Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 41: The Fight for Victory

As the citizens of Sampostis gather to watch the Newbie event on their televisions and devices, the scene shifts to helpers in helicopters capturing footage of the battles, zooming in on Himitsu as he is overwhelmed by three members of the Blue Troopers.

Blue Trooper 1: (Kicks) What a weakling!

Blue Trooper 2: I know! Just look at him. (Kicks)

Blue Trooper 3: Hey! Save some for me! (Kicks)

Himitsu collapses to the ground, struggling to rise with blood trickling down his face.

Himitsu: (To himself) W-what have I done? I just handed over the flag. (Slams his hand against the ground) How could I have done that? STUPID HIMITSU!

Blue Trooper 3: Hey! Are you okay over there, or do you need more kicks? (Laughs)

Himitsu: (To himself) Yes, I do need more kicks because I'M AN IDIOT!

Himitsu glances at the three girls as they approach him.

Himitsu: (To himself) Why am I even here? I should have returned to the base by now.

Himitsu closes his eyes and hears Daru's voice echoing in his mind.

Himitsu: (To himself) Zodiac is counting on me... T-that's right, Zodiac is counting on me!! (Smiling)

Blue Trooper 2: Ugh... guys, is he okay?

Blue Trooper 1: Yes, why is he smiling like that?

Blue Trooper 3: I don't care; let's finish this!

Himitsu looks beyond the three girls and spots his spear on the ground.

Himitsu: (To himself) Zodiac is counting on me! Alright! Let's do this!

Himitsu slaps his face and begins cracking his knuckles.

Blue Trooper 2: Something's different about him.

Blue Trooper 3: As I mentioned earlier, let's end this.

Blue Troopers 1 & 2: RIGHT!

Himitsu charges toward them.

Himitsu: RAHHHHH!!

Blue Trooper 2: Is he that stupid? He's coming straight at us?

One of the girls unleashes a blast from her hands, directing it at Himitsu. He quickly grabs a rock from the ground, leaps over the blast, and hurls the rock at the girl, striking her hand and causing a cut.

Blue Trooper 2: Ow! My hand!!

Himitsu: Perfect! (Smiling)

Blue Trooper 1: Oh, you think that's funny? Try this!

The girl conjures a large pinkish-blue ball of energy and sends it hurtling toward Himitsu. He grabs a metal bar from a dilapidated building, slamming it into the ground as he jumps, propelling himself above the three girls just as the blast erupts behind him.

Blue Trooper 1: What in the world?

Blue Trooper 2: My hand!

Himitsu lands behind them, right next to his spear. He seizes the spear and charges at the girl clutching her injured hand, delivering a powerful slap to her face. She crashes into a building, rendered unconscious.

Blue Trooper 3: Bell!

Blue Trooper 1: Okay, now you're dead!

The two remaining girls begin to channel energy together, creating a blast larger than before. Himitsu races toward them.

Himitsu: (to himself) Come on! Get there, Himitsu!

As the girls prepare to unleash their blast, Himitsu leaps into the air, gripping his spear tightly. He hooks the spear under each girl's chin, slamming them down to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust. As the dust settles, the two girls lie unconscious.

Himitsu: Phew! I thought I was a goner for sure.

He retrieves his spear from the ground.

Himitsu: Now... time to get that flag back.

Himitsu takes off toward the Blue Trooper Crew base. Meanwhile, Zodiac is engaged in a fierce battle with Lance and Iris on the street. Iris hurls various objects at Zodiac as he deftly dodges them.

Lance: Where do you think you're going? Get back here!

Lance launches a gravity ball at Zodiac, drawing him closer. As Zodiac approaches, he performs a 360-degree slash attack, but Lance ducks and delivers a punch to Zodiac's stomach. Zodiac spits out blood as Lance grabs his head and slams it into the ground.

Lance: How do you like that!?

Iris: Hold him right there, brother. I'm going to crush him like a bug.

Iris spots a large truck with a gas container and lifts it with her powers, hovering it ominously over Zodiac as she prepares to drop it.

Iris: See you later! (laughs)

Iris drops the truck on Zodiac and Lance as it explodes, filling the air with fire and smoke. Lance emerges from the flames, shielded by his gravity barrier.

