Chapter 34: A.X.E.L. VS Sharkface
[A.X.E.L. and Sharkface begin to stare each other down, both fighters with blood lust in their eyes, and adrenaline coursing through their veins]
[A.X.E.L. takes a deep breath and begins a conversation]
A.X.E.L.: Still killing and eating people I suppose?
Sharkface: I was, until you interrupted my dinner!
[The Beasts begin to circle the field, stalking their prey until someone makes the first move]
Sharkface: How long has it been since we last fought? Five? Six years?
A.X.E.L.: No one cares how long it has been, what matters is that I was the victor of our last fight!
Sharkface: You may have been the victor! But I won a majority of our matches!
A.X.E.L.: I've been in more chapters than you can count!
Sharkface: Well I've been killing more people since you arrived in the story!
A.X.E.L.: So what! I was in multiple art posts and created before your ass was even shown to the public!
[Both continue to argue as the Multitrack kids watch in confusion]
Jerbo: What are they even arguing about?
Viney: I don't know, but whatever it is, just ignore it.
[Sharkface has had enough so he screams]
Sharkface: Screw this nonsense! Let's just friggin kill each other already!
[Sharkface jumps forward, performing an Ax kick that A.X.E.L. blocks in time]
A.X.E.L.: Have you ever heard this saying! Provoke unless provoked?
[Sharkface chooses to ignores and continues to push forward with his attack]
A.X.E.L.: I don't normally challenge people, but if they do anything that has to do with destroying their freedom!
[A.X.E.L. pulls his arm back and clenches his fist]
A.X.E.L.: Then I wait for them to throw the first punch!
[He fills it with White Aura Energy]
A.X.E.L.: And beat the crap out of them once it's done!
[A.X.E.L. let's go of Sharkface and strikes him in the stomach]
[The monster flies away, this time groaning in pain]
A.X.E.L.: Remember kids!
[The trio turn to A.X.E.L.]
A.X.E.L.: Normal attacks won't work on people like him! If you want to fight people like One, Sharkface, or anyone more powerful than Belos or the Coven Heads. Then you'll really have to surpass the members of Shatter Squad.
[Sharkface's roar is heard throughout the forest]
Sharkface: A.X.E.L.! YOU'RE DEAD!
[SHARKFACE'S AURA BEGINS TO BURST INTO FLAMES]
Sharkface: CRAZY EXCITE!
[He hurdles himself towards his old companion with his claws covered in energy]
A.X.E.L.: HMPH!
[A.X.E.L. copies Sharkface and proceed to charge]
A.X.E.L.: SEIRYUU! DANCE OF THE DRAGON!
[A Blue Dragon surrounds him as he runs]
Sharkface: ABYSS FANG!
[Grey Megalodon surrounds him as well.]
[Both fighters collide with their strongest attacks, causing an explosion of energy to surround the area forcing Viney's group to brace themselves]
[The dust settles, the trio wipe their of any signs of dirt that may have entered, but after barely cleansing themselves, Viney eyes widen as she stares in awe at the sight before her]
Viney: Holy Titan!
[Jerbo and Barcus do the same]
Jerbo: Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?! I'm not imagining this right?!
[Similar to West and Tanks clash, huge waves of Spirit Power Energy pour from their bodies]
Viney: They didn't even collide.
[A.X.E.L.'s kick and Sharkface's claw barely scratch the surface, as a force of energy is preventing the clash in the first place. Bolts of energy begin to shake the battlefield, both fighters continuing to push for dominance]
Viney: How are they even doing that?
Jerbo: HOW?! SHOULDN'T WE BE ASKING WHAT THE HECK THEY ARE DOING IN THE FIRST PLACE?!
[The battle for dominance continues, both not even planning to give up the fight]
A.X.E.L.: AGH!
Sharkface: HAHAHAHAHAH!
[A.X.E.L. begins to have a flashback of his first fight with his "rival".]
A.X.E.L.: (Hey Mom? I know this sounds crazy but…
[A.X.E.L. as a teenager has a chat with his mother figure Bonnie Hercule, also known as Agent Agravain, who is also known as West's actual mother]
A.X.E.L.: (That other man I was stuck with, have I met him before?)
Bonnie: Hmm? From the records, it seems you've known him all your life. Being in that reached place.
