Newspaper Summer Camp
It has been several weeks now and soon the first semester will be coming to an end. In terms of progress, Tsukune has made much of it during his training surpassing many peoples' expectations. Only 'many' because there are a few (Inner Moka) who are dissatisfied with his progress. As of right now, the two were interlocked in an intense sparring match in an open clearing that overlooks the water.
Tsukune cocked back his right fist and sent it forward with fearsome force only to miss due to Moka easily bobbing her head away from it. Tsukune gritted his teeth and quickly cocked back his left fist and as soon as he did so the Inner Moka sighed and sent out a fearsome high kick that knocked Tsukune in his jaw and sent him flying across the clearing. Tsukune sat up from where he landed and began rubbing his jaw to try and get rid of the pain. The wind blew and Moka moved her hair out of her eyes, "Tsukune, I'll give my judgment," Moka sighed and then looked down on Tsukune with an expression of disdain, "this isn't working at all." she said bluntly. Tsukune breathed heavily as all he could do was listen to Moka berate him, "You have vampire blood so you at least have the 'aptitude' to get stronger. You were very dutiful initially, so at least you're a fast learner. However, they're light...I'm speaking about your weakness, your fists." Moka frowned, "The things needed to win, you have no 'will' no 'killing intent'. So who on Earth are you planning to defeat?" Moka spun on her heels and began to walk away from the human, "Well, if you don't have the mind to do it, then we may as well just end the training. I don't want to waste more time doing it if it's like that."
Further away, in a small clearing in the forest, Ben sparred with Kokoa. Kokoa was still a novice when it came to hand-to-hand combat, but Ben felt like she was progressing rather quickly as well. He didn't know why, but she seemed to listen to him pretty well. Kokoa went to throw a punch of her own and Ben avoided the attack like nothing, instead of throwing a counter at Kokoa, Ben instead threw a handful of dirt in her face, "AGH! What the fuck!?" Kokoa cried out.
"Rule #67, watch out for environmental hazards, especially if your opponent uses them against you!" Ben shouted out as he backed away from Kokoa blindly throwing punches. Ben eventually grabbed her arms to stop her from flailing around and slammed her to the ground. Ben sat on top of her as he licked his thumb and began wiping the dirt from her eyes, "Rule #68, try to see what you hit. That means removing anything that may be hindering your ability." Kokoa only lied on the ground with a light blush on her face, This is so embarrassing.
"OKAY, ENOUGH ALREADY!" Kokoa growled as she pushed Ben off her.
Ben chuckled, "Alright, let's run it back."
"Run it back?" Kokoa asked.
"Yeah, let's take it back to the point when you messed up. We'll go through it in slow motion and I'll explain to you what you did wrong and a possible solution that could be better." Ben nodded.
Kokoa frowned, "Don't you...want me to figure it out on my own?"
Ben chuckled, "Yeah, and you will. But just like teaching advanced equations it's best if you have an example to base your planning around. You should see the things that don't work and things that could work so that you can prepare yourself in a split seconds notice."
Kokoa frowned, "That's...a lot different than how Moka would do it."
Ben frowned slightly, "Yeah, but you and I aren't Moka, are we? Besides, I have more fighting experience than her." Ben popped his neck and motioned for Kokoa to come towards him, "Now come on, do it again in slow motion."
Ruby, who had secretly been listening in on Moka and Tsukune's conversation, went to the Headmaster and told him about the progress and the sudden halt in said progress. The two were down in the depths of the school where the Headmaster fiddled with the school's protective barrier, making sure that everything is functioning properly. "Hoh? So the training is coming to a halt?" the Headmaster hummed.
"Yes, Headmaster." Ruby bowed, "However, I think Moka's grueling training is starting to get to him. I feel for the next few days Tsukune won't be able to make much, if any progress." Ruby frowned as she worried for her friend. "Oh, but, isn't his overall growth just amazing, Headmaster?" Ruby smiled, "First he was just a human, then he went through ghoulification as well as harnessing his yokai power while battling. I mean, he's only come short of the moon!"
