The girl was in the kitchen singing away. "Glad Toriko was 'helpful' enough to tell me what this guy likes. Well, it doesn't even matter! I will make the most spectacular food ever!" As she cooked she was in her own world once again. For a second, she almost forgot she was in a prison. She brought the food out and began to place the dishes on the table. The girl looked around, "Where's the guest of honor?" Toriko pointed toward the hall, "He's going to say goodbye to the other inmates." The girl frowned, "Seriously, that's kind of weird. ~But then again, having a prison release party in a prison is abnormal too." "By say goodbye, I mean he's going to kill them. All the inmates that ever talked bad about him." As she went to place another plate down, she froze, "Are you~ Really?" She shook her head, "He is really sensitive. People talk about me all the time. I'm not gonna kill them for it though." Toriko raised an eyebrow, "You might want to be careful about what you say. He's got some sharp ears and a short fuse. Of the kings, he's the most belligerent."
The girl heard laughter over her shoulder. She looked over to see Zebra with blood all over his body. Her eyes scanned the man and she handed him a napkin, "You might want this. You've got a little spot~ This is what happens you go picking fights huh?" He closed in on the girl, "It's not my blood so pipe down or I'll eat you." The girl backed away from the man, "Whoa, no need for all of that!" Toriko grabbed the man's head and Éclair made her 'escape' from the man. She went over to warden Love. "You like that guy? Look at him, it's been all of one minute and he's fighting Toriko." The woman smiled, "Like I said, he's the perfect strike to my tastes." The small woman shook her head, "I suppose I better break this up now."
The woman got out of her seats, "Calming Pheromones! ~Come on boys, no fighting at the table, okay?" Toriko was flustered once again, but Zebra didn't seem to much care. Éclair sighed, "They guy picks up on the smallest details, but he doesn't know when a girl likes him. What a shame." She sat down and grabbed a plate far away from the delinquent, "Mm, I must say, that knife has truly improved my cooking. I'm so happy." The group was talking and she was just sitting and enjoying her food. "I wish I could have cooked more, that was so much fun!"
"You really cooked this?" She nodded and looked to see Zebra snuck up on her again. She got flustered all over again, "Was it to your liking?" The man didn't answer, but frown at her, "Don't get cocky girl. If there's one thing I hate it's people getting cocky. It makes me want to crush their skulls and beat them til there's nothing left." She looked over her shoulder as if he was talking to someone behind her. "Uh, me? Cocky? I'm not cocky I just know when I'm good at things. So I'm sorry if I came off as cocky, I didn't mean to upset you." "So you did get cocky!?" She shook her head, "No, I literally just explained that. I wasn't getting cocky!"
Oban walked in being the bearer of bad news, "Warden Love, it seems the Forest Goblin has appeared." Love sighed, "What a bother. It comes once every year during monster season and destroys everything in its path." Love looked at the girl, "Don't look so confused. Have you ever heard of the Death Season Forest?" The girl shook her head and Oban continued where Love left off, "There is magma, mist, freeze and monster season. Like I said, we couldn't greet you 2 because of the turning of the season. I think Zebra's release should be delayed until the season turns again. The Forest Goblin~" "Is getting cocky!" Éclair looked at Zebra as he climbed out a window and went outside. "Is he insane!? He's gonna die!"
Toriko shook his head, "That's highly unlikely. Out of the Four Kings, he may be the most belligerent, but he is also the most powerful. Besides his raw power, he has very keen ears. He could hear a coin drop from miles away. The main problem is his appetite though. When he finds a species he likes or one that gets on his nerves, he will eat it into extinction. That was his crime, eating 26 species into extinction." The girl put her hands over her mouth, "Really? He comes off as a nonchalant killer, but I didn't know it was that extreme." The bluenette nodded, "Yes, and out of all the creatures outside, the one who should be feared most is Zebra." The man yelled from outside, "Thunder Noise!" Éclair ducked behind the window and screamed, "He's so reckless! My ears feel like they're burning from the inside out!" The thunder finally stopped and the girl looked at the damage, "Scary~" The half naked man looked inside, and whispered, "My voice is shot. After I eat these guys, I wanna quench my throat." Toriko smiled, "Yeah, let's go get some Cola!" The girl looked at Toriko, "Cola? That's what we're traveling to the Gourmet Pyramid for? The man nodded, "Yup, Mellow Cola." The girl jumped onto the man and smiled largely, "Oh let's hurry! I didn't know it was Mellow Cola! I'm so keyed up now!"
