Episode 10: Showdown with Silver Samurai!

Previously on Marvel DISK Wars...

Akira: Whose place is this?

Iron Man: Well, an old acquaintance's.

Sandra: You said that before, but it kinda feels...

Silver Samurai: It's been too long, Tony Stark.

Iron Man: Allow me to present... Silver Samurai.

Akira: You know, I'm not... really getting much of a hero vibe from this guy.

Scarlet: It's no surprise, since he is a villain. He is one of the most notorious crime lords in the entire country.

In the dojo, Sandra, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Akira, and Silver Samurai are having a conversation.

Silver Samurai was the first to talk, "I didn't believe all the rumors. Ha! Now I see they're true. As for you, Scarlet Witch, you still look ravishing as before."

"I take that as a compliment." Scarlet Witch replied, unfazed.

"You're the last person that should be mocking my predicament." Iron Man said.

"These DISKs, Biocodes, D-Smashes... I've heard all about the problems you've burdened with. Quite a story." Silver Samurai stated.

"Hey-hey, you got some of the dirty details! They oughta call you the Silver Paparazzi." Iron Man joked as Sandra quietly sneered at that.

"Ah, why are we wasting our time with this guy, Tony?!" Akira fretted.

Meanwhile, in the Stark Tokyo Building, Pepper and Jamie are watching the whole thing using a camera hidden on Sandra's hat. The former called Hikaru through her phone.

"They're in. They've made contact. Dr. Gonzales and I will continue to monitor them. Wait there until we give the signal."

Outside the dojo, Hikaru, Jessica, Edward, and Chris are hiding behind a bush just a few paces away from the entrance.

"Hikaru, can you hear us from there?" Jamie asked.

"If I'd known a supervillain lives here, I never would've have let Akira go!" Hikaru replied.

"You need not worry, friend." Thor said. "If anything happens, we are poised to charge right in."

"Tony." Akira fretted.

"Not now." Iron Man answered.

"Shh." Scarlet Witch told Akira to be quiet, but he didn't listen.

"What is your game plan?" Akira whispered.

"I said not now." Iron Man retorted.

"Hey, I have a right to know, too! We're partners in this together, remember?"

"Don't worry, Akira. He will talk later." Sandra reassured.

The four just realized that they just talked the whole thing out loud so Silver Samurai can hear them.

"I got your message and I read it." Silver Samurai said. "You're asking for my help?"

"Not exactly. I wanna move my base of operations here in Japan. It'll be good for both of us." Iron Man said.

"I'm listening." Silver Samurai allowed Iron Man to continue.

"I'm proposing a temporary truce. You won't bother us or lend a hand to Loki." Iron Man added. "And you convince your local buddies and the politicians to turn a blind eye while we set up."

"Ha! That's impossible." Silver Samurai said.

"Come on! You run this country behind the scenes. I'm sure you got the muscle to make that happen."

"Indeed I do. But you are missing the point. Why would it benefit me to help you?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong but I you owe me big time, remember?"

"Owes him?" Chris asked.

Captain America answered, "A few years back, Silver Samurai's little stepsister was almost kidnapped by a rival organization. She was an innocent victim. Luckily, Iron Man saved her. But in the process, he destroyed much of the rival's network. This inadvertently helped Silver Samurai become Japan's most powerful supervillain."

"It can't be good for yourself if you don't stay repay your debt to me." Iron Man asked as Silver Samurai gritted his teeth. "You agree to our truce and we'll be square on the old debt. Plus no interest for the last 3 years. What do you say?"

"A supervillain repaying a debt?" Jessica wondered.

"The Silver Samurai is no ordinary supervillain." Wasp replied.

"You have a code, Samurai. That's why we came here despite the risks." Iron Man said.

A few seconds later, there was a brief silence until Akira stood up saying, "This is dumb."

"Sit down." Sandra ordered but her words fell on deaf ears.

"It's pointless! He's just a super powered thug!" Akira exclaimed. "And that's some thing you could've told me before we got here, by the way."

Suddenly, Sandra's and Scarlet Witch's ears perked up as they saw Silver Samurai raised his hand. This caused 9 white ninjas to appear in the room.

"You see what I mean?! We're totally!" Akira pointed out. "It's time to D-Smash. Sandra, D-Smash Scarlet Witch."

"Wait, Akira! They're not yet finished!" Sandra retorted.

"Sandra's right. We're still talking here." Iron Man agreed.

"What's left to talk about? The weather?" Akira asked.

Silver Samurai scoffed, "Hmph! You don't see it, do you? He was a man of principle. One who never negotiated with villains. Now, he comes crawling. He does all this to save you."

