บท 3: Butter
"So, we are going to move from here today." It had been a few days since the battle, and Carly had completely recovered. Her strength and determination were evident as she joined the group for the next step of their journey.
"Yeah, we need to find more recruits," Alex said, glancing at Lila. They were discussing their next move with focused intensity.
"Lila and I are going to be going in my car. Arata, I believe you have a driver's license. You get the others to the headquarters," Alex commanded, his leadership clear as he organized the group. Carly and Elio joined Arata, ready to get moving.
"Let's get moving," Alex said, as he left in the car with Lila.
As Arata, Carly, and Elio began to gather their belongings and load them into the car, a more casual conversation unfolded.
"So, Elio, how did you get into all this research stuff?" Carly asked, lifting a heavy bag into the trunk.
Elio smiled shyly. "I've always been interested in the Rings and their history. When I found out that my sister was involved, I wanted to help in any way I could. Research seemed like the best way to contribute."
Arata nodded appreciatively as he secured a box in the backseat. "It's good to have you on the team, Elio."
Carly laughed, a light-hearted sound that eased the tension. "Yeah, plus you patched me up pretty well. I owe you one, doc."
Elio blushed slightly, looking down at his feet. "It's nothing. I'm just glad I could help."
They continued loading the car, the atmosphere becoming more relaxed as they chatted.
"Arata, how did you become a Ringmaster?" Elio asked, genuinely curious.
Arata grinned as he adjusted his seatbelt. "I gave a test and passed, nothing special really."
As they drove towards the headquarters, the conversation continued, weaving between light-hearted banter and more serious discussions about their mission. The bonds between them strengthened with each passing mile, their shared experiences creating a sense of unity and purpose.
"So, Carly, any hidden talents we should know about?" Arata asked with a playful grin.
Carly smirked, leaning back in her seat. "I can make a mean lasagna. Seriously, my cooking skills are top-notch. I'll have to whip up a meal for you guys sometime."
Elio laughed, the sound filling the car with warmth. "I'm looking forward to that. I've always been terrible at cooking."
"Don't worry, Elio. We'll turn you into a master chef in no time," Carly teased.
That's when Arata saw something and hit the brakes. "…Butter…" Carly whispered, recognizing the figure licking her paws and glaring at the car. "So that's her name…Butter…" Elio said, his voice tinged with fear. "What a weird name," Arata muttered, more concerned with Butter's dangerous ferocity than her odd name.
"You guys go ahead. I will fight her," Carly volunteered.
"No!" Arata commanded firmly. Taking a deep breath, he said, "We can't leave you behind. I'm going to hit her at full speed. Just hold your belts."
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING, ARATA?!" Carly exclaimed, her concern evident as Arata focused intently on Butter, revving the engine.
"Jeez, really? First that girl and now you too? I only want the Elio boy. Give him to me, and I'll let you live," Butter said, rubbing her eyes.
"Why me?!" Elio asked, confused.
"Don't worry, Elio. Whatever happens, I will keep you safe," Arata assured him. He accelerated and drove straight at Butter, hitting her and sending her flying into the air. She landed on the ground with a sigh.
"Really?" she said, disappointed, as she started chasing the car.
"CARLY, CONTACT ALEX!" Arata commanded.
"Already on it!" Carly replied, using the ring to call Alex. But there was no response because…As rain started to pour.
On the other end, there were sounds of heavy moaning and splashing as Alex was intimately engaged with Lila. Their ring and clothes away from them as their bodies came together and they were engaging in their sexual activities.
Their car was parked beside thick woods, the dense canopy of verdant leaves safeguarding them from prying eyes. The rhythm of their passion matched the syncopated patter of rain on the car roof. The windows fogged up, further veiling them in a cocoon of intimacy. Alex's hands traced the intricate landscape of Lila's body, exploring as if for the first time. His fingers left trails of heat that made her shiver in anticipation.
Lila, entranced by his touch, could do nothing but respond in kind. Her hands roamed his body as he moved above her - his strong biceps flexing as he held himself up, the wet slickness of his black hair against her fingertips, the hard planes of his back beneath her palms.
In the backseat, their bodies were entwined in a dance as old as time itself - a rhythmic give and take that climbed ever higher towards an apex they both strived to reach. The leather creaked beneath them, a testament to their passion.
Outside, the world continued unaffected by their shared intimacy - the rain kept falling, the trees kept rustling in the wind. But within that small space confined by metal and glass they had found a little piece of heaven - their heaven.
Belongings forgotten on the car floor, dampened by spilled coffee and falling raindrops, bore silent witness to their ardor. Their entangled bodies moved in tandem until finally reaching that magical crescendo together, a shared sigh echoed through the car.
