League of Legends: Zed's Shadow [that man]

[Hazard1325]

The Guardian's Sea shook the small Ionian transport ship as sailed ever west towards Zaun the land of rampant science and madmen. Their cargo was mostly passengers, Ionian pilgrims and a few tourists returning from the beautiful isles. However one passenger was not what she seemed. Akali, one of the three members of the Kinkou order was sailing to Zaun in pursuit of one of Ionian's most feared villains. Zed, a ninja that had delved into the forbidden arts had been seen leaving for the mainland of Runeterra and that could only mean he was spreading his corrupted teachings with others who would learn the forbidden ways. Akali and the other Kinkou were sworn to maintain the balance of Runeterra and that meant limiting Zed's influence.

A large storm had drawn near making the waters difficult to navigate. Akali pulled her robes around her more tightly to avoid being drenched by the sea spray. She was undercover of course, as a ninja she would need to maintain as much discretion as possible and she was temporarily suspended from her duties at the League in order to pursue her target. Zaun came into view just as the storm seemed to be at its height. The sailors were scrambling over the deck just to keep the ship on course. The docks of Zaun were luckily equipped with several docking arms that could stabilize the ship but as they latched on the ship shuttered and Akali was slammed into the railing and found herself tumbling over the side of the ship.

[that man]

Acting quickly at this unexpected turn, Akali grabbed onto the ship, and managed to grab a, slightly unstable, hold of the ship's deck.

How could I have almost let this happen? Akali cursed to herself, before pulling herself back up. How can I defeat Zed if I allow something as simple as a wave to take me by surprise?

[Hazard1325]

"You alright miss?" One of the sailors asked putting a hand on her arm to steady her. "You almost went right over the edge... I wouldn't want to swim in these waters..." He said pointing out the large tubes of waste flowing freely from the sewers into the bay. As the boat finally stabilized a gangplank was extended and the passengers began to walk down into the streets. Cargo cranes unloaded what little materials had been brought by merchants and Akali was left alone for the most part. She slipped past the customs officers before they even realized she was there and now she was free to follow up on the reports they had received. She arrived at one of the many manufacturing plants that were doted all over Zaun. As she approached the courtyard she could see mechanical constructs patrolling, they weren't armed with any weapons but they likely had far greater strength than a normal human.

[that man]

"I'm fine," Akali nodded to the sailor.

As soon as they docked, she easily managed to sneak past customs, and quickly found her way to the factory. Unfortunately, the factory was guarded by constructs which, while easier to outwit and slower, hit a lot harder if they do find her. Deciding not to fight them head on, Akali looked around for a way for her to sneak in.

[Hazard1325]

The rooftops nearby might be a good way to avoid detection from the guards, there didn't seem to be any patrols up there. The sewers were also another option if Akali could tolerate the stench, Zaun was renowned for its complicated subterranean labyrinth that lead to almost every conceivable location if she was willing to muck around in the sewer. Otherwise proceeding on foot through the natural terrain might get here there the quickest but at the highest risk.

[that man]

Well... Akali thought, as she scanned the rooftops, This would be the quickest way to get in there, and it seems empty...but there could also be hidden units up there, or something watching from the sky. At the same time, my speed would be restricted in the sewers and they could have posted heavier guards down there...if it weren't for the smell.

Sighing, Akali found the quickest way into the sewers, and dived into it.

[Hazard1325]

Akali entered the sewers and crouched shedding her commoners robes for her more traditional outfit. Her twin Kama's glinted in the faint light ready should she need them. Heading north toward the factory she managed to avoid any unpleasant encounters under Zaun and entered the factory. She avoided a few more sentries and eventually found a large circular room with a map of Runeterra on a mechanical table in its center. The three dimensional maps metal pieces moved across as a half man half machine she recognized from the fields of justice waved his machine arm. Viktor glanced over to the large glass windows overlooking the city below. A shadowy form stood watching the citizens of Zaun go about their business below. His hands were clasped behind his back and he hardly moved at all. "If what you say is true Zed why not take this... artifact for yourself?" The fallen ninja spoke after a few moments of silence. "It is ill suited for my needs. You can make better use of it than I. All I want in exchange for a squad of my shadow acolytes is your promise to lend me aid in the future when I ask for it."

Viktor nodded to himself, his mechanical hand rubbing his chin. "If you will not tell me what you want I make no promises, if your request is reasonable at the time I will fulfill it. Until then I will continue with our preparations." A shadowy portal opened up under Zed and he slowly sank into the tiles of the floor as if descending a lift. "See that you do..." He said then turned to stare directly at Akali's hiding spot in the metal beams above the meeting room. "And deal with that nuisance while your at it." Zed disappeared as Viktor turned his attention upward she had a split second to act before he activated his alarms.

