Prologue
- In flames, the continent of Yggdrasil was swallowed by the vast ocean. Impetuous waves carried its glorious people and its entire history towards inevitable and eternal oblivion. - exclaimed the play's narrator.
In one of the central seats of the amphitheater was JP, clearly bored and sleepy. Unlike many of the adults in attendance, he (a mere 9-year-old) already knew the story of the apocalyptic event on the continent of Yggdrasil that took place approximately 2500 years ago. Yggdrasil was, theoretically, a neighbor of Portugal, a country inhabited by JP and his friends. According to the story of the legend of the vanished continent, Yggdrasil was inhabited by a people with pride in their history and advanced technology, being a very conflictive region that was involved in the bloodiest wars of humanity. Due to these warlike behaviors, the remaining nations or good/wicked gods, depending on the version of the legend, decided to sink the continent in order to live in peace.
JP already knew this story because, not only was it a famous legend that children were told these days, but he was also enthusiastic about this kind of legends and tales, and there was no need for him to go with his school to see a play like this. His family had insisted on it, though, because it would be -fun- or -a new experience- but JP would rather have stayed somewhere and read books about powers he didn't know or other legends that captured his enthusiasm.
In a world where ninety-five percent of the population had powers there were lots of special abilities that JP hadn't even imagined. He couldn't bear to find out what his power would be. After all, his family was famous for being strong possessors of supernatural ability.
With nothing relevant to do, JP looked at his two best friends: Sofi, a girl with brown eyes and long hair, and Joseph, a boy with curly brown hair and eyes of the same color.
At that moment, Sofi, who had failed to sit next to JP, felt like the most boring girl in this world (even more so than her best friend). She was not interested in past stories or people who were already under the earth or the sea. The nine-year-old sighed, supporting her drooping head with the palm of her hand while with the other she played with her blonde hair and looked at the stage, even though boredom and drowsiness clouded her vision and prevented her from seeing anything. If only JP was next to her to cheer her up with one of his jokes or pranks that he dubbed -silly- but always made her laugh, she would be more entertained.
Joseph, on the other hand, was standing right next to JP, and unlike his other classmates, he felt exhilarated. The only person who had told him about this legend had been his older brother. However, he did not have much free time due to his important position. Joseph listened to every word with the utmost enthusiasm, for every second there made him feel as if he were with his brother. The narrator's voice entered his ears as if it were Tora's voice and transported him back to a past where he had been even happier.
- Hey, Joseph! - whispered JP- Did you know that powers are influenced by a person's personality?
Joseph nodded affirmatively and when he looked at his colleague he realized that JP had grabbed a book he had put in his backpack and would be learning about -The basics of powers- in the middle of the darkness that was raging in the theater stand. Joseph for a moment was going to tell him not to read in the dark, because JP wore glasses and that would make his vision worse, but he decided not to waste his Latin on his stubborn friend. Moreover, to Joseph JP's brown eyes looked bright and his hair appeared to be short and brown but Joseph was probably just imagining things.
After the play was over, the children stood up and began to comment on what character they would be in the dramatic story. The teachers asked the two friends what they thought. Both boys responded positively, although JP's -yes- was forced and unenthusiastic. JP, after staring at the ground with a thoughtful face said to those present: -These events will never happen again because I will be strong enough even to stop something identical to what destroyed Yggdrasil.
The teachers giggled among themselves and reminded them that tomorrow would be the day when the class would take the test to find out their potentials and abilities since they would be leaving elementary school to go to high school. JP then flashed his biggest smile and stated, -I will be the strongest person that this world has ever seen.-
The punch of destiny
Sofi was at school and was walking from room to room patting all the hallways looking for JP. The day before, after the drama session, she couldn't comment on how boring that experience had been. Already in the morning, before the potential test, Sofi saw JP. However, he was so excited that he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.
After the test, which consisted of observing various factors such as breathing, posture, blood tests, among others, Sofi was looking for her friend to comment on what power she had, as well as what his would be.
