Fast Outcome: A Half Baked Battle

Chapter 9

Fast Outcome:

A Half Baked Battle

One fateful morning…

"Another day for business."

Inside Bamboo opens the doors to his restaurant on an early Saturday morning. Taking one fresh breath of air, he takes a gaze at the blossoms across the street. Then, something quickly catches his attention.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!"

Alistor and the party come rushing to the scene. Axe helps Bamboo right up in the middle of a state of shock.

"What's the matter? Are we under attack?" He asked while readying his blade.

"Yeah, dude! Speak to us."

Bamboo points their attention to a new building across the street. A new restaurant ready for business. One moment later…

"So what? A new restaurant in town can't be this bad." Maigashi shrugged.

Auroa returns with some gathered insights on the situation.

"Apparently, some hotshot chef by the name Rondo has opened up in this town." He informed.

"Well, I don't like the sound of this." Bamboo beamed. "This is going to affect the income. Competition not good for business."

"Well, there's a chance the food might not be good?" Maigashi debated.

Alistor catches a glimpse of a huge line across the street from a window. Axe returns back with some news.

"Dude! You guys aren't going to believe this."

Bamboo and the party checks the scene outside. Catching a glimpse of the new restaurant ready for its grand opening. Female waiters are seen handing out pamphlets to the crowd.

"It seems Cheryl and her friends have taken up jobs at this place."

Tension further builds within Bamboo's spirit.

"New Steel Plated Floorings, V Powered Gas Stoves, Sushi Bars, Live Fish Tanks, and Sexy Waiters! I can't compete with this." He further scowled.

A pamphlet gets handed to Alistor's group. They take him back inside to his business. Bamboo is seen waltzing back and forth in places.

"Get a hold of yourself." Maigashi pestered.

"Yeah, it can't be really this bad?" Alistor added. "Maybe everyone will just forget about it the next day."

"Not going to happen." Bamboo nodded. "This is serious business, and oh, your pay from last week is ready on the other side of the counter."

They collect their payroll from the counter. Maigashi suddenly grabs the pamphlet off Alistor's hand, making a leave to the door.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bamboo asked.

"Where do ya think? I'm gonna give that new place a try."

Bamboo immediately stumbles over.

"Relax…If the food is bad, I'll let you know. Plus, I can give some immediate insight if I catch anything fishy."

He quickly got back up.

"Hmm, actually, that might not be a bad idea. Get close to the enemy and strike when the iron is hot."

Bamboo then turned his attention toward the others.

"It's settled then. Your next mission is to investigate this new restaurant. You'll use your money to sample some of the food there. Now go!"

Alistor stumbled for a brief moment.

"What? But I don't want to."

Maigashi and the others immediately pull him straight out the doors with them. Then, jumping into the long waiting line.

"This might not be so bad, dude."

Meanwhile, back with Vilevelious…

"Scrap-Ram! What is the meaning of this?"

The emperor is seen conversing with his general on another screen.

"What is the problem?"

He turns to the screen showing the new restaurant opened across the street. The general is clueless about the situation.

"Did you send a monster without my approval? What's this new plan that I haven't heard of?"

Scrap Ram takes one glance at the restaurant showing Rondo cooking.

"Not that I know of? In fact, I haven't given any orders for him to open up? Is this a monster gone rogue for the first time?"

"Well, I'm going to get to the bottom of this." The emperor announced. "My personal monster chef Rondo was supposed to make breakfast. So now I'll have to get takeout."

Back down below, Alistor and the company are getting seated at the tables. High-end chandeliers light the table as the menus get passed out. A man comes strolling into the scene, making a flashy entrance.

"AHHAHA! I am the Great RONDO! The one and only beautiful! I traveled the world far and wide, seeking the greatest ingredients known to mankind. With one taste, you'll be mesmerized by the enchanting flavors. Your tongue will swirl and twist. You'll never stop coming back for more. So what will it be today?"

The party was utterly astounded. Speechless for a moment before proceeding to the menu. The rest were deep into planning while Alistor remained uncertain what to order. Maigashi starts the order.

"Okay, we'll start off with some Sashimi and Deep Fried Tofu for appetizers. Then some Chicken Katsu and Beef Teriyaki combos."

"Okay, dudes! For the rolls, we'll take the Rock n Roll, a Spider, and a Rainbow. Then the Dragon, Unagi, and Viper. And top it off with extra ginger."

The waiter takes the orders down.

"As for drinks, give us some Hot Tea." Auroa closed.

"Splendid!" Rondo clapped. "Your food will be ready in a split. You won't be disappointed."

