The training grounds of Stronghold's team were filled with an air of anticipation, the echoes of recent trials still fresh in everyone's minds. They had arrived in Mira, a city known for its environmental bending, and both Unit 92 and Unit 3 had been assigned a joint training area—a vast, open space overlooking the lush terrain. The early morning light filtered through the trees, and the atmosphere buzzed with the crackling energy of Benders preparing for the tournament.John tightened the straps on his gloves, his flames flickering faintly at his fingertips. His eyes flicked to Victor, who stood across the field with his arms crossed, a cocky smirk on his face."So, we're supposed to be working together, huh?" John muttered under his breath."That's the idea," Anne said, stretching beside him. "But let's not pretend there isn't tension. Unit 3 isn't exactly thrilled about losing to us during the trials.""You think I'm thrilled about having to train with them?" John scoffed. "I'd rather go up against Victor again."Anne rolled her eyes. "Let it go, John. We've got bigger things to worry about."On the other side of the field, Alex was already chatting with Max, the two of them grinning as they discussed something quietly."How's your gravity training going, Max?" Alex asked with a playful shove. "Think you'll be able to hold me down next time we spar?"Max laughed, shrugging. "We'll see. Maybe I'll just send you flying instead."Not far from them, Lila stood with her arms crossed, watching the banter unfold. Her gaze, however, kept drifting toward Alex, a thoughtful expression on her face. She was quieter than usual, perhaps still shaken from their recent confrontation during the Unit trials.Benji and Chris observed their students from a distance, standing side by side."Looks like they're getting along," Benji commented, his tone light.Chris snorted. "For now. But you and I both know that 'friendly rivalry' will escalate into something more soon enough."Benji nodded, eyes following John and Victor as they exchanged tense glances. "It'll be good for them. Competition builds character."Klaysher, the head of the Stronghold teams, stepped forward, calling everyone to attention. His voice boomed across the field, instantly commanding respect."Listen up! You all fought hard to make it here, but the real challenge begins now. Stronghold is counting on you—both units. This tournament isn't just about individual strength. It's about how well you work as a team. That's why today, we'll be focusing on synergy and adaptability."Klaysher wasted no time, pairing off members from each unit to work on their synergy. The exercise was simple on paper: Unit 92 and Unit 3 needed to function as a single cohesive team, with no room for rivalries to interfere.The first match-up saw John and Victor working together. Both firebenders, they should've been a natural fit, but their competitive nature made things difficult."You're too slow," John growled as they attempted a coordinated attack on a training dummy, flames roaring in tandem but lacking precision."I'm not the one burning out early," Victor shot back, launching a fiery blast that John barely kept pace with. The flames clashed, their energy overwhelming the target but in an uncontrolled manner, sending a shockwave across the field.Klaysher sighed, arms crossed. "This isn't about raw power. You're supposed to be combining your attacks, not competing with each other."Anne, standing nearby, whispered to Lila, "This isn't going to end well, is it?"Lila smirked. "Not if they don't stop trying to outdo each other."Meanwhile, Gordon and Isabel had been paired for a defensive drill. Isabel's agility and teleportation abilities were supposed to complement Gordon's raw power, but it quickly became clear they had different approaches."You need to move faster," Isabel called as she dodged a barrage of energy blasts from Gordon."I'm giving you cover!" Gordon shot back, launching another blast that hit the ground just as Isabel teleported out of range. "Why can't you just stay in one place?""Because staying in one place means getting hit!" Isabel snapped, reappearing behind him and rolling her eyes.Benji, watching from the sidelines, rubbed his forehead. "They're all too focused on doing things their way."Chris chuckled beside him. "Sounds like you're describing yourself, Benji."Benji shot him a look. "Maybe. But at least I know when to adapt."Not far from them, Alex and Max continued their playful sparring. The two had always had a more relaxed dynamic, and their match-up reflected that. Max tested his gravity abilities, pulling Alex off his feet, only for Alex to flip mid-air and land on his feet, laughing."Come on, Max, you're holding back!" Alex teased."Don't want to hurt you before the tournament," Max replied with a grin.Their interaction was lighter than the others, but it didn't go unnoticed by Lila, who watched Alex with quiet interest. Her ability to read minds made her acutely aware of the tension Alex hid behind his smiles.As the training continued, the tension between the two units became more palpable. Chris and Benji found themselves exchanging glances, their own rivalry mirroring that of their students."Looks like Unit 92 is struggling with teamwork," Chris observed, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of smugness.Benji raised an eyebrow. "That's rich, coming from someone whose unit is barely holding it together."Chris smirked. "We both know your team is only as strong as the weakest link. And right now, it looks like that link is cracking."Benji's gaze hardened, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he called out to his students, "Focus! This isn't about who's the strongest—it's about who can work together the best."His words echoed across the field, but they only served to deepen the sense of competition between the units.As the training session drew to a close, Klaysher decided to pit the two units against each other in a mock battle—a final test of their synergy."Alright, teams," Klaysher announced, "let's see how well you've learned together. No holding back, but remember—this is about strategy, not just power."The battlefield was set, and tension crackled in the air. Unit 92 squared off against Unit 3, the memories of their previous battle still fresh in their minds."Round two," John muttered, flames sparking in his hands.Victor grinned across the field, his own flames flickering to life. "Let's see if you've improved."Anne and Isabel exchanged a look, silently preparing for the fight ahead. Meanwhile, Alex stood across from Max, the usual playfulness in his eyes replaced by focus."Don't expect me to go easy on you this time," Max warned, lifting a hand as the air around Alex grew heavier."I wouldn't have it any other way," Alex replied, rolling his shoulders.The battle began with a bang. John and Victor's fire clashed again, but this time, they tried to coordinate, weaving their attacks together in a fiery dance that illuminated the training grounds. Isabel darted through the field, teleporting between targets, while Anne tried to anticipate her movements, aiming for precise strikes.Alex and Max's sparring was a spectacle of physicality versus control. Alex used his sheer strength to counter Max's gravity, dodging and weaving as the weight around him shifted.The battle raged on, but it was clear that both teams had improved since their first encounter. The tension remained, but beneath it, there was a growing sense of mutual respect.As the final moments of the mock battle approached, John and Victor stood at the center of the field, their flames blazing. They locked eyes, a silent agreement passing between them. Together, they unleashed a coordinated attack, their flames merging into one massive inferno that swept across the field.For the first time, their synergy clicked.The mock battle ended in a draw, with both units panting and exhausted but proud of their efforts.As the teams caught their breath, Klaysher stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've all improved. But you still have a long way to go before the tournament. Remember—Stronghold is counting on you."Chris and Benji exchanged a look, their rivalry simmering beneath the surface, but for now, there was a fragile truce between the units.As they headed back to their quarters, Alex nudged John. "Think we'll win next time?"John smirked. "We'll see."The road to the tournament was only beginning.