Back In The Frey

"Oi. Wake up, Maxwell. Maaaxwell. Should I stick him with an adrenaline needle?" A voice called. The boy was almost frozen in place, unable to move as his eyelids fluttered open. He was greeted to the sight of a…mask.

"Sleeping beauty is finally awake, Captain. Give him a few minutes and he should be fully healed again." Shaw sneered, sitting up from the bed Maxwell laid on as he swerved over to his desk.

"How are you feeling, Maxwell? Better?" Takeshi spoke up, leaning over Riley on the bed.

The boy stretched a bit, taking note of how he was shirtless. A long jagged heap of white bandage had been strung across his chest, certain parts dabbed with blood.

"Okay...I guess." Maxwell croaked as he felt a wave of relief swoop through his body. The fatigue that resided in his muscles faded as he began to feel normal again.

"I don't know what the hell you put in those needles, Shaw. But whatever it is...it works miracles. The cut has to be fully healed by now." Takeshi said, peeling back the bandage on Riley's chest. Maxwell hesitated a bit, flinching as the skin around the cut was still sensitive. Takeshi took note as he only moved the bandage to the side, revealing the wound.

Like Takeshi had noted, the wound was fully healed. However, the area around it was still red and patching together. A long, deep scar had been left.

"Serum can't heal that for sure. Sorry to say, Maxie-poo. You're stuck with that gash for life. On the plus side, it makes you look like a real bad ass. Maybe you should walk around shirtless. Impress the females. Or the males...I don't judge." Felix laughed, spinning around in his chair like a child.

Maxwell observed the wound, making an amazed look at the sight. It was rather long, but not very deep.

"He's not wrong, Maxwell. You do look pretty cool with that scar." Tanaka smiled.

"Heh, I suppose." Maxwell gave Takeshi a faint grin as he rubbed the back of his head.

Maxwell was quick to observe the doctor who had tended his wounds. He was a tall, slim man with a white lab coat, white pants, shoes, even shirt. The only sort of other color on his body was the tight spandex mask around his face—which was also white—with a large red first aid cross printed on it. His name was Felix Shaw, and he was the guild's madman miracle worker. Described as a medic of sorts, the man found his calling as a doctor after his extensive and profound scientist career ended. How and why was not known. All members of the Spectre guild knew about Shaw was that he was a crazy psychotic brain with a big heart and a lot of humor.

Suddenly, the door of the doctor's office bursted open. Emerging from the way was none other than the other members of Squad four, Cutter and Oxford, accompanied by Charlemagne.

"We came as soon as we heard. Is he alright?"Oxford began concerned, hunching over the boy at the bed.

"Would ya' look at that. Maxwell here has finally become a man. Welcome to the club, bloke. You're one of us."Cutter joked, rubbing the deep scars on his face.

"Oxford...Cutter. Sober now?" Maxwell joked.

"Maybe. I stopped drinking after you and Takeshi took off. Cutter here may still be a bit tipsy." Oxford replied.

"Psh. I can handle my alcohol." Cutter sneered.

"No you can't. About an hour ago, you were actually friends with Oxford. That's not normal at all." Takeshi chimed in.

"Oh shut it. I'm just a wee happy, is all." Cutter posted himself up against the wall, reaching into his coat for a cigarette.

"Cutter, not here. You know how I am around cigarettes. Go outside." Takeshi demanded.

"I don't need to hear the war stories again. I'll leave. Besides, I was already getting disgusted by being in Oxie's presence." The capped man left the room promptly, a trail of smoke following him.

"Yeah, he's back to normal." Maxwell giggled.

"Captain Tanaka, I do expect you to take responsibility for this. Our newest recruit could have been killed on this mission. I expect a full report on the incident tomorrow. Now, it is far past guild curfew. I expect you all to be settled in within the next fifteen minutes. Get well, Maxwell. Good night." Charlemagne said sternly, leaving the room.

"So, where's Akemi? Asleep, I expect." Riley spoke.

"Actually, no. I don't know what woke her, but she got up a little bit after we left. Spaz found her down at the centerfold and the two have been training in the facility for a while now." Takeshi replied.

"Training at two o'clock in the night? I'm so proud of Keith. Already becoming a hardened warrior." Oxford smiled brightly, a twinkle snapping from his eye.

"Well, it's not like anyone actually goes to bed at this hour. I say we go and see what kind of progress he's making." Takeshi suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement, and with a quick jump to his feet, Riley was fully healed and ready to move again.

The group left the doctor's office and found themselves at the training facility, where Akemi and Spaz were engaged in a heated hand to hand fight.

