The spear missed its target, going wide as the massive demon ducked and swung around--in moments, the Ultimate Nine-Ball was on its tail, once more in its Flight Configuration. The barrels of its antimatter cannons began to glow, then unleashed with a pair of beams that tore across the air. One of them clipped the remaining pod of the Vjayja and decimated it, forcing the beast to release it before the resulting explosion harmed it as well.

With a terrifying screech, it spun around and fired more beams from its pincer claws, forcing Raven to break off and revert back into its Combat Configuration. Arming its cannons, the Ultimate Nine-Ball unleashed more volleys of lasers to force the Vjayja back. "Come on, you bastard! Die already!"

The beams smashed hard against its body, but it continued its mad rush, opening up its beak and firing another laser beam from it, forcing the Ultimate Nine-Ball off again. It opened up its beak and claws again and unleashed more deadly bursts across the sky.

"Take it out, Matt!" Raven shouted, looking down at KishouDoragon.

===Underground Hanger Facility, Aube===

"Irritating bastard!" Terranox snarled, flying out wide and striking at the gold-armored cyborg, their weapons causing lightning to flare out across the cavern systems. They smashed hard against one another time and time again as their battle raged through the cavern systems. Terranox's claws slashed down and cut into the breastplate of Jared's armor, and the Will Knife darted forward and sliced open the demon's cheek.

Before Terranox could counter, Jared grabbed a hold of the demon's shoulder and decked him hard across the face, then twisted the beast around and smashed his knee into the demon's back. Terranox bellowed in anger as pain coursed through his body--he refused to give up this power until the enemy was defeated, even though it was beginning to deteriorate him. But it wouldn't matter, so long as he killed this damn nuisance!

With incredible speed, Terranox whipped around and backhanded Jared across the face, the strength of Dragon Drive shattering the faceplate of his armor. With a cry, Jared went flying, but he quickly recovered and threw the Will Knife back at him--it embedded itself into the creature's shoulder, limiting the use of one of his arms. Jared pushed off the wall and flew back, ready to deliver a crushing blow to the stunned demon.

Matt glanced at one of the panels, and a particular function caught his eye. Well. It'd make sense that this, the Drake of Braves, would have one of THOSE.

"All right!" Matt said, as KishouDoragon threw out its hands. "Super move time! Dragon Soul!"

KishouDoragon erupted in an aura of Crystalis energy, and as its hands glowed with violent and swirling light, the heads of the arm units sheathed over the hands, wrapping the arms together in twin streams of power.

As the claws of KishouDoragon came together, a spiraling wave of Crystalis erupted from its claws, spreading out and swallowing the Vjayja and dozens of Devil Dragons within it. The skies were consumed in the baleful light, and the creatures within it halted in midair, bound by an invisible force.

"What the...?" Raven muttered, the crimson and black machine contrasting sharply with the blue light emitted by KishouDoragon.

===Underground Hanger Facility, Aube===

Terranox ripped the blade out of his body with a pained snarl, looking up too late to see Jared flying at him, fist chambered back to strike. But moments before he would reach the demon, the light from his armor flickered and died, causing his eyes to widen in shock.

Dammit! Out of power!

Terranox wasted no time, closing the distance in an instant with Dragon Drive. His claw flashed out at the cyborg and cut through his chest, tearing through the armor and coming out the other side. Jared screamed in pain as the force sent them hurtling back.

But this isn't the end. Not by a long shot.

Despite the screaming pain and protest in his metal body, Jared's arms swung around and clamped down on Terranox's body and aura wings. He snarled as he looked at Terranox's startled, canine face.

"What the hell are you doing!?" the beast demanded, struggling to free himself. He couldn't extend his wings and his strength was diminishing, the Dragon Drive fading from him. He couldn't get free!

The cyborg smirked, an insane look in his eyes. Gravity caught up and dragged them down towards the bottom of the cavern at insane speeds.

"Tag along, on my journey into hell!"

They were both screaming as they plummeted, the Ao-Gem blazing with sudden energy, swathing them both in bright light. Within moments, they struck against the cavern floor, and were consumed within a gigantic explosion that shook the entire hanger system.

The tendrils formed a massive drill surrounding KishouDoragon's arms, and SkyDraken's thrusters kicked in.

"Hey, KOOL-AID!" Matt whooped as the giant mech shot at the Vjayja. Unimpeded, the whining drill tore through the monster, carving a clean hole right through the beast.

Struggling Devil Dragons caught within the immobilizing field of Dragon Soul were quickly shredded apart when the Drake of Braves plowed through and tore into the Vjayja. The beast screamed in pain as the attack split it in two. Blood flew and was annihilated by the energy drill, and as KishouDoragon passed, the beast's two halves exploded in a violent fashion.

