"What the fuck?" Desmond Miles
"CORNELIA!" Kallen shouted as she launched her attack on Cornelia.
Indeed Lelouch had correctly guessed Cornelia's method. He sent Kallen up ahead in a canyon that Lelouch knew Cornelia would retreat to and had her wait there. Cornelia was trapped by Kallen and was forced to fight in order to escape completely. Kallen reached for Cornelia's Knightmare using her Guren's massive claw.
Cornelia reacted to Kallen's attack by firing her Slash Harken. Kallen dodged the simple attack and then turned around and attempted to attack again. Cornelia retracted her Harkens and fired them up into the canyon wall and attached herself to the thick stone. In evidently, Kallen missed her attack and simply looked up to see Cornelia attached to the wall. Cornelia was surprised to see how quickly this Knightmare had reacted.
"Oh." She said. "Looks like it isn't your average custom machine."
Cornelia quickly turned to her side to see gunfire collide into her machine. Cornelia watched as the huge steel rounds smashed into her Slash Harken wires and sent her flying down. Cornelia looked to see several Burai looking down at her. One of them opened its com system and began to relay a message to Cornelia.
"Can you hear me Cornelia?" Lelouch asked. "I've already put you in checkmate."
"Zero!?" She asked.
"Yes." He said. "It's been such a long time. How about we rejoice for our meeting? But first, I'd like you to surrender and come with us. There is a lot I would like to talk about with you."
Cornelia eyed Lelouch's Knightmare with hate.
"By the way," Lelouch said. "Your reinforcements will not arrive in time. Looks like I win this time Cornelia."
"Foolish Zero!" Cornelia sneered. "You haven't won yet."
Cornelia's Knightmare turned its attention to the Guren MK II.
"If I defeat this one," Cornelia began. "My escape path shall be revealed!"
Cornelia immediately took out her sub-machine gun and began to fire at Kallen. Kallen however leaped from where she was at and began to perform a series of gymnastics and dodged every shot. Cornelia fired her Slash Harken in an attempt to stun it. Kallen used her Knightmare's battle knife and easily caught the weapon.
"You're agile!" Cornelia shouted.
Cornelia used her lance and attempted to stab Kallen. Kallen ducked under the weapon and activated the Guren's radiation pulse claw. Cornelia watched her Lance swell up and eventually her arm. Cornelia immediately forced her Knightmare to detach the arm from her unit. She fired it like a missile at Kallen, but did no damage. Lelouch then pointed his gun and fired several machine gun rounds into Cornelia's remaining arm, destroying her arm and gun. Cornelia gritted her teeth as her unit rocked from the sudden attack. She then turned around towards Lelouch's unit.
"Such cowardice!" She shouted. "To attack me from behind!"
"Oh!?" Lelouch said in a very pleased manner. "So your operation wasn't cowardly at all?"
The JLF began to hammer away at the Britannian forces. There we're only forty remaining units of the three hundred deployed. The JLF's turret defenses turned on and began to smash away at the rest of them. Within a few minutes, the forces of the Britannians we're already cut in half.
"Damn it!" Dolton said as he ran from the destroyed ruins of his Knightmare. "A counter attack at a time like this! If this keeps up, we won't be able to rescue the princess."
The remaining Knightmares Vlletta had in command of we're quickly cut down by the JLF forces. Vlletta screamed as her Knightmare was cut by a Burai custom blade. She turned her escape pod and flew out of the battle. Unfortunately, most of her squad was sliced up and could not escape. Gilford kept himself in a circle formation with the rest of his personal units and continued to take cover and repel the attacks from Tohdoh and his Burai customs.
"Tohdoh!" Asahana said. "Cornelia has been cut off from her unit."
"Good!" Tohdoh said. "Change objective to capturing her officers alive!"
Gilford repelled another attack from Tohdoh and his units and began to look around looking for an escape from this.
"IF this keeps up!" He shouted. "We won't be able to rescue the princess!"
"Gilford…" Cornelia said.
Gilford shot up to his seat when he heard Cornelia begin to speak. Her voice sounded low and demoralized.
"My Knight Gilford…" She said. "Promise me that you and Dolton shall aid Euphie. "
"You're Excellency!" Gilford shouted in fear.
"I won't surrender." Cornelia said over radio. "I will fight to the death as an Imperial Princess!"
"Prin…PRINCESS CORNELIA!" Gilford shouted at the top of his lungs.
