Mighty World: Hot times [Episode 123326]

Ranma blinked and glanced around. "Watch out for what?"

"Knowing Virgil we'll find out any second," Max replied with a sigh.

On cue the ground suddenly began to shake violently, cracks forming in the ground and expanding into the nearby street. Suddenly the sidewalk started to collapse, then exploded outward. From the forming hole a pillar of molten rock erupted, then pivoted, fixing two glowing yellow eyes on the trio as it extended it's mass to the sides to form arms.

"Lava Demon!" Max called, tensing in anticipation. His eyes darted sideways to Ranma who's shocked look was already replaced with one of concentration. "Run!" Max called, pivoting south and leaping forward.

The lava demon's head pivoted to follow Max, then it rose up, and shot after him, it's lower body stretching like a snake as it moved.

Max glanced back at the monster, grinning as he realized how easily he was keeping ahead of It.

"Any reason we're not kicking this thing's ass?" Ranma called from Max's right.

Max glanced a where Ranma was casually pacing him, his eyes tracking the lava demons' movement as they ran.

"Ranma, that thing's made of liquid rock? It's hot enough. . . Well watch." Max turned and leaped to the side, landing so a large stone wall was between him and the demon.

The lava demon pivoted, slamming into the wall which blazed red, then yellow for a moment before melting away completely as the lava demon flowed through and charged at Max.

"Hah!" Max called as he leaped away from the monster's snatching hands. "Get the picture?" he yelled to Ranma.

"Big deal," Ranma responded as she dropped in front of the creature.

"Ranma!" Max yelled as he turned, looking for a way to draw the monster away.

"HIRYU SHUTEN HA!" Ranma screamed as ducked low and rose, his right fist striking upward a few inches away from the monster. As his fist moved, it glistened blue with Chi, and as it slammed into the shimmering hot air surrounding the Lava Demon, there was an explosion as a tornado formed, hurling the Lava Demon skyward.

". . . Ok, stupid me for forgetting that trick." Max casually smacked the side of his head. "That won't stop that thing though," he said as he jumped down to Ranma's side. "It'll keep coming as long as the cap's close enough for it to sense."

"Then we'd best make use of that Portal the Ancient Sage mentioned," Cologne responded as she casually landed by the pair.

"Guess so," Ranma responded as he looked at his now red colored right fist. "Damn that thing was hot."

"We can fix it on the other side of the ice cream case." Max responded as he charged down the street toward the Mini-Mart.