=CHAPTER 8D: TRAPPED BY LASER LIGHT=

=CHAPTER 5C: DESOLATE HIGHWAY=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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{Titus}

[The streets of Titus, while still in significant disrepair, were quite busy. There were plenty of people bustling about, carrying on their daily lives in the big city.]

[Cardinal sauntered through the crowds, grateful for the cover. He was awfully close to Sanda Enterprises now, and he could not afford to catch their attention.]

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >Look at all these people, Jazz.

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >They’ve already started working on some basic repairs.

[No one really seemed to pay any attention to him as he made his way downtown. He’d only been there once before, but it was easy to rely on the memory. It’s not as if he could really miss where he was going, anyway.]

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >No one seems to be trying to kill each other, or destroying robots out of hysterics and fear….

[He had halfway expected that it would be like the streets of Upper Monstropolis. He’d been shocked when he arrived in the city, only to find it operational, if not fully functioning.]

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: > I guess Beck must have cleaned up the city, and calmed people down. These people are pretty safe now, and able to use their technology….

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >I’m glad.

Jazz: Ree-ow.

[He paid no heed to the merchants along the row. He utterly ignored the gossip flying through the air around him, even if his analysis filter kept picking up keywords relating to the Mighty Numbers. It was highly unlikely that they knew anything useful, or else it would have made the news. Which it hadn’t, of course; he’d spent that morning at the library, leafing through various newspapers.]

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >Of course, I don’t think we’ll find him there. If he were in Titus, Beck would have figured it out by now. He’s definitely not home. We’re just looking for leads, here.

[His cat purred, rubbing her face against him. He grinned a little, looking up into the sky.]

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >Wish we could fly there. But now that Avi’s better… I’m sure he has sky cams all throughout the city. Really… it’s only a matter of time before someone catches on after analyzing video feeds.

<DLN-000 to CSU-001>: >Oh well. I’ll burn that bridge when I get there.

[If it weren’t for the fact that he was on a grave mission in the middle of an ongoing apocalypse, he would have really enjoyed the nice day. It was sunny out, with the sea breeze coming off the harbor. Not nearly as sweltering as it had been in Kansas City the day before.

As the buildings gave way to a massive open area near the arena’s parking lot, he was overcome by a sudden weight of wistfulness.]

Cardinal: (I remember the first time I saw the arena, when Shade showed me around.)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

{April 2nd, Earlier that Year…}

[MIGHTY NUMBERS LOCKER ROOM]

[The locker room...wasn't exactly a locker room. More like a quick maintenance area with spaces accommodated for each of the Mighty Numbers, like a pit stop for cars. There WAS a storage area, though, each marked with a symbol for each Mighty Number.]

Shade: Here we are.

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: Dude.

Cardinal: This is RAD.

[Aw, lookit him geeking out a bit over it, going from station to station.]

Shade: B]

Beck: We mostly come here for halftime or after a match, to refuel, reload and relax, and the stations make small repairs if we need them.

Cardinal: -Broadcasting abstract DAYDREAMS-

Cardinal: -GLORYYYYYYY-

Shade: Aw, there he goes. He's got arena fever, heh.

Cardinal: -Looks over with a grin-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cardinal: (Oh, Shade…. What I wouldn’t give right now to be back to those halcyon days. I hope your locker has some answers, though you’ll have to forgive me for breaking it open…)

[As he drew closer, however, he was surprised to see massive blockades.]

Cardinal: Oh? Now what’s all this?

[He hastened over to inquire into the matter, foregoing politeness for the sake of getting right to the point in a way that demanded an answer.]

Cardinal: You there. What’s the meaning of all this?

???: I’m sorry, sir, but the Colosseum is not currently open to visitors.

Cardinal: Why?

???: It’s not safe.

Cardinal: Again, why? Didn’t Beck heal everybody?

???: -Clearly getting tired of explaining this for the tenth time this hour- : | The building is structurally unsound. There was a lot of damage caused when the virus went live and sent every single of the powerhouse fighters into a rampage.

Cardinal: —…? (That… that day?)

???: -Now leave, please-

[Cardinal was compliant and willingly turned aside, but he didn’t go very far before he put a hand to his head, horribly confused.]

Cardinal: (I remember now…)

Cardinal: (I was supposed to go with them that day…)

Cardinal: (I went WITH them to the match…)

[He struggled in vain to find the cross-references. Every search he could think of turned up empty.]

>NO RESULTS FOUND.

Cardinal: (All I remember was going to bed that night, and then…?)

>NO RESULTS FOUND.

Cardinal: -Frowns- (Why can’t I remember the match? How did I even end up in Kansas City?)

>NO RESULTS FOUND.

[Puzzled and rather dismayed, he ran through all the data from that day to begin with. Much to his regret, the only entry prior to his memories in Kansas City was an error log report, stating he had suffered a Stop error and rebooted under a Code Red contingency.]

Cardinal: (What on earth could have made me black out like that? I wasn’t injured…)

Cardinal: (I don’t understand. I don’t understand it at all…)

[For a brief moment, he considered teleporting into the locker room anyway. He honestly didn’t care what the building security would think of it.

…But then he remembered that it was more than just a mere room. It was the personal space of the entire family—including Avi.]

Cardinal: (Augh…! He’s bound to have a camera or two in there! If not for security reasons, then for his own PR or personal amusement purposes…)

Cardinal: (This plan was flawed from the start. Stupid…)

[He vented a sigh and made his way back to the downtown district.]

Cardinal: (Shade said there was a sushi place around here, and we meant to go to it…)

[He knew that at this point, he was driven as much by nostalgia as by desperation. Walking the streets they had walked, going to the places they’d been to.

But it was all he had to go on. He had nothing, and… he was alone.]

Cardinal: (There’s got to be someone that has some sort of idea, some sort of clue…)

[…But, to his great disappointment, when he finally arrived at the sushi shop based on context and a lot of wandering…

…He found that it was closed, and locked up tight.]

Cardinal: -In a low growl- Well glitch. Isn’t that just swell.

[He sighed and leaned up against the boarded windows, crossing his arms.]

Cardinal: -Talking aloud now, since he didn’t sense anyone nearby to hear him- Where are you now, Shade? What are you after?

Cardinal: (I don’t know any other places. I can’t just wander around.)

[He knew he should get a move on and head out of the alley, but he just didn’t know where to go or what to do. He had no idea what sort of other places Shade might have frequented, people he would have talked to.

He’d never had the chance to find that out.]

Cardinal: (This isn’t fair, Shade.) You were supposed to show me around…

[He stuck his hands in his pockets and started to move down the streets. There was still someplace familiar he felt driven to go, even if he was only paying half-attention.]

[He found it more relaxing to move about at night, when people were paying even less attention to him. It was mercifully easy to use a fire escape to climb up to the rooftops and overlook the cityscape.]

Cardinal: …

[He found himself staring at a familiar building: the CherryDynamics headquarters.]

Cardinal: … -Somewhat broken smile- (Oh, right…. This is where we were that glorious night…)

Cardinal: (It was…)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

{April 16th, Earlier That Year…}

[The whole of CherryDyn looks to be blaring red in alarms in the distance, and some searchlights can be seen from the top of the building. The trio responsible is howling with hysterical laughter, chattering to themselves….]

Shade: They are flippin' out, God.-- -LAUGHS-

Cardinal: -Laughing like he’s a kid again-

Rockwell: Holy [frag]— -aaaand he's gone, laughing like mad-

Cardinal: DAMMIT I knew we shoulda brought popcorn!

Shade: THEY FOUND THE CRACKER.

[Sure enough, the spotlights settle on their own logo.]

Shade: -nOPE HE IS GONE HE IS FALLING ON HIS BACKSIDE IN LAUGHTER-

Cardinal: -HELP MY FANS, CAN’T BREEEEEEATHE FROM LAUGHING-

Rockwell: OH MY GODDDD -He can't breathe IT'S TOO MUCH-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cardinal: (That was…)

[He was overcome by a great sense of loss and longing, his sorrow drowning out the joy of that day to where he could no longer even feel it.]

Cardinal: (That was the happiest night of my entire, long, looooooong, long life…)

[He shook his head sadly.]

Cardinal: (What HAPPENED that day, Shade? Why did I leave you? How could I just… run AWAY…?)

[He gave a small whine.]

Cardinal: (I left you—all of you, the whole crowd—simply to turn up somewhere I associate to be safe…)

Cardinal: (Did I…)

Cardinal: (Did I end up being a giant coward…?)

[He couldn’t bear to dwell on the thought. There HAD to be some other reason, there just had to….

He had no idea what it was, but there just had to be…

…Right…?]

Cardinal: -Ruefully, narrowing his eyes at the logo of the building- (I saw the headlines. I read the newspapers today…)

[His eyes flickered a brighter and deeper green in intense emotion, his heart turning from disappointed and bewildered guilt into a slowly growing into anger.]

Cardinal: (How dare he try to glorify himself at everyone’s expense….)

Cardinal: -Growls-

Cardinal: (He’s OBVIOUSLY hiding something…)

[His mind was taken back to that day, that day when he had warned them about this.]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

{March 15th, Earlier That Year…}

Cardinal: He’s more slippery than I thought.

Cardinal: …I don’t trust him one bit.

Cardinal: He’s too… eager to make a big deal out of it. That’s not very good damage control, not good crowd control.

Cardinal: It’s a publicity stunt.  And I don’t like it.

Beck: Publicity stunt...

White: It is concerning, to be sure...

Cardinal: Why exactly is he so eager to deflect the attention[…]? What is it that he doesn’t want us to see about his company? Because you can bet your gears that investigations like this always get a little too deep for comfort for those who like to deal under the table.

Cardinal: I highly doubt he was /involved/… in -this-. But he may be trying to deflect attention as fast and as far as possible so that something ELSE isn’t found. The bigger the company, the higher the chances of the darker side of business being involved.

White: Graham, dealing in shady business...if word got out about that, he'd be ruined.

Cardinal: Right. Even the question is pretty damaging.

Cardinal: But to deflect the whole thing right back to you, the way he said it—that was on purpose. He should have caught that serve, not sent the ping-pong back.

Cardinal: We’re being played. -Grumpy data flow-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cardinal: -Growls louder, his eyes turning a violent red- (First you go to the trouble of setting up a Combat team just to unseat the Mighty Numbers, humiliate them and cast doubt and disquiet…)

Cardinal: (And then your team goes WILD, nearly killing people…)

Cardinal: (I swear, if I find that YOU were behind all of this, I will find a way to DESTROY you…!)

[He gave a huff, making his way down to the streets below. He needed time to think.

He ended up making his way over to a bar, where he ordered coffee.]

Cardinal: -Leans back against the wall, scratching Jazz behind the ears with his free hand- (Well… if THIS isn’t fine and dandy….) -Siiiiiip-

Cardinal: (I have no more leads. What should I do?)

Jazz: -Purrs, flicking her tail-

Cardinal: (I told him that if anything ever happened to me, that he should go to the Mad Hatters. They’ve known me for decades, and that’s where I used to live. I still sort of have a job there, for that matter…)

Cardinal: (They would know where to find me. Some might even be able to help him, too…)

[He idly started broadcasting his signature tune very, very quietly as he stared off into the distance, “watching” the TV with a very bored expression.]

Cardinal: (And I knew that I wanted to get something similar from him, in case he ever got in trouble. Not like I expected this, though…) -Eyes flicker brighter for a moment- (When he talked about his coworkers, I knew that they would be the ones to go to if I needed information…. But I respected and trusted him too much to press the matter….) -Narrows his eyes in a scowl- (Paying the price for that weakness…)

[He sighed, putting the empty mug down rather heavily and putting a hand to his face.]

Cardinal: (Shade, what am I supposed to do? There are only two possible sources of information at this point: your family, and your coworkers.)

Cardinal: (I don’t KNOW where that “office” is, nor who the other assassins are! You mentioned a “Diamond” at one point when you were talking to Bladeblaster—and man, my first idea would have been to beat the information out of the guy, but he’s already dead.)

Cardinal: (Will I really be reduced to—)

Jazz: Reeerr!

Cardinal: —?

[He looked up to see something very… interesting on the screen.]

[As the headline report went on, he couldn’t help but smile.]

Cardinal: Wow. (I’m impressed.)

[He felt a sense of pride for the CDN. He hadn’t had the chance to get to know the guy very well yet, but he always felt that he was a good man. He was glad to see that Jack was still very much alive and well—though he was rather puzzled for want of context.]

Cardinal: (I thought you were still holed up in England? How and why did you turn up in America? Must have been an awfully good reason, given that you know more than others are willing to let pass…. Not to mention, you know. The whole “apocalypse” thing.) You’re a brave man…

Cardinal: (Well, wherever you are, I hope you’re sa—)

Cardinal: —!!!

[He just stared in utter surprise when the news story ended and moved on to the next headline.]

Cardinal: (What the—)

“…similar such heroics can be found in various places throughout the country. One of the most surprising stories comes right from the heart of Kansas City, where a mysterious Xelbot is reported to have almost single-handedly help coordinate and carry out a massive evacuation effort.”

[The screen jumped to a sketch of Cardinal in his Combat form, with Jazz at his side. An audio clip from an interview played.]

“ ‘He came out of nowhere, so unexpectedly—at first we thought that he was infected, and retaliated. But he never seemed to hold that against us… he was always just so focused on helping everyone get out…’ ”

Cardinal: -So many mixed feelings right now- (AAAAAAAAVS—! Is this— is this YOUR doing?)

“Witnesses across the metro gave countless reports of his heroic efforts at all of the city’s major tourist attractions, including Arrowhead Stadium. City officials are now on the lookout for this caretaker, who is reported to have vanished from the hospital where he was recovering after a major fight.”

Cardinal: -Oh, great— -

[He tried very hard to play it off casually, quickly tightening the amount of data he gave off so that it no longer reflected his emotion.

He had hoped that staying in his Civilian form would allow him to blend in with the crowd, prevent him from being spotted by the Mighty Numbers. Nobody else knew who he was, and they didn’t have reason to care.

He had not considered the idea that he would make the local news, let alone the national news.]

Cardinal: ([Gliiiiiiiiiitch]… this…)

[Under any normal circumstance, he would feel very touched by someone giving him such recognition. Even now, he felt extremely moved with gratitude, feeling both validated and honored.]

Cardinal: -Casually gets up from the table, rifling through his coat for cash to leave as a tip-

[…But in this instance, he also felt dismayed and concerned. It wouldn’t be long before some eagle-eyed observer noticed how similar Jazz’s Civ form was to her Combat form, and how he wore the same glasses and scarf regardless of form… not to mention his somewhat distinctive earcaps, which held the standard Robot Master (and NOT the standard Xelbot) design.]

Cardinal: (Was this a ploy to get some tips to a hotline? Really, Avi? Oh geez….)

[He made something less than a hasty exit, even though he wanted to bolt. He had to resist the urge to run, to take to the rooftops for safety. In the end, he took hasty refuge inside of a chapel, hiding in a dimly lit nook well out of sight.]

Cardinal: (Maybe if I’m lucky, this will be over by morning…)

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[Masamune appears to be huddled in a corner in a comical fashion.]

Masamune: ({I’ve made my mistakes—})

((gg, ninjabro))

---

=CHAPTER 10B: THE MACHINE DRAWS NEAR=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{LATER…}

[CHERRYDYNAMIC HQ BUILDING - FACTORY COMPLEX, FRONT PARKING LOT…]

[MISSION DETAILS: INFECTED CDN MODELS ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED BY CHERRYDYNAMICS’S CALIFORNIA ROBOT MANUFACTURING FACTORY AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE FACTORY’S PRIMARY M.O.M UNIT ALSO REPORTED TO BE INFECTED.]

[MISSION OBJECTIVES: ESCORT DR. WILLIAM WHITE TO THE PRIMARY M.O.M UNIT IN ORDER TO SHUT DOWN AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ROBOT FACTORY. ELIMINATE ANY INFECTED HOSTILE CDN MODELS WITHIN THE VICINITY. DESTROY THE FACTORY’S ROBOT MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT IF NECESSARY.]

[SUB-OBJECTIVES: ENSURE PERSONAL SAFETY OF DWN-012 AND DWN-013, MINIMIZE RMDC IMPACT.]

Systems Ready?

GO!

[After Beck had fully materialized, the familiar sounds of chaos in the city had once again touched his ears, now in a more dire state than before--even way back when he and his father had to make it back to Sanda Tech, it wasn't this bad...]

[MN.6] //: Yoooo, check one two, testing! This is your mission control requesting a mandatory sound off!

[Avi chimed in as soon as he felt Beck's signal nearby.]

Will: Ah.

[William White was currently looking over a holoscreen projected by one of Avi's cameras--it seems he already had visual of the inside.]

[...His grip tightened on the glowing Xel Rapier in his left hand.]

Will: (...It's even worse than I imagined...)

[MN.6] //: Teeeeeam One, what's your status?

[MN.1] //: One here. We're at the front entrance. It's been blown open, alright. Lots of hostile CDNs...They're almost crowding where the doors were.

[MN.5] //: Five reading ya loud and clear. Armed and ready for battle!

<DWN-013>: >Just to restate the obvious, but this is very important—

<DWN-013>: >These are just AIs, not AI&As, right?

[MN.6] //: Yuppers, just your average cookie-cutter AIs, like drones. It's mainly an Industrial Factory, not something like where ya-know-who came from.

<DWN-013>: > Good.

[…

…A priming noise could be heard.]

<DWN-013 has entered Active Combat mode.>

[For Avi, there seemed to be an echo of sorts…]

“Crashman paces back and forth Inside walls reinforced Crash bombs mounted to his arms Locked… loaded… ready… armed…”

[MN.6] //: -....miiiiildly creeped out-

[MN.1] //: ...Avi?

[MN.6] //: Huh? Oh, right, not done yet--

[MN.1] //: ... (Not what I was going to ask...)

[MN.6] //: Teeeeeam Two! You guys ready?

[MN.2] //: BRO I WAS MADE READY, I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT POPCORN FOR THESE FIREWORKS--

[MN.1] //: -Snorts-

<DWN-013>: > … -You sure you’re up for doing this, MNN-008, you just woke up a few hours ago— -

[MN.8] //: I'm fahn, Jaden.

[MN.8] //: -Got a score t' with CherryDyn anyway and Ah' ain't gonna spend it layin' down--

[MN.3] //: Ugh, don't be zzzso dramatic, Shadebro. -Bzzzzt- You're just mad you haven't gotten enough beauty zzsleep.

[MN.8] //: -Pyro wai did Ah' get stuck with the girls again-

[MN.1] //: The three of you can cause more wide spread damage together. You'll be picking off anyone too stubborn, Shade.

[MN.8] //: -Mgh, fair enough, Ah' guess.-

[MN.3] //: Anyway, we're waiting on your zzzsignal, fire bro.~ Just zzsay the word!

[MN.1] //: Good.

[MN.6] //: Team Three, you guys up and ready to go?

<DWN-012>: > Glad you finally asked, can we GO yet—

<DWN-013>: >Don’t run into a wall, Carl.

<DWN-012>: > I told you only MY dad can call me that—

[MN.7] //: Speedy.

[MN.7] //: Focus. You and I will be covering for Mic. He'll be doing most of the equipment damage.

[MN.4] //: OWO

<DWN-012>: >Easy for YOU to say. I was made to move, and being in Active Combat makes me antsy!

[A slight priming noise—]

K-TANG! K-TANG!

<DWN-012>: >This is NOT the first setting of this sort that I’ve trashed.

<DWN-012>: > I am more than ready—

[MN.7] //: -Sigh- -_-;;; Yes, we know now, Twelve.

[MN.7] //: On Stand-By until your order, One.

[MN.6] //: Last but certainly not least--

[MN.6] //: Becko? Dad? You guys there?

Beck: Right here and waiting for orders, Avi!

Will: (That's everyone...)

Will: (I hope you're alright, Soichiro...)

Will: ....Right.

Will: Everyone listen carefully.

Will: Once Avi gives the signal, Pyrogen and his Team--Team One, will lead the charge into the Factory. Your objective is to clear a safe route into the main assembly line.

[MN.1] //: Understood...

Will: After Pyro and the others make some headway, he'll tell both Team Two and Three to enter and eliminate any other threats, as well as damage the manufacturing equipment. Consider it our second wave.

[MN.8] //: Got it.

[MN.7] //: Yes, Father.

Will: After that, Nine and I will start making our own way into the complex. You needn't fight every robot you see, Beck--our objective is the factory core, the Primary M.O.M Unit.

Will: It controls all commands and functions of the factory and it's robot manufacturing machines. It's located deep in the heart of the building, in the main assembly line.

Will: Avi will be monitoring all team's progress and giving support where needed.

Avi: Yeees sir! ^^

<DWN-012>: >If Snow were awake, he’d really be asking questions now—what an acronym, geez.

<DWN-013>: >You know full well [color=goldenrod]why[/color] he’s still asleep. Try not to go running off from your group, I’m getting interference for Robot Master signals…

<DWN-013>: >I think we might have some [color=darkgreen]spectators[/color] watching.

[MN.8] //: -Yer kiddin' me-

<DWN-013>: >Unfortunately no, but that is a matter for later, I’m afraid.

Will: Right now, he is the least of our worries.

Will: ...

Will: Everyone just be very careful in there--I may have upgraded everyone's filters, but...

Will: Don't do anything too rash, alright?

<DWN-013 to DWN-012>: > PLEASE mind yourself, Mic does have clearance to restrain you if you get too out of hand

<DWN-012 to DWN-013>: > I’m the older brother here, Crashman.

<DWN-012 to DWN-013>: > YOU try not to let the others know just how much you can TANK, we all know what happened the last time our strengths and weaknesses were used against us.

<DWN-013 to DWN-012>: > …

<DWN-013 to DWN-012>: > Cardinal’s going to kill you for that.

<DWN-012 to DWN-013>: > Hmph.

<DWN-013>: >I’ll do my best, Doctor. …I’ve already discussed the matter with Pyro.

<DWN-013>: >Just one last thing—

<DWN-013>: >Um. Aviator?

[MN.6] //: Yo?

<DWN-013>: >Just… give a heads-up whenever you’re about to head my way. >.>;;;;;

<DWN-013>: > -Mild discomfort data-

[MN.6] //: No problamo, Darth Jader. : D

Beck: -Snorts, Star Wars pun, heh-

<DWN-013>: > …Heh… thanks.

<DWN-013 to MNN-001, DR.WHITE>: >The RMDC has been completely disconnected from your servers. So there’s no way for Siam to monitor our progress. What you sense is what you get.

<DWN-013 to MNN-001, DR.WHITE>: >I haven’t heard from Dr. Cossack, so I can only assume he fell asleep. I’m not sure Felix knows how to run the teleporter.

<DWN-013 to MNN-001, DR.WHITE>: > I’ll be fine, but Twelve…

<DWN-013 to MNN-001, DR.WHITE>: > …Let’s just say we’re still all equipped with our self-destruct devices and let the rest speak for itself. >.>

<DWN-013 to MNN-001, DR.WHITE>: >If we take too much damage, don’t stick around.

[MN.1] //: ....Right.

[MN.1] //: -Sharp inhale-

[MN.1] //: Mighties!

[MN.1] //: You are clear to engage combat mode.

[MNN-ALL HAVE ENTERED COMBAT MODE.]

[MN.6] //: Team One, you're cleared for frontal assault!

[MN.6] //: GO GET'EM, GUYS--

[MN.5] //: -TO BATTLE--

[MN.1] //: -Sound of FLAMES IGNITING, FOOSH-

[Interesting. Jaden doesn’t seem to be doing anything in particular.]

[From Beck's position, there was the sound of explosions and crashing of parts, and it wasn't long before whatever alarms that still worked to be set off.]

[The haywire CDNs immediately take notice and engage--they're sheer numbers seemed to almost overwhelm the three constructs...]

[BLAM.]

[…Now why would Jaden be firing at the ground—]

Pyro: --?

[And then it IMMEDIATELY churned in and started blinking.]

Jaden: …

Jaden: -Smirks-

[BOOM!]

[A pretty LARGE explosion sets off from where the drill was, enough to send debris right back at them.]

Jaden: -Looks up, eyes glowing green, still with that smirk-

[You could hear that priming noise again.]

Jaden: If nothing else, this ought to be informative.

Jaden: Time for the welcome party!

Pyro: ...

Pyro: Heh...

Pyro: (Well, it IS a sort of drill, I should have guessed...)

Bat: HA! That all you got, you walking oven rejects?! Almost ain't worth the ammo!

[Bat was riddling the hordes of CDNs with bullet holes--the mindless infected did not stop of waver, however. They really were malfunctioning.]

Pyro: Careful not to point that thing towards something Father might need active.

Bat: -He won't need THESE tin-cans active, brother, so-

Jaden: Tch.

Jaden: These guys make themselves—

[He made a RUN for it, WOW is he fast for his size—]

Jaden: -Leaps into the air- —such an easy TARGET!

Bat: !

Bat: -Hooo, that's SOME height--

[He lands down right on top of a few unfortunate CDNs HARD, and SLAMS some nearby with a backhand swing.

Then he fires right toward the entrance, into the horde.

Sure enough, it can just barely be seen that the Crash Bomb burrows into the constructs too—

—no wonder he asked if they were sentient, that would HAVE to hurt!]

[BOOM!]

[Parts go FLYING as the horde is dispersed--huh. These CherryDyn Models do break easy, don't they...]

Jaden: PATHETIC!

Jaden: I’ve seen /Pipis/ more sturdy than this!

[Once they are inside, the sounds of factory making and... other unpleasant noises greet the three team members.]

Pyro: ....!!

Pyro: -That's--

[...Oh.]

[...Those...look like the fire-type Industrial CDNs from the Oil Platform, aren't they--]

Jaden: Heads up!

[He aims for the CEILING this time.]

Pyro: ...!! Bat!

Bat: -STANDING CLEAR--

[There was a resounding crashing noise as the ceiling came down on top of the fire ‘bots.]

Pyro: Good one.

Bat: --Gh.

Bat: -Points- There's a whole lot more where that came from...

[...It was as if every time they fell one, two more would take their place. This time, it was the standard Security Elite drones that protected the Colosseum in their way...]

Pyro: Allow me.

Jaden: Pyro.

Jaden: Do you trust me?

Pyro: --?

Pyro: ....You have an idea?

Jaden: Yes, but if I’m wrong, it might hurt you a LOT.

Jaden: If I’m RIGHT, though…

Jaden: You’ll get more powerful and will be able to move a lot faster.

Pyro: --!

Bat: Ya can do that?

Pyro: Well, it's not like they haven't surprised us before, Five...

Jaden: I don’t have time to explain the details as to how it works, but yes. Only for fire ‘bots, though.

Pyro: Bat?

Bat: -BLAM- Worth a shot, Commander, but better hurry--enemy flank's comin' in T-Minus 20 seconds!

Pyro: ...

Pyro: -Nods-

Pyro: I trust you.

Jaden: If I’m wrong about this, I’m really sorry—

[He turns and fires right at Pyrogen!]

Bat: --?!?

Pyro: !!!

[Pyro flares and takes up a defensive stance by reflex, knowing that Jaden had fired too close to dodge--]

[FOOOOOOOSH!]

Pyro: --!?

[Suddenly, Pyro's energy levels take a very high spike--!]

[MN.6] //: -WHOA WHO TURNED ON THE LIGHTS, MAN, WHAT'S HAPPENING--

Jaden: -Winces a bit, shielding his face with his arm against the searing heat-

[It turns unbelievably bright, flames almost engulfing Pyro himself--]

Bat: Talk about great balls of fire--

[BURNING LEVEL 3 ENGAGED.]

Bat: -OH-

Jaden: Ngh—! -Staggers back, augh, that hurts to be so close—HURTS—-

Bat: -Ya might wanna stand back a lil' for this one, soldier—-

Jaden: Noted— -Takes cover behind some rubble-

[Without another word, Pyro charges past various other CDN with so much momentum that he BREAKS down the door to the other room--]

[MN.6] //: -Holy--

[...You can even see footprint shaped flames where he ran--]

"BURRRRNIIIIING...."

Bat: -FIRE IN THE HOLE--

"SPIRIT--!!!"

[BOOOM--!!]

[The entire building shakes from the small shockwave of wind and heat that followed, charred CDNs being blown backwards either half incinerated or just plain melted. ]

Bat: ......

Bat: HOO-RAH--!

Bat: THAT WAS SOME FINE EXPLOSIVE ARTILLERY, COMMANDER PYRO--

Bat: -You alright in there--

"........"

"Aside from being covered in soot, yes--"

"Though I didn't think that Crash Bomb would send me all the way to Level 3..."

[MN.6] // THAT WAS AWESOME--

[MN.6] //: -AND WE GOT IT ALL ON FILM, NICE-

<DWN-012>: > …Wait, you’re recording this?

[MN.6] //: -Bro when am I not recording, dude-

[There is an audible groan from the other destroyed room.]

"Really, Aviator?"

[MN.6] //:  : D

Jaden: -Snorts-

Jaden: -Starts laughing-

Jaden: Avi, you crack me up sometimes.

[MN.6] //: -Thank you, thank you~-

[MN.6] //: Where you at, fire bro?

"...It was where shipment supplies were being sorted and organized..."

[MN.6] //: Ooh, good! Nice job, you guys! : D

Jaden: Aheh… I’m just glad it worked—I had a feeling it would but oh man I am so many levels of glad I wasn’t wrong—

[MN.6] //: Uh--...What exactly is IN those things--

[MN.1] //: Questions later, Avi. Can you tell us where we are relative to the factory core?

[MN.6] //: Still a long way to go, bro, but the equipment isn't too far off!

[MN.6] //: How about you go on ahead towards that and tell the other teams to get a move on?

Jaden: -Looks around at the many things still smoldering and/or burning-

Jaden: You might want to have Lady Cryo kill the flames before anyone else comes this way.

[MN.1] //: ...That would be a good idea.

[MN.1 to MNN-ALL, DWN-012] //: Team Two and Three prepare to enter on my mark!

[MN.4] //: E :< -MIC SMASH--

[MN.1] //: Cryo, you'll be on lead, there...Is a bit of a fire hazard now--

[MN.2] //: BRO WE COULD HEAR YOU ALL THE WAY OVER HERE, THAT WAS GLITCHING S I C K--

[MN.2] //: -I'M READY TO PICK SOME CHERRIES, LET'S GO ALREADY--

[MN.6] //: -EEEEEEEEY-

[MN.8] //: -Ugh, WAI-

-*-*-*-

“I’d rather light things on fire, but that wouldn’t be being…

…a good House guest~”

-*-*-*-

[MN.8] //: --....

[MN.8] //: -Ngh....-

[MN.8] //: (...this’d be more fun if he were here.)

[MN.1] //: Ready?

[MN.1] //: Mark!

[MN.2] //: PERSON THAT TAKES OUT THE LEAST CHERRIES HAS TO BUY EVERYONE FOOD--

[MN.8] //: --!

[MN.8] //: OI, AH' AIN'T PAYIN' NOTHIN'--

<DWN-012>: >DUDE I DON’T HAVE ANY CASH, WE’RE LEGIT DIRT POOR YOU KNOW—

[MN.3] //: -Who careszz, YOU GUYSZZ ARE GOING TO EAT MY DUSZZT--

[MN.7] //: =_=;;;;;

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: >You guys ran out of groceries again? Already? Seriously?

[MN.2] //: -IT WAS SHADEY--

[MN.8] //: AH' WAS-- -BANG- ASLEEP, YA MANIACAL SNOWGLOBE--

[MN.3] //: I bet it was Mic, he'szz been kinda craving everything since he got home.

[MN.4] //: ^^;;;!

[There is the sound of slicing and sword swinging over at Brand's feed.]

[MN.7] //: ...Unless Jack returned and raided our fridge.

[MN.5] //: -Doubt it, Secretary Donald is still at the lab-

<DWN-012, DWN-013>: > ?!

<DWN-013>: >  “Secretary”?

[MN.6] //: Uh--

[MN.6] //: Guys I'm getting some REALLY weird signals--

<DWN-013>: > This better not be a diversion, Avi—

<DWN-013 to MNN-005>: > Secretary of WHAT?

<DWN-012>: >Define “weird”. >_>

[MN.6] //: -No, DUDE, UH, AS IN “I CAN'T TELL WHAT IT IS” WEIRD AND IT'S HEADING YOUR WAY--

[MN.5] //: --?!?

[...There are clunking noises....]

[Sounds of something slugging and...sparking--?]

<DWN-013>: > Grrr…

[MN.1] //: What the--?!

[It LOOKED like it was one of the encountered enemies from Cryo's stage, but...]

[It looked like it had grown GIANT spider legs— and it was twitching erratically, this way and that.]

[MN.6] //: --??????

[MN.6] //: Dad, you gotta see THIS--

[DR.WHITE] //: --?!

[MN.6] //: That-- That isn't any CDN model I've seen--

[MN.6] //: -man it looks gross, EW-

Jaden: … This…

Jaden: -Ugh, no, not headaches now— -

[MN.1] //: Jaden--

[MN.5] //: There's more coming--!

[MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE....]

Beck: What is going on in there--?

Will: Hmm...

Will: (This is concerning.)

Will: (Has CherryDyn become so desperate that they're literally mashing robot designs together...?)

Will: (Graham couldn't possibly be that stupid, and if he really is, it's very demeaning that he's done so much harm to us.)

Will: (No, this...This has to be something else...)

Beck: Dad? Is...Is everything okay?

Will: --Ah. Well...

[Will turns to the floating monitor, which showed the Teams all in a three way split screen.]

Will: They're encountering robots that we haven't anticipated before...

Beck: What?

Will: It seems CherryDyn has some... unreleased products still hot off the assembly line, so to speak.

Will: Be prepared for anything, Beck.

Beck: R-Right...

Beck: ....

Beck: You're gonna be okay, right, Dad?

Will: Well, I have you, don't I? ^^

Beck: Eheh...

Beck: Yeah, but, I mean, you only have that sword...

Will: Nonsense. Mikhail gave me something to defend myself with before we left....

Will: And while I haven't quite fenced in a while...

Will: I'm sure it'll come back to me. Muscle memory and all that.

Will: I'll be fine, Beck. So long as we stick together, yes?

Beck: R-Right! (^^)7

[MN.6] //: -Oof--UH--Yeah, I'm gonna head in there now, there's these weird flying things with drills on them and they do not look happy--

[PING!]

[The ping was clearly from someone on the RMDC server. Which was very odd, considering that it was supposed to have been in radio silence.]

Beck: --??

[Siamini’s worried data flooded the feeds.]

<DWN-019>: > Oh gosh Jaden, Speedy, where ARE you—

<DWN-019>: > Where is everybody?!

Beck: Siam--!

[MN.6] //: KINDA IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING, BRO--

<DWN-019>: > -Incredulous and growing annoyed- “In the middle of something—“

<DWN-019>: > -Increasingly frantic- GUYS ANSWER ME—

<DWN-012>: > Dude we’re BUSY—

<DWN-019>: > “Busy”!? What do you two think you’re DOING?!

<DWN-012>: >Siam, for all that is good, did you just call here to scream at us or what—

<DWN-019>: >  -Double data intensity- IDIOTS!

[MN.6] //: Dude, calm down, deep breaths--

<DWN-019>: >Avi, you don’t understand—

<DWN-019>: > -Talking over self- Are you two trying to live up to Wily’s name by being overly proud, or are you just plain stupid?!

<DWN-019>: >Hey, that’s not—

<DWN-019>: >There’s a primal analysis nexus being constructed, Avs! Doesn’t anyone remember what happened the LAST time a primal nexus was added into the database?!

<DWN-019>: >Do I have to spell it out for you?! If that thing goes live while you’re out there—!

<DWN-019>: > Even if it DOESN’T cause crippling pain, what kind of reaction do you think you’ll GET when you look at Shade?!

-*-*-*-*-

“Don’t… don’t do this… beg… begging you, please…”

-*-*-*-*-

[MN.8] //: --Ngh--hurts--

[Shade reeled in the despair of that painful memory. It stabbed at his heart, piercing him with sorrow right to the core.]

[MN.6] //: Sammy, bro, as much as we'd like to deal with it, we're all kinda out making sure Dad and Becker are okay in this crazy place--OW--

[MN.6] //: -OW GET THIS THING OFF OF ME--

[A red blur by Avi.]

[MN.6] //: --!

[Suddenly, whatever THING was on him was stuck with yellow boomerangs.]

[There is a SCREECH and then a Thud that followed--]

[MN.6] //: Whew--THANKS, SPEEDSTER--

<DWN-012>: >Siam, I know for a FACT that the data has been encrypted for slower release—otherwise, do you think I’d even be able to BE here at all? Please stop freaking out over something that isn’t IMMEDIATELY a problem, we’re kinda BUSY!

[Siam was clearly less than pleased with that answer. His data suggested that the situation was FAR worse than the Mighties were prepared for.]

<DWN-019>: >Do you HONESTLY think I would—

<DWN-012>: > YES

<DWN-019>: >I didn’t—

<DWN-012>: >I don’t care!

<DWN-019>: > GRAH! Why won’t you LISTEN to me!?

<DWN-013>: >No offense, bro, but if that’s all—

<DWN-019>: > IT’S NOT, YOU TWITS!

<DWN-019>: >There are some MASSIVE temporal anomalies and you’re all getting caught up in it! It’s not just you, it’s Mikhail as well—and do I need to remind you, YOU SPECIFICALLY, TWELVE, of how dangerous that could be to YOU, personally?

<DWN-012>: > -Mnnrrgh…!-

<DWN-019>: > Where is Mikhail?!

<DWN-019>: >I need Cardinal over here to properly oversee the updates, and I need his help with—

<DWN-013>: > Ugh—

<DWN-013>: >I’m SORRY, Gem, but— -BLAM!- 000 is still processing everything, we can’t move him yet, and it seems there are other problems—

<DWN-019>: >HOW can this possibly get worse?

<DWN-013>: > -Irritable- I think Mikhail is under arrest, Gemini!

[MN.5] //: (-Inwardly cursing self for using military titles where they are due out of respect, NGH-)

<DWN-019>: > …

[The feeds were slammed with acerbic data.]

<DWN-019>: >  -PANIC DATA-

<DWN-019>: >   -PANIC PANIC PANIC-

<DWN-011>: > …

<DWN-011>: > …Joking, right?

<DWN-011>: > Right?

<DWN-012>: > He was IN handcuffs, brother—

<DWN-019>: > Nnnnnnnn-nnn-nnn-noo—

<DWN-019>: > Stars above I don’t think I can do this—

<DWN-018>: >Look, I doubt that if—

<DWN-019>: >IT DOESN’T MATTER! NOT WHAT YOU THINK!

<DWN-019>: > I DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO KEEP THAT DATA FROM REACHING THE COSSACK NUMBERS!

[MN.7] //: --!!!

[MN.1] //: You mean you can't stop it?!

[MN.8] //: -Hnnn, headache, they're gonna—-

[MN.2] //: -Oh GLTICH IT'S GONNA BE ALL RUSSAIN WINTER FURY IF THEY FIND OUT—-

[MN.9] //: Wh-What do we do—?!

[There was more than a little reason to worry. Having gone through so much suffering, the Cossack Numbers were very, VERY protective of their sister and their father. Mikhail had asked that they remain undisturbed for that very reason.

It was highly unlikely they could be convinced to sit it out—especially when one of the Numbers was the very epitome of rage.]

<DWN-018>: > Are you serious.

<DWN-019>: >I’m not the Admin, Nico! I don’t have that kind of power!

<DWN-018>: > That’s it. As head of the family, I’m intervening. Dealing with our dysfunctions is plenty; I am not going to put up with fighting the Russians. 

[It would seem that Nico had lost his patience.]

Will: -Winces-

Will: (Oh, no, this...This is not good—)

<DWN-018>: >Siam, there’s got to be SOMETHING you can do—

<DWN-019>: > Well I’ll TRY to stall—I think I can by changing the data Snow gets— but hurry up as much as you can, I need the rest of the family back as soon as possible!

[MN.6] //: Roger Dodger--

<DWN-018>: >Fine, do it. Gem, get that guy on the line. We’ve got to talk this out before it gets out of hand. And as for you two…

<DWN-018>: >Speedy, Jaden, you guys were BUILT for Combat, can’t you work ANY faster?!

<DWN-013>: > Grrr…

<DWN-013 has entered Lethal Combat mode.>

[MN.1] //: —!!

[Jaden began to glow white.]

[It almost… almost looked like the light from an evolution!]

[MN.6] //: -WHOA WHAT THE HECK--

Beck: --!!!!

Will: (What is...)

Beck: (I know that light--)

Will: (What IS that...?)

Beck: (I KNOW that LIGHT--!)

Jaden: I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!

[MN.1] //: ??!?

[Jaden had changed. The was larger now, and bulkier—and based on the energy ratings from him, he was packing some SERIOUS heat.]

[MN.5] //: -DATA AT ALL THE WEAPONRY BORDERING ON SURPRISE AND EXCITEMENT--

[Hatches popped open.

YEP. Those were some sort of missiles inside.]

Jaden: WE’RE TAKING A DETOUR!

[MN.1] //: Jaden--!

