//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Azerothian Smack Down Part 2 // Story: Defending the universe // by KRissCHu573 //------------------------------// Defending the universe Chapter 7: Azerothian Smack Down Part 2 *5 days before the invasion of Azeroth* Visualizing a space platform. *Space platform Archlight. Ex-Kopruneterrian science facility. Recently reclaimed under the title: "Victor's Workshop".* The Machine Herald was working on something in one of the many mech labs of the facility, when a purple portal opened behind him and the Master of Shadows walked in. "What did you want to see me for? I'm a little busy right now." Zed snorted. "No, you're not." Victor shot back, not even turning around. "Malzahar wants a couple of things retrieved, but first I'm going to help you. Step in that pod." He instructed, his third arm pointing to a mechanical container. Zed sighed. "And what are you going to help me with, exactly?" He asked as he walked over to the pod. "I'm going to remove your dependability on that locket..." The Machine Herald pointed at the soul container around Zed's neck. "...by curing you from the curse of flesh." Then he gestured to his new creation. The Master of Shadows' eyes slightly widened. "And what is that supposed to be?" He enquired, stepping inside of the pod. "That Duran has other uses than just creating those abominations. He shared some of his technological knowledge, and it, combined with my brilliance, produced this masterpiece!" Victor boasted, vigorously raising a fist in the air. "I still don't see why you bothered making it, given the fact that I'm perfectly fine with my current stature." Zed intervened as he laid down in the pod. The engineer turned towards him and said. "As a saying goes: 'The light cannot defeat the darkness, without letting some of it into itself.' That my friend..." If he had a face, it would have had a smirk on it. His back hand grabbed a lever. "...works both ways." When he finished, he pulled the lever, the pod closing around Zed. A robotic claw grabbed the Master of Shadow's locket and yanked it away through a small hole, which sealed itself shut. Immediately he began to let out yowls of pain as his body began to decay. Bolts of energy shot out inside of the pod, evicting the spirit from the ashes into which the body turned. As the process went on a robot entered the room and addressed its master. [Supreme creator, I am here to inform you that experiment Channihilation7-7-6 is successful and is in the final stages of completion.] "Excellent." Victor said, before instructing the bot. "Keep an eye on this one..." He gestured at the machine Zed was in. "...I need to welcome out newest ally." Afterwards Victor traversed several levels to another chamber of the facility. When the doors to the said chamber opened, he was greeted by the sight of a thin robot attempting to stay on its legs, but it constantly fell, letting out sounds of frustration. It was a simple humanoid construct, with a slightly feminine structure. Its face was smooth like a mask and its eyes glowed red. After another unsuccessful attempt at staying up it noticed the Machine Herald standing next to it. He offered it a hand and asked. "How does your new body feel?" As a response the robot pushed his hand away and exclaimed with a squeaky girlish voice. "Fuck off pencil dick! You think that putting me in this tin can will make up for having my soul bottled and stuck in a barrel for nearly a century?! Well it doesn't!" "Really now?" He chuckled, forcefully picking her up. "Hey!" The robot exclaimed again. He bent her over with one hand, baring a small hole in her neck. In between her futile struggling attempts a cable came out from his index finger and inserted itself in the hole. After a brief moment Jinx stopped thrashing and calmly got up when Victor let her go. "What did you just do?" She asked. "Apparently your mind was more 'bouncy' than I expected. All functions of the body are controlled by thought and you had scrambled the motor functions, I simply recalibrated them." He explained. "Ugh...booori-..." She stopped mid-groan and began looking herself over, an ocean of new sensations filling her, an itch in the back of her head standing out from all the rest. "Da fuq?" She questioned, trying to scratch the spot. "The software matrix is uploading all of the data about the body into your mind." Victor said. "Damn...you've put a lot of stuff into this thing." The Machine Herald returned a light bow to her remark. A nanosecond of information later her eyes slightly widened, then retracted, suggesting a smirk. "A lot of stuff indeed." She