"Ruby," the Headmaster turned to the young witch, "You have some free time, so why don't you go to the human world and have a break."
Ruby stared at the Headmaster in shock before she gained a pouty face, "Am...Am I fired!?" she cried.
The Headmaster chuckled, "Why are you like that, the break is for more than just you. In the great barrier, if there are things I cannot see then sometimes it's good to reflect on everything by heading out. Also, the academy is conveniently going into summer break."
Several Days Later...
The Newspaper club had gotten the news from Ruby that they were allowed to go to the human world for a little break from life in academy. Eventually the club members piled off the bus and were taken in by the beautiful sight of the coast. With a large beach that seemed to stretch on for miles. "Wow, it's the sea!" Kurumu shouted out happily. Her, the Outer Moka, Yukari, and Mizore all stood by each other wearing their summer uniforms. Well...Mizore's summer uniform was the only one that was different as she still wore her light sweatshirt, she also had a parasol with her to try and stay as cool as possible.
"Go ahead and enjoy the time with your club members." Ruby said as she stepped off the bus. Ruby changed her attire to fit more into the human world, getting rid of the long dress and corset she instead has a white button up vest that showed off her midriff and a light, black sleeve-only coat as well as some bell bottom pants and slippers. Why is her sense of fashion from the 70's? Ben thought. "Now," Ruby continued, "Welcome everyone, to the Newspaper club Summer Camp. Because this is a Summer Camp, and because the Headmaster is providing it for us, do try to slowly tire yourselves out each day."
"YAHOO!" Karumu cheered as she jumped up and down by Mizore, "Let's go play in the sea!"
Mizore groaned, "You may be fine as a succubus, but a snow fairy like myself the sea is terribly hot."
"Pfft, at least you can go into the sea." Kokoa complained, "Big sis and I can't even touch water."
"I've never been much of a fan of the ocean." Ben stated. Ben wore a light, long sleeve button up shirt and t-shirt with joggers in order to hide his costume.
"What's the reason for that?" Yukari asked.
"Meta-human who is literally water. Like, he can solidify his body, but he can absorb and manipulate water kinda like Samdman with his sand." Ben groaned, "One time he got knocked into the harbor and we had to stop him by throwing liquid nitrogen into his body."
"Sounds like a nightmare." Kokoa cringed.
The students looked down the parking lot and too the beach. Tsukune really began to take in the scenery that felt so normal for him before, only for it to feel so foreign to him now. "Is everything okay, Tsukune?" Moka asked.
Tsukune shook his head and snapped back to attention, "Yeah. Recently all sorts of weird things have happened so it just feels so strange being peaceful. Anyways, we'll be lucky as long as we come back from this alright." he said with a slight smile.
Moka fiddled in place for a little bit before she spoke up again, "I'm...sorry, Tsukune." Moka apologized, causing Tsukune to gasp in surprise, "During the training the other day, the other me was saying horribly mean things to you. But I'll help you, so keep trying Tsukune!"
Tsukune looked as if something was wrong, "No, I'm sorry." he said as he bowed to Moka, "Regarding that...I have to tell you something--"
"What are you doing?" Moka asked, getting flustered from the sudden action, "Quit, everybody's watching!" she whisper yelled.
Tsukune swallowed a lump in his throat and continued, "I don't know if you know this or not...but recently the training has come to a halt." the other students looked to Tsukune and Ben squinted his eyes as he payed careful attention to what Tsukune was saying, "No matter how I do it, I can't become stronger. Or rather, I'm not able to. So that's why I want to--" Tsukune stopped when he heard a clicking sound, like from a camera. Turning his head Tsukune could see dozens of people formed around them and were taking pictures, "What the hell?" upon giving the crowd a quick listen he could tell they were only trying to take pictures of Moka. "Dammit!" Tsukune grabbed Moka's hand and ran off from everybody else.