[MN.5] //: -I SECOND THIS NOTION--

[MN.1] //: BAT--

[Jaden used CRASH BOMBER!]

[A barrage of about five Crash Bombs were nailed into the wall, where they burrowed.

MORE hatches popped open.]

Beck: -DAD DAD DAD LOOK--

Will: -Is looking but with awe--

Jaden:  -FIRE!-

[Missiles launched from EVERY port at once. In conjunction with the Crash Bombs, they took out the walls’ supports—flattening the constructs that HAD been behind it—]

[—with more continuing to the wall on the OTHER side of that room and turning it into a gaping hole of RUBBLE.]

[MN.5] //: HOOOOO-RAAAAAAAH!

[MN.1] //: -Is just shocked into silence-

Beck: YEAH, GO JADEN GO--!

Jaden: COME ON, MAJOR, WE HAVE AN EXTERMINATION CONTRACT TO HONOR—

Jaden: AND WE’RE SENDING THE BILL RIGHT TO HQ!

[MN.5] //: RIGHT TO GRAHAM'S ILL-GOTTEN OFFICE, TOO!

[MN.1] //: -The both of you better not level the place while WE'RE STILL IN IT--

[The hatches close.]

Jaden: Who said anything about leveling the building?

Jaden: These constructs, on the other hand…

[Jaden used BODY SLAM!]

[He rammed RIGHT into one of them, crunching it against the wall. It had been covered in spikes, but he took no damage.]

Jaden: ARE GONNA BE FLATTENED!

[He was jumped by several more constructs—or abominations, rather.

He skewers one with a drill and fires the Crash Bomb—with the enemy on it—right into several others, exploding.]

Beck: : D!!!!!!

Beck: -I KNEW HE COULD DO IT--

Beck: -I KNEW IIIIIIT-

[MN.6] //: Wowsers....

[MN.6] //: Uh...I'm pretty sure you guys can head on in? : D ;;;;;

Will: Ah, yes...

Will: Shall we?

Beck: Yeah!

Beck: Just stay behind me, Dad, okay?

Will: Oh, by all means, take the lead. ^^

<DWN-013>: > Let’s do this, Mighty Nine!

<DWN-013>: >We’re just the opening act—you’re the main show!

Beck: Heh!

Beck: -Running ahead- Gonna be hard to top what you dished out, Jaden! c: <

<DWN-013>: >Heh…

<DWN-013>: > Not for a hero like you, it won’t!

[A mess of what was once dense with virus fodder was now in utter ruin.]

[Will quietly made his way behind his son with methodical footsteps, careful to not let his guard down.]

Will: Goodness, the lot of you really made short work of all this...

Beck: No kidding...

[MN.5] //: HA! I've met CAN-OPENERS THAT WERE TOUGHER THAN THAT!

[MN.3] //: I appreciate the zzzeal, Bat, but can you tone down the trigger happy crazzzy little? Trying to concentrate.

[MN.2] //: KYAHAHAHAHAHAHA!~ WHO WANTS FROZEN CHERRY SMOOTHIES FOR DESERT?~

[MN.6] //: Not of these weird things, bleh--

[MN.6] //: But get it together, you two! Tyrannasaurous-BECKS is here! : D

[MN.6] //: The haywire robot assembly line is just up ahead, Becker, it's all up to you! And Dad too, of course! : D Keep heading straight!

Beck: Roger, Avi! I'm on it!

Beck: --Whoooooa...

Beck: Pyro, what did you do?

[MN.1] //: I don't know how, but Jaden's Crash Bombs seem to have a sort of buff effect on me...

<DWN-019>: >Well of COURSE it does, you’re a fire based construct.

[MN.1] //: << -Siam shouldn't you be stalling right about now--

<DWN-012>: > -sNORT-

<DWN-012>: >You’re forgetting something, Pyro.

[MN.1] // -...Damn it, you're right, he can multitask--

Beck: -Cough, ugh, smoke's kinda bad--

Will: -Coughing and using lab coat sleeve over his mouth and nose-

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR.]

Beck: -Blows smoke away with propeller wind-

Beck: Dad?

Will: -Ugh- Yes?

Beck: How exactly are you going to shut down the Primary M.O.M Unit?

Will: --...Ah...

Will: I'm going to try and hack my way into it...

Will: It can only be manually shut down from that one terminal.

Will: (....I might have to combat the virus myself while I'm at it...)

Will: .....

Beck: ...Dad?

Will: --...Er. We need to keep moving.

Will: If we can shut down the Primary Unit, we won't have to bother with the Secondary...

Beck: There's a secondary M.O.M unit?

Will: Yes, but it only serves as a sort of support pillar to the Primary--shutting THAT down won't slow or stop the factory itself.

Will: It's faster and much more effective to go straight to the Primary M.O.M unit than waste time with the Secondary.

Beck: Okay...

Beck: (......)

Beck: (When did Dad have time to read up on how CherryDyn's Factory setup works...?)

<DWN-019>: >I suppose it doesn’t surprise me there isn’t more of a redundancy in the system for failsafe measures.

<DWN-019>: >I’ll try to leave you be for now, I know that most people can’t do two entirely different things at once, but—

<DWN-019>: >I’m a little concerned by what is going on over there, given the kind of files Mikhail printed off from this server. And the fact he’s under arrest.

Beck: .... Files...?

Will: ......

<DWN-019>: >Evidence files, Beck.

Beck: ....For...For what?

Will: Siam.

<DWN-019>: >William, with all due respect—

<DWN-019>: >My family leader is dead and our Doctor could very well follow, and you’re in the middle of somewhere dangerous while I’m trying to keep the Cossack Numbers from hearing something I DON’T have the authority to censor.

<DWN-019>: >I am a bit stressed, sorry.

<DWN-019>: >You and I need to talk when this is over.

<DWN-019 has left the conversation.>

Will: ......

Will: -Sigh-

Will: >>

Beck: ...Dad...?

Beck: What's going on?

Will: . . . .

Will: Beck, it...

Will: . . .

[Will places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.]

Will: I...I'm sorry, but we don't have time.

Will: We have to get to that terminal.

Will: ...Please, I know...I know things seem troubling, and that's a light way to put it...

Beck: .....

Beck: No, I...

Beck: I get it.

Will: --?

Beck: We gotta keep going.

Beck: (....I get it...)

Beck: Avi said the factory line was just down this straight path...

[Beck hovered over to the other end of the room--or, rather, where the room WOULD end, because the wall that was there was in several different pieces now.]

Beck: Don't fall behind, Dad!

Will: . . .

<DWN-012>: >Boy does this bring back memories.

Beck: You said you did wreck a place like this before, right--

[THUD.]

<DWN-012>: >Yeah, the place where I was built—hmm?

<DWN-012>: >Mic, did you—

[SMAT!]

[MN.4] //: -Oops-

[MN.4] //: MIC SORRY, MIC DIDN'T BRING WALL BACK DOWN--

[MN.7] //: Speedy--

<DWN-012>: > -SPRINGS BACK UP, readjusts balance sensors- Ow.

[MN.7] //: . . .

[MN.7] //: -...Oh.-

[MN.4] //: -Speedy okay? Okay.-

<DWN-012>: >YEAH BRO I RUN INTO STUFF ALL THE TIME, no big deal—

[MN.4] //: -Goes back to crushing things-

<DWN-013>: >Him wrecking where we were built is more impressive than it sounds.

<DWN-013>: >I was built there too, and like all ‘bots, I had a testing phase. Let that sink in for a moment, heh.

<DWN-012>: >And…

<DWN-012>: >And there was also Wily Nine.

<DWN-013>: >Oh yeah—Dad assigned him to a factory, didn’t he?

<DWN-012>: >Yeah.

Beck: .....

Beck: (...Wily Nine...)

Beck: (....Huh...)

Will: --!!

Will: Beck, look out--!

Beck: !

[Beck flanked away JUST in time to avoid a MASSIVE cylinder-shaped pillar crashing down from the ceiling, the CherryDyn logo pulsing above in a hologram.]

Will: --!!!

Will: That's the secondary M.O.M Unit--!

Will: How did it end up--

[The Hologram suddenly glitched Red and PURPLE-- ]

Beck: ?!

[--And then out materialize the generator robots from the Power Plant--! ]

Beck: NOT THESE THINGS--

Will: -BACKING FAR AWAY NOW--

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE.]

[A blast of chilling ice coated the generator bots before they could charge and lock his systems--Beck did NOT want to be rendered immobile with his Father so close to these dangerous CDNs.]

Beck: Dad, get away! Now!

Will: -Ngh--

[Will turned to take cover the other way--]

Will: --!!

[...Only to find that a few trash robots had been materialized to block him.]

Will: We're surrounded--!

[Will took a step back, holding his Rapier in his left hand while his right went behind his back.]

Will: Ngh...

Will: (Parry, thrust, stance wide...)

Will: (Never take your eyes off your opponent...)

Will: (Look them in the eye and strike without hesitation--!)

[One of the trash bots leaps--]

[CLANG!]

[Will side steps out of the way, the Xel in his weapon glowing as it is thrust into the construct--]

[KKKSST--]

[...The trash bot's Xel begins to melt away--]

[SHING!]

[And then suddenly, it isn't there anymore.

The Xel dissipates as the trash bot vanishes, stabbed right in the exact center of its central core.]

[Back in the Meadow, Siam was utterly speechless.

The manner in which Will had acted was nothing short of slightly terrifying. To see the ease and unflinching willingness in which he could dissolve those that opposed him…

…It was more than a little unnerving, and a harsh new perspective that cast the Doctor in a much darker light than before.]

<RMDC>: > SENDING UPDATES…

[The reaction to this permeating their collective consciousness was immediate.]

<DWN-011 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-012 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-013 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-018 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-019 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

Beck: --??? -Confused for a moment before going back to FIGHTING--

[Will let the trash bots come to him, watching their every move with a steely gaze that didn't quite suit his overall appearance...

He moved with practiced poise and grace, and while he did miss a swing here and there due to being out of practice--]

[SHING!]

[...The trash bots were no match for someone of Will's technique.]

[Siam suddenly felt very cold and ill. This was the man that had access to their blueprints and inner workings.

Suddenly, he wasn’t so willing to share them anymore.]

<RMDC>: > ERROR: ADMIN PASSWORD REQUIRED TO CHANGE ACCESS LEVELS. REQUEST DENIED.

<RMDC>: >CONTACTING ADMIN…

[The sickening chill had gripped the others as well. They were overcome with the need to flee for their lives.]

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: > H-how much more of this do you think there i-is—

[MN.1 to DWN-013] //: ...Are you alright? -What is with the sudden drop in mood-

[MN.1 to DWN-013] //: This factory is CherryDyn's, I wouldn't be surprised if it is larger than we think.

<DWN-013>: > D-dammit…

<DWN-013>: > -N-no, we aren’t okay-

<DWN-013>: > Let’s g-get this over with and get out of here…

<DWN-013>: >I won’t abandon you now, but something has happened and now I very much want to go home.

[While Jaden had started showing submission again, his older brother had much the opposite effect.

His usual hot-blooded demeanor had turned icy cold, much more like Shadow’s when the latter was in a dangerous and silent mood.

Furthermore, his usually green eyes had turned and were now glowing a deep red—a sign that he felt the presence of a powerful and aggressive, cruel enemy in his midst.

…

But then there was a shudder of some sort in the air, almost a glitch within reality itself. Everything RIPPLED and there was a deep reverberating gong sound that rolled into an echoing, vibrating low tone that drowned everything out, everything becoming stretched and warped. It suddenly rocketed over them like a sound wave, seeming to shatter in the far distance.]

<DWN-011 has left Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-012 has left Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-013 has left Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-018 has left Defensive Combat mode.>

<DWN-019 has left Defensive Combat mode.>

Speedy: -Puts a hand to his head- Nnngh…!

Brand: --!

[MN.7] //: Speedy--are you alright? (...What just happened?)

<DWN-012>: > I hurt, really bad— it’s like… like all my programs just ran flat into a wall and were turned off for ages—

[He coughs, trying to re-calibrate various sensors.]

<DWN-012>: >Ugh… I wasn’t made to handle that sort of thing, it really hurts…

[…He was right.

Somehow, he seemed to have taken damage from whatever that was just now. The readings showed it.]

<DWN-012>: > (Maybe Siam was right…. Nnnngh, I have a bad, bad feeling about this…)

[MN.4] //: -PING- -Mic can provide cover if you need a minute-

[...And it REALLY seems Mic was confident in this, because he was just walling the other crazed CDNs.]

<DWN-012>: > …

<DWN-012>: > -Emotional data- Th… thanks, man…

[He grits his teeth against the pain and forces himself back to his feet.]

<DWN-012>: > -You guys really are the best-

Brand: -SHING- No need to thank us. -SHING- Besides, being the defense is Mic's function.

[CRASH!]

[A bunch of CDNs were casually swept aside by Mic's huge arms--he briefly turns back to Speedy to give a reassuring smile.]

Mic: ^w^

Mic: -Turns again to WHAM on a CDN that tried to get the jump on him-- -NOPE, DENIED-

Speedy: Heh… -Weak smile- I guess just… so not used to it.

Speedy: Our family… my series, just so very different, such a different experience.

Speedy: Almost all my brothers shot at me at least once. Including the defensive-based unit.

Speedy: That was the last time I… actually fought, was… the [color=blue]end[/color] of our Generation…. As the Last Survivor of my series…

Brand: .....

Mic: -WHANG- : E -Awwwww-

Mic: -Mic give you hug later-

Mic: -Busy with Cherry crazies right now but IOU a hug-

Speedy: Heh…

[A larger boomerang materializes in his hand. He’s smiling with his eyes closed.]

Speedy: Just try not to crunch hug me, I hear FMN-004 likes to do that.

[When he opens his eyes again, they’re glowing with determination.]

Speedy: But we’ll make our way out of here, alright—

[He gives a short burst of a sprint to vault his way onto Mic’s back.]

Mic: -Oop- : D!

[He hurls the larger Quick Boomerang down the hallway, slicing through about a dozen and a half constructs before it gets wedged into a piece of machinery.]

Speedy: And we’ll get to hang out with someone that gives a better name to what these guys are associated with.

Speedy: Let’s speed things up so we can FFW to the feast, yeah?

Brand: -Nods-

[Brand slices a few CDNs in half before pointing his sword towards the next room.]

Brand: Onwards!

[MEANWHILE...]

Beck: KYAH!

[Beck doesn't waste a second slamming a guided missile at the M.O.M unit, it's systems damaged and scrambled--but it was now churning out fused abominations of whatever it could find in CherryDyn's database...]

Beck: What even ARE these things??

Will: -KICKS A TRASH BOT AWAY- The systems are infected! The manufacturing programs must be going haywire--

[Another trash bot that seemed to be fused with a fire based bot is dissolved--]

Will: --The virus must be finding schematics in CherryDyn's database and mixing them together--!

Beck: But WHY?

Will: --Ngh-- I don't know--

Will: (Does...Does SHE know I'm here--?)

[CRUNCH.]

Will: --??

[After a few seconds, there was a sudden explosion from beneath one of the heavier fused Xel beasties—]

Will: --?!?

[Sending (besides Xel) a splatter of hissing liquid and green shrapnel pieces everywhere.]

Beck: Dad?! Are you okay?!

Will: Fine--

Will: --!!

Will: (...B... Battery Acid...)

Will: (Ngh--not you, not NOW--!)

Will: BECK!

Will: We need to get moving, NOW!

Beck: On it!

[REXELECTION: PYROGEN]

Beck: Out of the WAY--!

[Will ducks for cover just in time before Beck unleashed a Level 2 Burning Spirit--]

[CRACK--CREEEEEEEEEEAK--]

[The display on the M.O.M unit flickers and dies, the top end of the pillar melting away and--]

[CRAAAAAASH!]

[...falls backwards, COMPLETELY taking out the wall to the next room after.]

Beck: --Oops--

Beck: Uh...aaaat least we can pass--? ^.^;

Will: Goodness--

Will: (I didn't think Level 2 would be THAT effective...)

Will: Are you alright?

Beck: Yup--I'm good!

Beck: Let's keep going--

"Eeeeyyy, Beckers!"

Beck: !

[Avi flies in from the giant hole in the wall, surveying the damage done by the now broken M.O.M unit.]

Avi: Wowzers, next time give a little heads-up there, buddy, you nearly pillar-ized me!

Avi: -BADAUM TISSS SOUND EFFECT OVER THE FEEDS- : D

Beck: -Giggles- Sorry, Avi, I didn't know you were there.

[MN.7] //: -My guess is Avi, which means ignore it-

Avi: Love ya too, Ninjabro! ;D

Avi: Things all good with you, Dad?

Will: I'm fine, Six--what's the status of the other teams?

Avi: Team One is making some pretty good headway, and the other Teams are following right behind--they're not too far ahead of where we are.

<DWN-013>: >I must admit concern for the structural integrity of the place if we collectively keep blowing up walls and stuff, though…

<DWN-013>: >It’ll probably be declared structurally unsafe after we get out of here.

<DWN-012>: >Heh, no big loss. |D

Avi: -Snorts-

Beck: Hey, Avi--you haven't seen some weird fused robots, have you?

Avi: Oh, THOSE things--

Avi: Yeah, they're popping up everywhere in this place, they're so weird--

Will: Hmm...

<DWN-013>: > That’s rather not my point, though—

<DWN-013>: >We can say with a great degree of certainty that when things get unstable enough, they collapse and bury you alive, it happens more often in our family than you think. If this keeps up for too long, that puts you in a lot of danger, Uncle Will.

Will: ....

Will: (He's right--there's not only the infected robot threat, but the status of the factory building itself...)

Will: ....

Will: The fused infected CDNs and the weakening integrity of the building is all the more reason why we must hurry to the Primary M.O.M unit.

<DWN-013>: >Gah…

<DWN-013>: >If only we had Cardinal’s use of the Search Snake Power Capsule right now—that thing is great for scouting out unknown territories, it’s why it was made to begin with…

Will: (...Or to spy on others, in this case...)

Will: Avi, can you scout out the next room for us?

Avi: Already did, Daddo! Cleared it out while you guys were busy--this way!

[The next room seems to be a data storage room, with screens that take up the entire wall much like in Sanda Labs...]

[...Except they showed off dozens upon dozens of blueprints and schematics for all sorts of CDN Industrial Models--it looked like a viewing room for whatever few humans that DID work in the factory to oversee the manufacturing process.]

Beck: -Look, ITS A ROUND DIGGER, BUDDYYYYY-

Will: (All these models...)

Avi: --!!

Avi: Well, well, well, what do we have here...

<DWN-012>: >A punplane who’s about to tell us something interesting?

[Avi flies over to a schematic that's waaaaay up high near the ceiling, something that seemed...Out of place...]

Avi: Hey, Dad? The rest of these plans are for Industrials, right?

Will: ...They all seem to be, yes...

Will: Did you find something?

Avi: ..Oh, yeah, I FOUND something, alright--

Avi: A schematic for a COMBAT Model.

Will: --!

<DWN-012>: >I don’t get why that’s so strange—

Avi: (And if I'm reading this right--)

Avi: --!!

Avi: Uh Oh--

Avi: DAD I GOTTA GO--

<DWN-013>: >Woah, woah, woah—

<DWN-013>: > -Avs are you okay— -

Will: What--

Avi: Got a hot scoop to deliver to Doc Sanda-Man, DON'T WORRY I'LL BE RIGHT BACK--

[Without another word, Avi shifts into Jet Mode and zooooooms back out the way Will and Beck came in.]

Will: Wait--Avi! What about Soi?!

Beck: ....

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR.]

[Beck flies up to where Avi saw the schematic for the CDN combat model...]

Beck: ....

Beck: K-9...?

<DWN-013 and DWN-012>: > …

<DWN-012>: > Scrap—

<DWN-012>: > Canine models can get VICIOUS…

Beck: Combat model designed to patrol and guard--

Beck: Maximum security establishments--!

<DWN-013>: > UGH this is all Fahrenheit 451 on us—

Beck: -THERE'S ONE AT THE PRISON--

Will: SOI!

Will: (Oh God SOICHIRO--)

Will: (And you--)

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Soi: A-Are you sure you don't want to, uh... swap missions...?

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Will: (Oh, Soi, I never should have--!)

Beck: Dad--Uncle Sanda--!

Beck: And--And Call--!

[PING!]

<DWN-018>: > -Shocked data-

<DWN-019>: > NICO YOU STAY PUT—

Will: --!!

[Unfortunately, this was the worst thing that Siam could have said. Nico quickly snapped out of it, and his data became almost horrifically aggressive.]

<DWN-018>: > … You—

[There’s a loud WHANG and a crash, followed by static—]

[As if Siamini had been flung against a wall by a powerful force, and possibly into a transmitter.]

Beck: Wha--?

Will: (Nico...)

Will: (....Soichiro is going to need all the help he can get in there--)

Will: (Oh, please, Avi, PLEASE get there in time to warn them--!)

<DWN-012>: > Augh…

<DWN-012>: > By the time this is over EVERY ROBOT MASTER AWAKE is gonna end up in repairs, GREAT—

<DWN-013>: >With Cardinal, Nico, and Siam all out of it…

<DWN-012>: > I KNOW—

<DWN-012>: > Let’s hurry up and get out of here before I have no one left to look over!

<DWN-012>: > Doctor!

Will: --!

<DWN-012>: >Based on the perimeter and area of the building before we got in here, how close do you think you are to where you need to be? And would it be on this same floor or in a basement?

Will: Th-The same floor--and there's still quite a bit to go--

<DWN-012>: >Nnngh…

<DWN-012>: >Alright then—

<DWN-012>: >We need to make sure the building stays in one piece until then. Mic, as you go along, will you put in reinforcement beams in rooms and so forth to reinforce the structural integrity?

[MN.4] //: -PING- Hmm hmm! ^w^

<DWN-012>: >Good. Team One—

[There’s a loud crashing noise.]

Brand: . . . .??????

Brand: -What--

Brand: -I thought that only happens in the old cartoons Avi watches all the time--

[MN.8] //: Oi, what the HELL was that noise--?!

[MN.2] //: -Shadey stop being grumpy and COVER ME YOU COWPOKING GRUMP-

Beck: Dad--

Will: -Ngh...-

Will: We have to keep moving--

Will: (Soi--Soi has Avi coming, and Call is there, and Nico is on his way...)

Will: (He'll be fine, he'll be fine--oh goodness please let him be alright after this--)

<DWN-012>: > …Uh…

<DWN-012>: >OKAY so apparently not all the walls are meant to take Combat-model force momentum??

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: > You RAN THROUGH A /WALL/ are you SERIOUS—

<DWN-013>: >  -CRACKS UP LAUGHING-

[MN.2] //: -Yo for REAL, HE DIDN'T GO SPLAT--

Will: (... Well, this IS mostly an Industrial Robot Factory...)

<DWN-013>: > Are you kidding, Sis?

<DWN-013>: > -Warm data- Dad made him to be FINE after running into walls at well over 100 mph.

<DWN-013>: >I guess since he held up and something has to give when two objects meet…

<DWN-013>: > He just went right through the wall oh I’m dying of laughter here

[MN.2] //: -DUUUUUUUDE THAT'S SICK-

<DWN-013>: >How are you three holding up, by the way?

<DWN-013>: >Haven’t heard from you in a whi—

[MN.2] //: HEY MIC DO YOU THINK IF YOU THREW ME AT A WALL I'D GO THROUGH IT TOO LIKE THE KOOL-AID MAN IN THE FUNNY COMMERCIALS--

<DWN-013>: >  -SNORTS-

[MN.1] //: -cryo please FOCUS ON YOUR TEAM, NO ONE IS THROWING YOU AT A WALL-

[MN.2] //: -BUT IT BE SO COOL, THO, I'D BE ALL OOOOOH YEAH, GLITCHES, GET WRECKED--

[Jaden’s laughter quiets down a bit, but he’s still grinning as he goes at the infected CDNs around him in drill-to-hand combat.

He’s quite good at it, too, in a way that suggests he trained to be so.]

[MN.3] //: -Bzzzzt, we're fine, just pretty concentrated on these CDN creeps-

[MN.8] //: -Very focused data, trying to stay in the zone here but SOMEONE KEEPS YELLIN'--

[MN.2] //: -TOO BAD, I'M TEAM LEADER, PLLLLLLLPGH- -Raspberry noises-

<DWN-013>: > -Gently- Shade?

[MN.8] //: What?

<DWN-013>: > You’re awfully tense, and that makes it harder to focus right.

<DWN-013>: > …Everything will be okay.

[Shade didn’t respond to that.

As much as he was trying to hide it, he was in a great deal of emotional pain and physical exhaustion. He had only just woken up from the fights of his life, and the main thing that kept him going in the face of the terrible things, the things he had done—the only thing that kept him going was because he HAD to.

He had to—they needed him—

And he had to, he had to keep his mind—keep it off of—]

[MN.8] //: (Nnngh…)

[…The fact that the update of Cardinal’s memories to the server was a ticking time bomb, just waiting to make the Rebel Angels even more terrified of him and potentially hostile…

…really, really wasn’t helping.]

<DWN-013>: > We’re all in this together, alright?

<DWN-013>: >And we don’t need perfection here just now—

[Background noise of something being lit on fire.]

[MN.8] //: .....

[MN.8] //: -mmmgh.-

<DWN-013>: > -He’ll be okay, I promise-

<DWN-013>: >He’s already running again.

[MN.8] //: … … …

[There was a muffled bit of data that seemed edge with dread—dread, uncertainty, anxiety, concern—

Almost as if he were thinking to himself a worry that what happened could ever be forgiven.]

<DWN-013>: > Ah ah—I know that data—

<DWN-013>: >Just try and loosen up a bit and be there for your sisters, okay?

<DWN-013>: >We can deal with the rest later after we get home.

<DWN-013>: >Think of it as…

<DWN-013>: > -Lightbulb-

<DWN-013>: >Some DLC for your tagging incident. : ]

[MN.8] //: --....

[MN.8] //: (....That would be nice...)

[MN.2] //: -YEAH AFTER WE CLEAN UP CHERRY'S MESS, WE CAN AAAAALL BE NICE AND CHILL TOGETHER-

<DWN-012>: >GG, Icewoman—

<DWN-012>: >Now I want black cherry flavored snowcones—

<DWN-013>: > I prefer strawberry and lemonade flavor, myself.

[MN.2] //: -Glitch when Snow wakes up we gotta make ALLLL THE SNOWCONES AND ICE CREAMS--

[BOOM—!]

[MN.2] //: --What the glitch was that?

<DWN-012>: >I’m not sure— Bat?

[MN.5] //: That wasn't us or Pyro--not Jaden either--

[MN.1] //: Avi isn't here and Shade didn't blow up anything, did you?

[MN.8] //: Nope--

[MN.7] //: --....

[MN.7] //: Beck--

[Static.]

[MN.9] //: B--Buddy--that's not Buddy--

[MN.7] //: -????-

[DR.WHITE] //: It's--It must be an unreleased, upgraded Round Digger Model--!

[Explosions can be heard over the feeds--]

[MN.9] //: -BUDDY IS LIKE TEN TIMES BETTER THAN YOU, STOP SHOOTING WATER AT ME--

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: > -A Digger that uses WATER????-

<DWN-013>: >Are you sure that’s not a glitched model?

[MN.9] //: -Don't care--

[SHING!]

[MN.9] //: -This thing can wreck the whole building if we leave it unchecked--

<DWN-013>: >If Avi were here, I’m sure he’d be punning about “where’s the fire” or soOOOOOoOooohhhhh okayyy…

<DWN-012>: > -No, bailing and letting it run loose is not an option-

<DWN-013>: > -Didn’t mean it wasn’t tempting for a moment-

[SHING SHING SHING--]

[MN.9] //: -UGH THIS THING IS WAY TOUGHER THAN BUDDY WAS--

<DWN-012>: >But nowhere near as tough as you!

<DWN-012>: >I guess he’s using your form, Brand. : ]

[MN.7] //: >> -....He uses it well-

[MN.9] //: -wat really--

[MN.9] //: -I MEAN--THANKS NII-SAN--

[There's a strange burst of data when Beck is praised by his elder brother--]

[SHINGSHINGSHINGSHINGSHINGSHING--!]

<DWN-013>: > ?

Will: Oh my--

<DWN-013 to MNN-007>: >Brand, what am I hearing?

[MN.7] //: Otouto?

[MN.9] //: -......-

[MN.9] //: @~@

[MN.9] //: Sooooo dizzyyyy...

[MN.9] //: -Blrgh, dad why did you program me for nausea--

Will: -I--I think Beck just did Brand's Spin Slash technique--

Speedy: -Raises an eyebrow- …

[MN.7] //: What!?

[MN.9] //: WHOA WHAT REALLY I CAN D O THAT NOW--

[MN.9] //: -NII-SAN--NIIII-SAAAAAN I DID THE THING--

Speedy: -Slight wry grin- So when you hear it from someone you hold in high regard then, huh…?

[MN.7] //: -Low-key actually excited about this, what, that isn't pride, what are you talking about--

[MN.9] //: : D!!

<DWN-013>: >So… he can unlock secondary abilities, too? -Seems… pleased about this, in a sense-

<DWN-013>: >I wonder if that’ll happen when eventually you get to have our forms.

<DWN-012>: >Heh. Imagine Beck, like, duplicating himself!

<DWN-012>: >Or teleport spamming! B]

<DWN-013>: > -Chuckles at this-

<DWN-013>: >You’re just full of awesome surprises, aren’t you, lil’ bro?

<DWN-013>: > -Warm ping of approval-

[MN.9] //: ^//^

[MN.9] //: Eheh...

[MN.9] //: -Imeannii-sanistheonewhomadeupthatmoveso--

[MN.7] //: >>;

<DWN-013>: > -Laughs in data- Tell you what, Beck!

<DWN-013>: >After this is over, I’ll teach you some of the non-Capsule style moves I use!

[MN.9] //: -OOOO REALLY--

[BLAM--]

Will: Oh dear Beck wait for me--

[Will hurries behind a gleefully excited Nine, who is spurred on by the prospect of learning something new from one of his other brothers.]

Beck: Come on, Dad, how much further?

Will: Ah--Not long now, now that you took care of that Round Digger...

Will: We should be seeing some of the assembly lines right around here...

Will: .....

Will: That's odd...

Beck: --? Huh? What is?

Will: ...The assembly lines are going in reverse--?

<DWN-012>: >Say what?

<DWN-012>: >That sounds… really gruesome…

Will: (That's strange--why would the factory disassemble its own models?)

Will: (Something is wrong here...)

Beck: .......

Beck: (There's a lot of Xel up ahead, I can feel it...)

Beck: (Huh...)

<DWN-013>: >Why would models be being torn apart into Xel? That’s honestly messed up. >.>

<DWN-013>: >Even a malfunction should just cause it to shut off, because a buildup backlog would just cause an explosion somewhere.

<DWN-012>: > …Unless it were being used somewhere else in the factory, somehow…

<DWN-013>: >Doing what?

Will: Only one way to find out...

Beck: Keep going?

Will: Yes.

<DWN-013>: >Let us know.

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: >Kinda concerned we haven’t heard from 18 or 19 yet…

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: >Nico must have either knocked 19 out entirely or else taken out the transmitter altogether. I hope it’s just the transmitter, because I don’t want our cousins to get involved…

[MN.1] //: Tch...

[MN.1] //: (Alnico, you better know what you're doing...)

[MN.2] //: --uh--

[MN.2] //: Guyyyyys--

<DWN-013>: > -Distracted- Yeah, Icesis?

[There is what could only be described as absolute chaos over Cryo's team's feeds--even Beck himself could hear it on the next rooms beyond.]

Beck: --!

[MN.2] //: WE MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE HERE--

[MN.8] //: -REQUESTIN' BACK-UP, THERE'S BEEN A INFLUX OF CDNs--

[MN.3] //: -BZZZZZZT OW--

<DWN-012>: >UH.

<DWN-012>: >TEAM ONE YOU MIGHT NEED TO BACKTRACK—

<DWN-013>: > Hang in there!

[MN.1] //: Bat! Move up front with Jaden--we're heading to the assembly lines!

[MN.5] //: Roger that, Commander--

[MN.1] //: Speedy, Brand, Mic, how far are you from their location?

[MN.4] //: -Not far, heading that way now--

[MN.1] //: Beck, stay with Father until we can clear things up enough for you to pass though!

Beck: Yessir!

[There’s an increasingly loud clanging noise coming closer.]

[MN.2] //: -EY, CALVERY IS COMING--

[MN.3] //: -BZZZ, HEY, HANDSZZ OFF THE PONCHO--

Jaden: -Runs in- HI BECK—

Jaden: -Runs past- BYE BECK—

Beck: !!

Bat: CHAAAAAAAARGE--

Beck: -WHOOPS, OUT OF THE WAY--

[Pyro does pause for a moment when he catches up to check on Beck and Will--]

Pyro: --...

Pyro: Father, you're a mess--

[Will did look a bit worse for wear, but there wasn't any real major injuries to worry about.]

Will: Eheh... Don't worry about me, son.

Will: Go.

Pyro: -Nods-

Beck: -GO GET THEM, BRO--

[Inside the assembly lines....]

Cryo: TOOK YOU GUYS LONG ENOUGH--

Cryo: -FREEZES A CDN instead of finishing that SENTENCE--

Dyna: -BZZZZ, THEY JUST KEEP COMING--

Jaden: Not for much longer, they don’t.

Shade: Ya seen Brand and the others--?

[Shade, of course, was at a high vantage point along with Cryo to pick off the CDNs as they came out of the lines.]

Shade: We need them t' trash the equipment--

[CRASH—]

Pyro: --!!

Speedy: -Keeps running so he doesn’t get run over- HI GUYS MIC AND BRAND ARE RIGHT BEHIND ME, STAY OUTTA THE WAY I THINK THEY AREN’T GONNA BE STOPPING EITHER—

[SHING SHING SHING SHING SHING--]

[RRRRRRRRRRR--]

Mic: -SLAMS RIGHT INTO A PROCESSING UNIT-

[Speedy opens fire with Quick Boomerangs.

Shade flinches at the sound.]

Shade: --ngh--

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

KTANG!

[Leaping onto the walls and vaulting onto a statue, he peppered the room with high speed Quick Boomerangs.]

"You clearly haven’t learned I don’t go down so easy, Counter.”

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Cryo: Hey! -Sprays with cold water--

Shade: GAH--

Cryo: I need ya here and now, bro, gotta keep those CherryDyn's down!

Shade: | [ -Ya didn't have to cold spray me--

Brand: Mic! Help me with these processing units!

Mic: -MIC SMASH--

Jaden: HEY MIC!

Mic: !

[He fires into a bit of debris and kicks it over Mic’s way.]

Jaden: Give ‘em a slam dunk! >B]

Mic: E : <

Mic: -WHAM--

[A slew of CDNs are crushed underneath the pile of debris, now just a pile of Xel on the floor.]

Cryo: -THREE POOOOOINTS--

[BOOM!]

Brand: --!

Mic: -OOO TRASH BALL GO BOOM--

Pyro: Dyna, barrier!

Dyna: You got it--!

[A bunch of bits fly in front of Pyro to create an electric shield, which he stands behind for a moment before igniting himself--]

[--And CHARGING FORWARD, Using Dyna's shield as a battering ram against the CDNs--!]

[Interesting. Bits of surge from what’s left of the Crash Bomb provide a boost. Not NEARLY as much as the full thing, but still.]

[PING!]

[MN.6] //: HEY GUYS, AM I LATE TO THE PARTY--

Speedy: EEEEY, LOOK WHO’S OUTTA THE JOINT.

Speedy: Tell me you have good news, bro!

Speedy: Everyone’s in one piece, yeah?

Avi: Yo I got there JUST in time, bro, Call's giving the pooch a lesson--

Speedy: How’s our younger brother?

Avi: They're on their way to Doc Blackwell, and--Uh.

Avi: ....Wait, what?

Speedy: …

[He leaps up onto a higher vantage point to start taking out his frustration on the production lines.]

Speedy: Nico went in there! Are you saying he’s not back yet?

Avi: -YO SAY WHAT--

Jaden: He must have seen Call on the screen after Siamini looked up the status of the Sanda team after hearing you freak out over the dog plans.

Avi: -I--I didn't see him there, I didn't know, I only broadcasted to Sanda-bag--

Avi: -Gaaaaaaah if I knew I would've stayed and backed him up--

Pyro: Avi--

Avi: --?

Jaden: I wouldn’t worry about it…

Jaden: He could tear things up pretty badly if he puts his mind to it.

Jaden: Especially if he took shrapnel bits with him on the way…

Speedy: I’m going to guess yes, given he was going into something with Combat in mind.

Avi: -Oh-

Avi: ....

Avi: : ' D -Okaaaaaaay yup cuz that's not terrifying to think about at all--

Jaden: -Laughs at this-

Jaden: We’re Wily constructs, dude.

Avi: : ''''' D

[PING!]

[MN.9] //: How are you guys holding up?

[MN.5] //: Managed to push them back at least--

[MN.6] //: -EY BECKO GUESS WHAT, CALL'S BEATING UP THE DOGGIE AND NICO'S, UH--GOING IN FOR BACK UP-

[MN.9] //: Oh, That's-- waitdidyousaynico--

<DWN-013>: >Yyyyyyeah, uh…

[MN.9] //: -NOBODY TOLD HIM ABOUT CALL--

<DWN-013>: >No, we didn’t, but he apparently saw, because he took out both the transmitter and possibly Siamini as well in the process of storming off.

[MN.9] //: -Thaaaaaaaaaat's not good--

[MN.9] //: Do you guys need a hand?

<DWN-013>: >No thanks, I don’t use hands. B]

<DWN-013>: >No hands no problem, right, Shade?

[MN.8] //: Heh...

[MN.8] //: Little help does sound nice, though.

[MN.1] //: Someone has to stay with Father--

[DR.WHITE] //: No, we're running out of time--

[DR.WHITE] //: We NEED to get past this into the main assembly line--

Jaden: You want me to come over?

[DR.WHITE] //: No, Jaden, you're needed with the rest of your team--all of you just keep concentrating on the infected units while we slip by!

[MN.9] //: -Don't worry, I'll be in Mic's form for defense--

Jaden: Awesome! Go for gold, guys. : )

Jaden: We’ll just be having a ball here, right, Icesis?

[REXELECTION: SEISMIC]

Beck: -Snorts-

[MN.2] //: -TEN POINTS FOR YOU-

Beck: Hey, Dad--get on!

Will: --Wait--what, on you--

Beck: -This'll be much faster than you on foot--Don't worry, 'Linka and I do this all the time--

Will: Oh--

Beck: Just hold on tight because we're going to be going really fast--

Will: Uh--H-How fast--

[RRRRRRRRRRR--]

[MEANWHILE...]

Mic: -SMAAAASH--

Brand: --Mic, is that noise you--

[RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR--]

Will: -SCREAMING, TOO FAST, TOO FAAAAAAAAST--

Avi: -GO BECK GO--

Beck: -SKIDS AROUND STUFF- You sure you guys don't need some--

[WHANG--!]

Beck: !!

[OH WHEN DID A ROUND DIGGER GET IN HERE--]

Jaden: Woah! -Knocked over-

Brand: Haaaaaah--!

[S H I N G !]

Jaden: o.o

Jaden: -Looks as the half of a Round Digger turns into Xel goop- Nice one, bro.

Brand: Hmph.

Brand: Nothing here my blades cannot handle.

Cryo: -Oh stop being dramatic, ya loopy ninja-

Mic: -NOPE, got this area all under control-

Mic: -Maybe help Cryo team instead--

Cryo: PFFFT, I'm ice CREAMING these bots--

Cryo: -There's snow many of them though--

Shade: -Sigh- -BANG-

Shade: Maybe if ya spend more time FIGHTIN' and less on yer lame puns...

Cryo: -Shrills- WHAT?!

Cryo: Just remember who you're talking to, Shadey, I'm SIX WHOLE NUMBERS OLDER THAN YOU--

Jaden: Like the other punster? | ]

Avi:  : D

Cryo: Okay YES but six as in OLDER--

Shade: -Rolls his eye- Yeah, yeah, an' Ah'm--

Pyro: Shade stop arguing with your sister--

Shade: -OI SHE STARTED IT WITH HER PUNNIN'--

Speedy: -Laughs a little at this-

Jaden: -Jumps onto Mic- You provide a great vantage point, bro. : )

Mic: ^ W ^

Beck: -ZOOOMS AROUND XEL MUSH-

Will: -AAAAAAAH STILL TOO FAST, HELP-

Speedy: Buckle up, Will! |D

Will: -WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT I DIDN'T DESIGN BECK W I T H SEAT BELTS--

Beck: -Skids as he just HAS TO LAUGH AT THAT--

Beck: -BYE GUYS, HEADING FOR THE LINES NOW--

Will: -PLEASE, I want to get ooooofff--

Pyro: Bat! You're with me, we're going to secure the room ahead!

Pyro: Jaden, stay here and provide support for the others, alright?

Jaden: You’ve got it.

Jaden: Come on, bro, let’s wreck some things.

Speedy: Heh. It’s what we were made for!

[They both give devilish grins.]