Cornelia charged her unit forward directly on a collision course to Kallen's unit. Lelouch simply looked at Cornelia with pity as he watched her charge forward.
"What a boring choice." He said. "Finish her."
Axl used pointed his guns at X and unleashed a barrage of ammo. X flipped out of the way and used gymnastics to slowly approach Axl. When he got close, Zero jumped in and used his saber to deflect X away. X leaped back, only to get hit by the ammo that Axl unleashed at him. X dashed quickly to the right in order to dodge any remainign gun fire. Axl continued to fire his sub-machine guns, spilling ammo out of his weapons. Eventually, his clip was depleted and he looked at his empty guns. X then charged forward with his saber out.
"Yikes!" Axl shouted, rolling under X to dodge his slash.
As soon as X missed, Zero charged forward and punched X in the head. X flew back and smashed into a tree. When X hit the tree, the tree was torn from its roots and X fell over on the floor, struggling to get up. Axl activated his rockets and flew over Axl. He then spawned a RPL and launched it while he was on the ground. A massive explosion enshrouded where X was. Axl flew over by Zero and then waited for something to happen. The massive dust cloud surrounded him, preventing Axl and Zero from seeing him.
"Did we…did we get him?" Axl asked.
"I don't know." Zero said.
The dust cloud cleared up. When Zero and Axl went over to the cloud, X was gone. He had vanished.
"Whoa!" Axl shouted. "Where the fuck did he go!?"
"I think I have an idea." Zero said.
Zero immediately turned around and saw a massive X-Buster fly at him. It looked like two massive purple snakes flying alongside each other. Zero leapt over them along with Axl, but was then shot out of the sky along with Axl by two more X-Busters. Zero flew back as he covered his open wound, where Axl landed on the floor.
"Damn…" Zero said, looking up to see X.
X had transformed into his Light armor. And he held his X-Buster cannon right at Zero's face.
"Looks like I have to stop going easy on you!" X said.
"Huh!?" Axl shouted.
"He was holding back." Zero said, pointing his saber at him. "I figured he was going to use one of his armor systems before this fight was over."
The guards in the Britannian base continued to fire at Phantom as he dashed toward them. The machine gun rounds went straight into him, but he dodged them by running on the wall, ceiling, wall and otherwise. Phantom swung his sword as soon as he got close. He swung his sword to the right and left and guards fell from the sword. He then turned around and grabbed the Kunai's from his back and threw them. The guards that Phantom passed we're killed as soon as they turned. One of the guards at the end of the hallway pulled out an RPG and tried to fire it at Phantom. Phantom grabbed his Shuriken and threw it at him. The Shuriken smashed into the skull of the soldier and he fell dead in a spurge of blood.
A sad day that I willingly choose to be maverick...and all to ensure I remain close by the one who I wish to retire...have I truly fallen this far already?
Euphie and the others turned around when Phantom got to the door. Phantom ignited his saber and began to carve a hole in the door. There we're two soldiers at the door who backed up and got ready to fight. Phantom pushed the piece of metal he cut and then quickly returned to cover as the soldiers unleashed a barrage of ammo at the area when he came out of. When the Soldiers stopped by firing, Phantom charged back into the room and grabbed more Kunais from his back and threw them at the two soldiers with weapons. Euphie and the commanders backed into the walls with fear as Phantom grew closer to them. Phantom looked around and observed the entire room. He looked emotionless on everything else and looked at the commanders.
"My lord Zero has commanded that you all surrender and come with me quietly and…Princess Euphie?" He said.
Euphiema looked at Phantom with a serious face.
"Is that really you?" Phantom asked.
"Insolent!" A soldier shouted. "A peasant like you should not be allowed to…"
Phantom grabbed a knife and threw it at him. The knife went into his leg and he fell to his knees.
"Quiet." Phantom said. "You people are in no position to be giving me orders. This is perfect. Not only can we capture the Governor-General Cornelia, but we can capture Euphiema as well. Interesting how this all played out."
Euphiema looked at Phantom as he came closer.
"Euphiema." He said. "Come with me. I shall not harm you; prior that you do anything as I escort you to Zero."
"Very well." Euphiema said. "Men, let us leave and…"
Phantom turned around and ignited his saber to deflect a blow from Harpuia. Harpuia was shocked when he saw Phantom guard from his attack.
