A/N: Hello all! As you're all awared by now, I just started a Senran Kagura fanfic, but it's on hold for now till I finished ROAW: Xover Edition. Also, I got a new co-writer and editor, he's one of my friends at the NISA forums and he and I will be working together on fixing my stories. So without futher ado, here is the final part of the Battle of Mudus Gate. Be warned that I make Hibiki Tokai a bit of a bitch in this chapter, but he'll mature later on in the story.
Chapter 20: The Battle of Mudus Gate: Part 3 of 3: Of Vandreads and Tensions: To Fight a Former Comrade
"Have you seen Leo?" Ellis asked Kohta that question. Kohta was working on his gun to prepare for the Battle of Mudus Gate until Ellis came to him about Leo's whereabouts.
"No. Can't say I seen him, Ellis-chan. ...Now that you mentioned it, I saw him heading towards that forest, looking green." The fat gun expect of Leo's army next to Winfield remembered.
"I see... It;s because of Elaine's cooking..." Ellis sighed as she pointed to the sick soldiers (They're not really life threatening sick) including Neptune, Noire, Kirito and Daxter and Takashi.
"Ugh... Elaine's cooking is soooo bad..." Neptune moaned as she clutched her stomach, looking like she was about to puke or crap on some trees.
"I-I told you not to force me to eat her shitty cooking in order to make her happy, Neptune!" Noire grunted, leaning on a wooden pole.
"D-Daxter... Why did you eat Elaine's cooking without knowing how bad it would be?" Kirito's face was green as he gave the Ottsel a dirty look.
"You know I'm a sucker for dames like her, Kirito!" Daxter countered as he fainted.
"If Them or Summerill won't take my life... Elaine's cooking will... I will never eat her bad cooking again!" Takashi stuttered as he vomits.
"Well, I better heal them. Let me know if you see Leo." Ellis closed her eyes and smiled, keeping a positive attitude despite the moaning of the soldiers as she went to heal Daxter of his illness.
Kohta nodded with a grin as he gave the high elven girl a thumbs up as he continued modifying his gun to prepare for the raid on Mudus Gate.
But before he can continue, he heard a whirring sound getting near him. Alarmed, Kohta got out his spare pistol and looked for the source. It was a spaceship. The fat gun expect blinked. He has seen spaceships in movies back in his world before Summerill started the Outbreak, but nothing like this.
He aimed his pistol at the cockpit in case the owner is one of Summerill's minions. "Wait! Kohta, stop!" He heard Leo's voice.
Now Kohta was even more confused as he sees the cockpit opened and Leo, Ratchet and Clank jumped out of the ship Ratchet calls the Aphelion.
"Leo? Who's that with you?" Kohta asked as he runs up to the former general.
"This... is Ratchet and Clank. They're from outer space in their dimension." Leo smiled as he pointed at the Lombax and his robotic sidekick.
"Leo! You're okay!" Ellis gasped in delight as she runs up to them. She looks at Ratchet and Clank and asked Leo "Who are they?"
Daxter was running to where Ellis and sees two people he thought he'll never see again.
"Daxter?" Clank blinked as he sees his friend from the Playstation Move Heroes adventure a long time ago.
"Oh no! Not you two again!" Daxter moaned as he face palmed.
"Dax, what's wrong? Is everything ok?" Jak walked up to his buddy and sees Ratchet and Clank. "Ratchet? Clank?" Jak raised an eyebrow.
"You know these two, Mister Jak?" Ellis asked the rogue hero as she looked at him and the Ottsel and then back to Ratchet and Clank.
"Yeah... Let's just say we're really closed." Jak walked up to Ratchet and the both of them high fived each other.
"Well, never thought I see you again, Jak." Ratchet chuckled as he gave a cheesy grin.
"It's good to see you again, Jak. I take it you know Leo?" Clank asked politely.
"Yeah. Me and Dax are helping him along with others who may or may not lost their memories take down a demon who wants to rule the universe." Jak then eyed the trinket Ratchet has on. "Oh God... Don't tell me you found one of Summerill's trinkets?" The rogue hero frowned.
