Sup, guys. Sorry for the wait. Had to deal with my studies and exams in the last couple months and will be continuing school this summer, but my classes are lesser in the upcoming school semester and I've already started on the outline for the next chapter. This will be a two-parter dealing with Connor's training with Vegeta. Post any review or send me a PM on questions about the chapter that I will answer in a vague way as if I'm telling a prophecy. Now read on!
A hard thud was heard in the jungle along with the sound of gunshots as men were sent flying. Others were hit by an arrow, batarangs, ki blasts, and other assortments of projectiles that would hurt any regular humans.
The last man standing looked at his allies of over a dozen and looked at the group of young heroes in front of him. Just as he breathed heavily with angst, he made his decision and raised his gun, however, he was hit by a ki blast that sent him into a tree. Luckily, he didn't yet feel the concussion as he was put to a forceful sleep.
The Team stood victorious as they finished their mission to destroy venom distribution in the Amazon Rainforest as Bane laid on the ground some yards away.
Soon, the Bio-Ship and as they entered, Artemis and Videl fit bumped as they walked in with Videl looking back at the masked villain, "See ya' later, Bane!" Videl said happily, defeating him even easier than she had before. The other members of the Team laughed as they left the jungle, meanwhile, Superboy stared ahead with a thoughtful look in his eyes. Days ago, Vegeta had told him he was going to be his mentor, and to be honest… he was quite nervous.
He had no idea how tough Vegeta would be in his mentorship for the next month of training, the time they agreed upon. Additionally, considering how he heard he trained Videl, if Videl would even call it training compared to how she taught Robin and not just straight up torture, then he might actually have something broken when he got back from his session with the Saiyan.
The Cave
Touching down into Mount Justice, the Team said their goodbyes to each other, while Connor, M'gann, Videl, and Robin stayed behind with the two latter two talking to each other about… school? He couldn't tell as he listed to M'gann, but just as he was about to walk over to Videl and Robin the Zeta-Tube turned on as a familiar face walked through, Vegeta.
The man had his signature scowl on as he immediately turned towards Connor, "Come, boy. Your training starts now," Vegeta said.
Connor looked towards M'gann as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Be safe, Connor." He smiled at the sentiment.
"Don't break him, Vegeta. We don't need you wrecking our favorite muscles on our team when you bring him back the next month," Videl chastised.
"Hmph," Vegeta let out. Turning around quickly the Saiyan went through the Zeta-Tube followed by Connor. Coming through, Superboy came to the enticing sound of nature. He saw trees that had recently died from the season and looked towards Vegeta with an eyebrow raised after he turned to see a Zeta-Tube transport coming from an old shed.
"Yellowstone? This really the place?" Superboy asked.
"Yes. Barely anyone comes around here during these days. Let's go," Vegeta demanded.
Going deep into the forest at high speeds they came upon a small clearing that could fit a small building. Vegeta grabbed a small oval like shape, a capsule, from his attire and threw it on the open grass. Smoke appeared and to Connor's shock a large sphere-like structure appeared.
"Get in. I'm going to show you something that is going to help with your training," said Vegeta.
Stepping into the Gravity Chamber, Vegeta came to the panel while Connor looked around.
"we're going to start by making your body stronger. Without powers, at least for you," Vegeta informed. Then he pressed a button on the panel as a red light, not the same as when the gravity was increased. Then, Vegeta turned up the gravity shortly afterward.
"Without powers? Wha-" Connor let out rights as his body was slammed to the ground by an invisible force.
"That first button was meant to activate red sun lamps, courtesy of Superman. The next was meant to increase the gravity to ten times that of Earth."
"Gah!" Connor gasped as he managed to get on his knees.
"I've asked Superman how much increased gravity humans can take. Apparently, humans can survive five times gravity, but will soon lose consciousness quickly and likely die. However, your half-Kryptonian and Superman's birth world had a higher gravity than Earth, so I assumed that your own body would be able to handle this, and I was right. Now stand, your training won't start until you do what I say afterwards," Vegeta said as he turned around and started his own series of punches with his back facing Connor.
