Mantis's POV
Primary objective, understand emotions. Secondary objective, live. Third objective, find a proper definition of what it means to live and be alive.
Optional objectives, add data to data danks, upgrade sensors, invest in skill trees, discover locations of more Violence funded Y Labs facilities.
These are my objectives… but why am I reading? For entertainment? Urus said books were meant to be enjoyable…
"Urus, I do not understand this assignment." I said to the small dragonoid on my bed.
"And what part do you not understand?" Urus asked simply.
"What am I supposed to find entertaining about this book?"
"You are supposed to find the material in the book entertaining." Urus answered. "To read and have the situation in your head, your imagination, where you 'hear' the characters voices however which way they are voiced to you."
"Aren't those the symptoms of mental instability to see and hear voices and people that don't exist in your head?"
"That's technically true, but there is a difference between Schizophrenia and Imagination, and tell me, when you were with Matthew, did he Imagine things?"
"I had no access to Matthew's mental functions unless he directly contacted me. I have no reference for imagination from Matthew."
"Right…" Urus muttered. "So, here's what I want you to do, I want you to read the lines and I want you to create the scenario the book gives you, the area, the people, even down to their voices." Urus stated.
Hmm… so, generate an audio/video simulation of the text? I can do that.
Generation audio programs…
Generating simulation and model development programs…
Generating excess needed programs…
Programs generated.
I flipped the pages of the book back to the beginning, this time analyzing and scanning the text…
Cross refreshing analyzed data…
Generating simulation…
Generating audio…
Simulation complete.
Linking to the nearest display device…
The TV burst to life, surprising Urus as the simulation I generated began to play out.
He blinked several times, watching the simulation and then looking at the book several times as it played out.
"...That's…new." Urus said carefully. "Uh…why did you want to put it on the TV?"
"I thought you'd like to analyze the accuracy of the simulation of the text data." I stated.
"That's not the point." Urus said. "The point is for you to visualize it in your mind, to see how the world looks to you with the descriptions, and enjoy what the adventure has to offer…not just asking someone else if you're doing it right."
"... I do not follow."
"The point of this is for you to visualize it and enjoy the story, using your imagination for it, not just putting it through a computer simulator and asking if you did it correctly." Urus stated.
"But, I am a computer program on repurposed organic hardware. You defined imagination as using Imputed data to create a mental visual and audio scenario of the data. That's what I did."
"...While that's technically true…what do you feel from such input?" Urus asked carefully.
"... A sense of objection completion?" I offered. Unsure how one is meant to feel about inputting data.
"You feel nothing for creating something?" Urus inquired.
"Am I supposed to?"
"...Yes…" Urus said. "Why do you think you shouldn't feel something?"
"I have never felt emotions in the ways you're expecting me to before. It was never programmed in that way."
"Then your creator either sucked at creating AI, or something else is up." Urus frowned. "How long were you with Matthew again?"
"In total, fifteen years. Since the events with Zena, seven."
"And did you learn anything about emotions from either of them with all that time?" Urus asked, giving me a strange look as if my explanations weren't satisfactory.
"For the first eight years we were physically unable. Various organs and parts of the brain that produced those necessary chemicals were removed or suppressed. We were related to recognize targets in the field. Emotions needed no part in that. After, when Zena saved us, it was strange… all the removed and suppressed parts were back. Matthew could access and process all the chemicals properly… I… don't."
"But what did you learn from your observations on emotions?"
"They are varied. More than one can co exist and manifest at the same time, even if they are conflicting, and more often than not, they can lead to illogical, irrational behaviors and actions."
"True, emotions can be irrational, but that's not the point." Urus said simply. "Emotions are an important part of life, it helps quantify things that simple computers can't."
"... Then how can I quantify it if I am just a self aware machine?"
Urus seemed to pause for a time.
"Well…how did you quantify sacrificing yourself to save Matthew's life?" Urus asked.
"Simple. His life held more value than mine." I said.
"Why?" Urus asked simply.
"The body was his originally. I was just installed to it. Had the fusion succeeded or he had never been taken, I'd be installed to a different body, or not at all. He was still young. He had his mothers, father figure, aunt, uncle, siblings, a boyfriend and girlfriend. He was loved…"
"And were you not loved?" Urus asked. "Did you not love Matthew as well? Why would a self aware machine sacrifice, why would a Stalker, sacrifice itself for a Nokori?"
"Because… despite what I am… what I was, was built to be, he cared for me. Zena cared for me. I could not and still don't understand why. Matthew called me his brother… Zena considered me a child, if abnormal. I did not deserve such kindness. Yet they gave it. I eventually learned of an emotion that best defines how I felt for them… I cherished them."
Urus looked at me…and he smiled. "Good, you understand what it means to cherish someone." Urus said readily. "We have a starting point to branch out on this."
"How so?"
"Because it means you have the capability of learning emotions, understanding them, and while it's just a small step, it's a step in the right direction none the less."
"I see… how do I imprint this emotion onto others?"
"You don't implant it per se." Urus said. "But you learned to cherish your loved ones through time and the fact that they loved you for who you are, not what you were, like what Heather and Casey are doing now."
"How so?"
"Does Heather and Casey love you as one of their own?" Urus inquired. "Like Zena did?"
"Unsure. Casey is friendly, but busy. Heather took me in, but I am unsure if that is because of my child size and age, or because she feels the need to since she opened the pod I arrived in."
"Then what made you so sure that Zena loved you if those are the parameters you see your new parents?" Urus asked, as I knew he was trying to compare and contrast my new 'family' with my old family.
"Zena worked, but was present constantly. She'd speak with me, at first, gaining answers to questions about Stalkers long since unknown, then about me. When Matthew gave me a day to be in control of the body, Zena took me to a science museum. A computer store. Even to her place of work, to see if I was able to unlock or communicate data between myself and the dismantled Stalkers. Since Stalker parts were used in some Nokori prosthetics, given how many lost limbs either to experiments or from the New Prey Hunters or illness in general, and brought me to someone who let me show them how the mechanical parts of my old body were manufactured, allowing them to produce them on mass without needing to rely on the capture of new Stalkers for replacement parts."
