The rest of the Battlefront gasped. The line snapped violently, the air twanging as the line was plunged further into the water. With a roar, the water around the line began to thrash, a devouring whirlpool sped around the wire as it twitched and tossed.
With a grind, Angel's heels sunk into the ground as she weathered the tremendous blow. The pole quivered with energy as Angel was gradually drug toward the water.
Saito gaped. "I don't believe it. This chic could pull it off. She could reel in the Master!"
"What are you talking about?" yelled Michael over the roar of the river's struggle.
"What do you think? The Master of the River, the monster that gives the operation its name! Now hurry and stop her, before she's dragged into the river with him!"
Mouth dropping in alarm, Mike turned to grab a-hold of Angel. He furiously began pulling her back against the tug toward the churning water.
He felt Saito join him, locking arms around his shoulders.
"Won't the pole break?" Mike asked through gritted teeth.
"Don't question my handywork!" The Fishing Maniac barked. Then, "Get over here, you fools! Hurry!"
There was a pause of indecision. The Battlefront looked at each other.
Except for Harry. He stumbled over, and locked arms around Saito.
Julie danced over to him as he grunted in labor. "Say, upperclassman!" she chimed. "You're wide open for a kick in the shins right now, you know."
"Quit mess'en around!"
There was a movement. "Food is on the line," Richie the fifth rumbled, and trooped over. Luke joined in as well.
Elly glanced at his feet. "Well… I suppose it's only logical that we attempt to deter this threat, regardless of those we must associate with. My muscles shall do their service." His shirt fluttered to the floor as he strode over, Jake, Emmanuel, and Leonard following to join the chain.
"Pull!" Mike grunted, feet scrabbling for purchase. He felt Angel tremble in his arms, as the Battlefront surged backwards.
"Pull! Come on, Pull!" Julie cheered from beside them, jumping up and down supportively.
But, it wasn't enough. Their strength was nothing compared to the beast they were up against, and with every thrash, Mike felt the lot of them draw closer to flying into the water.
"Ah, man," Emmanuel cursed. "Looks like the end of the line."
Mike clenches his eyes shut, just as he heard a murmur.
"No. I must protect them."
His eyes flung open in time to witness Angel crouch, and then spring up.
With yowls of surprise, the Battlefront chain was flung hurtling into the air. Mike's heart raced, and then stopped as he looked below them.
The Master of the River had been torn from his domain by Angel, and rose up with them, mouth gaping below them. The monstrous catfish was roughly the size of medium sized house, but then Mike saw its dark-scaled tale flip and frantically doubled his estimate. Beach ball eyes stared blindly out, while whipping whiskers enveloped the sucking cavern of its maw.
Mike felt his throat tighten as all around him his friends expressed their displeasure at being flung into the air.
Luke-We caught it!
Elly-It caught us!
TK-Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.
Richie-The clouds really do look like cotton candy from up here.
Albert-You are all savages!
After a few seconds, their momentum ran out. Exchanging shocked glances, they crested, and then began to fall, inevitably, right into the Monster's mouth.
Emmanuel-Well, sh**.
Harry- This is ironic.
Albert-We're all about to die, you morons!
Leonard- This is why I hate fishing…
The Battlefront yelled franticly, closing their eyes in horror as the dreadful maw raced closer. Falling beside them, Emily set her gaze upon the fish.
I cannot allow this, they will be hurt. I must protect them.
"Guardskill: Harmonics."
Mike's retina's stung from the flash of light that followed. Blinking, he barely made out the form of Angel twist, and suddenly distort. He saw a shape suddenly break off. It sprung off of Angel, flashing down to the beast in an arc of lightning.
In awe, he witnessed the form strike the Master of the River. The sound of metal against flesh rang out, and the beast roared.
Before their astonished gaze, the Master broke apart, rent into slivers. The slivers trembled, and fell back to the ground, as the Battlefront splashed down into the river.
Winnie walked up to them as they crawled from the riverbed, shaking off the water with dazed glances. "Wow," she said dryly, crossing her arms.
Saito stumbled up to his old foe, jaw trembling. He gazed at the slivers of fish. Then he turned, and, gazing at Angel, tipped his hat.