Dastun pulled up in an MP patrol car, along the shore across the harbor, facing the Wastes. Thermidor had now pushed Big Fau and Big Duo back where they were now visible in the ruins. Dastun growled.
"Where's my long-range artillery units?" he yelled in his megaphone.
"They're positioned on the tallest buildings facing the Wastes, sir!" an MP cried out.
"Do they have clear shot?"
"Not at the moment. Too much debris and sand in the air, sir!"
"If they have a clear shot, tell them to take it! The megadeuses need our help!"
"Yes sir!"
Scott was standing next to Dastun, surveying everything around him.
"Why are you wanting to help the megadeuses?" he asked Dastun, confused.
"Because they help us. It's only fair that we do our part to assist them."
"But, why are you not over there? With them then?"
"We would only be in the way. As much as I don't like it, we have a decent long-range artillery mecha unit that can provide support. Eventually, we'll have units that can fly and provide assistance. Until then, we do what we can with what we have."
"But all I'm seeing is a red one and white one. Mr. Sampson said it was the black one who… well I guess that defeated them."
Dastun noticed his confusion and smiled gently.
"The black megadeus and I… we go way back. He likes to meddle, is stubborn, and does his own thing. But I have never met a friend who's more loyal, kind, and compassionate. I used to hate him, y'know? He caused me so many headaches. But now, when I see him, I know things are gonna be alright. There's so much I'm grateful for because… he decided to meddle. And without him, I wouldn't have those things or people I'm grateful for…"
Scott looked at Dastun, who looked down at him.
"Fourteen years ago, a giant megadeus threatened the city. Its power was something we had never seen or encountered. It was much bigger than the ones you're seeing now. But the black megadeus, he didn't care. He showed up and he nearly lost the fight. But we helped him, and he made a comeback. And in the end, he inspired someone, the woman I love, to do something that only few people are capable of in this world of doing. And through that inspiration, the curse that had been upon the world was broken, the sun came out, and the world was set free. Since then, humanity has tried to move on and learn from our mistakes. Some of those mistakes have been lost to time, and others, well, sometimes we need another lesson to learn. I'm pretty sure we're not alone in this, there's probably something influencing some things, things I don't understand, but at least we have free will to choose what we want to do, and how to do it. Even if it's good or bad, in the end, we still have the final say in what we choose to do, and we must believe in ourselves, and have faith in the decision we make."
Scott stared out at the harbor, watching the megadeuses fighting with one another.
"Then…" he began, "I want to help too. I don't want the world to suffer. That megadeus those two are fighting, its name is Thermidor. I only saw the plans a few times, but… it was restored by Mr. Sampson and some people he worked with a long time ago. They studied the black megadeus and it has a power, similar to some shield that can blast away any enemy. But it can take this energy and actually focus it into some kind of energy blast. They amplified its power, so it could destroy the city."
Dastun looked at him, nodding. "Thank you. I appreciate your help. Stay with me. We need to make some rounds."
Dastun grabbed his radio and began walking among the platoon units, issuing orders to everyone regarding the new information.
**************
Big Fau and Big Duo both landed on the ground. Seebach and Beck struggled to get up.
"Nothing… is working, old man," said Seebach, panting, "We need to do something."
Big Duo and Big Fau got back on their feet.
"Yeah, but we don't have much left."
"JASON! The enemy megadeus is charging up for large scale energy attack! Big Fau is getting errors on the readings! GET OUT OF THERE!" Yumi cried into the comm. However, Beck smirked and deployed Big Fau's energy shield. Seebach realized what Beck was doing.
"Get airborne!" Beck yelled, "I'll buy you sometime!"
"NO WAY! We do this…"
"GET AIRBORNE AND GET OUTTA HERE!"
Seebach looked at Big Fau through the cockpit and then cried out, firing a round of machine gun fire until he ran out of bullets at Thermidor.
"I'M NOT LEAVING! BIG DUO, WE NEED TO STOP THIS SONUVA BITCH NOW!"
Big Duo fired an arc line at the enemy, trying break its attack, but to no avail. A large volley of fire came across the harbor and began raining down on Thermidor. The MP mecha artillery units had begun their assault.
"It's Pops!" Beck cried out, "No, he's too close! Yumi, will the blast affect him?"
