Chapter 8 - Nemesis
One day on the school roof.
Rito enjoys lunch with Lala and Haruna. Both girls share their sandwiches with him; he's in paradise.
"I was really worried, Rito," says Haruna. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, really," says Rito.
"That's good," says Haruna.
"Don't worry, Haruna," says Lala. "Zastin's out there looking for that Stem jerk as we speak. I'm sure he'll find him soon."
"I hope you're right, Lala," says Haruna.
"Me too," says Rito, his mind wandering back to the previous night.
000000
Flashback
At Mikado's clinic, Mikado and Oshizu finish treating Rito, Momo, Run, Kyouko, Nana and her pet lion following Stem's attack. They all listen as Zastin speaks.
"Stem is an intergalactic criminal wanted for just about every crime that we have a law for," explains Zastin. "But his greatest offenses have been his repeated attempts of assassinating his majesty King Gid."
"That jerk tried to kill our father?" barks Nana.
"Oh, yes, many times," says Zastin. "And with many failures. But your father didn't want you to worry, which is why he never told you about him."
"And now he's targeting Rito?" asks Run.
"Well, Rito does plan on marrying Princess Lala, and becoming the next king of Deviluke," replies Zastin. "Don't you, Rito?"
Everyone looks at Rito, who feels overwhelmed. It's true, he does plan on doing so, but it's still pretty big and awkward to just admit it in front of so many people.
"I mean, yeah, but, uh," he mumbles.
"Since Stem isn't strong enough to kill King Gid, I'm certain his new plan is to just wait it out until the king dies of natural causes," continues Zastin. "And with that new mechanical body of his, he could wait decades if need be. Then once the king passes, he'd take the throne for himself. However, he somehow learned of Rito succeeding King Gid, throwing a wrench into that plan and forcing him to come up with another one."
"Which is to make me dead, because I'm the one standing between him and the throne," says Rito.
"So it would seem," says Zastin.
His serious words hang in the air for a moment.
"It's gonna be fine, Rito," says Momo. "We'll just contact the Deviluke military, assign them to protect you, and they can search for this Stem jerk."
"I'm sorry, Princess, but I'm afraid that's out of the question," says Zastin.
"What? Why?" asks Momo.
"He's right, Momo," chimes in Mikado. "In the last year alone, the number of aliens visiting Earth has increased exponentially, as well as the number of chaotic incidents resulting in their visits."
"But that's not our fault. We're good aliens," says Nana.
"Even so, world governments and the general public don't see ALL aliens as good," says Zastin. "With that said, how do you think they'd react if they saw the Deviluke armada appearing in their skies? They'd mistake it for an invasion."
"I'm afraid I have to agree, guys," says Kyouko. "Human-alien relations are tense enough as is. Bringing an entire army here just to protect Rito will only make things worse."
"Sorry, but I'm with Kyouko and Zastin on this one," says Oshizu.
"Then...what do we do?" asks Momo.
Zastin kneels before her and Nana. "Princess Momo, Princess Nana, I swear on my life...I will do everything in my power to apprehend Stem. And to keep you safe, Rito."
"Th-thanks," says Rito.
Then he lowers his head, lost in thought.
000000
Back on the school roof, Rito finishes reminiscing, and turns to his two girlfriends.
"Hey, guys," says Rito.
"What is it, Rito?" asks Lala.
"I…I wanna fight," he says.
...
"Fight? What do you mean 'fight'?" asks Haruna.
"Against that Stem jerk," says Rito. "Momo, Nana, Run and Kyouko were badly hurt trying to protect me. I'm grateful to them, and to Zastin, of course. But the truth is Stem's still out there. Sooner or later, he's gonna come after me again. And when he does, I don't wanna just stand by while someone else gets hurt for my sake."
"Rito," says Haruna.
"No, you can't!" shouts Lala. "No offense, Rito, but you're just a human. You can't fight Stem as you are. It's too dangerous."
"I'm not saying I'm gonna go hunt him down, Lala," says Rito. "I'm just saying I need to be ready in case he ambushes me again. I maybe just a human, but even I can do that much. Besides, how can I be king of the universe if I can't even protect the ones I love?"
...
...
...
Lala and Haruna trade worried looks. Then they smile and nod with understanding.
"Okay, Rito," says Lala. "If that's what you think is right, we'll trust you."
"Yes, but promise us you'll be careful," says Haruna. "No, swear it."
"Thanks," replies Rito. "And yes, I will."
