=CHAPTER 8C: TRAPPED BY LASER LIGHT=

=CHAPTER 3D: VOLTAIC DYNATRON=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers)

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[MEANWHILE, IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON...]

[Chaos still reigned over the rainy city as two super-powered, crazed Battle Colosseum bots waged war against each other--Plume, the exotic Hawaiian fire dancer with graceful agility, and Landcrusher, the giant German powerhouse with a knack for demolition.]

[While the untamed, no holds barred battle raged below, another crisis was unfolding high above the skyline, in the city's very own Space Needle tower...]

Jack: (Great, and just when I THOUGHT things couldn't get WORSE...)

Jack: (...The power had to go and cut out--!)

[This, of course, sent the group trapped in the tower into a panic--it was fairly dark out, now, and with little to no light...]

Eli: Everyone just CALM DOWN--

Jack: (Good thing these goggles have Night Vision--just gotta tie up this last knot...)

[Jack knew he couldn't quite get everyone off the tower one by one--and he knew that Plume wasn't going to last long against a heavy hitter like Landcrusher.]

[He had to improvise, and lucky for him, the Space Needle had just enough material for what he planned to do...]

Jack: Yo, toss me that tablecloth...

[The Space Needle didn't JUST have an observation deck--it was also a restaurant. The tables provided the flat surfaces he needed and the tablecloths made some nice makeshift rope once tied together...]

Eli: ....You sure this is gonna work?

Jack: Nope.

[B O O M!]

Jack: ...But we don't have much choice at the moment...

Jack: Hooookay...

[Now here comes the HARD part.]

Jack: The serving carts are all busted for the wheels...still need two more--

Eli: .....I can pop off the ones from Lily's stroller...

Jack: (Oh, yeah, the lil...)

[Jack looked back over his shoulder to the group of cowering humans--and Gwen, who was holding a sniffling baby Lily near her chest.]

Jack: ........

Eli: ......

Eli: We were...just on vacation when this happened.

Jack: . . .

Eli: .....Do...you know why they're all goin' nuts like that? …I think someone said something about a virus...?

Jack: Yeah--something like that. It infected all the servers--that's how it got into every Xelbot's heads.

Eli: Good God...who would DO something like that?

Jack: … … (Either someone REALLY pissed off, or messed up. Or both.) …Dunno.

Jack: Get those wheels--I'm gonna break open a window.

Eli: --?? Wait--why?

Jack: Ya see that building over there--the one with the bent flagpole?

Jack: I'm gonna swing on over there and finish off the rest of this pulley with the wheels and my wires--then we can start getting people on the carrier we made outta the tables and onto that roof.

Eli: Wait--but--

Jack: Yeah, I know, Landcrusher--that's why once you guys are all on that roof, I'm gonna distract him so you guys can haul chass and get to safety.

Eli: You?

Jack: ...Yeah. That is, if Plume isn't...

Jack: .......

Eli: ....She's, uh...really focused on ya, isn't she?

Jack: Iiiii am pretty sure that's the virus, buddy...

Jack: ....Look--you just try and keep everyone here calm while I go do my thing, OK? (Oh, yeah, it's my THING now--freakin' heck, never imagined THAT...)

Eli: .....I'll.....try.

[Jack turns away from the man to face another window, closest to the building they were aiming for, one end of the makeshift rope in hand.]

Eli: ...Hey.

[Eli threw a pair of small wheels at the CDN, who caught them after they hit his chest and bounced off slightly.]

Eli: ....Thank you.

Jack: Pfft--thank me after you're on that roof, alright?

Eli: Ha...yeah...

Jack: (....Kay--First the window--)

[He planted his boot firmly on the glass, getting a feel of how thick it was, before reeling back and striking it down--]

[Pop!]

[...It swung open with little trouble, as it turns out.]

Jack: (...Oh.)

Jack: (...I'm taking that as a good sign.)

[Snapping on his goggles, now, he calculated a direct path to the safe building--he'd have to freefall a couple of hundred feet to reach a viable swing point--]

Jack: ......

Jack: (Well it's not like I haven't done it before today but FRAG ME--)

Jack: (HOOOOOOKAYcomeonjackdoitforherdoitforthepeopleinhere--)

Jack: (ThereisaBABYinheremanDOIT--)

Jack: AAAAAAAAAAH--

[With a STARTLING yell, he jumped--!!]

"OH MY GOD--"

"WHAT THE--"

"HOLY--IS HE DEAD--?!"

[.......]

[Was he terrified?]

[Yes.]

[...But.]

Jack: AAAAAAAAAAH--

[ZIIIIIIP--!]

[....Fear has a funny way of turning into a thrilling adrenaline rush once you get over it.]

Jack: --HAAAAAAAHAHAWOO!

[Even HE didn't understand why--]

[Though that wasn't exactly on his mind, at the moment--]

[But, somehow, the more he felt himself being swung across, left and right, that rush of air on his face--]

[The less it felt like some life or death situation and more like a roller coaster or something!]

Jack: WOOOOOOO--

Jack: --OOOOOOOOH SH--

[BAM--!]

[While Jack was becoming quite acquainted with the innate powers his ability gave him--]

[Landing was...a learned trait.]

Jack: OWFRA--

[He rolled across the roof, bouncing one or twice before settling to a stop--a groaning mess, yes, and he was SURE something popped--]

Jack: OwcrapOW...

[...But all in all, he was still functional, at least.]

Jack: F-Frag that smarts--ow--

Jack: Nnngh gonna feel that in the morning--

[With some difficulty, he managed to get on his feet. He was dizzy, and somewhat dazed from the rush before--]

Jack: Uuuuugh don't feel so good...

Jack: (No--focus, damn it, need to finish this--)

Jack: (Where is that flagpole--)

[It was bent over in an awkward position--but in such a way that it was possible to attach the makeshift rope and wheels to complete the pulley system they needed.]

Jack: (Tie this--here--and put this there--get this wheel to spin and wrap the thing around that--)

Jack: (--SHIT HOW AM I GONNA LET ELI KNOW IT'S DONE--CAN HE SEE ME FROM HERE--??)

Jack: (--Waitwaitwaitdo I have anything in the bag here that can help me--)

Jack: (--FLASHLIGHT--well OK more like a lantern almost bUT I CAN USE THIS THANK YOU MISS EIGHT--!)

———————————

“Heh, yeah, Morse is a great thing t’ know. Some letters are easier than others. s’ like old school texting, ya know? Most people only know ’S.O.S’, but… in a pinch, using ‘G O’ or ‘O K’ or ’N O’ will work just ‘cause a’ context. Ah’ guess for most people, ‘yes’, ‘no’, an’ ‘help’ are all ya really need if things are so dire as t’ be usin’ it. Now, listen close—here are those letters for you…”

———————————

[After securing that last knot, he fumbles with the light, and after finally finding that darn--]

Jack: Hope you know what this means, Eli--

{G O.}

[........]

"HEY--HE MADE IT--! HE'S GOT A LIGHT--"

"But--it's blinking--?"

Eli: (Is he trying to tell us something--?)

"HEY WAIT, THAT'S MORSE CODE--!"

"HE'S SAYING GO--OH GOD HE DID IT WE'RE GONNA BE OK--!"

Eli: ALRIGHT, EVERYONE LINE UP--WE'RE GONNA GO TWO AT A TIME, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST--!

[.........]

Jack: pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease--

Jack: --!!!

[The makeshift carrier starts to move--and it was holding--!]

Jack: YES!!

[Jack helps it along faster by moving the rope along, and helping the passengers off once they do touch down safely, then sending the carrier back to repeat the process.]

[It was nail-biting-- watching the carrier move over the chaos below, and it looked as if it was going to fall on a few occasions--]

[Which wasn't much fun for anyone.]

[Jack didn't think he could pray any harder than he was now--heck, he wasn't even all that religious in the first place.]

[...But maybe Siam was right, about him being on Lady Luck's good side. Or there really WAS a God, after all.]

[Eli was the last passenger that survived the heart pounding trip--]

[--After every single trapped human before him went first.]

[Cheers! Cheers exploded over the rooftop, in the heart of destruction and crisis! Loud, joyous, HOPE--!]

Jack: OOF--!

[...Eli had collected Jack in a bear hug, muttering chants of thanks--and it wasn't long before he was crowed by the other rescued humans as well--]

Jack: (Getting--hard to breathe--)

Gwen: Oh, thank you, THANK YOU--!

"YEAAAAAH WE AIN'T GONNA DIE--!" "AAAAH WE'RE ALIVE THANK YOU--!" "YOU'RE MY HERO, MAN--"

Jack: Uh--you're welcome? ^^;

Eli: God, how can we--

[B O O M!]

"GNNNRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Jack: --!!!

Jack: (...Landcrusher.)

Jack: EVERYONE HAS TO GET OFF OF THIS ROOF, NOW!

[Goggles on, time to roll--]

Jack: --?!

Eli: YOU'RE COMING TOO--!

[Several of the rescued humans drag him away from the edge, and start to lead him towards the door into the building--]

Jack: WAIT--STOP--!

Eli: No offense, Jack, but I ain't gonna let you throw your life away like that, not after this--!

Jack: BUT THEY'RE COMING THIS WAY ELI I GOTTA HEAD THEM OFF--

[There was what appeared to be a spectacular light show that was suuuuSPIIIIIICIOUSLY LIKE DYNA’S TRADEMARK ABILITY—]

[—which, after repeating itself, was followed up by some green flashes.]

Jack: --??!

Jack: What--?

[He was led away by the humans before he could see any more...]

Jack: (What in the world was--?)

[..........]

[The rest of it all seemed like a huge blur.]

[Once they had safely exited the building, the group mostly broke apart, scrambling for the cars left on the streets--the ones that had chosen to stick with Eli and his family, however, followed him down several blocks--]

[...to where they found a mostly functional van belonging to some cable company, with the keys still in the ignition.]

[Eli was planning to get as far away from the city as possible and—God willing—make it to Canada.]

Eli: ....What do ya mean you're not coming--?

Jack: --I can't...

Jack: ...Remember that person I told you about that REALLY wouldn't like it if I got killed or something...?

Eli: ...You were SERIOUS?

Jack: Listen I know that sounds INSANE but--!

Jack: I have had a REALLY weird day and frankly I would like nothing more than to get somewhere safe but I can't leave her out there.

Jack: I have no idea if she's OK or infected or whatever but wherever she is, she's probably ALONE and she needs SOMEONE and--

Eli: JACK.

Jack: --...

Eli: ......

Eli: Where do you think she is?

Jack: I...I don't know.

Eli: .....

Eli: Well.

Eli: You saved our lives--all of our lives.

Eli: ...Only fair that I pay you back in kind, somehow.

Jack: --?

Eli: Lemmie help you find a working car--at least to get you out of the city.

Jack: But--

Jack: It's not mine--

Eli: Jack. We're in the middle of a damn APOCALYPSE and you're worried about grand theft auto?

Jack: Well--but--

Eli: Enough of your whining--I'll be right back, Gwen, watch Lily--Come on, Cherry, before any more crazies show up.

Jack: Uh--I...um.

Jack: (...Iiiii am gonna regret this...)

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=CHAPTER 5A: DESOLATE HIGHWAY=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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

[SANDA LABS...

June 26th, 20XX]

[It had been hours since everyone had gone to bed. But the next bit of news… quickly changed that.]

[KSSSSST!]

[CALL] //: -VERY LOUD PING-

[CALL] //: Attention—

[MN.9] //: -JERKS AWAKE, SORRY, WHAT, WHAT IS IT--

[There’s the sound of someone falling all over a table or something, followed by others coming Online.]

<DWN-018>: > Geez! Are you okay, Gemini?

<DWN-019>: > -MUCH DISGRUNTLED TO BE STARTLED SO-

<DWN-012>: > Has something happened, or?

<DWN-018>: > Hang on, I’m gonna go make sure Siam didn’t hurt himself jumping into the ceiling…

<DWN-018 has left the channel.>

[MN.3] //: -Ouch...-

[MN.1] //: Call?

[Call doesn't answer back, but instead shifts the feed to a radio channel...?]

"—Highway Alpha 6 is under attack, I repeat, Highway Alpha 6 is under attack--Eyewitnesses have spotted a rouge robot destroying vehicles with no regard to innocent life—"

"We have reports that the rouge robot is armed with bladed weapons and is currently in the Four Corners area—"

<FMN-006>: > AHA!

<FMN-001>: > Avi no flying in the house— GET BACK HERE—

[MN.9] //: —!!!

[MN.1] //: Brandish—?!

[DR.WHITE] //: Highway Alpha 6—Call!

[CALL] //: Scanning...

<DWN-011>: > Welp. Gonna get complicated pretty quick, I bet. …Hope he doesn’t run into Cardinal.

<DWN-019>: > THAT would end poorly for both of them.

<DWN-013>: > What makes you think—?

<DWN-019>: > It’s not the statistical likelihood that’s bothersome… more the fact that Cardinal is known to have prepared to travel by highway—he took Shadow’s light cycle with him.

<DWN-019>: > And he won’t have any patience for anyone who tries to interfere…

<DWN-013>: > Well, I’d think we’d have more DEFINITE concerns to worry about.

<FMN-006>: > -Just let us scan the news feeds, please-

[MN.9] //: -Already suiting up and getting ready, listening over the feeds.-

[MN.1] //: -Gah, we have no immediate modes of transportation...- Beck, you're going to either need wheels or use Aviator's form to catch up to Brandish.

[MN.9] //: -...Lost all of my forms when I got reset, Avi's is the only option.-

<DWN-013>: > ... I'd offer my light cycle, but I think flying will be faster.

<DWN-019>: > -Scowls- If only Cardinal hadn't taken ITEM-2 as well...

<DWN-019>: > I don't understand WHY he did that, he has his OWN windsurfer...

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

[MN.9] //: (Mic's form would have helped too, Brand's weak to it, but...)

[MN.9] //: What's Brand's status?

[DR.WHITE] //: Still the same as ever...Full Combat Mode, no restrictions...

[DR.WHITE] //: (But a highway...)

[DR.WHITE] //: (Brandish...what are you doing...?)

-PING!-

<FMN-006>: > Knew it.

[MN.9] //: Yeah? Got something?

[CALL] //: -Ping of inquiry-

<FMN-006>: > Yeah. Pretty sure it’s confirmation she’s on the move.

<DWN-013>: > …Out of curiosity… what makes you so certain?

<FMN-006>: > Food’s involved, Jayjay.

<DWN-013>: > -Please don’t call me that-

[MN.1] //: (...Even in her state—??)

<FMN-001 to MNN-001>: > -Well what else did you expect, really… this is SHADE we’re talking about here-

<DCN-007>: > …So you’re saying that now we have an assassin AND a sword master to worry about? At the same time?

<FMN-006>: > -Well you don’t need to put it like THAT…-

<DWN-012>: > No offense, but could she REALLY catch up to him? She’s not built for speed.

<FMN-007>: > … Do not underestimate the willpower of an angry woman.

[MN.3] //: -He'szzz got a point-

[MN.9] //: -...WELP, NOW THINGS ARE JUST BAD AND WORSE-

[CALL] //: ...MN.7's transponder signal is moving at extremely high speeds. I am also receiving reports that the remote controlled vehicles on site are behaving erratically on the next sections of Highway Alpha.

<FMN-009>: > I can help! I’ll handle my sister, you focus on your Seven!

[DR.WHITE] //: That's—

[MN.9] //: —the best thing I've heard all day, PLEASE.

<FMN-009>: > ^^;;7

[DR.WHITE] //: -But—-

[MN.9] //: -TWO OF ME IS BETTER THAN ONE, DAD.-

<DWN-019>: > Um. Won’t that cause problems if you’re seen…?

<FMN-006>: > I can handle that. Leave that to me.

<DCN-003>: > Perhaps oldest cousin will show up near Lady Shade, yes?

<MC005>: > …I must admit that IS a possibility, though not very likely…

<MC005>: > Regardless of who else may or may not be there, it would seem that you both have to start preparing, Number Nine.

<FMN-009>: > Yes sir.

[DR.WHITE] //: -...Kinda just gives up trying to argue because what is the poooooint--

[CALL] //: Xel Transfer will be delayed, as it is difficult to teleport upon a moving object....

[CALL] //: ...but not impossible.

[MN.9] //: -—Wait what-

<DWN-012>: > GOOD LUCK, DUDE 8’D

[MN.9] //: -I thought the cars were—I mean—oh man—-

[MN.3] //: -BZZZT, PLEASE BE CAREFUL, BECKY—-

[CALL] //: Dr. Sanda, I have calculated that it would be wise to cut off Brandish by teleporting Nine to a further section of the highway.

[DR.SANDA] //: Oof...just make sure that you get him on something big...

<FMN-006 to CALL>: > -Ping- Hey—I’ve heard you lend a hand sometimes by getting people out and about unseen?

[CALL to FMN.6] //: That would be correct, No. 6. It is illogical that certain measures of action are deemed too dangerous when the probability of success would be increased otherwise.

<FMN-006 to CALL>: > Well, I may get back to you on that…

[CALL to FMN.6] //: ...Acknowledged.

[DR.WHITE] //: We're going to have to time the cut off very close...

[CALL] //: Yes, Doctor. Preparing Xel Transfer.

[MN.9] //: (...Hang in there, Nii-San...)

[While Call calculated the coordinates, Beck does a final check of his various forms, going in numerical order until...]

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR]

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: > wELL looks like you’re ready GOOD LUCK my friend

<DWN-013 has left the channel.>

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

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

[MN.9] //: (...I...I never really got the hang of flying...)

[MN.9] //: (I sure hope some of Avi's experience got assimilated too...)

<MC005>: > … -Sighs- Don’t mind him. Are you ready?

[MN.9] //: Ready for the runwa—

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

[MN.9] //: —I—I mean the HIGHway—

[MN.1] //: —???

<FMN-006>: > -THUMBS UP-

<FMN-009>: > Let’s just cruise on over—

<FMN-006>: > -APPROVAL PINGS FOR DAAAAAYS-

[MN.2] //: -YEAAAAAAAAH—-

[MN.1] //: -Just—confused, since when was—-

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: -you can't stop either can you-

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: -what is happening with uuuuussss-

<FMN-009 to MNN-009>: > -IT’S A THING WITH AVI’S FORM, OOPS- -This happened last time, too- -Normally I just don’t say as much so it took forever to notice-

<FMN-009 to MNN-009>: > -Makes him really high spirited, though—GAH, even thoughts, this is worse than I remembered-

<FMN-009>: > Need to hit the road and make tracks… -Has given up trying to make it stop-

[MN.9] //: -YEAH let's just jet before Brand—DANG IT- -CALL PLEASE HURRY UP-

<FMN-001>: > …?

<FMN-009>: > Looks like there’s a bit of a delay on this end—you go on ahead. Need a more precise location for Sis—lemme know if you see sign of her.

[CALL] //: ....

[CALL] //: Coordinates set.

[MN.9] //: Roger that— -Oh man this IS worse than last time-

[DR.WHITE] //: Please be very careful, Beck—!

[MN.9] //: Yeah, we will.

[CALL] //: Xel Transfer initiated.

[MN.9] //: {I'm coming to save you, big brother...!}

______________________

[MISSION DETAILS: MIGHTY NO. 7, BRANDISH, HAS BEEN SPOTTED ON THIS NEW MEXICO HIGHWAY, CAUSING RECKLESS DESTRUCTION AMONG THE MALFUNCTIONING AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES. FIGHTING MIGHTY NO. 8, COUNTERSHADE 'KATE' WHITE, IS ALSO MOVING TOWARDS THE OBJECTIVE.]

[MISSION OBJECTIVE: PURSUE AND RESCUE MN.7, PURGE ALL HARMFUL MALWARE FROM SYSTEMS.]

[SUB-OBJECTIVES: IF POSSIBLE, LOCATE FMN.8 AND RELAY TO FMN.9 FOR SYSTEM XEL PURGE, MINIMIZE RMDC IMPACT.]

SYSTEMS READY?

GO!

[As Beck fully materialized into the moving rig, the heavy wind and rainfall splattered across his armor and face, causing him to shiver slightly. Buildings with holographic adverts were nothing but blurs, the speed of the vehicles almost making him dizzy.]

Beck: (Fast—WAY too fast—!)

[By his internal instruments, the rig was going at LEAST 90 miles per hour—!]

Soi: Great Scott, Mother Nature is NOT kind today...!

Will: -Oh no no please don't slip, please--

-PING!-

<DWN-012>: > Easy guys, easy!

<DWN-012>: > Beck—try adjusting your visual processing speed. It’ll help a lot.

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

[After fiddling around with some settings, he blinked, and visibly relaxed as his optics adjusted, the blurs now becoming readable and not as disorientating...]

Beck: (Oh, man, that's MUCH better...)

[MN.9] //: Thanks, Speedy!

<DWN-012>: > No problem. Glad to help. Now, remember—your vision speed is going to be faster, so adjust to how your vision and motor systems coordinate before jumping off into the air. Try it out—once you get used to moving while seeing at that speed, it’ll be easier to move around.

<DWN-012>: > Remember, you’re just SEEING faster, not necessarily moving faster.

[MN.9] //: -Got it, gonna try that out now--

[PING!]

[CALL] //: Warning--! Contact in--

[SHING!]

<DWN-012>: > -DATA—-

<DWN-012>: > -I KNOW THAT SOUND, THAT IS THE SOUND OF LETHAL BLADED WEAPONRY-

[Even with Beck's vision processing at higher speeds...--]

[He still couldn't identify what had split the falling raindrops just mere inches from his face.]

[Beck stumbled backwards, and the red Mighty Number seemingly falls from the sky, as if he had either teleported--]

[Or...]

Beck: Brand!

<DWN-012 to MNN-007>: > -PING PING PING PING PING PING PING PING PING—-

<DWN-012 to MNN-007>: > Brandish! You’re alive—!

<DWN-012 to MNN-009>: > Something’s off here, Beck—

<DWN-012 to MNN-009>: > When people with our power and speed move just short of hitting you in the face, we’re missing on PURPOSE!

<DWN-012 to MNN-009>: > trust me on this, I’ve DONE it before with my own brother…

Beck: --!!

[On...on purpose...?]

Beck: Brand...?

Brand: . . . .

Brand: N-Ngh...

[Brandish's arms shake ever so slightly as he stands firm across from Beck, a death grip on either of his blades. His eyes are shut tightly--]

Brand: ...O...Otouto...--

<DWN-012>: > …

Beck: --!!!

Beck: Nii-San--!!

<DWN-013>: > -SUDDENLY, ABRUPTLY- BRANDISH!

<DWN-013>: > Keep fighting it!

<DWN-012 to MNN-009>: > We… recognize this…!

<DWN-012 to MNN-009>: > Jaden… Jaden was this same way!

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

[DR.SANDA] //: Seven--!

Brand: --!

Brand: {F...Father...Uncle...}

<DWN-012>: > Hang in there, Sev—

[PING PING PING!]

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

[MN.2] //: -LITTLE BRO, YOU CAN DO IT--!

[MN.3] //: -BRAAAAND--!

<DCN-008>: > {Brandish, Shadow is here—he will want to see you. You have to keep resisting!}

Brand: Ngh--!!

[His head turns to one side, and for a moment he looks as if he is about to collapse at any given moment...]

Beck: Hang on, Nii-san, just sit still for a--

[SHING!]

Brand: NO!

<DWN-013>: > -Harsh warning data- Beck—to your aid, an unlikely friend, indeed…

<DWN-013>: > But it’s a constant struggle, fraught with pain, and there are limits…

<DWN-013>: > We might purposefully miss, but that doesn’t mean we won’t make a strike!

[He turns back, slashing in a wild angle so that Beck would stop in his tracks. His eyes snap open, and they are a deep, deep violet color.]

Brand: KEEP--KEEP AWAY--!

<DWN-013>: > -Oh, Brandish, we are INCREDIBLY empathetic and I, personally, am really feeling rather wretched in the cross-references this brings to me-

Beck: --!!

[It fades off, however, to his normal blue, and he recoils back, away from his brother.]

Brand: I'm warning you, Beck--

Brand: Stay AWAY--Ngh!

<DWN-013 to MNN-007>: > Brandish…!

<DWN-013 to MNN-007>: > -We understand-

<DWN-013 to MNN-007>: > Fight it. Fight it! You are stronger than I could ever have been. Do not let it take you without a fight to be told for years to come!

[Despite the pleas, he retreats, impressively jumping two cars ahead to another rig, and before long, he disappears into the rainy haze of the night.]

Beck: BRAND--WAIT--!

Beck: I'm going after him, Professor--!

[DR.WHITE] //: Affirmative, Beck--just be sure to mind your step traversing those vehicles. Keep in mind what Twelve has told you!

[MN.9] //: Got it!

<MC005>: > -Sighs- His control truly is incredible.

<MC005>: > Forgive the metaphor, but—

<MC005>: > Just because a horse rebels against the reigns does not mean the bridle isn’t there.

[MN.9] //: -Yeah...no kidding...-

<MC005>: > There is a directive—

<DWN-013>: > -Ping-

<DWN-013>: > When…

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-012>: > …

<DWN-012>: > -We are here, brother-

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: > When…

[He seems to be struggling to keep it verbal, rather than abstract.]

<DWN-013>: > It… was easier to fight if. I could… take an option that would… trick it by seeming, possibly, to obey…

<DWN-013>: > We… he will… aim to miss, if he can, but it is easier to do that than to hold back entirely.

<DWN-013>: > But you must be quick if you corner him, Beck. Or…

<DWN-013>: > …

[He gave off data of pure dread and hopelessness, almost an intense kind of cold in quiet despair.]

<DWN-013>: > (In the end… his will overcame the program…)

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

[MN.9] //: Where's he heading?

[CALL] //: Due southeast, towards Alpha 1. Proceed with caution.

[Beck nodded, and quickly dashed forward. It was a little dizzying given that he was seeing faster, and therefore made his Dash feel a bit strange--]

[But, after jumping over a few cars and trailers, he picked up the motions fairly quickly.]

Beck: (Think I got it...)

[....Strangely, all is...almost quiet, other than the sounds of rain and engines and his own feet against metal.]

[It was...kinda desolate--were there no people on this highway?]

Beck: (But these cars are automatic, either they should be stuck or...--)

Beck: (O...Or...)

[CALL] //: ...I am receiving distressed signals from Nine. Are you well?

[MN.9] //: -Just--had a really nasty thought, ngh--

<DCN-000>: > What’s that?

<DWN-011>: > “Distressed” means—

<DCN-000>: > No! I mean, why is the car squished.

<DWN-019>: > …What ARE you looking at?

<DCN-000>: > I saw it! It was squished.

<DWN-019>: > Well it’s not there now—

[MN.9] //: -Nope, nope, he gonna forget he ever thought that and just keep going--

<DWN-013>: > Uh… Beck?

[MN.9] // --?

<DWN-013>: > Are those signs supposed to be moving like that?

[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEEEEP!]

Beck: --WAAH!

[The Mighty Number was swarmed by a group of thin, floating display screens, which were switching different images of road signs and signals on their front and back. They rammed themselves into Beck, who raised up his arms in defense!]

Beck: SIGN BOTS--?!

Beck: -UGH, OW, STOP--!-

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON]

[BZZZZZZT!]

[Taking advantage of the wet weather, Beck shifted into his sister's form and let loose a strong electrical discharge, which fried the sign bots and their Xel Structures. They turned a deep blue, much to Beck's relief.]

<DWN-013>: > … Iiiiiii will take that as a “no."

[XEL STOCK 1 QUOTA REACHED.]

[MN.9] //: Ow, that hurt...

[MN.9] //: Please tell me those were the only sign bots on this highway---

[CALL] //: This is a major interstate. There are many Sanda sign bot models across th--

Beck: Dad DESIGNED those??

Soi: Eheh...n-no. I did...

<MC005>: > …I am utterly fascinated but I won’t go off on that tangent at the moment…

<MC005>: > Though I find it curious that they seem not to have tried to swarm Brandish. Either they can tell he is infected, or he was too fast for them, I suppose…?

<DCN-000>: > Look! See, there’s another one!

<DWN-019>: > What ARE you looking at, how can you see anything through this RAIN…

<MC005>: > I designed him to perform almost exclusively outdoors, Siam.

<DWN-019>: > … -Oh, right-

[Beck absentmindedly wondered what in the world Snow was talking about as he transverses the highway, switching back to default to shoot the sign bots before they swarmed him and dashed to collect their Xel.]

[He came upon another rig, which was--]

Beck: --!!

[--filled with strange, round, green robots?]

Beck: Whoa--!

[They rolled around the rig to and fro, dangerous spikes around their rims, and...]

[...They had the trademark eyesets and logo of none other than CherryDyn.]

<DCN-000>: > Uncle Will?

Will: ....??

<DCN-000>: > Why do they have a big power button on them?

<MC005 to DR.WHITE>: > Congratulations, you’ve been promoted. -Amused-

[DR.WHITE to MC005] //: --Mikhail please--

[MN.9] //: Dad--Dad, what ARE these?

Will: I...I have no idea--!

Soi: I've never seen this model before... What in the world--there are dozens of them...!

[MN.2] //: -WHO CARES, SHOOT IT, BRO.-

[MN.9] //: -Does it even take damage, I mean it has SPIKES so I don't wanna touch it--

[MN.2] //: -SHOOT IT OR I'LL HIT YOU.-

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

Mikhail: Sanda, I’m rather confused about something.

Soi: --? Yes?

Mikhail: Why would CherryDyn make something like that? I can’t think of an Industrial use for it, and it is rather impractical as a Combat construct, save perhaps as target practice…

Mikhail: Unless they’re capable of more than they appear…

Soi: Good...question...?

Soi: Strange...

Beck: (Weird--they don't even SEEM all that practical...?)

[Beck raised his arm cannon and took careful aim, and then fired a few shots at the strange CDNs...]

[WRRRRRRR!!]

Beck: --!?

[...They did NOT like that.]

[They didn't even FLINCH, though they did indeed take damage--]

Beck: --oh NO--

[They sped up--faster, and faster, causing Beck to jump erratically to avoid them--what's more, they didn't roll off the edge, but rather changed direction back towards Beck.]

Beck: --They're CHASING me??

<DWN-011>: > … -Welp. Run.-

<DWN-012>: > -SEE NOW, IF YOU HAD /MY/ FORM YOU COULD PROBABLY JUST RUN THIS WHOLE OBSTACLE COURSE INSTEAD OF ALL THE JUMPING, BUT- 8’D

<DCN-003>: > HMM MAYBE LEAVE NOW THEN YES GOOD

<DCN-007>: > Da, they don’t look like they’d be able to jump…

[MN.9] //: -YUP, WE'RE JUST GONNA DASH ON OUTTA HERE--

[There were several crates that could be climbed on near the end of this rig--Beck wasted no time shifting to Avi's form and hovering over to the top most one.]

[WRRRRR--!!]

[...The wheel-like CDNs did not like this either.]

Beck: --?!?

[They backed up, and gained enough momentum to hop the first crate--then the second--]

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

<DWN-012>: > ARE YOU KIDDING ME, THEY DON’T EVEN HAVE ARMS—

<DWN-013>: > -sNORTS-

Will: (What strange models--they're clearly CherryDyn, but something is... off... )

[Frustrated, Beck decides to just abandon the rig altogether, and favors for another moving vehicle--a car-- and gently sets down on it's roof.]

[The wheel models, of course, try to follow--]

[SCREEEEEECH!!]

Beck: GNH--!

[The car he was standing on lurched forward, picking up more speed—]

Beck: -WHOA BALANCE, WHERE ARE YOU—-

Will: BECK!

[With the car far too out of reach, the wheel models end up jumping right into the speeding asphalt, a horrid crunching sound following suit. ]

[Beck ends up falling backwards into the car--]

[Hard.]

[CRRRSHH--]

Soi: --??!

<DWN-019>: > …That. <DWN-019>: > Didn’t sound good.

[...The roof caved in, and Beck's backside met luxury leather.]

Beck: --Oof--!

[MN.3] //: --He'szz in the CAR??

Beck: Ow...

Beck: ....???

Beck: Huh...?

<MC005>: > …

[Mikhail had to quietly turn aside to maintain his composure. Despite—or perhaps because of—the serious situation, it was just too much, and the image of Beck in a luxury vehicle was rather ridiculous.]

Will: E...err...

Soi: -SILENTLY PANICKING BECAUSE BECK DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE-

Beck: Uuuuuh...

[...The inside seemed...nice.]

[...If it wasn't for the fact the displays and lights were all a sick purple, and no one was at the wheel.]

[There was a slight groan.]

<DWN-019>: > …?

<DWN-019>: > Beck? Are you alright?

Beck: Y-Yeah? For the most part--everything in here is all--a weird purple-- and the radio is--

“Ugh… what the glitchfrag hell—”

<DWN-019>: > ?!

Beck: --it's all static but I...--

Beck: --?!?

[And then, as if a vision of a (very disgruntled) goddess of old…]

[The cowgirl decloaked.]

Beck: --!!!

Beck: Kate--?!

Kate: Beck?

Kate: What in th’ nine hells are ya DOIN’ HERE of all places?!

Beck: .....

Beck: Enjoying a nice driiiiive--?

[She pushed him aside to take the driver’s seat, shifting into her civvies.]

Kate: We’re fraggin’ lucky this ain’t a stick-shift, ya runt of a twit… -grumble-

[--OW--]

[The car did not like this, and only sped up.]

[And then she growled and GLARED at it.]

[…it immediately changed its mind and obeyed.]

Beck: --!!

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: ME--UH. I FOUND KATE--AND WE'RE KINDA IN A CAR--

<FMN-009 to MNN-009>: > YOU’RE WHAT

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: THE ROOF FELL--

<FMN-009 to MNN-009>: > AAAAH SHE DRIVES WORSE THAN DYNA but better than Cryo, don’t tell her I said that

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: SHE   W H A T--

[Oddly enough, Kate seemed to be handling the car just fine—especially considering she was simply using a left hand to steer and use the signals. She’d turned on the wipers and the brights, and was signaling to veer off the highway to another exit.]