"According to my calculations, yes, but you need to get out there! Jason, please!"
"Damnnit, Pops! POPS! FALL BACK! FALL BACK AND GET OUTTA THERE!"
Angel was seeing everything happening on the screen.
"Radio the MP! Tell them to fall back so Big Fau can get out of there!" Angel cried out to the controllers.
Yumi was besides herself. Beck wasn't moving. She slammed her fist on the console.
"Jason, please… please get out of there!"
Sheila was trying to work with Big Duo, but the system kept locking her out. Her kids were watching her, terrified.
"Michael! You need to withdraw for now! Get yourself and Big Fau out of there!"
"I'm afraid we can't do that," said Seebach calmly, "We have to stop this megadeus or a bunch of people will get hurt. Sheila, I know you understand what I'm telling you. I'm staying… with the old man."
Angel looked at Norman.
"Where's the location of the Omega unit?" she yelled.
"They were under the harbor, but there's interference! I've lost their current whereabouts."
Angel gritted her teeth. That's all we need right now!
Beck hit a few buttons and switches, increasing the energy output as much as possible on the shield.
"Big Fau… you and I, we've always been the reluctant fighters. But now, I'm even more reluctant than ever to go out like this. But there's one thing I do know. It's been fun, being your pilot. And I thank you, WHAT THE…"
The ground around them began to rumble and bursting from the ground came Big O, knocking Thermidor down and cancelling out his attack. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Roger! About time!" Angel cried out.
"Jolly good timing Master Roger and Mistress Dorothy!" Norman said, smiling.
Dastun was also relieved. "ROGER, you bastard! What took you? Mecha units, cease fire until we get confirmation from an attack strategy from the black megadeus!"
But it was Beck and Seebach that were the most relieved. They were grinning widely. Beck cancelled out the shield in Big Fau.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU GLORIOUS BASTARD! I SAID I WAS GONNA KILL YOU WHEN I SAW YOU, BUT YOU GLORIOUS BASTARD! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU RIGHT NOW!" Beck yelled, clapping his feet in joy.
"Perfect timing, old man!" Seebach cried out.
Roger sighed, grinning as Dorothy giggled.
"I'm sorry I'm late. But I'm here now. Give me a run down!"
"Big Duo is out of lead, but still has one megaton missile and few missiles left, but not much, old man," Seebach called out in the comm.
"Big Fau has sustained serious damage. I got enough energy built up to use the shield as an offense or defense attack, but all I have are my energy cannons and Arc Line. He can't take any more direct hits!"
Roger nodded and looked at Dorothy.
"Are you sure about this? This won't hurt you?"
"I'll be fine."
Roger gingerly reached up and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"It's gonna get bumpy, so hold on tight," he said, and Dorothy nodded. Roger then turned to face the enemy, now getting on its feet. "ALRIGHT, IT'S TIME TO END THIS! BIG O!"
"BIG DUO!" cried out Seebach.
"BIG FAU!" cried out Beck.
And they all bellowed together, "ACTION!"
Big O charged, drawing his arms back, the pistons firing back, as Roger and Dorothy slammed the joy cons forward, the arms finding their marks in Thermidor's center. They flipped the switch and the pistons fired, the double Sudden Impact pushing Thermidor back, leaving a dent in its midsection. Big Fau then ran from behind Big O, firing up its saw fist cuffs, landing a punch in the dent Big O had created. Beck pushed hard on the right joy con, finally making a hole in its midsection. Beck maneuvered Big Fau back as Big Duo, who had taken into the air, fired two missiles at the hole Beck had made. The attack launched Thermidor into the air and send him flying into a ruined building.
Those watching the fight cheered. It was the first successful attack since the start of the fight that put Thermidor on its back. Dorothy studied it for a moment, then saw the head of Carnot raise up.
"Roger, BLOCK!"
Roger and Dorothy raised Big O's arms up and blocked the phonosonic wave. Roger held Dorothy tight, feeling the blast push them.
"Damn it… hang on Dorothy!"
"OI! EAT SOME EXPLOSIVES!" cried out Seebach and he fired two missiles at the head, causing the attack to stop.
"Michael, watch your reserves! We may need them!" Dorothy called out.
