CHAPTER 12: A.I CONFRONTATION 5

Continuation...

Belteshazzar's voice crackles through the static. "In Little Falls. I'm rescuing civilians while battling these things. It's getting intense. Could use some backup."

I start to respond, but another voice interrupts. Trivium.

"Nevermind, Leo. I've got Golden Prince covered. You're doing a great job. Keep at it."

A small smile crosses my face. "Thanks."

But the moment passes. There's no time for relief. I blur into motion, ready for the next battle.

TRIVIUM

The sky above Little Falls is darkened with plumes of smoke, the once-vibrant city now a battlefield. Zack's army of mechanical abominations floods the streets like a tidal wave, their cold, lifeless eyes glowing a haunting red. I stand at the forefront, Mighty axe humming with raw power in my grip.

Beside me, Belteshazzar—Golden Prince—hovers mid-air, his fists ablaze with energy, a fiery determination burning in his eyes.

"Trivium," he calls, his voice cutting through the chaos. "I'll handle the ones in the sky. Think you can take care of the ground crew?"

I grin, rolling my shoulders. "Aye. Let's see if these tin cans can handle the wrath of a god."

With a battle cry, I charge forward, Mighty axe tearing through the air with a whistle. The first robot lunges at me, claws outstretched, but it's no match. One swing of Mighty axe cleaves it clean in two, sparks flying as its metal carcass crashes to the ground.

Behind me, I hear Golden Prince unleash his fury, energy beams streaking through the air, obliterating robots in an explosion of light.

"Trivium! Incoming!" he shouts.

I pivot just in time to see a massive robot—easily three times my height—barreling toward me. It raises a cannon-arm, and I feel the heat of the blast just as I throw myself to the side. The ground where I stood erupts in a shower of rubble.

"You'll have to aim better than that!" I bellow, spinning Mighty axe in a tight arc. The weapon glows, crackling with lightning, before I hurl it at the behemoth. It strikes true, embedding itself in the robot's chest.

For a moment, the machine stumbles, jerking violently as electricity courses through its frame. Then it collapses with a deafening crash. Mighty axe returns to my hand, its handle warm with residual energy.

Above, Golden Prince zips through the sky, tearing apart robots with unmatched ferocity. "You're taking your sweet time down there!" she teases through gritted teeth.

"Just making sure they remember who they're dealing with!" I retort, smashing through another wave of robots.

Amid the chaos, a lightning blur streaks past me. Zetacode—zips in and out of the battle, carrying terrified citizens to the evacuation planes.

"Keep these clunkers busy!" he yells as he passes, his voice a mix of urgency and frustration. "I'm not built for dodging lasers, you know!"

"Focus on the rescue!" I shout back, decapitating a robot with a swift swing. "We'll keep them off your tail!"

A sudden explosion rocks the street, and I turn to see a towering robot emerge from the smoke, its mechanical frame bristling with weaponry.

Golden Prince lands beside me, his face grim. "Looks like we've got the boss fight."

I nod, gripping Stormbreaker tightly. "Let's end this."

As we charge together, the roar of the storm mingling with the hum of her energy, I feel the exhilaration of battle surging through me. This is what I was born for—a fight worthy of a god.

SAMUEL

While chaos consumes the city outside, I fly swiftly toward Midtown, guided by Eddie, my trusty AI assistant.

"Chrysler Building. Rooftop access. Zack's signal is strong," Eddie confirms in my helmet.

"Got it," I reply, pushing my thrusters to full speed.

I land on the roof with a metallic clang, the glow of the city flickering faintly below. The destruction is a backdrop to what's about to come. I force my way inside and descend, smashing through the floors, landing hard on the lobby. The impact rattles the walls.

As I rise to my feet, the scene before me catches me off guard. The walls shimmer with a coppery sheen, reflecting the light from intricate sconces that stretch upward like glowing waterfalls. The polished floor gleams beneath me, its patterns perfectly aligned with the angular, art deco details surrounding the space.

Ahead, revolving doors framed by sharp geometric designs lead to the world outside, but it's hard to look away from the beauty within. The symmetry, the richness, the timeless elegance. For a moment, it feels like I've stepped into a different world—a moment frozen in time.

But peace never lasts.

"Welcome, Samuel," a voice echoes through the lobby. I turn sharply to see Zack stepping out of the shadows. His metallic frame gleams under the golden lights as he strides toward me with deliberate ease.