Kate: You need to get out of here. It’s much too dangerous for you.

Beck: Uuuuh...

[Oh, now they had a problem--if he told Kate he was going after Brand too, she's definitely not gonna like that...]

Beck: But--what about you, I can't just LEAVE you here--!

Kate: Oh yes you can.

Kate: Cryin’ out loud, Becky—Ah’ thought you a’ ALL people ‘ld have a bit of FAITH in me…

[She growled again, though this time it was almost a wolflike snarl.]

Kate: Unlike SOME people.

Beck: --Wha--?

Beck: -Baaacks away as far as he could-

[...OK, that was freaky scary....]

<FMN-009>: > The best you’re going to get out of her is to stall her—just get her off at the nearest exit and sneak off when she’s distracted!

[MN.9] //: -Stall, stall...-

Beck: (Ngh...)

Beck: Kate--Sis, I DO, I swear, but--I don't want to see anyone get hurt over all this--!

Kate: Get hurt over what? -Clearly grouchy- Ain’t got a clue what yer talkin’ about.

[She had somehow woven her way seamlessly through the cars to pull off at the next exit—which thankfully was a rest stop and not more highway.]

Beck: THIS! -WAVES ARMS AROUND TO SIGNIFY THE SITUATION THEY ARE IN-

Beck: (Come on, think, think--!)

Beck: (I'm just making her angry, maybe...)

Kate: Then what are you doin’ out here? -Snorts- Of course yer gonna get hurt if you go out in a thunderstorm with a lightnin’ rod, Lil’ Nine! -Applying the brakes- I can secure the area for ya, but you’ll have t’ call Daddy on yer own. Ah’ ain’t comin’ back with ya. Not yet.

Beck: Ngh--!

Beck: (I'm not getting through to her--)

Beck: --!

Beck: (But maybe...maybe--!)

[She pulled the car to a stop and got out.]

Kate: Stay put, Nine.

[SLAM!]

Kate: Ah’ve got a job t’ do still, and ya don’t wanna be in mah way.

Beck: ......

Beck: -Pretends to pout and sit in the seat.-

Beck: .......

[MN.9 to MN.3] //: Psssst!

[MN.3 to MN.9] //: --!

[MN.9 to MN.3] //: Dyna--I need you to distract Kate--!

[MN.3 to MN.9] //: Wait, what--how?

[MN.9 to MN.3] //: Just--talk to her, maybe she doesn't know you're cured--or--I don't know, just stall!

[MN.3 to MN.9] //: OK OK, um--

[MN.3 to MN.9] //: Here goeszz nothing--

[PING!]

[Kate was already making her way back to the highway, but she raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement before pinging back in response.]

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: ...Zzsiiisszz?

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: --?? Woooow I hear a lot of background noiszze, what ISZZ that--? Zzsoundszz annoying--

Dyna: -Jeezz Beck I zsswear I'm gonna get you back for thiszz--

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > Oh, hai sis!

[She seemed perky, in a good mood.

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > Gonna have t’ pick Becky up from daycare. The noise is traffic.

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > Ah’ got a bit… heh… DERAILED.

[She sighs, pausing and looking to the sky thoughtfully. The purple glow of her eye faded for a moment.]

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > -Softly- … He woulda liked that, Ah’ think. …

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: Iszz that right...?

[While Dyna conversed with Kate, Beck scooted out of the his seat and looked for a way out of the car--maybe he can climb out the hole in the roof? He'll have to be quick...]

[MN.9 to MN.3] //: Whatever you're doing, keep it up--

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > …He said some real mean thangs, Sis.

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: --!!

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > N-nrrghh… It hurt so bad…!

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: ....

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: Izz that so... -BZZZZT, static-y angry sounding buzzes--

[Beck silently grabbed the edge of the hole and hoisted himself up, over and on the other side of the car so that he could hide behind it.]

Beck: (Gotta make a break for it...come on, sis...)

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > He said all ah’ was good for was bein’ a nightmare… that Ah’ was built that way…

[She was… clearly genuinely hurt over this.]

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: > Ah’ don’t understan’, Sis.

<FMN-008 to MNN-003>: >  He… he’d always stood up f… for me…!

[MN.3 to FMN.8] //: ....I--

[ACXELERATE DASH: MAX OUTPUT REACHED.]

[A blur of blue and white suddenly sped out from behind the car--!]

[Kate didn’t notice. Instead, she burst into an aura of violet flames.]

<FMN-008 to MNN-ALL>: > AAAAUUUGH—!

<FMN-008 to MNN-ALL>: > WAI DOES EVERYONE THINK AH’ CAN’T DO NOTHIN’ AN’ AH’M JUST GOOD FER LOOKS?!

<FMN-008 to MNN-ALL>: > AIN’T FAIR!

<FMN-008 to MNN-ALL>: > -Searing bitterness directed specifically at Pyro for all to feel-

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

[There is the sound of someone collapsing over the feeds--]

[MN.2] //: BIG BRO--!

[MN.3] //: -sHRIEKS--

<FMN-008 has blocked MNN-ALL.>

[She vanished from sight and was gone.]

[Meanwhile…]

[MN.1] //: -w...we're fine--it's...argh--

Mikhail: Pyro! Are you sure you’re alright? -DAD MODE ENGAGED, it’s not normal for him to just collapse like that, never seen it before-

Will: -RUSHES OVER TO SON'S SIDE--

[MN.1] //: I...

[MN.1] //: -Shifts to abstract, we're just-- overwhelmed, it was all mostly directed to us...-

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

[MN.1] //: I...she...

[MN.1] //: I didn't...but...

[MN.2] //: -FLAILS, LAY DOWN BRO, PLEAAAASE--

Mikhail: Easy… easy…

[There’s the patter of small feet. And suddenly, a Snowbab.]

[He was playing some music over broadcast.]

Snow: -Climbs on top of Pyro to clinghug, you can’t stop him-

Snow: -Softly- Mister Pyyyyroooo…

Snow: Let’s go make rice balls an’ such for when Mister Brandish an’ Miss Eight are rescued.

[The music certainly helps, and the Leader's breathing slowly evens out...he manages to sit up a bit, Cryo already on Pyro's shoulder while Snow clung to the other.]

Pyro: ....Mng...In a moment, Snow, let me catch my breath...

Pyro: .....

Pyro: (Kate...)

Will: --Soi--

Soi: -Already doing scans to make double sure Pyro's OK, we got you-

[MN.9] //: Pyro--you OK?

[MN.1] //: -Been worse, we'll be OK-

[MN.1] //: -Focus on your mission, we can handle things here.-

<DCN-000>: > An’ there will be food when you finish! : D

[MN.9] //: Roger that. Heading back into the Highway--

[Back at the Highway…]

[There was no sign of Kate.]

Mikhail: ... You're going to just have to go on regardless.

Beck: Figures...

[A quick Dash and a well timed jump, and Beck was back on another rig. The rain was finally letting up now, thankfully...]

[...But no sign of Brand...]

Beck: (He's probably WAY up ahead...)

Beck: (I gotta get moving before Brand gets too far--)

[CRUNCH!]

Beck: --?!?

[Beck whirled around to look behind him, and heard a loud crashing sound way off in the distance...]

Beck: (What was...?)

"AAAAAAAAAAA--"

Beck: --???

Beck: (That...sounds really familiar...)

[CALL] //: Attention--I have picked up another model's signal.

Soi: Huh?

[CALL] //: Verifying...

[Beck continued onward, once again shifting to Avi's form to fly over the larger gaps between the moving cars, and just narrowly avoiding another swarm of sign bots.]

Beck: Starting to really hate those things...

[PING!]

[CALL] //: Signal verified. The unit is Cherry Dynamics Number 7037.

Beck: 70--WAIT--

All: JACK?!

Mikhail: Dear heavens.

Speedy: Duuuuuuude he actually MADE it this far??

Siam: Well THAT Gemini: will certainly Siam: keep her attention Gemini: for a Siamini: while!

Beck: --But--! Jack could--!

[MN.1] //: --Ngh--Beck, if Jack made it all the way here on his own, then he can handle this. You need to keep moving!

<DCN-008>: > You must continue. For their safety.

<DCN-008>: > If she were to catch up to Brandish…

<DCN-008>: > If they get too close, it is not certain he would hold back: for she has been rude to him, and Jack was his opponent who delayed him in a time of crisis—and since the virus exacerbates all grievances…

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

[He was right. He had to go save Brand...]

Beck: (Ooooh...please be careful, Jack...!)

[MN.9] //: --...Yes, sir...

[Forced to leave the CDN behind, Mighty Number Nine climbed another set of crates, blasting away at the flying models that cluttered the brightening overhead...]

[CALL] //: Warning--I am receiving reports of Seven destroying several vehicles in the road ahead. Incoming debris is a certainty.

Beck: --He's...?!

Soi: There's a tunnel coming up ahead too--it may affect visibility, so be careful!

[CALL] //: .....Odd.

Will: ...? What is?

[CALL] //: By my calculations, he is aiming for another exit to Highway Beta. This route leads to no major cities, while Highway Alpha does.

[CALL] //: It is illogical that the virus would not lead him to where he would cause the most destruction...

Will: ....

Will: Unless...

<DWN-013>: > -Sadly- To your aid, an unlikely friend…

Beck: ....

[CALL] //: There is a chance that Seven will overshoot the exit and proceed onward. I suggest you stop him before that moment, Nine.

[MN.9] //: Got it...

<DWN-012>: > Wait a minute. What were you saying a second ago about a tunnel—

[CRRRSHHH!!]

Beck: WHA--

[Was that the front half of a car FLYING TOWARDS HIM--]

[MN.1] //: MOVE, BECK!

[He didn't need to be told twice. His feet seemed to move on their own as soon as he spotted the debris, and using the rig itself as a springboard, LEAPED over to the opposite lane!]

Beck: -WHHOOOAAA--!

[THUD!]

[...Unfortunately, he crashed right into the side of a van--but his hands found perchance on the rails above it!]

Beck: -AAAAH FACE, my FACE really hurts, and I think--I think I broke my nose--

[...He felt something sticky and wet trailing down his lips-- oh he was bleeding Xel-- ]

Will: -Oh--oh dear is that--??!?

Soi: -and we feel faint now, gotta take a seat--

[MN.2] //: -BEEEECK, ARE YOU OK--?!

[MN.9] //: -No but that's OK--we can use a Xel stock, we'll be fine--

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 2...]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[The pain subsided, and he was fully invigorated once more, hanging onto the side of the van for dear life. With a grunt of effort, Beck planted both feet on the door--]

[--and pushed, launching him up and backwards in a flip that ended up landing him perfectly on the roof!]

Will: --!

Beck: --Oh--

Beck: -oH HEY LOOK THAT WORKED!-

<DWN-019>: > … WAIT A MINUTE

<DWN-019>: > Are you saying you weren’t sure it would?!

Beck: Have YOU ever been on a highway with crazy cars and had to jump across lanes and do backflips and stuff?! -WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST HERE-

<DWN-019>: > …

<DWN-012>: > …

<DWN-012>: > :’D;;; uh

<DWN-012>: > we plead the fifth on this one thanks

<MC005>: > I think he was just confused as to why you would try something you didn’t know would work.

Beck: .....

Beck: Oh. Well...uuuuh.

[MN.2] //: -BECK'S BEEN DOIN' CRAZY STUFF SINCE FOREVER AGO, AND IT'S STARTING TO CONCERN US-

Beck: .... ^.^;;;

<MC005>: > You what? ?__?

[CALL] //: Warning--multiple incoming robots heading for your location.

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

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE]

Beck: Stop SWARMING me--!

[A blast of icy wind dealt with the sign bots quickly--but they fell as their systems shut down, shattering into a million pieces before Beck could absorb their Xel.]

Beck: ...Oops.

Beck: (O...Kay, not doing THAT again...)

<MC005>: > …What was that about the stunts, again—

Beck: --Uh--

Will: --!! DUCK!

[MN.1] //: --?

Beck: --Wait I don't see a duuUUUUOH--

[NOW ENTERING HIGHWAY ALPHA 1.]

[...That was what the large overhead sign said as Beck ducked at the last possible second, narrowly avoiding giving himself another broken nose--and possibly worse.]

Beck: (Oh man that was close--!)

[There is a strong fuzzing noise of static.

It’s not coming from nearby, but rather over the feeds.]

Beck: !

[MN.3] //: --Wha--that'szz not me--

<FMN-006>: > OOOO—

<FMN-006>: > -OW, CAR RIGHT TO THE FACE-

<FMN-006>: > -Well not LITERALLY her face but man that had to have hurt-

<FMN-009>: > Aaaaaa I’M GOING AS FAST AS I CAN BUT THERE ARE CRAZY SIGNS EVERYWHEEEEEEEEERE—

[MN.9] //: What's--!?

[MN.1] //: -PING PING, IS SHE ALRIGHT--

Will: --Just--extremely so very worried with so many of his--and not his but his children AAACK--

<FMN-006>: > Her camo’s gone—

<FMN-009>: > -WHICH MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO CATCH UP TO HER, DAD—-

<FMN-006>: > …She’s standing on her own, now—

<FMN-006>: > SHEEEE’ll be fine, Beckaronidoni, GO ON AHEAD :’^D

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > -UH. SHE’S KINDA GETTING AGITATED, IT SEEMS, STANDBY FOR DEVELOPMENT-

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

Beck: -Whew, OK...-

[CALL] //: Contact with tunnel entrance in three...two...one...

Speedy: -OH GEEZ, DUCK, MAN!-

[THUD--!]

[Beck just dropped down to lay on the roof and held his head down--]

[--and saw the world turn much, much darker, illuminated only by pale, yellow lights that lined the walls--the emergency lights.]

[Beck lowered his visor for Night Vision before he deemed it safe to raise his head again.]

Beck: --In the tunnel--! It's...pretty dark but I got my Night Vision--

<DWN-011>: > Welp. Just keep an eye for the exit, too.

[Nine pinged back in confirmation, readying himself briefly before jumping to another car, and another. The traffic was more condensed here, so it was easier to jump from one vehicle to another.]

Beck: Lots of rigs here...

[With LOTS of malfunctioning robots...]

Beck: (No other way—I'm gonna have to fight through them!)

[....It wasn't long before the malfunctioning robots spotted him, and moved to converge on his position.]

[Beck narrowed his eyes at them, and—]

[REXELECTION: PYROGEN]

[—FILLED his fists with fire, and CHARGED at the CDNs in his path!]

Beck: Haaaaaah—!

[MN.1] //: .... -We taught him that, you know—- -HEH, THAT'S HIS BROTHER-

[MN.2] //: -Yeah well DUH-

[BAM—!]

[A few of the robots are knocked off the rig, while others either blow up or are absorbed on contact with his Dash, giving him some Absorption Boosts--and refilling his previously used Xel Stock.]

[XEL STOCK 1 QUOTA REACHED.]

[MN.3] //: —He'zzz really mowing those thingszz down, huh...?

[MN.2] //: -IT'S GLORIOUS, GO BECK GO-

Beck: —NNGH—!

[One by one, the robots are broken and beaten down before him, their components being drawn into his being as both Xel and Fire danced to his will, a strong green glow casting from his optics.]

Will: (....!)

Beck: Get out of the WAY—!

Beck: (Gotta—get to Nii-San—!)

[SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—!]

Beck: -cOVERS EARS, O W—!-

Will: What in the world was—?!

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > -NOOOOOOBODY PANIC, UH— -

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: -SIX, I DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT IS—-

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > SHE'S KINDA, UM

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > TIED UP AT THE MOMENT—

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: -NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR PUNS, AVIATOR—-

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > NO BRO

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > I MEAN IT FOR REAL

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: —!

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > -also, we pun when stressed, you know this, aaaaand thIS IS KINDA STRESSFUL TO WATCH-

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > Get Nine moving, this isn't something he should see!

[MN.9] //: Guys—?!

[MN.1] //: Keep GOING, Beck! NOW!

[MN.9] //: But what was—?!

[MN.1] //: N O W!

<FMN-006 to FMN-009>: > Hurry uuuup

[While Beck made a worried break for it, Goose suddenly gave off a blip of surprise and concern.]

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > Uh-oh—

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > oh geez, she took out one of my cameras— I've lost visual—

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > -But not audio, at least-

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: —Augh, of all the times—!

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: What about Jack? Is he injured? Did you see before you lost the visual?

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > ... Have you ever needed to wrestle your Shade? Or just lug him around in general? Tony's not exactly a heavyweight-- aaaand don't tell her I said that or she'll shoot my propellers off 8'D;;

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > Noooot so much injured as out of his league in trying to reign in a bucking bronco-- though he's doing REAL well, all things considered— …

[... But then he falls uncharacteristically silent.]

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: .....? Avi—?

[MN.9] //: --Eeep--Cars, more car debris, DODGE DODGE DODGE--

[More silence.]

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > …

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > . . .

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: -OK we have never EVER heard you be this quiet for this long, please say SOMETHING—-

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > -Swallows- She's not gonna be happy when she wakes up from this...

<FMN-006 to MNN-001>: > ... And hears what she's saying.

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: —.....

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

[MN.2] //: ...Bro?

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

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

[MN.9] //: —KINDA BUSY—! -SOUNDS OF METAL CRUNCHING-

[MN.1] //: ...Ngh...

[MN.1] //: (Curse this wretched virus—!)

[MN.9] //: How long until the tunnel exit?!

[CALL] //: Contact in 4 minutes, Nine.

<DWN-019>: > Wait. Where are Jack and FMN-008?

<FMN-006>: > Working on getting the visual back up, guys— lost sight of them, that may be a moment—

<DWN-019>: > … You are an aerial ‘bot, how could you lose sight of them—

<FMN-006>: > She spotted one of my cams and wasn’t too happy about it, okay? D: Charlieeee… why do you always have to go after Charlie, Siiiiiis…

[MN.3] //: (...Charlie??)

[CALL] //: Contact in 3 minutes.

Beck: Whoa—!

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR]

[More strange wheel bots had materialized--and learning from the previous encounter, Beck chose to avoid them altogether and and hovered just out of their reach.]

<DWN-011>: > Wouldn’t stay in that form too long.

<DCN-000>: > Why?

<DWN-011>: > Exit. Too tall.

[MN.9] //: OK, just let me find a place t—

[...A pause.]

[MN.9] //: .....Uh.

<MC005>: > …What is it, Beck?

[MN.9] //: UH, GUYS...

[BEEEP BEEEP BEEEEEEEP!]

[MN.1] //: -...oh no-

[MN.3] //: -HOW MANY OF THOSE THINGS A R E THERE??-

[MN.9] //: A LOT—!

<DCN-000>: > Can you slow ‘em down by freezing them? o:

[A swarm of sign bots—much MUCH bigger than anything he's seen so far.]

[MN.9] //: There's WAY too many, I don't think I can get them all—!

[MN.1] //: If you can't slow them down, can you disperse them?

[MN.9] //: Uuuuh...

[MN.9] //: I can tryyyy??

<DCN-000>: > Yaaay, Beckyyy~

-PING!-

<DCP-001>: > You can do it, Beck! ^.^

Beck: —!

Beck: ...Linka--!!

<DCP-001>: > You can do it! Beck is hero~

[...Nine's optics seemed to flare a touch brighter the moment he heard Kalinka's voice.]

[After landing on a car, Beck took careful aim at the mass of sign bots ahead, the propeller that replaced his hand spinning faster, and faster—!]

[—ZING!]

[The propeller unlatched and whizzed through the air vertically, splitting the large group of sign bots in half—!]

Beck: —Hah—!

[And he didn't stop there—a moment later and another propeller was launched, and another, and another—]

[CALL] //: Contact in 2 minutes.

[It took almost exhausting all of this form's energy—but he managed to completely disperse the swarm, quickly shifting back to default to shoot at the ones that lingered.]

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR//RECHARGING...]

[DR.WHITE] //: You're almost there, Beck—!

[MN.9] //: —! I see the exit! (It's really bright—...is it dawn already--?)

[CALL] //: Contact in 1 minute.

[Disengaging his Night Vision, Beck lowered his body as the car he stood on sped towards the light ahead...]

[CALL] //: Contact in 30 seconds.

[There was a sudden PING of alarm.]

<DWN-019>: > WAIT WAIT WAIT—

<DWN-019>: > PISCES WHAT WERE YOU SAYING ABOUT “TOO TALL”—

[MN.9] //: -What, but we're fine—-

[CALL] //: Contact in 3—2—1—

[The world was thrown back into light, and the first reddish sunbeams of daylight filled the sky over a brown desert, rock formations scattering their shadows against the hot sands of New Mexico.]

[There was a loud sound that echoed down the tunnel, bouncing off the walls.]

WHANG!

WHANG!

[Beck only had a second to stare in awe of the beautiful scenery when he heard the sound of something crashing against metal. He turned around back towards the tunnel in confusion.]

Beck: —?? What was that?!

<DWN-012>: > -Whine noise- x.≤;;; The sound of something running into a wall really, really fast…

[MN.1] //: (Something tall...)

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

[MN.1] //: No—!

<FMN-006>: >  … … … -We can’t do anything now until they come out on the other side, bro-

[MN.1 to FMN.6] //: —I know that and it's—Ngh!

[MN.2] //: SIS--!

[MN.3] //: -BZZZZZZZZZZT!!- -Stressful and worried static across the feeds-

[MN.9] //: What--did something happen to Kate and Jack--?!

[CALL] //: -LOUD PING-

[CALL] //: Warning: Erratic movement detected in several nearby remote-controlled vehicles.

<FMN-006>: > Listen, Beckaroo!

<FMN-006>: > The best thing you can do is to save the day by rescuing Sevvie, ‘kay? </punning while stressed again> Trust me on that. You can do it!

<FMN-006>: > This is a teamwork sort of rig— I mean, gig—

<FMN-006>: > So just do your part and Pup will do his and it’ll all work out, a’ight? ;D ;;;;

[MN.9] //: —...

[MN.9] //: —I read you, Avi...

[...He just couldn't help it—there were so many people he cared about on this dangerous highway, and he worried about everyone.]

[But at least they were there to remind him what he needed to do.]

<FMN-006>: > Oooof course you do! : D Because the alphabet starts with “A” for “Avi!” ^^

<FMN-006>: > Now go get ‘em, Champ!

[MN.9] //: —R...Right!

[Another large rig backed up, allowing Beck to jump across and head out further into the highway.]

[CALL] //: Warning—I am detecting a buildup of erratic signals near your location.

<MC005>: > …? What does that indicate?

[CALL] //: Analyzing...

[MN.9] //: —...? Huh?

[DR.WHITE] //: Beck—?

[MN.9] //: The cars are...?

[The smaller vehicles were weaving around in seemingly random patterns, honking and trying to get in front of one another...]

Beck: It...kinda looks like they're freaking out...?

Beck: But why would--

[SHING!]

[There was a blur of--of a dark, violet blue flame—

And one of the cars was CLEAVED in half.]

<DWN-012>: > !!!

<DWN-012>: > oh gosh is this where the car halves were coming from?

[MN.2] //: HOLY--!

Beck: --!!!

[Moments later...]

[A red armored figure landed on the other lane, slamming a blade down on the car on which he landed.]

Beck: Brand--!

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

[Brand's breathing sounded labored, wrenching his blade out of the car and staring across the lane at his little brother.]

Brand: Gnh...!

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: > … We may have a problem…!

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: > If that really was CND-7037 and FMN-008 hitting the tunnel that made that noise—

<DWN-013 to MNN-001>: > They might not be conscious enough to evade if Brand goes after the car or rig they’re on top of!

[MN.1 to FMN.6 and 9] //: You two had better hurry when they get out of that tunnel--!

<FMN-009>: > YES SIR—!

Brand: I...I told you...

Beck: Brandish--!

[Before Beck could say anything more, however--]

[A surge of dark, violet flames burst from Seven's body, across his arms and blades, and he raised his head to scream-- ]

Brand: I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY!

<DWN-013>: > Yes, you did. But he won’t.

Beck: HANG ON, NII-SAN--!

[Brandish let out a cry of anguish, leaping towards another car as Beck chased after him from his own lane--]

[SHING--!]

[Another car was sliced, and it's parts were swept across the road--Beck was forced to jump from car to car to avoid both his brother's wild attacks and the results of his reluctant rampage.]

[SHING--!]

Beck: {Big brother, please--}

[SHING--!]

Beck: {--you have to--}

[SHING--!]

Beck: {--FIGHT THIS--!}

<DWN-013 to MNN-009>: > …He is, Beck. … -Augh, it is so hard, and so painful- He’s trying as hard as he can. But you’ll need to make the final moves to overcome what’s in place.

[Brand paused, breathing heavily.]

Brand: Why did it have to be you—

Beck: —?

Beck: N-nii-san, I’m here to—

Brand: WHY. DID IT HAVE. TO BE YOU?!

Beck: Wh-what do you mean?

[The sword master gripped his blades, shaking… in anger.]

Brand: Is Cardinal still out there with his damn martyr complex, then? Abandoning his family, abandoning US in a time like this?

[To say Beck was surprised would be an understatement. He sputtered, trying to draw closer.]

Beck: Wha—how did you know—!?

[Brand suddenly flamed up, screaming in rage.]

Brand: I SAW HIM, BECK! I REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT DAY, AND EVER SINCE!

Beck: !!!

Brand: -Distorted- Self-centered coward… always… always running away…!

[SHING—!]

[He took out his rage on another vehicle, forcing Beck to jump again.]

Brand: Never taking responsibility for ANYTHING he does! He wouldn’t help you then, he won’t help you now— instead he’s off GOD KNOWS WHERE larking about his on own, petty whims…

Brand: Irresponsible… SELFISH little… dishonorable COWARD…

Brand: Turning his back on responsibility, leaving it all to you…

Brand: I’ll tear him to pieces for this…!

Beck: !!! Nii-san, DON’T—! He just wants to help—!

[Brandish's answer to that was another slash in his direction, but easily avoidable. As Nine leaps over to a larger rig, the Xel-ninja speeds on by a set of trucks--]

[...But doesn't reappear once they pass.]

Beck: No--!

Beck: (Where is he, where is he--)

[DR.WHITE] //: .....

[DR.WHITE] //: (I can't help but wonder...Brand's fine control over his art allows him to achieve a greater focus than any of the others...)

[DR.WHITE] //: (But he's not like Beck in the sense that...)

[DR.WHITE] //: (....)

[DR.WHITE] //: (Brandish...son...)

[Beep!]

Beck: ....?

[The rig was larger than the others--and it was carrying many other cars on it's trailers. Once Beck climbed over the roof, and to the floor below, he was greeted by none other than Sunny the Patch Bot.]

[DR.SANDA] //: --? Will--Did YOU send Sunny down there?

[DR.WHITE] //: No--?

Sunny: ^.^

[CALL] //: -Ping of admittance, we had concluded Beck needed medical assistance once Brandish was spotted again-

<DWN-019>: > -Ping of approval-

[Sunny chirped pleasantly as Beck patted their head, unloading it's cargo and preparing to fly off...]

Beck: Wait, Sunny--!

Sunny: ?

[MN.9] //: Call--Xel Transfer him back to the lab right now, please.

[...He didn't want to add Sunny to the things Brand already cut up so far...]

[CALL] //: Acknowledged.

<DWN-013>: > Good luck, Beck. And remember…

<DWN-013>: > …

<DWN-013>: > (“In the end… his will overcame the program…”)

<DWN-013>: > Remember what I told you.

Beck: ......

Beck: Yeah...

[Sunny was teleported off, leaving Beck to venture forward on his own. There were less and less cars on the lanes, he noted...]

Beck: ....!

[At one end of the trailer, there were more cars, stacked one on top of the other.]

Beck: (They're not moving...so they must have been turned off when the virus hit...?)

[DR.WHITE] //: Any sign of Brand?

[MN.9] //: Not--

"HAAAAAAAAAAH--!!"

[SHING SHING SHING SHING SHING--]

[B O O M!]

[Without any warning, the cars were sliced--and they all exploded, knocking back the smaller Mighty Number off his feet and rolling across the trailer floor--!]

Beck: Gah--!

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

<MC005 to DR.WHITE>: > Careful, Will! With Brandish as his opponent… Beck will need all the concentration he can muster!

[Black smoke choked his throat, and he coughed, his vision straining to see the familiar figure that had appeared through it.]

[The smoke cleared, the rising sun over the now desolate highway....]

Beck: -COUGH-

Beck: B--...Brand...

[Screams of surprise and alarm in the far distance.]

<FMN-009 to MNN-009>: > Got them! I’m closing in!

[MN.9 to FMN.9] //: --... -PING-

[Brandish fell into a offensive stance, yet he was trying to draw AWAY from his brother at the same time, so it looked as if he was just a tense coil...]

Brand: Beck--!

[Beck gathered to his feet. Brand wasn't running anymore, but it sure LOOKED like he wanted to.]

Beck: Brand...

Brand: GNH--!

Brand: GNAAAAAAAAAAAAH--!!

[The dark flames enshrouded, engulfed, and for a moment, Brandish was not there—lost in the virus's grip—and then—!]

Brand?: WHY--?!

Beck: --!

[That voice--it was completely different, twisted, and demonic--it was not his own--]

Beck: (Is that...the virus...?)

Brand?: WHY, BECK--?!

Beck: ?!?!?

[--It said his NAME.]

Brand?: WHY WON'T YOU. GIVE. UP?!?!

[.........]

Beck: A...Ah--

[Those--those words--]

Beck: (W...What...)

[It was clear that Beck was completely unnerved, and found that he could not move at all. He stared, fixated, horrified and in disbelief all at once--]

<RMDC>: > -PING!-

<RMDC>: > UPDATE COMPLETED.

<RMDC>: > REBOOTING AI_DWN_024…

Beck: --!!

<MC005>: > What?

Brand?: RAAAAAAAAAAH--!!

[An unnatural groan of pain, and the flames die down to their original height, causing Brand to fall to a knee.]

Brand: Ngn...

Brand: S...Shadow....?

<DWN-019>: > What’s going on?!

<MC005>: > How could he—?

<DWN-024>: > -LOADING…-

<DWN-024>: > -Loading…-

<DWN-024>: > -Loading…-

[There was a broadcast… memory, almost—like looking across the Milky Way at endless streams of stars, clearer and more magnificent than any telescope could ever capture.]

[And then a feeling like some ancient thing that had long been asleep was about to stir…]

<DCN-007>: > -Much more presence than usual- {The student hears the voice of his master, no longer lost, but found again… and he will waken.}

<DCN-008>: > {You have been long missed and longed for, Brandish Atomo White.}

<DCN-008>: > {You don’t need to keep running from your family any longer. They think no less of you for what has happened. Do not fear their judgement—for they do not carry it!}

<DCN-007>: > Remember what you told us.

——————————

<DLN-000>: > But living life as a Wilybot… it’s always in the back of your mind—

<DLN-000>: > What if… what if something, what if /next/ time—there’s ALWAYS a next time—what if it really makes us… what if we become monsters?

[MN. 7] //: Then I will do everything in my power to save you WITHOUT taking your life.

<DLN-000>: > Sometimes people don’t get a choice.

<DLN-000>: > Rock didn’t get a choice.

[MN.7] //: There is always a choice.

——————————

<DCN-007>: > {THERE IS /ALWAYS/ A CHOICE!}

<DCN-008>: > {Even if the only choice is to resist.}

<DCN-007>: > {What do you think we did, Brandish? When we were enslaved like this?}

<DCN-007>: > {MAKE YOUR CHOICE! CHOOSE TO FIGHT IT!}

Brand: {I--!}

[The Mighty ninja recoiled once more, groaning again, the virus within him refusing to let go, to ensure that it completes its purpose using him as its host.]

Brand: --N...ngh...

Brand: T...here is...a...ch-choice...

Brand: B...Beck...

Beck: It's gonna be OK--!

Beck: I'm here to help--I've come to SAVE you, Brand--!

[Beck carefully tries to approach, but--]

Brand: N--No closer--!

Brand: O-One more step--and my blades will have their way with you--!

[His head jerked to one side, as if he didn't mean to say what he just said.]

Brand: It...it...

Brand: It...doesn't--KNOW--!

Beck: --what?

Brand: It....it CAN'T know--

Beck: Brand--what--tell me what's happening--! What are you--

Brand: I can't--control myself--! It--

Brand: It doesn't--know--what--

Brand: It--will not--STOP--until everything--is GONE--!

<MC005>: > …!!!

Brand: It—will—stop at NOTHING—

Brand: It—will use—WHATEVER MEANS—!

[DR.SANDA] // : Saints preserve us...

Brand: It will use ME—until I BREAK—!

Beck: —!?

Brand: If—if you want...to SAVE me...!

[SCANNING...]

[SCAN COMPLETE.]

[E N C O U N T E R.]

[MODEL: MIGHTY NO. 7. CODENAME: BRANDISH.]

[HEIGHT: 167cm WEIGHT: 187kg XEL COUNT: 37,400,000]

Brand: YOU MUST DESTROY ME!

[This phrase was dramatically emphasized by a sudden flash of lightning in the distance out of nowhere.]

Beck: —!!

Beck: NO—!

Beck: I don't want to do this—I don't want to hurt you anymore than I have to—!

Brand: RARGH!

[Beck's rebuttal fell on deaf ears—Brandish could no longer hold back. He lunged—!]

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE.]

[Beck leaped backwards, switching his form into something he thought would slow Brandish down at least a little—]

Brand: Predictable!

[SHING!]

[...The wall of ice that was between them was cut to pieces.]

Beck: Gnh—!

[REXELECTION: PYROGEN.]

Brand: Always so VERY predicable...

Beck: Burning—gACK—!

[Beck was hit with a flying kick, sending him tumbling over to the ground—]

Brand: You—you expect to kill ME with such PREDICTABLE skills—?!

[A blast of disapproval across the feeds, directed RIGHT at Brandish.]