"Yakety yak. Always running your mouth off. And now, I can see you're all talk since you brought your friends to do your fighting for you. What's happening, Silver Samurai? So disappointing. You've really changed." Iron Man said.

"You can say that again." Scarlet Witch muttered in agreement.

"It is you who has changed. You were walking a dangerous path with that quick mouth and your small stature. The situation is different now. You're not the bold hero that once casued me so much trouble."

In Stark Tokyo Building, Pepper and Jamie were shocked at this turn of events.

Hikaru called from Pepper's phone, "Pepper, Dr. Gonzales, can you see what's going on?! Is Sandra and my brother safe?"

"Are you done with your lecture?" Iron Man asked.

"You lack the fortitude to defeat Loki." Silver Samurai replied.

"I ask you again."

"Finishing move will be honorable."

"That's it! Don't worry about me, Tony! It's time to teach this guy a lesson!" Akira interjected.

"Akira..." Sandra whispered.

Silver Samurai then turned to Akira, "Big bad Iron Man taking orders from a little boy."

He then turned to Sandra, "The same thing goes for you, too."

Sandra could only scoff in reply.

"The only thing you two could do is D-Smash them. Don't interfere, you worthless little runts!" Silver Samurai exclaimed.

Akira could only stare at them in sullenness while Sandra only stared them in silence.

"I am a sworn samurai. I am bound by the Bushido Code to settle this matter with you through battle. But you, Iron Man, are no longer a worthy opponent. In fact, all I see before me is the ghost of a pathetic failure."

Suddenly, Akira starts to break down, "This is all my fault... I hate to admit it but he's totally right. I am... worthless..." he mumbled.

"Akira." Sandra said.

"Enough with the self-pity, kid." Iron Man said. "When I was trapped in Whirlwind's storm, I was out cold. And with that, when I was on the brink, something woke me up again. A voice. 'Don't give up.'"

"And it was Akira's, right?" Scarlet Witch asked as Iron Man nodded.

"Chin up, Akira." Sandra said with determination. "Iron Man is your partner, after all."

"You sure?" Akira asked.

"Well, there's still some room for improvement and all." Iron Man said.

As the ninjas approached the four, Silver Samurai stopped them. "Very well, then. A test. The boy and the girl must prove themselves."

"Prove ourselves how?" Akira asked.

"We accept." Sandra said as she stepped up.

A while later...

Silver Samurai then proceeded to get his katana. He then prepared himself, much to Sandra, Akira, Scarlet Witch, and Iron Man's surprise.

"Wait! What are you going to do now?!" Scarlet Witch asked.

"Care to fill us in?" Iron Man demanded.

"A demonstration." Silver Samurai said. "At the signal, I shall attack. And kids, you must D-Smash Iron Man and Scarlet Witch to stop my katana blade! Show me your courage. You both have your D-Smash. I, my sword... Which will win? Let's crazy."

"This is insane, Silver Samurai!" Sandra exclaimed.

"That's honor!" Silver Samurai retorted. "If you don't, then we're at war!"

Sandra was about to say something else before Iron Man interrupted.

"Fine! Negotiations are getting us nowhere!" Iron Man exclaimed. "Akira, Sandra, D-Smash me and Scarlet Witch so we can take them down!"

"Okay!" Sandra obliged before she, Scarlet Witch, and Iron Man noticed Akira not reacting.

"Hello? Do you hear me?!" Iron Man asked.

Meanwhile...

Hikaru asked, "Should we go in yet?"

"Just sit tight. I'm still hoping that they can figure this whole thing out." Pepper replied. "If we go in now, it'll all be for nothing!"

But Hikaru didn't listen to Pepper's words and headed to the entrance.

"No, wait!" Jessica called.

"Hikaru!" Edward called.

"Chris, go stop him!" Captain America insisted. "Do it now, Chris!"

Chris obliged reluctantly, as he ran after Hikaru, followed by Jessica and Edward.

Hikaru was at the entrance when he confronted 8 white ninjas.

"My brother and Sandra are inside there! I demand you to let me in!" Hikaru said.

The ninjas readied their katana blades and prepared themselves to attack Hikaru.

"Step back! Get out of my way!" Hikaru exclaimed as the rest of the party arrived at the scene.

"We're gonna have to fight them!" Hulk said.

"Huh?!" Edward gasped. "Wait, what?!"

"Everyone, get ready to D-Smash!" Captain America said.

"Right. This will be fun" Chris muttered as he sent Captain America's hologram in the DISK.