Beck: -GOOD LUCK GUUUUUYS--

[Beck, with his father in tow, races across many a battered hallway, Pyrogen and Battalion following close behind.]

Pyro: Crash and BURN!

[Following Pyro's lead, they thin out the CDNs that littered the reversed assembly lines, giving Beck a clear pathway towards the center of the factory.]

Bat: HAHA! Now that's what I like to see! First into battle, the tip of the spear!

Pyro: | ]

Pyro: Heh, of course--it's a leader's duty, after all.

Beck: --!!

Beck: Dad--look!

Will: -Opens his eyes--

Will: !

[CHERRYDYN MAIN ASSEMBLY LINE FLOOR.]

Will: At last!

Pyro: We'll keep things under control here so nothing tries to come up from behind!

Pyro: Good luck, Beck!

Beck: c : <

[The door automatically opens, and then slams shut behind them--]

Beck: !

Beck: Whooooooooooa...

[Right in the middle of the entire assembly floor was the Primary M.O.M unit, it's displays flashing from red to purple with errors littering the holoscreens around it.]

Will: There it is...

Will: .....

Will: (All the assembly lines so far lead to here, but in the reverse way...)

Will: Alright, first, we need to find it's computer core and destroy it--

Will: That will halt all of the production lines so I can hack into the systems themselves and shut them down for good--

[Will calmly approaches the M.O.M unit slowly, looking for any sort of panel it might have that will reveal it's inner workings...]

Will: Beck, I need you to scan this with your C.Visor and--

Beck: --!!!

Beck: DAD, UP--!

Will: --?!

[Beck grabs Will and yanks him backwards, right before--]

Will: -Fumbles right into his back-

Will: Wh--

[GGGHGHGHGGGGGH...]

[The Doctor scrambles to his feet as the very earth shakes from the force of a giant, MASSIVE construct slams down just where he was not moments ago--]

Will: What on--?!

[PING!]

<DWN-013>: >WOAH, guys, what’s with the shaking—

<DWN-013>: >It’s like something Gamma size slammed down!

[MN.9] //: -WHAT THE HECK IS THAT--

[MN.9] //: WHAT IS THAT, IT'S--IT'S LIKE FOUR TIMES BIGGER THAN MIC--

[DR.WHITE] //: G--Good heavens--

[DR.WHITE] //: I--I've never seen it's like before--th--this isn't like ANYTHING that CherryDyn's schematic database has--!

[DR.WHITE] //: --!!!!

[DR.WHITE] //: No, wait--of course, it makes sense now--the reversed assembly lines, the mixed up fused robots--

[DR.WHITE] //: The factory, the virus--it's--

[DR.WHITE] //: It's begun to CREATE it's OWN DESIGNS--!

[MN.9] //: WHAT--?!

[MN.9] //: H-HOW, HOW WOULD--

<DWN-013>: >Ooookay, um…

<DWN-013>: >Where are you guys right now, exactly—

[DR.WHITE] //: -Too terrified to answer--

<DWN-013>: >I’m… going to try and contact Siam, hang in there—

Beck: D--Dad--?!

Will: (Run, we need to--!)

[Will backs up, but the cold, hard surface of the door reminds him that they just can't run from this.]

Will: (Ngh--!)

???: -HELLISH SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

[MN.7] //: -What on EARTH WAS THAT--

Beck: This thing is huge--

Beck: Why would the virus want to--to MAKE something like this--?

Will: Ngh--

Will: It's still trying to cause mass destruction...

<DWN-013>: >Okay, so I couldn’t contact Siam, BUT—

<DWN-013>: >I was able to contact someone else, and they’ll be right on over—

???: S C R E E E E E E E E E --

Will: Beck--

Will: We--We have to--

Will: -Grips sword-

Will: We can't let this thing leave this factory--!

Will: We have to stop it here--now, and shut down the M.O.M Unit before it can create an ARMY of these--!

Beck: --!!

Beck: But this is--this is WAY bigger than anything else--

Will: We have to TRY!

Will: Otherwise it will tear this place apart with EVERYONE IN IT!

Beck: --!!

Beck: (Everyone--)

[TRIGGER RECONIZED. XELFILTER.EXE ENGAGED.]

Will: You distract it!

Will: I'll handle the M.O.M Unit!

[REXELECTION: SEISMIC.]

Beck: Yes, sir!

[SCANNING...]

[SCAN COMPLETE.]

[E N C O U N T E R.]

[MODEL: CDN-XXX, CODENAME: NAMELESS]

[HEIGHT: 774cm WEIGHT: 4048kg XEL COUNT: 809,200,000]

[The giant Xel goliath lurches forward, and one of it's arms raises to the sky--]

[And-- detatches--?]

<CROSS-REFERENCE IDENTIFIED: HARD KNUCKLE.>

Beck: -UH OH--

[The arm rotates, and the boosters on its end propel it STRAIGHT at the pair--]

[Will and Beck both dive on opposite directions, Beck rolling to the left while Will tumbles to the right and off the platform.]

Will: -Ow--

Will: (Have to get to the M.O.M unit--!)

[The M.O.M unit is a slick jet black pillar instead of the smaller white secondary unit...

He calls on the terminal at once and begins to type away.]

Will: (If I can just find an old back door I used for this...)

[ACCESS DENIED.]

Will: Argh--!

Will: (Of course HE would lock my old pathway out of the system--!)

Will: (Fine, hacking the old fashioned way, then--where is that computer core--?)

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

[CRAAAAAAASH--!]

Will: --?!?

Will: Beck--?! Are you--

[As Will turns around, he is SURPRISED to see the giant, 25 foot tall Xelbot--]

[....Utterly in pieces.]

Will: Wha?

[...]

"Ngh..."

[POP!]

[Beck's head peeks out from the mountain of debris, in his default form.]

Beck: Okay, so...

Beck: These things break WAY too easy to my default weapon.

Beck: No joke!

Will: ...Really?? ?_?

Beck: Yeah!

Beck: Huh. Kinda weird that something is that big and it doesn't even hold well...

[CERCHINK--]

[A panel slides open behind Will, prompting him to turn around to watch it open--]

[ A black sphere with the CherryDyn logo on it juts out, pulsing with a sickly purple glow--there was no saving this data core, not when it was so corrupted like this.]

Will: The computer core--!

Will: (So it is infected...)

Will: Beck--

[SCREEEEEEEEEEEEECH--!]

Beck: -Wha--

[The earth once again shakes, felt by all in the building--]

Beck: A--Another one??

Nameless: -SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Beck: GAK--

[Wait, why is the floor moving BACKWARDS--]

<CROSS-REFERENCE IDENTIFIED: DWN-009>

Will: BECK!

[Chink--]

Will: --!

Will: No you DON'T--

[SHINK--!]

[Will manages to slash at the core with his Rapier before the panel shuts it away, the systems on the terminal glitching out as it went back into the M.O.M unit.]

Will: (I see now--)

Will: BECK!

Will: Keep breaking the Nameless!

Will: I'll destroy the core myself!

Beck: -BLAM BLAM- On it!

Beck: -Ugh, I didn't need a work out today, this thing is fast--

[BLAM--]

[CRAAAAAAASH--!]

Beck: Two down!

Will: (And the core should--)

[Right on cue, the core panel once again opens, the core itself revealed.]

[SHINK--!]

[ERROR--INTERNAL COMPUTER CORE DAMAGED.]

[PRODUCTION DOWN 25%]

Beck: It's working!

[S L A M--]

Nameless: SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE--

Beck: -Oh jeez--

<DWN-012>: > Guys are you okay in there

<DWN-012>: >DO YOU NEED STRUCTURAL ASSISTANCE

<DWN-013>: > -KINDA SOUNDS LIKE THE BUILDING’S FALLING ON TOP OF YOU OR SOMETHING?-

Will: Fine--we're fine, It's just Beck on the third of one of those things--

Will: -SHINK-

Will: I've damaged the computer core of the M.O.M unit, the production lines SHOULD be slowing down now!

[WHANG--]

Beck: --GUH--

[Beck struggles to keep an even footing on the moving assembly line, and failed to dodge an incoming arm from slamming into him AND the wall.]

Beck: ACK!

Will: You can DO this, Amadeus!

Will: Just hold on!

Beck: Nngh--

Beck: Y-Yes sir...

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1...]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

[As the third Nameless unit is felled, Will wasted no time moving from hacking the terminal to striking at the core the moment it came out of the panel, with quick thrusts and parries.]

[ERROR--PRODUCTION DOWN 50%, SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT.]

Will: (Ngh, I need--I need MORE than just this sword--)

Will: (But Beck is busy with the Nameless, and--!)

[There’s a shrill, FAMILIAR whistle that BLASTS across the feeds.]

Beck: --?!?

Beck: (No way--it--it can't be--)

Beck: (He can't be up already--?!)

“RRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNGGGGGHHH…”

Beck: --?????

[SCREEEEEEEEEEEE--]

[S L A M--]

Nameless: -HELL SCREECH-

Beck: Oh MAN--

Beck: (Help--)

[FOOSH.]

Will: --?!?

Will: Jazz?!

[Indeed. It was none other than Cardinal’s support unit—and BOY, did she seem to be in a BAD mood.]

Jazz: HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHSSSS!

Nameless: -HELL SCREEEEEEEEEEEE OF PAIN--

Beck: Jazz--!

Beck: : D

[While Beck was happy to see her, Jazz didn’t return the affection. She was angry, and vicious, and it showed.]

Jazz: >8K

Beck: --Oh right you're in pantheress mode, Kay then--

Jazz: >|K

Jazz: Ree-ow.

Beck: We need to take THIS big thing down!

Beck: -And keep them away from Dad while he does his thing, okay-

Jazz: -REE-OW.-

[SHING!]

[YUP. THOSE ARE CLAWS IF EVER THERE WERE SOME.]

Beck: O.O

Beck: -....NICE- ^.^

Beck: -Yes, there will be food after, we know you-

Beck: Let's get 'em, kitty! > : D

Nameless: -SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

Jazz: Ree-ow.

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

Will: (Oh, thank goodness, at least Beck will have some support...)

Will: (I still have to take out this core, but I have nothing else--)

[There was a squealing noise as Jazz dug her claws into the Nameless.]

Will: -OW, OUR EARS--

Will: --!

Will: (Wait...)

Will: (I DO have something else--)

-*-*-*-

Mikhail: At least take the sensory defense mechanism with you, Will!

Mikhail: I’m begging you—

Mikhail: You and Sanda are the ONLY friends I have ever since we were relocated in the protection program! PLEASE don’t get yourself hurt!

-*-*-*-

[Will scrambles to get the sensory defense mechanism off from around his neck--]

Will: (This--)

Will: (If I can get this right in the core, the signals should overload it and the system--!)

Beck: DAAAAD I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN DO THIS--!

Nameless: SCREEEEEEEEEE--

Will: Just a little longer--

Will: --And brace yourself--!

Beck: --?? Wha--

[CRAAAAAAASH--]

[Will presses the mechanism and throws it into the open panel, where it lands right on the computer core--]

Will: (I hope this works--!)

[The panel closes, and--]

[The closed panel prevented the blinding light, yes.]

[At least… the VISIBLE light… to the outside observer.]

[ERROR--E R R OR--]

[But the SOUND, and the SOUND and the LIGHT over the FEEDS—

Not so much.]

<DWN-012>: > -ERROR: DATA OVERLOAD-

<DWN-013>: > -ERROR: DATA OVERLOAD-

<CSU-001>: > -ERROR: DATA OVERLOAD-

[It was like every possible avenue related to the perception of vision and sound was overwhelmed in a blinding and deafening way. Both in the traditional sense and through data alone— it BLASTED throughout not only the entire factory, but also the building next door.

Although the concept had been originally designed specifically to fight against Robot Masters running a DWN_OS, it functioned through the use of sensory overload. Anything—even organic things—that had sensory perception was, to some degree, susceptible. This included the Mighty Numbers.]

Beck: -OW OWOWOWOW--

[MN.4] //: @~@

[MN.7] //: -ngh--cant see--!

[MN.6] //: -CRASH, OUCH, WE'RE OKAY BUT OW MAN WHO TURNED ON THE BRIGHTNESS SETTING TO EXTREMELY NOT OKAY--

[For Shade in particular, the experience was borderline torturous—his high sensitivity made it not merely uncomfortable—it made it PAINFUL.]

[MN.8] //: UUUGH WHAT THE DAMN HELL I S THAT--

[He was suddenly overcome yet again.

Memories of the fight bombarded him—recollections of times Cardinal had used Flash Stopper, of when he had let his fans screech loudly across the feeds—it cascaded and echoed back against the HORRIBLE sensation already being applied against him—]

[MN.8] //: -Ngh--!

[THUD--]

[MN.6] //: -Oh crud SHADE BRO ARE YOU OKAY--

[MN.8] //: -WHAT'S IT LOOK LIKE--

Will: --?!?

[Will was taken aback at all of this, but didn’t have long to dwell on it.]

[E ROR LRKRKKDJSNAK--]

[SY TO TME F ISIALUT RE--]

Will: --!

[The lights and the holoscreens around the M.O.M unit blink out one by one, and then--

The assembly lines all over the factory come to a screeching halt.]

Beck: @~@

Beck: Uuugh, my head...

Will: ......

Will: >~>!;;;;

Will: (Er...Oops?)

Will: (I--er.)

Will: (Oh dear I really shouldn't ever make Mikhail angry ever again--)

Will: o~o;;;;;;

[MN.1] //: -Jaden???? Speedy????-

[The two of them were out cold, though they were still Online, at least.]

[MN.2] //: -YO THIS IS NO TIME TO BE TAKING A NAP BRO--

[SPLLIIIIIIISH--]

<DWN-012 is now Online.>

<DWN-012>: > -Gurgle noises-

[MN.2] //: -Rolls over to Jaden now--

[SPLLIIIIIIISH--]

<DWN-013 is now Online.>

<DWN-013>: > -AWAKE, SO AWAKE NOW— -

[MN.1] //: | / --Ngh--head still hurts, what WAS that--

[MN.2] //: -Yeah that was, like, WAY DIZZY-

[MN.3] //: -Bzzzz ugh is there such thing as robot asprin Because that would be nice right now--

<DWN-013>: > Ugh…

<DWN-013>: > That was Doctor Cossack’s robot mace.

<DWN-013>: > …On the lowest setting.

[MN.2] //: -YO ARE YOU FOR REAL-- --Wait what isn't Uncle Mikhail like back at the lab--

[MN.3] //: ...Hang on, didn't Doc Cosszzack give Daddy zzsomething like...?

<DWN-012>: > My head still hurts… man is that strong stuff.

<DWN-013>: > Is Shade okay?

[MN.6] //: Eeeeeeeh... -Gives the so-so kinda guesture-

[MN.8] //: -Incoherent data, mostly grumpy to angry data, but mostly discombobulated-

<DWN-013>: >Ow.

<DWN-013>: > …I don’t hear any more crashing noises, the production seems to have stopped…

<DWN-013>: >Does that mean we’re done here…? @~@

[PING!]

[DR.WHITE] //: ...

[DR.WHITE] //: ....Um. I-Is everyone--um...--MOSTLY alright--?

[DR.WHITE] //: -Dear god I am SO sorry I hadnoideathedevicewasthatpowerfulareanyofyouhurt--?????-

[DR.WHITE] //: -WE'RE SORRY, BECK WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE GIANT ROBOTS, THE CORE WASN'T--

[DR.WHITE] //: O~O

<DWN-013>: >I think Jazz is still stunned.

<DWN-013>: >There should… should be a button that does a hard reboot for systems on that device… it must still be intact, because destroying it sets off the highest setting.

<DWN-012>: > We’re okay, we’ve had worse—

[MN.1] //: Ngh... Besides minor damages from the fighting and a massive migraine...

[MN.8] //: -Sounds of stumbling and broken cursing-

[MN.1] //: ....We'll be alright, Father.

[DR.WHITE] //: -Oh thank God, for--for a moment I thought I had seriously hurt you all, I'm SORRY--

<DWN-013>: >No, noooope… >m> That was the LOWEST setting. That doesn’t… isn’t meant to do lasting harm.

[MN.9] //: @~# I really need to lie down...

<DWN-012>: > We should probably head back…

[MN.9] //: yeah that sounds nice, I'm--just gonna carry Jazz back after a bit--

Will: .......

Will: Beck.

Beck: --?

Will: Hold on to these for me.

[Will handed off both the device and his rapier off to Beck, who was resting besides a disabled Jazz.]

Beck: --???

Will: You go on ahead with Jazz without me.

Will: ....There is someone I must see first.

Beck: Huh?

Beck: I--I don't understand--

Beck: Who?

Will: ......

Will: -Puts a hand on Beck's head-

Will: Don't worry about it, alright?

Will: You make sure everyone gets out safely.

<DWN-012>: >You come back okay too then, or else Mikhail will give us an earful. |D;

Will: Eheh--yes, of course....

<DWN-013>: > …I honestly think he might have been put to sleep.

<DWN-013>: >Otherwise there’s no way he wouldn’t have been saying stuff through all of this.

<DWN-012>: >My point still stands…

Will: (Rest, that will do him some good...)

Will: I know.

Will: Just let me finish a few things here before I go.

Will: (Rather, go take care of some unfinished business.)

Beck: Okay....

Beck: Just don't take too long...

Will: I won't.

[Will fondly smiles at his son before turning around, tattered lab coat flowing behind him as he made his way towards a far off door.]

Will: (It's time you and I had a little chat...)

Will: (. . . Gregory Graham.)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 5D: DESOLATE HIGHWAY=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{THE NEXT MORNING…}

[June 28th opens with a press release from Sanda Enterprises.

Several releases, actually.

While most of the two families had gathered in the large living room to watch the TV coverage, there were a few notable exceptions.

Tobias was still Offline, of course—and as such, Snow was still waiting on the other side of the barrier, watching and praying his brother would wake up.

Shadow was still attending the repair bay, where Brandish (and Jack and Carmen as well, for that matter) were still recovering. Dr. Cossack was in the lab, but working on his own personal project.

Siam, to no one’s surprise, remained shut up in the Rebel Angels’ personal lab, which was elsewhere.

Battalion and Seismic were still being sought; Call was sorting through the data by herself at the moment, since Dr. White was working on the virus and both Avis and the Sanda twins were busy with the news coverage.

As for Beck?

He’d asked Jaden to talk with him outside—and after the conversation started focusing on his immunities to certain weapons, Jaden began to get a bit suspicious…]

Jaden: Uh, Beck? .-. Do you, uh… need my form for something?

[Beck paused for a moment, considering what he knew about what had happened to Bladeblaster. If he was right…]

Beck: yes please

Jaden: Well, um. Okay…

[He sits down somewhat awkwardly, due to his size.]

Jaden: You’ve… never really used one of our Power Capsules before, have you?

Beck: ...Mmm...Nope. The closest thing I've seen is the replica you guys gave us.

Jaden: Okay. Well, to put it in your terms… that’s the hardware that holds our Weapon Data. The data is only compatible with specific hardware. Since you’re set up to be adaptable, I think your system will automatically shift to match that, if it can read the data. What with how you work, you’ll probably end up being more like me than say, Cardinal. That’s my theory, of if we try going about this straightforward.

[He holds his left arm at an angle and concentrates. After a moment, an access panel becomes visible, and it opens.

There’s an active Power Capsule inside. It looks kind of like…]

((Pizzazium Infinianite!))

[It has orange light in the coils but overall gives off a white glow, somehow.]

Beck: ...That?

Jaden: …I don’t have hands, so, y-you’re… gonna have to rem-move it yourself. Gently, please.

Beck: Oh, um--uh...

Beck: Are there any--like, screws or...? -We don't wanna hurt you so how do we take it out?-

Jaden: N-no, uh. It’s like a… an old school battery. It just latches into place. Lift the latches and you’ll be fine. I’m in my repair settings, so they aren’t locked down.

Beck: A battery--OK, got it...

Beck: -If I'm doing something wrong you can stop me OK?-

[There was a slight hesitant pause before Beck gently grabbed hold of the Capsule, and lifted the latches as he was told to.]

Beck: --!

[Click.]

[The glow faded somewhat as it was easily removed. Jaden looked a little relieved, though.]

[Beck started blinking rapidly as he held the now free Capsule in his hands...]

[NON-XEL WEAPON DATA DETECTED.]

[BEGINNING ANALYSIS.]

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1.]

Beck: --????

Jaden: -Just watching, though gets puzzled at Beck’s sudden, unexplained surprise-

[A flurry of loose Xel appears in Beck's hands--]

Beck: -UH--

[...and starts to cover the Capsule?]

Jaden: -Okay, this is new- ?__?

Beck: -I'M NOT DOING THIS I SWEAR--at least I think so--

Jaden: Easy, easy—just relax, not everything that any living creature does is conscious effort, you know. It’s okay.

[ANALYZING DATA...]

Beck: ....?

[His eyes glow green as his systems receive the data from the Capsule, and his uneasiness suddenly gives way to curiosity.]

Beck: I--oh. Huh.

Beck: -.. OH OK I THINK I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON--SORTA-

Jaden: ?

Beck: I... think my systems are trying to read the data from the capsule first--it recognized them as not Xel-data right away, so I...guess it's using one of my Xel Stocks to analyze it?

Jaden: That makes sense. Those things are usually part of the system when being used, anyway.

Beck: -...We're kinda getting a garbled mess right now, though-

Beck: -Like--it makes some sense but not really-

Beck: ...This needs some serious data sifting, I think...

Beck: -Maybe sending this assimilation data to Dad or Call can help clean it up and read it better?-

Jaden: Well, your Dad might ask why you were poking around with the power capsules, so.

[He sighed.]

Jaden: Man, I wish Toby were Online. I’m sure he could translate if he worked at it hard enough. What with the side effects of the fusion and all. But he won’t get Online, even if we keep him isolated, until we’re sure he won’t… well.

Beck: ....Yeah.

Beck: . . .

[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]

[The Xel around the capsule slowly, but surely, turned into a bright orange color...]

Beck: --Oooooo...

Jaden: -Brightens up a bit at that-

[It then returned to Beck via his assimilation ability.]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: --Whoa--

[ERROR: NON-XEL DATA CANNOT BE READ. FORM UNAVAILABLE.]

Beck: --...Aw...

Beck: ...Well, I kinda expected something like that...

Jaden: Mmm.

Jaden: Man, if we could just bring Toby Online…

Jaden: I’m sure Siam could make some progress at it, but he’s busy with something else right now. Dr. Cossack seems to be working on some sort of analysis… he’s been very serious about it. And of course, Dr. White is working on his own analysis… -Sigh-

Beck: Oh...yeah, Dad's working on analysing the virus...and Sanda's busy with his twin.

Jaden: I get the feeling this would be easier if Cardinal were here, but of course he’s gone. >__>

Beck: ......

Beck: (I...I kinda wish he was here too. I really could use some of his advice...)

Jaden: If you think it would help, you can keep the Power Capsule to study it when you’re not on missions. You built a magic mirror out of Xel, I’m sure you’ll come up with something. | )

Beck: ...!

Beck: Oh--no, I...

Beck: -...Don't you need this, though--?-

Jaden: To do what, exactly? We’re in enforced lockdown mode, especially after what happened. I can’t leave the Meadow even if I wanted to. And I know better than that. Until something changes, there’s not much any of us can do…

Beck: ...Oh...right...

Beck: ....

[Jaden seems to be distracted, his gaze distant.]

Beck: ......

Beck: Jaden?

Beck: -...is something wrong?-

Jaden: Hmm? Oh, I’m just reading through the news reports that were put out.

[He smiles a little.]

Jaden: Mr. Sanda was very succinct in talking about the virus and the effects that it has, and describing the analysis process that’s going on. He mentioned how and why not everyone got infected—so that should allow for those that aren’t to be able to move about without being attacked all in a panic. The symptoms were listed and all that.

Jaden: The Related Links talked about several instances, like Jack’s adventure, where non-infected Xelbots were doing good.

Jaden: Both of those link to the one about what you’ve been up to and how you and Dr. White are going to use the data to figure out how to stop this.

[His smile falters a little, becoming sloppy, and leaving his eyes entirely.]

Jaden: …It mentions that [color=brick]anyone[/color] with information should contact the company but not engage. Colors and all… (That… that isn’t going to necessarily work.)

[He pauses.]

Jaden: It looks like there are some bloggers commenting on all this, but… that’s more data than I can sort through. Avi promised to help with crowd control if it does come up…

Jaden: (Though he DID say that he kept Toby and Shadow out of the submitted footage…)

Beck: Mmm...

Beck: ......

[Jaden seems somewhat troubled.]

Jaden: …I do wish he were awake. If he…

Jaden: If he were in the right frame of mind, I’m sure he could help analyze data, whether that be social data, coding data, or just plain finding our brother.

[Then he perks up a bit in a grin.]

Jaden: Until then… c’mon, let’s go to the living room. Everyone’s watching the Beck Show~

Beck: Eheh....

Beck: -We're just gonna--yeah follow/hide behind Jaden--

{Living Room}

[Many of the repaired Mighty Numbers (and some of the Angels) are there watching the footage. Siam, Snow, Tobias, and Cardinal were all gone, of course—and Shadow, Brand, Carmen, Jack, Plume, and Landcrusher were still in recovery. There were cheers when Beck entered.]

Goose: -SCOOPS UP OTHER!BRO- SUPERBECK TO THE RESCUE, BA BA BAAAA!

Cryo: -BRO YOU'RE ON TV--

Beck: Whoaa--!!

Pyro: -The bIGGEST BIG BROTHER SMILE ON HIS FACE-

Dyna: -BZZZZZZZ, LOOK AT OUR BECKY~~~-

Kalinka: Hero, herooo~

Digger: Yes good~ : DDD

Avi: -HEH, DID ANYONE EXPECT ANYTHING LESS THOUGH--

Beck: ^///^;;

[Aw, look, he's turning red--]

Beck: I, uh--heh...um...

[...and at a loss for words, it looks like.]

Pisces: If 000 were here, he’d be playing that one song from Hercules. -Gives Beck a thumbs up-

Speedy: Well, he’s just missing out. His own fault. |V

Goose: Nah, bro, he’ll hear this. ;D We made sure of that, didn’t we, Avi? ^.^

Avi: Eeeexactamundo, Avi! ^.^

Beck: ...?

Jaden: I still don’t think you should expect much results.

Goose: Bro, you gotta learn to be more optimistic!

Jaden: No, I mean—gah, never mind, we’ll probably discuss it at a family meeting or something later.

Nico: …? Beck?

[He’s looking right at him, and not at the TV or any of the others. After a moment, ALL the DWNs and DCNs do the same.]

Nico: .__.; Beck?

Nico: Why exactly are you holding Jaden’s Power Capsule…?

Beck: ....?

Beck: ...! Oh--!

[...Whoops. He forgot to put that away.]

Beck: Jaden let me borrow it.

Nico: -Looks over-

Jaden: -Ping of confirmation, calm-

Nico: -Oh, okay then- -RELIEF-

Pyro: ...So that's what it really looks like...

Cryo: -oooooo, coooool-

Beck: Yeah, I tried to assimilate it's weapon data--

Nico: —?!

Dyna: -Wait you did what--

Beck: -KEY WORD 'TRIED'-

Beck: ...But all I got was unreadable data. So no Jaden form yet...

[Nico scowls at his brother for a moment, and pulls him aside. The two make soft pings and eye glows every so often as they become engaged in a private conversation…]

Goose: -Sets Becky down- Cool. Looks like a neon light or something. :V

Speedy: -Reachy reachy for favorite bro’s hardware- Yyyyeah, nobody try eating it or I’ll sock them to the face. >.>

Pisces: -Lazily grabs Speedy’s wrist before he invades Beck’s personal space-

Pyro: Hmm...

Beck: I didn't try to eat it--!

Beck: ...I did have to--well, my systems used a Xel Stock to analyze it.

Pyro: ...Your systems? You mean it was automatic?

Beck: Yeah--kinda freaked me out a bit at first, eheh... ^^;;

Speedy: -Then obviously I wasn’t talking to YOU, was I-

Beck: Uh...

Dyna: | T -We THOUGHT it was a power storage thing, let it go, jeezzz-

Beck: A-Anyway...I think the data has to be organized and sifted through before I can use it...

[…Man, Nico and Jaden are starting to bare their teeth at each other. Clearly Nico isn’t too happy about this development, for some reason.]

Beck: ....?

Pyro: ...What's going on over there? | [ -Uh oh, big bro mode on-

Avi: -UM--HEY BRO LOOK I’M FLYING IN THE HOUSE-

Pyro: --! Avi--NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE--

[Nico throws his hand outward.]

WHANG.

[…Avi is now stuck to the ceiling.]

Jaden: !

[Aaaaand the other one.]

WHANG.

[Jaden is stuck to the wall.]

Pisces: …bro, that was harsh.

Beck: --!

Avi:

-OW--that kinda smarts...-

Nico: Enough.

[He lets them both drop to the floor, hovering and shifting to his armor, sans helmet.]

Avi: -FACEPLANT-

-Muffled ouch noises-

Beck: . . . . .

Nico: Jaden, you shouldn’t have done that without asking first.

Nico: Nobody else in this family better try that without approval from myself, Siam, AND Doctor Cossack, got it?

Speedy: Whaaaaaaatever you say, bro.

Beck: . . .

Beck: I...

Beck: . . .

[...Uh oh.]

Nico: Beck, do not toy around with Power Capsules, okay?

Nico: They /don’t/ act the same way for secondary users as they do for their primary users. The differences are entirely unpredictable until you’re actually out using them in battle.

Goose: Wait, wat .-.

Beck: .....

Beck: Oh...

[...He didn't know that...]

Pyro: ...How so?

Nico: -Turns to face Pyro- They aren’t fully functional when used with hardware that doesn’t match the specs they were designed for. For example. There’s one defense-related one? When our brother had used it, it defended him from everything. But if Cardinal or the Menace used it? Only from close-range physical attacks.

Nico: Not knowing what you’re dealing with there is a deadly mistake to make in situations like this. Don’t do it. -Plus, we do not approve in general-

Goose: Bro, then why did Robin take all your stash?

Nico: Because he knows how they work.

Pyro: Hmm...you do have a point. I suppose it's lucky that Nine can't read the data.

Beck: .....

Nico: -Warning glare at Beck, eyes flashing with a glow for a moment-

Beck: --!

[--He backs away, and there is a slight fearful look in his eyes--]

Avi: --Hey, bro, don't do that, you're--

[...He did something--something wrong, didn't he?]

[He messed up again--]

<DWN-018 to MNN-009>: > -I WILL protect this family… even if it involves protecting from YOU!-

Beck: -SUDDEN ERRATIC DATA-

[Suddenly, Kalinka yelled.]

Kalinka: {LOOK!}

[She was pointing at the television. For some reason, the broadcast seems to have been pre-empted.]

Pyro: --??

Kalinka: {Aviator, I thought you said it was going to play all day!} D:

Avi: --? What...? But...!

[Nico and everyone else look over, also puzzled. Speedy turns up the volume.]

Beck: --.....?

[The new development seems to have snapped Beck out of his panic, and he quietly moved behind Pyrogen.]

Avi: -The heck is going on, I thought for SURE it would be a continuous broadcast--

Avi: ....Unless...

Skull: ???

Goose: Unless someone paid a lOT of money to say something else--

Avi: --But someone with that kinda cash--

Avi: ....

Avi: -AW NO-

Avi: -PLEASE LET IT BE THE PRESIDENT OR SOMETHING--

Speedy: The President? oh geez, I swear if the Feds show; I'm gonna bolt--

Beck: --!!!

Keltso: {What?!}

Goose: AW COME ON MAN, ARE YOU FOR REAL—

Avi: YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME--!

Pyro: --Father--! -and now we're running to get Dad--

Dyna: -BZZZZZZZZZZ WITH A N G E R-

Cryo: THAT'S IT LEMMIE AT HIM--

Beck: ......

Beck: -Confused as all heck- (I...Graham's blaming Dad now?)

Beck: (But why?)

[The Angels were just shocked into silence. Nico in particular seems to have taken it rather hard.]

Nico: ...

<DWN-018 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

[The others quickly follow suit, with Skull taking Kalinka and warping off without another word. His older brother looks TICKED, though!

Nico hovers off to go get Siam. Meanwhile, Speedy is calling Dr. Cossack to check on Tobias.

There is a ping.]

<DWN-024>: > -HELP, LADY EIGHT IS AWAKE AND GETTING VERY ANGRY-- -

[MN.7] //: -Carmen, please calm d--

<FMN-008>: > -SCREE, SCREE, HE TRIED T’ KILL ME AN’ NOW HE WANTS T’ FINISH THE JOB /AND/ COMPLETE THE SET, AH’ SWEAR I’LL DRAG HIS SORRY CHASS TO THE COURTROOM AN’ THROW HIM IN THE JAIL CELL /MYSELF/ IF I HAVE TO FER THIS—-

[CDN.7037] //: -MISS EIGHT IS ANGRY AS F R A G--

[Soon enough, Will comes in still putting on his lab coat, an expression of confusion on his face.]

Pyro: It's all over the news--

Will: .....

[He takes one look at the screen...]

Will: .....

Will: ....

Will: ...Hmm.

Will: ...That's a bit unorthodox.

Beck: --???

Avi: -Uh, Dad, the prez of CherryDyn is accusing you and Sanda Man of cyberterrorism-

Will: I can see that...

Will: (...This is...a little too desperate--)

Will: (What's your game, Greg...?)

Will: (Why this, and why now? You could have done this from the start, so...)

Will: (What changed--?)

Beck: ...Dad--?

Will: --Mm? Oh, sorry. Got a bit lost in thought, there.

Will: I don't see how this will hold water if they don't have proof...

[Another ping.]

<MCN005>: > I had to sedate Lady Carmen.

<DCP-001>: > {Papa, I'm scared...!} D':

<MC005>: >Now would someone please explain to me why my children are afraid and agitated?

[PING!]

[DR.SANDA] //: WILL--!!

[DR.SANDA] //: YOU NEED TO TURN ON THE TV--

[DR.WHITE] //: I already know, Soi.

Keltso: {Dad, we're looking at a second Monstropolis possibility here!!!}

<DWN-024>: > -Honestly, I am surprised THIS has not provoked a response from our brother, normally he would disrupt this sort of broadcast with a sardonic bit of humor-

<MC005>: > ... Will? What is going on over there?

[DR.WHITE] //: ...It seems Graham has turned his blame game towards us now.

[....Strange, why did Will sound so... dull?]

[DR.WHITE] //: Take a look.

<MCN005>: > ... This is very bad. Augh, I can't risk moving Tobias like this, but he shouldn't be here if it continues like this...

Digger: {Father, we should go home. It's not safe for you there. What if they try to storm the place?}

<DWN-019>: > That's it.

<DWN-019>: >Nico and I are withdrawing everyone home. Doctor, please prepare Tobias for transportation.

Goose: -woah woah wOAH WAIT WE KINDA STILL NEED DOC C AND SHADS AROUND-- -

<DWN-019>: > Don't make me bounce a Gemini Laser all the way from the lab, Six.

<DWN-018>: > -We will keep the family ALIVE and protect it from /all/ threats- </aggressive data that seems primarily directed at Pyro and... Beck?>

[DR.SANDA] //: -WE'RE GOING TO CALL OUR BROTHER--HE CAN SAY SOMETHING, MAYBE--

[DR.WHITE] //: .....

Beck: . . . (Wha....)

Goose: Guys, GUYS let's just nOT PANIC, OKAY--

<DWN-019>: > “Panic”? I beg your pardon, but we've seen where this trail leads before. Dying once was enough, thanks.

Avi: ---.....

Avi: -N...Ngh--

Cryo: --?? Avi--?

[They all falter a moment when they remember.

Avi knew EXACTLY what they were talking about.]

Avi: -Nngnngh it hurts--

Dyna: Avi--Avi breathe--

[And what's worse...

"I can't let you repeat my mistakes...!"

... Tobias had even tried to warn him.]

Avi: I can't--we--we can't let it END LIKE THAT--

Beck: Avi--!

Avi: -WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING--!! -

Pisces: ...

Pisces: ... They're taking callers now.

Pisces: I wonder who it is--

Speedy: Wait a second--

Speedy: --Isn't Washington the state where Seattle is?

[The voice that came on through the chatter was… not unknown to them all.]

"....Excuse me--yeah, I got something to say."

[PING--!]

[CDN.7037] //: --!!!

[CDN.7037] //: E-Eli...?

<DWN-019>: > ...???

Goose: ... The Cherry KNOWS this guy???

<FMN-008>: > -Waking up again, but distinctly less hostile- ...???

Goose: -tHIS I gotta hear- -Aaaand we reach over and turn up the volume more-

"I just wanna say..."

"What the HELL is that corporate moron thinking?!"

[There’s a brief shout from Snow over the feeds about bad words, but no one really pays attention.]

"Does he really expect us to believe his load of malarkey? For God’s sake, isn't that No. 9 trying to SAVE us?"

Digger: -PING, we like this guy-

"My family and I nearly DIED more times than I can count this week--does he even CARE about what he's sayin' will DO to other people? Is he STUPID?"

Speedy: {MORE OR LESS—}

"I don't know about you, but there's no way on God's good earth that that boy and his father are out to get us. Of all the damn BULLSH--"

[...He's cut off before he can continue.]

[CDN.7037] //: -ELI'S ALIVE-- LILY IS OK, THEY MADE IT--

[The next caller is from... Missouri!]

"Dude."

[... They sound like a college student. A very, VERY tired college student.]

Beck: ....?

"Is this guy high?"

Speedy: -Snorts-

"Weren't we talking a few months ago about how his own security system couldn't stop him from getting his HQ vandalized?"

Will: -...snorts softly-

[A PIC OF THAT POPS UP ON THE SCREEN as he continues--]

Beck: -snICKERS--

"And didn't he get hacked and stuff? I bet he just wants attention because he can't do his job right. CherryDyn can’t even look after their own ‘bots, anyway—I mean, just look at what happened over the summer. Why should we believe they know anything about OTHER people’s bots if they don’t even take care of their own models?”

<DWN-024>: > -That is an exceptionally good point…-

“Anyway, right on, little dude! I think your red fan wanted us to talk and stuff, uh, so if you station guys could give me the number to the lab, that would be great--"

Will: --!!!

[Digger looks thoughtful and serious for a moment, and then quietly slips away.

The next call is from...Minnesota?]

Cryo: --!

"H...Hello?"

[A young woman, it seems like...]

"I...I just want to thank M...Mr. Pyrogen--he...he saved me and all my coworkers..."

Pyro: !

"I...I don't think I would be alive I-If it wasn't for him and his brother...I don't think it was her fault--she was sick, right? I...I hope she's okay..."

Cryo: .....

"T...That's all..."

[Click.]

Jaden: -Surprised- ... We never got told about that. o.o

[The next caller was from...Indiana.]

"I SAW HIM, well sort of I was kinda hanging upside down but I SAW HIM IN THE POWER PLANT I WORK AT, HE WAS SO COOL--"

Beck: ....!

"I thought that I was gonna get fried but the power came back on and I guess he fixed his sister--I mean, come on, the REAL Dynatron wouldn't do that to her fans, she's amazing!"

Dyna: -Oh my God he's one of our fanszz--?-

"I just don't see how No. 9 was doing anything wrong? What's your deal, CherryDyn?"

Pisces: Insecurity, I bet. Among other things.

[He's cut off as well, and the next is from...Cali--!

...it seems to be...a male, but there were other voices in the background as well.]

"Look, I work at the mine Mickster comes and helps us with, that guy wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone someone else--!"

"YEAH THAT CORPORATE MOOK CAN SUCK IT--"

"MIC'S OUR FRIEND, YA CAN'T JUST DISS HIM AND HIS FAMILY LIKE THAT--"

"Berry, we're on the phone--"

"OI MIC IF YOU CAN HEAR US WE GOT YOUR BACK--"

[Another call, from New York—though it sounds like the girl is from California, herself. Another college student, it would seem.]

"Hi. I, like, take a Logic class and stuff?"

"And my roommate’s boyfriend is this huuuuge Avi fan--"

Avi: --!!

"He also likes Morse code and just-- it doesn't make sense?"

Jaden: —! (Uh-oh—!)

"If White really were working with the bad guys, why would his kids need to be 'saved'? You know, whole 'house divided can't stand' and stuff. Like, Avi was saying during his broadcast to 'save us' in Morse code and stuff, so-- he's just got it all wrong."

Nico: … Looks like they thought Toby was your “inner/true self” fighting against the virus. ?__?

Avi: .....Oh...

Goose: -Well, I guess they aren’t completely WRONG, so-

"And I hope his lawyers are well paid because that was a dumb thing to overlook. So I wouldn't be surprised if Sanda Enterprises sued or something."

"Anyway, we liked that cool new music when Beck was saving you, Avi! Get better soon, your show is really funny."

[Next caller--Japan.... There are translated subtitles on the screen with a second or so of delay.]

{"My disciples see No. 7 as a sort of role model--I just don't see how a noble and decorated swordsman of his caliber would suddenly turn his back on everything he stands for--not willingly. He was clearly struggling against whatever was ailing him, anyone can see that--!"}

[MN.7] //: ....I....

