Flight with Darkness

by Shadow Knight4

Sequel to NinjaWind. It's the Fourth Round of the City Tournament and the beginning of the Singles Competition. See who the last round winners take on this round and who advances to the SemiFinals. Also, prepare for a more than little insanity. R&R

8. The Singles Competition

Been awhile but I got my newest chapter up! Go me! Woot!

Disclaimer: I don't own Medabots. I don't own many things. All things I do not own belong to there respected owners.

Alright, before I get the chapter up, I want to fix a bad typo in the last chapter. Then again I should check this chapter for typos but I tend not to. Hehe, yeah I know that's bad. But can't wait to post. So here is the fixed part of the last fight.

The EHT threw the piece of rubble high into the air waiting for it to fall. Tensions thick in the air and hang heavy within. Both bots were waiting for the chunk of wall to hit the ground. The rock hit, the two dashed at one another, swords were drawn and they slashed. Both of them dropped to their knees, but only one dropped their sword. Rikorsha was the one who dropped her sword and clutched her side, but it was Link who fell over, ejecting his medal.

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 8: The Singles Competition

With the doubles portion of the tournament come and gone, Matt was still preparing for the Singles portion. His and N-Blade's odds in winning this competition decreased, if slightly with the other winning teams in this portion. He had a number of powerful opponents to contend with: Protoman, Kiono, Mitsukai, and worst of all Rikorsha. He and Blade had a fifty percent chance of getting paired with either of the four, and a twenty-five percent chance of any individual member of the four.

"Matt…look…you know it doesn't really matter if we win this, right?" asked N-Blade as his Medafighter ran a final diagnostic test on him.

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"That a Robattle isn't the most important thing in the world. And neither is this tournament. It's just to have fun testing your strengths against the strength of others."

"You have a point there…so…are you saying basically I should be happy we have a high chance of competing against high level opponents?"

"Pretty much." replied the NON-type with a grin in his voice.

"Yet…there are a few things that trouble me….Rikorsha and Mitsukai. I mean come on…they are too powerful ya know?"

"And I'm not too powerful for the run of the mill bot either?" questioned N-Blade.

"Ok…so you are too…but it's weird. I mean, I guess I should have known that more medals from your past survived considering Rita and Cloud. As well as Freya. But what's up with Mitsukai…it's like she has some sort of personal vendetta against you…well Merrick…but that's besides the point since you are Merrick turned Medabot."

"Don't know…cause when Merrick got his memories back…so did I at least most of them. Perhaps it is a case of mistaken identity. Cause I…Merrick…hmm…we couldn't have been the only shadow user in the past. Also…there is one possibility I haven't thought of before to run by Merrick…"

"And that is?" interrupted the boy.

"That what if she is from an alternate timeline or universe."

"I don't follow…"

"What if she is from a timeline where Merrick went bad?"

"But…how would she end up here?"

"That I wouldn't know…there are strange phenomenon that can happen. Maybe a temporal rift from wherever she stored her medal happened and she ended up here. I don't know my friend. It's just something we will have to find out later."

"Yeah…I guess so…come on the diagnostic scan came out clean and we have around half an hour before the tournament continues again." said Matt as he unplugged the probes off N-Blade and ran off forcing his bot to follow.

-----

In the shade of the bleachers, the rest of the gang was hanging out and congratulating Amanda and Kiono on their victory last round. Even trying to give out pointers how to handle certain opponents. And even thinking what sort of special rules would happen in this round and rounds to come.

"You know, it would be kind of funny if you were paired up against Mitsukai." stated Ikki all of a sudden.

"Huh? Why? Because Miss Yamaguchi was my partner?" responded the teen.

"That and because in all the past fights. If you think about it, she was the one pulling your team through to the end."

"He has a point." added Koji. "Though in the last match, Kiono did get to show his stuff to a better degree. And was able to defeat Taka. Yet, he had to get saved to do it as well. But what are partners for if not to watch another's back?"

"Also it would put the one advantage Kiono had away--flight." said Erika.

"Mm…yet we all know even if one has an advantage doesn't mean it's always useful." informed Warren.

"All too true. But that is depending how one uses their abilities and how both a Medafighter and Medabot can compensate for the disadvantage." commented Isis.

"Ok…guys…I know you are trying to be helpful…but you are stressing me out before the match even begins." sweatdropped Amanda.

"Sorry!" everyone cried in unison which caused everyone to laugh as well.

A little further to the right of the Medafighters were their Medabots. They too were having their own conversations about the past matched. Consoling Link and Freya while congratulating Kiono. The former two didn't mind losing so much considering they knew how strong Rikorsha was. Yet, they feared for their friend if Kiono was paired up against Mitsukai or worse if the currently absent N-Blade was.

They've seen what she can do in the tournament even without the use of her powers. And only Link out of the two has seen what she could do with them. Yet, they knew knowing Matt and N-Blade if the pairing ever happened. They had something up their sleeves, they always did. So, their fears went to the Winged Cat more.

"Guys, whoever I fight I have the advantage against." smirked Kiono. "I can fly and if I get paired up against Mitsukai, well it will be interesting to fight another aerial opponent."

"You may have the advantage against all those who stay on the ground. But they have an advantage as well. You have to come down to them if you are to attack them." countered Peppercat.

"She has a point. Even if you used Shield Breaker's projectile capabilities it is still limited." nodded Link.

"I have a few other projectile like moves in my arsenal you know." sweatdropped the WCG.

"Like what?" implored Freya.

"That you'll have to wait and see. It's always good to keep a few moves up your sleeve." grinned Kiono.

Funny how I was thinking those lines about N-Blade and Matt. But it seems everyone has at least one move kept secret from others. Myself included. thought the EHT.

"Well, there is about half an hour before the tournament starts up again. Lets talk of other things." declared Metabee. The others agreed and they began conversing about other events to happen after the tournament and before school had to start up again for their Medafighters.

-----

Miki Yamaguchi moved her way through the crowd, giving a light wave and a nod of thanks to those who called out and congratulating her. She fingered a small device in her pocket and continued on her way and decided to get out of sight from the crowds by going behind the bleachers and walking along in the shade. She smiled inwardly as she headed to the view screens. For a plan was to be established.

Mitsukai agreed to this wanting to knock out N-Blade from the tournament. And to do that, she had to be paired up against him. So it was decided that a bit of sabotage was required. In Miki's pocket was a small black device that was shaped like a medal with an antenna sticking out from it. When connected to the view screen it would then link with the random selection generator and rewrite its program to make sure N-Blade and Mitsukai get paired against one another.

Yet, that was as long as the device was still connected to it. For if it gets knocked off, the original program would re-establish itself. Than it would have to be up to fate then. But if all went according to plan, the device won't be blown off. Or by some form of bad luck that it would be discovered or a bird destroying the antenna and the other string of small problems that might arise.

When Miss Yamaguchi reached the back of the view screen, she placed the device onto it between a power cable and a plastic casing ridge to protect the internal circuitry. Double checking to make sure she wasn't seen, she decided the coast was still clear and headed off back into the cowards.

However, unknown to her a cloaked figure was indeed watching her. The mystery person walked to the view screen and ripped the device off of it. A sudden breeze blew the person's hood off revealing it to be a young woman who oddly enough had white hair, yet it was streaked with colors of the rainbow. She quickly pulled her hood back on and crushed the device. Nodding that her work was done she left back towards the trees. But would fate be on the side of N-Blade? Or would it be on the side of Mitsukai?

-----

Merrick was walking back to the tournament with ease hoping he didn't miss too much. At times like this he really wished he had a cell phone. Then again, he couldn't really expect a ride back to the tournament anyway. Shrugging his shoulders he continued walking on, whistling lightly.

He stopped dead when he saw someone. It was the pink haired girl that drove him mad. Laughing mentally he formed a plan where he was going to get the girl. Make her answer his questions. And make sure she can't run away again to evade his questions at that. The girl was standing in front of what appeared to be a corporate building. From what the Ninja could tell, it was one of the leading electronics vendors of Japan.

O…k…what is she doing in front of an electronics building? sweatdropped Merrick. Well, might as well find out.

He began walking towards the building when laser fire blew the glass doors out. Without thinking he rushed out now with hyper acceleration. One moment he was on the other side of the street the next he was behind the girl sword drawn. He deflected every laser that came flying his way. One moment of thought flashed through his mind.

I am basically revealing my identity to the world…great…sweatdropped Merrick.

Out of the building rushed a group of five each carrying a large briefcase apiece and an energy pistol apiece. Merrick wondered how this group of five got past the security teams in such small numbers. Then again, he knew sometimes the best way to steal something was with a small group. Sword poised as if to fight he stood his ground.

"A tourist with a sword is trying to stop us? What a laugh." chuckled one of the two women in the group.

"Not a tourist. A defender against injustice. Your laser fire could have hurt the girl behind me." declared Merrick coldly.

"What girl?" questioned the other female and obviously the leader.

"The one behind me…." Merrick turned around and saw that the girl was gone. "What the crap…my one chance to get answers…Alright…you punks are going down now…"

"We have no time for this. Troy! Get your butt over here!" barked the woman to a communication device on her collar. A large armored truck sped from around the corner in front of the group. The back open up and the five went in. Merrick took a step forward but a man, who was assumed to be Troy, in the driver's seat shot a laser at his feet. The back slammed shut and sped off.

"I won't…let…them…get…away…!" growled the Ninja as he sheathed his sword. He followed the truck on foot and then went into the nearest alley and donned on his ghi. He rushed out of the alley only to crash into the pink haired girl.

"Oy vey…you again…you ok, kid?" demanded Merrick in a harsher tone then he meant to. He helped the kid up and examined her arm that sported a nasty scrap now. With a sigh he took the time to heal it. "There…all better…now…I have some bad guys to chase…"

Merrick took a step but was clung to by the girl. "I have evil to do away with…no time to play…so let go!"

"I want to play." smiled the girl.

"No time. Must chase down evil villains that apparently stole something. Have no vehicle to chase them with. Must do it afoot. So…I'll play later maybe…next time I see you."

Merrick began walking with the girl clinging to his leg when a helmet suddenly fell on his head.

"Ow…why is today suddenly not my day?" questioned the Ninja as he stared at the sky. His eyes suddenly widened with panic as a motorcycle came crashing down on him, or would have if he didn't catch it for the sake of saving the kid.

"Why…do…strange…things…happen…to…me…when…I'm…near…this…kid…" declared Merrick in an annoyed voice as he set the motorcycle down.

"Well…now you have a vehicle to chase the bad guys." chirped the girl.

"Kid…you have so much explaining to do later…" stated Merrick slowly as he looked over the motorcycle. The bike seemed like a normal Japanese rocket of a motorcycle. The entire body was silver with large black wings painted on the sides of it. It was sleek and almost beautiful in design, made only for speedy road travel, not for jumps and other off-road tracks and racing styles (Yet, that wouldn't mean Merrick wouldn't attempt it). With the peg-type pedals being where they were, he knew that he had to crouch over the machine with his legs tucked high in order to ride it. Something he was far from used to. Near the base of the body side there were logos of the company name and engine type in exaggerated large and flashy style.

