Chapter Eight:
Web and Claw
Makerboy, Parker, Saya, and Agent 8 headed to the Splat-Box Club in Downtown Inkopolis, and the group made sure they weren't attracting unneeded attention while making their way through the streets. Neither of the cephalopods wanted anyone to find out the secrets behind Spider-Inkling, or alert any potential undercover news agents in the area.
Parker knocked on the door, and a Jellyfish opened up, studying the somewhat inconspicuous Inklings and the Octoling agent. After a moment, they were granted entry, and Parker told the Jellyfish whom they had come to see.
"You'll find him in Dojo 5." The Jellyfish told the group.
Both humanoids strolled through the hall, and passed through the door into Dojo Area No. 5, right as they heard grunting noises. Parker smiled and clicked his fingers, letting Makerboy know they'd just found their guy. Both male Inklings, Saya and Agent 8 walked past a pair of bleachers, and found an Inkling male with dark-brown hair kicking a bag.
"Hey, Rogan!" Parker called, "Been a while!"
'Rogan.' Makerboy's brain clicked, Parker and the girls were arranging for him to be trained with none other than the Wolverine-Squid, the Ink-Claw, famously known for his healing factor and his sharp claw-knuckles.
The brown-haired Inkling, wearing a yellow-blue suit, stepped back from the bag turned to face the group. "What business brings you and your friends here, web boy?" Rogan asked Parker, "And who's the spider cosplayer?"
"I'm Alex." Makerboy took off the mask, "Long story, I got bit by a radioactive spider, and I got these spider powers like Parker does. We were training my powers before Spider-Inkling stars fighting crooks alongside Spider-Squid, and we popped by because... perhaps you'd help with my training."
Rogan puffed on a cigar. "You're kidding." He said gruffly, "Jameson's going to blow gaskets once he sees another web-slingin' 'punk' runnin' around. And you think you got a chance with those powers, kid?"
"That's what we're going to find out." Saya said optimistically, "Fight him, and see for yourself."
Makerboy stepped forward, towards Rogan, and the small fighter arena that was nearby. "I've heard a lot about you, dude." He said to the grizzly squid, "And if anyone can train a superhero into shape, even though you don't look like you've had experience training others, it'll certainly be you. Parker believes it, Eight believes it, and so does Saya."
Wolverine-Squid smirked. "Well, bub. It's your funeral, don't expect me to go easy on you. You'll be inking in the streets by the time we're finished up." He warned.
Both Spider-Inkling and Wolverine-Squid prepared themselves as they stepped into the fighters square, and a Jellyfish manager slapped a button, bringing down a cage around both Inklings. Parker, Saya and Eight sat back to watch, providing a small crowd for the fight.
"C'mon, who asked for a cage match?" Makerboy asked in a snarky manner.
"Tryin' to back out even before we begin?" Rogan was smirking, "Sorry, kid. I like my cage matches, and I thought you knew everything about me. We're goin' nowhere, and I have you for three minutes of 'playtime'. Rule number one? Never take your eye off the enemy, bub!"
A little bell chimed, and Rogan rushed at Makerboy. Instincts were in full-force, and battle reflexes were taking over. Silver claws emerged from the Wolverine-Squid's knuckles, and he slashed at the green-haired Inkling, who jumped high to avoid the attack. The flow of time began to decrease, and Makerboy flicked his wrist.
He shot out a web that latched onto the top of the cage, and the Inkling swooped over his opponent's head. Parker nearly fell out of his seat, blown by what he'd just seen. Makerboy positioned himself on the barred ceiling, and stared down at Rogan.
"Nice outfit! Did your ex-wife give it to you?" The charming squid boy remarked.
"Get your ass down from there!" Rogan yelled.
The young Inkling nodded with a chuckle, and jumped down before kicking the Wolverine-Inkling in the head. Saya let out a warble of amazement, and Agent 8 exclaimed, "Wow-wee!"
Rogan shot up with a snarl, and swiped at Makerboy. The Inkling ducked backwards, ducked his head down, and thrust his leg out. He struck the ink-claw in the leg, and Wolverine-Squid nearly fell over. Makerboy flicked both wrists, spitting a huge wad of web that blinded his opponent.
"Forget sand in your eye!" Parker commented sarcastically, "Try web in your eye!"
CLING! Rogan stumbled blindly into the wall of the cage, and blindly swiped at Makerboy, only to hit the bars. Since his claws were somewhat metallic, the damage was minimal. Makerboy ducked as his blinded opponent stumbled towards him, and Rogan snarled as he finally tore the webbing off of his face.
"UNLEASH THE BEAST!" He yelled, and swiped madly at Makerboy, who flipped over his head, webbed his way to the top side of the cage, and dove towards Rogan with a kick to the torso before the claws could strike the Inkling boy's leg.
'Okay, Alex. Be careful...' Makerboy thought, 'He's likely going to go berserker mode, so timing is everything.'
And Rogan went berserk, even though it was likely an act. The Wolverine-Squid leaped at Makerboy with his claws out, aiming to graze him, and the web-slinging Inkling rolled under, maneuvered around, ducked to the side to avoid another pounce, and leaped onto part of the cage before forming a slingshot-web that launched the Spider-Inkling right into Rogan.
He pinned the tough Wolverine-Squid down, then he stood up, and the clawed Inkling shot up for another go. He pounded on Makerboy, who kicked him in the torso, and the grizzly humanoid squid crashed into the side of the cage.
Rogan dropped to his hands and knees for a moment, then he shot back up, and made another run at Makerboy, who dodged like a bullfighter, and the charming Inkling male flicked several wads of web in his foe's face. Rogan grunted as he was pinned to the cage, unable to break free with his claws.
"Wow, dude! Nice!" Parker called with amazement.
"Those were some sweet moves, Alex!" Agent 8 hollered.
Saya snapped a little photo. "Darn, Alex. You really know the basics." The golden-haired Inkling girl remarked.
Makerboy dusted off his hands, and shot Rogan a snide smirk under the mask. "Not so tough now, are you?" He asked sarcastically, "Guess it isn't every day when someone whoops your butt in a caged match, even though you're a known pro at starting bar fights."
The Jellyfish manager deactivated the cage, and Agent 8 leaped in to plant a kiss on Makerboy's cheek. Rogan freed himself from the web with some help from Parker, and the Wolverine-Inkling rotated his shoulder. He looked at Makerboy, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "I'll say, kid. You know your hero stuff, it looks like you got what it takes after all."
