With Snipe Anteator in the brig alongside Soldier Stonekong, there was only one thing left to do. "All eight 'Mavericks' Red sent out have been...dealt with," Iris explained from her Navigator post. "All that's left now is to address the actual issue of Red himself...and this 'Professor' who appears to be pulling the strings. The only way to do this is to target the Red Alert headquarters."
All eyes turned to Axl, who swallowed convulsively and nodded. "Alright," he agreed slowly. "I'll guide you all there. I know the teleport coordinates to get us as close as possible. It'll land us at the edge of the Palace Road, though. The Crimson Palace itself is teleport shielded."
Octavia gently pat Axl's head comfortingly. "Don't worry," she said softly. "We'll fix things..."
As the group of four Hunters arrived at the edge of the Palace Road, they only had a few minutes to take in the surroundings. The road itself was high up in the clouds where nothing could be seen, and large metal cylinders were arranged along the road, blocking parts of the path. The more significant detail, however, was a massive mole-shaped Mechanaloid behind a large, spiked metal roller that was slowly chasing them down the road.
"Move, everyone!" X barked out, leading the way forward in a dash, the others close behind him.
"You know, my dash function is actually more powerful than yours," Octavia grumbled from Axl's arms.
"Then save it in case we need it," Axl replied. "Besides, isn't the kid supposed to look out for his parents once he's grown?"
As they dashed past the metal cylinders - which revealed themselves to be bombs when the Mechanaloid rolled over them, making them explode - and around holes in the road, Deerballs marched slowly towards them, though they could be evaded or destroyed easily. "Dodge them!" X ordered. "Let them slow down our pursuer!"
The chase down the road continued for quite some time, with X, Zero, and Axl racing ahead. Octavia, meanwhile, glanced behind them, keeping an eye on the pursuing Mechanaloid. As she'd expected, the frequent explosions were slowly damaging the Mechanaloid's outer armor, and a grin crossed her features as it fell away at long last. "It's vulnerable!" she barked out. "Take it down!"
The four quickly turned to do so, evading as the Mechanaloid launched bladed discs at them from either side of its roller. After dealing enough damage to the Mechanaloid, it lost its roller and reverted to using a high intensity laser beam...which also didn't avail it very well.
With the Guardian Mechanaloid destroyed, the group made their way into the Crimson Palace itself.
The inside of the palace was, at first, gray and dingy, leading into a giant tower with crisscrossing paths leading ever upward, patrolled by Batton Bones and Mettools. Every so often, the sloping paths were blocked by massive balls of junk that slowly rolled towards the group, forcing them to duck into gaps in the path to evade. Eventually, they reached the top of the tower, and a teleporter.
"So...where does this go?" X asked Axl.
"No idea," Axl replied. "The Palace is in Security Mode, and that gives it a new floor plan every time, designed by Red himself when it's activated. Red's the only one who knows the layout once he activates it."
"Well, only one way to find out, then," Zero decided, stepping into the teleporter. The others soon followed.
The warp dropped them on the first in a series of platforms floating over a void. Axl instantly handed Octavia to X before leaping forward across the platforms. He knew this place. "The Dueling Grounds, Red?" he called out. "Someone's feeling dramatic."
Red warped in, hovering over the center platform, a large double-bladed scythe gripped in his hand in a ready stance. "Says the one who made this a challenge for leadership," Red observed, amusement thick in his voice. "Not sure how that's going to work, when you're practically a Maverick Hunter already."
"Why did this happen, Red?" Axl demanded. "This, all of this...it isn't like you!"
"You're not in a position to demand answers yet, Axl," Red replied readily. "This is a challenge for leadership. Face me. If you win, then I'll tell you everything. But if anyone interferes...then you learn nothing."
"Classic, come!" Octavia called out.
Red spun to glare at Octavia as her support unit beamed in. "What did I just say?" he growled out.
"Oh, he's not here to interfere," Octavia replied calmly. "But if we're going to be reduced to observers, we want some snacks. And since you weren't considerate enough to provide a popcorn vendor, I brought my own."
