BiggerNate91: Honor Guard - A Joe Moraliste Origin Story

Instead of doing what Nate Clone did and writing my entire story before publishing it, I'll be working on it gradually as we did with some of the other ones.

Chapter 1 - A Noble Fighter
Perpetual night.

The planet Skallion did not orbit around a star, so its skies were always shaded with the black of night, with the dark blue tint of the atmosphere. The stars were always out, and often you could see the streaks of the galaxy painting the sky. It was truly a sight to behold.

At the top of a large hill, a little girl with dark blue skin and white hair looked up at the stars. She loved the sight of the night sky, and it seemed she could never tear herself away from it. She found the bright lights of Skallion's cities to be distracting, so she often went to the hill so she could see all the stars at once.

She smiled, the little gap in her teeth showing. She hoped that someday, she could travel to the stars and see them for real.

"Glow!"

She turned to see her mother coming up the hill.

"I told you it was bedtime ten minutes ago!"

Glow pouted. "I wanna see the stars some more!"

Her mother picked her up. "You can see the stars tomorrow, they're always going to be there."

"I want to go there someday," Glow told her mother as they walked back.

"I know you do, Glow," her mother replied. "Maybe you will."

She then looked down at her pregnant body. "Maybe you and your brother will go together."

They walked in silence for a while. Then Glow looked back up at her mother. "Mommy?"

"Yes, Glow?"

"When is Daddy coming home?"

BiggerNate91 glared up at the beacon.

It was Zero Hour. BiggerNate's forces had the enemy on the line and were about to storm the moon base in front of them. The low gravity of Skallion's moon would weaken the enemy's defense, but it would also slow their assault. But it was now or never.

BiggerNate, or "Big" as he was known by his fellow Honor Guard, turned to his army. "We only have one shot at this. We have an opening, and we're going to take it. We're going to stop that beacon once and for all!"

He loaded his arm cannon that rested on his right arm. "FOR SKALLION!"

"FOR SKALLION!!!" The Honor Guard echoed loudly as they charged forward.

Immediately, the enemy battalion in front of them opened fire. The Honor Guard blocked the incoming shots by activating their force fields.

Heavy cannons began firing upon the Honor Guard, but they just kept on charging, intent on taking down the beacon that would mobilize all of the war drones that threatened to decimate the surface of Skallion.

Big leaped ahead of his fellow Honor Guard and opened fire. His arm cannon made a "PEW-PEW-PEW-PEW-PEW" sound as laser blasts tore through the enemy soldiers.

"Big, we've got Rippers inbound!" Big's friend, Mindvolt, shouted at him.

Big looked up to see the fighter squadron - dubbed "Rippers" by the Honor Guard - descending on the battlefield.

Big grimaced. "Keep giving them everything you've got. I'll take out the Rippers."

He activated his space helmet and flew away from the moon's surface toward the three-pronged fighter crafts approaching.

"Bring it on, mooks..."

A Ripper zoomed past him, which he promptly exploded with a direct hit to the engine. Another Ripper dove into a barrel roll straight toward him, but Big tore through the side of it with his wrist blades. It careened into the side of the moon base.

Two Rippers launched their proton torpedoes at the same time, which headed straight for the blue-skinned Captain of the Honor Guard. He simply caught them in a zero-point energy field and threw them back to the fighter crafts that fired them. He turned his back and flew away as the Rippers exploded in a ball of flame behind him.

He looked down at the battlefield. Both armies had already been reduced to smaller numbers. Big tried not to think about his fallen Honor Guard friends and instead rocketed toward the base.

As hard as he could, Big smashed through the walls of the base and faced the security drones waiting for him. He quickly tore through them with his blades and continued on. He heard the Honor Guard behind him cheering for him.

Big stormed through the corridors of the base, making his way to the top of the beacon, determined to put a stop to it.

He wasn't going to let his nemesis destroy his people.

Especially not his little Glow.

Big blasted through the doors of the beacon's control room.

"DORIAN!!!" He shouted.

But it wasn't Dorian Domanex that was waiting for him...

"What the- Morgan?!"

The smooth face of Morgan Lancer, Dorian's second-in-command, turned around to face Big.

"Welcome, BiggerNate," Morgan sneered. "You really do not disappoint, do you."

"Where's Dorian?" Big asked, drawing his blades.

"He's not here," Morgan responded. "He's with someone else that's going to give Skallion a world of trouble."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Big growled.

"A pity you'll never know," Morgan grinned, as he lunged toward Big with a beam sword.

The two faced off, Big parrying Morgan's beam sword with his wrist blades. They slashed at each other repeatedly, tearing through the control room around them.

Big prepared to take a shot at Morgan, but before he could, Morgan kicked him in the chest and he stumbled backward. Morgan took out a restraint and threw it at him, pinning him to the wall.

"I'd finish you off right now," Morgan gloated. "But I figured it would be a lot better if you were alive to see this."

"He then pulled a lever on the main console. Big's eyes widened as the beacon began to glow brighter.

"It's over, BiggerNate," Morgan laughed.

Just then, a Ripper came out of nowhere and plowed right into the beacon. It exploded in a fiery ball of flame, sending Big and Morgan tumbling through the air.

Big landed on the top of the moon base, the impact knocking him out despite the low gravity.

Morgan, meanwhile, plummeted into the inferno surrounding what was left of the beacon.

When Big came to, he was on the ground a distance from the base. The Honor Guard was standing behind him.

They had their eyes closed and their heads down, a solemn look on their faces.

Big didn't know what was going on until he scanned the faces of what was left of his squad.

He didn't see Mindvolt.

Big turned around, horrified, as he realized who the suicide pilot of the Ripper was.

Chapter 2 - Homecoming
The shuttle rocketed toward planet Skallion.

The remaining soldiers of the Honor Guard sat in silence, all of them exhausted from the skirmish on the moon.

Big stared out his window. He was still trying to comprehend the fact that his friend was gone. Memories of his childhood with Mindvolt flashed through his mind, the two of them drawing graphic novels, discussing movies, playing video games...

He snapped out of it as his wrist communicator beeped. The shuttle had come into range of communication with Skallion. He glanced to see who was calling. It was his wife, Celeste.

Big sighed, and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Hi, Daddy!"

Big's face lit up to hear his daughter Glow's voice on the other end. "Hey, Glow! I thought it was going to be Mommy!"

Glow giggled. "Did you win, Daddy?"

"Yes, I did, Glow!" Big said, happy that he could talk to his daughter again.

"Are you coming home?"

"In a few days," Big said. "Tell Mommy that I'll see you and her then, okay?"

"Okay, I will!" Glow replied. "Bye-bye!"

The communicator went silent. Big looked out the window of the shuttle again, this time with a happy smile on his face.

A large crowd of Skallee citizens eagerly waited outside of the Skallion air base, ready to greet the Honor Guard of their return. Among them were Celeste and Glow.

Glow looked up to the night sky to see the shuttle break through the cloud layer. "Look, Mommy! There's Daddy!"

Hearing Glow, the crowd cheered upon seeing the shuttle, thrilled to see their Honor Guard returning.

The shuttle touched down on the landing pad, and the Honor Guard soldiers came out to see the crowd. One by one, every soldier reunited with their friends and family.

Big was the last to emerge. As his squadmates went to their loved ones, he made his way to his wife and daughter. They embraced happily.

"I was so worried..." Celeste said as she hugged her husband tight.

"I know," Big told her. "It was a close one this time..."

He then lifted Glow up in the air. "Hey there, Glowworm!"

Glow giggled as her father spun her around. "Wheeee!"

Big smiled as he set her down. "I just need to talk with Mommy for a bit, why don't you go see your friends?"

"Okay!" Glow said, and went to find her friends, who were in the crowd with their parents.

Celeste turned to Big. "Everything did go okay, right?"

Big paused, the sad look returning to his face.

"Big?" Celeste said, concerned.

Big looked back up. "I lost Mindvolt..."

"Oh..." Celeste said as she and Big embraced again. "I'm so sorry..."

"He..." Big started. "He sacrificed himself... we may not have won if he did what he did."

"Well, at least he went out fighting," Celeste said.

"I know... I just always feel like everyone's putting their life before mine," Big told her. "I've lost a lot of squadmates, you know."

"You're the Captain of the Honor Guard," Celeste said. "You're more important than them."

"That's not true!" Big replied. "Everyone is important in our line of work!"

Celeste put a hand on Big's cheek. "You know what I meant."

Big sighed, and put his hand on Celeste's shoulder. "Yeah, yeah..."

He then looked down at his wife's pregnant body. "Have you been all right?"

"Of course," Celeste responded. "I can feel the baby tapping all the time."

"How has Glow been?" Big asked.

Celeste smiled. "Oh, her usual chipper self. She's been waiting for you to get back all this time."

"I bet she has," Big sighed. "It's not easy having a Daddy who has to go away all the time."

He looked up to the stars. "Someday, though, I will take her to the stars. Just like she always wants."

"You're so sweet," Celeste told him.

Just then, one of Big's squadmates approached the couple.

"Captain, your presence has been requested at the Grand Castle."

Big turned to face him. "What's going on?"

"His Majesty wishes to speak with you."

Big pulled away from Celeste. "I will take flight at once. Thank you, Lieutenant."

He turned back to Celeste. "I love you, tell Glow I'll be back soon!"

Celeste waved as Big left.

