Chapter 12: Vengeance

Vengeance is sought by one of the world's greatest warriors.

Chapter 12: Vengeance

 

"So wait," Adam said as he sat on the floor. "You mean to tell me you snuck out of school, into the lab, cut yourself on the tank Nefarious was in, and suddenly you got super powers?"

 

"Yeah pretty much," Ryan, who was sitting on one of the computer tables, replied. "I walked into the room and the thing just exploded. I tried to cover my face and the glass flew past me and cut my arms. I heard a sharp sound so strong that I fell to my knees. The sound rang in my head and I just couldn't take it anymore, so I back to class. Later on that night while I was out dumping the trash I felt myself getting stronger. I figured something was up because suddenly I had a burst of energy that just wouldn't go away. I decided to go for a quick run but when the police saw how fast I was running they started chasing me. Luckily I ran into B.L and he told me everything. He showed me his abilities and told me he'd train me to use mine. And now tonight was my chance to put all of my training to the test."

 

"None of that even made sense!" R.J shouted in disbelief. "Tell us what the hell really happened."

 

"It's as simple as this you idiot," Matt interrupted. "Ryan was affected by the gas just like you two. Except it was put into him by small wounds, whereas you two were breathing it in. It was put directly into your bloodstreams so it took shorter for you two to develop your abilities."

 

"Well, what about this whole Hyper Warrior thing?" Adam asked remembering when he entered that state. "How'd that come about?"

 

“There’s a legend,” Matt replied. “I read about it in that book we found. It’s a state brought about by an excess amount of energy built up. It is a state in which your energy level is increased tenfold. I made this my goal and I’ve reached it.”

 

“My goal was to put an end to Nefarious’s evil ways,” R.J added.

 

“Mine was to defend my family,” Adam added.

 

“Nobody cares,” Ryan said shutting R.J and Adam up.

 

“He’s right,” Matt replied. “We need to rest to give our bodies time to heal. Our healing factors have been improved but they still need time to do their jobs. If anyone sees us like this we’re in trouble, especially you Adam. Your mom worries over you getting little scrapes. If she’s your busted lip, you’re dead meat.”

 

“Besides, we’ve got that tournament tomorrow,” Adam declared.

 

“Yeah, we don’t want Ray losing to a girl again,” R.J joked.

 

“Shut up R.J,” Ryan replied. “ I didn’t want to hurt her and I didn’t want to hold back.”

 

“Nah, I think you just suck,” R.J continuously joked.

 

“I said Zip it R.J, you lost too!”

 

“Yeah but not to a girl.”

 

“Shut up both of you,” Matt demanded. “I said we need to rest.”

 

“Yeah well I got to go home anyways,” Ryan replied.

 

“Yeah how’d you sneak out anyways?” Adam queried.

 

“Since you and R.J said you were sleeping at a friend’s house, I said I was bringing you you’re toothbrush. Oh and I told your mom you were staying too Matt; I knew you forgot to.”

 

“Why didn’t you say you were staying too?” R.J wondered.

 

“Duh, if I don’t go home I don’t get to eat!”

 

“You know,” Adam began. “What I still don’t get is why you didn’t help us as soon as you got your abilities.”

 

“Matt told me not to. He told me to wait and train so I could be stronger.”

 

“And you listened?” R.J asked. “That’s stupid, I would’ve went out anyways.”

 

“Shut up fool,” Matt insisted. “You’re only saying that because you’re scared that if he continues training he’ll be stronger than you. In fact, I think he might have already.”

 

“You’re weird Matt,” R.J replied with a smirk on his face. “But whatever, go home Ryan, go do your little training thing.”

 

Ryan was already standing in the window. He gave a two-finger salute and jumped out. “Peace guys!” he shouted as he let himself fall down below. Since they were on the sixth floor it took him a while before he neared the ground. Just before he reached the ground he let his energy explode in such a rush that he launched himself up into the air with the black clouds. The cold wind rushed against his face as he effortlessly spiraled in the air. He put his arms behind himself and took off even faster than before, leaving a trail of blue energy. His blue cape fluttered like crazy at the speed he was now going.

 

Finally he made his way to the back of his apartment. He quickly changed into his blue jeans and gray shirt he’d hidden in a nearby tree. Then he placed snuck his costume in through his window and ran around to the front. As he walked into the door the luscious aroma of melty nacho cheese filled his nose. His mom was in her room eating and watching TV so he decided to help himself to a plate of nachos. As he prepared his plate the irresistible smell caused him to take an overload of cheese.

 

He tried to hide his large amount of food as he snuck into his bedroom. But it was just his luck that his mom was on her way to get a tad more nachos. She caught him just as he stepped one foot in his room. “You big greedy,” she joked. “Go ahead and eat, but you better have saved me a little bit.” He was relieved to find that she wasn’t angry. He sat his plate on Adam’s bed and finished hiding his costume.

 

He climbed into his top bunk bed with his nachos and just lay there thinking. Matt’s right, he thought to himself. I do need to train. I know I can beat Adam but I need to beat R.J too. I will be stronger, I have to! I’m Thunder, the latest and greatest Legendary Warrior!

