Joel

(Gerard's POV)

The vehicle in front was finished,

It took a lot less time than what he expected, but using one of Spencer's blueprints as a base the process went smoothly.

The vehicle was similar to an old Humvee, it has 3 rows of seats plus a trunk.

The main difference in appearance, was that it had 6 tires and smoother ends. The roof had specially designed sun cells, and most of it has been reinforced with either beast's bones or Spencer's system materials.

They had yet to paint it, so the color wasn't the final one.

Next to him, a guy a head shorter was looking back and forth between the blueprint and the Humvee.

"Everything seems to be in order."

"Let's test it then."

…

Without waiting a second I just hopped into the driver seat.

Unlike your usual car, there were a bunch of extra buttons and handles in the panel.

The indicators lighten.

"Everything seems to be working fine."

I moved my gaze through the different lights identifying each one. This safety and processing system was created by Mr. Ryan and was incredibly complex.

"The battery is half empty."

"That's expected, you will have trouble to charge it during winter because of the weather, if it gets empty you can use the magnetic engine with Hope's help."

I nodded because I already knew that, but the fact that the battery was already at half surprised me.

"How much autonomy time does half battery has?

"About 80 hours, it's supposed to work a week at a full charge, but it will take a lot more to charge it back to full again."

"That's a lot more than the original."

"It's thanks to the electric snake's poison and a weird lizard's scales. The modified batteries are a lot better than what we expected."

We can think of this vehicle as a team effort.

The engine and most of the Humvee was made by me, the gadgets and functions, was added by Joel, finally, Mr. Ryan helped both of us with the electronic and safety measures.

I knew that one of Joel's projects was to make better batteries, but I didn't expect such a big success. And it wasn't the only one I can't wait to try those toys.

As if he knew what I was thinking he stopped me.

"Let's try the basic function first."

In the next few hours, we tried the engine, lights and even made a small trip around the town.

I couldn't help but notice that while trying all the functions Joel seemed to be a little down.

"What's wrong man?"

"Since we finished this it means that Hope and you are about to leave… It just hit me now… that I might never see her again."

"Oh right, I almost forgot, Hope told Spence about you."

"WHAT!! How could you not tell me sooner…? I thought she wasn't going to do it!"

"I was busy with the car. You thought she wasn't going to tell him?"

"I thought that she was just going to leave me in a few weeks…. What did he say?"

"He was mad because you guys hid it for a long time. Really two months? I thought you guys were together just a couple weeks at most."

"Yeah…"

"Well, because of that you are going to have a hard time… Despite what he says you are right now probably the first in line to come with us, but for that, he will test you, your abilities and your feelings."

"What if I fail the test?"

"As long as you don't give up, you should be okay… he wants Hope to be happy with both of us vouching for your abilities, the only way for you to fail is if he thinks that you are just playing with Hope feelings or using her."

"I would never do something like that…"

"I know I checked it with our cat first thing after I knew about you two."

I could see that he wasn't sure what to think about it, but he didn't say anything about it.

"Since you have to prepare for what is about to come, we should go have lunch."

As decided to drive back to the workshop before trying some gadgets in the afternoon. The extra bikes and weapons were the first thing I wanted to try.

"What do you think will be the test?"

"Difficult to say, I knew him from before, so I just basically tried to beat the crap out of him during training, but since he doesn't know you, he will have to actually test your abilities… and then beat the crap out of you."

"You beat him?"

"I tried…"

"I'm gonna die…"

"Nah… but he will be hard on you. Also, don't lie to him… he can read minds."

He got paler than before.

As we approached the garage, a single figure was waiting.

"Ho ho we have a verdict…"

We both went out of the Humvee and Hope approached Joel.

"I have both good news and bad news, which one you want first?"

"Bad news?"

"They are kind of connected so I'll start with the good news are that my bro knows about us and he will give you a chance… the bad news is that you are joining today's training…"

I'm surprised that he hasn't passed out by now.

_____________________________

(Spencer's POV)

After the talk with Hope, we both left the apartment.

I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon in the vortex, I just watched how the "formation" was handling it while thinking of a permanent solution.

While at it, I also used the time to create a few extra Chaos Stones.

Between the reading of the parameters, the creation of the little gray marbles and planning 101 ways to torture my sister's boyfriend during training the day went by quickly.

…

On the rooftop, the group was ready to start the training.

Joel was just a few centimeters taller than Hope, nor thin or fat but without muscles either. With his square glasses and messy brown hair, he was the classic nerdy guy that you could find in any library… well, Hope did find him there.

Even though I want him to suffer a little, I have to train him for real if I want him to be able to protect himself.

We started the training, but I didn't talk to him for now, I need to know his current state before creating a plan.

The guy seemed nervous, and Hope kept a close eye on me. G could see through me and knew that the more I ignored the guy the more nervous he became.

Despite the fact that I made it as if he wasn't even there, I was constantly evaluating him.

From a physical point of view, I think even Dana is better than this guy. Before we finished warming the guy was breathing heavily, making clear that exercise wasn't his strong suit.

I made eye contact with G, and with it, he knew what I wanted.

He went over to the guy and stopped him from making the mistake of overworking himself. Joel was reluctant to stop, but G gave him simple exercises.

Joel went over the training at almost the same length as ours, but not as hard. Against all odds, he managed to stay on his feet till the sparring part.

"Joel, come here."

I'm sure I saw him tremble a little and can't help but feel better about it.

"I suppose Hope told you that we finish the training with a spar."

"Ha…Ha… yes, sir."

He said with his ragged breathing.

"Good start."

I started without using any powers, he charged at me with an unrefined style and tried to hit me. I easily deflected his punch and with a kick in his leg, he fell forward.

"Don't run like an idiot stand up and do what you just learned."

He tried to stand up as fast as he could and

As if he just recalled that he learned some new movements he changed his posture. I moved forward and attacked slowly pointing constantly his mistakes.

It was a short spar and he was on the floor most of it, but I think he learned a thing or two.

I walked at him as he was standing up again and for the first time, I locked my eyes with his.

"This will be your training from now on… it's just going to get harsher. Are you okay with it?"

He didn't answer with his mouth because he was busy breathing, but didn't lose time to nod with his head.

"Good, this is just a small condition, now before getting to the tests, tell me what your real intentions with my sister are."

At that moment I released my Fear inducement.