A female cleric of the Ark of Destiny rode horseback across the scattered brush and sandy ridges of the desert. She was dressed in blue, as most clerics were, with a blue cap and dark tanned boots and gloves. Her brown eyes stared intently at the horizon before her as her blonde short hair swayed in the wind along. Coming across the horizon was a large pyramid and a fierce battle raging in the twilight hours. As the cleric pulled closer, she yanked on the reigns, causing her dark chestnut colored horse to rear on its back legs and whiny in surprise. The cleric took a trumpet from her pack and blew as loud as she could.

"What …what do you think that is?" Asked an exhausted Maya.

"I'm hoping it's not reinforcements." Nevada replied. They, along with Todd, were the only three-left standing inside Doomed to Obscurity. The wounded were being tended to by Shadey, who had no real idea what he was doing.

"You'd think that since Morning Star blew up all our problems would be over…" Maya reflected.

"You'd think. That's the problem with having non-affiliated enemies…" Nevada said.

"I'm almost out of ammo. The gatling gun is the only thing keeping them back." Maya bit her lip.

"Hey look! They're backing off!" Nevada pointed out.

** *

"Who's in command here?" The female cleric upon the horse asked as she trotted through the now silent ranks. The cannons had stopped firing and the many ARMs had grown quiet.

"I am. Is there a problem, Helga?" A cleric with a metal plaque attached to his cap stepped forward, saluting.

"You have orders to pull back." Helga, the female cleric, withdrew a piece of paper from her pack. "There's been an incredible conspiracy going on which we have become aware of only recently. That explosion in the sky several hours back knocked out all of our power. When the reboot finished, an overlooked video file was found. Apparently the Maxwell gang didn't murder Albert at all! The culprits responsible for Albert's death our being detained as we speak and Sion has taken over as our leader."

"And of the Riflemen rumor, ma'am?" The commander asked.

"…I have a feeling… that issue has been taken care of already…" Helga smiled. "Now you are all to report back to the Ark at once. Sion plans on an immediate de-militarizing of our ranks. I agree with him when he says that we have strayed too far from Lamium's original path."

"Understood. We will withdraw immediately!" the commander saluted.

** *

"I can't believe it! They're all leaving!" Maya clapped her hands in excitement.

"It would seem that the woman on horseback had something to do with it." Todd stated.

Nevada grabbed Maya in his arms and immediately kissed her. After a moment, the two's lips parted and they stared into each other's eyes. "I think we've made it through this whole thing!" Nevada exclaimed.

"Yea. First thing I'm going to do as president is do something about all these gun fights…" Maya thought.

"Not all of us are here…" Todd interrupted. "It would seem that Virginia has not returned just yet."

"You don't think they were in that thing when it blew up?" Utah asked as Shadey wrapped a bandage around his waist.

"No, Virginia's alive somewhere. I can feel it…" Dakota said, checking her Tommy 888 for any bullets she didn't use up in the battle.

"We can only hope fer da best." Shadey commented.

"Then let's do so." Wyoming said as he slumped along the wall, an arm in a sling.

"Yea. No negative thinking, or else!" Maya threatened.

"Yes ma'am." The rest of the group replied.

"If Morning Star isn't here any more, then what use is this place?" Utah asked. "Maybe we should get going while we still can."

"…But…" Maya tried to think. What if Virginia and her team appeared in that teleporter with no one here? What would they think happened here? "No, that's crazy. They can't use a teleporter if there is no other end, right?"

"…Let's go…" Nevada said. "If they made it, they'll find us sooner or later…"

"Indeed." Todd sheathed his katana.

"…Whatever happened to Cormano and his gang?" Dakota asked, suddenly realizing their absence.

"Who knows. I bet they've gone for another bounty…" Utah replied.

And so, those who could walk helped those who could not, and slowly, they crept out of the pyramid and headed off in the opposite directions of the retreating clerics of the Ark.

** *

"How much do you think this is worth?" Dario held up a shiny brass button to the fading light.

