Author's note #1: This is the first crossover chapter not to be part of the Tournament Arc, and the series this chapter crosses over with is pretty obscure. . . . . . . , so yeah. Enjoy.
Chapter 19
Serious Business
It was early evening. Brendan, Ash, Iris, Cilan, Haruhi, Kyon, Itsuki, Yuki, and Mikuru were still in Humilau City.
The nine suddenly noticed a building in front of them that glowed in the night sky.
"What's that?" asked Iris.
"I think it's a newly opened store that just had its grand opening today," replied Cilan, as he scanned his Town Map, "And it so happens to house a Pokemon Center in it."
"Wow, that looks cool! We should come in!" exclaimed Haruhi.
Suddenly, Ash's tummy was rumbling, catching the attention of the others.
"Looks like I'm hungry," said Ash, rubbing his neck.
"But we're all out of food," replied Cilan, "Perhaps we should stock up on food there."
The nine went inside the building. There, Iris spotted a supermarket section.
"Cilan, you should stock up in there!" she exclaimed, pointing her finger at the supermarket.
"Perhaps we can do some window shopping," said Ash and Kyon.
When Brendan, Ash, Iris, Cilan, Kyon, Yuki, Mikuru, Itsuki, and Haruhi headed for the bento box section of the supermarket, it was crowded with some people.
"I wonder what are those people waiting for," wondered Kyon.
A silver-haired girl in a school uniform replied before them, "They're waiting for the God of Discounts to show up."
Kyon asked her, "Just who are you?"
"My name is Sen Yarizui."
"And what's going on with those people?" Ash asked.
"Every night, people come here to conduct Pokemon battles just to obtain those half-priced bento boxes."
"Pokemon battles?" Iris wondered.
"Exactly. One question, what are your names?" asked Sen.
"I'm Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu," said Ash as he and Pikachu both introduced themselves.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Iris, and this is my partner, Axew." Axew popped out of Iris's hair to introduce itself.
"I'm Cilan, a Pokemon Connoisseur," said Cilan, as he slightly made a bow.
After Haruhi introduced herself, she also did the same to her sub-ordinates. Brendan did the same as well.
"It appears that all of you must be Pokemon Trainers," Sen remarked.
"Actually, Haruhi and her subordinates don't have any Pokemon with them," said Brendan.
"Just why are you talking to strangers like that, Sen?"
That was when Yo Sato and Hana Oshiroi showed up, the former asking the said question.
Sen replied, "They are newcomers who are also wanting to get a bento for themselves."
"It's nice to meet all of you. I'm Yo Sato."
"And I'm Hana Oshiroi."
The gang then introduced themselves.
"I have one question," thought Brendan, "Why does she sound a lot like Iris?"
He was referring to Hana.
"Me? Sounding a lot like her? That is mere coincidence though," replied the latter.
"Are you all hungry?" asked Sen.
"Well, actually, it's just Ash who's hungry," replied Iris.
"Say what?" exclaimed Ash.
"Before brawling, choose which bento box are you going to target," informed Sen, "Every bento box is enclosed in a lid that can only be opened when a Pokemon pushes a colored button in the bottom. And only Pokemon are allowed to push the buttons."
"What happens if Pikachu gets to push one?" asked Ash.
"If your Pikachu does it, it cannot be attacked by another Pokemon. It can now be able to get the bento inside the lid. If a Pokemon is rendered unable to battle, the Pokemon Trainer is no longer able to get a bento."
Sen added, "Trainers whose Pokemon have successfully pushed a button will pick up the bento inside when the battle ends."
Cilan thought, "I'm going to select the red bento box with cheese on top. The ingredients inside are very fresh."
"Pikachu and I have agreed to choose the one with the red button on the bottom," Ash said softly.
Iris thought, "I'm targeting the one with the white button. It looks delicious!"
"Kyon, are you thinking on which bento box are you going to target?" Haruhi asked, "Because I'm going to select the okra with cheese."
"I'm gunning for the green bento with the omelettes in it," replied Kyon, "Koizumi, are you going to pick a bento?"
"I'm not hungry, no thanks."
"Miss Nagato, are you thinking which bento box are you going to choose?" Kyon asked. Yuki didn't say a word or two.
"Ok, then. If it's fine by you."
