Apparitor

> "*Shadow... as weak as ever. How did you even manage to survive? Well, it's no matter. Without your powers, you'll soon fade into the Ethos... or maybe all that awaits you is the eternal void.*"
> ― **Apparitor**, *Cyber Shadow*
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**Apparitor** is one of Dr. Progen's accomplices, and a former member of Shadow's clan. He is dedicated to the Master, and will do anything in his power to save her, even if it means betraying his clan.

## History

### Background

Apparitor was one of the clan's most respected ninja, close to the ranks of the Master and the Elementals. He was known to have a very strong connection to essence. However, those with the strongest connection to essence, are also most susceptible to it, and are prone to getting carried away with emotion. Such was the case for Apparitor, as he thought his special connection made him the only one worthy to be the Lightning Elemental.

To be considered for training in the clan, one must pass the Trial of the Forest. The goal is to reach a gate called the Torii gate without being caught. None had attempted this trial for a long time, so when Shadow attempted it during the blood moon, it caught everyone off guard. This attempt proved successful, when the Master, the leader of the clan, sensed his potential. She could see clearly his connection, though Apparitor scoffed at the very idea, proclaiming Shadow a weakling. Shrugging off his protests, the Master takes Shadow and proceeded to train him herself. As L-Gion described it, "[Shadow's] fast moves at the forest trial made a fool out of Apparitor."

One day, the Master suffered a terrible injury from a freak accident during a mission, leaving her in critical condition. Her father, Dr. Progen, a famed scientist who made revolutionary advancements in robotics, attempted to save her by using his research to tap into the Ethos; the spiritual plane. Dr. Progen, after assembling a corps of synthetics to help with the gathering of essence, enlisted Apparitor to aid him in this endeavor. It was not too long after this that Apparitor had completely abandoned his clan, agreeing to go through the process of synthetic conversion. His life would be greatly extended, much like Dr. Progen's.

Despite losing all other vestiges of humanity, his dedication to the Master still drove him. However, the attempt to save the Master by transferring her essence into a vessel failed. Apparitor was not told of this failure, believing the Master to be alive and conscious. Hagan, one of Dr. Progen's assistants, explained, "The Apparitor is utterly devoted to the vessel... believing the experiment was a success. We gain no advantage by telling him otherwise, given his current state. We'll see how this unfolds."

At one point Apparitor volunteered to be the test rider of Exo, the result of a nearly complete one-to-one essence transfer from a living human into a machine host, the machine being an interchangeable motorbike and power suit. The unit is powered by the rider, who works as a living battery. After some time, Exo suddenly stopped taking orders from him, so Dr. Progen installed a software inhibitor. This wasn't enough, however, as Exo continued to be defiant and refused to co-operate. As such, Dr. Progen was forced to store it away.

### *Cyber Shadow*

In *Cyber Shadow*, Shadow comes across Apparitor three times throughout his journey. The first time is after the explosion that put Mekacity into ruins, at the end of chapter 1. Apparitor is surprised to find that Shadow is still alive, but realizes quickly that his powers are fading. A battle ensues, Shadow emerging as the victor. There are two lines Apparitor says depending on whether he was fought with or without honor:

> "*This time, you were lucky. I never could tell what our master saw in you. But I'm sure Dr. Progen will find a use for what little essence you have left. So I'll let you live, for now... run along, little fox.*"
> ― Shadow wins with honor.
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> "*A win without honor... hardly a victory! I don't know what our master saw in you... but it couldn't have been a spine. Even the trainees of our clan had enough guts to avoid backstabbing! Next time I'll tear you to pieces, and offer your essence to Dr. Progen myself!*"
> ― Shadow wins without honor.
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The second time they meet is after Shadow returns with Exo back to Mekacity, after chapter 8. Apparitor suddenly appears in front of them, and stops them in their tracks. He becomes enraged when Exo tells him the Master is no longer alive, and dashes at them, crushing them into the wall, and follows up by blasting them with a beam from the sky. When Shadow awakes, he sees that Exo has been destroyed.

The third time they meet is atop the Orbital Elevator. With the Master's A.I. watching their fight, they battle once more, Apparitor looking to prove that Shadow is a fake, and unworthy of the clan. Unfortunately for Apparitor, he is struck down by Shadow, at which point Dr. Progen emerges and tells him that the Master's A.I. is just that - a primitive AI copy, not the real Master. After having failed both his clan and Progen, Apparitor crawls away, falling off the platform. It is unclear what happens to him after.