"How's the gauntlets going, Pietro?" Evan asked as he entered the room.
"Just give me one more moment…there we go!" Pietro exclaimed as he inserted a device inside the wrist of the weapon.
Turning away from the gauntlet, Pietro swiveled his chair to face Evan.
"Now then, what was…Oh my! Are you quite alright? You look like you've been put through the wringer!" Pietro pointed out as he looked at the teen.
The young Saiyan appeared exhausted as his arms hung at his sides limply, while his hair was soaked with sweat.
"Just more gravity training. Although, I could say the same about you. Don't think I don't see those bags under your eyes." Evan added as he pointed at Pietro.
"Well, the General has kept me busy. So much to do, so little time…" Pietro explained.
"Sounds like we have three things in common. Heh. Regardless, you mentioned in your text that you've made some developments to the gauntlets?" Evan questioned as he moved to sit down in a nearby chair next to the workstation that Pietro was at.
"Indeed. I focused on protecting the major systems of the gauntlet while also implementing some designs to help increase cooling. It took a bit, but I think I've managed to create something that should be able to withstand your new power. Care to try it out?" Pietro asked as he gestured toward the gauntlet.
"Hmmm…Nah. I'm just not feeling up to it, you know." Evan joked as he shrugged his shoulders before proceeding to get out of his chair and sticking his hand inside the weapon.
Transforming into a Super Saiyan once more, Evan looked closely at the device as Pietro picked up and examined a holographic tablet. Seeing no smoke emerge from within the machine, Evan began to generate a Ki blast from the palm of the gauntlet.
"All systems are functional. Keep going." Pietro instructed.
Nodding, Evan focused and put more energy into the attack. As the Ki blast increased to larger and larger sizes, the gauntlet continued on in spite of it.
Letting the Ki blast dissipate into nothing, Evan pulled his hand out of the gauntlet and returned back to normal.
"Your genius never ceases to amaze me, Doc!" Evan exclaimed as he gave a grateful smile at the older man.
"I wonder…How the heck did you manage to get it working?" Evan questioned curiously as he gently placed a hand on the gauntlet.
"One of the main factors was placing numerous ice dust crystals throughout the entire machine in order to keep the temperature down. After that I had to reinforce the main systems with more protective layers in order to prevent any electrical discharges, from your own new energy, from interfering with and shutting them all down." Pietro explained.
"And that's why you're the man!" Evan exclaimed as he held out his palm and gave the scientist a high five.
"Hey, I got to head out soon. The General needs me up in his office. Sorry if I can't stick around." Evan said as he approached the door.
"Oh that's quite alright. I'll send the finished model over to your room once I've finished up the other hand." Pietro stated.
"Thanks Doc! I'll see you around!" Evan exclaimed as he left the room.
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As Evan stepped into the office, he saw the General sitting at his desk, the sun shining through the massive glass window filling the room with shadows.
"Hello, Evan. I hope you've been well." Ironwood stated with a warm smile.
"As good as I can be. What's up?" Evan asked as he approached the General's desk.
"From the report that Winter gave me, with how things are escalating out there in the world, I feel it's important to let you know about another project that I've been developing alongside the Amity Project." Ironwood explained.
"What is it?" Evan questioned.
"It's called Project Gjallarhorn." James stated.
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"Now I just need to tighten this in place and…there!" Pietro exclaimed.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Pietro looked on at both finished gauntlets with pride.
"Good, now I just need to send this over to Evan's, and then I'll need to head out toward Amity Arena to help with its modifications." Pietro thought to himself.
"If I have time, I should be able to begin work on…" Pietro continued as his pleased expression changed to one filled with longing.
Approaching one of the workstation's, Pietro reached for a photo of himself and Penny together.
"Don't worry, we'll be together before you know it…Just a few hard weeks of work and it'll all be worth it." Pietro thought to himself.
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"Is there anything else that you needed from me, sir?" Evan inquired.
Getting up from his chair, Ironwood turned around and walked up to the glass window, pivoting his body slightly to gesture at the young Saiyan to come over.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Ironwood asked.
Standing next to the General, Evan looked out and saw the expansive city below him with numerous cars and people moving and going about their business.
"It certainly is." Evan added.
"I've spent practically my whole life working endlessly to help and protect the people of Atlas and Mantle. Words can not express the lengths I would go to in order to keep them safe." Ironwood elaborated as the two men stood and drank in the view.
