R.D. quickly noted as Sheena disappeared, then instinct kicked in and he activated his thrusters, shooting upwards and backflipping over the woman's attack, narrowing avoiding the two icy swords. Boot-mounted thrusters quickly flared to continue the maneuver, quickly stopping him just in the right place. Now behind Sheena, he dashed forward, matching Sheena's own speed with his thrusters, and slashed downwards at Sheena's back in a vertical strike.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 14, 2008 at 0:52:57.

His second Phase Blade flashed out as the first was knocked aside, parrying Sheena's counterattack with a shower of sparks. R.D. glared at Sheena through the visor, struggling to prevent her blade from going any farther. "I've fought worse," he growled, twisting his wrist holding the first Phase Blade as its azure blade glowed red-gold.

He slashed upwards at Sheena using the glowing sword, and a fierce gout of flame exploded out from it, traveling upwards along the Shoenzan attack, forcing himself backwards by pushing himself off of Sheena's blade after slashing. He settled in the air, setting his swords in front of him.

R.D. dived out of the way as the first couple of arcs came in, deftly avoiding them as he neared the ground. Swooping low, he sheathed his swords in one motion, recreating his shield with the matter converter in the process. Activating it, R.D. caught several more of the attacks on its energy barrier and countered.

Activating his right-mounted arm cannon, ten slanted hexagonal pillars of orange energy extended from his forearm as a ring of light materialized, hovering around his wrist. A quick charge of energy condensed over his clenched fist, and the pillars slammed down at once, issuing a large plasma burst at Sheena, quickly followed by another one before R.D. through himself to the side, readying another volley of shots.

He growled at the outcome. He was being forced on the defensive, and the blasted wyrm knew it.

Preparations were quick. As a great feast was made, Matt's group hit the abandoned malls and outlets for his change in wardrobe. Some time later he found Papllion and spread his arms. "Well? How do I look?"

He had traded the worn denim jacket for a jacket made out of crisp white material, with black trim along the sleeves and bottom of the coat. His dragon-emblazoned shirt was switched for a simple black shirt, and old jeans with fresh ones.

Papillon nodded and smiled. "It looks fine," she said. "I'm sure the others will get a bit nostalgic seeing it."

"I'm not sure if they'll get nostalgic over a jacket, but at least they get to see me." A shrug. "Well, HOPEFULLY they want to see me, considering all the trouble I've caused them...you know." He rolled his hands. "Major temper tantrum, threatening stability of the entire Multiverse...yeah."

"You shouldn't worry," Papillon reassured. "You saved us from the Flux, and you're going to help save us from EI-OMEGA down the line. You're a hero to the crew, and the only ones who know about Dragon Drive FINAL are the people you told."

"Mmmm...now I just feel indecent because I'm hiding something from them. I mean, they are the crew, and they rock." He frowned. "Then again, Dragon Drive FINAL is something that no one should remember, or even know about."

"Don't worry about it," Papillon said. "No matter what happened, its in the past. All you can do is move on, and try to make things right."

"Worthy advice, as always." Matt clapped his hands together. "All right. Let's go see what Guy's cooking up."

It turned out that Guy was cooking up some of their leftover meat supply-barbeque ribs, in particular. It smelled quite nice.

"Guy, I think I love you now," Mstt remarked. "In a totally platonic way, of course."

The Evoulder laughed. "Go on and sit down, we're almost ready."

The tables they had on hand were of varying sizes and shapes, so they cobbled them into a decent layout. The crew sat down as others doled out various delicious foods on plates. Barbeque against the night sky...this was the best atmosphere for such a thing.

"I wonder how J feels about ribs," Matt said to Papllion, with a chuckle. "I just might consider him even more worthy if he appreciates the art of a good roast." He tapped his charred ribs. "Cajun style, just how I like it."

Papillon only smiled briefly before going back to the salad she ate, her eyes returning to the merriment that had overtaken the crew. J, unfortunately, was nowhere to be seen.

Her eyes strayed to the alcoholic drink that had been served to her, sitting untouched on the table. She regarded it warily, remembering the last few experiences with alcohol.