"I got one Megaton Missile left, Miss Dorothy! Don't worry about me!"
Roger then got an idea as Thermidor got to its feet.
"Hey Dorothy, what about a Gorgon attack formation?"
"I think we could do it. Michael! Climb high and get ready. We're doing a Gorgon attack!"
"I LOVE GORGON ATTACKS, MISS DOROTHY!"
Beck groaned. "And I guess I'm taking lead, Crow Bird?"
"If you would Beck, I would appreciate it!" Dorothy replied, cheerfully.
"Then let's go Big Fau!"
Big Fau charged with Big O running behind him. He fired a volley of punches at Thermidor, and as he began to reset himself, Big O came fired his own volley of punches. They continued alternating until Seebach called out on the comm, "I'm at the designated altitude. Let's do this!"
Big O and Big Fau moved back, giving themselves distance. The Moby Dick Party control surfaced inside Big O.
"Master Roger, Mistress Dorothy! The attack command has been sent. You are… my word, children! What are you doing here?"
Roger slammed the control module down with his fist, a dozen hip anchors flying out from Big O, all finding their target in Thermidor. The hip anchors began to raise him up high in the sky as Big O's arms transformed into the O Thunder module. Roger and Dorothy could hear the kids in the background, chatting with Norman.
"They made me do it!" cried Tim, "They told me they were gonna take all my winnings from the Sun Festival if I didn't lead them to the control center."
"Young Master Timothy, we're a bit busy right now!"
"Where's Mom and Dad? Dad hasn't been home in a day and Mom's not in her bed!" cried Rose.
Robert was fighting with Daniel, trying to see the screens.
"Move over! I want to see Bobby!"
"You're not tall enough, Danny!"
Alexandra and Elizabeth were also trying to fight as well, trying to see what was going on. Beck's children had also joined them, along with Sheila's children, who had already been watching the fight unfold. Dr. Plebanski, who had remained in the control center, finally had enough of the children bickering.
"CHILDREN THAT'S ENOUGH FROM ALL OF YOU! IF YOU WANT TO WATCH, YOU WILL BE QUIET AND YOU WILL LET THE ADULTS WORK!"
Roger, Beck, and Seebach jerked their heads away as they heard nothing but static. Dorothy giggled for a moment, then addressed the video comm.
"Children! Listen to Dr. Plebanski! I'll see you soon!"
"MOM!" the Smith children cried out.
Roger lined up the crosshairs for the O Thunder attack.
"Dorothy! Let's finish this!"
"Right!"
"FINAL THUNDER!" Roger and Dorothy cried out together.
As Big O's arms let out a rain of pink plasma blasts, Beck activated his chest cannons as Big Duo lowered his legs, the last Megaton Missile, taking aim and taking off.
"FIRE!" cried Beck and Seebach and as the circle of plasma closed in on Thermidor, the Megaton missile and the cannon fire of Big Fau, found their mark. A loud and bright explosion filled the sky. Roger felt the weight of the hip anchors drop, him and Dorothy raising Big O's arms to block the shockwave from the blast.
"You alright?" cried Roger over the sound.
"I'm fine!" Dorothy replied, yelling so that Roger could hear her.
"Beck's fine too, not that you care, Crow Boy!"
"WOOOOOOOO! I LOVE GORGON ATTACKS!" roared Seebach.
Angel rubbed her forehead along with Dastun, both thinking the same thing.
These idiot pilots…
Something large fell back down to the ground covered in smoke. Roger groaned.
"IT'S NOT OVER YET!" Roger bellowed. He looked over at Dorothy, who was panting hard. They needed to finish this and quickly. Dorothy needed her rest, and this battle was not helping her. He looked back over and saw the remains of Thermidor trying to stand. They head of Carnot was gone, destroyed from the blasts, but Fouche and Robespierre remained. It was glowing red violet once more.
"Roger, Final Stage ought to do it," said Dorothy, looking over at him.
"Dorothy, I'm two for two, missing the enemy. A Final Thunder attack should be more than enough…"
Dorothy shook her head and then called over to the video comm on Roger's right, "Norman, give me the energy readings on the enemy!"
"Big O is getting errors ma'am! It's a strong energy reading. Not quite like Big Gamma, but it's close."
"At least that confirms it's not powered by Dark Matter, which is a relief."
