Chapter 47:Ruroni Melvin
Ruroni Melvin (Kenshin) Stevo (Saito)
Serena (Kaoru) Soujiro Patterson (Soujiro Seta)
Darriensuke (Sanosuke) Mike (take your pick)
Yariko (Yahiko) Greg (ditto)
Dr. Hino (The Doctor)
A cold wind swept across the field. The sky was dark. It looked as if rain was to fall about any minute. A figure stood in the middle of the field. His eyes narrowed. Around him stood three people in various samurai attire. One was swinging a chain around him.
"Well?" Ruroni Melvin said to the three.
The three attacked, Melvin drew his sword quickly and thrust forward.
He missed. The three guys proceeded to pound the stuffing out of him and then walk out.
"Ehh...this always happens," Melvin muttered.
In the center of Meiji era Tokyo was a large dojo made out of traditional materials. Inside it Serena stood in a kimono looking out at the front gate. The large figure of Darriensuke, or Daro, as people called him for some reason said walked in the gate toward her.
"Daro, have you seen Melvin?" Serena asked.
"Nope, why?" Darriensuke asked.
"Well he went out a few hours ago and hasn't come back."
"Hmm..he's probably off getting beaten up again," Daro said.
"I thought he was supposed to be a good swordsman," Serena asked.
"Of course, he was the best. Ten years ago he was called the Hittem Killem Bathrobe Guy."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing, it was an insult, but anyway...see Melvin was a member of this group of assassins, and he was quite good at it, but then one day....he just became a complete clutz."
"What do you mean? How could that just happen?"
"It just did. Without his skills, Melvin left the organization...or shall I say..was helped to retire, anyway...so he's been a Ruronin, a wanderer trying to find some way to get his skills back," Daro said.
"And now he showed up here, offering to do all the housework in exchange for a meal, and of course I caved in for some reason. I mean heck...he doesn't get any of the work done. I always have to redo it, but I don't have the heart to throw him out," Serena said.
"Ehh...he's also a good role model for Yariko," Daro said. "He can learn how not to live life."
"Did I hear my name?" Yariko asked appearing in the doorway. His name was pronounced Pronounced "Yar-rick-o." He was a samurai in training, and still technically a kid. He hung around the dojo a lot, and Serena still doesn't remember why she took him in. Apparently she was a bit bored with her life
"Hey, Yariko, you seem Melvin?" Darriensuke asked.
"Nope," Yariko said.
"Here I am," Melvin muttered stumbling through the gates covered with bruises.
"I knew it," Daro said.
"What happened?" Yariko said.
"Um..I fought the...army...yeah...there...were...hundreds of them...but I drove them off...and...uh...it was tough though," Melvin said.
"It was those three guys who fight in their spare time wasn't it?" Daro asked.
"Ehh...yes," Melvin muttered.
"You really should stop fighting people Melvin. You really are a wimp," Doctor Hino said dressing his wounds.
"Uh...well...I'm still in search of my skills, the only way I can think to see if I've got them back is to fight," Melvin said.
"Have you thought about just practicing using your sword?"
"Um....that's so boring," Melvin said.
Doctor Hino sighed.
Meanwhile a group of three men had arrived in the city and walked down the street with one a slight swagger. Soujiro Patterson, who looked just like D.V. Patterson. for some reason......Greg and his associate Mike, all walked along looking.
"So..what are we looking for?" Mike asked.
"Yeah Patterson?" Greg asked.
"We are searching for the one they call Ruroni Melvin," Patterson said.
"Why?" Mike asked.
"Because we have a debt to repay," Patterson said.
"What kind of debt..you mean like money? Did you lose some money to him in a poker game or something...I mean I know you stink at those kind of games," Mike said.
"Leave my gambling problem out of this," Patterson muttered. "No, Melvin and I have a debt..as in..one of us has to die at the end of it for it to be repaid sort of things."
"Ahh.." the other two said.
"You embarrased me ten years ago Bathrobe-Guy....now...it is I who take my
revenge on you," Patterson said.
"Can I help you?" Serena asked as a police officer walked into the dojo and bowed.