"Mikuru, are you going to pick a bento box?" Kyon asked as he tilted his face at Mikuru.
"Kyon, I'm not sure about this, but. . . . . can I share with you when you earn a bento box?"
Kyon asked Yo, "Which one are you going to select?"
"I already had it planned by myself."
Among the crowd was none other than Trip, the same Pokemon Trainer that entered and won the Junior Cup. He was thinking of what bento box would he choose.
When the employee showed up from the stock room, every person attempting to get a bento box was grunting, some others becoming nervous.
"Who's that guy?" asked Ash, referring to the employee.
Sen replied, "He's called the God of Discounts. Pokemon rumble battles do not start until he finishes placing the stickers on the bento boxes."
"Do we have to wait for him to leave?"
"Yes. It is rude to attack him when he is not finished with his work," replied Sen.
"Pikachu, get ready, because it's up to you to push that red button and get that bento box for me," said Ash, referring to the spicy curry bento that was displayed beside the employee as his Eevee pushed the button for him to put a sticker on the bento.
Sen added, "One of the bento boxes will have a special honor seal, in which it is the favorite food of the God of Discounts."
When Trip noticed Ash, he was becoming confident. "It's that kid from the boonies again," he thought, "He'll expect to lose over and over again to me."
Brendan said, "Before you start, I'll lend to the three of you some of my Pokemon again. Kyon, you take Hydreigon. Yuki, take my Alakazam. Haruhi, I'll lend you Electivire again." He then handed three Poke Balls to the three.
When the employee finished placing the stickers, he then left to the break room. But before he did, he looked at Ash, Brendan, and the others. He then closed the door and left.
"It's already starting," said Sen as she sent out a Lucario. Everyone else sent out their Pokemon to the brawl.
Yo summoned a Scrafty.
"Crustle, go!"
"Go, Excadrill!"
"Pikachu, I choose you!"
Ash, Cilan, and Iris brought out Pikachu, Crustle, and Excadrill, respectively.
"Go, Electivire!"
"Hydreigon, come out!" Haruhi and Kyon brought out Electivire and Hydreigon, respectively. Without saying anything, Yuki summoned Brendan's Alakazam.
Brendan sent out a Skarmory.
Suddenly, a stout woman showed up summoning an Emboar.
"I think it's that woman with an Emboar!" Yo said, "She's commanding it to get all the bento boxes!"
A Pokemon Trainer named Jiraiya sent out a Seismitoad to fend off the Emboar.
"Emboar, use Brick Break!"
Seismitoad is hit by the attack and was injured.
"Alakazam, use Psychic."
Yuki's 'Alakazam' controlled Emboar up in the air and knocked it out, causing the woman to flee and recall Emboar back to its Poke Ball.
Meanwhile, back to the brawls:
"Serperior, use Frenzy Plant!"
Trip's Serperior hit a Pokemon Trainer's Liepard with Frenzy Plant.
But there were more Pokemon going to hit it.
"Scolipede, use Poison Tail on Serperior!" commanded a Trainer named Dio.
"Garbodor, use Swallow on Serperior!" instructed another Trainer named Charlotte.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Eelektross, Thunderbolt!"
Just before Serperior and Garbodor could hit Serperior with Poison Tail and Swallow respectively, they were both hit by Pikachu's Electro Ball and Eelektross's Thunderbolt, knocking both Pokemon out.
"Thanks. . . . ," Trip said to both Ash and Kyon.
When he noticed the former, he said, "Ash, it's none of your business. Why are you here?"
"I'm going to get a bento box, that's for sure!" replied the latter.
"Sawk, use Low Sweep on Serperior!" instructed a Trainer named Kenshiro.
"Trip, your Serperior's gonna get hit by that Low Sweep!" warned Ash.
In all of a sudden, Low Sweep was being blocked, thanks to Cilan's Crustle.
"Cilan, thanks," said Trip.
"You're welcome, Trip," Cilan replied.
Meanwhile, with the other trainers partaking in the brawl. . . . . .
A Starmie attempts to dodge Yo's Scrafty's Focus Blast with Minimize. But it got knocked out after another Trainer's Zebstrika hit it accurately with Stomp.
"Cinccino, use Attract on Lickilicky!" instructed a Trainer named Mio as the Scarf Pokemon managed to infatuate a Lickilicky owned by another Trainer named Taro.
