-Training room-

The training room, as Jake saw, was the size of an average living room. He was skeptical about training in this room, but his opinion changed when Pilot pressed a button on the console. The next thing he knew, everything around him morphed into a grassy field with trees and mountains in the distance.

"Wow."

"Our scientists combined technology with mana." Spoke Pilot as he sternly marched forward. "This room transports us to a pocket dimension. You can adjust it to whatever setting you want. Just don't make it too dangerous." He turned around, facing the boy with a composed expression. "Transform, I'll be your opponent."

Jake nodded and quickly underwent the transformation into Blaze. The fire warrior immediately prepared himself. "Alright, ready."

He nodded. "As far as this goes. I want you to be properly trained. We will work on increasing your mana reserves, refining your combat techniques, and creating new **adroit**."

"Adroit?"

"Our label for mana-related techniques, such as your Blazing Fist. Speaking of that adroit, it must be tuned so you won't exert yourself. Now, try to hit me.

Blaze nodded with determination. "Alright! Here goes!"

The teen rushed at the swordsman with speed faster than his usual self. When he was close, Pilot blocked the incoming fist with ease. The fire warrior swung his leg, only for the canokian to dodge.

"Hmm…"

"What?"

"Just thinking it wouldn't be a waste training you. You've mentioned taking bare-handed combat training before, right?"

"Yeah, dad signed me up for Karate about a few years ago, then I stopped."

"Why?"

"I got interested in other things… soccer and other things."

"Soccer is...?"

"A sport where you run around, compete against other teams, and try to hit a ball into a net to earn points."

"Ah, competitive games, we have those. You have had endurance training. Good." He launched himself for a punch, only for Blaze to block with his left arm, then the boy retaliated with a kick. However, Pilot jumped back from the attack.

Pilot nodded approvingly. "We're going to work on some exercises." His tone turned stern and serious. "I want you to be prepared for anything." Moving in a fighting stance. "Let's go, I'll go easy on you."

"Right." Blaze would soon find out this would be a long journey to get stronger.

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Two hours later, Jake found himself in the Hub's infirmary, lying in bed while Luka checked on him with her hi-tech equipment. The infirmary resembled a hospital room. There was a lab next door equipped for research and filing reports.

During those two hours, he sparred with the Canokian, learned basic combat techniques, practiced pacing himself, and engaged in some strength training. It was a tiresome experience. If there was a flaw, he had to correct it, such as channeling his mana to not exert himself. There was also meditation. Boring, yet relaxing.

"All done. Sir Pilot wasn't easy on you, Fire Radiant. It's an honor to have him training you."

"It's Jake, and… he is tough. Maybe too strict."

"True, he's like that, but he's a friendly person in his downtime. Pilot is dedicated to the cause." The bird woman smiled warmly. "Keep up your training, and you will see dashing results."

"Thanks."

"I gave a gift meant for you to your sister. The Brain Trust at Guardian crafted it. There are instructions included."

"Okay." Jake left the med room and walked down the corridor to the Living Quarters. He looked around and spotted Tina, Javo, and Reinstar enjoying pizza. He walked over to listen to the conversation.

"This is the most delicious food I ever had. Why hasn't anybody made this back home?" Javo scooped up a slice.

"Who knows? You need to get your cooks on it." Tina took a bite.

Reinstar took a small bite before speaking. "We did adopt some cuisine from a few human Radiant in the past." She noticed Jake approaching. "I see you're still alive."

"Would I be dead otherwise?"

"No, but it's the thought that counts."

Jake then noticed a small gray square device, the size of a closed fist, sitting next to his sister. "What's that?"

"That is the Dummy Doll," replied Reinstar. "It's been tested multiple times and should not be used for senseless purposes." She picked it up and handed it to Jake. "It works by being in sync with your brain and taking your D.N.A. Once that is done, it will produce a hard light, lifelike mana-powered construct of you when activated. It will fool the brain into thinking it's a real person. If they touch it, they think it's you, and your machines will be fooled.

"So... it will act like me?" Awed Jake.

"That's the idea. It only works on those who have less affinity to mana. That's all the humans in your world. If someone on Earth has a high mana affinity, that's super rare on Earth, they will notice." She got up. "It's a magic clone and not science."

Jake nodded and reached for the device. As he did, it flashed briefly before phasing into his body. He stared at the spot where the device previously sat, then gazed at the ninja with a blank look. "Is that going to happen often?"

"You could carry it everywhere you go if you want, but that would be a burden."

"That is true."

Reinstar nodded. "And on another note, you're welcome to come here anytime you want."

The spiky raven raised an eyebrow. "I thought we were."

Javo chuckled, wrapping his arm around the boy's shoulder. "You don't always have to come here to train or for emergencies. You can come here to relax. We have some stuff you might like based on the recommendations from the others. Also, when you come, bring something good like that pizza."