"Let's do this, Ed!" Jessica exclaimed with determination.

"Uh, sure." Edward nervously agreed.

"Ready?!" Hikaru said.

"Ready as I'll ever be!" Chris added.

Hikaru was the first to D-Smash Thor.

"Mighty Thor, D-Smash!" Hikaru said as he threw Thor's DISK on the ground.

Next is Chris' turn to D-Smash.

"Captain America, D-Smash!" Chris shouted.

He threw Captain America's DISK on the ground.

Third is Jessica.

"Wasp, D-Smash!" Jessica said as she threw Wasp's DISK on the ground.

Last is Edward.

"Hulk, D-Smash!" Edward said as he threw Hulk's DISK on the ground.

While the battle at the entrance is going on, Akira, Sandra, and their respective Avenger partners prepared themselves to fight against Silver Samurai.

"You were out time, kids." Silver Samurai said as he touched his katana and a dark aura formed around it.

"Being an expert swordsman, Silver Samurai is a master of the quick draw." Scarlet Witch said.

"He'll be on top of you before you know it." Iron Man continued. "You have to D-Smash us right now!"

"Wait a minute. You said you think of me as your partner, Tony. If that's so, then you have to trust me!" Akira said.

"Akira, wait!" Iron Man tried to stop Akira but the latter sent the former back in the DISK.

"Let's get ready, Wanda." Sandra said.

"Okay, Sandra." Scarlet Witch said as she returned to her DISK.

Tension is filling the area as Akira, Sandra, and Silver Samurai started their fight.

"At next sound..." Silver Samurai said.

"Iron Man, D-Smash!" Akira then threw Iron Man's DISK.

"Scarlet Witch, D-Smash!" Sandra also threw Scarlet Witch's DISK.

"Tachyon Blade!" Silver Samurai then drew out his katana out of its sheath. He proceeded to attack the two kids but Iron Man and Scarlet Witch stopped Silver Samurai.

"So, are you satisfied?" Iron Man asked.

Silver Samurai then returned the katana in its sheath and said, "On my word. I will honor the agreement. I'm sure we'll meet again, kids. Do not betray the trust I've placed in you both."

Silver Samurai then left as Akira laid down on the floor.

"Man, I thought we were toast." he said.

"You know something, Akira? You need start listening to me better." Iron Man said.

"Then are you gonna start listening to me?" Akira rebutted as he sat up.

"Not likely." Iron Man replied.

Akira then laid back down, "Then, ditto for me, too."

"You're alright, kid." Iron Man remarked as Sandra and Scarlet Witch shook their heads at each other and Hikaru and Thor entering the dojo.

"Akira! Sandra!" Hikaru called.

"Hey." Iron Man and Scarlet Witch called back.

"You made it." Akira said.

"Thor's here, too." Sandra added.

"Are you alright?" Thor asked.

"Yeah. We're already done." Sandra said.

"You should've seen us, Hikaru." Akira added. "It was so awesome! There was this moment were everything went still and then Silver Samurai's sword as all like 'whoosh' and 'clang' and then, we D-Smashed and-"

He, Sandra, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, and Thor noticed Hikaru kneeling.

"Are you okay, Hikaru?" Sandra asked.

"That was too scary." Hikaru mused.

"Brotherly love." Iron Man remarked.

Just then, they heard Hulk fighting at the entrance. Iron Man and Akira headed to the entrance to stop the fight, much to Sandra and Scarlet Witch's amusement.

That night...

The whole party of heroes is now relaxing in Stark Tokyo Building. Pepper is having a talk with Edward's parents.

"I understand that you're worried about your son, Mrs. Grant. Yes. Of course. And I can assure you that all of us at Stark International are taking very good care of Ed. He's safe with us." Pepper said over the line to Mr. and Mrs. Grant.

Meanwhile, Chris is conversing with his father.

"We're glad you're doing okay, Chris, but we want you to come back home." Mr. Taylor said on the other line.

"I'm gonna hang up now." Chris said.

"Chris, please. Even if it's only once a week, your mom wants to hear your voice. Promise you'll call." Mr. Taylor said before they ended the conversation.

At the same time, on the lounging sofa, Akira is sleeping, Sandra is tuning the guitar Jamie gave her, and Hikaru and Jessica are talking.

"Are your parents okay with everything?" Hikaru asked Jessica.

"Of course. They want me to be an independent person so I can handle stuff on my own. They're all about self-reliance." Jessica replied as she pulled out her card. "I even got them to upgrade my credit card from gold to platinum."

Hikaru said, "Uh, that's really nice."

