Post by Man on Aug 2, 2014 20:48:37 GMT -5
Model Zero's body had completely recovered. His eventful fight with the saiyan Princess, Akassa Hattori, had left the android devastated and uncovered some hidden mysteries which continued to mock the accomplished scientist. He wrote many equations, he rewrote them and even started from scratch. However, it seemed as though science was unable to explain the sudden surge of power that resonated from him that day. Regardless, the events remained but the memories of pain and emotion were wiped out from the android. Zero would not remember feeling pain after Akassa had split his body in half with her rare disc technique. Usually, he would remove the event as a whole -just like his encounter with the late bio-android, IIshavoh. Gone. Vanished. Not a trace in the observable reservoirs of his memories. As far as Model Zero knew, he never faced off against the vermin and his arm was never ripped from its sockets. This time, Ivan kept the memory, because the knowledge they had learned from the saiyan princess was far too valuable, and the image of being cut in half while feeling absolutely nothing would help brainwash the android further. Zero must remain unaware of his individuality, he must remain unaware of his feelings, because the moment he becomes aware of his heart -he becomes unpredictable, uncontrollable, he rebels.
The android lay unconscious, floating horizontally within a cylindrical container. He was immersed in green liquid as lab aides performed various analysis and tests. They searched for clues, but any trace of that power which he displayed in the simulator, it had disappeared as if nothing had ever occurred. His power-level was back to how it was supposed to be and Ivan was busy pulling his hairs as to why this was happening. That's what they were searching for, the ability to harness the saiyan qualities hidden within Zero. They knew he had saiyan genes; they didn't know where exactly he came from, whether anyone in New Vegeta would recognize his face, they didn't know anything about him except that he had both human and saiyan genes in his DNA. Ivan knew that if he could tap that power, Zero would become unstoppable. On the other hand, the prospect scared Ivan. What if they made it? What if they awakened the hidden powers encoded in the fabrics of his being? Would he become unpredictable? Would his saiyan nature emerge? Would he turn out to be another beast, like Akassa? So willing to take life without any regard for the person's rights and the people who would suffer from their passing? That's why Ivan needed to keep the android under his unconditional and complete control.
"So, what's next?" the doctor hissed with his serpent tongue. He peered over his colleague's shoulder to observe what he was doing. In the monitor, it was a layout for Zero's body, slowly rotating with speech bubbles naming each piece and describing the function it performed on the android. Ivan glanced at his side in askance upon hearing the sudden words before promptly returning his gaze to the screen.
"I'm working on a new feature." he said, typing on the keyboard. "After that fight, I realized how vulnerable Model Zero is to weapons like swords, guns, and techniques like the one that saiyan used. We will modify Zero's flesh so it is able to deflect those attacks and avoid another episode."
The prospect was quite simple. With the aid of nanotechnology, Ivan could customize anyone's skin. He was going to artificially enhance Model Zero's epidermis and the armor he already wore. His body would become considerably more resistant to bladed attacks, simply by deflecting it. Of course, he could still get cut, but the opponent would have to hack and hew a few more times to get the edge in. Not only that, but it would also mean his body would become resistant to blunt attacks -like someone's fist. Ivan predicted, if a person with equal power as Zero were to punch him in the gut, it would feel like a scientist ramming their fist into a metal wall. In other words, it would be very painful and the wall would remain utterly unscathed. Regardless, although his physical defenses would increase tremendously, technique's like the one Akassa used would still cut through him. The steel skin would help against tangible attacks, but energy was still a force to be reckoned with. The scientist would have to develop a completely different system for that one. In fact, he had been working on it since the day they encountered Conri Lane, but that project was much slower and much more difficult to achieve.
"Alright," he said, "the artificial skin is ready to be implanted." The doctor nodded in response and the process would begin shortly.
...
"Zero, how are you feeling?"
The android stood in place, unsure of how to answer the question.
"Oh, that's right. You can't feel, because you're an android. Silly old me! Haha!" Ivan chuckled to himself through the speaker. "I implanted an extra layer of protective skin underneath your own. It is very light so you shouldn't feel burdened by it at all, that's why I asked for your operational status." he explained.
