Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't own the Wild Arms series, since it is owned by and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Please don't sue me... Please?
When the man with the bayonet arrived, he noticed how quiet the area had gotten. People were obviously hiding, leaving their shops locked. A tumbleweed rolled by. Ashley stood there for a few seconds before hearing a fimiliar voice.
"I never thought you would wake up so soon."
He turned towards the source of the voice behind him. A familiar bounty huntress walked towards him with five other people. "Kanon. I'm glad you showed up."
"What's going on here?"
The musketeer sighed. "The facility is being invaded by a single intruder. I was told to regroup with you to encounter the enemy inside."
Kanon stood silent before speaking again. "Obviously, the front door is the only way in." She turned to the five people behind her. "We are to proceed with caution. If this intruder is capable of breaking and entering by himself, then he must be a very dangerous suspect. Those that cannot fight against the unknown force will stay outside until further notice."
This caused Virginia to think about the situation. A single intruder? Could it be someone she and the others encountered before? Was it...?
Impossible...
"Are you okay?" She was knocked out of her thoughts by Kanon. Shaking her head, Virginia chuckled.
"It's nothing!"
-
Janus sighed. It had grown boring here already, just knocking out the guards and tying them up inside the library. If there was one thing he missed doing the past week, it was fighting that Princess and her idiots. It was funny how he had grown lonely without a challenge. Once the big boss behind the facility was out of the way, he would have a fortress.
Then he heard the front door open. Reinforcements? He walked towards the source of the sound.
I'm really getting tired off this...
-
The group turned their heads towards the balcony. Footsteps. Someone was headed their way. Pulling out their weapons, the group prepared themselves as Ashley spoke up. "Come out with your hands in the air!"
What they got surprised them, with the exception of Kanon.
"I never thought we would meet again so soon, punk." Janus walked into the lobby, Dark Spear in hand, smirking and looking down from the balcony. "And you brought the Princess with you. Good job!"
"Janus Cascade... How are you-?"
"It's just like I told those blokes back at Yggdrasil, Princess... You took down a fake I left. Surely, you impressed me, but it could have been better if the real me was around. As for those idiot Prophets, it turns out the royal lapdog was actually meant for fodder. If I didn't remember a good trick back at Fortune Gear, I would have died. What was the name of that slug, again? Siegfried? Doesn't matter now. I'm free. Those freaks must be dead right about now."
Virginia stood there in shock. "Dead?"
"Yeah. Gone, deceased, finished, done for, left for dead, what else do you think I mean?"
The girl glared at him. "You monster... How could you do those things?!"
"So much for justice, eh?" He turned to Ashley. "As for you, when I met you back in Little Twister, I believe I said we would feet if we meet again."
"Let me guess. You're the intruder..."
"We have a winner. What should your prize be? A one-on-one fight? Or ganging up on me? The choice is yours." Ashley shook his head.
"Sorry, but I don't have time for games. You are to leave this place at once."
"A game? You seriously think I am calling this a game? If that's the way you want to play this, then fine!" Quickly raising the Dark Spear in the air, the Drifter fired several colored beams, hitting the group at a great speed. Janus shone brightly, transforming into the hideous monster, and jumping down, he swung and hit the ground when the Dark Spear suddenly became covered with blue electricity. The result was an explosion that shook the room and hit everyone but himself.
"Like this dog's new trick? It was a technique for experts of this weapon. I have redubbed it 'Cascade Impulse'. I really hate to make a mess, but I understand that you blokes are more than worthy of it."
The group, with the exception of Kanon and Ashley were struggling to stand as Gallows spoke. "Why don't ya finish us off?! It's pretty obvious you could have taken all of us down with more than that!"
Janus scoffed. "I just don't intend to use the explosion's power, which is why I wanted to test you."
Virginia grit her teeth as she shook. "Don't lie! You're doing this so you could toy with people and push them around!"
The demon looked towards Ashley, simply ignoring the girl. "I never thought an idiot like you would still be standing after that."
Ashley didn't speak. He just glared at Janus.
"We'll fight a one-on-one battle, since you deserve it. What's your name? It would be nice to share it since you were introduced to me."
"It's Ashley... Ashley Winchester..."
Janus stood there, something on his mind.
Winchester... Where have I heard that name before?
"Ashley, huh? That's a weird name... But I won't forget it." After a few seconds of standing there, the two warriors ran towards each other and clashed as Kanon and the rest ran towards the library.
