Chapter 15: The Chase (Finale Part 2)
(Shibuya)
[BGM: Rivers in the Desert (P5 OST)]
As the three cars sped through the streets, sending thousands of people into a panic, Zenigata and Makoto struggled to keep up.
"What are we supposed to do about this?!" Makoto yelled.
"Nothing quite yet," Zenigata responded. "We need to wait for an opportunity to head them off."
"Then shouldn't we set up a barricade?!"
"They're driving too fast to set up a barricade less than a few kilometres from here. We'd have to keep a tail on them until then."
"Then why aren't we doing that?!"
"The chase is too erratic. We have no idea where they'll go. Besides, barricades never stop Lupin."
"So what do we do?"
"We wait. Lupin will deliver both himself and his companions right into our hands."
(Yamakawa's Hideout)
Goemon and Futaba were running from the guards.
"Are you alright, Futaba?"
"I'll be fine," she replied, almost out of breath. "I just haven't run this much in a while."
"There they are!" Multiple guards appeared at the end of the hallway, and opened fire.
Goemon quickly jumped forward, quickly spinning the Zantetsuken to block the bullets. "Quick, down that hall to the garage! I'll catch up!"
Futaba did as she was told, running with all her might to the garage and quickly jumped into one of the vacant trucks.
Unfortunately, she was spotted by a guard, who grabbed her by the wrist. "So that's where you were hiding," he said, his voice dripping slime.
"Let go!"
"Sure, maybe I will. First, there's a bit of fun to be had with you. See, I could kill you right now, but I'm a generous man. You could… earn your freedom."
"W-what do you mean?!"
"You know EXACTLY what I mean…" The guard reached for her shirt and she closed her eyes, accepting her fate…
*SLASH*
…and the sound of the great sword was heard once again. The guard ran off, left only in his boxers, as Goemon ran over to check on his companion.
"That's the second time you've had to save me," Futaba said bashfully. "Thank you, but I'm just a burden, aren't I?"
"No, you aren't," Goemon replied in his usual calm voice. "Fighting isn't one of your strengths, but that doesn't make you a burden. Besides, as long as you have us, you have no need to worry for your safety."
"Right. Oh, we should probably get going. The others are probably finishing up on their end, too."
(Shibuya)
Further ahead, the three cars continued their chase, as Ryuji rammed into Ichiro's vehicle.
"Ow! Hey!" Ann shouted from next to him. "Be careful, you numbskull! You're not the only one in this car!"
"We have to stop him somehow, and I didn't hear any better ideas!"
"Well, here's one. Maybe DON'T ram into- LOOK OUT!"
A van was crossing an intersection in front of them. Ryuji tried to swerve out of the way…
…and quickly found out that the SSK was not designed for such manoeuvres as it smashed into the side of the van, spinning it out of control as the thieves sped through the intersection.
"I really should've gone with Lupin…" Ann thought to herself.
Once he got close to Ichiro's car, Ryuji flipped a switch on the dashboard and activated the forward guns.
Round after round embedded itself in the SSKL before it made a sharp turn onto a back street, damaged but not defeated.
Lupin rushed after it, while Ryuji tried to find a place to cut his enemy off.
The Fiat quickly caught up to Ichiro, who quickly tried to shoot down his pursuer. As the car ducked and weaved away from his attacks, the SSK pulled up to the intersection and blocked Ichiro's escape.
Ann began to panic. "He's going to crash into us!"
"No," Ryuji said calmly. "Lupin told me about one other little tool this thing's got. Now hold on tight."
"To what-"
*SCHOOF*
The two screamed as the ejector seats kicked in, launching them out of danger and letting them land on the roof of one of the surrounding buildings.
"Well, that went well," Ryuji remarked, before turning around and seeing Ann on her knees, breathing heavily. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine now," she responded tiredly. Suddenly, they both heard an unmistakable sound.
*BOOM*
[BGM Pause]
As both the SSK and its more agile counterpart crashed into each other, being consumed by the resulting inferno, the two were speechless, assuming the worst.
Fortunately, it was only a minute or two before Lupin grappled up to the rooftop carrying an unconscious Ichiro Kurusu.
"Wha- how did you-"
"Easy," Lupin replied. "I pulled him out before the crash."
(A few moments earlier)
[BGM Resume]
The thief and the imposter continued their fight, with Lupin jumping onto the SSKL to fight Ichiro face-to-face.
"You won't survive the crash!" Lupin yelled.
"I don't care!" Ichiro shouted back. "My son is dead, and my plan to save others from his fate is ruined! I have nothing left to live for!"
"Well, too bad!" He grabbed Ichiro and jumped onto the pavement behind the car, right before it exploded on collision with Ryuji's vehicle.
In the shadow cast by the raging fire, the two exchanged punches, before Lupin finally knocked Ichiro out with a quick hook.
"Let these flames mark the death of the old Lupin," he said to himself. He grabbed the imposter and made his way to the rooftop where Ann and Ryuji were waiting.
(Now)
[BGM: Superhero (Lupin III Soundtrack)]
"Well, everyone's alive, and that's what matters. Now, we should probably get-"
"LUUPIIN!" Zenigata and Makoto shouted in unison.
"There you are, pops! Took ya long enough," Lupin quipped.
"Shut up, monkey face!" Makoto said firmly. "You and your companions are under- AH!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Ryuji threw a smoke bomb at his feet, allowing the trio to escape.
"Dammit!" Makoto yelled angrily.
Zenigata quickly looked around. "Well, at least we got Kurusu."
The inspector and the officer-in-training looked into the distance thoughtfully. "One day, Lupin. One day…"
P5 OST composed by Shoji Meguro.
Rivers in the Desert and Life Will Change vocals by Lyn.
Lupin III Soundtrack composed by Yuji Ohno.
Superhero vocals by Tommy Snyder.