"WAIT, TSUKUNE!" Mizore called out.
"Where are you going? We were already together!" Kurumu whined.
Kokoa groaned in annoyance, "Yeah right. I won't let you pull anything funny. Kou, after them! Be as much of a nuisance as possible!"
Elsewhere...
A man with a large briefcase opened up a door that led to the rooftop of a large tower in the center of the city. Walking along the roof he hummed the tune of "Black Hole Sun." Eventually he found a place on the roof her liked and set his briefcase down. Clicking the latches he opened it up to show several layers. On the top layer was a laptop which turned on and opened two separate windows. One small window showed what looked like information from someone's phone showing recent texts, calls and current gps location. The other larger window showed a text display saying "Camera Disconnected." The man then went to the second layer of the briefcase and pulled out a tripod with what looked to be a large camera attached to it. He then connected that camera to the laptop and the previously empty window now showed what the camera was seeing, which was the window to some building. Opening up the third layer the man pulled out pieces to a rifle which he then assembled together before putting in an extremely large scope and setting it against the railing on the roof before the man sat down to rest. "And now...we play the waiting game." the man reached to a pouch on his belt and pulled out a power bar as well as one of those single shot energy drinks.
Back With Tsukune and Moka...
Having finally escaped the large crowds of people, Tsukune and Moka walked along a walkway that stretched the boardwalk area. I think I should stop the training. Tsukune thought as he moped slightly, I'm sure she'll be disappointed if I say that sort of thing. But what choice do I have? Power, speed, skill, I can't attain anything on the same level as Moka. I could never catch up to her...because no matter how much I try I can never become strong. "So...what did you want to ask, Tsukune?" Moka asked him.
Tsukune sighed, "Moka...I..." before Tsukune could finish he was gut checked by something rushing quickly towards him sending both him and whatever hit him to the ground. "Why can I never have a serious conversation?" Tsukune groaned as he looked up to what ran into him. To his surprise it was a beautiful girl with long black hair tied with a ribbon in the back and a pokadotted sundress.
She held up a sign that read "I'm Sorry."
"Have we met this girl?" Tsukune asked and Moka shook her head.
"Oh, Tsukune, she's writing something." Moka pointed out.
"So can you not tal--" Tskune was cut off in surprise to what the woman added to the notepad.
"I'm Sorry, Please Save Me, I'm Being Chased." Tsukune heard footsteps approaching them. Turning around he saw really gruff yakuza looking men. "What's going on!? Who are these people? Why are they chasing--" Before Tsukune could finish he was hit in the back of his head with the butt of a pistol by a tall man with a large scar on his forehead.
The man pointed his gun at Moka and the girl and had them stand still as another man, presumably his boss, walked up to them. "Gufufu. Finally caught you, huh?" the boss man laughed. He was a medium height fat man with slicked back balding black hair, a mustache/goatee combo and a pair of shades. He also wore an all white suit with a flower pattern button up underneath. "Don't cause a ruckus, San." he said looking at the other woman.
Another henchman, a bald man, forced Moka to her knees and held her arm preventing her from reaching out to Tsukune. "So what should we do with this one, boss?"
"Bring her with us!" the fat man ordered, "If she's friends with San we could make some money off her."
Above where the incident occured flew Kou who kept a watchful eye on the situation and quickly flew off to report it to Kokoa and the others.
"What? Moka was kidnapped!?" the girls shouted in surprise as the group caught up to Tsukune who was slow to his feet.
"I'm...I'm sorry." Tsukune apologized. He looked as if he was trying to fight back tears, something both Ben and Ruby noticed.
"We have to find Moka and save both her and that mysterious woman if possible!" Yukari mentioned.
"Got it." Ben nodded, "Found."
"HUH?!?" the group asked in surprise.
Ben groaned slightly, "I figured one of us would get in trouble, so I placed tracers on everybody's shoes when we were on the bus." Ben smirked, "Now that we are in an area where GPS is always on I can find their beacon easy."