Big hopped into his custom-built spaceship, the Harmony, and flew away from the airfield. Big looked out the cockpit window down at the crowd below. He then turned his attention to the Grand Castle, which his ship was approaching.

The Harmony hovered above the top of the castle, where the throne room was located. Big hopped out of the ship and landed on the balcony overlooking the capital city.

The two Honor Guard soldiers that waited at either side of the balcony saluted their captain as he walked past.

Slowly, Big approached the throne that was at the end of the corridor. He looked up at the figure that sat in it.

King Martrix looked down at Big. "Captain."

"Your Majesty," Big said, kneeling.

Martrix turned to the Honor Guard soldiers in the room. "You are dismissed."

The soldiers nodded, and left the throne room.

Martrix turned back to Big. "You may rise, Captain."

Big got back up. "You said you wanted to speak with me?"

"Indeed I do, BiggerNate," Martrix responded, getting up from his throne. "There is much we need to discuss."

He approached Big and took him by the shoulder. "Take a walk with me, will you?"

Big nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Martrix smiled. "No need to be so formal, Big. It's just the two of us now."

Big smiled. "As you wish."

Chapter 3 - Utmost Importance
King Martrix led Big to the castle's relic room. "Big, there's been a lot of new developments coming from the enemy these days. Have you noticed?"

Big nodded. "Yes, there has been a lot coming from them. Attacks have become a lot more drastic and a lot more coordinated."

Martrix continued. "And do you think there's anything behind that?"

Big hesitated. "You know, there may very well be."

When Martrix didn't say anything, Big went on.

"Dorian Domanex... I haven't fought him in a long time now. Every battle I've been in these past few months, he hasn't shown up."

"Strange," Martrix said. "He was aways chomping at the bit to fight you."

Big nodded. "Ever since I beat him when I was just a rookie, he's become a nemesis of a sort. Sometimes I feel like his attacks aren't just because he wants to take over Skallion... it's because he wants to beat me as well.

"But now he's never there to fight me," Big continued. "It's always been a lackey, or some other subordinate waiting for me instead of him... on the moon, it was Morgan Lancer. I never see the big man himself anymore."

"Do you have any idea where he might be?" Martrix asked.

Big thought about the question, and then replied, "Morgan said he was 'with someone else.' I don't know who he was talking about, but it didn't sound like this 'someone else' was friendly..."

Martrix then looked Big right in the eyes. "Big, if Dorian Domanex is teaming up with another villain, who know what could happen. I need you to make sure that you figure out what is happening with your nemesis."

"Of course," Big replied. "It is my duty to protect Skallion with my life. I will ensure that Dorian Domanex does not succeed."

Martrix smiled. "You're a noble being, BiggerNate."

He then put a hand on Big's shoulder. "Now come with me. There's something I need to show you."

The duo walked toward the far end of the relic room. A massive vault was inserted into the wall. Martrix and Big approached the access panel on the side of it.

"Inside this vault is one of the most powerful relics that we have ever unearthed," Martrix said to Big. "We believe it is older than Skallion itself. We keep it here to make sure that no evil ever gets its power."

Martrix raised his hand to the access panel. Big's eyes widened as he saw the Skallion Royal Ring around his finger, lighting up as it made contact with the panel. The giant vault door then slowly opened, and Big saw what was inside.

It was a cube. A small, blue, glowing cube sitting on a pedestal in the centre of the vault. It crackled with energy.

"Is that- is that what I think it is?" Big asked.

"Yes, it is, Big," Martrix confirmed. "The Hotbar."

He walked up to it and slowly lifted it from the pedestal. It crackled with blue energy in his hands. His eyes glowed the same blue of the relic.

"Big, this relic has the most power anyone on Skallion has ever seen. Only a select few have witnessed its incredible power, and even fewer are able to wield it. I am one of those few powerful enough to hold it, and know what it is truly capable of. Until now."

Martrix tightened his hold on the cube, and a small amount of its power transferred to Big. He could feel the cosmic energy within it flowing through him. He knew its power and what it could do. It was nearly overwhelming.

Martrix retracted the energy back into the Hotbar and slowly put it back on its pedestal. Big breathed heavily as the energy left him.

"We need to make sure that it stays safe here," Big told Martrix. "Anyone with that much power could have the ability to destroy us all."

"Which is why we keep it here, out of harm's way," Martrix replied, sealing the vault. "Rest assured, Big, the forces of evil will not gain its power. We are the only ones that know of its existence. Not even Dorian has knowledge of it."

"Let’s hope you're right," Big said. "Why did you share its power with me anyway?"

Martrix looked at Big seriously. "Because you are the absolute best of the Honor Guard, Big. I needed you to know what power it held, because if it ever came to pass that it fell into the wrong hands, we will need everything in your power to get it back."

Big saluted. "You have my word, Your Majesty."

Martrix smiled. "Good. You can go back to your family now. I won't keep you waiting."

"Thank you, sir," Big replied as he headed out of the relic room.

Big flew over the sprawling city, thinking of everything that just happened. The moon battle, the talk with King Martrix, the loss of Mindvolt...

Big gritted his teeth and clamped his eyes shut. He hated loss. He couldn't bear the thought of his friends and family being taken from him. Ever since that fateful day all those years ago, when his sister Elly was killed in one of Dorian's assaults, Big had taken it upon himself to make sure that nothing ever happened to his loved ones. For years he trained hard and made himself the greatest and most powerful soldier in the Honor Guard, all to give himself the ability to protect those of which he loved.

But whenever he did lose someone, he took it as a personal failure. He blamed himself and his own weakness. And it just drove him to become even more powerful. With Mindvolt gone, the only ones truly close to Big were Celeste and Glow.

Big swore to himself that as long as he lived and breathed, nothing would ever happen to his family. Ever.

Big returned the Harmony to the air base and flew to his family's homestead on his rocket boots. It was a very small house, specifically built a good distance away from the city. Big and his family had moved here after losing their old home in the city to an attack from Dorian. He had placed a tracker on Big during a battle so he could attack him in his home.

As Big approached the house, he could see Glow playing in the front yard, and Celeste sitting on the porch keeping an eye on her. He touched down in the yard, to his daughter's delight.

"Daddy!" Glow shouted as she ran up to her father.

Big scooped her up in his arms. "Heya, kiddo."

Celeste walked up to them. "That didn’t take too long. What did the king want?"

"Let me tell you inside," Big responded, putting Glow down. "Why don't you find some fun stars to look at, Glow?"

"Okay!" Glow cheered, as she ran of to her stargazing hill.

Big and Celeste smiled at their daughter as they went inside.

"So what happened with the king?" Celeste asked again.

Big hesitated before answering. "He showed me the Hotbar."

Celeste swiveled to look at Big. "He showed you the what? You don't mean..."

"The most powerful artifact on Skallion locked away in a vault so that Dorian or any other villains don't claim it? Yep, that's the one."

Celeste's expression was a mix of amazement and nervousness. "Why would he show you that?"

"Because he wants me to be the one to retrieve it and keep it safe should it be in danger of falling into the wrong hands," Big answered.

Big could see the fear in Celeste's eyes. "Don't worry. I can handle myself, remember? Martrix came to me because he knows I'm the best. I have the most power and skill out of the entire Honor Guard."

"I know," Celeste replied. "But the thing is... you've been more focused on us."

Big raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"Big," Celeste pleaded. "Forgive me when I say this, but... you need to stop prioritizing us above all else."

Big’s face contorted. "Why would you say that? Don't you care about your own safety? Don't you care about Glow?!"

"Of course I do!" Celeste said. "But you need to stop being so overprotective of us! We will be fine!"

"You don't know that!" Big shouted. "In case you've forgotten, I'M the one Dorian is always targeting! He's out to destroy everything special to me, especially the two of you! He will stop at nothing to take you away from me!"

"Big, listen to me-"

"No, YOU listen to ME!" Big snapped. "You and Glow are the only ones that I have left! Elly is dead, Mindvolt is dead, and virtually everything I've had since the war started has been destroyed! I can't lose anymore!"

He clutched Celeste's sides and drew her in close. "I have taken it upon myself to do everything in my power to protect what matters to me the most. And that's you."

Celeste backed out of Big's grip. "Big, the Honor Guard needs you. Skallion needs you."

"And they still have me," Big replied. "I will win this war, so that everyone can have peace."

He looked out the window to see Glow at the top of her hill again. "And the three of us can live happily at last."

Celeste sighed. "I guess I can't blame you for caring about your family."

"I know what I'm doing," Big told her again. "I promise."

There was a brief silence before Celeste responded. "I hope you're right."

Chapter 4 - Evil Rising
In another dimension entirely, a fleet of spaceships hovered over a massive, evil-looking castle. At the gates of the castle, a red flash burst into existence, and when it dissipated, a figure wearing a black and red jumpsuit and a helmet with a visor concealing his eyes was standing in front of the castle.

Dorian Domanex smiled sinisterly as he strode through the gates as they opened.

A hover skiff was waiting on the other side of the gates. Dorian boarded it, and it immediately transported him to the main chambers. Many members of his own legion were already there.

Slowly, a giant red hologram flickered into view in front of him. Dorian knew this person all too well: It was Alex Carey, the single remaining founder of the Pollers.

"Dorian Domanex," Alex spoke.

"Alex Carey," Dorian replied.

"I assume you have delivered Plasma to his destination?"

"Yes, I have," Dorian confirmed. "It is up to him to complete his job."

