One day on the school roof, Rito eats lunch together with Lala and Haruna. Both girls share their lunches with him; he's in paradise right now.
"I was really worried when I heard what happened, Rito. Are you sure you're okay?" asks Haruna.
"Oh, yes, Haruna. Thank you," says Rito.
"Don't worry, Haruna. Zastin is out there looking for that Stem jerk right now. I'm sure he'll find him soon," says Lala.
"I hope you're right, Lala," says Rito. Then his mind wanders back to the previous night.
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The night before at Dr. Mikado's clinic. Mikado and Oshizu finish treating Rito, Momo, Nana, Run and Kyouko following Stem's attack. They all listen as Zastin speaks.
"Stem is an intergalactic criminal wanted for just about every crime that we have a law for. Though his greatest offenses have been his repeated attempts of assassinating his majesty King Gid," explains Zastin.
"That jerk tried to kill our father?" asks Nana.
"Oh, yes, multiple times. And with multiple failures. But your father didn't want you to worry, which is why he never told you about him," says Zastin.
"And now he's targeting Rito?" asks Run.
"Well, Rito does plan on marrying Princess Lala, and becoming the next king of Deviluke. Don't you, Rito?" asks Zastin. Everyone looks at Rito, who feels overwhelmed. It's true, he does plan on doing so, but it's still pretty big to just admit it.
"I mean, yeah, but, uh…" says Rito.
"Since Stem isn't able to kill King Gid himself, I'm certain his new plan was to simply wait until the king died of natural causes or such. Then he'd take the throne afterwards. However, somehow, he learned of Rito succeeding the king, throwing a wrench into that plan and forcing him to come up with yet another," says Zastin.
"Which is to make me dead, because I'm the one standing between him and the throne," says Rito.
"I'm afraid so," says Zastin. His serious words hang in the air for a moment.
"It'll be fine, Rito. We'll just contact the Deviluke military, assign them for your protection, and have them search for this Stem jerk," says Momo.
"I'm sorry, Princess, but that won't work," says Zastin.
"What? Why not?" asks Momo.
"He's right, Momo," chimes in Mikado. "In the last year alone, the number of aliens visiting Earth has increased exponentially, as well as the number of chaotic incidents resulting in their visits," she says.
"But that isn't our fault. We're good aliens," says Nana.
"Even so, the Earth governments don't see all aliens as good. With that in mind, how do you think they'd respond if they saw the Deviluke armada appearing in their skies? They'd mistake it for an invasion," says Zastin.
"I'm afraid I have to agree, guys. Human-alien relations are tense enough as is. Bringing an entire army here will only make things worse," says Kyouko.
"I'm sorry, but I'm with Kyouko and Zastin on this one," says Oshizu.
"Then what do we do?" asks Momo.
Zastin kneels before Momo and Nana. "Princesses, I swear to you. I will do everything in my power to apprehend Stem. And to keep you safe, Rito," he says.
Rito nods, grateful. But his head sinks, lost in thought.
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Back on the school roof, Rito finishes remembering and turns his attention to Lala and Haruna.
"Hey, guys," says Rito.
"What is it, Rito?" says Lala.
"I…I want to fight," he says.
"Fight? What do you mean?" asks Haruna.
"Momo, Nana, Run and Kyouko got hurt trying to protect me. I'm grateful to them, and to Zastin. But the truth is Stem's still out there. Sooner or later, he's gonna come after me again. And when he does, I don't want anyone else to have to suffer for my sake," says Rito.
"Oh, Rito," says Haruna.
"But, Rito, you can't! No offense, but you're just a human. You can't fight Stem as you are," says Lala.
"I'm not saying I'm gonna go look for him and fight him, Lala. I'm just saying I need to be ready to fight back in case he ambushes me again. I maybe just a human, but even I can learn to do that much. Besides, how can I become a king if I can't even protect the ones I love?" says Rito. Lala and Haruna trade worried looks. Then they smile and nod, understanding.