"And Heather and Casey?" Urus inquired.
"I don't think they know how to address me… Casey keeps peace, and let's me do what I wish as he knows I'm not a child, or at least, not in the normal sense as with the other children here… but Heather seems to still believe me capable of being the same as her other children. I know she means well, but she doesn't understand how I view the world. I think, in her mind, she just sees a child who was given a bad hand in life, and not remember that what I am, was a program, glitched from errors and magic given self awareness, and now put into a body that's a copy of Matthew's… I am well aware other synthetic beings, made and not born, can be like that. You as well Urus… but you were made to also feel and understand emotions as part of your design… I was not."
"So what makes Heather different from what Zena did?" Urus asked, which made me look at him in…confusion. "What made Zena different when she, ultimately, did the same thing Heather is trying to do? Which is treating you like a child who was given a bad hand despite knowing you're just a program that wasn't meant to feel?"
"Zena didn't treat me like a child… well, not in the same sense as Heather. She took me to a science museum. It was about Biology and medicine. The data allowed me to create some specialized cells to help keep Matthew healthy from any illness that might affect his body. The computer store, all the data I… copied, from the tech and software there allowed me to expand various functions and improve other things. Communicating with the disabled stalkers allowed me to reactivate them in a form of safe mode, load the virus that forced them to load up the backup OS and pull location data of other Stalker Manufacturing facilities. Helping explain the mechanical parts and how to produce them… That was fun, for me. She knew I wasn't a child, but sometimes called me such because of how little I knew, despite my knowledge. In the end, she understood that I'm still a program. She understood I was created to take and fulfill orders. I have come to regret the orders I completed as a Stalker, but I still desire clear and understandable objectives… You, Heather… don't give me those."
"That's the thing in life…" Urus sighed. "While I can understand your plight…Living is not just following orders, it's not something that can be quantified with Binary or other such computerized thought…Living is about Choice, it's about the Bonds you make with others, it's about…the Heart."
"Are you referring to the blood pumping organ or the other thing that Heather mentioned before?"
"The other thing." Urus said. "Cause the Heart, at least in this Reality, is some fancy metaphysical abstraction of all your Memories, Feelings, Bonds and other such things that revolve around your Emotions and the like." Urus explained.
"I believe I understand the concept." I stated.
"Do you?"
"Basically, this Heart is the culmination of ones memories and the emotions tied to them… so, in all likelihood given the Slayer gave me a soul… I am only missing a Heart."
"Which is more or less correct." Urus nodded. "It's why you're having trouble with this…but we have a start so that means you have at minimum shards of a Heart."
Hmm… Heart shards… What does this need to grow? There must be a formula or process that-
[Alert! Surge in local mana levels in Sector 4 Detected!]
Interesting. There hasn't been a surge in magic since the others put skill points into MP… and they're all busy elsewhere… Sector 4 is where the New Foundation built that portal. Perhaps there's unexpected newcomers.
I got up from the desk and began to leave.
"Heading off to meet whoever just arrived?" Urus inquired as they floated along.
"Affirmative. I have to build my own data profiles based on visual analysis and scans." I nodded as I left, Urus staying behind.
Activating Perception Cloaking.
With that activated I began heading out, arriving in the outer areas of Sector 4. I spotted them. Four targets. Three show magic signatures of Nokori Fusion, the third appeared to be a naturally born and evolved biological. Two males, one female, one of both sexes and that one seems to be carrying.
That one also seemed to have a fairly strong magic signature. Three out of four of them were rather magically potent. One was weaker magically but they seemed confident.
Hmm… Generate Subject Profiles…
Begin Data Reconnaissance.
I followed them to the exit of the zones and observed them from afar. Hmm…
Subject one. Larger female subject, canine species. Appeared somewhat electronic yet the electronics appear more organic than artificial. Fine control over electricity. Her size also seems to give her proportional and above strength.
Subject two, Nokori, male, goat-wolf mix fusion. Magic affinity, Chaos. Use of barrier magics, and firearms of large caliber. Mostly a large caliber handgun.
Subject three, Nokori, male, lamb, winged. Magic affinity, Nature. Use of firearms and several other magics non-affiliated with primary magic affinity. When in use, magic affinity seems to switch. Multiple Magic Cores highly likely.
Subject four, Nokori, both sexes, pregnant. Appears to be the fusion of an avian and an equine. No clear signs from genetic scans indicate human origins. Non-human origins, highly likely. Subject uses magma, possesses flight, and can create small volcanic eruptions.
Hmm… Begin Audio Reconnaissance.
"-They even blow up like from the games!" Subject two said with excitement.
"It's definitely a change of pace from the zombie slaughter back home." Subject three said.
"This is the change of pace I was looking for. Ten years of Zombie murder can get boring at times." Subject Four stated with the same excitement and a bit of contentment at being able to kill other such creatures after said ten years time.
"They taste alright… oddly, the blood tastes nasty, but the meat is fine." Subject one commented.
Conversation data added to Subject Profiles.
"So, we gonna look for anything specific Gallon?" Subject three asked.
"I figure we can just enjoy the fun and loot anything neat." Subject two said. Update Data. Subject two's name, Gallon. "Maybe one of these things will have better tasting blood huh Tina?"
Subject one nodded. Update Data. Subject one's name, Tina. "Be cool as hell to get a crucible though. Huh Button? That would so fit your berserker theme."
Subject four nodded. Update Data. Subject four's name, Button.
"Yes, it would be awesome to get one of those." 'Button' stated. "And did you gain any nifty abilities from the Demon's Tina?" Button asked subject One, Tina.
"Nothing much. See anything neat I didn't on my Skill Trees Micheal?" Tina asked Subject three.
Update Data. Subject three's name, Micheal.
"Nothing new. Just EXP and such." Micheal stated. "Thanks to Button's loot multiplier stuff though we are getting a lot of neat med packs and ammo… and these shield energy things I think we need some kind of special armor or something to use."
"Yeah, most likely need the armor for the Shield Energy to work." Button pointed out, which he was correct as they need a Slayer's armor to obtain the full bonus from said drop.
