The group turned to see a dark hallway from which Cliff emerged, startling everyone.
Daru: (Clenching his fists) Cliff…
Gram: Where did you come from?!
Cliff: (Smirking) Did you really think I wouldn't find you?
As he spoke, two additional figures appeared from the hallway: Froog's butler and a Gliff with one arm missing.
Kono: Froog's butler?
Himitsu stared at the one-armed man, his shock evident.
Himitsu: No way. It's you again!
Ohma: (Confused) Again?
One Arm Man: Hey, kid.
Zodiac: (Looking at Himitsu) How do you know him?
Himitsu: Uhhh, it's a long story.
One Arm Man: Long story short, this kid stole something valuable from Froog.
Akira: You did what?!
Himitsu: Hey! I wasn't the only one! Kana was involved, too! (Points at Kana)
Cliff grew impatient, tapping his foot.
Cliff: That's enough. We have more important matters to discuss.
Daru: What is there to talk about? We know you're behind everything.
Cliff: (Smiling) Do you? I think you're still missing something. Isn't that right? (Looks at the butler)
Butler: (Smiling) I think so.
Akira's anger flared as she prepared to attack.
Akira: I don't care what any of you have to say! I'm going to kill you right here and now!
Daru: Akira, wait. As much as I want to punch him, we need to understand what's going on.
Akira: No, we don't! I'm going to—
Daru: Listen to me, or you'll have to deal with me!
Akira calmed slightly, folding her arms.
Akira: One day, I'm going to lose it on you.
Daru: (Annoyed) Yeah, I can't wait for that.
Zodiac: Enough with the distractions. Who is it really: you or Froog?
Cliff: (Laughing) You're still calling that pipsqueak Clem Froog, despite what your little fox girl told you?
Gram: So who is Clem?
Cliff: Clem is merely a fragile fool who leads this city. Nothing more, nothing less.
Kono: So who are you? Are you the real Froog?
Butler: I'm afraid not.
Everyone turned to the butler, confusion etched on their faces.
Himitsu: Huh? What do you mean he's not Froog?
The butler looked around, found a chair, and placed it in front of them before sitting down.
Butler: Cliff is not Froog either.
Daru: What? How would you know? Aren't you just a butler?
Froog: (smiling) A butler? No. What you're seeing is the real Froog.
Everyone is taken aback and momentarily speechless.
Gram: WHAT! YOUR FROOG?!
Ohma: (grasping his head) Guys, I think my head is starting to hurt.
Zodiac: So, what is your real name?
Froog: Me? I go by many names. People call me Cliff, people call me Clem, but I call myself Froog.
Kono: So you were using the real Clem this whole time?
Froog: Naturally. I used him for my own gain. I killed him since he told your little fox girl more than you needed to know.
One Arm Man: You killed Clem?!
Froog: Yes, I did.
Daru: Something isn't adding up. If you're Froog, then who is this? (gesturing to Cliff)
Froog: Oh, him? He's my best friend—the only true friend I have. He has been assisting me in tracking you down from the very beginning.
Kono: Wait! You mean the time we first met Cliff at that place that helped us reach the city?
Froog: Yep. You guys were doomed as soon as you set foot here. It's a shame, really. But you should thank that boy. (looking at Himitsu)
Himitsu: Huh? Me?
Zodiac: Don't play dumb. It's your fault we're in this situation because of that girl.
Froog: Ah yes, Kana. She has been working for me this whole time. With your assistance, we obtained information indicating that you are part of a group known as the "Order of Triumph." I can't say I've heard of them before, but I suppose I am looking at them now. Now, back to where we left off. It appears this boy (looking at Himitsu) possesses something valuable of mine.
Everyone's gaze shifts back to Himitsu, making him anxious.
Daru: Himitsu, what did you take from him?
Himitsu: U-uhhh.
Kana: I have it.
Kana reaches into her pocket and retrieves a clear crystal.
Gram: What the?!
Kono: Is that an advanced crystal?
Froog: Kana, what is the meaning of this? I thought you said the boy stole it from you.
At that moment, the one-armed man approached Froog with impatience.
Froog: (looking up) Can I help you?
One Arm Man: Look, you got your crystal back. Now it's your turn to hold up your end of the deal.
Froog starts to laugh.
Froog: Deal? What deal?
One-Arm Man: (angrily) You promised to pay me right after you got your crystal! Now do it!
Froog: (shaking his head) I'm afraid the deal is off.
One-Arm Man: HOW DARE YOU!
As the man prepared to launch an attack, Froog's companion, Cliff, stepped in front of him with a smile.
Cliff: Your time is up.
Cliff's head transformed into that of a leech as he consumed half of his own body.
Gram: WHAT IS THAT?!
Cliff then bit into the remaining half of his body, which collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around it.
Ohma: What is that creature?
Akira: Who knows, but we need to kill it now.
Cliff's head reverted to normal as he walked back to Froog, wiping his mouth.
Daru: (looking at Froog) What exactly are you?
Froog rose from his chair.
Froog: I am not merely an ordinary Gliff; I am a leech. My sole purpose is to spread my kind across the dimensions. But our little fun is over.