"Normally, I'd probably play it safe and wear a helmet. Yet, I can't have my vision compromised." muttered Merrick as he got on and found the key in the ignition. He started up the motorcycle. "Come on kid up you go." With a grin he picked up the girl and set her behind him. Then he blinked, she was wearing a pink helmet.

"What the…? When you get that helmet?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." giggled the child. "By the way, do you know how to ride one of these things."

"Not a clue. But there is a first time for everything." laughed Merrick as he flipped the kickstand back in place, forcing the girl to cling to him as he sped after the armored truck that had a large head start.

-----

Pictures of fireworks exploded on the view screens announcing the starting of the 4th round. Holly walked up to the center stage with all the Medabots and their Medafighters, minus Rikorsha's Medafighter as always. Clearing her throat, Ms. Clark spoke to the audience.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Fourth Round of the Tournament and the beginning of the Singles Competition. I would like to inform you all of the special edition to this round. Each match will be fought on a holographic battlefield. The fields have been pre-decided: Pillars, Ice Field, Forest Meadows, and Desert Wasteland. Please look to the view screens for the line up!"

The view screens showed a picture of each Medabot and began scrambling their orders for a pair up. The names of the battlefields were also mixing up their orders for the matches as well. When each settled down the line up was decided.

Match 1: Kenoi vs. Shadowblast

Battlefield: Ice Field

Match 2: Kiono vs. Gutsman

Battlefield: Desert Wasteland

Match 3: Protoman vs. Rikorsha

Battlefield: Forest Meadows

Match 4: N-Blade vs. Mitsukai

Battlefield: Pillars

So it has come down between Mitsukai and N-Blade so soon…perfect… thought Matt. Yet, I'll heed Blade's words. All we can do is give it our all. This will be a match to remember.

So the device worked. Excellent. smiled Miki inwardly.

What the…? How are Mitsukai and N-Blade paired up…? She removed the device…maybe that device did nothing then…or they got matched up regardless thought Rikorsha sourly.

So…I'm up against the bot that doesn't have a Medafighter…this will be fun. smirked Protoman.

GRAH! I wanted Chaud! I wanted to fight Chaud! Not the Cat! growled Dex mentally. Then again, he is up against the girl that seems to be unstoppable. Then again, last round…she did seem to catch an unlucky break against Striker. He could have defeated her but it seems he did not want to shoot a downed opponent.

Hmm…Gutsman…it seems this fight might be pretty evenly matched when it comes down to power. That is before those Battle Chips get in the way. But those will just make the match more fun. chuckled Amanda to herself.

Shadowblast…a Hybrid of the previous three KBT-types. Custom built. Specializes in shooting. Dual specialties of Triple Seeker Missiles and Plasma Blast. A powerful opponent to match Kenoi up with. But we still need to see what downgrades need to be made to this Samurai-type for mass production. He's still too powerful…or perhaps exposure to N-Blade has let him tap into a potential we never expected… thought Ms. Caviar.

The Samurai…if he is anything like N-Blade, then he will be trouble. But then again he is weaker than Ninja, yet still a powerful opponent at the same time. And I'm up against him in the first match. I just have to give it my all. thought Shadowblast to himself.

"I'd like everyone but Shadowblast and Kenoi to leave the stage. The first match is about to begin." announced Holly.

"Ms. Caviar…good luck in your match." smiled Matt to his former partner.

"Thank you, and good luck in yours as well." grinned the technician.

"Kenoi, I look forward to the time where we draw blades together or against each other again." said N-Blade as he extended his arm.

"I too my friend." agreed Kenoi as he clasped hands with the Ninja.

"Dwight…Shadowblast…good luck. He's stronger now than he was before." imparted Rikorsha before taking her leave from the stage with the others.

"Ladies and gentlemen it is time for the first match of the Fourth Round to begin! It's the Medabot Technician Ms. Caviar with her bot Kenoi versus the Lean Mean Fighting Machine Dwight Anderson and his bot Shadowblast! These two Medabots came from the Teams of 20 and 16 respectively and are more than expected to give us a thrilling match. Which one of these powerhouses will make it through to the Semi-Finals!"

"This match is pretty even guys. What are your bets?" asked Warren.

"It's like you said, it's pretty even. Kenoi has a good balance of speed and power. Yet, so does Shadowblast." said Sloan. "Whoever wins is the Medabot who has more will to win."

"Deep words, Sloan. Very deep." stated Matt.

"Read it in a fortune cookie." admitted the boy. Massive sweatdrops appeared on the back of everyone's head.

"O…k…lets just all watch the match…" voiced Erika. The others agreed quickly and turned their attentions back to the match.

"There is an added obstacle to this match. Battle Turrets will be stationed in the match. As time progresses even more turrets will be added. So Medabots shall have to destroy these turrets as well as defeat their opponents." informed Mr. Referee. "Now! Engage Holo-Emitters: Ice Field!"

The Holo-Emitters around the stage blazed to life as the field became a barren icy wasteland. Pillars of ice and snow as far as the eye could see. A cold gusty breeze blowing against Medafighter and Medabot alike. It felt so real. Out of the snow exploded gun and missile turrets that remained stationary for the moment.

"I officially declare this match a tournament Robattle between Ms. Caviar's Kenoi and Dwight's Shadowblast. Now, the rules are simple. The last Medabot standing is the winner. I, Mr. Referee, shall act as referee to make sure no one gets hurt! Medafighters, ready?"

"Yes."

"MEDABOTS, ROBAT….!" Mr. Referee was frozen over from a sudden icy gust.

"Interesting, even the environmental controls in here are for real." commented Dwight. "Shadowblast, break him free."

The KBT-type slammed his fist into the ice breaking the Ref free. "-TLE!" finished the Ref as he fell over.

"Ms. Caviar or Mr. Anderson come get Mr. Referee. If we move, these turrets will open fire on us. They shouldn't target either of you." asserted Kenoi.

"Are you sure?" questioned the Technician.

"Pretty sure or they would be blasting us already. Just in case….Shadowblast, let us run from here and draw the fire away."

"Agreed."

The two Medabots began running to the west, the turrets suddenly coming to life and targeting the duo. Missiles and pulse laser rounds were being fired on the two. Taking their cue, the two Medafighters rushed to Mr. Referee and began dragging him away.

Kenoi drew his sword in one smooth motion as he continued his running parallel to Shadowblast. Explosions from missiles and laser fire hitting around them and yet nowhere close to hitting home. He decided to use his current momentum to slide on the ice into a large hill of snow.

Growling to himself, the KBT-H began to run the other way. He wasn't foolish enough to stay where he was with the turrets firing around him. Or to fall for any sort of Samurai ambush. The Hybrid shot out three missiles taking out a missile turret and gun turret. Yet three more gun turrets appeared in front of him and opened fire. He slipped and slid to the right as he let loose a hail of lasers destroying two of the three turrets.

One he didn't notice he was sliding towards activated and was a large cannon type turret. It fired a large cannon ball sized blast at him sending him sprawling across the ice. Kenoi exploded out of the ice in Samurai-Mode and sliced the cannon turret as well as the gun turret. He drew out his hachiwari and hurled it with deadly accuracy at a forming turret taking it out.

"I thought Mr. Referee said these things would appear with time. Not just keep spawning like mad." growled the Samurai.

"You can say that again." grunted the Hybrid as he fired his lasers at more forming turrets. "I'd take drones over these things any day."

A large missile turret appeared behind the duo without realizing it. When they finally did however, it fired not missiles like they thought, but a barrage of disks that landed in the ground. These disks formed into energy like warriors in a semblance to that of humans.

"Well…you got your drones…just that they are made of energy and look like they can hurl it!" yelled the SAM as he kicked Shadowblast to the right and jumped left to dodge a maelstrom of energy balls.

"PLASMA BLAST!" roared the KBT as he sent his plasma energy flying towards the energy golems wiping them out.

"Ok…we have to learn to ignore these things and actually do battle…yeah right! This system is fragged! Fragged I tell you!" laughed Kenoi hysterically.

"Only thing fragged here is your brain." sweatdropped Shadowblast.

"Not really, just wanted to see your reaction." chuckled the Samurai as he ran off.

"I had to fight an insane Prototype Samurai…couldn't take on the insane Ninja instead…or my partner…or the Fallen Angel! I have to be stuck in a match with a loon for a Medabot! In a loon of a match! With automated weapons that keep on appearing over and over." said a thoroughly vexed Hybrid.

"Shadowblast! Hit the dirt!" ordered Kenoi as he leapt over an ice mound. "AIR BLADE!"

When the KBT-H went down on his belly. The Samurai motioned his blade out and slashed horizontally. A thin blade of air rushed out and sliced all the automated weapons in half. He landed on his feet and looked left and right and believed he did get all the turrets this time and that no more would appear. Problem was, he lost track of Shadowblast now. Closing his optics he scanned the field with his other senses.

He listened to the howling wind searching for any sound that shouldn't belong. He felt the cold of the air searching for where it was warmer than others. He let the smell of the air guide him. He may have been a Medabot, but he was a true Samurai at heart. His ears warned him first at the faint crunch of snow way before the sound of a laser was shot. Moving like water he deflected the laser shots swiftly and with precision with his blade.

Opening his optics he strafed to his left then to the right and backflipped to avoid a new barrage of lasers. Smirking mentally, Kenoi charged forward and leapt into the air for a vertical slash. He blinked in surprise when the hill of snow turned out to be empty. He was hit pointblank by triple missiles! Shadowblast was just a little deeper in the snow! The force of the impact sent him sliding along the slippery ice.

"Not bad…not bad at all…" groaned Kenoi as he got back up. The KBT made no response and was more than likely already on the move to attack again. The SAM-type began to run-slide across the ice, searching for his opponent. A triple Seeker Missile attack flew at him from his right, with his blade he spun and struck slicing them in half. Glaring at the exposed Shadowblast he charged for him. Time appeared to have slowed down as the Samurai spun his sword above his head, the sword appearing to have an after image. He slashed his opponent diagonally, sparks flew from the KBT-H's chest as if he had been slashed multiple times than just once.

The force of the blow sent the Hybrid crashing into an ice mound. The impact caused cracks in the ice and the inevitable collapse and burial of Shadowblast. It was done and yet…there was no announcement of the defeat of the Kabuto. A dark shadow loomed over the Samurai-type and he turned around to see a towering statue of ice that has taken the form of his opponent.

"How is this a gun turret?" questioned Kenoi to no one in particular. The SAM made a mad dash away from the statue as it began firing beach ball sized snowballs at him. Snow might be something light and fluffy if fresh. Might not even hurt a metal creature at a normal size. Yet, this was ridiculous and coming at him at a high velocity. No more running, then again, perhaps that was the key.

"Kenoi! Disengage Samurai-Mode! Then Attack Plan Gamma 3!" ordered Ms. Caviar.

