The Feral One... (Part 4 - Finale)

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

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(Sometime later with the Mythical Five out into the city of Beijing, their master Sun Jie would be cleaning the messes his children has made until he was made aware of an approaching dark aura around the palace.)

"Sun: ..."

(With the dangerous aura becoming closer, Sun would then walk to restroom and rests his hand on the door handle before being visited in the training hall by Xin Sui who stands across from his former master.)

"Sun: ...Sui."
"Xin: I am home, Master."
"Sun: ...This palace is no longer your home, and I will never again be your master."
"Xin: Oh.. right. Those Mythical Five are your children then... So tell me, how does it feel that you've... Kicked out your top disciple?"
"Sun: What you've done that day was a mistake. You know that for every time you've return to this palace will be the day I beat you to an inch of your life. Correct?"
"Xin: Ooohh.. Scary. What happened to the teacher you once were? Believed that too much hunger for vengeance would put you in a fatal situation. As things now stand, you're more of a hypocrite than a sensei."
"Sun: ...A hypocrite I may be, but as things now stand.. I see no reason why to take vengeance if it is off a promise I've kept."

(With Xin then chuckling and turning his back away, he would immediately flash step to the back of Sun Jie as the two then clashed fist to fist, thunder striking in the palace's training room as the two then battled across the empty room as Xin and Jie then separates as Xin punches the very ground to assert dominance after landing on his feet.)

"Xin: You've sent to America only to be hijacked by the damn Marines!"
"Sun: The Marines had no business with you! But the very second you thought it was a good idea to kill their president, I was no longer able to protect you!"
"Xin: YOU KNEW I WOULD SURPASS YOUR CHILDREN! SO YOU SENT ME TO THAT DAMNED COUNTRY OF POVERTY ONLY TO BE AMBUSHED!"
"Sun: I was never interested in ruining your life, you killing the president was not my fault!"
"Xin: You dare say you was never interested in ruining my life?! WHO OPEN THE DOORS TO MARTIAL ARTS FOR ME?! WHO WAS THE ONE WHO TRAINED ME UNTIL I WAS NEARLY PARALYZED?!"

(With Xin throwing lethal attacks and powerful strikes, Sun would evade and parry any incoming attacks with defensive throws and blows as Xin was more pissed off. With the two separating again, Sun would immediately turn his back and notice Xin was behind him once again, parrying another attack before that one blow could have ended his life. With the two separated fully once again, they'd then circle the palace's logo on the mat.)

"Sun: You murdered their president on their land and therefore, had every right to be incarcerated! Blaming me for your mistake has only filled you with further confusion!"
"Xin: Confused you say..? How confused would I be if I've killed you right where you stand?!"

(Xin would then roar and rush on all fours towards Sun, changing his style immediately as Sun remained in position, allowing Xin to land the first strike. Meanwhile back at Hanying Academy, Daxton and Raneri were both bruised, cut, wounded and bloody as if they both were animals of the wild, fighting to the death entirely. With Raneri's side of her face missing a chunk of flesh, exposing her sharp fangs and fleshy jaw as Daxton despite being clawed as if he was a scratching post, was still standing and with a devilish presence radiating around him.)

"Raneri (Thinking): Daxton's a problem... No matter how many times I've put him down, he continues to fight as if his body's trained for it.. I've managed to cut through the flesh in his legs and his arms and he still uses them as if it's no big deal. Not to mention his strength.. If I didn't dodge that uppercut a while ago, he for sure would've killed me."

(Raneri would pause and remember how close her head nearly came off, confirming that one single uppercut from Daxton would spell the end of the fight. Meanwhile, the entire school continued to cheer for Daxton as his eyes would snap open, revealing he no longer has any pupils and Raneri who is now on the defensive, evades any incoming attacks from Daxton from this point on.)

"Raneri (Thinking): He has no pupils?! Is he fighting in his sleep..? Or worst.. Did I knock him unconscious to the point he's fighting unconsciously...? No choice, I need to kill him now!"

(With Raneri's hair then growing longer and her claws and fangs growing shaper, she'd flash step away from Daxton before propelling herself to the top of the hanging cage over the ring thanks to one of the four turnbuckles. With Raneri then releasing a loud growl, she would propel herself at high speeds against the cage, ready to divide Daxton into fleshy slices of meat.)

"Raneri (Aloud): I'LL KILL YOU, HUNTER!"
"Daxton: ..."

