Realization & Acceptance.

WARNING: The following chapter consists of disturbing scenarios, triggering/suggestive themes, actions & words. Read at your given will for this chapter is NOT for the younger audience or the weak-stomached.

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-Month 3 of 4, August 31st, 2024-

(With the month coming to a close and the group still away from one another, Daxton still remained at Kyudenki Academy in the hideout, sighing over everything that's still transpired while also remembering, he only has his right arm now... Daxton was then sighing as he felt depressed but remembered tomorrow he'll have to make an apology to the group.)

"Daxton: ...Well. Tomorrow's the day, am I even prepared to give an apology...? I don't even know anymore."
"???: I honestly find it pointless for you to apologize."
"Daxton: Well, I don't know if it's pointless, it's just-"

(With Daxton immediately turning to his side, he would see Renzo sitting right next to him at the kitchen's bar, Daxton refused to even question how Renzo got inside the hideout but instead sighed and collapsed his head on the bar.)

"Renzo: The door was unlocked when I came in. But aside from the point, I find it really pointless to apologize to the group."
"Daxton: Renzo, I'm going to have to either way."
"Renzo: Let me put it this way. After all the work you've done for Kin in reuniting her with her father and the work you've done to ally yourself with the Yoshimura's going to waste would then all be for nothing."
"Daxton: ..."
"Renzo: I finally had some time to think to myself after that war. If you still go through with apologizing, don't apologize to me. Because I forgive you, Hunter."
"Daxton: ...!"

(With Daxton then smiling and shaking Renzo's hand. Renzo would then return to the hideout's gym for a quick workout as Daxton then yawned before napping on the sofa, sighing before drifting into a deep sleep. As an hour passes into the sleep, a sharp and cold blade began to touch Daxton's face cheek before tapping him awake.)

"???: Hunter. Hunter! Wake up. Come on pal, wake the hell up!"

(With Daxton then waking up, he would then realize staring in front of him was Death...)

"Daxton: ...Renzo?"
"Death: W-What? The hell are you talking about?"
"Daxton: Are you really playing a prank right now, Renzo?"
"Death: Huh? Did you swallow an expired pill or something? I'm not your fucking friend. I'm DEATH! D-E-A-T-H! Not Renzo, I should actually smack that muscle-headed shit for stealing my name."
"Daxton: Alright! Alright! Say if you're really Death, kill this plant."

(With Death then sighing, he would then touch the leaf of the plant, immediately without any delay, the plant would begin decaying and instantaneously die, shocking Daxton immediately.)

"Daxton: Okay, you're Death..."
"Death: Thank you. Look, I-"
"Daxton: I'm not suppose to die this soon!! I haven't even made more than an impactful dent in my journey yet!"
"Death: Will you relax?! I don't have time for your jokes. First off, I've been watching you and the group for a while and found out you're going to China. To get the obvious shit out the way, you're not gonna die before or after you face your 15th champion."
"Daxton: Thank goodness... Wait, how did you even-"
"Death: Ah-Ah-Ah, we'll answer your questions later. Look, the reason I'm here is because I'm going to show you some things that you need to get under control before you even leave Japan for China."
"Daxton: What do you need to show me then?"
"Death: For starters, I'm going to show you a scene from six months into the future. This will happen before your semifinal match in a tournament you'll be participating in."

(With Death then taking Daxton's spirit along with him, the two would then arrive six months into the future, the date being February 10th, 2025. The location however, would be at the outdoor tournament arena in the backstage area.)

-February 10th, 2025, Location: Harbin, China-

"Death: Here we are, Hunter. Now I want you to actually pay attention to who comes out this door."
"Daxton: Who will it be?"

(As the door forcefully opens, it was Zoro storming out of the room, Mike smoking a cigarette out of fear yet disbelief, Renzo sulking onto the wall outside the room and Henry hiding his face in his father's hat as the two went inside the room to notice Daxton's deceased corpse on the ground. This would shock Daxton immensely.)

"Daxton: W-WHAT THE-... THAT'S ME?!?!"
"Death: Yup, you're dead."
"Daxton: W-WHAT.. BUT HOW?! HOW DID I EVEN DIE..?!"
"Death: Remember those pills you keep taking? Yeah, those pills aren't doing anything for you. What they're actually doing is poisoning you slowly then something in your mind gave you the bright idea to swallow the whole damn bottle of those things. That's when Henry found you like this. On the ground, spewing foam, spazzing and bleeding from every hole on your head."
"Daxton: W-...What the fuck..?!"
"Death: Gruesome, I know. So this is stop number one, you need to stop taking those pills and actually learn how to control your anger! Cause if you don't, this will be you in six months!"
"Daxton: Okay! Okay, Death! I got it, I'll stop using them, I promise to never be an out of control asshole!"
"Death: "An out of control asshole", huh? Lucky for you, I'm going to show you that next."