Model Zero studied his hand carefully; however, 99% of his body was completely covered in a skin-tight fabric. The only exposed flesh was that of his face so instead he moved his arms around and shifted in place to contemplate his movements. Honestly, he would not have known there was some special layer under his skin, his body seemed exactly the same as it always was. If his speed dropped at all it would have probably been a difference of approximately .001 at most. Nanotechnology was a wonderful thing. He looked up at the ceiling, knowing Ivan could see him from a hidden camera concealed behind the metal walls of the domed chamber. His silent gaze was assurance that everything was in order and he was ready to proceed towards the next step of their test. Ivan smirked, excited to see how everything turns out. This was perhaps the most invigorating part of his job. Once he had an objective, he needed to fabricate a design; the design needed to have dimensions and materials that would be used and a sketch of how it might look, and then decide the best method necessary to create it. After that was finalized, he would progress to the developmental stage, putting all his planning into action and work. Once it has been created, it passes on to quality control where he would go back and fix it, redo it, or start from scratch. Lastly, after taking hours and days to design, plan, and develop the new project, it had to pass numerous tests before becoming patented.
This was by far the most thrilling part of the process. Being able to put your creations to the test and observe as it performs what it was specifically engineered to do; when it works, that's the best feeling in the whole world. It's like your own brainchild, and he only wanted to watch it grow and improve beyond its limits for as long as he's alive. Ivan's creations were a part of his identity, without them he was lost. "I will now increase gravity 50 times," he announced as he turned the knob on the keys. Instantly, Zero's golden hair was pulled down, pointing straight towards the ground. His knees bent unintentionally and his back slumped over. He had gone a long way since the first time they acquired the gravity chamber, but every time felt like the first whenever they increased the intensity. Just an extra five seemed like a small increment on paper, but in reality it made all the difference. Just going a single degree higher was too much even for this android with 'unlimited potential'. At 50x normal gravity, the android's legs shook and clattered as he struggle to push himself and stand up straight. He gave up and decided to move his arms first, if he could shift them and redistribute his weight, he could manipulate his body using the gravity to his advantage. On the other hand, the prospect was much easier in theory than in practice. He wore heavy weights all around his body, one on his arms which dangled helplessly below his slumped body. The back of his hand nearly touches the ground, but his fingers manage to hover just above the platform so he doesn't fall over. He had two more, one on each leg, one on his chest, and the last on his head. He wore them all the time, even during missions and only ever removed them whenever Ivan wanted to record his growth prowess, or when the safety of his body or the mission were jeopardized by its hindering presence.
However, they were never as heavy as they were today. Each one weighed 50 times its own weight, and they were already the heaviest money could buy. That meant, the android had 50 times its own weight on each limb, his chest, and his head -which, by the way, was also leaning towards the tiled floor. It was no wonder he was having such a hard time maintaining his balance. It was a wonder that he wasn't lying helplessly on the floor by now. His armor creaked under the intense pressure of the gravity chamber, his body swinging loosely but compressed as he attempted to gain momentum and flick himself into a standard and semi-acceptable position. Anytime now, Ivan would summon his opponent and he needed to be prepared to counter any attacks coming his way. He usually allowed ten whole minutes for the android to become somewhat accustomed or familiarized with his situation; find out what he can do, what he can't, how fast he can move, how his body interacts with the harsh environment; they were all very important factors to keep in mind. But overall, to give him time to slowly master the gravity level and work a sweat lifting weights.
On the other hand, it seemed Ivan had other plans this time. It happened in a instant when he noticed the red grass blades scattered around his feet, fluttering with the blowing wind that swooshed over them. They all pointed forwards in their individuality and the android followed them with his gaze, lifting his face to peer overhead; to where the land and sky met. The sun was nowhere to be found as it sunk beneath the soil, but streaks of noctilucent clouds spread over the sky like the veins of heaven. Transfused sunlight forming as water vapor driven by the cold upper atmosphere condenses on the fine dust particles supplied by disintegrating meteors; allowing the icy clouds to reflect sunlight through a still dark sky although it was far below the horizon. Despite the beautiful scenery, Zero was hastened. The fact that Ivan had activated the simulator meant his opponent would spawn very soon. The scientist wanted to make sure Zero was not prepared for the first attack so they could thoroughly test his new hardened skin. The android's gaze shifted from left to right, his face stilled by the imposing gravitational forces, but his eyes still moved as he tried to see his surroundings. The scouter indicated no readings whatsoever. He looked to the left, a vast spacious meadow; to his right, the end of the meadow marked by the undulating patterns of a mountain range far off from his location.
Beep! beep!
