Friday Pt 10 The Pits

"So this is the place?"

Walt nodded at Blake's question as the masked corgi that Friday marked as 'Zwei' whined. "Yes. This is the "underground" and apparently that is the underground fighting operation my contact told us about, "The Pit"."

Blake nodded and pulled out the mask as they sat parked by a huge Phoenix Corporation billboard. "You know it seemed silly before but if these work they seem less silly... I haven't worn a mask since the White Fang." She took her glasses off and put the mask on instead. "Well?"

Walt shook his head as he looked at the masked Faunus before him that seemed like Blake but- no, it was Blake which was confirmed as Friday helpfully tagged her as well. He nodded and chuckled. "It definitely works. That's so weird! I can't wait to find out how he made that work on Monday! Some tech he made for Wayne or something new? I almost want to wear mine..."

Zwei barked as Blake asked, "Why not?"

Walt smirked. "There's downsides to anonymity too. For example our contact won't recognize us if we need to meet with him."

Blake nodded. "I see your point. You won't be able to use your public persona either. I hadn't thought about that."

Walt nodded as he contemplated the pros and cons of being a "masked man". He chuckled thinking about his youth and how as a kid he'd have jumped at the opportunity while as an adult he has to contemplate the reality of the situation. Strange times. He chuckled some more. "Best to save it for a "Clark/Superman" moment or go all in on the "Lone Ranger" stereotype?"

Zwei barked and Blake nodded and even the Billboard seemed to agree with its stylized Phoenix Corporation logo and the words "Rising up from the ashes today for a better, brighter tomorrow. Arise with Phoenix Corporation" catching his eye. "Friday, make the necessary adjustments please?"

(("Understood, Boss. Creating new "Masked Man" profile within all our relevant systems including 3S and others."))

He trusted her to take care of it as he donned the mask. "Let's go."

There's a brief moment of confusion in command... followed by sudden excitement as target "Boss" is replaced and the "Masked Boss" designation appears followed by "Masked Cat" and "Wonder Zwei".

"Does that mean, what I think it does?"

"He's not only up to something, he's back to an active operational status!"

"So much for retirement."

"First Dusty, then Silver and now the mask? It's a little on the nose..."

"Do you think I can get Wonder Zwei's autograph?"

"Someone go make popcorn!"

"Command to all units. Status update..."

"Hmmm... I don't see your reservation... oh! Wait," said the Janine Melnitz working the counter. "Is this you? Tickets for a Mr M. Mann and party Balcony 3?"

Zwei barked and Blake tried not to giggle as Walt tried not to roll his eyes at Friday's antics and smiled instead. "That's us, ma'am."

Janine shakes her head and rolls her eyes for them as she processes and hands them the tickets and passes. "Upstairs and to the left. Follow the directions. Can't miss it. Next!"

The crowd roared as the underground fighting had already begun. There was a lot of cheering for the victor, an Aisha ClanClan, and booing the loser, an Alita, as well as people furiously making last minute bets on the next round.

# "And "FireCat" trashes her opponent, sending "Cybermaid" to the scrap heap!" # Booms the announcer. # "Ladies and gentlemen that's earned her third strike! Stick around after the show to find out her managers decision. If her parts get auctioned off they could be souvenirs for some lucky fans! Some assembly likely required... or not if that's your thing!" #

Blake makes a face and Zwei whines as Walt nods. "Not really my cup of tea either. Unfortunately when in Rome, do as the Roman's do."

Blake frowned but nodded. Still... "You really don't like it either?"

Walt shrugged. "Actually I've seen lots worse. The war and some of my own adventures desensitized me to the spectacle of something like this... doesn't mean I like the idea or the crowds who do. Tonight's about business though. We don't need to watch. Friday lead us towards where Donner is."

(("Understood Boss."))

Rather than head upstairs to the box they head down instead. Security scans their ticket passes that they payed for and waves them through.

((" Proceed... down one more level and take... the door on the left."))

"Friday, is everything alright?" He whispered.

(("Apologies. I'm receiving some pushback."))

That was perhaps the most disturbing thing Walt had heard in a longtime and actually made his blood run cold. "How?! You don't eat advanced AIs and systems for breakfast they're more like those little after dinner mints!"

(("Unknown. It's not more powerful than I and I'm not under attack yet but it's like it pushes back and then disappears-"))

Walt shakes his head. "Immediately go to the next level of cyber security awareness and readiness as previously discussed and outlined. You and all related systems security and safety are the top priority but... The next chance you sense the target... destroy it. No hesitation."

(("Understood, Boss."))

They'd come out into a large passage. It looked like similar people who'd paid for the access privilege were here. A few were fans and gawkers but other types like Donner trying to make deals of one kind or another.

"Sorry, folks." A Dr. Gel in a flamboyant suit and his assistant say. "Alita is a hot property if you don't offer more her owner has decided to "rent her out" until she earns back more than her repairs cost much like Management has decided to do with Nebula earlier. That does mean she'll be available for use later on though."

There's some groans of disappointment from some folks but some cheers from the fans. "There's some good news though. Mr Sanjeet your offer on Lara Croft has been accepted and Donner your offers on Chie Satonaka, Gabi and OddJob have been accepted. We'll have them and their titles of ownership transferred over immediately as the current match wraps up since none of them have enough strikes."

The screen showed a Attack on Titan Misaka fighting against an Redhead Elf character that Walt couldn't remember the name of at the moment. It was actually turning out to be a pretty close match as they fought each other in a forested Biome.

The elven archer had scored several hits already while barely avoiding getting sliced up. She had just managed to damage Misaka's ODM gear with a shot but not before she'd launched herself into a high-speed spinning attack. She cut the elf down in an eyeblink severing her bow and nearly her opponent earning her victory. There's a bunch of roaring from the crowd as she stands the Victor despite the arrows sticking out of her.

# "And another win for "Bloody" Misaka!" # The announcer cries. # "A closer match than usual for this fan favorite but she still walks away covered in Tauriel's elf blood! Maybe we'll see her face off against an elf prince someday? Wouldn't that be something folks? The medical staff is tending to Tauriel now." #

"Tauriel," says Walt snapping his fingers. "That's right. I knew that it was..." he sees Blake's face, her eyes wide and now he gets that funny feeling in his gut. "What's wrong?" She points and he turns to face the screen.

# "... and don't forget about our special match coming up! Tonight it's two beauties as blonde brawlers face off against each other! You won't want to miss it!" #

"Arf!" Says Zwei.

"Yang!" Says Blake.

Walt looks at a picture of "Goldie" Yang Xiao Long and a "Cave Babe" Chronotrigger Ayla for a coming match.

"Damn," says Walt.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Nora Valkyrie Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM and KL-E-O

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Friday

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