The next day…
It was the afternoon. Jason was at home and getting ready to go out. He was about to put on his hoodie when Cynthia approached behind him and grabbed it out of his hands.
Cynthia: Hold it!
Jason turned around towards Cynthia.
Jason (complaining): What?
Cynthia: Where are you going?
Jason: I was going to go buy a tracksuit and some other stuff for the entrance exam tomorrow.
Cynthia: Did you forget what happened yesterday? You're all what everyone in Tempion is talking about now.
Jason (angrily): That was not my fault!
Cynthia patted Jason's head to reassure him.
Cynthia: I know it isn't sweetheart but you can't be going out recklessly until this blows over.
Jason groaned.
Jason: Why do I have to put up with this when it's not even my fault?
Cynthia: If it makes you feel any better, I went to the king and gave him a piece of my mind.
Jason: Are you even allowed to do that?
Cynthia: Leon and I go way back. I just don't do it in front of the other nobles.
Jason: Okay that's cool and all but mom, I need this stuff!
Cynthia: Calm down. I said you couldn't go out recklessly. I didn't say you couldn't go out at all.
Cynthia put Jason's hoodie on the sofa behind her and then turned towards a closet to the left of her and opened it. While she was digging through it, Jason kept staring at his hoodie that she sat down on the sofa. Wanting to wear it. Cynthia then took out a black cloak, a hair net, and a dark purple fedora.
Jason: You're not saying I have to wear that getup are you?
Cynthia: That's exactly what I'm saying.
Jason (annoyed): That looks ridiculous!
Cynthia: What do you mean? The cloak hides most of your body and the fedora and hair net hides your curls.
Jason (exclaiming): That's not going to fool anyone!
Cynthia looked down at what she had in her arms.
Cynthia: You know what? You're right.
Cynthia turned back towards the closet. Jason looked surprised that Cynthia would agree so fast. However, that look went away the moment Cynthia took out a pair of black sunglasses.
Cynthia: Need to hide your eyes too.
Jason put his hands on his face out of embarrassment.
Jason (embarrassed): MOM! Just let me wear my hoodie!
Cynthia: Nuh-uh. You're wearing this.
Cynthia shoved the clothes in Jason's arms. She then turned around and picked up Jason's hoodie with just her fingers as if she were trying to avoid touching it directly.
Cynthia: Besides, when's the last time you washed this thing?
Jason: What do you mean?
Cynthia: Jason, the hoodie reeks! I'm washing it!
Jason (shocked): That bad?
Cynthia: Yes, it smells like sweat and body odor.
Jason: I did get dropped from the sky the other day.
Cynthia began to walk towards the other room while holding the hoodie.
Jason suddenly remembered Carly carrying him and holding his hoodie.
Jason (to himself): I hope she didn't smell that.
Cynthia heard what Jason said and turned back around.
Cynthia: She?
Jason was startled as he realized that Cynthia heard him. He looked away from her.
Jason (startled): I-It's no one.
Cynthia suddenly had a big mischievous grin on her face and walked up to Jason.
Cynthia: Did you meet a girl?
Jason (nervously): N-No I was talking about Hana!
Cynthia put her hands on her hips while still holding Jason's hoodie to show him that she wasn't falling for the story.
Cynthia: If it was Hana, you would've said her name from the start. Not denying it.
Jason's face turned bright red as he realized he had been caught.
Cynthia: So what's your girlfriend's name?
Jason (exclaiming): Her name is Carly and she's not my girlfriend! We just met yesterday! Okay?!
Cynthia: You mean that girl who accidentally dropped you into the castle yesterday?
Cynthia clapped her hands in delight.
Cynthia: I saw her the other day! She's so cute! She's super cute in fact! You two would make a great couple!
Jason (embarrassed): She's not my girlfriend!
Cynthia (mischievously): Maybe not yet. You should introduce me to her at some point.
Jason (complaining): Mom!
Cynthia: Okay. I'll stop. But seriously though, if you are ever going to meet with a girl, you introduce me first.
Jason: Okay, if that ever happened, sure. Just stop talking about it, please!
Jason quickly put on the fedora and cloak. However, he tossed the hair net back to Cynthia.
Jason: I am not wearing that!
