2011-02-19 - At Hell's Edge

The sky is beginning to turn a dark blue as the day turns to late afternoon. That is when the first sign of trouble is spotted by those inside Photon Labs. An advanced scout of Dr. Hell's legion is spotted by the people of the nearby town. I mean normal people don't fly around in skull ships. The Photon Labs begins to go into lock down mode, pulling up all defenses. This wouldn't be the first time Dr. Hell attacked Photon Power Labs. It wouldn't be the last. That was why there wasn't any concern when the second ship was seen coming from another direction... or the third.

It is the strange noises from the east that raised some brows. It sounds like a mixture of mechanical noise, bird calls, and some kind of bestial growl. The noise is brief enough each time. However, it is consistent enough to turn some heads. It is almost like some robot bird dog things were talking amongst themselves.

The first shot is fired as soon as the sun began to hide, turning the sky a shade of crimson. Machine Beasts are spotted heading for the labs. Dr. Hell's Legions are also moving into position. Everything setting off the first sets off first line defenses and Photon sends out a call to anyone who would hear it.

Everything is routine up until this point.

Without warning that strange noise fills the air. Suddenly several of Dr. Hell's Warrior Beasts took to the air, blackening the sky save for their glowing red eyes. They begin to push forward with incredible speed, throwing everything at Photon Power Labs before they can compensate. Forward defenses are utterly crushed... and that call went out... this time a little more desperate.

Things get weirder for Photon Power Las as the ground under them begins to violently shake. Long drill like whips sprung from the ground, smashing into things as they whipped in multiple directions as the Brazen Custom rose from the ground near the labs.

"HAHAHAHA~! And now I will do what none of Dr. Hell's Generals have ever come close to doing. Photon Power Labs will be mine!" Brazen says loudly and proudly as his Warrior Beast roars a call to his soldiers.

This concludes the explanation. Start shooting things....Seriously, after I boss up. Start shooting. So says the magic voice.

JUST OUTSIDE PHOTON LABS.

Boss stands outside with a bunch of gronky looking scientists, helping them set up the Wine Glass Pyramid next to the Extremely Expensive China Poodle Collection on top of a table made entirely out of Faberge eggs which has a very nice picnic set up on it. The Boss Borot stands in the background, petting a giant kitten made entirely out of fine crystal, the biggest in the world.

"Man, I don't know what ever made me come out today to help you guys set this up, but it sure is a nice day to have a quiet picnic and it was nice of the museum to let us borrow this incredibly expensive and fragile show case!"

Then the shot fires. Boss holds onto the pyramid carefully, daring not to breathe. Then everything seems to be fine...

THen the burrowing commences. The shockwave causes everything to tip over at once in an avalanche of twinkling crashes. Boss turns around, thrusting his fist into the air, turning around boldly against the wall of Machine Beasts on their way.

"HEY! HEY! You up there! You!" Boss points, shaking his fist. "Come down here so I can punch you in the mouth!"

Briaroes wasn't in Olympus, instead he was up in one of the aerial drop vessels that was doing a few test runs out in japan with a few of the E-SWAT members that were allowed out and about in the world. Many of them were also cyborgs, but far more human then he was. The tests were aerial landmate combat, also ejecting from the vessels and returning back in.

Many new recruits placed out here didn't like idea of dropping off a perfectly good plane; This was something Briareos was helping them get over. How?

Easy. A simple boot to the ass to get them motivated out.

Briareos was getting ready to do just that, till his white optical sensors flickered and he picked up the emergancy call. He then looked over to the pilot, "You getting that transmission?"

"Yes sir, do you want us.."

"You already have the answer. Get me in close, then get these rookies out of here."

"You got it."

Now to soon after a massive futuristic plane moved over in the area. It looks like an osprey, but far more technologically superior to anything of the past had ever seen. It wasn't shortly after something, no, someone dropped out from the side, falling head first down in what looked like a power armor type suit with-- wait.. Four guns?

As the power suit moved closer to the surface, a device on the back unsnapped and spun around, before the power armor then took flight, spinning around 180 and then heading for the combat scene.

Wufei's normal mode of transportation is a truck with a tarp over it. However, the fact that Photon Power Labs is in japan, Wufei had to be a little creative. Thanks to a stolen military transport plane (cuz filing requisition papers would take too damned long), Altron slides out of the back of the transport plane, with the plane set to auto-pilot to land back at Izu Base nearby. Altron, however, doesn't land /QUITE/ so gracefully, as it draws it twin bladed trident and ignites it, Altron fires one of it's dragon fangs at the Brazen Custom....

Let none say that the Photon Power Laboratory is not without its defenders. This facility is a miracle of modern science- a beacon of hope for the future, shining brightly amidst a world that seems to grow darker by the day! To allow it to fall is to allow the hopes and dreams of mankind to waver and succumb to the crushing despair of the forces of darkness!

But, even as the forces of Hell itself rises to obliterate the lab, one Tetsuya Tsurugi rises swiftly to the challenge! Great Mazinger approaches from on high on crimson wings, its arms extended before it as it soars through the sky toward the Photon Power Labs. He wears a grim expression- Two incidents involving Hell in two consecutive days? That's just...

Odd.

Tetsuya's face is all but obscured by the glare on his helmet's visor. Muscles in his arms are pulled tight, hands holding fast to the manipulators within the colossus' cockpit. Wind howls past his ears as Great Mazinger rushes through the air at breakneck speeds. Sparks fly from the super robot's horns as it gains speed, rising into the darkening heavens!

Thick and viscous, they gather. Dark and ominous, they approach. A storm begins pooling about the super robot as it soars through the heavens- a storm that only grows thicker and more furious as he approaches the labs. It rises out of the horizon long before Great Mazinger ever truly does.

A crack of thunder shakes the clouds as a flask of lightning divides the sky. The tell-tale shadow of the Guardian of the Skies is illuminated briefly by the sudden explosion of light. A sole finger is extended to the heavens, lightning leaping to and from the tip of that digit in great tendrils of divine fury!

Tetsuya's expression breaks as he roars, his voice carrying like the very storm he has gathered!

"THUNDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Great Mazinger extends its finger, a lash of lightning springs from its horns to his arm, and then lances toward the mass of Mechanical Beasts gathering in the distance,

"BREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!"

Great Mazinger has arrived. Forces of Hell, you will not be victorious this day!

 Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "THUNDEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR BREEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!"

AT IZU BASE...10 MINUTES AGO

Takeshi is turning over in his bed. He has just got back from space and was having a very nice nap and dreaming of very nice things. In fact, he was so happy, that he was smiling even in his sleep. Ah, this was the life.

5 MINUTES LATER

ALL PILOTS LAUNCH! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I REPEAT! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! PHOTON LABS!

Takeshi falls out of his bed and hits the floor face first. Bruising will be inevitable. After rolling over and pushing himself up to a full stand, he shakes his head, "Okay, seriously. This isn't amusing, who the hell is attacking photon labs."

30 SECONDS LATER

WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER DISTRESS CALL! LAUNCH IMMEDIATELY! WEAPONS APPROVED!

This time he covers his ears, "Turn the stupid alarm off. You're going to make us deaf before we even get there."

NOW

"This is Odori, I'm in position over the Photon Labs. Beginning scans.....and.....apparently, it's Dr. Hell again, or one of his minions. Seriously, that guy needs to get a new day....and....there's Duke Brazen...And there's the first strike annnnnd some more allies...and, i'm tired of reporting, get someone else to do it....Did I need to tell anyone that the Mazinger is here? No? Didn't think so."

Anyways, now that Takeshi has relieved himself of scounting duty since...let's be honest, scouting isn't really needed at this impass is it? However, he doesn't attack yet, he just kind of watches the machines and their reactions. Almost trying to read each one.

It only took the first distress call for the Gutsy Galaxy Guard to respond.

As soon as Swan White picked up the signal from the Photon Power Labs, she brought it to Chief Taiga's attention - and Taiga wasted no time at all in ordering for GaoGaiGar's immediate deployment to aid in thwarting the assault. There isn't even time to prepare the Dividing Driver - Amaterasu launches from Orbit Base and begins its descent into the atmosphere at a nearly unsafe speed and angle, while within the ship's bay, Guy and Galeon execute Fusion, and the resultant GaiGar then begins Final Fusion within the twin-hulled maintenance and supply ship's confines.

Fortunately, there's enough room. Barely. Amaterasu is going to need a lot of repair work after this deployment - but what matters is getting GaoGaiGar into action as soon as humanly possible, if not *faster*.

And they succeed. Amaterasu breaks out of its power dive as GaoGaiGar erupts from the bay's main hatch, and descends upon the Machine Beasts with a furious, hot-blooded battlecry. Not calling an attack, not ordering the enemies to desist or retreat while they have the chance - he's not even GIVING them the chance to retreat.

He's just hitting them, hard, and with everything he can bring to bear. If actions speak louder than words, GaoGaiGar's actions are a 'YOU SHALL NOT PASS!' even louder than a wizard on a stone bridge underground could ever be.

Within the highly advanced research facility of Photon Power Labs, a lone sharp-haired boy stands in the darkness.

Clad in nothing more than an unbuttoned white dress shirt, boxers, and socks, he holds the Power of the Universe in his hands.

Or by it's most common name, a Neo-Guitar Hero guitar-controller.

"They call me..."

A soft hum as deft fingers press up against solid-colored fret-buttons.

"...DOCTOR LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE...!"

Koji squeals as he brings his right hand down the strum bar and the screen in front of him just lights up in front of him. With pure synchronized motor-coordination, his fingers tap out a steady rhythm against the frets while his thumb rocks the strum.

Musical notes stream across monitor and so too do the numbers at the top of the screen.

K. KABUTO - 999.998 | C. BIDAN - 1.000.000

"..nggh," Koji grunts, biting his lower lip as he tries to focus his talents. He's moving so fast, so intently, that sweat begins beading along his brow. "C'monn... I can't lose to some kid from Green Noa! Nnng..!"

But the sudden thundercrack of explosive power that rocks the very foundation of Photon Power Labs snaps Koji out of his adrenaline-fueled gaming. "..Eh!?!.." he blinks, glancing around his darkened room -- only to notice the standard-fare kaiju alarm system installed in near-every building in Japan is blaring in front of him.

Koji's eyes go wide. "Shit!" he swears loud. "...C-Camille!!" he bleats out, his hand riding back to the communicator on his ear. "Something's attacking the Lab! ..Um, again!! I gotta go -- but look, find this Macua Hooters-something.. and ask her who the hell Archduke Gorgon is! Sex her if you must! I need answers! Bye!"

The guitar-controller and headpiece clatter lifelessly to the ground, their former wielder dashing across the laboratory's corridors in nothing more than socks and underwear.

A FEW MINUTES OF RUNNING FOLLOWED BY A SUITING-UP CUTSCENE AND A LEAP INTO THE HOVER-PILDER LATER..

"PILDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER....!"

"..............OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON.........!!"

Imagine if you could -- to be a normal boy just like anyone else!

Then what if, one day you suddenly gained more power than a normal human?

How would -you- use it?

Would you become a demon who would destroy the world with that power?

Or would you become a hero who would save the world?

This boy, this Koji Kabuto, was given that power without warning...

..and that power is...

...a giant robot with fearsome fighting power:

!!!! MAZINGER Z !!!!

The Guardian of Steel stands behind Boss, fists raised in fighting pose.

"D-Duke Blazen!?!" Koji sputters with surprise, staring at the shape of the vicious fiend atop his Warrior Beast.

Our hero is terrible with his Rs and Ls.

Koji Kabuto says, "Not here! Not now! ... Is these the trials I must endure!?!" Koji wonders aloud, gulping hard with a lump of fear caught in his throat. "BLAZEN!!! STOP ATTACKING THE LAB! ... THIS IS MADNESS!"

A swing of controls and Mazinger Z brings its mighty right arm up to bear.

"..AND I CAN'T LET YOU GO ANY FURTHER...!"

The Steel Guard's eyes flash with power.

"...MAZINNNNNNNNGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....!!"

 Macua Huitl transmits, "Dr. Hell..."

 Macua Huitl transmits, "Or his minions maybe I can get more answers out of them."

 Oliver Evlien transmits, "Dr. Hell?!"

 Oliver Evlien transmits, "...Dr. Hell?"

Simon isn't about to just sit around and hang tight while his brother destroys Photon Labs! With copilot Rossiu lending a hand and Boota in his heart (rest in peace little budd--oh wait he's on Simon's shoulder actually), he gets into Gurren Lagann and flies towards his comrade. His brother, his responsibility. Though maybe he'll get lucky and he'll be saved before he gets there! That would be nice, if a bit anticlimatic.

Naturally thanks to his sense of timing, he bursts up out of the ground in FRONT of Duke Brazen's Brazen Custom and also in the way of a Rocket Punch. "f--!" Simon says, the Gurren Lagann dropping down in a crouch at the last moment.

"Be more careful, Simon!" Rossiu complains but Simon is already moving the mech again, throwing it in a wild tackle for the Brazen Custom!

"There's no time to be careful!" He shouts. "There's too much out there!!"

