Augustus couldn't move, nor could he talk. It struck him too quickly, right as he felt nothing could go wrong. And yet, a part of him questioned why he didn't expect it. Why he so easily took the bait. "C'mon, don't look at me that way." Toriko said with his friendly smile. "Gray skin is just so unattractive. I had to look pretty for the crowds."
"But, you…you're a troll." Augustus stuttered. "And you're the Boss? What about that Midora guy you were-"
"Midora died ages ago. He was a powerful man, and a faithful servant… but all good men wear out eventually. You needn't be so afraid, Augustus." The Boss stepped down the stairs a tad, putting an arm over Augustus's shoulders. "To tell the truth, Licorice already warned me about you. A young hunter defeating my subordinates, traveling with an unusual new Firstborn. But I respect hunters like you. I can tell you and I have similar tastes." He glanced down, his cool eyes meeting Augustus's nervous eyes over his glasses. "It was pure luck that delivered you to me. Food Luck, that is. You… and the Firstborn."
Augustus elbowed the troll's stomach and jumped down the stairs. "Whatever it is you're planning, I ain't having it!"
"What I desire is simple, Augustus. I wish to taste everything this universe has to offer. A gourmet is not bound to a simple, eight-course menu. A true hunter has their tastes open to all. Sadly, my incomparably broad tastes go beyond what society considers legal. That's why I formed Gourmet Corp. in the shadows. And even my power and years of experience could not stomach the taste of a Firstborn. But now I've finally found a Firstborn that suits my diet perfectly. Once I have eaten Gourmerry, the true Main Course of my menu… I will be complete. A hunter is not bound to a single menu, but we do reach enlightenment when we complete one. I was the one who created that philosophy. I would bet you're building Gourmerry's menu for the same reason."
"You… created that philosophy? But… the one who said that was-"
One of the doors was blown down as the grim-faced Grinpatch was flown into the lobby, crashing on the floor with gaseous ooze drooping around him. The Elite Hunter, Coco marched in, his Poison Chi brimming. "Hm?" The meeting before him sparked curiosity. "Zebra? When did you get here? And… who're you guys?"
"As expected of Coco." The Boss said. "Grinpatch was no match for you."
"That voice… you sound like Toriko."
"IT IS Toriko!" Augustus yelled. "He's the Boss of Gourmet Corp.! He-"
A wave of purple, gooish candy washed over and bound the teen. "Sir, let's put this boy down! He will only be a nuisance to us-"
Coco splashed poison over the candy to melt Augustus free, quickly waving it to the three enemies. "Kid, get outta here! I'll handle this!" Coco yelled. Augustus nodded and bolted through an alternate doorway.
'Toriko' spun his Forkkind to deflect the poison and flew up to jab a Fork attack at Coco, but the poisonbender dodged and forced him away with a gush of ooze. "That small taste of ATOM has enhanced your bending." The Boss said as he conjured several forks of chi and shot them at Coco. "You were the most likely candidate to seize ATOM, but I had my doubts you would survive. I didn't expect that Firstborn to…"
Lord Licorice smacked Coco away with a candy arm, then tried to smother him in the sweets. "Licorice, distract him for me. I have a meal to get to." On that note, 'Toriko' pursued Augustus.
"Don't just stand there, you fool!" Licorice yelled at Zebra. "Go with him and squash that boy!"
"…" Zebra spared a silent glance over to the pier. He then followed the Boss's direction at a slow pace. "Listen, you giant oaf. If you wanna save your friends, better pay attention to me." He transmitted his whisper to K. Lumsy inside the ruins of the Ace Hunter. (Play "Rift Collapse" from Hat in Time!)
Menu 9: Food Firstborn
Recipe: Get the heck out of here!
As Augustus hurried up the hall, 'Toriko' conjured more forks from his Haki and cast them at the boy. Augustus evaded them, but the Boss started to slice Knife chops up the floor, narrowing room for Augustus to run. The boy turned down an alternate passage, and Forks came piercing through the wall, Augustus bending down while still running. "Come in, everyone!" he yelled into his communicator. "The Gourmet Boss is here! He's chasing me!"
