Macy’s, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota - 8:52 PM
It didn’t take us long to find the next complaint form. This one briefly spoke on the Fiberglass Sorceress’ tendency to micromanage her employees, which I found funny considering she had a spell that let her move her own minions.
Lucas, sadly, didn’t find it all that amusing. Since this was a life or death situation, I decided not to push it.
Just like before I did in the Nordstrom, I lifted the gate on the first floor. The Merger Mannequin hesitated. It shifted with what I could only assume was uncertainty, waiting for us to reappear.
“Is this going to take much longer?” Lucas asked quietly. “Not to complain, but it is getting pretty late.”
“Is it?” I asked, arching my eyebrow as I turned to look at the drone.
“Ya, I’ve…” the teenager paused and Midnight Steel dipped a little. His next words were spoken quietly. “I’ve got a curfew.”
Awkwardly, I patted the drone. That was something I hadn’t known; every time I had come here, it had been during the day. “That’s rough, man,” I said before perking up. “But, good news, it’s taking the bait.”
“It is?”
“Yeah, but we’re still going to have to go fast. It’s not going to fall for the same trick again. Even now, it’s entering very slowly.” I held up my finger as I watched the Merger Mannequin slowly push through the first floor security door. “Got a plan, though.”
Focusing on the key on the second floor, I Spun it, activating the security door. The Merger Mannequin’s voice boxes roared in unison. Its back end reared up, twisting so that it was occupying the first and second floor doors at the same time, and pushed through the partition as it rose. I turned all three keys in unison.
Our door went up, but the others went down, pushing down on the boss. Its roar cut off as it struggled. I slid under our security door, grabbing Midnight Steel once I stood up and got back on my wheels. The Merger Mannequin quickly pulled itself free, but its awkward position gave us a great head start.
The next complaint form was in an empty department store that had been Sears years ago. It was across the mall from our position, and one of the stores closest to the human resources office. The Merger Mannequin was as fast as ever now that its master wasn’t sharing power with the other bosses, making this the most dangerous part of the dungeon.
I had accounted for that, which was why I saved this leg of the journey for last.
Holding Midnight Steel under my arm as we skated forward, the chase was already on. To say the Merger Mannequin was climbing up to where we were on the third floor wasn’t entirely accurate. It burst through the walkway, breaking through who knew how much concrete and metal to do so. I had to cover my head to prevent the debris from striking me.
I quickly changed directions at the food court, heading towards the center of the mall and out of sight of the boss. Plastic Watchers were everywhere so it would still know exactly where I was, but that didn’t matter to me. I changed directions again, heading back to the center.
The Merger Mannequin burst through one of the restaurants, choosing once again to take the shortest possible path. This time, I had to activate Shield to prevent chunks of stone and metal from hitting me. A particularly large piece of what appeared to be an oven struck me in the back, pushing me forward as it nearly shattered my ability.
“It’s gaining on us!” Lucas yelled, watching behind us.
“Yup!” I agreed, keeping the course.
Pushing through the building had been the shortest route to us, and it barely slowed down. I lowered myself for a moment before I leapt into the air. My foot hit the guard rail and I jumped again towards the center of the mall, spinning in midair.
In my hand, I conjured the Vague Stick, willing it into the shape of a sword even as it materialized. Dozens of arms on the front of the Merger Mannequin reached for me, plastic fingers clicking together as it grasped at my clothing. I Pushed myself backwards, denying one of them from grabbing the strings of my Ringmaster’s Hoodie, and swung.
I was able to put some force behind my swing thanks to Orbit, and I continued moving backwards even as I slashed through the plastic arms. By the time I started losing altitude I had made several attacks and had sheared off most of the limbs growing out of its face. I didn’t put the Vague Sword away when I turned away from the Merger Mannequin, opting to hold it tight as the limbs fell onto the ruins of the amusement park that made up the Mall of America’s centerpiece.
Aside from a few load bearing pillars, not much remained of the Nickelodeon Universe theme park. The roller coasters had been dismantled, the ferris wheel tipped over, and the other rides weren’t in any working order, either. It looked like the mannequins had stripped everything down to be used as weapons in the war against Bloomington.
Which they had. That was what the people of the city had fought against before beating them back to their fortress.