"So I can stay a little longer? What if mom calls or something happens at the house?"

Tina waved off the concern and held up a green watch on her wrist. "This will keep track of what goes on at home. You'll be given one too."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Jake nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

Tina giggled. "I admit, it's strange and convenient, but I guess past experience has made them prepared." She then took out her phone. "I befriended them."

"Who?"

"Those girls the other day. I found them on SnapBook... well, Christina found me first. We never gave our last names, but that girl discovered who we were. She asked about us before sending a friend request and invited us to the Community Center."

"What did she want to know?" wondered the teen.

"Favorite food. When did we arrive? If anti or pro, whatever. She's nosey. So we're going to the Community Center."

Jake smirked. "Nosey, sure. Did she say what time?"

"Around 12:30."

"Good, I want to get some training in before going."

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-Next day, -Richard Wright Community Center-

Jake woke up around 8 a.m. and went to the Hub. He trained for two hours with Reinstar while Tina hung around the others. Her training was not as hard as Pilot's, but still fruitful. After that, the boy rested before deciding to head to the Community Center. When they entered the facility, they took a look around. As Jake expected, it was the same as any other center. A place for parties, gym, sports, and other activities. They were told to find the Smoothie Cafe prior to arriving. After asking one of the staff members, they headed to the designated spot. Upon arriving, they found Amy sitting at the smoothie bar with a boy. The boy had light skin and wild, spiky, crimson-colored hair. He wore a blue and green T-shirt with the words 'Everyone get Wild' in red letters, along with cargo shorts and yellow sneakers.

The siblings approached them.

"Hey!"

"Jake, you made it." Amy waved.

"Ah, so this is the guy that Rob Jocko has a problem with." commented the redhead with a humorous calculative stare as he rubbed his chin. "Interesting, an alliance must be formed for profit." He finished as he snapped his fingers, as a matter of fact.

"Huh." Jake stared at the redhead with a puzzled expression.

Amy giggled. "Jake, this is Ryu. He goes to our school."

Jake smiled. "Ah, cool, but who is Rob Jocko?"

"He was probably the first person you unfortunately met when you arrived. Robert Randall." Ryu rolled his eyes. "Self-proclaimed King of jocks, but I think he's just a big ol' bag of ego continually being fed the hype until it inflates when the man of reality slaps him," Ryu smirked. "It will be the slap of all slaps and the worst day of his life."

"I take it he messed with you."

"Eh." Ryu shrugged. "He doesn't go out of his way to pick on me, but when I am on his radar, we trade words." He scoffed.

"Which depends on the day." Everyone looked up to see Christina approaching them. She seemed to have slightly damp hair. "Usually, you walk away, but then you say words to get under the other's skin."

"Of course, he doesn't outright physically assault you, not since he fell victim to the Red Menace." Amy chirped out.

"The what?"

"A troublemaker at our school who enjoys playing pranks. No one knows who they are, but a friend of ours fell victim to that idiot." Christina replied, then glared at Ryu. "Usually, the pranks are harmless."

Ryu fearfully gulped under her glare. "I... I'm sure that wasn't meant for her."

"Permanent ink takes a while to go away."

"He apologized with his calling card."

"A paper with newspaper clippings is not normal."

Jake stared at the scene with an amused smile. "Huh, I would've liked to see that."

"Not for Rei." Christina said.

"But Red Menace retired after his last epic prank. The glitter and streamers were cool." said Amy

Christina sighed. "Okay, let's not go down memory lane, too much drama."

"Drama is where the gossip is. You feed on that."

The black-haired girl glared at the redhead, who smiled cheekily. "Hmph, I'm just saying we exposed our new friends to our quirks too early."

"But our quirks are quirky." Amy pointed out with a bright smile.

The raven-haired girl sighed. "Okay, yes, I get that. But Jake is new, and he already had a bad impression on this city, namely Robert." Her eyes lit up, looking determined. "That's not the truth of who we are in this town... at least for this group. We are not Robert."

"Ah..." Tina hummed. "So that's why you found us... but how did you find out?"

"I have my ways." She smirked. "I'm good at looking for people, it was only a matter of time."

"We ran into Marissa later that day, and she kept mentioning Ishida in her rant about making them look bad." said the chestnut-haired girl

She faltered a bit. "Ah, heh. Yes, I... have my ways." She straightened herself up and crossed her arms. "Look, this city has fun places. Maybe not the best, but we like it. We'll make sure you have the best summer before school starts. Otherwise, you will probably be bored."

Ryu nodded. "Exactly. Tomorrow, we have to go downtown and try the Blasto Burger."

"What is the Blasto Burger?" questioned the raven-haired boy.

Christina rolled her eyes. "It's not that impressive."

