This is for mini ninja 132 who wanted Ramon to get self defense lessons from Black Canary :)
Also, i made a sequel to The Failed Project called Inner Demons! :D
And this is random, but the little picture in the corner of this story is Athena! I don't have much artistic talent, but it's still Athena. :)
L.L.A.P
~Laces
"Mom?" Athena questioned in a small voice as she walked over to Black Canary. She looked a bit nervous.
"What is it, honey?" Black Canary questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Well… I have a friend named Ramon. Ramon knows about how I have powers and everything, and he's a real good friend. I have been spending a lot of time with him, and…"
"Athena, it's okay. Everyone goes through this." Black Canary took a deep breath. "You see, Athena, when we get these type of feelings for someone…"
"What feelings?" Athena inquired.
"The ones that you feel towards Ramon."
"The feeling that… I want him to learn how to defend himself?" Athena questioned slowly, confused.
"Wait. What did you want to ask me?" Black Canary inquired.
"If you could teach Ramon self-defense." Athena answered, but then looked at the woman, puzzled. "What did you…"
"Of course I'll teach your friend self-defense. I'm your mom, that's what I do. Self-defense. Yes. I will teach him. How about you bring him over to the studio Friday. Okay? Okay. I have to go now honey, bye." Black Canary said quickly, kissing Athena on the cheek, then running off.
Athena was still slightly confused about what Black Canary started to say, but she was happy that Ramon was going to learn self-defense. It worried her how her friend was so weak and fragile (no offense to him, but it was true.) and she didn't want him to get hurt if she wasn't around.
Athena smiled, proud of herself for getting her Mom to help her out with Ramon. He was going to need all the help he could get.
~*~*~*~*~*~That Friday~*~*~*~*~*~
"Athena, why didn't you ask Bruce to help teach him self-defense? He only needs the basics, nothing ninja-esc." Black Canary questioned as she watched Ramon start to double tie his shoes so they wouldn't come off.
"Bruce scares him… a lot." Athena informed honestly. Just then a short shout rung out from Ramon as he ran behind Athena, pointing at the ground.
"There's a spider! There is a really big spider!" his voice was high and panicked while Athena calmly walked over to the spider and let it crawl in her hand.
"Athena, don't let it bite you." Ramon whispered, as if the spider could hear him."
"Invincible skin, remember?" Athena stated with a small smile, and she easily opened a window and let the spider crawl outside.
"I see Bruce isn't the only thing he's afraid of." Black Canary mumbled, then took in a deep breath.
"Alright Ramon. Let's begin you training."
~*~*~*~*~*~Thirty Minutes Later~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ay Dios Mio." Ramon groaned, sweat dripping from his face.
"Ramon, you just did the basics. It's not that hard." Athena informed nonchalantly.
"Not that hard? Punching that bag made me feel like I was going to break my fist." Ramon stated, and Athena shrugged.
"Drink more milk?" she suggested and Ramon just groaned again.
"Ramon… I just want to help you. I don't want you to get hurt if I'm not there." Athena informed in a small voice, but Ramon saw how serious she looked.
She was having him do it for his own good. Because she cared for him.
"Thank you, Athena." he said with a small smile. Athena beamed at him and wrapped her strong arms around his small frame, hugging him tightly.
Ramon breathed heavily, but didn't say anything, accepting the hug.
Black Canary watched as the two hugged, and she found it interesting how Ramon didn't try to break away from her.
Despite the mild discomfort her seemed to have, he was also smiling softly.
Athena had a big smile on her face as she continued to hug the boy, obviously happy.
"Conner should be coming over to pick you two up and take you back home." Black Canary informed, and Athena pulled away from the hug, letting Ramon breath.
Canary would have taken the two home as well, but she had watch tower duty.
"Thank you, Ms. Canary, for teaching me." Ramon said with a smile.
"Not a problem, Ramon. Work on your punches more. Your boney knuckles could do a lot of damage." She smiled.
Conner walked into the room and Athena ran up to him, giving him a tight hug.
"Hi Conner!" she said happily, and the teen gave her a short hug.
"Hey Athena. Hello Ramon." The clone waved to the boy, who shyly waved back.
"Thank you, Black Canary." Conner grinned, and the woman smiled at him kindly.
"Not a problem, Conner. Feel free to drop by sometime. We haven't practiced on your left hook in a while." She informed with a grin.
"I'll try to set up a time." Conner smiled, then walked back to the car with Athena and Ramon.
"So, how was it?" Conner inquired.
"It was good." Ramon nodded. "I think I can actually stand a chance against bullies." He informed with a small smile on his face.
"Do you two want to get ice cream to celebrate?" Conner inquired with a smile. Of course the kids wouldn't turn the offer down.
Conner watched as Ramon and Athena eat their ice cream.
"Want to try my chocolate? It's really good." Athena said with a smile, and Ramon nodded.
"Sure, thanks." He smiled, licking at the ice cream.
"Want some of my vanilla?" he inquired, and Athena nodded happily, also taking a lick.
Conner wouldn't admit it out loud, but he worried about Ramon and Athena. They were good friends.
He couldn't help but think that he and M'gann were good friends once too.