"Okay, Rito. If that's what you think is right, we'll trust you. Just promise to be careful," says Lala.
"Thanks, Lala. I will," says Rito.
"So what're you gonna do?" asks Haruna.
"Something I'm gonna regret," says Rito, sinking his head.
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Zastin flies over the city, and then over the ocean.
"Wherever you are, Stem, I will find you," he says to himself.
Down in the water below, the Dark Rover is docked on the ocean floor. Inside, Stem watches the blinking red dot that is Zastin fly pass on his radar.
I'll have to wait until things cool down before I can go after Rito Yuki again. Plus, thinks Stem, turning to the monitors playing footage of Rito, Mea and Yami walking together. Mea hugs Rito's arm, teasing him and making him blush, while Yami eats taiyaki. I never imagined he'd become friends with a legendary weapon, let alone two of them. If they get in my way and I have to fight them both, there's a strong chance I'll lose. I'll need to train to ensure that doesn't happen.
He walks over to the window, and gazes at the hundreds of large fish swimming past his ship. "Fortunately, I have plenty of sparring partners," he says with a sinister grin.
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On a cloudy day, Rito and Nemesis are at the river underneath a bridge. They both wear tracksuits, and stand apart from one another.
"Are you ready to begin your training?" asks Nemesis.
"Yes," says Rito.
"Then let's begin," she says. Suddenly, both she and Rito whip out a handheld video game device from their pockets. Then they start playing against each other. It's an awkward sight; a boy and a girl in tracksuits near a river playing video games.
"Remind me again, how is this training?" asks Rito.
"The last time you and I were fused together was when that Kuro assassin attacked us. Instead of fighting him, all you did was run away. If you're gonna fight Stem using my power, you're gonna need some combat training beforehand," explains Nemesis.
"Playing fighting games is supposed to be combat training?" asks Rito.
"No, but it's close enough. You can study and learn some fighting moves from repeated viewings of these games. And besides, it's the only thing you're good at. Well, that and feeling up women, fufu," jokes Nemesis.
"Nemesis, this is serious," says Rito.
"Yes, it is, Rito. Stem is unlike any alien you've ever faced before, and he'll stop at nothing until you are dead," says Nemesis as she sets the game on the grass. Rito does the same. "To be honest, I'm not so sure you've got what it takes to face him," she says.
"Maybe not right now, but I'm willing to learn," says Rito. His words stir Nemesis into recalling prior events.
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The night before in Rito's bedroom, Rito bows before Nemesis. Momo watches in utter disbelief.
"You want HER to help you?" asks Momo.
"I've used Nemesis' powers once before. She's the best chance I have against that Stem jerk," says Rito.
"He's right. But the question is why should I?" asks Nemesis. Both Rito and Momo stare at her with slacked jaws. "You're asking me to fuse with you, but instead of controlling your body for fun, you're requesting I lend you my power in a life-or-death battle. What's in it for me?" she asks.
"Nemesis!" says Momo.
"Fufu, I'm just kidding. Of course, I'll help you, Rito," says Nemesis.
"You will?" asks Rito.
"Sure. This isn't the first alien who's tried to take your life. And if you're serious about becoming the king of Deviluke, he certainly won't be the last. You can muster all the soldiers and armies you want to fight your battles for you, Rito. But at the end of the day, a true king, scratch that, a true man learns to fight on his own. And if I can help shape you into such a man and a king, well, such an opportunity would be foolish for me to waste, fufu," says Nemesis.
"Gee, how modest of you," says Momo, sarcastically.
"But I've got to warn you; your human body may not be durable enough to sustain my full power," says Nemesis.
"What does that mean?" asks Rito.