"The boss is here?!" Rallo yelled. "Aw, it's Hina, isn't it? You ain't never trust a guy with hair that long!"
"No, it's Toriko! Toriko's the Boss!"
…
"TORIKO'S the Boss?!" Yuzu exclaimed.
"What?!" Komatsu shouted. "That's impossible! I've been with Toriko for four years! He goes to hunter meetings, restaurant appearances, and… well, restaurants in general! Otherwise, he's having adventures with me! He couldn't possibly have time to… He couldn't!"
"Not only that, he's a troll! And he's gonna come after Gourmerry! Find a way back to the ship!"
"We're kind of having trouble on our end, Captain!"
As insects continued to swarm them, Yuu was bombarding the operatives with his lightbending. His attacks were drawing Rawberry and Haylee into a strange trance, their faces turning red. "Mmmm, Macarona… I could eat you all day…" Rawberry moaned, imagining herself swallowing several tiny clones of her friend.
"Y-Yeah, boys… come'n get a look…" Haylee moaned, making unseemly gestures.
"Ahhh!" Komatsu was struck by some light as well. "Ahhh…Nono… your cheek is so soft…mmmm…"
"What's wrong with you guys?!" Macarona cried.
"Lightbending has the power to rid negative feelings." Yuu declared. "Just as well, it can also bring pleasure. And nothing is more pleasurable than erotic thoughts! My lightbending makes you think of your most pleasant fantasies!"
"And it's affecting me, too~!" Tommyrod sang. "Yes, my darlings, have some more~ MORE~"
"Just don't get carried away." Alfaro said, stretching his eight arms to try and seize Gourmerry. Yuzu tried to dodge, but the arms had her bound, and two were trying to tug Gourmerry out of the backpack.
"HURYAH!" A muscular Goron barreled onto the balcony and SMASHED Alfaro beneath his fists, freeing Yuzu.
"M-Melk-san!" Komatsu exclaimed. "Hehe, don't tickle me, Nono~"
"The knife-sharpener?!" Tommyrod scowled. "Curse you!"
"Komatsu, take your friends and goro!" Melk yelled, throwing rock-hard punches at Tommyrod and Yuu.
Yuzu pulled Komatsu and Haylee along while Macarona helped Rawberry. "I'll go with you kids!" Pac-Man yelled.
"Wait for me!" Kawasaki followed. "I ain't a fighter, I always used to cut gym!"
"I couldn't believe what I heard!" Pac-Man said. "Is Toriko really behind this?!"
"Ah, Melk the Second!" Komatsu spoke in his fantasy. "Don't get the wrong idea, Nono, we were just friends!"
"Snap out of it!" Yuzu slapped him back to reality.
"Huh?! W-What was…"
"He said that Toriko was a troll, too." Macarona mentioned. "Rawberry, you're a gourmet, would you know anything…"
"Okay, you can swallow me next…" Rawberry moaned. Macarona sighed in dismay.
"He can't be Toriko!" Komatsu insisted. "He has to be an impostor!"
"Either way, we can't let him find us!" Yuzu stated. "We have to hurry back to—AAH!" They ceased when Plate Shurikens suddenly flew from behind, cutting their clothes.
"I have waited too long for this day." Alfaro said as the caped, eight-armed waiter raced after them. "I will deliver the Boss the Firstborn at any cost!"
Pac-Man ate another Power Fruit, beefing up his muscles as he flew up to Alfaro. He clashed against six of the fists, but Alfaro used two of them to chuck two plates ahead. One of the plates knocked Komatsu away from Yuzu, leaving Gourmerry open to the other plate. Said plate caught the Firstborn and returned to Alfaro like a boomerang. "Gourmerry!!" Yuzu shouted.