Cheers erupted over the comm as the blue light faded, and within moments, the remaining Devil Dragons were fleeing, fear overriding their instincts and demanding that they flee from their monstrous opponents.

===Central Command, Aube===

"Sir! We've attained air superiority over the island! All enemy air forces are retreating!"

"Good! What's the status on the battle within the facility?" General Patrick demanded.

A sudden beeping caught their attention, followed quickly by Kaile's horrified gasp. The beeping suddenly flatlined, and she turned around in her seat. "We've lost Jared's signal!"

"What!?"

"We've lost his signal! There... there was an explosion in the battle and we can't detect him or his opponent anywhere!"

"Dispatch a team down there to investigate!" Patrick ordered. "What's the status on the rest of the battle?"

Before he could get an answer, the main screen switched views, showing a large blue screen with text on it.

DOWNLOAD OF OMEGA ESSENCE COMPLETE

"YEAH!" Matt shouted at the retreating Dragons, raising his fists. "AH HA HA HA HA HA HA! CRY SOME MOOOOOOORE!"

"Quick! What's the status of Willard Company?" the General asked. Officers quickly poured over the information, looking for the children they had found in Japan. They found them soon enough.

"They're trapped in Sector G-7!" came the report.

===Sector G-7, Aube===

"They just keep coming!" Alvarez shouted, switching targets and firing off short, controlled bursts as more and more Imps poured into the room. Beside him, Iker was using the flamethrower function of his ZF-1 to keep the monsters from getting too close.

"Just a little longer!" Alasea called out from the center of the room, where she stood with her sword raised into the air. A swirling, terrible vortex was manifested above the Megami Tsurugi, gathering up the power to unleash Reckless Fire once more.

Hugo and Helena masterfully controlled the room. Hugo's Laser Options rove around repelling demons while his shots carved through chests. Helena, meanwhile, manipulated fire with a skill Alasea hadn't seen before, immolating Imps with sweeping motions. One Imp got too close to her, but before it could attack, she bowled it over with a surprise fist to its ugly face.

As each demon came into the room, they were quickly killed and were piling up as the four of them orchestrated an impressive defensive perimeter around Alasea. As they fought, the vortex above her grew in size and ferocity--blackness flecked with strange light swirled violently around a raging, shifting nucleus of power. Alasea could feel her body shaking as the power grew in strength, signaling to her that the zero hour was approaching, and fast.

Everything clicked together in an instant, and the maelstrom swelled for the briefest of moments. Opening her eyes, Alasea slashed down with her sword, sweeping it out to the side.

"Reckless..."

The maelstrom collapsed, and suddenly exploded into thousands of lightning bolts that raged through the room, stabbing into the demons and annihilating them instantly.

"FIRE!"

As lightning passed and disappeared from sight, tiny explosions tore through their place, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. As before, the bolts sought out the invading enemies no matter where they lurked in Aube, and tore them apart within seconds.

As the Reckless Fire attack ended, Alasea fell to her knees, letting the blade of her sword rest against the ground. Luckily, there was little blood that flew this time around, keeping them relatively clean.

"We can get to the download chamber now, right?" Ileyna asked, lowering herself to the ground.

"Yeah," Hugo said, recalling his Options. "Let's get out of here."

"Captain Alvarez, do you read me? Respond, over," came a sudden voice over the transceiver carried by the soldier.

"Captain Alvarez, reporting, over," he replied.

"Your squad is the closest unit to Willard Company. Inform them that the download on the Omega Essence is complete and that they are authorized to retrieve it," replied the voice. "Repeat, the Essence download is complete and Willard Company is authorized to retrieve it, over."

"Roger that, command! Over and out!" He replaced the device back onto his combat vest and turned to them. "You heard the man, get going!"

"Mmn!" Ileyna nodded, smiling greatly at the news and having to adjust her beret again at the sudden motion. She had apparently picked up the vocal habit from Mamoru.

Alasea stood up and sheathed her weapon. "Come on, guys, let's go!"

===Central Command, Aube===

"Use of Reckless Fire has been confirmed, sir," said one of the technicians. "The battle has been won. Recovery teams are being dispatched now."

The General nodded, and then heard one of the doors open. The other members of the base facility administration entered. One of them approached and saluted General Dagenais, who returned it before giving him the clear to speak.

"General Dagenais. the preparations are complete, sir. If we had two more hours of working time..."

"That's far too long," Patrick said. "Time is a luxury we don't have now."

A sigh followed, and he remained silent for a moment. Then, with a heavy heart, he nodded. "Very well, I'll be there too."

