"Woohoo! 3 Day-Weekend!" Rainbow cheered. "Vegging time!"
"Nuh uh." Indigo said, grabbing her. "The last thing you're doing is vegging."
"She's right. We still have a job to do, considering two guys from beyond this world are loose in the woods." Eijiro said.
"Agreed. This Zora is very dangerous. We should be careful if he's set any traps in the woods." Hope said.
"That's an understatement. He took out almost half of those soldiers with those traps alone." Dan said.
"Well...then we'll just have to be cautious." Ranma said. "During the break, I'll take a team of three with me into the woods."
"I'm definitely going then." Asta said. "His traps are made with magic. I can nullify them."
"Who knows where he hid them though, you'll need someone to detect them." Hope said.
"Then I guess it's a good thing Barbara's back at base. I know you guys haven't gotten used to having her around yet, but trust me… She's better at that kind of stuff than me." David said.
"He has a point. As stated before, animals have better senses than humans do. And since she got her abilities through a mystic ritual, she should be able to detect them easily." Shuichi said.
"Then we still need one more." Ranma said. "Actually...we may have all we need."
"You think so?" Mahiru asked.
"Believe me when I say Mahiru, that the combo of Asta, Ranma and Cheetah will get things done." Hope said.
"I know the woods ins and outs. I have an idea where he may be hiding if he's living out there." Ranma said. "There's this waterfall I used to train and live near. It's likely he'll be there."
"Aright. Good luck." Mahiru said.
As the two of them headed out to meet with Cheetah, they saw some girl scaling it. "Now who is that?" Ranma asked.
"Oh that's Odd's friend. The DJ….girl...person. Samantha I think. She goes here." Asta said.
"Then why is she scaling the fence?" Ranma asked.
"Obviously cause she wants to get some climbing in." Asta said.
"Yeah...somehow I don't think what you're thinking is the right thing." Ranma sighed. "We can worry about that later."
'Right. Let's meet up with Cheetah and get that jerk with the cool mask!" Asta said.
"Okay…" Ranma sighed.
Meanwhile on the campus…
"So did you get in okay?" Odd asked Samantha.
"Yeah. Climbing over the wall was no biggie." Samantha said.
"So when are you going to show me what you can do?" Odd asked.
"When I find a little more stuff. I haven't found what I liked yet. Now let's stop talking about music. Are you ready for a big thrill session?" Samantha asked. "Just take me to the computer lab."
As the two snuck through the school and into the lab, peaking in was Usopp and Mayumi.
"Odd...and his friend. Wait...are...are they stealing?" Usopp said seeing Samantha grabbing one.
"Odd's not the type for that kind of stuff. More likely, Samantha coerced him into it." Mayumi said.
"What are you doing?" Odd asked.
"I need something with a lot of power and I'm broke so I have to rip this one off. Your school's insured so everyone's happy, right?" Samantha said.
"Wrong. Insurance or not. Stealing's a crime. And besides, nobody does that around here." Odd said.
Just then, Jim, Franky and Vector came in and saw Odd with the computer just as he took it from Samantha.
"Odd...I can't believe this. You...a thief?!" Vector said.
"Oh you're in a heap of trouble now. The office. Now!" Jim said.
Vector and Jim then escorted Odd right out.
"Oh man...he screwed up big this time." Franky said watching.
"What's going to happen?" Mayumi asked showing up.
"Considering he was about to steal school property...he'll face the disciplinary board. He could get expelled." Franky said.
"Expulsion? That can't be. I saw the whole thing." Mayumi said.
"What did you see?" Franky asked.
"Samantha was the one trying to rip off the computer. Odd took it out of his hands in an attempt to defend her, despite wanting no part in this." Mayumi said.
"And who is Samantha?" Franky asked.
"A kid at this school." Usopp said.
"'Fraid to break it to you but there is no one by that name who goes here." Franky said.
"I thought there was something off about her when I saw her…" Mayumi said.
"Looks like she's going to have to face Lady Justice then." Franky said before they heard a large sinking sound as they saw some of the buildings beginning to sink into the ground.
"Great… This is just what we need right now." Mayumi said.
"I knew this school sunk but I didn't think it would literally sink." Usopp said.
"XANA...he's at it again. Get the others and get to the factory." Franky said.
"What about you, Franky?" Mayumi asked.
"I'll try and keep anyone still here from panicking." Franky said. "I'm SUPER good at it!"
"Alright. We'll leave it to you. And...be careful." Mayumi said.
Meanwhile in the woods…
"We must be getting close." Ranma said seeing more defeated warriors along the way.
"This stench is getting stronger as these bodies pile up. He's close." Cheetah said.
"Hey...there he is!" Asta said seeing a large Bewear going against a man in black with a mask over his mouth and red wavy hair.
"Come on. You're supposed to be a soldier of a fighting kingdom? Now this is just pathetic." he said.
"You…" Bewear said doing an Arm Thrust on the guy before a circle glowed on him as the blow was dealt back to Bewear, taking it out.