A Few Hours Ago Earth Cradle

Ascian had just arrived at the Earth Cradle, to check up on the progress of repairs on the EVA/Gunmen Machine Beast, which had gotten quite damaged during a fight quite some weeks ago on Mars. He had left it at the Earth Cradle, as it truly didn't belong on Mars, and the technicians at the Earth Cradle were more used to these kind of things. It was then that a man approached him, handing him a letter.

The letter had looked, or felt, rather odd to the young man. It was finely sealed, and had a mark on it he associated with but one man; Dr. Hell. The young man breaks the seal and reveals the letter within. It was a request to him. And the date... quite soon. Duke Brazen was going to launch an attack on the Photon Labs. And Dr. Hell was asking him personally to help lead the Machine Beasts whilst he worked on researching the recent 'threat'.

The young framerunner had simply smiled. A chance to observe this man he'd once observed in the same unit as he possessed? He looks up, standing right next to the machine he nicknamed 'The Beast'. "Looks like we will have a chance at observing this man once more... perhaps we can learn something." He pauses dramatically, and turns his eyes towards the camera. Grinning. "Or outdo him."

Now Photon Labs

Walking slowly amidst a series of large machine beasts - a large green frog, a gigantic metal-winged hawk with talons for arms, rather than legs, a gorilla and a butterfly wearing a thong and a butterfly-shaped mask (wtf?)...

Even Ascian was somewhat confused by the outcome of these crazy things. But it didn't matter to him. The Beast walks slowly forth across the grounds before the Photon Labs, then comes to a halt. Within, Ascian keeps his hands firmly on the metal braces that form the controls of his unit. "Right then." He says...

Outside, the EVA/Gunmen unit growls those same words, and then moves its arm forwards. "DESTROY!" It growls loudly. And the machine beasts quickly rush forwards and begin to slash, throw, scream and throw tiny little exploding frogs at things around them.

LOOK, UP IN THE SKY!!

Okay, maybe not that high. A little lower...

.../there/ it is. The sky opens and practically disgorges a shape in black, white and red, the mobile suit dropping out of the sky and into the fray. Wrapped in a thick cloak and sporting two clearly custom shields in place of something more useful like 'a beam rifle,' the MS launches it's attack in the form of a dynamic FLYING KICK as soon as it appears.

And, perfectly timed with the appearance: "NEVER FEAR," booms the MANLY VOICE of the pilot within as the mech comes from above, charging in like a crazy person as it sails for the lead Warrior Beast on wings of speed-lines, "'H' IS HERE!!"

Cue title splash screen.

 Camille Bidan transmits, "Hey, Macua?"

For no logical reason, Gundam Maxter explodes out from an inexplicably paper mache statue of the Marlboro Cowboy erected about a quarter-mile away from the Photon Power Labs next to a replica of the Randy's Donuts building. The reason this happened is Japan.

The Maxter breaks onto the scene, cruising into the vicinity on its lifting board. It leaps off the board to slam down alongside the Gurren Lagaan, fists raised in challenge toward the BRAZENEST GENERAL.

"Simon!" Chibodee calls out. "Stick and move!"

Tokyo 02.

Again Macua was picking up class work with the out program she was now in for most of her remaining classes given her life. Still she'd sensed something. She was postive something was going down and then over radio comes a report about Dr. Hell's forces. She was going to have to go there to get some more answers. She's totally unaware of Koji an his desperation to get more information. It taken her awhile to get herself back together after the strain of contact from the Archduke.

But for now she's raced out of the school and summoned her gundam.

"COME OUT AMAZON GUNDAM!"

No teacher's cars are destroyed /this/ time the machine does leave a hole in the blacktop. How did she get it down there, seriously how the heck did she? That's a matter for another time, as she hops in strips off her clothing and the tracxe system boots up, the ring comes down pulling hte suit over her body, and the computer checks all her vitals. She hops on her lander unit and takes off in the direction of the labs.

Photon Power Labs

The Mobile G Fighter would comming in fast too.

She sends a general radio.

"DR HELL!"

Her machine leaps off the lander and it falls back, she now breaks in a run heading for the labs and takes a shot at the Duke with her machine's wrist blasters.

"I want answers out of your master! Or prehaps you know!"

MEANWHILE, IN THE INFINITE EXPANSE OF SPACE

"Archduke Gorgon, Macua, got it." He was able to get that much off the line from Koji's terribly pastiche of the english language. Smiling smugly at his still-undefeated high score, he immediately began trolling the spaceweb for more noobs to pwn.

"Camille, that sounded serious." Fa Yuiry, childhood friend and primary reason why Camille wasn't lounging in his underwear as he preferred when rocking out, fixed him with concerned look, "Don't you think you should..."

"Giant monsters are a super robot problem, we deal in reality up here, Fa." He asserted, already tricking out some fat rhythms, "Besides, i'm still combat-fatigued from killing Haman Karn."

"You didn't kill her, she blew herself up." Fa was beginning to get annoyed now, dainty hands curling into determined fists, "And you're playing video games!"

"It's therapeautic!" He snapped, "And who the hell is A. Haptism?! This guy's killing me!"

 Camille Bidan transmits, "Who is 'Archduke Gorgon'?"

 Divada Kirador transmits, "Yak yak yak. Good lord they talk a lot."

 MYSTERIOUS PILOT H transmits, "An agent of evil! Of the most vile... /Doctor Hell/!!"

 Macua Huitl transmits, "No."

Treize Khushrenada's trip to Japan had strictly been for leisure, his recreational skills in European fencing didn't translate well to Kendo. Though his strikes were faster, he came unprepared for the three-dimensional arena and forceful power strikes of his opponent's bokken.

Disappointed on the outcome of the Kendo open invitational, Treize was more than eager to jump on the reports of an attack nearby. Farouche visage gives way to the soldier stoicism, his moue expression from today's earlier failures wiped clean by the fresh slate of battle anew.

As a courtesy, he had brought the Tallgeese II to greet his hosts with full arms -- not some mere OZ Leo would do. This was the dog and pony show he had acclimated to with each of his diplomatic travels.

The graceful avian design of the Leo prototype Mk. II with it's accented blue, signature of Treize's own 19th century French military attire -- an anachrostic flair in conjunction with a more eccentric head-piece not unlike that of a tropical cockatrice cresting on the mecha's saggital crest.

Thrusters boom in a deafening roar as shockwaves of distrubed air ripple outward with the thunderous arrival of Treize Khushrenada in the Tallgeese II.

 Torres transmits, "Hey..! Who keeps emptying the LITE BEER machine!?"

 Astrid Stalvern transmits, "Don't look at me, I prefer harder liquer."

 Macua Huitl transmits, "Don't look at me. I betcha it was Apolly or Roberto again..."

 Macua Huitl transmits, "Give me a moment Camille, but what has you asking I will be making a report."

If Simon had rushed off, then it was one of two things! Her father or Kamina!

Perhaps it is risky, but it is a risk that is worth a bro!

Having borrowed Yoko's scooter ( she left a note! ) she follows!

The booming voices, sudden Gundam eruptions, and drills make up for the digging Gurren Lagann. The bad idea that it is only becomes apparent as Nia makes it into the front yard of the Photon Power Labs! There's Chibodee! And Dr Love! And "Simon!"

She has, thankfully, stayed away from the Gunmen. At the edge of the front lawn! Maybe it's a tad close! The ground shakes as a Gunman steps nearby, but she isn't deterred. Though what she is trying to accomplish on foot is a question indeed! "Chibodee, and Mysterious Pilot H! Please save bro!"

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "What is a little girl doing here!?"

 Ascian Luddite transmits, "Hey, little girl! Get away from here, the battlefield is no place for someone like you!"

<Radio: C - Global> Boss transmits, "No! Watch me flex and throw that robot like five miles with the ALMIGHTY BOSS BOROT!"

<Radio: A - Chat> Astrid Stalvern bottlesloshing, "Just about finished with this Jack, too."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "What? A little girl?"

<Radio: C - Global> Kazuma Ardygun transmits, "Don't understimate little girls."

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Girl, looks like someone spilled blue soda in her hair... weird eyes..."

<Radio: C - Global> Nia transmits, "I will be okay!"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "You're in my way..."

<Radio: C - Global> Nia transmits, "Yes."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "That voice- the one who piloted that red Orbital Frame!"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Yes."

<Radio: C - Global> Koji Kabuto transmits, "A.. a red orbital frame!? Here!? Th-the Red Comet!?"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "You would bring a little girl into harm's way, just because she happens to stand in your path?"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "No, Koji, that's a 'red mobile suit.'"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "I told her to go away..."

<Radio: C - Global> Boss transmits, "HOLY CRAP! THE RED COMET?!"

<Radio: C - Global> Boss transmits, "...Who is that?"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite groans...

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Then, you'll have to go through me first. It's unfortunate that we had to meet again in this way, but..."

<Radio: C - Global> Koji Kabuto transmits, "He's that guy from the history textbook, Boss."

<Radio: C - Global> Koji Kabuto transmits, "You know, the one you never open."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "To allow a little girl to come to harm, that is something I cannot allow!"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Tssk..."

SUDDENLY REINFORCEMENTS

"PHOTON POWER LABS!" a young woman intones from--somewhere; linking direction to sound is difficult when everyone just uses radio transmissions for communication.

"Look at the forces arrayed against you! This is the merest /fraction/ of His Five Great Armies! Look at them and know despair--know hopelessness! Know that the only way forward for you is submission to His benevolent rulership!"

A high-pitched scream splits the skies; near Duke Brazen's front lines, the ground trembles, then rapidly shifts as something terrible digs its way through the earth to join the battle. Ascian and Brazen brought legions, and on any other day, Marchionessa Idunn would have followed suit. However...

YESTERDAY

Marchionessa Idunn throws up for like four hours straight after experiencing a psychic seizure in the wake of the Dragonsaurus' attack on Mars.

EARLIER TODAY

Marchionessa Idunn tries to link herself to a full unit of her personal Machine Beasts; as soon as contact is made, she's forced to break it and run off to the bathroom to throw up.

LIKE TEN MINUTES AGO

Marchionessa Idunn adjusts her flowering domino mask after vigorously wiping her mouth clean with a damp cloth. She then sprints to Gool's launch bay to prepare just /one/ Machine Beast - her /personal/ monstrosity - for action.

NOW

... she's hoping she'll only need one. And /what/ a one it is: great, human hands grasp the edges of the ground first, hauling the rest of an armored, feminine form from beneath the earth. She's easily fifteen feet tall; her hair is pristine despite her method of entry and her face is covered behind a deep emerald mask bisected by a slim golden line.

"Our desire was implicit the moment we arrived; I am making it explicit: surrender yourselves to Dr. Hell, or perish."

With that, the /rest/ of the monster is suddenly, startlingly revealed after it hauls itself free from its hole to reveal that past its waist, it's all flower--all blood-red /rose/ to be specific. Countless writhing vines coil beneath the opened bud's great petals and a number of smaller, differently coloured flowers bloom amongst them.

"This petty squabbling is beneath us /all/; do what's right."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Pilot of the Red Orbital Frame, what is your name?"

<Radio: C - Global> Koji Kabuto transmits, "I'm pretty sure his name is Char Aznable, Tetsuya! Stop being such a blockhead, god!"

<Radio: C - Global> Chang Wufei transmits, "His name is Ascian Luddite."

<Radio: C - Global> Boss transmits, "I never read the Gundam section of my history book, it's full of stupid!"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Then, Ascian Luddite, I will not allow you to advance any further!"

The Warrior Beasts scatter over the field, beating their mighty bat wings an roaring like the walking horrors they are. As they do, Dr. Hell's random armor begin to assault the front of the compound with heavy tank fire. The Brazen custom turns it's head at the sudden assault by the Altron. However the Dragon fang doesn't connect as one of the Warior Beast mps lands in front of the attack, taking it square in the chest. It roars menacingly, attempting to bite the Altron's head clean off as the dragon fang continues to bore into it's chest.

The Thunder Break hits several Warrior Beasts out of the air, flash frying them before they crash to the ground. Still, the mechs begin to stand, still sizzling as their weird meaty bits cook. The smell of putrid meat hits the air. They open their mouths and fire a beam toward Great Mazinger's torso, hopefully cleaving the cockpit.

Koji Kabuto?! Brazen smiles as he hears the familiar voice. He has trained long for this moment. If he killed Kabuto, he would finally have all the evidence he needed to be the most powerful of Dr. Hell's creations. "Koji Kabuto. It is a shame I will have to kill you here. Warrior Beasts! TAKE CARE OF KOJI KABUTO!" Brazen calls several of the Warrior Beasts to come tackle Koji, attempting to tear chunks of super Alloy Z off the robot.

Simon then shows up, prompting Brazen to raise a brow. "So the youngling shows up as well. THEN TODAY WILL BE YOUR ENDING AS WELL! YOUNGLING, I WILL PROVE TO YOU THAT I AM DUKE BRAZEN, THE DRILL THAT WILL END HEAVEN!!!!" Brazen yells as he extends his arms to block Simon's charge,firing a beam from his Warrior Beast point blank. He then ends his combo with a quick drill punch jab, laughing like a mad man.

