Flash Sentry The Spectacular Spider-Man Issue #3: Welcome to Tokyo (REMASTERED)

He awoke at 4:50 AM. No Sun outside. Still just pitch black.

The noise of Flash's alarm woke him up. He groaned in annoyance, the last time he had to listen to an alarm was over a week ago. And he still didn't miss the sound of it. He slowly sat up straight. Reaching for his phone which was playing a looping tune over and over.

Finally answering the Alarm he sighed. This was it, this was his first day doing Marital Arts. Why he had to do it at 5:00 in the morning, was still a mystery to him. But nonetheless, he made it in and that's kind of all that mattered to him.

He moved his legs to sit on the edge of the bed. He sighed, "How am I gonna pull this off successfully?"

He opened up Google Maps. Luckily from the night before, he had downloaded the area so he could get to it without any connection.

He glanced over to his door. Getting up from off his bed and starting for the door he looked for any locks. He sighed. Speaking quietly. "No locks. How convenient." He leaned against the door and crossed his arms. In his head, he had a few ideas. Though he kept discarding them.

• Keep the door shut with some webs
• Barricade the door
• Use a laptop and phone to start a video feed of my room and then set up a dum--Oh yeah I forgot, no internet. And My Laptop's broken.
• Not go at all and forget this whole thing

He sighed. "Yeah if that were ever an option. Firestar would probably get all mad at me." He stroked his chin. "And it's not night time so I cant pull that whole, jump from building to building thing either."

Then his eyes widened. Looking over to his bag. For a moment his face went smug, "But Spider-Man can."

But just as fast as the idea came. So to did the objection to it. "Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait! Wait! I'm supposed not be doing that. And minimize Spider-Man's appearances here. So I guess that's another idea discarded."

He sighed, "I actually have to be common and walk. Or Jog. Or Run--Yeah maybe running would be a lot faster." He walked towards his bag. Opening it up pulling out a standard black hoodie and his signature ESU hat.

"Oh yeah. I should probably take a shower when I get back or something."

He pulled the hoodie over himself and put the hat on his head. He looked back at the closed door. Sighing. "Let's hope I'm not held up for too long." He opened the window. Looking down at the street, the coast was clear.

He took a deep breath before heading out and diving for the sidewalk. Landing on both feet. Looking around he let out a relieved sigh that no one had saw him.

Taking out his phone, he followed the blue waypoint to his destination. Well rather, beelining it all the way there. Running as fast as he could.

It took him five minutes less than last time but he made it to the same alleyway in which the Dojo was located. At the same time he was also late by Five minutes. In other words, it was 5:05. Flash didn't sweat it though. He entered the establishment. Opening the already unlocked door and walking inside.

He walked into the dojo room itself. There, he saw Akira-Sensei sitting criss crossed. In front of him was a small table with a black cast iron kettle and the same black tea cup. He was sipping tea. Upon hearing Footsteps, he greeted Flash. "Starting your fist day off on a tardy note I see?"

Flash shrugged. Chuckling, "I'm only five minutes late."

"Time is a very vital factor in a daily life. Is it not?" He set his cup down. "Each second that passes is unique on it's own. It is never retainable. Anything could happen in just one second. "

Flash scratched the back of his head. Arching an eyebrow. "Uhh...Okay. Soooo, are we going to get this started or what?"

Akira Sensei chuckled. "Oh we will. But...before I do, I must do me a great favour. So you can become my student."

Flash, who'd been slouching at that point. Stood up straight. Intrigued a little. Enough that he responded quickly "What do I have to do?"

Akira Sensei raised his right arm up, stopping it when it was straight. He pointed to his right. Gesturing for Flash to look in the direction. Flash did so, turning his head to...…..

….To see a broom leaning against a wall.

His mouth loosened up. He glanced at the Teacher who was merely chuckling. Afterwards, staring at him intensely. Eyes narrowed and lips curved to be a smile. Flash's head tilted a little to the side.

"No, No, No, No N--"

Flash was sweeping the floors with a broom. He had a very annoyed expression on his face. He glanced at Akira Sensei who was merely sitting. Watching Flash sweep the floors with a grin to his face. Flash let out an annoyed sigh to the scene, questioning the teacher.

"Why am I sweeping the floors huh?" He asked. "This doesn't seem like a Great Favour. Now does it?"

"Oh but it is." He replied. "It is a Great Favour for me that is. Not because you are cleaning my class. But because I have a great show to watch. Not so much so bad comedy....but. It's in it's own category."

Flash stopped sweeping. His mouth hung open and his shoulders dropped. Staring at Akira Sensei with dumbfounded eyes. "You're enjoying this?"

