#getting to watch empire’s cannon explode as a team for once

[aipurjopa]

nuclear cannons / making amends / getting closure

I miss them

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Planetary Defenses: The guns of Mars

“Commander to the command deck. I repeat, Commander Drake to the command deck. Your presence is requested at once.” It’s too damn early for this bullshit... Commander Drake had at first thought the announcement was just part of a dream as he curled under his warm bed sheets and hadn’t bothered to move. It was only after the fifth announcement that to his dismay he realized it wasn’t a dream and he must now leave the comfort of his warm enclosure for the dry and dull venue of the command deck.  His first notion that something was amiss was how everyone around him was running as he yawned once again and shuffled to the CD in a scruffy uniform he threw on. This wasn’t your normal “late for a meeting” running, there was more panic in the crew’s steps as they sprinted by. Drake began increasing his pace as he saw several squads of marines stomp past in full combat gear followed shortly by teams of medical staff running between storage rooms to stock the med bay. Something was very wrong he thought as he began sprinting himself to the CD.  “Status report!” Without bothering for niceties Drake pushed past several people to enter the CD and saw the place abuzz with running people, flashing warning lights, and information reports scrolling past the screens.  “A large unknown fleet has just entered the system.” His second in command Helen brought up a display. The picture was from a surveillance satellite that orbited at the very boundaries of the system. A massive armada of unknown vessels streamed past clearly armed for war. Drake noticed several smaller groups splitting off from in different directions but the main force continued onwards to what Drake could only guess was Earth.  “Were we scheduled for any sort of visit that the politicians failed to inform us of?” He hoped that this wasn’t an invasion fleet but some sort of misunderstanding about alien traditions, but he already knew what the answer would be.  Helen shook her head. “I already checked. Nothing of this scale was announced. I’ve been running the ships frames through the computer and the database is showing that these vessels belong to the Gloven Empire, a highly militarized society to our galactic east.” “Then we will treat this as an invasion.” Drake said dryly as he walked over to his command console. He flipped several switches and leaned down for the mic. “This is commander Drake to all personnel. Man your battle stations, I say again, man your battle stations; this is not a drill. I want gunnery crew primed and loaded but do not deploy your guns until I give the word. I want marines manning critical checkpoints and prepared to repel boarders. Medical staff, ready every medical deck and gather any supplies you need. All other non essential personnel are to report to their nearest safety room and await further instructions. That is all.” “Sir,” he turned to see Helen stroking her chin as she watched the armada, “I don’t mean to question your orders but could this really be a misunderstanding? There have been plenty of species with warlike traditions that are common greetings for their people. Could we be misreading this?”  He stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “It doesn’t matter anymore. They are uninvited, so we’ll show them the door or we’ll show them the barrels of our guns.”  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Several hours passed by in a hectic haze as Drake readied his station for war when the first sign of the enemy came in. “Enemy fleet is approaching, 2000 miles and closing.” “Numbers?” “I count at least 200 ships. Majority appear to be cruiser class, a few in the front are larger and may possibly be battleship class.”  “Possibly?” Drake chimed as he took a look at the display for himself. “Now is not a time for possibilities sub commander Helen.” She shrugged and brought up a camera visual. The distance was pushed to the extreme but even with the grainier picture they could still make out sizes of the enemy ships. “We have no record of Gloven military designs. For all we know they could be freighters.” He nodded and sat back into his command throne. “Fair enough.”  He studied the enemy formation but no matter how he looked at it something was still off. “Why did they deploy their heaviest ships to the front? Why are they not using their cruisers as a screen?” “Unknown. Like i said, we have no information on the Gloven military, tactics or otherwise.” “It’s a foolish move. You save your heaviest ships for when the enemy is pinned down and you can focus their fire. It’s almost as if they don’t realize we are armed.” There was a silence over the deck as both Helen and Drake continued watching the enemy fleet approach closer to the effective range of their energy lance emplacements and missile silos. “Could it be that they don’t know about our weapons?” They looked at each other in amusement. “What, do they seriously think we’d leave the largest shipyard in the system undefended?”  “We’re getting a transmission from the enemy fleet!” the comms officer shouted interrupting their discussion. “Put them through.”  The screen changed from the tactical display to a view screen of what Drake assumed was the Gloven commander. “Humans, this is your one and only chance to surrender. You are outnumbered and your facilities are unarmed, you have no chance at surviving. Surrender now and you will be spared.”  “Christ,” Helen whispered under her breath, “they really do think we’re unarmed.” With his suspicions now confirmed Drake smiled as a devious plan began to take hold. In the corner of the screen he could see the first of the enemy ships begin to enter the firing range of his lances.  Drake leaned back in his throne and entwined his fingers.“What assurances can I be given that if I do surrender my crew will not be harmed in any way?”  Helen looked at him with shock until she noticed that he was using his entwined fingers to point at the tactical display showing the enemy fleet approaching missile range and she nodded.  “You will be given no assurances as offering them would only be reserved for an equal in war. You are not my equal. Surrender at once.” The Gloven was certainly full of himself, Drake even wagered he’d be on one of the leading larger ships.  Drake checked again and saw that the enemy had just entered missile range. “That is a mighty fine offer you have. Here’s my counter.”  He killed the communication and switched over to gunnery comms. “All crews deploy! Deploy! Deploy! Target lead large vessels and begin working backwards. Missile crews give me maximum barrage after the first salvo is fired!”  Across the shipyard panels began opening revealing large cannon barrels slowly protruding outwards. Missile launchers on the opposite side of the base opened up as well, their rows of compact missiles glistening in the light of mars.  “Targets acquired sir, awaiting your order.” Helen replied. The enemy fleet began reorganizing as it finally dawned on them this was anything but armed. The larger ships began turning suddenly as the cruisers began rushing forward, but in their haste to screen their battleships they cause chaos in their own lines and Drake saw several enemy ships collide with each other as they maneuvered. Drake stood up and announced to the station over the speakers. “This is not some backwater outpost on the edge of known galaxy. This is not a colony at the fringes human space beset by the pirates and criminals. This is not even Earth itself, cradle of humanity. This is the planet of war! This is the planet died red in the blood of our enemies! This! Is! MARS! FIRE!”  The shipyard shook as every energy lance fired at once. Fifteen lances of pure light streaked across the void between the station and the enemy fleet like shooting stars followed swiftly by far more numerous missiles following closely behind.  The larger ships realized they were the targets and hurried to move out of the firing arch, but their haste to bring forth the cruisers as a screen now meant that they were surrounded by ships moving to the forward line and in their attempt to escape caused even more panic as they smashed into ships. A few were able to make it to safety but the majority were too slow and were struck full on by the lances.  Decks were carved through like butter, the edges melted like candle wax from the impacts. Unaware of the critical locations of systems aboard Gloven ships the gunnery crews had guess where vital components would be. Some struck home and set off a chain reaction of explosions, others only grazed the battleships. It didn’t matter though as the following missile barrage finally caught up.  The missiles were a mixture of armaments intended to cause panic among the fleet. Ship sized flash bangs exploded alongside hull buster warheads, mini mines spread out and deployed forming kill-zones for any ship that strayed too close made even more deadly as electromagnetic bombs detonated leaving ships adrift. Some didn’t even detonate at the front ranks and continued past into the advancing ships behind and corkscrewed into them leaving crazy streaks of smoke that interfered with sensor equipment.  Drake watched the battle unfolding, making the occasional remark to call out a specific target but otherwise leaving his gunnery teams to themselves assured they were top notch. The stations array of weapons was intended to hold off any potential small raiding force, but Drake had long ago submitted programs for dealing with larger fleets.  The key was to cause as much chaos and confusion as possible with the missiles to limit any command and control network the enemy had in place while the lance batteries picked off targets.  He was holding the line but he knew it would only be a matter of time before they reached close enough to return fire. Drake had considered sending a call for aid but reports he had been getting told him a similar situation was playing out across every military installation in the system. He would have to hold with what he had and pray the fleets would return in time.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a side story from the main invasion which can be found here: https://niqhtlord01.tumblr.com/post/187112050596/humans-are-weird-planetary-defenses  

[goldstonegolem64]

Book 1 Hope retunes Chapter 41 Shipyard showdown By GoldstoneGolem64

“ i like how we were at the rebel base for a total of fourteen  before we when on this mission “ Hunk said as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes 

“ Yeah why are we doing this so early in day “ Lance asked

“ And why are we doing this with two of members down “ Shiro asked  

“ Well it’s a simple mission to destroy the shipyard before it moves again and with the help of the rebel pilots that are helping us i think we can handle it” Allura said 

“ And Jay are still here to help were just not going to flying with you on this mission  “ pidge said as she was sitting at one of the consoles 

“ And unlike you guys and your loins.Val can  move and acted on her own .” Jay said as he was looking at a screen “ Also will be arriving shortly so get ready”  

“ Yeah stay safe out there “ Pidge said 

“ Will try “ Shiro said as he Keith , Lance and hunk left the bridge 

“ So how long till something bad happens and the plan goes to shit and we have to bail them out “ Jay said as a he was put on his duster over the his Salvager  armor.and readying himself to book it towards the hanger  

“ I give them ten- Twenty minutes tops” Pidge said as she was adjusting her  prosthetic leg 

“ Can both of you show a little more faith in are friends?”Allura said 

“ We have faith in them but are track record shows that no matter how simple the mission seems something bad is going to happen no matter what and we’re just getting ready for the inevitable” Pidge said 

“ Also i want to try out that crazy time stopping ability VAl as” Jay said 

“ Wait VAl can stop time ?” Pidge said excitedly 

“ Not really from what i readed from O’ryna notes and blueprints call it the chrono nexus it manipulates time in a senses it slow everyone else down and pushes Val’s system and the pilot’s body to there limits” Jay shuder remembering the first time. Followed by rubbing the scar across his forehead.” maybe after this mission you can see it” 

“ Cool” PIdge said as she watched four lion and a small fleet of rebel fighters flying towards the gas giant they appeared in front of which was the current  location of galra shipyard.

