MMZ Endgame, pt 1

[mosaic_archive]

Everything, it seemed, took time. Including planning full strikes on enemy locations. Moreso when those enemy locations were cities full of civilians and the 'bots planning didn't want anyone hurt. Well, anyone except Weil.

A few things had served to commit them to the attack. For one, the flood of refugees from Arcadia was hardly halting despite that a good percentage of those fleeing were often killed off by the Judges before they could be moved to the Nexus. For another, they'd gathered all the intel they could, and Xavier had finished going over every possible way he could think of to get into the city with 'bots who had a lot more strategic combat experience than he did. For the third, they knew Weil was working on some kind of weapon, and they couldn't afford to wait too long.

There's a briefing in the command center of the Warehouse, with one last chance to go over mission plans.

Comments

[builtforbattle]

Though he rarely shows it, Forte is used to waiting. He'd spent what felt like forever to get his first shot at fighting Rock. He'd waited every time he needed to be repaired by that blasted old man. And he had no choice but to wait when Rock vanished that one time, only to reappear years later. But it felt like time had rushed by while preparing for the fight against Weil. Despite that, he feels ready for anything that can get thrown at them.

Gospel stands in attentive silence by Forte's side, just as ready. Even if the wolf doesn't like the plan of splitting up from Forte for the fight against Weil, he understands the reasoning and will fight just as hard against any lesser enemies he meets.

[mosaic_archive]

Splitting up seems to be in store for more than just Forte and Gospel. There are two main locations to attack, and a total of five possible groups to join. One group, specializing in sabotage, will be headed for an Antarctic location that will let them attempt to gain control of certain aspects of Arcadia's security... specifically, to try to bring down the shielding that has kept anyone from getting in since Copy X's defection. With any luck, they might be able to disable the systems blocking both PIN and standard teleportation as well.

Once the shield is down, the others will be heading to Arcadia itself where they'll split into four groups. One group is to stay just outside, and work on surrounding the city with a shield defense of their own design. There are numerous reasons to do such a thing, but the biggest is one Enker hasn't told anyone else - as a precaution against Ragnarok.

The other three groups will go into the city. One group is to find and locate Leviathan, Fafnir, and Harpuia. A second group is to spread out through the city to secure it and protect the humans. The third's mission is to find and eliminate Weil, going through his Judges if needed. If the first or third's objectives are met, they're to regroup with whichever other group might need help.

Zero's frowning to himself as he thinks about what hasn't happened yet and what might, and where it might be best for him to be when it does. While Mega, not too far away, is somewhat torn between going with the group looking for the younger Lightbots or the group protecting the humans... and trying not to think about the group going after Weil. X, of course, is going after his kids. And Xavier doesn't have any trouble deciding that his place is guarding his people.

If Forte looks closely at the crowd, he might spot someone well out of place. Granted, with the droid immigrants, there are some strange 'bot designs around the warehouse sometimes. And it looks like Terrorsaur and Waspinator have been hired to help out, so not everyone looks like the kind of 'bots from the same universe as most present. However, the one that looks like a mostly human-shaped bug-lizard thing with a glossy and chitinous dark reddish brown shell just might really stand out, even though they're hanging back and trying not to draw attention. Especially if Gospel notices and can smell the 'bug' is not a 'bot.

[builtforbattle]

Forte is going after Weil, there's no question about that. Gospel ponders tagging along to help find the missing Lights, until Forte reminds him they should focus on their strengths and leave search and rescue to 'bots actually experienced with helping people. Instead, he could go after the Judges or anything else that might get in the way of taking down Weil. It even has the bonus of them not needing to split up right away.

That decided, Gospel looks around to see who will be in his group, only to notice an odd smell that's not 'bot but not human either. The Nexus had odd smells, but this one is closer. Spotting the odd looking humanoid, Gospel tilts his head at the creature. Mm, that's different. Forte is the next to take a look. He hasn't seen them before.

[mosaic_archive]

Zero has the bad feeling feeling finding Weil to get rid of him might be the hardest part. And so far there's been no sign of Omega... But he knows he has to go with the group going after Weil. After all, it's what they've been training for the whole time.

As for the 'bug', the non-human scents in the mix are all from the armor. The wearer is still completely human. And though the bug shell makes them visually unrecognizable, Forte has seen them before... it's Atlanta. It's an Atlanta who fully intends to go after the Judges and Weil herself.

Mega seems to have come to an agreement with himself by joining the rescue group and then planning to go help with the humans. All the groups will have to spread out. In one case because there are several large human residential districts to cover. And in the other two because no one is completely sure where the hostages, the Judges, or Weil might be.

