The Suite Life X

12 - Hot-Blooded Avenger

It was only once Zack had reached his destination that he started to have second thoughts about his plan, particularly upon realizing he was still somewhat beat up from Zero using him as a punching bag (but not as badly as before due to what he could only guess was some kind of auto-repair system).

His mind was quickly taken off that point by the world of fire and brimstone surrounding him. His adventures aboard the S.S. Tipton had taken him to volcanoes before, but he never imagined he'd be in one.

Eventually, he snapped out of his awe long enough to remember his mission: he had a Dragoon to find. Dashing ahead, he took care to avoid the standing lava pools and leaping flares of lava dancing over them with deft maneuvering as he smashed up the enemies in his way...okay, in reality, he got hit once or twice.

The ground soon gave way to far thinner platforms and meteors...lots of meteors.

Before he could make a move, however, he heard the sounds of yet more explosions, slashing noises and the marching footfalls of someone coming his way, and then...

He turned around to see a figure amidst the smoky haze. He almost wished he hadn't.

It was Zero, and he looked ticked.

"Having fun 'fixing this', Twerp?"

---

Everyone in the Navigation Room was shocked when only one person came back. Zero was casual about what he did, catching the former humans off guard...to say the least.

You just left him there?!" Bailey practically screamed, echoing the rest of the group's sentiments.

"Relax. I'm going somewhere with this..."

"How is leaving Zack to get butchered 'going somewhere'?"

Zero walked right up to the taller of the twins to make his point. "Would you have done any better out there?"

Cody didn't have an answer for that. "I..."

"...would've gotten killed," he completed for him. "Besides, he's gotta learn to take a few lumps. It's part of being a Hunter. Considering he got as far as he did, he seems competent enough to finish the job."

---

Mustering what courage he could, the shorter twin stepped through the door to find a chamber surrounded by a pool of lava, a bipedal draconic orange reploid standing at the center of it with his back toward him.

"Dragoon, I presume?"

The creature turned to look at him with a sort of muted curiosity. "A little boy? The Hunters must have certainly grown complacent in the time I've been gone if they resort to sending out dross like you..."

"What'd you call me...?" Zack practically snarled.

"You heard me. Run along and fetch me a real Maverick Hunter before you get hurt."

"You're the one who's gonna get hurt," the boy fired back, fists balled. "It's time to pay for all the people you killed at the Sky Lagoon!"

"So, you know about that, hm? I was merely issuing a challenge... " An amused growl escaped the beast's maw. "How about this, since you insist on getting revenge for matters that don't concern you, how about I humor you? Prepare, child!"

Without another word, he launched a fiery punch at Zack, which he ducked under, attempting to throw him...and he did.

...surprisingly far.

Even while externally bracing himself for a counterattack, he internally smiled just a little bit.

So, I guess I have super strength. Cool...

Said counterattack was swift, Dragoon bounded off the wall he'd been thrown towards with a kick aimed for his opponent's head. The boy ducked again, only for that to be followed up by a seemingly never-ending flurry of fiery blows, ending in a jumping dive kick that landed all landed plush.

Cratered into the ground, it was pure survival instinct that allowed him to see and react to the fiery projectile and jump over it. Thinking quickly, and trying to ignore the sirens going off in his head (possibly literally considering his condition), he charged a punch right over the Maverick's head. Thankfully, he was just recovering and didn't have the chance to put his guard up.

KABOOM!

Dragoon exploded in a shower of broken parts. The remains of the robot's head had one last thing to say before it went offline permanently.

"Well fought..."

Praise from him, of all people? He shook his head as he communicated with the Base, allowing them to warp him away, but not before taking with him a strange red orb that caught his eye amidst the wreckage.