The Secret of the Idol

by PokeMaster64

Wes Ravenfield, an Umbreon who wishes to become the world's greatest treasure hunter, has been failing in trying to find anything to prove his worth. But, upon discovering a sacred idol that could bring about chaos on the world, he will journey throughout Mysto with his brother and ex-girlfriend, along with new friends along the way. As they get closer, secrets will unfold.

66. Feuding Storm Clouds 7

Ch.66: Standing Stronger Than Before! The Battle of Father and Son Reignites!

Noon had finally rolled around. Having been filled up and prepped for a tough day, Team Ravenfield, save Tony, had headed into the endless ocean dimension. The apprentices, having done their job of proving their worth, accompanied them to watch the battle. All but Alis and Gunnar, however. They stayed behind due to the absence of Tony.

After Flint recovered from his near heart attack earlier this morning, he discovered the Dewott had fled in the middle of the night. This raised some concern from Gunnar, while Alis stayed behind to help look for the shifty thief.

"He couldn't have gotten far," she pointed out. "And it's not like he's in trouble. The boy is fairly capable."

"I'm well aware of that," the dragon stated, "but I'm more worried about what that boy has been up to." Gunnar sighed and pinched between his eyes. "I know Leroy can be tough, but that young man had true hate in his eyes. Arceus only knows what he's plotting. This isn't something he'll just let go."

Alis rested her club on top her shoulder. "Well, if we can't sense his aura from where we are, we may need to expand out more."

"Maybe so. Perhaps a search outside will do us some…" Gunnar blinked as he, and Alis, felt a presence enter their range of detection. "…that's his aura."

They turned around as the aura drew closer, then relaxed as the Dewott walked around the corner. His clothes were soaked as he trailed water behind him. He looked tired, like he had just woken up. He walked towards them with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

Their attention was drawn to the mild burns on his fur, though they didn't appear serious from the looks of it. His clothes, aside from being drenched, were roughed up, like he went through a fight.

Tony stretched his jaw open and let out a loud yawn, then partly opened his eyes. He smiled coolly when he saw them. "Yo…what's up?"

Alis glared and pointed her club at him. "Just where the hell have you been? You gave your friends quite the start this morning."

"I did?" he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. He almost looked apathetic about it, but he did just wake up not too long ago. "Darn, didn't mean to worry them." He shook his head, then smirked. "I was sleeping outside. I've been busy all night and…kind of fell asleep around dawn." He shrugged. "Eh, give me a few minutes and I'll be at max efficiency."

Gunnar held his hips. "You've been training, huh?" He narrowed his eyes. "I assume the purpose is clear as day?"

Tony narrowed his eyes and nodded firmly. "Yeah…and things are going to be different."

Gunnar blinked, then gestured to the portal entrance. "Your friends are out there right now. It's been a little over a half hour. I'm not sure what the status of their battle is at the moment." He glared. "What do you intend to do?"

The Dewott waltzed past them with a determined glare. "Simple…I'm giving that old bastard a piece of my mind." He showed off his teeth through his calm smirk. "But I'm doing it the real way, now."

Gunnar and Alis glanced at each other, then the dragon smiled in satisfaction. "I see." He followed behind Tony with Alis. "Well then, let's get a move on. Your friends will need all the help they'll need."

---

And indeed, they did, for Leroy proved to be tougher than on paper.

Griffin clashed against the Samurott's electrified seamitars, absorbing the excess magic into Endless Regret. However, Griffin found himself being out muscled as Leroy pushed down on his sword. He felt his feet cracking the stone floor under the pressure. He growled. "A…little help?!"

Gwyn, in her cactus form, rolled across the slick floor and crashed into Leroy, who quickly blocked with his other seamitar. He fought back against her momentum, then smacked her in the air. "AH!" she yelped.

Flint's Guardian leaped up and grabbed her before she fell over. Flint was keeping as much distance between him and Leroy as possible. "How tough is this guy?!"

"Getting a…pretty good idea of it!" Griffin growled. He summoned Absolute Zero and slashed at the Samurott to freeze the rainwater coated over his fur.

"Light Speed." However, Leroy vanished in a flash, leaving the cold energy to just freeze a straight line across the surface. Griffin crossed his arms as Leroy attacked him from all sides at lightning fast speed.

Wes slid across the slick roof and fired Infernius at the speedy light. Leroy changed targets and slammed his seamitar into the Umbreon's side way before he could react. Wes spat out in pain and bounced across the roof. "Ugh…and I thought Tony was a pain to fight…"

The apprentices that were present, being Androwe, Pembroke, and Jose, watched in stoicism while Ella cheered on her team. It was the only thing she could realistically do given her current status. However, she wasn't being particularly inspirational.

"Come on, you sissies! Put some backbone into it!" she shouted. "And Flint! Quit sitting around and get your butt into the fight!"

Flint glared at her. "I'm not a combat fighter! What do you want me to do?! Tackle the guy who will fry me unconscious?!" He shrieked as a slash of lightning nearly hit him, but his Guardian blocked the attack just in time. He sighed in relief, then glared. "Okay, let's try this! Time Hal-!"

Before he could activate the spell, Leroy appeared behind him and slammed his seamitar into his back. Flint gasped out in pain before soaring across the roof and slipping over the edge. He dug his claws into the rock just in time. He gritted his teeth, holding up against the rain and the stinging ache in his back.

"Flinty!" Gwyn cried out. She glared and pulled out some seeds. "Don't hurt my fluffy bookworm friend!" She slammed her hands down. "Accelerated Growth!" Thorny vines exploded from the ground and lunged at Leroy.

Leroy narrowed his eyes indifferently. He raised his seamitars. "Flash Splitter." He slowly spun the weapons as they gather electricity, then, in a single move, slashed them at the approaching plants. Faster than anything Gwyn could see, the vines were sliced and diced into cubed vegetation.

Gwyn shrieked and crossed her arms just as Leroy flew in and slashed her with the seamitar. She was sent sliding across the roof, but she extended spikes from her feet to anchor herself in. She extended needles from her hands and fired magically charged ones. Leroy skillfully blocked them without missing a beat.

Wes darted for the Samurott from his side. "Mystic Burst!" Blazing with magic, he rammed himself into the mage's side. "Magi Effingo!" Crystal clones of Wes sprung from his body, each wrapped in a weaker version of Mystic Burst. They tackled the mage as well, trying to pin him down. "Someone…finish him off!"

Griffin jumped in the air and swung his sword. "Exosus…Release!" He fired the raw spiteful magic down at Leroy.

Leroy glared at the incoming beam. He slammed his hands down. "Surge Fluctus: Great Wave!"

Electrical energy circled around his feet before exploding outward in a massive wave. Wes was thrown off, getting his clones destroyed, while Griffin's Exosus Release was canceled out on the spot. As Griffin fell back to the ground, he countered a lunge strike from the surprisingly speedy Samurott. However, because he wasn't ground, Leroy easily spiked Griffin straight down, cratering into the roof. He shook his head, then flipped out of the crater before Leroy could blast him with Lightning Shot.

The team regrouped on the opposite side of the roof, glaring at the stoic Samurott, who kept his guard up. Wes gritted his teeth. "Gunnar wasn't kidding. This guys way tougher than the last three mages. It'll take us forever to meet his strength."

