A boat glided towards the dock, its loud horn blaring across the island. “I believe that’s the transfer fighters,” a fighter remarked. “Transfer?” Jax inquired. The fighters darted out of the dojo to witness the boat docking. Jax raced out to investigate the commotion. He spotted Felix and Kiyoshi. “Did you hear the news?” Jax asked. “What news?” Felix questioned. “We got a new fighter who transferred from a different island,” Jax explained. “There are other Kung Fu islands?” Kiyoshi asked incredulously. “Yes,” Jax confirmed. “I thought this was the only one for Kung Fu,” Kiyoshi mused. “I guess not,” Felix chuckled. “This should be interesting. I can't wait to battle them all,” Kiyoshi declared. “And get trounced by them,” Jax quipped. Kiyoshi bristled, “Take that back!” “No thanks,” Jax smirked. “Shall we greet the newcomers?” Felix suggested.
They sauntered over to the dock where Scarlet waved at Felix. “Hello,” Felix smiled, embracing her in a hug. “Who are the new fighters?” he inquired. “There are many, but two stand out. One is a cowboy who knows Kung Fu. I don't know the other,” Scarlet described. “Hmm,” Jax murmured thoughtfully. “Hi guys,” Scarlet greeted. Jax and Kiyoshi returned her greeting. “How is Lionel?” she asked with concern. “He's recovering well,” Felix updated. “I can't believe Cloven injured him so badly,” Scarlet lamented. “Don't worry, he should be discharged soon,” Felix reassured. “That's wonderful,” Scarlet smiled though her eyes held sadness.
The transfer fighters disembarked the ship. The cowboy tipped his hat courteously as all eyes watched his arrival. “Howdy partners,” he drawled. “Another lady killer,” Felix muttered. Jared sauntered over when he spotted Felix. “Well, well, if it isn't Felix and his pathetic fighting friends,” he sneered contemptuously. “Who are you calling pathetic?” Jax demanded, bristling with anger. “Ooooh, I'm so scared,” Jared taunted, flashing the three stars on his belt. “Why are you here?” Felix asked tersely. “I'm showing the transfers around. Now I'm late, so bye,” Jared winked before departing. “Who was that creep?” Jax wondered aloud. “Childhood rival,” Felix explained tightly. “Total jerk,” Scarlet added vehemently. “Spoiled brat jerk,” Felix amended.
Jared returned with the new fighters in tow. Felix, Scarlet and Jax felt their powerful energy as they passed. “You guys felt that too right, not just me?!” Jax exclaimed. They confirmed experiencing the same sensation. “They seem mighty powerful,” Felix noted grimly. “Stay on guard, Jax,” Tethyus warned.
Lionel bolted upright, panting heavily. “Just a nightmare,” he muttered with relief. A nurse entered. “You're awake, wonderful,” she smiled. “How did I get here?” Lionel asked, disoriented. “Your friends brought you after the fight,” she explained gently. “Zebeon?” Lionel called worriedly. No response came. “What's happening?” he wondered anxiously. He sat perplexed, alone with his thoughts. Eventually Cloven, or rather Jax, entered. “You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost,” Jax asked with concern. “I'm fine, just processing the fight,” Lionel assured him. “It was brutal, but you'll overcome it, I know it,” Jax encouraged. “I also can't reach Zebeon anymore,” Lionel confided mournfully. “That's odd, he's part of you. He probably exhausted his energy saving you,” Jax theorized. “So he protected me from dying?” Lionel asked hopefully. “Seems that way,” Jax nodded. “How are the others?” Lionel inquired. “Training hard. Cloven threatened us when he tossed your body at us,” Jax revealed angrily. Lionel clenched his fists, “I'll get my revenge, this isn't over.” “Rest up, I'll make sure we grow stronger,” Jax promised. Lionel laid back, whispering, “Maybe I should just flee this island.”
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Jax left the medical building and saw the cowboy training, smashing logs with powerful strikes. Gusts of wind nearly blew Jax over. “Incredible power,” he remarked in awe. Jax approached and complimented his technique. “Much obliged, partner,” the cowboy smiled and introduced himself as Wiley McGee Howard.
Jax challenged him to a duel which Wiley eagerly accepted. The watches confirmed the match's start. Wiley dodged Jax’s kicks and struck swiftly with elbows and a leg sweep, then rammed Jax like a raging bull into a tree. Jax slowly rose and landed two punches before screaming, “Lighting Kick!” His leg crackled with electricity as he kicked Wiley, electrocuting but not deterring him. Wiley seized Jax's leg and swung him crashing through a tree.
Jax shakily stood up, dazed. Wiley prepared his final attack but Jax desperately backflipped, kicking Wiley to the ground where his punch exploded. Jax's eyes shifted as an aura surrounded him. His body transformed into a half-human, half-hippogriff. His white gi turned navy blue with a crimson belt. Fully transformed, Jax now had a beak with sharp eyes, clawed hands and feet, feathers, and greater height. “I am Tethyus, the lighting blue hippogriff,” he declared.
“Dog gone it, now it's gettin' good!” Wiley exclaimed excitedly. “My turn,” he warned as he called upon his guardian spirit, Betsey the metal bull. Wiley grew metal horns but otherwise remained bulky and muscular. He charged Jax but the hippogriff easily anticipated and dodged the attack. Wiley's horn stuck fast in a tree. Jax's beak crackled with electricity as he zapped Wiley, creating an explosive shock despite being stuck.
Their fight ended in a draw with both unleashing their ultimate techniques. A defeated Jax and Wiley lay sprawled on the ground. Nearby, Lionel had witnessed the smoke and hurried over despite his injuries. He found the two fighters conversing. “That was quite a match, partner,” Wiley grinned. “A good battle indeed,” Lionel agreed. “Why aren't you recovering?” Jax questioned suspiciously. “Just getting some air,” Lionel claimed innocently. “Nonsense,” Jax retorted, unconvinced.
"Well, I better get going to the cabin because it is hard to navigate at night. You are a formidable fighter; I look forward to our rematch at the end-of-year tournament," said Wiley, tipping his hat towards Jax in farewell. "Same here, friend," said Jax, going for a fist bump that Wiley eagerly returned before the cowboy ambled off into the dark woods.
Jax and Lionel walked back to the dojo together. Upon arriving, they saw Kiyoshi and Felix sparring fiercely. Kiyoshi threw a crushing punch at Felix, who deftly dodged it and landed two rapid punches to Kiyoshi’s face. Kiyoshi crashed to the ground with a thud. "Just more practice, and you could be a great fighter," said Felix, offering a hand to help Kiyoshi up. Then, Felix bowed respectfully to Kiyoshi. "Why can’t I ever beat you guys? This is so unfair," said Kiyoshi, frustration simmering in his voice as he swatted Felix's hand away. "Calm yourself; it takes diligent practice," said Jax, interrupting firmly. Kiyoshi looked over and saw Jax's new appearance. "How did you attain your colors and emblem?" Asked Kiyoshi, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "By training extensively," said Jax simply. Kiyoshi's face flushed an angry red. "I'm going to bed; this is madness," he huffed as he stomped inside. The others stifled laughter at Kiyoshi's dramatic reaction.
Sekel was peering out his window into the inky night. Then, his office door creaked open, and four ominous shadows crept inside. "Nice to see the whole gang has arrived," said Sekel, swiveling his chair around slowly. "So, you're the new transfer fighters. Welcome to paradise island," he added with an evil grin, steepling his fingers menacingly.