Ultraman, the Lylat Adventure

Ch.7

Oikonny's Retribution pt.2

Several light years away from Corneria: Oikonny sat in the command chair of his cruiser, a broad grin on his face. He was expecting resistance. He was expecting his enemies to fall in the face of his superior might. He expected to be crowned emperor within hours. He expected no less than total victory this day.

As Oikonny's armada closed in on Corneria, so too, was the Cornerian Army getting prepped for the oncoming assault. The garrison that was stationed on the planet Katina had been recalled to Corneria, to bolster the Cornerian Space Forces. However, even the increased numbers in star fighters didn't seem to boost morale much. Watching Shodai's 'death' left an apparent impact on the people, more so than they cared to admit. While seeing him during his incredible battles, the people of Lylat had come to know the red and silver Ultra as a force to be reckoned with. And if even he apparently fell before Andrew Oikonny, then what chance did they have? Things were not much different on the Great Fox. While the Dreadnaught class ship was orbiting Corneria, its crew was preparing for the coming battle. Krystal was in her room, holding her staff in her hands. It was in its inactive, twelve-inch long form. The blue-furred vixen held it, while remembering the words that Steven had spoken to her, about how her planet had survived its apparent cataclysm. She remembers this, and wishes that her last words with him were not as harsh as they were. There was a knock at her door, and she bid enter. Fox poked his head into the door-way, and gazed at the distraught vixen. "Hey, General Pepper wants us in the ready room. He's about to brief us on the mission at hand."

"Okay." she said, almost silently. Fox entered, and sat next to Krystal.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'll be just fine." she replied, her depressed gaze still fixated on her staff. Fox placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Regretting about what you said last?" he asked. Krystal scoffed, and replied.

"I thought I was the only telepath here." she looked at Fox, a sad smile on her face.

"I guess you're getting easier to read." Fox replied. Krystal let out a slight chuckle, then placed her gaze back on the staff. Fox closed his hand on it, and Krystal met Fox's gaze.

"I just wish that, I could take back what I said to him, and what I felt to him. He was right. This is more important than me getting reunited with my people. I can't leave, not when I am needed here. Steven understood that, and that's why he fought against Oikonny. Now, I won't get the chance to tell him that myself." She seemed to be on the verge of tears when she said this, but Fox did his best to comfort her.

"I'm sure that, he already knows. When this is all over, I'm sure that you'll be able to tell him that yourself." Krystal gave him a funny look.

"How? You saw what happened to him. He's…you know."

"Is he now?" Fox asked. Krystal tilted her to the side, her eyebrow raised. Fox took her hand, and lead her out of the room, to the briefing room. Slippy, Falco, and Peppy were accounted for. Even ROB had made himself known in the room. The circular room had a round table in the center, with a holographic projector in the middle of the table. The room dimmed, and the holographic projector sent a shimmering head of General Pepper floating inn the room. The wizened blood-hound looked at the team , then spoke.

"Where is Steven?" The rest of the team looked at eachother, then back to General Pepper.

"We don't know, General. We believe he went to Venom, but for reasons that are, as of yet unknown." Peppy said. The blood-hound sadly shook his head.

"I know why he went. After all, it was the assignment that was given to him."

"What do you mean by 'assignment, General?" Fox asked, a shiver going down his spine.

"Fox, I've known all along who your new member really was. His superiors contacted me, shortly before Shodai arrived in Lylat." The rest of the team was stunned. They thought that only they had known who Steven really was. But now, the General…

"Before any of you ask, I am the only one, outside of the team, who knows who Steven, or Shodai, really is. The reason why I never said anything, is because I didn't know whether or not you did as well. Tell me, did you know who he really was, before he signed onto the team?"

"Yes, General, we did." Fox answered.

"I see. In any case, Shodai was unaware that his superior had contacted me. He had told me to keep his presence here a secret, at all costs. He had told me that if people should know what it was that he was doing here, it could throw the whole System into a panic."

"The whole System is already in a panic, General. Oikonny just launched his full invasion fleet, and it's headed for right here." Fox said.

