Chapter 3: First Bonds
A year had passed since the Saiyan pod first revealed Alexander Sterling's true heritage.
Life settled into a rhythm.
Each weekday, Alexander attended Gotham Academy like any other student. He studied mathematics, literature, history, and science alongside children who saw him as the heir to Sterling Industries. After school, he returned home to Sterling Manor, where he spent time with Victor and Eleanor before disappearing beneath the estate to continue his secret training.
It was a balance he had grown to appreciate.
One life belonged to Alexander Sterling.
The other belonged to the last Saiyan.
The underground chamber beneath Sterling Manor had changed over the years.
What had once been little more than an alien spacecraft resting inside a reinforced bunker had transformed into a sophisticated training facility. Holographic projectors lined the walls, gravity generators were seamlessly built into the floor and ceiling, and maintenance drones quietly kept every system operating.
Alexander stepped into the center of the chamber wearing a simple black training gi.
Serah's holographic form appeared before him.
"You've mastered the fundamentals of Ki control."
Alexander smiled.
"I was wondering when you'd finally say that."
"Do not become overconfident."
"I won't."
"Good."
With a wave of her hand, the chamber darkened.
The floor beneath Alexander disappeared, replaced by a projection of endless clouds stretching beneath his feet.
"The next stage of your training begins today."
Alexander looked around in amazement.
"Flight."
"Most beings believe flying is about pushing against gravity," Serah explained.
"It is not."
Alexander listened carefully.
"Then what is it?"
"Flight begins with trust."
She floated effortlessly into the air.
"You have already learned to control your Ki."
"You have strengthened your body."
"Now you must allow your Ki to support you instead of forcing your body upward."
Alexander nodded.
"I think I understand."
"You do not."
"…Fair."
Alexander closed his eyes.
The familiar warmth inside his body spread through every muscle.
His Ki slowly flowed beneath his feet.
Nothing happened.
Again.
Nothing.
He frowned.
"I'm doing exactly what you said."
"No."
"You are trying to command your Ki."
"You must work with it."
Alexander took a slow breath.
Instead of forcing the energy outward, he simply allowed it to move naturally.
A moment later…
His shoes left the ground.
One inch.
Then two.
He opened one eye.
"I'm floating."
"You are."
Alexander couldn't stop smiling.
He remained suspended for nearly half a minute before excitement broke his concentration.
"W-Whoa!"
He tipped sideways and rolled through the air before landing harmlessly on a padded section of the floor.
Victor, watching through the observation window, laughed.
"Much better."
Alexander sat up with a grin.
"I almost had it."
"You did have it," Victor replied.
"You just forgot to land."
Even Serah's normally composed expression softened into a small smile.
Training ended earlier than usual that evening.
As Alexander changed back into his school clothes, Victor waited outside the chamber.
"You've been working hard."
Alexander nodded.
"I like learning."
"I know."
Victor handed him a small envelope.
"Which is why I signed you up for something."
Alexander opened it.
Inside was an invitation.
Gotham Academy Founders Festival
His eyes lit up.
"The school festival?"
Victor nodded.
"They're holding science exhibitions, robotics competitions, and engineering demonstrations."
Alexander smiled.
"That actually sounds fun."
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
The following Saturday, Sterling Manor was unusually busy.
Eleanor adjusted Alexander's tie while trying not to laugh.
"You've grown again."
"I have?"
Victor stood beside them.
"At this rate you'll be taller than me before high school."
Alexander chuckled.
"I wouldn't mind."
Eleanor brushed a stray lock of black hair away from his face.
"Just remember."
"No matter who recognizes your family name…"
"Be yourself."
Alexander nodded.
"I will."
Gotham Academy buzzed with excitement.
Families wandered between exhibits while students proudly demonstrated months of work.
Alexander was immediately fascinated by the engineering displays.
One booth showcased autonomous rescue drones.
Another displayed experimental battery technology.
A third demonstrated robotic prosthetic limbs.
His curiosity drew him from one exhibit to another.
"You've been staring at that engine for five minutes."
Alexander turned.
Standing beside him was a boy with neatly combed black hair and calm blue eyes.
Bruce Wayne.
Alexander recognized him immediately from newspaper photographs.
"The engine's inefficient," Alexander replied.
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"You noticed that too?"
Alexander crouched beside the display.
"The cooling vents are in the wrong position."
Bruce nodded.
"If they reversed the airflow…"
"The efficiency would increase by almost fifteen percent."
Alexander smiled.
"I was thinking the same thing."
The two boys looked at one another for a second before laughing.
"I'm Alexander."
"Bruce."
They shook hands.
Across the room, Victor noticed the exchange.
He smiled quietly.
"Thomas…"
"I think your son just made his first real friend."
The next hour passed surprisingly quickly.
Instead of visiting the games, Alexander and Bruce wandered from exhibit to exhibit discussing inventions, engineering, and science.
"You actually enjoy this stuff?" Bruce asked.
Alexander looked surprised.
"Doesn't everyone?"
Bruce laughed.
"Definitely not."
They stopped in front of an antique telescope displayed by the astronomy club.
Bruce carefully examined the brass instrument.
"My father loved astronomy."
Alexander glanced toward him.
"He told you about the stars?"
Bruce smiled faintly.
"Whenever Gotham's lights went out during storms."
"We'd sit on the balcony together."
Alexander didn't bring up Thomas Wayne's death.
Instead, he simply said,
"That sounds like a good memory."
Bruce nodded.
"It is."
For a moment…
The sadness disappeared from Bruce's face.
The festival suddenly erupted with loud cheers as another competition began across the courtyard.
Neither boy noticed the heavy decorative lighting rig above the main stage beginning to shake…