Fall of the empire! Rise of Vulcan!

" Vulcan!"

Alex yelled as he attacked his brother.

" Hnnn! Good effort big brother, same result."

Vulcan said as he easily blocked alex's attack.

" Alex! Knock it off."

Asura said to the man.

" I'd really listen to him brother. You wouldn't want to rip this ship apart in a fight you won't survive."

Vulcan threatened.

" I wouldn't be so sure about that. The last time we all fought I left you and gladiator close to death. You only got away back then, because one of your flunkies dropped a star ship on my head."

Asura said.

" I've gotten stronger since then."

Vulcan argued.

" Good! Good, maybe this time you'll put up more of a challenge."

Asura said.

" You're dead Brother."

Alex said to the man.

" Alex, Vulcan hasn't attacked, and the imperial guard hasn't moved a muscle."

Lorna said trying to calm the man.

" You should listen to Lorna, Alex. I'm just here to talk."

Vulcan said.

" Rachel what are you getting?"

Alex asked.

" it's useless Alex, that telepath over there is blocking his thoughts. As well as the thoughts of the imperial guard. So long as she's alive, there's no getting in their heads."

Asura said.

" Well said. You should listen to your friend Rachel."

Vulcan said.

" Now on too more pressing matters. The Scy'ar tal. I'm calling a cease fire until they are dealt with. I came to ask for your help in doing so."

Vulcan said.

" There's no way in hell. We're working with you."

Alex proclaimed.

" Deal!"

Asura spoke up.

" What are you doing? There's no way in hell you're serious."

Alex asked.

" I'm doing what you should be doing. Thinking about the others instead of myself."

Asura said.

" It's not your call to make."

Alex argued.

" It is now!"

Asura said as stared into Alex's eyes.

" I can see you're having differing opinions. You all have until tomorrow to decide."

Vulcan said before he and his guard disappeared.

" What the hell are you doing? You aren't the leader here I am. There's no way this isn't a trap."

Alex said.

" Of course, it is. Why else would he come to us first? He's planning to use us to defeat the Scy'ar tal. I have no doubt he won't double cross us afterwards. But whether you like it or not we can't let the Scy'ar tal get their hands on the m'kraan crystal. They just tried to wipe out one planet that had nothing to do with their losses. What are they going to do to the Shi'ar home world? Billions will die if we don't stop them."

Asura said.

" You think having him so close to us is a good idea?"

Rachel asked.

" Keep your friends close and your enemies closer Rach. Besides Vulcan's got his ace in the hole and I got mine."

Asura said with a smile.

" What's this great ace you've got that's got you so sure we won't be walking to our deaths?"

Alex asked.

" I haven't had many occasions to use it, so this will be as good a time as any. Alex, I suggest you start absorbing as much energy as you can. We got a lot of fight ahead of us."

Asura said.

" Wait i still haven't agreed to this. Where are you going? Come back here!"

Alex said

Asura turned to the man and backhanded him across the ship.

Alex hit the wall with a thud. Coughing up blood as he struggled to catch his breath.

" That is enough. This is not up for debate! Whether you like it or not we are going to help Vulcan protect the Shi'ar people. If you can't do that then step aside and let the real warrior's fight. I was wrong you and Scott are nothing alike. When Scott made a mistake, he learned from it. You have made the same mistake over and over these past few months. No more. I'm stepping in. Now, get your shit together."

Asura stated.

" Now, are there any other objections? Okay, now the next step is simple. We plan for betrayal."

Asura said.

Later.

" We'll contact Vulcan by tomorrow. For now, everyone rest. You'll need it."

Asura said before he and rachel took their leave.

Later

' What are these images?'

asura wondered as he slept.

" Please...I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to happen"

Rachel mumbled in her sleep.

" Rachel? RACHEL!"

Asura yelled waking the woman.

" No!"

Rachel yelled as she jerked awake.

" Easy. Easy. It was only a dream."

Asura said as he held the crying woman.

" They can't hurt you anymore. I won't let them.'

Asura said.

" They took everything from me."

Rachel cried.

" I know that feeling all too well. I promise you when this is over, we'll get the bastards that killed your family. I'll see to it personally."