Cynthia: Why not?
Jason: Cause I don't like things in my hair.
Cynthia: It doesn't go in your hair. It goes around it.
Jason (exasperated): I mean I don't like things ON my hair! Is that better?
Cynthia: Better. But at least wear sunglasses.
Jason: Alright fine.
Jason then put on the sunglasses and shoved his hair in the hat to hide his curls. He then walked out of the house. Meanwhile, Cynthia stood there thinking about what happened.
Cynthia: Even if they aren't dating, he still made a new friend all on his own. The same little boy who would always be cowardly behind me and refused to talk to anyone is growing up.
Meanwhile, Jason was traveling through the shopping district in his disguise. The shopping district had many different shops and stands. From food like fruit, vegetables, and meat to items and clothing. The place was filled with different people who were crowding around the stands. It was almost hard for Jason to move around.
Jason (thinking): Come on. Give me some room!
Jason looked around to find the shops he was trying to find but it was hard for him to look over the taller Electrens.
Jason (thinking): Yep. One of the many problems with being a Yellow Electren. We grow very slowly until we reach a certain age. And of course, I'm nowhere near that age. What was that age again? I forgot.
Jason managed to spot the shop he was looking for and tried to squeeze his way through. But the crowd was making it difficult. As he nudged closer, he felt himself step on something round. He then heard someone yell as if they had been hurt. The round object Jason stepped on suddenly moved out from underneath his foot.
Man (angrily): Watch where you're going, kid!
Jason couldn't see the man but he did hear him and realized that he stepped on the man's foot.
Jason (calling out): I'm sorry sir!
Jason listened for a response back but there was nothing. Instead, there was more chatter among the crowd and people walking past him from every direction. Jason felt himself getting pushed away from what he was trying to do. He tried to go back but people kept bumping into him. Jason then felt something smack him on the back of the head. His fedora was knocked off and fell to the ground.
Jason (frustrated): Damn it!
Jason got to the ground and tried to pick the hat up but the people who were walking by kept kicking it away. As Jason reached for the hat again, a large shoe came down and stepped on his hand.
Jason: OW!
Jason pulled his hand away and rubbed it. There was a shoe print on the top of his hand. Jason then saw his fedora getting kicked around.
Jason (thinking): Screw it.
Jason dived towards his hat and grabbed it. However, two men tripped over Jason as he landed on his chest and fell over.
Man 1: AH!
Man 2: WHOA!
The men fell on another man who also fell forward. This caused a mass chain reaction of everyone falling over. Jason was frantically trying to get out of the way so he wouldn't get buried.
Jason (agitated): It's too crowded!
Jason started to push through the crowd until he reached a stand where there were a lot fewer people.
Jason (relieved): UGH! FINALLY!
Jason looked back to where the mass fall happened. The people appeared to be unaware Jason was the cause of it and were angrily shouting at each other.
Jason: Oops….
Jason put his hat back on though he forgot to tuck in his curls. Jason then looked up towards the left and saw that he ended up further away from where he was trying to go. He tried to head towards it but there was a crowd of people blocking the way and preventing him from getting any closer. The chaos Jason accidentally caused made it even more difficult to get through.
Jason (frustrated): Come on!
Having no other choice, Jason decided to look at the stand he was in front of. There were many different kinds of jewelry. Jason picked up a gold bracelet that had pretty blue stones around it. Suddenly, a young man came from behind the stand to greet Jason.
Man: Good day sir! How may I help you?
Jason started to look up at the man who was talking to him.
Jason: I'm just looking arou-
Jason froze as he recognized the young man who was talking to him. It was David Atoms. He was wearing a gray apron which was covered in dust. As David took a closer look at Jason, he tilted his head. Jason turned away trying to not let him see him.
Jason (nervously with a fake accent): I'm just looking around, lad.
David: Do I know you? You look kinda familiar.
Jason (with a fake accent): Nonsense, we have never been acquainted, David.
Jason quickly realized what he said and covered his mouth. David realized something was up and came around from the back of the stand.
David (suspiciously): How do you know my name?
Jason (with a fake accent): Oh uh, yeah. I know your sister.
David: I don't have a sister.
