10. Mountain Climbing.

"Ryu, are you stupid?" Little Mac asked, raising an eyebrow.

The two were near a mountain, and they were getting ready to climb it. Little Mac had put his safety gear on: climbing shoes, a helmet, gloves, and a harness. He attempted to give the needed supplies to Ryu, but the martial artist refused, worrying the boxer.

"I'll be fine, Mac," Ryu reassured. "I climbed many mountains before without all of that."

"But Ryu," Little Mac insisted. "What if you slip and fall? You could get yourself killed!"

Ryu shook his head. "I said I'll be fine, Mac. Climbing mountains without the needed safety equipment helps me become stronger."

"That's your excuse?" Little Mac said, rolling his eyes. "Ryu, you're being stupid."

"And it makes me stronger," Ryu added.

Little Mac groaned. "Fine…"

With that, the two walked towards the mountain. Little Mac grabbed the edge of a rock protruding from the mountain, and began to climb.

Ryu followed suit, feeling the scratching from his bare feet whenever he stepped on the rocky surface. He cringed, but he continued to climb.

Little Mac was quick, nearly leaving Ryu behind. However, he stopped to let Ryu catch up, so he could climb alongside him. "How are you doing there?" Little Mac called out, feeling the wind blowing in his hair.

"Great!" Ryu called back.

"Don't fall off now!" Little Mac called out again before he continued to climb upwards.

As the two climbed, Little Mac felt beads of sweat forming on his face. However, he kept pushing on, knowing that the top was near.

Ryu was climbing quickly. He passed by Little Mac as he continued.

Little Mac watched him, taking a quick break from the exercise to catch his breath. He's pretty active, he thought. After a short while, he stopped panting and continued to climb the mountain.

That was when things took a scary turn.

The wind blew harder, and the two nearly lost their footing. However, Little Mac held on.

It was then that Ryu made a stupid move.

The martial artist reached a hand up to grab another protruding rock, when it suddenly shattered. Ryu's eyes widened, and his foot slipped off of another rock. He lost his balance and fell, screaming.

Little Mac gasped, his eyes wide and his heart racing. "RYU!" he screamed.

When Ryu was close enough, Little Mac reached out and grabbed his arm. Ryu felt his friend's hand holding his arm tightly, and he held on for dear life.

The martial artist looked up at Little Mac, his heart pounding in his chest as he broke out in a fearful sweat.

"Mac…" Ryu muttered, realizing that Little Mac had saved his life.

Little Mac sighed with relief. "That was a close one," he commented.

Ryu grabbed a nearby rock and let go of Little Mac's arm.

They were close to the top, and after a bit more climbing, they managed to reach it. Little Mac pulled himself up first, and he grabbed Ryu's hand to help him up.

Ryu's heart was still racing from the near-death experience. "Thanks, Mac…I owe you my life," Ryu said with a smile.

Little Mac chuckled. "I told you to put on your safety gear," he stated with a smile.

Ryu sighed. "I'll remember next time."

"You better."

Ryu laughed. "Of course."

The mountain climbing, along with the near-death experience, had brought the two men closer.

Constructive criticism is welcomed! Requests for a theme are still opened!

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