Allison's excitement continued to mount as she made her way to Training Room C, the internal digital maps of the Fortress made finding the room easy. The room was cavernous, filled with various training equipment: punching bags, agility courses, and advanced holographic simulation systems. Sunlight spilled in through the skylights, casting a warm glow over the otherwise sterile environment. It was empty, save for two figures standing near the centre.
As Allison approached, the two turned to face her. One was a tall, wiry young man with shockingly white hair that contrasted sharply with his dark skin. His eyes glowed with a faint blue light, a sign of his powers. The other was a petite woman whose porcelain complexion was almost as white as her companion's hair. Her eyes were a vivid green, and they sparkled with the same mixture of excitement and nerves that filled Allison.
"Hi," Allison greeted, her voice echoing slightly in the large room. "I'm Nightshade."
The white-haired young man extended a hand, his lips curling into a friendly smile. "I'm Jetstream," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "And this is my girlfriend Zephyr."
Zephyr gave a small wave, her voice soft yet clear. "Nice to meet you."
Allison shook Jetstream's hand, her telekinetic senses automatically scanning him in a subtle, subconscious way. She then turned to Zephyr and offered a warm smile. "I'm Nightshade are you both new sidekicks too?".
"Yeah," Jetstream said with a nod. "We just got our acceptance letters yesterday. We're used to live out in West City. Moved here a couple of days ago."
"Really?" Allison's eyes lit up. "I've always wanted to travel to West City." West City was also known as the city of lights, it was a prestigious area with beautiful art, and low crime rates.
Before they could delve deeper into conversation, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the room. The trio turned to see a hulking figure in the doorway. He was a broad-shouldered man with a shaved head and a stern expression. Skin was cracked and slate grey, it looked hard as rock.
"Attention, recruits," he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the walls. "I am Commander Stone. I'll be your combat instructor during your probationary period. Let's see what you're made of."
Commander Stone wasted no time in assessing the new recruits, charging at them with surprising speed for someone of his size. The three sidekicks scrambled to react, their initial dodges clumsy and uncoordinated.
Jetstream, with his glowing eyes, was the first to move. He darted to the left, attempting to use his agility to evade the commander's grasp. But Stone was quicker, his massive hand shooting out and grabbing the young hero by the collar, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"Whoa, easy there!" Jetstream struggled, but the commander's grip was like iron.
Zephyr, her green eyes widening, called upon her powers. A gust of wind swirled around her, and she threw herself at the commander, using the air currents to enhance her strength. Her small fists pummelled his arm, but it was like punching a wall.
"Impressive speed, Jetstream. But you need to work on your defence." Commander Stone's voice boomed, and he easily kept his grip on Jetstream, leaving the young hero flailing.
Nightshade, her purple eyes flashing with determination, stepped forward. She extended her arms, and a burst of purple telekinetic energy shot out, wrapping around the commander's other arm. With a sharp tug, she tried to pull him off balance, using her powers to enhance her strength.
"Good, Nightshade. You have control over your powers. Now, channel that energy into your attacks."
Stone did not budge, his feet planted firmly on the ground. But the recruits could sense his approval, and it fuelled their determination.
In a demonstration of raw power, Commander Stone hurled Jetstream across the room at Nightshade. Allison braced herself for impact. The world seemed to slow as Jetstream's body sailed through the air, his limbs flailing in an uncontrolled somersault. Allison attempted to break Jetstream's fall with an cushion of purple telekinetic energy. There was a moment of silence as Jetstream crashed through the cushion and his face made a soft, yet firm, collision with Nightshade's ample chest, the two of them falling to the ground.
The unexpected warmth and cushioning of Nightshade's breasts enveloped Jetstream's face, causing a momentary lapse in his concentration. His hands, searching for purchase, found themselves gripping the curves of her bosom in a reflexive grasp. The heat of embarrassment flushed across Allison's cheeks, while Jetstream's face turned a deep crimson.
Zephyr stifled a gasp, while a low chuckle rumbled from Commander Stone, the corners of his stern eyes crinkling slightly. "Well, Nightshade, it seems you've provided a soft landing for Jetstream. But let's focus, shall we?"
Jetstream extricated himself from his awkward position, his apologies tumbling out as he struggled to regain his footing. "I'm so sorry, Nightshade! I didn't mean to... I was just... The commander threw me, and I..."
"No harm done, Jetstream," Nightshade replied, her voice steady despite the warmth that lingered where his face had met her chest. She offered him a hand up, her telekinetic energy pulsing gently around them. "It's all part of the training, right?"
Commander Stone nodded approvingly, his massive arms crossed over his chest. "Exactly. In the field, you'll rarely find yourself in ideal situations. Adaptability is key. Now, let's try that again, with a bit more finesse this time, shall we?"
The trio of sidekicks fought on for a few more minutes, one-by-one they each were subdued by Commander Stone.
Jetstream, eager to prove his worth, launched himself at Commander Stone with lightning speed. He aimed to grab the commander, intending to use his own momentum against him. However, Stone was expecting this move. With a swift twist of his towering frame, he sidestepped Jetstream's grasp, leaving the young hero stumbling forward. Stone then brought down his massive hand, palm open, onto Jetstream's back. The force of the blow sent him face-first into the mat, the wind knocked out of him.
Zephyr once again used her powers to create a powerful gust of wind, sending her hurtling towards the commander like a human projectile. But Stone was unmoved, his feet firmly planted. He caught her in mid-air, his grip like steel around her petite frame, and gently set her down a few feet away, her attacks subdued.
Allison, her purple eyes glowing with concentration, took a more cautious approach. She maintained her distance, sending bursts of telekinetic energy at the commander in an attempt to disrupt his balance and tire him out. Her attacks were precise and controlled, but Stone's sturdy form remained unwavering.
"Good, Nightshade, you're finding your range," Commander Stone grunted as he deflected one of her energy blasts with a stone-hard forearm. "But sidekicks are often the surprise factor in a fight. Show me something unexpected."
With a sharp inhale, she unleashed a concentrated burst of telekinetic force, aiming to push Stone off his feet. The commander, however, countered with a stomp that created a miniature shockwave, rattling the training equipment. The force of it knocked Nightshade off balance, and she found herself on her knees. She gritted her teeth, maintaining her focus, and pushed back against the shockwave with her powers, managing to regain her footing.
"Excellent recovery," he commended. "But know your limits. Conserve your energy for when it truly matters."
Their intensive training session continued for another gruelling hour. Each sidekick gave it their all, their determination burning bright, but in the end, Commander Stone's unwavering stamina and experience overwhelmed them. Drenched in sweat, they collapsed to the floor, their breath ragged.
Stone stood in the centre of the room, watching them with an approving gaze. "Well done, recruits. You've shown potential, but there's much work to be done and a lot to learn. When you regain your strength, report to the outfitter's workshop on level 52."
It was clear that Commander Stone's power was on a whole other level to their own. As expected from a hero.