{"This must be so very hard on him--and his family. My thoughts go out to them."}

Beck: They....

Beck: They...they're taking our side....

[Click.]

"I think it's just--just awful what CherryDyn said just now--and Beck's just way too cute to be bad, ya know? I mean--come on, how can something THAT adorable be evil??"

[Click.]

"Hey, here's a thought--maybe CherryDyn should fire their whole social department because what the heck?"

[Click.]

"The Mighty Numbers are HEROES, man! Heroes! Just wait, they're gonna fix this any second somehow, they gotta--!"

[There is one final call--]

"Hi, I work with an emergency response group, and... I just wanted to thank the Mighty Numbers. I know Seven was sick and all, but he was fighting really hard—and that made a big difference. The thing a lot of people don't know is that most self-driving cars that were on the road when this started were on their way to pick people up-- empty. If... If he hadn't stopped as many as he did, there would be a lot more injuries along the roads right now, because they would have ended up driving uncontrollably through narrow city streets or small towns. Even while sick, he still saved lives."

[MN.7] //: --!!

"And we've gotten a lot of help from the healthy Xelbots-- one of my coworkers said that the one helping her right now said that it was 'what Bat would have wanted me to do.'"

"You guys just inspire people to, you know, go out there and be Mighty!"

"We believe in you!"

Beck: (They....)

Beck: (They believe...in me...?)

Will: Ah...

[DR.SANDA] //: -WILL--WILL YOU'RE HEARING THIS, RIGHT--

Beck: (People believe in me?)

Cryo:

-...NO WE'RE NOT CRYING, YOU ARE--

Dyna:

-We MAY be letting our mascara run--

[CDN.7037] //: -HEY--GUYS YOU'RE BLOWING UP ON ALL THE SOCIAL SITES, PEOPLE ARE TALKING, YO--

Avi: -RUNS TO CHECK THAT--GOOSE WE COULD USE A HAND--

Goose: -ON IT, ME-- -

Beck: I...I don't...know what to...

[...He's mostly shocked--he wasn't used to this much positive reception, and about HIM, of all people--!]

[There's... a faint humming noise. Followed by...

...

... Static?]

Speedy: …!

[It's not coming from the TV, but rather, over the feeds!]

-Ping.-

<RMDC to ALL>: > DLN-008 is now in Sleep mode.

Dyna: --! TOBY--!

Avi: -TOBY--DOES THAT MEAN HE'S GONNA BE OK--??-

<DCN-008>: > {Father has a message.}

<DCN-008>: > {Things are… different than how we feared they might be. We now know there IS hope—and that it is real, and not a dream.}

<DCN-008>: > {Wily Eight will still need to be contained in isolation for some while, due to his… developing self control…}

<DCN-008>: > {But it is no longer necessary to keep him Offline.}

<DCN-008>: > {We will explain more soon. Father requests that we have a family meeting later today.}

<DCN-008>: > {And he wants everyone to participate.}

<DCN-008>: > -Yes, that means you MNNs and FMNs, too, you are family-

Pyro: ....That sounds like a good plan.

Beck: -Primarily watching the news as it unfolds...-

Avi: -Bro look at this feedback, man, it is MOSTLY GOOD--

Will: (...Just as I thought...won't hold water.)

Will: Alright--Soi, can you keep an eye on the situation for us?

[DR.SANDA] //: Can do, Will!

<MC005>: >Thank you, Soi, we appreciate that.

<MC005>: >Oh, and Beck? Could you come see me at the lab for a moment? Not necessarily right this second, but later today would be nice.

{Meanwhile…}

[Cardinal—still somewhat out of the loop due to radio silence—was on the highway, traveling as fast as his light cycle would take him—and as safely as he could, amidst the chaos.

He was going about 120 mph, weaving his way through infected self-driving cars, headed out of the city. The radio he kept on, now—he would need that, for the highway reports. Now that people could communicate, the world would slowly start cobbling together.

He jumped the cycle up and used the wreckage in his way as a ramp to soar into the air, returning the cycle to bar form and taking flight on his wind surfer for the next stretch of highway.

He couldn’t ride like this the whole way, not if he wanted to keep some charge in it.]

Cardinal: _(Glitch glitch glitch—!)_

[He opened fire on some rogue sign ‘bots that were starting to swarm, ducking to avoid crashing into an overpass.

He was VERY glad that only the self-driving cars were on the highway at this point—he knew how badly the highway crash had been—how long it had haunted his friends—when there had been people involved.

He was very glad Brand hadn’t been on the highway he was traveling—he had nothing personal against the clearly infected ninja, but he’d have sooner throw a car in Seven’s face than let the swordsmaster slow him down.

Because now he was REALLY on a time limit.]

>DISTANCE REMAINING: CALCULATING…

[He felt panicked the moment he realized it.

He could still hardly believe it, and _REALLY_ hoped he was seeing the situation wrong.

But if Shade were waiting to ambush prey, his target wasn’t an old grudge or a Mighty Number—or else he would have gone off and done that by now.

He was waiting for something _bigger.]_

Cardinal: _For the love of all that ever mattered, Shade—WAIT FOR ME!_

>DISTANCE REMAINING: 1,000 MILES

_* >LOADING…*_

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

CHAPTER 10C: SNEAK INTO THE PRISON

~AO v1.0~

((Courtesy of @limitbreakers))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{Meanwhile…}

[Felix looked up from the console as shouting intensified.

He had been focusing on analyzing his own notes on the whole matter, but now…]

<DWN-019>: > GRAH! Why won’t you LISTEN to me!?

<DWN-013>: >No offense, bro, but if that’s all—

<DWN-019>: > IT’S NOT, YOU TWITS!

<DWN-019>: >There are some temporal anomalies and you’re all getting caught up in it! It’s not just you, it’s Mikhail as well—and do I need to remind you, YOU SPECIFICALLY, TWELVE, of how dangerous that could be to YOU, personally?

<DWN-012>: > -Mnnrrgh…!-

<DWN-019>: > Where is Mikhail?!

Felix: -Narrows his eyes a little- -Out loud even though Siam can’t hear- He’s resting— you shouldn’t even be calling, there’s a reason he told me to keep it quiet…

<DWN-019>: >I need Cardinal over here to properly oversee the updates, and I need his help with—

<DWN-013>: > Ugh—

<DWN-013>: >I’m SORRY, Gem, but— -BLAM!- 000 is still processing everything, we can’t move him yet, and it seems there are other problems—

<DWN-019>: >HOW can this possibly get worse?

<DWN-013>: > -Irritable- I think Mikhail is under arrest, Gemini!

Des: --....

Des: (Damn it...)

Des: (Ugh, with the way the Doctor and the Mighties reacted to that, I don't even want to think about how THEY will...)

<DWN-019>: > …

[The feeds were slammed with acerbic data.]

<DWN-019>: >  -PANIC DATA-

<DWN-019>: >   -PANIC PANIC PANIC-

<DWN-011>: > …

<DWN-011>: > …Joking, right?

<DWN-011>: > Right?

<DWN-012>: > He was IN handcuffs, brother—

<DWN-019>: > Nnnnnnnn-nnn-nnn-noo—

<DWN-019>: > Stars above I don’t think I can do this—

<DWN-018>: >Look, I doubt that if—

<DWN-019>: >IT DOESN’T MATTER! NOT WHAT YOU THINK!

<DWN-019>: > I DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO KEEP THAT DATA FROM REACHING THE COSSACK NUMBERS!

Felix: ?!

Des: --...

Des: (Son of a...)

Des: (This is exactly what the Doctor said before...)

<DWN-018>: > Are you serious.

<DWN-019>: >I’m not the Admin, Nico! I don’t have that kind of power!

<DWN-018>: > That’s it. As head of the family, I’m intervening. Dealing with our dysfunctions is plenty; I am not going to put up with fighting the Russians.

<DWN-018>: >Siam, there’s got to be SOMETHING you can do—

<DWN-019>: > Well I’ll TRY to stall—I think I can by changing the data Snow gets— but hurry up as much as you can, I need the rest of the family back as soon as possible!

[MN.6] //: Roger Dodger–

<DWN-018>: >Fine, do it. Gem, get that guy on the line. We’ve got to talk this out before it gets out of hand. And as for you two…

<DWN-018>: >Speedy, Jaden, you guys were BUILT for Combat, can’t you work ANY faster?!

<DWN-013>: > Grrr…

<DWN-013 has entered Lethal Combat mode.>

[MN.1] //: –!!

[Jaden began to glow white.]

Felix: -Stands, raising an eyebrow- ?

Des: What in the--?

Des: (What is this bright LIGHT? It's almost like...Nine's...?)

Felix: !

((pic))

Jaden: I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!

[MN.1] //: ??!?

[Jaden had changed. The was larger now, and bulkier—and based on the energy ratings from him, he was packing some SERIOUS heat.]

Felix: Well this is new—

Des: (These Robot Masters can change forms too?)

[Hatches popped open.

YEP. Those were some sort of missiles inside.]

Jaden: WE’RE TAKING A DETOUR!

Felix: Goodness. I wasn’t aware they had this capacity.

Des: (...For some reason, that doesn't comfort me in the slightest.)

Des: (Do they ALL have this level of form shifting...?)

[He wasn’t given much time to think on it. A notification opened up a third window in the screen.]

[INCOMING CALL]

Felix: …

Felix: I… I’m not sure how to answer that, but I think we really should.

Des: (....)

[After a brief glance at Felix, Des himself walks over to the terminal and presses a single button, accepting the call.]

Des: (I got a good guess who this is...)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=PROLOGUE C: IT ALL BEGINS NOW=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

“The United States has issued a state of national emergency issued by the President—sources tell us that it is yet another cyber terrorist attack in the form of a volatile virus affecting many Xelbots…”

Jack: Oh my God…

[Jack sits in his flat a shaking mess—it only gets worse as he continues to listen to the British news report, every word and syllable only serving to instill a greater feeling of fear and dread with every passing second…]

“Virus symptoms include: loss of reason, hyper aggressiveness and violence, the infected surrounded in violet and red flames—”

Jack: —!!!

Jack: (Oh God—this—this is—)

Jack: (This is exactly what I felt back in the Queen’s Finals—! God, I KNEW those crosses were bad news, I knew it—)

Jack: —! Oh frag—! Miss Eight—!

[She was—she was GOING back to the US to follow a certain trail, but—oh God oh God—]

[Jack springs up from his seat to grab the backpack Kate left for him. He digs into the contents until he finds the phone also included, and starts flipping through the contacts list.]

Jack: Come on, pick up, pick up, please, please—

[KSSSSST….]

[...Nothing. Not even a busy signal, or any kind of voicemail—just unsettling, glitchy static. Jack curses loudly, and almost throws the phone on the ground—until he remembers that he had more than just one phone number to dial. He punches in the next one on the list: her brother, Goose.]

[Beep, beep, beep…]

Jack: Glitchfrag it, Goose, not you too—!

[But even a busy signal was better than the garbled mess he heard with Kate’s—although that only spelled worse for the siren sniper.]

Jack: Come on, Doc…

[Click.]

Jack: DOC—

“Hello, this is Dr. William Apollo White of Sanda Technologies. I’m currently unavailable right now—”

[Voicemail.]

Jack: No—!

[He was starting to lose hope—there weren’t many numbers left…]

Jack: -Clicks on Cardinal’s number- Please—

[He DOES get through, for a short moment, but before he can even say anything—]

[Click. Beeeeeeep.]

Jack: DAMN IT—

[The call was dropped. Wherever Cardinal is, he has terrible phone reception.]

Jack: (Only Doc Mikhail is left; God, I hope he’s alright, please don’t go to voicemail, please—)

[Click.]

Jack: Doc, Oh thank God—

“Mister Jack? That is you?”

Jack: (Oh, uh… okay. This must be his kid. Um…) Y-yeah, it’s me…. Is… is your Dad there?

[He felt bad as he heard the kid cut a sob short, answering with a wavering voice.]

“Father is… Father is alright, да, but…! All the alarms went off, and everyone was so hot, like a fever!”

[She seemed to be trying not to cry.]

“Papa made everything safe again, but he said that it came from Uncle Sanda’s house! They won’t answer the phone!”

Jack: (...So they got hit with the virus too—ugh, it must have jumped over to their server—!)

“Beck won’t answer my pings…! Papa left so many messages on Doctor William’s phone, he… he was getting angry…”

Jack: (Oh, God, I’ve heard STORIES about the Doc getting ticked...or he could just be stressed, either way—)

“Please come over, Mister Jack! It’s safe over here, and we don’t know if they are okay! Cardinal’s gone and I… I’m scared…!”

Jack: Hey, hey, shhh…

Jack: It’s gonna be okay, alright? Listen—I...I’m still stuck over here in England but—

Jack: —?

“...M-Mister Jack? Wh-What’s wrong?”

[Something was slithering behind his couch—something he caught moving out of the corner of his eye, had he not been facing the other wall. Fear seized up his entire frame as he realized the thing that had just taken refuge behind the furniture was ENTIRELY green in color, and as he turned to look—]

[Red, beady eyes glowed back at him.]

Jack: A-Aaaugh—!

“Mister Jack—??”

Jack: I—I, um, I’m going, j-just—just hang tight, okay—bye—!

[After scrambling out of the living room, backpack in hand—who knows HOW many Search Snakes were in his flat now, how many EYES that Viper had in his place—quickly packing out a suitable change in clothes, he was out the door in less than half an hour, heading for a place he knows is safe haven...mostly.]

[When Jack arrived in the Meadow, he could see a crowd outside one of the buildings.

It was a rather sizable group of Robot Masters, all in their full armor. The data in the area was thick with battle-ready tension: a few of them even held weapons in their hands, ready to lash out and strike.]

Jack: -Abruptly halts- ._.;; Uhhh…

Jack: (This doesn’t look very good…)

[He knew all too well how a group of Combat ‘bots in a bad mood could be unforgiving at unwanted interruptions. With Kalinka nowhere in sight, he was beginning to wonder if he should have taken his chances with the Search Snake, rather than butt in during this time of crisis.

Luckily for him, the matter was soon taken out of his hands as his signal registered to someone who recognized him.]

Snow: !!! Mister Jack!

[He runs over to grab Jack by the wrist, causing a few of the others to look up. His presence seemed to calm them a little, by providing a welcome distraction.]

Snow: I’m really glad you’re okay!

Jack: Y-Yeah, me too...where’s Kalinka—?

Snow: Kalinka went with my baby brother! He’s really quiet an’ is a Time Lord an’ such. She’ll be super safe with him!

Jack: (…If he’s a Time Lord, why didn’t they just ask him about what’s going on?)

[He allowed himself to be led over near the mainframe. Although the lab had been constructed, the original mainframe that had been there from the beginning was still outside. Currently, there were two people working at the controls: Dr. Mikhail Cossack, and… Tobias.]

Jack: —!!

Jack: (Th...That bot with the mask—!)

Digger: Hello, Mister Jack! You are well that is yes good! Much worried for everybody now, да.

Keltso: -Scowls, tapping one of his fingers against the Ring Boomerang he is holding- At least you appear to be in one piece. I don’t suppose YOU know what’s going on?

Jack: I—I...Uh...

Skull: -Flatly- Ignore him. He’s just built to be Rage, that’s all.

Jack: (That’s… not exactly reassuring, but okay then…)

Jack: I...there...God, I tried calling everyone—

Jack: I-It’s some kinda cyberattack, some kinda virus—it’s spreading across the whole damn country—!

Mikhail: -Turns around sharply- What?

Speedy: The entire country?

Shadow: Saints preserve us…

Snow: -Really concerned expression- But…! The virus made us really angry and sad!

Jack: (Just like with those stupid crosses…) Nnng… (Kate was right, this isn’t OVER…!)

Jack: Wait— even… even you guys? But… you aren’t Xelbots… and you LOOK fine…

Tobias: -Grits his teeth and sparks up in frustration- It was trying to activate the same thing in our coding! When that didn’t work, it messed with our Combat initiatives and cross-references…

Mikhail: -Turned back to the work station already- I purged it from the system, though I had to take rather extensive steps to do so. I’ll spare you the technical details for now: I’m still trying to get through to them. -Grumbles- For the love of Mary, Will—why won’t you answer your PHONE?

Jack: ? I tried calling Doctor White too, but I just got his voicemail…

Pisces: ? Why?

Jack: … “Why” what?

Pisces: Why did you call. Didn’t know you had his number.

[Now the eyes of several Robot Masters were trained on him, curious.]

Jack: -Awkwardly shifts his weight- Uh… Miss Eight gave it to me…

Jaden: …

Jaden: -Looks around- Why didn’t she come with you?

Jack: She wasn’t with me, she went—

Snow: -Interrupts- Maybe she’s here an’ invisible! :D

Jack: …

Jack: (...Honestly, I didn’t think of that, and I’d really hope she is...but she would have made her presence known SOMEHOW, in a time like this—that, and...that static I heard…)

Jack: … (Maybe I should try again—)

Tobias: -PING!-

[Everything abruptly came to a halt as the monitor became alive with video feed. The scene it displayed was one in chaos: damaged equipment, overturned furnishings, broken containers…

And a couple of very surprised Doctors and their youngest children.]

[CALL] //: Link established. We now have a stable connection with the Meadow Lab.

Will: Mikhail!

Mikhail: WILL!

Beck: GUYS—

Soi: Y-You’re OK—!

[Mikhail heaved a sigh of relief. His friend was alive!]

Mikhail: Thank God you’re alright! When I saw the attack came from your servers and you didn’t answer your phone, I thought the worst had happened…!

[Will stammered as he tried to explain.]

Will: I-I-I-I… I’m sorry, Mikhail, I didn’t—

Soi: Attack? What attack? Don’t tell me—!

Mikhail: -Balls up a fist in frustration, lowering his head and gritting his teeth- I have been spending the last few HOURS piecing things back together after a virus infected the Cossack server of the RobotMaster® Database! I had to completely erase everything on the server and use the external backup to put it back online!

Will: B-but! If you got infected, then—!

Siam: -Interrupts- We’re FINE, the Gemini: White Cell programs we have were sufficient Siam: with help Gemini: in Siamini: staving it off.

Keltso: -Angrily shoves Siam out of the way, speaking in Russian- {Get to the point, cousin! Jack said the virus made international news! What is going on over there?!}

[Beck started shouting in a panic.]

Beck: EVERY ROBOT IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTRY IS GOING BANANAS AND I CAN’T CONTACT THE OTHERS AND I FOUGHT A GIANT ROUND DIGGER AND EVERYONE IS GONE–

Soi: Beck—BECK, CALM DOWN—

[Too late.

The news and Beck’s panic over it was like a spark on bone-dry tinder, setting aflame an inferno of panic. Distressed data began building up and blaring as this panic cascaded and amplified between the Robot Masters, and the air became filled with the chaotic garble of a smattering of languages.]

Keltso: {WHAT?!}

Shadow: -Japanese- {You cannot contact your brothers?! Where ARE they!?}

[CALL] //: The locations of Mighty Numbers 1-8 have yet to be identified. We have just restored the laboratory to normal function.

Beck: -Trying to be calmer like Sanda asked- W-we’re going to search for them right away—!

[This did not have the desired effect. Not at ALL. The Robot Masters flinched at this as if burned, backing off and eyes flickering bright green or red in fear. Nico was silently screaming in alarm and panic over the channel. Even Digger—who rarely let his smile leave his face when he was in public—looked terrified.]

Nico: -You’re— you’re HUNTING them— -

Beck: —?!

Speedy: -Staggers back, raising his voice as he speaks rapidly in Spanish- Dios mío, todos van a morir—

Beck: W-what?!

Pisces: Brother—

[Pisces was trying to comfort him, but it was in vain.]

Speedy: ¡¿Quién más queda para parar esto, si la esperanza se ha ido?! Están siendo CAZADOS ahora, van a ¡MORIR—!

Beck: N-NO, THAT’S! THAT’S NOT—!

[Beck’s protests fell on deaf earcaps.

Everyone’s minds were drawn deep into the fall of Monstropolis—fire and smoke everywhere—and for good reason. Within their own world, the mention of Monstropolis was synonymous with the anti-AI&A dystopian culture—linked without forgiveness to the transgressions of the Robot Masters, which had incited terror and later decimated the city. Because of such actions, an unforgiving hate had become deeply rooted in the culture, and any AI&A (authorized or not) was subject to death by mobs if ever discovered… and a fate worse than death, if they were captured.

Speedy had actually been witness to the immediate aftermath of the fall of Monstropolis first-hand—and he would never forget such days, nor the utter hatred that followed.]

Speedy: La gente se va a matar a todos ellos van a mORIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIR—

[And he was screaming, screaming in agonizing despair. He couldn’t stand the thought of the one thing that he and his family had gone out of their way to help prevent… truly coming to pass.

The likes of which, of course…]

[…held very, VERY sinister parallels, should Beck be called to play such a role.]

Speedy: POR FAVOR—TEN PIEDAD—POR FAVOR, USTED TIENE QUE GUARDAR—

[This sudden comparison didn’t do them any favors, and was CLEARLY stressing Beck out!]

Beck: -Breathing HARD, the XEL around him reacting erratically-

Will: Beck—BREATHE, just…!

Soi: -TIIIIME TO LOCK ALL THE NON-INFECTED XEL IN THE GIANT CANISTERS IN CASE BECK BREAKS DOWN-

[The others were really starting to break down as well.]

Jaden: -VERY upset- I’m begging you not to kill them like that, please have mercy—

Nico: Oh God help us— Beck, pLEASE, PLEASE DON’T KILL THEM—

[C R A C K]

[There was an audible crackling noise as Beck visibly began to panic. Both Will and Sanda were clearly alarmed by this. Mikhail, for his part, barely seemed to notice—he was busy trying to prevent the RMDC server from crashing.

Despite his efforts, however… he could not block out the pain in their voices. He could not mute the despair in their screams. He could not stop Beck from recalling stories he had never been meant to hear.

…Their voices rose and seemed to entrap him, PLEADS of mercy and terror, growing louder, louder, LOUDER–!]

[C R A C K!]

Beck: ENOUGH!

[The Xel within the large storage canisters in the lab BURST open, quickly inciting a wave of alarm!

Skull created a barrier around himself and his family, while some of the others instinctively took on a fighting stance. The look in their eyes was wild—that of cornered, panicked prey. Both Will and Sanda threw up their arms on instinct, as if expecting a repeat of the LAST time Beck had lost his composure…

…But the wave of Xel never came.]

Mikhail: …?

[Instead…the Xel paused. Drew TOWARDS the Mighty Number, the same soft, green glow enveloping him…]

Beck: All of you be QUIET!

[Mikhail stood, placing a hand on Keltso’s shoulder as a signal to stand down. He was somewhat mesmerized by the display—]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[—a show of power the likes of which he had never seen from Beck before, but not one which was entirely foreign to him.]

Mikhail: … Incredible… (Why, it’s like watching Felix…!)

[XEL QUOTA REACHED. XEL PURGE: ONLINE. XELFILTER.EXE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR OVERDRIVE.]

Beck: …….

[And as Beck stood there, eyes glowing a willful emerald green, coming to terms with what he just did and what was transpiring around him… the green glow seemed to calm the others.

Their own eyes stopped glowing the panicked solid green they had been moments before, and the Robot Masters stood down. They were watching silently, anxiously—waiting to hear what fateful words Beck had to say.]

Beck: …

[The Xelbot closed his eyes tightly, thinking back on all that had been said—all the things that fed into that moment—]

- — - — -

“I’m not leaving without you! I WON'T LEAVE YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF MONSTROPOLIS! The feds would—”

“…Haywire robots…in all 52 states…”

“IT’S BLACKWELL’S FAULT—”

“Hellllooo! Is this thing on?”

[…Screaming. A brokenhearted, familiar woman’s cry, screaming in agony—]

“POR FAVOR—TEN PIEDAD—POR FAVOR, USTED TIENE QUE GUARDAR—”

“You have tools of which this world–or ANY world–have only just begun to see! USE THEM!”

“Come on—SNAP OUT OF IT—NOW!”

- — - — -

[He wouldn’t let it end this way. He just wouldn’t…!]

- — - — -

“Let me tell you something, Master Beck.”

- — - — -

[His memories took him back to a day that seemed years ago—a peaceful day, shortly after he had made a promise.

Then, just as now, he had been called upon for what seemed like an impossible task. Called to use his Xel powers to save others. Back then, it had been via the construction of impression molds, which one of their friends would use as casts to make replacement parts for the Rebel Angels. Parts that would save their lives, and free them from living as scavengers.

He had been scared and uncertain, then—afraid, and worried that he would fail the others. But Felix (who was to be making the parts themselves) had much greater confidence in him. For he had seen a power in Beck much like his own.

And the words he had said were coming back to him now, in this dark hour of such desperate need…]

- — - — -

“It is your heart and your build, your purpose, to help others. That is where your greatest power, I think, will always lie.

When you truly believe in your cause, the strength comes to you.

And after all.

You are Mighty.”

- — - — -

[He took in a deep breath.]

Beck: …

Beck: I’m… not going to destroy my own family.

[The Rebel Angels did a double take in alert surprise.]

Beck: No…

[When he opened his eyes again—

They were a FIERCE bright green, shining with a will and determination that could only be defined as Mighty.]

Mikhail: … (I feel like I’ve seen that look before somewhere…)

Beck: I’m going to SAVE them!

Will: … …

Soi: … …

[There was a stunned silence from the others. Their eyes seemed glazed over.

…Clearly, this was going to take a moment to process.]

Mikhail: -Sighs in relief and puts a hand to his face, finally coming out of an adrenaline rush into a hard crash-

Mikhail: …It may take them a few minutes to finish processing that data.

Mikhail: It’s just.

Mikhail: Barely within their comprehension….

Mikhail: {great heavens I am so tired}

[He sat down heavily on the ground, just listening for the time being as he gathered his thoughts.]

Beck: … …

Will: … … …

Soi: … …

[A brief pause.]

Will: Beck…

Will: I…I can’t let you go OUT there—

Skull: Нет.

[They had finished processing, and were MUCH calmer now, if… weary and haunted.]

Skull: -Quietly- {Doctor, you must.}

Skull: {Unless you wish the likes of my cousin to be created to go in his place.}

Will: —… …

Soi: … … …

Keltso: {It’s true, Doctor. Your family, they are the strongest. Who can stand against them if they wish to fight, unless they themselves also use incredible force?}

Keltso: {Without you all to help keep order, it will fall to others who are…}

Keltso: {LESS compassionate.}

Soi: … …

Soi: Will…Will, they’re right.

[Sanda turned towards his best friend, who had placed a hand on his son’s shoulder…]

Soi: There’s…no other way….

[Jaden spoke up meekly. Despite being one of the most intimidating Robot Masters, he held a submissive attitude and outwardly meek disposition. He was still looking at the ground as he raised his voice.]

Jaden: …Please…

Jaden: …Doctor, people are already panicked. Beck may be the only way to stop this from becoming a second Monstropolis.

Jaden: And… a-and it’s not unheard of for one boy to take on the world. And win.

Jaden: …And since he stays in his right mind, Beck’s far better than he could ever hope to be…

Will: … … …

[He seemed—conflicted. On one hand—he SO DESPERATELY wanted to save his sons and daughters as well—

…But Beck was ALSO his son.

What if…?]

Beck: Dad…

Will: ….

[Will kneels, looking at his son in the eye while placing his hands on both of his shoulders, now, almost identical green hues staring into each other.]

Beck: Dad…I…I’m not gonna lie. I’m scared.

[The Robot Master built for fear shifted his weight uneasily and looked at the ground as Beck continued.]

Beck: And—to be honest—I…I don’t even know if I can DO this…

Beck: …But…

Beck: I gotta try.

Beck: Because—….losing…

Beck: …everyone…

Beck: …scares me WORSE.

[The others look… heartbroken, at this. There is a painful silence as their friend kept talking—especially given is struggling with his words.]

Beck: Dad, I…I don’t…I have to…I LOVE them, Dad, I have to TRY. I HAVE to.

Beck: They aren’t—themselves, this isn’t their fault—!

Beck: I have to TRY and SAVE them, Dad! WHO ELSE WILL?!

Will: … .

[Tears…]

Beck: Please…!

[There was a tense silence as Will bowed his head.]

Will: ….

Will: Soi?

Soi: …Yes?

[…]

Will: Please tell me the teleporters are still working.

Beck: —!

[…!!!]

Will: We’re going to need them.

[Mikhail came to his feet, looking very tired.]

Mikhail: …I’m truly sorry, Will. I know what this is like…. I wouldn’t wish it on any man.

Will: …

[His children….

As much as he put on a brave face, he really was in deep pain. Why did this have to happen?]

Will: I… I know…

Soi: -Places a hand on his shoulders-

Will: … ….

Beck: …Dad…

Will: ….-loooong sigh-

[Will shakes his head and slumps down to sit on several boxes labeled with the Sanda logo, his hands on his face…]

Will: My family…

[….It…

It was…almost like LAST time…

His family was….!]

Soi: Will…

[Sanda walks over and sits beside him, an arm around his shoulders.]

Soi: Will…it’s going to be alright.

Will: ……

Soi: You’ve got me in your corner, remember? ^^

[Ah, there it is. That old Sanda positive optimism and charm.]

Soi: I’m ALWAYS here for you, you know that!

Soi: So of COURSE I’m going to help you!

Will: ……

Soi: What are best friends FOR after all. We’re in this mess together… So we might as well stick together too, right?

Will: ….

Will: Heh…

Will: What would I do without you, Soi…?

Soi: Ooooh, I don’t know–probably working yourself ragged, that’s what.

Will: -chuckles softly-

Will: …..

Will: …Thank you, Soi.

Soi: Anytime, Will. Anytime.

Beck: -Smiles-

Mikhail: …Will?

Mikhail: Remember what I told you?

- — - — -

“Listen….

If anything ever goes that wrong for you,

I promise you I will help you find a way to fix it.”

- — - — -

Will: …Heh…right… I remember…

Soi: Ya see, Will?!

Tobias: Just tell us what you need!

Tobias: We’ll do whatever it takes to—

Mikhail: -Suddenly and forcefully- No, you will do no such thing, Tobias Wily.

[The emphasis in his voice was not lost on the wide-eyed idealist, and he flinched heavily at this.]

Keltso: … What? But Father—! Why not?!

Mikhail: …Because, my son—he is his father’s son.

Mikhail: He is impulsive, impatient, and passionate.

Tobias: -Desperate- But—! But they NEED our help! It’s absolute MADNESS out there!

Shadow: Surely you cannot expect us to abandon our friends in their time of greatest need!

Mikhail: -Turns and points to Shadow- That goes for you as well, Shadowman! We cannot interfere with this!

Tobias: -Shouting- BUT THEY NEED US!

Jack: HEY!

[Everyone stopped and turned in surprise. They’d all rather forgotten that the Xelbot was there.

Jack grimaced at the sudden attention, but forced himself to go on. He’d been numb with shock for most of the exchange, and trying to contact Kate—but it had all been in vain. But this was something he really couldn’t stand by and watch from the sidelines.

Not when he had seen what could happen.]

Jack: I… look, I really appreciate your help from back there, but…

Jack: Kid, the last time you helped, you… kinda got gutted in the sands, remember?

Will: …Quite so…

Tobias: I…

Shadow: And you would place me in such restraints as well? -Seems identifiably angry, which is a LOT more emotion than he usually gives off-

Shadow: Why should we not do everything we can to aid Beck in his fight? He bears a greater chance of swift success if he does not fight alone!

Mikhail: Try to think for a moment, and not let your heart overrule your mind, DWN-024!

Mikhail: It is utter arrogance to think that any of you could go into battle and not sustain a single injury! Do you think you can go on and bleed oil and coolant—and then regenerate—in the public eye, and people will not eventually catch on? What would happen to you then, Shadow?!

Shadow: —…

Mikhail: I know that each of you desire to try and stop those closest to you, but consider the consequences to them!

Mikhail: It would be dangerous for both of you and likely severely emotionally damaging to the Mighty Numbers in the long term…

Mikhail: You do not have the years of Combat experience they do! You are strong, but undisciplined! And unlike Beck, you have no idea how they fight! Think! What would they feel to be cured, only to find they had indisposed you while they were out of control?!

Soi: -pALES at the thought-

[Mikhail’s oldest son—at least, the oldest currently Online, David notwithstanding—twirled his drills in a way that sounded like a sad buzzing noise. He spoke with deep regret.]

Digger: Doctors American…

Digger: …To lose control, from outside force.

Digger: Very hurt much, yes bad.

Digger: … -Can’t. Just can’t. It’s hitting too close to home, here-

[aaAAAAND HE SUDDENLY STARTS TALKING VERY INTENSELY.]

Digger: It is frightening, and horrid!

Will: —!!

[He spoke fervently, any pretense of broken English dropped entirely in light of the situation.]

Digger: I only survived because Cardinal spared my life, faked my death for me—

Mikhail: {Digger, please—}

Digger: All the others, the ones he didn’t reach—they were all dead, but we all have to carry—

Mikhail: -Clearly distressed as well- {Easy—!}

Digger: It will be no easy thing, once they recover, for to be returned to right mind does not take away the sins. It will hurt them, badly.

Digger: …

Digger: -Sadly- You must… be ready for that….

Will: … … ..

Soi: … …

Beck: … … … (Guys…it’s… I swear…it’s not your fault…)

Will: … … ..

[Will felt tired. This nightmare had only just started, and he was already tired.]

Will: … (At least….) … (…At least… there's still a chance…) …

[He had friends with him, this time. Or, well… Sanda was with him. Mikhail, thankfully, was safe—at least… NOW he was safe. He felt a bit guilty that the RMDC had been infected by being connected with their server, but…]

Will: … (At least Mikhail has things under control over there.) -Small sigh- … (This really is such a nightmare…. Oh, mercy…! At least the others will stay out of it….)

[Stay… out of this…]

Mikhail: …This is why you must not interfere, nephews. We don’t want such an incident plaguing their hearts for the rest of their lives. It will be hard enough to carry without hurting close friends in the process…

Nico: …Good luck getting Shadow to agree. -Looks over at said brother- Maybe we should keep him Offline?

[Shadow gave a ping of data, clearly deeply insulted, but he did not offer a verbal retort.]

Skull: …At least, until Brandish is better…

Will: -Distantly- Yes…

[…]

Will: (This must be so hard on them, if they think the only way to deal with it is to go Offline. But I suppose it's for the best, in the end. I just…)

Will: (I just wish I could wake up from this NIGHTMARE, that it would be back to this morning…! Back when we were all seemingly free of this mess, and looking forward to the next match…!)

[…There seemed to be.

Something missing…

Will couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was missing from this picture—something beyond the obvious.]

Beck: Don't worry—! I promise I'll save them!

Will: …?

[There it was again—that feeling—]

Will: (Shouldn't…?)

[Silence, with everyone lost in their thoughts. But that—that wasn't right, it—]

Will: —!

Mikhail: …? Will?

[That—that was it, the silence—]

Mikhail: Will— -Sounds concerned- Do you need to take a moment? I know this must be very difficult—

Will: N-no, I—

Will: Just… thinking on how quiet it is, usually… -Trails off-

Soi: Aw, we'll have them back together soon, and it'll be just as noisy as you remember!

Will: No, Soi, that's—that's not what I meant, I…

Will: (Shouldn't… shouldn't he have said something by now? Or sung, even?)

Will: (I wonder if he's still aslee—…)

Will: (No, wait—)

Will: (He—!)

[…UH-OH.]

Will: -sUDDENLY VERY PANICKED- (HE SPENT THE NIGHT HERE—! HIS STATUS SAID HE WAS IN LETHAL—!)

Will: MIKHAIL—

Mikhail: —? -Clearly concerned-

Will: WHERE IS CARDINAL?!

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 6B: CRIMSON STRONGHOLD=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{The Pentagon}

“This is an OUTRAGE!”

[It was quite the sight to see, though they had ensured that no prying eyes would be remotely capable of seeing it.]

“You call me out here toward the tail end of a crisis you tried to cover up by yourselves, and now you won’t even own admit to knowing about it in the first place!?”

[The Secretary of Defense looked on with a quiet frown as the teacher continued giving a verbal thrashing.]

???: I absolutely REFUSE to believe that NONE of you know ANYTHING about what just happened! TELL ME THE TRUTH!

[The room was silent.]

Des: (Man, I haven't seen her get this angry in years...)

???: Well?!

[Most of his colleagues were doing their best to avoid eye contact, which caused him to narrow his own pair.]

???: Oh for the love of— for Jefferson’s SAKE, people, don’t make me treat you like third graders!

Des: (...But I guess they had it coming.)

[But despite her fiery demeanor, no one was forthcoming. She drew herself up haughtily, now cold and seething.]

???: Very well, then. As the saying goes, “fine, be that way!” This isn’t over. The buck stops here, and so help me if I won’t order it to be traced!

“What do you mean?”

Des: (—Secretary of Urban Development—?)

???: -Tucks a stray strand of hair back into place- What do you think, Secretary O’Hare?

[Her stern gaze spilled over the rim of her glasses as she tilted her head down slightly in a menacing glare.]

???: I’ve just been told about an unauthorized, highly illegal military base with live weapons and warheads. This jeopardized the lives of over half a million people, and is still very much a threat to international peace. This facility was extremely well-maintained and up-to-date, which would require a great deal of money and specialized labor.

???: And absolutely NOBODY here is taking RESPONSIBILITY.

[She bent back the flexible ruler so hard that Desmond Donald was worried that it might snap in half.]

???: Well, I cannot have that. I’m going to find out who is involved, and whether or not there are more bases out there like this. Have I made myself clear?

[There were uneasy murmurs at this.]

???: I said, HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?

“Yes, Madame President!”

[Minerva Morandi, President of the United States, pushed her glasses up to her face.]

((Pic—Des and Min))

Min: Better. I expect full cooperation and none of your sass when you get the followup from Internal Affairs.

“Internal Affairs?!”

Des: -Looks over at the head of the Department of Homeland Security- : / ?

“Madame President, just think of the scandal—!”

Min: Excuse me?

“If the public found out about this…!”

Min: -SLAPS the ruler down on the table, making a VERY loud CRACK! of displeasure- Then someone would have violated the rules, Secretary Colby Caldwell! And frankly, damn the scandal!

Colby: But Madame President—

Min: -Motions sharply and cuts him off- My duty is to protecting the people, Mister Secretary! To protect the people and keep the peace! How am I supposed to do my job if there are active—or dormant, for that matter!—threats of which I haven’t even been made aware?!

[Desmond sighed and rubbed his chin.]

Des: Speaking of threats… there’s still the matter of the security breach.

[His colleague seemed VERY grateful for the change in subject.]

Colby: We should interrogate Blackwell—

[The Certified Assassins' League representative snorted at this, as did several of the others.]

“Seriously?”

Colby: He’s the only man capable of getting through our defenses!

Min: Fine. It’s always best to eliminate even the most outlandish of possibilities.

[Colby locked his fingers together.]

Colby: Yes, sir. We’ll get right on it—

Min: You will do NO such thing!

[The others were taken aback by this, but Desmond himself was merely puzzled.]

Des: (...Wait, what?)

Min: I’m not going to let this fall into a sea of red tape and paperwork where it will be quietly buried in a shallow grave and left to die! I want someone I trust handling this investigation!

[There was a loud “-tsk-” of disgust from across the table.]

“So you’re sending Secretary Desmond, then.”

Des: (Min—! Me, questioning Blackwell—?!)

“With all due respect, this is not really a good time to be playing favorites again.”

Min: Oh I see. You still think that your colleague is on my good graces because I knew him before I started running for office, is that it? Well too bad, because it just so happens that he’s also been the one who’s been producing the best RESULTS.

Min: Do you have any idea how hard it is to monitor the borders, even in the present age? The fact that this virus hasn’t spread into Canada or Mexico isn’t miraculous: it’s the result of a lot of hard work being done.

Min: DoHS, on the other hand, has done next to nothing for me other than corroborate HHS’s reports on the extent of this disaster! There has been no progress made in finding the source or stopping the major threats: for Madison’s sake, we’ve resorted to relying on civilians for this!

[She slammed the ruler down again.]

Min: Civilians who were put in great danger because SOME people were willing to accept their loss as an “acceptable risk!”

Des: (...God, she's right. How did we ever sink low enough to let a child take on all that danger and responsibility? That kind of burden...)

Min: I’m sending my best man, the person I trust, NOW ALL OF YOU GO AND WRITE AN ESSAY EXPLAINING WHAT YOU DID WRONG OR SO HELP ME GOD—

————————————

{Maximum Security}

Des: (...I'm really not gonna like this. I KNOW you trust me, Min, but this is...)

Des: (This is the man that tried to shut down EVERY robot in America, and did so for Titus...)

Des: -Ghn.-

[The door to the cell opened after a few, tense minutes. It's practically spotless, and had very little features and furniture. A bed, a desk with no drawers, and a single bench in the middle of the room.]

"They told me you were coming."

[Sitting in that bench was a elderly man in his late 70s, dressed in nothing more than prison clothes—and over that, a tattered, black lab coat with some sort of faded coat of arms on the pocket. While his stature seemed frail—or at least that's what the cane he held indicated...]

