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Cetus was a great guy as far as Zach was concerned - knowledgeable to a degree, open, friendly, pretty chill, cursed with Stupid Shoe Syndrome… They had a great time too, after he, as Themisto, nearly face-planted all over his fellow senshi thanks to the aforementioned footwear. Of all the people to literally drop in on, Cetus was a great choice. And from that great (unintentional) choice came (what Zach hoped to be) a budding friendship.

They had exchanged numbers over delicious homemade Mexican food the night they found one another and complained about the Senshi Sorting Hat. It had been a few days since their last encounter when Zach decided to shoot his geta-buddy a text message. Fai was the name of Cetus’ civilian self, which Zach got the hang of pronouncing correctly after a few attempts. Fai didn’t seem offended by the American’s good-natured sense to learn how to properly say his name.

Fai had mentioned he was interested in martial arts - something Zach had never considered interesting until he was thrust into the War for Destiny City. He asked, over text, if Fai would be willing to teach him and thing or two, and if so, when would be a good time? More food would be provided as thanks, and Zach even offered to screen print some shirts for Fai if need be. The barter system seemed to work pretty well for people his age!




Mexican food wasn’t something he ate often, his parents were traditional in what they fed their children, he tended toward foods he was familiar with. It wasn’t just Chinese food but also Japanese and Korean, especially since meeting Seung. The Mexican wasn’t bad though, he’d enjoyed the meal, but he’d more enjoyed the conversation. It gave him insight into the other, when he wasn’t helping the other pronounce his name (which he knew could be hard to pronounce).

The conversation, and the meal, had ended with them exchanging phone numbers. That being done he wasn’t surprised when he got a text from the other asking for a meeting, he would have been surprised if the other never contacted him...or waited a while.

The others request for help, to learn some self defence, the older of the two had agreed over text and sent him a time when he was free. He hadn’t mentioned that he taught someone else, a chibi senshi, and after gently turning down the shirt offer he had accepted the offer for food though offered to pay for himself...and this time it would be his voice of meal.

This is what brought Fai to where he was now, standing and waiting in one of the local gyms waiting for the other. He’d already changed into something much easier to move in. He had booked one of the small side rings so they wouldn’t garner too much attention but they could work on things as civilians.



One thing Zach failed to mention in his texts to Fai was that he had zero experience in the ways of martial arts, boxing, or any sort of self-defense. He wore what he thought might be the best option - loose shirt, bike shorts and his trusty-but-busted Nike shoes. He opted to ride his bike to the gym Fai had designated, keeping a well-loved duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Zach had to at least look the part.

“Hey Fai! Thanks for having me. This looks intense…” The young man was fairly jovial, all things considered, as he walked into the gym. It was easy to see out to the street through the clear windows adorning the front of the building. Honestly, that fact made him somewhat self-conscious. What if he failed miserably and there were pretty girls outside, watching him get turned into a pretzel by Fai? Sheesh.

He tossed the duffel bag out of the way, having it land on the far wall next to a few chairs. “Alright! So uh…” Zach looked down at his hands. “....whaddu we do first? Is this where you break me in half like twig? Hehe.” He was nervous.



“It is but they are experienced. I don’t believe you are?” He questioned the other. He really didn’t think the other was, though he could easily be wrong. He could be skilled in something, or he’s just started taking lessons in something. “This gym caters to anyone who books a ring...no questions really asked.” Though he figured there were, of course, some rules which applied to everyone. But he doubted they’d cross any lines, unless they were to power up - which was not about to happen.

“I’ll start you off light and easy. I’m not about to over do it and risk injury to you.” That would do neither of them any good, and likely cause the other more harm in the long run.

While the other wore looser clothing he had opted for tighter clothing, warm clothing, he had on an under armor turtleneck and a pair of tight a** shorts as well. He’d come in wearing sneakers but had slipped on slippers, uncaring what anyone might say. He wasn’t like most of the ones here who were lifting weights or boxing. He trained in something different and slippers were more comfortable for him.

“Hardly. This is where you learn to throw a punch first.”



Zach swallowed a lump in his throat. “Nope, no experience here, heh.” Now he was getting pretty anxious. Logically, he understood Fai knew what he was doing and was rather well-practiced, but standing across from him in the ring was a completely different experience. Fai could probably swing Zach around like a sack and toss him through the ceiling if he wanted to. Fai was badass like that (in Zach’s mind).