"Now use Wake-up Slap!"
Lickilicky gets slapped multiple times, and is eventually knocked out. Just before Cinccino could reach the pink button though, it was hit by a Haxorus's Dragon Claw.
"Is that . . . . . the same Haxorus owned by the Wizard?" asked Mio.
"That's right," responded Yu Kaneshiro, "That's my Haxorus. You'll be left out with no food for tonight. Haxorus, use Brick Break on Cinccino."
"Cinccino, counter with Giga Impact!"
Cinccino and Haxorus clashed their attacks with each other.
However, more Pokemon surrounded and cornered Haxorus. Ash's Pikachu and Yo's Scrafty were also battling when they were also surrounded with Haxorus by the other Pokemon.
Yu Kaneshiro convinced Ash, "Your name is Ash, right? After all, you are the Trainer who owns that Pikachu."
"Just who are you?" asked Ash.
"My name is Yu Kaneshiro. People call me the Wizard. Should we team up together with your friend Yo Sato?"
Ash, becoming motivated, replied, "Sure thing."
"Seismitoad, use Mud Bomb!"
"Scolipede, Steam Roller on Haxorus!"
"Sawk, Low Sweep on that Pikachu!"
"Cinccino, finish it off with Giga Impact!"
The three Pokemon countered with their own attacks.
"Quick, Pikachu. Use Quick Attack, then use Iron Tail!"
"Haxorus, use Dragon Claw."
"Scrafty, use Crunch!"
Using Quick Attack, Pikachu ricocheted at Jiraiya's Seismitoad and Kenshiro's Sawk. Yo's Scrafty bit down Dio's Scolipede with Crunch, while Yu's Haxorus slashed back at Mio's Cinccino, knocking it out.
The latter then pushed a pink button.
A Trainer named Homura exclaimed, "Ferrothorn, use Explosion on Garbodor!"
Ferrothorn blew itself up, knocking itself out. The impact of the explosion caused Charlotte's Garbodor to be knocked out as well.
"Zangoose, Crush Claw on Seviper!" yelled a Trainer named Mato.
"Seviper, Poison Tail on Zangoose!" instructed another Trainer named Yomi.
Both moves clashed, yet both Pokemon managed to get back up.
"Excadrill, use Drill Run!" instructed Iris.
"Klinklang, use Shift Gear!" instructed a man in a lab coat named Gordon.
Iris's Excadrill knocked out Klinklang with Drill Run just before the latter could use its attack.
"Excadrill, head for that white button!" Iris commanded.
"Beartic, use Rock Smash!"
Just before Excadrill could touch the button, it was hit by Rock Smash. Said Beartic was owned by Georgia.
"Georgia? Why are you here?" asked Iris.
"To get the bento box I've always wanted, silly!" replied Georgia, "You're just getting in the way for defeating me in the Junior Cup!"
"That bento's mine!" yelled Iris, "Excadrill, Focus Blast on Beartic!"
"Beartic, counter with Ice Beam!"
Both attacks collided, resulting in an explosion.
Sen's Lucario cleared the smoke with Aura Sphere as it hit the same Seismitoad that fended off the Emboar earlier in the fight.
On the other hand, Kyon, Yuki, Brendan, and Haruhi continued battling with the other trainers.
A Trainer named Kazuma instructed, "Floatzel, use Razor Wind!"
"Electivire, dodge it!"
Haruhi's 'Electivire' dodged Floatzel's Razor Wind.
"Use Dragon Pulse!"
When Electivire dodged Razor Wind, Hydreigon fired Dragon Pulse, hitting Floatzel.
"Hey, that's my enemy!" yelled Haruhi.
"I was just trying to help you out, that's all," replied Kyon.
"Electivire, head for the one with the blue button!"
Unbeknownst to Haruhi, the Floatzel got up.
"Floatzel, attack Electivire using Aqua Jet before it pushes that button!"
"Hydreigon, block that Aqua Jet!" yelled Kyon.
Hydreigon blocked Floatzel's Aqua Jet. Electivire was now able to press the blue button and reach the bento at the same time.
"Yahoo! Thanks, Electivire!" exclaimed Haruhi as she was one of the first few to obtain a bento, "Thanks, Kyon!"
