Gram: The Black Surge?
Old Man: Yes, it's very deadly!
Zodiac: What exactly is it?
Old Man: Well, no one has ever lived to tell. Once you're out here when 9:00 hits, you're dead; there's no coming back from it.
Gram: Well, Old Man! Gram the Great is here to help you! See me and my friends ar—
Daru punches him in the face, and he falls to the ground.
Old Man: Whoa!
Daru: Sorry, my friend is kind of stupid and doesn't always say the right things at the right time.
Old Man: (Laughs) It's okay, no worries. Well, you all have a good rest of the day; I have to clean this up.
The Old Man walks away.
Gram: (Holding his face) That hurt!
Daru: Are you trying to blow our cover?
Gram: What? What are you talking about?
Kono: Gram! Did you forget we're on a mission?
Gram: No, I'm aware of that!
Akira: Well, obviously you don't, because for all we know, we could have gotten killed.
Gram: Okay… What are you guys talking about?
Himitsu: Gram! You can't tell these people we're on a mission because the person we have to stop might be listening. If they find out we're from Sampostis, they'll kill us!
Gram: Kill us!?
Zodiac: Yes! So keep your mouth shut and let us do the talking!
Gram: Okay, okay, I'm sorry.
Ohma: It's okay, Gram, I forgive you!
Gram: (Sighs) Thanks, Ohma.
Ohma: No problem!
Kono: So, what's next?
Zodiac: I suggest we pick up where we left off last night.
Kono: Great idea, Zodiac.
Zodiac starts walking away.
Kono: Huh? Where are you going?
Zodiac: Like I just said, picking up where we left off yesterday.
Kono: Oh… Okay, well, we'll do the same. (Yells at Zodiac) We'll meet back here, alright, Zodiac!
Zodiac raises his hand.
Gram: We have to go searching again?! I'm tired!
Daru: No, you don't need to go searching.
Gram: (Eyes flaring) Really? You mean it?
Daru: Yes, because you're going to stay here and help these people clean up.
Gram: What! WHY ME?!
Daru: Because just like all the other times, Gram… it's because you have the biggest mouth.
Gram: UGH! Wh- No, I don't— This is ridiculous!
Ohma: It's okay to be ridiculous, Gram.
Gram: What?
Daru: I'll be back! And as Kono said, we'll meet here.
Gram: THIS IS SO DUMB!!
The Old Man notices Gram walking up to him.
Old Man: Oh… Have you come to help?
Gram: What n— (Sighs) Yes… I'm here to help.
Akira: Have fun, turd.
Gram: (Mumbling) "Have fun, turd"… so dumb!
Kono: Hey Daru, do you want to split into groups again?
Daru: No, this time we'll go solo.
Akira: Works for me.
Akira begins to walk away.
Himitsu: Hey Akira!
Daru: It's fine, just leave her.
Kono: Okay, I'll head this way. (Points into the city)
Ohma: I'll check the village!
Himitsu: I'll go into the city too.
Daru: Okay, I'm going to check outside the city and the village for traps.
Kono: Traps?
Daru: Yeah… We don't know if the guy we're looking for is setting anything up.
Himitsu: Hmm… Smart. Okay, everyone be careful!
Ohma: Will do! (Smiles)
Everyone disperses in different directions. It shows Himitsu outside the tower walking through the city.
Himitsu: So, what are we looking for?
Himitsu observes a man attempting to sell weapons at a stand.
Guy: Come! Weapons for free! We buy, we give, and we offer discounts! Step right in!
The man notices Himitsu passing by with a sword on his back.
Guy: (To himself) Ooh, look at that sword… Now that's definitely worth something. (Grabbing Himitsu's attention) Hey there, buddy, why don't you come in!
Himitsu: Huh? Me?
Guy: Yes, you! Come talk to me.
Himitsu: Uhh… Okay then.
Himitsu approaches.
Himitsu: So you sell all sorts of weapons?
Guy: Yeah! Anything and everything.
Himitsu: That's so cool!
Guy: And we buy from people too.
Himitsu: Buy from people?
