activates, drawing her negative energy out of her in sickly, purple spheres, which are absorbed into the red core of the mechanism.

“I- AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHH-!!!”

Pandora shrieks, fumbling to ready her staff, only to fall unconscious on the floor...

》

It looks like Pandora had finally begun to weigh her options, here, initially recoiling at Aile's offer, before staring at the other's hand.

After a few long moments of deliberation, Pandora reaches out to take Aile's hand... only to yank it back, clutching at her chest as the Model W core

》

* to not

Every word that reached her ears sounded abrasive. Intrusive. And yet, she couldn't find it in herself, for one reason or another, to entertain their plight...

“History is chosen by the victors. The survivors. I am... not meant to be the one who writes. Only the one who is archived.”

Though, in fairness, she hadn't attacked yet... maybe this was an opportunity to talk, for once.

'Normal'? That was a sweet dream, if anything. An illusion she had given up on ever since being fettered to a dwindling life-cycle.

“And to what end would that help us? This world will grow beyond us, and ever further... we're only here to speed up the process. No matter the cost.”

》

“Ah... Model ZX. You had kept me waiting quite long enough... I could feel you coming all the way from the shoreline.”

There she was, the 'smaller fragment' of Model W Usalia had detected- The Witch, Pandora.

“Such tardiness is unbefitting of an heiress to the throne of man...”

“Excellent, I’ll be off then~ tell your brother to find me whenever he’s available~

Oh, and you may want to avoid the tower~ even for you reploids I’m sure you’ll be dissolved by how dense my swamp is in there~

Hehehe~ see you later death prophet~”

-and with that she vanished-

She was well aware. It was unfortunately something the siblings shared.

“Of course. Our deal remains as such, then.”

Pandora reciprocates the gesture, shaking the fellow witch's hand.

Pandora nods, seemingly indifferent to the idea of her own brother's life acting as a distraction. If it came to that... well, it would come to that. Plain and simple.

Even Prometheus knew that.

“I understand. I'll send him when we can spare him... which should, of course, be swiftly.”

“As for what will happen... we won't disappear. That much I can tell you. The world, as we know it, will end... in one way or another.”

And she's right back to being vague. Ah, well. It was fun while it lasted.

“The Quarry has long since been abandoned... but if that is the case, then I suppose Prometheus may be able to provide another distraction. His recent one reaped no rewards, despite his title...”

Ouch.

“I'll see what I can arrange with him. I think it best if I speak with him alone.”

》

“both parties' end goals, yes? At least until we meet for our next... business transaction.”

“...I see. My brother and I are planning a foray into the scrapyard far south of Hunter's Camp. Should we find the necessary materials, we'll deliver them to you posthaste. Until then...”

Pandora twirls her staff around idly.

“I trust the mechanaloids and the swamp should provide enough for”

》

opening to look at Metallia with cold indifference.

“The surface world is vast. However, your swamp seems to spread indomitably. I would suggest finding somewhere nestled in the earth... there's a quarry near Hunter's Camp, if memory serves. It's abandoned, too. Perfect, is it not?”

“There was only one such individual in the world: Our creator, 'Master Albert'. He altered us with the intent of forcing Model W to establish a link with us, all as a part of his 'Game of Destiny'. In essence, we are forever linked to Model W, no matter where we go...”

She shakes her head, eyes

》

Pandora stares for a moment, seemingly deliberating in silence... before closing her eyes.

“Prometheus and I, are Reploids. Artificial humanoids of this era. Model W, being a Biometal, functions best when coupled with a 'Chosen One' somewhere in the world.”

》

jamcat
Yes, she avoided the question as to "how many". Not because she wanted to, but because she doesn't know the answer and doesn't want to look silly.

“It's not so simple... as long as Model W is in pieces, feeding it only makes it grow up to a certain point. Then, when its influence is at its peak, it attempts to summon its brethren through excess anguish. Maverick attacks, madness in both Reploids and Humanoids, etc...”

“operations to keep him... satiated.”

“Prometheus and you have proven to be abrasive with one another. Normally, I would adore any extra negative energy... but I'm afraid I need my brother sane and willing for now.”

For now? Gracious, she really was the brains of the 'doomsday' operation.

“So, I'm letting him handle smaller”

》

“I see... wonderful.”

Pandora would warp the Biometal to... wherever she was storing them. Perhaps Prometheus was awaiting it, wherever it was sent.

“And the anguish your swamp is causing is feeding Model W more than we could ever ask for. We're forever grateful.”

And as usual, it was Pandora who showed up alone. Wherever Prometheus was, was better than here. He'd just slow things down, and they both knew it.

“Greetings, Metallia. I see the Tower of Verdure has been seen to. Have you had any luck in finding the other fragments..?”

《NC》
Projecting her voice like a fucking telepath.

“Rock... Rock Man... I remember you're robocides...”

“I see. If that is your decision, then I will not attempt to sway it. Just let it be known: I do not view you, or any other Mega Men, as kin. Merely players in a game.”

“A game we intend to win, both by forfeit and default.”

She's not even sure how this happened.

Oh well.

She'll just get the Mavericks to move him somewhere relatively safe.

“Then I'm afraid I have no answers you seek. I am no friend of yours, nor am I a foe. Unless you decide to get in the way... of oblivion.”

“Go play weedwhacker for the witch, then. The Mavericks in the Tower of Verdure are getting feisty again.”

“True that may be, lashing out will get us nowhere. Have a mote of patience, Prometheus. It all comes falling down eventually...”

“Pay them no mind, brother. Reign in your temper, and unleash it when it becomes advantageous...”