Match 2-2: Ernest McGrath vs. Strike Force Phantom
Author's Notes: This will be the last update for quite some time. I really need to work on other fanfic projects that I've completely neglected in favor of Colliding Worlds. So until further updated, this fic is on indefinite hold. No, I haven't burnt myself out, but I do need to stop writing for some time. Also, at this time a new concept art has been added to the website. It's a portrait of the four main characters of the story and you can find the link in my author's profile. (Waits for angry reviews demanding to know why other OCs are not considered main characters.)
Osaka, Japan
Two days have passed
"Dr. McGrath, may I speak with you for a moment?" Regina stood in the doorway of the room that Ernest McGrath shared with his wife. The doctor was seated at his desk, a trove of information that the IDC had scraped together neatly catalogued in five large binders. Somewhere on the ground floor, Samantha and the rest of the strike force were reviewing security procedures with the BEAT squads. McGrath indicated an unused chair and stowed his pencils away, turning around to face Regina. "I came here to apologize about our earlier game of Fortune Special."
"No apology is necessary."
"I still feel responsible for what happened, but ... do you ... do you really feel that way ...? Thank you, doctor." Regina seated herself on the chair that McGrath had indicated to her. She was still wearing Ken's gift, the zirconium ring that Ken had no doubt bought from the store where Karin and Ibuki had vanished. "There is something else, too. Dadallent ... just killed someone else."
"What?!" McGrath exclaimed, leaping up. "Who is it?"
Regina shook her head quickly. "No one that you knew. She is a Class C valkyrie named Rynn and answers directly to my sister. I talked to Rynn after the battle that cost her physical form; she said that Marin had assigned her to guard Dadallent, in order to avoid repeats of the episode that killed Kenneth and Ryu. Doctor, it may be strange to hear this from a goddess such as myself, but ... I'm afraid of Dadallent. His soul is full of agony, and I fear that one day he will do great harm. I don't understand why, but he scares me."
"He has that effect on people," McGrath said grimly. "And I meant to ask you earlier, Regina: I struck a devil's bargain with him to neutralize his threat after the tournament. He is an honorable fighter, but I'm not above suspecting deceit on his part. If worse comes to worst, I want you to make sure that he doesn't harm anyone else."
"I think I can do that," Regina replied. "But I fear for you, too. I don't know who it was that warned you that you would be the next to vanish. Changing a card after it has already been cast is not easy; I can't do it when I'm in mortal form. Whatever happens, I will do my very best to protect you."
McGrath smiled warmly. "Thank you, Regina. Like I said earlier, what do I care for warnings and threats when I have a goddess on my side?"
Regina smiled too. "Then I will speak to you again before your match," Regina said, and she stood up and slipped out of the room with easy grace. McGrath nodded his farewell and returned to his work. His match was coming up in an hour. After reviewing his information summary one last time, McGrath stood up, stretched, and reached for his combat uniform. Two minutes later he was dressed and out of the room, locking the door behind himself. McGrath whistled the tune of an old IDC battle song to himself as he jaunted down the flight of stairs.
As it was, he bumped into Sakura Kasugano on his way down. "Hello, Sakura."
"Dr. McGrath, I've been looking for you."
"Oh? What for?" McGrath paused in midstride, in the middle of the hotel lounge. He frowned upon taking a more detailed look at her. Sakura's aura looked ... altered. McGrath himself was too well-trained to let his previous impression of her fool him. The first time you saw something, you took it in with all your senses, but afterwards you started filling in your picture more and more from memory. McGrath put aside his memory now and concentrated on observing Sakura with an open mind. There was something ... well, not wrong, but different - about her.
"I've been feeling sick for the past three days," Sakura admitted. "I don't know what it is. I talked to Regina yesterday and she tried to heal me, but ... nothing came of it. So I was wondering if you'd diagnose me."
McGrath chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry, Sakura, but I think you're talking to the wrong person. I'm not a medical doctor. You'd probably do better to find Gill - he knows a lot about medicine. Come with me, if I guess correctly then Gill is already at the battleground. Can you make it?" McGrath offered Sakura his shoulder and she leaned on him slightly as they walked together to the hotel plaza. Once they were outdoors, a bright light shone around both of them; when it faded a moment later, they were standing at the designated battleground.
McGrath and Sakura gazed around before the former realized where they were. "Well, what do you know ... we're in the middle of the Atlantic! Aboard Ruby Heart's ship," McGrath added when Sakura pulled a blank look. "And pretty far out, too - at least two hundred miles from the nearest shore by the look of it." They stood on the deck of Ruby Heart's ship, a massive galleon sporting intimidating cannons and an array of weaponry. The whole ship looked spit-polished to perfection. It might have fitted comfortably in a museum, as it was a wooden vessel with an assortment of steel parts. It was also huge; the top deck alone had to be at least twenty meters wide and much longer than that. The raised quarterdeck was farther ahead, elevated several meters above the rest of the ship. To the stern, the deck was also raised; the battlefield had been marked out in the center of the ship. Ruby Heart's ship had three masts with all the sails furled at the moment. It might have looked elegant and stately were it not for the aggressive sweeps painted all along the hull and the cannons staring from every available port. A few stray clouds hung above.
