Chapter 43 Cat and Mouse
Authors note: the votes have been casted. Zeno's favorite food is now Sword Fish, Marlin and is important to him to as much as Zatch loves Yellow Tail… I think I'm getting sick by eating too much popcorn… *blah*
Zatch, Zeno, Dufort and Kiyo including his mother Hanna were in the mountains of Japan in a hot spring resort
Zatch, Zeno, Dufort and Kiyo were also relaxing in the natural hot springs
"Look a monkey" Zatch pointed out a monkey hanging around a hot spring
"Those are called macaques" Kiyo explained
"Cool red face monkeys" Zatch stated, while leaning somewhat out of the hot spring
"Zeno… are you ok?" Kiyo asked Zeno who was beside his brother
"…fine… why do… you ask?" Zeno said in a mellowed out voice
"Your falling asleep and your face is pitch red" Kiyo responded looking at the silver haired boy with half of his face submerged in the water
"Kids aren't supposed to stay in the hot springs for too long" Dufort explained
"I'm fine" Zeno responded
"Well lets enjoy the Inn for a while it's really the best part, Zatch grab your brother" Kiyo ordered then got out of the hot spring
"Unu come on Zeno" Zatch said grabbing Zeno's hand forcing him to leave the hot spring
Flashback into how Zatch and the gang got a trip to the hot springs
Zatch and Zeno finished some errand for a clerk and handed the man some bags
"Thanks boys for running that errand for me, so in return I'll give you three lottery tickets as a bonus" the clerk offered
"Thanks" the twins accepted the offer
"The grand prize is a trip to the hot springs" the clerk explained
"Cool" the twins responded
"The second prize a flat screen" the clerk explained
"I want one" Zeno demanded
"The third prize is a sword fish" the clerk explained
"I need one" Zeno drooled
"And the fourth prize is a yellow tail" the clerk explained lastly
"OHHH" Zatch said full of hope
The twins ran over to the lottery machine and gave the staff worker their tickets
"Yellow tail, Yellow tail" Zatch repeated
"Sword fish, or at least a new T.V." Zeno begged
"Too bad you two lost, three tickets for three pieces of candy" the staff worker handed Zatch and Zeno candy
"NOOO" Zatch and Zeno cried then walked away disappointed
"Right next" the staff worker called out
A lady walks up "One turn please" the lady said
"A winner, the fourth prize yellow tail" the staff worker yelled and handed the women the yellow tail
"NOoOO" Zatch cried was even more upset
"It's ok Zatch I'll get you a yellow tail" Zeno said trying to cheer up his little brother
"We got a third and second prize winner right in a row" the staff worker yelled handing out a sword fish and a flat screen TV
"NOOOO" Zeno cried now devastated. "They only had one ticket" Zeno complained and was still watching the people with the 3rd and 2nd place prizes walk off
"You two didn't win" A large black man in a suit asked
"Yeah" the twins responded
"Another 4th prize winner" the staff worker yelled out giving another person a yellow tail
Zatch was about to cry even more
"Well then you two can have my prize" the large man offered
"Are you sure?" Zatch asked
"It's the grand prize to go to the hot springs" the man explained
"Why would someone give up a prize like that?" Zeno asked being suspicious
The man started to sweat "this old man needs to go back to Africa for his job" the man explained
"Is that right?" Zatch asked in a happy mood
"Sounds to convenient" Zeno retorted
"We…Well I have to pamphlets so you can bring up to 5 people, so please accept it" the man offered up to pamphlets to the boys.
"If that's the case… Thank you very much" Zatch accepted the gift and walked away with his brother.
"You don't think this is weird?" Zeno asked his brother
"Who cares we got the grand prize" Zatch said excited
Zeno stopped walking for a moment "he's got a point" Zeno admitted while scratching his head
End of Flash Back
"When is mother Hanna coming" Zatch asked, as the group entered their room wearing robes
"She's working right now so probably at night" Kiyo explained
"So what is there to do around here" Zeno asked a little bored but still relaxed
"Being in the mountains do is walk around" Kiyo explained
"Take a look at this" Dufort stated throwing Kiyo a map that was placed on the table
"A secret hot spring" Kiyo replied
"It's a trap" Dufort responded
"So the person who gave you two that prize was a book reader" Kiyo asked looking at the boys
"Told you it was too good to be true" Zeno stated and was poking Zatch in the side.
