The Ghost Trigger

Red and pink fire dance among Pai. His smile coats a sinister aura, as his eyes glisten with excitement “HAHAHAH”

"Pai! Goddamnit, wake up!”

"No, I like it here. It's so warm."

"You see that? You being lazy is what killed your mother! Piece of waste, where is the fight in you dammit!”

“Wait, it wasn't my fault. I'm SORRY, DAD…TARO!!"

Pai woke up in a sweat, as multiple birds flew over the car. Condensed forest trees welcome them for the journey. “We’re almost to the end. Come on, we're on foot now," said Sola.

“We’re going to stay put here. I'm gonna help Taro train. Follow your way to the top, don’t lose focus. We all must watch each other’s backs.”

"Yeah, don’t go dying now." Pai and Sola headed into the forest.

"Hey, Pai! Learn to control that essence; let's both get stronger. We'll be here waiting for you both.” Taro called after him.

Pai smirked, "For sure, you bastard.”

"Hey, Taro, come on, let's start your training,” said Mr.Z.

The wind drew in, kicking leaves into the air. A faint snowy energy pulled from the soil. "You want me to do what, Dad?”

"I need your blood, cut your hand open, son.”

Mr. Z pulled a pistol from behind him, and a chill ran down Taro's spine. The pistol was covered in metal flames, with an extended black clip on it. "What kinda pistol is that? I’ve never seen you with that before.”

"A weapon I thought I'd never hold again.” Taro knew his dad was in the war, but he didn’t expect him to have anything left. “What is it,” asked Taro.

"It goes by many, but it’s yours now…The ghost trigger.”

"Listen, Taro, ever since you were a baby, you could sense the spirit energy. Only you. Pai never got that connection like you.”

"Spirit energy? Why don’t I remember any of that? Is that even possible?”

"Well, you share a similar essence as me. Plus your mother helped as well."

"Mom was there also?"

"Yes, but after your mother passed away, you never get energy again; you closed yourself from the spirit realm." Ghost trigger fired off, blood hit new grass; an eerie sound shook the dirt. EEEEHHHRRR! Black and white energy cut Taro's cheek.

"What the hell was that? That's not a normal gun? I saw it. What's the big idea? I thought you had no essence left? What’s the big idea?”

"Yeah, but there’s still some crawling around. Didn't you say something about being a bystander? Make up your mind, son. Do you wanna be stronger? What are you waiting for?"

"I got something better, Dad. How about we have a little match, and we can do this ghost trigger bonding shit at the same time."

"Why not? I don't see a problem, I just needed a little blood from you anyway. If a match is what you want, then again it’ll still be easy for me. You want to get stronger, right, Taro?”

Mr. Z took off his shoes and stretched before Taro, who, now shoeless, sliced through the grass with a swift dash. "You know an old man has to stretch, son.”

Taro jumped, executing a front flip and extending his leg forward for an ax kick. He landed the kick, but Mr. Z blocked it with his forearm. "That was a good kick, son, but it needs more power.”

Taro kicked Mr. Z, backflipping in the air and moving about fifteen yards away before almost touching the ground again. Mr. Z patiently waited for him. This old man can still move so fast; I can't let up at all.

Mr. Z pulled his arm back, and Taro put his guard up. With a powerful punch, Mr. Z landed an uppercut on Taro, crushing his forearm against his chin. The impact sent Taro flying up into the air again, blood pouring from his nose as he flew. The ghost trigger glowed with a bright white light around its surface.

Taro hits the ground, but lands on his feet. "Fuck, screw this,” complained his son. Mr. Z sprinted towards Taro, and they met with each other. Taro executed a flip, landing on his hands and twisting off them to blast himself forward.

Taro's kick connected with Mr. Z's chest, pushing the older man back. At the last second, Mr. Z managed to grab his feet and slammed him onto the ground, causing blood to leak from Taro's mouth. His father’s strength launched him up higher.

"Thanks for the launch, Dad!" The force from the throw helped Taro get into position, and he put both his legs together to form a double axe kick.

Realizing he wouldn't have time to block, Taro decided to return the favor. The ground creaked under Mr. Z as he tightened his right arm back. Taro picked up speed, rotating his whole body with front flips. Mr. Z threw his punch, and Taro whirls his kick, resulting in a powerful collision.

Taro managed to spike Mr. Z on his head, crashing the old man down and leaving a vast dent in the floor. Meanwhile, Taro's face was smashed in, as Mr. Z had timed his punch perfectly, sending Taro flying into the dark forest. Trails of blood swirled into the ghost trigger, shining like the full moon above.

Rubbing sticky dirt off his wrinkled forehead, Mr. Z remarked, "Damn, that was a good kick. Where did I put that gun" A black and white beam whirled from the forest, passing Mr. Z and cutting some hair off. Taro emerged from the woods, holding the gun.

The boy's hand played with white flames, but he passed out. Mr. Z turned around, finding chunks of land engulfed in black smoke. Taro, you could already shoot a powerful blast like that from the start. I wonder how much spirit energy you had ready to go. "Honey, don't worry…We have some amazing kids. I hope you can see them both grow,” Mr Z whispered, looking up.