A/N: Thank you for the reviews and follows, guys! It means the world, you have no idea! This fic was part of a 100 Theme Challenge by deviantART member British-Prophetess, not meant to be done in sequence and no time limit. I really suck at having to come up with ideas on the fly, from only words. Let's see how many of these I actually do, then! XD

Prompt #18: Pride Before Fall

LAWS OF NATURE

It stung, the gritty sweat dripping into his eyes. But he refused to wipe it away, or even blink. He didn't want to give his opponent any opportunity to gain the upper hand, no matter how trivial it seemed.

Because so far he was winning, at least in his mind.

Virgil had been eager to face-off against Robin, feeling confident with the hand-to-hand combat training from both Black Canary and Aqualad. However, he quickly realized Robin had outside skills, different martial arts prowess under his belt, and the years of knowledge from being Batman's prodigy. Freaking Batman!

It was awe-inspiring to him that he'd managed to last this long against the Boy Wonder, without using his powers. And that pumped him up for the win—made Virgil just a little bit cocky.

Feeling the surge of proud adrenaline, he decided to make the next offensive move. Invading Robin's space within their fighter's circle, he threw a tactical jab. He was rewarded when Robin did exactly as anticipated: he arched his upper body backwards, out of the line of fire. Immediately, Virgil followed with a swift right upper-cut, reaching.

Robin's open-palm swung to both protect and block, his ninja-pace slapping Virgil's aim off; his fist brushed off the other boy's collarbone. When Robin recoiled, his hand grabbed Virgil's wrist and twisted, turning his forearm over, then pulling him closer. Static had to bite his lip, a harsh reminder not to let volts loose into his hands.

Instead, he swung his free arm up and over in a hook, bringing his elbow down into the crook of Robin's arm to break the hold. They were almost on the same wavelength, and Robin released him before the impact was too great, knowing the move was coming.

They backed off, and Robin advanced. He was light and graceful. And as Virgil threw his weight back into a readying position, Robin leaped up. His foot used Virgil's grounded stance to give himself a lift-off, stepping onto Virgil's thigh and up.

Although the added weight threw him off-balance, it wasn't a totally unexpected maneuver—especially not from the acrobatic Boy Wonder. Virgil steeled himself lower, wincing, and before Robin's other leg could raise for the kick, he moved. He forced his knee up as high as he could, throwing the boy an additional, unplanned, height; the aim was broken. Virgil let himself fall back, hitting the ground on his shoulder blades. Robin allowed himself the miss, arcing overhead and tumbling into a landing.

Virgil rose again, but Robin rolled forward and swung his leg in a semi-circle; Virgil popped into the air. Dammit, he's fast! he couldn't help but admire. I need to be faster—

Coming down, he propelled himself backwards in a slide—and rushed forward. In a whir of movement, Robin gained his feet and blocked several swings. But Virgil forced him to defend only, giving him no time to attack. If his speed was great enough, he wouldn't even have the chance to analyze a move.

And in a blink, Virgil used the little Bat-boy's method against him. When Robin ducked one of his blows, Virgil dropped and swung his own leg. Although he tried to evade, Robin tripped; Virgil felt his toes knock against his calf. It was enough to rock his equilibrium and Virgil pitched his own upper body against him, sealing his fate.

Robin hit the ground. Virgil was on top of him, grappling him in a wrestler's hold. And he saw his "rival's" lips turn up in a slight grin. Robin said, "Uncle."

Virgil let out a deep breath and laughed in good spirits. Despite the tired ache in his limbs, he joyfully bounded back onto this feet and gave a little boxer's two-step, his fists once more raised. He said, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, man."

And suddenly he heard Wonder Girl shout: "Air picket!"

It was his only warning the new combatant had entered the ring. He felt a presence drop from the sky behind him, but he was too deep into his victory to react swiftly enough; he turned—right into an incoming leg against the side, driving him off his own feet. Slamming to the ground, stunned, he found Batgirl hovering over him.

"Watch out for falling Bats," she said, shaking her head and planting a hand on her hip. "They come out of nowhere sometimes." Outside the ring Wonder Girl chuckled.

"Oh, I see how it is, ladies." His breath came in ragged pants now, slightly winded. And even though her expression was parental disappointment, the grin she gave was sassy; he returned her smile. "Gang up on the new guy?"

"Only when they're being show-offs."

"Look who's talkin', girl!"

"Still," Robin interrupted their teasing, and there was a hint of authoritative pride for Virgil in his tone. "Your endurance is getting better. I wasn't expecting you to keep up with me."

