//------------------------------// // 218. Efficiently Evaded Enemies. // Story: Baa-Ram-Ewe! // by Darkonshadows //------------------------------// -Equus, Ponyville, Gallus- “The armor is a bit heavy.” I commented lightly. “That’s the training armor, the actual armor is heavier, remember that this has been specially made for your build.” Yeah, no wonder some people still call you ‘Tempest’ Fizzle, you’re quite the hard flank. “In any case I asked for a professional who knows how to fight in armor and she was already in Canterlot.” “Which pegasus?” Because it only had to be a pony that would be teaching me. “Who said anything about a pegasus young warrior? Though one is my ancestor given how my race was born.” A half dragon, half pony hybrid appeared, what were they called again? Longma, I believe. She walked up to me with four puppies in tow. “I am Tianhuo, I will be your instructor in how to deal with armor while in flight. These puppies will be your training aid.” “Really? They don’t look like much.” One puppy apparently took umbrage with that as he reared up and then went to hit my chest with his forehead lightly. I probably shouldn’t have let him or thought nothing of it, for a second later I found myself fifty feet away on my back wondering what just happened with bruised ribs. “I should warn you, the love of my life raised these puppies. They are fierce warriors in their own right, as such Canis Minor are not to be underestimated and you will be learning about them as part of your training.” Said Tianhuo looking down at me on my back, making me wonder how hard I had been hit. “They will be helping you learn to dodge and this will be helping them learn to judge when to attack. Ruff especially needs remedial courses being the most aggressive of them, Tuft, Puff and Woof are far less reckless.” One of the four puppies covered its head as it whimpered when Tianhuo glanced at him, the other three nuzzled him and I had a feeling this was going to be Tartarus and a half. I’d at least be a better guard than most, because Tempest was taking my training seriously. -Earth, San Fransokyo, Ocellus- Getting out the back door in an orderly manner, easy. Getting down the street without being attacked, also as easy. Which earned me a look from Wheel Cat. “Okay, when you said you felt ill intent coming…” Wheel Cat started to say to me as we took cover in an alleyway, I held up a hoof and then pointed upwards. “What the… how did you detect that coming, it looks like a stealth hovercraft.” One the hovercraft in question were two people and they headed towards Dr. Wower’s residence. “I suggest we start moving.” I stated calmly as I was in my wingless dragon form. “How did you know they were coming?” Abigail asked curiously. “Not only am I a shapeshifter, I’m also able to read emotions with a fair amount of accuracy and distance away.” I stated plainly as I moved by her and down the other end of the alleyway. “Please don’t panic, get angry or create a massive amount of malice in our general area. We have several more people of ill intent like that on the way and I’m the best option for avoiding any… complications… where should we be heading Wheel Cat? I don’t want to lead anyone back to Leap Lamb in her condition.” “Good question, I would say we should head to BaseMax, but that’d be giving away our secret headquarters. Even if it is the safest place I can think of for this situation. Give me a second, I’ll contact my team members.” Wheel Cat reached up to her helmet. “Hey guys, we’ve got a problem here…. I’m with Wower and Callaghan. No… the nicer one, Abigail Callaghan. Are any of you free this morning? It seems like problems are actively seeking out Wower, Abigail or maybe even the once upon a time actor Penny Forrester… yes Fred-zilla, the same one from the Bolt show. Also Bolt the dog from the show apparently has super powers. Yes Plasma Paladin, you apparently owe Zilla money now, can we move on please? Look I’m with two members of Leap Lamb’s team, Oracle Ocellus and Caper Canine in an alleyway, can I get some SAT help here and can we identify targets of interest in the city?” “I feel more people with ill intent than the two in the hovercraft.” I stated as more people were on my radar. “All of them heading towards Wower’s home.” “Any ideas why people might be after any of you?” Wheel Cat asked as she looked to the three suspects of what was looking like an oncoming headache. “Well it was recently revealed that I’m a robotics expert, you and the rest of Big Hero Six recently outed my old friend stole my work and took it as his own. He recently owned up to the fact that he was a liar and they might be after me for my knowledge.” Dr. Wower stated, before looking about and adding. “Well at least my old friend has come clean about it, but he really shouldn’t have stolen my work in the first place. Still… it’s because he stole my work that I found my passion for teaching, so I can’t really be angry at him.” “They might be after me because someone talked about me working a normal job, they might be after me for my portal technology knowledge. There could be any number of reasons to kidnap a scientist you know.” Also as good a guess as we have Abigail. “I’ve been trying to lay low and not be seen in public too much, but there’s not much else I know that would have someone hunt me down. I may be brilliant in my fields of science, but it’s kind of hard