Dustin felt nothing killing Mark. He didn't even glance at the corpse, continuing his pursuit of Metal Mask. After a while, Timothy arrived, gasping for breath. A ninth-grade fighter, gravely injured, he couldn't hope to catch them. Yet, he followed, wanting to see his uncle kill Dustin. Mark's success would not only avenge Timothy but also complete the Martial League's mission. A photograph of Dustin's severed head would impress Elisa, and he could report back to Central Harbor headquarters, claiming his reward.
From a distance, Timothy saw signs of a struggle ahead. His face lit up; he ran faster. "Uncle Mark!" he cried, rushing to a hole. Inside, he found Mark, flattened in the pit. Timothy froze, statue-still. After minutes, realization dawned. "Uncle Mark!" he wailed, leaping into the hole. He couldn't comprehend it. Mark, one of the Bones family's strongest fighters, was dead. Who could have killed him in Lannopolis? Metal Mask was the only possibility.
"No. Uncle Mark went after Dustin. That guy's responsible!" Timothy hissed, though doubting Dustin killed Mark directly. He stood before Mark's body, speculating.
Soon, Dustin spotted Metal Mask, deliberately slowing, seemingly to conceal his organization's location. Dustin decided to end the chase. He caught up. Metal Mask, realizing he couldn't escape, stopped and faced him, unafraid. He had come to challenge the Sorensen family, confident in his abilities.
Whoosh! Suddenly, Howard, the Sorensen family villa's butler, appeared, both men startled. He carried the unconscious Ace. Metal Mask's face fell.
"The Sorensen family is supposed to be neutral," he said coldly.
Howard smiled, throwing Ace to the ground. "Anyone passing the Sorensen family's test inherits Master Apollo's legacy and becomes the heir," he explained.
Metal Mask's face darkened. Howard was powerful; a fight might not be winnable. Dustin, too, was surprised, unexpected heir to the Sorensen family.
"Sir, I'll handle this," Dustin said.
Howard, slightly surprised, agreed. "As you wish, Master Dustin." He bowed and stepped aside.
Dustin approached Metal Mask. "Which organization? Why destroy the Fox family?" he growled. Metal Mask cackled. "Trying to get information from us is foolish," he sneered.
Dustin's eyes iced over. He attacked without another word, intending to beat a confession from Metal Mask. Both were Martial Saints, but Dustin was stronger; this time, Metal Mask wouldn't escape. Dustin punched; sparks and a sonic boom erupted.