Once I was facing my destination, I stretched out my legs and started activating my Force Field. Most of the time I used the ability, I made it fairly even in height and length, which was nearly three feet by three feet. At my high Willpower, I could stretch it out so that it was just over eight feet long and a foot wide.
Landing on it with one Heelie, I wheeled ahead, jumping when I reached the end. I skated across the sky just below the mall’s rafters.
Despite the sudden lack of floor, the Merger Mannequin did not give up in its single-minded determination to chase us down. Where it no longer had ground to travel on, it reached upwards. Its hands started grabbing at what it could. The rafters were first, and it arched upwards to break the glass ceiling to use what it could there, too.
The roof creaked, but held.
Letting the Vague Sword go, I used Orbit to get it behind me. The boss was losing speed which meant I didn’t have to attack it, but I wanted to deal damage where I could. Spinning the blade, I Pushed it backwards.
I continued skating on air as the weapon struck, taking off several arms along the bottom before I pulled it back. Legs kicked and hands grasped, but I made sure only to keep the blade within reach and not the hilt. Plastic body parts started raining from the sky. I actively avoided cutting away the ones that were holding it up.
“Uh, Mr. Anthony? I don’t think the roof is going to hold!” Lucas nervously stated.
“Go long!” I yelled with a grin, knowing that it was time. Raising Midnight Steel, I threw it forward with all my might with a little Push for good measure.
The Merger Mannequin continued to destroy the roof as it chased us. If it had been made of just a few dozen plastic bodies it wouldn’t have been a problem, but it wasn’t. It was made of hundreds.
The rafters started to bend and the metal bars that held the glass panes snapped, breaking as the Merger Mannequin got further along. Its back end was still on the walkway, hands and feet slapping the ground as it propelled itself after me. The moment it no longer had that crutch, the roof began to collapse from the weight.
Pulling the Vague Sword back to me, I spun again to look at the Merger Mannequin. Its limbs flailed as it fell to the ground. A large crack filled the air as it impacted with enough force to make a small crater, creating a dust cloud all around it. Despite that, it still got up to chase us. Being plastic, there was no pain to slow it down, just missing limbs.
The ceiling was also in terrible shape, cracking and breaking all around me. While the Merger Mannequin had taken out a big chunk of it, the destruction didn’t end there. It threatened to collapse on me as well. Raising a hand, I held my palm out and activated Fae Step.
In a blink of an eye I was in front of Midnight Steel, safely out of the danger zone for falling buildings. I gently caught the drone in my outstretched hand before Spinning and resuming my merry way.
“What was that!?” Lucas excitedly asked. “Did you just teleport?”
“Short range, long cooldown, but yes,” I answered as we landed on the other side. Now that I didn’t have to worry about keeping Force Field up, it was smooth sailing. “Sears doesn’t have any particular boss in it, but entering it will reinvigorate the big guy.”
Lucas paused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, the moment we step foot in there, it’s going to start regrowing limbs and get boosted back to full health,” I continued. “Just another reason why we haven’t killed it. And, with all the wide open space in that section of the building, I’m sure you know how it’ll go.”
“It’ll catch us,” he guessed.
“Not if we’re fast,” I replied, taking time to kick a Plastic Watcher that had the misfortune to get in my way. “The key is in the center of the first floor. Once you get it, fly to the third floor and take the three HR complaint forms up to the office. That’s up the shattered elevator we passed when we came in here. Go to the fourth floor, open the door, take a shot at the mannequin inside to destroy its leg, and then wait for me. Copy?”
Midnight Steel nodded in my hand. “Ya, I can do that. What are you going to do?”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I’m going to be right behind you,” I told him. “You can travel upwards a lot faster than I can, which is why you’re going first. Ready?”
“Ready!”
“Then here we go,” I said as I jumped off of the third story walkway.
I hit the ground directly in the path of the Merger Mannequin, though it was a good thirty or so feet behind us. The front of its body was pushing against the ground, slowing it down substantially. As we approached Sears, I turned the keys for the second floor security gate, ignoring the one on my level. It closed slowly, but that wouldn’t be a problem.
We crossed the threshold of the store and the boss’ heartbeats came hard and fast. Unlike a single entity, they came at different tempos now, sounding more like an engine revving. In the center of the room was a single unbroken counter with a sheet of paper on it.
“Go!” I yelled, throwing Midnight Steel again.
