[ Aboard the Manta Ship – Preparation for Atlas ]

Amethyst lounged against the wall, idly flicking the Nevermore Progrisekey between her fingers.

The metallic sheen of the black and red device reflected the dim light in the cargo bay, casting shifting patterns across her face.

Across the room, Akira stood over the activation console, his hands deftly working to finalize the programming for their newest ally.

The air was heavy with the hum of machinery, broken only by Amethyst's casual voice.

Amethyst: "So, how's our new toy coming along, Ark? Think this one'll be as charming as me?"

Akira didn't look up, his focus fixed on the terminal.

Akira: "Charming isn't what we're after, Amethyst. Efficiency is."

Amethyst: "Touché." She smirked, tossing the Progrisekey into the air and catching it.

Amethyst: "Though I'd argue a little personality goes a long way."

The interface beeped as Akira inserted the Spring Maiden Progrisekey into a dedicated slot.

The Ark's ominous red light pulsed from the monitor, casting shadows that danced like phantoms on the walls.

Amethyst leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

Amethyst: "Thats the key to our next masterpiece ?"

Akira nodded, his voice steady.

Akira: "The Spring Maiden Progrisekey forms the foundation for Onyx's creation just like you. With the modifications I've applied to the AK-200 unit, he'll surpass even you in power if things go through."

Amethyst frowned, feigning offense.

Amethyst: "Surpass me? Bold claim, You sure your little lion won't need training wheels?"

Akira ignored her, pulling a lever on the console.

The dormant form of the former Onycho Magia—now an AK-200 unit—jerked to life.

Golden wires coiled through its frame, connecting to the central processor Akira had installed

Akira then channels some of his Aura to jump start the process just like he did with Amethyst

The metallic form shimmered faintly as synthetic skin began to take shape, melding seamlessly with its structure.

The glow intensified as Akira entered the final command.

The AK-200 unit's frame shifted, taking on a more humanoid appearance.

Layers of synthetic skin and muscle materialized over the metallic structure, giving it an lifelike quality.

A lion's tail swayed gently behind the figure as it began to take shape, and reddish-brown eyes flickered to life.

The Android took its first step forward, its voice smooth.

Android: "Designation... Onyx. Operational systems online. Awaiting directives."

Akira stepped closer, studying his creation with a critical eye.

Akira: "Onyx. You will follow the Ark's will. Your loyalty is to me, Amethyst, and the Ark. Do you understand?"

Onyx's eyes glowed briefly, his response sharp.

Onyx: "Understood. All as the Ark wills."

Amethyst folded her arms, eyeing the new Android.

Amethyst: "Not bad. Got the whole 'stoic soldier' vibe going on. Guess you've got your new second-in-command, huh?"

Onyx turned his gaze to her, his reddish-brown eyes unblinking.

Onyx: "Efficiency supersedes charm, as he stated. I will fulfill my purpose."

Amethyst snorted. "Oh, you're gonna be fun at parties."

Akira handed Onyx the newly fabricated Forceriser.

The Android examined it, his movements precise and deliberate.

Onyx: "A weapon befitting my role. It shall suffice."

[ Small Time Skip ]

In the cockpit, the trio gathered around the navigation console. The Manta's automated systems displayed a countdown to their arrival in Atlas—five hours.

Akira tapped a few keys, bringing up a detailed schematic of Atlas' military infrastructure.

Akira: "Atlas will be our proving ground. First, we infiltrate their systems and feed all data to the Ark.

Every classified file, every hidden protocol—it all becomes ours."

Amethyst leaned over his shoulder, grinning.

Amethyst: "And after that?"

Akira's expression darkened as he brought up an image of Winter Schnee, her stern features displayed alongside her military dossier.

Akira: "We strike. One of their Military Specialists, Winter Schnee, will be our target. Her hereditary semblance, 'Glyphs,' will be needed for our plans."

Onyx tilted his head, his synthetic skin creasing faintly in a mimicry of human curiosity.

Onyx: "Glyphs. Strategic acquisition. What purpose does it serve?"

Akira retrieved the Spring Maiden Progrisekey from his coat, holding it up.

Akira: "Glyphs with the Spring Maiden's power. It's the key to unlocking the potential of the Ark's next phase.

Beyond that, we'll hunt the other Maidens—Summer, Winter, and Fall. Their powers will be needed"

Amethyst smirked, spinning her Nevermore Progrisekey.

Amethyst: "Sounds like we've got our work cut out for us. So, what's the next step ?"

Akira reached into a compartment, handing her the Shooting Wolf and Assault Grip.

Akira: "You'll be using these. Shooting Wolf for versatility, and the Assault Grip for Assault Mode."

Akira turned to Onyx, handing him the Dynamiting Lion and Punching Kong Progrisekeys.

Akira: "Onyx, these are yours. Dynamiting Lion , and Punching Kong this will be the impact of your attacks."

Onyx took the Progrisekeys, his grip firm.

Onyx: "Understood. These tools will ensure success."

The Manta's engines hummed steadily as the trio stood in silent resolve, the faint glow of the Ark's interface casting long shadows.

Amethyst cracked her knuckles, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Amethyst: "Atlas won't know what hit them."

Onyx's gaze was fixed, his voice low but determined.

Onyx: "All as the Ark wills."

Akira's hand hovered over the console, his eyes glinting with ambition.

Akira: "This is only the beginning. For now we shall go by "MetsubouJinrai net"

[ Atlas Air Space ]

The hum of the Manta's modified system vibrated faintly through the air.

