Disclaimer: I own nothing. The Harvest Moon Characters are properties of Natsume Inc, Rock's featured techniques are created by SNK Playmore, and Dan's techniques are properties of Capcom's… although, those later to be mentioned techniques are a counter rip-off of SNK characters… which makes this disclaimer very complicated. Forgive me.
Prologue
Months have passed since the one-sided showdown between aspiring bad guy Rock and infamous "King of Evil" Rick. Because of this and a few other exploits, many had come to look up to him as a great man of pride and power. Yet despite his growing reputation, young Rock felt that he was in a slump.
Twice had this young man attempted to earn the enmity of those around him by becoming the main antagonist of a fanfiction, yet both times had ended up in failure as he became the reluctant anti-hero "savior" in both scenarios. Understanding the insight that fan girls tend to set their sights on "bad boys", Rock could only kick himself for his current status as "all-around hero.", and permanently swore of his true aspirations to pursue a more desirable dream in professional dancing.
And so, the laid back character traveled all across the land to visit various dance clubs and improve upon his patented "Deadly Rave" dance style until the day the "Mark of the Century" Tournament arrived. His shame of "accidental heroics" faded over time, and he was soon on his way on becoming THE top dancer in the world. Little did he know that his past would come to haunt him in the most peculiar way possible…
Harvest Moon
Rock V.S. Dan: Duel of the Players
One night, in an anonymous dance club, Rock was helping himself to some Moo Juice while some heavy Rave Music was pounding from all the speakers.
The blonde partier took in one big gulp of his drink, then followed up with a burp of relief.
"Ah, yes… this is the life. I may have failed in stealing Lumina from the embrace of my old "friend" Link, heck, they're probably married off to each other by now. But I guess that's all good for me. Instead of being tied down to a wife, I'm making plenty of fan girls squeal at my feet with my happening moves. Yup, life's been sweet since I've been pursuing the path of the dancer! I don't know what I was doing all that time trying to become a world-class villain, but I guess I could put my developed powers to use for convenient purposes." Rock grinned.
After another gulp, the happy dancer looked to his left and noticed a young woman with long, flowing blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a fine red dress skirt just perfect for partying.
Rock clicked his tongue and expressed his interest in her rather clearly.
"Hey, babe. How's about you and me get on the dance floor and shake our bums to the beat? I promise it'll be a sweet time." Rock smirked.
The club girl blinked for a minute.
"Oh, I'm sorry, hun! This other guy already asked me earlier! He had to go use the restroom for a bit, but I'd promise I'd wait for him." She answered.
Despite the rejection, Rock persisted.
"You're sure that's not an excuse? Or is this "boyfriend" of yours some random chump that managed to pluck you like a stray veggie? Trust me girl, if you just ditch this other guy of yours, I can show you some REAL fun…" he insisted.
The lady's cheeks turned bright pink; however, a nearby figure wasn't so pleased.
"So, you moving in on my new hunny? Sounds like you're asking for trouble." An agitated voice uttered from behind.
The arrogant Rock nodded and smirked without even laying an eye on the new guy.
"Trouble? Yeah, I'm man enough to ask for it! But see, it'll be you who'll end regretting it in the end, cuz' you're dealing with the Rock! And no body has taken me on without facing shame!" he bragged.
"The Rock?" the stranger repeated.
"Yeah, THE Rock, man! And don't you forget it!" Rock sneered.
"Ah, so YOU'RE him… looks like lady luck's decided to be kind to me for a change." The stranger grinned.
"Say what?" Rock cried.
The stranger let out an amused chuckle before he stepped out of the shadows.
Standing before rock was a dark-skinned man with messy, neck-length black hair and notably shifty black eyes. He wore a red headband along with a sleeveless leather brown vest and a pair of dark jeans.
"I've been looking for you since word spread, Rock. They say you be busting bad guys left right, even beating the likes of Mayor Thomas and the "King of Evil" himself, Rick. But after seeing you in person, I know your kind all too well… for you see, we're very much alike. Wanting to live a life of babes and freedom, partying all day long and dancing the night away. And you first tried to earn that honor by becoming the kind of main antagonist the chicks dig, right?" the stranger explained.
Rock raised an eyebrow.
"Wait a minute. Who… are you?" he asked.
The stranger flashed a slick grin, pleased with his air of mystery.
"I am Dan from the village of Flowerbud, the major point you missed in your campaign of darkness. I figured if I can take out the guy who accomplished all of these feats, then all the chicks will recognize ME as the baddest dude around, and perhaps even Eve will finally come around and join me for some Midnight Romancing." The stranger proclaimed.
Rock took a moment to ponder all that his new foe had told him.
"Dan, huh? Never heard of you." Rock bluntly replied.
The dark and handsome one twitched for a moment, but quickly recovered his composure.
"Oh, don't worry... you'll know of me soon enough. Thanks to your lack of knowledge, your "Mystery Man" here has the element of surprise up his sleeve. Looks like you're gonna have to learn a lesson the hard way." Dan grinned.
"Really? It seems to me you told me quite a bit already. And I think that's all I need to know from the man who's going to add another win to my impeccable record." Rock said with a chuckle.
"Alright, but I won't agree to just any fight! As fellow pimps, I believe this power struggle of ours can only be settled on the most proper battlefield: The dance floor." Dan proposed.
"Agreed. Just don't say I didn't warn you." Rock remarked.
"What? Of "Wet Floor" signs? If there's anyone that's going to be slipping up here, it'll be you!" Dan taunted.
Soon enough, the cocky challenger strut his way onto the dance floor, while his opponent remained behind for one final task: to lay a very satisfying kiss on the girl he was in the process of stealing.
After parting lips, the young lady's face matched the color of her dress, and gazed at Rock with deep satisfaction and a swoon.
Rock then faced his challenger and gave him a thumbs up.
"Check." He smirked.
Dan quickly turned around with a sour expression on his face.
"Curses! I KNEW I forgot something..." he muttered to himself.
Author's Notes-
In case you were wondering about the previous Titles belonging to this newly dubbed saga, the would be in descending order:
1. Harvest Moon: Double Shock
2. Rock Takes Over Mineral Town
Check them out if you haven't already, and look forward to the next (and likely concluding) Chapter of this short story!
