2.14

2.14

The dreamscape training went about as well as could be expected. Taylor tried to control the ant men, but the queens somehow blocked her, then tried to do something to her through her -own- connection. She spent most of the time focusing on fine control of her power - something she'd never really had to train before. It apparently helped though. About halfway through she was able to start participating and could more easily 'see' through the monsters, though she still couldn't push back the control of the queens.

Sophia dashed out into the middle of the ant men tossing Foxfire orbs, firing crossbow bolts (Shard gave us some standard equipment), throwing rocks etc, all making use of her power so she could penetrate the hard exoskeleton. The problem is, she couldn't -really- contend with their numbers or strength. After a few attacks she'd end up phasing in from her shadow state right in time to receive an attack that would take off an arm, just to reappear back in the safe zone. It really took her emotions on a roller coaster, she was -pissed- that she was hurt - even more so when she realized she -died- in her assault. But that was countered by the joy of having a real fight. After several tries on her own she finally gave in and coordinated with us. Particularly when she saw mom and dad's teamwork.

Mom and dad were like the eye of a tornado. Anything that got close was analyzed instantly and mom would use their own strength against them combined with her flight, locking the stronger sets of limbs and sending them back out of their 'circle', occasionally she was able to kill one when the swarm wasn't overwhelming them. Dad had access to a pistol that was practically a cannon, and watched mom as a sort of 'early warning system' since she almost reacted -before- a target became a danger. Between the Mana Bolts he was firing, just strong enough to do what he had intended, to conserve power and his own normal shots they were able to kill a large number of them by aiming at weak points that mom had found. The problem was, they were an unending -tide-, and when the Mana Bolts ran out they just didn't have the firepower to hold them back. When those times came, mom would grab dad in a bridal carry, just to irritate him, and carry him back to the safe zone, fighting mid-air against the flying ants en route.

Impact was best suited for this type of situation since he had a near 'perfect defense' that he was able to use as offense. It worked well as long as he was able to keep moving. Any time he stopped, mandibles would close on him and hold until his breaker state ended. Without the defense it gave him they killed him instantly, making him appear in the safe zone again.

I spent the time working with Noelle to teach her some training methods to try to strengthen her core since without her power she couldn't really fight. I also half-focused on working out the 'puzzle'. Each of these levels taught me something that let me win. Level one was pushing emotions onto others. Level two was redirecting lasers... So what's the trick to level three? I know it -has- to have something to do with the Queens controlling the army, but I don't think it's a brute force method of doing the same thing since even Taylor can't push the queens out.

Eventually we all teamed up, starting with Sophia talking to mom about weak points and strategies. Impact joined up too. Once Taylor was no longer being overwhelmed by her power and the queens, she grabbed me and dragged me to the group so we could all practice together. Noelle was a little sad about it but then Shard linked up with her - both to help her train and so she could be 'part of the group'.

It took a while for everyone to not be in everyone else's way, but the effort was worth it. Sophia was getting better about trusting us to handle ourselves and cover her back, Impact was taking on a more active role and learning 'appropriate force' so he didn't throw himself too far, and he was managing to shatter an exoskeleton without throwing the creature into the mass, letting someone else take a quick kill shot. Taylor was starting to become a clone of mom just in that she seemed to be able to see -everything- and managed to use minimal force and application of force plates to control the fight. Noelle took orders from Taylor and tried to focus on assisting everyone. Mom and dad kept to their roles, but merged with the group easily. I ended up making a 'disk' version of my Mana Bolt with a bladed edge since the punched holes from the standard type just wasn't doing enough to kill them. I was pretty much assisting dad as ranged support.

Eventually Shard brought everyone back to the safe zone. Looks like time was up.

Everyone woke up, one after another, when Shard kicked us out since I told her to let us out around six - giving us a couple of hours to mentally recover and get used to any growth from the training. Also, Taylor had to explain what was going on with the Wards that they needed our help. Out of habit, when I 'woke up' I groaned and mumbled "Damn ant men..."