Dorothy looked back at Roger.
"We've been studying the Final Stage maneuver. If Big Fau and Big Duo can get behind you, they can provide additional support and stability."
"But that's all theory, Dorothy…"
"Roger, I need you to have faith in me. I know this will work."
Roger stared at her for a moment, worried at first. Then he sighed and shook his head.
"Beck! Seebach! Get ready! Big O is going to fire Final Stage! We're gonna test Dorothy's theory!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS! AWESOME OLD MAN!"
"EH? WHAT? THAT THING IS GETTING UP! YOU EXPECT ME TO HOLD IT BACK AND TIME IT JUST RIGHT WITH BIRDIE SO WE CAN GET BEHIND YOU AND HOLD ON TO YOU! YOU'RE NUTS, CROW BOY! THIS NONSENSE OF YOURS NEEDS TO STOP! BUT FINE! I'LL THEM HOLD THEM OFF!"
Roger laughed out loud, then looked over at the video comm.
"Norman, I need…"
"Say no more, sir! I'm already preparing everything you need! Master Roger, Mistress Dorothy, good luck!"
"GO GET 'EM MOM AND DAD!" the Smith children cried out.
"COME ON DAD, YOU CAN DO IT!" cried out Marcus, Anna, and the Seebach children.
"You guys can do this! Together! WE HAVE FAITH IN YOU!" cried Sheila and Yumi.
"Roger, Dorothy, it's the first day of the Sun Festival. Once again, Paradigm and Electric City are counting on you! WIN THIS FOR EVERYONE!" cried Angel.
Dastun heard every cheering on the comm link and looked over. His men were cheering for the megadeus, including the child that Roger and he had saved earlier in the night. He was cheering loudest of all. Dastun saw the sky growing with light. The sun was beginning to rise.
"YOU GUYS GOT THIS! YOU CAN WIN!" cried out Scott.
"GET 'EM!" cried Dastun.
The pilots heard all their cries, and they felt their souls fire up. Dorothy particularly had a fire in her eyes, as the joy cons disappeared, and the Final Stage control module appeared. Roger put his hands carefully on it, wincing as he leaned forward. Dorothy put her hand on it as well. She looked fiercely at Roger.
"Together, now and forever."
Roger nodded. "Always."
And they both looked ahead, crying out, "BIIIIIIGGG OOOOOO! FINAL STAGE!"
Big Fau ran in front of them as Big Duo circled around, hovering. Big O began setting himself for his Final Stage attack. Seebach came across the comm.
"That thing is getting up. Get ready Beck!"
Beck smirked as he pressed a few buttons. "Alright, Big Fau. We got one good hit left with this shield. Max everything out! LET'S DO THIS!"
Big Fau got into its fighting stance as Thermidor ran in their direction. Big O had finished unlocking the panels and began charging the cannon as a volley round of MP mecha artillery fire came over them and hit Thermidor dead center.
"Dastun!" Roger cried, smiling that his friend was aiding them.
"KEEP FIRING! DO NOT STOP!" Roger heard Dastun over the comm link.
The MP attack stunned Thermidor briefly, but it recovered and began charging once more, but Beck was ready.
"EAT MY DUST!" roared Beck and just before Thermidor tackled Big Fau, Big Fau released the energy shield at the last second, sending Thermidor flying into the air and landing on its back, stunned, as ripples of the energy course through its body.
"BEEEECCK!" cried Seebach as he came in with Big Duo. Big Fau launched two hip anchors once more and wrapped them around Big Duo. Big Duo began lifting him up in the air, banking hard left so that they could land and get behind Big O.
"Damn… this is rough!" Beck yelled, holding on for dear life.
"Hang in there, Big Duo! We're almost there!" yelled Seebach.
Norman was keeping an eye on the console. The Final Stage cannon had finished charging.
"MASTER ROGER! MISTRESS DOROTHY! YOU ARE READY TO GO! DO IT NOW!"
Roger leaned forward, Dorothy leaning over him.
"14 YEARS AGO, WE MADE A PROMISE TO PROTECT THE PRESENT TO CREATE THE MEMORIES OF TOMORROW!" Dorothy cried out.
