Chapter 2: The Day has Come−What is your decision?

Xavier finally faces his fears and takes on a great new challenge.

“HYAA!”

“HA!”

“HUU!”

Two hours outside of North City, there is an area known as Low Valley.

It is here that Raymond Fox, widely thought to be the greatest fighter in the world, lives and trains. For years he has lived here alone in order to train and stay away from the outside world.

It wasn’t until seven years ago that this changed.

Up in the mountains near Low Valley, Raymond Fox was training with his young student.

12 year old Xavier Thomas was attacking his teacher and doing all that he could do to land a hit.

“HYAA! HA! HUU!” Xavier yelled as he threw punches and kicks at his Master.

“You are way too tense and angry, Xavier!” his teacher said. “You must clear your head and focus on your moves.”

“I know that, Master Ray” Xavier responded. “I’ve just been thinking about some things.”

“That is not an excuse, boy! When we are here you must focus on the task at hand," Master Fox said.

Xavier looked down.

He was dripping with sweat and he was breathing heavily. He was very used to this routine. Physically, his body was able to do the work, but there was something wrong in his head.

“It’s about today, isn’t it Xavier?” Master Fox asked.

Xavier nodded.

It was about today for sure. He always had trouble staying focused on this day for the seven years they were training together.

It was Xavier’s 12th birthday.

When he had lost his parents in The Striker’s attack on his family he was celebrating his 5th birthday. His parents had taken time out of their schedule to take him out to a game and the very next day they were gone.

On every birthday since that day, he has had difficulty focusing on his training.

“If you can’t focus then you can stop for today,” Master Fox said. “I don’t need to waste my time if you’re unprepared to work.”

Xavier wanted to continue training. He wanted to improve and get stronger. He knew that taking days off would be wrong. The problem was he could not stop thinking about his birthday and he could not stop thinking about The Striker.

“I’ll be ready to go even harder tomorrow, Master Ray!” he told his teacher.

Master Fox nodded and said,

“Good. Now go back to the house. I will finish here and see you in about three hours.”

Xavier saluted Master Fox and took off.

As he raced away, he could tell he was already moving faster than any normal person could. As he ran and hurled over boulders he took a moment and thought about how far he has come during his time in Low Valley...

(7 years ago)

“This is where you will be staying, young man” a younger Master Fox said. “This place is called Low Valley. I have been staying here for years and only a few people even know of this place.”

5 year old Xavier Thomas was still exhausted from the plane ride. When he was fully awake he was amazed. The area was so large and yet so empty.

“How big is this place Mr. Raymond Fox?” the young man asked with his eyes wide open.

“It’s about the size of two cities, just without all the noise,” Raymond Fox responded. “And from now on, you will refer to me as your training ‘master’ because I will start training you.”

(Now)

Xavier, still on his way home, leaped onto a 10 foot boulder that was in his path. His movement was so swift and smooth that it was like second nature to him. He couldn't help but hold back a small smile as he did it...

(5 years ago)

Master Fox is running through the valley with a large backpack on his shoulder. He is moving so quickly that it seems he is not carrying anything at all. About 50 feet behind him is a 7 year old Xavier struggling with a much lighter load.

“Hey, Master!” he yelled. “I can’t keep going on! I need a break!”

Master Fox heard him but acted as if he did not.

“Master, my legs hurt!”

Master Fox finally yelled back,

“They’re supposed to hurt, boy! This will make them strong! And if you don’t start to catch up with me by sunset, you will run again!”

Xavier’s eyes got wide.

Again?

Master Fox then started yelling at him again,

“I gave you the chance last year to go back to the city, but you chose to  continue training with me. Do not think that means I will go easy on you!”

Xavier smiled and he started closing the gap,

“Here I come, Master Ray!” the young man yelled with determination.

“Ray?” Master Fox said to himself.

Nobody had ever called him that before. It was always just Raymond. Master Fox smiled lightly and kept running.

(Now)

Xavier is close to the house now and as he makes his way across the last path he finds another boulder even larger than the last one.

“Was this here when I left this morning?” he thought to himself.

That’s when he remembered that he left in the opposite direction and couldn't have noticed this boulder.