"Sawk, Close Combat on Hydreigon!"
Close Combat was fortunately stopped by Alakazam's Psychic.
"Miss Nagato, thanks," Kyon said.
"Hit Floatzel with Brave Bird!"
Brendan's Skarmory knocked out Floatzel with Steel Wing. As a result, Floatzel and its Trainer were both eliminated.
"Skarmory, head for the yellow button!"
"Use Thunder, Galvantula!" commanded another Pokemon Trainer named Makoto.
Skarmory was hit by Galvantula's Thunder, and was knocked out, leading to Brendan's elimination.
"No!" yelled Kyon.
Brendan replied, "It's up to you, Kyon. You must battle for me and get a bento for yourself before someone else does!"
Just before Galvantula could press the yellow button and steal the opportunity, it was hit and was knocked out by Yo's Scrafty's Fire Punch.
Scrafty then pushed the yellow button.
Hana exclaimed, "You did it, Yo! You got a bento for yourself!"
Meanwhile, Ash's Pikachu and Trip's Serperior were in for a huge fight.
"Serperior, use Dragon Tail on Pikachu!"
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to get to that red button!"
Ash's Pikachu dodged Dragon Tail using Quick Attack to attempt to reach the red button.
"Serperior, use Dragon Tail again!"
Just before Pikachu could press the button and reach the bento, it was hit by Dragon Tail. Fortunately, Pikachu maintained its balance and stood up.
"Don't let Pikachu get to reach that button again!" Trip exclaimed.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
Serperior took a hit in the head by Pikachu's Iron Tail.
"Now head for the button!" exclaimed Ash.
"Use Frenzy Plant to block Pikachu's way!"
Serperior used Frenzy Plant, blocking Pikachu from getting to reach the button.
"Use Leer!"
Pikachu was being intimidated by Serperior's Leer.
"Serperior, head for the red button before Pikachu steals the opportunity!" exclaimed Trip.
Serperior was farther ahead of Pikachu, attempting to push the button and get the bento inside.
"Beartic, use Ice Beam!"
"Excadrill, dodge it!"
Excadrill dodged Ice Beam, ending up hitting Trip's Serperior before it could press the red button.
Serperior fainted as a result, leading to Ash's Pikachu getting to press the red button and reach the bento inside.
"No, Serperior!" yelled Trip. He was already eliminated from the brawl.
"Alright, you did it, Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed, "I wonder who fired that Ice Beam that ended up knocking out Trip's Serperior."
When he looked at Georgia, he thought, "Was it Georgia's Beartic?"
"Excadrill, use Focus Blast!"
"Use Rock Smash!"
Georgia's Beartic destroyed Focus Blast with Rock Smash, aiming the attack for Excadrill. But it was avoided easily.
"Excadrill, head for the bento with the white button!"
"I don't think that's gonna happen," responded Georgia, "Beartic, use Ice Beam on the floor!"
Beartic froze the floor with Ice Beam.
"Slide your way through!"
Picking up a slab of ice, Excadrill slid through the ice to get to the white button faster.
Georgia gasped, saying, "But how?"
Excadrill skated through the frozen floor, dodging a Hyper Beam, a Focus Blast, a Hi Jump Kick, and a Hydro Pump, all aiming for the Subterrene Pokemon. It finally reached the white button and pushed it.
"Alright, Excadrill, you did it!" Iris exclaimed as she jumped with glee.
"Talk about using the frozen floor to your advantage!"
Georgia was exasperated when she said that line.
"How do you like that?" bragged Iris.
"What are you, stupid?" Georgia responded.
"Mienshao, use Hi Jump Kick on Crustle!"
"Dodge it!"
Cilan's Crustle avoided Hi Jump Kick, which led to Mienshao knocking out Georgia's Beartic instead.
Georgia gasped in shock.
On the other hand, Kyon's Hydreigon faced off against a Braviary and a Mandibuzz, owned by a couple named Isaac and Miria, respectively.
"May I?" asked Yuki.
In a few seconds, Kyon replied, "Ok. Let's do it then."
"Hydreigon, use Dragon Rush on Braviary!"
"Alakazam, use Focus Blast on Mandibuzz."
"Braviary, use Brave Bird!"
"Mandibuzz, use Air Slash!"
