Narrated by Alex
"All of you did really well!" Benji beamed at us, as I sat down on the couch, along wih the others.
"Both John and Alex beat their opponents using their weaknesses! That was impressing, as your opponents were actually pretty good. John's weak point is his strength, yet he drove his opponent into submission! Alex developed a special move that uses energy, despite energy control being his weakness! I'm impressed. And Gordon, you did well too, even though it would have been better if you fought with a calmer mind."
Gordon muttered,"That guy was annoying, so I couldn't help it."
Benji said,"It happens, but you should try to stay calm, as it will only get harder to defeat your opponent with a mind of rage. You wouldn't think of anything but beating your opponent down, and that is what will give your opponent the advantage."
"I'll try."
Benji nodded,"Good. Round 2 is up tomorrow, and you will probably face stronger opponents. Do your best, and have faith in yourself. There's no guarantee that you'll win, but if you fight to your fullest, there won't be anything to regret if you lose, as you know that you've done your best, and just need more training."
"Benji," I said," I got a question."
"Sure. What is it?"
"What happens next? I mean, after the tournament?"
"After the tournament, you'll officially be given a class, and be a student of the Stronghold Bender Institution."
"Wait, what? But aren't we already students?"
"Actually, no. These two months are a training phase. The tournament is a sort of entrance test, that will determine your class. Usually, the school conducts these tournaments, but the Bender League was coming, so the League itself is considered to be a test of your abilities."
"So, these two months were to prepare to get in a good class?"
"Yes. Your abilities will be tested again, and you'll be given a class based on them."
"I see. What happens after that?"
"You'll be issued official Bender kits, which have all the supplies a Bender would need. You'll get uniforms of your choice and color, with the Stronghold logo in them, same like the present logo you have in your uniform. Once the starting procedures and preparations are done, you'll go through two years of grueling training with your teachers, learning different styles of Bending, martial arts, Bending elements, and many other techniques. And then, it's up to you. You could continue training, or try for the Bender Forces."
"How do they select a Bender for the Forces?"
"Well, each Bender in the Forces is personally selected by an Elite. Every year, the Elites of Stronghold visit the school to select Benders to join the Force. They usually spar with them, and test their minds and bodies through various tests. After that, they either select or reject a Bender, based on their analysis of him or her."
"I see. How would one become an Elite?"
"There are ten ranks of Elites. Each rank has the corresponding amount of members. Rank 1 has only one, the strongest in the army, Rank 2 has two, and so on. A total of fifty five Elites."
"That's it??"
"Yes. But these Elites are not to be underestimated. Even at base form, their power is more than enough to lay waste to this entire planet."
"WHAT?!" John asked, baffled.
"Yes. These Elites have gained the most precise control of energy, and are at the peak of their abilities. They have mastered their respective styles, created new techniques, and have tremendous power."
"I mean, they should be powerful, but a planet..." I said,"We are just powerful enough to destroy rocks with our punches, but these guys...."
"This is what differentiates an Elite from a normal Bender. The power gap between them is insane."
"So, how does one become an Elite?"
"Through years of harsh training, of the mind, body, and soul. Master all three forms of Bending, reach the peak of your abilities, and then, you might have a chance to become the Elite. The Elites have a total strength of fifty five, and that cannot be changed. The only way to become an Elite, is to replace one, by either surpassing them, or when an Elite dies. The other Elites will shift positions, and if you're the strongest candidate, you'll officially become an Elite, and occupy the lowest position."
"Wait. You've been an Elite too, right?"
"Yep, number one in Rank 5."
"SO YOU HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO DESTROY THIS PLANET?!"
"Well..... yes. I do."
"How?"
He softly laughed,"After I ran away from teh school, I decided that my only goal was ti become an Elite, and prove it to those bullies that I actually was capable of surpassing them. My determination fuelled my training, and one day, a former Rank 4 Elite bumped into me. He decided to train me, and I hopefully lived up to his expectations later on."
"You're so strong! Why doesn't the school accept you, even though you're a former Elite?"
"Because I couldn't change the past. To them, I'm still that coward who ran away from the bullies, and not the Rank 5 Elite that I worked so hard for."
"But still, I never thought Elites could be Planet Busters..."
He laughed,"Even I couldn't believe it at first. But then, I became one."
"And you went so easy on us. How can we surpass you? I'd never imagine myself to be so strong!"
"Don't imagine that. Make it reality. Work hard, believe in yourself. But, for now, focus on the tournament."
"Yeah, we will." I grinned.
After that, John and I went to train for a few hours, sparring and training each other. Then we had dinner, and tucked in for the night.