[ Mantel- Rooftops ]
The trio moved through the fog-shrouded rooftops of Mantle, their movements silent and precise.
Below them, the sounds of clashing steel, gunfire, and monstrous roars echoed through the industrial streets.
The gray haze of the city mingled with the glow of combat as Akira, Amethyst, and Onyx came to a halt on a vantage point overlooking the chaos.
Amethyst leaned on the ledge, her red eyes gleaming with interest as she observed the skirmish.
Amethyst: "Looks like we've got some action down there. Teamwork, flashy moves, and... wait." She tilted her head, zooming in with her ocular enhancements.
Amethyst: "Is that her? Little Red ? and her merry band of misfits?"
Onyx crossed his arms, watching the chaos unfold. His synthetic tail flicked once, the only sign of his excitement.
Onyx: "Confirmed. Ruby Rose. Yang Xiao Long. Weiss Schnee. Blake Belladonna. Accompanied by the remnants of JNPR, an unidentified young male, and Qrow Branwen. Combat efficiency: formidable."
Akira stepped forward, his Forceriser already active as it connected to the Ark. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes were sharp, analyzing every movement below.
Akira: "The heroes of Remnant," he murmured. "Let's see how they handle real pressure."
Ruby: "We didn't come this far to fail now!"
Ruby shifted Crescent Rose into scythe mode, aiming at the charging Sabyrs. A storm of gunfire, steel, and Grimm rage erupted as her team engaged the horde.
Amethyst ( smirked ): "Look at her go. She's like a little red whirlwind of doom."
Onyx's tone was clinical as he observed.
Onyx: "Impressive coordination. Ruby Rose's Semblance enhances battlefield mobility significantly. Tactical value high. Exploitable weaknesses identified."
The trio continued their commentary as Yang leapt into the fray, using her gauntlet's recoil to propel her strikes, while Ren and Nora coordinated a devastating takedown.
Amethyst tilted her head.
Amethyst: "those two, huh? Cute. They're efficient, though. Points for style."
Onyx added, "Strength and agility complemented by calculated brute force. Predictable patterns forming."
[ The Arrival of Mantle's Protector ]
The arrival of Penny Polendina caught their attention.
The android descended from the sky, her green lasers cutting through the remaining Sabyrs.
The trio watched intently as Ruby's shock turned to joy at Penny's appearance, followed by a chaotic but heartfelt reunion.
Amethyst frowned slightly. "So That's the 'Protector of Mantle'?"
Onyx nodded. "Reconstructed. Core salvaged. Combat capabilities likely enhanced. She represents a significant variable."
Akira's voice was calm but resolute.
Akira: "The Ark will account for her. Analyze and adapt. Penny Polendina is an anomaly, but no anomaly is beyond calculation."
[ Inside the Ark ]
The red binary interface shimmered to life, pulsating with malicious energy.
Akira: "Ark, Begin simulations. Assess probability of engagement outcomes against Ruby Rose and her allies."
The Ark's voice echoed in their minds, cold and mechanical.
Ark: "Data received. Simulations in progress. Initial analysis: Team RWBY, Team JNR, Oscar Pine, and Qrow Branwen exhibit high synergy.
Probability of victory in direct confrontation: 68%.
Variables include environmental factors and interference from external forces."
Amethyst chuckled darkly.
Amethyst: "So we've got a fight on our hands if it comes to it. Good. I was starting to get bored."
Onyx's synthetic grin was feral.
Onyx: "They are strong. Strength makes for better prey."
Akira's gaze remained fixed on the distant group below, his voice low and decisive.
Akira: "We don't fight them directly—yet. Mantle, Atlas, the world... they're already breaking apart. We'll make sure they crumble before we strike the final blow."
Amethyst adjusted her sunglasses, her smirk widening.
Amethyst: "Let them have their little victory lap. The Ark's will is inevitable."
The Ark's interface pulsed brighter, the red glow intensifying as it replied.
Ark: "Inevitable for now a Perfect Conclusion will be made."
[ Small Time Skip: Mantle Rooftops ]
The wind howled through the rooftops as Akira, Amethyst, and Onyx observed the unfolding chaos below.
The Ace-Ops had subdued Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Qrow, and Oscar.
