"ZIGGS!"
Tristana watched in horror when the towering robot opened fire upon Ziggs and he boldly retaliated by throwing bombs at it. As the battle raged on Tristana was pushed aside by a panic struck woman, making the yordle lose her footing.
People were desperately trying to run for the exit after witnessing the massacre. While Tristana was getting up there was another loud explosion and as if something heavy fell down. The gun fire stopped, now replaced with metallic growls.
The Megling was shocked to find that the robot was stuck in the stage. She guessed the floor that it was standing on gave in, making the heavy robot fall down halfway in, and now it struggled to get out. While it was stuck, Tristana quickly scanned the wrecked stage, but amidst all the debris, smoke, and fire there was no sign of Ziggs. Hoping that her friend managed to escape, Tristana proceeded to run down the stairs to get off the raised floor.
After trashing around for a bit, the robot finally broke the stage and fell on the floor. Picking itself up and shrugging off pieces of debris that were stuck on its armor, the robot stomped on the corpses that were littered near the stage and proceeded to open fire on those who failed to escape. With slow steps it walked forward, knocking down a stand with a swing of its spiked battering ram, breaking it as if it was made out of paper. Spotting more fleeing humans, the robot aimed its shoulder pods and fired a swarm of rockets. The rockets hit its targets tearing the bodies apart, creating more chaos and despair to those who witnessed the impact.
The metal beast fired more rockets, this time in random locations. The rockets hit the ceiling, destroying many catwalks in the process making them drop down on the ground. Various stands, vehicles, and even an exit got hit by the rocket swarm.
Right when Tristana jumped off the last row of steps, a lone rocket flew over her hitting the raised floor she was on just a few minutes earlier. The explosion knocked her back a little, making her fall to the ground. Grunting she stood up, looking where the rocket hit.
"Oh no..."
The rocket obliterated a good portion of the raised floor along with its support beam and it was about to collapse. Jumping to her feet, the Megling made a mad dash away from the falling construction.
The raised floor broke apart and collapsed crushing some of the stands that were behind it, sending dust and metal debris in all directions.
Tristana was jumping left and right, dodging rain of twisted metal and chunks of concrete. From the corner of her eye she could see a young man running for his life, not noticing that a metal pole was about to fall on him. Making a sharp turn and jumping over several obstacles, the Megling ran up a piece of broken catwalk and jumped - tackling the fleeing man. Both fell to the side as the heavy metal pole slammed on the ground where the man was running moments ago.
The terrified man looked at the metal pole, then at his yordle savior. Stumbling on his own words he finally mustered. "Y-You... Th-Thank you! I-I'm..."
"No time for that! " Tristana interrupted, hastily standing up, "Go for the exit - NOW!"
Thanking the yordle one more time, the man scrambled on his legs and bolted to the exit, looking up every now and then.
The Megling ducked behind a broken wall when another loud explosion went off nearby. Her mind was a flurry of thoughts, emotions, and adrenaline. Is Ziggs alive? Where are Bixby and Teemo? What should she do: run for the exit or try to distract the robot and give the fleeing people a chance?
The answer was obvious.
The Megling was no match for that hulking pile of metal empty handed. She needed a weapon.
Another row of explosions and gunfire derailed her train of thoughts. If she was to act she had to do it now.
Vaulting over the broken wall, the commando ran as fast as she could to the Weapons area, where the robot was currently lumbering to, destroying everything on its way.
Trying not to look at the mangled corpses that were lying on her way, Tristana finally made it to the Weapons section. Spotting a destroyed stand with machineguns scattered nearby, she made a swift dodge-roll picking up a machinegun and continued running for cover. Sliding behind a toppled over statue the Megling checked the ammo clip, finding it empty.
"Of course..."
Muttering a curse she threw away the weapon. While the robot was slowly advancing towards her hiding place, trashing everything in sight Tristana sprinted towards another weapon stand, hoping she'll have more luck there. Picking up a bazooka she was surprised that it was way lighter than it should be. Quickly examining it she found that it was just a prop, much like the rest of the weapons lying nearby.
