Ultraman, the Lylat Adventure
Chapter 6
Oikonny's Retribution pt.1
"So, you can alter your size at any time you want, becoming smaller or larger as the situation demands." Fox said, walking next to Steven.
"Correct. One of the perks of being a super-evolved being." the other vulpine said, with a hint of pride. The two vulpines, one more evolved than the other, were walking down the hallway to Fox's quarters. It has been only a few hours after the engagement on Corneria with the Kemur, and Fox's opinion of the newest member was starting to change. At first, he felt threatened by him, due to his abilities. However, he found out that, even a hero needs help every now and then.
"So, how small can you get?" he asked.
"The smallest that I can get, is roughly the size of a microbe."
"Seriously? So, that means that you are able to enter a person's body, if you wanted to."
"If I wanted to, yes. However, after one of my….past assignments, I'd not care to go through that ordeal ever again."
"Why, what happened?"
"Trust me, Fox, you don't wanna know. Let's just leave it at that."
"Uhm, okay." the vulpine said, a little unsure. They reached Fox's quarters, and the afore-mentioned vulpine opened the door to allow the both of them to enter.
"Now, will you tell me what this is about?" Steven said, after Fox closed the door.
"There's something that I wanna say. I'm sorry." There was silence in the air, as Steven was waiting for the leader of the famous mercenary team to continue.
"That's it? You're sorry?" he said, raising an eye-brow. "Why'd you take me to your quarters for a simple apology?"
"Because if Falco overheard it, I'd never hear the end of it. Especially since your not exactly his favorite person right now. If he overheard that, well…." Fox simply shrugged, while Steven stayed on the main subject.
"But, what exactly are you sorry about?"
"For the way I acted. I forgot that, you are here on your own assignment, your own mission. I shouldn't have chastised you like that. When you look like us, it's easy to forget that you're really…well…not like us. It won't happen again."
"You're apologizing for acting like a leader?" Steven asked, both of his eye-brows now raised. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You were just doing your duty as the team leader of Star Fox. If anything, I should apologize for not telling you of my intentions earlier. Remember, I joined the team, so I could help get my adversary out of your system faster."
"Right. But, seeing you transform and fight that….whatever it was, reminded me how alien you are to us. I still can't get past the physical appearance, but Krystal seems to see right through you. What does she see in you, that allows her to see past your true self?" Fox asked. Steven looked away, and seemed to wonder that himself.
"I wish I knew. When she first came to me on that planet a week ago, and lent me aide, I was thinking the same thing. 'Why is she helping something so alien, so strange, unhesitant and unafraid?' It's been going over my mind ever since I joined the team." Steven then pulled out the kerchief that Krystal used to bandage his arm out of his pocket, and stared at it, hoping that he would see the answer for himself.
"Maybe it's because of the fact that she's so innocent of the things that we are exposed to. Remember, Krystal joined our team not long before you did, and she came from a civilization that was not as advanced as ours. I mean, she still has issues grasping the concept of a light switch." Fox said, chuckling in amusement. He remembers the first time he flicked on the light switch to Krystal's room, and she yelped in surprise as the light flashed on, illuminating the room. That never failed to get a laugh out of him. Then, something struck him. "Hey, Steven?"
"Hmm?"
"I wanna ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Have you heard of a planet called Cerinia?"
"Why?"
"That's Krystal's homeworld. It was supposedly destroyed years ago, and the girl was searching for answers as to how it was destroyed."
"Destroyed? It's not destroyed."
"Wh-what are you talking about? Krystal told me that it was destroyed. It was reduced to nothing more than rubble and debris in space."
"You're talking about Cerinia, yes? The planet in the system that is several thousand quads from here, in the constellation that your people call 'The Hound's Head'?"
"Y-yeah?"
"It's not destroyed. It very nearly was, but it's not destroyed. I remember one of my comrades saying that, they returned from a planet in that system, filled with strange, blue-furred creatures. He, along with several others of my kind were able to save them, just before the cataclysm hit. I think I remember the coordinates for the planet, if you'd like me to show you." Fox was dumbfounded. He stood, rooted to the spot, as he took in the information slack-jawed. He was told by the blue-furred vixen that her homeworld was destroyed utterly, and now, here's another alien who's saying that it isn't.
"Please, do so. The star-chart is right there." he said, gesturing to the hologram to his left. Steven walked over to it, and started to select various stars in the hologram image, each one getting larger and more definitive as he progressed. Soon, he stopped at a blue planet, with two moons, orbiting a yellow star, with three other planets in its orbit. He stepped back, and Fox came forward, his mouth agape. It was almost exactly as Krystal described it; mostly blue with green thrown in to show the landmasses, two moons, orbiting a yellow giant. He just couldn't believe it. It was there, intact, and floating along its merry way in its orbit around the star. "We need to show Krystal this. She is gonna flip when she hears about this!" Fox said, excitedly.
