Zataria’s Last Light

Minus One grows increasingly frustrated as he confronts Junko.

Minus One: YOU!!

Minus One uses sudoshi and appears directly in front of Junko.

Daru: NO, JUNKO, WATCH OUT!!

Junko: Uhhh…

As Minus One materializes in front of Junko, he swings at her but is forcefully repelled a few feet away.

Minus One: What!

Gram: Get away from her!

Minus One turns to face Gram.

Minus One: AHHH!!! YOU AGAIN!!

Gram: No… it's Gram THE GREAT!

Minus One swings at Gram, sending him crashing into a wall.

Gram: Ahhh!

Minus One: Great? More like The Great Shit.

Minus One begins to walk away when he hears grunting.

Minus One: Hmm…

He glances back and sees Gram yawning.

Gram: Was that the best you've got? Red sniff!

Minus One: What? You're still alive!

Gram: Gram The Great never dies.

Minus One: SHUT UP!!

Minus One uses sudoshi and bites off Gram's head.

Minus One: (Chewing) I'd like to see you come back from this one.

Gram: (Appearing behind Minus One) I'm back.

Minus One jumps back in shock.

Minus One: WHAT!! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I JUST KILLED YOU; I BIT YOUR HEAD OFF!!

Gram: I told you. You can't kill Gram The Great!

Minus One begins to scan the area, realizing he only sees himself and Gram. He starts to sense something is amiss.

Minus One: You never hit me.

Gram: What?

Minus One: You… never… hit me.

Gram: I don't get it; what are you talking about?

Minus One approaches Gram, causing him to feel uneasy.

Gram: Uhh.

Minus One reaches Gram and swipes his hand slowly at his head, his arm passing right through.

Minus One: (Chuckles) So I suspected. I'm under a spell.

Gram: Uhh, guys, he figured it out!

The scene shifts to Daru, Lance, and Reiji struggling to restrain Minus One while Gram casts a sleeping spell on him. Junko attempts to remove the skin from his neck as he begins to awaken.

Junko: Hold him still!!

Lance: WE'RE TRYING! HE'S STRONG!!

Daru: HURRY UP AND REMOVE THE SKIN!!

Reiji: I'M LOSING MY GRIP!!

Junko: DON'T LET GO; I ALMOST GOT IT!!

The scene returns to Gram and Minus One.

Minus One: You're one clever man, Gram.

Gram: I know; you don't have to tell me.

Minus One: I understand I don't need to share this with you, but I feel compelled to… Your vulnerability lies in your fear.

Gram: I'm not scared!

Minus One: Not of me, but you fear your future and the possibility of abandonment, much like what happened with your mother.

Gram: How do you know that?!

Minus One: One of my abilities allows me to perceive your past and your deepest fears.

Gram: Shut up! You're wrong!

Minus One: Am I?! She left you because she didn't want you!

Gram begins to raise his voice in the real world.

Gram: Shut up!

Drau: What are you doing, Gram?

Lance: Why is he yelling?

Ohma: He's in his head; he's talking to himself.

Becan: WOAH!

Minus One: EVEN YOUR FATHER LEFT YOU!!

Gram: Shut up! I said you're wrong!

Reiji: I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN HOLD HIM!!

Daru: REIJI, DON'T YOU DARE LET GO!!

Reiji: I'm sorry!!

Reiji released Minus One, who swung his arm and struck Gram, breaking his enchantment.

Gram: Ugh.

Minus One opened his eyes to see Junko approaching with a weapon. He yelled as he shot Daru, Lance, Ohma, Becan, and Junko off of him. As Junko collapsed to the ground, she noticed his neck was wide open.

Junko: It's exposed! Target his neck!!

Ohma and Becan rushed in, attempting to strike at his neck while Minus One fought them off. He struck Ohma and Becan away, sending them crashing to the ground as his neck began to heal.

Lith: Dammit! That was our chance.

Zodiac: We should have fired again!

As the wound on Minus One's neck was about to close, Daru leaped onto his back and thrust his hand into the center of the wound before it healed.

Minus One: AHHH!!

Daru: COME ON!!

Daru withdrew his hand, tearing off a chunk of skin and exposing his chip.

Minus One: GET OFF ME!!

Daru seized Minus One's head and tilted it back, attempting to immobilize him. Minus One began to scratch Daru's body with his claws, causing Daru to bleed.

Daru: (In pain) AHHH!!

Becan: I'M COMING, DARU!!!

Becan jumped in alongside Daru and Minus One, restraining Minus One's hands.