"Why...yes you can miss....my name is Stevo, I am here to talk to Melvin," the police officer said.
"Oh..okay...he's out back," Serena said.
"Thank you," Stevo said and walked that way.
"Okay, Yariko, attack me!" Melvin said.
Yariko lunged with his wooden sword. Melvin swung his own wooden sword up into the air in an arcing motion...and..missed. Yariko hit him straight in the face. Melvin fell backwards into a troft.
"Ehh.....greatest warrior in all of Japan...ehh.." Melvin muttered.
"Well...it looks like you haven't changed," came a voice above him. He looked to see Stevo standing there.
"Stevo!" Melvin said and stood up rapidly out of the troft only to trip and fall back into the water.
"Ehh....you really have gone downhill," Stevo muttered.
"What do you want?" Melvin said angrilly.
"Who is this guy Melvin?" Yariko said.
"He is Stevo, of the Shin-Shin-Shin-Gummy organization," Melvin said.
"The one that was against you in the war?" Yariko asked in wonder.
"Indeed," Stevo said. "But that was the past. Melvin...we have things to talk about."
"Ehh....I can't imagine what," Melvin said climbing out of the troft.
"Patterson has come for you," Stevo said.
"For what I did to him ten years ago I assume," Melvin said.
"Yes," Stevo said. "And I can see you're in no condition to handle this."
"I can do it. In fact, he may be just what I need to get my skills back."
"Melvin, Patterson is the best swordsman in Japan, when you fell off the wagon, he gained the top spot," Stevo said. "He'll kill you."
"What do you care?"
"I could say it's because I have respect for the old ways, that warriors share a bond, but the truth is that if you're going to die I want to watch. I've never liked you."
"Thanks a lot," Melvin muttered.
"However, I also came to warn you because if you're going to die, I at least want you to not be surprised. Patterson has two others with him. They're junior assassins. They're his protection, but I doubt they'll interfere in your fight. That is unless you won....but then that would mean you had your skills back anyway, so it may be a moot point. Regardless of that, you're probably going to die, unless you kill him."
"I can't kill another human," Melvin said.
"Oh...you've taken an oath?" Stevo asked.
"No, my sword just isn't sharp anymore and I sorta forgot how to sharpen it."
"Boy this is going to be a short fight," Stevo muttered.
"So is he here in Tokyo?"
"Yes...he's probably just waiting for the right time to attack. He is a
devious sort," Stevo said.
"What do you mean the dojo's the other way?" Patterson muttered.
"Well...according to this map, we've already passed it and are now in another part of the city entirely," Mike said.
"You and your idiotic map reading," Patterson said. "Back the other way."
"Soujiro Patterson? Nice knowing you," Daro said.
"I can fight him, if only I had my skill back," Melvin said.
"Give it up Melvin, you're a geek now," Daro said.
"No, I can't give up," Melvin said. "I must fight."
"Actually Melvin...if they kill you they'll go away...right," Serena said.
"Um..yeah," Melvin said.
"Well then it's your duty to go out there and die," Serena said.
"I agree," Dr. Hino said.
"I'm not going to do that," Melvin said.
"How dare you! I bring you into my house, give you food...and this is how your repay me!" Serena shouted.
"Oh...come on...I'm not going to die over room and board," Melvin said.
"I'll never forgive you for this," Serena said and stormed out. Dr. Hino glared at him and walked out too.
"Well you guys are behind me right?" Melvin asked Yariko and Daro.
"Well....kinda..I mean...if you're going to fight I want it to be exciting, not just someone beating you up," Yariko said.
"Yeah...I mean...that's the way I see it," Daro said.
"Thanks for all you're wonderful support," Yariko said.
Three days later.
"All right! We've been across this city three times, this had better be the place!" Patterson muttered.
"Melvin! Come and fight me!" Patterson shouted. Beside him stood his two warriors. Melvin emerged from the dojo, followed by Daro and Yariko said.
"Well..I see you brought some friends," Patterson said.
"Hey! What did you call us?" Yariko shouted. "I cannot forgive you for such a grave insult!"