"Fox, I think that we have a lot more to worry about than just Oikonny. True, that he is the present concern. But believe you me, he is nothing compared to the guy that Shodai was after. When Oikonny is done with, we will have to deal with an enemy the likes of which that we have never seen before. But, all that can wait for later. Right now, we have more pressing matters. Oikonny is heading for here, as you are well aware. We have recalled the Katina garrison, but I'm afraid that even the Bulldog and Husky units won't save us."

"So, what do we do, General?" Fox asked.

"It's going to be suicide on our part, but my plan is to distract Oikonny's forces, long enough for you to go in and knock him Oikonny out of commission. With almost all of his forces focused on us, it should give you the window that you need to bring him down."

"Do we know how large Oikonny's armada is?" Peppy asked.

"I got a personal transmission from him a while ago, telling me how he will get vengeance on me as well, for exiling his uncle." General Pepper said, with a sad smile. "In that message, he boasted that his armada is larger than the one that Andross used to invade Lylat all those years ago. I pray that he exaggerates."

"Great. So, we're outnumbered, out-gunned, and we have a suicide plan that will undoubtedly take us into the lion's den." Falco said, his wings folded across his chest. Then a glint appeared in his eye. "So, what are we waiting for?"

Venom, at around that time: In the ruins that held the battle between Ultraman and the Shogun, a figure is seen wandering amid the ruined factory. Steven woke up, not too long ago, feeling he went another ten rounds or so with Gomorah, an opponent he faced and defeated on Earth. His body was sore from the head down, the drain of energy taking its toll on his anthro guise. After shambling to the steps leading to the cat-walk out of here, his hand inadvertently pressed a switch, and the dimly lit room went red. Shocked and confused by this, Steven turned this way and that, seeing that the whole room had turned to a deep red. Then, he looked up, and saw that it was the over-head lights that was doing it. Also, he knew that this wasn't just ordinary light. He had felt this, countless times before while in space, and on various planets. Using his X-ray vision, his suspicions were correct; Ultra-violet radiation was present in the light. The lights had an ultra-violet feature built into them. He wondered why, until it hit him. He remembered reading somewhere, that the indigenous race native to Venom were reptilian, and that they were forced to live underground at some point. Because of this, building an ultra-violet light system, in place of regular sunlight, was essential for these people, just like it was essential for the Ultra race. Steven had just found a way to rejuvenate himself. He pulled out his Beta Capsule, and pressed the switch.

Corneria, several minutes afterward: The armada was closing in. Oikonny sat in his command seat, anticipation showing in his features. He longed for this moment, and he was going to savor the sweet, sweet taste of victory. The Cornerian Army left orbit to meet him, as he was counting on. In fact, he was looking forward to crushing the fleet underfoot. "Sir, we have Cornerian Cruisers coming into view now." A techie told him. The main view-screen enlarged on the image, which showed several dozen ships coming up from the planet to engage Oikonny. He merely smiled at this.

"So, they want to play war with me, do they? Good. You guys know what to do." Everyone around him acknowledged, and went to work, while Oikonny continued to smile from ear to ear.

In the cold reaches of space, it is a known fact, that sound cannot be carried through it, due to the vacuum. However, if one could hear, they would hear the deafening explosions of ships dying and the noises of vessel firing on vessel. The Cornerian Defense Force engaged the Venomian Armada with everything they had. However, the armada was still more than twice the size they were. But that didn't stop them. They fought with unrelenting fury. For awhile, it was a stalemate, as ships fired on eachother, and went down in explosions. The Cornerian Fighters tangled with the new Invader IV class fighter, the ships proving to be more than a match for most of the Cornerian pilots. But still, they fought on. However, while Oikonny was busy with the Cornerian fleet, he failed to notice a ship warp in on his unprotected flank. Oikonny made a grave mistake, in sending most of his armada to crush the Cornerian fleet. Now he himself was almost open to an attack. And the Star Fox team was going to do its damnedest to exploit it. The four fighters sped out of the docking bay in front of the Great Fox. The Arwings flew in an arrow head formation right for Oikonny, and hopefully to victory. Fox looked to his left, then to his right, seeing that his teammates were in position. Then, he gave the order; "Alright, everyone. General Pepper has given us a window of opportunity to take Oikonny down for good. However, at the rate that they're going, it won't last long. We need to get in, and get out, fast as lightning."

