Dan stood in his Bull Ringmaster form, his armor thick and formidable, with a visor reminiscent of a bull’s eyes and a helmet adorned with a massive horn. He faced off against Evans, who had transformed into a monstrous tree creature, his body covered in bark and branches, his limbs beefed up with sheer brute strength.

The air crackled with tension as they squared off, each sizing up the other. Evans’s eyes glowed with a fierce determination, while Dan’s eyes reflected a mixture of resolve and lingering pain from their shared past.

“You’re not going to win this, Dan,” Evans growled, his voice deep and resonant, like the rumble of a forest in the wind. “You never could stand up to me before, and you won’t now.”

Dan clenched his fists, the rock-like armor shifting with his movements. “That was a long time ago, Evans. Things have changed.”

As they prepared to clash, memories flooded Dan’s mind. He remembered high school, the days when he and Lawrence were inseparable, always pushing each other to greater heights. But there was also Evans, always there, always loyal to Lawrence, standing in the way whenever Dan tried to get close.

One particular memory surfaced: Dan and Lawrence were in the school courtyard, surrounded by their peers. Dan had been angry, feeling betrayed as Lawrence began to drift away, spending more time with Evans. Dan had confronted Lawrence, his words sharp and biting.

“Someday, Lawrence will leave you too, Evans,” Dan had spat, his voice filled with venom. “Just like he left me. He’s not loyal to anyone but himself.”

Evans had stepped between them, his large frame blocking Dan’s path. “Back off, Dan,” he had warned, his voice steady and firm. “Lawrence hasn’t left you. You’re the one pushing him away.”

In the present, the memory fueled Dan’s anger and resolve. “You always were Lawrence’s shield,” Dan said, his voice hardening. “But this isn’t about him anymore. This is about us.”

Evans’s eyes narrowed, the bark on his arms creaking as he flexed his muscles. “You’re right. It’s about settling this once and for all.”

With a roar, Evans charged at Dan, his tree-like fists swinging with devastating force. Dan met him head-on, his bull armor absorbing the impact as they collided. The ground trembled beneath them, dust and debris flying in all directions.

Dan countered with a powerful headbutt, his horned helmet striking Evans’s chest. Evans staggered back, but quickly regained his footing, lashing out with a swift kick that caught Dan in the side. The impact sent Dan sprawling, but he rolled with the blow, using the momentum to get back on his feet.

“You’ve gotten stronger,” Dan admitted, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. “But so have I.”

He charged at Evans, his fists pounding with relentless fury. Each blow was heavy, like the weight of a charging bull, and Evans struggled to block and parry. But Evans fought back with equal ferocity, his tree limbs whipping and striking with surprising speed and precision.

Their battle raged on, the sound of their clashes echoing through the abandoned school grounds. Dan’s armor began to crack under the relentless assault, but he pushed through the pain, his determination unwavering. Evans’s bark-covered body showed signs of wear and tear, splinters flying with each powerful hit.

In a desperate move, Evans swung a massive branch at Dan, but Dan ducked under it and drove his shoulder into Evans’s midsection, lifting him off the ground and slamming him into a nearby wall. The impact left a crater in the brick, and Evans slumped to the ground, momentarily dazed.

Dan stepped back, panting heavily, his fists still clenched. “You can’t protect him anymore, Evans. And you can’t stop me.”

Evans groaned, pushing himself back to his feet. “This isn’t about protecting Lawrence,” he said, his voice filled with resolve. “This is about doing what’s right.”

He charged at Dan again, but this time, Dan was ready. He sidestepped the attack and landed a powerful punch to Evans’s jaw, followed by another to his gut. Evans doubled over, gasping for breath, but Dan didn’t relent. He grabbed Evans by the shoulders and headbutted him again, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through Evans’s body.

Evans dropped to his knees, his tree limbs trembling. “Dan… you’re stronger than I thought,” he admitted, his voice weak. “But this isn’t over.”

Dan stepped back, breathing heavily. “It never is with us, is it?”

Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Despite their differences, despite the years of conflict and rivalry, there was a grudging respect. They had pushed each other to their limits, and in doing so, had made each other stronger.

Dan took a deep breath, steadying himself. “This isn’t about Lawrence anymore, Evans. It’s about proving that we can stand on our own.”

Evans nodded slowly, rising to his feet. “Then let’s finish this.”

In another world, Thronjaw materialized from the shadows, his scaly armor glinting under the artificial moonlight. His face was a grotesque mask of jagged teeth, his nose long and sharp like a saw. He towered over Arata, exuding an aura of raw power and malice.

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Without warning, Thronjaw lunged at Arata, his massive claws swinging with blinding speed. Arata barely had time to react, dodging to the side, but Thronjaw was relentless. He followed up with a powerful kick that sent Arata sprawling across the ground.

“Is that all you’ve got, Wolf?” Thronjaw taunted, his voice dripping with contempt.

Arata scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. He raised his fists, ready to counterattack, but Thronjaw was already upon him. The monstrous Undergrounder moved with surprising agility for his size, his scaly limbs striking with precision and force.

Every punch and kick Arata attempted was effortlessly blocked or dodged. Thronjaw seemed to anticipate his every move, countering with devastating blows that left Arata reeling. It was clear that Thronjaw was toying with him, enjoying the dominance he held over the Wolf Ringmaster.

“Come on, Wolf! Show me the strength you boast about!” Thronjaw roared, his claws raking across Arata’s chest, tearing through his armor and drawing blood.

