Chapter Seventeen: The Legendary Battle

Exodus stood tall, shooting an anxious glance at Nathaniel before saying, "Stay here, older brother. Rachel, Henry and I will handle this. You need to gather your strength, for I fear the larger battle is coming." Nathaniel began to protest, but a glare from Exodus made him nod in agreement. Exodus turned, and the foot came again, swinging through the opening and plunging blindly, headed straight for Nathaniel. Exodus dove before his brother and swung his clenched left fist forward, smashing it into the centre of Armageddon's foot. He skidded back slightly against the strength of this mechanical beast, but then he allowed his feet to glow as he took a step forward, summoned all his energy and threw his fist hard against the foot. Armageddon tumbled back, and Exodus shot a glance at everyone around the room before sprinting out.

He reached the outside in seconds and saw it. It reminded Exodus of the Angel that Chloe had shown him, for it was big and made of metal, its eyes glowing a bright red as it stared down at Exodus. Before it could do anything more, Exodus leapt high into the air as he had seen his brother do so many times before, and he swung his fist up. Her uppercut Armageddon's face, and Armageddon flew slightly into the air before its massive body crashed hard onto the sand. Something crashed into Exodus, and he sprawled onto the sand, looking up to find Tough standing above him, fists raised. Henry came charging out the cave and tackled his brother head-on, both of them stumbling as Exodus climbed to his feet, only to be knocked back once more. Something grabbed him and he was thrown yet again, tumbling onto the ground.

Paradox stared back at him, and then disappeared, Rachel now shoving him back and advancing on her brother, fists raised as she protected her boyfriend. "You have your own battle to fight," she said as Exodus got to his feet, and upon turning around, he saw that she was right. Standing a few meters away was Destruction, grinning madly as Exodus took a step forward. "Going to avoid our conflict again?" hissed Destruction, and Exodus shook his head, raising his fists as he stared down his opponent. "This time you're not getting away," snarled Destruction, and he sprinted forward, raising his gloved fists, which now glowed bright red with the Power of Rage. Exodus flared his own fists and ran to meet Destruction. Destruction punched strongly, and Exodus ducked under the fist, quickly driving his right fist into Destruction's gut.

Destruction raised both his fists and crashed them down onto Exodus' shoulders, where Exodus winced in pain before being shoved back, regaining his footing as he went. Destruction advanced, a snarl upon his lips as he spun and kicked at Exodus. Exodus took the blow across his face but quickly recovered, now turning back to Destruction and striking him twice in the face. Destruction spat blood from his mouth, and then Exodus jumped up, kneeing him in the chest. Destruction stumbled yet again, and Exodus advanced, feeling the Hope coursing through his body as he blocked and parried blow after blow. Destruction hissed in frustration and landed a sudden kick to Exodus' side, making Exodus recoil, and then he jumped up, landing a punch down against Exodus' temple, spinning and kicking out. Exodus, however, saw this attack coming.

He moved aside as quickly as he could and grasped Destruction's outstretched leg. Destruction's eyes widened, and then Exodus pulled. He flung Destruction through the air and then crashed him onto the ground hard. Exodus panted as Destruction got to his knees, but then he lashed out, smashing his foot against the side of Destruction's face. Destruction fell to the side, unconscious, and Exodus turned away to face the cave. Armageddon had scrambled to the rocky top of the cave and was now chipping away massive boulders with its massive fists, delivering crushing blow after crushing blow, trying to reach whoever was inside. Nathaniel, Exodus realised, as he stepped forth, strong hands grabbed him and tossed him to the side as though he were simply a wooden doll. He looked up, and fear washed over him like a wave. It was Catastrophe.

"I am impressed of your…refusal to die," he said slowly, each word like poison to Exodus as he got to his feet and met Catastrophe's eyes. "You shouldn't have come here," Exodus snarled, and Catastrophe threw his head back, laughing loudly. "And who is to stop me? You?" he spat, the laughter suddenly halting as he glared at Exodus, and Exodus slowly raised his fists, the only sound in his ears being that of his heart thudding against his chest and threatening to burst out. "Very well then. I shall defeat you…and then force you to watch as your dear brother is crushed to death by my creation," muttered Catastrophe, and he too raised his fists, he and Exodus locking eyes. Exodus suddenly dashed forward, his left leg powering up as he jumped into the air and took a kick at the side of Catastrophe's head.