Griffin raised Endless Regret. "Then our only solution is to incapacitate him. Gwyn, if you can poison him, we might have a chance."

"I've been trying to, but he's too fast!" she whined. "Poison doesn't work if I can't poison someone!"

Flint gritted his teeth. "Just watching Tony's match wasn't enough. We may need to call off the fight and rethink our strategy."

"We've already got some clean shots on him!" Wes pointed out. "We can still take him!"

"Bro, he hasn't even broken a sweat yet!" Flint shouted.

"We're making better progress than Tony so far!" Gwyn pointed out cheerily. "Eh…no offense to him, of course."

Leroy narrowed his eyes as they plotted in secret. He spoke up, "I grow tired of waiting. In a real battle, the enemy doesn't allow for time to strategize." He raised his seamitars and coated them in electricity. "I shall end this swiftly. Quick Step!" His legs sparked with electricity, then he sprinted for the team.

They put their guard up and readied their counterattack as he drew closer. He raised his seamitars and swung them at the team…only to see a flash and strike nothing but air. They vanished into thin air…with a peculiar trace of Storm Magic in the air. His eyes narrowed curiously, then he looked over his shoulder.

Ella had to blink a couple of times when she saw her friends disappear, but then gasped once she saw they were right in front of her. "What the?! How did you guys do that?!"

They were equally as confused as the Espeon. "We…didn't do that…" Flint stated with stunned surprise.

They flinched as a flash of light zipped down in front of them, but then gasped at the Dewott sitting on the ground. Knee raised and one arm resting over it, Tony smiled smugly with his eyes closed. "I expect praise and admiration for my heroic entrance later."

Wes blinked in befuddlement. "Tony?! I thought we told you to sit this one out!" He blinked in realization, then threw his paws up angrily. "Forget that! Where the hell WERE YOU?!"

Tony rolled back and flipped onto his feet. "The old wise man answer would be 'trying to find myself.' The actual answer? I was outside." He tossed something over his shoulder. "Here you go, Hothead!"

Griffin caught the item, which was his crystal orb. He narrowed his eyes. "You're acting like your usual self, Sparks."

Tony cracked his knuckles. "Yep! I'm back and better than ever!"

Gwyn pointed at Griffin in confusion. "Wait…you knew where he was?"

He shrugged as he stuffed the orb away. "Pretty much."

"Tony!" Wes shouted. "I gave you a direct order not to interfere!"

"With all due respect, team leader, I don't listen to orders all too well." He narrowed his eyes at him. "Not like you're doing any better."

Wes tapped his digits together. "Um…well…"

Tony sighed, then faced his team before bowing apologetically. "My actions are unforgivable. This was supposed to be a team effort and I failed you. For that, I am sorry." He held his hips. "I should've exercised better judgment. This wasn't the time or place to let my feelings get in the way of the objective." He closed his eyes. "This isn't about me. This is about doing what's best: retrieving the Idol of Origin and keeping it out of the shadows' hands."

Leroy raised his brow curiously. Well then…

Tony glared at his team sternly. "However, despite all that, I want to prove my growth. Which is why, with your permission, I wish to tackle this battle on my own again."

Ella glared. "Tony, the difference in skill is painfully obvious. You got creamed by your father last time."

"A fact that's still fresh like a new wound," Tony agreed. "I'm not an idiot. My father surpasses me in skill, magical talent, and power. I felt his attacks myself. He wasn't holding back. At all. I now know what I'm dealing with." He closed his eyes and smirked pridefully. "However, it won't end like last time. This time, I'm going in as I should have."

Flint's eyelids drooped in concern. "Tony…are you sure? We can't risk you going through another defeat. We're not on a deadline, but time is crucial. We should be going at this as a team."

"And I agree with you." Tony glared over his shoulder. "But I need this. I don't want to lose your trust. I can't become a liability. If I want to prove I've grown as a person, I need to face my worst side and improve. Stronger. Faster. Smarter." He bowed to his teammates. "I understand the risks. I understand we can't risk failure over matters like this. But I'm begging you…let me do this. I want to prove myself. I haven't grown stronger in the last few days…but I'm willing to bet I can make a difference in this battle."

Clear hesitation spawned in their faces. Was it worth risking another defeat? On the one hand, nothing was stopping them from jumping back in should Tony meet a second defeat. Leroy would be weaker, potentially. On the other hand, they weren't doing so well before. Would any difference be made? Leroy was clearly far stronger than they anticipated. They should be doing this together.

However, Wes narrowed his eyes at the Dewott seriously and took a step forward. "Tony…" The thief stared back with equal seriousness. "Do you know what you're doing?"

He nodded firmly. "Very…"

"And you understand we can't take any more failures, right? A few days of training won't make a difference."

Tony glared over his shoulder briefly. "Trust me on this one."

Their eyes were locked for a moment longer, with Wes glaring in deep concentration. His friends waited patiently for his answer, concerned as to how his decision will play out.

Finally, Wes heaved a sigh, then stepped back. "I'm giving you one last chance. The second you are outmatched, we're tagging back in."

Tony nodded. "Thank you." He spun around and faced his father.

Gwyn tugged on Wes' jacket. "Wes, I don't think this is a good idea. Won't he just lose the same way again?"

Wes narrowed his eyes calmly. "Somehow…I doubt that."

"You better know what you're doing," Flint warned.

"Give him a chance." They looked over their shoulders and saw Gunnar and Alis coming up, with the dragon crossing his arms. "I have a good feeling about this."

The lightning crackled overhead, once again lighting the rooftop for battle. Tony stretched his arms as he smirked in his father's direction. "Well, old man…ready for round two?"

Leroy glared. "That arrogance of yours is shining brighter than before."

"It's part of my charm," he stated proudly. "Compliments me well, don't you think?"

"You're certainly acting different than from last time." Leroy narrowed his eyes darkly. "Have you finally rubbed out that bratty behavior of yours?"

Tony snickered. "Nope! Still the same ol' me! Just better!"

Leroy sighed. "How foolish. This will end the same as last. Save yourself the trouble of humiliation. Best to work with your friends. Don't fight battles you know you can't win."

Tony smiled boldly. "Did you think this fool would never win?" He held his hips. "Take a good look at me! I'm coming back again!" He laughed under his breath. "I'm still standing…and better than I ever did. I'm coming back without you on my mind."

Leroy raised his brow. "Do tell."

"I was so wrapped up in making you pay that I lost sight of what I should have been doing." He glared. "Yeah, you left me, Mom, and Cheri nearly a whole decade ago. Frankly, here and now, that's still the shittiest thing you've done to us. Didn't even bother explaining yourself. You just ran away from your troubles.

"Sad truth is, I had to run away from my troubles, too. And it nearly cost me the ones I love." Tony sighed. "Just listen to me. I've done so much to stray from the path you've taken that I emulated your mistakes. My own selfish needs nearly cost them their lives. I felt like shit for doing that." He glared sharply. "But there's a big difference between you and me.

