Chapter 26: Foreign attacks

11:33 AM (Spain Time), Tuesday December the 27th…

"… Well! I'd say Two and Three did a pretty well job but those guys are getting sharper."

"True. Maybe it is the time for a display somewhere else."

"Such as…?"

"A foreign country would do fine."

Obihiro, Death Shadow and Hunter Man were going over the results of the robots' battle.

"I know two persons whom would do fine test subjects."

"I can imagine who they are." Hunter Man chuckled.

Some music including trumpets began to echo inside of the refuge.

"That music… Amon Hen! It's from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy soundtrack...! Who the…?" Obihiro cursed.

"That Eye of Mordor thing is back?" Hunter Man wondered.

"Look over there."

Death Shadow turned to signal the Eye of Mordor floating there, looking at them without blinking or moving.

"It is an avatar… But I cannot scan what is hiding behind it."

"Show your hide!" Hunter Man challenged.

The eye glowed and Alphabet letters projected into the air, forming a message in English.

"What? "Can't do that"… Sou wa dekinai…" Obihiro translated.

"Is there a reason?" Death Shadow demanded.

"… "Need Not To Know"… Shiru hitsuyou wa nai… You like playing the spy movies guy?" Obihiro questioned.

"…"Maybe"… Tabun…" Hunter Man translated.

"You're Mr. Universe, then?" Obihiro tried to guess.

"… "Correct"… Sono toori…" Hunter Man read the answer.

"You are not capable of speaking?" Death questioned.

"…"Dunno"… Shiranai… I'm sure you can! You're just testing our intelligence, aren't ya?"

"…"Clever"… Kosakashii… Do you think we'd made it this far if we weren't clever?" Hunter Man growled.

"Show your repulsive face."

"…"Go to Hell"… Jigoku he ike… Bothersome meddling guy!"

Obihiro growled upon reading its next message.

"…"Dragon"… Ryuu? What dragon?"

"…"Empire"… Teikoku? The Galactic Empire, you mean to say?"

"Who are you lowlife?" Death Shadow demanded.

"…"A servant"… Shimobe? Who's your master?" Hunter Man asked.

"…"Emperor"… Koutei? Palpatine?" Obihiro frowned.

"…"More or less"… Maa naa… We need a specific answer!"

"…"His ghost"… Yatsu no boorei… The Force Ghost of Palpatine? He didn't have one: he had plenty of spare bodies."

Obihiro frowned and seemed to be thinking aloud.

"…"Time"… Toki…?" Hunter Man frowned.

The "Eye" vanished into nowhere while the music stopped playing, so they looked around but they didn't spot him anywhere.

"He is not visible even by using IR and X – Ray… He is gone."

"Sheesh! Who does he think he is!?"

18:49 PM (Choina Time)…

"… I hope I finish these soon."

Pride was signing some documents inside of her office.

She wore her usual "civilian" outfit.

"Princess Pride – sama: I have a message from an unknown sender which is labeled as "important"… What should I do?" Knight Man reported.

"Read it, Knight Man." Pride commanded.

"Roger. Message: "Junk is about to rain down into your Grace's subtle, magnificent and beautiful outer yard. It may even dare to spoil your luxury time and have you sweat. But do not blame me: the trio is to blame for coming up with them. Yours truly, Sauron – sama."… It is threatening us!"

"What? Ever since when is the outer yard "subtle, magnificent and beautiful"? How does junk "rain down", anyway? Wait. Junk! A trio… Making me sweat… Exercise… Fighting? It couldn't be that…!"

They heard a loud crash sound on the outer yard followed by shrieks and machinegun fire.

Pride gasped and ran next to the window.

She looked down to see one of the robots standing in the outer yard and filling the walls with rows of bullet indentations.

"Knight Man! Contact the "Dimensional Area Laboratory"! We need a "Dimensional Area" here and now! One of these robots is attacking us and I need to fight back!" Pride commanded.

"Roger, Princess – sama!"

Knight Man departed the PET, and a "Dimensional Area" soon formed.

"Let's go!"

Pride opened the balcony doors and jumped over the handrail.

She drew her "Synchro Chip" and hid behind a column.

"Synchro Chip, Slot In! CROSS FUSION!"

She performed "Cross Fusion" and jumped into the scene while aiming her wrecking ball at the robot.

"Unit Thanatos – Two: acquiring targets. Targets ID: Pride and Knight Man EXE. Orders: annihilate all targets." The robot announced.

"Royal Wrecking Ball!"

"CF" Pride swung it into the air and shot it towards the robot, but it ignited the jet pack and flew skyward to dodge it as it pulled back towards "CF" Pride.

"Battle Chip, Magma Seed. Slot In."

The robot tossed the Magma Seed at "CF" Pride, but she jumped and rolled across the ground to dodge before standing up.

"Battle Chip, Machine Gun!"

She shot the machinegun towards the robot as it was still flying on the sky and looking at the empty magma pond.

"Battle Chip, Dream Aura. Slot In."

