A dog stumbles into Melody Miro’s path. A dark little thing with amber eyes. Cast into a human shape. In the far distance, a heart is beating. It sounds like a war drum, calling them all to battle. There is something else, hidden by the sound of that beat. A sound not meant for the ears of man – much like the rest of this place. The dog looks to her, looking like he’s seen a ghost.[break]
He’s not wearing a Rocket uniform. Hitoshi is dressed like a ronin from a foreign land. He ditched the dorky white boots and gloves. The cap, too.[break]
“Yo.” Like any good dog, he greets a pretty lady with a cordial voice. “You Melody?”

“Yo, really?! Man!! I can’t believe my luck!” He walks up to her, excited. He looks her up and down. She’s got a weapon on her. Maybe this will be interesting. One of the swords of justice follows her, too. Cobalion. A hero of his youth if for no other reason than he knows how to swing a sword well and true.[break]

“I need a favor from ya! I’ve been paid to kill you! One million pokedollars! So die for me!” He says this as if he’s asking her to pick up the newspaper for him on her way back from the grocery store. Mid-sentence, as he informs her he’s been sent to kill her, he draws his blade. It arcs a pattern through the air, aiming for her neck. It’s one of the quickest ways to kill. Best to end her life quickly. He’s not a sadist, after all.

Despite the severity of the situation, he has the excitement of a kid in a candy shop. He’s not looking at this woman with hatred. Even before Cobalion shows up, murder is just one of those things for him. A job, like any other.[break]
The sight of Cobalion inspires genuine joy in him. As his blade is blocked, he jumps back and waves at the Pokemon. Seemingly ignoring Melody entirely.[break]
“Yoooooo! Cobalion! I’m a big fan of yours! It’s a pleasure to meetcha! Can I get yer autograph!?” This creature has no perception of malice going along with murder. It is a foreign concept to him, hate.[break]
“Don’t interrupt! I’m tryin’ to talk to my idol here!” He says, whipping out a pokeball and throwing out Jubei. His Ceruledge, sensing the presence of an even greater swordsman, is excited. He clashes blades with the Pokemon released from the pokeball and streaks steaming flames across the water.[break]
Their duel begins.

Jubei's blue blades glow with killing power. He senses what his trainer will command him to do even before the order is given. He is no proud warrior. Jubei is one who will stoop to any low to secure himself a win - a kill, even. The legendary beast is a mighty foe. His eyes lower to its neck as he speeds forward, expanding his blades. Excitement makes the tiny ember on the top of his helmet spark into a proper flame. His blade crackles with pulsing energy.[break]
"Quit talkin' about me like I'm not here! You're gonna make me bitter! Show 'em what's up, Jubei!" Hitoshi commands his Pokemon, whose fury knows few equals. Fire gathers along the edge of Jubei's blade.[break][break]
Cobalion and Jubei meet in a clash of energy. Draconic energy meets a scorching flame. The force of the clash sends Hitoshi flying back.

Much happens in such a short span of time. Jubei's blades find purchase against the flesh of Cobalion. Even a legend can bleed, so it seems. Emboldened, he does not feel fear when the creature stares at him. This is a swordsman that has gazed into the abyss, seen it gaze back, and came out resolute to move forward and tatakai.[break]
Lava plumes from his body and shoots Cobalion. He trades blows with the legend. His confidence grows. He hears no orders from Hitoshi, so he resolves to fight on under his own volition.[break]
"Oooooh, now we're talkin', baby!" It'd probably be nicer if that was some bad attempt at flirting with her. He seems more excited by the prospect of a fight. Gripping his sword in one hand, he tosses out another of his balls. A Gallade. Not unlike Michael Navidson's Gallade. Only this one lacks honor in his eyes. This Gallade's eyes are dead things. They have bathed in death. And he unleashes a psychic blast on his foe.[break]
While Hitoshi rushes her down. His style is perfect. The form is flawless. Each step leads into the next. He flows like the water of this sea. Coming for her. Focused wholly on Melody and the impending battle.

“…eh?” Hitoshi blinks. Munenori, the name he has given to his Gallade, places a bladed hand on his shoulder and pulls him out of the line of fire. Jubei has no such luck. Between the blast of fairy dust and the paralyzing effects of the thunder wave, he has finally succumbed. He flies to leave the swirling pink mist, but to no avail. Paralyzed, he is caught in the blast and breathes in deep of the fumes.[break]
“Maaan, all you League guys cheat! Where the hell d’you get off usin’ all these fancy suits?! C’mon, Miss Big Elite 4 girl! Let’s put our Pokemon away! Let’s you n’ me settle this! Surely you’re not so afraid to fight someone like me when you’ve got that suit on, are ya?!” He calls out to her through the mist.[break]
Munenori rolls his eyes and unleashes a heal pulse to keep Jubei on his feet. It hits Hitoshi, too, mending some of his wounds while he taunts one of the best trainers in the region.

"Pfft. Pussy." Hitoshi taunts her, using language he'd never use in front of Yumi or his mother. "Well, suit yerself. Better hope these big bad monsters of yours hold out!" If he's taunting her, he needs to work on his tone. He still sounds far, far too friendly for the circumstances. Like they're just having a friendly game of baseball in Slateport Park.[break]
Jubei is picked up. He screams out from under his helmet, flailing about in the air. Hitoshi elbows Munenori.[break]
"Oi, Oi! Munenori! Do somethin'! I don't wanna have to bring out the shogun for this crap!" Munenori sighs and he peers into the future. His future sight hones in on the most practical target. Not Cobalion. Not the seal that looks like an opera diva. Melody herself. He reads the paths that will eventually lead to a strike, and he starts to walk that path.[break]
As Munenori skids through the water, Jubei is slammed into him by the psychic attack. Interestingly, Munenori makes no attempt to avoid this. Instead, he lets himself fall into the water, skidding.[break]
Jubei stands and the flames on his head flare. He goes on the offensive. Charging all three of his foes. He does a wide swing of his bitter blade, not caring who he hits.