---

---

Rocksmith watched gleefully as Flare destroyed the shot gun. But he soon snapped back to reality when bullets threw themselves against his force field. He looked over at Gunman 4 to see him wound a hostage. "Oh hell no!" Rocksmith exclaimed "You did not just do that!". With that said, Rocksmith played a chord on his guitar that launched him into the air. While in the air, Rocksmith held his guitar by its neck. "KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE!" Rocksmith yelled as he descended on Gunman 4 and hit him squarely in the jaw with his guitar. Rocksmith's guitar was indestructible due to it magical properties, so it wouldn't break.

---

+1 Energy
No status effects are affecting Rocksmith right now.
Action: Jump attack Gunman 4.

Heretic LINK
Energy 5/10
25/3/5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullets started to melt as they came in contact with Heretic's skin, the barrage only exciting the mutated soldier ever more. The voices and spirits twirling around Heretic had started to grow in both volume and length, finally showing some horrid distinctiveness. 'Ok.', Heretic thought, moving his thoughts to the hostages. 'Brick is getting them all out, I'll help make sure the rest don't die between trips.'
Then, the sound came, "Clack". Looking back over to his prey, Heretic was pleased to see the helpless hostile having his skull cracked open by Rocksmith's indestructible guitar, though a little envious of not being the first one to injure him.
'There's my opening!', Heretic thought. Standing up from the pillar, Heretic pounced into the open and lunged onto the Gunman, being careful not to mortally wound the man (like he'd like to do.). Heretic instead tried to slice his arms and legs instead, them being less fatal areas of the body.
But still, he was enjoying this more than anything else he's done so far.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+1 Energy
Actions:
Attacked Gunman 4
Status effects:
Heretic's attacks have Bleeding
Heretic is Weaponized
Heretic is Inspired

---

---

Flare struggled for a moment, he could either try to capture the girl who's gun he had broken or take care of the other gunmen. The police must've had the entire building circled though and without her gun she wouldn't be able to shoot her way through either so she was trapped in her with them. He angrily turned to the guy that had shot him and charged forward placing a hand on the gunman's chest, forcibly ripping the heat out of the gunman's system to recharge himself.

---

Flare is currently
-Inspired(+2 ATK, +1 DEF)

Actions:
-Use Heat Drain on Gunman 1(-4 energy)

---

---

> Priority: Hostage Protection & Evacuation.
> Evacuation Status: Ongoing
> Current Task: Protect Hostages.

Sigma's light blinks once and it rushes towards the hostage, its back turned towards them. The automaton's current task was simple: Keep the hostages safe from any kind of damage. Thus it had to eliminate any potential threat. The biggest one where the shotguns: they could take out many hostages with a single firing. Then there where the automatic guns: enough rounds to quickly dispose of many hostages.

Those where the enemy-sided factors. Of course, there where always other things. Friendly fire was one, so Sigma had to reduce the probability of missing to the lowest amount possible. That meant to not use anything that could possibly harm the hostages, therefore not using any kind of weapon capable of exploding, for example.

Sigma was fully aware of something: The pyrokinetic ally could be a problem. Fire could be troublesome if uncontrolled.
It was also aware of some kind of empowering going on, but it didn't seem to affect the robot too much. Something music related. How could music affect combat performance?

---

> Sigma is Online.
> Sigma is trying to understand Inspired
> Sigma attacks Gungirl 1

---

---

Bullets and bad guys seemed to be flying in all directions and Brick had the hostages slowly moving out while under fire. With her own attacks seeming a little weaker while dealing with the gunmen in cover Bumblebee decided it would be better to help try to defend the civilians, but with her own weak armour it wouldn't do much good.

Gazing across the room she spotted the dead police officer and quickly swooped down and grabbed his body, dragging him back behind a pillar as she quickly unfastened the body armour he was wearing before strapping it on over her own leather flightsuit.

