Chapter 23: Pathways
09:22 AM (Japan Time), Saturday July the 8th…
"… It has been a while, Sir Rock Man…"
"Really? I'm sure that we haven't met before. "Yoshitsune"…"
"… I apologize. It was a confusion on my part…"
"Fine. I take it that no little tricks are involved…"
"Correct. An honest and fair duel…"
Rock Man met "Yoshitsune" in an area somewhere.
Blues had come along.
A circle was drawn on the ground to form a battle ring.
"I brought a witness to ensure fair play, too…"
"I do not mind. Do as thy desire…"
"Blues. Only intervene if you find foul play…" Rock Man insisted.
"I am aware. Lord Enzan also ordered that to me…"
Rock Man formed a Samurai Sword and stepped forward.
Yoshitsune gripped the sheath of his blade.
Both became tense.
Rock Man reacted a second faster and brought up his blade.
He blocked the swift unsheathing strike from Yoshitsune.
The latter jumped away and quickly sheathed his blade.
He waited for another chance.
Rock Man also waited for the other party to move.
However, the opponent was faster this time.
Their strike cut the air next to the right side of the body.
Rock Man gasped, surprised, but jumped away to place distance.
Yoshitsune sheathed his blade and crouched.
He jumped with strength and unsheathed the blade.
Rock Man held up his blade to bounce off the strike.
However, the blow had more strength than expected.
It bent his arm backwards.
Yoshitsune thrust the blade into the air next to Rock Man.
Rock Man flipped and landed on the ground, without losing his cool.
Yoshitsune also landed and sheathed his blade.
He held up his left index and middle fingers as if focusing.
Energy formed around his body.
Rock Man focused his reflexes and looked at the sheath.
Yoshitsune gripped it but didn't unsheathe it right away.
He poured his energy into the blade instead of attacking.
Rock Man also focused energy on his left hand.
Yoshitsune drew the blade in the blink of an eye.
An energy shockwave travelled across the ground as a pillar.
Rock Man stepped forward, holding out his left hand.
It glowed and stopped the attack.
He held the blade diagonally to intercept the incoming strike.
"Blade Stop, is it?"
"Is this foul play for you?"
"No. I am the one who was about to break the rules…"
"More like you wanted to test my adaptability…"
"If thou want to interpret it like that, I have no issues with it…"
"So be it…"
Rock Man absorbed the attack and rerouted the energy.
His Samurai Sword glowed, and he pushed back Yoshitsune.
The latter sheathed his blade and stopped to think of a new plan.
He unsheathed the blade and held it horizontally.
Rock Man did the same.
A few seconds of silence ensued.
He sheathed the blade again.
"I apologize. I wanted to test if thou could control impatience…"
"I can tell that…"
"Let us resume. This is but to test each one's skills and intelligence…"
"Yes. Defeat or victory don't matter here…"
He unsheathed the blade and held it diagonally.
Rock Man did the same.
Both stepped forward and clashed their blades.
A streak of clashes ensued, but none were above the other.
"Impressive. That man's skill is something…" He muttered.
Both stopped and assessed the situation.
Yoshitsune stepped back.
He then thrust forward several times.
Rock Man either dodged or blocked them.
Yoshitsune stabbed the blade on the ground.
He crossed his arms and energy formed around him.
He grabbed the blade with the right hand.
He shot forward, leaving "afterimages" on his trail.
Rock Man didn't yield and stepped forward, thrusting.
Yoshitsune's attack thrust the air.
But Rock Man hit the right chest.
He applied force and pushed back Yoshitsune.
The latter stepped back and glanced at the wound.
It hadn't managed to make it through the armor.
"Impressive. To be able to counterattack at that speed…"
"It was a bet on my part, I'll admit as much…"
"But sometimes, being daring is necessary…"
Yoshitsune looked at his left hand.
"I have undergone many trials and hardships…"
"Your blade tells as much…"
"But I persisted and overcame them. But never resorting to foul play…"
"Let's continue, then…"
"Delighted…"
He sheathed his blade and waited.
