Éclair held up the ancient book as the men ran toward the Salamander Sphinx. She hadn't felt this much pressure on her since the Century Soup, but still there was no comparison. Ever since her adventure in Ice Hell, big responsibilities didn't seem to compare somehow. She looked at the page and yelled to the men, "Step 1, you listening guys!?" Toriko dodged the attacks from the powerful beast, "We're ready. Tell us what to do!" The girl nodded, "Okay, I need you to equally hammer every inch of its body, key word equally! It's like tenderizing!" Zebra smirked, "Stand back Toriko, I've got this." Éclair covered her hears, "Oh boy." She ducked behind a rock as he released the Sound Bazooka from his throat. It was still as powerful as it's ever been. She flipped back to the right page once the blast was over, "Okay, the next step is, in the center of its chest. I need you to hit the pit of its stomach. Hit it hard, but with a bit of restraint!" The girl smiled as she watched her instructions go according to plan. "I should become a cooking instructor, ha!"
The Salamander Sphinx began to claw at the men sending them back a bit. Éclair looked at the men, "You guys alright? These instructions are about to start getting a little dicey so be careful guys." Toriko nodded, "Just tell us what to do." "I need you to get some of the scales off its back. Not too many, but some." The bluenette ran back to the large beast and jumped on its back. Using his Leg Knife he was able to kick some of the scales off the Salamander Sphinx's back, but he looked exhausted after he did. Éclair was definitely worried about her partner at this point. He had never been this gassed at the start of a fight. She knew asking him to take a break would be useless though. He wanted to get the Mellow Cola as much as herself and Zebra, so she wouldn't stop instructing. "Good, now stimulate its feet. Starting from the front right leg, work your way clockwise." She was happy to see that Zebra and Toriko shared the weight of the tasks. It was at that point that she truly realized why they needed Zebra on this trip. "I need you 2 to pluck a feather from each wing at the same time!" She huffed as she was beginning to get tired. "It's as if I truly am cooking it. Such tiring work." She pointed, "Hey look, the eyes are getting watery!" Éclair smiled, "Please hang in there. We're getting close, but there are still a ton of pages with instructions left."
If the preparation were timed, hours would have been clocked. It seemed like one of the most on edge preparations she ever went through. Zebra sent his last attack, and the pages about the Salamander Sphinx preparation was over. She smiled as the tear built up. It finally let the tears roll down and Éclair smiled, "Cry, go ahead. Release yourself of the pain!" All of the Cola gushed out and it looked like a beautiful fountain. She smiled, "It's beautiful! Oh Koma-chan is not gonna believe~" Her words stopped as her breath was taken away. Her feet were lifted from the ground and a hand hit her from behind her back so hard you could swear it was seen from the front. Blood shot from the girl's mouth and her eyes looked at Toriko and Zebra. A tear rolled down her cheek as her limp body fell to the ground. She could hear the voice of Toriko shouting her name before the world turned black.
Though she was knocked out, she could still hear the fight going on around her. More than anything, she just wanted to wake up. It was weird, she knew she wasn't dead, but she was completely unconscious. She felt trapped inside her own body and there was nothing she could do about it. Hearing the yells and struggling of her partner was agonizing. She just wanted it to end. Every second felt like a minute. Her eyes finally cracked open and she saw that the fight was still continuing. She could move, but she decided not to. She didn't want to get involved. They needed something to fight for and motivate them, if it was her, she'd continue to play dead. It was unclear how long she was down for, but it had to have been a while. Zebra spoke of the footsteps of the grim reaper, and she knew it was over. The girl smiled as it was done. "She's alive." Toriko looked at Zebra confusingly, "Huh?" "The other one we thought was dead." The bluenette looked in the girl's direction and smiled, "Éclair! Are you alright?" She looked up at the man with a grin on her face, "Yeah. I'm faultless." He picked up the girl and hugged her tightly. He noticed her skin glowed a strange color. The man looked behind him, "Zebra?" "I clad her in another sound armor stronger than the first just in case anything happened while we fought the Salamander Sphinx. Even with that, I thought you were dead." She released from Toriko and hugged the other man, "Thank you Zebra." She quickly released as she knew the man wasn't one for affection. Éclair snickered as she looked back at Toriko, "I guess we know who the biggest softy of all is."
