The Rama Conflict
By Zoram Selrof
Chapter 1: Shaky evening
19:44 PM (Japan Time), Friday June the 6th, 2014…
"Well. The mid-term exams results were rather good…"
"I was nervous, thinking that they'd be way harder…"
"Maybe we had a mistaken perception of high school…"
"Could be. But being careful doesn't harm anyone, right?"
Netto and Saito were talking as they finished the homework.
They were wearing their school uniforms.
"But, also… Things have been pretty quiet…"
"I know. Those bikers occasionally were seen somewhere, but…"
"They haven't directly interfered with us…"
"But it's probably a matter of time…"
"They're afraid of the mighty Sigma's aura of mightiness!"
A Navi appeared on the laptop's screen.
He was a Net Navi about two meters tall.
His whole body was jet black.
His face had two red eyes and one glowed brighter than the other.
Two horns were set on both sides of his head.
They added a "demonic" look to him.
He had a red spheroid on his chest, and it lacked armor over its mass.
Green data flowed around his body.
He held a massive black and green sword in his right hand.
"And? Did Omega or Shadow Man report anything?"
"Shady is investigating several things…"
"Alright…"
"I'm back from patrolling…"
"Here's the smart brother, Brad Shad…"
"Blood Shadow. We've been over this a billion times, Sigma…"
Blood Shadow's main color choice was red.
He could be around a meter and seventy tall.
He sported thick, black shades that hid his eyes.
A flock of messy red hair came out from behind the red helmet.
His earpads were red and lacked any decoration.
His crimson armor had the purple letters "BS" engraved on the chest area.
He had shoulder pads which were a mix of golden and blue.
He had a double-barreled shotgun on his right forearm.
His left arm had black skin with purple circles across it.
He had a thick, red piece of armor protecting his left forearm.
His legs were black and two parallel, red stripes ran down the sides.
He had crimson boots that reached to the knees along with kneecaps.
"Anyway. I was talking with Isaac, but nothing odd happened to him…"
"That's a relief…"
"Wait. Someone is rushing to the firewall…"
"It's Algebraic Man!"
"Number Man!" The twins sighed.
"Blood Shadow! We're in trouble!"
"What happened!?"
Blood Shadow talked with him.
"Yamitarou! The moron! Walked into a trap!"
"A trap!?"
"A man wearing a raincoat and a motorbike helmet came…"
"Devil! It's one of those bikers!"
"And said that he'd show him excellent Rare Chips…"
"And he fell for such an obvious lie!?"
"You know him. When he hears that word, he throws away reason…"
"True…!"
"And he's been likely abducted!"
"But what happened to the Net Police officers keeping guard?"
"They were attacked by gas and knocked out!"
"Devil!"
"And they sent a message…"
"A challenge letter?"
"Yes! "Rock Man. Come to this location. We'll be waiting"…"
He displayed an email that had a set of coordinates drawn on it.
"That's a new office building that's going to be inaugurated soon…"
Blood Shadow input the data on the maps app.
"Feels like the ideal place to fight unnoticed…"
"No time to waste, then!"
"Let's hurry!"
"I'll call Isaac so that he comes as backup!"
20:05 PM (Japan Time)…
"… This is the location…"
"Hikari. Sorry for the wait, came as soon as possible…"
"Thanks, Nelaus…"
"Look. The main door is ajar…"
"Laying out the red carpet, I take it!"
The twins made it to the location.
They met with another student there.
He had blonde hair and blue eyes.
He carried a navy-blue PET with a silver "I" as its emblem.
"How is it, Isaac?"
"I hacked into the security cameras…"
Isaac projected from the PET.
The Navi was about a meter and seventy tall.
His irises were purple.
His helmet had a cross-shaped ruby on the forehead.
Eight lines radiated from there.
The helmet was navy blue.
A purple "I" was drawn inside of the red earpads.
Black armor protected the neck.
His shoulders were silver.
His chest was blue, and a purple line stretched across it.
His arms were blue and had purple DNA strings drawn over them.
The forearms were blue, with magenta patterns drawn there.
The palms had jade-colored squares on them.
A black belt surrounded his waist, and it had a sapphire on its center.
His blue legs had the same design as the arms.
The black boots had red patterns drawn on them.
"Mr. Higure is tied to a pillar and has a bag over his head…"
"And?"
"The captors aren't in visual range…"
"Alright. Stay outside and be ready to call for help…"
"Noted…"
"Sigma. Blood. You should materialize and secure ways out…"
"Agreed. Let's go, Sigma!"
"Aye, aye!"
"Let's go, then!"
The twins rushed into the lobby.
They could see Higure tied to a pillar further inside.
He had a bag over his head.
The lobby had two sets of escalators heading to an upper level.
Only emergency lights were working.
"Sigma…"
"Roger!"
Sigma materialized and stood behind them.
He stood on the threshold of the main doors.
"You'll have to make it past me!" He called out.
There was no response.
"We've come! Free Mr. Higure!"
Netto stepped forward.
"You wanted a duel? You'll have it!"
