Powers Against The World

5 months later...

Jamal got up from his bed as the alarm clock woke him up again. He walked to the bathroom and cleaned himself up. Afterwards, he walked up to the closet and choose the usual training outfit. But unlike 5 months ago, things have changed. Some for the good, and some for the worst.

5 months Earlier...

That day when he almost left to find Youden, he stayed in his room for several hours. He did think about the relations he wanted to keep and what he wanted to do from there. He wanted to leave, but deep inside, he felt like for the moment that he should stay. Eventually, when nightfall arrived, he walked to John's Refreshments and went inside. Since it was quite late, there were only a few people inside, including Ula. For a second they both looked at each other, until Jamal almost turned around. But he didn't do either and walked towards the seats they sat at earlier and sat back there.

"So, you did decide to return." she stated to him.

He didn't reply back. Jamal was only there to get some food and leave.

"Mmmm, this is about earlier. I can tell."

"I'm just trying to get a meal for the night. Haven't ate in hours." he finally replied.

"Are you still mad at me?"

Now Jamal wasn't mad at her, but more at Boom. Yes, she tricked him into making him be sympathetic ,but she did tell him the truth. Boom lied to Jamal and that frustrated him.

"You know, I'm not. I think I should apologize for my actions, but I'm still not going to fight Youden. They can't make me."

"Of course they can't. I definitely wouldn't."

"Wait, seriously?"

"Like, duh. If Boom himself had to use some secret item to overcome Youden's strength, then what can maybe a year of training do against that? It's basically a suicide mission. I really didn't want to act fake. I actually saw your point. Like, why are we fighting his fights for him?"

"Guess, we'll see later."

That night, Jamal slept better but was still nervous for the next day and the rest to come. When morning arrived, he made sure he was several minutes earlier than Ula, so he could come up with a plan. When she came, he asked her what he should do.

"Maybe you could do nothing and just pretend it never happened. It may not help, but I doubt they may bring it up. Or you could apologize." she came up with as she tried to think of other ideas.

"Oh! How's Hops doing?"

"I'm not sure. After I left, they told him he was at the capital's hospital. Must be serious enough for that. They did say that they expect a full recovery, so he'll probably be good. I doubt you'll be friends though."

"Eh, I've dealt with worse. He'll be no different." But then after breakfast, time was ticking down as he was waiting in his room, until he decided to go to the training room. When 8:55 a.m finally arrived, he took a deep breath and left, pressing the elevator button to go down there. When it opened, Ula and Fonda were already inside. Whelp, he thought once and for all, here goes nothing.

"Oh, look he's coming back! I wonder what Boom is going to say to you." Fonda told him.

"Don't worry. I'll end it down there and it will be the end of it." he told the little girl.

"Are you sure, Jamal? No one knows what will happen exactly." Ula asked, even with a bit of caution.

Before he could answer the elevator dinged and they walked out before it closed. When it opened, the trainers were already there, a tarp covering the hole Jamal had only made the day before. They were facing the opposite talking about something, until they heard the ding. That's when they turned around.

It was silent, with everyone looking at Jamal, including Boom. All eyes were on the both of them to see what would happen next. Finally, Jamal decided to say something.

"Look, I am going to say it right here and right now, my response yesterday wasn't great and all, but I stand by my point. What Boom did wasn't right, but I'll stay here just because it will allow us to find him and I'll try to talk to him. Ula told me a lot about him and what we're dealing with and I'm well aware what could happen. That's all I have to say." Jamal stated, looking into Boom's eyes the entire time.

"Well then, mmmm, if you are serious, then let the training finally begin." Boom only said after pausing for awhile.

And with that, for the last 5 months, have been one of the most serious and grueling moments of Jamal's life. He was mentally and physically being pushed. His muscles ached constantly in the beginning from the physical training, and using his powers all day made him more tired by evening. He had to learn about the ability of be able to create fire from other people that had the same or similar power, all the known ways his fire could be used, and how to do so. All the crammed information was beginning to take a toll on him. Until now. Because 5 months later, the tournament that the Supernaturals had planned between the other students would begin as a good way to prepare for the real deal.

Back To The Present...

Jamal looked at himself in the mirror. Compared to before, he definitely noticed more muscles then he had before and was most certainly toned. But it was almost as if he was getting older, until he remembered that his birthday would be coming up in the next 3 months. He put on his training outfit and walked to John's Refreshments like usual. He saw that Ula wasn't here and checked his watch. It read 8:20 a.m, which was a bit later then he wanted to arrive, but she should have been here by now. He waited another 10 minutes until she didn't show up, and just ordered a meal to go. Running back, he saw her waiting outside his room. Strange, but there must have been a good reason.

"Jamal, major news." she could hardly say.

"And that is?" he asked puzzled.

"You won't believe it, but the Supers believe that Saputa intelligence has found Youden."

Already? They were still training, and they found Youden already, as if they were definitely prepared to fight one of the most strongest people on the planet.

"But where? Do we know his exact location?" he had to know.

"I'm not sure, but we're going to get more information at the training room. Be there at 9 o'clock sharp!" as she ran towards the elevator.

When she was gone, he opened the door with the key he was given with a smile. Once inside, he closed it and set his food on the table inside. With Youden hopefully found, and with more information given, hopefully, he thought, he could do what some of the strongest people in the world couldn't do, dealing with him once and for all.