The Samurai nodded and continued to run away from the statue, reverting back to his plain nondescript form sword still in hand. It ran on faster now due to the lack of armor and made U-turn back towards the ice statue. Snowballs were still being fired at him at a high velocity rate a danger now more than ever with the lack of armor. Yet the speedy Prototype evaded the attacks moving left and right, still coming at his foe. He took a flying leap at his opponent when he was five meters away.

"SAMURAI-MODE!" yelled Kenoi as he transformed back into his Samurai-self in mid-flight. Pulling out his manrikigusari and went into a spin. He slammed the weighted end into the Ice Statue's head with the full force of his high velocity body. The statue exploded in a shower of ice crystals that rained down on him as he touched the ground.

"Shadowblast! NOW!" commanded Dwight. From Kenoi's left came the Hybrid's Plasma Blast attack.

This is for you my friend…for we shall fight against one another again…thought Kenoi as he drew his sword.

"Heavy Air Cannon!"

The Samurai quickly spun his sword over his head and slammed it down hard vertically, sending a massive powerful wave of air at his foe. The air wave creating a massive trench into the ice. When the plasma energy made contact with the opposing attack, it was as if it was water instead of plasma energy. The blade of air was cutting through the attack deftly and slammed into the Hybrid destroying the horns, sent him flying and causing a massive dent in his body. However, even that wasn't enough to defeat the Kabuto.

"I…won't…lose…"

"On the contrary…you shall. CROSS EDGE!"

Kenoi held his blade out vertically edge out. He placed his arm over the hilt horizontally forming an inverted cross. His sword and arm blazing with green energy as he ran at Shadowblast. The Kabuto tried to fire lasers but his arms and guns sparked and fizzled. The internal circuitry damaged and rendering him unable to fire. His horns sparked as well, he was a sitting duck. Reaching his destination, Kenoi when into a vertical spin, his blade tracing the dent. When he was back on his feet he chopped his arm across Shadowblast's chest forming a cross on his body. The Medabot slid and fell backwards, his medal ejecting.

"FUNCTION CEASED! The winner is Kenoi!" boomed Mr. Referee.

"What an amazing match folks! This match lasted 10:03:21, and I hate to say it but there was apparently a mistake in the system's setup but these bots still pulled through! For the automated systems weren't able to touch them! Give them both a round of applause. They deserve it. But the Samurai pulled through over the Hercules Beetle Hybrid with an amazing attack we weren't able to see last round!"

The crowd roared in applause at the end of the match. The view screens showing an instant replay of Kenoi's final few moments against Shadowblast down to the finishing move of Cross Edge. Dwight slowly picked up his bot's medal and then its body. He felt disappointed yet at the same time he didn't mind defeat. He knew if he tried harder he could have one, yet he relied more on hit-and-run tactics. If he fought more directly, it would have been a better match for everyone. If he ever gets a chance to Robattle Ms. Caviar again or any of her former partner's friends he will give them a better match.

"Kenoi you did great." smiled Ms. Caviar.

"Thank you. But this is only a step to the semi-finals. There…if we contend against Matt and N-Blade. We must give them a Robattle they never forget."

"We will. Or anyone else we have to contend with."

As the two headed to the Repair Pits they saw the boy they were talking about give them a thumbs up. Smiling the two returned the thumbs up and went back on their way. Matt turned back to his friends to give some friendly advice to Amanda before her match started.

"I know you and Kiono can handle yourself. But in this match, I suggest avoiding head-to-head confrontation. Gutsman is too big and with the Battle Chips, probably too strong. Speed tactics my friend." advised the boy.

"Dudette, don't listen to him." rebuked Rintaro. "Speed won't work in this case. Your field is going to be hot like an actual desert if Ms. C's match was actually cold like a tundra. Too much speed will just overheat your bot. And it don't help he has some fur to begin with."

"Don't worry about that. We're from a desert state." smiled Amanda. "But I'll heed your words anyway."

"Good luck, Amanda. I'll get your match on film like everyone else's." grinned Erika.

"Thanks, I'll want a copy when you're done editing."

"Kiono…Amanda…just fight your best and best of luck to the two of you." said Link.

"Will do." nodded the WCG-type.

The Winged Guardian and his Medafighter headed down to the stage. Dex and Gutsman headed down as well seeing their opponents. The two decided to walk side by side with them.

"Look I don't want to hear anything about the last Round, alright?"

"Yeah, I got it." nodded the girl.

"Good…and thanks." replied the boy. "I don't plan on holding back cause I want to destroy Chaud and Protoman if they advance."

"Dex…calm down…if you fight in a blind rage or being just revenge bent. You won't be able to see things that would help Gutsman." informed Amanda in a soothing tone.

"Yeah…you're right…thanks again…Gutsman and I will give it our all. So you and your Cat better as well."

"Heh, don't worry about that." assured Kiono with a grin.

"It's time for the second match of the Fourth Round to commence!" cheered Holly through the microphone. "It's Amanda Seal with her Winged Guardian-type Kiono versus Dex Ooyama with his Net Hammer-type Gutsman! As a reminder to everyone this match will take place on a Desert Wasteland battlefield! Also, I'm sad to inform you that Mr. Referee will perhaps not be able to referee the matches of this round unless he is cleared by the doctors. Yet, he might not be here his Digital Counterpart shall be within the battlefields."

The crowd was disappointed but knew it had to be done. And they had the Digital Mr. Referee to be Ref in more than a few matches so they were used to it. The Holo-Emitters engaged around the stage and it was instantly warped into a desert wasteland. The sun blazing down from a dry cloudless sky. The air shimmering with hazes of heat. Sparse withered plant life all around. And yet, there was also something more to this landscape. The ground, here and there it appeared to be unstable. It appeared to slosh a little left and right, up and down…it was quicksand. The Digital Mr. Referee materialized on the field.

"I officially declare this a tournament Robattle between Amanda's Kiono and Dex's Gutsman. The rules are simple. The first Medabot to stop the other from functioning wins. However, as you can notice, there are quicksand pits scattered across the field. If a Medabot falls peril to one of these traps and goes under completely. They have three minutes to escape or are disqualified. I, Digital Mr. Referee, shall act as referee so no one gets hurt. Medafighters, ready?"

"Yes!"

"MEDABOTS, ROBATTLE!"

"You know, this is kinda like back home Kiono. Just no quicksand at home." chuckled Amanda.

"Yeah, but it isn't this hot except on a bad day. Feels almost 100 degrees."

"It's only 100? It feels hotter." sweated Dex.

"Gutsman can take the heat! Guts!" grunted the Net Hammer as he pounded his chest.

"O…k…he's just funny. Time to tango big man." smirked the Feline as he charged forward head on.

"You no win!" roared Gutsman as he reared back his hands and pounded them into the ground for his shockwave attack. Yet, nothing happened whatsoever. "Guts?"

"Even you should know with all this loose sand, it absorbs any impact put against it!" laughed Kiono. "SONIC PUNCH!"

The WCG reared back his right fist and brought it forward quickly. His golden gauntlet was coated in stream of air as he slammed it into Gutsman's chest. The punch sending the larger bot sliding back. He didn't end it there, using what was left of his momentum he brought his left iron spiked ankle brace into the jaw of the NET-type.

"Grr…Battle Chips, Double Guts Impact, Slot-in!"

When Dex inserted the two Battle Chips, Gutsman's fists became nearly five times their normal size. The Net Hammer began swinging his massive fists over and over at the Feline yet he avoided each attack with ease. The Winged Feline decided it was time to counterattack. Pulling off the triangle shield from his shoulder, he integrated it into his gauntlet as he evaded attacks. He waited for the right moment and used Shield Breaker.

His triangle pointed gauntlet glowed blue as it impacted with Gutsman's massive fist. It canceled the transformation and then the pulse blast that followed the attack sent the NET back once again. His other fist turning back to normal size when the blow hit him in the chest.

I have to calm down…relax… thought Dex. Gutsman and I can do this. We just have to concentrate and focus. NOW!

Dex quickly inserted another chip and Gutsman's hand turned only three time's its size. Yet he punched and it was sent flying like a missile, right into the chest of Kiono. The flying fist caught the Cat entirely by surprise giving NET-type the time he needed to get on the offensive. Dex began summoning Rock Cubes and the Hammer began punching them all towards Kiono.

"Kiono! Into the air!" ordered Amanda.

Regaining his senses the Draconic Feline took flight avoiding the cubes. However, taking to the skies didn't fully protect Kiono since Dex sent Gutsman an M-Cannon chip. The Winged Cat had to avoid a sudden onslaught of lasers and began to fly higher towards the sun. If he was lucky, his opponent would have been stupid enough to actually follow his path. Kiono was flying towards the sun.

His planned worked and the Net Hammer was suddenly blinded by the sun. Smirking he flew higher before coming back down, his wings folded back to come down even faster. His golden gauntlet reared back, glowing with a reddish gold energy before it spread to his entire body. He was doing Meteor Crash.

"Gutsman! Stand your ground and brace for impact!" commanded Dex.

"Your funeral." commented Amanda as Kiono crashed into Gutsman. The attack sending up a large cloud of sand into the air.

"I don't think so." smirked Dex as the sand began to settle down showing that Gutsman and Kiono were grappling with one another.

"Wow…but how?"

"Same principle why Gutsman's earthquake attacks won't work here. The sand helped him absorb the blow!" laughed the boy. "Now, give that Cat a bear hug!"

"You'll get crushed! Guts!" laughed the large Medabot confidently as it quickly grabbed Kiono in a tight bear hug. The Feline struggled in the grip and couldn't break his way free. Hissing in vexation he struggled even harder to break the grip to no avail.

What to do…what to do… thought Amanda frantically. I can't think of anything to do at the moment. Kiono isn't strong enough to flip Gutsman off. Nor is he strong enough to break the grip through conventional means.

"Kiono! Inverted head butt!"

Heeding his Medafighter's words the WCG began head butting Gutsman with the back of his skull over and over right in the jaw. One especially hard blow to the jaw forced him to loosen his grip from the Cat letting it slip free. The Feline ran forward panting slightly and then growled in vexation. It was time to unleash something new.

"ETHERAL PUNCH!"

Kiono's fists glowed an eerie emerald green. He motioned his hands in the air and brought them back to his sides. He then launched them forward sending twin green energy blasts sailing towards Gutsman. The NET-type blocked with his massive arms but the attack still sent him sliding back.

"METEOR FIST!"

"Meet him head on Gutsman! Mega Chip, Gold Fist, Slot-in!"

The two Medabots charged at one another head on. The Winged Guardian's golden gauntlet was coated in reddish gold energy. The Net Hammer's right hand turned into a massive gold version of itself. The two punched at one another, a stream of cosmic energy trailing after Kiono's and a stream of gold trailing after Gutsman's. The two attacks collided with one another struggling for dominance. The two weren't going to give the other an inch for control. When one appears to be winning the other pushes them back to stalemate and beyond. Only for the other to do the same.

"Gutsman! Give it everything you got!"

"Kiono you too!"