<DCN-000>: > N O.

<MC005>: > …!

<MC005 to MNN-001>: > I thought you were keeping him busy in the kitchen—!

[MN.1] //: -Snow—argh, tiny bots are always hard to keep track of—-

<DCN-000>: > N O, NO, /NO!/

<DCN-000>: > Beck isn’t like the monster—

[You could actually hear his budding arctic tantrum—the winds were howling with ice in their voice!]

<DCN-000>: > BECK /SAVES/ THE DAY!

Brand: —ngh—!

[He falters at the sound of Snow's voice...]

Brand: I—I can't—control—

Brand: AAARGH!

[There was an incredibly intense blast of disapproval, but this time, it… didn’t seem to be specifically directed at… Brandish…?!?]

<DCN-000>: > YOU!

<DCN-000 to ???>: > You meanie.

<DCN-000 to ???>: > You’re trying to make more like the blue monster.

<DCN-000 to ???>: > YOU TRIED TO MAKE /US/ LIKE THAT MONSTER!!!

<DCN-000 to ???>: > -SCREEEE, SHRIEKS OF RUSSIAN WINTER-

<DCN-000 to ???>: > MONSTERS NEVER WIN!

[At the sounds of the howling winds of icy fury—]

Brand?: -UNHOLY DEMONIC SCREEEEEEEEEEECH OF RAGE-

[This tantrum was abruptly cut short.]

<MC005 has sent DCN-000 Offline.>

[Apparently Mikhail had taken the matter into his own hands to prevent Snow from hurting Pyro with his abilities, as the little ice ‘bot used them recklessly when throwing a tantrum.]

[MN.1] //: Snow—!

[…Uh-oh.]

<DWN-011 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DWN-012 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DWN-013 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DWN-018 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DWN-019 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DCN-003 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DCN-007 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

<DCN-008 has entered Alert Combat mode.>

[MN.3] //: -Ooooh, that's not good-

Beck: BRAAAAAAND—!

Brand: RAAAGH—!

[Brandish flourished his blades in parallel position, arms stretched out wide to either side—!]

Beck: —!!

[Seven spun around on the spot, becoming a spinning blur of DEATH that soon sped towards Nine—!]

Beck: —aaAAAH—!

[Recognizing this move and what it can do, Beck had one option—]

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR.]

[Take to the sky.]

Brand: Ngh—!!

[Beck sighed in relief as he watched Brand simply glare at him after he came to a stop. Brandish could jump fairly high, but as long as he—]

[SHING!]

Beck: WHA—?!

[Brandish...threw his own sword at him?]

[Beck had to bank harshly to the right, the blade narrowly missing his side. He stared in confusion for a split second—

A pale cloth of what appeared to be the 'bandages' that decorated the hilt was now stretched out, and seemed to retract back to Brandish, returning the weapon to his hand.]

Brand: You cannot stay up there forever—!

[There seemed to be a buzz for a moment.

And then, suddenly…]

<DWN-024>: > -Loading…-

[SHING!]

[SHING—!]

[There was a far-off flash of green that lit up the dawn sky.]

[MN.1] //: —!!

[MN.3] //: —Waszz that—?

[Beck landed quickly, and shifted his form again—]

[...to default?]

Beck: (Brand has a counter to everything I got—)

Beck: (He keeps saying I'm predictable—)

Beck: (So--I gotta come up with something he WON'T expect—!)

Beck: (...I am so glad the others won't see this...)

[MN.9] //: DR. COSSACK—!

[MN.9] //: I'm sorry—but I have to ask you to—!

<MC005>: > …

[There was a pause.]

<MC005 has sent DWN-011 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DWN-012 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DWN-013 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DWN-018 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DWN-019 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DCN-003 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DCN-007 Offline.> <MC005 has sent DCN-008 Offline.>

<MC005 to MNN-009>: > {Do what you have to… but understand that you may not be able to keep this secret all the way through.}

[MN.9 to MC005] //: ...I understand.

Beck: (Sorry about that, guys...)

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON]

[MN.3] //: —?!? BECK—WHAT ARE YOU DOING—?!

Beck: TRUST ME, SIS—!

[Brandish seemed unfazed, but leaped into a front flip, using his blades to hack at anything that dared to come close--

Beck sparked in panic and threw large, glowing purple bits up in a make shift shield--they didn't hold up to Brand's swords, but it did give Beck enough time to roll out of the way, summoning more bits to his side.]

[There was a clattering sound as Mikhail hastily left the room he was in to make his way to the emergency bay.]

Brand: Fool...!

[He lands, and once again charges for another slashing attack, unrelenting in his efforts to cut Beck down to nothing but Xel.]

[Beck's bits are wildly thrown this way and that while he avoids and dodges and--]

[MN.3] //: --!!

Brand: Must slice--must DICE--!

-PING!-

<RMDC>: > PROCESSING NEW DATA…

<RMDC>: > UPDATING SERVER…

<RMDC>: > UPDATE COMPLETE. STATUS UPDATE: FMN-008.

<RMDC>: > XEL PURGE COMPLETE. ALL HARMFUL MALWARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM FMN-008.

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

[MN.2] //: -ALRIGHT, MIRROR BRO!-

Brand: --n-ngh--?

<RMDC>: >ALERT!

<RMDC>: > SIGNAL ERROR: FMN-008 NOT FOUND

<RMDC>: > SCANS INDICATE FMN-008 HAS SUSTAINED SYSTEM-WIDE CRITICAL HARDWARE DAMAGE. DATA SOURCE: FMN-009

Brand: K...Kate--?!

[Brandish...stops.]

Brand: Ack--N...No...!

Beck: --Sorry, Brand--!!

[BZZZZZZT--!]

[The whole floor was suddenly electrified, the bits that had been thrown earlier sending strong currents across the metal flooring--!]

Brand: --gNAAAAAH--!

[He was covered in a purple glow--!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[The bits dissipated into loose Xel as Brand twitched and jerked, the currents wreaking havoc on his systems...]

Brand: Nnnggh...

Beck: {I'm sorry--!}

-Ping.-

<AI_DWN_024 SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE. REBOOTING…>

Brand: Gnh--

Brand: Y--Yes....

Beck: --!

Brand: You...you are...

Brand: Going to...break me down...right into Xels...

Beck: No--! That's not what I'm--!

<RMDC>: > ERROR: EMOTIONS.EXE ERROR DETECTED. DWN-024 REBOOT FAILED. RETRYING…

<FMN-009>: > -PING!-

<FMN-009>: > UM

<FMN-009>: > UHHH

<FMN-009>: > GUYS THERE’S A PROBLEM

[DR.SANDA] //: -Oh dear Asimov why now--

[MN.1] //: What is it?

<FMN-009>: > -HOW AM I GOING TO GET THEM OFF, HELP—-

<FMN-009>: > -EVEN IF I COULD LIFT SIS IN AVI’S FORM (WHICH I /CAN’T/, SHE’S TOO HEAVY—) I ONLY HAVE ONE ARM IN THAT FORM, WE CAN’T LEAVE JACK BEHIND—!-

<FMN-009>: > THEY BOTH HIT THEIR HEADS REALLY HARD AND AREN’T GIVING OFF SIGNALS I THINK THEY BROKE THEIR TRANSCEIVERS AAAAAAAAAA—

[MN.1] //: Calm DOWN, Nine--! We'll think of something--!

<FMN-009>: > BUT SHE HIT HER HEAD REALLY HARD, LIKE YOU SAID AFTER THE INCIDENT THERE’S XEL EVERYWHERE SOMEBODY HELP—

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

[BZZZZZZT--]

[DR.WHITE] //: -GAH THERE'S NO WAY TO GET THEM OUT OF THE HIGHWAY AND--

<MC005>: > -PING!-

<MC005>: > Has anyone seen Aviator??

[ALL] //: --????

[MN.3] //: He should zzstill be--

[MN.2] //: Uuuuh...

[MN.2] //: Are my four eyes seeing things right or am I seeing double--?

<MC005>: > {What??}

[P I N G!]

[MN.6] //: Diiiiiiid someone call for...

[MN.6] //: ...air support?~ ; D

[MN. ALL] //: AVI!

<FMN-006>: > You know what they say, Avi!

<FMN-006>: > Two heads are better than one!~ ; D

<FMN-006>: > It helps to have friends in… HIGH places~

[MN.6] //: You said it, Avi!

[MN.6] //: And they're only just a--CALL AWAY. ; D

[MN.1] //: --oH--

<FMN-006>: > Breaking news!

<FMN-006>: > Two handsome airplane rescuers stop highway chase from ending in tragedy, while everyone’s faaaaavorite underdog SAVES THE DAY— -Background flying noises-

[MN.9] //: AVI!~

[MN.6] //: Heeeeey, T-Becks, love to chat and catch up but I got a car-jack to get to and you got a bro to save!

[MN.6] //: You're doing great--so don't give up now!

[MN.9] //: Roger that, Avi!

<FMN-006 to MNN-007>: > EYYYY, LUCKY SEVEN THERE— I know you can hear me.

[MN.7 to FMN.6] // -low growls in response-

<FMN-006 to MNN-007>: > Enough of that doom and gloom nonsense, lil’ bro—

<FMN-006 to MNN-007>: > She’s pretty banged up and is gonna want you to help out again.

Brand: --!

<FMN-006 to MNN-007>: > -She needs you, so—if I hear more of this despair stuff I’m going to hang you up a flagpole by your fancy Japanese silk robes, snap out of it-

Brand: K...Kate--

<FMN-006>: > -Cheerfully- See you guys soooon!~ Avi, over and out!

[MN.9] //: Good luck, guys--!

[MN.6] //: You too, little Champ!

Brand: Nngh--!

[He convulsed, and the virus tightened it's reigns—but still, he was suppressing his urge to attack--!]

Brand: I...ngh--!

[BLAM!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[Beck did not let the opening go to waste.]

[BLAM!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Brand: NNNAGH!!

[The ninja suddenly screamed into sunrise, his blades raised in front of him--]

[--clicking into place as he brought them together--]

[DR.WHITE] //: --!!! BRANDISH, NO--!!

[PING!]

<DWN-024 is now Online.>

<DWN-024>: > -Very, VERY disoriented data- … Sensei…?

Brand: M--MOVE, BECK--!!

Brand: M-my body--my BLADES--They have a will all of their own--!

Brand: RAAGH--!

Beck: Brand--wait--!

[SHING--!]

Beck: aCK--!

[He backed off, but--pain, across his shoulder--]

<DWN-024>: > —!

<DWN-024 has entered Non-Lethal Combat mode.>

[Uh-oh.]

[SHING SHING SHING SHINGSHINGSHING--]

[Other shoulder--leg--]

[There was a whistling noise.]

THUNK.

Ssssss…

[A shuriken was sinking into the rig by Brandish’s left foot, hissing as acid ate away at the metal.]

Brand: --?!

[Beck stumbled, and fell in shock--Xel beginning to bleed from the gashes his brother had inflicted--thankfully not deep enough to sever anything immediately important, but OW--]

[Shadow seemed to melt out of his namesake, rising like some sort of ghost. His eyes were glowing a solid green.]

<MC005>: > I thought the Meadow teleporters were Offline!

<FMN-001>: > THEY ARE! He just—! MELTED into the darkness!

[He flicked his wrists, and two more shuriken appeared.

This time, he aimed for Brand’s hands.]

[Brandish did not linger--he avoided the projectiles altogether by flipping backwards, his eyes switching from his own blue to a monstrous purple...]

Beck: Sh--Shadow--!

Brand: You...

[Shadow did not respond at all. He was silent.

And relentless—melting suddenly into the shadows again, vanishing from sight.

Only to reappear—]

[SKLRRT!]

[APPARENTLY UNDERNEATH THE RIG AT BRAND’S FEET AND STABBING UPWARDS—]

Beck: --!!!

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1...]

Brand: Gnh--!

[He jumped, but the acid beneath splattered and hit bits and parts of his leg armor, eating away at the paint and the trade-mark '7' that adorned it.]

[It wasn't long before the acid was slowly eating away at the armor itself, though at a slow pace. Brandish HOWLED in pain--!]

Brand: INSOLENCE--!

[SHING--!]

[The slice cut through the rig like butter, and there were some very troubling noises from whatever piping he had cut into.]

[There was a clattering sound, as if something had fallen down.]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: SHADOW--?!

[Silence.]

Beck: SHADOW--?!?

Brand: Nggggh....

[Brand’s shadow… rippled.]

Beck: --?!?

[Brandish didn't seem to notice, now turning his blade back to Beck--]

Brand: You--...

Brand: .....

[Until he sensed another presence--]

[Shadow sprang up out of Brand’s cast shade, grabbing him by the scarf and yanking HARD.

At the same time, he slammed his foot against Brand’s ankle, where the leg armor had been eaten away.]

Brand: --Hrk--

Brand: -UNHOLY SCREECH OF PAIN-

[Shadow let go of the scarf, but he wasn’t quite done—that much was clear, as he had another shuriken in his hand a second later.

His expression was void, and he didn’t seem moved by mercy whatsoever.]

[SKLR!]

[Brand stabbed behind him, impaling Shadow on his sword. Shadow’s eyes flashed red in pain.]

Beck: SHADOW—!!!

[Before he could move, Brand had already turned and cleaved the shuriken in half, the acid hissing and eating away at the sword. Enraged at his precious sword being so distorted, the speeding ninja had sliced away at his pupil, who fell onto his back under the assault.

Brand staggered, recoiling in inner agony as he stopped short of diving both swords down into the exposed core.]

[Beck was glad he couldn’t see what was going on very well, but he couldn’t let it continue.]

[BZZZZZT!]

[Brand turned to focus his attention on Beck, his blades tainted with oil stains. Shadow himself seemed to fade away, but Beck wasn’t given time to think it over.]

[SHING—!]

[Beck narrowly avoided a cleaving blow—]

[SHING—!]

[And then another—]

[SHING—]

[But Shadow sprang up from the darkness, shuriken-first, slamming right into Brand’s shoulder.]

Brand: AAAUUUUUURRRRGH!

[Just as his master had been moments earlier, Shadow continued a swift and merciless series of slicing attacks, tearing Brand’s armor into shreds as acid started eating away at the wounds. It was clear, now, that all the damage from earlier had healed, fully regenerated.

He whirled around behind Brand and kicked him down, stepping onto his back and bringing out more shuriken. He planted his feet firmly on Brand’s wrists, and raised his hands to attack—]

((Pic—Shadow v Brand))

Beck: SHADOW, STOP--!

[However…]

<DWN-024 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

[The green glow subsided, and his irises and pupils slowly came back into view—though his irises were still glowing the same shade of green.

He jumped off and slid further back, bracing himself against the driving cabin.]

Beck: --!!

[Brandish winced in sheer pain, but his head turned to GLARE at Shadow with violet orbs of rage, unlocking his blades to separate and--]

[BLAM!]

Beck: NO YOU DON'T--!

[Shadow crouched down, bringing out some sort of… strange but familiar item…]

Beck: --Ah--!

[His visor goes down--]

[And darkness covers… everything.]

Brand: --!?!?

Beck: (I--STILL CAN'T SEE, WHAT--?!)

[It is no ordinary darkness—not as if night had fallen—but as if light had ceased to exist at all.

It was as if it had smothered out everything else in the world, creating a void of NOTHING.]

[There was a firm grip around Beck, suddenly—]

Beck: --!

[In reaction to the darkness, Brand wildly slashes to where he last saw Shadow, and prepares to spin in place with his blades--]

Beck: Wha--!

[And then a tap on the side of his visor.]

<DWN-024 to MNN-009>: > -Data, brace yourselves-

Beck: --!

[Beck instantly tucks his head in, and tenses up in brace for whatever Shadow was talking about, his Xel Filter going online automatically--]

[The darkness lifted as suddenly and completely as it had come.

Beck was now standing in a different position than before, one with more favorable ground. Shadow was right beside him.]

Brand: --Aah--!

[Blinded by the sudden light from the sun, Brandish hissed and whirled around--where are they--?!]

Beck: (How did...?)

Brand: RRRNGH--!

Beck: (--Never mind--Brand's open--!)

[REXELECTION: AVIATOR.]

[Shadow side stepped and jumped up to be on the hood of the rig’s driving cabin, and thus out of the way.]

[ZING--!]

[The propeller whacked Brand SQUARE on the back--]

Brand: NGH--!

[Beck backed into a running start and LEAPED--!]

Beck: Haaaaah!

[ACXELARATE DASH: MAX OUTPUT REACHED.]

[CLANK--!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[There was the sound of something cracking--]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Brand: B--BECK--!!

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: FIGHT IT, BRAND--!

Beck: I'LL SAVE YOU--

[XEL QUOTA REACHED.]

[XEL PURGE: ONLINE. XELFILTER.EXE PREPARED FOR OVERDRIVE.]

Beck: --I PROMISE--!

[XEL PURGE INITIATED!]

[........]

"Again."

[THWACK!]

"Again!"

[THWACK!]

"--You're still holding back, Otouto."

"...Ngh..."

"I can tell when something is troubling you, you know."

"...."

"It is better to clear you mind than let it rage like a rushing current. There is no proper flow then. Only chaos."

"....."

"What is wrong, brother?"

"I...Brand?"

"Yes?"

"...Am I ever gonna get back on the team? I'm...not, aren't I?"

"....."

"I...I try--and I try--but I'm...I'm still SCARED, and I...I'm not getting any better--I do these practices over and OVER, but--!"

"...Seed."

"--? Wha?"

"You are a SEED, Beck."

"--....uh...?"

"You have yet to realize what you can accomplish with your abilities, and have yet to explore it. Like a seed planted on this earth, you need time."

"...Time...?"

"Time to GROW."

"You will need time, and guidance, and yes, much practice. You will need plant yourself firm once you discover your own way. You will need patience, focus...and above all--"

"--love?"

"...Yes. Love. Very good."

"I...heh..."

"...I can see it, Beck. Your potential. It is vast, and it is endless. You will become greater than the sum of all of us..."

"R...Really...?"

Brand: ......

Brand: --mn--?

"Yes. Of course you will."

Brand: B...Beck...

"You're a Mighty Number."

[....]

[XEL PURGE COMPLETE.]

[As the last of the green glow died off, cleansing away all of the sickly violet curse, Brand found himself staring into a blue, cloudless sky...]

[...As well as his brother...]

[ALL HARMFUL MALWARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MN.7]

Beck: Brand--? Brand--?!

Brand: . . .

Brand: I....

[A hand weakly reached out to rest on his shoulder.]

Brand: I...thank...you...

[MN.7 IS NOW IN SLEEP MODE.]

Beck: Nii-San--!

[There is the sound of something collapsing across the feeds.]

[DR.SANDA] //: --Will?!

[MN.3] //: --Daddy??

[MN.2] //: -GONNA GO GET OUR LIMP NOODLE DAD SOME PILLOWS AND MAKE AN ICE PACK-

Beck: Ooooh--!

[Beck winced as some of the cars ahead all BLARED their horns at once, as if they were angered at his victory...]

Beck: Shadow--I could use a hand with Brand--!

[At first, Shadow was nowhere to be seen.

Then, it became clear he was standing at the very back of the rig. …He seemed to be in some sort of defensive stance.]

Shadow:  . . .

[He was not so tense as to be frozen in place, but he seemed just one slight move away from a sudden and dangerous strike from the ENORMOUS shuriken in his hands.]

Beck: .....

Beck: How are you carrying that huge thing--?

[No response.]

Beck: Um--? Shadow? We're-- kinda still on a crazy speeding highway...

Beck: I can't carry Brand all by myself...please...?

[Shadow looked up.

His eyes were still bright green— he hadn’t left Defensive mode.]

Beck: --!

Beck: Sh...Shadow...?

[Beck collected himself up against his brother, eyes widening in slight surprise and fear--]

Beck: Ah--

Beck: G--Guys--!

[MN.1] //: Shadow! STAND DOWN--!

[DR.SANDA] //: Oh, dear--Mikhail--! -HELP-

[Shadow took another step back, holding the shuriken out like a shield by gripping at an edge of the opening in the center. He was at the very back of the rig now, and it was a wonder he hadn’t fallen off.]

[A soft ping.]

<MC005>: > -Quietly- {He’s afraid.}

<MC005>: > {He’s in Defensive mode because he is afraid of what is going to happen to him.}

<MC005>: > {He is… attempting to protect himself.}

<MC005 to MNN-ALL>: > {Keep in mind he’s been asleep since the beginning.}

<MC005 to MNN-ALL>: > {All he knows is that he has acted aggressively and against the wishes of his superiors, having injured his teacher—who then was overpowered by one with a Universal Adapter and then sent, for all he knows, Offline.}

<MC005 to MNN-ALL>: > {Additionally…}

<MC005 to MNN-ALL>: > {All the other AI&A signals from the server are Offline as well.}

<MC005 to MNN-ALL>: > {What do you THINK he has concluded?}

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

[MN.3] //: -oh no--

[MN.2] //: --BECKY--SNAP OUT OF IT--!

Beck: .......

Beck: Sh...Shadow--

Beck: --P-Please--we--we gotta out of here--and get Brand help--

Beck: Please--I just SAVED him, I--!

[HOOOOOOOOONK--!]

[Shadow seemed to be struggling, very hard, but he remained silent.

Finally, he reached into his scarf with his other hand…]

[And in a flash, tossed something that clattered at Beck’s feet.]

Beck: --!! It's--!

[HOOOOOOOOOOONK--!!]

[The loud horn came from a huge eighteen wheeler--on a dead-set collision course with the rig they had battled on--!]

[HOOOOOOOOOOONK--!]

Beck: !!!

[Shadow made a sudden dashing leap, bounding up to the top to the rig, and then—]

<DWN-024 has entered Lethal Combat mode.>

[His energy readings spiked, and there was a whine that stuttered.]

[He hurled the massive shuriken at the road ahead, causing part of the road to get sliced away and the metal star to spin and clatter across the road. At the same time, he crouched down, and—

The whole rig began to sink into the shadows, falling—]

[Beck snatched the Amulet, held on to it and his brother tightly...]

[And screamed.]

Beck: AAAAAAAAAAAAAA--!

[The world around them was darkness, like before—except softer, somehow, like the haziness of dreams.

And then back into the sunlight in the desert, emerging from some cast shadows off-road—into the dust and sand.

Shadow swung down and grabbed at the side of the access panel to the fuel tank.]

[SKLORT!]

[He cut it open so that said fuel began rapidly draining away into the sand.]

[When the rig finally settled, that was when Beck stopped screaming.]

[He was hyperventilating, blinking weld up tears away as he held onto Brand's limp arm with a death grip, still processing what the heck just happened.]

Beck: (Highway--dark--sand--bright--what--)

<DWN-024 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

[Shadow lept down from the rig and into the sand.]

[And then he made a run for it, summoning, of all things—a giant frog to ride.]

Beck: . . . . .

[MN.9] //: -Did--did I hit my head too--guys--what happened---

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

<MC005>: > …

[A long pause.]

<MC005>: > …That… is a very good question.

[DR.SANDA] //: . . . . . Er...

Mikhail: (I’ve NEVER seen him use most of those techniques before.)

<MC005>: > I think it would be best to bring the two of you back to the lab, now…

[CALL] //: Preparing Xel Transfer...

[MN.9] //: -- W-Wait--Kate, Jack--

<MC005>: > They’re waiting here already, Beck.

[MN.9] //: -sigh-

[MN.9] //: Good...

[MN.9] //: Thanks, guys...

<MC005>: > Just try to rest. Things will be alright.

[CALL] //: Xel Transfer in progress...

[SANDA LABS...]

[Mikhail sat back into his chair with a large sigh at last, groaning and putting his face in his hands.]

Mikhail: {What a mess…}

[He had tried to talk with Shadow to get him to calm down, but Shadow had turned his transceiver off, much like Cardinal had. He didn’t wish to risk trying to teleport him off despite that, since the ninja was at the edge of the vehicle and clearly poised to jump off or lash out at the first sign of something that startled him.

And now he had run off. Again.

The Russian Doctor had a fairly good idea where the wayward DWN would ultimately end up, so he didn’t find it urgent to initiate a chase.

…Besides, that would only make things worse.

No, he was more concerned about the psychological impact this would have on Beck (and Brand) in the long term.]

Mikhail: ({At least… as long as he keeps his transceiver off, he won’t upload his fear to the RMDC. Small blessings, I suppose…})

[The rescued Mighty Numbers all clamored and gathered around the injured pair, Pyrogen helping his unconscious brother to the emergency bay, with the rest smothering Nine with worried chatter and tight, loving hugs.]

[White was still passed out on his chair, a pillow propped up against his head and a white blanket over his form, a soothing ice pack lovingly crafted and placed on his forehead.]

Beck: . . . .

[Beck did not say a word, although he did return the hugs.]

Soi: Hoooo...

Soi: (These things just get worse, huh...)

Soi: (...But at least everyone's...sort of alright.)

Soi: (Goodness, Will, you REALLY can't just fall over like that..)

Soi: I--b-better get to repairs on Brand...Call, could you watch Will?

Call: Yes, Doctor.

Mikhail: …

Call: I will also watch over Dr. Cossack, as I am also detecting unhealthy stress levels.

Soi: Er...right...you...do that...

Mikhail: Mnnn…

[He waited until after Sanda left before he turned to type at the console.]

<MC005 to CALL>: > I am admittedly concerned for Number Nine’s well being.

[CALL] //: .....

<MC005 to CALL>: > He has been very withdrawn as of late, and has taken to secluding himself for long blocks of time.

<MC005 to CALL>: > He seems to be concerned what the others will think of him, and enforces the secrecy out of a kind of desperation—and I don’t think that what happened today will help matters.

[ANALYZING...]

[CALL to MC005] //: What do you propose, Doctor?

Mikhail: -Leans against a hand, seeming tired-

<MC005 to CALL>: > I’ll need a little time to think on that. He needs someone to talk to, that much is certain.

<MC005 to CALL>: > I’d like to talk to him myself, just to try and understand the situation better, so I can figure out how to calm down anyone connected to the RMDC server.

[CALL to MC005] //:  ......

[CALL to MC005] //: Acknowledged.

[CALL to MC005] //: I suggest you also rest, Doctor.

[He was thoughtful for a moment.]

Mikhail: …Is there a piano anywhere around here, I wonder…?

[CALL to MC005] //: ...Beck plays.

[CALL to MC005] //: There is a keyboard in his room.

Mikhail: Ah, thank you. …But I suppose you’re right. Rest, for now. ({I’ll play the song later.})

Mikhail: Shadowman will be heading toward Texas. There are three possibilities: either he will continue travel within this world, end up in the Wilderness, or make it to our own world’s Texas. He should make contact once he figures out his brothers are alright and are still alive.

Mikhail: Make sure to keep an eye on Wily Eight’s isolation.

[CALL] //: Understood, Dr. Cossack.

[With that, the Russian reluctantly relocated somewhere that was conducive to sleep.]

[MEANWHILE, AT CHERRYDYNAMICS...]

[...The sound of a phone ringing.]

[Click.]

"Mmm. Oh yes, yes, Senator. Our FULL resources our dedicated to resolving--"

[A pause. Some calm chatter from the other side.]

"...Mm. Yes, yes--Oh--yes, very wise of you. I'll speak with--yes, that too--Oh, no, thank YOU, sir. Hmm. Alright. Stay safe."

[SLAM.]

[A tall, lanky, blond haired man in a sharp, purple business suit slammed the landline phone down—HARD—on the receiver, nearly breaking the thing in his fit of rage. Violet eyes furrowed in both frustration and fury.]

Graham: IDIOT!

Graham: Argh, that aggravating MORON--!

Graham: Fine--FINE! If you want to be that way, friend, then you can go throw yourself to the bots-- see if I care.

Graham: I don't NEED you...

[He began pacing around his office, grumbling angrily under his breath...]

Graham: Why are they hounding ME about the problem, and not torturing BLACKWELL to get the answer?!

Graham: This is TWICE--

Graham: TWICE that old goat and his WRETCHED FAMILY have made me--MADE US--LOOK LIKE A FOOL--!

Graham: RrrrrAAAGH--!

Graham: Rrrgh...

Graham: You--You and that TOY of yours...

Graham: And HIM.

Graham: I should have just taken HER later when I had the chance--!

Graham: But you just had to INTERFERE, didn't you...

[...There are several files on his desk...]

[All stamped as confidential.]

[DEMONSTRATING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE BATTLE COLOSSEUM.]

[PROJECT TRINITY--CDN.1201]

[CANCELLED.]

[--REASON: STAFF COMPLICATIONS AND RESULTS OF CDN.1101.]

Graham: ......

Graham: At least I still HAVE her...

Graham: That's the one saving grace you didn't TAKE from me...

Graham: Rnnngh...

Graham: I hope you BURN in hell for what you've done, wherever you are...!

[Riiiiing...]

Graham: Uuugh...

[With a harsh sigh, Gregory picked up the receiver, and cleared his throat. His tone turned pleasant and cheerful.]

Graham: CherryDynamics, CEO Gregory Graham speaking--oh, OH! A pleasure to hear from YOU, sir, yes! My goodness, I was starting to fear the worst--! Are you and your wife and children--?

Graham: That's wonderful--yes, of course, but I have--oh, no, there's no need--I have to stay here, you know...

[Pause.]

Graham: ....No. There's no one--no, I'm not MARRIED, you silly--

[Another pause.]

Graham: I said there is NO one, sir.

Graham: ...Just me.

Graham: --Oh no, of course. Thank you for your concern, though.

Graham: I really do appreciate it...

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

=CHAPTER 7B: RUSH INTO THE MINE=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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

[LATER THAT NIGHT....]

[William White was staring patiently at the same analysis screen for several hours, a full jug of coffee at his side. It had gone cold long ago. Mikhail had left for his own devices shortly after making it, mentioning he had important work to do with Siam before he could return.

And that was certainly for the better…]

Will: (Eight...Eight samples.)

Will: (This should be enough--this has to be enough...)

[It was in that moment that Soi stepped into the room.]

Soi: --Will?

Will: --Oh. Soi.

Soi: Good Lord, man, I thought you went to bed ages ago!

Soi: Didn't Mikhail warn you about staying up too late?

Will: Under the circumstances, he's overlooked it for now.

Will: I'm so close, Soi, I can just...

Will: I have all the pieces, I just have to fit them together.

Will: -Turns back to the Terminal- I've already arrange the code, it's only a matter of figuring out what goes where...

Will: And hopefully, I can start to finally counteract this nightmare.

Soi: Thank goodness.

Soi: Once we figure out what's going on with the Virus, my brother will send help!

Soi: -Sigh-

Soi: And all we need is Shade back.

Will: Yes...

Will: I think the others are dreading that, somewhat. Mikhail was...He had that look about him.

Soi: Because Shade is a Hunter?

Will: Perhaps.

Will: But I think it's something else.

Will: Or rather...

Will: Someone.

Will: ....

Will: In any case.

Will: -Working as he speaks- You do have a point. This...

Will: It's almost over, now.

Will: .....

Will: Soi?

Soi: Yes?

Will: ......

Will: I...

Will: Do you think that...Maybe...

Will: . . . .

Soi: ???

Will: ...Nevermind.

Soi: What?

Will: No, it's...It was just a passing thought.

Soi: Wiiiiilll.

Soi: Come on, I know you want to tell me something when you suddenly back out of it!

Will: I just---

[PING!]

Will: !

Will: Wait--

Will: Soi, I--I think I did it--!

Soi: -WAIT WHAT, REALLY--??-

Will: Hold on, let me just run this through one more time--

Soi: Oh, man, this is great!

Soi: -YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN, WILL.-

Soi: I know that it's still processing, but as soon as that's confirmed, I can call Mikhail back--

Soi: And then we can get to--

Soi: --!!!

Soi: --...Will?

[No response.]

[None.]

[The room was suddenly filled with a tense silence.]

[...That is, save for the quiet patter of drops on a keyboard.]

Soi: Will--

[It was as if he wasn't hearing him.]

[William sat there in what appeared to be shock, huge streams of tears falling from his emerald hues.]

[He was crying.]

Will: . . .

Soi: Will, are you alright--

Will: . . .

Will: I...

Soi: Will--oh dear should--should I call Mikhail or--?

[THAT got him out of the shock, but it was quickly replaced by sheer panic--]

[Will bolted straight for the door, fumbling with his keycard to lock it--]

Soi: --???!

[He then proceeded to shut down all the computers, cameras, even his phone--]

Soi: Will--

Soi: Will!

[Soi grabbed his arm before he could do anything else concerning, a firm tone in his voice.]

Soi: What is going on--?! What did you--

Will: It's mine.

Soi: --???

Will: The virus--it's coding--It's MINE, Soi--!

Will: All of this is MY FAULT--!

Soi: Wha...

[Soi was so...so taken back by it that he let go.]

Soi: Wait--

Will: -PANICKY--

Will: It's all my fault, the madness, our sons and daughters, our own family, HIS--!

Will: The whole country is suffering because of MY MISTAKE--!

Soi: WILL!

[Soi claps very hard in front of Will's face, which was enough to bring him out of his panic attack, or at least some of it.]

Soi: Breathe.

Soi: I've known you for more than 10 years and I know that none of this is your fault.

Soi: You--

Soi: You're different, now, Will.

Soi: Remember?

Will: ........

Soi: .....

Soi: Let's just...Sit.

Soi: Start over.

Soi: Okay?

Will: . . .

[Will sits back down with a shivering sigh, his head buried into his hands. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, but it didn't seem to help much.]

Will: S-Soi...

Will: The...The code, Soi--

Will: It's mine. I know it is.

Soi: Really?

[Silence.]

Will: ....

Will: Not...All of it.

Soi: See, so it isn't--

Soi: --Wait-- not ALL of it?

Soi: I...I don't understand.

Will: .....

Will: Soi...

Will: Remember...

Will: Remember when you first hired me?

Soi: I...Of course.

Soi: How could I forget?

Will: .....

Will: I told you that I had previous experience with robotics before.

