Dark Hair Captured, Volume 7

Dark Hair Captured

Characters and Summary for Volume 7

Kanparna	A short-lived Spect Master that confronts Captured at the wrong time and the wrong place. Gets diced very quickly. His Spector is named Toga, and looks like a fancy sword.
???	An unnamed Spect Master that tries to protect Mother's palace from Cap's trespassing. Just some old, powerful guy with a sword that has a V on it. Very arrogant and mouthy, but dies quickly.

Volume 7 Summary

Kegarawashi
Filth

The scene starts with Captured standing in the church dedicated to Mother. He is thinking about how much he has changed, how the only thing he seeks now is strength. And, as he has changed inside, General reflects this by turning into a long, evil-looking black serpent-sword. Kanparna steps forward, threatening to kill Cap with his Spector, Toga. But, Cap dices him easily, with no emotion. Meanwhile, in the bowels of Avalanche's castle, Dr. Bomb has Camel fastened to a high-tech machine. She asks if he knows what will happen when North Mother hears of what he is doing to her. Bomb replies that she'd probably have him killed. However, Bomb has his own plans. He and Avalanche have teamed up to take over when Camel becomes the new North Mother in a few months. Bomb asks if Camel has ever heard of the phrase "brain washing". And, Splash orders that the assassinations of whoever has met Captured continue unabated, while he prepares to deal with Captured himself (to avenge the deaths of Juuji and Kanparna.)

In the ruins of some city, Moonsault continues to worry Plancha. Plancha wants to see the return of her "Princess of the Demons", and Moonsault wonders if she can ever do that again. Cap keeps killing Mother's Priests, while thinking that he is no longer human, and that General is all that he needs now. But, he keeps remembering times with Camel, a brief glimpse of his mother, and how he'd attacked Manji. Then, another Spect Master arrives, carrying a sword with a "V" on it. The new Spect Master says that Cap is filth that has desecrated Mother's temple, and that the Earthling will pay for this sin. There is a collage scene, as Cap rips this Spect Master to shreds; Moonsault tells Plancha that she apparently likes Captured as a person; and Dr. Bomb turns on the machine that starts brainwashing Camel.

The narrator asks how that, in a universe where Spect Masters are all old, weathered priests of Mother's Church, could a young boy like Captured become a Spect Master as well. The answer is that Cap has developed a heart of steel, and has embraced the "dark side of the force". He has become "The Black Warrior, Captured". (The artwork shows Cap standing calmly, reliving the moment when he'd chopped the last Spect Master in two, holding a demon sword three times longer than he is tall.)

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Shiro to Kuro
White and Black

Splash thinks to himself that he can not allow Cap to exist. While, in his castle, Avalanche is in the process of killing Somersault. Somersault's demons have been badly damaged, and she herself can not walk anymore. And, Camel is crying as the brainwashing machine causes her veins to stand out. Bomb notices her tears, and gloats. However, Manji had placed a wireless mike in Camel's clothing, and he is listening in on Bomb's conversations in anger. Avalanche tells Somersault that Mother Princess's (Camel's) brainwashing will soon be completed. Plancha asks how Moonsault could like a nasty little human like Cap; maybe her mistress has eaten some tainted food. Moonsault thinks about this, and decides to return to their headquarters.

Avalanche tells Somersault that with Mother Princess under his control, the Land Star universe will soon be his. And, that Somersault can die easy, knowing that her "lover" Splash will soon be joining her in the afterlife. Somersault attacks with her flying turtle, Hijack, and it rips off Avalanche's fingers. But, the Saint is unphased by this (his hand grows back, and he tells her that with the aid of Dr. Bomb's science, his body is undying.) Manji is located in a rundown wood shack, and he tells Moonsault and Plancha that Captured has reached Mother's Temple, with the intent of killing Mother. Plancha goes into shock over this. Moonsault asks where Camel is, and is told that her rival is in the basement of Avalanche's castle, being brainwashed. Moonsault prepares to leave, and Plancha thinks that her mistress plans to aid Captured. Instead, Moonsault announces that she will go save Camel, because that is something that would make Cap happy. Afterwards, she'll go help Cap. Plancha confronts her mistress, and tells her that she is making a big mistake.

Avalanche's hand grows back, and the giant tells Somersault to die. Splash confronts Captured in a hallway, and says that the boy is a horrible demon for having killed Splash's treasured Spect Masters and having defiled Mother's Temple. Captured agrees that he is a demon. Somersault remembers the good times that she had with Splash; their goal of creating a beautiful universe -- and the joy she'd felt when she had punished Moonsault. Avalanche's special attack turns Somersault's body to rock, and she starts to die. Captured tells the "hero" to come on and kill him. The narrator tells us that the reason why such a young boy as Splash could become such a powerful Spect Master is that Splash represents life and all that is positive. As "Z" turns into a long spike, the narrator calls Splash "the White Warrior". Somersault's body begins to flake away, and she dies with Splash's name on her lips.

