N-Black is back with a new chapter of Legacy for you guys and I hope you're ready for a fight! If you guys didn't know yet, ShirosakiEspada0, An avid reader of both of these stories, has made his own version of Pokémon Academy. Be awesome and check out his story!

Chapter 20: A Battle of Wills

Could listening to Hikari and her retainers talk politics get any more boring? Justin wasn't too thrilled with the news he received this morning since it said he would pretty much become Hikari's little errand boy. Of course that's not what it said; it was worded much more politely.

"Justin, you are required to attend to Milady Hikari's needs and are expected to fulfill your original task of helping closing the rift in the troops.

P.S: Hikari doesn't really need your help, so I'll gladly take over for you if you so wish!

-Kiyomi"

That last part was pretty much Kiyomi's way of saying, "Piss off!" but much to Kiyomi's dislike, Justin decided to stay anyways. Partially to get under her skin, but mostly because of what Hikari would do to him. Also, his conversation with Elesa kind of pushed him towards it. Was he getting soft or was he always like this?

"Justin?" His question to himself was disrupted by Hikari. Everyone's eyes were on him and he didn't realize how much he was spacing out.

"Yes?" He said, acting like he was paying attention the entire time.

"I need you to fetch some more parchment from my room. We've run out." Justin got up lazily and sighed. Justin glanced at Kiyomi and saw that she was somewhat satisfied with his current situation, but something else stuck out at him. Did she look a little jealous? Justin was glad to get the chance to leave the suffocating room. He walked up the stairs to Hikari's room and walked into the room.

There was a lot of stuff in her room. Some of it looked like it was native to Unova. But he saw something else underneath the clutter of objects. He looked around to make sure that he was clear to examine the strange object. Under closer inspection, it looked like the object was some kind of rock tablet with engravings on it. It piqued his interest. Justin remembered that they Hikari and the others were probably waiting on him so he found a few sheets of parchment and walked out of the room. Justin hustled down the stairs as quickly as he could and made it back to the meeting.

"Ah, you're back. I thought you got lost." Hikari said. Some of the retainers laughed lightly at her little joke and Justin felt himself fluster. "The parchment please." Justin took his seat next to her and gave her the parchment. "Now with the politics aside, let's talk strategy. As you know…"

"Milady?" General Inazuma interrupted Hikari unexpectedly.

"Yes Inazuma?"

"Is it wise for our plans to reach his ears?" He pointed at Justin. "You may trust him milady, but that still doesn't change the fact that he may tell the Plasmas." Justin felt disappointed. After sitting through an hour of political talk, he finally had something to look forward to and he was going to be forced to leave.

"You're concern is duly noted Inazuma, but don't worry. Justin knows better than that… right?" Hikari said with a confident smile towards Justin.

"Y-Yes…" The other members of the council didn't get the message Justin did just now. What Hikari really meant was that he would keep quiet or die and he knew that she would do it if anyone outside of the retainers knew about his involvement with her.

"Now back to the matter at hand…" Hikari rose up and went to a map pinned on the wall and pointed to an x. "We built our base here in these mountains because of how well positioned it is. We're naturally hidden by the rocks, but have a view of the valley below. We also have the advantage of the high ground and we're close to the biggest industrial city in Unova, Drfitveil."

"We've gained valuable information from Kage and his ninjas that there will be an escorted convoy coming through the valley below us."

"What will the convoy be carrying?" General Saito asked.

"It's a shipment of gold. A large one. Kage told me that they were going to use it to bribe the Lord of Drfitveil."

"That wouldn't be good at all… the lord there is one of the few that is on our side." Satoko said with concern.

"Indeed, but if we took the gold…"

"We would have the funding to buy new weapons and supplies for the army and be able to win over a few of the other lords around Unova. Not only that, but we'll be able to deal a blow to the Crusade while we're at it!" Kiyomi said happily. "All we need is a battle plan and I've got just the one-"

"Milady!" A guard came rushing in out of breath. He looked shocked and stumbled into the room.

"What happened?" Hikari said worriedly.

"Its… Masazuka…" At the mention of the man's name, Hikari's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me that he's…" Without saying another word, she stormed out of the room with her retainers following her. Justin followed as well and came to a stop at the door. Everyone else was paused at the door as well. Justin could hear the voices of many people outside the door and could immediately picture the scene outside. Hikari opened the door to reveal the mass of warriors standing outside.

"So you've come out of the safety of your castle and decided to face your defeat with honor." Masazuka emerged from the mass of warriors with a smug expression.