"Look on the bright side, we got the chance to go to a spring resort" Zatch said trying to look at the bright side.
"Well we better get going then" Kiyo responded
"Unu we have no choice, they might attack us in the resort if we don't go" Zatch said in a disappointed manner
"We better make sure that we are ready, bring food with us" Dufort stated
"Good idea" Kiyo said as he started packing for the battle ahead
"I wonder what for dinner?" Zeno wondered
"Marlin and yellowtail" Dufort answered
"Really" Zatch and Zeno said excited. "Come On the sooner we leave the better" The twins said in unison both wanting to be back before dinner time.
"It's this way" Kiyo said leading the gang
Garza seen Kiyo and the gang run out of the resort following a map
Garza was wearing a dear's hat and a traditional African hunter's attire and was standing beside a tiger looking mamodo with three tails
"A suspension bridge" Zeno stated looking at it
"Do we have a plan?" Zatch asked
"We will allow them to show themselves then take them out as quick as possible" Zeno responded
"Somehow I don't think it will be that easy like the rest" Kiyo explained
"They selected this spot for a reason, as soon as we go to the other side they will destroy this bridge" Dufort explained
"That doesn't matter I can teleport us back to the inn if we need to" Zeno responded in a calm manner. "Zatch we're going to double team this guy alright. We need to back as soon as possible" Zeno explained
"Unu teamwork" Zatch replied
"We will come up with a plan once we find out our opponents powers" Kiyo stated
"We're being followed" Dufort said not looking behind him
"We should cross already and let them make the first move" Zeno explained then crossed the old bridge at a decent pace, everyone else followed behind him
Meanwhile someone was watching Dufort and the gang crossing the bridge
"They crossed the bridge, all is going well" Garza said while watching Zatch and the gang go across the other side of the bridge.
"I thought they would be more cautious especially the pale one, their all idiots for as far as I can tell" Baransha said
"Yeah, but they seemed hesitant and the boy with the map didn't get confused once" Garza explained
Meanwhile with the gang
"Well this is the spot" Kiyo said looking at the map and was standing in the middle of the forest
"We should walk around a little, don't get separated" Dufort suggested
"Unu" Zatch responded and took the lead in front of the group.
"It looks like they caught on, right time to get started, aim at the Human with the black hair" Garza told Baransha, Baransha took aim from a cliff. "Wokeru" Garza recited from his spell book.
Garza shot an accurate Sound blast at Kiyo from faraway
"Kiyo move three feet to your left" Dufort ordered Kiyo
Kiyo did as he was told and dodged the sound blast which could've caused damage
"I didn't hear a spell so where are they?" Kiyo asked
Dufort pointed his finger in a direction and Zeno followed "Zakerga" Dufort recited out but putting very little energy into the attack
"What the?" Garza yelled as a fast but weak condensed lighting attack came at them.
"Dodge it Garza" Baransha responded, Baransha then grabbed his human partner and easily dodged the attack.
"Something is wrong they shouldn't have known where we were and that human shouldn't have been able to dodge our attack" Garza explained
"Shit it looks like they knew this was a trap all along" Baransha stated
Meanwhile in the forest
"Should we go after them?" Zeno asked
"No let's find a spot where we can hit them" Kiyo explained
"If we went after them they would just run" Dufort responded
"I know the spot to where we should go" Kiyo pointed out on the map then lead the gang
Meanwhile Garza and Baransha was assessing the situation
"Don't worry Baransha with your movements and abilities and my skills as a hunter, the moment they stepped in our terrain they lost the chance of winning" Garza stated
"Garza they're moving out of my sight, and they seem to be moving with some kind of purpose" Baransha explained
"So they already came up with a plan to deal with our tactics, as I thought those humans are smart and they appear to have guts too… Very interesting" Garza responded while both Garza and Baransha stood atop a hill with a wide view of the forest.
