We Are Fighters

Episode 10: Fighters of the Future

Making his back to the village, Yokoshi had reunited with the others.

Hitomi: Yokoshi, there you are.

Damion: Why you outa breathe?

Yokoshi: We've got intruders.

Marie Rose: What do you mean?

Yokoshi: I mean that I saw a vortex…in the forest.

Eliot: A vortex?

Yokoshi: Yeah, the same one that brought us to the past. And someone walked out.

Honoka: Who was it?

Damion: Was it my mom or dad?

Yokoshi: It was a woman…but it sure as hell wasn't Helena.

Marie Rose: Was the woman familiar?

Yokoshi: No way, never seen her before, in my life.

Eliot: You think…this could be someone who brought Naotora to our timeline?

Damion: To be on the safe side, we should assume so.

Naotora: What do we do?

Yokoshi: We have to keep you out of their hands.

Marie Rose: Their?

Eliot: Are you saying…

Yokoshi: There was another, he was with this woman. He looks strong too.

Damion: Strong, huh? Now, I'm interested.

Marie Rose: Brother, this is no time to be scheming a fight.

Yokoshi: If these guys came for Naotora, we may not have a choice BUT to fight.

Honoka: Shouldn't we at least try to avoid one? For Naotora's sake?

Eliot: Maybe they're right? What if we don't have the choice?

Yokoshi: We WON'T have a choice. Naotora, did you fight them, when they were after you?

Naotora: I…I don't remember. How can you be sure that they are after me?

Yokoshi: To be on the safe side, we can't take any chances of mistakes.

Damion: He's gotta point, you guys. If they are here for Naotora, we'll have to fight them.

Honoka: I suppose there is no other choice.

Eliot: But what if they get their hands on Naotora and return to our timeline?

Yokoshi: Then we'll go after them.

Damion: Truer words were never spoken, pal.

Marie Rose: You seem to be enjoying yourself a little too much.

Damion: These are tough fighters, why wouldn't I be?

Yokoshi: It's getting late, so why don't we turn in for the night?

Eliot: yeah, I could use a little sleep.

Honoka: But what about Naotora?

Yokoshi: I'll stand guard, nothing will get pass me.

Damion: You heard the man, time for bed.

The group took Yokoshi's words and began making their way towards the tents. Before she took off, Naotora walked towards Yokoshi and bowed at him.

Naotora: Thank you, for risking your life for me.

Yokoshi: …

And with that, Naotora rushed to join the others. Back in the present, Helena and Stryker had escorted their visitors to the lab, where they examined the machine made by DOATEC.

So this is the thing that sent my boy through time?

Stryker: That's right and my kids, as well.

Helena: Along with Hitomi, Honoka and Eliot.

Hitomi? Honoka? And the little Eliot? They were thrown into the past too?

Stryker: That's right. They are friends of Yokoshi, my kids.

Well, like I said, not sure if I can be much help. But I know she can.

Stryker and Helena looked behind them and saw the woman, standing right beside the scientists. She was a young Japanese woman with black hair and amber eyes. She was wearing a leather jacket over a sleeveless bluish-black shirt, a red scarf tied to her neck, black armlets, red fingerless gloves, and a military belt over bluish-black cargo pants and black padded boots.

Stryker: Can you really get this machine to work?

I am not really sure. But I can give it a try.

Stryker: have you had any experience with these kinds of things.

Honestly…not really. But I know a thing or two about machines.

Stryker: Well, we're putting all our faith in you.

I'll do my very best.

The woman walked over to the machine and began tinkering with it, hoping to get it to work. Helena then grabbed her husband's hand, praying that it would work and they could get their children back. Within the past, everyone was asleep, except for a few samurais and Yokoshi. Damion, Marie Rose, Honoka, Eliot, Hitomi and Naotora were sleeping in the same tent (in order to protect Naotora from being captured). While sleeping, Hitomi was awakened by the sudden sound of a sneeze. She risen from her sleep and took a peek through the tent. She witnessed Yokoshi still standing in the same spot, keeping a lookout.

Hitomi: How is it going?

Yokoshi turned around to see Hitomi awake and walking towards him.

Yokoshi: No sign of anything out of the ordinary.

Hitomi: You think they'll show up here?

Yokoshi: If it means grabbing Naotora, I wouldn't doubt it.

Hitomi: You want to switch?

Yokoshi: Huh?

Hitomi: I can stand watch and you get some sleep?

Yokoshi: I'll be fine. I've done this before.

Hitomi: You stood watch for someone?

Yokoshi: Yeah. Back home, I have two residents in my home with me and my parents.

Hitomi: Does it bother you?

Yokoshi: No, I brought them there for a reason.

Hitomi: Which was…?

Yokoshi: …They needed a place to call home.

Hitomi: And you gave them New Zack Island?

Yokoshi: It was the only place I could think of. Plus, it's secure.

Hitomi: Who are they?

