Megaman - Friday, July 14, 2000, 6:36 PM

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<Global News Network> This is Greg Viran with a late breaking report! NASA radar reports say that a large energy source was spotted streaking down towards the earth! We assume that this -must- be the Stardroid Duo, due to the velocity and estimated point of origin. Unfortunately, his location of landing was unconfirmed, and could be anywhere in the world. We'll keep you updated, GNN Emergency News now returns you to your normal programming.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'General? Dr. Wily? Should I go search for him?'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'No, Star Falcon.'.

(Ch. E [None]) General transmits: '...So... Duo cometh...'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'So he does...'.

(Ch. E [Repliforce/Hunter]) Rock transmits: 'And so it begins...'.

(Ch. E [None]) General transmits: 'Then this is the final hour...'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'So be it. Rock, General, Sigma... it is time...'.

(Ch. E [None]) General transmits: 'God go with all of you, Repliforce..Hunters..Mavericks and Masters alike. What we do now, we do for the Earth. Do not worry for us. If we die, it is not in vain.'.

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: '...I would like to thank you all for everything you've done to preserve this planet's past, protect its present, and insure its future. I've been honored to fight beside each of you. To my Mavericks, I could not have been more proud of any of you... you're the best soldiers, teammates, and friends a commander could ask for. To the Hunters and Repliforce, our ideals might be different...but we all want a better future for this world. To the Robot Masters, I suppose even evil has a place in this world. Now I will fight Duo... and I will die, all my internal precautions have been shut down...I am ready to self-destruct. Work for the future of the Reploid race. Iris...I love you. Goodbye.'.

(Ch. E []) Twila Peterson transmits: 'Godspeed to you all.'.

(Ch. E [None]) General transmits: 'To you as well, Ms. Peterson. My gratitude to you for all that you have done knows no bounds. I pray that Rock is returned to you safely.'.

(Ch. E [Repliforce/Hunter]) Rock transmits: '*gulp* Um...she's going with us. She -HAS- to go with us...I don't know why, she just does.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'Remember, though. Libra said there are Five that must confront Duo. Expect a fifth to help, although we have no idea who the fifth will be. Erm... guess Twila's the fifth...good luck.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'So be it, Sigma. *soft humming* If we fail... I shall go with you. My children... I am also proud of you. You have never made a father any more happy then you have made me over these years. Masters...Remain at your stations! If the need arises...I shall call you for our final stand. Judging from my readings... Yes. Duo shall make Landfall in one hour.'.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Thank you, general."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Of course, Ms. Peterson. You and I share the same faith, as the various generals before me did. Though you a human, and I a machine, it makes no difference."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "No...it doesn't. Again, may God be with you...whether on this side of the River Jordan or the other."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Indeed, Twila...Indeed. I do not know what it is to experience death for a Reploid -- But if there is a place for me, I will see you."

(Ch. E [Repliforce/Hunter]) Rock transmits: 'General, Sigma, are either of you en route to anywhere? We; that is, you two, myself, and Twila, need to discuss our plan of action before the hour is up.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'We will need to all work together before the day is done... Terra prophicied that Duo will be faced by the 4... Chaos' Hand has fallen. So his father... the Corruptor... takes his place.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Dr. Wily transmits: 'Remember the words of Mercury! Only we can decide our own fate! Within each of us is the capacity to choose between Salvation... and Oblivion. Choose wisely, my friends. No one can force fate upon us... Learn the lesson of Venus...Together we can triumph! Learn the lesson of Neptune... We posses the Fortitude to endure! Learn the lesson of Pluto... Death /can/ be conquered! Learn the lesson of Jupiter... though Compassion... we can defeat even the greatest foes! Learn the lesson of Mars... Conflict... no matter how horrible... can be won! Learn the lesson of Eclipse... That you cannot simply Watch! Learn the lesson of Uranus... though Purity... and simplicity... anything can be accomplished. Learn the lesson of Saturn! That we have the imagination to accomplish ANYTHING!'.

San Angeles Memorial Stadium...

Twila Peterson appears a little pale and nervous. (Who wouldn't be?) But she's determined nevertheless. Possibly her stubbornness is a natural trait due to the reddish hair adorning her crown.

General has arrived by now, silently standing in the middle of the stadium. His arms are folded, but his eyes are cast upward. His gaze is somewhere in the sky; lost and thoughtful. They soften slowly as he gazes at the stars, his voice calmly rumbles, "You...Who would declare yourselves Gods upon this world...Shall fall before His creations, for you threaten not only our home, but the work of His hands." He bows his head slowly, eyes still cast upward, "Such as those commanders before me believed, this, I cannot do otherwise." As the others arrive, he slowly allows his gaze to wander toward them and a slow nod is given, "Good eve."

Dr. Wily stands there...his labcoat and tie billowing in the breeze... Sunglasses that appear to be built like safety glasses rest on his face... he leans on his cane. His head turns up as the General arrives. "General." A greeting.

Rock gives a nod in return to General. "Evening..." Maybe the last evening of our lives... "And Dr. Wily," he greets as well, gently squeezing one of Twila's hands. "Have they been able to track Duo's landing point yet?"

Twila Peterson offers a quiet nod, first looking towards the massive stature of the Repliforce's Commander and then to her counterpart, before casting a glance towards Rock and again offering his hand a squeeze. "If not...probably won't go unnoticed for long..."

Dr. Wily shakes his head slowly. "I haven't. He vanished from my readings." Wily motions within the Dragon as he turns his gaze to Twila. "So you are the Fifth.. It doesn't surprise me..." Wily lets out a deep sigh, looking from one to the other. "Chaos spoke upon the radio. Remember... Chaos /wants/ Duo to be weakened by this...so he may destroy him and bring about the end...of everything..."

Dr. Wily says, "In order to obtain Duo's full key...Chaos' half...must also be claimed..."

General silently listens to the conversation, finding nothing to input into it until the Chaos portion is mentioned, "...Intriguing that the one supposedly against us wishes for success, though I did hear his words. He desires for us to weaken Duo for him."

Dr. Wily leans slowly on his cane... his skeleton necktie billowing about. Dr. Wily looks from one to the other, a resigned, hard look on his face. "Lets get ahold of Sigma... he is needed here..."

Rock nods a little. "Which we'll do." He gives Twila's hand another squeeze. "We won't go out without a fight."

Dr. Wily slowly gives a smile. "I propose this, Rock. If Chaos thinks he can kill Duo... We must not let him...we must stop them both..."

General nods his head once, the wind whipping past his gigantic frame, "Indeed..." He regards Wily calmly, his brows furrowing in thought as his cap shadows his face, "...Is it possible to do so, Doctor?" Almost as if in some kind of code another squeeze is given towards Rock's hand through the girl's fingers. "One of the Stardroids stated that both chaos and order may work for the same goal...but work in differing ways..."

Dr. Wily nods slowly, leaning on his cane as he looks to General. "I don't know... but we will if we have to die to do so."

Rock frowns a little at his radio. "Sigma said...he's busy."

Dr. Wily nods slowly... looking down. "He prepares..." Wily then looks to the three...

Dr. Wily says, "You heard his words...he prepares...as I. The WilyDragon's core is set...one press...and... " The Mad Doctor raises his hands in the traditional motion. "Boom."

Seminole moves through the shattered entrance of the Stadium, looking at the damage long and hard as he makes his way out to the main field. General looks over at Wily's prized creation in a moment of silence, "You intend to *destroy* the beast, Doctor?"

Rock nods. "And let us prepare." He looks up at Wily, "Hopefully that won't have to happen. But...it's a precaution." He looks over at General. "We're all willing to risk our most prized thing in confronting Duo," he admits, looking across at Twila pointedly.

Dr. Wily looks up to General, a mad smile spreading on his face. "If I must. I will. And the Dragon won't be all that goes. I will navigate it into the mouth of Duo himself if I must...and give him a 500 Kiloton Nuclear Detonation..." Wily shakes his head, looking from one to the other. "And yes, Rock. It may not come to that... but if we can take them out... even at the cost of our own lives. We must. I have already ordered...if we fail...The Wily Star will ram Sunstar with its core set on overload as well."

<Global News Network> This is Jan Fields, with GNN, at Cape Kennedy, Florida. A group of about ten thousand has gathered here for what NASA officials have put together in the last week. Behind me is a grouping of five Explorer class rockets. But they are not carrying a military payload. Rather, the payload they will be launching into the furthest reaches of space is a piece of history. The payload of each rocket has been filled with capsulated versions of Earth's history, and irreplaceable artifacts from that history. It is hoped that if there is indeed other life to be found in the cosmos, that perhaps these...capsules...can be used as a reminder for what we once were, and to heed our history and our warning. That war eventually will consume and destroy all.

The rockets, named Deliverance One through Five, are scheduled to be launch within the next five minutes. Because these are all unmanned probes, there was no time to refit them for an attempt to evacuate some vestige of humanity, though one of the rockets is carrying DNA samples of humanity. It is thought that perhaps.. if these capsules are recovered, that somewhere in the cosmos, humanity may yet live again, if this is indeed our final hour.

For Global Network News, this is Jan Fields. Good night, and Godspeed, Deliverance.'.

Rock glances back up to Wily, nodding slightly, and frowning at the second. "If we have to..." He looks over at Twila. "We have to try, Twila. There's no other choice. We can't let Duo just destroy our home, our friends, our family, the ones we love, without at least trying." He gives her hand another squeeze, looking up at General as the GNN announcement reaches him through his earpiece.

Seminole finally spots Rock, Wily, Twila, and can't really miss General. He stops a few meters away, looking at the four of them for a moment before proceeding, apparently heading towards the Hunter Commander.

Dr. Wily looks back into the WilyDragon...a smile slowly spreading on his lips... "Deliverance...yes..."

General nods slowly, "If I must, I will make use of the Ion Cannon this night...Whatever it takes, we shall do, though I have heard this as well, Ms. Peterson. I suppose we shall see when we confront him." He looks up a little as he overhears the broadcast, smiling softly to himself, "...If we fail here today...Then at least we shall be remembered..." He closes his eyes, simply regarding the sky with his visage and saying nothing further. He appears to be thinking, or perhaps praying.

Twila Peterson seems a but frustrated as well. After all, she's the one who supposedly holds this knowledge that no one else seems to know, including her. Even if she doesn't learn, but can't think of that right now. "I was told I'd know when the time was right...what to do..." she muses. She then glances towards the Blue Bomber. "The keys...would it be alright if I held them?"

Rock nods at Twila... he procures each key, and the five pieces of Uranus', and presses them into Twila's hands. He whispers: 'Be well, my love, and God be with you.'.

Dr. Wily says, "You are the Mother, Twila. Of course it would be...and you might be best...Sigma...Rock...General...and myself...will be the ones fighting. You will be there to provide the final answer."

"Well," rumbles the General softly, "...it is all in His hands now." As his eyes open, he slowly looks over at Chi and chuckles very softly, "We merely wait, my friend. Do come forward and I will hear you. There may not be a later to wait for, I remind you."

Twila Peterson smiles slightly and kisses his cheek as long as he's so close. "You as well..." She then straightens as she's handed the keys and draws in a breath. Whereas earlier Wily may have wanted the Keys for himself, Twila was somewhat afraid of them, knowing what they possibly held. Somehow, she feels different right now. At any rate, all she can do, all she could have ever done, was pray for the strength to do what needs to be done. "It always had been in His hands, General."

Seminole stops a couple feet away, not wanting to interrupt X's conversation between them. When it's timely, Seminole coughs slightly, hoping to get his Commander's attention. "Sir?" he follows with, sounding a bit unsure.

Rock turns to regard Seminole. "Yes, Sem?"

<Global News Network> The voice of Duo once more rings through all of the radios, tvs, and whatnot in the world, as he states one simple thing, "The final hours draw nigh, and the time has come. You final stand begins... right here... right now. Come Chosen One, you know where to find me. I await your arrival."'.

In the sky, a red object and a smaller Blue object descend to Earth next to Rock. Rush and Beat. Stepping back, and looking at Twila, Rush engages his Jet mode. "I know where he is. General, you can't fly... can you?"

Seminole is about to say something, but of course, Duo has to interrupt him. No manners, that damn Stardroid. Sem's train of thought was interrupted by the transmission, but he manages to get it back. "Commander, I just wanted to say that I couldn't have asked for a better leader and am glad I was able to serve with you." Sure, Rock's probably too busy to hear, but Seminole just had to say it.

Rock smiles over at Seminole, hearing. He extends his hand to Seminole, and shakes the other Reploid's hand. "It's been an honor working with you, as well."

Dr. Wily looks up, turning his gaze to Rock. "I can carry General... He and I can fly fast together... Sigma will be there in his usual fashion." Wily looks to General. "Ready, General?"

Twila Peterson glances towards Rock questionably, overhearing the broadcast as well. She flashes Seminole a glance, blinking and then turns back towards Rock. She then turns back to the officer and unexpectedly offers him a hug. "Godspeed to you to, Sem," before pulling back and asking Rock, "Where...exactly is he then?"

"And as it shall continue to be, Ms. Peterson," replies the General before regarding Chi, "I do appreciate your desire, but please -- Stay among the others...Keep peace. The civilians may riot and someone must keep them calm." He rears himself to full stance, "You have been loyal and a good friend, Chi. May God bless and watch over you as we do what we must this night." He salutes him with a massive hand before turning toward the others, "Indeed, I do possess minimal flight capabilities. I will go with the Doctor."

Rock nods at Wily. "Alright." Beat lands on his shoulder, and looks over at Twila. "Easter Isle. The place with the big giant heads." And he steps over and onto Rush Jet, motioning Twila to join him.

Seminole shakes Rock's hand heartily, grinning. "Now make sure you come back, Commander. The Hunters wouldn't be the same without you," he tells Rock, sternly but gently. Blinking at Twila, he hugs back, rather surprised. "You're... you're going with them?"

Dr. Wily turns... slowly walking into the WilyDragon... the side of it closing and a in a few moments... it stretches and lets out a low groan... extending and stretching wings. It isn't just ready...it is eager... Dr. Wily has left.

Twila Peterson nods towards Seminole as she steps up onto Rush. "I...have to. I'm the Key..." is all she offers in response...

Chi seems a bit...acceptant of that. "As you wish. Order confirmed." , he states flatly, turning to head out with the same even pace he entered with, showing no sign of any ill feelings or emotions.

Twila Peterson swallows hard. "And, Sem...tell Rick for me that....I couldn't have a better or more loving big brother?"

The dragon...ROARS...soaring up into the air and slowly banking around... moving down to attach claws into the back armor of General... and with the General's own thrusters...They fly!

General ignites his thrusters, a massive wash of blue energy exploding from his back as the Dragon lifts him...And off they go.

Seminole looks at Twila, and nods solemnly. He understands, but Seminole doesn't like it one bit. "Good luck, Twila. Come back to us," he emits, rather sadly. He nods to Twila's statement. "I will, but you can tell him yourself. Godspeed."

The Dragon and the General soar south...for Easter Island...

Signal Shrike lands in the stadium, near the Hunters.

Rock gently tugs on Twila's hand, pulling her onto Rush Jet. And with it's own blue thrusterfire, Rush Jet flies off after the dragon.

Signal Shrike watches Rock and Twila leave, waving. "Call if you need us."

Seminole sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...I'll see you again in a place, where no shadows fall."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Seminole: "That we shall. God go with you."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Signal Shrike: "You too, Shrike. Godspeed."

<Soon...>

Easter Island Easter Island, a place shrouded in mystery and intrigue for years upon years. A mystery that has astounded and befuddled scientists, archeologists, and history scholars alike. The home of strange statues shaped in the form of somewhat human like heads. While nowadays it has a major seaport, the island remains untouched and devoid of civilization. Scholars and tourists from around the world, still seek to visit this island, to enjoy it's rich atmosphere, and to see the mysterious heads that line the coast to this day.

Above, flying toward Easter Isle is the small form of Rush Jet, with two occupants weighing down the transforming mutt. Rock, dressed in his full Megaman armor; Twila stands behind him, Rock's hands intertwined with her own. Oddly, the little robobird Beat sits on Rock's shoulder as the fac-heads approach. "This is it..." Rock says softly.

Two others also soar high overhead...they dwarfing the smaller...faster Dogjet and it's riders. The Dragon and the General. Deep within the Dragon...the Mad Doctor rests...his mind fully interlocked with the Dragon's as his creation soars with the General below, their combined power enabling both to fly at a decent clip. The Dragon's had turns down to look upon the island...eyes narrowing and glowing slightly as a scan is slowly passing over it. The massive, rumbling voice of Wily as it is projected though the dragon responds. "Yes... Easter Island."

Twila Peterson glances downward towards the isle, holding to Rock tightly. She doesn't speak anything verbally. And all that comes to mind are words from an old hymn: "Abide with me..."

Standing near the center of the island, in a valley between two dormant volcanoes. The form of Duo stands. Silent, steadfast, confident.

General rockets along, blue flame spewing from his back thrusters as the Wily Dragon aids in carrying him. His eyes are narrowed, fists clenched tightly as they approach the island. Closing his eyes, General whispers a silent prayer for strength. The memories of the greatest generals ever known go with him this night, their knowledge his own. "Then may this be the final conflict..."

