Zataria's Last Light Chapter 38: Targeting the Maivelance Crew

Zodiac and Koda clash their weapons together, neither landing a hit. Kono peeks out from a bush, observing the fight.

Kono: (Talking to herself) Wow, that guy is giving Zodiac a tough ti. But I know Zodiac will co out on top! In the anti, I've got to make sure nobody steals our flag.

Kono hides back in the bush, guarding the flag. As Zodiac and Koda continue to fight, Zodiac swings at Koda, who performs a backflip to dodge the blade.

Koda: You fight well, but it will take more than that to defeat !

Zodiac: If you believe I'm exerting my full effort, you are mistaken.

Koda: What!?

Zodiac: Why would I bother fighting soone clearly weaker than ?

Koda's anger begins to rise.

Koda: You think you're better than !? Let's see you handle this!

Koda puts his hands together, creating ten clones of himself that surround Zodiac.

Koda: This is where you die!

As all the clones rush at him, the first clone slashes at Zodiac, but he deflects it and stabs the clone in the chest as it fades away. The second clone attacks from behind, but Zodiac uses Sudoshi, stabbing its neck. The third and fourth clones charge head-on, swinging simultaneously. Zodiac leaps into the air, drawing his dual blades and decapitating both clones. He continues to take down Koda's clones one by one.

After defeating the last clone, Koda charges at Zodiac with full force, swinging his sword wildly. Zodiac easily dodges all of Koda's attacks, then quickly grabs his sword and slices Koda's leg, forcing him to his knees. Zodiac holds his blade to Koda's neck.

Zodiac: Looks like you lost.

Lance: I would say the sa to you.

Zodiac and Koda quickly turn to see Lance and Iris standing together.

Lance: It amazes to see two lowlifes beating each other up. I almost want to throw up.

Zodiac notices the orange bands on their arms.

Zodiac: Huh... so you are mbers of the Virgos crew.

Zodiac lowers the blade from Koda's neck and drops his weapon to the ground.

Lance: Allow to introduce myself. I am the mighty Lance, and beside is my younger sister, Iris. We are royalty and will be treated as such, right, sis?

Iris: Garbage like you doesn't deserve to be in our presence.

Koda grabs his weapon and stands up.

Koda: So you're just full of yourselves, aren't you?

Lance: You have no right to speak, considering you were on the ground collecting dirt.

Koda: Why, you!?

Lance: However, we are not here to engage in a pointless conversation with you filth; we will take your flag and move on.

Zodiac points his katana at Lance and Iris.

Zodiac: I'm afraid that's not happening.

As Zodiac points his sword at Lance and Iris, the scene shifts back to Daru and Himitsu, who are overpowering the Flaming Grill crewmates.

Daru: This sucks! This wasn't even a challenge.

Himitsu: (panting) Maybe... for... you.

Daru: Stop panting and go retrieve the flag.

Himitsu catches his breath.

Himitsu: Right!

Himitsu climbs the wooden log to retrieve the flag. Once he has it, he looks at Daru.

Himitsu: (at the top of the log, yelling) HEY! DARU!! LOOK, I GOT THE FLAG!

Daru: OKAY. NOW LET'S HEAD BACK.

Himitsu: OKAY!

Himitsu jumps down from the log. Daru and Himitsu start walking back to their base.

Himitsu: (walking) Man, Daru, I didn't realize you were so skilled!

Daru: Huh? Skilled at what?

Himitsu: Fighting, of course! You really know how to handle yourself.

Daru: Yeah, I suppose so. It was my teacher who taught everything.

Himitsu: That Rito guy, right?

Daru: Yes, Rito. (Daru looks up at the sky, speaking to himself) I know you're still out there, Rito. I will find you and Zenshi, I promise.

Himitsu: Ugh... Daru?

Daru: Huh? What is it?

Himitsu: Do you sll that?

Daru: Sll what?

Himitsu: Hmm... I'm not sure... but I sll sothing burning.

As Himitsu says this, Daru looks behind him and sees a fiery blast coming toward them.

Daru: HIMITSU!!

Daru pushes Himitsu out of the way, and the fire blast hits Daru, sending him flying forward.