"Surprise, I was sane the whole time!" Rawberry announced as she flew off Macarona to bite Alfaro's arm. Alfaro slammed her against the wall, still focusing his other six on Pac-Man. Kawasaki tried to bash his head with a frying pan, but Alfaro kicked back and kicked him away. Rawberry held on and tried to chew the arm, but the waiter managed to shake her off. "Bleh! It tastes like demon!"
"I say, I can't be that repulsive." Alfaro said. "We Black Butlers are more clean than people perceive."
"You're a Black Butler?" Yuzu exclaimed, jumping to grab onto Gourmerry and trying to pull her down. "Then your master must be the Boss!"
"My former master is departed. But I am still bound to my final order: to help the Boss complete his Full Course!" He shook Yuzu off, then dealt an uppercut against Pac-Man to fling him away. Pac-Man's Power Fruit wore off, so Alfaro seized the chance to escape.
Downstairs, Augustus dashed into an elevator, but he knew better than to use it, so he broke through the roof and hurriedly climbed the rope up the shaft. Forks came flying from below, but August dodged them—one of the forks snapped the ropes, so he swung off and kicked up the wall to reach a door, punching it open with Stone Fist. As he continued running—"AAH!" his boots were bound to a black substance on the floor. A chef-hatted shadow slithered up the wall, sporting a long mustache as it sang an eerie, "Mmmmuaaaaaah!"
"I hope you enjoyed that taste of ATOM, boy." Kuromado said, standing at a point in the hall that transitioned to total dark. "It will be the last thing you ever drink!"
Augustus deduced he was a shadowbender, using the bright and dark hall to enhance his power. Augustus jumped out of his boots and escaped up the hall on his socks, but this caused him to slip a bit on the polished floor. Shadowmado slithered after him, Augustus swiftly dodging the shadow, but his ankles were caught in its mustache. The shadow slithered up his body as Kuromado stepped closer, turning the hall lights off in the process. Augustus used Fork jabs to loosen the shadow up a bit, but things only grew worse when The Boss had climbed up to their level.
In this position, he could easily impale Augustus, casting a nasty glare at the boy. "…Sniff, sniff." But something more important caught his nose. "It's close! The Firstborn!" With that, he turned down another hall and ran.
"It seems this will be the Boss's last meal as a mortal." Kuromado said. "My only regret is that I will not be able to cook it!"
But suddenly, the lights came on! Augustus was able to break free of the shadow. "Why are all the frigging lights out?!" Kuromado turned, growling at seeing Sunny and Erina. "The dark is so unbeautiful!"
"Thanks!" Augustus cheered, running after The Boss.
Sunny began to rapidly jab his hair follicles against Kuromado. The chef countered by trying to squeeze Sunny in his shadow, the Elite Hunter shaking free. "Erina, go with him! And bring his filthy boots back to him!" He noted the abandoned boots on the floor. Erina nodded faithfully, but cringed in disgust as she picked up the boots and rushed after Augustus.
Zebra had climbed up the elevator as well. Having no interest to aid Kuromado against Sunny, he followed after the teens.
Erina was able to catch up with Augustus. "Ah, thanks!" He smiled as he took his boots back. "Running in socks is not fun, you should never-"
"Duck!" Erina grabbed him and fell, dodging a Fork from the Boss. "Honestly, don't you know Observation?!"
"I'm a powerhouse, and only partially intellect!"
"Then follow my lead!" They got up as Erina held his hand going forward. They dodged, then jumped two Forks, and afterwards a Knife sliced up the hall. "How are you planning to battle him, anyway?!"
"I can't let him have Gourmerry! No matter what it takes, I have to help my crew escape!"
"It's too late for that, boy!" The echo of Zebra's voice rang across the hall, the two looking back as he approached at a slow pace. "Lord Licorice already blew your ship to smithereens! And his minions are securing the other ships. There's nowhere to run!"
"Hey, the sky's the limit, buddy!" Augustus smiled enthusiastically. "We'll jump from this Cloud Tree if we have to!"