The chef spun his way back into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Bamboo is seen peeping through a pair of binoculars on the other side. Rondo is seen in the middle of cooking. Preparing many dishes as the sound of water drips in the sink. Then, he suddenly hears a voice.

"RONDO! What is the meaning of this?"

He comes to a halt.

"That voice…"

Rondo turns his attention towards the water. Vilevelious face materializes in the sink beaming at him.

"Vile, my lord."

"What is that awful human disguise? You have some explaining to do."

"I confess…I acted on my own without a superior's notice. But I have a plan that will heat things for our labyrinth."

The emperor became intrigued.

"Go on."

"This new restaurant will gather all the energy we need for the labyrinth. With this concoction, my food will keep them spending and coming back for more. With a simple drop just like this."

He is seen pouring something into the sashimi.

"I see…But why go through the trouble on your own?"

A small flashback pass through Rondo's mind.

"I'll tell you why. It was Mushogun's fault. He took my glory that very day. I never had the chance to become general. I was so close, but favor curried to him. So by cruel fate, I lost by a mile. But now that he is long gone, I want to prove what I can do."

"Interesting…"

Rondo takes his stand.

"Promote me, and I'll have them on your knees."

"Well, you seem rather determined. So fine, I'll give you a chance. Dispose of Alistor and his nuisance group, and I'll give you that promotion. I've grown tired waiting on Scrap Ram's countless failures anyway."

"They will not stand a chance against my Dynamo-style techniques."

Vilevelious face disappeared in the waters.

In a matter of time, the food arrived at their tables. Presented in fancy plates, sparkling under the light.

"Hot damn… Didn't see this coming." Maigashi admitted.

"Well, let's dig in," Auroa said as they pulled out the chopsticks.

The party digs in as Alistor takes the first bite into the sashimi. A sudden sparkle lit within his eyes.

"Wow! This stuff is good."

"Yeah, dude, this stuff is excellent."

An hour later, they are back at Bamboo's restaurant.

"Well…So how was the food?"

Maigashi was seen cleaning his teeth with a toothpick.

"Yeah, you're pretty screwed." He broke the news.

Bamboo crouched up in the corner, depressed.

"With unbeatable prices, Rondo pretty much could drive you out of business."

He gets right back up.

"How much was the bill?" Bamboo hastily asked.

"Just five hundred yen for every item." Alistor jumped.

Bamboo froze in place.

"I didn't even get to try the sashimi, thanks to him." Maigashi bops Alistor over.

"Ow! But it was so good."

"Though…I did sort of noticed something off." Axe stepped in.

"What? Then spit it out." Bamboo shouted.

A flashback shows the four in the middle of eating while Rondo makes his way back into the kitchen. Axe is seen placing his plate down.

"Gonna wash up, be back in a sec."

He heads right off to the men's room. Axe immediately hears Rondo laughing as he catches a glimpse of him pouring something into a plate. But, unfortunately, the scene fades from there.

"He was using some sort of small bottle. I thought it was like nothing at first, but then the food began to sparkle. Like it's some sort of secret ingredient."

Something sinister suddenly catches Bamboo's mind.

"Hmm…This actually gives me an idea."

"Like what?" Alistor asked.

"If we steal this secret formula, then my food will taste better."

The party immediately stumbled over.

"What? But I can't take part in any criminal activity." He objected. "No! I won't do this. Even if it means risking your business."

"Not to worry!" Bamboo assured. "This plan will not fail."

He begins drawing out a plan at the tables. And in a matter of hours, everyone was lined up for dinner. Alistor was once again in line with Maigashi and Auroa, waiting for a table. He was nervous for the first time.

"Stop, with your shaking," Maigashi whispered. "You're making us look suspicious."

"But I can't. I've never done something like this before. How can you guys stay so calm?"

Auroa was seen reading over the menu outside.

"Look, he gave us the easiest part. We have free money to spend, so keep it together. After that, it's up to Axe and him to pull this off. We'll be on the inside lookout, so don't mess this up."

The three are soon seated at the table once again.

"Hey? Where's your other friend." The waitress asked.

"Um, well, he's occupied with his music. You know, guitar practice."

"As if." The girl snobbishly said. "He can barely strike a single cord. Well, other than that, what can I get for you today?"

Maigashi began making the orders while two figures crept past a window behind. It was none other than Axe and Bamboo sneaking past the unnoticed crowd.

"Okay, dude, the back kitchen should be right around here."

"Good, all good. Everything going to plan." Bamboo rubbed his hands. "When Rondo makes his way out, we'll break in."

