Dark on the Waters [Dark Data]

[Blink]

The sound was the first hint of what was coming. Blink's pointed elf ears perked a bit when the crunching, metallic noise begin to hit her senses. It sounded like a metals were being grinded or fabricated, as if someone was sliding two opposing metallic materials against each other roughly. It came right after an ominous announcement blasted over the public intercom system of the factory they were standing in front of. The voice had suggested they get torn apart and leave their blood laying around so copies could be made. It wasn't the first time Blink had to recognize a mad man in two sentences, but this would in particular sounded particularly villainous. The crunching noise, which started out low, was getting louder and louder.

"That does not sound good," Blink said out loud, taking a couple cautionary steps back. She was standing in front of the Darkspawn Factory with Cloud Strife and The Vision, who both moved in front of her defensively, ready for a fight. She didn't know if they were doing so because she was a female (she doubted that, as Vision likely didn't see gender), or because they knew she was their ranged attacker. Whether it was out of bravado or strategy, she appreciated being further away from that hideous noise.

"Metal beasts," Cloud said out loud. He held his Buster Sword in both hands, so it tilted forward towards the factory. Sure enough, as he said it, Blink could start to make out the silhouettes of the monsters as they scrambled out of the second and third floor windows of the building. "They look weak, but there's a lot of them."

"The numbers are too much in this open space," Vision chimed in. He looked around, as if studying their surroundings. "We need to get inside and rendezvous with the others before we are separated further." He turned to look over his shoulder at the young mutant. "Claire. Can you teleport us inside?"

She nodded her head. "I can get us closer, at least." She brought her hands up and began to channel some of her emerald energy into her fingertips.

"Whatever you do, do it fast!" Cloud encouraged. He was watching as the beasts, which were moving so fast that they almost seemed to trample over each other, began to leap from the factory towards the open plaza in front of it where the trio were watching.

The first thing Blink noticed was how much energy she had to put into her hands just to create a portal. When she channeled the mutant powers she had been born with, she would typically go into an almost trance-like state, which allowed to see all around her and determine where and when to put her entrances and exits. But now, inside this strange Nebula Space, her power made her feel heavier. She couldn't see as far as she usually could, not to mention it felt like she was taking much longer. "Claire, now!" Vision shouted, knowing they were running out of time before being overrun.

As if on cue, Blink's hands separated and formed a portal right in front of them. It blocked the sight of the incoming army of machine-creatures and instead showed them the doors of the factory, left slightly ajar. The portal didn't travel far, only about twenty meters, but it would get them around the monsters. "Go!" she commanded, and followed her comrades through it.

She was the last one through the portal, closing it just as one of the beasts was leaping towards it. Cloud had been first. He slammed through the factory doors and all three bursted into the building. Vision let Blink run by the doorway and then slammed it shut. Inside, they found instant chaos. It was large, open lobby area. Proto Man and Cole had already made their way inside. Proto Man was standing on a reception counter blasting away at the monsters who were bold enough to get close to her. Cole was slicing his way along the side the room utilizing a blade that Blink had not recognized.

"Time to get started." Cloud said in his usual monotone voice. Despite that tone, he had an underlying sense of excitement in his voice as he ran forward and joined the fray. 

Blink turned to see Vision had already bolted in the opposite direction to join the fray. This left her alone at the entrance. She turned back to look at the action, but her vision was instantly blocked as she felt the weight of one of the metallic critters land on her. She grunted as she was sent backwards into the bulkhead, using both hands to pry the thing off of and throw it to the ground in front of her. Her green eyes flickered as she studied it. Though all of the little monsters looked to be robotic in some way, each one was unique. This one was shaped almost spider-like, except it moved around on four little claw-like limbs instead of eye. It had a bright red eye in the middle of it, with a small little saw whirling around on an antenna above its body. "What in the world..." she muttered, looking at it. She wiped away a mark on her cheek and realized it had cut her. She grimaced as a little blood ended up on her finger. "Oh, you little..."

It lept forward at her, but this time she was ready. Blink stepped sideways and brought her arm upright, summoning a green energy dagger at the same time and slicing through the little metal arachnid. It hit the wall in pieces, but left a bigger problem for her. She looked up as she had cut it, realizing that several of the little monsters were scurrying along the ceiling. Three of them dropped at the same time, all intending on landing right on her. She jumped backwards as she put up an energy shield and pushed them away as they tried to get to her.

"There's too many of them!" Someone shouted.

"We need to move further in!" Came another voice.

All of creatures had different weapons, but they were designed for the same purpose. To cut, slice or stab. Whoever sent these things wanted the Primes dead, and they wanted it messy. Blink began to back up towards the center of the room, being stalked by more of the little scrappy monsters. She bumped into someone else and turned before realizing all five of them were together, surrounded by the mob. "Oh, this is just great..." she mumbled, spinning her dagger in one hand to prepare for another attack.

Everyone is in the first room of the factory, surrounded by the scrappers! Let's get 'em!