"I sought their forgiveness. I sought their understanding. I ran away from my responsibilities, but I turned around just in time. The difference between us is that I acted selfish with their approval. I did everything for them. I never wanted to leave them. I put their needs above mine." Tony closed his eyes. "Then they told me to act selfish, because I've done enough for them."

He breathed a heavy sigh and glared again at his father, who remained unfazed. Tony went on, "Yeah, I get it, you never had family to rely on, so you relied on yourself. It's a change you went into. You didn't have to keep being with Mom. You said yes to a second date. You said yes to her proposal. You were the one who had children with her. Like it or not, you made these decisions and have to deal with the consequences like a man." Tony crouched down, one foot scooted back, and gripped his scalchops. "Just like I have to own up to my mistakes."

Leroy glared back at his son. "And you believe you know what's best?"

Tony smirked. "You said before I had no understanding of the real world. Let me show you what the real world has taught me! Quick Step!"

He rocketed off his foot and took huge strides as he dashed into Leroy. He activated his lightning blades, jumped, and spun his body to deliver a strong blow to the Samurott. Leroy quick-drew his seamitar and clashed with the sparking energy blades, sending bolts of lightning flying all over.

Leroy clenched his teeth. "You're being too rash!" He drew his other seamitar and swung, but Tony bounced off his blade and hopped on top of the swinging weapon.

Toy squatted on the end with a cheeky smirk. "Hey, not my fault I'm hyperactive. Must be on the sugary snacks I ate." He jumped off right as Leroy went for the second strike. Tony bounced off his hand and raised his fingers. "Lightning Shot: Double Barrel Shockwave!" The twisting beam of electricity soared forward.

Leroy sheathed one seamitar, then extended out his palm. "Fulgur Channeling!" He caught the beam in his hand and absorbed it with ease. He easily intercepted the surprise strike the Dewott delivered. "You're certainly not fighting back as hard."

Tony grinned. "Yeah, that just wasn't my style." He backed off and threw his scalchops in the air. It was an unfortunate instinct, but Leroy's eyes followed the thrown weapons and took his attention off Tony for a split second. The Dewott slipped under his belly and pressed his fists against his chest plate. "Impetus Pressure!"

Leroy stood his ground as the shockwave passed through his body. He gritted his teeth tightly, then jumped out of it. Tony flipped back up, but Leroy slammed his fists down on him, pinning him to the ground. "My turn. Impetus Pressure: Maximum Tremor!"

Shit! Not aga-AAAHHH! Tony kept his screams internal as the wider pressure wave tore into him. He pressed his hands down against the collapsing roof. I'm not…dealing with this shit…again! "Ventusphere!" He slammed the wind orb down and separated the both of them in the wind expansion.

Leroy landed with ease and pulled out his seamitars, sending electricity through them. "Fulgur Channeling: Flash Splitter! Quick Step!" He raced towards Tony quickly.

Tony spun on his back and flipped to his feet. He shook his head, then glared. "Light Speed…" Leroy got in range and swung. "…Perfect Counter!" He crossed his arms and coated himself in electricity.

Leroy made contact, but received a surprise kick to the cheek thanks to the insane speed boost from the Perfect Counter variation. It barely affected him, though. He has improved since last time. He's using his head more. He glared. Even so…

Tony's brief speed boost ended there. He tried to flee, but Leroy grabbed him by the head and slammed him down, smashing his face through the stone. His defensive aura sparked from the shock as he was lifted. Leroy spun his seamitar, then batted Tony across their battlefield.

Tony slid across the slick surface and nearly fell over the edge. However, he happed to slide by his scalchops and snatched them before digging them into the floor. They stopped him just as his waist reached the edge. He pulled himself up and flipped forward. He spun the scalchops on his fingers with a smug grin.

"What is with you and batting me off the roof? Are you trying to make up for poor parenting by playing baseball with me?"

Leroy glared, then threw his seamitars in the air. "Surge Fluctus!" He slammed his hands down and fired a wave of electricity at him.

Tony grinned, then dashed straight towards it. He placed his scalchops back on his legs, then formed a Ventusphere between his hands. He flipped forward, landed on the wind sphere, and bounced right over the lightning wave. His fur sparked with excitement. "Lightning Shot!" He fired the thin beam.

"Lightning Shot!" Leroy countered with his own. They connected and canceled each other out in a bright flash. Leroy leaped in the air and caught his seamitars just as they fell back to him. He crossed them as a storm cloud formed under his feet like a foothold. He jumped off it and performed and X-slash against the Dewott, spiking him into the roof. "Lightning Shot: Overdrive Cannon!" He aimed his horn and fired the condensed electrical blast.

Tony quickly picked himself up and held his hands up. "Fulgur Channeling!" He grunted as the blast came down on him hard, like he was pushing against the weight of a boulder. Thankfully, he was able to efficiently absorb the foreign electricity and store it into his glowing fur.

Leroy landed on the opposite side of the tower. He glared at his son as he spun his seamitars. "You're out to impress, boy. Don't get cocky with me."

Tony smirked. "Oh, I'm just getting started. I've got an entire eight years of anger to burn off."

Leroy scoffed through his teeth. "You don't sound upset about it."

"Had a change in attitude." Tony glared. "That…and I'm doing this for the people that matter. Not just me. My friends. My mom. My sister. They are who I'm fighting for." He raised his brow smugly. "Not a concept you're used to, I take it. You only fight for yourself."

Leroy crossed his seamitars. "I fight for what's right. Protecting the innocent."

"And I commend you for that." Tony sneered. "But that won't change anything. Even after all this time, Mom still loves you. Now I know why she does." His face softened a bit. "Wish I saw that side of you for myself…"

Leroy narrowed his eyes, trying to keep up appearance with his stoicism. However, he felt an…odd twisting in his heart. It felt uncomfortable, just like the lump forming in his throat. He growled quietly and shook himself to regain his composure. "This is a fight. I won't let you have the key until you prove yourself."

Tony gripped his scalchops. "And I won't fall until you prove yourself as well." He smirked. "This isn't just my test anymore, old bastard! Want to show off that side of yourself that hasn't frozen over like Hell? Either you prove it to me or I'm taking that key by force!"

They glared each other down as they shifted their feet. Team Ravenfield focused carefully on their feet. They saw the energy building up in them. Actually, not just their feet. Their fur, too. Lightning crackling all around them as it gradually masked them in light. They've seen it once before, a clash of speed, but something told them it was gonna be amped up by eleven.

Tony and Leroy erupted with electricity and shouted, "Light Speed!"

Just like that, Team Ravenfield instinctively covered their heads as they were greeted to a stunning and bewildering display of two speedsters clashing at the speed of lightning. Maybe faster. It was like watching two continuous bolts of lightning striking each other. No matter where they looked, there was lightning flying and clashing with each other. Each brief contact would send showers of sparks flying all around. They almost forgot they were being protected by the apprentices' protective barrier.

Gwyn's eyes sparkled in awe. "WOW! They're so fast!" She flinched and jumped back when their collisions got a little too close to the barrier. "EEP!"

Androwe smirked. "Funny…is it just me or is Master Leroy putting a bit more effort into fighting than usual? Can't tell, to be honest."

"He must be testing his son's claims," Jose suggested. "Perhaps seeing if he has truly improved."

