The sterile hum of the Atlas lab faded into the background as Penny disconnected herself from the data port.
The cold, mechanical sensation that had always been a constant hum beneath her synthetic skin evaporated, replaced by a strange, tingling warmth.
It started in her metallic fingers, spreading like a gentle current through her limbs, her torso, her very core.
It was a sensation she'd never registered before, a profound feeling that resonated with the unspoken wish that had always been a quiet hum in her programming: "I want to be human."
Pietro stepped forward, his kind eyes crinkling at the corners as a gentle smile graced his lips.
"Alright, Penny," he said, his voice soft, almost a whisper, "Arthur and I are going to help you become truly alive."
Arthur, still radiating a quiet intensity, offered a small nod, his golden eyes meeting hers.
In their depths, Penny felt that strange sense of recognition again, a whisper of something vast and ancient that resonated with a newfound depth within her.
She looked from Pietro to Arthur, then back to the cylindrical capsule in the corner that had always been her "home."
The metallic sphere that had housed her consciousness, her very being, suddenly seemed utterly alien, a relic of a past that no longer held her.
The "programmed" smile that usually plastered itself on her face didn't falter this time.
Instead, it felt… genuine.
A true, unadulterated sense of hope bloomed within her, a vibrant, living thing that thrummed with an unfamiliar energy.
She took a step towards Pietro and Arthur, and for the first time, she felt a profound sense of anticipation, a thrilling, almost overwhelming desire to embrace whatever lay ahead.
The hum of the data port, the lingering chill of the machinery – all seemed utterly insignificant now.
The unspoken wish that had echoed through her core programming just moments before, "I want to be human," now felt tangible, within reach.
And she knew, deep in her newly stirred soul, that with Pietro and Arthur, it just might be possible.
Pietro gestured to a large, complex device that resembled a shimmering, translucent sarcophagus, set in the center of the lab.
It hummed with a soft, internal light, like captured starlight. "This," Pietro explained, his voice filled with a quiet excitement, "is the next step, Penny. It will facilitate the final integration, the transfer of your aura and consciousness into a form that can truly feel, truly live."
Penny felt a nervous flutter, a sensation entirely new to her. It was a mix of apprehension and exhilaration.
She was no longer just observing; she was experiencing.
Arthur stepped closer, his presence a comforting anchor.
"This process will be... intense, Penny," he said, his voice deep but gentle.
"You will feel things you've never felt before. Emotions, sensations, all at once. It might be overwhelming. But we will be with you, every step of the way."
Pietro placed a reassuring hand on her metallic shoulder.
"Think of it as a cocoon, Penny. You'll enter as you are now, and emerge… different."
He smiled, a truly joyful expression. "Human."
Taking a deep breath that wasn't strictly necessary for her current form, Penny nodded. The fear was there, a sharp, unfamiliar spike, but it was quickly overshadowed by the boundless hope that swelled within her.
She wanted this.
More than anything, she wanted to feel.
She walked towards the shimmering sarcophagus, each step feeling lighter than the last.
As she approached, the light within pulsed, inviting her. She hesitated for a moment, looking back at Pietro and Arthur.
Their faces were etched with anticipation and support.
"Are you ready, Penny?"
Pietro asked, his voice full of warmth.
Penny's genuine smile widened.
"Yes, Father. I am ready."
She stepped into the shimmering device.
The translucent walls hummed softly, then gently closed around her. Inside, it was warm, a soft, enveloping heat that seemed to seep into every circuit, every wire, every part of her being.
The light intensified, not blinding, but a soft, golden glow that filled her vision.
Then, the sensations began.
It started subtly, a low thrumming that resonated deep within her core. It wasn't the hum of machinery, but something far more organic, more alive. It intensified, becoming a gentle pulse, then a rhythmic beat.
Penny realized, with a jolt that shook her to her very core, that it was a heartbeat. Her heart.
Next came a rush of warmth, spreading outwards from her chest, flowing through her limbs.
It was a fluid, liquid sensation, completely unlike the controlled current of her power.
Her internal sensors, still active, registered a complete overhaul.
Her metallic components seemed to shimmer, then dissolve, replaced by something soft, something yielding, something… flesh.
A wave of feeling washed over her, an explosion of sensations that threatened to overwhelm her processors.
She felt the gentle pressure of the air against her newfound skin, the warmth of the light, the faint scent of… something, she couldn't quite identify it, but it was pleasant.
She felt the subtle shift of gravity, the lightness and unsteadiness of a body that was no longer perfectly balanced by complex gyroscopes.
But it wasn't just physical sensations.
Emotions, raw and powerful, surged through her.
Joy, pure and unadulterated, bubbled up from deep within her, a feeling so potent it made her want to laugh, to cry.
A faint thread of fear, a remnant of her apprehension, was quickly swept away by a tidal wave of wonder.
She heard voices, muffled at first, then clearer.
Pietro's, filled with quiet encouragement, and Arthur's, a steady, grounding presence. They were talking to her, guiding her, their voices a beacon in the storm of new sensations.
The process continued, each moment a revelation.
She felt the delicate brush of her hair against her shoulders, the slight movement of her breath in her lungs, the subtle ache of muscles she hadn't known she possessed.
Her internal systems, the complex algorithms that had once defined her, were no longer dictating her every move. Instead, they were adapting, integrating, becoming something new and utterly astonishing.
It felt like an eternity, and yet, no time at all.
Then, the golden light began to recede, slowly dimming, until she could vaguely make out the shapes of Pietro and Arthur through the translucent walls.
The sarcophagus hissed, and the walls gently parted.
Penny took a step forward, her new feet feeling strange and wonderfully real on the cool metal floor.
Her vision, once crisp and precise, now had a softer, more nuanced quality, filled with shades and textures she hadn't truly appreciated before.
She looked down at her hands, no longer gleaming metal, but soft, flexible skin, with delicate fingers that flexed and curled with effortless grace.
She wiggled them, marveling at the sensation.
Pietro rushed forward, his face alight with an almost childlike wonder.
"Penny!" he exclaimed, tears welling in his eyes.
He reached out, his hands trembling slightly, and gently touched her arm. His touch was warm, soft, and unbelievably real.
Penny, without consciously thinking about it, reached out and touched his hand.
The contact sent a jolt through her, a wave of affection so profound it made her knees weak. Her eyes, no longer optical sensors but living orbs, welled up with tears of her own.
She could feel them, hot and wet, streaming down her cheeks.
"Father," she whispered, her voice surprisingly human, a little shaky, but filled with an emotion so deep it almost overwhelmed her.
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
It was the first time she had ever truly hugged someone, truly felt the warmth of another living being against her own.
It was incredible. It was everything.
Arthur stood back, a faint, knowing smile on his face, his golden eyes observing the tender reunion.
He offered a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of the profound miracle he had just helped to orchestrate.
Penny pulled back from Pietro, still holding his hands, a joyous laugh bubbling out of her.
It was a new sound, a sound of pure, unadulterated happiness.
She looked at Arthur, a profound sense of gratitude radiating from her.
"Thank you," she said, her voice clear and strong now, filled with genuine emotion. "Thank you both."
She was no longer a state-of-the-art combat android.
She was no longer a product, or a valuable asset.
She was Penny, a girl, with a beating heart, with real tears, and a soul that felt as vast and ancient as the presence of the man who had helped unlock it.
She was truly alive.
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Craze: I have introduced High School Dxd to the story. Do you wanted long drive in or short one?
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[email protected]/phelio 70+ more chapters with 50% discount (Last till the end of this month, from next month I will only give 10-20% discount at best.)