After everyone gathered inside the spaceship, they sat together, discussing their next move. Hikaru leaned against the cold metal walls, his mind racing. They had come all this way to find a cure for the zombie virus, yet they were still empty-handed. The group needed a breakthrough—something, anything—to give them hope.
"We have to find something," Hikaru said, looking at Leon. "Any clue, any hint—there has to be a way."
Leon sighed. "I understand, but this isn't easy. The aliens took years to develop the virus, and if we're not careful, we'll walk into a trap."
Despite the uncertainty, they decided to split up. Hikaru, Leon, Muscle, Ojjisan, Akito, Pepo, Fyodor, Aoi, Carlos, and Kenji prepared themselves and left the spaceship using Akito's invisibility. They moved carefully, avoiding cameras and scanning machines, navigating the dark city streets illuminated by the glow of the alien metropolis.
As they walked, they stumbled upon a massive festival. The aliens were celebrating, dancing, and playing drums, their city filled with bright lights and strange music. It was an odd sight—amidst war and destruction, there was joy. Hikaru watched in silence, his fists clenched.
"These creatures celebrate while we suffer," Carlos muttered.
"We need to focus," Aoi said. "Let's find another way."
They avoided the heavily guarded laboratory this time, suspecting the aliens would be on high alert after their last infiltration. Instead, they moved to a different state within the alien country, hoping to find new information.
After hours of searching, they found nothing—no clues, no signs of research, no alternative labs. It was a dead end. Exhausted and frustrated, they decided to return to the base, their spirits low.
"This is pointless," Fyodor muttered. "We're running in circles."
"Don't say that," Ojjisan replied. "We've come too far."
But the disappointment was evident in their faces. As they reached their spaceship, a sudden gust of wind sent them stumbling backward. The ground shook, and the air around them became dense. Hikaru immediately sensed danger.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows, his body surrounded by swirling gusts of wind. His long, flowing cloak danced violently as if caught in a storm. His piercing, glowing eyes fixated on the group.
Hikaru stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The figure smirked. "The name is Violet Hojo."
Leon's eyes widened. "Another Hojo?"
Violet Hojo lifted his hand, and a massive windstorm formed instantly, shaking the spaceship. The force of the wind sent several of them flying back. Akito barely managed to grab onto a nearby structure, his body still weak from the previous battle.
"You humans are stubborn," Violet said, his voice echoing. "You shouldn't have come here."
Aoi immediately reacted, launching a powerful thunder strike at Violet. The attack struck, but Violet remained unfazed. Instead, he twisted his fingers, and the lightning dispersed into the wind.
"Pathetic," Violet muttered. He raised his hands, and the winds howled, forming razor-sharp air currents that slashed towards the team. Hikaru dodged and rushed in, activating his Ether Form. He appeared behind Violet and aimed an Ether punch, but Violet saw through it, countering with a powerful gust that sent Hikaru crashing into a building.
Muscle charged in, activating Zero Knuckle, but as he threw his punch, Violet redirected the wind, twisting Muscle's attack mid-air and sending him flying into a wall.
Carlos and Kenji attacked simultaneously—Carlos with a Dark Slash and Kenji with his Water Barrage. Violet swiftly maneuvered between them, his wind barrier absorbing the attacks.
"You're wasting your energy," Violet said, shaking his head. "Did you think the Hojo family wouldn't be prepared for you?"
Fyodor, panting, wiped blood from his lips. "Another Hojo… Damn it."
Leon's face was tense. "Vexar was nothing compared to him."
Akito, still injured, gritted his teeth. He knew he was in no condition to fight, but he couldn't just watch his friends struggle.
Hikaru stood up, his eyes glowing with Ether energy. "We've fought stronger enemies before," he said, his voice cold. "And we'll defeat you too."
Violet smiled. "Try it, then."
The battle was far from over.