Guy: Oh yes… Like, hmm, that sword of yours… Are you looking to sell?
Himitsu: Sword? Oh, my sword? No, it's not for sale.
Guy: Come on, I can give you good money for it.
Himitsu: No, I'm fine, but thank you.
As Himitsu begins to walk away, the man becomes frustrated and grabs his sword.
Guy: AGH! Just give me the sword!
Himitsu: Ugh!
Himitsu seizes the man by the throat.
Himitsu: Don't… touch… my… SWORD!
The man stares at Himitsu, who possesses a serious and intimidating demeanor.
Guy: (Choking) I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
Himitsu throws the man to the ground, causing his back to collide with a pile of swords. Himitsu then walks away.
Himitsu: No one touches my sword...
Meanwhile, Daru surveys the area outside the city.
Daru: Nothing here either. I suppose that's a good sign.
He glances into the distance and notices several holes in the ground.
Daru: What is that?
As he approaches one of the holes, he observes a swarm of insects inside.
Daru: More insects; there are so many.
Suddenly, a rumbling begins beneath him.
Daru: Now what!
The Black Surge erupts from the hole, pushing Daru back slightly.
Daru: Ugh!
The Black Surge rushes away through the holes.
Daru: So that's how you travel… not on land, but underground.
He peers back into the hole and spots a dozen skeletons.
Daru: Dammit! These must be the people who died in the city. I better head back before that thing returns.
The scene shifts to Gram mopping blood off the ground inside the tower.
Gram: (sighs) I don't have a big mouth… I just like to talk. But that doesn't mean I have a big mouth, does it?
Old Man: What are you talking about over there?
Gram: Huh? Oh, nothing…
Old Man: Oh, I'm sorry…
Gram: You don't need to apologize; it's alright.
Old Man: (chuckles) My daughter used to say that all the time.
Gram: Your daughter? What happened to her?
Old Man: … I don't really like to talk about it.
Gram: Oh, that's alright; don't worry about it.
Old Man: No, it's alright; I'm not going to live much longer, so I might as well share. The Black Surge killed her.
Gram: I'm deeply sorry to hear that.
Old Man: She was 17 when I lost her. She was a beautiful young girl with big dreams. You know, she wanted to be a teacher.
Gram: That's great!
Old Man: Yes, but she didn't want to be just any teacher; she wanted to show people that it was acceptable to be scared.
Gram: She wanted to teach that it was okay to be scared?
Old Man: Yes, (laughing) funny, isn't it? People laughed at her because they thought it was stupid and boring, and I did too. But she would come home from school and tell me she found something new—that it was okay to be scared. One day, she came home and said to me, "Being scared is the strongest emotion you can have."
Gram: Being scared is the strongest emotion you can have?
Old Man: Yes, she said that being scared makes you strong, makes you smarter, and helps you understand people better.
Gram: Hmm… I never thought of it that way.
Old Man: Don't worry; none of us did. One night, my wife, daughter, and I were out to dinner. My daughter always brought a book to write about what she wanted to teach. Then… everyone felt a rumbling beneath us, and boom, there it was.
Gram: The Black Surge…?
Old Man: Yes… The Black Surge. It blew up the whole restaurant and killed everyone, including my wife and daughter. I was the only survivor.
Gram: I-I'm so sorry. You must have been terrified.
Old Man: I was, but like my daughter said, being scared makes you strong, and it has given me the strength to live this long.
Gram's eyes begin to well with tears.
Gram: I promise I will take care of the Black Surge!
Old Man: Wh- You can't kill it; it's impossible! There's no weakness!
Gram: Then I'll find one. I promise my team and I will take it down.
Old Man: (Surprised) Uhh… Okay, whatever you say.
Gram intensifies her mopping of the floor.
Gram: (To herself) This Black Surge will pay for what it did to this old man!
The scene shifts to Mizuda and several crew members exiting a grocery store in Sampostis.
Sung: (Enjoying an ice cream cone) Ahhhh, red velvet ice cream will always be my favorite.
???: I swear that's all you eat.