Kokoa jumped in the air in joy, "So that means we can go save big sis!"
"Those humans won't know what hit 'em!" Yuakri added.
"I wouldn't try it." the monsters jumped in surprise at the voice of the bus driver and him lighting a cigar, "When in the human world monsters cannot bring harm to humans, lest they will break the ancient contract."
Ben looked over to Tsukune who was clenching his fists. I should go. Tsukune thought, But...But I don't know if I'll be of any help. "My time to shine." Ben said as he stripped into his costume, "This is vigilante work. You guys stay back, I have it handled." Ben jumped into the air and swung off leaving the Bus Driver to chuckle approvingly. "I'll show that old man. 'May become a liability' my ass!" Ben seethed as he swung towards the beacon.
The man who sat atop the tower heard a beeping noise coming from his laptop. Upon inspecting it he saw the man had been active with his text messages in the last couple of minutes. One he read caught his eye, "I just got back." The man smirked as he looked at the other window to see people moving around the room his camera was fixated on. "Goooood." he smiled. He grabbed his rifle and flicked open the bipod and set it up on the ledge. He began adjusting the scope accordingly, "Okay...five kilometers. Wind blowing...roughly 3 kilometers per hour." He took a deep breath and leaned his head to his right so he could peak through the scope. "C'mon bastard, go next to the window."
Moka sat in a room with the fat man and the mysterious woman they called "San." It was small, and it was shady. Definitely nothing legitimate happening in there. "Dang boss, just look at her. That's one hell of a woman." of the mooks commented as he smelled Moka's hair. Moka just gulped and sat silently.
"So," the boss started, "tell me, how long have you known San here?"
"I just met her." Moka replied quietly, "She was searching for help."
"Don't try and lie to me." the boss said sternly, "San here doesn't like to involve people she doesn't know. A good friend like you, who San could rely on knows about her secret, right?" the man smiled before he lit a cigarette and continued, "San here has a special power. People with this power can control both money and people to their hearts content."
Moka gasped, "You mean..." No. Stop, I know what you are doing. Don't let his influence get to you. "She works for the bank?" Moka smirked.
The boss seemed unamused at Moka's antics and he snapped his fingers, "Fine, just know that just because we brought you with us doesn't mean we have to take care of you." the other men smiled as they walked over and began touch Moka all over the place.
"NO!" Moka cried out as she tried to get out of their grasps.
Suddenly the door to the room blasted off its hinges as Spider-Man walked through the door, "Hi there, did somebody order a pizza?" Spidey looked over towards Moka and saw the man that had his hands groping her chest, "I'm breaking your arms first." Spidey said as he pointed to the man. Shooting a web line he zipped over next to the bald man who pulled out his gun and aimed it at Spider-Man's head. Spidey knocked the man's hand away causing him to firing at the wall, Spidey then forcibly ripped the pistol out of the man's hands and palmed his elbow in the opposite direction causing it to bend completely the other way. The bald man screamed bloody murder as Spider-Man performed a cobra strike on his chest and sent him flying at his friends.
"You son of a--!" the boss grabbed a pistol and went to fire it, but Spider-Man had gunked up the barrel with his webbing before the bullet could come out. Spider-Man then quickly kicked the boss out of his couch and had him land on the table behind him by the window. "GET HIM!" The boss shouted as he flipped the table over and his behind it.
Spider-Man quickly webbed Moka into his arms in order to avoid her being used as a hostage by one of the other mooks. He spun Moka around in his arms before setting her on the couch near San. Spider-Man then sat down between the two women and kicked his feet up on the coffee table while he put his arms around the women's shoulders. "Ladies." he started, "Good to see all of you, sorry I was late. Had to find the right floor." Using his adhesive ability he picked up the coffee table with his feet and kicked it at the three goons before webbing them all to the ground.