Will: You know what I mean.

Soi: ......

[Now it was Soi's turn to be shocked.]

Soi: No, wait--

Soi: You can't mean--

Soi: This--You mean this whole robot rampage--?!

Will: --is all my fault, indeed.

Will: Or rather...

Will: The fault of a robot that I designed long ago...

Will: The CDN-1201.

Will: ...Trinity.

Will: I designed her to evolve by assimilating other robot's capabilities...

Will: I found her custom scripts in the virus code we retrieved from each of the haywire Mighty Numbers--as well as...

Will: From...Mikhail's database sample...

Will: The structure is clever, cunning, concise...

Will: It's brilliant. There's no doubt it's my code.

Soi: Now wait just a minute--!

Soi: How--How is that even POSSIBLE, Will?

Soi: CherryDynamics shut down the Trinity project AGES ago!

Soi: In fact it was--

Soi: Dr. Blackwell himself, wasn't it--? Back when he was CTO--?

[Will stiffens at that.]

Soi: ....

Soi: I...

Soi: I always thought that was the reason you left Cherry to come work with us and make the Mighties here...

Soi: Wasn't it?

Will: Of COURSE it was, Soi!

Soi: --Nngh-- (Oh no, he's angry--)

Will: After what HAPPENED there--

Will: After what I had to do to HER--

Will: In the end, Blackwell only saw the dangers, not the potential--!

Will: He NEVER gave ME a CHANCE!

Will: Never gave HER a...a chance...

Soi: ......

[As quickly as Will flared, he slowly SAT back down again, tears now flowing freely.]

Will: I can still hear her in my DREAMS, Soi.

Will: I...

Will: God, I was a fool.

Will: Such a fool...

Will: But I was just so eager and wanted to prove myself to HIM that I...I didn't listen.

Will: And now she's come to haunt me again.

Soi: --Will.....

Will: I...I just--

Will: --I can't TELL them, Soi, I just CAN'T--!

Will: To tell them that all that I am--all of who I AM IS A LIE?!

Will: What that would do to them, to--to all that we have built and come to cherish--

Will: I DON'T WANT TO LOSE EVERYTHING AGAIN, SOI--!

Soi: Shhhh!

Soi: Will--

[Soichiro calmly wraps an arm around Will's shaking shoulders, almost close to tears himself.]

Soi: You won't, Will--

Soi: I swear we will make this work somehow, if I have a say in it!

Soi: I know her loss was so hard on you, Will, and I know how much it hurts.

Soi: But this...

Soi: This is a virus, Will--Trinity was not a virus.

Soi: She was your daughter, if only for a short time.

Soi: I don't know how or why someone would put her scripts into this...this horrid thing--

Soi: But I do know one thing.

Soi: I will always be in your corner, Will. No matter what happens or who tries to stop us.

Soi: I'll always have your back.

Soi: ^^

Will: ....

Will: -Sniff-

Will: S...Soi...

Will: You--You never HAD to help me...

Soi: Oh, poppycock! That's ridiculous.

Soi: Where would you be without me, eh?

Will: -Sniff-

Will: ....

Will: U-Up the creek with no paddle?

Soi: I was thinking more like still a rotten Cherry, but let's go with that.

Will: Eheh....

Will: ....

Will: What are we going to do, Soi...?

Soi: I don't really know.

Soi: But we can't keep this from Mikhail for long, you know that, right?

Will: . . .

Soi: Will.

Will: I...I don't...

Soi: Will, he GAVE you one of the samples, he's SEEN that custom script.

Will: --....

Soi: He's going to put two and two together eventually, and would you rather have him find out on his own or hearing it from someone he knows is a genuine good person with genuine, good intentions?

Will: . . . .

Will: -Whispers- I don't want him or any of them to think less of me...

Soi: .....

Will: And then there's my own children, Soi...

Will: How would THEY handle this?

Soi: Will, that's sort of your fault there.

Soi: You always put it off ever since Pyro.

Soi: There is just no easy way to go about this, Will.

Soi: You have to tell them the truth.

Will: . . . .

Soi: At least--

Soi: At least tell someone, Will--

Soi: You need to talk about this to someone OTHER than me.

Soi: Someone that isn't quite in our family--but still a friend.

Soi: Someone like...

Soi: ....

Soi: --!

Soi: Felix?

Will: ...But he's just stirring.

Soi: When he's BETTER, Will.

Soi: Honestly, I will drag you to him if I have to, don't think I won't!

Will: -Ngh--

Soi: ....

Soi: Please don't take this the wrong way, Will. I'm doing this as your friend.

Soi: All I want is for you to be well and at peace with...with who you were.

Soi: Alright?

Will: .....

Will: -Inhale-

Will: ...O...Okay...

Will: I...Okay.

Soi: Promise, Will. You have one foot out the door.

Will: ....

Will: I...

Will: I promise.

Soi: To?

Will: Go talk to Felix.

Soi: About?

Will: ...Trinity.

Soi: Good. ^^

Will: ......

Soi: Chin up, Will.

Soi: Things will get better, soon.

Soi: I promise you that. ^^

Will: ....

Will: I...

Will: I can only hope, Soi.

Will: (Hope and dream...)

Will: ...I made a mess, didn't I....

Soi: Sort of? You just turned off everything in a rush.

Soi: ...Also I think you locked us in. ^^;;;

Will: ....

Will: (Oops--)

Will: I...

Will: I think I'll just call someone to get us out...

Will: -Oh God why are there so many messages SOI--

Will: -I THINK IT'S TOO LATE—-

Soi: -Wait what--

[Soi peeked over Will's phone to get a closer look--]

[MESSAGE 1

FROM: MC005]

>WILL

>WILL, WE FINALLY FOUND THE ANSWER

Will: --???

[MESSAGE 2

FROM: MC005]

> {We figured it out Will I’m not sure yet but PICK UP YOUR PHONE—}

Will: -Wait, what--

[MESSAGE 3

FROM: DWN-019]

> -Raw data that is echoed and mostly mirrored-

Will: -Okay so THANK GOD IT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WHAT I THINK IT WAS--

Soi: .....

Soi: You REALLY need to go to sleep.

Will: Shush--

[MESSAGE 4

FROM: DWN-019]

>Doctor!

>I know you are awake working.

>If you were asleep, your phone would have woken you.

> SO GO TO BED WHEN YOU GET THIS.

>There is very important news to share in the morning!

Soi: ...That's kinda scary, actually.

Will: -______-;;;;

[MESSAGE 5

FROM: DWN-019]

>We sent Dr. Cossack to sleep despite his protests, he needs rest.

>Please have everyone gather for breakfast, they’ll want to hear this.

Soi: See?

Soi: Heck, maybe things will work out after all!

Will: . . .

Will: I...Guess so.

Will: ...Before we go, though, I should lock the code--

Soi: That can wait.

Will: -But we really should secure the--

Soi: In the morning, Will.

Will: -But--

Soi: -Alright that's it we're calling in the cavalry-

Soi: Call, dear?

Will: -ERK--

Will: -Waitwaitwait on second thought BED SOUNDS NICE-

Will: -Look see, we're going--

[BONK--!]

Will: Ow--

Will: ....

Will: Oh right I locked us in, didn't I.

Will: Um.

Will: ^^;;;;;

Soi: .....

Soi: -LOSES IT-

Soi: Aw, Will, you...

Soi: Call!

[Footsteps.]

".... Doctors, why is this door locked?"

Soi: Will here accidentally locked us in, heh.

Soi: Be a dear and disengage the lock, will you?

Soi: Oh, and get Will to bed, he's being difficult.

Will: -I SAID I WAS GOING-

"Yes, Doctor. I will only be a few minutes."

Will: -I'm locking the code while she's doing it-

Soi: Will-- -Siiiigh- -_-;;;;;;

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

=CHAPTER 6D: CRIMSON STRONGHOLD=

~AO v1.0~

((Courtesy of @limitbreakers))

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

{ELSEWHERE…}

[Cardinal had been forced to stop and take a rest. He just couldn’t keep going, no matter how much he wanted.

He had forced himself to turn aside and take shelter for the night, to process all his memories.

He could feel the burden again—the weight of the buildup, of life without backing up to the RMD. But he had gone many years without doing so, before—he could handle a few more days, now.

He hoped that’s the extent of how long this would take. He didn’t have the time.

He was very glad to hear that Brand was better, at least—though that would mean that Shadow would also be back Online by now.

With things starting to come to a close, it would be much harder to keep his brothers out of this… especially since they had legitimate reason to get involved, to look for him.]

Cardinal: (I’m sorry, guys. I just had to do this.)

[He vented a sigh, tearing open a sandwich, feeding part to his cat.

Even after he’d gotten up and running this morning… he’d spent nearly all day helping emergency crews on the highway.

He couldn’t help it.

He knew it was slowing him down, but…]

((pic))

[…He also knew that that’s what Countershade would want him to do.]

Cardinal: -Sighs-

[…If he was right, though, he couldn’t afford ANY more distractions.

He needed to get where he was going— before it was too late.]

Cardinal: …

[Once again, he struggled with the thought of informing the others.]

Cardinal: (On one hand…. If I am right, they should probably know as soon as possible. Gotta learn from the mistakes of the others I knew back in the old town… not to let pride get in the way. I can think of several ways that I could contact them without them being able to lock onto my signal and teleport me off, anyway… so there’s really no concern on that front.)

[He was so focused on his thoughts that he didn’t really notice that a background noise was getting louder…]

Cardinal: (But on the other—it IS just short of a wild guess, and this is not the time to cause a panic, especially not on this scale. To raise a false alarm about this would cause massive social damage—not just for the Whites, but for everybody. I can’t risk being wrong—I need to be sure before I call for a Red Alert. I mean… once they hear that Shade might be headed to the—)

“RARF RARF RARF RARF—”

[Cardinal was suddenly tackled square-on by 40 pounds of a hyper, barking bristle of fur.]

Cardinal: Oof—!

Scout: Rarf Rarf Rarf--!

Scout: -I FOUND YOU I FOUND YOU HELLO TALL MASTER'S FRIEND I MISSED YOUUUUU--

Scout: -LICKS FOR FRIEND-

Cardinal: Wha…?

Cardinal: -Ackpth, the licks, the LICKS, okay okay there—-

Cardinal: -Why am I suddenly tackled and licked by a strange dog, you’re on my face, boy are you matted from the feel though-

Scout: -RARF RARF RARF-

Scout: -Sniff-

Scout: -Fewwwwwd-

[Scout's Pick Up!]

Scout: -NOOOM-

Jazz: Ree-ow? D:’,

[With Scout now off him, Cardinal could FINALLY see what was going on. And boy, was he surprised.]

Cardinal: … Scout?!

Scout: -Fewwwwwd-

Scout: -Happy pants, yes that is me-

Scout: Rarf Rarf!

[Cardinal was stunned for a moment, just completely at a loss for thought at the fact that he had been tracked down by an animal— while in the midst of TRAVELING CROSS-COUNTRY no less!

After the initial shock wore off, he crouched down to get a good look at the raccoon dog boy.]

Cardinal: …You don’t really seem that injured. I’m impressed.

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -Stuck to small spaces and such while looking for Master-

Cardinal: …How did you find me? -Getting a bit tense- …Pyro’s not with you, is he?

Scout: -Tilts head-

Scout: Rar?

[Cardinal put a hand to his face.]

Cardinal: Okay, let’s make things simpler. I’m going to ask some yes or no questions… (This feels so stupid, but I know for a fact that these creatures are far more intelligent than animals of our world…) …Bark once for “yes” and twice for “no.” Do you understand?

Scout: Rarf! -Tail waaaag-

[Cardinal sat down.]

Cardinal: Did anyone else travel with you?

Scout: Rarf Rarf!

Cardinal: Did someone else send you to find me?

Scout: Rarf Rarf!

Cardinal: Have you told anyone where I am?

Scout: Rarf Rarf!

Cardinal: Okay, good…

Cardinal: So then… this isn’t about me…

Cardinal: So it must be about Shade, right?

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -We tried smelling for Master but we couldn't find him...-

Scout: -Whiiiines-

Scout: -BUT THEN WE SMELLED YOU and you spend lots of time with Master...-

Scout: Rarf!

Cardinal: Did someone else send you to find Countershade?

Scout: Rarf Rarf!

Cardinal: …Did you…

[He paused, his voice reflecting the slight surprise he felt.]

Cardinal: …Did you run off, alone, on your own, traveling the country to find your Trainer yourself?

Scout: -SITS UP STRAIGHT IN PRIDE-

Scout: Rarf!

[Cardinal sighed and flopped to the ground. He covered his eyes with the back of his arm.]

Scout: ....?

Scout: Rar...? -Paws at side-

Cardinal: …Give me a moment to think, Scout. This is very important, and I need to organize my thoughts. …

[He holds his other arm straight out, sandwich in hand.]

Cardinal: You can have the rest of the sandwich.

Scout: -FEWWWD-

Scout: -Nom nom mmmmmm--

Scout: <3

[While Scout snarfed sandwich scraps, Cardinal concentrated.]

Cardinal: (Man… this is not at all what I had planned for. I don’t want him to be in harm’s way—especially considering what we’re going up against—but there’s no way to send him back. I’m not his Trainer, and I don’t even have any Badges. Even if I submitted myself to confinement by alerting the Mighty Numbers to our location and holding onto him for transport…)

[He looked over.]

Cardinal: (…He’s clearly already broken out of the lab once, and he’ll do it again. If he came with me, though…) … (…If he’s willing to cooperate with me, that might be the safest option.)

Cardinal: …Scout?

Scout: ?

Scout: -Raises head up-

[He hesitated.]

Cardinal: …I’m looking for Shade, too.

Scout: !

Scout: -Oooooh, so that's why you weren't around anymore...-

Cardinal: …I don’t know where he is—

Scout: ??????

Scout: -Whiiiiiiine, but--we thought for sure you did know...

Scout: -Saaad face, ears drooping, nooo--

[Cardinal made a hushing noise and gently closed Scout’s muzzle shut.]

Cardinal: Shh—! I said I don’t know where he is—but I have a guess.

Scout: !!!

Scout: -Muffled happy barking!-

Cardinal: This is all very serious, very dangerous, and very important. So just listen for a few moments, so that you don’t talk over something I’m trying to tell you. Please.

Scout: -Blinks-

Scout: -Muffled single borf, yes we will listen-

Cardinal: I’m on my way there now. I’m only stopping to rest a little because I’m tired… -Clearly reluctant- …and for what may be ahead if I’m right… I’ll need to be at my full strength if I hope to survive it.

[He paused to let that sink in.]

Cardinal: I don’t want you to get hurt. For one thing… it would make Shade very sad. And for another… I like you too, Scout—and if I had to take you to Mt. Pyre, I’d never forgive myself.

[Oh dear. The thought really did distress him.]

Scout: ......

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -We did had to battle a few mean metal things...-

[He patiently patted the patterned Pokémon.]

Cardinal: I know that you’ll probably still go after him, anyway. No matter what. …Just like me, really.

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -Yes, he's our frieeeeend-

Cardinal: So. Might as well work together, right? IF you would adhere to a few rules—so that we’re on the same page, and don’t get confused—I’ll take you with me.

Scout: !!!

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -Sits, but tail is wagging at a blur, because TALL MASTER'S FRIEND IS GOING TO HELP UUUS-

[Cardinal waited for the fur ball to settle down before he continued.]

Cardinal: Rule number one. -Starts counting on left hand- You have got to stay with me while we’re on the road, at least until we get to the area where he is, if not the exact room. If you go running off on your own, I won’t have time to find you again. Got that?

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -Yes we'll follow you so we won't get lost!-

Cardinal: Rule two. -Holds up a second finger- If humans or Xelbots or anything else starts shooting at us, you must take cover, and you must STAY there, barring a few things: if you need to move because your cover is compromised, do that. Otherwise, stay put until you’re given the all clear, or someone you trust comes to get you.

Cardinal: There’s a time for fighting, and a time to stand your ground—and I know that you guys can put up with a lot—but while I’m sure your offense output is great, so is theirs. As far as I know, you fight close-range, not long-range—so you should avoid, since you don’t have a great way to counteract, instead. Does that make sense?

Scout: ...Rarf!

Scout: -Run away and hide from the stronger mean ones because we're not a special attacker, got it...-

Scout: ....

Scout: -Small whine of concern, but what about you?-

Cardinal: I’d be able to concentrate better in that situation if I knew you were safe.

[He smiles a little, and it grows into a grin.]

Cardinal: The rank and file grunts don’t stand a chance against yours truly. Heh heh.

Jazz: -Mechanical prrr-hrrr- |3

Scout: Rarf! -Happy tail wags, Okaaaay~-

Cardinal: Heh. -Pats Scout’s head- Good. Good boy. -Scritch scritch-

Scout: <3

Cardinal: Moving on, then…

Cardinal: So, rule three. -Holds up another finger- NO STEALING.

Scout: Rarrrrr!

Scout: -Runs around in a circle until--

[Scout's Pick Up!]

[...And now he was holding some old cardboard from who knows what...]

Scout: Rarf Rarf! -It's not our fault, that's our ability--

Cardinal: I mean it, Scout. If you get distracted pilfering items, then you’re liable to get left behind, or make things worse by alerting others to where we are, or something. Don’t. Take. Anything.

[He paused for a moment, his voice getting softer as he lowered his hand, eventually letting it rest on Scout’s head.]

Cardinal: …I’m not asking you to do this the whole time, even. Just until things are safe. …I’ll even…

[He hesitated.]

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: …I’ll even… give you something to carry, until then.

[…

There is deep sorrow in that tone.]

Scout: . . . ?

Scout: -Wha--why are you sad all of a sudden??-

Scout: -Whiiiine, no don't be saaad--here have some kisses on your hand--

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: (…I had been wondering how I’d get word and instruction to the others should things… go south. There’s no telling for sure if they saw my last notes.)

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: (…But…. I could… could give that note to Scout.)

Cardinal: … … …

Cardinal: (Just… just in case….)

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -Bumps head into short friend's stomach-

Scout: -Short friend are you okay heeeeey--

[The melancholy prototype was snapped out of his thoughts. It took him a moment to remember, but then he closed his eyes and nodded.]

Cardinal: …I’ll give you something to carry. Okay? …Will you hold onto it for me, while we’re traveling?

Scout: Rarf!

Scout: -If that will make you not sad, then yes, we'll do it-

Cardinal: Heh… -More headpats for Scout- Thanks, buddy.

Cardinal: …Finally, rule four…

[He hesitated.]

Cardinal: …If there’s a really, really big explosion while we’re separated…

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: …If that happens, then…

Cardinal: …

Cardinal: _(…No. I can’t… can’t bring myself to say it.)_

Cardinal: … …

[He was tense for a moment, but then he thought of something and relaxed.]

Cardinal: If that happens, then the area is probably unstable and unsafe, so you should go find shelter elsewhere. Understand?

Scout: Rarf! -Okay, we'll run away from that too-

[…He was too used to these kinds of lies.

Though now was hardly the time to dwell on it.]

Cardinal: Good. -Flops down with a sigh- I’m tired. …I’m going to go to bed and rest for the night. Jazz has the watch. We’ll continue in the morning.

Cardinal: (We’ve still got a long road ahead of us…)

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

=CHAPTER 5B: DESOLATE HIGHWAY=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers)

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

[INTERSTATE ALPHA 2, FOUR CORNERS BORDERS...]

[Night. Night as night can be, in the pouring, pouring rain...]

[The wipers didn't work, so Jack had to make do with the weather. The radio was set to a news channel tracking the 'rogue robot's merciless rampage' across the state.]

Jack: Stupid RAIN...

"The armed robot is currently moving into New Mexico, on Interstate Alpha 1--"

Jack: ...--!!

[SCKREEEEEEE--!!]

“Local pizzeria reports theft of entire stock of cheese pizzas, police confirm unrelated to the current rampage—”

Jack: --?!

Jack: --What the--?!

[Jack swerved left and right, nearly causing himself to flip over several times--]

[These cars--they were going the other way in the wrong lane--!]

Jack: (GREAT, THIS IS ENGLAND ALL OVER AGAIN--)

Jack: --FRAG--

[He needed to get to the other lane--]

[A digital sign overhead blinks in the misty glow of the building's nightlights...]

[NOW ENTERING INTERSTATE ALPHA 1.]

Jack: --!

Jack: (I can switch lanes on the ent--)

[HOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK--]

Jack: !!!!

Jack: Oh, SH--

[The truck interior was flashed with the bright overhead lights of an entire semi-cargo truck on a dead set collision course with Jack...!]

Jack: (CRAP--)

[Jack knew he couldn't avoid something like that.]

[Grabbing the magic Weyard bag he was given from across his seat, he kicked open the driver's side door--]

[ZIIIIIP!]

[His wires attach themselves to a street light and he is pulled away moments before the truck was overtaken by the semi with a loud, sickening CRUNCH.]

Jack: AAAAAAAAAA--!!

[He swings to the other lane and onto a passing car, right onto the hood. The windshield mostly cracks under his weight as he slams into it with a sharp yell.]

Jack: Ow...

[The car, however, still keeps going with little to no resistance with the road...]

Jack: .....?

Jack: Huh...?

[After sitting up with a groan, he realized he was on one of the fancier, newer hover models--the ones that floated above the ground and were MUCH faster than those with wheels.]

Jack: (Wait--if this is one of the new models then--)

[He looked into the car.]

[There was no one inside. The car was driving itself, and WAY too fast for any human or bot to control.]

Jack: (The...the cars ARE infected too...!)

[At the speed they were going, if one of these cars went off road...!]

Jack: This is a giant Highway Delta just WAITING to happen...

Jack: (But where is...?!)

[…Wait.

There was something… odd… about the cars below.]

Jack: ....??

[There were large dents along the roofs of the cars, where something several hundred pounds heavy had landed hard.

With the chaotic nature of the highway, they didn’t show a direct line—but they did give a general direction.

Almost like footprints.]

Jack: .......

Jack: Oh no way--

[Up ahead in the distance, another large dent appeared.

Silently.]

[She wouldn't--SHE IS--on a highway--?!]

Jack: God, you're REALLY putting me through the wringer, Miss Eight--

[Carefully, he rose to his feet, trying to maintain a good balance before putting on his goggles and looking for another street light--fortunately, they were placed evenly over the interstate.]

[ZIIIIIP!]

Jack: Ngh--

Jack: CAAAARMEEEN!

[There was an abrupt and sudden ping.]

<FMN-008>: > Jack?

[CDN.7037 to FMN.8] //: MISS EIGHT--!

[CDN.7073 to FMN.8] //: Oh man finally--FINALLY found you...!

<FMN-008>: > What the hell…

[She seemed… confused, somehow. Surprised.]

<FMN-008>: >Jack— what are you DOING here? For God’s sake—

<FMN-008>: >You need to leave— this is no place for a Civvie!

[CDN.7037] //: OH JEEE, YA THINK?!

[CDN.7037] //: KINDA FIGURED THAT OUT A WHILE AGO, THANKS.

[CDN.7037] //: This isn't any place for YOU either...!

[Carmen was clearly growing impatient. When she spoke again, her voice seemed…

…darker.]

<FMN-008>: > I’ve got business to attend to.

[CDN.7037] //: ......

Jack: (.....n....no...)

[....So...she was...]

[CDN.7037] //: .....

[CDN.7037] //: ....Figures you do...

<FMN-008>: > Augh— INCOMING!

[There was a swarm of sign bots headed his way. As if infected cars weren’t enough—!

At this speed, they could—]

<FMN-008>: > Stay…

<FMN-008>: > AWAY FROM HIM!

[Shots were fired, and bounced crazily off of incoming reinforcements and into the foes that had already swarmed the Cherry Number. Bits and pieces fell away, the parts going flying as the whole thing continued to speed along at over ninety miles an hour.]

Jack: HEY--!!

[Jack covered his face as parts and Xel flew away, nearly falling over on the current vehicle he was on--]

[CDN.7037] //: YA COULD HAVE SHOT ME--

<FMN-008>: > Nnngggh…! N-no…

[Her voice was dark again—but also strained, as if she were struggling against something painful.]

<FMN-008>: > Augh… Get out of here, Jack, before—

[There was a horrific sound up ahead—followed by a fast approaching large metal object—]

WHANG!

[There was a loud thud as something tall and teal appeared out of nowhere and fell to the surface it was standing on.]

Jack: --!!

Jack: MISS EIGHT--!!

[ZIIIP!!]

[He swings over closer to her, to get a better look at her condition--]

Jack: ARE YOU OK--?!

[The Fighting Mighty Number Eight wasn’t out of the fight just yet—but the hit had done quite a lot of damage. She couldn’t resume her Active Camo anymore—no matter how much she tried.]

Jack: (She doesn't have her invisibility...)

Jack: MISS EIGHT--?!

[A low growl.]

Jack: --!

[The lady hunter staggered to her feet, a demonic purple aura about her. Now, she spoke aloud—and there was a clear overlay to her voice, as if it were being applied through a filter.

…A disturbingly familiar one.]

Carmen: I don’t need your help.

Jack: --!!

___________________

"FORFEIT, OR THE ELECTRIC MAIDEN'S HEAD ROLLS!~"

____________________

Jack: (I....no...it can't be...!)

Jack: (She--the...)

Jack: (The crosses....)

Jack: CARMEN--LISTEN TO ME--!

Jack: There's something--something in your head that's making you angry--and it's not your fault...!

[She hissed as more sign bots approached. She shot at an angle off of a car in a different lane, the shots making wild pinball-like bounces to tear them to pieces.]

Carmen: I don’t need protecting. I /REFUSE/ to be put on a leash and shut in a tower! I’m no damsel in distress— AH’ AIN’T MADE A’ GLASS, Y’ALL—

Jack: CARMEN--!!

Jack: FOR LIFE'S SAKE--STOP--

[He ducked as more debris flew over his head, avoiding the edges of the vehicle as he swung on after her.]

[It was as if she’d never heard him.

She lifted her head, her one eye glowing a violent hue the color of blood. Now her rifle was pointed in Jack’s direction.]

Carmen: -SCREAMS- AH’ NEVER HAVE BEEN!

Jack: --!

[.....]

[When he saw her pointing his weapon at him...]

[He froze.]

[The deadly cowgirl would have none of it.]

Carmen: Back off, Puppetdancer! Ah’ have no quarrel with y—

[She wavered, as if she were going to fall. The color of her eye briefly went from crimson to yellow.]

Carmen: A-ah…!

[She was forced to a knee to steady herself and keep her balance. She turned her head to the side, the purple aura fading for a moment.]

Jack: Carmen--I don't want to fight you either--CRAP--!

[Zip, swing, land, repeat--don't fall--]

Jack: I JUST WANT TO TALK--

Carmen: (Everything hurts…! Everything… HURTS!)

[Aaaaaaand then she was not only back on her feet… but also on the move!]

Jack: MISS EIGHT--aw, come on, really?!

[ZIIIIIIP! ZIIIIIIP!]

Jack: STOP--!

[There was a LOUD thud as she leaped over to the truck in front of them.]

Carmen: -Yelling over the whistling wind- Get somewhere safe, Jack! I don’t want you in the way.

Jack: I CAN'T--!

[Another loud thud.]

Jack: You think I'm gonna TURN BACK after all I've gone through just to FIND YOU?!

[Carmen wasn’t about to stay put for anyone. She jumped through the air, landing hard on the vehicle in front—which happened to be a big rig.

And the Spider Puppeteer only followed suit.]

[ZIIIIP!]

Jack: Carmen, PLEASE...!

[Carmen looked angry again, the demonic aura returning. Once again, her rifle was pointed at Jack.]

Carmen: What is it with men and directions? WAI DO YA /NEVER/ LISTEN T’ REASON?! Ah’ SAID that Ah’ have a job t’ do—an’ I won’t let ANYone stop me! So… BEGONE, Dencerhound, a’fore Ah’ show you what Ah’ DO to men who try to chase me—!

[THAT made Jack take a couple of steps back.

His hands shook, his face twisted in a expression of concern and fear.]

Jack: . . . .

[She turned to leave again.]

Jack: ......

Jack: . . .

[No one has greater love than this...

...Than to lay down one's life for his friends.]

Jack: No.

[ZIIIIIIIIP!]

Carmen: —?!

[Carmen found herself held fast with wires. …Unusually strong wires—not so much the strength of steel as of… spider silk?!]

Carmen: What the—

[He yanks her backwards--which took quite a bit of effort, given her weight...]

Jack: I can't let you DO THIS--!

Carmen: GIT OFFA ME—

[She bared her teeth at the former Civvie, her eye displaying cross-hairs over the blood red color.]

Carmen: AIN’T GOT TIME FER THIS, M’ TARGET MOVES FAST AS FRAG, HE’S GETTIN’ AWAY!

Jack: THAT'S--

[Yank--!]

Jack: --A GOOD THING, MISS EIGHT--!

[Carmen screeched in a seething disgust.

She fired off a trick shot which bounced off of the big rig into the sky, hitting a camera drone. She started yelling—and then screaming— skyward…

…as if it wasn’t really Jack she were talking to anymore.]

Carmen: AAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUGH—!

[She thrashed.]

Carmen: You never wanted me. NEVER! /You think I’ve forgotten that?!/ If they’d had your way, /I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXISTED—!/

[There was horrific screeching over the feed along with her shouting.]

Carmen: -Enraged- You lock me in a cage and treat me like glass. ME, the gal BUILT for things more dangerous than you could EVER imagine!

Jack: --?!

Jack: (What...)

Carmen: When Ah’ came back that night with m’ arm missing, did you even try to help me get back on my feet?

Carmen: NO! You blamed it on ME, you said I’d been CARELESS, that I couldn’t HANDLE going outside by myself—

Carmen: YOU PUT ME UNDER PERMANENT PAROLE, /YOUR OWN SISTER—!/

Jack: (I...)

Jack: M...Miss...Eight...

[The aura was now almost like a consuming fire, flaring more intensely in this rage.]

Carmen: You, who were supposed to be BETTER! Supposed t’ see I wasn’t just a number, not just the youngest! Not just a GIRL! You’re no better than the scrap that clogs up the arena, calling me names and spreading those lies—!

[.....]

[Lies--lies and slander...]

Jack: . . .

[His core lurched in sympathy for her, his heart cracked with every pained word, every agonizing sentence...]

Jack: (God, Miss Eight, no...)

Carmen: I hate you.

Carmen: I HATE YOU /BOTH/ SO DAMN MUCH—!

[The aura died down. Carmen’s breath was ragged, and her readings were low.

But she looked up with a glare. Her eye changed from blood red to the same demonic purple as the aura that surrounded her.]

Carmen: Grr—! …I’ve got no quarrel with you, Cub—so let go!

[YANK.]

Jack: I--I CAN'T!

Jack: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING--!

Carmen: Don’t know what I’m doing? DON’T KNOW WHAT AH—

Jack: FOR GOD'S SAKE, CARMEN, SHUT U P FOR TWO SECONDS--!

Jack: YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON THAT C A R E S ABOUT ME IN THIS LIFE!

Jack: I'M N O T GONNA LET THAT GO!

[A pause.]

Jack: .....

Jack: Carmen?

[…Uh-oh.]

Carmen: Oh, so you wanna play NOW then, do ya—

[HER EYE DISPLAYED CROSS-HAIRS CENTERED OVER JACK’S SPIDERWEB SYMBOL.]

Carmen: You wanna DANCE, do ya?

Jack: (Oh--OH SCRAP, I'M DEAD.)

Jack:

U-Uh--!

[Carmen suddenly dashed forward and RAMMED right into Jack.]

Jack: OOF--!

[Jack was tackled RIGHT off his feet and onto the rig, with the wind knocked out of him. He was a wheezing mess for a couple of seconds--]

[But he still held fast.]

Jack: N-Ngh...

[Carmen stood, glaring down at Jack—or so it seemed, given her menacing stance. The places where eyes would be in the face of any other Xelbot were cast in a deep, dark shadow.]

Carmen: Tch.

[She sounded unimpressed.]

Carmen: If ya won’t let me go… Ah’ll just have t’ bring you with me! Now be a good boy… an’ HEEL.

Jack: N...

Jack: I can't...do that...

Carmen: Ah’ said HEEL, not SPEAK. Now get yer act t’gether, we’re goin’ hunting. MOVE IT!

[.......]

______________________

"For [Frag's] sake, Den. I'm starting to wonder why I even picked you off the street in the FIRST place."

"I--"

"You can't even DODGE or take a hit right--you're NEVER going to survive out in the arena if you keep being WEAK!"

"B-Boss, it's ju--"

"I don't want to HEAR it."

"Now be a GOOD boy and do as I say."

"But--"

"MOVE IT, PUPPET!"

__________________________

[That was it.]

[He was SICK and TIRED of this.]

[Sick and tired of being treated as a throwaway mutt--!]

[When Jack raised his head, his eyes were GLOWING a bright purple. Not at all like the virus's evil glow--this was strong, and defiant, and angry.]

Jack: THAT'S IT--YOU KNOW WHAT?!

Jack: I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU BOSS ME AROUND--NOT Y O U!

Jack: NOT ANYMORE--!

[...Strange...he...didn't seem to be talking to Carmen...?]

Jack: I'm NOT backing down--

Jack: And I'm NOT going anywhere with you--!

Jack: No...

Jack: NO WAY, MISS EIGHT.

Jack: YOU WANNA DANCE?! FINE!

[A HARSH YANK.]

Jack: LET'S D A N C E.

[She gave a wicked grin. …A shark grin that was disturbingly like her vampire witch sister’s—Dyna’s.]

Carmen: Thought ya’d NEVER ask~

[She YANKS hard, moving quickly to the side. It becomes apparent why soon enough—there are more debris headed their way, and she was trying to get the wires right between them!]

Jack: --!!

[Was she--well, yes, actually, she WAS crazy.]

[His arms swing backwards, so that the strings straighten out like fine lines, almost invisible to the naked eye...]

Jack: (Can't let them get tangled...!)