His ominous chuckle return. "Quite Possibly. But...think of this as a small workout before your class. It is good to get active before taking on tasks. Helps focus."

Flash, was about to argue. But, realizing that he really had no time to waste. He stopped himself. Merely opening his mouth, no words coming out of it.

A few more minutes passed but eventually. Flash finally got done sweeping the floor. It promoted Akira Sensei to get up. He analyzed the floor that'd been swept by his new student. Nodding. No more, no less.

Flash meanwhile thought he did a 10/10 job. So much so that he wanted to hear it out of Akira Sensei. Asking him just to get the benefit of the doubt. "I know I know. Pretty good huh? How'd I do?"

"About as good as my Father." Flash formed a toothy grin. Putting his hands behind his back and looking all victorious of himself. Until he got the final grade from Akira-Sensei. "Terrible. he never swept a floor in his life."

Flash's whole expression changed in an instance. His shoulders dropped, he slouched and his mouth hung wide opened. He mumbled, "Terrible."

Akira Sensei sighed. "Nonetheless. I did say I'd take you in as a student. So this session has officially begin.

Flash stood up straight again. However, one thing was still on his mind. The duration. Before anything happened, he quickly asked Akira Sensei. "Umm....Akira Sensei. How long will this take?"

Akira Sensei responded in an instance, "What is the time?"

"About 5:15--5:16ish."

"Then We shall end at 6:20." He asserted sternly. "Anything else?"

"Umm...." Flash shook his head. A gesture that he was done.

"Good! On with the class then!"

Flash was a little surprised by his sudden change in demanor. A second ago he was pretty nonchalant. Now he was downright Ms. Harshwhinny level stern. And Flash thought that was impossible to be. "Man. Talk about getting down to business."

He slowly paced back and fourth. "Young O'Conner. When I watched you, it was clear you had no stance. The stance is a fundamental to any style of Martial Arts. And even with that, there are five fundamentals you must remember. He Introducing the five fundamentals. "The six are as follows. Balance A Relaxed body. A Straight Back. A Tight Core. Proper Foot placement and to breathe. It is with that, you're stance will be on point. Each of these have their own purpose, and each are very important in their own way."

Flash nodded with an understanding look. Prompting the teacher to go forward. Putting emphasis on each fundamental.

1. "Balance! It is the fundamental for every Style of Martial Arts. Without Balance, you will always have flaws with fighting. Offensively and Defensively!"
2. "Relaxed Body! A relaxed body is very important. It ensures smooth movement and quicker reaction times. Always remember to Relax!"
3. "A Straightened Back! A stance is no good if you do not have a straightened and aligned back! If you lack that, then you're stance will be off base and very, very flawed!"
4. "A Tight Core! You Abdomen must be tight. So you can control your own movements while in a stance.
5. "Proper Foot Placement! Foot Placement is the base of your stance. You must be on the balls of your feet. It will distribute even weight to both leg and give you better reaction time!"
6. "Breathing! Breathing is a vital! And, it'll help you keep a proper stance!"

Flash's back slouched. "Man I have not had to memorize something since last month! And damn, this is a lot to take in!"

Akira Sensei slowly got back to pacing back and fourth with small walks. "For now, you need four. Charyot Sogi, Joon Bi Segoi, Gunnun Sogi and finally Dwi Kubi Seogi! Attention Stance, Ready Stance, Walking Stance and Back Stance. I will call out each and explain to you their importance."

He began circling Flash. Putting his hands behind his back. "The first stance we will focus on will be the one you will always stand at the beginning and after these classes. And that is the Attention stance. You must follow my callings very intently to perfectly reciprocate the stance." He stopped walking right in front of him. "You must spread your feet apart and keep them parallel to form a 45 degree angle, let your first drop down naturally, bend your elbows slightly and form relaxed fists. You must keep your head up and maintain a straight gaze. When I say 'Charyot'. You must stand in exactly that stance understand."

Flash, very unsure of himself. Slowly nodded.

So Akira Sensei took a deep breath. Before yelling at the top of his lungs. "Charyot!"

In-turn. Flash immediately did exactly what he remembered from all of that. Spreading his legs out, letting his hands drop down, forming two fists and bending his elbows. Meanwhile keeping a very surprised expression on his face. Needless to say, he completely got it all wrong. And Akira Sensei could tell.

He began circling Flash. Critiquing him. "You're feet aren't spread wide enough." He put both hands on his shoulders. "You've clenched your fists too tightly! Your elbows are too bent! and you head is angled slightly down, more than it should be!"

Flash sighed. "Note to self. Maybe pass on far fetched suggestions that your cousin gives you."

