Chapter 33, "Dragon of Lightning"

Virus stood in complete shock. Here he was, witnessing this transformation of Yukine. He was the third Dragon Holder he's seen. But unlike the two before him, Yukine was not on the side of good.

No. He was a bad person. A selfish individual who cared for no one but himself. A cold & cruel sort of person who would brutalize his opponents. Just like he did to Muffin Button.

Lightning would continue to strike down. Yukine's eyes fixated on his stunned opponent. The power gap was obviously there. Virus seemingly not having a ghost of a chance.

But Virus wasn't going down without a fight. He was set on taking his opponent out.

Confident that he would emerge victorious, Yukine decided to play with his food for a little. Planning to toy with Virus until he would tear him apart. Thus, he taunted Virus. Motioning for him to come with the use of his hand.

A mild glare now on the face of the Z-Star student, Virus decided to oblige. Showing he was no coward. Racing toward him, Virus clenched his fists. Intent on striking his opponent.

But halfway through, a sudden strike of lightning came down, piercing the ground. Virus stopping dead in his tracks, freezing completely, as this bolt of lightning crashed right in front of him!

" …! "

His eyes quickly gazed over at Yukine, who remained right where he was.

'Did he..? Was this his power..?' Virus thought to himself.

His eyes studied Yukine, trying to figure him out. But Yukine wasn't going to remain there all day. Slowly raising an arm, a loud boom was created. Another bolt of lightning crashing down, this time aimed for Virus!

Realizing this, Virus narrowly leaps out of the way! He was nearly struck! Lucky for him, his speed was enough to save himself.

Then came another! It was obvious! Yukine had the ability to manipulate lightning!

This was going to be a tricky fight for the likes of Virus. But he had faith in himself! He believed he could best his opponent. He just needed to fight smart.

Song Name: Awake and Alive by Skillet

But as of this very moment, he needed to evade. And that's what he did, dodging Yukine's attempts at taking him out with these bolts of lightning. This was a risky play, but he had no choice but to dodge.

Still, he made for attempts to attack Yukine, doing his best to close in and aim for a punch. But these strikes of lightning kept him from trying to harm the Dragon holder.

Backflipping away from the next lightning strike, Virus decides to try flying. Taking to the skies. But just as he went into the air, he was struck by lightning.

"AHH—!"

Virus screamed out, his body being slammed to the tournament stage. A gaping hole made into his clothing, a slightly burn mark on the back of Virus after being pierced with the lightning bolt.

He's panting softly, slowly trying to stand up. But just as he was close to picking himself up, another crashed down upon him. The bolt of lightning slamming down on him. And then another.

Yukine making sure to keep him there, him causing repeated strikes of lightning to slam down on the Saiyan.

This was causing Virus so much pain. At this rate, he was likely to fall unconscious…or burnt to a crisp. After some quick thinking, he sprawls his arms & legs out, limbs creating a yellow barrier in order to protect himself.

Thankfully this worked, the barrier managing to save him from the next lightning strike! But he has to think quickly, as this barrier won't last forever! Yukine didn't stop with his repeated assault, knowing a pathetic technique such as this wouldn't stop him from harming the long haired Saiyan.

After thinking of a new plan, Virus teleports himself out of the cracking barrier, the technique dissolving in the process. Appearing above Yukine, he went for a close range attack. Virus landing a stiff kick to the face of his opponent, boot connecting to Yukine's cheek.

Twirling his body and landing gracefully, Virus next went for a series of blows. But Yukine didn't budge from this. No, he was far from affected. As the combo continued, a surge of electricity channeled within Yukine. Surrounding his very body.

"What—?"

Virus couldn't figure out what this was. He would find out quickly, however, when this surge of electricity shocked Virus to his very core. Electrocuting the Z-Star student!

"GAAAAHH—!"

Virus screamed out, feeling the million volts running through his body. He had no choice but to pull his fists away from his opponent. This strange surge of electricity serving as a barrier of sorts. With this odd ability, it made Yukine seemingly invincible!

But he wasn't done! As Virus sought to create some distance between them, Yukine extends a single arm out. Palm open to manifest a strange lightning bolt that resembled that of a dragon! It raced toward Virus, and this thing wasn't slow in the least! It proving quick to reach Virus! Who had no choice but to jump! Heading up into the skies!

This little tactic proved to be futile, as the dragon made of lightning traveled upwards! Tailing Virus at close proximity! Virus groaning in frustration upon noticing this.

