The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Eight - Mind and Body

Maximus laid in bed late at night. Seek had discussed the plans for the trip earlier that day. He couldn't sleep, he was restless. He sat up and got out of bed.

He walked to his drawer, pulling out his father's battle clothes. He went into the bathroom and changed, jumping from his room's window.

He ran and ran, venturing to the ruins of The Bunker. Something, to him, made him feel at peace there, despite the drama that proceeded before his time.

He sat down, crossed his legs and put his hands together, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, transforming into Peacemaker. He stood, looking forward. An image of his father stood before him. He stood.

"This adventure, this...scary idea. I need you to train me Dad," Maximus said softly. Kevin's figure immediately went into a battle stance. Maximus did the same, grinning with excitement.

Kevin dashed at Maximus, throwing a swift punch. He evades it, striking him in the jaw, sending him flying. The two fought for hours, and eventually morning came.

Maximus opened his eyes, reverting back to base. He stood and brushed himself off, looking to the ruins beside him.

"I'll meet foes stronger than you and I, Dad. I wish you could come with me," he said softly.

He returns home, finding Charlotte awake, and at the livingroom couch. "Hey hun, where have you been?" She asked kindly.

"Mental training," he answered. Charlotte stood and walked to Maximus, wrapping her arms around him. "This...adventure Seek has set for you is pretty intense, huh?" Charlotte says out of nowhere. Maximus chuckled, "a little...I can't imagine anyone being stronger than my father...or me in that regard."

"Wasn't Seek at least at your level?" She asked.

"Maybe, I couldn't really get a scale on his power," He replied. He then smiled, excited for the adventure to come.

Weeks pass, and finally, the day arrived. Maximus and Seek were sitting outside on the front porch of Maximus's house. "I assume you have been training in the weeks leading up to this moment," Seek said softly. Maximus nodded, "of course. Not a day went by."

"Shall I test you?" Seek questioned. Maximus grinned, "sure."

Maximus burst into Peacemaker form, the energy stuns Seeker. He puts on a brave face, getting into a battle stance.

"This fight will again prove to me your battle abilities!" Seek shouted, his power erupting. "I want you to try to kill me, understand?! No holding back! No reserves!"

Maximus growls, dashing at Seek, throwing a super powerful punch. Seek catches it, striking Maximus in the stomach, then in the face. He kicks his stomach, then uppercuts his jaw, sending him into the air.

He snap-vanishes ahead of Maximus, striking him back to the ground. Maximus growls, flipping to his feet, landing safely. "You're holding back," Seek comments.

Maximus sweats slightly, clinching his fists. "You're afraid to harm me, just like you were times before," he continues. Maximus narrows his eyes. "In order for us to do what the prophecy speaks of, you must let go of your fear, your anxiety, let go and become the warrior you're meant to be," he says again.

He snap-vanishes in front of Maximus, kicking his side. Maximus catches his leg, flying into the sky, flipping around, throwing Seek to the ground. He flies down straight at him, pulling his fist back.

He throws it forward, causing a massive explosion on impact. The dust settles, Seek caught Maximus's fist. He throws him back, out of the crater, and onto flat land. "Impressive, I can tell I touched a nerve," Seek comments, a sly grin across his face.

"Awfully talkative for a prophets' guide," Maximus says back. They share a chuckle. "You and I will need to learn more about eachother as our adventure continues. We will be together throughout most of it," Seek says. "I've always enjoyed the though of a companion to fight aside with," Maximus says as well.

Seek throws an energy blast at Maximus, which he deflects. Seek jumps into the air, spinning around, landing behind Maximus, firing a beam of energy that catches him off guard. He stumbles, turning around quickly.

Seek disappeared, quickly reappearing beside Maximus. Time slowed down for Maximus, he very swiftly kicks Seek's stomach, sending him flying back. He pants for a moment, looking over.

Seek collides with a rocky surface, cracking it as a result. He falls to his knees, coughing, "what an attack..."

Maximus flies up to Seek, looking at him, "you okay?" Seek chuckles, "of course..." He stands up, brushing himself off. He throws his palm forward, sending a strong gust of energy out -- knocking Maximus back.

He catches himself, firing several blasts at Seek. They collide, exploding. Seek swipes his hand, clearing the smoke, pushing through, throwing several punches at Maximus. He catches a few, dodges more, doing a backflip to catch some distance.

Seek persists, kicking at Maximus's jaw, which he blocks, striking him in the face, knocking him back.

Maximus goes in, chaining a few more punches to his jaw and stomach. He then jumps back, bringing his hands together. He raises them to the air, pulling them apart. Sparks of energy scatter down his body.

Seek looks at Maximus, shaking his pain away. A pure white orb of energy forms in Maximus's hands. He holds it with one hand, drawing it back, throwing it straight at Seek.

Seek puts his hand forward to block it. It explodes on contact, creating a massive mushroom explosion.

Maximus pants, reverting to base. He lowers his hand, looking through the dust. It settles, Seek lays on the ground, defeated. Maximus looks down at him, trying to catch his breath.

Seek grinned, vanishing. Maximus's eyes widen, and suddenly, he covers his left cheek with his arm, which Seek attempted to attack.

"Hmphm," Seek scoffed, kicking Maximus again, knocking him back. Maximus recovered, bursting into Peacemaker. "Dirty trick, Seek, what was that?!" Maximus shouted.

"We'll be traveling to places where people may not be so kind to give up so quickly," he replied. Maximus shifts his stance. Seek dashes at Maximus, going to strike, but he vanishes. Maximus closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. He jumps back. Seek appears, missing his attack. Maximus jumped forward, striking Seek in the chest, sending him flying.

He snap-vanishes behind him, striking him into the air. He snap-vanishes once again, kicking him straight to the ground. He growls, firing tons of blasts at him.

Something clicks, his hair flashes an unknown color, he throws one ultimate blast, ending the fight for good.

He floats to the ground, reverting to base. Seek coughs, standing up. The two shake hands.

Later that day, Maximus and Seek stand before a mysterious spaceship. "Where in the hell did this come from?" Maximus asked. Seek chuckled, "my people built it long ago for this soul purpose."

The two get in the ship, and it sets off. The adventure finally begins.