Rock gives Twila's hand a squeeze. "For the earth, for our loved ones..." Images of Roll, Dr. Light, Eddie, Auto, Twila, and countless others flow through his mind as Rush Jet begins to descend down toward the island. "For everyone."

Sigma flies in behind Rock, fist extended in the classic Superman position. His face is stoic and unfaltering. He's been preparing for this event since Duo decreed judgment on Earth. oO(Farewell.)Oo. Sigma begins to descend.

As she and Rock have been doing for awhile now, Twila returns the gentle pressure. "For everyone...and all."

You whisper 'Pray for me...and I'll pray for you...' to Rock.

Rock whispers: 'I will, love.'.

You whisper 'As will I.' to Rock.

The WilyDragon soars with the General high overhead...a creature of myth and legend reborn in wire, oil and steel... The eyes of the beast lock upon Duo where he stands. Rock's words run though his own mind...for Bass...Enker... Ballade...Punk... King...Toad Man...Slash Man...Guts Man...Blizzard Man. For all...he will fight. The Dragon soars slowly down towards the center of the Island... where the Volcano's stand. He calls out in the rumbling voice. "For our world."

Duo: Standing tall before you is the immense visage of Duo, the leader of the Stardroids, protectors of the balance of the universe. His large body is a mixture of blue, red, and silver, on one side, organized, neat, clean, the other, exaggerated, erratic, chaotic. His face is that of complete non-emotion, his tone of voice, level, fair, just. His frame is massive, almost making his head seem almost off scale. Moreso than that, however, is the fact that his left fist is considerably larger than his right. Further displaying the contrast of one side of his body to the other. A physical picture of balance, the meeting of order and chaos, right and wrong, light and dark, yin and yang. A calm blue aura constantly glows around him, radiating the feeling of security, yet, grave danger. He is one to be admired, feared, and completely respected. He is Duo, the one entrusted with preventing the end of existence as we know it.

General angles his thrusters to aid in the Dragon's descent. Various images flow through his head, indeed. The flowers that Iris gave him. Inferno's laughter. Colonel's tired smile. These and more collide within him, constantly reminding him of why he must fight. Yet, every blade of grass, tree and rock do the same. He fights not only for those that serve under him and his friends, but for the planet itself. With soft eyes hardening with determination, the General rumbles, "Let our actions speak for us this night."

Duo takes a step forward, as he senses the arrival of the others, he tenses his larger fist as he looks up to the skies where they approach from. The leaders of the four most powerful groups in the world, and one, who seems so out of place. The Chosen One, the one given the burden of upholding this world's balance, chosen by Duo himself. The Guardian, the one who stands for many, he who would give his own life, to protect that of another. The Fallen Angel, one who began so pure, who fell from grace to become the greatest threat to humanity. And the Perverter, who stands in place of Chaos' Will, the creator of the first conflict that sparked the war that now currently wages. Duo takes another step forward, as a blue aura begins to glow around him, a slight smile on his face as his gaze rests on the final member of the quintet, the Mother, she, who through innocence, and purity, can guide them towards their salvation. He tenses his body for a moment, and then announces as they approach. "Prepare yourselves, Warriors of Earth. Your destiny awaits you." he stands tall before them, as he takes no specific defensive stance, he merely beckons them forward, and to begin the final act of the play of life.

Rock nods at General's words, looking back at Twila. "When we land....you know what to do. Stay back and be safe, my love." And Rush finally lands a good piece away from Duo to let Twila off. Rock leans forward as she disembarks to give her a soft kiss. "I'll be back soon." And with that, Rush lifts off, and Rock, Rush and Beat head off to confront the biggest challenge of their lives.

As the champions of the planet arrive, a cliffside near the coast slowly begins to warp. The form of the Stardroid Uranus steps out from the cliff wall and stands there, watching Duo and the Terrans impassively.

Twila Peterson can only mutely nod as her feet touch the fresh earth as she disembarks not having the time to say a final word. But then, what more was there that needed to be said. Her eyes trail towards the gathering four against the one before searching for some type of cover trying to find a good place to watch. Always curious she is...

With a soft wash of water the bubbles up from the ground itself, the form of Neptune slowly appears next to Uranus, his great crested head raised slightly as he stoically watches the conflict below.

The WilyDragon lets out a low roar in response to Duo's words... the claws opening on the back of the General to let him fly under his own power. The two Behemoths veer in a V above Duo's head, The Dragon banks slowly back, tail whipping behind as it moves to land with an earthshaking THOOM! His head is angled to the Stardroid Commander, the eyes for now focused intently and shimmering as readings watch though and into the mind of Dr. Wily as he bids them given.

And behind Uranus, Selene appears as well. Selene, book open, to scribe this historic event, something that has never happened and probably never will again. Next to Neptune, another wash of water appears, and Venus arrives.

And again, near Uranus, Venus and Selene, Sagittarius shimmers into view. He stands, arms crossed over his chest, watching the conflict with a dead stare.

Beside Selene is another flash, the black light that signals the arrival of Libra. Minuscule compared to the others, she still floats beside them, the Stardroids all united to watch Duo in the Earth's final stand.

And one more Stardroid, at first, remains unseen, hidden in the shadows. And so it comes to this, the final battle to determine the fate of the world. The final Judgment shall soon be at hand. At one very big, and one very small, hand, even. As the others show one by one, the shadows seem to part themselves like a cloak, revealing the one that lurks within as he takes a perch upon one of the stone heads. A very familiar one, of feline form, whom so many have thought to be dead. Pluto.

General soars through the air as his thrusters carry him, landing with an equally loud crash. The ground nearly heaves beneath him, golden form rising to its full height as he turns to regard Duo. He makes no move for now, but merely lowers his arms and stares passively. He doesn't notice the other Stardroids, at least not now, and fully focuses his attention upon Duo. Once more he reminds himself, very quietly: 'It's all in His hands now. Come, Duo, and do what you will this night.'

Duo's eyes drift from one to the next as they draw closer. His body continuing to glow. "You cannot defy destiny. The judgment has been made, and your salvation is lost." he says in warning. As he suddenly flexes his arms and rises off the ground slightly with a loud roar. He looks down at the others and shouts, "Come now, and I shall show you the true power of the galaxy, of balance, of the universe itself! Show me your power, all of it, fight with the tenacity that your peers do, prove to me that you truely wish to save this planet and those you love. Show us that you are worthy of survival..." he points a large finger at the group as his eyes flare as his aura continues to glow brightly, "Prove to Destiny himself that he has erred, or die by the judgment he made!"

Wasn't...this a chapter from some movie or Shakespearean play...or from one of the Greek/Roman myths? Twila can only stay wide-eyed as she gazes on the gathering of Duo's followers. But...wait...weren't some of them supposed to be *dead*? She swallows hare on her saliva, prayers raising ever upward.

Rock blithely ignores the appearance of the Stardroids as Rush Jet flies toward Duo. Unsure if any words are actually appropriate for the moment, he finally leaps off of Rush Jet and onto the ground. Rush lands next to him, assuming doggie-mode, and Beat flaps behind him a bit. "This is for our world. For all of life on this planet. We won't let you destroy this without at least TRYING." A click resounds as his left hand slides into his forearm, Megabuster arming. His color-scheme rapidly shifts, checking his assorted stolen weapons.

Sigma lands heavily, the stony ground splintering beneath his feet. He brings his lance up to his side, igniting its energy spear tip. The blade slides forward, cutting the molecules of the air silently. Sigma has no words to trade with the champions of Earth. He has come here for one purpose, one he is completely focused on. He's already said his good-byes and shared his last will. He is ready to die.

The messiah is the first to stop the dark blue aura the emanates from Duo. He flies forward with such a great velocity that the grass is ripped up in his wake. He comes to a stop directly before the Stardroid commander, "Greetings Duo," he says emotionlessly, "We have not spoken directly since you appeared on this world almost a year ago. Although the past week has seemed like an eternity. You've put our world through hell, Stardroid. You and your holier than thou preachings. You claim to represent a higher power. Tell me this, Duo, what higher power judges its own creations, gives us freewill, and then destroys us for not conforming to its standards of perfection? You're just like the humans.. no, you're worse. You not only abuse the power you have, you do with the façade of superiority. Well, we shall show you superiority. Many have died because of the actions of your servants." Sigma closes his eyes, emotions choking his words, "Good reploids, my friends, my brothers and sisters. They're gone and.." The Maverick charges forward, twirling his lance to the right, and then above his head. Its shape is lost in the spinning motion, its blade becoming a crimson blur. The commander teleports forward, nearly directly in front of Duo, bringing the lance down in a slashing motion. Sigma lets forth a battle cry, "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! YAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

The WilyDragon slowly gives a low, deep, rumbling growl from within it's massive chest. The Mad Doctor within curls his lips into a sneer. So it begins. No talk. No argument. No peace. It is as was expected. Duo himself said that our victory lies in Unity. Well...the 4 Factions Unite. As Sigma makes his first, massive assault and speech, a smile spreads on the face of the Dragon and the Doctor both. It is time to fight. The eyes of the Dragon glow where it is crouched...brighter and brighter until they flair full white. Beams of energy rip from those eyes and converge towards Duo's head. The neck of the Dragon is craned back in an S from the force of it of the blast.

Rock's color-scheme stops, then, as Sigma attacks, on a chrome-and-pink scheme. "So many dead...so much destruction," he says quietly, and leaps into the air. "We'll beat you, Duo, or we'll die trying!" As he flies through the air, toward Duo, a shimmer comes over his form.

An image, ghostly, of Mirror Pegasus appears behind Rock, in the same exact pose he's in; spreading his arms, a purple aura spreads across his form. "MIRROR SHIELD!" he yells, a wash of energy flying out at the Master Stardroid. Rock misses Duo with his Mirror Shield attack.

General focuses on Duo as the other attacks fly, his gaze sweeping over all of those gathers in silent calm. His body heaving with a sigh, the General prepares to make his 'own' move. He continues not to speak as he rears his forearm up, energy blaring about it for a brief moment. Then, finally, he thunders out, "May there be mercy found for you in the future, Duo, for there shall be none this night! Too many have suffered because of this proposed judgment, including many of your own Stardroids! IT ENDS TONIGHT!" His eyes narrow as his fingers clench together, aiming training upon the Stardroid. Blue energy sparkles around the forearm, the red units upon it beginning to glow as he unleashes a light blue beam of energy from the concentration.

Twila Peterson remains within her chosen makeshift spot, overlooking the scene below, yet far enough so she wouldn't be injured from and debris which may come from the battle...

...and she continues to pray...

Duo's body is sliced into by the Fallen Angel's scythe, but he immediately recovers and thusts Sigma back with some unseen force as he puts up a forcefield, repelling the other attacks. He rises up a tad and looks down at them as he frowns, "You are not trying hard enough. There is not enough dedication, do you not believe in yourselves? Do you not believe in the worth of your planet? SHOW ME!" suddenly he pulls his arms in front of him as he starts streaking down towards the ground right at the General, his body glowing an almost unbearingly bright blue, "ENERGY DASH!"

As Duo unleashes the massive bolt of energy upon General...the Dragon moves again, this time it's maw opens full and wide. The voice of the Mad Doctor lets out in a terrific bellow. "We will show you Duo! Taste the fury of our world! DIE!" The maw opens to its fullest extension...an orb of energy appearing in its center with a low thrum and slowly rising glow as it expands to fill the maw of the Dragon. As the others are pushed back it gives the Dragon perfect opportunity...to fire. With a roar that is almost deafening, Atomic reactors deep within the beast pulse and nearly overload as the pour energy into the massive blast! It flies straight for the Stardroid CO...he will fall this night.

Twila Peterson settles within her seat, continuing to looking on...strangely silent...

General is plowed back by the forced of Duo's charge. He doesn't fall though, surprisingly, but the energy combined with the collision is enough to rend a great deal of armor. His eyes narrow as he bites back the pain, fists clenching as he splays them aside, "...If you wish to see then, Duo, then I shall show you... You should not have come so CLOSE!" His voice thunders out, causing the very island to tremble. No sooner as he spoken, though, does he rears both arms up into the air and heave them downward in an ax-handle fashion. They slice through the air, descending toward Duo with all of the strength that the General can muster.

Even in his pain, even with practically half of his endurance punched through, the valiant Repliforce commander refuses to submit. "I am ready to be offered up, Duo... If I must be sacrificed so that this world may live, then so be it!" General misses Duo with his Crush attack.

Rock grimaces as Duo attacks General, leaping back in order to avoid any attacks sent his way. His color-scheme shifts again, to a black-yellow matching that of Guts Man. "We believe in our planet more than you ever could comprehend, you monster! We believe in ourselves, our world, and all the people in it!" Rock yells in return, leaping high into the air. His arms glow brightly, surrounded by a slight aura.

Guts Man's phantasm visage appears behind Rock as he descends toward Duo, arms raised over his head, both fists clasped. "SUPER..." he shouts, finally hitting the ground with his feet and quickly dropping to a kneel, bringing his clasped fists to the ground. "ARM!" And the ground itself upheaves at Duo, jagged rock spikes lancing out of the ground as a shockwave from the attack heads toward the Stardroid.

Sigma is pushes back by Duo's forcefield and...caught directly in its energy field. The Maverick savior cries out as energy burns into his body. It does not damage him in the traditional sense, but his sensors overload with pain. Electricity dances across his metal flesh, his artificial body's molecules being ripped in two opposite directions by the shear power the Stardroid exerts in a defense field. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Sigma screams and screams.

The Fallen Angel now has a choice, move back and recover, or press home his limited advantage, to be true to his nature. Wincing through the pain Sigma struggles forward, threw the field, his sensors taken to heights of physical endurance they've never been pushed to. Still Sigma presses forward, weakly raising his hand, smoke rising from every inch of his form. He opens his palm and stumbles forward, finally clearing the tremendous energy forcefield. "DUO!!!!!" Sigma screams in a mixture of rage and pain.

Energy begins to collect in Sigma's palm. Not any energy, but Duo's own defense field, reabsorbed and rechanneled. After collecting enough of the rich Stardroid energy Sigma releases it.. back to its owner, so to speak. He fires blast after blast of blue energy at the Stardroid in an almost DBZ style. The energy of the field still causing him tremendous pain the Maverick commander still pushes on, "I WON'T LOSE TO YOU! YOU WANT MY ALL, STARDROID!!! HERE IT IIIIIIISSSSSSSS!!!!"

Twila Peterson visibly winces towards the spectacle, breaking her silence only briefly...

Duo holds out his larger hand and emits a large blue barrier between he and General as the Wilydragon fires it's blast, deflecting the flames harmlessly to the sides. He throws his arms up and grabs General's hands before he can crush them, "An unwise move, Guardian...but my intents lie elsewhere." He suddenly presses his hand against General's chest, as he's sent sliding backwards. He hops backwards and strikes a defensive position as Sigma tries to catch him off guard, as the swing comes down at him, Duo snaps out with his smaller and and grabs a hold of Sigma's. "It was not enough." his eyes glow a bright blue as he stares down at Sigma as a blue sphere appears around him. He pulls his larger hand up, as the sphere mimics his movements and then thrusts him into the side of the nearby volcano.

Rock grimaces, leaping back away from the Stardroid again, content in the fact that Guts Man's stolen weapon went to good use. Grimacing, he checks his power-levels, cycling through his stolen attacks again. Finally, his color-scheme stops on a brown-and-green. But oddly, this one changes more than his color. A poncho appears over his armor, and his helmet transforms into a floppy sombrero. And in his hand: a bottle of tequila?! "Oh dear..." he says, having forgotten how embarrassing this attack is. But, it's a possibility to be effective.

Leaping upward he shouts, "TEQUILA SUNRISE! Olé!!!" The top of the tequila bottle ignites suddenly into flame, becoming a molotov cocktail. At the peak of his leap, he hefts the bottle towards the Stardroid. "Ariba! We'll give you our all, and MORE! We'll fight you until there's nary a breath left in us! Olé!" Apparently a portion of Tequila Worm's speech filtered through Rock.

General staggers back once more, the very ground heaving beneath his heavy steps, "...Perhaps, Duo... Yet, thus was your coming here to begin with. Such cannot be amended without what takes place this very moment." Once he braces himself on the ground, boots digging into the ground, his hands are swung around in front of him. Closing his eyes, he begins to concentrate and focus his power. Electricity sparks about the forearms, trailing along the massive limbs and into his main body. Snippets soar off of him, giving clear indication of a charge even as he snaps his eyes open. Rearing both arms back to cup at the air with his hands, the blue gem at his midsection ignites with energy, "Now...To lend my allies a hand, if willed..."

Once his thundering voice echoes clear, the electrical energy buildup is unleashed in a concentrated blast. An EMP Surge.

As Duo unleashes his attacks... the WilyDragon and the Mad Scientist within. The Dragon is perched to the side and slightly behind the Stardroid, the head curled back into a large S...a Serpent waiting to strike. And as the Stardroid brings up his larger hand up in an uppercut...the head /SNAPS/ forward with a blur of motion. The Teeth of the Dragon are serrated and large...built like a beartrap..and the massive maw moves to attempt to close upon that arm...seeking to sever it if possible!

