Post by Man on May 31, 2015 23:41:36 GMT -5
”You’re… AEVA, right?”
The woman turned at the sound of another’s voice, soon discovering it belonged to none other than Zalam’gar, Chief of Military Affairs and Lord of the Konatsian people. It was surprising to see him in the City of Avalon when he much preferred to stay in the ground with his citizens. The man stood by the door, awaiting permission to enter. AEVA nodded and invited the man inside the room. ”Lord Zalam’gar of the konatsian people, what brings you all the way out here?” she inquired. Her voice was dull and monotonous. The body she had created for herself was still imperfect in the sense that it could not allow her to portray her emotions with efficiency. Her face was stale and stagnant without a single expression. Ivan had promised to aid in creating her a more versatile body, but he had been busy with other matters as usual. Eventually, she might even become battle-worthy, a true asset alongside Model Zero.
”Is there anything I can help you with?” She proceeded as the pale man approached her. His skin was as silver as his hair and glossed over his exalted figure, which was decorated by numerous scars he had gained throughout his lifetime. Zalam’gar wore them proudly as a konatsian warrior; they told the story of a man who had gone through great hardships yet prevailed against all odds and ascended past his limits. He might appreciate AEVA’s hair as it might have been the only one pristine enough to rival his own. He gazed over it briefly before turning his attention towards the monitors behind her. His expressions hardened as he found the one whom he sought. ”I was just looking for the android they call Zero, but it seems my search has ended.” The man stated solemnly.
”Zero?” the mechanical woman inquired. ”What business do you have with him?”
…
“Hyagh!”
The collective sound of numerous voices flooded the battlefield as tides of soldiers conglomerate and clash at the center. Model Zero stood amongst them, still and silent for what it was worth as the surrounding warriors pass by him like a rock in a stream. His gaze was slanted at their feet, visage shaded by the grim state of his mind. This regimen had gone on for quite some time since Lupin IV came upon their control and Ivan proclaimed himself ruler of all the land. However, the android had not been able to move past recent events and instead replayed the events of the Great War in the simulator. Plation’s face kept emerging in his line of sight, reminding him of the odd disturbance which kept pounding on his chest.
The royal blades of grass for which their planet had been known and admired for would ironically dance to the tune of war and strife. Blood splattered, and in that fleeting glance a peculiar thought crossed the android’s mind. It was a metaphor. The red color that spanned all the land of Avalon and beyond was tantamount to all the lives which had to be sacrificed at their expense, just so the people of this planet could be freed from the biseijin’s rule, just to break the cycle of hatred they bared for centuries –just so his master can feed his ego and claim himself King over a foreign planet, as if imitating his own rulers at Omega. No doubt, the scientist had some kind of inferiority complex which he felt needed to be quenched by stomping above others. Every command he was forced to comply with by word of King Arctic’s mouth or Lord Zex’s finger was burned off by his own on Lupin IV. No longer would the scientist kiss their feet to pass by, no, he now ruled his own kingdom and he would relish the experience.
He had seen this part before. This was the scene where one of the moujuujin landed on the center of the battlefield with Plation at its head. The true hero of their people would speak on behalf of every race that lived within Lupin IV. This was his story. Model Zero was just a vehicle that drove the man to his destiny. Then again, if not for the android, Plation would still be breathing and perhaps he would have raised the rebellion without the android’s help and become King. After his speech, the konatsian’s realized they had been fighting on the wrong side and turned on the biseijin to join the hera and moujuujin on the fight for freedom. The Gors proved little resistance once they joined forces. The Gors were pure black machines with blank faces. They had no eyes or mouth, no ears, just a casket of a head to hold their core programming; they were oppressive tools, genuine drones that none could relate to.
Plation often insisted that, despite Zero’s self-perception, he was not like the Gors. The konatsian stressed some blatant belief that Zero had something inside of himself, but the android proved him wrong in the end. Even with the man’s last breath, he urged to android to listen to his non-existent heart, only to be betrayed. Zero remembered his face before death. It was not one of surprise or horror, but extreme contempt. Plation, the man who thought so highly of him, would curse at the android’s existence to the very end and pray that his brother and people would find solace despite his passing. Zero readied his saber to take done the Gors. All around him, Hera leveled their guns and fired without any remorse; konatsians fought with their diverse weapons which ranged from bow and arrows to axes to staffs, all reinforced with the power of their magical abilities. The moujuujin were no warriors themselves, the great ox-beasts flew over the armies below as konatsian and hera leapt off their backs to attack from the sky and infiltrate their structure from within. Occasionally, a moujuujin would drop down on the Gors, crushing them beneath its hooves.
”So this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Zero’s eyes widen as they glance at the pale konatsian standing a few meters away. AEVA had attempted to stop the foolish man, but Zalam’gar insisted regardless and entered the simulation despite the woman’s warnings. The simple minded man was completely benign, blind to the intense gravity which now pressed against their bodies at sixty times greater than that of the planet’s normal gravity. This was Zero’s first time training under such and even now it still posed a challenge to maintain his posture. Impressive. The android thought many times over as he lowered his blade and turned so his shoulders met the other man head on. Any other being foolish as him would have been crushed under the pressure of the chamber’s increased gravity. Gravity pulls your blood towards one’s feet. The body counteracts this by pumping around the arteries and valves in the veins that prevent blood flowing back. At this level, their natural systems would not have been strong enough to pump the blood up and throughout their bodies. Zalam’gar should have dropped dead from the moment he stepped inside the chamber and yet he appeared unaffected.
“Zalam’gar,” Zero responded, confirming his presence. The konatsian gazed at their surroundings, spotting himself among the rabble fighting off the gors. His face always looked angry, as if he had a bone to pick with the world, but he must have thought it to be some kind of sick joke that the android would choose to relive; perhaps, one of his most dreaded memories. Sure, it was the day the konatsian, hera, and moujuujin looked past their differences; defeated the biseijin, the gors; and the day they looked towards a brighter future carved by their own hands, but it was war none-the-less and many lives had fallen in the effort –including Plation, whom appeared to breathe just fine within the simulated world. The pale konatsian walked towards one of them, tapping an individual on the shoulders. To his surprise, they were tangible, solid objects, as the simulated man turned to face him. The man smiled at him after realizing it had been Zalam’gar who tapped him on the shoulder and then returned to fight against the gors just as history would have it.
