Death doesn't come.
A tidal wave crashes over both Hideyoshi and Danny; Danny opens his eyes to see Xander slam into the back of Hideyoshi; he rolls out of the way just in time to avoid being flattened. With a roar of righteous fury, Xander tears the collar off Hideyoshi; the flames surrounding the room disappear in an instant.
"Quick!" Chika commands, grabbing Danny's arm and pulling him to his feet; together, they rush to Rob and Maria. Danny immediately sets about removing the sai; it takes all his strength, but he manages to pull them free; Rob and Maria slump to the floor, semi-conscious.
"Give Rob this!" Danny commands, handing Chika a vial of elixir; he produces a second one to give to Maria.
Ten minutes later, Rob finds his world returning to focus; he is met by the kind face of Chika Ueno.
"Hey there," Chika greets soothingly. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Rob replies. "But it's fading. How's everyone else?"
"Maria was the only other hurt; she's sleeping off the elixir," Chika explains.
"Hideyoshi?" Rob asks.
"Powerless and defeated; Danny and Xander have immobilised him."
"Good."
"Puppy!" Maria yelps as she wakes suddenly; she then notices both Rob and Chika looking at her in bemusement. "Sorry," she blushes. "I was dreaming."
"Feeling better?" Chika asks her.
"Why, what-" Maria starts; she pauses when the memories flood back. In a panic, she looks at her right arm; she's stunned to find it totally intact. "But it was all icky and burnt when I fell asleep…"
"What matters is you're at full health now," Rob assures.
"Elixir?" Maria asks; Chika nods. "Oh poo."
"Why is that a bad thing?" Chika asks.
"Because giving us both elixir has used up a quarter of our supply," Rob explains. "We came in with just two vials each."
"Why didn't you come in with more?" Chika presses. "Surely you knew what was waiting for you?"
"It's all we could get," Maria explains.
"Shang Tu doesn't just hand out the stuff," Rob adds. "It's very valuable."
"Given what it does, I'm not surprised," Chika comments. "I've never seen such effective regeneration powers before; in fact, I've never seen anything close."
"Only Shang Tu creates it in significant quantity," Rob informs.
"Good to see you two back to normal," Danny smiles, kneeling beside Chika. "You have Chika to thank for that."
"You overstate my role," Chika blushes.
"It seems I have both a thank you and an apology for you," Rob admits to Chika. "You really are on our side."
"Are you two fit to fight?" Danny asks, handing Rob his sai.
"Pretty much," Rob answers, accepting his weapons.
"I lost the pretty swords," Maria pouts.
"Then take these," Danny offers, handing Maria the tekko-kagi.
"I guess they'll have to do," Maria sighs as she takes them. "If only they weren't so ugly…"
"What are we doing about Hideyoshi?" Rob asks.
"Leave him to me," Chika volunteers. "I'll make sure he remembers who he really is."