Michael surveyed his team with determination. "Come on, boys, show me what you've got! Identifix!" Without hesitation, he underwent his horrific transformation, sprouting wings and multiplying himself into a hundred clones. The boy in beach shorts chuckled. "I like this," he remarked before darting toward the dragon. As the dragon swung its tail at him, the boy vanished, reappearing in the air. "Oh, did you miss me?" he taunted, conjuring a golden sword of pure light. "Shine like the light and blind like the heavens, Heaven's Lighthouse!" With a resounding cry, he struck the dragon, leaving a minor scratch—a feat that even surprised Michael, who had struggled to inflict any damage.
In the sky, Michael shouted, "Beach boy, let's play a game called 'Hit Michael!'" The boy corrected him, "My name is Timi, and I like it." As Michael and his clones unleashed a barrage of "Death Ray" beams, the dragon remained steadfast. Suddenly, its throat bulged, glowing with energy before releasing a massive blast of fire, enough to obliterate the students. Michael's clones were incinerated, leaving only Michael himself to shield the students. Just as he braced for impact, he found himself airborne alongside the students, courtesy of Timi. "Don't worry, Michael, I've got your back. Just beat that thing to a pulp. And you, animal boy, do your thing." With a nod, Michael watched as the boy with peculiar ears transformed into a six-ton African elephant, ramming the dragon's head. Yet, despite their efforts, the dragon remained unscathed.
Michael seized the opportunity, diving from the sky with his wings outstretched. "Eagle Dive! Eagle Smash!" His titanium-coated fist collided with the dragon's skull, but still, no dent was made. Frustration mounting, the dragon rose above the students, casting a shadow that eclipsed six clouds. "Weak humans," it sneered, "I'm tired of your games. Time to feast, so I can sleep." With that ominous declaration, it unleashed a colossal wave of fire, threatening to engulf them all.
"Everyone, get behind me!" Timi immediately teleported all the students behind Michael as the flames approached. Michael reverted to his normal form. "System, can I absorb that without it hitting those at the back?" [Well, yes, but you don't have the ability to do so currently.] Michael smiled. "Thanks." He bulged all his muscles, covering himself in energy, and opened his hands wide. "Consume!" Flames began to flow into Michael's hands, but his body couldn't take the heat, and he started to burn up. The healer ran towards Michael, utilizing all her energy to heal him, but Michael was regenerating slower than the flames burned. Another wave from the dragon [Host will be given ten minutes, but may not move after this] only added to Michael's pain.
"If you survive these flames, I'll let you go," the dragon taunted. Michael's eyes glowed red with determination as he multiplied himself over and over again. He successfully consumed one wave, but his body was at its limit. Zoey from the tournament fired ice beams at Michael, while Timi teleported each clone all over the flames to absorb more. The students looked at Michael in a new light, knowing he was their only hope. Even with all this help, Michael didn't know if he could do it until the system murmured [Amy would be winning now]. Michael's eyes bled as he screamed, "Consume! Consume! Consume! Consume these flames, you bastard body! And you, dragon, when I'm done with this, you're next! Five hundred clone consume!" With the help of his five hundred clones and the students like Zoey, Timi, and the healer, Michael absorbed the last flames.
The dragon landed in front of Michael's burnt body. "You did well, boy. Take this." It dropped its blood into Michael's mouth and flew away. The students rushed to Michael's side, refusing to leave him behind as they sat around him.
Zoey looked at Michael. "What a boy," she murmured, while Timi stared at the body. "He really refused to give up. You know, for a boy that the whole school showed nothing but hatred, I am shocked he risked his life saving us." The healer, trying her best to heal Michael, added, "He has a good heart, but it's covered in darkness." The five boys who Michael saved at the beginning laughed at his condition. "Let me guess, he tried taking all the glory. I told you all he was just a selfish brat." But all the students stared at them with eyes of pure death as they activated their abilities. A familiar voice shouted, "Stop! We can't reduce our numbers. We don't want to die!" Michael tried to get up but was interrupted by his
body, which forced him to puke blood and kneel down. [Host, sit down. There is a new energy source in you. It will take time to normalize.] Michael complied, sitting on the floor. "As for these ungrateful fools, they will be the ones scavenging food for us. For now, we will stay here for some time," Michael declared. The truth was, Michael didn't want to appear weak, and Zoey noticed this. "Michael, we know you need rest. Even you will need rest after such. You don't have to pretend, alright?" Michael felt somehow embarrassed, which made the students laugh, but for the first time in Michael's life, he wasn't being laughed at because of his flaws but instead his accomplishment. He started to smile, but Zoey laughed even more. "Is that your smile? Bahahaha." Michael didn't know how to smile that well since he didn't know how to do it well. He immediately stopped smiling, but Zoey sat in front of him. "You can smile. I don't really care how it looks as long as you're happy." Michael stared at her face and murmured, "Mother," which shocked Zoey. [Host, man up.] Michael immediately jumped away from her. "I want to scout the area. I'll be back." And that's how Michael left, but before he could leave their sight, he passed out.
Timi quickly brought him back and left him with Zoey. Zoey murmured, "Wake up soon. We need to move." Michael lay there, unconscious, his body showing the scars of battle, but his spirit stronger than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And as the sun began to set on that fateful day, the students gathered around their fallen comrade, waiting for him to awaken and lead them once again.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape, Michael lay unconscious, his body battered and bruised from the fierce battle with the dragon. Despite his injuries, his unwavering determination shone through, a beacon of resilience amidst the chaos.
Zoey watched over him with a mixture of concern and admiration. Despite their rocky start, she had come to respect Michael for his bravery and selflessness in the face of danger. She knew that when he woke up, they would need his leadership more than ever.
Timi stood nearby, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain for any signs of danger. Despite his jovial demeanor, he was fiercely protective of his fellow students, especially Michael, whom he considered a friend despite their differences.
The healer hovered nearby, her hands glowing with healing energy as she tended to Michael's wounds. She knew that his recovery would take time, but she was determined to do everything in her power to help him heal.
Meanwhile, the other students gathered around, their faces somber with the weight of their recent ordeal. They knew that they were lucky to be alive, thanks to Michael's bravery and sacrifice.
As they waited for Michael to regain consciousness, a sense of camaraderie began to form among them. Despite their differences, they were united by a common goal – to survive in this unforgiving wilderness and emerge victorious against whatever challenges lay ahead.
And so, as the stars twinkled overhead and the night air grew cold, the students remained vigilant, standing together as they awaited the dawn of a new day and the return of their fallen leader. For in the face of adversity, they knew that they were stronger together, bound by the bonds of friendship and the shared determination to overcome whatever obstacles lay in their path.