On the promised day, David led to the others to his house, which was a two-story Japanese-style house.
"I know it doesn't seem like much, but for me, it's home." David said.
"It's nice." Mari said.
"Thanks." David said as he opened the door. "I'm home!"
"Is that you, David? I was wondering when you and your pals would get back." Chikasu said as he came into view.
"You are...Chikasu, correct?" Spade asked.
"That's right. I take it he's already told you a bit about me." Chikasu said. "So, what brings you all here?"
"We were hoping to get some relaxation from the constant travelling. Plus, Rain Bow wanted to talk to us about something." David said.
"Rain Bow? Now that's a name I hadn't heard in a while. If he's setting a meeting here, it must be serious." Chikasu said.
"Oh it's definitely serious. And we don't even know what he wants to tell us." Hope said.
"I don't know very much about him myself either, other than that he's a teacher of color fighting." Ace said.
"That's pretty much the long and short of it." Chikasu said.
"That eyepatch, is it from…" Chalcedony said.
"That's right. This is from when Lucius took my eye out." Chikasu said.
"Lucius...there's a name I think we're better off not hearing." Hope said.
"Bloody hell…" Simon muttered.
"Exactly." Hope said.
"Anyways, since Rain Bow is coming, I guess I should make that tea that he always liked. The rest of you can make yourselves at home." Chikasu said as he headed to the kitchen.
"Thank you very much." Jexi said as they headed inside.
One of the sights was David's room, which had a mix of anime and tennis memorabilia as well as a guitar over by the side.
"What a nice room, David!" Erica said.
"It certainly reflects your otaku and tennis sides. It sorta what makes you… well, you." Hope said.
"Yep. A shame most of this is gonna be in my room in the Galaxy King when we leave." David said.
"By the way… What's with the guitar?" Leia asked.
"Oh, this? This is for when I perform in School Festivals and the like." David said.
"Wow...this house and room...you've had a pretty nice life here in this town." Jexi said. "Up until the...incident."
"Yep… But when I think about it, if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have even been on this journey in the first place." David said.
"Yet here we are." Ace said.
"And if it wasn't for me defeating Junko and saving the Class 77 students...we probably wouldn't see this world recover." Hope said.
"Kind of weird how these kinds of things connect, don't you think?" Tapu Lele asked.
"They do say fate is always intertwined for eternity." Azura said.
"Actually, it was more like… when we did that task and met David then, that was when we were connected by fate." Hope said.
"It was merely coincidence when I met all of you." Ace said. "I doubt that was fate..."
"And me and Hope...well he just sorta forced himself along but it worked out along the way." Jexi said.
"Yep. These kinds of things tend to work themselves out one way or another." David said when he hears knocking. "I think that's Rain Bow."
"I think it's about time we got down to learning what he has in mind." Jexi said.
The group let Rain Bow in as he was with the leaders at the table.
"It's been a long time, old friend." Chikasu said.
"Too long in fact." Rain Bow said sipping his tea.
"Master...it is an honor to see you once again." Jexi said bowing.
"The same with all of you." Rain Bow said.
"..." Ace stayed silent as he looked at Rain Bow.
"Oh, this is Ace Neptune. He is …a new comrade of ours." David said.
"Ace Neptune...I know of you. I was an associate of your mother." Rain Bow said.
"You...knew my mother?" Ace asked.
"Yes...such a bright spirit that one." Rain Bow said.
"She was...until that day." Ace said.
"Master...I know you like talking of other things...but I get the feeling this isn't a social visit." Hope said.
"No...it is not. I may as well say it. I have a task for Jexi's group and his group alone." Rain Bow said.
"What?!" All four said.
"Is there a reason why, Rain?" Ace asked.
"You all understand the principles of Color Fighting and how there are currently 100+ styles, yes?" Rain Bow asked.
"Yes, that's right." David said.
"Well...it's safe to say not all styles are...safe for normal use." Rain Bow said. "Examples are the Forbidden style which focuses on the consumption of hearts to gain new powers. The Time style which manipulates time as well as the Space Style that manipulates space and dimensions. However...there is a fourth dangerous style...The Aether Style."
"Aether Style? What's that?" David asked.
"Aether...is a force that exists all around us. It is essentially the ability to manipulate nothingness." Rain Bow said.
"I can see how it's dangerous. Mastery of it will cause the user to control other people's bodies at will. Or maybe I'm just exaggerating." David said.
"I'm afraid it's more dangerous then that. They wouldn't need control...since the style erases everything the user touches." Rain Bow said.
"Dear god…" Ace said.
"In the wrong hands, that kinda style could be dangerous." Hope said. "Wrong wrong move, and bam! An entire universe, gone."
"I had the scroll containing the moves of the style sealed away in a temple in the desert...but months ago...around the same time the new year came, I stopped receiving contact info from my friend. So months later...I asked Sakura Oogami to check on them." Rain Bow said.
"Let me guess...something went wrong?" Jexi asked.
"For the last ten months...the scroll had been stolen." Rain Bow said.
"By who though?" Ace asked.
