P.S= #25: Cory vs Blaze Part 2

Cory grunted as he struggled to get back on his feet, determination etched across his face. "NO! I will fight him," he declared, his voice unwavering.

"But you're bleeding," Elliott voiced concern.

"I'm your captain, aren't I?" Cory replied, a hint of a smirk breaking through the pain.

"Yea, but..." Elliott began.

"Then believe in me." Cory huffed, gathering his strength. "Oh, that means I should go all out then," Blaze remarked.

As Blaze unleashed his power, an unusual sight caught everyone's attention – his flames were not the usual red but a striking blue. Kiyomizu, perplexed, questioned, "His fire is blue. Why isn't it red?"

Elliott, standing beside Kiyomizu, explained, "Because his red fire is overheating. It's a special ability of my clan. Overheating is a rare skill in the AoiHi Clan. Only a few can unlock it, and even fewer can master it. It causes changes to the color and heat of the fire, making it far more potent than normal flames."

As the clash between Blaze and Cory escalated, the room crackled with energy. The metallic ring echoed as Cory swiftly drew his swords, their blades resonating with a distinctive sound - KHKEEEEN! The air around him surged with power as he activated his magic drive - TOOWISH! With a swift motion, he coated his swords in haku, the ethereal substance surrounding them with a gentle WISPNEEEEN, causing a mesmerizing change in their color.

"This is getting fun," Blaze remarked, his eyes fixed on the transformed blades.

Cory, undeterred, initiated his "Phoenix Sword Style Dark: Souring Slash!" With incredible speed, he swung his swords, causing his magic drive to leave a trail in the air, creating a slash-like shape with each stroke. The dark aura left in its wake added an ominous edge to the display.

Blaze countered with "4 Arts Taekwondo 7th Stage: Fire Slash!" Cory's hands ignited with vibrant blue flames, and with each swing, releases of fire in a slash-like form mirrored his hand movements. The room flickered with the dance of the dual forces, the fiery slashes intersecting with Cory's dark strikes, creating a captivating spectacle.

In a swift move, Blaze appeared behind Cory with hands ablaze. Reacting with agility, Cory turned, blocking the flaming assault with a resounding KLING! TEP! Cory, displaying a mastery of combat, leaped back and propelled himself forward - FOOOOWISH!

"Phoenix Sword Style: Wig Area!" Cory announced, unleashing a barrage of rapid wing-like attacks, each slash emanating from his blades with deadly precision. Blaze countered with "4 Arts Taekwondo 3rd Stage: Flaming Kick," skillfully blocking Cory's wing-like strikes. The room became an arena of acrobatic movements and fiery clashes.

The intensity reached its peak as Cory initiated "4 Arts Taekwondo 1st Stage: Fire Fist!" Blaze, with a swift dodge, retaliated with a powerful punch to Cory's face, propelling him through the wall with a resounding WHAM! THUD! The impact reverberated through the surroundings, leaving a momentary pause in the relentless battle.

"Cory!" Kiyomizu's desperate cry echoed through the room.

Blaze, with a smirk, taunted, "You should give up. If you can't beat me, how will you fare against the monsters in the real world? I'm just a mouse, and you're merely an ant to me."

Ava swiftly stepped forward, her voice filled with conviction, "Don't listen to him, Cory. You're going to make it. Raphael, Haru, Arthur, and everyone here believes in you – including Nathaniel."

[Flashback to Nathaniel]

Nathaniel, a seasoned figure, had once spoken to Cory about succession, strength, and leadership. "I've been looking for a successor. You're a good guy and strong, but not strong enough yet. You have the will and potential to get stronger. When you do, come find me in Edena and take the title of the strongest. Become a great leader. You can't become stronger without your crew, and never, ever lose to anyone. That's what it means to become stronger," he had emphasized.

[Flashback to Raphael]

Raphael's wise words resonated, "There will always be people stronger than you in this world there are 3 types of person an ant, the mouse, and the monster. When you're in a tough spot or when things look hopeless, and you want to give up, remember, the sky is the limit."

[Now] Ava continued, "Plus, you promised Yamato that you would take him out to the world with you."

[Flashback to Yamato]

Yamato, with dreams of becoming the world's greatest engineer, had shared his aspirations, "I want to be the world's greatest engineer, known far and wide. I want to help rebuild this world a world where robots and humans coexist. But my grandpa won't let me leave this place. So, I guess my dream is just a fantasy.

[Now]

Ava's words echoed, "If you give up now, you're breaking your promise to them and, most importantly, you're going to break your dream."

[Ten years ago]

Raphael had chuckled, "So, that's your real dream, huh? Cory, I hope I live to see the day you achieve it. And if not, your brothers will have to be enough."

"Thank you so much, Grandpa," Cory expressed his gratitude with a heartfelt sentiment.

[[Now]

The room crackled with tension as Cory rose, determination in his eyes. "I'm going to kick your ass and prove you wrong," he declared.

"Oh, is that so?" Blaze sneered.

"I may be an ant to you, but to my friends and family, I'm a strong ant!"

A primal scream echoed, resonating through the space. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"His haku is rising," Elliott observed.

"It's like before with the ayashki," noted Naima.

"That's the energy I sensed not too long ago when I was looking for that kid's mom," added Kiyomizu.

Blaze, analyzing the situation, muttered to himself, "No way, that's hyper drive. Well, this one is incomplete."

"Look at that, the ant has a trick up his sleeve," Ava remarked.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! TOOOOOOWISSSSSH!"

Part of Cory's hair turned light purple, and his right eye transformed, gaining a yellow hue with two pupils his magic drive tattoos starts to cover his body

In the heat of the moment, Cory unleashed his most formidable move, bellowing, "SHADOW MAGIC DRIVE PHOENIX SWORD STYLE ULTIMATE SECRET TECHNIQUE: OCEAN WAVE!" A surge of energy propelled him towards Blaze. Cory, a fleeting silhouette against the backdrop of tension, leaped into the air with unprecedented grace.

With lightning speed, Cory's sword collided with Blaze's, resulting in a resounding CLING! that reverberated through the room. The clash between the two formidable forces echoed through the room, creating a symphony of steel meeting steel. In a daring move, Cory cut through Blaze's sword with precision, his blade dancing through the air like a streak of shadow.

In the next instant, Cory executed a masterful cut, not only severing Blaze's defenses but sending him hurtling to the ground. The impact echoed as Blaze crashed, momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events. 

As Cory concluded the intense clash with Blaze, he landed gracefully on the ground, the remnants of his powerful technique fading away. As he caught his breath, he declared with determination, he approached Blaze with unwavering determination, his eyes reflecting the resolve that fueled his every move. "Tell Asahi Kimzoku that Kiyomizu is a part of my crew. If he wants her, in fact, tell him he should expect a visit from The Phoenix Slayers in the near future."

The weight of Cory's words hung in the air, resonating with the significance of the message. Meanwhile, a resounding THUD echoed as Cory dropped to the ground behind Blaze. Ava, sensing the aftermath of the intense battle, exclaimed, "Cooory."

Naima, ever vigilant and ready to assist, swiftly responded, "On it," and rushed towards Cory.

Cory starts to pass out she knelt beside him and, with a sudden surge of power, activated her Magic Drive. she place both hands on Cory's body, she channeled her abilities. ZKHREEEN!!! VOOMISH!! A radiant white light emanated from her hands, covering Cory's body.