(Here's the next chapter y'all, hope you enjoy the update. Oh, for this chapter, if someone realizes I'm not portraying the nature of this scene right, please tell me.)

Noble Six: Figures. Thanks.

Gemm1mt: Thanks.

Chapter 15: The State of Oneself

(Adirondack Park, a week later)

Connell spent long, hard hours training with Adalbern. The berserker's routine physically tested the young man to his limits. His strength, ferocity, and passion had their mettle tested at every point and turn. Now he sat in the open area before his tent. The wind swirled around him, he could feel another presence.

"You have done well so far, young man." Another new voice said.

Connell looked up to see the spirit of what appeared to be a Shaolin monk. He appears to be in his senior years. He wears a a few different robes draping his form. His eyes are calm and trained on the young man. He has no hair on his head or face. The young man stood up.

"I am Master Long." The spirit said, his voice calm and collected.

His right fist pressed against his left palm. Connell believed he recognized this motion and repeated it. The two then bowed to one another and stood right up afterwards.

"The counsel of the others has given you both physical and mental change. But your spirit, while still good, can still become stronger." Master Long said.

"How so?" Connell asked.

"Training of course, but through means of heartfelt will." The spirit replied.

"I don't practically understand Buddhism; Master Long. Wouldn't my quest be…unethical?" Connell asked respectfully.

"The Buddha teaches compassion and love to all beings. We only act with violence only in the cases that are dire in nature." The monk answered solemnly.

Connell nodded. He didn't want to press the spirit and his beliefs.

"Very well. Let's begin." Master Long said.

Master Long led Connell to another part of the park. He had him sit by a small lake in the Lotus position.

"To achieve mastery of self, one must master the body as the first step. The many forms of martial arts across China tests one's limits. You must be ready." Master Long said.

"I will do what I can." Connell replied.

"Let us see." Master Long said.

He motioned for his pupil to stand up, which Connell did. The spirit lunged forward as quick as an arrow. Connell tried to keep his composure, but the speed of the movement alarmed him. Master Long threw a jab to Connell's chest, the hit sending the young man to the ground. Connell grunted as he stood back up.

"Never lose focus. Foes you shall face, some will be faster, some stronger. You must not let that cast aside your concentration." The monk said.

"Sorry." Connell responded.

"Let's try this again." The spirit said.

The spirit rushed forward and spun in the air, an ethereal foot slammed into Connell's chest. The young man fell onto the same place in the grass again. Connell grumbled as he stood back up again.

"Kung Fu is about excellence of self. If you cannot defend yourself against an old man, how do you expect to face your foes?" The monk sighed.

"You're a spirit, a master of kung fu…but I know what you mean…I have never been any good at martial arts…" Connell grunted then sighed.

Connell took a step or two away, his back to the ghost.

"I…I've tried to do martial arts in the past…I was little…eventually…I got so nervous around so many people at one point…I was too scared to go back. I've gotten in fights before and one time…I lost…and was humiliated by a guy who was smaller than me when we were younger…I know size doesn't truly matter in a fight…but it didn't help that he was a bully…" Connell revealed, his voice filled with depression.

Master Long was quiet for a moment or two.

"So this path you walk is not only to avenge your friend and all those who have suffered at this regime's hands…but also for some peace of mind…to free yourself from this feeling that you've failed to stand up to oppression, in all its forms." The spirit said, trying to comfort the young man.

"This isn't about me…I don't want to be selfish…this started for me with Humphrey's death…I don't wish to dishonor his last wish." Connell replied, unable to look at the spirit.

Connell felt the lingering pain of his years of being bullied to the present. His path of vengeance against S.H.I.E.L.D. was to avenge those who had suffered under the organization's new regime with the government. He had never experienced the bigoted, racist hate that mutants, inhumans, and other species that the Superhuman Registration Act targeted. Despite being bullied for most of his life, the utter hatred for being a part of another species was not what he experienced.

"Yet you can't shake the feeling of sympathy for these people." The spirit said.

"I cannot make this about me. What message does that send? I haven't been physically tortured, assaulted…whatever you want to say because I'm not a target of this fascist government…Humphrey was…I'm a bullying victim, yes…but this is bigger than me." Connell said, his voice a mix of emotions.

"You cannot ignore your feelings on this quest. You must consider them openly and wisely. Understand your place in this world and what you choose to do." Master Long said.

Connell ran his right hand through his shaggy, somewhat unkempt hair. His eyes slightly shake and his breathing is uneasy.

"I just don't wish for this to fail." Connell said, tears starting to form.

Master Long sat in front of him. His spectral gaze seemed to look through Connell, despite the young man not looking directly at him.

"You must focus and concentrate your will. What you feel now, those you oppose…if they realize the state of your emotions…" The spirit said, not finishing his statements and leaving his words lingering.

"I know." Connell sighed.

Connell knew that if went into battle against S.H.I.E.L.D. and his state of being didn't change with the government learning of it…without focus, S.H.I.E.L.D. would humiliate him when being slaughtered.

"The training you undergo from all of us during this time strengthens your body, sharpens your mind, and harmonizes your spirit." The ghost informed.

Connell looked up at him, his eyes still shaking with sadness yet with another emotion depicted in his gaze. The spirit knew what he saw in the young man's eyes.

"Good, we shall continue from where we were earlier." Master Long said.

"Alright." Connell replied, wiping away his tears.

They both then stood up. Both of them took a few steps back. The spirit then lunges at him.

To be continued…