Venom: "Sir, your associate is wondering how repairs are going for your armada." an ape officer said to Oikonny. The future ape-lord decided to personally over-see the reconstruction of his fleet, and headed for one of the large under-ground factories that the native Venomians had established. However, aside from the reptiles that live here, there were also criminals who were signed onto Andross's payroll, many of whom still hold allegiance to him, and are now serving under Andrew. The ape looks at the officer, eye-brow raised in a incredulous manner.
"He's joking, right?" he asks, the officer not getting that it was rhetorical.
"I don't think he is, sir. We just received a message two minutes ago, asking how repairs to your damaged forces are progressing." Oikonny sighed, and held his head in a gloved hand. While he lost more than a third of his forces, thanks to Star Fox and the Ultra, It will still be some time before he can get his forces to full strength. All the while, the conveyor belts carted several parts for fighters, while cranes held partly or nearly completed fighters, with robotic arms welding the hull and wings onto the fighters. The atmosphere was full of the noise of machines whirring and clanking, as well as the hissing of the welding torches and the stench of burning metal filling the large cavernous space that Oikonny and his personal guard were at. To get a better look of the production, Oikonny and co. were perched up high, in one of the various cat-walks near the ceiling of the cavern that served as the factory, the entire facility actually being built inside of the cave.
"Tell him, that production is going as fast as they are able to, and that we should have full strength soon." Oikonny ordered the ape. He bowed, and left the cat-walk. Oikonny sighed again, and left out of an exit to a hallway. Personnel and guards got out of his way, and stood at attention when he passed, as the would-be ape-lord hurried along to his destination. Soon, he reached a heavy, metal door. Then, a small protuberance poked out of the panel beside the door, and a thin, red laser went to his left eye, then his right. Seconds afterward, the door opened up, and Oikonny entered the darkened room. Ashe entered, the room lit up with fluorescent lighting, making the thing that Oikonny was heading for, all the more visible; it was another Shogun. However, unlike its predecessor, it was being fed the latest data. Standing an impressive fourty five meters, the mech was surrounded by lab technicians, and mechanics. Oikonny walked towards one of them, and spoke. "How is my pet project coming along?"
"Nearly done sir. Once we have downloaded all of the necessary information, then it will be ready for its first true test." one of the technicians in a white lab-coat explained. Oikonny walked over to the panel that was beside the right foot of the Shogun. On it, was a monitor that was replaying the previous fights that Shodai had waged in the Lylat system. Though few, they should provide the necessary information for the ape-lord's plan. Oikonny grinned broadly as the information was sent to the Shogun's artificial intelligence.
Great Fox: "No. I can't believe it. I just can't believe it." Krystal was taking the news rather well, in Steven's opinion. Fox and Steven went to Krystal to tell her that her people still existed in the universe, and, understandably, the blue-furred vixen was more than a little shocked by all of this. "Cerinia cannot still be alive. When I left it, the sun was about to go nova, and destroy it in a fiery cataclysm!" she almost shouted.
"You left, just before my kind arrived. We were able to stabilize the sun, so it wouldn't turn into a supernova and wipe out all life on your planet. We didn't know that they had sent one of their own into space, to escape the threat. If we had known, we would've brought you back to Cerinia."
"Why didn't you tell me this? WHY?" the vixen cried, tears streaming down her face.
"I didn't join in the efforts to save Cerinia, so I had no idea what they looked like. If I had known, then I would've told you that your planet still existed." Steven stated plainly. Krystal couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She broke down into sobs, realizing that her race had not been destroyed, that she was indeed not the last of her kind. Fox went over to comfort her, embracing her from behind as she sat on her bed. Steven stood there like a statue, letting the blue vixen calm down a bit, after receiving probably the most shocking news since she found out her world was in danger. When she was done, she sniveled and stood up, facing Steven with a hardened expression.
"Take me there."
"What?" Steven asked.
"Take me to Cerinia." she replied, her tone as hard as her face.
"I can't." Steven said.
"Why not?"
"Because I still have my mission to complete here. Once I am finished with my business here, I will put in a special request to my superiors to have you taken to Cerinia. Until then, you will have to wait."
"I can't wait, Steven. I just found out that I'm not the last of my kind, they survived an apocalypse, after I had been lead to believe that they had been dead for over three years, and now, you are telling me that you cannot take me there, because of your mission?" she asked, getting up in his face. Steven was unflinching, not moving. He understands how she feels, but this takes precedence over her own wants.
