Disclaimer:

The following is a non-profit fan-written story. Demon King Daimao and its characters are not owned by me, it's owned by Shotaro Mizuki, Artland, and Sentai Filmworks. Support the official release.

Slow clapping is heard.

"What the…?" said Keena.

"Don't tell me that's Eiko…" said Lily.

"So you've decided to become a real fighter, I see…"

Keena gasps, "T-that voice…"

The mysterious figure with the soft voice then slowly reveals herself, revealing light green hair, making a small smile. "Hello again, Keena Soga."

"Korone…y-you're back…!"

Keena then runs at her and hugs her. Korone seems rather shocked about the hug.

"Did you miss my companionship that much?" said Korone as Keena then lets go of the hug.

"Well, you always seem rather nice to me, and I really wanted to be friends with you, but I was worried that I would interrupt your mission…" said Keena.

"Just from you hugging me, you've…no doubt changed."

Keena laughs in confidence, "Well, I've sort of worked out, but not in the "lifting weights" sort of way.

"Does that mean that you're on steroids?"

An awkward short pause follows as Keena, alongside her friends, make a bit of a questionable look at Korone.

"No, nothing like that…oh, yeah, meet my friends and boyfriend! Dunno if you know about them, but…"

Korone then takes a look at them carefully. She could only recognize Lily. "Hm…you remember me, right?" said Korone.

Lily couldn't help but chuckle, "Well, we did sort of prove how manipulating Eiko was, and planned a hologram of her father with half his head metalized."

"I still think that was rather anti-climactic that way. I would have smacked her endlessly."

They then do a high-five as Keena then scratches her head in confusion on what's going on, "Wait…I thought you didn't know each other, Lily."

"Thanks to Arnoul and Korone, I was able to get the Lilidan technology needed to create a lifelike hologram of her father to scare off Eiko the first time. Unfortunately, it couldn't really work that well for that long." said Lily

"Hm, thanks. However, as much as I like to talk to all of you, my business is with Keena here. And not just for a reunion chat, either." said Korone.

"I think I know what you're implying…and we'll indeed get to that." said Keena

[Opening]

Sarakedase tetsu no tobira wo
Oshitaosu chikara ga hoshii no sa
Baacharu na sekai ni damasareru mae ni
Iza akushon yobisamasou, saa ryoute wo sora he to kazase

Force, force
Kowarenu chikara wo kure
Force, force
Abaiteku chikara wo kure
Force, force
Tobira wo akehanatsu
Chikara wo ataeta mae

Force, force
Aisuru chikara wo kure
Force, force
Tachimukau chikara wo kure
Force, force
Tobira wo buchikowasu
Chikara wo ataeta mae

Give me force, yeah!

Episode 17: "Proving Ground"

The whole group enters inside the hotel as they decide to go back to their rooms. Keena and Korone, however decide to stay in the hallway as they're about to discuss serious matters ahead.

"I just don't get why we all can't go outside to see them discuss…we'll hear them anyways, so what gives?" said Gavin as he sighs slightly in frustration.

"I'm guessing it's a very serious matter between those two, since they haven't seen each other in many, many months. Either way, we'll stay alarmed." said Lily.

"Do you think we should also sound record it?" said Kanna.

"I'm not very sure…but knowing Korone, her being recorded must be a pet peeve she must really hate. Trust me; I've learned from my own weird outtakes on criticizing movies." said Michie.

"Not to mention, I don't trust that Korone…from what Keena told me, she sounds…well…" said Gavin.

"Whore-ish?" said Arnoul.

"Her trying to give up her body for Akuto? Just seems rather conspicuous to me."

"Last I talked to her, she just said they're friends now and moved on." said Lily.

Gavin then sighs a bit worriedly, "Keena…"

Right outside the room, Keena and Korone resume their conversation.

"You know…come to think of it…I find it ironic that we sort of both helped Akuto and Junko in one situation. Remember? I took Fujiko's bullets, adjust them to turn into rice, and you fired them, thus causing a rice shower for everyone!" said Keena.

"Yeah…although I still sort of remember the way you planned it, too."

{Flashback}

Keena is seen flying through the hallways, trying to find Korone. She then spots her about to leave the main doors to the Academy.

"Korone! Oh, am I glad to see you!" said Keena.

"Why did you find me?" said Korone.

"I think A-chan and Junko might be in a bit of a compromising spot! We need to help them!"

"You think they are?"

"Well, thing is, I have sort of a plan, and you also kinda need to help me in it."