finding a job where people are not going to ask questions about my father being a super villain. At least my father is doing his time in jail quietly.” “We’re still making royalties on reruns of our show, but I don’t think I’m actually a target here because of that. Unless Bolt and I try to help out we’re likely to be ignored.” Penny stated as Bolt stood protectively next to her and his mouth was sparking every once in a while. “There’s also the other thing people could be after, they could be after Leap Lamb because right now a sneeze in the wrong direction could kill her and someone might have recognized Caper Canine.” I didn’t like having to state that, neither did Dolly who whined at me and had an angry look in her eyes. “All possibilities…” Wheel Cat stated. “Okay information coming in from Skymax spy systems… my cousin Shego and her employer Dr. Drakken? That bastard Motor Ed… the guy tried to jack my technology once, I showed him to not mess with Wheel Cat. Not the most threatening guy, but he can still be up there with his whole gang. Professor Dementor… ah, crap… too many. Guys Code: Mad Science! Let me repeat and add on to that, CODE: MAD SCIENCE and OUTSIDERS! All Big Hero Six needed, find your excuses and get suited up guys! I’m going to try and find a way to safely hide the two possible targets of interest… which requires us crossing the city. Because of course it does… who’s closest to aiding? No, I can’t run intercept, someone would have to guide them to BaseMax or we’d have them wandering around randomly with so many aggressors around.” “What exactly is a code mad science?” It sounded bad from what I’m guessing. “It’s where a bunch of villains who run around taking science far beyond the safety limit to the point of absurdity. Outsiders is when the villains are not native to the region.” Informed Wheel Cat as she looked out the other end of the alleyway. “Okay let’s move, slowly, we’re trying not to draw attention here. The closest support we have is Plasma Paladin, since our Bunny Battle Bus can’t move as that will endanger Leap Lamb. Next is… ugh… Mini-Max. We’ll take what we can get, send Mini-Max to assist us and have Plasma Paladin intercept trouble. How well can any of you guys fight?” “I can handle unarmored targets easily enough, I’m not exactly comfortable with hitting armored targets, but I have maybe a quarter to half the strength of a real dragon in this form. I can also shape shift to fight a variety of things. I’m impossible to poison and I’m far better at stealth than getting into a straight up fight. I can’t do much more than take hits and brawl.” I motioned to Dolly. “Caper Canine is still recovering from the injuries gained during the Saint Canard Crisis and she’s best suited for distractions, not any direct confrontations without her gear. Pom trained her a bit, so I’d imagine she’d still be quite scrappy in a fight even if she doesn’t have her helmet or board.” Dolly barked something with her head held high while looking ready to get into a fight, she also motioned to me and the leash I was still holding. I gave the leash to her and she tested it with both paws before nodding to me and wrapping the leash around her neck like a coil of rope. “Bolt can hit things at a distance pretty well with his lighting spit, he’s plenty fast and strong too. I wouldn’t put him up against anything with heavy armor or capable of shooting bullets. I’m still kind of testing the limits of what Bolt can do now. I’ve been learning some karate, but I’m not much for competitive fighting.” Penny, I think I would be speaking for all of us here when I saw we would prefer it if you didn’t get too deeply involved in this. “If I had my two other pets they can coordinate their powers between them, but they are currently relaxing back at the hotel. If they see us in danger they could come flying to help.” “Better you go by yourself and continue being unassuming target instead of getting mixed up in this kid. This is like the mercenaries all over again, but in broad daylight!” Something swooped down from above, but I hadn’t felt it coming until it got close. It had very bright emotions, but they were hard to feel because the thing was breezy sized. “I have come to your aid Wheel Cat, experience the Mini-Maximum Power of Mini-Max!” The little robot in a blue armor stated, it looked like a sidekick fairy character of a story to me. “I would like to state up front that we’re scientists, not fighters.” Abigail stated flatly her ears folding back. “Still, I can bite someone, but that’s about it. I could try to pass as a normal animal fox, but my appearance is kind of well-known by too many people for me to pull that off.” “I’d rather not bite someone, I don’t like the idea of hurting people.” Dr. Wower followed up. “Also what would kids think if they saw me fighting anyone? Nope, I can’t in good conscience do any fighting… sorry.” “Okay, here’s what we will do, I’ll try to draw attention by attacking the criminals nearest to us and try to lead them off, to that end I’ll coordinate with Mini-Max here and he’ll try to lead you safety.” Crouching down, Wheel Cat looked Penny in the eyes. “Penny, you take Bolt and get to safety. Don’t try to be a hero, no one is likely out to get you personally. That will change very quickly if you get involved, because people might start coming after you if they find out Bolt actually has super powers. Keep that