Seeing no closer way around it, he decides there’s only one thing to do.

He puts his hands together and focused his energy.

“HYAAA!” Xavier yells as he throws his right fist at the boulder.

He jumps away backwards right after his punch and doesn't move for a full ten seconds.

The boulder began to crack gradually and suddenly burst into pieces.

Once the path was clear, Xavier went on and entered the house...

(3 years ago)

“Now I got you!” said a 9 year old Xavier as he charged at his master and swung a punch.

Master Fox leaped into the air and seemed to hang there for a moment.

Xavier leaped after him and swung another punch but Master Fox evaded him again.

As they came back down Master Fox attacked Xavier with a swift left punch and the young man went rolling into the grass. Xavier jumped back up and went at him again but the same thing happened.

“Ow! Master Ray, why are you hitting so hard?” Xavier asked.

Master Fox couldn't help but laugh a little. He responded,

“I’m barely even touching you, Xavier…Observe.”

Master Fox put his hands together and focused his energy. He then quickly leaped onto a large boulder and,

WHAM!

The rock was in pieces after one hit of his left wrist.

Xavier was awestruck,

“Wow… how did you do that?” he asked.

Master Fox just smiled at him lightly,

“Next time do not say I’m hitting you that hard, or I might hit you like that. Now let’s continue!”

(Now)

Back at the house Xavier opened the refrigerator and poured himself a glass of milk.

As he drank he got lost in his thoughts.

Why wasn't he training? Will his birthday have this effect on him for the rest of his life? Would he ever be normal again?

(1 year ago today)

Xavier is sitting in his seat having breakfast.

“So you are 11 years old today? Congratulations, Xavier!” said Master Fox.

Xavier nodded,

“Thanks Master Ray,” he said quietly.

“We will begin training shortly, so finish quickly,” Master Fox said.

Xavier nodded again with little enthusiasm.

Master Fox sat down in the chair beside him,

“You are not looking at peace, Young Man. What is it?”

“It’s just like every birthday, Master Ray. I keep thinking about my parents and The Striker.”

Master Fox put his hand on Xavier’s shoulder,

“I see…Well come on, let's go train and we can celebrate after. One’s birthday only comes once a year and it makes no sense to be upset.”

Xavier got up slowly and walked towards the door.

“Besides,” Master Fox said. “Your parents would not want you to be upset and neither do I.”

Xavier smiled lightly. Master Fox always knew what to say to make someone calm,

“I’ll race you to the fields, Master!”

(Now)

Xavier smiled.

Yes, he had lost his parents seven years ago. But remembering all the times he has had with Master Fox reminded him of how blessed he was to have somebody like that looking after him.

His mother and father would not wish for him to be upset on his birthdays and Master Fox would not want that either.

Xavier went up to his room and took a nap on his bed. It was the first time in years that he did not have a nightmare on his birthday.

Master Fox returned from his training a couple of hours later, holding a box. When Xavier came downstairs he saw his teacher sitting down at the kitchen table with a birthday cake on the table.

Xavier was shocked. Master Fox had not done this since his 8th birthday. Was there something special happening?

“Won’t you join me, Xavier?” Master Fox asked with a smile. “It’s not my birthday after all.”

As they ate the cake, Xavier apologized for not finishing his training and said that his birthday would no longer be a distraction.

“I’m glad to hear that, young man. You’ll find life much more enjoyable when you choose to be calm and free.”

Xavier nodded and then said,

“Master Ray, I’d like to go into the city later today.”

Master Fox looked at him intently and replied,

“North City?”

“Yes,” Xavier said.

“I see…Any particular reason?” Master Fox asked.

“None,” Xavier responded calmly. “I just want to see how it’s changed.”

Master Fox smiled and nodded,

“Okay then, Xavier. It is your birthday after all. We’ll go in about 30 minutes. I will only be dropping you there and leaving so I do not attract any attention.”

“No problem, Master,” Xavier replied.

Master Fox nodded and said,

“Alright. Get moving then. The flight to North City from Low Valley is about two hours.”

“Right,” Xavier nodded.