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Gekitotsu no Toki
Time to Attack

Splash refers to his spike sword as "hito tachi" (or, "one blade"; he never refers to it by name), saying that it will dice Captured to bits, and thereafter cleanse this universe of this vermin. Manji is approaching Avalanche's land star, and with the speed of the warp ship, they will arrive in two hours. Moonsault takes this time to eat ramen, as Plancha demands to know why her mistress has not gotten angry at her for having said that Moonsault is making a mistake. The Demon Princess answers yet again that it's because Plancha is probably right. She's probably wrong in thinking that trying to rescue Camel will make Captured pleased with her. But, Plancha is more interested in knowing why Moonsault doesn't punish her for speaking out of turn (like the Demon Princess would have in the past.) Moonsault keeps eating, and asks if her present behavior is so bad. Plancha runs out of the room, and Moonsault tells Manji to let her go. The Princess finishes eating, and complements Manji for making good ramen.

Manji is shocked that Moonsault would say anything good to anyone, and he agrees that the Princess has indeed changed. They talk about this, and Moonsault hopes that Manji lives a long life, for Cap's sake. Manji answers back that right now, his continued existence would only make Cap that much more angry, since Cap thinks Manji is a coward for not having tried to avenge Suither's death. Moonsault agrees that cowards are despicable people, and Manji laughs nervously. Meanwhile, the battle between Cap and Splash rattles Mother's temple and causes great damage to the building.

Later, Manji finds Plancha staring wistfully into space, and mimics her thoughts about Moonsault's behavior. Plancha berates the fat man for this, and describes how the two of them had first met. At that time, Moonsault was a fearsome master of demons, and Plancha was less than scum. Plancha gladly became Moonsault's slave, and had hoped that even when she'd become old and weak, Moonsault (who would have remained young and beautiful) would still want to go around destroying land stars, with Plancha's help. But now, the current Moonsault is not the Demon Princess that she had known. Plancha follows this up by saying that by their rules, Manji should be dead by now. She thanks Manji for this, and he asks why the woman would thank him for dying. But, Plancha is referring to the battle with Somersault, and how Manji had saved her. She hadn't thanked him for helping her at that time, and had felt bad about that later on. He replies, "is that right..." and they both wistfully stare into space.

Splash and Cap continue to wage war. Splash says that he is about to teach the dark haired boy about the "truth and justice" that his hito tachi represents. Cap continues to turn himself into a demon, and believes that he can destroy everything within his reach. Splash swings, and everything goes white.

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Nokoshita no Mono
Things Left Behind, Forgotten

General shatters, and blood bursts from Cap's back. He collapses.

Manji flies away in his warp ship, having dropped Plancha and Moonsault off at Avalanche's land star. He silently hopes that they get back unharmed. Moonsault is killing guards and monsters until Plancha tells her to stop this insanity. Moonsault replies that there is a difference in saying that she is wrong, and calling her actions "stupid". Plancha gets nervous, then Moonsault asks if Plancha prefers the "old" Moonsault to the "current" one. The hand maiden doesn't know how to answer this. Moonsault continues, saying that she's been thinking over how long they've been together, and asks if Plancha would be willing to become her wife. Plancha doesn't like the idea of being married to another woman, so Moonsault tries again, and asks if Plancha would like to be her friend. This is too much for the girl to handle, while Moonsault makes the decision for her. Plancha doesn't know what to do, as a monster creeps up on her. It lunges, and Moonsault yells for Plancha to duck.

Elsewhere, in Mother's temple, Face is sneaking along, and she apologizes to Manji to herself. Face didn't realize how Cap would react to learning about the truth concerning Suither's death, and she vows to help Manji keep his final promise to his wife. Face runs deeper into the temple. Plancha realizes that her mistress has just saved her life from the monster, and Moonsault berates the girl for not paying attention. The demon princess decides to go the last bit of distance to Camel's location, alone. Plancha hopes that her mistress will be unharmed. The remaining hallway is very quiet, and Moonsault wonders where everyone else is. Then, she enters a room and confronts Avalanche. The giant towers hundreds of feet above her. He asks what she wants, and Moonsault challenges the East Saint to a duel.

Cap lies motionless on the floor, thinking that he has nothing, and is nothing. Avalanche easily defeats Moonsault's demons, and asks if that's the best that she can do. His stomping around rattles Dr. Bomb's lab down in the basement. Bomb comments that something must be happening upstairs, and asks his "Mother Princess" for comment. Camel says nothing, her veins bulging in her face. Moonsault is thrown into a wall. Avalanche says that she has been tainted by the Earthling, and must be cleansed. He takes out his left eye, and fires his "turn to stone" beam at her. Moonsault tries to get out of the way, but her leg buckles beneath her. She thinks that it is all over for her, but suddenly, Plancha rushes forward and pushes her out of the way. Plancha takes the full force of the beam and immediately starts turning to stone.

