Raven's AC limped into the hangar as it was taken under the care of it. That last battle had really done it this time.

OBSIDIAN WING's systems were still in reboot mode, none have been fully rebooted back to life just yet. The chest was cracked right open, oil leaking out of the cracks as it breached free while some mere bits of machinery were exposed too as well. Sparks flew out of the right arm's opened-up socket. The right leg had many wires sticking out as mini-flames were being extinguished.

The two waited for repairs or replacements to be fixed up. But they were also worried about Rusty however. Haven't really stopped since they saw the RLF take him into protective custody. According to the doctors, he should be okay in the next hour or so.

Suddenly, a message popped up. They saw what seemed to be footage. They could see some kind of AC in the middle of some area in space.

Ayre was very quick to identify it. "That's ALLMIND! I don't know what they're doing, but we need to go!"

<>

...

https://youtu.be/0nqrfSTOUKc

OBSIDIAN WING glided downward onto the top of the area. There, he could see the all-black AC standing coldly.

"Look," said ALLMIND to seemingly someone, "The Coral siphoned by the corporations is beginning to resonate."

It was identified as an AC MIND GAMMA. It was carrying a 44-142 KRSV Multi Energy Rifle, an MG-014 LUDLOW Machine Gun, a 45-091 ORBT Laser Orbit, and an SI-27: SU-R8 Pulse Shield. When it sensed OBSIDIAN WING, ALLMIND spoke again.

"...Augmented human C4-621, Raven." said the system, "Your role in this story has come to an end."

The AC turned around.

"Well, well..." it said. <

"I've been waiting for this, freelancer."

Yep, that's him. That's most definitely him. Suddenly, a few more AC mercenaries, potentially pilotless, suddenly appear more. Five enemies.

"I became part of this monster... so I can crush you," said Iguazu slowly.

Raven could hear Ayre's horrified thoughts as she realized that he must've digitalized his consciousness somehow. He was willing to sacrifice his humanity in order to kill Raven, and only for that reason alone.

"This time... You will die." Iguazu's voice came again, merging with ALLMIND's.

The two rivals then came right towards each other.

Iguazu suddenly took off upwards. He fired from above.

"C4-621, Raven," ALLMIND analyzed, "C-pulse wave mutation, Ayre. You are the trigger for Coral Release. We will make you one of us."

Raven's blood ran cold. What did ALLMIND mean by that? Were they... going to fuse Ayre with it? No... they wouldn't dare. He'd rather die before ever allowing them to take Ayre's freedom away from her.

He then assaulted boosted up towards Iguazu. He was ready to test out his new weaponry.

On his left hand and left shoulder were each holding IA-C01W2: MOONLIGHT Light Wave Blades. Developed long ago by the Rubicon Research Institute. They were able to fuse both laser and pulse technology together.

Raven accompanied slashing attacks along with waves of light every time he swung. And when he'd charge it up, it would increase the output, emitting larger waves.

He then took out his shotgun and used it to stagger Iguazu. The other enemy ACs came to accompany Iguazu, forcing Raven to stay away as Iguaazu recovered.

"...I don't care about the big plan." Iguazu argued, "I just want that damn freelancer dead!"

Raven then dodged to the side. He started to use his dual light wave blades and launched two charged up light waves, the two hitting each of the other four ACs while Iguazu lifted off just in time, his AC's feet just scratched.

"Freelancer..." said Iguazu angrily, "You killed me. But not just once."

Raven's right shoulder burned from the lasers shot at him. Didn't do much. But it seemed he got just a little bit better than last time. About freaking time.

"Well, there's a whole lot of us inside of me now. Dregs with a grudge." Iguazu continued, "So tell me. Who else are you going to kill?"

<>

Suddenly, OBSIDIAN WING was kicked by Iguazu and then thrown down to the ground, where he shot at the shiny black AC, but missed by a bit, but still launched him away.

"You can do better than that, freelancer." he taunted, "The fun's just getting started."

He then felt Raven knock him down and shoot him with the BML-G1/P32DUO-03 Dual Missile Launcher, staggering him.

<>

"Iguazu, this body won't last," ALLMIND warned.

"...Guess it's time." Iguazu agreed.

"Raven, ALLMIND's going to try something," Ayre warned then shifted her tone to a more encouraging one, "I've got an idea too."

Raven then felt the other ACs beginning to pin him against a pillar. He tried to move, but nothing was working.

