Ultraviolet: Codename S.P.E.C.I.A.L

Author's notes: It's kinda slow in the Incredibles section (I don't know how many times I'm saying this). Where has everyone gone off to? Anyone and everyone who has an in-progress story, update! Anyone with ideas for a new fic, get writing and upload!

I'm not writing as fast as I should for UV; it won't be long before I'm stuck again. I suppose the next update should be more than a week away. I've only two more chapters written in advance, and the most recent one took weeks to complete.

This one should be ok… Almost purely fighting. Enjoy!

Chapter 23

Forlorn Fighter

Serena stared down her 'sparring partner'. Engineered and built by Lance, its simple programme had only one objective: to bring down its opponent. Of course, Father had only allowed it to be used after Serena had undergone the basic combat course. He was watching, seated on a platform far above.

As the two fighters circled around each other, Serena recalled everything she had learnt during lessons. Twenty different fighting styles, thousands of manoeuvres and scenarios surfaced in her mind in an instant as she sieved out what she needed. Within a split second she had chosen her fighting style.

"Come on!" She cried as she lunged forward, aiming a kick at its chin. Half a second later she was on the floor, feeling pain spread through her body from where she landed. What the… she thought. She didn't even see its hands move… But there they were, raised to propel her towards the ground.

"Ok, then. How about this?" Her right leg shot towards the robot's knee, grazing metal as her target sprang away. Pounding her fist on the floor, she picked herself up. "That's it…"

"You talk too much when fighting. It distracts…" The voice had not come from her opponent, but from Father. Serena glanced up for a second, and as she lowered her head she saw a flash of metal. It was too late. A swift blow to her shin left her on her knees, and the next one aimed at her gut left her sprawled on the floor.

"Get up."

She raised her head, staring at the robot's eyes. It was cliché that if you wanted something bad enough, you can achieve it. Did she want to defeat this robot that badly? And the thing about her talking too much… if it did help her, she'll have to thank Father for it later.

Serena sprang up to her feet, lashing out at her opponent with a curled fist. The next two punches landed spot on their target: its eyes. Her boot was thrust into its torso, bringing it to the ground. It got up, and half a minute later it was sent flying with a roundhouse kick.

While the robot recovered, Serena glanced at her wristwatch. Ten minutes had passed. Three hundred and fifty more to go.

'Fatigue' was an understatement as Serena stepped out of her private training room a few hours later. Her muscles refused to respond, as she collapsed onto the nearest chair.

"That was good." Serena's left eye peeled open, spotting her father with his arms crossed, before she turned away. "Your progress is… unexpected. However, you can improve on the strength and endurance parts… That's where physical training comes in. I'll see you down at the gym after dinner." With that he was off, maybe to inspect the others.

Willing her muscles to move, Serena climbed to her feet and practically dragged them back to her room just metres away. Flicking the switch to the bathroom, she filled up the bathtub with warm water. There she could relax for a while.

Dinner was in an hour.

Fifteen weeks of unarmed combat training passed, and has wrought such a change of physique in Serena, so much that she hardly recognised herself. Her arm muscles would put other twelve-year-olds to shame. They moved on to armed combat now, which was quite a change of pace from six-hour training sessions. Father was teaching her personally; something he did rarely.

In preparation of the lesson, Serena had watched a short video clip about various weapons and their uses, from common ones like staves and bladed weapons, to less orthodox ones like chain whips, halberds and those throwing stars used by ninjas. But nothing could prepare her for her first weapon…

Serena stared at the Chinese fan in her hand. It consisted of two ivory slats, between which were several folds of cloth-like material. With a flick of her wrist, the fan unfurled to its full extent. She swished it a couple of times, feeling the gentle breeze it generated… How was she going to use this?

Father watched on in amusement as Serena played with the 'weapon' for a while. "You're supposed to use that to fight."

"And you're going to teach me how?" Serena answered back. Father wasn't the kind who demanded respect; he was fine with his children speaking up against him from time to time.

"You'll have to figure that out by yourself." Behind him, stepping out of the shadows, was the training robot. "And by the way, the fan has a metal lining along the edge that can give a lethal cut. Even when folded, it can pack quite a punch." Serena looked down at the weapon again. "This training will focus on your use of weapons. Try not to use anything else." With that, he was gone, but Serena was sure that he was watching.