[It…

…didn’t work out the way Carmen had hoped.]

Carmen: ?!

[She just STARED in astonishment as the debris cut cleanly through the wires—as if it were cheese run through several dozen slicers.]

Carmen: -Meepface- . . .

Jack: .....

Jack: Woah.

[Jack seemed to be as EQUALLY surprised...]

[And THEEEEN she surged with panic.]

Carmen: (OH M’ GOD THEY’RE ALL AROUND ME /HE COULD SLICE ME RIGHT IN HALF WITH THOSE GAROTTES—/)

[.......]

[She....wasn't the only one going into panic.]

Jack: (OH GOD--OH SCRAP IF I EVEN M O V E WRONG I COULD TURN HER INTO RIBBONS OH MAN OH NO--)

Carmen: -Glitched screeching- AH WON’T LOSE ANY MORE LIMBS, DAMMIT—!

Jack: NO--I SWEAR I WON'T HURT YOU--!

[She moved in closer in her long strides, but it was clear from the fluid motion and calm control that she just wanted to slack the lines a bit. She pivoted aside to look at him, a loading icon displaying on her eye as she tried to think of something—anything— that would work here.]

Carmen: (Glitchfrag it…!)

Carmen: (Ah’ know…)

Carmen: (Ah’ KNOW I’ve lived through missions in situations just as bad or worse—)

Jack: OK--um--uh--I...OK just don't move--

Jack: I swear I'll get us out of this--!

Carmen: Why…

Carmen: Why can’t I remember…?

Jack: ....!

Jack: (Remember...?)

Jack: C...Carmen...!

Carmen: Nnngh…!

[And again a semi-collapse to her knees, her head turned to the side.]

Carmen: (Lord help me, the HEADACHES…)

Jack: Carmen...!

[The aura surged again, and she looked up, angry.]

Carmen: Grrrr…!

[She returned to her feet.]

Carmen: A Mighty NEVER loses on their knees!

Jack: --!!

Jack: Eep--

[He backs up again, careful to not tug on his wires too harshly now--]

[He didn't want to hurt her that way...!]

Jack: C-Carmen...please....

Jack: Don't....don't you remember me?

Jack: I--I don't want to hurt you, please, stop...!

Carmen: Jack…!

[The virus wasn’t ready to give up such a prize. The aura surged again—and again, the demonic overlay.]

Carmen: I remember a terrified civvie in way over his head who ran t’ mah heels from just a few /words/.

Carmen: I remember someone who… who DIDN’T have th’ strength t’ face the forces of darkness…!

[A glare.]

Carmen: /I don’t recognize this—this steadfast WARRIOR in front a’ me—!/

Jack: .......

Jack: Well, to be honest--I don't really recognize the women in front of me either.

Jack: But I KNOW that isn't your fault.

Jack: .....

Jack: I'm no warrior.

Jack: I'm just a normal guy trying to save his friend with what he's got.

Jack: I'm just a guy with REALLY bad luck and way too many regrets and mistakes on his head.

Jack: .....

Jack: But I'm not gonna let that stop me.

Jack: Not you, Carmen...

Jack: And certainly not YOU.

[A glitched screech at that.]

Carmen?: WHY, CDN-7037?

Carmen?: YOU. CANNOT DEFY FATE!

Carmen?: YOU KNOW. TOO MUCH!

Jack: --???

Jack: What are--

[Carmen paused to take a firmer stance, but then, suddenly—

The aura faded and her eye turned a pale gray.]

Carmen: Aw glitch—

[Jack tuned around to see what Carmen was more concerned about--]

[...That...was his mistake.]

[WHANG!]

[…Carmen had seen it coming, and had even tried to duck.

But she was tall, injured, and neither of those things made it easy to dodge in close quarters.

She hit the entrance to the tunnel head-on.]

WHANG.

[Jack's systems were jostled, and he could see nothing but static for a good half minute.]

[Pain, dizzy, what, where is...]

Jack: Aaaaaaawfraaaaaaaag....

Jack: Can't...

[Bright, dark, bright, dark...]

[The static finally clears out...]

Jack: A-Ah...

Jack: What...was...

[Though he was still seeing stars, he could tell from the orange glow of lights that they had entered...a tunnel?]

Jack: (Did...did I seriously get hit by...?)

Jack: Ah--!

Jack: (Can't...hurts to...think...ow...)

Carmen: J-… Jack…

Jack: ...!

Jack: C...Carmen...?

Jack: (Miss Eight...is she...?)

[The aura was still there, but very faint. …It wasn’t hard to see why.

She’d hit the overpass SO hard that it had cracked her radar dish—and maybe even the rest of her skull. There certainly was a lot of sickly-looking Xel pooling beneath her head.]

Carmen: -Weakly- Jack…?

Jack: .....!!!

Jack: (X-Xel--she's...no...)

Jack: M...Miss...Eight...!

[With some reserved strength he never knew he had, he crawled his way towards her, and pushed himself up on his elbows to get a better look at her.]

Jack: Oh no...

Carmen: …Can’t…

Jack: Miss Eight...it--you're gonna be OK...

Jack: If ya can't move--

Carmen: Can’t… see…

Jack: ....!!!

Jack: Y...You can't...?

[Back into the glaring light of the setting sun.]

Carmen: He’s going to get away…

[Her anger couldn’t sustain her through the damage.]

Carmen: Can’t… can’t see… ANYTHING… can barely hear, so fault…

Jack: Carmen...

[Jack placed a shaky hand on her shoulder, so she can at least feel his presence somehow, with her sight and hearing so shot...]

Jack: I-It's OK...I'm...here...

Jack: (Everything hurts, ow...)

[She tried to get to her feet. When it didn’t work, she shifted into her civilian form. This stopped the Xel loss, but didn’t help the pain.]

Carmen: God help me, this headache…

Jack: Y-You and me both, ow...

[She suddenly pushed herself to her knees—but the eighteen wheeler LURCHED.]

Carmen: -YELPS-

Jack: WHOA--!!

[Jack saw why—there were bits of wreckage EVERYWHERE in the road ahead. And they were approaching cars that had been literally sliced in half.]

Jack: Oh FRAG...

Jack: WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS RIG N O W--

[There was a rough and violent bit of turbulence before the truck briefly went flying and then tipping over—]

Jack: AAAAAAAAH--!

[At first, the only thought on his mind was Carmen.]

[So the first thing he did was grab her.]

[And the next?]

[ZIIIIIIP!]

[His wires wrap around another street light, and the two of them are sent swinging onto another passing rig on the opposite lane.]

[....There wasn't as much grace in the landing, though.]

Carmen: Hrgh…

Jack: C-Crap...

Jack: OK...ah...um--ow...

Jack: Gotta...get...

[A faint, choppy noise seemed to cut through the ambience of the highway.]

[…

…Seemed to be getting louder…]

Jack: .......?

Jack: (What...what is that noise...?)

Jack: (S...Sounds...like...)

“FINALLY!”

Carmen: …Th’ hell—Beck…?

Jack: ....!

Jack: K...Kid...?

[There was a slight THUD as Fighting Mighty Number Nine landed next to the beleaguered Cherry.]

Pup: Man, you are HARD to find!

[Carmen shifted back into her combat form.]

Carmen: You…!

Jack: --!!

Jack: Carmen, no--!

Carmen: You’re here on One’s orders, to drag me back to confinement—!

[Beck didn’t seem fazed. He shifted forms—]

[ZZT.]

[…It was almost comical how that tiny zap put her back down.]

Carmen: OW—

Pup: No more hide-and-seek, Sis!

[He shifted back to his default… glowing… green, now?]

Jack: ....!

Jack: Wait, what are you--

Pup: TIME TO COME HOME!

[There was a bright green flash as he thrust his arm forward—causing Carmen to glow as well—]

Carmen: G…GYAH—

[… … …]

“Come on out, Pup. No need t’ hide from me.”

“S-sorry—”

[He stepped out from behind a street sign that Carmen had in her room for some reason. His sister was polishing her boots, humming a song.]

“What’s on your mind?”

“… … …”

“C’mon, now.~ Yer alright.”

“…Sis…”

“Mmhmm?”

“Why do you make up those stories?”

[Silence.

Long, awkward silence.]

“S-… a-ack, I-I— I’m sorry—”

[A pulse of relaxing data.]

“…Easy now, hon. …Ah’ ain’t mad at ya.”

“…Y-… you’re… not?”

[She clicked her tongue.]

“Yer the most honest soul on God’s green earth. ‘Course ya can’t understand the workings of lies.”

[Another pause.]

“…Y’ know… I don’t know if I’ll ever tell anyone what happened.”

“Not… not even Dad?”

“No.”

“But—but it’s Dad—”

“Shhh…”

“Lemme tell you something, Pup. When you go through that kind of darkness, there are only so many things you can do with what’s left, after.”

“You can choose to let it haunt you. To define you. To become your obsession. You can go off the deep end into denial, even more of an obsession. Or you can just say, ‘I don’t like talking about that time’ and take things in your own control.”

“People are never gonna stop asking, hon. Never. Even if I ever were to be made whole. Maybe Ah’ COULD tell the truth every single time—maybe, maybe not. For all you know, I’m sworn to secrecy.”

“You… you could tell US if you were, though… right?”

“Heh… not the point, Puppy. The point is… the answer doesn’t change what happened then. So I choose not to give that answer any power.”

“I shall defy it, mock it, scorn it— Trivialize it, so that it’s not in control. No room for self-pity—not at work, and not at m’ other job, either.”

“But…”

“You know the kind of people I work with. And you know that sometimes, I meet people who are really scared. Why focus on what you don’t have—what you’re not— When instead you could be movin’ forward with a healing touch with the vast strength you DO have?”

“Helpin’ others means putting them, first. Whether yer scared, or troubled—”

“We don’t have to be in the spotlight, Beck, to make a difference. Sometimes, the most important things are done where only Heaven can see.”

[… … …]

[XEL PURGE COMPLETE.]

[ALL HARMFUL MALWARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM FMN-008.]

Carmen: Nnnn…

Jack: !!!!

Jack: (What in the world was that...green...?)

Jack: Carmen...?

Carmen: …What… what…?

Carmen: Jack, is that you…?

Jack: Y...Yeah...?

Jack: Are...is...oh my God...

[The lady assassin felt very out of it. Everything was darkness… but she had to reach out for that voice, confirm that it wasn’t all a dream…]

Carmen: -Reaches up with her hand to touch his face- Ah’—Ah’ can’t see you right now—

Jack: Y--You...it's...

[.....]

[Were....those...tears she felt on her fingers...?]

Jack: It's...it's you...!

Carmen: …

Carmen: …Are we… what…

Jack: Oh God it's really you Miss E--

Carmen: Where are we? Avi’s wind tunnel or somethin’?

[HONK HOOOOOONK.]

Jack: ...!!!

Jack: oH--

Pup: Yikes!

[…Oh. RIGHT.

They were still in the middle of a pack of crazed cars heading who knows where at over 90 miles an hour.]

Jack: Kid--We gotta get off this crazy--

Pup: UH—

Pup: UM

Pup: -AAAAH I CAN’T CARRY YOU /BOTH/, SIS IS SO—uhhhh… TALL.-

Jack: FRAG--!

Jack: UH--UM--

[A search light suddenly illuminated the area around them.]

Jack: --Wha?!

“YOOOOOOO!”

"HOW'S IT HANGING, BROS?"

Jack: ....?!

Jack: SIX?!

Carmen: AVI!

Pup: TWO AVIS—

Goose: -Swoops in closer to perform a cursory check on the stability of the platform- Well, Avi, looks like Spiderman and Wonderwoman landed in a… sticky situation!

Carmen: …

Maverick: Ooo, looks like you're right, Avi--it's a real TANGLED MESS.~

Carmen: . . .

Pup: But—I thought One told you to stay behind—

Goose: AW, C’MON, BECKY

Goose: DID YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD LET THIS CHANCE

Goose: PASS UP? ; D

Carmen: . . .

Jack: ......

Maverick: HA! I get it!

Carmen: (Lordy Ah’ musta done somethin’ horrific t’ suffer THIS as my punishment—) -Weakly- Goose, ain’t… got th’… energy t’ yell at ya properly fer that right now…

Goose: I know, right :^D

Maverick: Heheh...

Maverick: Hate to cut this short--but we REALLY need to make an exit, don't ya think? ; D

Jack: (Wow...they are REALLY showing no mercy...)

Maverick: Any longer and we'll have to ride them up for going over the speed limit--

Jack: UM, GUYS--

Jack: NOW'S NOT THE TIME--

Goose: Truuuuue enough! Time waits for no one! 8^D

Carmen: -Faintly- Lord help me but He sure knows ah’ve earned this sufferin’…

Goose: Seems like you guys could use a LIFT out of here! ^.^

[The chipper plane scooped his solid younger sister right off the roof of the rig.]

Pup: —! WOAH WOAH WAIT—

[Oops.

The strings were still attached.

Jack got yanked along about a foot, like a pull toy.]

Jack: FRAG FRAG FRAG S T O P--!!

[There was a sudden red blur.]

-SHING!-

[THUD.]

Jack: Ow...

Ninja!Pup: Whew…

Goose: … -Just kinda. Blinks for a moment-

Goose: …Um.

Goose: WELL! If everyone’s checked in, time for Avi Airlines to get you out of here!

Carmen: Uggh…

Carmen: Ah’ suppose Ah’ deserve your puns. But no weight jokes or Ah SWEAR Ah’ll take ya down with me, got it?

Goose: Love ya too, Sis! ^.^

Jack: Ha...

Jack: Oweverythinghurts....

Maverick: I got ya, Jackie!

[Rick hovers over Jack as he grabs both of his arms to lift him up, then hoists him further into the air with relative ease.]

Maverick: All set, yo! Let's hit it!

[Pup shifted into Avi’s form to follow after them, the three fliers headed off away from the highway.]

Goose: -Touches down gently- Theeere we go.

-Ping!-

<MC005>: > Augh, why is there still no signal?

<FMN-001>: > This IS Shade we’re talking about…

Carmen: -Groans- (…Brother?)

<DWN-011>: > …think it is more that her transceiver is damaged…

Maverick: Yeah, you guys don't look so good...

Jack: Tunnel...

Maverick: ???

Jack: Didn't...see it...

Maverick: OW...

Jack: ...Mng...

<MC005>: > …I have an idea…

<MC005>: >Will, you don’t mind a lot of sand near the teleporters, do you?

[DR.WHITE] //: Er, no--why?

<MC005>: >I’m going to do a spherical transportation.

<MC005>: >Call, if you please…

[DR.WHITE] //: Ah--! Yes, that will do the trick...

Jack: ...Is that Doc White...?

Maverick: Yup. And Dr. Cossack. Say hi, Jackie!

Jack: Heh...hi...sorry I don't look my best right now...

<MC005>: >Heh… don’t worry about that.

Carmen: Daddy…

[DR.WHITE] //: It's alright now, Shade.

[DR.WHITE] //: You'll be home soon.

Carmen: … ‘kay, Dad.

Carmen: I’mma… I’mma just…

Carmen: …sleep, nao—

<FMN-008 has entered Deep Sleep mode.>

Jack: . . .

Jack: H...Hey...Docs...

Jack: She's...she's gonna be OK now, right? Dunno...dunno what the kid did but...

Jack: She's...not crazy any more, right...?

Goose: Bro. Bro.

Goose: Not in the way you’re talking about, no.

Goose: But… her being okay eventually means being back to doing her crazy, ridiculous stunts. …Just part of who Eight is.

Jack: Heh....

Jack: Wouldn't...have it any other...way...

Jack: Just...wanted to...make sure...

Jack: So tired--

[INSUFFICIENT POWER SUPPLY. SHUT DOWN INITIATED.]

[CDN.7037 HAS GONE INTO DEEP SLEEP MODE.]

Goose: …

Goose: [sub]Looks like Mister Sandman paid them a visit[/sub] :’^D

Maverick: You said it, mirror...

Pup: -Sighs inwardly- (Yep. Definitely back to normal.)

{Later that Night…}

[Having delivered Jack and Carmen to the emergency bay, Maverick and Goose made a swift exit stage left, in an attempt to avoid Pyrogen’s wrath.

However, their plan to vacate to the Meadow instead…

…didn’t work as well as they might have hoped.]

Bonnie: You are all okay AVI DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED—WHAT IF SHADE HAD HIT YOU— -Seems to be talking to both-

[…Oops. The OTHER Pyro was there waiting for them.]

Maverick: 8' D (Hoooo boy...)

Bonnie: -Pulls Rick into a half-hug… aaaaand Goose in a headlock-

[…One gets the impression Rick is not in a headlock because he currently lacks a civvie form.]

Rick: ^.^;;;;; (Man I am so glad I do not have a squishy form at the moment--)

Bonnie: -BIG BRO IS SO GLAD YOU ALL ARE OKAY—but you’re still in trouble, especially you, Rick-

Rick: -WAT WHY ME--ooooooh wait-

Rick: ehehehehuuuuuh... 8' D

Bonnie: You might have at least TOLD your Pyro BEFORE suddenly abdicating the emergency bay…

Goose: Aww, but then he woulda said no. D^:

Rick: Yeaaaaaaaaaah he would--in my defense I knew Goose needed help so???

Bonnie: | [

Rick: IIIIIIII am so dead when I get home aren't I--

Goose: MAYBE but I’ll help take the heat— gak!

Bonnie: -Loosens his grip, because he was just giving a warning- If this was your idea, then you’d better own up to it.

Goose: YEP MORE OR LESS—I mean I tried to tell you, Beck only has one arm in that form, the other is used for flying, no way he could carry ‘em both—

Bonnie: How did you even know where to start looking?

Goose: WELL. There was this news report about a pizza robbery—

Goose: Didn’t realize Jack was there too until my cameras found them. Uh… she shut that down pretty quick, though, so… had to go in in person.

Rick: Yeah, she was REALLY letting those bullets fly...

Rick: -Totally intended pun by the way-

Rick: And then Jack was zippin' and zoomin' all over the place, and the debris, whew!

Bonnie: -Small sigh- Alright, you two. Time to get started.

Goose: Uh…?

Bonnie: You. You are going to help with the cooking.

Rick: . . . .

Rick: Uh, BOTH of us or are you talking to Goose-- (Gosh sometimes it's hard being mirrors--)

Bonnie: No, I’m sure your eldest has something else in mind. What might that be, MNN-001?

[And then there he was—the one figure they had been trying to evade in the first place—arms crossed and everything.]

Pat: HE is going straight home and helping Father with data analysis.

Rick: (WHEEEEEERE DID YOU COME FROM--)

Pat: And to help track down our last three kin, Call could use the assistance.

Rick: Uh....sure...yeah... (No seriously where did Bro come from--)

Goose: H-hi bro :’D;;;

Bonnie: (I’ll admit… I was hoping they’d see Cardinal on the highway, but of course not…) -Lets go of Rick-

Goose: Um… is this really the time for baking, though—

Bonnie: Have you been paying any attention?

Bonnie: There are now 33 people to feed. And more will be coming.

Bonnie: ONE of those is COUNTERSHADE.

Goose: -Hrk—!- Okay okay I get it—

Bonnie: Besides, I think CDN-7037 deserves some sort of reward, don’t you? I’ve heard he’s quite the carnivore…

Rick: Yeah, real meat lover...

Pat: If that's the case, I'll assist with food whenever possible. We should ask Nico too, he's also quite the cook.

Goose: I thought he was playing Doctor while Nineteen sealed himself in his room and Doc C was in Cali?

Bonnie: Well, Captain Piers has come over to assist in the healing process. It helps that Felix has been stable for a while and they have another Healer there… and that Plume and Landcrusher are also stable…

Goose: -Sudden lightbulb- Uh. Patrick? Y’ might be busy just keeping an eye on the three of them for a while…

Pat: . . .

Rick: Y...Yeah, I think we all gotta just keep an eye on everyone that's still recovering for now...

Pat: (...Shadow can stay with Brand, that will help...)

Skull: {I’m sure he would like that.}

Rick: Gah--

Pat: Skull.

Rick: (How does he DO that???)

[The soft-spoken skeleton was finally up again. He had come back Online as soon as Brandish had been brought to the lab, as he was needed to help run things in the Meadow.]

Skull: Apologies, MNN-006. It was not my intention to startle you.

Rick: Eheh--noooo problem, bro... : ' D

Skull: {We are incredibly glad you are well, Aviator. We missed you.}

Rick: Eheh...

Rick: Y-Yeah...good to be back...

Rick: .....

Rick: -scoooots behind big bro nope we're not hiding at all.-

Rick: : ' D

Skull: …? ({Am I missing something?})

Rick: Um--

Rick: I'm just gonna--go now--sorry--

Rick: -FLEES-

Pat: ......

Goose: BEEEE RIGHT BACK— -Hovers after-

Bonnie: … : / (Poor Aviator.)

{Meanwhile…}

-Ping.-

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: >Brooooo. Broooooooooooooooo—

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: sorry man I just--couldn't stay there--

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: not after you know what--

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: -nnnnngh, guilt, so much guilt--

[Goose is clearly catching up. He’s flying upside-down now… very Echo-like, honestly.]

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: > I know, man. I know.

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: > -Man, I can’t even REMEMBER everything, but-

MN.6 to FMN.6] //: I just--man they must HATE me--

[MN.6 to FMN.6] //: I mean I know I was screwy and everything but STILL--

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: >Duuuude… let’s just. Just fly now, ‘kay? Catch some thermal from the plains.

[Indeed, the Wilderness was shifting into open, expansive prairie, in a state faaar away. The night air was clear, and it was silent and free.]

Goose: -Inverts and does a corkscrew in one direction, then the other-

<FMN-006 to MNN-006>: > -Hums Let’s Go Fly a Kite-

Goose: (Gotta let him wear off the Xeldrenaline, that’ll probably help. Flying always helped with that for ME me, anyway…)

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

[This DOES seem to help significantly, the very warm night breeze blowing over into the prairie and up to a starry sky...]

[MN.6] //: . . .

Goose: -Sways contently by banking very slightly from one side to the next- (Ahhh…) Home, home on the range…~

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

[MN.6] //: -Siiiigh-

Rick: -turns over so that he's staring at the stars-

Rick: (What am I gonna tell Toby...?)

Rick: (What can I even SAY?)

[Goose does a lazy loop-de-loop before resuming his swaying.

He then comes up so he’s in wingman position near Rick. But he’s still quiet, mostly just… there, for his Other.]

Rick: . . .

Rick: -Sighs once more and rubs eyes-

Rick: I reeeeeally messed up, didn't I...

Rick: Like... Super MAJOR big time messed up.

Goose: …

[He seems really thoughtful.]

Goose: …I try to always put things in a positive outlook, you know? Saying something like that outright isn’t really my thing…. Brand’s a lot better at that sort of stuff. [sub]too good, sometimes…[/sub]

Goose: I honestly… don’t really know what happened? Because… I can’t /remember/ what I did—which is pretty scary, really…. And… we couldn’t get ahold of you guys until later.

Goose: But even though I can’t remember, I know it was… definitely not cool, what I did. Yeah.

Goose: But… there are a couple of things about what happened, you know?

Rick: Yeah, I get that...

Rick: .....

Rick: (I...I can't really see a BRIGHT side to this--which tells me just how BAD things got--)

Rick: .....

Rick: I...oh man I'm SO glad Toby is--well...for the most part, OK again...

Rick: . . .

Goose: Yeah, see—that’s the thing—one of the things.

Goose: Remember what the Robin told you guys before you fought YoYo Hippie? About how possession wasn’t really them you were dealing with?

Rick: .......

Rick: Y...Yeah...

Rick: (You're not fighting the person, but the parasite...)

Goose: Man, we know it’s true, because attempts were made to fight back.

Goose: How could that happen unless there were something else— something the REAL YOU didn’t like, didn’t agree with—were there to fight against? Yeah, it doesn’t really help a whole lot, maybe, but it is really important.

Goose: And as for the Wily Numbers…

Goose: Duuude, they…

Goose: …

Goose: …I…

Goose: …I heard you… -Trails off-

Rick: . . .

Goose: (…heard you saw what happened…)

Rick: .......

Rick: I...

Rick: . . . .

Rick: Yeah.

Goose: …

Goose: …They’ve been there, man. Especially the little spark dude.

Goose: But know what?

Goose: Even though maybe someone could try and argue that everything is Tobias’s fault—HE sure seems to think so, himself—

Goose: His bros just plain love him, bro.

Goose: You’re part of their family now, dude. …Like, REALLY part, now, even. Blood Xel brothers, uh, something like that.

Goose: …You know how it is with bros. If something’s going wrong, of course you try to stop it—like with squishies, if someone’s drunk or whatnot—

Rick: ....

Goose: But you don’t hate on a bruthuh, ya know?

Rick: .....Yeah, heh... (I hope not, at least...)

Rick: .....

Rick: I guess I'm just--scared...?

Rick: I mean WILY BOTS, man. Tempers. Nothing against that, no, I mean...

Rick: (I really wouldn't blame them if they really wanted a go at me anyway...)

Goose: Well, that’s the THING, man—these guys—their experiences made them really empathetic. …Well, I mean, other than their Ninjabro, he’s like Blondie—still trying to learn about feelings and stuff.

Goose: Iiiiii think if it’s their temper you’re worried about? Yeah… maybe you’re right.

Goose: because DUDE they hate Cracker Snack so much, Toby would TOTES take a crack at them if he were let looooooose :’D;;;

Rick: Oh bro you're so right--jeez louies, tHAT would be so bad--

Goose: YEAH BRO KINDA.

Goose: …They have tempers against… well… people that cause those close to them to suffer. Like. Man, if Yoyo Hippie had REALLY tried going against them, that wouldn’t have gone well—because he threatened Robin to the point where he was paranoid more on the side of cray-cray, and then the whole deal with Queen Bee came… (Man, don’t even WANT to think about what woulda happened if Cossack hadn’t shut the others down after they sliced poor Toby open…)

Goose: They honestly think CherryDyn’s behind all this. Some think it more than others. It’s them they’re angry at.

Goose: You?

Goose: They’re SO happy you’re okay, they feel awful about…

Goose: …

Goose: …the whole cross-reference thing.

Rick: Ya know--I wouldn't be very SURPRISED if Cherry was behind it at this point...

Rick: But....

Rick: . . .

Goose: WELL, YA SEE

Goose: Here’s what Siam said—

Goose: Basically he didn’t think Cracker Snack was smart enough to think something like that up, let alone pull it off? :’^D

Rick: -SHRUGS-

Rick: He's REAL bent on putting blame on someone else. Done it with the VD and now with Doc Blackwell, and the guy is in PRISON. Seems like he's running out of options at this point and just...grasping straws...

Goose: …Did he really? Man, Siam was right—getting real un-creative with his content.

[The chipper plane snorts.]

Goose: He’s so lucky that the Angels really like YOU guys. And that Robin is busy with more important things right now. I mean, really—

Goose: THE DUDE WENT AND TAGGED THEIR HQ, AND THAT WAS ON A PRETTY GOOD EVENING

Rick: -SNORTS-

Rick: Yeah--who knows WHAT they'd do if pushed far enough and left unchecked... (…Pretty scary thought right there…)

Goose: … -Seems thoughtful about this-

Goose: …I think they don’t really know, themselves? Wasn’t that why Toby was so scared?

Goose: That’s why they are the way they are. Determined not to let that happen. No matter how hard they’re pushed.

Goose: It would take something REALLY bad to… well. Yeah, we kinda saw that already at the Finals. (They’ve just lost so much already. Really scares them when they’re about to lose even more.)

Rick: .....

Rick: -Sigh-

Rick: .....

Rick: Sis is probably gonna zap me, though. I'm, like--85% sure she is.

Goose: Bro, that’s Sis for you. Isn’t that something Electric ‘bots do when stressed, anyway?

Rick: Yeah, energy buildup, their systems release it to avoid overcharge— (Dyna's gonna be soooo angry at me I can tell--)

Goose: I knew it was her way of showing affection~

Rick: -SNORT-

Rick: Ya think? Heh...

Goose: Sure! You know, the whole “tsundere” deal.

Rick: HA! Oh, man, I knew it--

Rick: I bet it's the same for Cryo too--she fights Big Bro all the time even in a good mood--

Goose: Yeah! All the sisters are like that—

Rick: I mean SURE we do talk an earful but it's our job as little brothers to annoy big sisters, right--

Goose: -Gleeful swaying again- Something like that! More like there’s just a lot to saaaaay~

Goose: -Imitates Carmen- “C’mere a lil’ closer so Ah’ can make ya go into Airplane mode.”

Rick: -LOUD SNORT-

Rick: Oh dude I'd hightail out the window SO fast if she said that--BUT THAT IS A G R E A T PUN THO--

Goose: I TAUGHT HER WELL -So proud-

Rick: NICE, BRO. -THUMBS UP-

Rick: Wish I had an apprentice, heh...

Goose: Duuude—you DO!

Goose: : D

Rick: ....

Rick: TOBY--

Rick: I CAN TEACH HIM SO MANY PUNS--

Goose: IT’LL BE GREAT

Rick: The fact that there are so many electric/lighting puns already is also perfect--

Goose: Well yeah—he’s a real

Goose: LIVE WIRE~

Rick: And a real--

Rick: SHOCKER!~

Goose: -LOOP-DE-LOOP- Wheee!

[Yep. The lovable goofball was just a big kid at heart.]

Rick: : )

Rick: -Yeah, why not, LOOP-DE-LOOPS FOR DAAAAAAYS-

Rick: Wooooo!~

Rick: -Content data, we feel MUCH BETTER now, thanks, Goose--_

Goose: -Anytime, me-

Goose: Hey—Hey… thanks for helping out today. Really. -REEEEEAAAALLLY means it, so grateful-

Rick: Oh...yeah, no problem, dude. ^.^

Rick: Carmen's just as much a sis to me as you guys are--and Mighties always gotta stick out for one another, ya know?~

Goose: Yeah… and Tony, man… -Vents a sigh- MAN, is he gutsy for a Civvie—she’d have been really panicked if he didn’t come along.

Goose: Firebro wants me to stick around and help with cooking for everyone so the Docs can focus on their work and you guys can do your thing, and not have to worry about food. We all know how Daddo gets when he’s focused on a project, and I hear Cossack is even worse… >.>

Rick: ...Soooomeone's gonna hafta keep an eye on the Daddos so they don't overclock themselves...

Goose: Well, I think Blondie helps with that—something about the sprinklers—

Rick: -....Oh she has control over the sprinkler system, welp--

Rick: : ' D

Goose: …I won’t be able to come over there for long. Just. You know. Just in case someone stops by the lab. At least Shade is in her civvie form, no one will recognize her as Sniperbro like that… but the rest of us, ehhh, best not push our luck…

Goose: But she’s gonna be there for a while, I think. Man, face-first into concrete at 110 mph, ow.

Goose: So… she just. Might need you, since I can’t be there… ‘kay?

Rick: Yeah...I'll cover, bro. Promise.

Rick: ...Though she's probably gonna wanna be around Brand and Jackie, at first...

Goose: Oh, yeah, definitely Brand. …

Goose: … … …

Goose: … … … … … … … … … … …

Rick: .....

Rick: Uh...Goooooooooose?

Goose: -Blinks, coming out of it- Hmm?

Rick: ........

Rick: Iiiii....uh. (OK is it just me or am I really disturbing when I DON'T talk?)

Rick: Anything that Car will wanna hear from me--like, stories, stuff that'll get her to calm down and stuff?

Goose: …

Goose: -Fairly seriously- When she came back. That night.

Rick: (oooooh this does not sound good--)

Goose: She. She looked real beat up, man. Like… like this, but worse, because… it was just so sudden, and there was a good chunk of her just plain GONE—it was so wrong, somehow— “it just ain’t right” as she would say.

Rick: . . . .

Goose: She… was having trouble recovering, she wasn’t healing right, you know? Probably because of such an important thing like a core being missing.

Rick: (S...Sis...)

Goose: She’d wake up, man—but only sorta—all panicked and incoherent and man I think Pyro said she was all “Five Nights at Freddy’s 4” in her incoherent abstract data.

Rick: Oh, jeez...

Goose: And then… she got well enough to not be all “loopy in fever”, basically—

Goose: And she asked for Brandish.

Rick: ......

Rick: Little odd that she would considering their relationship before...

Goose: I know, right?

Goose: …I mean…

Goose: … Man I hope Brand doesn’t hear about what she said, not for a LOOONG time…

Rick: . . .

Goose: Brand, uh. Well. I’ll play you the clip of what we explained to the others later. But basically she thought he didn’t believe in her at all. Aaand she was vocal about that.

Goose: Everyone was kinda expecting her to ask for me, you know? No one was more shocked to hear the request than Sev himself.

Rick: Wow...

Goose: But.

Goose: She wanted him to tell her stories.

Goose: …She couldn’t stay at rest because she still felt in danger from… whatever happened, I guess… or those FNAF nightmares.

Goose: So she couldn’t get any better, because her body wasn’t recovering.

Goose: But having him around, verbally walk her through a meditation and stuff… just knowing he was there…

Goose: She got better. She slept and got better.

Rick: ....Huh...

Goose: There’s a chance something like that might happen again with this—I mean, Dad DID change the flow between the remaining cores, but she got banged up pretty bad, might need to redo that. -I don’t know, I’m not a medical genius like Siaaaaaaaam-

Rick: -wince-

Goose: As long as you, he, Jack, and Pryo are around, though, she’ll be docile and compliant.

Goose: With Jack it’s a case of him being her last mission objective—something about protecting him from CherryDyn loose-end “fixers,” dunno if that was actually a thing or just a concern, but. She’d think “OH CRAP STILL ON A MISSION” but if he’s right there, it’s all “oh okay mission accomplished, everything’s okay now” sort of deal. [sub]she takes her work super seriously[/sub]

Rick: Yeaaaah, Jack...Jack's pretty banged up too, so he'll DEF be there with her in repairs...

