The Phoenix Hero

Learning (S1 Part 3)

~Hikaru point of view~

I was led to the training room by the heroes, my curiosity piqued by the array of equipment and gadgets that lined the walls. The room was vast, filled with various obstacles and training dummies that looked both impressive and intimidating.

"Mr. Batman, are we going to train right now?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity as I gently tugged at his cape.

Batman turned to me, his eyes behind the cowl revealing a glimmer of amusement mixed with seriousness. "Not exactly, Hiroku," he replied, his tone steady and authoritative. "I thought it might be beneficial for you to familiarize yourself with our training facilities and methods. It's important to understand what we do here."

I nodded, taking in the high-tech equipment and the various training setups. There were punching bags that seemed to move on their own, obstacle courses that twisted and turned, and holographic targets that flickered to life at the press of a button.

"Wow," I murmured, wide-eyed. "This place is incredible. I've never seen anything like it."

Batman led me further into the room, pointing out some of the features. "This is where we prepare for the unexpected. Every hero needs to be ready for anything." His gaze softened slightly. "But I want you to remember, Hiroku, it's not just about physical strength. It's also about mental resilience and understanding your role in a team."

As he spoke, I noticed other heroes beginning to gather around, some engaging in their own training routines, while others watched us with interest. Green Lantern approached, offering a friendly smile. "If you're interested, Hiroku, I can show you some basic techniques that might be useful."

"I'd like that," I said eagerly, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of learning from the heroes themselves.

Wonder Woman walked over, her demeanor both regal and approachable. "And I can explain the principles behind our training," she offered. "It's not just about combat skills, but also about discipline and strategy."

I felt a swell of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, everyone. I'm ready to learn and do my best."

As the heroes began to demonstrate various techniques and explain their training methods, I listened intently, absorbing every detail. The training room was buzzing with energy, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, I was now part of a team committed to making a difference.

I faced off against Wonder Woman, her Lasso of Truth glimmering brightly. As she swung it toward me, I deftly dodged and managed to pull the lasso away from her grasp. With a swift maneuver, I used the lasso to tie her up, and she was momentarily restrained.

“So... did I win, Miss Wonder Woman?” I asked, my voice a mix of worry and determination.

Wonder Woman looked at me with a proud smile. “Yup, you pass, Hiroku.” She nodded in approval as I carefully untied the lasso from her.

At the edge of the training room, Superman turned to Batman, who was absorbed in his computer. “Batman, this kid is really strong.”

Batman, still focused on his screen, barely glanced up. “He’s showing impressive adaptability and skill. We’ve gathered quite a bit of data on his abilities.”

Before my spar with Wonder Woman, I had battled with Martian Manhunter. During that match, I managed to cut through his telepathy and absorb his heat vision energy. Despite dodging his Martian Vision, I was able to defeat him with several blasts of fire. Though I was concerned about overusing my powers, Martian Manhunter assured me he was okay, which was a relief.

Next, I faced Superman. Despite my best efforts, his strength proved too much for me, and I was defeated. The battle left a mark on Superman, and I felt a pang of sadness. However, Superman reassured me with a calm demeanor, helping me to overcome my disappointment.

My subsequent match was against The Flash. We were evenly matched in speed, exchanging kicks and blows. I used my water powers to blast the ground beneath him, causing him to lose his balance and fall. With that, I managed to secure a win.

Following that, I sparred with Green Lantern. I launched several flame and water arrows at him, successfully dismantling the constructs he created with his ring. Once again, I emerged victorious.

The final sparring session was with Black Canary. Her fighting skills were incredibly challenging, and despite my best efforts, I eventually succumbed to her last, powerful attack. Exhausted, I fell to the ground, and Black Canary emerged as the victor.

Breathing heavily, I pushed myself up. Black Canary offered me a supportive smile. “You did great, Hiroku. Keep practicing, and you’ll keep improving.”

I nodded, grateful for the encouragement. The training had been intense, but I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Each match taught me something new and brought me one step closer to becoming a better hero.

I sat down, catching a water bottle thrown by Flash. I smiled and nodded in thanks before taking a long drink, my body still recovering from the sparring sessions.

“Bruce, what do you think? Should we invite him to the Young Justice team you’re planning to make?” Martian Manhunter asked, his voice calm but curious.

I pretended to be absorbed in drinking the water, but in reality, I was listening intently to their conversation. My ears perked up at the mention of the Young Justice team, and I couldn’t help but wonder what that would mean for me.

'Young Justice... Could this be my next step?' I thought, quietly considering my options. I needed to plan for the future carefully—every decision from now on would shape the path I walked.

Batman glanced my way before returning his gaze to the computer screen. His expression was unreadable, but his fingers paused over the keys for a moment. “He shows great potential. He’s adaptive and resourceful... but it's too soon to decide. We need more data on how he handles larger threats and his capacity for teamwork.”

Superman chimed in, folding his arms. “He’s already shown a lot of promise. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes an essential part of the team.”

Martian Manhunter nodded in agreement. “He has unique skills. His ability to absorb energy and fight alongside some of our strongest members speaks volumes.”

I quietly absorbed their words, planning ahead. I needed to prepare for whatever came next. If they invited me to join the Young Justice team, it would be a huge step. But I also knew there were dangers ahead that no one could predict.

'I’ll have to train harder, learn faster... I can’t afford to fail.' The thought echoed in my mind as I took another sip of water.