Chapter 26 Sugino is back
Authors note: I will try to diverge my story from the manga as much as possible. Although the part that I'm at right now isn't really going to be that interesting I still have a ways to go to get to Zofis and then Faludo and then the Clear note arc which might be longer than the Manga arc. Thank you Jackson for giving me Sugino partner's name.
It was a hot afternoon Kiyo was out school. Zatch decided to skip a day of training with his brother and go explore the city, Zeno spent his time torturing Naomi.
Zatch was walking down the street when he came by a preschool with the teachers teaching the kids a dance.
"1, 2, 3, 4" The teacher said trying to sing it out and the kids did some dance, Zatch did the same. "Ok tomorrow we will do the chicken dance" the teacher said
"Singing and dancing what a great way to learn… I wonder if Zeno would like to do this." Zatch said to himself, and then he imagined Zeno doing a chicken dance; which made Zatch giggle, Zatch then walked off trying to entertain himself a while longer.
Meanwhile an old Mamodo team came back to town after being kicked out.
"Why do we have to come here of all places" Haru asked, while he and Sugino walked into Botanical Gardens
"Because I don't know where Zeno or Zatch lives at… Plus we can at least try to make amends" Sugino explained, and then examined his surroundings.
The duo walked up to the manger Tsukushi.
"Hi is there anything you need" Tsukushi asked then turned around to see who it was. "…It's you" Tsukushi responded while remembering how much damage the duo caused.
"Please don't scream" Sugino pleaded
"SOME HELP" Tsukushi yelled running away; unfortunately there weren't any other costumers inside the Green house.
Haru pulling out the green book "do you want me to slow her down" Haru ask with the green book giving off a bright glow.
"Don't you dare" Sugino responded then started to chase after Tsukushi, Haru ended up following.
"Get the hell out of here" Tsukushi yelled trying to find some sort of weapon. "You have guts coming back here you know" Tsukushi said picking up a shovel
"Can we at least talk" Sugino asked while blocking a blow given by Tsukushi with a shovel.
Tsukushi Kept on swinging and made no direct hit since Sugino would either block or dodge the swings thrown at him. After about 5 minutes later with Sugino pleading for Tsukushi to stop and Tsukushi not listening, she finally wore herself out.
"What… do you… want with me" Tsukushi asked finally ready to listen
Sugino was slow to approach the women with the shovel "Like I've been trying to say… I would like to say sorry, so I'm sorry" Sugino apologized
"Are we done here" Haru asked still holding the book
"Shut up and put that away" Sugino yelled at Haru
"It's a little late to be saying sorry" Tsukushi said in anger
"Listen I will help you rebuild your garden" Sugino was trying really hard.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're hiding something" Tsukushi lifting the shovel ready for another swing.
"That's why I need to be here, I need to talk with Zeno. Without his brother trying to kill me" Sugino explained
"Oh so it's about them" Tsukushi said with sarcasm
"Just let me help… I will even use my powers to speed up the process" Sugino offered. "In return I would like for you to tell me where Zatch and Zeno live" Sugino requested shrugging his shoulders.
Tsukushi thought about it for a moment "Fine you have a deal, plant user" Tsukushi
Sugino took the shovel from Tsukushi and started digging. 20 minutes later Sugino was able to plant a tree "Haru" Sugino yelled
"Right" Haru pulled out the green book and poured his heart energy through it causing it to glow.
Sugino's hands started glowing and he placed them on the young tree, within a few moments the tree started to grow by feet.
"What a waste of skill" Haru sighed
"We'll be here all day with that attitude" Sugino retorted, with that Sugino start on his second one, with all the while Tsukushi was watching over the both of them.
Meanwhile Zatch was planning on having his lunch in a peaceful place.
"Botanical garden here I come" Zatch said then entered through the doors of Botanical gardens.
"Ok its ready" Sugino said when he finished putting in another plant.
Haru didn't respond he just poured energy into the book giving Sugino the ability to use his natural talents.
Zatch saw a bright glow and sensed a Mamodo's presence. "Not again" Zatch growled then started to run in that direction; jumping through the bushes and around trees
"Done" Sugino said then started digging again
"Bastard" Zatch shouted jumping out of the bushes and then landed a punch to Sugino face that sent Sugino to the ground.
"Z…Zatch" Sugino said trying to get up
Zatch didn't give Sugino time to react, Zatch landed a side kick to Sugino's stomach; Tsukushi is in the bathroom so she doesn't know what's going on.