To the side, the camera crews had already arrived and were busy setting up equipment. The Reploid Alia was also present, as were Gill and Jedah. Sakura was mildly surprised to find Regina also present. McGrath swept his gaze around the battlefield, but this time he did not bother to acquaint himself with the ground, merely stamping on the deck once or twice to test its stability. It felt firm to the touch. McGrath knelt down and pressed his cheek to the deck, sighting along the surface, but it was entirely smooth and straight as a ruler, with no indentation anywhere, not even the odd splinter. Satisfied, McGrath stood up and brought Sakura to where Gill, Regina, and Jedah waited.
"Sorry to bother you, Gill," Sakura began, "but I've been sick for the past three days and I was told you might be able to help me. Did you know that Dr. McGrath isn't a medical doctor?"
"I did," Gill answered with a smile.
"What?! How ... then what is he?"
McGrath laughed. "Are you ready for this, Sakura? My doctorates are in mathematics and music theory, respectively." Sakura's jaw dropped open in stunned disbelief. "Don't give me that look, Sakura! I never said I was a medical doctor, did I?"
"But everyone called you Dr. McGrath, so I just assumed ..." she trailed off.
Gill nodded at McGrath while speaking to Sakura. "Ernest is a very intelligent and gifted individual. He earned his first doctorate from M.I.T. when he was but fifteen years of age, and his second a year after." Sakura's jaw dropped another three inches and her eyes bulged.
"You're embarrassing me, Gill," McGrath claimed, nudging the seraph.
"Oh, that's quite impressive, Ernest," Regina said. "Sakura, you were saying?"
"Yes," Sakura replied. "Whenever I wake up in the mornings, I feel dizzy. And my stomach's giving me trouble - I nearly threw up yesterday. And I feel tired, like I want to sleep the whole day out."
Gill frowned. "What do you think, Ernest?"
"Why are you asking me?" McGrath replied. "You're the expert, Gill."
The frown deepened. "Hmm ... have you eaten anything uncooked lately, Sakura?"
"No. I've been at dinner with everyone else, remember? I wouldn't give up Regina's meals for anything!"
"Why thank you, Sakura," Regina smiled.
Gill tilted his head to the side and studied Sakura more closely. "Your aura has changed somewhat," he said at last. "The glow of health has not left you, but certainly you are affected by something. What could it be?"
"I tried healing her yesterday," Regina added. "It didn't work very well. I'm sorry, Sakura."
McGrath took Sakura's wrist and felt her pulse, at the same time remarking, "There's no need to worry. A little bed rest ought to -" At this point he broke off and his eyes widened. His head snapped up to look Sakura squarely in the eyes as he breathed out, "I don't believe this ... no way!" His lips curved up into an expression to match his astonishment. "Now it all makes sense ... your altered aura, everything!"
"Huh, what?" a thoroughly confused Sakura asked.
McGrath broke into a full smile. "Sakura, you're two weeks pregnant! Congratulations!" A moment later, before Sakura could even process the words, McGrath had swept her into a fierce hug. He whispered into her ear, "It's a boy" while squeezing her in his firm grip. Then he pulled apart from her. "Darrell's going to be overjoyed when he hears about this!" Gill took the other wrist and Sakura's pulse, then nodded his head in confirmation after a few seconds. To Sakura's left, Regina was smiling brilliantly and offering her heartiest congratulations.
"You mean it?" Sakura asked, breaking into her own bright smile. "How'd you know?"
McGrath shrugged carelessly, still smiling. "A trick I learned in the IDC. Blood reveals life - never let anyone tell you otherwise."
"I'm ... I'm pregnant ..." Instinctively Sakura's hands went around her stomach and she smiled. Regina hugged Sakura closely while Gill and McGrath stepped aside and compared medical notes in whispered tones. Jedah Dohma also congratulated Sakura, and for that brief instant she was the happiest person in the world. McGrath pulled out his IDC communicator, located Darrell's number, and handed it to Sakura. An excited conversation followed. "Darrell's thrilled, too!" Sakura announced, handing the communicator back to McGrath. "Can you imagine? Our very first baby!"
"What will you name him?" Regina asked eagerly.
Gill and McGrath traded glances, already guessing what the answer would be. And as it turned out, both of them were right. "Ryu!" Sakura proclaimed. "I'm naming the boy Ryu! That is, if Darrell has no objection ... hmm, I should've asked him about it while I was on the phone. I still can't believe that I'm having a baby boy!"
