For the City

The group had gathered at Torn's place to exchange their experiences and get updates on the recent events. Roter entered the room and was immediately greeted by Sick.

"Roter! There you are!" Sick exclaimed with relief.

Roter smiled faintly and apologized, "Sorry, something came up. But I'm here now."

Zäck couldn't contain his curiosity and rushed towards Roter. "Hey, did you win the championship? You look like you've achieved a great victory!"

Roter nodded proudly. "Yes, I won. And Erol wasn't exactly thrilled about it. But that's not the only thing that happened."

Kliflie perked up. "What do you mean? What happened with Erol?"

Roter sighed and recounted the dramatic events. "After I secured the decisive victory, Erol tried to run me over. I barely managed to dodge, but he crashed into a bunch of dark eco barrels. There was a massive explosion, and since then, no one has heard from Erol. He seems to have vanished."

A heavy silence fell upon the group. Sick finally broke the silence with a quiet "Wow..."

Roter turned to the others now and asked about their experiences. She was curious if they had defeated Number 1.

"Well..." Sick began hesitantly. "Turns out, he wasn't there at all. We trusted Kor, but it seems he was mistaken."

Roter was surprised. "But Kor said he was the one. How could he be so wrong?"

Kliflie shrugged. "We don't know. It seems like Kor was manipulated or something else is at play."

Torn, who had been silently listening, spoke up. "Roter, have you explored the palace?"

Roter nodded and pulled out the security pass from her pocket. "Yes, I was in the palace. Red saw me as an enemy and attacked. It seems the Baron had manipulated her. But I managed to get hold of this pass. It's for some kind of weapons factory."

Tess couldn't believe what she just heard. "Krew should be in the weapons factory, building a bomb with the Precursor Stone." She was certain that he intended to use it to blow up the Metal Head nest.

Samos was beside himself with worry. "For heaven's sake! Roter, you must stop him!"

Roter looked determined. "With pleasure."

But Tess interrupted her. "Wait! Can one of you check on Sig? Krew gave him the Ruby Key to open old doors underwater at the port. It's been a while, and he hasn't returned. Can someone go look for him?"

Sick and Zäck volunteered. "We'll take care of it. Roter, you and Kliflie go to the weapons factory, alright?" Sick suggested.

Roter wasn't sure. "Are you sure?"

Sick nodded resolutely. "Absolutely!"

The group split up once again, and Roter, accompanied by Kliflie, made their way to the weapons factory. They fought bravely through the enemy troops until they finally reached the rooftop of the factory.

There, Krew stood surrounded by a massive bomb. Roter and Kliflie were shocked.

"From the first time I saw you, Roter, I knew you were special," Krew began with a smug grin. "Nice to see you've come this far. We've been through a lot, haven't we?"

Roter felt anger rising within her. "Sure, Krew. It brings tears to my eyes."

Krew cackled shrilly. "I love weapons. I love how they look... how they feel... even how they smell, mmm."

Kliflie

couldn't resist making a comment. "I think you need professional help."

Krew continued his monologue. "The best was Mars' mighty weapon that he wanted to use to crack open the Metal Head nest. The poor fool died before he could use it, oh yes. But now I have the drill bomb. Just finished it. With this masterpiece, I can crack open the Precursor Stone and unleash the unspeakable energy inside it! When the Baron brings the Stone, we'll hide it in the final eco shipment and take it to the Metal Head nest. A surprise dessert, eh? Hehehe... Take this weapon upgrade and forget what you've seen here."

Roter stood resolutely in front of Krew. "Not this time, Krew! I won't lay a finger on any weapons for you."

Krew laughed mockingly. "Then I guess it's war, right?" Suddenly, he duplicated himself, and 20 identical clones stood before Roter and Kliflie.

Krew presented his "Krew" clones. One clone flew towards Kliflie and Roter, but they quickly knocked it down, causing the clone to burst and release a powerful shock.

Roter and Kliflie freed themselves from the shock of the electric clones by using their fire powers.

Roter was confused. "What's this? Clones that give off electric shocks?!"

Kliflie replied curtly, "Seems like it. What's the plan?"

Roter thought for a moment. "Since close combat won't work, we should rely on long-range attacks."

Kliflie agreed. "Sounds good."

Together, Roter and Kliflie took down one clone after another, but soon their eco energy started running low.

Roter cursed. "Damn... they're not getting any fewer."

Krew grinned arrogantly and enjoyed the chaos he had created. "Well, I can keep this up forever. There's no escape!"

Eventually, Krew merged all the clones into one giant entity.

Kliflie couldn't believe it and gasped for breath. "What the hell? This can't be happening!"

Roter sensed desperation in the air. "If he catches us, we're done for. We need to find a way to break through this overwhelming force."

