Crona stood alone in the massive passage. A lone figure in the flickering light. His shadow stretched out endlessly behind him. She could feel her partner's soul grow taunt, ready to fight. Crona lifted up his head and looked at them nervously. Maka stared at him for a long time before pulled her hands free from the controls and pulling the release harness. Soul obliged and opened the cockpit, allowing her to jump down to the ground level. She landed lightly and approached Crona, her eyes narrowing.
"Stand down, Pilot," Maka called out, stopping only a few feet away from Crona.
"I have to kill anyone who comes here. Lady Medusa will be mad if I don't. So I have to kill you," Crona said as his left hand came up to grip his right arm.
Maka lifted up her rifle and clicked off the safety, "I said stand down, Pilot. Drop you weapon and I'll take you into custody. Titan's are not to be used against the Coalition under any circumstance."
Crona looked down at the black sword he held lightly, "I can't do that."
"Have it your way," Maka's finger twitched against the trigger and unleashed a steam of bullets that were promptly blocked as Ragnarok burst from Crona's self. The massive Titan formed around the Pilot's body and slowly lifted him up into the air. Through the open cockpit, Crona looked down at her and frowned.
"It's useless. If we fight again, you'll just lose," He looked away as Maka stared at him, undeterred by his Titan's appearance, "Stop staring like that. I don't know how to deal with people who stare like that.
"I'm not going to lose," Maka said as she lifted her hand a beckoned Soul to her. With earth shaking footsteps he moved to her, reaching out with his massive have to lifted her up and deposited her safely in the cockpit. A smile of anticipation lit up her face as she glided her hands over the controls. The door closed and Soul's weapon systems booted up, the enemy titan coming into view on the screen, "My Titan, my Soul, it's stronger than yours."
Crona's mouth set into a firm line before he was completely enveloped inside of Ragnarok. The Black Titan let out a scream and leered at her, "It doesn't matter what you say girlie, you'll still lose. Brave words or not."
Maka ignored him, "I'm Maka Albarn, One-Star Pilot of the Earth Defense Coalition. Tell me who you are."
"Demon-Pilot Crona," Crona's voie drifted out as Ragnarok slowly lifted up his arm and the black blade materialized, "Maka. I'm going to kill you."
"Maka," Soul's voice was tinged with concern, "Tell me you can beat this guy."
Maka grinned, "Probably not."
Soul paused before letting out a laugh. Maka felt the warmth of his soul become her and she could imagine him laughing, one arm draped out her shoulder. "Alright, that was pretty cool. I'll give you that one, nerd. Now, show me what you can do."
"Right," Maka slammed the controls forward, "Let's go!"
Soul dashed forward and closed the distance between the two combatants with a single bound. His giant fist came up and slammed into Ragnarok's chassis, knocking him back a step. Maka saw the sword start to come up, but she knocked it to the side with the barrel of her chain gun and pummeled Ragnarok with another punch, this one leaving a large dent. Sliding back to avoid being cut, Maka watched as the dent slowly pushed itself back out, leaving not even a scratch.
This was going to be rough.
"Let him have it!" Soul said as Maka lifted up the Chaingun and let go a hail of bullets. They pinged off Ragnarok's armor, leaving tiny dents, but the Titan made no effort to dodge them.
"This will never work," Maka glanced at the res-rate. It was holding steady at 75% "We need more. Soul."
"Let's hit him with everything then. Why wait?" Soul yelled and Maka felt that familiar warmth rush through her veins and turn to burning lead. She grit her teeth before a scream tore from her throat and she threw her head back, feeling her soul intertwine with her partner.
80%
85%
90%
95%
"Damage core activated! Weapons hot! Give 'em hell!" Soul grit out as Maka's hands gripped the controls until her knuckles began to crack.
"Take this!" Maka screamed as she unloaded the Chaingun towards Ragnarok and activated Soul's rocket system. The smoke from the salvo filled her view screen, followed by fire from the explosion. A wave of heat washed over her.
"Second Salvo ready!" Soul informed her.
"Fire!" Maka slammed her hands against the controls, sending another volley of rockets into the smoke, feeling the shock wave as they detonated rumble through her chest.
"That should get his attention," Soul muttered smugly as he dropped the spent mag and reloaded another one.