Within her place, Twila's brow creases...the only sign or indication of emotion that she currently shows due to internal defense mechanisms. In order to somehow detach herself her forces her mind to try and start working on all she had been told and gathered thus far. Somehow, the answer must be there. "............"

Sigma is trapped, hopelessly outpowered, and thrown into the side of a volcano. His body plows through the igneous rock like it was sand. The shards of rock rip away at his body, exposing vitals and fluid tubes, which are, in turn, torn away by more rocks spraying mech-fluid. He comes to a rest a few hundred feet later. He teleports outside of the volcano just before he plunges into a pit of lava. His form is horribly damaged, torn, and battered. His cloak has been reduced to shreds and half the synthetic skin on his face has been torn away. "All major systems compromised...damage extensive...battle ability at 10 percent...projected odds of fatality unless I receive immediate medical attention...eighty percent. What will I do?" Sigma pauses, reflecting inwardly for a moment. In a flash of determination his gaze hardens, becoming one of iron. The messiah removes a small, circular device from his storage compartment and fixes it onto his chest. It is a circular machine with the Maverick Insignia printed on it. The DEAD, Doppler Energy Absorption Device, designed for the specific purpose of containing Duo. Sigma cries loud enough for the stars above to hear, "WHAT MUST BE DONE!"

Sigma's form fazes out of existence, reappearing directly behind Duo. The DEAD pulls on the Stardroid's energy form, as it was designed to. Sigma takes advantage, lunging forward and grabbing the celestial commander in a lock, sliding his hands beneath Duo's arms and grabbing onto his shoulders, from behind. The Maverick CO commands his internal computer, "Activate self-destruct sequence now!" Energy crackles across Sigma's body, his internal core overloading and then...collapsing. Sigma's sapphire eyes shine as a single tear rolls down his cheek.

.oO(Iris.. I'll be waiting for you...on the other side.)Oo.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

Sigma's form explodes outward with the blast power of a contained nuclear force. Sigma left enough time for the fac-heads to get clear, if they're lucky. The fire rolls out, vaporizing trees, grass, rocks, and any solid structure for a radius of a hundred feet. The explosive power id devastating as Sigma employs the last option open to him. The Maverick Command, villain, savior, pawn, and messiah, is no more.

(Ch. E []) Sigma transmits: '(Computer Tone) Maverick Mainframe transmission. Confirming destruction of Sigma.'.

While Duo is busy taking hits from the others, he doesn't pay any mind to Sigma approaching, unaware of his continued existence for the moment. As he feels something grab him from behind he raises an optic ridge, he turns to look, "Eh, a pitiful attempt..." he's cut off by the explosion. A tremendous one that envelops the Stardroid commander in flames and explosions. A few moments of silence pass, as the fires continue to rage in the area that Duo once stood. Has Sigma succeeded? That seems to be the case.

Rock's color-scheme snaps back to blue-blue, and he lands with a grunt. Two good strikes with stolen attacks. What a way to start. His Buster slides back out to encompass his hand again; rather, his hand slides into his left forearm, and it begins to gather a charge from the air. Blue and white and yellow energy begin to flow into the barrel of the weapon, as Rock charges it to strike at Duo with a fury usually reserved for Mavericks like Sigma. "If your intents lie elsewhere, then why judge our planet? All this must be petty to you." He backs up a little, frowning slightly, his body starting to glow a deep blue-green with the gathered charge.

As Sigma's form explodes, after all that damage, Rock is somewhat surprised; he drops to one knee and crosses his arms over his face, to protect it from any Sigma-shrapnel heading his way. "Oh great. One down, three to go," he murmurs, the blue-green glow slowly turning golden. And Duo... is gone? He glances about with a slight frown. "No way..."

Pluto whistles a bit softly to himself. "Self sacrifice. Always a nice touch." He yawns a bit, and curls up upon one of the stone heads, very cat-like for a moment. "Too bad it's all for naught..."

Twila visibly stiffens and trembles. She turns away from the resulting explosion as the resulting firestorm as it rages through...only grateful she's in an area where she can avoid the flames as they spread. Lucky for her heat rises. The surrounding ocean winds carry the fires safely away from her own place, sparing her from harm. As the storm passes the girl picks herself up off the ground, back into a seated position and looks on. Waiting. Thoughts churning.

General had begun to move, his frame starting to shine over as he charges for the Ion Cannon, though not at its full potential. Power swirls from his midsection, encompassing his entire form at various moments before, all at once ...It ceases. The Repliforce Commander can only stare blankly as the light from Sigma's explosion washes over his golden armor. Rent already, though very slowly repairing, various parts of it highlight until darkness swarms back into place. "...No..." whispers General, his eyes wide and blank as he takes in what has just occurred. Fingers flexing, he tightens them into fists and bows his head, a silent prayer being whispered for Sigma, "May he be forgiven for his sins against this world...That his sacrifice might bring him mercy... He will not have died in vain."

Once again, energy sparks back around the General as he resumes charging his cannon. The aura surrounding him is a bright blue that shifts to a darker shade at the outer edges. Electricity lances over his arms and chest occasionally as the power is focused and concentrated.

The Dragon and the Doctor within is...stunned... to say the least. Sigma gave his all...and he fell. The Dragon is battered from the blast but otherwise unharmed. The Dragon throws its head back and unleashes a terrible ROAR! He looks around for his opponent...is he dead? Gone? Defeated? Only time will tell. The Dragon prepares then, again the stokes of Atomic energy slowly build...the wings unfurl to full spread...eyes narrowing. He will give the Stardroid everything he has. The head snaps up and cocked...maw opening once more to full...this time the doctor doesn't hold back...for Sigma...for his Masters... for his World...this Stardroid...shall...FALL! The maw glows brighter and brighter... heating with the fires of Nuclear energy. Weapon charged.

After a few moments. A shadow emerges from the fires, at first, it looks nothing like Duo, in fact, it looks almost like Sigma. But as he grows closer, it begins to contort and shift, and phase, until finally it emerges from the fires. Duo lives.

He looks at those who are left and says, "One has met his destiny, the rest of you shall soon. You cannot defeat that which you cannot see. that which you cannot touch, that which you cannot comprehend." his body begins to glow a bright blue once more as he begins approaching the others, "You have failed."

Duo raises up his larger hand as he continues to approach, "Draw your final breaths, and come at me, like the Fallen Angel just has. Toss aside your lives, in an attempt to save the others. Prove you would lose everything, to save your home."

Jazz sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*Jazz's slightly angered voice* Twila, you have to stop him. There has to be a way, just like Jupiter and Saturn. Only you can do it! That must be it. Sigma's sacrifice...that's Duo's message. The Sacrifice of life for a greater goal."

Spinning, a look of total surprise on his face, Rock lets out a yell. "NOT THIS TIME!" he screams, leaping back away from the now-revealed Stardroid. "We won't let you beat us! Not with so many people relying on us!" He braces his cannon, his body glowing a bright gold and aiming it at the approaching Duo. "WE WILL NOT FAIL!"

Steam rises from Rock's Megabuster, the barrel glowing white-hot as the Hunter CO charges it to a height he's never done before. "MEGABUSTER..." he screams, partly in pain, partly in defiance, holding his ground. "MEGABLAST!!!" And he fires, the spiraling, golden-and-silver energy washing out toward the Stardroid, spinning like a drillbit, toward Duo. Rush takes this moment to prepare to merge with Rock, coming up behind his master, as does Beat.

As the figure of Duo arises from the ashes. The Dragon tenses as the atomic core approaches meltdown. All this energy must be released or the cores will...

The Mad Doctor within gives a resigned nod in the electrode helmet. Frail, ancient hands clench. Eyes squeeze even more tightly as the Dragon holds its serrated maw wide. The Dragon and the Doctor hear the words of Duo...so be it. The Dragon's wings spread wider as the Doctor pushes the needles deep into the red...and fires. The hellish energy RIPS from the maw, the air itself igniting around it and a funnel of superheated air travels with it as it flies... straight...at...DUO!!! "DDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!"

The lone human observer whispers only one word, "Rock..."

Consumed in white light, the General thunders out, "...We are not the ones who have failed, Duo...! There is no shame in defeat, for we give ourselves willingly for this world! Even as we stand, you do nothing but mock our attempts and proclaim our world guilty by no other will than your own! For this, Duo, you are a /FOOL/!" That final world causes the very ground to tremble as all of the energy cascades down his arms. The result, as the limbs are brought forth, is a pillar of energy over half the size of General himself. It surges through the air, his armor ripping forward with it in some areas. His eyes narrow against the light, form bracing so as to not topple.

As the power subsides, General stands silent for a brief period before beginning to falter. That attack, as it were, has taken a great deal out of him thanks to his already damaged frame, "...To the ending of everything, Duo... May those before me empower that blast..."

As the final bit of charge releases at Duo, Rock falls to one knee. You can see, whether you're on live news or nearby, that his arm cannon has slagged and melted, steaming in it's ruined state.

Duo stands firm as the onslaught hits him, the blasts striking him nearly at the same time, he throws up his arms defiantly as the impact of each blast pushes him further an further back, his feet digging into the ground. "ENOUGH!" he screams as he swipes his large hand to the side as the attacks cease. His body still not showing much wear and tear, he begins to rise into the air as his body continues to glow a bright blue. "I shall miss your world, as I will miss you all. It was not my decision, nor my judgment. It was something, that I had to do..." Suddenly he throws his arms out as he begins to glow an intense whitish blue as he whispers, "Forgive me..." Suddenly he contracts and reforms into his pure energy form, as he hovers there for a moment, and then suddenly streaks towards the three that are left. "METEOR STRIKE!"

As if Rock's arm cannon being slagged wasn't bad enough, the Hunter Commander is plowed into. Arching his back as the energy washes over him, pain seeping through every circuit in his body, his mouth is open in a soundless scream. The energy washes across Rock's form, and that of Rush and Beat as well...armor and synthskin peel off Rock as if he were an orange, flinging his deactivated and destroyed carcass back to land in a crumpled heap a good distance away. Rush's destroyed form lands atop that, and then beat's atop that. So much for the mighty Rock.

The Dragon too is nearly dead...the head is...a gruesome site. The metal it is made of is metal and the outer layer has been seared away...liquid metal drips from the head and sear the ground...the eyes are milky white...but still have some small measure of sight left within them. The wings are torn and shredded... one looking broken. That blast obviously accompanied one /within/ the Dragon. The Doctor lays there...eyes closed...strapped onto his control table. He does not care to escape the dragon even as his lung fills with smoke from the fires raging within the beast...

The Dragon...explodes. A ball of Atomic Fire RIPPING a hole into the landscape. The heat is immense...the sound...deafening...a Mushroom Cloud rises from the fallen dragon...smoke billowing into the sky. The crater that forms around it huge and glowing with head...the 'bones' of the Dragon remain in the center... the fire that burns though it a flickering blue to white...superheated metal pools around the Dragon. As for the Doctor...no one can say...

General remains hunched over for a long moment as he hears Duo's words. Slowly, he looks up, his eyes peering through the shadows cast from his cap. "It...Is not our place to forgive you, Duo," whispers the weakened Repliforce Commander, "...Even I, nor you, have the power to do such a thing..." Even as his words rumble out, his frame is struck. An explosion resounds, armor scattering all over the place as his frame is smashed aside. He hurtles through the air, colliding against the ground with enough force to create several earthquakes. A crater is formed as he settles. A massive hand reaches out, though, to slowly heave himself up slightly.

He stares wordlessly at Duo and the other Stardroids. His gaze sweeps toward the battered forms of his comrades as well. Though weakened and dying, General's face shifts a little as if he wear smiling. He's a mess, to be sure, but yet he seems to be smiling, "We will not have...Died in vain, my friends...It is not over yet." He shakes his head very slowly as he settles back. Content to lay for a moment, he stares up at the night sky before forcing himself back up in one final heave, "What I have done...I have done in service for my planet....My home....Earth...." Eyes dim, he settles back down in what could only be considered permanent peace.

For General, the battle is over. As other great leaders and generals have been laid to rest, he likewise descends. With his last breath, he whispers, "Glory...glory ha...lle...uiah...His...Truth is marching...On..." A calm descends over his frame then, all being nothing more than silence.

(Ch. E []) Blizzard Man transmits: 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'.

(Ch. B [RepComm]) Signal Shrike transmits: 'ROCK!!!!'.

(Ch. E [None]) Inferno Hyena transmits: 'BOSS! BOSS! NO!!!'.

The massive explosion ensues as Duo rises from the crater created by his ultimate attack. He hovers up and lands on the ground, he casts a sympathetic look at the three fallen. He then looks towards Twila. He pauses for a moment, as if fighting something on the inside. But he continues to walk towards her, knowing he must destroy her too.

Like a comet fueled by rage, another form screams down from high above, thrusters burning powerfully as they propel him towards the scene of the battle itself. Still, even with his last minute decision, even with his sudden change in thoughts...even with his sudden anger boiling to a whole new point, he knows he's too late.

And he doesn't care. As the meteors streak around him, he swerves and dives, rolling to the side, only able to see out of the corner of his eye as they strike down the other defenders. "Yoooou..." he breathes, snarl on his features, as his hands reach out like claws. Uncaring about the apparent limitlessness of Duo's power, he slams forcefully into the Stardroid Commander's back before he's even finished unleashing his power on the others. Hands clench as they begin to reach around the form's neck, fingers crushing to the point that they refuse to let go until death itself sets in, Chaos' Will trying to effect nothing less than a hammerlock on Duo's form.

"....YOU!" Bass bellows again, body an entire frame of fury. "...you don't even know the BEGINNING of hatred in all it's forms, and yet...I know you have felt it! I can feel it from on far away...somewhere, DEEP DOWN! I'll claw it out myself!"

(Ch. E []) Mirror Pegasus transmits: 'Wait... look... It's Bass!'.

(Ch. E [None]) Quint transmits: 'B...Bass...our final hope...'.

(Ch. E []) Mirror Pegasus transmits: '...We're doomed'.

Jazz sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Twila, slag that @#$&!

(Ch. E []) Terra transmits: 'All my strength to...send...message. Prepare to... go...to Duo. There may be time to save your leaders...and your world. Hurry and mobilize all your...forces...need...to...victorious... unity...'.

Duo snorts as Bass arrives and stares at him, "So, Chaos' Will has finally decided to show up...a pity you are too late to save your peers. Perhaps if you had come earlier, you could've prevented this." Suddenly the Maoi statues on the coast begin to rise out of the ground, revealing themselves to be more than just mere heads. One by one they rise, and in unison, they all take a thundering step towards Bass, "This cannot be stopped Bass, you are too late..." as the Golems head towards Bass, he looks to Miss Peterson, and begins to approach her once more, now within a few yards of her.

Pluto irks, and leaps off one of the behemoths he'd been resting on as it comes to life. "Well, looks like the fun part is over with. I'll be leaving now."

Libra glances over to Sagittarius, to Luna. The first expression of emotion since this has all began from the Zodiac. Then she vanishes.

As the disastrous waves of the strike wash over, Twila sits in stunned silence, pale and somewhat ashen faced at she stares towards the carnage and the remains below. Her eyes begin misting over as she sees what she does not want to accept. A form of shock descends on her, preventing her from dealing with the true onslaught of what was dealt of the four...which is probably better for her in many ways. As Duo comes closer...it's almost as if Twila doesn't even notice...at least not readily...

Even now her mind continues as if almost on it's on, unhindered by outer visions.

.oO(Balance...one always strives against the other...never succeeding. Chaos and order. Both with the power to create *or* destroy. Two sides to the balance. Two. Duo...)Oo. There's a saying that usually whenever the probable is incorrect the impossible must be true. Shakily, the girl rises to her feet...at the executioner of not only of Rock, but 3 others as well who were no less trying to save Earth than he. With wide-eyes she suddenly blurts, "Chaos *and* Order: YOUR BOTH!"

Selene remains. Still scribing away. And at Twila's speech, she nods sagely, recording such. As if she'd known it all along. And, being a being who knows everything in the universe...she may very well HAVE known. And Selene vanishes then.

Uranus narrows his eyes slightly as the stone golems appear. Hey, that's -his- schtick! Bah...He holds an arm out, "It is not yet over, Pluto... There is still--" He breaks off and -stares- at Twila. "No..."

Pluto stops in his retreat at Twila's words, and sloooooowly turns back, his own words echoing the last of hers like a frozen winter wind. "...Both?..."

Neptune hauls back as if slapped, his optics locking on Duo in disbelief, and then finally, in dawning recognition and horror.

Sagittarius watches Libra disappear with little reaction, his gaze falling back to Duo and Twila. At her statement, the Zodiac, for the first time in his existence, shows surprise. His optics widen, utterly shocked and horrified.