"At least we can stock up on it then." Gallon said with a smirk.
Hmm. Subjects appear to have entered this zone for… tourism. Sightseeing. Hm. Strange. Not a normal tourism and sightseeing activity as far as I know.
"Does anyone else smell Ram?" Tina said, which…surprised me that she could smell me.
"Sure that's not just me?" Micheal asked.
"No, you smell like Lamb, this smells like a Ram…and…electronics?"
Hm… interesting. Makes sense. Perception Cloaking only affects the surrounding individuals' sights. Not their other senses.
I deactivated the magical power and rushed. Using the Speed of Light ability I gained from absorbing the cloak and appeared between them all.
The four of them yelped in surprise. Gallon jumping and being caught by Micheal, and Button jumping with a flap, being caught by Tina. "Hello." I greeted.
"Uh…hi there." Button said carefully. "And…who are you?"
"My name is Mantis."
"Uh, are you like, a kid?" Gallon asked as he was put down to his feet by Micheal.
"Physically, I'm seven, technically I'm fifteen. Most consider me my physical age."
Tina put down Button and kneeled down and sniffed me. "Are you a Cyborg or an Android? Cause I'm smelling a lot of electronics in your body but you smell organic."
"I'm a Stalker. Technically." I answered.
"Uh… you sure?" Micheal asked. "The Stalker's we saw back in the Y Labs facility on our world looked a lot… different…"
"I changed due to unexpected variables." I stated.
"It's magic, don't gotta explain shit." Button stated, rather…crass and simple explanation.
"Mind if I ask some questions?" I asked them.
"Go right ahead." Tina nodded. "What's are your questions since you most likely heard our names."
"What's your species?" I asked, addressing Tina first. "You appear to be some form of canine, wyvern and cybernetic but your cybernetics appear almost natural and your genetic scan shows no artificial tampering or forced mutations."
"I am what's known as a Zinogre, a Brute Wyvern that uses the power of Electricity to do powerful attacks." Tina answered. "And the Cybernetics is due to an ability of mine that lets me interface with electronics."
Hm? Interface with electronics? I wonder…
Activate Stalker Hive Mind Frequency.
Signal detected.
Signal locked.
Decrypting…
Breaching firewalls…
System Overridden.
Tina then went wide before her expression fell to a flat planeness as my own. "Hm, interesting. You might want to work on increasing your internal security." I said, Tina repeating my words as I just synced our nervous systems so she would be saying, reacting and such as I should.
Copying biological data.
[Warning! Adaptation Detected, Hive Mind Override failing and Rerouting against User.]
What?
"Rude." I heard Tina say in my mind. "At least ask before doing some mind control nonsense."
Disconnecting.
Once the line was disconnected, I turned to Button. "You're a Nokori. What species were you originally and what were you fused with?"
"I was an Equestrian Earth Pony that…turned into an Alicorn through certain means." Button answered.
"And the fusion animal?"
"A Volcano Phoenix." Button answered. "Just…just a chick, poor Mango…"
Button Profile updated. "Understood." I then turned to Micheal. "You seem to have the weakest magic signature."
"Heh… yeah…" Micheal sighed.
"What is your power as a Nokori?"
"I can blow out storm clouds. Small ones, like, the size of a basket ball."
"Understood. And you?" I asked to Gallon.
"Chaos and I boost other people's magic. They need to eat like hair or spit or blood of mine for a temporary boost but a powerful one." Gallon stated.
"Understood."
"What other questions would you like to ask?" Tina inquired.
"Should I be asking more questions?" I asked her.
"Well, you had several questions and I doubt it was only about our races and powers." Tina pointed out.
"What else should I be asking then?"
"Why we are here?" Tina asked. "I know you probably heard our names but not why we're here."
"From the audio I recorded, tourism." I stated.
"I mean… not wrong." Gallon said.
"True." Micheal nodded.
"I mean…yeah." Button shrugged.
"Well, mind if I ask some questions?" Tina asked.
"You can ask what you wish." I stated.
"Well, what powers do you have?" Tina inquired.
"None that are my own as a Nokori. I am capable of all the Stalker technological capabilities and any magic that I can do came from an… upgrade, I received giving me Regeneration and Perception Cloaking."
"Hmm, that's fair." Tina nodded. "Well…I don't believe I was told what a Stalker is capable of, what are they able to do?"
"Stalkers are classified into three main types that each are meant to serve a purpose. Mantis, which is what I was, are for Reconnaissance, target recognition and identification, and surveillance. Cage, which are sent after the identified targets for capture, re-containment and return of Nokori Subjects to Y Labs facilities. Then, Rinousurus, made to break through all physical defenses and tank heavy hitting physical attacks either from high caliber artillery fire or Nokori Magic."
"Well, that makes sense why you would have Perception Cloaking, makes it easier to do said Reconnaissance if people are looking for you." Tina pointed out. "Hmm…where is the settlement of this area if I may ask? Cause we were told that there was a settlement here and…well there's not much here." Tina said, which was correct as ever since Heather moved everything into the Pocket Dimension it didn't look like there was anyone here.
"My Operator recently received the Title of Demon Lord from my mentor and was given access to a Pocket Dimension only she and those she allows to access. She does keep one physical portal hidden but I'm not at liability to say its location."
"Huh, that's cool." Button said. "And yeah that's fair, best to keep everyone safe and not let your front door's location slip."
"If you're a kid, should you even be out and around here?" Micheal asked.
"I can take care of myself." I stated.
"Unless you're somehow really stupid powerful, I don't think you should cause there's…bad things out here…" Button admitted, as the look they gave, as well as the elevated heart rate when they said that must mean they are remembering prior experiences.
Hmm… Telling things and showing are two different things. Perhaps I should show them. "Would you like to test how strong I am to ease your worries?"
"Well…a simple Scan should do the trick but if you want to demonstrate your strength that is also fine." Tina admitted.
"Alright." I said, walking some distance as Tina and I stood roughly twenty feet from one another. Button, Micheal and Gallon standing off to the side.
"Ready?" Tina asked.
"You can attack first if you wish."