"AND WE STAND BY THAT NOW! THIS WORLD MAY BE FILLED WITH DIFFERENCES ALL AROUND US, BUT YET WE SURVIVE AND LIVE IN PEACE! YOU THREATEN THAT NOW! LET IT BE KNOWN, THAT THIS POWER, THE POWER OF US AND THE BIGS, WILL NEVER SURRENDER TO YOUR NIGHTMARE!" bellowed Roger.
Seebach and Beck landed in Big Duo and Big Fau respectively. Big Fau placed both of its hands on Big O's back as did Big Duo. Big Duo fired up the afterburners, feeling the recoil of the Final Stage cannon as Big Fau released its own hip anchors into the ground, to provide additional stability.
"THIS IS OUR POWER! WE WILL DEFEAT YOU! FINAL STAGE, ENSEMBLE REPRISE!" all the occupants in the Bigs cried out together.
Roger pressed the button and energy fired from the cannon, pushing all the Bigs back. Big Duo fired the afterburners to the max as Beck maneuvered Big Fau to lean into Big O. Roger grimaced, feeling the heat and the shock wave from the cannon. Dorothy was whimpering and out of instinct, Roger pulled Dorothy onto his chest, covering her to protect her as best as he could from the effects of the discharge of energy, while keeping one hand on the control module.
The bright yellow energy shot forward at lightning speed, smashing into Thermidor, pushing it back across the ruins into a sand dune, and then into another, and another, the massive beam of energy carving its way across the desert landscape until it began to dissipate and finally smashed into a giant sand dune, causing a loud explosion and shock wave, a large mushroom cloud forming in the sky from its final destination.
Smoke filled the harbor. Dastun was on the ground, having grabbed Scott, and covering him from the effects of the blast. His hat was long gone, blown away from the shock wave. He slowly got to his feet, pulling Scott up with him.
"Are you alright?" he asked, and Scott nodded.
"That was a crazy attack!" said Scott, a little out of breath.
"Yeah, and not my favorite." Dastun grabbed his binoculars, peering over the harbor. The smoke was still settling.
"ANY SIGN OF THEM?" Dastun cried out.
"No sir!" cried one of the MPs.
Angel came across the comm.
"No sighting on your end?"
"I'm afraid not, dear. You have static on the line?"
"We do. We're working on it… THEY DID IT! THEY DID IT!!!"
Angel was yelling as the video feed was restored, showing Thermidor was no longer on the battlefield, completely destroyed by the blast. The blast itself had melted the sand, forming a canyon to where the blast met its end. Dastun saw the smoke cleared and all three Bigs were still standing, Big Duo and Big Fau holding onto Big O as the charred remains of the Final Stage cannon fell to the ground.
The MPs, Scott, and Dastun began cheering loudly as did everyone at the SCA HQ. Beck and Seebach exited their units, climbing onto Big O.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU GLORIOUS BASTARD! YOU FINALLY HIT SOMETHING WITH THAT DAMN CANNON! CROW BIRD'S THEORY WORKED! CROW BIRD'S THEORY WORKED… OH MY GOD! GET A DAMN ROOM!"
Beck had made it across Big O first and through the glass of the cockpit saw Roger embracing Dorothy, wrapped in a fiercely passionate kiss. Beck was revolted while Seebach cracked up laughing at the look on his face. However, the video feed inside the cockpit was being broadcasted live onto the main screens back at SCA HQ. Angel and Norman were laughing as Roger and Dorothy's kids were yelling at them, embarrassed by their parents' behavior.
"Dad, come on! Get a room! That's embarrassing!" his sons cried out.
"Oh wow, Mom… you're setting a bad example for me and Alex," groaned Rose.
Roger finally pulled away from Dorothy. "I left the video feed on. Sorry," he whispered, kissing her once more.
Dorothy pulled away. "You're a louse, Roger Smith. But you're my louse. And I love you."
Dorothy hugged him tightly, Roger crying out in pain. "Hey! Watch my ribs please!"
Roger climbed out of the cockpit, opening the glass doors as Beck and Seebach came in, congratulating Roger on a job well done. The sun began rise, turning the sky from pale purple to pink, then orange, then yellow. They touched all their helmets (Roger using his fist as he didn't have his on) and raised their right arms up as the Bigs had raised theirs in victory.