The Kryptonian hybrid had never felt a pressure like this, he could feel his entire body weighed down like nothing before, but he gritted his teeth as he tried his hardest to stand.
"Grrggh!" Connor grunted, as he pressed his hand against the tiles, eventually after nearly half a minute of grunting, he stood.
"Now walk, then run, jump, and begin throwing your weight around with punches and kicks. Then we may start to spar if I see some adaptation to this gravity as others have done."
"Alright," Connor grunted.
'Okay, just gotta walk,' Connor thought. Then, he took a step forward and almost fell flat on his face had he not caught himself into a tight fixed position like that of a lunge exercise. After over half an hour he began to take laps around the Gravity Chamber with high difficulty. Taking every ounce of focus to not fall flat on the ground too many times, but even as he fell Connor would get back up again, again, and again.
Vegeta noticed the young man's grit and huffed as he was impressed that the boy seemed to be getting used to the gravity faster than he thought, especially without his powers under the yellow sun.
"You know, learning this ki stuff," Connor grunted. "Could really be a good thing as a backup if someone besides you decides to use these red sun lamps or some kryptonite."
"Agreed, but it's to teach you a lesson," Vegeta said.
"Like?" Connor questioned, then as he looked at Vegeta he walked again and his concentration slipped which affected his footing, but he was grabbed by the back collar by Vegeta before he could fall.
"To teach you grit," Vegeta said, then let Connor go and the teen caught himself with difficulty. "You've been using your powers with some skill as Black Canary has been teaching you, but I'm going to build you up without your powers. Plus, once our training is done, you should be able to bring out at least a spark of your ki, and that is when you'll begin your flight with your solar powered power set. After all, we just need to push you to use ki, not your kryptonian abilities."
Connor nodded and began to walk, or under the gravity he was resisting, lunging as Vegeta's words echoed in his mind while Vegeta's constant fast paced blows to the air echoed in his ears.
Days Later
Connor grunted again as he jumped several times in the same place, barely hitting several inches above the floor, but he definitely felt more used to the gravity than before.
It was the same thing for the last couple days. Walking, which really started as lunging, were now hard strides. He could even run, but it took even more effort to jump, but Vegeta wouldn't care less until he could throw a series of punches.
Finally, Connor decided to try a series of punches, but he was going to start small. Practicing footwork before throwing any blows at an imaginary opponent.
Getting into a stance, Connor placed his fists near his chin, one on both sides, and fought as the gravity tried to bring his arms down. Putting his left foot in a forward facing straight and his back foot near his center on the ground and slightly angled he moved forward. For minutes he worked on the routine of bobbing and weaving from side to side and finally threw a punch, but the gravity made his arm go down at an angle instead of straight out.
Not being perturbed he pivoted his back foot and threw a right jab, but the sudden switch in position made him kneel as he threw the right jab causing him to grind his teeth. His anger gained the best of him, but he got up once again with air coming out between his clenched teeth.
Vegeta came out from eating a series of foods that would make a group of professional eaters blush, and looked at the young man.
As he watched, Connor finally managed to throw a punch correctly and with a smile Connor started to grin and threw a combo, but for every movement he held immense concentration not to fall.
Soon, Connor heard a slow clap coming from his side, and saw Vegeta casually walk in the gravity as if it were non-existent.
"Good," Vegeta said as he got into his own stance and smirked, "Now come at me. Do your best to hit me, but that doesn't mean I'll let you try."
Later in the day, Connor spit blood as he got up once again, his left eye swollen shut and a split lip along with bruises he could feel around his body.
Vegeta on the other hand looked no worse for wear as he threw a simple jab into Connor's gut. Causing him to fly back into the wall.
"That's enough," Vegeta said.
"No, it's not!" Connor said, standing with some blood coming from his lips. "I can still fight!"
"Do you think you'll be able to fight when your bones are broken and you can no longer move, especially without anyone to assist you when you're injured? Don't overtrain yourself. Trust me, I used to break myself the same way in my younger years," Vegeta advised.
"I have to take the blows. I'm the strongest on the Team, who else is gonna tank the stronger hit? Not Robin, Artemis, or even Videl, me."
