Kung Fu Academy S/ カンフーアカデミーS

The radiant spring morning was so bright and warm that it felt as if there wasn't a breeze in sight. Kiyoshi leapt from his bed, shouting, "Wake up, everyone! It's tournament day!" However, he found himself alone in the room. Scratching his head, he wondered aloud, "Where is everyone?"

He slid open the door to find all three of his friends practicing for the tournament. "How long have you guys been at it?" Kiyoshi asked. Lionel responded, "Since early this morning." Lionel then mentioned they had about five minutes to get to the introductory ceremony on the beach. After a brief pause, they all sprinted towards the shore.

"Last one there is a rotten egg," Felix taunted as he took off ahead of them. Jax retorted, "Not wise words for an unwise man," easily passing Felix. Lionel simply disappeared when everyone else took off running. They dashed across campus grounds, through woods and training facilities and past the porting dock.

Jax was first to reach the beach and declared triumphantly, "Looks like I won." However, Lionel was already there waiting with a smile on his face. Jax looked puzzled and exclaimed, "But...how?" Lionel patted him on the back saying nonchalantly, "Don't worry about it. Let's just say that I'm faster."

Felix arrived moments later panting heavily while remarking how fast they were. Kiyoshi showed up last casually strolling along while munching on something he'd picked up from a café along their route.

Lionel looked disgusted asking Kiyoshi why he would eat before a fight. To which Kiyoshi replied nonchalantly that he got hungry along the way and since he was fighting last in order anyway it didn't matter much to him.

The announcer then began explaining rules and regulations of The Beach Classic Tournament. The crowd roared in approval and anticipation.

Afterwards, Lionel suggested they check out the competition. As they walked around the beach, they saw fighters they hadn't encountered before since their arrival on the island last year. Felix asked Lionel if he could sense any spirit guardians but Lionel admitted that he couldn't at the moment.

They then ran into Team Checkmate who wished them well and promised a good fight when their paths crossed in the tournament. The team then split up to prepare for the upcoming matches.

Meanwhile, on another part of the island, a group of fighters were bowing down to Sensei Yuriko. She was rallying her hybrid followers for a chance to take over the island from its regular inhabitants. A cloaked figure voiced his eagerness for revenge against those who had wronged him and his team.

Hoon looked at these newcomers with wide eyes as he felt an overwhelming aura emanating from them. He whispered to himself that he couldn't believe someone possessed power greater than his own.

Sensei Yuriko then disappeared after reminding everyone of their mission while promising to keep an eye on them.

Before she vanished entirely, she whispered something to a boy named Jaydon Monzon. As her spell took hold, his eyes transformed. “Alright, fighters, please gather around the main stage for the opening round matchups,” the announcer proclaimed. “The draw was completely random,” he added. Kiyoshi examined the board to see their first-round opponents among the 63 other teams listed there. His eyes darted around until they landed on their team name: Mystical Force. Their opponents were to be Blazes of Aces.

“Blazes of Aces? Who are they?” Kiyoshi asked in confusion.

“I don’t know,” Lionel admitted. Jax chimed in, “I don’t think anyone knows anything about that group.”

A voice suddenly interjected from nowhere, “Oh yeah? Well you guys will know us after we beat you senseless.”

“And who might you be?” Kiyoshi questioned.

“Jaydon Monzon; just call me Monzon," he responded confidently. Monzon's eyes were as white as pearls and his hair shone like the sun, tied up in an orange ponytail above bushy eyebrows. He wore an orange gi with a light blue belt and a raccoon logo on its back.

“This is my team,” Monzon declared while pointing behind him to an empty space. "What? Where did they go? They were here a second ago." He seemed genuinely surprised by their absence.

“You'll need at least a full team to get past us,” Kiyoshi retorted with a laugh.

“Just wait until the fight when they show up; then you'll see who's victorious," Monzon snapped back before storming off angrily.

Lionel turned to Kiyoshi and asked, "Which sand platform are we fighting on?"

"Platform C2," came Kiyoshi's response. The four of them made their way to the designated platform. Upon arriving, the referee asked if they were Team Mystical Force or Blaze of Aces.

“We are Team Mystical Force,” Felix replied.

