Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 55: Protecting the Citizens

As the Minus One clones spread throughout Hemdel and Seroin, resulting in civilian casualties, the crews and security personnel mounted a defense, striving to eliminate as many clones as possible. Himitsu, Yoshi, and Junko rushed down the street and spotted a group of terrified individuals inside a store.

Junko: I see people in that store! We need to evacuate them quickly!

Himitsu: Right!

They hurried to the front door of the store, but when Himitsu attempted to open it, he discovered it was jammed.

Himitsu: It’s jammed! I can’t open it!

Yoshi: Stand back; I’ll take care of this.

Himitsu: What!?

Himitsu stepped aside as Yoshi raised his hand, conjuring a ball of wind. Once ready, Yoshi propelled the wind ball against the door, shattering it and sending a gust of wind through.

Junko: (covering her face) Great job, Yoshi! Now we can get them out.

Himitsu: (to himself) Why can’t I have powers...

The three of them rushed into the store, guiding the frightened individuals outside.

Individual 1: T-thank you for saving us!

Himitsu: You’re welcome. Just follow us to the shelter.

Junko assisted a mother with her child.

Child: (crying) Wahhhhhh!

Junko knelt down and gently patted the child on the head.

Junko: Everything will be alright, little one. I’m going to take you and your mother to a safe place.

Mother: Thank you so much!

Junko: (smiling) Anything to keep the citizens safe!

Yoshi began to grow impatient.

Yoshi: Come on, let’s go. We don’t have all day!

As they prepared to lead the group outside, a Minus One clone suddenly leaped in front of them, poised to attack.

Minus One Clone: TRROOOO!

Himitsu: Oh crap, it’s here!

Yoshi: No worries. I’ll take care of this creature!

Just as Yoshi was about to act, the Minus One clone was struck by a metal pole, sending it flying in another direction.

Junko: What the heck? Who did that?

Iris: What a disgusting creature.

Lance: You can say that again.

Himitsu, Yoshi, and Junko were taken aback to see Lance and Iris together.

Himitsu: Hey! You’re the ones who participated in the Newbie Event!

Yoshi: (to himself) So, these are the people who fought Zodiac.

Lance: Excuse me? We are royalty and deserve to be treated as such.

Junko: What do you mean by that?

Iris: How about you do us a favor and stop talking? We only helped you because we had to, so don’t get the wrong idea.

Himitsu: Uhhhhh, okay?

Lance: And who might you two be? (Looking at Yoshi and Junko)

Yoshi: (Arms crossed) It’s none of your business. Now, if you would move, we have people to evacuate.

Lance begins to laugh.

Lance: You’re telling us to move? If you weren’t part of a crew, I would have knocked you to the ground.

Yoshi: Yeah, well, good for you.

Iris: By the way, where is this Zodiac boy?

Himitsu: Ummm, he is most likely in another section of Hemdel assisting others. We divided our efforts to cover more ground.

Iris: Tch, what a shame. I was hoping to find him again to teach him a lesson.

Iris rolls up her sleeve to reveal a scar on her left arm.

Junko: That’s quite an impressive scar.

Iris: Indeed, and Zodiac is responsible for it.

Lance: I’m going to make him pay for leaving such an ugly scar on Iris’s beautiful arm!

A few moments pass, and Junko senses danger approaching Lance.

Junko: (Looking at Lance) Something is coming from your left!

Lance turns to his left and sees the Minus One clone that was struck by Iris rushing toward him. As it nears, he swiftly grabs the clone’s face with his gauntlet and slams it into the ground, creating a significant crack.

Lance: (Smiling) You really think you’re going to stop me?

Lance lifts the clone from the ground and delivers a powerful punch to its stomach, sending the clone flying even further away.

Himitsu: (Speaking to himself) Man, that guy is strong!

Lance: Well then, it looks like we need to continue with this extermination, sis.

Iris: You’re right, brother. Maybe we can find Zodiac in the process.

Lance and Iris exchange glances with Himitsu and the others before departing.

Lance: Try not to die out there. (Laughing)

Lance seizes Iris and points his gauntlet toward the ground, unleashing a potent gravity blast that propels them into the air.

Yoshi: What a bunch of losers.

Junko: I can see why nobody likes them.

Himitsu: Now that they’re gone, we can take these people to the shelter.

Yoshi: It’s about time.

Yoshi checks the distance to the shelter on his Jump Watch.

Yoshi: Looks like it’s not too far ahead. Let’s go.

Yoshi and the others guide the civilians to the shelter, which takes approximately three to five minutes. Upon arrival, they observe the substantial structure surrounded by high walls, with public security personnel escorting them inside.

