Zero Hour

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The two titans stood there, Zero looking intense and Protoman trying to wrap his head around his opponents new found power. Regaining his composure, the white-clad warrior said, “Do you really think that's going to help you? This is where you fall, Zero.” With that, Protoman drew his energy blade and rushed the Hunter. Zero blocked the attack and pushed hard, sending his opponent back and counterattacked. Protoman managed to raise his weapon in time an the two of them stood there with their blades locked, faces almost pressed. Zero snapped his foot forward, kicking his opponent backwards and over a crate.

Scrambling to his feet, he managed to look up just in time to get hit in the face by both of  Zero's feet in a flying kick. As the enemy staggered back, the Hunter continued landing a devastating flurry of punches and kicks. Zero prepared to deliver the final strike when the traitor, with renewed strength, spun around at a high velocity, landing three roundhouse kicks to the swordsman before he had completely reacted to the impact of the first. As the Reploid went in an arc through the air, Protoman thrust his blade through his opponent's chest. Zero hit the ground hard, lifeless .

As he looked up at the sky, unable to move, he thought, 'Axel... Roll... I'm sorry...' A faint female voice rang in his head, saying, “Sorry? For what? You haven't done anything wrong. Or... are you giving up?”
What else can I do? He hit's like a nuke. My systems are terminating. I can't beat him like this,'  he thought. Roll's voice replied, “That's not the blockhead I fell in love with. The Zero I know doesn't give up.”
' The Mavericks numbers are increasing,the Reploids joined Bass' army, and now the humans betrayed us. It's two Hunters against the world now, and I'm not strong enough.”Axel's voice said in a snippy tone, “Well, then you're going to have to get stronger, now aren't you, pops? You have a powerful battle system, and you have mine now. Show him just how powerful they both are combined!!!” A bright glow appeared from his neck where the crystal had been inserted and Roll said in a cheerful voice, “We'll be together again soon, Zero. Now knock 'em dead.”

Protoman looked at his kill, trying to grasp what the light was and where it had come from when Zero's lifeless eyes turned red and his face took on an Aggressive expression. With a great deal of effort, the supposedly dead warrior got to his feet. “What the?” the enemy yelled in shock. “How can you still function? I destroyed your power core! You're Dead!!!” Zero glared at him evilly and and hissed, “Hells a lonely place, traitor.  I just thought I'd come back and bring you with me for company.”

The sudden change in his tone, the unusual attitude, the look in his eyes... those burning crimson eyes...  There was no doubt about it. Zero had unlocked the full power that gave him the reputation of the “Sword Demon” when the war broke out. The energy that flowed out of his body was proof that he now had the power of a thousand men, and for the first time in his life, Protoman felt fear. Zero's fists started to emit a light as he rushed his would be executioner. The impact of the punch sent the enemy flying through the air and he landed hard onto the ground.

 Protoman got to his feet and looked in Zero's direction, only, the warrior wasn't there. He then got kicked from behind and flew into the fence. The Hunter now stood face to face and landed a flurry of punches and kicks, causing several areas of his artificial skin to split open and bleed. Protoman attempted to strike the warrior with his blade, only for it to be caught in the firm grip of his now golden hands. “ Overdrive phase one,” he hissed. “Gold-fist.” He wound back and yelled, “GOLD FIST GENJUTSU: COCOON!!!” A golden powder-like surrounded his foe as the Reploid opened his hand. He quickly clenched it into a fist and the dust clung to the enemy.

 Leaping back, he drew his fist back and yelled, “GOLD FIST EXECUTION NINJUTSU: BLAZE BUSTER!!!”  He snapped his hand forward and the powder exploded multiple times, leaving the area in flames. Jackson looked at the destruction with admiration. He never guessed that a Reploid Swordsman could do this kind of damage. The admiration turned to shock as Protoman shot out of the blaze and slashed at his target. Zero snapped a kick at the attack, catching the blade with one on his foot. The enemy looked at this in shock.

“OVERDRIVE PHASE TWO: GRIEVES OF THE REAPER!” At this point, Protoman now fully understood just how much he had underestimated his enemy. He was pushed back violently by the warrior, who yelled, “REAPER TAIJUTSU: ASSAULT OF A THOUSAND SOULS!!!” He launched a series of kicks that were impossible to keep track of with the human eye, as well as most Reploids for that matter. Jackson couldn't believe the speed he was going at. There was no way that speed could be safe for the severely damaged Zero. Protoman got launched into the air from a powerful blow. As he came down, what appeared to be ten Zero's waiting for him.

Protoman reached them and the ten warrior copies snapped a foot above their heads and snapped it down on the traitor, causing him to his the ground with a devastating effect. Zero stood there, panting. To his surprise, the injuries on Protoman's body started to heal themselves at an alarming rate. “Slag,” he muttered as his enemy started getting to his feet. Protoman looked at him and said, “That the best you got, Hunter?” Zero let out an evil smirk. “Are you kidding? That was just a warm-up. Now the real fun begins.”

Protoman smiled and said, “Bring it on. You can't stop me no matter what you come up with.” A white light permeated from the Hunter's body and he said, “Don't go crying later, traitor. Cause I'm totally going to kick your sorry output so bad, You'll be Crapping sideways for a month.” Jackson looked at the two white aura warriors and knew this was one attack he didn't want to be remotely close to. Zero turned to him and tossed his a data crystal. “Keep it safe, kid. Rock's going to need that if we're going to end this war. If he asks how long I'm going to be catching up, just tell him I'll be there after I say hi to my wife.”

Wes, Jake and Rock pulled up in a military jeep and yelled for the teen to hurry over. Not needing to be told twice, and fairly confused by the message Zero gave him, he took off. Once in the Jeep, the headed away from the battle. Rock looked at the and said, “What about Zero?” Jackson stammered, he said, to give you this to stand a chance in this war. He'll meet us after a detour.” Jake turned and said, “Detour? Where's he going? This war isn't going to just wait for him!”

“Something about saying hello to his wife first,” he finished. “He really picked a bad time for a family reunion.” Rock, Jake and Wes fell silent. “Hey, what gives? Why'd you all shut your yaps like that?” Rock shook his head and replied, “If that's the case, Let's hope we don't meet up with him soon.” Back at the base, The two titans glared at each other. Protoman smiled and said, “So much for that Zero Hour bravado you said earlier.” Arm now a blade and a confident look on his face, he replied, “Hour's not up yet. Let's Rock.”