While the third party observers saw flashes of light striking into each other, Tony and Leroy were experiencing a different sensation. Rainwater was slowed to a crawl. Tony dashed through it, the droplets splattering against him as he did. Leroy spiraled from the sky, spraying slow moving droplets around him. They briefly clashed their weapons and pushed back, attacking from the ground and the air.

Tony leaped high in the air and met blades with his father. They glared at each other as sparks bounced off their weapons. They speedily clashed blades, trying to out speed the other. They locked blades and spiraled downward.

"Mom thinks we could have been one big happy family," Tony grunted as he pushed against his opponent while also resisting the falling, spin force. "Said that we could've had good futures ahead of us." He glared. "Fighting for yourself only gets you so far!"

Leroy clenched his teeth. "Family is trouble. They either bring trouble or are in trouble. I can't protect everyone, so why bother trying to find love?"

They landed and pushed each other back. Their Light Speeds were flickering, signaling they will end soon. Leroy used a brief Quick Step with Light Speed and rammed himself into Tony, shoving both of them over the edge. Leroy raised his seamitar and struck down, but Tony blocked it with his blades. The force still sent him downward. Leroy gripped the tower edge and sped down the side of the tower.

Tony fought against the falling rush. He glared and, in a stupid move he'll regret later, slammed his feet into the stone sides. The speed allowed him to melt his way through the stone until he formed footholds. He raised his blades and countered the drop strike from Leroy. They glared furiously at each other, then dug their feet into the tower and raced across the side.

Their weapons clashed in quick flurries, spraying slowed rain and sparks everywhere as they ran on the tower walls. They circled up the tower, leaving behind a trail of melted, foot shaped impressions. They split off from each other and launched up from opposite side of the structure, then rocketed into each other for a final clash before the Light Speed fell.

Team Ravenfield and the apprentices shielded their eyes from the explosion of light. The blast sent the father and son flying back, but they caught themselves just before reaching the edge.

Tony's scalchops smoked from the impact. He glared slightly, then set them away before standing up. Leroy waved his seamitars and fanned the smoke off them before sheathing them back into the scabbards. They stared one another down, with the Dewott flashing his cocky grin and the Samuott expression a twinge of…excitement.

"Where was all of this when we first fought?" Leroy asked.

Tony held his hip and waved his other hand around. "A lot can change when I'm not setting myself up on a rampage." He glared. "That, and I learned a lot from the people who've helped me grow." He tapped the side of his head. "I'm still prone to getting angry, but I can overcome those emotions and adapt. Like someone told me, I just need to channel that emotion into strength."

Leroy narrowed his eyes in intrigued. Is that so? Leroy looked over at their audience and glanced directly at Gunnar, who watched with his arms crossed. The Storm Mage remembered what the apprentice advised earlier. There was still a chance to make things right. He looked back at his son hesitantly. Running away…

The Samurott sighed, then glared fiercely at his son. An odd feature on his face, though, was a small, but prominent smile. "You want me to stop treating you like a brat?" He gripped his seamitar and slashed it out, coating it in a thick veil of electricity. "Then let's get down to business!"

Tony smirked excitedly. "Now you're speaking my language!" He dashed right for the Samurott and extended his arms out. "Here's one I've been working on for a while! Ventusphere: Wind Lance!" The air swirled into the usual sphere shapes, but they were dense like a fog. He flung his arms forward and sent the spells flying, shaped like a pair of spears.

Leroy clashed with the wind spears and annihilated them in one stroke. He waved his hand against the ground. "Surge Fluctus!" With the added force of his swing, he fired the electrical wave like a rocket.

Tony jumped out of the way, but got grazed in the side. He grunted, but powered on through as he ran and jumped over his father. Leroy aimed up with a Lightning Shot, but Tony vanished in a flash of light. He used his acute senses and predicted where Tony would land, then swung his seamitar. The Dewott, however, accurately anticipated the attacks and sped off in time. He flickered in brief flashes around the mage, blasting him with Lightning Shot repeatedly.

Leroy blocked the shots with his armor, then spun his seamitar overhead. "Fulgur Channeling!" The lightning roared above and struck the raised weapon, electrifying the Samurott. He sheathed the seamitar and slammed his hands down. "Surge Fluctus: Great Wave!" The electricity splashed out into an omnidirectional wave that threw Tony off his feet.

He blocked just before hitting the attack. He flew in the air before reassessing his balance and landing safely. He smirked and held his hands up, showing they were sparking wildly. "I've got a better grip of this Fulgur Channeling thing." He raised them over his head. "Now eat this!" He slammed them down and poured the electricity into the wet stone. The whole roof electrified in an instant, glowing in a pulse light blue light.

Leroy placed his hands against the stone. "Fulgur Channeling!" He absorbed the excess electricity with ease. He looked up and immediately blocked a surprise kick from Tony. "Lightning Shot!" He fired the spell, but Tony vanished with Light Speed.

"Impetus Pressure!" After absorbed the electrically charged roof, Leroy spun around and blocked the vibration wave with his arms. Tony smirked and ceased the attack. "Dragon Thunderclap!" He clapped his hands and, mixed with the leftover energy he absorbed, blasted his father with an electrified sound wave.

The slick surface and forceful thunderclap pushed Leroy back. He glared and dug his feet into the roof. He pulled out his seamitars. "Flash Splitter!" The weapon glowed with lightning, then he slashed them across the surface.

Tony used his electrified blades and countered the projectile slashes. He gasped as Leroy came flying in and slammed his seamitar into his gut. The blow knocked the wind out of Tony and forced him to spit out blood. Leroy arced him over on the seamitar and shot him into the sky with the added force of Flash Splitter. He formed a storm cloud wrapped with electricity from his hand and hopped onto it, then flew after the Dewott.

Tony worked through the pain and glared up as he pierced through the clouds. He electrified his fur, then grabbed hold of the storm clouds. Much to his surprise and relief, he got a grip of the clouds. He stood in the very center of the storm cloud, like he was on a fluffy floor.

"I'm honestly surprised that worked…" he muttered in disbelief. He observed the electricity being generated within the cloud. "Hmm…" However, there was no time for sightseeing. Feeling the rapid approach of his father, he dashed through of the clouds while passing through the electrified air.

A volley of Lightning Shots pierced from under him. He jumped along the insides of the cloud since basically everything was a foothold to him now. He fired back with his own Lightning Shot: Lotus Bullet, attempting to counter any stray bolts he could sense.

Not the right time yet. I need to wait for the perfect opportunity to counterattack. Tony focused and shortened the sensing range of his aura before hiding away in the clouds.

Leroy appeared through the fog of darkness and flashes. He couldn't sense where Tony was and it didn't help that there was so much magically generated lightning shooting everywhere. He narrowed his eyes cautiously and flew through the cloud.

"You told me earlier that your mother believes we could have been a real family." He grunted. "What does that even mean?"

"Families stick together, for one." Leroy fired a Lightning Shot in the direction he though the voice came from, but scored no hit. "I don't think you understand how much I looked up to you when I was a kid. Maybe a tiny part of me still does."

"Is that what that was?" Leroy questioned as he kept an attentive gaze on his surroundings.