“You have… interesting hobbies, Zero,” the konatsian commented. His gaze lingered on the simulated individual for a moment longer before shifting towards the android behind him. Zero could only imagine what must have been going through the man’s mind. Their people, although quite advanced in technology, were first and foremost a nomadic civilization with primitive customs. It must have been Zalam’gar’s first time witnessing a simulated reality imitated to such perfection he would even question his own identity. After Ivan settled down on the planet as their ruler, they had been exposed to all kinds of bizarre gadgets, such as a metal box with dancing people inside. Their lives were completely changed in just several weeks, it was amazing to think back and acknowledge he had been under Helios’ spells just some time ago. It almost felt like it had all been just a dream.
Zalam’gar stopped beside the android, his eyes still lurking at their surroundings. Prospecting the man closer, Zero noticed beads of sweat starting to form on his silver skin and protruding veins indicating the heightened blood pressure. Gradually, it had become harder for the man to breath in their environment. Zero was truly impressed. Goes to show you can’t judge one by power-level alone. He might surpass the man by sheer strength, but this man who had not fought under the influence of a gravity chamber in his life could remain afoot and living with will power alone; such power was still a mystery to Zero. How could one gain strength out of thin air? There must have been some sort of science behind it all…
“I’m afraid you’re interrupting my training.” the android spoke, breaking the silence between them. The re-enactment of the Great War became background noise to their conversation. The pale konatsian looked to the android, his yellow eyes staring straight into the black pools that were Zero’s pupils. Certainly, he was not content with the androids demeanor, though he did have a point; not to mention, although he could not sense energy –more to the point, he could not sense Zero’s ki, the man knew enough to recognize when he was outmatched. Picking a fight with the world’s liberator was not, in the simplest form of the word, a sane endeavor. The konatsian turned from the android, stopping a few feet away as he spotted Plation’s simulated image rushing towards the City of Avalon with the android in tow.
”I came seeking to speak with you, the one who stood at the center of it all and witnessed Plation’s demise. I want to hear it from your lips that his passing was as heroic a tale as King Ivan fortells.” The konatsian’s, back still facing the android, he turns his face to the left so Zero may see the scar running down his sullen face. The android didn’t know how close Zalam’gar and Plation were, but it was likely he only asked so he may honor the name of his fellow konatsian. It was possible that part of him believed it should have been him who died in place of Plation, him who would sacrifice his well-being for the sake of his people. At the end of the day, Plation was a citizen and he had no place laying down his life for something which was Zalam’gar’s responsibility.
Zero conceded. He knew the man would not leave without an explanation; however, he couldn’t tell him the truth either, for the truth would destroy Ivan’s false image and expose him for the villain he truly was. The android’s gaze lowered to the ground, taking solace in the vibrant red of the grass which spanned all of Avalon. ”Plation was a hero,” he started. The android’s gaze lifted to meet the other man’s eyes and for once Zalam’gar’s face shifted to something much more relatable. The surprise in his face as the android’s expression was more humane than he was used to. Zero’s cold and callous demeanor changed, expressing that akin to a tormented creature whose soul had been crushed. If only Zero had a soul; Zalam’gar would have been fooled to think the android was biological if not for red armor that garnered his being. However, that was not to say his words were not genuine.
”He was a martyr to the very end, sacrificing his life for the betterment of his people and his brother Cayu. Honestly, I am the one to blame, for he ended up saving my life as well,” he did not lie. Zero had been defeated during the battle against Goliath, whom had been under Helios’ spell at the time. Weakened by the curse forced upon him, Zero had admitted defeat and prepared to accept his passing until Plation’s nurturing words helped him break from his helplessness. In fact, the scene must have been occurring that very moment as the two spoke idly across the battlefield.
…
The biseijin’s eyes began to glow an ominous green hue and Zero knew what was going to happen. It was just like before, green flames following as their surroundings ebonize and Goliath is once again summoned. Model Zero’s grip tightens, preparing for the coming battle, but something keeps his feet from moving. His heavy weights? A spell? Whatever it was, his feet were anchored to the ground and he was forced to watch by the sidelines. Plation had become exhausted and rests a knee on the marble floor while pressing his sword down as a foothold. The ox-beast puffs out smoke from his nostrils, imposing his presence on the individual, but Plation didn’t seem to pay any mind to his existence.
“Zero!” Plation called out, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t be afraid! Even if you are cursed, it doesn’t mean a thing! Fate has a weird way of making everything work out, and you may not believe in fate but… Just remember…! When it seems as though the universe has cut you loose and seeks to discard you from existence… you are at last free to transcend its boundaries!”
The words hit the android like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened and fragments of memories he could not understand rush through his eyes. –Transcend your boundaries- The phrase rang through his mind many different voices, trying to identify and match it to the right person. Alas, he didn’t recognize any of the many faces shown to him regardless. Afraid? he thought. That’s impossible. Ivan had told him numerous times that androids do not feel such meaningless emotions. Suddenly, he regained control over his hands as his grip tightens over the handle of his saber. Goliath was done waiting. The ox-beast rose on his hind legs and descend with the weight of his body to crush the konatsian warrior. Plation tried to move out of the way, but his muscles were too stiff. Goliath’s feet impacts with the marble floors and ransacks the foundation of the biseijin’s castle, but Plation was saved as Model Zero dashed at the last second and swept him off from below the ox-beast spirit. Helios frowns.
…
It may appear as though Zero saved Plation, quite evident as he was about to be struck down by Goliath, but the konatsian was the true savior in all of it as –soon after his passing, the android would have been next. Even now his words still rang in his mind –to transcend your boundaries- and he could not figure out where he heard that phrase in the past, if at all. Zalam’gar closed his eyes and sighed, apparently satisfied with the android’s response. ”It is truly a shame that it had to be him,” the man said. His fist closed tightly beside him, much regret evident. Zalam’gar looked to the City of Avalon. The simulated copies of Zero and Plation could be seen as they leapt from the foot of the castle, straight towards the space ship that orbited the planet. Zero’s curse had been lifted and with it his power returned, granting him enough strength to jump out of the planet’s atmosphere. However, the konatsian had argued that even he would not survive the harsh nature of space. The android would have probably frozen to death before he could even hope to reach the space station. As a result, Plation had been mounted on Zero’s back as he played a tune on his ocarina, which created a special bubble shield around them, providing them with a personal atmosphere for themselves.