Jason (with a fake accent): You're brother I mean!
David: You know my three-year-old brother?
Jason (normally): Shit!
David: Nice curls by the way.
Jason instinctively covered his curls that were sticking out from underneath the hat. David then grabbed Jason's hat and lifted it. The rest of Jason's curls fell out and bounced as they landed on the side of his head. As David dropped the hat back on Jason, his jaw dropped as he was in shock.
David (shocked): No way! Ja-
Jason quickly turned around towards David and put his hands over his mouth to stop him from talking.
Jason (through his teeth): Shut up!
David paused as he didn't know what was happening. Jason then took his hands off of David's mouth.
Jason (whispering): Is there somewhere we can talk in private?
David: Uh, yeah but why?
Jason (whispering): I'll explain in a bit. Just take me there.
David led Jason to the back of the stand. There was a massive stone wall behind them and some dark alleys near the stand on both sides. Jason looked around to make sure no one else was watching and then took off the fedora.
David: Holy crap! Dude, I haven't seen you since school ended!
Jason: Yeah, it's been a while. I see you're working as a merchant. I thought your family were blacksmiths though.
David: They are but my dad wanted me to get some experience working, so for now I'm a merchant. Let's talk about you now. Why are you wearing that weird getup?
Jason: It's a long story but I'm trying to get some shopping done without being seen by the public.
David: Why do you have to hide from the public? Did you do something bad?
Jason: Like I said, it's a very long and complicated story.
Jason then looked towards where the crowd was huddled up and swarming around.
Jason: Do you know when this crowd will clear up?
David: Probably not for a while. Some idiot caused a huge spill.
The word idiot slammed Jason in the chest.
Jason (awkwardly): Oh…. You don't say….
David looked at Jason's hand which had a shoe print on his hand.
David: Did someone step on your hand?
Jason (nervously): Uh, yeah. It happened when everyone was falling. Anyways, do you have any idea how I can get past this crowd? I have some errands to run.
David: Why not just jump over the crowd?
Jason looked back at David. He had an exasperated expression.
Jason: Cause that would draw too much attention. I'm incognito.
David rolled his eyes.
David (sarcastically): Yeah, you're blending in.
Jason: Okay in my defense, my mom made me wear this.
Jason then looked back at the crowd.
Jason: Besides, I don't think I can leap that far.
David: Listen, I need to get back to work. If you want, you can chill here until the crowd clears up.
Jason looked back at David.
Jason: Oh wow. Thanks.
David: No problem.
David turned around and was about to walk back to the stand when he looked back at Jason.
David: Hey, we're cool. Right?
Jason: Uh, yeah. I don't see why not.
David: But, for all those years at school, I-
Jason: Bro, that's in the past. We're cool.
David: Are you sure? Because I understand if you are still holding a grudge.
Jason: If I say we're cool, we're cool. There is no beef or a grudge. I promise.
David smiled and then headed back to the stand. Jason then put the fedora back on and leaned against the wall behind. He looked towards the crowd again which was just as packed as before. Suddenly, Jason heard a whisper.
Man (whispering): Hey.
Jason looked around but didn't see anyone. He then saw an arm sticking out from the alley, gesturing towards him.
Man (whispering): Come here. Let's talk.
Jason felt that this was very suspicious. He started to back up.
Man (whispering): Now don't run off. I know who you are, Jason.
Jason paused as he was shocked.
Man (whispering): You don't want me to get the paparazzi over here, do you? Just come over here and let's talk.
Not wanting to get swarmed by people, Jason decided to comply. As he walked towards the alley where he saw the man's arms, he secretly covered his body with a thin layer of electricity that was invisible to the naked eye. As Jason walked into the alley, at the end of it was a man. His hair was short and reddish-brown but the guy himself was very large. He wore a black T-shirt along with a denim vest. His extremely large and muscular arms seemed to be bulging out of his top. He wore blue jeans along with some black shoes. His eyes were blue yet intense. He also had a massive grin as he watched Jason walk towards him. As Jason stopped in front of him, he saw how big this man was. He was almost three times Jason's size. Jason had to almost look directly up just to lock eyes with him.
Jason (thinking): And I thought Ethan was huge.
