Daisy ran over to the crowds, bewildered at what could have started the fighting. Favian soon summoned a giant water wall to separate the warring factions. But their separation only intensified the verbal attacks against one another. However, as they got louder and louder, the veins on Favian’s forehead bulged with intense rage, ready to burst!"Enough!" As Favian's demand echoed through the air, swiftly silencing the crowds.

"Your actions today have disrespected me, this army, and all the planets you swore to protect! Shame!"

A female Huǒ soldier quickly walked to Favian."General, of course, we respect you!”

“Then stop!”

“Sir, we’ve followed your orders faithfully through so many battles. But this time it’s too much! We can't fight beside the defectors! Our current mess is the latest in a long line! We can’t forgive the nemesis!"

A male nemesis walked to Favian and the woman."They fed us lies our whole lives! How much longer do we have to repent? Or maybe there was some truth to what the emperor said!"

With the nemesis' words, he reignited the conflict. The berating had resumed louder and more furious than ever! As if a great fire of malice swept across everyone, incinerating reason and leaving blind hatred. But it stopped as one deafening clap traveled through the base. As both sides searched for the source, terror ran through their ranks as they saw it. Daisy, as the veins bulged in her forehead, was enraged!

"We face a threat mighty enough to wipe us off the galaxy, and we still bicker. I told scared children our brave men and women would protect them, and now I can hardly look them in the eye!” Daisy zoomed over to Favian, scanning the crowds, enraged. “We're here because of the dream that all intelligent beings deserve to live free and happy lives. If you can't believe this dream, please leave. But for those that do, are you with me?"

Swiftly, the loud rioting gave way to deathly silence. The two sides stood in shock, seeing the fury of the gentle hero. As she mentioned failing the children, they knew she was right. Both sides knew the tragedy of having childhood defiled by war. The nemesis man soon gave a nod of acceptance to his counterpart, the Huǒ woman. As she reciprocated, their civil war was over. Daisy knew it as their malice disappeared, surveying their faces from left to right, seeing looks of trust pointed toward her.

"Thank you! Now, let's get to work and save Planet Aqua!"

In the war room, the personnel gathered around Eugene. He worked expediously on his computer, decoding Anastasia’s data. The unease in the air was palpable as he inched closer to its secrets. But finally, he finished as a sea of flashing numbers appeared before them.

As he completed his task, Eugene's eyes widened with shock, seeing the critical truth."Oh my god!"

"Doc Parker, what does that mean?"

"The fortress does have a weakness, General Carter!"

Hastily, Eugene pressed a button on his computer, drawing everyone's attention to the middle of the room. He summoned a holographic model of darkhold. But Carter's eyes were immediately drawn to three pulsing red dots scattered across the image.

"What are those three spots?"

"They're the secret, General Carter. You see, a darkhold fortress is self-sustaining. But it can't do that without astronomical power. Those three spots are the primary generators for the doomsday device. So if you destroy them, you cripple it!"

“But how are we supposed to get to them?”

“There’s one more thing!”

Swiftly, again, Eugene pressed a button on his computer. It made the model start shooting lasers, and slowly, Carter realized invaluable information.

"It’s an attack pattern! Like Lucas said!"

"Exactly! Its weapons have near-infinite permutations, but there's a bias toward defending those three spots, leaving areas open for attack!”

"But it's so narrow. Our movements will need to be flawless to have a chance!"

"Makes you wonder how that Fortis guy pulled it off," Yara said.

"He pulled it off because he's the best," Sarah shouted.

“Everybody shut it! Here's the plan! We'll break into three teams. There's no way we can get past the batteries with a fleet. So we’ll make do with a small and more precise attack!”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“And while General Carter and I lead the assault, the rest of you evacuate. If we can't save the planet, we can save as many civilians as possible,” Favian said.

“Sir, yes, sir!” The personnel shouted in unison.

Later, the United Planets personnel were ready for their final desperate action. In the center of the base, two ships stood prepared to carry them to the great battle. But as Daisy ran over to join her comrades, her shield glowed with heavenly light. The light grew brighter and brighter until it blinded Daisy. But as it dimmed, Daisy watched in disbelief as her weapon transformed into two smaller shields around her arms.

“What happened to my shield?”

“I did,” Divinus said, echoing in Daisy’s mind.

“Divinus? Why did you do this?”

“I have been watching you closely, Damara. You have upheld your end of our agreement. So, for the coming battle, I deemed it necessary for you to have a special gift, more of my power!”

Hearing the divinus, Daisy checked the quality of her new weapons. And she marveled at the ease of moving the shields. Now, she could defend from two directions far better than before!

“Thank you! These things will make defense way easier!”

“And one more thing!”

Without warning, the shields caught fire into an intense blaze! But as Daisy almost jumped out of her skin, she quickly realized the flames weren’t hurting her.