Moonsault yells at Plancha, saying that the girl should have stayed where she'd been. The princess pleads with the girl to not die, and Plancha notices that her mistress is crying because of her. She thinks about Moonsault's offer to become friends, and silently thinks that she has always liked Moonsault, from the beginning up to the very end. Plancha's body turns to dust and blows away. Avalanche says that Moonsault will be next, and in a rage the princess vows revenge. Meanwhile, Splash is looking down at Cap, and he agrees that the Earthling is nothing.

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Saigo no Yakusoku
The Last Promise

Splash realizes that he is crying for some unknown reason. Then, Mountain jumps from his shoulder and positions itself next to Captured's head. Splash tells the bird-mouse to get out of the way so that Cap may be killed in the name of justice and purity, but the pet bares its fangs and hisses at him. Unfortunately, Splash has a duty to perform, and he swings his sword at the boy. But, the blow is blocked by another sword. Splash asks who the interloper is, and then notices Mayer standing in the room. The bald Spect Master apologizes for the show of disrespect, and tells Face (who is standing behind him) to get to work, while he asks the North Saint for a little more time. Face runs to Cap. Mayer says that there is no honor in killing a fallen opponent, and he wants Splash to allow them to help Captured recover. Splash answers back that this is a matter of justice, not honor, and he refuses. But, the Saint notices that even Mountain is against him, and he relents. He gives them two minutes; after killing Captured, he will then kill Mayer. Mayer thanks him for this show of forgiveness.

Moonsault is losing to Avalanche, and a minion runs up to Dr. Bomb to say that Camel has bitten through her tongue (blood runs down Camel's chin.) Cap finds himself in heaven, and he notices that some scent seems familiar. He sees Suither, and runs to her in tears. He babbles about all the people that keep assaulting him, and asks if it is ok for him to die so as to join her now. Suither shakes her head, and points out that Manji, Camel, and Moonsault still need his help. Then the scene changes, and Cap watches as Manji holds Suither in his arms. Their house has been destroyed, and Suither has been mortally wounded. In a tear-filled rage, Manji vows to track down the ones that did this, and then kill them, including Mother herself. Suither tells her husband that if he does that, then their only baby, Captured, will be killed too. She forces Manji to promise to protect Cap, and to take him to Earth where he would be safe from harm. Torn up by frustration, Manji agrees. Later, when Cap asks about Suither, Manji answers that she'd become sick and died. Further, Mother isn't so bad -- Mother had provided the cross for Suither's grave marker.

Face yells at Captured to listen to her. She says that all of the things that Manji did, his entire life, had been dedicated to protecting Cap from Mother. It had all been for him.

Splash steps forward, saying that their time is up. Face begs for a few more seconds, and Splash refuses. Then, Cap staggers to his feet and apologizes to Splash for the inconvenience. But, for some reason, he is not ready to die just yet. Face is happily surprised, Mayer looks shocked, and Splash just stands there.

Moonsault's demons do a little damage to Avalanche, but the giant's body quickly heals due to the organisms that Dr. Bomb had put in his body. Avalanche prepares to grab Moonsault, when something whips forward and hits the giant in the left eye. His eye heals, and he asks who the interloper is. A blonde-haired woman makes fun of the Saint from the top of some stairs. And, Splash asks if Cap really plans on attacking the North Saint with a sword that lies in pieces on the floor. All that is left of General is the section wrapped around Cap's hand. Cap says that he plans to do exactly that.

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Senkou no Gotoku
The Strong Light (Radiation)

Avalanche attacks Steiner, and misses. Moonsault doesn't know who Steiner is, but she tells the "spectator" to run away and save herself. Steiner agrees that she is just a spectator, but she doesn't have a choice in what she's doing. Dr. Bomb grabs Camel by the hair, and realizes that the girl is biting her tongue to try to fight the effects of the brain washing machine. Not that a wound like this has any affect on Bomb's plans, though. Camel thinks to herself that she will not forget Captured. Avalanche attacks again, and Steiner evades again. The blow destroys part of the castle, and shakes up Bomb's lab. The doctor wishes that the East Saint would think before acting. Then, a minion runs up to say that the ceiling is starting to break up. Avalanche keeps swinging, and Steiner moves in for the kill. Part of the ceiling collapses on Bomb, but the brain washing machine's control panel is still ok. Bomb doesn't notice that part of the machine that holds Camel motionless has become broken, freeing the girl's right arm. Camel will not allow herself to be used against Cap; she picks up a sharp piece of debris just as Bomb sees her. The doctor shouts out, asking what she thinks she's doing.