With the Other paladins 

“ So what’s the game plan Shiro” Lance asked 

“ You ,Hunk and I will take the front pulling their fire towards us and destroy any warship that are guarding the shipyards  while Val, Keith and the other rebel pilots hit the top and bottom  disabling it engines and it's radio towers so it can’t call for help” Shiro said as the broke through the planet's atmosphere the purple clouds of the planet were a bright purple with lighting cracking within them along with eel like small eel like creates moving with in them

“ Ok if we weren’t at war this would be a pretty cool place to show my parents “ MAtt said as he looked around 

“ yeah the universe never ceases to amaze me” Adam said as he looked around as well. But as he looked around he notices something else moving in the clouds something metal looking at them but as he looked at it it quickly disappeared into the clouds . Hey Guys something might be something out there watching us .“ 

“ Alright everyone stay on your toes and stick to the plan the best you can and keep you eyes out for anything out of the ordinary there might be something out there. Allura are the scanners picking anything up?”   Shiro asked as the group slip up into the three teams

“ Were not picking up anything up here beside some spikes in the atmospheres magnetic field. But that seems to be normal for this planet” Allura said 

“ All right then “ Shiro said as he Hunk and lance broke through the cloud line and saw the shipyard. IT didn’t look like much to them  it was just a huge floating purple  octagon that was about three times the size of castle of loins.

“ Hey guys is it just me or are there no warships in sight ?” Lance said 

“ Yeah that’s a little unnerving “ Hunk replied 

“ There may be no warships here but remember daring the mission briefing it said the shipyard had it’ s own defends so don’t let your guard down “ Shiro said as cannons and anti air guns turrets towards them and opened fired on the as well as hundreds of fighter poured out  along with two warships of the hangers

” looks like we got there attention”  Hunk said as he returned fire 

“ well then lets give them a show “ Lance said with a smile as he fire the blue lions frost cannon 

Shiro smile as the duel jaw blade of the black lion appeared in the black lion mouth as he charged toward the closes warship at top speed started cutting through the fighter like a hot knife through butter as he swore through the sky something felt a miss as he go closer to  the warship. He noticed that  the warships were just firing of their ion cannons in random derations and the fighters were just flying around not shoot at all even the shipyard had stop fire and it just floated there. He then notice how decrypted the shipyard looked it looked like it was falling apart “      Something isn’t right about all this

“ This is seems way easier than we thought. Now whens the trap going to be set off “ Lance said as he dodged an ion blast from one of the two warships followed by him freezing ion cannon as it was charging casing it to explode. 

“ Yes lance is correct in his obsession this seems way to easy “ Val said she and her team were doubling back to the castle .seeing how suspect this situation  

“ Yeah somethings is going on here “ Keith said doing the same 

“ Hey  guys have you notice how weird  the fighter and the warship are moving?” Hunk asked as the fighter and the warship  stop moving 

“ Hey guys not to Alarm you but besides you guys there is no one alive in that area. “  Jay said over the comms  as he was looking around the surrounding area for hided warships or other things.

“ Alright everyone back to the castle Now “  Shiro ordered but as he did a cage of crackling electricity appeared around trapping Shiro, Lance, Huck and serval rebel fighter in side of it .While Val ,Keith, Adam, Matt and the rest of the rebel fighters on the other side of the cage.

“ What is going on here “ 

“ What do we do “     

“ It’s game over man game over.”

“ Everyone shut up and calm down  we don’t know what’s going on yet. But we will get out of th”

“ No you won’t .Well not unless you surrender to the empire” A voice said over the comma. Everyone looked around trying to find the signal location “ If your looking for me I’m sitting on top of the one of the warships” 

Everyone turned around looking towards the warships and watched as a robeast decloaked in front of them sitting cross legged on top on the warship with the ion cannon still in tacked “   Hello there “ The robeast waved at the paladin 

The robeast was of the same design as the robeast the team fought on the balmera. But instead of red it was a dark purple with yellow line going up and across it’s body as well as the head itself  was that of super tactical droid from star wars 

“ Who are you “ Shiro asked 

“ Ah A negotiator good to see your not shooting first. I lost a lot of deals and killed a lot of customer that way. We’ve meet once before at that rebel base my bigger companion whipped out “ Skyver said as he’s robeast stood up “ I Am Skyver Creaser White wing the 3rd . But please call me Skyver” then the robeast bowed to them “ And I'm here to make you an offer you can’t refuse “As the were bowing Val turn invisible and tried sneak back to the castle only to be grabbed by two set of hands and were held in place “  You truing to run away now. Thank The great winged one I brought friends “ 

As he said that two more robeast appears both looked like a factory made   version of the Valkyrie in her Combat form. They were pure white with no desiring  features besides the heads that looked like they were from robotech with one purple eye in the middle of the face .On there back was a single engine with two set of jet fighter wing attacked to them 

“I’m guessing the other two are going to the castle to retrieve the other members of this little rebellious gang I guess” Skyver said 

At the castle of lions 

“ What is going on down there. Shiro, Lance, Hunk anybody report “ Pidge said “ Jay you got anything ?” No Reponses”   Jay?” Pidge turned to look at Jay to see that he was zone out “ JAY!!” she yelled snapping Jay out of his stupider

“ Get the Shields up and fire everything “  Jay yelled as he did the particle barrier turned on and as the barrier formed up something collided a top speed  with one of the barrier pieces  as it appeared and with a visible ripple to the barrier it appeared in front of them  Along with another one that appeared next to it seeming helping it’s team mate 

“ What are they?” Allura asked 

“ I don’t know don’t care Pidge we need you to get down there and help them out. One of the guys from the rebel base massacre is here and has Shiro, Hunk and lance trapped with them  As well as two more of those thing are holding onto Val preventing them from getting here” 

“ Well give you covering fire “ Allura said 

“ Alright then guys remember just like Val I can turn invisible but it would help”  pidge said as she with help from Jay walked towards  short cut door to her lion “ Wish me luck” Pidge said as the door closed behind her 

“ Good luck” Jay said 

“ May the goddess be with you “ Allura said as she ready the castle defends and open one spot in the barrier so pidge could get out “ I’m sorry I didn’t send you with them “ Allura said to Jay 

“ It’s alright Allure you were just looking out us it’s no big deal . Coran we ready to fire. Also sorry for not talking to you I just been real stress out since this mission started “ JAy said 

“ It’s alright and were ready to fire “ Coran said he lock on too the two robeasts  that were punching at the particle barrier in front of them then it suddenly disappear catching them by surprise 

“ Then Fire at will !!”  Allura yelled as a huge beam fire out the tip of the castle of lions followed by the beam fracture into eight different beams.

The two robeast were caught up in the onslaught of beams and that allowed pidge to slip by them

back with the other 

“ So what is your deal then?” Shiro asked trying to by the team time to figure out a plan to get them out of this 

“ Well it’s simple surrender to the empire and pelage your loyalty to emperor Zarkon and what ever back water planet you all come from in be spared a terrible fate of being destroyed “      Skyver said 

“ An if we don’t take this offer what happens then ?” Lance asked 

“ Well then “ The robeast waved it’s right hand and black metal disks detached themselves  from every fighter along with the warship and attached themselves to the robeast an a field of electricity  surrounded him “   Will see how you fare against my war machine”  Skyver said 

“ We just call them robeasts “ Hunk said 

“ That is a stupid name “ Skyver said 

“ Screw you it’ s a great name.” Lance said 

“ No it’s not “ Skyver said annoyed 

“ Yes it is “ Lance yelled back getting closer to Skyver’s robeast 

“ No it’s not “ Skyver yelled back  

Then an augment broke out between the two of them

Keith looked around the area not wanting to jump the gun in this moment because all the people that could get caught in the cross fire. Then he notice two of the black dots near each other and thought if he destroy them he could free the other but he needed Val’s help to pull this plan off. “   Damn if only pidge or jay were here  they could figure it out “  as Keith said that a message appeared telling him pidge as on her way and get ready to help Val escape. Keith look up from the message to see the green lion quickly come in and out of clocking. He then turn to look at one of the two white robeast and aimed his molten and fired

The red beam slammed into the robeast causing it to let go  of the Valkyrie. That was followed by a Green beam slamming into the other causing Vines to burst out and entangled it. An the moment She was free Val throw her engine into top gear and flow straight towards the castle of lion. that was followed by lance point blank fired his ice beam straight into the robeast electrical shield causing three of the metal disks to freeze over and explode leaving an opening . which gave Hunk ,Shiro and the rebel fighter with them to open fire on them  

Skyver was surprise “   God damn it!!” as Skyver yelled at the onslaught of fire. He raised his right arm to block the shoots and used his left hand to redirected three unused disks to replace the broken ones and  them were in place his barrier was back in place he yelled orders to his suburbanites   “ K -8 kill the rebels and grab the red one. K- 4 break free and help me “ Skyver yelled as the cage around him flickered as more of his disk start to fall around him and they were covered in vines and roots. He recalled what ever disks were felt and used them to reactive the fires here and the one war ship “  Damn I fell for one of my own tricks “ he sigh “  I didn’t want to fight but you left me no choose  “ Skyver said as the disks on his back detached from him and moved toward the destroy the Shipyard and started to strip it of it’s metal and as it did the metal started to spin around the robeast add another layer of protection to him. “ But hey lets have some fun then “ an with a filch of the wrist all the metal that orbited him were launched forward at the lion. 

As the metal flow Hunk and Shiro tried to dodge the metal only to both of them be tackled and held in place by the other robeast. The metal shards slammed into them and attached themselves to the two lions . Then the robeast was hit by lance’s mouth cannon casing it to let go of both lions and to turn it’ s attention towards lance only to have a frost beam hit it square in the face casing the robeast to claw at the ice trying to get the ice of it 

“ At first I though this was going to be a problem” Pidge said as she fire another green beam at the warship causing roots to over take the ion cannon and the top of the ship destroying the some of the disks controlling it 

“ Don’t get cocky Sis were not out of the woods yet” Matt said as he shoot down two Galra fighters  as well as being shoot at by another “ Can someone get this guy of us “ matt asked 

“On it “ Adam said as he chased after the Galra fight in his repaired and upgraded mf fighter and shoot down the fighter tailing Matt “ Ok remind me when we get back to thank team behind repairing my jet “ Adam said with a smile 

“ Your welcome “ Matt replied as he was on the team that repaired the Mf jet. “ Hey guys Shouldn’t you make Voltron will cover you guy “ As he and Adam fire on the third robeast in the back. the shoot exploded on contacted causing the one of the robeasts four wings to fly of which caused the robeast to spin out of control  into a random direction before it righted itself and turned around and looked toward the rebel fight that were now swarming them

“ Alright team lets  form Voltron” Shiro said 

“Oh no you don’t” Skyver said as an invisible force pulled both Shiro and Hunk towards him then throw them back at their teammates causing the five lions to slammed togther. Then he pulled both lions back to him and launched them back at their friends

"What is going on with this guy .what can he do and why is he able to throw the black and yellow lion like rag dolls “  Keith said as he dodged  the yellow lion being throw at him 

“ I’m guessing it has the power of magnetism and anything those disks touch get magnetized and is under that robeast control”  Pidge said 

“ then how is it controlling Shiro and Hunk then “  Keith said as he fired the red lion’s molten cannon only for a wave of scrap metal appeared and blocked it followed by the molten slag to be thrown at him 

“ Look out “ lance yelled as he fire of the freeze ray freezing half of the melt slag while Keith dodged 

“ I’m guessing when that robeast that lance freeze the head over held onto Shiro and Hunk in place. Allowing that shrapnel storm to hit them the metal must have imbedded themselves or attached themselves to their lions “    Pidge said as she dodged The black lion being thrown at her 

“ Ok them how do you get us out of this then?” Shiro asked as he tried to fight against Skyver’s control which on made the black lion spin out of control “ Leonidas do you have an idea to get out of this “ 

IN the back of Shiro mind “ No and to be honest I never thought I would see situation again “ Leonidas said supersized and a little happy to see something from his past with the first group of paladins.