”Say, since we’re already here, why not finish off these gors, no?” the konatsian looked back at the android. Zero could have sworn he just saw Zalam’gar smile –or, at least, something akin to smiling. The konatsian promptly rushed into the fray without awaiting Zero’s response and pierced a nearby gor with his rapier. He was fast and deadly. The pale konatsian would lunge through the machine, vanishing a moment later as he charged on his next victim. The gor, although sturdy and strong, were no match for his masterful use of the blade. They dropped to their knees one after the other, soon after self-destructing into a storm of shrapnel. Zero raised his saber and joined the battle, following the konatsian’s lead as he leapt between each individual, taking down a gor with every stroke of his blade. He still thought it was incredible how he was capable of doing this much while hindered by the gravity.
Zalam’gar was definitely starting to show strain on his body, yet he continued to press onwards as if this were some kind of game. One of the gors snuck up behind Zero while wielding a shot gun and pulled the trigger. There had been so many individuals that it had been difficult for him detect ones such as that, however, the sound of his gun firing off a round was more than enough to prepare him as the android swerved on his heel and slashed diagonally. With his speed and immaculate precision, the bullet was intercepted by his blade and sliced in half. The gor cocked his shot gun ready to fire again and pulled the trigger without delay. Zero dashed forward, tilting his saber to its flat side, deflecting the bullet towards the ground. The gor was preparing his weapon again, but Zero turned his saber to its blade and diced the gun in half. The gor followed after…
The konatsian stood solemnly watching over the remains of the Gor they had dismantled one by one. Sweat rolled down his pale skin, outlining the numerous scars which adorned his figure. Zalam’gar was a proud konatsian, and his body spoke tales of the many struggles he had endured in the past. Around this time, Zero would have already dealt the final blow against Plation and the ship which had been orbiting around Lupin IV would begin to fall into the atmosphere. Then Ivan would give out his great speech, forever concealing the truth behind the death of their savior; however, the simulation would end before the fact. Zero did not wish to relive the lie with others present. Zalam’gar and the android would find themselves back inside a metallic domed structure. He would prospect the chamber, no doubt marveling over how he had just been in the plains of Avalon a moment ago and now he was in a small room. ”You people have some interesting toys…” he said. Zero was still wondering how a man as he could withstand this level of gravity. However, no matter how inspiring the konatsian may be, he was visibly reaching his limit.
”Zalam’gar, I suggest you withdraw from this chamber. Your body is reaching its limit,” the android advised. The konatsian looked back at him with that same stern expression, he was clearly not amused with the way the android addressed him. ”You are representative of the konatsian people and head of military affairs. It would be a shame to lose you outside the field of battle.”
The konatsian’s seemingly inherent anger worsened with every word the android spoke. ”I don’t need you to list down my responsibilities, android.” He said as he began to approach him with rapier in hand and lunged at him. ”If you really want me to leave, then you’ll have to defeat me first!”
”Please reconsider,” Zero warned, ducking under the stroke of his blade. The konatsian’s thrusts were rapid, even for someone under sixty times normal gravity, however Zero was fast enough to evade them effectively. By the time the android leapt back to avoid the second thrust, the konatsian performed a skilled maneuver with his feet, which allowed him to make another thrust immediately after the first. Zero’s eye’s widened as it was not expected. He evaded the thrust very slightly, the blade having brushed against his cheek –there was a thin line of blood which seeped through the superficial wound. It became evident that the konatsian would not back down despite his wishes. ”Very well,” Zero conceded with a darker tone. As he reached for the handle of his saber…
”-Zero!” Ivan’s voice boomed throughout the room. Both fighters stopped on their tracks and looked back towards the source. This chamber was different from the one Zero had been used to. In the training chamber back home, there was nothing but an empty wall that enclosed him, but this one had a large glass window towards the top where they could see his majesty and AEVA watching over them. The room in which they reside was barred from the effects of gravity, as Ivan would surely not survive such intensity. The man wore his royal garb with smug and high self-esteem, he would never allow a commoner of his domain seeing him as anything less, or he feared it might tarnish the illusion of King he had so successfully established. ”I believe Lord Zalam’gar is feeling a little disparaged. Let us humor his request. Give him a chance to prove himself your equal.”
There was a sly smirk curling on the man’s lips, one Zero had grown to know quite well whenever his master was enjoying himself. Ivan must have been as intrigued by Zalam’gar’s resilience as much as Zero had. There were few who could simply jump into a field of gravity and walk as though it was nothing. Even Zero crumbled when he attempted to start himself off at a mere fifteen times gravity without prior training. It appeared this encounter had become an experiment and a training session at the same time. Zalam’gar had been lucky that Ivan appeared when he did, or his pride might have been severed indeterminately. However, Zero was not used to adopting the role of instructor. It was always he who received the lectures, now he was like Vespasian, training the underling.
The konatsian backed off. They each took opposing stands to properly commence their first official sparring session. Upon King Ivan’s orders, both fighters would fade from their untrained eyes and fight within a realm only they could experience. When moving under high velocities, it was like a completely different universe. The physics involved was flipped upside down, and because only those involved could exist within that reality, there was nothing which could distract them or even attempt to get in their way. In this realm, every twenty or so moves happened in an instant, and those spectating could only perceive them as nothing more than bursts of light and shockwaves. As they fought, their surroundings morphed again, transporting them into another simulated world to serve as their stage. The konatsian dropped from above with a downward thrust of his rapier, aiming through the android’s skull. Zero dashed, fazing through the konatsian. Zalam’gar’s rapier would burrow through the ground, lifting dirt in the air. He glares back at Zero and turns to parry his saber.
After parrying Zero’s attack, the konatsian quickly swooped in for a follow thru attack, but the android shifted his body and evaded. By the time the next thrust came in, the android slapped it away with his saber and moved in for his own attack. The two warriors continued the onslaught; countering, blocking and parrying each other’s attacks, trying to get the best of the other. In a sword fight, it was all about speed and technique. The faster you struck, the better, however they were each masters of their own craft. The level of skill they possessed wielding their respective weapons were enough to cancel each other out despite physical strength. Of course, Zero could have overpowered the man in an instant –but what good would that do? This sparring session was meant to improve Zalam’gar’s effectiveness; after all, he was tasked with training able and willing civilians of the konatsian people, enlisting them into the military of Lupin IV, serving as the forefront of the planet’s defenses. Training Zalam’gar was almost akin to training the entire planet’s defensive mechanism. That must have been what King Ivan was thinking, Zero thought. Not to mention, perhaps Zero could learn a thing or two from the man.