"Summerill? Who the heck is that?" Ratchet asked, scratching the back of his head in confusion.
"It's a long story... Let me introduce you to everyone so we can explain what's going on." Leo offered.
Later that night...
The party sat around the campfire, it took awhile, but Elaine has stopped cooking until further notice and Mai was cooking and the soldiers and members of Leo's party loved it.
"So this Summerill guy is trying to conquer the entire multiverse by plaguing planets with undead curses and pulling people out of their homes and universes into what you called Agarest so he can conquer them and what me and your friends are wearing are his cursed trinkets?" Ratchet asked slowly.
Dyshana nodded silently.
"That's why we must join forces with Leo and his friends to defeat Summerill and undo his evil." Rei added.
"Ya know, Clank. We should have never used that wormhole that appeared out of nowhere for a shortcut. But since we're stuck here, we should help these people out. After all, we're heroes." Ratchet smiled.
"That seems logical, Ratchet. Your father would be proud if you always follow the path of a hero." Clank nodded.
"So you'll help us?" Saya asked with a soft smile.
"You bet! I have many weapons from my past adventures and they packed a serious punch." Ratchet grinned as he got out his fully upgraded Construto Pistol and fired at a rock, destroying it in the process.
Most of the party members were amazed by this. Except for Etna of course who only said "Meh..."
"Alright. Tomorrow's the big battle at Mudus Gate. We can't afford to mess this up." Yuri smiled as he leaned back and yawned.
"Yuri is correct. We must rest up for the battles ahead. Sleep tight everyone.' Elaine said with a smile.
Meanwhile, in another universe...
(A/N: Note this takes place after Episode 3 of the first season of Vandread.)
The Nirvana, a spaceship owned by female space pirates from the planet Mejeiru was on an attempted course home after it was caught in a wormhole during a battle with men from the planet Taarak, a mysterious event caused the ship and a portion of a destroyed Taarak battleship and the Nirvana to fuse together and the Vanguard and Dreads to combine whenever the need arise. A Vanguard is a giant mech piloted by males from the planet Taarak and Dreads are spaceships piloted by women from Mejeriru.
However, while on the attempt journey home, a purple wormhole sucked in the Niravana. And hence where the males and females of the Nirvana take part in the battle for Agarest.
In a forest near where our heroes are about to travel to...
"Well this is just perfect..." Hibiki Tokai growled angrily as he looked at his left arm, it has a red amulet with a red ruby embedded on the center. Though he shares the same first name as Hibiki Tachibana, this Hibiki is the exact opposite of the cheerful Hibiki Ta. On Hibiki T.'s back is a orange and white sword sheathed, it is Hibiki's To.'s Vanguard, transformed into a sword due to Tokai's feelings and emotions due to the mysterious wormhole.
"That wormhole was unexpected. And I find it strange that when we woke up, we have these strange amulets that won't come off no matter how hard we tried." Duelo Mcfile scratched his chin in thought, on his right arm is a white amulet with a silver gem embedded on it.
"This is all the males' fault!" Barnette Orangelo shouted in anger as she glared at Hibiki who glared back. "If they have been real careful, we wouldn't be sucked into that damn wormhole! And have you seen our Dreads, or what's left of them for that matter?!" Barnette shouted out in hoarse anger as she got out a purple lightsaber like device that she activated showed a purple blade. "Look at this! My Dread was the fastest and strongest ship in the universe, and look at it now! And it's all those males' fault!"
"Barnette, cool it!" BC shouted, BC is the second in command of the Nirvana, next to her superior officer, Magno Vivan, a really old woman who is the leader of the female space pirates. "It wasn't the males' fault that we're stranded on this backwater planet with our ship nowhere in sight. This is why Commander Magno wants both males and females to get along and clearly, you're not helping it get better." The second in command frowned while Barnette crossed her arms and pouted.
"Yes. I don't think this is all the males' fault. That wormhole come of nowhere. But the thing is, that wormhole was emitting strange energy we have never seen before. The ship detected it before we were sucked in." Gascogne Rhiengau added, on both BC and Gascogne's arms are different colored amulets.