- I heard that your stupid boyfriend has no power. - stated Alice, a girl from a different class than Sofi. Alice had blonde hair just like Sofi, but unlike Sofi, Alice had blue eyes and a totally different personality from her classmate, which is why these two emitted an aura of constant hatred for each other.
- First, he's just my friend, second, there's no way he doesn't have powers, stupid. - Said Sofi almost screaming, still running around looking for her missing friend.
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On a beach near the school, you could hear JP's punches hitting the rocks. The boy was letting his anger and frustration be vented through his action. He thought that by being succumbed to these emotions, the horrible taste in his mouth and the tightness in his chest would cease to exist. However, he felt that these effects were getting worse as time went on. The horrible taste in his mouth was probably due to the fact that he had run all the way to the beach and punched the rock wall on a sunny day like that. As for the tightness in his chest, JP knew perfectly well that it was due to his concern about his future.
JP had had an outcome that he had not expected. -No power, almost everything indicated that I have nothing-- JP thought. When he learned that Sofi and Joseph had supernatural abilities and he didn't, he had to run away from school, he couldn't make them sad with his bad news, let alone now that these friends would be closer to being future heroes and agents who would keep the peace.
JP only left the beach when he realized that his hands were red and covered in blood since he had been punching hard rocks at various angles which would end up hurting and tearing his skin. JP then sighed and went back home, even though he knew that when he got there he would have a conversation with his parents about his drying future and the deep blows he had on his hand.
A ilusional sight
- A no is a no, you hear? -said JP's mother.
He already knew that the answer would be this, but he didn't want to have accepted that. JP was desperate to be something different other than ordinary professions like doctor, accountant, administrative or something worse and boring. Thus, he had to beg at all costs to be allowed to take the skills appeal test as it would be the only way to demonstrate that he had powers. After treating the wounds on his hands, talking and listening to his parents' scolding about punching rocks on beaches, when he got to the table he took a bite of his beef steak, praised his dinner immensely and proposed to take that test.
- Maybe we'll sign you up to take an aptitude test for normal people and you'll become a scientist or something like that- said his father.
JP, having realized that his destiny was being shaped at that very moment, began to realize that the future he had imagined of protecting the people he loved the most and fighting against evil was becoming increasingly impossible to realize. The boy picked up his fork and was about to take a bite, but noticed that the steak was still whole. He asked himself if he had not taken a fork before, but decided to simply accept his situation and ignore the fork that never happened.
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After Tora had heard Joseph's day, he put his hand on top of his younger brother's head and stated that he felt quite proud. Tora was an adult who was around 20 years old, with very similar features, hair and eyes to Joseph. The only difference between the brothers was their height and the fact that Tora was muscular. Joseph regretted every day that he had not been able to fight alongside his parents, but now that they were retired that would no longer be the case. Despite this, Tora was happy because he knew that in the near future he would be fighting alongside his brother. Tora then noticed that Joseph suddenly changed to a sadder countenance and stated:
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-Mano, JP... he didn't pass... and he was... I couldn't help him- Joseph said as his brown eyes were almost shedding tears.
- Joseph- I understand you, but knowing JP he will turn around and will sign up for an aptitude test.
- Hahaha- laughed his younger brother- yes that does sound like something only JP would do in this situation.
Hard-rock determination
JP was ready, he cleaned his glasses and looked at the mirror repeating to himself -I can do it, I can do it, I can do it- so that he didn't feel nervous and kept his confidence high for his first fight. He had to be more than ready being that since the previous test he had trained for three months for this and urged his parents day and night. However, when he found out that the one who would evaluate him would be Hibe, his parents' great rival, he was afraid that his parents would go back on their decision, but this did not happen. He was ready for the test to be difficult, in which he would have to defend himself for three minutes against an adult who would attack him, show a technique derived from his power, and manage to hit his opponent.
