Phoenix scrambled to raise what little weapon he had against the metal bug beast. But rather than follow up the failed ambush with another attack, she clamped her pincers together and glared. As Phoenix watched her, she faded into thin air, disappearing as her stealth systems activated again. Unlike the other Magic Gears they encountered, it appeared VOLCANUS did not announce her attacks before striking, an inconvenient upgrade indeed.
Dan ran up to Phoenix's side. Captain America leaped on the tank a moment later.
"You saw it, Nicky?"
He nodded. "She's not hiding- she's stalking us."
"Really? Well, nuts," Cap remarked. "I hate fighting smart machines."
"Ultron?" they both guessed who he was referring to.
He shrugged. "Ultron, Nazi robots, vampire robots... vampire Nazi robots..." he made it clear he could've gone on. "There's a line between man and machine. It makes it difficult fighting a smart A.I because you never know when and where they're gonna cross that line... if they ever do."
"Well, these ones can cross it- trust me, we've trashed two so far," Dan said. The three of them formed a triangle, backs against each other, weapons raised.
"Watch the water," Phoenix cautioned. "That's how I caught her sneaking up on me the first time," he said, looking around. "It's lucky she doesn't just wait for the room to fill with water so she can snatch us when we run out of room to stand."
"Don't give the boss ideas, Nicky!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...
The double doors broke open and water from the room immediately drained out... only to connect with the rising water from the corridor beyond.
"Oh, that's just great," Chris Redfield said.
"That hallway will be flooded by the time we get halfway down it. Same with the command center," Colress informed him.
"Zzzzzonnneee..."
"We need to get out of here!" Springer said. She and Spinner took to the air. "Everypony with wings, carry somepony without. We'll get out using the top tunnel."
Spinner looked at her long-time friend. "Boss, did you just suggest we actually help these guys? Dan's friends?"
"Don't remind me."
"Uh, if you're wet, I probably shouldn't touch you," Lightning said, rising and trying to keep himself dry.
"Magnezone can help, everyone else, grab on!" Colress called. The fillies all climbed on the magnetic Pokemon and he slowly began to levitate higher off the ground. Spinner took Colress and Springer grabbed Chris, together lifting them up to the broken tube high above.
Applebloom looked around. "Wait, where's Marksaline?" Sweetie Belle pointed up at the open shaft. The red-black Marker pony was already there, watching them.
"We are being watched."
"Yeah, what else is new?" Scootaloo asked.
"Going somewhere?" A net engulfed all of them, even as they rose to safety. It ensnared all three would-be fliers and began dragging them down.
"Aahh!"
"Errgh!"
"Why so eager to leave just because of a little shower? We've got plenty of bath toys! Let's clean you up!" Magic Gear VOLCANUS had launched an net from its hybrid crab/scorpion/spider/whatever rear end and positioned its head around so it was pretty much bent in a U shape. It used its pincers to pull on the netting, even as the others flew to try and escape, dragging them back down to the water.
"HEY!" Lightning yelled, "You know what they say about electricity and water?" He charged his hooves with cracking electricity. From his horn, it wrapped around his hooves seamlessly, fully under his control now until it formed two spheres for him to hold.
"I was actually unaware they said anything. Let me guess- something about them not mixing?"
Lightning shrugged, grinning mischievously. "Ya know, I'm not entirely sure myself. But I think you might find this enlightening. And by that, I mean en-lightning."
"We're really going back to the electric-based puns?"
He clapped his hooves together. A beam of lightning, not a ray or a bolt but a solid beam of electricity and power shot from his hooves the moment they collided, an explosion of raw, focused lightning power. This was Lightning Claw's power in his complete form- not instability, but energy controlled, refined. Although his name was Claw, his nature was not truly that of a savage; a claw was a tool first and a weapon when needed.
Lightning was proud of his control over his powers. Finally, something he had achieved after all this time, thanks both to himself and his friends. His belief in himself and his belief in the kindness of others had allowed him to finally master his strength.
And this cliche'd morality moment lasted about half a second until Lightning realized what he'd done.
"BLRRRAAAAAGGH!!"
"AAHHH!!"