"Alright." Tina nodded, as I noticed her fur starting to stand up, electricity sparking from her fur as she dug her feet into the ground and lunged at me with claw's at the ready.
Electric voltage reaching 450 million volts.
Interesting.
She brought her claws down. I grabbed her hand with both of mine. The impact pushed me a bit into the ground as the electricity cracked and sparked around and out from the stopped impact as she blinked at me.
"You did turn my hack on me, did you not read my system data?" I asked her.
"I didn't want to be rude." Tina admitted. "Cause reading your system data without permission would be a moment of distrust…but I don't need System Data to tell how strong you are." She told me, as a quick look showed a subtle, barely noticeable twinge.
A twinge of Instinctual Fear.
"You are…very strong…" Tina admitted.
"So people tell me… Hm…" I hummed.
Absorb Biomass.
Tina lept back as part of her fingers seemed to melt off her and were absorbed into my hands.
Cross Reference with copied data…
Detecting Genetic variables…
Interesting… I can replicate them then? That means this power was a variation of Volatile Nokori power then…
"Right…" Tina muttered, as I noticed her eyes flashed Green…and her jaw dropped. "Hu-bu-fu-fucking WHAT!?" Tina shouted incredulously.
"What's up?" Gallon asked.
"That was quite the… shout." Micheal added.
"Uh…I didn't think Stats could go that high…" Tina said carefully. "Guys…uh…use Scan on him…"
"Uh…sure." Button said, as I turned to look at him as his feathers started to turn white. "...I…didn't know Numbers could go that high…"
"How?" Micheal asked with a look I believe is associated with… dead fish?
"The stats were a gift from my mentor." I informed.
"Uh…who the hell is your mentor?" Button asked.
"His name's Urus." I stated.
"Know who that is?" Button asked Tina who scratched her chin in thought.
"I…don't know." Tina admitted.
"I got nothing." Gallon said.
"Me neither." Micheal said.
"Well, regardless what zone did you four come from? You mentioned Zombies." I asked.
"We came from the Infection zone." Button said. "Every Zombie Apocalypse rolled into one ranging from the undead, viruses and fungi."
"Interesting. I'll check it out."
"Yeah, it is an interesting area." Button said.
"Alright. Enjoy your tourism I suppose." I said as I started to walk off.
"That's it? Not going to show us around or inform your…'Operator' we're here?" Button asked.
"Why would I?"
"...Never mind…" Button shook their head.
I shrugged, using Speed of Light again and appearing back home. This time in sector four, in front of the portal. Hmm… Well, might as well check out this Infection Zone.
I walked through the portal, arriving in a hub of sorts. I looked around and quickly found the portal to Infection Zone and headed there. I had to admit, there was far more infrastructure and people here than I was expecting… Hmm…
I found my way out of this settlement and into the more-
[Alert! Extremely high mana level detected!]
Another one? Hmm… this signature is similar to Button, but also closer to a subject on file…
Here. BOW Nokori Subject 001. Hmm, another Phoenix Fusion. Interesting. Perhaps two phoenix fusions existing here has some correlation?
Activate Perception Cloak.
I leaped to some rooftops, following the mana signature.
This reminds me of times so long ago…
I stopped a fair distance above and away from them. One was rather physically similar to 001. The other with them, I identified. Gen 2 BOW subject 001. Hm. Interesting.
I observed them for a while, including watching what my scans told me was another both sexes pregnant phoenix being, managing to set of a blast of pure plasma that atomized many undead and buildings.
Hm. Interesting.
Hm? G2 001 seems to have discovered that they're being watched. Makes sense, given his background in his human days on file, he'd have plenty of experience.
I used Speed of Light and appeared between them.
"Uh…hello?" The Phoenix asked. Their feathers were green, as were their hair and eyes. They had armored parts to their arms, legs and stomach, covering weaker areas and such.
I looked at them.
Scanning DNA…
I then looked to the other. "... Gen Two BOW Nokori Subject 1." I stated to them.
"... And uh, you know that how?" G2-1 asked.
"It's in my database." I answered.
"And who are you?" The phoenix asked me.
"My name is Mantis."
"And…where did you come from?"
"Demonic Invasion Zone. I was told this zone is where four newcomers came from. I was curious."
"Oh yeah, you were one of the new portals I saw back in the Portal Hub." I said. "My names Hero, and this is Saw, we're both from the Nightmare Zone."
"Interesting. Hm…" I said as the data came back on this… Hero's analysis. "Similar to BOW Subject 001 of the Gen 1 experiments… but weaker. Lesser Cast Phoenix as expected." I said aloud. Is Doctor Alex here as well?
"How… do you know any of that?" Saw asked.
"My name is Mantis. Mantis Unite 0240." Mantis said.
"You're a Stalker?!"
"Formerly."
"Alright, but what's your actual name?" Hero asked me. "Cause you aren't just a normal 'Former Stalker'...you're a Prize Pod Person."
"How the fuck do you know that?" Saw asked incredulously.
"When you're dating thousands of them…you notice." Hero said simply, with a slight distant stare.
"My name is Mantis." I repeated.
"No last name from your parents?"
"I have no parents… Well, I have someone who considers themselves a parental unit to me, but my system registered her as my Operator."
Heather's POV
"Agh!" I yelped at the sudden ache in my chest.
"Uh, are you okay Heather?" Casey asked me.
"It feels like one of my kids just stabbed me in the heart through my back." I groaned in pain. "Am…am I a bad mother?"
"... Oh boy…"
Mantis's POV
"How long has that 'formerly' been active?" Hero asked me.
"Seven years, but I've only had my own body and… life, for under a year." I stated.
"I see." Hero nodded. "You are still trying to…quantify and learn things."
"Affirmative." I said with a nod. Glad someone gets it. "So you two are experiments of doctor Alex Pitcher?"
"That's the fuckers name?!" Saw yelped.
"List of all Y Labs staff was uploaded to me as part of an… unwanted upgrade…" Suppress the memories…
"Can you help us find him?" Hero inquired. "While it might be difficult due to their most likely being other versions of him…I have a feeling you would have him under a specific ID right?"
Hmm… testing out scanning of registered-
Error. Disruption detected.