"Would you rather abandon your comrades, the people who took you in after saving you from Andross, to two madmen who will undoubtedly ravage the system, until there is nothing left?" he growled. "Because that is precisely what will happen. And after that, my adversary could head for Cerinia as well, with you still on it. And it won't matter if you were wondering if you were the last of your kind, because you'll be dead right beside them!" he said, raising his voice to her. The vixen seemed to take a step back from the Ultra/vulpine, while his own expression hardened for a moment, then softened again. Krystal looked to be on the verge of tears again, when Steven placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. Krystal brushed it off, and sat on her bed, not facing the Ultra/vulpine. Steven left the room, leaving Fox to try and soothe Krystal's ruffled fur. He stormed down the hallway, almost running over poor Slippy, and slammed the door to his quarters. He felt frustrated, and angry, something that he had not felt in a long while. Not since Earth. He also noticed, how these people were a lot like humans in that regard. He feels for the vixen, but if he takes her to Cerinia now, it will leave the Lylat System open to attack from a foe he knows will leave nothing standing, and nothing to stop him from doing so. Even with this thought, however, he cannot help but feel ever more conflicted about it.
Cornerian Military Center, Corneria: General Pepper sat at his desk, going over the latest reports about the red and silver alien being that has appeared and disappeared within the last few weeks. He goes over them, but only briefly glances at them, already knowing what it is that they say; merely what the witnesses saw, but not what he knows. He knows why the red and silver alien being has appeared in Lylat, and he knows that if he fails here, The whole system will face a threat that will make Andross look like a marmoset. He hasn't told the Star Fox team the true nature of their latest member, because he is afraid he will blow his cover. However, this doesn't stop the feeling of anxiety that constantly wells up inside of him.
Venom, at around that time: Oikonny was sitting in his 'throne', waiting to receive word that his masterpiece has neared completion. His associate said that his own 'secret weapon' needed more time to reach completion, time that the ape just would not wait on. Oh, no, he will take matters into his own hands. If everything goes according to plan, he will have the alien in his grasp, and hopefully, a certain mercenary team will be there to witness the entertainment. After all, what good is a show, if no one is around to witness it? The idea brings a smile to Oikonny's visage. The battle information was now being loaded into his weapon's computer, all he needs is the necessary information from his 'associate', which he sent his subordinate to take care of. Then, his door opened, and a skinny reptile in a uniform, his rank suggesting a lieutenant, came almost running in. Oikonny leaned forward, eager to receive word from him. "Sire, we have received word back from your comrade."
"Yes, and?" Oikonny asked, growing impatient.
"He requests why you want such information on the alien being. We told him why, but he wants to hear it from you, yourself." the reptile hissed hurriedly. Oikonny's expression froze, then it turned to a scowl.
"WHAT? He's asking me, personally, why I want information on my enemy? Isn't it obvious to him?" he shouted at the reptile, who cowered from the raging baboon. The ape stood up in a rage, and pointed at the reptile. "Get him on the line!" he yelled.
"He's waiting for a reply from you, right now sire." the reptile hissed fearfully.
"Get out of my sight!" Oikonny shouted, and the reptile did so, with post haste. Oikonny stormed to the main screen, and turned it on. The hooded visage of his 'associate' filled it. "I believe you are inquiring about why I want information on our enemy?" Oikonny asked.
"That is so. I was wondering why my comrade would be so willing to taste defeat for a second time." he replied in a raspy voice. This made Oikonny's blood boil ever more.
"It's so I can devise a way to defeat him, 'my friend'." Oikonny bit back the urge to retort harshly, knowing full well that to do so would be unwise.
"I see. Well, perhaps it would be wise to send you what it is that I do know about our adversary. After all, if you do defeat him, I would be in your debt." The robed figure said, rather politely this time. This made Oikonny calm down a bit. "I will send the information to you, within the hour. Is that quick enough for you, my friend?" he asked.
"That will be fine." Oikonny replied. The figure switched off, and Oikonny let out a heavy sigh.
On another part of Venom: Kemur was standing behind his robed master, his wounds he had received from the Ultra had already healed, not even scars remain on its hideous visage. It had its arms folded across its broad chest. "Why are you giving such dangerous information to such a dangerous person?" it asked. Its master chuckled in amusement.
"Because it will be all the more amusing to see the stupid ape fall flat on his face, again." he replied. "Have the data ready to be sent, and await for my command."
"All of the data, master?" it asked, unmoving. The robed figure seemed to consider, then answered.
"No. Just what you deem to be enough to let him think that he will obtain victory. Once you are done, await my signal, and send it to…our mutual benefactor." Kemur bowed slightly, and left the room. Its master smiled underneath his hood.