Sung: What do you mean? I eat other things… I think.
Mizuda: (Laughing) Just leave him be, Mokino. It is his favorite food, after all.
Sung: You see, Zuda always understands me, Mokino. Maybe if you stopped being a hater, you would understand.
Mokino: (Frustrated) Understand what? Experiencing a brain freeze 24/7!?
After a brief moment, they all receive a notification on their Jump Watch and check it.
Sung: What could that be?
Mokino: Looks like we have another mission request from the board.
They lean in closer to read the request.
Mizuda: Hmmm, it says, "There is an outpost that needs to be dealt with."
Mokino: And the location is in dimension #1235.
Mizuda's eyes widen.
Mizuda: That's my home planet!
Sung: Oh right. It's been a while since we dealt with that place.
Mokino: Wasn't the last time you were there when you saved Zodek and Cindy from the Nitharians?
Mizuda: Yeah, and I have a feeling it might be them again.
Sung: So, do we accept this mission?
Mizuda: Of course we do. We need to gather more information on the Nitharians. It's hard to find them since they don't like to reveal themselves.
Mizuda checks her Jump Watch, where there is an option to accept or decline. She selects accept, activating the mission.
Sung: Well, there you have it.
Mokino: Don't we want to gather the rest of the crew?
Mizuda: That won't be necessary. The three of us should suffice.
???: Leaving me behind, I see.
They turn to see a large, muscular man.
Sung: The big man has arrived.
Mokino: Gar? What are you doing here? I thought you were with the others.
Gar: I was, until I and everyone else received that mission request. I noticed the mission started, so I came to see what was going on.
Mokino: (Blank expression) It's impressive that you arrived in under ten seconds…
Sung: Guess the others aren't coming?
Gar: They're too busy playing poker and betting money; they aren't coming, trust me.
Sung: (Laughing) I bet it was Shun who started it.
Mokino: It's always Shun. He gets competitive at any game we play.
Mizuda: Well, I'm not stopping you if you want to swing by.
Gar: It would be my pleasure, Zuda. Let's see what this mission is all about.
Everyone proceeds to the shipping docks, boards Mizuda's ship, and prepares for departure. They take their seats in the front while Mizuda inputs the coordinates from the driver's seat. The ship lifts off, disintegrating into particles before disappearing. A few moments later, they reappear above the planet, revealing a landscape filled with trees and an opening. Mizuda maneuvers the ship into the opening, and everyone disembarks.
Mokino: (Looking at Sung) Did you really bring more ice cream?
Sung: (Eating ice cream) Why not? I don't expect this mission to be difficult.
Mizuda: I'd still be cautious if I were you. You never know what could happen.
Gar: You got that right.
Mizuda scans the surroundings, then claps her hands twice, causing a door to materialize on the ground and open.
Mokino: Why are we at your underground base?
Mizuda: You guys wait outside for a moment.
Mizuda descends the stairs while the others wait. A few minutes later, she returns to join the group.
Sung: There's our leader.
Mokino: What were you doing down there?
Mizuda: I just needed to check something, that's all.
Gar: Should we proceed to the outpost?
Mizuda: Yeah. Mokino, do what you do best.
Mokino: You got it!
Mokino closes her eyes and concentrates, visualizing the outpost's location.
Mizuda: What do you see?
Mokino: (Concentrating) It looks like it's in that town where you saved Zodek and Cindy.
Sung: They set their outpost in that town? That's not nice.
Mizuda: No wonder they want us to clear it out. Those people want their town back.
Gar: I'm surprised some of them even survived the attack.
Sung: Yeah, especially that big creature.
Mizuda: Is the outpost heavily guarded, Mokino?
Mokino: Pretty much. There are at least 50 soldiers in the area.
Mizuda: Okay, that's all we need to know. Thank you, Mokino!
Sung approaches Mokino and puts his arm around her.
Sung: See? This is why you're the best scout. You're like a living map.
Mokino: (Brushing Sung off) Get off me! You guys are lucky to have me. I have so many missions to save you all.
Everyone starts to laugh.