"What are you doing you idjit? Looting corpses is not what we do!" Cormano smacked the back of Dario's head, knocking the hat clean off.

"What's the matter Cormano? A couple weeks ago, you would have been the first out here looting and plundering…" Ian crossed his arms.

The four stood on the battlefield, or what was the battlefield, long after everyone had left. Most of the bodies had been taken with the clerics, but there was one or three that hey had overlooked. Cormano tilted his hat and looked away. "Err… A course I still do that! I'm the most ruthless Drifter there is. It's just that… these bodies are too frsh. You can still see they're faces! Yea, that's it!"

"Uh huh…" Ian shook his head.

"Shut yer mouth you lilly livered water dog before I shoots it off!" Cormano growled, drawing his ARM.

"You don't have any shots left Boss! We used them all protecting the pyramid!" Romero said.

Cormano sighed and his face fell. Bluffing someone never worked with these idiots around.

 "So what are we going to do now?" Ian asked.

"We?" Cormano looked up.

"We're still a gang, aren't we? You're not the brightest guy in the world, but traveling with you sure beats the hell out of selling tips for chump change back at Little Twister…" Ian smiled.

"If Maxwell saved the world, then there's a whole lot of treasure still to be found." Romero said. "We'll need a gang to get it all."

"And keep other Drifters out of our goods." Dario added. "We'll need a Boss fer that."

Cormano stood tall and crossed his powerful arms. "Well you fellaws want to be in my gang huh? That's fine by me. Now listen, there's a bank in Little Rock that's in need of a good robbin, ya hear me?"

"Sure do." Ian, Dario, and Romero replied.

** *

Two Months Later…

The sun shined over a patch of trees growing in a new park in Humphrey's Peak. Most of the world had changed, growing into vast plains from the sandy deserts they once were. Seas of dunes still crawled across the planets, but waves of water broke across them as oceans slowly formed, growing deeper and larger with each passing day. Trees were more abundant, though a true forest was still rare. A world of sand was turning into a world of grasslands, sprinkled with water and trees.

The Gallows stands were dressed in banners and curtains of red, blue, and white. Hundreds of people had gathered before them, expecting some kind of great show. A podium was attached to the stage, where several well dressed noblemen and women stood, waiting.

"Who wrote this speech?!" Maya asked, disgusted. She stood behind the gallows stage with Nevada, Todd, and Shadey. Maya was wearing an elegant black dress that started from her neck and ended just above her ankles. She felt very uncomfortable in the beautiful thing, but she wouldn't complain out loud. Nevada was dressed in black slacks and a white button up shirt under a black jacket and the same went for Todd. Shadey had traded his bandana in for a large black bow tie, which looked absolutely ridiculous.

"I believe those were your new staff writers Liz and Ard, Maya." Nevada replied.

"Well fire them immediately! This doesn't make any sense at all!" Maya growled. "I don't think anyone would understand this as an inauguration speech unless I told them."

"You'd best hurry, my lady. They will start any minute." Todd stated.

"Yea! You don't want to give dem a bad impression as the new President of the United Peoples of Filgaia!" Shadey tried to push the blonde woman teasingly.

"All right. I guess I'll just have to make up a speech about treating all people, demon or not, equally as I go along." Maya moaned.

"This should be good." Nevada sniggered.

"Hey I heard that buster! Just for that you don't get to eat at the party!" Maya waved her finger.

"Wait a minute! That's not fair! You might as well just feed me to Lombardia!" Nevada complained.

"Too bad because she's returned to her mountain. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a speech to make!"

** *

"Any sign of them?" Crazy Horse asked Tesla Maxwell as he walked into the crowd.

"I doubt they'd be here anyway. Too many crowds." The man said. "But I do know where they are."

"Really?! Gallows wouldn't tell us where he was going! He just said he was off to do more Drifting after he had healed!" Crazy Horse explained.

Tesla took out an envelope from his jacket pocket. "I have a letter right here."

"The same letter I have?" Catherine smiled as she and Kaitlyn approached the two.

"Has Clive disappeared too?" Crazy Horse asked surprised.