Virgil lay spread-eagled on his back and beamed. Even though he was trying to catch his breath while Robin barely broke a sweat, it felt good to be praised by the Titan figurehead. He just wished one of the Mentors had been there to see it unfold.

"So what do you think?" Batgirl asked, returning to her usual serious manner. "Think you can hold your own in a fight, without relying on Static Shock?"

She offered her hand and as Virgil accepted it, rising, he shrugged and quickly corrected, "It's just Static. One word names are cooler than two."

"Wow, thanks!" Wonder Girl joked.

"No offense. I mean, it's not your fault, you kinda came with that name."

"Better not let Black Lightning know what you really think," countered Wonder Woman's protégé. Her was tone cheeky, like a schoolgirl who might tattle to teacher.

At the mention of his own Mentor, Virgil's newbie inadequacies prickled his nerves. He masked his sheepish face and said, playfully puffing himself up, "Hey, can't be under his shadow forever, right?"

"Yet it never hurts to remember where you started from." The deep, direct voice of Black Lightning was strong but pleasant as he entered. "Or should we see if Static's shock is ready for the Light?"

Ah crap, I set myself up for that one. Virgil allowed himself to look shame-faced, but he met his Mentor's gaze with an undefeated merit. He exhaled deeply, smiled to show his willingness, and let crackles of static loose into his hands.

Pleased with the confident display, Black Lightning returned his smile, briefly, and stepped into the circle.

Virgil noticed the curiously eager look pass between Batgirl and Wonder Girl, and he unconsciously flicked his shoulders in a vain sort of worry. He could still taste the small win against Robin, and losing now would only sour it. Gotta remember to keep my mouth shut, he made the mental memo to himself. It was always better to end on a high note.

But there was no reason he still couldn't do that. He pumped himself up once more: Okay, Hawkins. Show 'em whatcha got!

And a single, fierce current snapped around Black Lightning, reminding him of his adversary. There was no determination or prodding from his Mentor, his expression easy and waiting. He was allowing the student to make the first attack. So go for it—

One breath, and Static lifted his energy from his center, let it pool in sizzling streams of electricity from his arms into his hands. A vibrating blue aura enveloped him, the static growing. He splayed his fingers, collected the pulse, and shot both hands out towards Black Lightning.

The electric serpents fed off his own life-force and he was already tired; they grew weaker the further they sailed. At the last moment, Lightning threw out only one hand and hefted a white-flashing bolt to counter. The electricity butted heads, but Static was surprised to see his Mentor's practically absorb his own.

Without reflecting, Static spun himself away from the line of sight. He pulsed an electro-orb into his right hand, shot it like a bullet, and repeated with the left. Neither shot could penetrate the energy-shield of the other.

Black Lightning was very professional. He said, "Remember to feel your elements and ground your charges. Don't let them run wild."

Yeah, they'll get weaker. Oh, wait— Catching his drift, Static's eyes darted to the girls and Robin. He had to be careful and stay in control, lest he accidentally shock the bystanders. That was one thing he recalled well from his time with the Runaways; it was primarily about saving lives, not simply beating the bad guy. He grounded himself and steadied the positive-negative imbalance he was building.

"And don't let your guard down—"

As the words left his Mentor's mouth, Static heard the sliding hiss of the training room doors open, saw Rocket enter in search of her fellow Leaguer.

The teenager remembered hearing himself think of the other Dakota City hero: Man, she's cute—

Before a bolt of lightning hit him square in the chest, spinning him twice before his body smacked the floor. For a moment Virgil forgot how to breathe, wasn't quite sure how he even got knocked down; but then a flare of red beside him and the computer reminding him: FAIL made him growl in a breath.

A shadow fell over him, Black Lightning looking down on his new apprentice. "Last lesson?"

"Don't let your guard down."

"For anything or anyone. One slip, and the bad guy won't be as lenient in his blow as I was." Virgil nodded. "You have good instincts, Static, a chess-player's mind. But you're still young, son. I think you might need to stay under my shadow awhile longer. Don't be in such a hurry to see the sun."

Despite the almost sympathetic smile and a fatherly stare which felt all-knowing—making Virgil blush—Static responded with humbled understanding and slightly dented pride. "Yes sir."

Outside the ring Wonder Girl whispered to Batgirl, "Basic laws of Nature. Lightning beats static shock."

End

Note: "Air picket" is a military term for reporting on enemy aerial movements.