said, after which she brought her arms forward, the hands splitting two reveal two laser cannons, which she aimed at Victor, who didn't even flinch from her display. However, the fire in her synthetic eyes died down when nothing happened. She shook the weapons in frustration and angerly let out. "What the hell?! Why aren't these things working?!" Next her attention was caught by the Machine Herald's laugh. When he got a hold of himself he gave the confused bot an explanation. "Did you really think I would let YOU run around without some sort of insurance for your loyalty? The body is programmed to not let you harm allies at all." He walked up to her. "Get this, this isn't Piltover, this isn't some match in the League, this is war! So drop the 'no-fucks-giving-bitch' act and get to work." Jinx growled at him. How much she wished that either Pow-Pow or Fishbones was at her disposal right now, but the programming halted her desires. "Well your soft do-hicky says that, these two..." She lifted up her cannons. "...apparently require a decent amount of time to cool down and recharge after shooting, which means I can't use them constantly. So tell me, wise guy, what the fuck do I fuck with?!" In response Victor's third hand snapped its fingers and a panel on a nearby wall slid open, revealing a rather bulky tube-like gun, connected to a mechanical backpack. Jinx's eyes widened at the sight, as her hands covered the cannons. She stepped closer to the device, looking it over for a few moments, before taking it off of the wall, putting it on the backpack and manned the gun. In the mean time, the Machine Herald introduced it. "This here is the MMS 7.2. I designed it specifically for you." "What can this baby do?" She enthusiastically asked, her excitement rising. Apparently, despite its looks, with her new body, both parts of the weapon felt like they didn't weigh at all. "Note the dial on the front of the gun." He said, getting her to look at it, then continued. "With it you can switch between 'Hold Fire' mode, in which it currently is, 'Grinder' mode…" Jinx moved the dial to the next picture. In a couple of seconds the gun let out sounds of moving parts, its closed front opening to reveal twelve barrels in a circular positioning. "...the barrel drum spins with 3700 RPM and shoots thirty two 150mm armor piercing rounds per second." Jinx pleasedly hummed, after which the Machine Herald introduced the last function. "And last, but not least, - 'Decimator' mode." Barely holding herself she switched modes, the barrel drum sliding back in, leaving the tube open. "In this mode the gun shoots 3.8 inch in diameter casing grenades up to a quarter mile in range. On contact the grenades explode, each sending out 300 miniature explosive, which impale and latch onto anything for three seconds, before exploding." If not before, now Jinx felt orgasmic from imagining the damage she could do with that thing. When she managed to cool down a bit she asked. "And what's the package for?" "The 'package' is the unit that constructs and loads up your ammunition." Victor explained. She looked at him and said. "I'm gonna need some paint." -- As Dyrus, Ravira and Reram fought the two robots, the buildings around them began to crumble and break down. The short glass headed bot was pushing back Reram, spilling oil from its eyes and setting it ablaze by inserting bared wires, which produced the sparks for the fire. The swordsman dodged as best as he could, when suddenly a sizeable drop of oil fell behind him and his foot landed right on it, making him lose his balance for a bit. Then his assaulter shot a multitude of wires from his hands, wrapping up Reram and holding him in place. That was noticed by the other robot, which immediately lunged forward and began spinning at them with immense speed. Reram struggled to break free, but his holder had tied up the wires tightly. When she saw that, Ravira threw her axes at the spinning ball, in an attempt to push it off of its course, but the attempt was futile as it registered the incoming projectiles and quickly made a sharp turn, avoiding them. The small bot landed a punch on Reram's neck, making him drop his sword. In a split second the bot untied its prisoner and jumped off of him as the metal ball frontally rammed itself into the man, tossing him several feet away into the remains of a building, which broke down at the hit. Reram lay in the rubble. He was still alive, but the front of his armor was torn open, blood streaming down from several wounds on his chest and midsection. He coughed, letting out more blood. The sight made Ravira enter a state of bloodlust, or in this