Scenario:A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 6: 6th Bout - Episode 4

A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 6: 6th Bout - Episode 4

The final match between Al-Khalid and the Masked Cypher begins. The audience is on Al-Khalid's side and boos (Captain). Encouraged by the crew's cheering and Sierokarte's reappearance, (Captain) manages to damage the device implanted in Al-Khalid's neck. The broken device sends Al-Khalid into an uncontrolled rampage, and the crew unites to stop him.

---

That picture book is my clearest childhood memory.

The pages were worn and gray at the edges from how many times I'd turned them.

The story was simple. A hero who defended the world, defeating all who threatened it, armed with nothing but his fists. It spoke to me on such a deep level that it made me ache...

I would have done anything to be more like him. Strong, righteous, noble. I wanted to become that hero.

That admiration, that dream, shaped my ambitions.

My parents would not have approved, so as a boy I dedicated myself to martial arts training in secret.

It was the only thing in which I could take such joy. The pride and pleasure I derived from my incremental progress was unrivaled.

At least... in the beginning.

Clearing each hurdle in my training would allow me to see another, taller, beyond it.

And yet I could not give up.

Al-Khalid: Huff... Huff...
Faster. I need to move faster!

Al-Khalid: It's not enough. I need more muscle mass...
No... Even that won't close the gap...

I pushed myself beyond endurance. Muscle, tendon, and bone screamed out in protest, but I paid no heed.

Even so, what I wanted remained beyond my reach.

I knew that and yet I was merciless, driving my body past the point of no return.

Researcher: There's an experiment with which I would very much like your cooperation.

Researcher: I think you'll find the endeavor speaks to you personally.

Guard: Sir, it's almost time.

Al-Khalid: !

The sound of the guard's voice brings Al-Khalid back to the present with a start.

Al-Khalid: Thank you. I'll make my preparations and head out presently. Please go on ahead.

Guard: Yes, sir! If you'll excuse me.

Al-Khalid: Sigh...

Alone with his thoughts, Al-Khalid closes his eyes.

Al-Khalid: This is the stage I've always longed for.

Al-Khalid: No use getting maudlin now.

Al-Khalid suppresses a nagging feeling of emptiness somewhere in his chest. His fingers travel to the bandage around his right arm.

Al-Khalid: ...

Commentator: Laaadiiies aaand geeentlemeeen! The moment you've all been waiting for haaas arrived! The final round of the first Grandsky Rumble is here!

Commentator: We had some trouble earlier which forced us to skip the last semifinal... But we now present you with the final match!

Commentator: Let's announce our top two competitors!

Commentator: The Masked Cypher!

Commentator: Aaand Al-Khalid!

Fight Fan 4: Go, Al-Khaliiid!

Fight Fan 1: Show 'em your stuff, Al-Khalid!

Commentator: Sounds like our audience is a bit biased!

Commentator: But you didn't come to listen to me rattle on! You came to watch these two pit their strength against one another!

Commentator: So without further ado... Let's begin!
Ready...

Masked Cypher: ...

Al-Khalid: ...

Commentator: Fight!

Al-Khalid: Hyah!

Al-Khalid leaps into the air and flips, bringing a powerful kick down toward the Masked Cypher's head.

(Captain) blocks with one arm and turns smoothly to counterattack.

Fight Fan 3: Agh! So close!

Fight Fan 1: Don't block it, you wimp!

Fight Fan 4: Keep it up, Al-Khalid!

Lyria: I kind of get the feeling...

Al-Khalid: You're just as talented as I thought! So... can you counter this?

As Lyria feared, the colosseum crowd is turning against the Masked Cypher.

Al-Khalid's every move is met with enthusiastic support, while the audience jeers and boos when the Masked Cypher counterattacks.

Al-Khalid: Hngh! Daah!

Masked Cypher: ...

But the Masked Cypher remains calm.

The captain parries and returns blow for blow, circling Al-Khalid and waiting for the right opportunity.

Seox: There's a trick to that man's power.

Seox: At the nape of his neck.

Seox: Watch yourself, (Captain).

Masked Cypher: ...

Following Seox's advice, (Captain) zeroes in on the back of Al-Khalid's neck.

Al-Khalid: Ah... You've noticed it too.

Al-Khalid smiles faintly as he blocks and counters the Masked Cypher's next kick.

Al-Khalid: Or perhaps that masked gentleman was kind enough to warn you?

Masked Cypher: ...

The Masked Cypher keeps up a tireless barrage of punches and kicks, but Al-Khalid's responding onslaught only increases in intensity.