Back at the tower the man looked through his scope at the window and frowned. "What the hell is going on in there?" he asked. He got ready to pull the trigger but his target kept moving his head, "Stop moving, asshole. I have one shot at this." Finally the target stood still and the man pulled the trigger. However, as soon as he pulled the trigger his target was yanked away from his position and all he hit was glass and a table, "WHAT THE HELL!?" the man yelled, "Who interrupted my..." taking a look at the camera image shown on the laptop he smiled at what he saw. "Oh...well he's worth five times more than the initial target." the man smiled.
While Spider-Man sat in the couch with Moka and San he felt his Spider Sense tingle, it was specific too, he could sense a powerful weapon. Flipping himself off the couch he looked at the boss near the window and his Spider Sense tingled again. This time he could sense a bullet flying towards them. Thinking quickly, Spider-Man attached a webline to the boss and pulled him forward. Just as he did so the window behind the boss exploded and a large hole wss put into the table. "WOAH!" Spidey exclaimed, "Looks like I wasn't the only one who's mad at you." Spider-Man picked the big man by his throat and then spiked him into the floor, knocking him out instantly.
Spider-Man quickly surveyed near the window, but could no longer sense or see anything. "Better stay on guard." walking back to the ladies he led them out the door, "Ladies first. Let me...clean up real quick.
Spider-Man quickly brought the men downstairs while the police were called and picked them up. They didn't seem to question Spider-Man in any way, they actually thanked him surprisingly. Spidey looked over to the teens to see Moka hugging Tsukune, Tsukune still had that unsure look in his face though. Spidey sighed and began to rejoin the teens after the police had taken off. "You ladies are all good?" he asked and the two girls in question nodded. "Good." he nodded. Spider-Man widened his lenses in surprise, SPIDER SENSE!
"Don't go around celebrating so willy nilly." a voice stated in English, seemingly calling out to Spider-Man, "You owe me a bounty, kid. Better come with me and make it easier on both of us."
"No." Spider-Man whispered, "No, no. Nononononononono, please, please, PLEASE don't be who I think it is." Spider-Man peaked behind him and saw just what he feared, a tall man in a blue armored suit with orange around his biceps as well as white boots, gloves, rocking white underwear on the outside of his suit. He also had a belt with multiple pouches as well as pouches on his legs. Most importantly was the white hooded cloak he wore and skull mask. He didn't have them in his hand, but the man also had a shield and a greatsword. "FUCK!" Spider-Man shouted.
"What, what is it?" Kokoa asked.
"This is literally the last person I ever want to see!" Spider-Man replied with a frustrated tone.
The man in question picked up that his opponent could speak Japanese, and so he switched and did the same. "Hey there, Slick. Long time, no see."
Spider-Man groaned, "Unfortunately not long enough...Taskmaster."
Taskmaster chuckled as he drew out his greatsword and pointed it towards Spider-Man, "You owe me Fifty Gs for that botched bounty. I know you don't exactly have the funds on you so I'll just...take it your head."
The teens looked at Spider-Man with concerned faces. "Stay back." Spider-Man warned with a very serious tone, "You know the rules. Tsukune...I can tell you want to help, but this isn't the opponent to do so." Tsukune gulped as Spider-Man stepped forward and got into a fighting stance. "Alright Tasky, this is what? Round 4? I still owe you for breaking my ribs last time I saw you."
Taskmaster chuckled as he looked at the vigilante, "Please, don't think you actually stand a chance, clone. I know your moves inside and out three times over from the last time I saw you! You stand no chance of survival."
Spider-Man scoffed, "Yeah, well I know your sister inside and out three times over from the last time I saw her!" Spider-Man stood up and fist pumped, "BOOYAH! HELL YEAH! He does not MISS! Ohhhh, baby how can a mans this clean be spitting this dirty!"
Oh my god. Someone shut him up.
"Nice try, kid." Taskmaster replied, "I don't have a sister."
"Eh, miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take." Spidey shrugged. Taskmaster grabbed his shield from of his back and prepared for a fight. Spidey immediately shot a webline forward and went for a zip punch, but Taskmaster blocked it with his shield.
