The Legend of the Ninja Artist

As warped mutilated and told by Michael Luvar Barnes aka Mike Charger the writer ninja. All characters appearing belong to their owners and selves. This story is copyright 2002 © to Michael Luvar Barnes. And is freely distributable if unaltered without permission.

Once upon a time,

Four figures stood in an alleyway carrying on a conversation. What was unusual about this was all four were ninja of varying power and skill. Three were ninja artists, a class of ninja that could control life itself through their drawing if skilled enough. One was just a ninja in training compared to her teacher Gnaw, yet she was highly skilled.

The conversation quickly took a turn for the worse as one ninja mentioned he had a life outside of battle. Let us watch and see what happens after that.

”I do have work tomorrow and it is getting late.” Max said.

”The #^$@*#& modern world disrupts the true artist ninja. I follow the traditional path as closely as I can. But things like this get in my way! I had one opponent call his mother to tell her he was not coming home as he lay dying. “Sheesh just die with dignity,” I told him. He says “But she wants to know where to come and get my corpse.” Damn modern world.” Gnaw said complaining.

”We like the modern world. We only gained our abilities because of our natural talents. And we went to great schools as well. We do this part time, as it should be from now on. With only a few full time bums in the profession.” Eric said sheathing his sword. “Max, I am sorry about the whole trying to infuriate you to kill you thing. Seems to have worked in reverse though.”

Gnaw exploded with energy then. He had heard enough about two guys he respected being so modern.

”ENOUGH! Taste my blade the two of you! You shall perish together! Enough about blood oaths and feuds! I challenge you both to a freestyle match right now! Whoever is still standing when it is over wins.” Gnaw said seeing red.

”I did not want to kill you Max, nor you Gnaw. I have no choice really. To not accept would be dishonorable.” Eric said twirling his staff.

”I can get home after beating you two in time to get my required hour of sleep. Okay, let us do this in the forest. You can ninja teleport right Gnaw?” Max asked.

”Of course I can!” Gnaw said. “Nearest forest right?”

”Naturally.” Eric said fading away in a puff of smoke.

Max walked out of the alley and waved down a taxi and got in. Gnaw just blinked fuming.

”He better be saving his strength for the fight by taking a car.” Gnaw said as he got into the rental he and Phoebe had gotten for their search for the other two ninja artists.

”Just like you right?” Phoebe grinned.

”HEY! I need to practice some drawing!” Gnaw said. “So give me a pencil and start driving.” Gnaw glanced at his trademark weapon in the back seat.

”Why are you not using your secret weapon yet? And just a flimsy sword against them?” Phoebe said driving.

”I want them to fear death so I can face them at their fullest potential. Then upon which I have seen it. You will toss me my true weapon. I will amaze them with my power before I finish them off.” Gnaw smirked as he sketched something.

”Okay so the plan is as soon as they start kicking your butt. I should toss you your giant pencil?” Phoebe asked grinning sheepishly at Gnaw.

Gnaw snapped his pencil in half and glared at Phoebe. She quickly handed him another and did not say another thing as they drove along.

Max meanwhile relaxed in the back of the cab while checking out his face paint. The cabby glanced at him as he pulled out a compact and applied more black streaks while mumbling.

”Damn transsexual orgies in the woods…” The cabby thought.

”What was that?” Max said snapping the compact shut.

”You heard me? Then that must mean you are really some kind of ninja artist master eh?” The cabby said rolling his eyes.

”Damn straight.” Max said igniting his saber and placing it next to the cabby’s ear. Close enough to singe the fur.

”Okay so let me get this straight, you’re a ninja who dresses like Darth Maul,” The cabby started to say.

”I am Darth Max to some people.” Max stated.

”Whatever, and you use Jedi powers and abilities while also using ninja tactics and weapons? What are you some kind of idiot?” The cab driver said while ignoring the weapon next to his head.

”No tip if you do not say, “Ninjas rock no matter what.” My dear cab driver.” Max said disengaging his weapon.