Himitsu: AHHHH!!!

As Himitsu lies on the ground, he opens his eyes to see a massive fire trail in front of him.

Himitsu: What the hell? This fire is enormous!!!

Himitsu sees a shadow erging from the flas.

Himitsu: (laughing) I knew you wouldn't be defeated that easily, Daru; you're just too strong.

As the shadow gets closer, Himitsu realizes it isn't Daru.

Himitsu: What? That's not Daru!

Becan walks out of the fire, his eyes ablaze.

Becan: (laughs) Man! That was so crazy heat! I smoked that guy!

Himitsu: No... no... that's not possible; you can't beat Daru.

Becan looks at Himitsu.

Becan: Oh, that was his na? He's weak (laughs); that was one of my weakest fireballs.

Himitsu begins to panic. Becan observes as Himitsu hides the flag behind his back.

Becan: Since you're here, I have a question for you.

Himitsu: (Nervously) Huh... a question?

Becan: (Serious) Yeah... I got an ergency call from my guys at the base. I left my fight to help them, but when I got there, they were all down, and our flag is missing too.

Himitsu clenches the flag in his hands.

Himitsu: Oh really? Wow! I an, dang man, I don't know who would have done that.

Becan: Yeah... I don't know either, but when I find the person who took the flag, I'm going to light them up!!

Himitsu swallows hard.

Becan: So I will ask you one more ti. Do you know anything about this?

Becan stares intently at Himitsu, who feels anxious.

Himitsu: (Panicking) Ugh... N-n-no, I don't know anything. Maybe it was the Virgos?

Becan continues to scrutinize Himitsu.

Becan: You know what I think?

Himitsu: (To himself) Damnit! I've ssed up! I'm finished! I'm sorry, Daru.

Becan: I think you're... right (laughs).

Himitsu: Huh?

Becan: Man, you're so right; thanks for your help.

Himitsu: (In shock) Uhhh... You're welco.

Becan begins to approach Himitsu.

Becan: What's your na, dude? You're a cool guy! My dude.

Himitsu: (Backing away) U-Ugh, it's Himitsu.

Becan: Well, dude, I'm Becan! The Master of Crank of the Heat!!

Himitsu: (Confused) Oh... Hello Becan, it's a pleasure to et you.

Becan extends his hand for a handshake.

Becan: YEAH DUDE! Nice to et you.

Himitsu stands with his hands behind his back, smiling at Becan.

Becan: Umm... Dude, you're supposed to shake my hand.

Himitsu: Oh, umm, you see, I injured my hands because I fell.

Becan: Oh shoot, DUDE!! THAT'S CRAZY!

Himitsu: (Laughs) Yeah... dude. So crazy stuff.

Becan: Well, I'm going after the Virgos because they took my flag, so I'll take theirs.

Himitsu: Yeah, man, go get payback.

Becan: NOW THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR, HIMITSU!! PAYBACK!!

Himitsu smiles and laughs nervously.

Becan: (Holding his hands out) MY FIRE, SHOW THE WAY TO MY FLAG.

As he speaks, his fire creates a trail leading to his flag, encircling Himitsu.

Himitsu: (Talking to himself, extinguishing the fire) No, go away!

Becan: Huh? That can't be right. Why is it moving toward you?

Becan's fire forms an arrow above Himitsu's head.

Becan: HUH?! Arrowhead?

Becan's fire displays a blank expression.

Himitsu: Maybe... your fire is lying to you?

Becan begins to contemplate.

Becan: My fire's lying to ?

Himitsu: Yeah, maybe it's showing another way, but it's sh—

Becan: NO!!

Himitsu: (Gulps) Oh crap.

Becan: No... my fire is never wrong, EVER! Himitsu, I am going to ASK YOU ONE MORE TI: DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY FLAG BEING MISSING!?!

Himitsu: N-no, I don't.

Becan's fire shakes its head, then forms a hand that retrieves the flag from behind Himitsu and presents it to Becan.

Himitsu: Hey!!

Becan: My flag... Y-you lied to ?

Himitsu: Oh!! That's your flag. I wasn't aware.

