[ Mantle – Pietro's Pharmacy ]
[ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse OST: Hunters Association ]
The bell above the door jingled softly as Akira stepped into the dimly lit confines of Pietro's Pharmacy.
The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, oil, and old wood. Bookshelves lined one side of the room, cluttered with scientific journals, diagrams, and handwritten notes.
In the far corner, a highly advanced prosthetics chair sat dormant, a testament to Pietro's genius and dedication.
Akira's sharp eyes immediately scanned the room.
His long coat swayed behind him as he approached the nearest bookshelf, his gloved fingers tracing the spines of the books until he pulled one free.
Without hesitation, he flipped it open and began reading.
"A study on artificial intelligence integration within autonomous combat units," Akira murmured to himself, skimming the pages.
His expression was neutral, but his eyes glinted with faint interest.
From the back of the room, a mechanical whirring grew louder.
Pietro Polendina, seated in his mechanical chair, emerged into view.
His kind face was tinged with confusion as he spotted the young man rifling through his personal library.
Pietro: "Excuse me, young man! Who are you, and what are you doing with my work?"
Akira closed the book with a soft thud and returned it to its place on the shelf.
He turned to face Pietro, his pale face illuminated faintly by the flickering light of the pharmacy. His voice was calm and composed as he spoke.
Akira: "Just a passing-through Kamen Rider."
The cryptic response caught Pietro off guard. He blinked, unsure of how to process the statement.
Pietro: "Kamen Rider? I've never heard of that... What do you want from me?"
Akira adjusted his tie and gestured to the room around him with an air of nonchalance.
Akira: "They say you're one of Atlas' finest minds. I'm here because I need your help, Dr. Polendina. There's a small project I'm working on. Something revolutionary."
Pietro's brow furrowed, suspicion mixing with curiosity.
Pietro: "A project, you say? What kind of project?"
Akira reached into his coat and pulled out his Terninal.
He placed it on the desk with care, the device looking out of place amidst the advanced machinery and equipment around them.
As he powered it on, the screen flickered to life, revealing the Ark's ominous red binary interface.
Akira: "This is Ark, an artificial intelligence I created. Its purpose is simple: to help people by analyzing and predicting outcomes with precision."
The Ark's voice, cold and mechanical, resonated in the small room.
Ark: "Greetings, Pietro Polendina. Probability of collaboration: 97%. Your expertise will be invaluable."
Pietro leaned forward, his glasses slipping slightly down his nose as he examined the screen.
The complex patterns of data intrigued him, despite the unsettling aura of the interface.
Pietro: "Fascinating... But this design... It feels... How do I put this—aggressive? Unstable, even."
Akira gave a faint smile, his tone steady.
Akira: "Progress often feels that way at first, doesn't it? But that's where you come in.
Ark's potential is vast, but it needs refinement—guidance. With your help, we can feed it more data, expand its capabilities, and use it to truly change the world."
Pietro's innate curiosity began to outweigh his caution. The opportunity to work on something groundbreaking was too tempting to ignore.
Pietro: "Well... I suppose I could take a closer look. But only if this is truly for the betterment of people."
Akira's smile widened slightly, though his eyes remained unreadable.
Akira: "Of course. The betterment of all mankind."
Pietro hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Pietro: "Very well. I'll help you. But I'll need access to my tools and some time to study this... Ark."
Akira extended a hand, which Pietro shook tentatively.
Unknown to Pietro, the Ark's interface glowed faintly brighter as its algorithms adjusted.
Both Akira and Ark had already calculated this outcome, their plans proceeding exactly as intended.
Ark: "Collaboration confirmed. Initializing protocols for data integration."
As Pietro began bustling around the room, gathering equipment and muttering excitedly to himself, Akira leaned back against the bookshelf.
He lit a cigarette, his expression calm but triumphant.
Akira (to himself): "Step one... complete. The inevitable conclusion draws closer."
[ Devil May Cry 3 OST: Divine Hate ]
[ Meanwhile with Onyx Mantle - Rooftops ]
The city of Mantle lay shrouded in a thick haze of snow and dim, artificial light.