”Ninjas rock no matter what, and that is the truth though. Put a ninja in any videogame and it rocks.” The cabby smirked.

”Got Dead or Alive I assume?” Max asked.

”Yep all the games, and I got that Beach Volley Ball game as well.” The cab drive said slowing down.

The cab driver stopped in front of a sign that read:

Large Foreboding Canadian forest, have a nice day.

Max got out of the cab and paid his fair. He also left a tip as promised.

”Never insult a ninja artist. He could erase you.” Max said turning away with a flick of his cape.

”At least he also gave me a ten spot as well.” The cabby said pocketing the cash.

***

Eric was preparing for the battle as well by meditating. He thought about a lot of things as he levitated in the middle of a clearing. All who sought him could feel his artistic chi brimming with amazing power.

But the man grew weary of waiting soon enough. His thoughts drifted to his deadlines at work, and if Sabrina would kill him, again, if he lost to Max. Thus giving him power over her.

”For her, I cannot fail….” Eric said as he sensed his opponents entering the area.

”Eric. It is time you face me. The true ninja warrior artist master!” Max said leaping into the clearing and drawing his weapon while pulling back his hood.

”A ninja must never give up hope of victory against any opponent.” Gnaw said entering the clearing as well. “Night has since fallen, and our duel must begin immediately. Otherwise I will miss Leno and then you all must die two fold!”

”With all the Canadian jokes he makes. I thought you would hate his guts.” Eric said landing softly on his bare feet as he stopped levitating.

”Shut up!” Gnaw said not able to come up with some kind of cool reply.

”Whatever. You know the standard procedure for this kind of fight right?” Max said interrupting them. “I do want to claim Sabrina as soon as possible.”

”What is going on?” Gnaw asked. “I have wondered why you hate each other so. Yet remain friendly rivals.”

”It is a long story. Filled with pain, sorrow, and broken Transformers collections. I would tell it but I need to kill you now.” Eric said bringing his staff into a ready position.

”You’re prepared for the worst then?” Gnaw said raising an eyebrow as his red scarf blew in the breeze.

”We both are, and we are still friends. Even if I hate his guts.” Max said.

”You guys are truly an inspiring sight. But let’s do this.” Gnaw said readying his sword.

”Gnaw is holding back, something about him, I can sense more power from within. But I have to make him bring it out and exhaust it before he does the same to me. Also Max will be facing both of us at the same time, our attentions will be divided.” Eric said twirling his staff as he walked in a circle while glancing between his two foes.

Max also walked the invisible ring holding his weapon at the ready. Suddenly he leapt back and flung dozens of brush shuriken at both Eric and Gnaw. Gnaw effortlessly avoided them and ran towards Max forgetting Eric.

”A rookie mistake!” Eric thought closing the distance and sweeping his weapon at Gnaw’s feet. “What?” Eric gasped as his weapon passed through nothingness.

Gnaw appeared overhead and tagged Eric in the back with two-brush shuriken but failed to see the foot heading his way.

”Ah!” Gnaw cried as Max collided with him in mid air.

Swinging his blade downwards Max hoped to knock Gnaw out of the fight. But the two ninja’s weapons collided causing sparks to fly.

”My saber should cut through that sword of yours. I sense no enchantments.” Max said as he and Gnaw landed their blades still colliding.

”Only a ninja can kill another ninja.” Gnaw said narrowing his eyes.

”What was that?” Max said pressing harder with his sword. “Some kind of disrespectful joke? Do not make me kill you on principal. No honorable death that way my friend!”

Eric was a blur as he slashed Gnaw across his back. Phoebe watched from nearby and winced as she saw Gnaw take the hit. Gnaw broke away from Max and flung more shuriken at Eric who deflected them.

”My last one, better save it for my special.” Gnaw thought dashing to his right as Max cut in with a vicious slash.

Eric held his sword at the ready as he charged power into the blade. Slashing the air he made a few mystic symbols as Max and Gnaw still battled. He knew they saw him and he knew they would counter his attack. But he had to test Gnaw’s limits. He was an unknown fighter. But he expected great things from him.