The two Medabots complied and poured everything they could spare into the attacks. Power was cascading off their fists from their attacks before finally the two officially canceled one another out sending the two flying back. Cat and Hammer alike landed in the few danger places on the field--the quicksand pits. Like most people who fall prey to quicksand they began struggling and sinking all the faster.

"Gutsman! Relax!"

"Kiono calm down!"

Despite the two Medafighters' best efforts, their bots wouldn't obey them to relax. And that cost them. Gutsman was the luckier of the two getting thrown in as if he went feet first. He sank down to his waist. Kiono wasn't so fortunate. He landed more on his back and side. His arms and legs and head were just about the only things not in the sand. Well, that finally got them to calm down. A little late for Kiono, but now they weren't sinking as quickly.

"Kiono…this is what you get for not calming down sooner." sweatdropped Amanda.

"Well, like to see how you react when in quicksand." snapped the Cat back.

"Hehe…no thanks…"

"Dex! Get me out!" yelled Gutsman.

"Hold your horses. I'm trying to think of a way to actually get you out."

Both Medafighters were stumped at what to do. Amanda knew if Kiono was fortunate enough to land like Gutsman he had a chance for escape. Yet with his wings under the sand and nothing in true reach there was nothing she could do. Yet, that's when she saw it. Kiono was indeed lucky after all, he landed in the pit that contained the Rock Cubes from earlier. Dex looked over his chips and thought of a way to free Gutsman at a risk. The NET-type might not be able to use his shockwave attacks to disperse with the sands. But their were always explosives.

"Battle Chips, Block Bomb, Triple Slot-in! Heat Shot and Iron Body Defense, Slot-in!"

Dex inserted the three chips and Gutsman threw the large unlit explosives in a triangle formation in close proximity. His right arm turned into a flame thrower as his he suddenly began a larger iron version of himself. He fired a fireball towards the bombs setting off a chain reaction. The three Block Bombs exploded in unison sending both normal sand and quicksand flying everywhere.

In a sense the plan worked and in a sense it didn't as well. When all the sand and quicksand finally settled down. All Gutsman truly did was made a large giant pit. The plan worked cause the pit was so large it made the quicksand just feet level to the NET-type. The plan didn't work in the sense that the pit was so large and deep now, the Net Hammer couldn't get out now.

"Er…minor set back…but at least you really aren't stuck in the sand anymore." laughed Dex nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

"Alright Kiono this is our chance. It's time to break free since Dex and Gutsman didn't take the opportunity to shoot you while you were a sitting duck."

"I'm a cat not a duck." interrupted the Feline.

"Whatever. No time for this now. You are in the pit that holds at least two of Gutsman's Rock Cubes. If you can get your hands on them. One is to your left and another is to your upper right. You can use them as leverage to pull your body out. Yet you are going to have to let your feet sink."

"You know this puts me at risk of sinking entirely correct?"

"I know but if you relax and let your feet sink slowly, you will be able to become upright without sinking more than another inch or so. Quicksand is only truly dangerous if you struggle."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" asked a vexed Cat.

"Simple, because knowing you, you would have done it too quickly and be down to your neck. Besides, even this has a chance of failure if the sand is holding you too firmly."

Grumbling Kiono did as he was told. He let his legs sink down into the sand slowly. And to his surprise working his way upright slowly was actually working. After a few slow moments he was upright, with his arms, head, and some of his torso above the sand. Moving slowly again the sand parted ways for his arms to rest over the nearly completely submerged Rock Cubes. Arching his arms, Kiono slowly began to pull himself higher out of the sand.

Bat in the sand crater Gutsman was climbing his way back to the top. Each and every time he was nearly to the top, the sand would lose its stability and he'd fall flat on his back. Roaring he punched the sand his fist sinking into it. Then he got an idea. He punched his other fist higher into the sand, then dug his feet into the sand. He began his ascent to the top by literally punching and kicking the sand for hand and foot holds. Once he was out of the pit he saw the Winged Guardian pulling his way out of the quicksand, he was high enough that even his wings were free if sand covered.

"Kiono, looks like ya got company. Time to kick it up a notch since that is as free as you'll get with arms along. Flap your wings!"

The Feline did what he was told to no avail. Dex took this moment to strike.

"Battle Chip, Yo-Yo, Slot-in!"

The Net Hammer's right hand transformed into an odd looking device that looked almost like the end part of a crane. Yet instead of a hook, it had a red disc. He lashed out with his right arm and the disc went flying towards Kiono revealing it was connected to a cable. The disc wrapped around the Cat tightly and then he was pulled out of the sand towards the Hammer. Deciding not to wait, Gutsman charged forward and slammed his left fist into the chest of the Winged Cat sending him flying. He then spun around over and over and over, the cable snapping throwing Kiono into a sand dune.

"Alright…enough…is enough…this is no time to hold anything back…I'm going to end this. So you better get something strong if you want to defeat me." growled Kiono as his eyes glowed with power as he snapped the cables still binding him.

"Program Advance time! Guts Punch, Triple Slot-in! Program Advance: Zeta-Punch!"

Gutsman's fists grew to three times their normal size and glowed with an eerie power. The gem on his chest glowed as well and he vanished from sight. He rushed forward at Kiono his fists poised for a pounding.

"You fool…" said Kiono coldly. "You are in a desert. Invisibility holds no power here! ETHERAL TORNADO!"

What Kiono said was true, sand clouds were billowing into the air from the Net Hammer-type's run. The Cat went into a run as well. Green energy focusing around his ankle brace. Halfway in his charge, the WCG took flight towards his opponent rushing at him. He then went into a diagonal axis and began to spin with his left leg out and became a green crooked tornado that slammed head on into Gutsman.

Dual fists countered the kick yet the swirling green tornado engulfed the NET and sent him stumbling back. Yet Kiono wasn't done, his ankle brace flared more brightly as he went into a vertical spin slamming it into the head of the massive Medabot. The power of the attack forcing Gutsman's head into his torso. He landed on his feet and crossed his arms. He waited but the Hammer was still standing, then with a flick of a finger he tipped over medal ejecting.

"FUNCTION CEASED! The winners are Amanda and Kiono!"

"What a match! What a match. When it seemed like neither side could get out of the quicksand they came up with ingenious plans of escape. This match lasted 15:04:03. Give these contestants an applause for the wonderful spectacle. With a show of feline strength and grace, Kiono and Amanda will advance onward to the Semi-Finals. Dex and Gutsman still did their best to make it this far. Show them your appreciation everyone."

The crowd roared with applause for the two contestants winner and loser alike. Dex grinned faintly and knew he lost but it wasn't so bad. He tried his best and he put up a better fight than he would have in his blind rage. He learned he shouldn't let revenge and angry cloud his mind. And he had Amanda to thank for that. Picking up Gutsman with some difficulty, he blinked when his load suddenly became light, Kiono was helping him out.

"We're heading to the Repair Pits as well, so we decided to help you out." grinned the Feline.

"Alright, thanks."

The two Medafighters and the WCG carrying Gutsman's body walked off together to the Repair Pits under the watchful eyes of Chaud Blaze. He looked at Dex then Amanda as if analyzing and calculating them.

I knew Dex was going to lose against this girl. Yet, he did better than I thought. Perhaps, he can keep a leveled head when situations get tough and when anger comes around. thought the boy. Then again, that girl was talking to him earlier. Maybe she was the one that helped him calm down. She will be an interesting opponent.

"Protoman, it's time to beat the unstoppable." said Chaud as he walked down to the stage with his hands in his pockets.

"Yes sir." replied the Net Swordsman following after his friend.

"Rikorsha versus Protoman…this is bound to be interesting." commented Isis.

"Two tough contenders, both are powerful and both are fast. Yet one has to wonder…would Battle Chips give Chaud and Protoman the advantage or would it just bring them to equal level with this powerful femme." said N-Blade to no one in particular.

"You bring up an interesting issue," said Matt. "Now if the two were of equal power the chips would give Protoman the edge. Yet, in a case like this…it'll come down to skill and synchrony between Medabot and Medafighter."

"Maybe even luck." added Freya.

"Luck…well if you throw that in, anyone could win in that case." sweatdropped Matt.

"Well, you'll need luck for your match after this one." teased Alexis.

"Alexis! Where the vote of confidence I was expecting from you guys."

"You'll get it after this match." cackled the teen causing everyone else to crack up as well. Shaking his head he turned his attention back to the stage.

"Match 3 of the Fourth Round is about to take place. It's Chaud Blaze and his Medabot Protoman versus Rikorsha with her still unknown Medafighter. The battle field for this match is Forest Meadows. And there is a little something extra in this match. It will be a handicap match. It was randomly decided earlier that Chaud and Protoman will gain the extra team mate to take on the powerhouse that is Rikorsha. Their partners shall be Yuna Kanayushi and her Medabot Trinity!"

Chaud looked more than a little vexed. He didn't believe it would be fair if he won with another help in this case. If he and Protoman were going to prove it to the others Rikorsha could be defeated. He'd do it alone. Even if they'd have to take out this partner. He was suddenly brought back to reality as the hum of the Holo-Emitters filled the air and formed the holographic field. The plain barren stage and the area around it was transformed into a lush green meadow one tends to find either in a hidden alcove of the forest. The field was quite large and was surrounded entirely by trees. There were spotted breaks to the sky to filter in rays of sunlight from all branches overhead. This was a type of field where one could attack from almost any angle.

"I officially declare this a tournament Robattle consisting of Chaud and Yuna's Protoman and Trinity against Rikorsha. The rules are simple the first to stop the other from functioning wins. However, there is a catch in this case. If Protoman is defeated it matters not if Trinity is functional or not. But if Trinity is defeated while Protoman is still operational the match shall continue till he is defeated. I, Digital Mr. Referee, shall act as referee to make sure no one gets hurt. Medafighters and Medabot, ready?"

"More than ready." declared Chaud.

"Yes." nodded Yuna.

Rikorsha simply nodded.

"Medabots, Robattle!"

None of the three Medabots made a move at all. Either side appeared to be daring the other to make the first move. All in all each side appeared pretty lax. No hands were close to drawing blades or forming them in Protoman's case. A leaf falling from a branch from above is what set it all off however.

The Sailor-type vanished from the spot just as the other two were expecting. This has seemed to have been how she always started a match. The Net Swordsman vanished from the spot and the Sword Mistress drew out her swords. Yet, something was wrong. Rikorsha has simply vanished this round instead of attacking them. Rematerializing on a tree branch, Protoman scanned the area. He detected movement to Trinity's right while she didn't seem to notice it at all.

He made a move as if he was going to help his partner out but noise of swords colliding rang out through the field. The SFF had blocked the SLR-type's short sword with one of her sabers. She then lashed out with the other forcing the other femme back. Swinging both out together, she used Hawk Wave to strike Rikorsha with a blast of air. The NET-type was surprised the attack caught Rikorsha at all. It was as if she were…

Holding back… thought Protoman.

"I don't see what's so special about you. It must be dumb luck that you won all your matches." snorted Trinity as poised her swords in an offensive/defensive stance.