case, oillust. Using the energy connectors she pulled back her axes into her grasp. Opening them up she spun them with great speed, turning them into saw blades and then proceeded to lunge them at the spherical robot. It did not manage to dodge, but it didn't need to, as both of the blades jabbed themselves into the thick plating on its back, not reaching any vital systems. That move left Ravira open, allowing the other bot to latch onto her with its wires, pulling itself to her. Disregarding the pain from his wounded hand, Dyrus picked up his axe and dashed towards his cousin, cutting the robot's arms, before it could slam itself into the woman. That however, proved useless as it once again summoned the bizarre symbols on the ground and wires shot out from its body, tying them both up. They did not manage to avoid them as the wounds Dyrus caused made oil spill underneath them, which made them lose their footing for a moment. Acquiring the new targets, the spherical bot stomped its stubby leg, making the ground shake as the massive saw blades, which accompanied its entrance to the battle, returned. Lunging forward in a spinning ball it targeted the man, but timing its attack so that one of the blades would go though the woman. As it made for them, the sky darkened. The glass headed robot just looked up to investigate what the cause of that was, when a massive winged figure swooped down, grabbing the two humans in its clawed paws and taking them with it. The bigger bot stopped spinning and unsummoned the saw blades as it stood up to its partner and the two of them looked at the dragon flying above them. The reptile made a turn in the air and flew at the robots. Lowering its altitude it dropped the two passengers on the ground, after which it opened its maw and drowned the two robots in fire, which intensified when it made contact with the oil on which the mechanical pair was standing. Ravira and Dyrus made for that spot as the short robot's glass head exploded from the heat, and the other bot's lower body melted. Letting out a few sparks, it reached its clawed arm towards the two. In return one of the purplish axes was jammed into its face, its eyes’ light vanishing as the machine turned off. Ravira walked to the metal husk and pulled out her weapon. In the mean time Dyrus ran over to check on Reram. The dragon landed next to them, asking. “Is he alright?” “What do you think matchstick?” The woman spoke. “What the hell took you so long Coyle?” “Sorry.” The giant reptile apologized as it engulfed itself in flames. When they died down a blond man with dark brown eyes, dressed in red armor and carrying a sizeable black blade appeared. “I was a little busy cleaning up the west coast.” Reram coughed out some blood, making Dyrus worriedly look at him. He turned around and addressed the other pair. “I’m going to recall to the capital ship and get Reram in a med bay.” They nodded in agreement, after which the axeman brought up his wrist and called a portal. Picking up his brother he went through. Just when the Firestarter was about to speak to Ravira, he was addressed by someone via the earpiece he wore. "Agent Coyle, this is Capital Ship. Gather whatever troops you can and immediately recall to Dalaran!" "Whoa there! I just got to Stormwind and you want me to leave?" The man questioned, with great surprise in his tone. "Priority target class I and multiple priority targets class II have been confirmed to be present in Dalaran. We need every able agent to back up squads Omega-15 and Zeta-9, who are enroute for interception." The voice on the other end of the link said. "What?! Malzahar is there himself?!" Coyle exclaimed in disbelief. "The old fart in the flesh?!" Ravira questioned. She received a nod from the man as a response, after which said. "Then what the hell are you waiting for?! We need to get our asses there PRONTO!" "Agreed." Coyle returned, and then spoke back in the earpiece. "CS, me and agent Ravira are on our way to rendezvous with squads Omega and Zeta." "Copy that agent." The person returned. Next Coyle brought up his wrist and called in a portal, through which both him and Ravira went. -- It had been close to a week since Cadence had left her son to oversee the Crystal Empire. At first Snow Ruby was very excited that he now had a chance to prove to his mother and his aunts that he was capable of handling situations of such immense proportions, but after a couple of days he found out that the only immense thing he had to deal with was the paperwork, in which his office was now buried. Because of the new occupants of their world, and the absence of the other equestrian political