Chapter 20: 3. How to Train your Heroes
Dick realized that Toji was just like Bruce when he first met him. Behind the façade of playful smiles, Bruce was just as broken as the man training them now. He remembers just how far Bruce used to push him during his youth. After hours of training, he'd go lying on his bed, bloody and beaten, while Alfred treated his bruises. It was only because of sheer stubbornness, or perhaps ego, that Dick continued to go into that dark dreary cave only for the beating to happen again. It was only after years of having people truly care about him did Bruce eventually begin to piece himself together again.
Dick stops reminiscing when he sees a punch coming his way. He leans down to dodge only to realize that a kick is now aiming for his head. Just as he was about to be hit, Kaldur comes in to block the attack with another kick. Still, both heroes were pushed back by the force. "Concentrate, Dick. Our instructor isn't one to show mercy", says the Atlantean.
Dick nods and the two attack Toji with their weapons. After fighting him for a while, the young hero realizes just how much more powerful the mercenary has become. In their first meeting, Dick thought that with friends' help, they would be able to easily take down Toji. But now, they would need help from some of the heavy hitters from the Justice League just to subdue him. Knowing Batman, the young hero is pretty sure he's already setting up various contingency plans if that time ever happens.
"Attack pattern omega", orders Kaldur to the group.
Everyone immediately moves to position. Dick, Connor and Kaldur moves towards their instructor while Wally steps back to provide support. Even without his super-speed, Wally is still a pretty good shot with a bow and arrow. Maybe Artemis rubbed up on him. With a quick glance, everyone knows what they're doing. Dick and Kaldur swing their weapons at the instructor's legs.
Toji jumps over it but is quickly intercepted by Connor. The Kryptonian, having forgotten that he had no powers, tries to overwhelm the instructor with brute strength. Toji steadies himself. The instructor grabs Connor and grabs him by the collar. But as he was about to punch the Kryptonian, a rubber tipped arrow flies towards his head. Toji leans his head to the side, dodging it. He throws Connor at Wally, knocking them both out. The instructor then instantaneously moves behind Dick and Kaldur, and before they even knew it, the fight was already over.
---
Although Kara didn't want to admit it, the girls didn't fair any better compared to the boys. Toji was a merciless mercenary. Apparently, he takes every contract he ever has, even if the contract is about training people. Black Canary wasn't much help either. She just stood there, watching them all get beaten up. Her sympathetic smile did make Kara feel for her a little bit. But just a little bit, though.
Kara heads back to the living room, rubbing the aches from her shoulders. She's already removed the power dampeners. It still sucks how super-healing isn't one of her powers though. Hopefully, a few hours sunbathing would fix her up.
"You could have pulled your punches a bit, you know", says Kara to Toji who is quietly sitting in a corner.
"I did", responds the man.
Kara pouts. "At least you're not a meanie like your master", she says, grabbing the caterpillar monster and squeezing it like a pillow.
Then, another woman sees Kara and chuckles. "You really shouldn't be doing that", says Zatanna. "Those things are far more dangerous than you think".
Kara smiles as she rubs her cheeks on the creature. "It's fine. I'm Kryptonian. I can take it".
"What is that thing, anyway?" Wally, now having gained his powers back, could get enough of it. He zooms around the halls, bringing pretty much everything from the kitchen to the living room. The speedster takes a piece of popcorn and feeds it to the creature.
When Toji didn't answer, Zatanna decides to answer for him. "It's a demon. From what I can feel, most likely one of the lowest class".
"What? Is it gonna possess me in my sleep? Crawl up my nose maybe?"
"Nope. It's too weak to even do that. Probably the reason why it's sticking with Mister Hot-Stuff over here", answers the magician, pointing at Toji.
That comment simply goes over Kara's head. Or did it?
"So, it's like a parasite?" asks Wally.
"More like symbiosis", responds Zatanna. "Toji gets to use it like a magic satchel and the worm demon gets to live".
"That's pretty cool". Wally pets the creature and feeds it some more. "So how did you find it", he asks their instructor.
Toji shrugs. "I don't know. I've been using it for as long as I can remember".
"Using? Sheesh, that's a bit harsh. Just look at him. He's so cute", says Wally as he pinches the creature's chubby cheeks.
Toji observes them all before finally saying "I can't see it".
The heroes look at each other then looks at the little demon. "How does that even work? It's literally with you all the time". Kara picks it up and raises it towards Toji's face. "You really can't see him?"
Toji shakes his head. "The bigger question is 'how are you all able to see it?'"
Zatanna puts her finger on the side of her temple. "It's a weak demon. Anyone should be able to see it". The magician then stands in front of Toji. "May I?"
Toji nods. The group watches quietly as Zatanna puts her palm over the man's head and concentrates. After a while, she steps back and looks at him with sympathetic eyes. "Where you come from, is it normal for most people to not be able to see demons and spirits?"
The instructor answers by nodding his head. "I see", says the girl. "Here, everyone is gifted with magic, even if it's just a little bit. It's a- I'm sorry".
The group quiets down and the mood turns awkward. "Anyways, wanna stay with us for lunch?" asks Kara, hoping to cheer up the team.
"I'll have to pass", answers Toji. "I'm needed for another job". The instructor picks up the demon before heading for the zeta-tube. After he left, the whole group looks at Zatanna.
"What was that about?" asks Wally.
"I just feel bad for him", answers the magician.
"About what? Not having magic? I can't do magic and doing fine".
Zatanna sighs. "You weren't listening were you. Everyone is born with magic. You just don't feel it because you never bothered to learn. But him? That man was born with a void".
"What does that mean?" ask Kara.
"Imagine the thought of not being able to see? Imagine a life without sight".
"Okay. I kinda get it. So he's never felt magic. So what? Big deal", says the speedster.
Zatanna glares at him. "Magic is a fundamental part of life. The essence of magic is all around us. You may not care but you've been living with magic all around you all your life. To you, it's like breathing air and forgetting that air ever existed. But that man's life will never be complete. It's like he's never experienced just how colorful the world can be and he doesn't even know it".
---
The sun has already set by the time Toji got back to Gotham. He looks at the piece of paper and reads the instructions for his next contract. He smiles, realizing where the meeting place is.
He goes to a bar and looks at the security camera by the door. After a few moments, the heavy metal door opens and the bouncer invites him in. "Boss is in the second floor. Pretty sure you know the way", says the big muscular man. Toji smiles as he remembers who the bouncer was. He's pretty sure he beat the man up the first time he came to this place.
The mercenary looks around before finally going to his employer's office. He climbs the stairs while below him, people were happily drinking and dancing to the loud music. He opens the door and sees the short stout man sitting on the other end of the office.
"Ah, finally here. Haven't seen you in a while", says the man.
"Penguin", says Toji. "What do you need?"
Penguin grins. "Straight to business eh? Alright, I want you to kill the Joker".
---
A.N.
Hi peeps. Hope you like this episode. It's been a long time coming. Every DC fan-fic has the MC meet up with the 'Clown Prince of Crime'.
Quick question.
How are the dialogues? English isn't my first language and from what I learned in school, the language tends be very formal, making it sound like a bunch of lawyers talking instead of teenagers.
I'm trying to make it more informal so that the dialogue sounds more natural but I feel like it's harder to understand sometimes. What do you guys think? Tips?
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