Eternal Losers: Love In The First Degree

Chapter 3

Eternal Losers:

Love In The First Degree

The following morning at the Teirdalin detective agency…

“My life is over! I can’t take this anymore!”

Katty barges out from the bathroom waking Alistor from his sleep.

“What are you complaining about now…mmmm I’m still tired.”

"I have one grey hair! I'll never be able to get a date now. My youth! It's all over!"

“So what? It’s not much of a big deal.”

Alistor returns to sleep, not giving a care.

“You don’t understand! I’ll be single forever!”

Katty barges out from the office in an emasculate fashion. He zips past Tannen, who was returning with a newspaper.

“What’s his deal?”

Elsewhere at the sky base with Abotemous…

"Check! Kabuki, do you copy."

Kabuki appears from the other side of the screen. The video shows him with the two Magval brothers.

“All good! The rendezvous was a success.”

"Good! That leaves us with Magvamax. Havok, do you read me. Havok!”

Somewhere in the depths of a volcanic tunnel, Havok makes the venture alone.

“I read you. The signal is getting weak.”

Havok continues down on the path. Unfortunately, his line of communication immediately gets cut off. He comes to a brief stop, detecting a presence within the midst.

“ARGH!”

Magvamax arrives down for an ambush. Havok quickly reacts as two blades clasped between one another.

“I’ll end this now!” Havok grumbled.

The two exchanged attacks, matching one another with their strength. Magvamax's intense fires quickly pressure him to a corner.

“Is that all the power you got?” The conqueror said.

Havok delivers a punch to his chest to gain some distance. Magvamax retaliates with a barrage of fire blasts in the tunnel but is rushed forward without hesitation. Havok deflects the flames that come forward.

As he draws close for an attack, the conqueror gives off a quiet laugh; his blade at the ready, Magvamax prepares for the killing blow with his flames.

“Now I got you.”

Havok’s body faded within a split second.

“An illusion?”

A piercing sound emerges from the side as Magvamax finds a chunk of his neck cut right open. Havok had delivered a decisive blow.

"Not bad…not bad at all…."

The conqueror stood unfazed, flames spewing from his open wound. His neck quickly heals before Havok's eyes. Then, he prepares for another strike.

"That will be enough! You've proven your worth. Havok, was it? It's been a long time since someone was able to land a solid hit. I must be getting rusty."

They sheathed their blades.

“I see your team came to a decision. You’ve made the right choice. Follow me! I have a task at hand.”

Havok follows Magvamax down the rest of the volcanic path, contemplating. He looks over his right hand, now slightly charred from his first punch.

"That was a clean-cut… For sure. I am certain of it."

Back downtown…

"So, what's our first thing on the agenda?" Alistor asked.

He follows Tannen through the busy street of East Bay. Finally, they arrive at East Bay Park, where a large lake rests at the center.

"Luckily, I only need one of you for this assignment. Our mission today is to find the missing cat in this picture. I’ve been holding off on this request for some time, but I finally have leads. The cat was last spotted at Lover’s Lake.”

“Sigh… I was hoping for something exciting?” Alistor said. “I need to learn more about the types of enemies we're facing? Like those Yokai's, for example?"

Tannen begins the search with his magnifying glass.

“Will we be getting paid at least for this?” Alistor asked.

“Sure…but don’t expect your cut to be great. Now go and check those trees.”

From the other side of the lake, Katty can be seen alone on some bench.

Back underground... Havok finally arrives at the entrance of Magvamax's lair. A giant coliseum rests over pools of magma.

“Since you are my new field commander, I have a few stragglers I wish for you to toughen up...if you can. I have no time for weaklings in my army.”

Three monsters straggle out into the scene—a squid, wolf, and orc, wearing leather jackets and black shades.

"Oh, boss! Is this the new instructor you're hooking us with?” Magva Squid asked.

“Oh boy! He’s quite the looker! A tough one for sure!” Magva Orc added.

Havok turned over to the conqueror with disbelief.

“Who the heck are they supposed to be?”

Magva Squid abruptly stepped in.

"Why glad you asked! We're the TAKA GANG! The best bullies of West Bay High. We love to give nerds weggies, beat kids for lunch money, and get down with the ladies.”

“You can’t be serious…."

"Seriously…Just get the Taka boys off my hands." The conqueror whispered back.

Havok continues to look over at Magvamax.

“I leave them in your hands, Havok! Now go and stir some trouble on the surface.”