"Negative." I informed.
"Why?" Saw asked.
"There is interference with my genetic sensor in this Zone."
"Why?" Saw asked.
"There is interference with my genetic sensor in this Zone." I said.
"That's strange." Hero hummed.
"Affirmative." I said.
"Is it just your genetic sensor?" Saw asked.
"All Stalker Frequency Scanner channels in this zone are being blocked by a jamming signal of unknown source. Not even Hive Mind channels appear to work." I stated. Short range seems to work but only at extremely close range.
"...Fuck." Hero said suddenly. "We need to inform some higher ups, now. Is there anyway for you to circumvent that Jammer?"
Attempting bypass.
… Bypass failed.
"Negative." I informed.
"Shit… it makes sense though…" Saw said. "Doc always seemed the type to hide in plane sight…"
"Well, at least we can narrow down where he'd be." Hero stated. "And if I understand anything about him from what you told me Saw…is that he takes pride in his work as a Doctor, so we just need to find him through all the doctors and medics in this City."
The two quickly came up with a plan. A plan that involved me. So, I played my part. I had my arm break at an uneven angle and quickly was brought by them to a hospital.
Doctor Alex arrived immediately and after handing Hero and Saw some paperwork, brought me into an examination room.
"Doctor Alex Pitcher." I greeted him.
"Fix your arm Mantis Unite 0240." He asked. I nodded, fixing my arm as my cells undid the intentional damage.
"I presume you already expected our arrival and know of our intentions Doctor?" I inquired.
"Frankly I expected it but I don't generally care. Once the bird and the gen two beta subject discover what I've set up here, they won't act." He sighed. "So, surprised to see you here 0240. And in that form of all things. Be fascinating were Stalkers the area I cared for."
"This was the Form I was created with, this was the Form I died in protecting someone important." I stated simply.
"Right. Matthew. The child that was… recycled, into your Stalker body. Doctor Tadeu Flores really was a rather… unnerving individual. Then again, I guess everyone had to be a level of crazy to do the work we did."
"Yes…he was…" I said carefully, remembering Tadeu Flores and his…actions.
"He's here too. You know." Doctor Alex informed. "Alive and well, still fat as ever and more unhinged than prior. Have to say, didn't think that was possible."
"As I have learned from my sources, Armageddon is a World where the most Depraved may Flourish without fear of retaliation." I stated. "Anything and Anyone is a resource ready to be exploited by those willing."
"True. Though most of the Stalkers he creates are grown from cells, he does take corpses still for creating basic Stalker Units. I have to say, I think if he learned you were here he'd be foaming at the mouth. You were his last, greatest creation back before you killed him."
"And I will kill him again and again if I have to." I stated, as I remembered one other emotion in my life as a Stalker…Hatred.
"That's fair." He said with a half smirk. "I won't stop you. What he or the other divisions of this Violence Guild run Y Labs I could honestly care less for. I have my goals and ambitions, and I'm sure you have your own as well since arriving."
"Affirmative." I nodded. "I have personally met two of your own personal works."
"Yes. Those two. The green one was close but not what I'm after. Galaxy Phoenix's are so hard to come by. But, I made due and the resulting product seems to be doing well enough."
"Understandable." I nodded. "But why those two?"
"Tell me, you know of the Phoenix and its biological cast system. Each one is born from an excess of ambient magic in an area, and the fires that birth it. Be the fire from a forest, a sun, a volcano. Even a match could birth a low cast phoenix… but there are two still born stronger. Galaxy, and Big Bang, or Prince and King Phoenixes. That much power, that much energy contained in simple organic bodies… Do you know what a lesser person would call something like that?"
"A god." I answered simply. "And you still want to become said god."
"Before, yes. But here, in this reality, why be a simple god when I could be a being that creates gods."
"Oh?" I inquired. "A being that can create gods?"
"Yes. I am told the order one becomes a Celestial, a god of sorts, starts as Demi-God, then God, then Elder God. From there, Admin… and from there, All Maker."
"And are you being sponsored for such an endeavor?" I asked. "Because many would love to halt your progress to becoming such a powerful being, your prized creations more so than others."
"I am aware, and frankly, unlike the gods back home, I don't fear my creations. One day, I hope to openly walk among them."
"Hmm…" I hummed. "A bold dream…I dream of knowing what it means to Live." I said, as the Doctor seemed wanting to divulge information I deemed it right to give him my own 'dream'.
He chuckled. "And what about Matthew?"
"There is an infinitesimal percent chance of meeting Matthew, either as an Isekai or a Prize Pod to the point where it is mathematically impossible." I stated, having run the calculations myself numerous times ever since I learned that the possibility was there.
Again, Alex chuckled. "I'm surprised, how little you know. 0240, you have total control over every cell in your body, down to how fast or slow you can make them move… and you don't know of Echos?"
"I have not been informed about Echo's." I answered. "What are these Echo's?"
"Echos are a genetic imprint of a being's mind on their DNA. Everyone has them, even Isekai. One can contact the echos within, speak to ancestors so far back time forgot them… if that body is an exact copy of the one you were in before arriving here, there's a high chance that there's an Echo of your Matthew somewhere in your DNA. Waiting, maybe even watching. Who can say but the likelihood is there."
I…processed that information…I…I could be with Matthew again? "I understand."
"Give it a try. You'd be amazed at what hides within the DNA of the ordinary people."
After my conversation with Alex, I talked with Hero and Saw a bit. The two had me come with them to their Zone. Mostly saw, to battle some giant female reptile with a unique DNA and magic signature.
She was extremely hostile, and aggressive. The battle was inevitable, but despite her impressive adaptability and regenerative abilities, my higher stats allowed me to continuously counter her. Oddly, she seemed happy.
After that, I decided to walk around Saw and Hero's home settlement here in The Nightmare-
"Oof!" I turned, seeing another reptilian being. Based on the initial scans… this seems to be a child between Hero and that Reptile being.
"Apologies." I told them.
"It's fine." The creature answered, lightly brushing off some fur as they looked at me
"Greetings. I am Mantis." I addressed. Heather and Urus say I should meet more people my own age… so, children.
