[X] In the lifeless, half-flooded ruins of a city. (Japan Route)
The sight that greets Pantheon's eyes is at once beautiful, and terrifying in its implications. As far as your eyes can see, the area around you is flooded with water, up to the Pantheon's ankles. You'd think you were somehow standing in an ocean if it wasn't for the forest of dilapidated buildings poking up from beneath the waterlogged landscape, and a quick glance downwards reveals that you are, in fact, standing on what was once a road, littered with the drowned husks of cars.
Its clear that something horrible must have happened here sometime in the past.
As you turn around to try and find any signs of life, you freeze. Several kilometers behind you is a wall of light - a hexagonal net of shining energy that stretches up almost to the very limits of Pantheon's visual capabilities, before curving around to form what you somehow know is a colossal dome. Not only does it extend upwards, but to the left and right all you can see is the energy net.
Its an incredible sight - one that you somehow recognize. This thing is...
itsmyvictorydoctorhell
...the Photonic Barrier set up to protect the Photonic Labs from Doctor Hell's invasion force! That must mean that this place is Japan! And...you're right outside of it, meaning you're in territory occupied by the vast army of Doctor Hell.
Not good. Not good at all. You have to get out of here, to safety, but...What's left of Japan outside of the Photonic Barrier is all occupied by Doctor Hell, and the mainland is covered in monsters. The only safe place around is inside that Barrier, which means that you need to get in. With no other real options immediately available, you opt to walk towards the Barrier and see if you can find a way in.
Despite its size and bulk, Pantheon's every move is graceful and organic. Your stubby feet barely make a splash as they lift out of the water, and when they touch back down they don't make a sound. Extending your nine tails to act as a counterbalance, you keep Pantheon's body hunched over as you stalk the empty city, trying to keep below the walls of broken buildings that line the streets you pass through.
At some point, you become aware that Tamamo has woken up. Neither of you share a word as she begins to interface with Pantheon herself, smoothing out slight errors in your movement and increasing your awareness of the world. And...her mere presence comforts you. Somehow, that feels more important than how she's helping your operation of Pantheon.
Despite this, its the added awareness from her assistance that saves you when you suddenly notice a pair of Mechabeasts some distance ahead. Instantly reacting, you dart into the shadows of a building. Fortunately, they fail to notice you, and continue to move towards the...Photonic Barrier? Your eyes narrow. Could it be...?
Since you all seem to be going the same way, you decide to tail the pair. You move more like a predatory animal than a man as you follow your prey, keeping out of sight behind whatever cover was available. They turned around only once during your hunt, but fortunately there was a collapsed section of street deep enough for Pantheon to hide underwater. They didn't suspect a thing as they turned back around, while you emerged from your hiding spot to continue the hunt.
Then they finally reached their destination.
As you peek over the top of a towering skyscraper, the sight below shocks you. There must be dozens of Doctor Hell's Mechanical Beasts gathering here! While most of the gathered army are the stone Talos statues, by far the weakest and most numerous of Doctor Hell's Mechabeasts, you can see that mixed in with them is a handful of the strange and colorful 'true' Mechabeasts. A force like this wouldn't gather for no reason, and when you look towards the section of the Barrier they've gathered near it all becomes clear.
There, embedded into the Barrier while somehow remaining intact, is the Gate of Hell itself, Guzgo X20! Doctor Hell's specially designed Mechanical Beast, made to briefly break through the Photonic Barrier by slowly stretching it over the course of an entire week! It looks a little different than you expected - its significantly larger for one, meaning its probably capable of sending a small army through each time it opens rather than a mere three Mechabeasts, and though your strange recollection of it is fuzzy you don't think its backside was a wide open passage to its mouth. Concerning.
From your vantage point, you can see the Mechanical Beasts shifting around, organizing themselves into a neat platoon. They seem to be getting ready to walk through the Gate - it must be time for Doctor Hell's weekly invasion of Japan. What luck! You might be able to get through the barrier after all!
But...actually getting through the Gate will prove a problem, thanks to that army of Mechabeasts standing between you and civilization. A few options come to mind as you evaluate your options...
[] You can see some broken Mechanical Beasts around here, the mass-production types to be exact. Maybe if you can somehow disguise Pantheon, you could sneak in with the invasion force?
[] Yeah, you can take them. With the element of surprise on your side, you should be able to break through the army to the other side of the barrier once they open it.
[] You'd much rather not reveal yourself to Doctor Hell yet. Its risky, but with Pantheon you just might be able to do penetrate the barrier on your own.
[] Ignore your need to get inside, and walk away. This is too dangerous to attempt. Surely there must be another option?
[] Write-in.