The two were moving incredibly fast. Each step they took, Akemi and Spaz countered the other. A quick jab. An even quicker dodge. It got to a point where the two were simply dodging each other, missing every punch and kick they hurled.

"I don't get it. How is he so strong? He shouldn't be able to dodge any of my attacks, let alone counter them! If I had my knives, this may be a different story. But I can't admit it. He's just as good as me unarmed!" Akemi thought as she continued to fling attacks at Spaz.

The black haired brawler had a grin from ear to ear, almost effortlessly dodging every single punch Akemi threw. Without even trying, He caught Akemi's fist, throwing it back to her as he replied with a quick hit of his own. Akemi stumbled backward, catching herself as she wiped her mouth. With a quick spit of saliva to the floor, she regained her footing and assessed the situation.

"No way. Out of everyone I've fought...they've always hesitated to hit a girl...even my own master. So how is it that this guy can hit me without a second thought? Not even a flinch. He's a true fighter. And to top it all off, he's smiling through the whole thing. I've never seen anyone so cocky." Akemi continued in her mind.

"Tell me. Why do you smile? What's got you so sure that you're gonna win?" Akemi spoke up.

"I'm not sure that I'm going to win. I never underestimate my opponents, no matter who they are. Man, woman, boy, girl, armed, unarmed. I haven't doubted your abilities for a second. As for why I'm smiling...I don't quite know myself. I think it's because I just love to fight. Nothing beats the rush...it's the best. Especially people who are strong...and believe me. You're very strong. I haven't had this much fun since I fought my master." Spaz said brightly.

"You're good. Real good. But we're not done yet. It's time to use one of my special techniques." Akemi said, getting serious in her tone. Taking a special position, the girl hunched her back slowly, fixing her form so that her legs were spread and her arms were carefully positioned in back of her.

"He's awfully good at dodging. I'm just going to have to hit him with something he can't dodge." Akemi declared. Spaz simply stood normally, still in his fighting position. Anticipating a powerful attack, Spaz still didn't change his form or raise his guard.

"Damn it. He has to be cocky. There's no way he can be having this much fun. It makes no sense! It looks like I'll have to beat it into him with this."

"KEN TECHNIQUE NUMBER 45: FLASH FIST!" Akemi charged forward at the speed of light, a blue aura briefly engulfing her body. Speeding past Spaz, the girl appeared at the other end of the arena, gripping her hand as she stood upright. Expecting to see a defeated Keith, Akemi was shocked by the sight.

There he stood, completely unaffected by the hit. She was sure she had struck him.

"No way. Did...did Spaz just…" Takeshi muttered, dumbfounded.

"That attack was faster than the human eye could see. How Spaz dodged it is...well...I can't explain it. But...but..I'M SO AWFULLY PROUD! AFTER ONLY ONE DAY OF TRAINING! MY PUPIL IS ALREADY GOING TOE TO TOE WITH THE ICE QUEEN!" Oxford shouted, getting on his knees as he cried tears of joy.

"ICE WHAT!?" Akemi shouted, devil horns sprouting from her small head.

"Nothing, m'lady. Just playful banter." Oxford replied quickly, rising to his feet as he wiped his tears. Suddenly, Akemi's confused expression turned to one of pain. A quick strike had finally impacted her abdomen, sending her to the floor.

"Spaz hit her...he actually hit her. But when? He didn't even move!" Maxwell said.

"It must have been when she dashed past him. That's the only way to explain it." Takeshi added.

"Damn it...you win. That hurts like hell...but when did you hit me!?" Akemi shouted, rising to her feet as she gripped her stomach.

"When you dashed past me, of course. I simply moved out of the way of impact and struck while you were running. Easy." Spaz quipped.

"But how could you possibly see my path? For all you know, I could have struck you from behind? You shouldn't've been able to see me in the first place."

"I can't quite describe it, but when I'm in battle...my senses...they get acute. Much faster. I can react and see things quicker. It's almost like my body...fidgets. That's why I get my nickname. Master Harrison gave it to me. He says when I fight, my body naturally moves out of the way of danger...it 'spazzes' out." Keith explained.

"But...that shouldn't be possible. You're not super human. You don't have any psychokinetic powers...and I can't sense your pulse. So how could you pull off all this?" Akemi continued.

"Hold on now, Akemi. Your frequency is too high. You're searching for high pulse levels. If you really focus...you can tell Spaz is producing a pulse...only it's not coming from his head...and it's very faint." Takeshi noted.

Akemi focused for a second, locking her eyes on Spaz's body. Within a few seconds, it became clear.

