Early Reunion
Silva makes out the silhouette staring at him in the pond.
Silva: (Excitedly) Dante! You're safe.
Dante: Yeah, yeah cool your jets Silva. Sorry for leavin' you and Mr. Baywest so suddenly. I knew he wouldn't have let me go if I didn't leave immediately. I already told Johnny and Mr. Baywest I'm safe and well through the phone.
Silva: That's good. We were so worried about you, ya moron!
Dante: C'mon, ya didn't actually think I'd kick the bucket this early on in my journey, right?
Silva: Nah, I know. (Shrugs) Little brothers always do worry though.
Dante: I guess you're right. Again, sorry about that.
Silva: All good.
Dante: Anyways I see you've been working hard with your climbing training.
Silva: Actually it's for-
Silva notices the kiosk manager sending him the death glare.
Silva: My training, right that's what it's for. Just training.
Dante is confused.
Dante: Ah, well in any case. Let's see what you've improved on in the past three years lil bro.
Silva: (Nods) Right.
Silva leaps back up to the stone and climbs like his life depended on it. Unfortunately, he slips again in front of his adopted older brother.
Dante: (Laughs) Haha nice one! Still can't do shit.
Silva: (Determined) Alright, enough playin' around. I need to concentrate.
Silva notices rocks sticking out of the stone that are unaffected by the oil. He switches his approach to a pinch hold. He begins pinching the small formations slowly but surely he makes his way to the top.
Silva: Yes!!! THAT LICENSE IS MINE!
Dante: Alright! Atta boy Silva! Wait did he say license?
Kiosk Manager: (Furious) SHUT THE HELL UP YOU DUNCE!
Silva: Oops (laughs nervously).
Kiosk Manager: (His body droops down) I am so gettin' fired for this…
Silva climbs down and fist bumps Dante. He then notices Katsuo.
Silva: Dante, who's this guy?
Katsuo: (Bows) I am Katsuo also known as the Blade Demon of the Akano Clan.
Silva: (Attempts to bow) Akano clan? Are ya from Kettudi?
Katsuo: Correct.
Silva: Wow, that's so cool! I take it you're friends with my older bro.
Katsuo: Yes.
Silva: How'd y'all, meet anyway? Dante, don't tell me ya got to travel there after ya left us.
Dante: (Laughs) I got sidetracked for a bit. We met in the Land of Kettudi and have been comrades ever since.
Katsuo: We met specifically on the battlefield. He saved my life from a traitor in my clan, who attempted to kill me and overthrow the clan's emperor. I am in Dante's debt for that, to which I can only repay by offering my sword to slice anyone who gets in the way of his dream to the top of the world.
Silva: (Nervously) That's an intense debt.
Katsuo draws his sword to Silva's neck.
Katsuo: Are you a true ally to Dante?
Silva: Without question, Dante and I will climb to the top of Mount Divinus together!
Dante: How many times I gotta tell ya, Katsuo. We are just traveling buddies, there is NO DEBT! No need for slicing my brother either. Withdraw your sword.
Kiosk Manager: Oh my. (Fixes his glasses) Do I need to involve security?
Dante: Don't bother, he's not the typa guy to strike down a comrade's family.
Katsuo: Fine.
Katsuo withdraws his sword.
Silva: Are ya planning on recruiting anymore weirdos, I mean friends.
Dante: Nah, I enjoy sticking with just a group of two for now. We are known as the Ice Oni Duo by those who fear us.
Silva: (Excited) Wow that's a much cooler name than Silver Expeditioners!
Dante: Is that your expedition team name?
Silva: (Slightly embarrassed) Yeah.
Dante: Not my style, but not bad lil bro.
Silva: Thanks man.
Dante: Well, we should head back to check in at the inn. We are exhausted from our treacherous travels.
Silva: Yeah, yeah showboat. Go take your siesta.
Dante: Will do Silva. Best of luck tomorrow.
Silva: You too.
Katsuo and Dante leave to head towards one of the inns. The kiosk manager shows Silva to a photo booth so he can take his picture.
Photographer: Alright, hold still and smile please!