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Sofi went to his friend's demonstration test, along with Joseph and Tora.
Joseph's brother was at that very moment talking to a co-worker a little taller than him. He was blond, had a hard face, eyes black as coal and his teeth were white and looked like those of a shark.
- Sameh, thanks for coming, as I promised you this will be an interesting demonstration to say the least. - said Tora.
Sofi was nervous. What if JP didn't pass? She didn't want her friend to walk away and stop talking to her. JP's parents when they arrived heard this venting and promised that no matter what happened JP would always talk to his friends. Sofi still saw Alice and sent her a threatening look, but Alice, probably because they had so many adults around her, did not approach Sofia or say a word to her. Sofi could bet that snake was there to make fun of JP if he failed.
- Boys and girls - announced the fight commentator - let's start the exhibition. I know these exhibitions are rare and you've probably never seen one. So...- Sofi hung up. She already knew the rules, she had read them all on the internet the night before so that she would be able to defend her friend if the judge tried to frame him- Now, without further ado, let the fighters enter!
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Too many people! That was the first thought JP had when he entered his mini ring arranged for the occasion. It had approximately one hundred square feet of polished floor and was separated from the audience by a physical barrier. JP noticed his friends and family members. They were standing next to a blond man who, because he was the tallest and looked foreign, caught his eye. JP wondered who he was, but decided to put those questions aside for later and focus on the fight.
Hebi, a pale skinned man with black eyes and hair was in the ring. After entering the ring from a flight of stairs and being bathed in the sun's rays he saw Sofi and Joseph yelling -Good luck, JP.
- Well, since our two wrestlers are in the ring, get into your positions- JP put his right arm in front and his left leg back, thus maintaining a position of attack and defense at the same time. Hebi did not change his right position. Then the commentator allowed the fight to begin.
JP jumped to his left and decided to directly attack his opponent in order to observe how his rival would behave. The latter, being faster, observed the child and tried to grab him, but this act was unsuccessful. JP knew, Hebi relied heavily on his speed and knew perfectly well that JP would have to catch him distracted in order to use his technique. Thus, he remained still and waited for JP to fall into his range location so that he would grab him and throw him out of the ring, eliminating him. JP then decided to turn his opponent around and attacked him from behind. Hebi was about to turn around and.... he stumbled (something made him stumble) but it was impossible the ground was smooth and JP was at that very moment with a fist an inch away from hitting this grown man. But then what would he have done to trip?
-WOW, Hebi was turning his back on his opponent and was tripped by JP. What a huge oversight for such an experienced man! JP goes and HIT IT FULL- commented the fight announcer.
- WHAT THE HELL?- Hebi was freaked out. He could still feel the kid's punch in his stomach, even after being projected three feet from JP. He previously thought he would take out the son of his career rivals easily and had just suffered a humiliation. Hebi, disgusted, made the decision that he would find a way to make him suffer and JP wished he had never appeared in front of him.
JP blamed himself. The execution of the punch had been poorly executed. He had trained for so long and it was at that very moment that the punch had gone badly for him. Nevertheless, JP was relieved and after all his strategy was going better than expected.
Hebi, after getting up, decided to use his power. He threw a punch in the air, which extended and went straight at JP. JP dodged the punch, but JP knew that the attack wasn't over. The punch stopped and changed trajectory, SNAKE ARM, one of the most famous techniques of Hebi, the possessor of the ability to become a snake or to modify any part of his body to be a snake. JP appeared in front of him like an arrow and put one hand at his chest level. Hebi was about to grab it when he felt someone behind him. JP was in two places at once? ECLIPSE! the two JP's hit Hebi with their synchronized punches (one in the middle of his chest and the other in the middle of his back). This attack caused Hebi to not only groan in pain, but also stunned him for a few seconds. Angry Hebi formed a circle with his snake-hand trying to hit the two JP's, but it went right through them and that's when Hebi realized that JP had the power to create illusions and define characteristics like being intangible or not.