The android had reached a stalemate with the konatsian. Their attacks would not falter, but they had reached an almost routine order. Ivan himself might have been fooled to think they had staged the spectacle beforehand, if he could see it that is. However, it wasn’t until Zalam’gar revealed one of his abilities, that he broke the monotony and momentary advantage. It happened fast. The man’s thrusts seemed just like those which preceded it; except, when Zero moved to intercept the attack, he found his blade meeting with thin air. As soon as he realized what had occurred, the android was struck by the edge of Zalam’gar’s rapier at the solar plexus. The android’s reinforced body was sturdier than most, preventing the blade from piercing through his skin. If he were a biological specimen, or perhaps, if his power-level were to approximate his opponent, then that first strike might have been his last. The rapier pounded against the android, propelling him across the landscape. A cloud of debris lifted rapidly at his wake, leaving a trail of smoke which only stopped when his back was halfway into the fifth tree.
Noted. He thought. Model Zero had only witnessed it once, but he now understood what occurred to have allowed the konatsian to sneak past his defenses so seamlessly. The technique was truly impressive. Similar to the afterimage technique which was known by many, Zalam’gar used a fake image of himself to mislead his opponent. While the afterimage demonstrates where a person had previously stood, what the konatsian used was more of a –beforeimage, implying that he demonstrated where he was going to be. After using the beforeimage technique, by simply adjusting the nature of his attack, he would be able to attack in a completely opposite direction. Because Zero thought he had been attacked, he focused all of his defenses in one area and left himself vulnerable elsewhere. Zalam’gar would use that to his advantage and attack in that exact spot. The problem was deciphering when the technique was being used and where he would attack afterwards.
Just as Zero was about to pull himself out of the tree trunk, the konatsian would charge at him once more with his rapier. The android wielded his saber, intercepting the thrust with the side of his blade and deflecting it back. That attack had been real, however, when he attacked to counter –the elven warrior’s figure faded. An afterimage. Zero was quick to detect the man’s true location, right in front, ducking under the saber, the konatsian pressed on to strike the android with the tip of his rapier once more. Model Zero motioned to parry the rapier, but the blade itself simply faded through his saber. Beforeimage. Almost immediately after the fake rapier fazed through his saber, the real attack struck just above the android’s chest –the neck. Zero was pegged back into the tree trunk. Zalam’gar would continue to use the afterimage and, newly discovered, beforeimage in tandem to outwit his opponent and keep him guessing. Every stroke seemed just as real as the last, except they weren’t. That was what made it so difficult to predict when and where it would be used. By the time Zero realized it was used, it was already too late to do anything about it.
The konatsian thrust his rapier at breakneck speed, striking a different point in the android’s body every time. His red armor was beginning to chip off and indent before the might of the elven warrior. The black, skin-tight fabric which enclosed his body had been torn and revealed his fair skin, which was beginning to give in despite the technological advancements used strengthen them beyond its biological limits. Inevitably, the tree would not hold in light of the great forces which acted upon it. Just as the trunk snapped and the tree began to timber, the crystal jewel on Zero’s forehead began to glow a teal bright light. From its center, the android barrier would emerge, expanding five feet from its core with destructive power. Zalam’gar had the foresight to step back and avoided getting scorched by the barrier. Land and tree would disintegrate upon contact with the android barrier, leaving a crater at its wake. Model Zero levitated over the ashen crater with steam rising from the barren soil. Zalam’gar hesitated but for a second until he watched the glow fade from the crystal.
The konatsian charged Zero once again, however, the android’s figure would fade just as Zalam’gar rapier approached him. It was not his dashing technique, which allowed him to ostensibly fade through he opponents, but the afterimage technique, which only showed his opponent where he had been previously. Ever since Delashano helped him unlock his ki, learning new techniques became so much easier. Shifting the currents of energy around his body, Model Zero flew at his opponent like a hawk tracking its prey. Zalam’gar was quick to sense the shift in the air, turning in time to deflect the android’s initial attack with his rapier. The thought that he could fly all along must have been disturbing to the konatsian as he still struggled to adapt with the change in the nature of their sparring match. He had the advantage only moments ago, but the android was now using his techniques against him.
Model Zero veered back, attempting a second strike. Using his dash ability, he would perform his Fading Dash Assault maneuver while bukujutsu incorporated. The konatsian was skilled enough to stand his ground, but that did not save him from the sharp edge of Zero’s blade. The man’s skin was not as tough as the android, so Zero was careful to make superficial incisions with every blow. Eventually, Zalam’gar began to catch up to the rhythm of the battle and used his own afterimage and beforeimage techniques to dance with the flying machine. Unfortunately, for him, the android had another trick up his hypothetical sleeve. The konatsian’s thrust would fade through Zero’s afterimage. The android would then perform a roundhouse kick –the first physical attack Zero had used throughout the entire spar which did not involve the use of his saber. The first kick, however, was only a beforeimage –the first time Zero used Zalam’gar’s beforeimage technique. Fooled by the fake kick, the man decided to reciprocate the gesture by blocking the attack with his forearm. It was only then that he realized it had been a fake and the real one struck in the exact same spot an instant later. Zero smirked. His intent was to make sure Zalam’gar would block instead of evade, allowing him to reveal a technique Vespasian drilled into his muscles, but Delashano weaved into his mind. His lips would part, uttering a single word.
”Detonate…”
Huff… Huff…
The konatsian leaned over with hands prepped against his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. The simulated, torn world in which they fought, faded and brought them back into the dome-shaped chamber, where Ivan had been observing with a wide grin on his face. The spectacle was a sight for sore eyes. Zalam’gar peered at the android from between his silver strands of hair. His body was clearly damaged, but he did not appear fazed. Zero stood straight, arms relaxed beside him and visage as stoic as ever. ”W-what are you…” the elven man finally asked. Zero glanced at the konatsian, tempted to ask the same question. As logic would have it, the man should have died a long time ago. His heart shouldn’t have been able to withstand these extremes. Regardless, he responded solemnly to the man,
”I’m an android…”
[PL + Heavy Weights + Simulator + Gravity x60]
Techniques Learned:
Standard
Zanzoken: In this attack the user moves so fast, they leave an image of themselves behind. Thus, it looks like the user is in several places at once, or has made copies of himself/herself.
Zenken: The opposite of the Zanzoken. While the zanzoken shows where the user has been previously, the Zenken shows where the user is going to be. It is generally used to trick the opponent into thinking the user is attacking in one direction while they are actually attacking in another. For example: Before-image shows user aiming at the face, but actually aims at the stomach.
