Chapter 10: Journey

"It was your fault," Justine whined, "that Sol-chan ran away from us! It was your fault!"

"Excuse me? My fault?" Athena replied. "I didn't do anything to him at all! It's you; you who always hang around him and makes him annoyed with it!"

"It's because I like him!" the super-cute archetype command Gear squealed. "Sol-chan doesn't want to be with a goddess who can't even sing!"

"Don't insult me!" Athena demanded, veins popping on her head.

It had been a while since Sol Badguy left both Justine Harrier and Asamiya Athena and headed to nowhere. The cute and mean command Gear was having a serious grudge against the Greek goddess as she claimed that Athena had angered Sol so much that the ex-Frederick Mercury ran away from them. Athena, on the other hands, blamed Justine for being overprotective toward the Corrupted Flames, thus she felt that the cute Gear should be fully responsible for it.

"But, then," Justine spoke afterwards as the two of them walked beside a river, "why would we quarrel and fight with each other when we can look for Sol-chan together?"

"Don't you get it?" Athena spoke. "We exist in this story – thanks to Sheo – to fight over Sol. People wouldn't like it if we have a truce."

"Aww," Justine mumbled and frowned. Later on she arose and lifted her fist. "I don't care! If we have to look for Sol-chan together, then we shall!"

"But where should we start first?" Athena asked. There was a moment silence before Justine laughed embarrassedly and scratched her chin childishly. "Don't tell me you don't know a thing."

"Sorry," Justine apologized. "Hey! I know a person who can help us!"

"Oh? Care to tell me who it is?" Athena asked again.

Confidently Justine smiled. "Lone Wolf SIX." Athena blinked in surprise when she heard the name. Justine was slightly offended by the response and squinted at the Psycho Soldier. "Don't make that face, okay?"

"Sorry, but we haven't met him for, likes, months. Are you sure it's going to be okay?" the goddess inquired.

"Trust me," Justine assured with a wink.

x-x-x-x-x

For days, May was following Iori wherever he went. She decided not to fight the Yagami, as she had no one to keep her company at the moment. Iori wasn't interested in accompanying her, however he was annoyed as she kept following him all the time. He also felt insulted when May suggested that they should pair up as a TAG team.

"Will you stop following me?!" Iori demanded. "Why don't you leave me alone and look for somebody else to stalk?"

"YADA!" answered May. "I won't stop following you, zettai!"

Iori halted and glowered at the pirate girl. "Look. I don't know why the hell a girl like you want to stalk me here and there. So I suggest you to get lost."

"I can't!" she answered again. "I just can't…!" Later, she frowned and clenched her Jellyfish Pirate uniform. "I have nowhere to go and… Johnny had betrayed me… he had fired me and ordered me to leave Mayship and everyone there…" Tears formed in her eyes and began to stream down her supple cheeks. "I've got no one to rely on anymore. Everyone's betrayed me… everyone's taken April away from me… what wrongdoings have I done? Why… why would these things happen to me?"

Iori was startled. He couldn't believe that Johnny would mistreat his crew and expel her from the ship. He just couldn't believe.

"Mister Iori," May called between her sobs, "have you had the time where you have no one to rely on after the person you trust the most betrays you?" The man did not answer the question. He had the answer, yet he preferred to keep it. "Do you, Mister Iori?" she asked again.

Immediately all his past memories emerged in his memory box, from the very first moment of his birth to the world bearing the misfortune of Yagami clan, to the blood pact his family made with the Orochinagi; from the dark memory of his mother's death to the awakening of his Riot blood; from his determination to kill Orochi to his confrontation with the NESTS.

Then, a name emerged in his mind. A name in which all his suffers and pains originated from. A name he hated so much that he vowed to kill its owner no matter what. A name, which he cursed and blamed so much for everything that happened to him.

Kyo.

All his angers dissipated as he gazed at the still crying May. Strangely sympathy took over. He realized that he was still facing Mistress May, yet he couldn't deny that she was just a hapless girl. Somehow she reminded him of his childhood. Harsh, unjust, unhappy and angst.

(Noir's Lullaby plays at the background)

He was the witness of all tragedies that struck his family. He was the witness of all hardships he had to endure. He was a tragedy character. Thus, he blamed everything on Kyo. Everything and anything he could put on the Kusanagi nobleman.

"Here." May stopped crying as she was offered a piece of cloth. "Crying girl is among my hated things. I'd rather kill myself than to let a girl cry in front of me." She took the cloth and held it close to her chest.

"Arigatou…" she spoke and wiped her tears and blew herself out with the cloth. Iori snarled in disgust at the behavior and just shook his head. "No one has done this to me lately. You're the first person ever to offer me a hankie. I must thank you, Mister Iori."

"Don't mind with it," Iori uttered. "But about Johnny-"

"Onegai, don't say that name anymore," May begged and frowned. "I don't want to remember him anymore. Just thinking of his name breaks my heart. I beg of you, Mister Iori. Onegai…"

Iori sighed and looked around and saw a nearby old hut. "We're staying there for tonight. But don't expect me to baby-sit you, okay?"