Magvamax quickly dismisses them. Moments later, above the surface…

“Yow! That hurts!”

“No more teach!”

“We surrender!”

Havok defeated the three within the battle in less than a minute. The Taka Gang was on the floor.

“This is a waste of time…What do you three really hope to accomplish for the Magval?” Havok wondered.

"Well, teach! We weren't always monsters. We use to be humans like anyone else.” Magva Squid said. “We use to be the top dogs of our school.”

“Nobody dared to mess with us. Those were good times till Ken and his gang whooped us.” Orc added.

"Since then, we've been getting our asses handed every week." Wolf cried.

They follow Havok down the barren road. Magva Squid continues to tell their sob story.

"So one day, we decided to defect from that sorry excuse for a school. For more power, Magvamax accepted us at first. He granted our wish and made us monsters, but it didn’t even give us a boost at all.”

“Hmm…”

They eventually arrive at some hot springs by West Bay Hills. The Taka Gang spots some pretty girls waltzing by.

"Oh, some dames!" Squid pointed. "Havok, you have to help us."

“What!?”

“We were hoping you make us look good! But, you know, a stand-in for us. So you don't have to really do much." Orc explained.

"Yeah, we just want to go on some dates." Wolf nodded.

Havok turned away, taking his leave.

“I cannot help you on that. You’re wasting my time.”

"No, teach! Don't leave us! Magvamax depends on you."

They begin begging on their knees. Finally, Kabuki arrives on the scene, snacking on a bag of chips.

“Greetings Havok! I take your first assignment is coming along nicely?”

"Good timing! Kabuki, they're in your hands now."

Moments later…The Taka Gang gathers with Kabuki by the rocks after hearing them out.

“I see…so you wish to score some hot dames for Saturday night. Not a problem!” Kabuki gave a thumb up.

“Arigato Kabuki San!”

At the East High track field…

“On your mark….Get set…”

In the middle of P.E., Ruka lines with a group of girls for a morning jog around the field.

“Go!”

The shot fires and all the girls begin dashing on the track. Ruka takes the lead.

"Come on, Yoko! You don't want to be left behind."

“I don’t care!”

In the last place, Yoko leisurely walks the track. Finally, Kabuki and the Taka crew emerge from the bleachers.

"Ok, men! A simple way to a woman's heart is confidence. I've painted your faces like mine; you now have the look of true warriors. Now go get them!"

The Taka crew jumps out into the scene. They spot Yoko mumbling in the distance.

“Stupid school….I hate everyone. I just want to be left alone. I want to eat by myself in the bathroom.”

“YOKO SAN!!! GO OUT WITH US!”

“HOLY CRAP!!!”

Yoko punches them away without hesitation. She makes a mad dash across the field, zipping past all the girls. She crosses the finish line taking Ruka by surprise.

"Hey, nice job Yoko!"

The Taka Gang lands on their faces, getting trampled by the rest of the girls on the track field.

"Hmm…well, I did what I could." Kabuki shrugged. "Auroa, I leave them to you."

A moment later, downtown…

"What Kabuki had in mind may have been dated," Auroa stated. “But with a glamorous touch, any woman should find you irresistible.”

The Taka crew now wore lipstick and eyeliners. They spot Ms. Kaida in line at the coffee shop.

"Decaf, please…and hold the milk.”

“KAIDA SAN!”

They stumble up in front of her, only to get beaten down within contact.

“You want me to bite you!”

The Taka boys find themselves on the floor once more. Auroa takes cover under a table when Kaida skims for anyone suspicious.

"Steffbird, they're all yours!”

“Argh! Leave it to me!”

Sometime later by the beachside…

"Heads up, Ruka!"

A volleyball match commences between Ran and a group of girls. But, first, Rena serves the ball over to Ruka, so she makes the big jump.

"Woo, look at she goes! Ruka is such a broad." Magva Wolf muttered.

Behind the umbrella, the Taka Gang emerges with Steffbird.

"Aye! Listen up. To blow down one of these landlubbers, you have to be vigilant. Let the fish come towards your arm's reach. Once they get close, you can wrap them around like in those movies."

Ruka misses her shot. The volleyball goes hard out of bounds reach.

“I’ll get it!”

Ruka makes her way across the sands towards them. The scene slowly plays out in the Taka boys' minds.

“Oh, here she comes!" Orc snapped.

“What do we do? What do we do?” Squid mumbled. “Steffbird!”

They look over their shoulders only to find him not by their side. Steffbird was seen taking pictures with another group of females. Ruka slowly advances to their position.