Great Fox, several hours later: Steven was lying in bed, asleep. He dreamed of his past battles on Earth, while combined with the human Hayata. Of all the planets and systems in the known universe, none have captivated him like Earth had. The battles that he had waged in its defense were famous on Earth, as well as on M78, and he was celebrated on his homeworld for it, being called one of the greatest warriors that his planet had ever seen. He dreamed this, then, his dream was interrupted by a danger signal going off in his head. He awoke with a start, and sat up suddenly. He looked out of the viewport on his wall, and tried to discern what it was that had disturbed his much-needed sleep. Then, he used his Ultra-senses to see, and feel, the disturbance. Then, he saw it, the Ultra sign. The language of his people was being transmitted into the vast reaches of space. It would not be detectable by any sensors that these people would have, nor would they see it. Even Krystal, the team's telepath, would be blind to it. He read it, and it made his beat quicken when he was finished
'Ultra, I know what you are, and who you are. I call on you, one on one, to a duel. If you win, I shall withdraw my forces from the Lylat system, and not bother it again. If I win, you are to leave the System, and let me, Andrew Oikonny, the heir to the great Andross and his mighty empire, rule it for all of time, and not let yourself, or any like you set foot in the System forever.'
It was a challenge, from the mad ape that he had thought that he had dealt with before. He had heard that a large portion of his fleet had escaped from the Cornerian forces, but he thought that he had destroyed Oikonny. But, like the cockroach of Earth, he seems to scurry back, when you least expect it. Fine, he will go out, and meet this foe that challenges him. He grabbed his Beta Capsule off of the night-stand, and was prepared to leave, when something else stopped him. The same sensation came over him again, and he turned to see the sign flash again, this time a different message:
'Come alone.'
As if he would be dishonorable enough to rely on others to fight his battles for him. Steven smirked, and headed out. He made his way to the hangar, satisfied that everyone on the ship is sound asleep. Only the automatic alarms should be functional in the hangar, and he can bypass those easily. He made it to the hangar, and was about to hop into his fighter, when he thought of something; if he should take an arwing out like this, the alarms would go off, and everyone would be down here in seconds, and he can't have that. No, he decided to do this the old-fashioned way. He pulled out his Beta Capsule, and raised it high, and activated it. Shodai was human size, his right fist raise high, the other brought up to his head. Then, with the force-field still on, he flew through it with ease. He made his way to where the Ultra Sign emanated, the barren planet, that these people know as Venom.
Venom, just shortly afterward: "Sir, we have a confirmed contact coming at us at sub-light speed." Oikonny was walking back and forth in the sensor room, just after he sent the challenge to the Ultra. He had been waiting for almost a half-hour, when the techie told him that the alien warrior had made itself known. Oikonny hurriedly made his way to the ape's station, and looked over his shoulder. It showed a monitor with a depiction of Venom in 3D, and a reading headed for the planet rather quickly. The baboon smiled broadly. The game was on.
Shodai landed on the planet's surface, the polluted atmosphere cutting off his solar energy. He can't last long in this environment, but he is prepared to fight in this place. Then, a part of the desert terrain opened up, and a doorway opened, inviting him in. Shodai looked at it cautiously, then entered, knowing that he had little choice in the matter. The doorway closed on the alien warrior, and he had only the light of his eyes and his warning light to guide him through. He walked down the darkened hallway. Then, an arrogant, male high-pitched voice laughed maniacally. Shodai knew this to be Oikonny. The arrogance never left the ape's voice as he spoke. "I knew that you would answer my challenge, Garrison member. I have collected quite a bit of information on you. Hailing from the planet M78, also known as the Land of Light in your language. Your reliance on solar energy, and other strong light and heat sources to survive, and many others. Oh, yes, your friend gave me quite a bit on you. Now, I have the means to defeat you, and take this System for my own." Shodai decided to switch back to his anthro disguise, to help conserve the energy for the upcoming fight. In his Steven disguise, he walked down the hallway, relying on his Ultra senses to guide him through. "You think that an insignificant worm like you can defeat me, in my own home? I don't think so! You're in my ball-park here, buddy! Here, you play by my rules, and the rules say, that you die, right here!" Steven didn't know what it was that the mad ape was babbling about, and he really didn't care. He just wanted to get this over with, and get on with his true mission. He knows that the ape will lead him to his adversary, and he will either get the information from him willingly, or he will beat it out of him. The hallway opened up into a large cavern, with machinery thumping and humming all around. It was dimly lit, just enough to see around. It was deserted, the machines running on automatic, or it was recently evacuated for the coming show. Shodai stepped in, looking around. The cavern was massive, with the ceiling standing at least several hundred feet high, and the cave itself seemed large enough to fit a whole city in. He could see fighters and the like being put together by the mechanical arms wielding torch welders, and the like.
'So, this is where the ape's army is being manufactured, is it? Fine. After I've dealt with the ape, I'll raze the whole place to the ground' Steven mentally noted. The Ultra/vulpine walked onto a balcony, and headed down the steps to the open.