Man: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bruce Dollains. And you, you are Jason Steel.
Jason (dumbfounded): I-I uh…
Bruce began to slowly walk around Jason while still looking at him. Jason however did not look directly at Bruce.
Bruce: I have to admit, that outfit might look ridiculous as hell, but it hides your image. Too bad I already saw you when you were talking to String Cheese over there.
Jason: String cheese?
Bruce: Ah right, you probably don't know what cheese is. You haven't been outside the kingdom before. Well, don't worry about it.
Despite not looking directly at him Jason kept notice of Bruce walking around him. Unsure what he is trying to do.
Bruce: In case you're wondering, my father is alright. He is just angry as usual.
Jason: Do I know your father?
Bruce: You should. After all, you did slam him into the ground pretty hard.
Jason (shocked): The Marquee?! He's your dad?!
Bruce: Correct.
Jason (suspiciously): Are you here to take revenge or something?
Bruce: Tempting but I'll pass. It's not like you killed my old man anyway. Besides, it was the fool's fault for not getting out of the way.
Bruce stopped and leaned against a wall behind him. Jason was still trying to wrap his head around what was going on.
Bruce: I've heard what you did. It's astonishing really. I mean, blowing up a mountain?! That is crazy! Yet, you want to be an Apex Guardian? That is such a waste of talent.
Jason: A waste?
Bruce: I mean, you have that power because you are an Electren. So why serve it to other races like humans?
Jason: Because I wanna help people.
Bruce: People. So that would mean humans?
Jason: Anyone. Humans, Electrens, Elves, Dwarves, Lizard Men-
Bruce (assertive): Okay now you're being ridiculous!
Jason was taken aback by Bruce's response.
Jason (shocked): Ridiculous? What's so ridiculous about wanting to help people?
Bruce: Your priority should be the Electrens. Your kind. It's bad enough that you wanna help humans but you wanna help all those things?! What do you even get out of helping them?!
Jason: Nothing! And that's fine! I just want everyone to live without having to worry about danger!
Bruce (exclaiming): So then why are you bothering with humans?
Jason (exclaiming): You keep focusing on humans! What is so wrong with them?!
Bruce got up and stared down at Jason. His expression was filled with frustration and anger.
Bruce (aggressively): You wanna know what's wrong with humans? Everything! They are weak maggots yet they control most of this world! They talk a big game just because they can use magic! Humans are weak yet they treat stronger races like us like we are a bunch of freaks! You wanna protect worthless trash like that?!
Jason stood still. He was a bit startled by Bruce's sudden aggression and yelling but he kept his composure.
Jason: What do you want?
Bruce: What?
Jason: You call me over, you say that I'm impressive, and then you question my motives. A man who compliments another man to his face is either flirting or scheming. And your questions were a definite giveaway. So stop wasting my time and just get to the point!
Bruce stared at Jason for a moment and then smiled maliciously.
Bruce: Very well. As you might know, Duke Albert doesn't have a son to marry Princess Sarah. Your family, being the Steel family, has voluntarily declined to be part of the noble system despite being ranked as Dukes and Duchesses. And since there are no neighboring Electren kingdoms nearby, this kingdom doesn't have an heir to the throne after Sarah. Naturally, that would mean that the next rank would be married to the princess once she came of age. That being the Marquees. Once I am engaged to Princess Sarah and I become king, I will build a powerful force to take on the forces of the world! The Electrens will rise to power as the most unstoppable race in existence! And I want you to join me. You and I possess an unbelievable amount of power. I've already recruited some powerful allies. And I've made contact with some people with resources that could make us invincible! And with you as my right-hand man, we can conquer-
Jason (interrupting): Imma stop you right there.
Bruce paused and stared at Jason.
Jason: Do you honestly think I'm just going to say "Sure, let's do this"? Even after what you heard me say?
Bruce gave a wicked grin.
Bruce: You think I'm being crude don't you? And just because I speak so ill of humans. You agree that humans are weak, don't you?
Jason: Compared to us, then I guess yes.
Bruce: We both see humans as weaker than Electrens but I bet you see humans as a harmless little animal that needs to be looked after. That's the difference between us. You've only met a human once. I've however seen more humans than I care to count and I know their true nature. They're biased. Unless you are a human yourself, if you have power then they fear you. It doesn't matter to them if you want to help them or ally yourself with them. You can betray your entire race and they still don't care.