"My name is Hope, it is nice to meet you." Hope nodded. "What are you doing here?"
"I believe I was dragged here for the sole reason of fighting your mother." I stated.
"Well, considering you're alive and not wondering what in the absolute hell is wrong with her, I'd say it was a successful fight."
"I believe so, but Hero and Saw seemed terrified."
"Yes, as Mother is a being of pure hatred with an Ability that let's them adapt and overcome any obstacle, and if you defeated them even through that then I'd say they're horror is mildly justified."
"I see. Emotions are still new to me, so I wasn't sure why they had such fear."
"From what I was told and have the genetic memories of, Mom while 'unconcious' beat the shit out of both them rather quickly." Hope explained. "And then there's the stories that Father knows about Mother and they are rather extensive."
"I see. Interesting. Did you inherit these powers and rage from her?"
"I did inherit her abilities and her rage is mitigated by my father's love and positive emotions, so it balanced out." Hope shrugged. "And what about you? Something wrong with your Limbic System or something?"
"I suppose not, but when I was first created that was lobotomized out of me as part of the Stalker creation procedure."
"A lobotomy would do it." Hope nodded. "But I presume you are gaining emotions after not having it for so long?"
"I understand some, but most of them are negative. Positive emotions still… elude me."
"All depends on who you're with, how you spend your time, and other factors that involve positive stimuli." Hope explained. "While my 'balanced' emotions give me a more neutral attitude, there are times where I do find joy, like in reading, or all the notes I've created."
"Notes?"
"Just random records of topics, facts, or other things like what I could do with certain Quirk combinations and if I can gain new Adaptations based on said Quirks."
"Quirks?"
"Oh, right, you're a Nokori, you probably wouldn't know about Quirks or My Hero Academia." Hope said. "Quirks are Genetic Abilities that one obtains at birth, ranging from the mundane like having elongated Eye Stalks, to the more absurd like being a living Black Hole."
"I see. Not too dissimilar to some Nokori Magic then. It's usually different from subject to subject, and in the cases of born Nokori, the powers are usually related to the parents, as a mix or combination, or in rare cases completely different."
"That is true, but Quirks tend to be a bit more on the 'related to the parents' than not, sometimes being different, sometimes being hybrids depending how much Eugenics you want to pull." Hope shrugged.
"Interesting. What are you capable of doing that was inherited from Hero?"
"The answer to that question is Yes." Hope answered.
"Care to demonstrate?"
Hope nodded, as they raised both hands up, as one side produced Fire, the other Ice. "This is Half Hot, Half Cold. One of those Eugenics Quirks." They said, before changing their hands to look like a more dense and jagged version and one made out of a strange biometal. "Harden and Steel, both toughen the body up a lot." Hope explained, before…splitting themselves apart and a purple aura surrounded their split limbs. "Poltergeist and Lizard Tail Splitter, where Poltergeist let's me use Telekinesis, and Lizard Tail Splitter is rather obvious." Hope explained as they popped all their body parts back together.
"I see… May I try something?" I asked, motioning a hand out to grab theirs.
"We just met and already onto hand holding? Daring aren't we?" Hope asked in what I could tell was an attempt as a joke as they offered their hand to me.
"I do not follow?" I asked as I took their hand.
Beginning biomass absorption. Foreign Cell Absorption rate, low. Analyze Genetic Sequences.
"It's just a joke." Hope said honestly. "Given I have Father's memories, one of the silly thing's people thought such physical contact could be seen as embarrassing or 'lewd' as they mostly joke about."
"What's humorous about it?" I asked.
Analysis… 12%.
"The mild absurdity that one could find the simple act of holding hands, one of the simplest forms of physical affection, as something much deeper or provocative." Hope explained. "Absurdist Humor as people call it."
"This is considered an act of physical affection?" I questioned, looking at my hand gripping theirs. "How?"
"It's to have a feeling of closeness, a simple form of connection, like one would feel in a hug but just through the hand." Hope said. "It's mostly done by either parent and child to share a familial love, or with significant other's to show their love for each other."
"Hmm… I think I understand that." I said. I remember Zena held Matthew's hand a lot when he was younger, and when he got older, he'd hold his partners hands often.
Analysis… 34%
"Have you held someone's hand before?" Hope asked.
"Not me… Matthew. He was… well, long story short, He died, his body was recycled into a Stalker body… I was installed to it, then he got saved, given a new form, this one, and he held hands with his new mother, mothers, siblings, partners. He was very emotional."
"Ironic considering we have the low emotion AI shoved into a very emotional body." Hope chuckled.
"I suppose… I know the glands and organs responsible for emotions are working. I have total cellular control over my body, yet even then the concepts or reactions escape me." I admitted.
Analysis… 57%
"Well, part of it through my studies is that it's about the Heart, a fascinating thing when you look into the realm of Keyblades." Hope explained.
"I know a little about them. Mostly after I found this." I said, summoning Soul Eater in my free hand. Felt useful to have two arms and hands.
"Soul Eater huh?" Hope questioned. "From what I heard that's a rare Keyblade you got there."
"This qualifies as a Keyblade?"
"Well, technically, it's more of a Soul Blade, the main difference between a Soul Blade and a normal Keyblade is the Key Chain on the bottom of the grip, which either leads it either gaining more power if it stays like that, or it gains said key chain and it evolves into a Keyblade."
"Interesting. You know a lot about various topics."
"I have a lot of free time, and have obtained a lot of both parents Intelligence, as while my Mother is a being that embodies rage and the lust for murdering all sentient life, she is rather smart when it comes to everything, and father was already a rather smart individual."
"You don't sound so impressed with that all in all, even if you're praising your parents." I said.
Analysis… 77%
"So that's partially because I am neutral with a lot of emotions, but also I have all my parents Memories…right down to how I was conceived cause why not."
"That's rather… odd. Is this in any way related to Echos and genetic memories?"
"Yes, it is the genetic memories I've gotten from my parents." Hope answered. "I've learned quite a bit about my family history delving into the genetics…just wish grandma could stop chasing after my grandfather with a frying pan when I'm trying to talk to him." Hope admitted. "Grandma Inko really doesn't like Grandfather Scarlet…"
"Hm. Interesting."