"Fox, fast as lightning is what I do best." Falco chimed in, smirking.

"So's running your beak." Slippy commented. This got a light laugh out of everyone, except from the aforementioned avian, who scowled. The Venomian ships were coming into range, and Fox gave the signal

"Alright, people, let's rock n' roll!" the Arwings peeled off, and went this way and that. The ships that remained were blind to the oncoming four fighters, and didn't see the first nova bomb coming. They saw the second one, but by then, a cruiser was already in flames, and dead in space. The Star Fox team weaved through the ships that stood between them and Oikonny's personal cruiser. The ships launched their fighters at the four Arwings, who returned fire upon the Invader ships. For every shot fired, meant a death note for almost every fighter that came into contact with the team. By the dozens, the fighters were shredded to mere nothingness. However, that didn't deter them. They still kept coming at them in droves. It seemed that for every one shot down, four or five would take its place. There was laser fire everywhere, and the Arwings ducked, juked and weaved through the hail of red energy bolts, and sent some laser fire of their own back at the horde. Peppy, who remained back at tactical, was monitoring their progress. The four Arwings were pushing through the fighters, as expected, and were coming up on the cruisers that dispensed them.

"Be on guard people, you are nearing Oikonny's flagship. The defensive fire is gonna get pretty heavy there in a second."

"Thanks Pep. How's the fleet holding out?"

"They're taking a beating. They can't hold out for too much longer." Peppy replied.

"Got it. Okay, people, time to wrap this up." Fox said. Peppy wasn't kidding when he said that the defensive fire was going to get thick. Almost at every second, scarlet bolts of death seemed to whiz by, close enough for one to reach out and touch. After evading the storm of laser fire, the team was close enough to dish out the fire that they've been taking. The cruisers surrounding the flagship of Oikonny, were the exact same assault cruisers that the team encountered last time. After exploiting their weaknesses, the several assault ships and carriers were done for. All that was left, was Oikonny's ship. The quartet of Arwings sped forward, while the fierce combat between the Cornerian fleet and the Venomian armada raged in the background. General Pepper decided to take part in the battle. Aboard his personal cruiser, the General stood among the various personnel as the ship fired upon the enemy fleet, each shot crippling or killing a fighter or vessel.

"Sir, we just lost contact with the 'Gazer'." a techie shouted. That was the tenth ship that he lost. General Pepper felt his heart get heavy.

"There will be a time to mourn later. Right now, we need to buy all the time we can for Fox. All batteries fire! Hold nothing back!" At his command, the several heavy-laser emplacements on his ship erupted with emerald bolts. Each shot aimed at a fighter or vessel, and each shot hitting their mark, bringing down said fighter, or crippling/killing said vessel. However, even the ships brought down didn't seem to dent the overwhelming numbers that seemed to threaten to consume the Cornerian fleet. But still, they fought on. Fox and co. was bearing down on Oikonny's flagship, evading laser fire and fighters, while bringing some down of their own. However, it would seem that Oikonny was not as blind as they had supposed.

"Sire, I got…"

"Let me guess, you have four unidentified ships headed right for us, right?" Oikonny asked, an amused smile on his simian visage.

"Yessir!"

'Ah, they finally decided to join us.' the ape thinks with glee.

"You guys know what to do." he states plainly. The personnel acknowledged, and continued to type away on keyboards. Star Fox, meanwhile, continued to close in on the supposedly unsuspecting flagship.

"Okay, people, Oikonny doesn't suspect a thing. Let's wipe him out!" However, just as the Arwings were closing in, Krystal felt something in the back of her head. It felt like

"Expectance?" she says to herself.

"What was that Krystal?" Fox asked.

"Fox, wait, something's not right. It feels like a.." before she could finish, the flagship flashed, and a pulse of blue light emanated from it. It struck the four Arwings, and they were immobile in space.

"Wh-what the heck was that! I can't move!" Falco shouted.