Jason (thinking): I guess he isn't wrong about that. But that doesn't mean all humans are like that. Are they?
Jason paused as he was still thinking. Bruce continued to stare at Jason as he was waiting for a response.
Jason (thinking): Time out. Does he know about Anthony? That was years ago though. How does he know that? Something's not right. Why does he know so much about me? Why would he want to know so much about me? I-I should leave.
Bruce looked down at Jason with an intense stare. His smile was filled with malice yet eagerness. Jason kept looking to the side, not wanting to look at Bruce in the eyes.
Bruce: Strong Electrens like us should only be considered of our race. Not worthless human trash who will never make peace. Join me, Jason.
Jason turned away and was about to leave the alley.
Jason: Not interested. I want to help everyone. Electrens, humans, anyone who needs help. Now if you're done trying to pressure me, I'll be on my way-
Before Jason could finish and leave, Bruce grabbed Jason's shoulder.
Bruce: Here's the thing. I wasn't asking.
Jason felt a crawling sensation on his skin as Bruce was touching him. His body quivered as the uncomfortable sensation resonated through his body.
Jason (seriously): Get your hand off of me right now.
Bruce grinned and took his hand off Jason's shoulder. Right after that, however, he knocked away the fedora and petted Jason's head.
Bruce (maliciously): Your hair is quite thick.
Bruce suddenly tightened his grip around Jason's head and then slammed Jason's face into the ground. Jason felt the cobblestone ground break against his face.
Jason: ARGH!
Bruce (maliciously): It makes it so easy to grab!
Before Jason had time to pull himself off of the ground, Bruce grabbed Jason's leg and lifted him from the ground with one arm. He then effortlessly threw Jason over his shoulder and slammed him into the wall of the alley. His sunglasses shattered upon impact. The large parts of the wall broke apart and crumbled from the impact. Jason fell back to the ground on top of the trash bags that were behind him. Jason then got back on his feet. He was covered in dirt and his nose was bleeding from being slammed into the ground and wall. His skin was crawling and his arms were quivering. Despite the quivering, however, Jason was not scared. Jason's face was red and he was showing his teeth out of aggression.
Jason (angrily): The hell is your problem?!
Bruce suddenly laughed out loud.
Bruce: I have a lot of respect for fellow Electrens with tons of power like myself. So I was trying to be formal considering we are both sons of nobles. But I guess my kindness is not wanted.
Jason (angrily): Kindness?! Do you call that kindness?!
Bruce: Compared to what you're making me resort to, it was quite kind.
Bruce began walking towards Jason.
Bruce: Let me make something clear. I won't allow a strong Electren to waste their potential on inferior beings. You only have two options. Either you give up on being an Apex Guardian and work for me willingly or I make you join me after I beat you to a bloody pulp! Choose wisely.
Jason (thinking): Damn it! I wanna beat the shit out of him! But if I do that, I'll be exposed. And more importantly, I might damage the buildings. And that will be another headache I'll get scolded for.
Jason looked around. The alley they were in had no ladders to climb up nor windows to jump through.
Jason (thinking): I have to fight. But I should try to incapacitate him and then make a run for it. No big electric attacks because that will cause a lot of damage. Unless I…
Jason held his hands up as if to surrender.
Jason: Alright fine! I'll work for you!
Bruce paused and stared at Jason with a confused look. He then smiled.
Bruce: Well this is unexpected. I didn't think you would give in that quickly. I'm a little disappointed. I was getting ready for a fight but if you're throwing away the towel, I won't stop you. You are just full of surprises.
Jason then gave a mischievous smirk.
Jason: Oh you don't know the half of it.
Jason suddenly shot a small blast of electricity from his fingers that hit Bruce in the eyes.
Bruce: ARGH!!!!
As Bruce stumbled backward and covered his eyes in pain, Jason suddenly rushed forward and jumped up at Bruce. He then stretched his left arm out and used it to grab Bruce's neck. As Jason fell back down and landed on his bottom, he forcibly slammed Bruce to the ground on his back.
