[ORP] At a CrossRoads. Bar and Grill. [FIN]

[NinjVet]

The man and caracal arrived back at the bar with rather extreme speed, and the first one re-encountered was Talon. Arrow's sensors knew that he wasn't the one, but there was something with him that was.

Rhett sat up. "Where you going so fast? Did something happen in there?" The golden organoid beneath him opened his mouth, his overly long fangs allowing a nasty hiss beyond them. This organoid, while containing several similarities to normal organoids, had something very different about it. Its armor seemed much thicker. Its blades seemed much denser. It looked like small battle-capable Zoid, miniaturized. Its bladed tail swayed, more panther like than caracal perhaps, but its extremely large ears screamed of its sensitization to detection of.. perhaps everything.

Whatever was going on with the condensed weapon of a beast, it felt as though Talon was in the way- in the way most specifically of the spiky ancient bird. It was the first target to come into view, anyway.

System Activated: Original Being Found.
Error: Not Them.
Resolution: Complete Destruction.

Arrow's dark 'voice' was invasive of every system associated with Talon; the spider, the Zoid, the bird. However, he did have an excessively dense electromagnetic cloaking system that would hide him from those inside- though the sound of the chaos that would ensue because of his actions may give him away. And it didn't take but a milisecond after that command was given that Rhett flung himself off of the organoid that launched into a direct attack on Atelius, charging across the sands that separated them, long fangs glowing in charged electricity.

Kai noticed the sweat, and she shifted the weight from one foot to the over in a subtle note of urgency to get going. As the shadowy man joined them on the farther side of the table, her gaze narrowed in a quiet, cold sense of agitation she usually tries not to show at all.

"Who are you." She was trying not to speak, but the tension that had trickled through her muscles and clenched her fists forced the words passed her teeth in a hissed whisper. It was far less a question, much more a demand. It was almost identical to how Edge spoke. The pair were always far less individualized when tensions increased.

The black dragon himself never looked away from Risk. He shadowed her movements, and Kai seemed to mirror him from a few steps away. He also failed to respond to Atelius, since his curiosity was addressed and the answer was... less than acceptable but accepted none the less. There were more important things than harboring concern over a misplaced ancient. He'd have to find him again at some point to figure out who exactly charged him with such a task.

Sakashi forced herself to look away from the sketchy man, and instead at Regent and then Risk. She was unwilling to move towards the door first. She wouldn't remove them from a direct visual.  

[GunSniper]

Atelius managed to hop out of the way with only minor damage done to his tail feathers as the strange organoid sailed by. Sparks screeched from the new scratch as metal clashed with ancient metals. The bird released a sharp screech, green eyes flashed as small jets in his wings ignited to lift him into the sky.

To the untrained ear it would seem just a frightened screech, however, to one who has encountered these particular ancient court members would instantly recognize a back up call. Moments later a return screech was sounded as three groups of three seeker flocks responded to the call. Fortunately only a small amount happened to be within range of Atelius' signal. The green pairs of eyes were accompanied by a dull glow of red metal spine-covered spheres in their talons. Another familiar tactic to one who has witnessed it before...

Atelius' head turned just slightly, bright eyes turned toward the target in unison with his body. Wings stretched to their zenith in the turn than folded tight against his frame as he begun to dive toward the metallic threat, razor talons poised to strike.

He would protect his master at all costs.

Typical Blitzy. Though, Kreig couldn't think any less of him for the desire to see a good drama unfold. Had something within his mechanical core not trembled at the presence of something VERY dangerous he would have willingly remained. However, that was not the case.
"B-blitzy, common... this-" The screeched caused his frame to shiver. It was a tad frustrating to seem a coward at such a time."I believe s**t has already gone down..."

The organoid shifted so he was put into a position where he could grab Blitz should things get any worse...

Ander narrowed his eyes to Regent at the snide comment. He couldn't deny the claim, he had always seemed to run into this guy under less than desirable circumstances. The guy had changed, yet, hardly changed. A weird concept he could contemplate over a meditation later... Now, attention turned toward Kai at her hissed inquiry. Golden eyes narrowed a moment before widening. There was no doubt, even after all this time he would not forget such a face. Oh how it resembled his favorite...

Eyes shifted to the black organoid a moment before returning to Kai.
"I-" His words were cut short by the screech just outside of the building. There would be a time for that later.

"Saga is outside just beyond the property. He can provide us cover..." Ander turned his attention toward Regent before taking the initiative and heading toward the door opposite the commotion side. Though, mind was already lost in thought. It had been too long...

Risk leaned a little into Regent's touch. Eyes for a split moment watched Talon leave the bar before returning to the merchant.

Though the commotion outside was certainly not overlooked. Muscles tensed once more. She moved closer to Regent at the quite familiar screech from outside. Eyes shifted to him a moment as she drew a deep breath. It was alright, nothing would come to harm to any of them. With renewed focus, once again, she turned to Kai and gestured for her to follow.