Her opponent came into full view, bearing no weapon of its own. Serena knew that this one had a different programme from the previous one, but in what aspect, she had no idea. With the unfamiliar weight in her right hand, she was even more uncomfortable.

Her opponent struck first, leaving Serena on the defensive as she dodged it. In response, she swung the fan up, running it along the metallic covering of the robot. True to her father's words, it left just a thin line, exposing circuits underneath. It's not so bad after all, she thought with a smile.

The practice went on, following three more attacks from Serena. Each was met with a swift block and counterattack. Serena tried again to cut the robot's metal covering, but it was again blocked. Frustrated, she threw her empty left palm into the robot's unguarded chest. The robot isn't that fast, Serena thought. I don't need this weapon to kick his…

Just one more try.

Leaping into the air, she landed a few feet behind the robot, thrusting the fan towards its exposed neck…

In a split second the robot turned around, catching the Super by surprise in mid-air. She had no defence for the kick that followed, leaving her on the ground again.

That's it… she thought, feeling the rage building inside. Tossing the fan aside, she leapt to her feet. Bare fists would be better for this…

Almost instantly, she felt steel connect with her jaw, followed by a shot to her stomach, turning it numb. Serena braced herself as a series of blows landed on her body. How could the robot have such a change in speed and strength?

The robot picked Serena up, tossing her against the wall. Serena could feel adrenaline in her body numbing the pain, encouraging her to continue. "I don't need that thing to beat you," she taunted with a sneer. Its reply was a knee straight at her face, which she shoved away in time. Now was the time to put her combat skills to the test.

Elbow struck metal as the robot anticipated Serena's move. The next few moves were parried with perfect precision as Serena searched for an opening in its defence. Sending out two punches at the same time, the robot had to block both the attacks, leaving its centre unguarded. Serena took her chance and dove shoulder-first into the midsection of the robot, ignoring the crunching sound in her bones against the impact.

She placed a knee over the robot's wrist, restraining the other with her left hand while she raised her right. Smirking, she brought down her fist just as a dark shadow loomed behind her…

Wham.

The robot's knee to the back of her head sent a blur across her eyes. Without time to react, she was brought to the ground, defenceless and writhing in pain. She felt the robot bear down on her, as its full weight pressed on her.

How did it become so fast? And its strength… She had underestimated its potential… but its skills were moderate before…

Before she let go of the weapon…

Turning around, she saw it just a few feet away, where she left it. If she was right, she needed to get to it before she couldn't move anymore. One final charge…

She bent her legs, resting her feet on the robot's midsection, using it as leverage to heave the robot off her. Her mind was bent on only one thing: getting the weapon. Her gloved hand gave a push as she rolled towards the Chinese fan resting just a few feet away. It may be her last chance…

Her fingers gripped the ivory slats as she passed it, pausing for a moment. Behind her the robot was in relentless pursuit, closing in on Serena in a second.

The fan swung through a semicircle, slicing through thin metal where a man's neck would be. Sparks erupted from the cut as circuits broke underneath. Knowing that the robot was designed after human physiology, Serena knew that she had just dealt a fatal blow had this been a real human.

"I suppose that's 'good training' for me?" she questioned as Father approached from behind.

"You wanted armed combat training, and I gave it to you. Desperation can drive you to perform better, as you can see…" Serena glanced at the crumpled heap of metal on the ground. "You're not invincible… not yet anyway. But you'll soon be able to handle someone of that standard. Not bad, considering this to be your first attempt… but there is still much to learn."

And so she learnt. Every possible weapon in their arsenal. Father didn't expect her to carry any weapon with her at all times, but at least she could take on anyone when given the chance…

The Specialists had to undergo the toughest training to be the best. Basic combat training led to survival courses in various forms of terrain, operation and usage of firearms, and to first aid. All these were conducted with intensive physical training in the background designed to push each member to their limits.

All these, just to be the best…

End notes: Well… that's all for one chapter I guess.

I'm over-committing to too many stories now… Speaking of which, I'll have a few more stories up by the end of the year. I'm also expecting UV to come to its second official end by then.

As always, any comments in the reviews. Thanks!