"That is true, but there's nothing wrong with knowing moderation. If you don't, you'll only overtrain, and when you overtrain, you'll be a liability on the field, and when you're the liability that could lead to someone becoming only a corpse. Is that what you want?" Vegeta asked.
"No, it's just," Connor said as he finally let his arms fall to his sides, "M'gann, on a previous mission she was impaled. I'd never seen her so close to death, then the simulation, and I could've saved her. If only I was…" Connor let out as he thought at the times, he felt he was powerless, and his mind moved to the person that gave him his kryptonian genes.
Suddenly, Connor's face was a frown then a look of anger as he suddenly rushed full force at Vegeta, and Vegeta felt an energy come from Connor's core.
Vegeta huffed before launching a soft, or at least to him, punch into Connor's gut, knocking the air out of his lungs and causing him to fall unconscious as Vegeta picked him up.
Vegeta looked at the spot Connor charged from. Not only had the boy managed to run full force for the first time in the Gravity Chamber, but his ki had risen just for a moment, "There may be some promise in you yet, boy."
Gotham
Batman was looking through one of the reinforced cameras that he had input in one of the red sun lamps he had given Vegeta. It was a good way to see how they gained their ki manipulation in more depth and could be a good way for him to someday replicate a type of ki negation devices.
He already had the android blueprints for ki generation from Luthor, but he wasn't going to train in the art of ki manipulation, yet. After all, it would take him years of time to reach just Tien's level of strength.
He would also be keeping an eye on Videl as he forged her a new identity to enter Gotham Academy as per her request to have somewhat of a normal life. Keeping her close by putting her in Gotham.
For now, Batman simply looked at the monitors until an alert came on the screen. The Joker had escaped Arkham once again, and for a moment Batman breathed a sigh before turning around and entering the batmobile. He would find a way to deal with those using ki. While Vegeta, Tien, and Horizon were on their side he had no idea if someone else with their abilities would come forth. It was a precaution, as the Bat had for even his other allies.
Connor woke up, looked around and put a hand on his face to try waking himself up, but he flinched as his hand touched a bruise on his face.
He looked under him, noting the bed that he laid on in a room. Getting up, Connor managed to stand and was surprised that he felt the gravity wasn't as strong as it felt before, but it still took effort to move.
Coming out of the room Connor managed to see Vegeta, in all his Super Saiyan glory.
The man was punching at speeds he was sure even with his powers wouldn't be able to count them all, then he proceeded to throw a fluid combo of attacks that almost seemed like he was dancing at super speeds. Soon, however, Vegeta managed to notice the young man's gaze.
"Feeling better?" Vegeta asked.
"How long was I out?" Connor asked, feeling that was more important.
"Around a day and a half."
"Wha- and you didn't wake me up! That was a whole day of training I could've-"
"You'd have broken yourself," Vegeta said, silencing Connor. "You needed the rest to make sure you wouldn't collapse, if you had gained any serious injuries, you would've just gone through the shortcut of feeling the sun's rays and healing yourself, but what kind of effort is that in the beginning of your training? A true warrior needs work ethic, especially when they start from the bottom!"
Connor stayed silent, knowing Vegeta was right. Starting to use his own powers from the beginning would have been too easy. Vegeta's words days earlier again came to his mind.
"Okay, so what should I train for next?" Connor asked.
"For now, we will train in meditation. It should be simple as I've heard you've done some lessons with the girl. Try to feel that same feeling you had when you charged me. For just a moment, I felt you raise your ki subconsciously. Now, we will be working on bringing it out consciously, whether you're ready or not. Meditate for now."
Connor nodded and then put his legs on the tiles in a comfortable position before breathing in and out slowly as his mind cleared. He searched for that same feeling he had felt, he felt inadequacy to the man who wouldn't even look at him, but that spark of energy from earlier didn't come into being.
Over the next few days, Connor trained and meditated his ease in the higher gravity becoming easier as time went on, but Vegeta could feel why Connor wasn't bringing out his ki. The boy felt inadequate, second fiddle to his original, and Vegeta gained an idea. After some time and during Connor's meditation, Vegeta left the Chamber and gained a thought in his mind on the training course he had thought for his next bit of training for Connor, and he knew where he needed to go.
