Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, or Yu-Gi-Oh. I do not own some of the OCs in this series, including borrowed from Belletiger, LazerWulf, Ninetalesuk, and a few others. They were submitted to me. Mika is my character. Hayata and Sara belong to Belle. Larry is LazerWulf's character.
And back with the next part of the Chimera Children mini-arc. The second part should be fun since the kids will now get to utilize their special abilities. However, their next level of training will take place in the most dangerous of places... the Makai.
Let's see how the kids will manage to endure Okami's harsh training!
On with the Gaiden story!
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School of Hard Knocks, Part II
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(Set between The Invasion of the Rajita and The Search for the Kuiper Belt Senshi)
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Makai/Okami's Training Grounds/March 23, 2005/8:23 PM
Okami stood on top of a foothill as he stared off at the desolate landscape that made up the vast majority of the Makai dimension. He watched as a series of flaring auras lit up in the far distance. He probed each aura and waited patiently for his students to make their next move.
It's only been a year. My... how time has flown by. These kids have grown through many leaps and bounds. Mika. Maya. Larry. Hayata. Sara. Perhaps, it's time to show this old wolf some new tricks.
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As she sat cross-legged on top of a tall rock formation, Mika Hayashi was in a quiet pensive state. A calm, green aura covered her entire body during her meditation. A cold wind blew around her as ten hooded figures surrounded her completely.
"Kehehehe! Well, well, what do we have here?" One of the hooded figures whispered.
"An unfortunate human has wondered onto our turf!" Another one snickered.
The head honcho, dressed in a red cloak, stood in front of Mika and poked her forehead. "She isn't even paying attention, boys. I declare this girl as our next meal! Let us consume her flesh!"
With that, the hooded demons swooped right in to tear into Mika and eat every piece of her.
FWOOSH!!
Suddenly, a large, powerful wind gust blew across and knocked the ten hooded demons back. The creatures were left laying prone and scattered across the rock formation. Mika stood on her feet and opened her eyes, breaking out of her deep meditative state. In both hands, she held two giant bladed fans that were as large as her body.
The red-hooded leader picked himself up and gazed directly at Mika's direction. He cringed, trembling out of fear as he sensed the girl's overwhelmingly strong Rajita energy. He slowly backed off, knowing that he and his followers picked on someone that completely outclassed them.
Mika shot a calm yet terrifying glare at the demon. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Um... well... you..." The red-hooded creature chuckled nervously. "Me... and my... followers... were just leaving... um... mercy?"
"Wrong answer," she scoffed while spinning around and waving her giant fans. "Dragon's Wind Breath!!" With that, she danced as the air picked up around her and she waved her fans to send the wind right toward the red-hooded demon (and his followers).
"GAAAAH!!" The demon and his cohorts cried out in unison as they were sent flying off into the distance.
As she stopped, Mika snorted and sat back down. "Another bunch of weaklings. Not even worth killing. Damn! When am I ever going to get a challenge for once?!"
"MIKA!!" A voice called out from out of nowhere. The source came directly from below the tall rock formation.
The girl looked down and saw Larry waving out toward her. "Larry?"
"Okami-sensei wants to see now, Mika!"
"Really? Well, it's about damn time!" She said ecstatically.
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"Good to see you five here. I've been astounded with your progress since I've accepted you as my students," Okami said, proudly looking down each of the five Chimera children. "All within a year's time. I'm proud of you three."
"A year? Has it been that long?" Sara was taken back, almost astounded herself.
"Just about. To think we were still training in the dojo a year ago this time," Larry recalled the severe beatings he and the others received during the first initiation process.
The old Lycan smiled a bit, folding his arms behind his back. "That was just your basic training. What you've been doing in the Makai pales in comparison since you're able to utilize your powers."
"Feh, if you ask… beating up some weak demons is child's play. When are we going to get a piece of you, Okami-sensei?" Hayata inquired as he looked directly to Okami. "If we want to progress, we need better competition."
Mika couldn't help as she concurred with Hayata's complaint. "He's right, Okami-sensei! Each of us is currently on the borderline near the upper B-Class! We're not too far off from becoming A-Class fighters! We should be fighting opponents around that level… maybe even mid-A class! If we don't fight anyone strong, we're not going to get any better!"