Brazen raises his other arm, skidding backwards as Hogarth's kick impacts the Brazen Custom. "Hmph. Very good." He clenches the arm,spawning a drill and immediately firing it to try to knock the attacker back or cleave him. "Don't fight me if you want to see tomorrow. Heh." At that same moment, a MP Warrior Beast attempts to stab Hogarth from behind like a true pro.

"You will get no answers from me, girl." Brazen turns his head to see Macua charging in to fire her wrist bracers. OH NO! His arms are being used to defend against Simon and Hogarth! He's completely....wait.... The Brazen Custom attempts to block the blunt of the attack. The shots hit the chest of the warrior beast, sending sprays of red blood into the air before Green energy patches it up.

"Enough! You miserable ants will not stand in the way of my goals! I am not like the others! I transcend it all! I WILL SHOW YOU MY TRUE POWER!"

The Brazen custom begins to glow green brilliantly....Much like Simon wishes Gurren Lagan would glow. The pilot inside winces as his enhancements allow him to reach this level. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. "Power over whelming....."

Drills begin to sprout all over the Brazen's customs body. Drills beget more drills, each splitting and making drills of every conceivable side. All of theses shoot out to attempt hit all of his attackers.

At the same time, the Warrior Beasts launch counter offensives, firing beams at everyone and everything. Several attempt to gang up on Tetsuya and Macua, even as drills rain down from every direction. More attempt to body check Simon, Macua, and Koji.

Koji and Simon also seem to receive more drills from Duke Brazen as he really wants to kill those two.

<Radio: C - Global> Nia transmits, "I am here on my own. And I will not move!"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Tch- I won't let her fall into the clutches of Doctor Hell!"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Girl, allow me to be your fortress!"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "I am just moving her away from the damn battlefield, you fool!"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Hm. Noble."

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Besides... do you really think I want her /dad/ going after me?"

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "Hm? Her father?"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite transmits, "Lord Genome."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "..."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "You are wise, my adversary."

<Radio: C - Global> Nia transmits, "Oh! Thank you! That is very nice of you sir."

<Radio: C - Global> Tetsuya Tsurugi transmits, "I find that you are more courteous than many of my previous foes. It is unfortunate that we have met in this way, but I cannot allow you to triumph here today!"

<Radio: C - Global> Ascian Luddite tssk.

Takeshi sighs quietly, "Well, he's got quite the armor focusing on him. They'd just be in our way and it'd be nearly impossible to score a hit. There's only one other person....And he's out now. All the big mechs around here are messing up my sniper role."

Then reinforcements come! "Oh, her and that thing. Let's go after it." The mech shoots forward instantly crossing from observer to fighter. Down and down before stopping just before the newest machine beast. He flips on the external speaker, "Surrender? But that would just be too melodramatic my dear." Flip. The optics on the machine flash red and then green before returning to yellow. Scan data is flying across his screen at what should be an unreadable rate, but he was freaky like that. "Nice, sweet. Let's do this thing. Give her a warning shot."

TA single focusing lens powers up and then discharges a standard blast. Even if it did hit, it wouldn't be for much more than a smack on the wrist. Obviously, the message is: Just leave now or get worse.

"Nia what are--" Simon is interrupted from saying one of the most cliche lines in action history by getting blasted and drilled in the face by Duke Brazen. Simon stumbles back but hears Chibodee call out instructions. "Chibodee!!" He cries out as he swings his fist forward, his own drills canceling out the force behind Duke Brazen's. "Chibodee, this is big bro--this is Kamina! We have to help him...or stop him!"

Rossiu uses thsi moment to slam the controls back to open up some space between the Gurren Lagann and the Brazen Custom. "What about Nia--" He says.

Simon frowns, watching the drills his brother unleashes. He makes a snap decision and runs towards Nia, throwing the Gurren Lagann's shades at the enemy mech before dropping down in a crouch near Nia, letting one of the Gurren Lagann's hands out so she can step on top of it.

"I guess this is your fight too--" Simon smiles.

The Boss Borot whips out a top hat and cape, slinging them around its body with a flourish. Then, it brings out a classic black and white magic wand, waving it through the air.

"HOCUS POCUS!"

Giant. Freaking. Bats fly out of the wand at the Brazen.

No, baseball bats.

While the Machine Beasts may not be the smartest (I mean, really, what does a mech need a THONG for!?), Ascian isn't a bad leader. Standing at a distance from the rest, he keeps a good eye out on his surroundings, thanks to the 360 visual he is getting from the inside of The Beast's cockpit.

The Beast growls as a signal is sent. The Machine Beasts, all of them, quickly move away from the area as the GaoGaiGar comes crashing down and breaks the concrete yard of the Photon Lab. As Guy then tries to go after the Machine Beasts, they seem to move away just a bit faster than he manages to keep up with! The big help in this is the large hawk-like machine, which picks up the frog and the gorilla as they are slow of movement.

They are then dropped - the gorilla at the very top of the building, whilst the frog is dropped directly on TOP of the GaoGaiGar. Not waiting one bit, the Washio H-4 (hawk) rushes straight for the girl which had arrived with that cycle of hers, and tries to grab her with its big claws before she can climb into Simon's machine.

The butterfly which uses black wings which seem to spray fire from their bottoms then rushes for the blue unit which is coming down towards the labs - and sprays a large quantity of black energy-butterflies into the skies, covering the area above it; ready to explode on contact!

The Gorilla then suddenly leaps up mightily from the building, grabbing out for Briareos, trying to grab hold of him as he falls towards the ground and attempts to swing him around and SLAM him into the Photon Labs itself!

Fortunately, Great Mazinger's cockpit is not in its torso, and the blasts of flame can only singe the Super Alloy New Z colossus' impressive armor. Machine Beasts pour onto the super robot, clawing at its body, carving scratches across its arms and back. Tetsuya yells, a single powerful arm striking the gathered Warrior Beasts and knocking them back to the ground!

But, Tetsuya has little time to waste dealing with the forces of Duke Brazen. There is a more pressing threat, far closer to the Labs- and closer to a poor, innocent young maiden watching the battle! To let such a pure heart fall to the forces of Doctor Hell is simply unacceptable! Great Mazinger turns to face the Martian Hero, its eyes glowing radiantly in its head. That's-- That red machine is the Gurren Lagann? But as it is now, it's vulnerable!

Tch.

"I won't," Tetsuya growls into Great Mazinger's vocal systems, "Allow you to hurt them!" The super robot's crimson wings spread wide, golden radiance pours out of its thrusters, pushing it forward, faster than the eye can see! The super robot rushes out of the skies as a small reticle lines up with that distant hawk-like Machine Beast!

"SCRAAAMBLEEE!" Tetsuya's voice ECLIPSES the thunder crackling overhead! "CUUTTTTEEEERRRRR!

"Don't be ridiculous," is Marchionessa Idunn's cool reply--even as her Machine Beast cries out in pain when its abdomen is singed by the Tsubasa's laser.

"'Intelligent' is the word you wanted."

A creature without legs shouldn't be able to jump, but it does; it tightly bunches its vines beneach itself, and after forcing them against the ground, it flings itself into the air, blotting the blue sun behind it for several moments as it flies.

"Maybe 'prudent'; /certainly/ not 'melodramatic'. I'll show you your errors--/Alraune V8/ will show you your errors, and you'll thank us for it when you're begging for a place at His table--I promise!"

It's rather a direct and guile-less attack, really: Alraune V8 descends on a direct arc towards the Tsubasa's head. It's a little on the large side for a Machine Beast, particularly in relation to a machine designed to function as a sniper; the one thing it has going for it, the one thing that may prevent the no doubt nimble sniper from simply fleeing before it's crushed is its sheer surface area.

No. Wait. Strike that.

There are two things--no. That's not quite right /either/.

After all, there's far more than one vine lashing out towards the Tsubasa as the Machine Beast falls--more than two, even. More than four, than five, than six.

There are enough to encase the smaller machine from head to toe, and while evasive maneuvers and the judicious application of thruster boosts would doubtless serve to save it from any capture at all, much less a prolonged imprisonment... in the scants econds before Alraune's landing, the entire world is verdant, writhing, flowering vines.

Gundam Maxter is in a support position to Gurren Lagann. For a moment, it hesitates -- knowing that Duke Brazen is actually Kamina takes Chibodee off-guard. The shock lasts only a moment, adrenaline already starting to push Chibodee back into his battle mind. He breathes in sharply, snorting out hard through his nose. Hogarth is here, too. No time to have a panic attack or a breakdown.

Maxter shifts its posture, focusing itself on power rather than speed. As the drills blaze by, he begins to charge at the Duke, his plan crystallizing in his mind. He charges just as Simon stops to collect Nia, throwing a hard body blow at the Brazen Custom.

"HEROES!" Chibodee yells. "USE THE SCHOOL OF MASTER SHAKE!"

What?

Briareos was staying up in the air for now. He was letting the bigger robots charge in. His internal combat systems were counting all the targets, marking every single one of them, no matter how small, or large the warrior beasts were. If it looked they belonged to Dr. Hell's group, they they got locked onto. He then checked all his assault rifle machine guns.

Before he glanced over to his side, where his Tank rifle was being stored on the side of the Landmate. Good, that may come in handy against these things too.

Else where...

There was a dirty blonde girl with short, boyish hair poking at a stove with a stick, muttering something about 'I can cook'. Till the stove suddenly catches on flame and another girl with long black hair quickly puts it out with some kinda anti-fire foam gun.

The dirty blonde then looks to the other girl, "..." She then yells loudly in frustration, "I can cook!!"

The dark hair girl then sweat drops. "... I am sure Briaroes will still be happy you tried, Deunan."

Deunan just sighs, "... where is my forty-four Magnum..."

"... Deunan..."

Back on scene...

As Briaroes was starting to make his way down in the suit that was a keen to a power-armor. That is when he picks up movement coming right for him. He quickly goes to spin out of the way, but the Gorilla beast almost gets him, ripping part of the armor on the Landmate.

The Combat Cyborg quickly adjusts the fall, saving himself before he slams down into the ground. Then with a single kick of his foot on the field, he goes back up. The device giving his armor its flight ability glows brightly before then Briaroes starts to zip around the area, unloading on the beast machines that can be made a target. Anything from the ground targets to aerial targets..

It was all fair game, this even meant the leading units as well.

Surrender yourselves to Dr. Hell.

Or perish.

"No...!" Koji wheezes, barely able to mount any manner of defiance. His fingers tighten around the grips and the blood briefly drains from his face. He's worried and as he tilts Mazinger Z's head around to survey Duke Brazen's horde, he realizes just how terrible this sortie is.

"..They're trying to wipe us out for good!" Koji realizes aloud, as if prone to clue in an audience unaware of the narrative elements thus far. "There's so many of them!"

For all that the allies of Photon Power Labs can muster, there's more monsters than there are heroes.

Everything is looking terrible.

"..We can't surrender!" Koji objects, but any attempt at being very forthwith about it is ruined by a sudden bodycheck of Warrior Beasts colliding into the Guardian of Steel. A tremendous clatter is let loose as Mazinger Z is slammed around by a collection of nefarious creatures, treated like nothing more than a giant black ragdoll.

Within the cockpit, Koji grunts and groans as he's shaken violently in his seat. "..Nngh! Hnngh!"

It's like he feels every single blow to his robot, for boy and machine are as one. With eyes wide, Koji is helpless as he's suddenly dogpiled on by these creatures, the Armor of Miracles blotted out -- !! -- by monster-bodies and drills.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA---" silence.

The mound of villainy does not budge nor even hint at sheer movement. The task is complete. Mazinger Z is buried. Long live Mazin--

"PHOOOOOOOOOOOTOOOOOOOOOONIIIIIIC BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!!!"

Light breaks through gaps between the Warrior Beasts in brilliant streaks, widening greater and greater until...!

ZZZZZZZCRACK!

Half-vaporized limbs go flying and the Guardian of Steel thrusts up into the air, arms flexed up in a show of tremendous photon-powered strength!

At the controls, Koji Kabuto is alive and well. His eyes wide with excitement. Twisting at the switches, his commands are fluidly matched by Mazinger Z's limbs. The giant black robot chases after the Brazen Custom, its young pilot eager to join the Mysterious 'H' and Simon.

Fists swing out, battering aside Warrior Beasts with destructive jaw-shots.

"I'll help!!!!!" Koji shouts at the other pilots, joining the fray with a leaping punch from Mazinger Z's iron knuckles!

Treize Khushrenada's doesn't have much time to assess the situation upon reaching the proximity before he is engaged by some strange insect he'd not seen the likes of before -- but judging it's CBDR (Constant Bearing Decreasing Range), it was intent with greeting him in a hostile manner.

Reflexively, Treize punches the Tallgeese into a spiraled reverse, producing the Dober's long barrel from the pivot placement on his pauldron to level with the mecha-beast.

His aim takes only a heart beat.

~THOOM~

Boss pulls out his 'Book Of Internet References' and pours over it. "Master Shake... Master Shake..."

What they all said is true, it's dangerous. Having lived a life in complete safety... she does not know enough to be afraid. Kamina, bro, is still in danger!