Asura said.

" Come love. We must rest for the coming battle."

Asura said as he pulled the woman back into the bed.

Emperor Vulcan's ship.

" Well. Well. Well. Look what the cat dragged in. welcome to my empire."

Vulcan taunted

" How much longer will that statement will be true? I wonder? What's to stop me from killing you now?"

Asura asked.

" Gladiator and I were both defeated effortlessly, when we confronted The Eldest. Even you can't do that."

Vulcan said.

" Funny, see the way I remember things might be different from how you remember them. So, let me remind you the last time the three of us fought I whopped your sorry asses. And every time we've faced since then Gladiator, I've bested you. I've spared your life for the sake of Lilandra, who asked me to do so, she has no say here today. While i could probably deal with the eldest myself. I'm not one to gamble with maybes. That's why we're here right now. But let me make one thing clear."

Asura said before disappearing.

" If I wanted you dead right now. You most certainly would be."

Asura said as he reappeared directly in front of Vulcan. The speed of which he moved shocking even Gladiator.

" Don't make the mistake of betraying us."

Asura said as he narrowed his eyes at man.

"We're still alive."

Cho'od said

" Aye."

Raza said confirming Ch'od's words.

" Double or nothing."

Ch'od said to the man

" This is a mistake, husband. They are too dangerous. We should kill them now."

Deathbird said.

" Cal'syee it is alright. I called for the chancellor's guards. They will assist us in this battle. Though I doubt we'll need them."

Vulcan said.

" The chancellor's guard? Who is--"

Rachel started to ask before the Chancellor and the guard arrived.

" I am here emperor. As commanded. What are your--K'ythri preserve us-- The STARCHILDE!"

Araki said as he recognized Rachel.

' These are the ones who hurt Rachel.'

Asura looked on the men and women in front of him. His anger radiating off of him Scaring everyone present. Friend and foe.

" YOUR MURDERERS!

Rachel yelled as she attacked the group.

"Commandos! Protect the chancellor." The guard yelled

" You killed my cousins! My aunts and Uncles! You killed my grandparents!"

Rachel yelled as she tore through the commandos.

" I can see the guilt in your thoughts. You run the secret order. You signed my family's death warrant. I want to hear you say it. SAY IT!"

Rachel demanded.

" Rachel. Stop!!"

Lorna said as she tried to restrain the woman.

" LET GO OF ME, LORNA!"

Rachel demanded

" You have to stop Ray."

Lorna said to the mad woman.

" They killed them, Lorna...You weren't there, you don't know...They have to pay."

Rachel explained.

" Emperor, please..."

Araki begged.

" Sorry, chancellor. Didn't see that one coming. But frankly I'm enjoying the show."

Vulcan said as he enjoyed watching Rachel destroy the commandos

" ASURA!"

Rachel yelled.

Asura nodded and engaged the commandos. The imperial guard began to step in but were ordered by Vulcan to stand down. The group watched as Araki's head was separated from his body. Ripped off by Asura with his bare hands.

" You made this personal Chancellor, when you attacked my girl and her family. Now then, I hope the rest of you put up more than a fight your pathetic leader did."

Asura said.

" Commandos take him."

The lead guard yelled.

' This Earther will pay for killing our leader! Huh?!'

The man thought as his field of vision suddenly flipped.

' The poor fool didn't even see his death.'

Gladiator thought as he watched the man's head fall from his shoulders as his body continued forward.

" I see! What a shame."

Asura said.

" Lorna, let Rachel go."

Asura demanded.

" What about the others?"

Rachel asked.

" What others?"

Vulcan questioned as the bodies of the other commandos suddenly dropped.

' I guess she didn't see it. to be fair I barely saw it myself. He killed them all so fast.'

Vulcan thought. Gladiator's own thoughts mirroring his.

" Well, that was a fantastic show. How about we focus on our common enemy for now?"

Vulcan asked.

" Agreed!"

Asura responded.

' I've waited years to avenge y family's murders. Thank you Asura.'

Rachel said through their link.

' It is quite all right pretty bird.'