Now, everything starts to happen at once. Steiner attacks, using Bahamuuto. Camel stabs herself with the debris. And, Splash tells Cap that the Earthling is an ignorable little creature, from an ignorable little planet. Cap disagrees, saying that as humans they both have the same worth and value. They argue over this, and attack. Bahamuuto takes effect, and Avalanche grabs his head in pain. Steiner explains that Bahamuuto causes liquids in animals to boil up and explode; what that's going to do to the organisms in Avalanche's body... Moonsault yells for her demon giant to use its mouth blast, and her turtle demon flies in. The beam and the turtle hit at the same time. Avalanche's head blows up and he dies in a gory way.

Cap remembers all of the taunting and mistreatment he'd received, and he swings with the remaining fragment of General. The shockwave rips the armor and clothing from Splash's body, and causes the Saint to fly through the air. The shockwave continues on, reducing the temple to splinters. Splash yells that they are equal as humans, and therefore he is NOT ignorable and small.

Moonsault reaches the basement. There, Dr. Bomb is lying on the ground, steel girders impaling his body, dead. The demon princess radios for Manji to arrive with the warp ship -- NOW.

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Kaze no Gotoku
Wind

Cap bursts through the final door, and comes face to face with Mother. Mother is half-encased in a black wall of stone, her head, upper torso, and arms arcing up towards the ceiling. Her blond hair is long, and hangs down towards the floor. She is unclothed, and her expression is sharp and unforgiving. Mother looks just like Camel, and Captured remembers what Bomb had said about Camel becoming the next North Mother in some months. Mother seems to say that Captured is filth, for having desecrated her temple.

On the warp ship, Camel is being tended by a medi-bed, but her wound is as-yet unhealed. She tells Moonsault and Manji that although she had been trained solely as a spy, to get close to Captured and relay data back to Bomb, she'd eventually changed and begun to like Cap as a person. Moonsault remembers when she and Camel had first met several years earlier, before Camel had joined Cap; at that time, Camel was just as vicious and mean a fighter as Moonsault was. The demon princess agrees that Cap had caused both of them to change a lot. Camel adds that on the ship, heading to North Mother, there were several things that she really wanted to tell Captured, but couldn't. She wants to pass these things on to Moonsault right now, before she dies. But the princess makes her wait, saying that they will be soon meeting Captured: Camel can tell the boy these things directly.

Splash is sitting on the floor, wondering why Captured hasn't killed him. The Saint can't understand the feelings he has now, and Mayer speaks up. The bald Spect Master had felt the same way after losing to Cap. Mayer explains, "You are thinking, 'Under different circumstances, we could have become friends'." Splash considers this, as Mountain climbs back onto his shoulder.

Cap is still looking at Mother; the broken section of General still on his left hand. Camel, wearing a hospital gown, enters the room. She looks weak and pants heavily. Manji and Moonsault follow behind her. Cap starts to apologize to his father about his behavior, and Manji interrupts; all that matters to him is that Cap is still alive. Manji tells his son to listen to what Camel has to say. The boy misinterprets this, saying that Mother still has a use for him after all. He calls Camel a liar, and Moonsault yells at him. Camel apologizes for having lied to him, and asks his forgiveness. But, everything that she'd said to him that day on the ship had been from her heart. And, the things that she hadn't said then, she says now. How basically she really did want to go to Earth with him, and how she really likes him very much.

Camel blurts out that she doesn't want to become like Mother, and then her wound overwhelms her and she collapses. General senses Cap's true strength again (Cap's ability to forgive other people, no matter what they do to him, and his ability to bring the same traits out in others), and the Earthling deactivates General in time to catch Camel before she hits the floor. Cap apologizes, saying that he is the one that lied, having broken his promise to believe in her no matter what happens. Camel screams out "Ca -- ap", grabs him, and bursts into tears. Manji pulls out a cigarette, and watches on.

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Half a year passes, and Manji has long ago returned to Earth. Cap is sitting under a tree, writing a letter to his father. In it, Cap says that he has set aside General, and in doing so had discovered just how weak he really is. (Lana Urakan walks up to talk to him, and Cap jumps up to bow to her. Camel and Moonsault keep fighting over who owns Cap --- being very energetic people -- and Moonsault talks to Plancha's memorial marker, saying that Camel has been saying bad things about her again. Camel replies that Moonsault keeps attacking with illegal techniques. Steiner and Franken give Cap training lessons to build his strength up, as Camel and Moonsault cheer him on. Face, Mayer, Splash, Mountain, and the four children run up to join in the fun.) Cap finishes the story, saying that Manji understands the reason why Cap no longer feels the need to call on General.

Cap smiles happily, repeating that his father understands the reason.

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