Downstairs, the Pumparian wizard, Manan had offered to battle Jerry Boy and Limon in Sunny's place. Although his spells damaged Limon, she used her Damage-Damage Fruit power to bounce the spells back against him. Jerry caught Manan in his barbed, plant-like whip and tried to swing him into the wall, but Manan was rescued: Chinchin, a short bald man in a red martial artist uniform leapt and grabbed Manan with ease. The short man went to attack Limon with gentle, but effective Spoon attacks, leaving Manan to focus on Jerry Boy.
In the zoo, Stewie caught the Namekian, Bei in a chokehold, shoving him to the ground while Rallo pelted music at his ears. Nono used her bending to surround Kaitora with ice, the alien using his four arms to smash through it, but Nel jumped into his prison to kick him off his feet, followed by stomps to the face. Kaitora grabbed her legs and tried to bind her, but Maggie landed on Nel's shoulders and shot his arms, allowing Nel to escape. The Arachnimorph, Mohyan used timebending to slow the girls down, but Nono froze him to weaken his hold.
"Nono! We'll take it from here!" The crew looked as a team of hunters rushed in: Guemon, Malee, and Tack. "Take those kids and escape!" Guemon began to fight Faram, Malee attacked Mohyan, and Tack attacked Kaitora.
Nel lifted Nono in her arm and said, "Let go!" as she carried the girl of similar hair color off. Stewie grabbed Rallo and joined them.
"Hey, did your friend say Toriko was the mastermind?" Nono asked.
"All we know is we gotta get outta here!" Rallo said. "Let's find the others first!"
"I know! But I need to know how Komatsu is…"
…
The Boss slowed to a quick walk as he saw Alfaro dashing his direction. "For you, Master…" He extended Gourmerry forward.
"MERRY! GOURMERRY!" cried the spirit, shaking in desperation.
"Keep your hands off her!" Augustus tossed his Gob-Spinner at the Boss's knee, but he easily kicked it away. August caught the ball, spun, and slammed its hardened form across the Boss's jaw. His head bent, but a Fork jab threatened his chest, if Erina hadn't pulled him aside. The Boss lashed his leg at both teens and blew them up the hall, allowing Zebra to seize them by the collars. The Boss snickered and turned to seize Gourmerry in his hulking hand.
"A real live Firstborn of Foods… this is exactly what I've been waiting for!"
"Meeeeeerryyyyyy!"
"TORIKO-SAN!" (Play "King Crimson Theme" from Golden Wind.)
"…" The Boss frowned, glancing in Alfaro's direction. The waiter stepped aside, allowing him the view of Komatsu, Yuzu, and their crew. The small-framed chef gazed with fear-stricken eyes, his face paling in utter realization. "Ah…Komatsu… my young friend…" He smiled calmly.
"You…you are not… Toriko-san…"
"Hey, relax, Komatsu!" the Boss said in an easing tone. "Listen, you're absolutely right. The real Toriko would never betray you. He would never lie to you. Because, in fact… I already devoured Toriko two years ago."
Komatsu paled from the statement. He and his new friends couldn't believe what was just heard. "Yes… I knew that if I allowed Toriko to live, he would become a thorn in my side. So, I ambushed him. His combat prowess was astounding… but in the end, he made a savory meal."
Before their eyes, the Boss's gray skin morphed into a peach color, and his black hair blue. "He was so strong that my pigment changed! Ha ha!"
"You…you're a horrible man…" Yuzu whispered.
His skin changed back to gray. "I studied Toriko's public personality and learned about his hobbies, opinions, and other small details. The public wouldn't rest well knowing such a legend suddenly died, so I did my best to mimic his fame and glory. All I had to do was lure him away from you and anyone else into a dangerous zone he couldn't resist traveling to. Isn't that right… Zebra?"
All eyes turned to the Fanalis behind him. Augustus and Erina stopped struggling to look up in horror. "Zebra-san…" Komatsu spoke lowly.
"You threatened Soren…" Zebra growled. "Even if I could live with betraying Toriko… I thought for sure he would kick your ass."