Asura said back

" How cozy, my whole Armada together again. Welcome major-general. Shall we go kill some Scy'ar?"

Vulcan asked

" No, that's the wrong move. We need to take out that damned weapon first. even I can't stop them if they decided to just drop one hundred stars on us. Ch'od was able to track the energy readings from the first attack and found the source location of the star. If you want to stop these people, this is how you do it. Send the armada to defend the crystal and send in a strike team to take out finality."

Asura said as he explained his strategy of attack

" Okay, it's your call."

Vulcan said

" The imperial guard and I will go after the eldest. The starjammers will destroy the weapon. And general Ka'ardum will lead the armada to defend the crystal."

Asura said.

" Why are the starjammers going after the weapon alone?"

Vulcan asked.

" So, you don't get a chance to use it for yourself. I'm keeping you all as close as possible. we have our roles to play, so play them. I'm sure the rest of the guard saw what happened to that other group. Don't make the same mistake."

Asura said

" You don't trust us? I'm hurt."

Vulcans teased.

" Vulcan don't be. I haven't even touched you yet."

Asura joked back.

" Any other questions? No? The get ready we launch within the hour."

Asura said.

one hour later.

" The praetorium made the jump with us. Multiple contacts. Scy'ar tal.

Raza said

" Proximity to the gravity field is playing havoc with the sensors. Hrm. Poor word choice."

Ch'od said

" Clever aliens."

Vulcan praised

" Dear lord I thought it'd be just one."

Alex said

" See, here we go with that bullshit."

Asura said agreeing with the man.

" Credit to the Scy'ar yes?"

Ch'od asked as they all stared at the multiple stars in the Scy'ar armory.

" Well, I always said if you're going to do something don't half ass it."

Asura said.

" There's no way!"

Lorna said.

" They have the means to destroy every planet in the core systems."

Alex said

" They could destroy every planet in the Shi'ar empire."

Asura and Gladiator both said.

" My empire. Prepare the guard. Every single Scy'ar here Dies! And that's just for starters."

Vulcan said.

" Engage!"

Asura said as the three forces began fighting.

" Vulcan! Guard let's go!"

Asura said as he, Vulcan, and gladiator leading the Shi'ar imperial guard all attacked the ships of the Scy'ar.

" Kill them all."

Asura said.

" For once you and I agree on something. You heard him my guard, kill them all."

Vulcan said as he and Asura tore through multiple ships causing them to explode behind them.

" Looks like you're good for something. I'll admit you're smarter than your brother is when it comes to warfare."

Asura said as he ripped one of the Scy'ar in half.

" Of course, my brothers are soft. Unlike us. We know what it takes to get the job done."

Vulcan said as he erased another group of Scy'ar.

" Now then, alien why don't you tell me about your finality."

Vulcan demanded as he held one of the aliens by his throat.

" Damn. Feel the heat on this side. Even with the force fields it's like we're standing on the surface of the sun. Rachel, are you reading me? We're on the main deck and are proceeding to the core. Guard all of you upfront."

Asura said.

" Pretender your end is near. The eldest, he comes for you."

The Scy'ar said

" Oh, here we go."

Asura said

" The not shi'ar pretenders, The earther. I am pleased you'ce come together. This way you will not die alone. By their own choice finality will take the Shi'ar, much like they took the crystal from us. You will not stop this."

The eldest said.

" Gladiator? Vulcan? Can this guy stop us?"

Asura asked.

The three men Stared at the eldest with their eyes glowing and smiles on their faces. The three men attacked the eldest. Vulcan opting to blast him, While Gladiator and asura Punched at him.

" You have tried this before pretender it will not work. You all are not shi'ar you need not die with them."

The eldest said.

" We are Shi'ar by our actions creatures and long as the imperial guard stands so will it."

Gladiator said before knocking the creature back. As the creature falls Vulcan and Asura both blast him in the stomach knocking him further away.

" To defend those who enslave you is madness! The end comes for all who stand with the Shi'ar murderes."

The eldest said.

" Will someone burn out his tongue!"

Vulcan yelled

" You are right about one thing eldest. The end will come for all. Even you!"

Asura said as he and gladiator attacked the man.

