destinystrings | The 13th Hour, The Zeroth Hour, of the 17th of Three

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The 13th Hour, The Zeroth Hour, of the 17th of Three

Who: Zero & OPEN
Where: Sagittarius Ward, mainly
Summary: Zero tasks himself with defense of the city during the 13th Hour. He wasn't expecting old ghosts to persist in chasing him here so soon, but maybe he should have.
Warnings: Base level of violence dealing with constructs, up to who is there really.

The new phase of the moon shifted into its crescent the other day, removing peaceful nights for the rest of the month. It's Zero's first day of active duty — or night, rather. The night sky became blood-red, matching parts of his armored body. The world felt still for but a moment, engulfed in ruby hues and bloodied twilight.

It was then that what was left darkened black by the shadows of the industrial sector gleaned their own red, this time by the light given off from materialized things. Things not native to Hinoto-Ri. Things that should have stayed back where Zero came from. He readied his working Z-Saber from his holster, turning it on and brandishing its green glow in front of him as he took it with both hands.

If they're going to come that far to take him down, he'll see them to their own end as well.

Should you be anywhere around the Sagittarius Ward tonight during the 13th Hour, some new monsters have appeared to assault the city... except they don't seem to be interested in you. They trudge or fly along as if searching for something, or someone. Attacking them will cause a response in kind should you decide to bother them. Otherwise, they move toward an unspecified location that changes through the hour, where they find their eventual target: A lone warrior.

Enemy Roster
LVL 1
Pantheon Guardian x ∞
Pantheon Hunter x ∞
LVL 2
Golem (Head) & (Body) x 1+ depending on player activity. (Mention if you don't want to fight such things, wards have a lot of space in them. At least one WILL eventually find Zero's location in his own section.)

There's a section for characters getting caught up in the battle alongside Zero, and a section for those that want to pre-emptively attack the enemy forces. Have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The army of blue and white moved along at a steady pace, turning this way and that inside the industrial sector of the city, their facelights shining along any surface to seek their prey out, whatever it was. Maybe you're right in front of their advancing path, or maybe you're off to the side to catch this parade of walking death. Whatever the case, the ball's in your court.

A small girl, in one of her typical perches on a fire escape, looked down at the strange new set of demons. Someone must have come in from a new world, since they didn't look familiar at all.

Well, except being kind of robotic.

Regardless, Latooni summoned her princess-like Soul Persona to scan a sample of them as they passed. If they were ignoring humans, it would be a good time to assess and record their strengths and weaknesses without having to fight.

Unless this provoked them, of course, but she still has her military training and high ground if it comes to that.

Indeed, if the Pantheons registered the aloft bystander, they showed no notice nor intention to harass her. They continued on their way, having an apparent single-minded purpose to congregate somewhere. Among them near the back was something that looked entirely different, covered in teal and gray and towering above the rest of the mob, hovering above the ground by a foot or so and matching their marching speed with guided thrusters on its back.

Results from the frog princess' scan turned positive: The walkers had no specific weaknesses aside from Mind and Almighty yet were rather expendable, but the metal giant appeared nigh-invulnerable aside from only the strongest of attacks. That is, at first. Scans at a specific location might reveal something more useful.

The distant sounds of fighting could be heard. Whatever their destination it was up ahead, and whoever was there was likely unaware of the looming threat that continued to create distance nearby Latooni.

Latooni silently focused on her Persona. The big one was interesting, but it was more important to warn anyone immediately nearby about their approach. She'd probably need to launch in Wildraubtier to fight it anyway.

She attempted to use CommLink, hoping one of the people up ahead would be someone she knew, but it didn't seem like she was that lucky. Instead, without a sigh or a shrug, she climbed down to street level, running along in the direction of the noise of fighting and hoping she continued to be ignored.

The way wasn't obstructed by much; the group was sparse enough to allow slipping around them on the side. She was incredibly lucky, for they still didn't attack. Some of the walkers glanced over, facelights shining from cyclopean heads in Latooni's general direction, but nothing further as they moved along.

Farther up ahead, a swordsman of some sort could be seen engaged with the very front of the lineup of machines. They wielded a luminous lightsaber, edges reaching below the top of the hilt to create a triangular design for the blade itself. He moved around the ones with rods for arms, at each opportunity aiming his attacks and backing off. Unfortunately, he was getting pushed back even with the progress he was making from the numbers slowly stacking against him.

Taking out his Buster Shot, he looked for an escape route while firing at the Pantheons trying to take aim from the back. That's when he saw the human running along the mob to the side. An astonished, warning tone raised in his voice to yell, "They're after me, don't get caught in this!"

"What? You can't fight all these things alone! And there's a big one coming, too!" she called out, trying to move around to a more defensible position herself. She didn't know what was going on here, but she knew when someone was in trouble, and she knew how to deal with swarms of aggressive AIs.

She didn't have anything with her that could hit their weaknesses, but she could still find cover and get Omoikane ready to start raining lightning. "If you know what a Mind- or Almighty-type attack is, use that!"

Repeated firing from the Buster Shot took down some of the Hunters, but not without taking a hit or two himself. No noticeable damage was done, but the wince was obvious. He protected the attacked area on his chest with a guarding hand, edging further away from the mob but more to the side in case he needed to come to the girl's defense.

A big one? ... Either a Golem or another large Mechaniloid. That's going to make things more complicated on top of being distracted. He's used to fighting alone and usually not having to consider others potentially getting hurt, no matter who or what they are, human or Reploid. That's on top of other thoughts going through his head at the moment.

