Chapter 29, "Calvin"
Flashback
The fight had gone on for quite some time! Both students of Z-Star appearing to be evenly matched!
Trading numerous blows only for the other to successfully block each and every single attack. They were at a stalemate. But this did not deter either fighter, both not losing their confidence for even a second.
Though when Calvin appeared to have Tenshi cornered, he made the attempt to land a swift roadhouse kick. Only for Tenshi to evade at the last possible second! Much to Calvin's surprise!
"Argh! I could've sworn I had you there!"
Calvin says with a chuckle. Looking up to find Tenshi floating in the air.
"Nice try, Calvin. But you're going to need to put in just a little more effort if you plan on catching me off-guard."
Tenshi responds, smirking slightly.
"Oh yeah? Is that so?"
Calvin questions, suddenly making use of his hands by positioning them close to his eyes in fast movement.
"Solar flare..!"
This resulted in an overwhelming bright light filling the entire arena, temporarily obstructing everyone's vision. Tenshi included!
A grunt coming from him, he immediately closes his eyes. The burning sensation in his eyes being too much to keep open. This allows Calvin to make his move, advancing quickly! Racing over to his blinded friend, Calvin wastes no time in delivering numerous strikes. Fists repeatedly landing on Tenshi's abdomen before delivering a spinning kick. Sending Tenshi crashing back to the stage.
"Ha! Got 'em!"
Calvin mumbled under his breath, pleased with himself over his success.
As the smoke clears, Tenshi would slowly come to a stand. Dusting off his shoulder.
"..Well..he's certainly improved, that's for sure..boy, does he hit hard.."
He would comment to himself.
"I didn't hurt you too bad, now did I?"
Calvin asked, a smug look on his face. Sure there was a bit of concern in that question, but he was definitely showing his cocky side.
"Heh, of course not…we're just getting started.."
Tenshi would respond, taking into his battle stance once more before zipping around. Making use of his afterimage technique in order to confuse his opponent. This working as Calvin was struggling to anticipate where he would end up.
Thinking he knew exactly where he'd appear, Calvin went for an uppercut to his left. But Tenshi had actually faked him out, appearing at a different angle & catching Calvin with a couple of jabs to his chest. To finish this combo off, the more experienced student would dispatch an orange colored ki blast against his chest. Blasting Calvin across the sky.
End of Flashback
Fists connecting, both Calvin & Kobyashi would glare each other down. Both determined not to lose. Both fueled by their very own goals & ideals. But there was something else at stake..something both fighters wanted to prove to the other.
In spite of Kobyashi's sheer willpower, he had lost a good portion of his strength. While Calvin hadn't gained a scratch on him since taking up his latest transformation. In this powerful form of his, it would be a wonder if Kobyashi could manage for even just a few minutes..
Malicious ki flaring up, Calvin's pupils would shrink as he let out a powerful roar, the Dark-Star student seeming to slowly gain the upper hand in this clash as he begun to push Kobyashi back inch by inch.
Gritting his teeth, Kobyashi was determined not to give up. Even if his attempt was futile.
"YOU ARE NOT WINNING THIS FIGHT..!"
Calvin would shout! His power only rising even higher, this finally being enough to overwhelm Kobyashi. Damn near shattering his fist in the process, had Kobyashi not pulled his fist away. But due to this, Calvin was able to perform a deadly combo.
A flurry of strikes being given, each & every single attack landing on Kobyashi. Chest, stomach & face. Kobyashi was at the mercy of Calvin's rapid assault. Bruising & battering the student of Z-Star, Kobyashi unable to even defend himself.
Grabbing Kobyashi by his head, Calvin flung him across the stage. But by no means was he finished. In lightning quick speed, he would catch up to his opponent. Meeting Kobyashi's body in mid-air with a HARSH kick to the abdomen. Calvin's foot appearing to be covered in a purple haze-like aura, this being the same foot that came into contact with Kobyashi. Forcing him into the stage, resulting in a large crater.
These two had made a mess of the stage. This fight alone having caused so much destruction. Putting even Rykon's rampage to shame from the previous round.
Minutes of silence. Calvin stood in wait, arms folded as he looked on. Amidst the smoke, Kobyashi could not be seen. He searched for his power level, but it had lowered quite significantly.
"…."
A scoff is given, Calvin turning his head to the direction of the Announcer.
"You there. He's finished. Announce me the winner so I can move on to the Finals."
Calvin ordered, his fierce gaze striking fear into the poor ring announcer.
Flashback
The two were giving it their all, doing their very best in hopes of taking the other down. Going so far as to out-stage the other in tactics. Calvin had clearly improved more than Tenshi had initially thought. Earning a faint smile of satisfaction over his best friend's improvement.
Both looking tuckered out, they knew whoever managed to land the next powerful blow was walking away the victor of not only the fight, but the tournament as a whole.
"..Looks like we've reached the end here, Calvin.."
Tenshi would note to his friend, to which the other would respond with a slight nod.
"Yeah..may the best man win, right..?"
