Meeting again for the first time. (Part 1)

I fly up into the air, flicking a twig off of one of my wings.

~~Note to self, be careful with the Rail-gun.~~ I say to myself, looking at the large brand-new trench through the forest. Putting my Bayard back into its storage I calmly fly back to the capital, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

«Diego! Come in Diego!» I hear Kolivan's voice in my ear. Feeling a sudden sense of dread, I respond.

«~~Kolivan? What's wrong?~~»

«Olkarion just detected a massive armada of ships heading straight for us. You need to go into space now! We have already begun deployment of ships from the Dagger.» Kolivan says.

«~~On my way. Godspeed, commander.~~» I say, blasting out of orbit.
So much for peaceful.

(With Kolivan)

"Prepare for takeoff, launch is in four doboshes. FTL jump is in eight. Go, go, go!" Kolivan orders, Blades rushing left and right to get ready.

"Commander." Kolivan turns around to see Shining standing next to him, his mother with him. "I want to help." Shining says.

"Jex. Do you know how to pilot a craft?" Kolivan asks.

"No but I'm a fast learner." Jex replies.

"I can pilot a ship and have him be in the gunner position. I request permission to pilot a bomber shuttle." Cracked says, stepping forward.

"Permission granted. Get to your ship." Kolivan says before turning to the hangar. "Three doboshes until launch!" He calls out. Chrysalis suddenly teleports into the base.

“My changelings noticed the commotion, they informed me immediately. What is going on?”

"A large armada is heading straight for us. Diego is moving to intercept them, we are getting ready to help him." Kolivan replies.

“I intend to head out as well, I will not let my hive be threatened by these invaders!” Chrysalis responds.

"You can't. You'd die from the vacuum of space. If you wish to help, remain here and be ready to destroy any ships that make planetfall." Kolivan advises. Chrysalis shakes her head.

“Discord could go anywhere, he had left the atmosphere before with no problems. With the powers I took from him, I am no longer bound by the atmosphere.”

"Can you control that power?" Kolivan retorts.

"I have to agree, Discord went mad with power, what would happen if you did too?" Jex asks.

"Go to your ship, we launch in one dobosh!" Kolivan calls out for everyone to hear. Chrysalis smirks.

“I know you may have doubts but my kind are perfectly capable of adapting rapidly.” Kolivan feels her hand on his shoulder. “I’d say I have got it under control.”

"Very well. I shall put the same trust in you that Diego did. You may accompany Jex and Cracheam on their ship." Kolivan says as Blades begin starting up the various ships in the hangar. "Get to your shuttle. Launch! Launch!" He calls out. Chrysalis bows slightly.

“Thank you, Commander.” She clicks her fingers, disappearing from Kolivan’s sight.

(In space, three doboshes earlier)

I come to a stop in the void of space, seeing the massive armada of ships in front of me.
Alright suckers. Time lay some smack-

Surrender.
Zarkons voice suddenly fills my head.

Warning: Intrusive psionic energy detected. I am attempting to block it out.
Hold on partner. I wanna have a little chat with the megalomaniac.

Have you come to give up your foolish mission? Zarkon taunts.

~~Not in a million years.~~

Then you are still just as foolish as ever. Prepare to be destroyed.

~~Prepare to eat my dust!~~ I say, rocketing forward.

Notice: I have blocked out the intrusive psionic energy.
Thanks buddy. Now, let's shred some metal!

Affirmation: Forming chainsword.

I pull out my glowing Bayard, it immediately forming into the long segmented blade. Flying towards a carrier ship, I let loose a flurry of slashes, bisecting multiple fighter ships. Continuing my path of destruction, I switch my chainsword for my own halberd, hooking the back end into the hull of a carrier ship and flying along the hull, tearing a long gorge through the outer shell.

Dislodging the hooked head from the metal, I switch to my energy blade, raising the weapon to slash down at the ship. The ship suddenly fires it's ion cannon, stunning me. The beam bounces off into space, not hitting any ships.
They fired before they knew where I was. Looks like these guys aren't as dumb as the rest.
Suddenly, multiple fighters surround me, launching sticky bombs at me.

Divide.

My chest separates into four pieces, the sticky bombs colliding with each other.
Nice tr- gah!
One of the fighters suddenly launches an energy net at me, catching one of my detached arms.