"Do you like my humble little factory? It's not much, but it provides for half of my invasion fleet. There are two others like it on the planet, the inhabitants having built them, upon my uncle Andross's orders. Then, in the space of a few years, he built the largest armada the System had ever known. Of course, he was defeated by the Star Fox team, just before he could obtain total victory. Because of that, I swore to avenge my uncle's passing, and defeat the Star Fox team, and take control of the Lylat System, just as my uncle intended. Your defeat, would mean that nothing will stand in my way. I will kill you, then my 'associate', once I have done away with you. I know that he plans to double-cross me, but he won't have the chance, not with what I'm packing." He ended with a mad cackle, and signed off. Just then, the whole cavern started to shake, and a part of the ground in front of Steven opened up. Then, a large shape rose up, and towered over the man-sized Ultra/vulpine. It was humanoid in shape, wielding a shield, and a rifle. It looked a lot like the Shogun Warrior that he defeated a while ago, it seemed like ages since Steven had seen something like it. It looked down at the Ultra/vulpine, pointing its rifle at him. It fired, only to miss, the Ultra/vulpine rolling out of the way of its fire. Steven ducked behind a conveyor belt, and pulled out his Beta Capsule. He scowled, and raised it high. There was a bright flash, and light swirled out of the Capsule, and enveloped him. His figure swelled, and he faced the Shogun with a battle stance. It turned to Shodai, shield raised defensively, rifle at the ready. Then, the lights just brightened, making the cavern more visible. Shodai looked around him, confused at the sudden change of lighting. Then, several craft rose up, surrounding the pair. At first, Shodai thought that they were to fire on him at a moment's notice, but instead, they just hovered there. What could they be doing?
In his throne room, Oikonny was watching everything on his large view screen. He even had a bowl of popcorn and drink in hand, to help celebrate today's great victory. He was surrounded by his close subordinates, whom he felt deserved to watch this momentous occasion. The baboon happily munched away at his bowl, while slurping loudly at his drink. He turned to one of his underlings. "Are the cameras ready?" he asked.
"Yessir. All of the camera drones are getting the scene clearly. We are waiting for your command to broadcast system-wide." one of them answered.
"Excellent. Get the signal ready! Have the Shogun stay his hand until I have given the signal, and make sure that our guest behaves himself. I don't want him to act too soon, not until I have announced the greatest show that the System has ever seen." Oikonny put down his bowl and drink, turning to face the camera drone in front of him. He brushed off the crumbs off of his flight suit, and smiled broadly.
Great Fox, at that time: Krystal couldn't sleep. The blue-furred vixen couldn't get over the fact that her people were not destroyed, as she had been lead to believe. She wondered what it was that they were doing now, if her parents, the ruling heads of her planet, wondered where their daughter was, if they even missed her. All these thoughts and more raced through her skull faster than light. She got up, clad in her night-gown, and wondered over to the faucet to get some water. She got a glass, and filled it with the clear, cool fluid. After gulping it down, her thoughts still persisted to irritate her, Steven's words echoing through them;
'Would you rather abandon your comrades, the people who took you in after saving you from Andross on Sauria, to two madmen who will ravage the System until there is nothing left? It won't matter if you were wondering if you were the last of your kind, because you'll be dead right next to them!'
Krystal put the glass down, and held her head in a paw, wondering how he could be so cruel. Then, her screen came to life with fuzz, and a very familiar visage filled it, smiling broadly at her. Her breath was caught in her throat as she recognized who it was. Oikonny was smiling like a maniac at the camera in front of him, and spoke.
"Good people of the Lylat System, your future emperor brings tidings to his future subjects. As you are well aware, I had come to take my rightful place as ruler of the System, only to be stopped by the Star Fox team, and a certain red and silver alien that you, no doubt, remember. After all, he may have been with us for a short time, but I'm sure that he left quite an impression on all of us, including myself. Therefore, I had decided that, he needs to be taught a lesson. A lesson that he will not soon forget. A lesson, that even a hyper-evolved being has superiors." With that, the scene shifted to one that made Krystal gasp; It was Shodai, facing off against a Shogun Warrior. Both were in their battle stances, unmoving, waiting for the other to make a move. Then, it shifted to Oikonny, who still kept his evil grin. "I invite you all, to watch the spectacle of the century, as the alien warrior who has defied me, be shown the error of his ways. Well, sit back and enjoy!" he ended with a maniacal cackle, and the screen shifted to Shodai and the Shogun still facing off against eachother. Then, an alarm went off in Krystal's room, followed by a mechanical sounding voice, belonging to ROB64. "All team members to the bridge. Repeat, all team members to the bridge at once." Krystal wasted no time in getting dressed in her flight suit, and heading for the bridge in seconds. She was greeted by her other team members, minus one, who was facing off against the Shogun warrior. The Star Fox team was already in battle-dress, and the screen was already alive with the scene of Shodai facing off against the mechanical warrior. Fox McCloud felt guilt over this, feeling responsible for the red and silver alien, and his thoughts showed it. Krystal placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
"I let it slide the first time, but this time, if he survives, I'm gonna kill him myself for this." the vulpine said, in a low, angry voice. He was angry at Shodai, since he left without telling anyone, again, and also at feeling helpless against the situation at hand, only capable of watching the spectacle before him. Krystal felt this, and understood completely, and everyone else felt almost the exact same thing.