"Don't leave me, Mister Iori," the girl pleaded. "I've got nowhere else to go… I wish I could go and look for Bridget, but… please, will you let me stay with you?"

Iori looked at her, whose eyes were full of hope. Then she frowned. "I… I understand. You don't like other people to accompany you." Tears started to flow down her cheeks again, and she tried not to cry of weep.

"Stop annoying me." Iori hissed. May stopped crying and stared at the red-haired man. "I said, stop crying like a pathetic. You're annoying me."

"Go-gomennasai…" May apologized and wiped all her remaining tears. "Mister Iori, how old are you?"

"23, 24, who cares. Why?"

"For the time being, can I call you oniisan (big brother)?"

"Oniisan? But, May, I…"

"Oh, please, Mister Iori – I mean, oniisan. I bet that you don't like such addressing, but being a big brother isn't as bad as you think. Well, I can call you ojiisan (uncle) but oniisan is better for you. Onegai, oniisan?"

Iori was silent for a while, staring at the Japanese girl. Then he shrugged and just grinned. "Alright, May. You can call me whatever you want to, as long as you don't do things that annoy me. Got it?"

May's smile widened. Gladly she threw herself into Iori's arms, hugging him happily. "Arigatou, oniisan…" Iori grinned at her and softly stroked her brownish black hair. He was thinking of how good it would be if he could help her the best he could.

x-x-x-x-x

Elde Talonn was unrest. The news of the mysterious Zofeah with his GVS2: Battle Revolution invitation concerned him to the most. The battle he had with Sho Tsuzuku and his allies was already over, yet he felt that he must again face a battle between good and evil. He knew that he must again lift his sword and fight for the sake of the people he vowed to protect. He knew he had to face the festival, because he had earlier received the invitation, which came along with a letter written by a person he trusted and believed in: Sheo Darren.

"To Elde Talonn a.k.a. the Wanderer, I'm sorry to tell you (and Yuuki if she reads this letter) that I won't be able to join you in the festival due to technical issues. So, I want you to meet my trustworthy pal Lone Wolf SIX as quick as you can and show this letter to him. Finding him is very easy; your mentor Takane Hibiki always accompanies him, though she now has issues with her rival Cassandra. If you can find her, you can find Lone Wolf SIX too. Send my regards to him, and take care. Good luck, Elde."

Elde was intrigued. His mentor accompanied the man Sheo said as a friend. He must have such skill to have Takane-sensei accompanying him, he thought. Then he realized that he hadn't met Hibiki for a very long time – since he began his journey as the Wanderer. As her student, he felt responsible to pay her a visit, even though for once.

"But I'll still have to visit Kirika first. She's been missing me dearly, and I cannot afford to despair the heart of those I love and care."

x-x-x-x-x

Black Noah, Yellow Sea.

Omega Rugal was standing alone inside the control room, watching a video presentation screened on the wall-mounted plasma screen. The video showed the battle between Hikki and PWAB Robo Ky, which was recoded by space-based satellite linked to the flagship. The Kaiser wasn't interested at the battle process; he was interested in Hikki's fighting style.

"His fighting style is very similar to Geese's," he uttered as he focused his sight at the Korean cosplayer, "but some of his moves are never seen before. Computer, analyze his battle style."

"Acknowledge, Kaiser Rugal," the computer responded. The video paused and texts scrolled down the screen before they stopped. "Analysis on Kokurabuji Hikki's fighting style complete. The technique this person owns is identical to the Kobojutsu and Hakkyokuseiken fighting style Geese Howard has. However there are unmatched database for his fighting style."

"Show me the data," Rugal spoke.

"Certainly, Kaiser Rugal." The computer processed the data again and shortlisted it. "Six moves are found. Analyzing description for each move."

Overhead Helix. A command throw move, there are two version of this move. The first Overhead Helix is executed by jumping over the opponent and grabbing their shoulder before using full body weight to throw them to the ground. The second version of Overhead Helix is anti-air variant, where it catches any opponent careless enough to stay midair.

Crescent Counter. A reversal move, this stance cancels all oncoming attacks and launches the attacker to the air.

Crescent Dunk. A low-level attack, the attacker slides onto the opponent's legs and ends the attack with an uppercut kick.

Time Halt. Another reversal move, which utilizes the effectiveness of time continuum manipulation around the attacker. When properly used, even the most skilled fighter is no match against its "freeze" capability. Causes the attacking opponent and their time continuum to be distorted, i.e. 'frozen in time'.

Omega Rugal's eyebrow arched slightly upward. The move named Time Halt intrigued him, and he felt he wanted to witness its lethal 'time-freezing' effect. "Computer, proceed."

High Voltage. An anti-air overdrive, its workhorse is similar to anti-air Overhead Helix, however both attacker and opponent dive toward the ground heard first and crash. Has 80% probability of killing an opponent with one blow.

Chrono Install. A powerup overdrive, it gives its user a temporary invincibility against opponent's attacks. All of the moves' recovery rate is reduced and speed increases by double. The user also gains unique regenerate capability, healing all damages taken before a Chrono Install is performed. However, the weakness is that Chrono Install lasts for only 12 seconds, and its user is open to attack once the period is over.