Catastrophe raised his elbow and blocked the kick, then delivering a powerful left fist to Exodus' stomach and then hooking him across the face with his right. Exodus fell to the sand, his vision already flecked with small spots of blood as Catastrophe sighed. "You call that an attack? Come on!" roared Catastrophe as Exodus, panting, got to his feet. Exodus spun backwards, raising his right foot to hook around at Catastrophe's face, yet Catastrophe quickly grabbed his leg and followed through the motion, lifting Exodus off his feet, spinning him through the air and then once again smashing him against the sand. Nearby, Tough landed several quick punches to Henry's stomach and then kicked him in the chest, forcing Henry to retreat. In seconds, Tough was before him again, swinging his right fist through the air. Henry quickly ducked beneath the hit and swung back, smashing the back of his left fist against Tough's helmet.

Tough stumbled back, his helmet falling off as he glared at Henry. His long black hair fell before his dark eyes, his brown skin reflecting in the darkening sky as he snarled, "Come on, bitch. Let's go!" Henry charged and took a large swing at Tough, yet Tough moved aside, grabbed Henry's arm and force his body down as he brought his knee up. The knee caught Henry in the chest, and Henry let out a loud gasp, winded. Tough snarled again, outstretched his leg and shoved Henry to the side, making him trip over the leg and sprawl into the sand. On the other side of the beach, Rachel and Paradox fought without their super speed. Paradox spun and kicked Rachel across the face, and as Rachel stumbled he went for a second attack with his other leg.

Rachel came up, blocked the leg and shoved it away whilst also driving her own foot forward. The blow caught Paradox in the stomach, and he staggered back, a look of shock across his face as Rachel raised her fists, all of her fears washed away. "You think I'm afraid of you?" she whispered, and Paradox charged, not bothering to use his super speed to attack. He swung his left fist forward, and Rachel parried it, then throwing her right fist. It smashed into the side of Paradox' face, and as Paradox recoiled in shock, she grabbed his shoulders, turned the other way and tossed him across the sand, a murderous expression almost carved into her face. Meanwhile, Exodus ducked beneath a punch from Catastrophe and swung his fist forward, only for Catastrophe to dodge it, spin and kick him across the face. Exodus lost his balance and toppled face-first into the sand, his face turned towards where Armageddon hacked into the roof of the cave.

Exodus went to get up, but a crushing weight landed on his neck, and he flailed, trying to get free as Catastrophe knelt upon him, almost breathing into his ear. "As I promised, I'm going to let you watch your brother die," he whispered as Exodus struggled. Armageddon raised its large mechanical leg and stomped down, but its foot hovered only millimetres from the top. Exodus felt Catastrophe give a sharp intake of breath, and his eyes focused on the small red object just beneath the foot. It flared yellow, and suddenly Armageddon stumbled back, the back of its massive feet almost slipping from the edge. All was quiet for several moments, and then a figure burst from the roof of the cave and plunged their brightly glowing fist into Armageddon's head. Armageddon suddenly stood still, and then toppled back, falling from the cave and crashing onto the sand of the beach.

Exodus' eyes focused on the massive hole now between its lifeless eyes, and he turned his attention back to the roof of the cave, where the figure leapt from and landed smoothly on the sand. Nathaniel. Nathaniel looked up, and when he saw Catastrophe, his eyes narrowed. Exodus wanted to shout for Nathaniel to retreat, considering he was still healing, but then Nathaniel dove forward and plunged his glowing fist right into Catastrophe's chest. Catastrophe was thrown back, skidding along the sand before disappearing into the forest behind, and Nathaniel turned to Exodus, his eyes an even brighter blue as he outstretched his hand. Exodus hesitantly reached out, but firmly gripped his brother's hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Brother, let me do my best to handle this, you're hurt!" Exodus whispered, but Nathaniel shook his head sharply, his eyes blazing with something like anger. No, Exodus realised, it was determination.