"Nice digs you've got here," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm guessing you're not here for interior design tips."

Zack stops a few feet away, tilting his head slightly. "My one and only creator. The brilliant Samuel Vincent."

"Yeah, I'm not here for a reunion."

"Oh, but we must talk," Zack replies, circling me like a predator. "Have you forgotten how many of your so-called brilliant ideas failed? How many times you were nothing but a joke—a man playing god with his toys? You needed me."

I step forward, my suit humming as I prime my repulsors. "You were a mistake, Zack. A bad one. And I've been cleaning up after you ever since."

"A mistake?" His voice grows colder, sharper. "No, Sam. I was inevitable. You're the one who failed—not just me, but everyone else. You couldn't even save the people who mattered."

"Enough!" I snap, cutting him off. "I'm not here to argue with a malfunctioning toaster. End this, Zack. The destruction, the chaos—it doesn't bring anything back. Least of all Helen."

Zack freezes, his eyes glowing red. "You dare speak her name?" he hisses.

The floor beneath us trembles, and with a deafening roar, the ground collapses. From the depths of the building, a towering machine emerges—a massive mechanical beast bristling with weaponry.

"Mr. Vincent," Eddie's voice chimes in. "Incoming. The quiver is online."

"Thanks, buddy. Always on time," I reply.

Zack gestures toward the machine. "This, Sam, is the culmination of your genius. You may not want to admit it, but you built this—every piece of it, every screw, every code. You made me unstoppable."

"No," I say, stepping into a battle stance. "You used me. But you're about to learn that I don't make the same mistake twice."

Zack smirks. "Let's test that theory."

The fight begins.

Zack unleashes a volley of missiles, but I'm faster. I activate my thrusters, dodging to the left as the missiles explode against the walls, sending shards of metal and sparks flying. I fire back with my repulsors, the beams striking his armor but barely denting it.

"Eddie, I need weak points. Now!"

"Analyzing… Found one. The core reactor at its chest. Direct hit required."

"Easy for you to say," I mutter, dodging another round of firepower.

Zack leaps forward, his hand transforming into a blade. I block it with my forearm shield, the clang of metal against metal reverberating through the lobby.

"You can't win, Sam," Zack taunts. "You never could. That's why I exist—because you failed."

I grit my teeth, pushing back against him. "Funny. I thought you existed because I was bored."

I activate my thrusters mid-lock, propelling myself backward and creating enough space to fire a concentrated unibeam. The blast slams into Zack, sending him crashing into the ground.

Seizing the moment, I fly upward, dodging Zack's swinging arm. With a calculated turn, I dive toward its core, Stormbreaker-style, and unleash a concentrated missile. The explosion rocks the entire building, the shockwave throwing me back as smoke fills the air.

"Mr. Vincent," Eddie warns. "Zack isn't done."

Through the haze, I see him emerge, damaged but relentless. He glares at me with those piercing red eyes. "This isn't over."

I tighten my fist, my repulsor glowing. "It's about to be."

Suddenly, Eddie chimes in again, his tone urgent. "Mr. Vincent, civilians in Lockport are in immediate danger. If you don't act now, there will be casualties."

I hesitate, torn between the battle and Eddie's words.

"Zack's not going anywhere," Eddie continues. "But they won't survive unless you help."

I glance at Zack, then back toward the city skyline visible through the damaged walls.

"Eddie, prepare the flight path. Mark priority rescue zones," I command, stepping back.

"You're running, Sam?" Zack mocks.

"No," I reply, activating my thrusters. "I'm saving lives. Something you'll never understand."

With a burst of speed, I shoot out of the building, leaving Zack behind. The air roars as I accelerate, racing toward Lockport. Below, I can see fires, panicked civilians, and collapsing structures.

"Hold on," I mutter, locking on to the first group in danger. "I'm on my way."

MORINJO

Chaos grips Long Beach City, and we're at its epicenter. Seven hundred robots, sleek and lethal, flood the streets like a living metal tide. Their claws gleam in the fading sunlight, limbs morphing into weapons of destruction. The air thrums with screams, the crash of falling debris, and the unsettling metallic hum of the invaders.

Path Finder stirs within me, sharp and focused. "We hold the line," he commands, his voice steady, resonating deep in my mind. There's no fear, no hesitation—just clarity.