His gaze cranked ahead with the sudden surge of power emerging under the noctilucent clouds. The sun was beginning to poke its head from the ground when he spotted the dark silhouette of what must have been his foe for this sparring session. He could not make out who it was, but it seemed like someone he would know. The figure was large, perhaps six feet high or more, thick limbs and a slumped back. He stood in sun's shadow without moving a single muscle, he was much too far to prove an immediate threat, Zero thought. How wrong could he be... In a split second, the creature boomed out of view and manifested before him the next. Model Zero could not directly look up but he saw the creature's clawed feet and he instantly knew who it was. He could see the ends of his talons dropping beside him. The android struggled to straighten his body, instead only managing to force his head to look up just barely enough to see the beast's gruesome and ominous grin. His sharp teeth far too big for his own mouth, some of them protruding outward, making him appear feral-like and most certainly dangerous. Somehow, something in Zero's body clicked and he was momentarily able to propel himself a step back, just enough to see Wrath's visage looking down on him. He moved about an inch, a big accomplishment considering how early in the fight they had been, but it was a fruitless effort against a foe like him.
With a swift flick, breaking the eerie silence that impregnated the air, Wrath swat the android with the razor-sharp talons of his hands. Zero was catapulted away, sailing over the blades of grass that danced at his demise. He would have continued on for an eternity too, if it weren't for the restrictive weights that shortened his displacement and had him soon after drifting on the ground. Five meters in, the laws of friction and locomotion finally steer him to a screeching halt over the sullied meadows. Zero staggers and fights the gravity to climb on his knees and find Wrath before he approached him for the next strike. He was still standing where they last stood. Looking over his chest, Zero realized he had not been wounded by the beast's sharp claws. Ivan was also quite impressed by its results, and of course, he was very proud of himself. He would however, be much prouder when he finished developing the anti-electromagnetic barrier and the completing a float system that would last and the android could actually control. Having seen all he needed to see, he deviates his attention from the screen and resumes writing.
Model Zero jerks his right foot straight, the smooth grass made dragging his body a little easier, to the point he was able to plant his right foot firmly on the ground. All the same, Wrath was not going to stand around and let the android get his screws in place, the hulking monster of Zex's simulated sibling was rushing through the meadow in pursuit. The distance between them had been crossed in no time at all, Wrath's claw high in the air and ready to strike as he thrust it down like a hammer. Model Zero, still on one knee, shifted his weight on the single foot he managed to plant on the ground and dashed forward. Enveloped in a scarlet light, he fades through the beast just before his claws were buried into the ground. The android, now behind Wrath, rolled over, turning his body so he was again facing towards the black monster, although still on a knee.
Reaching for the hilt of his saber, Zero charges at Wrath. As he slashes up diagonally, the green blade of his sword simultaneously manifests; particles of codes conglomerating into a translucent blade. Wrath steps to the side and Zero staggers forward with the weight of his sword steering him on. He was still much too slow. Wrath grabs onto the android's neck just before he became out of reach and lifted him from his feet. His free hand enclosed in a conical shape with all of his talons focused on one point, he rams it to the android's back while releasing his neck so he may flutter away. Sparks crackle at the point of impact and Zero is launched for another stroll in the garden. There was a small hole in his back with static spurring at the seams, the creature had been able to break his new defenses, but not entirely. The diameter of the incision was about an inch wide and barely deep enough to cause any significant drawbacks to his performance. Before, a direct attack like that from a beast like that would have made a far more severe wound.
Gliding down a slope, his feet was beginning to caress the blades of grass greeting him as he descended, but Wrath's embodiment promptly emerged from thin air with his hand outstretched and talons curled along the nape of Zero's neck. His grip tightened, constricting the android like a venomous python. Zero attempted to lift his arm, if only he could lift his saber he would slice through the thick hide of Wrath's limb and free himself from its grasp. Instead, his arm shook and rattled, it would not budge. The modification Ivan had made to his skin was phenomenal. By now, Wrath would have already decapitated the android with his fearsome claws, but because of the upgrade he was just beginning to graze the surface. Slowly, the pommel grew loose in his fingers to the point it dangled and then dropped to the ground. The sword was embedded into the soil for only a few short moments before it deactivated from the absence of Zero's code and it was nothing more than a sword handle lying between the blades of the red grass. Wrath grinned, applying more and more pressure to the tips of his talons but Zero was not giving up. His right hand deformed and retracted into his wrist, granting him access to the hidden cannon built within his arm. He still couldn't lift his limbs, but he didn't need to for what he was planning.
