>Chapter 8: Location of Zenretsu and Company
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>"Damn it, Dino!
TBS <Fred>: That was a new carpet!
>Ten agents dead,"
MARK: Sounds like Schein's doing inventory.
TBS: I thought they already dealt with Pookie?
MARK: That's only what the Agent wants you to think.
>said the apprentice. "It looks like Necrosaro and company
>have picked up on us."
MARK: Who's this apprentice guy? Anakin?
GAVOK: He did get the whining dead on.
>"Oh well," said Dino. "At least it isn't all of us."
MMK <apprentice>: Can I defect now?
VID: Way to watch out for your agents, Dino!
>"Wait a minute, one of our suits has been found in the Well near Izmit, and an attack swarm
>is already there."
TIFF: Wait, they just follow the suits?
>"Balzack's minions," said Dino. "Looks like Necrosaro's put the heavy hitters on us."
MARK: So Necrosaro sent Lawdog and Sachs and Violens after them?
TBS: Not even Necrosaro could be *that* evil!
[A beat.]
TBS: No wait, forgot that Necrosaro's a wussy megalomaniac.
>"Well, Necrosaro's four major minions: Gigademon, Infurnus Shadow, Anderoug,
TIFF: ...okay, now you're just typing with your forehead, aren't you?
>and Radimvice
MMK: And his cousin, Miamivice.
>are still dead."
GAVOK: As is Francisco Franco.
>"But he's got Dann, Alex, Emmanuel, and Adam now," said Dino. "They're technically the
>replacements for those monsters."
MMK <Dann>: RAWR!
>"But isn't Balzack Necro's right-hand man?"
>
>"Oh yes; however, if someone defeats Balzack, then they get all the insider information on
>Necrosaro. That's why Balzack sits back now and only attacks when necessary."
TBS: Apparently, Balzack read the Evil Overlord list.
VID: Can't say the same for Necrosaro.
>
>
>Chris then transported in from Gardenbur.
[MMK and GAVOK make transporter noises.]
>"How did the trip go?" asked Dino.
>
>"I got your Pokedex information for Starmie,
MARK: You could have just searched the Internet for information on *Starmie*.
TBS: It's a starfish pokemon. What else do you need to know?
>and we ran into Dann Zenretsu and company at
>Gardenbur."
>
>"Anything on 'em?" asked Dino.
>
>"Psychic powers possibly Jedi powers, they're looking for Pokemon and the Items of Legend."
>
>"Hmmm....., if they're after the Items of Legend, then it's a sure fact that Dann Zenretsu
>and company want to put an end to James."
TIFF: I wish them luck.
VID: ...damn, I'm torn.
MARK: How so?
VID: I don't know who I'm going to root for.
>"Why is that?" asked Chris.
>
>"James is technically the last descendant of the James that defeated Necrosaro many moons
>ago. He's the one who has the power inside him to smash any evil," replied Dino.
MMK: James. BOY...of DESStiny!
TBS <Susie Derkins>: Everyone I know thinks his destiny is a private cage in the primate house.
MARK: Wait. Is this the same seventeen-year-old mentioned before that Necrosaro had supposedly slain?!?
VID: Don't think about the fic. It will hurt.
>"So why the Items of Legend?"
>
>"The Items of Legend are supposedly the keys for getting the weaknesses to Necrosaro from
>the Dragon King of Zenethia; however, the King died many years ago," said Dino.
MMK <Chris>: Old age?
GAVOK <Dino>: No. Slipped on a banana peel and fell down the stairs.
>"So, the Items must revive the Dragon King!" exclaimed Chris. "And Necrosaro considers that
>a threat!"
>
>"The Zenethian Helmet, the Zenethian Shield, the Armor of Dragons, and the Sword of Truth,"
>said Dino. "The one who has all four items can smash any evil in the world."
MMK <Dann>: I have all the legendary items, boss! Oops, I must smash you now!
GAVOK <Gabe>: NO SPOILERS!
>"In other words, that's how Necrosaro gets beat, and only James can use those items," said
>Chris.
>
>"Exactly," said Dino. "I'll let you know of your next mission, now take a break."
[TBS brings out a KitKat and eats it.]
>"Yes, sir," said Chris.
