Author's Note:

Alright new chapter up and ready as hope this chapter is banger and that you the reader is enjoying the story so far.

So Volume 8 might be one hell of a write also We just finished [ Kamem Rider Zi-O ]

As always PMs are open and etc

Till then, Apzeta and Bishop

[ Academy – Akira's Perspective ]

Akira walks briskly through the outside of Atlas Academy, his coat trailing behind him.

His thoughts race with Tsukasa's words. The storm outside pounds against the windows, mirroring his frustration.

Reaching to his Forceriser, he places a hand on the machine closing his eyes.

Akira: (quietly) "Ark, status report."

A faint hum resonates as the Ark's voice emerges

Ark: "Akira. Your timing is apt. Reports from Mantle indicate that the Trilobite Magia left behind have succeeded in neutralizing a significant portion of Grimm forces."

Akira: (raising an eyebrow) "And the civilians?"

Ark: "Thire all being evacuated to safety. The Grimm targeted the city's areas, but the Magia handled them effectively. Collateral damage was kept to a minimum."

Akira exhales, some tension leaving his shoulders.

Akira: "At least something went right. But we lost the Relic of Knowledge. I assume you already accounted for that?"

Ark: (calmly) "Indeed. The loss was within calculated parameters. The retrieval effort was secondary to the current primary goal: assessing Salem's forces.

However, the data collected has led to a revised course of action."

Akira: (crossing his arms) "Revised? Enlighten me."

Ark: "It is no longer viable to act solely as a disruptor. To achieve strategic dominance, I recommend establishing a foothold in Mantle's infrastructure.

This requires two steps: acquiring existing corporations or founding one of your own.

The other being the other relics and Penny becoming the Winter Maiden."

Akira chuckles, shaking his head.

Akira: "You're telling me to play entrepreneur in the middle of all this chaos?"

Ark: "Control of key industries will provide resources, influence, and access to critical data. A well-placed front will also serve to divert attention from your true activities. Consider it an investment."

Akira: (smirking) "Fine. I'll look into it. Anything else?"

Ark: "There is a anomaly in Mantle. A lone individual displaying unusual movement patterns. Surveillance indicates teleportation-like behavior. Further analysis is ongoing."

Akira frowns, intrigued.

Akira: "Keep an eye on them. If they're another wildcard, I want to know."

Ark: "Understood."

Akira disconnects, standing in silence for a moment. His mind churns with possibilities before he strides out of the room, determination etched on his face.

[ Mantle ]

The remnants of Grimm attacks leave rubble scattered across the streets, though the worst of the threat has passed.

Among everything, a figure strolls with an air of disinterest.

The man's half-jester mask gleams in the dim light, the cracks and clock motifs catching the flicker of broken streetlights.

His tattered jacket sways with his movements, mismatched fabrics making him a walking puzzle.

Riot: (to himself, twirling a watch) "Such a dull place. All fear and no fight. Where's the fun in that?"

As he walks, Riot disappears in a blink, reappearing several feet away.

Civilians cower, barely noticing him, their focus on survival. One man, clutching his belongings, feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns, looking around in confusion.

Civilian: (nervously) "Who's there?"

No one answers. Riot, now a few steps behind, inspects the wallet he just swiped, smirking under his mask.

Riot: (mockingly) "Not even a thank you? How rude."

He pockets the wallet, then pulls out a glowing Anotherwatch. The device pulses with energy, the distorted digital beeping filling the air as he presses it.

Anotherwatch: Zero-One ! (Distorted announcement echoes.)

Riot grins, his eyes scanning the frightened masses.

Riot: (softly) "Now, who among you is worthy to become my little monster?"

He spins the watch between his finger, the gears embedded in it spinning ominously.

Riot: (gleefully) "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Riot looks up at the screens and sees the wanted posters for Team RWBY, JNR, Oscar, Maria, Penny and Pietro

Riot: " Maybe the one of this could be useful "

[ MetsubouJinrai Hideout ]

The hideout is dimly lit, with the faint hum of machinery filling the air. Amethyst leans against a wall, arms crossed, her red eyes glowing faintly as she inspects her nails.

Onyx sits on a bench, his lion-like tail swishing impatiently, while Adam stands in the corner, gazing at a map of Mantle and Atlas pinned to the wall.

The tension is palpable as the door slides open, and Akira steps inside, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Akira: (striding in, his voice calm yet firm)

"Good. You're all here. We've got work to do."

Amethyst smirks, pushing off the wall with a fluid motion.

Amethyst: (playfully)

"The honored one has come back. I assume you've cooked up something exciting this time?"

Onyx: (grinning, leaning forward eagerly)

"Yeah, give me something to break. It's been too quiet since the last fight."

Adam turns his head slightly, his expression stoic but his voice carrying an edge of curiosity.

Adam:

"What's the plan, Akira? More chaos, or do you have something specific in mind?"

Akira stops at the center of the room, his coat billowing slightly as he turns to face them.

Akira:

"It's time to shift gears. Salem's forces are on the move, and Mantle and Atlas are already on the brink. Our little stunt with the city's screens? That was just the beginning.

We're going to make sure they see us as the 'real heroes' in the chaos to come."

Amethyst: (raising an eyebrow, intrigued)

"'Real heroes'? Coming from you, that's rich. But I like where this is going."

Onyx: (grinning fiercely)

"If it means tearing through Salem's forces, I'm in. Just say the word."

Akira: (nodding)

"The Ark's predictions confirm what we already suspected: Mantle and Atlas will fall. It's inevitable. Salem's army is too strong, and even if we fight, there's a good chance we won't make it out alive."

The room falls silent. Onyx's grin fades, replaced by a determined glint in his eyes.

Onyx: (clenching his fists)

"If we're going down, we're going down fighting. For you and the Ark's will —that's all that matters."

Amethyst chuckles, stepping closer to Akira.

Amethyst:

"Well, I'm your assistant, aren't I? If you're walking into hell, I guess I'll just have to follow and make sure you don't trip over yourself."

Adam finally steps away from the map, his voice calm but resolute.

Adam:

"I've had enough of Atlas. If it falls, so be it. But after everything that's happened… I can see a future where I finally move forward. I'll fight for that."

Akira smirks, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he looks at his team.

Akira: (grinning)

"Good. Synchronize your Death Watches. From this point forward, we're going all in.

First, we're taking over the Schnee Dust Company. Their resources will fuel our plans. Then, we'll use our army of Trilobite Magias to fight Salem. And when the dust settles…"

He pauses, his eyes gleaming with determination and Malice.

Akira: With out its destruction there's no creation so will just jump start it with Malice as it's seed

Onyx: (slamming a fist into his palm, grinning)

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Amethyst: (smirking)

"Guess I'd better start prepping, then. Wouldn't want your grand plan to fall apart because of sloppy execution."

Adam: (nodding)

"Let's get to work. If this is the path forward, I'll like to see it through."

Akira steps forward, placing a hand on the center table where a holographic map of Mantle and Atlas appears.

He gestures to the SDC, the center of their next target.

Akira:

"This is where we begin. Mantle will see us as the heroes they need. Atlas will crumble under its own weight. And Salem… well, she'll learn the existence of MetsubouJinrai."

The group exchanges determined glances, their resolve solidifying.

As they synchronize their Death Watches, the faint sound of the devices' hum echoes through the room.

Amethyst: (grinning slyly)

"Let's make some noise, shall we?"

Onyx: (roaring with excitement)

"It's going to be one hell of a fight !"

Adam: (quietly, his voice firm)

"For a future that actually is worth fighting for."

Akira nods, his smirk growing wider.

Akira:

"Then let's get started. The world isn't going to change itself."