He responds, to which Tenshi chuckled.
"Exactly."
Both teens charging up what's left of their energy, they stood in wait before leaping forward. Both now dashing quickly, zipping in any & every direction in hopes of confusing the other. Both having the same exact strategy.
But only one would be successful!
Trying to fake the other out, both would take turns attempting a swing only to catch nothing but air! At this point the match had become a battle of speed & wits! Tenshi managing to duck a kick only for Calvin to evade a fist to the face. Calvin almost had his friend with a knee to the forehead, but Tenshi performed a leap, heading into the sky.
Calvin would of course follow, pursuing without thinking much. Or so that's what the audience would assume.
Right before Calvin could land a strike once having caught up, Tenshi would suddenly vanish. That afterimage trick being used once again.
Calvin's eyes would widen as he slows down, mouth open in surprise.
Appearing mere inches above him, Tenshi delivered an elbow, intending to land this right atop Calvin's skull!
"He got him!"
Future shouts.
"Oh, boy..I can't watch!"
Pastry comments, shielding his own vision with the use of his big gloved hand.
Song Name: Douten (Heaven Shaking Event) by Naruto Shippuden OST
However, much to everyone's surprise, including Tenshi, Calvin spun around at the very last possible millisecond. Flashing a smirk as he suddenly vanished. Performing the afterimage technique for the very first time!
Taking advantage of Tenshi's moment of surprise, Calvin would appear behind him. Barely having time to react, Tenshi would turn around slightly to meet Calvin as he moved forward. Fist landing on his best friend's cheek, sending him spinning to the ground below. Landing outside of the stage nonetheless!
This moment caused a roar of praise from the surrounding audience, everyone pleased with the outcome of this fight! The celebration even came with confetti shooting into the air, covering everything in sight. Calvin looking around in surprise over this.
He was stunned over this.
(..they're..cheering for me..?)
"AND THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH BY THE RESULT OF A RING-OUT…AND THE WINNER OF THE TOURNAMENT…REPRESENTING Z-STAR ACADEMY; CALVIN..!"
The announcer shouts, the crowd reacting in loud applause.
Muffin Button & Future never felt more proud for their newest friend than they are right now!
"You're the man, Calvin! That's my boy! I did train him after all! Ahahaha!"
Muffin Button shouts, of course Pastry narrowing his eyes upon him since that was obviously a bunch of bull.
Slowly coming to a stand, Tenshi would look on. Smiling softly over this. Watching his best friend finally be acknowledged by so many others.
( You deserve it, Calvin.. )
End of Flashback
The Ring Announcer was so hesitant in doing this…but he didn't have much choice. In fear of Calvin murdering him for not doing as told.
"….l-ladies & gentleman…it seems…that Kobyashi is….no longer able to compete.."
The Ring Announcer would state to the spectators. The audience almost dead silent over this aside from a few murmurs.
"No way…this can't be it for Kobyashi..he got so far.."
Hunter mumbled.
Muffin Button looking on with a frown.
"Is it really over…is Calvin just too powerful..?"
Sam spoke in a hushed tone.
"Kobyashi! You've got to get up! Please!"
Silvie shouts, tears forming in her eyes.
The Announcer continued.
"…As a result, the winner of the match is…—"
Calvin's hand would raise itself in the direction of the announcer, causing him to hush.
"…No….he's still awake."
Calvin spoke, eyes fixated on the crater across from him.
The smoke slowly fading away, there stood Kobyashi. On wobbly legs no less. Barely able to stand.
Completely exhausted & battered to hell, Kobyashi can be heard huffing before speaking.
"Don't count me out just yet…i'm not about to quit here.."
This made Calvin spit on the floor. Not too happy with that statement.
"Oi, fuckhead…you should learn when to quit..you're already knocking on death's door..you look like you're about to kill over any second now.."
He responded.
To which Kobyashi would manage a weak smirk.
"Of course you'd advise me to quit…considering that's something you're famous for doing, right? Being a no good quitter.."
This line earned a sneer from Calvin, who tightened his fists.
"What did you just say to me..?"
He asks. But Kobyashi did not back down.
"You know exactly what I said…it's funny..you had everything you could've ever wanted back then…friends, people you wanted to protect, approval…you even won the previous school tournament..& yet you chose to throw all of it away…"
Kobyashi's eyes would narrow upon saying this.
"Wait—seriously? Calvin's won one of the tournaments before..? How come he's never brought this up?"
Vegeku questioned, to which Muffin would answer after a moment of hesitation.
"It's because he did it as a member of our school…he did it for Z-Star…"
This shocked the group who were unaware, staring at Muffin in shock before refocusing their attention onto the fight.
"It's like I said..I took a look into your thoughts..you won the whole thing to gain their admiration..you wanted to prove you could protect the school & your friends…that's still in your mind to this very day..along with the memory of your friend.."
Kobyashi revealed.
Calvin's eyes went wide over this.
"Don't you dare say it…"
He mumbled.
"Even Tenshi was proud of you…your mentor. Your best friend..and now you're just spitting on his memory with every action you make."