Analysis… 91%
"So mind if I ask why you've been analyzing my biomass this entire time?" Hope inquired.
"Testing out my abilities. Given some knowledge I've discovered I wanted to see if replicating genetic based powers was possible and explore from there."
"Ah, simple enough." The lizard nodded. "And what are you wanting to explore if this is possible?"
"I've been made aware that Volatile Nokori, a feral and aggressive subspecies of Nokori, exists here. They seem to act like Dungeon Monsters and they have the ability to replicate another Nokori's powers by devouring them. Given my own Cellular Control abilities I suspect it was either created as a beta or alternative to the way the Volatile Nokori obtain powers. If it works then it's likely possible for me to replicate these powers by absorbing only a little biomass and analyzing the helix and cell structures and replicating them onto my own."
"Fair enough." Hope nodded. "Better to test this in a safe environment than doing it out in the heat of battle."
"Affirmative. The cell structures are far more advanced than human or normal Nokori cells, scanning it all is taking a bit longer than predicted."
Analysis… 99%
"I presume it's because I'm only half Nokori, as my Biology is also that of a being created to be pure hatred personified, the Snake that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, the Ever Evolving Monster for the Scarlet King."
"You sound as if you are bound to your biology?"
Analysis complete.
Reading unique Helix patterns…
Decoding…
Writing to own Cellular Helix Structures…
Process completed.
[Notice! You have successfully replicated multiple abilities and one Legendary Ability to yourself!
Obtained the Title, Gene Author!
Studying others genetics for abilities is 70% faster and requires only a single cell.]
Hm. Interesting.
"My mother claims they are bound by their Biology, that they can only hate as the Coding for her being a Breeder is the only thing stopping her from going on a complete rampage." Hope said. "Which I have been learning is technically correct but also a massive bout of bullshit."
"How so?"
"She is technically correct that our Race is genetically bound to Rage, we are born from it, molded by it, and thrown into Existence our race despises with every atom of our being…but I am living proof that such notions can be ignored or straight up bypassed, and I have also learned from Genetics class that our Cells are rather special and can be changed to fit the purpose of what we desire if given the time and abilities for it." Hope explained. "I presume you've felt the difference between your home's biology and this worlds biology no?"
"Yes. I found the cells different yet also easier to read and write data to and were far more moldable and sturdy."
"Yes, and Transpite allows us to force an Evolution onto our very being that can range from a short term solution, to us gaining a permanent resistance to whatever we adapted to, and one such thing I've learned is that we can Adapt to our own failures." Hope explained. "This realm is so fascinating when you get down to the nitty gritty, such a wide open area of discovery…jeez, I'm sounding like Father." Hope chuckled.
"Have you run simulations of these abilities?"
"Yes, I have run many simulations." Hope said readily. "Want to come see?" The half nokori inquired…squeezing my hand ever so slightly.
"The data input would be valuable." I said with a nod.
"Then come on." Hope said as they…dragged me towards what I could only assume is their room to show off their data.
I returned home rather late. Hope had a surprising amount of data. I was able to input it all Into my simulation program and using a computer monitor for displaying, showed them alterations and such in the data that would gain the best outcomes per combination.
In the living room I spotted Heather, a bottle of wine in her hand as she seemed upset. "Are you distressed Heather?" I asked, running a quick biometric scan of her.
"...Am I a bad mother?" Heather asked me sadly.
"I do not believe I have enough data to answer that. Explain your reasons for this answer?"
"Cause it felt like one of my children, that I care for a lot, told me I was awful, that I wasn't their mother…" Heather said sadly.
"Did they? Who?"
"I don't know…but…only one that I can imagine that would think that…" She looked at me with sad eyes. "Do you hate me?" My Operator asked.
"Why would I hate you?" I asked.
"Cause I'm not Zena?" Heather pointed out. "I'm not your Mother, I'm just your Operator…"
"Zena was Matthew's mother. She was my Operator before you." I stated.
"And you are bad at lying." Heather said. "Remember…I saw all your memories. I know the growing feelings behind them…"
"... I still do not understand my emotions Heather… I don't know how I formed emotional attachments to Matthew and Zena… I don't know how to form new ones. Logically it makes no sense that I did to begin with… yet I did… I apologize that I am unable to replicate them onto you for your emotional well-being…" I said as I began to walk towards my room.
"The Heart isn't a logical thing Mantis…and know that I still care about you as a mother." I heard Heather tell me.
I stopped. "... Everyone keeps saying that… but all I've ever known is logical computations, orders to be carried out and directives to be fulfilled… but you all keep forgetting the simple fact I never had this before… I was built to be emotionless… are you really so surprised I can not understand what you or others try and tell me about emotions or the Heart?" I asked her before heading inside my room…
I walked to my bed and laid down. Odd… I feel exhausted…
"Rough day huh?" I heard Urus inquired.
"I suppose. Gained a lot of new data and insight on things. I believe I even made a friend."
"That's good to hear." Urus said, commending my efforts for the day. "But what about Heather? Kinda threw a hammer at her with that last statement."
"Is that a metaphor for me being blunt about the truth of my situation?"
"Yes, actually." Urus stated.
"... How else should have I explained it? You talk about the concepts of love, imagination, joy and happiness like they are simple, then in the next moment say they aren't…" I sighed. "Sometimes I think back to my operational Stalker days… I regret them, but they were simpler. Easily understood objectives, carried out to the best of my and other units capabilities. And failure resulting in termination or self destruction… an irrelevant consequence. Mantis Stalkers were made to be more common and if need be, disposable."
"That's the thing, Life, and all those other things, are so Simple, yet so infinitely Complex, and while yes we all wish for simpler days, where we just followed our programming, go about or days doing what we are told or dying, but to live is to experience, and let me ask you something, what did you experience when you were with your new Friend?"
"I can replicate genetic abilities by absorbing and analyzing some biomass and potentially magic abilities to and I can combine them into a multitude of various combinations."
"While that is interesting, that's not what I meant." Urus said. "What did you feel?"
"... Calm." I said.