"What?" Phantom asked. "Did you really think I didn't expect your arrival!?"
"Phantom!" Harpuia shouted. "How could you!? You who was once a guardian like myself!?"
"I could just as easily as you sided with people who murder innocent people." Phantom said. "But I have my won reasons for staying with the Black Knights. Just watch me Harpuia...I will be the one to retire Zero!"
Harpuia back flipped and swung a slash at Phantom. Phantom disappeared using his Ninja skills and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Harpuia looked around the room in an attempt to find him.
He got his answer when Phantom appeared behind him and back handed him to the ground. Phantom simply stared at him as he struggled to get up from the blow. Phantom pulled out his katana and slashed at his legs and arms. Harpuia fell over from the pure shock of the attack and pain and fell over.
"Foolish Harpuia." Phantom said. "You may be stronger than me, but I'm much faster. And in a fight where it matters not on how much strength comes from the swing, speed will always win."
"Bastard…" Harpuia said. "To think…we we're buddies…"
"Perhaps we were." Phantom said. "But not anymore. I won't allow anyone to retire Zero...even if I must work alongside him to do so! The only one will destroy that Reploid is me!""
X charged forward at a blinding speed towards Axl and Zero. Zero deflected the blow with his saber, and locked himself in a power struggle with X. Sparks fell from their sabers as Zero tried to hold himself upright from X's attack. X however, due to the increased power from his armor, began to slowly push him back. Zero gritted his teeth as he attempted to regain control.
Axl then flew up behind X and unleashed a barrage of ammo at X. The sub-machine gun ammo hit X, but X took no damage from the assault.
"Got to be kidding me!" Axl shouted. "Well then…let's see how he likes some Anti-Reploid ammo!"
Axl ejected his clip and spawned a new one in his hands. Axl loaded the clip in. As soon as X heard the safety go off on Axl's gun, he jumped in the air and landed on Zero's head. He then side flipped off of Zero and blasted Axl in the shoulder with an X-Buster. The searing blast penetrated straight through Axl's shoulder.
"UGH!" he yelled as he collapsed on the ground from the weapon.
"Axl!" Zero shouted.
X flew towards Zero and cut him on the chest with the X-Saber. Zero flew back and landed on his knees.
"Damn." Zero said. "I healed all my wounds from the sub-tank, and X is re-inflicting them as fast as I recovered them."
X flew towards Zero. Zero blocked a few of X's attacks with his saber. At one point, Zero went on the offensive and attempted to hit X with his beam saber. He however missed X since X ducked and then X upper-cutted Zero into the air. X then leaped into the air and smashed Zero into the ground with his feet.
Axl during this time had managed to get back to his feet and was trying to get a lock on Mega Man X with his assault rifle. Mega Man X was currently hammering away at Zero's lingering defenses. Zero was blocking attacks, but not all of them. X inflicted attack, after attack, after attack. His saber swung faster than any defense Zero could throw at him. He waited until X and Zero stood still.
Then Axl pulled the trigger and unleashed a heavy barrage of ammo at X. X took most of the ammo in the back and the ammo punctured straight through his armor. X gritted his teeth and turned to move towards Axl. Axl continued to fire as X began to move in and out through Axl's attack. Axl activated his thrusters and began to fly to the left as he used his sub machine gun with one hand in an attempt to do some damage to Mega Man X. However, X managed to weave in and out through the ammo that was fired at him. Very few shots came into contact with him. And even when they did, they did very little with X's new found strength.
"Damn it!" Axl shouted. "What does it take to beat you!? So glad I didn't have to fight you when I was with Red Alert."
Not like history matters now.
X put more power into his acceleration system and dashed in front of Axl. Axl then punched Axl in the face and sent him to the ground. Axl's gun dropped to the ground and returned back into data. Axl got up to see X over him with his saber active. X prepared to stab Axl. Zero tried getting up to run over to save him.
"AXL!" Zero shouted.
"This is bad." Lloyd said. "Real bad! With no troops, we can't hope to defend the princess!"
"What are we going to do!?" Cecile asked.
An explosion was heard the R&D lab where Fefnir was being stored.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Lloyd asked.
Lloyd and Cecile ran over to where Fefnir was to see that the cage had been blown open, and a massive hole in the R&D lab. When Lloyd and Cecile looked out in the distance, they could see a figure moving towards the HQ.
"Oh shit." Lloyd said.
