It was another day in Ginhana High School as the class were going through the day until PM Homeroom with their teacher Keiko Sakuyama.
"And that's all for today." Sakuyama said. "By the way, I should remind you all that final exams will be taking place soon, so you might want to study up."
"We know, Ms. Sakuyama. After all, after these exams, it's going to be senior year for us." Minato said.
She sighs. "To think it only seemed like yesterday when you all were just normal students." Sakuyama said. "But now you all have powers, going on your own adventures… A lot of things have been changing lately. That's why I would like to announce that starting the next school year, management will be taking steps to come up with courses that will accommodate those with actual powers."
"Are you sure that is a good idea, Ms. Sakuyama?" Tsubaki asked.
"I am kind of against it myself. We need to maintain some kind of civility and all, and not be some kind of UA clone. But with the rate that students have been developing powers lately, precautions had to be made to ensure these new powers are used for the well-being of society. After all, we have just recently been open to non-human students. Times are changing, and society has to learn to change along with those times." Sakuyama said. "And I hope that during your senior year, you all will be able to find your places in these changing times. That is all for today. Dismissed, and have a good rest of the day." she said with a smile.
The class gets up and bows. "Thank you for the lesson!" they all said in unison.
After school, David and Tatsuya were spending the afternoon in Ueno Park, which was known for its many museums and even has its own petting zoo.
"I knew that you were a cat-lover, but… Man, these big cats are all over you this afternoon." Tatsuya said.
"I guess I just have that sort of charm that draws them to me. I mean, Cheetah, Esmeralda, Glacius… I mean, yeah, they were all enemies at one point or another, but… I don't know, I guess I like strong women." David said. "Main reason why I hooked up with Sectonia, I guess."
"Speaking of Cheetah… Have you been visiting her at the hospital since the others told you?" Tatsuya asked.
"...Honestly, I couldn't. If I did, she would've taken it as pitying her, and I know she wouldn't want that." David said.
"That I know, but it's usually when people are at their lowest points that they need the support of those closest to them the most. Do you remember when Eikichi was killed?" Tatsuya asked.
"Yeah… I holed myself up in my room for days crying my eyes out until my tears dried up. That moment is still ingrained into my brain today." David said. "Honestly, it was because of Mayumi and everyone else that was there when it happened that I even managed to recover from the incident at all."
"Because you have friends that cared about you. They couldn't bear to see you all sulken like that, so they tried to help you move on from it. I know that it may be hard to at times." Tatsuya said. "And now look at Cheetah. Sure, back in her day, she was a real piece of work to deal with, heck maybe even a bit of a psycho at times, and she probably still is now… But she only managed to take the steps to recover now because she knows that now she has people that depend on and support her when she needs it, even when she doesn't think she does. I mean, she's going to be one of your partners in the next King of Fighters tournament and all. Surely, you have to be somewhat concerned for her."
"If she was still the way she was when we first met, I wouldn't have had to worry about it. I would've gone with any combination I wanted." David said. "But now… After so much time traveling with her and her own comrades, it's not that simple now. Besides, Leopardmon was kind of the one that insisted on the formation in the first place. I mean, yeah, we work well together, but I am barely on the same level as those two. Plus, I know a certain someone that won't be happy with this particular combination."
"Hmph. Well, if you ask me, if that particular person doesn't like that combination, then, well… That's their problem, and they're the ones that will have to deal with it. I mean, look at who you've got. There's you, a cryomancer that is a genius on the battlefield and relies on his own strength, Cheetah, a ferocious predator with claws that can slice through almost anything, not that she really needs anything else when she has that, and Leopardmon, who is quite possibly the biggest brain you have in that fleet of yours. I'd say you pretty much assembled the dream team already." Tatsuya said.
