The Plagued World: The Story of Maximus

Episode Thirteen - Earth's Mistake

"We're closing in on Earth," Maximus says to himself. He stands from the pilot seat, turning back, seeing Seek in the doorway. "Oh-...Seek, you're up," he says softly, rubbing the nape of his neck. Seek sighs, "I know you're taking us back to Earth, and I think you know I can't let you do that."

Maximus narrows his eyes, "what does that mean?" Seek thrusts his hand to his left, forcing the ship to the nearest planet, causing them to crash. Maximus is flung from the ship, skidding on the ground. He sits up, looking at Seek, who was still in the ship. "Good luck, Maximus," Seek says, shutting the door on him.

"Damn you Seek!" Maximus shouts, standing up, running to the ship, throwing a punch to the door, leaving a massive dent. He throws another, bursting the door down. Suddenly, a surge of energy sends him flying back. He catches himself, looking forward. Seek stood, exiting the ship. He wasn't in his berserk form, unlike from before.

"You can't defeat me, Seek. You know that, your form from before is no longer a problem. Let's just go home, together...we can fix this-" Seek dashes at Maximus, throwing a punch. It lands, sending Maximus flying. Seek dashes after him, throwing many more punches, then he spins and knocks him to the ground.

Maximus recovers, landing on his hands and feet, looking up, seeing Seek charge at him from above. He jumps back, letting him land on the ground. Seek jumps at him, kicking forward. Maximus evades it, grabbing his leg, spinning him around, throwing him into the air. Seek catches himself, firing several blasts down onto Maximus. He dodges each one, doing a backflip to his feet, growling. 

"Stop this! We don't need to fight, please!" Maximus cries out, bursting into Peacemaker form. Seek winces, knowing the fight has just shifted out of his favor. He dashes down anyways, throwing several punches, which miss as Maximus dodges them. He counters swiftly, throwing a strong punch to his gut, stunning him for a brief moment, then, he kicks him in the jaw, sending him into the sky.

"You made me do this..." He jumps up, striking him in the face, sending him back to the ground. He fires a few blasts, then he charges a full-power energy beam, firing it, completely covering Seek in the blast, burning and destroying his skin. The dust settles, and Maximus pants softly, reverting back to base. "Okay, okay...you better stay down," he says, shaking his head.

He looks around for a moment, taking a second to bring in the environment. His eyes widen, and he suddenly realizes. They had returned back to Earth. Surely, his father and To had felt the immense energy displayed by the battle and were on their way to help him now.

Suddenly, an energy hits his cheek, burning it slightly. He hisses through this teeth, looking down, seeing Seek, panting, bleeding all over. "You realize it too, don't you? We're back on Earth...I hope you don't hold back on me," he says, grinning. Maximus growls, turning into Peacemaker form yet again, his face angry and upset, "damn you..."

He suddenly appears at the ground, time slows, Seek slowly notices that he was before him, but before he could react, Maximus throws a super-powerful punch to his face, sending him flying. Shockwaves destroy the ground below them. Maximus sighs, looking at his fist, it was steaming. Seek coughs up blood, standing up.

Maximus flies over, landing in front of him. "Why? Why do you do this to me?" Maximus asks, his face turning from one of anger, into sadness. Seek scoffs, "I think you forget what I was created for. You think I'm gonna just...forget about what I was meant to do all because we shared a fight? Some good memories? We're not friends, Maximus, we never were." Maximus stares at his feet, the wind brushes his hair gently. He sighs, closing his eyes. Seek tilts his head, "what're you doing?" 

He opens his eyes, grinning, "I can take you all by myself, even in your weird state. Get angry...I want to fight you at full power." Seek scoffs, "you aren't even at full power. You forgot, didn't you? That mysterious form you took twice before. It's power was virtually endless, and not even I could defeat you, even at my fullest power." Maximus smiles, "I can't tap into it willingly, I need to be in critical health, I assume." "How stereotypical," Seek chuckles.

Maximus gets serious, shifting into a battle stance. Seek cracks his neck, getting into one of his own. The two charge at eachother, clashing. Seek struggles, Maximus's battle power had increased throughout the previous battles he encountered. The new state he achieved amplified his base and Peacemaker form considerably. Maximus was now in a league of his own, high above Seek. 

Maximus breaks the clash, kicking Seek in the stomach, flipping around, striking him into the air. From afar, Kevin and To watch the battle. "Is that what we looked like?" Kevin comments, a cheeky grin across his face. "Seems to be that way," To answers, smiling himself. Kevin sighs, "my boy...he is so strong now, I don't think I can lay a finger on him." "He is the prophet, and, with that power, he is...invincible. All he has to do is master it, and when he does...the true ending will arrive to this story of ours," To adds.

Kevin leans on the tree bark behind him, sighing, "yep. Does he have what it takes to do that, though?" To shrugs, "it's impossible to tell right now. He's done it twice already, and the second time, he held the form much longer than before. I'd say, with each use, he gains indescribable power, and with it, he brings himself closer and closer to the gate."

Maximus kicks Seek to the ground. He lands beside him, looking down at him. "We could've been amazing, you know," he says, sadly. Seek coughs, "I don't have the capability to  feel that anymore, Maximus..." He frowns, "I know..."

"I wonder what they did in that time up in space," Kevin questions, looking at the two fighters. "Well, they definitely had a few fights here and there," To says. Kevin nods, "yup..." Maximus sighs, "if you don't stop, I'll have to kill you." Seek nods, "yes...I know. Get it over with." Maximus winces at his words, distraught that his so-called friend wasn't willing to change. He holds his hand out, charging a final blast.

He fires it, finally putting an end to Seek and his terror. He reverts to base, tearing up a little. He turns around, looking up, and he sees his father, "d-dad?!" Kevin smiles, "hey kiddo. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Maximus chokes up, running and hugging his old man. Kevin smiles, embracing his son.

To stayed behind, staying weary of the issue at hand. He walks over to the two, "I hate to ruin this moment, but we've got something to discuss, don't we, Kevin?" He sighs, "yep...let's head home first, Charlotte is waiting for you." 

The three arrive at Kevin's home. Sarah runs and hugs her boy, squeezing him, "oh...you've had me so worried, Maximus." He blushes slightly, "Mom...come on now, I'm fine." They catch up. Charlotte runs in as well, hugging her partner. They kiss and embrace, it was a long time. 

"Now that our little reunion is finished, Maximus, we've got a problem," Kevin says. "What is it?" Maximus asks. To sighs, "if you remember from your teenage years, your father was absent a lot to do tests with the government. Well, they've finished their testing, and...well, needless to say-" "There's a lot of bad people getting hands on strength serum. It's making them super powerful, and...well, To and I have been dealing with them for the time you've been gone. We need to eliminate all of the serum, and possibly come up with a way to reverse this," Kevin butts in. 

Maximus shakes his head, "I'm not even back on Earth a full day and now I have to deal with this?" "I know buddy, but the Earth is in your hands. To and I are very happy to help, but we're getting old, our power is running out...and you're the only who can do this," Kevin says, putting a hand on his shoulder. 

"Okay, I'll do it. I've seen enough destruction for my lifetime. After this, I'm retiring," he goofs, smiling. Charlotte blushes slightly, "you can do it, hon. I've believed in you since we were kids." Maximus smiles, standing. To waves him over, "okay, so...there are reports that a cluster of mutants, that's what we call them, are in the central city, attacking innocents. They're strong, but I doubt they'd be a match for you, even in your base form. Good luck, son, you'll do great." Maximus nods, exiting the house.

He erupts into Peacemaker form, flying off to begin the job.

To Be Continued!