(With the unconscious Daxton then staring into the skies, seeing the aggressive Raneri above his head, she'd roar toward Daxton as the two prepared for one final clash. Suddenly, both of their attacks would be blocked with one finger each by a powerful woman in the ring, shocking everyone for they were not able to even see her. The punishing winds from the blocked attack would awaken Daxton out of his unconscious state and aware of the situation.)

"Daxton: What the hell is happening...?"
"Tuzi: You two are powerful, crazy strong... But we've been dispatched to halt this fight immediately."
"Both: Dispatched?"

(As the entire academy was forced to a screeching halt into silence, they were all in shock at the arrival of the Mythical Five, the group even seeing the five in person for themselves.)

"Renzo: ...Z-Zoro.. Are they, The Mythical Five..?"
"Zoro: ..That's them alright. You're looking at the five strongest warriors in China. The Phoenix, The Rabbit, The Turtle, The Ivory Tiger... and Wukong."

(With the group all in surprise, the only person staring down Wukong would be Mike as he was able to tell how obviously who was who, especially Wukong's headband and staff resting onto his back.)

"Mike: ..."
"Daxton: The Mythical Five..? You people actually exist..?"
"Tuzi: My, that's rude, don't you think? Of course we're real."

(Tuzi would gently let go of their hands as they both have seemed to have calmed down now, their bloodlust slowly disappearing. While Tuzi would talk with the two, Wukong and Xiangya would then show interest with certain people in the audience.)

"Xiangya: ..Its just a school of combat, yet something feels off."
"Wu: Because the person you're looking for is right here. Globally ranked number five, Michael. Ackerman."

(With Wukong and Mike finally staring down one another, the group would take two steps back as Mike and Wukong walked face to face to one another, the presence of two actual Gods showing such power, not a single soul dared to even whisper to interrupt such a moment. With Wukong's hands placed to his sides, Wukong would then bow to Michael and the group.)

"Wukong: On behalf of the Mythical Five, I humbly welcome you all to China. Please don't hesitate to feel as if you're strangers to us for we protect all who visit our home, tourist or not."
"Mike: ...Wukong. A man like you holds the record for Strongest Human. Could be a mighty shame if someone were to snatch that title from you..."
"Wukong: Thousands have tried, dear Ackerman and thousands have failed. But I would never believe that an Ackerman can't obtain the name I hold today. Your family have always been this world's greatest threat."
"Mike: So you're aware of our strength. Then answer me this-"
"Xiangya: Ackerman? You're him?"

(As Xiangya would then storm towards Mike, she would analyze him as she circles around Mike, truly curious.)

"Mike: Well, yeah. I'm Michael Ackerman."
"Wukong: Tiger, no. We went by our master's promise, no conflict!"
"Xiangya: ...I'm sorry, brothers..."
"Feng: Sister Tiger, don't!"

(With Mike sensing her battle mode switch on within her brain, he'd prepare to fight with his hand eager to parry the first attack.)

"Xiangya: I must test him for myself!"

(With Xiangya immediately blasting Mike across the field with one punch, she would rush on all fours at fast speeds while slashing and striking Mike as his blocks and parries were flawless, his right hand into his pocket, gripping a hidden handle while evading and blocking Xiangya's attacks with flawless movement while being pushed back with more destructive blows.)

"Mike: Is this really how you greet every Ackerman?!"
"Xiangya: PROVE TO ME YOU'RE AN ACKERMAN, PROVE IT TO ME!"

(With Mike then sick of being doubted while also exhausted, he would keep his right hand into his pocket, dodges the next attack by Xiangya with a flash step allowing Xiangya to back away in fear before Mike was closing the distance for her to take the bait. With her backflipping once and her fingernails revealing sharpened claws, Mike's eyes would slightly widen realizing what attack this was. With Xiangya bursting at fast speeds to Mike, the fighting was halted by Mike's stomp into the ground and revealed of a second six shooter revolver planted on Xiangya's head with Wukong's two right fingers, aiming for the jugular vein.)

"Mike: ...Let this be a warning, Wukong. I'm letting this slide because of your kindness. But after today, I am really itching to actually have someone killed. The fighting is done and this bout is over... So kindly, call off your pissy feline, regroup with your family. And GET. LOST!"
"Wukong: ...I am truly sorry, Mister Ackerman. Tiger."
"Xiangya: ..I-.. I needed-"

(With Wukong's eyes now more serious than before as he stares at Xiangya, she'd then out of fear kneel down to Mike and apologized while bowing her head.)