Becan: Oh really? Alright, it's all good then.

Becan's fire strikes him on the head.

Becan: OWCH!! Wait! You claid you didn't know anything about my flag.

Himitsu: Yeah, but I didn't know it belonged to you.

Becan: Then why were you concealing it behind your back?

Himitsu: Umm... Because, ugh.

Becan: I THOUGHT WE WERE DUDES, DUDE.

Himitsu: No, no, no, we are.

Becan: No! YOU'RE A LIAR!! LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BURN YOU TO ASH NOW!

Himitsu: (Screams) BURN TO ASH! IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS! YOU GOT IT BACK, SO WE'RE GOOD.

Becan: NO!! NOT EVEN CLOSE, DUDE.

Becan's eyes blaze with fury.

Himitsu: Dammit!!

Becan charges at Himitsu, who begins to flee.

Himitsu: AHHH!!

Becan launches fire blasts from his hands as Himitsu deftly dodges each one.

Becan: STOP MOVING, YOU COWARD!!!

Himitsu: I'M SORRY!!

While unleashing fire blasts, Becan detects movent on his right. He turns to see a tree hurtling toward him.

Becan: What the—

Becan punches the tree, splintering it. Daru approaches from the left and aims a punch at Becan's chest. Becan raises his arms to block it, causing Daru to stumble back a few feet as he drops the flag between them.

Himitsu: DARU!!! YOU'RE BACK!

Daru: Yeah, I'll admit you're pretty strong. It took a few minutes to catch my breath. (Grins nacingly) AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT!!

Becan: I thought you were done for; I guess you're stronger than you look.

Daru: It will take much more than that to bring down.

Becan: Look, I'd love to fight you, but I have business with that (points) guy. Well... I thought he was a guy, but he lied to . Anyway, if you don't mind stepping aside, I'll finish what I started.

Daru: As much as I want to see that fight, I can't let you go. Plus, you punched in the face, and I'm not letting you off without a real fight. Your weak-ass crew wasn't enough.

Becan's anger flares.

Becan: WEAK!? THOSE WERE MY STRONGEST CREWMATES!

Daru: Clearly, you did not train them well.

Becan: Very well! You want to fight? Let's do this!

Daru strides to the flag and tosses it to Himitsu.

Himitsu: (Catches it) Ugh...

Daru: Take it back to the base; I've got this guy.

Himitsu: But Dar—

Daru: GO! I am not going to lose.

Himitsu: Okay!

As Himitsu prepares to depart, Daru calls out to him. Himitsu looks back to see Daru facing away.

Daru: I am counting on you. So is Zodiac, even if he doesn't show it. Get the flag back to base!

Himitsu: I will not fail you!!

Daru: Yes, I know you won't—because I'll kill you if you do.

Himitsu laughs nervously and runs toward the Mavielance base.

Becan: NOW! IT'S TI TO CRANK THINGS UP!!!

Daru: (Talking to himself) Let's see how much damage he can cause.

Becan: (Points) YOU'RE DEAD!!

Daru: (Cracks his neck and fist, smiling) Let's do this!!

Daru and Becan rush at each other, both aiming for a punch. Just as their punches are about to clash, the scene shifts back to Zodiac.

Lance: You are making a mistake. Just be a good dog and allow us to take your flag.

Zodiac: I'm afraid that is not an option. I do not care who you are or what status you hold. If you attempt to take our flag, I will have to put you down.

Lance begins to laugh.

Lance: Then I suppose I will have to teach you so manners.

Koda looks at Zodiac.

Koda: I cannot allow you to face two opponents alone.

Zodiac: What?

Koda: I will temporarily join your side to assist you in defeating them, but in return, I want a rematch.

Zodiac: Let's get sothing straight. I don't need your help. I can handle this on my own.

Koda: In my tradition, it is considered dishonorable to engage in combat when the odds are unequal. However, I am pursuing this rematch solely for that purpose.

Zodiac shakes his head.

Zodiac: Whatever. Just don't get in my way.