"But you were wrong." The Boss smirked. "But I upheld my agreement and returned the boy home, safe and sound. I could have kept him longer and forced you to work for me earlier… but now is as good a time as any. I have assassins ready to shoot those people unless we report back in time, so just stomach it for a little longer."
"…"
"Now then… Komatsu." Keeping the Firstborn firmly grasped, the Boss approached the smaller, frozen chef. "While I lied about my identity, my admiration for you is still truthful." He knelt to his level and tipped up his chin. "You are an excellent cook, and I cherished each one of your meals. They did not compare to the recipes of my beloved, but I savored them all the same. I welcome you to keep working as my chef. And Yuzu… I sense great potential in you as well. Abandon Augustus… and cook for me."
With hasty thinking, Yuzu jolted into Yuzunite. "PISS OFF, creepo!" She jumped in attempt to choke his bulky neck, and the others rushed to attack all at once, but the Boss swat Yuzu off and made a Fork Shield to defend himself. He blew the shield apart and them away.
"Agh!" Augustus punched Zebra's crotch and escaped, Erina as well. He threw a punch across the face, but the Boss grabbed him by the shirt.
"This area is too cramped for me. I wish to enjoy my meal with a grander view." The Boss marched into a nearby elevator with Augustus and Gourmerry in hand. He used the Gourmerry arm to bump the phone in his pocket. "Are you there, Lord Licorice? Bring IT down at once."
Downstairs, Licorice was frantically dodging Coco's Poison Bullets, his candy shields melting from the force. "Absolutely! Anything to escape from this toxic fellow!" He threw a quick Sweet Gush before escaping to the pier. "Normies! Start the ship at once!"
"Oæp." The blank-faced humans saluted and untethered the Red Licorice.
Afterwards, The Boss raised the fist and, "ARRAAAAAAHH!" With a sudden surge of momentum, he punched through the floor and down the extensive shaft, Augustus unable to struggle against the speed.
"Did you hear that?!" Jerry Boy asked Limon. "The Boss is about to use it!"
The agents in the zoo area received the call as well. "Let's go down!" Bei said. "I wanna be there when it happens!"
"Stewie, everyone, it's Haylee!" the Gilligan called. "Find an elevator and head downward immediately! The captain needs us!"
The Boss fell all the way to the bottom of the Cloud Tree and punctured through, crashing on an Island Cloud just underneath. The underside of the cloud was a dark, windy storm, casting an ominous glow over the Gourmet Boss. "It should be a while before Licorice makes it down here." he said as Augustus scrambled back up. "This is your last chance to stop me, Augustus. I haven't felt this excited about a meal in ages!"
"You said you came up with that philosophy, about Full Course Menus!" Augustus said hastily. "But that could only mean… you're-"
"Yes, my boy! I am ACACIA!"
"Merryyyy! Gourmerry!" the Firstborn struggled.
"Just how old are you?!"
"By the New Universe's terms, about 300. My flesh has stayed fresh thanks to the power of NEWS. Now, at last… I can finally fulfill the promise I made to her."
"Merryyyyy! Gourmerry!"
"You should settle down for now." Acacia casually flicked the side of her head, stopping her with a chi-block. Augustus tried to grab her, but Acacia leapt away. "There's still time for you to change your mind." The legendary hunter tucked Gourmerry into his shirt collar. "If you join me, you can become a hunter like no other. Why, I may even show you how to find my ingredients!"
"My crew and I will find those on our own! But you'd better hope you're not next on the list!"
"Heh! Then I see we have another common taste. I hope you taste splendidly, Augustus!" (Play "Death Wish" from Hat in Time!)