“ Wait you’ve seen this before?’ Shiro said surprised only to get no response “ Great just great”

“ Uh Shiro I didn’t know who your talking to but we have another problem “ Lance said as he looked towards the robeast he fought earlier and watched as it broke it’s head free from the ice and grabbed at a hilt at it’s side and pulled out a blade followed by the other robeast firing off a beam from it’s eye scaring of the rebel fighter that were swarming it. It then turned to look at the three lion and it’s eye started to glow 

“ Jay where are you ?” Pidge asked 

“ I’m going to be there after I get rid of the two robeasts that are harassing the castle just hold out a little bit longer.” Jay said over the comms 

“ Will try “ Keith said as he summoned red jaw blade and readied himself for a fight 

Back at the castle of lions 

The two robeast were using their weapons to try and blast and bash at the particle barrier. One had a crackling purple energy scythe and the other had twin what looked like pistols that was firing small ion round into the barrier. As the one with the pistols stopped firing to let it’s weapons cool down. Something tapped it on it on it’s shoulder. It turned around and was meet with a shield bash to the face which made pushed them back only to nearly avoid being implied by the spear by a now visible and in combat formed Valkyrie ready to rip it apart 

“ Are you series the empire is just now there not ever trying to hide the fact that their copying you partner” Jay said jokingly as He brought up the shield to block two on coming shot 

“ Well imitation is the best form of flattery “  Val said happy to see that she was being the one used for a mass produced model of robeast 

“ Yeah but still This could have some bad implications for the future if there using you as the base for a mech army.” Jay said as he stabbed at the robeast in front of them 

“ That is true but let’s not focus on that right now and focus on the two in front of us right now “  Val said as the other robeast charged towards them to help it’s partner 

“ OK” Jay  said as he dodged a scythe swing and swung the spear to meet the follow up swing this robeast was going to make as they spun around. The two weapons collide causing sparks to fly. The two swung at each other and each time they collide more spark. The two were evenly match in there fighting style. But at stopped when the robeast over played it’s hand when it tried to get in closer by spinning the scythe around it’ s body and when it tried to bring the scythe down onto the Valkyrie’s head it was meet by the Valkyrie's Shield and when it collide with the shield it focused the scythe to fly back upwards leaving it open as the spear stabbed into the robeast gut then fired three shoot into robeasts gut leaving a huge hole in the robeast back. They both watched as the light in the robeast body dimmed and metal body went limp and let go of the scythe.

“Ok time for the next one “ Jay said as he pulled the spear out and looked for the other robeast that disappeared and with out missing a bit Val took control of the Valkyrie and let go off the spear and grabbed onto the scythe and spun an slash at the empty space behind them. As she did this the scythe stop middle swing and it looked like the metal was slowly disappearing. Then it start to reappear followed by the reappears of the other robeasts with the scythe imbedded  into the  side of it’s head. “Ok that was extreme and awesome “  jay said as the scythe was removed from the robeasts head

“ Inferior consumer models”    Val said as she took the weapon from this robeast and scanned them “ Alright let’s help the others”

“ Wait if were going I'm there we need a plan. Allura I'm going to need you to shoot at us at full power “ Jay said with a smile on his face as the wing closed around them 

“ Alright then “ Allura said as she aimed the castle particle cannon At the Valkyrie Then fired

Back with the others 

“ Oh this is going to make Lord Zarkon happy “ Skyver said as his two suburbanites had the three loins and the rebel fighters on the ropes as he kept the black and yellow lions along with all them remaining Galra fighters under his control “ To be honest I wonder how Voltron would have broken throw by barrier. “ Skyver smile as he watched this then he looked down to see how K-11 and k-3 were doing against the run away dragon only to see that he couldn't’ t see what they were seeing. Then came  a loud boom as something at break neck speeds entered the planet’s atmosphere “ Ah the angle of death has come to play. K-4 , K-8 leave the small fries to me and go handle the bigger prob-” Skyver was cut off when K-4 turned it’s head to look at the on coming threat only for it’s head to no longer be there as well as  K- 8 to be cut in half by a silver blur. And that was followed by something slamming into his barrier He looked towards it to see k-4′ s head now caught up in the barrier “  Thank the great winged one I'm not actually here Skyver said under his breath 

“ So you're the one causing my friend so much trouble “ Jay said over the comms. As an energy whip came out of the clouds and wrapped around a Galra fighters and throw it at the barrier causing it to explode and destroying the serval of the barrier’s control dish leaving Skyver open “ give them Hell guy’s” jay said as  another onslaught of fire from all the rebel fighter The red lion’s molten Cannon , The blue loin’s Frost ray and the green lion’s Gaia beam. The combination of all this fire it’s armor melting and suddenly freezing   and the sudden burst of roots and vines across it’s body causing the Polaris’ s computers to overload and explode causing everything under his control to lose power and freeing the Black and Yellow lions 

“ Oh great Just great I had a plan I had a deal and you lot had to throw it all away. For what a chance at a free universe new flash Ass holes There is no such thing as a free universe. “ Skyver yelled in anger  as He watched Voltron formed in front of them and watch as it summoned it’s sword. “ But to be honest I knew the out come and I didn’t play my cards right at all I should have been more caution I should have let you form Voltron first and then have my subordinates attack you. There were a hundred thing I could have done but hey no point in dwelling on the past see you next time “   Skyver said has Voltron brought it’s sword down and slashed the Polarize in two causing it to explode.

“ Six To Three”  Jay said 

“ Wait how do you have six I counted four of those white robeast and the only other robeast you beat was the one on the balmera“  Lance said

“ I count the red queen as a win but if it doesn't to you I won’t count it “ Jay replied

“ Ok guy we can argue about this later.  He just said see you nest time is that not Alarming to anyone “ Keith said 

“ Yeah that's alarming  but what about the fact that the empire is making is now making more robeast based on my the Valkyrie. Yeah they were easy to take out but still this is a problem” Jay said 

“ Yes that is we need to bring this up with General Asmo let get going. Back to the castle everyone “  Shiro said

“ Should we bring any of those thing back with us?” Pidge asked about the two defeated robeasts that were just floating 

“Just leave them here I already brought one on to the castle before I came to help you guy jay said as they flow back to the castle.

“ Alright then” Pidge said happy to hear that.

A few hours later back at rebel base the castle of lion’s landed and as the team started walking out of the castle they saw the familiar face of Ulza the blade of Marmora member

“ Hey Ulza what brings you here?”  Shiro asked

“My Master Wish to met you.” Ulza said 

[snappedsky]

Fanatics Adventures in Space Part 15

Zim reunites with the Tallest. Previous! Next!

--

War Part Eight

           Devi and Tenna stare wide-eyed out the window as Skoodge directs their shuttle to the side of the Massive. They are barely a little grey dot against its enormous red hull.

           Skoodge parks the ship and turns to face the girls, grabbing two little bubble gum ball-like objects from his PAK and handing them to them. “Hold these to you head and squeeze them.”

           They do so and the balls stretch around their heads, changing to a transparent helmet. Skoodge does the same with one of his own. Then he extends his spider legs from his PAK. The top two rest against the hatch of the shuttle while the bottom two reach for Devi and Tenna.

           “Hang on tight,” he orders.        

           They grab the metal appendages and Skoodge opens the hatch.

           The air immediately rushes out of the shuttle, whipping around Devi and Tenna and threatening to blow them into space, but they hold on tight. Skoodge pulls them out of the ship and presses up against the Massive. Gir cheers as he and Minimoose follow close behind.

           One of Skoodge’s free spider legs fires up a laser that slices through the hull of the flagship, cutting out a doorway. The group slips inside and Skoodge puts the chunk of wall back in place, sealing it up.

           “We made it,” Devi breathes as they let go of Skoodge and stand up inside the Massive. They’re in an empty, dimly corridor. It’s eerily quiet.

           “Where is everyone?” Tenna asks.

           “The Tallest must be on Irk right now,” Skoodge replies, “so all the workers are probably on break.”

           “Then this is the perfect chance for some sabotage,” Devi grins, rubbing her hands together. “Lead the way, Skoodge.”            The Irken smiles before trotting down the hallway, the rest of the group close behind.

           Meanwhile, on Irk, Zim follows his drone captives through the halls of the Main Command Centre. He keeps his head high and remains stoic, refusing to show any sign of weakness, no matter how many times the drones deliberately bump into him.

           Finally, they reach their destination: the Tallest’s throne room, the biggest and highest room in the command centre. There are windows all along the walls overlooking the city for miles and statues and busts and drapery of the Tallest themselves. And across the room, sitting in their thrones, are Tallest Red and Tallest Purple.

           The drones lead Zim to the middle of the room and immediately disperse. Zim glares at the Tallest as they sit up, smirking at him.

           “Zim!” Red cheers, “so nice to see you again.”

           “Not!” Purple jeers and they both laugh obnoxiously. Zim just glowers.

           Red chuckles and wipes a tear from his face. “Seriously, though. What the IRK are you doing here!” he barks angrily, “you are exiled! Banned! How much clearer do we have to be?”

           “I’m not here for me,” Zim snaps, “I’m here for you, and your hopeless empire that you are allowing to be destroyed! How could you sit back and watch as dozens of planets are annihilated across the galaxy? And Irk is next! That’s why they’re here!” He points out the window at the large alien ship in the sky. “I came here to stop it.”

           “Oh, wow, so you’re playing hero now,” Purple sneers.

           “Yeah,” Red scoffs, “the Irken Bounty Hunters couldn’t even catch them. What makes you think you can?”

           “Because I know who they are, or at least who leads them,” Zim replies, “a Xylaxian.”

           “What? That’s ridiculous,” Red scorns.

           “Yeah, Xylaxians don’t exist anymore,” Purple adds incredulously.

           “It’s true. Kio knows him,” Zim insists, “and he’s gonna destroy the Control Brain!”