"What's the matter Masazuka? Were you too afraid to come by yourself?"

"You can't mess with me Hikari. You never could. Besides, you're in no position to threaten me… are you?" He gestured to the warriors behind him and smiled. "We can do this without bloodshed Hikari. Just surrender."

"I would rather die than see you lead the resistance into the ground!"

"Then so be it…" Masazuka drew his sword, as did the men behind him.

"Inazuma!" The blue-haired general unstrapped one of his swords and gave it to Hikari. She drew the weapon from its scabbard and her eyes filled with focus.

"W-Wait you're not serious about this are you?" Justin asked. Hikari was headstrong, but not stupid.

"If I don't accept his challenge it will only make the situation worse."

"Can't you reason with him milady?" Kiyomi asked. Justin knew that Kiyomi saw the impossible odds as well.

"This sword will be my reason and I'm sure I'll be able to get to through to him once I sever his head from his body." Justin held her back by her hand.

"This is exactly what he wants! Don't play his game!"

"Unhand me!" She said with tenacity. Justin had no idea what kind of skills Hikari had, but he had a bad feeling about Masazuka right now.

"Are you going to fight Hikari or will you try and talk your way out as you always have before?" Justin had to do something before she got herself killed.

"Let go of me!" She fought her way out of his grip and charged toward Masazuka. In a moment, the two were locked in combat and Justin was being restrained by Inazuma.

"Stop! You'll only get hurt if you intervene now! This is Milady Hikari's fight." Justin watched with a sense of dread creeping on him. Hikari launched a flurry of strikes which Masazuka easily blocked. She stabbed with the blade and barely missed her mark. Masazuka tripped her while she was off balance and stabbed downward. Hikari rolled out of the way and the blade sunk into the grass. Hikari recovered and removed her obi leaving her wearing her sleeveless gi.

Every time he saw the blades hit against each other he saw himself fighting the Plasmas in the brothel, then his fight with Cy, and then the fight inside the barn. It seemed like no matter where he went, he couldn't escape the violence. There was a loud clang and the sound of a sword skittering across the ground. Justin looked in worry at the sight of Hikari on the ground with Masazuka's sword inches from her neck.

"Now is the time for change Hikari. Isn't that what your father said?" Justin saw Masazuka tense up as he was ready to deliver the fatal blow. Justin felt his feet move on their own as he yelled,

"STOP!" Masazuka's blade stopped short of his desired mark and all eyes were on him like at the hearing.

"Ah, the gaijin* who interrupted the hearing I presume. You made this all possible you know. Without you, I never would have amassed the support I have now. You've done your part in changing history my friend, now step aside, this does not concern you."

*Japanese for "outsider" or "alien"

"Like hell it doesn't!" His outburst caught Masazuka's attention as well as everyone else's.

"I hate your type gaijin. You think that you can come here and impose yourself on us… you know nothing of our ways. You made that clear when you opened your mouth at the hearing. You came here with nothing, you have nothing, and you never will."

"I can see why Hikari doesn't want you to become the leader quite plainly now. All you can think about is violence. You would destroy the resistance and everyone in it if you lead them. You're selfish ambition is going to kill everyone here including yourself. Then what will you do?" Masazuka paused and but didn't move the sword from her neck.

"What do you know?" He shouted angrily. "You haven't endured the pain my people have gone through!"

"That goes for you too. You don't know anything about me do you? But I can read you like a book. It's obvious that the only reason you want to lead is because you're selfish and not because you want to the change!"

"So what? I have proved that I'm stronger than Hikari. The soldiers believe that I will lead them to victory. I know that it's my duty- no- my destiny to stop N from destroying what we are!"

"You're deluded." Masazuka laughed and sighed deeply.

"What will you do then? Stop me?" The men behind him chuckled, but Justin remained stone-faced.

"Yes. Because it's my responsibility."

"Justin don't do this." Hikari said pleadingly.

"You know I won't listen to you right?" Justin said as he picked up the sword on the ground. Masazuka looked at him curiously and moved his sword point away from Hikari's neck.

"So what're you suggesting then gaijin?"

"If I win then you give up your attempts to take the leadership."

"And if I win then I'll take the position of leader and you will die in her place."

"Fine." Masazuka bowed and Justin did as well, albeit awkwardly. He managed to save Hikari, but he may end up dead because of it.

"No! Even if it means sacrificing yourself, you should always do the right thing!"