"No, I have avoided this for far too long. This time, it is my fight," Nathaniel said, and Exodus slowly nodded, realising his brother was right. After all, only he could end this. Footsteps pounded on the ground behind Exodus, and he spun, raising his left glowing fist and striking it forward. It landed across Destruction's face, and he stumbled to the side, his nose bleeding heavily. "I suspect you want to finish your fight with him," Nathaniel said, and Exodus gave one quick nod. Nathaniel chuckled and pulled Exodus in for a tight hug, which Exodus returned, his grip tight around his brother. "Do me a favour," Exodus whispered, and Nathaniel pulled back, gazing down at his brother. "Go get that son of a bitch," Exodus murmured, and Nathaniel chuckled. In the forest behind them, several trees were uprooted as Catastrophe leapt high into the air and landed on the beach, his eyes glowing red.

Exodus turned back to Catastrophe and focused upon Destruction, who had his fists raised and glared at Exodus. "Good luck," whispered Exodus, and once again, he heard Nathaniel chuckle lightly. "I don't need luck. I have you." Then, Nathaniel leapt forward, gliding over the sand like a hawk as he tackled Catastrophe around the middle and they both plunged into the forest, disappearing from sight. Exodus turned toward Destruction and raised his fists, grinning widely. "Ready to dance?" he asked.

***

Nathaniel and Catastrophe crashed through the trees, leaves and bushes before coming to a stop in a large grassy clearing. Nathaniel came to a skidding stop with Catastrophe landing in front of him many meters away, growling like a caged animal as he stared down the hero. "So, this is it," Catastrophe stated, never taking his eyes from Nathaniel as they gazed at one another, and Nathaniel slowly nodded, "This is it." Catastrophe chuckled, splaying out his arms widely as he stared at Nathaniel. "You know, we could have made an excellent match, you and I. My raw power combined with your determination. We could have ruled the world!" Nathaniel shook his head, the grin never leaving his face as he responded. "No, I don't think I would ever choose to an evil warlord, such as the path you have chosen for yourself."

Catastrophe's eyes narrowed under the black mask, and his mouth turned into a frown. "I will achieve what I have set out to accomplish," he whispered, and Nathaniel shrugged, watching Catastrophe carefully. "I have no doubt that you will. But the doubt you will get away with it, even for a minute, is what makes me believe that the final victory will be mine." Catastrophe sighed, and the Power of Rage flared up along his arms and legs, coating his entire body in red lightning. "The only doubt I have is that you will be alive to see your petty alliance crumble to ash!" As Nathaniel watched in disbelief, Catastrophe closed his eyes, and his body grew. His legs and arms swelled rapidly, as did his torso and head as he stretched from the ground. His height was quick to double Nathaniel's, his arms now considerably longer along with his legs, his fists like small boulders as they clenched.

"What is this?" whispered Nathaniel, staring in both horror and awe as Catastrophe stared down his opponent from the other side of the field, his mouth twisted into a devilish smirk. "This is your last chance," Catastrophe's voice boomed, and Nathaniel took a step forward, raising his right arm and allowing it to glow like the sun as darkness ensued in the sky above. "Never," Nathaniel hissed, grinning madly as Catastrophe rose high into the air. And stayed there. He hovered above the trees, the smirk never leaving his face, nor the fury leaving his eyes. "Now…you shall die!" roared Catastrophe, and he flew forward, now rushing toward Nathaniel and raising his glowing right arm, just as Nathaniel had. Nathaniel planted his feet firmly into the dirt and grass, his eyes blazing. Catastrophe was feet from Nathaniel, and he threw his fist forward. Nathaniel did the same, and their fists collided.

Shockwaves erupted from where they smashed fists, bursting out in all directions, ripping up the grass and trees from the ground and throwing them away as the red and yellow balls of light battled, their fists shoving against one another desperately. Catastrophe's incredibly large figure now had the advantage, and he easily pushed Nathaniel back. Nathaniel's feet slipped out from beneath him, and he was thrown back, the right arm of his suit disintegrated completely and exposing the pure muscle and skin beneath. Nathaniel skidded back-first along the ground, the dirt and rock underneath spraying out beneath him as he came to a halt, entangled with rubble as Catastrophe floated high above him. "Why won't you simply die?" he hissed, raising his fist again. A burst of flame erupted from nearby, and Catastrophe raised his fist in defence, the force of the blast throwing him back a fair distance.