"Who's having a baby boy?" Sakura half-started, but it was only Blake Wallis, who had marched up behind her with his two teammates.
"Congratulate Sakura, she's two weeks pregnant," McGrath informed Blake.
Blake stared at Sakura for a moment, then smiled. "Ah, I see. My heartiest congratulations to you, Sakura. So that's why you and Darrell couldn't come to the party that night," he added, and Sakura blushed furiously. Blake stepped aside to allow Samantha and Lloyd to offer their own salutations. "You just find out, huh? Called Darrell yet?"
"I have," Sakura answered. "He can't believe the news either."
"Well, enjoy it while it lasts," Blake continued amiably. "Because soon you'll be dealing with morning sickness and - urk!" He was abruptly and rudely cut off as Samantha planted her left heel into his chin. A moment later, she had pulled him off the ground and he dangled half a meter in the air, suspended off Samantha's upright leg. Blake had both arms on Samantha's ankle, trying to loosen the hold enough for him to breathe, but strengthwise he was easily outclassed. Coolly and efficiently Samantha admonished Blake about scaring the wits out of Sakura with his tall tales; when she finally dropped him to the ground, Blake fell with a loud gasp. Sakura wondered if she were seeing things or if his face had really turned a slight shade of blue.
As though nothing had happened, Samantha smoothly turned around to face Sakura. "Please pardon my impetuous comrade. He does not mean harm."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Blake said, standing up and rubbing his neck. "Just be sure to get some bed rest - that, and eat plenty of meats."
"I certainly will."
"Just tell me if you need anything, Sakura," Regina said. "Anything at all, I'd be more than willing to do for you." She was still wearing her beautiful smile, which widened as Sakura thanked her.
"Well, looks like we're all here," McGrath noted after a moment. "Shall we begin?"
Jedah preempted him. "Not yet. The reporters at Osaka Dome will not arrive for another half hour."
"Oh. Well, it was worth a try." He intended to say something else to his wife and the strike force, but the sound of displaced air that marked a teleportation arrival distracted him. "Well well well ... if it isn't Commando, Hiryu, and Chan!"
"Hi!" Chan waved.
"Hey there, Strider and Strider's girlfriend," Blake called back, and he had to dodge a Wind Slice for it.
"What brings you here?" Gill asked.
"Just came to watch," Commando answered. "That, and to get away from Edgar for a moment. I've heard of people preoccupied with justice before, but he takes it to the level of an obsession. Still, can you blame him after knowing how he grew up? Anyway, here we are. I asked Ruby Heart to come with us but knowing her she's probably off stealing the latest valuable heirloom that somebody brought to the tournament."
"Heh, Ken better keep a sharp eye on his credit card," Blake remarked. "And I hope Kirina has her antique sword stashed somewhere safe. By the way, did you hear the news? We just found out that Sakura's pregnant."
"Really?" Chan asked, eyes widening with interest. "Does Darrell know?"
Blake cut in before Sakura could answer. "Of course! What, did you think Sakura was carrying Ken's child?" Blake laughed. He regretted his comment when Commando and Hiryu met him with a dead serious look. Sakura glared, while Regina looked puzzled.
Chan pulled Hiryu aside a moment later and he bent down to hear what she wanted to say. Regina sighed wistfully as she watched them leave. "Those two really have a beautiful relationship," she remarked. "They make each other happy when they're together. But ... Hiryu is hesitant. Still, as long as Chan doesn't give up ... I'm sure her feelings will reach his heart."
Samantha had come up to McGrath and was leaning her head against her husband's shoulder. "They are close," she said, "but passion is not love."
"And you'd know about either because ...?" Blake inquired lightheartedly, and Samantha chuckled.
"Kids these days," Commando muttered, watching Hiryu and Chan, but he it was no secret that he didn't really care about Hiryu's love life. He adjusted his ten-gallon hat for a better look. McGrath and Samantha traded a swift kiss before the latter gathered her two teammates together and went off to the side, doubtlessly to talk over battle strategies. Hiryu and Chan finished a circuit around the deck and rejoined the group. Sakura looked a little lonely without Darrell by her side, but Regina quickly struck up a conversation and the two of them gossiped to the side.
Meanwhile, half a world away, Kyosuke Kagami adjusted his tie and tapped experimentally on the microphones. "Okay, they work. We're live in five ... four ... three ... two ... one! Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to the World Collision tournament! I'm Kyosuke Kagami and this is my colleague Jin Saotome. We're broadcasting live from Osaka Dome and the Atlantic, where today's match features single entry Ernest McGrath facing off against the very strike force that he trained, Phantom. Our correspondent in the field is currently greeting the sunrise. How's it like aboard the ship, Alia?"