Justin remembered what Elesa said to him last night. Even though the odds were against him he couldn't run away now. Even at the cost of his own life he had to try. Despite his silent reassurance, he couldn't stop himself from shaking. Anticipation welled in him like fire. Justin took up a stance Daichi used when he last saw him fight and breathed in and out to try and calm himself. Masazuka moved first and time slowed.

Justin felt adrenaline overtake him as he met Masazuka's blade. The ferocious vibration from the contact made his bones rattle. Masazuka attempted to push him back, but Justin stood firm against his efforts. Masazuka broke the contact and swiped at his feet. Justin was quick enough to jump but the strike never followed through. Instead there was a sharp kick to his gut as he landed to the ground with a dull thud. He got back up hastily and tightened his grip on the sword.

Masazuka walked leisurely towards him with his sword resting on his shoulder. He wasn't even trying, but Justin wasn't going to be made a fool out of. With a quick movement, Masazuka slashed across Justin's midsection. Justin blocked the strike, but it knocked his sword nearly out of his hand. As he fumbled to recover it, Masazuka made another strike, this time vertical. Justin evaded the strike and went on the offensive. He came down hard with an overhead slash, which Masazuka blocked easily.

His opponent smirked and soon they were in a battle of wills. Neither of them broke contact and just remained clashing while Justin glared into his foe's eyes. Justin could feel the confidence coming off in waves and it only made him more determined to win. Justin pushed with all his strength and managed to make a small opening. He made an immediate jab to Masazuka's exposed chest. The swordsman dodged just barely and looked at Justin with surprise.

"Enough of these games!" Justin blocked the many incoming strikes from Masazuka. An unexpected slash to his left came and Justin braced himself for the searing pain of the cut, but his hands moved of their own volition. Not only did he block the strike, but he created an opening. Justin saw Daichi's slash that cut through the knight's armor like butter and took up the sturdy stance.

With one fluid motion, he swung. The strike caught Masazuka by surprise, but he managed to block it, but not till after it brought him to his knees. Masazuka roared and pushed Justin's blade away. Where did Justin get this from? He didn't fight like this when he sparred with Cy or when he fought the knights. He could see the anger starting to brew in Masazuka's eyes. Masazuka made his strike, but Justin didn't notice that he only struck with one hand. His free hand was making its way for Justin's throat. Justin caught the attempted strike with one hand blocked the sword with his blade.

"Who are you gaijin?" Masazuka said to him.

"My name is Justin, not gaijin!"

"Enough of this nonsense!" A voice from beyond the crowd of people echoed throughout the base. A space grew in the crowd as someone with hair the color of a forest tree's leaves ran through and separated Masazuka and Justin and held long swords at both of their necks.

"F-Father? You're back?" Justin heard Hikari say with slight worry.

"What in Arceus's name is going on here?" An older man came through the crowd with armored samurai and looked upon with disgust. "Hikari what is going on here?"

"What's going on?" Justin mumbled to himself. The cold steel of the man's blades touched Justin's neck. He looked into the swordsman's yellow eyes. They were devoid of anything except focus.

"Stand down Hayashi." The old man said. "Masazuka!" He bellowed. "What is the meaning of this and Hikari, who is this outsider?"

"Father, please… I can explain everything!"

"Grr! Not now. Here is not the place. I trusted you to keep his resistance in order and you dishonor me by letting it collapse like this?" Justin wanted to say something, but the sword at his throat reminded him not to open his mouth. "Masazuka be gone at once! There are things I must discuss with my daughter." Masazuka withdrew his sword and Justin stuck his into the ground. The man named Hayashi removed his swords from their necks and followed the old man into the Grand Hall.

"You escaped with your life today gaijin, but Hikari has lost all but a shred of her honor now that everyone knows that she requested your help. We will settle this… one day." He walked away with the mass of soldiers. Justin drew the sword from the ground and wiped the edge clean with his jacket.

"Here's your sword." Justin gave Inazuma the weapon and he withdrew it and left with the other retainers into the hall. Only Kiyomi was left outside and usually she was the first to be with Hikari.

"You stood up for her… even though you could've died. Why? Why would you do that for someone you hardly know?"

"Because doing the right thing is worth anything, even your life." Kiyomi shook her head and ran inside of the Hall. Justin was left alone at the front door, but he didn't move. He knew they were going to call him in at some time…

And that chapter is done you guys! Hope you enjoyed the fight scene and how the plot is progressing so far. Leave a review telling me what you think and I'll see you guys Tuesday!

-N-Black, Out