The young man looked down at himself and frowned. “I guess I didn’t know what to wear. Will this work okay or should I grab something else?”

This is where you learn to throw a punch first. Right. Basics.

Zach made a fist with his left hand, looked at it, then looked to Fai. No time for clothing issues now! “Okay, you uh… don’t laugh too much, okay? I mean, I got others skills instead. I can fix stuff and build stuff, just… not punch stuff.”



“What your wearing is fine, and it will work no worries.” Why was it that he had a strong feeling the other was rather an insecure person? At least when it came to this senshi business and fighting? He was really going to have to take this one in under his wing wasn’t he? “Alright, so like I said we’ll start with the basics and slowly work our way up. I’m not looking to injure you - just train you.” He wasn’t even looking to train the other as mucha s he’d trained, just the basics so he could hold his own in a fight.

“That’s fine, everyone is different. I wouldn’t expect everyone to be able to throw punch or even make a fist right.” Rolling his golden eyes he moved over to correct the others hand a bit. “If you keep your thumb like that you risk injury. You need it like this. If it doesn’t feel natural...it’ll take some time to get accustomed to it. But it’s for your own benefit.” This said as Fai moved to stand behind the other and guide his arm and hand.

“Like this.”



Zach nodded, watching Fai’s movement intently. “It’s so weird.” he started, staring down at the now properly-created fist his hand had managed to make. “...I’m so outside my comfort zone… I mean, I guess that’s good, right? You can’t always be where you’re comfortable. I mean, if this was screenprinting or woodworking or something, I’d be the one teaching you!”

The boy chuckled, wondering if there would ever be a time where he would be instructing Fai instead.

He then waited, watching Fai for his next instruction. It made perfect sense to protect his thumb when throwing a punch. “...heh, I should practice this too when, you know… we’re not-us?” He kept his voice low, so as not to give away important senshi-cursed-with-geta business to the general populace (or worse, undercover agents). If senshi had civilian identities, it made perfect sense that Negaverse agents would have them as well. “Maybe someday I’ll be able to not run away from something like a scared little kid…”



“You’ll get used to it. Just give it time, you’ll get used to fighting. The war itself...that’ll take longer.” He still was getting used to it, but he was at least accepting of it and he wasn’t against killing if need be. He didn’t have a problem doing what he needed to in order to keep himself and those around him safe and healthy, or at least as safe and healthy as he possibly could.

“Yes, were those the things were were learning than you would indeed be teaching me.” But, that wasn’t the case. This was another set of skills and ones he was better suited for.

“Yes, that would be good. We can work on that as well. I find we have more speed and strength then. So it would be beneficial then to get used to those different limitations.” Nodding his head he pulled away from the other and moved to stand in front of him. “That time will come. It’ll come with time and experience. Until then I suggest you go out with others - not on your own. It’s safer.” And so someone had his back, because he needed it if he ran into those of chaos.



“Yeah, safety in numbers and all that…”

Concentrating, Zach tried to mimic Fai’s movements, practicing the speed and strength his instructor wisely said they needed. Oftentimes he still found himself patrolling alone, but learned to be much more cautious before powering up. As soon as he did, Themisto became visible to everyone else’s mental radar. He could become a blip that turned into a target if he wasn’t careful.

“How often do you need to defend yourself like this, Fai? I mean… do they get kinda trigger-happy when you’re out and about?” He tried to keep the conversation vague, just in case someone was listening in. Perhaps eavesdroppers would assume Zach was talking about street thugs or criminals, rather than Chaos agents. “If you look weak, does that make it more likely they’ll come after you?”

He was practicing throwing punches now. Thumb curled into the fist… arm straight, quick and forceful…



“I haven’t really had problems. I’ve been lucky, some I’m sure have had far too many encounters. It also depends on the agent, they are all different - like we are.” Rolling, or maybe shrugging, his shoulders as he watched the other, arms crossed over his own chest.

“I would say yes, it’s natural to go for what’s weaker. You can take it out before it becomes stronger. It’s also good to take out what is already strong, so it no longer is a threat. Weaker though means less energy expended and no chance for a formidable enemy in the future. I’d go for weaker first if I were them. But I have more honor...and I’m not one of them.”



