Tombstones stood erect across the dead grass that housed a sea of the dead. Some were new while others aged and crumbled from the passage of time. A white fog shrouded the ground below; it acted as a blanket for the dead to sleep in. The trees were void of any life and would remain there until the world ends. A black, iron fence guarded the graveyard against trespassers during the dead of night when the gravedigger leaves duty.
Rocky, Arlo, and Goomy stood before a human, or what used to be human. His body was empty of flesh and skin with only his bones left intact. His eyes glowed green around the pitch dark that used to be his eye sockets. The skeleton's dome was unusually shiny in the summer's light. The three of them couldn't help but stare at his shiny head. He would be a perfect fit for a biology teacher's classroom.
Rocky took a quick glance at the skeleton's body. He chuckled to himself because the skeleton reminded him of Arlo. Rocky snickered as he whispered to Arlo, "H-hey, Arlo, he's scrawnier than you."
"Can you shut up?" Arlo glared at him. If looks can kill, Arlo would have killed Rocky ten thousand times over already.
Arlo adjusted his white blazer and greeted the skeleton, "I'm Arlo and this is Rocky and Goomy. We're from the Monster Hunters Incorporation."
"Thank you for coming, Hunters," The skeleton's body shivered as he spoke softly. The skeleton was anxious when they showed up. He grew even more so when he saw Rocky's demon-like face staring at him. He rarely hung out with the rest of the undead and would often be alone, staring into the vast sky. The skeleton would admire the birds that flew freely into the horizon; he wished to be like them one day.
Arlo glanced around the cemetery, "So, what are we dealing with here, uh... sir..?"
"M-my name's Johnny," Johnny hastily said. He then gripped his bony fists tighter as he squeezed his words out. "I want... I want you guys to make me stronger! At least strong enough to defend against my bullies..."
"Why don't cha just head to the dojo or somethin'?" Rocky asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure there are other people willing to help you," Arlo nodded in agreement. Arlo wondered if training a skeleton is even possible. The poor skeleton doesn't have muscles, to begin with. Arlo paused momentarily and continued, "Besides, we don't really have experience training people."
Johnny drooped his head in sadness. He heard the scorns and laughter from various practitioners when he begged them to train him, so he ran away. Johnny's eyes dimmed, and he quietly muttered, "They... they wouldn't waste their time for a lowly skeleton like me."
Goomy felt pity for Johnny because he reminded him of his younger self. Goomy gritted his teeth as painful memories returned to him like an attached spirit. During Goomy's adolescence, his peers often jeered and bullied him for being weak and useless amongst everyone in the goblin horde. They would often beat him and toy with him for their entertainment; he was the runt of the pack that no one cared for, and a weakling that should be thrown out like trash. Nobody was there to help him, and he had to suffer the humiliation alone.
"We should help him," Goomy chimed into the conversation. He had a look of determination in eyes; he needed to lend a hand to a brother in need. While nobody for there for him, he would be there for someone like Johnny who was alone and afraid.
Rocky and Arlo looked at each other for a moment. They never saw Goomy like this before. It's like they were looking at a different person entirely. They wondered if something had changed him while they weren't looking. Rocky and Arlo now saw Goomy in a different light rather than a pesky, green midget.
Rocky saw the determination in Goomy's eyes and smiled, "I don't mind helping ya out, Johnny."
Arlo felt that this day was going to be a long and arduous one. He sighed and scratched his face, "I guess we won't charge you for this one time..."
Johnny's eyes suddenly brightened up. He never thought they were going to help him. To be honest, Johnny had lost all hope, and he was on the verge of giving up until the light shined through the dark clouds over his head. His voice was ecstatic as he frantically shook their hands, "Thank you, thank you! I'll never forget your kindness!"
"Why don't we just beat the bastards up for ya?" Rocky asked.
"No, I want to face them with my own strength," Johnny shook his head. He wouldn't feel right if he had the Hunters beat his bullies up for him. That would make him a dirty coward.
Rocky grinned in admiration. He liked people who were willing to take on adversaries with their own hands. Rocky grabbed Johhny's shoulder, "I like ya even more now, kid!"
Johnny awkwardly chuckled, "Technically, I should be older than you."
"Alright, let's get the training started!" Goomy raised his fist in the air. He felt a sudden excitement thinking about it.
*****
In the cemetery, a skeleton, and a human battled it out. Johnny threw a flurry of punches, but he missed his target as Rocky evaded them with ease. Rocky threw a roundhouse kick at Johnny's ribs before landing an uppercut under his chin. Johnny fell to his knees due to sheer pain. However, he didn't give up yet and charged at Rocky once more. Rocky ducked under his punch before throwing Johnny on the ground.
Johnny fell face first with a clump of grass in his mouth. It was the 20th time already. He had been sparring with Rocky for two hours straight, yet he couldn't land a single punch on him. Rocky had shown him the basics of martial arts. However, it was easier said than done for Johnny, who had zero fighting experience whatsoever.
While Johnny sparred with Rocky, Goomy watched him and pointed out any mistakes Johnny made. Meanwhile, Arlo sat near a dead tree as he sipped his ice tea in the blazing sun. He was happily enjoying himself as he watched them spar.
"This is harder than I thought," Johnny spat the grass from his mouth. Although he couldn't feel any physical pain, he felt the mental fatigue crashing down on him like a huge boulder. Johnny slammed his fist on the ground, "Maybe I can't do it after all..."
Goomy helped Johnny off of the ground, "Don't beat yourself up, kid. Besides, while you might not know it, I could see that you're steadily improving."
"Only losers give up!" Rocky wiped the bits of grass from Johnny's shoulders, "Don't tell me ya wanna be a damn loser?"
Johnny felt invigorated again. He can't back down now; he has to fight through to the end. Johnny's green eyes glowed brighter, "You're right, I can't give up just yet."
Rocky grinned, "Alright, let's go again!
"It's too bad that he didn't have any mana at all," Arlo sighed to himself. If Johnny had mana, training him in magic would be easier. He leaned against the dead tree and sipped his ice tea. "Well, whatever. I still have plenty of time to relax."
As they were training, an unfamiliar voice interrupted them, "Hey, bonehead!"