"If you blow too much air into a balloon, it pops. Imagine my power is the air, and your body is the balloon. In other words, if I were to channel all my dark matter into your body right now, it would kill you," warns Nemesis. Both Rito and Momo trade shocked looks. "It'll take days, perhaps weeks, of grueling training to prevent that from happening. And even if you were to miraculously master my power, it still might not be enough to defeat Stem. After all, we don't know how powerful he really is. But if this is really what you want, Rito, I'm with you," says Nemesis.
"Yes, this is what I want," says Rito with confidence and without hesitation. Nemesis smiles, impressed. "And Momo, you know I trust you. But please trust me when I say this is what I think is right," he says to Momo. She considers his words, and then sighs.
"Okay, Rito. But if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask me," she says.
"Thanks," replies Rito.
Ten minutes later, Rito brushes his teeth in his bathroom while Momo speaks with Nemesis out in the hall.
"Got something to say, Princess?" jokes Nemesis.
"Nemesis, I don't like you. I don't trust you, and that's especially true when it comes to you being around Rito. But I do trust him, and he's choosing to come to you for help," says Momo. Then she bows to Nemesis. "You have no idea how much I hate myself for saying this, but I beg you; please protect him. If you love him half as much as I do, use your power to keep him safe," she says.
"Fufu, seeing you beg me for anything fills me with great joy. But you can rest easy, Princess. No harm will come to Rito so long as he is in my care. I do love him, and I'll see to it he's safe," says Nemesis.
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Back on Nemesis and Rito by the river. "You've grown up, Rito, fufu. Okay, now. For this to work, I'm gonna siphon some of my power into your body. Let's start off easy at three percent," says Nemesis.
"Alright," says Rito. Nemesis sticks her hand into Rito's body like a ghost. He feels a slight tinge, and she removes her hand.
"Now concentrate. Feel the dark matter within you. It's like any form of energy. Maintain it, then disperse it," says Nemesis.
Rito closes his eyes and focuses. His entire body tenses up. His veins bulge out of his skin. Sweat drips down his brow. "Rito, stop!" yells Nemesis. Too late.
Dark matter blasts out of Rito's feet, and he launches into the air, screaming like an idiot. Nemesis watches him come back down and splash into the river. Soon as he surfaces, Nemesis bursts out laughing.
"Shut up. It was my first try," says Rito as he swims for shore.
"And it was almost your last," laughs Nemesis.
"I don't understand. What'd I do wrong?" asks Rito, wringing water out of his clothes.
"I suppose it's too soon for your human body to use even three percent of my power. You're gonna have to focus on controlling it before you can wield it the way I can. But don't worry; I'm gonna whip you into shape so that this time next week, you'll be able to sustain at least three percent of my power," says Nemesis.
"Will that be enough to stop Stem?" asks Rito.
"You idiot, of course not. This isn't something you can master overnight, Rito. You better be in it for the long run. After all, there's no telling how long it'll be before Stem is caught. Whether he shows up tomorrow or a year from now, you have to be ready. But with any luck, Zastin will find him and you won't have to fight at all," says Nemesis.
"Yeah, well, I can't just wait for that to happen. Besides, what if Stem decides to go after my friends? What if he uses them to get to me, and I'm powerless to save them? That thought alone pisses me off so much," says Rito, clenching his fist. Nemesis touches his hand, calming him down. She gets right up and close to his face, making him blush.
"This face of yours…it's the same one you made to King Gid when he tried to kill me. I never forgot that day. How you risked your life to save me, even though I was plotting to kill you," says Nemesis with a smile, whilst blushing. Rito's never seen her blush before; he can't admit nor deny how cute it makes her.
"Nemesis," says Rito. Nemesis seizes Rito's hand and holds it high into the air like he's some boxing champion.
"Alright, then. Let the training from hell begin!" she yells.
"Huh? Do you have to call it that?" says Rito.
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Rito lays face-down on the grass, trying to do push-ups with Nemesis sitting on his back. He fails to do even one.
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In the ocean, Stem walks on the sandy ocean floor. Being half-robot, he doesn't need oxygen while underwater. Several sharks swim his way. He smiles as they approach.