Which got me a response from Impact, "Nf phit."

Taylor and Sophia shared a look, Taylor spoke up first, "I think I actually understood that." earning a smirk from Sophia.

Shard had apparently had a lot of fun, and of course, she and Noelle had talked a lot. Since I share pretty much everything with Shard, she knew to leave the spell I had put on Noelle's secondary core alone. Shard explained that Noelle was still a long way off from being able to control the spell - which I had figured. Probably another week if she kept up with her practice.

Impact spoke up, getting everyone out of their bit of a daze, "Phum phuph phow?"

Taylor answered, "Ah, I told Will, but in..." she checked the time, "About two hours we have to meet up with the Wards. We're assisting with a prisoner transfer. We'll need all the hands we can manage so they requested the assistance of Oblivimom as well."

Mom grinned, "And of course, Oblividad."

Dad just rolled his eyes, "I don't even get to pick my own name?"

Mom elbows him, "Deal with it, we've got a good theme going here, don't ruin it."

Dad starts laughing, "Oh, so Shard's gonna be called Oblivisis and Noelle, Oblivigirlfriend?"... and now everyone's looking at me.

I raise my hands, not sure -why- I have to defend myself but I have a gut feeling I need to say -something-. "Um... Whatever I did, it wasn't me?" Good job brain. Even Shard is laughing at me. I decide speaking isn't working so I just point where the blame goes - straight at mom. Everyone is suddenly a bit more understanding.

Noelle speaks up - apparently not realizing my parents are picking on the two of us, "Um... Couldn't I just be Oblivigirl?" Taylor's eyes light up. She's just had an idea.

Taylor grins and points at me, "See if Shard will mind assisting Noelle, She's joining the team." Everyone is now staring at -her-... at least they're not looking at me.

Sophia's the one that speaks up, "Um, her power is making evil clones of things. I don't think that's going to be all that helpful."

Taylor shrugs, "Will is working on that. She should develop some control with it eventually, so until then, Shard will help her out." She looks at me with an eyebrow raised.

Shard seems plenty happy with the idea so I nod, "Shard agreed... I assume this is more than just a plan to 'build up the Backup Buddies'?"

She nods, "Yep. We use some of our fame and introduce her at the next conference - make a comment about rescuing her from Coil's base, maybe a costume that shows something her friends will recognize, get her to talk a bit. I'll bet the people she's looking for will see it sometime - then they just have to get in contact with us."

Noelle's aura starts to get saturated with [hope]. I think she's starting to be convinced that the Backup Buddies just make shit happen. I shrug to myself, I'm a little worried what might happen when she finds out we're -not- infallible, but until then we may as well let her enjoy her hope. I focus and link up with Noelle - As soon as she feels my aura trying to make a link she draws the link in - making it in record time. Shard transfers over, then does a 'transformation'. Essentially just coating Noelle's skin in a thin Fairy Light, making Shard's signature 'tendril wings' and 'fiery hair'.

Noelle grins, then turns to me with an eyebrow raised, her voice has that odd 'dual tone' of both her and shard being 'up front', "Will, can't you do what Shard does?" I get an interested look from Sophia... or maybe it's a hungry look? I ignore it.

I shake my head, "Nah, I can do something similar but because of -what- she is she's able to artificially enhance your core. I just bring more control. Well, for now I do. I may be able to manage something similar if I work on it." Sophia looks a little put out, but Taylor looks interested at the new information.

Impact makes some more noises, I think he's trying to move the impromptu 'meeting' along. Taylor catches on and speaks up, "Right, There are three transports taking place, and we'll be split among them. They're sending Grue and that invisible guy that was with the ABB, Hwanyeong, to a facility to hold them. The PRT isn't exactly a prison and they haven't done anything worthy of the Birdcage. They're also moving Lung to the Birdcage. There hasn't been any word spread of all of this, and with the ABB basically destroyed they're not expecting trouble, but doing it at the same time means they'll have to choose their targets. Armsmaster and Assault are going to be in the van with Lung, with Battery following behind. Everyone else is spread out among the others. Sophia, I want you and Impact guarding Grue. Noelle and Will's parents will be guarding Hwanyeong. Will and I are going to be guarding Lung."