"Me neither! What was that?" Fox shouted.

"That looked like an EMP." Slippy said.

"A what?" Falco inquired.

"An 'Electro-Magnetic Pulse'. It knocked out all of our systems. We're dead in Space!" Slippy wailed. Then, the sound of maniacal laughter filled the cockpits of the arwings, and a simian face filled the view screens, that was smiling broadly from ear to ear.

"Did you morons actually think that I'd just let you drop by, unannounced, and take me down without me knowing about it?" Oikonny laughed heartily at this. "You idiots fell right into my trap. I lured you here, so you can have a front-row seat of what it is that I am about to do." Oikonny signed off of the frequency, and turned to one of the techies. "Tell the armada to fall back. We are about to 'field test' our new weapon, on that fleet."

"Yessir." the ape answered hurriedly. Within minutes, the whole armada had fallen back behind the flagship. The Cornerian fleet had ceased fire after they had realized that they were no longer under enemy fire themselves. General Pepper was witnessing the spectacle, and called for a cease-fire. He studied the ships curiously, and that's when he noticed the flagship. It was a lot like Oikonny's previous flagship, only slightly larger than before. Then, the front of the ship opened up, revealing a giant lens, that was bearing down on the fleet. The Star Fox team recognized it right away.

"That's the same weapon that he used before!" Falco shouted. Then, Oikonny's face filled the view screens again, still smiling.

"Not quite, my fine feathered friend. This latest model doesn't fire a beam, but rather, lobs concentrated blasts of plasma at its target, enough to wipe out a whole city in one blow. Guess what it'll do against your little fleet." Oikonny said, his tone full of mockery. The rest of the team looked on in fear and despair.

"No, General Pepper!" Fox shouted.

"Oh, yes, this will be the last engagement that your good general will have the pleasure of participating." Oikonny turned to a person not on screen, and nodded. After that, he signed off, and the screen went blank. The rest of the team looked at the flagship, and held their breath. The front of the ship glowed blue/white, as power started to build up within the lens. General Pepper saw this, and felt his heart sink.

"Get the fleet out of here, before he fires that thing!" he shouted.

"Too late! Look!" a person shouted, and all eyes were focused on the view screen, as the ship discharged a large blast of energy. The blue/white ball of destruction bore down on the fleet, as the General closed his eyes, and awaited for the inevitable.

"GENERAL PEPPER!" Fox shouted. The blast closed in, and detonated. The explosion was blinding, and if not for the vacuum of space, it would probably be deafening as well. The Star Fox team had to avert their eyes, lest they be blinded by the incredible blast. Even the Armada had to shield their vision, or be blinded. Oikonny, aboard his flagship, let out a triumphant cheer as he apparently defeated the legendary General Pepper. The Star Fox team looked on, at the spot where the fleet had hovered. The glare was still pretty bad, but was reduced to a more tolerable level. However, it was Krystal who stared at it the hardest. The blast may have fouled up her eyesight, but not her sixth sense. A millisecond before the blast detonated, she felt a presence. One that felt hauntingly familiar, but couldn't place her paw on it. The blast distracted her for the moment, but now that she can focus again, she can feel it more clearly. And the presence she felt, was one of great strength, and great familiarity. Her mind placed a face to the presence that she felt, and her heart skipped a beat when she put the pieces together.

"But it can't be. It just can't be." she said out loud.

"I'm afraid it is, Krystal. General Pepper is…"

"No no, not that. This presence I feel." she interrupted.

"What presence? What are you talking about Krystal?" Fox asked.

"We saw him die. We saw you die. How can you…"

"Hey, guys, check it out!" Slippy shouted. The glare was subsiding fast now. And the team could make out a shape ahead. It was humanoid, that much was certain, floating between the fleet, and the armada. It was in a type a guard position, its arms raised to shield itself. When the glare finally subsided, they were speechless at who it was that was floating before them.

