“Wow I can’t believe you were like that before, so what happened next?” Asch asked.
“Well afterwards I woke up and left the forest and PB made…” Sakura began again.
“ABSOL!” Yin howled out as she sensed something and began growling.
“Yin what’s gotten in to you!?” Fenri cried
“Yin is everything oka-“ Sakura was then interrupted as she sensed a huge spike of Ego. She turned to the direction of St. Acidburg and recognized it immediately.
“PB!?” Sakura gasped.
“Sakura did you sense something?” Asch asked when he saw Sakura’s face.
“I think I’m sensing PB, but something isn’t right.” Sakura worried.
“What do you mean by that?” Asch asked concerned about what Sakura meant.
“That Ego Spike is much too big.” Sakura said looking in the direction it came from.
“You think he’s in trouble?” Asch worried.
“No I think Wily II did something to him. That Ego is out of control!” Sakura cried.
“God [tornado fang]ing, danmmit Bathair! This had to happen on your day off, why the hell can’t he leave us alone for just one day!” Asch yelled.
“Asch calm down getting angry isn’t going to solve anything right now!” Sakura tried to think as reasonably as possible.
“I’m sorry.” Asch apologized as he calmed down “I just can’t believe that Wily II can attack so fast. What should we do?”
“We’re going to go to the Weapon’s Shack and get you a weapon while I contact everyone else.” Sakura said with determination.
“Are you sure? I mean you don’t know what’s going on, it could be a trap.” Asch questioned
“I know but it’s a risk I’m willing to take, I owe PB too many things and this is just a small way of paying him back.” Sakura said with fire in her eyes.
“Yeah I had a feeling you would say that.” Asch sighed with a smile on his face. “I did say I would stand by your side and that’s what I’m going to do, even if we have to go to a place 20 times worse than Hell. No way am I letting you do this on your own.”
“Okay, Fenri, Yin you’re coming with us, we could use your help.” Sakura said
“Understood.” Fenri replied.
“Absol!” Yin cried.
Sakura nodded and put the 2 of them into their Pokeballs and put them in her pockets. She then turned to Zet.
“Zet I’m going to transport you back to base, this could get ugly really fast.” Sakura ordered.
“’Zetto!” Zet meeped and saluted.
Sakura got out a small transport device, inputted the coordinates of the Sex Station, pointed it to Zet and pushed a button as Zet disappeared in a flash of light.
“Let’s go.” Asch said as he put a hand on Sakura’s shoulder.
“Right.” Sakura nodded as she adjusted the coordinates to the Weapons Shack and the two of them disappeared.
They appeared right in front of the Weapon’s Shack and went inside immediately.
“So what should I do?” Asch said looking at the weapons.
“The only thing I can suggest is to find something that catches your eye or attention. I would give you a recommendation but I don’t have time right now.” Sakura said hastily as she gathered as many supplies as she could in a backpack, potions, phoenix downs, ethers and other items she needed.
“Okay I understand, I’ll start looking then.” Asch said as he ran to the piles of weapons.
As Asch was looking around Sakura went into the bathroom to change into a spare armor then made a call to Zeta when she was done.
“Zeta come in!” Sakura called with haste.
“Yo Saki what’s up!” Zeta replied.
“Something is wrong, I sensed PB’s Ego but something bad has happened to him and I don’t know what it is.” Sakura said with worry in her voice.
“I had a feeling something like that happened. Everyone in the base is suddenly gone, I think PB Bunny and Vix-Vix knew something was up and tried to prevent it.” Zeta said as she remembers a big portion of the resistance heading out as quickly as possible. “They probably didn’t want you to worry and let you relax on your break so they didn’t tell you anything.”
“So PBPB already knew something was wrong.” Sakura sighed “I get the feeling that she may have had the same vision I had this morning.”
“Vision?” Zeta questioned.
“I had a vision of PB in chains and screaming his head off in pain. He also seemed to get angrier and angrier too.” Sakura said as she looked down.
“That definitely doesn’t seem normal, you might be on to something there. So I’m guessing that you want to figure out what the hell is going on right?” Zeta guessed.
“Yes I want you and Borock-bot and go to room 649 and get the following Pokemon. Their names are Fafnir, Metoolgross, Vulcan, and Spaghetti. Borock-bot should be able to help you find which Pokemon are which, as soon as you’re done head for my location.” Sakura ordered.