Sophia argues, "Why do -you- guys get Lung?"

Taylor shrugs, "I can see anything before it comes up to get everyone prepared and Will is a swiss army knife - he'll be able to offer some support no matter the situation. That, and it's likely if we deal with anyone it would be Oni Lee. I don't want 'Oblivimom' and 'Oblividad' to be in the spotlight for the moment and they're the only ones I'd trust to take him down other than Will." Sophia seems satisfied, but it seemed more like a token resistance just to show she's not 'rolling over' and accepting Taylor's authority without question.

Dad speaks up after that, "Why are they doing seperate prisoner transports for Hwanyeong and Grue? I assume they'll be headed to the same prison?"

Taylor sighs and shrugs, "No idea. Some big shot in the PRT suggested it I guess. For all we know one van is going to be empty and just be a decoy." Dad doesn't seem very satisfied with the answer, but it's not like he can go knock some heads around in the PRT building and get them to change their minds.

No one else had any other comments and they seem pretty accepting of the roles. Taylor looks around the group then says, "Alright, meet up at the PRT building in costume. And good luck everyone."

*****************************************************

Everyone had gathered up at the PRT building, Impact changed outfits to his standard costume... which was just odd to me. His other outfit was the same, only more colorful, his normal costume was black.

We just gathered long enough to go over some basic strategies and wish each other good luck. I handed out some extra shield 'talismans' I had made that I clipped onto the chain around my wrist so everyone had a deflection shield. The Wards were staring at us since we practically doubled our members as far as everyone knew with the addition of Oblivimom, Oblividad and Oblivigirl. When we split up Taylor and I went to the PRT van that should contain Lung. No vehicle was offered to us and the van was full so I guess they just expected us to fly. That's fine with me, Taylor had already figured a few neat tricks she can do with the plates if I have to drop her. She can make a spatially anchored plate under her foot to make 'stairs'. She demonstrated it in the dreamscape to climb a building. It was funny to watch since she basically ran along the wall as if running up an invisible fire escape.

I grabbed Taylor up in my flight spell, created my various shields and flight spell with the battery section infused in the talismans on my wrist, as well as making three Fairy Lights as decoy Battery orbs. I flew us over the van - mainly because I just didn't trust the PRT much and wanted to know -exactly- who was inside. I detected Armsmaster and Assault, just as they said, along with a 'Rage and Strength' aura which I assume was Lung. Four other auras were there, but all were normal, so driver and three additional guards. Then we had Battery following behind. I nod to Taylor to let her know the PRT wasn't hiding anything like making this a decoy and switching Lung into one of the others like I half expected.

She was already busy reaching out to the swarm for surveillance. It took longer than I expected, but eventually the PRT had everything ready to go and the vans started off, each taking different routes.

About ten minutes into the trip Taylor got my attention, "Will, there's a guy in the middle of the road up ahead, and we've had a drone following our progress. The odd thing is, there's an ambush -behind- the guy. I don't see Oni Lee, but I can make out five guys in what might be power armor, two on the left three on the right. Get ready." I lower us close to the van just as I see the guy standing in the middle of the road. The guy has... electrodes or something jammed into his skull with... amethyst maybe? Some sort of purple crystal filling the hollow of the devices. The guy had no mask, nor a shirt, showing off a large tattoo on his chest of a lotus. He had chains around his forearms that dangled down and in his left hand he was holding a large amethyst orb.