"Yes meh sir... come, kyreah, Shadow, we get a move on-" The bodyguard's eyes shot toward the ceiling of the establishment. "We get a move on now."

"Y'all gonna get roudy, y'all gonna get outside ya'hear?" The bartender didn't even look from his glass as he cleaned the brim. His bull-organoid gave him an assuring snort, to prove the point to the guests.



From outside a loud banchie-like screech rattled the earth accompanied with thunderous boom pulsing closer and closer to their position. A gray-mist begun to swirl about outside as the earth trembled more and more at the colossal being's approach.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Regent let his hand slip from Risk face, only as she shifted closer to him and turned toward Kai. The screech rang in the air...

"Alright." The Barter spoke to Ander's words and his offer of cover, as much as it poked at his side-he would need the bandit king's help.

releasing a slow breath, Regent nodded his head to the entrance. Hearing the screech from the 'back', he being a selfish-man for what was his didn't want the go where the conflict was. Though perhaps another needed help?

His head turned just for the moment to back door. Letting out a breath, he looked back to the main entrance. With a bow, and spread of his arms he gestured to the bartender and his ask of leave.

And he moved he gestured to the others to the door.

"Lets be on our way then." Regent spoke in a breath as his foot shifted to go, he moved to the door and pushed it open. Looking out the door, seeing it clear he then turned his gaze back to the others and waited their coming.

---


Setting down his drink, Blitz shifted his hand to his journals and slipped them inside his buttoned up shirt. His hand then gathered up the sentiment cards.

"I will do as I please." Masters spoke more sternly. "But feel free to do as you
like." He answered as he put away the cards. Straightening from the table, Blitz took one last drink of his glass, before he let it rest.

Having heard the screech, his head raised to the back door. Someone, had to help the poor soul that shared his luck.

Hell, there was no avoiding it for him as well.

So by all means...

His hand shifted to the wine bottle as he grabbed it up and marched toward the exit and where the commotion was at.

A lone single teal eye tarried upon Kai and her Dragon, before his ebony hair tousled it. Covering it with the flick of his head as he looked to the back exit.

The opposite from where the barter and company headed.

His hand pushed open the back door, opening the gateway to what ever hell he had stepped into.

Tiger Tiger, burning bright. In the forest of the Night...

What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?  

[PuddleInk]

The little MRZ shuddered and clung to Talon's leg when the ery and terrifying echo rounded in its head. Poor Moe didn't know what to make of it and didn't like how hostile this one was. The Great Mother was kinder than this one...wait, was it really processing that?!

Now, Tacker on the other hand, seemed to bristle and hiss loudly as that invading voice grew louder and sounded its claims. How dare it attack an innocent human to finish its means! Granted, Talon kinda deserved it for using the dreaded stick against him way back when they first met, but he was mostly harmless! All squishies were mostly harmless. It echoed Atelius' cry, or tried to mimic it. Damn right it wasn't going to let Talon become steak tartar.

During all of this, especially when he noticed that his Zoid was running in a bit too fast for his liking, Talon glanced behind him to see the electric maw of a cat. The ringing cry of the Seeker was in his ear, but he barely heard it as he was taking in what was charging at him exactly. Was he surprised when it was Rhett, that smelly and suspicious person from earlier, dive off the organoid's back? No. In a smooth, practiced motion and rather out of character for such a pacifist, he reached for his hand held gun and trained it on the poor tired man. It wasn't fair, but when there was this dinosaur training its own guns on the small organoid as it charged forward as quickly and as carefully as it could towards a building protected by neutral laws, you wisely go for the human that is connected. He barely batted an eye when flocks of three with spike bombs of shredding doom came into the view. Warning shots were fired, aimed at just before his person.

Talon was not amused. Clearly. The bubbling anger and rage from being thrown into these situations all too often in the past couple of months echoed in the roar Green Tyrant gave off. "I am not going to die yet. She would not be amused. " he muttered to no one in particular. Moe gave a chirp and a coo of agreement, though it wasn't sure if its human meant The Judge or the scary General. Either wouldn't be amused, though it had a feeling the Judge might actually miss him and his stupid witt in times of crisis. "And I don't really have time for this. "

A haze was on the horizon. Talon could almost smell the energy that it brought with it, having been around it so often lately. It was then that it dawned on him... The cat wanted Atelius. Dead.

That thought didn't go over well. The handgun, having been trained on Rhett, turned and fired at the open maw of the cat. It wouldn't do much, but chances were it would irritate the beast and slow it down some just enough for Talon to either get into the Tyrant, or the Tyrant to get close enough to step on the annoyance.  

[NinjVet]

Rhett would, of course, dance backwards in that startled tip-toe method of 'dodging' grounded bullets. However, unlike Talon, the expression on his face was highly amused- as if they were still talking about adventures as they were inside the pub. It was no doubt based on his reaction that this wasn't the first time he'd been shot at, let alone been through this charade before.

