Chapter 18: The Battle between Aces

Colonel Johnston demanded, his voice filled with urgency, "Who's there?" Flames began to radiate around his body, intensifying the tension in the air.Emerging from the shadows, Ace appeared in a full outfit, their face concealed behind a mask. They responded calmly, "I have many names, many identities. I believe the one you are most familiar with is Ace."The revelation of Ace's identity put all three individuals on guard. Lt. Campos, her forehead beaded with sweat, pondered to herself, "Why is Ace here? The World's Deadliest Assassin and one of the Most Wanted People in the World..."Colonel Johnston demanded an explanation from Ace, "What are you doing here, Ace?" Ace replied cryptically, "Sorry, Colonel, I can't kiss and tell." Without warning, Ace hurled a knife at the Colonel, but the Colonel swiftly melted it with his flames, showcasing his formidable abilities. "Interesting. I heard the military's star prodigy had some bite! SO DON'T DISAPPOINT ME!"Unfazed by the Colonel's defense, Ace persistently threw six more knives, each met with the Colonel's fiery destruction. Colonel Johnston taunted, "You won't be able to touch me with those knives of yours."Ace paused for a moment, teasingly saying, "You're truly something else, Colonel." They applauded slowly, drawing the Colonel's focus. Meanwhile, Lt. Campos and Cpt. Jackson maneuvered into position. Lt. Campos readied her sniper rifle, while Cpt. Jackson quietly positioned himself behind Ace.Ace resumed the fight, throwing knives relentlessly at the Colonel, who continued to neutralize each one. However, Ace steadily increased the number of knives thrown. While the Colonel and Ace battled, Lt. Campos and Cpt. Jackson prepared to intervene. Lt. Campos aimed her sniper rifle, while Cpt. Jackson awaited the opportune moment.Interrupting the skirmish, Ace spoke again, "Well, Colonel, let's turn this up a notch." Ace produced ten knives and launched them into the air. "Let me ask you, Colonel, would you rather I kill your Lieutenant or the Captain over there?" Visibly angered, Colonel Johnston unleashed a flame, attempting to intercept the knives in mid-air. Yet, to his surprise, the knives abruptly changed course, maneuvering around the flames and hurtling towards Lt. Campos and Captain Jackson.Swiftly, Lieutenant Campos dispatched each knife with her sniper rifle, showcasing her marksmanship. Captain Jackson, on the other hand, attempted to evade the knives with his smoke abilities, but they seemed drawn to him, piercing his body. In that moment, Colonel Johnston's concern for his subordinates distracted him, allowing Ace to seize the opportunity. Ace threw another knife at Colonel Johnson's feet, causing an explosive blast beneath him, burying him underground in a sewer."Bye, bye, Colonel," Lt. Campos screamed, devastated, "JOHN!!!" She aimed her gun at Ace, seething with anger. "YOU BASTARD!"Ace calmly responded, "Don't worry. I'm sure he's not dead. He's probably just taking a soak in the sewer system below. He'll be back in no time. Meanwhile, I'm going to play with you two until he returns."As Colonel Johnston vanished into the sewer system, Ace initiated the fight against both Captain Jackson and Lieutenant Campos.Cpt. Jackson, wounded and bleeding, chuckled weakly, "Well, taking on a dangerous individual like you is going to be tough. What do you think, Lieutenant?"Lt. Campos holstered her sniper rifle and drew her double pistols. Her eyes glowed with a golden hue as she responded, "We just need to hold him off until the Colonel returns."Cpt. Jackson let out a small laugh, "Yeah, he caught me off guard with that attack, but I can still provide some help." His chuckle faded, and he became more serious. "Are you ready?"Lt. Campos removed her military coat and pressed a button on her watch, transforming her uniform into a more combat-ready attire. "Yeah, let's move."Cpt. Jackson released a thick cloud of smoke, enveloping the entire area. Ace leaped to higher ground, watching intently. "I wonder what you two puppies can do?"Suddenly, two bullets shot out from the smoke, heading straight for Ace. However, Ace managed to dodge each one with a hair's breadth. Then Lt. Campos leaped from the smoke behind Ace, firing a barrage of shots. Ace reacted swiftly, jumping down to evade all the bullets. However, to Ace's surprise, both Lt. Campos and the bullets dissolved into smoke.Ace looked back down and saw Lt. Campos still on the ground, firing more shots.Lt. Campos stated confidently, "You won't be dodging these. I aimed every shot at your key joints and potential vulnerable areas. It's impossible for you to dodge."Ace smirked, "It seems I have underestimated you two. I can see why you