“Here she comes!”

The trio huddled up with one another nervously. Then, a big wave splashes over Ruka's swimsuit, nearly exposing her breasts.

“RUKA SAN!!!”

Their noses bled upon sight, tripping together over the volleyball. Magva Squid picks up the ball as they lie on the sand.

“Thanks!”

Ruka retrieves the volleyball without any issue. She quickly makes her way back to the game. Steffbird looks over the Taka boys' direction.

"They're yours, Bamboo."

“Why me!?”

Meanwhile, at the park…

"Tannen! On that tree. I think I see the cat." Alistor pointed.

"Well, get it then!” Tannen said.

Alistor makes his way up on the tree. Slowly crawling on the branch, the cat moves away from him.

“Easy…easy…”

Alistor grabs hold of it, but the cat immediately begins scratching. He falls over with some scratches now on his face.

"Is this the one, Tannen?"

After a quick inspection, Tannen merely nodded.

“Nope. We’ll have to try again.”

“No...You’re kidding me.”

Returning to the beachside...

"Alright, fellas, one good way to a woman's heart is through good food. They like being treated out."

The Taka Gang takes notes with Bamboo at his food truck in place.

"I'll give you some coupons to spend at my joint. Just ask them out, and nothing could go wrong.”

“Arigato Boss!!!”

They spot Ran and Rena heading their way.

"Man, I'm beat! I could use a good meal." Ran said.

“Let’s grab something by the shacks.”

The trio bumps up in front of them.

“RAN SAN! RENA SAN! PLEASE EAT WITH US!!!”

Minutes later…Bamboo finds his food truck in shambles—bowls of noodles over their heads.

"They didn't even like it…." Magva Wolf cried.

“Huh…guess adding grass jelly to soup doesn’t pair well for some.” Bamboo nodded. “I’ll put that to note.”

“It’s hopeless! We’ll never be able to get a date.” Magva Squid said.

“Maybe my brother could help.” Bamboo suggested.

Back at base, Abotemous awaits to receive some data on the screen. Bamboo barges in with the Taka trio.

"Hey, brother! These guys need our help finding a date tonight.”

“I have no time for this, Bamboo. However, we have some vital information to analyze once it comes in."

The scene cuts back to the park, where the rest have their heads down.

"Well, fellas, I did what I could." Bamboo shrugged. "Dating is not really in our expertise.”

He soon spots Katty still sad on the bench. They approach over to him.

“Hey! He’s just the kind of guy you need. Katty is excellent at picking up pretty girls.”

"Bamboo, what are you doing here? And who are these guys?”

After a brief moment of explaining things…

“Well, aren’t there any female monsters in the Magval army?” Katty wondered.

“Oh no! Don’t even go there.” Orc nodded. “They beat us all up easily. It’s true!”

"Hmm, I see…well, it's best to be true to yourself. Have a sense of honor and do what you feel is right in your heart." Katty started.

His words slightly sparked a fire within them.

"Oh, what am I even saying?" Katty muttered. "I never even been with a single girl myself. I'm a loser, just like you guys. We're on the same boat."

“No! We believe in you.” Magva Squid said. “Your words on honor sparked something we nearly forgot.”

Not soon after, Ken and his crew arrive on the scene. The Taka trio glared tensely at them.

"Well, what do ya know? It's the Baka Gang! Our score is sixty-one to zero. You back for more?" Ken pestered.

“THAT'S TAKA! TAKA! Let's get them, guys!"

Magva Squid and his crew mindlessly rush at Ken’s team but get beaten once again.

"Make that sixty-two to zero…." Squid mumbled.

“See you guys next week.” Ken spat.

Katty helped them right up.

“It’s hopeless. Ken is just too good.” Orc mumbled. “We’ll never be able to beat him in this lifetime.”

“Well, maybe you guys are going with this in the wrong direction?” Katty thought.

“What do you mean?” Wolf wondered.

They continue to hear him out.

“Well…have you guys ever considered outdoing Ken in another field of expertise? You guys don’t seem to fare well in combat. There has to be something you guys are good at?”

"Hey, I never thought of it that way. As a matter of fact, we're good at racing." Squid nodded. "Ken's motor scooter skills we're always subpar to us."

Bamboo and Katty were at a loss for words.

“That’s it! We’ll challenge him to a race instead. We’ll even raise the stakes. The loser will have his scooter explode. Magvamax should be able to help us.”

A burning look of determination was in their eyes.