---

Recover +1 Energy

Bumblebee is currently Levitating! -1 Energy
Bumblebee is currently Inspired! +1 Attack, +2 Defence

Action: Acquire Body Armour

Mostly sticking to cover the party continue to engage the thugs across the bank as Brick starts to try and move the civilians to safety.

Seeing the heroes closing towards him Gunman 4 quickly fumbles with his pistol, slipping a fresh clip into place.

Brick escorts Hostages to safety

Leaping through the air Rocksmith slams his guitar down hard on Gunman 4's head

Heretic slices at Gunman 4's limbs.

Flare rips the heat out of Gunman 1, healing himself in the process.

Sigma steps through the bank doorway and opens fire on Gungirl 1 as she scrambles across the floor for her weapon.

Bumblebee acquires Body Armour

As his body is drained of heat Gunman 1 panics, pulling the trigger on his pistol wildly.

With their defence faltering the thugs began to look worried, but a moment later their eyes seemed to glaze over and suddenly they were back on the offensive again, as though driven by some unseen power.

Seeing things turning against her comrades Gungirl 2 dodges behind the bank counter and tosses a Smoke Bomb out into the room. As it explodes the entire chamber quickly fills with a thick blinding cloud.

Seeing the civilians injured Nightingale quickly moves to heal them, along with the rest of the team.

---

A large group of hostages are sitting on the floor against the far wall, cowering for their lives. None of them seem to be in a position to help the team out in any way, and they're just as likely to do something stupid and get in the way as they are to remain where they are.


Several dead bodies are lying around the room, obviously gunned down by the hostiles.

---

Recover +1 Energy

Nightingale is currently Inspired! (2/5) +1 Attack, +1 Defence
Nightingale is currently Disorientated! (1/2) -1 Attack, -1 Defence

Action: Combat Triage - -5 Energy; Heals all allies for 4 Health

---

@rush99999 Rocksmith Action Complete
@SimplyJohn Bumblebee Action Complete
@Eklispe Flare Action Complete
@knighthawk Brick Action Complete
@GodOfWar Heretic Action Complete
@Behemoth542 Sigma Action Complete

---

---

Rocksmith was about to hit Gunman 4 again. But before he could, Gungirl 2 threw a smoke bomb. "Smoke bomb!" Rocksmith exclaimed as smoke clouded his vision. "I gotta clear out this smoke" Rocksmith muttered. With that said, Rocksmith started playing a epic solo on his magic guitar again. The solo he played created a large gust of wind that blew the smoke away.

---

+1 Energy
Rocksmith is currently Disorientated. (-1 Attack. -1 Defense.)
Action: Clear the smoke.

---

---

With Rocksmith taking action to clear the smoke from the room Bumblebee quickly swooped down and kicked Gunman 4 hard in the head, knocking him to the floor before he could take advantage of the smoke's distraction.

---

Recover +1 Energy

Bumblebee is currently Levitating! -1 Energy
Bumblebee is currently Inspired! (3/5) +1 Attack, +2 Defence
Bumblebee is currently Armoured! +5 Defence
Bumblebee is currently Disorientated! (1/2) -1 Attack, -1 Defence

Action: Attack Gunman 4

Heretic LINK
Energy 6/10
25/2/4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Savoring the bloody sight in front of him as his hideous claws chopped through the gunman, Heretic continued the gory endeavor until being enveloped by the noxious sheet of smoke released from the gun women's bomb.
Releasing a slight cough, Heretic backed up from his prey as he attempted to empty his nose of the pungent smell.
"[censored]", Heretic wheezed, his focus on his Demonic abilities slipping a little. Luckily, the smoke was soon cleared by Rocksmith, allowing Heretic to assess the situation once again.
The gunman which he had wished to rip apart was now cowering on the ground from Bumblebee's surprise assault, Sigma had taken care of the hostages, this left Heretic open for an attack on the Smoke Bomber. 'Better do it quick, I'm getting tired of changing targets', Heretic thought. Crossing the bullet ridden ground with unnatural speed, Heretic jumped the cover the gunner had been hiding behind and took fast to ripping through her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+1 Energy
Action:
Attack Gungirl 2
Status Effects:
Heretic's attacks have Bleeding
Heretic is Weaponized
Heretic is Inspired
Heretic is Disoriented