are the Colonel's most loyal subordinates." Ace retrieved several knives and threw one in the air, while sending the others towards the bullets, effectively stopping them all. As the knives were thrown in a way that pierced every single bullet.Lt. Campos snickered, "He stopped each bullet so easily, even at full speed in a split second." As this transpired, the knife that Ace threw into the air plummeting towards Cpt. Jackson, who was still concealed within the smoke.Lt. Campos noticed the knife, realizing it was locked onto Cpt. Jackson's location. She attempted to shoot it down before it reached him, but as she turned away from Ace, Ace threw three more knives at her.In that moment, Lt. Campos fired two shots while executing a front flip to evade the knives coming at her from behind. She managed to deflect the airborne knife and dodged the three knives headed for her."The way you fight is pretty dirty," Lt. Campos remarked.Ace nonchalantly shrugged and responded, "Well, it's not over yet."Suddenly, a scream echoed from Cpt. Jackson. Lt. Campos felt a sense of confusion, as she had shot down the knife in the air. But then she realized that the three knives aimed at her were not meant for her at all; they were aimed at Cpt. Jackson. The smoke dissipated, revealing Cpt. Jackson with three additional knives embedded in his body.Ace started to approach Lt. Campos, saying, "I knew you would lose your composure." The lieutenant quickly pulled her gun from behind and fired, but Ace skillfully contorted their body, evading the bullets. Ace retaliated by throwing a knife backward, which was now heading towards Cpt. Jackson.Lt. Campos spotted the incoming knife and immediately fired at it. However, the knife changed its trajectory and headed straight for Lt. Campos instead. Lt. Campos fired another shot at the knife, but it continued to change direction, moving swiftly and increasing in speed. With no other choice, Lt. Campos drew her second gun and fired, causing the gun to explode as there was a hidden knife inside.The explosion disoriented Lt. Campos, causing her to lose her weapon and sustain minor injuries. Suddenly, the knife that was initially aimed at her struck her shoulder, followed by two more knives hitting her legs and both her hands.Ace approached Lt. Campos, remarking, "You are very talented, Lieutenant. You gave me a lot of fun today. You too, Captain. But, it looks like the game is over."An explosion erupted, and Colonel Johnston appeared with a furious expression. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SUBORDINATES?"Ace looked at Colonel Johnston and commented, "It looks like the sleeping beast is ready to play."Colonel Johnston, still seething with anger, exclaimed, "I SAID, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SUBORDINATES!"Flames burst forth from Colonel Johnston, pushing Ace back."This is what I'm talking about! It's time to have some fun."Ace's phone rang, and Mr. J's name appeared on the screen."Assassin," Ace responded, "How can I help you? I'm kind of in the middle of something."Mr. J's voice carried anger, "Stop him now, you fool! He's going to destroy my city at this rate."Ace sighed in disappointment then hung up the phone, Ace then retrieved two knives and threw them at Colonel Johnston.The knives were headed toward the Colonel until they abruptly changed directions—one aimed at the Lieutenant, and the other at Cpt. Jackson.The Colonel swiftly retaliated, releasing flames that destroyed both knives, but also inadvertently injuring his subordinates. "Oh no, not again."Ace spoke up, "Listen, Colonel, it's pretty obvious you can't control your flames. Also, no matter where I throw my knives, they will go after your subordinates. It's checkmate."Colonel Johnston yelled, "DAMMIT!"Ace continued, "But it's not over yet. If you surrender and put on these special dampening handcuffs, I will spare their lives."Colonel Johnston pondered his options, while Ace kept pressuring him."There is no time to think about this. I will give you five seconds. Or else, I will kill them right now."Tension filled the air as Colonel Johnston deliberated, and Ace began counting down from 5."5""Should I attack him?""4""But I don't want to harm my friends.""3""And what about those knives? Can I stop them all in time?""2" Ace produced several knives."Damn... not again.""1...""I give up... you win. Just don't hurt my friends."Ace withdrew the knives and cheered, "Splendid! Put on the cuffs; let's get going." Ace then called Mr. J.Mr. J answered, "Is the job done?"Ace replied, "Yes, the fire is extinguished."The battle concluded, with Colonel Johnston captured and Cpt. Jackson unconscious, while Lt. Campos could do nothing but watch from a distance."John..."