"This just isn't my day."
Gritting her teeth in frustration, the Megling peeked through a bullet hole in the wall to see where the robot was. It seems it was busy trying to topple over yet another big statue of some known scientist.
"Where are the guards? Sentry guns? Drones? Anything!?"
As if answering Tristanas question, she heard a distant humming sounds. The commando frantically started looking around, trying to find the source of the noise. As it grew louder, Tristana figured that it came from above. Looking up, the Megling witnessed a swarm of drones fly over her. They looked like miniature futuristic jets, with oversized twin machineguns positioned under its belly.
Finally bringing down the statue, the robot focused on the incoming swarm of drones, letting out his distorted roar. In response, the drones started flying around it and opened fire, relentlessly showering the robot with bullets. The bullets bounced off its think armor, only leaving small dents. Revving up the guns, the metal monster quickly mowed down a row of drones. The other mini-jets started maneuvering through the air making them hard to hit. To that, the robot answered with heat seeking mini-rockets that were installed in the battering ram. One by one the drones were falling down like flies. Tristana observed everything from her hiding stop.
"What the hell is that thing made of?"
After losing one of its wings, a drone started rapidly flying down where Tristana was hiding. Mouthing another curse, the commando ran out of her hiding place and slid behind a nearby container, as the drone came crashing down on her previous cover, completely destroying it.
Peeking from behind the container, Tristana was starting to have second thoughts about her trying to stop or distract that thing.
"If those drones with heavy weapons just managed to peel off its paint, I doubt I'll do any better..."
After looking at the robot fighting off the remaining drones, her vision fell on all the lifeless bodies scattered across the floor. Tristana had seen a fair share of dismembered bodies, people missing their heads or torsos, even those who literally dragged their guts across the floor - despite always putting on a strong act and brushing it off, it made her sick to the stomach. Yes she's a soldier, but she was trained to create as much chaos, and destruction on the battlefield as possible, disorienting and injuring her targets. When she did kill, she did it quick preferring not to 'admire her handy work' unlike Bixby, and most of her squad mates. Yet now, instead of getting the uneasy feeling after seeing slaughtered families - it only made her blood boil.
No.
No, she couldn't just leave. There is no telling where this robot will go after it's done with this place. It could very well bust outside and continue rampaging on the streets. The commando had to stall it somehow until help arrives. There had to be a proper weapon which wasn't useless or a prop around here.
Making up her mind, Tristana advanced further, running thought the smoke while the robot was distracted by the annoying drones. Rounding another corner Tristana tripped on something and fell. Letting out an annoyed grunt, she turned to see what it was.
Turns out it was a severed leg.
"Jeez..." Closing her eyes, Tristana looked away, taking a couple of deep breaths while slowly standing up. Looking at it again, the commando noticed a blood trail as if someone crawled away. Soon her eyes landed on a bullet hole ridden body on her right, laying in a pool of blood. It looks like it was a scientist. What caught Tristanas attention was a strange looking cartridge that he was clutching in his left hand. Upon closer inspection the cartridge emitted a soft green glow.
Tristanas eyes widened, "No way is that...?" Looking at the dead scientist, she noticed that even though he was lying on his stomach it seemed as if something was under the body. Quickly grabbing the man's shoulder, Tristana turned over him revealing a familiar weapon under the body.
"Viper Cannon!"
Not even caring about the fact that the gun was completely covered in blood, Tristana picked it up, but her excitement died the second she saw three bullet holes on the weapon. Two bullets went right through it while the third one was still lodged in, with green substance slowly dripping out of the damaged area.
Pinching the bridge between her nose, Tristana let out an infuriated growl. "Ok. You should know, of all people, what happens when you use a faulty weapon." Opening her eyes, she was met with the scientists face which was forever frozen in a shocked expression. "Then again, I don't have much of a choice." Unwittingly, she imagined her friends instead of the scientist. Ziggs. Bixby. Teemo...