Akira Sensei could clearly tell by that sigh that Flash was irritated. He smirked. "Do you not recall the statement I made about Discipline? The one from last night?"

Flash arched an eyebrow. "W-Well yeah."

"Well. What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't enforce it?"

"Uhh…"

"A terrible one!" He proclaimed. "So, in order to teach you better. I must really strike your nerves. And be very strict with you. For your best interest that is."

Flash's head titled to the side. "Okay? Sooo...What exactly--"

"You shall keep trying until you perfect it!" Akira Sensei Asserted. "Now again!"

Flash sighed. "This-This is gonna blow so hard!"

"Step closer!"

"What is it Mr. X?"

Meanwhile, Serpent's presence had been formally requested by Mr. X. The reason, he had an upcoming assignment for him and wanted to tell him in advance.

"So, you managed to finish the assignment from last night successfully. Or so I've heard." Serpent nodded. Prompting the shadowy silhouette to lean forward and rest his elbows on his desk. "Then I can trust that you can advance through your next assignment with no errors."

"What do you want me to do."

"I want you to ponder about this." He instructed. Then proceeding to give some details about the mission. "Do you remember that undercover cop from years ago? The one that took out a strong affiliate for the Yakuza?"

Serpent took a moment to ponder about what Mr. X was talking about. Then it hit him. "You're referring to Jacob Latterman? Aren't you?"

"He's made another return into Japan and he's here in Tokyo. According to some contacts. Why he's come back is unknown but we cant take any chances on letting him live."

"So you want me to kill him is what you're saying."

"It has been planned out already. In a few days, we will orchestrate a setup at the bridge. You will be at one of the towers, playing the most pivotal role."

"That would be?"

"Sniper. After the whole incident two days ago. My ability to trust you with a close, face to face confrontation has diminished."

Serpent sighed. "Look I-I know it was a one time thing. But it wasn't entirely my fault. I--"

"Don't want to hear it." Mr. X interjected, "If you somehow get this done. Without messing it up, then my trust will be reinstated with you. But until then...."

Serpent sighed again. Nodding. "Yes sir." He turned the other way. Starting for the exit. "Man this blows. Hate Sniper."

"Charyot!"

Flash reciprocated exactly what was expected out of the attention stance. His feet spread to form a forty five degree angle. He formed relaxed fists and let them drop. All while bending his elbows slightly. His expression was different than half an hour ago.

For that whole time, he'd been practicing the one stance. Either messing it up or getting super close. There were moments where he thought he'd never do it. Moments where he felt like his head was gonna explode. and moments where he wanted to go home. But nonetheless. He managed to finally perfect it. That and a little more.

"Joon Bi!"

Flash changed course. Moving his left foot a bit more apart. Then, moving his fists up slightly so the were at his waist level.

Akira Sensei smirked. Still circling the student. "So far you've proven to be a lousy student. But somehow young O'Conner. Somehow you've managed to get down two stances." He stopped right behind Flash. "That's more than my classes full of children. With a very young demographic."

Flash arched an eyebrow while still maintaining the stance. "Man this guy has a really odd way of teaching a class. Or one student for that matter."

He walked around Flash and stood in front of him. The next two stances I will teach you. They will be just as crucial as the other two. Watch carefully. Pay attention!"

Akira Sensei took a step back. Taking a deep breath, he went through the first two stances. Stopping at the Ready stance. Mirroring Flash. He explained to Flash. "This is where foot placement is the most vital. For this stance, you foot placement must be proper. So you can evenly distribute weight to each."

In the stance. He moved his left foot forward, at least by one shoulder length. Then, moving his back foot to make it a 30 degree angle. Evenly distributing weight to each foot. "You must move your left foot forward by a shoulder length. Then, turn your left foot to create a 30 angle degree. Stand on the balls of your feet and keep your attention at me. Now, go!"

Flash narrowed his eyes on the teacher. "Okay...Okay. You can do this! I mean I messed up the first two times....and then had to practice for like---IT DOENST MATTER! It Doesn't matter." He moved his left foot forward and started turning his right foot. "I just gotta do this. I just gotta do this."

"Your over one shoulder length." Akira Sensei observed.

In his mind. Flash groaned in annoyance. "COME ON!"

"So...You know the drill. Don't you?"

Flash let out a very heavy sigh. Going back to his normal actual posture. He went through the first two stances again, then giving the Walking stance another go. Only for him to be critiqued by Akira-Sensei again.

"Now you're under one shoulder length. Again!"

Flash did exactly everything he just did the first time. Giving the Walking Stance a third go. But again, only for him to be critiqued by Akira-Sensei.