"Is there anything that we can do?" asked Slippy.
"Like what, pray tell?" Falco asked. "What can we possibly do? Steven is on his own, down there, and we don't even know where he is!"
"Subject Steven is on the planet Venom" ROB's mechanical voice sounded, startling everyone on the bridge.
"How do you know that, bucket butt?" Falco asked.
"Personal transmitter sending signal from Venom. Subject left at approximately fourty minutes prior to now. Reason: unknown."
"Okay, so we know where he is, but not why. However, that can wait for later. Right now, we have to get in there and help him." Peppy said.
"No." All eyes were on Fox.
"Wh-what did you just say?" Krystal asked.
"I said no." he replied, his tone hard.
"But-but, why? Steven could need our help out there." Slippy argued.
Fox remembered what it was that Steven had said, and sat in the command seat.
"We'll wait, until he really does need us. After all, I don't think that we want to show up, and miss out on all of the action, right?" he said, a slight grin on his face. The rest of the team looked at eachother, then back at the screen. 'Come on, Steven, don't let us down now.' Fox thought.
Venom, at that time: Shodai had heard everything that Oikonny said over the P.A. system. So, his defeat would serve as the amusement for the mad ape, would it? Very well, he will make sure that Oikonny would get his money's worth. The Shogun started to advance on Shodai, and the red and silver alien rushed at the mechanical warrior. It fired its rifle at him, but Shodai just leapt up over him, and landed behind the robot. The machine raised its shield, and spun, trying to bash Shodai with it. The red and silver alien blocked the shield with both arms, and grabbed the arm, sending two karate chops onto the elbow joint. Despite the incredible blows, the joint held. The Shogun swung with its rifle, hitting Shodai in the back and making him lose his balance momentarily. Then, he swung him off of his shield arm, sending him flying to the ground. Shodai got up to a knee, and prepared for the worst. The Shogun raised its rifle, and fired at the alien. Shodai rolled out of the way of the yellow bolt of energy, and got up to a stand. HE faced the Shogun, who fired again, and again, and again. Shodai brought up his Ultra Barrier, and the bolts washed over the wall of light harmlessly. Shodai stood up, and clenched his right fist. Then, he swung a punch at his barrier, shattering it, and the shards went flying at the Shogun, the pieces of light exploding and sending sparks upon contact. The machine was able to block most of the fragments with the shield, but those that got through, left scarred metal in their wake. When the Shogun lowered its shield, multiple scarring and scorch marks were visible on the outer hull. Other than that, it seemed undamaged. Shodai got back into his combat stance, and was preparing for another engagement with the machine. The Shogun raised its rifle, and fired at the warrior again. Shodai swung with his arms, the bolts striking harmlessly off of his strikes. After a few shots, the Shogun lowered its rifle, and fired a tether from its torso. The tether wrapped itself around Shodai, rendering him immobile. Shodai struggled against the bond, but couldn't break free. Then, the tether surged with energy, as thousands of volts surged down it, and towards the alien warrior. Shodai was bathed in the electricity, but he thanked God for his electrical immunity. Then, the Shogun raised the voltage to several hundred thousand. While not particularly dangerous, it sure stung like hell. Growling with effort, Shodai gathered his strength, and with a mighty shout, he broke the tether that was holding him down into several pieces. The electricity backfired, and short-circuited, sending back to the Shogun. The reversed flow made it stumble back, and send sparks, but it recovered itself, and faced the alien warrior. All the while, Oikonny was enjoying the show, along with his subordinates. True the Shogun was able to overpower the Ultra, as he was so sure of, he was enjoying the fact that the Ultra was putting up a stiff fight. After all, what fun would it be if the red and silver alien were to lose so easily? The fight raged, as Shodai leapt up at the Shogun, who brought up its shield. Shodai executed a drop kick that impacted against the shield. It held against the attack, but it made the machine stumble back a was. Then, Shodai leaped again, and executed a flying punch to the machine. This blow also struck the shield, and it, too, made the machine stumble back from the force of the blow. Shodai sent two punches its way, and a jump kick to the shield, but it held strong, despite the large dents that were starting to form. Then, Shodai did a spin-kick that caught the shield on the edge. It forced the Shogun to turn, and fall to a knee, leaving its flank open. Shodai seized the opportunity, and heel up high, then sent it crashing down on the back of the mechanical warrior. Shodai mounted on top of it, and sent punches and chops onto its unprotected back. The Shogun started to rise, and Shodai put it in a headlock, determined to wrench the machine's head clean off. The mechanical warrior would have none of it, as it stood up, with Shodai standing behind him, still having it in his