The girl shook her head, blocking out those images. Ignoring the discouraging thoughts and the weapons damages, the Megling grabbed the cartridge and loaded it into the cannon. The Viper Cannon lit up with a low humming sound, light green glow emitting from the sides and front of the futuristic weapon. The small computer screen turned on and wrote "READY".
With a sigh of relief, Tristana leaned back against the wall. Closing her eyes, she tried recalling everything that the scientist told her about the weapon, and mentally preparing herself for what she is about to do. Judging by the weapons condition, the commando most probably had only one shot at this. This thing is supposed to eat through everything, and the Megling hoped it was true.
Opening her eyes, Tristana stood up, ready for battle. Walking past the scientist, she stopped and solemnly looked back at him. "Don't worry. I'll put this weapon of yours to good use."
Gripping the Viper Cannon, Tristana boldly ran out of the cover and proceeded to run through dust and smoke towards the metal monstrosity, who was finishing off the last couple of drones.
Swatting away the last flying nuisance with its battering ram like an annoying fly, it omitted a triumphant roar. While it was basking in its own glory, Tristana managed to run past it undetected, behind various broken stands.
Vaulting over another piece of concrete, Tristana hid behind the broken statue that the robot toppled over earlier. Breathing hard after sprinting so fast, she peeked around the corner. Tristana was behind the metal beast, who continued on with his rampage. Sitting back, Tristana glared at the cannon in her hands.
"You better work."
Taking a sharp inhale, Tristana walked out from behind the cover and aimed down the slightly crooked sights. The robot wasn't far away so the Megling had a perfect opportunity to shoot it in the back, aiming to hit the exposed rockets on its back for tons of damage. Tristana pulled the trigger.
Releasing a low crackling sound, the weapon shut itself down.
"WHAT?! No. NO. NO! Don't die on me now!"
The damaged Viper Cannon rebooted itself, but instead of getting back online, the small screen started rapidly flashing the word 'ERROR' followed by an annoying, beeping sound.
Something snapped in Tristanas mind. The furious commando madly swung the cannon and slammed it against a nearby metal pole. The beeping didn't stop, infuriating the commando further making her slam the cannon two more times. Fuming Tristana was ready to hit it one more time, through her clouded mind she swore she heard somebody call her name. Snapping back to reality she noticed that the distant gunfire was no longer there. Slowly turning, Tristana saw the robot turning its massive frame and met it's piercing red glare.
Not wasting a second, Tristana dove back behind the statue, but before she could run any further, half of the statue blew up in front of her, making Tristana fall on her back and drop the weapon. Panicking, she scuttered back until her back was pressed against what was left on the statue. Before Tristana could react, the hiding spot was showered with bullets, making her cover her head to protect it from all the chunks of debris.
She was pinned down. Running wasn't an option because she'll be torn to shreds in seconds.
The cover was rapidly breaking away under the intense firepower. Tristana couldn't see and it was hard to breath because of all the dust. The robot was approaching, and each slow step made her heart beat faster in fear an anticipation.
"This is it..."
There was a loud crash that shook the ground, making Tristana let out a low scream.
The gunfire stopped.
Snapping her eyes open, Tristana just sat there, breathing heavily trying to calm down her racing heart.
"I'm...I'm alive?"
Finally regaining her composure, Tristana slowly peeked out from behind the cover, or what was left of it anyway. What she saw through the dust made her gasp in surprise.
The robot was on the ground seemingly offline, under a fighter jet that she saw somewhere during the expo. Looking up, the Megling saw an overhead crane which was positioned over the offline robot. It had a long mechanical 'arm' with a metal claw, perfect for picking up heavy objects. Somebody must have operated the crane and dropped the jet on the robot while it was busy shooting the yordle.
Slowly backing away, Tristana kept scanning the catwalks until she saw somebody running. It was hard to see who it was, but as soon as the person ran closer and leaned over the railing, she instantly recognized him.
"Teemo."
