CHAPTER
9
A blackened world appeared and voices could be heard
in the background. Jason started running as fast as
he could to get to his friends. They were getting further
and further away. Jason's boots started collapsing under
him as he heard their voices murmuring further away.
"Noo...come back! I don't wanna quit now!" He shouted
out as loud as he could. Then it was over.
"Jason!
You're awake!" Shouted a very happy Tim. In fact all
the figures that appeared over Jason were happy. The
Sinister Six were there, along with the Mechanical Maniacs.
All of them! Even Needle Gal was standing over them.
"What's goin' on....Where am I?" He said rubbing his
metallic head. His helmet was off and was lying by his
side. The rest of his armor was still on him though.
And he looked to see that his wounds had been completely
healed up.
"You're
in the hospital bed. We shortly revived Needle Gal before
you came in." Spinning Demon spoke suddenly. "This is
indeed a happy hour! We all are whole again!" He said
jumping up and down with glee.
"And
we defeated Pulzar!" Scott shouted along with Spinning
Demon. The rest of the room shouted in excitement and
glee. Jason too found himself very happy. Happy to be
with his friends, and to know that they took down the
problem that plagued the planet!
Andon looked slightly concerned though as he turned
to Gauntlet. Something bugged him that he had to get
of his chest. "How'd you know about the Plant Incident?"
Andon asked with curiosity after relaxing that Needle
Gal was fine.
Gauntlet smirked under his mask and responded. "We sensed
a large collection of weird "bad energy" emanating from
the net. After we fixed Needlegal she beamed us into
the main net and we followed the "trail" to the power
plant. Knowing you were fighting against Pulzar we figured
out your plan must have been to poison it with bad energy."
He finished.
"Always
can count on you to hog the glory." Gary smiled with
a grin at the already laughing Ninja. "Well, where would
you be without my genius now, eh Ice?" Shadowman mocked
back. At least the two had finally put past aside and
became friends again.
"On
vacation." Tim sputtered playfully and the whole group
laughed. Jason laughed along until he looked outside
through the only window which was inside the hospital
wing. The outside world looked the same. Dead and dying
even more. Something was wrong.
"Wait...we
killed Pulzar right?" Jason said suddenly causing the
laughter to suddenly subside.
"Yeah...why?"
IRA spoke back like he almost thought that Pulzar was
going to come back from the dead. The Mechs looked towards
the Sinister Six.
"There's
something else I'm afraid." Tim said looking at Gary.
"While you were out Gary had told me that Red had conjured
up an army of Darkness, and Pulzar's death seemed to
have no effect on the dying planet." Tim said looking
down. "Didn't want to give you the bad news just yet.
Not with the light of your and Needle Gal's revival."
"Yeah,
best to take one thing at a time." Andon said looking
outside the window. "Red is the cause of this mess,
not Pulzar. I think Red used the beast as a decoy. To
find time to conquer up his army of Neo Dragoons."
"Neo
Dragoon's?" It was Gauntlet who actually asked this
question. The rest of the Mechs looked to the frightfully
worried Sinister Six. There was silence for a few minutes,
allowing everyone to take up what was going to be said
next.
"Gary
said that when he was investigating Downtown Megalopolis,
he discovered a cleverly hidden laboratory." Tim paused
letting the information seep into the other robotic
life forms in the room. "He had created thousands upon
thousands of Neo Dragoon Clones to light an army of
darkness that would sweep through Megalopolis and destroy
any living soul." Tim said trying to make it sound less
dramatic as he could. And judging by the look on the
others faces, he didn't do too good a job. "There now
could be more than thousands..." Tim finished in a small
whisper.
"Red
had stolen Ben's son before he destroyed their very
time-line. Forte-Chan and I were there. We didn't know
what Red wanted with Ben's son, but now we know. To
create an army of Magma Dragoons." Gary said gulping
along with the others. The entire room began rustling
uncomfortably by the sound of the itching news. One
Magma Dragoon alone, was bad news. Ben being the original
proved that. Especially when he was in a bad mood.