A.X.E.L.: No I mean, whenever I clashed with him, I get this feeling that I've done this before.
[A younger West joins the conversation]
West: Technically you and Sharkface were rivals your whole lives, so it makes sense.
A.X.E.L.: That's not what I meant!
Bonnie: Then what do you mean?
A.X.E.L.: There are moments when we are finished fighting, I get these strange visions in my head.
West: What kind of visions exactly?
A.X.E.L.: If I were to describe them, it starts off in an abandoned warehouse, I see two people not just fighting, but actually trying to kill each other. The man whose eyes I see through is the one that is murdered, while the one finishing me off goes ballistic and runs outside with a iron bar. Gunshots are fired, and it all ends right there.
Layla: Sounds like you once had a previous life.
West: Really Layla? That sounds like a load of bullcrap.
Bonnie: Language West.
West: Sorry.
Bonnie: Care to elaborate Layla?
Layla: My mother taught us that when you dream of or have visions of an event you are unaware of, it means that the person you saw was possibly someone from a past life. But if it's continuous then I have no idea what's going on in your head.
A.X.E.L.: Okay can you explain why it mostly happens after I battle Sharkface?
[Layla walks up to A.X.E.L. with herself staring deep into A.X.E.L.'s eyes. Her face being way too close forcing A.X.E.L. into a deep blush.]
[Layla notices the blush and gives the boy beast a smug look]
Layla: Maybe. That person in your vision is Sharkface!
[Layla puts both her hands on A.X.E.L.'s face]
Layla: And it shows that no matter what life you're in, you two are destined to be rivals!
[A.X.E.L.'s blush deepens to the darkest red]
[Layla then lets go and spins around]
Layla: But then again, it just sounds crazy. But who knows maybe you'll find your answer sooner than later.
[West elbows A.X.E.L. and begins to tease him]
West: Should have done it when you had the chance.
[A.X.E.L. punches his friend/brother's arm]
A.X.E.L.: SHUT UP!
[both men laugh]
[Flash forward to the present as the clash continues]
[A.X.E.L. continues to battle]
[With one last push from both sides, they both cause an explosion that splits the cloud formation above them]
[Forcing themselves into trees, A.X.E.L. begins to laugh]
Sharkface: Why the hell are you laughing?!
A.X.E.L.: Oh, just being in this situation reminds me of our battles before we separated. Usually after fighting you, I'd get this off feeling that you and I have been doing this even before we were even born.
Sharkface: What bullshit are you going on about?
[A.X.E.L. suddenly zips to the front of Sharkface]
A.X.E.L.: Just an idea that you and I were meant to and always will be rivals!
[A.X.E.L. performs a spinning back kick]
Sharkface: Tch!
[Sharkface blocks with his right arm]
Sharkface: You aren't even close to my level of power!
[Sharkface counters with his claw, yet A.X.E.L. is a step ahead of him as he grabs it with his bare hand]
A.X.E.L.: With my Chi fragment I may as well be!
[With their quick reactions, both use their free limbs to strike in an open area, but strike each other, making them both fall to the ground, yet kick up]
Jerbo: They can still fight after all that?!
Viney: Remember, A.X.E.L. told us about this guy, he doesn't give in easily.
Barcus: Las cosas están a punto de ponerse interesantes (Things are about to get interesting).
J and V: How?
[Barcus points his paw at their teacher, and all three notice that their sensei has more moves up his sleeve]
Sharkface: I like to have fun every once in a while, but I have an errand to take care of so I'll just do away with you and move on!
[Sharkface raises his claw, however a sudden whack to the face breaks his concentration]
Sharkface: You bitch!
[In his right hand, he swings a pair of nunchucks like a master]
A.X.E.L.: What, you didn't expect that?
[Sharkface starts to laugh maniacally]
Sharkface: Nunchucks to a fist fight? This will be interesting!
[He summons his Megalodon and begins to plant traps all over the field]
A.X.E.L.: If we're going all out! Might as well do this!
[A.X.E.L. activates his Chi Spirit once more]
Sharkface: DROWN IN DESPAIR!
[Sharkface flings his traps at A.X.E.L.]