Barnette has heart in her eyes and slurred "Anything for you, Gascogne..."
Suddenly, there was rustling in the bushes. The odd crew of men and women pirates tensed as they see Gridamas soldiers coming up to them, swords drawn on them.
"We heard rumors that Golden Leo is about to launch an attack on Mudus Gates, it's a good thing these rumors aren't true and we found some suspicious people in Gridamas territory..." A Gridamas soldier growled as he pointed his sword at Bart Garsus who gulped and ran for cover near a rock.
"Now, now. We don't want any violence. We just wanna know where we are and how to find our spaceship and return to our homeworlds." Jura Basil Eden reasoned as she puts her hands on her normal sword and Dread Sword which is her Dread transformed.
"What are you talking about? Bah, doesn't matter, all of you are about to die anyway." The second Gridamas soldier growled as he readies his sword.
"Like hell!" Tokai shouted in anger as he got his Vanguard Sword out and was about to slash the soldiers until...
"ARRRRAGHHHHHHHHH!" A man's battle cry was shouted out as the man was revealed to be Leonhardt who slashes the first and second Gridamas soldiers to death, the remaining soldiers stammered in fear.
"G-G-Golden Leo!" One of them screamed out in panic.
"So that's Golden Leo..." Dita Liebely gasped in awe, like the rest of her friends, she too is wearing one of Summerill's trinkets on her right arm. Then, Renee in Mew form jumped out of a tree and landed beside her fearless leader. Then Fyuria followed Renee's lead and landed on the left side of Leo, her daggers ready.
"What are you waiting for?! We cannot let Golden Leo and his vermin reach Mudus Gate! Charge!" The captain shouted as the Gridamas soldiers charged at the trio of heroes.
Leo smirked confidently as he charged at three Gridamas soldiers, killing them in one swift movement. Fyuria slashed through 5 Gridamas soldiers with her daggers, the soldiers never stood a chance.
Renee flicked her whip around one Gridamas soldier and spins him around, ramming him into five more Gridamas soldiers, killing both the soldier held by Renee's whip and the five soldiers.
The Gridamas captain stammered as he let out a battle cry and charged at Leo. Leo frowned before he thrusts his sword into the Gridamas captain's heart, killing him. The battle was over and there were no survivors of the Gridamas' patrol, their blood soaked into the cold hard ground.
Leo sighed as he sheathed his sword, Renee reverted back to human form while Fyuria spins her daggers like a cowgirl before sheathing her daggers.
Leo turned to his two companions of his army with a soft smile and replied with "It's a good thing Dyshana told us that Agarest will have more visitors from other realities and they were about to be attacked by Gridamas on the path to Mudus Gate."
Renee nodded as she crossed her arms and said "And we didn't let one of those Gridamas scum live so they can report to their officers that we're gonna take Mudus Gate."
Fyuria closed her eyes and smiled by adding "Yes. I hope those new visitors aren't hurt or something." Leo smiled at Fyuria who blushed madly and looked away rather bashful. It seems Fyuria is changing from an headstrong woman to a mature syruim who is sometimes easily embarrassed. Renee thought it is because of her hanging out with Leonhardt.
Barnette stomped over to Leo and looked him meanly in the eye and shouted "What the hell were you doing?! We were doing just fine until you showed up! We don't need help from a freaking male!"
Leo was unfazed by this, but was a little bit confused on why this woman was hating him for being a man. He replied calmly "Why do you resent men? Aren't men and women supposed to be allies and to love one another?"
That line got Tokai riled up and snapped at Leo "The hell does that mean?! Are you a girl lover?!"
Fyuria puffed her cheeks in anger as she stomped towards Tokai and slugged him in the face, earning the hot headed Vanguard pilot a red mark on his face. That pissed him off even more as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Fyuria and Leonhardt. "You bitch! Why I oughtta-" Before Tokai can cause a scene...
"Enough, Hibiki Tokai!" It was Dyshana's voice as the mysterious emotionless woman came in. Soon, the rest of Leo's army came in as well. Most of the girls (Namely, Barnette, Paiway Underberg and Meia Gisborn) were miffed to see that their mysterious savior has men in his army siding with women. Winfield grinned pervertedly as he watlz over to Dita.