"…and your complaints are justified. This is partially my fault," Okami admitted as he turned and faced the distance, watching the black clouds shrouding the impure, crimson skies. "This area is not exactly known for accommodating the strongest demons. Only low, petty thieves and predators lurk here."
"Exactly, I've lost count on how many I've had to kick to the curb! They're mere child's play!" Mika exclaimed like the outspoken girl that she is.
"All right, you guys have said enough. Perhaps, it is time… to move on to the next step of your training."
As Okami turned around and faced his students, he quickly transformed right before them into his Lycan form. Mika's face lit up with excitement as she and the others knew where this was leading up to.
Taking a deep breath, Okami lifted his chin and snarled like the wolf that he was. Even he was feeling ecstatic about sparring with his already improved students.
"All right, if this is what you've wanted, then I don't want to hear you complaining anymore!" Okami declared as he called forth his students. "If you have any hope of fighting ANY A-Class demon, you'll have to go through me first! Can you pass this test?"
"You bet!" Maya exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.
"Finally, we get to put everything we've learned and obtained to good use," Larry said.
Mika smiled as she pumped her right fist up. "Yeah, we'll take you up to that challenge, Okami-sensei! We're not the same kids you were beating on a year ago! We're much more capable fighters!"
"Then, show me…" The Lycan chuckled a bit.
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"HEE-YA!!" Maya shouted as she jumped up into the air, twirling a pair of katanas while channeling her psionic energy through the blades. She quickly fell down and slammed her katanas through the ground, breaking apart the earth under Okami's feet. "Psionic Blade!!"
The old Lycan quickly jumped back, distancing himself from Maya's deadly psionic blasts. He jumped right on top of a rock ledge while catching his breath.
"Incredible… they're even forcing me to go on the defensive?" Okami was astounded by what he's seen… and what he's seen has impressed him.
Just then, a glowing red arrow landed above Okami's head. He frantically sprang off the wall face as the arrow exploded.
BOOM!!
"OOOF!!!" Okami grunted as the explosion knocked him into another rock wall. He quickly pulled himself off the wall and jumped up in mid-air. As the old Lycan scanned the surrounding area, he saw no signs of his students anywhere.
That is until he sensed a faint presence behind him. He quickly turned and thrusted his right fist forward. It was Larry, who immediately evaded Okami's fist and launched himself straight at Okami. As Larry opened up his right sleeve, he pulled out a crossbow armed with another arrow. While transferring his own Rajita energy into the arrow, he fired the crossbow at Okami.
In response to Larry's attack, Okami countered by summoning a purple barrier to stop his attack.
"Not bad, Larry."
"Yes, but I'd watch my back if I were you, sensei."
As Okami turned around, he saw Sara jumping up out of nowhere. She passed right through his barrier, utilizing her 'phasing' ability. She threw herself onto Okami and attempted to thrust her right arm through the Lycan's chest. Okami ducked out of Sara's reach and dropped his barrier, allowing himself to get out.
"I almost got ya, Okami-sensei!" Sara giggled as she waved out and landed on the nearest rock ledge. "Whoop! Perfect landing!"
Okami gritted his teeth while landing back on the earth. While catching his breath, the demon sensed another energy presence and looked straight up as Hayata plummeted downward.
"Bionic Fist!!"
Armed with metallic armor around his arms, Hayata came down and tried to smash his fists on Okami. The Lycan jumped right out of the way, evading Hayata altogether. However, the Chimera didn't dissuade his next move as he charged forward. He quickly began propelling himself in a helicopter-like fashion and attempted to catch Okami with his spinning fists.
Okami timed Hayata's fists as he dodged the spinning warrior. He hopped backward, distancing himself far from Hayata's reach. He managed to land on the nearest cliff face and sprang up on top of another rocky hillside.
"These kids… at this rate, they'll soon surpass me… I really am getting old…" Okami managed a chuckle while sniffing the air, attempting to pick up on their scents. This has been going on for nearly a whole day! They don't even seem winded at all in the slightest!
"MOVE OUTTA THE WAY, GUYS!!" Mika's voice shouted from out of nowhere.
