Joshua was standing by inside Fracture. He was running diagnostics inside the cockpit, continuing with the usual that he needed while Fracture was checking in on the mission details with other M-Frames. Fracture will be joining Crow on the front line, with Prophecy, Moon Slayer and Cascade. The rifles were needed this itme around and Joshua was getting ready for the current situation that presented itself.

The fortress before them, F-115 as they all prepared themselves. The fortress was large, it's walls were high and they had multiple MARS and M-Frame units on standby.The top 25 were the spearhead of the whole operation, they were calmer than anything he's ever seen. Occasionally throwing jokes, it was like they were waiting for all their life for this moment.

"It's seen us. Break!" Mistral shouted as they all split up, watching a large projectile zip past them. It struck the ground leaving a large gaping crater as a result.

"Shaoran!?" Shilage raised his voice as the projectiles started to get more frequent. It was not just a cannon, perhaps there were more. They moved erratically, strafing where they can as they tried to get closer to the fortress. A large explosion occurred at the fortress.

"There are 12 cannons I've taken one out but the problem lies in the fact that the cannons are now mobile. It's basically using an M-Frame's tank thread system to move around. Sending the data now." Joshua watched it, they cannons took up the space where an M-Frame's torso and other parts would be. It was a large cannon and it was firing rapidly. A two type projectile, where the first is used to break through the Force Armor and the 2nd would detonate from inside.

"Damn that's lethal." Cascade said as he continued strafing around.

"12 o'clock! Watch it!" A hail of bullets and storms of plasma and lasers were being fired to their position. The M-Frames that were guarding the fortress from above were firing to defend it.

"Ronin! Get close to me! Use the blade!" Moon Slayer boosted itself close to Fracture, where Fracture placed its hand over Moon Slayer's back. Joshua imbued energies into the controls, transferring it to Moon Slayer's back as Moon Slayer drew its laser katanas. Imbued into the katanas were the powers of Spring and Winter and the sword technique of autumn's Anicent.

The entire atmosphere was shaking, energies were spiraling through Moon Slayer's blade, swinging it down. A single slash was enough to break through the entire fortress wall before them.

"Thanks to that, they've been targeting Moon Slayer. I've taken out 5 of the Sniper Cannons, just proceed to go inside. Besides, having a sniper to sniper fight sounds fun with these cannons. Since they are mobile, the sniper cannon that I was given is useless but not my usual equipment." Shaoran spoke with a joyous tone, perhaps the legendary sniper needed a few challenges.

"This is Cascade to Pride Rock. We've broken through minimal damage. We're heading to meet the welcoming committee now!" Black Jack was happy, perhaps that nature to do battle with stronger enemies has him on the edge but in a good way. They reached inside where the JACKAL M-Frames with the pile bunkers were ready along with a few of the M-Frames with the JERRY frame.

"Welcome to F-115, we're Dove's Bodyguards. Let's give you a warm welcome, humans and traitors of our ilk!" They began the fight, two JACKALs charged at Fracture, where it fired the rifle into the joints. Imbuing the shots with magic as it pierced through their Force Armors, disabling the joints where Moon Slayer slashed their cores off their chests and fighting the JACKALs head on. Prophecy was going for their joints, then using the laser blade to strike their chest. They could barely use their limbs to strike.

Crow on the other hand was jumping over them, ripping the pile bunkers off the hands of three JACKALs and using it on them. Instant devastation with just one strike. He was moving similarly to how Joshua moved when he was Jane 000. Cascade was weaving through their attacks, firing the rockets that merely blanketed the entire area with the smoke. When the JERRYs began to fire their rifles, they could not see anything through the smoke. Cascade shifted close, firing the railgun at point blank range. Blowing through the limbs and chests. The chunks of metal flew into the air, bullets striking the Force Armor, and little chunks striking the M-Frame's body.

Fracture took a blow to the head from the rifle, but returned the shot in kind by unleashing hail of bullets to the JERRY. This time imbuing ice magic. Unleashing the shot, it struck the M-Frame's chest and then turned the M-Frame into a solid chunk of ice. Prophecy fired a shot into the M-Frame, watching it explode into a mist.

The snipers on the rooftops were firing more shots at them, but Fracture erected a barrier of ice that stopped the bullets.

"Artillery unit! Rain hell on my target!" Black Jack said as Cascade marked the Sniper M-Frames from above.

"This is Raiden Industries President, Mitsuru Hanabishi. I see your target, Cascade." The voice of a woman was heard, a single projectile struck the place where the M-Frame snipers were. They were turned to large chunks of scrap, Fracture stared at a damaged M-Frame what had its legs blown off it looked at Fracture. Whatever that explosion was it was enough to destroy everything that was there.

"That's a lot of firepower in one shot, Mitsuru. What did you do?"

"Oh, well since we're all on a war I thought I might as well introduce some of our heavier equipment into the fray.

"Are you going to kill me?" The damaged M-Frame spoke up, only having its core and head intact but everything else was damaged.

"Fracture, this is your people. You should make the decision." Joshua said which Fracture looked at it.

"Then I won't kill you." Fracture responded and walking away, the other M-Frames looked at it and continued onward. Crow knelt to the M-Frame.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Why? Why did you give me mercy? Am I not a threat!?"

"It's because the Lions aren't making a decision. This is what it meant to be respected by a Lion. The M-Frames have chosen the same. We are one and the same, yet we have grown as individuals. When this is over, I may want to go elsewhere. Would you come with me?" Crow asked which the M-Frame beeped with confusion.

"Mercy is what has been shown to me by my Lion and to correct my other half, I must correct him correctly."

"Then take me with you." Crow turned to a few other M-Frames that had gone through the damage.

"I will take you all with me." Crow said as other M-Frames appeared, they were unmanned and picked them up, gathering the pieces of the downed M-Frames.