"I wish to help save bro... he means so much to everyone!" She responds to Simon, turning to wave to MYSTERIOUS H! Just in time to see a giant robot bird swooping down towards her! She starts to move, towards the Gurren Lagann's hand that is held open!

Meanwhile, her long cotton candy like hair might be in the way of the claws, still. Could the bird be so cruel!? Nia cries out as she dives into the hand.

Macua Huitl says something over the comm to Camille Bidan, she realises she was out of it to the point last night. She never gave Koji the full story on what little she had, that is. She makea a promise to get ahold of who was needing inform.

She now gets to melee range with Duke's forces but his minions intercept her.

"We'll see about that when we're done with you!"

But wham more machine beasts, she's too fast for them to connect but they deny her getting towards the Duke any further.

She's locked in close combat and countes the beasts fairly well.

"So you think some flunkies will slow me down for long?!"

She now stars just rapidly kicking them.

"MACHINE FIST STYLE!"

"PROTECT WALL!!!!!" roars Guy as the frog gets dropped on GaoGaiGar - only to land harmlessly on top of a shimmering barrier ... and then to explode equally harmlessly, both to Guy and to the other Machine Beasts around him; he doesn't even manage to get a swing in at any of them (or a kick) before they're out of range.

But as the smoke from the explosion clears, the King of Braves erupts from where it had been standing, and GaoGaiGar reaches out for one of the retreating Machine Beasts, aiming to pull it back and bury a Drill Knee in whatever passes for its spinal column.

Takeshi looks up as the massive writhing flowering ground thing slams into him. Below it, it would seem to follow reason that the tiny Tsubasa is crushed, unfortunately for the Alarune, it might find that the usual helpfulness of Gravity has been largely dissipated, meaning that it hit with force equal to the force it had naturally. At least, against the Tsubasa, everything else nearly caves in, which bodes well for the tsubasa which finds a way to use that to its advantage and untangle itself before flipping around to face the Alarune.

"Alright, can't take you lightly then. It's faster than it looks, but don't underestimate us either."

The focus lens fire up again, three of them receiving all of the power this time. The output would be tremendous at this range. "Well then, you're a plant, so you must burn. Fire." No point in being dramatic about it, this was a fight and it was time to see who will win!

When the Gorilla misses, it lands on the ground beneath, cracking cracks on the floor. It then turns its head and follows right behind Briareos! How dare that man in a tight metal can ignore it?! Faster and faster, it runs on all fours and tries to /grab/ the cyborg and potentially crush it within its both hands!

In the air, the Papillon C-0 quickly spin around whilst Treize fires at it using the large weapon. It flits around quickly, getting closer to the Tallgeese II quickly, and then suddenly...

The machine...

Reaches into its thong! It reaches around with its metalic hands... and out comes a gigantic sniper rifle! The thing raises it and then FIRES at Treize's suit.

Closer to the ground, the hawk-like unit quickly spins around and lays a claw to the ground - using the sudden friction to get into a spin and with that... a halt before Nia. A gigantic shockwave of air follows - potentially pushing her away from the Gurren if Simon did not hold on well enough.

The frog in the meantime, having exploded and all... seems to be gone? NO! Wait! A foursome of frogs suddenly are surrounding the GaoGaiGar, grinning at it. They then begin to run around it, spinning faster and faster, before they suddenly spring at him from all directions and try to latch on to the unit, in order to explode!

Ascian in the meantime has got his unit crossing its arms, staring at the GaoGaiGar swinging around that drill knee, barely knicking anything. He grins. The EVA/Gunmen grins... sickly... and begins to walk straight towards the Photon Labs -- fully planning on entering the building!

The Dragon Fang comes for the Brazen Custom but is intercepted by two drills, attempting to break the dragon arm thing with Spiral power. Even so, the Dragon fang manages to cut the Brazen Custom's arm, spilling blood against the ground below. Simon's shades swing at the Warrior Beast but are caught by the Brazen Custom's chest. For a moment, Brazen stops, his eyes widening at the symbol which seems so familiar to him....even as the pain from the impact surges through him. "ugh....Foolish fool!"

Boss' Wizard attack strikes and then Hogarth's shield attack, knocking the Warrior Beast slightly away from the wall. "Tsk. Damnit. You are all becoming increasingly annoying!"

Koji's Photonic Beam burns a hole through the warrior Beast and it looks over.

And then Chibodee unleashes the Master Shake Manuver which seems to be......throwing a large LCD screen at Brazen...which explodes on impact. The flames catch all over the Warrior Beast. Brazen roars in anger, firing a energy beam toward everyone in his way. "I will not be held back here!"

<Radio: A - Chat> Macua Huitl transmits, "If it's who I think it is I'll get in contact with him."

<Radio: A - Chat> Socker O'Hooligan transmits, "Hmm. I should get back into Neo Guitar Hero now that I'm back among the living."

<Radio: A - Chat> Astrid Stalvern transmits, "I never understood that game. Why don't you just play a real guitar?"

<Radio: A - Chat> Camille Bidan transmits, "Because it's faster, easier and gains you just as much cred with the ladies."

<Radio: A - Chat> Camille Bidan transmits, "I....think? Ow! Fa, what the he-*click*"

<Radio: A - Chat> Astrid Stalvern transmits, "...Tch."

<Radio: A - Chat> Macua Huitl transmits, "It's also one of those timing games."

Brazen might've tried to break Altron's Dragon Fang's, but it made a couple of mistakes. First, Altron has two Dragon Fangs, which it proved when the second one was able to dislodge the first from said dril tentacle. The Second, made after Altron catches it's twin beam trident, is that now Altron was now in it's optimal fighting range, and right where Wufei liked to fight. Once Altron caught it's Twin beam Trident, it's leg and wing boosters ignited and it made a beeline for the mech's body. with the way Altron was twisted, it seemed determined to ram it's shield into the cockpit itself...

Treize Khushrenada blinks, his surprise is evident as his foe blasts him with a weapon produced via unorthodox storage. Treize groans as the Tallgeese II is rocked violently from the blow.

'This one is full of surprises' thinks Treize in classic internal monologue.

"This is Treize Khushrenada hailing... whatever you are." The Dober Rifle lowers and the Tallgeese reaches behind its shield for the handle of the beam saber, activating the weapon with a snap-hiss... pink light illuminating the whites of the Tallgeese II. "Identify yourself."

The Tallgeese II blasts forward, the rockets surging raoring flames out from the dorsal packs and flinging the suit forward at speeds that would quail lesser men.

As the target nears, Treize slashes, leaving a trailing image of a horizontal arc before the Tallgeese II. Followed by a diagonal counterpart and the combination finished with a shield bash.

The fluidity of one move connecting with the next indicates that melee seems to be Mr. Khushrenada's arena of choice.

Takeshi watches the plant prepare its next attack. It's still talking, or at least the person inside of it is, or something like that. Normal? No, in this case neither of them truly are he supposed, but that was irrelavent at this juncture. "Heh. And this is far from a normal machine."

The three vines swipe in towards the Tsubasa but it just moves, a flash of thruster the only noticeable movement from the machine, underneath them, the three possibly colliding in midair, leaving the Tsubasa plenty of room to take up an overhead position staring down at the Alarune. "My mother made this machine, let me show you how crazy my family is."

He prepares the data and then pushes a button or two and all the lasers on the front of the machine begin powering up, "Focus point established." The hands move in to form a focus point as all the beams shoot towards it. A containment field both keeps the lasers going at their true power and then combines them all into a single, large laser. Once all the power has been gathered, he raises his hands above his head, the mech matching his movements, "ODORI FAMILY," and then he throws them down towards her, "CRAZINESS," and the beam shoot forth encompassing a circle at least 5 feet in length, "HEATER STYLE!"

Gundam Maxter punches the Brazen Custom. Simultaneously, Gundam Maxter launching a television from its shoulder to smack into the robot. It explodes in an unconvincing way and spreads fire everywhere. Yeah. This is how it's going down.

A death ray sprays at Gundam Maxter. Chibodee crosses his arms over his chest, Maxter blocking the majority of the burst. The Crest flares over Maxter's arms, generating a shield that parries much, but not all of the powerful blast. As the wave of energy passes, Maxter moves in again, throwing another blow toward the chest of Brazen's unit.

"KAMINA!!!" Chibodee bellows. "YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO SCORE IF YOU KEEP WORKING FOR DR. HELL!!"

With that forceful argument presented, Chibodee follows up with a brutal uppercut intended to knock the Brazen Custom into a better position for Simon to brutalize.

"BANANA PAJAMAS!"

The Boss Borot twirls its wand in the air, purple light swirling around it. The air around the wand ionizes, reality seeming to bend and twist by sheer will of Boss' insanity. The Boss Borot takes a stance.

And then runs screaming at the Brazen, face twisting into an >:O of anger and wand flailing around in the air. It catches one of the beams, turning it into a bunch of deer that hit the ground and prance away.

"Hah! I meant to do that!" Boss proclaims, grinning from his cockpit. "NOW! For my next trick!"

The Boss Borot pulls off its top hat, making a show of showing it to the Machine Beasts while Boss reads from the card. He finally found the 'Japanese' section, though he speaks it in English. "As everyone can see, there is nothing in my hat. It is a very ordinary magic tophat of magic." The Boss Borot puts the hat on the ground and waves the magic wand over it!

"ABRA! KA...KANCHO!"

The Boss Borot thrusts both hands in, interlaced, with fingers pointing upward. They disappear into the hat.

Two invisible fingers thrust up into the EVA Brazen from behind.

Three of the frogs land on GaoGaiGar and explode, resulting in a choked-off cry from Guy.

However, what he *was* shouting was "Plasma Hold!" - and he got enough of it out, plus the associated exertion of his will, to grab the fourth frog in crackling yellow tendrils of energy and to fling it at the apparent command unit - the one which just pulled a rifle out of somewhere a rifle that size has NO BUSINESS AT ALL being ... with enough residual charge from the Plasma Hold that it might have affected the Papillon C-0.

"PHANTOM RING, PLUS!!" Guy shouts, the gold ring floating into place as GaoGaiGar's right arm comes up, the ring hovering around the forearm - and fist, forearm, and ring all starting to spin up to the point of becoming a big magenta blur inside a brilliant gold halo. "BROKEN ... *PHANTOM!!!!*"

And GaoGaiGar launches its rocket-punch up at Ascian's machine.

Great Mazinger... Scratches the great hawk-beast's armor! But it doesn't cleave through, not as he would have hoped. His mistake has given the beast an opportunity to try and force Nia away from the Gurren Lagann! No. Not this time!

Great Mazinger turns in a wide arc, but at incredible speeds! It whirls about, placing itself between the great hawk and the red machine. Its sturdy form stands against the wind, pushing back even as the gale whips about the super robot. This- this is nothing! Nothing compared to the power of Great Mazinger!

Years ago, before man first began recording its own history, before Babylon rose from the dust, one entity stood astride the Earth. One hero, to whom even the skies themselves were subordinate. That power, that dominion, that raw control over the heavens- it has not been lost, only reforged!

The super robot braces itself against the ground. Its eyes FLASH with miraculous light! The sound that issues forth from the grates in its mighty helm is unmistakable, that roar of impossible force- that howling gale! It's name is- ITS NAME IS---!

"GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAT TYPHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!"

The Beast Machines come forth for Briareos. As always, the Cyborg is quicker then he looks. Avoiding all attacks and seeming to fly around the room.

As the Gorilla comes in Briareors would roll his eyes, but he doesn't have that ability any longer. "..You monkey, are starting to annoy me." He says then as he zips to the side to let the beast machine zip by him. Then just as the Gorrilla goes to move by and like a snap of a finger, the four machine guns where thrown into the air.

He reached out for the Gorilla and attempted to rip it with all four hands. Two from the land mate and two of his own.

Then at the last moment, attempted to kick it back with a flip as he tried to then rip the arms out of the socket, toss down the arms, and reach for his assault machine guns before they impact the ground.

Well, that is if it all goes right.

"Nnnagh!!" Koji grunts as his Mazinger Z staggers back from the strength of the Brazen Custom.

Within the Pilder, warning sounds go off with ear-piercing cries. "..He's so powerful!" he gasps in realization. "There's no way I can match his speed alone! I need... more power!!"

~"Koji!" Professor Yumi transmits, "We're sending out the Jet Scrander! It'll help!"

"Hai!!" Koji bobs his head enthusiastically. He jerks back on the controls, turning the spiked head of Mazinger Z to the right to look over its broad shoulder.

From a nearby catapult, a vision of crimson streaks out from the rails. It flies directly for the Steel Guard, whom promptly leaps from the ruin of concrete beneath it to join with it.

"SCRANDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.....!"

Silver restraints circle around Mazinger Z's torso, locking a set of sharp red wings into place.

"....CROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSS!!!"

Linkages engage and the read-outs within the Pilder change to reflect the Jet Scrander add-on.

Mazinger Z stretches its arms out, its photonic capacitors charged!

It begins swinging its limbs round and around, completing great wide circles of whirling steel. Each time they complete a spin, they get faster and faster. Turning and turning, drawing in tremendous wind..!

~"I hear we need to talk."

Koji, slightly distracted with the act of battle, responds to Macua with an ear-shattering cry.

"ROCKETTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...........!!"

Mazinger Z's elbows fizzle, the tell-tale escape of gaseous propellant.

Black fingers curl into steel palms, forming great big wrecking balls of robotic might.

"PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCH!"

Simon swings a fist out to block the energy blast from harming Nia but Ascian Luddite is ALSO unleashing a shockwave of air, forcing the Gurren Lagann to shift positions and take the full force of the blast in the back, hands slaming into the ground on both sides of Nia, no doubt jostling her from THAT particular shockwave.

"Dammit--" Simon says, now out of effective ranged weapons. He lets Nia get in his hand and opens up his cockpit, "Hop in!" He shouts because there isn't really going to be a lot of time for Nia here.

Naturally this procedure stops him from punching Kamina in the face but Chibodee and others are holding the line well enough. If Nia gets crushed into paste, what will be the point of saving his brother?

FWASH! The laser cuts across the battlefield! It grazes the Mysterious Machine, glancing off the apparently anti-beam cloak and scattering in to the sky. Mysterious Pilot H responds with a not-so-brutal whap upside the head with the shield as he continues to be uncomfortably close to the Warrior Beasts. But MYSTERIOUS PILOT H is no coward--he will not be defeated by evil's terrible visage!

Besides, he thinks, Chibodee is here, and so is most of Team Science!. He can't just let them down... even if he /is/ super mysterious and if they totally don't know who he is.

"SCHOOL OF MASTER SHAKE! ALRIGHT!" Having no idea what this means, MYSTERIOUS PILOT H does what he does best and improvises. The Mysterious Custom begins to spin wildly, shields out, turning into a TYPHOON OF PUMMELING POWER!

It is not nearly as flashy as the special moves flying every which way, but it is still kind of amazingly effective if, you know, "Duke Brazen" gets too close.

Macua Huitl gets ahold of Koji, this is good, but it's not so good as she gets a full out Rocket punch shout in her ear over the comm. She actually wabbles back a bit and is only able to fire her headvulcans off at the duke's minion. She keeps tyring to make her way towards Brazen and now she drives her machine's fist into the ground. "DANCE OF THE HOWLING MAGMA SPRITES!"

The sets off hte directed charges in the bomber unit on the machine's right hand and there's a chain of explosions trying to cut though what machine beasts are in the way and prehaps to the Duke himself!

Nia's almost there! But so is the shockwave. Her hair is jostled, ungrasped and torn, as she hits the ground with a cry. The two hands crash about her, shielding her! But not for a moment does she doubt the boy within it the machine before her.

She stays down up until Simon's shout, at which point she bolts up. Scrambling up the hand on the Gurren, she comes face to face with Simon, her eyes lighting up as she sees him! A quick leap and a hop and Nia barely manages to get in the cockpit, sitting sideways across Simon's lap.

"I am sure, Simon, that you will be able to save him. Especially with everyone here!" She begins to explain, a bit winded.

"But ... I wish to rescue him together with you!"

"I miss bro as well."

As soon as the Tsubasa raises its hands, Alraune reacts: the machine performs a short hop forward to turn its front away from the smaller machine, and then its petals snap shut. With no real idea of what Takeshi might try, defense is the only option that makes sense.

Elsewhere, the Marchionessa gently knuckles her forehead; defense may be /prudent/, but to be forced to fight like a blind woman is galling--to say nothing of the tingles that just won't stop coursing through her body thanks to the abuses her Machine Beast has suffered. Briefly, she wonders if her experiences yesterday have clouded her sixth sense, but only briefly.

When the lasers envelop Alraune V8, she has bigger things to think about, like maintaining the appropriate amount of distance between the Machine Beast's agony - and it /is/ pained despite its defensive stance, judging from the cries rising above the crackling, hissing beams - and her own senses.

"I don't care about your mother," she coldly murmurs once the beams begin to dissipate and she has a chance to catch her breath. "I--nngh--"

Her teeth grit; the Machine Beast remains within its floral shell, but muffled mechanical buzzing begins to emanate from within. The Marchionessa clutches her command staff tightly; connecting to an entire force of Machine Beasts was entirely too much stress, but her Machine Beasts are willful, raging things; to connect with them means submerging herself in the sea of their bestial impulses and quelling it for as long as she can.

Alraune's remote weapons aren't nearly so complex, but just taking control of /those/ is harder than it ought to be. Nonetheless, given a few seconds of work, Alraune's damaged petals part, just a little.

Six shining, metallic, entirely-too-accurate and overlarge facsimiles of the kinds of stinging insects one might expect to find in nature fly through the gap on an unerring path towards the Tsubasa. They aren't equipped with guns, but they /do/ have stingers.

And their stingers are very, very sharp.

And like any good swarm, they'll converge upon their prey to drive those stingers /into/ it as one, if they are allowed.

Pappillon C-0 tries to defend itself by throwing his weapon right at the incoming unit, which gets crushed immediately by the melee weapon coming down. But by the time the explosion of the weapon can reach it, the butterfly machine beast is out of sight! It is behind Treize's machine, and tries to grapple the unit and wrap its black gunpowder-like wings around it and... prepares to cause explosions all over Treize's Tallgeese. Of course, it needs to succeed in GRABBING first!

On the ground, the Gorilla is suddenly faced with four arms. And while they are not bigger than it, they are stronger. Stronger than its very body! Briareos grabs hold with the help of the land mate, and rips it apart! Metal cogs go flying, pieces of wiring dangling, and soon the area is rocked with a magnificent explosion!

The GaoGaiGar has in the meantime launched a flying punch at Ascian's machine. With its slow stride towards the Photon Labs, his attention is quite persistant. One that reaches all around him. As the drilling fist comes flying, the unit suddenly ducks down to all fours, the fist flying overhead, and begins to RUN towards the entrance of the Photon Labs and places its claws onto its big walls and begins to claw at them...

Only to suddenly gets SMASHED into by the gigantic 'fist' of Koji's Mazinger. The entire attack sends the entire unit crashing through the wall, INTO the Photon Labs... from where a painful roar sounds.

The hawk in the mean time, glares at Tetsuya's Great Mazinger. It doesn't look angry though. Instead, it looks 'cool'. It crosses its arms before itself as the typhoon comes its wing, its wings jingling slightly to the sound of the wind picking up. And then, wing a SINGLE wave of its wings, it sends a typhoon right back! It crashes into the attack the great Mazinger sent out and cancels it out almost entirely. Just some pieces of rock crash into its body. But it doens't flinch. Instead, it flaps its wings once more and rushes forwards, trying to claw its huge sharp talons into the massive unit.

The frogs however are gone. Instead, metalic tendrils, much like tree branches, suddenly sprout up from the middle of the battlefield. They sprout around the many units present, trying to entangle them within their grips, grabbing for anything they can grab. Arms, legs, anything!

Takeshi shrugs, "Well, at least it's not going down from a little abuse."

The bees are faster than the Tsubasa gives them credit for, managing to pierce through the armor even with the acceleration boosters on. Despite this, it manages to eventually slam them all into each other which leaves Takeshi with a damaged mech and an opponent who is in just as bad condition. "Alright, no more playing it seems."

He flashes forward and then prepares the same attack again, this time adding more energy into the resulting combination blast. The thing is raised above the tsubasa's head once more before the machine flies towards the Alarune, and once close enough the laser discharges at close range. "I'll get right at its heart!" The lasers at this range should have no trouble doing that hopefully.

Treize Khushrenada is no longer there once the Machine Beast butterfly attempts to grapple the Tallgeese II from behind. The booster packs sends the unit rocketing skyward as Treize punches the throttle.

But it doesn't go far.

It comes to an abrupt halt just overhead, within 'arms' reach of the insect. The pilot himself rocked violently, his cockpit straps bruising his clavicle.

Another beam saber erupts to life with a snap-hiss, completely bathing Treize in its pink hue. "If you do not speak -- then you can certainly scream."

The two blades carve downward, intent on impaling or eviscerating the creature -- Treize yearning to hear the caterwaul of agony in anticipation of his strikes connecting.

As Wufei's Twin Beam Trident sails toward Brazen's machine, the pilot smiles, concentrating to spawn a large drill to take the blunt of the attack. The Trident breaks through, ripping into the meaty body of the Brazen Custom, causing the pilot to double over. He cackles at the pain. "You will never defeat me!"

The mysterious H's typhoon of pummeling power comes in like a freight train but is easily blocked by a sea of drills which spike out and attempt to poke through every angle. Brazen laughs like a madman. "You will have to do better than that! Finish him, Warrior Beasts" The Warrior Beasts suddenly descend with chainswords, slashing at the Mysterious H's mighty machine. The engines of the chainswords roar, sparking as they hit any surface.

Macua's charges break the ground and cut through two of the Warrior Beasts before the blast heads toward Brazen. "Hmph." The explosion is averted as the Brazen Custom leaps into the air, taking only the blast on its legs. The legs burn as it lands, healing with green energy. Warrior Beasts descend on Macua, attempting to tackle her to the ground.

Brazen is struck from the side by Koji Kabuto's machine, causing it to fly backwards. The impact leaves pretty deep dents in the Brazen Custom, each oozing whatever that thing had as blood. Two Warrior Beasts attempt to land on Koji and ground him.

What happens next is magical.

Chibodee says something that makes Duke Brazen's intellect stop. The pilot of the Brazen Custom is suddenly frozen, quirking an eyebrow. "EH?! THE HELL YOU SAYING TO ME! I CAN GET LAID ANY TIME I WANT TO! WHO THE HELL DO YOU" There is a shock from the back of Brazen's neck, bringing him back to the light. He breaths heavily. "What was that nonUMPH" He is struck by Chibodee's mighty upper cut. "Ugh..."

And then Boss's fingers violate Duke Brazen. The pilot's eyes widen, visibly infuriated by the attack.

Brazen steadies himself, breathing heavily. His head hurt a lot. It was hard to keep focus. "Damnit...I'm sick of you ants getting in my way." He spawns more drills....this time from below his attackers. He then fires off an energy blast, hopefully knocking his enemies into the bed of drills coming from below.

The sudden eruption of mechanical tentacles seizes hold of GaoGaiGar - just briefly, though, before the super mechanoid's flight thrusters lift it safely away from the ground ..

And in pursuit of the EVA/Gunmen, trying to haul it *OUT* of the hole in the side of the labs and then to fling it back out onto their 'lawn'. "DON'T EVEN THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT CLOSE AGAIN!!!" Guy roars at the top of his lungs. "We're not going to let Dr. Hell or any of his allies win here today! If you want to assault the Labs, YOU'RE GOING THROUGH GAOGAIGAR TO DO IT!!"

"AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME!!" yells another mechanical voice, followed by the voice's owner - the giant orange robot known as Goldymarg - dropping out of the sky courtesy of the Amaterasu, and trying to land feet-first on Ascian's unit like a certain plumber stomping on a brainwashed animate mushroom.

On the bright side, Goldymarg knows enough to avoid crushing the cockpit when he does that.

(.... right?)

The Tsubasa streaks by Alraune V8, but the bees follow him like the implacable things they are.

Tsubasa forces a laser through the gap in Alraune's petals, and though there's some resistance at first... the space within soon fills with brilliant, crackling energies. Imagine if Shaq and Verne Troyer got really drunk one night; it's kind of like that, only Shaq is also made of beams.

Alraune screams; its petals fly open as a defensive measure, but this does not help; the hellacious energies still swirl around its body, heating its armour to the point of cracking and chipping away in places. The flesh beneath is pale, pock-marked with scars--and now with burns.

The bees are still chasing the Tsubasa, and far away, Marchionessa Idunn is somewhere between wanting to scream in pain, howl in rage and fall to the ground sobbing and begging for forgiveness.

The bees are still chasing the Tsubasa, and what funnels were saved from destruction within the maze of Alraune's inner-petals take wing to join them, filling the sky with the eerily regimented beat of their metal wings beating against the air and one another.

The are still chasing the Tsubasa; the rage, the sadness, the misplaced pain--and the determination to prove - not to Tsubasa, not to Ascian, not to Brazen, not even to her mentor, but to herself - coalesce into a momentary flash of clarity. She sees the Tsubasa's soft places. She imagines how its pilot might respond to a dozen different configurations of funnels.

Cerulean lightning breaks across her consciousness.

Some of the bees still chasing the Tsubasa try to alight on its body from behind; others swoop above and below it to land on its front. Should they make contact, they will all crawl across the metal until they've found their places - the weaknesses the Marchionessa sees through the veil of her own.

And then, as one, their stingers will plunge. Just once.

She hopes that once is all it'll take.

Altron's shield demolishes the drill that was spawned out of nowhere and the gundam continues it's inexorable advance towards the big tentacle mech. In it's advance, it now shows it's true intentions, to blast a path straight to Duke Brazen with one ultimate dragon fang. It deploys and extends straight at the mech, while spitting fire out ahead of it. Ken Masters, You Dragon Punch ain't got nothing on this...

Groaning steel and earth-shattering explosions. Furious maelstroms of combat, terrifying weapons only a madman could ever concieve of disgorge their wrath upon the world! And at its heart, the great citadel of progress- the Photon Research Lab, and its mighty defenders. But the storm tightens, the forces of darkness march on, despite the fervent spirits of the laboratory's guardian machines!