"If you say so." chuckled Rikorsha as she poised her blade horizontally in front of her. She made a sloppy charge and was quickly disarmed by the SFF-type. The Sword Mistress quickly and deftly kicked the Femme Sailor in the side sending her rolling along the ground.

Ok…this is too easy…something isn't right here. thought Yuna.

"Trinity, go on the defensive. Something is wrong here."

"But…she isn't going on the offensive." argued the Mistress of Swords.

"That's the problem…she's fighting as if she wanted to lose."

"Grr…alright…" muttered the SFF-type as she brought her swords to defend.

"Glad you actually saw that." commented Chaud. "You aren't as daft as you appear."

That earned him a hard slap on the cheek. His cheek was imprinted with a large stinging red mark. He steeled himself to ignore the pain and glared at Yuna coldly but was met with an even colder and fiercer glare.

"What's your problem!" demanded Yuna. "I know you think you could win this alone. But face it. It was decided this match was a handicap one and I'm here to help you. You don't have to act all high and mighty. You have limitations. And I don't think you could even beat Rikorsha alone. Hell, I don't think anyone can. So get off your high horse and let us work together as a team as we are supposed to."

"Look…I know you are right…" admitted the boy. "But I don't like to fight unfairly unless it is to put the hurt on some bullies. I just don't like to cheat or have a battle interrupted when I'm already engaged in battle. Even if it is just to help. There is no honor in that. The right thing to do is to fight 1-on-1."

"So that's why you attacked Gutsman…cause in your odd protocols he broke your views. But Chaud…you have to throw some of that out…It was a Team Robattle, meaning your partner is allowed to help you. And you need to understand that. So, will you let me help you try and defeat Rikorsha?"

"Mm…alright…lets do this."

"Oh…and I'm sorry for slapping you…" said Yuna blushing with embarrassment.

"Don't sweat it, I deserved it and needed to get sense knocked into me." grinned the boy with a wince as he touched his cheek now gingerly. "You have some arm…but lets deal with this later. Protoman! Lets get in this!"

"Now that your partner actually plans on working with you. Time to actually play true." grinned Rikorsha as she vanished from the spot as Protoman came down just where she was to stab her with his energy sword.

With his attack missing, Protoman was left wide open for an attack. And the Sailor didn't disappoint, quickly rematerializing behind the Net Swordsman. She gave him a quick heel kick to the side of the head that sent him sprawling to the right. The blade on her left armlet sprang out suddenly as she blocked Trinity's saber without even looking. The Sword Mistress' eyes widened in surprise. Her opponent's game play was back to its old expectancy.

"Battle Chip, Long Sword, Slot-in! V-Step Protoman!"

The NET-type's right arm transformed into an energy long sword. His body hyper accelerated leaving an after image trailing after him as he charged at Rikorsha. The femme blocked the energy blade with her short sword, which she retrieved before kicking Protoman, with fluid ease.

"Impossible! Or is this what I wanted you to do?" smirked Protoman. "Trinity, now!"

"Huh?" blinked a momentarily confused Sailor. Then her optics widened as the Mistress of Swords came charging towards them. She leapt away from Protoman, but the SFF flipped onto the Swordsman's shoulders and spring boarded off him katana drawn. The long blade and the extra force put behind the weapon threw Rikorsha stumbling across the meadow.

"Protoman now!"

"SONIC BOOM!"

Swinging his sword he created a powerful wave of energy that went flying towards the Sailor. The attack hit her dead on sending her up into the air before crashing back down to the ground. And yet…something still didn't feel right. It felt too easy. Or was it luck?

"Doesn't this really still feel too easy?" questioned Chaud.

"Yes it does…" replied the other three.

"Actually I don't, I believe it is quite fun." laughed Rikorsha sitting on a tree branch.

"What the..? We saw you get hit!" yelled a flustered Trinity.

"Or did it appear that I was hit?"

"It's like she used a Body Double…" commented Chaud.

"Body Double?" implored Yuna.

"It's a chip that creates an exact duplicate of a Medabot if used through a PET. It will act as a substitute and basically take the blow for the bot."

"Chaud I think we exploit a certain weakness of this girl." smirked Protoman.

"Weakness?" repeated the SFF perplexed.

"You'll see, Battle Chip, Aqua Sword, Slot-in!"

So they noticed I took more damage against Freya's water and ice based attacks. thought Rikorsha. And yet, they don't know the one ace I hold up my sleeve I'm not exploiting at the moment.

The Long Sword dissipated and was replaced by a pale blue energy blade from a cylindrical base that was actually filled with water. The Net Swordsman swung his sword and a water tornado flew towards the Sailor. The Femme Sailor vanished from the spot and was on the ground in a crouch. One moment she was around 15 feet from Protoman the next she was too close for comfort. She placed her hand on the bot's chest then gave him a light shove pushing him backwards.

At that one brief moment of contact, the NET-type was suddenly having his will to fight Rikorsha tested. His vision blurred and he saw double. Stumbling backwards he clutched a hand over his visor. Trinity confused set a hand on Protoman's shoulder but was suddenly slashed across the chest by her partner. She fell backwards clutching her chest.

"What was that for!" demanded the Sword Mistress.

"Wha…? That was you…? I thought…sorry…"

"Protoman…what's wrong with you?" asked Chaud.

"Chaud…I don't know…one moment I'm fine…the next when she touched me…I feel as if I must force myself to even think about attacking her…"

"What? Grr…foul play is afoot. Fine then…Recovery 300 and Bug Repair, Slot-in!" growled Chaud as he inserted the two chips. Protoman glowed red as his body was repaired and his gem flamed blue and white to show the Bug Repair chip was in effect. And yet, they had no avail. The Swordsman's vision and will was still compromised. "Yuna buy us some time. Protoman put some distance between yourself and Rikorsha!"

"Alright, we'll do our best. You heard him Trinity, got to buy them some time."

The SFF flipped back to her feet and drew her sabers. She charged at Rikorsha while her partner ran from her. She went into a sudden bladed cyclone attack but she hit nothing but air. Stopping her spin she spun her swords and scanned the proximity. Her ears caught noise to her left and she bent backwards as a sudden tongue of flame from the Sailor's whip flew over her torso.

When the tongue retreated, the Sword Mistress flipped back to her feet with ease and sent another Hawk Wave flying towards where the whip came from. Her opponent came hopped from branch to branch unbeknownst to anyone on the field till it was too late. Rikorsha drop kicked Trinity in the back, while doing a handstand did a spinning clockwork kick that hit the Swordswoman multiple times. Flipping back to her feet she slashed the femme's back.

Hissing both in pain and annoyance, Trinity went full offense. Slash after slash after slash with her sabers she attacked Rikorsha to no avail. The SLR-type either parried the attacks with her sword, evaded them, or blocked them with her armlets. She could tell that the Sailor was toying with her, that she could do more than defend and yet she wasn't. Why? Growling, the SFF delivered a sudden kick to the stomach of Rikorsha catching her entirely by surprise and surprise to the Sword Mistress for even connecting. She swiped with both sabers but her moment of distraction allowed the Sailor to block. The SLR was about to attack when a sudden purplish blue glow caught her attention and Trinity's.

"Get out of the way!" growled Protoman as he had the large energy sword formed from the Program Advance over his head. Trinity didn't need prompting twice and scrambled out of the way quickly. And yet Rikorsha stood her ground. The Swordsman's vision was still blurred and his will to fight the SLR were tried. Yet at the distance of 10 meters away he didn't feel the effects as heavily as before. Swinging his sword down powerfully, he sent a massive bluish purple wave of energy sailing towards his femme opponent. The pure destructive power the attack cutting a trench into the floor of the field.

When the wave was upon her, the SLR-type simply slashed the very tip of the wave with her short sword. Waves of energy split and divided, flowing around her destroying the field around her. Spinning her short sword she sheathed it and gave Protoman a smug look.

"You have power." she stated. "But lack focus and without it you will never defeat me."

"Might be true for him at the moment but not myself!" declared Trinity as she jumped slashed Rikorsha with her katana yet it was blocked.

"Perhaps, but you lose none the less." informed the Sailor as she deftly drew a sai and stabbed the Sword Mistress in the stomach with it. She then brought her sword around and slashed the SFF across the chest diagonally rendering her opponent to cease functions.

We can't win. The Program Advance doesn't get her. Protoman can't target her correctly. To continue would be pointless. thought Chaud. We'll just lose in the end…and I won't give this bot the satisfaction of truly defeating us in battle.

"EJECT MEDAL!" roared Chaud as he hit the button on his PET/Medawatch. Protoman's medal ejected and the boy simply caught it and pocketed it. The crowd, Yuna, and even Rikorsha were surprised that the boy forfeited.

"Protoman forfeits! The winner is Rikorsha!" boomed Digital Mr. Referee.

"Well…that was an interesting turn of events…Chaud and Protoman forfeited the match. Time of victory was 13:43:22." said Holly dully. She shook her head and tried to get over the shock. "Folks we have to acknowledge that yes Chaud and Protoman forfeited but they gave us a great match with the help of Yuna and Trinity against Rikorsha! Give them a round of applause for doing their best!"

Even with Holly's prompting the audience applauded half-heartedly. The boy didn't appear to mind at all, they didn't know why he forfeited and perhaps none of them realized the reason. Putting Protoman's medal back in the bot reactivated fine now that the Robattle was over. Chaud bent to pick up Trinity's medal and tossed it to Yuna and picked up the SFF-type for the teenager. The two of them walked off to the Repair Pits together.

Chaud gave up to spite Rikorsha…or at least it looked that way to me…to deny her the pleasure of defeating him truly in combat…thought Matt. Yet…I have more important matters to worry about at the moment--Mitsukai.

Hmm…so Rikorsha has some power to make another Medabot screw up in wanting to fight her. So I wasn't going insane when I thought that…yet…does it only work on male Medabots? thought N-Blade. No time for that…I have a Fallen Angel to worry about now.

"Alright cousin, here's your vote of confidence. You'll win." chirped Alexis.

"You sound chipper…yet…meh…" sweatdropped the boy.

"Don't sweat it. So you got your butt handed to you before. This is different. You know what to expect this time." informed Warren.

"Stand fast and stand true. We might be teasing you now, but you know we're behind you." insured Isis.

"Yeah, I trained you to be the best." laughed Samantha.

"You never trained!" yelled Matt.

"I haven't? Well…I meant to."

"Grr…"

"Don't let the Boss' jokes rub you the wrong way. You know we all wish you the best." said Spike.

"Give it your all, don't hold back against her." added Erika.

"Listen, you and I might have lost before but we didn't know what sort of power this Fallen Angel had. We got over confident then, you have a chance to prove you aren't cocky this round. So, defeat her Matt." said Ikki.

"N-Blade and I will do our best."

"Blade, you better win this or I'll give you a Metabee Boppin'!"

"Like Matt said, I'll do my best."

"No, you have to win this…"

"Er…fine…I'll win this…" sweatdropped the Ninja.

"Good."