           The Tallest burst into uproarious laughter, their heads thrown back and arms wrapped around their sides. Zim glowers at them with annoyance.

           “You know what!” he snaps, “I don’t need to stand here and take this! I’m not the same Irken I once was and I’m not gonna take your abuse in the hopes that you’ll give me just an ounce of respect. I’m gonna save my planet and you’re not gonna stop me.”

           He turns on his heel and starts to march away when a giant laser cannon drops from the ceiling on a metal arm and points at him.

           “Whoa, whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Red asks, amused, “you thought we were just gonna let you leave? You are a criminal, y’know?”

           Zim turns back around and glares at them. “So execute me already! I know you’ve always wanted to.”

           “Aw, now what fun would that be?” Purple sighs dramatically, “nah, we wanna make you suffer first.”

           “And you’ve made it so easy,” Red adds, “you’ve even brought your little alien friends with you.”

           A screen pops out of the floor beside him, displaying a still image of Dib, Gaz, Pepito, Squee, and Kio walking through the city, and Zim jolts.

           “Leave them alone!” he snaps, “they have nothing to do with this!”

           “They broke into our planet to look for you,” Red points out, “it seems to me they have everything to do with this.”

           “I told them not to come!”

           “And they didn’t listen to you?” Purple tuts, “you really are a terrible leader.”

           Zim grimaces and glares at the floor.

          “Now it’ll only be a matter of time before our guards find them and these ‘rebels’,” Red says, gesturing lazily at the alien ship. “And then we’ll destroy you all together.”

           “It’ll be fun,” Purple adds, “we’ll make it a big, public spectacle. Like a festival. And there’ll be food and games.”

           “Yeah, like ‘Pin the Antenna on the Defect’,” Red says, “the defect being you.”

           “Haha, yeah!” Purple laughs.

           The two of them guffaw while Zim cringes quietly beneath their cruel amusement. Meanwhile, Johnny watches the whole thing from the doorway. He scowls, wondering why Zim isn’t standing up for himself. He can’t watch these two bullies anymore, so he draws a knife and starts to advance.

           The ship outside suddenly explodes, shutting the Tallest up and startling everyone. They all look out the window at the giant cloud of smoke as it rains debris and shrapnel.

           Almost immediately after, an Irken guard races into the doorway, not even noticing Johnny crouched there. “My Tallest! We just discovered the body of a Ssslitharian in the city!”

           “A Ssslitharian?’ Red questions incredulously.

           A second guard appears. “My Tallest! We don’t know what caused that ship to explode, but it wasn’t any of our weapons!”

           A third guard. “My Tallest! The heir Rory has disappeared!”

           The Tallest are speechless from this bombardment of bad news. Zim watches the guards, just as bewildered for a second, before looking at the ground, a smile spreading across his face. He starts chuckling then throws his head back as he laughs loudly and victoriously. Everyone watches him, surprised and disgusted.

           Zim points at the Tallest dramatically. “You’re losing control, Tallest! You haven’t caught my Battalion, much less know where they are! And you have no hope to! Your guards are running around in circles while my team- my friends conquer!”

           Red scoffs, offended. “You think you’re winning? Have you forgotten where you are?”

           Four large laser cannons drop down from the roof. Before they can even take aim, the Irken guards are thrown through the air and smash through them. Zim looks back at Johnny standing in the doorway.

           He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “Zim, let’s get the hell out of here!”

           Zim smirks and races across the room.

           “Where do you think you’re going!” Purple barks. More cannons drop from the ceiling and start firing. Zim’s spider legs extend from his PAK and create a force field, blocking the lasers as he and Johnny turn out of the doorway and run down the hall.

           Hatches start opening up on the walls and ceiling, releasing armed drones. Johnny and Zim smash their way through them as they proceed through the command centre. They turn a corner and skid to stop before a wall of armed guards. They quickly duck back behind the wall as they start firing.

           One of Zim’s spider legs extend to Johnny as the other three point at the wall beside them. “Grab on!”

           Johnny grabs it and Zim fires a laser blast through the wall, creating a hole to the outside. He immediately throws himself through it, dragging Johnny with him.

           His spider legs stab into the outside wall and start scaling the building. The guards follow with their own spider legs, along with the drones. Zim narrowly dodges their laser fire.

           Johnny holds on for dear life and glares at their assailants as a laser brushes by his arm. He reaches into his coat and pulls out a Smiley Bomb, whipping it at them. It explodes, destroying many of the guards and drones and leaving a charred spot on the wall.

           As soon as the firing has slowed down, Zim pounces off the wall and they sail through the air and over the destroyed buildings, barely catching the wall of another nearby building. He climbs it to the roof and continues moving across the city.

           After a few minutes, Johnny looks back and sees nothing behind them. “Okay, they’re not chasing us. Can you stop so I can let go?”

           Zim slows to a stop and Johnny lets go of the spider leg. He sighs as he rolls his stiff arms and Zim retracts his appendages. They continue on foot.

          Zim stares down as they walk, his squeedly spooch in knots. He grips his shirt and says, “hey, Johnny? Am I like…a huge idiot?”

           “Yeah,” Nny replies, irking Zim with his bluntness. “But��well,” he adds hesitantly, “look, it’s not like I don’t understand. It’s scary, you know…caring for people…”

           Zim glances at him with surprise but he’s looking away so his expression can’t be seen. Then Zim looks down and sighs. “Yeah, it is.”

           They make their way through the city by the rooftops until they reach the countryside. Zim lowers them to the ground and they continue to Mar’s place. They don’t speak at all, so it’s quiet and a little awkward.

           Eventually, they spot three people in the distance. Zim narrows his eyes as he strains to see. “Is that…Dib! Gaz! Kio!”

           They turn at his voice and beam excitedly before racing for him. He runs too and they clash, grabbing each other’s’ arms.

           “I’m so glad you’re okay!” Kio squeals happily, squeezing Zim’s shoulder.

           “Where were you?” Dib asks.

           “Oh, you know, just got captured by the Tallest,” Zim shrugs, “no big deal.”

           “Johnny’s with you,” Gaz states as he walks up to the kids. “So where are Squee and Pepito?”

           “I haven’t seen them,” Zim replies.

           “I’m sure they’re fine,” Dib says, “I mean, they must’ve been the ones who blew up that ship, right?”

           “Wherever they are, they’ll meet us at Mar’s,” Kio points out, “so let’s continue.”

           The others nod and they keep going. They arrive within a couple minutes to the ruins that were once Mar’s house. As they step over the toppled wall, they stop at the sound of familiar, frantic screaming. They look over to the left and see some kind of strange figure flying along the ground right for them.

           “Lo-lo-look!” Pepito’s voice cries out. “There they are!”

           “Civ! Viv! Stop!” Squee shouts.

           Two SIR units pulling what appears to be a make-shift sleigh made of sheet metal stop abruptly, but the sleigh they’re pulling does not. Because it’s still tied to them, the sleigh flips upside down, knocking Pepito and Squee onto the ground. It nearly falls on them, but they quickly roll out of the way and it slams onto the dirt.

           “Oof,” Squee groans as he sits up, rubbing his head.

           “Well, that was…fun,” Pepito grunts drily, dusting the dirt from his hair.

           “Guys!” Dib exclaims as he, Zim, Gaz, and Kio race over to them. They smile and jump to their feet to meet them.

           “Excuse me,” Viv grunts, interrupting their reunion. “Could you please release us from your restraints?”

           “It’s just rope,” Pepito points out, “you telling me you genius robots can’t untie rope?”

           “In their defense,” Squee says as he cuts them free. “Nny has taught me some very good ways to tie knots.”

           Johnny smiles as he pats Squee’s head.

           “Who are they?” Zim asks, gesturing to the twin robots.

           “Civ and Viv,” Squee replies, “they’re gonna help us.”

           “Correction,” Civ grunts, “we helped you destroy the enemy ship. Now you’re gonna help us find our master.”

           “Yeah, and the best way to do that is if you stick with us,” Pepito points out.

           “Very well,” Viv sighs, “but I am starting to question if you can find him at all.”

           “What’s going on?” Zim asks.

           “We’ll explain everything,” Squee replies, “but first can we get inside? I don’t like being out in the open like this.”            “Yes, let’s,” Kio nods.

           Everyone steps onto the slim elevator and rides it down to Mar’s lab. Along the way, they all explain what they’ve been up to the last couple hours.

           “We fought a snake alien called Ssslisss,” Dib says, “he was tough, but we won.”

           “I fought a little alien called Ethrax,” Pepito replies, “he hit me pretty good, but in the end I beat his ass. And Squee totally blew up that whole ship!”

           “I knew that was you!” Dib exclaims excitedly, “that’s awesome.”

           “Well, Civ and Viv really helped,” Squee adds, “I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

           “Unquestionably,” Civ remarks.

           Mar turns in her chair and watches as they settle down in her lab, laughing and talking. Johnny splits from the group and leans against the wall, smiling slightly. Zim stares at his friends, happily at first but then he guiltily looks away.

           “I’m sorry.”

           Everyone shuts up immediately and look at him, stunned. “Huh?”

           Zim stares at the floor, grimacing. “I didn’t tell you I was leaving because I knew you’d want to come with me. And I didn’t want you to come because I was…I was worried you’d get hurt…or worse. I…underestimated you, which is something that should never be done. So.” He takes a deep breath and faces them. “I’m sorry.”

           Everyone stares at him, speechless. Then Pepito coos, “aaawww!” and runs in to hug him. Before Zim can argue, Dib, Squee, and Gaz immediately join in and hug him tight.

           “You don’t have to apologize for worrying about us,” Squee says, “that’s what friends do.”

           “Yeah,” Dib agrees, “why do you think we followed you all the way out here?”

           Zim glowers between them but on the inside, he’s smiling.

           “Sorry to break this up,” Mar says, grabbing everyone’s attention. “But you should take a look at this.”

           They split apart and everyone gathers in front of her computer. It’s displaying what looks like live surveillance footage of the area outside the Main Command Centre. There are Irken bodies and smashed drones being tossed away as a group of assorted aliens march towards the building. Leading them is a very muscular creature, supporting his upper body on his knuckles.

           “Is that…?” Dib questions.

           “Carcas,” Kio growls.

           “They’re starting!” Zim exclaims, “we have to stop them!”

           The Battalion races for the elevator. Squee skids to a stop and looks at Johnny. “You coming?”

           He shrugs apathetically and joins the kids.

           They ride the elevator to the surface where they find a small army of Irken soldiers and drones surrounding them, weapons at the ready.

           “Uh oh,” Squee squeaks.

           “What do you think you’re doing!” Zim barks, “your city is under attack! Your planet is going to be destroyed! Forget about us!”