Braviary and Hydreigon charged and clashed their attacks at each other, creating an explosion.
The smoke was cleared by Mandibuzz's Air Slash and Alakazam's Focus Blast, creating another explosion.
Alakazam attempted to reach the bento with the gray button in it. But Mandibuzz caught up.
"Mandibuzz, use Air Slash again!"
"Use Light Screen."
Light Screen suppressed Alakazam from taking a lot of damage.
"Now use Focus Blast."
Alakazam's Focus Blast hit Mandibuzz hard. Mandibuzz eventually recovered.
On the other hand. . . . . .
"Hydreigon, head for the one with the green button!" exclaimed Kyon.
"Braviary, use Hyper Beam!"
"Dodge, it, Hydreigon!" Hydreigon avoided Hyper Beam.
"Now use Fire Blast, Hydreigon!"
"Mandibuzz, intercept it with Protect!"
Hydreigon's Fire Blast was blocked by Mandibuzz's Protect.
"Now use Roost!"
Mandibuzz healed itself using Roost, while Braviary continued to attack Hydreigon.
"Alakazam, Focus Blast on Mandibuzz."
Yuki's 'Alakazam' hit Mandibuzz with Focus Blast just before it could finish recovering using Roost. Mandibuzz is now defeated, leading to its Trainer now eliminated.
Alakazam rushed itself to the gray button, dodging a Hydro Cannon.
"Braviary, use Brave Bird on Alakazam!"
"Crustle, use Rock Wrecker on Braviary!"
Braviary ends up getting hit at the side by Crustle's Rock Wrecker. It eventually fainted, resulting in its Trainer now eliminated.
"Cilan, I was supposed to target Braviary," said Kyon.
"I was just trying to add some extra help," replied the Pokemon Connoisseur.
"Luxray, head for the one with the purple button!" instructed another Pokemon Trainer named Taiga.
"I don't want her Pokemon to get that bento that I've always wanted," thought Cilan, "Crustle, use X-Scissor!"
X-Scissor hit Luxray just before it could hit the button.
"Use Superpower!"
Cilan gasped in shock. "But how can a Luxray be able to use that attack?"
Luxray latched Crustle with its tail, tossing it down to the ground. Crustle was then knocked out, leading to Cilan now eliminated.
"No, Crustle!" screamed Cilan.
"Lucario, use Extremespeed!"
Sen's Lucario took down Luxray and managed to take it out. Lucario then pushed the purple button for Crustle.
"Cilan, looks like you will have to watch the rest of the battle," Sen said to a frowning Cilan.
There were only a few trainers remaining and three buttons left unpushed.
"Scolipede, use Steam Roller on Alakazam!"
"Dodge it."
Yuki's 'Alakazam' avoided Scolipede's Steamroller, which ended up knocking out Kenshiro's Sawk.
"Hydreigon, Fire Blast at Zangoose."
"Zangoose, use Close Combat."
"Seviper, use Flamethrower.
Hydreigon attempted to avoid Zangoose's Close Combat until Yomi's Seviper used Flamethrower in order to intercept the two.
Unfortunately, both Pokemon dodged Flamethrower at the last minute as they both sensed the intensity of the attack.
"Alakazam, use Psychic," instructed Yuki.
Yomi's Seviper was lifted up in the air by Alakazam's Psychic, and was sent down to be knocked out.
"Hydreigon, use Fire Blast!"
Zangoose was finished off by Hydreigon's Fire Blast and was knocked out as well, causing Mato to get eliminated.
"Scolipede, head for the green button!"
"Hydreigon, use Fire Blast!"
"Alakazam, use Psychic."
Scolipede is stopped from moving, being controlled by Alakazam's Psychic. With no way of escaping, it was knocked out after a Fire Blast.
Hydreigon and Alakazam pushed the green and the gray buttons respectively.
"Miss Nagato, do you like the bento that you selected?"
"Yes," answered Yuki.
Hana sent out a Whimsicott and because a lot of the Pokemon remaining were too weak to attack it, it became free to push a black button.
"Alright!" she exclaimed.
Kyon asked Hana, "Why aren't you battling like Yarizui?"
The latter answered, "I'm not much of a battler like most of you."