The group set off in a Lift House on the way to the Sand Garden. Éclair carried 2 plates of food and brought it to the table, "Boys, the food is ready!" "It's about damn time!" The girl folded her arms and mumbled, "I hate traveling with this guy. He never says thank you." The looked at his face, "Toriko, I thought you said you were gonna sew his face?" The man frowned, "I did, but this bastard can't control himself and ruined it!" The men started to fight and the girl sighed, "They keep fighting. I don't want this to continue on or I might consider jumping out of the Lift House." She walked back into the kitchen and sighed, "At least I finally get a break." "Éclair, seconds!" She rolled her eyes, "What am I, a slave?" She walked back into the living room and set down their food. "Okay boys, let's set down some ground rules, yeah?" She looked at Toriko, "You need to calm down and stop breaking things." She looked at Zebra, "You are going to get your cheek sewn and keep it sewn! ~if that's okay."
The large man stood up over the girl, "Are you getting carried away girl?" She shook her head, "No, I am firmly planted. No carrying away is happening here." He took a bite of his food, "Good, because to survive, you need to think of me as an environment. If you can't adapt to the Zebrascape, you'll go extinct." "Don't listen to him Éclair. Take all that talk with a grain of sand." He turned to the blue haired man, "You need to adapt too Toriko!" The girl began to back out slowly and Zebra looked at the girl, "Where are you going?" She smiled nervously, "Just going to read in the kitchen. ~Away from here. ~In a corner." He picked up the needle and thread and tossed it to the girl. Éclair frowned, "I have to sew your face?" "If you screw this up I'll devour you." She sighed, "Okay, please sit and I'll get started." As she entered the needle into his skin, the man didn't even flinch. It was a little scary for him not to react to the mini operation. 'Why did I let him make me do this? My hand is steady, but I'm nervous. He's gonna kill me if I mess up. What do I do when I'm done? I think if I just leave, it'll be okay.' "Success, you're all done. Please be careful with the stitching. If they tear again it'll be quite painful."
Without saying anything else, she left the living room and went back into the kitchen. She opened a magazine and started to read, "There is a desert made of rice and black sugar. I wish I could get some rice from that desert for Vanilla. I would love to surprise her with it after all she's done for me." She began to drool as she continued to read, "There's a desert full of diamonds? That's my dream proposal. Whisk me away to the diamond desert and ask me to marry you! Eeep! How romantic!" She held the magazine close to her chest, "When do I get my proposal?" "Girl, I need thirds!" She sighed as she set the magazine down. "I'm not gonna make it through this month." She stuck out her tongue, "Coming! ~30 days can't come soon enough."
They finally reached the Sand Garden and the girl sighed, "I'm so happy to be out of that lift house." She looked over and saw Zebra already starting trouble when he got out. She looked up at Toriko, "I'm gonna be honest with you Toriko. For a month I took orders from a man I don't really know. He kinda pissed me off the whole ride, and he really bugs me! Toriko I know he's your friend, but I'm not kissing anymore ass! He may be frightening, but I'm done! I think his crimes were heinous, and if you ask me, he should still be locked up." She huffed as she finally got out a month worth of venting. Her face turned red from the built up rage. The man pat her back and smiled, "Don't worry Éclair, I completely agree, but we need his strength for the Gourmet Pyramid " She calmed down a bit, "You do? That's good because I just wanted to do right by your friend. ~Plus he's pretty intimidating. But I don't care anymore. I'm just going to speak my mind, and if I die oh well." He laughed, "You won't die." She nodded, "Yes I am, he heard every word I just said, I'm sure of it." "Trust me, he's not going to kill you." He waved her over, "Come on, let's go rent some camel's for the trip."
They were in a ghost town getting ready to rent camels. Éclair looked around, "This place is so empty." An old woman nodded, "Yes, our town in recent days was ruined by disputes, but thanks to one man it's over. Unfortunately though, our town doesn't get much business because of all the monsters left to eat our deserts. Our town is always under attack, so I can only recommend the deserts where that doesn't occur." "Hey Toriko! Don't go leaving me!" As Zebra showed up, a group of people surrounded him "It's Zebra-sama!" "Our savior!" Éclair frowned, "What the hell kind of reaction is that?" The old woman looked at the girl, "Zebra-sama is our savior. Tens of thousands of lives were lost before he saved us." The woman was brought to tears as she spoke of it. Éclair smiled, "Maybe I don't give Zebra enough credit, but I haven't seen such a side." Just as looked out at the desert, an Eight-Tailed Scorpion paid a visit to the small town. It closed in on a small girl in the way. "Voice Cutter!" She watched as the man saved the girl from certain death. The group started to cheer for the man and crowd him once again. Toriko smiled, "That's what I didn't mention. The species he wiped out were what you'd call menaces to society. They were very dangerous, and even though it doesn't make it right, he did take out life threatening creatures." The girl smirked, "So he's a murderer with morals? Yeah, how about you go get the camels, and I'll stand her reevaluating what morals are." The man smiled, "Alright, I'll be right back."
