Zacheim Cross by Powree Author's Note: This story of Bucky was set in a different realm. Although majorly it is similar to the setting in the cartoon series and some of it is based on the Web series, but you may find some facts are contrasting with that of the web series. Therefore, for a 'real' Bucky story, please refer to the continuing Web series. This story is merely for alternative reading. Well, that's my excuse. He he ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ----------------- PROLOGUE CHAPTER: ----------------- YEAR 2317, Aniverse Space Calendar. Star Coordinate: AD 87 Star System Neburaite; Planet ALDEBARON. A wave of flame and hot smoke bursted out from the blown hall, spluttering debris to every directions. Another Explosion soon followed, making the situation worser with raising temperature and rapid decreasing of fresh air. The previously beautiful Arian-decorated Hall soon become a hot furnace , tormenting any living being in it. But from its dense smoke, a figure leaped, crossing the blazing fire. As the fiery tongue of the fire caught the lower part of his uniform, the mammal cursed: "SHIT!" Landing, he quickly tossed the large damp coat covering his body, and used it to put out the fire in his trouser. Another explosion startled him, but he managed to save his life just in time when the ceiling crumbled. Coughing and wounded, the dog pulled himself heavily. The hot place is too much to bear, so he quickly gathered what little strength he had, proceeded toward the Sanctuary. As he ran pass the fallen ceiling, the night sky of Aldebaron is clearly visible. Its two moon shined brightly, as always, but on one of its pure bath of light, a strange form was visible. Scattered around it, are hundreds of toad battle ships.... Dog : It's no use!! Hundreds of Aldeberan cat's eyes stared back at the soldier. Inside the sanctuary, all of the remaining inhabitants of Aldebaron had gathered there, the strongest construction on the planet. On the center of the hall, stood a magnificent machinery. An aged, elegant female cat stood up. The Queen of Aldeberan. Behind her, two young sisters accompanied her. The look on her face expressed her dissatisfacction. Dog :We're lost!! The Toads are wiping out our force! For a moment, the ground shook once more. The civilians were getting panic every tense minute. The cold voice of the Queen erupted in the crowd. Queen :What do you suggest then, Colonel? Abandon our home planet? Then that is not the choice we shall take! Colonel :Your Majesty, we have to! Within three hours, this planet will fall- Queen :(Coldly) I never was certain that the so called 'only rival of Toad Menace' could protect us, colonel. Now it has been proven, we had misplaced our trust. Colonel :(a bit angered) We're out gunned! That- That *thing* (pointing his hand at the transparent ceiling, toward the strange form) is wiping us! Now the situation is at worst! Just please, enter the transporter! We will evacuate imme- The Queen walked past him swiftly, her two daughters following. Colonel :Your Majesty! The elegant queen walked to the podium, undisturbed by the constant rumble from the attacks. The Colonel tried to persuade her, but the loud voice from his head-comm. startled him. Voice :COLONEL!!! What The Hell Are you doing !!?? Colonel :General! I-I'm still trying to persuade the Queen, Sir ! General? General!? General :Quit <=Kaff=> Wasting time, Colonel! <=kaff!=> Time is little! In 45 minutes, I will order to retreat!JUST drag their tails to the tranporter and get out of there!! Colonel :R-Right away, sir! Queen :My fellow sisters.... The Queen now stood on the platform beneath the generator. Raising one hand, she managed to draw the attention of the panicked crowd to her. Colonel :Ow,Dog! Not another speech!! Grunting, the Colonel hurriedly ran toward the Queen, trying to get pass the gathering mass. Colonel :excuse me, passing through.. Queen :....The Toads had crossed our boundaries, and now are forcing their filthy hands to grasp our home planet. The UAC- (The Colonel now almost reach the podium) -had failed to protect us. Now it's left only to us to protect it ourselves. As she ended her words, an altar of crystal and gems raised before her. On the surface, all sizes of rare gems are scattered. Queen :Sisters! Unite! Release your powers into the *generator*.Vanquish *The Phantom vessel*! Unleash the *Angel Arrow*! Colonel :(raising from the podium's side) Wait!! You'll weaken the barrier!! The Colonel's voice was immediately drowned by the simultaneous chantings of the artificers. One by one, each artificer is enveloped with a soft glow emanating from their gems. As the chantings neared its completion, the hall is filled with a soft aura.The Queen clasped her hands and started to pray the secret chant. The altar reacted; its crystal form separated into four directions, like a blossoming flower. The Colonel, confused with the situation, has not a single idea of what the Aldeberans were up to. Colonel :What the....? Suddenly, the artificers released their powers almost simultaneously, and the energy flowed straight into the center of the altar! The scene provided a wondrous sight as waves of energies circled in the air ! The altar, as each energy entered its hollow gems, started to shine a bright blue ray. The Colonel gasped when the floor started to shine, forming ancient symbols, centering at the altar. ONBOARD THE PHANTOM SHIP OF THE TOADS ------------------------------------- Toad Crew:Sir, the energy level of the barrier is decreasing, but there's another sign of energy concentration detected in Coordinate W87 S65! Your orders? Upon hearing the news, the *Toad Leader* rose, a smile of satisfaction crossed his face. Toad Leader:Finally!! Proceed to the next stage at once!! BACK AT THE SANCTUARY --------------------- As all of their energy had been transferred into the altar, each artificer grew weak, and one by one they fell to the ground, grabbed immediately by exhaustion. The Colonel, strucked with a bad feeling, instantly realize the danger of the situation- for now, the aldeberans are weak, and the plan to escape would seem impossible. Queen :Colonel-- Colonel : ? Queen :It appears that we *do* need the SPACE afterall---Now Heed my words, -- Onboard the Phantom vessel, the Toads were busy with their own matters. The Crew had been alerted , busy receiving orders. The Computer's voice echoed in the main deck; Computer Voice: Energy Converter activated.... Locking target in 5 seconds......Lock on! Main Valve opened.....