Phantom held his sword up to finish off Harpuia. Harpuia quickly analyzed for a way out of the scenario that he was in right now. He managed to think of an idea. When Phantom brought his saber down on Harpuia, Harpuia blocked with one of his daggers and held it there. He then used his foot to kick Phantom in the face. Phantom became momentarily distracted. Harpuia then took the opportunity to attack Phantom while he was distracted. He tried to swing his daggers at Phantom.
However, when he did, he ended up hitting a puff of smoke and then got slashed by Phantom's saber, cutting off his right arm.
"Son of a bitch!" Harpuia shouted. "Not again!"
"Fool." Phantom said. "Did you honestly think that was going to be able to stop me? You're more foolish than I thought. Now I'll end it for real this time!"
Phantom held up his saber to Harpuia and lifted it to strike. Harpuia shut his eyes and prepared for the inevitable.
I am sorry X…I have failed.
A bright light could be seen from the windows. Phantom looked out the window to see a massive ball of energy coming straight towards the area.
Right at him.
"What the fuc…" Phantom began.
The energy sphere smashed straight into Phantom. Phantom flew out the window and into the forest when he got hit. Phantom could be seen flying in the forest. After which, clouds of dust and sand where rocketed into the air. Phantom was blasted for miles away. Harpuria looked with complete shock and surprise from the sudden attack. But who had fired the attack?
His answer had come to him seconds later when Fefnir walked into the building. He looked at Harpuria with a cold stare.
"Fefnir?!" Harpuia shouted.
Fefnir looked at Harpuia with disinterest. But then, seconds later, he held out his hand towards Harpuria. Harpuria looked at Fefnir with complete surprise.
"Tell me…" Fefnir asked. "What X said back there about Sigma. Is it true? Does Britannia have no longer any interest in pursuing that Reploid any further?"
"Of course." Harpuia said. "Why would I lie to you? We may have been enemies when that battle was fought, but you are still my comrade. I would never have retired you in cold blood."
"Then there is no purpose for me to oppose Britannia any longer." Fefnir said.
Harpuia looked at Fefnir with joy and took the hand he gave out.
"I have missed you." Fefnir said, hugging Harpuia when got up.
"I have missed you too brother." He said.
Lelouch felt an earthquake under him seconds before Cornelia collided with Kallen. He looked on the canyon wall and saw a massive array of dust and sand pop out of the ground. There out from the tip of it, was the Lancelot, in all of its glory. Suzaku used his VARIS rifle and fired at Kallen, pushing her away. Suzaku then leaped in the air and used his Slash Harkens to push the remaining units away. Suzaku then landed right next to Cornelia.
"Your highness." He asked. "Are you alright? I have come here to rescue you."
"Special envoy?" Cornelia asked. "Who authorized you?!"
"Princess Euphiema!" Suzaku said.
"Hey!" Tamaki shouted over Lelouch's radio. "Isn't that the Knightmare that…"
"Yes." Lelouch said. "The one that was at Shinjuku and the hotel."
Again…this guy again!
Lelouch aimed his gun at the Lancelot and began to unleash a barrage of ammo at it. Suzaku turned around and used his shield to guard against the massive machine gun. While Suzaku defended, Kallen snuck up behind him.
"Kallen!" Lelouch bellowed. "Use the Guren MK II to destroy the White Knight!"
"Yes sir!" She called out.
Zero ran over to where X was. X simply turned around and grabbed Zero's hand where his blade was. Zero tried to go into his Black Form, but X didn't allow him. X slashed at Zero in his body and knocked Zero the ground.
"I knew you would come to save your Maverick friend." X said. "Axl's not the one I'm after. It's you."
Zero struggled to look at him. Zero looked extremely mad at him and looked at X with pure hatred.
"Show me...you got in it in you...buddy." Zero said.
"Forgive me." X said as he raised his saber to his head.
However, before X could slash at him, several Busters smashed into the ground where X, Axl, and Zero were. The Busters smashed into certain sections of the ground. Explosions came from all over the area. The section of the area began to shake and rattle. X looked at the ground to see it was breaking around the area. X saw the place was tilting into the ground below. X leaped over to the section where the ground wasn't breaking. Zero and Axl though could not get up and the place collapsed where they were. X watched as Zero and Axl fell in the splitting rocks and fell into the darkness below, screaming in fear as they did. X could only stand and watch in pity.
"What the fuck?" X asked.