He unsheathed it and spun, drawing a circle.
Rock Man arched back his body to dodge it.
Yoshitsune stepped back and repeated his move.
This time, Rock Man jumped to dodge it.
"Let us pour energy into our blades!"
"Alright!"
Both held their blades skywards and received energy.
They rushed for each other and clashed.
The release of energy pushed both away from each other.
Cracks formed on Yoshitsune's mask and it shattered, revealing his face.
Both Rock Man and Blues gasped.
The man's irises were red and golden.
His face resembled Rock Man's to some extent.
"You're… Sidier!" Both gasped.
Sidier chuckled and sheathed his blade.
"Well? Did you enjoy my roleplay, Rock Man?"
"I see. Hence why you said that we'd met before…!"
"I apologize for the dramatics, but I wanted to brush up my skills…"
"I thought that you'd pulled out by now…"
"Lord Yamikawa authorized me. It was something left in my heart…"
"Well. Since it worked for me, I won't complain, but…"
He rolled his eyes.
"Take into account that we're tense, alright?"
"I am aware. I thought that this would help you vent off the stress…"
"Can't say that it wasn't useful…"
"I won't bother you anymore. I'm satisfied as well…"
"Fine. Let's settle it at that…"
"Maybe we shall meet again… "Brother"…"
"Time will tell!"
11:04 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Alright. Who the heck summoned me here?"
"What did the email say, Witch?"
"That a meteor shower would happen…"
"Meteor shower?"
"And that beauty will carve fear into my heart…"
"My. Sounds like you have a love rival!"
"Not funny!"
Witch complained as she scouted a location.
She reported to Kazuhira, who was amused at the challenge's text.
A melody based on piano rang out.
Kazuhira gasped, surprised.
"Champion Shirona of Pokémon Platinum!?"
"What?"
"Wait! Then the meteor shower means…!"
"Go, Gabrias! Meteor Shower!"
The infamous PKMN appeared before her, roaring.
She recoiled, afraid.
A meteor shower ensued, wrecking most of the area.
A couple hit her and knocked her away, damaging her.
"Dragon Claws!"
The dragon swept his claws and hit her, damaging her.
"Earthquake!"
The ground rumbled and pieces thrust out.
"Giga Impact!"
The Gabrias accumulated energy and hit Witch.
She was blown away and hit a wall and ended partially stuck there.
She groaned and hissed.
"Recovery 300!"
"Thank you, milady!"
She healed and broke free.
"Who's there!?" She demanded.
"Lady Shirona's representative. A Pokémon League bureaucrat!"
A girl giggled.
"Felicia!?"
"Don't know her. Your Siberian cousin?"
"NO!"
"Wait. Could it be that it's…?" Kazuhira gasped.
"As expected of Vermmy. You know it all!"
"I'm not Vermouth! I just happen to look like her!" She sighed.
"Come out! I'll crush you yet!" Witch hissed.
"Make it past this pet first. I have another 5 in stock…"
"Guess that she's recreated Shirona's full party…"
"Damn them all!"
"Screaming too much will make the makeup fall off, my gal…"
"I don't care! I want to crush you!"
"Then bring out your best moves…"
"Storm Spell!"
She formed her rod and swung it.
A storm formed, followed by gusts of wind and thunderbolts.
A downpour ensued.
"Now! Wave Spell!"
A giant wave formed and washed over the Gabrias.
"That thing is weak to water!"
"I see that the mighty Mr. Google taught you well…"
Witch grumbled something undecipherable under her breath.
"But I'm going to make use of this field. Go, Milokaross!"
The beautiful PKMN appeared next.
"Hydro Pump!"
It shot a powerful blast of water at her, knocking her away.
"Ice Beam!"
The Ice Beam hit her and trapped her inside of a mass of ice.
"Salamander! Slot In!" Kazuhira hissed.
The heat shattered the ice, and she flew for the foe.