"Please, kid. Get new material. You're so predictable. I mean, you literally start off with the same attack every time." Taskmaster taunted before swinging his sword. Spider-Man performed a back handspring to avoid the slash and shot a web ball at Taskmaster's face. The mercenary used his shield to protect him from his opponents ranged attacks, "Not falling for that twice, either."
"Oh, c'mon. That's like saying you don't like to hear the same joke twice. Sure you know the punchline, but sometimes you let it hit you, y'know?" Spider-Man shot another web ball at Taskmaster and this time the mercenary dodged it, having it attach to a lamppost. "Who knows, sometimes the change in delivery can get you twice." Taskmaster widened his eyes as the web ball behind him shot a webline to his hand and pulled his arm to the post.
"A web trip mine?" Taskmaster asked, "Very clever." Before the mercenary knew it he was getting his face pummeled by the vigilante leading to the group of teens to cheer. With one final punch, Spider-Man knocked Taskmaster out of the webbing and onto the ground. "Ha!" Taskmaster laughed as he stood back up, "Tell your fan club over there that the warm up is over."
"What did he say!?" Kokoa shouted out.
"He said the warm up is over!" Spider-Man shouted back. Spidey got back into his fighting stance and waited for Taskmaster to get up. The mercenary wiped the dust off his armor before putting away his shield and sword and opting for a hand-to-hand exchange.
Kokoa scoffed, "That makes no sense. If he couldn't beat Reilly with weapons what makes him think he'd win in hand-to-hand?" the students all nodded their heads in agreement. It did seem weird that switching to hand-to-hand would provide an advantage.
"Ya ready, Slick?" Taskmaster said as he got into a stance that mimicked Spider-Man's in every way possible. The two quickly began clashing in a barrage of punches and kicks. Each attack Spider-Man would throw would be countered by another attack that Spider-Man commonly used. Spider-Man threw a right hook just to have his arm twisted around and shoulder dislocated.
"Agh!" Spider-Man seethed in pain as he was kicked away. Quickly he relocated his shoulder and avoided a superman punch from Taskmaster. "Two can play at that game!" Spider-Man went up for a superman punch and when Taskmaster went to block he quickly shot a webline down so he could get under the mercenary's defenses. Spider-Man then sent a massive uppercut to Taskmaster and sent him flying across the roadway. Spider-Man quickly zipped to the mercenary in order to follow up.
"NICE TRY!" Taskmaster shouted as he shot something from a gauntlet on his wrist. Spider-Man didn't have enough time to dodge and was hit by an extremely powerful taser that immediately made him drop to the ground. "Hahaha." Taskmaster laughed as he dusted himself off again, "Did you really think I wouldn't upgrade myself since the last time we met? ESPECIALLY with that bitchin taser web you used against me. It gave me inspiration to make one of my own, but stronger." Spider-Man struggled to stand up and Taskmaster continued to laugh, "I also added this." he shot his wrist forward to have a thin metallic rope blast out and attach itself to the ground by Spider-Man, Taskmaster was then able to pull himself forward like he was performing a web zip and punch Spider-Man back towards the teens. "You have no idea how blissful this is." Taskmaster said as he let out a satisfied breath, "I could probably get more money for you if I deliver you to Fisk alive...buuuuuut, you've been such a thorn in my side." Taskmaster pulled out his sword and let it slide along the ground as he got closer to the vigilante.
No! Tsukune thought. We have to do something...we...Tsukune clenched his teeth, They can't do anything. If a monster hurts a human then that could mean some sort of war! Tsukune looked up to his friend and narrowed his eyes in determination. But I can do something.
"Well kid, it's been real...I mean, you weren't but the time we shared together sure as hell was." Taskmaster lifted up his arm with sword in hand and was ready to cut Spider-Man's head off.
"NOOOO!!" Tsukune shouted as he rushed forward and threw a massive right hook across the mercenary's face and sent him sliding across the ground. "You leave him alone!"