The three were in the middle of ordering.

"While Maigashi makes the big order, Auroa will give the signal when he comes right out."

Maigashi concludes with the order as Rondo spun out from the kitchen, again making his flashy entrance. Auroa opens out the chopsticks tapping them on the table lightly.

"That's the queue," Axe whispered.

The two slipped their way through the window panes arriving in the back storage room. Axe gently opens the door leading to the kitchen. A waitress is seen taking a dish out.

"The coast is clear."

The two scoured around for the secret formula.

"Do you remember what it looks like?"

"Yeah, this will only take a minute." He pointed. "Right there!"

The bottle was seen located inconveniently high above a cabinet.

"Dude, there are no chairs around."

"Then we'll have to do this the hard way. So I'll give you a boost."

Axe got right on Bamboo's back, reaching for the bottle. Some pots and pans begin to dangle over.

"Hold still, man."

"I'm trying!"

A waitress begins to notice the noise.

"Hey! Rondo, I think something fell over."

"What?"

The staff begins turning their attention back to the kitchen.

"Oh shit!" Maigashi snapped. "They're gonna be discovered. We need a distraction to bide some time fast."

Auroa quickly reached for the wasabi. Maigashi immediately stuffed a whole chunk in Alistor's mouth. In a matter of seconds, his face was red as his mouth caught on fire. Then, screaming, coughing, and gagging for some water.

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

"What is going on?" Rondo turned back. "Someone get that kid some water."

The waitress goes to pour some water over him. He was seen soaking wet while the others laugh. The sound was still heard from the kitchen.

"Got it, dude!"

Bamboo then loses balance, forcing them to fall over. Finally, the two begin to make their escape through the back window. Axe successfully slips out first, but Bamboo struggles to pull himself back up.

"Grab my hand."

Before Bamboo had the chance, a loud scream forced him back down.

"EEEEEEEEEEKKK!!! We got an intruder!"

"Wu, oh!"

Axe flees from the scene as the waitress hurls things at Bamboo.

"Oh NO!!!!"

An army of waitresses soon barged in, pinning him to the ground. In a matter of minutes, Bamboo was seen handcuffed as the authorities took him away. Rondo looks back at him in utter disgust.

"Anyone in the mood for dessert?" Auroa asked.

"I'm not amused," Alistor grunted while Maigashi continued to laugh.

A few hours later, the party caught up with Axe. Bamboo was quickly let off with a warning for breaking and entering.

"So you got it?"

"Right here, dude!"

He hands the formula over to Bamboo.

"Perfect!"

A few days later, the line was still packed by Rondo's restaurant. Bamboo's business was empty with not a single customer.

"I don't understand…Even with this formula, my food hasn't improved one bit. Everything on Rondo's menu is the same as mine."

"You can try lowering the price?" Alistor suggested.

"Are you crazy? I can't go any lower."

Bamboo suddenly crouched back down into his sad state.

"It's hopeless… We're through."

Then, unexpectedly the bell rings with two customers' insight.

"Are you open for business?"

"No way!"

The man from the nursery and the middle-aged owner from the antique shop enters inside.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"The food at Rondo's may be great, but the line is too long to bother the wait. Plus, all the young kids are eating there, and it's rowdy."

Some hope was restored back to them.

"Indeed, Rin and her lady friends are gossiping away, so I don't want to be there. Your food, however, is more like home cooking."

"So, what can we get you?"

Two orders of noodles were placed. Bamboo heads right off into the kitchen to prepare the dish. He stumbles a bit, looking for the secret formula, but an unexpected ingredient slips in.

"OH…"

The pot for the soup base quickly turns red, letting off a ghastly smoke. Choking up, Bamboo looks over the unexpected ingredient dumped in.

"Atomic Wasabi?"

He remained conflicted for the moment whether to feel guilty or not but lets off a shrug as the noodles were served. Axe hands over the food to the customers as they took their first slurp into the noodles. Their face immediately burns red within seconds.

"Uh, dudes? Ya feeling okay?"

Fire immediately bursts aflame from their mouths as they spun in circles. Gagging for some water as Maigashi quickly goes to pour it over them. Bamboo backed away, fearing a refund.

"So I take it you don't like it?" Alistor asked.

"Are you kidding? We love it!" The middle-aged man cried. "This reminds me of the food back in my childhood."

In a matter of the moment, a large crowd flocked at the front doors. Looking over, the two men were satisfied with the new hot dish.

"We got a whole bunch of hungry customers at the doors." Maigashi pointed.