Alia was wearing her usual glossy sheen of paint. "Well, Kyosuke, the day is surprisingly warm at this latitude, a comfortable temperature for humans. Over my shoulder, you can see the Phantoms discussing their battlefield tactics. And farther back is Dr. Ernest McGrath, who is speaking with the referees at the moment. You'll also see Captain Commando and Strider Hiryu, two of the members of the Neo Commando Squad. And on the sidelines is Sakura Kasugano, a member of the New Generation team who was here earlier and has just returned again. The lady standing by Sakura is named Regina and she seems to be a friend of hers. Back to you, Kyosuke."
"Thanks, Alia." Kyosuke pulled up a stack of notes. "Well, folks, the match is about to start. On the single entry side, Ernest McGrath has proven himself in the past to be an immensely talented warrior, easily on the very top in the world of martial arts. He also has the advantage in that he trained all three of the Phantoms that he'll be facing, and so he knows their styles. On the other hand, however talented, he's still one person going up against a trio of soldiers who plainly know the value of teamwork. I say that this one is too close to call. Let's take a look at the field."
McGrath looked up from his conversation with Gill as Sakura suddenly pulled apart from Regina, saying something in a low and urgent voice. A moment later she was dragging him away from Gill to the foot of the quarterdeck, where the constant wind made it more difficult to hear. "Sakura! Shouldn't you be -"
"Yes, and I will," Sakura answered impatiently. "But I just remembered what I meant to say earlier. Those words that I saw on that scrap of paper - I finally recalled them."
"You did!" McGrath exclaimed in a low whisper, resisting the instinctive urge to glance around for eavesdroppers when he already knew that none were listening. "What were they?"
"All Greek to me," Sakura answered. "But I wrote it down for you," and she discreetly passed him a slip of paper. "Just imagine that written in the gold ink of our invitation cards, with a handwriting to match. Do you recognize the language?"
McGrath sucked in his breath sharply, not believing what he read. "French words. I don't believe it ..."
"What?"
"Fin d'Âme Interdite," McGrath pronounced in a low voice. Was it Sakura's imagination, or were there hints of both understanding and urgency in his voice? "Listen. Don't say a word about this to anyone until I've spoken with you again after the match. Anyone, you hear! It's a French phrase that means -"
"Hey, doc!" Blake Wallis called, swaggering up and punching McGrath on the arm. "Quit flirting with Sakura and stand center. Or did you not notice that our match was supposed to have begun already?"
McGrath stuffed the scrap of paper in his pocket and nodded gravely. "I'll talk with you after the match, Sakura. This answers a lot of questions that I had. Enjoy the show. And don't overexert yourself." Sakura, watching him stride off to the center of the battlefield, noted that there was a definite change; McGrath seemed to be simultaneously worried and relieved. Gill and Jedah were there, too. Regina, Commando, Hiryu, and Chan were seated near the stern, below the cameras of the filming crew. When thunder rumbled overhead, Blake glanced up sharply and McGrath also looked. Blake's eyes narrowed; he hadn't realized that the cloud cover was a lot thicker now, blotting out the morning sun in a sea of gray. Thunder again growled in the distance. Great, just what they needed, a thunderstorm. Blake thought to speak with Regina for a moment, then dismissed the idea. It was true that the goddess could alter the weather instantly, but the last time he'd asked she had refused, saying that in the absence of an emergency it was better not to disturb the workings of nature. No emergencies at the moment, thankfully enough.
"Strike Force Phantom, name your tactical leader," Jedah ordered.
"I'll lead this time," Blake Wallis offered. Samantha McGrath nodded and stepped aside for him, the fighters clearing out the space at the center of the battlefield.
McGrath drew himself into a fighter's stance. "Coming at you, big time!"
Blake pulled a fist back and grinned diabolically. "Bring it on, big time!"
Begin!
The impossibly bright light flashed for an instant, temporarily blinding both contestants. They both recovered near instantly - and McGrath felt, to his horror, a sudden and familiar aura explode all around him. A moment later he could discern its intent. Blake dove in with a mighty punch that would've stunned a bull upon connection, but McGrath slid to the side. "Blake! Move, now!" He reached out and pulled Blake by the shoulders, dragging him away just as a dark shape hurtled past the Phantom and skidded to a halt a few meters beyond. With one mighty effort, McGrath shoved Blake a good half dozen meters away. There was no time to think, or even react; a bright light pierced through the clouds overhead and shone around McGrath and the new entry, enclosing them in a curtain of golden brilliance. It fanned out until it encompassed the whole battlefield, and for all that it looked like light, it might have been solid iron, completely impenetrable. Blake was caught along the light's advance and rolled ungracefully to the edge of the field, nearly crushed against the quarterdeck. McGrath, for his part, focused on the new arrival, and despite the fact that his opponent still wasn't facing him, he already knew who it was by the aura. The bright red character for invincibility that appeared a moment later only confirmed his guess. McGrath's mouth arched upwards into a smile as he sank into a fighting stance to meet Akuma.
