| The Final Confrontation� Chapter Twenty-Five On a floating asteroid near to where the battle station Crusader used to be, Motun slowly began to regain consciousness. He slowly forced himself to his feet and realized that his friends were no where to be seen. �Gone � its all gone�� he muttered. �Not exactly.� A voice replied. He turned around and was punched across the face. He quickly looked over and saw Edward slowly stalking his way towards him. Motun was quick to his feet. �I don�t know how you got out � but you won�t be stopping our plans so easily.� He stated strongly. Motun dodged to the side to avoid the madman�s attack. �Stopping your plans? You ship is gone � your Mutate army is decimated � your Kjoranan are in ruins � we didn�t have to stop you. You two stopped yourselves.� Motun countered. �On the contrary � we still have a ship and we still have facilities on all of your worlds. We can set up our operations in a matter of minutes. All that we have to take care of is you and any of the others that might have been foolish enough to survive.� Edward retorted as he attacked Motun some more, but like the attack before, Motun was able to avoid it with ease. �That � I can not allow!� Motun retorted. He lunged at Edward but the Watcher knocked him to the ground. Before he could land another attack, Motun had rolled out of the way. �Your body may give you some edge � but you haven�t the experience to use it properly. I have been fighting for centuries. I have used every imaginable weapon � known them inside and out � known their strengths and weaknesses.� Edward ranted. Unknown to him, Tauhn appeared on an asteroid slightly above them. �Your inexperience will be my victory � and when I find that cute little wife of yours � well, you know exactly what my people are capable of.� Edward goaded. Motun�s eyes narrowed. The thought of that monster even speaking of his precious Samona made his blood boil. He screamed as he leaped at Edward. The Watcher smiled and prepared a special attack. Just then he tensed up. He slowly looked down and saw a blood soaked silver spike. �Remember me?� Tauhn asked lowly. Edward slowly looked over his shoulder. Tauhn expected a defiant curse or something of the like, but all he saw was a look that resembled a soul at peace. �Thank � you�in � name of god � stop � stop � Vile�� he strained as the last bit of life drained out of his ancient body. Motun and Tauhn looked at the dead Watcher and tried to make sense of what they had just seen. �That was beyond weird.� Tauhn muttered as he pushed the corpse off his arm. �What is Vile?� Motun asked seriously. �Beats me. Where are the others or are we it?� Tauhn replied as he looked around. �I don�t know for sure. Edward said that he still had a ship � if he did � it would have to be near by.� Motun replied. Tauhn nodded as the two began to search through the floating rubble to find any sign of a working ship. *** In another area of space, Gee, Grey and Sie had managed to find each other. �What a mess.� Sie muttered. �Those maniacs have to be stopped. If they are capable of doing this � imagine what they could do if they were allowed to go on unchecked.� Gee stated seriously. The others nodded as they looked at the floating debris. �I would much rather not.� Grey retorted. �Oh come on and use a little imagination big boy.� A shrill voice stated. They all turned and saw Samantha holding a modified laser rifle. �You haven�t been paying attention to what you�ve seen. Those type of weapon�s don�t hurt us.� Grey retorted. Sam shrugged her shoulder and shot him in the shoulder. The Glacorian fell to the ground and began writing in pain. �Actually sweetie � it will. You see � I sort of tweaked it. I modified the energy output to project a bacterial emission as opposed to the usual energy one. That was just a mild setting. I wanted you all to see how futile fighting us really was. Just like I told your friends a little while ago. We win.� She said wickedly. �Not so fast.� A voice interrupted. She looked up just in time to get knocked down by Motun and Tauhn. Before she had enough time to react, her weapon had been taken away from her. She slowly slinked away from the five before her. �Sneaky � sneaky. I didn�t think your lowly breed had it in you.� She hissed. �Who � or what is vile?� Motun asked. �V-vile? Vile�Vile�� she slurred. Her body grew limp. They watched as she began to mumble some unintelligible gibberish. At first they believed that she was just acting but when she fell lifelessly to the ground � and as a black mist began to escape her body they knew it wasn�t. They all watched as the mist took on the shape of a Moltarian Mutate. �I know not how you knew my name � but it will do you no good.� The shadow hissed. Motun stepped forward and glared at the creature made of wispy shadows. �Who � or what are you?� he demanded. �I � am Vile. My race existed in a universe that faded long before yours ever saw the light. Me and my brothers and sisters began to fade from existence with each passing day. The elders of our race banded together and built a shrine to protect us � and on that day � our kind slept. And we slept that sleep of death for nearly five hundred trillion years. By the time we awoke � we found ourselves trapped � trapped beneath a city created by some mongrel race.� Vile hissed. �Neptune � you were what caused the explosion on Neptune.