The machinegun shots bounced off the Dream Aura, but the robot accelerated and headed towards her.

"Battle Chip, Grass Seed. Slot In."

"What?"

The Grass Seed hit the ground and vines appeared, spreading in all directions.

However, when they touched "CF" Pride, a log appeared in her place.

She reappeared on the air behind the robot, shooting three Shuriken at its back but it dodged at the last second.

"They're getting quicker…! There'll be no end like this!"

"Battle Chip, Super Vulcan. Slot In."

"Battle Chip, Straw Doll!"

"CF" Pride made the straw doll show up, using it as a shield to block the Super Vulcan rounds.

The doll glowed with a purple aura before shooting the attacks back at the robot with double power.

They began to make some dents and cracks on its armored body but the nanomachines came out.

"Now! Battle Chip, Thunder Ball!"

She shot the Thunder Ball at one of the wounds and the resulting electrical discharge blew up the nanomachines trying to repair it.

More began to come out.

"Sheesh! Battle Chip, Mag Bolt!"

She drew a magnet and began emitting a magnetic force.

The nanomachines frizzled and began to spread in random directions before blowing up, so the wounds remained opened.

"Battle Chip, Area Steal, Fire Blade! Double Slot In!"

She warped and plunged the Fire Blade into one of the wounds.

The heat began to melt the inner thinner armor and expose some of the internal circuitry.

"Warning. Auto – repair nanomachines system failure. Damage detected in chest circuitry. Danger level: 3. Tactical withdrawal enforced."

"Princess! Are you alright?" Knight Man asked.

"We've found out another flaw but they'll have it fixed before they send another of those out… I'll be going to Japan ASAP! I think we'll need to gather sooner or later."

"Your Will!"

"Triumvirate…! They want to start a new world war or what!?"

19:19 PM (Choina Time)…

"… Jasmine. You've got mail."

"From whom?"

"That's… The sender says "Sauron"…"

"Sauron…?"

Jasmine was working on something using medicinal herbs and reading a textbook.

Meddy projected with the hologram, slightly nervous.

"What does it say?" Jasmine asked.

"That's… "Some vandals are coming to contaminate this virgin land with their dirty and stinking feet. It would be wise of Sacred Maiden – sama to bring out the double-edged blade and cut their necks while drinking up their blood to evolve into Vampire Queen! That bothersome trio needs to be taught whom they are fighting against for the last time. Yours truly, Universe King – sama."… What a silly message." Meddy fumed.

"Who does that person think I am? I don't cut people's necks with double-edged swords and I'm not "Sacred Maiden" – sama! I don't drink people's blood and I don't intend to become Vampire Queen. This guy believes he is "Universe King – sama" and "Sauron" at the same time? Sauron was the King of Mordor!"

Jasmine formed a twitch near her right eye and looked about to explode.

"Jasmine. Patience. Calm."

Cardamon warned as he stepped inside through the main gate.

"I'm sorry, grandfather… But…! It's a really insulting message! It's obvious I would get angry at it, wasn't it, grandfather?" Jasmine argued.

"It is. But if you get angry, then they accomplish their goal of making you trek the dangerous road towards Evil." Cardamon warned.

"Sheesh! Understood!"

A loud crashing sound rang outside along with a buzz-like sound.

Footsteps were walking over grass and towards the mansion.

"What's that? It sounds like it fell from above!" Jasmine gasped.

"I'm detecting a heat signature… Super energy core! It's not a human, so it could be a machine or a "Copy Roid" then!" Meddy reported.

"No…! It must be one of those robots! Netto told me about those! It's come for us two! Quick, Meddy! Contact the "Dimensional Area Laboratory" and tell them about the situation!" Jasmine gasped.

"O. K.!"

Meddy departed from the Link PET and a "Dimensional Area" formed around the zone.

"Grandfather! Please take cover."

"Understood… Be careful, Jasmine!"

Jasmine ran out while carrying her "Synchro Chip.

"Synchro Chip, Slot In! CROSS FUSION!"

Jasmine and Meddy fused sans a hitch and jumped in front of the robot to challenge it.

"Unit Thanatos – Three: acquiring targets. Targets ID: Jasmine and Meddy EXE. Orders: annihilate all targets."

"Meddy Capsule!"

"Battle Chip, Black Hole. Slot In."

The Black Hole swallowed the capsules up while "CF" Meddy jumped back some steps.

"Chemical Flash!"

The two capsules drew patterns as they flew towards their target.

"Battle Chip, Dream Aura. Slot In."

The Dream Aura protected it from the attack's explosion and it quickly ignited the jetpack to fly skywards.

"Battle Chip, Boomerang. Slot In."

The robot shot the Boomerang towards "CF" Meddy.

"Battle Chip, Long Sword!"

She held the Boomerang at bay with the Long Sword but the robot showed up behind her while having a drawn a Long Blade Battle Chip.

"Battle Chip, Area Steal!"

"CF" Meddy warped just at the robot's Long Blade plunged across the empty space where she'd been at.

