The bell rang, and Aiden moved. His body blurred into motion, a perfect harmony of speed and precision. The wind rushed past his ears as he darted forward, closing the gap between himself and his opponent in the blink of an eye. His fists were ready, his instincts sharp. But even as he prepared to strike, his mind churned with thoughts beyond the fight.
This isn't just about winning. It's about showing them who I am. No masks, no holding back.
His opponent, the fire manipulator, responded instantly. Flames burst from his hands, roaring to life and cutting through the air in sweeping arcs. The heat forced Aiden to pivot, his rubbery body twisting unnaturally to avoid the inferno.
"Fast," his opponent muttered, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.
"Faster than you," Aiden quipped, his grin returning, though inside, his thoughts were far from playful.
---
The first exchange was quick but brutal. Aiden darted in with Flash Strike, his speed amplifying the force of his punch. It connected with the fire manipulator's side, sending him skidding across the ring. But the flames retaliated immediately, licking at Aiden's arm as he pulled back.
The heat stung, but his Rubber Body absorbed most of the impact. He could feel the sweat on his skin, the smell of burning rubber faint in the air.
The flames don't just burn—they push. If I get cornered, it's over.
He shifted his weight, his mind analyzing the opponent's movements with practiced precision. The fire manipulator was strong, but his attacks were wide and heavy, leaving openings for someone fast enough to exploit them.
---
The crowd roared as Aiden closed the gap again, his limbs stretching unnaturally as he lashed out with Elastic Whip. His arm extended like a coiled snake, striking his opponent's shoulder with a crack that echoed through the gym.
But the fire manipulator didn't falter. Instead, he dropped to one knee and slammed his fists into the ground. Flames erupted around him in a defensive barrier, forcing Aiden to pull back.
The heat was suffocating, and the arena felt smaller with every passing second. Aiden circled his opponent, his speed making it look effortless, but he could feel the fatigue creeping in.
---
Physical limitations matter, Aiden thought, his breaths coming quicker now. He could feel the strain in his legs, the slight trembling in his hands. His abilities were strong, but they weren't infinite. Super Speed drained stamina over time, and combining it with Rubber Body and Elastic Whip pushed his limits even further.
The fire manipulator was feeling it too. His movements were slower, his flames less intense. But his determination was unshaken.
"You're fast," the fire manipulator said, rising to his feet. His voice was steady despite the sweat pouring down his face. "But I've fought fast guys before. Let's see if you can keep up when the heat's on."
---
The flames surged again, this time in a controlled jet that raced toward Aiden like a living thing. He dodged, his Super Speed carrying him out of harm's way, but the attack was relentless.
The fire manipulator wasn't just strong—he was strategic. He used the flames to corral Aiden, pushing him closer to the edge of the ring.
Aiden's mind raced. The setting matters. He's using the small arena to his advantage, forcing me to react instead of attack.
He glanced around, his eyes locking onto the metal supports at the edge of the ring. An idea sparked.
---
As the next wave of flames came, Aiden leaped high, his body stretching unnaturally to grab hold of one of the metal supports. He used Ricochet Dash, absorbing the force of the flames as they propelled him upward, then launched himself back toward the center of the ring.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Aiden landed behind his opponent, his Blitz Barrage activating instantly. His fists became a blur, striking in rapid succession. Each punch connected, driving the fire manipulator to his knees.
But the fire manipulator wasn't done. With a roar, he unleashed a final burst of flames, forcing Aiden back.
Both fighters stood panting, their bodies battered and their movements sluggish. The fight wasn't just physical anymore—it was psychological.
---
Aiden's thoughts shifted again. This is the moment. The part of the fight where you find out who you really are.
He thought of Zik, fighting against the odds and never giving up, no matter how hard things got. He thought of Tobias, who refused to let the world define him, even when it would've been easier to back down.
And he thought of himself—the version of himself he wanted to be. The version who could say out loud, without shame or hesitation: I want to be the number one hero.
The fire manipulator charged, flames blazing around him like a comet. Aiden stood his ground, activating Stone Wall at the last second. His body hardened, absorbing the impact as the flames washed over him.
The crowd gasped as Aiden dropped the defense and countered with a perfectly timed Flash Strike. His fist collided with his opponent's chest, sending him sprawling across the ring.
---
The fire manipulator gritted his teeth, refusing to stay down. His name was Ezra, and the flames around him flickered like his determination—a spark that refused to go out, no matter how battered his body was.
As he pushed himself to his feet, the crowd murmured in surprise. Ezra's knees wobbled, his chest heaved with every breath, but his eyes burned with raw defiance.
"Man," Aiden muttered under his breath, "this guy's got guts."
Ezra wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth, glaring at Aiden with a mix of exhaustion and fury. "Don't think… it's over yet," he spat, his voice hoarse but steady.
---
Aiden circled him warily, his instincts telling him not to underestimate his opponent. Ezra's movements were slower now, his flames less intense, but Aiden could tell there was still fight left in him.
"Why're you pushing yourself so hard?" Aiden asked, genuinely curious. "You've gotta know this isn't looking good for you."
Ezra let out a bitter laugh, small embers escaping with his breath. "You think I've got a choice?" he said, his tone sharp.
Aiden tilted his head, his curiosity growing.
Ezra straightened up, his flames flaring slightly as if fueled by his frustration. "I bombed three exams," he admitted, his voice raw with desperation. "History, biology, and math. And if I don't win this match, I'm done. I'll fail the semester. My parents are already breathing down my neck about 'wasting potential.' If I lose here, it's over for me."
