Author's Note:

Here's a new chapter with some huge changes about to happen to the cannon

As always hope you th reader is enjoying the story so far and our PMs are open if want to ask questions or suggest something

[ Somewhere in Mantle: The Rooftops ]

A cold breeze swept across the rooftops of Mantle, carrying with it the faint scent of smog and industrial grime. A lone figure stood silhouetted against the faint glow of streetlights below.

The man, dressed sharply in a black coat over a red dress shirt, adjusted the twin-lens reflex camera slung around his neck.

Tsukasa Kadoya peered through the viewfinder, framing the bustling streets below.

With a soft click, the shutter captured the scene. He pulled the photograph from the instant printer attached to the camera, shaking it gently as the image materialized.

He examined it briefly, a faint smirk curling his lips.

Tsukasa: (to himself) "This world... a curious pit stop on my journey. Something about its decay and chaos feels... familiar."

Pocketing the photo, Tsukasa took a step back from the edge of the roof, his gaze lingering on the horizon.

Tsukasa: (murmuring) "A Rider here... One who walks the line between salvation and destruction. I wonder... will they herald the end or rewrite the story entirely?"

Adjusting his coat, Tsukasa turned and descended the fire escape, disappearing into Mantle's shadowy streets.

[ MetsubouJinrai net Hideout ]

Winter Schnee stirred, her consciousness returned.

The room around her was dimly lit, the cold metallic walls a stark reminder of her predicament.

Her wrists and ankles were restrained, though her aura was still intact—a calculated decision by her captors.

Standing near the console, Amethyst's fingers danced across the keyboard. A holographic display showed the Atlas Military's failed attempts at reverse-engineering the stolen Forceriser.

Amethyst: (smirking) "Fools. They've managed to connect their internal systems to the Ark without even realizing it. Their arrogance will be their undoing."

Behind her, Adam leaned casually against a wall, his crimson blade resting at his side.

Adam: (gruffly) "What's the next move, Amethyst? We can't sit around forever."

Amethyst glanced over her shoulder, her violet eyes glinting with confidence.

Amethyst: "Patience, Adam. The Ark has already begun crafting a new Progrisekey. Akira's prototype Ark Driver was only the beginning. Once the Ark Key is complete, Atlas will crumble under its own weight."

Onyx, crouched near Winter, finished adjusting her restraints. He stood, holding the Thousand Jacker in his hands the weapon seemed to hum with latent energy.

Onyx: (examining the blade) "The upgrades to the Thousand Jacker are complete. The Jackrise function is now more efficient. Extracting a semblance, aura, or even a fragment of magic will be effortless."

Amethyst approached, her gaze shifting between the restrained Winter and the weapon.

Amethyst: (smirking) "Excellent work, Onyx. The Ark's influence grows stronger with each passing moment. Akira may be in custody, but everything is proceeding according to plan."

Winter's icy blue eyes opened fully, her gaze sharp despite her predicament.

Winter: (coldly) "You won't get away with this. Atlas will stop you."

Amethyst crouched down to meet Winter's glare, her expression mockingly sympathetic.

Amethyst: (mocking) "Oh, Winter, sweet Winter. You still believe in Atlas? In Ironwood? How quaint."

Adam scoffed, stepping forward.

Adam: "Atlas is a symbol of oppression. And like all symbols, it will fall. You're just another piece on the board, Winter."

Winter struggled against her restraints, her voice unwavering.

Winter: "You'll fail. People like you always do."

Amethyst straightened, her smirk widening.

Amethyst: "Perhaps. But failure isn't an option when the Ark is guiding our every move."

[ Atlas Military Secure Lab ]

The lab buzzed with activity as scientists and engineers crowded around the Forceriser, attempting to decode its secrets. Monitors displayed streams of data, most of it incomprehensible.

One scientist adjusted her glasses, frowning as the screen flickered.

Scientist: "Strange... the device's architecture is adapting. It's almost as if it's... alive."

Another scientist looked up, concern evident on his face.

Scientist 2: "Alive? That's impossible. It's just a machine."

As the words left his mouth, the lights in the lab dimmed, and the monitors began displaying a singular word over and over: "ARK."