A world away from this one. One where Connor would need to be pushed to survive and his barrier in his mind that's holding him back needed to be shattered. Simple words without substance wouldn't suffice unless in a near death situation. The Gravity Chamber wasn't a place where one could truly face a life-or-death situation in harsh terrain. The Gravity Chamber even took Videl, who was further in her own training, time to grow used to.
Videl looked in front of her at the things Batman had provided her for her now kinda-permanent stay in Gotham City. She now had a forged identity of Val Akuma, a student whose parents were from Okinawa, Japan but had unfortunately died in an accident.
The billionaire Bruce Wayne had heard of her situation as her 'parents' were friends of him in his time away from Gotham in his younger years and had given her an apartment.
Just as Videl was getting her stuff together and thinking of the fact that she was probably going to buy some clothes she sensed a familiar energy over Gotham. Her eyes narrowed as she quickly raced towards the window and saw his trail of energy.
Using her speed, she put on her superhero attire and took off after him.
Coming closer she managed to catch up to him luckily because Vegeta wasn't going full speed. The prince stopped and looked at her with a frown, "What is it, now?"
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be training Connor for the entire month!?" Videl questioned.
"Oh, don't worry, girl, I am. It's just that I've gained an idea on where he can use that training; on another world," Vegeta said pointing at her.
"What? I thought you wanted to train Connor without his powers!?" Videl shouted.
"Don't worry, I have a way of helping all of us. I know what I'm doing," Vegeta said before flying away.
Videl looked as Vegeta became smaller and smaller until all she could do to know he was around was with her senses. She huffed, knowing she couldn't overpower him to tell her what exactly he was doing, but was going to keep an eye out for Connor on the day he came back.
Vegeta flew towards the energy he recognized as Batman and came upon Wayne Manor.
He had to say that he was impressed by the scale of the mansion. It was beautiful as it faced Gotham City with an aesthetic like that of a castle, but he let go of that thought and sensed again for Batman's energy, feeling it below the mansion.
Flying around the manor he came upon what he thought would be an entrance. A waterfall some distance behind the manor that was over a cave. Coming into it at super-speeds Vegeta heard no alarm and kept flying until he finally came across what he was looking for.
It was a sight. Platforms of numerous, or at least he guessed, trophies of battle around the cave. A penny bigger than any man, a T-Rex animatronic, one of the clown's playing cards, giant dice, and many other items from his time as a protector of Gotham.
Finally, he came upon the sight he was looking for, Batman. However, that wasn't the only thing that was surprising as he saw Connor from a viewpoint in the Gravity Chamber, as Batman couldn't react to the silent alarm Vegeta tripped fast enough to turn the screen off or to a different feed.
Batman turned towards the alien Prince, and they both glared at each other.
"What are you doing here, Vegeta?" Batman inquired but kept his cool even as the other man grew a smirk.
"I was going to tell you of some training that could be useful for my new protege, but I see we should talk about something else. Tell me, do you spy on the other leaguers as well, or am I special?" Vegeta asked back.
"That's none of your busine-" Batman was beginning to say, but he lost his breath as his body was shoved against the cave wall.
Vegeta had his forearm pressing on Batman's neck as he looked him in the eyes, "Answer the question."
"...fine." At that Batman regained his breath as he was put down. "The reason I have video of you is to know if you'll ever become a threat, or what will likely happen. If someone from your universe comes here with sinister intentions."
Vegeta raised a brow, "Do you spy on your other companions as well?"
The Bat did not answer.
"Hah! Oh, it makes sense. You know you can't actually beat them with your own strength, so you use your time, resources, and intellect to outmatch them. Color me impressed with the prep-time. Though, you should remember, I now have something to hold over you. So, I'll ask for a favor and I won't rat you out, probably anyway," Vegeta said as he shrugged. "I want you to lend me one of the Justice League's ships. I want to take a trip. To a faraway planet with a red sun. A place with terrain that can challenge Connor past his current limits."