"Okay this is a good spot to launch a counter attack" Kiyo said running into a large rock outcrop that had a semicircle arc appearance.
"From here their attacks are going to come from the front" Zeno said confident of their position. "Remember everyone we got to finish this early" Zeno reminded everyone
"The moment they show up is when we will take them out" Kiyo proclaimed
"Unu" Zatch responded and was looking around
"Kiyo from behind" Dufort warned Kiyo, Kiyo and Zatch responded by looking behind them
"Picking this spot won't let you get away from this hunt" Garza stated. "Doruku" Garza recited behind the rock out crop
Baransha had stone looking armor grow around her body and Baransha now looked like a Saber tooth tiger
Baransha came crashing through the rock out crop at high speed
"Rashield" Kiyo countered, a square shield came out of the ground with three lightning symbols on it.
"Wha?" Baransha responded but quickly jumped above the shield to find Zeno waiting for that exact moment
"Zakerga" Dufort Yelled with the silver book glowing brightly
Zeno aimed at Baransha who was in midair and fired a strong Zakerga
"Damn how did they know? Wokeru" Garza responded to protect Baransha
Baransha's armor disappeared and shot out Wokeru
Both spells collided but Zakerga easily went through Wokeru, but it gave Baransha enough time to dodge and run into the forest
"Chase him" Zeno yelled
"Zeno don't" Dufort responded but found it useless as Kiyo and Zatch followed pursuit as well
"Your attacks are to slow" Baransha mocked Zatch and Zeno
"Dodge this Zaker" Kiyo yelled aiming at the tiger mamodo
A large lightning attack came at Baransha but she easily dodged it
"Then we will just go after his human partner" Zeno responded then ran the opposite direction of Baransha and to where Dufort was waiting for him. "You can't hide" Zeno shouted pointing his hand at some bushes
All of a sudden a deer's head popped up out of the bushes and Garza started making Deer sounds
"Don't Mess with me, I'll fry everything" Zeno shouted in anger
"Zaker" Dufort responded
Zeno shot forth a large Zaker at the Deer's head which was Garza trying to camouflage.
"SHIT" Garza responded running away but finding it impossible to dodge the attack and the area he was in was scorched to nothing but ashes
"Garza" Baransha yelled going back for his human partner
Garza struggled to stand up from the electric current that just passed through his veins. "I was able to protect the book so just do you job" Garza ordered his mamodo partner which obeyed by his wishes, and Garza started to run back to their hideout.
"You're not getting away! Dufort!" Zeno yelled as he chased Garza into the part of the forest that didn't get burned
"Hah" Garza threw an ball at Zeno which burst open on contact but was filled with hot pepper gas and a touch of tear gas.
Zeno covered himself with his cloak to stop the effects "Dufort where is he" Zeno ordered while aiming his hand at the vast forest
"Too far for that to have an effect" Dufort responded
"Zaker" Kiyo yelled, Zatch aimed at Baransha and shot out a large blast of lightning which ended up missing
"Zaker" Kiyo yelled, Zatch once again took aim but missed and ended up wiping out 10 trees
"She keeps on running" Zatch yelled now frustrated
"I can't keep track of the mamodo's movements either, but why won't they attack back?" Kiyo asked
Zatch thought about it for a moment "Kiyo stop casting spells their trying to wear us down" Zatch explained
Baransha noticed that Kiyo and Zatch stopped chasing her "Did they realize already?" Baransha said to herself then decided to meet back with Garza.
1 minute later Baransha met up with her human partner dressing his wounds
"Garza this isn't going well, we should retreat" Baransha suggested
"We must rest awhile then try to wear them out again, but don't attack focus on escaping" Garza explained.
"I'll try Garza just don't let them attack you again" Baransha told her human partner who looked worn out.
