An Effort to Defeat the Stranger!

Wolf growls a bit before smirking with a frustrated look.

Wolf "I can't believe you guys. Do you ever listen to me?"

Killian cracks his knuckles as Phoenix cracks her neck and Tadashi adjusts his glasses.

Phoenix "Nope."

Killian "Not in my nature."

Tadashi "If we stick together, we can beat this guy."

Stranger "Baha! Beat me? I'd like to see you try!"

Suddenly, Tadashi is above the man with his arms above his head, preparing to strike him.

Tadashi "With pleasure."

He says sharply before slamming his fists upon the man's head. He is shocked a bit as he stumbles back. Phoenix dashes behind him and kicks his legs out from under him. He grunts as he begins to fall back before his eyes widen when he sees Wolf and Killian flipping above him. With a shout, they slam their feet into his face and straight into the ground causing a crater to crush beneath his large body. They jump back and regroup for a moment.

Wolf "Not bad for a warm up."

Killian "Stay sharp, you know he's not done."

As soon as he says that, the stranger begins laughing once again, this time with a more hysterical tone to his voice.

Stranger "BAHAHA! Guess I was wrong! Turns out you are all more bark than bite!"

He shouts as he thrusts himself up off the ground and back to his feet, the ground shaking as he stomps. The group stumbles a bit as Phoenix gives a nervous, unnatural smile.

Phoenix "Seriously?"

The stranger crouches down a bit before blitzing behind the group with shocking speed. All of them are caught off guard as Killian turns with a shocked look.

Killian 'So fast!'

With barely enough time to think, the man's large fist flies his way. Unable to do anything but watch, Killian waits for impact but suddenly, he is yanked backwards and out of harm's way. He looks over to see Wolf throwing him by his shirt collar but putting her in the path of his punch. It collides with Wolf sending her flying across the ground and through a pillar behind them. The man smirks before looking back only to be met by a drop kick from a furious Phoenix into his stomach. He steps back a bit as she falls to the ground head first, catches herself and launches herself back at the man with her arms to drop kick his face. As she falls through the air, the man growls and goes for an attack but Killian quickly drives his fist into the man's side then again on his other side. Despite the man's grunts of seeming pain, Killian's face shows strain.

Killian 'He's so tough, it's like punching a wall of ballistic rubber.'

Stranger "You little- Guh!"

He looks down at Killian and pulls his arm back to smack him but is interrupted when Tadashi drives his fist into his chin, uppercutting the man.

Tadashi "Don't let up! He will fall!"

He shouts as the others get determined looks and rush the man but before anything else can be done, before Tadashi can even hit the ground, the man speaks.

Stranger "If you think you're doing anything to me, you're very mistaken."

Tadashi's eyes widen as the man's large hand smacks him out of the air with great force causing him to smash into the ground and then slam into a wall behind them. 

Phoenix "Tadashi!"

She shouts while looking back at him. She turns around when she hears a loud smash behind her only to see Killian getting slammed against the ground, destroying the floor beneath him on impact. He shouts in pain as a small amount of blood spits from his mouth. Phoenix is stunned as the man steps to her. She stares with fear in her eyes as he strikes her. She blocks but is sent flying with a pained yelp, smashing against the wall behind her and collapsing to the ground. The stranger then turns back to Killian who struggles to get back up but can't find the strength.

Stranger "You runts really are pathetic! Let me do you a favor and crush your dreams here!"

He shouts with a crooked smile as he lifts his leg above Killian, preparing to stomp on him. The man yells hysterically but before he can stomp on him, Wolf comes flying at him with blistering speed and a yell, her eyes sharp and intense, different from her normal eyes, as her fist slams into the man's face, a black mist surrounding her arm. The man grunts in pain as he is sent flying, smashing through the stairs. Wolf lands next to Killian with her fist out. Killian watches in awe but misses the black mist as it fades away. Wolf gets a frustrated look as she stares at her fist.

Wolf 'No! That was wrong again! Not again!'

Killian "W-wolf!"

She turns around with a worried look as she rushes to his side.

Wolf "I'm sorry! I blacked out for a second, I didn't-"

Killian "No, focus!"

He points to the man as he gets back up.

Stranger "Ugh, damnit! You broke my tooth! What the Hell was that?!"

He shouts as Wolf turns and faces him. Her eyes still intense but not like when she struck the man. 

Wolf "I'm not gonna let you hurt my friends anymore!"

The man, still angry, chuckles a bit before laughing at her.

Stranger "Bahaha! Only the strong can make claims like that!"

He charges her as she charges him. They slam their feet close to each other as their fists collide, creating a small shockwave from the impact. Wolf struggles as the boarish man laughs before throwing her back. She flips through the air only to see him jumping at her with an open hand trying to grab her. She stares at him for a moment before flipping over his hand and slamming her foot onto the top of his head and into the ground. As she falls through the air, the stranger grabs her leg and with a loud laugh, he swings her around and slams her against a wall. She yelps in pain before he charges her, grabs her and slams her against the wall again. Wolf has a pained look as she struggles in his grasp.

Stranger "What happened to that power a bit ago? Why don't you show it to me again?"

Wolf "Fuck you.."

She growls. 

Stranger "At least it would be a challenge then! Come on!"

