Chapter Summary: Dai Atlas and Axe have to stop Iudex before she destroys the city.
"It is my professional opinion that now is the perfect time to PANIC!" –Monsters Inc.
Being Governor of the city and head of the Knights that defended it meant early mornings, whether Dai Atlas wanted them to be early or not. There was always something that needed to be done, something that needed her attention before the normal chaos of running a city started up. That, and there was mediation and forms that always needed practicing. The list was never ending.
At least Axe was there to help with everything. She read everything that wasn't meant specifically for the Governor's eyes, knowing what needed to be approved or if it needed to be given to Dai Atlas. It helped save time and get as many things done as they could, something Dai Atlas was sincerely grateful for.
This particular morning found them in the Legislator's Offices, reading city reports and complaints with the remains of breakfast around them. Both were immersed in a holopad, quiet and relaxed around each other. There were very few Dai Atlas completely trusted this way; a lifetime of being in the center of politics and a high-profile target made it difficult to relax. Anyone could be an enemy.
Axe had proven herself to be trustworthy early on. Their history extended beyond the city, back when Dai Atlas had been a senator in Iacon, the capital city. This powerful, smiling lavender-haired woman had been hired as a Senator's bodyguard, there to protect Dai Atlas as she attended meetings and passed bills for the good of the country. Dai had expected Axe to be like most of her other bodyguards; there to serve her function, nothing more, and had dismissed her early on.
Axe was most definitely not like the other bodyguards. She had done more than protect Dai Atlas; she had taken care of her. Bringing her food, insisting that she get some sleep, being a listening ear for her speeches or frustrations, offering fashion advice…she had become a friend. A companion. A partner. She had left with Dai Atlas when the Senator wanted to leave the coming war behind, to pursue a life of helping neutrals and innocents who also wanted nothing to do with the war. And she continued to stay even now, doing what she could to help lighten the load on her Senator.
Many times, Dai Atlas wondered how she had gotten so lucky.
The quiet atmosphere was disrupted by a distant thud, the shockwaves echoing faintly through the building. Both women's heads jerked up, warrior reflexes alert and ready for any dangers.
THUD.
"What the-?" Axe frowned in confusion, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise.
"This doesn't bode well." Dai Atlas said, sighing as she left her datapads behind and heading for the source of the sound. Axe was a heartbeat behind, an ever-present shadow at Dai Atlas' side.
It was too early in the morning for any nonsense.
As the two women descended down the halls, they were met with confusion; people didn't know what was going on either. Their question as answered a moment later when a Knight burst through the doors leading into the Offices, gasping for breath and blood streaming from a wound on the side of her face.
"Oenone, what happened?" Dai Atlas demanded, immediately heading for the Knight.
"Dai Atlas!" She gasped, face pale and eyes wide as she reached for the Head of her Order. "Dai Atlas, you have to hurry! She's going to destroy the City!"
"Peace," Dai Atlas ordered softly, holding her shoulders as her burgundy eyes met green ones. "Speak calmly, Oenone. What happened?"
The Knight nodded, taking a few deep breaths to center herself. When she spoke again, she sounded calmer, though still faintly panicked. "Wing and Star Saber, they were sparring this morning. My friends and I were watching when…Dai Atlas, they fused. And the fusion is going crazy; she's destroying everything in sight. They've shut the doors so she can't get out, but I don't know how long they're going to hold."
Silence met her statement.
"Thank you, Oenone." Dai Atlas said, sounding calm even though she didn't feel it. "Go find Redline; I will take care of the situation." Oenone nodded, looking relieved as she left in search of the city's CMO.
Axe let out a single, soft curse as they immediately left for the Warrior's Halls, making sure no one could hear them. The people needed to know they were calm and capable. "They fused?"
"It would appear so," she said, just as softly.
"The two strongest Knights who happen to just hate each other's' existence? This doesn't bode well." Another thud punctuated her statement, louder and deeper than before. A distant howl of rage accompanied it. Both women picked up the pace, running towards the Halls.
The sight that met them was not a pretty one.
The sparring arena had suffered damage; huge gouges were all over the floor and in the walls. Some pillars had been knocked out, throwing debris everywhere and crumbling some of the upper floors. Sections of the floor had deep craters in them.
The source of the destruction was currently trying to break down one of the locked doors, snarling curses as she bashed the doors with her fists.