"Excellent. You are well aware of what you have to do?"

"Of course," Dorian grinned. "Attack Skallion with the support of your Poller army."

"Because...?"

Dorian sighed. "Because of the potential threat to the Poller cause."

"Do not forget your end of the bargain, Domanex," Alex said. "We give you the added support of our legion, you aid us in destroying the opposition. It just so happens that your target is the planet you've been attacking for years."

"I am aware, Alex," Dorian replied. "That just makes it better for me."

"Do not let us down, Dorian," Alex commanded. "You are free to do what you desire on Skallion, but you must keep your word to the Pollers."

"I get it, I get it!" Dorian said. "You’re just commanding me to do what I was already going to do."

"Then hop to it, Domanex," Alex spoke. "There is no time to waste."

Dorian teleported out of the main chamber.

Dorian's fleet had been loaded with his extensive legion and millions of Pollers. From his flagship, he watched his squadron with evil joy.

"If only you could see me now, BiggerNate. How far we’ve come from our little duels."

His fingers danced across his computer. "In time, you will see just who is the superior warmonger out of the two of us."

In front of him, a video screen came up. One of his legionnaires hiding out on Skallion appeared.

"Sir! You're back!” the legionnaire exclaimed.

“Indeed I am," Dorian said. "What was the outcome of the moon attack?"

The legionnaire began sweating. "Um... the moon base and the beacon ended up getting suicide-bombed by a hijacked starfighter before it could mobilize the war drones. Morgan Lancer was killed in the explosion."

Dorian said nothing.

"And yet you're not throwing a tantrum... sir," the legionnaire noticed.

"We don't need the war drones," Dorian responded. "No amount of drones will even come close to the terror and fury I'm about to unleash."

"Sir?" the legionnaire nervously asked.

"Tell your cell and every other one that I left behind with you to prepare for my arrival. You will need to avoid detection and make your way to my fleet once it’s here. Do not attack until I give the command to. There is still one more thing that needs to be done before my army and the Pollers ravage the planet."

"The Pollers?!" the legionnaire asked in disbelief. "You actually did it..."

"Yep," Dorian confirmed, clearly proud of himself.

"But what else could we possibly need if we have both our legion AND the Poller army?"

Dorian grinned evilly.

"Only the most powerful artifact ever known to Skallion."

Dorian then ended the call and his fleet jumped to hyperspace.

Dorian chuckled to himself as he thought of the destruction about to be caused, when suddenly, a Poller minion rushed into the bridge.

"Master Dorian, we just received word that the Plasma Warrior and Soldier Temmie have escaped Earth D791 in a Poller Ship."

Dorian’s expression darkened. "Figures. And Plasma?"

"Defeated. Fused with the sword. Wright also got his stone."

Dorian shrugged him off. "That will be dealt with later. Like overdue work in school."

The squadron came out of hyperspace just above Skallion. Dorian rubbed his gloved hands together.

"And it's time for recess to begin."

Big walked out of the house, making his way to the hill where Glow was. He reached the top to see his daughter still eagerly staring up at the stars.

Glow heard her father behind her and smiled at him. "Hi Daddy!"

"Hey, Glowworm," Big said. "How are the stars today?"

"They're amazing!" Glow said. "I found a bunch of new ones today!"

"Really?" Big responded. "What did you find?"

Glow pointed up to the night sky. "There's a new one right there!"

Big squinted. "Which one? I can't see exactly where you're pointing."

Glow pointed again. "There! Right next to the really bright one I found yesterday!"

"Oh yeah, I see it now!" Big said. "Wow, that's a nice big one, isn't it?"

"Yeah!" Glow agreed.

"What are you gonna call it?" Big asked her.

Glow thought for a second, and then replied, "I'm gonna call it... Shimmerite."

Big raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty unique name."

Glow giggled. "I like naming things. It's fun."

Big smiled. "I agree with you on that. Hey, I have an idea. You should think up a name for your brother when he comes."

"Okay!" Glow agreed. "I'll think about that!"

She then sat down and stared up at the endless void of space once more. "I really wanna go up there."

Big sat down beside her and put an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry. Once all of this is over, I promise you... I will take you to see the stars. Just how you always wanted to."

"Thank you, Daddy," Glow said.

Big brought her in close. "You're welcome."

The two sat in silence looking at the stars for a minute before Glow spoke up again. "Daddy?"

"Yes, Glow?" Big responded, turning to look at her.

"When is all your fighting gonna be done?"

Big hesitated before answering. "I really don't know, Glow. I've been trying my hardest to fight the bad man and stop him from taking over. I hope that I can finish the fighting really soon."

He pulled Glow in for a hug. "But don't worry. I promise I am never going to let anything happen to you. Ever."

Glow hugged her Daddy tightly. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Glow," Big responded, holding back his tears.

The Grand Castle was quiet, save for a few Honor Guard soldiers quietly murmuring to themselves. King Martrix sat on his throne, silently contemplating the security of his nation and subjects. It was at that moment when Nally, Martrix's royal advisor, entered the throne room.

"Majesty," Nally spoke, "We have a group of travellers that wishes to see you."

Martrix raised an eyebrow. "Travellers?"

Nally nodded. "They say they come from far away and wish to establish a network with their homeworld and ours."

Martrix frowned, but then stood up from his throne. "Very well. I shall see what they desire. Bring them in."

Nally smiled nervously. "Sorry, Your Majesty, but they have requested for you to meet them outside the castle. They feel they do not want to intrude on royal structures before the negotiations are made."

Martrix sighed. "So be it."

He walked down from his throne toward the exit. "Stay on your guard," he told the surrounding Honor Guard soldiers, who saluted in return. Nally followed him out the exit.

The Honor Guard soldiers stayed where they were, keeping their eyes open and their pikes at the ready. But one in particular glanced around the room, making sure the other soldiers didn’t suspect anything.

He whispered into an invisible earpiece. "The king is out. Are the 'travellers' in position?"

High above the planet, in Dorian's mothership, the Poller known as Lollx spoke through the communications system. "Yes, sir. My comrades are in position and ready."

"Wonderful," the soldier responded. "Hackers, what is your status?"

In another part of the ship, a group of Pollers were working on breaking the security measures in the castle. One of them spoke into their own earpiece. "We're just about through. This castle has some spectacular security, but it's no match for us Pollers."

"Keep it up," the soldier told them. "Ultimate power soon awaits."

Chapter 5 - Day of Reckoning
The city was packed with Skallee civilians, all going about their normal lives. The bright lights of the city illuminated the streets and pathways, showing everyone hustling and bustling. Among the crowds were Big and his family. Glow wanted to get a telescope so she could stargaze better, so Big and Celeste were taking her to pick one out.

Big called out to Glow as she skipped through the crowds. "Don't get too far ahead, Glow! Stay near us!"

Celeste put a hand on Big's shoulder. "Would you relax? You know she's not going to run off on us. Nothing's going to happen."

"I hope that's true," Big said. "I just can't shake the feeling that something bad is looming."

"You need to stop being so paranoid," Celeste told him. "I already told you, we are going to be fine."

Big didn't answer. He just kept his eyes trained on his daughter.

Please let her be right, Big thought to himself. ''Please let nothing happen... please let them remain safe...''

King Martrix and Nally walked out of the gates of the Grand Castle. Waiting for them on the bridge leading to the gates were three strange beings, flanked by two Honor Guard soldiers.

Martrix approached them. "Greetings, travellers."

The being in the middle stepped forward. "Greetings, your majesty-majesty-majesty. My name is Boosted and these are my associates, Heroicash and Yee. We are representatives of the planet... uh..."

"Just say anything," Yee whispered to Boosted without letting Martix or Nally hear.

"...Exegol," Boosted finished.

Martrix raised an eyebrow. "That is not a planet I think I have heard of."

Boosted stammered. "Um..."

"You wouldn't have," Yee intervened. "We are a relatively unknown world, only just recently making contact with the rest of the universe. We thought your planet of peaceful, noble beings would be a good place to start."

He whispered to Boosted again. "Next time, let me start off."

"Sorry," Boosted whispered back.

"Very well then," Martrix said. "It is always a pleasure to make contact with new worlds. Where shall we start?"

Unbeknownst to Martrix and Nally, Heroicash was whispering into her invisible earpiece. "We have engaged the king."

In Dorian's mothership, the hackers were finishing their job. "We've cracked the system. The security systems are going down now."

Back in the throne room, the mysterious Honor Guard soldier grinned evilly. "It is time."

"Time for what?" One of the other soldiers asked.

Before anything else could be said, the solider dropped a metal sphere on the ground. It suddenly exploded in a blue electrical burst. The Honor Guard soldiers dropped to their knees in agony as powerful electrical waves crackled through their armor.

The mysterious soldier then hurled his pike into the soldier across from him, bashed the heads of the two soldiers behind him, and pulled out a laser gun and finished off the remaining solider.

"All too easy," the soldier laughed as he hit a button on a remote.

The soldier began to flicker, his holographic disguise deactivating. In no time, the real person under the disguise was revealed.

Dorian Domanex walked behind the throne toward the relic room with an evil grin.

With the security systems and surveillance cameras disabled, Dorian strode through the chambers of the castle, taking out any Honor Guard soldiers and castle staff in his way. Soon enough, he made it to the relic room and was met with the vault on the other end.