He shouts with a crooked smile before looking back at Killian making his way to Phoenix and Tadashi on the ground. His smile twists as he speaks.

Stranger "It looked like I struck a nerve when I threatened your friends."

He looks at her with an evil look.

Stranger "Maybe I should kill them first and make you watch instead."

Wolf's eyes sharpen again like before as the black mist begins to form around her hands.

Wolf "I won't let you touch them..!"

She growls as the man smiles at her but suddenly a heavy weight is felt upon his shoulders as the man's look instantly shifts from one of sinister intent to shocked fear.

Southpaw "Please, if you would, put down the girl."

A man says from behind the stranger as the stranger turns, sweating. He smiles but this time is seems almost nervous.

Stranger "You…"

Southpaw smiles like he always does as he puts his hands on his hips. Killian looks back with wide eyes as the others start to wake up.

Killian "It's him..!"

Stranger "Southpaw…"

He drops Wolf who hits the ground and coughs a bit from the man's grip. The stranger turns and faces Southpaw who stands a head taller than even the man himself.

Stranger "Finally, something actually entertaining. Don't be a disappointment now!"

He shouts as he rushes Southpaw, pulling his heavy fist back, preparing to strike him. Southpaw smiles as he raises his hand and prepares to snap his fingers. As soon as the stranger is close enough, he snaps his fingers, lightly tapping him on the forehead. The stranger stops with a confused look on his face when suddenly an explosive amount of force strikes right into his face, sending him flying back and smashing into a wall, knocking him unconscious instantly. Blood leaks from his nose and mouth as he lays on the ground grumbling to himself. The others watch in awe as Southpaw turns to them, Killian's eyes shining.

Southpaw "He really was strong. Even a Tier 3 might've had some trouble with him. I hope you all are alright."

Killian jumps up, dropping Tadashi who he was helping a moment ago.

Killian "Alright?? We just got to witness the Southpaw in action! How could we be better??"

Wolf rushes past Southpaw and to Phoenix and Tadashi and helps them up.

Wolf "You guys okay? I'm so sorry, I should've handled him sooner."

Phoenix "Wolfy, we're fine. Just a little bruised up."

Wolf looks worried as they try to calm her down. Moshiro and Saika approach them still holding the injured hero as Southpaw looks at them.

Moshiro "Southpaw. It's an honor sir but, if you could, he was hurt fighting the villain."

Southpaw crouches down and helps put the hero against a wall sitting up. He gently places his hand on the man's chest for a moment.

Southpaw "Poor guy. If he had been an agent for my ASA, he wouldn't have been alone in his fight."

He stands up and looks at Moshiro with a soft smile.

Southpaw "I've boosted his healing, he should be fine. You two did a good job protecting him while he was down."

They both nod, pleased to be praised by Southpaw but still disappointed they couldn't do more. He turns and looks at the others.

Southpaw "Speaking of protecting, I heard you all protecting the innocent people here from that villain. You put yourselves on the line just to buy time for me to arrive. I'm very proud of you all."

He says as Killian faints from the praise and Phoenix blushes while rubbing the back of her head bashfully. Southpaw then looks at Wolf who seems surprised.

Southpaw "Especially you. I heard you tell your friends to run. You planned on fighting the villain all by yourself even though you had no idea if you would win, didn't you?"

Wolf looks away a bit embarrassed but also not impressed by the hero before her. Southpaw smiles warmly before looking at the others.

Southpaw "I have seen incredible work done here today by a group of young, inspiring heroes."

Phoenix looks confused as Killian snaps up with a smile on his face.

Phoenix/Killian "Heroes?"

Wolf looks disappointed.

Wolf "Heroes.."

Southpaw "All whom I think would fit in perfectly at my Academy of Superior Abilities!"

Everyone looks shocked as they stare at him.

Everyone "What???"

Killian "I think I might faint again, catch me."

Southpaw looks back at Wolf and offers his hand.

Southpaw "What do you say?"

Wolf looks at his hand for a moment.

Wolf "You mean you, the greatest hero in the world, are offering all of us a spot in the elite Academy of Superior Abilities? A super school for training the most powerful and amazing heroes the world will ever see?"

She looks at his hand before smiling warmly and looks at Southpaw.

Wolf "Nah, I'm good."

Southpaw is stunned as all the others get shocked.

Phoenix/Killian "WHAT?!"

They charge her and tackle her over.

Phoenix "One moment please. Our friend is a dumbass."

She says with a cute smile to Southpaw.

Phoenix "Wolf, what are you doing?? Are you trying to sabotage my entire life??"

Killian "I swear to my nuts, if you just blew the biggest chance of our life."

They turn around and force Wolf to bow along with them.

Killian/Phoenix "We'd like to apologize for our friend's stupidity and accept your offer if it's still available please."

Southpaw sighs and scratches the back of his head with a confused look.

Southpaw "Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed. I mean, usually I'm the one turning people down but it's not like I can make you. Most people would kill you be in your position."

Phoenix "Exactly."

She says through gritted teeth as she glares at Wolf.

Southpaw "Well, sleep on it. You all can expect something in the mail from my academy and should you choose to accept, I'll look forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, let's get you home, shall we?"

He says with a smile, offering his back to be jumped on to take them home. 

Killian "Ooh! Me first!"

He jumps up and onto Southpaw's back as all the others follow.