Chapter 4

Max knew he wasn't seeing things.

The fact that Snek saw it too, was nothing short of amazing. Still, when Garou told Max to follow Flash to see what he wanted, he was a little worried. Did their 'rookie crushing' offend him somehow? Did he insult Flash? Was it something he did?

Max knew there was only one place where he would want to meet, the sparring room where their bout took place. And he was right. Waiting in the middle of the room, Flash stood. This time, he bothered to look at him. Max went in with caution. "Hey… did I do something wrong?" he asked.

Flash stared at him oddly, perhaps trying to look for something. "You… have skill." He said.

"Uh… thank you."

"Unrefined skill… but skill nonetheless." Flash began to approach him oddly, looking over Max from top to bottom. "Speed is a great asset, and yet it can be your greatest hindrance if you cannot control it. You couldn't." he said flat out. "I noticed this, since you were going fast enough in attempts to keep up with me. In doing so, left your vulnerable and open for attack. Which is why I struck you many times over. Still… I know potential when I see it."

Max froze to the news, was Flash actually complimenting him? "I am still working on my power. Despite the time I have been likes this; it's not always easy for me to control myself. I can go so fast and control what I do. But any faster, I can't."

Flash then stood before Max, his eyes bore into his when he said. "How hard are you willing to train?"

"I'll train as hard as I have to, as I need to. Why?"

Flash was silent for a moment, perhaps debating the thoughts in his own head. "I'll train you."

He froze to the news. Flashy Flash will train him? Max was at a loss for words. "But… but why? Do you care that I am a half monster?"

Flash's lip flinched slight, almost making a sneer on his face. "I have faced many monsters and you may possess their strength, but I don't see you as one of them." He said. "Max, I came from a ninja village where training is strict, discipline is a must, and failure isn't an option. With that being said, are you interested? I am aware that Garou has been teaching you as well. Question is, who do you want to learn from?"

Flash then turned and walked out of the room. "I will give you a week to decide," and left shortly after.

Max couldn't believe his ears though. Flash, wants to train him? Or was there more to this than what is being said? He walked out of the room, just as an association employee approached. "Max! There you are, still here. Can we get you for your updated profile photo? We are working on the new hero guide and want to get your new section ready!"

"Uh… sure." He said. Max followed the woman down the hall to the photo shoot. There he saw Suiryu eating it up with the camera, posing proudly scales and all! However, a farther distance down, they were having trouble with Snek.

"Your pose doesn't work!" the photographer said. "That's your old pose, it doesn't highlight you well"

"I've always done my photos like this!" Snek protested. "What's wrong with it?"

"Your pose looks… weird." The photographer explained. "When you had legs, it made sense. This… this doesn't."

Snek hissed. "What? Because I don't have legs it doesn't work!" He began to puff himself up. His body tensed as his arms extended out and his fingers hooked. Suddenly, the photos were shot! He settled down but protested what was taken. "No, don't use those!" he begged.

"But… these are perfect! Look at you!" On the larger screen it showed off Snek as a strong and powerful hero. The way he puffed himself up, his body coiling and tensing to strike. It really was a perfect shot. Also one could hardly tell he just ate recently.

"Whoa… NICE!" Suiryu called from across the room.

"STAY OUT OF IT!" Snek snapped back. "I don't want that photo used, it's… it's not me."

The photographer sighed. "Okay, let's keep trying then."

Max was forced along as he came to where he would be taking his photo. Snek inspired him though to display his strength. When the photographer approached, he told Max to do a relaxed photo, then a powerful one. Max did his relax stance and was pleased with it. Then, came the power one. With his feet spread apart, Max began to surge. The power he built up earlier and from what he stored in his body began to course around him. He took a stance and allowed the electricity to flow all around him. The shot was taken, using his tentacles, he drew the power back into himself once more. "Oh, I didn't know you had those! One more, let those out!"

"Really? I like to keep them hidden." He said.

"Come on Max, let's see the full you!"

With a roll of his eye, Max took off his shirt. He let the tentacles loose from his side and displayed them with great reluctance. The photo was taken. "Okay, I think we got all we need here! Thanks Max!"

He gave but a nod. Just as he finished, so did Snek. Suiryu was still posing until Snek yanked him out of the room. "Let's go already, I am not waiting around for you to look pretty for the camera!"

"Ow! Okay! OW! Hey!" Suiryu protested. Snek merely grabbed his arm, and yet he was able to yank the young martial artist from the room. "How did you get so strong, seriously… OW!" Suiryu protested.

"Oh knock it off, you're stronger than me, and you know it. Quite trying to humor me. I want to go now." Snek said as he slithered off.

Max was getting worried. "He's in that mood again. He doesn't think he is strong enough."

Suiryu was rubbing his arm. "I wasn't humoring him… he really did grab my arm rather harshly… damn!" Max turned and saw the bruising on Suiryu, right where Snek had grabbed him. Snek doesn't even know his own strength!