Lance: Well, that should teach him.

As Lance speaks, he notices Zodiac behind Iris, preparing to attack.

Lance: Sis, behind you!

Iris swiftly pivots and raises her energy barrier, but Zodiac slices through it with his dual blades, inflicting a gash on her arm and forcing her back several feet.

Lance: No! Iris, are you okay?!

Iris inspects her wound and sees blood on her fingertips.

Iris: Is that... blood?

Lance begins to distance himself from Iris cautiously.

Lance: (Talking to himself) You made a big mistake.

Zodiac grins, breathing heavily.

Zodiac: How'd you like that?

Iris glares at Zodiac, her anger intensifying as she channels her energy.

Iris: How dare you cut me! HOW DARE YOUUU!

Her eyes blaze as a tremendous blue aura emanates from her, causing her hair to stand on end. Meanwhile, Koda, on the verge of ascending the building stairs, hears the commotion outside.

Koda: What the heck is happening out there? I need to check on those two.

Koda rushes up the stairs and reaches the rooftop, where he observes a large crater from Lance's punch. He spots Kono unconscious on the ground and leaps over the hole to shake her gently.

Koda: Hey, wake up!

Kono slowly opens her eyes and sees Koda.

Kono: K-Koda? What are you doing here?

Koda: What do you mean? I defeated those guys and came to check on you. But where is Zodiac?

Kono looks around and realizes Zodiac is missing.

Kono: Huh? I could have sworn he was here. Where did he go?

Koda: That's what I'm asking. And where are Lance and Iris?

Kono: I-I don't know. All I recall is that we were attacked, and then Lance grabbed me. That's all.

Koda: Then Zodiac is likely fighting them. What about your flag? Did they score a point?

Kono: No, they didn't. Zodiac was just trying to make Lance mad when he threw it off the building.

Koda: Hmm, I see.

Koda notices the Virgo flag behind Kono, still intact.

Koda: It appears their flag is still here. Don't you want to retrieve it?

Kono: As much as I would like to take it, Zodiac is out there battling Lance and Iris alone. We have to help him!

Koda: We? All I want is my rematch; that's it.

Kono: How are you going to get your rematch if he's still out there fighting?

Koda shakes his head.

Koda: Fine! I will help you defeat them, just this once.

Kono smiles and stands up.

Kono: Great! Let's go help Zodiac!

Kono and Koda begin their pursuit to locate Zodiac. Meanwhile, Daru and Becan are engaged in a spirited argument, both wearing smiles. Becan delivers a knee strike to Daru's chest, causing him to spit blood.

Daru: RUGHHH!!

Becan seizes Daru by the neck, lifting him off the ground while locking eyes with him.

Becan: WOW, DUDE! YOU'RE SOMETHING ELSE, AREN'T YOU? BUT I LIKE THIS FLICKERING THING YOU HAVE.

Daru (to himself): It's flickering again; I didn't even notice.

As Becan lifts him, Daru observes his veins glowing purple.

Daru (to himself): M-my veins... they're purple. What's happening?

Becan: HEY, EARTH TO DUDE, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Daru: Ugh... Yeah, I am. What are you going to do, hold me up all day or fight me?

Becan grins as he prepares to punch Daru. In retaliation, Daru spits blood into Becan's face, momentarily stunning him.

Becan: AHH!

Becan releases Daru and wipes the blood from his face. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Daru delivers punches to Becan's face and stomach, followed by a flying knee strike. Becan collapses to the ground. As he regains consciousness, he sees Daru preparing to stomp on him. He rolls aside and retaliates by kicking Daru with his clawed foot, slashing him across the abdomen and causing him to bleed.

Daru: (to himself) Ahh!! This guy is just too strong... What do I do? Giving up is not an option.

Daru leaps and executes an air kick, landing on Becan's head just as Becan attempts to block with his fire claws. After the kick, Daru lands and delivers an uppercut, propelling Becan slightly into the air.

Becan: (to himself) Why won't he just give up? I have him beaten.

While airborne, Becan conjures a small fire blast and aims it at Daru.

Daru: AGAIN?!

