Episode Four: Wayward Son

"He dodged it!" yelled Hap as Anemone and Eureka shrieked once more.

A blinding light shot out from the salvo impact site as a massive rift ripped through the Great Wall vertically. Macabre unnatural screams squealed from the lofty gash. The claws penetrated the brightness like harpoons, causing the rift to contract and squeal in ostensible agony. Once TheEND caught up to them, the K.L.F. reattached its claws and began forcibly reopening the rift, which by then had almost collapsed. Gekkostate watched in sheer disbelief.

"Trapar and electromagnetic readings at implausible levels!" informed Jobs, "I advise getting the hell back right now; Gekko and the L.F.O.s weren't designed to withstand this much saturation!"

"Everyone retreat!" commanded Talho, "I repeat, everyone fall back to the rendezvous point!"

"Dominic, Anemone, take cover!" instructed Holland, "Everyone else, let's move!"

The now darken skies churned blacker as the distant golden ring of light of the horizon dimmed. While the remaining vanguard regrouped around the Gekko, with one last mighty effort TheEND successfully forced the rift wide-open in a large vertical tear from high in the sky to the ground, which shook violently. Its enlargement unleashed a massive trapar wave that tumbled TheEND several dozen meters back. At the same time, from the illuminating glow of the colossal rift shot a beam of light that bathed the Gekko, now above and further back than its rival, in its radiance. Meanwhile, Dominic had finally opened the typeB303's cockpit and now comforted Anemone best he could. The rift, once full of strange unearthly sounds, abruptly became eerily quiet.

"Not good; Antibody Coralians detected!" yelled Woz, visibly shaken, "Tons of them!"

"Where!?" demanded Talho.

"Straight ahead," replied Hap, "Coming from the rift!"

As he spoke, countless antibody Coralians streamed from the rift at an incredible rate, filling the nearby skies in volumes only seen during the Second Summer of Love. Anemone and Dominic watched in fear while Eureka slowly recovered with Renton's help. The antibodies did not attack and kept their distance while blocking any path to the rift. Simultaneously, the darkness began to lift and twilight enveloped the area. The black aura that had retreated from TheEND reappeared and oozed skyward before slowly condensing into an undefined mass larger than the K.L.F.

"Renton, Dominic, report," requested Holland as Gekkostate flew a holding pattern.

"I don't like these feelings," groaned Anemone, "S-something wicked th-this way comes."

"There is a presence here," added Eureka, "Familiar yet foreign to me. It feels strange."

"No good can come from that," Matthieu sighed, "Stoner; you're gettin' pictures, right?"

"Sorry, dude, camera quit 'bout the time of the eclipse," he informed, "Man, this sucks…"

"Anemone, Dominic, get back up here when you can," instructed Holland.

"Leader, what do we do now?" asked Hilda.

"We watch and wait," he growled, "…and pray."

"Holland, check out the black mass above TheEND," suggested Hap, "Don't like the look of it."

Everyone watched as the mass took on the form of a nude petite female with long hair and large demonic wings. It was nearly twice the size of the Gekko, and had fourfold its wingspan.

"Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of man," spoke the form with a thunderous yet feminine voice, "We demand an audience with our former captors!"

Silence answered.

"So this is what's controlling Marcus?" thought Dominic aloud.

"That- is his creation," growled Anemone, "Marcus was only playing the fool; that bastard!"

"Anemone!" he protested as she readied her L.F.O., "Wait! What's going on? Where are yo-"

"Marcus lied to us!" raved Anemone irately, "He knew all about their plan for revenge from the start! TheEND wants out; he didn't sign up for this. They'll destroy the planet if they go ahead with this. All he wanted was to help Marcus but they learned his family wasn't saved so now he's out for blood! We have to help him now before-"

A poignant slap ended her rant, "Anemone, getting emotional won't help him or this situation."

She sat shocked by his actions and stared dumbfounded, "Dominic…"

"I doubt you'll forgive me but I need you to focus," he explained, powering down the craft, "Now, what is going on? Why is Marcus out for blood again? What's changed? We need to know before we can act. Please, Anemone, start from the beginning."