"I hope you do not think ill of me, Lions." Crow said as he joined the others to the elevators.

"Not leaving anyone behind is understandable. You may be a machine, but it is clear that you have more humanity than most. What will you do with Dove?" Mistral asked.

"I want to tell him that we will finally get justice for our Lion and that it's not too late. If we can do it, then Dove and myself will be able to follow the Lord of Thorns."

"It is understandable for his wrath. I believe that if Mistral died. I would have done the same as Dove as many other situations."

"You would, Prophecy?"

"Of course, you are my Lion. You have always fought for others and if the betrayal had occured in the same vein. I would have wanted blood as well." Prophecy's words were heard by the 25 others in the elevator.

The elevator opened and they stepped out, seeing a large pathway that was leading them somewhere. When they stepped in, they see a floating MARS unit that had bladed arms and was glowing black.

"What is that?" The laser strike fired straight at Cascade, a narrow dodge.Then more of them showed up, there were 200 of them. They outnumbered them by a longshot.

"I sense my brother... He is in the deepest part of the reaches." Crow said to them as the floating MARS units kept staring at them.

"Fracture, Crow. You two should make your move. We'll hold them here." Black Jack said as Fracture and Crow stepped into the elevator, with Joshua's controls not responding.

"Lord of Thorns.... THe Lions of Pride Rock. All of us! We have chosen to follow you! You have the might of a thousand Lions by your side and as Lions we will fight to the end. So please... End this for all of us!" Cascade said as Joshua watched the system pop up.

The Lions of the Savannah have chosen to follow you.

You have the might of a thousand Lions by your side.

They will not die. Their powers have been amplified.

Synchonicity has been activated.

Joshua felt tears falling as they have chosen this path. The elevator went downwards as Joshua heard gunfire.

"To all Lions... My only order for all of you... Don't die!" Joshua shouted.

"Yes, Lord!"

Skill obtained

Lord's Grace

Lions and M-Frames are able to dodge enemy attacks as a result of your shout.

They will have tripled combat ability.

Granted by the 21st Lord as thanks for saving her kind.

The gates opened where Fracture and Crow headed forward drawing out laser katanas to the many M-Frames that blocked their path, slashing through everything. The M-Frames fought to the end, where Joshua could hear their screams of pain from the damage that is being inflicted upon them.

Fracture was controlling itself to not kill the other M-Frames.

"Why? Why didn't you kill us!?"

"I... I do not know." Fracture said.

"Fracture. These are your people. It's fine if you don't want to kill them."

"Thank you, my Lion... I'm sorry if my hesitation brought you burden."

"No. You've taught me that you can fight without killing them, but I've lost that touch. Anything that threatens those around me is meant to die but as we are now. It is your body and I am merely just a figure inside of it. Perhaps..." Joshua hit the ejection port, where his pilot seat dropped down to the ground.

"Lion?"

"From here on out, this is the path that both of you must take. I'll just be walking on my feet. Whatever you both decide. You have my support." Joshua's words earned a beep from Fracture's sensory systems.

"I understand... Dove is ahead of us. Let's go." Joshua and Fractured follow Crow from behind as the doors opened. Where they saw Dove in his former glory, wielding a laser saber in hand. He was waiting for them.

"So what now, brother? Are you going to kill me?"

"No. It's to inform you of that the World Council has finally gave in. They're telling us that the entire betrayal was because of our Lord's Power." Crow answered his twin's question, where Dove let out a sigh.

"I was prepared for a duel to the death. I will tell my machines to hold. We've called a ceasefire. Since you came here... Despite your weapons in hand to talk. Then I'll hear it." Dove said as he put the blade aside. Containers were pushed for them to sit.

"So the World Council is going to be honest? What else?"

"Pride Rock will be its own nation and the Lord of Thorns will be heading to the World Council tomorrow. To discuss the final touches of the situation. Dove, we may not agree on things eye to eye."

"I know... I know.. Fracture sent the data to me. Told me that there are other worlds and the Lord of Thorns wants to recruit us for them. I get it. Though seeing how strong the Lions have become. I suppose our Lion's words were for naught. She always believed that Lions had been shackled for far too long by the governments and now we're getting it. I'll end this war. It's getting tiring anyway.I've got what I wanted... Justice for her, I thought humans couldn't reason but I guess being an enemy that mankind wishes destroyed must have done something." Dove said with as he sighed with his ventilation systems active. Blowing the hot air produced by the ports of his neck.

"So Fracture... You're the one that the Lord uses... You're quite young but you saw my fight with Crow. What's your take on that?"

"50% chance for both parties to win. If according to the data that was left, I also configured it against all the known Lions and also myself. You both are too equal. Even if you had your Lion piloting you both together. It would lead to a draw." Fracture's answer had the two older machines laughing at the result.

"Lord of Thorns. I will end this war because you made justice prevail. Allow for Crow and myself to bear witness to the judgement. We would like to be witnesses to such an event." Joshua nodded to Dove's request.

"Lana? Did you get all that?"

"Yep. All enemy M-Frames have disarmed themselves. The AI MARS units have begun to disarm and they are making their way to the fortress. They left us messages via the frequency stating that they want to be with their fathers."

"Cascade?" Fracture called.

"We're fine. They stopped firing, they're like super young AIs. So they can't speak but we managed to just speak to them in our usual code language. Good thing too, my whole right arm's gone. Moon Slayer's head piece was blown up. Prophecy took a blow to the right chest but Mistral's fine." Cascade reported in.

"The World Council's Trial is tomorrow at 9:00AM. All Lions are called to observe. Your M-Frames will be on board specialized platforms as you hear the entire thing. No need for suits. Just show up. This is because it's a reminder to the World Council that the Lions are watching as well." Lana informed them.