As soon as their eyes met, Teemo immediately motioned Tristana to get out of there. Nodding, the Megling picked up the pace and ran past the demolished cover. Watching Tristana retreat, Teemo was ready to do the same.
All of a sudden the robot sprung back to life. Abruptly standing up, it tore the wrecked jet into two pieces. Growling it grabbed one end and threw it into the catwalk that Teemo ran on. The remnants of the jet broke half of the hanging platform, shacking it and making it swing. From the force of the hit Teemo lost his balance, but before he could react the second half of the jet hit the swinging catwalk, jerking the yordle to the side and making him roll off the hanging platform. Thanks to Teemo's quick reflexes he managed to grab the ledge.
Gasping he looked down to see the furious robot violently kick a torn off wing, making it crash into a nearby wall with a loud clang.
Readying it's guns, the metal monster stomped to the hapless yordle who was dangling from the broken catwalk that could fall down any moment.
Teemo had no idea what to do. He could let go. He knew a couple of tricks how to drop down from high places without sustaining any serious injuries, be he doubted he could outrun an anti-personnel minigun. Gritting his teeth, Teemo could only watch as the robot lifted it's right arm, aiming the aforementioned minigun at the yordle.
For a split second there was a bright green flash somewhere on the left side that caught Teemo's attention. Just when the barrels of the minigun started to spin up, the weapon along with a good portion of the metal hand were hit with an enormous green energy blast, evaporating the weapon in mere seconds and leaving a corrosive substance on its wake. The energy blast continued to travel further, burning away through some catwalks and finally hitting the wall, creating a hole and slowly eating away the surrounding area.
It was almost comical to see the robot panic. It desperately tried to get rid of the strange corrosive plasma off its hand that was eating away the metal. While it was busy shaking its hand and aimlessly walking back and forth, Teemo took the opportunity and pulled himself up.
The surprises didn't end here.
When the scout finally had a moment to draw a sigh of relief his sensitive ears twitched when he picked up a sound of something rabidly breaking, crashing and sometimes exploding. Turning to the source of the sound, he was shocked to see that something was rapidly approaching them. Something big. Breaking through the stands that were in the way, the thing gained speed each second not slowing down. The robot finally took notice of the incoming threat. Forgetting all about the damaged hand, it slowly turned.
The metal giant only saw the distant rising dust and smoke, when all of a sudden the stand in front of it burst into pieces when a large tank busted through. The tank literally flew into the robot, ramming it head on, pushing them both through a couple of rows of the expo destroying everything in their way. Finally, the behemoths hit the thick wall of the hangar with such force, they broke through it sending them both outside on the street.
Teemo observed all of that wide eyed, trying to understand what in the world just happened. While the stunned scout was looking at the huge dust cloud from the impact area, one of the wires that was holding the broken catwalk finally snapped, jerking the whole platform to the side, making Teemo come to his senses. Thinking fast, the swift scout only managed to make three steps when another wire snapped, finally sending the hanging platform to the ground.
It was strange. One moment Teemo was freefalling and the other he was engulfed in complete darkness. He didn't even remember how he hit the ground. Did he even hit it at all? For some odd reason he felt...Wet.
The sudden cold rain made Teemo gasp and come back to reality, instantly trying to stand up, but immediately regretting it. A sharp pain in his back made him fall back on the ground.
Letting out a painful grunt, the scout opened his eye and tried to focus his vision which proved to be difficult at the moment. Everything was blurry and his head felt like it was about to split in two. To his surprise he was indeed lying in a puddle of water and he could feel small droplets fall on him. The scout figured that the 'rain' was the sprinklers that activated to dowse off the fires. The power was out it seems, because it became noticeably darker.
Taking a deep breath, Teemo rolled to his stomach and with a lot of effort lifted himself off the ground. The swirling head and constant pain in his back made it hard just to stand on one spot. Putting his right hand on the back to give it some support, the scout slowly started limping forward, trying not to hiss in pain each three steps.
