07-01-2017, 05:12 PM
From the corner of his optics, Mega Man X saw Hornet Man release a cry of frustration as a psychic bolt struck him right between the wings.
The Maverick Hunter couldn't help but smirk for the merest moment, right before a cruddy machete hacked at his cheek. X's armor held fast against the onslaught of fetish armaments, but it could not hold forever. Persistent chops and stabs began to gradually punch through the titanium plating. Every new hole creating a startling crackle of electric sparks, combined with a new warning on the machine's heads-up display.
Still limited in movement by the venom, the android started to flail about with his limbs like an upturned turtle. The more clever of the fetishes thought to get out of the way first, zipping from the clumsy retorts as X swatted the rest away like flies. When most of them were dispelled from close range, the Mega Man lifted his head with an ancient lurch, pulling both arms to his chest. He needed to remove the poisoned spike, or else it would just interfere with his processes in other ways besides the toxin.
As the android gripped around the silver stinger, the crowd of fetishes around him began to rear an execution squad of blowdarts. They were faltered, however, by a crack of wood and grunt of pain. The noise emitted from their mechanic master as he hastily blocked the incoming wooden staff to avoid damage to his wings. This proved an ample distraction for all the Darklings; it allowed X to tear the stinger from his chest with a creaking yank, and for Kelly to send a disgusting mass of lichen and foliage to come crashing down onto the flying robot.
X tossed away the spike, and with a great whir from his shoulders, threw himself into a sideways position. Assuming an attempt to escape, an armload of the fetishes unleashed a dozen darts and javelins at the robot. A couple of the pointed tips made purchase where his outer plating had already been scuffed, provoking another warning that the android ignored. The fetishes currently not deciding to occupy themselves with X instead rushed to the aid of their leader, leaping and skittering through the corrosive undergrowth.
The blue bomber had mere seconds to go before the venom disappeared, and he needed to make the most of them. The centuries-old intelligence core of X ran through a multitude of potential strategies as he held a charging X-Buster close. Hornet Man had temporarily retracted his wings to avoid damage from the sprung trap, but it was doubtful he would stay that way. His incredible speed and reflex remained active, easily able to keep Kelly at bay even with the psychic's accelerated movements.
X could see Kelly skipping around wildly himself, intending to not be caught in one place for too long. The psychic had since retrieved his staff, keeping Hornet Man occupied for the meantime. It occurred to the machine that he could not account for whatever Kelly might be fully capable of in terms of telekinetic ability, as whatever upper limits he bore seemed to be drastically reduced by the distortions in Nebula Space.
Limited psychic ability, a pair of Buster cannons, and a dark jungle versus a blindingly-fast Maverick. What a challenge to start off his career in the Omniverse.
A pleasant beeping tone announced the completion of the venom purge. In a single swoop, the Maverick Hunter ducked from the swipe of another machete, hoisting himself to his feet. The blue bomber tore himself from the ground, a thrust-assisted jump carrying him into the air and above the lowest branches on the surrounding trees. Once again in hang-time, X gripped his charged Buster and swung its aim to meet the yellow Darkling.
Hornet Man heard and saw the blast coming, the destructive energy wave crashing through the branches. When he attempted to avoid it, however, an unseen forced snagged around the Navi's legs like an invisible bola. The maverick's arms raised to desperately shield himself, and the high-level plasma impact sent him grinding a new path through the underbrush and into another tree.
The Maverick Hunter seized a branch with his arm before he fell, the grip of a steeled machine holding fast. Kelly and X glanced at each other for a scant moment, appreciative of each other's unspoken teamwork, before locking onto their enemy again.
Hornet Man picked himself up and roared, though it came more as a particularly upset buzz. He violently unsheathed his wings, scattering earth and plant matter as they vibrated intensely. Both Liberators knew what was coming, but what they could not anticipate was the sudden launch into the air from the Navi. He disappeared with a blur into the upper reaches of the forest, and moments later unleashed a crescent-shaped sound wave - then another, and yet another. The trees and the forest floor tore apart in destructive buzzes as Hornet Man went all-out, trying to finish off the intruders.