Spidey, still paralyzed from the electrocution, tried to reach out for Tsukune, "Noooo..." he groaned, "Dumbass, I told you stay back!"
"Ohhh," Taskmaster hummed, "You're pretty strong kid, much stronger than I anticipated." He stood up and stabbed his sword in the ground, "Okay, kid. Let's see what you've got." Tsukune got into his fighting stance that he was taught to use by Moka and Taskmaster hummed at the sight. Taskmaster held his hand out and motioned for the teen to come after him.
Tsukune let out a battle cry and launched forward. Every punch he threw Taskmaster dodged almost as if he knew exactly what was coming after him. "Okay. I get it now. That's a pretty advanced martial art kid, however, how you're using it is a little weird. It specializes mostly in kicks, not punches." Taskmaster soon got into a stance that made Tsukune gasp in surprise, "I bet your master's stance looks like this."
"No way..." Kokoa gasped.
"That's Moka's stance!" Kurumu shouted out.
Tsukune gritted his teeth. Don't let it get to you. It's Moka's stance, so what? He doesn't know how to fight like her! Tsukune rushed forward and cocked his right arm back before sending a hook which Taskmaster bobbed underneath. No way...he's avoiding it the same way. Tsukune quickly cocked his left hand back. "Nice try, kid. But no dice." Taskmaster said before countering with a high kick to Tsukune's jaw and knocking him backwards. No way...same counter? Same movement? How? How can he do that, it doesn't make sense!
Taskmaster grabbed his sword from the ground and approached the downed teen. He swung down with his sword but was shocked when the teen caught the sword between his hands, "Well you are just FULL of surprises!" the mercenary laughed, "But I can still do this!" Taskmaster quickly yanked back and cut Tsukune's hands to hell causing the teen to yell out in pain, "Like that? Sharpened to the molecule. I can cut through whole buildings with this baby." Taskmaster put his sword away and kicked Tsukune across the face before aiming his left gauntlet at the teen. "Sorry kid, it's nothing personal. You just got in the way of business. You know, someone like you, if trained properly, could make a pretty intimidating mercenary." Taskmaster tapped his chin before shrugging, "Eh, job pool is big enough as is. Oh well, see ya kid."
"Get away from him!" Spider-Man shouted as he tackled Taskmaster away from Tsukune before slamming him to the ground. "This fight is between us, Taskmaster. You and me. He and the rest of those kids don't have anything to do with this."
"Well, if you can get him to back off, by all means." Taskmaster said as he cracked his knuckles, "You have thirty seconds."
Spider-Man walked over to Tsukune, "Ben..." Tsukune said quietly, "Ben I'm sorry. I thought I could take him. I thought--"
"Get up." Spider-Man motioned. Tsukune looked down in disappointment, "Get. Up." Spidey commanded before forcefully lifting Tsukune to his feet. Spidey then grabbed Tsukune by his jaw and began pushing him back towards the teens, "Next time, when I tell you, 'he's too dangerous just back off' that means: Stay. The Fuck. BACK!" Spider-Man yelled as he shoved Tsukune back and had him slide to the teens. "Please." Tsukune's eyes widened when her heard the despair in his friend's voice.
"Alright Taskmaster Blaster, let's finish this fight." Spider-Man shook off whatever paralysis he was still feeling and put up his hands to fight.
"By all means, do try." Taskmaster replied as he too put up his fists like Spider-Man.
"You sound confident, for someone who is running low on gas." Spidey taunted, "Face it Tasky, at the end of the day I'll always beat you because I can take a stronger beating than you." Spider-Man shot a webline which was dodged by the mercenary.
"How many times are you going to try the same tired tricks?" Taskmaster groaned in annoyance.
