The arena trembled as the shadowy demon fully emerged from the cracked sumo ring. Its skin looked like black stone covered with spiny cactus thorns, and its glowing eyes burned like twin suns.
The referee’s voice transformed into a monstrous roar:
“I am Prickly Pear, champion of pain! No warrior leaves this ring unscarred!”
The alien crowd gasped, chanting the name like thunder.
“Prick-ly Pear! Prick-ly Pear!”
Alfie’s Flashback
Alfie froze for a moment.
“Prickly Pear…” he muttered.
He remembered being in Argentina when he was little, running too close to a cactus patch. He’d grabbed a bright red fruit without thinking—and WHAM! His hand was filled with tiny needles that made him cry for hours.
“Those spines hurt so much,” Alfie whispered. “But this time, I’ll be ready.”
The Battle Begins
Prickly Pear stomped forward, each step shaking the arena. His thorns launched off his arms like missiles, forcing the crew to dive for cover.
J.J. raised his sword bravely but was knocked back by a wave of cactus needles.
Charlie’s Zelda compass-light glowed, pointing to weak spots in the demon’s armor.
Skull Fire unleashed dragon flames—but the fire fizzled against the demon’s rocky hide.
“Nothing’s working!” Penny shouted, her braids glowing red with power.
Onosato Joins the Fight
The great Yokozuna Onosato slammed his feet into the ring.
“This is still sumo!” he roared. “And in sumo, balance defeats brute force.”
He charged Prickly Pear, pushing against the monster’s massive chest. The demon staggered slightly but then threw Onosato back with a roar, thorn-spikes exploding across the ground.
Alfie’s Move
Alfie clenched his fists. His stripes shimmered brightly:
- Green for his kicks, blocks, punches
- Green & yellow for self-defense
- Blue for the three katas he had mastered: Shizuki Ichi, Ni, and San
“Everyone, give me cover!” Alfie shouted.
Charlie shone his compass light in Prickly Pear’s eyes.
Penny and Laragh used their glowing braids like whips to block the thorn missiles.
Skull Fire breathed fire onto the floor, forcing the demon to step in one place.
Then Alfie leapt into the air.
“SHIZUKI SAN!” he cried.
His foot slammed into Prickly Pear’s chest with perfect balance and precision. The demon stumbled, screeching in rage. For the first time, he looked… shaken.
The Twist
Just when the crew thought they might win, Prickly Pear laughed.
“Foolish children… every thorn you strike off me only makes me STRONGER!”
The spines scattered across the arena began wriggling, transforming into mini cactus warriors that surrounded Alfie, Charlie, J.J., Penny, Laragh, and Skull Fire.
Onosato cracked his knuckles, standing beside Alfie.
“We finish this together,” he said.
TO BE CONTINUED…
In Chapter Sixteen: The Thorn Army Rises,
the crew must fight not only Prickly Pear but also his army of cactus minions—before they take over the Tournament of Worlds itself.