With a snicker, he looked down at his hand to see the Skallion Royal Ring around his gloved finger. He had sneakily swiped it from King Martrix as he was leaving to meet with the "travellers." He savoured the moment as he lifted it up to the access panel.

The massive vault opened, revealing the Hotbar once again.

Dorian slapped on a pair of metal gloves and moved toward the blue cube. He couldn’t touch the Hotbar or use its powers without getting destroyed - or worse - so he had to protect himself.

Slowly but surely, he lifted the Hotbar from the pedestal. Its blue energy cracked and hissed, but it didn’t hurt Dorian.

Dorian's laughter began slipping out. "I have it... I HAVE IT! MUAHHAHAHAHA!!!!"

He tapped his teleporter and zapped back onto his ship.

"Rejoice, my legion!" He shouted to his forces. "Ultimate power is ours!"

Dorian's legion and the Poller army erupted in thunderous cheers.

"At long last," Dorian announced as he made his way to a pedestal in the center of the chamber. "Skallion will finally learn the true wrath of Dorian Domanex!"

He slammed the Hotbar onto the pedestal. The entire chamber lit up in a blue flash.

"LET'S MAKE THEM PAY!!!"

Big and his family left the store carrying a brand-new telescope for Glow.

Big admired the artwork on the side of the box. "I like what you chose, Glow. This is one nice telescope."

"Thanks, Daddy!" Glow replied.

"See? I told you nothing bad would happen," Celeste said to Big. "We are safe and sound."

"Normally, I would say don't speak too soon... but yeah, you're right."

Big looked around. "I thought for sure there was something weird going on-"

Big's sentence was suddenly cut off as Celeste let out a yelp.

"What? What's happening? What's happening?!" Big worriedly asked.

Celeste clutched her swollen body. "It's time... the baby's coming..."

Glow turned around and ran back to her parents. "Mommy? Are you okay?"

"She's alright, Glow," Big told her. "She's about to have your baby brother."

He picked up his wife and grabbed his daughter's hand, firing up his rocket boots. "We're taking the express route to the hospital. Hang tight."

Suddenly, a massive boom was heard across the entire city.

The citizens looked up in horror to see the massive warship of Dorian Domanex looming in the sky above the city.

"Oh, balls..." Big groaned.

King Martrix looked up at the mothership that just appeared.

"What is this?!" he roared.

Boosted giggled. "Sorry kingy, but it looks like you just got PLAYED PLAYED PLAYED!"

"Take him down," Heroicash commanded as she, Boosted and Yee summoned their weapons from the ship.

Nally fled from the scene as the Alt. Order engaged Martrix, who drew a sword, arm cannon and holoshield.

As Martrix battled the ones that deceived him, he saw millions of Dorian's forces pouring out of the mothership onto the wastelands next to the city. He spoke into a communicator.

"All Honor Guard soldiers, destroy the invaders! Do not let them take this city! Drive them out at ALL COSTS!"

Across the entire city, every soldier in the Honor Guard leapt into action. The armoured protectors took to the skies with their rocket jets, as well as hopping in their tanks, jets and spacecrafts. The army met the invading legion as they tromped across the wastelands toward the city. They immediately erupted into battle.

However, only one Honor Guard soldier did not join the fray. That soldier was Big, who was stuck in the middle of the screaming crowd trying to get his family to safety.

"Hold on, you guys! We're almost there!" He shouted as he weaved through the panicked citizens.

Just then, some of Dorian's forces dropped down and opened fire on the citizens.

Big set his family down and hopped into action. He deflected the shots of a group of legionnaires back at their faces, and then used his wrist blades to destroy the weapons of the rest. He took them down with ease.

Little did Big know that Dorian was watching the whole thing from afar, as he climbed into his own personal fighter.

"This is going to feel good."

As Big finished off the last invader, he turned back to his family. "We need to keep going!"

"Big, you need to get with the rest of the army!" Celeste said, before she groaned from another contraction.

"I am NOT leaving you here!" Big shouted. "You need to get to safety, and that is what I am going to do!"

He clutched Glow's hand. "Stay close!"

"Daddy, I'm scared..." Glow whimpered.

"Just stay with me, Glow," Big told her, pulling her in more. "You're going to be alright."

Then, as if on cue, Big's wrist communicator beeped. Big looked up just in time to see a massive laser barreling down on their location.

"LOOK OUT!" Big screamed as he activated his force field.

The laser collided with the shield, knocking Big and his family off their feet and sending a cloud of dust everywhere.

Big got up and saw his family on the ground. He ran to them and pulled them to their feet.

"Get up, get up, get up, GET UP!" Big said in a panic.

Then, to Big and Celeste's horror, a red aura surrounded Glow. She shrieked as he levitated in the air and was pulled backward.

Big and Celeste turned around and were met with Dorian Domanex's smirking face. His arm was wrapped around Glow, holding her in place.

Big flew into a rage. "PUT MY DAUGHTER DOWN!!!" He screamed as he charged at his nemesis.

Dorian unleashed an energy shockwave, knocking Big back. He then grabbed his ship as it began taking off on its own.

"It's over, BiggerNate!" Dorian laughed as he rose above the city. "You want your precious kid? Come and GET her!"

Glow's terrified shriek could be heard across the entire city as Dorian flew off with her.

Still enraged, Big fired up his rocket boots again. "Not on my LIFE! Dorian, you will PAY for-"

He was cut off once again as he heard Celeste groan behind him.

Big looked between his wife in labour and his kidnapped daughter. He didn't know what to do.

He stared up at the spacecraft carrying Glow to the mothership. His eyes shut tight and his teeth gritted.

"You WILL pay for this..."

Big then scooped up his wife and took off.

As he flew across the chaotic scene, he heard his wrist communicator beep again. King Martrix was calling him.

"BiggerNate, what are you doing?! I gave you an order to get to the battlefield immediately!"

"Your Majesty, my wife just went into labour!" Big shouted back.

There was a pause on the other line, and then Martrix responded. "Take her to the war bunker in the Grand Castle. That is where I will be."

"At once, Your Majesty."

Chapter 6 - The Battle of Skallion
The Hotbar glowed on its pedestal in the chamber in Dorian's warship. Three Poller scientists gathered around it, keeping a close eye on it and its effects. They felt its energies surging through them.

The pedestal was feeding the powers of the Hotbar to all the ships in Dorian's fleet, as well as everyone in Dorian's legion and the Poller army. Their abilities were boosted significantly, and their weapons were extremely powerful. The ships in the fleet were now operating at 110%.

The doors to the chamber opened. The scientists stood at attention as Dorian entered, with Glow suspended in an energy field trailing behind him.

"Update," Dorian commanded the scientists.

"The Hotbar has successfully linked with your device, Master Dorian. All of our forces are now empowered."

"Excellent," Dorian said. "What is the status of the energy cannons?"

"They have only been charged up to 20%, Master Dorian," the scientist responded. "We have reason to believe they are having some difficulty adapting to the Hotbar's cosmic power. It will be some time before they are ready to rain fire."

Dorian frowned. "Do everything you can to make those cannons charge faster. We will be needing them very soon."

"At once, Master Dorian," the scientist complied as she and her comrades exited the chamber.

Dorian peered out the massive viewport at the ensuing battle on the planet's surface.

"War," Dorian spoke. "Such a glorious sight."

Glow watched as he walked around the chamber. "Nothing pleases me more to see the forces of myself mow down the forces of another. To see an army and population completely toppled, all because I swooped in and showed them who is superior. The thing is, power is fleeting these days, and without power, victories are equally as hard to come by."

Dorian strode by the Hotbar and let its blue aura illuminate his smirking evil face. "But with this, I don't just have power... I AM power. And there is nothing that can possibly end this invasion."

"You won't win!" Glow shouted. "My daddy will stop you!"

Dorian laughed as he walked up to his captive. "I'm sure your daddy is in no shape to do anything of the such. I know how much losing his family can devastate him. And I know that seeing you kidnapped was too much to bear."

He walked back over to the big window. "And even if he does somehow manage to get a grip... it won't matter. He is no match for the ultimate power of this little cube."

Dorian then swivelled to look back at Glow. "And just between you and me, kid... I know he'll come for you. Exactly where I want him."

Glow trembled at the evil grin of her daddy's nemesis.

The explosive sounds of the war outside echoed throughout the underground war bunker beneath the Grand Castle. The security systems had kicked back on, putting up the holoshields around the castle, shutting out any hostile forces from destroying it. In the bunker, Celeste lay on a delivery table, attended to by Nally and various doctors, while Big and King Martrix looked on.

"Leave your wife to us, BiggerNate," Nally told Big. "You need to get out to the battlefield."

"She's right," Martrix agreed. "You have wasted enough time as it is."

"WASTED?!" Big yelled. "My wife went into labour SECONDS before this invasion started! I was not going to abandon her while she has my child on the way! Do NOT blame me for trying to get her to safety!"

"Regardless, you still have not joined the battle, and we need you to in order for us to win," Martrix snapped back. "Now you and I are going out to that battlefield right now."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but that's still going to have to wait," Big said as he began walking out of the room. "I have my daughter to save."

Before anyone else could react, Big was suddenly thrown and pinned against the wall.

Everyone stared at Martrix, who was clutching a zero-point energy gauntlet that was holding Big against the wall. The infuriated king approached Big slowly.

"You disobey one of my orders ONE MORE TIME and you can kiss your title of Captain goodbye," Martrix growled. "I am SICK AND TIRED of you putting your FAMILY above the GREATER GOOD!"