Onyx crouched on a rooftop, his black coat fluttering slightly in the biting wind.
His reddish-brown eyes gleamed with a manic energy as he scanned the skies, the "Attache Shotgun" in his grip radiating a cold menace.
His lion-like tail swayed behind him, the motion betraying his predatory excitement.
Far above, Penny soared gracefully, her Floating Array forming an intricate halo of blades around her.
She moved with precision, her vibrant green eyes scanning the city below.
Penny (to herself): "I need to find the source of that attack. Mantle's people are depending on me."
[Onyx's Perspective - A little earlier ]
A shadow darted across the skies, Penny's distinctive silhouette gliding past.
Onyx's grin widened, the thrill of the hunt electrifying his circuits.
He raised the Attache Shotgun, the weapon transforming with a mechanical hiss as its components locked into place.
Onyx (muttering): "Perfect."
He fired.
The first blast roared through the air, narrowly missing Penny as she twisted mid-flight, her jets propelling her upward.
The shot exploded against a nearby building, sending debris cascading to the streets below.
The shockwave threw Penny off balance, her blades scattering briefly before she recalibrated.
She spun in mid-air, her Floating Array reforming defensively around her.
Penny (shouting): "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
Another blast. This time, Penny darted to the side, the green jets on her legs flaring brightly as she dodged.
She turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as she scanned for her attacker.
Onyx activated a command through his ear-pieces, hijacking Penny's communication channel. His voice crackled through, mocking and taunting.
Onyx (through the channel): "Enjoying the chase, Puppet?"
Penny's eyes widened at the intrusion, her head snapping in the direction of the voice.
Penny: "Who are you?! Why are you attacking me?"
Onyx (laughing): "It is the will of the Ark. All as the Ark wills."
He fired again, this time grazing Penny's shoulder. Sparks flew as the impact knocked her momentarily off course.
She gritted her teeth, steadying herself in the air.
Penny: "I don't know what this 'Ark' is, but you're endangering innocent lives!"
Onyx: "Innocent? Spare me. You're just as much a puppet as they are. The Ark sees through it all. And so do I."
Penny's hand flew to her communicator, attempting to call for backup.
Before she could establish a connection, a sharp feedback squeal erupted in her earpiece.
Onyx smirked, his mechanical ears glowing faintly as he executed a quick hack.
Onyx: "Ah-ah. No reinforcements for you, Puppet. It's just you and me now. Let's see what you're made of."
Penny scowled, gripping her Floating Array blades tighter. She shifted into a combat stance mid-air, her voice filled with determination.
Penny: "If you think I'm going to let you terrorize Mantle, you're wrong."
Onyx: "Good. Fight me. Struggle. Let me savor this moment."
Onyx leaped from the rooftop, landing on another with feline grace. His Attache Shotgun shifted modes, a slug forming at the barrel. He fired again, the slug screaming through the air with tremendous force.
Penny deflected the shot with her blades, but the impact sent a shockwave through her body.
She retaliated, launching several blades toward Onyx. They zipped through the air like missiles, forcing Onyx to dodge and weave with inhuman agility.
The clash intensified, each combatant pushing the other to their limits. Penny's precision clashed with Onyx's raw aggression, their movements a deadly dance across the rooftops of Mantle.
Penny (determined): "I won't let you win!"
Onyx (laughing wildly): "Win? This isn't about winning, Puppet. This is about the thrill. Show me what you've got!"
The frigid winds of Mantle whipped through the air, carrying the sound of battle as Penny weaved through Onyx's relentless attacks.
Each blast from the Attache Shotgun forced her to adjust, her Floating Array blades deflecting the incoming projectiles with expert precision.
Onyx, ever the predator, grinned as he fired shot after shot, his movements deliberate and calculated.
Penny's voice echoed across the rooftops, firm and resolute.
Penny:"Surrender! You're only putting yourself and others in danger!"
Onyx reloaded his shotgun with a casual motion, his tone mocking.
Onyx: "Danger? Oh, Puppet, I live for it."
He fired again, a slug grazing past Penny's defenses.