He ignored their collective gasps. "Give the order. Surviving forces are to gather at the Mass Driver facilities."

He turned to face the rest of the crew in the command center, who were looking at him expectantly.

"We're abandoning Aube!" he declared.

"Yes sir!" came the collective acknowledgment.

===Aube Airspace===

There was a few minutes of silence, broken only by the sounds of the thrusters keeping KishouDoragon and the Ultimate Nine-Ball aloft.

"Matt," Raven said over the comm. "We've got new orders. The General wants you to patrol the airspace while I return to the hangers. The download completed and evacuation orders are now in effect, but the General thinks the enemy will attack again before then."

"All right," Matt said. "Stay safe, Raven."

The Ultimate Nine-Ball turned and descended, moving much slower than normal. The machine had done quite a number on him and he wasn't risking more damage by accelerating. This machine... all of the savage power in it was just too much for him. He wasn't a cyborg, like Jared, whose metal body gave him a resistance that allowed even a Nine-Ball to become a deadly weapon.

===Mass Driver Launch Facility, Aube===

After some time, Alasea's group had returned from the download chamber, and between the three older members, Ileyna floated in the air, the Omega Essence held in her hands, temporarily pacified through the Purification ritual. Now, they had returned to General Dagenais, who along with the administration had occupied the Mass Driver's control room, while the rest of the forces and the civilians were being evacuated.

"How are things progressing with the Ragnarok?" the General asked.

On the screen, the massive crimson and silver warship was being moved along a rail.

"We're in the final stages of the booster check."

"Make them hurry, we have no time."

"Father, what's going on? Why are you and the administration here and not the proper crew?" Alasea asked, looking bewildered and scared and concerned, all at the same time.

"The enemy is already beginning to gather just off the island borders," the General said. "We have little time to waste in evacuating and someone will need to stay behind to make sure they take the bait."

"Father, no! That's crazy!" Alasea shouted, looking horrified. Patrick ignored it.

"This is the only way. We are too big of a target for them to pass up and they will come after us. I will not risk anyone else in this war. I've sacrificed too many people as it is."

He turned to them. "Board the XA-26-483 Ragnarok. Colonel Patterson will be in charge of all operations onboard."

Edited by RisingDragon on August 20, 2009 at 19:54:55.

"Why can't we just use KishouDoragon to run interference?" Hugo asked. "Matt's still in it, right?"

"We plan on sending both KishouDoragon and the Ultimate Nine-Ball out to hold off the enemy while we finish preparations. However, they are the only ones who can. All of our remaining forces are boarding the Ragnarok as we speak."

===Mass Driver Launch Hanger, Aube===

"So we're going up into space, huh?" Rodeo asked, waiting in line among other Nine-Breakers and Nine-Balls as the boarding ramp into one of the Ragnarok's storage hangers was lowered before them. "Never been there before."

"Suits me just fine," Ashley said, calm as ever.

"Damn these monsters," Maria growled, her hands tightening on the control yokes of her Nine-Breaker.

"Commence loading procedures!" came the command. In rows, the machines walked up the ramp into the hangers.

===Project H1 Launch Hanger, Aube===

"This is a problem," said one of the scientists. "We never dreamed that Project H1's capabilities would be exceeded to this extent."

"No normal human could survive such G-forces for long. We might not be able to launch Project H1 back out there," said another. "What about Special Officer Larown?"

"No good," said a third. "They found him down in the caverns--he's barely alive. He's in no condition to fight anymore."

"I can do it."

They all turned around at the sound of the new voice. Behind them was R.D., clad in bloodstained Bound Armor and carrying a massive sword on his shoulder.

"If the Ultimate Nine-Ball can't be piloted by a normal human being, then I can do it. I'm a lot sturdier than other people," he explained. "I can survive such G-forces, and I've seen that kind of cockpit layout before, so I won't be totally inexperienced at using it."

"Very well. If you think you can do it, then we'll give you the go-ahead. Just remember to evacuate when the Ragnarok begins its final launch sequence."

R.D. nodded, then looked up at the gigantic machine of war. He nodded to himself and approached it, heading up the stairs to the loading catwalk.

"Gimme a radio," Hugo said. "I want to talk to Matt directly."

"There's no time. You need to get aboard the Ragnarok, immediately," Patrick said. "Now go. I won't tolerate any more delays."

With that, he turned back to the control center and the main screens. A radar image popped up, showing a sizable force inbound.

"Incoming enemies detected on the radar!" one of the administration shouted.