           “Tallest orders,” one of the guards states.      

           “Blech,” Pepito spits.

           “Don’t suppose you two can stop them,” Dib suggests, glancing at Civ and Viv.

           “They won’t listen to us,” Viv shrugs, “we receive no respect from the Irken Armada.”

           “Great,” Gaz grunts drily.

           Before anyone can argue further, Johnny steps forward, drawing his knives.

           “You guys go,” he orders, “I’ll handle this.”

           “Nny?” Squee questions.

           He doesn’t say anything, his glare focused entirely on the surrounding guards.

           “I’ll stay with him to make sure he can catch up with you,” Kio says.

           The others nod and get ready to run.

           “Nobody is going anywhere,” a guard barks and lifts his hand. “Ready!”

           Zim’s PAK opens up, Pepito bends forward, and Squee pulls down his goggles.

           “Fi-!” the guard is cut off as Johnny, lightning fast, drives his knife through the Irken’s armor and his chest. Simultaneously, rockets extend from Zim’s PAK and he grabs Dib as he flies into the air. Pepito holds Gaz as he releases his wings and takes off. Squee activates his rocket wheelies and slips around the guards like a blur. Civ and Viv are close behind them as they escape, leaving Nny to his massacre.

[ruffsficstuffplace]

Of Rocks, Romantic Rivalries, and Rune Rangers (Part 5): The Siren’s Song (Part II)

Note: I’m back now that my other project is done! Sorry for the delay.

“Hunk and Keith: hold the Galra off!” Shiro cried as his arm glowed with renewed power. “Everyone else: get the Robeast!”

The Rangers grabbed their weapons and charged. A front-most line of Galra troopers were already being attacked by the time they realized what had happened. Mero looked at the four warriors charging at her, turned tail and ran into the same building Shiro had gone up earlier.

“After her!” Shiro cried as they all charged in after her.

“Minions! Keep them away from me!” Mero cried as she ran up the stairs.

The Galra troopers swarmed in, weapons raised as they poured into the open doorway as one.

Keith and Hunk turned around and braced themselves, prepared to blast and fight off the stream of troopers. They stopped as they realized the Galra were stuck, limbs and heads awkwardly flailing as they tried and failed to get out of the interlocked mass of bodies.

The two of them smiled and laughed as they thundered up the stairs after their team, just as the Galra outside started breaking open the windows and entering through there.

“You can’t run from your fate!” Allura cried as the Rangers steadily gained on her, just a half-flight of stairs behind.

“Just watch me!” Mero snapped in between huffs for breath.

Hunk and Keith slashed and blasted the steps behind them, trapping the Galra at the ground floor. A barrage of suppressing fire from Hunk forced them out of the space, and scrambling to find another way to get up.

Mero burst onto the roof of the building, flailing and out of breath. The Rangers staggered in shortly after, Shiro with Lance’s arm over his shoulders; Allura with Pidge riding on her back next; then Hunk and Keith, slumped over or crawling in on all fours.

Mero bent over with her hands on her knees. “Huff… you… huff… won’t… beat me… huff… Rune… Rangers… huff!”

Lance fell off from Shiro’s shoulders, pushed himself up from the floor on his elbows. “Yes… huff… we… huff… will… huff!”

“Can we like… huff… take five or something…?” Mero asked. “That was a lot of stairs...”

“Can’t believe I’m… huff… saying this… huff… but sure...” Shiro replied.

The Rangers all sat together in the shade with their weapons at the ready, Mero fanned herself with a fin-hand as she found shelter some distance away from them. The Galra troopers scaled the sides of the building or tossed themselves up from the roofs of lower buildings, but the exertion and the rough landings had taken a toll on them, too, and they had to lay under the sun to recharge.

Zarkon silently cursed the limitations of even his empire’s highly advanced technology.

Eventually, they ready to stand up and fight once more. The Rune Rangers stood together in a line while Mero and her minions spread out around the rooftop.

“Okay!” she cried. “Now that we’re back to fighting again, let me treat you all to another song number!”

She reared her head back, and took in a deep breath.

Shiro picked Pidge up, and sent her rocketing into Mero.

Pidge landed on her chest, held on tight and braced her feet as she plunged her dagger right into Mero’s throat.

Mero screeched and jerked about, sparks flying from her body and a weak, scattered blast of magic pouring out of her mouth. “Y-Y-Y-YOU-U-UU-U G-G-G-G-GUYS SSS-S-S-SUU-UUU-CKKK!” she cried.

Shiro threw his arm up in the air. “Hunk, Allura, keep the minions away! The rest of us: get the Robeast!

“Celestial Guard: CHARGE!”

Mero grabbed Pidge and threw her away, she flipped around mid-air and landed on all fours. She dodged an overhead smash from a titan, before she scampered back to the others; it tried to chase after her, before Hunk blasted in the face and sent it staggering back, while Allura kept the rest of the troopers from doing the same.

Mero scowled as she saw the Rangers charging towards or aiming at her. “Singing isn’t my only talent, you know!” she cried as she swiped one of her fins in the air, a wave of magic surging towards the Rangers.

Keith grinned as he raised his shield and braced himself, absorbing the worst of it. Pidge climbed up his back and launched off his shoulders, landing in front of Mero. She lunged and tried to grab her again, Pidge escaped through the space between her legs.

Mero looked up, a burst from Lance’s rifle struck her right between the eyes, the bolts’ residue stil glowing as Shiro drove his glowing palm into her face.

Pow.

Mero cried out, blasted a wave of water around her that knocked the others back. “Minions: protect me!” she said as she ran away towards the bulk of her forces.

“Oh no you don’t!” Lance cried as he flipped a switch on his rifle. He shot an ice bolt into Mero’s leg.

“Gah!” she cried as she stumbled and hobbled to a stop, frost forming over her skin-scales. “This isn’t fair, you jerks!”

“Says the Robeast fighting six of us with a friggin’ army!” Keith cried as he and Pidge slashed her together.

All but stuck in one place, Mero could do little but swipe and throw more waves of magic around as the Rangers took turns attacking her two or three at a time from every direction, Hunk and Allura quickly joining in as her vitals dropped ever lower.

Finally, the Rangers all surrounded her, their bodies glowing with power, and their runes held tightly in their hands. As they posed and their magic shot out and spiraled into the air, they cried:

“Solar Strike!”

The surviving Galra forces staggered back and shielded their eyes as bright, multi-coloured pillars of came down crashing down atop Mero. And when the light faded, all that was left behind was a melted and broken mess of smoking black matter, ominous purple goop leaking out and shriveling up in the sunlight.

Their Robeast down, the Galra troops ran for it. Haggar sighed as she stepped into the area through a rip in reality. “I sincerely hope that what you lack in intelligence and control over your own troops, you make up for as an instrument of brute force,” she said as she raised her hands in the air, purple magic arced from her fingers and coursed into Mero’s remains.

“Blackened steel and wicked soul, I command thee: mend and rise anew!”

The metal and goo shot up into the air like a meteor, power crackling and bursting all around it. The Rune Rangers looked up to the sky as a skyscraper-sized Mero reformed in front of them, crushing the building next door under her giant feet-fins.

“Oh yeah!” she cried. “Prepare to get stomped flat, Rune Jerkbags!”

Keith cringed and turned away from the sight. “Yeesh… and I thought she looked ugly regular sized...”

“We won’t have see for much longer, don’t worry,” Shiro said.

“Anyone I need to substitute for?” Allura asked as they all got into formation once more.

“Nah,” Pidge said. “I think we can do just fine with the regular load-out.”

Shiro nodded. “The usual it is.”

They all thrust their runes into the air, the stones growing bright.

“Awaken: Celestial Sentinel!”

From deep within their dens in Rune Terra, giant creatures of rock, metal, and crystal awakened, the carvings all over their bodies lighting up with power, their eyes shining. They rocketed off to the surface, shooting through the sky like meteors till they stopped above the Rangers, and started transforming and joining together to form a giant, humanoid robot.

The Rune Rangers teleported from the ground, and into the cockpit in the head. Holographic screens and displays lit up all around them and on top of the control panel, the largest among them the view from the Sentinel’s eyes, Mero in the middle of their sights.

The Sentinel raised its fists in front of it, its eyes gleaming.

Mero scoffed. “Hah! You think your stupid sentinel’s going to save the day this time? Well, let’s just see how well it does against--”

Pow!

The Sentinel socked Mero in the face. She staggered back as the blows kept on coming one after the other, buildings crumbling to pieces as her legs went through them, the streets, canals, and ruins dotted with her giant footprints. The Sentinel’s arms ever brighter, the kinetic energy from each blow surging into its power core.

The assault and Mero stopped at the end of a decimated block of buildings. She swayed for a moment, clutching her head with one hand-fin, peering through the gaps in the webbing and watching as the Sentinel summoned a giant cannon atop its shoulder, and aimed it right at her.

Thoom.

Bystanders and AFA soldiers at the barricades shielded their eyes from the radiance of the laser, before they started cheering. Elsewhere, the owners and proprietors of the buildings and the businesses that had been demolished started calling their insurance companies, while the Valentino department of public works started calling Coran and scheduling reconstruction efforts.

Mero fell back from the blast, making a giant splash as she landed in an open canal.

The Sentinel waved away the excess smoke from the barrel, before the weapon dissipated back into magic and into it.

Mero scowled as she got back up on her feet, her front glowing with white-gold magic burns. “You didn’t let me finish, doucheshnozzles!” she snapped.

“We were saving what’s left of our brain cells from your voice!” Pidge cried as the Sentinel ran and closed the distance.

Mero scowled and growled. “Well get ready to lose a whole lot more!” she cried as she reared her head back and took a deep breath.

The Rangers eyes widened.

“Oh crap—Hunk, run faster!” Lance cried.

“This is top speed already!” Hunk shouted back. “This leg is made for stability, not speed!”

“Brace yourselves, then!” Allura cried.

The Sentinel slid to a stop, planting both feet firmly in the ground as it raised its arms up in front of it.

Mero opened her mouth, and sang.

A giant wave of magic erupted from her mouth, exploding across the sky, the whole district shaking as glass exploded and concrete structures cracked and crumbled. It hit the Sentinel, and it began to jerk and thrash about, purple energy crackling and sparking all over its body. Inside the cockpit, the lights and holos flickered or shut-off as a horrible din echoed inside the walls.

“Systems unresponsive!” Pidge cried as she read the few surviving readouts.

“Hunk, what the hell is happening?” Shiro yelled as he and the others held on tight to the control panel.

“Her singing’s messing with the Sentinel’s resonators—it’s so off-key it’s knocked everything out of whack!”