The sharks attack, but he fights back. Using only his bare fists, he knocks out their teeth and snaps them in half.
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Rito and Nemesis sit on the grass, meditating. Rito opens his eyes and gets distracted by a woman jogging with her dog. Nemesis karate chops his head for losing focus.
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Underwater, Stem wrestles with an enormous octopus. As its tentacles wrap around his body, Stem activates his energy sword and slices them off. Then he plunges his blade into the octopus' head. Blood and ink fill the water.
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Rito runs as fast as he can with Nemesis on his back, just like Luke and Yoda. Every time he slows down, she slaps his rear end like a horse and he runs even faster.
Hiding behind a tree, Momo watches the two of them, her expression uncertain.
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A finback whale thrashes in the ocean. Laser beams shoot out of the whale from the inside like lights from a disco ball. The whale whines in pain, and then sinks to the bottom.
Stem emerges from the whale's stomach, having been eaten. The whale's blood fills the surrounding water. He watches the poor animal sink into the abyss with an evil grin on his face.
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Back at the river, the rain starts to pour. Rito and Nemesis hurry under the overpass and sit on the grass, but they're already soaked.
"Ah, man. No one said it was gonna rain today," complains Rito.
"Ah choo," sneezes Nemesis. Rito looks at her; she's soaked to the bone and shivering.
"Nemesis? Are you cold?" asks Rito.
"Of course not, I'm-ah choo!" sneezes Nemesis again. Then she turns her head to hide her face, flushed with embarrassment. She gasps as Rito wraps his arm around her and holds her close.
"Here. I'm feeling a little cold myself. This way, we can warm each other up using our body heat," says Rito.
"Fufu, or maybe you were just so desperate to snuggle up with a cute girl," jokes Nemesis.
"What? No, I…" says Rito, his face flushed. Nemesis shifts her body so that instead of sitting next to Rito, her back is propped against his front. Rito's face flushes even redder.
"You're right. I feel so much warmer," says Nemesis, snuggling herself between Rito's legs. He's too embarrassed to say anything, so he just lets her be and stares at the rain. The two of them lay still for a moment.
"Rito…Yami, Mea and myself. Let us fight Stem," says Nemesis.
"What?" asks Rito.
"It's been six days, and you still haven't learned how to properly harness my power. It's not your fault, but even so, the three of us are a safer bet," says Nemesis.
"I can do this, Nemesis. I still have one day to pull this off," says Rito.
"Not if I don't show tomorrow. Who says I have to?" says Nemesis.
"Oh, come on. You said you'd give me a week, and the week isn't up. Look, I'll do anything you want. Anything. Just help for one more day, and you'll never have to help me again," begs Rito.
"Anything, you say? Fufu. Okay then. How 'bout you confess your love and add me to your harem?" says Nemesis.
"Huh?" says Rito.
"Fufu, I'm just kidding. Besides, it's not like that would ever happen," says Nemesis. Rito perks up. "I tried to manipulate Yami into killing you like she originally planned. After that, I've caused you nothing but trouble. And even though you saved me from King Gid, you haven't shown any romantic interest in me whatsoever," she says.
"Nemesis," says Rito.
"But that's okay," says Nemesis as she lifts her face next to Rito's, bringing their lips within kissing distance. "I don't want you to add me to your harem just because I want you to or because it'll make me happy. I want you to add me because YOU want to and because it'll make YOU happy. Until you feel the same way about me, I'll have enough love for the both of us," she says, resting her head on Rito's shoulder.
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Over at Yui's house, the rain continues to pour as day turns to night.
Inside the living room, Yui and her brother Yuu watch the news on TV; it's the captured footage of Stem attacking the set of Magical Kyouko.
"This is crazy, ain't it?" says Yuu.
"That director was an idiot. I can't believe he endangered his crew and kept filming while a maniac was fighting the others," scolds Yui. Just then, the shot of Rito defending Kyouko from Stem plays on TV, surprising both Yui and Yuu.