"Let them in!" Bamboo ordered.

In a matter of minutes, the line at Rondo's was deserted. Auroa placed a new poster advertising their unique dish. Atomic Wasabi Noodles. From the other side, Rondo can be seen snapping a pair of chopsticks. The waitress's stood on the sidelines curious.

"Maybe Bamboo's not so bad after all." One girl thought.

"That new dish sounds interesting. I want to try it." Another girl said. "What do you think, Cheryl?"

"I don't know…I don't trust Bamboo one bit. Axe and the others must be up to something." She merely nodded.

Rondo took his stand cooking up a new plan.

"If it's hot, they want! Then hot they will get."

In the matter of an hour, Rondo's place had a new dish ready by the windows. Kamikaze Curry. Customers begin to flock back to Rondo's restaurant.

"We will fight fire with fire!" Bamboo ordered.

The next moment Bamboo quickly created another dish to lure the customers back. Scorching fried Gyoza. Double the Spice!

"Take that!"

Rondo immediately retaliated with Blistering Fried Tofu. Triple the firepower. Both restaurants were at war, creating one new dish after the next till Rondo finally had enough. Both chefs stared down at one another from across the street.

"This is the last straw!" Rondo snapped. "I didn't want to do this."

He takes a marker to write up something as they attempt to figure what he was planning. Then, in a matter of seconds, he placed the sign on display, causing Bamboo to fall over.

"What? Buy 1, get 1 free! FREE!!!"

Rondo let off a burst of jeering laughter as he entered back inside. Alistor goes to help him back up while the customers flocked back to Rondo's restaurant once again.

"Can't we one-up him with a free deal as well?" Alistor asked.

"What? NO!" Bamboo objected. "My cooking has more dignity than this, and I refuse to go low with all you can eat."

A moment later, Rondo can be seen eyeing the customers in the middle of eating. Then, he lets off a creepy grin.

"The time is now right. Time to fuel energy for the labyrinth."

With one wave from his hands, energy begins to drain from all the customers across the tables. The waitresses all stood clueless as he maniacally laughs.

"Hey, dudes! Something is up on the other side at Rondo's." Axe pointed.

"This is not good. We should check it out." Maigashi thought.

Bamboo takes the lead opening the front doors. Bamboo takes the first steps in while the rest followed behind. Proceeding through the receptionist hallway.

"I hear a sound."

In a matter of seconds, a group of waitresses was seen running away. Bamboo was caught by surprise, getting trampled in their path.

"Oh, hey Cheryl." Axe waved.

Auroa goes to check over Bamboo, who was knocked out cold. The party placed him on the side of the tables.

"Good grief…" Maigashi nodded.

The party proceeds into the dining room. There Rondo stood in wait for them. A sinister look was on his face.

"Who are you? Show your true form." Alistor demanded.

Rondo steps into the center, smoke sets loose from under his garment as the rest backed away. Then, in a matter of seconds, his true face was revealed as he let off a burst of laughter.

"It was a monster this whole time."

Rondo begins to bang his wok like a drum. Alistor stood fazed for a moment, distracted by the getup while the others pulled their weapons.

"I, the great Rondo, will defeat you here and now. After that, you shall fall to my Dynamo-style techniques."

"What is he doing?" Alistor dropped his guard.

"Wouldn't want to find out."

Maigashi makes the first charge with an electrical dagger. A sly look was on Rondo's face as he made the first strike deflecting the attack with his wok. Rondo then follows up with a rapid series of punches with his cooking utensils sending him crashing on the tables. Auroa and Axe then stepped in.

"We must end this quickly."

"I got your back, dude."

Auroa lashed open his whip with a force of the air.

"Wind? I got an answer to that."

Rondo immediately pulls out a bag of wasabi to chug down. In a matter of seconds, flames spew from his mouth, dispelling Auroa's wind in the air.

"No way!"

"Gah!"

Axe immediately falls back as the crowd begins to evacuate the scene. Auroa gets slammed back by his wok.

"HAHA! Did I mention I was also the Wasabi eating champion back in the days?"

Alistor attempts to jump in but was kept back from Rondo spewing more flames.

"We have to do something about that fire," Maigashi said.

"As long the flames are around, my attacks are useless." Auroa nodded.

Axe caught a glimpse of something on the corner as the others quickly huddled to plan. Bamboo still lies unconscious at the other end of the table as Axe crawled under. The two make a stand against Rondo once more.

"Back for more?"

Rondo didn't hesitate to unleash another round of flames. The two maneuvered their way around using the tables as cover. Maigashi then fires a few shots, but Rondo quickly blocked the oncoming attacks.