She looked at the men as their fatigue began to set in. "What happened to the Mellow Cola? Did you drink it?" Toriko shook his head, "No. We weren't able to get it. The bird got to it before us." The girl smiled, "Perfect! Not that the Mellow Cola isn't good, but before I blacked out, I read the last page on the Mellow Cola. The first stream of tears is very delicious, but it's not the main Cola. By that, I mean it's just releasing the toxins from its eyes. What comes next is even sweeter. Look at him, it's coming soon." Toriko looked at the Salamander Sphinx, "How do you know it didn't come out yet?" "This place would be flooded. If all the Cola came out, I would have drowned already." The Salamander Sphinx roared and the tears spurted from its eyes. It was a sight even more beautiful than before. The girl danced around in the Cola. She stuck her tongue out and tasted the drink of legends. "It's so good. The carbonation reminds me of pop rocks! This sweetness is so overwhelming. I don't think I've had a drink this good before! I love it!" She looked at Toriko and the man was literally glowing. She ran over to the man and splashed him with the drink, "Toriko! I love this drink!" He splashed her back as they enjoyed the glorious Cola.
"I have decided." The two turned to Zebra. "I will be adding Mellow Cola to my Full Course Menu. What do you think, girl? You're gonna form a combo now right?" Her eyes amplified as she didn't think he'd bring it up this soon. Toriko was surprised by the words Zebra spoke. Éclair looked toward the ground, "Um, you see, I love the Mellow Cola, I do. But I can't decide off just a drink." "What are you tryna pull girl!" She shook her head, "Nothing, nothing!" The blue haired man put his hand on her shoulders, "What the hell are you guys talking about?" The girl's guilty eyes looked at Toriko, "Well, to be honest with you Toriko, I didn't think I'd have to have this conversation with you, so I don't know how to put this." She closed her eyes and blurted out, "I told Zebra I'd be his combo partner if he helped us get the Mellow Cola!" "What!" "I'm sorry Toriko!" She twiddled her thumbs, "It's just, you said it yourself, we needed his help. There were many conditions to this partnership that I will stand by, but when it comes down to it, it's you menu against his. The one with the greatest menu is who I will pair with." She put her hands in Toriko's, "I know, it will be you. I trust, believe in, and admire you. Not only will your menu win, it will be the greatest in the world. In the meantime, I am your partner Toriko." Her freckled face turned back to Zebra, "But should Zebra's menu rein superior, I will stay true to his conditions." The girl smiled as she splashed the bluenette, "Now come on, we've got Cola to collect!" Toriko nodded, "You're right." Zebra walked up to the girl as she pulled out her Rubber Backpack, "Hurry up girl. We've got a party to attend, and you're cooking." He picked up the dead bird creature, "One last thing girl. I want you to cook this up too. I wanna eat it." She nodded her head eerily, "Got it."
She smiled again as she started to suck up the Cola with her feet firmly planted on the ground. The girl looked at Toriko, "Hey, how are we gonna get this outta here? I can't carry this." Zebra put the backpack on, "Let's get out of here." The girl nodded, "Yeah!" She set the handle on the ground and ran over to the Salamander Sphinx. "Thank you Salamander Sphinx. Your tears have brought us joy, and I promise to spread that joy beyond these pyramid walls. I am forever grateful for this wonderful gift. See ya later." Toriko grabbed the girl's hand and ran with her, "Quit your monologuing Éclair! Look at his face, he's ready to kill us again!" The girl shrieked, "Yeah, it's best we leave, like now! I wanna get back to the hotel and do some studying."
The blond girl walked into her kitchen and dragged a bag in. "Okay staff, I've got some extra special guests visiting today, and I want this food do be finger licking good, as usual." She heaved the bag onto the counter and exhaled, "Phew, that bag was heavy." Komatsu fanned the girl, "What's in the bag Éclair?" "Rice from the desert. I had a great adventure Komatsu. The Gourmet Pyramid was no joke, I must say. In the end, things were very nice though. Surprisingly Zebra was a great traveling companion." The boy gasped, "Zebra, like the vicious Heavenly King?" "Pshhh, yeah right. When it comes down to it, he's a pretty good guy. He protected me from the burning sun, would a vicious man do that?" Komatsu sighed, "I don't know Éclair. Is he one of these special guests you spoke of?" The girl shrugged, "I can't tell you. It's a surprise. Now get this rice started, they'll be here in a couple hours."
The girl started to cook the food but her eyes couldn't come off the ancient cookbook she found in the pyramid. 'I love that everything worked out. That little shanty town is getting more visitors since Toriko brought back food from the other deserts. I got this amazing book, and seems like I don't have to be so on edge around Zebra anymore. He acts like he's so tough, but I have a feeling it's not who he really is. I mean, it was his idea to go to the rice desert. I don't know if it was because he overheard me talking about it in the kitchen, or if it was for the townspeople, but I'd like to think it was for a cause greater than himself. For that Zebra, I give humble thanks.'