Himitsu: This shelter is enormous!

Junko: Yeah, it can hold thousands of people.

As they approach the gate, a security guard hurries over.

Security Guard: We can take it from here!

Yoshi: Certainly.

The civilians follow the guard, while a child runs up to Junko and embraces her.

Child: Thank you!

Junko: Aww! You’re very welcome!

The child returns to his mother as the guard leads them into the building.

Himitsu: Great! Now let’s get back to saving more people!

As Himitsu and the others continue their rescue operations, a helicopter hovers overhead, broadcasting the scene.

News Reporter: We are live from the scene of an unidentified creature that has appeared in Sampostis! As you can see, multiple creatures are spreading across Hemdel and Seroin, causing chaos and destruction throughout the city! The Order of Triumph is responding, and we are still working to ascertain the origins of these creatures! If you are in danger, please seek assistance from a nearby crew or public security personnel to help you reach the shelter!

As more Minus One clones emerge, Zodiac, Sai, and Mako engage them in combat.

Mako: How many clones did this thing create!?

Sai: I don’t know, but stay focused!

A Minus One clone charges toward them, targeting Sai. Sai activates his hypervelocity powers, phases through the clone, and stabs it in the neck with his dagger, causing it to collapse.

Sai: There, that should do it.

Mako: Well done, Sai!

Zodiac notices something amiss as the clone begins to rise again.

Zodiac: It’s getting back up.

Sai: What!?

Sai turns to see the clone back on its feet, roaring.

Minus One Clone: TRRROOOO!

Sai: But how!? I stabbed it in the neck; it should have died!

Frustrated, Sai charges at the clone, which utilizes Sai’s hypervelocity powers against him, moving faster and delivering a punch to his face, sending him to the ground.

Mako: Sai!

Minus One Clone: TRRROOOOO!

Zodiac: (to himself) So they can replicate your powers and use them against you; great.

The clone shifts its focus to Zodiac and charges at him.

Mako: It’s coming after you, Zodiac!

Zodiac: Yeah, I know; shut up.

The clone unsheathes its claws and swings at Zodiac, who dodges effortlessly. As the clone strikes again, Zodiac draws his katana and swiftly severs one arm, followed by the other. He then executes Sudoshi, sweeping the clone’s legs out from under it, causing it to fall. Zodiac drives his katana through its skull and twists.

Zodiac: Now it’s dead.

He withdraws his katana and flicks the blood from the blade.

Mako: Do you think it’s dead now?

Sai rises and approaches them.

Sai: It cannot be!

Zodiac: It can, because I’m clearly better than you.

Sai: Shut up! You know that’s not true!

Zodiac: Well, that’s just too bad, isn’t it?

As Zodiac and Sai engage in their argument, Mako observes the clone twitching.

Mako: Guys, it’s coming back.

Zodiac and Sai cease their dispute and turn to the clone, which begins to heal itself, regenerating its arms and mending the wound in its head. It gradually rises to its feet again, emitting another roar.

Minus One Clone: TRRROOOO!

Sai: See, I told you!

Zodiac: Looks like this is going to be more annoying than I thought.

As Zodiac and the others prepare to confront the Minus One clone, Lith, Kono, Ohma, and Gram arrive in Seroin.

Lith: Okay, we’re here!

Gram: Wow, this is your district!

Lith: Yeah, this is Seroin.

Ohma: It’s so pr—

Before Ohma can complete his thought, a Minus One clone leaps into a building, followed by several others, demolishing the entire structure.

Kono: Man, those things are strong. We need to stop them fast!

Lith: Yeah, let’s go.

Everyone begins to run toward the threat as Gram glances back to see Ohma with his head down, concealing his eyes.

Gram: Huh? What’s going on?

Gram approaches Ohma.

Gram: Uh... Ohma, are you alright?

Ohma: T-t-t.

Gram: Ohma?

Ohma looks at Gram with a serious expression.

Ohma: There were innocent people in that building...

Gram: What? I mean, yes, there were.

Ohma: Do you not feel for them?

Gram: I mean, yeah, I do, I think.

Ohma: You think? Gram, people are dying all around us. There is blood everywhere. THERE IS EVIL ALL AROUND YOU! AND YOU THINK YOU FEEL BAD FOR THEM?!

Gram: Whoa, Ohma, please calm down. I feel bad for them, I really do, but I’ve seen a lot of people die, and as you get older, you start to tell yourself it’s just life.

Ohma: As a Knight of Judgment, every death you can’t prevent is a sin, and I can’t live with that.