-
Nightmare Castle
-
Now sitting down in her chair, the dream-demon thought about the recent events that had happened. The failure of the knight Siegfried to manifest, dying at the hands of a fool like Janus Cascade. Things only got worse from that point on, as something was interfering with her plans of her own Filgaia, something she knew very well. Beatrice grit her teeth. This was a problem.
A VERY big problem.
Whatever was out there was probably laughing at her.
"Doomsday. Have the other servants discovered what that thorn in my side is doing?"
"Indeed, my lord." The apparition frowned. "Your monsters have discovered the 'Blaze' still inside Yggdrasil Tower. The most unfortunate news is concerning the generator inside."
"That is impossible. I have the core to the generator in my possession. There is no way he would be able to make use of Yggdrasil."
"My lord, leftover energy from that tower is disappearing rather quickly as we are speaking."
"What?" This caused Beatrice to stand up in surprise.
"All of Yggdrasil's energy is gathering at the generator. My lord, as much I regret saying this, the energy is transferred to the 'Blaze.'"
Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "So the target is draining power from the tower. I shall wait and see what sort of events develop." The monster left, and Beatrice was left by herself. "It has been too long... Lord Blazer..."
-
Crimson Facility
-
The huntress wiped her forehord, the ropes that were restraining the guards were laying on the floor. "There. That's the last one."
"I never thought Janus would go and do this. Sorry."
Kanon turned to Virginia. "Don't be worried about it. It's not your fault he is here."
The sniper fixed his glasses before speaking. "I believe you still have not told us about the 'Blaze' Lamium spoke of earlier."
"I'll give you the details of the incoming threat as we meet up with the head of this facility."
-
Both Ashley and Janus were standing there, exhausted from all the fighting, both had their respective thoughts. Ashley thought of the following: Who was this figure standing before him? Why was he so similar in almost every way?
Janus thought of this: Who was Ashley Winchester? Why were both of them hesitating to kill one another? Why was the man he was fighting carrying that bayonet all over like he did once before?
No. It was not at all possible.
"Is that all you've got, Ashley? Look at you, taking everything I dish out, and still trying to stand!"
"Yeah, well I don't see you doing any better, Janus."
"Why are you holding back? Clearly, you have not used up everything while I dish out all of my attacks."
"I don't wan't to kill you after what you have been through. If you are right about one thing, I haven't shown you everything besides the attacks using a bayonet."
"Then what are you waiting for?! Show me what your next strategy is!"
Ashley grit his teeth. "Fine..." He stood there for five seconds, then he began to growl. That growl turned into a scream, and Janus could definitely feel a change in power. Once Ashley stopped screaming, Janus could hear a single word being shouted.
"ACCESS!"
Suddenly, a bright light shone where the musketeer stood, and Janus had to cover his demon eyes to keep himself from being blinded.
-
Marivel looked towards the moniter showing live feed of the light. She began to smile. "Old habits die hard, right? This is the light from before. During those battles as the grotesque black knight, this light would shine. It seems the battle with the shadow over 1000 years ago indeed initiated a 'Revival of Power'. Is it true... Knight Blazer?" Then another moniter caught her attention.
What in the world?
There were three figures heading towards the chamber she was in.
"More intruders?" The smile on her face disappeared.
-
Once Kanon's group reached the hall leading to Marivel, they screeched to a halt. "What the hell?"
Virginia recognized the three figures ahead of them. "No... It can't be..."
The Prophets turned around, smiling. Leehalt spoke, confirming Virginia's fears. "How nice to see you again..."
"Leehalt... Melody... Malik..."
The huntress turned towards her companions. "You know them?"
"How are you alive?!"
Leehalt did not answer the question. He just kept grinning underneath his mask. "Here is a little something to celebrate our reunion." Three monsters had appeared right after Leehalt's speech. Pulling out her dagger, Kanon glared at the three new intruders.
"Virginia, it is important you take these monsters while I go after these trespassers."
Gallows looked at the one-eyed mercenary. "Are you nuts? You're gonna get yourself killed!"
Kanon just leapt above the monsters before landing before the Prophets. Glaring at the three figures, the huntress entered a battle stance. This earned her a smirk from each Prophet.
-
Finally, the light died out. Janus uncovered his eyes, and what he saw truely angered him. In his opponents place stood a different figure. Janus noticed its features clearly: Black armor, with hints of red in certain spots, and a red cape flowing behind, despite the fact there was little wind.
Then something clicked.