leaders, all of the paperwork, be it directly for the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, Saddle Arabia and ect. had to be filtered by his hooves. After completing another set of sheets the prince leaned back in his seat, letting out a loud groan. "Is something the matter your Highness?" A grayish blue eyed crystal pegasus clad in crystalline armor, one of the two guards stationed inside of the room, questioned. "No Gill..." Snow Ruby replied. "It's just that I am really bored." Both guards shared a chuckle. "What's so funny?" The white alicorn asked, raising an eyebrow. "Forgive us, your Highness..." The other guard, a red green eyed unicorn, spoke. "We just mused on how much you take after your mother." "Oh, haha. Very funny Sharp Shot." Snow said. Just as the guard was about to respond, a massive explosion was hear from the outside, immediately followed by the screams of ponies. "What the buck is going on?!" The prince exclaimed as he rushed to one of the windows to see what was going on, the guards following his example went to another window. Nothing could be seen as their view was blocked by a thick cloud of smoke. "Damn it!" Snow Ruby angerly let out, slamming his hoof against the wall. After which he turned to the guards and ordered. "Sharp Shot, get down there and find out what's happening. Gill you and me are going to get the rest of the guard." The two saluted and the trio headed for the door. Just at the unicorn was about to force it open with his magic, a crystal earth pony guard rushed into the room and reported to Snow. "Your Highness the Crystal Empire is under siege!" "What?! By whom?!" The prince demanded. "It's the creatures which attacked us a week ago, only this time they are accompanied by a force of human warriors!" Was the guard's response. "And what about the humans that are on our side?!" Sharp Shot raised his voice. "They are being slaughtered as we speak sir! The creatures barely acknowledge us and swarm around the off-worlders, making them easy targets for the shadow warriors!" The earth pony replied. "And what about the civilians?!" Gill jumped into the conversation as well. "The Crystal Heart's barrier has been lifted and they are being evacuated there." The soldier spoke. He caught his breath for a moment before continuing. "They are attacked, but not in mass. The enemy troops are barely closing in on the barrier and instead protect some type of centipede creatures that dig into the ground, making tunnels for their troops." Snow Ruby's eyes shot open in terror. "Change of plans." He addressed the three guards. "Sir?" Gill questioned. "Sharp Shot gather all able guards and off-worlders outside and keep evacuating the people to the barrier, and once you are done defend them at any cost!" The prince began to bark orders. "As you command!" The unicorn returned, saluting and then bolted out of the room. Next the alicorn turned to the other two. "We need to gather anyone from inside of the castle." "For what Sir? Shouldn't we go and help with the civilians' evacuation.?" Gill enquired. Snow put on a stern expression as his next words exited his mouth. "I know what the invaders are here for. They are after the two relics in the underground." Both guards' eyes opened in realisation. "Now we have to move!" Snow shouted and ran out of the room, followed by the pair. *view a dark cavern illuminated by various glowing crystals* Over a dozen armed crystal pony guards stood their ground around the two crystal works, which they were tasked with guarding. In a few moments, a massive rock on a nearby wall was surrounded by a red aura and was moved away, revealing a stair case, from which another dozen of crystal pony guards and a few humans in mech armor, holding gauss rifles, entered. The new arrivals were led by the now clad in dark blue armor prince Snow Ruby. Firmly behind him followed Gill and the guard who informed them of the situation. "Sir, what in Celestia's name is going on up there?!" One of the guards who had been in the room asked, as the ceiling rumbled. "We're being attacked by the Void's forces. This time, they brought back up and are now after those." The alicorn sternly said, pointing at the green crystal statue representing a changeling and the slender light pink crystal. Before any more questions could be asked, the prince turned towards one of the marines. "Do we have any way of knowing what's happening on the surface?" "Yes." The man returned, after which he brought up his wrist, a green hologram of another marine appearing in a few moments. "Private what's the situation up there?!" The armored individual that was in the