Half A Step
May 12th 2010.
Here I am, still in my apartment, on my bed, swiping at air. At least that's what it'll look like to the average observer.
However, I'm actually reviewing the MCU wiki in my memories regarding the events of 2010, via AICA's augmented reality.
Looking for things that i might need. Though, finding nothing.
Turning off the AR, I close my eyes and started thinking.
'To protect myself I need power, but what kind?'
I had already come up with a permanent, long term solution. But right now I need something immediate.
'Martial arts is the easiest to attain with the help of AICA, but martial arts ain't gonna do shit against the big three.'
And then, it dawned on me. Aliens, robots and wizards.
'That's right, the Mystic Arts!'
I got up from the bed and asked AICA.
"Where is Kamar-Taj located?"
[Kathmandu, Nepal.]
'Money isn't a problem but should i go there, this early?'
Yesterday, i checked how much money was in Second's debit card. It was $29,000 and there were still some stocks that hasn't been sold.
So money really, isn't a problem.
I decided to hold off on the idea, and learning magic sometime after the invasion.
'What if I combine the three. Hybrid weapons, cybernetic augmentations, and magic.
With that, I've decided on a short-long term solution.
But for now, I'll have to settle with martial arts.
"AICA, take all the martial arts moves and techniques, that are in both our (mine and Second's) memories, combine and process them."
[Understood, sir.]
"How long will it take?"
[Estimated time, 25 minutes.]
While it's doing that, i head out to prepare for my training.
Yesterday i bought a backpack, a medium sized one.
I brought the backpack with me, and went to the supermarket. There, i bought food, mostly bread and fruits and a couple mini bottles of water.
I then rented a bike, for $35/hour.
After that, i started heading to an abandoned warehouse that i found yesterday. It was quite far from home but, not a distance I can't walk to, much less bike to.
After a while, AICA came back with a report.
[Sir, the analysis is complete. Would you like it to be transferred now?]
"No, save it for later." I whispered.
28 minutes later, and i have arrived at my now, training ground.
{Image}
"Send it to me." I commanded AICA.
[Sending...]
A wave of information, regarding every form of combat i have been exposed to, flashed into my mind.
It was too much. I thought i wouldn't get this dizziness since, all the previous times i didn't get it.
I fell to the ground, clutching my head.
After a few seconds, the headaches were gone.
"Huff. Ok, I'm good" I whispered to myself.
"AICA, create a sparring entity in augmented reality."
[Who would you like to be your sparring enemy?]
Since i haven't fought with anyone yet, i don't have any subjects to train with.
"Default."
[Generating training entity, default model.]
A blue holographic mannequin appeared before me.
GULP-
"Start."
[Starting in 3..2..1-
-Pause-
Let me explain how this game is gonna go.
My enemy is an intangible hologram, how am I gonna win?
Simpe, using hitpoints. Like in video games. AICA will observe if i "hit" the target or not, if i did it's HP would fall.
And if i "hit" in specific areas, that are highlighted with red circles i would get a "bonus".
For example, if you punch someone below the chin, they would get temporary dizziness. Same thing will happen here. Consider it a debuff effect.
On the other hand, if my enemy hits me once, i lose. This is only good to train evasion so I can't be hit, not even once.
My enemy will start out as an above average fighter and will get more skilled as the fight goes on.
And all of this, is managed by AICA. Isn't it just the best?
-Resume-
[Starting in 3..2..1]
Immediately it dashed in and tried to hit me with a back kick.
I managed to dodge it, but i lost my footing and almost fell.
It took that opportunity to jump and do a knee strike. I ducked, it missed me.
I went on the offensive, turned around and attempted an uppercut hoping to hit it's chin.
I expected it to lean back to dodge it but, it tucked it's chin down.
I barely grazed it. It then ducked down, and sweept my legs.
I tried to jump, but i couldn't react fast enough due to the mental pressure and it hit me.
[Deactivating augmented reality. You have lost.]
AICA notified me of my defeat, as if i didn't realize that already.