Ash, Haruhi, Kyon, Yuki, Sen, Iris, Yo, and Hana picked up the bento they earned and purchased them in the counter. Brendan and Cilan lost out, so they ended up buying cup noodles instead, also buying cup noodles for Itsuki and Mikuru.
Before the gang of nine could leave the building, Sen informed, "Perhaps all of you should become members of the Half-priced Food Lovers Club."
Ash responded, "Thank you, but as you can see, I have to go and participate in the Pokemon League."
"And I have to fulfill my ambition to become a Dragon Master," added Iris.
Sen made up her mind and said, "Even though most of you are following your ambitions in life, I have decided that all of you will become honorary members of the said club."
When the gang left the building, Yo asked Sen, "Should we give each of the seven of them a title like we do? After all, you're referred by your nom de guerre as the Ice Witch."
Outside, Ash noticed Trip leaving. He exclaimed, "Trip, don't forget the promise that we will meet again in the Unova League!"
Trip waved his hand, not looking back as he went off without saying a word or two.
He thought to himself, "Looks like the kid from the boonies has just gotten his own luck tonight. Oh well, at least I can still have the chance beat him in the Unova League."
Georgia also went off, but before she could do so, she approached Iris and said, "You may have earned the bento I've always been wanting to try out, but I'm not gonna lose to you again someday!"
Yu Kaneshiro approached Ash and said, "I thank you for your teamwork in the battle. You and your friends who battled tonight would make great wolves."
"Thanks," responded Ash, "What are wolves?"
"In brawling for bento boxes, wolves are, simply put, those who are experienced in fighting for bento boxes."
Waving his hand, he added, "We will meet again someday. . . . . . , Ash."
Wearing a motorcycle helmet, Yu Kaneshiro rode away on his motorcycle bringing along the bento he purchased prior to the end of the battle.
"Who was he?" asked Haruhi.
Ash responded, "Someone who befriended me in the Pokemon bento brawl."
"Ash was probably talking to some stranger. What a kid," Iris said.
"What was that?!"
Now back on the road, the nine decided to head back to the Pokemon Center.
There, Ash, Kyon, Haruhi, Iris, and Yuki fed themselves the bento they earned.
Just before Kyon could open his own bento, he noticed a special sticker on the plastic cover.
"Haruhi, do you have the same seal in your bento as mine?"
When Haruhi noticed the seal in her bento and compared it to Kyon's, she answered, "No, Kyon."
Brendan responded, "I think it's the honor seal that Sen just talked all about."
"It is?"
"Didn't you hear Sen mention that one of the bento boxes would have a special seal?"
"It is more likely that your bento is the one with the honor seal, Kyon," said Iris, "Besides, all of us had the same seal, and yours is the only one that's different."
The bento that Kyon earned at the battle was indeed the one with the honor seal. Only that he had no idea how did that happen.
On the next chapter:
It is time for the annual Pokemon Cosplay Race in Humilau City. When Haruhi confirms that the SOS Brigade will join the competition, Kyon finds out that Sasaki and Fujiwara are also confirmed to be participating. Will he be able to defeat the two of them in the cosplay race? Find out in the next episode of The Best Wishes of Haruhi Suzumiya!
References:
Neon Genesis Evangelion
The trainers in this chapter are named after characters in the following series:
Half-Life, Naruto, Sailor Moon, Fist of the North Star, Baccano!, Kaze no Stigma, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Toradora!, MM!, Black Rock Shooter, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Author's note #2:
It isn't a crossover chapter, right? Anyone who said yes would be wrong, because the featured crossover in this chapter is Ben-To.
There was this question I had in mind after watching the first few episodes of the said anime, "What if bento brawls were conducted in the style of Pokemon battles?" The entirety of chapter 19 is the end result, with a few modifications to the formula.
Ben-To is one of those anime in the action genre that, in my own opinion, is quite underrated. It definitely has a plot that is somehow very unique. Yo Sato notices a half-priced bento box and attempts to get one, that is, until he gets beaten up moments later. He eventually discovers that fights for half-priced bento are common in the neighborhood where he lives. Fortunately, Sen Yarizui, a.k.a. the Ice Witch, offers to train him in order to get used to the whole business of brawling for half-priced bento boxes at the grocery stores.
P.S.: Yes, this is fanfiction, but I do not have ownership of Ben-To or its characters.