At last! A worthy opponent!
Author's Notes: This will be the last update for quite some time. I really need to work on other fanfic projects that I've completely neglected in favor of Colliding Worlds. So until further updated, this fic is on indefinite hold. No, I haven't burnt myself out, but I do need to stop writing for some time. Also, at this time a new concept art has been added to the website. It's a portrait of the four main characters of the story and you can find the link in my author's profile. (Waits for angry reviews demanding to know why other OCs are not considered main characters.)
Osaka, Japan
Two days have passed
"Dr. McGrath, may I speak with you for a moment?" Regina stood in the doorway of the room that Ernest McGrath shared with his wife. The doctor was seated at his desk, a trove of information that the IDC had scraped together neatly catalogued in five large binders. Somewhere on the ground floor, Samantha and the rest of the strike force were reviewing security procedures with the BEAT squads. McGrath indicated an unused chair and stowed his pencils away, turning around to face Regina. "I came here to apologize about our earlier game of Fortune Special."
"No apology is necessary."
"I still feel responsible for what happened, but ... do you ... do you really feel that way ...? Thank you, doctor." Regina seated herself on the chair that McGrath had indicated to her. She was still wearing Ken's gift, the zirconium ring that Ken had no doubt bought from the store where Karin and Ibuki had vanished. "There is something else, too. Dadallent ... just killed someone else."
"What?!" McGrath exclaimed, leaping up. "Who is it?"
Regina shook her head quickly. "No one that you knew. She is a Class C valkyrie named Rynn and answers directly to my sister. I talked to Rynn after the battle that cost her physical form; she said that Marin had assigned her to guard Dadallent, in order to avoid repeats of the episode that killed Kenneth and Ryu. Doctor, it may be strange to hear this from a goddess such as myself, but ... I'm afraid of Dadallent. His soul is full of agony, and I fear that one day he will do great harm. I don't understand why, but he scares me."
"He has that effect on people," McGrath said grimly. "And I meant to ask you earlier, Regina: I struck a devil's bargain with him to neutralize his threat after the tournament. He is an honorable fighter, but I'm not above suspecting deceit on his part. If worse comes to worst, I want you to make sure that he doesn't harm anyone else."
"I think I can do that," Regina replied. "But I fear for you, too. I don't know who it was that warned you that you would be the next to vanish. Changing a card after it has already been cast is not easy; I can't do it when I'm in mortal form. Whatever happens, I will do my very best to protect you."
McGrath smiled warmly. "Thank you, Regina. Like I said earlier, what do I care for warnings and threats when I have a goddess on my side?"
Regina smiled too. "Then I will speak to you again before your match," Regina said, and she stood up and slipped out of the room with easy grace. McGrath nodded his farewell and returned to his work. His match was coming up in an hour. After reviewing his information summary one last time, McGrath stood up, stretched, and reached for his combat uniform. Two minutes later he was dressed and out of the room, locking the door behind himself. McGrath whistled the tune of an old IDC battle song to himself as he jaunted down the flight of stairs.
As it was, he bumped into Sakura Kasugano on his way down. "Hello, Sakura."
"Dr. McGrath, I've been looking for you."
"Oh? What for?" McGrath paused in midstride, in the middle of the hotel lounge. He frowned upon taking a more detailed look at her. Sakura's aura looked ... altered. McGrath himself was too well-trained to let his previous impression of her fool him. The first time you saw something, you took it in with all your senses, but afterwards you started filling in your picture more and more from memory. McGrath put aside his memory now and concentrated on observing Sakura with an open mind. There was something ... well, not wrong, but different - about her.
"I've been feeling sick for the past three days," Sakura admitted. "I don't know what it is. I talked to Regina yesterday and she tried to heal me, but ... nothing came of it. So I was wondering if you'd diagnose me."
McGrath chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry, Sakura, but I think you're talking to the wrong person. I'm not a medical doctor. You'd probably do better to find Gill - he knows a lot about medicine. Come with me, if I guess correctly then Gill is already at the battleground. Can you make it?" McGrath offered Sakura his shoulder and she leaned on him slightly as they walked together to the hotel plaza. Once they were outdoors, a bright light shone around both of them; when it faded a moment later, they were standing at the designated battleground.
McGrath and Sakura gazed around before the former realized where they were. "Well, what do you know ... we're in the middle of the Atlantic! Aboard Ruby Heart's ship," McGrath added when Sakura pulled a blank look. "And pretty far out, too - at least two hundred miles from the nearest shore by the look of it." They stood on the deck of Ruby Heart's ship, a massive galleon sporting intimidating cannons and an array of weaponry. The whole ship looked spit-polished to perfection. It might have fitted comfortably in a museum, as it was a wooden vessel with an assortment of steel parts. It was also huge; the top deck alone had to be at least twenty meters wide and much longer than that. The raised quarterdeck was farther ahead, elevated several meters above the rest of the ship. To the stern, the deck was also raised; the battlefield had been marked out in the center of the ship. Ruby Heart's ship had three masts with all the sails furled at the moment. It might have looked elegant and stately were it not for the aggressive sweeps painted all along the hull and the cannons staring from every available port. A few stray clouds hung above.