Zodiac grips his katana tightly and charges toward Lance and Iris. Iris raises her hand, channeling her psychic energy to levitate a large rock and hurl it at Zodiac. He slices through it just as he notices Lance powering up his gauntlets.

Lance: I told you to be a good little dog.

Lance conjures a small black gravity ball and launches it at Zodiac. The ball passes over Zodiac's head, creating a gravitational field that immobilizes him. Lance intensifies the pressure, forcing Zodiac to his knees.

Zodiac: W-what kind of power is this?!

Lance: (smiling) Give him a taste of our royalty, sis.

Iris: (smiling) Certainly, brother.

Koda: HEY, WATCH OUT!

As he speaks, Iris levitates a massive boulder from the park and propels it toward Zodiac. Struggling against the gravitational field, Zodiac is struck directly, sending him crashing into a nearby pond.

Koda: (shouting) Don't think this is the end!

He brings his hands together, creating ten clones of himself that charge toward Lance and Iris. Iris, utilizing her psychic energy, lifts trees, rocks, and other debris, launching them back at the clones and obliterating them within seconds. anwhile, the real Koda sprints toward Lance, aiming for a slash attack. Lance grins and places a black gravity ball on his chest, encasing his body and freezing Koda in place. Lance then delivers a powerful punch to Koda's head, driving his face into the dirt.

Lance: (laughs) You're nothing but five dollars' worth of dirt. Now stay down, you disgusting creature.

Observing the chaos, Kono begins to tremble, uncertain of what to do.

Kono: (thinks to herself) Oh no! Zodiac and Koda are down! Those guys are way too strong for us. But I have to defend this flag no matter what!

Lance turns to his sister.

Lance: Now that we've dealt with these goons, we can grab their flag without any trouble.

Iris: Absolutely. Allow to get it for you.

Iris replies as she approaches the flag. Just then, she steps on one of Kono's traps, triggering an electric explosive that shocks her.

Lance: Iris!

Kono: (Thought) Yes! I have you right where I want you! Wait, what in the world?

As Kono observed Iris experiencing an electric shock, she was taken aback to see Iris smiling and seemingly enjoying the sensation.

Iris: Oh wow, this tickles!

Kono: (Thought) How is that possible!? Those volts should have taken you down!

Lance exhaled a sigh of relief.

Lance: You scared , sis!

Iris: (Grinned) Don't you rember, brother? I always enjoyed shocking myself with objects. Now let grab the flag.

As Iris triggered more traps left by Kono, Kono suddenly erged from the bushes, brandishing her weapon and firing concrete spikes directly at Iris. Just as they were about to strike her, Iris raised an energy shield, absorbing the impact.

Lance: So it looks like we have another goon in our midst.

Kono: I will not allow you to take our flag!

Kono activated her jetpack shoes and soared into the air, switching to a weapon that fired icicles. She aid at Iris and began shooting, but Iris extended her hand, manipulating the icicles and sending them hurtling back at Kono.

Iris: You can take these back.

Kono: AHHHHH!

As Kono braced for impact from her own attack, Zodiac erged from the pond, lunging toward Kono and pulling her out of harm's way just in ti. He gently set her back on the ground, bleeding slightly from his head and soaked.

Kono: Zodiac!

Zodiac: You can thank later.

As they turned their attention to Lance and Iris, they saw Iris holding the flag and smiling.

Lance: That's too bad, Zodiac. Looks like you've failed to protect the flag. Enjoy being on the losing side. (Laughing)

Zodiac charged at them again, but Lance grabbed his sister and conjured a massive gravity ball. He aid it at the ground, and with a powerful explosion, they were launched into the air, heading toward the city.

Zodiac: Dammit! I let them escape!

Kono: No, it wasn't your fault, Zodiac. You did your best.

Zodiac: Yeah, I know. It's also you and that idiot's fault.

Kono wore a blank expression.

Kono: (Talking to herself) And there he goes again...

Zodiac approached Koda, who lay on the ground. He picked him up and slapped his face to wake him.

Koda: Oww, what the heck?!

Zodiac: Get up! We're going after Lance and Iris.

Koda: H-huh? They took your flag?

Zodiac: Yes, and I'm making sure I get it back.