"Xiangya: ...I am.. sorry."
"Wukong: ..Come. The mission is complete."

(With time then passing, most of the school has returned to their dorms, as the headmaster remained to view the aftermath of everything. Meanwhile, Tuzi was finished answering their questions while bandaging them both up, Raneri intentionally clawing most of her bandages, knowing she is against her wounds being covered up.)

"Tuzi: ...And that's why you two were the only ones we were able to sense."
"Raneri: ...Have I really been sleeping in for too long...?"
"Daxton: Well, I really thank you for patching us up, Miss Yuhan."
"Tuzi: You are very welcome! You two may wanna keep the training up though, you both are very strong, but there's many territories for you both to cross into before you can reach up to our levels."
"Raneri: ..."
"Gui: Sister Rabbit, we are returning."
"Tuzi: Coming! I hope you two learn from what I told you."

(As The Mythical Five was then walking off, they'd all stop when they've came face to face with Zoro, standing in their paths as he was curious.)

"Zoro: ...How is the old man doing these days?"
"Feng: He's alive and well, he's more stubborn now really."
"Wukong: You know he's been worried about you too, Zoro."
"Zoro: I can't go back up there..."
"Gui: We all missed training alongside you. But, we can see you're fighting alongside a reliable group of warriors. Don't let any of them down, you're just as strong as them. We look forward to seeing you again, old friend."

(As The Mythical Five then walked off, Tuzi rushed back over to Zoro and immediately gave him a tight hug before running back to the others, the five then with a single flash step returns to the mountains of their dojo.)

"Zoro: ...Yuhan."
"Henry: ...What was that about?"
"Zoro: ...I never told anyone this but, a few years ago.. They used to be The Mythical Six. I was the sixth warrior, but I wasn't living to my master's expectations. If I couldn't handle one sword, one. He'd kick me out of the dojo. The Rabbit was looking out for me ever since I stormed out of the dojo on my own. She wouldn't leave me be unless I came back."
"Senri: ...W-Why didn't you go back...?"
"Zoro: I needed to travel on my own. I deemed myself unfit and not strong for the old man so I traveled across the whole continent of Asia to get stronger. Eventually, I came back to China.. dueling with three swords."
"Ji-Hun: Damn man, that was such a cool backstory... Every fighter needs that motivation to why they fight..!"

(As the group then all began to walk back to the school together, Raneri then was sitting alone as she thought to herself for a while before Renzo walked back up, catching her attention.)

"Raneri: ...?"
"Renzo: You know. For a girl, you're the strongest I've ever met."
"Raneri: ...Thanks."
"Headmaster Lai: Do you want to come in?"
"Raneri: ...?"
"Headmaster Lai: You seem a lot more calmer now, I'd suggest we bring you in for something to eat."
"Raneri: ...B-but.. I'm a monster..."
"Renzo: So am I but I don't let people's fears become my fear. You are Raneri Niao, The Feral One. My friends and I are all monsters in our own way, you battled our leader actually and you see what he's done to you."
"Raneri: ...H-Headmaster.. May I ask you a question?"
"Headmaster Lai: What's your question, dear?"
"Raneri: ...Do you think.. I'm actually strong enough for the real world?"
"Headmaster Lai: Of course not."
"Raneri: What?"
"Headmaster Lai: You're strong, but to take on the entire world? You have a long path to go and if you're willing, we are Hanying Academy of Combat will be your very first step to you unlocking that door.

(As Raneri then looked at Headmaster Lai's hand placed out slowly, Raneri would hesitate before holding the fingertips gently, her hand eventually warming up to clasp her full hand. Feeling a warm sensation that she's been accepted as a human and not seen as a Rouge Superhuman.)

"Raneri (Thinking): This feeling... When was the last time.. I've felt this...? (Aloud): ..Um, Renzo.. Can I ask you a question now..?"
"Renzo: Go ahead."
"Raneri: ..I need support in order to become stronger, I've been alone for so long I can't do it myself... Do you think..- ..Will your friends will accept me as one of them...?"

(With Raneri now showing the look of a tamed beast deep in her soul and her asking a genuine question, Renzo would think carefully on the question as the sun eventually sets in which to close this action filled day.)