"Yeah," Maka grinned, but her elation only lasted for a moment as the smoke began to fade, "No way…"
The last of the smoke cleared away and Ragnarok stood, completely unscathed. Baring her teeth, Maka charged towards the Titan and threw another punch, but Ragnarok easily caught it and pulled Soul in close. She tried to pull away, but Ragnarok held Soul tight with apparent ease.
"Oh really? Is that all you've got?" Crona's amused voice asked as he pushed out with enough force to send them stumbling back. Maka activated the thrusters and dodged to the side just before Ragnarok's sword could impale Soul. Ragnarok swiped at them again and Maka activated Soul's particle wall. It activated just in time to block the strike, but fizzled away after a single hit. Maka used the time to back away. She kept her weapon trained on Ragnarok even though she knew it was useless.
"How is that even possible?" Soul grunted as Maka expertly dodged another attack.
"It's the Titan. We could beat Crona if only…" Maka trailed off as she studied Ragnarok. He was a stryder class. Usually they were fast and lacked armor. A trade off of sorts. Of course, he wasn't a normal Titan, but still… he couldn't be that different. "I have a plan."
"Is it a good plan?" Soul grit out as Maka used the Chaingun to block Ragnarok's sword before landing a solid punch that sent Ragnarok back a step. The reprieve only lasted a second before the attack resumed. Maka hit him with another salvo of rockets and retreated again.
"No," Maka said, "It's actually a little mad."
"Well," She could practically see Soul shrug and give her an easy grin, "No matter what I'll keep you safe."
Maka grinned as Ragnarok came charging at them, "Of course. Ready for round two?"
"Let's do it."
Maka took in and let out a deep breath as Ragnarok dashed toward, lifting up his sword. Maka waited a beat before activating Soul's electric smoke and throwing them backwards. Ragnarok entered the smoke just as the electric field activated. Inside the cockpit, Maka knew Crona would be blinded. This was her chance.
"Now!" She yelled, throwing herself forward. Soul read her movements and opened the cockpit, allowing her to leap free from his chassis and into the air. The electric smoke crackled one last time before beginning to disperse. Ragnarok came into view, the large black Titan momentarily blind and stunned from the attack. As she reached the apex of her jump, Maka activated her jumppack with a full burn. The sudden acceleration pressed the air from her lungs, but allowed her to easily reach Ragnarok. Stretching out out, Maka clawed with desperate fingers to find purchase on the Titan's exterior as her body slammed into the chassis with a dull thud. She grit her against the pain and pulled herself into a half standing position on Ragnarok's shoulder.
"Where are you?" Maka muttered as her eyes wildly searched for the maintenance release.
"Hey!" Ragnarok roared and he stomped from side to side, "Get off!"
Maka looked up as Ragnarok's giant hand rose up and moved to swat her. There was nowhere for her to run. The hand collided with her slim frame and she was sent flying. Bones broke and blood bubbled in her mouth, but Maka activated her jumppack and blindly threw herself back onto Ragnarok's hull.
The strike had cracked her helmet and she tore it off with one hand, her sweat drenched hair tumbling free as she let the helmet fall down to the ground. Blood dripping from a wound on her head as she watched Ragnarok's hand come around for another strike. She braced herself, but the strike never came as Soul thrust forward and caught Ragnarok by the arms, locking him in place.
"Don't you touch her!" Soul bellowed
Maka trusted him to buy her time and once again turned her attention to Ragnarok's hull.
"Found you!" Maka shrieked as she finally found the panel. She grabbed the release and ripped it free, exposing Ragnarok's internal wiring. Eyes wild, Maka unslung her rifle and jammed the barrel into the exposed circuitry, a vicious snarl on her lips as she pulled the trigger.
It didn't matter how strange this Titan was, it was still a Titan. Just like the rest of them, it could be killed.
Ragnarok screamed as Maka unloaded the magazine into his body. He thrashed back and forth wildly; pulling free from Soul's grip for a moment. As he lurched to the side, Maka lost her footing and her weapon slipped from her fingers. Off balance, she was nearly thrown free, but Soul once again clamped down on Ragnarok and held him steady. Maka didn't relent, drawing her sidearm and unloaded another flurry of bullets into the Titan's internal systems. As the gun clicked empty she dropped it and pulled free a grenade. She primped the ordinance and slammed it into the smoking hole before leaping free landing lightly on Soul's shoulders.