He released Big, who fell to his knees on the floor.

"You are the absolute best of the Honor Guard, Big. You are Captain for a reason. But every Honor Guard solider has to learn what it means to make a sacrifice."

Big's eyes narrowed in fury. "NO! NEVER!!!"

He stood up and screamed at the king while everyone looked on. "YOU DO NOT TELL ME TO MAKE A SACRIFICE! I HAVE SPENT YEARS MAKING MYSELF THE ABSOLUTE UTTER BEST SO I CAN KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE FOREVER! AND I AM NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE, ESPECIALLY YOU, KEEP ME FROM SAVING MY DAUGHTER!!!!!"

"BIG, STOP!"

Big looked over at the table. Celeste was looking at him with pleading eyes.

"No more."

Big's face fell. "What...?"

"Do not put our daughter's life above the lives of everyone. You are not in any position to argue with the king. You have your duty. You are going to go out, and you are going to fight for our planet. For our people."

Tears were streaming down Celeste's face. "If you want us to survive, you need to fight. And if you have the ability to save our daughter... it comes after."

Big clenched his fists. Everyone was telling him to let go. But he couldn't. He wouldn't. He swore that this would never happen, and it happened. He couldn't just run around on the battlefield while Glow was in trouble. He wasn't going to listen. He was going to go up to that ship, and he was going to... going to...

Big sighed. "Fine."

As he followed Martrix out of the room, he looked back at his wife. "I promise you... I am going to bring our daughter back."

The tears kept flowing from Celeste's eyes as she watched her husband leave to join the battle.

Dorian's legion and the Poller army had spread across the planet. More of the fleet had broken off and travelled to other Skallee nations. The entirety of the Honor Guard had risen up to defend their planet, every single soldier on the planet rushing to battle the invaders.

The wide patch of land next to the capital city had almost been completely razed, torn to bits by the explosive confrontation between the Honor Guard and Dorian's legion. Millions of fighters from both sides had fallen, but the evil army was slowly advancing on the Honor Guard, their abilities enhanced by the Hotbar.

Just then, multiple rockets blasted upon the battlefield. The two armies looked up to see that King Martrix and Big had arrived at the battlefield.

"Honor Guard, we will not rest until we have quelled this invasion!" Martrix shouted to his army, as a holographic set of armour formed around him. "We stop Domanex here and now!"

He raised his sword. "FOR SKALLION!"

"FOR SKALLION!" Big yelled beside him.

"FOR SKALLION!!!" the Honor Guard cheered as they erupted into battle once again.

Big loaded his arm cannon as Poller forces charged at him, brandishing their Hotbar-powered weapons.

"Bring it on, mooks!"

He quickly dove out of the way of a Poller's massive hammer. He leapt back at the Poller and tore through it with his wrist blades. Laser fire rained down on him, and he swung his blades back and forth, deflecting the lasers in all directions.

In the corner of his eye, he saw the barrel of a Poller tank pointed right at him. He crouched down and backflipped, as the tank fired a massive laser. He flipped over the laser, landed to the side of it, and threw a pulse grenade at the tank, shutting it down near immediately.

Big stretched before opening fire on more enemy forces. He smirked as he remembered just how much fighting on the battlefield makes him feel alive. Nothing could stop him, he was the best of the Honor-

Daddy, I'm scared...

Big winced. His arm cannon sputtered.

A laser-axe whizzed by his head, just barely missing him. He shook his head and tried to get back into the heat of the battle.

Proton torpedoes were starting to rain onto the battlefield. Big looked up to see Rippers billowing out of the mothership.

"Captain, what are we going to do about those Rippers?" An Honor Guard soldier asked.

"I'll take care of them, but I'm going to need backup," Big told him. "Load out the heavy blaster mounts, target their sides to expose their engines."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted, and ran off to his comrades to prepare the heavy blasters.

Big then fired up his rocket boots and took to the skies, ready to take down the enemy starcrafts.

The nearest Rippers immediately began to fire upon Big, but he activated his force field and flew straight toward his target. As the Ripper zoomed past him, he tore through its side with his wrist blade and finished it off with a blast from his arm cannon. It exploded in a fiery ball of flame

More Rippers descended on the battlefield. Big flew after them at top speed. He saw that various Honor Guard soldiers had set up the heavy blasters and were shooting upon the enemy starcrafts. Their shots tore off the sides of the Rippers, leaving the engines vulnerable to homing shots from Big's arm cannon.

Big felt a rush of adrenaline as he flew through the air shooting down the Rippers. He knew he was going to win. There was no way he could-

Daddy, help me!

"Urgh... no no no no..." Big groaned.

Suddenly, a Ripper swooped in behind him and fired a bolt of electricity.

Big yelped as the shot grazed his side. Electric shocks coursed through his armour. His rocket boots faltered, sending Big tumbling down to the ground.

Big kicked his feet together as he fell, trying to fire his rocket boots back up. But as he saw the ground getting closer, he activated his force field instead and braced for impact.

Fortunately, one of his comrades flew in and caught him before he hit the ground.

"Thank you, soldier," Big said as he got his armour back to full power.

"Just doing my duty, Captain," the soldier saluted as he rocketed away.

Big looked down at the ground. "Right... your duty..."

He turned back to the advancing enemy army, and ran back into the fray, his wrist blades at the ready. It was time to get back into-

Save me, Daddy...

Big tripped over a piece of debris and tumbled over. He hit the ground hard, and looked up to see a Poller general aiming his weapon at him.

"They told me you were the best," the Poller laughed. "I'm not really seeing that."

Big growled as he leapt to his feet. "Oh, I'll show you the best. COME HERE!"

He repeatedly slashed at the Poller with his blades. The Poller blocked each swing with an energy shield.

"I thought there was more to you than just slash and blast enraged!" The Poller taunted. "Where is the grace? The finesse?"

Big glowered before leaping to the side to avoid a swing from the Poller's weapon. He flipped over the Poller, knocked him over with a sweep kick, grabbed him and flung him in the air, and finished off the combo by flying in the air and rocketing into him straight into the ground.

"How's that for grace?" Big asked the Poller beneath him.

"Truly one of the best..." the Poller wheezed.

Big hopped off of the Poller and continued racing through the battlefield. Up ahead, he saw King Martrix fending off a group of swordsman Pollers. Putting his arm cannon on Sniper mode, he ducked behind a piece of wrecked starcraft and picked off the Pollers that Martrix was facing one by one.

Martrix looked over to see Big flying over to his location. "How goes it, Big?"

"This army is one of the strongest I have ever faced," Big said. "As long as the Hotbar continues to power them all up, they will overpower us in no time."

"We must give it our all!" Martrix said. "We will fight for our planet until the bitter end!"

Big and Martrix fought side by side as more and more Poller groups advanced on them. Their arm cannons shot in synch, tearing through countless enemy soldiers.

Big kept his eyes trained on the enemy. His grip on his arm cannon tightened as he unleashed round after round. He couldn't falter now. His planet depended on-

Daddy?

Big grimaced.

No, not again. He had to focus. He had to win. He had to-

Where are you, Daddy?

Please, no... not now, not-

I love you, Daddy.

Big cried out. He fell to his knees.

"Big, what's happening?" Martrix asked him.

All of a sudden, a Ripper swooped down and fired its proton torpedoes at Martrix and Big. Martrix quickly activated his force field right before they hit. The torpedoes exploded as they hit the shield.

"Big, get up! We are not done yet!" Martrix shouted at Big.

Big slowly rose up. "Maybe you aren't... but I am."

He turned to glare at his king. "I'm through with standing by and letting my family suffer. I'm not letting you or anyone else holding me back."

He turned to the mothership and fired up his rocket boots. "I need my daughter back now."

"BiggerNate, you are staying right here on this battlefield!" Martrix yelled. "That is an order from your king!"

"An order that I am no longer willing to follow," Big said.

"You fly up to that warship, you will no longer be Honor Guard!!" Martrix roared. "Understand?!"

Big opened a compartment in his armour and tore off his medal denoting him the rank of Captain. He threw it at Martrix's feet.

"Clearly and absolutely."

And with that, Big blasted off toward the mothership looming above, ignoring the enraged shouting of King Martrix below.

Chapter 7 - Sacrifice
"Energy cannons charged with Hotbar power up to 85% across all warships, Master Dorian."

"Keep at it. We are almost there..."

Big rocketed through the sky, swerving and rolling through the spacecrafts and projectiles all around him. The booms and crashes that could be heard were droned out by Big's determined thoughts.

''You're gonna be okay, Glow. I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I'm sorry I let him take you. I'm coming for you, and I'm bringing you home.''

A Ripper began pursuing Big, but he exploded it with a shot to the cockpit without even looking back. He was not letting anything get in his way.

Poller soldiers aboard the ship began opening fire on Big as he sped toward the open hangar doors. But their shots were not true. Big plowed into them as he entered the ship.

Thousands of Dorian's legionnaires, Poller soldiers, security drones, and defense systems were standing between him and Dorian. Between him and Glow.

Big's eyes narrowed to slits and his face became one of total steely determination.

"Get out of my way."

The enemy forces in the hangar charged, unleashing a battle cry.

Big loaded his arm cannon on one hand and formed a wrist blade on the other. He blasted and slashed his way through the army. He shot a hole through the chest of one, chopped the head off another. He stabbed his blade through the stomach of one and used him to topple over a large group. A thermal detonator thrown behind him eliminated the sneak attack behind him. Rippers docked in the hangar were torn off of their tethers by Big's zero-point energy field and crashed down on top of his foes.