" Don't hold back Kal-ark! We have to stop them here or all of Shi'ar will burn!"

Asura said as he and Gladiator pressed their attack.

" Why do you care for what happens to Shi'ar?"

Gladiator asked

" Have you not learned by now my friend. We have battled many times and yet I've always showed you respect. The Shi'ar people are not my enemy. Vulcan is! And just like you will always serve and protect the Shi'ar empire, i will always seek to free it of oppression."

Asura proclaimed.

" We are the same earther, I do regret having to treat you as an enemy. Perhaps one day we will be able to sit together as comrades and share a drink."

Gladiator said.

" Perhaps one day my friend."

Asura said. The two men having a full-on conversation while battling only angered the eldest.

" I will not stand for this!"

The eldest yelled.

" Vulcan what are you and the others waiting for? Press the attack. We have to overload him. Attack the same point together!"

Asura said

' Rachel, can you hear me?'

Asura wondered

' Get ready to retreat.'

Asura said.

' I'll tell the others.'

Rachel said

" Eldest!"

The Scy'ar yelled as their brother finally dropped.

Suddenly the Scy'ar began to glow and The eldest returned to his feet.

' What is that energy?'

Asura wondered

" You seek to break our brotherhood, puppets? The m'kraan cannot be broken. The end cannot be stopped, we will have what is ours."

The eldest said.

" Oh, come on!! You've got to be kidding me!!"

Vulcan complained.

" And the Shi'ar will pay!"

The eldest screamed as he speed blitzed Vulcan Gladiator and the other Imperial guards. He went to attack Asura but was blocked before his fist could connect.

" You?! You are stronger than the others."

The eldest proclaimed.

" Vulcan! The M'kraan did something to the eldest. Look and see if you can find their energy source."

Asura said.

" Shut up, I'm. What?"

Vulcan questioned as he too saw the energy flowing out of the others.

"The eldest takes his power from his people. Maybe his entire species. Let's see what we can do about that."

Vulcan says as he began to steal the energy from the eldest.

" AHHHH!"

The eldest yelled in pain.

" No! What have you done? I cannot feel my brothers!"

The eldest said as he began to lose his ground against asura.

" Eldest? What is happening? I do not understand. What should we do? Are...Are you the eldest?"

The Scy'ar asked.

" Not anymore."

Vulcan said

" No one threatens my empire!"

Vulcan said as he killed the Scy'ar

" Good ridance!"

Gladiator said.

" Agreed!"

Asura said as he agreed with the two men.

' Rachel now.'

Asura said to the woman.

" Argh!"

Asura grunted as he was shot in the back by the newly empowered Vulcan.

" I figured this would happen. Though I will admit Gladiator it was an honor to fight by yourside as a comrade for once than an enemy."

Asura said as he recovered from the blast.

" Kill him."

Vulcan said.

" There's one thing you Scott has learned better than you or Alex, and that's when to give up."

Asura said as he charged Vulcan and the imperial guard.

" I can't breach his mind!"

Oracle said trying to use her powers to shut the man's mind down.

" Sorry lady, but better telepaths have tried."

Asura said as he swatted away electron.

" Ugh!"

Asura grunted as Vulcan and Gladiator tackled the man.

" we'll handle him the remaining members of the imperial guard are to kill the starjammers!"

Vulcan ordered.

" I'll admit whatever it was you stole from the Scy'ar has made you stronger. Good!"

Asura said as four arms sprouted from his back. Two of his arms slammed down onto Gladiators back while the others battled Vulcan up top.

" This isn't going to go how you think. I took the power of an entire species. I'm much stronger than I was earlier. And now I'm going to kill you my brother and every other person who's stood against me."

Vulcan exclaimed.

" You talk too much!"

Asura said as he punched the man away.

" you'll watch as my guard kills your friends."

Vulcan said as he recovered himself.

" Really? Then tell me Vulcan where are myr friends?"

Asura asked with a grin.

" Imperial guard report!"

Vulcan yelled

" The starjammers are gone sir!"

The imperial guards yelled

" Did you think I wouldn't plan for this Vulcan?"