“Ahh, ok. We're waiting for Blaze of Aces to show up before your round one match can start,” the referee informed them.

“Thanks for letting us know," Felix responded.

Kiyoshi grumbled about the delay while watching other matches unfold. Suddenly, four figures swooped onto the sand platform: Monzon and his team Blazes of Aces had arrived.

“Finally! We thought you guys forfeited the match,” Kiyoshi exclaimed as he leaped onto the platform.

A voice piped up from their opponents' side, “I like this kid; I want to take him on so I can crush his confidence.”

Kiyoshi clenched his fist and stepped forward defiantly, Lionel, Felix, and Jax right behind him trying to hold him back.

“Stop trying to start fights before they even begin,” Monzon reprimanded his teammate who laughed in response and backed off.

The referee instructed all fighters to step down while he spun a wheel determining the match conditions. The wheel spun until it landed on 'best of four out of seven matches'.

“The first team that gets four points will win and move on to the second round,” he explained before asking each team to choose their representative for the first match.

Monzon chose Jordan from his team who confidently stated, “This should be quick.” Jordan was a formidable figure with hooded green eyes marked by a scar through his left eye. His spiky black hair ended in grey tips pointing downwards. He was muscular and wore a yellow gi with an orange belt featuring a logo of a bear with two horns on its back.

“I'll take this fight,” Kiyoshi declared stepping forward amidst cheers from Jax.

Jordan and Kiyoshi faced each other with the referee between them. After bowing their heads in respect, they charged at each other, both landing powerful punches that sent them flying back to their corners.

Kiyoshi tried to move but found the sand beneath him hardening. “Wait, what is this?” he asked in confusion.

“I forgot to mention, this platform is made out of quicksand,” the referee admitted sheepishly.

“You could have told us that before!” Kiyoshi retorted angrily.

Before he could react further, Jordan landed a punch on his face that sent him spiraling through the air before crashing into the quicksand. Now stuck and unable to move, Kiyoshi was at Jordan's mercy who began raining punches onto his stomach while he lay helpless on the ground.

“Are you going to quit?” Jordan taunted.

“No, never!” Kiyoshi shouted defiantly as a purple aura surrounded him briefly before fading away.

“Only weaklings depend on their spirit guardians to win,” Jordan sneered before kneeing Kiyoshi in the gut and throwing him towards Lionel, Felix, and Jax.

Kiyoshi, his arm pulsating with a vibrant purple glow, put some distance between himself and Jordan. With a swift lunge accompanied by a battle cry of "Shadow punch!" he struck Jordan squarely in the face. The impact sent Jordan sprawling onto the ground while Kiyoshi executed a nimble barrel roll, landing on all fours like a predatory tiger ready to pounce.

Jordan shook off the dizziness from the punch and staggered back to his feet just as Kiyoshi darted towards him once more, aiming another blow at his face. This time however, Jordan was prepared and intercepted Kiyoshi's fist just before it could connect. "You were too close for comfort," he taunted with a smirk.

Seizing the opportunity, Jordan aimed for Kiyoshi’s injured arm, where a magical bandage was wrapped tightly around it. His punch cut through the bandage like butter, causing Kiyoshi to scream in pain. A satisfied smile spread across Jordan's face as he identified his opponent's weak spot.

"Sunspot paw," he announced confidently. As if on cue, his palm ignited into bright flames which he directed at Kiyoshi's wounded arm again. The intensity of Kiyoshi’s scream escalated into an echoing roar that resembled that of an enraged tiger; his eyes glowed with the same purple aura that surrounded his arm earlier.

Jordan looked taken aback as Lionel quickly explained: “His special ability activated.”

“You're right; I don’t need my spirit guardian form to defeat you; I need my ability,” retorted Kiyoshi defiantly as he wriggled free from Jordan’s grip. He shouted out his ultra-move: “Shadow Claw Ripper!” Purple holographic claws materialized over Kiyoshi’s arms and he began slashing away at Jordan’s chest until he collapsed unconscious.

“Jordan Kawasaki has fainted! Team Mystical Force earns a point,” declared the referee. Lionel, Jax, and Felix leaped up in joyous celebration.