Reiji: He really loves those blasts.

Sai: Yeah, it's pathetic.

Lith: That's what being rank 1 gets you.

Daru starts to run as Becan unleashes fire blasts in his direction.

Daru (dodging blasts while running): ARE YOU JUST GOING TO KEEP USING THAT?

Becan: IF IT WINS ME THE FIGHT, SO BE IT!

Daru: Ugh!! frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Daru jumps behind a rock as Becan momentarily ceases his fire.

Becan: ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP HIDING?

Upon closer inspection, Becan notices the rock cracking as Daru breaks it into four large pieces.

Becan: Was that your strategy? To shatter it? (laughs)

Daru punches through two of the rocks, creating holes in them.

Becan: What are you doing?

Daru: Oh, me? I'm just making some boxing gloves.

Becan: What?

Cindy: Boxing gloves?

Lith: Is he serious?

Sai: Like you said before, rank 1s.

Reiji: I think that's cool.

Sai lightly strikes Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ouch!!!

Daru inserts his hands into the rock formations, transforming them into makeshift gloves.

Daru: That's better. Now I'm prepared.

Becan: Regardless, that doesn't change anything.

Becan charges at Daru, who stands ready.

Daru: Come on.

As Becan approaches, Daru delivers a punch with the rock, striking Becan in the face. Becan falls to the ground but quickly rises and attempts a kick. Daru blocks the kick with his rock-covered fist. Becan's frustration mounts as he brings his hands together to unleash another fire blast.

Daru: There!

Daru leaps into the air, throwing the two rocks and hitting Becan, thwarting his attempt to launch the blast.

Becan: Ugh!!

Daru: Haha, how did you like that?

Becan: I'm not done yet!!

Becan attempts the fire blast again as Daru lands and kicks the remaining rocks at Becan, knocking him off balance.

Daru: (to himself) Now's my chance to end this fight!

Zodek: GO, DARU!

Cindy: GO!

Daru charges in for the final punch, the wind rushing past him. He notices Becan's fire claw intercepting his fist, and Becan meets his gaze.

Daru: W- how?

Lith: He's finished. (Laughs.)

Sai: (smiling and laughing) You took the words right out of my mouth.

Becan: You truly believed you could end the fight, didn't you? NO WAY!! I'M ENDING THIS FIGHT.

Becan forms his other claw into a fist and punches Daru in the stomach, causing him to spit out blood.

Becan: You can't win when you've already lost the fight!

Becan begins to slam Daru's head into the ground, causing Daru's hair and veins to fade.

Becan: YOU! (smash) ARE! (smash) NOT (smash) STRONG ENOUGH!!

Becan forcefully throws Daru aside. As Daru's face begins to bleed, Becan follows up with a kick to his back, propelling him into the air. Becan leaps upward, reaching the same height as Daru, and brings his hands together to create a larger fire blast than before, pressing it against Daru's chest. He launches the blast as Daru descends. As Daru falls, Becan raises his hands, forming a massive clawed fist that crashes down. When Daru hits the ground, the explosion from the blast is tremendous, visible on television, including to Himitsu and Gram.

Gram: What the hell was that?

He looks up to see the large fire explosion.

Gram: (Anxiously) I need to find those flags quickly. I don't want to end up like whoever that was.

He runs off in fear.

Himitsu: (Running) That fire... it must be Becan and Daru. I need to work quickly.

Himitsu glances at his watch as he approaches the Blue Trooper base.

Cindy: I-I can't watch this. (Covers her eyes.)

Zodek: Dammit.

Lith: And that's why they're the worst crew. (Laughs.)

As Himitsu runs, he spots Kora in the distance, dancing by a pond.

Himitsu: (Astonished) She's not even at her base?

Himitsu steps forward, revealing himself to Kora. Kora turns around and stops dancing.

Kora: Huh? WHAT!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE??

Himitsu: I'm here for that flag!

Kora: (Laughs) You're here for the flag you gave me?

Himitsu: Listen, that was a mistake. I need it back.

Kora: Sorry, but no.

Himitsu's frustration escalates as he draws his spear.

Himitsu: I SAID GIVE IT BACK!

Kora: W-what? How DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!