The woman turned at the sound of another’s voice, soon discovering it belonged to none other than Zalam’gar, Chief of Military Affairs and Lord of the Konatsian people. It was surprising to see him in the City of Avalon when he much preferred to stay in the ground with his citizens. The man stood by the door, awaiting permission to enter. AEVA nodded and invited the man inside the room. ”Lord Zalam’gar of the konatsian people, what brings you all the way out here?” she inquired. Her voice was dull and monotonous. The body she had created for herself was still imperfect in the sense that it could not allow her to portray her emotions with efficiency. Her face was stale and stagnant without a single expression. Ivan had promised to aid in creating her a more versatile body, but he had been busy with other matters as usual. Eventually, she might even become battle-worthy, a true asset alongside Model Zero.
”Is there anything I can help you with?” She proceeded as the pale man approached her. His skin was as silver as his hair and glossed over his exalted figure, which was decorated by numerous scars he had gained throughout his lifetime. Zalam’gar wore them proudly as a konatsian warrior; they told the story of a man who had gone through great hardships yet prevailed against all odds and ascended past his limits. He might appreciate AEVA’s hair as it might have been the only one pristine enough to rival his own. He gazed over it briefly before turning his attention towards the monitors behind her. His expressions hardened as he found the one whom he sought. ”I was just looking for the android they call Zero, but it seems my search has ended.” The man stated solemnly.
”Zero?” the mechanical woman inquired. ”What business do you have with him?”
…
“Hyagh!”
The collective sound of numerous voices flooded the battlefield as tides of soldiers conglomerate and clash at the center. Model Zero stood amongst them, still and silent for what it was worth as the surrounding warriors pass by him like a rock in a stream. His gaze was slanted at their feet, visage shaded by the grim state of his mind. This regimen had gone on for quite some time since Lupin IV came upon their control and Ivan proclaimed himself ruler of all the land. However, the android had not been able to move past recent events and instead replayed the events of the Great War in the simulator. Plation’s face kept emerging in his line of sight, reminding him of the odd disturbance which kept pounding on his chest.
The royal blades of grass for which their planet had been known and admired for would ironically dance to the tune of war and strife. Blood splattered, and in that fleeting glance a peculiar thought crossed the android’s mind. It was a metaphor. The red color that spanned all the land of Avalon and beyond was tantamount to all the lives which had to be sacrificed at their expense, just so the people of this planet could be freed from the biseijin’s rule, just to break the cycle of hatred they bared for centuries –just so his master can feed his ego and claim himself King over a foreign planet, as if imitating his own rulers at Omega. No doubt, the scientist had some kind of inferiority complex which he felt needed to be quenched by stomping above others. Every command he was forced to comply with by word of King Arctic’s mouth or Lord Zex’s finger was burned off by his own on Lupin IV. No longer would the scientist kiss their feet to pass by, no, he now ruled his own kingdom and he would relish the experience.
He had seen this part before. This was the scene where one of the moujuujin landed on the center of the battlefield with Plation at its head. The true hero of their people would speak on behalf of every race that lived within Lupin IV. This was his story. Model Zero was just a vehicle that drove the man to his destiny. Then again, if not for the android, Plation would still be breathing and perhaps he would have raised the rebellion without the android’s help and become King. After his speech, the konatsian’s realized they had been fighting on the wrong side and turned on the biseijin to join the hera and moujuujin on the fight for freedom. The Gors proved little resistance once they joined forces. The Gors were pure black machines with blank faces. They had no eyes or mouth, no ears, just a casket of a head to hold their core programming; they were oppressive tools, genuine drones that none could relate to.
Plation often insisted that, despite Zero’s self-perception, he was not like the Gors. The konatsian stressed some blatant belief that Zero had something inside of himself, but the android proved him wrong in the end. Even with the man’s last breath, he urged to android to listen to his non-existent heart, only to be betrayed. Zero remembered his face before death. It was not one of surprise or horror, but extreme contempt. Plation, the man who thought so highly of him, would curse at the android’s existence to the very end and pray that his brother and people would find solace despite his passing. Zero readied his saber to take done the Gors. All around him, Hera leveled their guns and fired without any remorse; konatsians fought with their diverse weapons which ranged from bow and arrows to axes to staffs, all reinforced with the power of their magical abilities. The moujuujin were no warriors themselves, the great ox-beasts flew over the armies below as konatsian and hera leapt off their backs to attack from the sky and infiltrate their structure from within. Occasionally, a moujuujin would drop down on the Gors, crushing them beneath its hooves.
”So this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Zero’s eyes widen as they glance at the pale konatsian standing a few meters away. AEVA had attempted to stop the foolish man, but Zalam’gar insisted regardless and entered the simulation despite the woman’s warnings. The simple minded man was completely benign, blind to the intense gravity which now pressed against their bodies at sixty times greater than that of the planet’s normal gravity. This was Zero’s first time training under such and even now it still posed a challenge to maintain his posture. Impressive. The android thought many times over as he lowered his blade and turned so his shoulders met the other man head on. Any other being foolish as him would have been crushed under the pressure of the chamber’s increased gravity. Gravity pulls your blood towards one’s feet. The body counteracts this by pumping around the arteries and valves in the veins that prevent blood flowing back. At this level, their natural systems would not have been strong enough to pump the blood up and throughout their bodies. Zalam’gar should have dropped dead from the moment he stepped inside the chamber and yet he appeared unaffected.
“Zalam’gar,” Zero responded, confirming his presence. The konatsian gazed at their surroundings, spotting himself among the rabble fighting off the gors. His face always looked angry, as if he had a bone to pick with the world, but he must have thought it to be some kind of sick joke that the android would choose to relive; perhaps, one of his most dreaded memories. Sure, it was the day the konatsian, hera, and moujuujin looked past their differences; defeated the biseijin, the gors; and the day they looked towards a brighter future carved by their own hands, but it was war none-the-less and many lives had fallen in the effort –including Plation, whom appeared to breathe just fine within the simulated world. The pale konatsian walked towards one of them, tapping an individual on the shoulders. To his surprise, they were tangible, solid objects, as the simulated man turned to face him. The man smiled at him after realizing it had been Zalam’gar who tapped him on the shoulder and then returned to fight against the gors just as history would have it.