"So, that is Zora Ideale in the flesh." Cheetah said. "Never would I have imagined a man as ruthless as him in the past with us. Of course… I guess I'm one to talk, am I?"
"Hmm...oh...the shrimp's here. And he brought some guy in his PJ's and a little house cat." Zora said.
"Hey. I haven't forgotten about all that stuff back there. And what's this Zora stuff? You're Zerz aren't…" Asta said before a bug landed on his back before releasing a powerful odor. "Ah not this again."
"You, you just keep talking to yourself and to that Rainbow Stinkbug." Zora said.
"How did a man like you even come into incarceration with Chrysalia in the first place?" Cheetah asked. "Were you sent here, like we were?"
"How about...you just go find yourself a nice scratching post, pussycat?" Zora said.
"I hate to be the one to break this to you, but I already have." Cheetah said. "Unless you answer us, of course."
"Oooh...feisty. Yeah...not really interested in coming with some wannabe knights...and a runt." Zora said.
"HEY! You saved me last on purpose!" Asta shouted.
"Look. I only got in this mess because of you in the first place." Zora said. "And I had to come find you because we have something in common." he said putting on a black robe.
"Wait...why are you wearing that? Since when are you a Black Bull?" Asta asked.
"Oh...you're captain gave me this one night and offered me a spot." Zora said.
"What? Now that is just dirty. People can't just join in secret." Asta said.
"Complain all you want, doesn't change a thing." Zora said.
"Hmm...I think we can trust him." Ranma said.
"What? But even Cheetah said he beat up the real Xerx." Asta said.
"I only did that cause the pompous idiot threatened to kill an old woman." Zora said."People like that who want money, power, and mistreat others...have no rights calling themselves Magic Knights."
"Seems like we're in a split decision here. What's your take on this, Cheetah?" Ranma asked. "You're pretty much the deciding vote here."
"We'll take him with us. Under strict observation." Cheetah said.
"Fine. I can deal with that." Zora said as they escorted him out of the forest.
"Yeah but we don't…" Ranma said as a rainbow stinkbug fell on him. "Oh god, how many of these things does he have?" he groaned.
"Trust me on this one. It's best not to say anything on the matter." Cheetah said.
Meanwhile on Lyoko…
"Green Star: Devil!" Usopp said firing a pop green that became a man eating plant as it bit into some nearby monsters.
"Astral Vision!" Mayumi said as a double of her appears, attacking two Bloks in sync before she dodges, causing two more to hit each other.
"Haha! Nice work, Mayumi! We're really getting rid of the pests!" Usopp said.
"Don't let your guard down yet, Usopp. I'm sensing a powerful presence nearby." Mayumi said.
"Well well...so you two are my prey this time." a voice said as approaching them was a man wearing a skull mask.
"And who, may I ask, are you?" Mayumi asked.
"Ribeye...a member of the Lost Thieves." he said. "And your opponent."
"Pretty much figured that part out already." Mayumi said.
"I don't get it. Why do they keep sending people after us? Both sides want the same thing." Miu said.
"As Zaveid would say, sometimes you just need to fight these things out." Mayumi said.
"Bone Magic: Raging Bone!" Ribeye said as two skeleton arms appeared from his body and rapidly punched at the two.
"Yipe!" Usopp said.
"Calm down, Usopp. At times like this, you need to keep a cool head." Mayumi said.
"You see the guy...oh god!" Usopp said seeing a large skeletal tree rise up.
"Bone Magic: Skeletal Battle Tree!" Ribeye said as the ribs of said tree started stabbing and jabbing all across the area.
"His movements are too erratic. We won't get a good hit on him at this rate." Mayumi said as she switched to Adamantine Armor.
"Then we'll just have to hope for the best! Green Star: Platanus...Shuriken!" Usopp said firing fern like shurikens that cut apart the skeletal tree.
"Bone Magic: Bed of Nails!" Ribeye shouted as pointed bones were rising quickly from the ground in a wave.
"I get it now. All his spells focus on just attacking everything at once." Usopp said.
Mayumi gets in front of Usopp to block the wave of bones coming towards them. "More than that, he's only attack from the ground. I've got an idea, but it's risky."
"As long as it gets us out alive, I'm fine with it." Usopp said.
"Alright. Armor Change!" Mayumi said as she switched to her Black Wing Armor and took to the air.
"Bone Magic: Chaser Nail!" Ribeye said as one of the bones grew longer and went at Mayumi.
"No way! Green Star: Skull Bombgrass!" Usopp said firing and destroying the bone.
"Gotcha now!" Mayumi said charging at Ribeye with her sword.
"Gah!" Ribeye said being struck hard with the sword. "That...hurt…" he said, collapsing.
"Whew… That was close. Nice work, Usopp. I couldn't have done this without you." Mayumi said.
"No prob." Usopp said as Aelita reached the tower. "And it looks like our job is done." he said as they high fived as the RTTP was activated and restarted to earlier in the day.