"I suppose. This is going to be my first official tournament with this combination, too. I'm a little nervous about how long we'll last. Do you really think the three of us can win the whole thing?" David said. "I mean, these are world-class fighters we're dealing with here. Not only that, but the scale has expanded quite a lot. People from many kinds of worlds are going to want in on this thing. An event on that kind of scale is most definitely going to attract a very big audience."
"Don't tell me you're having a bit of stage fright. That has never stopped you before." Tatsuya said.
"I'm not. It's just that I'll never know who could really be watching, that's all." David said. "I have made a lot of enemies in the path that I'm walking, after all."
"Mm-hmm… Yeah, I get that. But all the same, no matter what other people think, you shouldn't let that stop you from dealing with these kinds of situations your own way. I mean, be honest, you were expecting to make a few enemies in these travels, were you?" Tatsuya asked.
"Well, yeah, I was. It's part of the whole thing." David said. "I didn't care what people thought of me. I just do what I do best. Isn't that enough?"
"Look, the doctors over at Central City assured you that Cheetah will make a full recovery before the King of Fighters tournament starts, right?" Tatsuya asked. "I mean, come on. You know her well enough to know that there is no way she's missing out on that. Let's take a bit of briefing into the people you're comparing yourself to for a moment."
"Alrighty." David said.
"First and foremost, Cheetah herself. What separates the two of you?" Tatsuya asked. "You know…besides the obvious?"
"Well, she's a hell of a lot faster and physically stronger than I am. But I am more magically-inclined and in control of the abilities that I have." David said.
"Then there's Leopardmon. You two seem to constantly be on similar wavelengths when it comes to tactics and the like." Tatsuya said. "However, there is no denying that the main reason he brought the three of you together the way he did is because he sees how much of a dynamic the three of you tend to have together. Even though she was a little difficult to get used to at first, one thing remains clear. The three of you have a solid bond, and he knows how well the two of you work well together. I mean, do you think Zacian and Zamazenta would've chosen the both of you for any other reason?"
"...When you put it that way, I guess not. They could've chosen anyone to be their champions, and yet, they chose us specifically." David said.
"There, see? You're not the only one that thinks so. Many people have seen it, and though some don't want to admit it, the chemistry is definitely there." Tatsuya said. "I mean, sure, you two still have a few things between you, but hey, when you first meet as enemies, it was only natural, I guess. And then there's that tigress Esmeralda."
"Honestly, I don't really know a lot about her. All I know is that she's a white tigress Beastman that can use cryomancy. And she is after me because I supposedly killed her lover." David said. "I'm saying supposedly because recent info is making me question the legalities."
"True, true. But I think the two of you are gonna hit it off the most in Beijing. I mean, you both have ice powers with a few things that separate and make your styles more unique." Tatsuya said. "Dave, I'm going to be completely honest with you here… Of the three of them, Esmeralda seems to be the most convincing rival to you."
"What makes you say that?" David asked.
"I mean, sure, you, Cheetah and Leopardmon have this little bond between you and you test each other whenever you can, but… Esmeralda is literally in the same category as you." Tatsuya said. "Don't get me wrong. What goes on between you and Cheetah is no one else's business, and honestly, I think it's more legendary considering how well you work together when the chips are down, but you have to look at the bigger picture when it comes to these kinds of things. And I know you do, just be yourself and everything will work out."
"I don't know if being myself is going to make a difference with Esmeralda. I mean, come on. Sachiko, Mayumi and I are the ones she wanted to kill!" David said.
"The same could be said for Cheetah after you put her Wonder Woman in Universal Prison. And yet you two somehow managed to find enough common ground to team up in the next KOF tournament, right?" Tatsuya asked.
"Well, yeah… But…" David said.
Tatsuya sighed. "Look, I know that you are nervous about this whole thing. Now that Cheetah has been put in the hospital by the Otter, things have been a little more uncertain for you. You don't know how things are going to turn out. So, I have an idea that can get all of those worries out of your mind, which is why I brought you here in front of all of these animals." he said as he soon brought out his Asterisks. "David… I want you to fight me."
