By animeninjaNIPPON
As soon as we arrived at Viz, Hao was there waiting for us. He glared at me angrily.
"So, you think you can do an ollie off my face," he mused.
I refused to be pulled into that conversation. "Where is my sister?"
"She's in her room," Hao replied, " and she's unarmed." I didn't stay to argue – I ran as fast as I could to our sleeping quarters. When I got there, I saw Pirika folding laundry.
"Pirika," I cried, "is it really you?"
"I'm fine," she responded. "Hao and I just had a little talk. He's going to get to the bottom of this by talking to the Viz execs at tonight's meeting."
I looked at her. She didn't seem to be a clone, but then again, maybe she was…
"Don't worry, it's under control," she reassured me. I had no choice but to believe her.
"Well, I'm going to talk to Yoh," I said, turning to leave, but she grabbed me and pulled me back.
"First, help me fold laundry."
I groaned, but I picked up a shirt anyway and started to fold it. Suddenly, I heard a loud crash.
"What was that?" I dropped the shirt.
"I don't know…"
"I have to go." I grabbed my snowboard and ran out of the room. As I headed toward the source of the crash, I heard Yoh yelling something at one of the Viz executives. When I found him, I saw Hao lying on the ground.
Before I had a chance to ask what was going on, the exec turned to me. "You shamans have caused us nothing but trouble since you came to America," he said.
"How dare you…" Hao propped himself up on one knee. "I own you!"
Suddenly, I realized that the suit was from 4Kids, not Viz. He spoke matter-of-factly: "It is crucial to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. We were using you the whole time."
Hao's eyes widened. "What?"
"That's right. What made you think you could control 4Kids Entertainment when we control your group?"
"You…son…of…a…" Hao collapsed.
"Hao, get up!" Yoh yelled. "We need you!"
"That's right," Ryu chipped in, "we can fight 4Kids if we stick together!"
"Fools," the suit said, "not even your entire crew could take on us."
"How about your entire franchise?" asked a voice behind me.
End of part eighteen