As the army in the hangar dwindled, Big shot a hole through the entry port and destroyed the enemy surrounding it. As he ran through it, he blocked it with a piece of a destroyed Ripper.

He looked up to see the defense systems kicking in. Laser cannons and booby traps, as well as the security drones, were ready to prevent Big's progression.

Big activated his force field and ran through the corridors of the warship.

"Sir, an Honor Guard soldier has breached the ship!"

"Let him come."

Big weaved in and out of the deadly traps that threatened to end his warship-storming. He flipped over a pit of vibro-spikes, slid under a laser bar wall, and skidded to a stop just before he was mashed between two walls. He climbed over it and continued on.

The whole time, wall-mounted laser cannons, security drones, and more legionnaires and Poller soldiers were opening fire on Big. His force field was doing a good job at blocking the shots, but its energy was quickly running out.

As Big used his blades on the barrel of a grenade launcher trap, he fired several homing shots up in the air. The target-seeking energy orbs quickly found their targets and destroyed them.

Big looked behind him to see more security drones flying toward him. He ducked under another masher trap and grabbed an explosive from a fallen Poller on the ground near him. He threw it at the drone in front, which destroyed it. The resulting explosion from the first drone blew up the others.

Big kept charging forward, taking down anything in his way. He saw the main chamber in front of him, and his determined face became even more hardened.

I'm coming, Glow...

Big's rocket boots fired up and he blasted straight for the chamber. Everything in front of him was demolished as he flew at top speed.

There was a massive crash as Big billowed through the door of the chamber.

"DORIAN!!!" He shouted.

Dorian Domanex stepped away from the big window and turned to face Big.

"Well, well, well. Look who's here. I was wondering what was taking you so long."

He stood next to the still-incapacitated Glow and stroked her face. Glow winced.

"No doubt you are here for your little girl," Dorian smirked.

"I'm here to make you pay," Big growled. "But also... yes."

Dorian chuckled evilly. "You have no idea what you've gotten into, have you, BiggerNate? This is only the beginning of a much bigger war, one that both you and your pathetic little planet won't even get to see the end of."

"No matter what you do, I swear to you I am going to take you down," Big snapped. "You made things personal when you kidnapped Glow. And you are going to give her back, right now."

"Like I said before, you want her? Well, come and get her."

Dorian then called individual pieces of armour to him, assembling around him into a full suit. He loaded his laser pistol and twirled it around in his hand.

"Time to end this," Big said, his arm cannon glowing.

"Ladies first," Dorian taunted.

Big yelled in fury as he charged at his nemesis.

Dorian's armour crackled with Hotbar energy as Big slashed his wrist blades across it. Big aimed his arm cannon at Dorian's face next, but he ducked down under the shot, then tackled Big to the ground.

Big struggled under Dorian's hold, charging up his rocket boots as he was pushed into the ground.

"For years you have foiled my plans, but now is the day where I finally get my vengeance!" Dorian shouted in Big's face.

"You wish," Big shot back.

Big's rocket boots ignited, sending him flying across the floor of the chamber, with Dorian still clinging to him. He oriented himself upwards to send himself into the air, and then pummeled Dorian off of him.

Dorian pulled out a device and squeezed it. Various machinery and architecture were pulled off the walls of the chambers, surrounded by a blue aura, just like the one Glow was trapped in.

Dorian roared as he made a throwing motion, sending the massive debris toward Big.

Big flew nimbly in and out of the falling objects hurling toward him. Dorian continued to direct the objects in the air to crush Big, but he was able to avoid them with little effort.

Big then rocketed toward Dorian at top speed. Dorian tried blocking him with the debris, but he crashed right through it and plowed into Dorian, knocking him across the room.

Dorian staggered to his feet. "All right, I'm through playing nice!"

He grasped his teleporter and zapped himself behind Big, clocking him in the head.

Before Big could get back up, Dorian teleported himself repeatedly around him, hitting him and keeping him down. Big activated his force field and blocked Dorian's blow, then turned around and grabbed ahold of his neck. He body-slammed him and threw him across the room.

"Do you give up or do we have to keep doing this?" Big snapped.

Dorian rose to his feet. "Giving up isn't even in my vocabulary."

He set his laser pistol to the highest level. Hotbar energy flowed through it, and it vibrated in Dorian's hand.

"But sweet, sweet revenge is!"

Big dove to the side as a massive blue energy laser erupted from Dorian's pistol. He lifted up a piece of debris with his zero-point energy gauntlet and launched it at Dorian. Dorian effortlessly destroyed it with another blast.

Big activated his shield generator and flew at Dorian. Multiple shots from Dorian diminished the shield, but not before Big arrived to kick Dorian in the face.

An energy blade extended from Dorian's left-side gauntlet, and he swung it at Big. Big grabbed his wrist and swiped up, his own wrist blade going across Dorian's face.

As Dorian hit the ground a few metres away from Big, he threw his helmet and visor off, revealing his wavy hair, and rubbed his face. There was a big gash going from his eye to his nose.

He looked back up to see Big charging back at him. He backflipped to avoid a swing from Big's blades, then aimed his pistol at him.

Big matrix-dodged the blast, then blasted his rocket boots in Dorian's face. He backflipped onto his feet, pulled Dorian in with a zero-point energy field, and uppercutted him. Dorian tumbled across the chamber, landing next to Glow.

Big ran toward Dorian, his blades out and his eyes narrowed once again. "This is it, Dorian! Your evil ends right here, RIGHT NOW!"

Without hesitation, Dorian destroyed the device maintaining the energy field, sending Glow to the ground. He wrapped his arm around her neck and aimed his pistol at her head.

"NOT ONE STEP CLOSER!"

Big skidded to a halt, his enraged face replaced with one of horror.

"If you want your precious daughter to live, you will drop your weapons and surrender!" Dorian shouted.

"Daddy, no! Get him!" Glow cried. The pistol crackled against her face.

Big's breaths were heavy. His blades flickered.

"I mean it," Dorian snapped. "Drop your weapons now."

One of Big's blades deactivated.

"Daddy, get him!" Glow pleaded.

Big trembled at his daughter's pleas.

"Daddy!"

Big dropped to his knees. His other blade dissipated and his arm cannon fell off.

Dorian grinned as he let go of Glow. "There, see, was that so hard?"

"Daddy!" Glow ran to her father, who immediately scooped her up in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Glow..."

Dorian's communicator lit up as a hologram appeared again. "Energy cannons fully charged with Hotbar power across all ships and are ready to fire, Master Dorian."

Dorian lit up in evil glee. "At last."

He walked past Big and Glow. "I was going to go back on my word and kill the both of you right here... but it will be much, much more satisfying if you were alive to see this."

He tapped a button on the console and spoke into his communicator. "Fire all energy cannons. Obliterate this blasted planet."

"But Master, our troops!" A Poller on the other side protested.

"DO IT!!!" Dorian screamed.

Every single warship surrounding the planet began firing their massive energy cannons, fully powered by the Hotbar. The surface of the planet was ravaged by the incredible lasers. City skyscrapers began to topple. Giant craters were blasted into the ground. Skallee and Pollers alike were torn to shreds. The shield generators of the Honor Guard protected them for a brief few seconds before they fell under the powerful blasts. Panicked citizens ran throughout their decimated cities, trying to expand their last few moments of life before the lasers found them. Underground bunkers quickly filled up with people.

Underneath the Grand Castle, the sounds of total destruction could be heard as Nally and the doctors delivered Celeste's baby boy. They all looked terrified.

King Martrix stared up at the mothership underneath his force field as hell rained down upon the planet, knowing that the one person that could have stopped this had betrayed them and failed them.

Dorian grinned evilly as he watched the destruction of Skallion from the main chamber. Big and Glow were still locked in an embrace on the other side of the chamber.

"Daddy... you could have stopped him..." Glow whimpered.

Big looked at her. "No. I couldn't."

Big looked into his daughter's terrified eyes. "I realize now that there is absolutely nothing in the world that I care about more than you. You are my everything. You are my whole world."

He stroked her hair. "I was absolutely devastated when he took you. I was terrified as to what he was going to do to you. I abandoned everything to get you back."

He glanced at the massive window that showed the destruction outside before turning back to Glow. "I was not going to sacrifice you. I am not, and I will never be willing to let you go. Ever."

Glow looked at her daddy, tears flowing. "Daddy... I don't want you to lose because of me."

She hugged her daddy tightly. "Please get him, Daddy. Please win. I don't wanna hold you back."

Big returned the hug. "I'm sorry, Glow. I can't lose you. Not again."

More tears fell from Glow's eyes. She knew what she had to do.

She looked up at her father again. "Bender."

Big's eyes opened. "What?"

"That's what I want my brother's name to be," Glow told him. "Bender."

"Bender?" Big repeated. "Huh... fun choice."

"Thank you," Glow replied, before turning away. She was still crying.

"Glow?" Big asked

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Glow whimpered. "I hope you can forgive me."

"What... what are you...?" Big stammered.

Glow turned back slightly and gave her father the saddest smile.

"I love you, Daddy..."

And with that, Glow broke into a run.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Glow running toward the Hotbar sitting atop the pedestal. Big crying out to his daughter, starting to get up to run after her. Dorian turning around and also beginning to run toward the pedestal to stop Glow from reaching it.