*Transformation* in progress... Toad Leader:Order the fighters to withdraw ! Execute Formation Beta!! General :Damnit, Colonel! Aren't you finished yet! That Thing is *transforming*!! We don't know what they're up to!! Queen :--We will bring down whatever that *thing* is that you feared . After that, accomplish what simple task we have trusted the UAC with. Colonel :(almost mad) This is INSANE!!(pulling out his gun) I'm sorry for doing this, but you're risking the freedom of your own race!! Now, order them to stop and---Huh??!! The Queen's eyes blazed green, and the Colonel found himself imprisoned in an energy bubble. In desperation, the dog tried smashing his way out, resulting in vain. He shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the walls of his prison. The Queen stared at him in disgust. Queen :Underestimate our power, Colonel, and never shall you gain our respect!--- Computer Voice:....Transformation Completed. Shield at full force. *Meta Energie* level zero... Toad Crew:*MERT Missiles* ready, Sir! All battleships are in position! Toad Leader:Excellent! Prepare to launch the missiles at my command!! Queen :---Now witness with your own eyes,dog, our sheer power of destruction. For this battle, shall be---- Toad Leader: --Ours!! < V A ---- W O O O --- O O M!!!> The Altar Crystal exploded as the contained energy is unleashed! The energy wave shot out furiously through the opened ceiling. The great pillar of blue ray cuts the night sky with a light speed. Colonel: !! (Eyes shut) The energy blast went straight to the Phantom vessel, and , as it passes through the barrier, it left a soft circular ripples on it. Proceeding with an undecreasing concentration, toward its target. SPACE GENERAL: The hell...??!!! The SPACE General, in the way of the energy, almost got blown by it, but he managed to evade with a great effort. As the Angel Arrow nearers, the energy scanner of the Toads went wild. Tension builds up as the Operator annnounced the distance between the pillar and their ship. Toad Crew:(fast) 120 miles---90 miles --- 60 miles--- The Toad Leader gritted his teeth in anxiety. Toad Crew:30--- Toad Leader:FIRE!!! The SPACE General, still shocked from the Angel Arrow's appearance now opened his eyes wider as the Phantom Vessel fired over 300 giant missiles-- seen by him like fireflies in the depth of space-- head to head with the Angel Arrow!! As the powerful animal-made weapon and the nature force collide, a great explosion occured! Its collision produced a great wave wiping everything within its range. Some Toad battleships, caught in the waves, was blown as the fragments hit them. The explosion also hit the shield of the Phantom vessel. The great ship shook in the effect. The blast lasted for a few seconds, and as the great pillar vanishes, all the General could see was small streaks of electricity-like blue rays flowing around the Phantom's front part. Soon, it too vanishes. But other than that, the Phantom Vessel remain intact. Colonel :(In despair)Failed!! The Queen's eyes stay fixed on the Phantom Vessel, admist the growing anxiety of the other Aldeberans. Seconds passes, and there's still no sign of the Angel Arrow's effect on the vessel. It made some artificers lose hope, and, - in their exhaustion- only waits to be enslaved by the Toads. But the Queen's eyes remain filled with confidence, as she kept her cold stare toward the dark sky.--- Yet, nobody sees that her hand was clasped so tightly , it bleeds. The Toads, still recuperating from the effect, did not a single move. Instead, they gathered around the main Vessel in a formation. The General realized that the enemy were planning on something --For they are ignoring the remaining units of SPACE fleet-- Instantly the General saw his chance to escape from the battle field. He felt a bit sorry for the Aldeberans, but their stubborness had trapped them in their own act. At least he'll have an excuse to say later, when the Court questions his action. General :All SPACE fleet! Retreat to headquarters immediately!! This battle is lo-- His words remained unfinished, as the next scene before him made his jaws fell. First, there's a small spot of red-yellow bursting on the Phantom's mouth, rapidly followed by hundreds of other spots -- soon, the front part was surrounded by it. The spots quickly united into large bursts of exploding metals. Alas,If only the vacuum air of space would allow the sound of it to travel, its chain of sound could be heard light years away! The General could see clearly as a massive spiral of explosion separated one of the Phantom's front wing. Losing balance, the vessel tilted, unfortunately, toward the gathering Toad forces. The unexpecting battleships did not have time to react, and a large number of them were colliding with each other in their effort to escape, producing another chain of explosions. The others scrambled in panic, breaking their formation. A fatal mistake, as now the force's power is separated into small groups , and the fact that they were scattered far away from each other would mean only one thing: General :Now's our chance!! Full Force Ahead!! In satisfaction, the Queen smiled. She turned to the now-freed Colonel, looking rather proud and conceited. The Colonel only stared back with a suppressed anger, but nevertheless, he had to turn his face to the sky. Watches, as the great Phantom vessel vanishes from the Aldebaron orbit........... To Be Continued...