Boss fight: Acacia
Acacia stood patiently, awaiting Augustus's first attacks. The boy ran to deal Haki punches, but Acacia positioned his Forkkind, the War Fork, to defend and used the orbed end of the hilt to bat August away. Mustering his Haki, Acacia jabbed his forked hands forward, launching forks made of chi. Augustus dodged his way up to the Boss and tossed the Gobstopper at his knee, but though Acacia blocked it, his weapon couldn't block a punch to the chin at that position. Acacia swung the fork, but August ducked and dodged behind, dealing a Knife to Acacia's hip. The hunter grabbed his arm afterward, squeezed, and threw Augustus away.
The agents of Gourmet Corp. rode elevators to the Cloud Tree's base, viewing down at the lower cloud to witness the battle. The agents raved and cheered as their Boss hurled his War Fork, Augustus dodging. He grabbed on as the fork returned to its master, attempting a kick, but Acacia grabbed his foot and chucked him away again. The Boss ran up to deal a flurry of Fork jabs, Augustus hurriedly evading, but one jab struck his hip. Augustus bounced away, but swallowed the pain and recovered. Acacia rushed up, August threw the Gobstopper, but Acacia smacked it away. The Boss channeled Haki to his fist and dealt a firm punch to August's stomach.
His gut reeled back from the force, but the Haki was channeled throughout his body, resulting in a punch-like sensation to the upper-left back, right hip, middle back, and head, squishing Augustus into several directions before he was left a broken mess on the cloud. As Acacia flexed his fingers, Augustus found four pairs of shoes landing around him. "Ah, have Augustus's Angels come to save him?" the captain asked smoothly.
"Macarona's the only angel around here!" Haylee remarked, twirling her wrench.
"Now get your butt up so we can whoop him!" Yuzunite ordered.
"Be careful!" August cautioned. "It's Acacia! He's THE Acacia!"
"Acacia?!" Rawberry exclaimed. "The legendary hunter… was a troll all along?!"
"Yes!" Acacia proclaimed. "And for 300 years, I have lived to taste the ingredients of the cosmos!" He launched Chi Forks at them, the crew splitting up. Up above, the other Gourmet Hunters pursued their foes down, continuing the battles with them. "We sought the greatest ingredients of all time… but even as we devoured them, we desired more. We desired everything that God Arceus had to offer!"
Augustus tried to land punches directly, but was blocked by the War Fork—Rawberry flew from behind and bit his neck, so he slapped her off, and this was followed by a super-powered glide-punch from Macarona. She flew before Acacia could retaliate, then saw Augustus fly up for an attack. Acacia sliced the wood carving of Augustus in two, allowing the real one to rush up in a ducked fashion and punch Acacia's knee. "Hah!" Haylee laughed in pride. "Gotta say, I love April's pick in paint materials!"
Yuzu then pounced overhead and tried to seize Gourmerry, but Acacia grabbed her arm and tossed her away. "AUGSUUUS!" Acacia about-faced to see Nel dash up to him with a passionate swing of her leg, but it failed to bend Acacia's arm of superior thickness. Hulk Stewie charged to attack him, but Acacia impacted his own fist against Stewie's. Using the same technique, the Haki spread through Stewie's body for a combo of punches, and at the end of it, the Hulk shrunk back into his infant form, unconscious. He refocused on Nel and tried to clap her, but the cavewoman jumped away. Augustus jumped him from behind, followed by Rawberry biting his leg, so Acacia spun rapidly to shake them off. He stopped just while facing a large lightbulb Haylee installed, which flashed bright in attempt to stun him. He barely flinched and shattered it, but Haylee swung her wrench with grace and snatched Gourmerry from Acacia's collar.
Having come with the Baby Trio, Nono looked over at a shock-ridden Komatsu. "Komatsu!" She ran up to him. "Komatsu, who is that man?!"
"It's… Acacia."
"Who?"