The first group leaves for the Antarctic location, an odd mix of combatants and 'bots good with stealth and infiltration, and a handful of noncombatant hackers that they'll need to guard. Gate and several others that will end up remaining just outside the city start doing a last check of the shield generation equipment they'll be taking with them. It might be noted that this group consists disproportionately of aquatic designs.

Phantom, nearby, is frowning slightly. He'd wanted to go after his siblings, but his duty in this was clear. If Copy X insisted on going to guard the humans, he'd better stay nearby and guard Copy X.

Most of the Wilybots seem to think the whole 'guarding the humans' group was an addition Enker came up with to placate the Lights and keep them out of the way. That group is made up almost entirely of Lightbots and Repliforcers, with a few Cossacks on the side. Part of it is that. Part of it is that, after the games, Enker is taking the chance of Omega into account. He frowns slightly at that group and wonders if they'll be able to hold their own against a 'Zero' long enough for help to arrive.

Everyone starts moving from the command center and it's teleport shielding to just outside the warehouse to wait for the signal that the first team has the security down so they can PIN in for the attack.

[builtforbattle]

The armor sure makes identifying her difficult. Enough so that after deciding she's not something they've seen before, they file it away as something to find out about later. If there's some odd alien thing joining in, then it's its choice to do so. And as long as it doesn't somehow get in the way, it's no concern of Forte's.

He's not so worried about finding Weil. He's pretty sure Weil won't be hard to miss, eventually. And while it'd be nice to take him out before that, Forte's not counting on it being that way.

He would worry about the Lights going up against Omega, but he's chosen not to think about it. Besides, Phantom didn't die, so they had a chance.

[mosaic_archive]

Everyone else there seems to be under the mistaken assumption that the strange 'bug' was invited by one of the other groups.

It isn't long before the signal is sent, the shielding around Arcadia drops long enough... and everyone starts teleporting in.

Forte might well recognize their starting position when they arrive. It's the same location they were given coordinates for when meeting Copy X before. Only this time the security isn't ignoring them...

Not that drones have that much of a chance.

[builtforbattle]

No, not they don't. Forte fires at the drones with about as much effort as one might swat at an annoying bug. Gospel pounces any that happen to sneak past and get close.

[mosaic_archive]

Past the first few rooms, closer to where Forte and Zero met with Copy X, the structure starts to show clear damage... but also some repairs to make it useable. Or at least useable enough to flood with drones. It's slightly flooded with water too... a matter that causes no tiny amount of panic from some of the oldest electrical designs present. Guts will just have to carry Elec the rest of the way...

That strange 'bug' seems to be taking a rather savage enjoyment in meleeing the occasional Pantheon, dodging fire to duck in too close to be shot before targeting weak spots in the armor and often literally tearing them apart.

When they reach the door that had stopped Forte back then, it's still there. And there's still a hole in it. And, strangely, there's still what appears to be the single eye of a Pantheon staring in the hole.

The room now has about a foot of water on the floor. And there's slime oozing around the hole in the door...

... ... wait... That's no Pantheon!

[builtforbattle]

Forte still doesn't know who the bug is, but he likes their combat style. He doesn't have enough rage over the drones to bother ripping them apart himself, at least not until he sees the door.

The idea that the Pantheon is still there gets a snarl out of him. Were they taunting him by putting that there? Upon closer inspection, it become obvious that any resemblance to the copy drones is thanks to the ease simply reusing parts. But that's the only parts the goo monster shares with the drones. Firing at the eye of the devil is practically instinct.

[mosaic_archive]

With all the weapons-fire, it would take extremely sharp hearing to catch the swearword from the bug at the lack of ranged weaponry... But then she'll just snatch up pieces of dismembered Pantheon to throw at the thing, starting with a head.

With all the 'bots present who fired at the devil's eye as soon as they recognized the design, she's lucky to get a hit in at all.

The Rainbow devil sparks and shudders, and then dissolves with a splorch sound.

Guts and a few of the other big 'bots soon tear the blast door clear out of its frame.

Corridors branch off from this point, and it would seem it's time to split up. "The human residential areas are this way," Xavier says. "The other tunnels lead to research areas and government buildings. Weil and the Judges should be there somewhere... and I hope... I hope the other Guardians are as well."

[builtforbattle]

Surprisingly, the fins on Forte's helmet actually do something, and he has better hearing than most might believe. Gospel's is good as well, being a wolf. Still they compare the sound with each other and take a look around. The only one the voice could belong to is the bug they didn't recognize before.