"Sugino" Haru yelled as he flipped through the pages
"Don't" Sugino yelled, sticking his arm out at his partner.
"I thought my brother taught you a lesion last time" Zatch yelled as he made direct hit to Sugino's temple (head)
Sugino was dazed seeing two Zatch's "It isn't what it looks like" Sugino said in a groggy voice.
Zatch didn't fully understand what Sugino said so he kept on wailing on him, Zatch got in a few more good punches until Sugino finally tackled Zatch down.
"Haru help me out here" Sugino demanded as he and Zatch were on the ground wrestling to gain the upper hand.
Haru too jumped on Zatch and held his legs down.
"Just because Kiyo isn't here doesn't mean I will let you win" Zatch yelled while trying to get loose
"Will you listen to me for a second, I need to talk to Zeno" Sugino yelled
"I'll give him the message when I burned your book" Zatch responded the used his cloak to throw Sugino and Haru off of him. Zatch picked up the shovel that Sugino was using to dig "You were told not to come back" Zatch yelled then charged Sugino with the shovel.
"Sugino I won't let this go on any longer" Haru stated
"GO ahead and cast a spell" Sugino yelled now afraid of Zatch that he might bury him.
"Juron" Haru shouted with the glowing green book.
Sugino had two roots pop out of the ground and entangling Zatch in a tight grip but not tight enough to hurt him
"You think this will hold me" Zatch asked with his cloak waving franticly and his eyes full of determination.
"What is going on" Tsukushi yelled then punched Sugino in the head
"He started it" Both boys said at the same time.
"He was attacking your plants" Zatch responded while trying to get loose of the roots.
"He tried to kill me" Sugino retorted
"Wait why isn't Tsukushi scared of Sugino?" Zatch asked now putting the pieces together.
"He's working for me" Tsukushi answered
Zatch had a shocked, and what do I say face.
"Looks like you're finally getting the picture" Sugino said then released Zatch from the roots grip which retreated back into the ground.
"Fine I'll listen" Zatch sat down with a pouty face, and he was even more upset to find his lunch ruined and crushed by Sugino's spell.
"I needed to talk to Zeno and you, but I will wait until Zeno gets here" Sugino stated
"I'm already here" Zeno came up walking behind them with Kiyo and Dufort
"I only wanted to" Sugino was cut off
"Speak" Kiyo shouted with a near oni face on, which scared Sugino.
"Well i was just kicked out of Europe you see" Sugino explained knowing what their response would be.
"What did you do this time" Zeno sighed
"Nothing" Sugino replied with a hint of anger. "Listen Europe has some trouble some Mamodo there so I had to retreat for the time being" Sugino stated
"Are you telling me that you ran away" Zeno was getting mad at Sugino
"I'm not strong enough to fight Brago by myself" Sugino admitted
"What are the others" Kiyo asked referring to when Sugino said some.
"One is Baltro, he lives in a castle and he used his minions to deforest the entire area around his castle… So I can't fight against him" Sugino explained. "Not only that but he's been terrorizing the local residence, If you think what I did was bad then you should get a view of this guy's handy work" Sugino stated.
Everyone stood there silent for a moment waiting for a response from either Zeno or Zatch.
"… What do you think Zatch, should we let him stay in town" Zeno asked his brother who was still sitting down.
"I let all of my anger out on him; He also was able to escape Brago." Zatch said still thinking. "You have to keep rebuilding and improve upon Botanical Gardens then I will allow you to stay." Zatch approved of letting Sugino stay.
"Looks like coming here was worth it after all" Haru said amazed
"It doesn't mean we like you two" Kiyo stated giving Haru a dirty look.
"What about you?" Haru asked looking at Dufort
"Doesn't matter either way" Dufort stated the truth then started to walk back home.
"Don't just stand there keep working" Tsukushi demanded and forced Haru and Sugino to fix the somewhat permanent that they created
"Come on Zatch we're leaving" Kiyo said and Zatch started to follow Kiyo back home, last person to leave was Zeno.
"Don't mess this up" Zeno told Sugino yet not glancing at him. "Bye" Zeno said in a stern yet happy voice, he then used his cloak to teleport home to beat everyone else there first.
"Do you think it was wise to come here" Haru asked while digging a hole.
"It was either this or being chased by Baltro's knights… Since I like working in a garden" Sugino said with a slight smile.