Descent Into Decay: Contest Entry

[Mugen.exe]

This was the contest entry I wrote, as well as my first one-shot. I hope I captured the characters well. Enjoy!
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It was cold in the cyber world- it had been cold that day too. Yamatoman’s thoughts drifted, as he sat with his armor at his feet. His hair billowed out as a sudden gust brushed by.

Yamatoman bowed his head in thought. Why? Why did that kid have to beat me? I was so close! So close to finally proving myself to Her. How could I have lost? His mind traveled back to that day…
***
The wind rushed by as he stamped his spear down with a clang.

“You shall not pass.” He said coldly, staring down the blue navi who stood before him. The navi didn’t seem to want to give up. A battle was imminent.

His mind flashed forward, speeding through the details of the fight- straight to that lone painful detail… defeat.

“No!” Yamatoman smashed his hands against the ground in denial. “I… I won’t lose! Serenade-sama would not allow it!” The navi stared down at him emotionlessly. Yamatoman’s eyes rose to meet his.

“Delete me.” He said calmly, accepting his fate.

“No,” the blue navi replied. “I don’t do that…” Yamato closed his eyes, pained by this.

“I see…” he bowed his head in shame… then jerked it up angrily! “DELETE ME! I deserve that at least- a warrior’s death!” his voice dropped slightly, seeing the expression on the navi’s face.

“No,” he replied simply. “It’s not worth it.”

A horrible realization hit Yamatoman- I… I might not be good enough. Not good enough to defend you, Serenade-sama. His spear fell to the ground with a clang as he collapsed.
***
It was the next day. Darkman floated through the Secret Area maliciously, looking for a challenge. His eyes caught something on the path below, and with a swift turn he went to investigate.

“…” Darkman stared down on Yamatoman. He lay asleep on the path, unshaven and clutching a bottle- Darkman shook his head with a sigh, dropping down to talk.

“Yamatoman,” his voice boomed. He hadn’t been heard, so he repeated his command louder. “Wake up!” he kicked the samurai angrily, sending the bottle rolling towards his foot. A bit of the cyber-liquor splashed onto his cape- Darkman looked down at it with distaste.

Yamatoman stirred, looking up at Darkman weakly. “Darkman,” he asked uncertainly, rubbing his eyes. “What are you-?”

Darkman cut him off, holding up the bottle. “Will you look at yourself? You’re a mess!” he glared. “Why are you drunk?”

Yamatoman held his forehead groaning- he had a headache, and really didn’t need this. “What do you want?” he muttered incoherently, bracing his back against a monolith.

“… Serenade has been looking for you,” Darkman replied silently. “She wants an explanation.”

“An explanation for what!” Yamatoman retorted angrily, swinging his arm. Darkman’s eyes narrowed.

“For why you never reported back after your fight with the intruder yesterday.” “And for why you lost.” He added coldly. Yamatoman got woozily to his feet, pointing at Darkman.

“You just listen hear.” His voice was slurred. “You can tell Serenade that I’m done with this shit. I lost. I shouldn’t be given another chance… I’m weak.” Darkman shook his head in disappointment.

“I still can’t see how you lost to that pathetic blueberry-of-a-navi,” Darkman scoffed, turning his back on Yamatoman. He looked over his shoulder, saying, “you’re pathetic,” then left. Nothing more.

The bottle rolled back towards Yamatoman, stopping at his foot. He picked it up once more.
***

Serenade doesn’t need me. I’m just another problem for her to deal with. Yamatoman bowed his head in depression, finished with his memory. He’d talked to Darkman twice more after that, and each time the comments had gotten bleaker. Worthless, Darkman’s words trailed through his mind… useless, pathetic. I was able to stop that navi… why couldn’t you?

Why couldn’t I? The thought struck him as odd- why had he lost? Because I was weak… he closed his eyes, making the excuse. Because I was weaker than the blue-one. I wasn’t at his level… No. That thought struck him as odd too. Looking back, he’d been the one with the advantage. He was much stronger. He’d been a general in the elite military corp, and he was one of Serenade’s trusted bodyguards. He’d had that navi backed into a corner, with every intention of winning, so why? Why had he been the one to lose?

Once more his mind went back to that day, to that moment. The look in that navi’s eyes- a look of determination, inner strength. Inner strength! That may have been it.

The thought hit him like a freight train. I’ve been so caught up in honor and this downward spiral I never realized… what Serenade had told me all those years ago. About inner-strength... and loving your opponent. I’d thought she was just spouting nonsense, but now… now I’m not so sure.

Looking back he’d never noticed it before, how much he looked to outward strength instead of inner. How he’d sought approval in the eyes of his peers over his own. In that one moment that the navi’s eyes had shone brighter than his own spirit- that was the moment he’d truly lost the battle. That navi had so much inner strength, such a great will to live.

He looked down at himself. What have I been doing to demonstrate strength? He frowned. What have I done to show my will to live… seeking approval when it was right in front of my face, trying to be stronger, always striving to improve my skills, but never, ever, myself!

He looked down at the puddle of liquor at his feet, seeing his reflection. These scars… these scars that cover my body weren’t received fighting to defend Serenade-sama,” his voice cut with contempt. “… They were received fighting for myself.”

He looked at this idea with disgust. Fighting only for himself… what kind of samurai was that who fought only for himself. He’d been so foolish. He realized that now. Well, he thought, never again!

Never again will I put my foolish pride over my services to my master, never again will I lose my will to live, and never again… he paused, gaining resolve, then continued. Never again will I LOSE! Nor will I treat my opponents as I have!

He’d finally gotten what Serenade had been trying to tell him so long ago. Pulling back on his suit of armor, and sliding his helmet over his head he turned to leave.

“I’m coming Serenade-sama; I’ll be strong for you.”
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False Swipe is a great finishing move!
Witty robots, spunky orphans, and invincible pilots, this link's for you! A Gundam RP

[Kitty-Chan]

Ooo, I definitely like this. You should write more about Yamatoman; you seem able to portray him best.
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Midnight]

Impressive.

It is a good job, this piece--definitely something that could have very well outgunned me. The introspection worked out quite well, and I must say that the image of a drunken Yamatoman is somewhat amusing as well.

Perhaps if you had spent a little more time on Rock's battle with him, and perhaps shown how Yamatoman's misguided views caused him to lose the match, the fic would have been a little more vivid. Even so, the fic is still quite good, as the thoughts worked out and the scene played out quite well.
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Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Mugen.exe]

To Middy, thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep those ideas in mind next time I do a one-shot.
To Kitty-chan- thanks. I'm glad I was able to capture Yamatoman well! maybe I'll use him again in another fic (though I could have him return in Defying... *loses self in thought).
Thanks for the replies and comments!
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False Swipe is a great finishing move!
Witty robots, spunky orphans, and invincible pilots, this link's for you! A Gundam RP