Magna Bass growls lowly, pushed back by unseen power and forced to smash into the ground, rolling with the impact. He comes up, buster at the ready, as he leers still towards Duo himself. Then, as the golems reveal their own forms, he snarls and leaps forward, sending a blast ahead to tear asunder the first of them in his path. Sheer force carries him right on through, rock bouncing off his frame as he stumbles once again, coming up on one knee. "I don't CARE if it's too late..." he snarls. "...I would rather go down with....eh?" he breaks off as Twila blurts out loud, carrying above even his voice. Rage is suddenly replaced by angry confusion, as he snaps his head back and forth, bringing his glare to settle on Duo once more...an eyebrow slowly arching. "What?"

.oO(Chaos...here? HIM!?)Oo.

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'Twila Peterson doesn't have a few more moments, Chi, wha...what...!?'Whoah... the Stardroids didn't know...'.

Duo stops his approach as Twila screams her outburst. He blinks, "Impossible." he says, in defiance, having no knowledge himself of being both. Suddenly his body flickers as it reforms into Chaos, in front of her, "No..." It flickers again as it reforms into Duo, and back again as he begins to take a few steps backwards. Falling to knees, his voice constantly fluctuates as he looks up to the skies as he continues to flicker, both voices screaming in a tone loud enough to be heard for miles, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He continues to tremble, as he suddenly rises back up. "No, this cannot be, this is a lie. Destiny would have told me this...why would he not? I have spent my entire existence, all of eternity fighting Chaos..." Suddenly he morphs into Chaos once more. "... but never found him...Duo would always escape me...no matter how many times I tried to catch him...but yet..." He morphs back into Duo, "Chaos has struck me, as I have struck him." He falls silence once more. He stands up. As he continues to switch back and forth. And he then looks down at Twila, pointing a ever changing finger, as he says in a voice that is the unison of them both, "This cannot be...your revelation must be wrong. I cannot be him..." he pauses for a moment, "...but you are...I am...no...NO! THIS IS UNFORGIVABLE! WHY?" he roars as he rises into the sky, beginning to collect power, "I'll destroy everything, I'll destroy you all...THIS WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE!"

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'What's going on!? Holy smokes... power readings going off the scale here!'.

Pluto's fur hackles on end as he, even Death itself, backs away from Duo/Chaos' outburst. "He -is- both! This is...unbelievable..."

Neptune takes a step back, shaking his head in denial. "All these eons... to hae' lost my world... what I gave up..."

Duo looks down at Bass, his constantly reforming body staring out through it's changing pairs of eyes. "AND IT STARTS WITH YOU!" Suddenly a large ball of pure black energy forms in front of him, as he shifts into Chaos, and holds the form for a while, electricity dancing around it. He rises his shadowy appendages up as the ball flows along with it, and then lashes them both forwards, as the ball of energy streaks towards Bass.

Rock's corpse twitches once...

A human hand...burned and hurt...reaches from the rubble...it clenches...into a fist.

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'CHAOS IS DUO!'.

(Ch. E [None]) Seminole transmits: '... What?!'.

(Ch. E [None]) Clown Man transmits: 'AND DUO IS CHAOS!'.

(Ch. E [Lighthawk]) Jazz transmits: 'All unit, prepare to swarm Duo. Libra will teleport us there, it seems.'.

Magna Bass blinks again, casting a gaze in Twila's direction, for a moment...actually bamboozled in one of those 'How the heck did you know?' gestures. However, his expression then switches over, to anger once more. What does it matter? Duo? Chaos? They're both the same in the end aren't they? With a powerful burst of his thrusters, he begins to rise once more, now chasing after Duo's form.

A pity he never makes it. For a split second...Bass's eyes widen in horror as the blast bears in on him, and all he can do is curl up into a ball at the very last moment before impact. With an explosion that sends shockwaves out powerful enough to shatter stone, he's struck dead-center, sent hurtling back by the force of the blast and becoming little more than a projectile, the first true recipient of the combined power of Chaos and Order.

"Arrrrgh!" his bellow trails behind him, as the sheer force pushes him out to sea, still carrying him along in the path.

Pluto shakes his head. "No...both my masters...are the same. This cannot be...Duo and Chaos...one and the same..." The revelation is, perhaps, the one and only thing to have ever truly scare the feline Stardroid. "Impossible... impossible..." He slinks back into the shadows, disappearing, his final words drifting behind him. "The true Final Judgment has come...."

<And as the Global Alliance is brought to Easter Island by the Zodiac to war with the entity...>

Duo continues to twitch after his blast is set off, as he begins to cackle, "All of these years... all of this work... it was all a lie... A LIE!" he begins to twitch once more as he looks up to the skies, "Is THIS why you made this judgment Destiny?! IS THIS MY TRUE PURPOSE?! I HATE YOU! I HATE THIS! I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU WORKED SO HARD TO CREATE, STARTING WITH THIS PLANET!" he looks to the skies, where Sunstar remains, "Sunstar, commence release of apocalypse locks, I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! NOT ON THIS DAY!"

Selene reappears, floating behind Duo. "I am sorry, m'lord. Had Destiny wished it so...I would have informed you." And she vanishes, book and all.

Twila Peterson backs up a few steps herself, surprised not only at her own outburst, but the outburst that it brings forth. She covers her mouth briefly as she numbly watches an interloper make himself known within the area and is dealt with...just like all the others had been. She can't exactly tell how much time passes before others begin arrive....

Libra drops to the ground after the teleportation, panting, drained completely, almost completely helpless.

Duo roars as the attacks begin to unleash on him, "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH! COME AT ME ALL OF YOU! AND FAIL AS THE OTHERS HAVE! BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! AFTER I DESTROY YOU! I SHALL DESTROY THE STARDROIDS! I SHALL DESTROY THIS VERY UNIVERSE! BWAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!"

Uranus takes a step back as chaos erupts all around him. He spreads his arms, calling up a shield of solid rock around him to keep away any stray blasts. He knows that he cannot interfere in the battle, but he can at least watch.

And as the mass teleportation takes place, Duet appears slightly off to the side, strangely detached as she just watches for now. Oddly enough though, her expression has changed, from what was just moments agao nothing, to one of pure fear and sadness, as her gaze drifts to Duo.

And yet as Duet watches, a voice speaks up behind her, "It is almost time my lady. I am sorry that this had to happen, but you have a promise. An oath to keep. Not even this must stop you."

"Justice, be silent, and let me watch this in agony for now. For he who I can not live without..." Duet starts, only to drift off, tears coming to her eyes. "Without him, I'm..."

"It is almost time, you must act soon lady Duet."

Duo's form suddenly reforms into Order as he unleashes a massive attack at a large group of his assailants. He suddenly falls to the ground and stands up, dropping his guard, "Destroy me now! Before the chaos consumes me! All of you... DO IT!"

Twila Peterson audibly winces as she attempts to avoid the new battle that arises, biting back whatever emotions she's experiencing right now. But somewhere...deep inside...even now she can't but...feel a little sorry for him. He...didn't know? Was he used...just like all the others? Just like those of Earth?

.oO(The truth hurts doesn't it?)Oo.

She trips and falls on an upturned branch, gasping for air...then something comes to mind and she reaches for her radio...

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick...?"

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Kodiak> comes about the mayhem as it's arm cannon cycles down, charge disappearing. Though Rick loses his sudden view of the battle amidst all the chaos, and gets turned the wrong way. "Sheesh, I've never been in a scene THIS crazy before..." Rick mutters. It's then that his radio comes to life, and he blinks, practically scrambling for it in desperation.

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Twila? TWILA where are you!? I can't see you in all this!"

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "I...I managed to get myself clear from the majority of the fighting I think. But I don't know where I am...trace the signal!"

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Hang on, Sis. I'm comin...I'll find you. Just...stay low! I'm coming!"

Twila Peterson is...by now somewhere lost within the lush forest of the island, concealed by the shrubbery and growth. But even that, she knows, is not safe haven...

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Rick Morgan: "Rick, Rock and General...what about them?"

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Kodiak> suddenly straightens up, as if propelled by a new desperation alltogether. With heavy footsteps, it begins to pick its way through the battle that's unleashed, and exploding all around. If this were two armies clashing with one another, it would be even more chaotic than it is now. Still, Rick is driven by a new desperation, to find a certain someone.

Rick Morgan sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I...I don't know Twila. I know they went down earlier...I just don't know. I'm going to find you...I promise. Just...hold on. Please."

Neptune growls as he watches the carnage below and turns to Uranus. "And still we can do nothin to interfere?"

Uranus shakes his head, "No...this planet must fight for itself.."

Back away from the battle, Selene appears over the corpse of Rock. "The Chosen...must live. Zodiac! I implore you. Revive these brave souls!"

Duet just stands there for a few moments more, watching Duo, as a look of pure horror crosses her face. At this rate, he'll die. He stands a chance to actually die. Or that is what she thinks. Slowly she just collapses onto her knees, looking up as she notices a single Reploid unleash a beam at Duo. One thought now crosses her mind. She must stop this. Somehow.

"NO!!!!!"

The burnt...blackened human hand...flexes again...it fights for life...

Duo continues fluctuate as he gets assaulted by the multiple blows, suddenly he rises back up, as Chaos once more, as he looks about for a target, and shoots off a blast at random.

Selene glows a deep silver as the Zodiac begin to pour energy into her, which she in turn pours into Rock and the other dead people. "Revive..."

Uranus glances toward Rock's body and the Zodiac gathering around it. He hefts up his stone shield and slides across the ground toward them. He may not be able to help, but he can at least deflect any wild shots.

Twila Peterson keeps her distress signal going as she glances behind her towards the ongoing struggle. .oO(Duo...he was used as much as we were...)Oo.

[OOC] Duo holds up his hand for a pause, as he looks at something. "ALRIGHT HOLD UP" He stares at Clown Man. "You hit me with a whoopee cushion?"

Selene SCREAMS as the energy pours into Rock, reviving the dead Hunter. And she fades away just after. Rock, however, continues to lay there as he recovers from system shock.

As Duo transforms and rises again, his foot catches Hero Boy, slamming into him and sending him flying backwards in a huge arc that ends directly in the path of an abandoned fruit cart. He lands with the sound of crashing wood and tumbling melons.

With a flash, Neptune's golden trident appears in his hand glowing brightly. He makes a sweeping motion, his long reach arcing out towards Luna, Libra, and the other Zodiac as they perform their mission of mercy. A wall of water springs up suddenly around them, protecting them from interfering mortals.

As Duet lashes out, apparently at random, Justice just shakes her head, and vanishes. Only to re-appear besides what once was General, as she to starts to glow. "What once was, will be again," she says, even as what little color she has starts to vanish. "The promise must be kept."

Libra staggers to her feet, using her broken axe to stand. Little power remains in her, but she has one more deed to do. One person to help. She slowly goes over to Hero Boy... and, energy draining out of her, she levitates him from the wrecked Fruit Cart, doing her meager best to heal his wounds.

Duo shifts again, as he continues to fight with himself, as well as with the others. "GET BACK! All of you...or die like those before you! NYARRGH!!!!!"

Maverick Hunter Ride Armor <Kodiak> loses it's footing as the pilot struggles in the wake of so many shockwaves to keep his mecha upright. He fails miserably eventually, winding up tripping the multiton mech and crashing forcefully to the ground in a shower of dust and debris. It's barely even settled before Rick pops the cockpit open, forcefully, pushing his way out and continuing to run. Robot be @#$&...his little sis is in trouble!

Rock grimaces, leaning up out of his hole. "Ow...that hurt..." he looks about, with his repaired eyes. "I'm...alive?" He touches at his chest...his arm cannon, everything, is no longer melted either. He's whole.

Duet just continues to watch, in horror, even after she lashes out. "What have I done..." she whispers, only to look at Duo again. "Please no. Fate, why? WHY????" Why?"

Justice though just stands there as the glowing continues, and spreads, before a bright light fills the area. As the light dies away, General is whole again, and Justice appears to be gone, leaving only a small voice saying like a whisper in this battle.

"Remember...."

Neptune sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Ye know what must be done!! The cycle goes on!"

Signal Shrike looks over at Neptune, hearing the transmission. "NO!" he screams and runs at the water Stardroid.

Twila Peterson makes her way further inward into the surrounding forests, before pausing and panting for breath when she receives an...unexpected transmission.

Neptune growls at the bird Reploid, "Do not yet interfere..." and unleashes a blast from his cannon.

Signal Shrike explodes as Neptune's cannon impacts him, foiling any attempt to prevent him from telling Twila whatever he was trying.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Neptune: "I...I don't understand..."

General slowly opens his eyes. He is greeted by the sounds of a war - A struggle for the very fate of the planet. He stares at the stars, actually taking a long moment to admire their beauty as he remains upon the ground. Even in this, he only whispers one thing as tears well up in his eyes and flow down his face, "I...Live..."

Rock looks across at General. "I...think we got a second chance, General." But he stays knelt where he is, still VERY weak.

Rick Morgan continues moving as quick as he can, legs pumping him rapidly towards the tree line. He pauses only long enough to stop and glance at his radio, checking the signal coming from it, before he then gets on the move all over again. His usual fast pace is hampered by the vegetation itself, though he keeps moving as quickly as he possibly can. "TWILA!!" He calls, voice echoing off the surrounding trees, despite the battle in the background.

Duo continues to twitch and reform, as he suddenly becomes a being of pure energy a mixture of black and blue energy 'flames'. He hovers there for a moment before he begins to unleash another attack.

The hand flexes and strains... and in a moment...The Mad Doctor is revealed... he is bleeding and hurt...but...he still has his cane...and with the last of his strength...he HURLS it at Duo's head!!

And if anyone noticed, as Justice vanished, so did Duet. Or at least she's no longer where she was just moments ago.

General slowly forces himself to a sitting position. His gaze sweeps across his body in fascination and surprise, "Indeed it, seems so...Rock." He looks across to the Hunter Commander as the battle rages not that far away. He, too, is exceedingly weak. "It seems they have finally united. Our sacrifice was not in vain..."

Twila Peterson glances behind her after giving a muddled response over the radio, pausing to stop at the voice of an all to recognizable young man....her brother? "Rick...!" she calls out, changing her course for that voice. Even so...Neptune's words linger...

Dr. Wily is...laying there...quite in pain...most of his skin black...his hair singed...his mustache in tact...and so are his brows...thank goodness. Couldn't loose those. Smoke curls from his body...he is lucky to be alive...

Rick Morgan blinks as he hears someone he's been -wanting- to hear answer him over the din. His desertion grows to an all new level, as he begins to push even harder through the undergrowth, catching more than one stray branch right in the face. Though he doesn't seem to notice the scratches and little cuts he gets from the vegetation itself. It isn't long that he practically explodes into a clearing just near his sister, voice rising over the din all over again. "Twila!"

Duo continues to twitch and scream as he suddenly lashes out once more with an attack, his control over his body lost, as his mind fights within himself, with a half he never knew existed within him.

Dr. Wily is carried from the fight...thankfully...he is only barely alive...he is going to need medical treatment if he is to survive. He speaks in a low... raspy voice... "Ballade...Plant Man...

Neptune lifts a hand, palm up, a sphere of water appearing around him. A comfort, perhaps...perhaps more.

Duo rises into the air, as he begins to glow brightly, drawing in all of his energy he can, "Now is the time..." The entity suddenly lashes out with a immense wave of power, "FINAL ATTACK!!! MOBIUS ARMAGGEDDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Uranus spreads his arms and once more summons up a massive shield of stone...

Twila Peterson is about exhausted as it is right now. Even so, she goes on. She absolutely freezes as she catches sight of her twin and breaks off, gaining strength she didn't know she had runs towards him, full tilt...throwing herself into his arms...

Rick Morgan embraces Twila full tilt as she tosses herself at him, immediately pressing her close as he lets loose a relieved sob. "Twila! Geez...I was so worried! I didn't know what had happened to you...oh geez, I'm so glad you're all right..." A sniffle of his own rises upwards, as he squeezes her tight to him in the process, then slowly steps back. "We gotta get you out of here..."

Neptune sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "The time is near! The Planet Killer counts down!"

Black light flows up Luna's form, leaving her clad in black leather.

Libra rises once more, taking her axe in hand... and leaps with it at Duo as Luna and Duet both fire. It seems as if now the other Stardroids are finally taking action against their once Commander...

Twila Peterson holds on tight to the cyborg as he was a life preserver. "Rick, I--I got...radios from Neptune..."

Dr. Wily slowly opens his mouth wide...letting out a call... it is loud enough to resound over the battlefield. "STARDROIDS! YOUR SLAVER STANDS BEFORE YOU! AND YOU DO NOTHING! HE WILL KILL YOU ALL... FIGHT HIM! FIGHT HIM!! HE HAS ENSLAVED YOU FOR UNTOLD MILLENIA... FFFFFFFFFFIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHTTTTTTT!" Wily then...slips into unconsciousness...

Neptune lowers his head in acceptance as he does with his water shield. He says to Uranus aloud, "And the seas with the earth...I be sorry, Duo...I cannae allow this..." He raises his arm cannon and unleashes a hellish stream of super-pressured liquid from the cannon, directed at Duo. "Universe forgive us."

Uranus watches as explosions wrack the island. No more. It has been a long time since he's fought for the destiny of a planet, but... it must be done. Casting the shield of rock aside he lifts both his hands. "Now, the planet itself will be given a chance to fight for its existence!" A loud rumbling sound permeates the area as he gathers up power and turns toward Duo. "For the future of the Universe...DEEP DIGGER!"