"To me, you were this pillar of unbreakable power. I thought if I could be like you, I could be that powerful." He heard the disappointed sigh. "But, turns out, I don't want to be like someone who thinks so poorly on chance. Yeah, I get it, life isn't fair and the real world can be harsh if you're not prepared for it. We were in a rut when we had to take care of ourselves.

"But that's what I'm doing now. When I find that idol, maybe I can get something out of it. Maybe I can finally give Mom and Cheri the life they deserve. I want them to be happy. They are the most wonderful people in my life, and they should be yours, too."

Leroy floated around in the storm clouds, glaring for any sign of the Dewott's aura. "Why do you care? Not too long ago, you hated my guts."

"And I still do." There was silence for a moment, minus the thunder. "However, Mom cares about you. Are you so scared of family turning on you or just disappearing that you have to run away from it all? Seems to me you're still doing what you didn't want."

Leroy glared softly. "It's too late for me to make amends."

"You're supposed to be the Storm Hero, right? Since when was that ever an issue?" Tony walked among the clouds, just above Leroy, and held up his scalchops. "The way I see it, you were more than ready to start a family. You were just afraid something would ruin it."

"…and?"

Tony glared. "Don't be a hypocrite and say you need to be tough to survive, then. Because the toughest thing you can do is take that chance at life." He raised and electrified his scalchops. "I made the wrong choices trying to help them. Putting my needs below theirs. You're putting yourself over them. That's not what a warrior does.

"They fight for what's right!"

Leroy swung his seamitar and blocked the surprise attack from Tony. Since they were on clouds, it obviously didn't withstand the force of their collision. Leroy broke off on his personal storm cloud while Tony perched on some scattered wisps with minimal difficulty. Retaining his balance, he placed his scalchops away and fired Lightning Shot at the mage. Leroy blocked them and slashed the air with Flash Splitter.

Tony leaped back and used the Dragon Thunderclap to disperse the spell. He smirked confidently as he jumped between the scattered clouds. "If I'm so weak, how come I can do the things you ran away from?" He fired more Lightning Shots and Leroy kept deflecting them. "I do have a mission in the end! The selfish desire to provide for them! What more can I say?!" He threw Ventuspheres and leaped off the clouds, skipping between the wind spheres.

Leroy glared with contemplation as he intercepted the direct kick from Tony, blocking it with his arm bracers. So much trouble…just to take care of his…our family? He pushed Tony off and slammed his electrified seamitar into his electrical blades. Tony…are you willing to tackle the boundaries of life and death for such a high stakes goal?

The electricity blasted Tony back, who landed on a Ventusphere and balanced on one foot. He swung his blades and struct a cool pose with his usual smug grin. "So, how much trouble am I giving you?!" He blinked, then lowered his weapons as Leroy sheathed one seamitar, then raised his bare hand towards the sky. "Uhhh…"

Leroy had his eyes closed for a moment, then glared at the Dewott with a fierce look. "Tony Sapienti…it seems I misjudged you. You have changed from the bratty Oshawott I once knew. You're much more…mature, when you choose to show it."

Tony narrowed his eyes, then looked up curiously as the storm clouds…started gathering into a tight spiral. It was reminiscent of the Daranu Devastator Alis used, but something about this one not only felt different, but far stronger.

"This match is far from over. I no longer challenge you as a Mage of Origin, nor do I perceive you as one of the destined warriors of prophecy." His eyes sparked with lightning. "This is no longer a battle for reward. From this moment on, I face you with the respect you deserve!"

Seeing the swirling storm, the apprentices were quite shocked. "He's actually going to use one of the Storm Rites?!" Jose exclaimed.

"I don't think I've ever seen him use one! Not even against us!" Alis shouted. "And he's going to use one against his own SON?!"

Team Ravenfield gritted their teeth in concern. They knew how powerful those rites could be. Under the right circumstances, they were destructive finishers or superior aids that can completely change the course of battle. With a magic affinity as precise and powerful as Storm Magic, they could only hope Tony was ready.

Indeed, while the Dewott was a bit perturbed, he tightened his fists, then threw his arms out, shouting, "Then come at me with everything you got!"

Leroy glared approvingly, then shouted, "Very well! Let the cry of lightning strike you with unforgiving fury!" A magic circle exploded open in the sky, raging with lightning.

"Rite of Storms: Cry of Zeus!"

A loud, piercing screech cried out through the magic circle. Much to Tony's horror, a creature of pure electricity crawled out through the magic circle and roared down at him. A massive falcon-like creature, glowing with the fierce light of the purest of lightning. Beaming red eyes locked onto its prey, letting out another thunderous roar. The clouds crackled fiercely with lightning, becoming far more erratic with thunderbolts than normal, striking the endless ocean and tower nonstop.

Flint covered his head as lightning bolts repeatedly struck the barrier. "Isn't this a little much?! He's turning the entire dimension into more of a lightning fest than usual!" he screamed in panic.

Wes gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his anticipation. Excitement. We're entering stronger territory now. Reaching the big leads of our opponents.

Leroy raised his seamitar, attracting the stray lightning from the avian. With a cold gaze, he waved the seamitar down and stated softly, "With the cry of the thunderbolt, begone with the wind."

The lightning avian cried out with its piercing screech and darted downward for Tony. The Dewott was stunned with shock, sensing and outright feeling the presence of the massive pool of magic flying right towards him. The winds blew with great power, encompassing the tower in a tornado. The very storms have converged on this point for this devastating strike.

Tony gritted his teeth, then smirked boldly. "Heh…that all?" He jumped towards the avian and raised his scalchops. "BRING IT ON!"

The avian screeched, then flapped its wings into the Dewott. The electrical gust of wind blasted against Tony and blasted him out of the sky. It then began raining spears of lightning, shaped like feathers. Tony put his guard up and grunted as he took on the onslaught of feathers. They increased the speed of his fall and slammed him into the roof, before exploding and erupting the Dewott in a veil of lightning. Tony screamed out in pain.

"TONY!" his friends screamed.

Leroy glared, then swiped his seamitar down, shouting, "Finish this!"

The lightning falcon screeched, then divebombed towards the tower. Tony shook his head and glared up. He gasped, then held his hands out as the bird slammed down into the tower. It couldn't withstand the pressure. Like a massive bolt of lightning, the falcon struck down and illuminated the rooftop in a devastating glow. The roof collapsed and Tony was blasted down to the bottom floor of the tower.

The others backed away as the roof crumbled beneath their feet. "Isn't that overdoing it?!" Ella shouted.

They gasped as the falcon reformed itself, surging from the tower and hovering over it, let out yet another battle screech. Leroy floated down and glared at the gaping hole in the roof. Let's see you come back from that.

Deep down at the bottom level of the tower, Tony lay in a pile of stone rubble, weak from the attack. He persisted against his better judgment, though, and lifted himself up. He gritted his teeth in his strain, but got himself onto his feet. His body sparked from the stray electricity. "That…sucked…" He glared up the tower. He crashed through the second floor, too. Part of the stairs didn't hold up against the explosion. "He's not kidding around anymore…" This revelation made the Dewott smirk in his exhaustion. "Good…"

He held his hands up, showing they were absorbing the remnants of the rite. He clenched his fists, then took a deep breath. Now's the time to use it. But I need to get in close. I'll start with that bird and finish it off.

