Number VIII [Action/Video] Where's the Pied Piper when you need him?

[nobody_number_8]

[Lea had never been especially fond of rats. And this particular mess mess wasn't changing his mind on that score. He'd seen the Lambda's display and gone out to see what was up, only to be assaulted by zombies of all things. The first few were easily dispatched, but like Heartless more seemed to reappear right when they were least wanted.

And now they'd been joined by giant, mutants rats. Or something. It was possible they could have been some other rodent, but they looked like rats to him, so he was calling them rats. He roasted the latest bunch with a stream of fire while pulling out his communicator with his free hand.]

Hey, anybody know the number of a good exterminator? Or maybe a 15-foot cat? Because we've got kind of a big rat problem.

[Briefly turns the camera so that folks can see the giant rats. A shambling zombie can be seen a bit further away before Lea turns the camera back to himself.]

Oh yeah, and zombies too. But one thing at a time...

[Turns a fireball on another rat and it goes up in flames with a pained squeal.]

Comments

[Video]

[thankyou4myheart]

Ravage is bigger than fifteen feet, but I'm afraid he's indisposed at the moment.

Do you need a hand, Lea?

Re: [Video]

[nobody_number_8]

I think I'm good for the moment, even if these things are just as irritating as Heartless. Any idea where they're coming from? Or did they just fall out of the Lambda, like so many other things?

[Video]

[thankyou4myheart]

Fell out of the Lambda is probably the best bet. They seem to be all over Haven, so pinpointing a particular source, even the Junkyard in general, is almost impossible.

Sound in if you learn anything or need assistance?

Re: [Video]

[nobody_number_8]

Figured as much. I'll let you know if things get too hairy.

[And down goes another rat with a few strokes of his Keyblade]

[knight_light]

Rats, zombies, and much more.

You need help? [He looks like he's got things under control, but then there are more coming, so...]

[nobody_number_8]

Goodie-goodie gumdrops. [Sarcasm, thy name is Lea.]

I can handle them, but I wouldn't say no to a hand if you're free.

[Voice]

[0perator]

We need to fortify something. I'm getting a steadily rising radiation level and trust me, you do not want to screw with that if you can help it.

[Alia sure does sound frazzled.]

Re: [Voice]

[nobody_number_8]

Nope, definitely not.

[And down goes a zombie, roasted extra crispy.]

Any idea where I should start? Cause I'm all for getting inside somewhere at the moment.

[0perator]

Stone and lead are your best bets. The temples should work out for now, given how much stone went into them. Lead you can get away with less... but I'm not sure how much longer things will be safe-ish.

[nobody_number_8]

Stone huh? Sounds like Megatronus' temple'd be a good bet for now; a good chunk of it's underground. Can't go real deep- the heat gets to be a bit much for anyone but me deep down- but the first few levels down are safe enough.

[0perator]

Sounds like an idea, then. If anything follows you it'll be easy to crisp.

[nobody_number_8]

Yep. One of the advantages of being me.

Keep me posted, alright? About the radiation thing and the monster thing; need to know if they're becoming less crispable.

[0perator]

Will do. If you keep an ear on the channel, I'll try to send regular updates!

Take care of yourself. Good hunting.

[nobody_number_8]

Thanks. You take care too.

[raceme]

I've heard that fire does wonders. [When in doubt, fry it.] I'll reorganize the patrols to make sure we can keep those under control but you organics need to stay in a safe place. The radiation levels on the planet are up the scale.

[nobody_number_8]

Yep, fire seems to be doing the trick. For now, at least. [That's his general strategy, yep.]

And Yeah, so I've heard. Any ideas where we should go?

[raceme]

Do you need back up?

Megatronus's temple, it's underground. That will help for now.

[nobody_number_8]

I think I'm good for the moment. Gonna find Elsa once I clear this bunch of nasties and get underground, like you suggested.

[raceme]

Perefect then I'll check the temple later to see if anybody is missing. You are good friends with Elsa then?

[nobody_number_8]

Probly a good idea.

[The last question causes him to pause for a moment though. Because seriously, Blurr, you wanna talk about that now?]

Uh... yeah, I guess? I mean we train together and we like each other and stuff, but... I dunno...

[Interrupted by needing to beat down a zombie with his Keyblade. One way out of an awkward conversation about the girl you like, right?]

[raceme]

[He just wants to know if you are making friends lea, that's all.]

Oh that's good, that's good. You humans need to stick togeth...CAREFUL!

Lea perhaps you need to come back to the temple already.

[Aye. It's an odd way but it does the trick.]

[nobody_number_8]

[Sure you do, Blurr. We both know you're a shipper on deck.]

Yeah, thinking that myself. Catch you again when I'm there, alright?

[It certainly does.]

[raceme]

[Who told you No he's just a concerned friend, that is all.]

Alright. See ya, Lea.