The girl felt a tap on her shoulder, "You're special guests have arrived." She clapped her hands and ran out the kitchen, "Toriko, Zebra! It's good to see you guys!" She gave the blue haired man a hug, "I have prepared your food. My staff and I are honored to have you. Hope you enjoy everything." Zebra leaned close to her, "Don't get cocky girl." She shook her head, "I wasn't." He began to walk off and she sighed, "I can't win with him." "Ah, it's okay Éclair. He's just embarrassed. Ever since you cooked for him at Honey Prison he's become a huge fan and he's afraid to admit it." The girl grabbed her cheeks, "Aww, that's kind of sweet. That make this meal more meaningful, don't you think?" Before he could answer, the 2 saw a sprinting Zebra coming for Toriko's head. The blond girl backed off and looked at the scared guests fleeing. She sighed, "I can't believe them. Not in my place of work!"
The men were calmed and seated as Éclair served them their food. She dabbed her forehead with her sleeve, "I hope you guys enjoy the food as much as I enjoyed making it." She ran back to her kitchen and clapped her hands, "Okay staff, keep the food coming. I want all hands on deck. We've got 2 heavy hitters with huge appetites. I wanna see dishes leaving this kitchen every minute." She looked at Komatsu, "Cooking for these men is tiring work." She smiled, "But I love it. I love cooking for my partner because I know he appreciates my food more than anyone I know." The boy smiled, "Sounds like you guys are very close." She nodded, "We are. We're as close as Ootake and I used to be." Komatsu's eyes amplified, "Really?" "Well, it's a different friendship, I don't know. You just confused me!" Komatsu lifted his eyebrows, "I've just never heard you compare him to anyone before, that's all." She paused for a moment. It was true. She had never compared anyone to the man, and even though they hadn't talked in a long time, she still held very close to her heart. "Um, I'm gonna ask the guys how they like their meal."
She left the kitchen with rosy cheeks, "Toriko, Zebra, how do you like your meal?" Toriko turned to the girl, "I love it Éclair! This is great!" The other king looked back at her, "That thing. Why didn't you cook it?" She shook her head, "There was no way I could. It's completely inedible." "I'll take that thing off your hands." She looked behind her and it was the Director himself. "Hey, what an honor to have you at my restaurant Mansom." The man smiled, "Hey, you just called me handso~" "She didn't." The girls blue eyes looked at the man who cut off the director. She grinned largely, "Speaking of handsome!" The man spoke again, "I am the Director of the IGO Defense Bureau, Ray." Toriko stood up and looked at Mansom, "You know something about that thing?" He nodded, "Yes, were taking it so we can investigate."
Éclair was still looking at Ray as a man in all red approached her, "That thing, it's in the kitchen correct." Her eyes looked way up at him, "Uh, it's um~" "It's mine!" Zebra got into the man's face. Mansom shook his head, "You can't take him Zebra. That's Rapp of the 0th Biotope." Éclair looked at the man, "0th? But Toriko, you told me there was only 1-18." The bluenette nodded, "That's what I always thought." Mansom continued, "You're right, there is 1-18, but that's for the Human World. The 0th is in the Gourmet World." The blond girl put a hand over her mouth, "There's an IGO research facility in the Gourmet World? This guy must be pretty powerful to be part of that." The bald man nodded, "Yes, but they are just powerful civilians to put it bluntly. Yosaku and Sharpener Melk the First are members as well."
Zebra turned his anger back onto Rapp, "You're a comrade of Yosaku!? Come on then! Give me your best shot!" Éclair stepped in the middle, "Wait please, don't fight. It's senseless." She looked over at Mansom, "Can you please tell us why you're really here? What the hell is that bird thing and why do you want it? It's not everyday this restaurant gets a visit from 2 Directors of the IGO. Please, be honest." The man sighed, "You are too sharp for your own good Éclair. It's called a Nitro. Their species are hundreds of millions of years old. They are ferocious creatures with appetites greater than that of humans. They are attracted to the most delicious foods. We know the Bishokukai are involved in this because the Nitro's are the keys to finding God." The girl put a hand over her mouth, "Are you serious?" The man nodded, "Yes, and the boss of the Bishokukai, Midora, he's getting the greatest foods from around the world to attract the Nitro. The GT Robots were even modeled after them. If they get God, another Gourmet War will start surely." Toriko shook his head, "But if we get God and share it, there will be no war. I'll see to it that happens." The girl nodded, "Yeah! Me too!"