“You got it, I’ll be there faster than you can say Ninja Lou!” Zeta said as she saluted despite the fact that no one could see her doing it.
“Okay I’ll see you then!” Sakura said as she hung up.
“Well it looks like you’re doing well.” A voice suddenly said outside. Sakura looked in the other direction to see who it was and she jaw almost dropped to the floor.
The woman she saw had long green hair, red eyes, eleven ears, and was wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans. She also had a long hot pink and white striped scarf wrapped around her neck and some facial markings under her eyes.
Sakura immediately got one knee and struck her fist on the ground.
“Mistress Hitomi!” Sakura said with her head down.
At that moment Asch came out with a pair of red fingerless gloves with purple details on his hands.
“Okay Sakura I think I found something I can…” Asch drifted off as he saw Sakura kneeling and an unfamiliar woman standing at the door “Uh Sakura who is this OH HOLY [parasitic bomb]!”
“HADOKEN!” Hitomi yelled as a she aimed a Blue Fire Ball at Asch and hit him directly in the gut. The air from Asch’s mechanical lungs escaped him quickly as he fell to the ground in a similar position that Sakura was in except with massive pain.
“Asch!” Sakura cried out as she ran over to him and checked on him “Are you okay?”
“Well except for the fact that I feel pain all over the place I’m just peachy!” Asch gasped as his pain sensors were over loading “What I want to know is what the hell this lady’s problem is!”
“Oh sorry, your face was irritating to look at.” Hitomi said as she sauntered in to the center of the room. “It reminds me of that man whose Ego is currently running amok.”
“You saw PB?” Sakura questioned.
“Nah I just felt his Ego all the way from the god damn moon, seriously I go to live there so that I don’t have put up with that cocky bastard anymore and yet I can’t escape him.” Hitomi sighed.
“So do you have any idea what’s going on?” Asch asked as he got some of his strength back, though not nearly enough to move at the moment.
“Hmm you must have some balls to talk in that condition.” Hitomi observed “But yeah I do have an idea, it kinda fits in with this Prophecy this drunk guy I ran into told me about.”
“Please tell me that guy wasn’t named Mister Wildgun.” Sakura whined. Sakura secretly overheard the Prophecy that Kharaxel relayed to PB. She had a bad feeling about it ever since.
“You got it.” Hitomi nodded as she began to tell the Prophecy.
"In the midst of a Civil War, the brave warrior Protoman of Blues shall fall in battle. However he will mysteriously return, like the phoenix rising from the ashes. He will proceed to cause the destruction and death of many people being fueled by rage and hatred brought about by a man corrupted by science and greed, and only intense Love will be able to quell his anger."
“That sounds a lot different than what the Prophecy was before.” Sakura said raising an eyebrow and remembering the Prophecy being much different and involving hot sex.
“Eh you know how drunk prophets are, they always change their prophecies. Alcohol may be able to increase psychic powers, but at the same time they can make them less potent.” Hitomi explained.
“So what you’re saying is that Ol Bathair somehow got PB so mad that he’s destroying the city?” Asch questioned still not being able to get up.
“Bingo, at least you seem smarter than that idiot.” Hitomi sneered
“Oh my god, this can’t be happening!” Sakura cried.
“Believe me it is happening.” Hitomi nodded “You know how powerful that idiot is when he gets angry, so right now he’s the perfect weapon to cause chaos and destruction.”
“Why is he so powerful when he’s angry?” Asch asked still recovering.
“It all has to do with Ego. My Ego stems from my god like powers, while the girl next to you gets hers from her belief in herself, others believing in her, and her belief in others. However that man’s Ego is powered solely by his emotions and his self belief in himself, the more he feels the more powerful he gets and Anger and Love is when he’s at his most dangerous.” Hitomi explained.
“Wily II must have known that, that’s why he kidnapped PB! If only I was stronger then I could have prevented this and none of this would have happened!” Sakura yelled as she began punching the ground crying in anguish.
Asch caught her hand after a few punches and grasped it. Sakura looked in his eyes while hers still had tears in them.