He holds out his hands, and Lala and Haruna each take one.
"So what're you gonna do?" asks Haruna.
"Something I'm gonna regret," says Rito, hanging his head.
Lala and Haruna tilt their heads in confusion.
000000
Up in the sky, Zastin flies over the city, and then over the ocean.
Wherever you are, Stem, I will find you, he thinks.
000000
Down below in the sea, the Dark Rover idles on the ocean floor.
On the main deck, Stem watches the blinking red dot that is Zastin fly by on his radar.
Guess I'll have to wait until things cool down before I can go after Rito Yuki again, he thinks. Also...
He looks to the monitors playing footage of Rito, Mea, Yami and Momo walking together around the mall. Mea hugs Rito's arm, teasing him and making him blush. Momo becomes jealous, and Yami glares at Rito while enjoying a bag of taiyaki.
I never imagined he'd become friends with a legendary weapon, let alone two of them, thinks Stem. If they get in my way and I'm forced to fight them both, there's a good chance they'll turn me into dust. I need to train to ensure that doesn't happen.
He walks over to the cabin window, and gazes at the hundreds of large fish swimming in the water.
"Fortunately, I have plenty of sparring partners," he says with a sinister grin.
000000
On a cloudy day underneath a bridge by the river.
Rito and Nemesis, both wearing tracksuits, do some warm-up stretches. Once they finish, they face each other.
"Now, are you ready to begin your training, Rito?" asks Nemesis in a serious tone.
"Yes," replies Rito, equally serious.
"Then let's begin," she says.
A few seconds tick by as they stare each other down; the only sound being the churning water in the river.
...
Suddenly, both of them whip out a handheld video game device from their pockets. Then they start playing against each other. It's an awkward sight; a boy and a girl in tracksuits near a river playing video games.
"Nemesis, remind me again how this is training?" he asks.
"Remember the last time you and I were fused together? When that Kuro assassin attacked you? Instead of fighting him, all you did was run away," she replies. "So if you're serious about using my power to fight this Stem jerk, you're gonna need some combat training first."
"Playing video games is supposed to be combat training?" he asks.
"No, but it's close enough," she says. "You can study and learn some fighting moves from repeated play-throughs of these games. And besides, it's the only thing you're good at. Well, that and feeling up women, fufu."
Rito tosses his game device onto the grass. "Nemesis, this is serious."
"I know it is, Rito," she says, pocketing her own device. "Stem is unlike any alien you've ever faced before, and he'll stop at nothing until you're dead. To be honest, I'm not so sure you've got what it takes to beat him."
"Maybe not," replies Rito. "Even so, I've gotta try."
His words stir Nemesis into recalling prior events.
000000
Flashback
The night before in Rito's bedroom.
Rito is bowing to Nemesis who sits on his bed, asking her for something. Momo watches him in utter disbelief.
"What? You want HER help?" she asks.
"I've used Nemesis' powers once before, Momo," says Rito. "She's the best chance I've got against that Stem jerk."
"He's right," says Nemesis. "But the question is...why should I?"
Both Rito and Momo gape at her with wide eyes and slacked jaws.
"You're asking me to fuse with you," says Nemesis. "But instead of controlling your body for fun, you wanna use my power in a life-or-death battle against an evil cyborg-alien. What's in it for me?"
"Nemesis!" yells Momo.
"Fufu, just kidding," says Nemesis. "Of course, I'll help you, Rito."
"You will?" asks Rito.
"Sure," responds Nemesis. "After all, this isn't the first alien who's tried to take your life. And if you're serious about becoming the king of Deviluke, he certainly won't be the last. Rito, you can muster all the soldiers and armies you want to fight your battles for you. But at the end of the day, a true king, scratch that, a true MAN learns to fight on his own. And if I can help shape you into such a man...well, such an opportunity would be too foolish for me to pass up, fufu."
"Gee, how noble of you," says Momo, sarcastically.
"But I've got to warn you, Rito," says Nemesis. "Your human body may not be durable enough to sustain my full power."
"Meaning?" asks Rito.
"Blow up a balloon with too much air, it pops," explains Nemesis. "Imagine my power is the air, and your human body is the balloon. If I were to channel all my dark matter into your body right now, it would kill you."
Both Rito and Momo trade shocked looks.
"It'll take days, maybe weeks, of grueling training to prevent that from happening," continues Nemesis. "And even if by some sort of miracle you DO master my power, it still might not be enough to defeat Stem. After all, we don't know how powerful he really is. But...if this is really what you want, Rito, I'm with you."