Froog gazed at Kana and pointed.
Froog: You have betrayed me, Kana. Yet, you have the opportunity for redemption. Why not hand over the crystal like a good girl?
Kana clutched the crystal tightly and began to retreat.
Kana: No. You promised to help my father! You're the one who betrayed me! This crystal is probably the only way to save him.
Froog: Kana, of course I would help your father; you know that. But I need that crystal first.
Kana shook her head defiantly.
Kana: You're not getting it back until you help him!
Froog: (sighs) Oh well. I guess I have to kill you too.
Cliff's head transformed back into a leech, charging towards Kana. Just as he was about to strike, Daru intervened and delivered a powerful punch. Cliff blocked the attack, being pushed back toward Froog.
Daru: Okay, I've had enough. We're stopping you right here.
Everyone else drew their weapons and assumed fighting stances.
Zodiac: Finally. Let's get this over with.
Froog began to smile.
Froog: As I said before, you fell right into my trap.
Everyone charged toward Froog and Cliff. As they advanced, the room suddenly erupted with a thick green mist, enveloping everything.
Akira: (looking around) What the hell is this?!
Gram: I can't see anything!
Himitsu spotted Kana's shadow and rushed toward her.
Himitsu: Kana!
When he reached her, Kana turned around, her eyes growing heavy.
Kana: Don't... breathe... in... the... spores...
Himitsu: Huh?!
Kana collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Himitsu: (Growing weary) K-Kana.
Himitsu begins to wobble and falls to the ground.
Ohma: (Closing his eyes) I'm... feeling... tired...
Ohma drops to the ground.
Zodiac: (Yelling) Someone... find... the... door...
Kono: I... can't... find... it...
Akira: That... asshole...
Gram: (Yawning) I... guess... it's... time... to... sleep...
Akira, Gram, and Kono slump to the ground.
Froog: (Laughing) Once you breathe it in, it's too late.
Daru: Froog... I'm... going... to... stop... you...
Zodiac: You... lucky... bastard...
Froog: Wow, you guys are still awake? You must be special.
After a few more minutes, they finally lose consciousness as the mist dissipates.
Froog: It's a shame, but I can't have you ruining my plan.
As he speaks, multiple guards burst through the door, weapons drawn. They kneel before him.
Guard 1: Master Froog!
Guard 2: What do you want us to do with them?
Froog: Send them underground. I need to prepare. They cannot interfere.
Guard 3: But wouldn't it be better to just kill them?
Froog: It would, but where's the fun in that? I want them to witness the glory about to unfold.
The guards move toward the unconscious bodies, preparing to drag them away. After a few minutes, the scene shifts to Himitsu slowly opening his eyes in darkness.
Himitsu: (Rubbing his eyes) Where am I?
He fully opens his eyes to find himself in a jail cell with metal bars.
Himitsu: (Shocked) W-what the!? How did I end up here!?
Himitsu rushes to the bars and shakes them back and forth.
Himitsu: Hey! Get me out of here!
Kana: (Waking up) Himitsu?
Himitsu quickly turns around to see Kana on the ground, rubbing her eyes.
Himitsu: Kana!
Himitsu walks up to her and crouches beside her.
Himitsu: Are you okay?
Kana: Y-yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Where are we?
Himitsu: (Looking around) It looks like we're stuck in a cell. But I have no idea where Froog put us.
Kana glances around, surprised.
Kana: Wait, I know this place.
Himitsu: (Confused) You do?
Kana: Yes. It seems we have been taken underground.
Himitsu: Underground? Are you saying Froog had an underground base this whole time?
Kana: Yes, but the crazy part is that this base is right under the city.
Himitsu: WHAT!?
As Kana speaks, she rises from the ground and averts her gaze from Himitsu.
Kana: Himitsu, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation.
Himitsu: Huh?
Kana: I used you; I manipulated you. I even exploited your feelings to solve my problems. I deserve nothing but the worst…
Himitsu: Well, it's not entirely your fault. It's my responsibility for going behind my crew's back to speak with you. Even if you were working for the enemy, you were doing it to help your father.
Kana: Yes, but still. I should have known better than to trust Froog.
As Kana places her hands in her pockets, she realizes her crystal is missing.
Kana: (anxiously) No! They took my crystal!
Himitsu: They did!?
Himitsu checks his back and discovers his sword is also missing.
Himitsu: No, no, no! My sword! My precious sword!
Himitsu quickly scours the cell, searching for it but finding nothing.
Himitsu: Damn it! I can't believe this! If I had my sword, I could slice these bars like butter!
Kana: Yeah, I don't think that would work.
Himitsu: (looking at Kana) What do you mean?
Kana approaches the metal bars and knocks on them, producing an unusual sound.
Kana: These aren't ordinary metal bars. They've been infused with a strange energy that makes them super durable. Even the sharpest sword wouldn't be able to cut through them.
Himitsu, feeling frustrated, slams the bars with his bare hands.
Himitsu: Damn you, Froog!
The scene shifts to Zodiac and Akira in their cell, surveying their surroundings.