"If you really think threatening me is going to stop -that-, you haven't been paying attention." A deep chuckle rose as Talon raised his handgun to the organoid itself, and he quite methodically stepped himself around the side of the pub and out of Talon's visual. He entered a side door back into the pub, away from the shrieking mayhem outside, and dusted off his dirty green tank-shirt as if getting ready to have another drink. His gold eyes looked at Edge, though, and stared for a long moment.

The grin drew wider. But instead of saying anything to the group in the corner that appeared ready to leave, he looked away again and sat down at a table, propping an arm up on the back of it.

Arrow shifted his feet beneath himself as he faced the human that drew a weapon on him, his sharply bladed tail slashing at Talon at mid-thigh level as he turned, massive fangs crackling against the upchurned sand and air around them. Perhaps the slash was a warning, or more likely just a hoped-for bonus if he did make contact. The bullets, as the pilot expected, ricocheted off the golden cat's armour without consequence. "Your sense of time does not matter. You have contacted Them." The distaste for him, and for those he 'contacted' seemed to drip of loathing from every word the strange organoid spoke. "And for that, your wishes are void. You are a part of a chain of events for which you have no say." Something about him was off. He was neither of the 'new' or of the 'old.'

One of the caracal's long ears twitched in the direction of Atelius' screeching, and the result seemed to be a cough-like sound- perhaps the cat's own laughter. "Purfect." The hiss crossed those crackling fangs as his sensors picked up the swift moving flock and his sinister red eyes looked off into the distance.

The moment they were within visual, the cat turned on a silver claw and bolted for the pub. He smashed through a window, landing on a table which cracked and collapsed beneath his weight and impact. He stood there for a moment, observing each of those present. He could sense something stronger here, more than just what he saw. His visual sensors fell on Regent and Risk, considering them for a moment. No, perhaps just 'contact.' And then to the Shadow man. No, faint and indistinct.

But oh, he did see the black one. Standing there. So obvious. And every blade on his body stood on end, and surged with a black electric power that felt far worse even from a distance than any normal 'laser blade.'

So much for heeding the bartender's warning.

Move. Now. Edge hissed to all three in a voice that was so commanding, it reverberated down at the lowest level of consciousness in both machine and biologic creature in their corner. He felt the seeker come, and he also sensed the flock.

The familiarity Edge felt to the shadowy man was uncanny, but there was no time to concern himself with that now. There was much unremembered, and perhaps much made up with frazzled circuitry and blocked files. His large black head, carefully angled to avoid stabbing her, was placed on Risk's shoulder to 'shove' her gently if she allowed- forcing her towards the back door at the quickest possible rate. He'd pick her up if she didn't, and it was an obvious threat the way his black jaws hung open.

Sakashi was a step beside him, and she heard the screaming from outside. It was no human scream, and perhaps something that was distantly familiar.... No... but it did mean trouble, regardless. She whirled around at the crash of the window and table, facing a mechanical beast she'd never seen before. Her stance squared off with it, though little good that could possibly do. But her hand, much like Talon's reaction, palmed her handgun's grip with her pointer finger within a millimeter of unsnapping its holster buckle. Edge knew little and was unable to feed her much information. He just knew they needed to move. Sooner than later.  

[Gestalt Effect]

Atelius' claws sparked against each other as they grabbed the air just short of of the cat's leap. Dust swirled up around him in the pass. His green eyes flashed as he made a turn around for Talon this time.

"Master! The dread father is approaching. There is also another colossal ZOID approaching from the opposite direction." The bird screeched before passing over Talon's head. "It appears to be in a wild rage... I could see its red eyes from the horizon."

The birds beak clacked a few times after relaying his information. What was strange about the wild ZOID was the feeling it gave off. It seemed, in a way, to be in more of a rage than the dread father. What he had seen was instantly sent to the tyrant and the transformed zaber.

"If we head north we have little chance of running into either of them..."

The nine seekers released their striker loads upon the bar. Each mechanical pincushion spun rapidly before plowing through the roof. The first obliterated the bull organoid before crashing to the ground. Nothing was left of the famous bar's bouncer. Next, one struck the old bartender with such a force his body ceased being recognizable upon impact. The last one spun in a direct collision course with Arrow's current position.

Each of the carrier seekers arched back toward the bar and would soon join in the fray.

The Jury released another screech. His colossal shadow could just barely be made out among the dense gray haze that completely covered the horizon. Azure eyes cut through the shadows, as bright as stars against the pitch black of night. Just to the west, opposite the Jury, another colossal shadow loomed over the horizon. This massive giant had crimson eyes burning with an intense desire for destruction.