“I told you guys I had this in the bag,” Kiyoshi boasted confidently as he descended from the platform. A disheartened Jordan apologized to his leader, “Sorry, Monzon, his special ability activated at the luckiest time ever.” Monzon reassured him with a smile, “No sweat, you tried your best and that's what matters.” However, he muttered to himself afterward, “He won't be on this team after tomorrow.”

Suddenly a voice echoed through the arena as someone dashed past Jordan and Monzon. “Move over; it's time for the big cat to play.” It was Qiao Xiang who had striking grey eyes and two long blonde braided pigtails with loose black strands falling over his forehead. He wore a grey gi with a neon orange belt around his waist and a logo of a winged monkey emblazoned on the back.

Felix took his place on the platform opposite Qiao. The latter taunted him by saying: “So, you're going to be my victim,” followed by an arrogant laugh. He added insultingly: "It seems like you're the weakest on the team." Felix remained silent and assumed his fighting stance.

The referee instructed them to bow before starting their match. Following their bows, Qiao launched into a flying kick towards Felix who narrowly dodged it in time.

Qiao quickly regained balance while Felix refrained from taking advantage of his temporary instability. As they faced off again, Qiao mockingly said: "I can't believe you didn’t take the bait," to which Felix responded: "Your intentions were clear."

The fight resumed with Qiao launching into another series of attacks that Felix managed to counter effectively until he was caught off guard by one of Qiao’s aerial moves which sent him crashing into the sand platform.

Despite this setback, Felix pulled himself up and continued battling against Qiao’s relentless assault until it culminated in an ultimate move called "Six Storms of Monkey Fist". This attack left Felix severely injured and stuck in quicksand while Qiao laughed manically, raining down punches on his defenseless opponent.

Felix found himself in the thick of the action, his body jostling and blood spattering with each hit. Despite the pain, he managed to place a hand on Qiao's abdomen and bellowed, "Special Move: Moon Typhoon!" A sphere of blue energy materialized in Felix's palm, already pressed against Qiao's stomach. The force of the attack propelled Qiao backward.

The power of Felix’s move freed his leg from the quicksand’s grip. With newfound freedom, he transformed into Mudar. “I am Mudar the Moon Wolf!” Felix declared triumphantly. He was running low on stamina but had just enough left for one more move. “I can’t use my new Ultra Move at this point,” Felix admitted to Mudar.

Monzon yelled out in frustration as Felix opened both palms. Two spheres of light blue energy formed in his hands which he then merged into one. Qiao sprang forward, launching a powerful storm punch at him. But Felix was ready and retaliated with an upward blast - his Super Move: Moon Fang Blast.

Qiao attempted to punch through the blast but failed miserably, evaporating under its force. As the smoke cleared, Felix gasped for breath while Qiao tumbled onto the sand below, riddled with scars and bruises before collapsing unconscious.

“The score is now 2-0 in favor of Mystical Force,” announced the referee as Lionel, Jax, and Kiyoshi erupted in cheers.

A defeated Monzon muttered apologies to his team while Qiao silently walked away from their loss. Monzon took center stage next, locking eyes with Lionel who had swiftly taken Jax’s place on the platform.

Their determination mirrored each other’s as they launched into combat – fists clashing against fists until Lionel tried a neon chop only for Monzon to duck and counter with a back kick which Lionel narrowly evaded by a side flip. Monzon reappeared behind Lionel, landing a punch that sent him spiraling into the quicksand.

Lionel retaliated with a Special Move: NEON FLASH, but Monzon had already closed his eyes. Lionel seized this opportunity to land a Neon Punch on Monzon’s gut, causing him to spit blood before falling back into the quicksand.

Monzon emerged from the sand and charged at Lionel only to slow down midway and transform into Brazen - the eight-armed raccoon. As Lionel rushed towards him, Monzon used his first set of arms to attack while using his second set to counter Lionel's neon punch. The impact left burnt marks and bruises all over Lionel’s body.

“I haven’t taken a hit like that since last year,” admitted Lionel as he slowly rose, clutching his bruised ribs. He ignored Monzon's taunts and instead focused on the change in his opponent's eyes – they were different from when they first met earlier in the day.