grip. The Shogun elbowed him in the ribs, hard, and Shodai released his grip. Then, he got bashed in the face by its shield, and was met with a fury of blasts from the Shogun's rifle. The bolts lanced across Shodai's chest and body, each bolt sending sparks from each impact, and making the Warrior of Light stumble back. When the Shogun lowered its rifle, Shodai fell to a knee, his warning light blinking steadily. The Shogun held the rifle in both hands this time, and prepared to fire a charged shot at the prone alien. Oikonny watched in glee, and the team held their breath as the machine aimed at their newest member. One name was on Krystal's lips; "Steven…" As if hearing her thought, Shodai looked up at the Shogun, just before it fired its charged shot at the warrior. The blast impacted, and the surrounding area was engulfed in a bright red flash. Everyone watching the spectacle had to shield their eyes, even the ones far away in the Lylat System, so great was the flash. The explosion itself was near deafening, and those in the Lylat System couldn't hear it, for it was above audible range for the drones, then the sounds of the shockwaves came rolling in. Oikonny cheered his simian head off, as did his subordinates, once their eyesight returned. However, the Star Fox team was nowhere near as jovial, not after seeing the blinding light. Krystal looked worriedly at the monitor, her hands to her chest. The rest of the team held their breaths, waiting for the glare and background noise to subside. The static decreased gradually, and so did the glare. However, once the white-noise was down to a minimum, all those watching the spectacle noticed one thing, that put the same question into their minds; Where is that beeping sound coming from? Then, the glare started to subside, and the shapes were becoming more definite, until it could be recognized as the Shogun, and something else. Something that made Oikonny's jaw drop, and the Star Fox team almost cheer; erecting his Ultra Barrier at the last possible moment, Shodai withstood the blast, whereas the surrounding area around and behind him looked as though a hydrogen bomb had hit, the factory, the fighters and parts, all were nothing more than a crater. Shodai still had the barrier raised, and was in a kneeling position. He lowered it, and stood up, his full height almost reaching the cieling of the cavern. The light on his chest was not shining blue this time, but was a steady, flashing red, the chime going at a steady pace. Oikonny let out a cry of displeasure, while the Star Fox team let out a collective sigh of relief. Oikonny was sputtering so badly he couldn't get a coherent sentence out for awhile. "AAARRRRRGGGHHH! Impossible! He should be reduced to nothing more than a crater!" Then, Shodai looked to one of the cameras, as it focused on him.
"You underestimated me, Oikonny. I have survived far worse than this pathetic little wind-up toy of yours. Impressive though it may be, you still have nothing on me. Its power may be great, but power alone won't achieve victory."
"GRRRRGGGHHH! KILL HIM, KILL HIM, KILL HIM, KILL HIM NOW!" Oikonny screamed shrilly. The Shogun prepared to fire again, but Shodai was ready for it; he fired one of his shredding halos at the mechanical warrior. It dodged to the right, but that was what Shodai was hoping for; the halo sliced through the left arm of the machine at the elbow, sending its shield to the ground. Left with a useless stump, it took aim at the red and silver alien, who was quick to react; just as it was preparing to fire at Shodai, he fired his Slash Beam, destroying the rifle in an explosion that sent the mechanical warrior on its back. It got back on its feet, and faced the red and silver warrior. Weaponless, it had only one option left, unarmed combat. It ran, and leapt up. It performed a drop-kick, aimed at Shodai. The red and silver warrior evaded the attack, and the machine landed behind him. It got back up, and engaged Shodai in a hand to hand duel. However, while it was programmed to fight Shodai on his terms, its bulkiness made it clumsy and ill-suited for an engagement of this sort. Shodai, on the other hand, was infamous to his foes for his martial arts prowess and ultra-strength. The Shogun went for an over-head blow, but Shodai effortlessly caught it in his arms, and shoulder-tossed him to the ground. The Shogun got up again, and swung a punch, that Shodai ducked under, and came up with an upper-cut to its simian-like face, making it stumble back. A spin-kick made it stumble back more, and a powerful hay-maker dented its chest armor as it fell to the ground. It got back to its feet, only to be met with a rising knee to its face. Then, Shodai executed several kicks at once, all aimed at the body and face. After that, he grabbed the robot by the head, reaching behind him. Shodai flung the robot over his shoulder, and sent it to the ground. Then, he dragged the robot to its feet, and shoulder-tossed it again. He dragged it to its feet again, and shoulder-tossed it again. Then, while it was prone on the ground, he got to its feet, and grabbed the robot by the legs, both legs under his arms. Then, he spun, and swung the robot around. After the fourth swing, Shodai released the robot, and sent it flying to one of the