Risk at first begun to comply with Edge's urgency to leave the bar... however, once Rhett entered the room Risk turned eyes away from the group and toward him. Her chest begun to burn. It was his... it was him... Her upper lip curled as her frame begun to bristle. Than.. the breaking point....Silvery cords begun to emerge from Risks arm as the illusion of an islander bodyguard begun to melt away to reveal the bristled and rage ridden Iron Judge. The crimson glow in her right eye brightened to its peak as she glared upon the threat that exploded through the windows. Each heavy breath she took caused her frame to tremble. Protect what is mine... protect my master.... protect... kill.... blood. If one could read her mind that would be the only message they would receive. The words repeated and continued in a crazed chant. That dreaded switch had been flipped.

(The following is because it's a critical fail... lol)

One of the cords that had emerged from her arm made its way to the closest striker. Upon contact her entire frame begun to glow red as an organoid's would before it was set to merge. The intense aura forced anyone who drew close to be shoved away, as if it were its own energy induced barrier.
Another of the cords begun to move around Regent, the intended pilot for the intended ZOID to be merged with.

"Blaze..." A crazed grin rolled across her lips as she hissed.

The crimson eyed colossus released a terrible bellow at the mention of his name. In unison with his master's call, he too begun to glow red in anticipating the merge.  

[The Leading Man]

Just as the organoid jumped though the window in a loud clash, like lightning striking a lone tree in a field setting it instantly ablaze. Regent's knees crumpled like the fallen branches, before like a indivisible curtain of water poured over the male, the image of 'Regent' started to fall away. White hair spilled in to short blond mane as gold eyes seem to blaze away to revealed a crystal-sharp azure, though vary fatigued gaze. A noticed blue Zi mark adorned his left check, and from his eye a 'teardrop' scar....



A breath left the male's lips, as a vary strong now bare arm caught himself from his fall against the door. Bent partly over, well defined-muscular back heaved as the figured tried to catch his breath. Fresh scars, partly covered and obscured two vary defining tattoos. The black republic insignia on the right upper back, a chimera on the left, and just at his his left shoulder a faded with age white Ixion. His back looked as if to have been lashed, and strangely burned over with a vary fine point.

"Moh-" Left the male weakly, as he pushed himself from the door and started towards Iron Judge in a determined stumbled step. A growl left him, as burning blue gaze pulled from the Ironjudge's glowing sight. To let them fall on Kai-and the Cat like Organoid. A strong look of determination to join in the fary to help Kai was noted on his blue eyes-but quickly they where taken back to the enraged woman.

The need to get to her was much greater. With a shifted step, he could feel his body quake, though he demanded it closer to her-more despratly. Though just as he strive forward, he was shoved back. If not for his quick step he would have been cast to the ground.

Hearing her spoke, his eyes widened and grew more desperate as he intently looked to the Iron Judge. As if to reach to her in a manner then what words could carry. Though his brow winced as if such a thing was stabbed with inability.

Not again!

Quickly He sprinted and with all the force he could manage he leached for her. Only to be taken up by the cords. His hand shifted to one of them and he tightly wrapped his own wrist around it, so much so that he even began to feel the pulse of his heart beat tick in his finger tips and in the palm of his hand from the lack of circulation. He was sure if another was to hold his hand-they would feel it, and if so- then surely did the cords.

It was almost as if the Whitebane had welcomed the vice of cords to him.
 

[Poetic Evisceration]

Seeing the Cat bolt toward the window, Blitz turned on his heel and returned into the bar as he noticed talon for the most part was okay. Though there was other's inside. And the roof was being dive-bombed. instinctively his arm covered his head, as he ran back inside. He stopped in a wobble as he noticed the cat on the table-squaring off with the Kai and her vary large shadow-(thoughtfully a larger shadow then what his own father had cast over him.)

Flinging the glass bottle that was in hand at the cat, it was done hard enough-that it was sure to brake on impact.

"Over here ********." Blitz called at the cat, "Don't you know it's impolite to look at a woman like a piece of meat?" The Cyclops spoke as he reached in his jacket, his other hand pointed at Edge in a lazy bob. "oh and her mean 'shadow sharp thingy" He pointed weakly

"Besides, your fight should be with me-" His hand came back from his jacket as holding on to a silver object he flicked it open with his thumb and with a spark a flame was brought to life from the lighter. (Smoking (even if it's just cigars) is a bad habit, just something he had picked up from his Dad.)

"You did after all made me waste my best bottle of Chardonnay..." Mischief manged with a smirk on his lips

with such words, the single eyed man, lobbed what he had of the still lit lighter, at the cat and what had been his flammable bottle of whine.

Perhaps he had a little bit too much of that highly flame worthy drink...  

[Gestalt Effect]

wahmbulance Dangerous Character Warning wahmbulance
(Just so you know, in case you didn't. <: Death tends to follow some of the guys coming into this fray.)

 

[PuddleInk]

With the beast baring down at him, and the human laughing at him for his foolishness, Talon wanted nothing more than to shoot the human in the head and call it a day -- to accept what fate had in store for him and just let himself die. No. That wasn't on the plan, it seemed.