"I am the gunslinger of love, Winfield, at your service, my lovely." Winfield introduced himself. (In another realm of existence, a certain perverted Gunner sneezed). "What is your name?" Winfield asked politely.
"Um..." Dita looked away bashfully before muttering shyly "M-My name is Dita Liebely, Mr. Alien."
Winfield was confused on what she met by Mr. Alien until Etna came and dragged him away by the ear. "Hey! I was trying to impress the lovely cherry over there!"
Tokai turned to Dyshana with a angry scowl and growled "How the hell do you know my name, woman?"
Dyshana remained calm and told him and his group "I have known a lot of things about your universe... About the two planets occupied by men and women seperately, how each gender rage war on each other for superior dominance, how your Vanguard and the female space pirates' Dreads can combined with each other before they turn into weapons based on your feelings when you arrived here and the enemy you faced in your universe, the Havesters..."
That caught the Vanguard crew off guard. Just... who is this woman?
Magno was unfazed by Dyshana's knowledge of this universe and asked "I take it you know what's going on here?" She asked, smirking.
Dyshana returned the smirk with her own by saying "Of course. Listen to what I have to say."
It took the mysterious woman about 7 minutes to explain the Vanguard crew their situation.
"So..." Erza Vieil began to understand everything Dyshana everything she has told them. "This Summerill guy is responsible for pulling us into your world called Agarest and wishes to control the entire universe and we're wearing some of his lost cursed trinkets which makes us immortal?"
Neptune nodded vigorously and pumped her fist in the air with heroic angry look, shouting "Yeah. We're gonna kick Summerill in the curb for pulling us out of our worlds and robbing us of almost all our memories!"
Vert nodded, also looking serious and adding in "Yes. Because of him, I can't remember my friends back in my world. But I was lucky to remember Neptune, Noire and Iffy."
"Listen to what I have to say..." Dyshana began. "Agarest is unknown to your group and technology is limited and you're wearing Summerill's cursed trinkets. Starting of today, Leonhardt and Renee will be your guides to Agarest." The mysterious woman said calmly.
"There is no way in hell I'm taking orders from a girl lover and girl!" Tokai shouted in anger as he pointed a finger at the former general of Gridamas and wolf Mew Mew.
"I agree with the filthy male here." Meia nodded, earning her a glare from Tokai. "I refused to take orders from a male who has men in his group."
Dyshana let out a smirk while remaining calm and mysterious. "Oh? Is that so? Tell you what... If three of you can beat Leonhardt in battle, then you'll control his army. Be warned, though... Leonhardt has abilities that far surpassed normal human limitations..."
Leo turned to Dyshana with at first, a surprised look, but his look changed into understanding as he nodded and got out his sword and readies himself for battle.
"Remember, Leo, we need to wrap this up quick so we can attack Mudus Gate." Yuri sighed as he leans on a tree.
'Heh... This would be easy. I bet this Leo guy lacks combat experience.' Tokai thought to himself as he got his sword ready.
'I won't lose to this male... I will win... But...' Meia began to tremble upon seeing Leonhardt. 'Why am I trembling in front of this male?! What is it about this man that is making me shiver?' The Dread pilot gulped as she got out her Dread gun and readies it to fire.
'I'll be able to impress Gascogne by beating this stupid man!' Barnette smirked as she got her Dread lightsaber ready.
"Begin!" Dyshana shouted as she signaled the battle to begin.
Before any of the three Vanguard combatants can act, Leo slashes his sword to the right, resulting in a powerful gust of wind that blew Tokai, Meia and Barnette, knocking them out. Leo was declared the victor.
(1 hour later...)
Tokai was grumpily following his new comrades, Barnette was steaming with anger while Meia turned her head, eyes closed and a frown appeared on her lips. Most of the female space pirates were mad that Leo and Renee will be their leaders in Agarest as well as their only hope of finding a way to remove Summerill's cursed trinkets. And worse yet, Magno has agreed to let them lead them. Sooner or later, they arrived at Mudus Gate.