"Acacia… was impersonating Toriko… T-Toriko-san is dead…"
Struck with the same look of horror, Nono looked as Haylee ran for the edge of the cloud. Acacia threw his War Fork, but a keen shot from Maggie knocked the fork off-course and missed Haylee. Using Legoan speed, the Gilligan began to construct a wooden, painted maze. Acacia growled and ran to rampage through the maze, showing no regard as he tore the creation asunder. And yet, despite that, the maze's paint left a hypnotic impression that caused him to veer off and emerge from the same side he started. Augustus hurled a spinning Yuzu to kick the confused Acacia across the face, then Nel kicked Augustus forward to stab a momentum Fork through his gut. "Hehe!" Haylee giggled and leapt off the cloud, switching on a glider to fly away.
Acacia growled and smacked both parties away. "BARE HANDS!" He ripped apart the Island Cloud with ravenous force and burrowed through. Once on the underside of the cloud, he could see Haylee gliding and steadily sinking.
"Gour…Gourme…" The Firstborn awoke to the warmth of Haylee's arms.
"Don't worry, Gourmerry." Haylee smiled. "We'll get you far away from that-"
Acacia flew with breakneck speed on his War Fork, bent his leg back, and, when Haylee was perfectly aligned, swung his foot up at her stomach. She blasted directly skyward with too great a speed to process, especially with the amount of trauma she was feeling and the tremendous need to barf. She and Gourmerry smashed through the hull of a floating red ship.
Her vision blurring, Haylee groggily made out a pair of licorice-laced shoes marching toward her. Lord Licorice gingerly swept the dizzy Gourmerry from her hands. "Bon voyage, my dear." He kicked Haylee back through the hole she came from. Her aviator's cap flew off as she plummeted helplessly down the endless sky.
Licorice returned to the deck of the ship, far from the Island Cloud. He could make out the scowls on the Marzipans' features as they processed their failure. With that, The Boss himself made a rebound and flew up onto the deck. He snatched Gourmerry without hesitation. Up on the stern, his Normy henchmen saluted, mounted beside his Quest Bed.
Acacia smiled at the tiny Gourmerry squirming in his hands. "May we give thanks to all the ingredients in the cosmos. Thank you for this meal!!"
"MERRYYYYYY!!!" The Firstborn could do naught but scream as the darkness of his gullet enveloped her. (End song.)
Acacia chewed with disgusting satisfaction. Even from this distance, the kids couldn't bear to look. To think he was eating their sweet little Gourmerry… it was horrible… Augustus was more glad than ever Tama and the others weren't around to witness. For a moment, Acacia made no reaction… but in a split second, "UUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" (Play "Engage the Enemy" from Xenoblade Definitive!)
The sensation came bursting through him like a billion bullets rapid-firing all at once. Acacia's organs and cells were so overwhelmed that he knew he would explode. He quickly fell back on his Quest Bed. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
His body exploded into a fantastic explosion of flavor. He tasted them all… yes, he tasted them all over again! The pizza, CENTER, brimmed with life in his very heart. The fish, ANOTHER, made his tastebuds faster than light. The breath of AIR pumped his left arm. The drink, ATOM, sparked all the focus inside his head. The ice cream, EARTH, made his right leg more alive than any leg in the cosmos. The meat, NEWS, made his left leg eternally fresh and new.
Then there was PAIR… the marvelous soup that united pairs together. Acacia held the mystical bowl in his hands… and a pair of smaller hands warmly lay over his. He looked up… into the soulful eyes of his beloved, Froese. Her silver eyes glinted like her rich black hair… her white apron wrapped gently around her velvet dress, and her angelic wings flapped softly. Acacia's bulky maw and Froese's small, sweet mouth met both ends of the PAIR.
Yes, Acacia felt that sensation again. The sensation of their loves merging into one. And now, Gourmerry was a part of them, too! "WAAAAAAAAAAHHH…"
The plaque on Acacia's statue shone and burst! Where there was once gibberish, the word "FIRST" appeared next to "Main."
Following the fantastic display of flavors… he appeared before their eyes. His torso bore the red of fresh cut meat, his chest depicting the symbol from his Quest Bed, that which mirrored Gourmet Corp.'s logo. Lush white, feathered wings flapped over his shining form. His right eye, still sharp and dark, was complimented by a sweet and silver left eye. Seven orbs adorned his body: on the heart, CENTER. On the tongue, ANOTHER. On the left arm, AIR. On the right arm, PAIR. Behind the head, ATOM. In the right leg, EARTH. In the left leg, NEWS.