As aftershocks rippled through them, they lay entwined in each other's arms - sated and content.
As Butter relentlessly closed in on Arata, Elio, and Carly, their hearts raced with panic. Elio's voice trembled with fear, "What do we do? What do we do? She's getting closer and closer!"
"I know, I'm trying to find us an advantage," Arata reassured, his eyes locked on the pursuing Butter. With swift determination, Arata slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt. He glanced back at Butter, who was now mere meters away, her predatory determination evident in every stride.
Taking a deep breath, Arata commanded, "Wolf, let's go. Transform!" With a surge of energy, he stepped out of the car, his form enveloped in a shimmering light. His clothes morphed into a sleek, protective armor adorned with wolf motifs. His senses sharpened, attuned to the imminent clash ahead.
Beside him, Carly joined in, her voice resolute as she exclaimed, "Transform! Vulture!" In an instant, her attire transformed into a feathered ensemble that empowered her with aerial agility and keen perception. Her wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the ground as she prepared to take flight.
Butter, undeterred by their transformations, closed the distance with uncanny speed. Her claws glinted menacingly, her eyes locked onto her targets with predatory focus. Arata and Carly stood firm, their transformed selves poised for the impending clash, their minds racing with strategies born from experience.
As they faced off against Butter, the echoes of past skirmishes reverberated within them, lending strength to their resolve. The car behind them stood as a silent witness, its interior still bearing traces of their earlier urgency and determination. In this decisive moment, they were not just Ringmasters; they were warriors forged in the crucible of adversity, ready to defend what mattered most.
The air crackled with tension, each heartbeat echoing the inevitability of the clash. Arata and Carly exchanged a glance, a silent affirmation of their shared purpose. With a nod, they prepared to meet Butter head-on, their transformed forms a testament to their readiness and determination.
Butter lunged forward, her ferocity unleashed. Arata and Carly met her charge with unwavering resolve, their transformations empowering them to face this formidable adversary.
The fight began with a fierce intensity. Butter moved with blinding speed, her agility and ferocity outmatching both Arata and Carly. Her claws slashed through the air, forcing Arata to dodge and deflect as best he could. Despite his heightened senses and newfound strength, the Wolf Ringmaster struggled to keep up with her relentless onslaught.
Carly took to the skies, hoping to gain an aerial advantage. With a powerful flap of her wings, she soared above, preparing to dive at Butter. However, Butter anticipated her move and leaped upward, swatting Carly out of the sky with a powerful strike. Carly crashed to the ground, her vulture form dazed but not defeated.
"Stay focused, Carly!" Arata shouted, lunging at Butter with his enhanced speed and strength. He aimed a powerful punch at her, but Butter sidestepped effortlessly and retaliated with a swift kick to his ribs, sending him sprawling backward.
Butter's confidence grew with each successful strike. "You two are no match for me," she taunted, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Is this the best the Ringmasters have to offer?"
Elio watched in horror from the car, feeling helpless as his friends struggled against their formidable foe. "Arata! Carly! Hang in there!" he yelled, hoping to spur them on.
Arata picked himself up, wincing in pain. "We won't give up, Elio. We have to protect you," he muttered through gritted teeth. He glanced at Carly, who was already getting back on her feet, determination burning in her eyes.
The Wolf and Vulture Ringmasters regrouped, their movements more synchronized now. They launched a coordinated attack, with Arata charging from the front and Carly swooping in from above. But Butter's speed and reflexes were unmatched. She dodged Arata's punches with ease and countered Carly's aerial strikes with pinpoint precision.
In a display of sheer dominance, Butter grabbed Arata by the throat and slammed him into the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Carly, trying to rescue him, was met with a powerful backhand that sent her reeling.
"You're outclassed," Butter sneered, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "This is the end for you."
Despite the overwhelming odds, Arata and Carly refused to back down. They knew that retreating was not an option, not with Elio's life on the line. They had to dig deep, find a way to turn the tide of this battle.
As Arata and Carly struggled against Butter's relentless assault, a sudden cloud of smoke enveloped the area, obscuring their vision. Butter looked surprised, momentarily thrown off balance. "What the—?" she muttered, trying to see through the dense smoke.
"Let's go, Arata, Carly!" Elio shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. He had flicked the cap off a small bottle, releasing the smoke and providing the much-needed distraction.
Arata and Carly exchanged quick glances, their expressions shifting from desperation to determination. "Got it," Arata said, his voice firm. "Let's move!"