"Chrono Install?" The name was the most suspicious of all. "Gains regeneration, invincibility and…? Wait. Any owner of the Riot Blood can also regenerates though they tend to go riot. But this… what has it got to do with Chrono power?" he thought and scratched his chin. "If this power is equal – no, more powerful than both Orochi and Gear powers combined… then how come I and everybody else misses it? Why there's no information about this power?" He looked back at the video. His eyes squinted at Hikki and he was curious. "This kids must be formidable to won such kind of power. I should pay him a visit."

Omega Rugal, then, walked away from the screen and fetched his scarlet red robe, putting it over his shoulder. "Computer, set up our destination. We're going to Korea," he ordered before walked out of the room.

x-x-x-x-x

"Don't hate me," Lone Wolf SIX pleaded. "I know you're a big supporter of Bridget-Dizzy, but don't hate me just because I change my mind to become Bridget-May fan."

"I knew  you'd say this, traitor," Person WMA spoke. "Now explain why you would have the same feel as Sheo does."

"Let me get this straight to the point," Lone Wolf SIX insisted. "First, I've realized that when the time passes, May and Bridget tend to like each other. Secondly, Bridget/Dizzy pairing is based on the fact that both characters are fanaticized by their fans madly. So mad, that some of these people even do artworks and stories about them"

At faraway, Kaiser Ryouga II suddenly sneezed while he was having a cup of coffee.

"Thirdly," Lone Wolf SIX continued, "not everyone here and out there likes the concept and idea behind Bridget and Dizzy being a couple."

Person was glowering at him, as if he disbelieved the lone wolf. "I don't believe you."

"Believe-lah!" the lone wolf begged. "Besides, Johnny's betrayed May; Dizzy's married to Ky; Bridget's still solo, though I've heard of rumors of Malin hunting him down." Person still glowered at him, and Lone Wolf SIX felt uneasy with the situation. "Alright. You win. Bridget-Dizzy wins. So hate me. Just hate me. Everyone hates me because I'm a supporter of Bridget-May." Then Lone Wolf SIX wailed and scratched his head wildly. "Where the hell is Sheo!? WAAAAA!"

"Lone Wolf-san/Wolfie!" Hibiki and Cassandra exclaimed and rushed toward Lone Wolf SIX. "Who? Who did this to you?" they demanded and soothed him.

"Person, you shouldn't be mean at Lone Wolf," Mina pleaded.

"Blah. I thought he'd keep his words," Person spoke, "but it can't be helped. It's out of my responsibility. I'm out of here."

"Where are we going, Person?" Mina asked.

"Nowhere, I think. As long as I don't see his crying face again," Person said and walked away from Lone Wolf SIX, while Mina followed him from the behind.

"I think I'm off, too," Axl spoke and left the lake.

"Should I leave them?" Millia asked when Sammy meowed cutely in her arms. "You said that we should stay with them?" Sammy growled and nudged against her chest. "Aww, why are you doing that? You're so cute," she uttered and hugged the kitten.

At a hill…

"I SHALL KILL THAT FILTHY CAT!" Leon Winchester roared and lifted his fist in anger.

"Okay, okay, enough with this crap." Lone Wolf SIX spoke and stopped whining. He looked around and noticed that Person WMA with Mina and Axl were already gone. "Grouse, they're gone. Well, at least we still have Millia with us," he uttered.

"What are you going to do, Lone Wolf-san?" Hibiki asked.

"Let's see…" Lone Wolf SIX uttered and scratched his chin. "We better go to Korea. There's a village famous for collection of  authentic swords the villagers sell. I think I should purchase a sword."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Cassandra declared and seized his arms. "To the- Wolfie, what's the name of the village?"

"I don't quite remember its name," Lone Wolf SIX spoke, "but there's a big magnolia tree growing just outside the village. We'll know we're at the village if we see the tree."

"Okay, then! Let's go!" Cassandra spoke out loud and dragged Lone Wolf SIX, while Hibiki grumbled in annoyance and followed them closely. Millia walked behind him later on, and the four of them headed toward Korea.

x-x-x-x-x

Inside the cyberspace…

"Ciel, any reading?"

"Negative. At least, for this moment. But I have this strange feeling…"

"Of what?"

"I-I don't know. But my heart tells me that we're going to face another threat. Should I contact Rockman now?"

"No. He's probably occupied right now. Ciel, set up the coordination. I might have to go out to the real world and investigate this matter. Understood?"

"Understand. Zero…"

"Yes, Ciel?"

"Don't get hurt again. You almost died when you fought the masked karate master. I was so scared that time."

"I'm sorry for that time, Ciel. But this time, I'll be more careful. Trust me."

x-x-x-x-x

Lapit mga kaibigan at makinig kayo

Ako'y may dala-dalang, balita galing sa bayan ko

Nais kong ipamahagi ang mga kuento

Ang mga pangyayaring nagaganap

Sa lupang pinangako…

(The Apl Song, Black Eyed Peas, happened to be Lone Wolf SIX's favorite song)