"Aqua Rings!"
The PKMN shot the rings at her, cancelling the Salamander.
"Surf!"
The wave formed and washed her over.
"Heck! I've remembered! Rain increases ATK of Water moves!"
"Too late, my dear…"
"No! Thunder Spell!"
"Go, Mikaruge!"
The PKMN was swapped for another.
"Evil Pulse!"
The energy pulse hit Witch as the foe dodged the thunderbolt.
"Psychokinesis!"
The attack hit her, too, and she hissed.
"The DEF values have lowered by 33%!" Kazuhira gasped.
"That's CHEATING!"
"We're both dwellers of the underground. No need to play fair!"
"Why, you…!"
"Unlike Kujaku Mai, I needn't little tricks. It's but a strategy!"
"Why, you…!"
"Eerie Light!"
The PKMN emitted an "eerie light" and Witch groaned.
She shook her head and held up the rod.
"Light Spell!"
However, the beams of light hit her instead of the foe.
"Damn it!"
The storm ceased as well.
"Go, Lucario! Aura Bomb!"
Lucario appeared and shot a sphere of energy at her.
"Go, Roserade! Sludge Bomb!"
Roserade giggled and shot the sludge at her.
"Damn it! I'm poisoned!"
"Witches love using poisons. Ask the Queen!"
"Which Queen!?"
"The one in Snow white and the Seven Dwarves!"
"That old hag with an inferiority complex!" She hissed.
"We all agree with that. What thick makeup!" The attacker laughed.
"Stop hiding!"
"Last one! Togekiss! Air Slash!"
The Togekiss dived for Witch while shooting air blades.
They hit her and she flinched.
"That's enough of a demonstration. I bite more than a cobra or a vulture!"
"Cobra, Vulture…! I knew it!" Kazuhira hissed.
"Yes! Bella! Everyone's beloved Officer's School Graduate!"
A hologram of Bella appeared there, crossing her arms and laughing.
"Damn you, BITCH! I'll turn you into merchandise, like the others!"
"Invent a program to turn a hologram into mass before that, my dear…"
"WHY THE NERVE OF THIS BUREAUCRAT BITCH!"
"Army officers aren't bureaucrats. Learn the difference, Morgana…"
The ground rumbled as if something broke through the far wall.
A "Land Master" tank appeared there and opened fire.
The blast hit Witch and she was retrieved.
"I borrowed it from Team Star Fox. See you around!"
Bella laughed as her hologram vanished.
"What a mess!" Kazuhira sighed.
"I'LL TEAR YOU INTO PIECES!" Witch roared.
"You need to cool down!"
11:48 AM (Japan Time)…
"… I gathered you to inform you of how we'll operate from now on…"
"We're all ears, Lord Manfroy…"
"I take it that something has happened behind the scenes…"
"Big stuff!"
The three members of "Rama" had come to their base.
The screen now depicted Anderson, with his hood covering his face.
"As you probably inferred, I didn't start this mess…"
"Regal… Right?" He deduced.
"Correct. I am but a King Land college student…"
"Really!?" Future gasped.
"I did have that feeling…" Past admitted.
"As for why I was dragged into this, it's because of what I researched…"
"Anti-matter and super energy?" Present deduced next.
"Regal was a world authority on super energy…"
"And he wanted a competent brain to do the hard work for him…"
"Before I knew it, I was dragged into it…"
"Same as us…"
"Fortunately, he overestimated our intelligence…"
"Naturally…"
"I played the silent, competent pawn and he was satisfied…"
"I can imagine that…"
"But I waited for a chance to defeat him…"
"He was running wild?"
"Meant to build missiles with anti-matter warheads…"
"The guy was mad!" Future gasped.
"What a fool…" Present grumbled.
"But all I had to do is pretend that I was doing that…"
"And since he was focused on other things, he didn't question it…"
"I figured out that he was chasing a phantasy and took profit of it…"
"Phantasy?"