But thousands upon thousands...? How in the world could
they defeat something so lethal, so deadly, so built
for the sole purpose of combat and nothing more!
"Needle
Gal and Jason recovered just in time for more action..."
Lennon spoke suddenly. All faces turned to him. "I've
taken the liberty to contact all our closest friends
in this time of need. Our most powerful warriors. We'll
create an army of our own." He concluded. The others
nodded in agreement. Although the odds were against
them, they would go down fighting.
So the call was made. And the word spread out. They
didn't have much time. Red will soon know that Pulzar
was defeated and he'd soon show himself to the world
he was going to consume.
***********************************************
There was a great something that had been disturbing
him for quite some time. Ever since the night of the
falling star the warrior had felt ill at ease, at the
first signs of the deterioration of his beloved sky,
he left his temple. The Chinese warrior was making his
way to the one place that was the epicenter of this
plague, and more to come he feared. He hadn't been to
Megalopolis in a long time, preferring the isolation
of the temple to train and learn. Now, he was needed,
with the blessing of the monks he had traveled by foot
and boat to Megalopolis, meditating and saving his energy
for the coming battle.
Now, he stood at the city limits sign, looking in upon
the death and destruction that befell the home of his
friend Iceman. He looked upon the letter. The call for
help. He would not fail, he would fight. Hefting his
glaive and lifting slowly into the sky, the warrior
sped forward planning on meeting his destiny head on.
Erik as Windman was home.
Meanwhile far, far away near Xardion's pad, the black
Met organized his own small line of defense for Megalopolis.
Xardion lived like a hermet however. Seperated from
civilization. And that's how he liked it. Grumpy and
anti-social Xardion only had his small troops of Metools
to keep him entertained. Even though he lacked socal
activity, he did however care a lot for his home. And
if anyone or anything threatned it at all, he will be
there to fight in arms. With his small army of Metools
by his side.
Near the center of Megaopolis lied Clownman's Circus.
It was a pretty large place for only one occupant. But
like Xardion, his home suited him just fine. A lot of
times Clownman hung out with The Sinister Six to keep
himself from getting bored. He and Iceman shared a prank
bonding relationship, and loved to team up to cause
all kinds of trouble. Of course their antics were harmless
to the public. Nothing like what Iceman Red is doing.
Clownman had just recently recieved the call to help
fight for the Megaopolis armies. Unlike may other warriors,
Clownman didn't like the feeling of battling as something
as powerful as Iceman Red. For hours the little clown
thought of retreating away, and not to fight. But he
knew he had no place to run. Eventually he set off for
Sinister Six Headquarters, hoping that he made the right
choice.
*************************************
The Base of Wily's Warriors stood on a tropical resort
island, further south from the Main section of Megalopolis.
Even though they were isolated from the area, their
base and island was still suffering the wrath of Red's
onslaught. Trees were showing signs of fatigue and illnesses,
and the clean water that came from the island now seemed
dirty and green like poison. The inhabitants of this
gentle, peaceful burg didn't like what was going on
with their home. And like all the others, they recieved
a call from Sinister Six Headquarters to come to aid
for their country. The Eight members of the team packed
their belongings and marched their way to the meeting
place. They knew what they had to do.
Not far off from the Wily's Warriors base stood Forte-Chan
in her Mango Tree. She too got the call for help. Although
The Sinister Six told her she didn't have to come fight,
but the option was open if she felt she wanted to. Forte-Chan
like Clownman was hesitant at first. But she knew that
she couldn't take Red's awfullness lying down. The green
haired android as well packed what she needed, and leaped
down off her Mango Tree. She turned to look up at her
once beautiful home and sighed sadly, hating to see
her Tree so sick. She had to defend it. After a few
minutes of staring, she left her Tree for Sinister Six
Headquarters.
Miles and miles away a blue car was speeding through
the empty streets. Trying to get to its destination
as fast as it could. Inside the blue car was Groovy
Kat, Drizl, and Sola. All three were very close friends.
Groovy perked out the window to survay his surroundings.