I Pushed the drone even as I Pulled the key towards it. The paper smacked into Midnight Steel and disappeared into its inventory space before it headed towards the escalators. The little machine was a little slower than me, but not by that much. It would be fine.
Pausing, I took stock of the situation. The Merger Mannequin was fully focused on me, ignoring Midnight Steel as it flew away. Its body was regenerating, regrowing its plastic limbs and healing from all the damage it had taken so far.
This was what we needed the head start for. Slashing backwards with the Vague Sword, I sent off a Distant Slice close to the ground and veered towards the closest escalator. The boss tried to go over it, hitting its front end against the wall and being forced back down. The bulk of its body took the blow, cutting a few feet into its mass, but it could barely be considered injured.
That was fine. I really just needed to hold its attention. When I got to the stairs, my speed suffered as I leapt several steps at a time, using Lift on my Heelies of the Twice-Blessed to give myself a little extra air. By the time I had made it to the top and rolled out of the way, the boss was ripping and tearing through the floor. The escalator to the third floor was destroyed by its emergence, and I brought back an old classic.
Shifting the Vague Sword into a broomstick again, I wrapped my Cable Conglomerate around it. I mounted it and used Lift, flying over the Merger Mannequin towards the hole in the ceiling. As the boss shifted towards me, I activated Force Field right next to its face. Its back end continued to climb, but the transparent wall stopped it from facing me, and I was able to get up safely before the ability shattered from being leaned on too hard.
I landed on the third floor and immediately returned to my wheels. The boss broke through the floor again, pulling itself up as best it could as I headed for the exit. It ripped chunks of the floor away in an attempt to get purchase. The easiest thing for it would be to leave via the second floor, but it would take a few moments of struggle for it to come to that conclusion.
That door was already shut thanks to my foresight.
I wheeled out of the empty Sears as the Merger Mannequin roared again, shaking the ground beneath me. Between Lucas’ message, the noise, and the obvious destruction of the roof, I briefly wondered if anyone had come to check on the strange Floridian psychic yet.
My latest lead in the race against the boss didn’t last as long as I had hoped for. I had only gotten a few stores away from Sears before the second floor security gate was destroyed. It practically shot itself out of there like a missile.
All around, the Plastic Watchers stiffened for a few seconds. I was still destroying them as I passed by, but I knew what that meant. The Mannequin Master’s last line of defense had been breached. Lucas had made it to the boss’ lair.
Lowering my body, I turned the corner and started heading back to the north entrance. The Merger Mannequin was tearing up the hallway one floor below me, trying to scramble up to my position. Despite being a faceless mass of flailing plastic, there was some panic in the way it moved now. It didn’t even seem like it was chasing after me. I would have bet that, if I stopped, it would have gone straight for human resources.
But that wasn’t a bet I was willing to take. Once I was close enough to see the master, I started charging my Dragon’s Breath.
The glass elevator shaft was ahead of me, and I Bent it. Shards fell as it shattered from the force of my telekinesis, and I jumped inside. The Merger Mannequin entered the shaft below me, frantically trying to get higher up. I bounced from wall to wall, Lifting myself again just as I had previously. Leaping through the door, which Midnight Steel had cut through, my eyes locked on the master itself.
Standing on the other side of the closest door was the one this scenario blamed for everything. The Mannequin Master was the size of a child and wore a red and blue military uniform. One of its legs had been shot off at the knee, and it was crawling away. Midnight Steel hovered above it, waiting for me.
Opening my mouth, I fired. The beam of holy energy was concentrated into a line no bigger than my fist. The Mannequin Master recoiled as it struck it in the head before piercing through almost immediately after.
It, like the Merger Mannequin that just grabbed both of my legs, fell to the ground.
The Plastic War was over.
<<<>>>
[[Victory!]]
You have defeated x347 Plastic Watchers; +347 points.
You have contributed to the defeat of the Scenario Boss [Mirror Mannequin]; +700 (800) points.
You have defeated x105 Pliant Soldiers; +525 points.
You have contributed to the defeat of the Scenario Boss [Fiberglass Sorceress]; +350 (800) points.
You have contributed to the defeat of the Scenario Boss [Merger Mannequin]; +850 (900) points.
You have contributed to the defeat of the Scenario Boss [Mannequin Master]; +1,000 (1,200) points.
[[Plastic War Scenario Complete]]
Forced to flee into his fortress, the Mannequin Master fought to the bitter end. Its life, small and fragile, has come to a close.