The voice of reason -- Atelius speaking about heading north, Moe clinging to his leg like there was no tomorrow, Tacker clinging to his breast pocket, and the echoing roar of The Green Tyrant-- brought the angry, frightened solider around to actually think. The last time he had gone on instinct he managed to tick off a Bone ZOid and needed rescuing from a Chimera, and lost a close friend in the process. There wasn't time to dwell, he had to move and move now! "Then we shall go North. " It was absolute. They would travel north. They would see what lays there. That was, after all, the direction the old Zaberfang seemed to be heading.

What was up there?

That breif internal respite from the screams of breaking tile and wood was welcomed. Yet, there was something that tugged at Talon, pulling him from that Zen like state. It drew him, implored him to look at the carnage that was now the best watering hole in neutral lands. Wrecked. Screams echoed in his head as he numbly stared. He could make out the yellow cat that had tried to destroy his voice of reason, and he could hear her voice.

She was there. She had been there, the entire time. Hiding in plain sight. And I didn't even see it.

The realization made him sick. Or would make him sick if his care switch turned on. He was thanking his luck once more. He was outside. He didn't have to watch the Strikers destroy innocent beings torn asunder from their fall. He didn't get to see the change in the bodyguard... He wouldn't have liked it if he had.

The weapon moved targets from the cat to the human. Talon, oddly, felt like smiling. "Well... I think I'll just shoot you, leave, and call it a day. " he said to Rhett. Would this make him feel better in the long run? No. He would have semi-innocent blood on his hands. But this man was partners with the being that tried to kill him and his companion. Thus he was more enemy than the Republic right now. "I really should shoot you for the trouble you caused me and my others. "

Now, Talon didn't want to kill the man. Possibly injure to the point of blacking out to spare him from what could come... But that was being kind. And if he was really feeling cruel, he would have shot the man in the leg and ran. Instead, he aimed for the shoulder, and he tried to guess the non-dominant arm. THere were only two choices, what were the odds he would screw up? His finger pulled the trigger, the gun barked and sent the bullet flying. He didn't care to see if it hit. He needed to get out of there.

With Tyrant running up and skidding to a halt, a wave of dust and sand rose up hiding Talon's escape into the canopy of the green raptor. The giant lizard hissed at the carnage and sent out a screech before heading north... but not before saving a few images of what was coming. "What trouble follows us, I wonder, " Talon mused to his companions, "to bring such behemoths to our doorstep. I pray he gets out alive, though. " Moe let out a Coo of dissatisfatcion of the answer. It tore Talon in two. He wanted to run. Hell, he had this opening to run as far away as he could --granted he only had one direction to go in that was safe, but he still could run.

But his friend--someone that has seen the troubles he has and survived--he was still there. And, with the looming monsters on the horizon and the spinning deaths inside the remains of the building, did he really have a chance? Would Kreig pull the drunken fool to safety? He hoped so. But Talon would have to circle and keep an eye on things before swooping in. There was still some time before the doombringers arrived. Not enough to do anything, but probably enough to buy some time just in case... Maybe.  

[NinjVet]

Rhett shook his head at Talon again, the smile fading but not too far gone. "You can try." He said, looking down the barrel of the gun leveled at him. "I certainly have." The seriousness of that statement likely could hardly be overlooked. And as Talon pulled the trigger, there was a shift in the area where Rhett was sitting. A visual shift, like an almost perfect hologram that was just barely interrupted as a foreign object passed through. Talon's bullet wouldn't find its mark, and the question was left in the air as the hologram shifted back into stability if Rhett was even actually sitting at that table.
It was his voice that spoke, though, so it could be determined that he had to be somewhere close by.

"I'm not causing the trouble." He added, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. "I just follow it." And there was nothing but truth in that statement as his eyes that reflected the same hue as the golden cat's armor shifted back to his partner- or more accurately his dictator.

The man didn't even move when the bar became alive with Seeker flame. He watched quietly as the bull organoid was destroyed in the blink of an eye, as pieces of the building became just that- pieces. One was very well centered on Arrow himself, who didn't even seem to move.

What.. the hell?

As the light from the blast waned, the caracal beast stood back up. Obviously the blast had knocked it down- it wasn't completely immune to a strike that obliterates things- but its armor far surpassed that of any typical machine. The Seekers had done what he wanted them to do; remove the unnecessary variables from the area. The bull organoid, the rest of the humans, and most of the obstacles that the building itself created. Well, the rest of the humans except -that- one.

Pulsing red eyes turned towards the less than sober Blitz. The man would have been amusing to the overly dangerous feline organoid if time wasn't baring down on him. The sound of the Jury was unnecessary with the sensitivity of Arrow's sensors, but it was a considerable reminder of how little time he had to try to complete this task.