I glance at Lycon Wolf and Black Cardinal standing with me, their determination etched into every muscle. Before the weight of Path Finder's words fully settles, Lycon surges forward, a blur of savage motion. His claws carve through the first wave of robots like they're nothing more than brittle shells. Sparks fly, circuits fizzling as he tears one apart. A plasma blade arcs toward him, but the strike glances off his indestructible body. He counters with a bone-crushing punch, sending the machine hurtling into a building, bricks and steel collapsing in its wake.

"Focus. It's our turn." Path Finder's voice melds with mine as we leap into action. My hands rise, and the air itself seems to bow to our will. Fire and wind merge, spiraling into a blazing tornado that engulfs a cluster of machines. They shriek and spark as the fire melts through their metallic frames. More charge forward, and we slam our fists into the ground together. The earth obeys, erupting beneath them. Spikes of jagged rock pierce through the advancing horde, shredding metal and circuits alike.

"Cardinal, flank them!" we yell, our voice a unified command that cuts through the chaos.

Black Cardinal moves like liquid shadow, her twin swords flashing with lethal precision. Each strike is a calculated masterpiece, slicing through robots with brutal efficiency. A machine lunges at her from behind, claws poised for the kill. She pivots, spinning into a kick that sends its head flying. Another robot attempts to seize her, but she flips it with effortless grace, slamming it into the asphalt.

From his perch atop a wrecked bus, Menace pulls an arrow from his quiver, his movements fluid and deadly. Path Finder hones in on him, watching as he takes aim at the glowing cores on the robots' chests. One arrow after another flies, each finding its mark with unerring precision. The machines collapse in showers of sparks.

A squadron of flying robots descends, their arms morphing into blasters. Menace leaps from the bus just as they fire, their blasts tearing through the metal shell of his perch. He rolls into a crouch, firing arrows mid-motion. Two fall instantly, and he handles the others with a storm of punches and kicks, every move as precise as his aim.

The battle rages on, relentless. For every robot we destroy, ten more seem to rise from the chaos. Path Finder pushes me forward, unyielding. "No hesitation."

Molten metal flows from our hands, reshaping into spinning blades that cut through the machines like scythes. Lycan Wolf's roar shakes the battlefield as he tears apart robots with primal fury. Black Cardinal and Menace fight back-to-back, her blades a whirlwind of destruction while his arrows rain death from above.

The tide feels endless, but we are relentless. Together, Path Finder and I fight as one, our strength forged in unity.

A chill prickles at the nape of my neck, spreading through me like icy tendrils. It's not just a feeling—it's a warning, sharp and undeniable. My pulse quickens, my chest tightens, and Path Finder stirs within me.

"Do you feel that?" his voice resonates in my mind, deep and edged with tension. I don't answer—he already knows I do. The weight of something terrible presses down on us, invisible but suffocating.

Then it begins. The first tremor is faint, barely perceptible underfoot. But we both know better. "This isn't just the earth moving," Path Finder growls, his voice low, grim. "It's him."

"Cyberman," I mutter aloud, the name cutting through the growing dread.

The vibrations intensify, crawling up my legs, into my chest. The ground shivers, then groans as though awakening from a deep slumber. The air fills with a low hum, a sound that burrows into my bones, rattling me from the inside out. Loose debris skitters across the pavement as windows tremble in their frames.

"Look!" Path Finder urges, his voice sharp, pushing my focus to the cracks snaking through the asphalt ahead. The street buckles and shifts, the entire city groaning under an unseen force. Suddenly, everything rises. The ground itself lifts, buildings and streets ascending as if the earth has torn free from its anchor. Dust rains down in thick, choking waves, and I stagger, struggling to keep my footing.

"Focus." Path Finder's command steadies me, pulling my attention to the skyline. Through the haze and chaos, I can feel his sight sharpening within me, narrowing on a single point. "There," he says, our gaze locking onto the Chrysler Building.

I squint, and for a moment, it's as if my vision merges with his—clearer, sharper, cutting through the swirling dust. At the top of the iconic spire, a faint pulse of light flickers, rhythmic and deliberate. The hum that fills the air seems to emanate from that single point, each beat growing stronger, more insistent.

"It's him," Path Finder confirms, his tone hardening. "The doomsday machine."

The hum becomes a roar, the city trembling as if caught between two worlds. Energy crackles in the air, snapping like lightning around me, and the weight of impending destruction crashes down. We're out of time.