”Darke Klaw!” Eric yelled as he slashed sending an arching wave of black at Max and Gnaw that looked like a claw slash.

”Double Stripe!” Max said deflecting the attack with his streaking special.

Gnaw held his ground as he took the full force of the attack and sent it right back at Eric.

”How could he mimic my move?” Eric thought leaping clear as the attack tore through a tree.

Max growled and narrowed his eyes as he watched Gnaw recover from the attack.

”Mimic is right, it was not an exact copy. But this guy seems to be able to copy our artistic styling. I would be amazed if I was not able to imitate Eric’s work. I wonder if he can copy my attack just as nearly flawlessly?” Max prepared for his next Double Stripe by concentrating energy into his legs. The move required him to use the purest movement to strike faster than light.

Gnaw raised an eyebrow as he saw Max ready an attack. He wondered why Eric hesitated, but he knew those two were really trying to see what he had up his sleeves.

”I think I should use that last brush shuriken now.” Gnaw thought as he focused power into the brush as he produced it from his sleeve and flung it at Max.

“Double Stripe!” Max yelled leaping forward and slashing with all his might.

Gnaw smiled as Max fell over two feet away from him holding his chest. His brush had blown through him and hit a tree. Looking at Eric he gave him a look as if to say he was next.

”He took out Max with one hit…looks like we have to use all our power. Never thought I would do this, but my fist techniques should come into play better now. Specifically my “Optimal Punch” move.” Eric thought. “Gnaw, you are a strong ninja but this ends now. Prepare to become a splatter on the Canadian Rockies.” Eric declared gathering strength.

”Oh really now? You guys are past your prime. Specifically you Eric.” Gnaw smirked. “Yes throw off their balance and then take them down. After that by ninja artist law, I shall become sole possessor of their characters. Until someone finishes me.” Gnaw thought darkly

”Do not listen to this punk.” Max said standing weakly while using his artistic power to heal. “I still have to finish you both. So give him all you have and then come at me!” Max yelled before falling to his knees again.

”You should be dead. But a true master ninja artist such as you; knows how to take a hit like that. That move was my Secret Throw. A move that can blow through the barriers that divide the universe. Pretty cool huh?” Gnaw said grinning.

Eric pulled off his cloak revealing his uniform. Moving his left fist into position he ran towards Gnaw.

Gnaw secretly signaled Phoebe to give him his edge then. He was sure he had the fight in the bag. He was confident in his skills and his power. Plus he owed Eric for cutting his fave body suit.

”He will pay.” Gnaw thought as his large pencil that was the length of his body sailed into his outstretched hand.

”That will not save him.” Eric thought swinging. “Optimal Punch!”

Gnaw gasped as a large shadowy giant tore though the ground behind Eric and threw his fist forward as well.

”Oh fudge me.” Gnaw thought as the giant mechanical red and blue fist smashed into him.

Eric withdrew his fist and smiled as his attack partner faded. He looked at Max who still knelt recovering. After all when a sharp object moving at an impossible pace blows through your right lung. It takes a while to recover even if you are a master ninja artist.

Phoebe hid her eyes as she heard the thud. Gnaw was gone and it was all over for his Dojo. She would have to go back and tell the other girls what had happened. They would want revenge and so they would go on to train with her as the new Dojo head.

”I could turn it into an aerobics studio during the day to make cash to cover bills. But poor Gnaw.” Phoebe sobbed.

”Do…not…count…me…out…yet!” Gnaw said exploding with black artistic chi. His suit was intact save for the slash on the back. And his pencil glowed brightly. Walking past Phoebe he entered the clearing and enjoyed the surprised looks he got. “Eric nice attack seriously hurt.” Gnaw cracked his neck and swallowed hard to get rid of the blood in his mouth. “But you both are about to enter a world of hurt. My pencil here is more powerful than you know. Oh sure, I could draw some shadow creatures real quick using my chi to finish you. But I say we should go hand to hand. What about you two?”

