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Post by DornKoon on Oct 6, 2024 20:54:26 GMT
"Well, that was familiar," Sun Nao commented after Diana stopped them.
He took a moment to stretch his arms and legs. Keeping himself limber was essential to growing stronger. Wukong had done similar things before, sparing without the son being able to land even a single hit. Yet, he had always been stubborn, so he would not let it get to him.
"Sounds good to me; maybe I can land a hit on my father that he will feel. Oh well, one of these days." He grinned, thinking about punching Wukong in the face hard enough for him to feel it. "I also know a few other martial arts styles. Father says it is vital to fight and combine styles. Like you do, I saw some nice Krav Maga there. I'm working to perfect my Monkey Staff style, but it is one of the most difficult martial arts one can master."
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Post by Countess on Oct 9, 2024 14:31:32 GMT
Diana chuckles a little shaking her head. "Hopefully this won't be too familiar. Took me years, decades to get a hit on my aunt," she says, hands on her hips as she thinks of where to take this. "It takes time, practice, and learning how to read your opponent," she says. "It takes a good fighter to make the moves, it takes a master to read them in others," she says. Her thoughts stray to a woman far greater than she in these arts. To learn anything from her would both a blessing and a curse...
"I know the style, not what I would use on a day to day, but it has helped me in the past," Diana murmurs. "How about we start with Muay Thai? Have you had any training in it? I think you would benefit from the style," she says, already getting in a neutral stance. Her knees bend a little, arms close but not too close, body ready to move at a moment's notice. It is a more fluid, but brutal, style. A lot of knees and elbows.
"Do what I do..." Diana starts, showing him the most basic of moves, and for the next few hours, she has him repeat it, over and over and over and over...
"Alright, alright, I've tortured you enough," Diana says, time passed and she making sure to work him to the bone like her Aunts and Sisters had done with her. She never said she would be kind in her training, but she certainly won't push him harder than he can truly handle or hurt him. That's not the point of this.
Diana pulls out her phone, shooting a text over to Johnny Storm. The man is getting his apology, and Sun Nao is getting context. "Physically, that is. I've got someone for you to meet, formally," she says, smiling a bit. Johnny gets the address across the street from the Sanctum, rather than it proper. Diana doesn't want to get Stephen in a tizzy when a fan boy keeps showing up.
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 9, 2024 17:18:30 GMT
"Well, I've been training for several years by now," Sun Nao said, rubbing the back of his neck with an unsure smile. "I did mention time is weird at my Father's place. I can be there for several months, and it won't have been more than a few minutes here when I return. I mean, I was a somewhat unfit kid before all this, never did much training, I liked reading..." He paused, looking at his clearly defined physique. "It was a challenge to hide how I got visible abs in the span of what seemed like a few minutes, and you know, the tail." He sighed. "Dad was rough those first months, training, eating, sleeping, more training, and so on. The monkeys were nice, and so was the food."
He drifted off for a moment, thinking of the delicious food on Flowers and Fruit Mountain before he forced himself back to the present with an awkward smile.
"No," he replied when asked if he had done Muay Thai before, "But I trust your judgement, let's do it."
Sun Nao did as instructed, following Diana's movements. He did not complain when he was asked to repeat them over and over. The movements were not too alien from what he was used to, so he quickly took to them but continued to train them all the same. What the young demigod lacked was not raw power because he had that in spades; what he needed was experience and technique.
"Wowee," Sun Nao exclaimed, falling backwards into the grass. "I think I just found some new muscles because they hurt." He said, but the tone of voice was not that of a defeated person; it was excitement. He glanced as Diana pulled out her phone to text someone. He could not tell who it was, but he did raise an eyebrow when she mentioned meeting someone formally. "The Museum of Ice Cream down the next street. Do you want us to go there?"
