~Prologue:~
-=To the Heavens!=-

"What do you want to be when you get older?" asked the man, holding his son on a night a long time back. He was a big man, both physically and in society - but he had always adored his son, however little amounts of time he was able to spend with him.

"I want to go up there, dad - to the sky! Space!" said the boy, young, definitely set in his heart on his life's goal. "I want to see what no one's seen before!"

"Don't worry, son," the man responded, "Daddy can buy all of that for you. The space ships, the space port - I can even buy space, if that's what you want, son."

And the boy's eyes glowed brighter than the sun.


He is a man. His father is dead and gone, and he is left heir to the fortune - and he was at the head of the Space Development Team. He has dark hair, going off of the back of his head in three spikes. He wore a lab coat and was working on plans for a new mission when he fell asleep. 3:00AM. He was woken by a voice he knew too well.

"Astra, what have you been doing all this time?" It was an old man. His grandfather. All he had left. "You're going to kill yourself doing all of this. Do you think your father would have appr-"

"My father wants me to go ahead with my dreams, grandfather, you know that." he said as casually as ever. Grandfather, [i]he thought, [i]always going on about "father's expectations." He yawned.

"Oh, what's this?" The old man picked up the sheet Astra had fallen asleep on. "Mission plan? What on Earth...?"

"Off Earth, grandfather, on the moon. An expedition. In the uncharted region." He sighed. "If only father were here to see this..."

"Astra... your father gave this to you. He put everything he had into it. Do you really want to risk it all on this mission? This is dangerous, grandson, I warn you = don't so anything you will regret. My son... well, you know what happened. I don't want-"

"That wasn't his mistake! He was killed!" Astra shouted back, unaware of the cruelty of his tone. He calmed himself. "I'm going on the mission. Period."

"Be careful of what you'll find... I don't want to lose you too."

And Astra finally realized that he was not the only one who lost somethingin the world.


"T-minus two... one..."

The liftoff was smooth. Astra and a partner of his, Mr. Cain, were heading for the moon in one of the most advanced crafts yet - it was durable, reusable, powerful, and ad excellent acommodations for its passengers.

Astra was awestruck. His first real launch. No more piloting camera robots. This was real.

The craft set down easily, and Astra wasted no time in getting out of the ship. "I'm going ahead, sir." He wandered off, his steps lighter than ever, like in all of his dreams but even more, and he was in awe at the moon's surface despite its barren appearance.

At once, Astra caught sight of something. He radioed to the ship. "Mr. Cain, I've found something - stay there. I'm going to see what it is." And he found ruins. Of a grand palace, with banners and pillars, halls and passageways, and far enough, in the back, a throne. He stared through the debris across the way to the throne. He walked through the palace, observing everything. Obviously not human architecture. Obviously advanced. And he remembered:

"I want to see what no one's seen before!"

What kid said that? He thought with a smile as he aproached the throne, with its majestic aura. But what was this? A glowing... rock? Attatched by some device to the seat of the throne? As curious as ever, Astra detached it. It was black, with two green horns going up the sies, and - was that a face? What was this thing? And then the astronaut fell into a haze. He heard screaming. He saw a big, fuzzy face. Male. Inhuman. Cruel. And then it was over. The sensation left, leaving Astra with his rock. The rock with the face.

"Mr. Cain, sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Astra?"
"Guess what I found!"
"A rock sir?"
"Yes."
"Is it... one of those 'live metals' your father loves?"
"Warmer, sir, much warmer. But this is so much more...



...do you know what I think this is?"

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 8, 2007 at 20:20:05.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 8, 2007 at 21:38:27.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 8, 2007 at 22:16:52.

I'm guessing Sigma is gonna show up?

Not bad for a start, though I'll have to see how things develop. You messed up your italics tags in there, so you're going to want to go back and fix those. One piece of advise, though, is to watch your cases- moreso in the beginning, you were switching between past and present tense. I've noticed a lot of people have that problem.

-Ri

... You know me all to well, RD.



~Chapter 1~
-=The Beginning=-

You liked that, didn't you, human? The weightlessness, the suspense... ....the FREEDOM. Yes, you liked it very much, and look at you - young, eager, ready to get on with life - only one launch, a whole world ahead of you, and think of what we could do... Would you like that sort of freedom...everywhere, perhaps? Then stay with me, your greatest discovery. Of course, if you don't, what would Daddy have to say... heheheheh....
Astra woke up, alarmed by the sick laughter he heard. All he could see was the rock. With its face, the glowing eyes.


This man was a transporter like his father had been. Of course, his father was much more than that. He was a hero - Vent, savior of the world, destroyer of the Slither Corporation. Well, not completely, the man recalled, carrying a box marked with the infamous "S" snake insignia on it.

The Slither Corporation was founded by Serpent, who was a normal man until his sanity was lost to Biometal Model W, at which he began his mass murders and was eventually destroyed by Vent in his most powerful form. Yet, the company under him survived, with its very purpose uprooted and its reputation down the drain. The dregs that were left seemed to think less on what they had now and more on expansion - they needed somehting new to keep going, the people decided.

Vent's son, as his father, had a name dealing with the air - Jet. He was much like his father in appearance, with just a little less hair and a little more muscle. He, too, was into Biometal research, and had a synthetic model, Model C, all his own. He was working at a job that was given to him by Slither Corp., dealing with energy sources and newly discovered technology transport. But he decided he'd leave the actual driving up to the new boss.

Of course, the Guardians were also around, in their mighty airship. Prarie was still pondering the messages of the "first commander," as well as monitoring Maverick activities - she and all her comrades noted that the peace was making life a bit dull. Then one of them saw something, small yet sill not normal. They decided to shrug it off.

A week later, the former speck was enormous, and then the crew contacted Jet.

"I'll get to it - Slither? Gosh, what could they be doing now?"

The Slither facility was now situated elsewhere, as the tower was completely rendered useless - it was all a power collector for Model W, and that died, so the place fell down and was never used since. The new HQ was smaller yet still grand, with the insignia of the Corporation everywhere, and pictures of its black-hearted founder, Serpent, also scattered about.

"Can I help you, sir?" said a worker in the main lobby.
"My name is Jet. I'm here to investigate the company's activities."
"Oh, who is this?" asked an older man, walking out to greet the visitor. Out activities? Come with me, I am a scientist here.

He took Jet through lab after lab - what appeared to be a small building stretched miles underground, and was full of dangerous machines. "What we are doing here," the man explained, "is mass-producing our own synthetic live metals for the use of the common man. Soon, all humans will become evolved, and our founder's dream will be achieved."

"What if some people shouldn't have that kind of power?" asked Jet.

The man paused. He sighed, "Then I guess we have to experiment and let them prove themselves worthy. Let us move on."

The rooms grew darker. "What is in here?"

"In here," the man explained, "is our most powerful synthetic biometal, the Model V. If THAT were to fall into the rong hands, that firepower would be... very hard to stop."

They both stared at the marvel of science, but Jet saw an odd gaze coming from the older man. "Now you must be on your way. If you want a Slither Corp. Live Metal Version 1, they hit shelves next week.

Jet left, wondering just why the world needed such power for every man, and wjust what that Model V could do... or if it was truly the real problem.




~Chapter 2~
-=Advance=-

So, have you considered my proposal, Astra? Do you want power? The ability to make things the way you want? To please your father? Please yourself? I have that power. I can give it to you, no, I can share it with you, if you share your world with me... we can share, Astra, and I can be your very first, very best friend...


Astra was busying himself in his rooms. He was studying his new rock, but the recurring dreams of that disgusting old face asking him if he wanted power were creeping him out. e sighed, told himself it was all a bunce of dreams, and resumed studies.

"Mr. Cain, what can I do? How can I advance? This rock - metal - whatever it is, it's not giving any answers."

"Well, sir, would you mind telling me what you hought it was?"

"...I can't tell anyone. Sorry, but I don't think they'd believe me. They'd either kill me of lock me up for insanity."

"But sir, risks are part of science."

"Not like this one. This one is too big." He stood, grabbed the rock, and left.

"Ah, Astra, the nocturnal astronaut comes home again. Well, well. How are the studies?"

"Fine."

"And Mr. Cain?"

"Fine."

"The facility?"

"Fine, okay, grandfather?"

"Ah, you sound exactly like you father did when he was young. That was a while ago, but it seems so recent to me." He sat down at a table, almost sobbing. "Your father was a very good man, Astra. Devoted to science. Always ready to take risks. Do you do that, Astra, have you taken risks?"

"...not big ones."

"Good. Your father would like to hear that his son was trying to live on for him."

"But I want to expand, advance, go further. That's a boundless void, up there, and we can't even get ot the end of our own solar system." He sat next to his grandfather.

"Grandson, you need to realize that you are very smart, very able, and very talented." Astra was mouthing the lecture as the old man spoke. "You know how to use your talents and you have made many discoveries. You don't need to fill another page in a future history book every day. I think you're having trouble accepting that your page is already written." And the man left Astra alone. With the metal. With the face.

Astra gazed into the yellow eyes, endless eyes, forever eyes... and then something spoke to him.

I'll ask again. Do you want to advance?

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 8, 2007 at 22:16:07.

HMO, you writing a ZX story would inevitably just call for a little bit of Sigma here and there, at the least. Also, this is a rather good story. I have the feeling that Astra has some relation to some ZX character, but I'll just wait to have that confirmed. =p

~Chapter 3~
-=Alliances=-
Ah, yes, Astra, you DO want advance, don't you? Why don't you just agree with me? I want to help you, I want your dreams to become real. With my power, just imagine what we could do - your father, your grandfather, Mr. Cain, everyone would be so impressed... from what was once a childhood dream, Astra, could become man's grasp on infinity.




"Slither? Synthetic biometals?"

"Yes, Prarie. Slither's up to something again." Jet said, a hint of fear in his voice. But to his surprise, his announcement was welcomed with cheers instead of apprehension - even Prarie had a grin. "What now?"

"Oh, haven't you noticed? We finally have a reason to live again - to serve the first commander! A new journey! And you'll be just like your father, won't you? You and Model C-"

"I've already told everyone, I don't want Model C to be used for war."

"But Jet," said the biometal, "I was made for the sole purpose of serving in battle - based on Colonel of the Repliforce, war is my art. We need to protect the people - your father is far too old for action now." With that, all eyes in the main chamber were on Jet.

"All right, I'm in."



"Why, why, why? The questions, the nightmares, what are you?" Astra felt stupid himself for talking to a hunk of metal - but he was sure it wasn't just an alien artifact - something was up with this - a live metal? This was something different, he thought, too strong to be a live metal, to imposing on the mind. "I don't know what you are, but may know who." The rock sat there. "Ugh, who am I kidding? You're a rock. A metal scrap of an alien race - or even worse, human litter on the moon." And he collapsed backward onto his bed, and drifted to sleep.

JUST a rock? Astra, how will you accept infinity when you won't believe it exists? How could you call that JUST a rock? Call ME just a rock. After all I wanted to give to you? The power, the pride, the rewards of science? ...Friendship? Astra, I've told you over and over... just listen... listen closely... heheheh......

Astra was up in a snap. "I'm not buying this! These are just coincidence dreams, chance, nothing more!" And the the rock's eyes glowed more brightly than ever.

Chance... you say. My word for this? ...FATE.

Astra froze. "Did you just... talk? No, that's impossible. Hallucination. A talking metal scrap is completely illogical. Simply unthinkable!" At that, the rock shook.

SCRAP? Astra, that's not friendly. Friends do good for each other, and I want to do good for you, if only you'd do some good for me. Why won't you share? Are you just afraid... of the risk?

Astra was stupefied. "You... you are... talking.... to.... ME...."

Yes, Astra, I AM talking to you.

The rock levitated.

See, Astra? I am alive - can a dead rock float in the air? Or are you hallucinating again? Delusion? Hah. Is that what you say your entire life was, then? Is that it? You WANTED to be an astronaut but never felt you could do it? I can help you, yet you reject me. I'm not going to leave, Astra. That's what friends do - stick around. Be there.

"...uhh....uhnn...." Astra fainted.

So are you with me or not?

"........yes....."

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 9, 2007 at 18:43:39.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 9, 2007 at 18:45:24.

Colonel, huh? Is Iris gonna be in there as well?

...Maybe.


~Chapter 4~
-=Alert=-

Good, so now we ARE friends, Astra. You see, you're not alone in the world - I understand what you want most. I will bring you there. Just keep me with you and listen to me. I need you to gather your strongest reploids. Let them distract the Guardians while we run some... errands. You get me where I need to go, and I'll let you soar. Deal?



"Hmmm... it appears as if Slither Corp. is sending out their fighters now," observed a navigator. "There appear to be four. I think the one in the diamond mine posesses the most of a threat due to the underground location beneath the grounds of Neo Arcadia's remains - we need that ground as a base."