After eating, Xavier went up to his room and put his special necklace on.

“I’m going back to North City today,” Xavier said while looking at the necklace. “It’s been seven years. I want to bring you guys too.”

Xavier smiled warmly at his necklace and ran to meet up with Master Fox.

When Master Fox saw the necklace, he smiled.

“So, you decided to wear your necklace today?” Master Fox asked softly.

Xavier nodded.

“I decided to wear it on important days,” he replied. “I think going back home is really important.”

Master Fox nodded and said,

“I know you will take great care of it.”

As they flew, Xavier remembered how Master Fox once told him how he used to travel into the city frequently.

“You’re from North City too. Right, Master Ray?” Xavier asked.

“Yes,” Master Fox replied. “Though I haven’t had much chance to visit for a few years because I've been busy training you.”  

Xavier looked out the window and saw the familiar large sign that read:

“NORTH CITY -The Pride of the Eastern Hemisphere”.

They had arrived.

Master Fox was now ready to go back to the valley.

“I will return to this spot in exactly 6 hours, Xavier,” Master Fox said. “Enjoy your visit and do not look for trouble.”

Xavier nodded and Master Fox flew off in his aircraft.

Xavier looked around and took a deep breath.

“Wow,” he said to himself.

He was back in his hometown.

He walked around he saw many familiar buildings and some that he did not recognize. He then gasped and started running towards where his old home was.

When he arrived at his old house, he saw a man with his arm around a woman who was likely his wife. They were standing at the front door waving at a girl who was maybe 10 years old with a backpack on.

“Have a fun day! We’ll see you later!” they said to her.

The girl smiled at them and ran off.

Xavier hid behind a tree to stay out of their sight and smiled to himself.

As he continued to walk around in the city, he started to feel hungry. He then spotted his father’s favorite pretzel shop, still standing.

He went in and requested a large cinnamon pretzel. It was shocking to find the same man who had always given him and his father pretzels years ago.

“Here you are!” the man said, giving Xavier the food.

Xavier thanked him and paid him with some money his teacher gave him.

“You know something, Son?” the man said. “You remind me of a little boy who used to come here all the time with his daddy.”

Xavier cleared his throat before answering,

“Oh really, Sir? That’s pretty strange.”

“Yeah,” the man said. “The Thomases. Mr. Thomas and his young boy. They used to come here all the time. You’re probably too young to remember what happened to them some years back.”

Xavier nodded,

“You’re right. I must be.”

The man continued,

“Yeah. The Striker attacked Thomas, his wife and their boy. I think the kid’s name was Alexander.”

A woman then joined the conversation,

“No,” she said. “His name was Xavier.”

Xavier looked over at the new voice and was shocked when he recognized her as well.  It was his former neighbor, Ms. Carlton.

Xavier wanted to say hello, but he knew that he could not reveal himself.

“What?” the man asked. “Xavier, huh… Yeah! I think you’re right, Miss!”

She nodded and said,

“He and his parents were neighbors of mine before I got married. I used to babysit him. He was such a good young man…”

The man nodded,

“He sure was. He never caused any trouble and his dad seemed real proud of him. That Striker though… If he wasn't a superhuman then somebody would just take him down already.”

Xavier looked up quickly and looked at the man,

“Excuse me, Sir? But did you just say The Striker is still in North City?”

“Yeah. That’s right, Kid.”

Xavier felt his heart racing. He had already asked his next question without even thinking about it,

“Where do you think he is right now?”

The man shrugged,

“Well sheesh, I don’t know. Probably attacking a group of little kids or something crazy like that,” the man said.

Xavier was completely serious,

“Where might he be then?”

The man thought for a moment and said,

“I think there was actually a news report yesterday that said he was going to rob North City bank again today. So I don’t know if that answers your question Ki-…”

Xavier was out of the store before the man could finish his sentence.

The man and Ms. Carlton looked at each other with eyes wide open.

“Wasn’t there a kid right there a second ago, Miss?”

Miss Carlton was mystified.

“Yes… I guess he snuck out while we weren't watching,” she said. “There was something about that boy…”

“You got that right,” the man said. “He bought his pretzel with over 100 in cash and it only cost 20. He must’ve been loaded.”