under wraps and get to safety.” “You could all come to my hotel room, its closer and it wouldn’t be giving your base away if it’s across the city like you say it is.” Feeling what Penny was currently, she was quite brave for someone around my age and not going to drop this and look the other way. This world had plenty of heroes at least. “Fine, tell Mini-Max where your hotel is and he’ll try to get you there if getting to Basemax is going to be too much of a hassle. If your hotel room becomes compromised and super villains start coming after you, that’s going to be on you kid.” Wheel Cat, leaned out of the alleyway. “Now if you’ll excuse me…” -Wheel Cat- I slung a disc and it slammed into the yappy looking blue colored Chihuahua guy’s head knocking him for a loop. “Hey, looking for something!” I shouted waving my arms. “Hey Shego, still a thief I take it!” “Shego, that hero just hit me!” He paused for a second and considered my words. “Also, how do you know her?!” “She beaten Motor Ed’s entire gang by herself once, wouldn’t surprise me if Motor Ed was knocking around somewhere in the city. I have a good head for knowing when living migraines are around.” The pale green furred feline with long black hair stated as she came out of Dr. Wower’s house through the front door with a sly gate before igniting her hands. She fired a blast at me and I blocked it with one of my disc. “Also Wheel Cat is my cousin. Don’t know how you could have known we were coming for them, but where’s Dr. Wower and Callaghan? Dr. Drakken here wants to kidnap at least one of them, I prefer just stealing technology directly. Cuts out having to threaten someone into build something correctly and not liable to fall apart and take down a whole villain lair in an instant. The time shares are horrible on those things let me tell you.” “Do you really expect me to tell you where they are?” I crossed my arms and stood tall. “Come on Shego, it was a good plan!” Dr. Drakken stated while waving his hands in the air wildly. “To give you an idea of what his last genius plan was, do the words animate gingerbread men bring to mind a world conquering plan that would actually pan out?” Shego grumbled as she gestured scathingly at her employer. “Not in the slightest.” We grinned and chuckled at one another, then I darted to the side as several blasts went through the space I used to occupy. -Ocellus- “Motor Ed has passed us.” Mini-Max reported as he flew back to us and Penny then started leading us forward, two more alleyways and few odd stares from people on the street, I felt incoming danger at the end of the third one. “Hold!” I stated loudly as Penny stopped and we waited. My ability to sense ill intentions was pretty high since I’ve know what malice feels like in enormous doses. I crept forward and looked out into the street. “For the great demon Beelzebug has sent us back in time to terminate, we will find Leap Lamb and have our revenge with igniting passions!” Several biped size insectoid beings shouted as they charged down the street, then something exploded in a fiery mess. It felt like no one died, but I really didn’t feel like dealing with bug based cultists at this moment and we carried on. “Ah man, why do I always get the weird cases?!” I heard a shout drawing my attention down the street to a guy in green armor fighting the bug bipeds, I saw wires and machinery sticking out of them as the guy fought them off. “Oh thank goodness, they’re robots!” “This city is weird, but then so were Saint Canard and Duckberg… I wonder what would have happened if we actually decided to stop in Spoonerville for a day?” Those bug bipeds felt really off, further than just being robots, like there was something highly unnatural about them. In any case if we had taken a stop in Spoonerville then we would have arrived to find out that Dr. Wower and Abigail were successfully kidnapped. “Okay, let’s go.” We ignored the robotic bug cultist guys nearby that somehow knew Pom was in this city and quietly ran forwards along with a crowd of panicking people, the hotel was down two more streets from us. “Quick question, does your emotional sense work on robots?” Strange question to bring up Abigail, but I had a response. “If the machine is living in some capacity then yes, but if it’s absolutely soulless then no.” I stopped and looked back at her as we ducked out of the crowd into an alleyway. “Why do you ask?” “I saw a red robot hopping around on the rooftops high above us, it looked like it was searching for something… maybe us.” Okay, so aside from shock Abigail was now experiencing fear and trepidation. Just as long as she kept herself together enough for us to get us to safety, we’ll be fine. I took a few steps back and looked the way we came and saw a large red bipedal robot with a single eye and its design was decidedly aggressive looking with some kind of theme to it, its feet were two talon toes and a jutting heel, its arms ended in three claws, one thumb and two digits. It was standing on top of the building and looking around at the panicking crowds. Quickly backing away, I turned back to everyone. “No that robot doesn’t have emotions for me to sense. I don’t know who made that, but I don’t want to be around to find out if it’s trying to track us.” Not knowing what that machine was capable of, I decided that we should hurry out of the alleyway and put some buildings between us and it. “We need to