Is it me or does Metabee get so much stranger the longer I know him? thought the NON-type.

This was it, the die was cast and it was time to see what it would land on. Matt and N-Blade headed down to the stage to meet one of their most powerful opponents to date. Miki and Mitsukai came down from their part of the bleachers walking smoothly and evenly with confidence radiating off of them. Our heroes however walked in a calm manner with an undercurrent of nervousness.

Well, I knew it had to eventually come down to this. But lets hope the Ninja-Strike body is enough of a power boost to defeat this Fallen Angel. thought the boy. And if it isn't…well…then will have to believe something will be enough…

You are toast boy. smirked Miki mentally.

"Ladies and gentlemen I am glad to present you with the final match of the Fourth Round between the two of the powerhouse contenders of the Tournament, N-Blade and Mitsukai!" exclaimed Holly as the crowd went wild. Perhaps to make up for their lack of enthusiasm of the last match. "The Battlefield is Pillars and to explain the concept better there will be multiple pillars high up towards the sky. The Medabots shall be fighting atop these pillars. If they are to fall, well it is almost unlikely for them to survive the impact of 70 meters. If in the case one does survive they must climb back up the pillars to continue the match if the other decides to stay up there. If the other decides to come down and has the ability as in Mitsukai's case. The battle will then be continued on the ground."

"Great…don't like the sounds of this." muttered N-Blade's Medafighter.

"Don't sweat it." reinsured N-Blade.

The Holo-Emitters suddenly blazed to life around the stage. The stage was instantly morphed into a large football sized stadium down to two large view screens on the opposite sides of the field for the Medafighters to keep an eye on their bots even in the air. Yet, Matt wondered how that would work if the pillars would obstruct view (apparently he didn't think about just turning around). Oddly enough the pillars weren't active. Littered over the gray stone field were discs of white roughly 2 meters in diameter. The boy figured that was where the pillars would rise from.

"I declare this an official tournament Robattle between Matt's Ninja-Blade and Miki's

Mitsukai! The rules are simple, the first Medabot to stop the other from functioning wins. I, Digital Mr. Referee, shall act as referee so no one gets hurt! Medafighters, ready?"

"No." informed Matt. "Mitsukai and Miss Yamaguchi, your times are up! Transport, Ninja-Strike!"

In a flash of bluish green light, NON-type was transformed from N-Blade to N-Strike. The NOS-type flipped in the air and struck a battle pose. Laughter filled the stadium and its source was from Mitsukai and Miki. Narrowing his optics, N-Strike tightened his grip on his sword.

"What's so funny?" demanded N-Strike.

"Your Medafighter's confidence that you will win. Do you really think we didn't prepare for your coming, N-Strike?" smirked Miki.

"Uh-oh…they got something planned." warned Matt.

"Ya think?" retorted the NOS-type.

"Transport, Fallen Seraphim!"

In a flash of blue green light Mitsukai was transformed from a Fallen Angel to a Fallen Seraphim. She went to being to normal above average Medabot height to taller than N-Strike standing at 5 feet 4 inches. She was human looking before, but now she looked almost completely human in form and shape. This femme form of Mitsukai's was still mostly black all over, but with more hints silver white here and there. Her body went from sleek and aerodynamic to a look of a well-toned athletic woman. She had on black leather high heel boots, that stopped mid-shin. Her tight black pants were replaced by black tight shorts made of the same odd leather rubber material that came down to mid-thigh revealing much silverish white 'skin'. On her right leg, there were the three brown leather straps above her right knee. While on her left knee was a black spiked leather kneepad. Around Mitsukai's waist was a black leather belt with a silver buckle of a crescent moon and three stars. The belt still had its hoop strap that held her staff. The staff was silver instead of black, black for a foot at the either end instead of red, and ribbed with bumps over those ends. The Fallen Seraphim's top was still the tight black leather rubber substance from before that showed off her curves and bust, and was still long sleeved. However, over her chest was the design of a Coptic Cross in silver. She still wore black fingerless gloves that showed her silverish white fingers, yet now she wore black nail polish. Chains wrapped around Mitsukai's arms up to her shoulders, but now at the end they had silver spear points to make them a deadlier weapon. She had six black demon angel wings, her long pure silvery white hair flowed down to the small of her back and twin bangs framed her face falling to her chest. A black cloth mask of stretchy material covered her mouth and neck, leaving the rest of her face bare and revealing her serene silvery gray eyes.

Vital Stats

FNS-?

Mitsukai, Type: Fallen Seraphim

Medafighter: Miki Yamaguchi

Specialty: Flight and Staff

"And it seems our contestants pull out an interesting surprise! Two new bodies for their Medabots! Let us see who triumphs in this clash between the titans!" laughed the announcer over the PA.

"Well…this took an interesting turn of events…" sweatdropped N-Strike and Matt in unison.

"Medafighters ready now?"

"Yes." replied both sides.

"Medabots choose a circle to stand on. Then the battle shall commence." informed the Digital Ref. The two Medabots chose a circle and almost instantly the gray stone pillars rose to a height of 70 meters. N-Strike and Mitsukai gave one another a cold look on their way up. When the pillars came to a stop did the Digital Ref appear on equal level with them on another pillar. "Medabots, Robattle!"

N-Strike studied the field quickly and asserted the best path to take to attack Mitsukai. He wasn't going to wait and let the showdown come down to some ominous sign. Drawing his sword he leapt in an ever changing zigzag pattern towards the FNS. He covered the 20 meters between them in less than half a second and yet…when he slashed his sword the Seraphim wasn't there.

Quickly regaining balance he backflipped onto another pillar as one of Mitsukai's spiked chains came flying his way. Following the trail he saw that the Fallen One was in the air as he thought. Making a throwing motion he hurled three kunai at flying femme. But with her free hand she pulled her staff out of its holster and deflected the knives expertly. Retracting her chain she took flight going west.

The NOS quickly followed suit. Despite the fact that the pillars were spaced uniformly three meters apart from one another. It didn't appear that the Ninja needed to leap from one another. It just seemed he was just there. Taking a flying leap he threw a barrage of shuriken at Mitsukai. The Seraphim vanished from the spot again. Sliding along the pillar to stop the Ninja was more than annoyed. Scanning the skies he saw nothing at all.

N-Strike ducked as the Fallen Seraphim's staff just brushed the top of his head. He took this time and moment to attack. His sword glowed black as he used Shadow Strike sending a wave of shadow energy flying towards Mitsukai. She didn't bother moving to evade the attack but sped up even faster flying as a blur. She then came around and nearly clipped him with her staff on her way back. Yet she did catch him hard in the back and sent him flying.

The NOS-type bounced off the top of the pillars never losing the grip on his sword as he bounced along. He flipped and slide across the pillar thinking enough was enough. He knew now was not the time to hold back at all. Holding both hands on his sword he channeled his energy into it. His sword pulsed with black energy darker than night. His optics holding a smirk he charged forward. He leapt and slashed at Mitsukai but his attack went through her like he thought it would. Turning midair he slashed sending a large black wave at a spot hitting the FNS just as she appeared there. Waving off the smoke cloud that formed around her she looked coldly at N-Strike.

"That the best you got?"

"No, but I'm just getting warmed up."

"You better not hold back cause I don't plan on playing games like I did last time."

"You know what, you talk too much." smirked Ninja of Shadows-type. Sheathing his sword he focused his powers and thrust his hands out. A powerful gale blew in from the north and struck Mitsukai but she formed an silverish-white aura around herself. The winds having no effect against her now. Perhaps wind without have effect in the conventional means. But in the magical they would still do something.

Moving his fists about with air swirling around them he began punching over and over. With each and every punch he sent a large fist of air sailing through the skies towards the Seraphim. Each attack hit her dead on not doing much of anything besides actually moving her. Doing a dual punch he sent a large combined fist this round. The attack knocked the FNS off center.

This was the opening N-Strike needed now. Thunder resonated through the cloudless sky. The air was suddenly ionized and every hair on Matt and Miki's body felt like they were trying to stand on edge. Dark clouds gathered forth in the air as the earth and the pillars began to shake from the peels of thunder. Forks of lightning streaked across the sky and struck around the stadium at random.

"Fallen One, time for you to meet the messenger of the Heavens. HEAVEN'S ROAR!"

Lightning came down and struck the NOS, not harming him but collecting into his hands. He threw his hands outward and ropes of lightning racing from them and wound tightly around Mitsukai. A loud roar of thunder shook the entire stadium as a lion head of lightning raced down from the sky towards the bound Fallen Seraphim. Yet she didn't seem worried. She looked more bored than anything else. Pure power cascaded off the FNS taking out the lightning binds, obliterated the lightning lion head, and threw N-Strike off the pillar he was standing on all in one go. And what she did wasn't even a real attack at that.

As the Ninja was falling down to the bottom of the stage. He knew if he hit the ground it would practically be all over. Black chains forged in the darkest of shadows erupted from his body and latched onto the pillars to slow his descent. When he came to a stop he began using the columns of stone as springboards to reach his way back to the top. He swung and his sword met staff. Mitsukai turned her gaze towards him and he was thrown away like a rag doll. She lashed out with a chain and it wrapped entirely about his form.

She began a quick ascent towards the heavens sending a steady stream of her energy through the chains and into N-Strike to keep him in constant pain. When she reached what she found a suitable height of nearly 200 meters (add that on to the 70 of the pillars for 270 meters). She began to spin round and round over and over, her aura surrounding her giving her a speed boost. From her current velocity she was literally creating a whirlwind and she was still accelerating. As she and N-Strike formed a living cyclone she shifted her form till it was horizontal creating a wind funnel.

She let it rip and N-Strike was sent down flying towards the ground already at his terminal velocity before being less than a centimeter away from her. (A/N: Terminal velocity for those who don't know is a condition where a falling object has reached its peak velocity and will no longer gain any more in its descent.) With the ground coming fast, the Metal Ninja was at the end of his rope. Time appeared to have slowed down as thoughts raced through his mind. He was going to lose this and yet, he knew he still had to fight on. He had to do the impossible and that was to survive the impact to the stage.

Ninja-Strike hit the ground with such a tremendous force that the entire stadium inside as well as outside the holographic field shook (Which in all technicalities shouldn't have happened. For what happens inside the holographic matrix shouldn't effect the outside world unless it was such a powerful force. Just as how the dual Program Advances in the last round were messing with the holographic stability. The force of N-Strike hitting the stage was enough to actually effect the outside world as well). With such smugness, Mitsukai landed on the ground with such confidence that N-Strike was defeated that she wouldn't lose her advantage of a high ground battlefield. Yet when the dust cleared, she was in for a surprise of her life. The Ninja was damaged yes, but he was still standing.

"Impossible!" screamed the Seraphim.

"Nothing is ever impossible as long as you believe." countered the NOS-type. Drawing his sword he rushed at FNS-type and slashed catching her entirely by surprise. Yet she struck back by smashing the palm to the bridge of the nose and slammed her staff crashing into the chest sending him crashing into a chest. Digital Mr. Referee appeared on the ground at that moment.