Fight Fan 4: Hey! Why do you keep attacking from behind!

Fight Fan 2: Are you trying to take his head off? That's dirty!

Fight Fan 1: Fight fair, you scumbucket!

Lyria: What's going on here?

Jessica: Not a very welcoming atmosphere, is it?

Lyria: Poor (Captain)... They're being so mean...

Lyria's fingers curl into the fabric of her dress as she bites her lip to hold back tears.

Fight Fan 3: C'mon, Al-Khalid, you've got that creep on the ropes!

Fight Fan 4: Knock that masked misfit into the next skydom!

Fight Fan 2: Only weirdoes try to hide their identity!

Fight Fan 1: That's right! The oddball's probably a criminal or somethin'!

Lyria: Th... They don't know what they're talking about. (Captain) is... (Captain) is...

At last Lyria can bear it no longer.

Lyria: You can do it!

Masked Cypher: !

Lyria's voice rings out above the cheers and hisses of the rowdy spectators.

Al-Khalid: I'm touched...

Al-Khalid: That's quite the devoted friend you have. But please, don't prolong your suffering unnecessarily.

Al-Khalid: After all, you're here for Sierokarte...

Masked Cypher: !

Al-Khalid's whispered comment brings the Masked Cypher up short.

Al-Khalid: Are you not?

Al-Khalid: I'm afraid I must ask you to finish playing your role as the villain to my hero.

Jessica: What just happened? The Masked Cypher seems to have slowed down all of a sudden...

Lyria: Oh no. Why?

Jessica: It looked like they spoke to each other... Perhaps it was something Al-Khalid said?

???: Hey! Masked moron!

Jessica: Was that Ayer?

Ayer: Quit lazing around, stupid! You tellin' me that's all you got?

Ladiva: Oh my. He beat me to it.

Lyria: Ladiva!

Ladiva: So stubborn... I told you to ask for my help if you needed me!

Ladiva: Give it everything you've got! I'm watching over you!

Dorothy: No faaair! I'm watching too, you know!

Dorothy: C'mon, Claudia, aren't you gonna cheer?

Claudia: I'll pass. He'll be just fine without my support.

The voices of friends and crewmates seem to fill (Captain)'s sails with a second wind.

Al-Khalid: You're a tenacious opponent.

Al-Khalid: But don't waste your energy. You must yield in the end, mustn't you? After all...

Vyrn: Guuuys!

Lyria: Vyrn!

Vyrn: Woo! I made it! The fight's not over yet, right?

Sierokarte: Hello, hello! It's your pal Siero from the Knicknack Shack!

Al-Khalid: What! How?

Al-Khalid pales as he spots Sierokarte in the stands.

Al-Khalid: How... did you...

Sierokarte: That's the mystery, isn't it? You know, I've been traveling these skies to trade my wares a lot longer than you.

Sierokarte: Never underestimate Siero!

Sierokarte: I have to admit though, I had some help from (Captain), Katalina, and the others.

Al-Khalid: Rgh...

Fight Fan 4: Hey, isn't that Sierokarte from the Knicknack Shack?

Fight Fan 3: Huh? What's that about?

Fight Fan 2: Does Al-Khalid seem a little off to you?

Al-Khalid: I can't... let this stop me...

Al-Khalid's moment of hesitation provides opening enough for the Masked Cypher to land a punch.

Al-Khalid: Hngh!

Al-Khalid: Urgh... Ah...

Commentator: What just happened? I saw actual sparks fly, and now something seems to be wrong with Al-Khalid!

Al-Khalid: Ugh... Hnngh...

Commentator: I see something at the back of his neck... What in the skies is that? It appears to be... some sort of device!

Commentator: This could be very bad news!

Al-Khalid: Gah... Gyaaah!

Commentator: Oh no!

The damage to the device embedded at the nape of his neck seems to rob Al-Khalid of control of his body.

Commentator: The details are unclear, but what we can confirm is that Al-Khalid was using some sort of tool! Which means the final match is—

Al-Khalid: Rrraaah!

Commentator: Maybe we should talk about this later!

Al-Khalid's wildly flailing attacks rip (Captain)'s mask clear off.

Lyria: Ack! The mask!

Vyrn: Well, I guess the whole secret identity thing is out the window.

Sierokarte: I think the tournament is the least of our worries right now. We need to stop Al-Khalid!

Lyria: You're right! The spectators are in danger too!

Vyrn: All right! Let's do this, (Captain)!

Vyrn: No need to fight alone anymore! C'mon, everybody!