"EEEEYAAAAAAHH!!"
The screams of his new friends and allies were nearly deafening. The moment Lightning's lightning hit Magic Gear VOLCANUS, it traveled through her and through the water-soaked net she launched and into its captives, electrifying all of them.
Lightning felt almost as bad as when he'd both gained and lost his horn. "Oh my gawsh... guys, are you okay?"
VOLCANUS shrugged. "I'm fine, thanks. Not sure about your friends, though."
Lightning Claw flew down to them immediately. "Oh gawsh, oh gawsh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"I-it's okay, ouch," Colress said. "Magnezone here absorbed most of the shock."
"Zooo-zoooonnnnnee..." The Pokemon's eyes were dazed, but not quite swirly or big circle-Xs, which would have indicated he had fainted. Unfortunately, checking on all of them left Lightning vulnerable to another fact.
"Still here," VOLCANUS said from behind him. "And I'm still going to neutralize all of you, sparky. Really, never take your eyes off the boss, scrub." The Gear grabbed the alicorn before he could react.
"Gaah!" He yelped in pain as the metal squeezed his midsection, but he restrained his powers. He couldn't risk shocking them again.
Once again though, fortune did not favor him. "Ya know, you might make a good battery. You got any juice left?" VOLCANUS shook him rapidly.
"AH-aaa-AH-aaa-AAHH!!" Lightning couldn't help it- his horn lit up, loosing sparks from his body.
"HA! You're just like one of those flashlights you shake to charge up. I would use the name, but Shakelight is actually copyri-oh, dammit I just went and used the name. Oh well." She started shaking him again, violently until he lit up like a lightbulb.
"Oh boy." Chris swallowed.
"Magnezone, Endure. ENDURE!!"
Magic Gear VOLCANUS dunked Lightning in the water. His electricity surged across the floor like someone had dipped an exposed wire into it. For Chris, it was actually a reminder of the time he killed the Neptune by electrocuting it. Would've been a time to say "good times" if Chris wasn't experiencing exactly what that mutated shark had experienced all the way back in RE1. Now it was more like karma.
Lightning's electricity was so strong it actually reached the other side of the room. But it did more than that.
"Oh crap," Dan said, watching his friends get electrocuted. "She's using the live wive like a... a live wire!"
Phoenix swallowed. "They're gonna be turned into fishsticks if we don't do something soon."
"I'll get Lightning!" Cap called. "If we get him, we can save the others!"
"Hey guys," Blast Fuse said. "Mind if we make a suggestion?"
The three humans turned around. One of the Typhoon-class submarines was directly behind them and Blast Fuse was waving at them out of the hatch.
"Yes?!" they all three asked.
"Bee-seven!" Fusey yelled. The submarine launched a torpedo.
Although not quite submerged, the torpedo launched right out of the tube and landed in the water. It activated right in front of the tank Dan and the others were standing on, but quickly turned to avoid them. A red light on it blinked under the water, allowing the three of them to watch it as it traveled out around them... between the racks of Soviet weapons, between the tanks and towards its target.
"AAAAHHHH!" Lightning screamed. His own electricity was shocking him, with his adorable fur having absorbed so much water.
"Oh, lighten up, would you?" VOLCANUS said, dunking him again.
"Hey! Lightning and lightning bug!" Dan yelled.
VOLCANUS turned to Dan. She noticed him just in time for her eyes to go wide as the torpedo sped towards her.
"WE SANK YOUR BATTLESHIP!!"
"Boom."
*BRRRAAAAOOOOOOMMMM* The torpedo exploded, blowing Magic Gear VOLCANUS to pieces.
I think this calls for a Chord.
B Flat.
Of course, given Volcanus is a Builder bot, this implies T1000, Iron Giant, Nack, Timberwolf and all those other annoying when the evil guy has them damage obviating and recovery capabilities.
Except for Wolverine. The abuse of his power makes a Tardigrade look as survivable as a politicians promise.
I mean, sure I can think up a temporal soul lock basis for regenerative immortality, but at least can give an explanation as to where the mass and energy comes from. ZPR is useful.
