Taking a breath, Darren now focused as he began his training. With the school year ending, the teen found himself with ample time to hone his skills. Casting a concealment spell in Katie's backyard, the Catalyst closed his eyes as he summoned forth the Dragons Tongue.
Watching the sword levitate in front of him, Darren now sent it to attack the targets he constructed in the backyard. As the mystical katana streaked towards its intended targets, he focused on its movements guiding it as it attacked. Although moving the sword with his mind was impressive, the teen thought he could do more.
"Nice trick."
Darren turned, noticing Katie standing on the back steps, a small smile on her face. "Thanks," he said. "Just trying to get some practice in." Katie nodded, walking towards Darren as she eyed the mystical blade carving it's way through it's targets. "So how are you able to do that," she asked. "It's weird but the sword has always responded to my commands," he said. "Like I can call it to my side at any moment. Still working on it acting independently from me."
Katie watched as Darren’s blade now sliced a target in half before spinning and slicing through another target. "I'd say your work is paying off,"she smirked. "I can't do that with Excalibur." Darren paused, a look of shock on his face. It surprised him that he was able to perform a spell Katie couldn't. In all his lessons with Ms. Yuriko, he listened to the old woman speak of the legendary Katie Carlson. "Seriously," he asked in awe. "I would have thought this would be easy for you."
"Moving things with your mind is more Mary's thing," Katie shrugged. "When I use Excalibur I tap into...I don't know..a divine energy. My magic seems to favor light and holy energies. It's powerful but more like a raw power, like the Hulk. You know who the Hulk is right?" Darren chuckled, some pop culture references may have vanished 80 years in the future, but he was well aware of who the Hulk was. "I'm familiar with him," he smiled. Curiously he now looked to Katie, despite everything they had been through he had yet to see Katie in action. "Umm Katie," he asked nervously. "Do you think you could show me?"
Katie raised an eyebrow, a small smirk spreading across her face. "I suppose," she grinned. "Honestly, with everything that's been going on lately I could use the practice." Closing her eyes for a moment, Katie held out her hand, summoning forth the legendary Excalibur. As she did, Darren could feel Katie and the swords magic wash ovee him, causing him wince. "Whoa," he said in awe. "That's incredible!"
"This is just my magic," Katie stated, causing Darren’s eyes to go wide in surprise. "I haven't even transformed. Check this out." Darren nodded, watching as Katie's entire body began to glow with a heavenly light. The teen watched as Katie's muscles swelled, her body cased inside holy armor as six wings sprouted from her back. As the transformation completed, Katie opened her eyes, Darren gazing at the pools of pure light. "So what do you think," she asked in an ethereal voice.
"Amazing," he gasped, a small smile spreading across her face. "Thanks," she said. "So what do say? Want to train together?" Darren's jaw dropped, his hadn't been as diligent in his training as of late, now the Catalyst wished to train with him?! This was like Ali asking to spar, like Jordan wanting to play one on one, like Brady asking to play backyard football! How often does someone get to train with a legend? "O..okay," he stammered, raising his hand as the Dragons Tongue returned to his hand.
Katie smirked, assuming an attack position with Excalibur as she prepared to strike. After hearing the stories of this future Catalyst, she wanted to see how she measured up to him. With a yell, she attacked, the teen bracing himself against her attack. As she thrust and parried, she realized Darren’s swordsmanship eclipsed her own. Even with the power of Excalibur and her own magic, he was a more skilled swordsman. Obviously, both Akira and Fukushu invested quite a bit of time in teaching him how to fight. When this was over, she would talk with Akira about lessons.
Darren grit his teeth, once more blocking one of Katie's blows. Despite being somewhat faster, Katie's strength was staggering. With each blow deflected, Darren felt as if he was parrying a bullet train. There was also a contrast of styles, Katie fought like a knight of Europe where as Darren’s style was more Eastern, having learned from both Akira and Fukushu. This contrasting East vs West style left the teen confused, giving Katie a slight advantage momentarily. Gritting his teeth, Darren’s eyes began to glow, the teen now useing his magic to push Katie away.
Darren was surprised as Katie's wings now slowed her backward motion, the seraphim knight now hovering a few inches off the ground as stared at Darren. "Wow I'm impressed," Katie said in awe. "You really are as strong as they say."
"I was going to say the same thing about you," Darren replied. "Ms. Yuriko was definitely right about how powerful you were." Katie blushed slightly, thanking Darren as she began to cast a spell. "Appreciate that Darren," she said. "Now, let's see what kind of spells you have up your sleeve." With a motion, Katie now sent a beam of light streaking towards Darren, the boy casting a spell of his own. As both spells collided, both Catalysts grit their teeth, trying to push forward. It was a stalemate, neither spell able to move forward as both Katie and Darren poured their wills into their attacks.
An explosion now echoed through the backyard, the spells energies flying off in every direction. Darren and Katie now found themselves thrown to the ground, dazed by the impact. As they tried to gain their bearings, they couldn't help but chuckle. "Call it a draw," Darren asked. Katie nodded, the young woman laughing before turning towards her backyard. "Oooh that's not good."
Darren turned to where Katie was pointing, his jaw dropping as he saw the aftermath of their training session. Morgan's swing set lay burnt and twisted, smoke slowly rising from the charred remains. "Kellie is going to kill me for that one," she said. Slowly both Catalysts turned to one another, bursting into laughter. Whether it be the present or the future, the Catalysts would keep the world safe.