Specter

Chapter 48 (Night 4) (AOTIA): Denial Of Service

We last read Chapter 47, in which T.J. splits off from the rest of the group following the Mainframe's full activation and books it back to the Obsidian Sanctum's front driveway in an attempt to put together a plan to deactivate the rogue supercomputer once and for all. In the process, he's followed by Dashie—who voices her desire to help him—but the two are promptly ambushed by a possessed Specter, who has fallen under the spell of the Iron Kingpin's spirit as a result of her bloody and brutal fighting style combined with her recent lack of sleep. While Dashie makes herself scarce after Specter overturns the convertible T.J. intended on using—while also sending the headless Bengal plushy flying as a result—T.J. himself makes an attempt to reach out to the possessed Specter, but ultimately fails. Just when Specter is about to finish T.J. and Dashie off, however, her younger sister Bonnie arrives on the scene as well, aided by King Ryker's butler Sylvester. Bonnie succeeds in talking Specter down by calling her "wandering dragon"—referencing a childhood story they shared in the past—and pleading that it's time for her to come home. Not only is Specter freed from the Iron Kingpin spirit's influence, but she also tricks him into practically sending himself to Hell by getting him to confess that he already finished all his business on the mortal plane.

With the Iron Kingpin gone—in both body and spirit this time—Specter, Bonnie, T.J., Dashie, and Sylvester all resume T.J.'s plan to take down the Mainframe, reloading the gigantic Bengal plushy into the backseats of the convertible in the process. With Specter resolving that it's time to take down the Mainframe, she, Bonnie, T.J., Dashie, and Sylvester all hop into the vehicle and speed down to the central courtyard.

This time, the king's court finally reunites with each other to bring down the Mainframe once and for all, in a showdown that could determine the fate of the Rusted Citadel itself.....

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-Central Courtyard, Rusted Citadel, Asia-

"Come on! Everyone, this way! Get everyone you can to safety!" King Ryker instructed to the civilians whom he was herding away from the Mainframe, Imperator Barrows, and Rogue's ruthless assault. He was ushering them into an obscure side passage away from the main road, somewhat near the central courtyard which T.J. had mentioned earlier before splitting off.

Accompanying King Ryker were the rest of his court.....or at least, those who hadn't followed T.J. up to the Obsidian Sanctum: that would be Logan, Doc, Marcel, and Marcelle. All four of them were doing the same thing that the king himself was doing; putting the safety of others before themselves and making absolutely sure they were secure.

Logan mostly stuck by King Ryker for assistance, most of the civilians gave Doc a wide berth out of caution—much to his annoyance and chagrin—and Marcel and Marcelle seemed equally concerned with handing out flyers for their tailor shop's latest sale as they were with ensuring their survival.

However, just as the last survivor in the area filed into the alley, the Mainframe turned his central screen in the direction of the passageway, spotting King Ryker and his court shepherding away the civilians. Realizing that they had been exposed, King Ryker and the others told the survivors to get out of sight and stay as low as possible while they confronted the Mainframe.

The Mainframe eventually neared the entrance to the alley.....but not only were the survivors not visible from his point of view; King Ryker, Logan, Doc, Marcel, and Marcelle all stood in his way, all too eager to take him on to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.