Gradius

[Dracos]

Another of my newer pieces.   I liked how this turned out  overall, capturing well IMO the theme I was going for.  This is, of course, inspired by the original Gradius game.  More specifically Gradius, Level 1.  It was amusing to write, and isn't tremendously serious.

Originally I started fiddling with this in the gym one day in school, a pity I forgot sixty percent during the weight lifting of the day.

Gradius
(To Hope and Joy, Peace and Love, Gradius 1 remix by the Konami Kukeiha Club)
Written by Dracos

The sky blackens, stars rising high,
A single light flickers on, deep below the ground.

Project Gradius initialized...

Lone rider, single hope, a vote for life.
Hidden from prying eyes, it awakens.

All systems operational...

The cockpit closes, the engines roar,
And off one goes, the hidden door reveals itself.

Engines engaged, Launch....

Into the darkness, alone he flies,
A single firefly of hope, a dream amid the clouds.

Missiles prepped and ready...

A gray star hidden within the darkness,
The ground quakes in it's passage, fire erupting past...

Ammo loaded, main gun ready....

Rising through the clouds, the stars illuminate the ship,
Sharpest steel, flying forth from twin barrels...

Evasive maneuvers, dodge and weave...

Explosions follow...then minute light,
Tiny lights swiftly, narrowly missing, up and down, it flies.

Lasers armed, energy battery ready...

Swinging high, a green light bursts from the tip,
Searing the darkness in its passage, the night sky bellows.

Vertical Cannons raised...

Diving deep it goes, swiftly dodging concussive blast,
The trees brush the belly, as the cannons roar filling the sky above.

Drones extended, fire support provided...

Metal groaned, flipping open, fiery light flying forth.
And it rose, a phoenix in the darkness.

Target acquired...

There it was, blasting with all it's might, dodge and weave,
slash and fight, passing by, nothing left, a broken shell.

Mission... Accomplished.

And on it goes, the stars flying by, on wings of flame,
A stallion of steel, knight of hope.... Gradius.