"Alright, but I do sort of overdo it most of the time."

"Goodie~! Because…"Keena then holds up two circle-shaped bullets from the gun Fujiko gave to Akuto before.

"Isn't that…?"

"I was able to use magic to have these bullets launch a personified kind of surprise when they launch off from a gun. I couldn't locate A-chan's gun, but since you claim to own, well, maybe a few, could you use it to solve the situation at what's unyielding?"

"I'm more curious on how you were able to come up with that."

"Well, just real good instincts that all…even I'm amazed at myself somewhat…anyway, we got to hurry! When we get there, I'll cue the signal when I wave my wand, and then you fire."

Korone nods, "Roger, right away!"

They then leave the doors as Korone runs and Keena flies.

"You don't mind me using a real big gun?"

"Whatever needs necessary, Korone!"

{End flashback}

"Guess I really worked "behind the scenes" well, huh?" Keena joked, laughing a bit.

Korone was able to show a smile, "You're way more enthusiastic than when I last saw you, Keena."

"Well, I understood you leaving about the politics with the government with your race and planet, but…I've never given up hope."

"You also don't call him "A-chan" anymore?"

"I don't think it fits me anymore…see, the Academy seems to also like to spread dumb rumors how I apparently was "in love" with him, but it was such a misunderstanding and sounded like a pet name so much that I just dropped it."

"I thought so…thing is, as much as I want to talk with you about how well you've been living with your new friends, I figured that since you're at least happy, we should now talk about serious matters."

"Well, I'm not even close to feeling asleep, so you can go on. But first…lemme predict."

"Okay, what's that?"

"It's about me no longer having the Law of Identity, is it?"

"I thought so. Thing is; only I knew about the Law of Identity, but the government knew nothing about it. I originally was planning to advise them about it, but I figured it wouldn't cause more of an issue since you were a bit oblivious to it as well."

"I…was. I just didn't think it seemed right having all this power to anyone, not even myself. I decided to get rid of it. And…I take responsibility for possibly dooming the world."

"Wait…that seems rather new…"

"Getting rid of it messes the balance on the usual methods of killing the Demon King, but if he does get vanquished, no one ever has to ever get the fate of being a Demon King ever."

"So are you doing this because you want to be the first woman to do it, or to just do the right thing?"

"No doubt doing the right thing. It doesn't matter on gender, really. This just proves either gender can kill him."

"Yet ironically, a woman kills him for good. It's like the quote from King Kong; "It was beauty killed the beast.""

"In that case, though, it doesn't really matter who kills the beast as long as someone just kills it."

"But Junko tried. Miserably."

Keena then thinks for a bit, realizing something about Junko. "You're also aware that supposedly, there's a chance Junko could indeed marry Akuto?"

"You have proof of that?"

Keena scratches her head a bit, "I dunno…then I'll just keep saying "it was the Law of Identity's human form"…it sounds silly, but it's true." said Keena as she chuckles nervously a bit, still scratching her head.

"Hm, no need, because…" Korone then finds some photos from her pink bag that she always carries. The photos show multiple photos of Junko in a white dress and Akuto in a suit, and then kissing on a podium as Keena looks in shock.

"It took place in Estonia. I was secretly there and witnessed the deadliest knot that is now tied."

The rest of group all are able to hear this in the other room, knowing well the challenge has now been more topped than ever, but they aren't worried.

Keena takes a deep breath as she leans on a wall in slight frustration, covering her face. "I knew it…now I have to kill Junko, too? No! I haven't even talked to her that much! I want to try talking to her because…I lashed out at her…in a dream."

"It's cruel fate, isn't it? But don't you want revenge? She hasn't really accepted you much after the incident at the beach."

"Which is why I want to give her a second damn chance! Even if it has to be one day of us talking, just one! We'll get to know each other, maybe even share a couple of secrets!"

Korone, although keeping her usual stature, is generally a bit surprised deep inside, "You really are sounding like a hero."

"If there was one thing that I would like, is just maybe even calling her by phone, maybe hang out, even if we have to face each other someday, I don't care, I need to hang with her for one day!"

"I could try to arrange it, but…"

"Come to think of it…you never really got accepted by her much, either…"

"But...I understand her if she was to hate me, actually. I arranged their marriage…"

"Hm, I see—" Keena then notices something. "—wait, huh?"

"Remember when your birthday was near, and me, Akuto and Junko went to Junko's village?"

"So…that's what it was?"

"Correct. We had to keep it a secret since we figured…that you either wouldn't seem interested or be bored by it. Also, when we discussed it, you slept through it all."

