Chapter 3
Meanwhile deep within the wilderness, location unknown…
He sat in wait. Flashy Flash took a moment to sharpen his sword, and yet, he kept peering about the world around him. A calming breeze came over his face as the bird chirped and sang in the morning sun. But he felt it, something coming. At first his sense were on high, he could feel movement, a change in the air and then, as suddenly as it occurred, it stopped once more.
Flash looked about but found nothing out of place. The birds continued to sing, until the songs grew more rapid. It then sounded as if the whole forest of them began to erupt in a sudden song all at once, Flash turned and jumped just as he avoided an electrical strike!
He landed on his feet, the smoke and dust cleared as Lighting Max appeared. He made a hole about a foot and a half deep into the ground. The earth scorched around it. "Fascinating, you have been listening to the birds and their songs, trying to perfect the pitch with your expelling of electrical energy."
Max smiled. "I nearly perfect it… but it went too fast and was too alarming, that I can't control just yet."
Flash appeared disinterested in his failure. "Your speed, how is it?"
"I can keep up with you."
"Prove it." Flash vanished, Max then followed suit.
He knew Max has gotten stronger, a lot stronger than he anticipated. Ever since he took him on to train, he hasn't refused the lessons taught, no matter how difficult they maybe. Max kept pace and was disciplined in learning. As he ran through the forest, he looked about in search of his half monster pupil. Max was cleaver that was certain, yet could he truly keep up with him?
He then sensed it. Flash stopped as Max came just in front of him. His strike blew apart a tree! He turned around fast enough to attempt another blow, only to be blocked. The two would strike one another as hard and fast as they could. Max wasn't lying. He could now keep up with him!
Flash had been wearing new armor, despite how uncomfortable it was. Alley made it for him, a thin material made of rubber to absorb electrical shocks for such an occasion. His sword was swapped out with a rubber blade when the two sparred, despite it being such a material, it harmed Max greatly for it absorbs and render his power useless.
They clashed for twenty minutes until it came to a draw. For once, Flash could feel sweat drop from his brow. Max made him work for once! "Not bad…" he announced. He also knew if he complimented his student too much on small improvements, he wouldn't strive to do better.
Max on the other hand smiled as he cleared some dust off his cheek. "I'm getting there… and to think I haven't used these yet!" he announced, taking off his shirt, he revealed the four tentacles he usually keeps hidden.
Flash became intrigued. "Are you starting to use those now?"
Max stared down at them. "For so long, I've resented these growing from my body. Yet, I am starting to understand it too, it's all for a reason. It has a purpose, mainly to prevent my electrical attacks from becoming too wild and untamed. Yet, I know there is a defense and attack I can use these for… hell the suction cups have razor teeth in them!"
Flash placed away his sword. "I don't believe I am the teacher for that."
"No, I guess you wouldn't be."
Silence between them, Max however appeared to be thinking. "Flash…" he said. "You didn't want to train me, did you? In fact… you wanted to train someone else…"
He didn't say anything at first, yet Max was right. Flash placed his sword away before nodding. "Indeed. I wanted to train the hero named Saitama. His potential is beyond anything I have ever seen before, yet, I found he wasn't the least bit interested in what I had to offer."
"Where you surprised?" he asked.
Flash sighed. "In a sense, I was, but also, I wasn't. I thought one of his prowess would jump at the opportunity to learn from a hero such as myself. He could surpass me with ease and it wouldn't take long for him at all to master the techniques I have. Yet, the disinterest he displayed, the lack of excitement to the idea was rather disappointing to me."
Max gave off a bit of a snicker. "I don't know Saitama all that well, but I think he has to be interested in something to learn it. Hell, he was at the martial arts tournament years ago when the Monster Association attacked! I don't think he learned a damn thing."
Flash forced a small laugh if one could call it such. "I will admit, your power has grown. Even beyond what I was intending it to be. Your control over your speed is nothing short of remarkable. You can also regulate your flow of electrical power, before you had a terrible time doing so. It was wild and unstable."
Max surged with embarrassment. "Well, I had to learn, or I could really hurt someone. As for my power increase, I don't know where that came from. Perhaps it was from my fight with Suiryu over Alley? Who can say for certain though." He paused for a moment before smiling at the thought. "You know, I thought this was a curse to be honest with you. A part of me still thinks it is, and yet… I'm okay with it…"
Flash gave a small disgruntled snort. "A curse you say? It is only a curse if you make it to be. I have seen people turn into monsters first hand, granted. You are merely a Halfling. Yet in that you remain the same. Your morals and sense of justice have not wavered, dare I say they have even grown stronger. Knowing you possess such power and know better than to squander it."
Max nodded. "Yeah… I know that this cannot be wasted or abused. I am not proud of some of the things I have done either like this, when I lost sense of myself over Alley. But, being in control now, knowing what happened and how to hopefully prevent it…"
"You have trained harder than any other I have taken under my wing. I even dare to say you no longer need me…"
Max appeared stunned by the news. "I am good, but I am not that good. My technique still needs to be refined…"
"And that is why I continue to train with you." Flash said very suddenly. "You are not satisfied with simple victories. You master one skill yet know there are many more, you don't stop until you feel you have complete and utter control over your own body. I sense that you do not feel this is true as of yet."
He turned away rather embarrassed, Max didn't speak a word, however he gave a small nod of his head in agreement. "I have much to learn still."
"Then let us make a contract, you and I will continue to train, however you do not depend on me to improve your skills. Understood? We will meet once every four months to test ourselves and see how far along we have come. Is this agreeable?" he asked.
Max's eyes widened in great shock, but his smile said it all. "Yes!" he announced and stuck out his hand.
Flash refrain from doing so. Max was surging with power, even with his suit, it wouldn't absorb the shock of it all. When he realized he was overpowered with excitement, Max calmed himself down. It was enough to allow Flash to shake his hand in agreement. "You will name the time and place, I won't impede on you or any of your assignments." Max insisted.
"Very well, a week's notice is all I will give."
"That is all I need."