“Now isn’t the time to be agonizing about what you couldn’t do in the past. We have to concentrate on what we can do now and right now we have to help PB. We can’t just give up and let that Bathair bastard win! ” Asch said seriously.
“I know, but I’m honestly scared! I know how powerful he can get and I don’t know if we can stop him! I don’t want to have to hurt the man who was the father I never had!” Sakura cried as her tears continued to overflow.
“I understand that but sitting here worrying about him isn’t going to do anything! The longer we leave him the more people he’s going to hurt and I know if I was him I would feel horrible! We have to at least try to stop him, I’m sure that’s what he would want! That lady said that you get your powers from believing right? Then believe that PB is going to be okay, believe that we can save him! Now you have to believe in yourself, because I believe in you more than anything or anyone else in this world!” Asch said with confidence as he dried her tears with the hand that wasn’t hold hers.
“Asch…” Sakura said shocked at how he looked at her with such seriousness in his eyes “I still don’t know if I can do anything, but I guess I won’t know until I try right? There’s got to be a way to get PB back to his normal self and I won’t stop until I do!”
“Heh looks like you finally got some back bone in you.” Hitomi said as she walked over to Sakura and kneeled down as well. “Guess you actually learned something with those 5 years of training. I got something I want to give you, give me that hand that PB look alike is holding.”
Asch let go of her hand and Hitomi grasped it. Both their hands glowed as Sakura felt an unusual power emanating from Hitomi to herself. Hitomi’s hand stopped glowing and she let go of Sakura’s hand. Sakura then looked at her hand and saw something that wasn’t there before. There was a big red and black heart that had 2 swords crossed over it in an X. Inside the heart was a picture of a man that looked like something that came out of a deck of cards 2 dragons on both sides of the heart and a banner that said “King of Heart 4711”.
“What is this thing?” Sakura blurted still staring at it.
“That’s the King of Hearts Crest” Hitomi explained “That crest is the mark of some kind of secret organization called the Shuffle Alliance that’s meant to prevent destruction or some crap. There’s like 4 other crests out there or something and the people who hold them need to pass them down to the new generation or something. I have no idea why I got it, considering I’m a chaotic neutral and all, but I did and now I’m giving it to you.”
“Wait, prevent destruction?” Sakura repeated “I can’t do that, we’re kinda fighting in a war here and both sides cause destruction!”
“I think they meant like the destruction of things that can’t be replaced, not collateral damage.” Hitomi shrugged.
“But, why me?” Sakura questioned still shocked.
“Well you’re the only real apprentice I’ve ever had. Plus you fit the bill more than I do anyway.” Hitomi reasoned.
“Okay then can you tell me who has the other crests?” Sakura asked.
“I think Sky Child has the Queen of Spades, but I have no idea where she is at the moment. I also heard someone already passed on the Ace of Clubs to some other chick, but I don’t know who. As for the Jack of Diamonds and Black Joker you’re on your own.” Hitomi explained.
“Well that’s helpful.” Asch sighed as he looked at the strange mark. “So is there anything else about these crest things we should know about?”
“Yeah I think the King of Hearts is supposed to be the leader or something.” said Hitomi.
“So not only do I have to lead the Resistance since PB is not really in a position to do so, but I also have to lead some sort of organization of warriors who I don’t know the identity of?” Sakura said exasperated.
“Pretty much.” Hitomi smiled.
“Oy.” Sakura face palmed and the symbol disappeared for now.
“Well I guess my work is done, here’s my number.” Hitomi said as she handed Sakura a card. “Call me if you need anything else.”
“Are you serious? You left RPM for who knows how long and now you’re giving me something that I can contact you with? I thought you were a chaotic neutral!” Sakura exclaimed.
“Maybe but I side with whoever the [tornado fang] I want to side with, besides PB still owes me for the space he used for the Sex Station not to mention I never got that Valkyrie or Ninja Lou’s DNA and I can’t get that if he’s dead or [tornado fang]ing insane.” Hitomi said justifying her actions.
“You still want to make a Nocturne Lycan Ninja Laura?” Sakura questioned
“I get bored Sakura, not to mention I owe Lou for screwing him over when Quickie sent that Bounty Hunter on his ass.” said Hitomi.
“I guess so.” Sakura sighed never knowing what’s on Hitomi’s mind.