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Post by Countess on Oct 9, 2024 17:30:59 GMT
Diana only finds herself growing more and more fond of Sun Nao. He is a good kid, truly, and he wants to do good. He has wisdom, heart, determination, and an ability to look at adversity and laugh at it. Stephen has done well with him, his parents more so. He is still just a child, however, someone who needs to learn from mistakes in a constructive way. This is one of those times.
"Sounds like the perfect place to meet him," Diana says with a great deal of amusement in her tone.
"Jonny- Greetings. I have someone I wish for you to meet, and for he to meet you. Meet us at the Ice Cream Museum in New York City. Be cool," is all that she texts, a giggle threatening to surface.
"Hard work deserves a sweet treat," Diana says, putting her phone away. "Come on- I've never been. Show me the way?"
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 9, 2024 18:10:35 GMT
"Be cool? Be cool?! Damn, that's so good, Diana!"
Johnny grinned at the text as he flipped his phone away, sticking it into a pocket of his unstable molecule suit. Wonder Woman needed the Torch. That was official, he had the text to prove it. Wait until Valeria and Franklin heard about that! Johnny checked around him, and clenched his fists together.
"Flame on!"
Fire wreathed his form as he took off into the air. Navigating New York wasn't hard from above, and he saw the ice cream factory opposite some old dilapidated building. He dropped from the sky, and flaming comet as he descended, coming to a stop on the pavement outside. Johnny put his hands on his hips as he looked up at it.
"Ice cream, huh. Wonder if they've got a decent flavour. Mint choc chip, or something."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 10, 2024 14:53:51 GMT
"Great, well, that's settled." Sun Nao said, getting back on his feet. "Not far from here; Doc and I get Ice Cream from there all the time." Sun Nao sauntered from the training room, leading as they left the Sanctum and walked onto the busy street. It was a short walk there so that it would take them just a few minutes. Sun Nao glanced at Diana as they walked down the street towards the Museum, rounding the corner with the building getting into view. " So, uhm-- who exactly are we meeting?" Diana did not have to answer, Sun Nao looked up and saw the familiar shape of flames drop down from the sky, landing on the street just outside the Museum "Oh, yeah-- him." The demigod mumbled. "Good thing their Ice Cream is the best..."
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Post by Countess on Oct 11, 2024 1:18:59 GMT
The scene that Johnny drops down to is that of Wonder Woman, very much as Wonder Woman and not as Diana Prince, with the young monkey man from recent events. Her hand is on his shoulder, almost like a mother might in situations similar to these.
"Johnny! It is good to see you," Diana says, lifting her other hand in a wave. They are getting a good deal of attention, but thankfully a flaming man tends to deter people for a moment. Just... a moment. "This is my student," she says, looking down to Sun Nao. "Sun Nao," she adds, opting not to give the boy's given name from his mother. Let him have some privacy. "Sun Nao, this is Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. You had something to say to him?" she coaches a little. She looks up to Johnny, something kind and gentle in her eyes. She had told him to be cool, after all... this, along with the ice cream, might be why.
Diana only wants them to put this in the past. More than that, she wants them to be able to talk about what happened over ice cream. Conversations lead to understanding, which in turn gives way to empathy. She has no doubts in either of them, truly, for they are both kind people. Perhaps this can foster a friendship. She will be sure to later tell Johnny he is a student of Stephen Strange, as well, and they are not to interfere too much, so the sorcerer did not feel the Justice League was inching in on his turf. But... Johnny was utterly not a part of what happened with June Moon. Perhaps... another bridge can form.
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 12, 2024 15:21:34 GMT
Johnny turns as Diana approaches, but his smile froze as he lay eyes on Sun Nao. Well. This was a surprise. He raised an eyebrow as they approached, noting the kid's reluctance. Johnny recalled his words when he had helped Gorilla Grodd, and the harsh words on his tongue retreated back.
"Hey, Diana! It's amazing to see you too, did you do something with your hair? It looks outrageously fantastic. And the classic Wonder Woman garb, it's timeless, always a winner."
Johnny gives her a wink, though his attention is drawn back to Sun Nao. While Diana meant her words for the boy, it was Johnny who spoke up first.