At Duet's behest, Sagittarius'bow is pulled, rearing back with an arrow of might. The arrow glows with a bright light, before the bowstring ignites and sends the arrow screaming at his former master.

Rick Morgan blinks, bringing his gaze to meet Twila's, as he stares at her. "What did he want? Haven't they done -enough- damage by just being here in the first place?"

Duo lashes out once more, his power beginning to wane, as his flames flicker dimmer and dimmer.

"He---he said something about me knowing what I had to do..." Twila doesn't use words to inform the twin just what it is she's referring to. The bond they both share would inform him as is. Just how or why it must be done is yet unclear...

General shaking his head, he forces himself up to full height, "...I cannot simply stand here as so many give themselves to this cause! Rock! I now pledge my strength to this cause once more. Though I am weak, and can do little now... What energy I have is given..." The gem at his waste flashes, beginning to glow as electricity sparks from it occasionally, "I only pray that this is enough to aid their cause. For Earth! My almighty God guide this!" Thus spoken, energy explodes out, then condenses into a *far* smaller beam than his Ion Cannon.

Duet just continues to stand there, in shock, as her attack connects. Justice still continues to fade away,, but Duet doesn't notice. No, instead she just cries, as the purple star on the back of her hand starts to glow. "Please, forgive me...."

Luna forms the bow from The History, locking and pulling an arrow. The arrow begins to glow deeply colored, rainbow colors moving up and down. "Duo! Stand down, or be defeated! Either way, you SHALL be presented to Destiny to fix its error!" And she fires.

Rick Morgan blinks again, not quite comprehending that question as well...how it's to be done. He glances over his shoulder, towards the scene where Duo is undergoing the most massive attack from all sides ever brought into play yet. "I don't know Twila...even...even if he falls, we still have to stop Sunstar. I don't know what the time is left...what about his key?"

Saturn suddenly appears behind Duo, ring in hand, glowing an unholy black light...he floats there behind Duo and makes a few arcane motions with his arms, glaring death at the energy being, "Hello, Thoth...Beware. The mythical Thoth was concerned with maintaining the balance between creation and destruction, yes and no, light and darkness, not the triumph of one over the other...but now it's been corrupted, hasn't it, Thoth? Duo? "I want you to pay for what you've done to these poor people. All of these people whom you've killed. They deserve VENGEANCE! You are no better than they, although you profess to become LIKE GOD!"

<Global News Network> Yet even after Duo unleashes his own final attack, high in orbit, another final attack is brewing. The eternal darkness that has plagued the earth for some hours now is not lifted, although a new means of light is clearly seen high above. A blue sphere of energy rapidly grows, just as the darkness itself had rapidly grown, but this one has a much more lethal intent than the benign nature of the darkness. Sunstar, it would seem, is finally ready to launch his most potent and devastating attack, despite the near constant stream of demands and shouts from his brethren -- those who in some sick way are in truth his friends and family -- to stop this. For once, however, Sunstar is a dutiful subject, for it is his Destiny to unleash this blast upon the Earth.

It may well be too late.

Dr. Wily a weak word is given... "No..."

Twila Peterson shakes her head madly. "I...I don't know. But the other keys...I have them. They're with me."

And, out of the darkness, a voice laughs, cold and frigid as ever. It is unmistakably Pluto's. It's the first time in eons -anyone- has heard him laugh, even his fellow Stardroids. Looks like he never really left in the first place. After a few moments of cold, unforgiving laughter, the Snowkitty mutters in a dark, frigid tone. "No one can escape their Judgment. Not even you, Duo."

Duo looks down at Hero Boy, as he makes the final strike, he looks up at the others somewhat in disbelief, someone in joy. "Thank you...." he mutters as he begins to flicker out. He reforms into Duo for but a moment, as he looks to Duet, and reaches out to touch her. "Forgive me, my eternal love..." He then falls to the ground, as he becomes dimmer and dimmer. Until one final thing is left, a small pendant, of two rings intertwined. Moments later... all that was left of Duo... is gone...

Rock stands, finally, glancing about in time to see Duo's final stand, as the Stardroid is hit and knocked away. "We...didn't do it." He looks across the landscape. "Twila, the keys!" he calls at the top of his voice...

General wavers then, his body collapsing to one knee. The ground heavens below him, but he seems pleased to have contributed. Slowly, he looks over at Rock and smiles however unseen, "This....day might just be won, Rock, my old friend." He allows himself to remain there, calmly resting where he settled down. He points, slowly, "Do you see? ...Do you see how our forces - Friend and foe alike - Have stood against all odds? There can be no greater sight than this..." It's then that he looks between Rock and Twila, his eyes closing in silent prayer.

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...God's will be done...Even in this final hour..."

Rick Morgan blinks, and glances up, that feeling of dread starting to set in. At Rock's shout, he glances back towards the Blue Bomber, then to Twila again, and blinks...helplessly. "How are they supposed to be -used- though!?"

Twila Peterson gulps. "Get me back there..."

(Ch. E [None]) Jupiter transmits: '... Oh. Yes. I'm not dead. Just thought you'd like to know that.'.

Neptune makes a gesture at Twila, "She knows."

Libra nods to Neptune, unable to even levitate after the day's exertions. "The Mother has revealed her great secret and shall save this world, now."

Rock looks about. "Everyone, HOLD IT!" He spies about for Duo's key. "Please be here..."

Duet just freezes there, in shock as Duo fades away, any control she may of had now lost again. "NO!!!!!!" she shouts, as she appears to morph, and change, and even flickering a bit, as she just changes into a column of something.

"No...."

Rick Morgan blinks and glances at Twila carefully...though he nods slightly. Apparently she knows something he doesn't, and that's good enough for him. Without even a second word, he reaches down to scoop her up, and propels himself out from the underbrush, with her in tow. "I hope you know what you're doing..." he whispers to her, practically exploding from the foliage again and bearing in on where Rock stands.

Rock gasps, and reaches out to gently take the key from Hero Boy who had retrieved it. "Dude, I could KISS you!" Turning, his boots explode, and he jets toward Twila and Rick.

Twila Peterson allows herself to be scooped out without protest and can only offer Rick a small nod as he makes his way through the greenery towards the others, holding on as tightly as she can... "Just pray I do..."

Rick Morgan, in no short order, sets Twila right down a split second before they reach Rock, hands already kneading one another very quickly. "C'mon c'mon..." he murmurs gently, casting another glance to the sky itself.

Rock continues across the area, skidding to a halt as he meets up with Rick and Twila. He presses Duo's key at the redheaded girl. "Here!"

Pluto climbs up on Uranus' back idly, and sits there, cat-like, atop the bull. "Well. Duo is Chaos, and they're both dead. Any moment, Sunstar will blow up this dirtball." He leans over, looking Uranus in the eyes. "Can we go home now?"

Libra watches Twila as she's given the key. Watches with...a mix of sadness and eagerness. She knows what's coming next. Oh yes. Oh yes.

Neptune raises his crested head slightly, his cold optics, mirrors of the depthless seas, watching Rock and Twila silently.

Twila Peterson closes her eyes for a few moments, breathing a whispered prayer of her own, then gently kisses her sibling's knuckles once before breaking of into a run towards where Rock's standing. Her eyes are a bit wide at seeing him...actually of seeing everyone. But she doesn't concern herself with that now. She can't. She takes the key and releases the others into the grass and kneels down...trying to hurriedly put them together...all of them...

<Global News Network> The sphere of energy that float so ominously above the planet continues to expand. It's quite eerie, in truth, that for all of Sunstar's auras, his gathering of energy, that the sphere itself quickly manages to shine brighter and expand further than anything he has yet shown. It is almost as if the Destroyer were drawing upon some hidden reserve to power this blast, in an attempt to make SURE that it strikes true. Time is growing shorter by the minute as events on Easter Island progress with alarming speed now. The sphere of blue changes its colors, almost seeming techno color as it rapidly changes its hue before coming to rest upon a blood red. It casts a strange light down upon the Island, for the Stardroid floats directly above that point upon the rather large planet of Terra.'.

Rock steps back a bit from Twila, unsure what the reaction is going to be when the keys are united.

Twila Peterson gets back to her feet as the last piece...Eclipse's key, the one he had to give his life for, is in place...and takes a deep breath...

Slowly, the column of energy starts to move as the keys are being put together. Duo may be gone, but Duet must see that his loss, was for nothing. For if it was, then more was lost than even she would care to acknowledge.

Rick Morgan blinks again, standing back for the moment and letting Twila do her thing right now. Again he glances skywards, and again he brings his gaze back forward once more, letting a long, ragged breath out. "I hope this works...."

Dr. Wily closes his own eyes... coughing slightly... slowly he brings his own hands up weakly. Old man yes...but even now he glings to life...and clasps them together. The injection helping indeed...Wily simply...for once in his entire existence...prays. "We... will... not... die.... TODAY!"

Rock closes his eyes, mouthing a prayer...

General closes his eyes then, whispering off a prayer even now. Thus as he has been doing since the very beginning.

Pluto flicks a tail as he peers down at Slash Man from his perch on Uranus. Yes, he got it repaired, again. Since he had to get a whole new body. "The victory here proves the worth of your kind, as well," he replies, flat and crips in tone as ever.

Dr. Wily says as he's being tended to for his injuries, "Choose... your fate...Salvation...The End...or the Beginning... all of you...choose. Choose...your...fate..."

As the last keys are put into place they begin to glow, to beat with life rhythmically...like a heart. Slowly the reality around them warps, like the air on a hot summer day. A hole opens in the ground leading to...nothing, complete blackness. The hole starts out a few inches in diameter, but it quickly widens. Slowly the prison opens, the gates have swung open, bringing with them salvation...or perhaps...something else..

A bolt of lightning lances out of the prison as its occupant squeezes his way out of his prison. Reality can not be torn open without consequences, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. For birth there must be pain. For life there must be death. The streak of energy hangs in the air for a moment, like a vicious serpent, before locating the one responsible for its existence. It whips towards Twila. For all their resistance, for all the effort the people of Earth have made, they cannot defy destiny.

Twila Peterson is fated to die.

The energy bolt lances towards Twila, slicing into her like a massive razor. The damage done it fades out of existence, the balance made right. Streaking out of the prison exactly upon the moment the bolt strikes Twila is a ball of pure, holy light. He shouts with glee as he is reborn into the world, his body glowing with emerald energy. The prison closes. Terra is free.

But at what cost?

No sound, no cry, no wail comes from the human girl's lips as she's struck...only a painful grunt. What remains of her partially singed form seems to pause...standing there...but for a few mere seconds. By the time her frame meets the unforgiving ground, her spirit has already left. She lies there motionless. Blood from the woman's back stains her shirt from behind, already forming a crimson pool on the green earth.

As blackened hair mix with the auburn one may notice that her facial features are unmarred by the fire. They appear oddly at peace...

Rock catches Twila's form as she falls, looking down on her...tears rolling down his face. "No...please..." he whispers, gently pulling her form, no matter how gruesome or not her remains are, to his body. He trembles, holding her, his tears falling down and splashing on her cheek. Stunned into silence, the Hunter Commander sobs openly.

Libra manages to float upwards just slightly, arms raised. And she smiles. "So mote it be. The Mother...is no more."

Dr. Wily says, "Goodbye, my Counterpart..."

General comes forth from his prayer with a slow nod to Decibel. As he looks up and across the smoking battlefield and those still alive that panic, he does only one thing. It's not much, but for the General, it is the highest sign of respect that he can muster:

His massive hand rises to salute, his voice thundering. "Those that stand this day are to be commended! Those that fell are to be honored! And I, General, even in this final hour, salute all of you for what was done here today. Should we survive...Godspeed to all of you! May Sigma's sacrifice never be forgotten, for he has amended his sins in my eyes." Weak, he falters and stares in silent horror as Twila is wiped from existence, "...No..."

Inferno Hyena's jaw drops as she stands, optics wide, tail drooping. "N..no... Please tell me...that I'm seeing things." She turns to General. "Sir! Please tell me I'm seeing things!!"

Rock looks up at hearing Terra release...and stares, and just continues to stare as the energy rips through Twila's form. "No...." he mumbles. "NO!!" And he dashes forward, to catch her when she falls.

Rick Morgan is caught off guard as the serpent itself is revealed, lifting into the air...and striking it's own power on someone...someone who he could never even hope to reach in time, though his hand darts out nevertheless...far too late for that matter. "Twila....?" he blinks at first, as if unable to believe just what he's seeing. No...it can't be. Not now, not HERE, not in the wake of their biggest light of hope! "Twila..." he breathes, voice now ragged, as if not daring to confirm just what he's seen. But somewhere...deep down, he can feel it already slipping away, his twin sister's grip on his own being losing it's grasp. Desperately...somehow he tries to hold on, but without her end to hold it...t's a losing battle.

Realization sets in with the heavy tread of a ton of bricks itself, as he he too darts forward in a flash of movement, voice suddenly raised to a scream. "NO! Twila...NOOOOO! Not like this!! NO! Please no..." Tears practically flow from his eyes in a river now, as he collapses to his knees right next to Rock, hands rising to grip his forehead, utter despair gripping with it's icy cold form now.

And it's then that he straightens, glaring up accusingly even as Terra's meteor form blazes skywards in a flash of light. "You...@#$&!!" his howl raises upwards, not just meant for Terra, but for them all. Chosen One, Chaos' Will, Zodiac, it matters not to him anymore. They're all responsible for this...his little sister is dead, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Why did you have to come here and DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH!? WHY!?" His voice then shatters into a sob once more, as his form practically doubles over....

Neptune murmurs, "And for a life, a life."

Enforcer Malamute's arms drop to his side, as he sees Twila get struck...Silent, he lowers his head...

For once...there is no hate in Wily's words. "Goodbye, Twila..."

Mirage Hyena stares at Twila is, will, severed and suddenly feels sick to her stomach.

Terra's form is now glowing with an unimaginably beautiful aura. His eyes, those eyes that are all colors and no colors, are tinged with sadness, though. He looks down at Rock, descending to stand on the same level as the hero. He places a hand upon the Hunter's shoulder. "I know how you feel, Chosen One. I know how you feel more than anyone..." The Stardroid's glow seems to wash off on Rock, allowing him to illuminate the eternal darkness with his own light. The truth quickly reveals itself, the aura is coming from Rock, he has his own light and it is identical to Terra's. Both Terra and X are chosen ones. The glow around Rock gradually fades. Terra pauses to impart the greatest lesson he has learned through thousands of millennia he has lived.

"There is no sacrifice as great as one for love."

The glow around Terra magnifies, becoming brighter ten-fold. It doesn't hurt the eyes to look at its center, though. It is not the sun, on so many levels. Terra lets out a roar and fires into the sky, his body becoming nothing more than an emerald meteor, streaking towards the stars. He has something that must be done. The savior roars, "SUUUUUUUUNNNNNNSTAAAAAAAAAR!!!!" He still must rescue this planet from his counterpart's hellfire. He still must be Earth's salvation.

Uranus slowly lifts his arms as Terra streaks free of his prison. A narrow pillar of rock rises behind him, "Rise, Terra... save this existence. All hope rests in you."

Rock glances up at Terra once...still sobbing, before looking back down at Twila. His body trembles, and he awaits death from Sunstar's beam.

As the burst of light shoot skyward, a voice almost whispers in the crowd, the voice of Justice. "It is time..." And with that, the column of energy starts to glow, as it changes direction and heads closer to Twila. As it gets closer voices come from it, calm voices. Both Duets voice, and Justices. "Please, let me do what must be done." they say. "Please, let me fulfill a promise."

Leo falls to one knee, plunging his sword into the ground, lowering his head and closing his eyes. If Terra fails, there will be no more Starhaven to protect.

Armored Armadillo is distracted from Twila's death by the rise of Terra. Her gaze follows him... perhaps there is still chance left in this world, for this world.

Auger Scorpion's eyes widen as Twila is fried. For the first time he looks _almost_ upset that a human has been stuffed out of existence... Almost. However to the others he merely says "Well, that was unexpected."

Pluto gazes up after Terra as well. "Destiny of this world is still unfolding...."

Dr. Wily says, "So...be...it...Salvation...is...at...hand..."

Plant Man /stares/ at where Twila met her end...silently tears fall down his cheeks, something looking...broken...within him. Not even his father's words pull him away from his stunned state.

Scar and Draco don't return their gaze to Auger Scorpion. Jorge does, and the look he favors the Scorpion with is one bred of an inability to think. The two parts of Chimera's brain that actually work are totally overcome by the death of Twila. Then Draco looks up at Terra, and he sighs. "The cost of this victory...it may be too much."

King turns his crimson optics away from the arc of energy lanced upon Twila Peterson's body, and he expels a lingering sigh from his lungs, head hung low. He has learned the Stardroid's lessons well, and he takes another breath as Terra rises, and gives them hope, even in death.

(Ch. E [None]) Enforcer Malamute transmits: 'That does not matter...Terra, has arrived.'.

