Without waiting for the monkeys to make the first move, Mane seized the initiative. Feeling up the stones in his hands, he quickly counted them. They were four. A lucky coincidence or planned genius, it worked out just fine for Mane who quickly spread the stones and lodged a stone in between his knuckles. Then he flung all four at once, each to a different location.
*Pew*
*Pew*
*Pew*
*Pew*
The stones flew through the air like mini rockets, each coated with Mane's superior and pure energy. Before the monkeys could react the stones had already reached their targets, and four of them were struck squarely on their heads.
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
Four Crystal Monkeys were sent crushing into the ground, all of them unconscious. Till the very last scene of their consciousness, they didn't see what exactly it was that knocked them out.
*Roar*
It was at this point that Number 1 recovered his wits. Although he was stunned and a bit terrified by how quickly Mane had taken out four of them, he wasn't going to dwell on that. His roar was an order. An order that marked the beginning of a messy 7 on 1 fight. At least that was how it was supposed to be. But the one they were fighting against was the boy who had beaten them all just a day ago. And he knew not to be surrounded by the monkeys.
Mane sprang into action once he flung the stones. And even before they hit their targets he was preparing for his next targets. The stones were meant for 4 of the 5 6th Stage Earth Realm Crystal Monkeys. Mane didn't target the stronger beasts because he wasn't sure if that would be enough to knock them out. His energy wasn't limitless. So he had to make the most of it considering that he was still up against Silver's mother after this.
Mane clenched his fists and pulled back his arm as he advanced. Like a freight train full of energy and power he blasted a punch into the chest of the last of the 6th Stage Earth Realm Crystal Monkeys; a monkey Mane had given the name Number 9.
Number 9 hurriedly crossed his arms before him, memories of being beaten miserably only the day before resurfacing and causing him to subconsciously take a small step back. Mane smiled slightly seeing this. For Number 9 had unwittingly stepped into a small hole Mane had just fashioned.
*Roar?*
Number 9 roared in confusion as he lost his footing, not understanding how it could have stepped into a hole. After all, there were no holes here. It naturally lost its protection when it lost its balance, as the arms that were serving as shields before weren't doing so anymore. It tried to bring its arms back up, but it was too late. Unfortunately for Number 9, Mane didn't give it the time to recollect itself. He wasn't one to give up an opportunity he had created for himself. His powerful fist struck the wide open Number 9.
*Bang*
Number 9 was sent flying into the wall of the cave, and he lost his consciousness soon after. Mane was keeping his promise to Silver. He wasn't going overboard and he was controlling his strength perfectly to stop from hurting them. But he couldn't have them up and about. So knocking them into forced sleep was a small price they had to pay.
"5 down, 6 more to go," Mane mumbled to himself before quickly diving out of the way.
*Boom*
Two Crystal Monkeys, Number 1 and Number 3 landed where Mane previously stood. Both had their fists stuck in the ground from the ferocity of their punches, and they were the reason Mane had fled so hastily. Yet they weren't the only ones he had to worry about.
"Nice thinking," Mane praised inwardly seeing the figures that were charging at him. For he had dived directly into the paths of Number 2 and Number 4. Number 5 and Number 6 were on the other side. It seemed that they had covered every possible route Mane would have taken to avoid Number 1 and Number 3's attack. That was a basic strategy, but it was brilliant when it was performed by beasts.
Mane didn't try to avoid the incoming Number 2 and Number 4. While it was true that he had lost a bit of momentum from his retreat, he was used to group broils. And he had been involved in many broils featuring Celestials – beings who were made for war. So he wasn't close to panicking just yet.
He calmly gathered energy into his arms and legs and started spinning at such a high speed of rotation that the winds gathered around him and formed a mini tornado, much to the bewilderment of Number 2 and Number 4.
"Wind Bash," Mane's serene voice was quite contradictory to the furious wind that surrounded him. Number 2 and Number 4 had stern expressions on their faces. A golden light surrounded their bodies and beautiful earth armors were covering their frames soon after.
*Roar*
*Roar*
Both Number 2 and Number 4 roared gallantly and did something that looked silly but was actually brilliant. Both rushed towards the tornado without any hesitation or doubt. They raised their arms over their heads and smashed downwards with all their might once they were close enough, and a deafening explosion rang out.
*Boom*
Mane was sent skidding back. However, his expression was anything but panicked. There was a small smile on his face as he retreated, almost like he was not bothered that the tornado he conjured had been so easily broken. And in a few more seconds his opponents understood the reason for his smile.
Borrowing the momentum of his retreat Mane smashed his legs into the ground and pushed out, gathering much greater speed than before. A golden light surrounded his arms and two large earth gauntlets gloved them both. Without hesitation he crashed into the two beasts in his path, who were coincidentally, the weakest of the bunch – Number 5 and Number 6!
That had been his aim all along! When he was forced into the path of Number 2 and Number 4, he positioned himself in the line of Number 5 and Number 6. Crystal Monkeys were smart, and had good battle awareness. Mane knew this, so he summoned a tornado. Since his use of wind in battle wasn't that good, it wasn't meant to have a devastating effect. He gave it the name 'Wind Bash' to fool the monkeys into thinking that it was an actual skill. That way they would make the most logical decision: stop the skill before it was completed. And that was why they had intercepted his charge. An interception that had sent him flying towards the unsuspecting Number 5 and Number 6!
Just like Number 2 and Number 4 had done only moments before, Mane raised both hands over his head and jumped up high. His run made his jump more extreme than usual, and like a powerful javelin Mane smashed into Number 6, his arm gantlets sinking into the poor beast's shoulders.
*Bang*
Like it had been hit by a meteor, Number 6 was bashed into the ground. Mane wasn't done yet. A golden light surrounded his legs, and both his lower limbs were covered by large high boots made of earth. He swung his legs decisively towards Number 5 who was moving to intercept him and smashed the beast towards the rapidly approaching Number 2.
*Bang*
Because the kick was a hasty one and not filled with much power, Number 5 was still very much conscious. His chest ached a bit, but other than that he was fine. Number 2 caught the flying Number 5 without much difficulty, but the decision to grab his comrade midair forced him to retreat a few meters with his friend within his bosom. That meant that Number 3, Number 4, and Number 1 were the ones tasked with getting to Mane.
Mane didn't pay any attention to the approaching monkeys. A golden light filled his hands, and a club that was only as big Silver's forearm was created. It wasn't as big as the monkey beneath him, but it was big enough to do the job he had in mind. Looking down upon the dazed but still conscious Number 6, Mane smashed down with very little hesitation – onto the head of the large ape!
*Bang*
One swing and Number 6's lights were out. Mane was satisfied seeing the poor guy's eyes roll behind his head, and then he moved away. But this time he didn't retreat. He rushed headfirst into the trio of monkeys charging at him!
The club in his hands disappeared, and the golden light of earth elements filled Mane's entire body once again. But Mane wasn't the only one going through changes. Number 1 and Number 3 also had golden lights flooding their bodies. As for Number 4 he was good. His armor was still his strongest barrier yet, although it hadn't yet been tested.
Once the golden lights disappeared, three figures covered entirely earth armor came roaring out. Even Mane couldn't help but let out a loud defiant roar in response to the provocations of his opponents. Just like that, Mane dashed towards the three Earth Realm Crystal Monkeys with resolute determination. Without forgetting about the returning Number 2 and the furious Number 5.