Kliflie had an idea and hastily whispered it to Roter. "Roter, listen carefully. When Krew discharges himself, he probably has a cooldown. That's your chance to attack him. You can do it."

Roter looked at Kliflie with a mix of concern and determination. "You don't mean...?"

Kliflie nodded seriously. "Yes, Roter. You're strong enough. You can handle it."

Without further words, Kliflie jumped into the giant clone and was hit by a massive electric shock. His scream of pain echoed through the room as Roter, with a mix of fear and determination, flew upward to find and defeat the real Krew.

Roter soared through the air and launched a powerful punch at Krew. But to her surprise, it was only another clone that countered with a devastating attack. Both of them screamed in pain.

Meanwhile, Sick and Zäck equipped with diving gear entered the ruins. They fought bravely through the flooded corridors and finally reached the entrance of the ruins.

There, they encountered Sig, and Sick approached Sig with a serious expression. "How's it going, Big Guy?"

Sig recounted the trap he fell into. "Krew wanted me to use your Ruby Key to open some old doors. But suddenly, a bunch of those damn Metal Heads flooded in from outside as if they were waiting for me! There's one!"

Sick and Zäck were

concerned, but they had no time to lose. Sick turned to Zäck. "Roter and Kliflie will take care of Krew."

Sig replied angrily, "Really? His luck! 'Cause I would've taken him down with pleasure!"

Sick said, "The Metal Heads must have promised Krew a lot for him to betray the city like this."

Zäck suggested leaving the place.

The group was on their way back when suddenly a giant Metal Head started chasing them. They ran and ran until they were getting close to their destination.

Excitedly, Sick shouted, "Keep going! We're almost at the elevator!"

Sig, filled with euphoria, called out to them, "We finally shook them off, guys! Piece of cake. Now you're true wastelanders! Come on, let's take down the Metal Head leader! He'd make a crazy trophy! We'll get Mars' old weapon ready, and then boom, baby, we'll storm the nest with continuous fire! Hell yeah! We'll take them all out, together! Together! The four of us! Side by side! Nothing can stop us because we..."

Suddenly, a giant Metal Head broke through the wall and pulled Sig into the abyss.

Sick and Zäck screamed in horror, "Sig!"

Sick panicked and asked, "What just happened?!"

Elite Soldier No. 1 stepped forward, "Sorry, but he was getting on my nerves."

Zäck angrily retorted, "So you were here the whole time..."

"That's right. I was just waiting for you to show up. Actually, I was more looking forward to Roter and Kliflie. Why are you separated?" No. 1 confirmed.

Sick replied dismissively, "That's none of your business!"

No. 1 shrugged and said, "Well, it doesn't matter. I'll take care of you now, and then the other two. It'll make things easier for me."

Zäck rushed towards No. 1 and tried to punch him, but his arm went right through him.

Sick exclaimed, "What?!"

No. 1 laughed, "Hahaha, that won't work."

Sick fired his Eco at No. 1, but the energy passed through him.

Frustrated, Sick said, "What...?"

No. 1 mocked, "Ahahaha, yes."

No. 1 ran towards Sick and knocked him away.

Confused, Zäck asked, "But how?!"

No. 1 smugly explained, "My Eco allows me to let through things I want."

Sick realized the hopelessness of the situation, "That means we can't touch you, but you can touch us?"

No. 1 confirmed, "Exactly. So, what are you going to do now?"

Back to Roter and Kliflie. Both of them stand up, heavily injured, their bodies marked with numerous scratches and bleeding wounds.

Roter wheezes and says with a concerned look, "This doesn't look good at all..."

Kliflie nods in agreement, trying to control his breath, "Yeah, it seems like we've gotten ourselves into an impossible situation..."

Suddenly, the giant clone transforms into many small clone warriors, whirling around wildly.

Roter fixes his gaze on the swirling mass, his eyes sparkling with determination, "I have an idea... What if we go all in?"

Kliflie raises an eyebrow in surprise, "You don't mean...?"

Roter nods energetically, and a mischievous smile crosses his worn face.

Suddenly, Roter starts raising his voice, and a deafening roar fills the air. At the same time, he unleashes a tremendous amount of energy, rising up around him in the form of glowing flames.

A massive explosion of flames erupts, and the heat engulfs the many small clones of the leader. They are consumed by the raging flames and turned to ashes.

Kliflie exclaims excitedly, "There he is! We got them all!"

But their joy is short-lived as Krew suddenly flies away at a furious speed.

Kliflie refuses to let him escape and uses his wind powers to quickly follow the fleeing Krew.

Kliflie calls out challengingly, "Where do you think you're going, Krew?"