"Sun Nao - I know we had a misunderstanding. I'm sorry for making you think I was going to hurt the gorillas. Truth is, I love animals. I've never been a big zoo person, either. I know they're useful for those sciencey breeding programs and teaching people about the natural world, but... I've been around the world and several universe's, and I've never found a happy animal in a zoo.
"I can manipulate my fire to a hair's breadth. I'd never have hurt any of them, not even Grodd. But I understand you might have thought it. So... are we cool?
Johnny offered a hand, eyes glinting with kindness, a genuine smile on his face. He didn't hold amnesty against someone who was just trying to do the right thing, even if his actions aided a true Supervillain. If he was good enough for Diana, then he was good enough for Johnny.
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 12, 2024 15:46:11 GMT
Sun Nao watched as the two grown-ups exchanged their greetings. If he had hoped Diana might have forgotten him, that was quickly squashed as she asked if there was something he had to say to him.
However, Johnny spoke up first. Sun Nao listened, eyes darting to Diana a few times before looking at Johnny again. When she said he would have to apologize, he did not think it would be this soon. He watched the hand offered; his readiness to forgive made Sun Nao feel even worse.
"I--" He began, pausing... "That is--" Finally, he sighed, "I'm sorry, I have this habit of acting without thinking. When I talked with Grodd, his words seemed to make sense. It's not like he controlled me; I know I'm too powerful for that to be an excuse. I don't understand why an ape of any kind would be-- bad. Humans are evil, not monkeys-- most of the time." There was a pause, and after another deep breath, Sun Nao accepted the hand. "Yeah, we're cool. It's just... if what Diana says is true, we do have a problem."
He glanced at Diana before looking at Johnny. He had been thinking about something, but he was not sure how to deal with it or if it was even a problem. It could be important, and so the best thing was to be honest and just say it.
"Grodd knows about me now and seemed keen to learn more. My disguises don't work on monkeys and apes; they can look at me, and no amount of magic will hide who I am. That's why all those tiny monkeys were desperate to get to me at the Zoo."
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Post by Countess on Oct 13, 2024 1:24:04 GMT
Diana grins at Johnny, unabashed in her confidence. "You speak the truth," she says, simply, accepting his compliments. "Battle always looks good on me," she says, briefly touching her hair. It isn't a self-conscious move, but an appreciative one.
"I think this deserves ice cream," Diana says, looking between the both of them once they have both said their pieces. She's proud.
For Johnny, to call him ally. It was big of him to reach out first. Sun Nao is, ultimately, a child. To recognize that and act as the adult instead of digging in his heels and holding it over the kid's head... it means a lot to her. It means even more about him. They had never really spent time together before like this, even when she and Sue had originally attempted to see what relationship could grow between them. While she had never sought him out, she also had not avoided him. She looks forward to having him at his side. Of course she had before, but now... seeing the content of his character in such a small way only enthuses her.
For Sun Nao, it is the pride of a teacher. They have only known each other a very short time, and at every turn he impresses her. If he remains on the path that he is, especially under the tutelage of Stephen, he will become a fine young man. Perhaps they can work together in the future, when he is older and more aware of the workings of the world, they can free all monkeys, apes, and other animals from cages. It would be her pleasure and honor. It was not that long ago that humans kept other humans in zoos. It will simply take time, advocation, and generation shifts in attitudes. They have nothing but time.
"Gorilla Grodd is a hero to his people, I imagine," Diana says, a weight to her words. "A hero to apes. When perspective changes, many of the those we endeavor against could be seen as a hero. What makes him, in the grand scheme of things, a villain is his willingness to hurt, destroy, and kill that and those he deems inferior. This world is big enough for all of us, but instead of meaningful change and cooperation, he only wants to burn what he sees and doesn't want a part of his vision. That is why we work against him, Sun Nao, not because of beliefs we agree with, but methods we know are wrong," Diana says, hoping to make an impactful insight onto the young man.