Bruce: KA!
As Bruce lay on the ground, seemingly shocked by the sudden impact, Jason got up and made a run for it. However, Bruce, who was still lying on his back, grabbed Jason's leg and made him fall down and on his face. With surprising speed, Bruce got back on his feet and then pinned Jason to the ground by stepping on his back with his massive foot. Jason tried to get up but Bruce put most of his weight into his foot to keep Jason pinned. Jason felt his body being pushed into the ground and felt like it was on the verge of being crushed. Jason darted his eyes upward to see Bruce leaning over his knee and staring down at Jason. His eyes were red and irritated from the electric blast Jason shot him with. Despite that, Bruce was still giving Jason his standard malicious grin. Jason then noticed a small white cloud floating above them and got an idea. As Jason continued to try to push Bruce off of him, he sent small electric currents from his fingers and toward the cloud.
Jason (straining): G-get…. off!
Bruce: I have to hand it to you. You fooled me. But I'm not falling for your tricks again.
Jason (still straining): I told you… I'm not joining you!
The cloud started to turn darker as it was getting charged with electricity.
Bruce: Fine. But there's no way I'm letting you join the Apex Guardians! An Electren has no business getting involved with humans!
Jason (angrily): That's none of your business! What I do has nothing to do with you!
Bruce suddenly stomped harder on Jason's back. Jason cried out in pain as he felt immense pressure on his ribs. Bruce's cocky and malicious smile suddenly turned angry and filled with rage.
Bruce (angrily): It is my business! I am going to be king! So what you do in my future kingdom is my business!
Jason (angrily): Even if that was true, which it's not, you don't have any say in what I do now or at all!
Jason kept trying to push Bruce off of him but the large Electren was immensely heavy. The cloud from above then turned completely dark and electricity began to emit from it. Suddenly a bolt of lightning came crashing down at Bruce. However, without even looking up, Bruce took his foot off Jason's back and then grabbed him from the back of the head. He then lifted Jason and held him towards the lightning bolt that was coming down. Jason was then hit by the lightning bolt.
Jason: AK!!
Jason lay still, burnt, and stunned by the lightning strike. Smoke emitted from the burnt spot on his chest where he was hit. The front half of Jason's cloak was almost completely burnt off. Bruce then slammed Jason's face into the alley wall.
Bruce: Like I said! I'm not falling for your tricks!
The electricity from the lightning bolt that hit Jason was surging through Jason's body. However, Jason was hardly moving as it appeared he was too injured to move.
Bruce: Hey! I know you're conscious. I'm going to give you one last chance. Beg for mercy and give up on your dream or else I will simply just beat you to near death!
Jason's face was pressed against the wall. He started to mutter at Bruce.
Jason (quietly): I-sheg fou mayci…
Bruce: What?
Jason (slightly louder): I-sheg fou mayci…
Bruce, still holding on to the back of Jason's head, turned him around and held him so he could see Jason's face which was dripping blood.
Bruce (impatiently): Speak up! I couldn't hear you!
Jason suddenly spit blood in Bruce's face. The blood mixed with spit splattered across Bruce's bloodshot eyes.
Jason (loudly): Go to hell!
Bruce's face turned bright red. His teeth clenched intensely together as rage started to boil up. Bruce, still holding on to him, lifted Jason with a single arm. He then threw Jason, head first, towards the ground. Right before Jason's face was smashed into the ground, Jason fired a small Volt Cannon from his mouth at the ground. The attack was small but the force was strong enough to propel him upwards to avoid Bruce's assault and break free from his grasp. As Bruce stumbled backward from Jason suddenly blasting up, Jason jumped back down at Bruce and punched him on the back of the head.
Bruce: ARGH!
As Bruce fell forward, he took a big step forward to stop himself from falling. He then turned around sharply towards Jason and glared at him. Jason smirked as he wiped some blood off of his face.
Jason: That's funny. I thought you said you knew all my tricks.
Bruce's face turned red from rage and veins started bulging out from his forehead. Suddenly, his hair started glowing yellow and electricity began to surge through his body.
Bruce (angrily): That does it! You're dead!