As Okami shifted his attention above, he watched as Mika stood in a one-legged posture. The Chimera girl opened what looked like a giant white fan. Emblazoned on the fan was a giant green moon symbol. She lifted the fan overhead, which was bigger than her and heavy to lift; yet, she lifted it so effortlessly with one hand.
"You heard her, guys! Move!" Hayata called out to his friends.
As the Chimeras scattered from out of the area, Okami crossed his arms in front in preparation for Mika's impending attack.
"There's nowhere for you to run, sensei," Mika evilly smiled, giving a playful wink to the old Lycan. Then, as she waved her giant fan across, Mika created concentrated gusts of heavy wind in the form of a windstorm. "Cutting Whirlwind Hurricane!!"
Okami was taken back by surprise as the heavy wind caught him and knocked him back. As Okami went flying, the strong winds pushed against the nearest rock ledges and reduced them into piles of rubble. Everything that was within twenty meters across was swept right off the landscape as Okami was eventually buried within the debris. Mika closed her fan and jumped right down on top of the debris.
"Heh, guess I overdid," the Chimera chortled a bit while examining the devastated landscape.
"Mika! How about a little warning next time?!" Larry's voice called out from the distance.
Mika scratched the bridge of her nose. "Whoops."
The Chimeras gathered right back at the site where Mika demolished the landscape with her wind attack. Sara and Maya praised the wind user while the boys' mouths nearly dropped at Mika's power.
"Sheesh, if she hit us with that, we'd be toast!" Hayata was flabbergasted with the results.
"The fact that she managed to take down Okami-sensei was astounding," Larry replied.
Mika turned around as she faced her team. "But, I couldn't have done it without you guys there."
"Yep. See? Mika's not taking credit for herself!" Sara said.
Just then, there was a subtle movement underneath the debris. The Chimeras quickly twirled around, sensing the Lycan's Youki with their keen alien senses. Maya was the first to notice streams of Youki energy beaming out of the debris.
"Guys! Here he comes!" Maya warned her friends.
As the five Chimeras stood together and poised to attack, Okami punched his right fist out of the ground and reached out with an open hand. Then, he released Youki to smash through the debris and emerge, freely hopping right back on the surface. Okami opened his eyes, revealing a pair of red with yellow irises. Immediately shooting a frightening gaze at the Chimeras, he snarled and bumrushed the five warriors.
"HEADS UP!" Mika shouted as she opened her fan.
"He looks really pissed now!" Hayata exclaimed, readying his metallic arms.
Shoom.
Then, without warning, Okami vanished before the Chimeras' eyes.
"Shit..." Mika cursed.
BAM!!
Hayata was the first to be sent flying back following a vicious blow from Okami.
The old Lycan quickly blitzed right in front of Larry and backhanded him down.
Sara tried to phase a hand through Okami's back, but the Lycan spun around and elbowed her directly in the face. Sara went down in one blow.
As Maya and Mika came together, they raced toward Okami head-on. The Lycan turned around, facing the girls and preparing himself to meet them directly. Maya channeled psionic energy in her right hand, forging an energy blade through her middle knuckle. Mika opened up her giant fan and prepared to unleash another powerful wind attack.
Okami quickly blitzed forward, catching both girls off their guard.
BAM! BAM!
Okami came right behind Mika and Maya in an instant, delivering quick and successive elbow shots into their backs. Mika and Maya were knocked down to their knees. Following the initial counterattack, Okami smashed their heads together. Both female warriors collapsed on the ground, completely knocked senseless.
As he took a deep breath, Okami calmly sighed and popped his neck. "Damn, you kids are catching up quick. Almost had me completely against the ropes. Keep this up and you'll really surpass me."
"Augh..." Mika moaned as she stirred a bit, slowly lifting her head up. "...don't get too sure.... of yourself... Okami-sensei."
"Oh, so you're still conscious?" Okami smiled as he sat down cross-legged in front of Mika. "Just so you know, there are plenty of A-class demons stronger than me. If you want any chance of matching their strength, you and your friends will have to somehow beat me."
"Yea, yeah... we've heard that time... and time again..." Larry coughed as he garnered Okami's attention.