"Thanks, Katty!"

The Taka trio leaves off challenging Ken.

"Wait, what!? What did I even say?" Katty jumped.

“The only thing we can do is see how this plays out.” Bamboo said.

Hours later...Ken and his team cross path with the Taka Gang once again.

"What? One day, not enough for you, Bakas?

“We came to propose a final challenge!” Squid said. “We’ll have a scooter race by the East Bay Beach.”

Ken contemplated for a brief moment.

"A scooter race? Well, bring it on!"

“And the loser that fails to cross the finish line will have his scooter explode.” Magva Wolf added.

“You guys are bluffing!” Ken snickered.

Moments later, both sides arrive at the beachside. Four motor scooters rigged with canisters lined up at the start line. Ken got on his scooter with the trio.

“I’ll go easy on you guys. I'll even give you a ten-second head start." Ken taunted.

“Don’t get cocky!” Squid snarled.

Back at the ghost ship…

“These Magval fools are racing to the beach. This is the perfect time for a monster.” The Gorman King snapped.

A flask forms within his hands.

“Steffbird. I want you to call forth Meiru! This Yokai should be enough to stir trouble.”

The flask teleports down to Steffbird’s hand. He takes his leave behind the scenes. The sound of the bell rings as the scooter race commenced.

“Let’s win this!” Squid mumbled.

Alistor and Tannen arrive on the scene with the cat in hand. They join with Katty by the sidelines.

"So, what did you call us here for?" Alistor wondered.

"A high-risk race between Ken and those guys is at stake. We have to stop them somehow, Tannen."

A look of worry was in Katty’s eyes.

“No…it’s best for us not to interfere," Tannen suggested.

The race continues across the shoreline as Ken breezes past the three with ease.

"What's the matter, Baka? I thought you guys are bent on winning?”

“We’re just getting started!”

Not soon after, a massive shell crashes down on a shack. The body opens up, revealing a female Yokai liquefying. Rain begins to pour across the entire beach.

“I am the revived spirit of Ameonna! Our king requires your energy!”

She begins licking her hands as goo fires out, entrapping victims within her reach. Ran and her friends find themselves trapped with countless civilians.

“Crap! They’re in trouble.” Ken noticed. “But I can’t hold back. I have to win this race.”

Ken begins slowing down while the trio zips past him. Finally, the trio takes notice of the situation as well. Magvamax begins telepathically communicating with them.

“Magva Orc, Wolf, Squid! I want you to throw this race.”

"What, why? But the bombs!"

Magvamax views over the finish line on the other screen.

“Fools! There were never any bombs placed in those canisters at the start.” The conqueror revealed. “You think I put my faith in you losers?”

“What are you saying?” Magva Squid asked.

“The detonators instead are placed on the finish line. The winner that crosses will die in the loser's place. So make yourselves useful and lose. You’ll be doing the Magval army a favor. That’s the only thing you fools have been ever good at.”

The Taka Gang had their heads down for the moment. Then, Katty's words slowly came to them.

“Be true to yourself…honor…and do what is right in your heart.”

Within that second, the Taka trio had a change of heart. They maneuver themselves across the beach.

“What are you guys up to?”

They rush over to Ran and Ruka’s direction at the destroyed shack. Ken turned around to follow them.

“RUKA SAN!”

Their battle cry attracts the Yokai's attention from a distance.

“Who the heck are they?”

Meiru was speechless once the trio rammed into her. Then, finally, the captives were freed, whereas the Yokai was stuck to them like glue on the scooters.

“Hey, it's those guys from the game before." Ruka pointed. "Thanks again! That was cool!"

She waves back to them with a smile joined by a group of pretty girls. A sense of completion was now in the trios' eyes.

“This is the final stretch! Let’s finish this gang!”

Magva Squid led the way as they aggressively bolt past Ken on the sands.

“What’s gotten into you guys today?” Ken wondered.

"We must not let Ken win, or he'll die," Squid muttered.

On the sidelines, Bamboo receives words from Havok about the detonators. He passes the info to Katty.

“No! I must stop those guys from doing something stupid. Before it’s too late.”

"Katty, wait!" Alistor yelled.

Katty rushes off to intercept them. With the Yokai still latched, the Taka Gang was just now a mile away from the finish line.

With all his might, Katty cuts across the beach line. He maneuvers his way across the sands in hopes of stopping them.

"Crap, it's gonna blow!" Ken shouted.