"No, I don't understand, all I have is my saber and gun!" It's too bad he isn't his fully-leveled self though, he'd at least have an Almighty attack to work with... though if he was he'd be tearing through these robots a lot faster than he is right now. Truth be told, he wasn't considering all his options, but some of them weren't available anyway with being unable to make use of his Element Chips.

Y'know, when Rock decided to try out this whole 'patrolling for monsters' thing, he didn't expect to find robots. Especially not ones that bore a strange resemblance to the Sniper Joes. And especially not this many of them. At least he wasn't totally alone - Rush had come along.

"Oh, man," he mutters to himself, shifting his right arm into its buster configuration. "We might be in over our heads here, boy." Rush growls, lowering himself into an on-guard position. "Wouldn't be the first time, though."

To be fair, the congregation Rock and Rush see is what happens when an entire Ward of "guests" all decide to gang up in one spot, and against one target. It's not too bad yet, as the density is sparse enough to walk amongst or around them...

Their target thankfully is neither of them, and so they continue on their way. Some of the "Sniper Joes" look in Rock's direction and stop, staring for a time, but continue on after a few seconds of that. It's something to note that what shades of blue can be seen on them against the glow of the red sky is an uncannily similar set to the Blue Bomber's own, whether that means anything or not.

The tension in the pair slowly eases up as it becomes apparent that the group isn't after them, getting a confused look from the pair - which is given to each other at least once.

However, curiosity becomes too great to resist, and in short order, Rock's flying overhead on Rush, trying to figure out just where these things are going.

Quickly for them, the nexus of their congregation is found — a glowing green beam of light can be seen on the ground below up ahead, it being swung to defend the one holding it from becoming overwhelmed.

The Pantheons advance, slowly but uncompromisingly, bunching themselves up in a manner that makes it difficult for the warrior on the ground to make a significant dent in the wall of metal without getting hurt himself. Many of the Hunters shoot overhead the hunched Guardians, firing a salvo of bullets for him to dash around and time his attacks on the melee in front. During one such exchange, a shot nicks him in the shoulder, causing him to flinch and cease his attack, forcing him to jump backwards away from the crowd.

He noticeably breathes exaggeratedly from the strain, holding his shoulder with his free hand while holding out the Z-Saber in his other hand in defense. Oh, but he does notice the Pantheons from behind also coming for him, so he can't retreat too far. Searching the view above them for an improvised escape route, he can't help but notice the glint in the distance of a moving floating object heading in his direction. Whatever it is, he can't trust if it's friend or foe yet.

Upon getting close enough to see the one outnumbered, there's a quiet 'oh no' that gets muttered. He straightens up a bit, readying his buster. "Guess we're not the only ones outnumbered, Rush - let's lend a hand!" The dog answers enthusiastically with a bark, and swoops in toward Zero. Rock jumps off, and Rush makes a swing around to transform back to dog mode and stand beside Rock.

"Looks like you could use a hand, Mister!"

As the sight of one — no, two — objects neared, he began to make out the shape of the one flying on top of the flying duo. Something registered deeply. It was enough for the red warrior to tense up at identifying the newcomer, a raised sword that its wielder sized up the blue bomber with.

Until the one in front of him spoke, at least. "..."

No, he was too far removed, in size and voice, the minute differences in his helmet and the large differences in his way of speaking showing, to be who he thought it was. Still, he felt utterly speechless at first, his guard lowering at the sight.

He's not one of those Pantheons, but he isn't X. ... Who is he?

The Pantheons however give him no time to address the newcomers at length, the ones around them closing in for attack. Zero nods hesitantly at the two, then speaks with a lowered head and serious eyes, his tone free of emotion. "Don't get in my way. I'll confuse you for them." There will be some words after this is over, he's sure. He tenses up again before giving up his attention to the more present threat, dashing towards the ones that were at his back, Z-Saber at the ready. Looks like he's holding that side for now. Meanwhile, the ones behind Rock and Rush come closer still, seemingly ignoring them to focus more on the other combatant.

Rock initially makes a slightly bothered face at Zero's comment, but now that he really gets a good look at the Pantheons, well...

"Guess you've got a point there, Mister. I'll be careful!"

He turns to cover Zero's back, and raises his buster arm, and opens fire at the nearest of the swarm, and motions for Rush to stay back. "Keep close, boy - there's too many out there right now, and we'll need your help if we need to get out of here in a hurry." The dog whimpers a bit, but stays as he's told.

With less of them bothering Zero, he's more able to fight them off, though now there is a new strength in his will to fight.. enough so that he almost begins to ignore the dangers of fighting the Pantheons in such close combat, risking more and more opportunities to destroy them.

... ...Do I really trust his identity this much to have my back so easily? ...

Grimacing at his own distraction, not wanting to be more reckless than he already is, he shoves those thoughts away as he continues his own assault on his half of the fight.

Meanwhile, the other half of the horde in front of the boy and dog collectively stop once Rock fires at the crowd, taking out one of them with the blast of his buster. All of the Pantheons' red eyes shift their focus, bearing down on the Blue Bomber as a collective cyclopean army, before beginning their movements again, though now it seems they've forgotten their original target. One of them creeps close, a raised arm in the air bearing down on the boy, the end of it amputated if not for a long white stick attached to the end, generating a field of electricity as it swings down.

Quite unaware of Zero's questions, Rock carries on, leaping away from the strike. Rush does so as well, and the opportunity is taken to open fire on the swinging Pantheon. He does still wonder just why they look so similar to him, though - but that's a question for once these things get taken care of.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The 13th Hour, The Zeroth Hour, of the 17th of Three

Pre-empting the Pantheons

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Looks like my slump's timing worked out well, ahah.

Indeed o/ Hey there.

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Oops, wrong BGM in my last tag. orz

No worries. o/

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