“You have… interesting hobbies, Zero,” the konatsian commented. His gaze lingered on the simulated individual for a moment longer before shifting towards the android behind him. Zero could only imagine what must have been going through the man’s mind. Their people, although quite advanced in technology, were first and foremost a nomadic civilization with primitive customs. It must have been Zalam’gar’s first time witnessing a simulated reality imitated to such perfection he would even question his own identity. After Ivan settled down on the planet as their ruler, they had been exposed to all kinds of bizarre gadgets, such as a metal box with dancing people inside. Their lives were completely changed in just several weeks, it was amazing to think back and acknowledge he had been under Helios’ spells just some time ago. It almost felt like it had all been just a dream.
Zalam’gar stopped beside the android, his eyes still lurking at their surroundings. Prospecting the man closer, Zero noticed beads of sweat starting to form on his silver skin and protruding veins indicating the heightened blood pressure. Gradually, it had become harder for the man to breath in their environment. Zero was truly impressed. Goes to show you can’t judge one by power-level alone. He might surpass the man by sheer strength, but this man who had not fought under the influence of a gravity chamber in his life could remain afoot and living with will power alone; such power was still a mystery to Zero. How could one gain strength out of thin air? There must have been some sort of science behind it all…
“I’m afraid you’re interrupting my training.” the android spoke, breaking the silence between them. The re-enactment of the Great War became background noise to their conversation. The pale konatsian looked to the android, his yellow eyes staring straight into the black pools that were Zero’s pupils. Certainly, he was not content with the androids demeanor, though he did have a point; not to mention, although he could not sense energy –more to the point, he could not sense Zero’s ki, the man knew enough to recognize when he was outmatched. Picking a fight with the world’s liberator was not, in the simplest form of the word, a sane endeavor. The konatsian turned from the android, stopping a few feet away as he spotted Plation’s simulated image rushing towards the City of Avalon with the android in tow.
”I came seeking to speak with you, the one who stood at the center of it all and witnessed Plation’s demise. I want to hear it from your lips that his passing was as heroic a tale as King Ivan fortells.” The konatsian’s, back still facing the android, he turns his face to the left so Zero may see the scar running down his sullen face. The android didn’t know how close Zalam’gar and Plation were, but it was likely he only asked so he may honor the name of his fellow konatsian. It was possible that part of him believed it should have been him who died in place of Plation, him who would sacrifice his well-being for the sake of his people. At the end of the day, Plation was a citizen and he had no place laying down his life for something which was Zalam’gar’s responsibility.
Zero conceded. He knew the man would not leave without an explanation; however, he couldn’t tell him the truth either, for the truth would destroy Ivan’s false image and expose him for the villain he truly was. The android’s gaze lowered to the ground, taking solace in the vibrant red of the grass which spanned all of Avalon. ”Plation was a hero,” he started. The android’s gaze lifted to meet the other man’s eyes and for once Zalam’gar’s face shifted to something much more relatable. The surprise in his face as the android’s expression was more humane than he was used to. Zero’s cold and callous demeanor changed, expressing that akin to a tormented creature whose soul had been crushed. If only Zero had a soul; Zalam’gar would have been fooled to think the android was biological if not for red armor that garnered his being. However, that was not to say his words were not genuine.
”He was a martyr to the very end, sacrificing his life for the betterment of his people and his brother Cayu. Honestly, I am the one to blame, for he ended up saving my life as well,” he did not lie. Zero had been defeated during the battle against Goliath, whom had been under Helios’ spell at the time. Weakened by the curse forced upon him, Zero had admitted defeat and prepared to accept his passing until Plation’s nurturing words helped him break from his helplessness. In fact, the scene must have been occurring that very moment as the two spoke idly across the battlefield.
…
The biseijin’s eyes began to glow an ominous green hue and Zero knew what was going to happen. It was just like before, green flames following as their surroundings ebonize and Goliath is once again summoned. Model Zero’s grip tightens, preparing for the coming battle, but something keeps his feet from moving. His heavy weights? A spell? Whatever it was, his feet were anchored to the ground and he was forced to watch by the sidelines. Plation had become exhausted and rests a knee on the marble floor while pressing his sword down as a foothold. The ox-beast puffs out smoke from his nostrils, imposing his presence on the individual, but Plation didn’t seem to pay any mind to his existence.
“Zero!” Plation called out, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t be afraid! Even if you are cursed, it doesn’t mean a thing! Fate has a weird way of making everything work out, and you may not believe in fate but… Just remember…! When it seems as though the universe has cut you loose and seeks to discard you from existence… you are at last free to transcend its boundaries!”
The words hit the android like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened and fragments of memories he could not understand rush through his eyes. –Transcend your boundaries- The phrase rang through his mind many different voices, trying to identify and match it to the right person. Alas, he didn’t recognize any of the many faces shown to him regardless. Afraid? he thought. That’s impossible. Ivan had told him numerous times that androids do not feel such meaningless emotions. Suddenly, he regained control over his hands as his grip tightens over the handle of his saber. Goliath was done waiting. The ox-beast rose on his hind legs and descend with the weight of his body to crush the konatsian warrior. Plation tried to move out of the way, but his muscles were too stiff. Goliath’s feet impacts with the marble floors and ransacks the foundation of the biseijin’s castle, but Plation was saved as Model Zero dashed at the last second and swept him off from below the ox-beast spirit. Helios frowns.
…
It may appear as though Zero saved Plation, quite evident as he was about to be struck down by Goliath, but the konatsian was the true savior in all of it as –soon after his passing, the android would have been next. Even now his words still rang in his mind –to transcend your boundaries- and he could not figure out where he heard that phrase in the past, if at all. Zalam’gar closed his eyes and sighed, apparently satisfied with the android’s response. ”It is truly a shame that it had to be him,” the man said. His fist closed tightly beside him, much regret evident. Zalam’gar looked to the City of Avalon. The simulated copies of Zero and Plation could be seen as they leapt from the foot of the castle, straight towards the space ship that orbited the planet. Zero’s curse had been lifted and with it his power returned, granting him enough strength to jump out of the planet’s atmosphere. However, the konatsian had argued that even he would not survive the harsh nature of space. The android would have probably frozen to death before he could even hope to reach the space station. As a result, Plation had been mounted on Zero’s back as he played a tune on his ocarina, which created a special bubble shield around them, providing them with a personal atmosphere for themselves.