Akira: Where the hell did that bastard put us?
Zodiac: We're obviously in a cell, but judging by how dense the air is, we're probably underground.
Akira: Hmm, out of all the guys on our team, you're surprisingly not a total dumbass.
Zodiac: (arms crossed) It's called common sense. Doesn't everyone have that?
Akira: (sarcastically) I don't know, why don't you go ask Gram?
Zodiac: You have a point there.
Zodiac moves closer to the metal bars, glancing left and right down the long, dark corridors.
Zodiac: I'm not sure exactly where we are, but I'm guessing the others are in cells as well.
Akira: That shouldn't be a problem. I'll just break my way out of here. Watch this.
Zodiac steps away from the bars as Akira prepares to deliver a powerful punch. She charges her fist and strikes the bars head-on, but does no damage, producing an unusual sound.
Akira: Huh!? How in the—
Frustrated, Akira unleashes a series of punches against the bars, still failing to make an impact.
Akira: Why isn't it breaking!?
Zodiac: These bars must be reinforced. Or maybe you're just weak.
Akira: (glaring at Zodiac) Don't start! Let's just call for help on our watches.
Akira looks at her wrist and realizes her Jump Watch is missing.
Akira: What the!? They took my watch!
Zodiac: (looking at his wrist) Same here.
As Akira becomes increasingly frustrated, she notices Zodiac's dual blades on his back.
Akira: How do you still have your blades?
Zodiac: I have no idea. They're either foolish for not taking them or just incompetent.
Akira: Whatever. Just hurry up and use them so we can get out of here.
Guard 4: Looks like you finally woke up.
Zodiac and Akira turn to see a guard appear from the right, clad in armor and wielding a sword.
Akira: Oh great, one of his lackeys.
Guard 4: You having fun in there? Because the real fun is about to begin.
Zodiac walks back to the bars to confront the guard.
Zodiac: One question. Why didn't you take my weapon?
Guard 4: H-huh? Oh right, we must have forgotten. That's why you still have it.
Zodiac: That doesn't make sense. You took our watches but left my blades?
The guard begins to grow nervous.
Guard 4: It doesn't matter! Those puny blades won't break these bars, so good luck with that! (Laughing)
Zodiac: (shaking his head) You think so? Let me tell you two things.
As he speaks, Zodiac retrieves his blades from his back, causing them to glow.
Guard 4: (scared) What are you—
Zodiac swiftly sends a powerful slash toward him, cutting through the bars. The impact sends the guard crashing into the wall, cracking his armor.
Zodiac: Number one, my blades are not puny.
Zodiac approaches the guard against the wall and throws his blades at him. The guard catches them, but as he grips them, the blades heat up, burning his hands.
Guard 4: Ahhhhhhh!
He drops the blades, leaving burn marks on his hands.
Zodiac: And number two, I don't need luck.
At that moment, Akira executes a dive kick, incapacitating the guard.
Zodiac: (Observing Akira) What are you doing?
Akira: You were taking too long.
She brushes the brain matter off her feet.
Zodiac: Now I understand why they couldn't grab it.
Akira: Either way, let's hurry and find the others.
As Zodiac and Akira search for the remainder of the crew, the scene shifts to Daru and Gram in their cells, with Gram expressing frustration.
Gram: Man, I can't believe we got caught! We should have never come here!
Daru: Can you be quiet? It's your and Himitsu's fault we're in here.
Gram: What!? No! It was Himitsu who wanted to talk to that girl or whatever her name is.
Daru: Okay, but you knew about it. If you had told us earlier, we could have prevented this.
Gram: (Folding his arms) All I'm saying is that it was his idea to talk to a girl.
Daru: Yeah, and he's going to have a long chat with me when this is over.
Daru approaches the bars and places his hands on them.
Gram: (Confused) What are you doing?
Daru: Something feels off about these bars. They seem tampered with.
Gram: How are we going to get out? They took my watch and my book, so I can't even blast us out if I wanted to.
Daru: Gram, I think you're forgetting something.
Gram: I am?
Daru develops purple veins on his arm and effortlessly punches the bars, breaking them.
Gram: (In disbelief) Are you serious right now?
Daru: You really think these weak bars could hold me back? Think again.
Gram: You're lucky you're a Zatarian. But that's fine; I'm still the one who won the newbie—
Daru: Just shut up and let's go.
Meanwhile, Kono and Ohma are in their cells, attempting to devise an escape plan.
Ohma: Damn, these bars are tough!
Kono: Yeah. I don't know what Froog did to them, but they're strong.
Ohma: And they took my nunchucks!
Kono: That's not a problem!
Kono reaches into her sock and retrieves a small round object. She presses a button, and it expands into a large firearm.
Ohma: (Astonished) Whoa! You had that all along?
Kono: Yep! I always keep it on me for situations like this. Now let's get out of here!
Kono begins to charge her weapon, producing a bright light. After a few seconds, she releases it, firing a beam that obliterates the bars and fills the area with smoke.
Ohma: (Covering his face) That was huge!
Kono: It sure was. Now let's find the others!