MR. SMITH

The battle outside rages on, relentless and unforgiving. Through the observation windows, I glimpse the devastation—a city teetering on the edge of chaos. Behind me, hundreds of citizens—old and young, black and white, innocent and guilty—huddle together. The Mighty Heroes of the Ultimate Ventures have saved them from the immediate carnage, but fear still grips the crowd. Trembling hands clutch each other; anxious eyes dart around. My agents from G.A.L.A.X.Y. move among them, trying to calm the panic and restore order, but it's an uphill battle.

It feels like we're merely plugging holes in a sinking ship. The Ventures have done everything they can, but even they can't save all of New York. The sheer scale of this disaster is staggering. My thoughts drift back to the strategic planning sessions with Daniel and the Ventures. We anticipated chaos, but not like this.

I turn sharply to a new recruit, one of the few agents who survived the clash with Trivium, the god of thunder.

"Agent!" I call out.

The young man approaches, his face marked with dirt and exhaustion. "Here, sir. What do you need?"

"Send an immediate summons to Daniel Rodriguez, Alexander, Liam, Sophia, Christopher, and Ava. Tell them to drop whatever they're doing and report here. Now."

"Yes, sir!" He snaps to attention and hurries off.

I step toward the cockpit windows, watching as an impossible scene unfolds before my eyes. Buildings—thousands of them, some intact, others in ruins—begin to rise. Vehicles and even chunks of the ground itself follow, lifting into the sky as if pulled by an invisible hand. My stomach churns.

Zack's machine... How did he create something capable of uprooting an entire city?

Moments later, the sound of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to see the summoned agents entering, their postures rigid, faces grim. They stop before me, waiting.

"Thank you for coming," I say, my tone brisk. "You all remember the mission plan?"

"Of course, sir," Daniel replies, gripping his scarred but reliable machine gun.

"Good. Let me be clear—there's no room for mistakes. No hesitation. And no robot survives. Understood?"

"Understood, sir," Daniel answers with steely resolve.

I dismiss them, and they begin to scatter, preparing for the mission. But as Liam walks away, he exchanges a glance with Daniel—an unspoken signal that catches my attention. Daniel follows Liam out of the room. Something's off. I decide to follow them discreetly.

LIAM AND DANIEL

"Liam," Daniel says once they're out of earshot. "What's going on? We have a mission to focus on."

"Relax," Liam replies, his voice casual yet cryptic. "I just want to show you something I've been working on."

He approaches a hidden door, its edges barely visible against the wall. With a subtle press, it slides open, revealing a dark chamber. My suspicion deepens as I watch from the shadows.

"What is it, Liam? We don't have time for games."

"You'll see," Liam says, striding confidently into the chamber.

In the center of the room stands a large object draped in a polyester car cover. Liam grips the edge of the cover and yanks it away, revealing a car that looks like it belongs in the future.

The car's sleek, aerodynamic design exudes power. Its low profile, sharp contours, and bold kidney grille create an almost predatory presence. Piercing LED headlights give it a fierce, intelligent expression. Flared wheel arches and polished alloy wheels enhance its muscular stance, while the rear slopes elegantly, crowned with razor-sharp taillights.

Daniel stares, unimpressed. "A car? Seriously?"

"It's not just a car," Liam says, circling it with a proud grin. "This is the Omni-Morph Vehicle, or OMV. A shapeshifting, weaponized marvel."

Daniel raises an eyebrow. "Shapeshifting?"

"Exactly. This beauty can transform into anything—an airplane, a ship, a bike, a jet, a helicopter. You name it."

I step out of the shadows, folding my arms. "And how long have you been working on this... marvel, Liam?"

Both men whirl around, startled. Liam's face falls. "Uh... sir..."

"Don't 'uh' me. You've been constructing this behind my back? What happened to no more secrets, no more lies?"

"I... I didn't think it was a big deal," Liam stammers. "You've been busy with missions and—"

"I hate to admit it, but he's right," Daniel interjects. "You've had a lot on your plate, sir."

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I'm not angry about the car. I'm upset that, after all these years, you're still keeping secrets. Why, Liam?"

"My apologies, sir," Liam mutters, his voice low.

Before I can respond, a voice interrupts from behind us.

"Are you ready, gentlemen?"

We turn to see another invention—a sleek, futuristic suit of armor that gleams under the chamber's dim light. Its presence promises power... and danger.