This, of course, opens the city to a whole new danger.
It will not, however, be without some measure of safety. The Mall of America will become a safe haven worthy of being called home to many who seek out its comforts. Those who chose certain classes pertaining to economic matters will find their abilities boosted within.
For now, rest, and remember that the next scenario is right around the corner.
Scenario MVP: Anthony Franklin
Rewards: 1,800 points, Scroll of Copy Equipment, Key to the Mall of America (Anthony Franklin)
[[Patron Quest Complete!]]
Okay, that was a little thrilling. Was that how it felt fighting the Writhing Juggernaut all these years? Chased by a creature with an absurd amount of hit points that was so much larger than you?
I can only imagine.
Either way, you did very well, Ant. There are people coming, however. Only a few for now, but a city-wide message has been sent out celebrating the Mannequin Master’s demise so you don’t have a very long time.
Reward: +2,500 points, +500 points (Optional Objective).
[[Safe Zone Menu]]
You have received the Key to the Mall of America. This safe zone will be renovated shortly.
<<<>>>
“We did it!” Lucas exclaimed as Midnight Steel danced in the air.
I pulled myself up and walked towards the Mannequin Master. There was a skill book and chip on the ground, and I nodded to myself. That was exactly what I had hoped would happen for Lucas.
“Excellent work, my friend. The spoils there are yours.”
The dancing stopped. “You sure?”
“They’re both going to be more suited for you, since the chip is a chip and the book has to do with minions,” I explained. “I have friends, not minions.”
“Oh, okay. I suppose that’s fair,” he said as Midnight Steel ducked down and pulled the two into his inventory. The drone turned to face me. “So now what?”
All around us, the power flickered on and the damage caused by the fighting began to fix itself. I could even see the shards from the glass elevator shaft fly back into place along with the elevator, becoming whole again.
Snapping open my menu, I locked the doors to the safe zone and made it so that the hotel’s top few floors were off limits to everyone except me. That would keep people out for the time being.
“Now, we say our goodbyes,” I told him.
The drone backed up as if I had just slapped it. “What? Already?” he asked, his voice going up an octave despite the deep filter. “But we just won! Shouldn’t we celebrate or something?”
“Should, but I have a lot of places to go and you still have your curfew,” I said as I left the room. Midnight Steel followed me, and I pulled a list out of my inventory. “This is all the stuff you’ll likely be able to get away with. It’s a list of stores and what you should grab from inside of them. I’m going to be doing the same before resting for the night in a hotel suite, and I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
“Just like that?” he asked again. Regardless of what he was feeling, he still looked at the list as he followed me.
“Don’t worry, Lucas, you’re going to be just fine. Tell your parents that you’re the Dronemeister, don’t tell anyone else, and keep doing what you’re doing,” I said. “You’re already a great asset for your community, and that’s a solid fact.”
Midnight Steel nodded. “Ya, I guess. Can I not hang out with you until you go to the hotel room?”
“You’ve got to get your stuff and get back before your curfew,” I reminded him. “The moment I’m up in the hotel, I’m going to open the doors to let everyone in. You have time, but it’s best to be quick.”
“Alright.”
“Also, I’m going to leave the key to the safe zone up there,” I said, patting the drone like I would someone on the shoulder. “I’ll change the permissions later so you’re the only one who can enter. That way, it’s yours. Bring your family and make this your new base. Keep it, give it up; doesn’t matter to me so long as you’re fair to everyone.”
“I wouldn’t abuse my power like that,” he scoffed.
“That’s why I’m leaving you in charge,” I said with a smile as we took the escalators down. “You should go get a head start.”
“Fine,” he said sullenly. Midnight Steel turned to watch me, and I gave it a wave. “Goodbye, then, I guess. Be safe, and come back to visit if you can.”
“It’s not likely,” I replied. “But, I’ll try. Goodbye, Lucas. Take care of yourself.”
The drone lingered for a moment, slowly backing away before turning and flying off. Once it was gone, I started walking down the moving escalator.
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
I liked Lucas. He wasn’t a part of your plan, but I’m glad I got to meet him. His parents should be proud.
<<<>>>
“Yeah, they should,” I agreed, getting off the escalator and onto my Heelies. I had my own places to loot before getting away from the public spaces where people would start exploring.