[However the Chi fragment assists him in detecting the coming blobs all over him, A.X.E.L. is able to evade, but also blocks with his quick hits from his Nunchaku]
A.X.E.L.: (This much isn't too difficult to handle.)
[The Chi fragment suddenly warns him of an attack from below]
A.X.E.L.: CRAP!
[A.X.E.L. springs upward dodging the Giant Shark emerging from the abyss]
Sharkface: I hope you remember my pet!
[A.X.E.L. transfers his Energy into his fist to perform a downward punch]
A.X.E.L.: White Tiger Strike!
[The Shark is struck by the move and is blown back into Sharkface's abyss attack]
[The Beast man manages to land on the ground but is interrupted by Sharkface]
Sharkface: HOLD IT!
[A.X.E.L. spun to Sharkface and sees he is holding his students hostage]
Sharkface: As much as I want to keep this up, I think you should surrender!
[Sharkface's abyss surrounds his students, Sharkface cackles]
Sharkface: They can try to jump over it but they'll only fall and be fed to the Megalodon. But I can let them go, if you drop your beast form.
Viney: A.X.E.L. don't do it! We'll be fine!
Sharkface: OH I LOVE THE SIMPLE HOSTAGE SITUATION! THINK ABOUT IT A.X.E.L. if you don't drop it. I'll be sure to devour both the girl and the Gryphon when I send them into their first stop to hell!
[A.X.E.L. stops in his tracks and begins to assess the situation. With his surroundings he knew that there was no way to save his students, he could attack Sharkface there and now, but doing that would only get Viney and the others killed. With no choice, he decides to do what needs to be done.]
A.X.E.L.: Fine! But promise you'll let them go!
Sharkface: I'm a man of my word!
[A.X.E.L. deactivates all his Spirit Powers and Chi Fragment]
Sharkface: You're as noble as the rumors say, no wonder everyone of your students adore you.
[Sharkface viciously grins]
Sharkface: But sadly it still makes you weak!
[Sharkface expands his trap]
A.X.E.L.: NO!
[Before the Abyss latches onto the Detention Squad, flames are unleashed onto both it and Sharkface himself]
Sharkface: AH!
Viney: WAIT WHAT?!
Emira: HEY SHARKFACE!
[Sharkface glances above and sees a Flaming entity hurtling towards him]
Emira: KEEP YOUR UGLY FACE AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS!1
[Emira summons her Phoenix]
Emira: Let's dance! FIRE FIST! FLAME NOVA!
[Emira's fan and Wing are spread and she crashes into Sharkface with the humongous fireball giving Sharkface scorching 3rd degree burns]
Sharkface: GAH! YOU BITCH!
[Emira burns the Abyss traps and free the trio from being hostages]
Emira: A.X.E.L. DO IT NOW!
[A.X.E.L. releases his Spirit Powers! And transforms into his beast mode]
A.X.E.L.: FOUR CONSTELLATIONS! LEND ME YOUR POWER!
[Like an Animal A.X.E.L. goes on all fours and inhales waves of energy and air into his lungs]
Viney: What's he doing?!
Barcus: ¡Tenemos que bajar! (We gotta get down!)
[the four hide behind the surrounding debris!]
Sharkface: Oh like hell that's going to work!
[Sharkface attempts to evade but is held down by Jerbo's sticky traps]
Sharkface: What?!
Jerbo: You're not getting away that easily! Finish it A.X.E.L.!
Hyde: BE SURE HE IS SENT TO H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS!
[And a dark purple orb of energy is formed in front of A.X.E.L.'s mouth!]
A.X.E.L.: FINISHING MOVE! FOUR BEAST DRIVE BUSTER!
[A.X.E.L. fires the bomb at Sharkface, managing to land the attack, pushing him into the mountain creating an explosion that forms a crater]
[A.X.E.L. ROARS TO THE MOON. takes a breath of fresh air and turns off his powers]
A.X.E.L.: Think I overdid it there. You guys okay?
[Viney and the others turns their powers off and check to see if it's safe]
Viney: Is he gone?
A.X.E.L.: For now. But he'll be back, not for Puddles. Instead, for a rematch with all of us.
Viney: Well it's better than him hunting her down.
[Puddles then cuddles with Viney as she pets her Gryphon with comfort]
Jerbo: You know it's weird that he came to the same spot we first met him.
