Cinder watched Jaylen as the crowd began to panic, swarming in all direction away. His focus left him surprised as Jeanne blitzed him with her kick. His knee buckled and panic filled his eyes. Being this close to him was harsh. The heat was more than uncomfortable. He began to reach for her as a second impact slammed him. His body rolled back from the knee to his face. He lay still for a moment before rising to his feet. His panic had been overcome with sheer rage. He let out a furious shriek, a heat wave shifting the air as it expanded around him. A few unlucky souls found themselves suddenly reduced to ash.

Roll either a defense task of either might to endure the heat or speed to avoid it at level 4(dc12).

_temperature spike coming directly from him. move-

Jaylen Zilla rolled 12 using 1d20. Using his dexterity power shift to lower the level by 1

"Got it!" As the heat expanded around the man. Jaylen narrowly avoided joining the poor souls turned to crispy ash in the expanse. Leaping several feet away and seeing the poor innocent people caught by it crumble away.

"Son of a-..." He focused on the crowd scattering away and realized this isn't a fight he can control easily.

"Dammit, we have to keep him still and get this crowd away from him"

-we can assault him from a distance as we control the crowd better-

"Gotcha. Let's do this then. It's been a little bit since we've gotten to use them."

At that thought the armored strands began wrapping around his arms and focusing heavily on the hands until covering both turning them into blaster cannon like protrusions.

-charging Onslaught Matrix. ready to fire when you are-

Jeanne was to close, when the heat wave shot out she attempted to roll away but in the crowd of scattering people she found she had no clear escape. “Fuck me!” She exclaimed in a panic as she curled up defensively putting her forearms in front of her face to try and mitigate as much damage as possible.


Jeanne Sextus rolled 3 using 1d20
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

The heat was tremendous, blistering Jeanne's skin as she felt it sweep over her. The pain exploded across her entire body. As Jaylen watches the horror of the event the ashes of Cinder's victims began to settle. Only moments later, a dim glow of embers ignited in the charred skeletons that remained behind. Slowly, they began to rise from the ground. Their hollow eye sockets glow with internal fire, as veins of an orange light snake across their bodies.

The newly risen horde is made up of a dozen charred creatures. Cinder doesn't seem to even notice as he begins moving towards the prone body of Jeanne, his killer intent plain.

3 points of might damage to Jeanne

Jeanne screamed as she felt her flesh burn and blister, are arms and torso taking the brunt of the blow. As she now lay on her back her eyes began darting around frantically as the dead began to rise up around her. “Fuck fuck fuck!!” Her mind was racing as panic and fear took hold of her, then her eyes were held by the figure moving towards her, the man responsible for the pain and fear and she could feel his intent, she was going to die. “FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK….. MOVE, RUN, DO NOT DIE HERE!!!!” Her mind mind was screaming at her. Once the shadow of the man was cast over her Jeanne quickly vanished Teleporting to shadows of the furthest building she could reach.

Now outside of the chaos she began slowly moving away. “Fuck that, I’m no hero. What the hell was I even thinking getting mixed up in that.” She said at a low whisper between pained breathing. “I need a hospital”  she whined as she made her way off campus.


Heading to Albright Memorial Hospital
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:03, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

He watched, failing to realize he should've tried to help the person before they caught the heat head-on. "Dammit, hey are you-.." His words caught in his throat as he watched her vanish into his shadow. He stood stunned in his worry as a wave of relief washed it away when he realized that, that was most likely the mysterious "Q" he had spoken with. "well hopefully she's safe"

-i would focus your attention on the other victims of the heat-

That's when he realized the other corpses beginning to rise back up. Jaylen stood before the ever-growing daunting situation and began planning. "Well...fuck. Alright, Walkman we're on our own for now. Locate the nearest large water source and start plotting a route. All we can do now is distract him until more help gets here"

-understood. the nearest largest source of water is a fountain about 13 meters away. route calculated. our outcome of survival is rapidly declining. begin-

"Noted, but we protect who we can. Let's be the Hero, buddy" Jaylen crouched back down into a squat firing position and began blasting.

Jaylen Zilla spent 1 int point to fire Onslaught.
Jaylen Zilla rolled 18 on 1d20 to shoot Cinder for 7 damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Mon 14 Nov 2022.

The blast struck Cinder square, sending him sprawling with a grimace. Meanwhile, the reanimated remains of the victims start in on the bystanders. Despite a distinct lack of any muscle or tendon structures they quickly overpower their targets, those who can flee in a stampede toward downtown.