---

---

Flare grinned as he got a surge of energy, but quickly lost it as an obnoxius amount of smoke billowed in. After a few moments of rapid blinking, coughing, and attempts to regain his sense of direction the smoke was blown away by the burst of music. Good that meant he could finish of this guy, Flare wound up and delivered a powerful punch to knock out the guy he was beating on hopefully knocking him out.

---

+1 Energy

Flare is currently
-Inspired(+2 atk +1def)
-Disorientated(-1 atk -1 def

Actions: Attack gunman 1

---

---

Calm and careful, just keep things calm and careful. He was doing good, they were doing good, half the hostages were free and Nightingale came over to assist with healing the wounded suffering that he couldn't save yet. But no one has died since they got there so that was the most important part. The gunman weren't seeming to do that much damage to anyone or anything, it was all just distracting... or diverting.

"I still don't see who got everyone jumping like jackrabbits, none of these folks got a guitar. They might be in the vault doing something else or worse. Can Bee get eyes on whats going on for us?"

He took up another bunch of hostages to get them out of there just as the area filled with smoke. His vision was down so he couldn't protect the hostages as well this time around and his Stoneskin was almost all used up. Did he save it for when the two big bads showed up and risk it with his ass on the line?

No, he'd have to push through once more and wait until he got back inside to absorb the marble floor instead of the asphalt.

---

<+1 ENERGY| Inspired: +1 defense, +1 attack 3/5| Armored: +5 Defense 3/3rounds>
<Disorientated! (1/2) -1 Attack, -1 Defence>
<Action: Remove Hostages, 11 Defense>

---

---

> Priority: Hostage Protection & Evacuation.
> Evacuation Status: Ongoing.
> Warning: Smoke Screen detected.
> Vision Impaired.
> Current Task: Eliminate Threats.

One of the criminals decided to throw a smoke bomb to try to disorientate the R.A.T.S team, but a man with a magical guitar played a power chord that was starting to blow the fog away. That was convenient. Given the current situation, the hostages where in less danger than before and, if anything happens, the one evacuating them would cover them anyway. So more lethal weapons where good to go now.

Sigma's weapon began to buzz as the mechanisms of it started to prepare another kind of projectile; the incendiary rounds. Overheating the metallic shells of Sigma's normal bullets caused them to burn and shatter on impact, generating storms of heated shrapnel. That would probably taake out many enemies at once.

---

> Sigma is Online.
> Sigma's protocol has been Updated
> Sigma is Disoriented (-1 Attack and Defense)
> Sigma prepares an Incendiary Round (Cost: 3)

Mostly sticking to cover the party continue to engage the thugs across the bank as Brick starts to try and move the civilians to safety.

Making use of the smoke cover Gungirl 2 dodges behind the bank counter and pulls out a set of drumsticks and a battered old guitar before grabbing Gun Girl 1's unconscious body and disappearing into the smoke.

Stepping forward Rocksmith performs an epic solo, generating wind to clear away the smoke cover.

Bumblebee swoops down and kicks Gunman 4

Heretic slices at Gungirl 2

Flare punches Gunman 1

Brick escorts Hostages to safety

Sigma prepares Incendiary Rounds

Clutching at their heads the gunmen drop their weapons and start to look around in confusion.

Seeing no further threats nearby the 11 remaining Hostages all run for the doors, escaping the bank out into the street where they are quickly intercepted by the police for debriefing and hot chocolate.

Quickly moving forwards Nightingale carefully inspects the two remaining hostiles, neither of whom in their dazed states try to stop her examination of them.