[His sharp, cold as ice blue hues said otherwise.]

Blackwell: Now I believe them.

Des: ....

Des: (...I feel like I'm being watched under a microscope...)

Des: -Ahem- Doctor—

Blackwell: I have nothing to say to you. Out.

Des: —...

Des: I haven't even—

Blackwell: -Once again cuts him off- You're here to interrogate me, Desmond Donald. Why ELSE would the Secretary of Defense would be in a madman's cell?

Blackwell: You're certainly not the first. Had all sorts of bloody suits in here asking useless nonsense of me, demanding answers even I cannot provide.

Des: ...That remains to be seen.

Blackwell: Hmph.

Des: -Sighs—- Look, I don't want to do this either, Doctor, so can we just both get this over with? =~=

Blackwell: You don't, hm. Interesting.

Blackwell: At the end of your rope, I take it?

Des: ....

Blackwell: How disappointing.

Blackwell: The very same government that has me locked up for life can't even pinpoint the cause of this viral epidemic. Even I'm sorry for you.

Des: Doctor, I didn't come here to listen to you—

Blackwell: I don't care.

Des: (Ugh, he's not budging—!)

Blackwell: What, is that it? You need my help?

Des: =~= You and I both know that isn't possible.

Blackwell: A pity. It would be nice to see how the world has changed outside of this dog cage.

Blackwell: Feh...

Des: Doctor, I agree that this is a waste of time, but I have a job to do, and the sooner you cooperate—the sooner I'll leave you alone.

Des: Okay?

[He STILL seems disgruntled at the idea of it, but—]

[TAP!]

Des: -Winces—-

[The incarcerated Doctor taps his cane LOUDLY on the floor.]

Blackwell: You have five minutes.

Des: —Or?

Blackwell: 4 minutes and 58 seconds.

Des: (For REAL?)

Blackwell: Don't waste your time.

Blackwell: You all already took all of mine.

Des: ....

Des: -Sigh-

Des: The following is classified, Doctor. Do—

Blackwell: 4 minutes and 36 seconds.

Des: =~=

Des: ...There have been a few security issues.

Blackwell: The whole bloody nation is on red alert— isn't that your job?

Des: -...Ignores- One of them is before this, although still relevant to the situation.

Blackwell: ...

Des: ... (He's quiet now. I guess he finds this interesting?)

Des: You're familiar with the Queen's Tournament, yes?

Blackwell: =~=

Blackwell: -We're from the UK, of COURSE we are-

Des: ... -Right-

Des: Concerning the incident in the finals match, there was a breach of security that we feel is within your abilities to... bypass.

Blackwell: Really?

Blackwell: ...Hm.

[... Desmond was expecting Blackwell to feel put off by this, but instead the elder strokes his beard in thought.]

Blackwell: Well, I don't have any reason, nor the means to arrange such a breach.

Blackwell: I find it very... interesting that you come to me and not that mysterious... masked construct that appeared there.

Blackwell: Still having trouble locating him, I presume? I suppose MI6 hasn't tacked on anything yet. Shame.

Des: (...He got all that just from what I said?)

Blackwell: I will take your silence as a yes.

Blackwell: -Tsk- The world's in the hands of a bunch of incompetent morons...

Blackwell: He's not my make, Secretary.

Blackwell: The way he fell in the sands a bleeding mess, which I FULLY blame on the incompetence of the IBCA security department and that WRETCHED team of scrap—

Blackwell: ...would suggest a chassis not entirely suited for combat.

Des: —?

Blackwell: At the very least, not arena combat.

Blackwell: Have you tried looking in the Industrial databases?

Des: I...

Blackwell: ....

Blackwell: I thought not.

Blackwell: Idiot.

Des: (...Min, I really hope you're having better luck...)

Blackwell: 1 minute.

Des: —Gh—

Des: -Talking quickly- There's also—another security breach not too long ago, in a classified location—

Blackwell: Oh?

Blackwell: How classified?

Des: —….

Blackwell: Ah...

Blackwell: One of your secrets. I see.

Blackwell: Hmm. Again, coming to me about this...I assume this also has a high level of security that would be within by abilities to...how you put it, bypass.

Blackwell: What are you hiding, Mr. Donald?

[Blackwell leans in when he says this, making Desmond take a step backwards—his gaze bore holes into him, with a deep scorn and hatred—]

Des: (Gah—)

Des: I'm the one asking questions, Doctor.

Blackwell: ....

Blackwell: I wonder.

Blackwell: -Sits back down- Does your superior know about this?

Des: =~= That's not within my place to say.

Blackwell: No, then.

Blackwell: ...Did you?

Des: Answer the question, please.

Blackwell: Did you?

Des: Doctor...

Blackwell: How about you answer first.

Des: (Ugh...)

Des: =~= I won't.

Blackwell: Fine. Your loss.

Des: (Gh...)

Blackwell: Your time is up, by the way.

Des: ....

Des: Alright, fine.

Des: =~= I didn't know this either.

Blackwell: ....

Blackwell: Ha...

[It's bitter laughter that echoes throughout the cell, low and mocking.]

Blackwell: It's worse than I thought...

Blackwell: Didn't think that was possible.

Blackwell: But here we are, at the edge of total oblivion, and you can't even keep track of your own secrets.

Des: Doctor Blackwell, I am not HERE to play your GAMES!

[At this point, Desmond had lost some patience—he stood up, pointing a finger upwards, raising his voice so loud that a guard had come to look through the small window on the door.]

Des: I have a JOB to do out there—and fine—maybe I can't, but it's not like I WANTED them!

Des: Answer the question!

Blackwell: Hmph.

Blackwell: So the dog does bite.

Blackwell: -Taps his cane lightly- I've been doing nothing but wait for my time to come, Secretary. While it would be fun to poke around where I don't belong one last time...

Blackwell: Don't you think I would have done so by now? Or before?

Des: -Irritated- We figured that.

Blackwell: Then you were right.

Blackwell: =~= This is a complete waste of time.

Blackwell: And all because of Graham...

Blackwell: Even in here, he continues to push sins on me that aren't mine.

Des: (...Debatable...)

Blackwell: Why haven't you yelled at him yet?

Des: =~= Believe me, we're trying.

Blackwell: Try harder.

Blackwell: That monster will hide behind his black, corrupt fortress of his so-called friends for as long as he wills it. You will not speak with him so easily.

Des: ...And how do you know that?

Blackwell: Don't know your history?

Blackwell: Figures you don't...

Blackwell: Why don't you ask your chief replacement for details.

Des: (Don't talk about Min like that—)

Blackwell: I'm sure you'll find something very educational.

Blackwell: -Waves a hand- Is that all?

Des: ....

Des: -Huffs- For now.

Blackwell: Good.

Blackwell: Get out.

Des: (Ugh, GLADLY.)

[Resounding footfalls are the last thing Blackwell hears before the door shuts close, and several locks click into place. He is alone, again, to his thoughts and his thoughts only… at least until the NEXT questionnaire comes up.]

Blackwell: …

Blackwell: -Sighs-

[His cane taps the floor one more time, and something quietly clicks open—a panel to the side slides open to reveal two, small picture frames.]

[Old, wrinkled fingers lightly graze a young woman's face, holding a smiling child with wild hair.]

Blackwell: (...I never got the chance to talk to you again.)

[The next one was of another child, bright eyed and clear minded, next to...]

[...Graham...?]

Blackwell: (...or you...)

Blackwell: (Why did you rat us out, George...?)

Blackwell: (Why?)

Des: -Tired, uuugh-

Des: -Dialing on his phone- That was fun...

Des: (Fun for HIM, I bet...)

[Click.

Minerva responded to the call promptly. She seemed to have been waiting for it.]

Min: Hello, Des. Did you learn anything interesting?

Des: -Tired- Just that Blackwell is really, really good at deduction.

Des: And getting under your skin, yeah, that was real fun...

Des: -Pinches nose- He's been twiddling his thumbs this whole time, or at least that's what he said. He agreed that the whole thing was stupid. Ugh...

Des: He even finished my thoughts before me, Min, no wonder he's in there.

Min: Hmm…. I'm not entirely surprised you did not get much out of him. He probably truly had nothing to say. Frankly, thinking Blackwell was behind it is ludicrous.

Des: -Sighs-

Des: ...He did give us a small tip for the QF, though.

Min: Oh? And what might that be?

Des: He claims the make of the “fan” that appeared in the finals was not Combat orientated, but Industrial.

Des: Worth looking into the Industrial database, he says.

Des: I think it's a good idea, as much as I kinda hate to admit it...

Des: =~=

Min: I endorse it. If that construct had the ability to bypass the tournament's security, it is possible they might have the ability to bypass federal security as well. We need a lead on that boy as soon as may be; Britain wants to extradite Aviator now that it's been proven to the scientific community that he is no longer infected.

Min: I can only stonewall our allies for so long before it goes from rude to confrontational.

Des: -Exasperated- We're STILL in the middle of red alert, don't they know that we can't lift the quarantine--?

Des: -Long sigh- Ugh, no thanks, I'd rather take Blackwell again.

Min: -Amused expression- Well, Donny, he can fly. I'm inclined to think they expect to escort him internationally.

Min: He is an asset who they perceive as having the answers they want. It's as much about protecting that lead as anything else, if one wants to be optimistic.

Des: (Somehow, I doubt that, if Blackwell is anything to go by...)

Des: -Sigh-

Des: How the heck did we get here, Min?

Min: -Sighs, taking off her glasses and putting a hand to her face-

Des: (I can't BELIEVE I'm even asking this...)

Des: Even the Doctor thinks we're morons, even if he IS the Father of Modern Xel Robotics.

Min: We are all but goldfish to the great minds of science and philosophy, Desmond. We may not be morons, but we are being played for fools.

Des: Ugh...

Min: Expect a visit from Internal Affairs once enough staff can be mustered up for it.

Des: (Great...)

Des: Won't that be a barrel of laughs...

Des: But I guess. I don't have any single problem with it, but something's wrong in here...

Des: Very wrong...

Min: Mmm. Well, I trust that you'll be able to find some results. Coordinate with Colby and the other Department heads to make sure that you have enough manpower to look into this. Just because you've been assigned team leader does not mean that they can be slackers on the group project.

Min: With the last known member of Greater Dusk still missing, that boy is the only real lead we have on the Finals, which is where something much like the virus was noticed. (I know the CAL reports from Kate Fletcher pointed to the possibility of a CherryDynamics connection, but that investigation was never completed. I suppose she went missing in infection, just like many of the other members…)

Min: We need something that gets us somewhere without jeopardizing the relationship with or the safety of our only confirmed chance of fixing this mess.

Min: We're just lucky that he was there and kept the situation from becoming so much worse…

Des: Yeah, got it. I'll see what I can do...

Des: Speaking of that...

Des: What about Sanda Enterprises?

Min: -Looks up, putting her glasses back on- Hmm?

Des: MN.9's been a big help, that I can completely agree with.

Des: Cleaning up our act is going to take time...

Des: And with how the military base incident was handled, well...

Des: >>;; I'm inclined to think that they have concluded they're on their own.

Des: -Which isn't true—or at least we don't WANT it that way—-

Des: On top of that—

Des: We don't exactly have any updates on the virus cure, if any.

Des: Wasn't Dr. White on that?

Min: So the press release says, and I have no reason to doubt it. Even the most cynical person has to recognize that without order and healthy opponents, his family would be put out of work. He has every reason to see an end to this mess, and does have the ability in at least one form.

Min: I want full cooperation extended to Sanda Enterprises, as I promised. We can pull from HHS's budget if necessary, as this does qualify as a resource to combat a plague outbreak.

Min: The man wants his children home first, and apparently has been making more progress in studying the virus as more of them come home. So it's in everyone's best interest to help him reach that point first, to allow him to focus on other things.

Min: With Battalion returned home, that just leaves two more to be found, correct?

Des: Right. Mighty No. 4, Seismic...

Des: And Mighty No. 8, Countershade.

Min: …

Des: (Dear God, I hope Four isn't in this state..)

Des: (And Eight...he's a whole other story...)

Des: So far we haven't gotten word from CAL—it's a mess, according to the representative.

Des: ...A number of them were confirmed to be infected.

Des: The good news, though, is that a good ratio was also confined in their posts when the outbreak started...

Des: So there’s that.

Min: I'm glad that not EVERY assassin in the States has gained bloodlust. Though it will be difficult to follow one trail of death out of hundreds.

Des: Needle in a haystack.

Des: A burning one, at that.

Min: A needle in a stack of needles would be more apt, but yes…

Des: -Mph...-

Des: ...There's one more thing I need to ask you...

Min: Go on.

Des: Doctor Blackwell showed a lot of disdain towards Graham.

Des: It sounded to me like it went beyond just the fact that he pointed the finger at him.

Des: ...Said I didn't know my history, so any idea why?

Min: Well, Dr. Blackwell used to work for CherryDynamics back in happier times. I'm sure that the change between now and then has some part in it, though there are likely motives that we can only guess at.

Des: He did?

Des: ...Bad blood, huh. That's worth looking into at a later date.

Min: …Possibly. One of the CAL agents on the QF case believed that it was worth investigating CherryDyn.

Des: ...If we can even GET a hold of CherryDyn...

Des: I'm still getting stonewalled at that front. Lawyers, representatives, not the man himself.

Des: I can't even get him on the phone!

Des: Busy signal, and it's gotten to the point where I think it's actually the voicemail recording.

Min: Peh. Irresponsible panderer.

Des: I don't think CherryDyn has been doing anything besides not letting the virus spread overseas...

Des: It's impossible to tell, other than it hasn't happened yet.

Min: Mmm…. what a mess…

Min: Well, he's made his bed, now he has to lie in it. Let him hide, then, so long as he doesn't get in the way of real progress. Like he tried to do earlier.

Des: =~= Can't we arrest him on grounds of suspicious activity against national security?

Min: It's honestly very tempting at times.

Min: But stupidity isn't illegal.

Min: I'm sure Sanda Enterprises will sue for libel once they're no longer busy with more pressing matters.

Min: I want everyone to be on the lookout for leads for the remaining Mighty Numbers. Any potential tip should be passed along to Sanda Enterprises.

Des: You got it.

Des: ...How are things going on your end?

[Min rubs her face a bit, giving an exasperated sigh.]

Min: No one's owning up just yet.

Min: We've gotten some promising words of support from France… they are most definitely willing to help rebuild infrastructure…

Min: … after this is over.

Des: ....

Des: -Long groan and the sound of his head hitting the wall-

Min: HHS isn't making much headway in finding a way to reverse the effects. Right now, the Whites are our only hope in finding the cure. Even finding the source will not necessarily give us that much.

Min: -Siiiigh-

Min: Come home, Donny. I don't think you'll get any more answers there for now.

Des: ...yeah.

Des: See ya soon.

{Meanwhile…}

<MC005 to DR.WHITE>: > -Ping-

[DR.WHITE to MC005] //: ...! Mikhail!

[DR.WHITE to MC005] //: Oh thank goodness are you alright you ran off so suddenly and then--

<MC005>: > I’m… better, certainly.

<MC005>: >Shadow informed me that Brandish had contacted us—it took a bit of unraveling, but it sounds like whatever was going on over there has resolved itself, for now. I’m glad.

<MC005>: >I was given quite the scare, that’s for certain. But a good deal of time has passed over here since then, and it’s given me a chance to settle down.

[DR.WHITE] //: Whew...

[DR.WHITE] //: I'm glad—things were a bit...chaotic, to say the very least...but we got through it together, and Bat has returned to us.

[DR.WHITE] //: Not only that, but along with one more piece to solving this virus code.

[DR.WHITE] //: (I'm close, I can feel it, I just need time...)

[DR.WHITE] //: How are the others...?

<MC005>: >Well, Jack was rather confused when he woke up somewhere else again— and Tetra had a rather… interesting choice of words to explain it—but he’s been a good patient. Most everyone has been rather docile. Jaden was agitated for a while, but improved after getting the chance to speak with Bat.

<MC005>: > … Fighting Eight still hasn’t fully recovered.

[DR.WHITE] //: (Oh, no...Kate...)

<MC005>: >I don’t entirely understand… this kind of damage surely must happen from time to time in the arena, but it seems this is the first time it’s affected her memory so deeply. Either she hasn’t ever had a head injury that severe before, or the head trauma just made existing problems worse, or there’s something else about it that I don’t know.

<MC005>: > She remains more or less docile, and can usually be coaxed back into Sleep mode within two minutes of her panicked episodes.

<MC005>: >She’s been rather incoherent. I think she just needs rest. Lots and lots of rest.

<MC005>: > The boys have been mercifully cooperative, especially ever since the latest development.

<MC005>: >That’s something you and I definitely need to cover—though there are other things to discuss that I think everyone should hear.

<MC005>: >We have good news and… some very important findings.

<MC005>: > We really should hold a conference call as soon as possible. Though you should probably get Five and Seven back up to speed, first.

[DR.WHITE] //: !

[DR.WHITE] //: I see—we'll have to wait until Beck awakens, however—I'm afraid he hasn't woken up since.

[DR.WHITE] //: It's...a bit concerning, but he's showing no signs of negative data...so...as long as he gets as much rest as possible...

<MC005>: >Mmm… well, for the good news, I’m sure he’d appreciate being there with everyone else…. I’m not sure about the findings, however…

<MC005>: > I think Pyro, Bat, and Brand definitely should hear it, though.

[There’s a thoughtful silence.]

<MC005>: > Are there any sign of the other three on your end?

[DR.WHITE] //: ...

[DR.WHITE] //: ...Nothing from Shade...

[DR.WHITE] //: ...And there's...no signal from Mic. At all. Ever since this started...

[DR.WHITE] //: And Cardinal...nothing.

[DR.WHITE] //: .....

<MC005>: > …

<MC005>: > -Sighs- Well, I had hoped.

<MC005>: > I think we may be able to help you find where Four went off to, though.

[DR.WHITE] //: !!

[DR.WHITE] //: Oh thank God—

<MC005>: >And I do have news of Cardinal.

Mikhail: (Though definitely not the news anyone was hoping to hear.)

Will: (Perhaps we're almost through this crisis—wait...just news?)

[DR.WHITE] //: —...and it's...it's good news? -Yes, we are trying to be hopeful here-

<MC005>: > …Er…

<MC005>: > …That depends on how you take it?

<MC005>: >He’s probably still in one piece, and seems to have stopped fighting, for now.

[DR.WHITE] //: (Still alive—while I am worried about you, Cardinal...I have to admit I am impressed you've—)

<MC005>: >But as for Four—

<MC005>: >My dear Will.

<MC005>: >You DO remember that my oldest (currently Online, David aside) son is a miner, да?

[DR.WHITE] //: —!

[DR.WHITE] //: Of course, maybe can he can give us an idea where Mic might have gone...

[DR.WHITE] //: Definitely somewhere in his 'element', to be sure—although we already scanned his mine, and found nothing...

[DR.WHITE] //: Mmmn...

<MC005>: >Digger has a few other ideas, and he’s turning his analysis to them now that we’ve finished our analysis of Cardinal’s information.

<MC005>: >He agrees at it’s likely that Seismic has headed underground. Quite frankly, there is no other way that he would be in his element while also being out of sight unless that were the case. He’s too large to go unnoticed above the scene.

<MC005>: >You will have to be prepared to accept his authority, though.

[DR.WHITE] //: ...I expected as much...

<MC005>: >I’m sorry, but it’s just…

<MC005>: >Dealing with infected constructs is one thing. Battling nature is another. And going underground is something else entirely.

<MC005>: >It’s very easy to get lost, and if you get lost without a surface team to keep track of you, you could spend days trying to find your way out.

<MC005>: >Thankfully, Three is an Industrial by nature, so he won’t try to get involved in any combat. You don’t need to worry on that front.

<MC005>: >He has extensive experience with that field—it’s his area of expertise—so he will be in charge of the monitoring surface team, and the recovery team, should it come to that. He’s already assigned Jaden as his second, though he’s still debating on who should be his partner…

[Later that afternoon, Mikhail briefly stopped by Sanda Labs to pick up a few things that had been left in their hasty retreat. Before he returned to the Meadow, though, he had an important stop to make.

He made his way up to Beck’s room with a bag of marshmallows in hand.]

[...There's no sound coming from his room, and the lights seem to be off...]

[Inside, a soft white glow can be seen under the covers--and the small bump that was Beck there as well.]

Beck: —? (Dad—?)

[A head pops up, and tired emerald eyes blink in slight confusion when the figure at the foot of his bed was not his Father.]

Beck: Dr. Cossack...?

Mikhail: -Softly- Good afternoon, Number Nine.

Mikhail: -Offers marshmallow bag-

Beck: ...um.

[...He can't help but feel a bit meek while taking a few marshmallows. He couldn't guess why Dr. Cossack was here, but...]

[...This had to be about Jaden's Capsule, right?]

Beck: .....

Beck: (Maybe I should...give the data back...)

Mikhail: Trouble resting?

Beck: ....Um...

[He rubs the back of his head a bit.]

Beck: Kinda. It's been a long week...it's sorta throwing my whole sleep schedule off...

[...Well, that was true, in part. Lately, he still felt tired even after going into Sleep Mode...

...There were just too many thoughts in his head.

Too many worries.]

Mikhail: It has been a long week, hasn’t it. And the time warps in effect can be a headache, true.

Mikhail: It helps to have someone to talk to about it.

Beck: .....

[...Oh.]

Beck: Y...Yeah, those are always weird...

Beck: … …

Beck: … …Doctor Cossack?

Mikhail: да?

Beck: Are…

Beck: … …

Beck: Are they afraid of me?

Mikhail: -Blinks at this-

[As was his custom, he waited until he was sure Beck had had his say before he said anything himself.]

Beck: I… Nico was… really angry—and Shadow...

Beck: I… I didn't mean…

Beck: … …

[…He falls silent.]

[There is some rattling in his closet a second afterwards…]

[Mikhail reaches out and gently puts a hand on Beck’s head.]

Beck: ....

Beck: I...I'm sorry I got Jaden in trouble....

Beck: I...I just...

Beck: ....

[Mikhail gave a soft sigh and pulled Beck into a hug.]

Beck: ......

_________________

"Humanity is hardwired to be cautious to that which is better than them, and they know this. As do all sentient creatures."

"...What does that mean--"

"...It means don't be surprised if everyone starts to FEAR YOU, you idiot."

_______________

Beck: --I...I don't want them to be afraid of me...

Beck: I'm not like... I don't want to...

Beck: -They're family too, I don't want to let them down or--or fail them or scare them or...-

Mikhail: Shhhh…

Beck: .....

Beck: (What if they're right?)

Beck: (I barely understand what's going on with me, and Dad...I'm not even sure if HE knows too...)

Beck: (Was this what she was talking about...?)

Beck: -We're scared.-

((Pic—Beck and Mikhail))

[Beck just curls up with the Russian Doctor, hands clutching the blankets, trying to even out his breathing.]

Beck: -I don't wanna be like the Menace...-

Mikhail: Oh, my dear soul-son…. -Soft sigh again-

Mikhail: You are very dear to all of us. Remember first that in our hearts, you are beloved, and cherished like Tobias, Kalinka, and David.

Mikhail: You are not the one that they fear, Amadeus. What they fear is the loss of control.

[He pulls back so he can lean his forehead against Beck’s.]

Mikhail: Not you losing control of yourself, but the situation growing greater than they can handle. It is already out of their hands. This is hard for them to accept, for it brings them back to our days at home where we live in hiding and in fear.

Mikhail: That is why they have grown defensive. They see themselves in a hostile world, where their family could be turned against itself unto ruin.

Mikhail: They are afraid that some other force will take such an ability from you to use against them—whether that force hunt you down for it, or simply take advantage of what is at hand.

Beck: … …

Beck: (I...gosh, I know that feeling...)

Beck: -Nods-

Mikhail: They have not spoken much of their culture to your family, partially because it is one of sorrow and suffering, with a serious, melancholic, reflective atmosphere. But now that Aviator knows the full extent, they may open up more over time.

Mikhail: The Power Capsules are culturally very important, not just physically. That Jaden allowed you to interact with his shows how much he trusts you.

Beck: ....He… he does…?

Beck: .....

Beck: (Jaden, you...)

Beck: .....

Mikhail: He would not have let you even see it if he did not, Nine. He was obviously hoping to give you his form—likely because of how sturdy it is. Such a thing is very important to them, and not done lightly.

Mikhail: Alnico was alarmed primarily because… well, to put it frankly, he’s been wound a bit too tight during the whole ordeal. Being the family leader is not easy, and it was never a position he really wanted to begin with.

Mikhail: When feeling stressed and afraid, it is easier and more likely for faulty alarm triggers to go off.

Beck: ...O...Oh...

Beck: (Poor Nico...he must be really stressed out and stuff...)

Beck: ......No wonder he got so mad...

Mikhail: He in particular has had a very bad experience regarding the Power Capsules. His half-brother took his brother’s Power Capsule from storage for the sole purpose of destroying him.

Mikhail: He, like most of the family, feel that the fewer people that have access to such things, the safer things will be.

Beck: .....That makes sense when you look at it like that... (...They ARE weapons....)

Beck: (...I guess Nico had a point. I SHOULD be more careful...)

Mikhail: You did no real harm to them, though. Nico has calmed down considerably, now that they are confident that all will be well in the end.

Mikhail: They really do believe that.

Beck: ......

Beck: (They....they really do believe that I'll fix everything...)

Beck: (I don't...I can't let them down like that...)

Beck: Yeah...I...I know.

Mikhail: They know that with the public not giving into panic, things can be fixed, with effort, even if it takes quite a lot of it over an extended period of time.

Mikhail: For them, that is everything—to be allowed that chance.

Mikhail: I know you can do it. I knew it when you first said you would, when I saw the look in your eyes.

Mikhail: I’d seen that look before, you know.

Beck: ....B...Before...?

Mikhail: Yes. Right down to the green eyes. | )

Mikhail: Cardinal gets that when he becomes determined. He was that way when it came to saving my family.

Beck: ...!

Beck: (The Russian Incident...)

Beck: .....

Beck: .....I...I miss him.

Beck: ...I know he's trying to save Shade...and I don't blame him at all, but...

Beck: ...I could use his advice too...

Mikhail: Yes…?

Beck: ...He's just...ya know, he's done everything?

Beck: ...Though I bet he'd just insist on going with me to save everyone or something...

Beck: If...if he was still here, that is...

Mikhail: -Chuckles softly- Even if he did not come in person, you could probably have expected a great deal of backseat driving from him in the form of continuous witty and sardonic commentary.

Beck: Heheheh...

[That gets him to smile at last—he could practically hear him commenting on those weird wheel-like CDNs and Graham's backfired blame game...]

Beck: Cards is funny like that...heh...

Mikhail: Ah… but Cardinal is made for this sort of thing; it is quite literally as close to what he was built for as anything can get. So… if he had not left, he would have joined you… or had to shut down for the duration, as the only options for such a directive are to obey or stall.

Beck: ....

Beck: -Sighs-

Beck: I'm worried...

Beck: ...He can't cure Shade like I can—he knows that by now, doesn't he? -And I don't know what Shade will do or if he'll even...-

Beck: ......I just hope we find one of them soon...

[Mikhail was silent for a moment, his demeanor turning a thoughtful kind of serious. When he spoke, it was as if saying something that had already been mourned and passed over, healed with time.]

Mikhail: …Beck… there’s something you should know.

Mikhail: And this is something I will tell the others as well, very soon. As soon as everyone is well enough to attend the meeting… you included.

Beck: ...?

Mikhail: Shade and Cardinal once discussed what to do if something ever happened that made Shade go mad.

Beck: —??

Beck: They did?

Beck: (But how would they...)

Mikhail: Shade warned him to stay away, but acknowledged Cardinal’s honest response that he would do no such thing.

Mikhail: He ultimately told him that if all else failed, to save his Central core.

Beck: ....!

Beck: (His...his core...)

Mikhail: Cardinal will attempt to bring your brother back, willingly or not.

Beck: . . . .

Beck: Shade...

Mikhail: You must understand…

Mikhail: For Cardinal, this was yet another round, another generation, another lifetime which he must see those close to him suffer and be destroyed. He has put a great deal of effort in our world into halting and then reversing this tide.

Mikhail: He was not about to let it happen here.

Mikhail: He feared that if Shade were not stopped, that the use of force against him would be so great as to destroy him entirely.

Mikhail: He would prevent that from happening, even if it meant fighting Shade himself to do so.

Beck: .......

Mikhail: … (Even if it meant…) …

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: …He does not expect to cure. He knows that much by now beyond all doubt: his actions in Kansas City prove that much. He just seeks to bring Shade back to those who can.

Beck: ...U...Us....

Beck: (Cardinal...)

Beck: (You really care about him, don't you...)

Beck: ......

Beck: ...Shade would've done the same thing...

Beck: ....It's...just who they are, right...

Beck: ....

Mikhail: Yes.

Mikhail: (Though for some reason, I get an odd sense of deja vu when it’s mentioned Shade will do the sa—… wait… will?)

Mikhail: (…I’m not going to think on that, probably just another one of their misadventures…)

Mikhail: And Beck…

Mikhail: Even with all that, I don’t think he would have left it up to you if he did not feel you could handle it.

Mikhail: Take heart, my friend. And… do talk to us once in a while, alright?

Mikhail: I know you’ve been unhappy and nervous. You kept avoiding people, just like your father has been doing.

Mikhail: But we’re here for you, Beck White. Kalinka very much enjoys talking with you. And if you seek advice on what Cardinal might do or say…

Mikhail: She traveled across a continent or two with him, you know. She’s pretty familiar with his mannerisms—more than some of his brothers, even.

Beck: (...That's right...Linka....)

Beck: ...I'll...I'll keep that in mind, Dr. Cossack...

Beck: ....T...Thanks.

Beck: ......

Beck: Dad's probably worried about everything too.

Beck: -We're similar like that-

Mikhail: I know. (…I wish I could be more helpful.)

Beck: I know Dad's been working so hard on cracking the virus...

Beck: (...He must feel like everyone's counting on him too...)

[Mikhail sighed.]

Mikhail: …I wish there were more I could do to help him. (Because this still isn’t over…)

Mikhail: (We have a lot of work to do.)

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 10D: THE MACHINE DRAWS NEAR=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

[SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER, TITUS MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON…]

Soi: Horf...aaugh, that was way too much walking for my liking…

Call: We have arrived at the Prison, Doctor.

[The hulking fortress of steel and tower loomed ominously over the father-daughter pair, it’s once strong doors blown wide open by some massive force. Inside, there was a loud chaotic noise of many different prisoners and wards either dealing with each other, or the surely infected robots that were also trapped within.]

Call: I detect several Xellular signals within the complex, Dr. Sanda. Signs of viral infection also detected.

Soi: Oh, boy…

[The large, soft-hearted doctor nervously gulped as they both headed inside--the cool air was welcome, but it didn’t much help the situation they found themselves in.]

Soi: Oh, Will...I really hope you and the Mighties are alright…

[While the Whites were busy storming the Robot Factory, it was up to Soi and Call to take care of the Prison break-in--and ensure the personal safety of Dr. Blackwell, who had been imprisoned for life for his cyber-terrorism crimes against the country…]

[...And maybe, get some answers. Although Soi really didn’t think someone like Blackwell would be very willing to give them.]

Soi: Whoever heard of breaking INTO a prison…? (What’s your game here, Graham--?)

Soi: ...But...we need to talk to Blackwell, so...C’mon, Call!

Soi: The sooner we can get this over with, we can get out of here!

Call: Yes, Doctor.

[MISSION DETAILS: TITUS’S MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON HAS EXPERIENCED A BREAK IN. MULTIPLE DANGEROUS PRISONERS HAVE ESCAPED. DR. BENEDICT BLACKWELL IS HOUSED WITHIN THE DEEPEST PART OF THE PRISON. VIRUS PRESENCE CONFIRMED.]

[MISSION OBJECTIVE: ESCORT DR. Soi AND LOCATE DR. BLACKWELL TO ENSURE HIS PERSONAL SAFETY. QUESTION DR. BLACKWELL FOR POSSIBLE INFORMATION OF THE VIRUS. AVOID VIRAL INFECTION AT ALL COSTS.]

[SUB OBJECTIVE: MINIMIZE RMDC IMPACT, MITIGATE PRISONER THREATS.]

[SYSTEMS READY?]

[GO!]

Soi: Any prison built to house a genius like Blackwell will be a tough nut to crack into...we’ll just need to search every nook and cranny until we find a way in.

Soi: Alright...this must be the main prison building. Dr. Blackwell’s cell will be deeper inside...although I doubt they’re going to just keep him in just ANY old cell..

Call: Analyzing…

Call: Results: Dr. Blackwell will be most likely somewhere in which security is highest. We will need key cards to access the maximum security wing.

Soi: Yes, you’re right…

[At the end of the hallway littered with prison cells at it’s sides, there were a set of blast doors blocking their path. A key card terminal was mounted just beside it, blinking red.]

Call: Please wait here while I search for the key cards, Doctor. This area is safe.

Soi: A-Alright...b-but be careful, yes? A-And don’t be long!

Soi: I...really wouldn’t want to be alone in such a...dim place…

Call: Yes, Doctor.

[Call boosts on ahead, using a built in jet pack on her back. She wasn’t much taller than Beck, thus her small stature makes it a bit easier to slip by the patrol bots. A few of the supplies from a nearby storage room were strewn about this hallway--]

[And on one was a bright red plastic card with a metallic strip.]

[CALL] //: I have found one of the key cards.

[DR.SANDA] //: Already? Fantastic! I think there is another door behind this one, though...either way, try to find one more before we move on!

[CALL] //: Yes, Doctor.

[BWAN BWAN BWAN--]

Call: ?

[Unfortunately for her, sporting such a bright pink outfit didn’t exactly make her dressed for stealth.]

Patrol Bot: -INTRUDER DETECTED-

[Although not infected, this patrol bot still had a function to follow. It’s dangerous shields sprinted forward to attempt to apprehend the Soi bot by knocking her over first--]

[CALL has entered Defensive Combat Mode.]

[Shoom!]

[She extends her hand forward and a bow like gun appears in it--the tip of it glows once before firing an arrow-shaped energy shot into the patrol bot--which knocked it far backwards.]

[Her shots weren’t modeled after Beck’s, though--while indeed damaging, they didn’t break apart Xel like Beck’s buster did. After a few more volleys of arrows, the patrol bot shut down from too much damage to it’s frame.]

Call: Threat neutralized. Proceeding.

Call: Scanning.

Call: ....Organic lifeforms detected ahead.

[As Call turned the corner, she was greeted by a fairly alarming sight--or as alarming as one can get for a bot with a limited emotion range. Green hues blinked in slight surprise at the hall filled with wards and guards--all either injured or simply unconscious. There was a few that Call could not detect any vitals in, either…]

Call: ….

[The gruesome sight doesn’t seem to faze her as much as a normal bot would react to, at least. She steps carefully over the crew, eyes scanning their bodies--until she finally spied another key card poking out of a out cold guard’s back pocket.]

Call: -Swipes it-

[She makes her way back with all due haste--Back with Soi, he could definitely hear all the blasting going on, making him pace with worry and fraught.]

Soi: Ooh...Will, I really wish you were here…! I’m not really the kind of scientist for field work…! Much less this...Gh… I don’t even know how to defend myself…

Soi: (And don’t even get me started on your Dad…)

Call: Doctor?

Soi: --! Call! Did you--

Call: I have the key cards. We must proceed quickly.

Soi: Yes, yes! Let’s go…

[Beep! Beep!]

[As both doors opened for the two, there was something on the other side--something that seemed quite lost and afraid. It was small and pink, with a lot of scratches on it’s tiny body. Once it spotted the Doctor and Call, though--]

Patch: :’’’D

Soi: ! Oh--A Patch Service Bot! Perfect timing!

Soi: Call, plug in to recharge your shield energy! Use that as fuel to power your energy barrier--It should have just enough to deflect enemy fire!

Call: Yes, Doctor.

[The Patch bot was more than happy to come with them--with a happy beep and a twirl, the Patch bot flew behind Call to plug into some ports on her back--and then it folded away to look like a pack.]

Call: Charging complete.

Soi: Good, good! Let’s keep going--

Call: Doctor.

Soi: --Oh, yes?

Call: Question: Why was I equipped with an energy shield?

Soi: --Er...huh?

[Soichiro was absolutely not expecting a question like that, at a place like this. Call blinked blankly at her father, patiently awaiting an answer while he fidgeted and thought of a proper response.]

Soi: W...Well...it’s just...uh...aheh…

Soi: You never know, you know?

Soi: I just...thought it would be a nice little feature to add to your combat mode, that’s all. Just...covering the bases.

Call: …

Call: Analysis: Doctor Soi had concluded that this unit would eventually come across dangerous situations at the time of this unit’s conception.

Soi: S-Something like that! ^^’’’

Soi: But enough talk, dear--we REALLY should get going before something else catches us. Come on--

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[When Nico arrived on the scene, he looked somewhat disoriented. The air around him flickered, as if glitching with time itself.]

Nico: (Ugh, time warps… getting worse…)

Nico: (Pull it together, Alnico…)

[He did his best to shake it off as he looked around.

The facility was a lot larger than he had expected. He had been convinced at first that there was only one prisoner housed there, based on the way that people spoke of it. He could perceive now that this was not the case.]

Nico: (They're probably headed to the deepest part of the dungeon, so to speak…. So just making my way down should catch me up to them, right?)

[He began hovering down the hallway, casting bits of metal into the air. They created a floating shield of shrapnel about him, which he spun around in orbits occasionally.]

Nico: (Now let's see here…)

[BWAN BWAN BWAN--]

Patrol Bot: -INTRUDER DETECTED!-

Nico: !!!

[He gave a blast of a magnetic field, slamming the bot against the wall.]

Nico: Out of my way!

[He tossed it back behind him. When they started to come back, joined by others, his eyes flickered brighter green.]

Nico: So you want to play this the hard way? Fine then.

[Nico used SHRAPNEL SHIELD!]

[The cloud of shrapnel acted like a rain of daggers and knives, tearing into the patrolling squadron.]

[Nico used MAGNET MISSILE!]

K-CHUNK! K-CHUNK! K-CHUNK!

[The homing missiles sped toward their targets, latching onto them on impact. They blinked for a few moments before creating a small but powerful explosion, rocking the victims with the full force of the blast and ensuing shockwaves.

Between the rain of metal that had continued to swirl about and the bombardment of Combat-level grade of explosives, his opponents were reduced to nothing but crumbling Xel.]

Nico: -Grins slightly cruelly beneath his mask, feeling that little surge of a Wily's delight at the thrill of power- Heh.

Nico: I'll fight my way through if I have to.

[He wrenched out the shrapnel from the dissolving figures and carried on his way down the hall, moving with greater speed than before.]

Nico: (Now… where are you…?)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[MEANWHILE…]

[It’s a long trek through the labyrinth like prison--and the two weren’t exactly conspicuous on this stealth mission. Call did quite well despite not being dressed for it, though, easily sneaking past the various patrol bots still on high alert.]

Call: -From the vents- I have another key card, Doctor.

Soi: All the way in THERE? How?

Call: Unknown. Hypothesis: Someone threw it in here.

Soi: Bad day, I guess…

[Call kicks open another vent grate and crawls out, some dust on her hair. She brushes herself off some before motioning for her father to follow her.]

Call: The wing should be up ahead.

Soi: Oh, thank goodness…

[As Soi inserts the last keycard, the way into the maximum security wing opens--or at least the entrance was now available to them. It’s a long hallway with a large door leading into the wing--beside it, a large terminal was blinking idly.]

Soi: Ah--finally, something I can work with--!

[Call stands by the wing door while Soi gets to work on the terminal, typing away at it with vigor.]

Soi: If this is what I think it is--

[SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!]

[Suddenly, a HORRIFYING demonic screech fills the complex, both in the air and across the feeds--before they shut off COMPLETELY, cutting off any feeds coming in and out of the prison….!]

Call: -ERROR--

Soi: -SCREAM--

Soi: Wh--What in the world was that--?!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[Nico reeled from the sound of the scream, a part of his mind becoming lost to static. It was abrupt and almost maddening—to be suddenly cut off in entirety from the RMD and everyone in it, left with nothing but his own internal experiences and thoughts. It was not like simply turning off the transceiver—this was worse, far worse.

He staggered and crashed against the floor in a heap, clutching at his head in pain.]

Nico: Nnnnhhh!

>ERROR X05: UNRESPONSIVE/DAMAGED SOFTWARE DETECTED

[Errors blared like a throbbing headache, and he was dazed by them. The only way he could think of to solve it… was to go ahead and shut it all down, send his transceiver offline.]

Nico: Nnnnnnggg…

[He pushed himself up off the floor, slowly hovering again. He was still a bit limp, trying to gather up his strength from the strange attack.]

Nico: …

[It suddenly occurred to him that he was truly alone now. There was no way to recall him at this point. If he continued forward, he ran the risk of self-destruction.

And unlike Cardinal, he did not have the jailbroken override function to stop it.]

Nico: … … …

[He pressed on.]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Call: Error: My communication lines are unresponsive. This unit detects a jamming signal within the screaming just now.