Asura asked as he kicked the man through three of the stars present.

" EMPEROR! IMPERIAL GUARD OUR EMPEROR NEEDS US!"

Gladiator yelled.

" Good I didn't want to have to hunt you all down."

Asura said.

' Though saying that, this is tougher than last time. That power up Vulcan got is a problem. Looks like the real fun is about to begin.'

Asura thought

' I'm glad i told the others to get away from here.'

'Now Stomp your feet'

Asura thought as he spread his feet.

'Grit your teeth.'

" Now then, Let's GOOOOO!"

[Music insert- Hot wind blowing!]

Asura yelled before rushing the Imperial guards and Vulcan. Asura rush tackled Vulcan forcing his way through the imperial guard. Gladiator, star bolt, and smasher were also snatched up.

' These four are my biggest threats. Gotta take at least two of them down fast!'

Asura thought.

Asura slammed star bolt and Smasher into each other before tossing them away and slamming Gladiator and Vulcan into another star. The Imperial guards rush after the man each of them trying to get close to attack asura.

' That's it get all close together.'

Asura thought.

Once the guards were within close distance of each other Asura fired on them Blasting each other with multiple energy blasts.

" Argh!"

Electron and nightside. Shapeshifter had phased through the attack.

" Damn that one's going to be tricky."

Asura said as the woman pashed through his attacks.

" Oh, well she's too slow. So those two are the only ones I have to worry about now."

Asura said as Gladiator and Vulcan charged him.

The three men drew their fists back ready to punch each other. When their fists collided, the nearby Stars were blown apart from the shockwave. The sudden shockwave from the three men blew Shapeshifter and the four other imperial guards away.

Away from the battlefield.

" He's actually holding his own against the entirety of the Imperial guard! That's insane."

Ch'od said.

" Are you ok Alex?"

Lorna asked

Alex couldn't find the words to reply. He only continued to watch the battle unfolding on his screen.

' Why are you taking this all on alone? Is this the fight you were looking for? Is your lust for battle so strong you'd intentionally put yourself at a disadvantage? Or are you trying to protect us? '

Rachel wondered as she watched the three men battle. The joy apparent on their faces.

Back to the fight.

" Are you two having as much fun as i am right now?"

Asura asked.

" I must admit. I thought myself untouchable. I am excited to have found someone I could call my better."

Gladiator said.

" Why won't you just die?"

Vulcan asked.

Asura replied by punching the man in the face again.

By now all three men had been put through the wringer. Vulcan and gladiator both bleeding badly from the gashes on their body from being driven through multiple stars. Each man had broken more than a few ribs, and Asura was down two arms leaving him with four remaining.

" How about we end this?"

Asura asked.

" Yes! Let's."

Vulcan said with a grin.

' What's he planning?'

Asura wondered.

" OH FUCK!"

Asura said as he saw the finality firing right at him.

" You crazy bastard!"

Asura yelled as he fired at the Finality and the Missile heading right towards him

" You'll kill us all."

asura yelled.

" No, just you."

Vulcan said as he and his imperial guard teleported back to their ship.

With the starjammers.

" ALEX, WE HAVE TO HELP HIM!"

Rachel yelled

" We can't the explosion from all of those stars would wipe us all out. I'm sorry Rachel there's nothing we can do but pray."

Alex said.

" COME ON!"

Asura yelled as the stars raced towards him

Asura tried to fight back against the stars, destroying each one that got close to him, but soon even he was overwhelmed.

The resulting collison caused all of the stars to explode right in Asura's face.

' DAMN!'

Were his thoughts at the moment.

" ASURA!"

Rachel yelled as she and the starjammers all saw and felt the massive explosion.

Once the space rock cleared the starjammers returned to the sight.

' Where are you? Please tell me you survived. Please!'

Rachel prayed.

" Rachel?"

Lorna tried her best to console the woman.

" I'm telling you nothing could have survived that blast."

Ch'od said to Alex

" We have a life signature!"

Raza said.

" You were saying?"

Alex said to the shocked Ch'od.

The starjammers launched a small pod to retrieve the body floating in space.

" He lived that? What a beast"

Ch'od said surprised to see the man was still alive.

