The Venom

Busy Night

      Tiger was heading back to his hideout, thinking about how he could train to become better than Panther. "I know I can do better."  Tiger thought to himself as he walked down the street. Tiger soon came up to his hideout to see a group of bandits waiting for him.

       The bandits began to laugh at Tiger. "This is the kid that overthrew the last bandit captain?" One of the bandits said, cackling. "Enough! All of you. This boy was able to take over this hideout. We're better off with him dead, than laughed at." Said the leader of the group. The bandits calmed down, unsheathing their swords. "Kill him." The leader said.

      Tiger unsheathed his sword, and was ready for the bandits. The bandits rushed at Tiger, and Tiger blocked and dodged several attacks from the group. Tiger blocked a sword strike, pushing the bandit back. Tiger slashed the bandit across the stomach. Tiger kicked the wounded bandit in the face, knocking him to the ground. Tiger turned around, facing another bandit that was approaching from behind. Tiger dodged under the attack, impaling the bandit on his sword. Tiger withdrew his blade from the corpse, slashing another bandit across the throat.

       Two more bandits rushed at Tiger. Tiger blocked each of the bandits' attacks, but they'd sneak punches and kicks in with their sword strikes. Tiger blocked a sword strike, and deflected a kick from another bandit. Tiger deflected the first bandit's sword strike to the side, before stabbing him between the ribs. Tiger looked back, seeing a sword flying at his face. Tiger dodged below the attack, and the bandit's sword hit the wounded bandit in the face, finishing him off. Tiger quickly unsheathed his knife, and stabbed the bandit multiple times in the stomach and chest.

       The two bandits fell to the ground dead, and Tiger looked towards the leader. "Damned child." The leader said. "I do what I can." Tiger said. Tiger and the leader rushed at each other, clashing their swords together. The leader kicked Tiger away, but Tiger was able to block the next attack. Tiger dodged to the side of the leader's attack, slashing the leader in both legs. The leader stumbled and Tiger slashed the leader across the chest, before kicking him to the ground.

      Tiger was about to finish the leader, when he heard footsteps rapidly approaching. Tiger turned to see Panther running towards him, holding two throwing knives. Panther threw both knives in an upward direction, and stood next to Tiger. The two throwing knives arced back down, stabbing into the Bandit leader, killing him. "See that? That was something I've been working on for a while." Panther said. Tiger pushed Panther out of the way. "What's the deal?" Panther asked. "Ever since you decided to show up, you've been nothing but a blatant show off. Not just for the entire class, but especially to me." Tiger said. "Well, I needed to prove my worth to that class, and you were the best one there at the time. I'm not doing this as an act." Panther said. "Whatever." Tiger said, heading back to his hideout. "What's the big deal with that anyway?" Panther asked, catching up. "Wouldn't you like to know." Tiger said, sarcastically. "Actually, I do want to know, considering that it's bothering you so much." Panther said. "I want to prove to Grim Reaper that I'm worthy of his guidance. Worthy enough for him to teach me the art of combat, and to take me under his wing." Tiger said. "Seems like you have high aspirations." Panther said.

      Tiger shook his head. "It's not aspiration, it's determination. It's one step to reaching my eternal goal." Tiger said. "Oh really?" Panther taunted. "Yes, really. I'm doing this so I can be prepared to hunt down the people who have taken my family away from me. To bring justice to those who've defiled me, and turned me to this life." Tiger said. Panther thought for a moment. "Well. I'm not going to just lay back and let you surpass me. You're going to have to earn your victory." Panther said. "I intend to." Tiger said. "I'm not going to simply teach you. I only ask for a partnership." Panther said. "A partnership?" Tiger asked, stopping. "Yes, a partnership. We train together, sparring in our free time. We teach each other tactics, as well as apply tactics we learn from our teacher." Panther said. Tiger hesitated. "You seem unsure. But, you'll be missing out on a great opportunity, if you say no." Panther said. Tiger thought for a moment. "Fine, I'll take you on your offer." Tiger said. "Then it's settled. Now let's see that hideout of yours." Panther said.

     The two boys arrived at Tiger's new hideout, and Panther began to look around. "It's a good start, certainly better than my area." Panther said. "I use this open area for my cutting targets. I can re purpose this into a sparring arena." Tiger said. "Alright. Do whatever you have to." Panther said, removing his sheathes and weapons. Tiger moved the targets and stands, before removing his weapons and sheathes. "Hand to hand. We practice this, until we master the basics." Panther said. "Interesting, can't wait." Tiger said unenthusiastically. "Lighten up. We're going to be at this for a while." Panther said. Tiger took a deep breath, getting into his stance.

     Panther rushed at Tiger with rapid attacks. Tiger blocked as many as he could, before getting hit in the side. Tiger dodged the next attack, and blocked two more punches. Tiger saw an incoming kick, and swiftly deflected the attack, pushing Panther back. Tiger began to rush Panther, slinging various attacks. Tiger swung a kick, and Panther blocked it with his leg, before smoothly connecting the next kick with Tiger's chest. Tiger deflected Panther's next punch, and punched Panther in the stomach twice, and the third punch was dodged. Panther stepped to the side, and kicked the back of Tiger's leg. Tiger stumbled, and Panther swiftly grabbed Tiger, bringing him to the ground. 

      Panther helped Tiger stand up. "That was a good set. My advice is to not telegraph your attacks." Panther said. Tiger nodded. "I'll initiate this time." Tiger said. Before Panther could respond, Tiger pushed Panther back. Panther dodged two of Tiger's punches, and Tiger swung a kick. Panther braced, blocking the kick, and Tiger threw a punch. Panther dodged under the punch, and Tiger spun around, swinging a kick. Panther ducked down, watching the kick swing over his head, before punching Tiger in the stomach. Tiger stumbled back, and began blocking Panther's rapid punches and kicks. Tiger dodged two punches, blocked a kick, and counter attacked. Tiger managed to sneak through Panther's defense, punching him in the stomach. Panther reeled back, and swung another punch. Tiger redirected Panther's punch, and kneed him in the stomach. Panther recovered, punching Tiger in the face, and grappled him. Tiger tried to evade, but Panther brought Tiger to the ground. "Better. You're starting to catch up." Panther said.

      Panther and Tiger trained with each other for the next hour and a half. By now, Tiger had caught up with Panther, finding excellent defenses and counters for Panther's moves. Several exchanges clashed between them, but Panther just managed to pull ahead in the end, and knock Tiger down. "Again." Tiger said, eager to keep practicing. "Alright, last match. We've got to rest, and recover for tomorrow's training." Panther said. Tiger agreed, and had their last fight. Tiger and Panther exchanged rapid attacks, and Tiger was pushing Panther back. Panther blocked several punches, and Tiger kicked Panther's leading leg, forcing him back. Tiger stepped forwards, kicking Panther in the stomach. Tiger rushed forwards, and Panther threw a punch. Tiger dodged under the punch, and rapidly punched Panther in the stomach, before bringing him to the ground quickly. Panther was surprised by the sudden counter-attack. "Hmm. You managed to take be down for once." Panther said. "I have." Tiger said, helping Panther back to his feet. "However, I still have more takedowns on you." Panther said. "I will close the gap, and surpass you." Tiger said. "We shall see." Panther said. "Get some rest. Training's in the next six hours." Panther continued.