Ms. Carlton just looked outside with her thoughts racing.

“I feel like I know him from somewhere,” she said quietly.

 

On the outside, there was a gust of wind racing through the city and nobody knew what it was or where it was coming from.

Not one person could tell that it was Xavier running at a high speed

which he learned from training with Master Fox.

He looked at his watch: 4 o’clock it read. He had two hours until Master Fox returned.

“Plenty of time,” he said to himself.

He increased his speed to the point that people barely had any idea he was even running past them.

On the way to the bank Xavier heard a loud CRASH. He slowed down and came to complete stop. He looked up and saw the sign that read:

BANK OF NORTH CITY

He looked and saw a large hole in the wall and saw a group of police cars.

He tried to go after the cars, but a police officer grabbed him by the arm.

“What do you think you’re doing kid?!” the officer yelled. “Don’t you have brains? Get out of here!”

Xavier looked down.

He should have known better. The police wouldn't allow a kid like him to go and deal with such a dangerous criminal…He thought for a minute and seeing that he had no choice, he took the officer’s hand and gently threw him away as he raced after the police cars.

Another officer came by to help his partner up.

“Was that a kid that just did that to you?” he asked.

“I don’t know what just happened…But I think every bone in my body is vibrating right now.” the officer said.

As Xavier ran alongside the police cars, he noticed The Striker.

He was an older man now, but some things about him had not changed at all:

His criminal activity and cold smile.

The Striker then came to a halt causing the police to stop as well.

Xavier slid into a nearby alley and hid himself. He looked at his watch again: 4:45 it read.

“Idiots!” The Striker yelled. “Why do you even bother chasing after me?”

One policeman replied,

“Because it’s our duty!”

The Striker began to laugh

“DUTY?” He yelled at the police. “I wasn't even running at half my speed and you couldn't catch me until I stopped. Your duty is to be foolish!”

“Wow…” Xavier said to himself.

Xavier watched The Striker very closely and he became completely amazed. The Striker was not very strong. Xavier could tell just by feeling The Striker’s movement of energy like Master Fox taught him.

Xavier calculated that he probably could've beaten The Striker 3 years ago easily.

“Now!” The Striker yelled. “Which one of you will attack me first?”

One officer tried a direct attack at The Striker. He charged and The Striker moved away rather slowly to Xavier's eyes.

“Darn! How does he move so fast?” one officer said.

“He’s a superhuman!” said another.

“It’s like he disappeared!” another said.

The Striker began laughing.

Xavier just shook his head. He knew it wasn't the right time to come out yet. So he waited longer.

“Now, take a look at my power!” The Striker said.

The Striker pushed one of the police cars towards a policeman and ran off at his fastest speed.

“We failed again!” one officer said.

“Come on,” said another. “Let’s go back to headquarters and report this.”

When they all left, Xavier came slowly out of hiding and ran in The Striker’s direction.

Judging by how slow The Striker was moving, he figured he would catch up fairly quickly. He ran hard after the Striker.

When Xavier caught up with The Striker it was 5:15. He waited patiently until The Striker let his guard down.

“Those fools!” the Striker said aloud to himself. “They might as well give me the key to North City! You would think after 8 years, they would just learn to leave me alone! HAHAHAH”

“8 years is a long time,” a voice said. “Isn't it time to find something else to do?”

The Striker quickly looked around.

“What!” The Striker yelled. “How did you find me, Kid?”

“I just followed you,” Xavier responded.

“Impossible! You little fool! Nobody in this place can keep up with me!” The Striker said angrily.

Xavier was very angry but he did his best to stay calm.

Xavier then began to say what Master Fox taught him,

“A true fighter seeks peace before anything.”

“What?” The Striker asked with shock.

Xavier went on,

“That’s why I’m going to give you one chance to apologize to the city and to turn yourself in.”

The Striker was more shocked. He then immediately began laughing very loud.

Xavier sighed and said,

“If you won’t turn yourself in, then you can just leave the city right now and never come back.”

More laughter came.

Xavier’s heart began to race. He grabbed his necklace tightly.

