Number III: A Public Service Announcement

[nobody_number_8]

[The transmission opens with a full body shot of Axel. It seems he has the communicator propped up on something in order to allow a wider view, and from the looks of the background, he's somewhere around the Junkpile.]

Hey there, robots of Haven. Autobots, Decepticons and.... miscellaneous others. Thank you all for tuning in today for this very special public service announcement.

What is it about, you might ask? Well, to be perfectly honest, it's about your attitudes. Specifically, your attitudes towards humans, humanoids, and other organics like myself.

Now I know what some of you are probably thinking. 'What's that pointy-haired weirdo talking about? I like organics just fine. Why, some of my best friends are organics!' And believe me, we all appreciate the friendliness and general lack of deliberate attempts to stomp us.

However, it's not the liking part that's the issue here. What the issue is is the simple fact that you all seem to think being 20-feet tall and made of metal automatically means that you're superior. Especially when it comes to the ability to defend yourself. And I don't just mean certain unpleasant individuals who'd try to squish us for fun. I mean all of you, or at least most of you.

You might try to be nice about it, and you're probably genuinely trying to protect them, but when one of your organic friends wants to help out in a fight? Your general attitude always tends to come off as 'Look, it's cute that you think you can help, but just sit over here while the grown-ups handle things, OK?' And when your friends actually can fight? It's as condescending as hell.

Case in point, my friend Sora. Recently, Knockout locked him in his medbay with him in an attempt to protect him. Which would be great... if Sora needed it. But he doesn't. Lemme tell you a little bit about Sora.

This kid spends most of his time back home traveling from world to world fighting monsters made of pure Darkness called Heartless. I once saw him take out 1000 of them in the space of about ten minutes using nothing but his Keyblade and his wits. Aside from Heartless, he's also fought and beaten- among other things- pirates, the Boogie Man, a sea witch imbued with all the power of the ocean and grown to the size of a skyscraper, and a sorceress who turned into a giant, fire-breathing dragon. Not to mention, he's saved the world at least twice.

I could go on, but the bottom line is that he can damn well take care of himself, even against things like you. He doesn't need to be protected or coddled. In fact, he should probably be protecting some of you.

And just in case you think Sora is an isolated case...

[Axel steps a bit to one side, revealing a chunk of Cybertronian-looking scrap-metal about the size of a fridge.]

Here's a nice chunk of Cybertronian metal. And here's what a guy like me can do to it if I'm so inclined.

[Axel points a palm at the chunk of metal and tosses off a Firaga at it. The large fireball strikes and envelops the chunk of scrap, which quickly becomes red hot and begins to melt. When the fire dissipates a few moments later, the chunk of metal is badly scorched and melted enough to be mostly unrecognizable compared to its previous state.

Axel turns calmly back to the camera.]

So for future reference? Don't automatically assume that just because we're small and squishy that we're helpless. It'll save your organic friends a lot of frustration and it'll save you from looking like an ass.

Any questions?

Comments

[0perator]

[Alia watches intently, both because yeah that was pretty badass and also because how is he doing that without any kind of transmitter or anything? Slaved weapons are nothing new, but there should be something measurable.. unless that's somehow the point of the magic and maybe there is a magical analog to signal disruption?

Shiny.]

When I finish building my sensor net, we should so do that again.

[nobody_number_8]

[Axel smirks.]

Just let me know when and where. I'll take any excuse to show off a bit.

And speaking of which, wanna see a few more fire tricks while you're here?

[0perator]

You say that now..

[Well, they'd find out soon enough if Axel regretted it later, right?]

Hit me. Not literally.

[nobody_number_8]

Hey, bad judgement, remember? [indicates himself] Comes down to it, I'll just have to put my munny where my mouth is.

[Yep. X3]

Anyway...

[Axel produces another small fireball in his hand, then tosses it up in the air, followed by a second and a third until he's juggling the three fireballs.]

Took me awhile to get the hang of this. Was really good practice for controlling multiple flames, though. Especially the last bit....

[Axel lets the fireballs fall to the ground at his feet. Instead of dissipating, though, they merge into a miniature horse made of fire, which proceeds to gallop a few circles around Axel before shifting into a pheonix and taking to the air. The pheonix flies over their heads, circling a few times before bursting into a half-dozen firey butterflies that go flitting around the area until they fade out.]

How about that, now?

[0perator]

Show-off.

[Of course, her staring like she's trying to mentally take apart everything he just did is probably going to take the heat right out of that statement. Pun very much intended.]

[nobody_number_8]

[Axel just smirks, amused.]

Hey, what can I say? When you're kind of a one-trick-pony magically, you've gotta get creative.

Sora and Ven can use a bunch of different kinds of magic though, even if it does kinda wear Sora out right now. And they both have Keyblades which, I'm willing to admit, kinda put my chakrams to shame in most respects. I oughta know; I've had my ass kicked with them enough times.

[0perator]

Huh.. I wonder if their magic works like a variable weapons system...

I might have to do some comparative studies if Sora and Ventus are up to it.

[nobody_number_8]

That might not be a bad comparison, yeah. And I don't see why they wouldn't be.

Though really, the kind of combat-centric magic we can do is only the tip of the iceberg. Magic can be applied for all kinds of practical purposes if you know how. Especially when you know how to combine it with technology without it blowing up in your face. The king of the world I grew up on- Ansem the Wise- was an expert at that.

[0perator]

Huh.. well, if I can figure out how the hell this stuff works, I might just try it. Sounds like fun.

[nobody_number_8]

Yeah. Though you might wanna wait and see if someone who's actually an expert of magic shows up before you go trying anything big in that area.

Like this old guy, Merlin, who lived in Radiant Garden when I was a kid. He always said he was a wizard, but I never believed him; thought he was just this nice, if kinda eccentric old man who told great stories. Then one day he invited my friend and me in for tea; the sugar bowl served me sugar all by itself, then smacked the back of my hand with a spoon when I tried to get a closer look. Never doubted the whole wizard thing after that day.

Sora could probly tell you more about him currently than me, though; from what I understand, he's been Sora's magic teacher back home. Well, one of them, anyway.

[0perator]

Maybe I'll pester Sora some.. your wizard sounds a little mad-sciency. I would definitely look him up if he was here.

[She grins and pokes the sensor equipment a couple of times, closing it down for transport.]

I promise not to deal with any eldritch abominations on purpose.

[nobody_number_8]

If he ever shows up, I'll point him out to you. Though he's pretty easy to spot, what with his knee-length beard and tall, pointy blue hat. he may or may not also have his pet owl with him.

Good policy, that. Most eldritch abominations aren't all that friendly.

[0perator]

Oooh fun. That'll be easy, then.

[nobody_number_8]

Should be if he shows up, yeah. Which I grant is a big 'if'.

Anyway, need any help packing up there?

[0perator]

Nah, I got it. I might be back with specialized stuff later, but this'll be enough data for a bit.

[nobody_number_8]

Alright. Guess I'll be seeing you around the Haven, then.