"We can still take out two birds with one stone" Garza proclaimed. (But how is it that they know every move I make and is able to counter attack instantly, it's the blond haired human with the silver book) Garza thought to himself. "Baransha keep an eye on the human with the silver book" Garza told Baransha.
"Right" Baransha responded
Meanwhile with Zatch and the gang
"Damn, now their hiding, and we have two hours until dinner time" Zeno explained while looking sun going down.
"Unu now they really won't come out" Zatch said disappointed
"We shouldn't let our guard down. If we give them a chance they'll attack again" Kiyo responded while unpacking his book bag
"Boruku" Garza recited and Baransha created an illusion of himself and it went after Kiyo and the gang
"A voice" Kiyo responded but couldn't find the book reader anywhere
The copy appeared in front of Dufort and the gang
"Zak" Kiyo was cut off by Dufort holding out his arm
"It's a fake" Dufort explained then threw a few rocks in certain areas near and at the fake copy
The copy couldn't dodge all the rocks and disappeared when it was hit
"How? How did he know? It's like he know what our spells does without even seeing them first" Garza said amazed yet frustrated that he just wasted another spell.
Baransha ran back to his human partner "Garza they know our plan what do we do?" Baransha asked confused into what was going on
"We must kill them by weakening them, it's a basic tactic of the hunters" Garza explained then gave Baransha a large fish.
Garza then laid out a feast of foods of different varieties
"Without having food or water, the prey is surely to become weak in body and soul" Garza stated while stuffing himself with steak and fruit.
Meanwhile with Kiyo and the gang
"Good thing we came prepared" Kiyo explained and unpacked food which consisted of sandwiches, granola bars and 8 bottles of water
Kiyo handed out food to everyone
"We need to keep up our strength" Dufort said while eating a sandwich
"We need to end this quickly" Zeno complained and was constantly tapping his foot on the ground
"Can you sense their presence?" Kiyo asked
"Yeah but they're too far away to get an exact location" Zeno responded
"Unu too far away" Zatch agreed while eating
"Instead of them draining us of energy we have been doing the same strategy to them every time they fail to trick us" Dufort explained
"UHH to hell with this lets go back to the inn, I can still teleport us back there" Zeno demanded and explained
"And have innocent people get in our fight, we're not leaving until we burn that book Zeno" Kiyo explained then looked around the wooded area
"I have a plan" Dufort and Kiyo responded at the same time, Kiyo grabbed some nuts and Dufort directed Zeno where to dig out a hole.
"When we corner them to the collapsed bridge then we will finish them" Dufort responded
"And be back in time for dinner" Zeno said in a somewhat happy tone
"Zaker" Dufort shouted out, Zeno created a large whole in the ground and the lightning could be seen for miles
Kiyo set up the second part of the trap by putting horrible smelling nuts on his shirt and hanging it above the hole. (Zatch will be able to follow them no matter where they go with this scent)Kiyo thought to himself
"With this plan we will win" Kiyo and Dufort proclaimed
Meanwhile with the lightning shock reaching into the sky, Garza and Baransha were on top of a cliff
"What they casted their lightning spells, what's going on Baransha?" Garza asked
"I don't know they suddenly fired and now I can't see through the smoke" Baransha responded
"What's going on? Why are they wasting their energy? Are they fighting each other" Garza asked, wondering what they were doing.
"I can't see them anywhere" Baransha explained when the smoke cleared
Garza and Baransha then went to check their last known location
"Where did they go?" Garza wondered
"There, the human boy's cloths" Baransha pointed out in the trees above the scorched earth from where the lightning attack happened
"Go get it Baransha" Garza ordered, with that Baransha jumped up and grabbed the cloths
Baransha grabbed the cloths with her mouth and tasted something very sour and disgusting and spit it out to the ground
"What's wrong?" Garza asked
"Those cloths taste awful' Baransha responded and landed on a spot of earth which wasn't blacked like the rest of the area was.