"Raven, you have to hold out..." Ayre pleaded, "Just... a little longer!"

<>

Iguazu then aimed right for OBSIDIAN WING as he assault boosted towards them. Raven then engaged his assault armor and blasted the enemies apart. The only surviving AC then flew back into the very center of the place.

It tried to stand up, but suddenly stopped, sparks coming out of the damaged mech.

"You are aberrations to the plan..." said ALLMIND.

The lights of the AC went out as it suddenly went out. All of a sudden, a much larger AC landed with a loud thud. Its leg crushed the entire mech with pure ease.

Ayre quickly identified it as ALLMIND's IB-07: SOL 644, a modified version of it, showing the name, "JUSTICE BRINGER." It had a BEAM ROTARY GUN and LASER CLAWS on both its arms. There are also some ENERGY BEAM CANNONs on both its shoulders.

"Irregulars," came Iguazu's voice, "We will bring order to chaos."

All of a sudden, a new white AC came flying by. It stopped, landing right next to OBSIDIAN WING.

It had two IA-C01W6: NB-REDSHIFT Coral Rifles and apparently a light wave blade on its right arm. IB-C03W3: NGI 006 Coral Missile Launcher on its right shoulder, and an IB-C03W4: NGI 028 Coral Shield on its left shoulder.

And along with it all came a familiar voice:

"I'm with you, Raven,"

Ayre.

Raven inwardly smiled. JUSTICE BRINGER's face opened up, revealing a bright blue-green light illuminating with ALLMIND's signature color as two IA-13: SEA SPIDERs, apparently altered versions of them, suddenly swooped by the giant AC's side.

"Now... I can fight by your side." Ayre finished with encouragement.

...

"I'll support you... Raven..." said Ayre.

The SEA SPIDERs aimed their lasers and fired at the two.

"That damn voice... It was you all along!" Iguazu growled, "I'll kill you and the freelancer!"

He made a big mistake saying that. Raven's eyes widened then frowned into a death stare. He then swung a few times with his shoulder light wave blade at him as he assault boosted his way to him.

<>

He then kicked JUSTICE BRINGER and slashed at Iguazu with his first light wave blade, then a few more swings from the second one.

"...Ayre. Your siblings will surely welcome us." ALLMIND assured.

Ayre then let out her own growl. ALLMIND may be smart. But it knows nothing about the Coral. ALLLMIND was just an attempt to copy it. Digitized consciousness. They were mocking her kind. Worse, sacrificing people's humanity.

And even if they weren't, they'd never be like her family. She wouldn't even dare to call them her "Cousins."

She'd rather die first.

She watched Raven still relentlessly attacking Iguazu. It took little to no time at all to stagger him.

"Now, Raven!" Ayre shouted.

Raven slammed his foot against Iguazu's chest, sending him flying. He eventually used the dual missile launcher to pin him down for a mere moment.

"Dispose of them, Iguazu," ALLMIND ordered.

The fight continued on. ALLMIND then began to remind Iguazu that he was "one with ALLMIND" and that no one could stop him now.

"I said I don't care about ALLMIND." Iguazu spoke back, looking at Raven, "You want some of this, I'll give it to you..."

<>

JUSTICE BRINGER then began to charge up its laser claws and swing at OBSIDIAN WING, only to miss so miserably. He tried to aim his rotary cannon, but that stupid system just wouldn't shut up.

Wouldn't stop talking.

Why can't they just leave him alone for goodness sake? He then finally made a successful slash at OBSIDIAN WING, staggering that damn freelancer in midair.

"This is your chance, Iguazu," said ALLMIND.

"Get... out of my head!" Iguazu demanded.

But they just wouldn't stop. They just kept on telling him to do it, to make the finishing move, to continue with this freaking plan of theirs.

Just stop.

Just stop.

Just stop.

"Shut up... I'll shut you all up!" he screamed in frustration.

Ayre gasped in horror. "It's resonating...!"

The SEA SPIDERs then all of a sudden dropped like flies and fell down, exploding as the hexagon-shaped forcefield that JUSTICE BRINGER unleashed had suddenly switched off. Raven felt no different, however, it didn't seem that way to Ayre or ALLMIND.

"Iguazu?! What are you...?!" ALLMIND demanded before being cut off.

"Interference! I'm losing synch...!" Ayre grunted as ECHO suddenly went limp, "I... I can't... I can't fight anymore...!"