He ordered Drizl to take a left as they approached a
fork in the road. Groovy Kat was a very hip kind of
robot. Dressed in flashy blue, green and white armor.
He wore sun glasses and sported thick black hair that
sprouted from the top of his head. His friend Drizl,
who could create small rain and thunder storms wore
more simplier armor. He carried a green staff and wore
greyish, green armor. Sola, who was Drizl's sister sported
a Bass Armor, but was dyed red and yellow, and orange.
She had the abilities of a pyro. Soon the car speed
down a long stretch that would lead them close to Sinister
Six Headquarters, and from there they had to travel
to the Mansion on foot.
***********************************
A cloud of thick blackness covered the far outskirts
of Megalopolis. The dull quietness soon was seized by
a loud marching, thumping sound that came off towards
the east. The ground beneath shook and rumbled as distant
black figured approached over the grassy horizon. They
were here. All of them. Marching, continuing on. The
Neo Dragoon's had been unleashed. The firm marching
continued across the grass land as they came closer
to their destination. The heart of the city, where our
heroes lie. The marching formation was perfect as each
stomped at exactly the right pace. Left foot, right
foot, left foot, right.
Stomp, stomp, stomp. Their rhythmic marching was what
made them nearly perfect. The Marching echoed through
the Valley. The grass that fell behind from the marching
was left stomped into the ground. Facing straight on,
the Neo Dragoons had no fear. No Pain sensors. For they
were finely skilled for one process. To kill. Destroy.
Take over. No army on the planet would survive on onslaught
as brutal and sickening as this. However. Things may
turn around.
Back at Sinister Six Headquarters, hundreds upon hundreds
of finely dressed humanoids stood outside the armory
room. The area was rather large, so it was able to support
all the warriors that were called upon to approach and
fight the upcoming march of Neo Dragoons. Mutterings
could be heard through the crowd as they were taken
aback at the sight. Sinister Six and Mechanical Maniac
members (now all which have new armor) looked upon the
mass horde of Robots that spread out before them.
Wily's Warriors, Technical Tyrants, Robotic Raiders,
all of which teams have shown up. Also many solo warriors
lay across the field. Some male, some female. Forte-Chan
was amongst them. Even Clownman. Britt, Erik, Ken, Jacob,
Lysekoid, Dark Napalm, Fanewgie, Heatman. All of the
classics arrived. It seemed the power has grown a lot.
But soon everyone quieted down to hear Gauntlet speak.
"My
friends. Thank you for coming. As you know we are in
desperate need of help. Red's Army of Darkness is sweeping
through what's left of our home. In hope to destroy
all remaining life." He spoke.
"We
have to confront this army head on. Destroy it, defeat
it." Lennon spoke on. A loud murmur flew across the
armed warriors. Fear, Worried expressions filled on
all their faces. Suddenly one of them spoke. A clad
in dark glasses, filled with blueish, gray armor. His
name was Groovy kat.
"But
not everyone showed up. Many of us have fled the country.
Even if they did show....we will surely lose." He stated.
It was Lysekoid next who spoke. "We are outnumbered.
Three hundred to ten-thousand. They are foes from Ben's
world. Ben's future. WE are greatly overpowered...How
are we supposed to win"? Everyone nodded in agreement.
As if they were walking to their very own graves.
The Sinister Six and Mechanical Maniacs looked at each
other gravely. They were right. An army of 10,000 Neo
Dragoons were storming their way to their home. Only
a small army of 300 warriors had shown to face this
menace. However this army had weapons far greater then
anything from the 20th century. It was a very large
disadvantage for our heroes. Some of the Megaman Community
members started to greatly fear their situation. Some
even thought of running away. Things were turning very
ill for our heroes. Was it true. Were they all about
to get slaughtered beyond belief? Was this really a
suicide mission. Was all hope lost?
However, soon the murmur was called to silence by Lennon.
"
I can't believe what I'm seeing. You can't be the same
robot masters that I've fought with time and time again.
