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Chapter 19: Mastering the Beast Within & Entering the Lion's Den
Wayne Manor – Underground Training Facility
Joshua stood in the vast underground gym of Wayne Manor, surrounded by state-of-the-art equipment. The air was thick with sweat and focus as he stared at his three reflections in the mirror—Agumon, Gabumon X, and V-Mon.
He clenched his fists.
Fighting random thugs was one thing. But Gotham was evolving. So should he.
Tonight, he would perfect his fighting style.
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Form Breakdown & Strategy Development
Joshua activated the system menu, watching as data on his three forms filled the holographic screen.
1. Agumon – The Powerhouse
Strengths:
Devastating raw strength. Punches that could shatter concrete.
Durability rivaling street-level metahumans.
Fire-based attacks for ranged combat.
Weaknesses:
Slower and easier to hit.
Struggles against highly skilled, agile opponents.
2. Gabumon X – The Shadow Stalker
Strengths:
Superior agility and speed.
Stealth capabilities—moves almost silently.
Precision strikes—sharp claws & ice-based attacks.
Weaknesses:
Not suited for direct combat.
Lower physical durability.
3. V-Mon – The Adaptive Fighter
Strengths:
Fast and powerful—a perfect balance.
Superior grappling and hand-to-hand skills.
Can adapt to multiple fighting styles.
Weaknesses:
Lacks elemental attacks.
Takes damage easier than Agumon.
Joshua exhaled.
The plan was simple.
Start in Gabumon X for scouting, sneaky takedowns, and mobility.
Switch to Agumon for heavy damage and overwhelming force.
Use V-Mon when a fight demanded both speed and power.
He wasn't going to be a one-trick pony.
---
Training: Perfecting the Beast's Might
Joshua shifted into V-Mon and immediately started with speed drills.
Sprinting across the room, jumping over obstacles, dodging incoming robotic arms—perfecting footwork.
Shadow boxing against the air, focusing on controlled, precise punches.
Sparring against automated dummies designed to mimic real fighters.
A robotic arm swung toward him. He ducked, countered with a spinning kick, and then landed a rapid flurry of punches.
Next, he transformed into Gabumon X and started stealth training.
Moving without making a sound.
Dodging attacks with fluid movement.
Precision claw strikes—targeting weak points.
Finally, he transformed into Agumon.
Punching reinforced steel walls to strengthen his raw force.
Practicing his "Baby Flame" attack—controlled bursts of fire.
Grappling with robotic opponents, using his weight to his advantage.
Hours passed. Sweat dripped down his forehead. His breathing was heavy, but he was improving.
And just as he finished his last drill…
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Joshua turned around.
Robin stood in the doorway, smirking.
---
First Encounter: Robin vs. Joshua
Dick Grayson—aka Robin—leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"So, Bruce finally let the monster out of the basement?"
Joshua scoffed. "I let myself out."
Dick chuckled, stepping forward. "I've been watching you train for the past hour. You're fast. Strong. But you fight like someone still figuring it out."
Joshua rolled his shoulders. "And you fight like a gymnast in a Halloween costume."
Dick smirked. "Wanna test that?"
Joshua grinned. "Thought you'd never ask."
---
Sparring Match: Joshua (V-Mon) vs. Robin
Robin sprang forward, throwing a rapid series of precise strikes.
Joshua barely dodged the first one, then blocked the second. Robin was faster than he expected.
Alright. No holding back.
Joshua shifted into V-Mon, using his enhanced agility to counter.
Punch. Dodge. Counter. Kick.
They exchanged blows at blinding speed, neither one gaining the upper hand.
Robin flipped over Joshua's attack, landing behind him and aiming a leg sweep.
Joshua jumped, landing a solid knee strike to Robin's chest.
Robin rolled with the impact, flipping back onto his feet.
"Not bad," Robin admitted, rubbing his ribs. "But you still leave openings."
Joshua grinned. "Then let's go another round."
They continued sparring for another twenty minutes. By the end, both were breathing heavily, but neither had a clear victory.
Finally, Robin put his hands up. "Alright, alright. You're decent."
Joshua smirked. "Just decent?"
Robin chuckled. "Fine. You're strong. But you still need to learn how to fight like Gotham's best."
Joshua nodded. "Then teach me."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "You serious?"
Joshua cracked his knuckles. "You're the best acrobat fighter here, right? I might be strong, but I don't want to just rely on brute force. Teach me how to fight like you—without needing to transform."
Robin stared at him for a moment, then grinned.
"Alright. But I'm not going easy on you."
---
The Next Challenge: School Life
Joshua wiped the sweat off his brow. Training with Robin was going to make him deadlier than ever.
But that wasn't his only challenge.
Gotham Academy awaited.
Bruce had pulled some strings, and now Joshua had an official identity: Joshua Cole.
As he put on his uniform, he groaned. "This is worse than getting punched in the face."
Robin smirked. "Welcome to hell."
Joshua sighed. Time to see what kind of battlefield Gotham's high society was.
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End of Chapter 19
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Chapter 20: First Day at School – A Monster Among Humans
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Wayne Manor – Morning
Joshua sat at the long dining table, staring at the extravagant breakfast spread Alfred had prepared. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, even a bowl of fresh-cut fruit.
But he wasn't hungry.
His fingers tapped against the table as he thought about what was coming.
School.