XP Awarded:

• Rocksmith: 55 XP - LEVEL UP! Rocksmith is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100
• Bumblebee: 67 XP - LEVEL UP! Bumblebee is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100
• Flare: 70 XP - LEVEL UP! Flare is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100
• Brick: 95 XP - LEVEL UP! Brick is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100
• Heretic: 54 XP - LEVEL UP! Heretic is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100
• Sigma: 52 XP - LEVEL UP! Sigma is now Level 2! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 3: 100

---

A large group of hostages are being cared for by the police and paramedics. While a few were slightly wounded in the crossfire their injuries have already been dealt with by the team, although some are showing signs of PTSD and a couple are already calling their lawyers to enquire about suing the bank for endangering their lives. One attractive young woman seems to be taking the opportunity to get the telephone number of every cute guy in uniform she can see, while a couple of attractive men are doing the samke for the female police officers.


Several dead bodies are lying around the room, obviously gunned down by the hostiles. Now that the shooting's stopped the heroes can also see a large pile of money bags which have been piled up in the corner behind the bank counter, ready to be transported out of the building. It looks like the villains left without taking their loot with them.

---

Recover +1 Energy

Nightingale is currently Inspired! (3/5) +1 Attack, +1 Defence

Action: Crime Scene Examination

---

@rush99999 Rocksmith Action Complete, Action Complete
@SimplyJohn Bumblebee Action Complete, Action Complete
@Eklispe Flare Action Complete, Action Complete
@knighthawk Brick Action Complete, Action Complete
@GodOfWar Heretic Action Complete, Action Complete
@Behemoth542 Sigma Action Complete, Awaiting Action

---

---

Finally, the gunfire stops. Brick looks around cautiously as the asphalt finishes flaking off his skin, his shirt was ruined and his pants had seen better days, but he still had his boots. Slipping his footwear back on to protect him from glass and debris, he began to search the unconscious folk for any weapons or clues. Unlikely to find any, he keeps an eye out to tuck a stack of bills into his boot for safe keeping while recovering any firearms in case those who wake up from being knocked out are still violent.

---

<+1 ENERGY| Inspired: +1 defense, +1 attack 4/5>
<<No status effects are affecting this character right now.>>
<Action: Search for items/money>

Brick searches for money, trains and gains new abilities

---

---

Looking around, Rocksmith could see the gunmen recovering from the mind control. But he couldn't see where the gungirls went. "So that means they must be the ones behind this heist". Rocksmith would deal with them soon. But for now he began to play a solo that cooled down his guitar. Once that was done, Rocksmith began to practice playing his guitar again. As he did so, the world around him darkened. Rocksmith knew that this was because his mind was being transported to the realm of music, so that The Lord of The Strings may speak to him. And sure enough, an astral projection of Rocksmith found himself standing before The Lord of The Strings. "My lord" Rocksmith said "Why have you summoned me?".
"To train you, noble Rocksmith" The Lord of The Strings responded "Jam with me". With that said, Rocksmith commenced an epic guitar duet with the lord of the strings. When his mind returned to his body, Rocksmith sensed more power in his guitar than earlier and the knowledge of a new solo lay within his mind.

---

+1 Energy
No status effects are affecting Rocksmith right now.
Actions: Put 2 and 2 together, recuperate, and train.
Rocksmith has learned a new ability: I Am The Walrus - Energy Cost: 2 - 10
^{Rocksmith plays a tune on his magic guitar that turns a single enemy into a walrus. While the target is a walrus, all their attack points are transferred to defense. All other status effects on the target are cancelled and the target may not use any abilities or traits while transformed. The target remains a walrus 1 turn for every 2 points of Energy Rocksmith uses when activating this skill.}

---

---

> Mission: Complete

A single line of code appears in Sigma's interface, and the robot's light turns into a bright green.

> Current Task: Examine for Anomalies

The automaton starts walking around, scanning the surroundings, looking for anything out of place before the head forensic force does a more exhaustive research of the event.