To the side, the camera crews had already arrived and were busy setting up equipment. The Reploid Alia was also present, as were Gill and Jedah. Sakura was mildly surprised to find Regina also present. McGrath swept his gaze around the battlefield, but this time he did not bother to acquaint himself with the ground, merely stamping on the deck once or twice to test its stability. It felt firm to the touch. McGrath knelt down and pressed his cheek to the deck, sighting along the surface, but it was entirely smooth and straight as a ruler, with no indentation anywhere, not even the odd splinter. Satisfied, McGrath stood up and brought Sakura to where Gill, Regina, and Jedah waited.
"Sorry to bother you, Gill," Sakura began, "but I've been sick for the past three days and I was told you might be able to help me. Did you know that Dr. McGrath isn't a medical doctor?"
"I did," Gill answered with a smile.
"What?! How ... then what is he?"
McGrath laughed. "Are you ready for this, Sakura? My doctorates are in mathematics and music theory, respectively." Sakura's jaw dropped open in stunned disbelief. "Don't give me that look, Sakura! I never said I was a medical doctor, did I?"
"But everyone called you Dr. McGrath, so I just assumed ..." she trailed off.
Gill nodded at McGrath while speaking to Sakura. "Ernest is a very intelligent and gifted individual. He earned his first doctorate from M.I.T. when he was but fifteen years of age, and his second a year after." Sakura's jaw dropped another three inches and her eyes bulged.
"You're embarrassing me, Gill," McGrath claimed, nudging the seraph.
"Oh, that's quite impressive, Ernest," Regina said. "Sakura, you were saying?"
"Yes," Sakura replied. "Whenever I wake up in the mornings, I feel dizzy. And my stomach's giving me trouble - I nearly threw up yesterday. And I feel tired, like I want to sleep the whole day out."
Gill frowned. "What do you think, Ernest?"
"Why are you asking me?" McGrath replied. "You're the expert, Gill."
The frown deepened. "Hmm ... have you eaten anything uncooked lately, Sakura?"
"No. I've been at dinner with everyone else, remember? I wouldn't give up Regina's meals for anything!"
"Why thank you, Sakura," Regina smiled.
Gill tilted his head to the side and studied Sakura more closely. "Your aura has changed somewhat," he said at last. "The glow of health has not left you, but certainly you are affected by something. What could it be?"
"I tried healing her yesterday," Regina added. "It didn't work very well. I'm sorry, Sakura."
McGrath took Sakura's wrist and felt her pulse, at the same time remarking, "There's no need to worry. A little bed rest ought to -" At this point he broke off and his eyes widened. His head snapped up to look Sakura squarely in the eyes as he breathed out, "I don't believe this ... no way!" His lips curved up into an expression to match his astonishment. "Now it all makes sense ... your altered aura, everything!"
"Huh, what?" a thoroughly confused Sakura asked.
McGrath broke into a full smile. "Sakura, you're two weeks pregnant! Congratulations!" A moment later, before Sakura could even process the words, McGrath had swept her into a fierce hug. He whispered into her ear, "It's a boy" while squeezing her in his firm grip. Then he pulled apart from her. "Darrell's going to be overjoyed when he hears about this!" Gill took the other wrist and Sakura's pulse, then nodded his head in confirmation after a few seconds. To Sakura's left, Regina was smiling brilliantly and offering her heartiest congratulations.
"You mean it?" Sakura asked, breaking into her own bright smile. "How'd you know?"
McGrath shrugged carelessly, still smiling. "A trick I learned in the IDC. Blood reveals life - never let anyone tell you otherwise."
"I'm ... I'm pregnant ..." Instinctively Sakura's hands went around her stomach and she smiled. Regina hugged Sakura closely while Gill and McGrath stepped aside and compared medical notes in whispered tones. Jedah Dohma also congratulated Sakura, and for that brief instant she was the happiest person in the world. McGrath pulled out his IDC communicator, located Darrell's number, and handed it to Sakura. An excited conversation followed. "Darrell's thrilled, too!" Sakura announced, handing the communicator back to McGrath. "Can you imagine? Our very first baby!"
"What will you name him?" Regina asked eagerly.
Gill and McGrath traded glances, already guessing what the answer would be. And as it turned out, both of them were right. "Ryu!" Sakura proclaimed. "I'm naming the boy Ryu! That is, if Darrell has no objection ... hmm, I should've asked him about it while I was on the phone. I still can't believe that I'm having a baby boy!"