“Something isn’t right,” confided Lionel to Zebeon who agreed that Monzon was under some form of control. But who was controlling him? With one hand nursing his injured ribs and another poised for battle, Lionel prepared himself for what lay ahead.

"Perhaps it's best if you remain down," Monzon suggested. Lionel, however, was resolute. "After the countless hours our team has poured into training for this tournament, I can't just lie down and give up," he declared, a soft pink glow enveloping his figure. "I am Zebeon, the Neon Penguin!" Lionel's proclamation echoed through the arena as he morphed into a hybrid of human and luminescent pink penguin. His transformation did nothing to alleviate his bruised ribs though.

Monzon scoffed at his opponent's new form. "How quaint, a penguin. Unfortunately, it will be crushed by my Ultra-Move: Eight Blazes of Hell!" He roared with all eight of his arms igniting into larger flames. As he charged towards Lionel, Lionel attempted to teleport away from danger but wasn't quite quick enough; Monzon landed two blows out of his full eight before Lionel vanished in a burst of sand.

The sudden movement stirred up a miniature dust storm on the platform. When Lionel reappeared, he staggered under the impact of the previous hit and dropped to one knee. Not missing a beat, Monzon taunted him once more, "Welcome back! Here are six more strikes waiting for you."

Lionel rose again and teleported swiftly out of reach; this time evading all six swings from Monzon who still had all six blazes intact. “My blazes won’t extinguish until they make contact with something,” Monzon explained ominously.

Every time Lionel teleported now there was an accompanying gust of wind that whipped up grains of sand into tiny localized sandstorms around him. “I’ve got you now,” Monzon gloated prematurely as Lionel continued to dodge and weave around him in an erratic circular pattern while throwing verbal jabs at him.

Suddenly, a massive gust swept across the platform, blinding Monzon in a swirling sandstorm. Seizing the opportunity, Lionel materialized behind Monzon and delivered a swift neon chop to one of his back legs. The unexpected attack brought Monzon down to one knee.

“Face me, you coward!” Monzon bellowed defiantly but Lionel was slowed down due to his injury. “I need to figure out how to execute a neon flash and cyclone simultaneously,” Lionel mused aloud. Then he did something unprecedented: “Super Move: Neon Cyclone and Special Move: Neon Flash!!” He shouted, stunning Felix, Jax, and Kiyoshi who watched with wide-eyed disbelief from the sidelines.

“How is it even possible to unleash two special moves at once?” Jax questioned in awe. “Don’t forget about the condition he’s currently in,” Felix reminded them. “This could either make him or break him,” Kiyoshi added anxiously.

Against all odds, Lionel’s dual move worked; both specials disappeared momentarily only to resurface just as Monzon lunged at him with a powerful punch. A brilliant pink light engulfed the entire platform C2 blinding everyone momentarily.

When the light faded, both combatants were still standing though Lionel held another move at ready while Monzon's ultra-move had been completely used up. Looking down, Monzon noticed all his blazes extinguished then looked up just in time to see Lionel's new move hurtling towards him.

“I call this: Ultra Move: Ultra CyFlash!” Lionel announced triumphantly as his CyFlash connected with Monzon's face causing an explosion that sent shockwaves across the island.

Once the smoke cleared, both fighters lay motionless on the ground having fainted from exhaustion; Mystical Force was declared victors by default and would advance to the next round of the tournament. Felix, Jax, and Kiyoshi rushed onto the stage where they found Lionel bruised but victorious.

“This was just the preliminary round, the upcoming battles will be even more challenging,” Felix cautioned as Jax expressed relief at Lionel's survival. Kiyoshi, still in shock over Lionel's double special move, pointed at him and demanded an explanation but Jax waved him off for now and asked for his help in getting Lionel off the platform.

As they were about to leave, Lionel managed a respectful bow towards Monzon before a sudden loud bang startled them. Kiyoshi jumped in surprise dropping Lionel who mercifully remained unconscious through it all. “He won’t notice when he wakes back up,” Kiyoshi reasoned as they looked back at Monzon’s spot only to find it empty; his body had vanished into thin air leaving only his parting words echoing eerily, “I guess this is what happens when you sell yourself to the devil; we have had a good run Brazen.”