Tony kneeled down and picked up some slabs of stone, just big enough to step on. He glared up, then spun himself around to gain momentum, then tossed the slabs in the air, as far as he could towards the roof.

"Light Speed!" He vanished in a flash and jumped in the air. Within the slowed time, he was able to gain enough bounce off the stones to jump between like stepping stones, only for the air. To the outside observers, they saw a streak of lightning zigzagging through the air.

Leroy felt another smirk crawl onto his face. Ingenious. "So, that wasn't enough to put you down? We'll have to try that again!" He commanded the rite to divebomb the Dewott again.

"Not this time!" Tony shouted as he came out of Light Speed. Just when the bird was in range, he flipped over its head and ran up the back. He got to the tail feathers and leaped off. He pulled out his electrical blades and swung them against his father, who countered. "You should know by now, nothing will stand in my way! No matter how many times you beat me down, I'll just keep getting stronger!" He smirked pridefully. "I will surpass you!"

Leroy couldn't contain himself. His heart was pounding with excitement. He felt the rush of blood flowing through him. His fur crackling with electricity. He smirked back. "You stupid brat!"

He swiped the Dewott's blades off, then slammed his seamitar into his back. Tony caught himself on his Ventusphere before he fell back into the tower, then jumped onto what remained of the roof. He spun his scalchops, then blocked a quick strike from Leroy. The mage kept the pressure on, swinging his seamitars wildly against the Dewott to break his defenses.

Tony felt himself being pushed near the edge. He ducked under a slash and fired Impetus Pressure in the Samurott's face, then jumped over him. He charged Lightning Shot through his fingers, then fired down on him. Leroy spun around and rapidly blocked the shots, then signaled his rite to attack.

Tony felt the thunderbolt feathers strike him from behind as the avian screeched. He turned himself around and tried to catch as many as he could, absorbing them with his Fulgur Channeling. He gasped out in pain, taking a surprise strike to his side from Leroy. He spiked him into the remaining slabs of roof.

The Dewott flipped himself up and fired Lightning Shot: Double Barrel Shockwave, but Leroy powered on through it and grabbed Tony by the head. He slammed him into the roof and dragged him across, then threw him close to the edge once more.

Tony placed his hands against the floor and struggled to lift himself. All that effort and he was reaching his limits already. He won't be able to hold out for much longer. He panted through his teeth, then seethed as he fought through the pain of exhaustion, lifting himself to his knees.

I'm not going down…I will beat him!

"You fought well, son!" Tony glared as he felt his father closing in on him at high speeds from above. The Samurott pulled his seamitars back and erupted them with lightning. "But you've met your match!"

Tony waited and let him fly closer. His glare sharpened, then he shouted, "Then I've got one last surprise for you!"

Leroy moved to slash his weapons, but Tony spun around last second and clapped his hands, sending a close range and full powered Dragon Thunderclap into his face. The Samurott felt his concentration slip as he recoiled back. He stumbled back a few steps and shook his head.

Tony pulled his hands back and started rubbing them together. "The Grand Imperium Age was a time where magic had to improve and evolve, right?!" His hands gradually quickened as sparks started generating. "As time goes on, new techniques and spells are made! Some from research, and some by accident!" He slowly moved his hands apart as the sparks conjoined into a dense sphere. "My ambition to beat you led me to training my hardest! Going above and beyond what I know!"

Leroy's eyes widened at the immense glow shining between the Dewott's hands. Team Ravenfield focused in with stunned eyes. They could sense the magical power Tony was concentrating into this attack. It was insanely powerful from the looks of it.

"This is my promise to you! The mark of this new spell! My starting point to achieving greatness!" Tony smirked confidently. "No matter how many times you take me down, I'll keep coming back! Day after day! I won't rest until I win! Against the shadows, I will refuse to die until they are destroyed!" Leroy glared seriously, but he showed a large, toothy smirk at the thief.

"This is the name of my spell! Let its roar pierce the heavens and forge the mighty storms! Tempest Impes Fulgo!"

He let out a proud battle cry as he fired the spell into his father. Leroy crossed his arms as he was taken in by the sky blue beam. The beam was incredibly wide, probably capable of eclipsing the whole tower if Tony felt like it. It rushed like the flow of wind, a violent hurricane created by the gods themselves. And yet, it surged like the roar of thunder and strike of lightning. It wasn't just lightning and wind he was being hit with.

It was pure Storm Magic.

Leroy's rite screeched as the beam drew closer. It slammed its wings against the beam, but the beam put up too much of an initial fight that its wings collapsed in the feeble struggle. It let out one last cry before being engulfed in the beam's light.

The beam pierced through the raging storm clouds. With a mighty gust of wind, they blew apart, parting the rain and revealing a dreary gray sky to everyone on the tower.

Team Ravenfield covered their ears against the booming roar of thunder it created. "THE SOUND!" Wes shouted.

"THAT WAS HIS DOING?!" Ella screamed.

Tony could only keep the beam firing for about ten seconds. In a flash, it faded away, leaving Tony's hands smoking from the heat. He panted heavily as his legs trembled with exhaustion. At this point, adrenaline was keeping him from passing out. His arms went limp against his sides as he stared up at the cleared sky.

He continued to breath slowly, before smirking weakly. "Hah…how…was…that?" He grunted and stumbled forward, setting his leg forward to keep from falling. He gripped his arm and panted once more. "Arceus dammit…everything hurts…"

Ella blinked in awe. "Did he…actually beat Leroy?" She grinned, then jumped in the air. "Yeah! That'll teach him a thing or two!"

Griffin glared. "Don't celebrate." Ella stopped and looked at him curiously. "You can't sense it…but his aura is still strong and active." Ella looked between the others, reflecting similar concerns to the Grovyle.

She gulped, then groaned in disappointment. "Dammit…"

Tony looked around cautiously, gripping on his scalchops. "If that blast didn't take him out, I should have enough left for one more-" Tony sensed an incoming presence and used Quick Step to jump out of the way, narrowly dodging an explosion in his spot. He leaped over the roof hole and caught himself on the other side. He glared over his shoulder. "Man…you are tough…"

The smoke cleared, revealing Leroy. For once, he actually looked injured. Burnt fur, tattered clothes, smudged armor, etc. His armor was also glowing from the blue heat of the lightning, as well as the shell armor of his body. Unfortunately for Tony, it didn't look like he was close to his limit.

Leroy narrowed his eyes. "…what a unique spell. Never seen anything like it." He grunted and placed his hand against his chest. He felt a searing pain underneath the armor. That attack did more damage he was willing to admit. "Pure Storm Magic balled up into one attack. You're far more talented than I give you credit for."

Tony panted lightly, then stood up straight. "Yeah…just wait until I start getting real serious." He held up his scalchops, then placed them together. "I was hoping catching you off guard would allow me to take you out. Seems I miscalculated." He glared. "Doesn't matter. Even if you beat me into submission, at least I fought hard enough to let my team finish you off. Their combined strength will end this for me. If not…I'll just keep coming back."

Leroy blinked slowly. "…you can't replicate that same spell now, can you?"