- And that was it! JP launched his technique and hit the target- the commentator was announcing until he was interrupted with Hebi shouting:
- SNAKE WORLD- Hebi slapped his two palms together and hundreds, if not thousands, of snakes emerged through the floor. JP managed to stay on top of the snake floor and noticed that the ring was flooded with snakes that were making a sort of cage around the ring. Meanwhile, Hebi's body was undergoing some sort of transformation. He was lengthening his torso, his shoulders were becoming pointed, his eyes were purple and snake-like, his jaws were getting sharper, and his tongue was turning into a forked shape. Its skin had also changed to scales of an emerald green color. Hebi then stood up using only his torso.
JP noticed that his opponent was bigger than anyone present at that event, both fighters and audience. He had heard of transformations, but since he had never observed one live he froze until the transformation was complete. Suddenly he heard: - JP-, it was his supporters (friends and family) and that made him fill with courage. So he focused on his fist and tried to throw a punch. However, it didn't have much effect against Hebi due to his skin being reinforced by scales. That's when JP realized that he would not be able to defeat that enemy alone.
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Tora in the first second that Hebi activated the technique, jumped close to the ring and began trying to pierce the snake wall with his wind techniques, to no avail. Sameh looked inside the cage and shouted:- JP hold on a little longer, you're already approved, wait we'll get you out of there. However, JP's parents commented, to Sofi and Joseph, that it would be impossible to pierce that cage of live snakes. The two friends, unable to do anything, just watched and hoped for the best.
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JP thought about causing an illusion that would change the temperature and drive the snakes away but that would not work. He currently could only cause illusion to himself and one other being. The only way out of there would be to cause a believable illusion that would make Hebi step out of the cage. His power was still limited. He couldn't cause believable fireballs as he had to control temperature and vision at the same time. JP could also simulate that he was drowning in the snake pool if Hebi was not communicating with the snakes. But it was too late. Hebi wrapped his body around the child and hissed with his snake tongue. - I will not let there be one more member of that family that will embarrass me again and being that you have already exhausted all my patience... well.... this is the end of you.-
That was it. If JP could lure Hebi out of the ring...the boy of only 9 years old just had to take a deep breath and concentrate. In this way, he created an illusion in which Tora through the openings of the cage launched a slash of wind toward Hebi. Thus, the latter let go of JP and dodged the attack. Consecutively, JP did the same thing two or three times until Hebi was leaning against one of the cage walls. JP was about to land his punch on the human-snake. He took the opportunity to cause an illusion in which the adults would all attack from the sides of the cage forcing Hebi to make a run for it. JP took advantage of this and caused an illusion in which Toga and Sameh had jumped on top of the cage and were going to fall on it. Thus, Hebi thought to let himself fall to the ground and slide to one side without anyone noticing and subsequently re-enter the cage. This would work perfectly, however, in reality, Toga and Sameh were under Hebi ready to attack him.
-Sameh, help me- asked Tora- WATER VORTEX- the combined attack of the two that consisted of a tornado from Tora and a high pressure water cannon from Sameh. This attack caused them to hit the snake hard, causing it to lose consciousness.
In this way, the snake cage faded away and JP coming out unharmed, said, -It's been two minutes, right?-
-Hahaha- laughed the host nervously- right, even with all this messing around in less than three minutes, you managed to accomplish your task and then you will be able to follow the path you so much desire.
-YEYYYYYY- said Sofi, already running to talk to JP with Joseph by her side. Her friends were relaxed and commenting very enthusiastically on JP's performance.
Hebi in free fall, still unconscious, was enveloped in a sphere of water formed by Sameh.
- Yes, Tora, you were right, this event was very interesting indeed, thank you for the invitation, Sameh said.
- I am glad you enjoyed this experience, even if it turned out differently than we expected.
Sameh, carrying the Hebi in his water sphere, looked at JP and imagined his potential and future capabilities.