What concerns her is potential interest Gorilla Grodd may have in him. She had told him, "The greatest lesson will come after all of this, and you will look back on this physical pain fondly. Mark my words." What she had meant was the guilt and responsibility he may feel and bear once Gorilla Grodd acted once more. If the psychic ape were to truly use him... It would be terrible for the boy. She exchanges a look with Johnny. Looks like Grodd went to the top of her list of concerns. Unlike Johhny, she has no qualms hurting Grodd. None at all.
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 13, 2024 16:38:20 GMT
Johnny's handshake is firm and warm, and he grins as Sun Nao takes it. The kid could grow on him. He had a good head on his shoulders, a kind heart. Of course, if what he's saying was true, then they certainly did have a problem. A big, gorilla-sized problem.
"Well, ape or not, Gorilla Grodd isn't your friend. He's looking to take over the world and rule over it like a tyrant while enslaving mankind. He's not a friend of monkeys, apes, or anyone."
Johnny nodded at Diana's words. Ice cream. He grinned again, the tension melting away like... well, ice cream. He nodded towards the museum as he began to walk towards it.
"So, you're a... what did you say? Monkey Prince? And Grodd wants to use your powers? Which, I gotta say kid, are pretty fantastic, and you wanna bet that I know what I'm talking about in that department!"
Johnny jabbed a thumb at his chest, forgetting that the emblem was a flame now, rather than a 4. It took getting used to. He looked towards Diana as he walked through the museum entrance.
"What can we do about that?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 14, 2024 10:32:38 GMT
Sun Nao nodded. The ice cream sounded good. As the three walked to the building, he listened to Diana and then Johnny.
He did not say it, but what she told him about Grodd sounded like many humans, even countries. Still, it did not feel like now was the right time to get into philosophy, and he had, even if unwittingly, let a criminal escape. Sun Nao felt terrible about that, even though he was unsure how to fix it.
"Well, yeah," Sun Nao replied, feeling a little embarrassed at the praise. "My father is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Also known as The Buddha of Victorious Fighting." He paused, recalling what Grodd had said in their short exchange. "I think I was an unforeseen complication; I got the impression he did not want to stick around, most likely because if he had, I would have figured he was-- sus." Sun Nao shook his head. "I know my powers are impressive, but they can be annoying too; I keep breaking things on accident, and I worry I might hurt someone. It's like the world is made of... glass. Nai Nai had to enchant my phone so I don't accidentally break it." He opened and closed his hand a few times. It was almost daily since his powers awakened, locked doors torn open because he did not feel they were locked utensils. It was all well and good with a divine body, but it was also a stress source. "Sorry, not like that's your problem."
The teenager did not notice the look the two adults were exchanging, even though he heard Johnny's question. The inside of the museum was incredibly pink, and it took just a glance to figure out it was a dominant colour in the entire building.
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Post by Countess on Oct 14, 2024 12:45:18 GMT
Diana had been pondering this for a the scant few moments they were speaking with one another and walking into the museum. One of her many gifts, her thoughts can move as fast as her body. It has enabled her in the past, and it does so now. She is no Stephen, with his uncanny abilities, but this... at least sets a foundation.
"I believe we need to speak with Doctor Strange, Johnny," she says, nodding. "This is a threat the Justice League has faced in the past, and it would be all of our honors to help. Overstepping would damage the relationship that is starting to heal between our factions. I dare not presume anything, dare not suggest to him he is incapable of protecting his protégé, and dare not go behind his back with what I think is best for Sun Nao," Diana says diplomatically. It does not bother her to act this way, instead of simply acting. Cooperation is key in these instances, especially when it was unilateral decision making that had hurt Stephen so much all those years ago. "I understand if you would like for me to handle this, Johnny. Doctor Strange is very distrustful of the Justice League... The conversation we had recently showed it would take more time for him to be open to such collaborations. If you like, working with Oracle and Flash to make a dossier on Grodd might be most beneficial. It can give me something to present the Sorcerer Supreme, so that he can act on his terms and not ours," she finishes. Her lips quirk upwards. More than once, she could see her friend tugging at his goatee in thought in her mind's eye. She has certainly crashed into his life once more, hasn't she?