Aiming directly below them, he only needed to slightly pivot the angle of his wrist before a stream of energy burst through at Wrath's feet. The beast groaned with anger as Zero's Hell's Flash technique burned into his skin and destroyed the foundation of land that had him balanced on his feet. Next, Wrath releases the android's neck and falls back in the small crater formed and carved by the android's blast. Zero landed next to the pommel of his saber, promptly grabbing onto it and the translucent blade reactivated upon the touch of his hand. Wrath's legs were already regenerating and the beast standing as if nothing had happened, he grins with pleasure that the machine had been able to injure him. The computers had imitated the beast quite thoroughly. It was as if he were fighting Wrath himself in the flesh, if he didn't know any better he would think it was. The simulation then lunged forward to continue the little ballad that was just about to begin.
Zero intercepted the first slash with his saber; instinctively, or premeditatively, he stepped back. Wrath's claws slid off the saber, although not without friction. Zero's saber was jerked back with considerable force and he had to quickly re-position it so he may block the second slash. With each slash of his beefy arms, the air whistled and he took a step closer to the android. Zero blocked them and stepped back in response. Glancing down, Wrath's legs had already recovered to perfection. If he wanted to defeat someone like him he would need to attack much faster and much more frequent. He could not allow him time to heal or else nothing would end, and nothing would start. Blocking that last thrust, Zero ducks under the second and dashed forward with a false swipe. He appeared as though he were going to strike Wrath's abdomen while he was really escaping through him and turning to sever the small of his back. Unfortunately, he missed. Wrath already knew what was coming and so he lunged forward, just out of Zero's range, turned on his heels to face the android -who was still inevitably in motion with his blade far to the side, the android was wide open. Wrath flicked up his arm and smashed it against the android's chin.
Zero's teeth clattered in his mouth as his face was struck from underneath his chin. His head jerked back with his body, despite the strengthened skin, the mass of his opponent's attack was much to large to dismiss so simply. Zero was now supposed to resemble an ordinary man punching a wall, but Wrath would have devastated that wall will very little repercussions -if any. He unintentionally takes a step back and Wrath takes a step forward, keeping their distance uniform and within his reach as he struck the android's stomach with the talons of his hands. Zero doubled over, taking another step back as the beast removed the arm from his guts and slapped him across the face. The android's head jerked to the side, towards the direction Wrath's arm went as the impact was much too powerful to undermine. Wrath takes a step forward and strikes the android's midsection again. Zero takes another step back as his stomach was ravaged by the monster's clawed hands and he bends over the extended arm. Wrath was a being with extensive muscle rippling from his skin, veins popping out, giant stature, great power, and jet-black speed that was much too fast for his size. Zero was in his mercy, there was nothing he could do to stop the onslaught infringed upon him as he continued to lose ground and the other claim it for himself.
In spite of it all, Zero's body remained intact. It jerked around, he staggered, he was about to fall but the beast straightened him fast with another blow to the chin, but his flesh had yet to be purged by the sharp talons in his hands. His stomach was full of bullet-size indentations, the extra layer of protection Ivan had implanted under his skin -which shielded it like a sponge, making it almost seem as though his midsection was still nice and smooth. Static sparked over the inflicted area, but that was about it. Another blow, Zero was forced to take another step back, but he doubles it with a second step -his choice- as an attempt to regain control over the battle. In that second step he thrusts his sword up at Wrath. The blade came close to his face, but it never reached in time before the hulking beast dismisses it with the snap of his claws. At that instant, he jabs the android with his other arm, bringing him back to the same series of consecutive blows that forced the android's body to do unintelligible motions governed by the intensity, direction and angle of Wrath's merciless strikes.
Finally, infusing ki into his talons, Wrath severs the protective barrier and wounds the android with a wide gash at the side of his obliques. Blood dripped from the wound, down the android's leg and camouflaged into the grass. Zero was preparing for the second when Wrath stopped. He just stopped...
Shortly after, his body degraded into binary codes and sunk below the ground. The android was alone in the red meadow with the sun now blaring high above and the sky bright with clouds. A gust of wind blew, his golden hair fluttering in the breeze as it washed away the scenery and he found himself back in that white and dull chamber. "That's enough for today," Ivan boomed in the speaker. "I've seen all I needed to see, I'm far too busy to worry about fixing you up after getting thrashed by the simulator, go get repaired and then head over to your personal chamber." his voiced buzzed out with the end of his sentence. It was odd. Usually, the training session would continue until Zero overwhelmed his opponent or was knocked out cold. Whatever the case, his body would be in dire need being mended. It appeared Ivan was not in the mood for such mundane and diligent tasks. He was too busy working on his other projects, all which would benefit the android in the long run.