"Well, Jet, mission one?" Prarie asked.

"Guess so..." Jet was ready, though. More than he thought. He had never linked with Model C - now was his first time. "Biolink established! M.E.G.A. System online!" And in a flash, Jet was equipped with Model C - from a black helmet to a saber to the armor and cape, and he felt stronger than ever. "I guess I'll be going now." And he left for the trans-server.



See? It's underway, Astra...

"I don't know, I don't want to hurt people - risk the deaths of innocents..."

But friend, such risks are a part of science... Now, we need to head off to the bottom of the ocean first... it seems you liked those ruins on the moon - let's go see some more...


~Chapter 5~
-=Reflections Abroad=-

Ah, Astra, just what I was looking for, please, read me that information... get the device... install its data into me... and we shall continue on to infinity...

The cave was dark. Jet could hear his communications device kick in. "Alright, Jet, you just need to get into the range of the strong signal we found - it's some kind of reactor - a biometal, maybe. We just need to secure the area." And the new Guardian was off.

A way into the cave, Jet saw lights. Beams. And diamonds - the beams were lasers, and the diamonds reflected them in every direction. "Model C, I guess this isn't going to be easy..." Jet ran ahead, dodging the beams as best he could. At the end of the chain he saw a Galleon trooper. "...crap... wasn't expecting that..." The machine raised its gun, and Jet blindy began swinging the saber, unaware of whether he was alive still or not. When he opened his eyes, he saw a pile of diced Galleon in front of him. "Sheesh," he said as he walked onward.

"Gee Jet, you seem pretty ready to me, I guess you need to trust yourself more," said Model C. The biometal seemed always ready to encourage its user. The pair continued past countless other galleons and beams until they reached an actually lit chamber - with a gigantic diamond in the center.

"Prarie, is this your reactor?" Jet was amazed at its size.

"No, keep going, it's more machine than natural."

Jet saw the cave continue at the top of the diamond - ut how to get up? Then he saw that Slither Corp. had been involved in this incident for sure - floating outlines with the floating S insignia were scattered about the room, but they were transparent. How to proceed? There were planty of reflective surfaces... what about a light show? Jet now recognized the floating objects from one of his transports - Slither Corp. portable steps; Item 200874 - "Activate by light, step without fright!" The commercial jingle ran in his head. So whatever Slither left in here was a light machine. He proceeded to search for a focused light but could not find one.

"In a bind, Jet?" Model C asked. "I'm not sure how to go either - why don't we go back and chack out those Galleons?" And so they did, to discover that one, oddly was a very old-style Panttheon X droid. But its head was intact. And working. A laser-light eye. Perfect.


"I went to the ocean, where now? Do I even get to know my new friend's name?" Astra, though accepting, was not liking his journey one bit yet - when did this "power" come about?

A bit more of your sharing, Astra, and I'll share with you. Do you like the winter, Astra? I bet your dad got you many nice holiday gifts - give me one, let us make haste to the North Pole...

"These are some odd places. But first can I stop at home?"

Fine, whatever you need, my friend...

"Ah, Astra! Your grandfather has missed you so much! Where have you been?"

"Take it easy, grandfather, I'm just here for a nap."

"Well gee, Astra, that's no way to speak to an old man!" Secretly the man was a bit hurt. Don't worry Astra, I'll be helping you soon enough... he thought to himself.

"I wish you'd just back off a bit, I'm really tired."

"Ah, so finally the night owl admits it! Shower, too, grandson you smell like fish!" And the old man sat down to TV - a special on Maverick Wars history.

"Are the wars really over?" the announcer asked to Mr. Cain, who happened to also be an acclaimed Maverick Wars researcher.

"Or course, sir..." and he explained further.

....mm....
The yellow eyes glowed.



Jet had scaled the diamond and now approached a large machine - "This has to be it-"

A large reploid hit the ground before him, and unfoled to reveal its reptilian-esque face. "I am Turtorion the Reflectoroid," it explained, "I am here for reasons no other than evergy harvesting - diamond energy is a valuable asset, though very expensive..." beams glared from its eyes. "Were you sent to aid us, young traveler? My leader has said nothing of you..."

"I'm here to stop whatever Slither is plotting, well, me and Model C."

"I'm afraid that can't happen - power outages, yes? can't have that, can we?" Light went on - the reploids mirrored shell appeared to Jet, and its odly thin, agile body under it. "Well, a fast turtle - weren't expecting that, were you?" Battle ensued.

The turtle was speedy and it was able to shoot rays off of the diamonds and it shell from it eyes. At times, it would fire then curl up, forming a mirrored ball, spraying electrical beams everywhere. "I can't take this, Model C..." Jet was getting pummeled.

"Hmm... your sword can't reach it in time, but those beams ARE the fastest thing in here..."

"So let's beat him at his own game." Jet said as he involuntarily whpped out his saber to block a shot stright at his forehead, and what happened next excited him - the sword flared up with the bean and shot another stronger beam from its tip. "Looks like we've got firepower, Colonel!"

"Well, let's go!" The next time the turtle paused, Jet was quick on the draw. The beam pierced it in the chest, paralyzing it.

"Ugh, what is this... speed, power, ughn...."

"NOW!" Model C screamed, as the storng beam was ricocheting off of the wall's diamond coating everywhere.

"Hiyaaaaaaaaah!" Jet struck the paralyzed reploid with his sword, and ran for fear of the explosion. A familiar voice clicked in.

"Look's like that was the generator - the bigger thing is ours. Looks like it wanted a Neo Arcadian power outage. Good work, guys, come back home!"



The old man got up and headed out of the house. Astra was sitting on his bed now, without the rock, which was out in the TV room. Maybe it likes 70 inch plasma... thought Astra. He was thinking to himself:

Would father want this? People could die. All for my dream. What is evolution if I kill all of those who seek to evolve? Just who am I? Where was he? Where is he now? I want him here, I'm so confused, I don't know what to do.

He looked up. And saw right in front of his face. Angry. The yellow eyes.

Confused? I gave you the answers. Don't doubt our cause - your dream is real, Astra. Great victory requires great sacrifice.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 9, 2007 at 20:10:13.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 9, 2007 at 20:11:06.

Sorry about the double post, but I have to add more before I go to bed.



~Chapter 6~
-=Chilling Encounter=-

Hmmm... no land yet, Astra. I thank you for taking me here, I really do. You see? We are even able to survive this cold. Once we are onto the actual operation... can you imagine? Haha... we will be.... unstoppable.

"It's cold here." Astra still wasn't happy but couldn't stand when the rock had been angry with him. "Where on earth could we want to go up here?"

You'll see it, Astra. Look far in the distance, through the fog.

"Land. Ice. Wait... is that a building?"



"WARNING! WARNING! Core sector breach! Model V has been stolen! All units report to the sector separation chambers!

And here I thought I could do this without getting caught... the theif thought, heavy wheezing breaths muffled by his joy with what was in his hands. He kept running. The guards were positioned at every sector change. But the theif was clever. Disguised, possibly very well. Too well. A Slither Corp. ID, the uniform, and the overall attitiude of one in the company - all he needed was an inner jacket pocket and an excuse - both of which he had.

Outside the building, he ran to a near tree. "Vile, you and I - we're going to do this. I haven't been this energized in so long..." And in a flash the theif was masked and covered in usable weaponry. "Let's go somewhere... ah, there, yes," he said, pointing out the North Pole on his electronic map.



"Oh, what's this?" Fleuve was in the main navigation chamber now and saw a small speck in what appeared to be the North Pole. "That's rather odd..."

"But what about the other three?" Jet asked. "What are they for then?"

An older man waked in, with six floating pieces of metal. "They're either distractions, or, more likely, part of an entirely different force than the lone one," Vent added in is worn yet still experienced voice.

"Yes, Jet and Colonel, I say they are separate," Model X said.

"And I believe we all unanimously concur that you should chase the lone signal first - we've dealth with Slither, but this could be worse."

"I think you should do what is safest, Jet," added Prarie. "This could be dangerous - it's awfully cold.

"...I have to." Jet suddenly sounded much different. "I nearly died last time because I didn't trust myself. I won't make that mistake again. Send me there. Now."



Astra finished climbing up the icy slope, when he saw something that dazzled him. "A north pole... fortress?" Impossible. A multi-section building with many chambers still intact? "What could be here..."

Something special.

"Gee, don't be vague or anything."

The eyes glowed, partly out of irritaion, partly of amusement, and partly out of anticipation of what was to come.



Then the theif hit the land mass. He was exhausted. He walked toward the fortress, found a spacious room, and fel asleep. Later he woke and donned the armor of Model V, and had a little target practice with his shoulder gun.



Ah, this room... the link to that computer... yes... this is very important, Astra, begin the download without delay - this could take a while.

Astra did what he was told, but the idea of staying at the peak of a worn fortress suddenly got a wholelot less appealing to him.



"I'm here." Jet looked at the monstrosity before him, unaware of who was inside. He continued nevertheless. A few rooms in, he had a reunion with one of his recently acquired fears - the awakened Model W.

"So, why're you here?" The theif was ready to interrogate. "I'm here for the rush. Excitement. Energy. You know, just a bit of fun, that's all."

"I don't like people who mess with strong weapons like that for fun," jet answered, "and I don't intend to let you continue."

"C'mon, kid, I stole from Slither - you and your father hate them, don't you? Sine the Serpent incident? I took their best possession from them. Why would you oppose me for that?"

"I don't care who you stole from and I'm not holding grudges against Slither. Serpent manipulated them. It wasn't their fault. Deactivate the link and give me the biometal."

"Take it from me, Jet." And he readied his gun to fire. The blast echoed through the room. The weak walls shook. Jet was nearly killed on the spot - saved by but a millimeter.

"I don't want to hurt you," Jet said as he pulled out the energy saber.

"I'd love to hurt you, though. Personal thing." He tossed bombs all around. The explosions rang in the room. Jet charged with his saber but Model V was already in the air, with jet-enhanced feet.

"So it can fly, huh?" Jet dodged backward to avoid a handgun shot, the dove under Model V as the shoulder cannon unleashed a huge blue beam.

"Bad move, ace." Model V dropped down and pinned Jet to the ground, punching his face repeatedly. Jet tried to look at the theif's eyes to get a memory but couldn't. And then the room shook. A plane flew out of the top of the fortress at a high speed. "Sorry, buckaroo, that's my call. We'll have to play later." And Model V used a portable Trans Server to disapear.

"Crap." Jet watched as the ceiling fell on him.

Jet was up, hours later, having been knocked out cold by the blow. Of course, the structure was weak and split on his head so that he could climb out. "Back to base."



In the plane, Astra was puzzled. "What did you download? Why are we going to these places? When does my plan some into play?"

All in due time, my friend. Rest up, we're heading to crater next. Another weak fort, though. Sorry about that. But the risk is a component of the experiment, right, my friend? Hehehehehehe...

I have this foreboding feeling of an epic battle between a Model S and a Model CI, with the possibility of a supermodel combo ZXLHPF or something along the way.

I'd like to see the dynamics of the interaction of Model Z and Model C, considering what happened in the Repliforce Wars of X4.

And I just knew Model V was gonna show up. Will a Model D appear as well?

No. I don't think Dynamo deserves one.

You also don't think Axl deserved one, but your wishes were overruled there.

It is indeed unfortunate that the universe does not bend to my will.

~Chapter 7~
-=Next Week=-

"Hello, sir."
"Ah, hello, how good to see you. What brings you to the space center?"
"It's on odd question - how much will you need for me to buy it?"
"But, sir, it's not for sale. Why do you want to buy our building?"
"My son. He wants to go to space, and I want to get him there. I'm not asking for control over the operations, just for ownership of the area."
"I guess we can discuss this, sir..."


Jet woke up to see a TV running in front of him. Infomercial. "Pick yours up today!" "Yes, the Slither Corp. live metal model 1! Be like a reploid!" "Do all your jobs twice as fast!" "Twice as well!" Jet left - he couldn't stand it. He was at home now, and we walked into the living room.

"Jet, so you heard - they're out now." Vent sighed - this was going to be a harsh experience.

"I guess there's not much of a way out of this one. They're looking pretty affordable."

Model Z wasn't impressed. "It's their first model, Jet. What could it possibly be? How much f a threat?"

"That model V thing almost killed us!"

"But that was a special one," Model Z replied, unmoved.

"Look, Model Z," Model C kicked in, "it's better to overestimate the foe than underestimate it!'

"You were made a couple of years ago! Me, over one thousand! You have no right to lecture me-"

"All of you, quiet," Model X said, bringing peace. "We all are against Slither's plans, but what if they aren't dangerous? Let's find out. Let this simmer out for a while - if things act up, we take action, and if they don't, we can relax."

