The ground shook as the massive mechanical monster stepped forward The knights dove and put as much distance as they could between them and it. Those who could started unleashing their own counter attacks on it but it was largely ineffective, only managing to knock off chunks of metal but no real damage.
“Okay what the flying fuck is that?” Gen shouted as she slid across the ground.
“I’m trying to figure that out too,” Marco shouted taking cover and firing off another torrent of bullets, his armor still gleaming whit.. “I thought it was trapped. How’s it even doing all of this? It should have worked!”
Rizier floated backwards on the air closing their eyes, “Legion was going to be disintegrated having lost connecting to its bodies. But the crystal being a natural amp is helping to keep it alive. Imagine the crystal is a giant life support system.”
“Did we know that was a thing before now?” Jack shouted pointing at the crystal and then jumping as a giant arm swept past, throwing him into the air. He flipped backwards and was caught by a blue wall of light. Sliding down he nodded thanks toward Kathryn.
“No we didn’t but this just shows how desperate that damn thing is,” Ya’Cahin glared. “It’s cornered. If we take that down we take Legion down. For good this time.”
“Then let’s do it!” Owen shouted.
“One thing, how are we taking down that giant monster?” Jenny shouted sliding backward as she loose another volley of arrows. “Don’t suppose you’ve got a rocket launcher for all of us papa?”
Jack laughed, “You ain’t seen nothing yet. We need a bit of guardian power?”
“I can do you one better Jack,” Marco said spinning the barrel of his gun and slotting it into green. His shield turned green and he touched his helmet addressing everyone at once. “Alright Celestial Knights! Astro Knights! Let’s end this once and for all. Follow my lead! Celestial Knight power up!” He threw his arm up and a bright white and red light shot into the sky from.
“Celestial Knight power up!” Black, pink, blue, yellow, green, and purple lights followed suit behind Marcos.
“Astro Knight power up!” Red, green, black and yellow lights mirrored their own.
Marco pulled the trigger on his gun and then suddenly he was flying into the air. The others did as well, their lights swirling around one another. Legion looked up, watching the lights and then covered its face as the light exploded outward.
The ground shook as a machine slammed into the ground. Yellow and blue legs, pink and purple arms, a black chest, green shield over its chest, and red head. One by one the knight’s eyes opened and they saw they were in a cock pit, almost like the space ship. They had consoles in front of them with buttons, knobs, and even a steering wheel. Marco sat in the center alongside Ya’Cahin and they were both startled.
“Whoa,” Owen’s eyes widened immensely.
Kathryn asked, “Is this the same as Jack’s guardian?”
“No way. This is way cooler,” Jack said. “And way bigger.”
“It’s like the inside of our ship,” Ya’Cahin mumbled.
Rizier touched the panel in front of them, “This is fascinating. I did not know this was possible.”
“The power up had a lot of perks,” Marco said then looked through the windshield that was the visor of the machine. “Eyes up everyone. Let’s get ready.”
They each grabbed their controls and leaned forward. Just touching it they felt their own stones pulse and suddenly they knew what to do. More than that, they knew how to work together and move in unison. Legion stared at them and then the crystals along its body glowed brighter. “So you’ve come up with another trick. When I defeat you all, you will become my new hosts. This galaxy, this universe!” Stomping the ground, it started running. “Will belong to Legion!”
The multi colored knight raised its hand forward and a white sword appeared in its palm. It grabbed it with one hand then turned and held the hilt with the other taking a step forward. As one they said, “Knights! Let’s go to work!”
Legion brought an arm forward, a punch from the curled fingers of the Taq-Law. The knights moved their arm quickly, sword catching the punch and throwing it wide. Turning on their heel the knights stepped forward and cut straight up, cracking the crystal. Legion recoiled stumbling backwards.
They darted forward, the ground shaking as they moved. They attacked back and forth, fists and sword, flashes of light and energy flaring between them. The knights knocked Legion back and swung their sword down. The blade bit into the machine’s arm and Legion lunged punching them harder than before. A communal shout went up as they hit the ground.
“Everyone okay?” Marco asked.
A chorus of groans and agreements came out. “We need to get this thing taken care of,” Jack said gruffly. “I think we should go all in one on more hit.”
“Agreed,” Marco said. “Everyone ready?”
“Yeah!”
The knights got to their feet and spun the sword around. Turning and taking a step back they lowered the sword to their hip. Legion didn’t miss a beat and charged at them again rocking the ground with each step. “Steady everyone.” Marco said holding his breath as Legion closed the distance. A tenseness entered the cock pit but they waited for their moment.
Legion was right on top of them when Marco shouted, “Now!”
The knights lunged forward and drew their sword from the hip as a solid white light. It flashed and the blade sliced straight through Legion from hip to shoulder. Passing through the machine they spun around and brought their sword down cutting it in half from head to legs. It sank to the ground in pieces and exploded in a rainbow of colors. The knights stood slowly and stared from the cock pit.
“Did we do it?” Jenny asked.
Ya’Cahin and Marco both stood up and walked toward the front of the cockpit. They stared at the wreckage and then let their eyes glow. Rizier walked alongside them and put their hands on their backs. “I cannot sense anything,” Rizier said. “No life.”
“We did it?” Ya’Cahin asked.
Marco nodded, “We did it.”
“We did it!” They shouted together and cheers echoed in the cock pit.
The Harlequin Library 