Chapter 17: The Comeback
"Thank you again," Pyra said. "As a reward for your services, I shall return you all to your homes and grant free entrance into my Tournament next year."
He clapped his hands and the eight Smashers vanished. Fox took the opportunity to run at Pyra. He found that he could run faster. Each step propelled him farther and faster than he thought possible, even with certain items.
Pyra knew he was coming. He spun and shot out blue lasers from his hands. Fox saw them coming as if in slow motion. He ducked under the first and darted around the other, putting him face to face with Pyra. Fox pulled his fist back and punched Pyra square in the jaw.
Pyra's head flung back in pain. He stumbled back and tripped over Link's sword that was still impaled in the ground. Fox jumped and kicked Pyra in the stomach. Pyra hit the ground and skidded across the platform. Fox landed and struck a fighting pose.
Pyra jumped to his feet and ran a hand over his lower lip. He looked at his hand and saw that it was covered with blood. Then he spat out a gob of bloody spit. He looked at Fox. Pyra was furious. How dare this Smasher rise against him.
"I have given you ample chance to accept my position," Pyra said. "But you refuse. Why do you see fit to rebel against me?"
"Because you have no right to stand where you do," Fox spat.
"You have just been a headache since the moment we met," Pyra growled. "I could send you home and give you a year to accept my new rule. But I think I'll just kill you here and now."
Fox dropped back on his back leg, made a waving motion with his hand and said, "Come on."
Pyra ran at Fox. Fox saw what was happening with perfect clarity. He ducked under Pyra's swing and punched him in the stomach. Pyra buckled forward and Fox kicked him in the side of the head. Pyra rolled across the ground. He got to his feet just in time to dodge a Fire Fox. Fox landed and spun around, kicking Pyra in the shoulder. He went backwards and jumped into a flip, remaining in the air.
"Come down here and fight me," Fox demanded.
Pyra was furious. He looked down at Fox and took a deep breath. Soon, the red in his face vanished. He grinned and let out a laugh. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"I don't have to fight you," he said. "I have tools who will."
HE clapped his hands and sent a beam of light towards Fox. Fox shielded himself with his arms but was still caught in the ray. But he didn't feel any pain. When he lowered his arms, he saw that he was somewhere else. He was standing under a large apple tree. In front of him stood a blue Kirby.