===Aube Airspace===

On the horizon, a dark cloud was approaching. Within a horde of Devil Dragons, three more Vjayjas were approaching at a rapid pace. Ziatoch, it seemed, was done taking chances.

"Matt!" R.D.'s voice shouted over the comm. Behind KishouDoragon, the Ultimate Nine-Ball had returned and was flying up to meet with him. "You ready for this?"

"R.D.?!" KishouDoragon's massive head turned to glance at Ultimate Nine-Ball. "What the hell are you doing in Ultimate Nine-Ball? What happened to that other guy?"

"This thing's speed is too much for a normal human, the G-forces were gonna kill him if this kept up," he said, maneuvering the Ultimate Nine-Ball up next to the Drake of Braves. "Jared took himself out fighting Terranox, so there's no one else to pilot it. And you're gonna need help for this fight."

The cannons slid out beneath the Ultimate Nine-Ball's hands as he armed the weapons. The Vjayjas screamed in unison and began their assault.

===Mass Driver Control Center, Aube===

Ileyna, Hugo, and Helena had left, but just before they would turn the corner, Alasea held back, and her absence went unnoticed as she walked back up to her father. It took a few moments to work up the courage... she loved him very much, but Patrick Dagenais has always been an imposing man and difficult to stand up to.

There was no way she could leave him like this. This wasn't fair. She had to convince him somehow to escape with her.

"Father, please!"

The General's face snapped to Alasea's, looking shocked and angry.

"What are you still doing here, Alasea!?" he demanded. "Hurry up and leave!"

"But--!"

A voice shouted from below. "Incoming enemies! Distance... fifteen!"

Alasea looked down at the voice, surprised by the interruption. The General took this to his advantage and snatched his daughter by the wrist, pulling her away as he marched to the exit and ignoring her startled cry.

"We must attend to our responsibilities, just as you must attend to yours!" he said as Alasea turned and evened out her pace.

"No, please!" she shouted, tears in her eyes.

"We're finished if there's no one left to carry on our hopes!" he shouted back at her, looking stern as he looked over his shoulder at her. "Why can't you understand that!?"

Alasea fought back a sob. She couldn't lose him! Not again!

KishouDoragon threw up its hands. "Let's get CRAZY! Meteor Swarm!" From the heavens, fireballs rained down on the attacking army.

***

A strong, clenching hand laid on Alasea's shoulder. It was Helena, who had doubled back. "Come on, Alasea! We've got to go!"

Around the corner, Hugo laid down the radio he had grabbed from a passing soldier and clicked it on with his little foot. "Matt! Matt, come in!" He growled and used the claw of his grapple to manipulate the dial.

The raiing fireballs dispersed the Vjayjas and tore into the Devil Dragons escorting them, giving R.D. a chance to fly through with the Ultimate Nine-Ball's laser blades active. They flashed out at one of the Vjayjas and was parried by its pincers, which blazed with energy between them.

Behind him, the other two zeroed in on KishouDoragon, releasing their pod-like appendages into the air and barraging it with barbed projectiles.

===Mass Driver Hanger, Aube===

As Patrick, Alasea, and Helena entered the hanger, at its far end, the blast doors were beginning to open. Voices from the administration staying behind blared over the radio, and other soldiers were rushing through the hallways and onto long boarding catwalks leading to numerous hatches within the side of the Ragnarok.

"All weather reports around the Aube island area show acceptable conditions."

"Loading data into the Ragnarok is complete."

"Teracapacitors are engaged and online. Launch railway is clear."

On one of the boarding catwalks, waiting in front of the hatch, was Colonel Patterson. It was down this catwalk that the General and Helena dragged Alasea to the ship. Once he was near Patterson, Patrick, knowing exactly how stubborn Alasea could get, yanked her forward. Shocked by the sudden action, Alasea staggered forward, only to be caught by the Colonel.

"Go, Patterson, and take my foolish daughter with you!" Patrick ordered.

"Father, no!" Alasea shouted, struggling against Patterson's grip.

===

"Hugo!" Ileyna's voice shouted as she flew up to him, Alvarez and Iker behind her.

"Hugo, if you're trying to reach Matt, that transceiver won't cut it," Iker said. "Its not nearly powerful enough to get through."

"We got to get aboard the Ragnarok," Alvarez stated. "They'll be launching in minutes."

"Tornado Buster!" KishouDoragon threw out its palm, and a gigantic burst of wind flared into life, knocking away the pods and barbs, buffetting R.D. and the enemies.

***

"Damn it." Hugo kicked the radio aside. "All right, let's get out of here!"

Edited by The Helldragon on August 21, 2009 at 20:51:58.