� Motun muttered. �Cause? No � we merely awoke. Those �humans� found our temple � our ancient shrine and sought to harvest our holy artifacts. We merely � convinced them that it was not a wise action to pursue.� Vile continued. �There is nothing holy about you.� Sie hissed in disgust. �Ah yes � Insectorr � from the green planet Quagmiria. Your people would view me as your mythical C�an � it was what some of the holy humans thought we were � but they realized it too late.� Vile continued � its dark smile grew. �I don�t understand � what happened?� Tauhn asked. �These monsters possessed them and filled their hearts with darkness and hate. And that shrine you speak so proudly of � it was not made by your brothers � and it certainly wasn�t made to protect you! It was a prison made by the apostles to contain your evil � made to protect the universe from your kind!� Sie shouted angrily. Vile slowly turned and looked at Sie. �What � do you know of that?� it hissed. �Enough. It is written in our ancient texts � the books that not all are allowed to see. It was written that your race flooded the universe with your darkness and tried to destroy all that was born of light � but the apostles emerged from the light and fought you back. They forced your kind back into the shadows and locked the door. So it was prophesized � so it was written in the Book of Darkness!� Sie recounted. �Heh � even so � your apostles � where are they? If they know that the lock has been broken � why do they not return to set it right? No answer? Allow me � they know that now is our time. I have feasted on the pain � I have filled every fiber of my being with the suffering brought to the humans and the rest of your breeds � I have tasted the blood of your young and innocent � and I have humbled your strong! Your precious powers are meaningless to one such as me!� Vile hissed. �Not so. The apostles do know that the lock has been broken. This is no longer their fight � it is ours. In a sick and twisted sense � we actually needed you. Your darkness � your evil was actually able to bring our three worlds together. You became our enemy � our common goal. The apostles need not fight you now � you are the last of your kind � all others perished on Earth � and any that are here � will perish at our holy hands. In the name of the sacred and beloved apostles � I send thee back into the darkness from whence you came!� Sie shouted out. Vile laughed at the posturing of the little insect. Just then something blocked out the light. Vile slowly looked over his shoulder just in time to see the Star Eating Dragon�s huge jaws claming through the asteroid that it was standing on. Everyone except Sie was in a nervous state at what they had just witnessed. Sie knelt down and whispered a quiet prayer. �Is � is it over?� Samona asked from an asteroid just above them. �No � those demons could still exist in those C�antoras or in your Phtor or in your Jakkle. We have one shot at this � if we fail � we will be no better off now than where we were before.� Sie replied seriously. �Then, I think it is time that we reclaim our universe.� Tauhn stated with a smile. �Indeed it is. Hurry now to you planets of origin. It is time to deliver our planets from evil � and usher our world into a new era of peace and coexistence.� Sie instructed strongly. �But how? We don�t have a ship.� Gee asked. �Myself � I was born with the gift of flight � my new body only serves to enhance my ability. The ship that the Watchers escaped on is hidden in that asteroid over there. Gee and Grey � you take that and go free your people. Motun � Tauhn and Samona, I have procured a special ride home for you.� Sie began. He did a quiet whistle. Moments later, the huge worm like dragon returned and bellowed. �He said to me when I helped liberate him � that he owed me a favor. My favor was for him to take you home � and to help free your people.� Sie stated. The three born of Moltaria looked over at the dragon�s huge eye. I will help you punish those that imprisoned me. It telepathically said to the three. �G-good to hear.� Tauhn muttered. Sie extended his wings and hovered up. �Once your homes are once again yours � take your people to Parisitica Prime � Gamose � Moltaria Prime. The world that has caused all our pain � shall be the world where our new family will finally heal. May the apostles guide you all!� Sie stated as he flew away. �I guess this is where we part company.� Gee stated. �Just for now � we will meet again on � what did your people call it � Gamose?� Motun asked as he stepped forward and extended his hand forward. Grey stepped forward and shook hands with the Moltarian. �I think it was Moltaria Prime.� He replied with a smile. The two sects parted company to prepare for the voyage home. The Moltarians stood where they were until they saw the ship take off. �The fires will burn brightly tonight.� Tauhn said with a warrior�s smile. �Indeed it will.� Motun pointed out. They all got onto the Star Eating Dragon and began their journey home. *** On Quagmiria, all of the people that had fled from the Crusader had spread the word that the chosen one was coming. Some believed it and prepared for their moment of salvation � others believed it to be nothing more than another doomed prophecy. �He comes! He will deliver us from the evil that is C�an!� an Insectorr shouted. �Bah! You are all fools! You speak of things that can not be. The chosen one would not be an Insectorr � he would be a Pollyne.