Note: With the new year here, I am able to continue working on stories like this. Also, I have a job now, so I won't be able to focus on my stuff as much as I did before. However, a long day of work is worth it to keep on working on my stories and art. I'm probably getting ahead of myself now, so let's move on. Before I begin the chapter, I want to say something to all of you.

Seeing as I barely focus on The Raccoons when it comes to writing my stories, I have decided to start working on a few new stories for it in the future. I won't spoil what they're about here, but be ready for when they come out. Chances are, you might be surprised when you see them. Given how I've got other stories planned, I'm not sure when my new Raccoons stories will be out. But, be patient for them, because they might be on your radar.

Now that I've said that, it's time for chapter nineteen.

Chapter 19: Schaefer's Fight

Schaefer struggled to stand up, as his attacker hit him hard enough to injure him. The sheepdog didn't know what to do, given how his enemy was standing above him, unwilling to let him go. The gym was only a few feet away, so he was hoping that he would be able to gather his teammates for the fight that was about to happen. However, the canine secretly hoped that they would not come to his aid. Chances are, the fight would end in complete and utter disaster. At best, Schaefer's teammates would be injured, to the point where they would need to be hospitalized like how Bairei was prior to being healed by magic. At worst, they would all be killed in gruesome and violent ways.

Managing to pick himself up off the ground, Schaefer faced his attacker. The assailant was a familiar face: Kazuma Araki. He had a sinister look on his face, his mouth curled into a menacing smile. Knowing who he was facing, Schaefer got in a defensive stance, his gauntlet-covered hand clenched into a fist. In response, Araki let out a chuckle, unfazed by the challenge that was awaiting him. He had his knife out, letting his enemy know that he didn't come unarmed.

"Well," Araki spoke, "it looks like you're still with your pathetic team."

"I am." Schaefer said. "I was about to get back to them, until you threw me to the side."

"This should be fun." The wolf said, his smile turning sadistic. "Once I kill you, Arthur Schaefer, they will be next!"

"That's not going to happen." The sheepdog said, trying to mask the anger he was feeling.

"And just what are you planning to do?" The lupine snorted.

Without warning, Araki received a punch to the face. The strike caught him off guard, but he shook it off. After that, he did a sweep kick in an attempt to knock Schaefer down, but only managed to hit his opponent in the side. In response, the sheepdog punched him, hoping that it would knock him down. Like how the former shook off his kick, the wolf shook off the punch. He only glared at the canine who stood before him, cracking his knuckles in rage.

Running towards Schaefer, Araki swung his knife horizontally. With barely enough time to dodge, Schaefer moved to the side, only receiving a cut on his shoulder. He threw a punch at the wolf, hitting him in the face. However, the lupine grinned and got ready to swing his knife again. Before he could do so, Schaefer kicked the knife out of his hands. The sheepdog then made a quick grab at it, catching it before his opponent did.

Now that he had the knife in his hands, Schaefer put in in his pocket. That didn't stop Araki from attacking him. The wolf threw several punches, hitting the sheepdog in both his face and abdomen. Coughing up some blood, the canine knew that he had to end the fight. If he didn't, Araki would kill him and attack his teammates. That was an outcome that he didn't want to happen, and the chances of it happening were very high at the moment.

Cracking his knuckles and letting out a snort of laughter, Araki approached Schaefer. Knowing that he had to dodge, Schaefer moved to the side. However, this caused the knife to fall out of his pocket. With the weapon within his sights, Araki grabbed it and attempted to stab his opponent with it. Schaefer caught the blade between his hands, preventing it from making contact with any vital area. The sheepdog jerked back, seizing the knife and kicking the wolf in the face.

Araki brought his head up and glared at Schaefer. Unlike before, he had a much different expression. The wolf no longer had a sadistic, murderous grin, but an enraged snarl. Seeing that, Schaefer could tell that he was about to go into a violent rage. He had the misfortune of seeing the lupine like that before, which was when the police were about to restrain him. While they were able to capture Araki on that day, Schaefer remembered how he had managed to brutally slaughter three officers. By the end of the day, three men had lost their lives in a horrific way.

"NOW YOU DIE, ARTHUR SCHAEFER!" Araki roared.

Before Schaefer could get away, Araki tackled him to the ground. The wolf brought his fist down on the sheepdog's face several times. With every punch Schaefer received, blood filled his mouth. It seemed like the canine would be able to stop his opponent from killing him. However, that was when he grabbed Araki's knife. Having no other option, Schafer closed his eyes and swung the knife forward.

Upon being stabbed, Araki let out an enraged scream. Opening his eyes, Schaefer saw that he stabbed the wolf in his chest. The knife had hit the region where his heart was, so it was a vital hit. However, the lupine was still standing, despite how lethal his injury was. His screams were starting to sound more agonized. This, combined with the anger that was present in his voice, made him sound almost like a demon.

Pulling the knife out of Araki's chest, Schaefer then swung it at the wolf's throat. With his throat slit, Araki's screams were replaced with gagging. Blood trickled from both his neck and his mouth, looking like a waterfall. As the lupine fell dead to the ground, his face was distorted with rage. His eyes were enough to unnerve even a mortician that was about to work on him. With Araki's death, Schaefer was free to meet up with his teammates.

As he stepped over the corpse of Kazuma Araki, Schaefer's ears picked up interference. Looking down, he noticed something on Araki's body. It looked almost like a beeper, but with visible differences. With the knowledge that the wolf had been working for the Serpent Gang, Schaefer knew that he used it to communicate with his comrades. Picking it up, the sheepdog decided to send a message to the organization. He pressed a button, allowing the machine to record his voice.

"I hope that you get this, Serpent Gang." Schaefer spoke. "I've taken down Araki, and my teammates and I are coming for you. No matter what happens, we'll stop you from getting the Ruby of Saturn."

Dropping the device onto Araki's corpse, Schaefer made his way to the gym's entrance. He figured that, once he got inside, he would have explaining to do. If his teammates didn't notice the blood, then they would assume that he was just running late. Suffice it to say, they would be shocked to hear about the fight he had just been through. Bairei would probably be happy, but the others probably wouldn't. Pushing open the door, Schaefer hoped to sweep Araki's death under the rug for the time being, as the Seven Heroes had bigger fish to fry.

After all, they were about to learn magic.

Note: There you go, Schaefer put an end to Araki once and for all. Needless to say, the Serpent Gang won't be happy to learn about the wolf's death. And it seems that the Seven Heroes will have to read those scrolls sometime soon. Can they learn magic, or will they not be able to? Until next time guys, this is Newcomer24, signing off. Peace!