"Really? You want me to move my fight to the forest?" Dracozolt asked.
"Oh yes. Luxio has insisted on it. She believes your honor is at stake for not having this fair fight much sooner." Staravia said.
"Really? Wow...I always thought she secretly hated me and Arctozolt." Dracozolt said.
"No. We just show...tough love." Staravia said. "Yeah, let's go with that. Anyway...you must do it not just for us but for all of Violight."
"Okay then…. I'll do it! If it's for the Kingdom itself, then I can't lose!" Dracozolt said.
David was seen training in the field, before spotting them and sighing. "I had to fake a trip to the infirmary to be here, so you guys better have a damn good reason for calling me out."
"Uh...it's something for you. A challenge letter...from Dracozolt." Pit said.
David takes the letter and reads it.
"To the guy whose name I cannot completely remember...Davy I think it was. Anyway...I wanna change the fight date. We'll fight today in the forest at high noon. So...have a nice day. Dracozolt." it read.
"I refuse." David said. "I know that their queen forced him to write this."
"Dave, be considerate about this. If you refuse, there could be dire consequences." Lloyd said.
"He's not wrong. I heard from Spinarak that most who refuse to follow their ruler's orders get exiled." Shun said.
"In that case, I've got a counter-request for their queen." David said. "I'll fight Dracozolt in Violight as promised. And if she has a problem with that...then she can fight me herself."
"Whoa, Dave. Be reasonable about this." Jesse said.
"I am being reasonable. This is more than just a request to fight, it's a promise between warriors. And if Luxio suggests that I play by her rules...then she is no warrior." David said.
As the others went off, Hope stayed behind.
"You know, you're starting to resemble more of a Samurai everyday." Hope said. "Once you accept something, it's hard to change your mind. That's your honor speaking."
"Exactly. And Luxio clearly doesn't understand that if she thinks I'll comply with her demands." David said.
"That's just how dictators like Luxio work. Establish their authority and anyone who says otherwize gets punished." Hope said. "I hate those types of people, and I'm not saying that because of any old reason. There's one person in my line of religious history that makes me feel that way… Adolf Hitler."
"Please don't say that. It was a really bad time in my country's history." David said.
"Sorry… Luxio just reminds me of guys like him." Hope sighed.
"I just can't stand people who think they can just tell others what to do. Free will, honor, choices… None of that matters to those kinds of people." David said. "A samurai is more than just a soldier. He's the embodiment of the loyalty placed by his lord and people."
"The name Samurai translates to 'Those who Serve'. That mantra fits you perfectly." Hope said. "We all have mantras like that. Jexi, Mark, everyone. Me… I dunno what mine is. I don't really know sometimes. Stain said I wasn't a true hero, and I get all kinds of backlash. It feels like I've been deteriorating in these past months."
"It sounds to me like you've been starting to lose your way. In that case, you just need a way to find yourself again. Look for qualities that make you who you truly are." David said.
"Thanks David. I'll give that a try." Hope said. "You're a great guy. I never got to say this before… but I'm really glad we met."
"Yeah, me too. If we hadn't met, I wouldn't have been able to experience all of this. It still feels unreal, to be honest. The worlds that I've been in are nothing like the ones from anime and games at all." David said. "But I guess when you experience them firsthand, you come to learn things from a different perspective."
"Yeah… I felt the same way when I met Jexi and the others back when I first started." Hope said. "Maybe by taking your advice, I can get back to my peak. The one you knew who wasn't this bumbling guy."
"Yes. I'm really hoping I get to see that Hope again." David said.
Hope's comm then rang. "Yeah? Ulrich's what? On our way." Hope hung up. "It's Ulrich. Something's wrong with him. Could be XANA."
"Wait… I remember Mrs. Hertz saying that the lesson I faked the infirmary trip was about nanobots. And if that's the case, then… Oh, this is not good." David said.
"Yeah. Apparently he's hanging with Sissi and he doesn't remember any of us." Hope said. "C'mon, we gotta help the others figure out what's going on."
"I already know. He's stricken with amnesia. Argh! And this is the worst possible time for that too." David said.
"You don't know the half of it." Arctozolt said emerging from the dark. "Man it's bright."
"What do you expect? It's still early morning." David said.
"What are you doing here?" Hope asked.
"Now now, hear me out." Arctozolt said. "I came because...you cannot fight Dracozolt."
"This again? Look…" Hope said.
"It's not that I'm afraid he'll be hurt...it's because I know he will. See...I didn't want him to fight cause...the two of us are the weakest soldiers in the kingdom." Arctozolt said.
"And what exactly makes you think you deserve such a distinction? You don't know that for sure." David said.
"We kinda do. We've lost every single fight we've ever had. We even lost to a Pichu. A PICHU for crying out loud!" Arctozolt said.
"Look, I know you're concerned for him, but this is a promise between warriors. It's not so easily rebuked." David said.
"It's not just that. We know he'll lose. And Staravia is counting on that." Arctozolt said.