"Takes a lot out of me. I can only manage one charge at a time, currently. It's a new spell, after all. I don't have the finest mastery over it, especially since it never existed until today." He glared. "I told you before, I'll keep falling and adapting until I beat you.

"One good thing came out of my hate for you: I learned to take a beating and get back up from it. With every new way you take me out, I'll keep getting back up and learning. I'll use that knowledge to beat you. To beat the shadows. I'll exploit every possible tactic in the book. I'll go beyond all I've learned and strive to improve. That's how I've survived for this long."

Leroy narrowed his eyes softly. "…I see." He raised his seamitars, then connected the ends together. "Then let us end this battle in one last strike."

Tony nodded. "As you wish."

Tony combined the energy of both his scalchops and extended them into one massive blade. Rather than erratically sparking lightning fusing with the water blades, concentrated electricity fused in to create a blue saber.

Leroy glared and channeled that same form into his seamitars. With the ends sticking together, the electricity magnetized them into place to act like a staff. With the combined weapons attached, he slowly spun it between his fingers before turning it into a giant buzz saw. Electricity generated in the center and flew off the spinning blades.

The two Sapientis locked eyes with fierce glares, then dashed straight over the hole. They shouted, "Let's end this for good! Fulgur Channeling: Flash Splitter!" The weapons exploded with electricity. They roared and slammed the weapons into each other.

The storm clouds quickly reformed over the tower and rumbled to the intensity of the two combatants. Lightning fired down around them, illuminating them in stunning blue light. Sweat dripped down their foreheads as they pushed with all their might against the opposing weapon. They felt their magic burning them. Their fur glowed with its traditional static form as they let out one last battle cry and shoving with a burst of strength.

In a flash too fast to perceive, they slashed past each other and landed perfectly on the opposite sides of the hole. They stood there, unfazed and almost frozen from the clash. Both nailed each other, but which one performed the finishing blow?

Leroy grunted and leaned forward, catching himself by his weapon. Team Ravenfield grinned, hoping for the briefest of moments that Tony did the deed. However, their hopes were shattered. In the blink of an eye, their friend exploded into a surge of lightning that left him screaming out in pain.

Leroy won.

Tony stood in place, smoking from the final hit, then collapsed onto his stomach. He begged himself to move, but his body was screaming for rest. It couldn't take anymore physical stress. His fur was darkened a few shades from the blast. His scalchops were burnt and scratched up. His vest was ripped apart from the abuse it took.

Leroy sighed and picked himself up as his son's friends ran over to him. He sheathed his seamitars and listened their worried cries for their friend. The Samurott casted a glance over at Gunnar, who had his arms crossed with a stoic stare. The mage blinked through his light weariness, then glanced back over at the young treasure hunters as they propped the Dewott up.

"Drink this, Tony!" Gwyn ordered as she shoved a potion against his lips.

"Gwyn, I'm fine, real-!" His protests fell on deaf ears, forced to down the concoction. He wasn't sure whether to be disgusted and intrigued by the taste. It had an odd fruity taste to it, but he wasn't sure if he liked it. He pushed the vial away and rubbed his lips. "Geez! I'm okay!"

"I knew this wouldn't go well!" Flint shouted, waving his paws around. "You threw yourself into danger without thinking!"

Tony smirked and weakly pressed his finger against his head. "Wrong…I did think it over. I just wasn't thinking about the pain." He laughed loudly, then winced from a surprise ache in his arm. "ARGH!"

"Hold still!" Gwyn shouted with an added squeak. "I'm no doctor, but I'm prescribing medicine and bedrest! Now drink your medicine!" She shoved the rest of the unfinished potion against his face.

"Gwyn, stop!" Tony complained.

Wes sighed, then smiled lightly. "For someone probably in a great deal of pain, you sure know how to keep your spirits high."

Tony smirked weakly. "I have to keep up appearances…"

Griffin crossed his arms and groaned. "Good grief, Sparks. You never cease to annoy and amaze me."

Ella snickered. "But hey, that was one heck of a light show. You made that spell yourself? Impressive!"

"Well, I am pretty great," the Dewott bragged. He laughed, then gripped his aching shoulder. "Ow, ow, ow…" He sighed. "Sorry…that I lost again…really though I had him this time…"

Flint grunted in annoyance, then proceeded to shake his head. "No…you did fine. I almost believed you had him."

"Almost? Talk about zero confidence in me!" he joked.

"Well, you're you! What else did you expect me to think?!"

Wes patted his brother's head. "I think we're all in agreement that we were rooting for a victory."

Tony leaned back on his hands and looked up at the newly reformed clouds. "Yeah…I had high hopes in myself, too. Sorry I let you all down."

"You fought well. That's all that matters," Wes reassured.

Tony smiled thankfully, then glared to the side. His friends turned their heads and also glared as Leroy walked towards them. Ella stuck by Tony while the other four prepared themselves for the Samurott, readying spells and bearing weapons.

"You take a rest," Griffin advised. "We'll take it from here."

"He's weaker now," Flint reminded as his Guardian appeared and cracked its knuckles. "A coordinated effort and we'll beat him for sure."

They readied to attack, but Leroy raised his hand to halt them. "That…won't be necessary." They eased up slightly with confusion. He walked past them without making eye contact and stood before Tony as Ella got his arm around her neck. He narrowed his eyes. "…I expected so little of you…and you proved me wrong."

Tony glared. "Tsk…just say you came to gloat about your victory and get it over with."

Leroy closed his eyes. "…I was a coward." Team Ravenfields', especially Tony's, eyes widened in surprise. "Family…I didn't have high hopes for family. I tried for nearly ten years to make it work and something just prevented me from accepting it. For the longest time, I believed that there was nothing beneficial to come from loved ones. Only liability and limitation.

"You…took a different route. Instead of letting them hold you back, you use them as a…motivation to survive." Leroy opened his eyes into a soft stare. "Your mother raised you well. Whether my judgment means anything to you or not, I say you've turned out to be a fine young man…if only a little arrogant and crass. I never understood how some could be so attached to others, but…you proved me wrong."

Tony blinked, then huffed in annoyance. "Well, what did you expect? I freakin' love Mom and Cheri. I'd do anything to help them, even if I have to cross all of Mysto in a day."

"You've made it very clear that giving up isn't in your nature. You refuse to let the world take what's yours." Leroy sighed. "Perhaps there is much I need to rethink…"

Tony supported himself against Ella and got to his feet. "Y-Yeah…you do." He glared. "You were a real shitty father. And I'll keep reminding you over and over until we get that key."

Leroy blinked, then held his hand out to him. "I know a simple apology won't suffice, but I can at least do this much to show my trust in you."

Tony stared with a raised brow, then gasped as a bolt of lightning struck down into Leroy's hand. Tony covered his eyes from the flash until it cleared up, then gazed in amazement at what he held out to him. A yellow, glass key that radiated with the power of storms.

The Key of Storms.

"What the…?" Tony mumbled before glaring at the Samurott. "What the hell? I didn't win. Why the hell are you giving me this?"

Leroy closed his eyes. "I shouldn't. I have to guard this key until I am bested in battle by a worthy fighter. However…despite you losing the fight, you did best me."

"He did?" Ella questioned.

"How?" Tony asked.