"I heard everything you said girl. You don't like me? You don't like how I go about things? You got cocky and just talked behind my back!" Her eyes nearly jumped out from her skull as the man snuck up on her for a 3rd time. She twiddled her thumbs, "Listen Zebra, you're a straight shooter, so I'm not going to lie to you. I did talk about you knowing full well that you would hear me. So yes, I got cocky." "You're really bold you know that girl! It's been a long time since I've seen someone as honest as you." She folded her arms and looked away from the man, "Look, I apologize. I was just mad because I couldn't speak my mind that whole trip. I feel like I wasn't even acknowledged for anything good." She rolled her eyes, "Ugh, like you give a damn." The man knelt to her eye level, "You know, the cockiest thing you can do is talk shit behind someone's back and then suck up to their face." He bursted out with laughter and further confused the girl. He continued, "You're too honest. Tell a lie every now and then kid." She smiled, "I can't promise that."
"Alright, I'll forgive your rudeness this once, but on one condition." She raised an eyebrow, "A condition to be forgiven? What is this condition?" "I never accepted a reward for this trip." He pointed at the girl, "You have to cook for me. Whatever and whenever I want." She rolled her eyes, "What kind of condition is that? Well if that's your condition, I have one of my own. You can't just recklessly kill ingredients. If you're going to eat them, fine, but if not, leave them alone. I don't wanna see anymore dead ingredients that go unused." "Fine, I have another condition, the food you cook me will be for free." She shrugged, "I already assumed you were asking for a free meal, so fine. My condition to that is that you must supply the ingredients." The man growled, "Alright, then my condition is, you can't act cocky toward me ever again!" "I wasn't planning on it! But that just reminded me, I have another condition!" Zebra raised his voice, "What gives you the right to have another condition!" "The same right as you, now are you going to listen to this or not!?" ~"Éclair, Zebra! The camel's are ready, let's go!" The girl looked over at Toriko and nodded, "We better get a move on."
"Fine, but I have one last condition. You. After we get the Mellow Cola, form a combo with me. You're far better adapted to me than Toriko. We'd be the ultimate combo, I am certain." She was lost for words. She wanted to reply but she knew her words would come out meshed. "I uh. I don't know what to say. I knew Toriko for a very long time before he asked me to form a combo. I've been around you for a month, but I don't really know you. I feel like if I said yes it's like cheating." She smiled, "Tell me your full course menu Zebra. That's my condition. I need to see it." He stopped and pondered, "I don't have one." "You're kidding! All Bishokuya should aspire to complete their full course menu." He folded his arms, "Don't lump me in with those bastards." "I'm not lumping you in with anyone. I'm just saying it's admirable when a Bishokuya has their full course menu completed. It shows that they were determined to finish the goal they set. I'll tell you what, come up with a menu yourself, and if it stands up to Toriko's I will form a combo with you. But I know that Toriko's menu will supersede all. I told him that I'd walk through fire with him to cook the ingredients he captured, and I stand by those words. Let's see if I feel the same about your menu." "Hmph, me against Toriko? Fine, I'll make the ultimate full course!" She tapped the man's arm, "You better get to work big boy, I wanna be impressed." She looked back at him sincerely, "I am very serious about that first condition though. If even 1 ingredient get's killed and wasted, the deal is off."
The three were off into the desert riding their Reservoir Camels. The girl wiped the sweat from her forehead, "I'd rather run a marathon than be in this heat. My skin does way better in the cold. I'm going to peel." Toriko looked back at the girl, "Keep hydrated Éclair. The second you feel yourself getting thirsty, it'll be too late." She jumped down from the camel and poured the water into a bottle. As the girl took a drink, she felt significantly better. "That was refreshing." She hopped back on the camel and they continued on. She looked back at Zebra's camel, "Why does he get the cool purple camel, and we're stuck with the standard?" The bigger man replied, "It's because I'm an adult and I want to enjoy some wine on this journey." She sucked her teeth, "I'm an adult too." Toriko laughed, "Yeah, you're more of an adult than him. He can't hold his liquor." The man continued to drink his wine, "How about you say that to my face Toriko. I'll kick your ass." The girl propped up, "No! No one is kicking anyone's anything! How about we just lighten up the mood with a song, yes? 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer~" As she inhaled to start singing and the camels stopped walking.