“Can you two fix it?”

“Not without climbing into the works and manually realigning every last crystal!” Hunk replied. “We’ll have to wait for the sound to fade and for them to recover on their own!”

They all peered through the static and the distortion of the optics feed, watched flashes and bits of Mero running towards them with an evil grin on her scaly lips, magic gathering in her fin-hands.

Keith frowned. “Well, crap.”

Crash!

The Rangers jerked and flew about as Mero wailed on the Sentinel, helpless to do anything but take every last wave of magic full-force. She stepped in front of it, put her face right up to theirs, and sang.

“LAAAAAAAAA…!

The Sentinel flew back from the cone of sound, taking out another block of buildings and docks as it landed.

“Hah!” Mero cried as she put her fin-hands on her hips. “That’s what you get for not letting me finish my sentences, doucheschnozzles!”

The Rangers picked themselves up from the back of the cockpit as the lights and holos rebooted.

Shiro reached up and grabbed the control panel with his prosthetic arm, pulled Pidge back up to the console with the other. “How are we looking?” he asked.

Pidge frowned as she looked at all the readouts, the graphic display of the Sentinel’s parts blinking bright red. “Not good, but on the bright side, getting the crap beat out of us knocked everything back into place. Should I activate the repair systems?”

“No,” Shiro replied. “Save it for stopping Mero from singing again—if she stuns us like that again, we’ll be good as dead anyway.”

“So what’s the plan?” Keith asked.

Shiro smiled. “We go all out and beat her before she beats us. Lance?” he said as he held his arm out to him.

Lance grinned as he was pulled up to his section of the panel. “On it.”

Everyone else braced themselves as the sonic cannon formed on the Sentinel’s back.

Mero chuckled as she sauntered up to the fallen robot. “What’s wrong, Rune Jerkbags? Fell down and can’t get back up...?”

Boom.

Mero watched as the Sentinel rocketed back up on its feet, a shockwave spreading out from behind it. She barely had time to react as the head came smashing into hers, sending her reeling back; inside the cockpit, the Rangers were thrown about once more as the Sentinel grabbed its head with both hands.

“Oh, man...” Hunk groaned as it stabilized. “Can we all agree on no more headbutting until the Sentinel gets better shock absorbers?”

“Yes,” everyone replied.

Mero and the Sentinel shook their heads, glared at each other, and proceeded to duke it out, throwing punches, throwing more waves of magic, giving and taking damage in equal measure. The civilians watching through holos prayed and cheered on the Rangers; Haggar and Zarkon watched Mero’s psychic link closely, if only to study where the Sentinel faltered, what weaknesses they could exploit for next time.

The Sentinel got in a good right hook, sending Mero staggering to the side and into a luxury hotel. She caught herself on the upper suites, destroying most of the rooms with a view of the Endless Sea; she caught her breath, turned around, and got ready to unleash another song.

The Sentinel’s left hand split open, electricity arcing between the tips before it thrust it into Mero’s gut.

Another wave of magic exploded from her mouth, a small one that only destroyed the hotel’s lighting and crystal arrays. “I-I-I-I-I H-AAA-T-T-T-EE-EE Y-Y-YO-U-UU GU-YSS-SSS!” Mero cried as she twitched and jerked.

The Sentinel pulled its hand back, before it started punching Mero further into the hotel with the other, suites, walls, and floors crumbling behind her, until finally, they got her vitals low enough.

“Ready?!” Shiro called out as he pulled out his rune.

“Ready!” everyone else cried as they did the same.

They all put them into special slots on the console, the whole panel lit up as a sword of pure light appeared in the Sentinel’s hands. It raised it up high into the air, the whole district bathed in its grossly incandescent radiance, before it brought it crashing down on Mero.

“SOLAR SLASH!”

Mero stood still for a moment, surprise in her eyes as a giant scar glowed on her body, tendrils of magic spreading from it and to the rest of her body.

Boom.

She disappeared in a brilliant flash of light, the corrupted magic that powered her escaping back into the air, pure and free once more.

The Sentinel stood proud, its pilots grinning and cheering before they were all forcibly teleported out of the cockpit and back down to the ground. The damaged and drained Sentinel glowed bright then disappeared, returning back to Rune Terra.

“Oh yeah!” Lance cried as he threw his hands in the air. “Score another one for the Rune Rangers!”

Haggar sighed as she stepped back through another portal. “My sincerest apologies, your majesty…” she said, her head hung. “It would appear my creations have failed you once more...”

Zarkon sighed. “That they have...” he smiled. “Though it seems like as though they have revealed a very interesting weakness within our foes.”

Haggar nodded. “Such a shame the green one is so steadfastly on their side...”

Zarkon chuckled. “For now, at least...”

[abakersquest]

CHAPTER NINETEEN – ON FALLEN EMPIRES AND ASH-LADEN SHORES

The water around the speeding Fortune exploded violently as volley after volley of cannon shot zeroed in on the escaping vessel. Behind them, the mystical tower of the Storm Bell finally sank beneath the unruly waves, ringing what its listeners could only assume was the death knell to the intricate workings of the sea. As Blackeye took the ship’s wheel, Polly desperately tried to concentrate through the din and make the ship invisible again to no avail. Undeterred, she rushed to the aft of the ship where Wally and Wistea conjured what they could to deflect any of the many incoming cannonballs. Behind them, Hector focused and channeled every last ounce of magic he could into his sword. He’d been able to hobble the ship before, so he’d try to do it again.

It was then that everything shook with the sudden resonance of a mighty chime, and the chaotic waves behind them calmed. The Storm Bell rang again and the sky was instantly filled with dark and heavy clouds. A third ring birthed a maelstrom that almost lifted the Fortune out of the water, disrupting the flight of the pursuing sky fortress and many of its shots. A fourth ring brought lightning and thunder the likes no living being had ever seen. With the fifth ring, the waters below the spontaneous tempest began to spin and reform the once collapsing whirlpool. It was nowhere near the size of its predecessor, but large enough to expose part of the sunken tower.

Powerful bolts of lightning quickly snaked through the ink black clouds and cascaded over the warship. The bolts homed in on several spots and seemingly did no damage until something in the body of the vessel exploded violently. The warship’s propellers locked instantly and it fell toward the ocean. Half the distance from splashdown, its mighty supports rang to life once more and its armored belly skipped along the water.

All eyes turned to Hector who shrugged, “that wasn’t me.”

“Was the Storm Bell!” Blackeye shouted over his shoulder. “Looks to me it’s tryin’ to do the work of the Fount, but that ain’t gonna keep for long!”

---

A harried Insicai soldier rushed onto the command deck of the warship; Aegis. He was soon followed by a plume of billowing black smoke. “General!” he almost coughed. “The Lightning Collector has been overloaded! We are doing our best, best, best to halt the spread of the fire now, but it may grow out of hand if-”

The Indomitable Smith rose from his seat and walked toward the smoke. “Maintain this position until repairs are completed. After which we shall make way to Insicai, the next Mobius Glass should be completed by the time we arrive.” His helm turned to the right, indicating he was looking over his shoulder. “Re’duvae, see to our return course with the navigation team.”

The armored Insicai that had greeted him at the dispatch port stood and saluted before heading down a nearby stairwell that lead from the Command deck to Navigation.

---

The door to the Fortune’s interior opened and Rozzi hobbled as far as the door frame, looking everyone over. She could easily see the undeniable frustration and disappointment on all their faces.

“Anyone wanna fill in the particulars for me?”

“We saw their ship over the Storm Bell’s tower so we assumed that was their target,” Wally replied. “And while we were busy with puzzles and fighting an all together pointless battle, they were lifting the Fount of the Sea right out of the water.”

“Puzzles?” she asked.

“The tower challenges anyone who comes in, even the front door has a task before you can even enter,” answered Hector.

Rozzi stood and thought on that for a few seconds. “Hold on, everything was still intact by the time you got to the top of that thing? Nothin’ bashed in, or blown apart? The guy you fought actually made it past the stuff you did?”

The landing party all exchanged a look before Blackeye spoke.

“Its different challenges for everyone… But overall they reveal somethin’ about yerself. My first time, I learned to move more calmly.”

“I should be more careful not to burn myself out.” Wally added.

“An overabundance of pride could kill me.” Wistea volunteered.

“Focusing too much on the big picture means I miss important details that could save my life.” Hector concluded.

“But,” Wally began to reason. “That we didn’t pass through a bunch of smoldering ruins means that giant must’ve faced the same philosophical test. He had to tell the truth to enter, face a challenge of personal worth, and show the willingness not to fight.”

“Wally!” Hector quickly replied. “You asked him a question right? If he was being made to fight or fought of his own volition?”

“He said ‘both,’” Wally recalled the scene. “It was strange… My insight didn’t work on him like it did with the Rogue and the Princess. Granted he’s clearly less emotional than them, but it was more than that.” He scratched at the back of his ear to help his thinking. “I don’t quite know how to put it; it was more like he seemed…”

“Hollow?” Wistea volunteered.

Wally nodded. “But maybe I was wrong?”

“Well!” Rozzi shouted with a clap of her hands. “Not a total loss! The Storm Bell’s safe at least, and we learned more about what we’re facin’. I saw that little magic gizmo they pulled out for the Fount. Since they got here ahead of us and everything was still intact, I get the feelin’ they only had one of those on them. So, could be they could only pick one of the two magical artifacts to wreck up, or maybe they take a while t’ get ready, or there’s only the one.”

A slim smile grew on Hector’s face. “Gaining knowledge might be a tiny victory, but it still counts toward the whole.”

The whistle of the Kettle Engine finally faded and the ship began to slow. Blackeye worked the lever back to its neutral position and twisted the handle. The sensation of something large opening traveled across the deck beneath their feet. “It’s gonna take a day before the engine’s workin’ again. I sure don’t want to head to Sauro without it. Works out, we’re two days away at best. Nurse your bruises and steel yourselves, it’s gonna be a wild ride once we’re close.”

There was a loud thud off to the side that was quickly revealed to be the exhausted body of Polly Cofresi. At some point during the conversation she’d leaned against the railing, fallen asleep, and then finally slipped the rest of the way down. With a chuckle, the captain locked the wheel, gently scooped her up, and took her down to the bunk room with a few whispered words of praise.

Rozzi leaned on the door after it was closed and pouted slightly. “So you mean to tell me, I missed a magical game of Honest Consequences.”

Wistea’s expression grew pensive as, they all could tell now; she began to check her sizable catalog of memories and facts to figure out what Rozzi was asking about.

“It’s a children’s game in Animana,” Wally told her. “You sit ‘round in a circle, then go and challenge the person across from you to answer a question truthfully, or pull some outrageous stunt.”