"You're right. There's a very faint current of psychokinetic energy surging through his whole body. It's starting to make a bit more sense…" Akemi realized.

"Yes, I see now. Think of Spaz's energy like a coil. For the rest of us, our energy is naturally bundled up in our head. Unless we use special moves, it never leaves the brain area where it is generated. For Spaz, his energy naturally flows through him. It's like a coil stretched thin. It's technically the same size as it is when it's bundled, only it can cover more area. That's why it's so faint. It's being stretched thin as it covered his entire body. That also explains why he couldn't hear your messages before, Akemi. His energy isn't focused to his head, so he couldn't receive anything." Takeshi deducted.

"I suppose so. After some brief calculation, I can tell that energy can be amplified the same way you normally would. It seems his energy naturally does that when the nerves in his skin ignite with electricity. That's why he is able to strike and dodge at great speeds. I think...with enough training and practice...he could use that power to become incredibly strong. He has the potential to even surpass me…" Oxford declared.

"You really think so?" Maxwell said.

"Yes. I'm quite informed on the human body. If my observations are correct, he can achieve even greater feats than I. I may be in peak physical condition, but he can push limits of the human body in a different way I can. It's unique...and just as useful as my techniques." Oxford went on.

"Alright, Spaz. You're talented, I'll give you that. But we're going to train you hard. We're going to have this odd ability of yours pushed to the absolute maximum." Akemi admitted.

"Yes...I'd very much like to see where your limits are at as of now. When we train, I'd like to quickly reach the limit and encourage you to push it more and more...until you don't have it anymore. That's why I'll be fighting you tomorrow...at half of my full strength." Oxford said.

"You don't want to kill the poor kid. He's just getting his start." Cutter jabbed.

"I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. If he proves himself capable, half of my full power should be an even challenge for his ability." Oxford retorted.

"Thanks for the faith, Master. I won't let you down. I'll be the strongest student you'll ever teach! I look forward to our fight." Spaz said glowingly.

"As do I, lad. I have high hopes for you. Now, I think we should get to bed. Don't you all agree?" Oxford suggested.

Maxwell yawned loudly in response, stretching his arms out far and wide. Across the arena, Akemi had already curled herself in a ball, and was fast asleep like a kitten.

"Akemi and her beauty rest. It never fails to surprise me where she can fall asleep. Oxford, you mind?" Takeshi nudged.

"Not at all." Oxford drudged over to Akemi as he carefully picked her snoring body up, holding her in his arms like a newborn.

"Alright now. Let's head up. Have you got any space in your new dorm, Spaz?" Takeshi asked.

"Not at the moment. Freed was making some space for me, but I don't think I'd be able to sleep there just yet." Keith replied.

"Well in that case, we have some room on the floor if you're interested. You can join Maxwell there." Takeshi decided.

"Alright. You know what they say. Keep your friends close...your rivals even closer. Don't let me forget, Maxwell. I want to fight you tomorrow too. I can't wait to see what kind of tricks are up your sleeve." Spaz said with a childish grin.

Maxwell turned away nervously, rubbing the back of his head.

"Ehe...Sure thing! Right after Oxford's match, I presume." Maxwell said sheepishly.

"No, I'd figure you'd be a good warm up. To get me in fighting mood against Oxford, you know. I'll take you in first."

Maxwell followed Takeshi and the others without a word, scuffling against the ground like a frightened cat.

Spaz simply scratched his head as he looked on in confusion.

*********************************************************

Back at the dorms, a large, poorly put together sleeping space had been made in between the two large bunk beds in the bedroom. A layer of thin cotton made up the mattress, with a sprawled out stained white sheet acting as a blanket. Two oddly shaped pillows filled to the seams with feathers were placed at the front.

Exhausted, the members of Squad four all retired, placing themselves in their respective bunk as the snores of the night began to roll in. Laying directly under a nightstand where a dimly lit gas lamp sat, Maxwell and Spaz were almost huddled together for warmth, given how cold the floor was.

"I've never been so uncomfortable in my entire life." Spaz grunted, shifting in the blankets.

"Ah c'mon. It can't be that bad. Beats sleeping in a chair at the centerfold." Riley smirked.

"I don't know what's worse. The cold...or the fact that I'm all hugged up on you."

"I don't like this either. To be frank, it wasn't so bad when I was up on the bed with Akemi."

Spaz's expression suddenly grew flustered, his cheeks swelling with blood.

"Wait a second...YOU SLEPT WITH HER!?"

"Shut up! If you wake her, she'll kick both of our asses!"

