The two awoke early in the morning, slipped into their suits and then left all in less then two minutes. Exodus rubbed his shoulders, the training from the previous day having left his shoulders tensed and aching. As they headed down the final set of stone steps, they ran right into Catastrophe and Destruction. Exodus tensed his whole body, ready for a fight as he stared into their leering faces, but this time Nathaniel was the one to thrust his arm between his younger brother and the two rivals. "You two seem to be tired," Nathaniel observed, and Catastrophe snarled, "Couldn't exactly sleep with the racket you idiots were making." He paused, a sudden smile flashing across his face before whispering, "I've heard of brotherly love, but crap did you take that literally." Exodus clenched his fist furiously, and as did Nathaniel. Then, Nathaniel unclenched his fists, grabbed Exodus by his aching shoulder, and the two walked away.
They did not listen to the jeers that were shouted at their retreating backs but headed to the Training Room. "Shouldn't we be getting food?" Exodus asked, but Nathaniel ignored him, opening the door to the Training Room and kicking it shut behind him. "We need to train!" he hissed, releasing his grip of his brother and then walking over to one of the punching bags. "Ok, what is this all about?" Exodus demanded as his brother began throwing punches seemingly at random. Nathaniel ignored him and continued his assault, his fists yellow blurs as his arms glowed, and then Exodus stepped around to the opposite side of the punching bag and thrust a glowing hand forward. It connected with the punching bag, and stood still against Nathaniel's next punch, sending the latter skidding backward from the shockwave. "Tell me!" Exodus half-shouted, and Nathaniel clenched his fists.
"BECAUSE I NEED TO BECOME STRONGER THAN HIM!" he roared, spit flying from his mouth. Instead of shrinking back like he usually would, Exodus stood tall. "Who?" he asked, and Nathaniel looked up, an angry expression polluting his face like trash in the ocean. "Catastrophe," he growled, and Exodus made an 'ah' sound. "I was watching when he punched you. It was enough to send you flying away, yet when it hit, his fist was not glowing. He barely put any effort in." Exodus had noticed that too, but surely, his brother was superior. "He…He is stronger, faster and more powerful than me. To beat him would be a miracle. That's why I need to grow stronger!" Exodus stared at his brother in shock, having never heard the one he admired speak quite like this before. "Nathaniel…You're the Symbol of Hope…you can beat him."
Nathaniel laughed and shook his head, "No little brother. Just because I have the Hope does not mean I am invincible. Catastrophe and quite possibly Destruction might be the only ones who have realized this. My best guess is that everyone will try to keep their distance from me, but those two are ready for whatever it is we throw at them." Nathaniel sighed and shook his head, rubbing the sleep from his eyes tiredly. "I need to be better…. stronger. You should too." Exodus stared, and then he slowly nodded, "I understand, brother. That's why I am going to train with you." Nathaniel raised his eyebrows, and Exodus raised his fists, concentrating for several moments before they turned a bright yellow color. Nathaniel laughed and raised his glowing arms, the light punching through the darkness and illuminating the room.
"You sure you're ready?" Nathaniel asked, and Exodus nodded. Nathaniel dashed forward, faster than a blink of the eye, and suddenly he was upon his brother. Exodus moved to the side, watching as Nathaniel's fists struck through the air with yellow lightning glowing around his arms. Exodus ducked, feeling something surge through him as he dodged another of Nathaniel's barrages and spun, his fist flying through the air. Nathaniel disappeared, and Exodus hesitated, his eyes darting around, trying to find his brother. He turned, his eyes narrowing as Nathaniel came into his view, his fist raised. Exodus grinned and raised his arm, ready to block it. Nathaniel spun, turning away from Exodus and then raising his leg. Exodus' eyes widened in surprise, and then the glowing foot collided with his chest. Exodus flew back, skidding along the ground and dust spraying up. Nathaniel stood tall, watching as Exodus got to his feet, a graze along his cheek from when he hit the floor.
"I've told you what to do to be a good Hero. Now do it!" Nathaniel called out, and Exodus got himself ready, legs spread slightly as he raised his fists a second time. Nathaniel did the same, and then Exodus darted forward. He jumped up and punched down, aiming for Nathaniel's face, but Nathaniel easily parried the blow and sent Exodus skidding to the side. Exodus scrambled to his feet, spun and kicked out. It hit Nathaniel in the chest, but Exodus was unable to pull away. Nathaniel gripped onto Exodus' ankle tightly, and then twisted. Exodus spun through the air and then crashed onto the ground, coughing and groaning in pain. "Hope!" hissed Nathaniel as Exodus got to his feet. "You're never going to get anywhere trying to use anger to power your punches. You might as well be in Rage if you try that."
Exodus took a deep breath, calmed his nerves and anger, and then yet again charged. This time, he went directly towards Nathaniel's chest. Nathaniel went to meet him, and they both began trading blows, their fists blurs as they hammered down. Nathaniel managed to place his hand on Exodus' chest and shoved him back. As Exodus skidded back, Nathaniel dashed forward. Exodus raised his glowing his fists and swung his right arm forward, yet Nathaniel ducked beneath it. Exodus spun and struck his left fist, but Nathaniel was gone. The air around Exodus whooshed, and he looked up, seeing Nathaniel in mid-air over his head. Then, he punched down. The blow hit Exodus in the shoulder, and he hit the ground, Nathaniel landing above him. "You did well…although you should be more careful in observing your enemy's patterns." Nathaniel offered out a hand, and Exodus took it.
Nathaniel lifted Exodus to his feet, and then swung his leg, catching Exodus by the back of his knees and watching as his brother toppled to the ground. "Never accept help from an enemy. Two important lessons." Exodus groaned, and while Nathaniel smiled down upon him, he hooked one leg in front of Nathaniel's legs and the other behind. A look of confusion flashed in Nathaniel's eyes, and then Exodus twisted his body, hearing a crash that told him Nathaniel hit the ground. "You taught me that one," Exodus whispered, getting to his feet and holding his aching side. Nathaniel chuckled as he too leapt to his feet, a large grin on his face. "So I did," he said proudly. "What now?" Exodus asked, and Nathaniel shrugged. "Food?" he asked, and Exodus nodded, grinning too.