”I shall give you both the beating you deserve. Then return home to call off from work for a day. During which I will create a mural depicting this battle on my bedroom wall. All the while having Sabrina walk around naked once I summon her to my place.” Max smiled.

”OH yea?” Eric said growling. “I will craft statues of you both in your honor. During which ZigZag will be getting pampered by yours truly!” Eric said with a grin. “Gnaw if you somehow manage to take us both, what will you do?”

Gnaw smiled and laughed then grew deadly serious.

”Your girls will become enrolled in my Dojo. Upon entering I shall summon all your other characters and make them partake in training. They will become more powerful than I and I can die happy knowing I have done my work. Upon my death they will be immortal warriors and free to roam the earth to do as they please.” Gnaw paused. “As true ninjas of course.”

”You really thought this out eh?” Max said throwing aside his saber. “Well think this out!” Max rushed Gnaw and swung his fist hard.

Gnaw caught his punch and spun him around while tossing away his pencil. Kicking Max in the back and flipping off of it he aimed a kick at Eric. Eric dodged the movement and swept Gnaw’s feet out from under him. Yelling he body slammed the smaller ninja artist. Gnaw’s world erupted in pain and suffocation as Eric landed. Max rushed in and aimed an elbow drop at his face preparing to smash the heroic Gnaw’s head in.

”No!” Gnaw said using his chi to knock Eric and Max back.

The two ninja masters landed on their feet. Struck a pose and flared up their own chi. Eric’s flaming chi encased his body in a gentle glow while Max’s electrical chi shot off sparks from every inch of his body. Gnaw struck his own pose and his black colored chi arose from within and encased him in a gentle glow.

Phoebe watched all this with wide eyes. She could not believe Gnaw was not slowed down by the incredible assault by Eric. She was also surprised Max had regained his strength after a move that Phoebe saw take out nobody ninja artists easily. Thus adding to the ranks of the Dojo Gnaw ran.

”Who will win?” Phoebe wondered. Knowing that no matter who claimed Gnaw and his creations if he fell that night; they would not be a cruel artistic ninja master like the legendary Doug Winger, the Akuma of the ninja artist world. Phoebe shuddered as she thought his name.

“YAAAAA!” Gnaw yelled as he gathered strength.

Flying forward he blew past Eric and Max who looked at each other then leapt at one another. Gnaw rebounded off a tree and slammed into the two other combatants. He grunted as they slammed fists into him as he returned the favor. All three hit the ground and scattered. Eric drew many brush shuriken and flung them at Gnaw and Max. Max avoided them all and then used the force, yes that force, to yank Gnaw towards his fist, which slammed into his face.

Gnaw kicked Max’s feet out from under him and leapt skyward preparing to slam his feet into Max’s chest to finish him quickly. Max caught Gnaw’s feet and shoved him off his hands. Eric meanwhile created multiple afterimages and confused Gnaw who looked around confused.

”Got ya!” Eric said grabbing and holding Gnaw in a headlock.

”Seems like it. But Max will skewer us with his energy attack. If you do not let go, we both shall die!” Gnaw said feeling like he was in an episode of Dragon Ball Z.

”Oh your right,” Eric performed a technique that locked Gnaw in place and leapt sideways.

”Oh yea clear shot!” Max said his electrical chi sparking up and building within his fist.

”NO DAMN WAY!” Gnaw yelled breaking the lock on his muscles and leaping skyward. “Flaming Fist of Death!” Gnaw said flying at Max.

”Zig Zag Punch!” Max said leaping skyward.

”Primal Omega Fist!” Eric said pulling words out of thin air seemingly for his attack’s name.

All three fists collided with one another. All three ninja artists felt the powerful feedback of their powers mingling. And with a flash a powerful explosion of artistic chi blew them all back from each other ending the battle.

The winner of the battle was clearly not known. What was clear was that they all had matched each other power wise in the end. Who is to say they all lost or won? Someday the true story will be told. And upon that day the world will know what became of our ninja artist heroes.

The End