The guy grins when the van stops, "Ho, we've got a lot of company here. I just wanted the dragon. If the rest of you leave I'll let you live." He used the chains on his free hand to smash the crystal... which turned to dust, then to -mana-. I watched in fascination as the mana expanded through the air from where the amethyst had been, though it's feel was -very- different from what I'm used to, it wasn't exactly -alien- just... different. It had an older feel to it, ancient even... He started speaking something nonsensical, and that's when I noticed it was like this 'old' mana conformed to a magic circle based on what he was saying. It was all too odd for me to fully grasp what was happening, I'd never seen mana itself be influenced without the use of aura. This was being influenced with his words somehow.

I decided it would be silly to sit around and find out - only suddenly I felt familiar aura build up behind me. Oni Lee. I'm not letting him get away this time. I created a few Foxfire orbs phased, right where he was teleporting to. His ability would push out anything that was physical, but not astral. I grab Taylor and dive with her away from Lee the moment he shows up, which means we dove into the area of 'old' mana, but still outside of the guy's magic circle. The moment Lee appeared it destabilized the Foxfire orbs... literally causing them to release small concussive grenades inside him... Sadly, he still had enough life in him to pull the pin of his grenades and teleport a few times.

I had been expecting him to die instantly with no time to manage that... I hope the others are going to be okay. PRT vans -should- be pretty damn sturdy. The ambush Taylor had seen before came down the road and started firing blindly at us and Mr. Chains. Our deflection shields held up well enough, and I saw the guy had some sort of parallel to a force shield surrounding him that seemed to correlate to a magic circle. Suddenly the outermost circle expanded in a flash several blocks out. I felt... -something-. Almost like the feel of the space 'between' dimensions, only normally the 'next dimension over' is too far to see, now I could feel a 'pocket'. A place that was right next to this one.

I felt Lung disappear into the pocket dimension along with Mr. Chains... I didn't want to leave Taylor in the firefight but I couldn't bring her over into the pocket dimension since I couldn't infuse her and use Sophia's Phasing ability to shift her over. She would be fine, she had backup. I dropped her and she instantly used her force plate to step toward the ground as I phased into the pocket dimension - much to the surprise of Mr. Chains who had been walking up to grab Lung.

The guy was close enough that I could sense him, and he -definitely- did not have a secondary core, instead, his primary core had that 'old' feel of the mana infusing the air here... So is this guy like me? He definitely doesn't use mana the way I do though. And he doesn't seem to be able to generate his own, he has to draw from this 'old' mana. His aura just isn't very strong.

When the guy sees me appear in front of him, he jumps back and pulls out another amethyst, this one much smaller than the orb from before. He yells out, "What!? How the hell did you get here you brat!?"

I shrug, and give him the answer that's been pretty common for 'how did you do that?', "Fuckin' magic." Only to notice the guy was already doing some chant, and the mana was forming into skull shapes... Heh, I'm not the kind of guy that's just going to let you prepare for a fight - or cast a long ass spell.

I act like I'm pointing a remote at him and press down with my thumb, "Beep." and he's hit with Mute. The good version - the one that's harder to pop. The moment his voice stops, the skulls all twist and lose form bursting into black fire. Probably just that color for intimidation purposes. I mean, why would you shape a spell into a skull in the first place? I'm starting to think the amethysts have some sort of 'pre programmed' mana, so he releases it to the air and verbally 'commands' it. Though why he has lengthy commands I have no idea.

The guy - now muted - tries to growl at me. He seems reluctant to use the crystal in his hand, but smashes it against the ground... which creates a magic circle on its own where it shattered and one around him. His aura somehow channels through the 'electrodes' in his head and into the circle - the inside of which is full of the chaotic energy of the space between dimensions. His aura gathers up some of the mana in the air and -that- somehow creates a form from the chaotic energies. From the circle rises an insectoid robotic creature, like a giant bladed centipede, only with constantly shifting metallic parts, similar to hookwolf. The entire surface seems to have a mix of metal plates, blades and chains, and it definitely has aura - though it's Mr. Chains' aura.