“A new power to add to your arsenal. Against those ruled by malice and evil, these flames of purity are a devastating weapon, but for others, they are a means of protection!”

“Thank you!”

“Use these gifts wisely!” Divinus said in a dying whisper.

Swiftly, Daisy focused on her new powers. With a deep breath and all her concentration, she deactivated them. The flames extinguished, and her standard shield returned to her hands. And with a resolute look at her comrades, she quickly ran over. As she joined the others, Daisy giggled at an adorable sight. Carter and Clive were hugging. But they broke away as they saw her. Utterly embarrassed, the two stayed far away with bright red faces.

“Damara, do you have to laugh?”

“I'm sorry if I was being rude. But I just found your hug cute!”

“And use words like cute! You know you’re just like a friend of mine, Daisy! She always says girly garbage like that!”

“Well, that's something,” Daisy said, playfully rolling her eyes.

“It sure is I-” Clive spotted Ros walking into his ship, and swiftly embarrassment gave way to sheer joy. ”I better get ready for the mission. See you after we win, Carter!”

“Right back at you, my friend!”

Clive dashed at top speed into the ship after Ros. Close by, Yara prepared to join the rest of her comrades inside. But as she tried to enter, Favian stopped her, looking her in the eye with worry.

”Yara, before you go, I wanted to make something clear. Over these years, you've been an invaluable soldier and friend!” Favian took a deep breath. “But desperate times call for desperate measures!"

"I understand, General Favian. And it's an honor to risk my life for the cause!"

"And one more thing. Please play nice with General Carter's friend!"

"For you, sir, I'll do my best!"

Yara gave Favian a salute, and he happily reciprocated. And as she finished, she hurried into the ship with the others. But as she left, Favian saw Carter about to depart with Daisy, and he ran over to them.

"General Carter, wait!"

Daisy and Carter stopped as they heard Favian. But Carter looked at him, exasperated, preparing for a snide remark.

"I realize since we've met, we've had our differences. But because of Dr. Parker, we made it this far!” Favian extended his arm to Carter for a handshake. “Your judgment was sound, among other decisions you made. So you deserve respect!"

As Carter saw him, disbelief swept his face. But it soon gave way to a small smile as he accepted.”Same to you, hydromos. And good luck!”

Later, Daisy and Carter led their forces as they flew through the air. Carter gazed at Daisy with a confident smile. But as Carter spotted darkhold on the horizon, he looked at her again. Battling with a lifelong phobia, the fear of loss.

”I hope I can keep my promise to your mom!”

“Carter, don't talk like that! Stay focused, and I know we can make it through!”

“I think a kiss would do me more good than words!”

“We're right in the open!”

“We're far enough away from everyone else!”

Carter went in for the kiss. Daisy tried to resist, but she relented as he pulled her in. The two’s lips got closer and closer, but as they were about to meet, flaremane shook like crazy, breaking it up. Carter almost fell, but he spotted flaremane's smug grin as he regained his balance. And his anger flared, realizing the stallion’s intentions.

”The horse did that on purpose!” Carter shouted.

"Flaremane, I realize you and Carter have your differences. But we must be united to prevail!” Daisy rested her face against flaremane's. “So, can you put aside your grievances for me, especially since I love you both?"

The gears of Flaremane's mind ran at top speed, contemplating Daisy's words. But he soon shook his head in agreement. And as she saw him, she kissed his head in gratitude. Conversely, Carter prepared to berate flaremane, unsatisfied with his response. However, the ringing of his communicator stopped him. And reluctantly, he answered.

"What's the matter now?"

"We saw the steed acting erratically. Is there something wrong?" Favian asked over the communicator.

"Don't worry. Damara needed to teach it some manners!"

Suddenly, Carter heard an alarm over the communicator. Quickly, he recognized the sound, and his heart skipped a beat, realizing a terrible truth.

"The fortress is reaching full power again! And we're not close enough to dodge!"

Swiftly, the United Planets tripled their speed. The team cut through the air, but the fortress was swifter. Like before, darkhold emitted dazzling purple light that bathed the battlefield for miles. And its guns launched a titanic salvo in the blink of an eye! However, as before, Daisy protected her comrades with her giant shield. They hurried into the narrow path as she deflected the plasma bolts. Daisy soon followed as the attack continued, surrounding them with certain death!

The United Planets made it through the plasma bolts owed greatly to steely determination. But as they separated to attack their targets, Morana stepped out on a balcony and saw the assault. And as Clive's ship flew by, she shot it with a massive ice blast.

"Die, vermin!"

As it made contact, the ship crashed down in the fortress. Carter and Daisy shared a look of horror as they saw their comrades go down in a fiery crash!

"Clive," Carter shouted.