11-27-2005, 01:22 AM
Seventeen rejoiced in gaining freedom from the hellish confines of his mind and passing the watchman?s test. He had banished his demons and through all the trials and tribulations, emerged more relieved then he had felt in weeks. Hopefully, this would be the last time evil would gain a monopoly inside him. The cybernetic warrior glanced around the room to see the rest of the participants slumbering as well. Were they battling their own demons just as the android had? Taking a seat in the corner of the tower?s lobby area, he watched as each of the other Friend or Foe competitors woke. From the expressions on most of their faces, Android Seventeen could tell they had undergone the same torment that he had. The sun had run its daily route while each of the warriors confronted their personal demons. Soon everyone save one was awake?only Zarbon remained comatose. Upon further investigation, the android realized that the teal transformer no longer had a pulse. Apparently, the warrior had succumbed to his nightmare.
The clicking of heavy boots permeated the silent chamber, and seconds later, Gabriel entered the watchtower?s lobby. Flexing his snow-white wings, the seraph went on to explain the truth behind the old man who guarded the watchtower. The revelation, oddly enough, didn?t shock the android all that much. Over the past few weeks he had discovered some very unbelievable things to be true. Next to personal angels, legions of demons, and mutating androids, an old man in a tower being some type of omnipotent being did not seem that odd to him. Still, the machine-hybrid was more interested in what had become of Brim?s heir, Kao. What had happened to the enraged adolescent who had nearly slain them all earlier? What the android received as an answer was that Brim was dead, and it was the group?s new duty to hunt down the minions of Satan that still roamed the wilds of Kala.
Gabriel?s words repeated in the machine-hybrid? mind, but they were actually the least of his concerns at the moment. Glancing around, Seventeen knew that all the other competitors could just as easily deal with the unholy invaders without him. There was something far more personal still disturbing the android. The visor he had put back on after awaking was displaying the power of the other surviving competitor?s, and all of them were leagues ahead of the cybernetic warrior. However, one signature, a few miles away from the tower, was very familiar. Android Seventeen picked up the blade of the avatar and made his leave of the watchtower. Outside, even in the black of night, the cadre of seraphs was still keeping vigil.
Seventeen took to the cool night air, his eyes concentrated on the red mark on his visor. If he put Vapor out of commission now, then there would be no threat of Byrk escaping his hellish prison. That way, the android could at last have some peace when he returned home; however, if he failed on Kala that would mean that escaping the war-torn asteroid would only put him back on Earth. There he would have to deal with the bio-androids once again. To the machine-hybrid, peace and tranquility seemed a lifetime away, but he was willing to do his job if it meant that eventually he wouldn?t have to worry about demons, zombies, or super-charged bio-androids attempting to destroy everyone and everything.
With the watchtower now a few miles behind him, the android noticed a giant depression on the surface of the asteroid. A wide fissure, dense fog concealing how far down it went, was lying almost hidden on the dark, night surface of the asteroid. On the green screen of the battle visor, a line of code informed the android that the signature he believed to be Vapor?s was immobile in this chasm. Seventeen hovered above the churning unknown for a few moments, long enough for him to muster the courage to investigate what lie below him. Android Seventeen shut his eyes for a few moments, allowing his eyes to switch over to night-vision, and then with the press of a button, he turned his visor to uncloaking mode. After taking the two protective measures, the android dropped into the crack in the asteroid?s surface. In only a few seconds, the cybernetic warrior realized that maybe he shouldn?t have investigated Vapor.
It may have been wiser to stick around with the others back at the watchtower. At least there he would not have to worry that much about being ambushed, and at least in safety of a group he wouldn?t have to explore this bizarre fissure himself. The entire ravine didn?t just feel like a grave?it look like one too! The lower he descended the more corpses Seventeen saw. Partially decomposing, ravaged bodies had been nailed against the walls of earth with shards of metal and piping. The permanent expressions of fear and agony that each corpse bore was equally as eerie. The floor of the crevice was littered with broken, bleached bones and biological shrapnel. Torn, decomposing organs and strips of skin and sinew were displayed everywhere like some type of twisted holiday decorations.
At the other side of the pit, a sole, human figure was levitating in the air. Android Seventeen cracked his knuckles and threw his hands forward, releasing an impromptu blast of ki. The fog was scattered by the immense light and speed of the wave, permitting the android to see that the figure was indeed the bio-android he was hunting. Yet, even in the small window he had before the blast struck, he noticed that something was different with the bio-android. Vapor didn?t even bother to defend himself against the wave of energy.
Leaping into the sky, the android shot off like a rocket. He wanted to be out of that foggy grave before his gaseous adversary could gain the upper hand. Below him, he heard a high-pitched scream that triggered the entire fissure below him to explode in a blinding, green flash. Large chunks of stone and earth were scattered everywhere by mighty explosion. The machine-hybrid, barely escaping the blast radius, looked back down to see a giant mass of upturned stone, earth, and remains where the ravine had been moments earlier.