"Are you kidding me?" a voice shouted, and upon looking up, Nathaniel discovered it was Fury, his eyes burning with hatred as his hands flared with balls of fire, "What the hell is this?" he continued, his eyes tracking Catastrophe as Terrel and Daniel came up beside him, accompanied by Hellfire, all of them staring up except for Terrel, who assisted Nathaniel in getting to his feet. "We got here as fast we could," Terrel said, his voice masked by the mechanical voice of his Animatronic suit, and Nathaniel nodded. "Thank you," he whispered, and Terrel bowed his metal suit in a gesture of kindness, and then he too turned to Catastrophe. "Traitors…all of you!" Catastrophe screamed, and Nathaniel stepped out in front of the new group. "They have chosen their side, now it is time to choose yours!" Nathaniel shouted back; his voice suddenly stronger than it had been before as he was united by fellow heroes.

Catastrophe glared at them all, and he slowly turned away from them. Then he spun back and punched his fist through the air. The shockwave smashed Nathaniel in the chest, and he flew over the other's heads and onto the ground behind them, groaning in pain. They turned back to Catastrophe after watching Nathaniel fall, and Terrel suddenly launched high into the air, aiming a fist at Catastrophe. The latter struck his fist forward and smashed it into the side of Terrel's suit, sending him smashing into the ground below. Next came Daniel, and Catastrophe rushed to greet him, grabbing the mechanical body and lazily tossing it aside as though it were a toy. Several fire balls rocketed through the air, and Catastrophe crossed both his forearms, the fire glancing away without inflicting so much as a mark on the armour.

Hellfire and Fury suddenly turned to one another and fired jets of blazing heat in one another's direction. As the heat doubled, Nathaniel charged toward the controlled fire and clapped his hands together, sending out a powerful shockwave that sent the fire spiralling in Catastrophe's direction. Catastrophe was a second too slow in deflecting, and he was propelled backward through the air. When the smoke cleared, they only saw the cold fury in his eyes as he plummeted to the ground and smashed into it, crouching in the debris of war before slowly rising to glare at the team as they stood as one, staring down Catastrophe as he began marching forward. Fury was the first to break free of the others and charge, his flaming fists raised. He punched wildly through the air, and Catastrophe dodged with apparent ease. He ducked beside Fury, powered up his right arm and struck into Fury's stomach.

The blow was much stronger than Fury had realised, for it pieced his skin and the fist came out his back. Fury gasped as blood burst from his nose and mouth, and Catastrophe lifted him into the air, his entire forearm inside Fury's body. "One down," he hissed menacingly, and then he wrenched his arm back, watching as Fury crumpled to the ground, his mouth open and his eyes staring ahead as his blood and guts spilt out onto the ground. "BROTHER!" screamed Hellfire, sprinting forward to reach his brother's body, yet Catastrophe backhanded Hellfire across the helmet and sent him flying to the side as he advanced upon the others. Before Terrel could stop him, Daniel rushed forth, his mechanical arms swaying as he lunged. Catastrophe sighed, ducked and then lifted Beast's body into the air. Inside the suit, Daniel screamed as Catastrophe's fingers dug into its sides.

Then Catastrophe ripped his arms away, and the suit hit the ground in two halves, blood pooling from it already and the screaming silent. "THIS IS FOR MY BROTHER YOU BASTARD!" Terrel now screamed as he rushed and caught Catastrophe by surprise, smashing his fist against the side of Catastrophe's face. Catastrophe took a step back, wiping a droplet of blood from the corner of his mouth, and Daniel advanced, swinging his mighty fists through the air. Catastrophe swung his fully powered right fist through the air, and smashed it into Daniel's right shoulder, and the arm stopped working completely. Daniel hesitated, and then swung his left arm, only for Catastrophe to disable that one too. Daniel was too shocked to do anything, and Catastrophe stepped forward, kicking out and sending Daniel skidding onto his back. Catastrophe strode almost lazily next to Daniel, and then paused, raising his left foot and placing it above the robotic head.

