"Jax!" Lionel, Felix and Kiyoshi's voices echoed off palm trees. "Where are you, kiddo?" Jose queried into the dense tropical foliage. They had scoured every inch of this island paradise turned nightmare and their companion was still missing. Lionel gritted his teeth, frustration wrinkling his forehead. "We need to keep looking." Felix rubbed tired eyes, "Maybe we can start fresh in the morning? I'm beat." At Jose’s suggestion for a possible break, Lionel agreed, though his clenched jaw conveyed obvious displeasure.

Exhausted but unwavering, they retreated to their dojo nestled amongst age-old banyan trees. The earthy smell of moss dampened stones met them as they entered, calming their churning thoughts momentarily. But uncertainty lingered like a bitter aftertaste.

Jose frowned slightly at Lionel's question about his accommodation. He admitted to not owning any permanent shelter yet, only to be greeted by Kiyoshi’s hospitable invitation; he could share their place until he found one of his own.

Upon entering the dojo once more the eerie sensation twisted in Lionel’s gut – something felt strange- , an intruder trespassed sacred space of camaraderie - powerful indeed! A dragon perhaps? The revelation hit like a punch that sent him reeling; but why would Jax pose such discomfort?

Impulsively Kiyoshi sprinted into the dojo before Lionel yelled out a warning too late: an explosion erupted from the unassuming wooden structure with breathtaking intensity radiating white light in splendid display across the dusky sky; and then came the silence – shattering silence.

Kiyoshi lay sprawled on hard-packed sand ground; next second Lionel glances turned toward fast approaching figure from doorway veiled under darkness . All except Tokido clad in layers of black cloak strode out confidently through simmering smoke and dust with piercing icy-white stare – Jax's but vastly different. His voice rang clear "Where's my brother!" Lionel mirrored his hostility, "Who wants to know?"

He was out of time and patience with another round of questioning. Unphased by the hostile vibe he inquired about the dragon’s scent wafting around him and seemed shared his realization that not all seemed right.

Jose rose to challenge; as intimate as a clash yet powerfully distant . But before they could initiate Kiyoshi staggered back on feet insisting to join fray even though battered harshly from earlier blast. Lionel shook head worried at this suicidal streak; does Kiyoshi intend to unlock berserk mode searching victory' s flavor somehow risking personal danger?

Felix voiced next concern watching scene unfold ; no one can win without controlling anger - a lesson hard earned for them. Still Jose entertained doubt whether such feat is possible especially under extreme circumstances fuelled by desperation only gaining grim answer from Lionel .

With swift decision Tokido cast aside cloak revealing himself entirely - humoring formality gentlemanly bow crafting silent promise of brutal encounter imminent.

Kiyoshi barely through bow darted forward fists aiming for sure target twisted somewhere within menacing demeanor presented by Tokido- Wham! A punch gripped midair and thrown off guard fly backwards spiraling momentum carry him aloof barely managing twist in following attempt deflect sweeping leg only end sprawled painfully on ground.

As if insulting injury 'Strix' smeared smirk across face “Wow, didn't imagine you'd stand up against this guy,” offering help speed up process receive curt reply Tokdio firm hold arena.

Dark purple fire lit Kiyoshi eye more determination etched itself along every struggling muscle body , transformative aura surrounded him an undeniable declaration “I will not lose !!!”Kiyoshi kicked back up again.

In the midst of a swirling purple haze, Kiyoshi gasped for breath as he regained consciousness. Lionel nudged Felix, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "Watch closely," Lionel whispered. Felix sighed, not particularly fond of this part.

A shadowy figure materialized from the mist, its presence ominous and foreboding. Kiyoshi's voice trembled as he asked, "Who are you?"

The figure sneered, revealing sharp fangs. "I am Kitaro, the shadow tiger," it growled.

Kiyoshi's eyes widened in recognition. "You're the one who takes control when I lose control," he said, realization dawning on him.