And... And one of them has slipped through!?

Tetsuya frowns, a quiet swear is hissed under his breath as the Mechanical beast opposite to the Guardian of The Sky rebuffs his assault with a single flutter of its great wings. He releases a breath as it dips and charges. With a swift motion and the sudden hiss of steam, the super robot's blades, shining brightly with reflected radiance as a tendril of lightning arcs overhead! "You won't best me---" Tetsuya growls, slamming the flat faces of the blades into the hawk's torso, knocking it away and trumping its assault, "SO EASILY!"

Great Mazinger jumps away at the impact, its wings spreading wide once more as it takes flight for the Photon Research Labs! But it does not do so in a straightforward fashion- not at all! The super robot whirls about the battlefield in a wide arc- an arc that ends with Great Mazinger charging right toward Ascian's machine.

~ 'I need... more power!!'

Tetsuya's breath catches again. Koji... That's right. This is his home, too. To defend the labs but lose its other defender at a time like this- the boy needs his brother. The boy needs his brother's power! And so...r

"So... You need power?" Tetsuya murmurs, still surging toward the commanding Mechanical Beast- he will not allow it take another inch! Tetsuya roars, his voice shaking the heavens themselves as Great Mazinger rushes toward the EVA G1!

"MAZINGEEEEERRRRR BLAAAAAAAAAADE---" Sparks of electricity rise from its horns into the clouds above, stirring them to a frenzy of brilliant, celestial fury. The Super Robot rights itself, spinning, top-like for a single revolution as it HURLS its twin blades into the first EVA unit- but Ascian is not his target.

His real target- his real objective- is far in the distance: His brother, and the twisted horror he fights!

"TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

But, that's not all! Lightning streaks down from the sky, slamming into the forest not far from the labs Great Mazinger's eyes surge with an awesome power as the heavens themselves offer their power to its heroic cause! "I'm not done yet! THUUUUUUUNNNNDEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR--" The super robot turns its arm upward, and, when lightning pours into its limb, levels one finger at Ascian- at Brazen- at those two swords, sailing across the battlefield. They would be his guides! Electricity crackles and builds atop Great Mazinger's horns! Tetsuya feels the hair at the back of his neck stand on end- it's time!

"BREEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!"

The collected electric might EXPLODES from Great's horns in a single tendril, toward its outstretched finger, and then surges forth, forking into two massive tethers of lightning that chase the distant blades! Electronic fury twists the fulminata into a single, spiralling blast!

"KOJI," Tetsuya roars, "TAKE IT! YOUR BROTHER'S STRENGTH!" He grins, a hand slamming into a large, red panel nearby. "I still... Have a trump card to play!"

MILES AWAY AT THE FORTRESS OF SCIENCE!

A colossal weapon rises as a catapult emerges from the deep. Rocket boosters are attached to its sides as it prepares for launch--

The Divine Blade glitters in the fortress' lights- in a few minutes, its strength would again serve to wipe evil from the world. In a few minutes, its edge would cleave the firmament itself...!

Rose petals begin to fall out of the sky around the Boss Borot and the screen turns slightly pink. Tendrils begin to move up around the Boss Borot, probing and pulling at the bulbous body of the Boss Borot.

The Sanity Damage is off the charts.

Finally, the Boss Borot pulls free with a grunt, whipping its hat up onto its head and settling it down with a flourish. "Alright! Enough of this homo-erotic behavior!"

A drill shoots into the Boss Borot.

"I SAID ENOUGH OF THIS HOMO EROTIC BEHAVIOR!"

The Boss Borot pulls forward its hat, waving it outward. "NOTHING IN MY HAT BUT MY SECRET WEAPON!" The Boss Borot plunges in and pulls out... AN BOXING GLOVE! The Boss Borot raises the boxing glove on the fist over its head and makes a WAUGH >:O face as it charges the Brazen directly.

"SUPER DELUXE COTTON CANDY NEVER GOING TO HAVE KIDS MINTY FRESH OVER THE TOP SCHADENFRAUDE IN THE NUTS BOROTO PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWNCH!!!"

The Boss Borot hooks its arm around in an upward low blow.

The Tsubasa flips away from the Alarune as more of those stupid bees show up. He hates bees, especially mechanical bees like this, but no use crying over spilled milk. Also, damn them for being that fast.

The Tsubasa flips away and continues to evade the bees, though for how long is uncertain. Apparently not one as one of them slices through the control circuit for the Ithica System and then for the power distribution network. Just out over the front lawn, the Ithica system just shuts down immediately, the thing crashing into the ground without any method of movement. The pilot inside isn't doing so much better.

The radio cuts out just after his screaming starts, the sudden effect of going from Zero Gravity to the earth's standard gravity literally weighing his internals down. It was not pleasant to say the least and he could likely die from it. At any case, he is unconcious for the duration.

Chibodee feels that crack in the mask. He sees the opportunity he needs, mentally preparing himself to press it. As Boss unleashes the kancho, Chibodee rallies up his strength, focusing his spiritual presence into a radiant bonfire of PURE UNFILTERED GAR.

But before Chibodee can act, the tendrils attack! They lash up at Gundam Maxter's arms and legs, trying to pull it down into the earth!! Chibodee struggles against them, calling out to Kamina.

"KAMINA!! It's true, isn't it?! You haven't gotten any ass in months! Almost a year! And that's because Dr. Hell is the WORLD'S BIGGEST COCKBLOCK!!"

"Search your feelings!" Chibodee demands, as he starts to break free of the tendrils with great swings of his arms, legs pulling free from the snaking appendages as he advances toward the Brazen Custom. "Search your soul!! You know that old men completely kill game!!"

Chibodee screams as he finally gets free of the snares, Maxter's paint scraped and torn from the determined effort. "For this you must know, KAMINA! There is only one rule! And that is --"

Gundam Maxter explodes forward in a blast of verniers, racing at the Brazen Custom. Its right arm blooms with purple-white plasma, swinging back behind him in a righteous charge.

"BROS!!" "BEFORE!" "HOEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!"

The Burning Punch strikes deep for the Brazen Custom. For /freedom/.

"Hah! There--you see? You see how /wrong/ you were t--"

The /moment/ Tsubasa is confirmably out of commission, Alraune V8 sprints towards its hole.

Being that it doesn't have any legs, though, it's really more of a high-speed - /surprisingly/ high-speed, what with the lack of legs - slithering sort of thing, and its upper body wobbles to and fro the entire way.

"Al--Alrau--"

Alraune, no--what are--what's--no, please, please... /please/, it'll be okay, I promise, I--no, this--this isn't like with the Zentradi!

Marchionessa Idunn is aware of nothing beyond her Machine Beast's terror and her own guilt for having lead to it; as soon as Alraune V8 reaches its hole, it disappears down it and tunnels as far away from the Photon Power Labs as it possibly can. Once subterranean darkness has overwhelmed its senses, the young would-be General sags in place.

I--I'm sorry...

Simon has to pummel various drones and odd mechs wildly with his free fist as he brings Nia into the cockpit--Nia jumps in just in time before Duke Brazen manages to strike the hand she was resting on moments before with an energy beam.

Simon quickly closes the cockpit shield, finally bringing the Gurren Lagann up. "Are you okay?" She says, looking her over, and then she explains her desire. He smiles again. "--Yeah. We'll do it... Chibodee's reaching him now, so we'll try too--"

"That's more like our big bro!" Simon shouts, pointing a finger at Duke Brazen. Well, more accurately: his machine. But it still comes off as pointing to Duke Brazen himself. "We'll save you. Because our drill doesn't reach for Hell..."

The spiral gauge fills rapidly, glowing a vibrant turqoise with enough energy to make even the cockpit shield light up brightly.

"Our drill reaches for the Heavens!!"

Simon runs forward, readily springing the gap between himself and his brother, swinging one of Gurren Lagann's arms back, a drill forming as he swings it back, meeting up with the Gundam Maxter.

"It's true!!" Simon shouts, though it is a little alarming to be using this as an avenue to getting Kamina to snap out at it but--he has to admit--it's fitting.

"You gave us the light to let us fight!" He cries as he swings the weapon forward. "Let us do the same for you!! Break free from that douchebag!"

He blushes faintly as he says douchebag. Hopefully nobody will notice.

Koji's aim is as true as can be. Mazinger Z's fists find their place on both Warrior Beasts and promptly return to their master. A twist and they're locked in place once more -- mighty extensions of a courageous boy's will!

"Nng.. they're still so strong!" Koji gasps softly, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nearby, Alraune V8's Bees disable the Tsubasa robot. "..N-no!!" Such defiance is far from useful and the young pilot can only watch as things take a turn for the considerably worse.

Such distraction costs Koji dearly, as tendrils lash against the flying Mazinger Z. "..Nngh!" Koji yelps, "I'm caught!" The Steel Guard jerks its arm back, but those tendrils exert such a tremendous grip--

..and they keep Mazinger Z in place for the energy wave that knocks it clear out of the air and into a bed of drills below!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" Koji screams, drills crunching into the sturdy Super Alloy Z plating of his powerful robot. "..NOOOOO...!"

~ "KOJI!" Tetsuya shouts. ~ "/HEADS UP!/" ~ "MAZINGER BLAAAAAAAADE--- TOOOOSSSSS!"

"...EH!?!" the clueless youth wonders.

Proximity alarms go off.

There, in the distance, something glinting...!

The anathema of evil! The promise of happiness!

Koji Kabuto wills his robot to lift its right arm, thick iron fingers swing out and curl to grasp a length of pommel...!

Mazinger Z tightens its hold around this mighty sword.

"....!!!" Koji stares in wide-eyed realization..

His heart leaps!

His spirit soars!

And from his supple lips spill,

"BY THE POOOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRR OF JAAAAAAAAAAAAAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Energy crackles down the length of Mazinger's outstretched arm, suffusing its armor with a golden color.

The bindings that hold Mazinger Z back are shattered as this power runs down the length of the robot. With great vigor, it lifts itself up from the ground. Pushing off with its free hand to stand tall. It reaches forward, grasping the Divine Blade with both hands and thrusting it high into the air.

-- Suddenly, Mazinger Z stands high atop Mount Fuji the origin behind the awesome power of Super Alloy Z and enduring symbol of the great Japanese people ! --

Ribbons of lightning descend from the skies, surrounding Mazinger Z with columns of light!

"I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVE THE MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZINPOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"

LEVEL UP!! Koji has gained DRIVE! +500 ATK! +500 PURPOSE! +500 MANHOOD!

"DUUUUUUUUUUUKE BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!"

Koji shouts and Mazinger Z draws the colossal Divine Blade back. Its length etched with a bold Z.

"I WILL END YOUR EVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL!!!!!"

Mazinger Z launches forward with a roar of its Jet Scrander engines!

The Divine Blade swings,

"MAZINPOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!"

Metal vine-trees and some kind of ridiculous bullcrap come at Hogarth Hu--er, MYSTERIOUS PILOT H from every direction. He doesn't let it faze him. Instead, he does what every good amazing Gundam Fighter does and starts breaking them down with the power of his will!! And his mobile suit, which apparently /does/ pack head vulcans. The shots tear into the foliage and his punches rain down, and he leaps straight up into the air, over the vines and onto some kind of ridiculous convenient hill tower thing. He wobbles--

--but does not fall!

"DUKE BRAZEN!" booms MYSTERIOUS PILOT H, apparently having some kind of 'dramatic mode' on his "We're going to stop you, to save Nia and Simon's bro! Give up! Because..."

Beat.

"...oh man I gotta go make sure they don't trash the place," he suddenly realizes. The Mysterious Machine leaps off the high point and into the Photon Power Labs, kicking off one of the Warrior Beast MPs completely accidentally and ending up landing on it's feet on the other side of the battlefield. It jumps again, firing wildly, concussion missiles filling the air all around Ascian's custom ride and detonating with tremendous, thunderous ka-booms!

The Mysterious Machine lands, and does not look back.

Ascian has clearly got Macua's attention so much that she's actually pulled off attacking Duke Brazen. ?There are tentacle like thing. She ducks, weaves, jumps and shoots the damn things with her head vulcans just manging to stay one step ahead of them. She'd love nothing more than to punch that thing out, but Duke Brazen is the larger problem. However there are a lot of people on him already and ther's the thing that fired all the damn tentacles. The machine beast is still just there and she launches into a full out charge now. She's moving, left, right, and not going in a straight line as she closes with him. She moves in preparing for counter attacks but niow she'll leap at the machine and just unload with a rapid barrage of kicks and punches followed by one lone savage strike aimed for the thing's chest.

The metalic trees either grab, tangle, or are evaded and smashed. The latter results in a scream coming from beneath the ground, and some of them retreating. Whilst others continue to try and grab around for mecha nearby. But most of them are now far enough away that they cannot find their targets.

In the air, the Papillon is SLASHES through, cutting into its shoulder and running through its upper body before it gets... STUCK. It seems that thong is quite armored, for the blades get stuck on that very object. They clang into it, sparks flying... the unit now STUCK on the butterfly beast machine, unless it would let go of those blades, is met with a series of black energy butterflies that fly towards Treize's mech, intent on exploding at POINT BLANK! Does it know any other attacks? Whatever, it isn't talking or screaming!