Suddenly, Kliflie delivers a powerful kick, knocking Krew out of the air and sending him crashing to the ground.

Roter approaches, panting heavily, and leans heavily on Kliflie's shoulder, gasping for breath. He asks, "Is it too late for me to quit?"

Krew laughs hysterically and mockingly, "The city is already dead! I sold you all out. Hehehe... uh, uh, hehe."

Kliflie notices that the huge bomb has caught fire.

Kliflie looks at Roter with concern, "Um, Roter... I think we should get out of here... and I mean RIGHT NOW!"

At that moment, Red approaches, flying on a ship.

Roter exclaims with relief, "Red!"

Red lands next to them and opens the sliding door of the ship, saying, "Let's get out of here! Quickly!"

Krew grins cynically and adds, "Yeah, ruuuun away..."

Roter, Kliflie, and Red hastily board the ship, leaving Krew helpless on the ground.

The ship takes off and quickly moves away from the destroyed factory, which is engulfed in flames from the explosion of the bomb ignited by Roter. The entire factory and Krew are destroyed in a massive inferno.

Red drops off Kliflie and Roter at the harbor.

Red takes a deep breath and says solemnly, "Find my father, guys. I'll bring Mar's heart to Keira for you."

"I'm sorry it had to come to this."

Roter and Kliflie return to the bar.

Tess, relieved to see them, exclaims, "There you are!"

Roter asks worriedly, "Where are Sick and Zäck?"

Tess shakes her head, "They haven't returned yet."

Kliflie becomes restless, "That's strange. It shouldn't take this long to look for Sig."

Suddenly, Roter receives a call on his communicator.

Kor's voice sounds desperate, "Ro... ter. This is Kor. The Baron... need help... construction site."

Roter furrows his eyebrows, his lips curling into a dangerous grin, "Sounds like trouble. And Praxis is apparently there too. Now I'll finally get my revenge."

"Alright. I'll go check on Sick, Zäck, and Sig. You grab the Baron," Kliflie suggests.

Roter nods and says with unwavering determination, "Alright. I'll capture the Baron."

Kliflie firmly shakes his hand, "Good luck, my friend!"

Roter gratefully smiles at Kliflie, "Same to you!"

Then they set off separately to fulfill their respective missions.

Roter flies immediately to the construction site, where he finds the Baron accompanied by his guards.

Roter calls out challengingly, "Praxis!"

Praxis turns to face Roter and laughs mockingly, "Roter! How dare you still try to stand in my way! Don't you remember what happened last time?"

Roter remains calm and responds firmly, "Oh, I remember very well. But this time, things will be different. And

you will meet your end here."

Praxis laughs loudly, "Hahaha! You fool! Never underestimate the power of the Precursor Stone!"

Suddenly, Praxis charges up with energy and strikes Roter forcefully against a scaffolding.

However, Roter remains unfazed and calmly approaches Praxis.

Praxis is bewildered and asks, "Why are you still alive?"

Roter smiles coolly, "You see, my dear Baron... I AM STRONGER THAN YOU!"

Roter's gaze becomes focused, reminiscent of Red's, and he hurls the Baron through the air with a single blow.

Praxis is shocked, "What the...?"

Roter's hair glows faintly, and his eyes are sharp and penetrating.

Praxis asks in horror, "What is this?!"

Roter explains calmly, "I have gained a new power to defeat you. It's just as I say. You will meet your end here, Praxis! Only one of us will walk away alive."

Praxis attacks Roter with a green beam, but Roter counters with a mighty blast of flames.

Praxis exclaims in horror, "This is impossible!"

A fierce exchange of blows ensues between the two. Roter maintains the upper hand, repeatedly striking back Praxis.

Praxis spits blood and looks confused, "How can there be a power greater than the Stone?!"

Roter sprints towards Praxis and hurls him into the air and into his own palace.

The fight continues in the palace, leaving a trail of devastation behind.

Praxis wildly strikes at Roter, but Roter skillfully evades. Praxis' muscles and strength make him slower and less agile.

Roter delivers a powerful flame strike to Praxis' face, sending him flying through half of his palace.

Praxis gasps and spits blood, "What kind of power is this?! Tell me!"

Roter replies with determination, "My own..."

Roter hurls Praxis out of the palace, and the battle continues in the air.

Praxis desperately shouts, "We need that bomb, Roter! Can't you understand?!"

Roter responds with conviction, "That bomb will kill us all, Praxis. You can't control that power!"

Praxis screams angrily, "Fool! You believe everything you're told! That bomb will save us all! And I will kill to defend it!"

Praxis charges up with even more energy and hurls Roter away. Roter lands on one of the palace's supports.

Praxis also lands there, and another fierce exchange of blows ensues between them.