"And then Eiko tried to surprise attack me somehow…"

"How did you know it was Eiko?"

"She told me straight to my face, knowing my Law of Identity prowess. Also, she's sort of my, as we say "arch-nemesis"."

"I saw your Super Bowl fight, too."

Keena would pause for a few seconds, but still looking focused. "You weren't affected by the spell…"

Korone then finds a custom made bike helmet in her small bag, "It's immune against those types of spells. I figured you were smart enough to do that."

Keena then sighs in relief, "Knowing you, I doubt you'd tell on us."

"I'm not the kind to do that."

"However, I'm not kidding. Eiko's been pretty much our enemy the past couple of months. I've fought her twice. She may be strong, but she can have cheap tricks pulled against me when edged at a corner."

"And yet you haven't killed her?"

Keena stumbles a bit at that comment, "I'm not sure if she's worth killing over…but I will confess that I did kill a despicable person."

"Kind of ironic, really…you're referring to Mr. X, who I thought I took care of personally, but guess I really didn't punch him in the forehead hard enough."

"I actually might want to thank you letting me annihilate him."

"But…what if Eiko was like him? Turns out Mr. X's records are more disturbing than you'll think. Before being hired as sort for a hitman for CIMO8, he's gotten away with more than 90 murders. I somehow survived. You've stopped his madness."

"Hm, now I actually feel okay. However, the main reason why I killed him was because Lily was in mortal danger. It was either to let him get away so he might try that again to either one of us, or off him to stop. Turns out it was way more justifiable than I thought."

"You haven't answered if you'd just let Eiko go with it as well."

"Only if it goes too far. Far as I can tell, she's a threat, but unless she goes too overboard, the best we can do is subdue her."

"You sure are careful. Now, about your fighting…is it intentional for you to not look rather…muscle-built?"

"I'm not really a fan of having muscles, so all that muscle is sort of on the inside of me. Trust me, it's not that attractive." Keena chuckles a bit.

"In that case, I would actually pay to see you and Gina Carano to have fought to against each other. That would make Pay Per View gold."

Keena also starts to laugh, "If I actually get attention by those kinds of magazines, actually~."

Korone then crosses her arms, "But still…I'm sort of starting to think that I doubt you can defeat Akuto."

The group in the other room gasp as Keena suddenly stops laughing, looking rather bitter, "Wait, wait…are you joking as well, or…"

"I'm not really being sure myself. But I'm not too fond of uneasiness."

"I've trained for a couple of years, I'm sure I know what I'm doing."

"For starters, there's Hiroshi."

"I'm aware about him being Brave."

The comment actually surprises Korone "How did you know?"

"I saw him on TV a couple of months back late in October. Turns out he's popular with children around Asia, and…while he's only doing that to hide his real powers, Lily believed me. We were careful to assume due to eye color and examining his hair, with Arnoul helping as well. It was no doubt him."

"And I talked to him. Just last week."

"And what did you tell him?"

"We had a lengthy conversation, but here's the most important part …"

{Flashback}

Around in a rooftop on Manila, Philippines, Korone and Hiroshi are involved in a talk.

"New hero, huh? It's a little hard to believe since we don't talk often." said Hiroshi.

"Would you believe if her name was Keena Soga?"

"K-Keena?! I never thought she'd be in my level! Did you witness her train or something?"

"No, but supposedly, I did get some sort of old archive that I was able to hack through from an old paparazzi. Name was Pagan Heron. What a weird name."

Korone then gives Hiroshi a copy of the article. "And yet somehow they're able to keep it secret…?"

"I'm not sure if this means that you'll have competition, I mean, your destiny is to indeed be a hero, but I'm not so sure she's meant to be one. It's like some sort of contradiction."

"It doesn't seem right, though… but…it could be necessary for each gender to have one, don't you think?"

"Don't bother that doesn't seem true with me. No one else has to be hero, just you. You don't want your spotlight stolen, do you?"

"I don't mind…it's just that you make it sound like she's just a bother, but she might even have some hidden potential that you can't seem to be taking seriously."

"That's enough. If you want to keep your lies, just go on. Just remember, your time could be up."

Korone then leaps off building after building until she's gone.

"She must be trying too hard to push me forward…"

{End flashback}

"Even so, I couldn't help but think that he was hiding his supposed worried feelings that his hero status could be uplifted. Never knew he could be so hypocritical."

Keena then doesn't respond for a couple seconds, shaking her head, "Not bad as your poor choice of words."

"And what's that?"