cavern walls with a loud crash. It slumped to the ground, its systems overloading, sparks flying everywhere, and oil and lubricant bleeding and spurting on various parts of the body. It uneasily stood up, its right arm hanging limply by its side, damaged by the impact against the wall. It could only face the Ultra, and its end. Shodai decided to end this charade once and for all. He gathered as much of his energy as he could muster. His form glowed brightly, and the glow entered his arms, which looked like they were glowing with a holy light. Then, he placed his arms in a plus-shape, and fired his Spacium Beam, the attack actually forcing Shodai back, leaving skid marks in the ground. The powerful beam scorched the ground without touching it, and it impacted against the Shogun. It was consumed in a bright light, and then exploded in a fiery blast of light and fire. When the explosion ended, nothing was left except for useless debris and scrap. However, Shodai was not without worries of his own; he fell to a knee, his warning light going at an accelerated rate, the chime almost constant. He needs to recharge now, or he'll die. He tried to stand, but was brought down to a knee again. Then he looked up, and was enveloped in a red light. Just before his warning light stopped, he vanished. Those watching, could hardly believe it. Oikonny was dismayed beyond belief that his latest Shogun was destroyed, but that was almost forgotten by the latest turn of events. He was practically cheering like a madman, while his subordinates wondered if he was insane.
"Uh, sir, are you alright?" one of them asked.
"Alright? Alright? Am I alright?" he asked, most elated. "I've never been better, you fool! I just got rid of one of the most annoying pains I've ever had to deal with!"
"But, sir. You just lost the Shogun." This made Oikonny freeze in his tracks as the realization of this hit.
"True, that is a loss. But then, it served his purpose. I will miss it, but that's why I've got another one in production right now!" he said, almost as ecstatic as before. "Quickly, quickly, bring the feed on! I've got me an important announcement to make!" As Oikonny's underlings got went this way and that, the ape sat back in his throne, his jovial expression never leaving his visage. Once the cameras were rolling, he spoke. "My dear subjects, what you have just witnessed, was an example of what happens to those who question my rule!" Oikonny stood up, shaking a gloved fist in triumph. "Now, nothing will stand between me, and my empire. The glorious empire that my great Uncle Andross strived to create. I will achieve his dream, I will be ruler of all! Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha aha ha!" After his announcement, Oikonny turned to his subordinates, and pointed at them. "Get everything ready! Our fleet may not be at full strength yet, but it will more than suffice for what we have in mind! Get the pilots ready, and ready my cruiser! I'm going to combat myself!" With that, the great room was empty in moments, and Oikonny was heading for his personal cruiser, an eager smile on his simian visage.
Great Fox: Everyone watching the broadcast felt hopelessness well up when Shodai vanished into this air. Krystal held a worried look, while Fox and Peppy looked on in silence. Falco and Slippy were the most vocal, each one wondering when the next onslaught was going to get here. "ENOUGH!" Fox shouted. All eyes were on him. The vulpine rose out of his chair, and faced the team. "Nothing has changed! Steven did his duty, not it's time that we did ours. Oikonny will be bearing down on us with everything that he's got, so we must be ready! We have no time to panic, or grieve right now!"
"But, Fox, what can we do? The last time we went up against Oikonny, we got beaten back, and almost lost until Steven showed up to save us." Slippy said.
"As much as I hat to admit it, Slipster has a point. What chance do we have against them, if even Steven lost to them?" Falco agreed.
"But he didn't lose!" Krystal almost shouted. "He defeated the machine, just before he…" she couldn't finish. "The point is, Steven didn't lose. He defeated the machine. If Steven could beat that thing, then we can defeat Oikonny." All eyes were on her as she continued. " Steven said that power alone won't carry the day. Well, when Oikonny shows up, we will show him just how true those words are!" Her words definitely made an impact, as Slippy and Falco looked at one another, and Fox and Peppy smiled slightly. Then, the team members turned to the main screen, which had since faded, revealing only the star-specked reaches of space. However, despite Krystal's moving words, they wondered if they can really save the day this time.
Venom, at about that time: Amid the ruins of the factory where the battle between Ultraman and the Shogun had taken place, on the ground in the dimly-lit cavern, a form lies on its front, unconscious, almost dead. Steven lies here, his energy all but spent. However, his heart still beats. And with every beat, it grows stronger. And so, as his heart beat grows stronger, so does the tremendous power of his will that even now fights against the blackness, and beckons for him to stand up and fight. But now, he will rest, and recover for the coming battle ahead.