"Says you." Ryu snorted. "It's meat with onions, tomato, marshmallow sauce, three kinds of cheese, with peppermint and cinnamon."

"Sounds like a heart attack." Tina stuck out her tongue in disgust.

"You know what?" grinned the spiky raven. "I will. Do you have it all the time?"

"No way, once every two months… and it's been two months, so how about tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Amy frowned. "Hmm, you and Jake do that. I don't see myself consuming food like that. Plus, I'm helping out here tomorrow for a few hours."

"What do you all do here?" asked the black-haired boy. "Christina looks like she did something before I got here."

"Aide to the Swimming instructor and assistant to the lifeguard. Same time." Christina shrugged. "Help the kids and bonus points for looking good on a college application."

"I'm an aide for the kids' volleyball coach on certain days." smiled Amy.

"All I do is hang out." shrugged Ryu. "Normally, I shoot hoops with the others, but they'll all be gone for a while."

"Ah, sounds cool."

"We should get you to do something, but only for a few hours." the chestnut-haired girl said sincerely. "You can't goof off all day, right, Ryu?"

"Who says you can't?" said the redhead.

"You get too bored. You do something stupid," said Christina. "Don't want you to get any wild ideas."

"My ideas are awesome!"

"Anyway." Amy broke up what could have been a spat. "So that's what we do. What do you say, want us to show you around, perhaps force you to volunteer?"

Jake nodded. "Huh?"

"Dude, just got here. You can't force him to work." Ryu scoffed.

"I..." Jake rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe not this summer... or this month. Still settling in." That was partly a lie. He had no idea when that strange woman would appear.

"That's okay," said Amy. "We only do this for a few hours every other day. Summer is our time to go all out!"

"Within reason," Christina spoke up. "Now, let's show you around before heading to a movie."

"Oh... what are we seeing?"

Christina opened her mouth, but was interrupted by glass breaking, followed by screams. All eyes turned to people scattering.

"What happened?" Amy said with worry.

"Sounds like someone crashed into a window or something." Ryu narrowed his eyes.

"Did someone crash their car?" Christina started walking away.

Jake's eyes widened as he sensed something, multiple somethings. He grabbed Christina's arm, causing her to look at him.

"Let go! There might be someone who needs help."

Jake frowned. "I know that, but what if it's some crazy person."

"Or what if someone is hurt." Christina reached for her phone.

"AHHHH!"

Everyone stared at the source where they saw some people run away. Appearing from the corner was a group of creatures that were two feet tall, gray, buck-toothed, malnourished, ragged, two-legged, beady red-eyed rabbits. They stopped and sniffed the air, then faced them.

"What are they?" shrieked Amy.

"Crazy rabbits." whimpered Tina.

"Huh, death by rabbits. That's a weird death." Ryu chuckled weakly.

The head rabbit took a step forward and yelled. "KEH!"

"KEH!" The rabbit chorus echoed behind it.

"RUN!" The group made a break for it down the hallway just as the creatures gave chase. They turned the corner and raced into a room with a basketball court, only to realize there were no doors at the other end.

"Crap!" shouted Ryu. "Those bathrooms over there don't lead anywhere."

"Should we get out and try to run?" whimpered the chestnut-haired girl.

"KEH!" Everyone jumped as the door was being beaten on. "KEHHHH!"

"Why are they centered on us?" Christina cried out as she and Amy started backing away while holding on to each other.

Ryu gulped and looked at Jake. "Well, it was good while it lasted right."

"Yeah..." Jake narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Tina, who stood with the girls. She looked at him with pleading eyes. Should he? He has a secret identity here. Should he trust them? The door then fell, revealing the beasts. They barred their fangs as the girls shrieked out in fear, and Ryu tensed up as his fist clenched. Jake knew he had to make a decision here. They would all die if they did not. It did not matter if he trusted them or not. Secret Identities were overrated at this point.

Jake walked forward while glaring at the beasts.

"Dude!" Ryu shouted. "Don't be a hero, man."

"Jake!" Amy cried. "What are you doing?"

"You dying first is not what I want." Christina sniffed as she hesitantly released her grip on her friends.

"Sorry, but..." He raised his fist. "Please keep this a secret." His hand started glowing brightly. The creatures stood still, marveling at the light. The others, minus Tina, looked on in confusion.

"Huh?"

Jake held his fist in front of his face. "Raging Fire: IGNITE!"

Everyone watched as he underwent a transformation to become a person wearing a red uniform. After the transformation was finished, he leaped forward and shouted.

"I'm the Radiant of Fire: Blaze!"

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A/N: Adroit is a word, one of the synonyms for skill

Ryu's Height: 5'5.

The dummy doll is for tricking everyone else into thinking the kids are around in case they are gone for long periods.