[audio]

[fractalize]

[ ARE YOU SERIOUSLY BROADCASTING WHILE FIGHTING? OH MY-- ]

Axel, where are you?

Re: [audio]

[nobody_number_8]

[YES THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING. IT'S CALLED MULTI-TASKING.

Also he's gonna ignore that little slip with his name under the circumstances.]

Currently? Somewhere between the Hub and the Junkpile. I'll have to get back to you though if you want a more precise position; I'd need both hands to check coordinates.

[And down goes another rat, this time with a few strokes of his Keyblade.]

Where are you?

[Because given the reports he's been getting, he's concerned too.]

[audio]

[fractalize]

I'll come find you.

[ Elsa, honey---no you won't. You couldn't leave if you wanted to--or she could, with the rate of how quickly her fear freezes things for her. ]

I'm at home---I haven't left. Nothing's gotten in, not through the ice.

[ Except you know. The mass amounts of radiation. ]

Re: [audio]

[nobody_number_8]

No. Stay put. I'll come to you as soon as I get clear of this bunch of nasties.

[A whoosh of fire and there goes another rat.]

Once I get there I'll take us both to Megatronus' temple. Given what I've been told, we need to get somewhere underground; it won't be long til it's not safe for us non-metal types to be on the surface.

[audio]

[fractalize]

And if you don't? I'll come find you, and that'll save us half the time.

[ Elsa---no it won't, he has the dark portally thingies, remember? ]

What makes the temple safe and not here?

[ Not to be difficult or anything---she is legitly curious. ]

Re: [audio]

[nobody_number_8]

No, it'll be faster if I come to you. Dark Corridors, remember?

[And since he has been to your ice castle before, getting there's easy enough.]

It's safe because it's underground. Whatever's causing all these monsters to show up has also ramped up the levels of radiation around here.

[Pause, realizes that the term 'radiation' may not mean much to her, and explains.]

You know how if you stay out in the sun too long you get a sunburn? Radiation is what causes that. Only this much of this kind of radiation will do a lot worse than just give you a sunburn; it'll make you really sick, possibly even kill you if you're exposed to too much of it.

Rock and lead shield you from it though. They're working on shielding some buildings with lead, I think, but right now, underground behind a lot of rock is the safest place to be.

[audio]

[fractalize]

Do you honestly have time for that?

[ You know, between the monsters and the broadcasting. She audibly huffs though. He is right. ]

Wha---

[ Oh, you've answered her question. Her mouth snaps shut, listening. It still doesn't make any sense, but it does sound a little less silly to her. Biting her lip, Elsa stops herself from asking 'but solid ice = solid rock?' and sighs again in mute defeat. She didn't want to move somewhere populated, not with her powers. But, she would have to. Besides, she was confident enough now to handle them alright. ]

Fine. How long do you think you'll be?

[ cause if you're longer i'm going to march out there mister and find you myself so help me ]

[Audio > Action]

[nobody_number_8]

[That actually gets her one of his smirky grins, if only a brief one.]

Hey, I'm a man of many talents. Though I will have to cut off broadcasting here to do it.

Just need to clear a space, then I'll be there in two shakes. Might wanna head down to the entrance hall, if you're not there already. Be there in a minute!

[After waiting for her acknowledgement, he cuts the comm channel, and puts away his communicator. after taking a moment to beat down another rat buying him a few moments, he summons up a large explosion that bursts out from him, incinerating all the zombies and creatures within 100 yards. Being in much better condition this time, it doesn't kill him, though it does leave him winded.

However, he does have enough space to safely open a Dark Corridor, now and does so, quickly ducking through it and out the other side, which forms in the entrance hall of Elsa's ice palace. Lea's still breathing rather heavily when he arrives, though he's otherwise unharmed.]

[Audio > Action]

[fractalize]

Two shakes? What is---

[ He's gone. WHAT THE HELL IS TWO SHAKES?

She barely has any time to catch up to him in the entrance hall, but when she does catch sight of him, it's clear to her that he's tired. Her pace quickens. True to form, her outfit again is different, this time sporting some rather fitting, icy armor instead of a proper ladies bodice. ]

Lea?

[ The ice walls audibly creak and groan, and she looks around unsteadily. ]

Are you alright?

[Action]

[nobody_number_8]

[Lea looks up when his name is called, then also looks around nervously for a moment as the ice walls creak and groan.]

Yeah, I'm fine. Explosions take a lot out of me, is all; that's why I don't use them that often. But I needed to clear the area enough to safely open a Dark Corridor, and they're definitely good for that. Just gimme a second to catch my breath and we'll head to the temple.

[He takes a moment, then, to appreciate what she's wearing.]

Love the new look, by the way. You look like you could kick some serious ass if you needed to.

[And Lea appreciates the ability to kick ass, even if he hopes you don't have to.]