The Return, Some Heated Payback And The Gang's All Here

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Zeke's POV

When I opened my eyes, {Light}, wasn't {Light}. Instead of a bodysuit look, it had stripped the helmet, most of the leg armor and the stomach armor off and had grown wings. Instead of the small, blocky, ugly wings usually found on most IS, these were large, thin, streamlined wings. They were similar to the {Silvario's Second Shift's} wings, but solid. Instead of black or green, the colors that greeted me were fire orange and dark blue. Both similar to Charlotte's {Revive} and Ichika's {Byakushiki}.

"Keiko." I mumbled, looking around before catching sight of a white glint and I made my way towards it. I found Gospel's distinctive white angel form. And safely inside, my daughter. Keiko. I grabbed her in my arms and gained some altitude before catching sight of the gang and, "Char." I whispered, noticing Rin and Laura talking in the group. Char was on the ground, apparently distraught.

"Never let the enemy see you at your weakest." The words passed through my head.

"Stand up, Charlotte." I called, starting to return to the ground. She almost looked at me, but shook her head. I frowned.

"Stand up, Charlotte." I called again. She shook her head again. Already in denial. I thought as I landed and started walking towards the gang.

"Stand up, Charlotte. Don't bow to these glorified cowards. You're better than that." I called, subconsciously gesturing to our attackers. Laura placed herself between Char and I, lowering her {Railgun} at me.

"Who are you? What is your purpose?" She called. I saw Rin spin her scimitar's. Houki and Ichika didn't seem sure what to do. I stopped when Laura's questions reached me.

"Who am I? I'm not sure anymore. My purpose, that's a good question. I'll have to talk to Tabane later about that." I replied, starting towards the gang again. As I stepped out of the dust and dirt cloud, I answered.

"All I know is, I'm seriously pissed off." I grinned, walking past Laura and kneeling before Charlotte. I set Keiko between us and went to set a hand on her shoulder, but stopped myself before I did and I stood again and looked up at the still Task members above us.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for some payback. Who's with me?" I asked, spreading my wings to their full size and summoning two weapons to my hands.

 "How? How did you survive that?" The leader stuttered. I shrugged.

"Not as hard as it looks. Especially considering I'd just activated {First Shift} as your attacks landed. It saved me from the damage and allowed me to boost my synchronization with my IS. Everyone, I'd like you to meet {Phoenix}." I said, flaring my new wings before thrusting them downwards and taking to the air.

"After him! Don't let him escape!" The leader yelled, motioning to a group of her soldiers. The squad leader nodded before they took off. I rushed straight up, stopping just under the cloud cover. "Everyone else, Finish off the others!"

I looked down and watched the squad of Task members climbed to meet me. I aslo watched the rest of the units rush my friends who had formed a protective circle around Charlotte and Keiko. I flicked my wrist and summoned a revolver style pistol. I reached behind me and grabbed a sword from my back, swinging it in front of me before  pointing my revovler downwards.

"Anyone that wants to back down now can disappear now. This is a one-time offer." I said over an open channel. A few IS faltered in their climb, but none left.

"So be it." I answered, returning my revolver and taking the sword in both hands before rushing towards the squad headed my way with a battle cry.

Back on the ground...

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