I opened one of the bottles to drink and slapped myself on both cheeks.
"Alright AICA, start it again."
[Generating training entity, default model.]
'Alright, let's try not lose as fast as before.'
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If someone were to walk up on me now, they would see a sweaty ass dude, punching, kicking, and dodging... from nothing.
But if you're seeing what I'm seeing, you'll see me trying to fend off three holographic opponents, each with three different fighting styles.
GROAN-
I groaned as an arrow nearly hit me in the head. I was sweating bullets trying to dodge the melee's and the ranger.
Melee #1 had a quarter of his health left, while Melee #2 almost has all of his, since i was only able to hit him once in a "point", and don't even get me started on Ranger (← full health).
I knew i couldn't beat them in close combat, so i adopted a hit and run tactic.
The main point is to try to seperate them and then surprise them from an angle. That's how i was even able to damage two of them.
But since they improve with each second, they were able to stop me from going anywhere.
After a few minutes of being in this stand still, i intentionally made an opening to try and lure them.
But they were able to figure that out since i already tried to use on them before.
Melee 2 came close to me, i thought it feel for my trick. In actuality, it was covering for Ranger.
Ranger fired a shot, Melee 2 got out of the way and as i was about to strike, an arrow hit my knee.
[Deactivating augmented reality. You have lost.]
HUFF-
I breathed heavily, i grabbed a newly opened water bottle and literally chugged the whole thing, emptying it in one go.
After over 5 and a half hours, I've done 32 rounds with 1 win and 31 loses. Honestly, i was surprised that i even managed to win on the first day.
I would've done more but unfortunately, i was out of food and almost out of water.
I headed out of the warehouse, went back home and call it a day.
Except i wasn't done.
When i was training i realized, about half way through, how ineffective it was.
There was no tactile feedback. I couldn't feel the impact of my hits, i couldn't feel getting hit, i didn't hear their footsteps, their breathing.
I made sure everything was as real as i could be. I even changed the avatars to those of the people in my past.
The idea of using augmented reality to train came from Nano Machine, so the solution should also come from it.
I wanted to make my own nano machines. AICA could probably do it, but right now it doesn't have enough information to.
And that's why, right now, I'm in a library reading books on mechanics, physics, biology, chemistry, and other fields of science and technology, that i can find.
I just flipped through the pages and told AICA to record, scan and find a way to make nano machines and other fun things while I'm at it.
I ended up buying a bike, since I'll need it in the future unless I buy a car. Then I bought some food and drinks for snacks and for tonight's dinner.
I was in the library for 2 hours according to AICA, it was already evening. I decided to go home.
Whilst walking home, I got the idea of fighting real people, like gangsters.
Not actual criminal organisation, more like bullies than anything.
'Hmm... The hood?'
I've heard that "the hood" is this dangerous and lawless place.
Though, other than what I've seen in memes, I don't know anything about it.
It's threat level, the populace, I don't even know if a place like that exist in 2010 New York.
I leave that thought for later as i arrive at the apartment.
As I went in, I hear a lot of noise coming from the other rooms, as i walk up the stairs to my room.
I hear sounds of people taking, sounds of partying, moaning, guitars, drums, piano. Were all sounds i hadn't heard the first day i came here. Peculiar.
I put all the groceries in the fridge, except the ones I'll be making today.
When i was training, i asked AICA to make a diet for me that produces maximum muscle growth based on both my memories.
Which AICA gave me a schedule on what to eat, what to do and when.
Then after the library the list was updated a bit.
It consists of low-fat high-protein meats, non-processed carbs, fruits and vegetables of many kind.
It was pretty hard to eat at first but AICA's recipe made it easier.
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[Sir, the analysis of nanomachines are complete.]
"The results?"
[Given current information, it is impossible.]
'Not enough information?'
"Why not?"
[The materials to build nanomachines such as Nano or the Mark L armor, are too unknown for me. There is also the matter of a power source.]
'How can I get AICA more information faster?' I thought. Then seeing chrome open on my laptop...
'The Internet.'