And to think, it was all because of a chance meeting in a museum.
"Control comes with experience, I am afraid," Diana says to the young man. "It took me years to find a way to work with my abilities and not at them haphazardly. I know there are multiple videos of Johnny's mishaps," she says, looking over to the flamed hero with a smile. She was lucky film did not exist when she was growing up. Still- there are some amphoras and embroideries her mother holds dear, depicting her more silly mistakes.
"What would you two like? It is on me," Diana offers, looking around with a growing sense of glee. She is trying hard to remain the adult here... But there is something childlike in her eyes now, a wonder as she glances about quickly, trying not to run off like... well, like a kid in an ice cream museum.
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 15, 2024 19:46:23 GMT
Johnny paused to consider the boy's problem. He looked at Sun Nao, and a smile crossed his face. Powers that he never asked for that caused him every day dramas? Johnny had written the book on that. He put his hands behind his head, non-chalant, as they entered the museum.
"The first time that my powers appeared was a long time before Mister Fantastic had made the Fantastic Four gear. It was in San Francisco, and I would up burning all of my clothes off on the Golden Gate bridge. It was all over the news. That happened... I want to say a dozen more times before we got our unstable molecule suits."
Johnny grinned as he gave Sun Nao a wink.
"You'll learn the extent of your abilities. It takes time, but it sounds like you've got a pretty great teacher in Diana."
He paused again to listen to Diana. Johnny only knew fragments of what had happened between Darkwatch and the Justice League, but to him it sounded pretty stupid. What was that stuffy wizard so upset about? If it had been him, Johnny would have just taken June Moone on a date and got to know her. Sure, Enchantress had tried to dominate the world and plunge them into an endless nightmare, but maybe she was just lonely? He grinned to himself. Johnny had been on some exotic dates, but not with a witch before.
"I can to that. I've got an idea of that ape's abilities now. If that's what I need to do to help the kid, then sure."
Johnny observed the flavours of ice cream that presented themselves. There were a lot... and he couldn't help be drawn to the themed section. Come on, he had to have one. Johnny frowned as he scanned the names... and groaned.
"Oh, no. "It's Cobblerin' Time?' Ben Grimm gets a damn cobbler flavour ice cream, and they don't even have a Human Torch flavour? Choccy Storm? Johnny Straw-m-berry? Ugh. I guess I'll go for the Superban-offee one."
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 15, 2024 22:02:03 GMT
"Yeah, that's what Nai Nai said too," Sun Nao said, feeling that was what all the adults tended to say, which was not helpful. He listened to Johnny's story. "Yikes, I only ruined my pants the first time when this came along," he waved with the tail, tapping the large bead of jade adorned it. " And a few more since I tried to hide it... thankfully, I have not harmed anyone with it yet. It took some time to get used to it. It felt weird at first. Like growing a new arm... but not the same."He nodded. "Fair, I guess; I've not tried to find the upper limit of how much I can lift yet; mainly been training martial arts, meditation and magic." Sun Nao had little to say about the Justice League relationship, and he knew that Strange had a very strained relationship with Doctor Fate. "Doc mainly dislike Doctor Fate, and didn't he also fuck you guys over?" Sun Nao asked, " Or that's what Salem said, but the cat talks a lot, so I'm not sure what to trust." He looked at the different flavours, and he stifled a laugh when Johnny complained about not having ice cream for him. It would make sense for the Museum to have a whole section with superhero-based ice creams. Sun Nao had just never tried them; it felt odd somehow. He could go with the peach, which he often did, but at the same time, maybe trying something new could be nice. "I'll go with the Sprinkle Pool Sundae. With Banana Pudding, Dutch chocolate, and Homemade vanilla." 
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