Chris sat down on the sofa, between Hikaru and Akira. Hikaru motioned Chris to be quiet because Akira is asleep.

"You know, I really didn't think you had it in you to do that. Back there, running in by yourself like a madman." Chris commented.

"Oh, that. I was just thinking about Akira and before I knew it, I was rushing in. Honestly, it surprised me more than anybody. I'm not that type of person. If anything in a crisis, I usually overthink things and freeze up." Hikaru said.

"You know, Hikaru, you remind of my sister, Michelle. Always protective of me and supportive at the same time." Sandra said.

"You think so?" Hikaru asked as Sandra nodded.

Just then, a buzzer is heard.

"Who could that be?" Pepper asked as Akira moaned in his sleep.

Pepper pressed a button on the viewing device and the screen showed a familiar face in a red jacket.

"Hey!" he said.

"Peter, hi." Pepper replied.

After letting Peter in, they all watched a video which featured Peter as Spiderman.

"The camera seems to never capture my good side. Either that or I blink when the shutter clicks. Haha, just kidding. So, you guys doing alright over there in Japan? What've you been up to? had any good sushi? Me? I'm... well, the truth is, I guess I've been better. A bunch of those government goons showed up and told me I had to register so they could keep tabs on me."

"Did you shoot this video, Peter?" Iron Man asked.

Peter raised his hands in defense, "Not at all. I mean, I'm a messenger. Spiderman gave me this video and asked me to pass it on to you guys."

"Where?"

"The airport. It's a long story I won't bore you with but after working as your research assistant, I got a job as a cameraman. It's for a newspaper in New York. Part time. They recently sent me to Japan for an assignment. After I landed, I went to the bathroom. There I am, just washing my hands and that's it. There's Spidey hanging upside-down over the sink."

"You be quiet! I can't hear!" Hulk shushed as the video continued.

"Long story short, I'm taking a breather far away and out of reach from the authorities. Now, for the real reason I wanted to talk to you. I'm sorry to say that I'm recording this message so I can say goodbye to all you guys. America's a dangerous place right now. But that's all the more reason I have to stay here and do whatever I can to help. I love my country and my city. It's where my heart is. I have a responsibility to this place and these wonderful people. I hope you can understand that's why I gotta stay here and do my thing. It's why I'm afraid this is farewell. But you guys have nothing to worry about. Each one of you has your very own superhero to guide and protect you. Be safe, my little biocode buddies. I'm sure we'll all kick butt again soon, Avengers! See ya!"

And so, the video ended.

Peter then picked up his bag and said, "Well, gotta go."

"Thanks for the message, Peter." Scarlet Witch stated.

"Eh, don't mention it. I was in the neighborhood already." Peter replied.

"Peter, why don't you come work for me again?" Iron Man insisted. "I'll double your salary."

"Thanks but I'm done working for Stark International. You're a hard boss to please, sir!"

"Yeah, right?" Pepper wondered.

"See you around." Peter than proceeded to leave before Akira called out to him.

"Hey, Peter. When you get back to New York, if you see Spiderman again, can you give him an important message from all of us?" Akira asked as he motioned Hikaru, Sandra, Jessica, Edward, and Chris together.

"Thanks." they said as Sandra stepped up.

"And here is something I would like to give to him. It's my latest music album." Sandra said as she gave the music album to Peter. The album's title is 'Golden Tunes'.

"Thanks, Sandra. I know Spiderman will love it." Peter said as he accepted it as he left the building.

Once he was outside, Peter stopped short to see his Spiderman outfit under his civilian outfit.

"Man, I'm glad I didn't show up in my Spidey suit." he said to himself. "I was this close to changing my lines and staying here instead."

He then turned back to say goodbye before continuing his way.

Later, everyone then got themselves settled in the bedrooms of the building. Pepper and Jessica are in one room. Edward and Chris are in another room. The Akatsuki brothers are in another room. And the Gonzales father and daughter are in another room.

In Sandra and Jamie's room, the former could only stare into the city below and contemplate on what is happening.

"Something wrong, Sandra?" Scarlet Witch asked her popstar partner.

"Oh, I was just thinking. Ever since I left the Philippines to see my dad, I didn't expect something like this would happen. Dr. Akatsuki is missing, villains are popping up everywhere, and let's not forget the mission of finding all the lost DISKs around the world. But on the bright side, I managed to make new friends and one of them is you, Wanda." Sandra replied.

"Thanks." Scarlet Witch said.

"Come on, sweetie. Let's go to bed." Jamie called.

"Coming, Dad." Sandra said as she walked towards her bed and turned off the lights.