It looks like it takes all his focus to control the thing, and Lung is going to wake up soon. I fly into the air since the thing shouldn't be able to fly, and it'll give me a good line of sight to punch a few holes in the guy. Nothing fatal, I need to ask him some questions after all. -I- want to be able to make a giant shifting metal centiped!

Sadly, it wasn't to be. It turns out the centipede doesn't -need- to fly. It turned its head to follow me and fired from multiple places miniature harpoons linked with chains to the monster. Luckily my deflection shield is set to be able to activate for anything as fast as a taser barb or faster, The shield lit up and deflected the harpoons, but more and more started coming, and the ones that had been deflected didn't fall like I had expected... they just turned mid-air to try to wrap around me. It took a little dodging, but after a bit I decided to use my new disc shaped Mana Bolt - since it's designed to cut. I launched the construct at the centipede, cutting most of the chains and bisecting the creature... only for it to split into two. Number two wasn't being controlled by Mr. Chains, but it kept trying to do what number one had been doing... and now number one was skittering toward Lung.

I sigh, "Alright, so cutting the things up doesn't work, erg-" I dodged another group of chains, "so let's try plan B"

I point my staff at the guy and fire off my electric blast... only for it to arc over some sort of mana shield that was linked to the circle around him. That reminds me, I need to build a shield against electricity. No getting distracted! I dodge another chain and fire off another disc shaped Mana Bolt to cut it. Suddenly an idea hits me. I fire a Mana Bolt at the shield, only for it to be countered out... but when I was watching the mana in the air, I could tell it ate the ambient 'old' mana to power itself. Alright then. I fly away from the chains to give me a bit of time as I build up a spell to deploy a temporary Astral Shield -slightly- larger than the mana shield the guy has. I release the spell, then instantly fire a Mana Bolt after it. The bolt strikes the Mana Shield... but my Astral Shield keeps the 'old' mana from being able to be drawn into it - causing the spell to consume itself and dissipate the magic circle, much to the surprise of Mr. Chains.

He glares at me as I fire my staff at him again, this time centipede number two intercepts it, but seems completely unaffected. Of course it's probably just some sort of crazy mana construct so electricity doesn't mean anything to it. Mr. Chains reaches out and touches number two... only for its shifting body takes the guy in, and he severs the connection to number one - which is now in a wrestling match with a very groggy Lung. Chains are wrapping around him, but I expect he's going to be able to overpower the thing pretty soon... until centipede number one slides it's mandibles on either side of his neck. Lung -roars- in defiance... only for it to be cut short.

I see a purple light flow up the chains of the creature from Lung's chest... and his head is 'eaten'. Alright... I have no love for Lung, particularly after that slave house we found, but I'm going to take this as a sign that I should be serious. If this guy is so quick to kill then he's like Oni Lee and Bakuda... and I'm not letting someone like that escape.

I build up a volley of eight Mana Bolts and fire at where he was in the second centipede, then another, then another, on my fourth volley everything -twists- in a section to my left as another person phases into the pocket dimension. The new guy has a -much- stronger aura - though still with that 'old' feel. The guy is wearing a suit, though nothing -too- fancy, and what looks like a common dollar store plastic mask, painted black with a white stylized lotus and five thin chains around it extending out to the edge of his mask. He talks to the guy with the centipedes, "You're taking too long. We did not give you power so you could make us wait. Don't tell me this whelp is giving you trouble?" When Mr. Chains gives no answer the man just shakes his head, "Pathetic. Go back. Perhaps I can harvest this one."

Mr. Cheap Mask turns to me, "It seems you have some power... " he stares at me for a moment, seemingly surprised. I hold back on attacking him so I can recover some power, those volleys of Mana Bolts ate over half my mana. Besides, Mr. Chains could very well die from my previous assault as it's taken apart a section of the creature and there's a good bit of blood. The parts that fell off shatter into mana and disperse into the space between dimensions.

