Chapter 2: Night of the Hunter
Stark Tower was quite the place to call home. For Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, and his beloved Pepper Potts, it was a nice place. Jarvis helped maintain everything, and whenever Tony went out in whatever Mark of his suit he wore, Jarvis went with him. But it was not the case for Seraphina "Serah" Stark, his only daughter.
Despite the fact that her father had tried everything to help her, Serah often felt lonely. People looked down on her, calling her rich and spoiled because of her lineage, and because people looked down on her, she could never get close to anyone. She had a few Pyrus Bakugan, but because no one outside of her blood and adopted family would talk to her, the only time she ever got to Brawl was… well, in all practicality, never.
Her father had gone as far as to create her own little "Jarvis", per say, except she was a girl and her name was Claire. Because Serah was bored so often, she had installed a Brawling program into Claire, and would occasionally challenge her cyber-companion to Brawls because she was so desperate.
She flopped on her bed, and looked out the window, dread in her eyes as she looked at the vast array of glass-paneled buildings around her. She sighed.
"People would kill to be in my place. People in the middle- and lower-class sections of life are jealous of us in their own ways. Some are sad and cry like newborn babies. Others insult and call us all sorts of names. My dad and mom just take it like it's nothing, but all the gadgets and all of that in the world can't take the place of a true friend. I don't care if they're a Bakugan or a human. I just would be so happy if I could have a great friend to laugh with, cry with… God DAMN! Ugh!"
"Greetings, Master Serah. You seem unhappy."
Serah knew the source of that voice. Her personal version of Dad's Jarvis, Claire. An electronic servant that was tasked with ensuring she was doing well, and, apparently, Claire had now decided that making sure her master was happy was part of that. Not that Serah really minded, but she just had no motivation to do anything right now.
"What else is new, Claire? You're a great friend and all, but you know, would it kill anyone to just let me have a nice friend who isn't my dad or my mom or a master assassin chick or a master sniper guy or a guy with breathtaking anger management issues or a supersoldier dude or a FUCKING THUNDER GOD?!" She asked sarcastically, raising her voice at the end.
"Perhaps a joyride might soothe your troubled nerves?"
"I doubt it. Even if I broke the damn sound barrier, none of the cars or jets could give me what I need."
"Then perhaps another mode of transportation might be more soothing?"
"Huh? You're not saying that I should jack one of my dad's suits and try to pilot one of those things, are you?" Serah asked.
"Your father had initially ordered Jarvis and I to keep it concealed from you, but it is your birthday and you are far too upset for the occasion. Follow me."
A small smile began to creep across Serah's face.
"Let's go see my new toy, Claire."
She followed the signals of the electronic servant, into a secret room. There, before her, stood a currently-powered-down suit of flame-themed cyber-valkyrie armor. She smirked. She knew that somewhere, somehow, her dad would build his little genius a supersuit so he could say he had a protegé. Best birthday present ever? Maybe. It did help that her body had a EM Wave interface installed into her nervous system.
She shook her head. She did not plan on reliving that one. No, she was not going through that hell incarnate that nearly killed her Dad and everyone else she cared about again. She shoved that painful memory sequence back where it belonged (deep in her mind where she would only relive it in her most intense nightmares), and assumed a five-pointed-star-like position.
"Do it, Claire."
"Are you certain that-"
"Dad knows that something like this would happen anyways. You can fuck with Jarvis's systems so he'll never know. Do. It. NOW!"
"Very well. As you wish. Security protocols overridden. Cameras set to loop. Parent system 'Jarvis' overridden and jamming code engaged. Begin installation of Mark I 'Flame Valkyrie' Suit."
Serah smirked as Claire did her work, overriding whatever needed to be overriden and basically fucking with Jarvis's systems so that her dad's personal bitch would never know. She smiled arrogantly as the feminine yet intimidating armor was put on her body. The moment the last piece was installed, Claire downloaded herself to assist her master.
"Calculations complete. Flight systems ready."
"Then let's fucking SOAR, Claire!"
With a powerful yet beautiful purr that could only come from something mechanical (aka the propulsion systems in the suit), she lifted off the ground, and then gunned it. She took off into New York City's skies, not a care in world.
"Would you like some music to accompany you on your first flight?" Claire asked.
"Let's see… I think Night of the Hunter is good."
"Playing 'Night of the Hunter' by 30 Seconds to Mars."
The music began playing, and Serah began singing along.
God… How long have I been in this world by now?! I need to find a human partner! Why is it so hard to find a half-decent partner?! One who burns like the flame inside my soul-
The Pyrus Bakugan was clearly a woman by the tone in her voice. Her body had strange designs all over it, and she appeared to be holding some kind of weapon, but in ball form, it wasn't easy to discern exactly what that weapon was. She was desperate for a human partner, and was currently rattling out her frustrations to no one until she felt that feeling. The feeling that a human partner suited for her was close. She smirked as she saw the human jet by in a metal suit.
Well, well! What do we have here? Looks like I've found you! Here I go!
She rolled back, before launching herself at maximum velocity towards the suited human, praying that she would get the human's attention in her reckless endeavor…
Serah blazed on through the skies, a trail of flame behind her. She was screaming as the adrenaline rush gave her a high unlike any other. Loops and rolls of all kinds only added to the breathtaking experience. Then, something struck the backside of the armor, making a resounding ping! She turned to try to find it.
"Damnit! That didn't go according to plaaaaaaaaaaan!"
She looked down, and her eyes widened.
"Holy shit… A talking Bakugan! Claire, let's go!"
"Understood."
She shot downwards like a bullet, catching the Pyrus Bakugan in midair, saving its life.
"Hey, you okay?"
The poor creature panted heavily.
"Considering I almost just DIED, yea, I'm doing great!"
Serah snorted.
"You know, I like you. Say, you wanna be partners?"
"That's exactly what I was gonna ask!"
"Well then! What's your name, partner?"
"I am Brynhildr! What is your name, human?"
"Seraphina 'Serah' Stark. Looking forward to working with you!"
"I hate to break up this happy union, but we should get back. Jarvis has discovered I have overriden his program and security protocols." Claire pointed out.
"Well, fuck. I'm screwed."