Soi: Oh, poppycock...that i-isn’t good--

Soi: I--I’d better hurry up then--you watch my back, alright, dear?

Call: Acknowledged. I will stand by.

[There is nothing but the quiet sound of typing, Soi murmuring to himself as he did so. No comms...which means his phone wouldn’t work. They really were on their own on this one.]

Soi: Yes, this door is locked electronically...one second while I hack it open…

Soi: (I really hope I don’t end up getting arrested for this myself--)

[BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN--]

Call: Warning--

[INTRUDERS DETECTED. DEPLOYING UNITS TO LOCATION: MAXIMUM SECURITY WING ENTRANCE HALL.]

Soi: Great Caesar’s Ghost--They’ve found us! -SCREE, WE’RE GONERS--

[CALL HAS ENTERED OFFENSIVE COMBAT MODE. RESTRICTIONS: PRESERVE DR. SANDA.]

Call: Please focus on hacking the terminal, Doctor. I will try to neutralize any threats.

Soi: C-Call! Wait--!

[But it’s no use--drones were already closing into their location, easily outnumbering the lone Sanda Number. Call’s eyes glowed a dull green as she raised her weapon, a faint hint of a familiar focused gaze on her face…]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

(...Nearly...Nearly there...at last…!)

[There was a furious red glow fast approaching, and the light it cast off scored all who dared to oppose it’s destructive warpath to it’s objective…]

(All these years...you could have come for me...could have looked for me...yet you chose to hide here…)

[It was far too fast for Alnico to even get a proper look at the mysterious whirlwind of red and rage, fully intent on getting past him.]

[SHING!]

Nico: ?!

???: OUT OF MY WAY!

[His shrapnel shield hurled about him, but it seemed to be of no avail on the powerful figure before him. He was rammed into and bowled over, completely overtaken by the new attacker.

Just as he got up again to his feet, however, it was gone.]

Nico: (What the hell WAS that? I swear this place has become nothing but chaos…)

[He gathered up his shrapnel again, ignoring the alarms that were starting to increase. Now that his transceiver was off, they didn't bother him mercilessly.]

Nico: -Tries brushing off some Xel and ends up smearing it- (Ewww…)

[He tried pursuing the new intruder, not wanting to let them run amok.

Unfortunately for him…]

"-SNARL…-"

Nico: …!

[He was given something else to worry about.]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[BLAM BLAM!]

Soi: I never thought I’d be hacking under GUNFIRE, for crapes’ sake--!

Soi: B-But I’ve almost got it! Just a little more, Call--!

Call: Yes, Doctor.

[Call pivoted to avoid oncoming fire from her right, and then activated her shield to deflect the patrol bots from ramming her to the ground. The biggest threat right now was a giant, bladed patrol bot, hurling it’s huge cutter right at the combat secretary.]

Soi: DUCK--!

[She dropped to the ground at the last moment, the blade harmlessly passing above her. It had a boomerang effect, unfortunately, but just as the cutter was about to return to it’s unit, the pink Xelbot got an idea…]

Call: Opening fire.

Soi: --?! Call?!

[BLAM BLAM BLAM!]

[SCREEEE--]

[Stunned by the sudden onslaught of shots, the bladed patrol bot couldn’t recover fast enough to catch it’s own blade. When it came back, it embedded itself into its frame with a loud, horrific screech.]

[THUD!]

[The massive patrol bot fell to the ground, dissolving into a giant puddle of Xel. The other patrol bots followed suit to Call’s accurate aiming and shielding, clearing the area of all other threats.]

Call: All hostiles neutralized, Doctor.

Soi: I...I can see that… (...Her fighting style was...different this time around. Huh…)

Soi: ...Oh! The door! Right, one moment--

[ACCESS GRANTED.]

[The door slowly slid open, granting access to the maximum security wing of the prison. It’s not as dead quiet as one would like--there were faint sounds of screams and shouting just down the hallways of cells.]

Soi: Oh, that’s encouraging…

Soi: ...Now I’m really starting to worry about Dr. Blackwell. You...You don’t think the robots around here have gotten into his cell already…?

Call: ….

Soi: …? Call?

[The secretary bot was strangely silent, staring straight ahead with a blank, yet...paused expression. As if she was in deep thought.]

Call: ...Interesting…

Soi: Uh...What is it, Call? Did you figure something out?

Call: ...I often detect an aversion to combat in Beck’s vocal patterns, while I have no such reluctance.

Soi: …! (...Has she been analyzing her own combat protocols this whole time? It’s the only reason I can think of, if she’s asking NOW…)

Call: Question: Why would Dr. White include that hesitation in his design?

Soi: --Er--

Call: Beck is an Arena Combat Model, built for the purpose of acting as the role of a healer for Team Mighty Numbers, due to his Xel Manipulation function. A common strategy when dealing with healers is to neutralize them first so that they will not restore their allies’ vitality. Analysis concludes that Dr. White would have known that this would make Beck a constant target for other combatants in the Battle Colosseum.

Call: To include a hesitation to combat in this setting...

Call: It’s...illogical.

Soi: ….

[For a moment, Soi allowed himself to mull over it. When Call put it like that, it...was true. It didn’t make SENSE that Will would specifically make Beck so afraid of combat when that was the setting he was going to BE in--why with Beck, when all the other Mighty Numbers weren’t the same way, when they COULD have? Growth aside, even if he hadn’t...would Beck even be the same?]

Soi: Mmm...yes, well...that, uh…

[KSSSST!]

Soi: --! (The monitor--?)

[The screen on the terminal suddenly cuts off from it’s database, and a video feed pops up. Once the static clears, a familiar Mighty Number comes into view.]

Avi: Yoooo, Doc Sanda-Man! Duty calls from Call, eh? Haha--! Thank the maker I reached you!

Soi: Wha--Avi?! Y-You’re supposed to be at the FACTORY, why are you--WHERE are you?

Avi: Mighty No. 6 is reporting LIVE from above the Prison! I got a hot scoop fresh off of CherryDyn’s production lines that just couldn’t wait another minute!

[The screen switches off from Avi to a series of blueprints…]

Soi: ---??

Soi: ...What is this…? Schematics for a Combat Model…?

Call: ...These are blueprints for a CherryDyn patrol type combat model, Doctor.

Avi: Bingo! I scouted up ahead and spotted a nasty guard dog! I’m talkin’ one sick puppy. Probably literally! And there’s more than one--

Avi: It’s part of a line called the Cerberus series! There’s three of them--each of them has a total of one, two, and THREE heads respectively! And they’re assigned to patrol high level security locations...like the Prison.

Soi: -PALES- Oh...Oh, no… (Call is...I don’t know if Call can HANDLE something this huge--!)

[The screen flashes back to Avi upon hearing his uncle’s distress.]

Avi: Hey, but I got a pro tip! Blast his big eye first! That’s his weak point. THEN go for massive damage! He’s only got one, so he’ll be totally blindsided if you knock it out first!

Avi: Should be no problem for our call girl! How’s everything holding up for you two?

Call: All systems are still operational, Mighty No. 6. Dr. Sanda is safe.

Avi: Great! I wish I could stay and provide support, but I gotta fly back to the Factory--it’s a PARTY in there, lemmie tell ya--

Soi: No time for stories, Avi--you can tell us when we get back home! Please, hurry back to Will--!

Avi: Roger! See ya, and good luck!

[KSSSSSSSSST!]

Call: ….

[Call stares back at the screen after Avi signs off, yet again with that paused expression.]

Call: It’s not only Beck.

Soi: --?

Call: All of Dr. White’s designs have such contradictions...

Call: Aviator has an aversion to blood despite being a news reporter. Cryosphere possesses no fear reactions even when presented with situations that incite it. Brandish imparts his teachings of Japanese fighting styles to those that show a certain level of temperament, rather than skill level. Even Seismic, who is the team tank of the Mighty Numbers, is one of the more rational of the line rather than Pyrogen, who sometimes shows levels of ill temper.

Call: Why put such imperfections on designs that would negate their very functions?

Soi: ...Have...you been thinking about this since we arrived?

Call: I have been analyzing this data for 6 months, 3 weeks, 4 days and 17 hours, Doctor.

Soi: ….

Soi: ...Oh. o~o

Soi: (That...long. Huh. I...I guess she takes time to analyze other data when she’s doing her desk work...?)

Soi: I...Call…

Soi: I’m sorry, but...could you wait just a little longer for that answer? We’re...in the middle of a mission…

Call: ….

Call: Affirmative. This unit apologizes for straying from the objective.

Soi: No, no...it’s alright.

Soi: We should head deeper. It’s not long now--Blackwell’s cell should be somewhere in there...

[Father and daughter make haste for the maximum security wing at last, and it’s nothing but a mess inside. Bars bent this way and that, entire walls were caved in and the lights flickered ominously, damaged by some heated scuffle that had occurred not too long ago, most likely by the convicts and wardens of the prison.]

“I ain’t gettin’ cored, man! I’m OUTTA HERE--”

Call: -Eyes glow green, raises bow--

Soi: Ack, Call, get out of the way--! [Soi had just enough time to pull Call to the side of the hall as a group of Xelbots and humans in prison uniforms were racing down the opposite way.]

“MOVE IT, Fatso--”

Soi: >|T -Rude--

[The panicked convicts were too focused on escape to care for a Doctor and his only child in the prison, freedom beckoning them just beyond the walls. Soi’s annoyed expression slipped away into worry and concern as he watched them vanish around a corner.]

Soi: …

Soi: ...They...They probably don’t know what’s going on outside, do they…?

Soi: Those Xelbots weren’t infected...I guess they were lucky, maybe they were in solitary confinement when the virus broke out…

Soi: (But there’s nothing that’ll protect them if they even do get outside...Oh, no…)

Call: Doctor.

Soi: --Er, uh...sorry, Call, I just got...sidetracked for a moment.

Soi: --! Ah, look--there!

[Finally, at the end of the hallway, there it was--the gateway to the cell of the most dangerous man alive, in the form of...some sort of elevator. It was rather plain looking, save for a singular plate with a serial on it.]

[P-2045453.]

Soi: I...uh. Is this it?

Call: Searching database.

Call: This serial seems to be the number assigned to Dr. Blackwell.

Soi: So his cell is… underground? O.o

Soi: (Did they really built all this just to house him down there? Good lord…)

Soi: ...Well...down we go....

[DING!]

[They both entered the elevator, the reinforced steel doors shutting behind them as Soi punched the button for down. They smoothly started to descend…]

Soi: …

Soi: (...Will never liked his own father…)

Soi: (He always seemed bitter whenever I tried to talk to him about it...and he always switched the subject over to something else. From what he says, Dr. Blackwell doesn’t sound very nice…)

Soi: (And I’m inclined to believe him...Will said he just left him and Rebecca when he was 10…)

Soi: (Still...this is the first time...and maybe even the last time I’ll get to see him face to face.)

Soi: (I have to wonder...has he changed?)

[SCREEECH--]

Soi: --???

Soi: -What is that horrible noise--

Call: -PING, WARNING--

[The horrid metal screeching seemed to be coming from ABOVE them--]

Soi: -Looks up--

Soi: --!!!! LOOK OUT!

[CRASH--!!]

[Falling through the roof of the massive elevator was a HUGE canine unit, it’s singular eye boring holes into the pair, teeth buzzing in it’s maw as it HOWLED. The noise was akin to an alarm being raised, and the REAL alarms seem to respond to it by going off themselves.]

K-9: -HOOOOOWWWWL-

Soi: -SCREAMS--

[Helpless Soichiro skids off across the floor until he hits a corner--the weight on the elevator was uneven, causing the entire thing to screech against the elevator shaft as they continued to move downwards.]

Call: This appears to be one of the Cerberus models.

[DSN-000 HAS ENTERED OFFENSIVE COMBAT MODE.]

Call: Threat confirmed. Initiating combat protocols.

Call: Analyzing.

((Pic))

[ E N C O U N T E R ]

[CDN. ERR - CODENAME: K-9]

[HEIGHT: 333 cm]

[WEIGHT: 1009 kg]

[XEL COUNT: 201,800,000]

[The K-9 CDN did not waste a single moment in it's movements, poising to lunge at Call with it's teeth bared. There's little time to react, but Call was ready--she easily slid under the beast as soon as it jumped to the other side of the elevator.]

Soi: aaaAAH--

[...Which in turn, caused the round Doctor to slide to the other end as well. The elevator was big enough so that Soi wasn't in any immediate danger, and the K-9 was solely focused on Call for now.]

Call: I detect no viral infection in this model. Doctor, please find a way to stop the elevator--

Soi: There isn't! There's no terminal or box ANYWHERE--

Soi: What kind of--gh--elevator doesn't have an emergency brake?!

Call: ...

[There's a slight change in Call's stoic expression, as if she's trying to process something other than her analysis protocols. She doesn't have time to finish, as the K-9 unit opens it's mouth to reveal a gun hidden in it's throat--]

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

Call: Barrier.

[In an instant, Call's Barrier shields her from the oncoming shots. Luckily, they were energy based, so they didn't ricochet off dangerously--after all, Doctor Sanda was nearby--]

Call: -Frowns- ...Error...

Soi: -Gg--

Soi: Call! Do you remember Avi's advice?!

Call: --!

Call: Affirmative, Doctor. Knock the eye out first.

Call: -Aims--

[BLAM!]

K-9: ROOOOWWWWWWWWL--

[The shot hit its mark true, and the canine bot howled in PAIN as it was rendered blind, it's eye shutting close against it's head. Call takes this opportunity to fire even more shots at it...but they only bounce off harmlessly against it's armor.]

Call: ...

Call: This unit cannot pinpoint any other weakness other than the eye...

Soi: That can't be the only way--there has to be another way to damage it!

Soi: Something that its armor doesn't protect--!

Call: ...

Call: Analyzing new data... 

K-9: AWOOOOOOOOO--

Call: -PING!-

[A spark flashes in Call's mind, manifesting as a sharp glow to her green hues. She bolts off towards the K-9 unit and jumps--]

Soi: CALL--!!

[Her foot SLAMS into its bottom lip, and the flash of her barrier goes up, forcing the K-9 unit to open its jaws wide--]

K-9: -HNGHE--

Call: -Burst of data- 

[And then she jumps right back into the air, mirroring Beck's back shot, unloading shot after shot right down its throat--!]

K-9: -SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE--!!-

Soi: -Covers his ears over that HORRIBLE noise, hnnng--

[Call lands on the ground as graceful as a dove, stoic as ever as as the canine CDN coughed and spazzed in pain, pawing at it's own snout and throat.] 

Soi: : D!! Brilliant! That's my girl!

K-9: Rrrrng...

K-9: -BWAAAAAAAAAAN--

[PING!]

"ALERT! ALERT! CONDITION RED RAISED TO CONDITION BLACK. CONDITION RED RAISED TO CONDITION BLACK. MAXIMUM SECURITY WING LOCKDOWN INITIATED!"

Soi: D:!! -Oh no--

Soi: (Now how are we going to get out?!)

[The alarms on the K-9 was responded by some stray CDN supply drones, who had found their way into the shaft through the damaged holes left behind by the fighting--and their cargo was both marked fragile and explosive.]

Call: --!!

Call: -BLAM BLAM--

[Fearing that the drones would target the Doctor, the combat secretary turned her attention at them, shooting them down and their cargo. The crate broke on contact, revealing another CDN inside--one that blew up after significant damaged was was taken.]

Call: Analyzing--

Call: -Grabs the bomb CDN-

[As it flailed in her grasp, she lobbed it at the K-9 unit with considerable force--it didn't explode on contact, however...]

K-9: RAAWWWR--

K-9: -CHOMP-

Soi: --!

Soi: It ATE it--

Soi: (--! Of course, it can't see! It probably thought it was Call!)

[SCREEEEEEEEECH--]

Soi: -Stumbles-- ?!

[The elevator suddenly jerked and slowed, metal screeching against metal as it halted right in the middle of the elevator shaft--as if they weren't trapped in here already--!]

K-9: -WHINES AGAINST THE SOUND--

Soi: -Our eaaaars--

Call: Analyzing...

Call: This unit believes we should stand back--

K-9: -Hack--HACK--

Soi: Butter and toast--! Help--!

[Call dashes over in a moment's notice thanks to her Jet Pack, hovering behind her father and pushing behind him.]

Call: Hnn...

Call: Patch--full output!

[JET PACK BOOST: MAXIMUM OUTPUT REACHED.]

Soi: Whoooa--!

K-9: -ERROR--ERROR--

[Call and Soi just barely made it outside the blast radius as the K-9's lower half exploded from the inside out, its dying, final howl echoing out into the shaft and shorting out into static...]

[THUD.]

[The Titus prison guard dog fell onto the elevator floor in a smoking, broken mess, charred Xel bleeding out from it's mouth and staining the pristine white.]

Soi: -Uuughh...-

Call: ...

Call: Threat Neutralized.

[DSN-000 HAS LEFT COMBAT MODE.]

Call: ...Doctor Sanda, are you injured?

Soi: @~@ A...A little queasy from all that shaking and tipping about, but I'm alright for the most part...

Soi: -Hooorf...-

Soi: You were really something back there...

Soi: But now we have other problems to worry about...

Soi: D: I think we're stuck in here, Call, I don't see anything that would help us out...climbing out seems dangerous, it's still a long way down...

Call: -...Frowns- This unit has exhausted all of the power from the Patch Service Bot. I am unable to fly outside and look for a solution.

Soi: (Oh no...that means she can't use her barrier either...)

Soi: (We can't call for help, can't get out, can't go down OR up...)

Soi: (Have...have we failed? Oh, Will--!)

Soi: Gnn...!

[The younger Sanda twin frets for a moment, before slowly getting back on his feet. There were still people in here, weren't they? Maybe--just maybe.]

Soi: HELLO?!

Soi: -Yells upwards- IS ANYONE UP THERE?! WE'RE STUCK--!

Call: This unit calculates the chances of survivors still in the prison are--

Soi: No time for that! Please, just--make as much noise as you can, SOMEONE has to hear us--!

Call: ...Analysis complete. This unit will use the elevator shaft's structure to ensure the best echo possible.

Call: -Takes a scrap from the K-9 and CHUCKS it-

[WHANG!]

Soi: -That'll do--

[The sound definitely echoed, that's for sure.

…

…Wait a minute, those weren't echoes…!

And there was another sound— growing louder. …Music?]

[There was a grating and screeching noise from the upper floors…]

[WHAM!]

[A cloud of swirling metal descended into the shaft.]

Soi: -SCREE—-

Call: -Blinks in mild surprise- ...It appears our call for assistance has been answered.

Call: Analyzing data...

Call: Error--cannot connect to the Sanda Enterprises server.

Soi: (That music...)

Soi: -Bangs on the side of the wall- Hello?! We're down here! Help!

[As if in response, the metal was sharply flung in a circular radius, embedding itself in the walls above.]

PING!

"Sanda?"

Soi: --!!

Soi: By Jove! Alnico, is that you?!

[Indeed it was. There was a fierce glow fading from his eyes as the DWN plunged down the shaft with purpose, coming to a silent halt and hovering in the air in front of them.

He was in full armor for once, making his expression significantly harder to read. But there was an undeniable flicker of something deeper as his gaze fixated not on the Doctor, but rather…]

Nico: …

Call: …

Nico: (They could almost be sisters…)

Soi: (...Oh.) o~o (Oh, goodness, I didn't think of that--)

Call: -Bows- This unit thanks you for coming to our aid.

Soi: I...uh. -Subject change go--

Soi: Y-Yes! D-Did Will send you as our back-up? There's currently no comms working right now...

Nico: - -; Hardly. I…

[He suddenly clutched at his head, and the air around him distorted with an audible fuzz and reverberation. It only seemed to get worse, and he clutched his head with both hands.

His powers abruptly reversed, sending him crashing to the side.]

Nico: -Pries himself off the wall, grumbling- Dammit, not now—!

Call: !

Soi: Nico--!

Soi: (What was...is this because of the disconnect from the server? Time? Or maybe both...)

Nico: Mmmnnrrgh…

Soi: Are you alright?

Nico: Relatively speaking.

[He seemed distinctly unhappy, though.]

Nico: More on that later. You asked me a question. No, Doctor, I was not sent.

[His eyes suddenly flashed a full green and he bared his teeth—not that they could be seen.]

Nico: No one would ever send me, you were all conspiring to CONCEAL THE TRUTH!

Soi: Aahh-- -Backs up--

[…But the temper faded just as quickly, and he looked away, somewhat tired and possibly even ashamed.]

Nico: …I saw you on the monitors and realized that there was trouble. After arguing with Siamini, I stormed out and came over here.

Call: ...

Call: -Blinks several times at that-

Call: ...Error...

Call: ...

Soi: -n-;;;; (Hnn...he's right, we shouldn't have hid Call away from him, but it was such a sensitive... issue...)

Nico: That… that all can wait until later, though. There's someone else here, but I can't connect to the server and there are very hazardous warps that are making things worse. My short-term memory is being jacked with, and without the server to reference, I'm starting to forget what happened on the way here and what happened after I got here. We need to leave as soon as possible.

Soi: Ack... alright...

Soi: ...But we need to finish this mission first.... Dr. Blackwell is at the bottom floor, but we're stuck...

Call: -Looks around- The floor is currently skewed at a 24 degree angle, Doctor. My analysis concludes that the elevator is stuck because we are not aligned with the shaft.

Call: Cause: Improper weight distribution.

Soi: >>;;

[Nico crosses his arms in thought, scowling a bit.]

Nico: I can move the elevator, but I doubt I'll be able to fix it. I want to keep a firm "grip" on the both of you in case I make things worse.

Soi: Mmng...we really don't have a choice anyway...

Soi: We HAVE to get the the cell at the bottom.

Call: Dr. Blackwell may be able to provide useful insight once we secure our objective.

Nico: …Excuse me?

[A brief pause.]

Nico: Nnn, never mind—

[There was a sudden tense feeling about them and a terrible noise of straining strands and grinding gears.

…While it was moving, it was slow and sounded like it was making things worse…]

Nico: Bah…

[There was a loud CLANK as the elevator abruptly righted into place and started descending both rapidly and smoothly.]

Nico: -Visibly surprised- Well huh.

Soi: : D! Well done, Alnico!

Soi: We should be there in no time...

Soi: I just hope he's alright, though before that K-9 unit came in here, there wasn't really any signs that anyone else came before...

Nico: -Gives a look- …You guys ran into a dog?

Call: Yes. A CDN unit that patrols prisons such as this one. K-9 must have been assigned to patrol this area specifically because Dr. Blackwell is held here.

Nico: I guess it would make sense to develop a pack…

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[DING!]

[The elevator chimes as a very large reinforced door appears--of course, there was a keycard terminal next to it.

The door had a single window.]

Nico: -Flatly- If you don't have a card, I'm tearing it off its hinges.

Soi: No, no-- -VERY QUICKLY PULLS THEM OUT- |D;;; We ran into a lot of them on the way here! One of them must have enough clearance...

[Surprisingly, the first card he pulled from the many they collected indeed had enough clearance to disengage the lock. It opens with a small hiss.]

Soi: ....

Soi: -...suddenly very nervous-

Soi: (...I'm going to meet Will's father...)

Soi: (Founder of Xel Robotics and everything else aside, even. I...)

Soi: (I really wish you were here, Will...)

Call: ...Doctor?

Soi: ...--Oh, I...sorry. The...the reality of the situation just hit me all of sudden...

Soi: ^^;; I'm fine, I promise.

Nico: -Eyes flash full green again-

[But it abruptly dies down. He pinches the bridge of his nose, venting heavily.]

Nico: -VERY strained- Right.

K-TANG! K-TANG!

[He takes a protective position in front of the both of them, holding a horseshoe magnet defensively in each hand.]

Nico: Let's finish what we came here for, then.

Soi: Y-Yes...

[DSN-000 HAS ENTERED DEFENSIVE COMBAT MODE.]

Call: This unit is ready to engage should the situation turn hostile.

Nico: …

Nico: -Quietly- If I take too much damage, scram.

Soi: ...

Call: Affirmative.

[Nico seems to relax a bit at that, as if satisfied.

Soichiro opens the door with some effort--it's quite heavy, after all--and they all step inside the cell.

...It's...very clean. The floor is a mirror in of itself, and while the room is fairly big, there's not much in it. A table with no drawers and a plain chair, a sink near by, a separate closed off section that must have been the bathroom. Very reflective surfaces. Very....empty.

Save for, of course, the elderly man sitting at the lone bench that sat at the center of it all.]

((Pic))

Ben: So it was you making all that racket.

Soi: Ah, uh...h-hello, Dr. Blackwell...

Nico: …

[The Robot Master recognized an air of authority when he saw it in action. And this…

This almost reminded him of…]

Nico: (…Mikhail…)

[He subconsciously gripped at the magnets tighter as he was seized with the fear of a memory made sharper.

Mikhail himself was locked up as they spoke, and the situation looked rather grim.]

Nico: (All the more reason to /hurry/…)

[Ben himself obviously looked frail. Old. But the cold hues of blue he bore showed a deep will and wisdom only acquired with long life, and they seemed to bore holes into the three, relentlessly.]

Ben: I will admit, you three were not what I was expecting. Especially you.

Ben: Yes...you're one of the Sandas, aren't you? The scientist one.

Soi: -Gulps- Mn...yes, that's me. Dr. Soichiro Sanda.

Ben: -Looks at Call- ...And this is your daughter, I take it.

Call: -Bows- Greetings, Dr. Blackwell. I am Call, an Arena Combat Xel Type Model. I am a support unit for various tasks and purposes.

Ben: Mm. Manners. Very good.

[And then his gaze falls to Nico himself.]

Ben: ....

Ben: Interesting.

Ben: Very interesting. So there ARE more of you...

Soi: --!!

Soi: (Wait, does...how does he...?)

Ben: -Brushes beard in thought- Yes, that makes sense now. They did ask me about that other one.

Soi: They—?

Ben: Hm. Yes. That's what I said.

Soi: >>;;

Ben: -Taps his cane VERY loudly-

Soi: -Flinches--

Ben: What do you want?

Soi: (Gh...Not a very talkative person...)

Ben: You didn't come all this way just to free me, I take it.

Ben: More questions. Always more questions...

Soi: T-Then you know what's going on outside? The virus? The clashes, the chaos--

Ben: Of course I am aware!

[The sudden SNAP in tone and posture made the kinder Doctor step back in fear. Blackwell curled up a gloved fist so hard that it shook, his teeth gritting as he contained a rage that burned deep in his eyes...]

Ben: That is all I've been hearing! Questions, accusations, pleads to a solution I DO NOT HAVE!

Ben: What that twit Graham expect, activating HER again?! AGAIN! HMPH! Call: --?

Soi: I-I...what? Graham--from CherryDynamics?

Nico: …

[His eyes were slowly seeping into a full green. Nearby metal was starting to shake slightly…]

Soi: Wh-What do you mean, 'activating HER again?'

Ben: Who ELSE? Trinity, of course! THAT project, the one that I was against from the start!

Ben: Graham is OBSESSED with her, with USING her to 'disrupt' the weapons industry! The FOOL!

Ben: I STOPPED him last time, and what thanks did I get? A LIFETIME stay at this maximum security 'resort!' HMPH!

Ben: His GREED led him to ignore all the warnings I put, all the time and effort into ensuring her final rest! But does he CARE? Of COURSE not.

Ben: Money is his only god, and in that petty pursuit, he's DOOMED us...

Soi: You...you tried to stop Graham? He framed you?

Ben: He's done PLENTY worse, Dr. Sanda.

Ben: That is not a man you are dealing with. That is a d e m o n.

[There were quiet rattling and scraping noises that were growing louder…]

Ben: A demon that has destroyed EVERYTHING I've had...

Ben: And placed me here, to face the end of my days in SOLITUDE.

Ben: Though now I don't have long to wait, it seems...

Ben: I had to stop them, because there was...a chance...

[...There's a distant stare as he stops short, the grip on his cane tightening around a certain spot.]

Ben: ...

Call: ...Doctor?

Ben: --...

Ben: If it's true...if she has been activated again, and it's been this long...

Ben: Then it is over. There is NOTHING that can be done now.

Soi: Wha--

Soi: I--you--don't say that, there--there HAS to be another way--! We've been working hard on a cure, and there's been efforts to minimize the--

Ben: You don't UNDERSTAND!

[He abruptly stands.]

Ben: Trinity can assimilate any robot's programming and OVERWRITE IT, TAKE CONTROL of it!

Ben: And not JUST the programming! She can assimilate a robot's components, their parts, their CORE, expanding herself ENDLESSLY!

WHAM—

[The bench abruptly tore right out of the floor, SLAMMING toward the group.

Nico held out a hand to stop it in its tracks, his eyes a deep and VIOLENT /full RED/.]

Soi: -Shrieks, sidestepping to avoid crushed toes--

[Nico vented heavily and haggardly for a moment, before…]

Nico: -SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEECH— -

Call: !!

Ben: -Frowns at this-

Soi: -aCK--

[Bits of the bench started flying off in splinters.]

Nico: That BASTARD! /SON OF A BITCH!/ We all KNEW he was behind it, we should have NEVER LET IT /GET/ THIS FAR—!

Ben: (Obviously. But he's GOOD at avoiding responsibility and consequences, it's not like you would have GOTTEN far, anyway.)

Soi: -N-Nico--

Call: -Places herself in front of the Doctors-

[This was the rage of Wily and his sons, who had inherited his absolutely MADDENING fury.]

Nico: We let it slide for the sake of all of YOU, and what do we find—?! /That THING eats code, IT CAN /FLAY US ALIVE!/

Soi: I-I--

Ben: (...So she does. But we? Perhaps I was on the mark. How many more of you are there, besides those two?)

Nico: -Points towards the door, still holding onto the magnets as the shrapnel starts swirling around him- Who's been lying to us, Sanda, and for HOW DAMN LONG?! /THAT THING INFECTED THE WHOLE DAMN SERVER!/ If Mikhail hadn't had tertiary backups, there's a high chance WE'D ALL BE DEAD RIGHT NOW!

Nico: For God's sake, Sanda! It absorbed Tobias! TOBIAS, OF ALL PEOPLE!

Nico: We should have let him rip open their sever MONTHS ago, back when we found that ex-CherryDyn accountant funding Greater Dusk!

Ben: -Raises an eyebrow- (...So THEY WERE behind that as well. Not surprised...but their involvement in much less ethical things leaves a few questions answered...a group of non-Xel models, and a 'Mikhail.')

Ben: (That is most DEFINITELY Russian...)

Ben: (Who exactly have you tangled yourself up with, Bill?)

Nico: Instead, Jack takes a sawblade to the back, we all get a SECOND Monstropolis, AND EVERYONE GOES MAVERICK!

Nico: [Fraggin'] hell, Doctor—! Tobias nearly KILLED Avi on live television, Shadow tried to CUT OFF Seven's hands, AND CARDINAL DIED TRYING TO RESCUE SHADE!!!

Nico: And now Mikhail is under arrest for this whole mockery of fate! WE /ALL/ KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO [color=blue]END[/color], SANDA!

Ben: {ENOUGH!}

[C R A C K!]

[The bold, sharp crack of his cane hitting the floor, the authority behind the Latin, and the rising CLOUD of dark cubes of utter blackness behind him give the Doctor a dark, terrifying aura--he GLARES at Nico with a beastly snarl, the dark Xel behind him pulsing in RAGE.]

Ben: {SILENCE, boy! Your anger is misplaced, and your tantrum helps NO ONE.}

Ben: -Casts a hand to one side, the Xel follows- {You DARE repeat what I have KNOWN for years in front of ME?! Had I not been locked away, I, too, would have taken action--but at what COST?!}

<DWN-018 has entered Defensive Combat Mode.>

[Nico's eyes flicker from full red to full green, and then start fading back to normal.]

<DWN-018 is now Online.>

[He's left with a mournful look of stifled anxiety, smothered by a forceful strain on emotion in the face of wrathful authority that denies the right to feel at all.

Within moments the color leaves his irises entirely, making what little is visible of his expression black and hollow.

With almost anyone else, he may "tearfully" give a hoarse protest, but…

Not with a man who was as unforgiving of shortcomings as the likes of Doctor Benedict Blackwell, and everyone knew that other than the Cossack series…

Robot Masters couldn't cry.]

[The poor ex-Industrial bowed his head in smothered agony, filled with intense despair in the face of such deserved outrage. He was shaking in sorrow, and seemed to be anticipating an extremely severe punishment.]

Ben: -Growls-

Ben: Bah! How PITIFUL. If this is what the rest of your kind is like, I'm sorely disappointed.

Soi: Hey--!

Ben: -GLARES-

Soi: O~O!!

Ben: You. -Jabs his cane at Nico-

Ben: Clean up your own mess. NOW.

Ben: I hardly have any place to sit besides that bench, so I would APPRECIATE it if it was back where it was.

[There was a tense pause for a moment, and then Nico mercifully seemed to relax. The tenseness in the air dissipated and the pieces of the bench started silently drifting toward the main feather, seamlessly fitting in to where they had been torn. The bench was righted and gently put back into place, even bolted back into the floor.

Nico was quiet for a moment, breathing deeply as if gathering his courage for something. He closed his eyes.]

Nico: ``…Everything…``

Nico: ``…Everything… isn't that right…?``

[He dared to glance up, raising his head just enough that his turbulent green eyes were slightly visible when he opened them, looking on in tired and sullen defiance. He held eye contact for a few bold moments before slowly shifting down—not out of cowardice, but in weariness.]

Nico: ``You're right about the cost…``

[He closes his eyes tightly, searing with regret.]

Nico: ``What you don't know is we've already seen this happen before. When we came here, we wanted more than anything to make sure it never happened again.``

[He turned his head away.]

Nico: ``I deserved what you said. So how could I have reacted otherwise?``

Nico: ``But don't…``

Nico: ``Don't judge the others based on the misery you see in me. They don't deserve it, especially not the two oldest…``

Ben: Hmph.

Ben: I would say 'we'll see about that', but quite frankly, I'd be surprised if we lasted more than this coming week.

Nico: -Raises an eyebrow- (I'd be even more surprised if you were let within sight distance of David, but there you go.) 

Ben: If she's been activated...then it's already too late. Trinity cannot be stopped. Keeping her Offline was the ONLY thing stopping her from consuming ALL into herself. It's been an entire week and a half...

Ben: In all this chaos, all the robots she must have absorbed...

Ben: It will not be long before Titus falls.

Nico: …

Nico: (Why Titus specifically?)

Soi: I... n-no...

[The black Xel seems to gather around Ben like a shroud, a cloud of despair and sorrow as he sits back down onto his bench. After a moment, he heaves a long, deep sigh. The Xel around him behaves as such.]

Ben: And after that...no, she won't stop. She will spread, and spread, seeking out more to assimilate and consume.

Ben: It is... possible, perhaps, to survive in an environment like this. Closed off. No way in or out. But that in itself is only prolonging death.

Ben: -Half-lidded, entirely DEAD gaze, void of hope or life- ...run, Soichiro.

Ben: Take your daughter, your friends, your loved ones, and run.

Ben: If you leave now...you will still have a chance...

Ben: ...Maybe.

Soi: But--!

Ben: Listen to me.

Ben: Every second you waste here lessens your chance of survival. You need to leave me here and run as far away from Titus as you can. You run, and you do not stop--

Soi: We are NOT leaving you behind--

Soi: He would never--

[BANG--]

Soi: --?!

[B A N G--]

[The group turns at the sound and sight of the cell door, which was already dented considerably--]

[B A N G--!]

Call: Error, I detect no--

Nico: >>;;; If this were me, I'd have blown it outwards, not drawn it inwards. This isn’t my doing, I sw—

[BANG--!!!]

Ray: -DEMONIC SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE OF R A G E--

Soi: AAACK--!!

Ben: --?!?! GNNN--!!

Call: E--ERROR--

Nico: ?! -Struggling to stay focused through growing errors- (Why…)

Nico: (What the hell, why does she sound like Kate?)

[Nico probably shouldn't have taken those seconds to think about that. Because in those few seconds, the red raging bot had teleported in a blaze of fire from her spot, and reappeared right in front of him--]

Nico: !

Ray: -BURST OF WILD DATA--

[SLASH--!!]

[Claws--sharp claws, talons, TEARING--]

Soi: ALNICO--!!

Ben: -Backs away, wide eyed in disbelief, utter disbelief--

[Nico retained enough Awareness to hear and to try and use his magnetic power to distance himself as he fell to his knees, hand over his power core. The damage was massive—much more than he had ever endured and lived. He couldn’t handle much more of that, though— he could feel the MASSIVE drain on his core as his body worked to repair the damage.

When his mind tried to pull on cross-references, it seared him in pain, for he was unable to do so. To make things worse…]

Nico: -Silently, so silently across channels that aren't working, silently screaming in pain and despair— -

[The air around him was much harsher and distorted and seemed to echo things that had just happened and murmurs of things about to happen, and through it all, his injuries were doubling.]

[DSN-000 HAS EN--]

[Call never got the chance to fire off a shot, or even entirely enter her combat protocols--a heel met the side of her torso, dark claws grabbing onto her blond hair and RAMMING her head into the floor.]

Soi: CALL--!!

Call: -Pain--

Call: -Flash of green in her eyes--

[DSN-000 HAS ENTERED OFFENSIVE COMBAT MODE.]

[Her bow gun appears, and she shoots directly behind her, RIGHT into the hostile robot's face. She SCREECHES in pain, recoiling as it burned her unprotected eye.]

Soi: STAY AWAY FROM HER--!

Ben: -Heavy EMOTIONAL breathing--

[The older Doctor could not keep his eyes off of this mysterious bot that had suddenly appeared. He was too shocked to respond to anything else--]

Call: Doctors, please flee--

Ray: QUIET!

[Flames danced, wicked, SICK violet flames, so very familiar--]

Call: --!!! WARNING--

[WHAM!]

Call: GHNK--

[A fist makes heavy contact with Call's gut, causing her to double over, the air knocked clean out of her systems. 

At this point, Nico recovered enough to move again. His reaction—even though the database couldn’t support a deluge of cross-references—was immediate.]

<DWN-018 has entered Lethal Combat Mode.>

[Nico used MAGNET MISSILE!]

[The screech of the Missiles makes for Ray's form--]

Ray: -Turns around, snarls--

[SCREE--CHOMP--]

Soi: --?!? What on EARTH--?!

[In an impressive display that was nothing short of horrific, Ray had caught the Missile in her mouth, revealing row upon row of sharp, razor TEETH--]

Nico: !?

[The missiles exploded, and Ray roared. Whether it was in pain, annoyance, or defiance was hard to say.

With a sharp growl, she takes Call by the throat and drags her over towards Nico...]

Call: -Gnn--

[When Nico tried to throw her off-balance by adjusting magnetic fields, she held steadfast. Annoyed, she started adjusting her grip to become something more like a crushing vise.]

Ray: END your foolish antics, or I’ll snap her pretty little head off!

[Nico abruptly stopped, visibly shaken. She took the opportunity to rush at him.]

[WHAM!]

[He was thrown to the ground with considerable force. Angered, his eyes flashed red, and he raised the arm that had a launcher.]

Ray: WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!

[With her free hand, she took a sharp swipe across his arm, tearing gashes that split the launcher and ripped open the panel with the Power Capsule. This time, Nico screamed and his systems screeched from the pain.]

Soi: No! STOP IT! LEAVE THEM ALONE--!!

[Soi's pleas fell on deaf ears. Ray stomped on the fallen Robot Master, RADIATING sadism and rage.

Nico looked up into the unforgiving half of a face, overcome by a wave of intense and indescribable heavy emotion.

Here, he was looking into the face of death. He needed time—so much more time—to think, to understand, to comprehend.

But of course, he wouldn’t be getting it. And if he died before getting the chance to reconnect to the RMDC, he would forget everything.]

Call: -Ghnn--!

[The Sanda Xelbot’s cries of pain spurred his fighting spirit once more, though, and he bared his teeth in a snarl and grabbed the boot pinning him to the floor, clearly intending to force his way free and keep on fighting.]

Ray: Idiots...

Ray: -Aims her buster--

[BLAM!]

Nico: AUGH—!

Ray: STAY there and bleed.

[Not for long, he wouldn't. Oh, coolant was running along so perfectly cruelly, but the wounds themselves seemed to be… repairing?]

Ray: Tch...

[BLAM BLAM BLAM--]

[Nico put a hand to what was left of his throat, glowing with surge. He gave a stream of woeful pings of warning, clearly concerned with something beyond the horror of the fight and overall dreadful situation.]

Soi: STOP IT! PLEASE! YOU'RE KILLING HIM--!

Ray: Quiet, HUMAN...

Ray: Be thankful that my rage does not ask for YOUR blood...

[She turned her predatory gaze to the aged prisoner.]

Ray: ...but HIS.

Ben: ...

Ray: Hello, Father.

Ray: Did you   m i s s   me?

Ben: ....R...Ray...chel...?

[She loomed.]

Ray: Oh, don't tell me you've gone senile in here. Raychel is d e a d...

Ray: Now it's just ME, the MONSTER you've created when you left me to D I E.