If they aren't mistaken, she's doing better then normal for a human. Probably something to do with the bug look. Forte doesn't even have to give the order for Gospel to decide to keep a closer eye on her. No matter how good she's doing, she's still human and it'd be a... pity to have her go splat. And it'd be distracting to the Lights around them which could cause problems, as funny as their reaction would be.

[mosaic_archive]

The groups split up as they head through the tunnels, getting smaller at each intersection. Zero seems to be staying with Forte for now... as is Atlanta.

Zero's trying to ignore the footprints they're leaving once they hit dry ground, though he doesn't like that it might make them easier to follow if the Judges start trying to hunt them before they can hunt down the Judges.

While it isn't because of the rainbow goo footprints, a Judge does find them... but that's where things get odd. Childre Inarabitta isn't in Punishment form as he steps out from an intersection up ahead. For a moment he almost looks startled to see them there. Yet, instead of changing form, he throws a few snowballs at them and runs back the way he came.

Zero is all the more baffled by that when the snowballs don't explode, or seem to be anything other than snowballs. "If this is one of Axl's jokes..."

Atlanta, on the other hand, is already chasing after Childre. Whatever else is going on, a target has been spotted!

[builtforbattle]

Forte makes a face at the goo, but tries to ignore it as well. What happened to devils being one color?

If it isn't for the odd behavior, Forte would have been the first to charge ahead. Instead, Gospel bounds off after Atlanta, and Forte glances at Zero. Something is up; that was too obvious a baiting move for even him not to notice it, but their other option is to ignore Childre and, well, that's not happening.

"Ready for a trap?" he quips as he finally joins the chase.

[mosaic_archive]

"If we can make it backfire on the rabbit," says Zero.

They'll soon reach an odd room. There are four doors and the passage they just came from. The doors are trimmed in one of four colors - black, red, green, and blue. Childre is, very briefly, by the blue door, unlocking it and running inside. The door doesn't shut, and Childre seems to have just ducked to the side of the doorway... very childish for a trap, or so it would seem.

Even Atlanta seems to catch on that it's strange, pausing and just blinking at the open door.

"Come and get me~!" taunts Childre from within.

Listening closer will result in hearing more than the little judge's taunts. From somewhere in or past the room he went to is the sound of water. From past the red trimmed door, the distant sound of metal hitting metal. And from the green-trimmed door, strangely, there's the very faint sound of singing. From the black-trimmed door there's no sound at all.

Atlanta hears none of it. It's out of human hearing range and her armor doesn't currently boost that.

The colorful door trim might distract from it, but there's one other detail about the room and its doors that might be noticed. There's an odd purplish sheen to the surfaces here...

[builtforbattle]

Trying to figure out the trap they're being lead into, he almost misses what's staring him in the face.

"Green, red, blue, black..." The colors of the doors, each a match to one of X's kids. "No second guesses for what's behind these doors." They'd found them, but they still had to get them out of this strange place.

[mosaic_archive]

"Mind filling in someone who didn't get the memo?" says Atlanta.

Zero just winces when he realizes there's a squishy in that bug getup. Then he tries to open the red door, followed by the green one... he doesn't bother with the black one, since Phantom's safe. Both doors prove to be locked.

A snowball comes flying out of the still open blue door. Childre, it seems, really wants them in there... He peeps around the edge of it, still in Judge form, but quickly takes cover again. This part was tricky!

[builtforbattle]

"Harpuia, Fafnir, Leviathan," Forte says as he points to each door. "And Phantom, but he's not in there."

The snowball is ignored. With Childre wanting them to follow him so badly, Forte wants to go through one of the other doors on principle alone.

"Any chance we can break those open?"

[mosaic_archive]

The distant singing behind the green-trimmed door falters and stops, then starts up again a little later... but with only a single singer now.

"We can try," says Zero, readying his saber to see how well the doors stand up to it. But just as he's about to target the red-trimmed door, the green-trimmed door opens. He's also sending firelizard-relay messages requesting backup and letting anyone with a lizard know they've possibly found X's kids. Not that he doesn't think they can handle this, but because they don't have either Cinnamon or Ferham with them, and he has a bad feeling someone with access to that other kind of energy will be needed for the aftermath.

"Drat," mutters Childre, peeking around the blue doorframe again.

"Childre... what are you doing?" Schilt does not look pleased at finding anyone here, though he hasn't shifted form just yet.

"I brought Leviathan presents," Childre says. "For her to play with. But I couldn't get them in her room."

"I'm not a toy, rabbit," Atlanta growls. "Hop out of that room and I'll prove it."