All of his nightmares and all of the things he had taken away from him were now right in front of him. He was even trying to be forgiving and fair, and yet all he got in return was laughter.

The Striker somewhat stopped laughing and said,

“You know what, Kid? I haven’t laughed like that in years. Just for that, I’m going to let you run away without going after you! Wow! What a gifted comedian you are.”

Xavier didn't smile. He didn't move an inch.

The Striker kept talking,

“No, seriously! I won’t kill you! Just go and I won’t even stop you. I can’t even begin to tell you how funny that was. What a good laugh!”

Xavier still did not move. But he did get angrier.

The Striker started getting annoyed,

“What? Are you deaf? And don’t you dare look at me that way! I’m offering a once in a lifetime chance here. Now GO!”

Xavier did move this time. But instead of leaving, he went one step closer to The Striker.

“OK, stupid kid. I guess you just don’t like being lucky. But don’t say I didn't warn you when you go to the next world.”

The Striker ran towards Xavier and threw a punch right in the boy’s face.

The Striker began laughing, but quickly stopped.

Xavier had not moved from the spot he was in. The Striker’s fist was resting on his forehead and he did not have a scratch on him. His eyes were still open.

“WHAT?!” The Striker yelled as he leaped backwards. “How in the world are you still standing upright?”

Xavier didn't respond. He just took another step closer.

The Striker picked up a stone and threw it at Xavier’s chest. Xavier moved at high speed to the left and watched the stone fly by.

The Striker thought he was dreaming.

“This is impossible!” he thought

He put his hands together and drew up his energy until he had maxed out and said,

“I don’t know who you are or where you came from, Freak. But I’m one of the strongest men in the world. Now LEARN YOUR PLACE!”

The Striker charged at Xavier full on and hit him square in the chest.

Xavier went sailing backwards and crashed into a wall. He did not move.

The Striker began to laugh again, while breathing very heavily,

“You see?! All of you idiots don’t understand! My power is the highest and nobody in this area can hope to stop me!”

The Striker stopped laughing and thought for a moment.

“Why did I have to spend so much energy on a child?” he thought to himself. “Was he human? Or was he from another planet?”

The Striker looked at his hand. It was red from the contact he had made with the boy’s body on his punch.

“I had better go and get the kid’s body and be on my guard. Somebody that powerful is sure to have somebody come after him.”

The Striker walked over to the wall that he had knocked the boy into. There was a pile of rubble and dust over the area.

“Where is that kid’s body?” he said to himself.

Just as he went to clear the rubble, it started moving on its own.

“What is this?” The Striker thought.

It must have been a dog or some sort of animal.

The rubble suddenly moved again and soon it was all moved over.

A figure then rose from the rubble. It stood upright and looked at The Striker intensely.

The Striker was speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes.

The boy he thought he had just killed was standing right across from him…without a scratch on him.

Xavier wiped dust off of himself and began walking towards The Striker saying,

“I gave you a chance to leave this place too, remember? It looks like you’re the one who doesn't like being lucky after all.”

The Striker ran towards Xavier and tried to hit him repeatedly, but Xavier simply moved out of the way as if he wasn't even trying.

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?” The Striker cried out. “YOU CAN’T BE FROM EARTH!”

Xavier just looked at The Striker. His heart was racing again and his fists were clenched tight.

“Why do you do these bad things to the people? Why do you use your energy for crime? What’s the point?” Xavier asked seriously.

The Striker got angry and said,

“I asked YOU a question! Identify yourself!”

Xavier looked hard at The Striker. His eyes began to get hot.

“I’m the one who you attacked 7 years ago,” Xavier said while looking at his necklace. “You took my parents away and changed my whole life. I’m Xavier Thomas.”

The Striker was confused. He had attacked so many people and families over the years, that he had no idea exactly what the boy was talking about. Until it finally hit him…

“Wait! You’re the one who ran away while that stupid couple ran at me and jumped me! I remember now. So you actually survived all this ti- AH!!”

The Striker had no idea what had just hit him until he saw Xavier’s fist in his stomach.

The Striker had not even seen him move.

