~Ammy~

I whipped my head around to see what caused the sound. I looked to the open garage door to see Conway sitting up with a scroll in his hand. His smirk was obvious, even with a split lip, as he pressed a button on his scroll with exaggerated motions. Red started over to where Conway sat and I moved to catch up. Before we got close however, there were a series of sounds coming from inside the building. It sounded like metal hitting concrete with a steady rhythm. Not sure what to expect, I tightened my grip on my sword and got in a ready stance. I could see Red getting ready as well, and just in time as the source of the sound made it's appearance. Ducking slightly as it passed through the open door into the parking lot, was an 8 foot tall robot. It was humanoid in shape, but it seemed to have been built from scrap. It's inner workings could be seen through the mismatched metal plating. The only thing that looked to be in good shape was the massive machine gun it was leveling toward us.

"Get down!" I shouted to my team and ran to my left just as the robot opened fire on us. I held my shield up in an attempt to, at least, protect my vital spots as bullets flew past. I dove for cover behind the front of the box truck and collided with something as I did so. I looked to see what I hit to see Red, who went for the same spot as me and we ran into each other in the process. Pushing past Red to get off the ground, I looked for the other two around the lot while making sure to keep my head down. I spotted them at the other end of the parking lot crouching behind a car. "Rikku, Shiva!" I tried shouting across the lot and over the, near deafening, machine gun. Luckily Shiva did look over so I continued, "distract it!" I saw Shiva nod before bullets tore through the hood of the truck near me and I ducked back down.

I turned back to Red who was vigilantly watching the mech through the cab of the truck. "Red!" Still having to shout as Rikku's added gunfire was not helping our hearing. He tore his gaze from the machine to crouch down next to me until we were nearly nose to nose. Not having to yell now I told him, "I need an opening." He nodded and moved around me toward the truck's grille, patting me on the shoulder as he passed. I moved the opposite direction along the truck, stopping in front of the back door of the truck. I drew a wind glyph but waited to activate it as I watched Rikku and Shiva take turns distracting the robot. Rikku would fire until it would get close to hitting her and she needed to move. Then Shiva would take over at a different angle, launching spears of ice. Though neither were able to any serious damage to the metal plating.

In between one of the trade offs, Red made his move. He sprinted forward and jumped feet first, landing a drop kick to the machine's back. The robot needed to only take one step forward to stop itself from falling, then turn to face what had hit it. Red quickly sprang back to his feet and rushed it again. But when he reached it, he stopped short and raised his semblance. The robot slammed its elbow along with the butt of its gun into Red, sending him flying backwards. I saw this as my opening. I activated the glyph for an extra push and sprinted at the machine. I thrust my sword forward, and using my extra momentum, jammed it into the armpit where there was a gap in the armor. It resulted in a shower of sparks and a torrent of oil, causing its arm to spasm and inadvertently tossed the gun aside. The robot was undaunted however, as it twisted to face me with its left fist raised. Before I could raise my shield to deflect the blow, it was hit the chest with an explosion. The mech was sent stumbling backward, nearly ripping my sword from my grip. And, in its place stood Red with his fist outstretched.

My ears were ringing painfully, but the machine was still not done. There was a sizable dent on its chest now, splitting the seams open where the plates were connected, and its right arm hung uselessly. But after it had regained its balance again, it began advancing toward us. I quickly drew up a lightning glyph and sent a bolt of electricity into its body, hoping to fry its brain. But, it merely paused to twitch for a second before resuming. Raising my sword, I got ready to cut it down the traditional way. Before I acted, I saw Rikku run up behind the machine with her gauntlets raised. From underneath her wrists, two harpoons shot out, trailing a wire behind them, and pierced the robot's back with simultaneous thuds. It stopped to glace back at her and she responded by flaring her semblance. Yellow arcs of electricity cascaded from her, down the wires, and into the robot. Like before it merely spasmed, but Rikku was able to create a constant stream, effectively stopping it in its tracks.

I had no idea how long Rikku could maintain her semblance like that, so I rushed forward. This time I struck low, slicing across the back of its left knee. It dropped onto its busted knee and Rikku collapsed in a similar fashion the moment after. This time Shiva ran up to it and plunged her arm into the same hole I had stabbed earlier. The robot tried to throw a punch at her, but it was uncoordinated and Shiva hopped back easily. Once a safe distance away Shiva raised her left hand in front of her ready to snap her fingers. I noticed Rikku eject the wires from her gauntlets and held them up to protect herself. I followed suit raising my shield for at least a little protection. As I did Shiva snapped her fingers, followed by an explosion of ripping metal and rapidly expanding ice.

Slowly lowering my shield, I took in the sight of the carnage. It looked like someone, somehow froze a detonation. The robot's torso was ripped apart from the inside, with all kinds of shrapnel encased throughout the ice. The block of ice itself was taller than I was and covered with spikes like the head of a mace. The biggest part of the robot that was still intact was its upper left half. Leaving its head and arm just barely poking out from the side of the ice. I took a breath in relief now that the machine was ripped to pieces.

I was about slide my blade onto my back, but flinched when a speaker crackled to life. A cheery jingle rang out in the, now silent, parking lot. At least it was suppose to be up beat, but the speakers sounded horrible as if they were broken. I pinpointed the sound coming from what was left of the robot, seemingly from inside the intact head. I readied myself again as I had no idea why a mechanical weapon would be playing music.

The music cut out and was replaced by a raspy, male voice, which was made worse by the broken speakers. "Congratulations. You have defeated my latest project. And I am pleased to let you know, your efforts have given me very useful combat data for my next project." There was as much sarcasm in his voice as it was grating, "but, I am sure you are all eager to know what your reward will be." His tone dropped as he became serious, "you will be given my personal, undivided attention," and the speaker cut out.

The parking lot became silent again as we absorbed what was said, at least for a moment before it was broken by Rikku. "oOo~ spooky," she mocked, wiggling her fingers at the remains of the machine from her seat on the ground.

I looked over to glare at her to see Shiva near me with a smug grin. She noticed me turn and answered my unasked question, "I always wanted to do that."

I just ran my hand down my face and sighed heavily in exasperation. Now that I was given a moment of peace, I noticed another alarming sound growing closer. Turning around to look down the road where the sound was coming from, I could see flashing, red and blue lights reflecting of the dark buildings. With a twinge of panic, I looked back to the scene in the parking lot. "Hey guys," I called out to get my team's attention. But when I looked around, I could see Rikku, Shiva, the masked girl who had crawled off to the closed garage door to sit up against it, and all the damage that we caused. Ignoring the plethora of bullet holes covering everything in the immediate area, the block of ice, and the lack of Conway, I asked Rikku and Shiva, "where's Red?"