Kitaro's sinister grin widened. "Surprised you let me have that power," he taunted.

Kiyoshi forced a laugh and nervously rubbed his neck. "The only way you can control me is if you defeat me in a fair fight," he challenged.

Kitaro flexed his claws menacingly. "This won't be easy for you, boy."

Summoning all his courage, Kiyoshi assumed a fighting stance. "Bring it on," he declared.

With lightning speed, Kitaro struck first, slashing his claws across Kiyoshi's cheek. Blood trickled down his face as Kiyoshi grimaced in pain. Kitaro followed up with a powerful punch to the nose and a swift kick to the gut. Finally, he delivered a devastating blow with his shadowy claws, slicing through Kiyoshi's stomach.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Collapsed on the ground, Kiyoshi tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. Kitaro loomed over him, mocking his weakness. "Pathetic. You're nothing compared to your parents, Taichi and Sumiko."

Gritting his teeth through the pain, Kiyoshi struggled to rise. His voice trembled with determination. "You're just jealous that I have a family and friends who support me."

Kitaro barked a harsh laugh. "You never even met your mother. And those so-called friends of yours? They want to surpass you."

Meeting Kitaro's glare, Kiyoshi's eyes burned with an unwavering resolve. "After I defeat you, we'll see about that."

With renewed vigor, they charged at each other, fists colliding with a resounding crack. Kiyoshi seized Kitaro's paw, countering with a powerful roundhouse kick to the ribs. He followed up with a swift kick to Kitaro's head, sending him flying through the air. As Kitaro crashed onto the ground, Kiyoshi delivered a fierce punch to his muzzle.

Kitaro skidded across the floor, dazed and disoriented. "Special Move: Shadow Shredder!" Kiyoshi roared. Purple energy claws extended from his hands as he leapt into the air, slashing at Kitaro's face.

Kitaro barely managed to dodge the attack, narrowly avoiding the deadly claws. "Almost got me," he sneered as he rolled back onto his feet. "Super Move: Shadow Roar Blast!"

Kiyoshi crossed his arms in defense just as the dark blast struck him with tremendous force. His guard shattered, and he was sent hurtling through the air.

Standing triumphantly over Kiyoshi's battered body, Kitaro gloated. "I will control this form forever now."

But despite the bruises and his broken arm, Kiyoshi struggled to stand once more. His voice filled with defiance. "Not so fast."

"You are tougher than I expected," Kitaro admitted begrudgingly.

Kiyoshi smirked. "Yeah, I tend to have a reason not to give up."

Kitaro lunged with a palm strike, but Kiyoshi swiftly deflected it with one hand. Undeterred, Kitaro attacked with his other hand, only to have it kicked away by Kiyoshi. With a purple glow emanating from his fist, Kiyoshi delivered a powerful punch to Kitaro's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Taking advantage of the opening, Kiyoshi unleashed another round of shadow shredder attacks, this time with a holographic claw firmly in his grasp. He tore through Kitaro effortlessly. Kitaro fell unconscious.

"Good job, Kiyoshi," Kitaro's voice echoed in his mind. "I was wrong about you. You've finally beaten me and broken this curse. Now go and defeat Tokido."

Reality snapped back into focus as Kiyoshi's berserk mode ended. His body was enveloped in a radiant purple aura as it transformed into a half-tiger, half-human hybrid form. His black fur bore majestic purple stripes, and his hands and feet morphed into powerful paws. Towering on two legs, he possessed tiger-like eyes and ears atop his head. His face had become that of a fearsome tiger as well. Adorned in a shadow purple gi with a black belt displaying a tiger logo on its back, Kiyoshi roared with newfound strength.

"I am Kitaro, the shadow tiger! Hear me roar!" he exclaimed.

Lionel, Felix, and Jose stared at him in awe and disbelief. "How is this possible?" Lionel wondered aloud.

"He finally broke the curse," Felix whispered in amazement.

"I believe Kiyoshi's chances just increased by fifty percent," Jose remarked.

