Episode 28- Growth
Zero calmly walks forward towards Mash.
"I'll apologize to Ino later. You will not exist after this moment!", says Zero. Zero throws a punch with his right hand at the face of Mash. Mash tilts his head to dodge it. Zero throws a flurry of punches at Mash which are all parried by Mash. Zero throws two kicks with his left foot at Mash, which get blocked. Zero throws a hard claw slash with his right hand. Mash crouches under the slash. A doppelganger appears and executes the same slash. Mash leans backwards to dodge the doppelganger, then completes a backflip with the momentum.
The moment Mash looks up, he sees Zero, inches from his face. The surprise catches Mash off guard. Zero uses his right knee and collides with the chin of Mash. Mash quickly recovers and throws a punch with his right fist. Zero blocks the blow with both of his forearms. Mash does a short leap and kicks with his right foot. The kick hits the forearms of Zero, breaking his guard and forcing Zero to slide backwards. Zero teleports behind Mash and creates a large dragon claw with his right hand, then strikes the claw at Mash. Mash vibrates the air around his right hand and attempts to punch the claw. Zero teleports behind Mash again as Mash releases the right hand punch in the wrong direction. The claw slams down on Mash, but Mash is able to quickly turn around to hold it with two hands. Mash strains as he uses two hands to hold the claw.
"Iv'e had enough of this humiliation! None will best the Godfist!", screams Mash. Mash grips the claw and uses both hands to rip it in half, making it dissipate into the air. This surprises Zero, making him jump backwards.
Mash folds his arms, closes his eyes, and falls silent.
"I told you, you can't win.", says Zero.
Mash opens his eyes and lets off a big hearty laugh. "What's the point of having you around if you don't make me grow!?" says Mash. Mash then unfolds his arms and separates his legs more in his stance.
With his right fist, he punches the air in front of him. He then punches with his left fist the same way. Again, Mash punches the air in front of him with his right hand, then punches the air in front of him with his left hand.
Flashback- Young Mash Aikawa Fights Torrent Kur
Mash stands on the shore of an abandoned beach. His bare feet are planted firmly in the sand. Around him are crashed boats, long abandoned. His gray pants are ripped up so much that they resemble shorts. His shirt is torn so much that only one sleeve remains, barely clinging onto his body. His entire body is bruised and battered. His hair is long and spikey, standing straight up. He is barely conscious with eyes staring off into the distance. His arms stand at his sides with no motion. Blood runs down his nose and drips onto his chest. Then he coughs up a bit of blood from his mouth. In front of Mash, sits calm water. On the water stands Torrent Kur, a massive water dragon. Torrent Kur, has no scales. He is very muscular and is covered in skin reminiscent of a snake. Torrent Kur stands on his two front claws and his two hind legs. His front claws and hind claws are webbed in between each of them. His skin is colored a florescent silver, dazzling in combination with the sunset. His mouth and jaw are massive and very linear. On the top of his head sits a large, blue fin that travels down his long neck. Behind him swings a muscular tail that is three times the size of his actual body with a giant, blue fin on the end tip. "You are pitiful,", starts Torrent Kur, "you are stupid, you are miniscule. You possess nothing I deem capable. You possess no ability that can contest me in any way. But you have earned my honor. You stand, only a squeak away from death, but you stand. It was you who challenged me, but I will engage in absence without your death. Before that, I will imbue you with my power. Beyond me, let none defeat you. Let none break your stance. Let none deny you growth."
Flashforward- Grandoria, Mash Punches His Left Fist Forward
Mash then punches his right fist forward, then again punches his left fist forward.
Zero stands silent but thinks to himself, " I can't really explain why, but I want to see what he can do. I want to see the next part.".
Mash increases the speed of his punches, still punching right fist, then left fist. His speed increases much more as he continues to punch. His skin turns into a pinkish-red. The soldiers look on quietly as their general continues. Mash throws a quick flurry of punches, then one final right fist punch. He then drops his arms to his sides. "I believe I'll call this my boiling point.", calmly says Mash. He then removes his helmet, revealing a quiet cloud of vapor rising up from his head, slightly swaying back and forth. The hair on his head raises up and sways back and forth with the cloud of vapor.
"Are you done?", asks Zero, "because I have a city to rebuild.".
"Your patience is much appreciated. I won't waste another moment of your time.", says Mash.
The eyes on the helmet of Zero start to glow a light blue. "Good!", says Zero.