"Net Saviors gentlemen! Welcome!"
A man's voice rang out.
Someone jumped down from the higher level.
He was about a meter and eighty tall.
He wore a rider's suit.
A black helmet covered his head.
The kanji "inishie" (ancient) was drawn on the forehead.
He had an arm strap to hold the PET on his right arm.
He held a domed object in his right hand.
"Codename Ancient has come!"
"Ancient? You are part of those bikers, aren't you?"
"Yes! We are… Rama!"
"Rama? Wasn't that an Indian deity?"
"It is but a name. No need to seek a deep meaning to it!"
"Fine. And?"
"This is our newest invention!"
He lifted the right hand and tossed the object into the floor in front of him.
This object was colored white and red.
It was as tall as a human foot.
Four black rectangles with azure borders were set on the four ends.
The space between them had plastic covers displaying circuitry boards.
Each rectangle had a Plug-In port set half-way across it.
The device hummed.
A small lens on its apex turned on.
It projected a hologram.
A matrix was drawn in mid-air.
It became a square platform.
"Plug In! Ronin Man, Transmission!"
Ancient drew a brown PET with his name's Kanji as its emblem.
His Navi plugged into the north port of the device.
It appeared inside of the arena.
"I am here, Master!"
Ronin Man was around a meter and eighty tall.
His eyes were red.
He had an eight-pointed purple jewel shining on his helmet's forehead.
He had blood red armor reminiscent of ancient samurai.
He carried two traditional swords.
A katana and a wakizashi were set in their sheaths.
The word ronin was painted black against a red background.
"Isn't that a recreation of the "Duel Disk" of YGO?" Sigma questioned.
"Better not provoke them. They have a hostage…" Blood Shadow warned.
"This is our new system! The Battle Disk!"
"What guarantees do I have that it's not a trap?" Netto questioned.
"Careful, I see!"
"Having had to deal with Clark and Regal for years, I can smell them!"
"This is a fair one-on-one duel!"
"Then why do you need a hostage?"
"Hostage… Is it really the case, though?"
"What?"
"Feel free to check it!"
Blood Shadow crossed the lobby and checked on Higure.
"It's a mannequin!"
"Devil!" Sigma gasped.
"Where's the real one, then?" Saito questioned.
"Napping in the trunk of the patrol car…" Ancient sneered.
"Heck!" Netto grumbled.
"Don't act, Sigma. The others must be lurking here, too…"
"Understood…"
"We have the backdoor…"
Saito whispered to Netto.
"Alright. You want a battle, you'll have it!"
He drew the PET.
"Plug In! Rock Man EXE, Transmission!"
He aimed at the southern port.
Rock Man appeared in the battlefield.
"Samurai Sword!"
Rock Man drew the Samurai Sword.
Ronin Man calmly drew the katana and assumed a fighting pose.
He placed his right foot forward, holding the sword vertically.
He was ready to block any incoming attacks.
"Test the waters, Ronin Man!"
"Come!" Ronin Man challenged.
Rock Man circled around and tried to trick Ronin Man with fake attacks.
He started the gesture to move forward but stepped back.
Ronin Man read through it and tried to attack Rock Man back.
Rock Man blocked and Ronin Man drew the second sword.
He tried to attack Rock Man, but he was always two steps ahead of him.
He forced him into countering.
"Neo Variable Sword!"
"… Heat signatures… They came!"
Blood Shadow whispered to Sigma.
Both looked at the upper level.
Three humans stood there.
But the lack of light made it hard to discern more than their shapes.
"How about you don't hide and show yourselves? Rama?"
"Fine…"
The lights of the upper level turned on.
All of them wore rider's suits, helmets and coats.
"I am Past!"
Past was close to a meter and seventy tall.
The purple Kanji kako (past) was drawn on the forehead.
A red and brown PET was set on the right arm.
The emblem was the vermillion Kanji mamono (monster).
"I am Present…"
Present one was over a meter and eighty tall.
The green Kanji genzai (present) was drawn on the forehead.
The PET was purple and yellow.
Its symbol was the green Kanji ono (axe).
"I'm Future!"
Future was over a meter and seventy tall.
The fuchsia Kanji mirai (future) was draw on the forehead.
The PET was black and magenta.
Its symbol was the gray Kanji hakai (destruction).
"We shall not interfere… We are but spectators!" Present announced.
"… Sonic Boom!"
"Ronin Cross!"
Ronin Man crossed his swords and blocked the Sonic Boom.
He shot it back, but Rock Man had already skidded across the ground.
He made use of Ronin Man's struggle and landed some hits.
"Dream Sword!"
"Ronin's Counterattack!"
Ronin Man, however, was one step too late to deflect the Dream Sword.
It'd already made it inches before him.
It hit him and inflicted damage, pushing him back.
He left wounds and bruises on his body.
But he looked ready for more, though.
"Ancient. Do it…" Present ordered.
"Annihilator Chip!"
"What!?"
Ancient drew it from a pocket and held it up.
It looked like a "Synchro Chip" without the dome.
It had an empty circle with eight radial black grooves.