"Jet, son, I want you to see what the guardians think also," said Vent. "They obviously have some input. And remember, Jet - I'm too old for a run-around advedture, but I'm not too old to help take on a company just nearby. Just let me know if you need me."

"I will, dad." Jet got up to leave. Model Z was obviously unhappy.




"So now we're out of that crazy laboratory."

And here I thought you enjoyed science...

"What? So, I should also enjoy nearly killing myself? YOU said I'd have my plans come to fruition. When does that come? Why do I call you my friend? Heck, what if somebody else found you on the moon?"

Nobody else would have found me on the moon. All the others were too afraid to go alone, remember? But one little aspiring astronaut took it upon himself - took a risk. An experiment. And it will work, Astra. We just need to finish these trips - three more stops and we're done - then I can share with you.

"Hmph. So where are we going next?"

Somewhere you'll like.

"You sure?"

You ARE an astronaut, aren't you?




"It's all red. I can't get a reading." Prairie was stressing out in the navigation room. "We can't pinpoint anything - in a matter of hours, these things have gone worldwide."

"So now what?" asked Model C, eager to battle again.

"I guess X was right - we wait." And with this, Prairie stomped off to her room.

"Ahh... so we can't find biometal activity..." Jet was thinking aloud. "What if that's not what we ought to be looking for?"

"Nonsense," replied a navigator. "What else could we search for?"



The Slither scientist went to work. "Didja find the thief?" he was asked over and over. The robbery took a toll on him - his job got much more busy. "Why not?" one of the men asked.

"I'm an aging scientist - not built to run after thieves." was his answer.

"I wonder what we could do about that guy..." pondered his partner. "Maybe we could build something to counter it?"

"Too lengthy. The theif will have done us in - let's focus on something else for now."

"But still-"

"BUT WHAT!? ...sorry. I'm just fed up with this robbery too, but science doesn't bend to acommodate criminal chases."



Astra, are you enjoying this now?

"I know what this is. It's that Repliforce gun. Deteriorated. What could we get here?"

Just something small. Down in the bottom chamber.

"Is there even a bottom chamber left? Look, it's gone."

... ah, but look. That's it. Just get that to me, give me its data... and we can be on our way.

"What's all this data doing for you, anyway?"

Allowing me to share - I told you that. Just trust your friend, okay, Astra?

Astra just looked at the face, the eyes. It had no mouth, it was a rather modern-looking metal sculpture, but it wasn't made on Earth. How was this made?



In the city, people were going nuts. The Slither Corp. official store had a mile-long waiting line. The metals kept coming, and every visitor left with a greenish, generic-looking suit of armor. And a small gun.

"This is awful - look at all these arms they're giving away! Guns for all! Look, this place is a madhouse!" Jet was furious. Not only was this dangerous, but it interfered with his mission.

"Man, did you get one of these?" asked a man wearing the armor. "Pistol's pretty tight, dude, y'oughtta pick one up. Well, maybe when everyonegoes home." And the man walked away.

Jet sighed. Would this be the end of the Guardians? Or the world?

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 10, 2007 at 16:54:37.

Again, I need to add before I hit the hay.


~Chapter 8~
-=A World at Arms=-

"Thank you, sir, you son't know how happy my son will be."
"I guess not. He's got quite the generous dad."
"I'm not the one here being generous."
"Well, thank you, sir, have a good holiday."
"You, too."

"The download's almost done..." A shock wave hit the floating gun, and it began to tumble from space. "Whoa! What is that?"

It seems that this thing's core isn't completely inactive. Nevertheless, we are finished here. Let us leave, friend.

"Ah. Darn! NO! The portable trans server won't work!" We'll just have to ride this thing down into range - that was a low-quality rocket we used - detection avoidance, after-"

Yes, Astra, the close encounter at the North Pole.

The large cannon then flipped over as it accelerated. Astra was only a bit scared - a launce without a roof, he told himself. As soon as the cannon began to rise in temperature, the trans server clicked on and te pair was out of the danger zone. The cannon landed in the ocean to the west.




Vent watched the news closely. "Just yesterday Slither Corporation released their new patented product - the Live Metal Model 1. The head of the corporation is absent due to a meeting elsewhere, as his company's product went worldwide in two hours, twenty-three minutes exactly." Vent wasn't too happy with the news, now that it was confirmed. "The one thing that is wondered the most is the threat level of such products. We managed to get footage with a scientist who wishes to remain anonymous:"

"The standard models should be no trouble - their armor can resist the force of the provided pistol's shots. The gun is simply for any other purpose than harming others. But..."
"But?"
"Be on the lookout - if you see a purple-armored biometal, report its location to authorities immediately. This one is a top-secret metal that was to be held in a secure cell until it was stolen - this is a serious threat."

Jet walked in during the interview to realize instantly that the man on TV was no other than his tour guide at the Slither labs.

"Um, well, thank you for the warning, sir. We'll get forces on it imme-"
"No, don't chase it - it will kill all in ts way - it's virtually unstoppable at this point - even twenty of our Model 1s couldn't take it down. Let it be."
"Er, that's all the time we have, back to you."

"That was not very expected. The people are to be on a high state of alert for the purple killer. Don't approach it, just report it. Thank you for watching."

"Oh, Jet," sighed Vent, "what happened to the days when things were easier to do just because we got more pride out of doing them ourselves, not because we have metal hunks made in factories available to us?"

"I don't know, dad, you know I was born during this age." Jet was also wondering why the call for these metals was necessary.

"Again, I will say this," Model X added, "Stay out. Keep your position anonymous. Don't stick out. We have to wait for our lead, not put ourselves in the place of the criminal."

"Hmph." Model Z was still angry about the day before. "I suggest the rookie metal just stay out of this period, but of course, he can always run to sweet Model X-"

"I would never run back to anyone! I do have courage! So we fought earlier - what was that, over a thousand years ago? AND my memory is only loaded onto me - I don't remember any of that for real! What have I done to you?" Model C was confused at Model Z's hate.

"Well, Zero?" asked X.

"Ah, just let him go." Zero was not budging in his mood, but at least he let off a bit.

"Zero, cool it. We had our adventure - you had many more. Now it's their turn," Vent pronounced, thus ending the discussion.

Jet's comunications clicked in. "Jet, this worldwide thing is getting out of hand - come see us." Jet left the house to meet the Guardians.




The old man sat down after his work. e was tired and wondered where his grandson had been for so long with that odd rock. At least since he last saw him. "Ah, how tired an old man can get. I'm just glad I can still have energy now." He sat down to another Maverick Wars special and fell asleep within minutes.

"Sigma. The deadly virus that caused the insanity of countless reploids - somehow destroyed via a cyber-elf formt device known as Mother Elf," explained Mr. Cain, "and sealed for a hundred years. Apparently, a small amount was leaked in a freeing of the Elf, but it was later destroyed by an unknown reploid, along with the Mother Elf's abilities."

Astra entered his home.

"With that, the Virus died out, too thin to regroup."
"Have you proven this, Professor?"
"Gee, I rarely get called Professor, but no, There is nowhere known to man where the Virus could... regroup..."
"What is it, Professor?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just a bit tired - research does things to you, huh?"
"Right as always, Professor. Thank you for your time."

Astra got up after the show's end and poured himself some soda. He then went to bed.

Astra, my friend, the ending of our tiring errands is near - just two more destinations - but these two are the most important. Don't worry, Astra - your dream will be realized. Known. It is only fate.

~Chapter 9~
-=The First Lead=-

"Son, Dad's home!"
"Hey, dad!"
"Having a good holiday?"
"Yeah - is work over now?"
"Not for you."
"What?"
"Now that you have a space center to get ready to control!'
"Dad, no way!"



"Jet! How are things in the city?"

"Getting worse by the minute, Pairie - I don't want to have to use Model C, but it seems as if some people want to get violent." Jet ran to shove a man out of the blast path of another's pistol, which he then had to run to doge as fire was pened on him. "How are you guys?"

"Actually, better than before. We did a track for explosions or reactions, and we found more activity than normal at a Slither Corp. factory situated near Mt. Ignus. We think it's a good lead - well, hey, it's all we've got."

"We'll chack it out - can you send me there?"

"...got it!"




Astra, what's wrong?

"Sorry, I just need a day off of all this traveling - from the bottom of the ocean to a wreck falling from space - I'm worn out."

I see. Better to work when able than to force something that will get us nowhere.

"Us?"

We are a team, are we not?

"Guess so. All you ever talk about is my dream. Do you have any?"

... My dreams can be achieveed in the midst of yours, do not worry - I chase infinity also.




Mt. Ignus - a somewhat active volcano. Slither decided to create a lava cycle within the mountain to harness the heat energy and metal resource for a factory, where the pieces for their devices are made. Some, at least. The place had nice security - more of it natural than built-in by the Corporation.

"Wow, what a sight. This thing covers a whole third of the mountain - and it goes over the peak!" Jet was amazed at the feat of technology.

"We should get going," Model C said, "if we want to get to the bottom of this soon." It merged with Jet and the pair was off into the main doorway of the factory.

Inside, the entry room was pretty nice. Air-conditioned, metallic walls, some mirrored to add looks - obviously this is where they took visiting inspectors to first. Jet didn't give a care and proceeded to the door to the main operation chambers.

"Locked, darn it!"

At the sound of his voice, alarms went off, the cieling opened, and Galleons poured into the room.

"Ugh, let's get this over with." Jet, now confident, cut through each Galleon with ease. What he didn't know was that the hole in the roof was linked to an assembly line - the Galleons would never run out.

"They just keep coming! We have to get out of here!" Model C also wanted to move on.

"Well, let's use the holes in the cieling!" Jet leaped of the head of a Galleon trooper and grabbed the rim of the opening. "I can't pull myself up!"

"Use that lever there!" Jet reached for a lever and yanked, bringing his kees up onto another floor. The lever budged as he got up, and the cieling closed back up - it was the floor now. The assembly line also stopped.

"Guess we'll go this way," Jet said as he began up the line, stepping over curled-up Galleon troopers. Further up, Jet could see countless assembly lines to either side of him, and up and down. All with Galleons, merchandise, or what he wanted to see - live metal components. "Well, let's cut his off at the source - we have to find the controls!"

Jet was looking around, jumping from line to line, as working Galleon Flyers on jetpacks unleashed their assault.




"Astra, your old grandfather is now a tired man," the old man announced as he once again sat on the couch. "Work's gotten much harder recently."

"How so?"

"I'm being moved to work for longer times in distant places. Rough, but my job."

"Sorry about that..."

"What are you sorry for, grandson? You've done nothing to me!"

"I'm just a bit confused."

"About what, grandson?"

"About MY job, my dreams, my wants." He looked to the floor.

"Astra, you need to remember - your dreams CAN be achieved - but much more important than living your life out is helping others fulfill theirs."

"I guess you're right, grandfather, I've been selfish." Astra got up, put on his lab coat and packed some gear. "I'm going out." He went to the rock with the face, which was on his bed. "Come, on, time for me to finish the errands - help my friend with his dreams."



Jet was having one heck of a time in the factory, dodging bullets, making leaps over what he discovered now to be a drop into a lava pit, between flying Galleons and lave flows from above. Eventually he made it to a PERSONNEL ONLY doorway near a platform next to a Galleon Aquatic Version 2.4 line. He entered into a quiet observation room, took out the presiding Galleon Recorder, but to his dismay the Flyers shot up the window and pursued him, now into long, silvery-walled hallways. Jet just kept running, turning, slashing Galleons, and climbing stairs until he reached an elevator. He pressed CONTROL and felt the elevator lurch upward. H elooke dot see that the control station was at the top. "Don't tell me..."

He emerged outside, on a walkway. "Yep, we're at the top." He walked out to the middle platform - he was directly over the void of lava. He looked up and saw the sky in a small circle at the end of a tube of stone. He didn't have much more time to look around as his gazing was interrupted.

"What is your business? Did master send you?" It was a big machine, red, bulging at the top - a squidlike machine, with fire poking out through holes and jets of flame.

"I'm here to investigate the motives behind the live metal production operation." Jet was just going to tell the truth, hope the mech was on his side.

"Well, I do say you've found yourself a place to find such info..." The voice was distant. "...I am Tentaflare the Krakenroid. I monitor all production in this factory. As you can see, I am very adapted to the environment, and such I was ositioned here... but you, my friend, show no such adaption - you must be an intruder, hence the security breach in the lobby. Nice work finding me..."

"Look, I don't want to hurt you or anyone else here - I just want the info I came for."

"Well, sir... you did yourself a very fine job of hurting my Galleons..."

"Sorry, but can you tell me-"

"Such information is for Slither personnel only!" And the machine swung it tentacles about its floating body, and flames speved everywhere from it. Jet drew the saber.



"I hope he's all right," Model X told the others.

"Worry not," Model P responded, "They will do fine."

"Hmph, say so yourself. That rookie needs MY help, not Colonel." Model Z still wasn't accepting the end of his adventures. "I have had more ventures than any of you, yet I still get cast aside first!"

"Z, silence," Harpuia commanded. "Phantom is right. We must have faith in them. How are they to succeed if those they are fighting for leave them at a critical moment?"

"I guess..." Model Z seemed to calm a bit.




The kraken adhered itself to the wall with its spire and tentacles and spewed a flame stream at Jet. Jat ducked under, just to find that the machine was now taking in lava - powering up. "Come on, Tentaflare!"

"COMMANDER Tentaflare to you, intruder!" And the machine fired a lava rain, which didn't make things any easier, as it laft no oening for a nice cut in the face. Then, it tried to land its giant spire on Jet's head, but the new Guardian ducked out just in time, to see that Tentaflare was locking his spire into a lava intake tube, and it began spinning and spraying lava with its tentacles. Jet was ducking and jumping, but he was nailed in the right arm - and the saber went flying, right to the platform's edge.

"AAH," Jet yelled, "WHY NOW!?"

"Calm yourself," Model C said, "The best way to lose a fight is to go out of control." Jet began to breathe, holding his arm, as the krakenroid rose up, and aimed all its tentacles at Jet.

"At least I die at peace," Jet whined, seeing that he was targeted at a variety of angles. He reached behind him - the control panel!

It happened all in an instant. Jet did a backwards flip over the panel just as Tentaflare fired, and the panel was utterly destroyed. The flip landed Jet right next to the saber, and without thinking, he hurled it straight at the krakenroid's face. The machine fell, the saber having gone straight throgh it and sticking in the elevator doorway, and the krakenroid tumblen into the lava, where Jet saw its outer shell melt to revel ugly metal parts as it died.

Jet made a run for it, in case security came back out to get him. He grabbed the saber, and pressed EXIT on the elevator. On his way out, he looked through a window at the assembly lines. Stopped. Good. He left without a word, and transferred himself to the Guardian ship.

"Pairie!"

"Jet - Model C - you made it! Did you learn anything?"

"No, but we did manage to stop a biometal production line! Maybe this will get Slither to give more away."

"The first cut is the deepest," Model C exclaimed, ready to continue the fight.



Astra, here we are. Look down into there...

"What on Earth is in there? Where are we..." he calculated the coordinates. "Point 11F5646? Never even heard anything about this place. No name given, no significance. But why is it all strange in there - what is it, an alternate dimension?"

Yes, Astra. What we are about to enter is indeed another dimension. It is what I'd like to call... infinity.

I'll continue writing after this - it's not a complete work of mine without at least one illustration: behold, Tentaflare the Krakenroid!

~Chapter 10~
-=Experiencing Infinity=-

"Dad, where do I go to learn about the space center?"
"Son, I'll take you there today, and we can see what they'll do for you, if you'd like."
"Dad, I've always wanted to go there! This is the best holiday of my life!"
"Glad to hear it, son, glad to hear it..."


"Another dimension... well, here goes." Astra stuck his point into the rock wall and descended into the pit on his rope. Once he hit the translucent, blue bottom of the pit, he took a look around. Indeed, it went on forever. "This is... infinity... Just like outer space..."

You see, Astra? You and I are not so different in our interests - we both want infinity - it's which infinity we want that is our difference. But don't worry, Astra, we'll bring the two together into one, you'll see...

The pair moved in a direction that the metal has pointed out. Soon Astra saw a black taint in this blue void, a darkness amidst the multicolored lights. The pair walked straight into it, and it swallowed them whole.




Jet walked through the front door of his home, tired out from the Mt. Ignus excursion.

"Jet," Vent was eager to greet his son, "How are you doing?"

"Alright, dad, just alright..." Jet wasn't happy, and Vent's paternal instinct kicked in.

"What's wrong, son?"

"I've been getting lucky - I can't do this."

"What are you saying to yourself, son? Look at who you are! Son of a hero, you told me you'd be better than I was when you were but 5!"

"I was 5, dad... and that's all I'll ever be, the SON of a hero, not a hero myself." He left Model C for the moment. "Model Z is right - we aren't good enough - too much luck - Model V would have killed me, it was instinct that brought down the krakenroid-"

"But yet you continued to this day." Vent wasn't about to let is son fall into despair. "Let me tell you a story, son. A story you've heard many times before," Vent began narrating. "Once there was a man, a very smart, powerful man, who wanted to be a great robotics engineer. Eventually, he reached the peak of success, but something bothered him always. Eventually the smart man fell into a pit of despair, not knowing what to do. Then the odd metal got to him. He fell deeper, into its control, and came back as a hateful, revenge-dessiring man. Do you remember what else happened to that man, son?"

"He was destroyed by his own hate - his own darkness made need for a light to exist, and all the rest. I've heard the Serpent story thousands of times, what are you saying, father?"

"He's saying to suck it up and keep going." Model Z, of all to support Jet, entered the room. "I've been a grudge-holding loser to you guys and I almost cost you your will to go on - I apologize, Jet, and I'm telling you - be brave."

"Yes, Jet," Model X added, "you are only early on your road against the threat. Drop out now, and it's all lost. Get Model C and get back out there - now."

"As in, NOW!" Model Z was getting a bit too encouraging - Jet took off.

"I'll see you, dad!" He ran and then transferred of to the Guardian HQ.

"Teens," Vent went on, "they have the most random spurts of emotion - comes home suddenly a wreck, a few sentences later runs out the door on top of the world. Odd, huh X?"

"Humans are, sir, odd - no offense."

"None taken, X. If it weren't for those of you who remind us of that, we'd be lost." He laughed.




"Here we are - what are those?"

Plans for reploids, warped into this dimension because of their electronic nature... but anyway, get me the data scraps from that in the back, see it?

Astra spun around, and he saw it - a giant, dark, robotic skull, looming over him, with a hole blown straight through one eye, through a brain. "Uhhh....."

Get me all of it. All of the brain's data. Everything left.

And so Astra climbed up with the metal and gave it all the machine had to offer. "And how do we get out, now?"

Simple, just trust me and follow me.

They got out. Astra, instead of being tired, was more excited than ever. "Is that what space is like - enless, sprawling, with a great mystery within?"

I don't know, Astra. Maybe we'll find out.

~Chapter 11~
-=The Final Errand=-

"How's the space center's training coming?"
"Great, dad!"
"You like it?"
"Of course I do!"
"Hmm... you've grown a lot, son. I'm starting to miss the little boy who told me he wanted to go to space."
"He's right here in front of you - he'll never leave you, dad."
"Glad to hear it..."



He ran his fingers through his black hair, the anticipation running through him. "Father, you're so proud, aren't you? I'm finally going to do what I've always wanted - be an astronaut! The best one! Conquer the infinite void of space!" He said this to himself, eager for the power that he would share with his ally, the metal, the rock, with its ominous yellow eyes. "I wonder what it would be like - that infinite void was commonplace to him! Imagine - what we could do!" Astra was getting overexcited. He didn't know how, but he knew that he had changed. For all he cared for the better.

Now that you're awake, shall we finish the last task?

"Just a minute - I need to chill for a bit - some TV, you know?" Astra arose from his large bed, got some coffee, and sat down to yet another of Mr. Cain's Maverick Wars interviews.

"And so we get the complete strain of the Sigma Virus on the moon... it was said to have died out then and there - too thin to survive fully, but it took refuge in a reploid who then gave it to another, who did show it, who inspired the famous MegaMan X to create a cure - the Mother Elf."
"And this was a cure, doctor?"
"Yes. Even through the tall-tale of a "Mother Elf Curse," it did, in fact, kill off the Virus."

Astra watched lazily. "I'm not much of a history nut myself, but some of this stuff is rather interesting."

Yes, Astra... ...isn't it.

"Well, let's head out, then. Where is this lab you need to reach?"

Amidst some ruins. I'll take you there. It won't be a very long stop, if all goes well.

"All goes well?"

The sooner we leave, the better. Let's go.




The thief was up later today. He was still amazed at the energy gain he got from Model V. He loved the live metal and its myriad weapons. The armor. Most of all, the mask. He could hide his identity from anyone. Easily. "Ahh... let's go to some more ruins..." He set out after the trail left by an activity reading on his own Slither Corp. navigation device.



"Prairie. I'm back."

Prairie was concerned with how Jet had been doing since his mood as he left from his last visit. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much, much better. Let's look for a new mission." Jet was ready to go.

"Actually," one of the navigators exclaimed, "we've found some unidentified activity in an unpopulated area - looks like a live metal."

Jet had a bad feeling in his gut. "Alright, I'll go."




Astra ran as fast as he could, a determined expression on his face. He wanted that power more than ever now - he could even feel it surging in him right now. "Quite the colorful lab," he observed.

That Gate was quite the colorful scientist...

They found themselves in a dark portion of the lab, with a deep pit ahead of them. "Well, downward is onward."

Astra slowed as he reached the headless, unfinished robo-body in front of him - at at least 2 and a half stories tall from the bottom rib up, Astra was amazed at the technology. The metal was already gathering info - not from the machine, but from a small chip. "What is that?"

Part of a legend.





Jet and Model C were ready to take on Model V again if need be - Jet could tell it was going to happen again. He fought his way around the fallen pillars in the barren area. The night was cool and dark. He was honestly afraid. When he reached the entrance to the lab, he swallowed, drew his saber, and jumped.



"Ah, come to play again, have you?"

"You..."

"Kid, I destroyed you last time, and I've only gotten better. From all I've seen, you've only gotten lucky."

"You've... been watching me?" Jet was astounded. Afraid. "I won't take this from you."

Model V spun to face him, the black T of the mask looking at him menacingly. To Jet's surprise, he thrust out a hand. "Join me," he said, "Join power! Join might! Come on, you want it, don't you? Hahahaha..."

"I'm not that shallow. Take your power - I don't want it."

"Have it your way, kiddo." And Model V turned to walk off, but suddenly spun back and jabbed Jet right on his burn.

"AAAAAAUGH!" Jet yelled in pain, as Model V pulled back its arm. "Ah, crap..." He collapsed to his knees, the saber on the ground in front of him.

"I could pick that sword up and kill you now, buddy, but I'm bein' nice. Join me. Live. Leave. Die." And the thief shot out his hand again.

"I...won't..." Jet grabbed the sword.

Model V shrugged. "Guess I'll just kill you off right now..." He kicked Jet's burn. Dropped his knee onto his crying face. Picked him up by the head and punched him in the gut with the open hand, sending him flying into the wall.

Voices echoed up the way. "Hmm... bet you can't hear me, kiddo, but I gotta run!" And he left.




Astra walked toward the exit of the lab and looked at a heap at the bottom of the wall - a young man with a live metal linked to him.

Astra was looking right at the closed eyes of the teenager, knocked out cold. "That face..." He turned away. "That live metal is no trouble for us. We'll be too strong for him. We'll kill him - finish the job the next time he's left like that. We'll kill him, correct?"

If you wish it, I will grant it, Astra.

Astra then regretted those words. He didn't want to hurt anyone, did he?

He left, wondering how he really had changed.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 11, 2007 at 22:07:18.

~Chapter 12~
-=Sharing=-

"How are you doing, sir?"
"Oh, as good as a multimillionaire with a ten-year-old in a space training program can be doing."
"Wow, how does he like it?"
"He loves it. Won't come home when it's time to leave, always has to stay to see the afternoon launches."
"Sounds like he has his heart set."
"As long as he can take care of my father if I have to go, it's fine by me."
"Hahaha... you've got quite the son."
"Thanks. Oh, he's getting home now - I have to go."
"Alright, bye."
"Dad! It was awesome!"
"Good, son, good."



Jet came to his senses, but it took him a while to remmber what happened. He was dead sure his arm was broken - it was above his elbow, where the armor didn't cover. He remembered how bad it hurt to pick up the saber, how his arm seemed to stay straight only because of the clothing over it. Then he felt his aching stomach - remembered the punch. He then wiped his face - blood. Broke his nose too, that annoying thief. Aside from that, he felt as good as he could. He got up, and slowly used the portable trans server input to avoid hurting his arm further. He blacked out again just as he saw Prairie and Fleuve approaching him.




The theif was alone. He disengaged the live metal, packed it away, and walked off, back to just blend in with society. After a while, he saw all the people in their biometal suits. People gave him odd looks because why on earth would a man like him not be wearing a biometal? He then began to run. Past the people, past Slither's labs, out of the city. He nearly collapsed after all the running, but was able to transfer himself somewhere safe.




Astra walked into the front door of the mansion, tired, wiped out. He had but three days left in his break from work. Just enough time to recover from all these events. He made his way up an elaborate staircase and down a hallway with family portraits to his room, pausing to look at his father's picture. "I sure hope you're proud. Don't worry. You will be, dad." He walked through the door to his room and fel on the bed, asleep in an instant.




The next day, Jet was recovered by the Gaurdians. They were able to spped up the healing of his bones and clean all the blood, as well as add protection to the burn. Some technology. Jet got up and went to the navigation chamber. "Anything new?"

"Not that we can see," Prairie respoded, "The only activity we see is the giant red blob that comes up over every populated area now. But I guess you could try to keep the peace for now and make sure nobody's using their guns for wrongdoing." Prairie sighed, upset. It was as if Slither meant for this to happen. To think that she was happy for another adventure, ready to go. "Or you could go get more sleep - your burn isn't gone yet, and your arm could use the rest."

Jet took the latter choice, and he decided he'd sleep at home.




Astra woke up at noon the next day, still tired out. "Ugh, so we're done now."

The errands are done Astra. We? We are only beginning.

"Ahhh..." Astra yawned. He was a mess. "I need to start getting ready for work."

It will be different, Astra. Now you can focus on exploration - conquering space.

"The infinite void..." He yawned again. "It should be an exciting experience." He got out of bed and looked in the mirror. His hair was completely messed up, his coat all wrnkled and dirty, his face having features like his father's but showing a worn out expression. "That's me. I never would have guessed."

Don't forget, Astra, I can share with you now. Now we can be real friends.

"Sounds nice. Maybe tomorrow." Astra went back to his bed, aleep again, in moments.

Oh, Astra, don't worry. We can make this happen.




"Jet." Vent welcomed his recovered son home. "I heard about it from Prairie. Awful, just awful." He embraced his son. "Are you okay?"

"As good as I can be, dad. I just need more sleep, that's all - rest while I heal." Jet then left his father and went straight to bed.

"Huh." Vent was thinking very hard. "How can he ever be able to take out that Model V? It's demolished him both times, though the second time was a surprise attack to an already wounded spot." Vent looked down. "There's got to be a way. He can do it - I just wonder how."




Astra got up two days after he fell asleep last. "Oh, time for work already."

Get ready, Astra, the days at work are about to get far more exciting.

Minutes later Astra grabbed his breakfast and got into his car for work. His car was a smaller sport-style car, as opposed to the more luxury-style vehicles his father used.

The space center employees were excited to see their boss return from his hiatus, completely unaware of the new toy he had in his bag.

Later that morning, the main screen in the lobby and the screens in the offices clicked on, as well as all TVs tuned in to the right news channel. "Today," Astra said to a reporter, to his employees, to the world, "I am going to unite the space center with long-time friend Slither Corporation to begin developing a new kind of space device. One that will allow man to go as deep into the infinity as he wills and return home as fast as possible. It will take time, money, and energy - but fear not, I've got plenty of all of those. Thank you, sorry this is so vague, but I need to begin work." The workers were stunned.

Very well done, Astra. What did you have in mind?

"Something that will use the power of something that will always have it, a machine that will take me where I want to go."

So you want, Astra. I will do all in my ability to help you.

"Well, and I shall share all of it with you."

Don't be so eager, Astra, you've shared all you need to with me, for now.

"Then let us begin!" And he dove into a pile of papers on his desk with more energy than ever.

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 12, 2007 at 8:09:45.

~Chapter 13~
-=Return to the Labs=-

"Son, I'm sorry, but I've been called to work away."
"Dad - what?"
"I'm going to be gone for a long time - I need you to take care of things here."
"And your job now? How am I supposed to - I'm only thirteen!"
"I know, son, but other people need my help."
"I need your help, dad!"
"...I'll be back eventually. I love you, son."
"I love you too dad, goodbye."


Astra woke up from the dream the next day. He remembered it too vividly. The last time he had ever seen his father. Then he inherited the money, the house, the research, the facilities, all of it - and he'd trade all of it back to see his dad one more time. He realized he had cried in his sleep once he rubbed his eyes - tears. "I'll see you again, dad, but not until I've solved all of the mysteries."

Ah, Astra, awake. And speaking of mysteries, do you have any idea of who I am?

"I thought I knew since I first found you - I remembered the place from Mr. Cain's teaching. Then I realized it couldn't possibly be true - that was dead."

What was dead, Astra?




"Prairie." Jet was fully recovered and eager to go on. His armor looked brighter somehow, and he tougher. "I'm returning to the Slither labs. There is only one place for answers. Slither." He took off before anyone could say a word about it.

The lab was quiet that day. He stormed through the door, startling the man at the desk. "Um. Can I help you sir?"

"I want to see who runs this company."

"Ah, but the boss is very busy. He is still working out our recent merging with the space center." The man was calm, quiet. Jet, however, was not at all.

"Tell me the highest employee I can see, then." Jet was angry, ready to run past the dask, get out Model C, and make a wreck of the place.

"Hmm... you seem to be an enemy of ours..."

"As long as you support the distribution of dangerous weapons to every single fool who comes through that door, then yes, I AM your enemy." Jet wasn't pulling any punches. Unfortunately, the man's expression was telling him they all missed.

"Tell you what, go into that room there, and I'll get someone else to help you." The man used a control panel to open a door. Jet stomped through, glaring at the man on his way into the small chamber.

As soon as he entered, a metal door shot down. Solid. He couldn't see anything. He turned around and saw a red light, its purple body grasping two electically charged spears. Galleon Elite - armored and armed. Without hesitation, Jet got Model C out and readied the saber. The Galleon lunged at him, but Jet parried every attack, and he soon had the Galleon busted in front of him. Lights came on and a door opened - behind it, an army of Galleon Elites. Jet looked to his right - a window, overlooking a lab.

"Only one way out," he told himself, and jumped through the window into the dark laboratory, where scientists were working alongside Galleons. Now they screamed and ran because of the dark figure and shattered glass. An older scientist stopped on his way out, looked at the intruder.

"Hmph. The nerve you have to keep coming at our corporation." He then left.

Jet stood and looked around, but not for long, as the Galleon Elite army leapt out of the window above him. A shot backward into the shadow of the cold, metal wall. He hit something, heard a shatter. A picture. He looked down - Serpent. It was labeled "FOUNDER." He rolled his eyes, wondering how these people didn't know what happened to their old boss. Merged with Model W and got his rear kicked for being evil. But nobody cared about that. He kept looking at the picture. Then a shock hit his face. The Galleon struck a clean blow, and he was cornered. Then all of the Galleon but its head was gone in a burst of flame.

Through the smoke, Jet could make out a familiar shape - the body of Model V.

"You don't know when you're not wanted, do you?" it asked him. "I keep trying to stick to my business and you keep showing up to tick me off. And it always ends the same - I beat the freaking tar out of you, and then someone comes and chases me away before I can finish you. But who's in here now, huh, kid? Who's gonna save poor little Jet?"

"You know... my name..."

"'course I do. I can remember things. And I know all about your little Guardians, too. In fact, Im testing my new Slither Live Metal Model 2s on them as we speak. They should board in about an hour." This just worked to tick Jet off. He got off the floor and stomped toward Model V, looked straight into the dark T.

"Don't you put one of your corporation's dirty fingers on them," Jet warned.

"Two problems with your statement: One, what authority do you have to order me around, after all, I could kill you. Easy. Two, this isn't my corporation. I just invent for them. Why would I steal form my own team?"

"I don't know. I don't care, either." Jet grabbed the saber, sweat going down his face.

"Ooh, getting violent, aren't we? So you want to lose again? Alright, I'm game." Model V pulled out a pistol and fired and electric blast at him, then triggered boosters and hovered in the air.

Jet blocked the shot. "I'd much rather die trying to save my friends then live on your side and see them suffer!"

Model V shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me - you'll all be toghether shortly." He let loose a stream of flame and chased Jet with it in a circle around the room.

Jet kept running, watching the sick thing in the air, wondering whose face was under that mask. "I don't think you should trash this lab," Jet said, "You're losing a lo of precious science."

"This is Slither's science. I do like to see it, but I could care less if it was destroyed." He launced a missile at Jet. "I'm getting bored, so I'll just sit and watch this chase you." He sat himself in one of the lab chairs.

Jet ran in circles, the missile still chasing him. It was gaining. He was about to get tripped by some cables, so he swung the saber. The missile followed the movements. "Jet!" Model C yelled, "It's chasing the saber's energy output! Throw it!" Jet waited for a clean shot and threw the saber, ducking down. The missile flew over his head just by a few hairs, and it went straight for the saber - mounted in the wall just over Model V's head. The theif dove out of the way, but the eplosion caught him, sending him flying into the opposite wall, armor scalded by the blast and his shoulder cannon in ruin. After the hard impact into the now dented metal wall, the attacker fell to the floor, landing on his back.

"Now to see what's under that mask." Jet ran toward him. In an instant Model V twisted, got up, and sized Jet's throat.

"Oh, you're in trouble now, kiddo. You've got me pretty darn mad at you now, and who's gonna save you? Don't try to answer - I know you can't. Just die, Jet. Die. Now."

A little red light attatched to a small purple head ying on the floor was able to recognize the shape moments after it entered its field of vision.

"ILLEGAL BIOMETAL ACTIVITY DETECTED IN LAB A-1! ALERT! MODEL V DETECTED! SECURE AND CAPTURE! SECRURE AND CAPTURE!" Galleons poured into the room from hatch on the wall far from Jet on his right. Model V looked into the eyes of one, seeing that it was fixed to send its vision to a security camera station elsewhere.

"Crap." Model V dropped the choking Jet. He looked down at the collapsed hero and pointed a finger at him. "Look at me, kiddo. I can repair myself. I'm no common thug. And if you ever come across me again-" He looked. The Galleon was too close. It might get a long-distance DNA reading. Why did he have to invent that also? Nevertheless, time to leave. e bombed a hole in the roof and flew out and away.

Jet got up and shoved his way through the recording Galleons to reach his saber - then he dispatched of every single one. Alarms flared -he had to find a way out. Metal shutters crashed down everywhere - but he had a makeshift passage into a hallway thenks to the missile. He jumped through and ran inward. "I'm getting to the bottom of this, now that I can." The hallway was dark with small blue lights on the floor. He remembered it from his first visit. There weren't alarms and the lights were on then.

He soon found that he was running on a downward incline. He felt the shock on his face from the Galleon - a bit of blood poured out of the irritated skin, but overall a minor burn - if he didn't want to open it more, he had better not touch it again. He continued.

At the very bottom was a door. "Better clue than any," he said, and cut his way to the inside. It was the Model V's old resting place. A black room with a few red lights that trailed over the cieling, walls and floor to meet at the top of the pedestal where Model V had once been. Jet looked up into a pair of green eyes.



Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 13, 2007 at 20:44:24.

~Chapter 14~
-=First Meeting=-

Day Summary:
I am still overwhelmed about having these new responsibilities now that dad is gone. I'll see him again, at least once, won't I? All I want is to make him proud. I want to show him to the ends of space - the boudaries of the infinite void - show him everything and more - beyond anyone's dreams.



Leave this place,

the eyes warned Jet. The lights went out. The green suddenly looked more yellow now that the alarm lights, colored blue to cause less alert in the infiltrator, were out.

You have no business here.

"All I want are answers. Why? Why is Slither doing this? Who are you? What does Model V want? Who is behind all this?" Jet was angry yet a sligt bit afraid.

I am more than a hundred times stronger than Model V. You better not take one step closer or give me one more command. Leave. I will tell you that Model V has naught to do with our designs - unless you include that he is helping them along by being in the most opportune places in the most opportune times...

"Fine. I'll go." Jet turned and left, down the dimly lit hallway.

After he was long gone, a man walked up to the pedestal, under the yellow eyes. "He was the one at the lab." He looked up. "I know we are strong, but we mustn't underestimate him."

Oh, I won't Astra, I will not do that - not one bit.

~Chapter 15~
-=Into the Cold=-

Day Summary:
It's been years since dad left. He's back, but he's always busy. Whenever I get a glimpse of him, he has this small thing with him - a work device? It creeps me out. But I must continue - I get full control of the space programs next month, so it's back to studying tomorrow. I wish I had friends.




"Son, you're home again! Where did you go?" Vent was afraid for his son's life - he thought he'd be back much earlier.

"I went to Slither's lab again to find more answers. Model V isn't one of theirs. He jusst happens to be a good luck charm for their operations." Jet felt the burn on his right cheek.

"That looks awful, son, let me get ice." Vent made his way into the kitchen and got some ice into a bag. He carrie dit out to Jet. "Sit down, your father needs to talk with you."

"What about?" Jet was confused.

"Jet - I was watching news reruns today - it seems a man named Astra is at the controls of the space center. He said he would merge the center and Slither to pursue a new project of his. I wonder if he knows anything."

"Wait, that just can't be right - Slither and the space center have been bitter rivals for all I can remember - how can one man just join them spontaneously?" Jet sat upright. "I'm going to do some research."

Vent held his arm. "No, I will. You stay on the field. This will take some digging online. The world needs yu to defend it. Get out there, son, go save these people."

Jet knew that his father was right. Model C added to the discussion, "Jet - we are the only ones who are taking the fight back to Slither - and now that they are acquiring the benefits of the space center, the world needs us now more than ever."

Jet looked at his father, nodded, and left.




"So am I right aout who you are?"

Here's a hint, Astra - think of where we've been. Think of what we've done. You will know for sure then.

"You are very mysterious. And so are these plans I made - I can't read them myself, darn it!" Astra mashed up the papers and added them to the avalanche that had taken his waste bin by storm.

You are a brilliant man, Astra. I want you to know that.



Jet finished the transfer, but was scared at where he was. He was in a pile of debris - a ruin. He looked around and saw an S insignia. Then he remembered Model V's warning. "While I was out to get revenge, I left my friends to die..." He knelt and picked up a Guardian's lefover head parts. He cried at his own stupidity. A hand landed on his shoulder.

"You did what you had to do," Prairie explained, "We did what we had to. We weren't as strong as you were." She moved around Jet and looked him in the eye. "We have to keep fighting, Jet, or their losses will have been in vain."

Jet stood. "You're right. Do you have anything new for me?"




The theif sat down to work. He laid out all of his guns - bigger, better, he mumbled repeatedly to himself. "I will build myself into a superpower." He coughed, tired, but still worked, tinkering with every weapon imaginable. He was dead-set on his goal - kill Jet.




Jet found himself at the chilling slopes of Mt. Glacius, a taller mountain that stood facing Mt. Ignus, but on the city's other side. "Take out Slither's contact devices there," Prairie commanded, "and asses the threat of the machines they are storing there."

Jet looked into a deep, icy cavern. He equipped Model C and headed into the cold.

The cavern was just a straight tunnel, but it dropped of not to far inside. Jet looked behind him - Galleon boarders, a new model, silently dashing right at him. He managed to stab one and steal its board, going over the drop-off on a levitating board at high speed. Everything was a blur. He was going faster than he ever had, slicing opposing Galleons along the way, until a boarding Galleon Elite whacked him from behind, sending him rolling down the tunnel, to a hard impact at the bottom of the chasm.




"Let's see," Vent thought aloud, "Slither and Space Center. Search." He looked at the listings, chose one, and read aloud. "...bitter rivals since the space programs beginning, business-wise. Recently joind to suit the needs of mysterious Space Center head Astra, who seems to have good relations or some sort of positive standing with Slither, as he spontaneously ended the nation's biggest business war." He leaned back. "Some story. Let's save that link and look for more to back it up, shall we?" Vent kept going.




Jet awoke at the bottom of the fall. He looked ahead. Galleons were coming at him to take him away. He got up, and his saber told the Galleon droids he wasn't coming easily. "Not today, yellow-eyes." He progressed into a seemingly over-secure zone. "Communications? I think so." He headed inside.

A machine was waiting for him. "So yeh passed my Galleons?" it said in a deep voice, "Congrats to yeh. 'Names Glacior the Abomariod." The machine was huge, white, and had giant limbs, it head a small face on the front part of its body. "Are yeh here for our communications? Make yerself 'eard?"

"We're here to destroy your communications, in fact, to disrupt Slither's plotting." Model C finally said something to one of these machines.

"Ahh, intruders, as I suspected," the Abomaroid went on, "Well, this cavern's my ground. It won't be easy in here for twerps like yehselves." It pounded the ground and snow begand to cascade down, creating a small indent in the cieling. The snow came in a wave, and Jet was slammed into the wall, just in time to see the machine jmping at him. He rolled aside.

"He's gonna destroy the place, isn't he? Jet saw the Abomariod's hitting the wall - a big dent was left. The large fist swung and nai;ed him in the chest, taking his breath - he was shot into the wall, leaving an indent. "Not my preferred snow angel," Jet said, drawing the saber again.

The Abomaroid again slammed the ground, widening the crack in the cieling. In the snw wave, Jet was blinded and again hurled at the wall. He looked up - the machine was repairing the cieling - but why? "Is that..." Jet thought aloud, getting his breath back bit by bit, "an opening to the outside?"

The abomaroid ditched its job at the cieling to attempt another blow at Jet. "If only we could bust that open!" The abomaroid didn't let up. Jet was smacked wall-to-wall again. "That arm is definitelt broken again," he mumbled, "I oughtta call-"

"That's it!" Model C exclaimed, "Calling! The communications apparatus are above this chamber - look at the cords! If we could get some strong sound waves through those dishes, we could cause an aalanche!"

Jet got up - "Well, let's give it a try!" He activated the comms function and set it to speaker. He then dove as the machince punched at him. Jet thrust out his arm just enough to get the impact full-blast on his commes device, which was now linked to the Slither Comms system.

A roar followed, and the cieling crahed oped, snow in it wake. The sunlight followed, and the below-freezing temperature of the room instantly began to rise. Jet got more energy as the Abomaroid's environment and energy deteriorated instaantly. Next thing it new a saber was through its brain, as it died pinned under smashed comms dishes and other devices.

Jet withdrew the saver and transferred to the ruins to see Prairie again. "I'm coming for you, Slither. And you too, Model V and yellow-eyes."

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 13, 2007 at 10:24:39.

~Chapter 16~
-=Rising Tension=-

"Mr. Astra?"
"Mr. Cain, what is it?"
"Sir, dire news came in today."
"...what does that mean?"
"It's about your father, sir."
"...and-and-what does that mean, Mr. Cain?"
"He died last night, sir. An accident. Entire place came down with him. We suspect a bomb."
"No... he... that's impossible..."
"I am sorry to have to tell you, Mr. Astra. Your duties to fill your father's place begin tonight at twelve AM. I pray that you can fill his position, Mr. Astra. Goodnight."
"Who... did this to him? You will pay..."




Astra sat in his office, silently. Father sat in this very chair, he thought, until he left and had that new place built. I wonder what his newer office was like. Did he even have one? He was lost in memories, holding the rock and staring into its eyes. "Do you honestly, truly think, you know, that I can keep doing this? That I can fill his place?"

Astra, I think you are the perfect man for the job, just like your father.

"All I want is to get his killer and... and... destroy him, completely." Astra sqeezed the drinking glass he was holding. It shattered, spraying glass shards and liquid everywhere. The door began to open. "Hm?" Astra looked, taking his feet down off of his desk.

"Your grandfather thought you might like a visit up in this stuffy room," Astra's grandfather greeted, sitting across from his grandson. "I just wanted to see my favorite person at work. You are doing a fine job."

"Says who?" Astra got up, and set the rock on his desk.

"Why, your grandfather! This company is in a golden age! Look at our business!"

"Look at your grandson - I am out working day in, day out, and all anyone else does is sit around, waiting for the benefits!" He hit the chair next to his granfather's, and it slid into the opposite wall. "Do I look healthy to you, grandfather? Do I lok fine to you?"

"Astra! I have been working with you, trying to keep you out of trouble - tell me what is wrong-" He stood, looking his granson in the eyes - they were equally tall, when the old man wasn't bent over, "- and I will help you. That's all I'm good for anymore. All I want to do."

Astra turned away, looking out the window over the city. It was a beautiful sunset over Mt. Ignus in the distnce. "I don't need your help."

"Astra, what is this?" The man began to tear up. "What is wrong - what happened-"

"He's gone, grandfather. And don't act like I don't know that he was murdered."

The old man bent down, sobbing. "Fine, grandson, but don't leave what you still have left-"

"What I still have left?" Astra's voice inensified - he was angry he spun back around. "What I still have left?" He swept up the rock from his desk, holding its cold metal surface tightly. He knew what it was, and he wasn't afraid to tell what he knew it was, from his very first viewing of it. "Leave what? Some tired out old man who always watches those tall-tale TV specials from a man who wouldn't understand the loss he told me of so many years ago? No, I have plenty left, grandfather - I have the space center, I inherited a fortune! A mansion! The entire Slither Corporation! I CONTROL THIS ENTIRE NATION! I AM ASTRA, SERPENT'S SON, I AM ASTRA, THE MODEL SIGMA MEGA MAN!"

With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving his grandfather collapsed in tears. The old man pulled something out of his bag. "You're all I have left," he said. "We can't let him fail now - he's suffered too much."

Edited by HighMaxOmega on May 13, 2007 at 20:49:50.

~Chapter 17~
-=The Wars Continue=-

"Father, I'm going to make you proud. I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I'll live up to your expectations. I won't let you down. I will find Vent. I will destroy him. And then I will achieve my dreams."




"Sigma."

Yes, Astra?

"It's time we make ourselves known."

Publicly?

"Yes, publicly. The people have a new leader, Sigma, and we're going to show them that."




"Jet!" Vent was very excited to see his son and show him his findings. "Jet, look - the reason this Astra man was able to bring the two rivals together was because the head of the space center and the new president of Slither Corporation are one and the same - Astra."

"So he's behind all this?" Jet seemed anxious - he wanted to end this very soon.

"Well, we can't pin any crimes on him yet, nor can he say he's a bad person - the only one we know to be a villain is that Model V character."

The television suddenly switched channels on its own, playing an odd transmission.




From up in his office, Astra spoke about what was going to happen. "Good day, citizens. You now know me as Astra, the one who somehow merged the space center and Slither. Well, I will tell you why - I own both. And with this wealth of power I have, I will name myself unopposed leader of this nation. I tell you - I am a capable leader and you will not be disappointed. I must resume work, so this will be a brief transmission. I apologize for the interrruption. Return to your normal programming." He stepped off the platform, sent the camera Galleon away.

Very good, Astra. Now we have power that no one else has. Shall we continue?

"Yes, and I know exactly what I wil do."

What is that, Astra?

"I'm going to build a laser. It will make this entire world like your void - but the people have naught to fear - their biometals will protect them. They all will experience what I love - infinity. Unending mysteries, just waiting to be solved. This will be evolution of man so far greater than all my father's expectations. If only he were here, Sigma."

Yes, if only he were still here. ...Astra? I need you to do me a favor.

"Yes, Sigma?"

Commander Astra, I mean, I know the only threat we face.

"Threat? What is it? What could possibly stop us?"

What kept stopping me time and time again. X and Zero. They both must be captured and held secure. Imagine if we could use their power, Astra. Just imagine how good we would be.

"Hahahaha... we would be literally invincible. Tell me, Sogma, where are they?" Astra was looking up out of the window. He had named himself Commander, but he kept his usual lab coat as his attire - he was still overly devoted to science.

I think they are at a small home, not too far from here, in the outskirts of Neo Arcadia. With an older man - someone I think you've been wanting to meet.

Lights flashed, and Astra whipped out a long, dark blade. "Oh yes, Sigma, somebody I've been wanting to meet for years."

Very good, Astra. Let the Maverick Wars continue!

~Chapter 18~
-=Meeting of the Metals=-

"I... need some sort of sign, father, some sort of gift of sorts from you... something to tell me what needs to happen in my life, where I should go. I am lost, father." *shuffling noise* "Oh, what's.... this? Uncharted sector of the moon? My calling has come at last, father. I won't fail!"




"Dad, what are we gonna do now? This guy's nuts, I know it. Just like Serpent." Jet was sitting at the small, wooden kitchen table - for the times, Vent was really simple and laid back - only one real computer in the small house, and all the rest was simple furniture, some of it covered in the numerous board games Vent enjoyed playing with the bliometals. Jet rearranged the chess pieces on the board, placing a regional map on the table. "Say this king is me. This king is Astra. All the pawns are the people with the metals. Our queen is Prairie and the new guardian HQ." Here Jet referred to the backup airship the Guardians had built in their secret Neo Arcadan lab. "Their queen, it being the sneaky piece, will be Model V. A bishop here will be you, the other X and Zero. Their rooks are the old man who walked me through the labs and... the Maverick Wars researcher on TV. Our rooks are the transport company and the rest of the biometals. Theirs are just their buildings."

Jet was rearranging the pieces like crazy. In the end, he wound up with the Slither HQ and space center rooks in their nearby respective places on the map, with them Astra, the older scientist, and the researcher. Model V was off the map for now. At Vent's home, they were arranged all together - Vent, Jet, X and Zero, and the rest of the biometals. Prairie was flying over to the west at the time. The transport company was situated on the city's edge at a point about halfway from Vent's home to Slither HQ. Finally, the pawns were arranged in spreading circles around Slither HQ. Vent and Jet were talking for a while about the events, and soon Jet left to go do more transporting work, leaving Model C.

"Model C, I mean, Colonel," Model Z said to the newer metal, "I... have something I need to tell you."

"Zero, what?" Model C knew what he meant but couldn't bring himself to say it for a few moments. "Is it about... Iris?"

"Yes, Colonel. It's about Iris." Model Z turned away.

"She... you... didn't tell her my message, did you? She... did she listen?"

"I tried, Colonel. She wouldn't budge. She looked at me as a murderer, and she attacked me."

Model C lost all thoughts after this. "So you mean, you had to-"

"Fight her, yes."

Model C looked back at Model Z, now face-to-face. "Regardless of what happened, Zero, you did not kill her out of hate. You tried for me, but she wouldn't listen and took Maverick action against you. You only did your duty. I cannot blame you for that."

The other metals joined in. "Zero, see? I told you, Colonel would understand." X had always tried to quell Zero's regrets about the issue.

"I don't think it was Colonel I needed forgiveness from." Model Z was still upset.

"Z. Look at me, man," Model F was giving his encouragement. "If you need to forgive yourself, do it - no one can do it for you, man. You do that, and you'd be the toughest reploid that ever lived."

"Yes, Zero," Model H added, "I had regrets in my duty as Neo Arcadian leader. I had to let it go also - the innocents I let die, even my battles with you i regretted."

"You see, Zero? You aren't alone," Model P explained, "No matter how isolated you feel, there's always someone somewhere looking out for you, maybe even in your very shadow."

"Zero, come on!" Model L couldn't take the negativity. "You've always been so upset and serious - do you ever relax? Will you ever do that?"

"Zero, please." Model C wasn't going to accept Zero's hurt.

"I guess it has passed - there is nothing to be done now. I just have to live, now. To see to it that Sigma is-"

The front door of the house crashed apart. "YOU! Old man, get over here!" yelled a black-armored man holding a glowing blade that cast shadows everywhere because of the black plating on it.

"Why, who could you be?" Vent said as he slowly made his way to the man at the doorway.

The man grabbed his shirt, pulling him up to his green-visored face. "Old man, tell me- no, show me. Where are X AND ZERO?!"

"Hm, why do you seek the legendary heroes, sir?" Vent seemed unmoved by the fact that the man was holding onto his collar and holding a sword almost as tall as he, Vent, was.

"Old, lazy, and resistant to commands!" Jet threw him into a sofa, the piece of furniture flipping backward. The old man hit his head on the wall and could not move from the position he was pinned in by a side table. "How could one as impudent and dumb as you manage to murder my father? I will find the two myself!"

Upstairs, X could hear the commotion. "Everyone hide. Zero, stay. We're going with him."

"And why," answered Zero, "will we do that?"

"That man," X explained, "would kill master Vent in a heartbeat. And Jet even quicker."

"..." Zero was quiet, and awkward pause.

"What, Zero?"

"X... it's... Sigma."

At that moment the man busted into the room.

Ah, X... and Zero! In these pathetic metal forms also, I see!

Astra grabbed the two metals and jumped out the window, heading for Slither HQ.

Jet arrived home to a mess - the house was wrecked-looking on the outside, and was nearly destryed on the inside. Jet ran in and helped his father up."What did he do, father?"

"He took them, Jet. X and Zero are gone... and it was him, Jet. Not Model V. Worse. Black armor... it was Astra, Jet, he's Serpent's son."

Jet was paralyzed. "I don't believe it... but how? How would he know that we were here with X and Zero?"




Good, Astra. Very good. Now, could you depart and give me some alone time with my old friends?

"Yes, Sigma. Whatever you want, my friend."

X and Zero were bound to the pedestal in the Model V room, which was now modified to serve as a biometal containment chamber.

Old, old friends, long time, no see.

"You! SIGMA! How could you keep this going?" Zero was angrier than ever. "X - he had the elf. I saw it - he KILLED you!!"

Silence, Zero. You know you are wrong. The elf did clean up my spread-out virus, but remember Lumine - a pit of virus. The crater he left was a hotspot for my growth, as were all the areas I had resided in through the Eurasia incident and Gate. Do you not understand? You merely sealed away my core. The rest of me just had to be gathered.

"But that doesn't explain how your core returned!" X was already tryin to argue with reality, trying his hardest to wake up from some sort of nightmare.

Zero knows. Does the name Weil ring any bells? Heheheh... he was a stupid man - built himself a robotic body. Hah! A litttle house, all for sweet little me. So I took his kind gift - had him amplify my power in the Mother Elf, and thus, the Dark Elf. Why do you think it knew you so well, Zero? Most of that was me giving a happy little hello to the wonderful guy who gave me my power to begin with!

"DON'T YOU INCLUDE ME IN YOUR INSANITY, YOU CREEP! YOU LIAR! YOU MASS MURDERER!" Zero was trying his hardest not to overexert himself - such action would cause the barrier around him a shut him down temorarily. "YOU... YOU..."

Calm, Zero. I still have a story to finish. So then, once upon a time in a wonderful new couple of homes, I was abe to not only drive a simple Resistance commander to free me, but also to get Weil to set the stage for my resurrection - remember Omega, Zero? Did you not make the connection between it and the Dark Elf? Your old body. My Virus. Compatible, yes? I hade Weil work Omega for just that purpose. And what did lil' ol' Z do next? Released the curse from the Elf, he did. And I was free. I decided I'd return to the moon and make myself a physical form and use Weil to get it - Ragnarok. My next ticket to space. Rode the gun right on up, and got off at my stop - and down the gun went - and Weil even thought it was his doing that it was falling! So you killed him, and biometal were born - first, two - mine on the moon and his. Serpent got it, and he was a great tool for me to play with. Fun, having an actually powerful character to play around with.

"And now you are doing the same with Astra!?" X was furious. "You want to use ANOTHER innocent?"

Nonsense. You heard him, we are friends. And we share. I'm gonna help him destroy what he hates and make what he wants, and he picked me up in all my old resting places and is going to spread my virus worldwide. It was fun - we should talk again, boys. For now, I have work to tend to.

~Chapter 19~
-=Serpent=-

"He was a good man. He was always good to me, and always did his job. I just can't figure out what changed him so much before he died. Mr. Cain, it makes no sense. Does any of your knowledge fit it?"
"No, sir, I can't say that any of it adds up."




"Prairie, X and Zero - they're gone." Jet was quiet. Silently furious. Ready to explode in anger - but he calmed himself knowing he'd get his chance soon.

"That's just not possible. No biometl activity was detected near your home, Jet. Who went there to take them?"

"Serpent's son Astra. The new self-proclaimed leader of the nation."

Prairie sensed the irony. "Just like Weil - he came across his shot at power, and he took over so that no common person could have power over him. But I think that Astra has something much more dangerous on his side, whatever it is."

Jet spoke plainly. "I'm telling you, we've been wrong all along - as far as our methods go. Biometal searches are useless. We need to track something else."

"I'll see about it," Prairie responded, "but in the meantime go invesigate the ruins of Slither's old HQ. We need all the clues we can get." She set trans server coordinates. "Good luck, Jet and Model C." The two were gone in an instant.



Jet was looking at a pile of scrap metal, tile, and other debris he couldn't identify. It was an isolated sector of the city now, and most people stayed far away. Even Jet wasn't sure what to expect of the place. He walked over the heap, to find a small figure laughing at him in the distance. "Crap. Not again."

"Jet! Buddy! Glad you came to join me! Glad you could share in the memories with me! Well, come on over, sonny, I'll give you something to remember too!"

"Model V, I don't have any reason to hate you."

"But I've got a heck of a reason to hate you, boy, your father made sure of that!" Model V stepped closer to Jet. "And now you've come to rub it in my face, haven't you? You want to see me suffer his loss all over again!"

"Wha-" Jet was slammed mid-sentence. He flew all the way across the pile, landing on glass shards. He felt themm dig through the cape, the thinner part of the suit also.

"You stay away form here, Jet, I swear, you have no business here." Model V prepared to hit him square in the face with a super-strong blast that would kill him for sure. "This is my place to be alone, my place to go back to him, my place, my sactuary. And you came to pollute it. I will stop you now."

Instinctively, Jet grabbed a piece of debris next to him and held it in front of his face like a shield from the coming blast. Model V suddenly backed off. "You put that down, you freak. You put that down now or I swear I will kill you and all the people that ever gave you a smile in their entire lives. I will destroy everything."

Jet looked at what he hald as he stood up. It was a head. It was white, with a long chin with gold edges, and it had three horns - a smashed green one in the middle of the forehead, a smashed orange one to the left, and a somehow almost unscathed orange horn on the right. The green eyes were shattered in, placed under the shadow of the green horn. Jet dropped it, scared. He pulled out the saber. "I put it down. Let me be."

"You will die, Jet. I will kill you today!" Model V let out a stream of fireballs from his shoulder cannon. Jet dove to the side to dodge each one, feeling the waves of heat pass by his face as the blasts flew by. "You want me to rest here also? I would die nowhere else." He lunged at Jet, using high power of the boosters on his feet to rocket himself at the guardian, whom he grabbed in mid-dash and flew high up into the sky. He then held Jet by his throat, so many feet above the ground.

"...stop... you don't know..."

"Don't know what, Jet? Who I'm working for? No one. Who I happen to help? Astra." He held tight on Jet's throat. "You dare came back to defile the resting place of a man who was dedicated to his family. He gave all he had for his son. He gave him everything he needed to achieve his dreams. And all you want to do is belittle his kindness by focusing on what he did wrong. I HATE THAT!" In anger, he threw Jet to the ground.

Jet was falling, gasping for air, clawing about for something to grab. As e fell, he looked down. He saw a giant face, fragmented, but laid out correctly. He saw it, then everything went black.

Jet woke up to a lot of pain in his head and a purple-masked face looking at him. "See, stupid? No one comes here. I knocked you out cold and left you for an hour - no one, nothing here to save you. You're dead, Jet. Dead." Jet felt around, his hand closed around the saber. He listened to the speech from Model V. "You came at the wrong time to try and stop me. Actually, I don't care who sees me. I don't care who knows I killed you." Jet slowly brought the saber to a ready position. Someone else was there, though. Someone was walking, and neither of them knew.

"I'm gonna finish you, Jet, and your father will die of his suffering for you, all for you, the same way I felt about the loss of MY son-" Model V whipped out a pistol and aimed it at Jet's face, just as Jet shot the saber through the villain's stomach. Jet got up and yanked off the helmet.

"You!" He saw the older scientist from Slither's headquarters, the one who led him through the lab, cast the odd gaze on Model V - that's why. He wanted it and all its power. Jet heard running footsteps and turned his head to see the man running toward him.

"GRANDFATHER!" The man fell to his kness and cried. "How could you do this, grandfather? You shouldn't have done this, you knew this would happen. You couldn't possibly adjust to a biometal, why?"

Jet's hand was firm on the saber. The crying man saw it and hurned to Jet with an evil gaze. "WHAT did you DO to him? Huh? You weren't satisfied that your father killed mine? So you had to come and destroy the last family link I had? Finish everything?"

Jet stood. "Your father was a madman. He was brought under by Dr. Weil's biometal and became a twisted freak. Your grandfather stole the world's most dangerous synthetic biometal and began threatening the world's safety because he couldn't forgive himself for not stopping your father. What's wrong with YOUR head, Astra?"

"You, you, you are LYING to me, even now! My father was a good man and absorbed in his work until your father bombed him-"

"And what did you think that work was? He was revitalizing Dr. Weil! A mass-killing mastermind! Are you blind, Astra? Do you not under-" Jet was punched in the face, now with a power that separated him from Model C.

"Not so powerful without your biometal now, are you, Jet?" Astra kicked Jet, then went to his grandfather, kneeling, dead, with a saber through his stomach. "You... why did you do it, grandfather? Why did you risk your life?" Astra was answered by a look that said "all for you." Astra, tears running down his rougened face, turned and ran, scared of anything else that could happen to his life.

~Chapter 20~
-=Plans in Motion=-

"Astra!"
"Grandfather, what is it?"
"I've done it! Mr. Cain lent me the remains of an old reploid, and with it, I created the world's first synthetic biometal!"
"Really, what do you call it?"
"Well, it is based on an army-style reploid called Colonel, so I guess Model C fits."
"Will you make another?"
"I'm already working on a Model V."




