Chapter 33
Summary
Inside the arena, Tarkus gloats to Jonathan about all the poor souls he sent to their deaths in the room while Zeppeli is constantly trying to break the door Jonathan went through. Zeppeli unfortunately does little to break the door down and it takes Speedwagon intervening to get Zeppeli back to his senses. The two of them realize that his Ripple powers cannot break down this door and likewise they cannot break Jonathan's chain.
Inside the arena Tarkus taunts Jonathan by showing him that the only way to get free of the neck brace is to take the key to take the key to it from his opponent's identical neck brace. Tarkus also explains the door locks when a fight begins and the only way to get the key from the neck brace is to decapitate the opponent. When Tarkus charges Jonathan he simultaneously pulls on the massive chain connecting the two. This action drags Jonathan, off of the floor and holds him to the ceiling. Jonathan tries to send a Ripple through the chain towards Tarkus but it is ineffective because the chain is on the ceiling and it does not connect to Tarkus' chain. Tarkus then begins to attack Jonathan who is helpless because the brace on his neck is slowly choking him so he cannot use Ripple energy.
From outside the door Speedwagon is able to see a lever inside which he suspects will open the steel door. Zeppeli then joins in to help Speedwagon attempt to find a way in to activate it. Speedwagon notices small light holes that Poco could more than likely use to get in, so he tries asking the boy. Zeppeli objects to this plan, however, as he believes Poco will be killed for sure, if he were to enter the arena with Tarkus to pull the lever. Zeppeli then says that they could utilize the hole Tarkus made in the tower to reach Jonathan, only to have Speedwagon argue that such a route would take too long.
Poco then recalls an experience he had when his sister had to save him from the boys who would bully him. When the two of them were alone afterwards, Peggy asked him, why he never fought back against the bullies by himself. Poco reponded that he would do it tomorrow, to which his sister asks him when "tomorrow" is. Poco does not have a proper answer to the question and, consequently is slapped by his sister. Peggy says to him that she thinks he is afraid of pain and not being able to do anything.
At that moment Zeppeli and Speedwagon notice that Poco has climbed into a light hole. Coming out on the other side Jonathan tells Poco to look out as Tarkus charges at Poco and kicks him across the room. Luckily Poco lands near the lever that opens the steel door so he crawls over to lever and lays his body on it to activate the lever and open the door for Zeppeli and Speedwagon.
Appearances
|