The secure transport carrying the captured heroes rumbled away into the streets of Mantle, leaving a trail of tense silence in its wake.
Amethyst leaned forward, her crimson eyes glowing faintly.
Amethyst: "Well, well, isn't this a fascinating turn of events? The Ace-Ops swooping in like vultures. Never thought they'd be this… decisive."
Onyx's tail flicked behind him, his synthetic gaze following the departing vehicle.
Onyx: "Efficient. But predictable. They play by Atlas' rulebook, bound by protocol. No room for adaptability. Weakness detected."
Akira adjusted his jacket, his voice calm but brimming with intent.
Akira: "They've corralled their prey, nothing more. The Ace-Ops are tools—useful but limited. Our focus isn't them. Not yet."
Amethyst turned, eyebrow raised.
Amethyst: "Oh? So what's the plan, boss? I assume we're not just here to spectate."
Akira's eyes gleamed as he activated the holographic interface on his scroll.
A projection of Penny Polendina appeared, her bright green eyes and signature blades highlighted.
Akira: "Penny Polendina. She's more than a protector. She's a blueprint—a masterpiece of combat engineering.
If we extract her data or corrupt her systems, we'll gain a formidable asset. Perhaps even a new ally."
Amethyst smirked, leaning casually against the railing.
Amethyst: "Thinking of recruiting her? Or just breaking her like a toy and piecing her back together?"
Akira's lips curled into a faint smile.
Akira: "Both. The Zetsumeriser will handle the corruption. Once she's under our control, we'll see if she's worth keeping intact. As for Weiss Schnee..."
Onyx's gaze shifted to Akira, his voice curious.
Onyx: "You're planning to kidnap her, aren't you? A bargaining chip to lure Winter Schnee into the open."
Akira nodded.
Akira: "Precisely. Winter's loyalty to Ironwood is absolute, but her bond with Weiss is a vulnerability.
Exploiting it will force her hand—and reveal Atlas' true strength."
Amethyst chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her Ear-pieces
Amethyst: "Oh, I like this plan. It's got layers. Chaos, manipulation, a touch of family drama. Perfect."
Onyx, ever the pragmatist, crossed his arms.
Onyx: "And the Ace-Ops? If they interfere, do we eliminate them?"
Akira shook his head.
Akira: "Not yet. Engaging them now would jeopardize our cover. Let them believe they've secured Mantle. We'll strike when they least expect it."
Amethyst tilted her head, her grin widening.
Amethyst: "So we wait, watch, and play with the pawns until it's time to topple the king. Got it."
Akira's gaze shifted back to the streets below, his voice resolute.
Akira: "The Ark has already begun adapting. Every move they make is another piece of data. Penny, Weiss, and even the Ace-Ops—they're all variables in the equation. And we control the outcome."
The Ark's interface shimmered to life, its voice cold and mechanical.
Ark: "Simulations updated. Probability of success increasing but more Simulations will be running."
Akira deactivated the projection, his expression unreadable.
Akira: "Soon. For now, let's prepare the Zetsumeriser when the time is right, Penny Polendina will be our next exploit. And if Weiss Schnee proves useful, she'll be our leverage."
Amethyst stretched, her enthusiasm barely contained.
Amethyst: "This is going to be fun. Let's make sure Little Red and her friends never see it coming."
Onyx's synthetic grin mirrored her excitement
Onyx: "Prey unaware. The hunt begins."
The trio disappeared into the fog, leaving only the faint hum of their technology behind.
The pieces were falling into place, and soon, Mantle would witness the true power of the Ark's malice.
[ Back in Mantle ]
Penny Polendina hovered above the streets, her green eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
Unbeknownst to her, Onyx is following her moves,
As Amethyst is following van that is currently holding the teams
While Akira is the search for Penny's creatorPietro
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 and some upcoming stuff:
1. Onyx vs Penny ?
2. How do think Ironwood or Pietro would react to Akira and his Androids
Upcoming stuff:
We might change the format a bit like adding music
Also PMs are always welcome, since will be sticking to the App for now since the website is just not letting us write or answer PMs correctly marking it as Spam
Also a huge Thank you for everyone who takes the time to read and review/suggest stuff/PMs
P.S
Bishop up and I will be taking a small hiatus maybe a Day or two because of the holiday shopping