Catherine shook her head. "He's just gone off to business in Dune Canyon. He'll be back any day, right Kaitlyn?"

Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. "Daddy said he wanted to test his new glasses!"

"It's hard to believe our town will be the new capitol…" Heather Pesman said as she appeared from the crowd. "Clive must have done something right with President Shroedinger."

Catherine nodded. "After Clive's injuries healed, he had a talk with her, along with the others."

"Don't worry Crazy Horse." Miluex offered as she entered the crowd with Martina at her side. "Gallows is just fine."

"Thanks. So, what are those four doing anyway?" Crazy Horse asked.

"Who knows? You'll never know what a Drifter will do once she spreads her wings." Tesla grinned.

** *

Tony in the doorframe to the rear of the train car. He gulped. They were speeding along the tracks through Dune Canyon, very dangerous country. He glanced back and forth nervously. "Ar-Are you sure you want to go through with this?!"

Four Drifters stood on an empty train bed, looking at the canyon walls that were speeding by. Jet Enduro looked back to the train car ahead of them and at Tony. "How many times are you going to ask that?!"

Tony blinked. There was no changing their minds. He just hoped they knew what they were doing. "All right… Good luck." The conductor said meekly before shutting the door.

"We ready for this?" Gallows grinned, looking at his teammates.

"As ready as we'll ever be." Clive replied, smiling.

"All right! It's time to attend to some unfinished business!" Virginia pumped her fist into the air. "Let's do it!"

An earth-shattering cry echoed throughout the canyon as the great white head of the giant Diobarg surfaced from the canyon depths. It looked at the train with its enormous eyes and found the four Drifters, all grinning at it. The beast opened its jaws, revealing its massive teeth.

At once, completely in sync and in unison, the four drew their ARMS and fired.

Wings

~All across this threatening sky

Full of tales of danger and war

I heard the thunder, a distant thunder

And the wind begins to take form

Rushing through, it breaks through the clouds

Calling out to time's open door

The scars of history, will be a mystery

Spread your wings, it's time to soar

And with the guiding hand we'll fly

Back through the corridors of time

To find the key and unlock our destiny

Spread your wings

Together tattered wings unfurl

Through freedom, changing our world

With the bell of the owl to follow secure

In the dark, unable to see

I stood tall and dared to dream

To find the answer, just one answer

And the truth will lead us as one

We will ride through the eye of the storm

Holding on to hearts beating strong

Keeping our eyes on, a new horizon

The tides of war will turn with our soul

(Chanting of main theme)

I recall the days of value

All around with safety and peace

How could I know then, there'd be a time when

All would fall at the foot of a beast

On the day we took to the skies

Full of hopes so anxious to fly

We soared higher, and never tired

With the fire deep in our right

And with the guiding hand we'll fly

Back through the corridors of time

To find the key and unlock our destiny

Spread your wings

Together tattered wings unfurl

Through freedom, changing our world

When the smoke fills the air, I will be there

In the face of disaster we stand

Racing far, we'll fight and defend

The growls of thunder, an angry thunder

Testing those who built on the sand

They can try to tear off my wings

But they can't erase all my dreams

We'll fight for freedom, and beat the system

This is our turn, this is our time.~

THE END

DVD commentary

Behind the scenes of "Upon These Drifter Wings"

This story was written in exactly five months. (August 23 through December 23)

This story is 452 pages long (if you do not count this DVD Commentary!)

Old West Frontier Songs provided by www.lonehand.com

Lyrics for non-Frontier songs provided by www.lyrics.com

Several songs are not Old West but actually Deep South, such as "Big Rock Candy Mountain", "In the Jail-House Now", and "I'll fly Away".

Several events in this story were actually taken from the opening animation(s) from Wild ARMs 3.

Kill Bill, a Miramax film, was inspired by old Spaghetti Westerns and Anime

The Pony Express lasted for only twelve years.

Allusions:

Crazy Horse (Shane) - Tashunca-uitco, leader of the Lakota at Little BigHorn

Custer (Dust) – U.S General during Little Big Horn.