"Oh, you moved you shoulders up a little. Again!"

So Flash attempted it again. And again. And again. And again.

It was already an ongoing cycle. Flash makes an attempt at a new stance. Messes it up, tries it again until he gets it right. "Okay he's definitely enjoying this!"

And well, Flash actually made a correct assumption about the Teacher. As in Akira Sensei's mind. This was truly bad comedy. So much so that it was amusing. "This is bad comedy! So much so that this is amusing!"

Eventually after a good few minutes. Flash finally got the stance down. As the Sensei stopped critiquing him. Akira Sensei chuckled. "Hey that was your fastest time. I thought it'd take you the rest of the class to figure out that one."

"Well....I'm a fast learner."

Akira Sensei looked at the clock. 5:47 AM. They'd been at it for a good half an hour and they had approximately 40 minutes left.

"Okay, Break time!"

Flash rose an eyebrow. "Break time?"

"Yes. All this teaching has made me hungry. I think I'm going to go to a café nearby."

Flash kinda liked the sound of that. He was a little hungry after all. But to be sure, he asked Akira Sensei. "What about me?"

Akira Sensei chuckled. "Hold on there. I'm your teacher. Not your parent. I'm not buying you breakfast.

Flash's eyelids lowered a little from the response. "Figures." But that still left one question unanswered "So then, what am I supposed to do?"

"Oh, you elect yourself to want to do something." He smirked. "Then I have another great favour for you."

Flash's eyes widened. He immediately protested against it. "Wha--I just swept the floors! Come on I am not doing that again."

A mischievous grin grew on his face. "Oh...you're not sweeping the floors again."

Flash's expression changed. He looked confused and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not?"

"Oh no...I have something much more intense in mind."

Flash looked even more confused. "Uhh…."

Flash was sitting. Criss-Crossed on the floor near an outlet. In front of him was a short portable wooden ironing board. Holding an Iron and ironing Training Gi's. He didn't look so enthusiastic about it. His face was blunt as he looked down and kept ironing each multi coloured Gi.

"Note to self. Come to this thing early next time. Maybe you wont have to do two of his great favour's in one day!"

Akira Sensei again entered the Dojo after picking himself up a great breakfast. He walked in with a pretty nonchalant attitude. Only getting more better to see Flash Ironing the Marital Art Uniforms. "Ahhh. The Sound of Ironing. Music to my ears."

Flash gave the Teacher a blunt stare. "I'm starting to sense a trend here."

"Indeed." Akria Nodded. "But I gotta say you're the not that lousy with Ironing."

The comment managed to get a chuckle out of Flash. "Secret Identities tend to make you learn a lot about clothing."

"So what exactly are we supposed to learn after I get all this done?" Flash inquired. Looking back down to iron

Akira Sensei smiled. Nodding. "More Stances"

Upon hearing the two words. Flash stopped ironing. His eyes widened and he made another glance at Akira Sensei. "More Stances?"

He nodded. Clearly seeing the disbelief in Flash's eyes. Knowing that the whole thing would make him baffled. Flash's shoulders dropped. This really was gonna be a long class.

"HATE! HATE! I HATE IT!"

It was 9:45 AM in Tokyo. Firestar sat in Flash's room as he reflected on his first day of Martial Arts lessons. Firestar raised a finger up while she continued to talk to the Teenager. "Well we have to start somewhere, right?"

"I'VE BEEN DOING DIFFERENT STANCES FOR ONE HOUR! ONE HOUR!" Flash emphasized, "I didn't even learn any fighting moves it was just STANCES! Like the uh...Oh! LIKE THE FIGHTING STANCE OR-OR THE HORSE STANCE!"

"Okay...So you're mad about this whole thing."

Flash let out an angry chuckle. "Oh You have no idea kid."

"Hey things will get more interesting down the line. You just gotta hang in there."

Flash sighed. She was most likely right and he was probably just getting a bit in over his head. "I don't think I've ever felt more tired in my life."

"Well we gotta make sacrifices?" Firestar chuckled. "Right?"

"Yeah I guess."

Then a knock came at Flash's door. It caught the two off guard and completely surprised. They both looked at each other a little panicked for a moment. What if someone had heard the whole conversation. They stood there frozen for a few seconds.

Then, Thunderstar called from the other side. "Flash? Can you open the door please?"

"Uhh….Yeah! Coming!" He slowly got off his bed and hesitantly moved over to the door. When he stopped and stood right there. He nervously gulped. Praying that his Aunt didn't hear a word that they said. "Please Life. Please just give me some luck. Just this once!"

He opened the door. His eyes widened. He looked spooked. His shoulders dropped and he muttered only two words. "Oh no."