Kobyashi stated.
Suddenly, Calvin would appear in front of Kobyashi, delivering a powerful right hook along with a left to follow. Causing our hero to stumble back. But Calvin was not finished, delivering a hard-hitting headbutt. But Kobyashi would not allow himself to fall, despite taking so much damage from this assault.
"..Heh.."
Kobyashi would spit some blood onto the stage. Still maintaining his smirk.
"It's funny…we don't agree on very much..in fact, we barely have anything to agree on..but there is one thing..& it's the fact that we both know Tenshi would hate to see the man that you are now.."
Calvin's expression…he was feeling a mix of outrage & anguish. He was so livid he couldn't think to speak.
"Surely one would have to wonder…what turned you into this?"
Kobyashi said with a low chuckle.
This causing Calvin's fists to clench even harsher. Enough to draw blood. The red liquid seeping down & dripping to the stage.
"..You know exactly what happened..if you claim to have taken a peek into my mind.."
Calvin retorted, voice breaking with every word uttered.
"..I do…but I wanna hear *you* say it…"
Flashback
After a few hours of celebrating, the sun had finally started to set. Everyone had either already left the arena or were in the process of doing so.
Calvin was with Tenshi out by the prairie field, where they always trained. Though unlike the times before, they were simply conversing. Far too exhausted after the long day of enduring the Tournament.
"Well..it's getting late..I should go let Jaelen & Father know what happened..I bet they're gonna be so stoked."
Calvin would snicker, already visualizing their reaction to him winning the whole tournament & coming home with an awesome medal in hand.
Tenshi chuckled over this.
"They're gonna lose it for sure. You impressed everyone today, Calvin. You really did."
He would place a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving a nod of respect.
"All of us know you have what it takes to lead the academy. The next generation of students after us will only get stronger thanks to you. I'm glad you're one of us."
Tenshi would smile wholeheartedly, offering a fist bump.
To which Calvin would stare at the offering with a smile of his own before accepting.
Meanwhile…
Pastry had been huffing about, doing his best to defend himself against a number of foes. This group wearing strange uniform.
Despite being surrounded, the Majin chose not to show fear. He was going to defend himself! Knocking several back, Pastry would launch a number of ki blasts at them before charging toward a few others.
"I don't know who you people are & what you want with a guy like me, but you guys are clearly up to no good! And if you think you can push us Z-Star students around, you've got another thing coming!"
Pastry made use of his bubble-gum like abilities by extending his limbs by an incredible distance. Slamming his lengthy arms against several of these thugs against surrounding trees.
But the numbers game would soon be too much for the Majin, enough to overwhelm him after a while. Pastry just couldn't keep up!
"You're gonna tell us where Experiment-4826 is! Or else we'll make sure you & everyone in this city die!"
One of the mysterious men shout, aiming a blaster at the student.
( Who the heck is that..? What is this dude talking about? )
The Majin wondered in his head. He tried to think of who he might be referring to, but he just couldn't think of any possible names.
Being caught off guard, the men would grab him from behind. The group of soldiers mercilessly beating down the Majin, slowly forcing him down.
"For the last time, where is Experiment-4826?! We'll find him eventually, but if you tell us any information on his current whereabouts, we'll spare you & your people!"
The bearded soldier demanded once again.
"(huff) I don't— I don't even.. (huff) know who that—"
Pastry tried to speak, but his throat was suddenly grabbed by the soldier. Who stares him in the eyes as he switches his weaponry setting.
"You're a Majin..so your kind is infamous for being damn near indestructible…but our boss knows exactly how to combat you..& his latest invention sure comes in handy!"
The soldier would inform. Before Pastry could respond to this, he was shot in the skull. A vibrant red laser eradicating the Majin, disintegrating him at a slow pace until there wasn't a single piece of him remaining on the planet.
"Maybe the Captain has a better lead on where our target is! Even so, our orders is to weed out the surrounding areas until we find some information! We already know the target's been around here!"
And with that, the group of soldiers flew into the air. Moving to the next area. . .
Calvin was just getting home by the time of dusk.
Seeing his house in the distance, right across the field.
He's so tired. He honestly could go for a long night's rest. But he was so excited to tell his adoptive father & his younger brother about the incredible day he's had.
However. . .
Running into the house, he found the place ransacked. As if a small tornado hit. Everything out of place, furniture tossed with various items scattered & ruined.
The excited grin on the face of Calvin slowly transitioned into a look of concern & worry. An expression of dread.
"Father..? Jaelen..?"
He called out. Looking around, he started to panic when he received no answer.
Then he noticed the back door…left wide open. Blood dripping on the floor.
Rushing outside, he stood frozen to the sight of his Father, who laid lifeless on the ground. Standing above him was a man.
A man who wore similar armor as those who ganged up on Pastry.
The mysterious man hadn't noticed Calvin's arrival just yet. As he's fixated on someone else. . .
Calvin's eyes would widen upon realizing who this stranger had his attention on.
Jaelen.
To Be Continued . . .