The Cornerian Fleet: General Pepper closed his eyes, and awaited for his end to come. However, while there was a large explosion, there was nothing else. No sense of burning, of his life leaving this body, nothing, just a loud explosion. He opened an eye, and was met with a bright glare stinging his eyes. However, he could just make out a shape before he had to close them again. After what seemed like eternity, he opened them again, and the glare had subsided to a more tolerable state. And, he could see the figure floating in front of them more clearly; it was huge, at least fourty meters in height, and was humanoid. He couldn't make out any other details because of the glare, but as it subsided still, he could see the red and silver patterns. When he turned his head, General Pepper could see Shodai's mask-like visage staring at them. The red and silver Ultra nodded at them, and General Pepper returned it, not sure if the Ultra was addressing him or not, but doing so all the same with a smile on his canine visage. Shodai turned to face the armada, floating between it, and the fleet. All around General Pepper were murmurs and whispers, mostly about the Ultra that had saved them.

Oikonny's flagship: Andrew Oikonny was still jovial as ever, even prancing around the bridge like a madman. That is, until a lieutenant called him over. Annoyed at being interrupted, he strode over to the techie's station. The reptile looked up at him. "Well, what is it?" he asked impatiently.

"Sire, there's something here that you have to see."

"Well, let me look." Oikonny shoved the reptile away from the station, and saw the monitor. It was a close-up on the blast area. He was expecting to see debris and pieces of cruisers floating around. However, what he saw, made his heart stop, and his face go slack. "I-impossible…this just can't be.." he turned from the monitor, and to the main screen in front of him. He magnified the image, and it showed Shodai floating in between him, and the Cornerian fleet. The rest of the bridge looked up, all sound had stopped, save for the occasional beep and clicks of the machines about them. Oikonny was rooted to the spot, unable to fully comprehend how this was even possible. He had seen the Ultra die, hadn't he? He was sure of it, positive of it. And yet, here he was, intact, whole, and ready to dish some punishment. He whirled around, and shouted "Well, don't just sit there! Fire at him!"

"But sire. The new weapon needs to recharge. It will take at least twenty minutes, before we can fire again."

"I don't care! JUST KILL HIIIIMMMM!" Oikonny screamed at the top of his lungs. His flagship fired all of its weapons, minus the new weapon, and so did the armada behind it, which was now pulling up to the front to act as a shield for Oikonny. The armada unleashed a torrent of red laser bolts, all aimed at Shodai. The red and silver alien from the Land of Light charged forth. He effortlessly evaded the laser bolts, and fired his own weapons at the armada. His Spacium Beam sliced through vessels by the handfuls, and his shredding halos and Slash Beam made short work of the fighters that buzzed around him. He weaved around the vessels, using his beams, and his bare hands to take them apart. He punched one ship, and his fist went right through it, making it explode. He punched another, and it did the same thing. Another, and another, all meeting the same end. The armada tried to fight back, firing at the red and silver giant. But it was no use. He evaded them, and the bolts lanced across their own ships, sometimes destroying their own comrades. General Pepper decided to take advantage of this, and pushed the fleet forward. Then, once they were close enough, fired upon the fleet. Already having to deal with one issue, the armada was caught unawares by the incoming Cornerian fleet raining down laser fire on them. They fought a battle on two fronts; internally, dealing with Shodai, and the Cornerian fleet that poured firepower on them. Amid the chaos, Shodai noticed something; four familiar looking craft that were floating freely. He flew to them, and recognized them as Arwings. He felt for the teammates, and was relieved to see that they were alive. The team looked up, and saw the red and silver warrior from M78 looking at them. Krystal smiled broadly, tears forming in her eyes, while Fox had a knowing smile on. Slippy had a goofy grin on, and Falco kept his face stoic, but felt relief forming in his gut. In his flagship, Oikonny followed Shodai to the Star Fox team, and decided to end it, once and for all.

"FIRE EVERYHTING!" he yelled. And everything was indeed fired upon them. Shodai turned, and saw the incoming laser storm. He moved himself in between the barrage, and the prone Star Fox team. The bolts exploded against the red and silver warrior, who endured the barrage, shielding the Arwings from the attack. The bolts lanced across his back, and they were starting to hurt. He groaned in pain, but didn't drop his guard. When the attack finally did cease, he turned around. Oikonny was almost hysterical. "WHY HAVE YOU STOPPED FIRING?" he screamed.

