The first real match came next. Another Norfield university match up. A Mana-Script match up at that.

Jack and AJ took centre stage.

“AJ, you gonna be okay with me kicking your ass?” Jack said warming his legs up by stretching. With a cocky smirk AJ replied,

“Awww. You do look cute when you’re cocky. Still my type of guys is someone who challenges me.” He knew how to get under Jack’s skin. Not only was he sensitive about his ability but he did not really know what to do when anyone flirted with him, be it s taunt or not.

“The match between AJ McFraser and Jack Lumber will now commence...

“Fight!”

AJ was already in his horse stance. Channelling lightning came easy to him as he thrust his fist out towards Jack he felt it. That spark, the buzz as it passed through his veins and muscles. It shot out like a bullet.

Luckily it was at such a distance Jack was immediately able to step out of its way as he charged forward to meet AJ.

He was angry. The comment got to him. He would not use any of his tools or items from the previous match, he would beat him using his own abilities. He was there. AJ was in reaching distance.

But then he felt it. The downside to his alteration was knowing you cannot avoid something. The crackle passed over the hairs on his body first. They all stood on their ends as small bolts of electricity passed between each strand. The cracks and pops then hit his ears. The bright flash left AJ’s fist and hit him in the chest. Every volt could be felt as they coursed through his body and sent him to the ground. Every muscle twitched and spasmed.

“And Jack Lumber is down on the ground folks! AJ has taken an early lead against his teammate.”

He did not spend long on the sandy ground below him. But the time he did spend felt like an eternity. Nerves were trapped and muscles disobeyed him. The world felt slow. He was groggy but wide awake at once.

“You’re lucky to be standing Jack! I’m impressed. But a couple more and your heart will probably stopped. I’ve already made your’s skip a beat sand I swept you off your feet. The next one will mean I’ve taken your breath away. The third one means I’ll actually have to marry you.”

“Shut up.”

“Make me.”

Jack spat out some blood, wiped his mouth, and took a deep breath.

He was in front of AJ instantly and threw a punch his way. An easy block, followed by a returning blow.

Jack ducked that and used the moment for a sweeping kick to take out the legs. AJ felt the hit and then the lack of ground below him. He was still holding Jack’s hand though.

As he fell backwards, he managed to grab his opponent’s arm fully and throw him over his hand.

Both men hit the grounds on their back.

Jack was the first one up. He went to kick AJ’s stomach. Unfortunately his target rolled away and his foot found just air in its path.

With a bit of a spin AJ got himself to his feet and immediately assumed his horse stance. He fired. The bolt was less powerful, more unfocused.

He was more alert now. Almost as if he could see the bolts coming before they manifested. Going under would put him at a disadvantage to AJ. Left or right could leave him vulnerable to a melee attack. There was another option. Plus he had always wanted to try it.

Springing forward Jack entered a the air with a summersault. He had done them before but never in a stressful scenario. However, lady luck hs shined upon him today. Not only was he able to fully commit to the flip but he managed to land his feet on AJ’s chest.

The once man, now trampoline did buckle slightly but his strong physique and good stance kept him upright. Jack used this as a springboard and fired himself backwards. AJ was sent back. His strong base now shaken, he went back, began falling to the ground. However as he did he fired off another bolt.

Jack may be fast but not enough to dodge a projectile whilst trying to land what has turned into both a backflip and a half twist. He was no acrobat so this took a lot of concentration. Once again he knew what was coming so tired to position himself for a decent landing.

The bolt hit and he dropped like a stone onto the sand. He hit his left side, the arm taking the brunt of the force.

On top of the effects he felt from last time, as well as the pain from the fall, Jack managed to experience some new effects of that many volts coursing through the human body.

The maximum heartrate that is recommended is 220 beats per minute, minus your age. Jack had now experienced what happens when you exceed that. His heart was going at 215 BPM. He felt every beat in all his veins. His chest pounded. His head pounded. He felt swollen. He began hyperventilation. At once his limbs felt numb and hot.

His brain moved faster than his body. He spent a moment on the floor, trying his best to stop his cardiac arrest.

It took a moment. Every second felt like a fraction of eternity.

Trying to stand was interesting. His limbs just did not want to obey him. He forced them to. They had to. He needed to win. To prove to AJ he was better.

There was no losing.

AJ was already on his feet. A small patch of blood around his lips. He had bitten them when he had landed. That was the only scratch on him.

Jack had no even noticed that some blood had begun leaking from the top of his left arm, where he landed. It mixed and dyed the red hoodie even darker than it was before.

“I told you it would be three.”

Jack steadied himself. His body wobbling. His vision blurring. His legs shaking.

Forward. He went.

The bolt came straight for him.

He could not move his body. It did not listen. But luckily is legs gave way and he hit the ground. He scrambled in the sand to go forward.

Forward. If he went forward he would reach AJ.

He finally got there and swung his arm. There was barely a sound as his hand limply came to rest on AJ’s hair.

The man grabbed hold of his weak friend and with a grin said “Sorry” as he sent electricity coursing through them both.

Jack dropped to the ground. Any second now his heart would burst and AJ would win.

Jack did not feel anything like the last two. No the world ground to a snail’s pace. His pupils dilated and eyes went bloodshot. His biceps tenses and released with ease. His legs felt sturdy. Every nerve felt charged and tingled.

Where before his brains moves to fast for his body, his body had been given the energy to keep up.

For spectators they saw Jack on the floor. He was not moving but not leaving the ring.

AJ held up two fingers. Lightning cracked and sparked from them. He flung his hand down at the motionless target.

All it found was sand and ground.

Jack had disappeared and reappeared behind AJ. Covered in blood, barely holding himself up. He was standing at an angle, trying to catch his breath.

AJ snapped back, shocked.

Jack disappeared again and was once again at a different side.

AJ’s eyes could not follow him. Nor could anyone else.

Then the beat down begun.

A flurry of fists. Kicks. Scratches.

He was a messy fighter. He took no pride in nwhat he did. He just took any chance he could for victory and here it was.

An uppercut sent AJ into the air.

Before his feet could reconnect with the ground, Jack was behind him. His foot in AJ’s back.

No normal fighter could keep their opponent in the air. But Jack did. He was moving faster than gravity could effect his punching bag.

After a minute of beating Jack tired. He stopped to catch his breath. The loss of blood wearing on his new found vigour.

AJ used the training he spent years perfecting. He only needed a moment to prepare an attack and here it was. Three seconds to right, channel, and fire his shot.

He charged up. His nature overrode his years of training. “Well played Jack. It’s nice to let someone dominate me once in a while”

He went to fire.

His vision went black.

It was a hand over his face.

Jack did an almighty push and sent him flying out of the ring.

“Cut out the gay shit with me. I’m not fucking interested.”

He held his arm up before passing out where he stood and hit the solid ground below him.