(Ch. E []) Blizzard Man transmits: 'At what cost? As all good things come at a cost.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Enforcer Malamute transmits: 'The life of Twila Peterson'.

(Ch. E []) Mirror Pegasus transmits: 'The one known as Twila...is dead...'.

(Ch. E []) Blizzard Man transmits: 'No...'.

(Ch. E [None]) Star Falcon transmits: 'We'll show you the image later, for now, get away from the blast...Terra is going to intercept it, apparently.'.

(Ch. E [None]) Centaur Man transmits: '....Mom?'.

(Ch. E []) Mirror Pegasus transmits: 'Even those that dislike humans grieve over this. For our world's salvation, the price is great indeed.'.

General clenches a fist slowly and forces himself to his feet. Slowly, he thunders over to Twila and Rock. Each step is massive, heavy and slow thanks to all that has occurred today. His form lowers to a kneel with them, his eyes laced with tears, "...Rock... I am sorry..." He closes his eyes, the tears growing. "Almighty God...may her spirit be guided to you, as she so desired. I could do nothing for her." His prayer is soft, for one his size, and he has no idea about what's going on about him due to the concentration. His final words are, louder, "...Go forth, Terra...that she may not have died in vain..."

Inferno Hyena sniffs, shaking her head as tears stream down her now cool cheeks. "Twila...Poor girl..." she whispers as she moves closer to Decibel.

Dr. Jennifer Cain's eyes widen wide as she sees what has become of Twila. She shakes violently and lowers her head. Her glasses mist over slightly as tears form in her eyes. Slowly she reaches in one of the numerous pockets in her lab coat and pulls out her mirror shades to cover her face

The Mad...and half dead Doctor...opens his eyes...a slow and mad smile comes to his lips as he watches Terra screech toward the heavens. "Salvation..."

Dr. Jennifer Cain's eyes widen wide as she sees what has become of Twila. She shakes violently and lowers her head. Her glasses mist over slightly as tears form in her eyes. Slowly she reaches in one of the numerous pockets in her lab coat and pulls out her mirror shades to cover her face

Barrage Grasshopper walks up to Uranus, and with a burst of his singular turbine engine, he perches himself on the shoulder of the bull-droid. "So, juggernaut..."

Libra watches Terra fly up. Fast. Rick's howl doesn't seem to affect her much. After all - she's the one who wanted Twila dead.

Uranus ignores Barrage and follows Terra's path with his gaze...His eyes narrow slightly as he focuses on the battleground high above...

General whispers: '...She will never be forgotten, Rock... I will not allow her to be. God himself comforts her now... *unseen smile* And she'll be waiting for you. I will remain here with you as long as you need a friend.' to Rock.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Minutes pass for Sunstar, staring down at the planet he so despises now. History would at least allow him some foresight as to what will happen soon, but nothing like this has ever occurred for the Stardroids. Or, at least to Sunstar's knowledge. He let's out a ragged growl -- and the sphere of energy that extrudes from his chest is drawn back in with frightening speed. Eternal darkness returns for a moment, before Sunstar's frame bursts with energy, yet another of his auras surrounding him. The energy this time, however, surrounds him as if it were an extra layer of armor. He shines down upon the earth, providing light akin to that supplied by the moon, although there is no reflection in this case.

With a sigh, he raises both of his hands forward, steadying the large buster that has always been in place of his left hand with the only hand he actually has. His form shimmers with the massive amounts of energy that course through him, being fueled this once with more than just the power of the stars. He's aware of the Release, of the Incoming. Yet despite the fall of his Master, both of them, orders are orders, and what has been set in motion may only be ceased by one thing and one thing alone. Leveling the Buster at the planet, he unleashes a duo of blasts -- the first from his depths, a scream of rage and of defiance, at his true moment of happiness slowly being enclosed within a cell by his ancient Nemesis who so rapidly approaches. The second blast being why he truly is one of the most powerful -- and with Duo's passing, perhaps now the most powerful -- beings within the universe. As the roar continues, barely recognizable as a word, the blast is unleashed, a pure column of darkness that inches its way towards the earth. Time slows on Sunstar's end, for he has not the speed of his Nemesis. And his shout, one may ask?

"TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Rock looks up at Rick, probably the only soul that ever loved Twila as much as Rock did, maybe more. He shakes his head, tears still flowing like a river. He doesn't speak; he really has no words that he can say. He just nods at General's whisper, continuing to cradle Twila's form. "I...I know..." he gets out, amongst the sobs. "She sacrificed herself for the planet...no one could make a nobler sacrifice." As his light, as Chosen, starts to fade, he lifts her head and, for the last time, gently kisses Twila.

Neptune's own gaze follows the ascending Sunstar until he can no longer make out the tiny speck. He then looks back down at Rock, Rick, and Twila. As the pulse of light from the Planet Killer washes over the embattered earth, Neptune is silent...his expression almost sad.

As Terra leaves, the column flickers a bit, before both of the voices come from it. "No....This can not be. This does not serve the purpose."

Then Duets voice comes from it. Alone.

"This is wrong."

Then with little warning the column moves forwards, ignoring the others, and even passing through some, leaving no mark of its passing. As it moves, what appears to be pieces, almost like puffs of smoke flowing towards Twila. Al the while the columns glows brighter. "What can be done, not always can be undone. and yet the end is also a beginning...."

Suddenly a bright flash fills the area for a moment, and the column is gone, leaving only Duet, kneeling nearby.

Virgo appears with her trademark blue and white supernova of light. The particles of light fade out like a fireworks explosion. She wipes off the streaks of tears from her face with the corner of her robe, but even with reddened eyes she still remains beautiful. She bows deeply to Duet, her eyes to the ground, not able to look at Duet's face and see the disappointment in her eyes. "My lady. My greatest apologies for not being at your side when you needed me. I could not stand being there when so many were to die. I am forever at your service."

Dr. Pavel Cossack shakes his head staring at the various people. "Vhy? Vhy? Vhy must all this happen? True loves dashed? Pain, death destruction!"

Neptune looks at Cossack, "It is the lesson."

Libra looks over to Neptune, nodding in agreement with his silent statement. "She knew the consequences. She acted nobly."

General nods slowly to Rock, his form leaned in to keep near Rock, despite the size, as he watches all that he does. Another prayer is uttered, even as the voices scream from space - Even as the Zodiacs near. He feels himself trusted with a new duty now. He will remain with Rock as long as shall be required.

Twila's form shifts slightly with Rock's movement. A necklace falls into view from underneath her collar. Upon it are two objects: One is a ring...a golden ring bearing a diamond that's held aloft by two simple roses. The other is an oval locket, now slightly opened, revealing two pictures rather just the one that Rock had placed inside. The First is of Rock. The other...is of Rick...

Rock looks up at the column of light approaching. He blinks back a few tears, then, and heaves a heavy sigh; and a second heavy sigh as he sees their engagement ring on that necklace... and the locket he'd given her only that day. He just whimpers.

Pluto's ears flick as he overhears General's whisper, and casts a glance over that way. After a moment of thought, ignoring the grasshopper for a moment, he leaps off his own perch on Uranus' shoulders, landing nearby the two leaders of their respectful factions. And, perhaps surprisingly, rests a paw comfortingly on Rock's shoulder. Or maybe not so surprising. He is the one of Death and knows it best, after all. He says nothing, though, other than a soft remark towards the Blue Bomber. "For Life to last, there must be Death. It is a circle, endless and eternal. In her death, many, untold many, can survive..." After which he falls silent, and draws his paw away.

Rick Morgan's sobs move to the point of hysterical for a few seconds, as his hands brace him up for now, though even struggling to do that at this moment. Long ragged breathes result only in more sobs beyond what he can control...but even then, one can still hear him under his breath somewhere.

"...their fault...all their fault. It's...all their fault."

Even as Duet materializes nearby, he doesn't seem to notice her right away. Though after a few seconds, he does raise his gaze, just enough, to stare at her. NO, that isn't sorry in his eyes...it's something else.

Hatred...pure and utter hatred. "You...." he breathes, voice barely a whisper. "...you and ALL your kind. YOU did this...every last ONE of you by coming here..."

Duet sighs, and nods hearing Virgo, and then Rick. "Virgo. Help me with this. Justice, is truly gone, and I can not do this alone," she says, motioning towards Twila. But as she hears rick, she gets up, and takes a few steps towards the fallen human, the one Rick cares about, slowly placing her hand on Twila's forehead. "Fear not, for there is still hope." she says, mostly to Rick, but in part, she says it to herself.

Rock looks up at the column. "You're @#$& right it's not fair," he mutters softly. HE looks up at Duet, as she touches Twila's forehead. He was revived by Selene; he knows what Duet is doing. He continues, though, to hold Twila's form to his own trembling body.

Rick Morgan either doesn't have a clue what Duet might be doing, or he's beyond caring right now. Even as she comes close, reaching out for Twila's form, he's already lunging forward, hands moving to try and pull her off. "What are you doing!?" he sobs. "GET AWAY from her!!" Tears continue flowing down his features, as he struggles to try and pull the Stardroid back. "HAVEN'T YOU ALL DONE ENOUGH HARM ALREADY! Don't TOUCH her!" Again his voice degenerates into sobs of despair, loss and rage, all mixed into one turbulent mass.

Rock doesn't drop Twila; he can't. But he does stick an arm up to block Rick's approach. "RICK! She's healing her..."

Rick Morgan is of course held back by Rock's much stronger arm, but at his emotional state he's beyond caring as he pushes back nevertheless. "Let me go! She can't be! They destroy everything they come around @#$&! Let me go ROCK!"

Rock shakes his head at Rick, still cradling Twila with his other arm. "NO! I... know. This is how I'm still alive. They revived me," he says softly, tears still staining his cheeks, and gives Rick a slight shove.

Rick Morgan is of course pushed back, forced to put both hands to steady him. "@#$& you, Rock...it...she's my SISTER! She -was- my sister..." he starts, not daring to believe that there's even a chance that their might be some hope. Slowly, he pushes himself back to his feet, feet feeling like they each weigh a ton, and his sense of helplessness having peaked to a level that he can't even begin to cope with.

Uranus lifts a hand to flick Barrage away. I guess that's his answer. Slowly, his gaze tears away from orbit and wanders toward Duet and Twila. He doesn't speak, although he shares the same hope many of the others in this world do.

The eyes of the Mad Doctor turn to Libra... gazing upon her... "Was...it...a lie?" Wily narrows his eyes. "Will...it happen?"

Libra unsteadily floats over, kneeling beside Wily's broken body. She reaches out, laying a slightly glowing hand upon him. "No word is truly a lie, dear Doctor. Even within my manipulations there is always the chance for truth. But nay - seeing it now...I was incorrect. The Mother did hold deep knowledge that sentenced doom. But doom to we with the knowledge of Duo and Chaos, not to yours. My victory upon her demise is bitter ash. As for what shall happen, I know not. The future is eternally unknown, until the moment of it's happening. Rest easy, Perverter. I would aid thee, but I be too weak now. My energies be spent."

General looks to Duet slowly and, with a slow nod, moves himself back so that she will have plenty of room.

Dr. Wily keeps his eyes locked on Libra... "I...see..." Wily closes his eyes and lays back, looking up to Libra. "The Decent...of the Stardroids...is Nigh. You...have no leader...no place...no future...they are gone. One thing though...for old...time's sake..." Wily flips a hand... and a cane appears in it. He brings it up and clonks Libra on the head. Simply.

Libra smiles slightly as the cane taps her on top of the head. Rising, she nods to Cossack. "Let him not perish. He was a good...opponent." Leaving that compliment behind, she slowly float-staggers over towards Duet, barely able to remain upright.

Dr. Wily chuckles to himself...the cane flipping away as he settles down. He is content for now.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Terra is streaking out of the atmosphere, his body burning with the heat of resistance and its own, glowing aura. He sees Sunstar making the final charge and frowns in determination. He hears his name bellowed and knows it can only mean one thing. Sunstar has fired his planet destroying beam. In his mind the Stardroid XO replays their last battle.

The field was a fiery ruin, stained with the blood of millions of good men. Men that didn't deserve to die. Sunstar sat laughing upon a heap of bones, a skull in one hand like a ridiculous puppet. Twisted metal lay at his feet as well...the body of Terra's second in command and best friend...next to the body of his one true love, one of the most beautiful organic life-forms to have ever existed. One who bares a striking resemblance to Twila. Fate has a round about way of working. Terra remembers the battle as if it were yesterday and not the life of a galaxy ago. The clashing of metal, power pitted against power. Finally Terra emerged victorious, and that's when /he/ appeared on the battlefield. Duo, glowing in an aura of blue, extending a hand to Terra, "Time to come home," he whispered. Duet stood behind him. They were the only two.. the only two Stardroids again. Terra and Sunstar ascended that day, leaving their planet a ruin. Terra has watched Sunstar destroy one planet too many.

Snapping back to the present the celestial XO increases his speed, meeting the planet destroyer head on, "NEVER AGAIN!" he cries. The beam of ultimate destruction flies closer and closer to him. If it goes unchecked it will obliterate Terra and then the precious world behind him, and every lifeform on it. All the triumph, all the loss, all the good, all the evil, all the life, all the death.

"NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!" cries Terra with renewed passion. He splays both hands outward, a shield of energy, emerald energy, springing into place. The beam slams into it like a tennis ball hitting a wall. Its power washes out across the barrier. Terra strains with all of his might, for him, for his lost love, for his lost world, for this world which deserves a chance to live. Terra's own words floats back to him.

"There is not sacrifice so great as one for love."

With the power of a demi-god Terra bends the destructive force to his will, folding the forcefield around it, condensing the power. As the newly formed ball of energy shrinks in size the XO breathes a sigh of relief as the strain is taken off of him. He seizes the tiny, former planet destroying energy ball in his hand, looking at it with almost a glance of...curiosity. He zooms towards Sunstar, "I am here," he says in a calm, completely collected voice. He is drained from the effort, but he'll be damned if he lets his nemesis know. Casually Terra tosses the ball of energy from one hand to the other, as if he were juggling. "Isn't it curious, brother, how you have enough power to destroy a planet." Terra tosses the energy globe into the air, catching it with his opposite hand and crushing it into oblivion. The last of the planet destroying energy fades away, blowing off into the sea of stars. Terra's mouth curls into a grin,

"But not to experience a single moment of happiness."

Pluto takes a step back, giving Duet room, and merely nods. "Fate cannot be escaped, but it can be delayed. As can the cold hands of Death. Do as you must, Duet. For this world..."

Virgo sighs in relief as she nods to Duet. She sweeps her robe off the ground and pushes back her sleeves. She reaches her hands over Twila's body but nothing extremely showy happens. In fact it looks like nothing is happening. Virgo's eyebrows twitch with concentration and she bites her lip. To Duet this would not appear to be very difficult, but for a mere Zodiac, it takes almost all her power. Finally from Virgo's fingers, a wavering mirage of unreality/reality spreads over Twila's form.

Dr. Wily slowly tries to force his way to a sitting position... wincing at the third degree burns on his hands...

If Duet was at full strength, it might of been easy, but physically and mentally she is exhausted. Duo is gone. That is all she can focus on. That is all that keeps her going now. The pain from his loss forces her to keep going, and yet she is week, week enough that even Justice is gone. She is alone.

Slowly though, Duet herself starts to fade, actually becoming transparent as her own energies combine with what Virgo is putting into this effort, almost as if the attempt alone, might be enough to destroy Duet as well. But finally though, she removes her hand from Twila, and sighs.

"Now it is up to her," she says.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> The Destroyer pants softly after unleashing the blast, staring after his beam as it travels towards the Earth. He grins quite viciously, in the hope that somehow, just somehow, Terra will be too late. Yet his hopes are dashed, as they always are, as his nemesis, as he always has been, manages to appear quite uninvited. The earth is spared, it would seem, although even as Terra re-experiences their joint past, Sunstar's own mind opens. Memories, long lost and long forgotten, spill forth, a look of comprehension and perhaps understanding crossing his face before it's shed in favor of pure rage. "I spoke true while you were within your cage, Interloper. This will be the last time you ever...EVER...do that to me again." Floating forward, he offers Terra quite the twisted smile as he leans forward to whisper in his ear. "You know, Terra, she begged for her life so that she could be with you...I found it quite amusing."

Rock looks down at Twila's form. "Please, wake up..." he says softly, giving her a tight squeeze, and, after looking up at Rick, risks a fairy tales dream. He leans in and, once again, softly kisses the redhead. Anything to try and jolt her back to life.

At first nothing appears to happen....and Twila's frame refuses to move of it's own accord. However, if one were to look closer, her chest begins to rise and fall, hesitantly and then more gently. It's then her eyes underneath the lids move into motion...barely noticeable. They open soon after. Bluish-green orbs peer out...no longer lifeless. Glancing about for a few moments as if awakening from a deep sleep she then focuses on her twin first within amazement, "Rick...?" she weakly calls out...and then turns towards Rock...

General smiles very softly, nodding his head to the scene, "...His will..." That's all he says in reference, it hardly being his place to do anything further.

Rock does kiss her once more, but after she's alive and speaks, holding it for a moment, before breaking it with a smile, tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. "You're alive," he murmurs to the redhead, looking at her with his haggard face shining with the joy of her revival. "Rick! She's alive!"