The War Fork floated beside him at a diagonal angle. A colorful, circus knife floated as well, along with a scarlet spoon. "We've finally did it… Froese." His voice spoke with a charming echo as he felt the warmth of his own, shared face. "This is the enlightenment… we have sought. I'm so glad… I can feel you again."
"A…cacia?…" Augustus gasped.
"Acacia has been reborn… as a Gourmet God." The entity drifted closer to the Island Cloud. "Now our dream may finally be fulfilled. Our dream… for a Course unlike any other. When Cooking Fest is at its most ripe! I can smell them, even from here. So many marvelous people." He closed his eyes, envisioning them. "The Mario Brothers… the new Pirate King… Link's reincarnation… visitors from other realms… the most brilliant members of each species… create the ultimate flavors…"
"You…" Yuzu choked, "what are you planning?!"
"It was 200 years ago that I founded Cooking Island. That was the beginning of my desire: I wish to feed the whole universe… TO ME!!!"
"That wording is awful!" Macarona shouted.
Acacia zipped downward, and across the cloud, grabbing Augustus, Macarona, and Rawberry in his godly fists. Unable to escape his power, too weak from the battles, their bodies were wrapped up in paper wrappers like those seen at a restaurant. Yuzu and the others gasped in horror. Acacia turned to them, enlarging the size of his War Fork. The fork launched, its seven prongs bound to pierce them, but a tremendous sound barrier appeared to push the fork back.
"You know something, you cocky son of a bitch?" Zebra marched up. "I don't give a fuck about your threats, anymore!"
"But, Zebra… your people needn't be harmed. I will gladly spare them, so long as you-"
A furious bellow blew Acacia across the field. "I did this 'cause you threatened my kids, but I ain't lettin' you threaten these kids, anymore!"
"So, you've finally come to your senses?!" Sunny shouted, landing to Acacia's right. "You took way too long, you disgusting cretin! HAIR HURRICANE!" His thousands of hair strands completely surrounded Acacia and punctured from every direction.
"MACHINE GUN!" Coco unleashed a storm of toxic bullets against the god.
"VOICE MISSILE!" Zebra bellowed a devastating soundwave.
"WAIT!" Yuzu yelled. "Don't hurt our friends!"
Regardless, Acacia formed a Fork Shield to endure the onslaught. The shield shattered, forcing him to tank the attacks as he threw a flurry of Forks into his opponents. Coco directed gas into Acacia's throat and nostrils, but he allowed it in as he punched the Elite in the head. Sunny's follicles pierced all around his back, and Zebra charged from the front for a sound-imbued punch. Acacia stomped the cloud and blew them all back with a shockwave.
"I wonder if the three of you will be as nutritious as Toriko?" As he spoke, a colossal figure fell from the Cloud Tree. "Even if you aren't… you are more than welcome to join him among my-"
K. Lumsy's armored form squashed Acacia in a sitting position. "I'M SOWWY I'M LATE!" Lumsy cried as he barreled forward and snatched his crewmen up. "I got lost!"
Acacia wasn't moved by the action, but he prepared to impale the giant with the War Fork. Zebra bounced it away with a soundwave, but Acacia redirected it at a different target: Erina and Nono were trying to drag Komatsu away. They screamed when the fork nearly struck them, but Zebra blasted himself over to grab the weapon. It pieced him slightly, but he was able to force it away. "You kids are hopeless!" Zebra grabbed the trio and bellowed over to Lumsy, giving the giant a forceful shove to send him off the cloud. "I'll be back for you, you has-been! Count on it!" Zebra vowed to Acacia before leaping off as well.
"Hm…seems this is only just the appetizer." Acacia sported a smile as he returned to Coco and Sunny. "I hope you guys can give me a workout."