---
Aiden blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in Ezra's voice. For a moment, he saw himself in Ezra—someone fighting for something bigger than just a win.
The fire manipulator stepped forward, his flames igniting with renewed vigor. "So yeah," Ezra continued, his eyes locking onto Aiden's. "I'm not giving up. Not now, not ever."
Aiden felt a flicker of respect for him, even as he readied himself for the next exchange. "Alright," he said, nodding slightly. "Let's finish this."
---
Ezra charged, flames roaring around him in a desperate display of power. Aiden activated Super Speed, darting out of the way just as Ezra's fiery fist slammed into the ground, sending a wave of heat radiating outward.
The air shimmered with heat, making it harder to see clearly. Aiden circled Ezra, using his speed to keep him guessing, but the fire manipulator wasn't falling for the same tricks. He swung his flames in wide arcs, cutting off Aiden's escape routes and forcing him to stay within range.
---
This guy's not just desperate—he's smart, Aiden thought, ducking under another fiery swing. He's using the arena to trap me.
Ezra lunged, his flames flickering erratically but still dangerous. Aiden dodged, his rubbery body twisting unnaturally to avoid the attack, but the heat was starting to wear him down.
His mind raced, analyzing every move, every opening. I've got the speed advantage, but his flames are keeping me on the defensive. If I don't find a way to finish this soon, I'm gonna burn out—literally.
---
The next exchange was brutal. Aiden darted in with Elastic Whip, his arm stretching to land a solid hit on Ezra's shoulder. Ezra stumbled but retaliated immediately, his flames flaring up and forcing Aiden to retreat.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching as the two fighters pushed each other to their limits.
"Come on, Ezra!" someone shouted from the stands. "You've got this!"
Aiden couldn't help but grin. Guess I'm not the only one with friends cheering me on.
---
Ezra planted his feet, his flames condensing into a small but intense ball of fire in his hands. He hurled it at Aiden with all the strength he could muster, the heat searing the air as it traveled.
Aiden reacted instinctively, activating Ricochet Dash to absorb the impact and launch himself upward. The ball of fire grazed him, leaving a scorch mark on his sleeve, but he was already countering.
Midair, Aiden activated Blitz Barrage, raining down a flurry of punches on Ezra. The fire manipulator blocked as best he could, his stone-hard resolve keeping him upright despite the relentless assault.
But Aiden could see it—the cracks in Ezra's defense. His flames were weaker now, his movements slower.
---
"You've got heart, I'll give you that," Aiden said, landing a solid hit to Ezra's ribs.
Ezra coughed but didn't back down. "Heart's all I've got left," he replied, his voice rasping.
Aiden stepped back, his fists still raised. "Why didn't you just drop out?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Ezra laughed, a hollow sound that carried a hint of bitterness. "Because if I dropped out, I'd have to go home and explain to my parents why I quit. And I'm not ready to face that."
Aiden's chest tightened at his words. He understood that feeling—the fear of letting people down, of not being enough.
---
The two fighters stood across from each other, both battered and exhausted. The gym was silent now, the crowd holding their breath as they watched the final moments unfold.
Ezra's flames sputtered, the embers barely flickering. Aiden felt his own stamina waning, his legs trembling under the weight of his fatigue.
But he refused to give up.
And so did Ezra.
---
With a final burst of energy, Ezra charged, his fists engulfed in the last remnants of his flames. Aiden met him head-on, activating Flash Strike as he delivered a perfectly timed punch to Ezra's chest.
The impact sent Ezra staggering back, his flames extinguishing completely. He fell to his knees, his head bowed, but his shoulders still heaved with effort.
For a moment, Aiden thought he might stand again, but Ezra finally slumped forward, his strength spent.
---
The referee stepped in, raising a hand. "Winner: Aiden!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Aiden barely heard them. He walked over to Ezra, extending a hand.
"You did good," Aiden said, his voice soft. "You've got nothing to be ashamed of."
Ezra looked up at him, his eyes glassy with exhaustion. "Man… I really needed that credit," he said weakly, a faint, bitter smile tugging at his lips.
Aiden chuckled, helping him to his feet. "Yeah, I kinda figured. But hey, you gave me one hell of a fight."
---
As they walked out of the ring together, Aiden felt a strange sense of pride—not just in himself, but in Ezra. The fight had been more than just a competition. It had been a reminder of why they both kept pushing forward, no matter how hard things got.
Because sometimes, fighting wasn't about winning or losing. It was about proving to yourself that you could stand.
As Aiden walked off the stage, the roar of the crowd faded into the background. His body was exhausted, his fists sore, but inside, a different kind of roar was building—a quiet, powerful scream of defiance and hope. He'd forgotten, in the chaos of the fight, to shout to the world about his dream of becoming the number one hero. But maybe that was okay. For now, he roared inside, loud enough to echo through his soul, and it felt just as freeing.
When he found Zik and Tobias waiting for him, their smiles brimming with pride, Aiden took a deep breath. His heart raced, his throat tightened, but this time he didn't hold back. "Hey, guys… I've decided. One day, I'm gonna be the number one hero. Laugh if you want, but that's my dream."
Zik grinned wide. "Why would I laugh? That's awesome!"
Tobias gave a faint smile, his reptilian eyes gleaming. "Took you long enough to say it."
For the first time, Aiden felt completely free.