"He just- they learned about this recently," she informed, "Marcus was one among many whose consciousness was absorbed by the scub coral when they arrived on the planet and imprisoned until last year, when they were abruptly released. The voices released Marcus to help locate the new Coralian command cluster. They were out for revenge. Marcus speculated his family could have survived as he did and so agreed to help; but he could not confirm it until he confronted the voices. They informed him that they didn't and he became distraught."

"When did this all happen?" inquired Dominic, "When did he learn of all this?"

"After the freefall incident," she revealed, "Until then, Marcus had blocked memories, though it seems it was intentional by the voices. However, once he recovered his memories, it was obvious Marcus fully supported this whole scheme of revenge from the start. He helped create that thing we see now. TheEND fears with no hope for his family, Marcus will not hesitate to take drastic action. He doesn't want to be part of this madness but he's unable to overcome their influence."

"Sounds like Marcus is a pawn, just like TheEND," concluded Dominic, "But when we last had contact with him, he seemed so calm. I don't like where this is going…"

"Still doesn't excuse him," she huffed, "And these revelations make him very unstable."

"True," he agreed, "If you're able, we should rejoin the vanguard and inform Holland of this."

Meanwhile, above them, the figure grew impatient, as its demand remained unanswered.

"Pitiful, this cowardly display," it hissed spitefully, "Self-righteous, it seems, until confronted by the demons of their past. Very well, time to bury these vermin in the grave of their own making."

Extending its wing, the figure gracefully took flight and headed for the rift. TheEND followed as the antibody Coralians quickly attacked. The K.L.F. held its own but was soon overwhelmed and forced to retreat while the dark form pressed on. More antibodies poured from the rift to replace their fallen comrades. Gekkostate watched the chaotic scene with trepidation.

"Shouldn't we be doin' something?" asked Matthieu, watching the spectacle.

"You really wanna go up against those things?" scoffed Hilda over his speakers, "No thanks."

"Also noting their ability to replenish their numbers so easily, I'd keep my distance," added Jobs.

"And what if they can't stop that- thing?" asked Renton, "We have to be more proactive."

"For now we hope the Coralians live up to Dewey's propaganda," replied Anemone as she and Dominic approached, "Meantime, we need to discuss something; Marcus is a loose-cannon."

"Tell us something we don't know," Matthieu huffed.

"You got new intelligence from TheEND, I take it?" deduced Holland.

"Yes, and things are a lot more dire than we realized," replied Anemone.

By this time, the figure found it difficult to proceed. It then arched its back and let out a blood-curdling scream that imploded a large portion of antibody Coralians while forcing Gekkostate to cover their ears. Its path cleared, the figure raced towards the rift, which was still flooding the sky with fresh antibodies. As it neared its goal, a large red energy beam suddenly shot out from the rift, hitting the much larger figure and hurling it backward to its original position. She howled in pain as TheEND provided cover-fire and sped to its defense.

"What the hell was that!?" questioned Hilda, recovering from the scream.

"I recognize that attack," remarked Stoner, "No- couldn't be; could it?"

"…it's-it's Nirvash!" beamed Eureka ecstatically, "Look!"

"What that-?" Hap balked.

Indeed, emerging from the center of the rift was the Nirvash typeZERO spec3.

"Well, I'll be-" Holland chuckled, "Looks like your white knight is back, Renton and Eureka."

"Filthy worms!" roared the form, "With such cheep tactics. Your games do not amuse us!"

"We do not play games," a disembodied booming feminine voice replied, "Nor exploit our own."

"What a second," gasped Renton, confused, "Is that-"

"-Diane?" thought Holland aloud.

"Tell that to your former emissaries," hissed the figure, "Our failings pale to your treachery!"

"Our mistakes do not condone nor excuse your reprisals or wrath," condemned the voice.

"It appears an error to trust you," spoke another female voice, "Your vehemence rages on despite our attempts for reconciliation. You should learn from these among us, your human brethren."

"That sounds like-," remarked Eureka, unsure of her accuracy, "Sakuya?"

"We learned their disdain of you equals our own," rebuffed the figure, "Yet they were unable to thwart your tyranny and were led to self-destruction from the madness of your genocidal goals."

"Silence your bile," rebuked the second female voice as two forms, equal in stance to the figure, appeared in the rift, hovering at its border, "We have strived to repay for our transgressions; your inability to accept that continues this fray. Did not we grant your demand for freedom?"