>
>"And, also, that'll be $100 off of your allowance for dumping the uniform into the Well of
>Izmit!"
>
>Chris growled, "I hate wearing the uniforms!"
MARK <Chris>: They chafe...
>"I found that out; OK, you can wear your Rangers uniform," said Dino. "But you still pay
>for the one you dumped!"
TBS <Chris>: But, mom...
>
>
>Chris then checked in with
GAVOK: ...the Smackdown Hotel!
>Liu Kang.
GAVOK: Oh. [Pause] That's a lousy place.
MMK: Yeah. They don't even give you mints on your pillow.
TBS: But the gym has *great* exercise bikes!
>"Tell me all you know about the Karate Four," said Chris. "There's some secret between
>James and them."
>
>"Ah yes, the Karate Four: They were around when you were only a little baby, Chris. It was
>a tremendous team: James, Eric Mana, Stephen Caliera, and Kevin Brosco," said Liu Kang.
TBS: Kevin *Sorbo*? How could he?
MMK: *Brosco*, Snot. Not Sorbo.
>"They were the best under-rank team ever until Eric and Bob came along in Sema's school and
>defended their position with honor. Too bad the elements of time and circumstances killed
>it, or they would be the best four ever."
>
>"So, Caliera and Mana know each other: That's how Mana contacted me!" said Chris.
MARK: Right, and that explains how Mana knew what you were looking at how?
>"Yes, and Mana is a much more reliable and trustworthy source than Caliera; however,
>Caliera did prove himself in solving the riddle of the Curse of the Nightmare. Mana still
>respects old buddy James and will help him whenever he has to.
>
>"So what's the tally on Zenretsu and the Items?"
>
>"It looks like Dann was able to get the Zenethian Shield without any violence, and has
>collected Articuno from Antarctica,"
MMK <Liu Kang>: They also collected the second Stargate.
GAVOK <Liu Kang>: And all five Starstones.
TBS <Liu Kang>: And mastered all the Materia.
TIFF: I wouldn't be surprised...
> said Liu Kang. "They've been on the move for sure."
>
>"Do you have any idea of where Dann Zenretsu can strike next?" asked Chris.
>
>"I think you'd be wiser asking Eric Mana than me," said Liu Kang.
MARK <Liu Kang>: I just provide exposition.
>"Dino's very restrictive
>on the computers, you know."
TBS <Dino>: Mustn't let them find my stash of pr0n.
>"You really think the Secret of Mana knows everything about this situation?" asked Chris.
>
>"Yes, Eric helped James defeat Necrosaro long before you ever were trained by the young
>James."
>
>"So, this Necrosaro/James war has had at least two other major battles?" asked Chris.
>
>"Many more," said Liu Kang. "They've been battling for almost seven years now, since James
>was 13 years old."
>
MARK: That's a pretty long time to be pissed off on that bread incident.
MMK <Necrosaro>: James, you made my life a living hell!
>"Yeesh, no wonder we didn't finish Ol' Necro off years ago," said Chris. "He had an escape
>already planned, and laid low for a long time."
MARK: So wouldn't it be better if you had offed Necrosaro instead? Escape or no, he would still be dead.
>"That was a pretty stinging defeat," said Liu Kang, " and a very impressive one at the
>hands of the Good Guy Corporation: It really set Ol' Necro back."
>
>"But now, he's returned," said Chris.
>
>"Yes," replied Liu Kang.
VID: And this concludes the "festering heap of exposition" portion of our program. Any questions?
>"Ah, dang it," said a despondent Chris. "Good villains never die."
VID: It's too bad that Necrosaro is evil...
>"I know you're not on duty, but it might be wise if you can talk to Eric Mana. Maybe you
>can intercept Zenretsu's next move."
>
>"Not a bad idea, but won't Dino find out?" asked Chris.
>
>"I'll just tell him you're having some fun with Zborfsky,"
MMK: ^_^
TIFF: Stop that!
> said Liu Kang. "Also, this call
>block will prevent him from calling you unless you authorize it."
>
>"Got'cha," said Chris.
>
>"Head on over to The World of Mana: You don't have much time!" said Liu Kang.
MMK <VSSE>: The organized crime syndicate "Wild Dogs" is also believed to be involved. Good luck, Chris.
>Chris entered the transporter and got whisked away at light-speed.
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