A deep, synthetic voice echoed through the lab.

Ark: "Connection established. Atlas systems compromised. Initiating override."

Panic erupted as the lab's equipment began malfunctioning. Sparks flew, and alarms blared. In the chaos, the Forceriser emitted a faint glow, pulsing rhythmically.

Back at the MetsubouJinrai hideout, Amethyst's grin widened as she observed the chaos unfolding on her holographic display.

Amethyst: "And so it begins The Ark will be fully awakening."

Winter's expression hardened, her heart sinking as she realized the magnitude of the threat they faced.

[ Atlas Academy/Military: Interrogation Room ]

The cold fluorescent lights flickered once, then dimmed entirely.

The silence that followed was unnerving, save for the faint mechanical hum from Penny.

Standing stiffly in front of Akira, her emerald eyes glowed red as the Ark's influence took hold.

Penny: (robotic, monotone) "Connection to the Ark established. Initiating directive override. All as the Ark wills."

Her hands moved with unnatural precision as her chest panel opened, revealing a hidden compartment.

From within, she retrieved a black device—the Forceriser—and the Japanese Wolf Zetsumerisekey.

Akira, still bound in the straightjacket, leaned forward slightly, watching her movements with a sharp, calculating gaze.

Akira: (dryly) "Not exactly the kind of rescue I was expecting, but I'll take it. Mind getting me out of this?"

Without hesitation, Penny stepped closer, her fingers moving with mechanical efficiency to disable the restraints.

The straightjacket fell to the floor with a dull thud.

Penny: (tonelessly) "Directive complete."

Akira stood, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. His expression was calm, but his sharp eyes flicked toward Penny and the devices in her hands.

Akira: (casually) "Thanks, Penny. Now, status report. What's happening outside?"

Penny's gaze locked onto his, the faint red glow intensifying as she processed the question.

Penny: (monotone) "Jacques Schnee has been elected to the Atlas Council. Grimm have breached the perimeter and are attacking Mantle. Chaos is escalating."

Akira clicked his tongue, running a hand through his hair.

Akira: "Jacques Schnee on the Council? Fantastic. And Grimm tearing apart the city? Sounds like a party."

He reached out, taking the Forceriser and the Japanese Wolf Zetsumerisekey from Penny.

Sliding them into the inner pockets of his coat, he adjusted the fabric and turned toward the door.

Akira: (grinning) "Well, no use wasting time. I've got a Progrisekey to retrieve and some chaos to add to the mix."

As he approached the door, he glanced back at Penny, her expression blank, her posture rigid.

Akira: (mockingly) "And Penny, do try not to wreck the place before I'm done. Wouldn't want to ruin Ironwood's perfect little utopia just yet."

Penny remained silent, her gaze distant, her body unmoving.

Akira pushed the door open, stepping into the corridor. His footsteps echoed as he began to whistle, then hum of a melody

Akira (singing softly): "I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again..."

The tension in his voice was barely masked by the jaunty tune, his humor contrasting starkly with the chaos waiting outside.

As Akira's footsteps faded, Penny's eyes glowed brighter for a moment before dimming. She tilted her head slightly, as if listening to a voice only she could hear.

Penny: (softly) "All as the Ark wills."

Her chest compartment closed with a faint hiss as she turned, her movements eerily precise.

Gripping the Floating Array now deployed from her back, she began to walk with purpose, leaving the interrogation room behind to carry out her next directive.

Meanwhile, in the streets of Mantle, chaos reigned. Grimm prowled through alleys, tearing apart whatever they encountered.

The air was filled with screams, gunfire, and the guttural roars of beasts.

Above it all, the shadow of the area loomed, indifferent to the suffering below.

Somewhere in the chaos, the lone figure of Tsukasa watched with a smirk, his camera hanging loosely around his neck.

Tsukasa: (to himself) "This world's Rider is quite the enigma. I wonder... can he truly change this world's fate ?"

As Tsukasa disappeared into the shadows, Akira's tune echoed faintly, growing louder as he neared the the lab, his steps deliberate and unhurried despite the madness that's about to happen