"Who's having a baby boy?" Sakura half-started, but it was only Blake Wallis, who had marched up behind her with his two teammates.
"Congratulate Sakura, she's two weeks pregnant," McGrath informed Blake.
Blake stared at Sakura for a moment, then smiled. "Ah, I see. My heartiest congratulations to you, Sakura. So that's why you and Darrell couldn't come to the party that night," he added, and Sakura blushed furiously. Blake stepped aside to allow Samantha and Lloyd to offer their own salutations. "You just find out, huh? Called Darrell yet?"
"I have," Sakura answered. "He can't believe the news either."
"Well, enjoy it while it lasts," Blake continued amiably. "Because soon you'll be dealing with morning sickness and - urk!" He was abruptly and rudely cut off as Samantha planted her left heel into his chin. A moment later, she had pulled him off the ground and he dangled half a meter in the air, suspended off Samantha's upright leg. Blake had both arms on Samantha's ankle, trying to loosen the hold enough for him to breathe, but strengthwise he was easily outclassed. Coolly and efficiently Samantha admonished Blake about scaring the wits out of Sakura with his tall tales; when she finally dropped him to the ground, Blake fell with a loud gasp. Sakura wondered if she were seeing things or if his face had really turned a slight shade of blue.
As though nothing had happened, Samantha smoothly turned around to face Sakura. "Please pardon my impetuous comrade. He does not mean harm."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Blake said, standing up and rubbing his neck. "Just be sure to get some bed rest - that, and eat plenty of meats."
"I certainly will."
"Just tell me if you need anything, Sakura," Regina said. "Anything at all, I'd be more than willing to do for you." She was still wearing her beautiful smile, which widened as Sakura thanked her.
"Well, looks like we're all here," McGrath noted after a moment. "Shall we begin?"
Jedah preempted him. "Not yet. The reporters at Osaka Dome will not arrive for another half hour."
"Oh. Well, it was worth a try." He intended to say something else to his wife and the strike force, but the sound of displaced air that marked a teleportation arrival distracted him. "Well well well ... if it isn't Commando, Hiryu, and Chan!"
"Hi!" Chan waved.
"Hey there, Strider and Strider's girlfriend," Blake called back, and he had to dodge a Wind Slice for it.
"What brings you here?" Gill asked.
"Just came to watch," Commando answered. "That, and to get away from Edgar for a moment. I've heard of people preoccupied with justice before, but he takes it to the level of an obsession. Still, can you blame him after knowing how he grew up? Anyway, here we are. I asked Ruby Heart to come with us but knowing her she's probably off stealing the latest valuable heirloom that somebody brought to the tournament."
"Heh, Ken better keep a sharp eye on his credit card," Blake remarked. "And I hope Kirina has her antique sword stashed somewhere safe. By the way, did you hear the news? We just found out that Sakura's pregnant."
"Really?" Chan asked, eyes widening with interest. "Does Darrell know?"
Blake cut in before Sakura could answer. "Of course! What, did you think Sakura was carrying Ken's child?" Blake laughed. He regretted his comment when Commando and Hiryu met him with a dead serious look. Sakura glared, while Regina looked puzzled.
Chan pulled Hiryu aside a moment later and he bent down to hear what she wanted to say. Regina sighed wistfully as she watched them leave. "Those two really have a beautiful relationship," she remarked. "They make each other happy when they're together. But ... Hiryu is hesitant. Still, as long as Chan doesn't give up ... I'm sure her feelings will reach his heart."
Samantha had come up to McGrath and was leaning her head against her husband's shoulder. "They are close," she said, "but passion is not love."
"And you'd know about either because ...?" Blake inquired lightheartedly, and Samantha chuckled.
"Kids these days," Commando muttered, watching Hiryu and Chan, but he it was no secret that he didn't really care about Hiryu's love life. He adjusted his ten-gallon hat for a better look. McGrath and Samantha traded a swift kiss before the latter gathered her two teammates together and went off to the side, doubtlessly to talk over battle strategies. Hiryu and Chan finished a circuit around the deck and rejoined the group. Sakura looked a little lonely without Darrell by her side, but Regina quickly struck up a conversation and the two of them gossiped to the side.
Meanwhile, half a world away, Kyosuke Kagami adjusted his tie and tapped experimentally on the microphones. "Okay, they work. We're live in five ... four ... three ... two ... one! Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to the World Collision tournament! I'm Kyosuke Kagami and this is my colleague Jin Saotome. We're broadcasting live from Osaka Dome and the Atlantic, where today's match features single entry Ernest McGrath facing off against the very strike force that he trained, Phantom. Our correspondent in the field is currently greeting the sunrise. How's it like aboard the ship, Alia?"