His first day in Gotham Academy.
A private school for the rich and influential. The kind of place where future CEOs, politicians, and crime lords' kids sat together in the same classroom.
Joshua wasn't nervous—he just didn't care.
But what annoyed him was—
"You're going to be in the same grade as me."
Joshua slowly turned his head.
Dick Grayson, dressed in his school uniform, arms crossed, wearing a cocky smirk.
Joshua groaned. "Seriously?"
Dick sat across from him. "You think Bruce was gonna just let you go to school unsupervised? Please. Welcome to Gotham Academy. Try not to embarrass me."
Joshua leaned back. "No promises."
Alfred walked over, setting down a cup of tea. "Master Joshua, your uniform has been prepared. Master Wayne has also arranged for the necessary documentation. Do try to behave."
Joshua smirked. "Define 'behave.'"
Alfred sighed. "I fear Gotham may not be ready for you."
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Gotham Academy – Arrival
The black town car pulled up in front of Gotham Academy's massive gates.
The school looked like something out of a Gothic horror novel—tall spires, grand archways, and ivy-covered brick walls.
Students were already gathered in groups, talking and laughing. Some were getting out of luxury cars, chauffeured by drivers. Others wore the air of entitlement like a second skin.
Joshua adjusted his uniform—a white dress shirt, black blazer with gold trim, and matching slacks.
It felt... odd. Too formal.
Dick walked ahead, barely acknowledging the crowds of students who turned to gawk.
Joshua immediately felt their eyes on him.
The whispers started.
"Isn't that Dick Grayson?"
"Bruce Wayne's ward?"
"Who's the new guy?"
Joshua smirked. Time to make an impression.
He rolled his shoulders and walked forward like he owned the place.
Immediately, the students stepped aside.
Dick sighed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Joshua grinned. "A little."
---
Classroom Chaos
The moment Joshua walked into the classroom, he felt it.
Eyes burning into him. Curiosity. Suspicion. Amusement.
Some students just glanced at him and looked away. Others, especially the more influential looking ones, sized him up as if gauging his worth.
The teacher, Mrs. Kensington, a strict-looking woman in her mid-fifties, glanced at the seating chart before looking at him.
"Ah, our new student. Please introduce yourself."
Joshua smirked. "Joshua."
A beat of silence.
Mrs. Kensington blinked. "Last name?"
Joshua shrugged. "Just Joshua."
More whispers.
The teacher sighed. "Alright, Joshua. Take a seat next to—"
Before she could finish—
The door swung open.
A girl walked in briskly, books in hand, hair pulled into a ponytail.
She had vibrant red hair, bright green eyes behind stylish glasses, and an expression that screamed 'I'm smarter than you.'
Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly.
No way…
Mrs. Kensington sighed. "Miss Gordon, nice of you to join us on time for once."
Barbara Gordon barely glanced at the teacher. "Yeah, traffic was a nightmare."
She moved toward her seat—but then her eyes locked onto Joshua.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
"You're new," she said, raising an eyebrow.
Joshua smirked. "You're observant."
Barbara crossed her arms. "You don't look like the usual rich kid here. What's your deal?"
Joshua leaned back. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Barbara's lips twitched slightly, half a smirk, half intrigue.
"I'll figure it out."
Joshua chuckled. "I'd like to see you try."
---
Lunch Break – Unwanted Attention
Joshua leaned against a tree in the courtyard, enjoying the brief moment of peace.
He wasn't used to being in a school setting, but one thing was obvious—people were watching him.
Some students were whispering, some openly staring.
Then, the inevitable happened.
A group of students walked up to him.
Rich kids. The entitled kind.
One of them, a tall, blond guy wearing an expensive watch, smirked. "Hey, new guy. Thought I'd welcome you properly."
Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how's that?"
The guy grinned. "By letting you know how things work around here. You? You're nobody."
Joshua exhaled slowly. "Let me guess. You're gonna tell me who the important people are?"
Blond Guy chuckled. "See? You catch on fast. This school's for the future elite. People like me. People like Dick Grayson."
Joshua glanced at Dick, who was watching from a distance, shaking his head.
Joshua looked back at Blond Guy. "And where do I fit in?"
Blond Guy sneered. "You? You don't."
Joshua grinned. "That so?"
Blond Guy took a step forward, trying to look intimidating. "That's how it is. You either fit in, or you learn your place."
Joshua leaned in slightly. "And what if I don't feel like learning?"
Blond Guy's smirk twitched.
Before he could say anything—
A voice cut in.
"Wow, real original, Brad. Picking on the new kid already?"
Joshua turned his head slightly.
Barbara Gordon.
She stood there, arms crossed, an unimpressed look on her face.
Blond Guy—Brad—sighed. "Gordon, mind your business."
Barbara smirked. "Oh, sorry. I thought I was helping. But if you wanna keep embarrassing yourself, go ahead."
Brad's eye twitched, but he backed off.
"Whatever." He turned and walked away with his goons.
Joshua watched him go before turning to Barbara.
She smirked. "You're gonna make a lot of enemies here."
Joshua grinned. "Good. I like a challenge."
Barbara raised an eyebrow. "You're weird."
Joshua shrugged. "You'll get used to it."
She smirked. "We'll see."
Joshua had a feeling Barbara Gordon was going to be trouble.
And he liked that.
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End of Chapter.