Epilogue 2

(After the recent events that led to the creation of their Team, the Impacters gathered in the only place they could think of where they would all fit.)

Tengu : People, I think we have a problem here.

Clown : No kidding. *gets shot by Hunter* Ouch ! What was that ?

Search : Clown in sight. Violence inhibitors : suppressed. *reloads his gun, and aims at a now running Dash*

Sword : This promiscuity is affecting us all, and ... a ... a ... CHOO ! ... Damn dust.

(Deep Impact has gathered in an old abandoned warehouse. Not the kind of thing a guardian of justice enjoys sleeping in)

Tengu : Our problem is that we lack a base.

Frost : And money.

Tengu : That too.

Aqua : And if we get money, we have a base, right ?

Search : Pretty much.

Tengu : So, let's split and look for money and a base !

Grenade : Reasonable. ... Anyone's seen SKY ?

(On the roof of the warehouse, SKY is looking slightly depressed at the stars.)

Astro : The stars ... So high in the sky, thy don't matter if one of us disappears. Is it the same for me ?

Search *suddenly appearing from behind* : Hey.

Astro : Yargh ! (falls from the roof, but manages to float before a rough landing) f I ever get you ...

Search : I found her, people. Hunter, ov ... (Astro Crush'd) ... er. Interjection : Ow.

(Then, the Team splits in four groups. Let's have a look at how they fare...)

Sword : So, uh ... what was the ruckus with Hunter ?

Clown : I dunno. He seems to hate clowns for no reason.

Sword : Apart from the fact they're scary individuals ?

Clown : ... Nevermind. Anyways, we arrived to our destination.

(When entering in the estate agency, every previous "customer" looked at the Robot Masters, first with indifference, then with terror, and finally ran away, leaving the employees alone with Dash and Chris.)

Sword : See, I told you. Clowns freak people out.

Clown : As much as a big-ass sword, I guess.

(When entering the closest study, the employee let out a yelp of fear, and quickly got his temper back)

Employee : So, uhm, why are you here, Mister ?

Sword : We were looking for a base, and wanted to know how much it would cost.

Employee : Alright then. First of all, you need to fill out this paper, and then we'll see how we can help you.

Sword : Let me do this, Dash.

Clown : *shrugs* Nevermind.

Sword : So, here's the pen (Good thing I can write with my left hand, by the way) and -

*SLASH*

Clown *with his eyes closed* : Let me guess. You put your right hand on the desk to keep the paper from moving, right ?

Sword : Pretty much. And i just cut the desk in two. Er, we'll come back later, sir ! *runs away, followed by Clown*

Employee : *too scared to say something*

(Meanwhile, in another area of town...)

Astro : Tell me again why we do this.

Aqua : We need money, right ? And people can pay for help, so we help them.

(SKY and Neolan are standing behind a small "Heroes for Hire" sign. So far, no one stopped to talk to them.)

Astro : That's lame.

Aqua : Tells the girl looking like a kiddie show reject.

Old Lady : Excuse me, sir.

Aqua : Yeah, what ?

Old Lady : Could you help me getting back Mr Kitty-Paw ? Lil prankster got stuck in a tree again.

(On the rescue area, SKY floats to the level of the concerned branch)

Astro : *gesturing towards the cat* Please, come with me.

Cat : *hisses*

Astro : Will you move, stupid cat, or do I have to grab you like a potato sack ?

Cat : *attempts to slash SKY's arm*

Astro : You've been asking for this ! *Astro Crush on the tree*

Old Lady : Mr Kitty-Paw ! Please be safe !

Aqua : *takes the lady's money and runs away* Let's go, SKY !

Astro : *"runs" away with Neolan* So, how much did we get ?

Aqua : ... 2$.

Astro : It sucks.

(At the same time, in the mountains near Megalopolis...)

Frost : Here we go hiking !

Search : Our first mission is to track down one of Wily's small bases, take anything valuable and sell it back. Hiking comes in second.

Frost : You're no fun, Hunter. Cheer up !

Search : *stops* Looks like someone went ahead of us.