[that man]

How did he-, Akali began, before realizing that it was pointless right now.

Quickly, she threw down Twilight Shroud, and it quickly engulfed Viktor. There weren't any guards in here, so Akali decided that the best option would be to "interrogate" him, so she followed it up with Shadow Dance, kicked at his knees, and brandished her kamas around Viktor's neck.

"Alright, Viktor," Akali threatened, "what are you and Zed planning?"

[Hazard1325]

As Akali drops her shroud over the area Viktor tosses down a small device that uncurls and envelops the area in a gravity field. As she lands she kicks out one of his knees before being slammed into the ground immobilized for a second as she slowly adjusts to the heavy weight on her body. Viktor walks out of the area without any ill effects and hammers a switch on the wall. An alarm begins to blare through the complex and Viktor turns back as she's wriggled free of the trap. The had on his back fires a laser forcing her back away from him for the moment.

[that man]

Damn it, Akali cursed herself, as she pulled out of the area.

Staring down Viktor, she slowly circled around him, as she contemplated her next action.

If I don't get in close, and end this now, the guards will show up, and I'll have to fight may way through them...Alright, one last bought.

Quickly, Akali Threw one of her Kamas at Viktor, Shadow Danced to arrive just when it hit, then used her other Kama to slash his main weapon away.

[Hazard1325]

Akali's quick repositioning allowed her to avoid two more swipes of Viktors laser before she went back in to disarm him. Her powerful strike sent his staff flying one direction and sent his body into the large reinforced glass windows behind him. The impact caused a web of cracks to travel up its length but the glass held. Part of Viktors facemask was damaged and her grabbed it with one hand to prevent it from splitting in half. "Your to late, my guards are already on their way it will only be a few moments before your surrounded Akali"

[that man]

"I know," Akali said, as she scooped up Viktor's staff. "But I also know that it takes you a long time to make one of these, and that you have a lot of abilities that needs it."

With that, she quickly drops a Twilight Shroud on herself, and leaves a note in her place for when it clears.

[Hazard1325]

Akali managed to slip away from the room just as the automated guard stormed in. They paused to look at Viktor lying on the ground and he shouted at them waving his arm. "Find that ninja! I want her alive!" He slowly stood up as his guards fanned out and began searching the factory. Akali in the meanwhile had made it to the main production line and was alarmed to find Viktor wasn't just producing a few guards there was a sizeable army gathering down there.

[that man]

If course he is Akali sighed, I should at least mess with his plans now.

Quickly, Akali scanned the room for a piece of machinery the looked vital, or maybe even some unprotected fuel-lines or boilers to over-load.

[Hazard1325]

Akali couldn't get close without revealing herself and risking a fight with an army of automated bots. The catwalks just below her began to fill with guards shining portable lights up into the rafters. The beams crossed around her without spotting her yet but it would only be a matter of time. Viktor limped into view on one side griping the rail tightly. "Spread out! Search every shadow for her!"

[that man]

Well, this is bad, Akali admitted.

Carefully dodging the lights, Akali worked her way across the rafters, she found an opening onto the roof and, just as she was leaving, tossed a Twilight Shroud through a gap in the line of sight to distract them.

[Hazard1325]

Akali got as far as the gap when she ran face first into a force field that knocked her back down. Viktor pointed up in that direction and shouted. "There you fools! She's trying to escape!" The robots on the catwalks extended their hands and the parts reassembled into firearms that spewed lead up at Akali. Thankfully with the shroud she was able to avoid getting hit and returned to the shadows in one corner of the facility.

[that man]

Damn it, Akali cursed herself, as she held onto her arm. I should have seen that coming...damn that hurts. It also probably covers the whole building too...except maybe-

Maneuvering around as quietly as she could, Akali tried to ignore her injuries, while trying to find one of the many smokestacks, waste disposals, or really anything that she could escape from.

[Hazard1325]

Akali found her way to one of the drainage hatches in the lower levels of the factory, putrid water was flowing through a large pipe but she could enter it through a maintenance hatch. She slipped into the warm filthy water to find it made her skin tingle uncomfortably. She followed the outflow for a couple hundred meters as the waters churned around her. Finally she broke free into the sewers where she was able to stand up out of the water and figure out where to go next. Zed had bolted but at least she knew he was planning something with Viktor now.

[that man]

Well, at least I know he was here, Akali sighed, as she emerged from the stream.

After several seconds of standing and catching her breath, Akali took a deep smell of herself, and decided on one important factor:

I won't be able to go around smelling like this. Even if he uses constructs, other people will notice.

Quickly, Akali "borrowed" some clothes from a clothes-line, and set out to find an inn where she could wash up.