Arata and Carly moved swiftly, using the smoke as cover. Arata grabbed Elio by the arm, pulling him towards the forest. Carly, still in her Vulture form, provided aerial surveillance, ensuring that Butter couldn't catch them off guard.
Butter, frustrated and disoriented by the smoke, slashed wildly at the air, trying to find her opponents. "Cowards!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the haze. "You can't hide forever!"
The trio sprinted through the smoke, their footsteps silent on the forest floor. Arata's heightened senses kept him alert, listening for any signs of Butter's pursuit. Carly's wings flapped softly above them, her eyes scanning the ground for any movement.
As they reached a secluded part of the forest, Arata quickly ushered Elio into a thick cluster of trees. "In here, quick!" he urged, his voice low but urgent. Carly landed gracefully beside them, reverting to her human form as she ducked into the foliage.
Butter, frustrated and disoriented by the smoke, slashed wildly at the air, trying to find her opponents. "Cowards!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the haze. "You can't hide forever!"
The trio sprinted through the smoke, their footsteps silent on the forest floor. Arata's heightened senses kept him alert, listening for any signs of Butter's pursuit. Carly's wings flapped softly above them, her eyes scanning the ground for any movement.
As they reached a secluded part of the forest, Arata quickly ushered Elio into a thick cluster of trees. "In here, quick!" he urged, his voice low but urgent. Carly landed gracefully beside them, reverting to her human form as she ducked into the foliage.
"You know, we can't hide from her forever," Arata said, his voice steady but filled with concern.
"I know…" Elio replied, his voice trembling slightly. Carly seemed deep in thought, her brows furrowed.
"Carly, are you able to contact Sir Alex yet?" Arata asked, hoping for some good news.
Carly shook her head, frustration evident in her eyes. "I don't know why, but he doesn't seem to be picking up the call."
"What do we do?" Elio's voice was filled with concern and fear, his anxiety growing with each passing moment.
Carly took a deep breath, her mind racing. "I have an idea of what to do, but it will put Elio at risk."
Elio looked at her, his eyes wide but determined. "If I can help, just let me know."
Both Arata and Elio turned to Carly, waiting for her to elaborate. She took another deep breath and began to explain her plan.
"We need to lure Butter away from us, and the only way to do that is to give her what she wants," Carly said, her voice steady but serious. "She's after Elio, so we use him as bait."
Elio swallowed hard, fear flickering in his eyes, but he nodded. "If it's the only way, I'll do it. Just tell me what to do."
Arata frowned, clearly unhappy with the idea of putting Elio in danger. "Are you sure about this, Carly? There has to be another way."
Carly shook her head. "We don't have many options. If we can lead Butter away, it will give us time to regroup and come up with a better plan. We can't stay hidden here forever."
Arata sighed, realizing the gravity of their situation. "Alright, but we need to be smart about this. We can't let her catch him."
Carly nodded, her expression determined. "We'll set a trap. I'll create a distraction to draw her attention, and while she's focused on me, Elio can run to a safer location. Arata, you'll be his backup. Make sure he gets to safety."
Elio looked at them both, his fear slowly giving way to determination. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's do this."
The trio moved quickly, finalizing their plan and preparing for the risky maneuver. They knew the odds were against them, but they also knew they had to try. The forest, their temporary refuge, had bought them some time, but now it was time to take action.
On the other end, both Lila and Alex had put their clothes back on. "Why was Carly calling me?" Alex muttered, puzzled as he slipped the ring back onto his finger. Just when he was about to contact Carly again, a voice interrupted.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Lance appeared, questioning Alex's actions. "You know, I've been waiting for you guys to finish your pleasurable time for like 30 minutes now." Lance smirked as he casually perched on the railing of the turnaround road.
"Who the hell is he?" Lila asked, stepping out of the car.
"Eel and Alex. Nice to meet you," Lance bowed mockingly. "I am Lance, though some prefer calling me Jet. Whatever you want." He grinned, a chilling smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"How do you know my name?" Alex demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"Oh, I don't only know your name, I also know you have a wife and kid, Alex," Lance said in a disgusting tone, relishing the reaction.
"YOU…" Alex's face turned red with fury. "YOU DON'T TAKE THEIR NAMES FROM YOUR FILTHY MOUTH, UNDERGROUNDER!" he screamed, his rage palpable. "TRANSFORM LION!"
With a burst of energy, Alex transformed, the power of the ring enveloping him as he became the Lion Ringmaster. Fueled by rage, he charged at Lance, launching into a furious attack.
Lance dodged effortlessly, his smirk never faltering. "Is that all you've got, Lion? Your rage makes you sloppy."