Gram: Well, Ohma, it’s—

Ohma: NO, GRAM!!! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE YOUR PATH! EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE! AND MY LIFE WILL NOT BE TARNISHED BY THE BLOOD OF INNOCENT LIVES! I AM DETERMINED TO AVENGE EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HAS PERISHED BY ERADICATING ALL OF THESE CLONES!

Gram is taken aback.

Gram: (to himself) Where did this new Ohma come from? He was never like this before.

Ohma drops to one knee, draws his nunchucks, and closes his eyes.

Ohma: I am Ohma Xerces, and as a Knight of Judgment, I will eradicate all evil in this place with my blades. I will not fail. I, A KNIGHT OF JUDGMENT, pledge my weapon to overcome any hardship, for that... I AM A HOLY KNIGHT!!!!

Gram: (to himself) Ohma really cares about these people that much.

Ohma looks at Gram.

Ohma: Let’s go.

Meanwhile, Kono and Lith are still advancing when Kono turns back and notices that Gram and Ohma are missing.

Kono: This is frustrating!

Lith: What’s wrong?

Lith turns around.

Lith: Wait, where are Gram and Ohma?

Kono: I-I don’t know. Perhaps we were moving too quickly?

Lith: If they’re that slow, then you have some serious idiots on your team.

Kono: Where could they possibly have gotten lost?

Lith: I don’t know, but Kono, look up ahead.

Kono turns around to see three Minus One clones charging toward them.

Minus One Clones: TROOOO!!!

Lith: Get ready; they’re coming in fast!

Kono: (to herself) Damn it, Ohma and Gram, you guys better not die!

Lith activates her fingers and begins firing light bullets at them.

Lith: AHHHH!! DIE, CREATURE!!

Kono rushes forward, drawing a gun from her side pocket. As it expands, Kono leaps into the air and fires, unleashing spikes that strike the three clones simultaneously with Lith’s bullets. Dust clouds the area after the impact, and as it settles, Lith and Kono observe the clones on the ground, motionless.

Lith: Huh, that was easier than I thought.

Kono: Lith, look!

Lith: Hmm.

Lith glances back to see the three clones rising again, one of them removing a spike from its head as it heals.

Kono: What the hell! It healed!

Minus One Clone 1: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 2: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 3: TROOO!!

Lith: I guess this isn’t going to be easy.

Kono: Let’s do this, Lith!

Lith: Don’t tell me what to do! You’re rank one!

Kono and Lith charge forward as Kono switches her gun to ice mode and fires at the clones. One of the clones extends its hand and launches a spike toward Kono.

Lith: What the hell! It copied your attack!

As the spike and Kono’s ice shot converge, a fireball suddenly manifests and explodes, destroying both the ice shot and the spike.

Kono: What the heck!!

Kono and Lith turn left to see fire in the distance rapidly approaching.

Minus One Clone: TROOOO?

Lith: What is that?

The fire shoots up into the air, forming a mini tornado that slams the three clones against a wall, causing them to collapse to the ground. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Lith: WOAH! IT TOOK ALL THREE OF THEM OUT!

Kono: That had some serious power!

As the fire ceases its spinning, Kono and Lith recognize it’s Becan.

Lith & Kono: BECAN!?

Becan: OH YEAH, DUDE!! I CRANKED UP THE HEAT ON THAT ONE!!! (Laughs)

Becan turns to acknowledge Lith and Kono.

Becan: OH! HEY, DUDES!! I mean, ladies.

Lith: Oh boy.

Kono: Hey, Becan! Thanks for the assistance!

Becan: Oh, that? Nah, I’ve got you covered anytime, du—I mean, ladies.

Lith: What brings you here, Becan?

Becan: Huh? Oh, I’m helping, I think... wait, am I? Yeah, I am, or no, I’m not. AHH!! I can’t remember!

Kono: (Looking at Lith) Has he always been like this?

Lith: He’s an idiot.

Becan: OH YEAH!!! I woke up to an alarm in the city and thought, "Whoa, that’s the alarm for Sampostis! I better get out there and help." Wait, no, I think I ate something before I left. Wait, I didn’t eat anything! Is that bad? But it’s nighttime, right? So it’s okay?

Kono and Lith exchange blank expressions as the three clones rise once more.

Minus One Clone 1: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 2: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 3: TROOO!!

Becan turns around.

Becan: Whoa! Are you all back again? Wait, didn’t I defeat them? WAIT, DID I MISS? I NEVER MISS... RIGHT?

Kono: Becan, SHUT UP AND JUST HELP US BEAT THEM!!