Rito ponders her words for a moment. Momo stares at him in concern.
"Yes, this is what I want," he says, confidently.
Nemesis smiles, impressed. "Good."
"And Momo, you know I trust you," says Rito. "Please trust me."
Momo considers his words, and then sighs. "Okay, Rito. But if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks," replies Rito.
000000
Five minutes later.
While Rito brushes his teeth in the bathroom, Momo speaks with Nemesis in his bedroom.
"Got something to say, Princess?" jokes Nemesis.
"As a matter of fact, I do," says Momo. "Nemesis, I don't like you."
"Shocker," quips Nemesis, sarcastically.
"I don't trust you, and that's especially true when it comes to you being around Rito," says Momo. "But I do trust him, and he's choosing to come to you for help."
Just then, Momo bows to Nemesis, much to the latter's surprise.
"You have no idea how much I hate myself for doing this, but I'm begging you to protect him," pleads Momo. "If you love him half as much as I do, use your power to keep him safe."
...
"Fufu, seeing you beg me for anything fills me with great joy," teases Nemesis. "But you can rest easy, Princess. No harm will come to Rito, not as long as I'm around. I do love him, and I'll see to it he's safe."
"Th-thank you," replies Momo, forcing herself to say those words.
000000
Back to Nemesis and Rito by the river.
"You've grown up, Rito, fufu," says Nemesis.
"Huh?" asks Rito.
"Oh, never mind," she replies. "Okay then, let's get started. First, I'm gonna siphon some of my power into your body. Let's start off easy at three percent."
"Uh, alright," he says.
Nemesis sticks her hand into Rito's body like a ghost. He feels a slight tingle, and then she removes her hand.
"Now concentrate," she instructs. "Feel the dark matter within you. It's like any other form of energy. Balance it, then disperse it."
"Okay," he says.
Then he takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and focuses. A few seconds pass, and his entire body tenses up. His veins bulge out of his skin. Sweat drips down his brow. He grinds his teeth in pain.
"Rito, stop!" she yells.
Too late.
Dark matter blasts out of Rito's feet, and he launches into the air, screaming like an idiot. Nemesis watches him fall and splash into the river. Soon as he surfaces, she rolls on the ground, bursting into hysterical laughter.
Rito swims for shore, embarrassed. "Shut up. It was my first try."
"And almost your last," she laughs.
Rito wrings water out of his clothes. "I don't get it. What'd I do wrong?"
"Looks like it's too soon for your human body to use even three percent of my power," she says.
"Great. So now what?" he asks.
Nemesis gently punches his chest. "You're gonna have to learn how to control my power before you can wield it the way I can. But chin up. I'm gonna whip you into such good shape that by this time next week, you'll be sustaining three, no, FIVE percent of my power."
"Will that be enough to beat Stem?" he asks.
"No, you idiot, of course not," she replies. "This isn't something you can master overnight, Rito. You better be in it for the long run. After all, there's no telling how long it'll be before Stem's caught. Whether he shows up tomorrow or a year from now, you need to be ready. But with any luck, Zastin'll find and capture him first, and you won't have to fight at all."
"Yeah, well, I can't just wait around for that to happen," he says, clenching his fists. "Besides, what if Stem decides to go after my friends or family? What if he uses them to get to me, and I'm powerless to save them? That's reason enough to fight, even if I am a useless human."
Nemesis takes his hand, calming him down. Then she gets right up in his face, making him blush.
"This look of yours…it's the same one you gave King Gid when he tried to kill me," she says, smiling and blushing. "I'll never forget that day. How you risked your life to save mine, even though I was plotting to take yours."
Rito's never seen her blush before, and he can't deny how cute she looks. "Nemesis..."
She holds his hand high in the air like he's a boxing champion.
"Alright, then. Let the training from hell begin!" she shouts.
"Wait, what?" he asks.
000000
Rito lays face-down on the grass, trying to do push-ups with Nemesis sitting on his back.
He fails to do even one. Nemesis sighs in annoyance.
000000
In the ocean, Stem walks on the sandy ocean floor.
Being half-robot, he doesn't need oxygen while underwater. Nor is his body being crushed by the billion tons of pressure.
Several sharks swim his way. He grins as they approach. The sharks attack, but he fights back. Using only his bare fists, he knocks out their teeth and snaps their bodies in two.