Steel Body: Ivan strengthened Zero's defenses by implanting an extra protective layer of special fibers under the android's skin. His new defenses allow him to deflect sharp weapons -negating their tendency to sever flesh. It also grants his hardened body the ability to sustain more damage from blunt attacks, making him less prone to flinching. Disclaimer: This does not, by any means, indicate he is impenetrable.
[PL + 50x Gravity + Heavy Weights + Simulator]
The android lay unconscious, floating horizontally within a cylindrical container. He was immersed in green liquid as lab aides performed various analysis and tests. They searched for clues, but any trace of that power which he displayed in the simulator, it had disappeared as if nothing had ever occurred. His power-level was back to how it was supposed to be and Ivan was busy pulling his hairs as to why this was happening. That's what they were searching for, the ability to harness the saiyan qualities hidden within Zero. They knew he had saiyan genes; they didn't know where exactly he came from, whether anyone in New Vegeta would recognize his face, they didn't know anything about him except that he had both human and saiyan genes in his DNA. Ivan knew that if he could tap that power, Zero would become unstoppable. On the other hand, the prospect scared Ivan. What if they made it? What if they awakened the hidden powers encoded in the fabrics of his being? Would he become unpredictable? Would his saiyan nature emerge? Would he turn out to be another beast, like Akassa? So willing to take life without any regard for the person's rights and the people who would suffer from their passing? That's why Ivan needed to keep the android under his unconditional and complete control.
"So, what's next?" the doctor hissed with his serpent tongue. He peered over his colleague's shoulder to observe what he was doing. In the monitor, it was a layout for Zero's body, slowly rotating with speech bubbles naming each piece and describing the function it performed on the android. Ivan glanced at his side in askance upon hearing the sudden words before promptly returning his gaze to the screen.
"I'm working on a new feature." he said, typing on the keyboard. "After that fight, I realized how vulnerable Model Zero is to weapons like swords, guns, and techniques like the one that saiyan used. We will modify Zero's flesh so it is able to deflect those attacks and avoid another episode."
The prospect was quite simple. With the aid of nanotechnology, Ivan could customize anyone's skin. He was going to artificially enhance Model Zero's epidermis and the armor he already wore. His body would become considerably more resistant to bladed attacks, simply by deflecting it. Of course, he could still get cut, but the opponent would have to hack and hew a few more times to get the edge in. Not only that, but it would also mean his body would become resistant to blunt attacks -like someone's fist. Ivan predicted, if a person with equal power as Zero were to punch him in the gut, it would feel like a scientist ramming their fist into a metal wall. In other words, it would be very painful and the wall would remain utterly unscathed. Regardless, although his physical defenses would increase tremendously, technique's like the one Akassa used would still cut through him. The steel skin would help against tangible attacks, but energy was still a force to be reckoned with. The scientist would have to develop a completely different system for that one. In fact, he had been working on it since the day they encountered Conri Lane, but that project was much slower and much more difficult to achieve.
"Alright," he said, "the artificial skin is ready to be implanted." The doctor nodded in response and the process would begin shortly.
...
"Zero, how are you feeling?"
The android stood in place, unsure of how to answer the question.
"Oh, that's right. You can't feel, because you're an android. Silly old me! Haha!" Ivan chuckled to himself through the speaker. "I implanted an extra layer of protective skin underneath your own. It is very light so you shouldn't feel burdened by it at all, that's why I asked for your operational status." he explained.
Model Zero studied his hand carefully; however, 99% of his body was completely covered in a skin-tight fabric. The only exposed flesh was that of his face so instead he moved his arms around and shifted in place to contemplate his movements. Honestly, he would not have known there was some special layer under his skin, his body seemed exactly the same as it always was. If his speed dropped at all it would have probably been a difference of approximately .001 at most. Nanotechnology was a wonderful thing. He looked up at the ceiling, knowing Ivan could see him from a hidden camera concealed behind the metal walls of the domed chamber. His silent gaze was assurance that everything was in order and he was ready to proceed towards the next step of their test. Ivan smirked, excited to see how everything turns out. This was perhaps the most invigorating part of his job. Once he had an objective, he needed to fabricate a design; the design needed to have dimensions and materials that would be used and a sketch of how it might look, and then decide the best method necessary to create it. After that was finalized, he would progress to the developmental stage, putting all his planning into action and work. Once it has been created, it passes on to quality control where he would go back and fix it, redo it, or start from scratch. Lastly, after taking hours and days to design, plan, and develop the new project, it had to pass numerous tests before becoming patented.