Becan: OHHH YEAH!! LET’S DO IT, DUDES—I MEAN, LADIES.

Becan turns to Kono and Lith.

Becan: You know when I say "dude," I’m not actually calling you a dude; I just sa—

Lith: BECAN, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!

Becan: RIGHT!! LET’S CRANK UP THE HEAT!!!! AHHHHH!!!

As Becan assists Lith and Kono, the scene shifts to Daru, Reiji, and Souta escorting additional individuals to the shelter.

Souta: Okay, that was our sixth group.

Reiji: I love this team; we’re so good together, don’t you think, Souta?

Souta: What? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!! (Talking to herself) Are you kidding? I love this team too; I just wish it were me and Daru.

Daru: I don’t care what you think of this team; we need to get as many people as we can to this shelter.

Reiji: But Daru, we have a problem.

Daru: What’s the problem?

Reiji: Look at the shelter.

Daru looks back and sees the crowd inside as the shelter begins to fill up.

Daru: It’s becoming overcrowded.

Souta: It’s because so many people have come to Sampostis over the years, and I guess Zorren didn’t think something like this would happen.

Daru: I still don’t understand him.

Souta: Huh? What is it that you don’t understand?

Daru: Isn’t it obvious?

Reiji: Am I supposed to be looking at something?

Daru: Ahh! No! Look, if Zorren is the strongest in Sampostis, why isn’t he here to deal with this creature himself?

Reiji: Ohhhh... I still don’t get it.

Souta: I understand what you’re saying. He’s watching the other districts to make sure the clones don’t get in there.

Daru: What a wimp.

Souta: (Talking to herself) I love when he gets annoyed; it’s so attractive!

Daru’s veins tingle as he looks behind Souta and sees two clones.

Minus One Clone 1: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 2: TROOO!!

Souta: What the—

Reiji: Damn! They found us!

Daru: It’s time! I’ve been itching for a fight!

Daru charges toward the clones and activates his veins. As the clones rush at him, Souta utilizes her powers to leap into the sky and delivers a kick to one of them, while Reiji throws a rock at another. Daru jumps up, seizes both clones by the face, and slams their heads into the ground, causing them to explode.

Souta: (muttering to herself) He’s so hot!

Reiji: Great job, Daru!

As Daru’s hands strike the ground, he notices blood wrapping around them.

Daru: What is this?

Reiji: W-what’s happening?

Souta: DARU!!! GET OUT OF THERE!

The two clones lift their heads and rise, gripping Daru’s hands.

Minus One Clone 1: TROOO!!

Minus One Clone 2: TROOO!!

Daru observes purple veins spreading across both clones.

Daru: Ahh Shi—

Both clones punch Daru in the face, sending him crashing to the ground.

Souta & Reiji: DARU!!

The clones step over Daru and advance toward Reiji and Souta.

Souta: TCH!

Reiji: What are we going to do now?!

Souta: We fight, of course!

As they approach, Souta and Reiji notice a purple aura manifesting behind the two clones.

Souta: Huh?

Reiji: Is that—

Daru: Hey, assholes!

Both clones turn around, witnessing Daru slowly rising to his feet, his veins glowing purple and his hair radiating a bright purple light.

Minus One Clone 1: TROOO?

Minus One Clone 2: TROOO?

Daru: Did I tell you to walk away? BECAUSE I’M NOT FINISHED YET!!!

Daru’s aura intensifies as a purple beam shoots into the sky for all to see.

Kono: HUH? THAT MUST BE DARU!

BECAN: (smiling) I RECOGNIZE THAT POWER ANYWHERE... DARU!

Lith: (shocked) Daru?

Ohma kicks a clone on the ground and looks up.

Ohma: What is that?

Gram emerges from behind a dumpster.

Gram: (laughing and elated) IT’S DARU!!

Ohma: DARU!?

Himitsu: THAT’S DARU!

Yoshi: (astonished) Is that his power?

Junko: Woah!

Zodiac gazes up at the sky.

Zodiac: (smiling) About time he got serious... I suppose it’s my turn.

Sai: What are you talking about?

Zodiac closes his eyes as the ground begins to tremble around him.

Sai: What the—

Mako: T-the ground is shaking!

Zodiac’s hair turns completely white, enveloped by a slim white aura, with a black tattoo over his right eye. He draws his dual blades, which transform into a light scythe, and a white beam shoots into the air, visible to everyone.

Gram: ZODIAC?

Ohma: HIM TOO!?

Kono: Zodiac!

Daru & Zodiac: LET’S DO THIS!

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