"End this, Metallix!" I commanded, my voice cutting through the static of the battlefield.
Metallix didn't hesitate. He became a blur of gold, charging towards Patriot. With a sickening thud, he buried his metallic fist into Patriot midsection, launching the massive frame into the sky. Before Patriot could even stabilize, Metallix vanished, reappearing instantly above him. He brought both hands down in a punishing double-axe handle, sending Patriot back toward the earth with a thunderous boom that shattered the ground upon impact.
As Patriot lay groaning in the crater, the air nearby began to freeze. Mecha Sonic MK1 was locked in a lethal fight with Frostnova.
"Activating V-Max!" MK1's mechanical rasp echoed.
He pushed his core into a dangerous state of overclocking, hurtling toward Frostnova like a sliver comet. She stood her ground, her Originium Arts weaving a dense, crystalline web of ice to halt his momentum.
In the center of MK1's mono-eye, crimson HUD warnings began to strobe frantically.
[WARNING: CORE OVERHEATING]
"Cool it down!" MK1 roared, forcing his frame through the sub-zero barriers. The moment the ice touched his superheated chassis, it hissed and turned instantly to steam.
[WARNING: BATTERIES OVERLOADING]
"Increase!"
[WARNING: VOLTAGE CRITICAL]
"Increase output!"
He surged forward, the sheer force of the energy surge causing the thrusters in his feet to explode in a shower of sparks and shrapnel.
"Now!" MK1 signaled.
Suddenly, Neo Metal Sonic materialized behind the damaged MK1. With a coordinated strike, he delivered a blow that sent Frostnova flying "into next week," effectively clearing the field.
"Target neutralized," Neo Metal stated flatly.
"Neo, get MK1 back to the lab. Tell Sage to begin repairs immediately," I ordered. Neo Metal gave a sharp nod and gripped MK1's shoulder. "Chaos Control!" he intoned, and the two vanished in a flash of light.
I turned my gaze to Super Metallix, who was dragging a battered Patriot by the leg before tossing him like trash at my feet.
"Good work. Let's go," I said. With a thought, I initiated the teleport back to base.
The hum of the lab was usually soothing, but the atmosphere was tense. After instructing Sage to prioritize the repairs on the robotic units, I reclaimed the Chaos Emeralds, watching them dissolve into light as they entered my inventory.
"Contact me immediately if anything changes," I told Sage.
I turned to leave, but the door slid open before I could touch it. Standing there, arms crossed and face livid, was Daiwa.
"So, I can expla—"
I didn't get the chance. Daiwa lunged forward, shoving me back into the lab.
"Tell me right now!" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "Am I more important to you than your research?"
Before I could answer, a flicker of digital light manifested. Sage appeared, projecting a shimmering hexagonal shield between us. Daiwa gasped, stumbling back.
"What is this!?"
"Brother, take care of her," Sage said calmly. In an instant, Metal Sonic dropped from the rafters, landing in a combat crouch in front of me, his glowing eyes locked on Daiwa.
"Everyone, stop! Wait!" I shouted, my voice taking on a sharp, motherly tone that commanded attention. The robots froze. I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"Daiwa, this is Sage and Metal. Sage, Metal... this is Daiwa, my biological daughter. And Sage and Metal are... well, they're kinda my adopted children. Well They see me as a mother figure."
Daiwa blinked, her anger momentarily replaced by pure confusion. She looked at the floating digital girl. "So this flying kid is... my little sister?"
"Yep," I nodded.
"What is she exactly?"
"An AI capable of existing within the physical plane," I explained.
Sage drifted closer, her eyes scanning Daiwa. "Based on the data received and a preliminary DNA scan, you are a 99.9% match to Mother. That makes me your sister."
"Ahem! Little sister," Daiwa corrected, crossing her arms again.
"And she's my mother i won't let you replace me. Mhm!" She said turning her head away.
"Understood," Sage replied.
"Well, why don't you two get to know each other?" I suggested. But the peace didn't last long. The lab doors hissed open again, revealing Z23, Ruby, and Martha.
"Well, shit," I muttered.
The next hour was a blur of explanations. I walked them through the existence of Sage, Metal, and the rest of the robot except the Chaos Emeralds and my more sensitive projects.
Z23 shook her head, a sarcastic smirk on her lips. "You know, sometimes I really believe that one day you're going to fight something you can't beat. I don't know... maybe a giant turtle or a ultimate lifeform."
"Well," I shrugged, "you never know."
Eventually, Ruby and Martha left the Martha still clearly annoyed, though I knew she'd simmer down in a few days. That left me, Daiwa, and Z23 to prepare for what came next. And "next" arrived sooner than I expected.
A holographic window flickered into existence before my eyes.
[MISSION
Help a world ruled by a fake god, an out-of-control super being, and a starving human and a X. Your choices decide the outcome. Your outcome Memories
Note: You may bring all assets. Your current income will be your lifeline.
Days remaining: 10]
My eyes narrowed. "Sage, start building Masterplans A, B, and C."
I opened the System Shop, a predatory grin spreading across my face. "Time to bankrupt Rhodes Island."
I moved to the central terminal, my fingers dancing across the keys. I needed every advantage. I activated some of my projects.
[TDX ONLINE]
[MINECRAFT MODS ONLINE]
[AZUR LANE ONLINE]
[FATE ONLINE]
[UNDERTALE ONLINE]
[ MAD ONLINE]
[...]
"I'd like to think this is over-preparing," I whispered, feeling the surge of power as the systems integrated, "but as they say, there's no such thing as overkill for an Overlord."
I checked my stats.
[SPEED: 9]
I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I still needed a cure for that. But seeing Daiwa again... it made the struggle worth it. I cleared the negative thoughts and scrolled through the shop until two items caught my eye.
[Piccolo Aura Dynamics Vol. 1 — Cost: 100,000]
[Piccolo DAB Technique Vol. 1 — Cost: 100,000]
"Mhm... sounds powerful," I murmured, hitting 'Purchase' on both.
I opened the first book, the pages shimmering with energy. "Aura farming? Interesting..."
A/n: ok i may have been giving agnes tachyon a bit more chapters than my touhou fanfic because while playing umamusume and in career mode i manage to complete it using agnes tachyon which made me so happy.
Agnes tachyon is peak!