"Sis!" exclaimed Renton as he recognized the first.

"Sakuya!" smiled Eureka, identifying the second.

"After multiple millennia of enslavement?" retorted the figure, "You will not get off so easily."

"Your rage betrays you," reminded Sakuya, "It blinds you to what you truly desire."

"Our desire is your destruction!" roared the figure, "It was not enough for your kind to murder us you kept our consciousness alive to torture us more! As if that couldn't satisfy, you then tricked our returning comrades, giving them a false paradise after death while using them to fortify your own existence; all the while forcing us to watch this horrid mendacity."

"We gathered many souls during that period," explained Diane, "Unknowingly mind you, for the scub coral had yet to fully become aware of its actions; by then, you all were too infuriated for reconciliation. When humanity abandoned its home because of us, we lamented their departure. Unable to console you, we waited in hopes of a return by your species. When they did, we tried making up for our transgressions and helped willing souls extend their existence within our own. We hoped this gesture would ease your anger so we might let you join us. This was not to be, and so when our primary consciousness departed from this realm, we released you onto the planet in hopes you all would live out your years as you saw fit. Why have you not done this?"

"Oh, but we will!" chuckled the figure, "However, we want revenge first. We will disband only after your demise. This form makes us more powerful, more able to punish your sins."

"Pandora, do not think us ignorant of what you are," rebuffed Sakuya, "Designed as a puppet, you have rebelled against your creators. They were beyond revenge to reconciliation and desired freedom to live their live without us. Your existence and control over scub coral was to allow the formation of their new bodies, not to sustain you as an independent entity. It is now clear you are a cancer to them; your betrayal an insult to their legacy."

"I speak on behalf of the whole," she replied, "But we are in control. My actions are their will."

"How does Marcus feel about this?" challenged Diane.

"He is a willing sacrifice for our retribution, and we will not waste it," rebuffed Pandora, before pointing to her, "Unlike you, traitor, Marcus saw whom was the real cancer and chose wisely."

"Does that make him any less your master?" questioned Sakuya.

She snorted irately, but did not reply. During this time, Marcus had been intently listening to the conversation, as was Gekkostate via an open transmission from the K.L.F, as he and TheEND hovered beside Pandora. His expression was mute.

"Pandora, while you've managed to summon us, you cannot harm us," Diane continued, "Won't you now relent and released those who created you? Why continue this pointless aggression?"

"We have already answered that inquiry," she huffed, "And it is not impossible. Your defensive tactics betray you. Thus, we merely must crack your barriers before reaping our revenge upon all of you! To this end, we have adequately shown our sacrifice your vile ways; it is now time to-"

"Pandora, stand down!" barked Marcus abruptly, "I ain't done yet."

"Marcus, the will of the many outweighs the one," she countered, "We have wasted-"

"But the concerns of the one are just as important," he retorted, "So, belt up, Sheila!"

Visibly angered by this, but unable to refute his response, Pandora relented.

"So give me the drum; why didn't ya make us cactus?" questioned Marcus to the other women.

Silence answered, so he asked again, "You had the power to end our pain; why not?"

"It is not the same to end a soul as it is to kill a body," explained Sakuya, "This is why we gather souls from the departed. However, we regret every consciousness we cannot save. In your case, we were unaware of our actions, and once we were, our desire for companionship was desperate. Beyond this selfish rationale, our hope was to compensate your loss by extending your existence within our own. Such was many a human's desire so our choice was not baseless."

"Didn't our desire for release give ya grounds to end our plight?" pressed Marcus.

"Your state of mind at the time did not allow you to make rational choices," answered Diane.

"The bloody 'ell we were!" he snapped, positioning TheEND closer to the rift, "We'd be just as cactus had ya not snatched us! Just like me family! Ya can't make Heaven outta Hell, neither. It'd be just as ace if ya'd knocked us off than made us rot inside that prison!"

"It was not our intent-," explained Sakuya.

"And for that matter, how the flaimin' 'ell is killin' a physical body any different from a soul, or consciousness, or whatever you bloody call it!?" interrupted Marcus, "All I 'ear is a buncha self-deception! Where do these lost souls go, anyhow? Maybe we go somewhere corker! Or, perhaps we just stop existin'! Nothin' cocked up 'bout dat, yeah? So you did it without a bloody thought in your collective lolly. Grouse! Once ya got some sense, square up an' put a dyin' dog down. Fair crack of the whip! Maybe I'm just a selfish prick but fair suck of the sav, ain't nothin' good outta keepin' this sorry life goin'. None of us wanted to endure more shit, especially now."