"Oh god I can see it now...your naked bodies pressed together...her soft voice calling your name…"

"BLOODY HELL! WOULD YOU SHUT YOUR TRAP!?" Maxwell shouted, quickly covering his mouth as he cursed.

"Oh Maxwell...oh...oh Maxwell...you're so good…" Spaz began to make kissing noises with his pursed lips, imagining the horror.

Riley in a fit of embarrassment and rage slapped his hand against Spaz's mouth, calming him down as he heard shifts from the bunk above.

"It's not like that, you twit! She just let me in her bed because it was cold and I still don't have a bed. Get your mind out of the gutter."

"Sorry, mate. Couldn't help myself. This damn puberty has got my wires all crossed."

Maxwell dismissed the notion as he turned away, trying to get comfortable in the position he was in.

"I got to tell you something, Maxwell. I'm going to be completely honest with you, Okay? Don't tell anyone." Spaz began, looking up at the ceiling.

"Go ahead."

"Well...how should I put this. Is Akemi fast asleep?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Check for me. It's about her."

Reluctantly, Maxwell slowly rose as he peered at the bunk. Curled up against the wall Akemi slept soundly, her chest slowly rising and falling with each slow breath.

"She's out. Go ahead."

"Okay. So...how do I put this. I still don't know how to admit it…"

"Just be honest with me like you said. Whatever comes to mind."

"Right, well...here it is. I...I think I like her, Maxwell."

"Wait...really?"

"Yes, really. I'm not pullin' yer' leg. I think I like her."

"Spaz...is it just for the looks?"

"No. She's a pretty girl and all...but I got to know her a bit. Before we started training, we met at the centerfold. We talked a bit there, then we went to the mess hall and had a snack. In that time, we had a pretty...deep conversation about things. I don't even recall exactly how it happened. We just sort of...talked like that."

"What did she tell you?"

"It wasn't so much of what she told me, but rather how she acted. Around you and everyone else she's real defensive and hot headed. But tonight she was rather calm and open. I'd never thought I'd see her like that. But she was fully willing to talk to me normally."

"Odd. Very odd."

"That's what I was thinking. But the more we talked about everything, from our lives now to how we got here...it was nice to say the least. I didn't get to know much about her personally, but I got a good grip of who she is when she's not acting the way she normally does. I figure she puts up a bit of a facade most of the time. It's in her nature to act that way because when she isn't...she feels vulnerable and...less proper. I can tell she's a former noble...possibly royalty. It must be immoral to act casual about things for her when she grew up in a household where everything from talking and acting is held up to high standard. But the way she is normally when she isn't acting all high and mighty...it's charming, to say the least. She's like a regular girl, I think. I can't help be attracted to her."

"Well,if that's how you feel, you should tell her."

"Truth is, I don't think she likes me like that. I can tell after tonight we are closer friends, but I figure her warped perception of commonwealth must've tampered with her tastes in men. Nothing against her, she was probably just raised like that."

"Hmm...you're right. Well, what do you do now?"

"I think I'll just continue to talk to her. Maybe she'll open up more about herself…"

"That's about all you can do now."

"Yeah. Say Maxwell, I trust you. Right now, you're my closest friend and my rival, so I want to give you these kind of secrets. But don't go blabbering about any of this, understand? I'm trusting you."

"Of course, Spaz. I appreciate the trust. I wouldn't go talking to anyone anyways. It's not like I have any close friends in this guild I could tell."

"Eh, you're right. Akemi's good and all, but right now, my main focus is getting stronger."

"You're real determined, aren't you?"

"Of course. Now that I know exactly what's giving me strength, I'm going to focus on it and become truly strong."

"You have my support."

"Good. I'm going to get strong enough to find my family and fight whoever the hell took em'. Then I'll use that strength to protect them no matter what. I'll work with Spectre and get em' a house in Bount City, away from the crime. Then maybe if all goes well and luck is by my side...I'd like to marry one day. I could only pray...that it's her."

Maxwell couldn't help but be moved by Spaz's declaration.

"If you put your mind to it, Spaz...you can achieve anything. You have all of our support. Now, we've got a busy day tomorrow. I suggest we get some rest."

"Alright, mate. Can't wait to fight you. I'm not gonna hold back. You better not either."

"Heh, count on it. Good night."

"Night, Maxie."

"Oh shut up."

Up on the bunk bed where Akemi laid, the girl shifted her position again, this time facing the other beds. From her eyes, it was easy to tell she was wide awake, her cheeks blushed.

All she could do now was think. Think until her eyelids grew heavy again...and her thoughts clouded her mind into slumber.