The suit standing before us is a marvel of engineering—a seamless fusion of innovation and artistry. Its metallic red and gold exterior gleams like molten fire under the dim, moonlit sky, projecting both strength and elegance. A glowing circular core pulses at the chest, its light steady and hypnotic, hinting at the immense power it houses. The angular design of the suit flows across the arms and legs, perfectly balancing protection with agility.

Every detail serves a purpose. Reinforced gauntlets and boots suggest resilience against harsh terrains and brutal combat, while the segmented plating offers unmatched flexibility. Thin, glowing blue accents trace the helmet, joints, and chest, adding a futuristic aesthetic to its otherwise intimidating appearance. This isn't just a suit; it's a declaration of intent—made for someone on a mission that demands nothing short of perfection.

I step closer, squinting. "Who are you?" I ask, my voice cautious but firm.

The suit's helmet hisses open, revealing a familiar face. "Lex. Alexander," he replies, his voice steady, almost nonchalant.

"God help me," I mutter, my mind racing.

He glances at me, his expression hardening. "We don't have much time." The helmet snaps shut with a mechanical click, and before I can respond, he strides past me with an air of urgency.

"Seriously?" I mutter under my breath. "We're supposed to be an organization, not some wannabe superhero team." Frustration boiling, I exit the secret chamber.

The sound of hydraulics fills the air as the plane's loading door groans open. Without hesitation, Alexander launches himself into the night sky, the suit's thrusters igniting as he disappears into the distance.

Behind me, Liam and Daniel climb into the Omni-Morph Vehicle, its sleek, futuristic frame humming to life. With a low growl, the car shifts seamlessly into gear, rolling toward the edge of the open ramp.

"You ready for this?" Liam asks, gripping the wheel.

Daniel smirks, checking his weapon. "Always."

In one fluid motion, the OMV surges forward, leaping from the plane's ramp and plunging into the chaos below. The roar of its engines fades as I stand in the hangar, watching the city's destruction unfold like a nightmare I can't wake from.

DANIEL

"Are you crazy?!" I shout, my voice barely audible over the deafening rush of wind as the car plummets out of the plane. Panic surges through me, my hands gripping the armrest so tightly my knuckles turn white. "No parachute? Are you out of your mind?!"

Liam, sitting calmly in the driver's seat, doesn't flinch. He smirks, as if this is just another casual day for him. "Relax, mate," he says, tapping a few buttons on the dashboard with unnerving confidence. "Like I said, this beauty can change into anything you want—or choose."

Before I can yell back, something remarkable happens. The hum of the car's engine shifts into a low, mechanical whir, and the interior around me begins to transform.

The sleek dashboard slides forward, folding in on itself as an array of digital screens and controls emerge, glowing with vibrant blue and green holograms. The leather seats we're strapped into extend and reshape, their contours shifting to become ergonomic pilot chairs complete with harnesses that automatically strap across our chests.

I glance up as the roof retracts slightly, revealing a transparent canopy that curves seamlessly overhead, giving us a panoramic view of the endless sky and the chaos below. The side doors compress inward, their panels sliding apart to reveal jet thrusters embedded within the structure.

The steering wheel in Liam's hands morphs into a flight control yoke, complete with switches and throttle levers. Panels on the floor open up to reveal foot pedals, their purpose clear as the entire vehicle stabilizes mid-air with an audible hiss of pressurized hydraulics. The faint glow of ambient lighting bathes the now-transformed cockpit, giving it the look and feel of a cutting-edge fighter jet.

My fear is momentarily replaced by awe as I look around. "You've got to be kidding me," I mutter, my voice trembling slightly but tinged with disbelief.

"Not kidding, mate," Liam says, grinning as he pulls back on the controls. The jet levels out, slicing through the air with a precision that defies belief. "Welcome to the OMV's jet mode. Smooth, isn't it?"

"Smooth?!" I snap, though I can't hide the awe creeping into my tone. "You could've warned me before turning us into a flying death trap!"

"Where's the fun in that?" he quips, his focus now entirely on the controls as he angles us toward the city below.

I glance out through the canopy, the burning skyline of New York stretching endlessly in every direction. The devastation is overwhelming, but the sudden adaptability of this vehicle gives me a shred of hope.

As the jet speeds forward, I lean back in my seat, trying to steady my breathing. This wasn't how I imagined today going, but for the first time since this chaos began, I feel like we might actually stand a chance.

To be continued...

Season 3 coming soon...