Out of the sand jumped a frenzy of sharks. Éclair put her hands over her head, "If you didn't wanna hear the song you could have just said no!" Zebra yawned, "Boring. ~Weak Point Voice!" The girl looked at him but she couldn't hear a thing. The Desert Sharks jumped back into the sand and swam away." The blond girl raised an eyebrow, "Okay, I'm confused. I know I don't have ear's like Zebra, but I didn't hear anything." "You weren't supposed to. Zebra just transmitted a sound that only the sharks could hear. Something that they hate. It's the equivalent to nails on a chalkboard to us." She laughed, "So it looks like they hated his voice more than mine haha! Looks like I just got a green light to continue! 98 bottles of beer on the wall, 98 bottles of beer~" The group continued through the extreme weather changes. It became hotter at times, then colder. The wind picked up, and sometimes it would stop all together. "1 last bottle of beer on the wall, 1 last bottle of beer, you take one down pass it around, 1 last bottle of beer on the wall." The girl gasped, "Oh my goodness. That was my first time finishing that song~ for the 7th time." She stretched her arms, "I'm so sleepy. Why'd you guys let me sing that stupid song this whole time?"
Toriko pulled over the camel and jumped off. "Let's get some rest then. We didn't stop you because, you're an adult, as you said. Plus you have a nice voice." She smiled, "Oh stop~ Tell me more!" She jumped off the camel and into the sand. "I need to get some sleep immediately, so I'm just going to head straight into the tent. After the camp was set up, the girl went into the tent and took off her backpack and went straight to sleep.
The next morning she was up bright and early. She looked around, and Toriko and Zebra stood outside of the tent waiting on the girl. She rubbed her bed head, "Did you guys get any sleep?" Toriko shook his head, "No, we just stopped for you." She lowered her eyebrows, "Well that just makes me feel bad. I'm sorry guys." The blunette shook his head, "It's okay. Your wellbeing is more important. But we do have to get a move on." She nodded as she brushed down her out of place hairs. "Okay, you're right. Back on the camel's we go."
The group traveled farther into the desert, and a gust of wind blew into them. Toriko looked at this cloth, "Red? We're close to the Red Desert!" Éclair smiled, "Yay!" The camel's walked over the horizon and the red sand was in their sights. She gasped, "I've never seen that before." Toriko looked back at the girl, "Consider yourself lucky. It's a sight that even many strong Bishokuya never get to see. It is known to many as the Bishokuya Graveyard." The girl smirked, "Well I know graveyards, and this looks like a sandbox. I'm ready to play." As the camel's stepped onto the red sand, the heat became extremely intense. She grabbed the canteen of water, "My throat is so dry." Her eyes enlarged from her own words. She remembered what Toriko told her about that. She tried to put the water to her lips, but it was too late. Her eyes closed as she lost consciousness. Her limp body fell off the side of the camel and her body got swept away by the wind. She'd not remember it, but her body traveled quite aways. She fell down into a deep hole and her body slid past countless monsters. They all drooled over her unconscious body, just waiting to eat it. Through a hole she fell, and she landed somewhat softly onto a light pile of sand. The water from the canteen was still in her hand. It spilled out onto the girl's stomach and started coming to.
She looked up and saw the rock walls around her. She drank the rest of the water and looked around. "I don't know where I am. Toriko? Zebra? ~The last thing I remember was seeing the Red Desert." She scooted up against a wall, "Toriko! Where are you?" As her voice carried through the room, it attracted a large beast. Her entire body was shaking from fear. If she scooted any closer to the wall, she'd be a part of it. Sweat began to form on her face as she looked away. Its roar sent chills up her spine. Her fear of the moment frightened her into paralysis. "Toriko!" She heard another voice behind her, "You lookin' to die?" The beast just as quickly backed up into the darkness once again.
The girl looked around, "I could have swore I heard~ Zebra?" The man's voice returned, "Listen girl, I'm gonna say this one time so pay attention. You're in the basement of the Gourmet Pyramid, and we just found the top. You've got 2 jobs right now girl, do everything you can to stay alive, and think of the food to prepare for the party after this trip." The girl smiled, "Count on it Zebra! I will think of a meal!" She looked at the darkness of the outer room, "Staying alive though. Sounds easier on paper."