Big leapt for his daughter, trying to catch her, but he fell short hitting the ground. He looked up just in time to see Glow jumping up and reaching out to grab the Hotbar.

"NOOOOOOOOOO-"

A brilliant blue flash lit up the entire chamber once again as Glow grabbed the Hotbar off the pedestal. She shrieked as the cube's cosmic energy shot through her body.

Big and Dorian watched as a giant blue rift opened up in the air above Glow. The endless void of space could be seen through it, the stars and planets painted across it.

Dorian shielded himself as the Hotbar's energies crackled all around the chamber. Big could only watch, horrified, as Glow kept both hands on the blue cube, letting herself succumb to its power.

A beacon of blue light shot from Glow's head, straight through the portal. Glow looked up, knowing what was about to happen.

She looked at her father. "Bye-bye, Daddy."

Glow vanished in the beam of light.

Chapter 8 - Destiny
The energy cannons suddenly ceased their firing upon the planet.

What was left of the Honor Guard, the Skallee civilians, and the Poller army across the planet looked up in confusion at the warships, which were now dead in space.

King Martrix stared at the mothership. He knew that something had interrupted the energy flow of the Hotbar... but what?

"Master Dorian! The energy cannons have completely shut down across all the warships! Any trace of Hotbar power has vanished!" The Poller scientist shouted through Dorian's communicator.

"RRRRAAAAAUUUGH! I KNOW THAT!" Dorian screamed. "BiggerNate's little brat just disrupted the Hotbar! It'll take at least a few more hours to enhance the army and the cannons again! She ruined everything!!"

All of Dorian's rant was white noise to Big. He was still sprawled on the ground, his look of pure horror plastered across his face.

Glow was gone.

GLOW WAS GONE.

Everything he had ever fought for had been yanked away from him in one fell swoop. He had given up everything else, he had disobeyed orders, he had let his planet and people suffer, all for her, all for nothing...

Big's face contorted into one of grief. One of rage. He slowly got back up to his feet, the fury in him rising. He fought back his anguished tears as he staggered to face his nemesis.

Dorian's rant suddenly ceased as he turned to see Big glaring into his eyes.

"You cannot be serious," Dorian said. "You just lost everything. How are you still continuing on?"

Big's teeth gritted. "I no longer have to hold back."

Dorian's expression darkened. "Then let this be the most no-holds barred duel we will ever have."

He drew his pistol and readied his gravity controller. "This ends now."

What followed was the most explosive and rage-filled battle between two beings in history. Big and Dorian clashed their weapons, tearing apart the chamber in fury.

Dorian chucked a giant piece of debris at Big, who demolished it with a blast from his arm cannon. Big then rocketed into Dorian, smashing the two of them against the main console.

Dorian hit a button on the console, activating more wall-mounted laser cannons and security drones. Big flew in between the multiple shots and ripped one of the laser cannons off the wall and aimed it at Dorian. Dorian raised a piece of debris to block the shots.

Big rocketed toward Dorian again, this time in a spin. His blades became a whirlwind of deadly power as he corkscrewed directly at his nemesis. Dorian dove out of the way as a big hole was drilled into the console.

Dorian aimed his pistol at Big and let loose another massive blast. It exploded out of the massive viewport.

Big set his arm cannon to Launcher mode, and fired every single grenade he had. Dorian just barely dodged the ensuing explosions. The walls and ceiling of the chamber were starting to collapse.

Dorian breathed heavily as he looked back up at Big. "That tears it. I have come TOO FAR TO LOSE NOW!"

He called more pieces of his armour to him, and then used his gravity controller to lift the Hotbar back on the pedestal, which lit up the room again.

Big watched as Dorian's armour glowed brightly with Hotbar power. Dorian yelled as he felt the energy hit.

Big readied his blades and ran toward Dorian, but he was suddenly blown off his feet by a shockwave. He didn't have time to get up before Dorian was upon him, blasting him, hitting him, and throwing him across the chamber.

Big fired as many shots as he could to the powered-up Dorian, but none of the shots were true. He activated his shield as Dorian got close, but Dorian ripped through it and body-slammed him. He chucked him across the room and he slammed into the Hotbar pedestal.

Big's head was swimming. Pain ached through his body. His hope was slowly diminishing.

"SUBMIT!" Dorian yelled as he began walking toward Big. "I HAVE WON! YOU HAVE FAILED, BIGGERNATE! YOU HAVE FAILED YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR PLANET, AND YOUR FAMILY!"

His teeth glimmered as the Hotbar energies crackled around him. "What would your precious daughter say if she saw you now?! Her sacrifice was in VAIN! ALL FOR NOTHING!"

Big gritted his teeth as he listened to Dorian's words. He was not going to let Glow's sacrifice be in vain. He had to win. But he didn't know how to beat him...

Big then slowly looked up at the Hotbar above him. The thing that was powering up Dorian's armour. If he disrupted the flow, Dorian would lose his power.

But Big knew what would happen if he touched that cube. He saw what happened to Glow. He knew that only people like King Martrix could hold the Hotbar without succumbing to its power. But Big knew it was the only way to stop him.

He was unwilling to make a sacrifice before.

But not anymore.

Big rose to his feet, pulling himself upward with the pedestal. He faced his nemesis.

"No more, Dorian."

He began reaching for the Hotbar. Dorian roared as he lunged forward.

The blue flash lit up the chamber again and knocked Dorian off his feet as Big grabbed the Hotbar.

Just like with Glow, the cosmic energies of the Hotbar surged around the entire room. Big screamed as the energy surged throughout his body.

The rift was beginning to form above him. He knew what was coming.

I'm coming, Glow.

He tightened his hold on the Hotbar, letting more of its energy flow through him, He braced for the inevitable.

But suddenly... something else happened.

The energy that was crackling and sparking all over the room was retreating back into the Hotbar. The power flowing through Big's body was becoming less painful. The rift was beginning to close.

Dorian watched as Big slowly began to stand up. "IMPOSSIBLE!"

Big planted his feet on the ground and lifted the Hotbar above him. The rift and the stray energies flowed back into the cube, unleashing a blue flash around him.

Big felt the energy flow through him again... but this time, it was controlled. It bent to his will. He was in full control of the Hotbar.

He turned to Dorian and smirked. "Game over."

Before Dorian could even react, Big shot up through the ceiling in an instant.

The people below watched as a bright blue blur shot up from the mothership and blasted off toward the horizon.

The Hotbar propelled Big at faster than light speeds. As a warship came into view, Big plowed right through it, exploding it in a fiery ball of flame. Big then dove down to the surface of the planet and zoomed through the battlefields, vaporizing all of the enemy army.

Big zipped away, heading straight for the next nearest warship. The Pollers and legionnaires were screaming and running throughout the ship, trying to get systems back online or make their way to the escape pods. It was too late for them; Big smashed into one end and came out the other, blowing up the entire warship.

The legion below tried to run to shelter, but they were not spared as Big swooped down to destroy them. The shockwave ripped through their bodies and disintegrated them.

In the mothership above the capital city, Dorian limped to the console. He heard the Poller scientist speak through his communicator.

"Master Dorian! Something is destroying the warships! Our fleet is being diminished one by one! Our army is falling! What do we do?!"

Dorian shut off his communicator and tapped the console. A hologram of Alex Carey appeared.

"What is happening, Domanex?" Alex snapped.

"I have failed, Alex..." Dorian wheezed. "I await further instruction... preferably very quickly..."

Alex glowered, then spoke. "Get back to our base. We still have use for you."

The hologram flickered out. Dorian then teleported himself to his personal fighter. He flew out of the mothership and jumped to hyperspace.

"This is not over, BiggerNate..."

Big sped around the entire planet, the Hotbar pumping tons of cosmic energy into him, blowing up every warship that loomed above the Skallee nations, and wiping out what was left of the Poller army on the surface.

King Martrix and the Honor Guard watched everyone in the Poller army around them get decimated by the blue blur as it zoomed by. They saw it rise up, up, up above the mothership.

Big hovered above the mothership and stared down at it, before letting the Hotbar propel him straight downward.

The mothership was skewered right in the center. The massive fireball that followed tore it in half. The two pieces fell to the surface, thankfully away from the small crowd.

Big looked down to see the ground approaching very, very, fast. He yelled as he braced for impact.

There was a big blue explosion as Big crashed into the ground.

And everything went dark.

Big opened his eyes.

He looked around him. He was standing on the surface of a body of water, and a sun rose overhead. He shielded his eyes from the bright light.

"BiggerNate."

Big turned around to see a figure appearing out of nowhere. It was a human male with dark blond hair and glasses.

"And you might you be?" Big asked the figure.

"I am one of the Sages of the Universe, apprentices to the Admin. You may call me the Sage of Feeling."

"Okay..." Big said. "Why am I here? Did I die?"

"No, you are still alive," the Sage answered. "The Hotbar protected you from the damages you took while decimating the Poller legion."

"Where are we, then?" Big asked.

"This is a vision, BiggerNate," the Sage told him. "I am contacting you through your mind. There is much we need to discuss."

Big slowly nodded. "Alright...?"

The Sage floated around Big. "Like your nemesis Dorian Domanex told you, this is not the end yet. This has only been the beginning of your involvement in a much bigger conflict. It was foretold that you would be needed in the greater scheme of things... we just never knew it was you."