”Say, since we’re already here, why not finish off these gors, no?” the konatsian looked back at the android. Zero could have sworn he just saw Zalam’gar smile –or, at least, something akin to smiling. The konatsian promptly rushed into the fray without awaiting Zero’s response and pierced a nearby gor with his rapier. He was fast and deadly. The pale konatsian would lunge through the machine, vanishing a moment later as he charged on his next victim. The gor, although sturdy and strong, were no match for his masterful use of the blade. They dropped to their knees one after the other, soon after self-destructing into a storm of shrapnel. Zero raised his saber and joined the battle, following the konatsian’s lead as he leapt between each individual, taking down a gor with every stroke of his blade. He still thought it was incredible how he was capable of doing this much while hindered by the gravity.
Zalam’gar was definitely starting to show strain on his body, yet he continued to press onwards as if this were some kind of game. One of the gors snuck up behind Zero while wielding a shot gun and pulled the trigger. There had been so many individuals that it had been difficult for him detect ones such as that, however, the sound of his gun firing off a round was more than enough to prepare him as the android swerved on his heel and slashed diagonally. With his speed and immaculate precision, the bullet was intercepted by his blade and sliced in half. The gor cocked his shot gun ready to fire again and pulled the trigger without delay. Zero dashed forward, tilting his saber to its flat side, deflecting the bullet towards the ground. The gor was preparing his weapon again, but Zero turned his saber to its blade and diced the gun in half. The gor followed after…
The konatsian stood solemnly watching over the remains of the Gor they had dismantled one by one. Sweat rolled down his pale skin, outlining the numerous scars which adorned his figure. Zalam’gar was a proud konatsian, and his body spoke tales of the many struggles he had endured in the past. Around this time, Zero would have already dealt the final blow against Plation and the ship which had been orbiting around Lupin IV would begin to fall into the atmosphere. Then Ivan would give out his great speech, forever concealing the truth behind the death of their savior; however, the simulation would end before the fact. Zero did not wish to relive the lie with others present. Zalam’gar and the android would find themselves back inside a metallic domed structure. He would prospect the chamber, no doubt marveling over how he had just been in the plains of Avalon a moment ago and now he was in a small room. ”You people have some interesting toys…” he said. Zero was still wondering how a man as he could withstand this level of gravity. However, no matter how inspiring the konatsian may be, he was visibly reaching his limit.
”Zalam’gar, I suggest you withdraw from this chamber. Your body is reaching its limit,” the android advised. The konatsian looked back at him with that same stern expression, he was clearly not amused with the way the android addressed him. ”You are representative of the konatsian people and head of military affairs. It would be a shame to lose you outside the field of battle.”
The konatsian’s seemingly inherent anger worsened with every word the android spoke. ”I don’t need you to list down my responsibilities, android.” He said as he began to approach him with rapier in hand and lunged at him. ”If you really want me to leave, then you’ll have to defeat me first!”
”Please reconsider,” Zero warned, ducking under the stroke of his blade. The konatsian’s thrusts were rapid, even for someone under sixty times normal gravity, however Zero was fast enough to evade them effectively. By the time the android leapt back to avoid the second thrust, the konatsian performed a skilled maneuver with his feet, which allowed him to make another thrust immediately after the first. Zero’s eye’s widened as it was not expected. He evaded the thrust very slightly, the blade having brushed against his cheek –there was a thin line of blood which seeped through the superficial wound. It became evident that the konatsian would not back down despite his wishes. ”Very well,” Zero conceded with a darker tone. As he reached for the handle of his saber…
”-Zero!” Ivan’s voice boomed throughout the room. Both fighters stopped on their tracks and looked back towards the source. This chamber was different from the one Zero had been used to. In the training chamber back home, there was nothing but an empty wall that enclosed him, but this one had a large glass window towards the top where they could see his majesty and AEVA watching over them. The room in which they reside was barred from the effects of gravity, as Ivan would surely not survive such intensity. The man wore his royal garb with smug and high self-esteem, he would never allow a commoner of his domain seeing him as anything less, or he feared it might tarnish the illusion of King he had so successfully established. ”I believe Lord Zalam’gar is feeling a little disparaged. Let us humor his request. Give him a chance to prove himself your equal.”
There was a sly smirk curling on the man’s lips, one Zero had grown to know quite well whenever his master was enjoying himself. Ivan must have been as intrigued by Zalam’gar’s resilience as much as Zero had. There were few who could simply jump into a field of gravity and walk as though it was nothing. Even Zero crumbled when he attempted to start himself off at a mere fifteen times gravity without prior training. It appeared this encounter had become an experiment and a training session at the same time. Zalam’gar had been lucky that Ivan appeared when he did, or his pride might have been severed indeterminately. However, Zero was not used to adopting the role of instructor. It was always he who received the lectures, now he was like Vespasian, training the underling.
The konatsian backed off. They each took opposing stands to properly commence their first official sparring session. Upon King Ivan’s orders, both fighters would fade from their untrained eyes and fight within a realm only they could experience. When moving under high velocities, it was like a completely different universe. The physics involved was flipped upside down, and because only those involved could exist within that reality, there was nothing which could distract them or even attempt to get in their way. In this realm, every twenty or so moves happened in an instant, and those spectating could only perceive them as nothing more than bursts of light and shockwaves. As they fought, their surroundings morphed again, transporting them into another simulated world to serve as their stage. The konatsian dropped from above with a downward thrust of his rapier, aiming through the android’s skull. Zero dashed, fazing through the konatsian. Zalam’gar’s rapier would burrow through the ground, lifting dirt in the air. He glares back at Zero and turns to parry his saber.
After parrying Zero’s attack, the konatsian quickly swooped in for a follow thru attack, but the android shifted his body and evaded. By the time the next thrust came in, the android slapped it away with his saber and moved in for his own attack. The two warriors continued the onslaught; countering, blocking and parrying each other’s attacks, trying to get the best of the other. In a sword fight, it was all about speed and technique. The faster you struck, the better, however they were each masters of their own craft. The level of skill they possessed wielding their respective weapons were enough to cancel each other out despite physical strength. Of course, Zero could have overpowered the man in an instant –but what good would that do? This sparring session was meant to improve Zalam’gar’s effectiveness; after all, he was tasked with training able and willing civilians of the konatsian people, enlisting them into the military of Lupin IV, serving as the forefront of the planet’s defenses. Training Zalam’gar was almost akin to training the entire planet’s defensive mechanism. That must have been what King Ivan was thinking, Zero thought. Not to mention, perhaps Zero could learn a thing or two from the man.
