Child of Omens Ruination: Aftermath

Chapter 20: Violence Brings Violence

The sounds of heavy fighting could be heard through the wreckage of the Weiss Fortress. The aftermath of the battle had left any form of large debris reduced to nothing but smoldering remains.

Ace bounces off a concrete slab as he groans in pain. Quickly rolling away as Nero soon flies through the concrete wall. Getting up, he unloads shot after shot from King of Clubs at Winter Schnee, who is busy trying to unbind herself from Summer's chained Kama that we're being used to wrap around her right arm, restricting her movement. While Velvet was using her hard light copy of Yamato, she slashes at Winter's joints.

But while their attacks were coordinated and would usually bring down any other opponent. Winter's Nano-machines continuously prevented the team from doing any form of damage, and combined with her Winter Maiden abilities, she soon overpowered and swung Summer into Velvet. Just in time as she punched a solar round fired by Ace and responded by unleashing a blast of ice towards him. Barely able to dodge, he rolls into a knee to the face by Winter. Sending him curling up in pain as he held his broken nose.

As Winter goes to curb stomp Ace, she gets punched by one of Nero's ethereal arms as he begins to assault her with rapid punches. As he continues the onslaught, Velvet begins to help up Ace.

Velvet: "Ace, we can't keep going like this! We have to have a plan."

Ace: "Unless you have a weapon in that belt projector of yours that can help, then we're shit out of luck."

Nero: "Heads up!!"

Velvet and Ace duck as Winter is thrown past them as she crashes into a wall. They look back to see Nero practically collapse as his injuries, mixed with his exhaustion, have taken a severe toll. As Winter punches through the concrete slab that had fallen on top of her. She's met with more gunfire from Ace as Summer and Velvet continue trying to bring the Maiden down.

Near the outskirts of the battle, Wolf is
watching helplessly as the team tries their best to bring down Winter. His systems and protocols contradict one another as Wolf's mission to help Ace, and the team goes against his directive of following SMC protocols. If he chooses to head down there, he would be no help as he cannot move on his own effectively during combat as his legs are missing. As he continues to dispute over protocols and directives, Sam takes a seat on a price of rubble next to the android.

Sam: "Must suck. Not being able to help your team."

Wolf: "My mission protocols dictate that I am to assist the team in combat. But I was constructed with the directive to ensure the safety and survival of the SMC as Winter Schnee is the leader and founder of the SMC. Her survival is paramount to the survival of the military...I am conflicted on how to proceed."

Sam: "Heh. All that intellect and still can't see the answer even when it's sticking out like a sore thumb."

Wolf: "I...do not...understand."

Sam: "To put it simply. Try thinking for yourself."

Wolf: "Think for...myself." Wolf sat and looked out towards the battle and contemplated for what seemed like hours. After which, he turned to Sam. "Sam, I may need your assistance."

Back with Ace and the others, Summer has wrapped one of her chains around a pillar as she struggles to keep Winter's arm from moving. All the while, Winter uses her hand to deflect shots from Ace and Nero. Her Nano-machines are constantly protecting her from their attacks. As Winter deflects another set of bullets, she sees Velvet jumping toward her as she tries to slash her neck. But Winter uses her free hand to catch Velvet by her throat.

Nero: "Velvet!! No!"

Nero transforms into his demonic form and charges Winter. Winter wraps her hand around the chain and quite literally yanks the pillar from the ground and throws it at Nero and Ace. As the two get knocked away by the flying pillar, Summer uses her semblance to close the distance and try to choke Winter. But Winter uses the flailing Velvet to smack her away.