After swapping my Pal team, I took to the sky. I aimed for a massive, distinct tower in the distance. It was time for a boss fight.
The tower was guarded by a small but well-armed army of "Poachers." I'd been watching them for days.
Flying in a fully repaired Mark 2 suit felt glorious. I activated the Rabbit Talisman and executed a perfect "Superhero Landing" right in the center of the enemy camp.
Panic and shouts erupted. Guns were leveled at me.
"Greetings, gentlemen. Let me introduce you to a friend of mine who really hates poachers," I said, tossing a Pal-sphere.
Blazamut (my "Volcanic King") burst forth in a flash of light. The poachers' faces turned pale. "Fire! Shoot it!"
Blazamut didn't care about bullets. He slammed his fists into the ground, causing the earth to crack and erupt in an "Ignis Rage" firestorm.
I knocked out the remaining minigunners with repulsor blasts. With the camp in ruins, I approached the tower door.
I touched the monolith, and it glowed blue. Suddenly, I was on a platform in a pocket dimension—stars for walls and a glowing circle on the floor.
On the other side appeared a girl. She was small, had two-toned hair in pigtails, a black neko-hat, and an emo-punk aesthetic that screamed "2007."
"So, you're the one who trashed my base?" she smirked.
Character Analysis: Zoe Rayne
Role: Syndicate Leader / Tower Guardian
Level: 29
HP: 697 | MP: 593
Age: 19
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
She mistook my armor for the work of someone named "Victor." I noted the name, but I didn't care. I was here for the win.
Zoe threw a sphere, summoning a massive, yellow, smiling Pal. It looked like a cross between a bear and Totoro.
"Meet my friend, Grizzbolt! Show him your power, Grizzy!"
I fired a full-power repulsor blast at the Pal's stomach. It just scratched the surface. Grizzbolt didn't even flinch.
"Are you kidding me? He's a tank!"
Grizzbolt unleashed a "Lightning Streak." I used the Talisman to dodge, but because my suit is 100% metal, the electricity arced toward me anyway.
A painful jolt surged through the suit. I smelled toasted wiring. "Note to self: Iron Man vs. Electric types is a bad matchup!"
Zoe pulled out a minigun. Grizzbolt did the same. "Light him up, Grizzy!"
A hail of bullets and sparks filled the air. I recalled Blazamut and summoned Anubis (Gaara).
Anubis used a "Ground Punch," creating a shockwave that staggered the yellow giant. I followed up with a kick, knocking Grizzbolt back.
We traded blows for minutes. Grenades went off, repulsors hummed, and the arena turned into a disaster zone.
I realized they covered each other's backs perfectly. If I attacked Zoe, Grizzbolt shielded her. If I attacked Grizzbolt, Zoe pinned me down with lead.
I decided to try a desperate distraction. I threw a Pal-sphere, intending to hit Grizzbolt's face.
The sphere missed. It hit Zoe instead.
To my absolute shock, the sphere triggered. Zoe was sucked inside in a swirl of blue light.
Because the "Rider" was caught, Grizzbolt glitched out, flickering and losing his momentum.
"Wait... is that even legal?!"
She broke out of the sphere, looking terrified. I threw another one. Then a Green Giga-Sphere.
I spammed them. Zoe was trapped, then free, then trapped again. Every time she was inside, Grizzbolt couldn't attack.
I used a Legendary Sphere I'd been saving.
One shake... two shakes... three... CLICK.
[ Luck increased +1 ]
A blue light enveloped the arena. Anubis and I were teleported to the top of the tower.
(At Michael's Base)
Zoe Rayne woke up. The first thing she saw was blinding sunlight. She wasn't in her tower.
She looked around and realized she was inside a Pal Viewing Cage—a structure meant for displaying captured monsters.
Michael was sitting on a simple chair outside the bars, with a Lyleen floating next to him.
"I remember you had some questions for me," Michael said, his voice calm but mocking. "But I think you'll be the one answering mine first."
Zoe's heart sank. She was a "captured" asset now.
Michael's Progress: Tutorial Complete?
Captured Boss: Zoe Rayne (and Grizzbolt)
Base Status: Fully Automated (now with a Syndicate Leader for "decor").
Time Remaining: 120 hours.
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~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
~ ush the Story forward with your [Power Stones]