The android had reached a stalemate with the konatsian. Their attacks would not falter, but they had reached an almost routine order. Ivan himself might have been fooled to think they had staged the spectacle beforehand, if he could see it that is. However, it wasn’t until Zalam’gar revealed one of his abilities, that he broke the monotony and momentary advantage. It happened fast. The man’s thrusts seemed just like those which preceded it; except, when Zero moved to intercept the attack, he found his blade meeting with thin air. As soon as he realized what had occurred, the android was struck by the edge of Zalam’gar’s rapier at the solar plexus. The android’s reinforced body was sturdier than most, preventing the blade from piercing through his skin. If he were a biological specimen, or perhaps, if his power-level were to approximate his opponent, then that first strike might have been his last. The rapier pounded against the android, propelling him across the landscape. A cloud of debris lifted rapidly at his wake, leaving a trail of smoke which only stopped when his back was halfway into the fifth tree.
Noted. He thought. Model Zero had only witnessed it once, but he now understood what occurred to have allowed the konatsian to sneak past his defenses so seamlessly. The technique was truly impressive. Similar to the afterimage technique which was known by many, Zalam’gar used a fake image of himself to mislead his opponent. While the afterimage demonstrates where a person had previously stood, what the konatsian used was more of a –beforeimage, implying that he demonstrated where he was going to be. After using the beforeimage technique, by simply adjusting the nature of his attack, he would be able to attack in a completely opposite direction. Because Zero thought he had been attacked, he focused all of his defenses in one area and left himself vulnerable elsewhere. Zalam’gar would use that to his advantage and attack in that exact spot. The problem was deciphering when the technique was being used and where he would attack afterwards.
Just as Zero was about to pull himself out of the tree trunk, the konatsian would charge at him once more with his rapier. The android wielded his saber, intercepting the thrust with the side of his blade and deflecting it back. That attack had been real, however, when he attacked to counter –the elven warrior’s figure faded. An afterimage. Zero was quick to detect the man’s true location, right in front, ducking under the saber, the konatsian pressed on to strike the android with the tip of his rapier once more. Model Zero motioned to parry the rapier, but the blade itself simply faded through his saber. Beforeimage. Almost immediately after the fake rapier fazed through his saber, the real attack struck just above the android’s chest –the neck. Zero was pegged back into the tree trunk. Zalam’gar would continue to use the afterimage and, newly discovered, beforeimage in tandem to outwit his opponent and keep him guessing. Every stroke seemed just as real as the last, except they weren’t. That was what made it so difficult to predict when and where it would be used. By the time Zero realized it was used, it was already too late to do anything about it.
The konatsian thrust his rapier at breakneck speed, striking a different point in the android’s body every time. His red armor was beginning to chip off and indent before the might of the elven warrior. The black, skin-tight fabric which enclosed his body had been torn and revealed his fair skin, which was beginning to give in despite the technological advancements used strengthen them beyond its biological limits. Inevitably, the tree would not hold in light of the great forces which acted upon it. Just as the trunk snapped and the tree began to timber, the crystal jewel on Zero’s forehead began to glow a teal bright light. From its center, the android barrier would emerge, expanding five feet from its core with destructive power. Zalam’gar had the foresight to step back and avoided getting scorched by the barrier. Land and tree would disintegrate upon contact with the android barrier, leaving a crater at its wake. Model Zero levitated over the ashen crater with steam rising from the barren soil. Zalam’gar hesitated but for a second until he watched the glow fade from the crystal.
The konatsian charged Zero once again, however, the android’s figure would fade just as Zalam’gar rapier approached him. It was not his dashing technique, which allowed him to ostensibly fade through he opponents, but the afterimage technique, which only showed his opponent where he had been previously. Ever since Delashano helped him unlock his ki, learning new techniques became so much easier. Shifting the currents of energy around his body, Model Zero flew at his opponent like a hawk tracking its prey. Zalam’gar was quick to sense the shift in the air, turning in time to deflect the android’s initial attack with his rapier. The thought that he could fly all along must have been disturbing to the konatsian as he still struggled to adapt with the change in the nature of their sparring match. He had the advantage only moments ago, but the android was now using his techniques against him.
Model Zero veered back, attempting a second strike. Using his dash ability, he would perform his Fading Dash Assault maneuver while bukujutsu incorporated. The konatsian was skilled enough to stand his ground, but that did not save him from the sharp edge of Zero’s blade. The man’s skin was not as tough as the android, so Zero was careful to make superficial incisions with every blow. Eventually, Zalam’gar began to catch up to the rhythm of the battle and used his own afterimage and beforeimage techniques to dance with the flying machine. Unfortunately, for him, the android had another trick up his hypothetical sleeve. The konatsian’s thrust would fade through Zero’s afterimage. The android would then perform a roundhouse kick –the first physical attack Zero had used throughout the entire spar which did not involve the use of his saber. The first kick, however, was only a beforeimage –the first time Zero used Zalam’gar’s beforeimage technique. Fooled by the fake kick, the man decided to reciprocate the gesture by blocking the attack with his forearm. It was only then that he realized it had been a fake and the real one struck in the exact same spot an instant later. Zero smirked. His intent was to make sure Zalam’gar would block instead of evade, allowing him to reveal a technique Vespasian drilled into his muscles, but Delashano weaved into his mind. His lips would part, uttering a single word.
”Detonate…”
Huff… Huff…
The konatsian leaned over with hands prepped against his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. The simulated, torn world in which they fought, faded and brought them back into the dome-shaped chamber, where Ivan had been observing with a wide grin on his face. The spectacle was a sight for sore eyes. Zalam’gar peered at the android from between his silver strands of hair. His body was clearly damaged, but he did not appear fazed. Zero stood straight, arms relaxed beside him and visage as stoic as ever. ”W-what are you…” the elven man finally asked. Zero glanced at the konatsian, tempted to ask the same question. As logic would have it, the man should have died a long time ago. His heart shouldn’t have been able to withstand these extremes. Regardless, he responded solemnly to the man,
”I’m an android…”
[PL + Heavy Weights + Simulator + Gravity x60]
Techniques Learned:
Standard
Zanzoken: In this attack the user moves so fast, they leave an image of themselves behind. Thus, it looks like the user is in several places at once, or has made copies of himself/herself.
Zenken: The opposite of the Zanzoken. While the zanzoken shows where the user has been previously, the Zenken shows where the user is going to be. It is generally used to trick the opponent into thinking the user is attacking in one direction while they are actually attacking in another. For example: Before-image shows user aiming at the face, but actually aims at the stomach.