"If you end up playing music like you did against Hyenard, I get the mic this time," X called out quickly.
"Dammit!" Zero snapped irritably, crossing his arms in a huff.
Octavia rolled her eyes and sighed. "Classic has two mics, you know. Kick his ass, Axl!"
"Will do, Ma!" Axl called back.
"Ma?" Red asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
Axl shrugged. "She adopted me."
Red chuckled softly. "Glad to see you landed on your feet, boy. So...let's see if you've become a man!"
Red and Axl both lunged for each other. Red swung his scythe, striking out at Axl as he ducked under each strike, while Red sidestepped or deflected each attempt of Axl's to shoot him with the other end. After a time of the clash, Red leapt back, unleashing waves of energy from each blade of his scythe in a swipe. Axl dodged by leaping to another platform, only to have to leap away again as Red unleashed Volt Tornadoes on several platforms.
"I fight with the strength of all my men!" Red called out. "Can you face us all alone?"
Axl looked up, his eyes narrowed...and holstered his guns. "I already have!" As he lunged forward, Octavia began to play.
To Red's surprise, Axl shifted into Ride Boarski to body slam him to the next platform. As they impacted, he shifted to Soldier Stonekong, grabbing Red and flipping him onto another platform. Red leapt back to his feet and swung his scythe...only to gasp as Axl shifted into Splash Warfly, countering with the double-bladed propeller sword, meeting the strikes head on. As he managed to throw Red off his game and knock the scythe off course, he shifted into Vanishing Gungaroo and unleashed a barrage of punches into Red's torso.
Gasping for breath, Red steeled himself and grappled with Axl, only to be spun around and around as Axl shifted into Tornado Tonion, sending Red flying straight up as the spin generated a powerful Volt Tornado. As Red tumbled, Axl launched up in the form of Wind Crowrang, taking a page out of Storm Eagle's battle style and striking several times as he swooped past his foe. He came to a halt directly below Red, turning into Flame Hyenard and smashing his feet into Red's back, kicking him upward and damaging his repulsor jets as Axl came down hard on the platform directly below.
"This ends now!" Axl called out as he changed into Snipe Anteator and began charging the sniper rifle. Shifting, he locked onto Red as he tumbled...and pulled the trigger.
Red gasped out as the shot punched through his torso, severing his primary command pathways and control circuits while leaving his primary power core and core CPU intact. Unable to move at all, Red tumbled down to the platforms, landing heavily on one of them as Octavia ended the music. "W...well done, Axl. She's...really made a man out of you. Maybe...you can handle The Professor, too...and keep him from turning our friends into mindless slaves."
Axl gasped out in shock. "Is...is that why you did all this?"
Red nodded. "He showed up, offered to use the DNA data you collected to upgrade us...the upgrades were amazing...but everyone who got upgraded...he gained control of. When you ran, he told me...if we didn't bring you back, he would turn all my men...into mindless killing machines."
"Red..." Axl moved to the side of his old leader, putting his hand to his shoulder.
"I failed our men, Axl," Red explained bitterly. "I know...you won't." Forcing through the paralysis, he grasped his scythe and handed it to Axl. "You'd best...get out of here...sir. This place...will explode soon. I will...make sure he thinks...that you fell into his trap. Security...has already been disabled..." Red's chest compartment opened, and his power core began to whine.
"Red, no!" Axl called out desperately. "I didn't shoot to kill! You can still be saved!"
Red chuckled softly. "Axl...I already have been. Now go! You have more responsibilities than just me to see to! You are the leader of Red Alert now! Act it!"
Axl flinched back, but nodded. Tears in his eyes, he raced to the teleporter, leading the others deeper into the Crimson Palace as the Dueling Grounds exploded...Red's last act to help save his men.
Well done, sir! Well done!
The original battle music against Red was good enough, but I can respect using 'Rules of Nature' for their fight
That, and Axl's badass execution of his shifting ability.
Red has earned my respect. A true warrior.
"Rules of Nature" is always appreciated. Love that song.
7642678 I just wish there were lyrics.
7642768
Real One: If by lyrics you mean subtitle so you can understand them, that would be good.