"Whoa. Isn't that Yuuki? Well, alright, man. Way to throw down," says Yuu.
Yui watches Rito stand up to Stem to protect Kyouko. Her face burns bright red. Kyouko, you're so lucky, she thinks to herself. Then Yui violently shakes her head, as if to shake out all those thoughts. "He's an even bigger idiot than the director!" she yells, scaring Yuu.
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The next day at the river. Nemesis once again inserts her hand into Rito's chest, channeling some of her power into his body.
"Ready?" asks Nemesis.
Rito nods and plants his feet. He squeezes his eyes shut. His entire body tenses up. His veins bulge out of his skin. Sweat drips down his brow. Nemesis is about to stop him again, but then a sphere of dark matter generates within Rito's hand.
"I don't believe it," says Nemesis, genuinely surprised. Rito is even more so, staring at the energy ball hovering in his palm.
"Nemesis, did I…do it?" asks Rito.
"Yes. You've harnessed my power," says Nemesis. Rito's face lights up with joy and he chuckles to himself.
"Alright! So you're saying I can sustain three percent of your power now?" asks Rito.
"Rito…that was ten percent I channeled into you," confesses Nemesis.
"Wait, WHAAATTTTT? But why would you do that? What about all that stuff you said about the air and the balloon?" asks Rito.
"Fufu, but you seemed so sure of yourself yesterday. And it looks like you were right. I've never been so happy to be proven wrong," says Nemesis. Just then, the dark matter disappears from Rito's hand. He looks at his empty palm in confusion, but then Nemesis takes his hand. "You've still got a long way to go. But I'll be here, and we'll face Stem together," she says.
"Thanks, Nemesis," says Rito with a smile. She smiles back.
Then they both go quiet, and realize how close they are to each other. Maybe it's the atmosphere, but they find themselves drawing their faces even closer. Nemesis grabs Rito's shoulder, and as their lips meet, she squeezes his shoulder tightly. Rito wraps his arms around her slender waist, and pulls her in closer.
"Nemesis, will you...stay with me forever?" asks Rito.
"Of course, I will, you big dummy, fufu," answers Nemesis, softly. She rests her head against his chest as they hug.
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Out on the ocean, the Dark Rover rises from the water and flies for the mainland.
Inside, Stem equips a new weapon onto his robotic arm. He activates it, and a whip made of pure energy uncoils from his gauntlet. He gives the whip a nice crack, destroying one of his control consoles into smithereens. He smiles, impressed with his invention. Then he deactivates the whip and looks to the approaching city on the horizon.
I'm coming for you, Rito Yuuki, thinks Stem to himself.
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Rito and Momo play video games in his bedroom while Celine watches. They all seem to be enjoying themselves.
"Come on, come on! No! Ugh," says Momo.
"Woo-hoo! I win again," says Rito. Celine laughs and cheers for his victory.
"You're just too good at this, Rito," says Momo with a smile.
"Yeah, well, let's hope I'm half as good against Stem," says Rito with a serious look. Celine hugs his leg to comfort him, and he pets her head in return.
"You know, learning martial arts from video game fighters is all well and good. But don't you think you should get some actual experience from someone who knows actual martial arts?" asks Momo.
"Uh…I mean I would, if I knew anyone like that," says Rito.
"Hm, hm, hm. Oh, Rito, you're so adorable. I know the perfect someone who can teach you," says Momo.
Author's Note: I admit it, this was tough. Fun, but tough. Nemesis was such a mystery, and her moments with Rito were few and far between that fleshing out a relationship for them was quite an ordeal. Otherwise, I enjoyed showing off Stem's power and brutality; looking forward to his next clash with Rito. And I wanted to give Best Girl Yui a moment to shine as well to build up to her eventual chapter. Stick around, because Second Best Girl's chapter comes next.