Yokoshi: Sorry, can't tell you.

Hitomi: Huh? Why not?

Yokoshi: It's for their protection.

Hitomi: Never thought of you as a father-figure.

Yokoshi: Well, I do have my good side.

Hitomi: Funny, never knew you had one.

Yokoshi: Real funny.

Hitomi: Heh-heh

As the two were continuing their conversation, someone had approached them.

Naomasa: You two should be asleep.

Hitomi: It's you again, Naotora's son.

Yokoshi: I don't need sleep. I'm perfectly fine.

Naomasa: You are a terrible liar.

Yokoshi: What was that?

Naomasa: I see the look in your eyes, the redness.

Yokoshi: You're just seeing things. I think all that red your wearing is screwing up your vision.

Naomasa: You seem to be quite full of yourself.

Yokoshi: And you aren't!?

Naomasa: Tell me, what is your reason for fighting?

Yokoshi: What?

Naomasa: When you fight, what is your reason? I have seen your style of fighting.

Yokoshi: And how would you know my fighting style?

Naomasa: Your friend here has shown me one of your matches on this…

Hitomi: I showed him one of your battles, through my phone.

Yokoshi: You did what!?

Hitomi: Remember, when I recorded one of your matches at the Dead Or Alive tournament?

Naomasa: So tell me, what is your reason for fighting?

Yokoshi: …My reason for fighting has nothing to do with you. So just buzz off, man.

Before things could go any further, there was a sudden noise, within the bushes.

Yokoshi: What was that?

Hitomi: What was what?

Apparently Naomasa heard it too, as he stood ready, with his hand on his sword.

Yokoshi: So Naomasa heard it too…they finally showed up.

Hitomi: Yokoshi, what's going on?

Yokoshi: Hitomi, get back in the tent and wake the others.

Hitomi: What? Why?

Yokoshi: When I say so, make a break for the forest.

Hitomi wasn't sure what Yokoshi was up too but she trusted his words. She headed straight back to the tent, as Yokoshi and Naomasa stood ready for anything. Out of nowhere, something came flying out of the bushes. The sky was so dark that it was too hard to examine. When they landed on the ground, they suddenly activated and jolted Yokoshi and Naomasa with lightning. Yokoshi had fallen to the ground, unable to move or even get up. As for Naomasa, he was uninjured. He began to charge towards the bushes and attack whoever sent out those rods.

Yokoshi: The armor…they shielded him from the lightning…

Hitomi: Yokoshi!

From behind him, Hitomi was able to awaken the others and they came rushing towards him.

Damion: You alright there, pal?

Yokoshi: Do I LOOK okay to you!?

Damion: Well, you're not dying sooo…I would say yes.

Eliot: What's going on?

Yokoshi: We have to get out of here…now.

Hitomi: Where?

Yokoshi: Into the woods. Go now!

Hitomi: We can't leave you here.

Yokoshi: You don't have a choice. Besides, I'll just slow you down…

Naotora: She is right, we will not leave you behind.

Together, Hitomi and Naotora grabbed Yokoshi's arms and the group made their way towards the woods.

Damion: So, partner, where we headed?

Yokoshi: If I'm right about this, those two from the future will be coming after us…

Marie Rose: You mean after Naotora?

Yokoshi: What…ever. When they do, they'll try to take her and…

Bring back to the our time?

Right in front of them were two beings, blocking their way. It was the two that Yokoshi saw walking out of the vortex. The woman and the older man.

Yokoshi: So I was right. You two are here for Naotora.

Quite observant, aren't you?

Naotora: Why? Why come after me?

That's none of your concern. Now, come on, let's get moving.

Yokoshi: You're not taking her anywhere.

Is that right? Well, do you plan on stopping us?

Damion: No, he won't…because I am.

You!?

Marie Rose: Brother, what are you doing?

Damion: Look, I can distract these two. Get Yokoshi and Naotora out of here.

Yokoshi: Don't try to be the hero, Damion. You can't take these guys on.

Honoka: I'll help.

Yokoshi, Hitomi, Naotora, Eliot & Marie Rose: What!?

Honoka: I'll take on the woman.

Damion: You sure you wanna do that?

Honoka: You will need my help.

Damion: Alright then, let's do this.

Marie Rose: You two better not consider this.

Damion: Sorry, sis. But our mind is made up.

Yokoshi: Let them go through with it.

Marie Rose: Are you out of your mind?

Yokoshi: There's no convincing them out of this.

Hitomi: Marie, Naotora is our main concern.

Marie Rose: …

Damion: It's alright, sis…I'll take care of her.

Honoka: We'll come back.

Marie Rose: You had better…

Eliot, Come on, Marie.

Marie Rose was hesitant but she took off with Eliot, Hitomi, Yokoshi and Naotora, while Damion and Honoka stayed behind, prepared to fight these two.

You'll wish you hadn't picked this fight.

Damion: Bring it on!