Reiji, on the ground, shouted.

Reiji: DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME!!

Reiji transformed Minus One's legs into stone, anchoring them to the ground.

Lance: TAKE THIS!!

He forces Minus One down with his gravity ball, compelling him to his knees.

Kono: They're really doing it!

Lith: Everyone get ready; this may be our last chance! Give it everything you've got!

The team charges their attacks once more, this time with all their remaining strength.

Junko: GRAM, PREPARE THE METAL CRATE!

Gram casts a spell to teleport the metal cage to their location.

Minus One: AHHHHH!! I-I-I WILL NOT BE BEATEN!!

He powers up, enveloping himself and the others in an electrifying aura.

Becan: AHHH!! DUDE!! THIS HURTS!!

Lance: AHHHHHHH!!

Ohma rushes toward them.

Ohma: AHHHHHHH!!!

Ohma's eyes turn golden as he activates his powers. He throws his nunchucks with all his strength, striking Minus One in the chest and disrupting the aura. The nunchucks fall to the ground.

Daru, Reiji, Lance, & Becan: NOW, ZODIAC!!! DO IT!!!!!

The others prepare to attack as Yoshi extends his hand, wind swirling around him.

Yoshi: AHHHHH!!!

Kono: IT'S TIME TO END THIS!

Zodiac: Be gone.

Iris closes her eyes, a massive blue aura emanating from her, her hair standing on end as she points her hand at Minus One.

Iris: THIS IS FOR HURTING ME!!

Lith: NOW, PERISH AND NEVER RETURN!

Iris: FIRE!

Everyone unleashes their attacks at Minus One's neck, obliterating everything in their path.

Minus One: AHH! NOOOOOOO!

All their attacks strike the chip, pressing it down and activating it. After the explosion, Minus One shakes uncontrollably.

Kono: We finally hit it!

Zodiac: Hurry up and push that thing into its cage!

Daru, Lance, and Becan push with all their strength to force Minus One into the cage.

Minus One: No!! I CAN'T LOSE!!!!

Reiji: (still on the ground) DO IT!

Everyone: AHHHHHHHH!

As Minus One is about to be placed in the cage, he grabs the door to resist entry while Daru, Becan, and Lance charge their attacks and strike the chip in Minus One's neck, propelling him into the cage before swiftly closing and locking the door. The Minus One clones begin to crumble and fall to the ground.

Himitsu: We did it!

Souta: We for sure did.

Sai: Finally! It only cost us 100 destroyed buildings.

Koda: My father would be proud!

Mako: We didn't die!

Himitsu: I told you we wouldn't!

The scene shifts to the same news reporter who was in the helicopter, now on the ground recording the aftermath of the battle.

News Reporter: T-the beast! The beast has been defeated!

The citizens of Sampostis erupted in cheers as the crews celebrated their victory. Himitsu and the others joined the crowd.

Himitsu: Gram!

Gram: Himitsu!

Himitsu runs to Gram.

Himitsu: YOU GUYS DID IT!

Gram: Yeah, we did! And Minus One…

Himitsu noticed that Gram fell silent after mentioning his name.

Himitsu: Gram? Are you alright?

Gram: Huh!? Yeah, I'm okay. I just really need a vacation.

Himitsu and Gram share a laugh. Ohma gets up from the ground, looking exhausted.

Daru: You look rough.

Ohma turns to Daru, tears welling in his eyes.

Daru: Woah, woah, what's wrong?

Ohma: So many people died! We couldn't save them all.

Daru: Listen, Ohma, the journey you're on—well, the journey that everyone is on—means that standing on this battlefield will result in many deaths, and you won't be able to save everyone.

Ohma: I just wish I could have saved everyone.

Daru: Ohma, we must appreciate those we did save, and we saved many. Not all of them, but we should be grateful for those we helped.

Ohma: (Wipes his tears) You're right! I must appreciate it!

Daru: See, that's—

Before Daru could finish, Ohma hugged him.

Daru: Hey! Get off!

Ohma: You're a good person, Daru.

Daru grabs Ohma and pulls him off.

Daru: Don't do that again, or I'll punch you in the face.

Ohma: Yes, Sir Daru!

Daru: Stop calling me SIR!

Lith: Well, Kono, I never thought I'd say this, but I couldn't have done this without you.

Kono: You're right; you couldn't have.

Lith: Yes… wait, what!

Kono starts laughing.

Kono: I'm kidding! I couldn't have done this without you either.

Lith: Okay, but—

Kono: This doesn't change anything between us… Yes, I know.