presence of Snow Ruby demanded. On the hologram could be seen other armored men firing at something which was out of vision, as the addressed man replied. "We've managed to evacuate 53% of the population inside of the barrier. I'm afraid the other is lost. I see about seven enemy tunnels going down under, most certainly to your local sir." "Understood. Retreat all troops into the barrier as well immediately!" The higher ranked marine ordered. "A-..." The private halted what he was about to say, suddenly replacing it with. "Oh shit!" And began firing. "Private?! Private what the hell is going on?!" The commander barked out. What he received in reply was. "The creatures have cut us off from the barrier sir! We're completely surrounded!" It could be seen how the other soldiers visible in the hologram were tackled out of vision by either voidlings, or shadow warriors. Just as the commander was about to shout out an order, a blade came out through the private's visor, his body falling down lifeless as the shadow warrior who killed him picked up the communicator and said. "Tremble before the might of the shadows!" And then smashed the device into the ground, ending the hologram. Everyone in the hall stood motionless, horror written on their faces, even the ones that were hidden behind visors. "Damn it! Damn it!Damn it!Damn it!..." The prince let out, shutting his eyes, repeatedly slamming a hoof in the ground. His tantrum ceased when the commander grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him, while saying. "Calm your horse kid! This isn't either the time or the place to lose our heads!" "Our heads?!" Snow Ruby shouted. "We're losing ponies and people up there!" "And you think this whining of yours will do anything to fix the situation?! Look at them!" The man barked back at him, pointing behind the alicorn. Snow turned around to see most of the pony guards slightly shaking. Then his returned his attention back at the marine, who spoke in a sternly cold manner. "Listen to me you royal, over glorified furball, and listen well. This isn't the gentlemen's Sunday boxing club, where mom picked you up and cleaned you up after you got lightly pushed by someone else. This is war. In war there are always casualties, both military and civilian, but just crying over them will not bring them back, or stop more from joining them. If you want to fix the first, learn how to travel through time, or necromancy, but if you want to fix the latter, calm the hell down, buck up and stop your men from acting like they are stuck in a freezer and show those dark sons of bitches what you've got! Not as a prince, but as a leader! Think you can manage?" He then let go of the pony and stood back up to his full height. Several moments after the man's words sunk in, Snow's angered grimace shifted to a stern determined expression. He then turned around and addressed the pony guards. "You heard the man. It's time we quit with being colts, and start acting like real stallions! For whatever reason those things might want the artifacts, well they are not getting them!" His speech began to boost their morale, as the guards began perking up. "We have been charged by the Princesses to guard this power, and not let it fall into the hands of evil, for we are now what stands between those dark sons of bitches..." He gazed back at the marine with a smug smile as he said that. "...and all life not only on our world, but among the stars!" The ponies started to cheer, motivated by their leader's words. "So I say, that no matter what hell breaks loose on us this day, they will regret facing the proud sons of Equis!" The cheers intensified, going on from simple syllables and whistles, until the soldiers chanted Snow's name. The alicorn once again turned back towards the commander and asked. "Think I managed?" "Defin-AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The man was cut off as a giant purplish black centipede erupted from the ground, right underneath him, swallowing him whole. Multiple more centipedes erupted, downing several of the ponies, after which various monsters and shadow warriors leaked out of the holes the insectoids made. Snow Ruby leaped to the side to dodge an erupting beast. After breaking the surface of the cavern's interior, one centipede threw out a giant boulder which landed on the prince's lower body. He screamed in pain, seeing how both man and pony alike ware being slaughtered. He was about to use his magic to lift the massive rock, when a blackish figure, glowing in while jumped on top of it and stared down the alicorn. After a brief moment of eye contact it bluntly said. "Pitiful..."