Warning: The link with our left arm has been disabled. I am no longer able to control it.
What? How?

Response: Those energy nets appear to have been designed to scramble quintessence links. Do not get hit by them. I shall try to relink our arm.
Gotcha. I think as I reassemble my three pieces, slashing at the ships.
They avoid the energy crescent, dodging and launching more sticky bombs at me.

«Diego. On your right.» I hear in my ear.

~~Shining?~~ I ask. Suddenly an assault ship above me gets hit by an explosion.

«Diego. We will take care of the fighters and some of the carrier ships. You take care of the rest.» Kolivan communicates.

«~~Kolivan! Be careful. These guys are smart. They've definitely been preparing for this.~~» I inform him.

«Understood. All Blades, attack!» Kolivan orders.

~~Attack!~~

Notice: Separation link has been re-established. Reattaching the left arm.

ENGAGE.

Diego activates his transformation, punching at the ship next to him as he does. He then forms his missile launchers, firing all six at the carrier. The fighters shoot the missiles as an assault ship fires on Diego with its cannon. Holding an arm up, Diego reflects the beam, hitting the carrier next to him again.

The ro-beast coffin opens, dispensing the massive machine inside.

«Let us see who is the true conqueror.»

Before Diego hovers a monstrosity of metal and technology. Sharing the likeness of its creator, it stands tall and imposing.

Raise progression drive level to 80%

Diego's body glows with energy as he faces the Eradicator. From his chest plate comes the hilt of his sword. He pulls it out, the pristine blade alight with blazing golden plasma. The Eradicator raises his hand at Diego.

An assault ship fires on Diego with a barrage of sirenic lasers. With a simple wave of his sword, the ship is reduced to slag. Diego rushes forward, sword raised to strike down the tyrant. Diego flinches.

«Fall into despair.» The Eradicator forms a ball of pitch black darkness in its hand, firing it at Diego a moment too quickly.

Diego screams in agony as his transformation comes undone. He floats in space, lifeless.

(On a shuttle nearby)

"Jex! Jex, talk to me!" Cracked sky cries out as her son lies on the ground, holding his head, his screams echoing that of his friend.

"What is wrong with him?!" Chrysalis exclaims.

(On the Shadow)

"Commander!" A Blade captain shouts as Kolivan writhes on the ground, holding his head, his eyes screwed shut, his screams echoing that of his friend.

"Commander, what's happening?!"

(In Fantasia, inside the throne room)

Many stare horrified as princess Luna, captain Hammer Strike, captain Spitfire, captain Spell Sword and captain Night Slash all lie on the ground, screaming to the heavens and holding their heads. Their pain, unimaginable.

(Back in space)

Chrysalis glares at the giant mechanical monstrosity. She clicks her fingers, appearing right in front of the Eradicators visor. She smirks as she clicks her fingers again, filling the cockpit of the Eradicator with pink goo. Zarkon stares on, nonplussed as the pink slime suddenly vents out the sides of his cockpit.

"Insolent. Foolish as well." He comments as the eyes of the Eradicator begins to glow. As soon as they fire, Chrysalis opens up a portal which exits behind the Eradicators head, slamming into the back. The beams barely singe the armour. "Do not think that you can outsmart me." Zarkon threatens. The Eradicators arms rise up, moving faster than they have any right to. The hands begin to come together in a clapping motion, Chrysalis directly in-between the clawed hands. A flat Chrysalis slips out from between them before returning to normal with a grin.

"Insolent and annoying." Zarkon says as the hands of the Eradicator pale with darkness again. He hears the sounds of footsteps behind him, Chrysalis walks out of somewhere in a dark green bathrobe.

“Hi.” She says. Zarkon glares at her as laser emitters extend from the walls. Chrysalis giggles as she clicks her fingers, disappearing with a large black ball-like object labeled bomb in her place which then explodes. A particle field around Zarkon protects him from the explosion as he glares forward.

"Prepare to be punished, insect." He says as the Eradicator begins scanning around.

Chrysalis smirks sitting on the Eradicator’s head, she clicks her fingers and thousands of huge hornets buzz all around the Eradicator. She takes a deep breath.

“Welp, I’m almost spent but I can still get home.” She clicks her fingers vanishing from the battlefield, back to her hive.

Author's Note

We shall return on Saturday. What shall we see?