get to that hotel quickly.” “It’s down the block that way…” I grabbed Penny by the shoulder before she stepped out onto the street after another alleyway. “Monkey ninjas, we need to find the artifact quickly before all those other buffoons distract us into a fight we can’t handle!” Said some small beaked bird guy that looked to have monkey limbs. Lots of ill-intentioned weirdoes were out in force today it seemed. “Okay, now we can go.” I said as the last Monkey ninja disappeared around the corner. We were just outside the hotel when I felt magic akin to teleportation bringing someone into the area. “Ah, so I have finally found the magic mutt to take my sweet revenge against…” I didn’t know who the magical duck with the staff was, but I wasn’t going to even let her get out a monologue. “Fire!” I inhaled and spat a tiny fireball. Dolly barked and held out her right paw, it gave off a green pulse that created a small horizontal swirling wind that empowered my small fireball, which was followed by Bolt firing his own blast of magical lightning into the center the conflagration of magic that built up to a frenzy. The resulting mishmash of raw magical power involved created an electrical firestorm that sent the female duck flying away in a barely holding barrier. Which apparently broke seconds later concerning the shout we heard as a loud pop happened. “My ribs, and oh badness I’m paralyzed and on fire, WHY?!” The female duck shouted in the distance, none of us cared about that at the moment. Though I had to wonder. If that duck was paralyzed, how was she still screaming about it? Dolly clutched at her head, but she had a bright grin on her face. Yeah, that wasn’t exactly smart of her, but it got rid of an immediate magical problem. “Do I have to remind you to not go overboard with magic at the moment Dolly? Into the hotel everyone, we’ll just lay low in Penny’s hotel room!” Not really wanting to mix magic from two different worlds here in a fight, which could make things worse, I along with everyone else rushed inside and up a flight of stairs in the indoor staircase. “I think… I think we’re finally safe.” “Come on.” Penny motioned for us to follow. It was tense going up four flights of steps, I felt several emotions worth of ill intent pass by, but none of them came into the hotel thankfully enough. Eventually we made our way to a hotel room and she knocked on it. “It’s us, open the door!” Bolt barked out something, his emotions were reading to me as having calmed down. The door opened and we weren’t greeted by a biped, but a black cat. Dolly ran forward and hugged her, much to the cats surprise and then Dolly made her way further inside motioning for us to follow. Bolt scampered inside, followed by Penny, Abigail Callaghan, Dr. Wower and finally me bringing up the rear and closing the door. “We are now hiding in Mini-Maximum obscurity!” Mini-Max stated in an overblown fashion while pointing a tiny digit at the ceiling and posing in the air. “Big Hero Six will deal with the problems in the city, also Ms. Shuttle says hello.” “Tell Ms. Shuttle to stay put and hello from me as well.” Today better not get more hectic. “Please note to them that Dolly and I are okay… for the time being.” -???- The pair of red eyes continued to watch Pom’s life hang loosely in the balance, it knew what excellent deals it could make to get them to agree. It had the power to actually fulfill those deals too. The silently watching entity was just biding its time. -Dolly- “Glad to see you Mittens!” Never thought I’d hug a cat, but the cat knew why dogs acted the way they do and taught Bolt how to be one and she was a good friend. At least I didn’t lick her face in greeting, she was still a cat of course. “Dolly? What the heck are you doing here, where’s Pom?!” Turning from me to Bolt, she gestured at the several people in the hotel room. “Bolty what’s going on here?” It was nice to see Mittens in better health than when I first saw her dying of starvation in the streets of New York, which was before Pom helped her get back to good health on our cross country trip. “A lot is going on Mittens, apparently San Fransokyo is actually as chaotic as some people say it is.” Bolt stated before looking back towards the door. “They say it’s not nearly as bad as Duckberg or Saint Canard, but I’ve seen some things in the last thirty minutes.” “Does this mean we get to fight real villains?” Excitedly exclaimed Rhino stated while bouncing off the floor higher and higher with each bounce. “Is that hamster bouncing?” Asked Abigail. Bolt wasn’t the only one to get super powers from a close being in close proximity with Pom, well that’s the only probable explanation that seemed to work. “No Rhino, we’re still not exactly ready for something like that quite yet.” Bolt caught rhino with a paw and put him down. “We can protect these people though.” “Good enough for me!” Rhino stated and ran over to his ball. “Rubber Rodent is on the case!” “Rubber Rodent?” I asked as I turned to Mittens. “What did you get?” “Flight and can float any object not nailed down at will after contact, also Rhino is basically bullet proof.” With a smug smile Mittens hopped up, then just laid on nothing in mid-air. “Oh come on, I don’t get flight, I don’t naturally have projectile barking or super resilience. I feel gypped!” Why wouldn’t I. Sure what magical powers I did have were awesome, but they required thinking.