Jason loved martial arts ever since he could run. His dad was a big fan of martial arts movies, and made sure that he saw the entire filmography of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, etc. His father never had the opportunity to learn martial arts when he was growing up, so he made sure that he could give his son this opportunity. When he was three years old, his father took him to East 57th to meet Sensei Shoji.

Sensei Shoji was arguably one of the most gifted karateka in the world, and dedicated his life to spreading the art of goju karate to the West. He immediately took a liking to Jason, and made him his personal pupil, which he seldom does. Usually, he teaches classes of 15-20 people, usually boys, but in rare cases, he trains with them personally.

"Ah, Jason-kun, it is nice to see you come here a bit early. Dedication is very important." Sensei Shoji said warmly in his Okinawan Japanese dialect, happy to see his pupil.

"The pleasure is mine, Sensei. I always like to come for training." He replied. Although his Japanese had the distinct accent of a foreigner, it was as fluent as it could be.

"I have a surprise for you today, Jason-kun. If you do well today, I will give you your godan. As you are well aware, you are unlike any student I have ever trained. You have done so well that the board in Okinawa gave you dispensation to bypass the age limits for your belts. This will be the first time in the history of Goju Karate-Do that a godan will be given to a child. Are you ready?" Sensei Shoji asked.

"Yes, Sensei. I am ready. I have been practicing at home, as well. I am aware that I have to review my Tensho kata, correct?" He asked his teacher.

Sensei Shoji nodded in approval. "Yes, you must review Tensho kata. Please begin!"

Jason bowed, as he always does in respect, and began moving his hands in the soft manner prescribed by tradition, making sure that they acted delicately, while maintaining a sense of stability. Senesi Shoji was incredibly pleased with Jason's progress. He had reviewed Tensho kata before, and was quite shaky with it at the beginning, and improved greatly since then. He went through all the motions of the kata almost flawlessly.

"Well done, Jason-kun. I have never seen anything like this! Even back when I was growing up in Okinawa, I didn't do as well as you. I am extremely pleased! Now, for the final section of your exam, the Jiyu-Kumite. You will be going up against me. Worry not! Use all of your strength and wits. Prepare yourself, since I will not be holding back."

Sensei Shoji readies his stance, as does Jason. Jason's new, otherworldly reflexes kicked in, and was able to deflect Sensei Shoji's punch, and used his body weight to throw his master onto the mat. This almost worked, had the sensei not adjusted his body weight to redirect the throwing, neutralizing the attack.

Both karateka were amazed at the other's talent and skill. Jason had an idea. What if he used the Saifa kata to throw Sensei Shoji to the mat? He hasn't used that one in ages, and his teacher probably wouldn't expect it at all. So, that is exactly what he did. Using his new pegasus assisted reflexes, he used the saifa kata to "explode" a punch directly at his teacher's chest, knocking him onto the mat.

"Unbelievable! I did not even fathom you using the Saifa kata today. Not only have you passed your exam, but you did so flawlessly. I am truly proud of you, my pupil." Sensei Shoji said as he got up from the mat. "Come now, Jason-kun, I have your godan belt for you in my office. Wait here."

Sensei Shoji went to get the godan belt, and Jason wondered if his sister was doing alright with Rainbow Dash. Anyways, he passed his exam, so he was in a rather jubilant mood. After waiting for two minutes, Sensei Shoji came out with the godan belt, along with a kettle of tea and two small cups.

"I will give you the belt, but first, we must remember that Goju Karate-Do is also about mental discipline. I brought some sage tea to help exercise our mental reflexes as well. Tea calms the mind. It is good for growing boys." He said as he poured two cups of tea.

"Kampai!" Sensei Shoji said, ecstatic that his prized student did so well.

"Kampai!" Jason replied, clicking their glasses together, and both karateka sat quietly on the mat and drank their tea in peace.

"If I remember correctly, you finished the 7th grade, right?" Sensei Shoji asked his pupil. Even outside of lessons and training, Sensei Shoji took great care into Jason's life and interests. His wife and daughter died in Okinawa during the American occupation of Okinawa, and he emigrated to America to start a new life for himself. He always thought of Jason as the grandson he never had.

"Yes, sensei, I finished 7th grade. I actually performed better in my classes this year!"

"Excellent. One more thing before you leave, when are you going to bring your sister Sophie-chan for her white belt lesson? She is a lovely girl. I remember her coming to your shodan belt exam. Your parents were thrilled"

Jason laughed: "Umm, I have to ask my mother and father first. I am still 12, you know!" He said with a smile.

"Very well, I expect an answer next week during training. I assume you have to go home now? That is okay. Enjoy your summer!"

"Thank you for everything, sensei!" Jason said with gratitude as he walked out the door.

When Jason left on his way back to his apartment, Sensei Shoji began to cry: "Oh Ameratsu, how I wish that this boy could have been mine. He is the grandson I never had." To make matters worse, today was the 60th anniversary of his wife and daughter's death at the hands of a drunk US soldier. He went into his office, and removed a sheathed katana from his desk.

"I am sorry, my pupil, but I must go and see Sakura-chan...my sweet daughter…" He said as he committed seppuku in his office, next to his family portrait.

Jason would never know of Sensei Shoji's long battle with depression over his murdered family, and would presumably be shocked at his master's death.

Anyways, after a rather short run home with his new super speed, Jason opened the door to his apartment and saw his sister with not one, but TWO ponies. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were arguing

"Alright, what the hell is going on, Sophie? Did you summon Twilight?" Jason said, quite annoyed.

"Actually, I came on my own. You have some explaining to do, mister!" Twilight said as she used her telekinesis to pull up a chair for Jason.

"Uh oh! Dashie was right about the two way door." Jason thought to himself.