7642768 The description of the video on youtube has lyrics.
Hah! Rule of nature. An awsome battle song.
Come to think of it, Raiden can wipe the floor with most of the Mechaloids and Robots in Megaman universe.
Any argument about robots not being human should be moot with how many times they have overwritten their own self preservation protocols in order to sacrifice themselves for something greater
That...was a great chapter and Red deserves respect.
Now onto the music, I'd switch out the original 'Rules of Nature' with 'Hero of Nature' and it makes it so much better in my opinion.
Anyways great chapter, hope to see more
Dang, poor Red. Hopefully Gate can bring him back...
And the Professor is going down HARD!!!!
I got to the last bit just as the song was getting to "RULES OF NATURE!"
7643095
That makes it perfect timing.
7642854 Wait,
7642839 There is?!?!?!
7643068
Unfortunately, he was effected with a viral program, rather than the Maverick Virus. Unless he's doing the same thing he did in canon (hard to do with his current injuries), then his fate has been sealed.
Nope, no puns.
Red, you did the best you can and we salute you soldier. A leader who does not value his men is not fit to lead at all.
Red... He went down like a good warrior in the end... Give him respect for his act of heroism...
7643107
Real One: So like the other guy said, there are lyrics on the description of the video, never read a description before?
a moment of silence for red
7643317 In the description? Oh, that explains why I didn't know. I prefer the lyrics to be in the video while it's playing, makes it easier to know what's being sung at the exact point.
7643323 And for the professor that is going to be seriously screwed.
at least red went out with some honor
7643681
Hells Fire: You never played Guitar Hero 3? If no that would explain why you don't feel Badassery that this music transmits though your ears! But if you played it, then I don't know what to say.
7643804 I say send him to Tartarus or the fields of punishment to remain in eternal torture
7643986
He was asking about "Through the Fire and the Flames".
7644578
Hells Fire: So let me just edit my comment then!
Question: once you're done with the X series, will you move on to Zero, ZX, and Legends? Or will this be it?
Legends is just three games... even if you start by chronological order there isn't enough time for a baby pony to grow.
Unless said baby pony was adopted by the Bones family, but Tatsu is already doing a thief story...
Dang... I found ponies while searching for Red's image!
derpicdn.net/img/2015/9/22/985079/large.png
derpicdn.net/img/2015/9/15/980783/thumb.png
7647657 Who are you talking to??? EDIT: Actually Legends is just 2 games. #3 was canceled.
7645619 I am not an expert but I'm pretty sure Legends is just three games... even if you start in chronological order there isn't enough time for a baby pony to grow. Unless said baby pony was adopted by the Bones family, but Tatsurou is already doing a thief story. Ya know, Sly Cooper series? Coco Pommel joined the ranks.
Great fight, very enjoyable use of Axl's abilities.
7672634
Rule 68 (If it exists, there is ponies of it) is twice as strong as rule 34.
7672634
What. The. Duck.
I wouldn't necessarily call getting "adopted" by some chick you just met as having "landed on his feet". Being personally endorsed by the Mary Sue OC Pony is essentially a life-time endorsement that guarantees a safety net of untold glory and splendor. I would equate "landing on his feet" to having gotten there in the first place relatively intact, overcoming obstacles through either his words or his actions.
No matter how close to its last breath the fight is, this does not warrant the rules of nature. We don't have to worry about whether or not the sun will come up, because these characters do not have to risk putting their lives on the line. While the intensity of the situation was alive... for a while, I have no choice... but to follow the rules of the wild, and protest this usage of the song.
Oh, but he can't do that, Tatsurou. Tornado Tonion has a crippling weakness, remember? That means he can't do anything else other than surrender immediately.
{Red: Octavia is responsible for EVERYTHING you have ever done or will do!}
This was pretty neat, though.
It's a mystery dungeon.
... red may have been a pawn, but he gave axl the drive to move on and face the true evil behind this all, the "professor" better be ready for one hell of an butt kicking... cause the LEADER of red alert, the heir to a legacy forgotten... will face his sorry robotic hide and END HIM.