(A small group of Wily-Bots -Sniper Joes, Metools...- was already surrounding the cave's entrance.)

Sniper Joe : Hurry up, people ! We must have this base cleared for this night !

Frost : Any idea on how to take this nuisance down, Hunter ?

Search : *stops for a few seconds, seemingly deactivated, then activates back* I will hide myself and go to the other side. Meanwhile, you'll charge the group. Once they're distracted, I will appear back and shoot them down.

Frost (stroking his chin) : Could work.

Search : Operation begins now ! *hides*

Frost : Okay. (Charges the Wily-Bot, throwing Ice Waves and beating the hell out of anything coming in his range) Merry Christmas, losers ! Free knuckles for all !

(Confused by the attack of the nearly unstoppable behemoth, the Bots try to flee, only to be shot down by Hunter's several weapon systems)

Search : *turns a Joe to dust with his rifle* Going fine, Draconis ? *shoots half a dozen Homing Snipers on a group of Metools*

Frost : *crushing even more Bots* Yep.

(After several minutes, the offensive is a success, with the two Impacters mostly unhurt.)

Frost : Even more loose parts ! Sweet ! ... But couldn't we use that base as ours, by the way ?

Search : Would need a lot of repairs, but at least it would be a little enhancement from the warehouse.

Frost : Hooray ! *happily jumps, shaking the floor*

Search : Note to self : never develop such strong emotions.

(The two remaining Impacters are wandering into the streets.)

Grenade : I'm telling you, Alex, it's not because someone is stealing something that he's automatically an evildoer. He might just be in need of help, and going the fastest way to solve it.

Tengu : True, but some are just bad guys to start with. I mean, look at the Evil Eight, they don't look like they're in a bad time, right ?

Grenade : BRIGHT FLASH IN FRONT OF US !!!!!

Tengu : Wha- ? *turns to see the thing that surprised Maha* Uh-oh.

(A few metres in front of the two Robot Masters, there indeed was a small storm, surrounded by bolts of several colours. After a loud crack, the torm faded away, replaced by a giant robot, nearly the size of Frostman, and equipped in the way of an ancient gladiator. He immediately turned to the duo and stared at them.)

"Gladiator" : Ah. I assume you're the Tenguman and the Grenademan of Deep Impact ?

Grenade : Ehr ... yeah.

Tengu : What's your name, anyway ? And what do you want with us ?

"Gladiator" : For the second to see now, and for the first to be a trophy !

(The giant bot then slammed the ground, and the trio got teleported in an open area away from town.)

"Gladiator" : Tenguman, I challenge you to a duel ! Should you win, I will reveal you my name, and provide help to your Team.

Tengu : Or else ?

"Gladiator" : You don't want to know. But first, let's get this duel a fair battle.

(After a few hand-gestures, the gladiator shrinks to finally turn the size of Alex.)

"Gladiator" : Now, my strength is equal to yours. But enough words, and let's fight !

(On these words, the robot charged Tenguman, who barely dodged the assault. Seeing his comrade in need of help, maha tries to walk in closer, only to be stopped by some sort of force-field.)

Grenade : Hey, what's that ?

"Gladiator" : One of my powers. Any of my fights is a duel of honour, involving a single opponent and me !

(On these words, he charges again at the wild Tengu, to see each of his attacks blocked or parried. Seeing this, Maha walks out, maybe to look for help.)

"Gladiator" : You seem good, long-nosed one.

Tengu : We'll see how you handle my true power ! *flies off*

"Gladiator" : *follows him flying* It's been a long time since I duelled in the air. Let's make it worthwile ! *air-dashes at Alex*

(But the Impacter has an advantage over his opponent. Taking full advantage of his aerian features, he leads the fight, swiftly dodging the attacks and striking weak points.)

"Gladiator" : Good ... *stops moving and closes his eyes, then catches Tenguman as he flies near* Finally, I got you.

Tengu : That's what you think ! *points his blade-hand at his opponent's shoulder, firing a cyclone that destroys the body part* Still wanting to fight ?

"Gladiator" : More than ever !