� An exalted sage retorted. Just then a Krokos nudged the snotty Pollyne. �The chosen one flies on silver wings � you children brothers and fathers do not have wings.� The Krokos growled. The argument was going to pursue when a sparkle of light appeared in the cloudless sky. Everyone looked up helplessly and watched as Sie descended from the sky like an angel of death. He flew over the crowds and then soared towards the places where the C�antoras seemed to go to worship. Everyone that saw him fly dropped all they were doing and followed � all save the exalted sage of the Pollyne family. He squinted his eyes and hurried away. At the site of the temples, the C�antoras hurried out to stop the silver bug. It was then that they noticed the horde of millions of Quagmirians charging the place. Sie flew up and signaled for everyone to attack. A deep collective breath was taken � all blew the breath of life into the toxic area. Despite the poison and pollutants � the waters began to bubble. The black liquids began harden as hundreds of strong vines grew up from the water. Then Sie looked at the Temples and flew down at one. All watched as he grabbed one by the roof and began to slowly pull the whole structure up. They all watched as a long stem slowly extended with Sie. Just then all stepped back as they saw the black egg. �Abomination � be gone!� Sie shouted as he hurled the structure into space. The people of Quagmiria marveled at how the chosen one was removing the black seeds and the temples that seemed to grow up from them. When the last of the temples were disposed of, Sie flew over to where a crowd of millions had gathered. Among them were all of those he had saved on the Watchers� ship as well as many that had never left Quagmirian soil. �In the past � we have lost much. We lost our paradise when we fought each other. We lost our family when we fought the Desorn and Parisaun. An we almost lost our souls � at the hands of C�an. But we as a people have endured � not because of our will to fight � but because the light of the apostles was inside all of us.� Sie stated. �What are we to do now?� a voice asked. �I will need all of you to come with me to Parisitica Prime. It is time that we make peace � with the children born of different apostles. Such is what the apostles desire � such is what they have always wanted of us.� he replied. There were a few displeased voices, but they were silenced before Sie could even reply. �The time for departure is now!� Sie called out. The millions cheered as thy hurried away. Sie looked at his people and smiled. They walked with the apostles before � they would now do so again. *** At that moment, a safe distance away from Glacoria, the survivors that escaped from the Crusader were waiting for some sign of the two that had liberated them. It had been a while and many were starting to get nervous. �Will they ever return?� one Articur asked. �Ship on long range has just appeared.� One officer stated. �This is Gee to Glacorian fleet. We have the remote and we are going down to liberate our world. When you get our signal � proceed down and join in the festivities.� Gee�s voice stated. �How will we know your signal?� the Articur asked. �Trust me � you won�t be able to miss it.� She replied. The fleet watched as the metal ship flew into the area where the fleet was. Once there, Gee and Grey exited the ship and displayed the remote. They then leaped from the ship and slowly floated towards Glacoria. �I hope you know what you are doing.� Grey whispered. �That makes two of us.� she replied with a half smile. The two were pulled into the planet�s gravity and found themselves rapidly falling. �We could have took the ship down.� Grey pointed out. �Storg would have seen it and zapped us. If we hitched a ride with one of the others � he would have been suspicious. Trust me on this � I don�t like it any better than you � but this is the only way.� She replied as the ground approached faster and faster. �Now!� she shouted. At the same time both of their bodies took on the shape of a Snowitte glider and began to rapidly coast down. The two concentrated as hard as they could � landing gear appeared. They landed and were skidding rapidly towards a cliff. �I don�t care if it won�t kill me � I don�t want to fall over that!� Grey strained. �Shut up and focus!� she retorted. Just then the gliders began to turn slightly. After a long slide, the two skidded to a complete halt inches away from the ledge. The two shifted back into their original form and looked at the chasm below. �Glad we didn�t fall.� He muttered. �That makes two.� She replied as she took out the remote. She knew that she had just one chance at making this work. She knew that Storg was watching them and if he learned that they were trying to enslave him as opposed to worshiping him � they would be finding themselves very dead very fast. �Here goes nothing.� She whispered. She pushed the on button. A low whine began to emanate from the device. In the distance the two could hear an unholy scream. Storg had just learned what they were up to. �Please hurry.� He whispered. She pushed the next button that was labeled weapon�s control. The scream in the distance grew louder. Grey looked over the distant range of mountains and saw it explode upward. Storg was coming! �Its coming � its coming�� he repeated. �I�m going as fast as I can.