In the meantime, Briareos is slicing up some exploding toads. Boom! they go, as they are sliced into.

Inside of the Photon Lab, or rather, just inside, the Eva/Gunmen machine beast has turned around and is looking outside as it is followed. These super robot pilots tend to shout before they do anything, so surprise attacks is something IMPOSSIBLE for them.

So, it raises an arm out of the building... and a gigantic green spiralling field suddenly is projected like a SHIELD! It catches the entire weight of the Goldymarg as it lands on the plate of green spiralling energy, which forces the kinetic force of the drop onto the area around the Machine Beast and crushes pieces of the building!

This shield keeps holding, even as Koji's fists spin around, crashing into several of the tendrils and finally crashing into the eagle from behind - which along with Tetsuya's sword strike crushes and decapitates the unit.

Then, finally, the shield begins to bend and changes form into... a gigantic drill-like thing. It's not a drill, it's more like... a spear. A spear that spins as it suddenly launches at Tetsuya's unit, smashing into the unit and causing the electric sparks to jump away. The drill-spear then suddenly breaks up into several of them, revealing their true identity. MISSILES! Gigantic missile-tipped missiles, set to pin into the limbs of Great Mazinger and SPIKE it into the ground... to flatten it and to only /explode/ when it would succeed in doing so.

And from that very moment on, with the shield gone, Macua has time to force her way through the earth, finding a beast beneath the ground. It looks like a metalic plant woman, which quickly covers herself up. But it is too late, the entire attack crashes into her, and the entire area soon EXPLODES!

Ascian retreats back into the Photon lab in the meantime, and the unit begins to rip through the building. In random locations, there are explosions throughout the building as the Beast Machine begins to tear it apart! Oh my!

Nia notices Simon! But she doesn't connect any dots. It sails over her head! Perhaps he is indeed one? "Yes, Simon. I am fine!" Her attention is drawn to others. The fighting spirit of Koji and Tetsuya ( and Mysterious H! ). The strength of Boss and Chibodee! ( An his proclamation! ) And, especially, Simon's words!

"It is as Simon says! Your drills will be the ones to pierce the heavens!" She tries to say it as close to as when Simon does!

"So many fight for you, Kamina! So many care for you as well!" Her hands are placed on Simon's.

"We had not forgetten about you, Kamina... we may have been able to live without you..." She pauses.

"But we would never want to! Not when you could be with us!"

Her attention is drawn away suddenly by the assault of on Koji Kabuto! It is quite a sight!

Treize Khushrenada is not so attached to his de facto signature blades that he would compromise his positioning for them. The Tallgeese II releases its grip on the stuck blade handles and backs away as the black butterflies approach.

The suit zig-zags, juking what ebony insects it can before they can make contact and detonate. Treize feels this battle more akin to a game than a duel -- his morale is not lifted any from the earlier incidents of today.

Backwards, left and right, further backwards -- he gains considerable distance from the Papillon once all homing 'flies have exploded in an incindiery wake behind the Tallgeese's retreat.

With the path now clear, he rockets forth in a straight path for the enemy. The unit's hands and fingers outstretched as it makes its pass to grab -- the beam saber handles.

Still lodged in the Papillon's unorthodox armour, the blades (should Treize succeed in grasping them) would effectively RIP free in a clean cleave across the entirety of the beast as the Tallgeese II makes its pass and reclamation of arms.

( Obligatory End Pose So Takeshi Can Go Do Other Things )

Drop ships come and take the Tsubasa to space, not Izu Base. They are marked with DC Symbols. Duh Duh Duh.

( End Obligatory Post So That Takeshi Can Go Play Final Fantasy Dissidia )

Briareos takes notice that Ascian himself... well him as the leader Beast Machine was attempting to rip apart the building. This would not stand; Not on his watch. Thus with a long sigh. Analyzing the situation and the best means to do this. "..I can't believe I'm even thinking this." He gently says.

It wasn't to much longer that Landmate was flying right for Ascian, though in a strange way, it was half open as it rocketed toward him. Something inside of it was flickering red and was beeping. Those four optics on the Combat Cyborg were glowing green, before they altered to red as the antennas went straight back.

If an android could have a look of determination - This was it.

At the very last moment, Briareos flipped right out and if his planned worked this was going to be one heck of an explosion.

As he flipped out, he then fired off a grenade shot from his assault rifle. It flew in the air like slow motion, heading for his Landmate, if the landmate impacted where it should, if the Grenade impacted where it should then there was about to be one heck of a explosion, shrapnel surprise for Ascian. "EAT IT!" He yelled out.

Brazen deplots another drill to attempt to block Wufei's true Dragon fang. The drill is almost instantly broken, hitting the Brazen Custom with intense heat before the Dragon fang gores the machine. Blood spills in clouds as meat is torn from body, revealing a metal face. Brazen winces as the pain is almost unbearable.

Boss strikes the Brazen custom with a punch that shatters the heavens. The Warrior Beasts attempt to block Boss but get scrapped as the mighty scrap heap charges forward and punches the Brazen enough to almost scrap the machine. The right arm flies clean off as it tries to block Boss' fury. More flies off the Brazen Custom, prompting the pilot to scream out in pain before starting to laugh lightly again.

Tetsuya strikes the Brazen Custom, cooking it again. The machine appears on it's last legs.

Chibodee begins bashing Duke Brazen, smacking some sense into a man who hasn't seen the light of day in awhile. He coughs up some blood, looking at Chibodee's robot. "Ugh...." Is about all he can get out as the beatins continue.

Simon speaks and from the first time, Brazen addresses him with a weak grin. "Simon.....Ugh...I....Heh. You've grown so strong....Just like I knew ya would....You gotta.." He feels the shock in the back of his neck and loudly winces. "UGH!!!!!!!!!!!" The punch sends more pain into Brazen's body. He falls backwards, finally smiling coldly again. "You forget, boy. I am in control. I am Duke Brazen, the Drill that will crush heaven."

And then Brazen turns to face Koji Kabuto and his brother's sword. The Mp Warrior Beasts move in to block Koji and his newfound power. They are merely blown away by Koji's speed, rushing straight for Duke Brazen, who breaths heavily. He quickly summons drill after drill to cushion the blow. The slash goes through all 20 of them, cleaving through the middle of the robot. The Robot stands still, broken to almost complete scrap. It is held up by Brazen's will alone. "You...."

The Brazen Custom is almost completely trashed....the bottom jaw of the Gunmen now stands open, revealing the pilot. Clad in black armor, sits a less than tan, longer haired Kamina. Who stares at everyone with a look that wasn't dim. He smirks, breathing heavily as he concentrates solely on keeping the machine a live.

At that moment, suddenly there is another machine erupting from the Photon Power Labs. It looked like a head. It was grinning for all to see. It was another of Hell's Generals. It was the Nazi Commander, Count Brocken. He erupts from the Photon Labs, carrying a reactor core in his arms.

"HAHAHA...Well, well. Duke Brazen. You finally proved useful after all."

Brazen's eyes narrow as he turns to face the Brocken's machine. "Brocken."

The Nazi's machine continues to rise, holding it's prize. "Now Brazen, hurry up and die so I can take credit for this. You will not be forgotten for your service you know. A footnote should do, yes? Hahaha."

Brazen's machine begins to glow green again as drills suddenly reach out and take in pieces of the Mp Warrior Beasts around it. Brazen smiles widely. "No. Brocken. You will be forgotten." Without warning, the Brazen Custom erupts into the air, drill drawn. It quickly stabs into Brocken's machine, critically wounding it.

"Brazen! You traitor!"

"Heh. No Brocken. Thank you for giving me all the reason I needed to kill you. YOU WILL NOT BE REMEMBERED. HAHAHAHA" The Brazen Custom kicks away Brocken's machine, launching it into a distance as the engines explode. Was Counter Brocken dead? Close enough. (OOC Note: He's not)

Brazen holds Photon Power Core in his hands. "Well then....It would seem I have won, Kabuto..."

The Brazen Custom beats it's batwings, beginning to repair itself as it rises further into the air. The remaining MPs rise after it, easily blocking it as it fires upward to escape. The armies of Hell begin a strategic retreat, covering themselves with tank fire.

Right now, Brazen just made off with one of the reactor cores. Was that his goal all along? Could our heroes recover this before it was too late?

Who knows... Its not like this scene is

TO BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW!

Macua Huitl is just in a frenzy as she rips through the earth itself using her senses to trackwhere the thing is. She can not stay down there too long however. She get a glimpse of the machine, s she rips into it, but then the thing whatever it it's gone. She pulls herself out of the hole she ripped into the very earth and. She's neo heading for the labs after the machine and she yells over an open comm.

"You are not getting away!"

She launches her self firing a massive wave of plasma from the mobile suit's blaster and venting even more out the back looking like a pair of wings until it lets up.

NEXT TIME

A volcano erupts and stains the sky red. It is here where the Photon reactor is taken, deep within the lair of Duke Brazen. Will Simon find his brother? Will Chibodee aid in this endeavors? Can the rest of our heroes recover that which has been lost.

Koji Kabuto sings a heartfelt musical number in our next exciting episode.

Also stay tune for a special OVA: Boss is having a blast in Weekend At Burnie's 2.

Spiral Power- that incredible, limitless source of strength that can drive even the gods to their knees, slams headlong into Great Mazinger. Tetsuya bites back a roar of pain as the colossal drill slams into Great's torso, bucking its mighty armor even as the countless spiral missiles explode in furious, viridian novae all across Great's body. Paint burns away, leaving only smoking craters where there was once only smooth steel!

The Super Robot is pinned to the earth as pain wracks Tetsuya's body. The explosions jar him, tossing him against either side of the Brain Condor's cockpit as Great is slowly but steadily worn down by the explosions rocking its body. But, the steel does not yield, though it may buckle. The Giant does not cease its motion- it does not freeze, it does not lay quietly. A roar of pain and raw determination shatters the Spiral Pressure pouring down on Great's- on HIS body!

But, in the corner of his eye, he can see it- he can see that foul beast of a corpse, that COUNT BLOCKEN explode from within the Photon Labs. He sees what he holds- that beacon of hope, one of the few held in the Laboratories, being stolen away! He watches as Duke Brocken shatters the German's machine and takes the prize for himself.

He... Had failed? No. No this will go NO FURTHER! The other reactors are still safe- but if that other machine is not stopped, then...

Two mighty arms reach up, pushing against great vortices of spiral power as they rise and /CRASH/ into the sides of the drill still carving its way into Great's torso. Its eyes shine with victorious, golden light! The radiance spills forth, crackling across the Super Robot's armor in a network of lightning-like veins. As the cracks spread, the machine's armor glows, flickering to white, and then gold! A low, almost sub-sonic roar ripples through the air as Great Mazinger's arms press inward into the drill until--

CRACK! The drill snaps, shattering into countless motes of light that drift helplessly into the sky. Great Mazinger rises, lightning pouring down from the sky all around it. Its arms, bent and battered reach for the sky, hands open as if to plead to the gods--!

But, Tetsuya needs no prayer for his wish to be heard.

The sky splits in two, divided by the radiant object cleaving through the heavens! The rockets fall away, leaving the blade spiralling through the air until, by strange providence, it whirls and falls right into Great Mazinger's waiting hands! The super robot levels the blade as golden light pours into the hilt, creeping up the sword until the entire weapon from pommel to tip is encased in brilliant power!

A flash! Tetsuya's eyes drift shut...

A Knight of Gold, standing astride the planet, surrounded on all sides by shadow. A Knight of Gold, brandishing in one hand a mighty lance, and in the other, a colossal sword!

Yes, that's right...

Those eyes fly open, unleashing a flash of intense brilliance! Great Mazinger's wings deploy, gold instead of crimson, as a colossal gout of flame erupts from its back, scorching the earth underfoot! Tetsuya roars as Great reaches the crest of its leap--

A signal goes out to the others- to the other members of this band of heroes. A light where no other can possible shine. A brilliance that pushes back the darkness. The hope of all who live!

"NOW!" Tetsuya roars as Great begins to plummet!

The Earth shakes!

Heaven trembles!

"SCIENCE! WE ARE THE LIGHT THAT SHINES WHEN ALL ELSE IS LOST!"

"NOW, WITH ME!"

Out of the sky, launched with Tetsuya's other weapons, is the mighty Sword of Olympus. The Boss Borot turns around, tossing his cape and tophat and boxing glove to catch the sword.

The flat of the blade slaps against the Boss Borot's head, making it @_@ for a moment.

"Boss! You know how swords work, you have to say something inspirational and heroic!" "What? I can't do that!" "Come on! Sayaki is in trouble!" "WHAT?!"

Boss turns towards the Photon Labs being assaulted, and towards Ascian Luddite. Something begins to fill Boss besides maschoismo and ego. He slowly grinds his teeth, pulling his fists white knuckled over the steering wheel. The Boss Borot grits its face into a >:| expression as it lifts the huge sword up over its head, lightning crackling away from the blade as he bursts through the wall of the Photon Labs, swinging the blade downward in a two handed thrust.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHIDON'TKNOWHOWTOEXPRESSMYFEELINGSOFCHILDHOODLOVEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!"