Arata grunted in pain, stumbling back as he tried to regain his composure. His vision blurred for a moment, the world around him spinning from the relentless assault. He couldn’t afford to give up, not now, but Thronjaw’s power was overwhelming.

Thronjaw pressed his advantage, his attacks becoming even more brutal. He grabbed Arata by the collar and lifted him off the ground, slamming him into one of the holographic mountains. The impact left Arata gasping for air, his body wracked with pain.

“You’re weak, Wolf. Just like all the others,” Thronjaw sneered, his jagged teeth bared in a cruel grin.

Arata struggled to break free, but Thronjaw’s grip was like iron. He could feel the strength draining from his body, the hopelessness of the situation weighing heavily on him. Thronjaw’s eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he continued to pummel Arata, each blow sending shockwaves of agony through his battered form.

“You can’t win, Wolf. You never stood a chance,” Thronjaw said, his voice low and menacing.

Arata’s mind raced, trying to find a way out of this nightmare. He couldn’t let Thronjaw defeat him, not when so much was at stake. But every attempt to fight back was met with failure, his attacks futile against Thronjaw’s superior strength and speed.

Thronjaw finally released Arata, letting him fall to the ground in a crumpled heap. Arata’s vision swam, the pain almost unbearable. He tried to push himself up, but his limbs felt like lead, his strength all but gone.

“You’re nothing but a disappointment, Wolf,” Thronjaw spat, towering over Arata’s broken form. “Your time is up.”

With one final, devastating blow, Thronjaw sent Arata flying across the dark landscape, his body crashing into the cold, hard ground. Arata lay there, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, his vision dimming. He could hear Thronjaw’s footsteps approaching, the ground trembling with each step.

Thronjaw circled Arata like a predator toying with its prey, his eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. Arata lay on the cold ground, his body battered and bruised, barely able to move. Every breath was a struggle, his chest heaving as he tried to muster the strength to stand.

“You know why my king told me to bring you here?” Thronjaw’s voice was low and taunting, echoing through the eerie, artificial landscape. “It’s because you are the key to your team. The moment you leave, your team crumbles. At least that’s what the King said, but it seems my King underestimated you.” Thronjaw’s laughter was a harsh, grating sound that cut through the fog like a knife.

He crouched in front of Arata, his grotesque face mere inches away. “You are just a weakling, nothing much. Someone who is just there by luck, nothing else.” Thronjaw sneered, his jagged teeth glinting under the artificial moonlight. “Come on, Wolf, is that really all you got?” His voice was a menacing growl, filled with mockery and disdain.

Arata’s mind raced as he struggled to find a way out of this dire situation. He couldn’t let Thronjaw’s words break him, but the pain and exhaustion were overwhelming. He tried to push himself up, but his limbs felt like lead, refusing to obey his commands.

Meanwhile, in another part of the battlefield, Dan faced off against Evans. The towering tree monster loomed over him, his bark-like skin and bulging muscles making him a formidable opponent. Memories flooded Dan’s mind as he clashed with Evans, recalling the times Evans had stopped him from bullying Lawrence.

In the midst of their struggle, a memory surfaced. Dan remembered a heated argument with Evans, who had intervened when Dan was tormenting Lawrence.

“Someday, Lawrence will leave you as well, just like he left me,” Dan had spat, his words filled with bitterness.

Evans had stood firm, his eyes blazing with determination. “You’re wrong, Dan. Lawrence isn’t like that. He’s our friend.”

Back in the present, Dan shook off the memory, focusing on the battle at hand. He could see the determination in Evans’ eyes, the same determination he had seen years ago. But now, it was different. They were on opposite sides of a war they never wanted to be a part of.

With a roar, Dan summoned the last of his strength, his armor glowing with a fierce energy. “Bull’s Horn!” he shouted, lowering his head and charging at Evans with all his might. The ground trembled as he rushed forward, his horn aimed straight at Evans’ heart.

Evans tried to counter, but Dan’s attack was too powerful. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, and Evans staggered back, his bark-like skin cracking and splintering. With a final, agonizing cry, Evans fell to the ground, defeated.

Dan stood over him, panting heavily. He looked down at his fallen opponent, a mix of triumph and sorrow in his eyes. “Rest now, Evans,” he said softly, his voice filled with regret. “I promise you, I will save Lawrence and you will be free.”

Back in Thronjaw’s world, the monstrous Undergrounder continued to taunt Arata, who lay motionless on the ground. “Is this the end for you, Wolf? Are you truly so weak that you can’t even stand?” Thronjaw’s voice dripped with contempt.

Arata’s vision blurred, but he could hear Thronjaw’s words echoing in his mind. He knew he couldn’t give up, not now. His team was counting on him. But as Thronjaw loomed over him, ready to deliver the final blow, Arata’s strength failed him once more.

“You are nothing,” Thronjaw sneered, raising his clawed hand. “And now, you will die.”

At that moment, a surge of energy coursed through Arata’s body. He didn’t know where it came from, but it gave him the strength to push himself up, to face Thronjaw one last time. “I… won’t… give up,” he gasped, his voice a hoarse whisper.

Thronjaw’s eyes widened in surprise, but then he laughed, a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the dark landscape. “Very well, Wolf. Let’s see how long you can last.”

As Thronjaw prepared to strike, the scene shifted back to the real world. Dan stood over Evans’ fallen form, his heart heavy with the weight of his promise. He knew the battle was far from over, but for now, he had won a small victory.