This was by far the most thrilling part of the process. Being able to put your creations to the test and observe as it performs what it was specifically engineered to do; when it works, that's the best feeling in the whole world. It's like your own brainchild, and he only wanted to watch it grow and improve beyond its limits for as long as he's alive. Ivan's creations were a part of his identity, without them he was lost. "I will now increase gravity 50 times," he announced as he turned the knob on the keys. Instantly, Zero's golden hair was pulled down, pointing straight towards the ground. His knees bent unintentionally and his back slumped over. He had gone a long way since the first time they acquired the gravity chamber, but every time felt like the first whenever they increased the intensity. Just an extra five seemed like a small increment on paper, but in reality it made all the difference. Just going a single degree higher was too much even for this android with 'unlimited potential'. At 50x normal gravity, the android's legs shook and clattered as he struggle to push himself and stand up straight. He gave up and decided to move his arms first, if he could shift them and redistribute his weight, he could manipulate his body using the gravity to his advantage. On the other hand, the prospect was much easier in theory than in practice. He wore heavy weights all around his body, one on his arms which dangled helplessly below his slumped body. The back of his hand nearly touches the ground, but his fingers manage to hover just above the platform so he doesn't fall over. He had two more, one on each leg, one on his chest, and the last on his head. He wore them all the time, even during missions and only ever removed them whenever Ivan wanted to record his growth prowess, or when the safety of his body or the mission were jeopardized by its hindering presence.
However, they were never as heavy as they were today. Each one weighed 50 times its own weight, and they were already the heaviest money could buy. That meant, the android had 50 times its own weight on each limb, his chest, and his head -which, by the way, was also leaning towards the tiled floor. It was no wonder he was having such a hard time maintaining his balance. It was a wonder that he wasn't lying helplessly on the floor by now. His armor creaked under the intense pressure of the gravity chamber, his body swinging loosely but compressed as he attempted to gain momentum and flick himself into a standard and semi-acceptable position. Anytime now, Ivan would summon his opponent and he needed to be prepared to counter any attacks coming his way. He usually allowed ten whole minutes for the android to become somewhat accustomed or familiarized with his situation; find out what he can do, what he can't, how fast he can move, how his body interacts with the harsh environment; they were all very important factors to keep in mind. But overall, to give him time to slowly master the gravity level and work a sweat lifting weights.
On the other hand, it seemed Ivan had other plans this time. It happened in a instant when he noticed the red grass blades scattered around his feet, fluttering with the blowing wind that swooshed over them. They all pointed forwards in their individuality and the android followed them with his gaze, lifting his face to peer overhead; to where the land and sky met. The sun was nowhere to be found as it sunk beneath the soil, but streaks of noctilucent clouds spread over the sky like the veins of heaven. Transfused sunlight forming as water vapor driven by the cold upper atmosphere condenses on the fine dust particles supplied by disintegrating meteors; allowing the icy clouds to reflect sunlight through a still dark sky although it was far below the horizon. Despite the beautiful scenery, Zero was hastened. The fact that Ivan had activated the simulator meant his opponent would spawn very soon. The scientist wanted to make sure Zero was not prepared for the first attack so they could thoroughly test his new hardened skin. The android's gaze shifted from left to right, his face stilled by the imposing gravitational forces, but his eyes still moved as he tried to see his surroundings. The scouter indicated no readings whatsoever. He looked to the left, a vast spacious meadow; to his right, the end of the meadow marked by the undulating patterns of a mountain range far off from his location.
Beep! beep!
His gaze cranked ahead with the sudden surge of power emerging under the noctilucent clouds. The sun was beginning to poke its head from the ground when he spotted the dark silhouette of what must have been his foe for this sparring session. He could not make out who it was, but it seemed like someone he would know. The figure was large, perhaps six feet high or more, thick limbs and a slumped back. He stood in sun's shadow without moving a single muscle, he was much too far to prove an immediate threat, Zero thought. How wrong could he be... In a split second, the creature boomed out of view and manifested before him the next. Model Zero could not directly look up but he saw the creature's clawed feet and he instantly knew who it was. He could see the ends of his talons dropping beside him. The android struggled to straighten his body, instead only managing to force his head to look up just barely enough to see the beast's gruesome and ominous grin. His sharp teeth far too big for his own mouth, some of them protruding outward, making him appear feral-like and most certainly dangerous. Somehow, something in Zero's body clicked and he was momentarily able to propel himself a step back, just enough to see Wrath's visage looking down on him. He moved about an inch, a big accomplishment considering how early in the fight they had been, but it was a fruitless effort against a foe like him.