Meanwhile, in Orbit Base, Chief Taiga has been monitoring the process of the battle - and as Goldymarg moves to join the battle, Taiga pulls out a certain case, which contains a certain key. The key is withdrawn and held aloft as Taiga thunders, "GOLDION HAMMER, OPERATION -" He slams the key into its slot on his desk, and twists it, finishing, "APPROVED!!"

"Roger!" Mikoto Utsugi responds, her console reconfiguring itself, one screen pivoting out of sight as a different screen rotates in to replace it, and she pulls the Goldycard out of her vest. "Goldion Hammer, safety device -" The card slides into the slot alongside Mikoto's screen and she swipes it firmly downwards, lights coming on alongside the card's path. "- RELIIIIIIIIEVE!!!"

Encrypted authorization codes are transmitted from Orbit Base to Amaterasu, decrypted, and tightbeamed to GaoGaiGar and Goldymarg, and both the King of Braves and the specialized Tool Robot respond, thrusters igniting and lifting both of them into the sky.

"SYSTEM CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAANGE!!!" roars Goldymarg as his body splits into two pieces, his head and upper back rising further up, the remainder of his body reconfiguring itself into the king of forearms.

"HAMMER *CONNECT*!!!" thunders Guy as GaoGaiGar closes in and slams its right elbow joint into the back of the Marg Hand, locking into the connector port; the Marg Hand's fist tenses, opens, flexes, and then closes around the shaft of the descending tool.

GOLDION HAAAAAAAMMEEEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!" Guy roars at the top of his lungs, a brilliant golden light shining forth from his ultimate weapon, GaoGaiGar itself seeming to turn a bright gold as two GS-Ride systems power up into tandem overdrive, fueled not just by Guy's own courage, determinaton, and unbreakable willpower, but by the courage and willpower generated in Goldymarg's own Super AI ...

And with that drive behind the combined super robots, matching those of Koji, Tetsuya, the other pilots, and Boss, GaoGaiGar descends, ready to smash Ascian's machine with a massive gravitational shockwave - potentially a blow which will, in addition to pummeling the target, put still more force behind the blows delieverd by Guy's allies ...

Mazinger Z is standing several feet behind the Brazen Custom. Fallen to a crouch, the Great Z-Blade held behind it.

"FUWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.....!" Koji lets out a gust of air, his eyes drifting closed for a moment. Soon there'll be a great explosion, the satisfying last sound of evil expunged from this world.

But it never comes and Koji's heart skips a beat.

"Wh--"

Mazinger Z creaks as its head turns, led by the golden spike on its ear as it glances over its shoulder.

Duke Brazen lives and gloats.

"B-Blocken...!?!" the young pilot gasps, his eyes wide with worry and dread.

Koji lays witness to unfolding events, helpless to interdict. Count Brocken's stolen a Photonic Reactor Core and in moments, Duke Brazen has disposed of him and taken it for himself.

Now he's glowing green and elevating into the air, the catastrophic damage wrought beginning to be undone.

"N-no... no.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Koji Kabuto rages, whirling his Mazinger Z around to face the triumphant villain.

"LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIES!!!!!!!!"

Mazinger Z shifts its weight to one foot, its knees flexing as it prepares to leap after the fleeing Brazen. Yet just as it is about to leap, tankfire obliterates Koji's view. Firepower erupts across his screen, easily deflected by Mazinger Z's Japanium-armor but otherwise clouding everything.

"BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!"

~ "Koji!!!" Sayaka shrieks over the radio, "One of the Warrior Beasts is inside the Lab!!! HELP!!!!"

"S-Sayaka...?!!?!?" Koji sputters, an awful bottomlessness in his stomach.

MANY YEARS AGO

"Koji!" Old Man Juuzo Kabuto demands his grandson's attention with a clap of his aging hands. "What is best!? Boobs or Gundams!?"

"..Uh.." Koji urps dryly. "..B-b-boobs..?"

Juuzo stands silent for a moment..

... and then a smile works its way across the elderly Kabuto's lips.

"Good!"

NOW

"SAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKAAAAAAAA!!!!"

Koji screams, Mazinger Z flies.

Rocketing past Macua Hutil's Amazon Gundam and Treize's Tallgeese II is the Armor of Miracles itself, Colossal Z-Blade held high above its silvery crown.

"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!!!!!!" the pilot howls.

With a tremendous stroke, the blade swings down in a blazing arc for the remaining Warrior Beast.

"MAZINPOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Will this creature's controller be able to withstand it!?!

EXPLOSIONS! MACHINE BEASTS! THREATS! STOLEN POWER CORES!

Mysterious Pilot H feels like he's in way over his head for a moment, and then realizes he has to help /save the day/. He can't slack off--he has to help them save the Photon Power Labs, even if they're missing the power that it draws it's name from. Even if the place gets levelled. It's not his home... but it's the home of his friends!

"Okay. If you bring the swords... if you bring the hammer...!"

The Mysterious Machine fades out of sight completely. It's just flatly gone, vanishing in a sudden burst of SUPER ROBOT ingenuity, despite the fact that it is the distant cousin of the GM hit with approximately a million upgrade hammers. It reappears on one side of the Warrior Beast, visor gleaming--and then it's gone again.

It reappears again on the opposite side... and disappears.

And again.

And /again/.

Finally, the Mysterious Machine flashes into sight /behind/ the Warrior Beast. Drawing one of the grenades out of it's waist-mounted rack, it detonates the adhesive charge behind the Warrior Beast and across it's shields. The quick-drying solution begins to stick--

--and then it /slams/ both shields into the Warrior Beast's back to hold it fast and lift it to the sky!

"THEN I'LL BE YOUR ANVIL! SCIEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNCE!!"

Macua's attack rips THROUGH the Photon Power Labs, and crushes part of the building, as the plasma attack seeks out its target. Within the EVA/Gunmen machine beast, Ascian forces the unit to turn about and erect another shield before itself. But it's too late. The wave crashes into the unit and forces it against a nearby wall, cracking it... and having the unit soon fall over. It was this falling that saved it from Briareos' insane plan to shrapnel the machine beast hybrid to hell. Pieces of metal latch into the walls nearby, and stab through randomly placed computers!

In the air, in the meantime, Treize has finally succeeded in sending its blades through the rest of the Papillon C-0, which then proceeds to explosive in one of those massive explosions that... well... simply look cool as the Tallgeese continues its flight down towards the ground. The only thing that still sounds is... "PAAAA... PIII... IOOOOON! WITH MORE LOVE!"

Then the roof suddenly comes down as Guy crashes through it with the gigantic hammer overhead. The Machine beast quickly raises its both arms and a gigantic green shield made out of spiral energy forms above. Ascian grits his teeth. The hammer comes down, and sparks quickly form between the shield and the gigantic hammer.

"I WILL NOT FALL!" The Beast's mouth suddenly opens, revealing disgusting metalic teeth and what can only be described as green saliva hanging between them, like some kind of aliens. It then SCREAMS at the shield... and a second shield forms on top... pushing the Goldion hammer... and begins to warp. Warp into another drill, beginning to spin around. Faster and faster, slowly pushing back that hammer.

Sparks fly. The spiral energy fiercely pushing back against the golden hammer of power, wielded by GaoGaiGar... by Guy Shishioh.

Will... will this afront to nature beat the Goldion Hammer?

Could that possibly be!?

Could such a mocking of Spiral Power, by such a disturbed man truly defeat such absolute power!?

~!!!CRACK!!!~

That's the sound the Goldion Hammer suddenly makes, as the spiral digs into its front. A small crack forms across its entire front!

CAN THIS BE HAPPENING!?

~!!!CRAAAACK!!!~

The drill of Spiral Energy then suddenly explodes, shattering entirely under the pressure of the hammer, which smashes down onto the shield below once more. That's when Hogarth's unit suddenly manages to confuse the laying unit enough to /pick it up/ and holds it up with those shields of his. The machine struggles, trashing around a bit with its legs, but it is incapable...

Then finally, the shield cracks under the Goldion Hammer! And that gives way to both of the Mazinger units, which heave their massive swords and slash down, cutting into the machine-thing. Green blood goes splashing all around, limbs go flying, and somehow amongst all of that, Ascian's cockpit begins losing monitors.

For a moment there, big red icons appear with a variety of Dr. Hell's minions FROWNING at him.

Dr. Hell? >:(

Duke Brazen? :/

Nazi Dude? X_X -- guess he's dead or something... but not really.

Idunn? >:P

___ ___/O O\__ KILLROY WAS HERE (WTF?) " |_| "

Ascian just kind of stares at all of these icons, and his eyes dull. "Shit..."

CRASH! BURN! Fire everywhere!

Guy grits his teeth as he senses the damage to the Goldion Hammer - partly feeling the cracking, partly receiving the error messages and damage warnings relayed from Goldymarg's systems, not to mention Goldymarg's Super AI generating a few snarled epithets ...

But Ascian's machine still loses the contest of power - and with three super robots, Boss Borot, and Mysterious Pilot H's machine all pitted against it, the outcome was never really in doubt. But Guy's not finished - even with the Goldion Hammer damaged, the glowing-gold King of Braves looms over what's left of Ascian's machine, drawing a Mirror Spike from one of the hubcaps on the side of the Marg Hand.

And then pivots the Hammer's shaft in the grasp of the Marg Hand. The hammer DOES have two sides to its head, after all ...

"HAMMER *HELL*!!!" The Mirror Spike's tip is placed over where Guy's established the cockpit to be - and the Hammer falls, driving the spike in deep. "HAMMER *HEAVEN*!!!" A massive claw unfolds from the back of the Marg Hand, fitting its forked tip under the head of the Mirror Spike, prying and pulling it out - along with the cockpit block, which is released from the dissipating spike to come to rest in GaoGaiGar's defensive left hand, before the hammer is raised one more time ...

"HIKARI NI ... NAAAAAREEEEEEEEEE!!!!" The Goldion Hammer descends for the last time, a series of gravitational shockwaves being generated and released from its striking surface to not merely pummel the defeated machine - but to pulverize it, not into debris or even to dust ... but beyond, transforming it into a pillar of brilliant light, a shower of photons rising into the sky over the Photonic Power Research Laboratories.

There may still be some pieces lying around thanks to the Mazingers' swords cutting the thing apart - but the central torso block? Nothing left but a light show ...

And a prisoner, who is now the subject of GaoGaiGar's bright orange gaze. "I know some people who have questions for you," Guy states, his voice relayed and amplified by GaoGaiGar's systems, although the super mechanoid's mouth is hidden behind the sculpted scowl of its mask.

MEANWHILE, BACK IN SPACE

Camille's face was a mixture of awe and wonder. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "This... this is amazing..." His hands reached out, hesitant but resolute, "It's going to change everything! I... I've got to tell everbody?!"

"What is it, Camille?" Fa Yuiry curiously peeked over her childhood friend's shoulder, finally having worked off her annoyance for his earlier, totally innocenct comment that hadn't deserved a severe ear-twisting.

"It's...." The Newtype held up a burger that had been dispensed from the vending machine with two top buns, "An /infinite/ burger! Which side is up? Which is down?! It's a meaningless distinction in space! How could we have been so blind?!"

Fa took a nervous step back, "Have you and Captain Quattro /both/ been getting into the Lite Beer?"

He went on like he hadn't heard anything, "Science... science is amazing! I've got to show Koji!"

"Right..." Fa had made it to the doorway now, "I'm going to make an appointment for you with that creepy Doctor, I think you were right about the combat fatigue thing." Her finger crossed her lips in thought, "Oh, and that weird Japanese guy you play games with got robbed or something, I think. You should send him a sympathy card!"

"Mfwh?" He was eating it now.

Treize Khushrenada's Tallgeese II shimmers in the light and half-light of the Papillon's explosion. The gloaming oscillation of fire in the creature's death igniting the colours of the unit in brilliant highlights -- the gold of the plume, azure of armour, and nacreous whites..

Treize, still sincerely bewildered by the nature of this incident, is not without a sense of satisfaction in having truly lived yet again. The damage to Tallgeese II was infinitesmal, lilliputian compared to the irreversible pride that would have been ravaged had he lost again today.

Rockets power and the Tallgeese shoots to the horizon, leaving subordinates to make their own reports -- sans Treize's contribution.

As the giant spike gets driven in, Ascian raises his hands, thinking his time is over. His life flashes before his eyes. Torture at the hands of his father and Zephyrs. The death of children around him due to horrid experiments. Hanging with his awesome sister. Fleeing mars. Getting the shit kicked out of the Amenthes on multiple occasions. Taking names and being awesome with that very same unit. And /falling in love/. "NOOOOOO!" He cries... Not now. This was too soon.

Then suddenly, the area around him goes silent. The cockpit block, ripped from the mech, lays within the hands of the GaoGaiGar and the young man has fallen unconcious within. The sudden stress had been enough to knock him unconcious...

Cue Ascian, in the back of a helicopter, tied up in way too many ropes, as he gets hauled off to GGG headquarters.