?I thought I warned you not to interfere with my plans, android!? Vapor?s voice, strangely deep and labored, almost caused Seventeen to soil his pants. Spinning around, his cheekbone became the victim of a potent punch. Spiraling downward, it only took a few seconds for the cybernetic warrior to stop himself before the impact with the ground liquefied him. Reverting to his normal sight, the android looked up and noticed that Vapor was fuming. The short bio-android was huffing and puffing, sucking in deep breaths of air as his eyes burned holes straight through Android Seventeen.
?What?s the matter with you?? the machine-hybrid asked with a usual overdose of sarcasm. Vapor, seeming a little green, struggled to smile. His veins were swelled to the point where they were all clearly visible, and a thin layer of sweat covered the panting bio-android?s entire body.
?Power?something you would know nothing about, android. All the evil vanquished on this asteroid?it?s like one giant buffet,? Vapor smirked for a few moments before adding the kicker, ?and there was one recently vanquished evil that made a very interesting addition to my already massive repertoire!? Android Seventeen only had to think for a second before the possible realization set in?Brim. What the hell did Vapor mean by repertoire? Before the cybernetic warrior could ask, the bio-android was suddenly engulfed in a blue aura. Darting down at his prey with an animalistic shriek, Byrk?s lieutenant threw only a single punch, but one strike was all he needed to drive the air straight from the lungs of his cybernetic prey.
The machine-hybrid?s plate of armor splintered outward from the point of impact. Reeling back Seventeen tried to avoid the kick that followed, but his opponent had always been quicker then he was. Now it seemed that Vapor?s abilities had increased exponentially. The android?s chest plate exploded into a million shards that glistened in the moonlight. With one final outburst, Vapor drove his elbow into Seventeen?s neck, sending the android to the ground below like a bomb.
When the machine-hybrid hit the pile of rock and earth, he was fortunate enough that he was buried under several feet of shifting debris. If the android remembered correctly, the bio-android could not sense ki signatures?but with this new power surge, had Vapor gained that ability? If the triclops had indeed learned to sense ki then the android was as good as dead. Slightly opening his eyes, Seventeen almost gasped at what was resting in the earth right next to him. A bodiless skull, a single eye and a few layers of burnt tissue were all the signs of life that remained. Even with the overpowering stench and sight of death right beside him, the machine-hybrid knew he had to retain his composure. He could hear rushed footsteps making their way around his hiding place.
?I know you are not dead, android!? Vapor growled, ?Just remember that every evil you vanquish?you open up my chance to replicate their power! You can go ahead and try to save these people by killing those demons, but I will just be all the stronger when I free Lord Byrk!? Right next to the android?s feet, the uneven ground was scattered as Vapor exploded into the night sky. Waiting a few minutes, Seventeen quickly pulled himself out of the makeshift hiding spot. Maybe it would be wise for the cybernetic warrior to avoid confronting the super-powered bio-android until he was back on Earth. At least there he knew he would have some backup?hopefully.
Taking to the air, Android Seventeen turned on the battle visor and prepared to go demon hunting. Even if killing them empowered Vapor in some way, he knew that the people of this asteroid didn?t deserve to live in fear for the rest of their lives.
The clicking of heavy boots permeated the silent chamber, and seconds later, Gabriel entered the watchtower?s lobby. Flexing his snow-white wings, the seraph went on to explain the truth behind the old man who guarded the watchtower. The revelation, oddly enough, didn?t shock the android all that much. Over the past few weeks he had discovered some very unbelievable things to be true. Next to personal angels, legions of demons, and mutating androids, an old man in a tower being some type of omnipotent being did not seem that odd to him. Still, the machine-hybrid was more interested in what had become of Brim?s heir, Kao. What had happened to the enraged adolescent who had nearly slain them all earlier? What the android received as an answer was that Brim was dead, and it was the group?s new duty to hunt down the minions of Satan that still roamed the wilds of Kala.
Gabriel?s words repeated in the machine-hybrid? mind, but they were actually the least of his concerns at the moment. Glancing around, Seventeen knew that all the other competitors could just as easily deal with the unholy invaders without him. There was something far more personal still disturbing the android. The visor he had put back on after awaking was displaying the power of the other surviving competitor?s, and all of them were leagues ahead of the cybernetic warrior. However, one signature, a few miles away from the tower, was very familiar. Android Seventeen picked up the blade of the avatar and made his leave of the watchtower. Outside, even in the black of night, the cadre of seraphs was still keeping vigil.
Seventeen took to the cool night air, his eyes concentrated on the red mark on his visor. If he put Vapor out of commission now, then there would be no threat of Byrk escaping his hellish prison. That way, the android could at last have some peace when he returned home; however, if he failed on Kala that would mean that escaping the war-torn asteroid would only put him back on Earth. There he would have to deal with the bio-androids once again. To the machine-hybrid, peace and tranquility seemed a lifetime away, but he was willing to do his job if it meant that eventually he wouldn?t have to worry about demons, zombies, or super-charged bio-androids attempting to destroy everyone and everything.