Ray: -Wicked, cruel smile- It's funny how karma works, hm? It comes back when you very much least expect it.

Ray: You and I...have SO much to catch up on...~

Ray: But first...

[C R U N C H--]

[Nico’s speakers crackled in the wake of the damage.]

>WARNING: DAMAGE APPROACHING CRITICAL LEVELS

>SELF-DESTRUCTION IMMINENT

Call: -Hnnh--!-

Ray: I'm going to make sure these PESTS don't get in the way.

Soi: CALL--

Ray: Oh, they'll live for NOW, Doctor. It won't matter in the end, though.

[She took a moment to lick loose, oil and coolant-covered Xel off of her talons before giving a wicked grin.]

Ray: After all, SHE'S almost ready for her GRAND debut...~

Ray: The final show the Colosseum will EVER have!~

Ray: And you, dear Father? You and that rotten excuse of a man get front row seats.~

Ben: ...R...Raychel--

Ray: -TOSSES Call aside-

[Call slams into the back wall in a heap, her head hitting the floor again with a sick crack. Soi screeches and rushes to her aid immedately--but as for Ben...

The sound of his cane clatters to the floor as Ray slowly, very slowly, takes her time in approaching Dr. Blackwell.]

Ray: I'm going to enjoy...EVERY last moment of YOUR SUFFERING...

Ray: And when it all BURNS...when everything in this useless city falls to her, I will PERSONALLY escort you BOTH to the gates of hell m y s e l f...

Ben: -Fear, sorrow, h u r t—- Raychel—!

[Claws grab at his shirt and coat, a TWISTED, crazed smile decorating her face, flames flicking at Blackwell's form as if they, too, wanted nothing more than for him to burn in their fury.]

Ray: We're wasting time...

Ray: Only hours left...! Yes... I'll make this work...

Ray: I WILL have my answers--!

[BWIP!]

[And just like that, they both vanished in red and violet flames, Ben's pained yell the only thing echoing off the cell walls...]

[PING!]

[COMM LINK ONLINE.]

[Nico was dizzy with screaming alarms, warning him that any more strain would be deadly for everyone. The heat was becoming overwhelming—he had to shut down before that became the tipping point.

As if in defiance of this, he brought out an oil-stained object that looked like a square of fabric wrapped around something circular in shape. He held it out in the direction of the Doctor, pinging once.]

Nico: Doc...tor...

Nico: You need... to leave...

Nico:  Leave...

[He flicked his wrist, sending the object clattering. The fabric fell away, but the treasure it hid clattered a few feet away from Soi, a plastic packet skidding slightly closer.

The medallion was familiar—it was one of the same ones that had been given to some of the Mighty Numbers. The packet appeared to contain a single green ribbon, neatly looped into a coil.]

Soi: Alnico--!

Soi: (Hnn--I can't just leave him here, he's--!)

Soi: -Frantically looks back towards Call-

Soi: (But Call--oh, Call, I--I'm sorry I couldn't--)

Nico: Turn… off… and get… out….

Soi: (Hnn...he's right, I have to get her out of here--have to get her into repairs--)

Soi: Gnnn...

Soi: I--I promise--I promise I'll send someone after you, I swear--

[Soichiro frantically grabs both the packet with the green ribbon and the medallion, fumbling with the latter as he tried to figure out how it worked. Meanwhile, he manually shut off Call with his other hand. Her optics dimmed and her eyelids closed, her bow gun disappearing.]

Soi: Just please hang in there--

Soi: (I have to warn everyone--)

Soi: (Have to warn Will-- have to get everyone OUT--)

Soi: (Before it's too late--!)

[BWIP! BWIP!]

[The two vanish from sight, leaving Nico behind in the empty cell. Blackwell's cane had fallen next to the bench, the only physical sign of who was housed in this prison not moments ago.]

Nico: …

[He was in very bad shape, and the heat was getting too much. He had a nagging feeling that he was supposed to be able to reflect in a meaningful way on the situation as a whole, but…]

Nico: (Too hot… not enough time…)

[Shut down or allow himself to self destruct? In the end, would it even be able to make a difference? Was it worth the risk to the others, even if they did manage to pull off a miracle? He was so very close…]

Nico: …

Nico: (I'll leave that… up to them….)

((Insert shutdown sequence here—I'll need to comb various stories and archives to determine if it's something I've written before in full under "normal" circumstances.))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 8B: TRAPPED BY LASER LIGHT=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{Washington, D.C., Shortly Beforehand…}

Cardinal: FINALLY…

[He was only a few blocks away. He could see from here that there was a crowd gathered some ways away from his target—

—just outside a clearly defined radius.]

Cardinal: (Ugh…)

Cardinal: (I’m going to have to go right through a window.)

[He yelled over the wind. They were going to come in fast.]

Cardinal: Looks like I was right, Scout!

Cardinal: Hang on, okay?! This is going to be a really rough ride!

Scout: Rarf!

[He tossed a dual-colored sphere in the air, releasing a burst of red light. This materialized into a bird, which caught said sphere before it fell.]

Cardinal: Baron, it’s confirmed. FLY.

[The robin shot off at an astounding speed, almost as if it had teleported itself.

There was a grated rumbling noise.]

Cardinal: Sorry, Jazz. Get somewhere safe—the roof, if you insist on sticking around. I won’t let you crash-land.

[He leaped out of the transformed flying panther…]

[CARDINAL used ITEM-2!]

[…right onto another gadget. He held out his shield in front of him, angling down at one of the windows that looked out into the sky from a roof.]

[MISSION DETAILS: MNN-008, COUNTERSHADE AURTHUR WHITE, HAS TAKEN THE WHITE HOUSE HOSTAGE. AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF OFFICIALS AND STAFF ARE TRAPPED INSIDE.

MISSION OBJECTIVE: EVACUATE THE BUILDING OF ALL PERSONS WITH NO CASUALTIES. RESCUE COUNTERSHADE.

SUB-OBJECTIVE: PRESERVE CULTURAL ARTIFACTS AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.]

[SYSTEMS READY?]

[GO!]

Cardinal: We’re going in!

Scout: Rarf! -LET'S GOOOO—-

[He didn’t really hear the shouting from the crowd in their surprise, but he sure felt their “welcome party” favors. It hurt, but it didn’t phase him one bit. Even when he started taking fire from the White House security system as well.

He did leap down off of the ITEM-2, and there was a VERY high pitched whine noise as his blaster primed.]

BLAM!

[Top of the line security, down to bullet-proof windows? Yes.

Able to withstand a charged shot from a plasma blaster designed to take out tanks—as in plural, multiple at once?

Nooot quite so much.

The sound of glass shattering mixed with that of a starting fire. There was a click and a whirr, the barrel of Cardinal’s weapon changing as he fired again, just as they were landing.

It started to rain.]

Scout: -OOO I DIDN'T KNOW HE KNEW RAIN DANCE-

WHAM.

[They landed down in a hallway hard, the rain putting out the fire.

The security countermeasures started to go berserk, and Cardinal was forced to put up a wall of razor sharp leaf-shaped projectiles to give him time for his next move.]

Scout: -AND Razor Leaf, ooooo-

Scout: Rarf!

[There was a rotating noise and another click, and then…]

Ptew pew pew pew pew!

[…Dozens of tiny snakes—they looked like little mechanical coral snakes.

Then he stood to his full height and blasted a tune.]

Cardinal: (Ready or not, Shade, here I come!)

[The White House was indeed large and vast--finding Shade in this mess was to prove difficult, even with the Search Snakes.

....But it wasn't long before they found traces of his obvious presence.

There were strange, gray orbs floating around the hallways and entrances, glowing a strange, greenish color.

At first, they seemed to be dormant—

...Until they turned red when the Snakes approached...]

————————————

"—?"

"Motion? Thought Ah' told them flesh wastes t'stay PUT. . . Lessee here. . ."

————————————

[The Search Snakes were spread out, but Cardinal had remained where he was.

He was in full armor—something he hadn’t done in real Combat since the last time he fought his brother. Because of this, his whole face was covered, and his expression was impossible to read.

Despite this, his fierce green eyes burned with a fire that pierced even his shades, visible to not only a sensitive camera, but also to the naked eye.

After a moment…]

SHING!

[The leaves that had shielded him scattered, slicing everything in their path as they moved down the hall.

This included, among other things, a security camera.

The feed went down immediately, followed by several others in the same hallway.]

KSSSSSSSS—

[Cardinal had created a small blind spot.]

————————————

"—!"

"Sonofva . . ."

"Who the hell IS this guy. ..?"

"Thinkin' he can come inta' MAH new home. .."

————————————

Scout: Rarf! -NICE SHOT-

Cardinal: Scout, we’ve got a problem. There are people trapped in here.

Scout: —!!

Cardinal: I’m going to have to start breaking down doors.

Cardinal: (If Shade were in his right mind, he’d want me to do this first.)

Cardinal: (And if the President THEMSELVES is here, nnng…)

[His fans whined even louder at the surge of compulsion to follow out a military-grade order.]

Scout: -RARF-

Scout: -WE KNOW HEADBUTT-

Scout: -WE CAN HELP—-

Cardinal: You might need to save that on the people inside, my friend. I’ll explain in a moment—

[He hit the floor to avoid a sudden stream of mixed projectile weaponry.]

Cardinal: Some cover, if you please? -Scout, use Sand Attack.-

Scout: -Rarf!-

[Scout used Sand Attack!]

[Scout didn't need to dig--he simply shook himself VERY rapidly, dust and sand scattering EVERYWHERE.]

[...He was apparently very dirty.]

Cardinal: Heh. -SMIRKS-

[He starts shouting in a taunting tone.]

Cardinal: HEY SHADE! Too bad your glasses got all dusty. Better wipe the dirt out of your eye!

————————————

"Grrrr. .."

"Just keep talkin', Birdy, see where THAT gets ya. .."

————————————

[.......]

[VEEEEEEEEEEEEE--]

Cardinal: I don’t think so.

[CARDINAL used FLASH STOPPER!]

[WOW, everything is hit not only with BLINDING light, but whatever is in those intangible waves of data is enough to STUN everything in the hall.]

Cardinal: >B]

[There is a HUGE clattering somewhere deeper in the house--it sounded like something very heavy just fell--]

————————————

"AUGH MOTHERSCRATCHIN' CHEATER—!"

————————————

Cardinal: -Speaks in a low voice- Scout, when I break through the door, the people inside are going to be terrified. Someone IS going to start shooting. Try and stun them, or at least get their aim off.

Scout: -Rarf!- -Nods-

[Another click.]

[Cardinal used SHADOW BLADE.]

[There was a hissing SHUNK noise as he cut RIGHT into a triple-reinforced, double-locked door of something much stronger than steel.

Another rotating click, and he stuffed a Crash Bomb into the hole the acid was eating away—he didn’t have time to wait.

It blinked and beeped a few times before…]

CRASH!

[Cardinal slammed through the opening shield-first.]

[Bullets start FLYING the second he does, and yes, there is much screaming—]

"GET DOWN—"

Scout: RARF!

[Scout used Tackle! ]

[One of the men in black goes down, gun clattering to the floor. Two more follow suit—it seems like Scout has gotten quite good at dodging incoming fire.]

[Scout used Growl!]

Scout: -GRRRR, STAY DOWN-

[Cardinal doesn’t make any witty comments this time. He just goes into a full-on tackle of his own. He grabs one man in one arm, another after dropping his shield—

And as soon as he rams into the third…]

[CARDINAL used TELEPORT!]

{Outside…}

[Cardinal reappears inches from the crowd outside the kill zone, dropping the two men he was carrying to the ground. The third, already on the ground, had also been taken with him.

This caused no small amount of panic, and he was lit up with half a dozen sniper scopes. A few even got off fire, hitting him square in the left part of his chest.]

Cardinal: -Huffs- (Are you kidding me?)

BWIP!

[He disappears, only to reappear a moment later with two other people, holding them by their wrists. One of them was shrieking and trying to mace him. Again, no effect.]

Cardinal: No offense, but I’ve been through worse!

Bwip!

Paramedics rushed over to the vic—]

BWIP!

[—ooooor not—]

Cardinal: -Drops the guns onto the ground with a clatter- DON’T shoot Beck if he shows up, officers!

[He also tosses over a file folder of notes someone had been working on, hiding behind his shield to better withstand incoming fire.]

Cardinal: Still—you guys might need those!

BWIP!

{Inside}

"HEY--THAT'S MY TIE--"

[One more man in black snuck in while Cardinal teleported back in--]

Scout: GRRRRR—

[Scout used Headbutt!]

WHAM!

[The security man skidded across the room and hit the back of his head with the wall, knocking him out instantly.]

Scout: -GRRRR—- -SHAKES HEAD AND TIE AGGRESSIVELY BEFORE SPITTING IT OUT-

Scout: | [

[Cardinal picks up the man, pausing for a moment as he hears the security out in the hall recovering from the stun he had put on them earlier.]

Cardinal: This is going to be a long day.

Scout: —!

Scout: -SNIFF SNIFF-

Scout: -NOSE IN THE AIR, COULD IT BE—-

[BANG!]

Scout: -YELPS-

[A red laser appears on the ground near Scout's feet, followed by a energy shot, scaring him out of his wits and causing him to run behind Cards.]

Scout: -Whimperrrrr-

Cardinal: -OW, that was loud- Gosh dangit, Shade!

[He grabs Scout with his other arm—]

BWIP!

Scout: —???

[—and when he reappears inside, it’s without the officer…

…and also out in the hallway, yards and yards from where he had ever set foot.

As long as he could see it, he could go there.]

Cardinal: You’re going to have to do better than that, KID!

Cardinal: But if you insist on playing hide and seek…

[Cardinal used SCREECH—]

[He briefly stopped the mufflers on his fans, causing their overworked whine to get broadcast over his speakers.

It was worse than metal grating mixed with fingernails on chalkboard.]

Scout: -WHIIIIINE-

————————————

"AAAAARUGH--!!!"

"Goddamn BUCKET OF BOLTS--AH'VE HAD IT UP T' HERE!"

"Fahn, if ya wanna DIE SO BADLY--"

————————————

[....Oh dear.]

[All of the orbs go active.

And there were red, red lasers, reflecting off of them all at once--which was real, which one was SHADE--]

Cardinal: Oh, please.

[He laughs as his arm shifts again.]

Cardinal: Guess what, Shade?

Cardinal: Two can play at this game.

[Cardinal used GEMINI LASER!]

[Aaaaaand suddenly, the hallway was filled with death laser ping-pong.

And Shade’s were NOT the only ones bouncing at angles!]

[BANG BANG BANG—]

[It was truly a sight to behold.

It was like watching a game of chess, except the pieces were far deadlier.

Gemini Lasers met energy shots, with every red laser changing to accommodate the angle and trajectory.]

[Cardinal didn’t stick around to watch the lights and display contest.

He had already grabbed Scout with one arm, running right into the fire shield-first. About partway through, he leaped and slid down the rest on his back, with his shield out in front.]

Scout: -RARF RARF—- -WHEEEEEEEEE-

[Cards was moving too fast for the lasers to lock onto him correctly—and once the one behind him figured this out—

...They all vanished.]

————————————

"Oh, Ah' see what yer goin' for, Birdy..."

"Can't have that, no sir."

————————————

[—This area seemed to be more decorated...]

[Cardinal barely noticed, and almost didn’t care. He got up to a knee.]

Cardinal: Scout, I need you to do something for me. Find a rope or a cord of some sort. Even a curtain tie will do if it’s long enough.

Scout: -Rarf!-

[He sets the Zig down.]

Cardinal: Please, be careful…

Scout: Rarf! -Sniff Sniff-

[Cardinal took a moment to take in his surroundings.

This looked like a historic display of American History.... Medals, paintings, photos of past presidents...]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: (Nnngh… I can’t do anything too dramatic in here, I need to move out of this place…)

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -HOLDS UP A FANCY MILITARY ROPE THING-

Cardinal: !

Cardinal: Thanks, Scout. Now let’s get out of here—

Cardinal: Before Shade does something stupid!

Scout: -RARF!-

Cardinal: (What I wouldn’t give for backup from Tobias right about now…)

Cardinal: (At least that office was one of the only places with anyone inside of the work quarters. I guess most people managed to evacuate.)

Cardinal: (Looks like there’s different kinds of rooms over this way—man, I wish that I could have seen the White House back at home, I’m going into this totally blind—)

[A low noise and a rotating click.]

Ptew ptew pew!

[Another nest of Search Snakes slither on their way.]

Cardinal: (THIS room must be horribly dangerous. This much priceless history? That’s a screaming neon sign for “DEATH TRAP SECURITY” if I ever heard one.)

Cardinal: (I’m going to have to tank some hits, probably…)

[He looks around the room skeptically.]

Cardinal: …

[He grabs Scout and holds him directly between his shield and his body, and makes a run for it.]

[BWAAAAN—]

[Something from the ceiling unlocks—]

[Oh dear THOSE ARE VERY MUCH MILITARY GRADE MACHINE GUN TURRENTS—]

Cardinal: (Aw glitch.)

[There’s a whine as he holds up his free arm, it shifting to have a wrist launcher.]

KTANG KTANG!

[Cardinal used MAGNET MISSILE!]

Cardinal: -EVEN MORE RUNNING FOR IT—-

[The missiles lock onto the turrets, attaching to them before exploding. Unfortunately, while this takes SOME of them out…

…some of them merely malfunction, firing at random.]

Cardinal: DAMMIT—

[CARDINAL used METAL BLADE!]

[He took some hits protecting older paintings from the unfriendly fire, but his shield held firm.

The same couldn’t be said for the turrets that were introduced to one of THE most deadly Power Capsule weapons known to man.

They crashed down to the floor. And as Cardinal approached the end of the room—]

Cardinal: GOSH DANGIT!

[…Locked doors barred his way.

And he could hear the whine, feel the psychological heat of lasers lighting up his back for long ranged target sights.

He whirled around, back pressed up against the surface, taking the incoming fire to his shield.]

Cardinal: (WHY are there locked doors in here?!)

Cardinal: (Augh…)

[To the unfamiliar observer, it would appear the bird had been cornered.]

[VRRRRRRRR...]

[A laser.]

[A very familiar one.]

[PING!]

[MN.8] //: Not so sassy nao, are ya.

<DLN-000>: >Shade.

<DLN-000>: >This is stupid floor design, Shade.

<DLN-000>: >I’ll have to have a word with your brother about this after I haul your chass out of here.

[Oh, he was rushing robodrenaline, alright. “Heart” rate had increased, his fans (while thankfully muffled) were louder, giving off more heat than earlier.

There was also that clicking and whining noise again…]

<DLN-000>: >Your desire for sass is very important to us. Please hold, and the next available representative…

[Cardinal used DRILL BOMB!]

[He shoved something very much like a Crash Bomb into the door behind him. It ground away at the metal as it tunneled in, embedding itself in the door before exploding.]

<DLN-000>: > —WILL GET BACK TO YOU!

[Cardinal used FLASH STOPPER!]

[AUGH, again with the BLINDING light—]

[MN.8] //: -—GNGH-

[There was a deep growl on the other end before it cut out--clearly Shade had not been pleased with that.

Not at all.]

[Cardinal didn’t waste a moment. He turned his back to Shade—he had no choice—and his arm shifted again—]

[CARDINAL used SUPER ARM!]

WHUNK!

[He punched a bigger opening through the thick door where the Drill Bomb had made the first breach.]

WHAM!

Cardinal: -IN YOU GO, SCOUT—-

Scout: RARF!

"WHAT IS THAT—"

Cardinal: Tie them up for me— OW!

Scout: ! D:

???: Please stay behind me—

???: TAKE ANOTHER STEP AND I WILL OPEN FIRE—

Scout: -GRRRRR-

Cardinal: Go ahead, it’ll just put you in the hospital! Metal ricochets, genius!

[He squeezed his way through, hearing things becoming active again behind him.]

Cardinal: I don’t have— ouch! —time for this—

[He grabbed one end of the rope and then—]

[Cardinal used TOP SPIN!]

bbbZZZZZZZzzzKT—

[The top clattered along, circling and snaking around the people in the room. The rope he had tied to it followed after.]

Cardinal: -YANK!-

[WHAM.]

[The sound of multiple human beings hitting the floor at the same time follows suit.

Cardinal used the Super Arm again to sort of push them all into one pile of disgruntled, frightened, aggressive humanity.]

BWIP!

{Outside…}

[Cardinal jumped off and did a backflip out of the way off of the piled people, bringing his shield out in front of him.]

[.......]

[That's weird.]

[No sniper fire?]

Cardinal: -Takes a moment to catch his breath- (Ugh… I can feel the slugs embedded inside me. I’m going to need to shed this armor before too long, at the rate this is going—)

[It took him a moment to realize he wasn’t being shot at.]

Cardinal: …???

Cardinal: -Peeks out behind his shield- ,’B/?

[Vrrrrrrr...]

[...? Wait, that sound—those sound like propellers—]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: -Looks uuuuuuup—-

AviCam: -FLOATS IN-

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: … -COCKY GRIN BENEATH MASK-

Cardinal: Smile, you’re on candid camera!

AviCam: -MAKES SOME LETTERS IN THE AIR-

[G O F O R R E S C U E—G L.]

Cardinal: See ya later, Hoverbrother. Send my love if things…

Cardinal: … blow up in my face ;D

[He takes the moment to take off his helm entirely. Man, he looks exhausted.]

Cardinal: I can only assume you’re keeping them from crowding around with questions—thanks, because—

[He pulls out what looks like a miniature oil can and douses himself with it. And then another one. Oddly enough, he seems bone dry after. Huh.]

Cardinal: -Puts his helm back on- —I gotta scram!

Bwip!

{Inside}

[He reappears back inside.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: …???

Cardinal: (Where the heck did Scout go?)

[The happy Zig was nowhere in sight.]

Cardinal: Nnnngh… (I told him what would happen, so… I guess something went wrong. I hope I run into him on the way rounding up stragglers…)

[There was a buzzing noise as he was lit up with lasers again.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: Really, Shade? This is SO boring.

[Buuuuut then they… start spazzing out?]

Cardinal: …?

Kkkkk…

Cardinal: !

Cardinal: (Wait a second—music?)

[Not just any music…]

Cardinal: Eight!

[PING!]

[MN.8] //: Well, well, well.

[MN.8] //: If it ain't the infernal Wily child and the Lil' doggie.

[PING!]

[A surprisingly firm voice echoes though the comms—]

[MN.9] // COUNTERSHADE!

<DLN-008>: >Shut up, Shade.

<DLN-008>: >The only reason I haven’t fried you to a soot speck is because Beck’s my friend and Cardinal would kill me. |[

[The whole building abruptly seemed to fill with harsh static. Not just the noise—the electricity itself. And, as Tobias had predicted, Cardinal was NOT pleased.]

Cardinal: Cut that out, Eight.

Cardinal: Is there anyone else in here?!

<DLN-008>: > Yes—

Cardinal: Then cover Beck and STALL for me, dammit!

[He takes off.]

Cardinal: (With Tobias messing with the security system, that should make it marginally less deadly by making the systems cut in and out—)

Cardinal: (And there’s two of us, he can only be in one place at a time, he’s not Siam, after all—)

[BANG BANG BANG.]

[Crack!]

[Cardinal’s armor had finally taken too much damage from energy shots. It shifted away into his normal gear.]

Cardinal: Fantastic.

Cardinal: -RUNNING FOR IT AGAIN-

[Lasers in all directions--]

[Wait—no...It couldn't be.]

[That can't be him just down the corner.]

Shade: Boo.

Cardinal: Shade, I’m not—

[CARDINAL USED RAIN FLUSH!]

[It was raining indoors and now EVERYTHING was wet—]

[His other arm turned into a blaster.]

[Cardinal used SPARK SHOCK!]

Cardinal: —IN THE MOOD FOR THIS!

[He suddenly was surrounded by live electricity.]

Cardinal: Out of my way or I swear to God I’ll fry you to a core.

Shade: ....

[He stands there for a moment, looking as if he is complimenting the threat.]

[Then.]

Shade: -Grins-

Shade: Alright.

[BANG—]

[—???]

[Wait, that shot came from behind him—

And where did Shade go?!]

Cardinal: -Ow-

[In the bad mood he was, he jumped up onto ITEM-2.]

Cardinal: I told you I’ll get back to you, you impatient brat.

[BZZZRRRRRKKKZZZZZGGGHHHHHHHVVVV—]

[…Well.

THAT hallway and everything in it was sure toast.

Various spheres dropped to the floor, but no sniper (or core thereof) was among the casualties.

Cardinal shot on down the hall, following flashing static panels along the way. Left, right, right, left, up a flight of stairs, down stairs—

He was suddenly thrown off his wind surfer when everything began to float and hold in place. And an object in motion…]

Cardinal: !

WHANG!

Cardinal: OW!

Cardinal: Tobias, what the frag was that for?!

[Disgruntled, he didn’t wait for an answer. Left, right—]

Cardinal: -Comes to a screeching halt- …

Cardinal: … And I thought the last room was a death trap…

[Standing before him were two more impressive looking doors. They were more grandiose and obviously stronger than the last. And… the Presidential Seal was in proud, bold colors right in the center.]

Cardinal: (That’s gotta be the way to the Oval Office!)

Cardinal: … (But… Tobias led me here, so that means…)

Cardinal: (Oh hell…)

[VRRRRRRRR--!!]

[There was a wave of UFO-like Xelbots that flashed into view--before vanishing into thin air, barreling themselves straight into Cardinal's path--]

Cardinal: -NOPE-

TSSSSEW!

[Cardinal used Rolling Cutter!

It’s super effective!]

Cardinal: Hey, Area 51 called! They want their rides back!

Cardinal: Hope those came with a warranty.

[VRRRRRRRRR!]

[Oh, lovely, more turrets--]

[VVVVRRRRrrrrrrrr....]

[....They...powered off?

Suddenly, the lights flickered.]

Cardinal: …

[And dimmed. ]

Cardinal: ?

[To his slight surprise (and fair annoyance), Cardinal began floating again.]

Cardinal: Tobias, for the LAST time—

[PING!]

[MN.3] //: Oooooh, Shaaaaade!

[MN.3] //: BIG ZZZSISTER WANTSZZ TO HAVE A TALK WITH YOU.

[MN.8] //: -Oh, bite me, witch hag.-

[MN.3] //: YOU CAN'T PLAY HIDE AND ZZZSEEK FOREVER--

Cardinal: … Dyna?

[MN.3] //: Go on now, Becky, I got thiszz, I KNEW thiszz place had it'szz own power grid, yum.~

[MN.9] //: Hookay, thanks, Dyna! c:

Cardinal: -Aaaalrighty then- (I better hurry up before the whole gang arrives.)

Cardinal: -Bounces through the lower gravity before it abruptly changes-

[He takes one look at the door.]

Cardinal: (How am I going to—)

[…But was interrupted by the sound of the security systems starting up again.]

Cardinal: .___.

[CARDINAL used SKULL BARRIER!]

[He was just in time to prevent becoming an energy and lead pincushion. Still under fire and holding up the shield, he rotated through his capsules until…]

POW!

[He lowered his hand, turning off the Thunder Beam.

He had managed to blow the fuse, which turned off the security in the hallway…

…and the lights…

…and the air conditioning.

It was starting to get very hot, and things smelled like burnt electronics.]

Cardinal: Man…

[He takes out the Shadow Blade again.]

Cardinal: I feel sorry for whoever holds the homeowners insurance on this place.

[He sliced at the door repeatedly in intersecting diagonal lines. This time, he let the acid eat away at the door.

He didn’t like how unnaturally silent it was now that he had put the whole hallway into radio silence. Only the windows brought any light in at all.]

Cardinal: (Here’s to hoping I’m not too late… not for them, OR for him…)

[Cardinal used HARD KNUCKLE!]

C R A C K!

[Cardinal used SHIELD BASH!]

[And burst RIGHT into the Oval Office!]

[There were only three people inside, all standing around the desk, as if discussing something. The ladies had looked up sharply at the noise, and had backed away before he came crashing in.]

Des: Crap--

[The only other male in the room pulls out a firearm and pulls the trigger--]

[BLAM!]

[A moment of silence.]

Maid: -Oh thank GOODNESS—-

Cardinal: -Looks up with a slight smile-

Cardinal: Nice headshot, sir.

[The maid shrieks.]

Maid: OH MY GOD IT’S IMMORTAL—

Des: .....

Des: Or he just has a very good helmet.

Cardinal: Sorry to crash the party, Mister President.

Cardinal: But we do need to evacuate before my best friend does something he regrets when he gets over his hangover.

[The older lady gave a very puzzled expression.]

Min: …

Des: .......

Des: What?

[Despite the situation—even with his weapon still aimed at the intruder—Des couldn't help but press the subject. It was all as if something out of a surreal dream.]

Des: I'm not the president--

Des: I'm Secretary of Defense.

Des: -What made you think I was POTUS.- : /

Cardinal: …

[Cardinal was on his feet now, standing at attention, very military in posture.]

Cardinal: You’re standing behind the desk, sir.

[The older woman rolls her eyes.]

Des: -Narrows his eyes a little- And...?

Des: -It's 20XX, doesn't everyone know who POTUS is—-

[While he appreciated he wasn't still being shot at, Cardinal was losing patience. They were wasting time, when Shade was still out there.]

Cardinal: And I don’t have time for this. We’re leaving now—

BZAP!

Cardinal: -Baaaacks away from the stern looking woman, okay, she’s got a taser, that gave us pins and needles-

Des: Nice shot.

[Minerva looks down at Cardinal with disapproval. Humorously, her heels made her slightly taller than him.]

Cardinal: >_>;

[It didn't take long for Cardinal to realize where his mistake was. He spoke with begrudging respect.]

Cardinal: …Madame President, I presume.

[Minerva Morandi was not pleased. She sparked the taser again for emphasis, speaking sternly to the intruder that had broken past the last of their defenses.]

Min: Why should we believe you? You broke into the White House, through several top-notch levels of security, disengaged a good portion of the defenses in more than one hallway, and just mentioned your alliance with the terrorist who put us here to begin with.

Cardinal: …

[Cardinal had to admit she had a point. A point he hadn't even considered before.

He wasn't like his brother. Not like Beck. He wasn't a sanctioned hero, with the recognition and support of the masses. No, he was a nameless vigilante, and all he had was his honest answer.]

Cardinal: Because I’m not shooting right now?

Minerva: You didn’t think this through at all, did you.

Cardinal: No sir, I did not.

[The maid snorts a little at that. The poor woman looked like she had seen better days, especially before her sudden promotion after the whole mess had started.

Desmond Donald, on the other hand, seemed to be unsure of whether to be impressed or just incredulous.]

Des: Wow.

Des: He has guts, at least? (Or no forethought.)

Cardinal: Thanks, but we’ve got to—

[He saw a tiny, TINY red light.]

Cardinal: !!!

[He does a teleporting tackle to slam the President to the floor. Fractions of a split second later, there’s a VERY strong shot that leaves burn marks around the wall right behind where her head had been.]

Maid: -STRAINED NOISES, TRYING NOT TO SCREAM-

[PING!]

[MN.8] //: Tch!

[MN.8] //: Keep gettin' in mah way, Birdy, and Ah' WILL make ya regret it!

Cardinal: I could say the same to you, pal.

[Des had abruptly changed his aim toward the direction the shot had come from, even knowing that he was outmatched to handle such a foe. He was defending not just two innocent women: he was defending his President, and his long-time friend. If someone was going to try and take them out, it wouldn't be without a fight from him first.]

Des: -ARE YOU OKAY—-

[She was fine. Shaken, perhaps, but didn’t show it.

Then she became cross, and started to speak to the silent hunter.]

Minerva: So, you've finally shown yourself, have you? Such actions will land you in a great deal more trouble than you can hide from, Radar. This is your last chance— hand yourself over to the authorities, or you will be facing the consequences—

Cardinal: NO!

Cardinal: Leave him alone!

[For the first time since he had come in…

He actually SOUNDED scared.

Desperate, even.]

[MN.8] //: Heh.

[MN.8] //: Was that ya soundin' desperate there?

[MN.8] //: -LAUGHTER-

[MN.8] //: Ah' hate t' disobey a lady, but m'afraid yer term is up.

[MN.8] //: Now.

[CLICK.]

[MN.8] //: R u n.

[For a brief moment, silence.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: …Heh…

[He starts laughing.]

Min: ???

Des: ....-Whispers- Um I don't think this guy is all mentally sound—

Cardinal: Shade, Shade, Shade…

Cardinal: You know what?

Cardinal: You’re right.

Maid: ?!

Des: (What—?!)

[MN.8] //: -Ooooh, now ya got his attention-

[MN.8] //: Somethin' change yer mind, Birdy?

[MN.8] //: Was it the fact that yer doin' this all fer nothin'?

Cardinal: Hardly.

Cardinal: More like…

Cardinal: I don’t have time for this, Shade.

Cardinal: Guess I’ll have to make my own!

[He turns and FIRES—]

[Cardinal used TIME STOPPER!]

[There's a harsh KFLSHK! noise and the very dust itself seems to hang suspended in the air, frozen in time.]

Min: ???

[Cardinal waltzes over toward the door, grinning.]

Cardinal: Now then…

Cardinal: Judging from the trajectory of the shot…

Cardinal: -ELBOWS, hard-

CRASH!

[Cardinal pulls a nearby curtain down and tosses it onto… well. Now that it was given form, it was clearly the fallen sniper.]

Cardinal: -Pulls something out of his traveling bag, shaking it- ~

Cardinal: -PSSSHT!-

[After spraying his own symbol on the cape once he found it, he quickly tagged “HOPE lives” on the floor. Then, and only then, could he relaxed and be satisfied.]

Cardinal: B]

Cardinal: -Tosses empty paint can behind him, looking down at the time-frozen sniper- Looks like you lost hide-and-seek, kid.

Cardinal: Too bad.

Min: -Just. Stares- o_o

[The President was both grateful and impressed.]

Min: What… did you do? -Okay his methods are VERY strange but that was rather impressive-

Des: -...What DIVISION is he in is the better question--

Min: -Starts advancing- Who built you?

[Cardinal had not been expecting this sort of response at all.]

Cardinal: I—

[She grabs at his scarf and yanks up a metal bit that glitters in the light.]

Min: I thought I saw a glint of these. -Shakes them once- -Dog tags, Des.- Is there something ELSE you need to tell me about, Desmond?

Des: Min, I swear I don't know about this—

Cardinal: (Uh…)

[It was then that Des noticed the serial number branded into Cardinal's shoulder.]

Des: Wait a second—! You're DLN-000?

Min: ! Seriously?

[Cardinal had had enough. He forces her hand away, holding (gently but firmly) onto her wrist.]

Cardinal: As charming as it is to have conversations with you…

Cardinal: -WHISTLES SHARPLY, SCOUT WE’RE LEAVING—-

Scout: -RARF RARF RARF—-

Cardinal: That effect kinda won’t last forever, we really do need to get out of here—

Des: .....Is...Is that a raccoon—

Cardinal: Close enough. Group hug, everybody!

Scout: -BOUNCES INTO MIN'S ARMS-

Scout: -HALLO NICE LADY-

Min: ! Oh goodness— Now wait just a—

[Nope, he’s already scooped her up and grabbed the others by their jacket fringes.]

Byuubyuubyuu…

{Outside}

Des: —?????

Des: -He can TELEPORT--

[Cheers erupt from the crowd, with the recovered Secret Service members forcing their way through, hemming out reporters and warning back drones with sniper lasers. One camera WAS allowed to come in closer.]

Cardinal: Heh…

Cardinal: Hello again, Avs.

Cardinal: -Puts Madame President down- I see you’ve upgraded this to include a speaker now. Your faith in me is reassuring. B]

[Avi’s voice crackled through the speakers.]

Avi: Bro, you do realize you can't hide from this, right--

Cardinal: Sadly. That’s a cost I’ll have to carry.

Min: (…Hide? Cost?)

Des: (They're talking like they know each other…!)

Avi: OKAY GOOD JUST CHECKING.

Avi: Because sometimes you kinda just let these things fly WAY OVER YOUR HEAD--

[The vague, stressed pun didn’t seem to have any effect… other than making Cardinal’s shoulders sag with weariness.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: -Quietly- I’m sorry, Avi. I’m not done yet.

Avi: --....

Avi: Dude, Beck's in there now, just-- come on, man, can't ya believe in him too--?

Cardinal: Six, this is about a lot more than believing and proving and anything else, and quite frankly—

[He douses himself in those strange cans again.]

Cardinal: —I’m tired of seeing my brothers die. I won’t risk any chance of that happening again.

Min: Excuse me—! It's too dangerous to go back inside, and we have some questions for you, 000! Where do you THINK you’re going—

Cardinal: Here, take this, it may help you on your journey— -SHOVES SLIGHTLY SINGED SCOUT-

Scout: -LICKS FOR NICE LADY-

Min: -Ackpth—-

Scout: ~ < 3

Avi: --.... (I guess I tried...)

Avi: please don't hurt him too bad.

Cardinal: I don’t have time for this. You saw the file extension, you know my intentions.

[He gritted his teeth. It hurt, again. Hurt because there was all this pressure, and nowhere for it to go.

Hurt because he couldn’t cry.]

Cardinal: …See you in clearer skies, Avs.

Cardinal: Goodbye…

BWIP.

Min: —…

Min: …Get me Sanda Labs on a secure line. -Stop wriggling, strange raccoon thing—- NOW.

{Back Inside…}

[Cardinal chose not to reappear in the Oval Office, but instead in an open room he had passed through on the journey. From the looks of things, Beck and Dyna had been through not long ago, themselves.]

Cardinal: -Takes in a shaky breath, hoo- (…Okay. Orders… orders over. Good… good, now—just need to find either Eight or Nine…)

Cardinal: (Can’t turn on my transceiver. They know I’m here and they want me out. But I can’t just stand by and let those two slice each other up and stain the rug with their Xel.)

Cardinal: -Grumbles- Where are you, Shade…

[He walks through several halls. Everything was dead silent. The expected countermeasures of security never came.]

Cardinal: …

[He was beginning to get very puzzled.]

Cardinal: (Did Beck already get to you? …And wow, I seriously made this big a mess?)

Cardinal: -Crosses his arms absentmindedly as he enters the secretary’s office- Come on, Shade, I said I would get back to you—

________________

Thaaaaat's it, just a lil further…

______________

[He held his shield loosely by his side as he meandered the halls for another good five minutes.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: …I guess Avi was right?

Cardinal: Maybe I should turn my transceiver back on, find out if they’re outside…

[He goes over to look out a window that faces the lawn, scanning the crowds for signs of his energetic young counterpart.]

Cardinal: Just my luck to miss out on the party…

_________________

Heh. Stupid bird.

Should've paid attention t' where you were goin'…

________________

[He turns away from the window, glancing at it over his shoulder.]

Cardinal: I should probably apologize to the President—

[CRUNCH.]

Cardinal: (What—? That doesn’t sound like glass—) -Looks down-

[What Cards saw on the ground--

A dart.

Several.

In the shape of a figure eight, all black as night.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: (Wait a dAMN SECOND HE SAID ALL HIS DARTS DO SOMETHING—)

[BANG!]

[The darts all exploded into shrapnel, sharp, dangerous pieces flying everywhere, breaking pottering and lights and anything else that was in its radius.]

[Cardinal wasn’t shielding, so he took a direct hit.

Now, he was made to withstand exactly this sort of thing. To take it and tank it.

Didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.]

Cardinal: -GAH—-

[He staggered back, disoriented by the damage.]

[BANG--!]

[Red lasers fill the room, reflecting off of various objects to keep Cardinal guessing--]

[BANG BANG--]

[--With two more ACTUALLY aimed for him--]

[He took the hits, but answered back with a vengeance.]

KTANG!

[Leaping onto the walls and vaulting onto a statue, he peppered the room with high speed Quick Boomerangs.]

Cardinal: |[

Cardinal: You clearly haven’t learned I don’t go down so easy, Counter.

"Haven't ya heard of try, try again?"

[BANG--]

[A dart this time, yellow--]

[Cardinal used METAL BLADE!]

[The net was torn up even as it came onto him. He leaped onto a chandelier.]

[Cardinal used RING BOOMERANG!]

Cardinal: Haven’t you ever heard “Doing the same thing twice and expecting different results is the definition of insanity?”

[Laughter.]

"Look who's TALKIN'!"

"Ya sure are persistent."

[Cardinal was beginning to lose patience.

He was tired. He felt tired and old.]

Cardinal: Countershade, I have been chasing after you for over a WEEK now. I’ll hardly give up because you’re throwing a temper tantrum.

Cardinal: Get a grip, Shade— Snap out of it! This isn’t like you!

Cardinal: -Crossly- WAKE UP ALREADY!

"Temper tantrum? Boy, ya must be a real antique by now. Seein' as ya ain't made of Xel."

"Who even ARE ya, anyway?"

Cardinal: You can’t be serious. You recognized my brother and you don’t know me? That’s not a funny insult. -Actually sounds rather put out-

"Nope. Ya don't ring a bell."

Cardinal: Are you REALLY that out of it? That’s honestly just pathetic. The “sad, pitiful” kind.

"Gotta hand it t' ya, Birdy, as ya are annoyin', yer good. Heh."