� She retorted. She pushed the next button that was labeled targeting function key. They both looked over and saw Storg smash through a mountain on its way to get them. �If this last one doesn�t work � .� �If it doesn�t work we will be killed by a very mad beast that thinks it is god � push the last button!� Grey interrupted. Gee took a deep breath and pushed the last button that was labeled program control. The shadow of Storg towered over them. They waited for the quick death that he would most certainly deliver � but it never came. They slowly looked up and saw that Storg was not moving. �It worked.� He mumbled. �Did you really doubt me?� she asked sarcastically. �Let�s get the Jakkle off our world.� He requested with a smile. �I couldn�t agree with you more. Storg � seek out those in your memory those that our people call the Jakkle. Seek them out and eliminate them � their tools � their weapons � their bases � go!� she ordered. Storg raised his huge hands and let out a roar. It then flew off towards the nearest location where the Jakkle were. �If they don�t recognize this as my signal � they have been out of the snow too long.� She said with a smile. �Come � we have to be there � otherwise our people will slaughter the Pinciata that are here against their wishes.� He suggested, she nodded and the two hurried away to catch up with their flying death machine. *** On Moltaria, most of the fighting had ended. The liberated Moltarians had ransacked the Phtor capital. The Star Eating Dragon made short work of any air machines that the Phtor had on the planet. Motun, Tauhn and Samona sat back and watched as those that had once enslaved their world began to understand what it felt like to be hunted. �How long before it is over?� Tauhn asked. They all looked into the distance and saw the old banner that was the symbol of their fallen capital displayed for all to see. The three smiled � Moltaria was free � at long last Moltaria was free! �Come � we have to hurry.� Motun stated seriously. He took out the artifact that was known as the Key of Moltaria and snapped it in half. A red mist escaped from it and vanished into the sky. �What?� Samona asked. �Our appointment? We have to meet up with Sie and Gee and Grey on Moltaria Prime.� The two almost looked surprised by the request. Motun sighed and shook his head. �We managed to get our home back � if we don�t go � we will risk losing it again. If we are to survive � there must be peace.� He reminded. �Apologies lore keeper � I forgot. It has been so long since I had seen the banner of the Sacred Flame atop the capital. Let�s round them all up and tell them the good news.� Tauhn replied with a smile. *** On the Planet known as Gamose, Parisitica Prime and Moltaria Prime � the peoples of all three worlds stood before each other. The six Quicksilvers stood before the horde of people and gestured for all to remain quiet. �This is what started it all � this one world. I ask you all � was it worth it? How many sons � brothers � fathers � mothers � sisters � daughters were lost to this senseless fighting? All of us bare scars from all the fighting � only the physical ones show. I am ambassador to my people of Quagmiria. We do not seek your enslavement � we do not desire to dominate you. We just wish to coexist. On this world � where all of this began � let the fighting end.� Sie requested sincerely. Grey and Gee stepped over to where the Glacorians were standing. �The words spoken by Sie, of the Quagmirian people apply also for us. We were a society of scholars and scientists. We did not desire a war � but in our arrogance � we allowed ourselves to be dragged into it. We two are ambassadors to our people. On this world � where all of this began � please, let the fighting end.� Gee continued. The three Moltarian Quicksilvers stepped forward to address the waiting Moltarians. �I would like to say that we as a people didn�t want a fight. Moltaria has a long and proud tradition of warriors that dates back to our plant�s origin. But along the way � we lost sight as to what made our people so strong � the fact that we stood together. We have fought lost and won against the Quagmirians and Glacorians. And while we were doing this in the names of our ancestors � the Watchers swept down and polished us off like a well-sculpted piece of lava. Some believe that peace with them will make us weak. I would disagree. Their ways may be different � they may look different � but that does not make them weak. If it were not for the cunning of the Glacorians Gee and Grey � all of our worlds would be in ruin � if it was not for Sie � the evil Vile might have won and we would not be talking here today. The time for fighting amongst ourselves � is over. From this day forward � it is time we fight together. So with this in mind, we three, the ambassadors of the brightest planet in the skies say, on this world � where all of this began � let � the fighting � end.� Motun concluded. The six Quicksilvers stood together and held their hands forward. Each ambassador placed their hand on top of the other. �Three worlds � one people!� the Quicksilvers called out. There was a moment of silence that followed. Just then a voice from the Moltarians repeated it. Then another � and another. Then voices from the Quagmirians joined in. the Glacorians then followed up. The Quicksilvers stood before their people and smiled. The war was over � their people were one � at long last � peace. |