"So you mean to tell me that you don't think I should defeat Akuto?"

"That'll mean that I have to be as honest as possible, then. To be clear…no."

A slight bit of frustration can be seen in Keena's face as her voice harshens, "Is it because Junko couldn't try to defeat him?"

"That's part of the reason why. She just decided to be flustered around him like some sort of lost soul. Thing is, she was never meant to be a hero in the first place."

"She could've if she just tried a little harder!"

"You interrupted her one time, remember? Akuto was "important to you"."

"In a protecting sort of way, yes. Not to mention that she never thought of having a dictionary to see word "misunderstanding" pop up."

"But the bottom line is, you may have helped your friends in many ways, including tonight, you may have a good amount of power, but you are not meant to the hero in this story. Come to think of it, you were never meant to meet the friends you have now, either. It's like being a novelist. Deep into his or her mind, the novelist writes certain things he or she avoids for the sake of much more important matters. There's the characters; and one of them is you. You're meant to be the damsel to pretty much everyone and be a bit of an annoyance. You may have some sort unique power, but it's to simply give it to another for their own gain, but not you."

Keena then interrupts, as she then pushes Korone to the wall and hold her by her shoulders, "If you're implying what I think you're implying, you're just taking this whole hero concept a tad too far! That's like saying that only the police can be heroes, while there are probably other people just as deserving to slay in their way! If you're younger, I can understand staying away from a fight, but if they really piss you off, and I mean really piss you off, fight! Doing nothing doesn't gain you anything whatsoever."

"It's not about whether you're the hero or not, Keena. I meant that you really shouldn't get in the way. What if maybe, the Law of Identity was just spouting all lies how you supposedly have to be the hero, but in reality, maybe you were supposed to be "some" kind of hero, if you just gave your powers to maybe someone else. If you found a way to give them to yourself, though, that's not heroic, that's just thievery. You may now be better than before, but maybe you could end up like Junko, where—"

Immediately after hearing Junko's name, Keena then abruptly punches Korone straight in the face without flinching at all, looking royally infuriated at Korone's negativity as Korone falls in the floor, which alert the group as they try to leave the door to go out to the hallway, but Lily prevents them.

"Lily, move! I need to know if Keena is alright!" said Gavin.

"No…she knows what she's doing, don't interrupt!" said Lily.

Korone coughs a bit of blood from the punch, even causing her to flinch a bit.

"Korone…are you saying that I'll just simply join Akuto because I won't have any other option to go?! This isn't like you, you know!" shouted Keena.

"It's…supposed to…" said Korone.

Keena then forcibly makes her stand up only to pin her to the wall again.

"I've been training for the past couple of years! I know I sucked at trying to go on the offensive on my first year there, but that's because I didn't even bother to fucking try!"

"I wouldn't think…that you would…"

"And you're running your mouth like you're supposed to be some sort of analyst on the whole thing, but whether it's fact or fiction doesn't matter, what matters are the actual actions! It really hurts, you know…feels like I got punched, too!"

"Guess I officially underestimated you, then…you really can't accept the destiny, can you?"

This causes Keena to punch Korone square in the face again, knocking her down once more, but this time Keena sits on top of her, tugging her shirt, threatening to punch her again.

"Accepting destiny is what doesn't fucking matter! Go on; keep throwing bullshit facts that has nothing to fucking do in this sort of situation! What's next, that I'll just spontaneously love Akuto as a result?! Fuck no! I have a loving boyfriend who cares about me and I care about him! Have you taken a good damn look at him?! You think we're not meant to meet each other?! Huh?! Keep going, Korone! I would love to hear your take on that! What about my friends, huh?! Am I supposed to not have true companions either?! Friends like Lily, Michie, Kanna and Arnoul?! You were technically a really good friend to me before, but all I see is a cynical bitch who would rather want the world to end because we're apparently not good enough!

"I...I just…" Keena interrupts by punching Korone once more, causing her to bleed from the nose as her bruises keep on worsening as small tears are now forming in her face.

"Come to think of it, what if you would have a loved one someday? Would you rather keep on going with your oh, so helpful facts?! Or will you act out like a whore like what you did with Akuto before?! Have you ever thought that maybe, maybe if you had some goddamn common sense into thinking that maybe he might actually have sex with you, what then, huh?! Oh, and not to mention that in the Academy, all you're known there for is being a slut! Have you ever thought of that?!"

Keena then starts to notice Korone's tears running down, yelling out "Stop! Stop!", begging her as Keena suddenly stops and notices the pain she's caused to Korone, causing her to frown and feel hurt.