000000
Rito and Nemesis sit on the grass, meditating.
A woman jogs by with her dog, distracting Rito. Nemesis smacks his head for losing focus.
000000
Underwater, Stem wrestles with a giant octopus.
As its tentacles wrap around his body, he activates his red energy sword and slices them off. Then he plunges his blade deep into the octopus' head. Blood and ink cloud the surrounding water.
000000
Rito runs as fast as he can while carrying Nemesis on his back, just like Luke and Yoda.
Every time he slows down, she slaps his butt like a racehorse, spurring him to run faster.
Hiding behind a tree, Momo watches them with a look of uncertainty.
000000
A humongous, finback whale thrashes wildly in the ocean.
Laser beams shoot out of the whale from its inside like lights from a disco ball. The whale whines in pain, and then starts to sink. Stem bursts out of the whale's stomach, having been eaten. Then he watches the poor animal sink into the dark abyss with an evil grin on his face.
000000
Back at the river, the rain starts to pour.
Rito and Nemesis hurry under the overpass, but they're already soaked.
"Ah, man," complains Rito, sitting down. "No one said it was gonna rain."
"Yeah, it's really coming down," replies Nemesis, sitting next to him. "Ah-choo!"
Rito looks at her; she's soaked to the bone and shivering.
"You good?" he asks.
"Of course, I am," she says. "I'm a transformation weapon. The pinnacle of legendary weapons. It'll take more than a little drizzling to-ah-choo!"
She turns her head to hide her face, flushed with embarrassment. Rito keeps staring at her.
...
She gasps as Rito wraps his arm around her shoulders, and pulls her into his side.
"I'm feeling a little cold myself," he says. "This way, we can use our body heat to keep each other warm."
"Or maybe you just wanted to cuddle with a cute girl, fufu," she teases.
"What? No, I, erm," he mutters, blushing.
Nemesis shifts her body so that instead of sitting next to Rito, she's sitting in between his legs with her back snuggled against his front. Rito's face flushes even redder.
"You're right," she says. "I feel so much warmer."
He's too embarrassed to say anything, so he just scratches the back of his head, and lets her be. The two of them sit still for a moment, watching the storm.
...
...
...
"Rito," she says.
"Yeah?" he asks.
"Yami, Mea and myself," she says. "Let us fight Stem."
"What?" he asks.
"It's been six days, and you still haven't learned how to properly harness my power," she says. "It's not your fault, but even so, the three of us are a safer bet."
"Nemesis, I can do this," he protests. "I still have tomorrow to pull this off."
"Not if I play hooky," she counters.
"Oh, come on," he argues. "You said you'd give me a week, and the week isn't up yet."
"Might as well be," she retorts.
"I'll do anything you want. Anything," he begs. "Just train me one more day, and you'll never have to help me again. Please."
...
"Anything?" she asks.
"Anything," he confirms.
"Okay," she says. "How 'bout you confess your love and add me to your harem?"
"WWWHHHHAAAAAATTTT?" he squeals.
"Just kidding, fufu. Besides, that would never happen," she says in a serious tone.
"Hmm?" he asks.
"I tried to manipulate Yami into killing you," she says. "After that, I've caused you nothing but trouble. And even though you saved me from King Gid, you haven't expressed any romantic interest in me whatsoever."
"Nemesis," he says.
"But that's okay," she says.
Then she lifts her face next to Rito's, bringing their lips within kissing distance. They're so close, she can feel his heart pounding against her back.
"I don't want you to include me in your harem just because I want you to or because it'll make me happy," she admits. "I want you to include me because YOU want to and because it'll make YOU happy. So until you feel that way about me, I'll just have to carry enough love for the both of us."
She smiles, closes her eyes and rests her head against his chest.
Rito stares at her for a moment, not sure what to say. Then he resumes watching the rain.
000000
Over at Yui's house, the rain continues to pour as day turns to night.
In the living room, Yui and her brother Yuu watch the news on TV; it's the captured footage of Stem attacking the set of "Magical Kyouko."
"Crazy stuff, ain't it?" asks Yuu.
"That idiot director," chides Yui. "I can't believe he endangered his crew and kept filming while a maniac was loose and attacking everyone."
Just then, the shot of Rito defending Kyouko from Stem plays on TV, surprising both Yui and Yuu.
"Whoa, is that Yuki? Way to throw down, man," says Yuu.
As Yui watches Rito stand up to Stem to protect Kyouko, her cheeks turn red.