(Death would then take Daxton and him into November of 2024, their current timeline.)

-November 20th, 2024, Location: Harbin Execution Grounds-

"Death: Here we are Daxton, you're gonna wanna see this."
"Daxton: How bad would this one be...?"

(As Death and Daxton walked through the door, his heart would immediately drop at the sight of his deceased friends, specifically Senri whom was the only one dead on the ground while Daxton's battered body was motionless as he sees Mike with a handgun continuing to click by the pulled trigger as the magazine was empty. Daxton's eyes were then widened at a murdered Daxton Hunter as Mike was the only person standing against him while he tear ducts were overflowing while emotionally hurt after what has transpired.)

"Future Mike: ...You made me do this. I told you to stop... And you made me do this..."
"Daxton: ...What the hell.. d-did I do here...?"
"Death: Well, when I first saw this scene, this even made me sick to watch. So what happened was you killed Hyun back in October, Everest Hyun."
"Daxton: Wait, Hyun?!"
"Death: Yeah, he joins you guys when you go back to Korea. Anyway, after you killed him, China's forces were informed and hunted you like dogs. You got arrested and sent to the execution grounds a week later. Then while you were here, you were tortured at these grounds for a week until your execution day, which is where we are now. Out of a blind rage, you mistook Senri for one of your enemies and killed her with a spear. Then about four hours of fighting later, Mike pulled the handgun and had no choice but to kill you."

(Daxton would then fall onto his knees as he then began heaving from what he is seeing with his own two eyes.)

"Death: That's not even the worst part, you were a true asshole during your final moments. You kept swearing that I'd kill your best friend, Michael Ackerman. The man who's truly been there for you, kind of ironic, don't you think?"
"Daxton: I GET IT!! DEATH, OKAY I GET IT..!! I don't wanna see anymore...!!"
"Death: I know you don't like this kid, I don't like doing this to someone as young as you but if you have the confidence to kill someone, why are you afraid of look at your future?"
"Daxton: BECAUSE... They're my friends... There's my friends and I've took them for granted. I'm weak and I really thought that going to Japan alone to save Takuji was a great idea... I only wanted to be strong and prove I was able to do it solo so I don't fall behind with the group..."
"Death: It takes a real man to cry but it takes a gentlemen to admit when he's wrong."
"Daxton: Death... What am I gonna do..? I can't fight unmedicated and if I end up going down this path, I'll end up putting everyone in jeopardy..."
"Death: What's the one thing Henry told you back in Kyudenki?"

(As Daxton thinks deeply about what Henry once told him, he would then remember word for word...)

"Daxton: ...He said... "Don't let muscle be your only goal, friends are just as much strength as your body weighs." But what does that mean...?"
"Death: Think of the friends you have now Hunter, they've made sure they've done everything they could to help you obtain the Chun-See-Yoon Male Championship. You're two titles down and you have thirteen left. Do you think you can do this alone?"
"Daxton: ...No. I need my friends. I need them in order for me to go back to America too..."
"Death: Do you now see the reason why you should apologize to them?"
"Daxton: I do Death, I can't let myself be the cause of their future lives and my future failures."
"Death: That's all what I wanted to hear."

(As Death then snapped his fingers and returned Daxton to his body, Daxton would awaken with it being the next morning, the date officially being September 1st of 2024 and the time being 2:30 AM. Daxton would then stare at the bottle of pills on the coffee table next to him before throwing them directly into the garbage.)

"Daxton: ...I'm done feeling sorry for myself. I chose to abandon my friends, I chose to cut my arm off and I chose to make the biggest mistake of my life. I'm done feeling sorry, it's time they get a true apology."

(As hours go by, the time was now 11:25 AM as the sun was shining as Daxton was then standing in front of Renzo, Zoro, Henry, Mike and a antisocial Senri as he then inhales deeply before exhaling.)

"Daxton: Everyone-"
"Renzo: I forgive you, Hunter."
"Mike: I already forgave you, Daxton."
"Henry: We all had a chance to talk. If we were as stubborn as you, I would've done the same thing."
"Daxton: Wow... Thanks guys..."
"Mike: I think there's two more people who needs to forgive you..."

(As Daxton looked at Senri, she refused to acknowledge Daxton before sighing then speaking with Daxton locked onto her eyes.)

"Senri: Hunter."

(As she walked toward him, she'd grip the collar of his shirt before threatening him.)

"Senri: I forgive you, but you and I are no longer friends."

(As Senri then let his collar go and backed off, Daxton laughed before Zoro cleared his throat.)

"Zoro: I've been a jackass, I know. That doesn't mean I'll start going easy on my words, but I forgive you."
"Mike: Now, before we actually pretend everything's back to normal, let's get the elephant out the room. Daxton, you can't fight with one arm. So I managed to put in a special order for you."