"Huh? Fight? But, why? I have no reason to fight you." David said.
"If you are going to make waves at Beijing and KOF, I need to see for myself if you can perform at your best." Tatsuya said. "Don't think of this as a sparring session, I'll be coming at you for real. So you better be ready to bring it!"
"You're… You're being serious about this." David said.
"Besides, this person you're planning to face off with in KOF is going to have a sword-and-shield style, too, right? So this may end up being good practice." Tatsuya said. "I've been thinking about this for a while. And now that I have an Asterisk and can fight now…I want to see your power for myself."
"I really don't think there's any need for this, but I see that you have your reasons…" David said as he drew his sword. "Very well. Face me with all your might, Tatsuya. Show me the strength of your resolve!"
(Cue- Fury Sparks- Tales of Vesperia)
The two sword wielders started to clash with each other, timing each other's sword swings to get the edge over the other.
"You've gotten a lot stronger, Tatsuya. I guess those Asterisks did you some good after all." David said.
"And I see that your strikes are as disciplined as ever. You have only gotten stronger since that scuffle with the Universal Villains in New York." Tatsuya said. "Some of us wished we had the strength that you have."
"Don't be ridiculous, Tatsuya. You all have already gotten stronger because of your Asterisks." David said.
"That's because we know that we can't rely on you and your companions forever. We want to go on our own adventures and fight our own battles." Tatsuya said. "We are well aware of how scary it can be, but believe it or not, it doesn't really bother us. I know you're still grieving for the loss of your old comrade, but you don't really have to worry about us anymore."
"Tatsuya, I…" David said.
"Hey, don't be like that. Even when we get into separate classes during the next school year and when we all go our separate ways come graduation, our bonds are still gonna be as strong as ever. I mean, look at us, we're still tennis club members, aren't we?" Tatsuya asked.
"Yeah. And you seem well on your way to becoming Captain come the next school year." David said as he entered Sapphire God Mode, intercepting Tatsuya's oncoming attack.
"David, you have done us all a great service. But I think now the time has come to focus on your own thing and not let your worries about us drag you down." Tatsuya said as David knocked the sword right out of his hands, landing on the ground near them.
(song end)
"Ha… Looks like I lost this match." Tatsuya said.
"Yes, but the fact that you pushed me into God Mode shows that you really were fighting seriously that time." David said with a smile as he reverted. "Tatsuya… You and the others have made strides of your own while we were away, I have no doubt that you all continue to do so as you all go your separate ways."
"Yeah, and who knows? Maybe some of us will be fighting alongside you on occasion." Tatsuya said.
"I certainly hope so." David said.
"I know Cheetah doesn't have to worry about food since she has got her own people for that." Tatsuya said.
"I know what you mean. I mean, seriously… Hospital food is probably not that good." David said as they both shared a laugh.
"But all the same, even if it does end up taking a turn… I think you and Leopardmon should visit her some time, just to show that you are making an effort to check up on her and catch her up on what's been happening." Tatsuya said.
"Yeah, I think I might do that sometime. She might need it while she's recovering." David said. "Phew… Thanks, Tatsuya. I think I really needed that."
"Thanks. Don't forget. Not just your KOF partners, but also your comrades and all of us back home, we all need you to be at your best out on the field. So no matter what happens, never let feelings of doubt cloud your mind." Tatsuya said.
"That's a lot of sage advice that you've been giving me in this whole trip, Tatsuya." David said.
"Hey, I've known you for quite a while now, even before this whole world-traveling business. I figured that if there was anyone to pull you back when your mind is in a rut, it would be me, right?" Tatsuya asked.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks a lot, Tatsuya. That fight we had really did help." David said.
"Anytime, old friend. If you need any personal counseling from an outside angle, just give me a ring." Tatsuya said.
"I will. Thank you. See you around." David said as the two old friends went their separate ways.