"Sire, the cannons are overheating! If we keep this up, we'll overload and destroy the ship!" an ape officer replied.

"I DON"T CARE! JUST KEEP FIRING!" he replied, screaming at the top of his lungs. The assault resumed, but Shodai was able to erect a barrier, the bolts splashing harmlessly against the wall of light. Soon, though, the officer's words rang true. Along the ship, various explosions were taking place, as dangerously over-heated laser batteries started to explode. Shodai decided to take advantage of this situation, and get the team out of there. He scooped them up in his arms, and flew them to the Great Fox, which had fallen into the fleet, and was firing upon the enemy armada. The ship activated its tractor beam, and was pulling the Arwings into its hangar. Shodai then flew in front of the fleet, and looked at General Pepper's flagship. The blood-hound gave the order to continue fire, when he heard a voice in his head

'General Pepper…"

"Eh? Who's speaking?" he asked, turning this way and that.

'I am known as Shodai.' the voice replied. General Pepper put a face to the name, and smiled broadly.

'So, it's you.' Pepper thought. Shodai nodded at the cruiser.

'Tell your ships to cease fire. I will handle everything.' he said plainly. General Pepper nodded in acknowledgement, knowing it to be wise to listen to him, than to argue. He gave the order, and the ships ceased firing, though they were rather puzzled by this. Shodai flew in front of them, laser fire whizzing past him. His form started to glow a bright white. The luminescence entered his arms, which were shining a bright white. Then, he placed his arms into a plus-shape, and fired his strongest Spacium Beam yet. It tore through the armada, incinerating everything in its path. The blue/white beam hit its mark, as it pierced through Oikonny's flagship. The insane ape could only gape as the beam tore through the ship that he had built. Then, it was engulfed in a fiery explosion in moments. The explosion took most of the armada with it, leaving only a few left. Shodai dropped his arms to his sides when the explosion died. He looked on as the handful of ships that had survived hightailed it away from the fleet and the Ultra. Shodai turned back to the fleet, and, catching everyone off guard, saluted them. General Pepper returned the military-style salute, smiling broadly. Everyone on the ship stood up, and returned the salute as well. Shodai dropped the salute after several moments, and flew towards the spot where the flagship once hovered. He knew he felt something. He found it, and clutched it in his silvery hand. He flew back to the fleet, and opened his palm to reveal a pod-shaped object inside.

"A life raft!" one of the bridge personnel exclaimed. Shodai pushed the raft towards them, and the cruiser captured it in its tractor beam. After pulling the raft inside of the hangar, General Pepper was present to see the hatch to the pod-shaped craft open, and reveal a sight that brought a smile to his face. Oikonny was being dragged out of the life raft, rifles pointed at him to unsure that he doesn't try anything funny. General Pepper laughed out loud at this, and addressed the baboon.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't 'Emperor' Andrew Oikonny. We got your throne all nice and warmed up for you, back in prison. Take him away." The baboon let out an enraged scream, and was being dragged from the hangar to the brig by two large guards. Through the forcefield, General Pepper could see the Ultra floating in front of them. General Pepper nodded at them, and the Ultra returned the gesture. Then, he turned, and headed for the Great Fox. His form glowed a bright white, and he shrunk down to human size as he neared the hangar bay. When he passed through the forcefield, he was already the size of a man. The rest of the team was waiting for him when he touched down. They wanted to rush at him, but kept their distance. Then, a ring appeared over Shodai, and a curtain of light came down around him. When the curtain faded, Steven was standing before them, wearing a broad grin on his vulpine features. "Yo." he said. That was like a starting pistol, for immediately afterward, he was tackled to the ground by four shapes. He was dragged to his feet, the sound of laughter and shouting ringing through the hangar. Peppy watched from the rear, as the team gathered around the Ultra/vulpine, smiling to himself. General Pepper's words echoed through his mind, about how the enemy that they had to face next was unlike anything that they had seen before. However, as he sees the teammates camaraderie, he holds no doubt that they will see this thing through, and emerge victorious.