"Wing, Star Saber!" Dai Atlas called out, her own sword drawn. "Stop this, immediately!"
The combined being that was Wing and Star Saber whirled around. Wild red hair stood up all around her face with a single braid snaking behind her, two sets of eyes staring back at them. A maniac grin split her face.
"Have you come to fight me too?" The fusion asked, leaving the door behind as she strode towards the leader of the city. A huge sword with two gleaming gems sat on her back and all down her arms and neck were intricate tattoos, a mixture of Wing's wings and Star Saber's religious imagery and scripture. "You dare try to stop Primus' chosen warrior?"
"Guys, we don't want to fight you. We just want you to unfuse." Axe called to the fusion, battle axe ready in her hands.
"Wing, Star Saber, unfuse immediately." Dai Atlas ordered again, voice hard and cold. "Stop this. You've caused enough trouble."
The maniac smile vanished, replaced by confusion and then a terrifying scowl. "Who do you think you are, that you can order me around? I am Iudex; I am the greatest warrior alive! You have no authority over me!" She shouted, yanking the sword off her back.
She's unstable, Dai Atlas realized, recognizing the severe mood swings. Iudex was barely holding it together. "I don't care who you are; I order you to unfuse now before I make you."
And just like that, the insane smile was back. "You cannot make me do anything, Dai Atlas." A heartbeat later, the giant woman was launching herself across the room at the smaller woman, sword swinging in a wide arc. Years of training kicked into gear and Dai Atlas moved to the side, nimbly dodging the giant sword. Axe moved in perfect unison to the other side, wisely refusing to try and meet the giant sword with her own weapon.
It was a stand-still: Iudex, for all her power and strength, wasn't quick enough to keep up with Axe and Dai Atlas, but she was able to keep Axe and Dai Atlas from touching her.
"Enough of this!" Iudex shouted, swinging her sword in a wide arc and forcing both women away. "This city is under condemnation; Primus has forsaken you! I must go purge the sinners and purify this city, for Her sake!" A moment later, her huge sword was hacking through the doors.
"Dai, she'll tear the city apart at this rate!" Axe shouted over the shrieking of torn wood.
"We have to fight her on equal grounds." Dai agreed, nodding her head at her partner. Axe returned the nod, placing the axe on her back and heading towards Dai Atlas, who sheathed her own sword.
It wasn't hard to open herself; as infrequently as they did this, the harmony always seemed to exist. It was simply a matter of tapping into it, touching it and letting it pour through them.
The world disappeared in a rush of color and energy and Dai Atlas felt her consciousness fade away.
The noise in her head was so loud, it felt like it was going to split open. She was never quite sure who was in charge; the part that called for mercy and peace, or the part that demanded damnation and law. Horror at the destruction she was causing, utter glee at the pain of the sinners she had attacked. It changed every moment, like the gusts of a hurricane.
Why did everything hurt? Why did she feel like she was barely held together at the seams?
Why couldn't she think straight?
"Iudex."
That was a new voice, one she hadn't heard before. She looked behind her, both sets of eyes immediately falling on a newcomer of her own height.
The pain and noise of her frenzied mind immediately fell silent, her entire being focused on one new thought.
Unicron has sent me a challenge.
The new woman had a warrior's build, long layered hair falling around her face. Two solemn eyes stared back at her and one set of arms was gripping something that looked like a naginata, wicked-looking and designed to carve enemies up to pieces. It would be a nice challenge for her own weapon.
"Cease and desist. I don't wish to fight you but I will if I must." Her voice was calm and deep, full of authority and intent. She meant to go through with her threat. Good; this would be a wonderful fight.
"We have a problem then, because I want to fight you!" Ripping her sword from the shattered ruins of the door, Iudex shot towards the other woman, blood singing with battle lust.
About six months later and I actually finished the second part! It's been sitting in my drafts since November or December and I finally felt like I was able to finish it in a somewhat-decent way.
What's better than two giant women? Two giant women, with giant swords, battling it out. Dai and Axe's fusion is way more stable but not as strong as Iudex, who's got a migraine of massive proportions going on right now. Oenone is a reference to the nymph Paris loved before the whole drama with Helen of Troy happened; I love the name and wanted to use it somehow. It's pronounced 'Oh-neh-no-nee'.
The next part is the actual battle itself, which should be way fun!