"Clinic Bomb!"

The sphere glowed and attached to the robot's body, causing it to frizzle and it flew back at "CF" Meddy.

"Battle Chip, Fumikomi Cross!"

She dashed forward and tried hitting the robot, but it drew a Drill Arm and used it block before it attempted to plunge it towards her.

She jumped out of the way and assumed a combat pose.

"Opponents are powerless. Powerless." The robot intoned.

"Sheesh! I wonder about that! Battle Chip, Yo-yo!"

"Battle Chip, Fire Blade. Slot In."

"Gotcha! Battle Chip, Geyser!"

The Geyser showed up and its waves hit the robot thus, dragging it along until it hit an old tree's body.

The impact crushed the jetpack and it began to frizzle.

"Warning. Rear unit non-functional! Usage is not possible."

"Battle Chip, Triple Bomb!"

"Battle Chip, Hi Cannon. Slot In."

The Hi Cannon's blast intercepted the Triple Bomb but "CF" Meddy was already running towards them.

"Battle Chip, Fire Punch!"

She jumped into it and punched the robot's "face".

The outer faceplate cracked, revealing a mechanical face without nose but with two round eyes without iris or pupil and a speaker for mouth.

"Warning. Front facial plate broken. Target proximity is dangerous. Initiate emergency system 111." The robot announced.

Electricity surrounded the robot and it struck "CF" Meddy's body.

The robot's incredibly fast-moving arms pushed her into the air and she yelled, startled.

She met the ground in a blunt manner and rubbed her back from the force of the impact.

"Battle Chip, Salamander. Slot In."

The robot jumped into the air and dived towards "CF" Meddy.

"Battle Chip, Aka Tsunami Hole!"

A red geyser of water appeared out of the ground and made contact with the incoming Salamander.

The heat vaporized the water but was enough to put out the flames.

She ran away as the robot had to drop into the ground and land.

"Battle Chip, Yo-yo. Slot In."

The Yo-yo shot out and coiled around "CF" Meddy, tugging her.

She found an Elec Blade Battle Chip's blade very close to her neck.

"New orders: use electricity to slowly eliminate the target."

"I won't let ya! Battle Chip, Salamander!"

The intense heat began to melt part of the ceramic compound, which made up the armor and the robot's eyes began to malfunction as well as its speaker.

"W… ning… d… ger… retr… eat… in… di… ate…!"

The purple portal opened and the robot stepped inside of it.

"Use the enemy's tactic to fool them… This piece of advice sure came in handy to deal with it! Guess we'll have to tell Netto! They might have us gather in Japan again."

Jasmine wiped off her forehead's sweat drops.

"And I'll see my lovely Rock Man there!"

"Meddy! Don't forget what grandfather said: jealousy and hatred only lead to self-destruction and death. We mustn't allow them to fool us and make us end up like that." Jasmine scolded.

"Sorry, Meddy. Let's go talk with your grandfather, Jasmine. He must be worried." Meddy apologized.

"Let's go."

Jasmine ran back inside of the house and found Cardamon walking towards her from one of the windows.

"That was a good battle, Jasmine. You taught that machine that, in the end, imagination wins over analysis." Cardamon congratulated her.

"Thank you, grandfather! I feel stronger by now. I'm sure I'll be able to help others when they're in a pinch!" Jasmine smiled.

"Let's finish up that medical recipe." Meddy suggested.

"I need to finish it up: I'm learning a lot in this art as well."

"You'll be a good healer, Jasmine." Cardamon told her.

"Thanks! I'll do my best!"

"Same! Let's combine our strengths!"

12:33 PM (Spain Time)…

"They did a pretty good performance! But we couldn't foresee anyone attempting to overload the nanomachines into self-destruction or melting up most of the armor."

"We should be glad they did get to cause trouble. There are some customers who're interested into it, too."

"That is what I was aiming for all along."

The usual trio was overseeing the repairs of the two robots and Death Shadow was satisfied with the news.

"We could always make an auction of the factory schematics online and the approximate cost of construction! Given how there would be a lot of people eager to buy these robots like PMCs or mercenaries, it would generate a huge amount of profits."

"We're too cunning for the "Net Saviors" to handle in the classical manner… A good villain always has a backup plan."

"Indeed. My mark shall appear and those who have been granted it shall slowly feel their bodies lose heat until the icy claws of the eternal sleep close into their flesh and soul…"

"S-sure… T-the Grim Reaper shall plunge their souls into the Naraku! You'll enjoy slowly torturing them and turning them into the Dark Side of the Force out of despair…" Hunter Man improvised.

"The one I really desire to slay is… Forte EXE… You lowlife shall be first: the others shall go next. Let the road to the Naraku open: countless souls shall travel across it but shall never return!"

"It's good to be motivated, Death – dono, but we'd prefer if you addressed those words at the foes instead…" Yamikawa's voice called out.

"Good point. Let us finish analyzing the data."

"Thank you, Emperor S… We'll soon have the new version ready!"

"Excellent… Let there be strife!"