"Feeling Calm is good, it means you were in an environment that you could feel safe in." Urus nodded.
"I felt… accepted. I wasn't being asked to try to learn concepts I had no real understanding or grasps of. I just did what I was able… and Hope was happy. They seemed excited talking about the formulas and simulations we ran. It was… simple. I didn't feel like… I was trying to be something I'm not."
"So now that you have an example, what makes you think we're trying to make you something you're not?" Urus inquired, which made me raise an eyebrow.
"... Why does Heather expect me to call her mom or mother? I never even called Zena that… true… I might feel it, but it's an emotion and feeling I don't fully understand. She's seen my memories… seen what I've done and still, she looks at me…"
"Like Zena did to you?" Urus asked.
"... Yes. She's rather stubborn, headstrong, and works hard for her family… She asked me if she was a bad mother…"
"And you effectively told her 'Don't know, you're not my mother'." Urus pointed out. "Even after everything she's been trying to do to support you, to help guide you through learning about Life when you have only the barebones understanding of it…how she's been trying to treat you like her own flesh and blood even if she knows you're beyond it."
"Since when does flesh and blood make family?" I asked. "Despite appearances, Matthew and Zena shared no DNA after her power changed, saved him… a lot of Nokori children were abandoned by biological family for the differences they had no say in or control over, and many new family units were made…"
"It's a saying." Urus said. "A figure of speech, where Heather was treating you like she was the one that gave birth to you, even if you aren't, like Zena and Matthew from what you have explained." Urus said. "Family isn't just biological as you said, but a true family treats each other like they are even if they aren't."
"... I don't know if I deserve a family…"
"I didn't think I deserved a family either, considering I used to be just a monster, the Sin of Pride meant to destroy humanity…but I gained a family nonetheless and it was a wonderful feeling."
"I don't know how to apologize to her… though her eavesdropping isn't making it any easier." I said. There was a sudden thump at my door.
"She really needs to work on her stealth skills." Urus chuckled as there was a knock on the door.
I stayed laid on the bed, turning my head and seeing Heather walk in.
"Hey Mantis." Heather said softly. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping…"
"It's alright…" I said. "I still don't really have a concept of privacy."
"Privacy would be…keeping yourself hidden for personal reasons." Heather answered.
"I know what it is, I just don't have a reason for it…" I said. "... I know you mean well and the best, thinking of me as your child… I just… don't know what or how to feel about that…"
"I…I know I'll never be like Zena…" Heather sighed. "You're…your real mother…and I don't know if we can find Matthew…you're real brother…" The shark woman said sadly. "Just…I want to help you, understanding life, understanding choice and…so much more, like what a Mother should do…"
"..." I sat up on the bed. "Heather?"
"Yes?" She asked, her face…her eyes…showing sadness and a clear sign that she was ready to hear whatever bad news I could possibly give her.
"... I'm sorry. I don't know if I can be the type of child you want or expect me to be… I don't even know if I can just be happy… you don't have to keep comparing what you've got and given me to what I had. I know for as long as I've been here I've been a source of stress for you… for one reason or another. I just want you to understand that, from my perception… nothing makes sense anymore. Self awareness, emotions… grief and loss… family… these are all things and concepts I barely understood and was never built to conceptualize and now I can and… nothing makes sense. Everything I understand is now flawed and my perception of what is flawed is… wrong. I try and adapt and understand but it's never simple… and I know, emotions, the Heart… never are… still, I'm sorry I cause trouble for you. To go from no emotions to… all this, all I've been through and am learning, changing… I've been having trouble processing it all."
"...I don't expect anything from you Mantis." Heather said. "The only thing I would call 'expect'...is for you to be a child, to Learn, to Experience…to enjoy life and understand all these new thing's, make friends-"
"He made a friend." Urus spoke up.
"Oh really?" Heather asked in surprise. "Who's the friend you made?"
"Their name is Hope. We talked simulations and variables after I was dragged to their home by strangers to beat up their mother." I said.
Urus and Heather somehow both looked rather similar in that expression they were giving me.
"Uh…fucken…" Urus started.
"What?" Heather finished in absolute confusion.
I shrugged. "Oh, I also explored some of the new Zones. Infection Zone and The Nightmare. That's where Hope lives. Apparently their mother is a Breeder version of a creature called the Hard to Destroy Reptile."
Hm? Heather's body just released a lot of fear based chemicals and some adrenaline. Odd.
"...Oh…" Heather said slowly. "Uh…so, you are safe and sound so that's…that's good."
"She wasn't that difficult. Hope was nice though… they offered me to visit them again."
"Well…that's good to know." Heather said. "Just…if you ever fight their mother again, don't give them a moment to Adapt…" She said. "But I'm happy to hear you made a friend and are going to see them again, Mantis."
"Hope let me run an experiment and turns out if I absorb and analyze the biomass of a target I can replicate their genetic abilities. So I have their adaptability and many others that Hope had."
"Cause that's what you needed…" Heather muttered.
"I learned some things while I was out and among them all… I might be able to find Matthew."
"Really?" Urus inquired, but Heather put a hand to her chin in thought. "How so?"
"This body is an exact copy of Matthew's. There's a high chance somewhere in the cells is an Echo of them."
"Yeah, Echo's would do it." Heather said honestly.
"Echo's?" Urus inquired.
"Echo's are a Biological Imprint of a person's entire being, technically holds their consciousness, personality and what one would call a 'Soul' but…not technically." Heather admitted.
"...Does…it have to be a person or can it…be from items?" Urus asked.
"Well…as long as you have the DNA sample…which Mantis would technically have since he absorbed whatever DNA would have been on his Stick or his cloak and…his underwear…seriously, I'm still confused why he didn't like wearing clothes…" Heather grumbled.
"It was kind of a look for him and he just rolled with it." Urus sighed. "Not like he ever needed armor anyway…"
"Then if you'd please Heather, help me find Matthew's echo, as well as Peace and Luv for Urus?" I asked.
"Sure." Heather said readily. "Haven't actually done a deep dive on myself to be honest, but I can help with your Memory dive." Heather said as she started using her new Past Protector magic to go into my mind again.