"Oh, God…" said Keena devastated.

Korone cries louder, "I know! And I don't want to be reminded! Liridans aren't…we aren't that emotionless! Not to mention the fact that I'm basically clean! And…you're right, okay?! I've been rather depressed lately, even drinking almost drinking every damn night, hoping to damage me somewhat, but NO! I get drunk, but not heavily damage my body! I can't even cough while smoking! Think I'm fucking happy about it?! I just feel like…like…"

Korone then covers her face, "Just don't look at me anymore…" she continued. Keena is also starting to shed tears.

"Korone…no, it's okay…"

She stands up, offering her hand to help Korone up, "I'm at fault as well…I get pissed off rather easily…but only if I just get doubted…that is…you didn't actually wanted to be hurt."

Korone stays silent, then uttering, "No…" she then takes her hand to stand up. Keena then hugs her while also crying.

"I should have controlled myself better, but…it just seemed like you were begging for it…"

"Maybe…I believed in fact too much…"

"It's okay…we're still friends…in fact…you can punch me if you also want. I figured I deserved one."

"Your face already looks a tad beaten up…but I really do think you're proving your bravery really well…if anything, I now am a believer in your slaying the Demon King once and for all. It's not fact anymore…it's proving yourself real well."

"I think you'll recover someday, Korone. Believe me, you will."

The group finally goes outside to see the hug.

"It ended up well after all…" said Gavin.

"Never knew Korone would cry like that as well…" said Michie.

"Guess that increases our interests in them even more." said Lily

"I think even Arnoul is having a small tear from this cuddly moment, eh? " said Kanna.

"Not much, really…" said Arnoul. She then hides a soft sniff.

Keena then releases the hug with Korone, "Now, best to clean up your face, though, on your way back to your home."

"Actually…" Korone said as she finds some sort of magic towel that gets rid of all the blood, although the bruises are still noticeable. "I now just did. Ta-dah." She said in her now back to her usual deadpan tone, but she then chuckles a bit, as does Keena.

"Wonder if I should ever get that bag…" said Kanna.

"Don't get any ideas, Kanna…" said Arnoul. Gavin, Michie and Lily chuckle at this.

"I'll promise to wipe off your notable records clean, so no one else calls you bad things if you return to the Academy someday." said Keena

"Thanks for the offer, but I figured that when I come back on my accord, I'll ignore the haters, if you catch my drift." said Korone.

"More power to you, then."

Keena and Korone share a hi-five, then another hug as they then release the hug. Korone then opens a gate to send her back to her home world, smiling and giving the peace sign as she's on her way out as the rest of the group wave goodbye at her.

"Keena-kins, you sure proved her wrong, right?" said Gavin.

"Yeah, but…it wasn't through fighting or words…it was figuring out yourself carefully…although…I really dunno if I really should have done all that punching…but at least we're able to remain friends, and we'll no doubt see each other again…"

Arnoul has a bit of a concerned look on her face, thinking, "I wonder if we'll ever get the chance to speak…then again, she's busy…but she's also my species, we're basically almost sisters…"

"Aha! Arnoul does get emotional! So deep in thought!" said Kanna.

"N-no…just…I give up…" said Arnoul.

The group then all laugh, as then Arnoul also join sin the laughter. However, a mysterious person watches them through a crystal ball.

"Hm, so you're the supposed chosen one, Keena Soga…I believe it's about time for me to come out of hiding finally."

It's revealed to be Fujiko Etou, chuckling evilly at the sight, "You won't get rid of my precious Demon King that easily, you brat! Lucky for me…my spells are good enough for you and your pathetic friends!" She hollows out an evil laugh.

[Ending theme]

I must apologize for not participating in symmetry
But it's been such a struggle to win entry to this industry
Put simplistically it sickens me for my lack of contributions
I hope to tighten loose ends with new sense and end this nuisance

I think it's more
More than I can take
I don't exactly know just what to say to you
That I haven't said before

And it feels just like I have been more than
Patient enough with wasted breath on bluffs with no bread to touch
Soon enough, much of what I give will become the unstable crutch
Then who would you get to lend you a new menu of gifts
To spit quick and then shift to the next on your list

Cause it feels like I'm gonna try tonight
We got a different way of seeing what the day can bring
And I know that I'm stepping up to the line
Now I'm old enough to understand it
So come on, navigate while I drive
We got a different way of seeing what the day can bring
Cause it feels like I'm gonna try tonight

END OF EPISODE