With his Pilot free, Soul dashed back and threw up his vortex shield for protection as Maka pulled herself back into the cockpit.
"Not bad," Soul said as he closed the door and gave control back to Maka just as the grenade went off. Ragnarok lurched to the side with a scream.
"He's weak. We have to finish this now!" Maka said as Ragnarok swayed from side to side, thick smoke pouring from the wounds she had left, "His internal systems are his weakness. Only his outer armour is regenerative."
Soul dropped his rifle and clashed his fists together. "Understood. "Let's do it!"
"Go!" Maka cried, leading their charge with a quick volley of rockets. The explosive succeeded in covering their attack and she landed a quick punch to Ragnarok's chest before ducking under a sloppy swing of his sword. Coming up to the side she gave another two punches before accepting one from Ragnarok, but it didn't deter her as Soul's shields held.
"Keep pushing him!" Maka screamed, as Soul's fists continued to fly and cracks appeared Ragnarok's armour faster than he could regenerate. Ragnarok screamed in response before redoubling his attacks, swinging wildly with an unpredictable series of attacks. Unable to dodge all of them, Soul was forced to take the punishment. His shields dropped painfully fast and soon the sword was making contact with his armour, leaving deep gashes that left him gasping in pain.
"Soul!" Maka cried as the blade ripped through Soul's shoulder and sheared off his rocket launcher.
"Don't stop! Keep fighting!" Soul yelled back, his soul flaring as he activated his booster to keep Ragnarok in striking distance, "Finish this!"
"Right!" As the acceleration pressed her into her seat, Maka realized she could no longer feel her soul. It wasn't gone, but it wasn't there either. Not how it normally was. It was completely intertwined with Soul's, the two indistinguishable from each other. With wide eyes she read their res-rate
100%
As Soul collided with Ragnarok, Maka's full attention was brought back to the fight. A battle cry tore from her throat as she directed Soul's hands to grab onto Ragnarok's arms. Teeth bared, she activated the dash in reverse, fully extending Ragnarok's arms. Spark's flew from the connection points as the strain began to rip the Titan's body apart.
"Soul!" Maka ordered.
"Got it!" Soul lifted up his giant foot and planted it in Ragnarok's chest. With a roar he kicked out as he tightened his grip on Ragnarok's arms. The black Titan's body held for a moment before, with a savage scream of pain, his arms were ripped free from his body and he fell backwards, body flailing wildly.
Without remorse, Maka dropped Ragnarok's limbs and advanced on him. Standing above him triumphantly she pulled back Soul's arm, her arm, and slammed it into the downed Titan's chest, breaking through the dented and broken armour and into the cockpit. She felt Crona's thin body under her metallic fingers, could feel his heart beat wildly as she tore him free from Ragnarok and held him aloft. Her grip tightened as she brought him up to her eyes.
He stared back at her, eyes wide with fear, his entire body shaking. Maka started to tighten her grip, ready to crush her enemy into nothing but pulp. Blood roared in her ears. All she had to do with squeeze. Squeeze and he would be nothing but another fallen enemy.
"Maka."
"Maka."
"Maka!" Soul's voice came out a low growl and she felt warmth envelope her fingers and being to pull them from the controls.
"Soul…" Maka blinked and looked down at her hands. Yes, her hands. Her tiny hands. Her human hands.
"It's over," Soul said softly.
Maka took in a deep breath and slowly pulled her hands free of Soul's controls before puling the release harness. Soul's cockpit opened and Maka slowly climbed out and carefully pulled herself onto Soul's arm, walking down until she was standing over Crona.
He refused to meet her eye.
"You're coming with us," Maka said as she dropped down to one knee. She grabbed Crona by the chin and made him face her, her eyes boring into his, "I don't know what they did do you, but I promise, I'll find a way to help you. But know this, you will answer for all the lives you taken."
She gave a curt nod before pulling back her fist and slamming it into Crona's temple, effectively knocking the boy out. His body went limp in Soul's giant hand.
"Now it's over," Maka said as she turned back to stare at Soul, a relived smile gracing her face, "Let's go home, Soul."