[builtforbattle]

The singing is the oddest sound coming from the doors, but it does sound familiar. The feeling of Force energy nearby is also familiar, but Forte is trying to ignore that for the moment. Gospel growls as Schilt comes through the door. Forte grins.

"Heh, well isn't this convenient. We stand here and they come to us."

[mosaic_archive]

"Maybe we can pile up these two's corpses as a nice 'welcome' for the others," says Atlanta. "I hope Foxstar's the next to show. I've got a score to settle with the bitch."

"You'll be unlikely to find anyone else here," Schilt says. "But... perhaps Childre is not so wrong. Shall we unlock the other doors for you?"

"The inner ones only open if the outer ones are closed again," says Childre. "We're not allowed to let them out, and Leviathan's so bored... That's why I brought you here."

Zero doesn't like the sound of this. On one hand, getting through the doors would be a good thing. But on the other, this still screams 'trap'.

Schilt just smiles as if he guessed what it sounds like. "Of course, it's quite likely they'll just kill you. Fafnir in particular has become... quite barbaric."

[builtforbattle]

"I don't know. I like the idea of killing you two first. You're deaths have been a long time coming. We can always force the doors open ourselves."

That and turning their backs on the enemy to pass through a door that said enemy could lock sounded like all kinds of stupid.

[mosaic_archive]

"I'm with him," says Atlanta. "We don't need you as an overglorified lockpick. That's what explosives are for."

"Then perhaps we should just leave you to it," Schilt says coldly. But as he says this he also unlocks and opens the door he'd just come out of. He makes no move to reenter it though.

The singing can now be heard a little more clearly.

Zero isn't really going to trust any answer they might give, but this is weird enough that he still just has to ask. "Why would you do this? Just to trap us in there with them?"

Schilt smiles. "Perhaps. I'm certain that was Childre's intention, at the least. As for myself... hmm... You know by now what the energy does to... incompatible hosts, I believe? Lord Weil was able to correct this matter before through memory modification, but such methods no longer work. Fafnir is little more than a vicious animal, and Leviathan's condition is not much better..."

"That isn't true!" claims an upset Childre. "W-we're still friends... aren't we... Leviathan?" His voice becomes a little fainter as he speaks, since he heads to the inner door.

Schilt just seems to tense slightly, as if he has to force out some of the rest. "It would be... regrettable if Harpuia were to follow her siblings' fate, but even she cannot hold out forever. So, if you plan to do anything, I suggest you hurry." Then he looks to the blue door. "Childre! We've wasted too much time already, and should take our leave..."

"I... I want to stay with Levi..."

"No, Childre. Come. We've no more time for goodbyes."

A sulky Childre exits the blue-trimmed doorway, and it looks like both Judges do indeed intend to head back the way the others came in.

[builtforbattle]

Forte's not sure what to make of how they're acting now, besides be cautious and assume it's still a trap.

"So what is this, some kind of... weird reverse Stockholm syndrome? Or has it come to the point where you know you can't win and you're attempting to cut your losses and get out alive?" He points his buster at them. "Either way, we can't let you leave."

[mosaic_archive]

"None of us will be getting out of this alive," says Schilt.

"You got that right," says Atlanta, though for 'us' she just means the Judges. She'd have started shooting already if it wasn't for a lack of ranged weapons.

Schilt just sighs. "Very well. Clearly, it wants a fight, and will continue to keep us at cross purposes until it is given one. Therefore the fastest way to settle this is to force you through the doorway." The white armor starts to crack and reveal grey. Next to him, like a little child-shaped egg, Childre is covered in cracks of blue as he, too, begins to shift. Schilt looks over at him. "No, Childre. You must leave and tell the others I was unavoidably delayed..."

"I don't care any more. I want to stay with Levi!" a bawling and half-shifted Childre bounds back towards the blue door.

"You would defy Lord Weil in this?" Schilt says, warning, as his change completes.

"It doesn't matter now! You know it doesn't!"

"If they're going to fight each other instead, I'm having my firelizard bring popcorn," Zero drawls, trying to sound as if he's bored by all this and would rather get down to things now. He then tries to slice open Fafnir's door... and then the wall next to it... but this stuff is pretty heavily armored. It would have to be, he guesses, to be keeping them in... but it seems strange how resistant it really is until he notices how the purple tint shifts in response to the attacks. The energy itself is preventing damage. Zero cusses. "We'll need Ferham or Cinnamon to get in here."

[builtforbattle]

"Well if you haven't sent a message to get them here, then do it," Forte replies to Zero's comment about the doors. He then fires at Schilt, seeing as Childre is acting more like a upset child than someone who will fight back.

Gospel moves to one side to allow room for any fighting and get in a good spot offer support if it's needed.