward Magnetman at incredible speed as he looks up in shock.
"No, don't do this! AAHHHH!" Aile runs her hand through Magnetman's chest as he explodes, covering Aile with shards of red armor.
"Looks like I've run out of time, at least now I've got a feel for this body." The armor on Aile's body disappears and reverts to Biometal X and O as Aile grabs them and puts it into her pockets. "I'll look for a better host later, but this will do for now."
With that said, Aile's now red eyes close as she falls unconscious onto the ground.
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Guardian HQ
"Forte! What happened to you?" Prairie rushes up to the battered Forte as he comes out of the trans-server. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you in time…"
"It's alright, I was able to win in the end, and you just saved my life back there." Forte's eyes close as he falls forward. Prairie grabs onto the black reploid's body to stop his fall.
"Just rest for now, Forte, you did good today." Prairie carries the smaller reploid on her back into her room. She puts Forte onto her bed and tucks him in before leaving the room, hearing Forte's gentle snores before closing the door.
He almost lost his life today just to help us. Everyone's trying their best right now, I just hope that's enough for us to make it. Prairie moves toward the Command Center while lost in her thoughts, but bumps into Vent on her way.
Both of them fall on the ground as Vent helps her up and Prairie wipes the dust from her coat. "I'm so sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going and…"
"Why are you in such a hurry? Is anything wrong?"
"It's Aile, she's missing from our room!" A look of concern washes over Prairie's face as Vent begins to talk. "I've asked around headquarters, but no one seems to know where she is."
"Come on, let's go look for her." Prairie grabs onto Vent's arm and drags him around the base looking for Aile until they bump into Prometheus and Pandora.
"Have you two seen Aile?" Vent asks as he tries to catch his breath.
"Oh, I just saw your girlfriend outside taking a nap on the ground. I don't know why, but she is." Vent grabs Model H and X as he transforms and opens the hatch to the door and jumps down, locating Aile and bringing her back.
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"Ugghhh… what happened?" Aile wakes up to find Vent and Prairie staring at her. "Did anything happen while I was asleep?"
"We found you outside unconscious on the ground, what were you doing there?"
"I was?" Aile tries to search for memories for anything that could remind her of that. "Sorry, but I don't remember that."
"Maybe she was just sleepwalking…" Vent suggests sheepishly. "That's probably why she doesn't remember anything."
"I doubt a sleep walker can jump down an airship unharmed." Prairie sighs as the three of them try to figure out what happened.
"Wait! I remember something!"
"What?"
"When I woke up in the middle of the night, there was a strange voice telling me to get up. I followed the voice's directions until I got to the hallway, but then everything else is a blank." Aile sighs. "Maybe I just dreamed that."
"Well, whatever it is, I don't think we'll be figuring it out today. You two should go ahead and get some rest." Vent and Aile nod slowly as Prairie leaves the room, trying to rack their brains for possible explanations on why Aile was outside.
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The next chapter will probably be about Yuriskah making his move, so review and tell me what you think about the story so far or if you have any suggestions.