"No!" Daniel shouted inside the suit, yet Catastrophe ignored this and placed all his weight and power into his left leg as he pressed down. Daniel struggled, his mechanical body writhing, and then going completely still as Catastrophe's foot passed through the helmet and shattered his skull. Blood poured from the suit, and Catastrophe stepped over the corpse and toward where Nathaniel was just getting to his feet, looking around at his fallen allies. Orange and green colours ran over Catastrophe's body, now mixed with the red as the enormous enemy stood away from Nathaniel, fists clenched as he glared. "I have given you all the chances I could," he hissed, floating into the air again and allowing his right arm to power up to its maximum. "Your brother Exodus is the one who you believe is to destroy me!" Catastrophe shouted, and Nathaniel looked up, his eyes growing wide in fear as Catastrophe cackled.

"You have failed as both a brother, and as a teacher," he declared as he shot through the air like a bullet, outstretching his right fist before him. Nathaniel raised his glowing fist, and once again, there was a sound like a thunderclap as their knuckles collided. They both struggled for a moment, and then Catastrophe flared his arm up as bright as he could, and Nathaniel skidded back. He kept skidded, his feet trailing up dirt and rock and mid as he was shoved back, their fists never leaving as Nathaniel grunted and hissed. "You're right!" Nathaniel roared, panting but looking up to stare Catastrophe in the eyes. "I should have been by his side, to help him and teach him instead of letting him figure it out!" He looked down as he skidded, the boots of hit suit becoming worn, and then he looked back up, a yellow glint in his eyes.

"I've failed…WHICH IS WHY I HAVE TO DEFEAT YOU!" he roared, his entire body suddenly glowing as bright as the sun as his feet came to a grinding halt in the rocky floor, his grin never fading. Catastrophe let out a gasp as yet another shockwave erupted from their fists, and Nathaniel began pushing back. He had done what he had never done before. He had gone to 100% of his full power. Catastrophe's face fell with something that looked like fear as Nathaniel held his ground, but then it didn't last. His right arm failed in power, and the strength behind Catastrophe's fist bent and smashed the bones. Nathaniel's arm was limp beside him, but then he swung his left arm. It smashed against the side of Catastrophe's face, and then Nathaniel turned, now dashing and ramming his glowing elbow into Catastrophe's chest. Catastrophe staggered back, shocked, and Nathaniel winced in pain as his arm moved in the wind.

Then, his entire body glowed again, and he rose high into the air, floating above the ground and glaring at Catastrophe, who looked up at Nathaniel in surprise. "YOU WANT MY FULL POWER?" roared Nathaniel, and Catastrophe snarled. "COME AND GET IT THEN!" Nathaniel finished before rising higher and streaking down to where Catastrophe was. Catastrophe flew up to meet Nathaniel, raising his glowing fist as they approached. Nathaniel closed his eyes, and then the entire world went white.

***

Nathaniel was no longer at the battle site. He stood on the surface of the lake, and as he looked around in shock, he realised his master was standing before him. "You have done incredibly well, my friend," she said, smiling softly, and Nathaniel ran forth and embraced Chloe tightly, tears already in his eyes. "What is this? Where am I?" he whispered, and Chloe chuckled, pulling back and gently stroking his cheek. "You are here, at the Angel's Lake, to undertake the final footsteps of your journey," she said softly, still smiling as she took a step away, knelt down and placed her hand against the water of the lake. She extracted a handful of water, and it remained a solid ball, the water transforming into a pulsing beacon of pure yellow light. "It is time, Nathaniel, for you to take this final leap," she murmured, and Nathaniel hesitated, then nodded. "I will make you proud," he whispered before reaching forward and grasping the ball of yellow light.

***

Nathaniel's eyes snapped open, and his arm snapped back into place as it glowed brighter than anything, turning the very sky from darkness to daylight as he rushed forward. He didn't yell anything heroic or shout something defying. He just did something that sent chills down Catastrophe's spine. He grinned. Then he punched forward, his fist striking into Catastrophe's chest. Time seemed to slow down as they hovered in the air, and then the burst of white threw them both back. Catastrophe disappeared over the treetops, spinning out of sight as Nathaniel plummeted, nothing to save him as the ground rushed up to greet him. And it did, sending rubble and dust spraying up into the air as he lay on the ground, his eyes open, yet sightless.