"I've constantly had to fight myself over what was the right course of action to take. Rather recently, I considered closing our borders in order to better safeguard our people. However, I decided against it, in no small part because of you. Atlas needs to stand strong as a bastion of hope for all of the kingdoms, and, thanks to your actions, the people of Atlas and Mantle have been able to breathe easy and feel protected during these troubled times…Considering that we will be soon telling them the truth about Salem, that peace we'll be needed to help diminish the public's panic. And said panic will quickly bring the inevitable hordes of Grimm to our borders when the news is broken to them." James said as he shifted his head toward Evan.
His gentle expression changing to a more serious one, Ironwood continued to look at the young Saiyan.
"Days ago, I received reports of large, bizarre spikes in Grimm activity near the coastal city of Argus over on Anima. Considering how Argus is one of the closest hospitable locations to the continent of Solitas, I fear Argus might be where Salem will be striking next in order to begin amassing a legion for a full scale invasion of Mantle and Atlas." Ironwood continued on.
"How would you say your progress with the Ace Ops and Winter has been going?" The General questioned.
"Hmmm…By themselves, they could definitely handle most work that would need an entire team of huntsmen and huntresses to accomplish. Working together in teams of three or more, they could definitely handle hordes of Grimm similar to what I was faced with a few weeks back." Evan stated confidently.
"Excellent, then I won't need to change course from the original plan." Ironwood added.
"What?" Evan questioned.
"I will be sending you to Argus in order to eliminate the increasing numbers of Grimm accumulating there. Considering how Argus is a city built by the combined efforts of both Atlas and Mistral, it will serve as a jumping off point in showing how the kingdom of Atlas is willing to extend its aid to the rest of the world during these difficult times. While you are gone, Winter and the Ace Ops will help to carry on your duties as protectors of our kingdom." The General explained.
"When will I be leaving?" Evan asked.
"Tomorrow morning. I've scheduled it after breakfast so you'll get one last opportunity to spend time with your friends before you're sent off. While you are there, your commanding officer will be Caroline Cordovin. I expect you to follow her orders as you would follow mine. Am I clear?" Ironwood asked.
"Yes, sir." Evan replied back.
"Good. You are excused, Evan." Ironwood said aloud.
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"I still can't believe it. You're going on your very first solo mission out of the kingdom. That's nuts!" Marrow exclaimed as the two gave each other a fist bump.
"Any advice?" Evan asked.
Floating next to him was his helmet as he stood inside his metal armor, now with his gauntlets equipped, completing the outfit. Turning toward the rest of the group, Harriet stepped forward.
"Considering that you'll be working under Cordovin, I'd say just keep your head down and focus on completing the mission. She's not particularly known for her boundless patience." Harriet pointed out as the morning winds bit at them.
"And please make sure to take care of yourself, for our sake at least." Elm said worriedly.
"I'll do what I can." Evan replied back as he approached the Specialist and the two hugged each other tightly. Stepping away, Evan grabbed a hold of a large suitcase at his left side.
"While I'm gone, make sure you don't slack on your training. I've taught you all the basics, but now it's up to you to practice and hone them as much as possible."
"Anything in particular?" Vine questioned.
"Most races try to use Ki in combination with their own race's unique traits. I'd recommend looking into how your semblances interact with your newfound Ki training." Evan proposed.
"Like how my speed semblance went into overdrive when I first unlocked my Ki?" Harriet inquired.
"Yeah! Stuff like that. Also, considering how you guys like to fight using your weapons, try to figure out how to channel your Ki through your weapons. I've never really figured out how to do that myself." Evan responded back.
"What about your gauntlets? Don't you channel your Ki through them?" Winter asked with a look of confusion on her face.
"Not really. The gauntlets were designed specifically to enhance my existing abilities. The gauntlets don't act as an extension of myself, not in the way that you all use your weapons. It's…difficult to put into words." Evan elaborated.
"Whatever the case, we won't grow stagnant in our training." Winter added as she and Evan shook hands.
"Good to hear." Evan said with a smile as the winds howled on.
"Well, I guess I'll be off." Evan continued.
"Best of luck out there!" Clover said aloud.
"Will do!" Evan said with a wave as he put his helmet on.
Floating into the air, Evan grabbed his suitcase and slipped the elastic straps of the container through his arms and proceeded to place it onto his back.
In an instant, Evan flew into the morning sky as he pressed his hands up to the button on the right side of his helmet. Hearing the familiar crackle of radio static, Evan spoke out into the helmet.
"This is Evan Anderson now preparing to leave Atlesian airspace. Do you copy?" Evan said aloud.
As the radio static started to change, a female voice spoke out from the speaker in his helmet.
"This is Atlas Air Control. We can hear you loud and clear. You are all set to leave." The female voice explained.
Releasing his right hand from the button, causing the radio static to switch off, Evan proceeded to blast off into the distance.
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