"And Ah' do so love a good challenge."

Cardinal: Fine then.

Cardinal: I’ll make you remember—I’ll bring you out of this, I am going to snap you out of this if it’s the last thing I ever do!

[Cardinal used DUST CRUSHER!]

[All the shrapnel and debris that had been created by Shade and others before him was kicked up in a whirling cloud of sharp death that enveloped half the room, shredding everything in its path before getting embedded into the wall.]

"--Ngh--!"

[There is some painful data, but it is quickly snuffed out by something other than Shade.]

"Oh, it WILL be--ya can't keep flyin' FOREVER, Lil' Birdy..."

Cardinal: Try me.

[…Not his best choice of words.]

"Heh."

"Since ya ASKED so nicely!"

KSSSH!!!

[The chandelier came crashing down, with him inside it.

Even though he teleported away, he still had the force of momentum, and crashed down into the ground pretty hard.]

Cardinal: Hggghhhh…

Cardinal: (Gah… hate HATE falling from heights, come BACK, vision—)

[BANG!]

[Countershade took this perfect opportunity to fire off another shot--it was so easy, once he was blind--]

Cardinal: AUGH!

[Cardinal counteracted with a spam of Metal Blades that went in ALL directions, embedding DEEP into wherever they found score—

And there is a LOT OF rolling around and taking cover--seeing the saw blades stirred up something...Something that made him even angrier. ]

"MOTHERSCRATCHIN'--Ah' HATE when it takes more than one bullet!"

Cardinal: See now, if you REMEMBERED anything, you’d KNOW I don’t go down to one hit!

"Goddamn waste of mah TIME--"

Cardinal: Tch.

Cardinal: Anything you don’t have time to do right the first time, you’ll need to have time to do over.

Cardinal: And I’ve put a hell of a few lifetimes more into this than you.

[BANG BANG--]

[The explosive darts were out now, but single striped instead of the deadly double. Perhaps Shade didn't want to ruin his new 'Home' anymore than it already was. Cardinal tanked the hit with his shield.]

[The Proto Shield held firm as ever, though he moved aside to avoid being backed into the wall.]

Cardinal: -Gets back to his feet, shifting his weaponry again with another click.-

Cardinal: This is not the first time we’ve done this song and dance, Shade!

[Cardinal used BUBBLE LEAD!]

[The acid pellets burst upon contact, hissing and eating away at the floor and various high ground on the other side of the room.]

[SSSSSSSS...]

"Aw FRAG IT--"

Cardinal: You forgetting?! Just means I have ALL THE MORE ADVANTAGE OVER YOU!

[Cardinal used TOP SPIN!]

kzzzZZZZZZZZGGGVVVVGGGHHHTTTT—

[Marble columns were sliced clean through and brought crashing down.]

[CRASH--!!]

"--!!!!"

[There was a few moments of scrambling and--]

[--Silence?]

Cardinal: Nice try, but I know you’re fine. Your camo goes out if you’re not.

Cardinal: And if you want to play this the hard way, I’ll do just that. >B |

[....]

"Alright."

[Click.]

[That came from RIGHT beside him!]

Cardinal: (Glitch—)

[Cardinal used ICE SLASHER!]

[It wasn’t fast enough to prevent the shot that seared through his right shoulder, but. It was enough to send the whole room about ten degrees below zero, and send icicle spears flying.

There was a HISS of pain and a grunt, Shade's camo flickering for a moment--

--Before returning to normal, and the lasers that herald his presence once again came from a completely different direction--

Cardinal ends up backed against the wall, having no other option besides his shield at this point. The Skull Barrier and the Leaf Shield had both been spent during the rescues.]

Cardinal: B[

[Cardinal used ITEM-1!]

[He jumps onto a hovering platform to gain height before firing off some plasma blasts at strategic surfaces—places where he would go if he had that side of the battlefield.]

[BLAM!]

[BANG BANG BANG--]

[As if in response, Shade shoots at the ITEM-1 before unleashing a trio of--oh, no, double stripped darts--!]

Cardinal: !

[Cardinal used WIRE!]

ZZZZZZZIP!

[A grappling hook shot out of his arm, bringing him up toward the ceiling and away from the explosion.

Unfortunately, this position offered him no cover whatsoever, except for his shield—which, as always, remained squarely over his central mass.]

Cardinal: This is getting a bit old.

Cardinal: I’d rather light things on fire, but that wouldn’t be being…

[He smirked.]

Cardinal: …a good House guest~

[BANG--]

[CRASH!]

[He had the wind knocked out of him again, but…

Judging from his wheezing and shaking laughter…]

Cardinal: -Worth it-

[CLICK.]

[....Uh oh.]

Shade: Was it?

Cardinal: Yup.

Cardinal: Too bad it didn’t…

[Cardinal used AIR SHOOTER!]

[STRONG gusts swept across the room, moving EVEN the fallen marble slamming into the wall!]

Shade: --!!!

Cardinal: BLOW YOU AWAY!

Shade: Ngh--

[Shade loses his footing and is forced to back up a ways in order to keep Cardinal in front of him--and on his sights.]

Shade: Enough of this--

[CLICK.]

[...Not even Shade could make a shot in these kinds of winds--]

[...Right?]

[BANG!]

Cardinal: -OOF!-

[Okay. He was really taking a beating now.]

Cardinal: (This has got to stop. Man… haven’t even knocked out his active camo yet, lame. I wish I could use more explosions and fire, that might have helped…)

Cardinal: … (Then again, not being in such a cramped space would have helped anyway.)

Cardinal: Hoo… man, you do hit hard…

[BANG--

BANG BANG BANG--]

[...Shade doesn't answer back.

He just keeps shooting.]

Cardinal: It really is too bad Round Two had to be like this—nngh!

Cardinal: I think you would have preferred remembering!

Shade: Hey.

Shade: Birdy.

Cardinal: What.

Shade: Do me a favor.

[--Wait--why was his voice coming from behind, Shade was right in front of him--]

Shade: Stop yer PRATTLE.

[BANG--!]

[Cardinal was put to the floor, dizzy from being shot in the back. His fans were buzzing a bit, and he had to prop himself up with an arm.]

Cardinal: -WHEEZE- Now that was beneath you, my friend.

Cardinal: You’re an assassin, not a traitor.

Shade: Not my fault yer bein' difficult, Birdy.

Shade: All yer...

[BANG.]

Shade: Sass, all yer brave front--

[BANG!]

Shade: Ya don't fool ME.

[He had to deflect the shots with his shield, but his arm was starting to tire from taking the shock of the blows. He gritted his teeth.]

Cardinal: Is that supposed to mean something, Shade? I’m honestly—nnn!—confused.

Shade: It does. You'll get it REAL soon.

[BANG--]

[...???]

[That's...that's a red dart.]

[Completely red, stuck to Cardinal's shield.]

[--And then it started to glow RED, RED HOT, OW--]

Cardinal: AUGH!

[He could NOT handle that much heat, not so close to his core!

He was forced to drop it to the ground and roll to the side.]

[Cardinal used NEEDLE CANNON!]

[Needle shaped spears skewered anything and everything in sight…

…and some things out of sight.

A slight rip noise betrayed that Cardinal had scored a hit and pinned the sniper’s cloak to the wall.]

Shade: TCH!

Shade: Oh, that is IT.

Shade: -LOCK ON TO CARDINAL'S SYMBOL--

Shade: Yer SCRAP.

[BANG BANG BANG--]

[Cardinal hit the floor, hard.

Silence.]

Shade: -That was mah CLOAK, FRAG YA-

[…But after a moment, he did manage to sit up again, coughing a bit.]

Shade: Fer the love of--

Shade: Ya just don't DIE.

Cardinal: -Raspy- So I’ve been told…

Cardinal: (Great… all I have left is fire…)

Cardinal: You…

[He spoke seriously now.]

Cardinal: You’ve… got to stop, Shade.

Cardinal: You’ve… got to stop…!

[He staggered to his feet.]

Cardinal: This isn’t you. It’s not your fault, but you need to stop—

Cardinal: Don’t you remember who you are?!

Shade: — . . .

[Who...]

[Cardinal grabbed his scarf and shook it. The dart there from Shade, a gift from so long ago, stood out in sharp contrast.]

Shade: ......

[Why did he have his...]

Cardinal: PLEASE! Don’t you REMEMBER me at ALL?!

_____________________

"Yer stuck with me. B]"

___________________

"Catch me if ya can, hunting doggie!"

_________________

[Memories, as if from some far off forgotten dream...]

Shade: --...

Shade: -Confused--

Shade: The hell...

[Cardinal took a quiet step forward.]

Cardinal: Shade!

Cardinal: You’re my best friend.

Cardinal: We TRUST each other, remember?!

—————————————————

“Being able to trust someone and want to be around them, miss them if they’re gone… That’s its own vulnerability, in a way.”

—————————————————

[Another step.]

Cardinal: (Just…)

Cardinal: (Need to get close enough…!)

[Trust...]

Shade: -Blinks--

[The purple and magenta fade from his eye for a second--]

Shade: (What...)

[....And then.]

[....A name.]

Shade: . . .

Shade: Cardinal...?

Cardinal: !

Cardinal: -Another step- YES! I’m here, Shade—

Cardinal: I promised nothing would make me give up on you, and I mean it.

Cardinal: -Another step- You’re sick, but we can fix that— come home, Shade, before you do something you can’t fix.

[…

…Fix…?]

—————————————

[An admission of weakness.

His core was messed up so badly, that…]

[From a powerful enough opponent, a direct hit at full charge, if exposed, would cause him to explode.

And no armor in the world would ever fix it.]

—————————————

Shade: ...ngh...

[The assassin staggers, as if something dull was pressing on his mind, something that was NOT a part of him, something that didn't want him to--]

Shade: !

[Something within screamed--]

[--But then, it all became clear.]

[Clear to the virus, that is.]

Shade: ... ...

[Cardinal was reaching out his hand to touch him. If he could just get a hold of him, he had just enough energy to get them out of here. Away from this place—if not to safety, at least where he couldn’t do any more damage.]

Cardinal: Shade…?

Shade: . . .

Shade: Songbird...Eh...

Shade: Well, that explains the bird part.

[CLICK.]

[There was an unsettling PREDATORY grin on Eight's face, as his rifle was pointed DIRECTLY AT CARDINAL'S CORE--]

Cardinal: !?

[He was too shocked, totally blindsided, taken completely off guard—he didn't even have time to get scared before—]

Shade: Adios, Songbird.

BANG—

[The direct hit from such a close range— point blank range—had done massive amounts of damage.

He didn’t really feel hitting the floor, no…

It was all lost in a vast sea of white-hot pain that engulfed his senses, enveloped his whole body—

He couldn’t even say for sure if he screamed.]

Shade: That hurt, Birdy?

Shade: Ah' BET it DID.

[Cardinal had to turn to his side to avoid choking on oil. Now he felt sick, shivering from the pain and errors that were wracking his body.]

Shade: Oh, Ah' remembered ya, yes—ah' sure did... -GRIN-

Shade: Ah' remembered how t' finally KILL YA.

[Cardinal could hear the words, but they just wouldn’t register— but if they had, he would have been crushed not just in body, but also in soul.]

Shade: That was STUPID, bah the way.

Shade: What were ya even thinkin', huh?

[Even if he wanted to run now, there was no way out. He didn’t have the energy to teleport—he barely had enough to move.

Move he did, though, at least enough to get to his knees.

…]

[…relatively speaking.]

Shade: Eheh...

Shade: Looks like yer wings have been CLIPPED...Lil' Birdy.

Shade: Nowhere t' RUN, nao, is there. Even if ya COULD move....

Cardinal: Hnnnghnnnnnggh…

Cardinal: … (Can’t… can’t move…)

Cardinal: (Need… need repairs…)

Cardinal: (N-need to partition energy into repairs—)

Shade: Still breathin'?

Shade: Ya really ARE persistent!

[The world became a white void of pain as he was kicked in the side, hard. He fell over, and Shade forced him onto his back with a bit of pressure. His vision started to come back in, but—]

[CRUNCH--]

[A boot crunches on top of Cardinal's chest--]

Cardinal: (AUGH!)

[He couldn’t breathe.

He couldn’t. Breathe.

The weight was crushing him, breaking him, threatening to put pressure on his core—his constant massive conversion of energy into matter to save him was only intensifying the pain.]

Cardinal: Ghhghkk—!

[He was too badly injured to move. He was using all of his power just to stay alive, now—he could barely hear, barely see—]

>ERROR: HARDWARE DAMAGE CRITICAL

Cardinal: !

>COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT

Cardinal: (nnnONONO—)

>INITIATE SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE

Cardinal: AAAAUUUGH!

[Cardinal gave a choked cry of despair as the countdown began— audibly, no less—]

>TEN…

Shade: -Ooh, now... What is this?-

>NINE…

Shade: Oh, right...

>EIGHT…

Shade: Ya Wily constructs go up with a bang when yer too helpless t' RUN.

>SEVEN…

Shade: -Chuckles.-

>SIX…

Shade: Nao ain't that somethin'...

>FIVE…

Cardinal: (No…!)

>FOUR…

>SYSTEM OVERRIDE

>THREE…

>RUN PROGRAM: FINAL_DAYS.EXE

>TWO…

>WARNING: FINAL_DAYS.EXE IS AN UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAM. USING THIS PROGRAM WILL PREVENT COMBAT.EXE INITIATIVES OR SYSTEM MAINTENANCE FROM RUNNING NORMALLY. CONTINUE?

>ONE…

>YES

>DON’T ASK ME AGAIN

> -PING!- COMMAND CONFIRMED.

>SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Shade: ....

Shade: Tch.

Shade: Was hopin' t' see fireworks. Oh, well.

>EXECUTING PROGRAM: FINAL_DAYS.EXE

[He became limp and weak as the program went live.

He was no longer burdened by instincts meant to preserve him to be fighting fit later, or to continue fighting on.

All the energy that had been spent toward those goals was now going into extensive repair, to keep his vitals up and his senses working. This process would not be interrupted, no matter how much energy it drained from him.

…But as a result…]

Cardinal: -Rattled wheezing from shaky, submissive gasps for air-

Shade: Heh... -Smug smirk-

[He was now completely helpless.]

Shade: Look at ya...

[Everything felt faint. It hurt, and yet…]

Cardinal: -Hazily- (Can’t even move…)

[He felt so tired. So tired.

He wanted nothing more than to close his eyes and get his rest….]

Cardinal: (C-can’t…)

Cardinal: (So… so tired…)

Shade: Just look at ya, ya waste of scrap.

Shade: All yer talk and sass and comebacks and fancy display...

[CRUNCH--]

Cardinal: (-PAIN!-)

[Cardinal became briefly blinded by pain, his eyes glazing over. His fans wailed in protest at the crushing weight put on his chest.]

Shade: --And all it took--

[His armor—!]

[SNAP--!]

[His inner plate armor split open—]

<DLN-000>: > -PAIN!-

[With his transceiver off, no one could hear him— no one could hear his anguished data streams—]

Shade: --Was a few shots, from one bot--

C R A C K—!!

[He jerked sharply, almost convulsing as the armor clattered, giving way to expose the energy core within. It was glowing like a small sun—white hot, too.]

Shade: - T'prepare ya t' meet yer Maker. That is... Assumin' there's an afterlife for ya pathetic box bolts...

[Cardinal gave off bleak rattling noises as his coolant system attempted to draw air over broken fans.]

Shade: Best start prayin', lil' Birdy. Yer gonna learn the answer t' that question the hard way.

Cardinal: -Repairs, need… need repairs…-

[His vision came back to him as the conversion went into overdrive, desperate on keeping the fans running, to keep him alive.

This allowed his eyes, dulled before, to resume their green spark—his sunglasses had been knocked off long ago, and so there was nothing between the green fire and the sickly purple gaze.]

Shade: --?

Shade: What in tarnation--

Cardinal: Hnnnnggghh…

Shade: --....

[Wait a second...

There was something just right of the power core, mostly tucked behind it. As it glowed, the mobility rig seemed to just… rebuild itself.

Enough for Cardinal to grasp at something, clutching it with a stubborn resignation.]

[.....]

[Two and two were put together within a second, and the Teal Silence let out a dark chuckle.]

Shade: Stubborn jackass! So THIS is how ya kept yerslef goin' so long, hmm?

Shade: Real clever...

[He suddenly JABBED right at it with his rifle-- which was a VERY bad mistake…]

Shade: ARUGH--!

[…as far as the sniper was concerned.

The tip of the rifle had been vaporized, and Cardinal was filled with a jolt of energy that the conversion provided. From the strength Shade had unwittingly donated, he knocked the rifle out of the way to prevent his friend from losing balance, and possibly ending up losing the rest of his arm to the power converter.]

Shade: NGH--

Shade: Little goddamn bastard--should've known ya had 'nother cheap shot like that up yer sleeve...

Cardinal: -Irratable snort- (Oh please, that’s just how I’m BUILT—you wouldn’t go sticking your hand in stomach acid, would you?!)

[There was still enough strength left from that for him to regain some focus. It took effort, and he struggled to reallocate repairs to non-vital systems.

Like… talking, for example.

Cardinal vented a bit and scrunched his eyes in a grimace, trying his hardest to work up the energy to talk.]

Cardinal: Nnnngh…

[…But he could only groan. The pain was so heavy…]

Shade: Bah, for the love of— spare me yer theatrics, Songbird, S'not like ya can sing anymore.

Cardinal: (But…)

Cardinal: (I’ve GOT to, I need to tell you…!)

[CLICK.]

Cardinal: —hghkkt!

[He knew that noise.]

[He KNEW that noise, and it filled him with dread.]

Cardinal: (No…)

Shade: Heheheh...

[A sadistic smile partnered the laugh that escaped from Shade--the dart that was usually in his mouth was gone...]

Cardinal: (Shade, oh God no— please… no, don’t… you can’t do this…)

Cardinal: -Weak ping of protest-

Shade: Ah' TOLD ya...Ya can't fool me.

Shade: Ya scared now, li' Birdy?

Cardinal: -Strained fan whine of despair-

[He was in distress, that was for sure. A heartbroken dismay was sapping away at the willpower maintaining the diminishing fumes of strength in his body.

Shade leaned over, resting his rifle arm on his left knee as he put his weight on Cardinal’s shoulder. The fans there screeched as they were crushed beneath the sniper’s considerable weight.]

Shade: Good.

[The blinding pain lifted as the weight was drawn away. When Cardinal could see again, he saw his friend’s back facing him.]

Shade: I'll give ya this . ..

Cardinal: …

[A low hum...]

Cardinal: … -even weaker ping-

[He couldn’t mask it. When Shade turned around, Cardinal couldn’t help but give off a faint signal of hopelessness—

Shade was using a sniper scope to light up his core as a target, purely to mock him out of spite.]

Shade: Ya were better ’n most. Damn freakin' annoyin’, too. Shoulda known better ’n ‘’ta come HERE, t' mah huntin' grounds. You got a death wish, songbird? Huh?

[He took a step forward, letting his spurs rattle loudly in his stride across the floor...]

[Slowly.]

[It was tempting. So tempting.

He was tired. He hurt. He was scared. If… if he just let go, the pain would stop, it wouldn’t hurt anymore… he could rest, he could leave before…]

Cardinal: … (No… can’t…)

[Cardinal took in a shaky breath, willing himself to stay alive, even though his energy core…]

Cardinal: (Can’t let it end… like this…)

[…was starting to turn cold.]

Shade: -Data-

Shade: -Well, if ya insist, we can GRANT it for ya.-

Cardinal: (Can’t…!)

Cardinal: (I CAN’T LET IT END LIKE THIS!)

[Cardinal struggled to focus through his failing vision, to look that menacing red-violet eye directly on with his own, dimming green pair.

He shut down all but his central core mass fans to get the energy to speak.]

Cardinal: -Very raspy, distorted gasp- Shade…

Shade: --....

[...He's not sure if he should be annoyed or impressed.]

[Cardinal spoke again. There was a clear but quiet, submissive air of despair in his frail voice.]

Cardinal: Countershade, please…

[Oh.]

[He took a step forward...]

Shade: What was that?

Cardinal: Don’t… don’t do this…

Cardinal: …beg… begging you, please…

[.....]

Shade: -GRIN-

[He smirked cruelly at this, at the sight and sounds of Cardinal begging, pleading for his life, for mercy. Ha! Finally, after all of his talk and bravo!

What a delightful feeling.]

Shade: Heheheheh!

Cardinal: please…

Shade: (Eso es, Pájarito. Ruega por la misericordia hasta que mueras.)

Cardinal: …it’s only… only… g…going to…

Shade: --?

Cardinal: …going to hurt y o u…

Shade: --. .. . ..

[For a moment, that makes Shade pause.

The sick, purple aura left him, the malice, the evil that had dug it's way deep into his core was lifted for just a brief moment—]

Shade: -N-No—-

Shade: (No, no, no…!)

Shade: -Straining- M-must… fight… the power…

[He, too, seemed like he was in just as much pain as Cardinal was.]

[…]

[CLICK.]

[...But the moment... Passed.]

Shade: Enough!

[He spoke with a firm, authoritative command of finality.]

Shade: I don’t have time t’ waste on you. Obviously ya ain’t gonna stay out of my way while ya still runnin’.

Shade: An’ as we’ve already established, ya have this fraggin’ annoyin’ tendency to keep hangin’ on. Fahn, then—I’ll give ya the honor a’ takin’ ya out myself!

Cardinal: (No…)

[Cardinal gripped his hand tighter, as if bracing himself.]

Shade: An’ just tah make SURE you don’t get out of sight at the last second. ..

[He lowered his gaze, and his aim, right down to Cardinal's exposed core.]

Shade: This'll be the last bullet Ah' waste on ya.

[Cardinal forced himself to maintain eye contact, even as Shade lowered his rifle to point directly at the exposed core.

He didn’t… feel scared anymore. Just… defeated.

Hopeless.

…Accepting of his time, resigned to his fate… even as he dwelt with lingering, final regret, on his failure and shame.]

Shade…

[Darkness overtook his eyes.

His power was nearly entirely depleted. He would only last a few minutes longer, at most—one way or another, he had reached, at last… his final day.]

[Vrrrrrrr...]

Oh, Shade…!

[He could faintly hear the sound of Shade’s deadly aim setting up. It seemed… so far away…]

I…

[He heard a faint fizzling and hissing noise as the energy converter fell silent.

There could only be one reason for that—

No more energy left to convert from.

He could feel his heart becoming as cold as i c e …]

I’m… so sorry…!

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

=CHAPTER 2B: BEYOND THE WATERY VORTEX=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

<<—Previous——————Table of Contents——————Next—>>

{SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.}

Jack: . . . . .

Jack: oh man I am so cold--

[He made it.]

[Somehow, he made it.]

[In the COLD, pouring rain, he made it.]

Jack: frag frag frag frag--

[It was coming down in SHEETS, and the city was in utter turmoil. There were nearly no humans in sight in the street he was in, and the robots that were left were free to follow their new directive: destroy. ]

[Fortunately, Jack stuck to the back allies to avoid being seen by them, quickly making his way towards a familiar landmark--]

[The Space Needle.]

Jack: (OK, you're back now, you're in the States....)

Jack: ....

Jack: (NOW what?)

Jack: (Can't find Kate if I can't find her brothers....)

Jack: (Can't exactly CALL her cuz of Six...)

Jack: (Bird guy is who KNOWS where....I'm on my own here.)

Jack: ......

Jack: (Well--I can't just keep moving around without SOME idea of where I should go--)

Jack: (Space Needle's a landmark--people know it, so someone's GOTTA be there--maybe someone that can help or something...)

Jack: (Gonna take a while to get there by FOOT...)

[Jack takes a moment to scan the streets, eyeing the many abandoned cars left there when the virus first struck.]

Jack: (...Hate to take someone else's car, but if I'm lucky--)

"HEY--!"

Jack: --!!

[Jack turns around at the voice--it seemed to come from behind--no wait--]

"GGHHAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH--!!!"

Jack: oh SH--

[Jack sprung out of the alley and into the street as a large, LARGE fireball NEARLY burns him alive from above-- it shatters the pavement were he once stood before, leaving only a scorched, black hole in the ground. ]

Jack: WHAT THE HELL IS--

[WHAM!]

[Jack felt a foot connect with his abdomen, and he was kicked back into a totaled car, creating a sizeable dent...]

Jack: NGH--!!

Jack: Awwwwshitthatsmarts--

[...Giggling.]

Jack: ...???

"Why, ALOHA, little man!~"

Jack: --?!

Jack: Wait a--

Jack: You--You're Plume...!

[Jack had HEARD of this one--Plume was Hawaii's very own Arena bot fire dancer, part of the small but efficient combat team, Island Koas. They weren't among the high ranking teams--so Jack had never FACED her--but her solo fighting career was impressive enough.]

Plume: Hehehe...Awww, did I scorch you? I WAS aiming a little TOO low, wasn't I?~

Jack: UM--

Plume: {You seem like a good dance partner.~}

Jack: .....

Jack: Uh--M-Miss Plume--I--I don't have Hawaiian in my languages--

Plume: Really? That's too bad--

[Fireballs start to form on both of her hands--and one on her head--despite the pouring rain, it didn't seem like it was affecting her in any negative way.]

Plume: Maybe I can take you back to my island and TEACH you a few tricks?

Jack: Uh--Well--uh...

Jack: --....

Jack: Wait...

Jack: How in the WORLD did you get here to the mainland?

Plume: Mm? Oh...

Plume: I had a little HELP.~

Plume: He's having some fun with the Navy!

-*-*-*-*-

[MEANWHILE, OFF THE WEST COAST...]

"HE'S MOVING TOO FAST--"

"WASN'T HE ON STARBOARD SIDE?!"

"SIR, I CAN'T GET A LOCK ON--"

"LOOK OUT!"

Merlion: -R O A R I N G-

-*-*-*-*-

[BACK IN SEATTLE...]

Jack: ....The Navy--...

Plume: He was visiting my island when I asked him for a ride. I didn't want to miss the big Luau here on the mainland, you know? ~

Jack: ....Miss Plume--

Plume: But enough talk! ~

Plume: I want to see if you can LAST longer than the OTHERS. Finding the PERFECT dance partner is SO hard these days--

Jack: Miss Plume I REALLY don't wanna hurt you--

Plume: I wonder, little man--

[FWING!]

Jack: oH CRAP--

[Plume swayed to one side gracefully, and a wave of fire flew from the flames that burned from her wrists--forcing Jack to duck under it.]

Plume: Can you take the heat?

[ E N C O U N T E R ]

[IKN.1 - CODENAME: 'PLUME']

[STRENGTH: 20 DEFENSE: 20 S.ATTACK: 40 INTELLIGENCE: 30]

[Plume's central abilities--Fire and Dance--blended very well together in terms of her native culture. And it showed on the Battlefield: Plume's a graceful fighter, using her dances to both avoid enemy fire and deal some damage herself.]

[Wave after WAVE of fire pierced through the streets, slashing at cars and scorching the asphalt. Jack had no choice but to keep backing off, avoiding her and the resulting explosions from her destructive onslaught.]

Plume: Where are you going? We haven't even STARTED!

Jack: MA'AM, I REALLY, REALLY THINK--

[FWING!]

[A fireball nailed him right in the shoulder--not a large one, but enough to really BURN--]

Jack: Aaah--!

Jack: (OhGodshe'sreallytryingtokillme--)

Jack: (SHE'SGONNA--)

Plume: {Ooooh, little maaaaaan!~}

Jack: . . . .

[Jack doesn't stick around. He BOLTS for it.]

[....]

[Or. Tries to, at least. ]

[The street he's on happens to be a dead end. ]

Jack: WHA--

Plume: Theeeere you aaaaare.~

[Swaying from side to side like a puppet on strings, Plume lightly approaches Jack with blue fire trailing behind her--her eyes a deep, deep red.]

Plume: Why do they ALWAYS run away?

Plume: .......

[The fire around her dims just for a moment.]

Jack: ...?

Plume: They NEVER stay. Not for long...

Plume: No one does...

Plume: You VISIT Hawaii. You don't stay.

Plume: No one EVER stays...

Jack: ......Miss...Plume...?

Plume: ......

[Plume's expression changes.]

[It changes to one of anger. ]

Plume: Why don't they STAY?!

Jack: --Erk--!

[She steps ever closer, fire and rain mixing together, steam rising to the darkening sky as Jack feels his back touch brick.]

(( Pic—Jack cornered))

Jack: --!! (Nonononono--)

Plume: My home is... paradise on Earth...

Plume: Who wouldn't want that? ~

Jack: (Oh God I don't wanna hurt her--it's not her fault she's like this--!)

Jack: (Wires and Hacking--what GOOD would those do?! UGH, I CAN'T DIE HERE--!!)

Jack: (Come on, Jack, THINK...)

Jack: (All your stupid wires can do is just grab things and there's no WAY I'm getting that close to Plume--)

Jack: (--!!!)

Jack: (WAAAAAIT A SEC--)

[Jack frantically looks around for something--ANYTHING--that looked sturdy enough support his weight.]

Jack: ---!

[There! Above him--a set of broken, steel stairs that lead to the roof of this building--an apartment complex. The bottom was blown off, so there was no way to climb it from the ground--]

[But if he aimed right--]

Plume: YOU MEN NEVER STAY W I T H ME!

[ZIIIIIP!]

[FOOOOM--]

Jack: SORRY MISS PLUME--

[Jack shot his wires up to the broken stairs--and retracted them, lifting himself up and away from Plume's furious fire!]

Plume: ?!?

Jack: BUT I GOT ANOTHER DANCE TO GET TO--

Jack: AND I'M PRETTY SURE SHE'D KILL ME IF I WAS LATE!

Plume: -SCREEEEEECH-

Plume: COME BACK HERE!

Jack: NOPE--

Jack: GOTTA RUN, BYE--

[Fireballs are chucked at his retreating form as he runs up the rest of the stairs, demonic screams of rage filling his ears. When she saw that she couldn't quite get to him from here, she decides to double back--for now.]

Plume: {I'LL MAKE YOU STAY WITH ME, LITTLE MAN--S T A Y!!}

Jack: ........

Jack: Oh God--

[Finally seeing that he was safe for the moment--he collapses in a heap, catching his breath. The first stars start to twinkle in the sky.]

Jack: (OK--....can't stay, you're not safe, she'll come back through the other street on the other side--gotta keep moving...)

Jack: (Tired...so tired, can't rest--....ugh crap my shoulder hurts...)

Jack: (Don't have wheels...can't steal a car...)

Jack: .......

[......]

[Jack's hand rests on his face as he thinks, momentarily staring at the small panel on his wrist that his his wires.

...He never thought they'd be useful for anything but tripping things and yanking or holding people in place...]

[......]

"DENCER! LET ME GO!"

"I--"

"PLEASE!"

Jack: .......

Jack: ....Mmmng.

[He's kinda always thought his Wires were just....an annoyance.]

Jack: .......

[But maybe they weren't? They DID just save him from being Hawaiian barbecue...]

[Maybe he could do something....MORE with them?]

“…You are a stronger man than you give yourself credit for, Jack.”

Jack: ........

Jack: (What ELSE...what else...)

Jack: ....

Jack: (Well--right now I need a fast way to the Needle--but no wheels. All I got are these things...)

Jack: .......

[ONE MINUTE LATER...]

Jack: Godalmighty this is the stupidest thing--

[Jack was standing right on the edge of the same roof--goggles on, sleeves rolled up, looking down to the street below. The building was about 10 stories high...]

Jack: .........

[A fall from this height...it wouldn't KILL him, but it would certainly do some major damage.]

Jack: .....

Jack: I do NOT get paid enough for this...

Jack: OK--just...aim for that other building across the street--and swing--like--like Tarzan or something like that--

Jack: OK on three....

Jack: One....two....

Jack: ......

Jack: Two and a half...

Jack: .......

Jack: .....

Jack: . . .

Jack: [FRAG] IT I CAN'T DO IT--

Jack: (I CAN'T JUMP OFF A DAMN BUILDING IT'S SUICIDE WHAT AM I THINKING--)

"{OH LITTLE MAAAAAAAN!~}"

Jack: . . . .

Jack: [Glitchfragit]--!

[He backs up, takes a few deep breaths, and takes off in a running start--]

[FOOOOM!]

[The street below him lights up in FLAMES as he leaps from the roof--]

Plume: --!!!

[ZIIIIIP!]

Jack: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH--

[His wires latch onto the taller building on the other side...]

[....and he sails...]

[Over the flames, over Plume, in a perfect arch that ended just on the building on the corner--]

[Jack didn't have enough height to reach the roof of that one--but it was enough to catch onto a windowsill, scrambling up to find perchance--]

Jack: --!!!

Jack: ......

Jack: HOLY SHIT I'M ALIVE--

[Even Plume had to take a moment to process what just happened--the little man wasn't a flying model...]

Jack: I FREAKIN' DID IT--

Jack: FRAG, THAT WAS AWESOME--YO, MISS PLUME DID YOU SEE WHAT--

[FOOOOSH!]

"RAAAAAAAAAAGH!!"

Jack: ....Ohright--

[Sheeeee was still angry.]

Plume: {WHO TOLD YOU YOU COULD FLY AWAY, LITTLE MAN?!}

Jack: AAAAAND I'M OUTTA HERE--

[ZIIIIP!]

[The repeated sounds of ziplining wires and screams of bloody rage echo throughout the rainy city, drawing ever closer to the Space Needle...]

Jack: Gotta get high enough to reach the top--!

Plume: -DEMONIC SCREAMING-

Jack: (THAT DOES NOT SOUND GOOD AT A L L--)

[Jack has never been this high UP before--]

Jack: Almost there almost there--

[And all this wind and rain was NOT making things any easier--he REALLY needs to thank the ice kid for the goggles--]

Plume: {LITTLE MAAAAAAAN!}

Jack: FOR PETE'S SAKE I'M NOT LITTLE--

[WOW that Needle was WAY up high--]

[C R A C K!!!]

Jack: GGNH!!

[The intense electricity messes with his systems, alright, due to being close to it to begin with--]

Plume: NAAH--!

[But that went true for his pursuer too.]

Jack: (No good--gotta get inside--gotta break through a window--!)

[To do that, he needed enough speed--so he proceeded to swing another lap around the Needle, fireballs pelting from below, rain pounding in his face and thunder clapping above his head--]

Jack: AAAAAAAAAAAAH--!!!

[With one final scream, Jack swung--one final time, lighting flashed, for a moment he couldn't see a thing--]

[C R A C K!]

[Static. Glass breaking.]

[Screams.]

"OH GOD THEY GOT IN--"

"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE--"

[More static...]

"ELI, WHAT DO WE DO--?!"

"GET ME THE GUN--"

"HE FLEW IN THROUGH THE WINDOW-- "

"WHERE IS THE GUN?!?"

[. . . . . .]

[SYSTEMS REBOOTING...]

[.....]

Jack: ........

Jack: Nnngh....

[SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETE.]

Jack: Nh...?

Jack: Uuugh, my head....

Jack: Owwwww...

[. . . . .]

[CLICK.]

Jack: ....?

[With some effort, Jack turns his head towards the strange sound--]

[Only to find a revolver being pointed at his face.]

"Alright, ya crazy freeloading flyin' freak--"

[A middle aged human man looks down at the CDN, cold muddy eyes beating down on him in an unforgiving manner.]

"You got 5 seconds to start talking or your Xel's gonna stain this floor tonight."

Jack: ...........

Jack: . . . . . .

Jack: PLEASE DON'T THROW ME OUT THERE, THERE'S A CRAZY HAWAIIAN BOT THAT WANTS TO FRY ME UP--

???: We know.

Jack: --??

???: Why do you think we're STUCK up here?

Jack: . . . .

???: . . . .

???: I'm gonna be straight with you. You're a Xelbot. And all of them's gone outta their minds for some reason or another-- something about a virus.

Jack: .......

???: My family is up here too.

???: You see where I'm coming from?

Jack: .....Y...Yes sir....

???: Good.

???: Now--so far--you don't seem like Miss Plume down there.

Jack: I-I--She...

Jack: She's not OK, it's not her fault--

???: No, but right now that don't matter. Point is, as long as she's down there raising hell...we can't escape.

Jack: .......

Jack: ......

Jack: Sir--please, just--listen to me--I get it, you're afraid, and trying to protect people, but I can't stay here--

???: Why?

Jack: I'm LOOKING for someone and I REALLY don't think she'd like it if I wound up DEAD so PLEASE--please believe me--!

[THUMP.]

???: Whatthehell--

[THUMP.]

Jack: (THE WHOLE BUILDING IS SHAKING--)

[T H U M P.]

"ELI!!!"

[As the human--Eli--snapped his attention to the screaming woman that ran around the curve of the observation deck, Jack quickly took the chance to collect himself from the floor and back off a safe distance--]

Eli: Gwen--stay back, what is going--

[The woman named Gwen was hysteric, and grabbed hold of Eli's arm with her free hand...]

[...For the other was busy carrying some... precious cargo.]

"Waaaah!"

Jack: ....

Jack: oh my God is that a baby.

Eli: YOU STAY BACK--

Jack: DUDE I WAS ONLY ASKING--

[T H U M P.]

[A deep, LOUD, primal ROAR cut through the atmosphere, and the building shook once again, swaying, the sounds of metal groaning all around them--]

"WAAAAAAAH!"

Gwen: Shh, shh, it's OK, Lily--!

Eli: Gwen--Stay back with the rest of--

[T H U M P.]

"OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL D E A D--"

[The screams of terrified humans--plus one infant child--resounded once more as the building swayed again.]

Jack: (What the HELL--Plume can't be doing this--she's not--)

[The changing angle of the ground made the CDN lose balance--sliding over to another window, and making the rest of the trapped tourists follow suit. They grabbed onto whatever was bolted down and held on for dear, dear life...]

Jack: Aaarg--...

Jack: --!!!

[When Jack's gyroscopic systems recalibrated, his eyes caught sight of the cause of the sudden tremors through the window beneath...]

Jack: ....Oh no...

Jack: Landcrusher...

Jack: Of ALL THE BOTS IN THE WORLD--

[Landcrusher--the latest member of Germany's combat team--had also been visiting America from overseas when the Virus struck, turning him from a once kind, caring soul into a rampaging beast, intent on toppling the Space Needle--just for the sole purpose of it's fall.]

Landcrusher: {RAAAAAAAGH!!!}

[T H U M P--!]

[His HUGE arms and hands were tearing away at the Needle's base, causing it's structure to bend this way and that--any further, and the landmark would crumble.]

Jack: (He's gonna bring this whole place DOWN--with all these people in it--!)

Jack: (Damn it, I can't take that guy on--he'll WRECK me, and--)

Eli: Goddamnit where's the gun--

Jack: (THIS guy's on the verge of putting one in me--)

Jack: (FRAG--this CAN'T get any worse--!)

{"YOU BIG LUG--"}

[C L A N K!]

Jack: oh sweet lord--PLUME?!

[The fiery Hawaiian had returned--and it was clear that she was NOT in a very happy mood with what she saw.]

Plume: {STAY--}

[A fireball was launched--]

[C L A N K!]

Landcrusher: --ARGN--!!

[--right at Landcrusher's face--!]

Jack: ?!

Plume: {--AWAY FROM MY DANCE PARTNER!!}

[Landcrusher's response was another berserker roar--he SWUNG his massive frame one final time at the Needle before turning his attention to the IKN--]

[Who, with a war cry, launched herself at the larger Xelbot with no fear whatsoever.]

Jack: What....

Eli: That...that's not right...

[Needless to say, the trapped humans were completely horrified at what they saw.]

Jack: (Jeezus, they look ready to TEAR into each other--...)

Jack: ... .....

Jack: (I can't stay here.)

[A glance at the small family. The trapped tourists.]

Jack: (Neither can they--and who knows how long those two are gonna go at it...)

Jack: .......

Jack: Hey.

Eli: --!

Jack: CDN.7037. Call me Jack.

Eli: --You're a Cherry?

Jack: YES I'm a Cherry but that's not the point--

Jack: None of us are gonna make it if we stick around here.

Jack: So does ANYONE have any ideas to get outta here?

Jack: Plume and Crusher aren't gonna fight forever--now's a better chance than any.

Eli: God, I don't know--

"I'M NOT GOING DOWN THE STAIRS, THEY'RE BROKEN--"

"Elevator's out too."

"CAN'T CALL FOR HELP--"

Jack: (.....There really IS no way down from here...)

Jack: (...Not through normal means, anyway...)

[The entire building was now leaning to one side, like some ripoff of the Tower of Pisa--but it did allow it be closer to some of the smaller buildings--Jack could easily swing across...]

Jack: (...There are, what, like more than 30 people here?)

Jack: (Swinging across back and forth would take WAY too long...)

Jack: (There's GOTTA be another way to get these people off...)

Eli: ....Hey--you...you swung up here, didn't you?

Jack: Yeah, I did--

Eli: Can't you--lower us down somehow?

Jack: . . .

Jack: (Lower...)

Jack: --!!

Jack: Eli--I need a wheel--and something long and flat, like a table or something.

Eli: --! You got a plan?

Jack: Yeah...half of one, at least. (I just hope it’s enough!)

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