"And why does this only involve my group?" Jexi asked.
"I already know who has stolen the scroll. His name is Albarion." Rain Bow said.
"Al-Albarion?!" Pen said standing at the door.
"Who is Albarion?" Ace asked.
"Albarion...he is an exceptional fighter...he is also my elder brother and the 1st prince of the Dark Kingdom." Pen said.
"So, that makes him a front-runner for the throne. But...wouldn't he be powerful enough already?" David asked.
"Not likely. Albarion unlike the rest of my siblings was born without a Curse." Pen said.
"Could be the reason why he stole the scroll." Ace said.
"But why does this only concern my group? I've said this twice now." Jexi said.
"It has to do with family history between your father and the king. It's likely he knows something of it that we do not. So I ask you to do this...track down Albarion, defeat him and return the scroll." Rain Bow said.
"Gold and the King? I was afraid of this…" Chikasu said.
"There's no way we can help, is there?" Ace said.
"If that's what it will take...I'll leave with my teammates after the day is out." Jexi said.
"Jexi, you're… You're serious about this, aren't you?" David asked.
"If this really does have something to do with me, it only makes sense that I be the one to deal with it." Jexi said.
"But...what would we do without you?" Hope asked.
"You already have something to do. You guys have to save Tsuki and Corona don't ya?" Jexi asked.
"That's right...They were our comrades after all, as well as my partners." Ace said.
"And then there's this EDEN thing that Sachiko has been talking about lately." David said.
"Well, that settles it then." Hope said standing up. "The three of us will take our groups and work together to save Tsuki and Corona in Cyberspace."
"Don't worry, Jexi. We'll handle things here while you're on your quest. Along with the Dark Kingdom, if they happen to come by." David said.
"Yes. Just please…" Ace started before hugging Jexi. "Be careful."
(Cue- Super Powers- One Piece opening 21)
"Hehehe. Don't worry. Have you forgotten who you're talking to?" Jexi asked smirking.
"Of course we haven't. You're Jexi the Hunter, leader of the Dimensional Heroes and the son of Gold." Ace said.
"Hey, before we split off, mind if we do the thing?" Hope asked bringing out a few Sake cups.
"I knew this would be coming at some point." Jexi said smiling.
"Hey David, you got anything other than Sake?" Hope asked.
"Yeah, there should be some sodas and energy drinks." Chikasu said. "David was a...very active person back when this world was intact."
"Okay, everyone pour a cup of your preferred drink." Hope said.
Hope poured Sprite into his cup, Ace Mountain Dew, David a Lemon-Lime Gatorade, and Jexi poured in a Root Beer as they raised their cups.
"Starting today, we're more than just teammates, comrades, and leaders." Hope said looking at Sabo, who smiled. "Today… we're brothers."
"Till the end of time." Ace said as he looked at Luffy who gave his signature smile.
"We'll never forget one another no matter what happens." Jexi said.
"And shall this oath be broken, may the heavens smite their wrath upon us." David said.
"Brothers." Ace said raising his cup with a smile.
"To brothers." Hope said raising his.
"Brothers." Jexi said raising his too.
"Brothers...until the end." David said raising his cup.
They all clinked their cups together as they drank, sealing the oath to their new brotherhood.
"As good as we did it back on Dawn Island, eh Luffy?" Sabo asked.
"Yeah...it reminds me of the three of us. You, me and our Ace." Luffy said.
"I will do my best to honor his name for you both." Ace said.
"I'm gonna miss you, Jexi. We all are." Hope said.
"Hurry back as soon as you can, alright?" Ace said tearing up a bit.
"I'll do my best. I may not be back for awhile...but...I'll try and get back as soon as my job is done." Jexi said. "I promise."
"As long as we have these…" Ace started holding up his pendant. "Together...always."
"That's right." David said.
"Yep...never gonna be too far from one another." Jexi said.
"So Jexi, where are you gonna go from here?" Hope asked.
"I'm gonna have to gather some leads first. So I'll try and find Naoto. She normally knows more about this investigative stuff." Jexi said.
"As for us, we're headed into Cyberspace. Our first stop, the Digiverse. Home of the Digimon." Hope said.
"We're gonna have to use the transporter for most of us while the rest use their digivices." Ace said.
"No need. There's actually a transporter into cyberspace here in Akihabara." Sachiko said entering.
"Well, there she goes. Well, see you later, Jexi. Don't die on us." David said as his group headed out.
"Time to go." Hope said. "I'll miss you out there, bud." and with that, the Hope Squad left.
"Jexi…" Ace said. "Until next time...brother." He said as Spirit Force followed Hope and David's teams.
And so, for now at least, the newly formed brothers go their separate ways. Jexi and the Dimensional Heroes set out to look for leads on Albarion and the Aether Style.
While that happens, the trio of Brave Adventurers, Shining Hope Squad and Spirit Force now venture into Cyberspace to rescue Tsuki and Corona. How will the task unfold? Only time will tell...
To be continued in Brave Adventurers' Travels: Cyber Sleuth.