Goose: We’ll bring her home as soon as she can handle it—or at least to the Meadow, I mean—Dad DOES want to work on her, after all. But yeah, they’ll probably be there for a while. :’V

Goose: You’ll know she’s gotten over the worst when she becomes absolutely ravenous. [sub]she might start sleep-eating at that point tho[/sub]

Rick: Oof--she's gonna clean out our FRIDGE--if Cryo isn't sleeping in it already but I mean--

Rick: --Oh man Jack--Jack's gonna be hungry too, man no wonder Big Fire Bro asked you for cooking help, so many hungry people...

Goose: …

Goose: Did—I mean… Does Shadebro eat a lot, too?

Rick: Well--I mean, no? Sort of? His hunger is REALLY weird--

Rick: Like, sometimes he'll not eat for a day and then suddenly he does and then he doesn't and it's just--

Rick: Iiiiit's become a fact that if he says he ain't hungry, he ain't.

Goose: Huh. Weird…

Goose: …

Goose: Ten credits says Sis challenges him to an eating contest. :^D

Rick: Noooo bet, she's so going to at some point--!

Goose: Awwwww…

Rick: But--

Rick: I bet 20 that Shade bro will lose SO HARD--

Goose: DOUBLE DOWN SAYS JACK GETS HIMSELF INVOLVED—and that Firebros do a simultaneous facepalm :^D

Rick: DEAL--

Goose: ^.^ C’mon, Rick. Let’s head on home. |D

Goose: Home is where the heart is. < 3

Rick: Yeah-- -Yawns-

Rick: Home sweet home...

[And so, Goose takes flight lead and guides his mirror home…

Ah… home at last, indeed.]

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

=CHAPTER 10A: THE MACHINE DRAWS NEAR=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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

[The air of despair was suffocating. Even Desmond could feel it as he shut the recorder off.

It just didn’t sit right with him—none of it did.]

Des: (Those scars are real, if nothing else. …If it IS a front as part of a cover, he’s sure hellishly dedicated to the job. And if not…?)

Des: (What is he so intent on hiding that he’ll be willing to suffer so much?)

Des: …—! (Oh, right…)

Des: …You have a daughter.

Des: If everyone is Offline, like you said, who’s going to take care of her?

Mikhail: …

Des: ….

Des: If there’s no one else, Doctor, I’ll have to call Social Services.

[Mikhail opened his eyes again with a stern frown.]

Mikhail: (As IF.)

Mikhail: …

Des: …

Des: Do you at least have anyone that can tell her where you’re going?

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: (I left… Jack instructions regarding this.)

Mikhail: (…Bitterly, this is not the first time she and I have gone through this…)

Mikhail: (She shouldn’t have to understand, she is a child, but…)

Mikhail: (She does.)

Mikhail: (After what we’ve been through, she does…)

Des: …..

Des: -Sigh-

[He seemed to be thinking on this as Desmond opened the door to take him out into the hall.]

((Pic—Mikhail & Des (arrested) ))

Mikhail: …I didn’t bring her with me. She’s with some family friends where she’ll be safe.

Des: ….Who?

Mikhail: I won’t talk about that right now. I don’t want anyone else knowing where she is. I don’t know who else is listening or who will be told, and we just had a call from CherryDyn—

Des: -Freezes- What?

Mikhail: -Dryly- Remember what I said about trouble with public relations? I’m afraid I lost my patience when the CEO called, after all the grief he’s caused this family. He knows that I’m aware of the link and trying to prove it. Given that Greater Dusk itself has been all but eliminated, I would not put it past him or his subordinates to go after my daughter before/as part of going after me. The danger may persist for some time yet.

Des: You... (What in the world were you THINKING, Doctor? At a time like THIS?)

Mikhail: -Snaps at the tone- Yes, I know, but what more do I have to lose at this point? He scares me a lot less than YOU do, Mister Secretary!

Des: …

[He gave a sharp huff and then calmed down.]

Mikhail: …I'm sorry. But I can only see darkness closing in, with no escape.

Mikhail: As long as she's safe, the rest doesn't matter… not anymore…. {There is no hope left for me here.}

Des: …

Mikhail: It’s very important to me that she stays safe, but it is easily a secondary importance that you are able to have access to the truth. There is evil within that company, and there are multiple people I know personally that have suffered because of it. There must be countless “nameless” if that is the case. So… we should go pick that up, at least. My notes are in the lab. Do try not to bother the others at their work. If we’re quiet, we should be able to leave without raising up a panic.

[His expression softened.]

Mikhail: …There’s someone you need to see there anyway.

Des: (…DLN-000…)

Des: (…Why would Graham call Sanda Tech, at a time like this–)

[CRASH–]

Mikhail: ?!

“AH’ SAID LEMMIE GO–”

[Just down the hallway’s intersection was Shade, struggling to push himself forward despite Avi and Beck clinging to his legs, and Pyro trying to restrain him–the other Mighties were worryingly trailing behind.]

Avi: BRO COME ON STOP IT–

Shade: -In near hysterics- AH’ SAID NO, UNCLE MIKHAIL’S IN TROUBLE–

Des: ( “Uncle”? And how—)

Beck: But he’s right there–

Beck: –!

Beck: H…Huh?

Mikhail: Countershade Arthur White! You should BE IN BED! =__=

[It was clear Mikhail was not happy to be seen in his current condition.]

Des: How did he–

[SLAM–]

[At the opposite end of the hallway, a door is heard slamming shut, and a rapid pair of footsteps following suit.

Soi had just enough time to yank Will back by his lab coat into a restraining hug, who looked absolutely livid.]

Will: YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE HIM AWAY–!

Soi: WILL CALM DOWN–

Mikhail: -Would be BURNING IN SHAME if we weren’t so damn TIRED—-

Des: ???????? (How is it they all KNOW?!) -Looks back and forth- (…Crap wait the Mighties are behind us and the Doctors are in front of us–)

“ENOUGH.”

Beck: –!

Beck: Felix–?

[FELIX used HALT!]

Shade: –?!

Des: (What the–I can’t move–?!)

Will: –!!

Beck: (Ngh…Can’t move…)

Des: (How in the world–I can’t even look to see who did that, what is–??)

Dyna: -BZZ BZZ, HEY, CAN’T MOVE–

Cryo: -YO WHAT THE GLITCH IS GOING ON, WHY IS UNCLE MIKHAIL IN HANDCUFFS, WHY DOES DAD LOOK REALLY TICKED OFF, WHY CAN’T WE MOVE-

[Felix strode into view. Like Mikhail, he walked with an alpha gait—a bold leadership that DEMANDED obedience from lessers, respect from equals, and recognition from superiors.

He looked annoyed.]

Felix: I want answers as to why I was told to deliver medical aid, and ended up arriving on a developing fight scene. And no violence.

[He released Desmond, Mikhail, Sanda, and Brandish from the Halt.]

Felix: Talk.

Soi: –Oof–

Brand: -We are honestly just as confused as you are-

Des: Ngh…

Felix: -Glares!-

Des: –!

Des: (What the…Who IS he?)

Des: -Ow-

Des: Doctor Cossack is being brought in for more questioning–

Beck: (What–?!)

Soi: But–weren’t you just–

Mikhail: … -Looks away and sighs-

Mikhail: (Dammit, I didn’t want any of you to SEE me like this…)

Mikhail: (Cripes is this humiliating.)

Will: -ATTEMPTS TO STRUGGLE, nope, can’t move–Mikhaaaaaail–

Brand: …

Brand: (…No wonder Father is so worked up.)

Brand: Can you not question him here further?

Des: -…Looks at Mikhail-

Des: ….

Mikhail: …It doesn’t appear that is going to be given as an option.

Des: There’s still things he needs to answer for.

Des: (And THEN some.)

Brand: …. -Also glares-

Brand: And you expect to leave this building without some kind of explanation to us?

Des: –….

Mikhail: -Warning tone- Brandish—

Brand: Besides.

Brand: Cardinal still needs repairs. You are quite literally taking away the help he needs.

[Mikhail scowled as he scolded Brand.]

Mikhail: Shame on you, Brandish. You know full well that Nineteen can handle the rest of the repairs. Do not try to guilt trip the man, it’s already hard enough on the both of us as it is.

Brand: ….

Brand: >>

Mikhail: There are consequences to keeping secrets. This is one of them.

Will: (Ngh–)

Mikhail: Given what probably would have happened if I had told the full truth before he met Felix, I prefer this option. -_-;

Des: (The full truth?)

Mikhail: (Prison I can deal with. Torture, even. I’ve been through both before. And even as hellish as those are, at least what you say will be seen as truth or lies…)

Mikhail: (As opposed to an asylum, where EVERYTHING is taken to be madness.)

Brand: ….

Brand: …I apologize for my deceit, it’s just…

Brand: >> (Seeing you like this is rather…hurtful…)

Des: This–

Soi: Er–

Soi: I–I hate to interrupt, but we REALLY don’t have time to talk.

Soi: There’s a situation that requires all hands on deck–

Beck: (–?)

Mikhail: -Looks over at Sanda- So you really are sending them out? : /

Brand: –?

Soi: ….Do we really have a choice? We do not want the city or the lab overrun with infected robots again–

Brand: What?

Beck: (–!!)

Mikhail: Then… Felix, I need you to go back to the Meadow. Have Jaden and Carlos sent over.

Felix: … And your sons?

Mikhail: Let them rest. -Looks over at Des, then down at his handcuffs briefly before returning his attention to Felix- I don’t want them getting angry.

Des: Wait–

Soi: Er, Felix, before you go, uh…

[He gestured to the Halted others with a tilt of his head.]

Shade: B /

Felix walked over to Shade and looked at him with a frown.]

[His thoughts went back to the visions he had suffered—the agony he had seen.]

Felix: …

[But he knew better than to bring that up, especially now.]

Felix: … Don’t do anything too rash, Countershade.

Shade: -We thought he was in danger, alright, can ya please let us go, we’re gettin’ uncomfortably stiff here-

Brand: How did you even know?

Shade: -Watch signal-

Brand: –….

Des: ….Watch? -Aaaand looks at Mikhail-

Des: (I thought I completely disarmed him–)

Des: (He’s in his PJ’s, for crying out loud–)

[Mikhail was equally surprised.]

Mikhail: …It does that?

Shade: -Data- -Sends distress signal t’ the server and me if heart rate is above normal stress levels for too long-

Shade: -…..-

Shade: -In hindsight Ah’ should’ve given ya a rundown of the functions, sorry ‘bout that-

Brand: -______-;;;;;;

Des: …..

Des: (What is going ON around here??)

Des: (I thought the Doctor said they were just his children’s friends, yet…)

Beck: -Nnnngh, Feeeeliiiix can you please let us go, it sounds like there’s trouble–

[Felix releases them.]

Mikhail: Thank you. Now Desmond, please, my notes are still in the lab, and we have a power core to deliver.

Will: …..

Will: (Mikhail…)

Will: ….

Des: ….

[As much as Desmond wanted answers, he knew he wasn’t going to be getting any right at this moment. Especially with Dr. White silently glaring at him like that.]

Des: …Fine…

Soi: R-Right–Mighties? We need a quick briefing. We don’t have a lot of time.

Soi: Come on, Will…

Will: …..

Will: -Sigh-

[As the Whites and Sanda all file into the meeting room, there is a thick air of both tension and confusion--as well as still simmering anger from some members of the family.]

Soi: -Ahem—-

Soi: I know some of us are...Er...not in the best of moods...

Will: -Nnn...-

Brand: -Cold, glaring data-

Shade: -...-

Cyro: Yeeeeaaaah, no chill, definitely--

Shade: -Please don't.-

Pyro: Don't snap at your sister, Eight.

Shade: -Mmnf...-

[The second youngest of the Mighties grumbled and leaned his full weight against his largest elder brother--Mic, who was more than happy to provide support.]

Mic: -It's okay, Mic confused too.-

Shade: Tell me about it...

Shade: What the yappin' hell does CherryDyn want with us?

Shade: An' why is Uncle Mikhail under arrest?

Soi: >>....

Will: -Siiigh- Shade...

Will: I swear we will explain later. But right now we need to focus on the situation at hand.

Shade: ...

Soi: ...

Soi: << Will...

Soi: Are you sure this is a good idea?

Soi: Last time he fought Cardinal, he was out for three days, and he just fought Cardinal AND Beck…

Shade: -Hn...-

Shade: ...m'fahn.

Will: ...Son...

Shade: M'fahn, Dad.

Brand: ....

Beck: -Ping!-

Beck: Whatever's going on that CherryDyn had to call us has to be really important.

Beck: I can heal up Shade and myself if he needs it. And we do have the supplies from the Meadow.

Will: ...

Will: (...true...we do still have that supply of E-Tanks...)

Beck: What's the situation?

[Beck seemed very focused--and didn't waste time getting straight to the point.]

Soi: There's a massive malfunction at CherryDyn's Robot Factory. Their defenses were overwhelmed--and now their automated systems are infected with the virus.

Bat: ...Automated, ya say?

Will: Correct.

Will: The factory operates completely on it's own--and it's now generating infected units and unleashing them into the city. We have to stop it.

Dyna: -Bzzzt- Are you sure thiszzz isn't another one of their intentional zzzscrew upszz—

Dyna: -Points a clawed finger at her father- They wanted uszzz to clean up the messzz in Highway Delta too and go catch the Deszztroyer while we're at it!

Beck: (Urk—!)

Beck: -Quickly changes the subject—- Th-That could be true—but—!

Beck: It doesn't really matter, the city's in danger either way!

Beck: <<;; Even if they are really mean...

Will: ...

Soi: R-Right! This is the largest Robot Factory in California--if it isn't stopped, we'll be drowning in infected bots by the end of the day.

Soi: Now--this factory is big, and I mean big. This is going to take all of you to take it on--and while most of CherryDyn's Industrial units are made there, they're no match for all 9 of you!

Will: ...12.

Soi: --Ah, right...

Brand: --?

Will: Jaden and Speedy will be joining you.

Beck: !

Beck: : D! Really?!

[As if on cue, there was a swirl of colored spheres as Felix teleported in with both of the aforementioned Second Gens. They were in their partial battle armor, eyes glowing faint green in alert preparation.]

Beck: Jaden! Speedy! : D!! -HI GUYS--

Cryo: -AW YEAH, MORE FIREPOWER—-

Shade: -Mnnn....-

Cryo: -Oh come on, that wasn't even a pun—-

[Felix quietly slipped off, heading for the lab.]

Jaden: Yeah, we're… happy to help, but…

Speedy: What is going on, exactly?

Avi: -PING!-

Avi: Breaking News: CherryDyn Catastrophe at Compromised Factory!

Avi: ... Basically we gotta go clean up their mess. -Eye roll-

Jaden: Wha— again?

Bat: -Grunt- As much as I hate to admit it, yes. Their factory's gone haywire.

Shade: -Annoyed data, can't we just deal with the bots themselves.-

Speedy: -Looks around- …

Speedy: ?

Speedy: I don't get it.

Will: It's better to take it out at the source--otherwise we'd only be fighting wave after wave of infected Industrials.

Speedy: No, not that.

Will: --?

Speedy: If we're going on a field trip to trash a CherryDyn landmark…

Speedy: Where's Cardinal?

Shade: -Hnnn...-

[No, don't, don't—]

Shade: (Cards...!)

Mic: -Data, shhhh...-

Will: ...

[...well, THERE was a drop in mood if any...]

Will: ...

Will: ...Cardinal is still undergoing repairs.

Will: He's in no condition to go. And--

Will: Since this is nothing short of a full scale assault, with several Combat bots capable of causing widespread damage...

Will: You two are more suited to this given the current circumstances.

Jaden: …

Jaden: -Slightly coldly for him, head bowed a little- So. That was why we were given filler data.

Shade: (...nnn...M'sorry, Ah'...Ah'...)

Brand: ....

Jaden: -Softly now- I understand, now. I'm sorry it had to be like this.

[When he looks up again, his eyes are bright green. He looks over at Shade with a piercing gaze.

Shade very much looked like he wanted to sleep, or at the very least, turn invisible--but he didn't.]

Shade: (Ah' tried, Ah' did, Ah' swear—!)

Beck: Jaden--

[But no. Jaden was not enraged.]

Jaden: You look terrible. You should be in bed. ,': |

Shade: -Nnn...-

Shade: Ah' know. | [

Speedy: -Shifts his weight- Are you seriously coming with us?

Speedy: We can see about getting Nico to come over if you guys need more firepower so that you can rest—

Shade: -We are fahn—-

Beck: -Interrupts- --And the factory's systems are infected. Either I need to purge it or help destroy it.

Beck: I am not letting everyone go there without me.

Beck: I've made up my mind, Speedy.

Speedy: -Holds up his hands- Fair enough, Mighty Nine. Never doubted you for a minute there.

Beck: (...huh. That...didn't take much...)

Beck: (Thought I needed to argue for a sec there...)

Speedy: But if you insist on bringing along your sniper after he's gotten his life wrung out of him…

Speedy: -Toss!-

[Brandish smoothly catches the E-Tank thrown at him, not once taking his eyes off of Shade.]

Brand: ...

Speedy: Might want to give some of that vitality back.

Brand: ...Yes.

Brand: -Tosses to Mic-

Mic: -w-

[Mic doesn't even wait for an answer--he just pops it open and pours the contents over Shade's head, which does make him jolt up a bit.]

Shade: -OI, give a guy a warnin' next tahm—-

Mic: -w-b

Beck: -Snorts-

[He's dry afterwards, though, his systems already absorbing the contents of the E-Tank. Shade stands on his own now--inner turmoil still brewing within, but at least he wasn't ready to keel over.]

Shade: -Let's just get this over already-

Beck: ...yeah...

Soi: Alright then--I'll be uploading a map of the factory for you all to go over, as well as the points to hit hardest. Will's got the plan of attack all figured out, so--

[PING!]

[WARNING. WARNING.]

[Alarms suddenly go off all over the building--!]

Beck: --?!

Will: What—what now—?!

Speedy: Are we under attack or something??

[TITUS CITY AREA IS NOW IN CONDITION RED. TITUS CITY AREA IS NOW IN CONDITION RED. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.]

Bat: —!!

Pyro: Again—?!

[PING!]

[CALL] //: Attention: All individuals in the building please report to the main lab. Attention: All individuals please report to the main lab.

[CALL] //: We have another situation in development.

Will: Good Lord it NEVER ends—!

Will: Quickly! Everyone to the lab this instant!

[When Mikhail, Des, and Felix got there, The Mighty Numbers were gathered around the main screen, which had two live feeds.]

[One was of the main entrance of the CherryDynamics Factory, blown wide open. CherryDyn Models were pouring out by the dozens.]

[And the other feed…]

Speedy: Holy glitch is that a PRISON?!

Will: ….

Will: …Yes.

Will: There’s been a break-in.

Jaden: Seriously? At a time like THIS? Who would want to break INTO a prison?

Mikhail: ({—! No—! They DIDN’T—!}) Where are my sons?!

Jaden: Hmm? They’re still aslee— -Turns around-

Jaden: —!!!

<DWN-013 has entered Defensive Combat mode.>

[His full battle armor rapidly shifted into place. He looked scared.]

Jaden: HOLY glitch, Doctor WHY ARE YOU TIED UP—

Speedy: -Whirls around, shifting also and taking a defensive battle stance out of instinct as he speaks in alarm- Wait, what?!

Des: I’ll uncuff him later!

Des: What is going ON?!

Call: CherryDynamic’s Robot Factory has been mass producing infected models at an alarming rate.

Call: There has also been a reported break-in at the maximum security Prison, and all communication with them has been lost.

Call: CherryDyn Models have also been reported trying to swarm the Prison.

Will: …

Mikhail: What? Why? Who’s being kept there?

Will: ….

Will: Dr. Benedict Blackwell.

Mikhail: … What?

Mikhail: -Now just CONFUSED- I though we discussed this a long, long time ago—

Mikhail: Who would want to go after him? This can’t be his doing. You said he’s been there for ages, and even Dr. Wily isn’t THAT patient! After Rock finally corners him a second time, he’ll only wait a few months before—

Mikhail: … (Wait— he… w-will…?!)

[He doubled over in a sudden, overwhelming headache, with the Robot Masters present doing likewise. Felix managed to catch Mikhail before he hit the ground, despite being alarmed and startled—but Jaden and Speedy were not so lucky.]

Will: –!!

Will: Mikhail–?!

Beck: Guys?!

Jaden: Ow… (Feel like I had the wind knocked right out of me…)

Mikhail: Ghh… gah… not this again…

Will: (–?? Again–?)

Mikhail: This… this happened… or will happen… before…

Felix: Side note—Master Desmond knows the truth now.

Will: ……I…see.

Des: ….

Will: (…Ngh…)

Speedy: Ugh, worry about Dad and what he WILL do in the future later—let’s deal with the now, what do we do?

Will: Mngh…. (…. They’re not going to like this.)

Will: We now have not one, but two major situations we must deal with.

Beck: So we split up?

Will: No.

Will: At least, not you, Mighties.

Jaden: …What? Surely you don’t plan to send us off away from them. -Looks over at Desmond nervously- What if we’re… stopped, and…?

Speedy: -Suddenly notices, and seems to freeze up, then look pained- We’re not gonna get experimented on, are we? The first time people took me apart for science was bad enough.

Des: | /;;;; -No, and frankly we are rather appalled at that notion-

Will: That’s, um… not quite what I meant, you two.

Pyro: –?

Will: You’re more effective as an entire team, rather than in two parts. Not only that, but you have the endurance and skill needed for combat on a massive scale.

Will: It’s only logical that you all will be sent to the Factory. There’s no telling how many infected models are on site.

Will: …Not only that—

Jaden: But—!

Jaden: Doctor, that’s a contagion hazard! D:

Speedy: Oh, shut up, Beck’s on our side and you can tank anything anyway.

Jaden: Why take that risk, brother?! After everything that’s happened?! What do you think would happen if—! What would that do to them?!

Jaden: You and I are immune and make to take this sort of fight—we can handle ourselves! If we must split ways—

Will: Jaden.

Will: I...I know the risks, but the very fate of Titus lies in this. I won't split this family apart anymore than it has this past week. We see this through, together. We will overcome this, together.

Will: ...As..

Will: As long as you do not let any infected Xel into your systems, you all should be fine.

Will: I’ll also be implementing a prototype XelFilter.EXE program into our server before I go.

Beck: ….

Beck: Go?

Mikhail: {What?} Will, what— go where?

Will: ….

Will: CherryDynamics’s Robot Factory is all automated.

Will: The way the system is set up, it can produce models with little to no human help.

Will: Because of this, any and all changes to their Manufacturing Operator Mainframe– The M.O.M units…

Will: …Must be done on site.

Will: Though a certain, mainframe terminal with the ONLY authorized access.

Mikhail: —…

Mikhail: And… you’ve already determined there’s no one else— that’s why it took time, even after I left…

Mikhail: …

Felix: (I hope he doesn’t demand to take Will’s place. I don’t know much about the machines of this world, but I DO know that he’s going to make himself sick if he doesn’t get some rest very soon.)

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!

Pyro: Father–

Beck: Dad, wait–

Mikhail: Boys!

Mikhail: There’s an American saying you people have. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

Mikhail: He wouldn’t be doing this unless he knew it were the best option—we don’t have time for further delay! Mighties, Angels—get ready to go, you must act quickly!

Beck: ….

Beck: –But what about the Prison?

Will: Sanda’s going there with Call.

Soi: Yes, of–

Soi: Wait, WHAT?!

Felix: -sNORTS-

Will: Sanda.

Will: I know I ask too much of you…

Will: But if someone is going after Blackwell, someone must go and ensure his safety.

Will: …As well as get some answers, if any.

[Speedy gave a loud, annoyed ping of disagreement.]

Speedy: You want answers from him?

[He points at Mikhail (who is standing to the right of him) using both hands, without even looking over. He maintains eye contact with Will the whole time.]

Speedy: Try having him talk to the guy! We’ve more or less known for ages that Blackwell went nuts for the same reasons my Dad did! : /

Will: I will NOT put any more in danger than I HAVE to, Speedy.

Will: …..

Will: …Soi…

Will: If…

Will: If you really don’t feel like you can, I–

Soi: ….Ngh.

Soi: …W-Well…Under the circumstances, I…Suppose this is the only way to talk to Blackwell…Hoorf…

Soi: A…Are you sure you don’t want to swap missions? ^^;;;

Will: You want to go to a factory full of infected robots instead?

Soi: –….

Will: (…Besides.)

Will: (I would prefer it if I NEVER have to see or hear of Blackwell ever again for the rest of my life.)

Des: Are you kidding me–

Des: This is INSANE, you’re civilians, you can’t just–!

Will: On the contrary, Mr. Desmond.

Will: I am not as helpless as I appear to be.

Will: I have means to defend myself.

Des: –…

Will: Brandish?

Brand: –Yes, Father?

Will: Remember that box I gave you? Before you left to train?

Will: The wooden one.

Brand: Yes…?

Will: Please bring it to me.

Mikhail: I still insist you take the sensory device mechanism with you. >>

Will: I didn’t say no, Mikhail. -Chuckles-

[Mikhail walks over and slings his arms over Will’s head to pull him into a hug—as much of a hug he can, given his current condition.]

Will: –!

Mikhail: Be careful out there, alright?

Will: ….

Will: Eheh….

Will: I will.

Will: I have the world’s top fighting team on my side, don’t I? ^^

Cryo: -YEAH I’LL PUNCH ANYONE THAT TRIES TO HURT NOODLE DAD-

Mikhail: -Grins, pulling his arms up and over again to release his friend- And then some. I think you will all be surprised at what Jaden can take and what Speedy can do.

Jaden: As long as Avi doesn’t get me caught in a crosswind unfriendly fire, I can take just about anything.

Jaden: …

Jaden: …I wish Cardinal could come with us.

Will: ….So do I.

[A moment later, Brandish returns with the box in question.]

[…It’s a stained black wooded box. It almost looked solid with no visible way to open it.]

Will: Ah…

Soi: –!

Soi: Wait a sec…

Brand: ….

Brand: You told me to never open it unless I was in real danger.

Speedy: Bro, I’m pretty sure now qualifies. >>;

Will: Yes…

Beck: ?

Beck: But what’s in it?

Will: Hmm…

[Will runs his hands over it, an almost…Far away look in his eyes.]

Will: (…I never thought I’d have to use this again.)

Will: (Or if I even… Remember how…)

Will: Soi…

Soi: –!

[The box suddenly opened–either by voice or by some hidden mechanic only Will knew, was hard to say.]

[Inside was some kind of…]

[… Rapier handle?]

Soi: (…You still kept that–?)

Speedy: …

Speedy: Is that a classy light saber, or—

Will: -Laughs-

Will: Not quite, but that’s a good guess!

[With one hand behind his back, Will grasped the handle.]

[As if by magic, Xel began to appear out of the hole where the blade should Be–slowly settling into that very sharp steel-like point.]

Will: I must admit, I…

Will: …Haven’t quite fenced in a while…

Brand: ….

Brand: You knew how to FENCE and you didn’t tell me–

Will: Eheh…

Will: Oops? ^^;;

Felix: …

Felix: -I want to spar—-

Brand: -So do I–

Soi: -SNORTS-

Soi: Ah, ah! I’d think twice if I were you!

Soi: -Pats Will on the shoulder- Will here won the National Collegiate Fencing Tournament for FIVE years running!

Beck: WHAT–

Will: I, uh…Eheh. That was college, Soi…

Soi: -STILL COUNTS-

Felix: And I trained under Proxan Warriors for five years, give—

[Mikhail gives a hearty laugh.]

Mikhail: You boys can have all the spars you could want once this nightmare is over. Felix, you and Brand are next, if I remember correctly?

Brand: -Winner gets to face Father-

Felix: -DEAL-

Mikhail: Go on. Go out there and end this, to make those happy days once again a reality.

Des: -You guys are NUTS-

Will: Mikhail…

Will: I trust you’ll hold down the lab while we’re gone.

Felix: -Brought back to the now at this- -Frowns- …

Mikhail: I’ll do my best. Mr. Desmond, will you help me with that?

Des: I…don’t really have a choice…

[RING!]

Des: –? (That’s my cell–)

Des: -Takes out phone–

Des: –….

Des: (Oh.)

[CALL FROM: MINNIE MOUSE]

Mikhail: …

Mikhail: ???

Des: Uh.

Des: I have to take this—

Des: Good luck!

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

=CHAPTER 4C: AVI’S NEWS REPORT=

~AO v1.0~

(Courtesy of @limitbreakers)

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

{The Meadow}

[The sun beats down relentlessly as the eldest three Mighty Numbers listened to a story and ate ice cream.

It was a new day; a quiet one, after such a tense battle the day before. And while all the malware had been purged… there were other problems to worry about regarding Avi and Tobias.]

“The thing that causes us to age the most intensely is being witness to suffering and understanding that we’re responsible for it…"

[The magnetic field shifts somewhat as Nico gently came down from the roof and hovered over.]

Nico: …the second is seeing others suffer and being unable to either prevent or assuage it.

Nico: -Touches down- Honestly… it was all a bit inevitable once he started the process of getting through his denial. : /

Pyro: !

Dyna: Nico...!

Cryo: -SHOVES MORE ICE CREAM INTO MOUTH, WAVES-

Nico: (It’s just that he’s blaming himself instead, which… isn’t really a whole lot of progress…)

Dyna: .........

Nico: -Tired smile- Hey guys.

Nico: I am so glad to see you guys again.

Pyro: Trust me, the feeling is mutual. | ]

<DWN-018 to MNN-001>: >And while I like the ladies just fine, I am ESPECIALLY glad to see you Pyro, my stars—

[MN.1 to DWN-018] //: Eheh....

[MN.1 to DWN-018] //: I...I was the first to be rescued. It certainly helped the others...

Nico: I dunno about for you guys, but it’s been about a MONTH on this end.

Pyro: --?!?

Dyna: wait what--

Cryo: -W H A T-

Mari: ...Yeeeeaaaaaaaah that...

Nico: Time does tend to pass a lot quicker here for some reason, though, so… yeah.

Pyro: I...

Cryo: Bros it's only been about--heck not even A week--

Mari: It's been a total of--maaaybe 5-6 days?

Nico: Boy, is there a lot that Nineteen has to share with you guys. I wish we had better news, but our research projects hit a grinding halt when the plague hit. We might have made the breakthrough by now, but all of our supplies got raided.

Pyro: -IRRITATED HUFF- Cardinal...

Nico: Yeah. He kinda… ran off with, well. Everything?

Pyro: | [

Pyro: ........

Pyro: -Siiiiiiigh-

Nico: And left me in charge, it is so hard to keep a bunch of anxious Wilybots together, man—

Nico: I really hope to get sign of him soon. I have an idea of where to start looking, but it’s not very likely he’d still be there. And even if he were… =___=; I’m no tracker, like [color=blue]he[/color] is.

Nico: Shadow might be able to find him, but… he went Offline shortly after you blocked Cossack, Py. I can only assume he had been talking to Brand and it was something Brand said? Because it was an Emotions.exe -induced Stop error, which wasn’t something he’d ever had before.

Nico: Please tell me you’ve gotten word on the two wayward crimson clad, yellow scarved night walkers.

Pyro: ....No.

Cryo: We...don't know where either of them are. I mean--now that Avi's not sitting on the signals--tracking will be easier...

Dyna: -Data, maybe when Hoverbro wakes up...-

Nico: …

Mari: Buuuuut Cardinal turned off his transponder--

Nico: -Kind of just… turns to the side at that, a neutral kind of cold thoughtful… much like Cardinal used to be about something he didn’t like-

Nico: …Right… Aviator…

Nico: You guys might wanna let Cossack and White do some debugging.

Nico: …actually wait, now that I think on it, I haven’t seen Cossack all day…

Ambassador: Yeeeeaaah that’s probably where he is right now.

Nico: Mmrrph.

Nico: …

Nico: I don’t think it would be a good idea for Aviator to see us for a while.

Pyro: .........

Dyna: But--

Pyro: No--he...he's right.

Pyro: Avi...

Nico: He saw too much and Turbine /said/ much more.

[His eyes flare solid green for a moment and he hovers in agitation, looking cross.]

Nico: His threat rating got jacked all the way to BLUE, for life’s sake—!

Nico: Ugh, it’s going to take FOREVER for Siam to fix that in the database at this rate!

Cryo: (B...Blue...?)

Pyro: . . . .

Dyna: (Avi--thiszz iszz going to be zzso HARD on him...oooooh you zzstupid bi-plane, why do you have to be ZZSUCH a blabbermouth...?)

Nico: And he’s not the only one.

Dyna: ....?

[As if in a horror movie, the line suddenly is overcome by echoing pings as the others all give their input, Online or not—]

>DEATH WEARS [color=cadetblue] BLUE [/color]

Dyna: --!

Pyro: (Shade...)

[There’s a sudden fear spike, followed by an abrupt silence, and then irritation.]

<DWN-019>: > -PING!- Alright, what is it NOW, Nico—

<DWN-018>: >Have you even bothered to look out the window, dude?

<DWN-019>: >That doesn’t answer my question! I’m really busy right now, I don’t want you going and causing additional nightmares in the Second Gens, it’s bad enough already!

<DWN-018>: > …Yeah, I’ll just get straight to the point. The Whites are here.

<DWN-019>: > … OH! Oh, gracious me, I’m so terribly sorry—

[MN.1] //: It's fine, Siam. Good to hear from you again.

[MN.3] //: -BZZZ, HI SIAM--

[MN.2] //: Yo.

<DWN-019>: >I already sent over my analysis to your father. For now, I’m focused on a new project. I don’t think I can be of much more help except as a lab rat, with all of you—and I apologize for that. I just don’t know enough about Xel and coding with it.

<DWN-019>: >I’m returning my focus to the energy projects. Lord knows we’ll need the results soon enough, whenever we DO manage to find him…

<DWN-019>: >How is Turbine doing?