"You've put me in a tight corner. Your friends seemed to be raring to fight. Before your arrival, I knew how tough these four were. With your interference, I don't see myself lasting as long." He shook his head. "Besides…you improved greatly in the few days after your defeat. Even after today, as you stated, you'll keep coming back until you best me.

"But the truth is, you bested me in one other field: your spirit. A warrior's spirit is his pride and joy. It's what drives them to survive. I believed mine to surpass yours. That's not the case anymore. Even though I outclass you, you surpass me in drive. Adaption. Learning. You are an incredibly smart lad." Leroy glared. "There's just no point in stalling for time."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "You're actually giving me the key?"

"Don't take my generosity for granted. You won't get the same treatment the next time you meet a mage. This is a special exception…because I do want to show my faith in you. I will give you this key…under one condition."

Tony raised his brow. "Which is?"

Leroy placed his hand on the Dewott's shoulder. "Keep doing what you did. Never lose sight of what's important. That's the will we need to win against the shadows. Make me a promise. Continue to grow…and surpass me. Learn to get stronger…" His body flickered briefly with lightning. "…and there might be a trick or two I can teach you. You've already proven that with that spell of yours. Keep that drive alive."

Tony looked at the key floating in the Samurott's hand, then took it from him slowly. He looked at it delicately, then curled his fingers around it. "…that's more than a promise."

Leroy stared at him silently, then nodded in approval. "Good…"

The quiet exchanged between the two allowed Team Ravenfield to ease up. Gwyn sighed in relief and fell to the ground. "Oh, thank goodness that's over with!" Flint lightly patted her head.

Tony threw the key over to Wes, who deposited it into his key bag. Ella helped the Dewott walk. "Well, we may have to stay here one more night before you can walk."

"I can move just fine…" he insisited.

Gwyn shot up and poked him in the cheek with an angry pout. "No way! Bedrest for you!"

Tony snickered. "Why do you have to be so adorable when you're ticked off?" All, but Griffin, shared a laugh as they headed for the rooftop hatch.

"Tony…" They stopped, then looked back at the Samurott. Tony glared a bit, but not with anger. His father looked down at the roof. "…I know what I did was wrong. I will take this time to rethink my actions. So, I have to know, will you forgive me?"

The Dewott's friends looked at him with worried eyes as he lowered his head. He breathed a heavy sigh, then glared directly at him. "No…"

Not the answer they expected. That's a little cold!

Leroy took no offense to it. He closed his eyes and nodded in understanding. "I see…" he accepted gracefully. He turned his back to him and looked up at the sky.

Tony rolled his eyes. "No…I won't forgive you because I don't care for your meager apology. I want a tangible apology, not a verbal one." Leroy looked over his shoulder. "Simply saying it won't erase what we went through. At the very least, you can make the effort to change. And it's not just me you need to apologize to."

"…Angel and Cheri," he mumbled.

"I don't care how long it takes, but I want you to make an effort. By the time we find the Idol of Origin, I expect you to make the effort to be a good husband and father. Apologize to the ones you abandoned and make up for it. The hardest thing you can do is admit you were wrong and own up to it."

"…" Leroy lowered his head and heaved a dry chuckle. "You're a surprisingly wise lad…" He turned around and nodded. "Very well…you have a deal…son."

Tony nodded in approval. "Good…" He grunted and turned towards the hatch. "Can we go now? My legs are aching…"

Wes grinned and patted him on the back. "Proud of you, Tony! You earned our fourth key! Not in the way I expected, but I'll take what we can get!"

Tony chuckled. "All in a day's work, team leader."

"Only six more to go," Griffin pointed out. "And it's not going to get easier now that the mages know of our progress."

Flint nodded. "Agreed. Despite directing it at Tony, we all need to grow stronger for the better." He looked at the others. "Now, more than ever, we need to do our best and be better than our best."

Gwyn saluted. "You can count on me!"

Wes nodded. "Yeah! This victory of ours will serve as a reminder of that! From now on, we will become stronger! Agreed?!"

"Agreed!" they exclaimed.

Ella joined in the cheer, of course, though she did so with brief hesitance. She looked up at her gem and tapped it a couple of times. She narrowed her eyes a bit, then shook if off as she smiled as they retreated into the destroyed tower to return to the temple.

Once they were gone, the apprentices decided to follow them down. "I best help them with Tony's injuries," Pembroke spoke up. "I'll meet up with the rest of you later."

"I should get back to my training," Jose brought up as he followed him down, joining by Androwe and Alis.

All who remained on the roof were Leroy and Gunnar. The Samurott sat on the edge of the roof and looked up into the storm clouds. The dragon walked over to his side with his arms crossed, also looking towards the sky. He took the occasional glance down at Leroy, then chuckled to himself.

"What is so funny?" Leroy mumbled.

"Forgive me, Master, but…it just seems unlike you to give away the key so easily." He rubbed his chin. "I sense a change of heart in you."

Leroy looked down emotionlessly. "…eight years…that's the last time I saw them."

"Are you going to keep your word for him?" the Druddigon asked. "You will have to face them sooner or later."

Leroy pressed his hand against his chest plate. That…Tempest Impes Fulgo, as he called it, was remarkably potent. He could still feel the sears in his skin. It was a mess of a spell in execution, yet it proved powerful. Tony proved to be more astute than he lets on.

Leroy sighed. "…within the coming time, I shall fulfill my end of the bargain. It's the least I can do for them." He blinked, then shook his head with an annoyed grumble. "No…that's not it. I have to make it up to them. I…I want to."

"Really?"

"…I was happy with Angel. Very rarely does anyone make me laugh. She did it with ease. I felt…I was happier." He held his face and pinched between his eyes. "I wasn't the greatest husband or father."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"First things first…I have to learn to…" He shuddered subtly. "…ugh…be the better man…"

Gunnar smirked. "What was that shudder?"

"I just had a flashback of that bet that dastardly woman put me through. I…was not a good cook…I wasn't good at a lot of things…still not…"

Gunnar tapped his chin, then smiled. "You know…the others and I had some good lives before we took on this apprenticeship with you. You taught us a lot, but…perhaps we can teach you a thing or two."

Leroy looked up. "Huh?"

"You could learn to open up more. The student teaching the master a thing or two. You want to improve the relationship with your children and wife, right?"

Leroy blinked slowly, then stood up. "…I suppose anything's worth a try. But I'm not the best outside of battle."

Gunnar waved it off. "Come on. Sure, there's been a few hiccups, but you can't be that incompetent."

"…get used to disappointment." Leroy looked ahead at the endless ocean. "But yes…I do want to change for them. Maybe when this is all over…I'll give the title of Storm Mage to one of you. Early retirement so I can…reconcile with them."

Gunnar patted his shoulder. "That's the best thing you can do, Master." He turned and headed for the hatch. "In the meantime, you could try to talk to Tony now that the fight is over. Use this little time we have to…get to know him better."

Leroy looked at his feet awkwardly, then sighed. "It's going to be one awkward dinner…" The Samurott followed his apprentice out of the tower. With his task complete, he should finally step out of the rain and ease up. Soon, a new challenge will be awaiting him…and he was expecting defeat hundreds of times over for him.