Bruce suddenly lunged at Jason while raising his massive fist. He then threw an electrically charged punch at Jason. Right before the impact, Jason crossed his arms into an "X" in front of him to block the punch. The force of the punch pushed Jason backwards but he stayed standing and endured it. The area where Bruce hit Jason glowed yellow as Jason felt his arms ache and yet tighten from the impact.
Jason (thinking): He's a Yellow Electren?! The dude is as big and strong as a Green Electren!
As Jason stopped in place, he grabbed his cloak and pulled it off of him. He then put his hand over the back of his neck and rolled his head around. A loud crack was heard from his neck as he cracked his neck. Jason balled his hands into fists and smacked them together. As soon as his two fists clashed together yellow electricity shot out from his fists and formed round spheres around them. He then raised them in front of him to prepare himself for a fight.
Jason (seriously): Let's go, big guy!
Bruce charged at Jason while raising his fist overhead. As yellow electricity was charged into his fist, he swung down at Jason. Jason then swung at Bruce's punch and both punches collided with each other which caused them to get pushed back slightly. Wasting no time, Jason jumped up until he was at the same height as Bruce and then smacked him across the face. Bruce staggered backward a bit but recovered quickly. With raw aggression, he lifted both his fists over his head and brought them down on Jason. Before Jason was hit, he held his hands out in front of him and created a force field in front of him that blocked the attack. However, because Jason was in the air, he couldn't stop the momentum and was sent to the ground by the force.
As Jason's back hit the ground, Bruce lifted his leg and attempted to stomp on Jason. However, Jason curled into a ball and rolled backward to avoid the stomp as Bruce's foot drove into the cobblestone pavement and shattered it into pieces of stone. Jason, still curled in a ball, jumped up straight and landed on his feet. Jason then rushed forward to attack Bruce again however Jason stepped on a piece of broken cobblestone as he was running forward and it slid backwards. This made Jason lose his footing and he fell forward on his face.
Jason: ARGH!
Bruce then burst out laughing.
Bruce (while laughing): HAH! THAT IS SO PATHETIC! I CAN'T BELIEVE AN APPRENTICE OF CYNTHIA STEEL WOULD BE THIS MUCH OF A KLUTZ!!
As Jason lay on the ground with his face still planted in the ground, his hands crunched up into a fist out of anger as he heard Bruce laughing at him for an embarrassing mistake. Jason then looked up and grabbed a bunch of the broken cobblestones. He then started throwing them at Bruce. As Bruce was getting hit by the chunks of cobblestone, Bruce stopped laughing and started shielding himself from the rocks with his arms.
Bruce (annoyed): Hey! Stop that!
While it didn't look like it was causing him much harm, Jason could see that it was hurting Bruce as he seemed to be wincing in pain and growing annoyed.
Bruce (angrily): WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT?!
Jason stopped throwing the rocks.
Bruce (angrily): Have you no shame?! You pelt me with rocks and call yourself a warrior?! You're a disgrace!
Jason (angrily): Look who's talking you hypocrite! You tried to bully me into joining with you, you attacked me out of nowhere, and then you laughed at me when I fell!
Bruce (angrily): I'm not the one throwing rocks! A true warrior fights with his strength alone! He does not rely on throwing rocks like a shameless wimp! As for attacking you, a warrior must always be on guard at all times! Otherwise-
Jason rolled his eyes as he was getting tired of Bruce's monologuing. As Bruce continued to talk, Jason picked up a large piece of the cobblestone that was twice the size of his head and held it over him. He then threw it at Bruce which smashed into his face.
Bruce (angrily): ARGH!
As Bruce covered his face with his hands after the rock smashed into him, he took his hands off and looked at Jason with a very angry expression. Blood oozed from Bruce's nose and mouth. Jason looked annoyed and had his arms crossed.
Jason: I don't give a shit. You started the whole thing and now you wanna lecture?
Bruce (angrily): YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE TO DO THAT TO-
Before Bruce could finish, Jason threw another chunk of cobblestone at Bruce. Bruce didn't flinch as the stone broke apart upon impact with Bruce's face. As pebbles dropped from his face, Bruce's face turned bright red, veins began emerging from his forehead and his rage began to build up. He clenched his hands into fists.
Jason: Shut your damn mouth and fight!