The Will of Fire

47...The Last Stand

*Tsuchi Overpass*
Kuma breathed heavily as he stared at the three preteens.
"I feel like you're holding back, Kuma! Come on, take us out!" Koshinmaru shouted confidently.
Koshinmaru, Iwabe, and Sarai had been doing a good job holding their own against Kuma.
"You three are strong together indeed" Kuma said. "But I never wished to kill you. This was more so of a test. And you three just passed."
"What?" Iwabe asked.
"A test? But...I thought..." Sarai started to say.
"Yes, a test. I wanted to see how well you three work together" said Kuma. "There could be improvements of course, but for your ages you three are great together. Iwabe, you're a Poison Type of the Parasite Class. You can easily use poisonous insects, but the fact you can use normal insects as well to immobilize and distract is amazing. You're good at long range as well. Sarai, you being a Strength Type of Superhuman Class proves you like it up close and personal. I've never been hit that hard in my life. And Koshinmaru, your close combat skill was on full display as well. But quick question. Why didn't you use any Power Attacks? Are you not a Power Warrior?"
"Well. Of course I am. I just...I don't know, its hard to explain." Koshinmaru said, looking away.
"Koshinmaru is definitely a Power Warrior. He just is a late bloomer, that's all." Iwabe said.
"Iwabe!" Sarai said nudging him. "You're going to hurt his feelings!"
"I meant no harm by that, Koshinmaru I swear." Iwabe said.
Koshinmaru grimaced a bit, looking away from everyone.
"Koshinmaru? Care to explain to me?" Kuma asked. "Don't get me wrong, hand-to-hand combat is great. But you want to go against Emperor Landi Kang and Prince Landi Ryo, you'll need more than that."
"Look, I'm a Power Warrior, ok?" Koshinmaru answered quickly. "Iwabe was right. I just can't seem to execute any Power Attacks yet. So, I've dedicated my time into becoming the best hand-to-hand fighter there is."
"Koshinmaru is lucky enough to be born with two Types and Classes from his mother and father." Sarai said.
"Is this true?" Kuma asked.
Koshinmaru nodded his head, and scoffed.
"What does it matter though? I can't use any powers from them" he said, arms crossed. "Besides, I never met my stupid dad. Apparently he was Pyromancer of Fire Types. My mother is a Aquamancer of Water Types. She's pretty decent. Nowhere like the Akano Clan though, they're the best Aquamancers in all of Japan."
"So you're a Fire Type and Water Type huh? Interesting" Said Kuma as he sat on a log. "Most are only born with one Type and its Class from either the mother or father. They have to learn the other parent's Type and Class as they get older. To be born with both already is amazing."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Still doesn't matter so what do you care?" Koshinmaru snapped.
Kuma stood up and walked over to Koshinmaru.
"When's the last time you tried to execute any power attacks, kid?" He asked.
"Too long to talk about. Its been years." Koshinmaru responded.
Kuma rubbed his chin. He backed up a bit and stood tall in Koshinmaru's path.
"I want you to take your best shot at me. Right away!" Kuma ordered.
"What? Are you crazy?" Koshinmaru said in disbelief. "I just told you its been forever since I tried. I'm sure I'll be able to do nothing. And if I do, what if I...I don't know, kill you?"
"Good. I hope you execute an attack of a high level. Now, show me what you can do, Koshinmaru Kōsei."
Koshinmaru looked over at Iwabe and Sarai who both were nodding at him to go ahead.
"Alright. But you asked for it you crazy bear." Koshinmaru said with a smirk.
"Alright" he began thinking in his head. "I'll just do a simple Water Type Aquamancer attack. Can't go wrong with a Liquid Bullet right? Just remember what mom taught you dude, you got this. Just take the moisture from the air and focus it into  your power energy. Force it into my throat and..."
"Now!" Koshinmaru shouted out loud, cheeks puffed out as his lips parted.
Though, nothing happened.
"Are you kidding me?!" Koshinmaru shouted, kicking the dirt.
"Once more, Koshinmaru. Try again." Kuma said in a stern voice.
"Koshinmaru. You can do it, man." Said Iwabe.
"Yeah, we believe in you." Sarai followed.
Koshinmaru inhaled and exhaled deeply, getting his nerves under control.
"Alright dude, you can do this. Let's try this again without the embarrassment." he began thinking to himself.
Koshinmaru closed his eyes once more and focused. About 10 seconds went by, and Koshinmaru was ready.
"Now!" He shouted, eyes wide open and cheeks puffed out again.
This time, something did happen. But, it was nothing any of them expected. Not even Koshinmaru himself.
"What in the world?! How did he?!" Iwabe shouted in shock.
"That's incredible!" Sarai said as she smiled and jumped up and down.
Kuma stared in amazement.
"Did I just do that? Did I...what the...How did I do that? I just..." Koshinmaru said, stumbling over his words.
"You have done something very unique, and so spectacular" Kuma said. "You have done what many Power Warriors wish they could. The art of combining types together."
"Combining types together? Are you saying that Koshinmaru just fused his Fire Type energy with his Water Type energy?" Sarai asked.
"That's exactly what I mean. And not many warriors can do that" Kuma responded. "Koshinmaru. By you combining both your Fire and Water Type Power Energies together, you created a new power. Steam."
Everyone stared at the misty haze in front of Koshinmaru. It was a few inches in front of him, and hadn't gotten anywhere close to Kuma. It just floated and swirled above the ground.
"Steam? I created steam? I don't even know how I did that." Koshinmaru said.
"When water is heated at incredible temperatures, steam is the outcome" Said Kuma. "Subconsciously, you swirled them together. That now makes you a Combination Type as well. Combination Type of the Steam Class."
"Wow Koshinmaru. You know three types and three classes now. You're the strongest!" Sarai said in excitement.
"Yeah! You definitely lead this team!" Iwabe followed.
Koshinmaru gave a shy smile, still so surprised. The steam disappeared.
"Now, let's continue our voyage shall we" said Kuma. "I'll tell you three all about Combination Types on the way."
Kuma led the way as Koshinmaru, Iwabe, and Sarai followed.