Welcome back to Elemental Crisis Book III. Last time, the element training trilogy began with Martian Manhunter learning Electricity from Spyro and Black Lightning, the two of whom agreed on more about the Element than I bet either were expecting. J'onn then tried to manipulate the Element himself, and did pretty solid at it according to his instructors on the element. We left them just as Spyro and Supergirl were about to start the Element of Earth, but for now, we're joining the other dragon in this game. So how's Cynder doing with her second student? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes in a second training area where Cynder, Superman, and Zari Tomaz have gathered to teach the Man of Steel what he needs to know to properly harness the Element of Wind.)
Cynder: (Sensing something about Superman) You okay?
Superman: A little nervous. Then again, that's the case just about every time I end up getting new powers.
Zari Tomaz: Then let's get into this before he talks himself out of it.
Cynder: Agreed. Zari, as the other Wind expert in the room, stop me if you have anything to interject from your experience.
Zari Tomaz: (Pulling out a pen and notebook to take notes herself) Will do.
Cynder: Excellent, then let's begin.
Superman: Alright coach, what do I need to know?
Cynder: Fortunately for you, unlike Shadow, Wind is a lot easier to explain. It's the element of Freedom, I like to say.
Zari Tomaz: (Writing that down) First time I've ever heard it described that way.
Cynder: (Noting what Zari Tomaz just said) Something to add?
Zari Tomaz: Possibly, depends on where this is going.
Cynder: Alright then. To harness the Element of Wind properly, you have to feel completely unbound. To make it move with you, you must first move with it. You just need to feel like you're defying gravity, that nobody can bring you down.
Zari Tomaz: If I can add something...
Cynder: Go ahead.
Zari Tomaz: Cynder is pretty dead on so far. All I've got to add is a little warning. Once you do feel in control, it takes a lot of concentration to keep it such. At least it does with artifact-granted Wind powers. Since Cynder was born with it, I don't know if that differs very much.
Cynder: Honestly, you're not far off. It certainly does take a lot of concentration at the start. But once you know how the Wind flows, it almost becomes second nature after a while. That length of time will vary from person to person, but the general measure still applies. (To Superman) Got all that, Clark?
Superman: I think so.
Cynder: Alright then, let's give it a try.
Superman: Well, how do we go about that? Between Super Breath and Flight, a lot of what I can already do seems pretty windy.
Cynder: Good point. Try summoning a vortex around you. That's one of the first tests the Guardians gave me.
Zari Tomaz: Though in your case, we'll need to add that you need to be standing completely still.
Superman: Okay, we'll go with that. (Takes a deep breath) Just got to feel completely unbound, like I'm defying gravity.
Zari Tomaz: Great, now you've got that song stuck in my head.
(Taking this moment to steel himself, Superman closes his eyes and focuses on the Element of Wind that now resides inside of him. And sure enough, a vortex soon starts to form around Superman's legs. It starts slowly, but is just enough to be felt and start lifting him off the ground. And Superman, super senses and everything, can feel that he's being lifted off the ground without trying to fly. He knows it's the Element of Wind working, but something in his mind fires off at that point and stops the vortex from working, putting him back on the ground almost as suddenly as he started rising.)
Superman: (Opens his eyes and sees he's still on the ground) Well that didn't do much.
Cynder: On the contrary, I did feel a wind swirling through the room just as you left the ground. It did show itself, it just stopped for some reason.
Zari Tomaz: All in all, for an apparent rookie, not a bad start.
Superman: It sounds like there's still a ways to go though.
Cynder: Not an insurmountable amount, but yeah. Let's take it from the top and see what we can do.
(And as the trio resets to try the exercise again, our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to end for now. So, Superman seemed to take to Wind pretty quickly, but then it just petered out. Odd. Since there's always something psychological that stops the League from using their new Elemental powers at the start, I think that some of you will be able to potentially see what the deal is with Superman here. A little hint, it's one of the most famous speeches associated with him. Don't spoil it if you know, but make of that what you will. Next time, we pick up with Spyro and Supergirl. So, how's that going to go? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!