He’d never really had to fight one of them, especially not using his martial arts skills - he was lucky. He was sure others had been in far too many fights, people who didn’t have the skills and had to gain them from experience...from lots of fights.

You take it out before it becomes stronger?

Zachary hadn’t thought about that at all. He thought, perhaps, if he defeated enough agents, they’d give up and go home and not power up ever again. But the way Fai was talking, and what Katya explained, people died in this war. How many people had blood on their hands? How many had died? And since they were covered by a glamor when they powered up, do the parents and loved ones of those who lost their lives even know what happened?

Jesus, things got really rough very, very quickly.

Zach dropped his hands for a moment. “...would you… Fai, you know…” He seemed even ashamed to ask, fidgeting slightly. “...take one out? If… the opportunity presented itself? You know…” He hung his head. Outright killing another person never even crossed his mind. He, as Themisto, simply wanted to learn to defend himself and others from Negaverse agents. But killing them?

He wasn’t sure he could do that.



“I would. They wouldn’t hesitate to kill me, my cousin, or anyone else on our side. I won’t hesitate to protect those I have to - and everyone else. It’s justified in my mind.” He answered calmly. He was calm now, thought he would be if he had to kill someone. He couldn’t prove it though...not till the time came and he knew it would - eventually. This was a war...he doubted he could escape killing someone, unless he wanted to die instead.

“I’ll worry about the after effects after it. I’ll do what I need to when the time comes.” Not if, never if, it was when. He accepted that it would happen, he knew Venice had tried to kill someone with help. He knew it would bother someone like Venice but he knew his friend would do it if he ever had to. He also knew the small chibi senshi he was teaching wouldn’t - couldn’t. It would hurt hr too much. He liked to think he was right - that it wouldn’t bother him...but there was a bit of doubt there and rightfully so.

“Right now, we focus on the fact you need to fight - to defend yourself and others. Worry about killing another time. Cross the bridge when it comes and deal with the fall out then.” If this one thought about it, dwelled on it, he’d back out of this war or hold back in a fight, he was sure of it.



Zach dipped his head, following Fai’s instructions with his body. “....worry about that later… gotta keep alive first.” Fai was right - he was looking too far ahead, into the future. Worry about now, worry about now.

Maybe someday he wouldn’t have to run from someone more powerful than himself.

“How often do you think I should come here to practice? I mean… I know it’ll take years to get to where you are but… I’ll take decent over master.” Zach laughed, practicing the punching technique Fai had shown him earlier. The other young man seemed to know exactly what to do, and already had the skills to excel in a war no one but its participants really knew about.



“I’m no master either. There is still a lot for me to learn as well.” Actually he had been, as of late, considering learning another martial arts style. He wasn't sure which though he did have a short list in his mind. Ones that would work well with what he already knew...ones that also went with speed.

“I’d start out once or twice a week….I can try and come...or find someone here. I’d say this should be where you practice, with me, something you learn else where or you train and learn with me only. If you come here on your own...you’ll just stand here and do nothing really. People here aren’t just going to offer to train you - they don’t know what you want or need. Also, I doubt most here know martial arts or have it as a primary method of fighting. This is a gym...people lift weights...practice on punching bags and get into rings with each other.” He might be capable in a ring but he wasn’t sure how he’d hold up against other styles of fighting. He knew against some martial arts styles, since he competed, but against other styles of fighting...he didn’t know.

Finding a place on the ground to seat himself he watched the other practice punching at the air. “We can set up dates and times to meet here. I’ll help and if you decide to take lessons, from a professional place, I’ll help with meetings where you can practice what you learn. I won’t suggest what to learn, if you decide to, but if you have questions I might be of help.”



Punch… punch… punch…

Fai was right - this was just a gym. Nobody here was going to train him, even if he asked. And even if he asked, he couldn’t adequately explain why he needed training save for self-defense or an interest in fitness. Sure, that might work, but Fai was clearly the best bet. Zach would have to work hard and set up a schedule to train with Fai because it truly could be life or death.

“Yeah… yeah, let’s make a schedule… I… gotta get working… on this…” Zach found a rhythm, punching in the air over and over and over. “...gotta… concentrate…”

[[We can probably wrap it here!]]