Neptune's gaze strays from the now-breathing Twila back towards the sky, where the fate of the world still hangs in the balance. If Terra is defeated, this is all still for nothing. He closes his eyes a moment, reliving his own moments of battle before being Chosen.

Plant Man sends an annoyed look towards Cuts, finally recovering enough to look around...in time to see that Twila's alive. Maybe feeling awful, but alive. For a very brief moment, an intense joy shows in his expression, before it's shoved down and locked away from exterior world. While tears continue down his face, it's not from grief any more. And at hearing his father cackle again, a /wide/ grin appears on his face. "Good to hear you, Sir."

Uranus raises a hand, voice booming out across the island. "The battle is not over...Terra has only bought us some time."

Rick Morgan blinks again, tears flicking away from his eyes as he stares, hands clenched into fists, not daring to hope. But as Twila's eyes open...and she even speaks. "I don't...Twila?" he breathes. He can feel it all right, and within a split second, he's already down there, starting to scoop her up to crush her to his own chest. Hey, Rock had -his- moment with her, time to share right?

"Twila, you're alive....oh geez.." Again his voice breaks, as he practically crushes (but not quite) his sister's form to his own.

Dr. Wily his gaze then turns at Rock's shout...a soft...and tender smile spreads on his face...no anger in it...for either Rock or Twila it seems...for the moment... "As it should be..."

Plant Man nods, at Wily's words, speaking softly after him. "Yes, Sir...as it should be."

Swing visibly smiles when he hears Twila's voice. What was it she said about hope to him a few days ago? The up and comming Hunter still has a lot to learn, apparently. His musings in his own ideas are snapped away at Uranus' bellow. He looks up at the horned Stardroid, curious.

General slowly looks up as the scene with Twila draws to a close, for she lives, and he forces himself up to full height, "...I still function, Uranus. If there is *ANYTHING* that I can do to aid in this, then I am in your service to the fullest extent." He moves a hand to adjust his cap, eyes narrowing momentarily since he's rather regained his strength by not doing anything for so long.

Neptune rumbles, "It lies entirely in the hands of Terra and Sunstar now."

Rock smiles up at Rick and Twila, tears still streaming, as his attention moves to the sky. "Now, Terra... save us all."

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Terra winces as if he were physically struck. He hangs his head for a moment. He failed to save her, just as he failed to save his world from desolation. Even if he did save the Earth...as long as Sunstar exists he will try to destroy it again...and Sunstar will live as long as Terra lives. This was perhaps a hollow victory. And then...as if from the darkest recesses of space...or a long lost memory...Duo's first words to him return from across eternity.

"I will take you home."

A thin smile snakes across Terra's face. Home, yes, it's time to go home. "Savor the memory, butcher, it'll be the last pleasant moment in your existence. Our eternal conflict ends HERE. NOW!" Terra's aura springs back into existence, expanding, glowing a furious green, but Terra's body seems to go limp. For a moment...nothing happens. Slowly, a gigantic, spectral version of the celestial XO appears among the stars. He has projected his spirit outward, for no Stardroid can be completely destroyed physically, their essence will always linger.. unless that essence is also destroyed. This is a battle of the soul, a resolution to the eternal conflict. For Sunstar and Terra this truly the final battle.

Dr. Wily says, "Terra and Sunstar...the first Chosen...Fight...They are like Rock and Bass...it is...their destiny..."

Libra sniffles, looking stars-wards. "The first of the Chosen fight their last."

General swings his gaze upward to stare into the sky, "Indeed...."

Dr. Wily says, "And....no more Chosen...ever..."

Duet just lets out a small sigh, as she slowly gets up, her form still transparent. As she moves she says, her voice sounding distant, and distorted. "Nothing is ever over. Nothing is ever begun. Nothing."

Twila Peterson returns the kiss, smiling towards the Reploid...just before lets there's a light yelp as she's all to quickly taken up and tightly held by her sibling. Although still feeling somewhat weak, she bring her arms to embrace him as well, tears forming as well. "Rick, I was---" she begins to say, but cuts herself off, holding him tighter as more of her strength returns.

"Shhhh..." Rick says gently, only able to concentrate on the fact that he's holding not a lifeless body, but the -living- form of his little sis in his hands. "I Know...don't say it. I felt it....I know." He then tilts his head just enough to kiss the crown of Twila's head. "I don't ever want to feel that

Rock stands, then, and puts a hand on Rick's shoulder. "I guess... now we wait. He then glances over at Twila, nodding a bit. One hand moves to gently runs his fingertips across her cheek. "You released Terra...he's going to fight Sunstar...to save the planet."

Libra says, "You may still be lost, mortals."

Rick Morgan lets a gentle sigh go, and slowly relinquishes some of his hold, raising one hand to gently wipe at drying tears on his features. "They're going at it right now..." he says quietly. The fact of what might happen should Terra lose doesn't really sink in, or he's beyond caring right now. Somewhere deep down, a burning fire still lingers at the even -thought- of the Stardroid's presence on the planet...and all that they've done.

Dr. Wily says, "If we die...then we will still have won, Libra. I am...proud... of all of you. Even you Stardroids...in the end...you did what was right."

Twila Peterson continues to hold on to her brother as she casts her gaze upwards after hearing one of the Stardroids, and then her own sibling speak. .oO(Eclipse's key...the key of sacrifice)Oo.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Sunstar's smile turns to a sneer, the feature that has so recently taken over his usual smirk. He floats backwards, staring with a thoughtful, calculating look upon his face. Fitting that it should be above a planet so very similar to the one of their initial creation that their final battle would take place. "Yes, my old /friend/, I quite agree. It is long since time we ended this." His own body falls limp moments later, resolving himself to this fate. The celestial skies part as a second vision joins the first, the true Destroyer of their home planet going to the skies. In truth, he doesn't look all that much more different, other than a complete and utter lack of sunflowers upon his body.

"Pure happiness. Perhaps it's closer than I could ever have imagined.."

His sneer turns to that sadistic smile once more, as he calmly crosses his arms. A battle of the titans, or merely a show of fireworks for those who bother to look up from the scenes unfolding below. "You will fall, Terra. It has been written in the stars."

Rock glances up at Wily. "I...when Terra was released...I felt an energy..." He turns, regarding the Stardroids, giving Twila's shoulder a squeeze. "Is...is Terra...was Terra a Chosen One, like me?"

Uranus nods slowly, "Terra.. was the first Chosen One. As Sunstar was the first Chaos' Will..."

Duet just gives Rock a faint nod. "He was the first of those that where chosen. Sunstar was the other."

Dr. Wily turns his gaze to the Stardroids. "We are the first...the only who have ever done this...aren't we?

Rock trembles a bit. "I...see..." he responds choking. And he turns away from the Stardroids, his questions answered for the time being, and back to Twila. He looks up at the sky then, with a soft sigh.

Neptune grunts and looks back up at the sky, "It still might be destroyed, mortal. If it be not, then it be up to ye all to remake it. For if ye have learned nothing of each other, of yerselves...that's when we have truly failed."

Dr. Pavel Cossack says, "Vould it be too forward to check out Miss Peterson to make sure she's vell?""

Twila Peterson continues to hold onto Rick with one arm...then reaches out for Rock's hand as she continues to be held...not that she minds. She's still gathering strength from her "small" experience. "If we are granted a second chance...better make good use of it..."

Rock glances up at Rick, "If it's okay with Rick." He takes Twila's hand into his and gives it a comforting squeeze, nowhere near ready to let go yet.

Rick Morgan gives a long sigh, feeling some measure of relief finally flooding back into his body. He gives Twila one last squeeze, before he indeed does lean back just enough to look over her for himself. "Well..." he starts at Cossack's words. He -does- know something about a little bit of medicine, not on the level of true doctors of course...but a bit. "You all right Twila?" he asks gently then. "I mean...after all that...I mean...does anything hurt?"

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Terra looks at Sunstar, his form expanding with hope and light. He loses most of his physical features, becoming a being of pure light, his form shining with great radiance then all the stars, "Perhaps, destroyed, but we are linked eternally. That is the Balance that Fate and Destiny created between us. Now, devourer of worlds, see me for what I truly am!" In a brilliant flash Terra assumes the forms of a near infinite amount of people, his astral body shifting, allowing the people of Earth to see the truth.

Terra takes the form of Uranus, strong and wise, mover of Earth. Neptune, glorious master of fortitude and the boundless seas. Virgo, trusted guardian and observer. Rock, the champion of Earth's hope. All these forms and a thousand more. Every Chosen One, past, present, and future. And Terra is the first, the first to represent hope and order, and now he is all of them.

"I am the first, Destroyer. I am hope. I am light. I am what must prevail. I am happiness, I am love. I am that I am. And I am what shall burn away your darkness for all eternity. I am hope, Destroyer, which is more than you could ever hope to be." Terra shines with brilliant light, his essence beating back Sunstar's darkness, bringing life and hope.

Dr. Wily looks over to Twila with a smirk. "Hey Twila! You dead?"

Plant Man shakes his head, silently picking up Wily and bringing him over to where Rock, Twila, and Rick are. "Sir...your sense of tact sometimes leaves me stunned by its lack." Yes, he's being snippy.

Before answering Rick Twila shoots her "counterpart" a scolding look before childishly sticking her tongue at him with an added: "Ttttttttttthbts!" After a beat she turns back to her sibling and offers, "Uh...lil weak maybe. I can...wait on the check-up tho. It..." she begins to say, "I..was told it wasn't my time..."

Dr. Wily chuckles and grins. "Nope. She is fine."

Twila Peterson then glances up suddenly again at the sudden extra light... "Look..!"

Rock chuckles at Twila, leaning forward to embrace her tightly again, even though she's still in Rick's loose arms. And he steps back, smiling.

Rick Morgan seems to give Twila's form another lookover, just to be absolutely sure. He then blinks and glances upwards at Twila's words, though it's difficult to see anything else other than the light itself. "Looks like things are heating up up there..." he offers. He then moves to one side of Twila, gently raising one of her arms, obviously intending for Rock to take her other side. "Maybe we should get you moved from here. I don't particularly want to look a gift horse in the mouth here...and I'd feel alot better if you were someplace really safe."

Virgo intones very seriously to Rick, "There are few places really safe at the moment."

Neptune frowns, looking over at Uranus. Real concern etches itself on his features.

Uranus glances back to Neptune. He slowly shakes his head. Destiny will run its course.

Twila Peterson shakes her head towards Rick in protest. "If we're not safe here then we're not safe anywhere..."

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Neptune: "Thank you."

Neptune looks up, and over at Twila. He merely nods to her once before looking back up at the skies.

Rock nods at Twila, "As I said... we must wait and hope and pray now."

Rick Morgan sighs gently, though he still helps to hold Twila up right now, keeping a firm hold on her form, probably not about to let her go ANYTIME soon unless someone takes a crowbar to them both. "I guess you're right..." he says gently, before glancing skywards, and frowning ever so slightly. How ironic...a Stardroid fighting a Stardroid for the fate of the planet. Somewhere, it makes Rick sick to his stomach.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> While Terra may need to divide himself to prove what he truly is, Sunstar does not. He is what he is, death personified even more densely than the likes of Pluto could ever hope or wish to be. A truly countless number of lives have been extinguished, their fires snuffed out by the Destroyer of Worlds.. The Destroyer of Lives. Terra's own life was long ago added to the list, not the first, but close enough to be considered the first. And one of the greatest, the most important, as the millennia would go on. All forms of life have been ripped apart, and soon the only member upon his list to not be permanently put down will join the dead.

A laugh erupts from the Destroyer as he stands there, staring down the Interloper as he launches his assault. Drawing upon that which he has taken, he sweeps a hand forward, his own darkness knocking the light back with pure ease. "You draw upon our brethren for strength, Terra, a compliment to our kind. We are the strong, we are the fit. They are the judges, but I...I am the Executioner. Kneel, like your beloved did, and accept your fate like a good dog." The clenched fist shoots open, a larger assault being issued upon the brightness.

"You'll be with her soon. Keep that thought, for it may be your only comfort in what will soon come."

Twila Peterson then lowers her hand back to her lap tiredly...and then proceeds with Rick's offer for Rock to be at her other side. "Guess...they had something to learn as much as we did..." she muses.

Feedback who's been babblying this entire time in the background continues to talk, after being semi-revived. It's just what he does. Everyone should know that by now, and if you don't, then get a clue, "Come on everyone. I know that you can hear me here. So STOP IGNORING me already. Come on, tell me what's going on already."

Ice Man turns to Freedback, "SHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!"

Neptune whirls on Feedback, "'less ye want to see the bottom of the deepest ocean trench, shut yer yap now!!"

Ice Man turns to Neptune, "You tell em, Neppy!"

Neptune says, "AND YOU TOO!"

Magna Bass is dragged in hand over hand by Swing literally like a beached whale, as he makes contact with the shore however, something happens. As a switch of some sort is hit, and with a flurry of motion, both Master and canine are separated from one another.

Twila Peterson hmmms and takes her gaze from the sky and glances over towards the Perveror...looking at him in question.

Dr. Wily calls softly. "Twila."

Dr. Wily raises a hand, beckoning her over.

Rick Morgan blinks and glances over towards the scene that's taking place, then heaves a sigh. He leaves Twila in Rock's care for the moment, raising a finger. "I'll be right back..." he offers, before moving and striding over towards where both Feedback and Neptune are. He still can't bring himself to even make eye contact with the Stardroid....still holding his own blame on them, but he does offer a gruff, "Allow me..." as he moves up to where Feedback is, kneeling next to him. "Feedback..." he offers. "Your voice modulation chip get set into overdrive with the damage you took?"

Dr. Wily looks to Twila, a smile slowly spreading on his lips

Twila Peterson blinks as she's given to Rock, although still focused on the doctor. Strange, whatever burns she had on her features that can now be more easily seen are healed by now. "Yes, Wily?"

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Terra's eyes go wide with horror as his light is consumed by the ravenous darkness like a predator, blood dripping from its jaws. Terra begins to fade, his form joining the stars. Sunstar is darkness, evil beyond imagination. He is the embodiment of every hateful thought, every possible murder that exists within ours minds, the potential not only to kill, but to inflict pain and suffering. As strong as the power of the lighter emotions is, they have no defense against this blind, brute assault. The Savior can feel his life draining away..

"..Take you home.."

Terra stands once again, turn towards Earth, "People of Earth.. what I need now is your aid, I need something deep within you all. Do you feel it within you? The breath of life. The uncontainable joy that radiates from the center of your very souls? Do you feel it? The sensation that drives your passions, hopes and dreams to the very limits of mortal desire and love. Do you see it before you? The promise of a new dawn glowing upon the distant horizon as the last of the night's cold moonlight is burnt away? Can you feel its touch? A caress as soft as a summer afterthought, that sends a shiver down your spine. Tingling into the very tips of your fingers and toes in a bolt of fervent electricity. Do you sense its warmth, holding you in a lover's embrace, shielding you from the outside? The sweet promise of eternal freedom from fear? Can you feel it, people of Earth. If you can I implore you.. show me how to feel. Open your hearts and souls and let me feel this hope, give me the strength to return the light to your world."

Terra's plea rings across the ears of every inhabitant of Earth. Slowly, people of all walks of life open their hearts and minds, allowing hope to spill forth. This desire to save their world, to insure tomorrow's sunrise, becomes tangible, manifest. Green light, rippling like water, flows across Earth's surface, rising into space and merging with Terra. Slowly, the darkness falls away, but redoubles it efforts. Terra needs more to beat back this Pandora's box of darkness. He needs that single ray of light, from every inhabitant of Earth. He needs that one force capable of defeating all brutality, all evil and tyranny.

Hope.

Dr. Wily then looks to Twila, smiling. "Good work, Twila...very good work. You did good, my dear..." Wily coughs harshly again...oh yes...he is /defiantly/ going to need some smoke inhalation treatment... "Very good work..."

General sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "It pleases me that God chose to allow you to return to us, Ms. Peterson...It is very - very good to have you back."

Twila Peterson blankly stares towards Wily first...then his Master. "Uh....thanks..." she offers. She then pauses to smile up towards General.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to General: "Thank you. And God bless you."

Rock begins to glow slightly, feeling the desire of the first Chosen... and he shuts his eyes, squeezing Twila's hand, and concentrates.

Uranus slowly lifts his eyes once more to the battle in orbit. He raises his arms, "Terra..." His eyes begin to glow slightly, "For this planet...for all Chosen Ones...you must not fail.."

Swing furrows his brow as the net bulges under the strange separation. He reaches into the net and grabs ahold of Bass' torso, lifting him and the entire package up. He sidesteps out of the surf and over to an out of the way area, setting Bass into a sitting position against one of the giant golem heads. Pressing a secondary button on the inside of his combat gauntlet, the net unfurls as Swing reels the entire cable back into a small black cone. "I'll notify your comrades in a bit, assuming the world isn't destroyed." he says with a very forced smile.

Libra keeps watching the sky.. seeing the people of the world giving what they're able.. "Perhaps..." she raises her arms as well, pitifully small beside the mighty others.