Lith smiles.

Lith: Right.

Yoshi: Man, I'm tired!

Yoshi looks at Zodiac.

Yoshi: Aren't you?

Zodiac: Yeah, I guess.

Yoshi: You guess? That fight took everything we had!

Zodiac: No, it took everything you had.

Yoshi: What are you talking about?

Zodiac: Look around; everyone is tired except me and Daru.

Yoshi glances at Daru, who appears unfazed.

Yoshi: What… There's no way.

Iris: Hey!

Zodiac: Huh…

Zodiac looks at Iris.

Zodiac: Oh, you again.

Iris approaches Zodiac, and they share a moment of silence.

Kono: What's happening?

Lith: I have no clue.

Iris: Fine, I'll just say it.

Zodiac: Say what?

Iris: Hmm! T-t-t.

Yoshi: T-T-T-T—spit it out!

Iris: Shut up! (Sighs) What I'm trying to say is thank you for saving me.

Zodiac: What? I didn't save you.

Iris: Well, you were part of it, so that's why I'm saying thank you.

Zodiac: To be honest, I was going to let you die because you rushed in like an idiot.

Iris: WHAT!! HOW DARE YOU!!

Zodiac: In any case, I'm leaving.

Zodiac begins to walk away.

Iris: What! ZODIAC! GET BACK HERE! ZODIAC!!!

Sai: (Rubbing his cheek) My face still hurts.

Mako: That's probably because you keep getting punched in the face. (Laughs)

Reiji: (Laughing) THAT WAS A GOOD ONE, MAKO!

Sai strikes Reiji on the head.

Reiji: OUCH! Hey, I wasn't the only one who laughed.

Sai: I don't care; shut up!

Becan: Oh, DUDE!! That was so sick!!! I'M SO CRANKED UP RIGHT NOW!!!

Lance: Can you calm down? I'm sweating just standing next to you.

Becan: SORRY, DUDE! I'm just so happy! And I got to fight alongside Daru again!

Lance: (Sighs) Whatever, I'm going to look for my sisters. Bye, losers.

Reiji: Bye, have a good rest of the day.

Souta and Sai hit Reiji on the head.

Reiji: OUCH! OUCH!

Souta: Don't say bye to the fool!

Koda: Indeed, he fought without honor! Father would have condemned him for his recklessness.

As the conversation continues, a helicopter flies overhead, revealing Dr. Grozo, Zorren, and Duviri as they land.

Souta: Hey, look! It's Dr. Grozo and Zorren!

Zorren, Dr. Grozo, and Duviri exit the helicopter. Duviri glances at the pilot. Everyone approaches Zorren, Dr. Grozo, and Duviri.

Duviri: Attach the cage to the helicopter.

Pilot: Yes, ma'am!

Zorren: Thank you, everyone! Those who contributed to defeating this creature will receive 100,000 geo deposited into your crew bank accounts. Duviri?

Duviri: Sent, Mr. President.

All the leaders receive a notification on their jump watches confirming the deposit of 100,000 geo into their crew bank accounts.

Kono: Wow! We just received 100,000!

Lith: I did too.

Gram: I'm heading to the clothing shop!

Becan: Yeah, dude, this is awesome! THE GUYS ARE GOING TO BE SO EXCITED!

Koda: Thank you, Master Zorren!

Zorren: You're very welcome! I should be thanking you; you all saved Sampostis!

Dr. Grozo makes eye contact with Kono, who turns her head away as he slightly lowers his own.

Zorren: Dr. Grozo.

Dr. Grozo: Yes, Mr. President?

Zorren: Don't you have something to say?

Dr. Grozo: Umm… Right.

Dr. Grozo steps in front of Zorren and Duviri.

Dr. Grozo: Greetings, everyone. For those who may not know me, I'm Dr. Grozo, the Chief Science Officer of Sampostis. I created this creature… Minus One, and I was the one who released it.

Daru: You released it?!

Mako: You allowed this to happen to Sampostis!

Koda: No, Dr. Grozo.

Dr. Grozo: I apologize; I momentarily lost track of it, and it escaped, leading to attacks on the city.

Ohma: Don't make excuses! You are responsible; now you must face the consequences of the innocent lives lost!

Dr. Grozo: Yes, you are correct.

Zorren: Alright, everyone, let's not be too harsh on him. He is being honest, and that is commendable. However, this is why Dr. Grozo will be resigning as the Chief Science Officer of Sampostis.

Dr. Grozo lowers his head.

Lith: What?! Resigning?