It was awfully quiet with the robot nowhere in sight. In his half dazed state, the scout slowly pushed forward, not really knowing where was he going, not to mention that it was hard to navigate through all the twisted metal, chunks of concrete, mangled bodies, and whatever else that was destroyed on the expo. Despite his injuries, the scout kept a lookout for survivors, but so far no such luck. It was harder to stay focused each step and each time Teemo rubbed his eyes, trying to stop she shifting vision, he swore that he saw things that were out of place.
After aimlessly walking for what felt like forever, the scout finally stopped and leaned against a turned over truck, taking a couple of deep breaths.
"Come on. You've had it much worse than this. Get yourself together scout!"
Just as he picked himself up and was ready to go, he heard distant metal clangs. The sound came from a nearby section where new train models were displayed. Picking up the pace, Teemo went to investigate. Walking past the trains that were crushed under the catwalks, Teemo kept scanning the area. Walking up to a fake train station platform, he heard another loud crash and the sound of footsteps somewhere above him. It seemed somebody was walking on the roof of the platform.
"Hey! Who's up there?"
The sound of the footsteps stopped for a brief moment, and then the person started running. Following the sound of the footsteps, the scout saw somebody land on the roof of the railcar. To his surprise and relief it was Tristana.
The girl jumped through the opened sunroof inside the railcar and after a couple of seconds she ran through the opened doors on the platform to greet her lost friend.
Tristana practically jumped over to Teemo, and enveloped him in a tight hug. Both stayed like that for some time, as if afraid to let go of each other. Finally Tristana broke away, looking at Teemo up and down with a worried expression, noticing that he was holding one of his hand on his back.
"Are you injured?"
Teemo sat on a nearby bench which was still intact. "Rough landing. My back hurts a little, not to mention my head is still swimming."
Tristana quickly went behind the scout to see the damages. She gasped after witnessing his bloodied back. There were a couple of nasty gashes not to mention an opened wound on the back of his head that was bleeding pretty bad.
"We need to get you to a medic right now." Her voice was filled with worry. She carefully plucked a small glass shard from his shoulder and threw it away. "We're close to an exit. It should take us five minutes to get there."
Teemo watched how Tristana walked in front of him and pointed east. The path looked more or less clear so it's going be easier for them to maneuver to their destination. As he watched on he finally had a good look at the Megling. As himself, she was completely wet with dirt and blood smeared on her face and hands. Her clothes were torn up in various places revealing small cuts, but nothing too serious it seems.
"Come on, the faster we start moving, the faster you'll get patched up!"
Running up to the scout, Tristana helped him up. Giving Teemo some support, the two yordles left the fake train station platform and were on their way to the exit.
Both friends had the same question lingering on their minds, but Teemo was the one finally voicing the question out loud. "Bixby... Ziggs?"
There was an uncomfortably long pause before Tristana answered. "I haven't seen Bixby ever since we lost him in the crowd before the ceremony. Ziggs..." She paused again, taking a shaky breath. "I.. I saw him fight that thing. I was pushed aside and once I got up that robot was stuck in the stage, with Ziggs nowhere in sight... I don't know what happened to him."
The scout was fast to reply. "They are more than capable fighters. I'm sure they found a way to fight back or escape."
Glancing at Teemo, Tristana managed to crack a small smile. "I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking like that."
Just as they rounded another corner they saw a rescue team scouting the wreckage not far off. Thankfully one of the members spotted the yordle duo and quickly motioned for the medic to take action.
While the medic was running towards them, the two decided to stay put and sat on the ground. Finally drawing a sigh of relief, Tristana couldn't help herself by looking at the huge hole in the wall that was visible from here.
"Hey Teemo. You think that-"
"-that those two were crazy enough to hijack a mammoth sized tank and ram it full speed into the robot?" Teemo nonchalantly finished the sentence for her. "Yes, I think they are crazy enough to do that."
Tristana only smirked in return, hoping that that's exactly what happened.
Man it's so hard to write action so that people would understand what's going on and it would all make sense. Hopefully I did just that.