This technique was gaining on him! He had to use a technique of his own to counter it! Throwing his hands into the air, he pulled them over his head, creating a yellow ball of ki before releasing it forward, launching this as a blast to clash with the lightning attack!

Managing to neutralize it! However, he heard a rumble from above. Looking up into the dark clouds, he can see numerous bolts of lightning come down! It wasn't just one this time! He could barely dodge one— but now more than a few? He had to use his barrier once more!

Despite activating it, the pressure of more than one bolt was just too much for Virus's barrier to take! Cracking in an instant, the barrier shattered! These lightning strikes slamming Virus back to the tournament stage.

Despite landing hard, he rolled his body along to recover & shoot a pink energy wave at Yukine, but he missed his target! Narrowly taking out a section of the audience! It seems that attack of Yukine's took a lot more out of him than he thought.

"This is getting bad.."

Virus mumbled to himself.

Yukine simply scoffed over this pathetic effort.

"..This isn't even a commendable effort..you're nothing but trash to me. Just curl up and die at this point.."

Yukine says to him as he started to approach. Ready to end this fight.

Meanwhile

Despite this incredible power he felt just moments ago, Kobyashi felt he needed to do something first. He needed to do this one thing.

Walking down the hallway, he kept his eyes forward. Soon coming to a stop in front of a door. He was in the infirmary section of the building. He wasn't here to check himself in or anything like that.

No.

There was someone inside he wanted to pay a visit to. There were things that needed to be said..

Despite his calm expression, Koby had plenty of thoughts running through his mind. With a gentle sigh, he reached for the doorknob. Turning it slowly and pulling the door open. Ready to enter the room.

"..Hey.."

The Battle

Song Name: Your Disease by Saliva

Next thing that happened, Yukine kicked at Virus, hitting the side of his ribs. Causing him to roll on the ground slightly. He would then drop a knee on his face. Not once, not twice, but a total of three times. Standing up straight, Yukine would stare his weakened opponent down.

A look of disappointment found on his face.

"You're no challenge. Maybe this form of mine was just too much for you.."

Yukine says with a low scoff.

With a finger pointed to Virus, a spark of electricity as seen from the tip of his very finger.

"It's time I leave you to a fate similar to your friend.."

He declared, pointing out his past actions that were made to Muffin earlier in the tournament.

The fact that he said this so casually. Ice cold. No remorse from the likes of Yukine.

A sudden burst of lightning shot from Yukine's very fingertip, planning on slicing Virus's leg clean off! However—

"KAIOKEN—!"

With a shout of this word, Virus's entire body turns a heavy shade of crimson! His speed increasing ten-fold, Virus suddenly springs back into action! Flying around, he would catch Yukine off guard by sweeping his leg. Hitting him with an uppercut. Knocking Yukine on his ass! Something no one has ever done before!

Song Name: Machinehead by Bush

Shadow jumped from his seat, an expression of shock on his face! Along with Glaze.

"There's no way! How did that punk get him?!" He shouts.

Rykon having a puzzled look.

"He caught Yukine off guard…I've never seen anyone mix Super Saiyan Three with the Kaioken technique…"

Hunter, meanwhile, was chuckling to himself.

"Yukine found out the hard way— yeah, Virus practically mastered the Kaioken technique. If there's anyone that can maintain its drawbacks, he's your man."

This being true! Out of everyone from the Z-Star gang, Virus is the best when it comes to using that technique. Done from years and years of hard word & dedication!

Swift kick after swift kick, Virus delivered a barrage of kicks into Yukine's chest, sending him flying backwards with a fist to the temple!

Yukine managing to catch himself, he looked over to see Virus in his fighting stance. Kaioken still maintained.

"So you still got a few tricks up your sleeve, huh?"

Yukine notes before scoffing. Picking himself up slowly.

"Good. I'd hate to be bored & end things so soon.."

Virus would simply chuckle over this.

"..You're about to regret saying that.."

He retorts.

Extending his arm, Yukine would open his palm.

"..We'll see.."

The lightning dragon holder responds. Several sparks of electricity coming from the fighter's palm.

Meanwhile

There was darkness.

pitch black.

Nothing around. Just dark.

Silence.

But after what seemed like a long time..

voices were heard. They seemed to be rambling with each other.

Unrecognizable at first…

like gibberish.

But eventually, they would become familiar. More apparent.

Clear.

These voices..

they belonged to Jaelen & Kobyashi.

This darkness was revealed to be the subconsciousness belonging to none other than Calvin. Who was laying in his hospital bed.

He had regained consciousness. Eyes shooting open.

To Be Continued. . .