Showdown

The air crackled with tension as Chris and Benji stood shoulder to shoulder, their auras flaring around them like flames in a furnace. The students watched from a safe distance, their breaths held in anticipation, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on them.Rage stepped forward, a grim smile dancing on his lips, the dark red energy surrounding him pulsating ominously. "You think you can protect them?" he taunted, his voice low and menacing. "You're just delaying the inevitable."Chris smirked, folding his arms with an air of arrogance. "You underestimate us, Rage. We've taken down bigger threats than you.""Big talk for a guy who's about to get wrecked," Benji added, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Let's show him what teamwork really looks like."With that, they sprang into action. Chris dashed forward, his golden aura flaring like a supernova, launching a series of rapid punches aimed at Rage. The mercenary sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a quick jab that sent Chris stumbling back."Is that all you've got?" Rage mocked, his eyes gleaming with predatory delight."Just warming up!" Chris shot back, regaining his balance. He launched a flurry of energy blasts, each one exploding around Rage like fireworks. The shockwaves reverberated through the air, creating a dazzling display of light and sound.But Rage remained unfazed. He deflected the blasts with a flick of his wrist, dark red energy swirling around him like a protective shield. He surged forward, aiming a devastating punch at Chris, who barely dodged, feeling the rush of wind from the near miss."Not bad, but I expected more from a teacher," Rage sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.Meanwhile, Benji took a more calculated approach, watching Rage's movements with a keen eye. "You're strong, but strength isn't everything," he stated calmly, moving to flank Rage. Just as Rage turned to face Benji, he unleashed a precise kick that sent shockwaves through the ground, aiming to catch Rage off guard.Rage barely evaded, but Benji's quick thinking created an opening. With a swift motion, he called upon his energy, launching a brilliant white wave toward Rage. The attack hit him square in the chest, causing him to stagger back, surprise flickering across his features."Now we're getting somewhere," Benji said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.But Rage recovered quickly, his expression shifting from surprise to rage. "You're going to pay for that!" he roared, charging at Benji with blinding speed. The teachers braced themselves, feeling the intensity of his energy surge."Chris, now!" Benji shouted, and the two moved in perfect harmony. Chris redirected his focus, energy gathering at his fists as he launched himself into the air, aiming for a devastating aerial attack.Rage glanced up just in time, his eyes widening. Chris came crashing down like a meteor, his fist glowing with golden energy. Rage barely managed to block the attack, the impact sending him skidding backward, creating a small crater where he landed."Is that the best you've got?" Rage snarled, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked up, and there was a glint of fury in his eyes.As Chris and Benji prepared to strike again, they exchanged a knowing glance, their determination renewed. The students watched with bated breath, feeling the weight of their teachers' struggle.Suddenly, the ground shook as Rage unleashed a pulse of dark red energy that rippled outward. Chris and Benji were caught off guard, stumbling back as the shockwave knocked them off their feet."Get back!" Chris shouted, scrambling to regain his footing. But Rage was relentless, his movements swift and precise as he closed the distance between them, not allowing them a moment to breathe."Don't think you can just sit back and watch," he growled, launching an energy blast at the students, forcing them to scatter."Leave them alone!" Benji roared, pushing himself to stand, his long hair whipping around him as he gathered his energy.Just as Rage launched his next attack, the teachers intercepted, their combined auras colliding with his dark energy, creating an explosion of power that illuminated the battlefield."Together, Chris!" Benji shouted, their energies harmonizing as they prepared for their ultimate attack.The students watched, eyes wide, as their teachers channeled their strengths. Chris's golden aura shimmered brightly next to Benji's brilliant white, forming a swirling vortex of energy."Let's finish this!" they exclaimed in unison, launching their combined attack straight at Rage, who stood resolute, a storm of energy brewing around him.But just as their blast closed in, Rage smirked, channeling all his dark red energy into a barrier, bracing for impact. "You think you can defeat me?" he laughed, an eerie calmness in his voice."Too slow!" he shouted, redirecting his dark energy to form a jagged spike that shot out from his barrier, piercing through the attack like a spear.Chris barely had time to react. He looked up, eyes widening as the spike raced toward him. "Watch out!" Benji yelled, but it was too late. The spike collided with him, knocking him off his feet and sending him sprawling across the ground."Chris!" Benji shouted, his heart racing as he turned to see his partner and rival in danger.Rage, seizing the opportunity, surged forward. "One down, one to go!" His voice was filled with cruel delight as he locked onto Benji, a predator honing in on his prey.Benji steadied himself, taking a deep breath. The calm demeanor that usually defined him was now tempered with determination. "I won't let you win," he declared, his white aura shimmering fiercely around him.Rage lunged, fists flying with a speed that belied his size. Benji evaded the first punch, the ground trembling beneath them as Rage's fist crashed into the earth. He countered with a swift kick aimed at Rage's side, but the mercenary blocked it with ease, the impact echoing like thunder."You're strong, but you're not invincible!" Rage taunted, striking again. This time, his fist connected with Benji's shoulder, sending him reeling backward, pain shooting through him.Benji gritted his teeth, shaking off the impact. "You're wrong," he said, his voice steady despite the growing ache in his body. "I have something you don't—real power comes from protecting others!"With a roar, he called upon his energy, a bright flash of white surging through him. He thrust his hand forward, creating a wave of energy that surged toward Rage. The attack struck true, pushing the mercenary back a few steps.Rage growled in frustration, his dark red energy flaring dangerously as he regained his footing. "Impressive, but it won't be enough!"Just then, Chris staggered to his feet, shaking off the dizziness from the brutal hit. "Benji, don't let him get to you!" he shouted, his voice strained but resolute.Rage, however, had already shifted his focus back to Benji, eyes narrowing. "You should have stayed down, teacher," he sneered, launching himself forward with renewed vigor.Benji anticipated the attack this time, ducking low to evade Rage's punch and countering with a powerful uppercut that connected with Rage's jaw. The mercenary staggered back, surprise flashing across his face for a split second."Keep it together, Benji!" Chris called out, determination sparking in his own eyes as he prepared to join the fight again, despite the pain radiating through his body.But Rage recovered quickly, a furious expression replacing the surprise. "You're going to regret that!" he snarled, summoning a massive wave of dark red energy around him, ready to unleash chaos.Benji steadied himself, channeling his own energy as he readied for what was to come. "I won't back down. Not now!" he shouted, his aura flickering brightly as he prepared to clash with Rage once more.