Chapter 17:

Zen's POV

We finally got out of the training session from Hell with Suzaku. Bei Dou helped too. I think he just enjoyed beating on me, but I did get a few good punches in on the last day. Time works differently in your demon's Domain. Byakko's little 15-minute game of tag was actually several hours. Ming Ming altered time so that one day felt like a week. We were in there for five days. That means it felt like 5 weeks. It was like your own personal hyperbolic time chamber. I learned a few cool tricks. One being, I can fuse with Byakko as long as I want. Sei learned that as well. After training was done, Long Fei drove us to the airport.

Long: Have a wonderful time at school Miss.

Sei: Thanks, Long Fei

Zen: Your cooking was amazing Long

Long Fei: Thank you sir, and take good care of the young Miss

Then he winks at the both of us. Not you too Long Fei. I sigh inwardly and so does Sei. We get on the airplane and head to Avenger's island. Amy, Decklyn, and Benny are waiting for us. Decklyn senses the change about us.

Decklyn: What the hell did you do in those five days? I can feel the Qui oozing out of you. How can someone get so powerful in five days?

Zen: You did not slack off either. I can feel you've changed a bit as well.

Decklyn: I got some tips from Long Fei while we were there.

Benny: Can someone tell me what's going on? I don't use Qui .

Amy: I use mana. So, I can't feel the difference.

Decklyn: Think of it this way. Zen was packing a pistol. Now, he's packing a cannon. Is it that big of a difference? Sei is no slouch either.

Amy: Are they really that different?

Sei: We should be. Mom put us through hell. She said we could not leave our space for a break until we mastered fusion.

Benny: What kind of demon did you get? How about your costume; and what is your name going to be?

Zen: You will see when the time comes. I don't want to ruin the surprise. Okay, let's go register for the tournament.

We all hurry and get in line. Everyone manages to register; I am the last one.

Employee: Type of powers?

Zen: Martial Artist and Mysticism.

Employee: Okay, now all I will need you to do is write down the name that you wish to be called.

Zen: Okay, here you go.

Employee: Thank you. It looks like you will be in block A.

I say thanks to the register lady. guess I will be up first. Sei is in block C, Amy in block B, Decklyn is Block G, and Benny is in Block E. Looks like we are all in different blocks. I see Torin. He is in Block D. It goes like this; every block will fight it out and the winner of each block will move on. Then, they will randomly select your opponents from there. The Freshmen tournament is first. Then, it's by grades moving forward. The winners from each of the four blocks will then duke it out. The school champion is crowned from the winner of that round.

Announcer: Will all participants from block A please come to the ring? Calling all participants of block A to the ring.

Zen: Looks like I am up.

Benny: Where's your costume.? I only see a black shirt and jeans.

Zen: Hold on a second. BYAKKO FUSION!

I snap my fingers and the tiger mark on my arm glows. I'm now covered in purple energy. My black hair turns white. My brown eyes turn blue. My ears turn into the ears of a tiger and I grow fangs and a tail. I also gain tiger stripes on my body. I now have on a purple shirt with grey pants. I am wearing a Large black overcoat with a hood. I also have a white scarf with purple stripes around my neck and a pair of purple fingerless gloves. I am not the only one who got an upgrade. Kurohime is now on my back and she's doubled in size and has tiger fur on her hilt. She said she felt like she was on steroids the first time this happened.

Zen: Ok I am ready.

Decklyn: Can I touch your tail?

Zen: Do you want to get stabbed?

Decklyn: No.

After that, I head to the arena and I see a familiar face. It's Leo. He is just wearing yellow pants and a Lion's mask.

Leo: Were you holding back on me?

Zen: No. new power.

Leo: Interesting. Let us have a great bout.

The ref enters the ring.

Ref: This is a royal rumble type battle. The Area will be a coliseum. The rules are if you are knocked out you lose. If you are knocked out of the ring, you lose. If you surrender, you lose. When I say stop; you stop or you are disqualified. If there are no questions all of you may step into the arena.

We all step in and we are teleported to and Arena. The countdown begins 3…2...1; the battle starts. I start by focusing in on all my opponents. I see several starting to fight. Leo is taking two at a time and has not even transform yet. I see a speedster run at me.

Zen: PHANTOM!

My body is surrounded by dark energy and the speedster goes right through me and falls out the rings Phantom is an ability that allows me to phase through solid objects. But, I have to see them coming. I see another guy with super strength coming at me. I catch his punch and fling him out of the ring like a rag doll. While I am fused with Byakko my, strength and speed increases drastically and I have not even use Qui yet. I have not even drawn my sword yet.

Zen: SHADOW CAPTURE!

I catch several of my opponents and they are stuck.

Zen: SHADOW STRANGLE

I instantly make them all faint. I see that Leo has taken out the remaining competitors. He also sees me. Just then, he transforms and attacks. He has gotten faster in the month since I last fought him. But, I've gotten faster as well. I move not even close to my full speed and I block every punch. It is completely different than our first fight. I have a complete advantage. Then, I use a little bit of Qui and I punch him in the gut. He coughs up blood and faints.

Ref: STOP!

The ref examines Leo. He confirms that he has been knocked out.

Ref: The Winner is Shadow Tiger.

Shadow Tiger is the name that I chose for myself.

The medic takes all the students away and I'm heading towards my friends when I am stopped by Torin. Why can't this dude leave me alone?

Torin: So, I guess you have some skills. Remember, don't lose until I crush you.

He bumps me and leaves as the others arrive.

Sei: Are you good?

Zen: Fine, besides that bump cost him.

I hold up his wallet.

Decklyn: BALLS OF STEELE.

Benny: Hahahahahah... you're a crazy bastard; you know that.

Amy: If he hates you now, he is really going to hate you when he figures that out.

Sei just shakes her head.

Amy: Looks like I am up next.

Amy walks fearlessly to block B. Sei said she also learned some new trick. I wonder what it is?