Kyouko, she thinks. You're so lucky. Wait-no!
She violently shakes her head, shaking out those thoughts.
"He's an even bigger idiot than that director!" she yells, scaring Yuu off the couch.
000000
The next day at the river.
Rito and Nemesis stand apart from one another.
"Ready?" asks Nemesis.
Rito nods without hesitation.
Once again, she inserts her hand into his chest, and channels some of her power into his body. Rito plants his feet, and squeezes his eyes shut. His entire body tenses up. His veins bulge out of his skin. Sweat drips down his brow. He grinds his teeth in pain.
Nemesis becomes worried; she's about to stop him when-
A sphere of dark matter generates within Rito's hand, shocking both of them.
...
"I don't believe it," she says.
Rito stares at the ball of energy hovering in his palm. "Nemesis, did I…?"
"Yes. You've harnessed my power," she says, smiling.
Rito's face lights up with joy, and he chuckles to himself. "Alright! So now I can sustain three percent of your power?"
"Rito," she says. "That was TEN percent I channeled into you."
...
"WHAAATTTTT?" he screeches. "Why would you do that? What about all that stuff you said? About the air and the balloon?"
"But you seemed so sure of yourself yesterday, fufu," she says. "And it looks like you were right. I've never been so happy to be proven so wrong."
Just then, the ball of dark matter energy disappears from Rito's hand. He looks at his empty palm in confusion, but then Nemesis takes his hand.
"You've still got a long way to go," she says, smiling. "But I'll be here, guiding you every step of the way. And when the time comes, we'll face Stem together."
"Nemesis...thank you," he says, smiling back.
Then they both go quiet, realizing how close they are to each other.
...
Maybe it's just the atmosphere, but they find themselves drawing their faces closer. As their lips connect, she squeezes his shoulders, and he wraps his arms around her slender waist, pulling her towards his body. Once they break off the kiss, they stare deep into each other's eyes, basking with warmth.
"Nemesis," he says. "Will you...stay with me? Forever?"
Nemesis stares at him, and covers her mouth to quell her laughter. Rito's face shines red with embarrassment.
"You big dummy," she says.
"Sh-shut up," he says.
Then he notices light tears of joy in her eyes. She quickly wipes them away, and plumps her head on his chest.
"Of course, I will," she says with a smile.
Rito smiles back as they embrace under the sunlight.
000000
Later that night, the Dark Rover idles on the ocean floor.
On the main deck, Stem equips a new weapon onto his robotic arm. He activates it; a whip of pure energy uncoils from his gauntlet.
"Nice," he says aloud.
Then he cracks the whip at one of his control consoles, slicing the machine in two.
"Very nice," he says, deactivating the whip.
A moment later, he enters a depressurizing chamber. The door locks, and the chamber fills with seawater. Stem remains still as the freezing water rises above his head.
Outside, an exterior hull door opens, and Stem flies out of his ship.
Then he breaks through the surface, and flies to the mainland.
I'm coming for you, Rito Yuki.
000000
Meanwhile at Rito's house.
In Rito's bedroom, Rito and Momo play a fighting video game against each other on handheld devices while Celine watches. They all seem to be enjoying themselves.
"Come on, come on," says Momo. "No! Ugh."
"Woo-hoo! I win again," says Rito.
Celine cheers and applauds his victory.
"You're just too good, Rito," says Momo, smiling.
"Thanks. Let's hope I'm half as good against Stem," says Rito with a serious look.
Celine hugs his leg to comfort him. He pets her head in return.
"You know," says Momo. "Learning martial arts from 2-D fighters is all well and good. But don't you think you should learn some actual martial arts from an actual, 3-D martial artist?"
"Uh…I mean, sure I should," replies Rito. "Except I don't know any actual, 3-D martial artists."
"Hmm-hmm, you're so cute," says Momo. "You and I both know the perfect girl who can teach you."
Rito and Celine trade looks, wondering who she means.
Author's Note: I admit it, this was tough. Fun, but tough. Nemesis was such a mystery, and her moments with Rito were few and far between that fleshing out a relationship between them was quite an ordeal. Otherwise, I enjoyed showing off Stem's power and brutality; looking forward to his next clash with Rito. Not to mention, I had fun juxtaposing their training montages. Also, I wanted to give Best Girl Yui a moment to shine as well as build up to her eventual chapter. Stick around, because Second Best Girl's chapter comes next.
Please don't forget to FAVORITE and LEAVE A REVIEW/PM.