NOVEL NEXT Episode LXIII: The Alpha Return
With a deafening boom, Lionel, Jax, Felix, and Kiyoshi were jolted awake by the sound of a thunderstorm. Rain began to pelt down relentlessly. "It seems training will be cancelled today," Lionel remarked as he slid open the door. "Perhaps we could use the school’s gym for practice," Jax suggested.
"It's quite far though; I suppose it would be beneficial for our legs to make the journey," Lionel responded just as another roar of thunder echoed across the island. "We should get moving if we want to reach there unscathed," Felix pointed out. Without wasting any more time, all four set off towards the academy.
As they journeyed onward, Lionel noticed several wolf spirit guardians surrounding them. He halted abruptly and announced, “I sense numerous wolf spirit guardians around us.” They all paused and scanned their surroundings cautiously. “I can’t believe they’re after us again,” Felix groaned.
“Indeed,” Igor confirmed as he emerged from a tree. “Wolf claws strike!” he yelled, his gaze fixed intently on Felix. “I knew it was you,” Felix retorted while defending himself. “Where is Scarlet!” Igor demanded loudly. “She left you last year,” Felix replied coolly. “Because of you,” Igor accused him bitterly.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Alpha Wolves prevented Jax, Lionel, and Kiyoshi from intervening. “Hey! Let me go,” protested Kiyoshi but Thach dismissed him with a curt reply: "Fat chance."
“What are you guys doing here?” Jax questioned them but Lyric brushed him off saying, “None of your business; this is between our leader and your pathetic team member.”
“Who are you calling pathetic? Every time we've faced off against you guys, we've emerged victorious,” Kiyoshi shot back defiantly.
“Oh really? Do you want to fight right now?” Xavier challenged. “Sure, we could use the practice. Just make sure you fight fair this time,” Lionel retorted.
“It's a done deal,” Igor confirmed, his voice filled with determination. “Get ready because we're not holding back,” Felix warned them. “You guys can set the match conditions,” Igor offered generously.
“The match will be best of three out of four matches; you need to win at least three games to claim victory,” Lionel specified. “Deal!” Igor agreed enthusiastically.
Everyone began stretching their limbs in preparation for the impending match. The rain had eased from a downpour to a light drizzle by then. Thach stepped up for the Alpha Wolves while Kiyoshi represented Mystical Force.
Pointing towards Kiyoshi, Thach taunted him with a grin, "Are you ready to die?" Unfazed, Kiyoshi shot back, "I'm not planning on it but I am planning on securing a victory for my team." Thach laughed scornfully and sneered, "Stop trying to act like a hero."
They both bowed respectfully before charging at each other, fists flying. Both fighters landed punches and fell over simultaneously. As they recovered quickly and resumed their duel, Kiyoshi managed to land a roundhouse kick on Thach’s side sending him flying into a tree.
“Kiyoshi seems to have improved significantly,” Lionel observed cheerfully as Jax nodded in agreement with a fist bump. As Thach slowly rose from the ground again, he growled at Kiyoshi: “That was just beginner’s luck.”
“Break him in half; he's weak,” Varzil urged Thach who responded confidently: "Yeah, I know he is." Charging towards Kiyoshi with his fist transformed into metal-like substance, he launched an attack which Kiyoshi swiftly dodged until one punch landed squarely in Kiyoshi's stomach.
Thach then unleashed his super move: “Super Move: Metal Howl Kick!” His leg transformed into metal and a wolf howled as he struck Kiyoshi’s head. Despite the powerful blow, Kiyoshi managed to recover quickly and taunted, “Is that all you've got?”
Enraged, Thach charged at Kiyoshi again. However, this time there was a distinct change in Kiyoshi's demeanor; his eyes had a shadowy effect similar to when he sparred with Jax. Seeing this transformation, Jax turned to Felix and Lionel and warned, “Watch Kiyoshi closely; this is the same thing that happens when we spar against each other, and I almost lost.”