Okami turned around, glancing at his five students. To his shock, they all slowly positioned themselves upright and stood on their own power. The old Lycan couldn't help but smile. In contrast to last year, the Chimeras were now able to withstand more punishment from Okami. Any normal human would have died in an all-out fight with the old Lycan, but these five were capable 'metahumans' that took grueling torture. On top of that, they were able to survive out in the Makai on their own without any aid from their instructor. By adapting in the Makai, the five Chimeras were capable of fighting in a realm that was dangerous to humans.
Now, in Okami's view, his students were ready for the next step of becoming his strongest disciples.
"Well, I must commend you five... you're the first students in a hundred years that have pushed me this far. But, they didn't possess the heart and determination you five are displaying. You five have certainly earned my highest respect."
Mika scoffed as she shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs out. "Don't try... and flatter us, old man."
"Heh, I'd knew you'd say that," Okami snickered, standing upright on his feet and popping his neck again. "Let's continue this sparring contest."
"The more you abuse us... the stronger we'll get," Hayata warned the martial arts master. "Bring it on!"
"You asked for it," Okami retorted.
Suddenly, and almost inexplicably, something flew in from above. Okami and the Chimeras turned their attention upward, taking notice of a tiny fairy-like demon hovering over them. Okami put his right hand/paw out to allow the pixie demon to land on his right thumb. The Chimeras gathered around to gaze at the pixie. It was pink-skinned with flowing green vines, which substituted for hair. The tiny creature was a female demon, which also wore a tiny green dress and was bare-footed. A pair of lavender wings fluttered rapidly behind her back.
"Okami-sama, I've come with a message!" The fairy demon chirped, sounding like a talking mouse.
"Wow! Look at how tiny this demon is!" Maya blinked thrice as she stared at the fairy.
Sara smiled. "It looks so cute!"
Mika folded her arms. "Great. Now Okami-sensei has pixies as friends? What's Tinkerbell doing here?"
"Watch what you say, Mika. This here is my messenger fairy and a dear friend of mine," Okami remarked as he turned his attention to the fairy demon. "Don't mind her, Kururu."
Kururu had a slightly crossed look on her face. "She has quite the mouth, Okami."
"So, what did you come to deliver?"
"Oh, right! My goodness... hasn't the news even reached this far out yet?!" Kururu exclaimed.
"News? Of what?" Okami inquired, curiously anxious to know what current events were available in the Makai.
"There's going to be a tournament held. A Makai Tournament for all demons from all over to participate and take part."
Okami was shocked upon hearing this. "And who proposed this?"
"Raizen's descendant. You already know him..."
"Yusuke Urameshi," Okami muttered as he clenched his fists. Yusuke, what are you up to? So, have you actually confronted Yomi and Mukuro? Is it true the reason I can't sense Raizen anymore...? Has Raizen finally passed?
Sara looked up at the old Lycan with concern. "Okami-sensei? Is there something wrong?"
"Yusuke Urameshi! Hey, you told us all about him! Is he in the Makai, too?!" Mika asked directly.
As she overheard the former Spirit Detective's name, Maya gasped as she placed a hand on her chest. Yusuke? Yes, Okami-sensei did tell us about him. And Yusuke is a friend of Shuichi. I wonder... will I ever meet dear Shuichi again? Oh, but what are the chances of that happening?
Okami nodded as he shifted his eyes back on Kururu. "Tell me more on what you know."
"Certainly."
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Once Kururu revealed all the details regarding the upcoming tournament, Okami and the Chimeras listened clearly while trying to comprehend on how crucial this event would be for the Makai's future.
"A Makai Tournament? Inviting demons from all over?!" Larry exclaimed in disbelief.
"And the last one standing will be crowned as the new ruler of the Makai?" Hayata added.
Maya was astounded with the idea of a tournament of over hundreds of demons. "My god. I can't even imagine the number of demons who are going to try to vie against for the title as ruler of this realm."
"Winner take all," Sara said.
As for Mika, she began to tremble... but it wasn't out of fear. There was a sudden surge of excitement building up inside of the girl. Okami noticed Mika's anxiousness and chortled.
