[D][O] Hyperton Fortress

[Super Buu]

Buu?s horse-chopper was cutting swathes through the enemy troops, but it wasn?t enough. The odds were overwhelming, and though almost the entire Outcast army was present, it still didn?t seem to be enough to match the encroaching Dante forces. The fortress was buckling, unable to hold up under their incessant pushing. Slowly but surely, Hyperton was falling.

But still, they fought. Gunfire spilled erratically through hallways, coating the air in a fine red mist. An Outcast soldier glanced through a door only to have a sword pierce his skull. Fists collided with stomachs, heads butted heads. And one more number upped on the score chart.

On the rooftops, two snipers from opposing sides were locked together, rifles shuddering in a terse grapple. One slip, one second later, and the butt of one?s gun collided with the other?s skull. Someone else went home.

This war was merely a game, a competition. And yet, in the minds of the soldiers, it had become so much more. The violence was no game ? it was reality. And the pride of winning still lay up ahead, like some glimmering prize just out of reach.

?Fortify the doorways!? roared Buu. ?Don?t let anything through!? He paused to swing his sword, smashing the blunt edge of the blade against the skull of a Dante gunner.

A hand clapped down on the monster?s shoulder, and he spun, only to come face-to-face with the messenger he had seen earlier.

?What is it, soldier?? barked the General, zanbato still raised.

?It?s the commander!? blurted the young alien. ?He?s returned from the south and joined the battle with reinforcements!?

?What!?? Buu?s mouth fell open, and his next words were tinted with urgency. ?Where is he now!??

?Outside the East gate, but--? he stopped the General, who was already heading for the door. ?There?s something else ??

The monster wheeled around, impatience written all over his face. ?What is it?!? he snapped.

The messenger gulped once, then spoke. ?United have arrived to aid Dante.?

The words cut through Buu like a knife. ?? What??

?United ??

?Shut up.? Buu?s face was unreadable as he swept a hand backwards across his forehead, smoothing his long headtail down across his cranium. ?Evacuate the fortress. Take as many of the injured as you can.?

?What are you--?

?JUST DO IT!? screamed the monster.

The messenger nodded silently, flattening down the front of his hair as he ran off to fulfill his orders.

Buu sighed and turned to the wall.

I?m sorry, Seventeen.