It was gently snowing in Offtopic, the white powder covering the remaining Christmas decorations. Trees, wreaths and other items were being put away on this cold, peaceful day. Of course, this being Offtopic, it can’t stay that way for long. A gargantuan metal monster fell from the sky, and attacked the helpless citizens. An entire block went up in flames as it breathed, and more gun emplacements on its back began to fire at approaching police and firefighters. Offtopica’s heroes were off celebrating or spending time with family, but luckily, one had little family to spend it with. The flames reflected on the T-visor mask, and Zimraphel sprinted towards the trouble. A flash of blue and black passed the evacuating civilians, and they felt a chill go up their spines. While she was not death itself, she possessed it, and could certainly deal it out. The massive construct turned and the gaping maw opened, ready to blast. Spines formed from the nanites across its back, and the cpu had to double-take upon identifying her. Directives were quickly bypassed, and the fiery breath was delivered. Zim had no weapons, no Jewel and no orb. This was all on her. No mother, no brother or anyone would help her of all people. But if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly. Quickly dodging the blast, Zim leapt onto the side of a building, wall running towards the construct. The monster was roughly 150 feet long and 50 feet tall, standing atop six legs and another 60 feet of tail sticking out behind. Thinking fast, Zim bolted around the construct and up the long tail. Conducting electricity with each step, her blue trail grew brighter and more erratic. Arriving at the back of the head, Zim sidestepped to avoid gunfire from the turrets. The blue electricity began to manifest in her hands, and she paused for a moment to focus. As her breath leveled, the energy in her hands began to concentrate in power as well. No more sporadic shocks at random intervals, but a constant storm within her. Time to make a statement. Bolting from her crouched position on the side of the beast, Zim ran under and around the snout of the construct. It tried to swipe her away with its claws, but moved too slow to hit her. Sliding over the top of the head and down to the top of the snout, between the eyes, she stopped. One quick glance at her hand, a prayer and a breath, and she brought it down. Zim’s chop cut through the monster like a hot knife through butter. Lightning spewed from the impact, disintegrating chunks of the head. Not finished yet, Zim leapt towards the base of the neck. Spinning, she kicked the head with the force of lightning, sending it flying. Beheaded, the construct began to collapse. Leaping to the ground, Zim noticed she hadn’t broken a sweat. That was easy, too easy, especially for Virus. Too late, she noticed the massive claws coming at her. Of course the construct could survive without its head, and it simply waited for Zim to lower her guard before swinging. The strike was heavy and powerful, dealing heavy damage to her with impact alone. Zim went flying into a warehouse, breaking through several concrete walls. Ribs snapped, and her head began to throb. Barely able to stand, she slowly and painfully pulled herself to her feet. Three broken ribs, one dislocated shoulder and a shattered knee appeared on her physical, courtesy of the mask. A familiar voice from within did not advise, but commanded her to awaken the Deep within it. Darkness would revitalize, make her strong enough. Zim reached her hand out, but before she touched the cold beskaar mask, saw the lightning in her veins within the torn hand. It was a gift from her father, and she wondered if he would condone her behavior. ZIm chuckled despite the immense pain. No, he wouldn’t. Father would tell her to get up, there’s no reason to stay on your ass just cuz you fell on it. Popping the shoulder back in and applying a quick brace for the knee, Zim worked through the pain. Clenching her hands into fists, the lightning coursed through the wounds, not fully healing, but enough for her to run. Zim took her stance, and bolted back into the fray. Her father had gifted her lightning, but she could not forget her mother either. She was Zim-raphel, the jewel daughter. Blazing fires reflected off her visor, but another pair of flames shone from her eyes. A small flame started at her hair, then enveloped her whole being. The daughter of fire and lightning would not go down so easily. The construct roared in challenge, shattering glass for miles. It stood in a large clearing of ruined buildings, spitting fire and explosions. The batteries across the back began to target Zim as it charged forward, mouth open wide. A tiny speck of red flames and blue lightning in comparison to a massive, metal construct. No weapons this time, no allies to aid and certainly no second chances. This was truly an all or nothing moment, Zim’s moment. But before making contact, Zim stopped. Something was holding her back, trying to get her attention. Tugging on her like a weight, she turned around, looking for the source. The mask alerted her it was within, a mental note. “You forgot my gift, child. Ingratitude will hold you back,” said the voice of the Grey Lord. “I… I don’t want it. I never earned it.” “Child of my child’s child, your days of training, of constant practice earned it. Just like your mother, you always strive for the next step. Take a moment, quick one, and reflect on what you have accomplished and what you have earned. Do not fear the power or the memories. And remember to be thankful.” “Tha… thank you, Sir,” Zim responded, embarrassed. “Good. Now kick its ass,” and the Grey Lord was gone. With a smile under her mask, Zim harnessed the fire and arc energies within her. The construct paid no heed, and continued its charge. 12 seconds and closing, the mask read out. Exhale, inhale. Shoulder is still a little bit off, gonna have to end it fast. Exhale, inhale. Knee isn’t all back, kick with the other to preserve integrity. Exhale, inhale. No nanites, no regeneration. Zim chuckled, accepting her status as a glass cannon. Delving deep into the memories Zbruh had given her from his years studying and exploring the depths of the Void, she found her trigger. Beneath the mask, her eyes flickered orange, then blue, and finally, purple. The Trichromatica had come out to play. The construct leapt forward, snapping at Zim. In a flash, she ran up the side of the beast’s face. A smooth, concise strike at the neck sent the head tumbling into a ruined building. Not stopping, Zim concentrated the powers of the Void and corrupted the turrets firing at her. Turning on their fellows, Zim melted her way inside the beast. Additional safety features engaged, including shielding and turrets. A wave of flame enveloped her, and spread throughout the beast, destroying the security but not the central system. Banging her knuckles to create a spark, Zim punched her way through the wreckage to the lower chest of the beast. Arriving at the center, Zimraphel encountered masses of nanite-drones defending the innards. Her eyes flashed purple, and disorder spread through them. The drones were too busy fighting their corrupted allies to target her, and she safely approached the core. High powered shielding activated like a trap to restrain her, but Zim’s eyes flashed orange. The generators quickly melted, and the construct began to sense its end. In the midst of the snowstorm outside, lightning began to strike and the thunder roar. Reaching her arms to the heavens, Zim conjured a massive bolt from the heavens. It crashed down to maximum effect, killing the beast. Stepping out from the wreckage, Zim looked out on the ruined sector. The fatalities and damage costs flew through her mind, how she could have done it better or safer. But before Zim could wallow in her self-deprecation, a voice spoke to her. Descending from the heavens, a tall, majestic figure with bronze skin and white wings reached his hand out to her. In his left hand was a sword and on his back, a bow and quiver. “I am Prudencio, a Seraphim. Will you follow me, and aid those who suffer? Will you take this mantle, and be a symbol of hope throughout the universe? Will you rain justice from the skies with us?” Zimraphel, daughter of Evelyn-3, Daughter of Azruphêl, Daughter of Zbruh, looked upon the lovable wasteland of Offtopic. A single tear went down her face for those who did not understand, and her hand grabbed his.