Alia was wearing her usual glossy sheen of paint. "Well, Kyosuke, the day is surprisingly warm at this latitude, a comfortable temperature for humans. Over my shoulder, you can see the Phantoms discussing their battlefield tactics. And farther back is Dr. Ernest McGrath, who is speaking with the referees at the moment. You'll also see Captain Commando and Strider Hiryu, two of the members of the Neo Commando Squad. And on the sidelines is Sakura Kasugano, a member of the New Generation team who was here earlier and has just returned again. The lady standing by Sakura is named Regina and she seems to be a friend of hers. Back to you, Kyosuke."
"Thanks, Alia." Kyosuke pulled up a stack of notes. "Well, folks, the match is about to start. On the single entry side, Ernest McGrath has proven himself in the past to be an immensely talented warrior, easily on the very top in the world of martial arts. He also has the advantage in that he trained all three of the Phantoms that he'll be facing, and so he knows their styles. On the other hand, however talented, he's still one person going up against a trio of soldiers who plainly know the value of teamwork. I say that this one is too close to call. Let's take a look at the field."
McGrath looked up from his conversation with Gill as Sakura suddenly pulled apart from Regina, saying something in a low and urgent voice. A moment later she was dragging him away from Gill to the foot of the quarterdeck, where the constant wind made it more difficult to hear. "Sakura! Shouldn't you be -"
"Yes, and I will," Sakura answered impatiently. "But I just remembered what I meant to say earlier. Those words that I saw on that scrap of paper - I finally recalled them."
"You did!" McGrath exclaimed in a low whisper, resisting the instinctive urge to glance around for eavesdroppers when he already knew that none were listening. "What were they?"
"All Greek to me," Sakura answered. "But I wrote it down for you," and she discreetly passed him a slip of paper. "Just imagine that written in the gold ink of our invitation cards, with a handwriting to match. Do you recognize the language?"
McGrath sucked in his breath sharply, not believing what he read. "French words. I don't believe it ..."
"What?"
"Fin d'Âme Interdite," McGrath pronounced in a low voice. Was it Sakura's imagination, or were there hints of both understanding and urgency in his voice? "Listen. Don't say a word about this to anyone until I've spoken with you again after the match. Anyone, you hear! It's a French phrase that means -"
"Hey, doc!" Blake Wallis called, swaggering up and punching McGrath on the arm. "Quit flirting with Sakura and stand center. Or did you not notice that our match was supposed to have begun already?"
McGrath stuffed the scrap of paper in his pocket and nodded gravely. "I'll talk with you after the match, Sakura. This answers a lot of questions that I had. Enjoy the show. And don't overexert yourself." Sakura, watching him stride off to the center of the battlefield, noted that there was a definite change; McGrath seemed to be simultaneously worried and relieved. Gill and Jedah were there, too. Regina, Commando, Hiryu, and Chan were seated near the stern, below the cameras of the filming crew. When thunder rumbled overhead, Blake glanced up sharply and McGrath also looked. Blake's eyes narrowed; he hadn't realized that the cloud cover was a lot thicker now, blotting out the morning sun in a sea of gray. Thunder again growled in the distance. Great, just what they needed, a thunderstorm. Blake thought to speak with Regina for a moment, then dismissed the idea. It was true that the goddess could alter the weather instantly, but the last time he'd asked she had refused, saying that in the absence of an emergency it was better not to disturb the workings of nature. No emergencies at the moment, thankfully enough.
"Strike Force Phantom, name your tactical leader," Jedah ordered.
"I'll lead this time," Blake Wallis offered. Samantha McGrath nodded and stepped aside for him, the fighters clearing out the space at the center of the battlefield.
McGrath drew himself into a fighter's stance. "Coming at you, big time!"
Blake pulled a fist back and grinned diabolically. "Bring it on, big time!"
Begin!
The impossibly bright light flashed for an instant, temporarily blinding both contestants. They both recovered near instantly - and McGrath felt, to his horror, a sudden and familiar aura explode all around him. A moment later he could discern its intent. Blake dove in with a mighty punch that would've stunned a bull upon connection, but McGrath slid to the side. "Blake! Move, now!" He reached out and pulled Blake by the shoulders, dragging him away just as a dark shape hurtled past the Phantom and skidded to a halt a few meters beyond. With one mighty effort, McGrath shoved Blake a good half dozen meters away. There was no time to think, or even react; a bright light pierced through the clouds overhead and shone around McGrath and the new entry, enclosing them in a curtain of golden brilliance. It fanned out until it encompassed the whole battlefield, and for all that it looked like light, it might have been solid iron, completely impenetrable. Blake was caught along the light's advance and rolled ungracefully to the edge of the field, nearly crushed against the quarterdeck. McGrath, for his part, focused on the new arrival, and despite the fact that his opponent still wasn't facing him, he already knew who it was by the aura. The bright red character for invincibility that appeared a moment later only confirmed his guess. McGrath's mouth arched upwards into a smile as he sank into a fighting stance to meet Akuma.
At last! A worthy opponent!