The Maverick Hunter couldn't help but smirk for the merest moment, right before a cruddy machete hacked at his cheek. X's armor held fast against the onslaught of fetish armaments, but it could not hold forever. Persistent chops and stabs began to gradually punch through the titanium plating. Every new hole creating a startling crackle of electric sparks, combined with a new warning on the machine's heads-up display.
Still limited in movement by the venom, the android started to flail about with his limbs like an upturned turtle. The more clever of the fetishes thought to get out of the way first, zipping from the clumsy retorts as X swatted the rest away like flies. When most of them were dispelled from close range, the Mega Man lifted his head with an ancient lurch, pulling both arms to his chest. He needed to remove the poisoned spike, or else it would just interfere with his processes in other ways besides the toxin.
As the android gripped around the silver stinger, the crowd of fetishes around him began to rear an execution squad of blowdarts. They were faltered, however, by a crack of wood and grunt of pain. The noise emitted from their mechanic master as he hastily blocked the incoming wooden staff to avoid damage to his wings. This proved an ample distraction for all the Darklings; it allowed X to tear the stinger from his chest with a creaking yank, and for Kelly to send a disgusting mass of lichen and foliage to come crashing down onto the flying robot.
X tossed away the spike, and with a great whir from his shoulders, threw himself into a sideways position. Assuming an attempt to escape, an armload of the fetishes unleashed a dozen darts and javelins at the robot. A couple of the pointed tips made purchase where his outer plating had already been scuffed, provoking another warning that the android ignored. The fetishes currently not deciding to occupy themselves with X instead rushed to the aid of their leader, leaping and skittering through the corrosive undergrowth.
The blue bomber had mere seconds to go before the venom disappeared, and he needed to make the most of them. The centuries-old intelligence core of X ran through a multitude of potential strategies as he held a charging X-Buster close. Hornet Man had temporarily retracted his wings to avoid damage from the sprung trap, but it was doubtful he would stay that way. His incredible speed and reflex remained active, easily able to keep Kelly at bay even with the psychic's accelerated movements.
X could see Kelly skipping around wildly himself, intending to not be caught in one place for too long. The psychic had since retrieved his staff, keeping Hornet Man occupied for the meantime. It occurred to the machine that he could not account for whatever Kelly might be fully capable of in terms of telekinetic ability, as whatever upper limits he bore seemed to be drastically reduced by the distortions in Nebula Space.
Limited psychic ability, a pair of Buster cannons, and a dark jungle versus a blindingly-fast Maverick. What a challenge to start off his career in the Omniverse.
A pleasant beeping tone announced the completion of the venom purge. In a single swoop, the Maverick Hunter ducked from the swipe of another machete, hoisting himself to his feet. The blue bomber tore himself from the ground, a thrust-assisted jump carrying him into the air and above the lowest branches on the surrounding trees. Once again in hang-time, X gripped his charged Buster and swung its aim to meet the yellow Darkling.
Hornet Man heard and saw the blast coming, the destructive energy wave crashing through the branches. When he attempted to avoid it, however, an unseen forced snagged around the Navi's legs like an invisible bola. The maverick's arms raised to desperately shield himself, and the high-level plasma impact sent him grinding a new path through the underbrush and into another tree.
The Maverick Hunter seized a branch with his arm before he fell, the grip of a steeled machine holding fast. Kelly and X glanced at each other for a scant moment, appreciative of each other's unspoken teamwork, before locking onto their enemy again.
Hornet Man picked himself up and roared, though it came more as a particularly upset buzz. He violently unsheathed his wings, scattering earth and plant matter as they vibrated intensely. Both Liberators knew what was coming, but what they could not anticipate was the sudden launch into the air from the Navi. He disappeared with a blur into the upper reaches of the forest, and moments later unleashed a crescent-shaped sound wave - then another, and yet another. The trees and the forest floor tore apart in destructive buzzes as Hornet Man went all-out, trying to finish off the intruders.
Quote:834 words, according to Wordcounter.net, for a total of 1600 words exactly. With less than three hours before the deadline, too!