"Your choice of words I believe would be considered 'disrespectful.'" The golden creature snarled, coldly and faintly amused. Humans were an odd sort, though Arrow believed the world would be better without them. The glass that Blitz had thrown at him shattered on his head and fell to the ground around him in a thousand pieces, and if one was watching closely, the pieces of the glass that took the longest to slip off his armor were melted by the intensity of the black energy that swirled around him. Hatches cranial to his shoulder blades opened, and tiny darts shot out. If they made contact with the drunkard, it would have approximately the same effect as a stun gun set to one of the highest settings. Paralysis, unconsciousness, even seizing was possible depending on where those darts hit.

Arrow's attention turned more squarely to the Iron Judge and her human partner. He silently reprimanded himself for missing such powerful beings in this confined space. This, however, was what he was designed for. With limited time, he leapt forward, racing towards the group he'd been hunting for for years. Blades rose on every angle of the cat, pulsing with that dark energy. His first target was the Iron Judge- most specifically her cords with intention to sink his intense, energy-imbued fangs into them to rip them off... one by one. The first he attacked would be the one attached to the striker. The last thing she needed was more power from an external source.

Sakashi tensed as she watched the hologram fade around the pair. She'd seen it coming. She saw the change in Regent's face, and her own color paled slightly. This wasn't the place or the time to be able to drop it. However, she could only imagine the strain and she already knew he'd put as much energy as he possibly could into it. Despite how much she didn't like him at current, she knew they had the same interests in mind.

The shadow dragon and herself both adjusted themselves to stand in front of them. The Republican pilot would trust in Riot to pull the Iron Judge back- he had to- and she would focus on this most direct threat. Turning her back on the Iron Judge with that switch flipped as it was, she knew, was excessively dangerous. But it seemed the better of the two options she saw.

I will not win this. Edge said, his rage creeping upwards in intensity. Unlike Arrow, his rage was not a cold rage. It was a savage one. This was designed to destroy us. I cannot recall details. Only faint bits were accessible, but it was enough to be able to ascertain the extent of their predicament. As Arrow leapt for the Judge, Edge fell to all fours and sprung into his own attack to meet the cat in the air. The sound of metal on metal was deafening, but the pulse of energy that surged through Edge's form forced an even more deafening roar from him. His sensors scrambled, but he dug his wicked silver claws into the recesses of the cat's armor plates- unable to penetrate them at impact but trying for a way to rip the cat to pieces.

Azure inscriptions blazed into life across the dragon's armor. Massive silver holographic wings that canopied the entirety of the group with their length and width had shown from his back as the he remained partially airborne in his rampage. They solidified into black wing panes as concurrent boosters stabilized his hover. Despite the impact, Arrow's intense ground speed had already gotten him close enough to the Iron Judge to bite that cord, unless she herself took immediate action.  

[Gestalt Effect]

And action the Iron Judge did take. The cord attached to the striker was not for a mere power boost, nor was it for the creature's assimilation. Part Organoid Nick was, however she lacked the jet propulsion needed to fuze with a ZOID from a distance. Once the cord made contact with the striker it too gained that red aura. Arrow's maw came close to the cord, but would only meet with the feint glow of what had been there only moments before. The action was so sudden that even the beating of Riot's heart was noticed too late, Nick's eyes shifted toward him in that very brief moment before they were all, Riot, Nick and the Striker, 'spirited away'.

A crimson beam of light shot toward the sky than arched toward the equally crimson colossus ready to merge with the organoid. The timer would read one hour and twenty two minutes before the core of the massive ZOID would become too unstable for the organoid merged.

Kreig did not wait for permission before acting upon his instinct. With Maw already to pull his master out of harm's way the raptor organoid lowered his head, grabbed on to the collar of Blitz's shirt, and turned him out of the path of the darts in one swift movement. His own body was placed in-between the darts where his own armor treated the threat as if it were no more than a mere rain drop.

The feather's on his head stood aggressively upward at the threat to his master. His own Azure eyes remained locked and ready to act upon the next threat that presented itself... Legs bent slightly. He knew Blitz would not forgive him should be be forced to run from a battle, but better that that the death of a partner.

Atelius scanned the area as he passed by on a second loop. However, his scan for the human Rhett was interrupted by another signal. for a moment the bird was completely baffled by the origion.

"Master!" The seeker called. "The one you label Jury advises you to travel toward him!"

Odd advice, but strangely creditable. Atelius gestured with a tilt of his head to the set of sapphire eyes looming ever closer to their position. Its gray haze proceeded a little more than halfway to where the bar rest.

Ander moved himself in front of Kai as he withdrew his concealed blade and readied to strike. Golden eyes remained fixed upon Arrow and continually alert for the other threat that was close by.

"Go, now." He spoke sternly to the republic soldier. "Go to Prudentia and he -will- protect you."

No room for explanations or even a small hint of what the farkas was going on, but by the tone in the man's voice he was not going to abandon the protective stance he had already taken for her.