With a swift flick, breaking the eerie silence that impregnated the air, Wrath swat the android with the razor-sharp talons of his hands. Zero was catapulted away, sailing over the blades of grass that danced at his demise. He would have continued on for an eternity too, if it weren't for the restrictive weights that shortened his displacement and had him soon after drifting on the ground. Five meters in, the laws of friction and locomotion finally steer him to a screeching halt over the sullied meadows. Zero staggers and fights the gravity to climb on his knees and find Wrath before he approached him for the next strike. He was still standing where they last stood. Looking over his chest, Zero realized he had not been wounded by the beast's sharp claws. Ivan was also quite impressed by its results, and of course, he was very proud of himself. He would however, be much prouder when he finished developing the anti-electromagnetic barrier and the completing a float system that would last and the android could actually control. Having seen all he needed to see, he deviates his attention from the screen and resumes writing.
Model Zero jerks his right foot straight, the smooth grass made dragging his body a little easier, to the point he was able to plant his right foot firmly on the ground. All the same, Wrath was not going to stand around and let the android get his screws in place, the hulking monster of Zex's simulated sibling was rushing through the meadow in pursuit. The distance between them had been crossed in no time at all, Wrath's claw high in the air and ready to strike as he thrust it down like a hammer. Model Zero, still on one knee, shifted his weight on the single foot he managed to plant on the ground and dashed forward. Enveloped in a scarlet light, he fades through the beast just before his claws were buried into the ground. The android, now behind Wrath, rolled over, turning his body so he was again facing towards the black monster, although still on a knee.
Reaching for the hilt of his saber, Zero charges at Wrath. As he slashes up diagonally, the green blade of his sword simultaneously manifests; particles of codes conglomerating into a translucent blade. Wrath steps to the side and Zero staggers forward with the weight of his sword steering him on. He was still much too slow. Wrath grabs onto the android's neck just before he became out of reach and lifted him from his feet. His free hand enclosed in a conical shape with all of his talons focused on one point, he rams it to the android's back while releasing his neck so he may flutter away. Sparks crackle at the point of impact and Zero is launched for another stroll in the garden. There was a small hole in his back with static spurring at the seams, the creature had been able to break his new defenses, but not entirely. The diameter of the incision was about an inch wide and barely deep enough to cause any significant drawbacks to his performance. Before, a direct attack like that from a beast like that would have made a far more severe wound.
Gliding down a slope, his feet was beginning to caress the blades of grass greeting him as he descended, but Wrath's embodiment promptly emerged from thin air with his hand outstretched and talons curled along the nape of Zero's neck. His grip tightened, constricting the android like a venomous python. Zero attempted to lift his arm, if only he could lift his saber he would slice through the thick hide of Wrath's limb and free himself from its grasp. Instead, his arm shook and rattled, it would not budge. The modification Ivan had made to his skin was phenomenal. By now, Wrath would have already decapitated the android with his fearsome claws, but because of the upgrade he was just beginning to graze the surface. Slowly, the pommel grew loose in his fingers to the point it dangled and then dropped to the ground. The sword was embedded into the soil for only a few short moments before it deactivated from the absence of Zero's code and it was nothing more than a sword handle lying between the blades of the red grass. Wrath grinned, applying more and more pressure to the tips of his talons but Zero was not giving up. His right hand deformed and retracted into his wrist, granting him access to the hidden cannon built within his arm. He still couldn't lift his limbs, but he didn't need to for what he was planning.
Aiming directly below them, he only needed to slightly pivot the angle of his wrist before a stream of energy burst through at Wrath's feet. The beast groaned with anger as Zero's Hell's Flash technique burned into his skin and destroyed the foundation of land that had him balanced on his feet. Next, Wrath releases the android's neck and falls back in the small crater formed and carved by the android's blast. Zero landed next to the pommel of his saber, promptly grabbing onto it and the translucent blade reactivated upon the touch of his hand. Wrath's legs were already regenerating and the beast standing as if nothing had happened, he grins with pleasure that the machine had been able to injure him. The computers had imitated the beast quite thoroughly. It was as if he were fighting Wrath himself in the flesh, if he didn't know any better he would think it was. The simulation then lunged forward to continue the little ballad that was just about to begin.
