While Carol is fighting her way through the Bakunawa, the fleet approaches, maintaining a watching brief. On the bridge of the Sky Battalion flagship, King Dail is in contact with both General Gong and Neera Li.
"It's been unnervingly quiet," Dail observes.
"I'm sure Carol's doing her best," Gong assures.
"Should we send the Scarves in to help?" Dail asks.
"I did suggest it, but Spade vetoed the idea," Neera informs. "Maria and Tai tried to persuade him otherwise, but he stood firm. As much as I don't agree with his decision, I was impressed at how well he withstood their protest: they pulled out all the stops to be as cute as possible."
"And we can't override his decision," Gong adds.
"Maybe I should have a word with him," Dail suggests. "I may be able to change his mind."
"You're welcome to try," Neera invites.
"Your Majesty, the Bakunawa is on the move," the radar operator interrupts.
"Can you plot its trajectory?" Dail asks.
"It'll be a few minutes before I can be sure, but currently, it looks like it's moving towards Shang Tu," the operator replies.
"Then our decision has been made for us," Dail concludes. "We must chase the Bakunawa and destroy it before Corazon can attack our homes."
"What about Carol?" Neera asks.
"We should give her as long as possible," Gong suggests.
"Agreed," Dail replies. "But we must also not be afraid to act in the interests of our kingdoms and their populations."
Neera closes her eyes to hide her forming tears. I wish this wasn't the case… "Very well. But I refuse to make the call."
"Understood," Dail accepts. "General Gong, with your permission, I shall be the one to make the call."
"I admire your resolve," Gong replies. "It takes great inner strength to sign a hero's death sentence, a strength I fear I lack."
"A strength I hope is not tested," Dail prays.
As the allied fleet begins its pursuit, Carol and Merga emerge in the thirteenth, final, and by far largest chamber of the Bakunawa, finding it suspiciously empty.
"I don't like this," Carol admits.
"I came through here earlier," Merga assures, heading into the chamber with confidence. "There's nothing here to surprise us."
"I wouldn't count on it," Carol cautions, following Merga at a short distance. "It feels like we're walking into a trap."
"I already told you, there's no trap," Merga replies. "Trust me."
Yeah, right. Carol remains silent, advancing cautiously, hoping she's staying far enough behind Merga to ensure she's not caught in the same inevitable trap as the dragon.
Merga continues her confident striding into the chamber, unperturbed by Carol's caution.
This proves to be a mistake.
When Merga reaches the centre of the chamber, the trap is sprung: a thick glass cylinder rises from the floor, extending all the way to the ceiling before locking in place and trapping her inside.
"Dammit!" Merga growls.
"Told you," Carol smirks, thankful she was far enough behind to avoid the trap.
"I'll get out of this." Merga curls up and unleashes as powerful a Dragon Boost as she can muster. However, all she achieves is a rapid ricochet inside the narrow tube, which only serves to wreck her sense of balance and cause her to slump to the deck.
Carol shakes her head in amusement, then looks around for a suitable control panel to use to release Merga.
"You won't find one," a voice informs.
Carol turns to the voice to see Corazon silhouetted in the door to the cockpit, and immediately drops into a combat stance and draws her sword. "Surrender!" she demands of her sister.
"We both know the only way this will end is with one of us dead," Corazon replies calmly. "Or should I say, with you dead."
"If I die, I'm taking you with me!" Carol challenges.
"It is unwise to challenge me," Corazon cautions. "You are fatigued from battling through my Bakunawa, and unless I'm mistaken, you're carrying a few minor injuries that won't stop you fighting but will slow you down. In comparison, I am well rested and in peak physical condition. Not only that, but I am the superior fighter. After all, I killed Coraline, one of the most talented Red Scarves who ever lived, and who excelled even by the lofty standards of Yěmāo Shìzú."
"And you will pay for that!" Carol growls.
"Cute." Corazon slowly walks down the stairs and onto the deck. "You really think you can defeat me alone?" she asks as she descends. "Not even Coraline hunted me alone: the first time, she was assisted by Leader Lillith Song, and the second, by the runaway prince. Yet you turn up without your draconic friend. How is she, by the way?"
"She survived, if that's what you're asking," Carol smirks.
Corazon pauses at the bottom of the stairs briefly, surprised by the news. "Really? Even though I unloaded six shots into her? I must admit, I'm impressed. I wonder, is Merga just as tough?"
"I'm a dragon," Merga answers in a tone that makes it clear she believes that's sufficient explanation.
"Shall we find out?" Corazon asks, unclipping a small control box from her belt.
"You're going to challenge me to a straight fight?" Merga asks, clearly anticipating the challenge.
"Don't be so stupid," Corazon grins maliciously. "We'll find out this way," she continues, pressing a button.
Carol's ears prick as they pick up the whine of charging capacitors. "You wouldn't."
"Lilac survived five short shocks, which is all the Sigwada could handle," Corazon informs. "However, the Bakunawa has considerably more power capacity. Want to place a bet?"
"On someone's life‽" Carol asks, shocked at Corazon's casual sadistic threat. "You're insane!"
"If you surrender, I'll kill Merga quickly," Corazon promises.
"Don't surrender," Merga instructs. "I can take whatever she throws at me: it'll only make her own death even more painful."
"As you wish." Corazon presses the second button.
An instant later, a million volts arc through Merga. Within moments, the electricity burns off scales all over the dragon's body, which convulses uncontrollably as muscles spasm agonisingly. Unable to handle the pain, Merga screams loud and long, forcing Carol to look away and cover her ears.
The shock only lasts five seconds, but it leaves Merga a wheezing smoking husk collapsed at the bottom of the tube.
"One," Corazon counts.
"Wait!" Carol interrupts.
Corazon unleashes another five‑second shock that burns more of Merga's body and causes her breathing to become laboured. "Two. Why?"
Carol cannot think of an answer.
Corazon shrugs, then unleashes a third shock. When it's over, Merga lies at the bottom of the tube, silent and motionless. "Three. And she's dead. Pity: I expected better."
"You… How could you‽" Carol growls, her eyes filled with tears. "This isn't how Yěmāo Shìzú works!"
"And what would you know?" Corazon challenges, suddenly becoming very aggressive. "You ran out on your own family, all because you couldn't handle the fact everyone was better than you!"
"I know we don't mercilessly torture those who anger us!" Carol snaps back, anger rising within her.
"But we do kill those who stand in our way," Corazon argues.
"You'll… have… to try… harder," Merga croaks, her eyes opening slowly.
"Impressive," Corazon compliments. "For a fake dragon."
"Fa… Fake?" Merga asks, confused.
"You didn't know?" Corazon replies. "Lilac's the real dragon. You're just a science experiment I found useful."
"Enough!" Carol yells. "Corazon, let Merga go, and surrender! NOW!"
"Why does everyone always have to spoil my fun?" Corazon sighs, discarding the control box and drawing her sword. "Very well. If you insist on dying slowly, the least I can do is oblige. Oh, by the way, no teleporting: get rid of it."
"Like you're gonna fight fair," Carol refuses.
"So much for honour," Corazon sighs.
The two wildcats approach each other, their eyes locked together, Carol's burning with anger and disgust, Corazon's smouldering with determination and evil. At fifteen feet apart, they stop, their swords raised ready to attack.
"To the death," Corazon growls.
"There's no other way," Carol growls back.