They stopped fighting all of a sudden; they were just standing while staring at each other. Are they trying to figure out the enemy’s next move? I think about a minute has already passed. I might have done the first strike only if I am quite confident that I can take all three of them on but no. Since I need to consider the possibility that they might join forces against me just like the saying “What unites everyone is a common enemy”. Maybe I should sleep for a mom-

“Graaaaaaaaaar”

The tiger growled as it made a giant leap to smash the other two. The ground cracks but the bats are able to fly before they can receive any damage. The black bat then slashed the air with its claws and blades made of wind flew towards the tiger. The tiger jumped backwards to dodge the wind so it strikes the rocks behind the tiger instead cutting it into two. The brown bat then released supersonic waves from its mouth targeting the tiger before it even lands. The tiger crossed his arms to block the waves but was sent flying instead and landed like a meteor in one of the rubbles. I honestly think that the tiger is stronger but the difference in fighting style gives him a disadvantage.

“Grrrrr, This is getting annoying”

The tiger utters as it stands, he does not look hurt even after taking the attack head on. The tiger then puts his palms together then to the floor. Pillars of stones rose from the ground, they were quite high. Wow, he can control earth! I need that power! The tiger then leaps jumping from one pillar to another just like a ninja. The black bat then released his wind blades again but misses. The tiger then tries to slash the brown bat which is preparing for another attack by jumping from a stone pillar. The bat barely dodges the tiger’s claw sustaining wounds in the face.

“AAAAAAAHHHH! That hurts you white pussy cat!”

The brown one yells with a sharp voice as it then does another sonic wave attack and was followed by wind blades from the black one. Unfortunately, both attacks missed since the tiger is bouncing all around the place. Damn, I don’t think I can beat that thing if I engaged him in a one on one duel like what I did with the stupid octopus. The tiger then pounces towards the black one but the bat predicted his move. The black bat then sent wind blades directly meeting the tiger while on mid air. With no chance to dodge, the tiger meets the blades head on making him fall into the ground.

“Look who’s losing now? You think you can win because you can jump? That is the proof you are weak!”

The black one having a deep voice insults the enemy as he falls to the ground. The brown one then releases its sonic waves to the tiger just after it falls.

“That’s payback! You kitten!”

Dust then covered the area while the duo just kept on attacking the same place. I think this is my chance to be in the tiger’s winning side! If I save him, he can be one of my pawns, I mean allies which will make things a lot easier for me. While the two are so focused on attack the tiger, I dashed towards them while going into my spectral form then transformed my right arm immediately into tentacles. Nice! It seems they haven’t noticed my yet. I then used the tentacles to grab a stone pillar and then sent myself towards the black bat. The black one seems to be smarter and stronger after all. I quickly grabbed him with my tentacles the moment I got in range and then slammed him to the ground.

“GAAAAAAAH!”

The black bat shouts as it vomits blood from the impact. Wow that definitely feels good; I kind of feel sadistic right now. I then followed up with a strike with my left hand; I need to copy his powers after all. My claws pierced through its right wing and then light flashed. I then felt some power going into me. This is great! I definitely got stronger!

“You bastard! I do not know you but you’ll pay for this!”

Damn! I forgot that there is one more left. But before the brown bat was able to attack me, the tiger has already slashed him with his claw. The tiger is quite tough after all.

“Brother, it is time to retreat!”

The black one shouted while struggling to stand which was followed by a thick black smoke. I then transformed my right hand to the bat’s claws. I used the wind blades to clear away the black smoke but the flying rats were already gone. The only one left in the area is the tiger and me, I just hope he will not be angry at me for spoiling his fun and it will be even better if he becomes indebted to me. The tiger stares at me while walking towards my direction.

“Um… High five?”

I reverted my right hand to its normal spectral form and then raised it for a high five. I was actually quite nervous since I’ll have a really hard time surviving if I fight this thing right now. Surprisingly, the tiger did a high five with me! Aaaaaaaand tadaaaaaah! Light flashes as our palms touched and I copied his powers! I feel an enormous strength surging inside me, the ones I felt from the bat and the octopus was quite weak compared to this. The tiger then reverted back to human form. You can’t be kidding me? How come someone like him is quite strong?

“What’s that light? Anyways, hey Rei! Good to see you here! I could have finished them myself but thanks anyways. You were quite cool you know.”

Cool? Damn, I do not want to hear that from the guy who could rip me to shreds in a couple of seconds.

“L-leon? Is that really you?”

“The one and only! What? You don’t remember this pretty boy anymore?”

Wow, he is still quite annoying even in a situation like this. But the good thing is, I found a specter who I can somewhat trust. Idiots like him are quite easy to deal with after all.

“Hey let’s get out of here before we start our tear jerking reunion, shall we?”

“Sure, just lead the way out Leon”

He then raised his hands to the sky then produces a dark orb which he threw to the sky. The skies then cracked and so does the ground. Just like that, I am back to crowded streets with two new powers and an annoying guy. I think it is actually quite worth it. Leon then grabs his phone from his pocket.

“Wait here for a sec, I’m going to contact someone”

“You better not be selling me out”

“Why would the god of friendship and cooperation do such a thing?”

As always, he spouts nonsense. He then puts his phone near his ears.

“Hey bro! it seems the time we are waiting for has arrived! Will sure do! Okay, okay. We’ll be coming there right away!

He then returns the phone to his pocket.

“Hey Rei! You’re going with me, okay? I know you have a lot of questions but let’s talk about that later, good?”

“Sure, just get on with”

I replied with a hint of irritation. He is just talkative as ever. I then tailed him for a while and he kept babbling about random things until we are in front a very large house, a mansion rather. Is he going to sell me to a rich guy he knows?

“Welcome to humble home of my great self!”

And so he says as he bows like a well trained butler.

“Seriously? I did not you were rich! Why did you not tell me?”

“It’s not like I wanna brag about all this ya know? My school life might just change”

Well I fully understand him. This guy has more perks in him than I thought he had! This is great! Money is sometimes equivalent to power after all. We then went inside then a bunch of butlers and maids bowed to us as we pass through the halls. We went to the basement and black smoke seems to leak out from one of the rooms.

“Hey, what is that? Is there a fire?

I nervously asked Leon while we were walking, we will be in quite a pinch after all if we will be trapped by fire especially when we are in the basement.

“Don’t mind it dude, its normal around here. Bro is quite a weirdo after all.”

If this annoying guy called someone a weirdo, it might really be bad news. I might need to be careful around this guys, I might die from annoyance instead if there is someone worse than him.

“We are here; this is my bro’s workshop and lab. He loves to tweak and experiment on things which can be quite useful once every blue moon.”

He then opened the door and more smoke goes out from the door. As the smoke clears out, I see two figures standing inside the room.

“Hey bro! I brought him here!”

“So you are the one huh”

A girl with a relatively deep voice uttered. She looks like a punk. She stares so sharply as if I will be consumed by her eyes, not in a romantic way though but a scary one. I don’t think I’ll like her that much.

“Welcome! Welcome! We are waiting for you for quite a long time you know!”

A guy with silver hair greeted me happily he does not look someone who will be more of a nuisance than Leon. In fact, he seems more mature and looks more of a rich kid than his brother.

“So that guy right here is my bro Drake and the scary looking girl is his assistant, Phoena.