With the watchtower now a few miles behind him, the android noticed a giant depression on the surface of the asteroid. A wide fissure, dense fog concealing how far down it went, was lying almost hidden on the dark, night surface of the asteroid. On the green screen of the battle visor, a line of code informed the android that the signature he believed to be Vapor?s was immobile in this chasm. Seventeen hovered above the churning unknown for a few moments, long enough for him to muster the courage to investigate what lie below him. Android Seventeen shut his eyes for a few moments, allowing his eyes to switch over to night-vision, and then with the press of a button, he turned his visor to uncloaking mode. After taking the two protective measures, the android dropped into the crack in the asteroid?s surface. In only a few seconds, the cybernetic warrior realized that maybe he shouldn?t have investigated Vapor.
It may have been wiser to stick around with the others back at the watchtower. At least there he would not have to worry that much about being ambushed, and at least in safety of a group he wouldn?t have to explore this bizarre fissure himself. The entire ravine didn?t just feel like a grave?it look like one too! The lower he descended the more corpses Seventeen saw. Partially decomposing, ravaged bodies had been nailed against the walls of earth with shards of metal and piping. The permanent expressions of fear and agony that each corpse bore was equally as eerie. The floor of the crevice was littered with broken, bleached bones and biological shrapnel. Torn, decomposing organs and strips of skin and sinew were displayed everywhere like some type of twisted holiday decorations.
At the other side of the pit, a sole, human figure was levitating in the air. Android Seventeen cracked his knuckles and threw his hands forward, releasing an impromptu blast of ki. The fog was scattered by the immense light and speed of the wave, permitting the android to see that the figure was indeed the bio-android he was hunting. Yet, even in the small window he had before the blast struck, he noticed that something was different with the bio-android. Vapor didn?t even bother to defend himself against the wave of energy.
Leaping into the sky, the android shot off like a rocket. He wanted to be out of that foggy grave before his gaseous adversary could gain the upper hand. Below him, he heard a high-pitched scream that triggered the entire fissure below him to explode in a blinding, green flash. Large chunks of stone and earth were scattered everywhere by mighty explosion. The machine-hybrid, barely escaping the blast radius, looked back down to see a giant mass of upturned stone, earth, and remains where the ravine had been moments earlier.
?I thought I warned you not to interfere with my plans, android!? Vapor?s voice, strangely deep and labored, almost caused Seventeen to soil his pants. Spinning around, his cheekbone became the victim of a potent punch. Spiraling downward, it only took a few seconds for the cybernetic warrior to stop himself before the impact with the ground liquefied him. Reverting to his normal sight, the android looked up and noticed that Vapor was fuming. The short bio-android was huffing and puffing, sucking in deep breaths of air as his eyes burned holes straight through Android Seventeen.
?What?s the matter with you?? the machine-hybrid asked with a usual overdose of sarcasm. Vapor, seeming a little green, struggled to smile. His veins were swelled to the point where they were all clearly visible, and a thin layer of sweat covered the panting bio-android?s entire body.
?Power?something you would know nothing about, android. All the evil vanquished on this asteroid?it?s like one giant buffet,? Vapor smirked for a few moments before adding the kicker, ?and there was one recently vanquished evil that made a very interesting addition to my already massive repertoire!? Android Seventeen only had to think for a second before the possible realization set in?Brim. What the hell did Vapor mean by repertoire? Before the cybernetic warrior could ask, the bio-android was suddenly engulfed in a blue aura. Darting down at his prey with an animalistic shriek, Byrk?s lieutenant threw only a single punch, but one strike was all he needed to drive the air straight from the lungs of his cybernetic prey.
The machine-hybrid?s plate of armor splintered outward from the point of impact. Reeling back Seventeen tried to avoid the kick that followed, but his opponent had always been quicker then he was. Now it seemed that Vapor?s abilities had increased exponentially. The android?s chest plate exploded into a million shards that glistened in the moonlight. With one final outburst, Vapor drove his elbow into Seventeen?s neck, sending the android to the ground below like a bomb.
When the machine-hybrid hit the pile of rock and earth, he was fortunate enough that he was buried under several feet of shifting debris. If the android remembered correctly, the bio-android could not sense ki signatures?but with this new power surge, had Vapor gained that ability? If the triclops had indeed learned to sense ki then the android was as good as dead. Slightly opening his eyes, Seventeen almost gasped at what was resting in the earth right next to him. A bodiless skull, a single eye and a few layers of burnt tissue were all the signs of life that remained. Even with the overpowering stench and sight of death right beside him, the machine-hybrid knew he had to retain his composure. He could hear rushed footsteps making their way around his hiding place.
?I know you are not dead, android!? Vapor growled, ?Just remember that every evil you vanquish?you open up my chance to replicate their power! You can go ahead and try to save these people by killing those demons, but I will just be all the stronger when I free Lord Byrk!? Right next to the android?s feet, the uneven ground was scattered as Vapor exploded into the night sky. Waiting a few minutes, Seventeen quickly pulled himself out of the makeshift hiding spot. Maybe it would be wise for the cybernetic warrior to avoid confronting the super-powered bio-android until he was back on Earth. At least there he knew he would have some backup?hopefully.
Taking to the air, Android Seventeen turned on the battle visor and prepared to go demon hunting. Even if killing them empowered Vapor in some way, he knew that the people of this asteroid didn?t deserve to live in fear for the rest of their lives.
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