“Except this particular outrageous stunt was having to almost fight my fellow knight.” Hector patted Wally on the shoulder.

“Wait? You saw me?! What’s that mean? I had to almost fight Sir Hammond!”

“Ah,” Wistea began. “No doubt it was a test of our personal feelings of inadequacy. We all faced someone that in some way made us feel weaker by comparison, no doubt to encourage us to fight it and fail. I can understand Hector’s imposition, after all, one of the last things you did was hurl one of Kota’s Generals across the Storm Bell’s belfry. That sort of thing can be very imposing.”

“AHHH! I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED THAT!” shouted Rozzi in frustration.

“Don’t you worry; I’m sure the next time we’re all in mortal danger, Wally will no doubt do something just as impressive and startling,” Hector chuckled.

Wally sighed, grateful for the levity that Rozzi seemed to have revitalized in everyone, but still frustrated that he could do nothing to prevent the day’s loss. It all left him in a somewhat frustrated mood he couldn’t immediately shake. “I’ll stay up here on first watch, you all relax…”

As he tried to walk toward the foredeck a sudden gust of air threw him off balance and back toward the group where he was met by Rozzi’s stern expression.

“I’ll have none of that, thank you very much! ‘First watch’ my tail, you just wanna stand up here and mope at the sky like that’d make you feel any better. Now,” she reached over and grabbed the fur on his cheek. “You’re gonna come down to the galley and make us all somethin’ to eat and I guarantee you’ll be smilin’ by the end of it… Also someone has to make sure I don’t fall down the stairs. I barely made it up here y’know?”

“What?” Hector said with playful incredulity. “Don’t you trust me?”

“About as far as I could THROW you,” she retorted.

He sighed and looked to Wally with an earnest smile, “not gonna live that one down, am I?”

“Probably not,” Wally answered plainly as he took Rozzi’s arm over his shoulder to help her down the stairs.

---

There was a disquieting stillness to the air as they sailed toward Sauro, Blackeye said that with the Storm Bell dividing its power, both the sea and the sky would suffer from an unseemly calm until the Fount was either restored, or the Bell lost its strength. The sails drove them forward as best they could with the steady but weakened winds. In another day’s worth of sailing the air grew much warmer and on the horizon, the crew of the God’s Fortune could see a faint glow. It was neither sunrise nor sunset, but the eternal fires of the twin molten peaks that flanked the island nation of Sauro. Soon its mountainous shore came into view, a natural and enormous barrier of peaks all along the island’s shoreline that made it practically unassailable from any angle, save the ports built into the mountain caverns.

According to the captain, the ports had all been sealed by cannon fire induced landslides after the end of the war, in order to prevent citizens of Sauro from ever leaving their island again. Every so often a ship would be conscripted to check on the ports to make sure the fallen stones hadn’t been disturbed, and in the 20 years since the end of the war, not a single Sauroian had come back to, or left from, Sauro.

Many of the refugees of Sauro had been taken in by Animana after the war’s end, while some others sailed and worked amidst the Icthy Isles. Planae, Orni’Hu, and Insicai however had denied them entry. In his quest for kitchen work back home, Wally had a job in the part of The Outers where the Sauroians had been allowed to settle. They were quiet and cautious whenever he was around, no doubt afraid any indiscretion would rob them of another home. They wore cloaks to hide their appearance, and kept to themselves whenever possible, all to avoid causing any uproar by simply existing. All said, there was absolutely no telling what life was like beyond the mountains of Sauro after the war, they’d be going in almost entirely blind.

The Fortune’s crew looked out over the waters ahead as the imposing mountain range loomed ever closer. “I suppose the loss of the Fount made the waters here more traversable,” said Hector curiously. “Seer Cinera made it sound like we’d be dealing with the most violent waves imaginable.”

“It ain’t the waves ones concerned with, lad.” The captain turned the wheel quickly, the God’s Fortune narrowly avoiding a spontaneous geyser of steaming water.

Everyone stared at the heated plume as Hector calmly stated, “oh.”

“Them hot spouts ain’t the bother either…” Blackeye warned. “You’ll know it when we see it.”

The God’s Fortune weaved around several more dangerous blast of superheated water as it came ever closer to Sauro. Everyone kept their attentions as extended as possible, readying as best they could for whatever imposing threat the mysterious island had to offer. Finally, they were close enough to see the tall red tower with a single light shining at the top, just as Cinera described. The many eyes on deck tried to get a better view when the clouds above them began to swirl unnaturally. At first they seemed to simply orbit one another until there was a loud snap of air and the clouds were replaced by a titanic orange eye with a thin and jagged black pupil. It stared down and drifted along with the ship it so easily dwarfed, and shone down with an otherworldly light.

“I hope Cinera was right about that Tetsu fella,” the captain said quietly. “Don’t think I’ll be able to trick Kota the same way twice…” Blackeye flipped the Kettle Engine’s switch and the Fortune shot forward, leaving the massive mystic eye trailing. The shine of the eye increased and Hector could see the water under its gaze begin to boil and the air above waver with a thick haze of heat. As the chase continued the air beneath the eye seemed to ignite, creating a pillar of shimmering death that only speed its pursuit with every passing second.

“How’d you trick it last time?!” called out Wally.

“Water canopy! Made us look like empty sea!”

“Grandpa! It’s gettin’ closer! Shouldn’t I make the ship invisible?!”

“Keep that for later! We’re gonna need it if we wanna get out in one piece!”

The giant eye vanished instantly, leaving only a trail of steaming seawater. As everyone quickly looked to see if they could spot it elsewhere, the snap of air signaling its appearance rocked their ears, as it spontaneously manifested directly ahead of them. They could feel the air temperature skyrocket as the captain desperately tried to change course. Suddenly a large black slate rose in their path and the ship raced into it at top speed. Between the ticks of a second the crew of the Fortune found themselves saved from certain death and thrown into uncertain surroundings. Their eyes slowly adjusted and their ears sought out what they could as Blackeye shut off the Kettle Engine.

In the low light of a few scattered torches and distant gleaming crystals, they could see the vague impression of a ship builder’s dock built into a mountainous cavern, long disused and left to rot beside a now stagnant pool of water. Of course, all that was less impressive than the fact they were hovering a dozen feet above it all.

Below they could hear a feminine voice grunt with effort as the ship slowly drifted down to rest in the water by the dock, affording said voice’s owner a slow reveal to the ship’s crew. Illuminated by a bright oil lamp by her feet, a short female frog stood adorned in a flowing dress and head scarf that bore the red, black, and yellow of a sunset, as well as a number of silver coins that shimmered in the flickering light. Her golden flecked eyes finally opened and looked up, taking the sight of them in with elliptical pupils. Her smile was one of content relief that certainly helped to lighten the mood of what had just occurred.

Polly gasped as she could see an ornate glowing halo behind her, similar to Cinera’s. However, the outer ring of it was darker than the inner structure. This did nothing to diminish the beauty of its ethereal presence as far as she was concerned.

“Please,” the Sauroian stranger spoke. “Follow me to Master Tetsudin; I can only shield us from Kota’s sight for so long.”

Every pair of eyes that didn’t belong to a wallaby settled on the only one in the cavern.

“Does everyone need to check with me every time we meet someone new?”

“They say power and responsibility are steamy bedfellows,” paraphrased Hector

“I don’t think anyone in the whole of history has ever said anything even remotely like that… And the answer is yes, we can trust her,” replied the slightly annoyed wallaby.

The heroes hopped down to the creaking docks that hadn’t felt much in the way of weight in two decades. The young Sauroian girl, who was just barely an inch or two taller than Wally, politely curtsied for the group. “My name is Hyla, Hyla Areo. I am Master Tetsudin’s current apprentice. Please, before we go, I must take the Flarebearer’s hands.”

Wally raised a curious eyebrow at her as she outstretched her broadly rounded fingers. Sensing nothing dangerous about the gesture, Wally placed his hands in hers.

There was a sudden rush of emotions, memories, thoughts, and experiences that twisted like a tornado around the wallaby’s consciousness. Some recent, some from long ago, and some that were clearly not his own. He grit his teeth and braced himself to weather the typhoon of it all, only to see it fade as rapidly as it arose. Hyla slowly shook a somewhat awestruck expression from her face.

“F-… Forgive me; I just had to make sure. You… Really are everything Master Tetsudin said you’d be.”

Wally blinked a few times, finding it a little difficult to see at first. “He knew about me?”

She nodded. “There is little my master does not know.”

Rozzi cleared her throat, “S’pose etiquette’s on that list somewhere, eh?”

She tapped Hyla on the wrist gently, revealing she’d yet to release Wally’s hands. “Oh! Yes, right, of course.” She released his hands before bowing her head apologetically. “Please, this way. I’m afraid we’ll have to take the long way since moving your ship took a lot out of me.”

“S’long as you can put her back where she belongs, we’re fine, lass.” Blackeye patted the ship’s hull before following.

The dock’s facilities were naught but the ramshackle remnants of a ship building yard. Tools and scrap materials strewn all about, no doubt due to a hasty retreat by the workers. Everything creaked, groaned, and shook at the passing of these new travelers. Even shadows moved like old, broken wrecks as the oil lamp’s light slid along every surface. They soon came to a boulder set before a sheer stone wall. Hyla whistled and the stone moved aside like a polite gentleman on a narrow street. Beyond it was a stone staircase, carved directly into the mountain’s interior; Polly had a giggle as her broad shouldered grandfather had to walk up it sideways.

“Life’s been hard here, hasn’t it, Hyla…” Wally began to speak amidst the sound of stair climbing.

She looked back at him over her shoulder, saying nothing.

“Seems like when you were ‘looking’ at me… I saw a little bit of you. I know it’s probably not much but, from one almost starved child refuge to another, I’m sorry.”

She smiled and nodded silent thanks.

Rozzi walked up and nudged him gently, speaking softly, “’bout that. Just how much did she see y’think?”

“Felt like all of it,” he said quietly. “Even parts of my childhood.” Wally frowned. “But growing up in Sauro after the war? Leagues worse than The Outers ever were…”

The group came to another sheer wall that a whistle from Hyla opened. The room beyond was lit by a series of floating orbs, with no clear support or mechanism. Every inch of their surroundings was a surprising contrast to the tower’s exterior, a deep almost black blue. The only features within were the four pillars that reached high toward the domed ceiling and the massive chains attached to each one. At the end of the chains sat a titanic figure that dwarfed anyone they’d met thus far. Clothed in tarnished silver robes, there could be no doubt this was Master Tetsudin, an absolutely gargantuan turtle.

“Welcome,” he said in a voice best described as that of a beloved family elder just waking up from a nap. “Lovely to finally see you all in person. Ah, so to speak.”

