The next day went surprisingly normal. Ace was in
A fight with his instructor, when the man grabbed his hands and held them together.
His hame was Eric and he was bewildered.
"Damn, you're scarily skilled for someone your age. Did you take up martial arts at five?"
"My parents said i was good at fighting."
With that Eric was done for the moment. He had been sold the job description of people who detain those who have gone berserk with their powers and release them after training. Yet higher ups in the company didn't even bother try to cover up the fact of them selling these kids to private militias or military contractors for a payout.
These kids would never see their homes again,
And every time this fact was presented to him, it shook him to his core. And worse he was helping them. And going against them meant never being seen again.
Eric let go of aces hands and stood back. "Have you made any friends here? I know this might suck, but it's only temporary. Get to know some people."
'Oh i have friends. Its best you never find out who they are however. Nest question.'
"I dont have anyone right now, but I believe that i will soon. Do you have anh friends here sir?"
Eric: "No. not at all. It seems im a very late bloomer, but you got this kid."
Im done training today, look around and find someone who looks friendly so you can talk to em after this."
Ace took this chance to get a sneak peek at alex, who was trading blows with his instructor quite well. His knucklebusters has evolved into full fledged gloves made from a mysterious metal.
And turning to David, Ace could see him trading blows with his instructor same as he was a minute ago.
"Give me a moment Mr Eric, I have to use the restroom."
—
In the bathroom, Ace was watching as his monster friend was crawling over him. He was currently practicing how to control it.
After two minutes of mind requests, The monster heeded his call. It was rather friendly in nature despite it's terrifying appearance.
To him anyway.
"Alright alright." Ace held his arm out for him to crawl on, but the creature seemed more comfortable on other areas, crawling on top of his head.
'I guess I'll have to put in a bit more effort then.' A few minutes go by of ace trying and failing to get the creature to obey his commands.
Ace was trying to grab the creature as it was jumping between sinks when the bathroom door bursts open. The creature instantly changed from playful to aggressive, diving at the person.
Looking closer, Ace noticed that it was Alex, whose reflexes were at their highest due to having just been in a fight. He blocked its advance with his left and and used the other to deliver a punch, sending the creature flying into the hands of its owner.
Ace stumbled back a bit, but made sure the creature was firmly in his grip. Looking back up, he saw Alex stunned.
He put his hands up to stop Ace from saying anything.
"...You have powers? What is that thing? What can it do?"
Ace shrugged his shoulders. "If you would've stood still it would've shown you." A small smile formed on his face.
Alex was still quite curious, but the creature still looked quite angry so he kept his distance.
"Does it have a name?"
"Not yet. But I do plan on it at some point. Do you have any off the top of your head?"
A voice sounded from the doorway.
"How about Fury?" David leaned against the doorway.
The creature began shivering, clearly reacting to the name it nudged its head against his forearm. Ace looked down in shock.
"He seems to like that one."
Alex had a very big smile on his face
"This is the most peaceful creature in this world and the next. His name should be serenity."
The creature cocked its head, black cloth shifting where its eyes should be, as if considering both names. Then, with a noise like rustling leaves, it sank its tiny claws into Ace's sleeve and scurried up to perch on his shoulder—directly facing David.
"Fury it is," Ace muttered, watching the creature puff up its chest.
David began speaking on the more interesting topic however. "You're power is to summon this thing? It's one of the better ones so far it seems."
Ace shrugged. "Alex sent it packing."
That reminder made the creature glare at Alex somehow, bearing its teeth in an attempt at intimidation.
"I don't think it likes you." David said, turning to Alex who was seemingly offended by the gesture. "You attacked me first you little shit!"
He was angrily and repeatedly pointing while saying this.
Ace and David stared at each other from across the room. He didn't say it but his look said "Control your damn Pet!!"
Minutes after stopping that dumb fight, Alex and David are delivering advice.
David: oh boy. This is certainly a display of…something.
Alex: Focus more. Try very hard for it to get your demands.
Ace was sweating from the forehead.
"At least one of you is helping." He was currently trying his hardest to get fury to understand what he was asking and yet the creature looked at him with immense concern. It looked like he could pop a blood vessel at any moment.
David: "I'm getting a lack of credit here. As the person who gave fury his genius name, I recommend you stop whatever this is before fury needs to find a new owner."
Ace stopped and took a few breaths. "Yeah this shit is stupid."
Suddenly three knocks rang against the door
And the voice of Mr Baron came into the room. "All three of you, get out. For slacking off, you now have to do extra running exercises. Now!"
All three boys were stunned. David sighed "of course." Alex walked with his head down and ace still stood there.
'But my instructor said he was done for the day. Damn you Eric!'
-–
Minutes into the run and they were already tired. Running from the front to the back of the training room will do that to you.
Alex: "Damnit Ace, remind me never to get distracted by you again."
David: "Look at his face. This is funny to him.
You're buying me new legs!"
What was he talking about?
As Ace was running, he had to pause and think to himself. 'I'm in one of the worst places I can be, and yet I'm not lonely. I'm not miserable. I've already met people better than most in my old life. This really ain't that bad.'
As he looked to his left and his right, boys who he'd truly considered allies were at his sides, and when they weren't being annoying, they were quite enjoyable to be around.
Without knowing it, a smile had formed on his face.
Mr Baron was staring at the kids in shock.
Why was Ace so joyous? He looked on the verge of passing out, and yet so rejuvenated at the same time.
Ace hit the floor with a dumb smirk still plastered across his face.
"My apologies young lads it seems I've pushed you far enough. You may go."