Jet came to his senses. Ha was on his back, and once he sat up he was looking into the eyes of the bashed-up mechanical head. He turned to the side - he was now looking into the eyes of Astra's dead grandfather, stil covered in weapons and purple armor. The man didn't look awfully old - his hair was barely gray at all - it was the wrinkles and worn features of his face that gave away his age group. On the ground was the Model V helmet, a purple T shape on top of a silver helmet, a transparent black T as the facial covering. Then Jet grabbed Model C. Picking it up, he found it was beat up a bit.

He held the metal, studied its features. And near the end of his inspection, Jet was shocked to see on the Model's lower back, in small lettering,

SLITHER CORP. LIVE METAL MODEL 0001 - MODEL C

Jet couldn't believe it. He then looked at the dead old man's face, then back at the metal. "He built you, didn't he?"

"I'm sorry Jet. I AM Slither property. It's just good to see I'm being used for good."

Jet remembered that his main jobs all came from Slither - he was done transporting for them for now. Maybe Giro's remnants would hire him. Jet then looked at the dead man again. "What was that man like?"

"He was... odd. He was both dedicated and withdrawn from his grandson. He let him get away with everything, and taught him that all your father knew was hate. He had always wanted power, the ability to feel young again, and was always praying that he'd get a chance at revenge for Serpent's death. That's why he made Model V so deadly."

Jet stood, brushed of some dirt, and looked at the giant robot face that was collapsed into the ground. "I take it that that's Model W?" Jet looked into the dark, green, sinister eyes.




"We start building now."

Astra, why all the rush?

"There's nothing else left to do in my life. I'm going to show mankind infinity by thrusting them into it. And we will head the new world, and it will be perfect." Astra frantically scooped up papers, then he rushed out of the office.

Astra, do we even have the resources yet? Not to build - to get away with it.

"I'm the richest man alive and I control the nation. How could I possibly fail?" He stormed down the white-tiled hall into the elevator, going down to floor one. From there, he used his own passage to the space center. He shoved past some guards into the laboratory he had reserved - it was huge, made to be several football field lengths, and in its center, the beginnings of a giant laser-like device. Astra stood next to it, looking in to see X and Zero in their newest home. The platform went up to the top floor.




"Prairie, we're searching for the wrong thing."

"Well, Jet, then what DO we search for?" Prairie wasn't happy at all with how the battle was going - Slither managed to be elusive the whole time.

Jet was looking in his head for the answer. He finally remembered one of a man named Cain's TV interviews on the Maverick Wars:

"...the dangerous Vile, a close follower of Sigma's after his freeing from a prison."
"So sir, what happened with the two - wasn't Vile originally Sigma's enemy also?"
Well, you see, Sigma's virus in combination with a new appreciation that developed in Vile..."

Jet steeped up to the controls. "Prairie, let me try something."

"Go ahead, Jet, but I don't know what it will do." Prairie was losing hope quickly.

Jet bent down and entered "MAVERICK VIRUS ACTIVITY" into the search field. A black dot appeared on the space center. "Got him now," Jet said, proud of his discovery. "I'm going to pay Mr. Astra a visit. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Good luck Vent," Fleve called as Vent passed him on the way out.

"Be careful," Prairie said more to herself as Vent was already to the trans server.




Astra also had a scanning device on. "X, Zero, get a load of this - a biometal is headed this way. I bet it's your pathetic friend. He really is persistent. Too bad for him we're almost ready for our launch - all we need now is to finish off the construction and for alignment of the sun - he has until 12 noon. Hahahahahaha, I'd like to kill him myself, but I have work to do." Astra turned on a radio device. "Eclipse, take care of our little visitor, please."

"Yes, Commander Astra," a deep voice responded.

"Thank you. Hahaha, my infinite world will come to fruition and your virus can thrive in the live metal alves of all the fools wh bought the devices. We will rule, and it will be perfect."

Astra, you are correct beyond reason - oh, what a perfect world it will be.

~Chapter 21~
-=Countdown=-

"Son, we are finally together again. I have missed you so."
"Father. Leave me."
"Serpent, what is wrong? Are you not happy to see your father?"
"You let me be pulled under by Model W. You wouldn't risk anything for my safety. And now I see you pushing my son onward into the void of darkness, on the road to his death. Are you satisfied?"
"I did what I had to do-"
"You wanted to get revenge on the people who did me a service by ending my twisted plans and showing me what was right. And I am glad that you have died too. And when my son comes, you stay as far away from him as you can."




Jet entered the doors of the space center, where he was looking at a giant shuttle model in a grand atrium. He was amazed by the space themeing used, but was still focused on his goal - get to Astra and get there fast.

Jet's communications device was ringing. He answered. "Hello, visitor. It's your favorite man in the world! And guess what - I launch at exactly twelve noon, and oh my! It's already eleven! You better hurry up, Jet, or Astra's goingg to take over the Earth!"

"Astra! Stop it now!"

"That 3 seconds wasted. Good luck, failure!" The device clicked off. Jet was angrier than ever before. He made a mad dash for the employee chambers.

At the door to the staff hallways, he was greeted by black-colored Galleons - Galleon ∑, upgraded with the virus. He and Model C nontheless dispatched them and ran onward and pward through the allways, passing into dangerous experiment zones and construction sites. Soon, they reached a large atrium, but this time a familiar face was brought back with the Virus.

"Thought I'd never catch up, eh? I told yu I was the fastest! Did you not believe me?" Turtorion the Reflectoroid was staring at Jet, who was surprised to see it again. "Now don't be shy - I'm only gonna be around you for a second - soon you'll be able to run infinitely far away from me and never see me again!" He began spraying electric laser again, the atrium's mirrored walls reflecting them all around.

Jet tried the old saber strategy - this time the shots overheated the saber and burned his hand. "This isn't good," Jet said, "I only have so much time left."

"Gyahaha! Can't keep up, can you? I guess master Sigma won't be seeing you anytime soon, will he? Not until he dies - and he wil never die!" The machine curled up, reflecting the bolts, and rolled at full speed straight at Jet.

Jet rolled away, wondering how to stop the machine. Then he remembered that the reflected bolt he fired only worked because it had hit the turtle in its belly - an exposed place. He had to smash the mirrors on the shell. "How am I supposed to shatter his shell, Model C, if I can't get near him?"

"Close him in, Jet!"

Jet looked for a way to block off part of the room - and the chandelier would work greatly, although it was mirrored itself. Jet threw the saber to knock it down, and he turned it up on its side, ready for the turtle to fall next to it.

"Ah, what's this, boy? Playing with the lights?" Turtorion fell to the opposite side of the fixture and pushed against Jet. The two remained in the struggle, equally matched, until Jet decided to just let go. He jumped to the side.

The force slammed the turtle to the ground, stunning him just long enough for Jet to recover his saber and cut the machine in half. "Master... Sigma... don't forget me in your new world!" The Reflectoroid exploded, and Jet ran onward.

The third floor of the space center was surprisingly warm - for one reaon. The next atrium was a circular platform over a gaping pit of lava. And Jet knew who was here.

"You challenge me again, do you? Through challengin me, you challenge Master Astra and Master Sigma. They, if not I, shall punish you for your wrongdoing. But this time, boy, I plan to seize victory!" Tentaflare was already gathering flames, shooting out jets at Vent constantly. "You won't defeat me, Guardian!"

"Maybe not, Tenaflare!" Jet knew this machine liked to talk. And that's what he would do too. "I mean, I've grown since our last meeting - and all you could manage was to catch a virus!" Jet dodged the jets skillfully now, looking right into the round, yellow eyes.

"Silence, imbecile! You can't defeat me, not with Master Sigma behind me!"

"Master who? Master had to call on an old man to save his rear?" Jet laughed at the krakenroid's short temper. He began to doge lava flows, watching the expressions the opposition gave him.

"Do NOT insult Master Sigma! He is hundreds of times more powerful than Model V!"

"So 300 x 0, then? Model V's going nowhere. Sigma's having that much luck also?" Jet was wary to dodge a fire blast loosed at him because of the machine's growing rage.

"You won't stop me! Watch this!" The krakenroid hovered over the lava and began using all of its tentacles to suck it in, rather quickly too. Jet only watched as the machine then aimed at him, and all of his escape routes.

"I WILL let loose this lava, if you say but one more word!!" Jet just stared a the machine, watching lava drip through the bottom, burning out the insides of the krakenroid. "Ugh... no! This... is not posssible! Master Astra, save me!" It fell into the pit, leaving Jet to run on.

Jet ran further into the fourth floor. He checked the time - 11:30. He couldn't miss this flight. He continued into the freezing floor, ready to take down Glacior in his return.

"So yeh came to oppose Sigma, did yeh?" Glacior was already flexing its shoulders, elbows, and fingers, its icy exterior shining in the lights of the atrium. "Yeh won't pass me - you see a way to let down this cieling? Hah! Not a chance, boy!"

"Really - I killed Turtorion, enraged Tentaflare into killing himself - you should be cake." Jet readied for the fight.

The Abomariod punched at Jet, missing, but following up with a successful uppercut. Jet was launched into the cieling, holding onto a light fixture. looked at the object he held, and saw an intensity dial just before Glacior grabbed him for more action. Jet was flung into the wall, hurt now by the impact.

"Ah, I need to get up to the lights-" Jet got up and fell down qicky to let Glacior miss. Jet quicly got up on the machine's huge arm, which was stuck in the wall, and he made his way up to the top of the body, where he leaped to a light fixture from, and cranked the light intensity to MAX. Glacior could feel the burning and intantly broke free, turning to hit Jet. Jet pulled himself up just in time to dodge the blow, and he had another opening - he quicly slid down the frozen arm to the next light, and fixed it to MAX. Glacior was starting to drip.

Two more to go, Jet thought. The Abomaroid was furious. "You will not stop me, human!" It reached for Jet, grabbing him and sqeezing him. "You will fall here, human! At last, Master Sigma gets his wishes!" Jet looked him in the eye.

"I wouldn't be so sure." He looked at Glacior's back, and the saber handle sticking out of it. On the speedy second pass over the machine's shoulder's, Jet used his saber to vault to the light fixture, leaving it in the Abomaroid's back.

"No... im..poss..ible, you could...not...do..it..." Glacior collapsed, and Jet's saber slid over to him in the melted water flow that was left to flow off of the metal inner body.

"Is that it?" Jet asked Model C. "I only have twenty minutes left."

"No, there's gonna be one more, I'm betting." Model C knew of the Celestioid, a superpowerful defene system of the space center.

Jet reached the final atrium. He was on another round platform, but now the void looked like space - it went on seemingly forever, ending in a harsh landing on sharp spikes, which were not visible.

A loud, low voice spoke to Jet. "Astra has called on me to eradicate your threat. I am Eclipse the Celestioid, protector of the space center and servant of Master Astra. Let us finish this now."

Jet looked. The cylindrical-looking head was eing surrounded by gathering planets, each a different size, which formed around an emerging body into two arms, and two large mechanical hands floated to the ends of the arms. The machine took the first move, swinging a punch at Jet, hitting him with the fist and then each planet of the arm consecutively.

Jet was left on the ground, clutching his saber. "I will win this," he said.

The Celestioid put its hands together to bringthem down on Jet, but found that its hands were not functional afterward - Jet had cut them on their quick descent.

"Very well, Mr. Jet, have it your way." The celestioid began to swirl its planets, and it rose to the cieling, its head overlooking Jet. The mouth began spouting lasers.

Jet was dodging to the best of his ability, not sure how to bring down the colossal structure. Or should he call it structures? His enemy had him confused.

"Do you not see Sigma's power?" it boomed, "You are missing out on the greatest opportunity ever, Jet, you had better accept - fate favors the strong, and you have nothing on Model Sigma in combination with Astra." The lasers continued.

Jet wasn't listening, intstead trying to harm the device. He cut at a swirling planet just to have his saber bounce off in failure. He threw it up - it fell back down. All this while the lasers rained over him. The celestioid paused. "This will not do. I must finish you quickly!"

It began to rearrange, lining up the planets in a biggest to small straight line at Jet, the head going to the back. It spouted a laser, which spread and intensified at its core with each consecutive planet. The laser was monstrous, and all Jet could do was block with his saber, consumed by the growng light.

Next thing he knew, Jet was standing on a quiet platform, the dark room returned to normal. He ooked over to see his father, holding the original Z-Saber.

"I still had some adventure in me, I told you that, son! But hurry up - you have a flight to catch!"

"Thanks dad, I'll see you again!" Jet ran into the next hallway, which was a steep upward incline. He entered the next room.

Before him was a giant black spaceship, made with a giant beam on its underside, preparing to launch. The smoke puffed out and the machine lurched. Jet ran and jumped through the open doorway, sitting down in the massive space station. A voice clicked on his transmissions device:

"Hello, glad you could travel Slither Airways! Ahahaaha!"