With the trio close to crossing the finish line, Ken quickly ditches his bike. Katty arrives on the scene.

“Guys!!!”

With the sun ready to set, the Taka Gang takes one final glance back at Ken and Katty.

“Thanks for everything. See you guys on the flip side!”

They crossed the finish line; the explosion went off, taking the monster with them. Nothing but smoke and debris was in the air. Ken was stunned.

“No…It can’t end this way.”

Ken goes over to retrieve what was left at the scene. He picks up Magva Squid's bandana, slowly breaking down. Tears ran behind his cool shades.

“You Bakas finally did it! You won! You won fair and square.”

He wraps the bandana on his forehead.

“YOU GUYS FINALLY WON! ARE YOU HAPPY?”

Ran and the rest go over to join him at the scene. The stooges did what they can to comfort him.

"They saved your life. It's what they intended in the end, I guess." Katty said.

"They may be idiots, but I never really hated them," Ken admits.

“Let’s not have their sacrifice be in vain.” Tannen closed.

The following day later, a vigil was held in the Taka trios' honor.

Katty looks off into the ocean horizon.

“Maybe I shouldn’t let gray hair get the best of me. I hope you guys are in a better place. I’ll never forget you.”

Sometime later at the Teirdalin agency…

"What, I only get 30 Tridals for getting scratched up?" Alistor gasped.

“Well, that’s the best I can offer.” Tannen snapped. “I got bills to pay.”

“I need better jobs.”

The scene soon lightens as Axe and his band crash in.

“Dudes! We have been looking all over for you guys!”

“Axe! I thought you guys are busy for the battle of bands?” Katty said.

Axe quickly fills them in on the details.

“We heard you two ran into some rough tides since you came here. So our band is looking for some bodacious members to help safeguard our equipment.”

Their eyes widened for a moment.

"We'll need you guys mostly during the night to help us set up. You'll have a place to stay, and the pay should be about alright.” Lance assured.

Katty was skeptical for a brief moment.

"But why us, though?" He wondered. "Couldn't your booking agents get anyone?"

"Well yeah, but it was more of Bow's idea, to be honest." Axe clarified.

Bow and Blade step into the scene.

“With the competitions coming, many bands are bound to sabotage another. I don’t really trust anyone around here.”

"We may require some protection as well," Blade added. "The female fans have been a handful for us lately. But hey, you’ll have backstage access to all our shows.”

Katty looks back at Alistor.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm…”

Tannen gives them a thumbs up of approval.

"Just go for it! If anything comes up, I'll inform you right away." He assured.

"Thanks, Tannen!"

And with that, Alistor leaves off with the Steel Specters. The evening horizon sets over them.

Maigashi & Yuka – Skit 3

Bonus scene: Hairspray?

Meanwhile, in Korola…

‘Yuka! I’m going to head out for a bit.”

Maigashi slowly walks out to another room but hears no response. He takes a look back.

“Huh?”

He overhears the sound of their shower water running from the bathroom.

“She must be in the shower.”

With one shrug, he turns back. He notices a can of hairspray on the counter.

“What’s this?”

He picks it up to check the content. “Seneca Brand” is labeled on it.

“Never heard of this brand. Must be good if Yuka uses it.”

He removes the band on his head to let his hair down. Then, with one shake, he begins spraying his hair. Slowly styling it up strand after strand.

"I'll get that sexy wild hair Axe, and the rest got."

The sound of the shower water stops. Yuka exits while quickly drying herself off; she wraps a towel around her body. Wiping the mirror, she's looking for something.

“Huh? Where did I put it?”

She opens the door to let out the steam. She spots Maigashi with the can in his hand, noticing His hair styled like a glam rocker.

"Hey, Yukes!"

“Hey! That’s mine!”

He tosses the can back to her. She attempts to spray some on her head, but nothing came out. An annoyed look forms on her face.

"Maigashi, you jerk! You used it all up."

He was speechless, staring blankly forward to take a look at Yuka’s wet hair.

“Yuka….your hair….it’s actually...”

“Gah! Don’t look!”

She quickly runs back to the bathroom.

“Come on. It doesn’t look so bad.” Maigashi shrugged. “You actually look cute.”

He decides to follow her inside, but Yuka holds back the door.

“I’m not getting out till you buy me a new one.”

"Aw, come on, Yuka…."

Her tower quickly slips off as Maigashi forces open the door. But, unfortunately, he gets knocked back by a bunch of soap bars and towels.

“GAAAAHH! OUT! GET OUT!”