Nico: …

<DWN-019>: > … -REALIZES HIS MISTAKE- -DATA AAAAAAAA I AM SO SORRY IT’S JUST THAT—-

<DWN-019>: > -Gah, 19-G, go fix that in the database, will you—-

[MN.1] //: -deeeeep breath-

[MN.1] //: Still in Deep Sleep Mode. Father is already working on repairs.

Nico: -Facepalm- When was the last time you ran a Deep Sleep cycle?

<DWN-019>: > Oh, don’t you lecture me on that.

Nico: …Not since last night, when we got the data dump, clearly. Please have at least ONE of you do that. Like, now, please.

[There’s some strange abstract data for a while. Nico takes the time in the silence to set up a grill and start making hot dogs as the others finish off their share of ice cream. After a while…

…Gemini himself comes outside.]

Gemini: Sorry for the delay. I am not easy to set into Sleep mode when working on an active Analysis command.

Gemini: -Sits down- I need to talk to you about Aviator, though.

Pyro: .....Yes.

Dyna: .....

Cryo: -Hoverbro why did you have to be such a huge jerk...-

Pyro: -Hush--

Gemini: Hmm? No, no, not Turbine reborn—Aviator. …The two are both relevant in this particular discussion point to start off with, I suppose, but.

Gemini: What do you know of what happened in the beginning? Not just regarding Aviator—regarding what happened over here and between us, in general.

Pyro: .....

Pyro: I had--well, we were informed of after we were rescued by Beck--

Pyro: The virus had infected all the servers--including the RMDC. It...sent you and the entire line into Lethal--to us, it looked as if you were ALSO infected--

Cryo: But--it, like...didn't...

Dyna: ..........

Dyna: And then--Avi...and Toby...

Gemini: …

[He’s quiet for a while before he speaks.]

Gemini: We were in Lethal when things happened because we were terrified, and saw an active threat. To you, to us…

Gemini: Snow had thrown a temper tantrum that could have killed the flora around here if he hadn’t been shut down on emergency. Tobias had been… well, more on that in a moment. Dr. Cossack felt threatened, and Shadow had fainted because he first came to know despair—he’s still getting used to emotions overall, you see, so he’d never felt that before.

Gemini: In short, we were in Lethal because Tobias had been attacked to the point where he went Offline.

Gemini: …The virus itself just gave us… nightmares and fevers, really.

[He looks up for a moment with a steady gaze.]

Gemini: I’ll spare you technical details. Suffice to say, the conflict of Awareness and Emotions alongside the Lethal mode has already been a point explored very thoroughly in our own world.

Gemini: But.

Gemini: There is already so much suffering and anger and fear and hardship that we put up with and deal with… that it really doesn’t drive us mad. The Awareness function cannot be overridden that way, and so there is no loss of control.

Gemini: -Dryly- You could say we’re permanently infected, in a sense. There’s always that resentment lingering in the darkness, and I admit—at times, it can be a challenge to accept what happened and let it be.

Pyro: (Resentment...)

Dyna: -bzzzzzz...-

Cryo: ......

Gemini: It is possible to lose oneself in the moment—it’s happened plenty of times. But it’s really… just a way we’re more human than anyone will ever readily admit, to be honest, when you consider the context…

Gemini: With us—all in all, in the long run—the pain had driven us to mourn, not to lash out. So… it didn’t work. Other than to, quite frankly, [tick] us off.

Pyro: ...-Arches eyebrow-

Cryo: -She can't help but snort at that, heh--

Gemini: -Interlocks his fingers and peers over them- Now, as for Turbine and Tobias…

Gemini: That’s where things start getting “interesting”.

Gemini: Tobias is particularly sensitive to wireless signals. He has to be, to compensate for the electrical fields that he himself puts out—and the fields he would have been in, working in a power plant.

Gemini: Perhaps the virus recognized that Tobias had once spread terror, himself—albeit unwittingly. Who knows?

Gemini: In any case, it tried to take control over his body, too. Truthfully, if that HAD succeeded, it would have been beyond disastrous—given that we have a hive-mind of sorts, and Tobias is the master of the database, inside and out.

Pyro: --....

Dyna: -Bzzz bzzzzzz tobyyyyyy--

Gemini: I’m not sure exactly how that would have played out, but you can bet it would have been unpleasant and that things would be much worse for you all right now—but thankfully? …It didn’t go very well for Turbine.

Gemini: Unfortunately, it didn’t go well for Tobias or Aviator, either.

Gemini: Do you remember what Cardinal said about ways to fight off possession?

————————

“In that case, causing an information overload is the best option. For us, that would involve opening the floodgates of the database with cross-references at full volume: sensory data, memory, emotions, the works.”

————————

Pyro: ......

Pyro: --.....!

Pyro: He--Avi-- no--

Dyna: .....!!!!

Gemini: …In this case, it wasn’t actually on purpose.

Gemini: You see, for us? Such things are always active in the background. Anyone hooked into the system the way we are constantly gets distracted by little “oh, this reminds me of that” sort of things.

Gemini: We’re different enough that it usually doesn’t actively require much effort to spare you guys from that—except when we’re upset enough to be actively broadcasting it, in which case it requires a LOT of effort.

Gemini: Turbine was trying to reach not only control of Tobias, but also of the server itself—and that was the worst mistake he could have made. Because… he succeeded in getting access to the feeds. He never got any further, because…

Cross References...memories...

Cryo: --!

Pyro: Avi--...

Pyro: Avi.... saw them, didn't he...?

Gemini: …yes. Yes— he saw. I’d estimate, oh—

Gemini: Around 35-40 active cross-references of violence, death, fear, and pain?

Gemini: Not even just from us—there were some from Felix, too, due to the nature of certain Writer-scroll uploads—

Gemini: And keep in mind, this IS a full sensory experience and ALSO all playing at once.

Pyro: . . . .

[There are tears starting to well up in Cryo's eyes--and Dyna was clutching ever so tightly on her cloak.]

[Pyro...was silent...]

[MN.3 to MN.6] // A-Avi...?

[MN.6 IS CURRENTLY IN DEEP SLEEP MODE.]

Gemini: It was bad enough to break past Turbine and get to Avi, from what I understand.

Gemini: Furthermore—just because the communications were broken off… that doesn’t mean he’s no longer connected to our feeds. He’s particularly subject to whatever cross-references Tobias might make, since, well…

Gemini: Yes, Six did get access to our feeds through Light Eight, but…

Gemini: …Tobias’s system responded by rewriting itself to receive information from a Xel chassis and the correlating database system.

Pyro: What--?

Dyna: --He rewrote himself...?

Cryo: B...Bro....

Gemini: If it had kept going? He would have been ultimately possessing Aviator, probably having to battle the virus itself in the process for control.

Gemini: It stopped short of that because they all fainted from trauma, of course, but—

Gemini: There was a part of him left behind, meant to get data from Avi, so that coding was still active within Six even though you were all cut off from the RMDC main server.

Pyro: .....

Dyna: D-Doeszz that mean there'szz a part of Avi in Toby too...?

Gemini: Well…

Gemini: …Er.

Gemini: When…

Gemini: …

Gemini: Let me…

Gemini: … … …

Gemini: So. When Nine purged the virus, he also ended up purging the bit of DLN-008’s coding that was in Avi, which returned Tobias’s Awareness coding to a proper state, allowing it to function again. …That should have meant he came back Online, which he DID…

Gemini: …But he was getting data from Avi’s chassis, still, so… it kind of disoriented him and freaked him out to “look down” and see nothing but sky.

Pyro: He was seeing through Avi's eyes...?

Dyna: -Oh gosh oh gosh that must have been terrifying--

Gemini: Dr. Cossack went over to help Dr. White this morning in, er. Untangling their Awareness and sensory coding and the like.

Gemini: You really, really don’t want to be connected into our hive mind long-term, -Suddenly grave- especially not now.

[His eyes glowed a more intense shade of icy blue for a moment, and—

Fear.

Stifled, but strong, VERY strong— FEAR.]

[It was wordless but there was this semi-hysterical mantra of “the hunter, the hunter, tHE HUNTER!” that seemed to echo— at least in that brief moment before Siam regained composure and cut off the broadcast.]

Pyro: …....

Dyna: ....And...and Toby--he'szz gonna be OK, right--ZZSince Becky fixed the coding thing zzso...

Dyna: T.. they'll both be OK, right? N-Not right away, I know that, but--

Gemini: Well. Tobias will have aged quite a bit. -Closes his eyes, seeming a bit older, himself- He didn’t quite understand until that day just how much he had actually terrified people when he took control of the broadcasts. Honestly, he didn’t understand! He was very confused as to why they were scared and ultimately hostile in a lethal manner.

Gemini: Their coding will be fine, but Tobias… probably will be like he was when we first met all of you. The guilt he carries… it’s the heaviest of all of us, I’m afraid, even above Cardinal’s. Tobias’s actions directly influenced why the Blue Menace came to be—AND why Wily went insane, subsequently becoming evil (which in turn resulted in greater hostility and determination to exterminate the likes of us)—and he knows it.

Dyna: . . . .

Dyna: (Toby...!)

Pyro: -Time to wrap an arm around spark sister, there there, we know.-

Gemini: He may not wake for… some time. -Drums fingers on table, looking down as Nico passes out hot dogs- It…

Gemini: … It honestly all depends on what will happen now.

Gemini: Will your world panic, as ours did? If that happens… -Trails off-

Gemini: -…well, suffice to say, he wouldn’t be the only one who’d stay Offline-

Gemini: …However… should…

Gemini: …should things… not fall to that darkness, there is…

Gemini: -Looks up, now quite… excited, almost?-

Gemini: There is a breakthrough on the horizon.

Gemini: However dark that cloud that Turbine cast, the silver lining may just be as bright as the moon—

Gemini: A working bit of AI_DWN_OS functioned long-term in a Xel chassis.

Pyro: ....!

Cryo: ....Wait, what?

Pyro: A piece of their coding WORKED in a Xel frame, Cryo--

Gemini: Our being isn’t in hardware, it’s in SOFTWARE.

Cryo: ...oh OH OH--

Cryo: -Right cuz we got cores and stuff that's our everything--

Gemini: The bridge does exist! And it works! All we’d have to do is find a way to make it work in a fully stable fashion, and… well. It certainly would solve a LOT of problems and stave off intrusive questions if we were able to use Xel chassises when on your grounds!

Gemini: -Absentmindedly, out loud- He just has to actually survive long enough to come back, and it could save his life…

Gemini: -Aaauuugh we are just SO CLOSE TO FIXING EVERYBODY one way or another, we can FEEL it—-

Pyro: ....

Pyro: Well...

Pyro: If anyone can bridge the gap at this point--it'll certainly be you and the Doctors.

Cryo: Yeah, and then you guys can be all fancy and cool like us--

Dyna: -Oh we are so going to take Toby on a tour when he'szz better--he just haszz to get better--

Gemini: There there, Lady Dyna—he will recover, given time. He is just weary in soul, that’s all.

Gemini: But you all have taught us what “hope” is in the past, and as Cardinal once… o-once said…

[ “HOPE lives”]

<DWN-019>: > …It’s what made us truly live, once before.

<DWN-019>: > I really do believe it can do so again.

Pyro: ....heh...

Cryo: Yeah, bro--Beck's gonna fix everything, I know he will--!

Dyna: -HE'SZZ ALREADY BROUGHT HALF OF USZZ HOME, HE CAN DO IT--

Pyro: ...Yes--he will.

Pyro: He's come so far already...

Gemini: For the time being, though—it’s probably safest to let Tobias sleep. :’D;

Gemini: He, ah… well. He’ll not be in a very good mood at this stage if he is woken up, and… as extremely tempting as it is, I really don’t want him forcing his way into CherryDyn to see what the Cracker man is hiding…

Gemini: It’s hard enough with all the moving pieces, we don’t need to add more—

-PING!-

>P I N G.

Pyro: ...?

Dyna: ??

<FMN-006>: >HELLOOOOOOOOO DREAMLAND can you guys hear me—

<FMN-001>: > Please be SERIOUS, Avi—

<FMN-006>: > -HEY, trying not to panic here, bro—-

<INQUIRY FROM: DWN-009>

Nico: -Astonished- Nine got rebuilt?! Since WHEN?

Cryo: Hey, it's the mirror fam--!

Pyro: Metal...?

[A surge of notifications as the Second Gens and the Cossacks came Online.]

<DWN-013>: > -AUGH sudden headaches—- Nnngh…!

<DCN-007>: > {Don’t answer it, it’s a trap!}

<DWN-012>: > -Data, ANGRY—this is HIS BROTHER—- Not your decision to MAKE, you /derivative/—!

<FMN-003>: > OH GOSH ARE YOU GUYSZZZ OKAY—

[MN.1] //: Well--

[MN.2] //: UM, YEAH, SORTA, ONE SEC SIS--

[MN.3] //: -CONFUSED DATA, WHY ARE YOU GUYS FREAKING OUT--??-

> -PING!-

[Collectively, the DCNs send over a picture of Metalman in full armor and a scrolling list of how many of the Robot Masters were killed by the Metal Blade (and oh, also that he cross-references with Bladeblaster as a result—)]

<DWN-012>: > Yeah well SCREW YOU ALL SO HARD— he is my brother and he taught me why humans are fragile, HE’S THE WHOLE REASON WE ARE P A C I F I S T S—

[MN.3] //: -BZZZBZZZZZZZZ-

[MN.2] //: -ooooh boy this is not gonna end well--

<DCN-007>: > Which he did by giving you all the gory details—!

<DWN-012>: > -Aggressive data!-

<DWN-012 has left the channel.>

<DCN-007>: > -Russian shouting- {Get back here before I arrest you for treason, dammit—}

<DCN-007 has left the channel.>

<DCN-008>: > … -Siiiighs- I’ll be right back.

<DCN-008 has left the channel.>

<FMN-006>: > Uhhhhhh…

<FMN-006>: > [sub]is this a bad time[/sub]

[MN.2] //: -That depends, Goosey--

[MN.1] //: -Looooong Sigh-

[MN.1] //: (What does Metal want in a time like this...?)

<FMN-006>: >WELL mostly we just wanted to check in with you guys—I mean man, serious memory fuzz over here but we know it was bad—

<FMN-002>: >HEY. HEY OTHER US FAM DUDES. HAVE YOU SEEN HER.

<FMN-005>: >You know that’s the WRONG question to ask—

<FMN-002>: >FINE THEN HAS ANY FOOD GONE MISSING, [GLITCHES], PLEASE SAY YES.

Gemini: …

Gemini: -nope. NOPE. NOPE NOPE NOPE OFFICIALLY TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW—

<DWN-019 has gone into dual Deep Sleep mode.>

Gemini: Zzz.

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

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

[MN.2] //: Wait Shadesis isn't with you guys--?!?

[MN.3] //: --OH GLITCH--

Nico: -Facepalm- Glitchfrag it—

<FMN-002>: >WHAT YOU MEAN SHE ISN’T WITH—WHOEVER THAT WAS, THAT ONE CHERRY DUDE THAT SHE WAS ON PROTECTION DETAIL FOR?

<FMN-007>: > -Why are you STILL yelling—-

<FMN-001>: > Not again… -I may not remember the details but I know the first time was hard enough—-

[MN.1] //: Jack?

[MN.3] //: We haven't zzseen him either--

[MN.2] //: DIDN'T WE LEAVE HIM BACK IN ENGLAND--??

Nico: Give me one moment… -Gritting teeth-

<RMDC>: > LATEST ENTRY FOR FILE ON: CDN-7037 <RMDC>: >TIMESTAMP: ERROR <RMDC>: >LOCATION: WILDERNESS, FELIX’S HOLLOW

Nico: -AUGH, FANTASTIC—-

[MN.2] //: What WHAT IS IT BRO--

Nico: Okay, so—

Nico: We had a BUNCH of presents to give out, we had to leave before we finished with Brand’s, and there’s still Avi and by now plenty others, I’m sure—

Nico: Felix was keeping track of it all because let’s face it, he gives out like half of it? By the way, Beck left his Xel swords here.

Nico: Well, Countershade: Ladies Edition had also left some stuff for Jack there too, and I know Snow also had something to give him—

Nico: But more importantly—

Nico: From the Wilderness, you can travel ANYWHERE!

[MN.2] //: W H A T.

[MN.3] //: Wait then that meanszz--

<DWN-018>: > -DOCTOR COSSAAAAAAAAAAAAACK—-

[MN.1] //: -NO NOT H I M TOO--

<MC005>: > -Ping-

<MC005>: > What is going on over there?

[MN.2] //: Lots of things, Noodle #2--

[MN.1] //: -FACEPALMS-

[MN.3] //: -BZZZBZZZZ--

[MN.2] //: -I think things just got slightly worse--

<MC005>: > -Clearly putting this on speaker- …Judging by the fact that both of Nineteen are in Sleep mode, that is certainly possible— I’d appreciate being told why.

[MN.1] //: Doctor--have you or anyone in the Meadow seen either Carmen or Jack?

<MC005>: > …

<MC005>: > -Sounds as if he’s turned aside to talk to someone else- …There did seem to be a lot more food missing than usual at one point, and we are missing a small cooler…

<FMN-004>: > Not Sis. :T Sis eat, no take.

<MC005>: > …Wait. You’re…? And she’s not with you?

<FMN-007>: > No, she is not.

<MC005>: > What do you remember?

<FMN-002>: >NOT MUCH, RUSSIAN NOODLEO.

<MC005>: > -Russian curse phrase, conveniently not one loaded into the data banks!-

<MC005>: >Lady Shade has the willpower and focus to take advantage of the unstable nature of spacetime between worldly dimensions. And unlike the rest of you, she also had motive that would drive her to DO so, even while infected!

<FMN-001>: > Are you saying she’s STILL SICK?!

<FMN-009>: > But I C U R E D HER!

<MC005>: >You don’t understand—!

<MC005>: >She was in two places and times at once, because she was just that driven to do so—

<MC005>: >Within your timeline proper, she is healed, yes, but she also left that before that happened, so any place outside of there…! You have to handle that separately!

<FMN-006>: > -Hoo boy not again…-

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

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

[MN.3] //: AND IF SHE'SZZ ZZSICK THEN--JACK--

Nico: -Double facepalm- As if Cardinal being gone weren’t bad enough. At least Cardinal can handle himself in a fight!

<FMN-003>: >Um, broszzz…?

<FMN-003>: >And szzisses?

<FMN-003>: >Can I juszzt szzay szzomething real quick?

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

<FMN-003>: >Unlesszz thiszz Cherry REALLY doeszz szzomething incredibly dumb, well. She’s not going to have been hunting him down. -Bzzapzap- I mean. She waszz on hiszz protection detail, even. She’szz really big into that. Bzzzz… moszzztly she gives jerkszz a really hard time, you know? Like. Even nutszzzo, why hunt the Cherry? I don’t think szzo.

Nico: But we haven’t seen her, so she must be up to /some/thing…

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

[MN.1] //: But if she's not hunting Jack, then...

Nico: But she doesn’t know anybody else!

<FMN-001>: > …

<FMN-005>: >Well, that’s not quite true. ?_? There was that one cheating swine that ruined the finals for you guys, for one—I believe she actually shot him in the—

Nico: … Uh.

Nico: okay what—

Nico: His file lists him as… DEAD?

<FMN-002>: > …

<FMN-002>: > -[REDACTED!]-

<FMN-006>: >LEEEEET’S not get too crazy, uh—lemme see that file—

<FMN-006>: > …Man, this was ages ago. If she’s still out there, she’s up to something else, assuming she was even involved in this to begin with? [sub]Doesn’t quite fit her style, anyway…[/sub]

<FMN-001>: > Does she know anyone else?

Nico: … Well, she got ahold of our databases at one point and read up on stuff, so I guess she has heard of other people…

Nico: But who would be important enough for her to hunt down?

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

<MC005>: > …

<MC005>: > Dear God.

<FMN-001>: > What?

<MC005>: > Gravecrasher.

[MN.2] //: .......

[MN.3] //: The...the guy that...?

<FMN-003>: > …???

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

[MN.2] //: Mirror Fam?

[MN.2] //: .....

[MN.2] //: Shade...Shadebro...lost his arm in a different way than your Eight.

<FMN-003>: > …

<FMN-001>: > -THIS does not bode well-

[MN.2] //: Long story short--

[MN.2] //: THIS guy was responsible.

<FMN-002>: >Okay. Yep. YEP. HE’S XELSTAINS, OTHER ME. 88’D If she’s really gone after him then we’re too late by now.

Nico: Way to be at least willing to try and stop it…!

<FMN-002>: >Magnet dude, I’m just being realistic here—Sis was angrier about that incident and the aftermath than just about anything else—

<FMN-002>: >Well, other than the whole VOTING thing, I mean—

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

[MN.1] //: Wait...

<FMN-002>: >Hmm?

Nico: …I don’t get it. I thought you guys got to vote at a certain age?

<FMN-002>: > Huh? No, not voting rights—

<FMN-002>: > I mean, you know, we voted on whether she was gonna be a babbu sniperbro or Snipersis. c::

<FMN-002>: > AND GIRL POWER WON THE DAY, YEEEAAAAAH

Nico: …So what does that have to do with her being angry, then?

<FMN-002>: > ‘cause it wasn’t UNANIMOUS like it SHOULD have beeeeen—

[MN.3] //: ......It wasn't?

[MN.2] //: Wait--If YOU guys voted for girl--and knowing us, I bet Mic and Bat didn't care...

<FMN-004>: > Mic no care. ^w^

<FMN-005>: > … -Sarge was wise enough to know it’s not a good idea to start off on the wrong foot with an assassin if you want a prayer of being backed up by them at the front lines-

[MN.2] //: Aaaaand knowing how we drive Pyro and Brand up a wall--

[MN.1] //: -_-;;

[MN.2] //: That makes the deciding vote--

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

<FMN-006>: > :^D

<FMN-006>: >I THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE LIFE INTERESTING?

<FMN-003>: >You were tired of being bosszzzzed around by uszzz and HOPED you could bosszzz around a YOUNGER SZZISTER. Nope~

<FMN-003>: >But that’szz okay, we love you anyway, Helicopterchoppers~

[MN.2] //: c::

[MN.3] //: ~~<3

<FMN-006>: > ^.^

<FMN-006>: >But yeah oh man, it was GREAT! We got along pretty well more or less as soon as she could adjust her settings so things weren’t constantly turned up to 11.

[MN.1] //: (I can see why--knowing that he was the one that ultimately decided on her gender...)

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

[MN.1] //: But....

[MN.1] //: I imagine not so well with Brand.

<FMN-007>: > …

<FMN-007>: > Not…

<FMN-007>: > Not even close…

[MN.1] //: -Sigh, yup, just like our own Seven and Eight at first...-

Nico: …Uh. Just how BAD are we talking, here?

<FMN-007>: > …

<FMN-001>: > …

<FMN-001>: > …Bad enough that she shut herself in her room for several days without a word.

Nico: …I’ve SEEN her eat.

Nico: Or rather, I’ve seen what happens WHEN she eats, because she’s always stealing our stuff when invisible—

Nico: Dude, what the glitch did you say that would put her off food for that long?! ._.;;;

<FMN-007>: > I…

<FMN-007>: > I told her she couldn’t handle being a professional assassin because she was too sheltered, and too young.

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

[MN.2] //: Bro you what--

[MN.3] //: -WINCES-

<FMN-007>: > She just—! ANNOUNCED it out of nowhere at dinner one night, she was already on her second mission, even!

<FMN-007>: > She was just—I didn’t think she really understood, she was so young, and so… …overconfident in her abilities…

[MN.1] //: (Ah--Cocky--Shade was like that too, before...)

[MN.3] //: -Jeezzz, though--really, bro? I juszzt--wow.-

<FMN-001>: >Nngh… well, back then, she didn’t like being a “team” player necessarily… she wasn’t very good at waiting for backup…

<FMN-001>: >We weren’t too keen on her being like that in a situation where people were going to actually try and kill her.

[MN.2] //: .......

[MN.1] //: (—...Shade--either you really WERE that confident in your abilities, or...)

[MN.3] //: ..........

[MN.2] //: What about Big Bro--? Did SHE get along with you?

<FMN-001>: > …Not necessarily. Er…

<FMN-003>: > -sNORT- Hee hee…!

<FMN-003>: > -Starts cackling- She waszzz nervouszz of him for quite a while, hee hee—!

<FMN-003>: >Alwayszzz szzoo SZZTERN and commanding and— -WITCH CACKLE- SHE KINDA NAILED HIM TO THE FLOOR THAT ONE TIME—

<FMN-001>: > =_____=;;;

<FMN-001>: > [sub]… thought… -grumble mumble- piggyback rides…[/sub]

<FMN-003>: > -PYRO-SHAPED DENT IN THE FLOOR FOR DAAAAAAYYYYYSZZZZZ- -LIKE, IT WAS LITERALLY THERE FOR A FEW DAYS-

<FMN-005>: > -AHEM. EXCUSE ME, C.O., BUT I NEED TO GO LOSE MY SRS FOR A MOMENT OVER THERE. PERMISSION TO BE EXCUSED?-

[MN.2] //: -SSSNNORT-

[MN.3] //: -CRACKS UP--

[MN.1] //: -Ow--

<FMN-001>: > -Facepalm and a sigh-

<FMN-001>: >It… that wasn’t her fault, she didn’t mean to cause damage.

<FMN-001>: >She… rather had a hard time relating to most of us for quite a long time.

<FMN-001>: >Why, we didn’t even see her at all for nearly a year, once she came Online.

<FMN-001>: >We got along better once she… recovered from the incident and… well, also mellowed out.

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

[MN.3] //: -Oh no--

[MN.2] //: You mean when she...

<FMN-001-007>: > …

<FMN-001>: > …She just… came back one night.

<FMN-003>: > Szzzcreaming.

<FMN-007>: > …To this day, all we know for sure is that she was alone and outside.

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

[MN.2] //: ...Sis...

[MN.3] //: -So that's why she makeszz up zzstories...-

<FMN-001>: > …Yes.

<FMN-001>: >She got tired of inquiries, so she gave what was obviously a lie, just to be left alone.

<FMN-001>: >Over time, I guess that became her way of… taking control of it, somehow.

<FMN-001>: >Either she’s sworn to secrecy because it was an official mission, or…

<FMN-001>: > …she got in over her head with something so horrific she refuses to speak on it…

[MN.2] //: . . .

[MN.3] //: ......

[MN.1] //: God....

[MN.2] //: .....Do ya think....

[MN.2] //: Someone was responsible--like Gravecrasher...?

<FMN-001>: > …I don’t know. I… I-I d-don’t think so, she…

<FMN-001>: > She can be reckoned quite beautiful, but she wasn’t hurt… other ways…

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

[MN.3] //: ZZZSo what--is she just chilling out in some place??? Who ELSE would she...

<FMN-006>: > …Well, she just has this thing against dudes in general, I mean—some of the guys in the arena were real jerks until I showed them the glory of the sky! :^D

<FMN-003>: > Yeah, by szzztringing them up a flagpole in the middle of the practiczze field by their underpantszz. c:

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

[MN.2] //: NIIIIIIIICE.~

[MN.3] //: -PINGS OF APPROVAL-

<FMN-003>: > -AND THEN HE SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BUT AS A PARODY and Sarge was sZZO MAD until he learned the context, at which point he provided szzome BACKGROUND PERCUSSION WITH BOMBSZZ~-

[MN.1] //: -........nope, he lost his straight face--

[MN.2] //: KYAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA--

[MN.3] //: -OH Y E S Z Z THAT IS GOOD--

<FMN-001>: > …Heh…

<FMN-001>: > -Slight sigh- I almost wish…

<FMN-001>: > …

<FMN-001>: > I’m not really sure where she might be, but…

<FMN-001>: >…Maybe your Aviator knows.

[MN.1] //: ....Maybe.

[MN.1] //: It'll be a while before he awakens, though...

[MN.3] //: Yeah...

<FMN-001>: >Mmm…

<FMN-001>: >Well, he’s probably the most likely person she would have talked to, other than this… Jack fellow…

<FMN-001>: >Unless she also talked with her sisters.

<FMN-006>: > I dunno, Bonfire—she plays her cards real close to her chest, since that’s usually the only way it works before you or Brand scold her.

Nico: …Avi WAS blocking the signals, though… maybe she complained about that.

<FMN-006>: > yyyyyyeah I could see her doing that

<FMN-006>: >Well… hey! Maybe with the feeds back up, she’ll turn up soon? :^D

<FMN-006>: >Or at least you could find that Jack guy—before he gets in over his head. Man, I wonder where he ended up…

<FMN-006>: >I mean—she only knows so many people—just a few rivals, some coworkers, the family, and 7037, man.

[MN.1] //: Jack--gah, he's certainly brave, yes, but...

[MN.2] //: Guy was a Civvie--and it's SO messed up out there, yo...

<FMN-001>: > Can he really handle himself? …I’d worry for whoever were against him, if not…

<FMN-001>: >She can be very unkind in Defensive mode, and that’s on a healthy day…

<FMN-006>: >By the way. Where is everyone else?

[MN.1] //: Beck's in repairs--Sanda's doing those--and Father and Dr. Cossack are both working on Avi and Tobias.

[MN.2] //: Call's, uh...ya know, doing her thing and data analysing...pretty sure she's still awake--then again, she doesn't sleep...

Nico: Who’s “Call”? ?__?

Nico: This is the second time you’ve mentioned her—

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

<DCN-003>: >COUSIN I THINK SOMEONE IS CALLING YOU.

Nico: … -Narrows eyes- That’s not going to work a second—

<DCN-003>: > NO REALLY, ALNICO, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO REACH YOU IN THE LAB.

Nico: This had better be good… -Hovers off-

[.........]

[MN.2] //: -Why do we ALWAYS forget about the whole Call thing UUUUGH WE'RE SORRY--

<MC005>: > It’s alright, one of these days we’ll just have to sort that out…

<MC005>: > The Second Generation constructs appear to have dispersed… Nineteen is in Sleep mode, and Shadow is still Offline… -Sighs-

<MC005>: > He’ll likely stay that way until Brand has recovered again.

<FMN-001>: > Wait.

<FMN-001>: > You mean he’s still out there?! ALONE?!?

[MN.1] //: He hasn't been located yet, Avi was--

[MN.2] //: Mic and Bat are still sick too...

<FMN-004>: > Uh-oh. :E

<FMN-007>: > … -Dare… dare we ask if…-

<FMN-007>: > … -Nnnngh of course—of COURSE, because he can turn INVISIBLE, just like she can, augh-

<FMN-001>: > … -Well THAT explains why the “fun sized version of male!Shade” is also nowhere to be heard in this conversation-

<MC005>: > -Small sigh-

<FMN-001>: > …Well. I suppose for now, all we can ask is that you keep us updated.

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

FIGHT! Bonfire Vs Ray!

BONFIRE VS RAY (Current)

Intro Quote(Versus): [Bonfire reeled from the horrendous scream. As he gritted his teeth in pain and looked up into the looming shadow that glinted with many serrated fangs, he was slammed with a cross-reference—something his sister had said to them the night they learned the truth of what happened….] || “-Teeth. So many teeth. In the dreams, always the teeth. The teeth and the screes. So many teeth. Did we mention teeth?-” || [The shock was stunning, but the severity of the situation kickstarted a different instinct. He burst into WHITE-HOT FLAMES OF PURE RAGE.]

Taunt: BURN, YOU INSUFFERABLE WITCH!

Special Attack: ((No dialogue, just an angry shout with a wicked right hook!))

Ultimate Attack: [The power that he put behind the explosion was more than just pushing himself to the limit. This high-tier Burning Spirit was fueled with a roaring rampage of revenge—revenge for all that they had suffered, for all the pain and madness and sorrow. But most of all, for that night—for THAT NIGHT, the night that his sister had been brought back, SCREAMING in agony as she fell to pieces…]

Win Quote(Versus): What the hell—?! || [Out of ALL the things to happen, he had NOT expected her to suddenly start DISSOLVING like that…!]

Lose Quote(Versus): [He huffed, shaking in pain and injury from the numerous, heavy wounds. || Try as he might, he couldn’t contact anyone. There would be no escape…] || D…Damn you…!

===================

BONFIRE & RAY (Post-AO: Full Memory)

Intro Quote(Team Up): [The leader of the Fighting Mighties flared up in anger. He was not pleased to have landed himself in this situation, but this was hardly the time or place to confront the past when they had a BIGGER problem on their hands…]

Assist: No further! ((Directed at opponent(s), not Ray))

Ultimate Team Attack: Taste the fires of Hell! ((Referring far more to Ray’s fire than his own, but still.))

Win Quote(Team Up): Hmph. I’m calling in the chaos spheres and the ice child before this inferno rages out of control.

Lose Quote(Team Up): This is out of our control—!

Knock Out Quote(Team Up Self): [He staggered down to one knee, trying desperately to stay conscious. He didn’t trust his combat so-called “partner”, even though…] || Ghh… gnnnn… || [He couldn’t take it. He was worn down beyond his limits.] || : >F-Father…! ||

Knock Out Quote(Team Up Partner): [Bonfire was seized with a sudden cold fear. This was not a choice he wanted to make. He didn’t want to have to even think of choosing. Especially not when his own sister and her Other had orders to carry out, and they would all pay the price for obstruction. || For the first time ever, he found himself desperately HOPING that he would lose, so that he wouldn’t have to MAKE that decision…]

---

=CHAPTER 8C: TRAPPED BY LASER LIGHT=

~AO v2.0~

((Courtesy of @codedhopes))

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

[C R A A A C K!]

[THUD—]

[The door came down, Shade was over Cardinal's broken form, rifle pointed right at his chest—!]

[Vrrrrrrr...]

[THREAT IDENTIFIED.]

[XEL OVERRIDE SEQUENCE INITIATED.]

[COMMENCING WEAPON LOCK.]

Beck: STOP!

[Shade looks up from his target, just in time to see Beck's outstretched hand glowing a deep green, his eyes reflecting the same glow. Or perhaps they were glowing themselves?]