Janus quickly went from angry to actually laughing. "Now that's rich! A demon form! That's so priceless, I tell you!"
The dark being did not speak.
"Not only are we experienced with bayonets, we can transform as well!" Janus calmed down, noticing the silence. "What's wrong? Forget how to talk?"
No response. Ashley just looked at Janus.
The drifter thief scoffed. "Luckily for me, you've also forgotten how to think properly!" Running towards his target, Janus raised his weapon and swung down...
Only for Ashley to kick the Dark Spear back, Janus beginning to stumble before regaining composure. "You..." The angered demon attempted to strike with a horizontal slash, but the figure in black jumped over the blade. Janus felt something powerful hit his face. It was a black fist, knocking the demon onto the ground. Janus growled as he stood up. "You... What in the hell are you...?"
The responce he got surprised him only slightly.
"What am I? I am known as the grotesque black knight that fights for justice in the world. I am known as Knight Blazer." He proceeded to pull out a sword, the beam acting as the blade glowing blue. "Just think of this as a warning. If you don't leave now, I will be forced to make you regret coming here." This was followed by silence, then Janus picked up the Dark Spear before running out the front gate. Not before Janus left few words as he ran.
"We'll meet again, Ashley Winchester! Next time, you'll be the one running!"
Ashley did not say anything. The sword in his hand disappeared, and the bright light devoured him again before fading and revealing Ashley himself. "I'm not so sure about that..." He ran back towards where Marivel was supposed to be.
-
Yggdrasil
-
Lord Blazer smiled as the small monster soldiers slammed against the wall. "I would have expected this greeting to be more pleasant..."
A single soldier started to stutter some words as its comrades disintegrated. "Why are you here?! What do you want?!"
"What do I want indeed... I thought it was obvious that you would know." As the soldier tried to send a distress signal, it disappeared. "Don't bother. Your calls can no longer reach her. Don't you remember? I am the carrier of the force that cancels your enigmatic signals..." The Blaze of Disaster walked toward the monster before grabbing it by the head and then lifting it to look at him upclose as he grinned.
"My dear soldier. Let me ask you one thing..."
"Y-yes?"
"What is Beatrice planning to do with this power?"
-
Crimson Facility
-
What had happened was simple to explain. The monsters had dished out some clever tactics, but nonetheless, the Drifters had prevailed, leading to assisting Kanon against the Prophets. The battle was concluded as Melody and Malik were forced to sit on the sidelines, despite their enhanced powers. Only Leehalt was left standing.
"It seems we are unable to turn the tables, especially since the sacrificial lamb is no longer in our control."
Jet frankly had enough. "What are you planning to do?! Didn't you idiots learn enough!"
A moment of silence, then Leehalt widened his eyes. "Is that how you treat your elders... Sample?"
Jet widened his own eyes in confusion, but before he could get a word out, the three enemies disappeared. As soon as they had teleported away, Ashley had arrived.
"Sorry for not being here."
Virginia was lost in thought. "If the Prophets are still alive, and then Janus said they were dead, then who could be responsible for having them return?"
"I do not know, but this could relate to the 'Blaze' Lamium spoke of."
Virginia turned to the green-haired man. "You're right. Something's up, and the Prophets have something to do with it."
Kanon was the one to speak next. "Up ahead in the chamber is the manager of this facility. She should be able to confirm our suspicions."
The four Drifters looked at one another. First Janus, then the Prophets, now a 'Blaze'? Was there no end to incoming threats?
Ashley nodded. "I will get the man back in the plaza and return. You go on ahead." As he started walking back to the entrance, he flipped a switch on the wall next to a speaker. "Attention all civilians! This is Ashley speaking! The enemy is gone, you can now come out." Turning the switch off, he ran back to the entrance while the rest of the group carried on.
Thanks for making it this far! Please rate and review... By the way, here's a gift.
OMAKE
Toy Soldier Commander: This is it, fellas! The moment we've all been waiting for! Today, we hunt down the monster at Yggdrasil!
Toy Soldier 1: Can we use the bathroom while we are there?
Commander: What, you have to pee now?
Soldier 1: Well, DUH! What else is the bathroom for?!
Soldier 2: It COULD be for using the shower as well!
Soldier 3: I WANNA BRUSH MAH TEETH!
Soldier 2: We don't HAVE teeth, moron!
Soldier 3: Oh yeah...
Commander: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! I'm surrounded by idiots! *faints*
Five seconds pass, and then...
Soldier: So...can we use the bathroom, or not?
END OF OMAKE