Tsubaki leaps back and melds into the wall once more; seconds later, she bursts out right behind Maria; the lynx spins just in time to deflect the sweeping katana with her ninjato, rolling under Tsubaki as she flies overhead. Landing in a roll, Tsubaki spins to catch Maria's counter-attack; the ring of blade on blade echoes around the arena as the lynx fights for everything that is dear to her.
"At least this time you can fight," Tsubaki compliments. "Pity you'll lose. And I promise, this time your death will be permanent."
Maria doesn't respond; she's putting all her focus into the fight itself. Slowly, she begins to push Tsubaki into the centre of the arena; for a fleeting moment, Maria thinks she's getting the upper hand. But Tsubaki is going easy on Maria. As they reach the very centre of the arena, the tanuki taps into the elemental power provided by the Metal Crystal clone in her collar; Tsubaki increases her speed and ferocity, raining an endless barrage at the lynx; Maria is forced to fight on pure instinct.
"No-one can help you now!" Tsubaki declares as she pushes Maria ever backwards; before long, Maria finds herself pinned against the wall, using all her strength to hold her ninjato against Tsubaki's katana, just an inch from her head.
"I… don't… need… help!" Maria grunts.
"Bravery, or stupidity?" Tsubaki mocks, holding position. "It's a fine line between the two. Tell you what: I'll make a deal with you. Surrender, and I'll make your death quick. Fight, and I shall draw your death out as long as I can. And I can drag it out for a very long time…"
Tsubaki steps back, allowing Maria to stand away from the wall; without warning, she swings her katana in a scissoring motion, using the elemental power to make her blades monomolecular-sharp.
Maria's ninjato is sliced in three; the two severed sections clatter to the ground.
"Your decision," Tsubaki demands. "Make it."
Maria stares blankly at what's left of her ninjato; in shock, she drops the hilt and sinks to her knees.
"A good choice," Tsubaki smiles. "Of course, when I said 'quick'…"
"That doesn't surprise me," Maria mumbles, hanging her head. "Just… promise me you'll torture me in private."
"You don't get a choice in the matter," Tsubaki informs, placing the tip of a katana on the inside of Maria's left ear.
"Get away from her you bitch!" Rob challenges; Tsubaki spins round in surprise, slicing Maria's ear in two in the process; Maria stifles a scream, though she cannot avoid a pitiful whimpering.
"Oh, you poor deluded fool," Tsubaki sighs. "Do you really want the kitten to watch you die first? That can be arranged."
"Die? Oh, no-one will die," Rob assures.
"Oh really?" Tsubaki chuckles. "You do realise I can kill you with a single kick, right?"
"You won't get the chance," Rob grins.
"What makes you so sure?" Tsubaki challenges, advancing on the hare.
Maria seizes the opportunity and leaps onto Tsubaki's back. Before the tanuki can react, Maria grabs hold of the collar; she summons all her strength to break it off. The collar unleashes a powerful electric shock, but this doesn't stop Maria; fuelled by anger, desperation, and adrenaline, she tears the collar off; Tsubaki's metallic skin vanishes as sparks fly from the smashed circuitry. Rob charges Tsubaki as Maria leaps from her shoulders; he slams the tanuki into the ground, pinning her arms down with his sai.
"Because you're so arrogant, you didn't realise I was merely distracting you," Rob reveals. "And now it's time to say goodnight," he adds, rending the tanuki unconscious.