[WEAPON SYSTEM LOCK ENGAGED. TARGET: MN.8.]

Shade: —!

[Shade suddenly felt his rifle grow heavy, and the laser from his scope died out—]

Beck: NNGH—!

[Whatever it was that Beck was doing, it seemed to be very taxing on him—it was like he was holding something in place, but he didn't know what that was, or how he was doing it, exactly—]

[All he knew was that it was stopping Shade, which was what he had to do.]

Beck: S-Shade—!

Shade: ....

[The weapon lock didn't do much about Shade's current state of mind, however, and he sneered.]

Shade: So the Lil' Doggy thinks he can bite back, eh?

Shade: Heh. That's c u t e.

Beck: Nnngh—!

[Shade doesn't look too concerned despite being essentially disarmed at the moment. He turns his attention back to Cardinal, who...]

[Wasn't...moving...]

Beck: --!!!!

Beck: C-Cards—!

Shade: Looks like you get to fly another day, Songbird.

Shade: -GRIN-

Shade: That is, if ya can even WALK after this! HA!

Beck: That...

Voice… voices…

> Procc…essin…g…

Beck: THAT'S ENOUGH—!

Beck: WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS—?!

Shade: Feh—ya haven't figured it out yet—

Beck: I'm not TALKING to you.

> Proccess…ing…

Shade: —....

Beck: Yeah. That's right.

Beck: You.

Beck: I KNOW you can hear me.

Beck: And—And I know—at least...I think I know.

Beck: I know—you're like ME.

Beck: I've felt it ever since all this started—!

> Proccess…ing…

Shade: … …

Shade?: Like...you—?

Beck: I don't—it's just a feeling, but it's THERE and I know—

Beck: I know that somewhere in there—there's something else, something that knows all this is WRONG—!

Beck: So...

Beck: ...So please.

Beck: I'm begging you.

Beck: There...There's still time.

Beck: No more.

Beck: Just...no more.

> Proccess…ing…

Beck: No more pain, no more...of this.

Beck: I don't want to fight.

Beck: I...

Beck: I don't want to fight anymore—

>WARNING: POWER SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT: CORE HAS BEEN DRAINED IN OVERDRIVE CONVERSION.

Beck: —!

[Beck's attention snapped to Cardinal, who—oh, no, why is there so much oil and—]

———————————

Beowulf: Surge conversion is great, but energy cores weren’t built to function as first-aid reserves. They just aren’t meant for that. They’re there to provide a long-term internal energy supply to keep you running, like a heart does. You have a heart, but you still gotta eat and stuff.

Beowulf: Do that too many times, and the next bits of damage will stick, because there isn’t enough energy left to fix it.

——————————————

[Oh no—]

[PING!]

[TRIGGER SIGNAL LOST. XEL OVERRIDE MODE DISENGAGED. WEAPON LOCK WILL NOW BE LIFTED.]

Beck: -Blinks—- ??????

Beck: (Wha—)

[BANG!]

Beck: Guh—!

[A bullet found mark on Beck's shoulder—the assassin wasted no time once the weapon lock vanished.]

Shade: Alright.

Shade: While the lil' dance with the bird was FUN while it lasted...

Shade: It's time we settled this like robots.

Shade: Heh. Ya know what Ah'm talkin' about, don't ya?

Beck: —Shade, wait—!

[Too late. The hunter vanished without a trace, soundlessly making his escape.]

[...Leaving the mangled mess that was Cardinal behind.]

Beck: Cards--

[Beck came closer—he could smell oil and coolant— familiar smells—]

Beck: C-Cards...

Tired…

> Analysis complete. 1 Match found: MNN-009.

Cardinal: …

[To say he was in bad shape would be the understatement of the decade. He was too tired to even try and hide the damage—and there was only a faint humming noises coming from his unprotected eyes. They flickered dimly, sporadically—

—…no, wait, that wasn’t random, that was Morse…]

{Go… on… 9.}

Beck: —!

Beck: ....

[His vision began to grow out of focus.]

[...Oh, no. It's...not that.]

[Those were tears.]

Beck: N-No—

[Beck fell to his knees next to the First, but didn't dare touch him—not....Like this.]

((Pic—Beck crying over Cardinal))

[Flashes of something—someone. Red. Hurt.]

Beck: I...I can't—I can't leave you here—!

[Whether Cardinal didn’t hear him, or else didn’t care… that was hard to say.]

{Go… now…}

{SAVE… HIM…}

{Save… 8…}

{Go.}

Beck: I—I—

[His eyes darted erratically—flicking between a glowing intensity to a dulling light--]

[He promised, promised to save everyone, but Cards—but—Shade—]

[Cards was so hurt, but Shade was so close to losing himself—]

Beck: -Hurts—-

[Shade—his brother—]

[And Cards, Shade's best friend—]

___________________

"Beck."

___________________

Beck: —!

[A voice...]

_______________________

"Ow...yeah?"

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Putting yourself...Putting yourself up like you MUST prove something."

"Uh...I don't get it."

"Bah, of course you don't..."

"I'm saying...you always put yourself in a position where...where you WANT to be something greater when you're not READY for it."

"I..."

"You help others, sometimes out of your own expense—you give and give and give and give—"

"Until WHAT, Beck—?"

"I..."

"Why do you have to feel like you have to help...help EVERYONE in YOUR world—?"

"Um...Because it's the right thing to do?"

"Oh, don't give me THAT. That's cliché and you know it."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with wanting to help people, right?"

"...No, but it's dangerous to feel like you have to help everyone you meet."

"Hey, what do you mean by—"

"You can't help everyone, Amadeus."

"Wha—yes, I can—!"

"No. You can't. You're just one person. And we all have our limits."

*"I hope that one day even YOU can figure that out..."*

"...Mighty No. 9."

___________________________

Beck: .......

Beck: . . . .

Beck: (...I...)

Beck: (I can't help everyone...)

Beck: .......

>Shutting down…

Beck: . . . . .

Beck: O...Okay.

Beck: I'll go.

Beck: I'll...I'll save Shade, Cards, like I promised...

Beck: And...

Beck: I'll...I'll bring him home...

Beck: ...

Beck: Promise.

-Ping-

<RMDC>: >Signal identified: DLN-000.

<RMDC>: > Processing…

<RMDC>: > DLN-000 is now Offline.

Beck: ....

[It was quiet, save for Beck's small, retreating footsteps. Far too quiet.]

[Beck had come to HATE this kind of silence. It was unnerving, and too heavy for his... smallness to bear.]

[As much as it pained him to leave his friend like this, Beck...Beck just didn't have the heart to go on without some solace that Cardinal would be okay.]

[PING!]

[MN.9] //: G...Guys...

[MN.9] //: I...I'm going after Shade...

[MN.9] //: But—C...Cards...

[MN.9] //: -PLEADING data—- Help—I can't help him, please, someone help him soon, please—

[It seems forever before there’s an answer.]

<MC005>: > Can’t bring Robot Masters back Online. Xelbots can’t go until area is secured.

Beck: ......

[Which means...]

[Until Shade was saved, no one would help Cardinal get out of here.]

[MN.9] //: ...Yes, sir.

[.....]

[There was...no other choice.]

[He had to move forward.]

Beck: . . . .

Beck: (Cards...)

Beck: (I'll finish what you started.)

Beck: (I'll save Shade—for both of us...All of us.)

[REXELECTION: BRANDISH.]

[A flash of red and yellow, and Beck zoomed out of the foyer.]

[This was far from over.]

[Just because Shade had effectively incapacitated Cardinal and THEN some—]

[There were still many infected robots in the building, and who knows what kind of secrets were hidden in the White House that Shade could use to spread pandemonium across the nation.]

[Not to mention, the fact that they seem to follow Shade to an extent—he had no doubt that Shade was stalling for time back there just to ambush Cards at the right moment.]

[Eight could very well mount a invasion like had Five nearly done, and then there would be no stopping the government from utterly destroying the place.]

[...The more Beck thought about it, the more he could see why Cards wanted him to leave him behind. In a way, it lessened the sting of just abandoning him there—]

[...But only a little.]

[SHING!]

[Shade was still hiding, even after all this.]

[SHING!]

[But where...]

Beck: SHADE!

[PING!]

[MN.8] //: Lost, Lil' Doggy?

Beck: I THOUGHT you wanted to settle this like robots.

Beck: So where ARE you?

[MN.8] //: Ah' could tell ya. But that wouldn't as fun...

[MN.8] //: Ah' think ya have more worries t' attend to.

Beck: Besides YOU? Oh, come on—

[MN.8] //: Haven't ya heard the commotion outside?~

Beck: —Huh?

[Beck skidded to a stop, looking out to one of the broken windows overlooking the White House Lawn, and the gates beyond it.]

[There was...A lot of police. The kind that you see in... riots—? ]

Beck: What...?

[MN.8] //: See? I'm not the only robot tired of the status quo.

[MN.8] //: Even the meat-sticks don't want anythin' t do with the system!

[Indeed, it...It looked like there was a large, angry crowd outside—Beck could make out mostly humans, but also some Xelbot Civilians that didn't seem to be infected—]

[Some were cheering, others screaming bloody murder, and still others were trying to get inside—]

Beck: I...What is...?

Beck: (I don't understand...)

[MN.8] //: Lemmie ask ya a question, Lil' Doggy.

[MN.8] //: What are we REALLY built for?

Beck: ....

Beck: You're not going to get at me with this.

[MN.8] //: Not even gonna humor me, eh? Alright, that's fahn. I'll TELL ya.

[MN.8] //: All we were built t' do is fight in the Battle Colosseum, plaaain an' simple.

[MN.8] //: Don't seem so bad on the SURFACE, right?

[MN.8] //: W r o n g.

[MN.8] //: Humans can talk 'bout 'containin' violence' all they want, but that don't disguise what they REALLY want.

[MN.8] //: Entertainment, Lil' Doggy. We're just playthangs t' them. We dance and sing and fight and die just t' give them somethin' to fill the void in their PATHETIC Lil' lives.

Beck: —......

[MN.8] //: An' Combat Models have been doin' it fer YEARS an' no one' bothered t' do ANYTHIN' 'bout it.

[MN.8] //: We're givin' our spot in the limelight until they decide we're old news. And then they throw. Us. OUT.

[MN.8] //: Would've happened to One, eventually. Would've happened t' all of us. Would have happened t' YOU.

[MN.8] //: Heh.

[MN.8] //: Lucky for yew, lil' Doggy, Ah' plan t' make a few...changes t' that.

[MN.8] //: If ya manage t' SURVIVE, that is.

Beck: ...What are you getting at, Shade?

Beck: What's your plan?

[MN.8] //: Ah' really gotta spell it out for ya, don't Ah'?

[MN.8] //: Mah' first executive order as the first robot president is to set ALL robot FREE.

[MN.8] //: An' t' do that, I'm gonna abolish the International Battle Coloseeum Association. Permanently.

[MN.8] //: By FORCE.

Beck: —!!!!

Beck: Y-You can't do that—!

Beck: The IBCA isn't EVIL, Shade—!

Beck: Don't do that—

Beck: -PANIC-

Beck: PLEASE—!

[MN.8] //: Oh?

[MN.8] //: —Ooooh, that's right...yer off the team, ain't ya?

[MN.8] //: No IBCA, no tournaments, no more team.

[MN.8] //: You'd be useless, Lil' Doggy. Everythin' ya worked for--

[MN.8] //: --Kaput. See what Ah' mean, nao?

Beck: --........

[MN.8] //: Heh.

[MN.8] //: Truth hurts, don't it.

[MN.8] //: I'll be waitin' in mah new office, Lil' Doggy. If ya wanna file a complaint!~

[KSSSSSST--]

Beck: . . . .

Beck: (Those words...)

Beck: (I...I've heard those words... before...)

Beck: (I didn't understand then, but...Now...)

Beck: (You...)

Beck: (Has it been you...I've been sensing all this time...?)

Beck: (Are you the one behind all this...?)

Beck: (Have you...been hurting...this whole...time...?)

Beck: .......

Beck: (No...)

Beck: (Why didn't you tell me--?)

Beck: (Y...You could have...told me...)

Beck: (I...All this time, I could have helped you too...)

Beck: (How...how could I have been so blind--?)

Beck: (...Am I really that much of an idiot after all...?)

Beck: --........

[MN.9] //: -Erratic, sad, self doubt, empathetic data--

Beck: -Ngh--

Beck: (No, stop that--)

Beck: (If...If they knew...)

Beck: ....

Beck: (I have to keep going.)

Beck: (I can...think..about it...later...)

[His new office, Shade said.]

[Taking into account what Shade came here to do in the first place...]

[Beck knew exactly where to go.]

Beck: . . . .

[Soon, he came upon the large doors adorned with the Presidential Seal on them--The Oval Office.]

[Sunny sat to the side, hopping over to the small, discouraged hero with a worried look on her face.]

Sunny: D:

Beck: ...Hi, Sunny.

[Sunny opened up her compartment to give Beck some much needed Xel Cubes and Stocks--]

Beck: --?

[...Some other things tumbled out too.]

Beck: !

[A care package, of sorts, hastily thrown together.]

[Some cool water from Cryo, and cookies from Pyro--power nodes from Dyna and what looked to be a shiny rock from Mic...]

[A small coin from Bat--...Sadly nothing from Avi. He must be still out cold...]

[...A origami crane from Brand...His star projection toy he got on his second birthday from Will...]

[And some marshmallows from Sanda.]

[…!]

[And a note!]

Beck: ...?

“{LAST NIGHT—FOUND WORKING REPLACEMENT.}”

Beck: Working...Replacement...?

[.....]

Beck: --!!!!!

[Cardinal's core. He had all the parts, thanks to Beck, except for a working power core replacement. Something he could run on that wouldn't cause him to overheat--]

Beck: (He...They...)

Beck: (They did it--?)

Beck: ....

[And just like that, with that one note, with those seemingly few items that wouldn't have mattered to anyone else...]

[...There was hope.]

Beck: (I get it now...)

[There was a chance--!]

Beck: (I gotta save Shade--)

Beck: (So Cards can get help--)

Beck: (So he can be SAVED--)

Beck: (So he can live--!)

Beck: (Don't worry, Cards--)

Beck: (I'll save Shade for you--so he can live, right by your side--!)

[Strength returned to him suddenly, as he absorbed the Xel Cubes into his frame and put the power nodes away. He shoved the rest of the care package back into Sunny--he didn't have time to keep it all on him.]

[...The cookies and marshmallows stayed with him, though.]

Beck: (Alright, Shade--)

[Beck stood in front of the doors, and pushed them both open with some effort.]

Beck: (Let's end this.)

[CAPITOL BUILDING: OVAL OFFICE...]

[The office had seen better days. It was completely trashed. Even the chair in which the Madame President sat in was thrown across the room, the desk scorched, the tables turned sideways and riddled with bullet holes.]

[As expected...Shade was nowhere to be seen.]

[But he was here.]

Beck: (...Yeah...)

Beck: (He's here, I can feel it, somehow...)

Beck: (Is this how you tell he's near, Nii-San?)

Beck: ....

Beck: I kinda expected to be shot the second I came in.

Beck: That's what you did when I got here.

"Heh."

[The cowbot finally revealed himself, lazily leaning against the side of the desk, head down so that his radar hat covered most of his face.]

Shade: So ya do learn.

Shade: Okay, nao, Lil' Doggy...

[His head lifts just enough to reveal a single glowing violet eye, and a twisted smile.]

Shade: Let's see if you're all bark...or if you got some b i t e.

[A pair of bright, emerald hues meet his in defiance. Then Beck shook his head.]

Beck: Listen to me, Shade: you're malfunctioning! You're SICK! You're not THINKING straight!

Beck: Didn't you feel anything at all--ANYTHING--when you saw Cards--?!

[Shade pauses at that for a moment, as if thinking back...]

Shade: …

Beck: Please...

Beck: All this--freeing robots, us being just tools and playthings--

Beck: ....

Beck: I won't disagree with you.

Beck: ....

Beck: I've seen...and heard...what happens...when people see us like that...

Beck: Even when I shouldn't have...I did. I heard.

Beck: And it is nothing LESS than horrifying and wrong.

Beck: And...I won't deny that...

Beck: There are bad things, bad places, and...Yeah... really bad people in the world.

Beck: That being said--

Beck There are people that don't see us like that--!

Beck: Like Dad, and Uncle Sanda, and Mikhail--!

Beck: Mao, Felix, Piers--

Beck: The people that look up to us--

Beck: The people that we FIGHT for--!

Beck: The people that know what REAL freedom is, and try to protect it--!

Beck: Freedom doesn't require all this SUFFERING--!!

Beck: You're only going to make things WORSE, if you shut down the IBCA--! Not just for me--forget about me--! For EVERYONE--! What are you trying to ACCOMPLISH, getting rid of something that gives so many people so much HOPE?!

Shade: Tch.

Shade: Humans have fought over freedom an' hope with WAR for centuries. Your damn point? S'moot.

Beck: --!

Shade: Emancipation is worth ANY price...

Shade: Even at the cost of human lives.

[SCANNING.....]

[SCAN COMPLETE.]

[MODEL: MIGHTY NO. 8. CODENAME: COUNTERSHADE.]

[HEIGHT: 193cm WEIGHT: 273kg XEL COUNT: 54,600,000]

[CLICK.]

Shade: Or yours.

[BANG!]

[Beck saw that coming--he vaulted over a table on its side, the energy bullet seating the expensive furniture instead.]

Beck: I don't want to FIGHT you, Shade--!

"Bit late for that line, ain't it?"

[A quick peek over the table. Shade was no longer there.]

Beck: (Argh...)

[Countershade. The 8th in the Mighty Numbers, with state of the art technology that was only surpassed by Beck's own. The Teal Silence, the Mighty Assassin, intangible as a ghost...]

[Shade was synonymous with all of these titles and sayings and then some. He was able to pick his foes off before they even knew they were being hunted, and had many tricks and traps at his disposal--even with the lack of a right limb, that didn't slow him down in the slightest.]

[The world's greatest assassin robot ever built, and he had turned for the worst. He had pushed his inborn abilities of Radar Detection and Active Camouflage to greater heights, placing him squarely as the team's Sniper. It was often Shade that dealt the final blow against particularly strong teams, and often Shade that made sure that they had a ace in the hole in case things ever went...]

[...Wrong.]

[Against the strongest member of their family...]

[Beck had to be prepared for anything.]

Beck: (At least we're in an enclosed space--Shade's area of excel is long-range, not close quarters combat. I got the advantage there.)

Beck: (...But Cards had that too, and...)

Beck: (...And I DON'T want to taunt Shade into a rage--that would suck--)

Beck: (--I could use his weakness, I have Dyna's form...)

Beck: (--...But that isn't really going to deflect his shots, so...)

[REXELECTION: SEISMIC]

Beck: I hope I got Mic's bulkiness too...

[Beck took a deep breath and ZOOMED out of his cover--]

[BANG BANG BANG--]

[Bullet holes chasing his tracks, unrelenting in their pursuit of the smaller Mighty Number.]

"That's right--RUN."

Beck: -WELL, WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT US TO DO--

[Shade still had his Camo online, even if Cardinal had done a number on his cloak...]

Beck: (Where are you--)

"Here."

Beck: --!?

[He looked up--]

[BANG--!]

Beck: --?!?

[Dizzy--]

[ERROR--GYRO SYSTEMS OFFLINE.]

Beck: Wh--Whoa--!

Shade: Heh! DANCE, Lil' Doggy!

[The world suddenly turned upside down, and his motor controls were reversed--]

[WHAM--!]

[He crashed into the desk so hard he reverted back to default, the ground and ceiling spinning at dizzying speeds.]

Beck: @~@!

Beck: (Can't tell what's up or down--)

[BANG!]

Beck: NGH--!

[Trying to move his right arm only moved his left, and vice versa--same with his legs--]

[BANG!]

Beck: OW--

[After some doing, he DOES manage to get on his feet--]

[But he's stumbling and tripping up, all sense of balance lost.]

Beck: (I've never--seen Shade do this before--not with Cards or anyone--!)

[THUD--]

Beck: (Ugh, I can't even walk straight, LET ALONE SHOOT--!)

[BANG--!]

Beck: ARGH--!

"Havin' fun, Lil' doggy?"

Beck: NO!

"Heheh."

Beck: (I gotta get normal mobility BACK--!)

[RUNNING XEL_FILTER.EXE...]

[NO MALWARE FOUND.]

Beck: (Wha--then how--)

Beck: !

[There--there's something caught in his shoulder's armor--]

[A purple dart--?]

Beck: --!

Beck: (Of course, Shade can detect signals--there's no reason why he can't also transmit jamming signals with his radar too--!)

Beck: (I gotta get this thing off me--)

[Left moves right, and vice versa--]

[So moving his right arm should--!]

Beck: (There--Ow, OW THAT HURTS--)

[BANG BANG BANG--!]

[The shots hit him squarely in the torso, knocking him away to the middle of the room--]

Beck: Nngh...

Beck: (Need a...good grip...!)

[SMACK--]

Beck: Mmmph--!

[His face meets the carpet--something big and heavy was planted right on the back of his head--]

((Pic—Beck pinned))

Shade: S'that ALL?

Shade: Ya didn't even last HALF of what the Songbird did. An’ HE was as soft as the sap he choked on!

Shade: How ya managed t' fell the rest of our kin is beyond me. Maybe it was all dumb luck, huh?

Beck: (Nngh--)

[... Amazingly, Beck raised his head even with Shade's weighted boot on his helmet.]

Beck: Sh... Shade--!

[...?]

[...Why...Why was this part of the carpet red--? ]

[Yes, it was faint, but he can make out the beginning of the letter H in...]

[Cardinal's handwriting...]

[HOPE LIVES.]

Beck: (H...Hope...Hope...)

Shade: Ah’ll make this short. After ‘m done with yew, ‘m gonna make SURE that birdy hasn’t pulled one last trick out of his arsenal. So.

Shade: Any last words, Doggy?

[CLICK.]

Beck: --Shade--

Beck: Cards--there's--there's a new source--

Beck: They did it, Shade--!

Shade: --!

[It was as if a switch had been flipped.]

[The sick, purple glow left him completely, for a moment--]

Shade: -Blink-

Shade: R..Really--?

Beck: Yeah--

[YANK--]

[GYRO SYSTEMS RESTORED.]

Beck: So you need to COME BACK HOME WITH ME--!

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON.]

[BZZZZZZZZZRT!!]

Shade: MOTHERSCRA--

[Shade screamed as pure high voltage surged up his leg, considerably damaging him--enough so that some of the infected Xel glowed around him!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: So you and Cards--

[BZZZZZZZZZRT!]

Beck: --can get better--together--!

Shade: Ngh--!

Beck: So you can laugh and smile and be silly and get into trouble--

Beck: So we can all Live—together--!!

Beck: IT'S JUST YOU LEFT--!

Beck: SO JUST LET ME--

[Beck dashed into Shade, he needed to end this quick, end this now before Cards--]

[Fzzt!]

Beck: --?!?!?

[....Did...]

[Did he just go... through Shade...?]

[He skids to a stop, turning on his heel, bewildered.]

Shade: -GRIN-

[Shade was... flickering red...]

Shade: What's wrong, Lil' Doggy?

[And then he just disappeared.]

"Ya look like ya just saw a GHOST, HEH HEH HEH!"

[BANG!]

Beck: Gh--

[The shot came from what seemed like above--he rolled and shot straight at the ceiling ledge where Shade was really perched--had be been there the whole time--]

Shade: That damn annoyin' Songbird fell for it more than ONCE, ha!

Shade: Half of the tahm he was chasin' mah Phantom instead of me.~

Shade: Did ya really think ya can win against ME, mutt?

Shade: Just like that?

Beck: --Ngh...Okay...I might have gotten...Carried away...

Shade: Heh.

Shade: So--will the humans give ya a SPECIAL treat for betraying yer own KIND, Lil' Doggy? Is Dad gonna put ya on a pedestal b'fore everyone?

Shade: S'just like them, huh?

Shade: T'covet what they hold DEAR--

[VRRRRR....]

Beck: !

[Several dark orbs fly out from under Shade's cloak--some create a shield around him, while one started to glow... bright red--]

Shade: T'WORSHIP UNTIL THEY GET BORED!

[BANG BANG BANG--]

[Strange visual glitches appeared in the air, but there were OTHER things to worry about—]

Beck: --?!?!?

Beck: (HOW IS HE DOING THAT--)

[Diving behind a table once more, he could only watch in absolute horror as Shade shot off bullets towards him--off of something that made some very familiar warping--]

Beck: (T..That shouldn't be possible--!)

[BANG BANG BANG!]

[Beck winces at what sounds like glass breaking, Shade continuing to shoot wildly--he managed to get around his cover a few times, but--]

Beck: Shade, I have no idea what you're doing but you have to stop it--

Beck: --?

[What's this--?

The visual glitchy cracks in the air were suddenly filled with a dark, pulsing energy...

That's funny, for a second he thought he heard...Voices...]

Beck: (What the heck...)

Beck: (Ugh, I don't know what's going on, but it isn't good--!)

[REXELECTION: CRYOSPHERE]

[PEW PEW PEW!]

Shade: HGNN--

[Pelting Shade with a few ice shard filled snowballs was enough to get him to stop making more of those strange glitches--but it did also made him angry.]

Shade: Freakin' MUTT!

Shade: I'll show ya EXACTLY what yer dealin' with--

Shade: Les' play a GAME, Lil' Doggy.

Shade: S'called--

[FZZT!]

[Shade vanished once more--only to reappear at Beck's left...AND right--!]

Shade and Shade: Which is it?

Beck: !

Beck: -DUCK--

[Both Shades fired at him, with those annoying purple darts--Beck could NOT afford to get hit with one of THOSE again--]

[SCANNING...]

[ERROR--MN.8 SIGNAL NOT FOUND]

Beck: (I can't tell which one is the real one--!)

Beck: (UGH--)

[PEW--!]

[He fired at one Shade, but it just went right through it.]

Beck: (Aha!)

[Fzzt!]

[No cigar--as soon as Beck figured out which was which, both Shades had vanished--and once again reappeared in different locations, as if in a game of shuffle.]

Beck: (No--!)

Shade and Shade: Heh, it hurts t' be seein' DOUBLE, ain't it?

Beck: (Nnngh, I even hear two voices overlapping--)

Beck: --?

[--? What was that--a light dangling from one of the Shades’ neck--?]

Beck: --!!!

[--Wait--that was a dog tag, with a red frayed thread around it--!]

[PEW!]

Shade: --?!?

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: (Thank you, Cards--!)

Beck: (It must have gotten loose during the fight...)

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON.]

Shade: Nngghr--...

Shade: Ya need t' be put DOWN, Lil' doggy, so sit STILL--!

Beck: I'm not a DOG--

[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!]

[XEL ABSORBED.]

Beck: --So stop CALLING me that--!

[Shade growled at his smaller brother, and sent out--a LOT of orbs--!]

[Shade--the REAL Shade--flared a bright violet aura, anger and wrath radiating from his frame in visible waves, distorting the space around him--]

Shade: You...

Shade?: You IDIOT.

Beck: --?!

Shade?: I have no qualms with you, NINTH!

[CLICK.]

Shade?: LET ME HAVE THIS!

[VRRRRRRRR--!]

[BANG BANG BANG BANG BANGBANGBANGBANG--!]

[It was just like the first fight Shade had had against Cardinal, where he’d taken out all the lights. The fixtures shattered.

Bullets and darts fly absolutely EVERYWHERE, leaving Beck with no room for cover--]

[REXELECTION: SEISMIC]

[The only thing he COULD do was shift into Mic's form and tank what he could...]

[But...]

[WARNING: XEL LOSS DETECTED.]

Beck: --!!

Beck: -Gnh--

[His leg armor was breached, and blue began to flow out of the wound from it...]

[ACCESSING XEL STOCK 1...]

Beck: (Ow...Can't move...)

Shade: Gah, sloppy--

Shade: Hate it when it takes more than one bullet...

Shade: Heh, oh well. Funny, that ya bleed b l u e....

Beck: Ngh--

Beck: How many times do I have to say it--

[REXELECTION: DYNATRON]

[Bits flew around the room, dangerously sparking up--]

Beck: You got it all WRONG! I'm here because I want to HELP you!

Beck: I AM NOT--

Shade: --!!!

Beck: LIKE THAT--!

[C R A C K !!]

[A brilliant flash, the room turns alight with the brightness of the sun-- ]

[K-ZAP!]

[Well THAT was certainly stronger than expected—!]

[...The room was covered in black soot, though, Shade and Beck included.]

Beck: ....

Beck: -cough, ugh--

Beck: (Dizzy...I feel all tingly...)

"N...Ngh..."

[Shade was on a single knee across the room, twitching slightly in some places...

The glow that surrounded him earlier had faded to a dim, but the assassin was not completely spent...]

Shade: A Mighty...doesn't lose...On their KNEES...

[Slowly, with some effort, he rides to his feet--]

Shade: This tahm--gonna kill ya DEAD--

Beck: --!

Beck: SHADE WAIT--

[ZZT.]

Shade: OW--

Shade: -Nnmmgh that smarts, what the hell--

Beck: -...We're on carpet, haven't you ever rubbed socks on one--

Beck: (This is perfect--all I have to do is get closer--)

[ZZZT.]

Beck: OW--

Beck: ......

[ZZZT. ZZZT. ZZZT.]

Beck: Ow ow ow--

Shade: Wh--

Beck: Ow OW OW, that hurts, ow--

Beck: @-@

Beck: Ow.

Shade: -GROWLS, DON'T YA DARE, WE /W I L L/ BEAT YA WITH OUR GOOD ARM IF WE HAFTA--

Beck: Okay, Shade...

Shade: Ya don't know what yer doin', Lil' Doggy.

Shade?: This is something you cannot even begin to fathom.

Beck: .....

Beck: No.

Beck: I think I do.

Beck: I think I have all this time.

[XEL ABSORBED.]

[XEL QUOTA REACHED. XEL PURGE ONLINE. XELFILTER.EXE IS PRIMED AND READY FOR OVERDRIVE.]

Beck: I...just didn't want to believe it.

Beck: I know you're listening.

Beck: ...

Beck: Everything is going to be okay.

Beck: I will help everyone.

Beck: ...I'll keep giving, if that's what it takes.

Beck: And, Shade...

Shade: --?

Beck: Cards is going to be okay.

Beck: He's hurt, but he's going to be okay.

Shade: .....

Shade: C... Cards...

[XEL PURGE INITIATED!]

Beck: I think we've stayed here long enough...

[.........]

"What are ya doin' in mah room, Beck?"

"WAAH--I--I thought no one was in here--"

"Heh. Hidin' from Dyna's wardrobe game again?"

"...Yeah. >//> I hate being in a dress..."

"Alright, ya can crash here fer a bit."

"...Y...You're not mad?"

"Beck, Ah've known those two fer longer than ya have been alive, Ah' get it."

"Oh...Okay."

"... Penny fer yer thoughts? Ya seem distant."

"Um...I... was...just wondering."

"Mm?"

"...People say... that... you...."

"...you hurt people. B...Bad people, though."

"But...why? I...I mean, isn't violence only confined to the Battle Colosseum--and why do you have to--"

"Hush, nao..."

"When did ya start thinkin' like that, huh...Eh, you're gettin' older, Ah' bet..."

"Listen t' me, Beck, an' listen well."

"Dad's taught us that there is good in everyone, an' he ain't wrong 'bout that. There is a light in all thangs..."

"... But there is also darkness. Evil. Sometimes...Sometimes good people don't come back once they let themselves go too far."

"An' as much as some would like nothin' more than t' get them back..."

"Sometimes, it ain't enough. An' someone has t' stop them b'fore they hurt even MORE people. Good, innocent people."

"...People like the ones we see on the street..."

"...An' sweet lil' kids like you, Becky, come 'ere!"

"Ack--! Shaaaade, that tickles--!"

"Heh."

[.......]

"But...Dad also taught us that..."

"... Sometimes, good people do bad thangs, but that don't make them bad people. It takes a strong heart t' tell the difference, Beck."

"...?"

Shade: B...Be...ck...

Beck: --!!!!

"Just remember this."

"There is such a thang as second chances."

"Few, an' far in between..."

Shade: Ah'....

"But they're there."

((Pic—Shade’s purging))

[XEL PURGE COMPLETE. ALL HARMFUL MALWARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MN.8]

Shade: Ah' owe ya one, don't ah', Beck...?

[THUD.]

[MN.8 IS NOW IN DEEP SLEEP MODE.]

Beck: Shade--!

-PING!-

<MC005>: > {Please tell me I didn’t just imagine that—}

<MC005>: > {Beck! Are you ready to return?}

Beck: ! Yeah, but Shade--

Shade: .....

Shade: Zzzzzz....

Beck: . . .

[…

Mikhail laughs.

It is clearly influenced by stress, and you could almost hear him crying in relief—his voice was kind of shaky.]

Beck: ....

Beck: Heh...

[He is soon joined by Beck, after a while. It...

It was almost like a great weight had been lifted up from his small shoulders...]

Mikhail: They’ll…

Mikhail: They’ll be fine, Beck.

Beck: -Sniff- Y...Yeah...

Mikhail: I can’t… I haven’t had the chance to talk to your father yet, but I know a way to even minimize the impact of this…

Beck: !

Beck: R...Really?

Beck: -Sniff- Th... That's great...

Mikhail: I’ll need to have a lengthy private conversation with him first, but…

Mikhail: He’ll be alright.

Beck: Heh...

Beck: (I...)

Beck: (I did it. I saved my whole family.)

Beck: (They're...going to be fine...)

Beck: ^^ M'...M'kay...

[...Oh, poor boy. He looks ready to keel over, but he's keeping himself awake through sheer willpower.]

Mikhail: I’m going to bring the two of you home. Try to get some rest once you get here, Nine.

Beck: -Sleepily- Mmm mmm...

Mikhail: Call, if you please…

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