"The berry is called Ginko nut, it turns into a tree rarely seen outside Japan and China" Kiyo explained but his location wasn't anywhere to be seen
"Raajia Zaker" Dufort called out, Zeno punched the top of the hole he was in creating a shockwave of lightning that covered the top of the ground hitting Baransha directly and Garza semi directly
"Damn" both Garza and Baransha cried out as they were thrown back by the force of the spell
"Don't give them time to rest Zatch" Kiyo ordered
"Right" Zatch responded and jumped out of the ground and charged his weakened opponents
"We still have the upper hand if you can't see us" Garza responded. "Gu Riaruku" Garza chanted out turning Baransha invisible. "How can you fight an invisible opponent?" Garza asked
"Easy we go after the stupid human" Zeno responded standing right behind Garza
"Zaker" Dufort said plainly
"Wokeru" Garza countered; the invisible Baransha jumped in the way of the oncoming spell and launched her own sound blast spell
The two spells collided and cancelled each other out creating an explosion, which Garza and Baransha tried to make their escape
"You can't run anymore" Zatch shouted running after them with Kiyo, Dufort and Zeno trailing behind
"Now it's time to herd them" Dufort said to Kiyo
"Right" Kiyo responded
"Zaker" Dufort yelled out, Zeno aimed the Zaker at a certain direction near the retreating pair but not close enough to cause damage
"Shit dodge run this way" Garza yelled as he ran the opposite way of the blast
"Zaker" Dufort called out again and pointing near the enemy but once again not close enough to do any damage
The spell wiped out about 12 trees which made Garza and Baransha go in the opposite direction once again
"Zaker, Zaker, Zaker, Zaker, Zaker" Dufort called out every 20 seconds, and Zeno kept sending blue lightning at the points pointed out by Dufort
Explosions could be seen going throughout the area trailing Garza and Baransha
"Even with all …the smoke we still… can't lose them" Garza said through deep breathes
"They're wasting a lot of their spells this is what we wanted isn't it" Baransha asked
"Yes you're right, they must be getting desperate" Garza responded then ran out of the forest to find that they were at the destroyed suspension bridge near the face of the cliff. "They lead us here…" Garza said in horror
"That's right. we lead you here like cattle…" Dufort stated in a cold realization of the situation
"And now there is nowhere you can hide" the group said in unison
"You lost this battle as soon as you thought we were the prey and you were the hunter" Kiyo stated
Baransha's spell wore off making her visible
"We still have the upper hand, you are the mouse and we are the cat that shall devour you" Garza shouted but was visibly worn out. "That human wasted many spells trying to get us here this was your downfall" Garza said pointing to Dufort who was still keeping his composure.
"You're wrong, everything went according to plan, Zatch kept up with you with the power of his nose, Kiyo stored his heart energy, and I only used what was needed" Dufort explained
"I'll show you not to underestimate us" Garza yelled with his book shining brightly
"Kiyo" Dufort responded
"Right" Kiyo got into position and the red book began to shine brighter than moon that lit the sky
"Gigano Gadoruku" Garza put the remaining strength from within into the book
Baransha body grew larger and a stronger version of Doruku wrapped around her body
"For the pride of us hunters" Garza yelled
"Jiou Renzu Zakerga" Kiyo shouted putting a vast amount of energy into the book
Zatch summoned a large snake like dragon with four spikes coming out of its neck and a diamond like skin decorating its body (Note: this spell is as strong as the first form of Baou Zakerga with two Zakerzems added)
"GOOO" Kiyo Yelled ordered the spell to attack
"WHAT IS THAT" Baransha yelled surprised by its size
Jiou Renzu Zakerga spike's separated from its body colliding into Baransha destroying her armor
"No Baransha" Garza cried out
"Finish them" Kiyo yelled, the rest of the snake dragon dove into Baransha and Garza creating a large explosion and destroying the face of the cliff.
"Their book didn't burn" Dufort responded
"Oh heck no" Zeno yelled grabbing his partner then teleporting down to the river where Garza and the incapacitated Baransha fell into
Kiyo was able to hold his ground without falling down from the effect of the ultimate spell and Zatch regained conciseness
"Kiyo you ok?" Zatch asked
"Even though it's the first time I used it, that training we had paid off" Kiyo explained.