Silva: You betcha…a…a…achoo!
Silva sneezes as the camera takes the photo. The license prints to reveal a blurry mess.
Silva: Can we please retake this?
Photographer: Ughh. Fine.
The photographer takes Silva's photo and he hands him the license.
Silva: Wow, much better. Thanks!
Photographer: (Sassy) Thank you for coming. Have a wonderful day.
Silva: (Ignoring his sass) You too!
Silva leaves the booth and heads back to feed Oro his lunch.
Meanwhile… Isra and Salv are outside with no doubts in their mind that they will win against one another. They are on the outskirts of the village in the upper level of Rattlesnake Canyon.
Salv: Let's see who's the strongest of us the two.
Isra: Loser has to move to the other room.
Salv: Fine by me.
Isra: Ready?
Salv: Yes-
Isra speeds up and hits Salv with a kick to the chest. Salv gets sent back a few meters.
Salv: You did not even let me finish my sentence.
Salv's body coats in metal. Salv anticipates Isra's next attack and smashes the ground and lifts up a chunk of it to serve as a shield. Salv was just in time. The chunk breaks as a result of Isra's second attack.
Isra: Smart thinkin' but that's not all I can do.
Isra runs around Salv creating a small tornado. Salv struggles to keep up with his movements. Isra closes in. Salv is nearly stumbling over in dizziness. Salv keeps his hands up covering his face.
Isra: Take this lunkhead.
Salv's hands soften the blow. He notices an opening and grabs Isra's right leg and tosses him like a ragdoll. Isra falls to the ground
Isra: You're supposed to be dizzy, how the hell were you able to pull that off?!
Salv: I'm a good actor aren't I? (Hardily laughs).
Isra: It's easier to act when your face is covered I guess.
Salv: Yeah, well you fell for it hook line and sinker.
Isra clenches his fist and kicks him again, this time he aims for the shins. Salv gives a dramatic performance and falls to the ground.
Isra: Didn't think ya would fall so easily. Ah well, time to finish this-
Salv grabs Isra's left leg this time.
Salv: Gotcha.
Isra: Quit messin' with me!
Salv attempts to slam him to the ground, however, Isra uses his right leg for super speed. Salv is dragged across the floor at tremendous speed, but he holds on tight. A few seconds later, Isra springs into the air using the momentum of his speed, he breaks free of Salv's grip. He performs a few backflips before he is back on the ground.
Salv: Ughhh. Alright, I have no other choice. SALV TRUE FORM-
Isra: Oh god. Not this nonsense again…
Salv's body becomes fully coated in metal.
Salv: METALLICA MAN!
Isra: That form won't save ya.
Salv: Oh yeah, well test my defenses. (Yells) BRING IT ON!
Isra: Fine.
Isra runs and jumps into the air while showing off more of his acrobatic skills. He dives feet first into Salv's hardened form. Salv blocks it with ease. Isra jumps back in the air and attempts it again… to no avail. Again and again… One more time. Salv does not budge.
Isra: Shit.
Salv: Having trouble laying a scratch on me now, huh owl boy.
Isra: Alright ya big hunk of metal. Just saying that you asked for this.
Isra bends his knees, ready to attack.
Salv: Shifting to: Metallica Man: Metallic Tate!
Salv's front torso molds into a form resembling ancient metallic samurai shields used in Kettudi.
Isra: Time to end this.
Isra bolts towards Salv. He reaches Mach 1 speed and lands an attack on Salv. The shield endures the blow but Salv is sent back 10 meters. Another set of attacks lands until Isra manages to break through Salv's shield. Salv falls to the ground and his body reverts back to his base form.
Isra: (Pants) Looks like I win, Salv.
Salv: (Exhausted) I have one question for you though.
Isra: Yeah?
Salv: Why do you not name your attacks? It's more iconic and fun that way.
Isra: (Scoffs) Cause that's idiotic.
Salv falls to the ground. Isra sits beside him on a rock waiting for his comrade to wake up. An hour later, Salv hesitantly gets up and they walk back to Climber's Paradise.