Zero intercepted the first slash with his saber; instinctively, or premeditatively, he stepped back. Wrath's claws slid off the saber, although not without friction. Zero's saber was jerked back with considerable force and he had to quickly re-position it so he may block the second slash. With each slash of his beefy arms, the air whistled and he took a step closer to the android. Zero blocked them and stepped back in response. Glancing down, Wrath's legs had already recovered to perfection. If he wanted to defeat someone like him he would need to attack much faster and much more frequent. He could not allow him time to heal or else nothing would end, and nothing would start. Blocking that last thrust, Zero ducks under the second and dashed forward with a false swipe. He appeared as though he were going to strike Wrath's abdomen while he was really escaping through him and turning to sever the small of his back. Unfortunately, he missed. Wrath already knew what was coming and so he lunged forward, just out of Zero's range, turned on his heels to face the android -who was still inevitably in motion with his blade far to the side, the android was wide open. Wrath flicked up his arm and smashed it against the android's chin.
Zero's teeth clattered in his mouth as his face was struck from underneath his chin. His head jerked back with his body, despite the strengthened skin, the mass of his opponent's attack was much to large to dismiss so simply. Zero was now supposed to resemble an ordinary man punching a wall, but Wrath would have devastated that wall will very little repercussions -if any. He unintentionally takes a step back and Wrath takes a step forward, keeping their distance uniform and within his reach as he struck the android's stomach with the talons of his hands. Zero doubled over, taking another step back as the beast removed the arm from his guts and slapped him across the face. The android's head jerked to the side, towards the direction Wrath's arm went as the impact was much too powerful to undermine. Wrath takes a step forward and strikes the android's midsection again. Zero takes another step back as his stomach was ravaged by the monster's clawed hands and he bends over the extended arm. Wrath was a being with extensive muscle rippling from his skin, veins popping out, giant stature, great power, and jet-black speed that was much too fast for his size. Zero was in his mercy, there was nothing he could do to stop the onslaught infringed upon him as he continued to lose ground and the other claim it for himself.
In spite of it all, Zero's body remained intact. It jerked around, he staggered, he was about to fall but the beast straightened him fast with another blow to the chin, but his flesh had yet to be purged by the sharp talons in his hands. His stomach was full of bullet-size indentations, the extra layer of protection Ivan had implanted under his skin -which shielded it like a sponge, making it almost seem as though his midsection was still nice and smooth. Static sparked over the inflicted area, but that was about it. Another blow, Zero was forced to take another step back, but he doubles it with a second step -his choice- as an attempt to regain control over the battle. In that second step he thrusts his sword up at Wrath. The blade came close to his face, but it never reached in time before the hulking beast dismisses it with the snap of his claws. At that instant, he jabs the android with his other arm, bringing him back to the same series of consecutive blows that forced the android's body to do unintelligible motions governed by the intensity, direction and angle of Wrath's merciless strikes.
Finally, infusing ki into his talons, Wrath severs the protective barrier and wounds the android with a wide gash at the side of his obliques. Blood dripped from the wound, down the android's leg and camouflaged into the grass. Zero was preparing for the second when Wrath stopped. He just stopped...
Shortly after, his body degraded into binary codes and sunk below the ground. The android was alone in the red meadow with the sun now blaring high above and the sky bright with clouds. A gust of wind blew, his golden hair fluttering in the breeze as it washed away the scenery and he found himself back in that white and dull chamber. "That's enough for today," Ivan boomed in the speaker. "I've seen all I needed to see, I'm far too busy to worry about fixing you up after getting thrashed by the simulator, go get repaired and then head over to your personal chamber." his voiced buzzed out with the end of his sentence. It was odd. Usually, the training session would continue until Zero overwhelmed his opponent or was knocked out cold. Whatever the case, his body would be in dire need being mended. It appeared Ivan was not in the mood for such mundane and diligent tasks. He was too busy working on his other projects, all which would benefit the android in the long run.
Steel Body: Ivan strengthened Zero's defenses by implanting an extra protective layer of special fibers under the android's skin. His new defenses allow him to deflect sharp weapons -negating their tendency to sever flesh. It also grants his hardened body the ability to sustain more damage from blunt attacks, making him less prone to flinching. Disclaimer: This does not, by any means, indicate he is impenetrable.
[PL + 50x Gravity + Heavy Weights + Simulator]