Mizuda: Alright, let's take care of them.
As they move on, the scene cuts to the outpost, where multiple soldiers patrol the area.
Nitharian Soldier 1: (Yawning) This is so boring.
Nitharian Soldier 2: I know. I just want to fight, but we're stuck here doing nothing.
Nitharian Soldier 1: Well, it was Akuma who wanted us to set up a post here, just in case those Zatarian kids come back.
Nitharian Soldier 2: Who knows if they'll ever return? This feels like a waste of time.
The scene shifts back to Mizuda and the others as they approach the outpost, revealing a transformed town.
Mizuda: Here it is.
Gar: They really established their base here. But for what purpose?
Mizuda: Who knows? But now is the time to extract information from them. I need to understand why they want my little Zodiac and his brother.
Sung: So we're keeping one soldier alive, huh? How are we doing this—silently or aggressively?
Mizuda: It doesn't matter how you do it. Just make sure those people pay for the countless lives they've taken.
Sung: (Smiling) Then let's get this show on the road.
Sung begins to mark his eyes with two black lines, his eyes turning black. He instantly teleports inside the outpost.
Nitharian Soldier 3: (Stomach growling) I'm starting to get hungry.
Nitharian Soldier 4: Same here. I wonder what we can get.
Sung: (Laughing) I'm hungry too. Let's check today's menu.
Both soldiers quickly turn around, seeing Sung behind them with his hidden blades.
Nitharian Soldier 3: What the hell!?
Nitharian Soldier 4: Eliminate him!
One of the soldiers rushes at Sung, swinging his sword. Sung dodges the attack and swiftly stabs the soldier in the neck, killing him effortlessly.
Nitharian Soldier 3: How did you—
Before the soldier can finish, Sung decapitates him in one swift motion.
Sung: I guess the only thing on the menu is death.
As he says this, another soldier spots him and alerts the others.
Nitharian Soldier 5: We have an invader in our outpost!
More Nitharian soldiers rush toward Sung, surrounding him.
Nitharian Soldier 6: We've got you now!
Sung: (Smiling) Shouldn't you all be looking up?
Nitharian Soldier 6: What!?
As all the soldiers look up, they see Gar descending with a large hammer. Just before hitting the ground, Sung teleports onto Gar's hammer without sustaining any damage. Gar slams his hammer down, releasing a massive shockwave that eliminates everyone nearby.
Gar: Are you Nitharians truly this weak?
Sung: (Teleports beside Gar) I guess so.
More soldiers charge at Gar and Sung. One attempts a sneak attack from behind Gar, but Gar turns and swings his hammer, crushing the soldier's head. Meanwhile, Sung engages multiple soldiers, dispatching them within seconds. The scene shifts to Nitharian archers on towers shooting arrows at Sung. As the arrows approach, he begins teleporting around, evading every attack.
Sung: Oops! Missed me, missed me again. Man, you guys really suck at this. Ever heard of training?
Gar spots the archers in the distance, charges his hammer, and swings a massive air projectile at them, obliterating both the archers and the towers. As Gar and Sung finish off the remaining enemies outside,
Sung: (Teleports to Gar) See, Gar? We make a great team!
Gar: Eh… I guess?
Sung: EH! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I GUESS!
Mizuda enters the outpost with a serious demeanor, while Mokino remains outside.
Mokino: Well… this shouldn't take long… I'll say 5 seconds.
Some soldiers notice Mizuda and advance toward her.
Nitharian Soldier 7: Kill her!
Mizuda: You're making a big mistake.
As the soldiers rush at her, Mizuda's eyes begin to glow blue, emanating a powerful aura. The soldiers are overwhelmed by her presence, screaming in agony as blood streams from their eyes while they clutch their heads.
Nitharian Soldier 8: AHHH, AHHHH, AHHHHHHHH!
In an instant, all the soldiers' bodies explode, causing blood to splatter everywhere.
Mizuda: Your blood shall fall upon your own heads.
Mokino enters the outpost and observes Mizuda.
Mizuda: 2 seconds.
Mokino: Aww man!