Zatch looked around a little bit and was confused "Umm Kiyo? Where's my brother?" Zatch asked
"Their book didn't burn" Kiyo responded and the Red book was still glowing
"Oh… Kiyo the book" Zatch pointed out
Kiyo flipped through the pages and found a new spell "The sixth spell Ganreuzu Zaker" Kiyo stated
Meanwhile with Zeno and Dufort chasing down Garza and the tiger mamodo
Garza managed to pull him and Baransha out of the rapid river and onto dry land near the woods.
"Baransha, Baransha wake up, I was able to protect the book" Garza spoke to his mamodo who was barely able to comprehend anything that was around him
"…that's good… let me rest" Baransha requested
"I think not" Zeno spoke up coming out of the forested area with Dufort standing behind him
"Shit the enemy Baransha" Garza yelled to but found Baransha was hardly able to move
"Hand over the book" Zeno demanded extending out his hand
Garza was panting heavily and wasn't able to runway or move much himself "I can't a hunter never gives up" Garza responded
"…Th…That's …right" Baransha said struggling to stand up and found even staring Zeno in the eyes took too much energy to bear.
"They still have enough strength for one more spell" Dufort warned Zeno
"Wokeru" Garza yelled with a faint glow of the book
Baransha took aim at Zeno who was in close range and fired the sound blast
Without using the cloak Zeno stood still and took the hit head on
"Direct hit" Garza yelled then collapsed to the ground along with Baransha
"Now that is something I would expect out of a 2 year old mamodo" Zeno mocked the weaken opponent, Zeno wasn't even harmed in the slightest, only a few scratches on his cloak.
"No, no way" Garza looked at the silver haired boy in horror and knew that he had lost. "Just get it over with" Garza admitted defeat and was staring at the ground void of hope. "I'm sorry Baransha I've failed you" Garza said in a low tone
"Zaker" Dufort called out
Zeno aimed at Garza's book and fired to only have Baransha jump in the way and get electrocuted and was sent flying into the river
Baransha screamed in pain as she fell into the river rapids and sank underneath the waters
"That's a bummer" Zeno said plainly but was surprised that she still had the strength to move and defend her human partner and book
"Zeno we have only have 5 minutes left" Dufort reminded Zeno of dinner time
"What! Why didn't you tell me, I have to pick up Zatch and hurry" Zeno responded then his cloak wrapped around Dufort. Zeno looked back at the battered human "I'll let you keep that book for now, but if you ever use those tactics on us again, I'll fry your mamodo until your book burns." Zeno warned. "Oh yeah and another thing you better save her before she drowns, the book will burn if that happens" Zeno explained to the shocked Garza who was amazed that he was being let go.
Zeno then teleported to get his brother and Kiyo and return to the inn
"Baransha" Garza yelled as soon as Zeno left then dove into the water to save his tiger mamodo
Meanwhile in the Inn
"This was worth it" Zeno said happily as he at his sword fish
"Unu we're a good team Zeno" Zatch said as he ate his yellow tail
"We should train more often together though, after I casted that spell, I only had 2 or 3 spells left inside me" Kiyo explained as he ate his king crab
"We'll start training two days from now" Dufort stated as he drank some tea
"Oh yeah Dufort did you gain a new spell?" Kiyo asked
"Yes it's called Ganreuzu Zaker" Dufort responded
"Cool me and brother gained the same spells" Zatch said putting his arm around his brother
"That's a little odd" Kiyo stated
"Not really, me and Zatch gained some spells that complement one another and add to their strength, it's not really that odd" Zeno remarked
"Did you burn their book?" Kiyo asked being serous
"No I let them go" Zeno responded while drinking tea
"Now that is odd" Kiyo and Zatch said in unison
"Be quite" Zeno retorted
"Boys I'm here" Hanna said coming through the sliding doors to find Kiyo and the gang eating already…