"The pillars shall be removed from the field. The Robattle shall still continue. Medabots continue fighting!"

"We would have anyway." growled the Ninja as he ran around the columns but was caught by a sudden high kick to the throat into another pillar. Mitsukai then sent a stream of white energy blasts flying at his prone form.

"You're too weak to defeat me." smirked Mitsukai.

"There, I shall agree with you." admitted the NOS. "But I still have to try!"

"Actually N-Strike. That's where you're wrong." informed Matt. "You are stronger than her. And it's time to prove it! You know what to do!"

"What you don't mean…" started the Ninja.

"I do…WARRIOR-MODE!" yelled the boy.

"Grr…if I get fragged this is your fault!" snarled N-Strike.

"I'll fix you up, Warrior-Mode Engage now!"

"Alright, alright." sighed N-Strike as he began to glow gold.

"Miki what is this?"

"A new form by the sounds of it. Lets see what they got before we crush them."

"Agreed."

When the gold glow faded N-Strike was a new looking Medabot. His color scheme changed from mainly black to mainly white gold. He wore a pair of black boots enameled with silver runes. He had on a pair of golden white pants that appeared to be loose and comfortable. His belt was of black leather, the same silver enameling that designed his boots were designed across his belt. A black scabbard held his sword, gold scrollwork encrusted along it. The body of his ghi was golden white to match his pants, yet his sleeves were a soft white. There was a symbol in red on the chest of the ghi, it was the capital Greek letter of psi(it looks like a capital I with a horse shoe in the middle, the top all lined together). On his hands his ninja gauntlets went from gold to black. Carved into his gauntlets were the lowercase form of psi(again it looks like a capital I with the horse shoe lower, so the top doesn't line up evenly). His head was perhaps the most changed from before. The mouth plate was gone and it looked more in shape of a traditional ninja hood in golden white to match the rest of his attire. Along the upper edge of the opening of the hood was a ridge of gold that circled his head and down the middle. The opening of the hood revealed pale tanned skin and his blue colored eyes.

"Mixing Greek lettering with a Japanese concept of a ninja…clash of the western and eastern parts of the world." muttered Miki.

"Blame the boy. I'm not the one that created this option."

"Stop yammering and attack! The pillars are down and it's a free ride in attacking!" yelled Matt.

Indeed the boy's statement was correct, as the transformation took place the columns of stone settled back into the stadium. Drawing his sword in one fluid motion he set in out in front of him flat first. Along the sword were flowing scrollwork designs in a counter pattern to that on the scabbard. The blade appeared to be ornamental but that was highly doubtful. Running his palm along the flat of the sword it glowed a brilliant gold.

"Let's rock."

"Heh, a new form won't allow you to defeat me." snorted Mitsukai.

"We'll just have to see about that."

"Yes, lets." smirked the Fallen One as her staff glowed a fiery silver.

Staff of silver and sword of gold struck one another in rapid succession. The FNS-type was surprised at N-Strike's new bout of speed. It was pushing her body to its limits to keep up with him. Catching the overhead slash with her staff out parallel with the ground. Swiveling it around, she smashed it into the NOS-type's side. Or would have if the Ninja didn't catch the staff. His eyes holding a smirk he executed a quick spin throwing the Seraphim away from him.

He closed the distance between them before she recovered from her spin. He slashed Mitsukai once, then twice, then thrice, the final blow sending her skidding along the ground on her back. Pain exploded through Mitsukai's body as she landed on her back and skid along the ground, the actions putting pressure on the base of her wings. A golden slash of energy flew towards her fallen form and threw her into the air.

Her form burst through the smoke cloud that formed from the attack her chain lashing out but hitting nothing. N-Strike had vanished. A sudden barrage of shuriken hit her from behind, she hissed in pain as a few well placed ones grazed the base of her wings. Turning around, she spun her staff blocking the constant barrage.

"Grr…enough is enough! We end this with our strongest attacks!" declared the Fallen One.

"If that is the way you want it, then fine by me."

"Strike you sure that's wise?" implored the Ninja's Medafighter.

"Not really, but we have no other choice."

"This is what you get for not being ready, Ninja! PULSAR STRIKE!"

"Who says I wasn't ready? SHADOWY JUDGEMENT!"

A silver aura erupted around Mitsukai as a black one surrounded Ninja-Strike. Spinning her staff quickly a shining silvery aura coated it, it shined as brightly as the stars in the night sky. Thrusting her staff out she sent a barrage of fiery silver star shaped blasts towards the Ninja. The NOS-type's sword glowed pitch black as he spun it in front of him till it looked like a single black disc. From the spinning sword shot out black orb blasts in a rapid barrage. The two attacks met midair, some canceling the other out but those that remained struck the other side with such power that the two Medabots were sent crashing into the sides of the stadium. Moments passed and neither side had made a move out of the smoke. That is until…

"DARK SIDE OF THE MOON!" screeched Mitsukai as she rushed out of the smoke.

"Didn't think you were down for the count. ORION TEMPEST!" yelled N-Strike as he leapt out of the smoke as well.

The two practically swapped aura glows for these two attacks. The Fallen Seraphim glowed a dark silvery black as the Ninja glowed a brilliant silvery gold. Motioning her hands, the Fallen One pulsed with energy, most of it within her hands. Cupping her hands back, she gathered an orb of energy matching her aura. Flaring her wings out, they glowed a particular eerie shade of silver as if channeling energy of their own. At the moment her wings flared out, the orb within her palms pulsed silver slowly at first then faster and faster as it grew in size. Hurling the ball of energy she flapped her wings and all the power within them were quickly absorbed by the ball making it have a diameter of 20 feet.

As the silvery black sphere in the image of the moon raced towards him, N-Strike stood his ground. His sword shined brilliantly along with his aura before blazing as brightly and strongly as any star. He charged at the attack as if to meet it head on, somewhere in his charge he leapt lightly and began to spin like a buzz saw. He was a golden buzz saw of energy and he sliced through the orb as if it was a piece of paper. He continued his flight towards Mitsukai whose eyes widened as far as they would go, but before he hit her he flew high up in the air arching away from her till she was at a 45 degree angle with him. He sent a blazing silvery gold energy beam flying towards the FNS-type.

The Angel's eyes widened at the sight of the blast coming towards her, but they hardened and contained a cold fury. Gathering her strength as quickly as she could she fired twin blasts quickly at Ninja-Strike. The Ninja's attack went between the FNS' own, the two were hit by their opponent's attack head on. Smoke and reverberations flooded through the entire stadium. When the dust and smoke finally settled down the crowd was in a hush to see who had triumphed over who. Were they in for a shock, both contestants had knocked each other out.

"Wow…who won then if it was a double knock out?" questioned Matt.

"Digital Mr. Referee please review the data of the match and announce who ejected their medal first." commanded Holly.

"Reviewing Robattle Data." announced the Digital Ref. He made two screens appear in front of him as he scanned the data. "Processing information. Information processed. Winner is Ninja-Strike by 540 nanoseconds. Opponent Mitsukai ejected her Medal 156 nanoseconds after she was struck by the attack. Ninja-Strike ejected his 696 nanoseconds after being struck."

"You heard the Referee folks! Our winners by a hair are Matt and what was it…? Ninja-Strike!" exclaimed the announcer. "This match seemed to go by so quickly yet it lasted 21:34:53! Give these two powerful contenders an astounding round of applause!

The crowd roared in a deafening applause for the two contenders. Matt was stunned and surprised that N-Blade, correction N-Strike, had managed to pull through. Warrior-Mode was a highly untested transformation only to be used in dire situations and this was it. Strike pulled through using it. He grinned and jumped for joy, pumping a fist in the air and looked over to his opponent. The older woman was shocked and surprised that the young boy pulled through. His robotic engineering skills have given him the edge in the end. As she learned through trial and error, the more powerful one's Medabot is, they have a stronger potential to their powers. If they had powers anyway. She thought it was only true for Mitsukai. Yet, it also appeared true for N-Strike. When he accessed the Warrior-Mode, it had put him on a level equal to the Fallen Seraphim.

"Kid! You may have won this time, but there are more matches to come between you and I. So, enjoy this victory while you can." smirked Miki as she picked up Mitsukai's medal and body.

"Blade and I will be waiting for you then. Don't underestimate us!" challenged the boy.

"Trust me, I don't plan on to." chuckled the woman as she carried her bot to the Repair Pits.

As Matt picked up Ninja-Blade's medal and the NOS-type body. His friends came rushing down from the stands to congratulate him. Inserting Blade's medal into his Medawatch he transported the NON-type's normal body and put him back in. With his friends help, he carried the N-Strike body to the Repair Pits. Congratulations and applause following him on the way. He felt he could take on anything, and perhaps he would have to when the Semi-Finals began. But even with all those thoughts on his mind, one thought went out to a certain Ninja. He wondered where Merrick has gotten off to for missing the last two Matches of the Second Round, missing the Third Round completely and now missing this round entirely as well. Wherever he was, the boy hoped he was alright.

-----

(Back to Merrick now. Rewind time back to the moment he just departed. So, it's at the time frame before the Fourth Round)

Revving the engine, Merrick sped down the road after the armored truck. Not knowing for sure if they had turned on any of the earlier roads, but something tells him to trust his instincts. With his odd pinked haired companion clinging to him tightly. He sped up even faster, weaving in and out from between the cars to get along enough farther. He was doing nearly 90 mph and he estimated that the armored truck was doing nearly 80 and with about a good 20 minute head start. Meaning it was roughly 26 miles ahead of him.

If it was still on the road that is. His silver medallion grew cold slightly against his test and taking note of Tarek's intuition as well of his own, he took a right that brought him out of the main city and to a more quiet part of city. A type of area where a racing motorcycle let alone a racing armored truck should be some sort of attention. Narrowing his eyes, he spotted it. It was still ahead of him, it's as if they were trying to avoid attention, as much as they could with a speeding truck. Yet, then again perhaps that was smart of them. At least if they sped up here, they wouldn't be in true danger of hitting anymore.

"Hold on tightly, kid!" warned Merrick as he pumped up the throttle. He went into a suddenly wheelie and drew his sword out fluidly. Speeding along as the girl clung tighter as he was on two wheels again, he raced towards the truck.

I'm starting to think going with him was a bad idea… muttered the girl mentally. Then again, this is pretty fun at the same time.

The man driving the getaway vehicle, Troy, kept speeding down the pavement. He turned a corner sharply and kept going down his way, when he heard it. The sound of a motorcycle. Looking in his side mirror, he saw an odd sight. A man on a motorcycle with a sword. He wondered if it was the tourist, since the tourist wasn't wearing a ninja getup then.

"Hey, Boss. We got a problem." informed the man to his leader and cohorts in the back of the truck.

"What do you mean we have a problem? The cops after us?" demanded the woman.

"Not exactly, Trish. I think it's the tourist."

"What do you mean you think it's him?"

"Well…he's dressed as a ninja."

"A ninja? Activate the rear camera." ordered Trish.