"So I hear you get smashed pretty easily," Matt remarked, his smile curling wider like he just found the motherload of blackmail. "Is this true or not?"

Papillon nearly choked on her food at the statement. Coughing, she pounded her chest for a moment. "No comment," she said when she could talk again.

Matt just laughed.

Conversations between crewmembers died down as Taiga, now at the head of the mass of tables, clinked a spoon on a large mug. "All right! May I have your attention, please?" He smiled warmly. "I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate everyone for their hard work. Your courage and determination has made this celebration possible. Together, even on this alternate world, we have still managed to overcome whatever obstacles are laid before us. As long as we keep courage in our hearts, and share them with our close ones, there is nothing we can't do!"

Taiga's great spirit easily fired the crewmembers up. Matt felt his heart charged by the Chief's speech-the man was a natural leader, no doubt about that.

Everyone looked up from their meals as Taiga began to speak. As he did, Renais rounded the corner, a plate full of cake in her hand. She too stopped what she was doing and listened.

"Now..." Taiga raised his mug. "A toast to the finest men and woman I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Cheers!"

The crew clinked glasses together. Matt tapped his against Papllion's, flashed another cut grin at her.

After everyone had taken their drink, Taiga spoke again. "Now...would anyone else like to make a toast, while we've got our glasses up?"

"Yes," Papillon said, raising her glass once more. "To Matt, who saved us from the Flux."

"Hear hear!" Taiga lifted his glass, and the crew followed suit.

"Oh, come on guys, you don't have to do that," Matt said, waving it down with his hands. "I mean, my ego is extremely pleased now, don't get me wrong, but I could've have done it by myself. Besides..."

He raised his glass. "If y'all hadn't taken me in...shoot. I dunno. I'm just glad I got another chance. That's what I'm really thankful for."

"We're happy to have helped," Papillon said, smiling.

Soon the time had come. Right. Clothes in order. Last good meal eaten and digesting. Backpack...well, packed.

"Okay." Matt slung it over his back and faced his door in the J-Ark. This was the last time he would be seeing this room. Maybe he'd almost miss all the triangle-themes.

But there was work to do. He stepped out of the room and headed for the ramp.

As Matt passed through the corridors of the J-Ark, many of the crewmembers stepped aside for him to pass, all of them raising hands up in a farewell, or to thank him, or give him words of encouragement. It would easily be a more relaxing atmosphere than Matt's first travels through the J-Ark. As he reached the ramp, he would find the rest of the crew waiting outside.

The main bridge crew was also there, along with Guy, Renais, and Soldato-J. Standing behind the gathered crew was the reactivated Vehicle Machines, now repaired from their battles.

J stepped forward as Matt exited. Approaching the teen, he stopped in front of him, and offered him a rare smile. He held his armored hand out to him. "It was an honor to fight alongside of you, Matt Willard," he said.

Matt nodded, and slapped J's hand with a confident handshake. "Same here, man."

Guy was next to shake Matt's hand. "It's been great having you here," the Evoulder said. "Good luck."

Mikoto smiled, and hugged Matt. "We'll miss you."

"Hey, I'd miss me too," Matt joked, with a laugh.

The rest of the crew shared a hearty laugh. This was the Matt they remembered, back during the war with Pasdar. It soon quieted after a while.

Renais was next in line, but she didn't off her hand or a hug. "I'd shake your hand," she said, commenting on it, "But I don't think you want to repeat Mikoto's mistake, right?"

Matt extended his hand anyway. "I'll take the chance, if that's all right with you." He looked sincere.

Renais shrugged, her eyes closed for a moment. "Don't say I didn't warn you, kid," she said, reaching out and grasping Matt's hand with metal arm, where the parts inside her had heated the metal and the rest of her body to scalding, searing temperatures.

Matt shook her hand without any visible problems. "You know, a part of me will miss your biting remarks." A respectful smirk. "But just a part."

Renais looked surprised for a brief moment at how Matt was unaffected by her cybernetic flaws, but it quickly passed. After letting go of his hand, her arm quickly shot out and wrapped around his neck in a headlock. "Well, kid," she said with a grin, "I guess I don't have to worry about you getting burned if I wanted to throw you down anymore."