“Is this his rage?” Felix asked apprehensively. “I don't think so; it seems more like a controlled version of his rage; possibly his special ability,” Lionel speculated.
As Thach continued attacking wildly out of anger, Kiyoshi dodged all of them effortlessly until Thach transformed into Varzil The Metal Wolf. Unfazed by the transformation, Kiyoshi retorted: "Bad idea." He then morphed into his spirit guardian form. "I am Kitaro, the Shadow Tiger!" he declared boldly.
Despite being confronted by Thach immediately after transforming, Kiyoshi caught his fist easily before landing a punch on Thach's gut and unleashing his super move: “Super Move: Shadow Roar Blast!” A huge shadowy purple ball formed between Kiyoshi's hands before being released at Thach who was hit directly and evaporated instantly.
Once the blast dissipated, Thach collapsed unconscious on the ground while Kiyoshi bowed respectfully towards him saying: "That was skill." As he returned to join Jax, Lionel, and Felix they celebrated victoriously with fist bumps and cheers.
Meanwhile, Igor dragged Thach back to their side, punched him in the gut, threw him against a tree harshly and reprimanded him: “That’s for letting the team down.” Thach hung his head in shame as he weakly apologized: "I'm sorry."
"When you lose, this is what will happen," Igor warned, pointing at Thach. The Alpha Wolves understood his message, their heads bobbing in agreement. Igor's face hardened as he turned to Lyric. "It's your turn now; you don't want to end up like Thach."
"I'll give it my all," Lyric promised, bowing respectfully. Lionel stepped forward, volunteering himself for the next fight. Encouragement came from Felix who said, "You've got this." Lionel nodded his thanks and advanced to meet Lyric.
The two opponents faced each other, both promising a swift victory to draw the series level. They bowed in mutual respect before the match began. Lionel closed his eyes in concentration while Lyric launched at him with a wolf flare punch. In an instant, Lionel vanished only to reappear with a glowing pink hand.
"Neon Chop!" He cried out as he struck down on Lyric's neck swiftly causing him to faint instantly. Igor watched in disbelief before lashing out at a nearby tree in frustration.
Lionel's teammates - Felix, Jax and Kiyoshi - cheered jubilantly for him while he returned to them in triumph. Meanwhile, Lyric hit the ground in disappointment, unable to comprehend his quick defeat.
Igor announced that he would be fighting next with clear anger etched on his face. As he moved forward, Jax gave Felix a supportive pat on the back saying, "This one's yours." Felix asked for luck before approaching Igor.
Accusations flew between them about past grievances until finally Igor attacked Felix without warning and transformed into Tasbul the Wood Wolf. Not backing down, Felix transformed into Mudar the Moon Wolf and they engaged fiercely with claw strikes and kicks.
Igor managed to land some blows but was thrown back by a powerful kick from Felix who then assumed a defensive stance waiting for Igor’s next move. Shaking off the impact, Igor returned to his fighting stance and charged up a powerful attack.
"Champion Move: Pine Howl Strike of Destiny!" he roared. His hand glowing brown, he slashed at the air sending waves of energy towards Felix who managed to dodge some but was hit by the rest causing his gi to tear apart.
The sheer force of the attack created a gust that had everyone bracing themselves against its power. When it subsided, Felix was seen on the ground while Igor panted heavily from exertion. However, Felix rose slowly and declared his resolve to fight on.
"I put everything I had into that move," Igor protested in disbelief. "Apparently not enough," Felix retorted before launching his own powerful attack, "Super Move: Moon Fang Blast!" A massive blue blast shot out from his palm and engulfed Igor along with the rest of Alpha Wolves.
Igor collapsed as Felix teetered on the brink of fainting himself but held on until victory was declared. Lionel, Jax and Kiyoshi rushed over to assist him while they laughed at the sight of their defeated opponents.
Reviving from unconsciousness, Igor vowed revenge at their next encounter in the beach classic tournament. With that final threat, he led Alpha Wolves away leaving Mystical Force victorious for now.