It was baffling that such a kindly voice could come from such an enormous body with a face like ancient brown leather. But beyond that, Wally saw something that truly shocked him. Where there should be a set of eyes or even the vaguest impression of them on a wrinkled face, there was nothing, an empty darkness.

“No, young Flarebearer, your eyes do not deceive you. As part of my penance, I surrendered my gift of sight before I built myself this prison. The beauty of nature is something I shall rightfully never see again… Despite my other ways of seeing.”

Wally tucked his initial shock away as well he could and approached Master Tetsudin. “I… Well, sir, we were told that if anyone anywhere could tell us more about the Stellar Flare and how to restore its power, it’d be you.”

Tetsudin reached out his enormous hand, and the chains attached rung like church bells thrown down a flight of stairs. “Present the blade, please.”

Wally readily unsheathed it and held the broadside up, quickly wondering if trying to hold it up higher would make any possible difference at this point.

The old Sauroian tapped a single clawed finger against the blade, causing it to chime like a tuning fork.

“Mm, as is to be expected. The sword expended all its power to banish Kota the last time it was used against her.”

Everyone but Hyla replied in varying shocked tones, “Banished?!”

Wally was the first to continue, “You mean that… Sir Hammond the Only didn’t actually slay Kota?!”

The ancient Sauroian gave a small yet genial laugh. “Would you be fighting her now if he did?”

“I… I guess we all assumed she was back from the dead…”

“Death is a rather permanent event, young Flarebearer.” Tetsudin leaned back and looked up toward the ceiling. “There may linger some lesser presence in your stead, or you may simply live on in memory or legend. But there exist no magic in this world to truly resurrect the dead. I do not know why Sir Hammond chose to banish her; the Flare at full strength could easily have ended her life in his skilled hands. Now she has returned from her banishment, and the Flare came with her, having expended its power to keep her sealed these twenty years.”

Hector spoke more to calm his mind than anything else, “I’m certain, whatever the reason, my father did what was best for all of us…”

Blackeye patted him on the shoulder comfortingly.

Tetsudin leaned down, finally directing the whole of his attention to the slightly shocked wallaby. “Wally, heed my words. You must take the Stellar Flare to the tallest peak of Krust Mountain; there and only there can it be restored.”

“Krust Mountain?” Blackeye chuckled. “Fella, I been sailin’ the seas since I was a wee lad, so while experience says I can believe it exists, it’s most likely in the Southeastern seas, which is a big patch of nothin’ for ages. So, even if the place’s real, findin’ a bloody island that MOVES on such a big empty stretch’a ocean is damn near impossible.”

Tetsudin smiled at him. “So you’re up to the challenge then?”

“Course I am y’ daft shellback! Just ‘cause it’s impossible don’t mean I can’t do it!” The captain slapped Hector on the back, causing him to stagger slightly in surprise. “‘Specially with a crew this hardy!”

Tetsudin laughed, or at least that’s what the deep rumbling noise in his throat made everyone think. “I have a great deal of faith in you all. I can only apologize that I could but answer only one of your questions. Unfortunately,” the great turtle pulled back from the heroes. “We are out of time.”

A green armored soldier had leapt in through the single window in the tower, landing between them and Tetsudin. While the sagely turtle outsized it by a measure of ten, its full height loomed over the band of heroes. It was the opposite of the Indomitable Smith, a living metal testament to imposing physiques.

“Hyla!” Tetsudin shouted. “You must aid the Flarebearer on his quest! Go with him and his allies!”

“But Master!” She cried out.

The large emerald armored figure turned toward her. “Have you no respect for your elder’s wishes, little mage?” The voiced of the intruder carried the air of aristocracy and dignity in every last properly pronounced syllable. “How shameful! I shall see to it you are properly punished.”

With speed that blatantly opposed his enormity, the green armored assailant rocketed toward Hyla, a shimmering blade of unknown make in hand.

Wally quickly sprang from his position to intercede, bringing the Flare up to block the overhead strike. The blow rang through the Flare’s blade and shook Wally’s bones as the ground beneath his feet shattered.

“Interfering in my duties to defend a lady, truly a commendable act by the Flarebearer!” Wally suddenly found himself struggling, his opponent pressing down against his sword with a force he’d never felt before. “But I am the Peerless Knight. Not even you could rival me!”

With a sudden upward thrust the Knight’s crossguard caught the edge of the Flare, breaking Wally’s guard. Unexpectedly, Wally rolled backward with the force of the blow and narrowly dodged the following strike. However, the force of its impact shattered the floor, giving Wally no way to reclaim his footing. Instead he landed flat on his back with a hearty thud.

The Knight unleashed loud triumphant laughter as he closed the distance between them almost instantly. In that far too quick of a moment, Wally knew this was the fastest and strongest opponent he’d ever faced. Before he could even lift the Flare, the enemy’s blade was mere inches from stabbing a superfluous hole into his chest. Then, as he closed his eyes to brace himself for the death blow, he felt himself fall a short distance and greet the floor with his back once again. When his eyes finally opened, another portal was sliding shut above his head, having dropped him behind his friends.

“Young Sauroian,” the Knight spoke with a subtle tinge of frustration. “You would betray your own people? Did you forget the devastation wrought on this land by his predecessor? Do you feel no honor, no patriotism?”

Hyla glared furiously at the Knight. “You can’t begin to imagine what I feel!”

“Such presumption from someone so young, do not fear,” he said as he bowed gracefully to her. “I shall be happy to mentor you properly at the end of my sword!”

The sound of enormous chains being rattled filled the air as Tetsudin slapped his hand down against the floor, and the heroes all vanished from sight in a cascade of blue flashes.

The Peerless Knight looked over his shoulder to the ancient mystic and spoke in a civil tone. “A pity… You recall your vow to never use your magic, do you not?”

Tetsudin made a small noise in his throat to scoff at him. “Visit whatever punishment you like upon me, I can assure you there is no suffering in this world I could not endure for the sake of others, especially my pupils.”

---

The deck of the God’s Fortune suddenly found itself populated by several tumbling bodies. Hyla was the first to her feet, helping Wally to his. “We must go quickly! If the Knight is here, Bulfo won’t be far behind.”

With a grunt, Blackeye righted himself. “Little Miss, Fast is what the Fortune does best!”

“How far can one of those gates you made go?” Hector asked as he helped Wistea up.

Hyla thought on it for only a second or two. “I’ve never moved anything this size before today so I have no idea. But I shall do my best!”

“Right then!” Captain Blackeye gripped the ships wheel. “We got one good go left in the Kettle Engine, and we might be ambushed by a toad in a dress! Miss Areo, are you ready?”

Hyla took a few deep breaths to center herself, and a prismatic shimmer rushed over her hands. “Whenever you are.”

“Once we’re through, Polly makes us invisible, and we make for Galaga, got some old Orni’Hulan friends who can get us some leads on Krust Mountain. If anyone in the world even has the vaguest idea of findin’ a mountain that dances about the Southeast, it’ll be one of those crazy feathered nomads, livin’ on old stories and pub snacks.”

Everyone braced as Blackeye nodded to Hyla and the pitch black portal slid open before the ship. The captain kicked the Kettle Engine into action and the fount of steam jolted them through. The second open sky and the sight of Sauro at their backs met her eyes; Polly reached up to form a shroud of invisibility around the ship once again, only to have the nascent energy shatter to ethereal dust. With the ugly sound of air being torn apart, Vizier Bulfo appeared on the deck of the God’s Fortune.

“Mmman excellent effort on transporting an entire ship, Miss Areo. As should be expected of a student of Master Tetsudin.” Croaked the aging sorcerer.

Wally, Hector, and Blackeye charged at him with all the speed they could muster, only to find they’d been transported behind him in the blink of an eye. Without a moment hesitation, Wally spun and launched a sizable volley of fire at Bulfo. He barely acknowledged it, the fireball rebounding off an instantly summoned barrier of light sending it back toward its caster.

Had he paid more attention however, he would’ve seen Wally closing the distance the entire time the shot was flying, with quickness instilled into him by weeks and weeks of training with Animana’s greatest soldier, Wally slapped the mystic conflagration with the broadside of the Flare, sending it right back at Bulfo with twice the speed. Wally could see the barrier clip the very end of the fireball off as it slipped past Bulfo’s defenses and hit him full on the chest, sending him tumbling and burning along the deck with a howl of pain.

Wally kept his momentum, ready to bring the Flare down on him as Rozzi ran up alongside to also strike the still sizzling sorcerer, their blades only sliced through open air and the remnants of mystic fire as he vanished and reappeared above the ship.

“GGRRHA! NO MORE GAMES! I’LL CRUSH YOU ALL NOW!” Bulfo pointed his ugly staff at them and the Fortune was lifted harshly from the sea and high into the air.

Terrifyingly loud groans and creaks rang in every ear as the Fortune was subjected to intense stresses, Bulfo’s magic slowly crushing it.

“NO!” Polly shouted as she thrust her hands out and formed a protective bubble of light around the ship.

It rocked slightly inside the bubble, but the pained sounds of the ship’s timber ceased. Polly shook and grunted with effort as Bulfo sneered and floated closer, the air beneath him a strangely distorted mess keeping him aloft. He brought his staff back and struck the barrier with it, the impact cascading over the entire surface. Polly shrieked in pain and recoiled at the blow, but the barrier did not fall.

The wicked mage cackled hoarsely as he hit the barrier again and again, each strike transmitting great pain to Polly.

“Wally!” Hyla shouted as she ran up to him. “Throw the biggest punch you can, I’ll handle the rest!”

Wally, entirely done with thinking twice, pulled back his hand and delivered the best straight right he could toward Hyla. The Sauroian sorceress placed a very small portal between herself and Wally, sending his hand on a mystically aided journey. Beside the villainous fiend a much larger portal came into being. Through it, the magically magnified fist of the Flarebearer emerged, ten times the size of its owner. It slammed into the unsuspecting toad’s broadside, and sent him flying against his will toward the horizon.

“G… Grandpa…” Polly shook with pain and exhaustion, eyes filled with tears. “Is… Is it safe? D-… Did I…”

The world fell away in that moment, as Blackeye could do nothing else but fall to his knees and embrace the child he’d raised. The fact the ship would plummet toward the ocean without her magic was a banished thought as he held her and said, “You saved us all, my dear… I’m so very proud.”

Polly managed a smile before consciousness slipped away from her.

The barrier vaporized.

The ship fell.

Every hand scrambled for something to hold onto.

Hyla shouted something unheard, and they all fell through another portal.

<[Chapter 18]–[Index]–[Chapter 20]>