Abondues Brothers (Gang named in chapter 2, "Maxwell Gang.") – homage to Monsuier Abondues, a villain in my Power Stone story, "Blades in Motion."

Eastwood (Gallows' fake name) – Clint Eastwood, movie star of Old Westerns.

Billy The Kid (Gallows' fake name #2) – Famous Gun Slinger of the Old West. Killed his first man at age 12. Butch Cassidy (Gallows' fake name #3) - Alias of Robert LeRoy Parker, the most successful train robber in the Old West. John Wayne (Gallows' fake name #4) – Famous actor of old Westerns.

Ronny Frown (Ronny Frown) – Character from the Metallica song "Ronny Frown" from the album "Load"

Alhazad (Frown's Sandcraft) – Demon from Wild ARMs (the original)

Sweet Candy (Volk's Sandcraft) – ship from Wild ARMs (the original)

Gull Wing (Volks mention of a name for his ship) – ship from Wild ARMs (the original)

Zed (Scare Craft) – demon from Wild ARMs (the original)

Malduke (ship generator) – final dungeon of Wild ARMS (the original)

Juan Almonte (Juan) – Santa Anna's chief commander during the Mexican-American War

Santa Anna (Santa Anna) – Leader of the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War

Zephyritic Winds (Zephyr's Peak) – from Wild ARMs (the original)

Pecos Bill (Nicholas Shroedinger) – Pecos Bill is a tall tale from American Literature, whereas Nicholi Shroedinger is from Wild ARMs (the original)

Calamity Jane (Maya's nickname) – from Wild ARMs (the original)

Million Shot Hypes (Heather Pesman) – Oh God… self insertion.

Hruntring (the sword) – Legendary blade from the Anglo-Saxon legend, "Beowulf."

Grendel (Grendel) – Legendary Beast from the Anglo-Saxon legend, "Beowulf".

Beowulf (Ancient human Dragon Slayer) – Hero King from the Anglo-Saxon legend, "Beowulf".

Malebolge, Dis, &  Archeron (the lake of fire) – Malebolge is a layer of Hell from "Dante's The Inferno". Dis is the demon city in "Dante's The Inferno". Archeron is a river in Hell from "Dante's The Inferno".

Ashley and Lilka Winchester (Florina's parents) – two characters from Wild ARMS 2.

The Lone Ranger (The Lone Ranger) – Character from the popular radio and television show, "The Lone Ranger"

Tonto (Tonto) – The Lone Ranger's sidekick in "The Lone Ranger".

"…60 billion double dollars…" (line by Scarecraft from chapter 78 "My Worst Fears") – the reward amount for Vash the Stampede from, "Trigun".

Liz and Ard (staff writers for Maya's press) – characters from Wild ARMS 2.

There are most likely tons more…

Translations provided by www.freetranslation.com

Chapter 59 "A Night and a Morning II" translation:

Juan: The guardians of the dead, Lollitha and Lucifer. (explaining the golem statues)

Jet: Who are you and what you want? (referring to Almonte's sudden appearence)

Todd: "No need to be so hasty. Forgive him please "

Juan: Do not worry.  Is perfectly understandable.  I am Juan Almonte.

Todd: You speak English?

Juan: How fortunate for us (referring to sleeping golems)

Juan: Adam? Why are you back so quickly? And where are your two friends? (Jet said he was Adam Kadmon, who is also Rhoad. Juan seems to know Rhoad...)

Jet: That demon... (reflecting on Rhoad)

Juan: Great! We should leave immediately (to catch the sheep herders)

-

Chapter 60 "Los Expliciaones" (An Explanation) translation:

Santa Anna: You are late! We almost left without you! Who are these people? (referring to Juans arrival with the Drifters)

Juan: Speak in English please!