- Attention: An unidentified IP is trying to connect with the interface.
- ...
- ...
- ...
- Omega Code detected.
- Access Granted.
- Attention: An AI update has been uploaded.
- ...
- ...
- ...
- B.O.S.S.A.I. 1.2 has been successfully installed

---

> Sigma is Online.
> Sigma's protocol has been Updated
> +1 Energy
> Sigma is no longer Disoriented
> Sigma is Primed
> Sigma has Leveled Up (+2 ATK,+1 DEF)
> Sigma has learned Bullet Barrage: (Cost: 4) Sigma locks on a target and attacks it three times, dealing damage equal to the current Attack value. All attacks are affected by any kind of modifier. After using Bullet Barrage, Sigma is unable to attack for one turn.

---

---

With all the opponents down, and the situation seemingly under control for now, Bumblebee carefully reached back and made some quick adjustments to her jetpack. THe tricky old device had been acting up a little during the battle, but with a few carefully adjusted dials and a good, hard thump she heard the afterburner actuators kicking into life. Smiling to herself Bumblebee grabbed a wire dangling from the pack and quickly screwed it into the handgrips of her blasters and clicked the mode selector to 'shock'. the barrels quickly began sparking as electrical arcs played across them, letting the aviatrix know their functionality had been improved.

Looking down at the police body armour she was wearing Bumblebee realised it was a little too bulky for her graceful flying style. Reaching down to her belt for her knife she quickly cut away the surplus straps and pouches, slimming the armour down to just the protective plating, which was the most important part for her purposes.

---

Recover +1 Energy

Bumblebee is currently Levitating! -1 Energy
Bumblebee is currently Inspired! (4/5) +2 Attack, +1 Defence
Bumblebee is currently Armoured! +3 Defence

Level Up!

• Bumblebee gains the Sting Like A Bee ability
• Bumblebee gains the Afterburners ability
• Bumblebee gains the Padded Flightsuit trait

Action: Investigate - Bumblebee flies up to the balcony to scout the upper floor.

Heretic LINK
Energy 7/10
20/3/5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taking a slight leap over the bank counter, Heretic set to cutting through-
Uhh... Nothing...
"What the hell?", Heretic complained, displeasure taking place of his past battle-rush. He had seen The Gungirl before, right here, behind the counter, but where had she gone? Searching through the slight haze that was left from the smoke bomb, Heretic was depressed to find nothing relating to the girl's escape, except for the other women being gone also.
"So, that must mean they were the ones behind the heist", Rocksmith commented as he cooled his guitar.
"Yeah, that's sure.", Heretic added, still scouring the ground for anything that might give him a link to that little, cowardly girl and her henchman.
Reverting back to his humanoid form due to the lack of excitement in the now calm bank, Heretic spotted a slight piece of crucial evidence.
Heretic tore a patch of cloth from his standard issue A.E.G.I.S. uniform, And carefully picked up a strand of loose hair from the cracked floor. "Yo, I got something...", He informed, making sure the hair didn't fall from it's makeshift cloth incase.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This might've been a hard-won battle, but the demons inside Heretic knew there would be some kind of war ahead. They were pleased, and this only influenced Heretic's psychotic nature more and more. As long as Heretic fought, his demonic disposition would reward him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+1 Energy
Heretic has Leveled Up! (Heretic is now level 2)
Actions:
Heretic's inner demon expanded his unholy abilities; Heretic took an Action: Train
Heretic searched for evidence
Leveling up:
Heretic learned the Unconfined Rage ability.
Heretic developed the Unhallowed Presence trait
Heretic gained +1 Attack stats
Status Effects:
Heretic is Inspired

---

---

Flare flexed his muscles expiermentely, he had gotten some idea that fight about how to use his powers better and he could feel the flame within himself become more prominent. Looking around however he quickly notices that neither of the shotgun toting females were here anymore, they must've ran for it. Oh well, surely the police force must be competent enough to have the building encircled so they shouldn't have been able to get far. Still he would try to see if he could follow them, or at least find where they went, hopefully they were captured by now.

---

Actions
-Attempt to track Gungirls
-Gain a level