The once distinct exterior markings of the ship shifted, taking on the guise of an Atlas military transport.

The stealth systems engaged fully, and the ship disappeared from radar, blending into the atmosphere.

Akira adjusted the ship's trajectory, his fingers dancing over the console.

Akira: "The Manta is now reading as an Atlas military transport. Their detection grid won't even notice us."

Amethyst leaned back against the cockpit wall, spinning the Nevermore Progrisekey between her fingers.

Amethyst: "You really thought of everything, didn't you, Ark ? What's next? Landing right on Ironwood's doorstep?"

Akira: "Not yet,"

Akira replied sharply, his tone all business.

Akira: "First, Mantle. We gather intelligence, find weak points, and test the waters. Atlas won't see us coming."

Onyx stood stoically to the side, his reddish-brown eyes glowing faintly in the dim cockpit.

Onyx: "Acknowledged. We proceed as planned."

[ Landing in Mantle ]

The Manta descended silently, settling into an isolated clearing amidst Mantle's dense industrial outskirts.

Snow flurries swept through the air, the biting cold of Solitas cutting through the thick fog.

The hatch opened with a hiss, and Akira, Amethyst, and Onyx disembarked. Each was armed:

Akira with the newly crafted Attache Arrow.

Amethyst with her preferred Attache Shotgun.

Onyx with a similarly fabricated Attache Shotgun.

Amethyst adjusted her sunglasses, the reflective lenses gleaming faintly.

Amethyst: "Ah, Mantle. Just as miserable as the stories say. Smells like poverty and despair."

Onyx glanced at the surrounding industrial wasteland.

Onyx: "I detect significant decay in infrastructure. Resource allocation has been systematically diverted. Efficiency sacrificed for... political priorities."

Akira smirked.

Akira: "That's Ironwood's paranoia for you. His obsession with security will be his undoing." He turned back toward the Manta.

Akira: "Trilobite Magia, secure the ship. Maintain stealth protocols and monitor the perimeter."

The eight Trilobite Magia units activated, their forms scuttling into defensive positions around the ship.

[ Mantel ]

The trio moved through Mantle's rooftops, their silhouettes darting like shadows across the fog-shrouded cityscape.

Below, Mantle's citizens shuffled through their routines, faces weary and shoulders hunched against the cold.

The orange glow of the heating grid cast an eerie light on the industrial structures, adding to the city's bleak atmosphere.

Amethyst crouched on the edge of a building, scanning the streets below with a linked to the Ark.

Amethyst: "Scanning heat signatures and comms frequencies. Looks like Mantle's as tightly locked down as expected."

Onyx stood beside her, his synthetic eyes narrowing as he processed incoming data streams.

Onyx: "Atlas military patrols at regular intervals. Civilian movements restricted. Ironwood's grip is suffocating."

Akira joined them, his gaze fixed on a massive skyscraper in the distance. Its giant screens blared synchronized broadcasts, the voices of General Ironwood and Winter Schnee echoing across the city.

The screens flickered, displaying Ironwood's imposing figure. His tone was firm, authoritative.

Ironwood: "…cannot express our appreciation enough. Many describe these as uncertain times, and while that may be the case for the rest of the world, I can tell you what is certain. The Kingdom of Atlas will remain strong, and it will remain safe. That is my promise."

The feed shifted to Winter Schnee, her expression cold and commanding.

Winter: "A reminder. Failure to cooperate with Atlas military personnel is a punishable offense. If your sector is under lockdown…"

Another screen showed her continuing.

Winter: "We are here for your safety. Thank you for your cooperation."

Amethyst crossed her arms, her smirk laced with disdain.

Amethyst: "Ironwood's 'strength' is a cage, and he's locked his own people inside it. What a hero."

Onyx tilted his head, his tone clinical.

Onyx: "Paradoxical leadership. Strength through oppression. Safety through control. Unsustainable in the long term."

Akira's expression was unreadable as he watched the broadcasts.

Akira: "Ironwood's paranoia will collapse Atlas from the inside. All we have to do is give it a push."

Amethyst chuckled, leaning against a rooftop vent.

Amethyst: "A little chaos to shake things up? Sounds like fun. What's the next move, Ark?"

Akira's gaze shifted to the skyline, his mind racing with calculations.

Akira: "We infiltrate the city's network tonight. Amethyst, Onyx, you'll take the lower sectors. Gather intelligence, map their patrol routes, and find access points to the heating grid."

Onyx nodded, his tone resolute.

Onyx: "Understood. The mission parameters are clear."

Akira gripped the Attache Arrow tightly, his eyes glinting with purpose.

Akira: "This is just the beginning. Mantle, Atlas, the whole world—they'll learn the will of the Ark."

Amethyst adjusted her sunglasses, her grin widening.

Amethyst: "Let's get to work."

The trio disappeared into the shadows, their presence like a ghostly whisper across the rooftops of Mantle.

Author's Note:

Alright here's a new chapter hopefully you the reader is enjoying the story so far now that we have arrived in Atlas and Mantle

As always here's some questions for you the reader:

Apzeta's questions:

1. What would you like to see with the Ark ?

2. MetsubouJinrai net ( Akira's Group ) against the Ace Operatives, Happy Huntresses, or the Teams

3. Salem's Group finding out about Akira ?

Bishop's Questions:

4. Encounter between Akira and Penny ?

5. Akira going full Horobi and Declared a "Holy War"

6. When you like to see the Ark Driver ?