As Kiyoshi prepared to face Tokido, he winced in pain as he tried to lift his injured arm. "Right, I forgot I broke it," he muttered before clutching it once again.

Tokido closed his eyes, a transformation overtaking him. His eyes reverted to the Mitsukodorian mode, and a white aura enveloped his body. He began to change into a creature resembling Jax, but with white and silver trims, complete with wings extending through his gi.

"I am Strix, the Ghost Hippogriff," Tokido announced, assuming a hippogriff stance.

Kiyoshi mirrored him, adopting a tiger stance. With lightning speed, Tokido delivered a powerful punch that connected with Kiyoshi's face. Kiyoshi was sent hurtling toward the edge of a cliff.

"Super Move: Ghost Lightning Punch!" Tokido yelled, his fist glowing with white electric light as he aimed for Kiyoshi's stomach. Kiyoshi plummeted, splitting the cliff in two upon impact.

Summoning his inner strength, Kiyoshi threw Tokido off him and watched as Tokido soared into the air. "You may know how to transform, but you're not worthy enough to face me," Tokido taunted.

"Ultra-Move: True Ghost Lightning Cannon!" Dark clouds gathered above Tokido as he called forth his ultimate attack. The True Ghost Lightning Cannon, 100 times larger than before, materialized in his hand while his eyes glowed even brighter.

Frantically searching for a way out, Kiyoshi racked his brain. "I need to think fast," he muttered.

With his purple eyes alight with determination, Kiyoshi summoned his purple aura once more. "Here goes nothing," he muttered as he clasped both hands together.

"Super Move: Shadow Roar Blast!" A massive purple ball formed in front of Kiyoshi's hands before hurtling toward Tokido's True Ghost Lightning Cannon. The blast collided with the ball, and slowly but surely, it overwhelmed the opposing attack. The spherical mass surged toward Kiyoshi, culminating in a colossal explosion.

When the dust settled, Kiyoshi found himself embedded deep within the mountain. Unconsciousness claimed him once more.

"The match is over," the watches declared.

"What a waste of our time," Tokido sneered. "Who's next to die?"

But suddenly, four figures clad in cloaks identical to Tokido's clapped their hands. "Well done, Tokido," one of them said, lifting his hood to reveal Cloven Norwood, the Prometheus Fighter. Lionel's face twisted with anger at the sight of Cloven.

"You've done us a great service in getting us closer to unlocking the infinity sword from the infinity stone," Cloven praised them. "We couldn't have accomplished it without your assistance." He paused, then added with a sinister smile, "Oh, and by the way, we have your brother tied up with our boss. If you want to see him again, come to the main courtyard tomorrow morning. We'll be waiting."

Tokido clenched his fist and unleashed his rage on a distant mountain. Pain shot through his eyes just like Jax's.

Meanwhile, at the hideout of the green hooded man, Jax suffered under Sekel's relentless assault. Screams of pain filled the air.

"What is causing your eyes to hurt?" Felix asked curiously.

"It's my brother," Tokido explained. "We share a special bond through our unique eyes, an inheritance from our family clan. Only those with Mitsuko's blood possess this power and can unlock their true hippogriff form. I must find Jax before his power is drained completely from his body."

Kiyoshi awakened from his defeat, covered in rocks and bruises. "Guys, I think I need some help," he said weakly.

"I've got you," Jose assured him as he jumped down to tend to Kiyoshi's wounds. "Hold still so I can bandage you properly."

"I'm coming too," Lionel declared.

"Why?" Tokido questioned, his eyes narrowing.

"Jax is my friend too," Lionel replied firmly. "We all care about him, just like you do."

Felix chimed in, "These guys may be powerful, but we won't let them destroy us.

“These guys are powerful; you will get destroyed easily, never mind your death anyway, don’t get in my way,” said Tokido. .

” I will go as well,” said Jose.

“As well as me,” said Kiyoshi.

“You guys are born to die,” said Tokido.