As Alex and Lance clashed, Lila watched in shock. The revelation had hit her hard. "Alex has a wife and a kid?" she murmured, her confusion and concern evident.
As Lila stood in shock, she quickly snapped out of it, realizing the urgency of the situation. "Transform, EEL!" she shouted, the power of the ring coursing through her. Her body glowed as she transformed into the Eel Ringmaster, ready to support Alex in the fight.
Lila joined the fray, her movements swift and fluid like the eel she represented. She and Alex fought side by side, their combined attacks forcing Lance to stay on the defensive. Sparks flew as Lila's electric strikes clashed with Lance's lance, while Alex's powerful blows kept Lance from gaining any ground.
"Impressive," Lance admitted, blocking an electric surge from Lila with his shield. "But you'll have to do better than that."
Alex roared, launching a powerful punch that Lance barely dodged. "We're not done yet!" he growled, eyes blazing with determination.
Lila seized the opportunity, sending a bolt of electricity that crackled through the air toward Lance. He deflected it with his lance, but the sheer force pushed him back a few steps. "Nice try, Eel," he smirked, "but I'm not that easy to beat."
Despite their best efforts, Lance was proving to be a formidable opponent. His speed and skill matched theirs, making it hard to land a decisive blow. The fight raged on, both sides exchanging powerful attacks and counterattacks. The surrounding area bore the marks of their battle, trees splintered, and the ground scorched by Lila's electricity.
After what felt like an eternity, the fight reached a stalemate. Alex and Lila, breathing heavily, stood their ground, glaring at Lance. He, too, showed signs of exertion, but his smirk remained. "Looks like we're evenly matched," Lance said, twirling his lance casually. "But this isn't over."
"We'll see about that," Alex retorted, his fists still clenched.
Lance backed away slowly, eyes never leaving theirs. "Until next time, Lion and Eel," he said, disappearing into the shadows.
As the dust settled, Lila turned to Alex, her eyes still wide with confusion and concern. "Alex, we need to talk about what he said. About your family."
"I am sorry, I—" Suddenly, Arata's call interrupts both Lila and Alex. "Hello Arata, what—"
"SEND HELP, MISTER ALEX! ARATA… ARATA IS DYING!" Elio screams through the ring.
Back In the forest, Carly took a deep breath and stepped forward, transforming into her Vulture ringmaster form. She flapped her powerful wings, creating a gust of wind and drawing Butter's attention. "Over here, you mangy beast!" she taunted, soaring into the air.
Butter snarled and turned her attention towards Carly, her eyes narrowing. "You think you can distract me, birdie?" she growled, leaping into the air with incredible speed and agility.
Meanwhile, Elio seized the opportunity and started running towards a safer location, glancing back to make sure Arata was following. Arata, in his Wolf ringmaster form, stayed close to Elio, his senses heightened and ready to protect him.
Carly continued to maneuver through the trees, leading Butter away from Elio and Arata. Butter, however, was relentless, her speed and ferocity making it difficult for Carly to maintain the distraction. "Come on, Carly, keep her busy just a little longer," she muttered to herself, dodging another swipe from Butter's claws.
As they fled deeper into the forest, Butter's relentless pursuit drove Arata, Elio, and Carly to their limits. They thought they had gained some distance when Butter suddenly appeared, leaping out from the shadows with inhuman speed and precision. Her eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity.
"Get back!" Arata's voice echoed through the silent forest as he pushed Elio and Carly behind him. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he transformed into his Wolf Ringmaster form, ready to defend his companions.
Butter's presence was suffocating, her movements swift and calculated. With supernatural speed, she closed the distance in an instant. Arata managed to deflect her initial strike, but her claws, sharp as daggers, found their mark with a terrifying precision.
A gut-wrenching sound ripped through the air as Butter's claws slashed across Arata's chest. The force of the impact knocked him back, leaving a gaping, crimson-stained wound that marred his once-unblemished uniform. Blood gushed from the deep gash, staining the forest floor in a grotesque tableau of violence.
Arata staggered, his strength draining rapidly as searing pain radiated from the wound. Every breath felt like fire in his lungs, every movement an agonizing reminder of his mortality. Carly's scream pierced through the darkness, a desperate plea for help as she tried to fend off Butter, but the enemy's onslaught seemed relentless.
Elio's face paled with fear and helplessness, his hands trembling as he witnessed the horror unfolding before him. The forest, once a sanctuary, now felt like a labyrinth of nightmares closing in around them.
Alex and Lila exchanged horrified looks. "We need to go, now!" Alex said, his voice firm with urgency. Lila nodded, still reeling from the shock of what they had just heard and seen.
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