Xavier went back to where he was originally standing was and said,

“Do not call my parents stupid again…”

“I don’t know who or what you think you are,” The Striker said. “But you will pay for that! So…AHHHH!!”

Xavier had jumped up and delivered a kick to the Striker’s face that knocked him out.

“How could this happen to me…?” The Striker mumbled.

As his vision faded to unconsciousness, Xavier’s face was the last thing he saw.

When The Striker woke up, he found himself in a maximum security prison. He was strapped with bright blue lasers against a wall.

“What? Where am I?” The Striker asked disbelievingly.

“This is what your new home looks like,” said the chief police officer.

“What?” the Striker asked.

“Our scientists have spent years designing this special prison just for you. The strongest jail cell in the world. Now that we’ve finally caught you, you’ll be here for a while,” the officer replied.

The Striker began to struggle and try to break his way out.

No use.

He was locked in.

“I was really stopped?” the Striker said. “By that kid…?”

Another policeman spoke out,

“That’s right. That boy told us all about it. He was walking home from his friend’s house and found you knocked out and called us right away. He’s almost like a hero now.”

The Striker wasn’t even listening to them. His mind was only on the boy that had just beaten him, Xavier Thomas. He spoke out loud to himself,

“Where did he come from? How could those two weak people be his parents? It doesn’t make sense…”

The policemen just looked at each other confused and shrugged.

(Elsewhere)

As Xavier was walking away, he thought of all his nightmares. He was happy that The Striker was finally caught. Now no other person would have to deal with him.

Just as he was getting ready to go meet Master Fox, he heard a woman scream that her purse had just been snatched.

Xavier saw the thief and took care of it quickly so not to draw attention.

He saw a similar situation occur with a man attempting to rob an elderly man. Again, Xavier intervened and the issue was over.

Xavier was in shock. How much problems could one city have? He looked at his watch.

It read, 5:50.

Master Fox would arrive soon. He ran back to the meeting point. When he arrived, he saw his teacher there waiting for him.

While riding away back to Low Valley, Xavier told his teacher about his day.

“Hmm…” Master Fox said. “It would appear you had quite a day.”

Xavier nodded.

Master Fox continued,

“Xavier, I know you were trying to do the right thing, but you are not a police officer. You must learn to control your emotions! If you had been discovered, all of the peace that we have in Low Valley would be gone.”

Xavier wanted to argue, but he figured Master Fox was right.

“Master Ray, I've been thinking…”

Master Fox looked responded,

“About what, Xavier?”

“I want to go into the city more often, and help the police stop crimes.”

Master Fox looked into the sky from the plane. He then smiled lightly,

“So the time has now come? Believe it or not, I actually knew that you might say that one day. Yes, it was very likely…”

Xavier looked nervously as he awaited a response.

“Xavier! You have been training under me for 7 years now. You have learned much faster than I thought you could.” Master Fox said. “I offered you a chance to stop training with me and you refused. So now I present you with another decision…”

Xavier listened closely.

“If you decide to go and help the city and still stay with me then we will double your training difficulty. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And you will never tell anybody who you are or let a policeman catch you. You must only help with emergencies and then leave the area. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Master Fox went on,

“You also must understand that while there will be many simple problems in the city, there may also be difficult ones…Take the Striker for example, I would consider that a simple one.”

“I understand, Master Ray,” Xavier said confidently.

“There is one last thing I must tell you,” Master Fox said. “You have believed since you were very young that I was the strongest person in the world. While it is not too far from the truth, it is inaccurate.”

Xavier was shocked,

“Master, I was positive it was you!”

“No! I’m not the world’s strongest,” Master Fox said. “There are others that are much stronger than me. And to be honest with you, compared to others in this galaxy, I’m almost weak.”

Xavier couldn't believe it. Since he was small, he always assumed that Master Fox was the strongest person ever, from any planet!

“Xavier! All of this is important for you to know before you make this decision. So therefore, what is your decision?”

Xavier suddenly heard his childhood hero, Mark Lee's voice in his mind:

Stay strong, little man!

He then replied to his teacher,

“I’m ready, Master Ray. Let’s go to work.”