Kono's eyes widen in shock.

Souta: But Zorren, he is the best doctor in Sampostis!

Reiji: Yeah! He's the best!

Zorren: We can always find a new doctor.

Zodiac: You're full of it.

Everyone gasps and turns to look at Zodiac.

Zorren: Excuse me, what did you say?

Zodiac strides up to Zorren, but Duviri steps in front of him.

Duviri: If you approach President Zorren any closer, the same consequences as last time will ensue.

Zorren: No, Duviri, allow him to speak.

Duviri glances at Zodiac as she steps aside, and he looks back.

Zorren: So, what were you saying?

Zodiac: I said you're full of shit.

Zorren: Please explain.

Zodiac: If you are the strongest in Sampostis, why didn't you resolve this situation?

Zorren: Easy, it wasn't in my district.

Zodiac: So it wasn't in your district, and you let people die instead of helping?

Zorren: Well—

Before Zorren can continue, Daru interrupts.

Daru: And not only that.

Zorren: Uhh.

Everyone turns to Daru as he approaches Zodiac.

Daru: If you truly care for Sampostis and its people, why wouldn't you risk your life for them?

Zorren feels the weight of the questions as Daru and Zodiac regard him with seriousness.

Zorren: (Sighs) You got me. (Laughs)

Zodiac: What do you mean?

Daru: I knew it!

Zorren: I was scared! I was scared… BUT!! I had faith.

Daru: Faith?

Zorren: Yes, faith! Faith in the individuals standing before me! I was in my room observing the battle, feeling stressed and uneasy, but when I witnessed all of you unite and fight, it instilled faith in myself and in my love for Sampostis and its people. I apologize for not contributing, but please know that if anything happens again, I will stand beside you, fighting alongside my people who have instilled in me the faith and courage to lead Sampostis! (Bows)

Everyone listens in silence.

Daru: You do kn—

Before Daru can finish, he hears applause behind him.

Daru: Huh?

Daru turns to see Koda applauding.

Koda: T-t-that was amazing!

Reiji: (Applauding) That's why he's our president!

Becan: (Applauding) I WANNA BE LIKE HIM!!

Everyone begins to applaud and cheer, while Daru and Zodiac maintain serious expressions, looking at Zorren.

Zorren: Thank you, thank you! I will not fail you again!

Himitsu: (Crying) That was so beautiful!

Gram: (Crying) I know, man!

Ohma: (Applauding) Now that's a leader's speech.

Ohma takes a deep breath as Kono notices.

Kono: NOOOO!!

Ohma: AHHHHHHH!!!

Everyone covers their ears.

Zorren: What the hell was that?

Duviri: It was that kid. (Points at Ohma)

Zorren: Oh… Well, everyone, thank you very much, but I must return to presidential matters! Once again, thank you for saving this city!

Zorren, Duviri, and Dr. Grozo head back into the helicopter as it ascends with the metal cage.

Zorren: I don't like those two at all! AHHH! THEY MADE ME LOOK WEAK!

Zorren punches the inside of the helicopter and winces in pain.

Zorren: AHHH!!

Duviri: Are you referring to Zodiac and Daru?

Zorren: Yes, those two! They made me look foolish with all those questions!

Duviri: It seems they don't believe you.

Zorren: Believe what?

Duviri: That you genuinely care for the people of Sampostis.

Zorren: Hmm… Well, I suppose I'll have to demonstrate it.

Daru and Zodiac exchange glances.

Daru: You don't actually believe him, do you?

Zodiac: I wasn't born yesterday! Of course, I don't. He was lying through his teeth.

Daru: Good, I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed.

Kono approaches the group.

Kono: Hey, guys!

Daru: Hey.

Zodiac: What do you want?

The entire Maivelance Crew gathers.

Gram & Himitsu: Hey!

Kono: Oh, hey, Gram! Hey, Himitsu!

Himitsu: Wasn't Zorren's speech incredible? It brought me to tears!

Kono: That's my brother!

Ohma: I thought it was impressive! He reminds me of my idol!

Zodiac: Yeah, I didn't like it!

Zodiac begins to walk away.

Kono: Wait! Where are you going?!

Zodiac: To get some rest!

Gram: That sounds like a wonderful idea!

Gram and Himitsu head back to the house.

Ohma: Don't forget about me!

Ohma follows as Kono turns to Daru.

Kono: Did you like the speech, Daru?

Daru: Kono, just be careful with your brother. I don't trust him.

Daru walks back to the house.

Kono: Huh? Be careful? What does he mean by that?