Chapter 43: Failure
William Johnson was in the courtyard of his house, where there was an open strip of land that didn't have any structures on it and no ceiling. Cherry blossom trees surround the strip of barren land, with their fallen petals being the only thing that covered the piece of land exquisitely and beautifully.
William was currently standing in front of four children who had admiration and awe pasted on their faces. These were his kids, the two eldest ones were both girls, with ginger curly hair and beautiful chiseled faces, and were no older than 16, then there was a boy who looked like he was 12 years old with dark brown hair and chubby face, and finally a small and frail 6-year-old boy with ginger curly hair.
These were William's children and of course, the 6-year-old boy was the young Bill Johnson, who was just now old enough to watch his father train and to experience the thrill of using abilities.
William showcased several complex moves which no beginner could even dream to perform, and switched from Earth moves to Wind moves, to bring variety into the display. William's eldest two girls and the second eldest boy were already ability users as they would train with their father while Bill was just now seeing the extent of how powerful these abilities could be.
Even though only being 6 years of age, Bill had already started taking mental notes about each and everything his father ever taught and kept these lessons close to heart. He had already set a goal in his life and that was to surpass his father one day and gain his respect.
Through the years, William kept teaching his children. The two girls got old enough and both joined the military and were now high-ranking personnel. The second oldest boy also moved out after being allowed to become a power fighter through an agency. This only left Bill alone with his father.
Unlike his siblings, Bill wasn't the same. He had created a reckless and impatient personality as his main goal was the only thing that he would ever think about. His father tried everything he could to mold him into something similar to his siblings, but Bill was unrelenting.
After having enough, William announced the fateful words that would go on to change Bill's life forever.
"You don't have discipline, patience, or the mindset to become an ability user! You always rush ahead, not caring about the consequences, but now you will have to live with this consequence for a long time. You will never become an ability user and I will not give you the Earth ability!"
Bill's whole world got flipped upside down as he never expected to hear such news and especially not from his hero; his own father. In the years following that, Bill's personality and attitude changed quite a lot. His relationship with his father was never the same and they barely ever talked. Bill's mother had also passed away during this time which was also another shock for Bill and he didn't recover well.
Anita Johnson was a loyal wife and a loving mother who cherished her children more than anything. Also being from the military, Anita had a strict parenting style, but one that wasn't too hard on her children that they would grow resentment towards her. Her goal was to raise educated and well-mannered children who would show respect towards anyone and everyone they meet.
Bill didn't have a very deep and strong relationship with either of his parents since they were both from the military and his mother never went against her husband's will; however, he still had a stronger and loving relationship with her compared to his father, even though he admired them both the same.
Bill would often lay his head down on his mother's lap and stay still for hours while his mother gently stroked his curly hair. It was the best feeling that Bill had ever experienced and he would trade everything he ever owned just so he could experience it one more time.
He would often talk about all his frustrations and issues and his mother would quietly listen to all of it. It was the most perfect form of therapy a child could get.
The loss of his mother had sent him down a spiral as he became bitter and aggressive toward everyone and started showing his strength on weaker beings as this was the only thing that brought him some sense of joy.
With this terrible state of mind, Bill didn't even think twice when he was offered an ability by El-Diablo as he wanted to continue enjoying the feeling of being powerful. Bill went on to continue abusing power and building his reputation.
It looked as if he would continue with this life, but his plans all came crashing down when during the duel in school, a swift punch from Mako knocked him out and the situation became entirely different.
The people he called his friends had betrayed him instantly, and El-Diablo himself didn't even spare him a glance as the only thing he ever cared about was money.
During his small time in captivity in the warehouse, Bill was treated just how he used to treat other people and it was an eye-opening experience for him as he finally realized all the wrongs he had done to people and wished for an opportunity for redemption, and he would go on to receive that opportunity with the sacrifice of his fellow cellmates and the forgiveness he was shown by Mako.
He would never forget the time when people were there for him when he needed them most and now he had two goals in life. One to not be a failure in the eyes of his father, and two to always be there for those he cared about.
{End Flashback}
*************
Bill punched through a sand pillar as he was getting more and more familiar with this awesome ability. He stared at his two hands that were directing the sand, and he continued to sate at the key-shaped burn mark on his hand that was now permanent because it wasn't healed in time.
His time in the warehouse was a very traumatizing experience, and he wanted to make the best use of it as he remembered the sacrifice Alfred made without whom he wouldn't even be alive.
Clenching his scared hand, Bill said in a low and somber voice," I won't let your sacrifice go in vain, I promise to do better!"
**************
While Bill was reliving his past life events, Mako was sitting cross-legged on a boulder that was pretty near the house. He was currently meditating as Bill had instructed him because according to him, the fastest way for one to resonate their abilities was to first have a good understanding of the auras in their body and then command the aura to merge. It would take a lot of Mentality as you were basically producing a brand-new ability that was stronger than the original two.
Bill's Mentality had risen sharply from the first time Mako used Analyze on him, and since he didn't have as many skills as Mako, he was able to learn three abilities.
Mako knew that he would have to work on his Mentality attribute as well as Intelligence so that he would not rely on his overconfidence which had placed him in life-threatening situations time and time again.
Mako would have to complete more daily quests and defeat more opponents if he ever wished to resonate with his abilities because right now, he was still getting familiar with the Lightning ability and had uneven stats that wouldn't be able to fare against stronger opponents that he was sure to face during the tournament that Leon had invited them to or dare say forced him into.
Mako couldn't stop thinking about what the Lightning and Fire ability would turn into as there wasn't a sub-element that existed which could result from the combination of the two abilities. Earth and Wind had an obvious sub-element which was Sand as Sand exists as part of Earth, but can move similarly to the Wind.
Mako racked his brain, but he couldn't come up with any sub-element that would be a combination of Fire and Lightning. In the end, he gave up as he would know soon enough when he would successfully resonate his two abilities together.
Getting up from the boulder, Mako resumed his training with the Lightning ability as he produced tendrils of electricity from his hands and started imposing his will on them so that they would move accordingly.
"I won't be a failure for much longer! Just wait, Leon! I will master Lightning as well and resonate it with fire to form a brand new powerful ability that will kick your butt!" Mako said as he cracked his knuckles in anticipation of the big tournament that was coming soon.
Both boys continued to train and hone their skills as both didn't want to be the failures that they used to be and prove to the world that they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone