Chapter 3: The Battle Trigger

Another day began on a Saturday. Woody decided to pay a visit to Davis and Dennis' house early in the morning and see what would be in store for all three of them later during the day. He had his usual breakfast prepared by his mum before he headed for his two best friends' house. Little did he know Davis and Dennis were not there anymore…

Woody reached Davis and Dennis' house, which was located in the countryside, just a few miles away from the busy city, where the two brothers' school and martial arts school were located in. The sight of their house made Woody recall that Davis and Dennis loved the peacefulness of the countryside even though there were hardly any people living there, hence their home location.

Woody was about to press the doorbell to Davis and Dennis' house door when he saw Stinky coming from the opposite direction of where Woody came from.

"Hey!" Woody was surprised with Stinky's appearance. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm about to ask you the same question…" Stinky smirked.

"Guess we're both here to see Davis," Woody figured. "But why are you here to see Davis?"

"Well…why are you here to see Davis?"

"Huh? Answer my question!"

"Hehe…Just kidding," Stinky smirked again. "I come here as a friend to maybe go out and have fun."

"Well…I have the same intention…"

"Cool…So we are here for the same reasons after all. Hehe…"

Woody growled, then pressed the doorbell. The instant Woody did that, the door suddenly swung open.

"Oh…it's just Woody and Stinky…" Mrs. Sire said with a worried look on her face.

"What's wrong, Mrs. Sire?" Woody asked before looking past Mrs. Sire in the living room. "Hey! Davis! Dennis! Stinky and I are here!"

"They're not at home…" Mrs. Sire told Woody before lowering her head.

"What?" Stinky could not believe it. "We came here pretty early and they're not at home?"

Stinky then noticed her lowered head. "Are you all right, madam?"

"It's Mrs. Sire…" Woody reminded Stinky with a whisper.

"Right…Mrs. Sire."

"Could you two come in?" Mrs. Sire pleaded. "I have something to address to both of you…"

Mrs. Sire told Woody and Stinky everything that had happened last night.

"I beg your pardon?!" Woody cried. "You can't be kidding!"

"It's true, Woody," Mrs. Sire assured, still with her head low. "I don't know why they have to do this. I understand that they are brave and my two sons have all grown up, but this is not the way to pursue an enemy..." Tears started to flow from Mrs. Sire's eyes. "I do not want them to suffer like before…"

"Those two idiots," Woody became angry. "What were they thinking? Even if an enemy really attacked them doesn't mean they should investigate all by themselves!"

Stinky, being the impatient type, looked at Mrs. Sire curiously. "Do you know where they went?"

"I have absolutely no idea," Mrs. Sire replied. "They left without even saying good bye…" More tears started to flow out of her eyes. "They did, however, leave this note that I found on the living room's coffee table."

Mrs. Sire showed the note to Woody. Woody took it and read what was written on it.

Dear Mum,

We're sorry that we left without even saying goodbye or anything. We are also sorry that we lied to you about leaving tomorrow morning but we feel that you should not see us off as that may make you worry even more. We had to leave early because the earlier we find out what is going on, the earlier we can go back. Please do not worry about us, Mum. We made a promise, remember? That we will be back safe and sound once we're done with this. So don't worry about us okay? Take care, Mum.

Love always,

Davis and Dennis

Upon having finished reading the note, Woody crushed the note instantly.

"Idiots!" Woody cried in dismay. "Doesn't leaving your Mum without saying goodbye or anything makes her worry even more?!" Woody turned to Mrs. Sire. "Sorry for yelling. Anyway what is going on? Why did they leave all of a sudden? I don't understand."

"Somebody attacked them late last night," Mrs. Sire replied in a sad tone. "According to them."

"What?" Woody and Stinky were both in shock.

"This is definitely serious business," Stinky exclaimed.

"Indeed," Woody replied. "Mrs. Sire, why would someone attack them? And who was the one who attacked them?"

"I do not know either," Mrs. Sire cried. "They only said they were attacked and that they have to investigate. They also said they will start this morning. But they left earlier than expected. And without even a proper goodbye! Even their bags are gone!!"

"Idiots indeed…" Woody shook his head. "How are Davis and Dennis gonna find this guy if they don't even know where he is? They should have at least waited for me!"

"Uh…" Stinky said. "We find them?"

"You're not supposed to answer the question!" Woody glared at Stinky. "It's a rhetorical question!"

"What's a rhetorical question?" Stinky asked, pretending not to know.

Woody rolled his eyes. "Forget it… And what do you mean 'we'? I'm going to find them. You stay here. Mrs. Sire, don't worry. I will find them."

Mrs. Sire nodded her head without saying a word.

As Woody was about to leave, Stinky grabbed Woody's arm.

"What are you doing?" Woody asked. "Let go of my arm!"

"I'm going with you," Stinky replied.

"What?" Woody was not sure if he heard it right.

"You are not deaf. I'm going along with you to find Davis and Dennis."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Woody yelled. "I said let go!"

"I'm not letting go because I wanna go with you."

"You're inexperienced. This may prove to be too dangerous for you. Stay here and please let go of my arm!"

"I can prove it to you that I'm capable of surviving and fighting. I'm no longer a little boy anymore. I'm not afraid of anything!"

Upon hearing that, Woody started to boil with anger. "Stop fooling around!"

"I'm not kidding. I'm serious. I'll prove it to you by beating you!"

Woody was stunned for a second. He then smirked at Stinky before yanking his arm away from Stinky's grip.

"Dream on!" Woody shouted at Stinky. "You're only just a typical martial arts student. You are no match against me. In fact, you're light years away from even hitting me!"

Stinky was hesitant for a moment. In his mind he was thinking, "What have I just said? I'm so in deep trouble now." But Stinky shook off that thought. He stood firm and glared at Woody, "I may not be able to defeat you, but I will show to you just how much I have improved!"

Woody glared back at Stinky. After a moment of silence, Woody agreed upon Stinky's challenge. "You're on. If you don't show any signs of improvement from the last time I saw your talents as a martial artist, don't even follow me!"

"Agreed," Stinky nodded his head as both him and Woody glared at each other with fiery eyes.