"Is that all you got?"'

Axe quickly gets him from behind with an extinguisher on his face. The fire soon dies away as the others went in. Auroa and Maigashi then unleashed a series of ranged attacks, damaging him while Alistor charged in with the Star Breaker. Finally, a spark lit within Rondo's eye.

"DYNAMO!"

Rondo hurls his wok over at Axe, knocking him away while he charged head-on to their attacks. Next, he hurls both his utensils at Maigashi and Auroa, stunning them. The two get sent back with a series of fast kicks and punches while Alistor continued his charge.

"Your reign of cooking ends here and now!"

Alistor dashed into the air, ready to finish the unarmed monster. The fire was still burning in Rondo's eyes. Within a split second, Rondo grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the tables.

"What? You got to be kidding me."

Alistor's Star Breaker was stopped right in midair as Rondo held him by the blade's tip with the sticks. Then, he tossed him aside with a series of quick punches.

"What is with this guy?" Alistor raged.

The rest held him back from charging in.

"This might be a fight we cannot win." Auroa nodded.

"But we can't just give up now?"

Rondo retrieves his wok and bangs it like a drum once more. Alistor began to lose his mind as the monster taunts away.

"His Dynamo style is hard to read," Maigashi admits. "Might be best to call a retreat. This guy is unpredictable."

Alistor refused to stand down.

"Enough chit chatter. You're not escaping, so I'm gonna end this right now." Rondo snickered.

The door closed behind them. Alistor attempts to charge once more, but Rondo, this time, pulls out ingredients. Pineapple and Kiwis were sent exploding in his path. His pan begins to expand in size, pulling the party in.

"Is he really gonna try to cook us?" Axe jumped.

Rondo tossed more ingredients into the pot.

"Onions! Bell Peppers! Cucumbers and Tomatoes."

He starts shaking them up back and forth as the heat readies.

"See Vile! I am worthy enough to be general. Victory never tasted so good."

Just as Rondo begins to start the flames, a sudden force knocks over the entire wok. It rolled, crashing open the doors as it freed Alistor and the party.

"It's you again…" Rondo muttered.

It was none other than Bamboo, armed with a ladle. A serious look on his face.

"Bamboo?" Alistor stuttered.

"Stay back. This one is mine." He insisted.

Fire lit between both chef's eyes as the battle now took place outside. Rondo charged in with his utensils delivering a series of punches as Bamboo matched him move for move.

"Look at them go." Maigashi dropped. "I have never seen him like this."

Rondo spews open another round of flames, but Bamboo easily deflects it from one twirl with his ladle. The sun was now setting as both chefs stood off.

"I am the great Rondo! No one's cooking can compare to the lights of mine. My Dynamo style will not fall."

"You have dishonored my cooking. I cannot let you live. You will feel the wrath of my Bamboo style."

Like a samurai showdown, both chefs make the final charge. Putting everything, they got into one final move. One last clashing sound commenced as both stood hand in hand.

"Hmm."

Bamboo's body suddenly falls back as the others hesitated. Rondo takes one look back.

"Dy…Na…mo Sty…le………."

Rondo immediately collapses to the floor, exploding in one great puff of smoke as Bamboo emerged victoriously. The party goes to help him back up. The scene shifts back to the enemy lair.

"No!!!!" Vilevelious pounded.

"So Rondo has failed." Scrap Ram nodded.

"With him gone, now I'll have nothing to eat but instant noodles." The emperor sadly expressed. "I'll need to find a new chef."

The general looks over the progress of Axe's guitar.

"Well, look on the bright side. The good news is Axe's guitar is almost complete collecting energy. So my brand new monster will be soon ready."

The following day, Rondo's restaurant completely vanished overnight. Bamboo's restaurant was back to its usual business. Large orders of Atomic Wasabi Noodles were flying off the counters.

"Bamboo, did you really have to keep this on the menu?" Alistor complained.

"Hey! It was the best mistake that ever happened. It's new, hot and everyone wants to try it. Now shoo! Don't leave them hungry and waiting."

He scoots him out from the kitchen as he delivered the bowls to the tables.

In a matter of minutes, customers' mouth was burning away while Axe goes to extinguish them. The sound of gold coins and hard cash was only on Bamboo's mind.

"At this rate, I'll be rich if I keep making stuff like this. Maybe I should start adding wasabi to all my cooking. Even grass jelly!"

"Oh, give me a break…." Alistor sighed.

The scene closes with Bamboo stirring his big pot.