Winfield looked around, there were few soldiers. He smiled at Elaine and commented "It would appear we won't be dying in agony after all. Kudos, Elaine!" Tokai seethed in anger.
"Your thanks is misplaced, Winfield. If not for Ms. Luana, all would have been lost." Elaine closed her eyes and smiled.
Luana smiled nervously and rubbed the back of her head, commenting shyly "Oh, come now, you're making me blush. Just call me Luana. We are friends after all. But you are too kind. I did nothing any of you could not have done."
Winfield let out a perverted grin and said "I beg to differ! Marching home to rouse the troops to action? Only you could have done such a thing."
Luana blushed and muttered "Is that so?"
Kanonno nodded with a cute smile and said "Yeah! You helped us gain the advantage."
"Well, with this -Largen- gone, Elaine would have command of Mudus, yes?" Luana asked, crossing her arms.
"As far as we know, Gridamas's army has left for Zelzagun Fortress. Looks like this plan may work." Ed smiled.
Fyuria was concerned about this before saying "So far. But what now? Do you really think we can persuade the forces at Mudus?"
"It all depends on Elaine." Lloyd told her as he placed his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky.
Fyuria frowned and remarked "This seems too much of a gamble to me. What makes you think they'll obey?"
"They have little to lose. We will only ask them to lay down their weapons, not fight alongside us." Luana said, proud of her words.
"Just because-" Before Fyuria can finish, Dyshana tensed.
"Leonhardt, Renee... Do not lower your guards. Someone rank with the stench of evil approaches." She advised, the army got their weapons ready for battle.
Renee asked "Dyshana, is that...?"
Then, a man about 24 years old, has brown hair, wore gray armor with a purple cape and wielding a spear with two Gridamas soldiers walked up to them. Leonhardt gasped as he recognized this man.
"Lady Elaine, what is the meaning of this?" The man frowned, but he then saw Leo and remained silent.
Leo stepped forward and asked the man "Kasibal, why are you here...? Were you not at Zelzagun Fortress?"
"Sir Leonhardt?! You do not deserve that title. And yet you asked me this?" Kasibal frowned before he added "Do you think that I, the subordinate of a traior, would be stationed at Zelzagun Fortress?"
Leo was hesitated as he stuttered "I... I only... Kasibal, do you not question this war?" Leo looked away, feelings of guilt came flooding into him.
"Question? That is the responsibility of politicians, not soldiers. In war, evil thoughts will only dull your blade, and a dull blade leads to certain death. A soldier who is preoccupied with his own thoughts had no place in the battlefield. That preoccupation would only be a hindrance on the fields of war." Kasibal frowned as he crossed his arms.
Yuri frowned deeper when Kasibal was talking about politics and such. He got his hand on the hilt of his sword and shouted "So you're going to let innocent people suffer war while the rich and rulers pampered themselves by the spoils of war?! This is why I fucking hate knights... They're nothing but dogs for the greedy and corrupted!"
"Even so!" Leo gritted his teeth as he got his hand on his sword.
"Enough talk. Draw your sword." Kasibal ordered as he got his hands on his sword. "Your departure has allowed me to to rise to the position of regimental commander. And as the only commander at this garrison, I am in charge now! It is time we fought. Behold!" Kasibal snapped his fingers and two of the Gridamas soldiers turned into goblins while five zombie minions of Summerill who came from Takashi's world appeared, their blades ready.
"W-What the hell...?!" Kirito gasped in shock as he readies his swords.
"What are beasts doing here?!" Fyuria shouted as she unsheathed her daggers, soon the rest of the party got ready for battle.
Renee, Neptune and Noire transformed and got their weapons ready.
"You wish to know? Then defeat me, and make this power your own, if you think you can..." Kasibal stated coldly.
"Kasibal..." Leo whispered with a frown as he got out his sword.
"Good, just like that..." Kasibal smirked. "Come, Golden Leo, and we'll shall see if your blade has not lost its edge!"
To be continued...
Next chapter; Capture Zelzangun Fortress! Of Love and Guns