 

The night went by and all four of the boys found themselves sleeping it away. Matt was sleep in the window, Adam on a desk, and R.J by the door. Ryan was safe at home in his own bed. As they slept, their bodies recuperated and prepared for the next day.

 

The next day soon came and they all eagerly prepared themselves. Ryan did a quick training session just as Matt commanded him to do when he first woke up. Afterwards, he snuck out past his sleeping mother who’d fallen asleep on the couch. He decided to run there after putting his costume under his martial arts uniform. A unique ability he’d gained was super speed so it didn’t take him long to meet the others at the dojo.

 

They all met up and walked inside. They were given ten minutes to stretch and what not, so Matt and Ryan decided to do quick sparring match to get ready. They went back and forth throwing punches and kicks, blocking and dodging. R.J and Adam sat and watched, choosing to save all of their energy. The time for the tournament soon came and they all walked into the waiting room.

 

The first to be called up was Ryan Kabooma. Then R.J, Aisha, and Jason. It was a two-on-two fight where all four fighters would be in the arena at once. The two teams faced each other and took their stances. “Begin!” the ref shouted as he threw up his rag. Aisha and Jason looked to Ryan and R.J with smiles on their faces. Ryan was angry; he would avenge his earlier loss at any cost. So he dashed forward and pummeled Aisha with a series of jabs and then spun around and kicked Jason right in his jaw. Jason fell backwards and Ryan turned back to Aisha. He grabbed her by the arms and began punching her face with his right hand.

 

With blood dripping from her nose and mouth, Aisha surrendered. Ryan kicked her to the side where the medics immediately took her into their care. Her parents and brothers all booed Ryan and shouted angry statements and threats to him. To their surprise he turned to them and flipped them off. Then he turned back and grabbed Jason by the legs. He swung him around several times before releasing him out of the ring. It seemed that the battle was over before it’d even started.

 

The Dragons were declared victorious and they moved on to the next stage. Now they were facing the other team that’d made its way to the top: the Cobras. This team consisted of four bulky, brutish brothers. Their names were Robert, Bill, Huy (pronounced we), and Thomme (pronounced Tommy). They were all dressed in green martial arts suits. The quadruplets took to the arena as Matt, Ryan, Adam, and R.J did.

 

The first match was between Adam and Robert. Robert bowed and looked up with a smile on his face. “This is going to be to easy!” he said taunting Adam. Adam just looked back with a smile on his face. He knew he’d win. So as soon as the match started he promised Robert he’d only throw one punch. Robert only laughed and charged at him.

 

Adam jumped over Robert and landed behind him. Robert looked back and laughed. He rushed forward again and once more Adam evaded his attack. Finally the third time Robert charged Adam swung a left straight fist and knocked Robert senseless. The match was over already.

 

Next up were Matt and Thomme, so they entered the arena. Matt made quick work of his opponent by simply elbowing him in the diaphragm. Thomme fell to the ground trying to catch his breath and victory was declared to the Dragons. Following Matt's match was Ryan's. He too made quick work of his opponent. He just grabbed Huy's arm when he tried to punch him and flipped him out of the ring. Finally R.J and Billy made their way to the arena.

 

“Begin!” the ref called out. Bill tried to move forward but he found that his feet were stuck to the ground. R.J had secretly frozen the bottom of his shoes to the ground. R.J stepped just out of reach of Bill’s fists. Bill swung uselessly at R.J’s face as he leaned forward. Finally Bill tired himself out and R.J pushed him over. He stepped onto his chest and looked down at him. “10,” the ref began counting down the pinning. “…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1 this match is over! Victory goes to the Dragons.”

 

“They are the official champions of the Hou Kong dojo,” the announcer took over. “I would like to ask all four of them to enter the arena at the moment. They will receive a cash prize of two-hundred and fifty dollars along with little badges as proof that they won the annual Youth martial arts tournament.”

 

The audience cheered as the boys walked up to receive their prizes. The badges were small but still, they had some worth to them. They were given their money in cash, much to their delight. “And with this,” the announcer concluded. “The tournament is over, farewell and good luck to you all, see you next year!”

 

The audience left cleared out and so did the boys. They showed up and just as easily won the tournament. They headed out and began walking to their hangout. But just as they turned the corner a bullet was shot at Matt’s head. His immediate reaction was to turn around and grab the bullet. But what he held in his hand was not a bullet. It was a cartridge that held a rolled up note. He read the note aloud while the others looked around for the coward who’d shot it.

 

“Attention Legendary Blunders,” the note read. “Your so-called acts of heroism will no longer be tolerated. You have killed too many, you’re nothing but glory grabbing murderers! I wish to put an end to your little charade, so I’m hosting a little fighting tournament of my own since I know you like those. We will fight at your little hideout tonight right after the sun sets. You can either show up on your own or I can hunt you down and destroy you myself. Either way, I shall claim vengeance for my fallen father. Omeganef will have vengeance!” The boys all looked at each other speechlessly. Omeganef must be Nefarious’s son, they all thought. But how does he intend to claim vengeance?