Batman stayed silent for a moment before nodding his head and giving his back to Vegeta as he looked towards the bat computer for any other news around Gotham.
Vegeta did the same, but before he flew away, he looked back towards Batman, "You know, what you're doing could compromise your relationships. I understand your caution, especially with your insignificant strength, but take it from someone who almost cut off his own relationships because of influence from a sorcerer. This a path that may lead to your ties to League to crumble. They may never trust you again, especially your protege," Vegeta said.
Batman stayed silent as he took in Vegeta's words and let out a curt response, "Get the hell out of my cave."
Heeding his words, Vegeta flew out of the cave, leaving Batman to ponder.
Minutes later, Vegeta came upon the Gravity Chamber and entered it, seeing Connor still meditating, and he snapped his fingers to gain his attention.
"Boy, we're going to be taking a detour. Off this planet," Vegeta explained.
"What? Where are we going?" Connor asked.
"A planet of terrain that will have a red sun. A planet where you will be trained further."
"I thought we were training in here?"
"It'll take too long to get used to the higher gravities. I want a quicker approach. One where you'll experience life and near death. That will be if we can see if you truly have that potential, I think you have. After all, it was because of my own tough adventures that I gained my power, so let's see if it works for you," said Vegeta.
"And if it doesn't?"
"Then our training is over, and I will no longer teach you," Vegeta answered.
"Then I'll just have Videl teach me!" shouted Connor.
"I have a feeling she won't be able to help you. We have more in common than you think, and I know something is not holding you back physically, but mentally as well. That will be explored upon the world we land upon."
Connor grimaced, knowing that Vegeta was right.
"When do we go?"
Hours Later on the Watchtower
The Zeta-Tube on the Watchtower activated as Vegeta and Connor arrived on the Watchtower and Connor walked around as he looked on at the true secret headquarters of the Justice League.
"Woah," Connor let out.
"Come on. We don't have all day," Vegeta said walking ahead of the teen.
Connor quickly walked up to the Saiyan once more coming to his side, "This place is amazing. I wish the others could see this."
"You can see even more once we arrive on the ship," Vegeta said with a bored tone.
"Yeah, it's just…a lot to take in," Connor said while still looking all around him. Seeing the Earth, the world he was to protect, gave him more of a perspective on what this training was for.
As they walked towards the Watchtower's hangar and came upon the ship they would be using. It was a Justice League javelin. A spaceship that was similar in appearance to the jet known as the Blackhawk, but with a white metal hide.
Connor entered the ship, but just as Vegeta was about to enter, he sensed a familiar presence behind him.
"What now?" Vegeta inquired.
"I'm…happy that you're taking care of Connor, Vegeta. Guess even you've got a soft side, like a certain bat we know," Superman said with a chuckle.
Vegeta looked over his shoulder at the Kryptonian, "Do you remember what I said the last time we talked?"
Superman's jovial smile turned serious, "I do, Vegeta. I've been thinking about it and you're right. Once you and Superboy make it back. I'll…try to be a brother to him. He needs a family, as I did when I arrived on this world."
Vegeta nodded and turned and entered the ship as Superman stood away from it. Coming to the controls Vegeta took control as Wonder Woman had taught him some time earlier and put in the destination Batman had given him. The ship lifted, shooting out of the hangar and began to go into the depths of space to a distant world.
Days went by as Connor and Vegeta meditated with the foods that had been put inside Vegeta's capsule.
Once reaching their destination Connor immediately felt once more how his powers left him as the red sun glared down on him, and Vegeta took the time to look around them and told Connor, "This is where your training to learn to control the energy inside you continues and I'm going to let this world help me break it into you."
It was a beautiful world, with other planets visible in the sky, yellow grass for miles in every direction, several cattle-like animals, mountains that looked like blue crystals all around them, numerous ponds of purple water, and a green sky above their heads.
Connor looked with hardened eyes, "Let's get started."
That's the end of the battle but not yet the end of the war. Follow the story if it interests you and as I said before. Give me any reviews on what you think of the story. Cheers.