“Well I should be going, smell you later!” Hitomi said as she got out and headed towards the exit.
“Who’s Ninja Lou?” Asch asked as he stood up though stumbling a little bit.
“I’ll explain some other time.” Sakura helping him standing up keep him steady.
Zeta and Borock-bot then entered as Hitomi left. Borock-bot glanced behind him as he recognized her. Zeta was equipped with a big ass mechanical spear on her back.
“Was that who I think that was?” Borock-bot asked as he stared behind him.
“Never mind that for now Borock-bot, did you get what I asked for?” Sakura asked trying to hide what turmoil her mind had before Asch calmed her down.
“Yes all of them are here as you specified.” Borock-bot said as he got out 4 Pokeballs. Sakura took them and put them on her belt.
“Okay good now I’m going to go around back and get our ride, I don’t think teleporting to St. AcidBurg is a good idea, we should have some element of surprise.” Sakura explained.
“Ooh can I come with?” Zeta asked excitedly.
“Okay fine let’s just go.” Sakura said as she and Zeta went around back.
“Sakura is having a hard time accepting this isn’t she?” Borock-bot asked when Sakura and Zeta were out of ear shot.
“Yeah she did, but I know she’ll do whatever she can to save PB. We just have to believe in her.” Asch said as he stared at her back before she made a turn.
“Yes that is indeed the best thing we can do.” Borock-bot agreed.
At the garage of the Weapon’s Shack.
“So I’m guessing you’re nervous about this right?” Zeta asked as the entered the garage.
“It’s that obvious?” Sakura sighed.
“Well yeah and the fact you have this thing.” Zeta said as she grabbed Sakura’s hand and the King of Hearts appeared again.
“How did you-?” Sakura exclaimed.
“I had a hunch.” Zeta said as she showed Sakura her hand. Suddenly a Symbol very similar to Sakura’s appeared on it. It was an outline of a clover in black green and red with a giant stylized A in the middle. There was also a banner much like the one on the King of Hearts that read “Club Ace 0001”.
“You’re the holder of the Club of Aces?” Sakura cried shocked.
“Yup crazy right?” Zeta smiled.
“How did you get it?” Sakura asked still shocked.
“I got it from some drunk guy, he said that I was to help prevent the destruction of the world and be led by the one who holds the King of Hearts. I guess that’s you huh Saki?” Zeta explained.
“I guess so.” Sakura replied. “Was the drunk guy’s name Mister Wildgun?”
“Yeah how did you know?” Zeta asked surprised.
“I’ll explain later.” Sakura sighed as she continued towards the vehicle she wanted to use.
Asch and Borock-bot continued waiting for them as they saw Zeta driving a heavily armed red Jeep out in front of them. Sakura was sitting in the back seat as the Jeep stopped in front of the men.
“Well you what are you guys waiting for hop in! BB you take the passenger seat since you’re the one with the long range weapon, Aschy you go in back.” Zeta hollered.
“Right.” The guys nodded and did as they told. Asch went in the back seat next to Sakura and glance at her as he buckled up. Her face was stern, but he could tell that she was still worried about what lied ahead. He then looked at her white gloved hand and held it with his own red gloved one to give her extra reassurance. Sakura looked up and gave him a grateful smile.
“All right let’s kick it!” Zeta yelled as she clicked
a song selection on her iPod which was connected to the Jeep’s radio.
“Isn’t the point of this to make sure we catch them by surprise?” Asch asked exasperated.
“Dude trust me they won’t know what hit them.” Zeta laughed.
“If you say so.” Asch sighed.
Zeta fired up the engine and the party headed out for St. Acidburg.
(Good to finally get back to the plot. So I decided to put in some GoRPM references, for some reason I consider this as some kind of alternate time line since PB made Wily do some evil stuff in there. I also decided to make Zeta a Dragoon, I figured if I didn't she would be too similar to Sakura in terms of battle style. That spear is also more than meets the eye since I did make it mechanical.
I had a hard time deciding on what song to use and went with more God Eater Burst references. It was either that, a Final Fantasy song, or a Touhou song. The flash backs will continue at a later point. Now I'm going to make some edits that will make peoples eyes stop hurting.)
(EDIT Oh yeah I almost forgot, these are Asch's weapons and he still has the shield that Sakura gave him.
)