"Believed that he was a super-human chosen by an alien…"
"Really? At that age? That's so cringe, man!" Future sighed.
"And that he would find it and take over its spaceship…"
"Pathetic…"
"I leaked that to Clark, and he taunted Regal using lies and tricks…"
"Hence why Regal was so fixated with chasing Clark…"
"And, in the end, he bit the bait and Clark busted him…"
"Works for me. One fool less…"
"So we needn't be that man's pawns anymore…"
"Does this mean that "Rama" will disband?"
"No. It's simply that we'll operate under our own criteria from now on!"
"I like the sound of that! Rock 'n roll!" Future laughed.
"You take it too lightly, student…" Present scolded him.
"I had the feelin', but… Ya really were a teacher?" He sighed.
"Correct…"
Future gulped and remained silent.
Past sighed and shook his head.
"Present. I appreciate some control, but please don't break the thread…"
"I apologize… It's a habit…"
"Anyway. We will operate in a similar way, but with clearer goals…"
"And those are…?"
"Busting underground organizations…"
"Works for me…" Past confirmed.
"Naturally, we will chase Clark and his accomplices as well…"
"Speaking of accomplices… What became of Prophetess?" Future asked.
"She was a spy sent by Anaya, Clark's boss…"
"Really!?"
"Regal meant to use her to find Anaya, but was unable to in the end…"
"He underestimated their cunningness…"
"Yes. They played along, testing Regal's patience…"
"Hardly a surprise…"
"And vanished right before Regal could close on them…"
"That's a pity…" Future sighed.
"What. You wanted to hang out with her?" Past sighed.
"Such a beauty, I fell in love with her at a first sight!"
"Despite that you never saw her face?"
"She must've been as gorgeous as Big Sis Vermouth!"
"Stay away from her. She's a vampire…" Anderson scolded.
"Vampire!?"
"She'll suck off your blood and money and toss you away!"
Future gulped and shuddered.
"She probably won't show up around you, but… You never know!"
"I agree. Don't underestimate her ruthlessness, Future…"
"G-gotcha…"
Future sighed and lowered his head, disappointed.
"Anyway. I will soon return to King Land, so…"
"Annihilator Man will coordinate us instead of you?" Present deduced.
"Correct. Given the time zone differences and such…"
"No problem for me…" Past confirmed.
"There won't be a need to gather here so often, either…"
"That's convenient for us, too…" Present admitted.
"Don't start fights unless I authorize you to, though…"
"Don't look at me like I always start them!" Future argued.
"I didn't say that to you. It's a warning to all of you…"
"Fair enough…"
"We will keep each other's identities a secret as well…"
"Wise move. Compartmentalization of information…"
"We won't rely on Annihilator Chips, either…"
"Those were an idea by Regal, I take it…"
"Correct. Meant to spread them like Dark Chips…"
"And turn many Navis into his puppets…"
"What a lazy jerk!" Future grumbled.
"It's the same as the "Darkloids". He can't be innovative…"
"But what if Neo Gospel comes and attacks us?" Future asked.
"Self-defense. You can fight to shake them off…"
"Understood!"
"But only if the other party attacks first. Understood?"
"Very clear!"
"Good. Those are the new guidelines…"
Their PETs beeped.
"Finished upgrading your Navis, too…"
"Roger!"
"I sent a written copy of the guidelines, too…"
They each confirmed that they received the data.
"The Navis will continue using their camouflage abilities, too…"
"Roger…"
"They have autonomy to decide on their own if needed, too…"
"Understood…"
"I'm ready to burn!" Balrog laughed.
"Awaiting orders…" Axe Man announced.
"Ready to crash and smash!" Destruction Man laughed.
"Remember the protocols…" Annihilator Man reminded them.
"Roger!"
"That's all. You might leave…" Anderson ordered.
"Understood!"
"We will be in contact…"
The trio nodded in understanding and left the room.
"Alright. Only the final phase left… Let's do this…"
"Roger. To challenge the strongest…!"