"Okay...looks like we got one of the two attackers." Jexi said. "Yet we still have no idea who the other was."
"Though it shouldn't matter right now. With so many of their soldiers out of commission...we have the means to take the fight to them." Adora said.
"Are you sure it's okay to launch an attack on Pugilis like this?" David asked.
"We'll only be gone for a day. Just gotta take down Gurdurr and they'll leave without another word." Jexi said.
"I know. But after what we've done for their soldiers, it's kind of like we're betraying their trust in us. I mean, sure. We managed to bring Zora to our side, but the other attacker is still at large." David said.
"Other attacker? You mean the other guy who was beating down on those soldiers?" Zora asked.
"Yes. The very same. Judging from the way you asked that, I'm guessing you're not partners." David said.
"No way. I only fought back because they came at me. The other guy was challenging the rest." Zora said.
"I can think of a few people that fit that description." Leopardmon said.
"You mean...the fighter buster?" a voice said as they saw a Stufful peeking from behind a corner.
"Fighter Buster? Is it some kind of legend or something?" Leia asked.
"It's what we called that guy. He attacked some soldiers we had scouting. But...what I noticed was he appeared weaker than them but then he quickly overpowered them with just one punch for each." Stufful said.
"So you saw what he looked like." Gray said.
"He was definitely a human. Short blond hair with red eyes." Stufful said.
"Wait...that sounds like...oh no way." Jexi said groaning.
"You know who it is, Jexi?" Hope asked.
"Don't tell me you haven't figured it out either Hope. There's only one guy I know who fits the description." Jexi groaned.
Meanwhile…
"So...were you having fun out there?" Arthur asked.
"I'll say. This Law, was it, you gave me is incredible. I never thought I could use a punch like that." Flux said washing his hands.
"The Law of Balance. It's a rather rare law. It basically evens the playing field, but it's only useful if the opponent is physically stronger than the user." Arthur said.
"True. But even a little bit helps. I need to be more than ready to show them a thing or two when we go to Lyoko during her materialization." Flux said. "I know we're supposed to give them their win but...nothing says I can't show them a thing or two while doing it...especially after all they and I have been through."
"I couldn't agree more. Our time is ending here so...we may as well go out with a bang." Arthur said.
Back with the others…
"Flux? But...how could he have that sort of power?" Hope asked in shock.
"Two words. New item. We all know that Flux isn't a fighter, so his bro got him something that can change that." David said. "Heh. It's about damn time, too. I was wondering when he would start fighting his own battles."
"Yeah. He's normally relied on machines and others...now that he's with the Lost Thieves, he's going on his own merit." Jexi said laughing a bit.
"You sound happy, Jexi. Finally gonna have a chance to fight him properly, huh?" David asked.
"Properly...never cared about that. Just glad to have another bout with him." Jexi said smiling.
"Well, I know better than to stop you when it comes to something like that." David said. "After all, me and a certain someone here know that feeling, all too well." he said motioning to Cheetah.
"Uh...guys...we...have a visitor." Glimmer said coming in.
"Not now. We need to plan for Pugilis and fighting Gurdurr." Adora said.
"That's...just it. He's actually outside...like right now." Glimmer said.
"He's probably here for his injured men." Sectonia said.
"Well...can't keep him waiting." Ranma said as they walked out to see a muscular creature holding a large girder.
"So...you are the ones who have been collecting my soldiers." Gurdurr said. "I have one thing to say." he said before tossing his girder aside and falling to the floor. "Thank you...all so much."
"Er… You're welcome. We couldn't just leave them the way they were." Ramona said.
"I worried for them day and night when they never returned. You all are just...so incredible. I never thought they would come back but...you all just went and saved them." Gurdurr said.
"Sir...please don't disgrace yourself!" Pangoro said.
"No. I just sat back and did nothing while everyone else just went and fought on my behalf. It is completely inexcusable." Gurdurr said.
"We understand why you feel guilty. Your people were doing their best for you, and you believed they could fight. It is what you say it is. But a King can't be in his own guilt forever. A king must be strong, willing to lead his people even from defeat. I know you can do that because I see you're a great leader." Hope said. "Huh?" he said seeing Gurdurr asleep.
"Sorry...fell asleep during that sappy yet beautiful speech of his. I would like to repay all of you somehow." Gurdurr said. "Name it. Anything."
"Uh…" Jexi said before seeing the others get rid of the attack plans. "How about we make peace?"
"Hmm...okay. I suppose that's worth it for saving all of my men." Gurdurr said.
"Gotta say, this was quite an unexpected turn of events." David said.
"I know. Kinda glad we didn't go through with the...attack." Jexi whispered.
"I know. I would've felt guilty after all of that." David whispered before going back to his normal tone. "Still, it won't be long now. I can feel it. For this redux...The final battle is upon us."
"Yeah...seems we've almost reached the final chapter." Jexi said. "Looking forward to it."