"Will do." replied the driver as he flipped a switch activating the camera near the rear fender. In the back it connected with a flat television screen with a computer keyboard set controls near the base of it. Taking the controls, the woman angled and targeted the Ninja.

So…it is the tourist. I recognize that sword. Yet, at the same time it isn't. It's the freakin' Ninja of Shadows. He abused his powers for too long now. thought the woman. For all his use of powers in the open world. He is making those who were shunned of their gifts and those who were hidden rise out of the underground. Creatures, demons, all sort of magical activity has been on the rise as this sole idiot used his powers. All those things that once went bump in the night shall rise for the world to see in the light of day.

"It's more than a blasted tourist and vigilante. It's the Ninja of Shadows. Come on open the back. We're taking him out here and now." declared the woman.

"Roger Boss!" went her four lackeys as they gathered up their weapons.

Merrick was closing in on the truck when it happened. The back opened up and he was greeted with a hail of lasers. Taking both evasive and defensive maneuvers he deflected the beams with his sword and swerved left and right to avoid the lasers. This was getting pretty hectic and he slowed down to put some gathering distant between him and the truck.

Ok, need a plan. Didn't expect them to spot me before I struck. grumbled the Ninja sourly. And I have a kid to worry about too…great…I got it, but I put the kid at risk…can't take that chance…

"Just do it!" laughed the girl loudly.

"What the…" started the man as the girl apparently read his thoughts. He didn't get to finish his remark as he had to continuously avoid the volley of laser fire. If he was going to do this, the time was now. He created a thin protective black aura around the bike, himself, and the kid. His sword glowed black as he kicked his bike up a notch. He sped along, lasers bouncing off him and the bike.

As he pulled up along side of the truck he sped up even faster. He slashed along the side of the truck digging a large fissure in the side of it. As he past and went in front of the truck, Troy pulled out his gun and pulled the window down all the way and began shooting at Merrick. The Ninja moved left and right to avoid the lasers for the sake of the kid and kicked it up to 100 before skidding to a stop after he gained some ground. He pulled out three kunai and they glowed blacker than black as he hurled them at the truck. Pulling out a handful of shuriken he threw the shower of stars at the truck as well.

As the blades and stars came flying towards the truck, Troy pulled it to a stop and quickly killed the engine and just in time too. The kunai hit dead center at the truck's engine and the shuriken blew out the tires. Yet since the engine was off their was no explosion, something Merrick probably didn't realize till after the blades hit. Scrambling to the back of the truck via a small hatch, Troy was with the rest of his team.

"Alright, we got to jet. He killed the engine and could have killed us all if I didn't shut it off. We have to make a break for it."

"Yeah and how are we going to outrun him? He has a damn motorcycle and all we have to escape with are mini-bikes!" growled a man.

"Stuff it, John. You guys take your bikes and I'll hold him off for a time." informed Trish.

"But Boss…" started John.

"No buts, take my briefcase of the goods in case none the less."

"But…" started another woman.

"She said no buts, Yuki. Alright gang, lets go." ordered Troy and the others followed their second-in-command's orders and prepared the mini-bikes. "And Boss…take care of yourself."

"I will and thank you."

Merrick pulled up his bike in front of the truck and set the kickstand. He got off and told to girl to wait on the bike and to his surprise she actually nodded. Sword tense in his hand, he stalked up to the back of the truck and out of it exploded the revving noise of mini-motorcycles. Merrick sweatdropped heavily as his would be opponents sped off on mini-bikes. He was about to run after them when a sudden power surge caught his attention and he backflipped as the pavement below his feet exploded in a shower of asphalt and concrete.

As he landed back on his feet, he was shot with a sudden hail of lasers. Brining his arms up quickly, he formed a black shield of shadow energy to take the shots. He wasn't expecting a sudden ball of fire to explode against the shield. The impact sent him stumbling to the ground. When he looked up, he was looking at the leader of the gang. And the thing that startled him was that she had powers.

It really shouldn't have surprised him considering the fact he sensed other magical presences throughout Japan, yet it isn't everyday one runs into another. He flipped back to his feet and that's when it happened, the earth around him sealed him up to his neck as if in a tomb. It was the work of the femme.

"Struggle all you want, I doubt you can break your way free without a little help. I'd finish you off for all the problems you caused, but I can't take the chances of you escaping now." declared Trish as she ran back into the truck only to zoom out on a silver blue motorcycle (yes an actual motorcycle, not a mini-bike. So this isn't a typo) styled like Merrick's.

"Grr! GET BACK HERE!" demanded the Ninja as his concrete prison cracked and shattered. He ran back to his bike only to see the girl in the front seat. "Kid get off, I need to chase the villains."

"I want to play." smiled the girl.

"You are a broken record I swear!"

"But I'm not broken." giggled the child.

"…Why me…?" sweatdropped the man. "Fine…since you won't let me go after the bad guys…what do you want to play?"

"Cops and robbers! So go get them!"

Merrick fell over twitching at the girl's words. She couldn't be serious could she? At that moment, he was beginning the girl was working for the enemy. His eye was twitching like something fierce as he got back to his feet. He slowly stalked up to the girl that she cowered in fear.

"Please…tell…me…you…aren't…serious…"

"Um…I…uh…am…?" stammered the girl.

"Hmm…too easy. Who are you!" demanded the man as he held his sword in attack position then he couldn't believe what he was doing. He slumped down to his knees. "Sorry…but…can't blame me…too many strange things happen when you are around me…and I'm beginning to think I know you…yet…you can't be her…one she's dead or should be. Second…wouldn't be scared…unless…she…takes on the persona of the form she is in…"

"Huh…?" said the girl cutely.

"I don't know anymore…I just don't know…" sighed the man as he got up and sheathed his sword. "You have a home kid? Cause I'm taking you there."

"I can get home by myself." asserted the girl.

"Don't think so. Come on, taking ya home." grinned the Ninja as he looked at the windows to make sure no one was looking and reverted back to his street clothing. He picked up the girl and gave her a quick hug in apology. He set her down and got back in the driver seat and set her behind him. "Comfy?"

"Yep!"

"Alright, time to go!"

The two of them drove off slowly and abiding by the speed limits this round. As he rode on, Merrick wondered what exactly was up with the strange girl behind him. He didn't sense any magical powers within her, yet she managed to apparently drop the motorcycle he was riding fall from the sky on him. Made herself gain a pink helmet out of nowhere. And if that wasn't magic, he'd eat his boots.

Then again what happens if everything that was going on around him were the weirdest bits of freak coincidences. What happens if some helicopter or airplane carrying motorcycles just happened to drop one? What if he was just going insane and he was locked up in a dream? What if he wasn't even conscious that the moment but really fell over and bleeding to death in an alley?

"Merrick…relax…" murmured the girl as she hugged him tightly. He tensed further, did he ever tell the girl his name? He thought it over and reasoned she must have heard it a few times from their first encounter with one enough and heeded her words and calmed down. After riding for roughly 40-50 minutes, Merrick pulled up in front of the same building he nearly crashed into Selas.

"You live here?" inquired the man.

"Yep!"

"Er…you don't happen to live with a person named Selas do you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Er…I do want to know, that's the reason why I'm asking." snorted the Ninja.

"Well, I'm not telling." laughed the girl as she ran up to the apartment. She waved from the door. "Thank you!"

"Your welcome, squirt!" chuckled the man as he shook his head. Well, if she does live with Selas…one more reason to avoid this pink haired girl. Too many people that seem familiar or look familiar to me seem to be popping up all over the place. I know that the impossible can be possible if one believes strongly enough. Yet, at times I know that the impossible is what it is, the impossible. No one rises from the dead, and no one can live for so many ages save Demons and possibly Elves.

A small voice in the back of his head countered what he said. Actually, that isn't true. There are things that can be brought back from the dead. There is reincarnation, physical and spiritual, and even the mighty phoenix rises back from its ashes. And even the spirit is said to live on in some small portion throughout every generation of a person's family.

Shaking his head vigorously as he was at a red light, he cleared his thoughts before it changed colors. What my subconscious or whatever the hell that internal voice was, it's right. But I've seen at least one of the people that seem familiar to me die with my own eyes. Then again, maybe Selas is just a descendant. It is theorized after a few thousand years people end up gaining a genetic replica. Yet…what about that girl? There is still something weird about her…Well, hope I didn't scare her too much.

Finally, his thoughts drifted back to the bike he was riding. Oh great…I have a motorcycle and no job to finance gas or insurance…I wonder if I can just ask Mister and Misses Brochette to give me an allowance. I do clean and cook for them. And I fight evil on the side. Then again I get free room and board…even clothes…so…better not push my luck…So…I have to go job hunting…wonder what sort of job I can get.

Little did he know on the roof of the apartment complex stood Selas Kiseki watching him ride off after dropping the pink haired girl. Speak of the devil, the girl was right next to the young woman watching Merrick ride off as well. A big smile on her face, she tugged at Selas' pants.

"Ya like him, don't ya?"

"What do you think?"

"Well, my cover was almost blown. I believe he is starting to deny what his mind tells him and following what his heart does." informed the girl.

"You know Aurora…I think you are too strange like this…" sweatdropped Selas.

"Oh, lighten up. It's fun to mess with Merrick and help guide him to his proper path. To slowly acknowledge that we aren't dead. Especially you."

"It's better if it is just gradual and slowly. Don't want to snap his mind and rip his heart in half." sighed the woman.

"That's true…he does appear to be pretty sensitive still, and I don't blame him."

"With people running around in cloaks. You appearing here and there, driving him insane. Yeah…he has all right to be sensitive." snorted Kiseki. "And another thing, I don't think you should have given him that bike."

"What harm could it do?"

"Not much…but still…he could get hurt a lot sooner in an accident than in a fight."

"He's a big boy, Selas. He can take care of himself."

"That's true…come on, lets go inside and I'll make you some cookies."

"Yay!"

Smiling softly, she led the seemingly young girl back into the apartment complex to bake her some cookies. Taking a glance back over her shoulder to look at the sky and the rough location of Merrick waiting at the light. Be strong, Merrick…

To Be Continued…

Another chapter done and it was quite an odd one. Motorcycles falling from the sky, more people with magic. The Warrior-Mode and the Fallen Seraphim all being unleashed. Yet, with winning and advancing onto the Semi-Finals. Will N-Blade manage to luck out against his opponents? With the Ninja-Strike body damaged, their might not be enough time to get it repaired if his opponent turns out to be Rikorsha. And yet, would the body and its new mode be of any use against the Sailor? For her odd power against male Medabots? Who will win the Semi-Finals and advance to the Finals? And will Merrick find a job? Or even make it back to the Tournament? And who exactly are Selas and Aurora? As well as the cloaked figure who removed the device? Could it be Rikorsha's Medafighter? Find out in the next installment of Flight with Darkness!

Winning Medabots:

Kenoi, Kiono, Rikorsha, N-Blade.

Thanks going out to: HFH, Rumor, ShadowGirl64, arkari, and my newest reviewer, KamiKaze no Kage