"What do you mean?"

The Sage moved his hands and made the Hotbar appear out of thin air. He levitated it to Big.

"There is a prophecy of the Chosen 3, three special individuals that have the capabilities of wielding three of the six 'Poll Stones,' powerful ingots created by a dark force to take over the universe. It was said that in 200 years, the first would arise, and the second has only just now arisen, claiming his stone. We had no idea where the third was... but you have now proven that it was you."

The Hotbar broke into pieces in Big's hand, revealing a small blue geode.

"While the majority of the beings in this universe would succumb to the power of the Hotbar - as you saw - you were able to take its energy and harness it, and use it to destroy a great evil," the Sage continued. "And we believe that in due time, you will unite with the other Chosen Ones and rise up to fulfill your destiny."

Big looked at the stone in his hand. "With all due respect, Master Sage of Feeling, I can't leave my planet. Dorian is still out there, and I'm going to need to stay on Skallion in the event he ever attacks again."

He looked down at the water beneath him. "Besides, I have ignored my duties for far too long. I have let my desire to protect the ones I love stop me from doing what is right for the greater good."

The Sage smiled. "It seems that you have learned a true noble fighter's lesson today."

Big looked up. "Yeah. I am no longer afraid to make a sacrifice."

"Which is good, because you will need to sacrifice your duties on Skallion," the Sage told him.

"I told you, I need to stay there so I can keep defending it from Dorian!" Big said.

"BiggerNate, Dorian will no longer attack Skallion."

Big blinked. "What?"

"Dorian Domanex has made an allegiance with the Poller forces," the Sage explained. "Since you have successfully driven out his invasion, the Pollers have collected him so he can keep his end of their bargain. He will still be continuing his war efforts, but not on Skallion. As long as the war between us and the Pollers continues, your planet will not see another attack from him for a long time."

Big lit up for a brief second before frowning again. "He's still keeping up his war efforts? Where?"

"Where you are needed," the Sage told him. "There is a Great War happening on the central world of Planet GC. It is where the Pollers and their main enemies, the Anti-Polls, have been battling. We believe that is where Dorian Domanex will be situated. Whatever is left of his legion, he will send to that planet to aid the Pollers."

Big's expression darkened. "Dorian is my nemesis. If he is menacing another world with this new dark force he's joined, then I'm going to need to make sure that he doesn't succeed."

The Sage grinned as he started to disappear slowly. "Do not fail us, BiggerNate. Keep the Section Stone safe. Fulfill your destiny.

Then everything went dark again.

Big gasped as eyes shot open.

He was laying in a small crater on the battlefield where he landed. The Hotbar rested beside him.

Big looked up and squinted. King Martrix and the Honor Guard were all crowded around him.

Big slowly got to his feet. Despite the Hotbar preventing him from any major damage, he still felt a little tingly from hitting the ground. He winced as a small amount of pain coursed through him.

Martrix slowly approached him yet said nothing. His face was a mix of emotions, both positive and negative.

Big let out a breath, reached down and picked up the Hotbar, and turned it over to Martrix. The king took it without a word. Big saluted his king, knowing that despite stopping the invasion, his rank of Captain was indeed lost.

"Big!"

Big turned to see Celeste running toward the crowd, trailed by Nally and the doctors, and carrying her newborn baby. The crowd parted to let Celeste run in and embrace her husband.

"Oh my gosh, I was so worried, we heard the explosions outside, we thought you had lost and everything was hopeless, I'm so glad you're safe, I-"

Celeste's relieved rant suddenly ceased when she looked at Big's solemn face. There was a lingering silence as she came to the horrible realization.

"...Glow...?"

Big's eyes closed. His lip quivered. He pulled his wife in tighter, holding on to what was left of his family.

For the first time in years, and in front of his comrades and the king, BiggerNate91 wept.

Chapter 9 - A New Journey
Dorian kneeled in front of Alex Carey sitting on his throne.

"You had everything in place, Domanex. What the hell happened?"

"Forgive me, Alex," Dorian said. "I was under the belief that my nemesis would be easily taken down and the Hotbar would not be disrupted."

Alex grumbled. "Is there any good news?"

Dorian rose too his feet. "As a matter of fact, there is. We were able to take out most of the current army and destroy their cities. It will take some time before Skallion recovers."

"Excellent," Alex said. "Their entry into our little war has been denied."

"However," Dorian added. "My nemesis still lives, and is stronger than ever. There is still a chance that he will pursue me here and join the battle on the side of your enemies."

Alex shrugged him off. "Even if he does join the Anti-Polls, they will still be no match for us. Our forces have pulled off countless sieges and raids throughout this entire war. And now, with the added support of you and your legion, there is no doubt us Pollers will reign supreme."

Dorian kneeled once again. "I will not fail you again, Alex."

Alex grinned. "See to it that you don't."

If the sun shone on Skallion, it would have illuminated the massive effort and hard work that the Skallee nations were putting into rebuilding their cities. Giant construction vehicles, both on land and in the air, went about clearing debris, filling in craters, and reconstructing buildings and skyscrapers. It was slow going, but the Skallee were determined to get their planet back up to speed.

Big watched the rebuilding process through a window in his house, far away from the capital city. Celeste walked in with baby Bender in a sling.

"How is everything looking?" Celeste asked.

"Well, everyone that survived seems to have recovered," Big replied. "They're definitely doing a great job repairing the damages."

Celeste nodded, before turning to meet Big's eyes. "Big, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I need to," Big told her. "Dorian is still causing trouble out in the universe. He has joined a bigger war. I won't let what happened on our planet happen anywhere else."

He approached her and touched her face. "Believe me, I still don't want to leave you. More than anything I want to keep living with you and watch my new son grow up. But... I have my duties.

"Fortunately for you, Dorian will not be attacking here anymore. You will be safe here while I work to keep evil from spreading."

Celeste smiled. "Spoken like a true Captain."

"Yeah, just rub it in my face, why don't you?" Big joked.

The couple laughed together. Even the baby let out a few cute giggles.

Big reached down and held his son's face. "I hope you grow up to be just like me, Bender."

Bender gave his father a big baby smile.

Celeste smiled sadly at Big. "Hey... it's not your fault that she's gone."

Big sighed. "It kind of is. There was no way I would have won had she not sacrificed herself. She gave herself up because she knew that I was holding myself back for her. She did the right thing."

He let go of Celeste and looked out the window toward the night sky. "And it's not like she's gone forever."

"What do you mean?" Celeste asked.

"She's still out there. I don't know where, but she's out there. And I know that wherever the Hotbar zapped her to... she's safe. And someday, once all of this is over...

"...I will find her."

The happy family walked outside to the front yard, where the Harmony was parked. Big carried a few things into the ship and replaced the power cell.

"Well, wherever you're going, I hope you stay safe," Celeste told her husband.

"I will," Big replied. "And I hope you stay safe too."

He then chuckled to himself. "Heh. A few days ago, I would have never said that. It would have been me taking it upon myself to make sure you were safe."

He turned back to face Celeste. "But now, I trust you to stay safe yourself."

Celeste pulled Big in and kissed him. "Good luck out there."

Big climbed into his ship. "You take care of yourself. And Bender. I'll be back before you know it."

The door closed and the engines whirred. Big hopped in the driver's seat and flicked a few levers and switches on the computer.

Slowly, the Harmony rose from the ground. Big looked out of the cockpit window and waved at his wife and son.

The ship hovered in place for a brief second before taking off at top speeds. Celeste watched as the ship took off into the atmosphere, going until lit was out of sight.

"Good luck. With everything."

The Harmony rocketed through the stars. Big sent some more fuel to the engine and primed the computer for advanced star tracking.

"Computer, scout the central regions of the galaxy and find the most significant planets."

"Acknowledged," the computer responded. There was a beep as a map of the central regions of the galaxy appeared and several purple dots appeared on the charts.

"I have found several planets in the area you have requested," the computer reported. "Are you looking for a precise location?"

Big tried to remember the name of the planet he was told. "Um... CJ? CG? No, GC! That's it!"

Another beep was heard, and the computer scanned the information of the planets it found. Finally, it brought up an image of a white and blue planet on the screen.

"Is this what you are looking for?" The computer asked.

Big scanned the information. Multiple biomes... important regarding commerce... many different species...

Home to the Anti-Polls.

That was it.

"Computer, set a course for Planet GC," Big commanded, tapping the screen.

"Acknowledged," the computer complied. "Prepare hyperspace jump."

Big pulled a lever, which activated the ship's hyperdrive. The lights in the ship went out as it prepared to launch.

Big watched as the stars in front of him began stretching out into lines. He strapped himself in and prepared for launch.

He was heading for a new world.

And his destiny.

After Scene 1
"Those masks of your better be on."

"Quit being so paranoid. We're going to make ourselves immune to this stuff, remember?"

"Just be careful. I have already reported enough incidents to Master Alex."

"And remind me again who was at fault for those incidents?"

"Shut up."

"Will you three be quiet?! I almost have this done!"

"Sorry."

"Okay, everyone hold your breath..."

*POOF*

"Did it work?"

"Yes... yes, it did."

"Get those Poll-Bots ready. And report the good news to Master Alex."

"Victory approaches, gentlemen. The world won't know what hit it."

After Scene 2
"Huh."

"What is it, Hev?"

"I feel something... something zat I have not felt in years."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning zat it may be time for our sacred artifact to fulfil its purpose..."