In unison with Uranus, Neptune lifts his own arms, like a gesture of supplication to the heavens above. "To make the circle complete. Restore the balance." Swirls of light begin to spiral around the Stardroid as he draws on some hidden power.

You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Terra: "Whatever happens, thank you."

Terra sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "And whatever you do...live your life to the fullest...with the one you love."

General sends a tightbeam radio transmission to Terra: "All of our hopes go with you, Terra. For all that ever was and all that ever shall be...Godspeed."

Rock then holds Twila to him tightly, letting the glow spread over his form, a light in the darkness. "Twila..." he says softly, opening his eyes to look down at her. "I'm glad you're all right; I...don't know what I would've done, if... Duet couldn't have revived you."

Twila Peterson holds on to Rock all the more tighter as she overhears the plea and squeezes. She looks back over towards him and rests her head on his shoulder. "Rock, you made me a promise, remember?"

General looks to the sky and closes his eyes. Slowly, he rears to full height and lowers his arms, "...In freedom, there is hope... Those that died and gave themselves for this freedom are within me... Robert E. Lee, giving up everything for his home state... George Washington, defying all odds to lead an outclassed army... Eisenhower for amassing a force large enough to conquer the greatest evil humanity had ever faced at the time. For every general...For EVERYONE THAT TOOK A STAND!" He tears his arms up, voice thundering across the island and then some, "...I offer up the hope in new peace, for victory and all that freedom stands for... That, is what I can offer and do so willingly..."

Rock looks down at Twila, nodding softly, letting the glow spread across her form as well. "I did, yeah..." He hugs her tight, however. " Bass grunts once as he's moved, Treble's unconscious form next to him as well. It's then that SOMETHING makes contact and his entire body jolts as Swing props him up. Ahhh, there it is. Feeling in his body returning all over again.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Sunstar looks about rapidly, a frown painting his face at this turn of events. All too quickly, however, the look of awe within his eyes is replaced with the only thing he knows. Fury. And this fury is the fury of a god from below, one who may very well be on the losing end of this battle. "No! I will NOT let it end like this!" He turns and almost seems to begin fleeing away -- before something within him makes him turn back around. The movement once more changes his appearance, to reveal yet another of the Sunstar's within. What can only be considered a red cape dried with the blood of millions hands from his shoulders, an all too human face visible at the center of his blue helmet. The rest is merely armor plating, for Sunstar is reverting.

To the Tyrant within.

"You cannot hope to defeat me, Terra! The forces of Life are not greater than the force of what takes it from them! Death! Die, Terra, as the inhabitants of our beloved homeworld died to my genocide! FALL!" Mustering his forces once again, his eyes harden before being replaced by pure darkness. The gateway to the soul, and Sunstar's soul is darkest of all. "FAAAAAAAAAALL!" Throwing both hands forward, as his buster is no longer present, the darkness strikes. Not only gathered from the dead, but from the king of death himself, from within Sunstar. "YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED!"

Twila Peterson stays within his arm's, holding Rock with all she has now. "Not even to carry on...for me?"

Rock looks down at her. "I... don't know. When you were gone, it was just...this overwhelming feeling of despair and loss..." He gently kisses her on top of the head. "Akin to the feeling I felt when Duo killed me..."

Twila Peterson simply rests there, breathing a sigh. "What's there now in it's place?"

Bass grunts, reaching out one hand that actually works now...and feels like it weighs five tons on it's own to brace against the stone head behind him. With a slow, deliberate motion, he forces himself to his feet, fluids from his chest having long dried out, though a thin trickle continues to stream from the corner of his mouth. For a moment, he glares skywards, muttering faintly, still to himself apparently.

"Nothing personal...." he growls. "...do what you will. But not from me."

Swing now blinks. Not only does he deny the heavenly hosts, he fights death itself. Standing face to face with Bass, six feet between the two, Swing seems almost captured by the vulgar display of power.

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Terra absorbs the life and hope of nearly every inhabitant of the planet. The hope of a father for his family. The hope of a woman for her love. The hope of a warrior for his victory. Millions of souls, billions of thoughts, all manifested into this beautiful stream of energy. The Savior absorbs it, all of it, taking it within. It becomes a ball at the center of his being, a beacon of light and hope. This planet will survive. This Earth will witness another sunrise, and thousands after that. Terra looks dreamily towards Sunstar and says, in a perfectly peaceful voice, "I must."

The darkness rushes over him in a tide of terror, murder, and fear. It devours and consumes, ravenous. The light flowing from the planet instantly dies, as if God turned off the cosmic lightswitch. Sunstar's physical body still blocks the sun, blotting out light. At that exact moment every light on Earth goes out, plunging the planet into darkness. The energy devouring Terra dissipates, leaving nothing behind. The celestial astral image has vanished. The savior is gone.

Dr. Wily looks up... as complete darkness falls on the world...

Bass spits out a glob of mechfluid to the ground below, as if a final word of his own as to just what -he- thinks of the whole deal. Still keeping one hand on his chest, as if to keep his insides within, he tilts his glare upwards, eyes narrowing to slits faintly as darkness begins to become apparent. Yet, for some reason...he dosen't appear to react otherwise to the sudden change of events...

Neptune's optics slowly open, his arms still raised to the heavens. His voice is calm, controlled, "Have faith. Tis the strongest power in the universe, next ta love."

General looks over at Neptune and states simply, "That it is...That it is."

<Live News><Earth Orbit> Floating alone now, Sunstar looks back and forth rapidly, almost unbelieving. His mood switches quickly, of course, to exhilaration. Spinning about, he throws his arms out, his laughter easily heard throughout the solar system. Within the Wilystar, it echoes so densely. Throughout the earth, it's a little less loud, but clearly heard nevertheless. The giant visage of the Destroyer grins, before throwing his head back to roar.

"Our battle is finished, Terra, and now you know that I, Sunstar, am the victor! Did I not promise you this, while you still remained within your cage, where the being responsible for our.. my.. current existence put you? And now.. Now you are in your place, for you are and always have been there. Below me, Terra, below me!" The ancient battle is finished, and the darkness.. has won over the light, for a change.

Floating there in silence now, Sunstar's expression rapidly deteriorates as he stares down to observe the shining blue orb men call the Earth. "And now.. I stand unopposed. Now I can step forward, to claim what is rightfully mine. The universe is but a gem to my eye, yet I will possess it. But first.. You're all going to die." The final words, also, echo out throughout the solar system, delivered in the voice of he who stands for nothing save pure and utter destruction.

Bass suddenly speaks for the benefit of EVERYONE present. "Terra isn't gone." He spits. "Trust me...having fought a Chosen One for as long as I have...I -know- these things." Again his eyes narrow. "He isn't destroyed."

Dr. Wily says, "Oh yes, Bass... You are right, there...Chosen One's tend to... survive... irritably..."

Rock continues to glow, letting his energy as a Chosen flow to Terra. "Joy, happiness, and a feeling of being complete," he replies to the redhead, giving her another tight hug. "I...saw the engagement ring, on your necklace."

Twila Peterson's cheeks blush a warm red, not having expected for Rock to ever see that, even if it was no longer on her finger. "Always...kept it with me..." She manages. She then gazes upwards once more, eyes again moistened, "It's not over..." she states firmly.

Dr. Wily says, "Oh... And I will be *cough* kidnapping Twila and Iris when I feel better. /Someone/ has to yank you two couples to a chapel... just call it... Shotgun Wedding... Wily Style... HmuHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

<Live News><Earth Orbit> As Sunstar celebrates his victory and makes grand, insane claims he fails to notice the change in the environment around him. The space he is standing on turns completely white. A vast, desert of white. Slowly realization dawns as the perspective of the universe widens. Sunstar is standing, shouting, and boasting, in Terra's palm. The harbinger of hope has grown to near universal proportions, spiritually. This is the hope of the world, embodied in one vessel. The Savior regards his one time nemesis as a human right regard an insect.

"None will die here today, Sunstar, except for one. This is for our home, my friend, and my love. This is for every world you murdered, you small, insignificant creature. I will now open the gates between dimensions and allow some old friends to pay their respects." A portal opens before Sunstar, space itself splitting in half. Through it stream souls, billions of them. Small blue incarnations of one-time lifeforms. They swirl around the dark tyrant, eager to take their revenge. These are the spirit of every man, woman, and child that Sunstar has even killed. Thousands of worlds, trillions of people, each sharing their death with Sunstar. They close around, constricting him, allowing the destroyer to die hundreds of millions of ways over and over again.

Terra looks at the spectacle without amusement or, indeed, any kind of expression. He waits for every ghost to have its turn before, slowly, closing his palm into a fist and squeezing tight. The souls return through the portal. The savior looks down at Sunstar's physical body, "Let there be light," he says calmly. The Planet Kill's body explodes into a hundred thousand tiny pieces. Sunlight once again touches the face of the world. Terra turns to the Earth to impart his final wisdom.

"What we perceive as our end is now merely a beginning. A new plane from which hope springs forth and the glory of life-kind existence has yet to be achieved. A chain, with not bound and no birth, stretching into the infinity of possibilities that exist between the space of a single breath. A feeling. Love and Hate. Desire and Anger. Loneliness and Despair. Merged together as one. An absence, a void left behind where there was nothing before. A sense of lacking in even the most inpassionate of spirits. A presence, a soul deep within. Bringing Hope to impossibility. Odds mean nothing, all possibilities exist. All universes are real. All voices are one, singing together in a powerful, noble soliloquy. Join me in this final prayer, for all life. We will not concede. We will not be silenced. We will always hope. No one, not even the gods themselves, can stop this chain of events, for it has already begun. Never lose hope, people of Earth. You have been given eternity back to you, use it wisely. Enjoy the miracle that you have been blessed with, salvation and the promise of life. Farewell, good people. I owe you a debt that cannot be expressed in words alone. I can at last join my love and my people. After countless millennia.. I am free. Thank you." Without another word Terra vanishes...his form fading into the stars. And slowly..

Sunlight appears on the horizon, as the new day dawns.

Uranus's eyes stop glowing as he looks down from the skies. "It is finished.. Terra has made the ultimate sacrifice. We will all live to see another day..."

Libra smiles, reaching up and very lightly wiping her eyes. "Indeed, mighty Uranus. Very much... indeed."

The human girl swallows and cups the Reploid's hand within her own as she watches the skies and then throws her arms around Rock, again within an embrace. "Rock..."

Neptune lowers his arms slowly, the swirls of light dying away into nothingness. "Aye... the Judgment has been made." He looks over at Twila and Rock, "Now it be up to ye all."

Rock smiles softly, gently lifting Twila into his embrace again to give her a kiss. "He did it. We won..." he replies softly to the girl.

Twila Peterson returns the kiss, surely not needing any prompting, and holds it there before again embracing him. She's still a little weak however, something that can be noticed by how she slightly slumps. "It's...over then...?"

Bass again tilts his glare upwards, eyebrows arching as he stares upwards to the sky above. This would be a moment for everyone to have some measure of hope or relief at the way everything's going all over again right? Smiles and laughter and giggles going all around. But no, where Bass is, there's no smile, no giggling, no sudden sense of elation at the thought of everything being saved. There's only a dark scowl, as he returns to shuffling off, towards the biggest clearing, in preparation for the shuttle he's summoned. Another day, another dawn....another world to conquer.

Neptune's form begins to grow indistinct, slowly fading away.

Dr. Wily turns his gaze to Rock and General. "I believe I owe you something... ahh yes...one week back pay...Until are are healed... and the world is ready...the Truce...continues."

Swing looks at Wily. @#$&, the world almost ends, and he's still a megalomaniac.

Rock nods at Twila, smiling and holding the young woman to him. "I hope so..." he replies simply, lifting Twila to hold her in his arms (holding her by her back and legs). He glances over at Wily, and nods. "Accepted."

"Lee...Washington...Eisenhower..Naepoleon..Alexander.. Everyone of you, hear me now, for we have done it. The memory of you - Each one of you - has not been wasted. For such has inspired hope and faith in this world, as each of you stood for your beliefs. Good or bad, your determination flooded my being as well as others." He looks up at the sky now, his form weary and tired. A smile shifts his weary face, the guard still properly hiding it as he regards every blade of grass, tree and shifting of the water. Closing his eyes, the General says aloud:

"Bow down Thy Heavens, O Lord, and come down, Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke."

Uranus takes a step forward, expression still a mask of solemnity. "Rock... Bass.. there is yet one more matter you must attend to." He pauses dramatically. "Tomorrow, you will both be summoned for your duty. For now...rest." He lifts his arms and slowly melts into the ground.

Rock turns and looks at Uranus. "What do you mean, 'summoned for our duty'?"

<After the cleanup commences and Twila decides to head back home with Rick...>

Twila Peterson nods towards the Cyborg after offering Rock a kiss in return as he heads back another way. "Yeah...I'm ready..." she states, grateful for Rick's support.

Twila Peterson lets out a breath as some of the transports leave and gives Rick his own additional hug. "Glad you're alright..."

Rick Morgan smiles faintly, and reaches down to push a big red button on his belt. Sure enough, not too far away, his downed ride armor lurches to life. While in no sense sentient, it has preprogrammed commands into it that it can answer to the call of it's creator. And with that, the Kodiak pushes -itself- back to it's feet, and turns to lumber back towards the twins, coming to a halt right in front of them and extending one giant hand as a platform, waiting in that manner that only a machine truly can.

It's then that Rick glances back over to Twila, and his smile grows faintly, as he reaches out to squeeze her back, before helping to guide her onto the outstretched hand. "You're glad -I'm- allright?" he offers. "You have...no idea how glad I am that -you- are..." He could go on, but instead he decides to let it go for now, preferring to just get his lil sis home safe and sound. He can have a nervous breakdown later.

Twila Peterson follows of course and settles herself, although still somewhat weak from her encounter. "Where to anyway...the Labs or...San An? Kyo's there."

Rick Morgan chuckles faintly. "We can pick her up on the way..." he offers, as the whir and grind of gears fills the air, the Kodiak's hand lifting both little figures carefully to it's chest cavity. It's there than Rick helps Twila in, to make darn good and sure she's settled before he gets in as well.

Meanwhile, Swing takes a final look across the field, spying the Kodiak and the twins. He smiles once, remembering Twila's words. He'd go and talk to them, but meek Hunter he is, doesn't want to spoil they're moment. A tension field of static electricity begins to crackle around his form. "To hope..." he whispers, a smile upon his face.

Inside the armor, Rick Morgan helps Twila into the rear seat, going so far as to help buckle her in, and make sure she's darn good and secure, essentially giving her all the attention one would a newborn infant when buckling them into their car seat.

Twila Peterson grins, somewhat in amusement, very well aware of the extra care and the act of being babied...but doesn't protest regarding it. "Ok, Skipper, guess we be ready to go home..."

Rick Morgan can't help but smile faintly, giving Twila's harness one last little tug. Just to be sure. "Yeah, that we are..." He then reaches forward, leaning over to again kiss her forehead, having to lean over his own seat in the process. As he pulls back, he keeps one hand on her cheek. "Don't ever do that to me again...." he offers gently. "I don't know what it would have been like to go crazy, but I think I came very darn close today."

Twila Peterson face softens quite a bit towards him, not knowing she can honestly say. She gazes shyly to the floor and offers, "Rick...I know what I was being asked to do," she states. "I think I've known for a few weeks now. I didn't...really now how to outright tell you."

Rick Morgan stares for a long moment, before letting a soft sigh out. "I know...I guess I should have clued in something was bothering you. I guess I -did- know in a way...I just...in the wake of everything happening, I didn't think it was something that big. Just promise me if anything like that were to ever happen again....not that it will, but for the sake of argument....tell me ahead. I swear I'd find some other way, because honestly Twila I don't think I could survive going through that all over again."

Twila Peterson picks her gaze back up and slowly nods. "Are you sure you wouldn't have been in denial?" is all she can ask.

Rick Morgan sighs again, tilting his gaze down. "I don't know...I might." he offers. "But I sure as heck won't ever be again. Not after this...never again. Twila, after tonight, I'm never gonna let you go, and I'm never gonna go from you either. Nobody is going to pull us apart like that again...not even Stardroids." He lets his hand cup the side of her face reassuringly then, as she leans forward to kiss her forehead a second time, then begins to settle into his seat. "Now, I better get us back home. Since the Vorpal isn't available I'll have to take the underwater route....we'll be traveling a few hours, so you can get some sleep back there if you want. I think you need it."

Twila Peterson nods in answer and starts to lean back against her seat, offering him a weary smile. "Maybe we'll see some dolphins...or turtles..." she states almost dreamily.

Rick Morgan smiles faintly, "Yeah...maybe we will. Who knows...?"

<And over the broadband...>

(Ch. E [Rep/Hunter-Freq]) Decibel transmits: 'So... we did it. The world is saved. Like, some have fallen... which is most heinous. But we live on, and junk! We must honor them by striving forth for a better world! So who wants some pizza?'.

(Ch. E [None]) Inferno Hyena transmits: 'What kind? *giggle*'.

(Ch. E [None]) Bass transmits: '*groans* I've had about enough of this prattle.... *click*'.