---
Saga begun to quicken his pace toward the bar at his master's request. He did not argue Ander's desire to see Kai protected first before himself and would honor it with his life. -Primoris, remove your chosen from those grounds! Spes' partner is not going to stay his wrath, not with the rage that will be knotted within his core!.-


The Jury released another shriek. A white fire jetted from his skeletal nostrils before his pace begun to quicken to the now very on fire and very damaged ruin of the former famous bar. The blades on his back moved from the set position to the ready position, flared out as if he had a set of three wings upon his back.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

RIot's breath was take away from him as Nick and him was rocketed into the sky.

Riot breath out as his hand feel to the floor of the core.

Releasing a breath, Riot's head dropped once more as his eyes closed. He felt his body tremble, in a combination of the merge with Nick-the stain on her body, the madness in her mind. Opening eyes, they feel to see the beads of sweat that had fallen from his brow. If they could leave, and everyone was safe-they could regroup. The once prideful Bandit King, wasn't humilated with the idea of running.

Picking himself up from the ground of the glowing core, Riot moved to the nearest cord and placed his hand on it. His knees shifted under him as he moved to his feet.

His hand fixed on the core, as his head raised to look at Nick as she was fixed on the core.

Though something tapped at the corner of his mind, as he was reminded of the screech he had heard.

-Jury..- His head wanted to turn slightly to it...

There was so much that was going on.


----I

"And look at all the ******** I give..." Blitz guested around him to the vast relay of distraction before them. The wine that had been quickly sparked a blaze did add to the destructive ambiance around them-only seemed to prove his point.

"Look at them all-" Master was quickly cut of abruptly as he was yanked from his standing. Just has had closed his eyes at the realization there was no dodging the quick darts-especially in his wine taunted state. He took a breath and waited for the worse-only to be saved by his dapper raptor.

Like a sir.

Hang like a little kit from a momma cat's mouth, Blitz couldn't help but feel really grateful-yet poetically humiliated at the same time. It was a delightful -excruciating- combination. At least he didn't have a wedgie, that would have made it 'delightyfully excruciating and vary uncomfortable'. And he was uncomfortable enough in his own skin at times. Though, not now...now he was just warm...all kinds of fuzzy with a little case of constipated emotion, with a spice of sarcasm and a dash of carelessness.

The Wine made for a good laxative...

Letting out a sigh, Blitz move his hand to his waist and leg, A thumb found the holster and strap that held his gun cozied agents his body. Unsnapping it, he un-holster his fire arm to raise and look a it.

"Ancients, how I loathe you...." Blitz seethed to the glock, he did really despise handguns they where just so,.....'impersonal' and 'clumsy'. Not smooth, flowing and personal like that of a sharp edge of a blade.

Turning himself, and aiming over his shoulder he looked to fire at the cat, taking drunken care not to shoot the black beast.  

[NinjVet]

Arrow's fangs glowed the same red as the organoid fusion hue. He seemed to clamp down upon the remnants of that light even as the Iron Judge slipped away so speedily between his 'fingers.' He bit the energy itself, it seemed, and he pulled. He pulled in a way that should echo down the path taken by Nick, putting an even heavier strain on her than what was already there. She was too far gone to 'join' her fusion as he'd intended, but he could drain her further of what energy she- and her bonded- already barely had. His red eyes pulsed brighter in intensity as finally his teeth met each other as the light fizzled away in its entirety.

A sudden force pushed the feline from his task and very nearly off his feet. Primoris roared in his rage, his expansive black wings blackening out the sky above himself and the Seeker cat. The flames from his boosters blazed a white-blue as he put every ounce of his strength into putting the caracal down. Literally and figuratively.

His silver teeth scratched and bit, tearing at the panels of armour that seemed at this point impenetrable. But not entirely unscathed. The claws that the black dragon had dug into Arrow with all his raging fury caused scratches and nicks on the golden shielding, but remained unable to peel them off to get a chance at the far more destroyable inner mechanisms. Even with the aid of bullets that ricocheted off Arrow's form from Blitz's gun.

The voice of Saga almost did not register. Almost. As the voice unheard for ages 'clicked' in Primoris' mental registry, his surprise came at a terrible time. His opponent sensed a moment of hesitation, and spun with all the agility of the species he resembled and sunk his dark-laser-infused fangs into the front chest panels of his armor. Arrow planted his claws in the smoldering remains of the Bar and Grill's flooring and yanked, dragging the dragon out of the sky.

His wings retracted upon impact, folding up and then vanishing inside of his back blades. He swung his tail around, smacking the cat over its eye and ear sensors with the long blades that created his spaded tail-tip. That apparently caused some effect, as Arrow released just enough for Primoris to right himself and sink his teeth into Arrow's neck plates and push him down as hard as he possibly could.

Edge's chest plates opened- one only opening half way due to the intense damage created there- and heavy organoid cords similar to the ones previously seen with the Iron Judge erupted from that dark cavity. He had one chance, with Arrow borderline controlled, to follow the orders given. His cords reached around Kyrea's wrists, ankles, thighs waist, neck. They tightened- though not too much, lifting her into the air effortlessly.

