Lucas Vinisha's Story

"...!"

After hearing all that, Lucas released his soul's hold on the troop, catching his breath.

"Lucas - !" Derecho reacted.

"...That...I don't believe it..." Lucas said, steadying his breathing. "Majestic's practices are worse than I imagined. They broke his will - and likely others' wills - so thoroughly that he can't believe in anything else..."

"What - ? That...That's just sick..."

"You know our creed," said the trooper. "You would do well to fear it. Word of advice, dragon boy - get out while you still can."

"..."

Lucas's soul merged back into his body.

"Well, I don't follow your creed. And I know I'm not the only one who doesn't."

"...Anyway," Derecho resumed, "we will not tolerate any attacks on Coronach, especially not at this time. Are you aware that the Bacaina Shrine has begun to weaken day after day? It's more than just a tree - it's a barometer of the planet's very life. Something is responsible for this weakening, and if it's the result of your group's actions...then it wouldn't be unreasonable to accuse them of attempting to destroy the world."

"You honestly think we're behind a dying tree?" asked the trooper. "What would we want with a destroyed world? But since you mentioned your disapproval of any attacks on Coronach, I'm sure that you can convince Uldritch to not nuke you. I guarantee you not liking what's gonna happen will change his mind."

"How are you even sure of that?" Lucas remarked. "You're not even sure of yourself - !"

"Ease yourself, officer..." Derecho said. "It may stay his hand, if he's any common sense."

"Hu - ?"

"You're aware of the destruction of Hierophant eight years ago? Well...many legends point to something important that was protected there. And the Bacaina Shrine...it's said to be kin to that which was destroyed on that island."

"(!) You mean...?"

"If they blast Coronach, then Bacaina Shrine is at greater risk! And if it's destroyed...!"

"...then the destroyer might awaken any day after!" Lucas realized. "The calamity...Nil!"

It was then that the Majestic trooper realized that people from Corona are truly too stupid to get sarcasm and genuinely believe every "evil" guy around is out to destroy the world because reasons.

"... The hell are you people talking about?" asked the trooper.

As dawn came, the interrogation of the Majestic trooper went on, but he didn't give away any information about his organization. Once it was explained to him (again) what Bacaina Shrine meant to Coronach, he did offer up one piece of 'advice'...

"You know," said the trooper. "You could just surrender. Maybe you can stop the nuke that way. Unless, of course, Corona's sense of pride outweighs the important of that tree..."

Outside the castle, the top mages have prepared the barrier, with help from assisting groups from other focal points in Coronach. The barrier veiling the continent will certainly hold up against the bomb.

-----

"..."

Derecho and Lucas considered what would happen if Coronach was surrendered to Haven. All sovereign power that Coronach's rulers have would be stripped away and held by Haven's moguls. And then, who knows what investigations the likes of Uldritch will pull and how it would endanger the people...

"...That will be all for now, grunt," Derecho said, leading Lucas out of the wing and to the hall of thrones, where Damian and Camilia waited. They were already informed of the details, and they didn't like what awaited any better.

"We are ready to open communication with Eden's chamber," Camilia said.

The troop relaxes back in his bed... as much as he can with him being chained to it. Some butlers and maids enter, cleaning the trooper's room.

They had a magic mirror (like a medieval magic computer monitor) ready for contacting Uldritch, but no response came from it.

"'Course the rat-bastard's not going to answer," Lucas growled. "He expects us dead."

Suddenly, the pink dragon appeared next to the others in a pink flash, along with Brimir and the other two survivors of the massacre at Bacaina.

"Brother?" Camilia reacted.

"Chanarong, what are you doing here?" Damian asked. "You and the others should be protecting the - "

"It was compromised," the pink dragon, Chanarong, said. "Forgive us...Even our efforts weren't enough. But...the citizens are safe, right?"

"Y...Yes," Camilia said. "They finished sheltering not too long ago."

"What about Chayton?" Damian asked. "Kid's run off lately, and no one seems to be able to find - "

It's then that the explosion in Bacaina was heard.

"No...!" Lucas went to the lookout balcony nearby, and saw a nuclear explosion engulfing the once-mighty tree. Black mist was seen shooting up from it. "Those idiots...! They DID break a key!"

"To me shame, boy..." Brimir said, looking sadly to the ground. "After all our past efforts, THIS is how today's generation thanks us."

"(?) Have I...seen you somewhere before?" Lucas asked, cocking his head at Brimir.

"Have ye?" Brimir wondered. "Well, if YE don't know, boy, then how would I?"

"Oh, hell...!" Damian growled, accessing the magic mirror to view the Minils' attack on Fontin. "They're close to reaching Fontin's inhabitants! (?) Wait...those two..."

Indeed, the mirror showed Dr. Y and Black Jack fighting the Minils that are copying them. Lucas and Derecho noticed some Majestic troops' corpses here and there.

"(!) ...You have got to be kidding me," Lucas said flatly, out of shock.

"So! Those are the parties responsible for Haven's attack, eh?" Brimir responded. "Well, those scrawny excuses fer human bein's got a date with me girl here!" With that, he hoisted Jordenklyv over his shoulder and hurried out.