"What? I don't get it?" Patterson said and looked at his two seconds. They shrugged.
"Come to think of it. I'm pretty insulted too!" Daro shouted.
"You guys are a real piece of work," Melvin muttered.
"Come on and fight!" Daro said and he and Yariko stood in fighting stances.
"Deal with them," Patterson said. Mike charged at Yariko. Greg went at Daro.
"Melvin, we will settle this out there," Patterson muttered and walked into the street. Melvin followed.
The two squared off.
"You disgraced me and my honor, now I've come for retribution," Patterson said.
"How was I supposed to know that wasn't spaghetti sauce?" Melvin replied.
"There is no time for excuses!" Patterson shouted and readied his sword. "I hear you have gone soft...well..now we'll see."
Melvin drew his sword. They prepared to run at each other, but were interupted by several horse and carriages racing down the street towards them. Quickly both of them jumped off of the street and stood in the sidewalk.
"This is a busy street you know," Melvin said.
"Hmm....that ruined the dramatic moment," Patterson said. "Come then! We will go to the rice fields!"
"Oh...great," Melvin muttered and the two walked off.
Soon the two were in the rice fields.
"I think this has a better atmosphere anyway," Patterson said.
"Uh right," Melvin said.
"Prepare yourself!" Patterson shouted and drew his sword.
Melvin drew his own sword.
I can feel it. He thought. My skills rising back within me. So long buried. This encounter must be giving them back to me. Now...I will return to my past glory.
Patterson ran across the field and leapt. Melvin stepped backward. Patterson missed. Melvin swung his sword outward. Patterson blocked it. The two actually began to spar effectively. Back and forth they went, Melvin was a demon. Running, jumping, swinging his sword in any motion necessary..Patterson came around with his own sword and narrowly missed. Melvin stepped backwards again.
"See...I'm much formidable then you are," Melvin said.
"Uh..maybe...but what you don't know is that I've only been fighting with a plastic sword," Patterson replied and chucked it aside.
"What?" Melvin said.
"No we fight for real!" Patterson shouted and drew a metal sword from a scabbard.
"Uh...oh...." Melvin said.
"You missed!" Daro said and kicked Mike in the head. Mike stepped back, but then charged quickly. Daro sidestepped and kicked him in the back. Mike tripped forward and fell face first into the troft.
"Ehh...what is with you? Where did you get these masterful skills?" Mike asked.
"Correspondance course," Daro said.
"Ahh...then your skills are much greater than mine. I will not fight anymore."
"Oh..okay..."
"Prepare to die!" Yariko shouted.
"Um...right," Greg muttered. "You do realize that you only have a wooden sword."
"Hah..I will beat you so bad that I will take your sword and then kill you with it!"
"Uh..right kid," Greg said and swung his sword around. Yariko jumped up and dodged it hitting him instead on the head with his wooden sword.
"Ehh....that hurt..a little," Greg said and swung his metal sword. Yariko stuck his sword out to block it, it was shattered by the force of Greg's attack.
"Um...it's not supposed to do that," Yariko said.
"So it isn't...we've fought long enough," Greg said. "Besides the boss has
already finished Melvin off by now."
"Um...listen....have you ever wondered why we're always fighting? I mean...isn't it time for humanity to...um...evolve...beyond this," Melvin said and gulped.
"How about we start evolving tommorow?" Patterson said readying his sword.
"Umm...not good enough," Melvin said and ran away down the fields, Patterson
sighed and raced after him.
CHAPTER 38.5:NEXUS CHAPTER 39:PROJECT RAYE-KO
CHAPTER 40:SCOUT TREK CHAPTER 41:THE S-FILES
CHAPTER 42:NEW EMPEREYEUM TANK COPS CHAPTER 43:SAILORTRON
CHAPTER 44:NEO GEO EVANGELIST CHAPTER 45:SHIELDS, DARRIEN SHIELDS
CHAPTER 46:SAILOR MOTOCROSS CHAPTER 47:RUROUNI MELVIN
CHAPTER 48:LABORPATS CHAPTER
49:SERENAFELD