Himitsu: I'm not asking again.

Kora: Hmm... Okay, twerp! (Smiles) Come and get it then.

Himitsu and Kora lock eyes for a moment before he charges at her. Kora pulls out a wand and begins shooting fairy blasts at him. As he runs, he skillfully deflects the blasts.

Kora: (Sighs) Fine!

Kora stops shooting and uses her wand as a sword, clashing with Himitsu as they both prepare for a slash attack. Himitsu throws his spear into the air, causing Kora to look up in confusion.

Kora: W-what th—

As Kora looks back at Himitsu, he charges at her, prompting her to gasp and cover her face.

Kora: Ahhh!

When Kora reveals her face, Himitsu is no longer in front of her. Turning around, she sees him holding the flag.

Kora: OHHH NO YOU DON'T!!!

Kora blasts her wand at him, but Himitsu leaps into the air, catching his spear. He lands, drives the spear into the ground, and positions the flag on it, leaning the spear toward himself. Himitsu releases the flag, sending it toward the Maivelance base.

Kora: NOOOOO!!!

Himitsu: YES!!

Furious, Kora charges at Himitsu, aiming for a slash attack. Himitsu swiftly turns, retrieves his spear from the ground, and counters Kora's attack.

Kora: I'm going to kill you!!

Himitsu: Then come and try.

As they engage in combat, the scene shifts back to Zodiac, who observes Iris fully powered and furious.

Zodiac: (to himself) This energy is off the charts.

Iris: You're going to regret what you just did to me!

Iris extends her hand and unleashes a large blue beam toward Zodiac. Upon impact, it sends him crashing into several small buildings. She swiftly flies to his location, where Zodiac emerges from the debris and leaps into the air to strike her. Just as he approaches, Lance appears and punches Zodiac in the face, sending him crashing back down. Lance conjures a large gravity ball blast and hurls it at Zodiac. As Zodiac prepares to use Sudoshi, Iris wraps her psychic energy around him, rendering him immobile. The gravity ball strikes Zodiac, lifting him into the air as Iris ascends. It explodes above him, causing further damage as he begins to descend. Iris grabs his face and dives back toward Lance, who generates additional gravity ball blasts and directs them at Zodiac. She forces him into each of Lance's attacks one by one. Finally, she face-slams Zodiac into the ground and throws him aside, causing him to crash to the floor.

Zodiac: Achhh!

Lance: (smiling) That's what I like to hear!

Exhausted and bloodied, Zodiac struggles as Lance lifts him off the ground and unleashes a barrage of punches. Zodiac attempts to block but is too slow, absorbing every hit and sustaining a broken rib. He coughs up blood, clutching his side. Iris glances at her brother.

Iris: Let's end this fool!

Lance: It's time to face your punishment!

Iris ascends into the air as Lance envelops Zodiac in a gravity aura, compelling him to his knees. She harnesses everything in her vicinity—vehicles, trees, objects, and even buildings—forming a colossal sphere. Lance channels maximum energy into his gauntlets, creating the largest gravity ball he can generate, and hurls it toward Iris's sphere. The two orbs collide, engulfing the entire street where Zodiac is situated. Together, Lance and Iris announce their signature move.

Lance & Iris: IRIS AND LANCE COMBINED ATTACK: LAST CHANCE!!

Iris launches the final onslaught, directing her blue beam at the immense sphere, pressing it down onto Zodiac. He gazes upward, witnessing the massive orb descend toward him.

Zodiac: (to himself) Is this truly the end...?

As he contemplates, the sphere strikes the ground, enveloping Zodiac. Moments later, it detonates, annihilating the entire street and leaving a vast crater. The residents of Sampostis are left in shock, with Cindy and Zodek visibly alarmed.

Cindy: Zodiac!

Zodek: That blast sounded enormous! A move like that could be fatal!

Instructor: Remarkable! It appears Lance and Iris are not holding back!

The television zooms in on Zodiac and Daru, both bleeding, as Daru is relentlessly assaulted by Becan.

Instructor: (to himself) This isn't even a game anymore; this is a death match.

The screen continues to display Zodiac lying on the ground, bleeding, while Daru endures strikes from Becan.