Oh, the waters still rising isnt it. This corridor was clear only a few minutes ago. We have to dive under to get through it to get to the kitchen?
The final part is over! We can get onto the next stage!
Nuuuuuuu, not bug waifu bot!
... The puns...
'launched an net from' - a net
Huh, didn't even think of that. I named him 'Claw primarily because he wasn't originally a pony. I would've changed it but I thought of Fork lightning, which is kind of like a claw.
Also, Lightning is trapped. Can't touch the water, can't escape the room.
A new chapter means items ~Sunday~ now lemme see here *dons reading glasses*
Okay Boss Battle against Bug Bot still ongoing-on Three Dragons be damned Phoenix! Listen to Dan and never be helpful to the boss! Oy vey, I wondered when Lightning's talent would used against the home team, seriously though shouldn't VOLCANUS be getting zapped too since she's holding Lightning like a family-friendly parody of a Shake Weight?
I was wondering when Marksaline and Colress (plus his Magnezone) would contribute to the battle? Just Endure for a few seconds more, you can do it Magnezone! Aaaand that's pretty much it until next weekend! Now for my favourite quotes:
Ahh mentions of crossovers, haven't actually seen Ultron yet but this makes me want to (especially since until just now I forgot Cap was in the Avengers movies)!
see the first part of my review, seriously Phoenix!
I add a second seriously don't you people know not to tempt fate in a high-stakes boss battle?!
As a Pokéfan I appreciated this line so much! I appreciate your knowledge of the anime just as much, when a Pokémon gets those X or swirly eyes you know it's all over (until a visit to the Pokémon Centre anyway).
Best finishing line of the last few chapters
"Boom."
An even better finishing word of the last few chapters!
Like always thanks for another fun chapter to relax with on my Sunday, and I'll eagerly be awaiting the next chapter.
Awesome as always and I'll see you ~next time~
Your a Eternal Fan ^_^
Wait wait wait... she actually managed to lift up this guy?
projectumbrella.net/files/imagecache/preview/images/Chris%20Redfield2.jpg
Good lawdy, she's got some strength.
Good show Barro!
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Springer's a tough mare. She kind of has to be for Dan to trounce her so many times. Redfield and Dan are kind of on the same level as far as physical attributes, except Dan is shorter at about 5 foot six inches, or there about. Sometimes, his shoes make a difference, so his exact height and weight can vary, as can the others.
Phoenix is pretty tall and can stand almost eye to eye with Celestia. Cap and Chris- Dan Vs. Chris and Phoenix are around the same height.
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Ahhh alrighty, that makes some sense, hehe.
Just poking fun at the whole Redfield's a massive dude, kek
Huh, i expected Cap, Redfeild, and Phoenix to team up and taken it down like Galactus.
(However, Phoenix would probably need Maya to help, and she hasn't appeared yet. Huh.)
I'm just waiting for Phoenix to do his Level 3 Hyper move on a big baddie.
orig02.deviantart.net/ce48/f/2010/282/7/8/excited_face_by_jezkah008-d30ftel.jpg
8406401
Galactus didn't exactly turn invisible and try to sneak up on him from behind then.
Or did he? I have no idea, I'm guessing.
8406149
I believe the scientific term is swol He needs to lay off the roids, might make a mention of that. Did you like the way the Blasties used the Red October to blow up the boss? Put that in there for you, buddy. Make more YouTube videos!
You're the best, my friend. Keep going.
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I don't think he can.
I'm just saying there's power in shouting speech bubbles and finger pointing.
8406773
Hehehe, yeee, Chris does need to lay off the roids And hell yeah I did appreciate that Hahaha, that was awesome dude. And I would make more vids if I could I got little to no ideas, hehehe.
You too man!
8408595
Talk more about Pokemon ships you don't like! Or any ships, really. Make a show about shipping. Dustchu: Cartoon Love Guru.
Also, the Blasties want boyfriends. They told me to tell you. In their own words, "cute boyfriends who are funny but not assholes." They make demands.
8409986
Hahaha, I just might, I know there's a few ships out there I'd talk about.
And they do? They go me tho, hohoh. Welp, if they can, they could try going after Pheeny and Chris