--

As Nick and Riot vanished, Kai didn't even have a chance to utter a noise let alone words. How could she lose them again? Within seconds of seeing them- seconds!- they were gone yet again. The soldier's face was flushed with fury, both her own and that which spilled over from the enraged, fighting dragon whose active thoughts were only that of bloodlust. Though, of course that term wasn't entirely accurate since organoids didn't quite spill blood.

The shadowy stranger who stepped in front of her made her straighten her posture briefly, her fingers tightening in her clenched fists. "You know them." She hissed in a half-whisper, certainly more accusing than questioning. "I won't-"

There was a notable pause as a thread of communication, or perhaps even just a thought, was passed between her and Edge. She grit her teeth. The thought of running from this fight, the fact that she failed yet again to protect them stole the rest of the breath from her words. As a trained soldier, as well, she knew the time was poor for talk regardless of importance. Standing there so rigid, Edge's cords lifted her and pulled her into the air like a rag doll. The pair became enveloped in a quickly overwhelming blue hue until it became blinding- and in a flash, they spiraled into the air above what remained of the bar.

Arrow made the same attempt to snap at the lingering energy of Edge's 'contrail', his fangs glowing in that same eerie way. He'd leave his stamp on them, even if he couldn't end them this day.

Those red eyes turned on Ander, then, the last of the related to still be standing there. Arrow knew. He did. The figure of Rhett that had been in the chair fizzled and faded away. The man himself was nowhere obvious.
"You are fortunate that I cannot stay. You should run, run like the rest of them. Do you not understand the part you must play?"

With each word, the cat was walking closer to Ander, ears back, teeth a'glow.

Another glance was given at the drunkard who had fired on him. He would have assumed that the humans would learn from each other. But he was not surprised that they hadn't.
"And you have proven to be decent entertainment. I have gifts for each of you."

A panel between the cat's forelegs opened and ten to twenty tangerine-sized metal balls rolled out. Each had a red dot somewhere on the surface. Each red dot began blinking- and blinking faster. They were bombs, sprinkled all over the floor like a bunch of loosed marbles. And they had something less than 15 seconds before explosion.

The cat turned and bolted. Rhett had apparently been outside, over a small ridge out back of the bar, well away from any activity- and any eyes. He jumped on Arrow's back as the caracal organoid slowed very briefly before sprinting back out into the desert before the banshee-shrieking Jury could get any closer. He was created to destroy any organoid, any ancient organoid. But he was no match for a Zoid, especially that Zoid.  

[Gestalt Effect]

Nick's attention slowly turned to Riot as he tried to contact her. Her eyes widened than ripped away from Riot as her head thrust back and her lips parted to release a sharp scream. Cords around the core of the ZOID turned and twisted as the begun to bind Nick tighter to the sphere in the center. The panels along Nick's arms were forced to open beyond what they were made for as more and more cords greedily tried to attach themselves.

-And what a parting gift I have for you, the hunter shall become the hunted. I shall find you and your human and pass a most fitting judgement upon the both of you.- The Iron Judge hissed to Arrow. -You shall know what the term 'merciless' truly means...-

That rage that had begun to subside moments before begun to well up in her mind and heart once more. Even old grudges begun to surface and take hold. Blaze bellowed as several compartments along his back begun to click and open revealing several -long- range missile. In unison his maw begun to open and back begun to hunch forward. An immense ball of light begun to form within his jaw. That painful scream subsided leaving only a crazed grin in its wake. Her eyes gazed forward as if looking through the eyes of the equally crazed ZOID. Each breath she took grew more and more labored as the ZOID begun to draw more and more of her power.

-It all must burn, all of it must face judgement... Starting with all of you!- Her voice mingled with that of the colossal ZOID, both thinking with an alike crazed mind.

Kreig didn't wait around to see how many shots had landed on the threat of an organoid before he turned his head, used his hands to hold his partner still, than run away from the impeding doom. Eyes locked upon the black wing blade as he darted forward. What a night this had turned out to be. They had gone there for nostalgia's sake and nostalgia is what they got. At least he did at seeing that woman. Flashes of his own 'death' replayed in his mind several times and urged his instincts to protect his partner all the more from the same fate.

As the organoid approached the ZOID he signaled for it to ready for a quick departure, through their mental connection of course.

Ander only scowled at the threat. Arrow's words meant nothing. It would seem even that beast had forgotten. Oh how time had caused so many to have forgotten the past. All the same, that -thing- needed to be dealt with. As soon as it left with a parting gift Ander removed his cloak as he turned. The cloth was cast upon the dangerous spheres as he ran. He could feel Saga struggling to be free of the core he was bound to, even at the cost of such an explosion.

The king of bandits lept toward a solid pile of debris before fire and smoke engulfed his entire frame... Saga released a terrible multi-toned roar.

Jury continued toward Blaze. He released an awful shriek aimed as a warning.