It didn't have an emblem, either.
"This is no "Dark Chip" based tool. It is a wholly new system!"
"What does it do?"
"Annihilator Chip, Slot In!" Ancient chuckled.
Ronin Man was surrounded by a pillar of pure light.
The brightness on his eyes dimmed until they became black and lifeless.
His mouth opened but only a hollow echo-like laughter emerged.
His body started moving faster.
Rock Man found himself being bombarded by multiple sword attacks.
"Netto – kun! The Metal Soul!" He called out.
"Roger! Soul Unison: Metal Soul! Slot In!"
Rock Man transformed into the Metal Soul.
He quickly charged up his right fist and it glowed.
"Metal… Break!" He exclaimed.
The attack shattered both swords and sent Ronin Man flying.
"How's that…?"
He didn't seem to feel it, as if he was moved by mere inertia.
He crashed upon the ground without making a single sound.
The foe quickly stood up and charged energy around the forearms.
Almost invisible circular buzzsaws formed there.
Ronin Man jumped towards Rock Man.
He brought his fists out to block.
The buzzsaws plunged into them and became stuck there.
"It's like… he was a puppet!" He muttered with a hint of nervousness.
"What? Remote control?" Netto gasped.
"More or less correct, Rock Man…"
The hollow voice rang out of Ronin Man's mouth.
"And you're the puppeteer…" Rock Man guessed.
"Call me that if you want to…" The voice shrugged.
"I see. This tool turns on remote control and cancels pain…"
Blood Shadow rubbed his chin.
"And since they don't feel pain, they can continue fighting…"
Sigma concluded.
"Metal Missile, Metal Wheel!"
Rock Man shot a rain of missiles at Ronin Man.
He hit his waist with the Metal Wheel.
He separated them and made him land on the ground.
"His HP is below 50 by now… Or are you gonna push it to 0?"
"Enough… Ancient! You may retreat!"
"By your orders, sir!"
"Farewell, Rock Man!" "Puppeteer" exclaimed.
Ronin Man returned to Ancient's PET.
He quickly aimed his left arm at the wall behind him-
A small magnetic hook shot out of a device on the left sleeve.
It became attached to the wall.
Ancient let the wire reel him and he easily climbed into the upper level.
"Keep the Duel Stage if you desire to, gentlemen!"
He ran off towards the left to meet the other three.
They had already opened the emergency stairs door.
"Plug Out!"
Netto retrieved Rock Man.
"Let's chase!"
They hurried outside and towards the west.
However, they found an energy wall blocking them.
"Devil! They accounted for that, too…"
"I saw the battle. This is going to be annoying…"
Nelaus met with them.
"I called Officer Misaki. Confirms that Mr. Higure is safe…"
"That's a relief…"
They heard several motorbikes turning on.
Four bikes could be seen drawing away.
Several flashes and bangs ensued in a sequence.
"Sequential flashbang grenades!?"
When they died down, they were out of sight and hearing.
"They must've split ways and headed to different hideouts…"
"Let's bring this to the Ministry of Science (MOS)…"
Blood Shadow retrieved the device.
"Doubt that we'll find anything important, but…"
"Maybe we can infer something from the components used…"
"Nubete for POTUS!"
"Cloud Man. You're no better than a stalker…"
Cloud Man's hologram formed there, opening his arms.
He was smirking.
"I saw it, too! YGO rage has come! Battle City has begun!"
"It hasn't. Go broom the Sahara…"
"And? What is your precious master doing?"
"Dunno. A grunt is never told anything!"
"No surprise. By the way… Pajarraco is plotting something…"
"That foul bird!"
"Along with Sam Yosemite…"
"Must be a new ACME cannon! I'll blow it up!"
He vanished and they sighed in relief.
"I get used to shake this moron off…" Nelaus sighed.
"Guess that it's an undesirable but inseparable relationship…"
"You could describe it as that…"
A Net Police car made it there.
Misaki climbed down along with officers.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, sir. We apologize for not reporting, but…"
"You thought that the hostage could be in danger. Can't be helped…"
"If necessary, we'll accept any punishment…"
"Don't worry about that…"
"Thank you, sir!"
"I'll drive you to your homes…"
"Roger!"
"Sigma. Return with them. I'll go report to Sir Omega…"
"Aye, aye! See you!"
Sigma returned to the PET.
Blood Shadow warped away.
The three teenagers climbed into the car.
"But they sure are daring. Gassing officers…!" Nelaus sighed.
"I know. And they pulled a trick out of a detective novel…"
"By the way. The puppeteer's voice didn't match Laser Man…"
"Guess that it's another Navi or human altogether…"
"Probably the one in charge of these bikers…"
"Which are but a force set up by Regal to distract us…"
"That man will never stay quiet…"
"I know…"
"Did you know? The clouds hit the strife!" Sigma chuckled.
"Very original… Patent it…" Isaac sighed.
"Rama… Do we need to seek a deep meaning to it?"
Nelaus was crossing his arms and thinking aloud.
"Who knows…"
"What I know is that I need a good night's sleep…!"
"Same…!"