"They're gone... The ringing, those stupid voices... It's all clear now... I feel... good." Iguazu sighed in relief.

He then turned over to look at Raven. Now. He finally had a chance. A true one on one battle. Time to settle the score. Once... and... for... all.

"Now... it's just you and me!" he said.

<>

The fight began to get more and more aggressive. Raven then jerked off his missile launcher and bazooka. He wanted to become more faster. But also, even more, he wanted this battle to get more... interesting.

JUSTICE BRINGER's strikes were more powerful this time, acting more aggressively and sometimes swooping in like a hawk. To the point where Raven could get either critically damaged, or staggered at least. Not bad if even Walter... if he was here... were to say so himself.

If only if the idiotic and petty excuse for a pilot fool wasn't always overcharging his laser claws.

Smoke was emitting from the cracks of the AC, due to the mass of overheating with the weaponry. On this recent try, he was forced to stand still.

"Raven! Now's your chance!" shouted Ayre, her voice weak.

"Iguazu... Dispose..." said ALLMIND, weak as well.

Suddenly Raven felt his shoulder being slashed open by one of the laser claws. He read his AP being at 30%. Let's see what he could do in this situation.

"I know how this goes." said Iguazu, now sounding tired, "This is where that grit of yours kicks in."

<>

Raven then kicked him away before he could land another attack as he forced his shoulder light wave blade onto his right arm thanks to his left hand ripping it off. Now, he can dual wield properly. One blade on each hand.

<>

"It was always so easy for you... The old gen who could do it all." said Iguazu, his voice heavy, "What... What makes you special?!"

Iguazu was beginning to feel his tears beginning to roll down his cheeks.

Why? Why was this freelancer, this freak, so much more damn better than so many could ever be? Iguazu also had to go through Gen Four augmentation. And yet, he can't do what this freak can...

How was this hound, a petty excuse for a life, able to achieve everything? Despite having JUSTICE BRINGER, a powerful AC, more powerful than most... how is this little skinny one still hurting him, treating him like he's still inferior?

"You were... a mistake.... Iguazu..." said ALLMIND bluntly, "Irregular..."

Iguazu ignored the system. "Once I kill you... This ghost of me won't last long... Save a spot for me in Hell."

<>

And with that, Raven slashed at Iguazu. Sparks began to erupt uncontrollably, the overload being just too much for the AC to handle.

"I always... envied you..." said Iguazu weakly.

The left arm and leg were blown off. But he still tried; He attempted to swing his claws at Raven, but another explosion threw him away from the freelancer. OBSIDIAN WING didn't even flinch. Almost as if he knew that would happen. Of course he did.

"The freelancer... who had it all..." Iguazu groaned.

And with that, JUSTICE BRINGER went limp as a giant explosion occurred. The frame survived, but its digitized pilots were fading away quickly. ALLIMIND turned its head, looking to the others.

"O-Our... plan..." ALLMIND begged weakly, "Humanity... Creation's potential..."

ECHO recovered as Ayre walked next to Raven. OBSIDIAN WING looked over to its partner and gave a small nod in agreement.

"You will never become my family. Our family." said Ayre, gesturing to Raven, "You don't belong with us. We'll find a better way. A more safer way. One without you."

The lights on ALLMIND's precious AC then went out.

G5 Iguazu was dead.

ALLMIND was no more.

Before Raven could do anything, a message all of a sudden popped on his HUD. Something about an... "Emergency Protocol?" Before he could respond or at least notify Ayre, he found that the links had been shut off.

"Augmented Human, C4-621..." said a voice, "Time for your reason to exist..."

...

Ayre turned ECHO around to see OBSIDIAN WING looking over to somewhere else. The AC seemingly stared off into space without much interest. It stopped dead in its tracks. It just, froze.

"Raven?" she asked, "Are you okay?"

No response.

It turned around and faced ECHO. It then placed its dual missile launcher back on its shoulder, bringing the light wave blade back where it originally was. It then looked at her and then aimed its bazooka at her.

"R-Raven?! What's going on?!" Ayre demanded in panic.

C4-621. Not Raven.

It. Not he.

Monster that Burned the Stars. Not the Liberator of Rubicon.

It then pressed its finger against the trigger, ready to fire when ready. The barrel began to glow as the bullet waited inside it for its next turn.

<>



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