"Uh, actually, Dr. Y isn't - " But Lucas couldn't finish that before Brimir had left.

"In...any case, we should check on any populaces around the Bacaina area," Chanarong said. "We've already lost the shrine - the people are all we have left in Coronach..."

"Agreed. Still...one of us is going to have to stay here to deliver some...choice words to Haven for this atrocity," Derecho said.

"Well, it can't be me, since I can't respectfully represent this nation," Lucas said. "That and I've got some choice words for those two."

"Hm. I'll give Mordred the defense instructions, then head out to Thalassa," Derecho continued.

"Camilia...we'll be heading to Flurs," Chanarong said.

"Uh, o-okay, brother," Camilia replied.

"(!) Wait, what is this?!" Damian snapped to Chanarong.

"What do you mean?" Chanarong asked.

"Are you just doing this to keep her from being alone with me?" Damian interrogated. "If so, why not let ME join you? Do you just not trust Camilia to be alone with anyone besides YOU?!"

"..."

"Well...?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Damian. You have more experience with Haven's leaders - also, bonus points for matching their aggression to the point of neutralization."

That last remark really miffed Damian, if the grimacing corners of his mouth are any evidence.

"D-Do we really need MORE aggression in post-attack discussion??" Camilia reacted, hoping to break up the fight before it gets worse.

"Okay, STOP IT. Both of you!" Lucas piped up. "Is this how leaders act?! Seriously, I got enough of this behavior from Uldritch! I don't wanna see any more of it! Am I clear?!"

Damian and Chanarong both eyed Lucas for a moment, each with a brow cocked. Admittedly, Lucas flinched a bit here, considering the chain of command he just interfered with (and between two dragons, no less).

"Well...when you three are done bickering, let's get a move-on," Derecho said, heading out.

"...Fine. Stupid posey..." Damian grumbled, turning his attention to the mirror.

"...Alright, let's proceed," Chanarong said, preparing to warp himself and Camilia to Flurs Village.

"We'll let you know how it goes!" Camilia said to Damian, just before she and her brother warped away.

"Right...One doctor and one majestic prick to meet with," Lucas said, heading out for Fontin.

Actually, the Minil-Feathertops just regained their daggers. (How do you think the Minils get weapons?) One of them escaped the fracas, leaping onto a building nearby. There, it basked its knives in the sun, collecting energy from it.

One of the Minil-Umbras there quickly constricted Black Jack, intent on consuming him...but then it got hit in the head by some kind of sound-based beam from above, the noise vibrating throughout its amorphous structure and making it lose grip of Jack. The source of the beam, Lucas, walked in.

"I've got some unpleasant questions for the two of you later," Lucas said to Dr. Y and Black Jack, "so try not to run off when we're done here."

-----

Two of the Minil-Dumas also vibrated to match speed and intercept Duma. The other one changed its form to match Terrus. In this state, it used a cannon-arm to blast Terrus back with rapid shots, and swung a hammer-arm into the shelter door. This succeeds in busting the door back, slamming into the last door left. This did some preemptive damage to this door, and Minil-Terrus was about to go in and finish the job...

...but then it got bashed back by a hammer-jab by Brimir!

"Damn Minils!" he shouted. "Don't know when ta leave and let live, do ye?!"

The jut of his hammer had sent the Minil-Terrus tumbling across the street. Brimir then channeled the Magnethead power into Jordenklyv, focusing its electromagnetism on Minil-Terrus's hammer- and cannon-arms. This dragged the Minil right back to Brimir, who finished it with a hammer uppercut!

"Aye, 'tis a good thing. Ye still got it, Jordenklyv!"

but I just said the fake daggers don't get sun- you know what screw it

In order for those daggers to actually get a decent amount of energy from the sun the fake Feathertop is going to have to stand there for about an hour. The real Feathertop follows the fake up the building with mad ninja skills and stabs it in the back before retracting her dagger, leaping off the building, and landing on two more Dr. Y clones, stabbing them. think an air assassination from Assassin's Creed

"I appreciate the honesty," said Black Jack, getting up and double-tapping the Minil-Umbra.

"Those are the only type of questions people ask me," said Dr. Y, continuing to blast Minils, focusing on the ones taking Black Jack's form.

---

Ten years ago. Dr. Y is pinned under a fallen chunk of ceiling, struggling to get it off. Black Jack comes rushing into the room and grabs the chunk.

"Push up on three," said Black Jack. "One, two, three!"

Working together, the two men lift the chunk off Dr. Y, giving the doctor time to get out from beneath it. He gets up and turns angrily to Black Jack.

"Why aren't you fighting-" began Dr. Y.

"It's a losing battle in there," said Black Jack. "Tempestra's dead, Ramses is running out of bombs, and Feathertop's gone!"

"What do you mean, gone?" asked Dr. Y.

"She's not answering her communicator," explained Black Jack. "And she's not anywhere in the base."

"She turned and ran," spat Dr. Y. "Just like Mary..."

