1.9 Harbinger Part 4

A large section of the city is already lost to Armageddon by the time Guardian arrives in the city’s skies.

The local police and criminal elements have been driven back in addition to most of the local parahumans having been felled in battle. In fact, the majority of the local parahumans in the city are those that have manifested their powers since Armageddon arrived.

All it takes for criminals and law enforcement to work together side by side is a monster attack.

I have seen it many times before. A greater foe often causes people to work with a lesser foe, especially one that is local.

What is Scott’s saying again?

Better the devil you know.

Yeah.

Military forces and parahumans from other cities have also shown up. Guardian notes that several people she knows are here, including Alexandria and most of the Chicagoan Junior Heroes in addition to Iris.

Now to get Armageddon’s attention.

Be careful. That might be easier than you expect.

As Guardian approaches Armageddon with Gord’Ang in hand, she quickly realises that Ceta is right. The moment Armageddon glimpses her, the monsters halts and turns his gaze fully on her.

“Ordic!” roars Armageddon in his deep, guttural voice, spit flying from its mouth.

You can just hear the rage in his voice.

Not surprising.

Armageddon unleashes a blast of fire red energy at Guardian. She rolls out of the way, but still takes a grazing hit, burning some of the black paint off of her armour.

A head on approach is not the best idea. If we are struck by Armageddon, we would be severely injured and potentially killed.

I figured that out already.

Guardian flies behind an intact office building as Armageddon roars again.

Ideas?

His primary weak points are sensory. Hindering his ability to sense you would be very useful. You won’t be able to take Armageddon in a straight up fight so agility and speed will be key. And while Gord’Ang can cut him, it will do little more than annoy Armageddon as his skin is extremely thick and tough while his unique biology allows him to survive pretty much anything.

Good advice.

Just remember that while he might look it, he isn’t slow even if he isn’t as fast as you.

I’ll keep that in mind.

You should also know that Armageddon has a couple of abilities not relating to his physique. You’ve seen his ability to unleash energy attacks, but I’m not sure if you know this yet, but

Armageddon’s fist comes smashing through the building, almost hitting Guardian with debris.

Guardian spins around and slashes the fist with Gord’Ang. Armageddon unleashes a concentrated blast of energy in Guardian’s direction, but she dodges to the side using her KEPs.

Guardian swipes, leaving another gash in Armageddon’s grey, leathery flesh. Neither wounds are deep, barely anything more than superficial.

But superficial is the best that anyone else has done and Guardian has already surpassed that in the opening moments of the battle.

The side of the office building reforms into spikes of glass and brick that then launch themselves at Guardian. She dodges and rolls out of the way using her KEPs, but still takes several glancing hits. None of the spikes do any real harm, just superficial damage to her armour just as Guardian is only doing superficial damage to Armageddon.

Armageddon smashes through the building. He roars at Guardian as what is left of the building comes down around him and swings a fist at the vigilante with his other hand.

As Ceta said, Armageddon moves much faster than he looks, but forewarned, Guardian fires her KEPs at full power to get out of Armageddon’s view.

As the monster turns to pursue Guardian, a pair of military fighter jets come at him, each firing two missiles at Armageddon. All four hit as the two jets pass overhead, but once the explosions clear, Armageddon has only suffered slight grazes to his skin.

Not even enough to draw blood.

Armageddon is one of the toughest monsters out there and is most certainly the physical toughest and hardest to hurt of the Harbingers.

Can we stop him?

We have Gord’Ang. There was a reason I insisted you retrieve it so early.

Then let us fight.

Guardian flies at Armageddon as he fires off a beam of raw, hot energy at the retreating fighters. While his attack is on target, both pilots are about to roll their jets out of the way.

Guardian lands on Armageddon and stabs Gord’Ang into the beast’s back.

Legacy! You’re too close!

What?

Guardian realises too late what Ceta means as a blast of energy is unleashed at her at point blank range. It sends her flying as it burns the front of her armour.

Leo is truly a genius.

Aye. The Gardium armour plates took the bulk of the blast and ensuring damage. The majority of your sensors and KEPs are still working even if most have suffered some minor damage.

As Guardian grabs Gord’Ang and flies back, Armageddon turns to face her. The monster moves quickly and Guardian barely gets clear of his massive swipe at her.

Oh no.

“Hey ugly!” yells Alexandria as she zooms at Armageddon.

Guardian also flies at Armageddon as Alexandria swings a fist at Armageddon. The Harbinger just laughs as Alexandria’s punch does nothing to harm him. Guardian only as a moment to see the stunned shock on her friend’s face before Armageddon retaliates.

The monster grabs the superhero by the legs and flings her in to the ground as Guardian readies Gord’Ang to strike. With a vicious smile on his face, Armageddon stamps on Alexandria to Guardian’s horror.