They didn't mope, they didn't moan and bitch. The robot
masters I knew stood tall no matter the enemy, fought
with all their heart no matter the foe. Over the years
we've faced villains after villains, super-criminal
after super-criminal, and monster after monster and
through out it all We came out on top. Yes, there were
times where we thought we would be beaten, but did we
let that get us down? Did we give up? If we did, would
we be here today? Today is a test, a test of your mettle
and your metal. We have to stand up against this obstacle
no matter what and fight him with all our power, all
our energy and all our hearts and souls. If we don't...
then there is no hope for anyone? Can you let down the
world? All your friends and family? I can't. I'm fighting,
I'm standing against this little three foot terror and
giving it my all. Stand beside me and fight, fight for
your world, fight for your future! We've surpassed EVERYTHING
that's come before us... We. Can. Do. It. AGAIN!!!"
Groovy although touched by the speech rose to himself.
"We are fighting a losing battle, for goodness sakes,
this is power beyond any of our comprehension. This
is nothing like what we've faced before.." He fought
back.
"so?"
Lennon said, turning towards Groovy and speaking calmly,
"If we pool our power, we can tear our way through his
drone army and to him. We are called "masters" for a
reason. We are programmed with fighting skills beyond
human capacity, knowledge of so many different subjects,
including tactics. Most importantly, we are Masters
of the elements of the very universe. Fire, Water, Ice,
Earth, even bombs, metal..."
"Wind...."
said a gentle voice from the back.
Groovy Kat however continued. "All that won't mean jack-all
against tech from 21XX!. These guys are focused on Raw
Power. Red's power enhancing them in the process." Everyone
moved uncomfortably hearing Red's name mentioned. Even
The Mechs. "How do we expect to prevail against that..."
He motioned.
"We
just do. We have no choice but to do just that." Lennon
said, still calm. Granted, Groovy made a good point,
they were insurmountable odds...but they had too. Otherwise,
there would BE no future. "Even Raw Power has its weakness
Groovy, we just have to find it."
Groovy sighed. He didn't know what to say other wise.
But Lennon felt this was the time to finish his speech
and give them something to remember.
Lennon looked on across the veritable sea of Robot Masters,
his friends and allies. Inhaling to calm his resolve,
he locked eyes with each of them as he swung his view
over them, "Through good times and bad, we have stuck
together, and now has to be no different. If there is
to be a future, we have to make it. Here, Now. There
is no other way at this point. We have to defeat Red
and take back our city, no... our very existence. I'm
fighting on, I won't...I can't wait here till they come
and I'm forced to fight. I'm taking the fight to them,
it’s not because I want to be a hero, it’s not because
I'm brave. Like you, I'm scared shitless. However, I'm
still fighting. Because I have to. Join me, please,
I beg you. Join me and fight like so many times before,
How can we call ourselves Robot Master...if we don't
prove we're worthy of the title??"
The Speech was fast, to the point, heart warming. It
struck everyone by surprise. From fear turned to loyalty.
From fear turned determination. They had something to
fight for. Something worth living for. Their home. If
anything it was worth fighting for. Even if it meant
dying for it. The Megaman Community felt something great
this day. The feeling of defending, protecting, from
any evil that shine out the light. For honor and bravery
will always be a light through the darkness that shrouds
them. No evil, no matter what shape and from shall be
allowed to roam freely for the purpose of man slaughter.
Their will be good, and it will strike the enemy hard.
For we shall stand tall in the end and face them head
on through thick and thin. No matter what the circumstances,
there is always hope.
The army of Megalopolis cheered highly and marched out
from the corridors of Sinister Six H.Q. Hopefully their
new attitude will make a difference. Cause the biggest
battle for the city is about to take place. Good vs.
Evil. And there are times where Evil showed a massive
advantage, but the incredible team work of the Megaman
Community is about to even up the odds.
Through all the skirmishes. All the Excitement, all
the worry, a lone warrior leaves quietly through the
mist. Not out of cowardice. Not out of fear, but out
of sheer courage. Not even his own team mates the Sinister
Six, and his closest allies the Mechanical Maniacs were
aware of his absence. For Iceman knew what he had to
do. To stop this army, he had to go after the source
itself. Iceman Red.
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