As Cinder brings himself to his elbows the air next to him tears, producing a figure in translucent purple armor. The features underneath are slightly obscured but appear to be a young man. The newcomer glances down at Cinder who gestures towards the fleeing people, "deal with them, idiot. I'm fucking fine." He ignores the hand that his apparent companion offers him, despite clear effort, and glares at Jaylen, "and tell her to stay out of my business. Jesus Christ, this would have been done if she would leave me the fuck alone.

The armored man shakes his head, looking at Jaylen before another tear appears. A hand reaches out, pulling him in and disappearing. In the crowd another tear manifests and he steps back out.

"Alright mother fucker," Cinder's skin begins to crack slightly, orange light peeking through, "you want to shoot me? I'll show you what happens to assholes who can't mind their own business." In a flurry, a series of fire blasts leap towards Jaylen from Cinder's hands, burning so hot that grass wilts as they pass.

Speed defense task lvl 5

In reply to Cinder (msg # 53):

Jaylen Zilla rolled 4 using 1d20.  to dodge the fire blasts.

As the skeletons start attacking the innocents he fails to notice the blasts fired at him. Even before he could try to move he takes the blasts full force. Smashing at the armor across his shoulder, side of his abdomen, and face plate. The muscular armor retreating from those parts of the body as the insane heat pelted him. Thrown back from the force he smashes against the side of a building. "FUUUUUUUCK!! SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!"

-immediate scalding and blistering of the skin detected. retreat and recovery is highly advised -

"...No! We don't run until everyone is safe. Or until this fucker is buried into the ash he sputtered from!"

-noted. get up and move we need to keep running-

"Where the hell are these heroes?"

-

Jaylen begins pulling himself up and out of the rubble as the armor reknits itself back over the areas of extreme damage. He starts running towards the fountain and fires another blast at the skeletons attacking the crowd.

Jaylen Zilla spent 1 point of int to use Onslaught on the skeletons.
Jaylen Zilla rolled 3 on 1d20.

With precision, Jaylen manages to destroy a few of the skeletons mauling the crowd. The wounded civilians flee with quickness the moment they are free to. Cinder watches the crowd's retreat with a sneer. He releases another intense wave of heat. The people who were too wounded to run are caught in the area and disintegrated.

Farther down, the armored figure disappears towards downtown.

In reply to GM (msg # 55):

Jaylen Zilla spent 3 points to fire Onslaught and reduce the difficulty to hit. And rolled 10 using 1d20.  To shoot Cinder for 7 damage.

With one of his legs raised on the fountain and an arm-cannon barrel left steaming from the shot he fired. He stood as the only bastion to stopping this monster from killing more innocent people.

"Don't. You. DARE. Look away from me. You aren't done with me yet!"

-you're pushing yourself too hard. if you keep going like this you are going to collapse without me-

"I don't care! This fucker is going down with or without my legs"

-

Jaylen stumbled already sensing the feeling in his legs beginning to wane. He climbed into the fountain and stood as the water bathed over the armor. Cooling at least on the outside of the body and more importantly the arm-cannons.

-Onslaught matrix is cooling. smart. get ready for more. let us not die on each other just yet-

With his head at least mildly cooled off Jaylen finally got to thinking. Only one thing really came to mind. Why? Why attack these people. Who is he working for, who was the armored person, and what could their goals be. So he did what he thought would be the best way to egg information out of someone in this moment.

"Hey! Why exactly are you doing this? What did these people even do to you?"

-talking does not seem like the best option here. I would continue with the shooting-

As the newly burnt bodies around Cinder reanimated he was suddenly blasted back once more by Jaylen's attack. He lay on the ground, Cinder cursed under his breath, nearly at the end of his rope. As he laughed at Jaylen's question he raised his hand once more before a single word buzzes through the air, "Freeze!"

Jaylen feels his armor seize and lock up on his body, seemingly affected by the command in some way. Around him the reanimated skeletons pause for a moment, stopping in the middle of their attacks. The crowd flees now that their pursuers seem to be dazed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Tue 18 July 2023.

In reply to GM (msg # 59):

A lithe figure strides towards the fight, her calm stare emotionless focused on Cinder. Passing Jaylene she mumbled "Release" and turned her attention back to the clear villain here, glad to find him lying on the ground. Jaylene's body relaxed as if a current of energy had been cut off.

Gift had maybe one shot at ending this just long enough so hopefully the heroes would arrive. This would keep him on defense...at least for a while. Hopefully, just long enough so this other guy can power up.