"Mary didn't exactly run, per se..." began Black Jack.

The room shakes and another chunk of building falls - but this time Dr. Y is prepared and tackles Black Jack out of the way.

"Look, there's no time to explain!" said Black Jack. "If we don't do something this entire facility is going to come crumbling down!"

---

The real Duma, moving at mach speed, zooms off for the shipyards... and stops at the last minute, aiming to trick the fake Dumas into continuing on and running into the water, where slowing down would dump them in the drink - and with fake electrical generators on their back that wouldn't be great.

The real Terrus is blown backwards, but catches his breath and runs in front of the broken down door, turning his arms into cannons and opening fire at every Minil in the area.

"I suppose they don't," said Terrus, answering Brimir's rhetorical question.

Some of the transformed Minils try to gang up on Lucas, who evades their high strikes and delivers low kicks to their legs, stunning them long enough for him to deliver a rising spin-kick into them, knocking them back. His attacks were lined with harmonic energy. Some of the Minils saw this, and took on Lucas's form, utilizing his and his DRACOS Junction's abilities for themselves. One slid in close to Black Jack and delivered a Sonic Palm to his chest, the amp effect blasting him backward.

"Wannabes..." Lucas fought fist-to-fist-to-foot-to-foot with the other Minil-Lucases, until they both struck him back with a Sylph Vortex-to-Flying Axe combo, resulting in Lucas getting face-time with the pavement.

"Rrrgh..." Lucas got up, his soul manifesting in its draconic form again. The Minil-Lucases noticed this, and attempted to manifest their souls...wait, what souls? Now they realized the fault in copying Lucas! All too late - the soul's claws added to the strength of Lucas's Undin Dance as he practically glided in close, striking through the imposters and tearing them to bits.

"How 'bout that? They really are no soul," Lucas mused.

-----

The Minil-Dumas saw the water ahead and skidded to a stop before they could even get their feet wet.

Black Jack is sent flying into a nearby wall, where he slumps down to the ground. As the Minils get close... Dr. Y blasts them away and backs up next to Black Jack, providing him with covering fire.

"The only one who's going to kill you is me," said Dr. Y.

"Noted," said Black Jack, taking his tommy gun and opening fire on any approaching Minils.

Feathertop and John are still fighting, btw. I just find it boring to write "John continues to shoot Minils" or something similar.

---

Duma leans back on her tail and kicks one of the Minils into the water before tackling the other one.

This Minil swarm is losing numbers fast. Practically the only ones left of significance are those few Minil-Dumas. The kicked one fell into the water, short-circuiting and bursting into nothing. The tackled one was bumped into Brimir's hammer, which then swung down and crushed it into thin air.

"Haha!" Brimir cheered. "That'll thin 'em out fer now!"

As the Minil swarm is destroyed, Dr. Y keeps thinking back to his first Platoon...

---

"And what are we supposed to do?" asked Dr. Y. "You know as well as I do we don't have the firepower to take him down!"

"... No," said Black Jack, seriously. "But we can bring this building down."

"Are you crazy?" asked Dr. Y. "You just said-"

"The entire facility is going to crumble, yes," said Black Jack. "But with controlled explosions we can bury him in a pile of rubble. Maybe if we do that we can stop him before this situation gets worse."

"Even if this works," said Dr. Y. "What's going to stop him from just running out before he's buried under rubble?"

"Me," said Black Jack.

A pause. The building shakes.

"Look, if we stand here debating this it may be too late!" said Black Jack. "The only way to make sure he doesn't get out is if I stay behind and keep him still!"

"There's got to be a better way," said Dr. Y.

"There isn't," said Black Jack. "We're too late to save everybody, doctor. At least this way we can stop him from killing again. I'll send Ramses out to get you to safety."

"You can't do this!" said Dr. Y. "I forbid it!"

"Well, consider this a dismissal of your orders, sir," said Black Jack. "Promise me something. When you get out... I don't want you to let this keep you down. I want you to make a difference."

Black Jack walked away, back the way he came.

"Jack," said Dr. Y. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not," said Black Jack. "Had to be me. Anyone else might fail."

With that, Black Jack left. A few minutes later, Ramses came rushing out to Dr. Y.

"We've got to go," said Ramses.

"What's Black Jack doing?" asked Dr. Y.

"Hell if I know," said Ramses, grabbing Dr. Y and flying off.

---

And then, when there were no more bugs around, he turned to Black Jack. He turned to the man bold enough to wear the costume of the man who sacrificed himself to save Dr. Y's life.

And he aimed his shotgun right at his head.

But then Lucas stepped between Dr. Y and Black Jack, holding the two back from each other.

"Alright, alright! Before we start blowing each others' faces off, I still have those questions to give out," Lucas said. "Let's start with you, smoky - what were you and your Majestic cronies doing here in Coronach?"

"The name is Black Jack," said Black Jack. "And as for what I was doing here I was to meet up with agents in Fontin and receive some type of device I was to spread at critical locations. As you can plainly see that did not happen."

Meanwhile, Umbra slithers onboard an airship - the S.S. Helios...