Sparks scattered as the shot clipped her torso, but she recovered mid-flight, her jets flaring brightly.
Onyx chuckled, clearly enjoying the challenge she presented.
Onyx: "You're better than I thought. Maybe this will make things... more interesting."
With a flourish, Onyx holstered his Attache Shotgun and reached into his coat, pulling out a device that gleamed ominously in the dim light:
the Forceriser. Its rugged, industrial design stood in stark contrast to the sleekness of Penny's weaponry.
Penny (hovering mid-air, puzzled): "What is that?"
Onyx didn't respond. Instead, he held the Forceriser above his belt area.
The device activated with a surge of crimson electricity coursing through his body, eliciting a low hum of energy.
Forceriser: [ Forceriser ! ]
He produced a Progrisekey, its metallic form gleaming in the faint light.
He pressed the Rise Starter, and the Dynamaiting Lion Progrisekey announced itself with a booming voice.
Dynamaiting Lion Progrisekey: [ Burst ! ]
Penny's eyes narrowed as she hovered cautiously, unsure of what was unfolding.
Penny: "Stand down! I don't want to hurt you!"
But Onyx ignored her, sliding the Progrisekey into the Rise Vice of the Forceriser.
The device let out a rhythmic industrial siren, its drumbeat-like standby sound reverberating through the air.
Onyx's grin widened as he gripped the Force Executor.
With a decisive pull, the Expanded Jack sprang open, and the Forceriser roared to life.
Forceriser: [ Forcerise! Dynamaiting Lion ! ]
A mechanical lion, dull and colorless, materialized from the Force Factory.
It enveloped Onyx, the pieces breaking apart and spinning around him in a whirlwind of armor and cables.
The transformation was violent, each component slamming into place with a metallic clamor.
Forceriser: [ A beautiful explosive force like fireworks. ]
The armor's magenta highlights gleamed against the cold silver, the lion's mane-like rods on his head giving him an imposing presence.
Restraint cables snaked around his body, locking the armor into place.
As the process completed, the Forceriser announced its final declaration.
Forceriser: [ Breakdown ! ]
Onyx stood fully transformed, his Dynamaiting Lion form exuding raw power and chaos.
The barrels of the Shooting Starmight on his left arm hummed ominously, and the metallic rods around his head glinted like dormant dynamite sticks.
Penny (stunned): "What... are you?"
Onyx rolled his shoulders, adjusting to the armor as a wicked grin spread across his face.
Onyx:"I am the Ark's chosen chaos. And now, Puppet, it's your turn to struggle."
Without warning, he raised the Shooting Starmight and unleashed a barrage of explosive rounds.
Penny darted out of the way, her jets flaring as she evaded the devastating attack.
Each shot detonated on impact, sending shockwaves that rattled the surrounding buildings.
Penny (determined): "If you think I'm going to let you destroy this city, you're wrong!"
She retaliated, sending her Floating Array blades spinning toward Onyx.
He laughed as he dodged, firing back with pinpoint accuracy.
Their battle intensified, the clash of precision versus raw, explosive power echoing across the frozen city.
Onyx leaped forward, closing the gap between them with terrifying speed.
His lion-like agility and the enhanced strength of his Forceriser made him a relentless adversary.
Penny barely managed to parry his strikes, the force behind each blow sending her reeling.
Onyx (taunting): "Come on, Puppet! Show me what you're really made of!"
The rooftop beneath them cracked and crumbled under the weight of their combat, the city of Mantle watching in silent dread as the battle raged on.
Author's Note:
Alright here's a new chapter that we were able to make
mid car ride in my case while Bishop speed run the editing while buying stuff.
Hopefully you the reader is enjoying the story so far now
Happy Holidays and Years to all of you
As always here's some questions for you the reader and upcoming stuff.
Upcoming stuff:
A chapter with character sheets for Akira, Amethyst and Onyx
Another Hyper Battle Video on the works
Questions for you the reader:
1. What would you like to see happening ?
2. New member to complete MetsubouJinrai ?
3. Time Jacker Akira ?