"In 100 days, this event will commence. Okami, I wanted to relay this important announcement since I know you're close with Yusuke Urameshi and I'd figure you'd want to take part in this tournament."
"Thank you, Kururu," Okami said as he let the fairy fly off his thumb. "I do intend to take part in this event, but I intend to see Yusuke first somehow before I begin training."
"Okami-sensei! Sign us five up for this tournament!" Mika called out to the martial arts master's attention.
"Mika?! Are you crazy?! I don't think we're ready to take on demons that could be stronger than sensei!" Maya snapped as she tried to restrain Mika.
Larry seemed uncertain himself. "Indeed and none of us has any desire to take over the Makai. We're still kids. Think before you act, Mika!"
"C'mon, guys! Doesn't the thought of fighting stronger demons sound fun? I sure as hell can improve myself if I fight stronger opponents. I bet you four wouldn't disagree with that!" Mika exclaimed as she attempted to persuade her friends.
"But, I don't think Okami-sensei would approve. We can barely even beat him," Sara sighed.
"Quite the contrary, young Sara," Okami smiled as he pat his youngest student's head. "By my permission, I will allow you five to enter alongside me."
It didn't take long for Mika to run up to Okami and jump around him like an ecstatic child in a candy store. "REALLY?! WE CAN?!"
"Why would I forbid you five from entering?"
"ALL RIGHT!!"
Hayata, Larry, and Maya were speechless. In a span of a year, they had gone from dojo rookie students under Okami's to participants in a prestigious tournament. They couldn't believe that Okami actually allowed them to take active part in the Makai Tournament.
"Wow, you'd really us join?!" Sara was almost a loss for words.
"Yes, and there's about 100 days before the tournament begins. We have plenty of time to train."
"Okami-sensei's right, guys. As long as we don't waste time, we have plenty to make up for any mistakes we've made and improve ourselves. We're almost there. I don't know about you, but this tournament will prove to be the ultimate test we're looking for."
Okami smiled once Mika referenced to 'test.' "That's just what I was going for. The tournament will be your obligatory final exam. No questions asked."
"Does it matter if we actually win or lose?" Hayata asked.
"No, because there's no way any of you will win. The tournament will serve as basis of your graduation from my ways of teaching. You five have made me proud and I look forward to seeing you best performances."
The five Chimeras nodded simultaneously as they took a bow, showing respect for the Lycan.
"Let's do our best, guys," stated Larry.
"Hell yeah! Just 100 days until the big day..." Mika trembled with sheer excitement. "...let's kick some demon ass and let everyone know who we are!"
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"Hayata here. 100 days would indeed pass and the day of the Makai Tournament would come sooner than we possibly thought. I guess all of that training really made us lose track of time! Before you know it, we're already in the registration lines. Along the way, we'll happen to meet some interesting new friends and opponents. All of the demon kind. Wow, I really can't believe this is happening... I just hope we can at least win our first matches."
"Of course we will, Hayata! As long as we remember all that we've learned from sensei, we're going to do fine. Besides, there's a group of Lycan demons that sensei knows. I wonder if we'll be paired up against them."
"Who knows, Mika."
"Feh! Who cares? I'm just soooooo excited! Say, I wonder if Maya will meet that fox friend of hers... what's his name?"
"His name is Kurama, Mika."
"Oh, right, right! Thank you, my favorite boy genius, Larry!"
"Uh, don't call me that. Larry will do just fine."
"Whatever floats your vote."
"You mean 'boat.'"
"Ugh, whatever! Anyway, this is Mika along with Hayata and Larry... signing out! Wish us luck and see ya in part III of our gaiden mini-saga! Laters!"
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A/N: The Chimera kids will prepare themselves for their final exam. Who would've guessed? The Makai Tournament. I do have an idea of who their opponents will be (they're OC villains from one of my fics). Watch for the next chapter. Oh, and expect cameos from a few of the Yu Yu Hakusho cast. Most likely from Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei.
Anyway, during the YuYuGiDigiMoon timeline, the Makai Tournament takes place in mid-2005. And this will be a year before the Taiyoukai Awakening. Just so you have a good idea of where we are on the series timeline.
Part III will come soon. Until then, leave a review after you're done reading.
See you next time!