' Ow so much pain. Easily the worst feeling of my entire lives. Both of them.'

Asura thought as he floated through space.

' Asura?!'

Rachel called out.

' Hey pretty bird. It'll take more than a couple hundred exploding stars to kill this beast.'

Asura said to the woman.

' Though, I am in a lot of pain. So, could you guys give me a hand?'

Asura asked

' We're coming love!'

Rachel said through their link.

' Goooood'

Asura said before blacking out.

Later in the starjammers med bay.

" Damn not a single injury is left. How fast does this guy heal?"

Korvus asked

" If you wake him, I'll tear you apart."

Rachel said to the man lifting him off the ground.

" Put him down, Rachel."

Asura said as he got up from the bed.

" You shouldn't be walking around. You were hurt bad."

Rachel said.

" I'm fine. We need to get back to work."

Asura replied.

" YOU NEED TO GET BACK IN BED NOW!"

Rachel yelled with fire in her eyes.

Asura stared at the woman in shock before slowly walking back towards the bed.

" Okay, but you're joining me."

Asura said as he pulled the woman into the bed with him.

Suddenly Alex and Lorna ran into the room.

" WE GOT A PROBLEM!"

The two yelled.

" Yeah, I know you guys are interrupting us."

Asura replied.

" This is much worse."

Lorna yelled

" Oh, damn when Lorna's the one yelling shit must really be bad. Well, tell us what happened."

Asura said.

" Just watch this."

Alex said as he pulled up a screen with a video of Vulcan on Shi'ar playing.

" VULCAN! VULCAN! VULCAN! VULCAN!"

The Shi'ar people chanted

" The Scy'ar threat has been destroyed. The Shi'ar armada has been reunited. The enemies of the empire have been destroyed, and this is just the beginning my people. Now the empire's destiny will be fulfilled! We will destroy all those who will stand in our way. Including the one you call the Mummudrai...The one called Xavier. Together we will expand. We will conquer. The Shi'ar empire will rise again!"

Vulcan proclaimed.

" VULCAN! VULCAN! VULCAN! VULCAN!"

The people cheered.

" We've lost."

Asura said.

" For good this time."

he added on.

" What do you mean? We're still alive aren't we, we haven't been beaten yet."

Alex said.

" Alex it's over. There's nothing more we can do from here."

Asura said.

" What do you mean?"

Rachel asked

" The moment Vulcan got the people on his side; he became the legitimate ruler of the Shi'ar empire. Meaning we no longer have them on our side. There can't be a resistance without the people. If we were to attack them now, we'd be declaring war against the Shi'ar themselves. Tell me Alex, would you be ok with killing innocent men, women, and children in order to get to your brother?"

Asura asked. No one in the room could find the words to refute his point.

" We must withdraw. We'll take Lilandra with us back to earth and prepare ourselves for the coming battle. I'm sorry my friends, but that is our only option now."

Asura said solemnly. The disparity of the situation written on his face.

" I'm not leaving."

Alex spoke up.

" You all go back to earth and prepare for the worst. I'll stay up here and continue fighting with the starjammers. Maybe things will work out and we'll be able to get the people back on our side. But I can't leave them without a leader."

Alex said gesturing to the starjammers.

" I'm staying with you Alex."

Lorna spoke up.

" Very well my friends. And you Korvus? What will you do now?"

Asura asked.

" I'll stay with them. it took some time, but the phoenix blade has been restored."

" I see. And you rachel?"

Asura asked.

" Mu place is with you. You've given me the one thing I wanted more than anything else, vengeance against the people who took my family. I'll follow you wherever our paths may lead."

Rachel said.

" Then our path is calling home. Be well my friends I hope to see you all again in this lifetime, if not the next. And Alex if you ever need my help, I'm only a call away. I'll be here if you need me."

Asura said holding out his arm for the other man to take.

" Thank you, my friend, for staying with us this long. I pray you and Rachel make it home safely. Take one of the ships. You should be able to use the jump gates to get back now."

Alex said as he grabbed the man's forearm.

" Be well."

Asura said before he and Rachel left to board a ship home.