Mr. Cheap Mask continues, "Oh my, has it started already?... perhaps we are too late." He seems to muse to himself, "Then again, perhaps we were -never- able to save her. This changes everything." He inclines his head to me, "Well then, we will see you again." Apparently he thinks he's going to leave. Then again I had a hard enough time against who I assume is the 'newbie', I'm not sure how I'll stand against this guy. Well, I can at least try. I fire off a volley, split in half, four for Mr. Cheap Mask, and four for Mr. Chains. The centipede tries to dodge with little success, but Mr. Cheap Mask mutters something under his breath and the ambient mana, along with his aura, reach up and grabs the bolts that were headed to him. The mana is somehow -siphoned- out and drawn into an amethyst he pulled from his pocket.

Mr. Cheap Mask speaks up again, "Thank you for the sample, but we really -must- be going." And he does something -terrifying-. After a very short chant, he creates a small circle in the air, it seems to be very similar to Mr. Chains' summoning circle... only this one isn't regulated. Energies from between the dimensions -jet- outward in a lance from the circle like a hole punched in a pool, only the 'water' in this case erases the natural laws turning -everything- it touches to energy. I try to dodge out of the way but the blast throws me off and the none of my shields block the energy. Luckily I was only hit with a tiny portion of the lance. It turns out when you instantaneously turn matter to energy the result is a violent explosion. This meant that it blew up a chunk of my left leg, leaving me in blinding pain. I have enough of my wits about me to phase back to the main dimension and out of the dimensional pocket so he doesn't try that again - that doesn't do much for my leg though. I give it some focus and at -least- stop the bleeding for now.

I can 'see' (it's more like another sense entirely, but close enough) in the pocket dimension Mr. Cheap Mask disperses the two Centipedes, grabs Lung's head and Mr. Chains - who looks like he's been through a meat grinder - and flies with both of them down a side street. The pocket dimension stays for around but I can feel it consuming the mana inside to remain, so it won't last all that much longer.

When I look around I notice the PRT van is wrecked, but the fight is long over. It looks like the other heroes were looking around to where Lung 'teleported' to. Taylor noticed me the moment I came back - she set a fly on my earlobe. I'm not sure if she can hear through her bugs yet, but I speak up, "Hey, I'll be right back. I want to check this pocket dimension before it disperses." So once I figure the guys have left the dimension I phase back into it. The edges are starting to break apart and fall into the space between dimensions. I'm debating pulling Lung's body out or if I should just leave it. Either way I could get accused of killing him... but I guess if I pull him out we may get some info on these new guys. First I go over and check where Mr. Chains and his centipede number two had been. Apparently my volley had torn out one of his pockets. I found a small one of his amethyst crystals... When I pick it up I notice there's something -incredibly- odd about it. It's not just a gem. I can't quite make heads or tails of it, but I don't want to waste too much time so I pocket the thing. Next I go and grab Lung's body, then infuse it so I can phase it back to the main dimension. I pull us across - practically right in front of Armsmaster... Who aims his halberd at me.

I roll my eyes, "Armsy, I didn't kill the bastard. A giant shifting metal centipede in a pocket dimension did. Then some asshole blew up my leg. Intense pain right now. Can I please get in the queue for Panacea?"

I can almost hear him growling as someone says something through whatever com system he has in his helmet. He replies to the person, "I want him observed for any master/stranger influence. Just because he -thinks- he's telling the truth doesn't mean he is."

That's when Taylor shows up, "You don't have authority to do that. Now, aim your weapon somewhere else, you already know he's got protection against master influence." Armsy's knuckles crack as he tightens his grip on his halberd.

Armsy growls into his coms, "Get a crew out here to clean this up. I want the corpse examined. Bring the van into the PRT garage, I need to see how Lung got out."

I ignored most of the rest of what happened, focusing more on trying not to pass out due to the pain from my 'mostly gone' leg. Taylor took care of most of it but explained we were going to have a meeting tonight after I visited Panacea. We needed to go over what happened because this 'newbie' and his friend were dangerous.