Weapons:

Maxwell Gang

Virginia Maxwell – Bantorain 93R & Rapier Ez (handgun class ARM)

Gallows Carradine – Modified Coyote 17F (shotgun class ARM)

Jet Enduro – Airget-Lamh B/V-2 (machine gun class ARM)

Clive Winslet – Gungnir HAG35 (sniper rifle class ARM)

Cormano Gang

Cormano – Domar 55H (handgun class ARM)

Ian – Love & War (handgun class ARM)

Dario – Gillius H12/23 (shotgun class ARM)

Romero- Throwing Star (giant shuriken)

Sierra Gang

Nevada – Nez Pierce & Arapaho (knives)

Dakota – Tommy 888 (machine gun class ARM)

Utah – Cerberus (archaic handgun class ARM)

Wyoming – AGS17 (grenade launcher class ARM)

Shroedinger Gang

Maya – Vantage Rage MM & Gatling Gun (handgun class ARM/ gatling gun class ARM)

Todd – Katana (sword)

Alfred – homemade bombs & Bantorain (explosives/ handgun class ARM)

Shadey – none

Riflemen

Rhoad – Carbine M4 (machine gun class ARM)

Dust – Montgomery OS5 (rifle class ARM)

Scarecraft – Montgomery OS8 (rifle class ARM)

Others

Ronny Frown – Carl Gustav M/42 Anti-Sandcraft Rifle (anti-sandcraft class ARM)

Neil – Colt .45 (handgun class ARM)

Ark of Destiny clerics – AK (machine gun class ARM)

Music listened to during the creation of "Upon These Drifter Wings":

"O Brother, Where Art Though?" Soundtrack

"The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" Soundtrack

"A Fistful of Dollars." Soundtrack

"A Few Dollars More." Soundtrack

"Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas." Soundtrack

"Silverado." Soundtrack

"Wild ARMs Advanced the 3rd." Soundtrack

"Gettysburg." Soundtrack.

"Wild ARMs." Soundtrack.

"In Memory of Trees" Album by Enya

"Final Fantasy VII." Soundtrack

"Final Fantasy VIII." Soundtrack

"Final Fantasy IX" Soundtrack

"Final Fantasy X." Soundtrack

"Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty." Soundtrack

"William Tell Overture." By Rossini

"I Can't Help Falling in Love with You." by Elvis Presley

"Duel of the Fates." From Star Wars Episode I

"The Nightmare Before Christmas." Soundtrack

"Godzilla." The album

"One Man Army. (Asgard's Theme J )" By Prodigy and Tom Morrow

"Slap My Bitch Up." By Prodigy

"Vampire Hunter D: loodlust." Soundtrack

"Carmina Burana." By Carl Orff

"Superbeast." By Rob Zombie

"Ronny Frown." By Metallica

"The House that Jack Built." By Metallica

"Ragnarok Online." Soundtrack

"Jet Set Radio." Soundtrack

Games played during the creation of "Upon These Drifter Wings":

Wild ARMS 3

Okage: Shadow King (Great one! PLAY IT NOW!)

Kingdom Hearts

Suikoden III

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Gungrave

DDRMAX2

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Wild ARMs

Wild ARMS 2

Golden Sun

Sonic Advance 2

Yoshi's Island

For all of your Old West needs, visit www.lonehand.com

GUN FRONTIER! The land where a man can be a man without being arrested!

Nekocon VI – Virginia Beach was a major hit!

Original Characters (© MFZ Productions):

Nevada Sierra

Dakota Sierra

Utah Sierra

Wyoming Sierra

Rhoad

Dust

Scarecraft

Pecos Bill

Million Shot Hypes

Macgregor

Georgia

Tanya

Horse Eater

Subterranean White

Sand Canal Starfish

Original Places (© MFZ Productions):

Morning Star

This is Page 457

Asgard the character was so cool that his name became an adjective for "cool". I.E: That is Asgard! Gallows is Asgard! Etc.

There are over 165 reviews at this point in time.

At this point in time, this is the longest story in the Wild ARMs section at www.fanfiction.ws

Well, I hoped you enjoyed reading this story. I know I'm certainly proud of it. I want to thank everyone that reviewed and a personal thanks to Teefa85, Aya_Yahiko, Meteor9, Mad Postman, and Era Yachi. I'm going to go take a break now!