(As Mike then reveals a heavy briefcase, he would open it up to reveal a metallic cybernetic arm, surprising Daxton as he then smiled with a small laugh.)

"Daxton: Mike... Thank you.. So much."
"Mike: Don't mention it buddy. Luckily, it'll be able to connect to your stump in seconds. Ready?"
"Daxton: Give me that arm!"

(As Mike then assisted with inserting the arm into Daxton's arm stump, the cybernetic arm would then activate after syncing and connecting to the nerves withins. Daxton would then drop his jaw in awe before laughing as he found the new arm to be cool. For the finishing touches, Mike would then wrap the arm around a skin cover, matching Daxton's pigment.)

"Mike: Now that this arm's cybernetic, you'll have to get used to fighting with a metal arm."
"Daxton: Thank you Mike... As for you guys, I know you guys are still angry with me. But I had some time to think for myself, I need you all. I need every last one of you to help me win. I can't do this alone and I never believed I could, I needed the group of friends necessary to help me achieve my goal."
"Henry: We'll be behind you every step of the way, Hunter."
"Mike: He's right. And it's September, there's no more time to waste. We should begin to help our friend, Daxton Hunter obtain his third championship!"

(With one hand out by Mike, he awaited the others to join in one by one.)

"Mike: To China!"
"Daxton: To China!
"Renzo: To China!"
"Henry: To China!"
"Zoro: To China!"

(As they all awaited for Senri, she'd then join in.)

"Senri: To China!"
"Mike: And now, everything can go back to normal. But first, we got to go back to South Korea, we got one last pick up."
"Daxton: ...Wait! Before you do, I need to make a trip somewhere..."
"Mike: ...?"

(As an hour flies by, Daxton would then arrive at the gated palace of the Yoshimura Clan's main household after Mike and the others rode along with him.)

"Mike: You sure you wanna do this?"
"Daxton: ...She's carrying my child in there. I can't leave the country without informing her what's happened."
"Mike: ...We should all stay in here. Daxton, go ahead."

(As Daxton then hesitated and exited the pickup truck, Daxton would then buzz the buzzer before answering to a feminine voice.)

"???: Hello?"
"Daxton: ...Hello? This is Hunter. Daxton Hunter. I'd like to-"

(Without a second to respond, the gates would immediately open, Daxton full of nothing but anxiousness, he'd walk past the gates and walk toward the main doors of the house. After a slow yet relaxing walk to the door, he would then be greeted by two female maidens.)

"Both: Hunter, please come in. Lord Yoshimura has been expecting you."
"Daxton: ..."

(With the two maidens then closing the door and accompanying Daxton to her office, Daxton would then feel his heart sinking lower and lower as he was walking toward the main office. With all three then halting at the door, the two maidens would then knock together simultaneously.)

"???: Enter!"

(As the door then opens for Daxton, he'd walk right in and notices the amounts of trophies Lord Yoshimura has won... As the doors then close and Daxton stands where he stand, he'd watch the chair spin as he was surprised to see Kin Yoshimura sitting in the chair her father once sat in as Lord of the Yoshimuras.)

"Daxton: ..."
"Kin: ..."
"Daxton: ...H-Hey."
"Kin: ...Hi. Hunter. I see you got a new arm?"
"Daxton: Y-Yeah... Um... Mike managed to help me with the new arm."
"Kin: I see."
"Daxton: ..."

(With nothing but awkwardness filling the room, Daxton would then groan out of anxiousness before attempting to explain.)

"Daxton: Kin. I'm... I'm really-... I just wish I-... Ugh."
"Kin: Daxton, it's not your fault. I'm keeping our child."
"Daxton: ...! But that would mean you-"
"Kin: I won't be around for a very long time, I know."
"Daxton: But... What are we..? We've reached this point and we really cannot tell what kind of relationship we are..."
"Kin: I've solved that question."
"Daxton: Huh?"
"Kin: Daxton. We both consented that night and you could've declined in giving me this gift. I believe that you wanted this deep down as well."
"Daxton: ...How did you know?"
"Kin: ...You've never had your true parents. You've never experienced what it's like to have a parent care for you. You wished that if you were to be a father yourself, you wouldn't want your child to experience what you've suffered. And I cannot blame you."

(Kin would then stand up on her feet, revealing her slightly rounder abdomen as she was nearly two months into her pregnancy as she walked toward Daxton.)

"Daxton: Kin... I just really wished for this, but under different circumstances. Your father was killed by my mistakes and you really want to walk down this path with me...?"
"Kin: It's better to pick you than a random stranger, Daxton. After all, how could I ignore someone who's fought so hard to reunite me with my father?"

(Kin would then stare deeply into Daxton's eyes as they locked together.)

"Kin: Daxton. If you wished to be a father to this child I am bearing, would you accept my request and become my husband?"