Hoarsely Gift again pulled her jacket liner down and yelled "Passive."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Tue 18 July 2023.

In reply to Gift (msg # 60):

Jaylen freezes as he feels every muscle in and around his body seize from a jarbled sound of mumbled static. The moment is beyond jarring seeing as he planned to hear the villain out and was suddenly robbed of his body's movement. "What the actual hell. Hey, buddy what's goin' on? I don't like freezing up like this."

-this is most concerning. this is beyond any possible errors of function. be alert. be alert-

Jaylen began hyperventulating as the closed space he usually found somewhat comforting began to instantly feel choking and collapsing. The only solace that seemed to ground him to reality was the cybernetic person running up to him. "Great another goon here to finally finish the job." As the person closed in Jaylen only worried of the worst to come. To fail while he was so close.

-

The stranger leaned in close and seemed to mumble something ineligible to him and he suddenly collapsed to his hands and knees as his body and suit both returned to functioning order.
-strange. this person seems to be able to command things with just their voice. interesting and useful. they also seem to be willing to help. i still dislike that ability to control us-
Jaylen couldn't offer to chance to listen to what Walkman was saying as he was prying the suit's faceplate clean from his eyes so he could see and breathe more naturally. As the suit retracted from the sudden movement Jaylen began taking deep and stumbling breaths.

"Holy shit that was exciting.... What the hell was that?"

As Jaylen stood to finally get a good look at this interesting new individual with the -respectfully- tricked out body. He yet again let his interests overcome his worries too soon and having to rob his focus back towards Cinder standing stark still looking just as dumbfounded as himself. Jaylen offered one more passing glance to the new stranger. "Thanks for not killing me so soon, and for helping out the civilians let's just say I can owe you one when things settle down" As Jaylen aims an armcannon at Cinder again.

Cinder's body relaxed, his arm falling limply to his side. His face twitched with frustrated confusion, trying to fight the first command. As Gift gives her second, however, it doesn't seem to take hold the same way the first did. Cinder's eyes flash to Gift's the rage in them seems to twinkle with mocking confidence, "this wears off, huh? I bet you'll be ashes in only a few seconds." Cinder flinches suddenly, grabbing his ribs.

In reply to Cinder (msg # 62):

Fear crept into Gift but she couldn't let that stop her - she flared the engines within her legs and their orange glow swallowed the usual mint green color they shown.

Without shifting her gaze from the guy Gift said in the most brave voice she could muster "We must last until the heroes arrive, don't give up yet!" though she was acutely aware it came out hoarse and somewhat shaky.

Gift took off prepared to do what she could to give her new partner whatever assistance she could.

[Gift rolled 15 casting Encouragement - easing Jaylens next defense or attack]

In reply to Gift (msg # 63):

With Jaylen's ears exposed he was actually able to hear the new ally's voice. Although it was raspy and quiet it still seemed to have the same effect on him and Walkman both this time. Feeling of invigoration quickly crept from his head all the way down to Jaylen's unresponsive legs.

-fascinating- "fascinating"

They bring the second arm cannon in level with the first aimed directly at the chest of the maniac. Bone-like protrusions extend from the arms and jab into the hard granite of the fountain; stabilizing them.

"One more good shot. What do you say buddy? Let's be heroes"

-target locked. recoil measures placed. let us finish this-

Jaylen Zilla rolled a 4 on 1d20. To fire Onslaught. Spending 5 points of Intellect. 1 to fire and 4 to lower the difficulty by 2
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Thu 01 Dec 2022.

As Cinder's body comes back under his full control the ambient temperature around him begins to rise again. His body is clearly damaged even as he throws out his arm once again. Instead of a fiery eruption, he is blasted back by Jaylen's cannon. His body rolls ten feet away and comes to rest on his side. He lays still, only the slightest movement from his breathing. The skeletons in the area shriek as they begin to crumble into ash.

In reply to Cinder (msg # 65):

After the blast connects the bone-like spikes recede and are reabsorbed into the armor. Jaylen's arms drop slowly as he realized that he may of just won. Shocked and tired he exhaustingly began to stand as the armor began to knit itself back into its standard array.

"Holy shit...we did it!"

-scan suggests the target is still alive-

He sighs. "Okay. Good, good. Fuck my head hurts"

-you have never exerted yourself so hard using the Onslaught matrix. your brain and nerves are not accustomed to the strain constant use can bring-

The pulsing in Jaylen's head grew as his body's natural adrenaline quickly started waning. He fell to his knee barely catching the ground with his hand before his head hit.