Spider-Man chuckled, "Whenever they stop working." pulling hard on the webline Spider-Man was able to pull the top off a fire hydrant causing water to spread in a large puddle all over the street. Thinking quickly, Spider-Man jumped in the air and shot a taser web at the ground where the water formed. This resulted in the electricity to spread along the water and even stop Taskmaster in his tracks as he was completely wet. Spider-Man then shot two weblines at the ground and yanked himself down so he could drop kick the mercenary in the face. As Taskmaster stood up Spider-Man continued his assault and finished his barrage with a strong left straight to Taskmaster's head. The force sent the mercenary flying through a wall.
Spider-Man breathed heavily before walking to the hole in the wall. SPIDER SENSE! Before Spidey knew it a flash bomb lit in his face, blinding him for nearly a minute. When his vision returned Taskmaster was gone, all that was left was a torn cloak and a note. "You win this time." read the note.
The teens decided to regroup away from the commotion that had been caused due to the battle. Ben, now back in street clothes, leaned against a wall in pain. A black eye, some cuts and many bruises were visible on his face alone. San bowed to Ben and held up a sign. Ben looked at Yukari and motioned toward the sign, "It says 'Thank You'." Yukari read. Ben nodded and gave a thumbs up. "So this is San." Yukari added, "Isn't she just cute?"
"Adorable." Ben groaned, "No woman is cute enough to warrant nearly getting merced over though."
"Speaking of 'merc,'" Kokoa started, "Who the hell was that guy? It was like he knew everything you were going to do."
Ben sighed and rubbed his temples, "That...was Taskmaster. A mercenary, bad dresser and overall dickhead. He's also in the S-tier when it comes to 'Humans You Absolutely Don't Want To Fuck With.'" Ben laughed but held his side, "Guy is pretty much a super soldier and prepares for any battle to the best of his ability. He's fluent in every form of kicking your ass. No kidding, the man knows just about every martial art created. He gets that partially from his 'gift' as well as his training."
"Gift?" Moka asked.
"Remember that part where he copied the Other Moka's stance and technique? Yeah. His gift is a special type of photographic memory. He can watch your fighting style and will learn the pros and cons to it in a matter of minutes. That's why he's dangerous. Not just against humans, but those with powers too. With how well prepared he is...I wouldn't be surprised if he was prepared to fight a monster." Ben sighed before looking at Tsukune, "Tsukune...I'm sorry I snapped. But you can at least see what I mean. Had it been literally anybody else I would have accepted your assistance with open arms. But because of who it was...me snapping was more out of fear and not anger. I am sorry though."
Tsukune gulped at what Ben was saying, "Do you think..." Tsukune started, "Do you think that if it was Moka instead of me he still would have won?"
Ben was silent for some time before giving an answer, "Yes." he nodded, causing the others to gasp, "His sword is more than just a molecule edge, it's made of carbonadium." Ben explained, "The chemical compounds in carbonadium make it both a sturdy metal, but also can stop healing factors for quite some time. So yeah, I think that Taskmaster is more than prepared to fight a vampire. The reason why I am able to beat him is because I have enough experience to realize I shouldn't show all my tricks, as well as constantly having new ones in order to outsmart him." Ben spat out a large blob of blood onto the ground, "Taskmaster is...a very dangerous man."
"There you all are!" the teens turned and were surprised to see Gin and Nekonome had followed them to the human world. "Getting into trouble already I see." Gin looked at Ben and nodded, "What the hell happened to you?"
"You should've been here. Dickhead." Ben replied as a sharp pain shot up his side.
Nekonome smiled and hugged San, "I see you met San. Gin's senpai." the others gave a look of surprise, "She was a third year when Gin was a freshman and the Newspaper club president. She'll be taking care of us for the next few days." San smiled in response.
To be continued..
.A/N: What's this? Taskmaster? Who could have seen this coming? Nobody, I...I can almost guarantee people were either pleasantly surprised or really confused he showed up.
Yeah, this chapter is mostly a "I still have what it takes" kinda of chapter for Ben. The next few should be exciting too, as well as an...interesting idea I'm not sure everyone will be on board for but, oh well.
Anyways, Favorite, Follow and Review.