(As Daxton's eyes opened in shock of the question, listening in were the maidens of the Yoshimura Clan past the doors as many hiding inside Kin's office was listening in. Daxton would then hesitate before he then gives his answer with a full hearted inhale.)

"Daxton: ...I... I d-"

(Suddenly, loud rock music was blaring outside the palace as Mike was seen singing and dancing on the bed of the pickup truck, singing word for word as the song was depressing with the subwoofers of the truck blasting noticeably.)

"Mike: "I remember your smile, the way it shined, A light in the dark, where I used to hide... But the clouds came, covering the sun!! And now I’m left-"

(As Mike continued to sing, Daxton would then laugh at Mike for what he is doing before Kin joined him, the two laughing together as the two then smiled at one another and Daxton managed to finish his sentence.)

"Daxton: Yes. Just take care of our child for me, and I'll win every match for our child.. or children."
"Kin: ...Good luck in China."

(As Kin then let go of Daxton's hands and he walked back to the truck, Kin would then smile before turning back to the table, openly admitting without Daxton in the room:)

"Kin: ...I love you, Daxton Hunter."

(With Daxton returning to the truck, Mike would be singing while playing air guitar before the song was cut off by Zoro intentionally.)

"Mike: Hey! I was rocking out!"
"Zoro: Too bad, Daxton's back. Come on, let's go to the airport."
"Mike: How did it go in there?"
"Daxton: ...She wishes me and all of us luck in China."
"Mike: I hope she's alright in there, but she'll be okay!"

(As the group then ventures off to the airport, Mike would then give one sneering smirk at Daxton as he was happy for the guy, accepting Kin's hand in marriage.)

"Mike (Thinking): Proud of you, man. You did the right thing."

-A Few Hours Later...-

(After a quick plane ride toward South Kora, the group would then return to Chun-See-Yoon academy, expecting them was the headmaster of Chun-See-Yoon along with the Student Counsel as they all bowed formally out of gratitude and respect.)

"All: We thank you Daxton and all for all you've done for Chun-See-Yoon Academy."
"Mike: It was nothing. Nothing at all, what truly matters is we've managed to restore order."
"Ji-Hun: You guys did what it took us forever to do!"
"Juyo: If there's anything we can do for you guys, don't hesitate to contact us. We of Chun-See-Yoon are your allies until the day we die!"
"Headmaster T'ak: Where will you all go now?"
"Daxton: We plan to head to China, there's an academy that's been interested in enrolling all of us ever since I first won Chun-See-Yoon's Championship."
"Puwa: It'll be different without you here, rival!"
"Daxton: Haha! I'll miss you too, Soo."
"Jiyeon: Do come back soon, of course!"
"Nai: Michael Ackerman, you've helped this academy retain it's status as a powerful academy. We, including the students and teachers here, wish you all luck toward your perilous journey!"
"Mike: It wasn't just me, it was Daxton's resiliency that's gotten you all to be rid of your former champion. Without my best friend, this academy would've been doomed."
"Nai: You're right... Daxton Hunter. As of today, Chun-See-Yoon Academy acknowledges you as our Alpha Male. You will forever hold a place of importance here at this academy."

(All of Chun-See-Yoon Academy would bow in front of Daxton and the group, once more then all would say in unison.)

"All: THANK YOU, DAXTON'S GROUP!"

(After a few minutes of thankful attitude and good vibes, the group would begin to depart before a sneaker stomping onto the ground and the call out of the group would gain their attention as Ji-Hun caught up to them.)

"Ji-Hun: You guys got room.. For one more in your little journey?"
"Henry: Are you sure you can handle being with us?"
"Renzo: It's not going to be easy for a wrestler like you."
"Ji-Hun: Oh don't worry, I don't just know how to wrestle! I'm specialized in two martial arts and after all, you guys do need a social media guy! Why not the hottest superstar in the Asian Continent?!"
"Mike: Well he's got a point."
"Daxton: McGuire, you're in. Welcome to the crew, Everett Hyun!"

(With a smile on his face, Ji-Hun would then slide on a pair of expensive glasses and immediately switches to his wrestling persona, Everett Hyun.)

"Everett Hyun: You lot won't regret signing me upon your group and with the forces of strength and IQ at our side, we'll have everybody bowing and chanting our names, YEAH! TO CHINA!!"
"Daxton: Mike, to the airport, dear buddy."
"Mike: I thought you'd never ask."

(As Renzo, Zoro and Senri sat in the back of the pickup truck, Henry was sitting on the sunroof, holding on tight as Ji-Hun and Daxton were inside the truck. Mike would then rev the engine multiple times before creating one donut on the streets then driving off to the airport once again, where no more cautions are ahead and their next stop was Hanying Academy of Combat in Beijing, China.)

"Daxton: Beijing, China! Here we come!!"