Emira: Probably because he was after this.
[Emira takes out a piece of the armor revealing an armored boot.]
A.X.E.L.: You managed to grab it. I knew I could count on you.
Emira: Surprisingly there was no one else there.
Viney: Emira, you were with us the whole time?
Emira: I wanted to watch your fight, but A.X.E.L. told me to go after the armor piece. I'm just glad I got back in time to save you guys.
[Viney then hugs Emira because she's is grateful for her helping them]
Viney: Thank you Emira.
[Emira blushes a bit but hugs back]
Barcus: ¿Podemos ir? Realmente me vendría bien descansar. (Can we go? I could really use some rest.)
A.X.E.L.: Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.
[A.X.E.L. calls Raymond]
A.X.E.L.: Hey Raymond, think you can send a ship to these coordinates?
Raymond: Sure thing good buddy. We'll be there in t-minus 15 minutes.
A.X.E.L.: Thanks buddy. Let's get going. I think we all could use the time to rest.
Viney: You said it.
[All of them, tired out from the fight that escalated tonight, begin to walk to their destination to be picked up. While they are walking, Viney moves up to A.X.E.L. to ask him a question.]
Viney: A.X.E.L. can I ask you something?
A.X.E.L.: Sure what's up?
Viney: That Chi fragment you have, does by any chance enhance your senses? Luz told me about the powers the Alpha fragments possess and I just wanted to see if I was right.
A.X.E.L.: Good eye you got there.
Viney: I knew it! So you knew that Emira was there when you turned off your abilities?
A.X.E.L.: I was 25% sure that I could count on that.
[Viney is shocked]
Viney: Wait what?! Then how did you know that we would be saved?
A.X.E.L.: Let's just say I was in a specific situation with my wife.
Viney: Oh.
[After a few second the group is surprised by the sudden revelation]
Viney: WAIT A SECOND?!
V, B, J, E: YOU'RE MARRIED?!
[A.X.E.L. is confused]
A.X.E.L.: Didn't I tell you guys?
[Barcus shakes his head]
Jerbo: You never said anything about having a wife!
A.X.E.L.: Well I guess it never slipped my mind. Did I ever mention my kids?
Emira: You never mention anything about your life! How did you even meet her?!
A.X.E.L.: Well let's just say you guys are in for a long story. It started when I was founded by Roundtable...
[As A.X.E.L. continues his story, Sharkface goes to the spot where the Armor piece was located, but to his luck it was nowhere in sight]
Sharkface: NO! NO! I CAN'T GO BACK EMPTY HANDED!
One: Empty handed how exactly?
[Sharkface turns to see his master and two others are behind him]
Sharkface: MASTER?! I MERELY GOT HELD BACK DUE TO SOME CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES! BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO FIND THE PIECE IN NO TIME FLAT! JUST GIVE ME MORE TIME?!
[Mohawk chuckles]
Mohawk: Yeah there won't be any time for you to find it. Now that it's gone anyways.
[Sharkface is confused]
Sharkface: What?
[Pyro begins to speak]
Pyro: While you were distracted by your fight, the eldest Blight managed to grab the piece.
[Sharkface gasps and realises his failure]
One: You disappoint me Sharkface.
[One places the tip of his chain sword at his throat]
One: I should have left you to rot in that prison! But seeing as you are now, I guess your suffering and injuries are enough for a punishment.
[One retracts his blade and walks away]
One: But if you fail me again! I won't hesitate in cutting your fins off. So be grateful for my generosity. For now I'll have Watts fix you up.
[Sharkface gulps]
Sharkface: Thank you my liege. I won't fail you.
One: You better not.
[Sharkface with a look of fury on his face knows his own goal, having the same visions as A.X.E.L. but instead of the one who is killed, the visions he has is of the murderer being killed by gunfire]
Sharkface: Next time, A.X.E.L. I'll end you. But for now, I'm interested in an all new prey!
[Sharkface remembers the face of Viney]
Sharkface: She'll be fun till our next bout!
[Sharkface gets up and follows Meta into the shadows]
[Meanwhile at Shatter Squad's base, A.X.E.L. begins to make a call on his laptop, with the video on, he waves at the screen]
A.X.E.L.: Hey Honey, how are you?
END!