5.09

Skitter, Judas, and Angelica, the giant dogs, confront Lung, a formidable villain who grows stronger as he fights. Kaiser, leader of the Empire Eighty-Eight, and his powerful associates, including the giantesses Fenja and Menja, are also present. A tense standoff ensues, with Kaiser asserting his dominance and Lung displaying his monstrous transformation.

Skitter proposes an alliance with Sundancer, whose power creates a miniature sun, to help contain Lung. Despite initial reluctance, Sundancer agrees. Lung attacks, easily tossing aside Judas and Angelica. Kaiser intervenes, using his power to create metal constructs to impede Lung. He traps Lung in a cage of blades and drops a massive sword from the ceiling, but Lung escapes by melting the metal with his pyrokinesis.

Lung is eventually impaled on a metal spear, but he’s not defeated. Kaiser begins to pin Lung’s subordinates to the ground with blades. Skitter objects, but Kaiser dismisses her concerns, claiming that morals are irrelevant in war. Lung breaks free, briefly using his fire to fend off one of the giantesses and her shield.

Skitter urges Sundancer to use her power, and she creates a small, intensely hot orb of light. Skitter and Angelica retreat as Sundancer directs the orb toward Lung. The orb melts the asphalt floor and damages a nearby table, demonstrating its destructive potential.

Kaiser pushes Lung toward the orb, and the intense heat weakens him. However, Sundancer’s orb disappears, and Kaiser impales Lung through the heart with a spear. To everyone’s shock, Lung survives, revealing his dragon-like wings and pulling the spear from his chest.

Lung attacks Kaiser, slamming him repeatedly against a wall. He then severely injures Menja, one of the giantesses. Lung turns his attention to Sundancer and Skitter, negating Sundancer’s attempts to create her sun. He engulfs her in flames, but she is unharmed, being immune to fire. He then throws her aside.

Skitter confronts Lung alone, ordering Angelica to stay back. Bitch arrives, riding Brutus, another of the giant dogs, and crashes into Lung. Lung grabs Bitch and Brutus, tossing the dog aside. Skitter tries to distract Lung, claiming he wants her, not Bitch.

Lung lifts Skitter, squeezing her in his claws. Skitter sends a bug into Lung’s eye, causing him to drop Bitch and deal with the insect. He examines the bug and loosens his grip on Skitter, allowing her to escape.

Lung collapses, and Bitch asks what happened. Skitter explains that she used a roach to deliver a powerful toxin, acquired from Newter, into Lung’s eye, hoping it would affect his brain.

Skitter contacts Tattletale, confirming that Lung can regenerate from almost any injury. Skitter then retrieves her knife. She gouges out Lung’s eyes, preventing his regeneration.

Skitter checks on Sundancer and the dogs, then tells Fenja to take her injured sister and Kaiser to a doctor. She suggests that Kaiser might reconsider his stance on the dogfighting issue, given their assistance in defeating Lung. Fenja nods and departs.

Skitter offers to help Sundancer up but retracts her hand when she realizes it’s covered in blood. Sundancer flinches away. Skitter suggests they leave.