"So, he really is planning to launch an attack. I knew something was off about all of this." David said. "Good thing I refused the queen's request when I did."
"It...didn't come from the queen." Arctozolt said. "Dracozolt wrote that of his own free will. He really believes this is for the good of Violight. I tried to talk sense into him but Staravia's words have him thinking otherwise."
"Staravia again, huh? In that case, I have a counter-request." David said. "The fight against Dracozolt in Violight still stands. And if either of them have a problem with it...they can take his place and fight me themselves. This is more than just a request to fight, at least to me. This is a promise between warriors, a sacred vow that can never be broken. And I will not allow anyone to squander it. No one!"
"You don't under...ah!" Arctozolt said before being hit by an Electro Ball from behind.
"Arctozolt!" Hope shouted before they saw dozens of Emolga flying through the air.
"Typical. And here I thought you'd jump at the chance for a fight." Staravia said flying with them.
"So, you're Staravia. I've been hearing a lot of nasty rumors about you lately." David said. "So, you were the one that manipulated Dracozolt and set all of this up, are you?"
"As top general, it's my duty to utilize all soldiers...even the weakest ones." Staravia said.
"Even at the cost of a warrior's honor?" David asked.
"That may matter to Luxio but all I know is I will win this war for my lady and you can't stop that." Staravia said.
"Enough… All your words tell me is that you have no right to call yourself a warrior." David said.
"And FYI...no one would be interested in a bird with plain feathers." Hope said.
"P..p...PLAIN!?" Staravia said in shock. "Okay...fine. Have it your way. Emolga air squadron! We're changing the plan. Before we destroy their base...we'll destroy these three!"
"Wait, three?!" Arctozolt said.
"You just betrayed us. You're a traitor in our eyes. So you'll share their fate!" Staravia said.
"Funny… For quite some time, I stopped believing in fate." David said. "I believe in choices. And you just made yours, Staravia. Prepare yourself as I send a message… By sending you to Violight in an ice box!"
"You can't handle all these guys alone so...I'll keep some of the Emolga off your back." Hope said.
"Thanks, Hope. Arctozolt, stay back and cover us." David said.
"Me? But you know I'm slow, I can't…!" Arctozolt started.
"Listen to me! I don't care about their distinctions and whatnot. They don't decide how strong or weak you and Dracozolt are. YOU do!" David said. "I saw it back at the factory, you know… Dracozolt's potential. The kind of potential that people like Staravia won't let unleash. Do you intend for the both of you to stay in his shadow forever?!"
"I...I...Blizzard!" Arctozolt shouted freezing some of the Emolga.
"Wh-what the?!" Staravia asked in shock.
"I finally realized. You all are flying types...you hate ice, right?" Arctozolt said.
"What? What does that have to do with…" Staravia started.
"Everything." David said. "You used the distinction that they are the weakest to keep them in line, to keep them from unleashing the potential that they want to. Well, here's a lesson for you. No one is truly weak!"
"Why you…I've had enough of your mouth! Die! Aerial Ace!" Staravia said barreling towards him.
"Arctic Style: Ice Fangs!" David said as a panther head formed in David's hand as he lunged towards Staravia.
That one strike ended a one-sided battle as Staravia was still, frozen inside of a large block of ice.
Hope nodded. He then turned to the remaining Emolga. "I suggest you go back to Violight. And tell Luxio this… we're coming for her next."
The Emolga looked at one another before they all fled in terror.
"But… What happens now, Arctozolt? As far as Violight is concerned, you have no place there anymore." David said.
"Won't matter for too long if you guys end up beating Luxio." Arctozolt said.
"In that case… When it's over, why don't you and your brother come with us?" David asked.
"What?! Are...are you serious? Weak Pokémon like us?" Arctozolt said.
"Hey, what do I keep saying? No one is truly weak." David said. "It just means that you both have untapped potential inside you. I think we can help you out in unleashing that potential. Because, well… Truth be told, I was once like you when I started out."
"Wait… You were?" Arctozolt asked.
"Believe it or not, yes. When I suffered a devastating loss to Invel Yura while helping Hope get his family back from Color God Black. I thought I was in over my head, that I didn't deserve to fight alongside such famous figures. But...when I was in Cheetah's dimension fighting Brainiac, it happened." David said. "I felt my second wind as I defeated the maniacal Coluan. That's when I got the message myself. That things may seem at their darkest, but it's not going to stay that way for long."
"Wow. I mean wow I…" Arctozolt breathed.
"Sorry. I know that was a long time ago. At least, for me it was." David said.
"Fine. We'll take the deal. Both me and...oh my gosh!" Arctozolt said.
Dracozolt stood there in the forest as butterflies were landing on him. "He'll be here any minute now." he said.
"You just left him in the woods?!" Hope said.
"I thought the fight would happen no matter what I say." Arctozolt said before a white film was starting to spread.
"Oh...guess we were here longer than we thought." Hope said. "No worries though. We'll definitely win this war." he smirked as the light enveloped them.