"Woah...that's gonna take some time getting used to"

Jaylen shakily looks to his cybernetic ally trying to wave her down.

"Hey, uhh helpful cyber-robo chick. Sorry, I don't know your name. Can you check the bastard I've been trading shots with this whole time? I'm running a little low on...uh everything"

-your body is experiencing overexertion. suggestion would be to seek medical aid-

Jaylen droops his head down controlling his breathing in tune eith the pulsing in his head.

In reply to Jaylen Zilla (msg # 66):

Gift gave a small squeal of excitement and rushed over to her possible new friend and knelt beside him, giving a small smile while her mouth was exposed but quickly covered it back up with her jacket liner.

Gift could tell that he was really stuggling as she'd only caught the tail end of this onslaught. She pulled him into her lap, helping him sit up and lean against her. Gift pulled out her phone and typed a message...

My name is Gift, I think I can carry you to the nearest hospital. Can you hold on around my neck?

The text splayed out, bobbing up and down in bright neon pink lettering but Gift motioned to him to grab onto her neck for a piggy back ride. They'd done all they could do here and the sirens that had been blaring in the distance sounded much closer now...

In reply to Gift (msg # 67):

Jaylen leaned heavily into his new friend's shoulder. The support definitely helped with the aching in his body and mind. His head cleared up enough to read the sudden floating message before him.

"Gift...huh? How...sweet. Thank you for your continued help. I would love to be carried to a hospital, but uuh we should probably grab my chair it might make things a little easier"

Jaylen hazily looked around the wanton battlefield for the small metal box that would be his folded wheelchair.

"Well it's somewhere around here..." As he looked around the armor fully retracting itself completely back into his spine. Revealing his slightly charred hoodie and jeans.

-the wheelchair aid is 25 meters south of you. can we trust this person with helping you?-

Jaylen in a stupor didn't even attempt to keep his words in his mind for Walkman to hear; especially not with the splitting headache.

"Yea, buddy...she seems pretty cool. Plus her arms and legs are dope"

-you are fading out of consciousness. be careful-
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Sun 04 Dec 2022.

As the pair makes their way slowly away from the chaos a shouting voice carried over the still worried sounds of the gathered people.

"Gift!" The shouting man pushes through a group of people staring down at a pile of ash and bones, "Gift! Are you alright?" Tank runs up to Gift with a mixture of confusion and concern. He comes to a stop, heaving breaths, "I've looked for you everywhere! What the hell happened?" He notices Jaylen clinging to Gift for support, "is that guy ok?"

In and out of his lucid state Jaylen looked up to the new figure who approached, "Hehe, look another...big guy" suddenly breaking from his daze not without an express amount of effort and sat up. "Oh shit! there's more than just the heat guy!"

-be careful. i am trying to jumpstart your body's repair. I urge you heavily not to push it-

Jaylen's head pounded harder also seeming to force him from moving anymore than he already has. "I can't just sit here when there's more to do"

-we are not alone now. maybe these new friends can help. this one with the 'cool' arms as you say seems more than willing to aid those in need-

leaned forward on his arms Jaylen couldn't do much else than curse himself for pushing too hard already. He should've known better, but after doing what he has alone for as long as he has it can be hard to just look someone in the eyes and just ask for help. "Fuck!" Jaylen turned to Gift, "There's another person who was working with the guy in the hoodie. I'm not 100 percent sure where he went, but if he is working with him then he's probably attacking somewhere. Please...help them". As the words got out Jaylen began to suddenly slow down. Walkman deciding to finally rip control from Jaylen for the time being and giving him the rest he needs.

-i am sorry, but this is for our own good i am taking over control for now with what energy i have left. we need to get to safety-

In reply to Tank (msg # 69):

Gift gave Tank a look only he would understand, their few years of friendship was one of the closest she'd ever had with anyone. It was a mixture of confusion from everything going on around them and relief to see him totally fine.

She gave a nod in the direction of the chair for her friend just as she felt him go limp in her arms. As Tank brought the chair over and they both placed him into it she gave Tank a hug trying to hide her shakes of adrenaline and fear.

Releasing Tank, she typed on her phone and the usual bright bubbly hologram flickered,

We really need to get him to the hospital, idk about any other guy but I don't think we can do much more for anyone here. Can you come with us?

Gift began pushing her newest friend and pointing her oldest friend in the direction of Albright Memorial Hospital. Moving with as much speed as she could muster without jostling the wounded man anymore than needed.

[Moving to Albright Memorial Hospital]