(The loss of his arm seems to have fastened the Gladiator up, turning each of his attacks in a wall of iron. Finally, Alex throws his blade out, which follows the opponent and activates a Tornado Hold. He then takes advantage of the immobilizating move to body-slam in his opponent, throwing him to the ground.)

"Gladiator" *standing up* : Enough. You proved you were worth of Duo's confidence.

Tengu : What ?

"Gladiator" : It's time to tell you the truth about me.

(In a flash of light, the missing arm is repaired, and the Bot grows back to his intial size.)

"Gladiator" : My name is Honour, member of the Defense and colleague of sorts to Duo.

Tengu : Wow.

Honour : Long story short, the Defense works along with Duo in order to maintain the balance of good and evil in the universe. Since he had little time to work on Earth, he chose you as his champions, and I was asked to test your strength through a duel.

Grenade : The duel is done already ?

(Maha had finally returned, carrying a full bag of pop-corn.)

Grenade : I so wanted to enjoy this fight.

Honour : Duo doesn't seem to have made a wise choice...

Search *through communicators* : Alex ? Hunter here. Draconis and I managed to find an empty base. Meet us at the location I'll send you. Hunter, out.

Tengu : Guess Hunter sent this to everyone. Shall you come with us, Honour ?

Honour : I guess I can provide some help.

(At the base, the Impacters met with Honour, and discussed about what to do for their new home.)

Search : We inspected the interior, and it's a real mess in here. It would take months to restore it, and we're a bit short on money.

Honour : Then allow me to help.

Aqua : And how exactly ? By clapping your hands and doing magic ?

Honour : Believe it or not, this is more or less what I had in mind.

(With these mysterious words, Honour opens his palms, letting out energy spheres, going to the interior of the structure. After a few minutes, and bright flashes, the base is repaired and even bigger than before.)

Every Impacter : 0_0

Honour : I was granted some extra powers to help you. Also, *snaps his fingers as the six weapon-carrying fellows are surrounded by a green aura*, I think having full control of your hands may come in, pardon the pun, handy.

(Said Team members tried their newer built-in features : their respective weapons could now switch back to a regular hand, though the bigger ones -Chris's sword and Hunter's twin rifle- were transferred to backpack holsters.)

Tengu : Well, thanks, Honour.

Honour : My pleasure. Until next time ! *warps out*

Tengu : Well, let's visit the base and settle us for now.

Clown : Good idea.

(After a few minutes, the Impacters transferred all of their stuff in their respective rooms, and gathered back to the living room, except for...)

Astro : Anyone's seen Hunter ?

Aqua : I'll go and carry him back. *knocks at Hunter's room, only to get zapped* Ouch.

Search *opens the door* : Trespassers unwanted. Regrets : minimal.

(At the same time, in another area of space...

Honour warps in in front of a tribunal-like structure. He's in the middle of nine desks, of different sizes and disposed as a semi-circle. The higher one is in front of him, and is occupied by Duo.
To Duo's right, four desks are surrounded by a white light, and in front of each is engraved a symbol : a weighing scale, a bow, an axe, and a sword. The only unoccupied desk is the sword one, and it seems clear that it's Honour's one.
To Duo's left, the desks are surrounded by a dark purple aura, and the symbols are respectively disposed in front of the previous one : a flail, a claw, an old-fashioned handgun and a whip.)

Duo : How did the mission go, Honour ?

Honour : Fine, Lord Duo. They're worthy of their power, and shall provide a valuable help in keeping the Balance.

"Flail" : Any special disposition towards evil ?

Honour : Not as I saw. They seem fairly neutral.

"Axe" : Do they respect their leader ?

Honour : I observed them for the whole day, and they didn't try to hide him important informations.

Duo : *raises his hand to prevent further words* No more questions. They successfully passed the first test.

"Whip" : And when will the next test happen ? I want to see if they can resist the sting of my weapon.

"Bow" : Alas, I can't see for now. The future seems troubled.

"Handgun" : To use their words, "Wait and see".

"Weighing scale" : Then, we'll observe for now. We'll see if they're able to survive what is soon to happen...