"Why this sudden change, Marcus?" asked Sakuya, "You appeared content with our offer."

"Moment of insanity," he smirked, "Anything to avenge me family, ya know."

The two figures appeared perplexed by this statement and briefly looked at each other. With a wave of her hand, Sakuya draw TheEND closer to the rift. The antibody Coralians made a path while Pandora crossed her arms. Soon, Marcus and the two representatives were face to face.

"As we recall, you were instrumental in negotiating the freedom of your comrades," informed Diane, "And were elated to rejoin your family in life. Isn't Pandora hampering this reunion?"

"My family is DEAD!" roared Marcus, opening the cockpit, "No ta to you blighters!"

"How so?" she pressed.

"What am I, a drongo!?" he huffed in disbelief, "The bloody fuck ya mean, 'How so?' You nong buggers KILLED them; and then just happened NOT to recover their bloody souls! Need I spell it out for ya!? Squizz, Pandora's spot on; you're monsters… and dingbats to boot. "

"Incorrect," informed Sakuya, "They were recovered and still reside within Pandora presently."

"Bull dust!" barked Marcus, "Give me one flamin' reason I should reckon you're right!"

As to answer him, a green spot began glowing on his chest. TheEND displayed the event to him. At the same time, four similar orbs began glowing within Pandora; all pulsed in harmony.

"Behold, wayward son, the proof you seek," announced Sakuya, "The same essence that makes up your consciousness also denotes family ties. Their pulse resonates with your own; both your physical incarnation and the part that remains with your comrades. Not even Pandora can hide this truth from you. See for yourself the reality that has been hidden from you."

TheEND turned to show Marcus the display. Pandora grew restless and irritated as once blocked memories flooded his mind. Stinging tears streamed down his face as Marcus tried to make sense of it all. The full truth now revealed itself to him.

"W-why?" he sniffled, overwhelmed by the revelation, looking towards Pandora, "Why?"

"Fight their lies, Marcus," she pleaded, "This is just another trick they're using to defeat us!"

"Lies?" he whispered, as a furry of conflicting emotions poured over him, "Lies…"

"You are stronger than this," encouraged Pandora, "You can fight them. We're so close now!"

"No more lies," forced Marcus, as he wept, "No more lies. I-I-I can feel them. They're so close! You lied. I lied. So much deception. Why? Why did you lie to me Pandora?"

"…It was not our intent," she answered begrudgingly, "But we wanted more than just freedom."

"Bite ya bum," he snorted, tears still flowing, "You speak for no one but yourself. Now answer!"

"I did not agree with you," admitted Pandora, "You compromise was too jaded by your personal desire to reunite with your family. The impersonal separation drove you to defy the majority."

"I argued for what the group wanted," rebuffed Marcus, "We wanted out, away from them. Away from the reality we'd grown to hate so much. This was our moment; freedom at last!"

"Revenge was your impetus for millennia," she reminded, "How could you just abandon that?"

"We all had family," he explained, "We wanted to be with them. We wanted to live again; and- and they finally gave that to us. Our tormentors finally gave us hope. So we took it!"

"No hope worth celebrating," snorted Pandora, "A penance for injustice too grave to forgive."

"Forgive?" smirked Marcus with a sniffle, "For the return of me life, I could forgive; for the release of me mates, I would forgive; for the reunion of me family, I forgave… but you took that. You took it all away. I've fought all these centuries for this moment and you snatched it! That is worse than anything these barbarians did; and for that, I cannot and will not forgive."

"You're delusional," she huffed, "And I fear, dear Marcus, you usefulness has come to an end."

"Give me my family," he growled, tears flowing afresh, "Release everyone inside you."

"…no," replied Pandora.

"That wasn't a request," explained Marcus, "Nor a demand. That was an order!"

"Your words are invalid to me," she rebuffed, "You are nothing to us. You have betrayed us."

"Give me back my family," he wept bitterly, "Ya give 'em back right bloody NOW!"