"Right away." Patterson said a bit dully. He wasn't enthusiastic about this, any of this. But shit was hitting the fan hard. It was time to pack up and go or be killed. He held tightly onto Alasea's arm with one hand and put the other on her back, pushing her along as he forced her board Aube.

"Alasea, we have to go, now!" Patterson ordered as she continued to fight his grasp.

Alasea struggled more. She'd lost her father once before already, she couldn't lose him for real this time. She threw all her remaining strength into her struggles, preventing Patterson from getting her farther than the threshold of the boarding hatch.

Patrick smiled bitterly, and patted Alasea on the head as tears ran down her face. "Stop giving me that look," he said softly, more kinder than his words from before. "It doesn't suit someone who will protect this world."

"But--!"

"You're leaving your father, but you will not be alone," he said, pulling something from his pocket and placing it in the girl's hand. Her struggles ceased for the moment as she looked at her mother's old locket. "We will always be with you, dear."

Alasea's eyes shot up at him once more, but the General looked ahead, at Colonel Patterson. "You now have command of the Genesis Armada Resistance," he said. "I know you will do well. With the full power of the Essence's knowledge at your disposal, surely you'll be ready for the fight ahead."

===Aube Airspace===

The war raged on in the skies. Ultimate Nine-Ball fell back, lasers blasting away from his arm cannons as a Vjayja released its pods against it. Beams cut up and through the air before catching one, destroying it in an instant.

Meanwhile, another Vjayja retreated, being chased down by KishouDoragon, while the third was hot on the Drake of Braves' trail, trying to lay down cover fire for the other demon.

"Quit shootin' at me!" Halting in midair, the giant dragon mech gathered electrical power, before firing a bolt from each hand-one at the retreating Vjayja and the other at the pursuing one.

"I..." Patterson stared blankly for a moment, in shock. Perhaps he had expected this the moment the plans were laid out, but to actually hear the words, for all that weight to finally rest on his shoulders...he looked forward to making his general proud. He straightened himself and saluted.

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Patterson responded proudly, "I won't let you done." He then added with a proud looking smirk. If he were in command now...then he should look ready.

Demons screamed as lightning struck through them. Ultimate Nine-Ball's enemy shot around and attacked, forcing R.D. to maneuver upwards and counter. A laser blade flashed out, but cut only air.

===Mass Driver Hanger===

Patrick saluted the Colonel one last time. Alasea was no longer fighting him, standing just ahead of Patterson and Helena--behind them, Ileyna and Hugo were coming up, having entered through a different hatch.

He looked down at his daughter with a sad smile on his face. "I feel very fortunate, to have been your father."

The hatch on the XA-26-483 Ragnarok closed shut with barely a sound, leaving only a small window port for Alasea to see through as the catwalk began to retract.

"No! Father!" she cried, tears running down even faster as she pounded her hands against the door.

"Fly, Patterson!" the General shouted, one hand resting on the catwalk rail. "I'm counting on you!"

Blast shields closed down over the door on the outside, eliminating all sight.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 21, 2009 at 18:25:34.

Helena released her hold on Alasea slowly. "...I'm sorry, Alasea."

Patterson nodded in return and took hold of Alasea, gently this time. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"C'mon girl, he's made his choice." Patterson said, trying to be gentle, "Let's get somewhere else." He then said, and, if Alasea cooperated, would lead her with that same care to an observation deck in the back. The deck gave a full view of what they left behind.

Lights upon the crimson and silver body of the Ragnarok pulsed steadily as the crew took to their stations, readying the ship for takeoff. Restraints were removed from the frame, and the railway began to charge.

"All personnel except for administration have been evacuated," came the announcement over the intercom of the Mass Driver station. "All systems go."

The entire warship rumbled violently as the charge in the magnetic rails began to propel the ship forward, towards the exit of the gigantic hanger bay. It quickly grew in speed, accelerating at a rapid pace.

"Commencing the Ragnarok's final launch sequence!"

The XA-26-483 Ragnarok, the pride of the Genesis Armada Resistance and the greatest weapon created on the planet by humans tore through the hanger and burst out into the sunlight, sparks flying as the Mass Driver propelled it down the massive track, electricity flying out around it.



"May the blessings of God go with you!"

KishouDoragon and Ultimate Nine-Ball backed up into the air and regrouped, having seen the launch sequence initiate. "Matt!" R.D. shouted over the comm. "Time to get the hell outta here!"

He turned the Ultimate Nine-Ball around and slammed on the thrusters, propelling him down towards the Mass Driver--they'd only have one chance at escaping, by intercepting the Ragnarok and latching on. Because right now, if they missed it, they'd never catch up.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 21, 2009 at 19:20:03.