Jon Kent: Made Of Steel(Superboy Self Insert)

Chapter 40: Chapter 39: Master vs Student.



Whoo! Check out the latest chapter on P@treon for some great stuff. You won't be disappointed.

More advance chapters on [email protected]/Saintbarbido.

-0-

(General P.O.V)

(Mount Justice – Arrival Hall)

The flash of the zeta tube and subsequent announcing of Superman's arrival, reverberated through the base.

Clark Kent, the Man of Steel, stormed inside. His cape billowed dramatically behind him, and his jaw was set like granite.

He was the last of the mentors to arrive, having been busy saving astronauts from a damaged space station.

The sight of nearly the entire Justice League gathered in the main chamber did little to quell his anger.

"Where is my son?" Superman demanded, his voice low but carrying the unmistakable authority of someone who could level the room with a single breath.

Wonder Woman stepped forward, her hands raised in a calming gesture. "Kal, Jon is fine. He's preparing for the Kumite challenge against Bruce."

Green Arrow had given him a rundown of the situation through comms. And while a part of him wanted to go see his cousin Kara right away, he was more concerned about his son's wellbeing.

Superman's eyes narrowed. "A Kumite? You mean Bruce challenged him to a fight under these conditions?"

"It was the other way around, actually," Green Lantern chimed in, leaning casually against a nearby wall. "The kid challenged Bruce- he's got balls of steel that one."

"Why?" Superman growled.

"To keep Kara from being sent to Belle Reve." Wonder Woman replied as they moved towards the training Hall.

Clark's fists tightened. "And Bruce accepted?"

"Kal," Wonder Woman pressed gently, "Jon made his choice. You have to respect it."

"He's my son, Diana, my 14 year old son." Superman snapped "You expect me to stand by and watch him—"

"—prove himself," Powerboy interjected as the League arrived at the entrance. "You need to trust him, Dad."

Superman turned to his other son, frowning deeply. "Connor—"

Connor crossed his arms, meeting his father's gaze evenly. "I've seen him fight. I've fought beside him. He's ready for this. You raised him to believe in himself. Let him show you why you should."

Superman's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he allowed Connor to guide him and the others into the training hall.

--

The training hall was soon transformed into a makeshift arena.

A circular ring had been marked on the floor, the boundaries glowing faintly with energy.

Stadium-style seats floated around the edges, courtesy of Green Lantern, giving everyone a perfect view of the upcoming match.

No one would have expected the Kumite would turn into such a big deal.

The room was filled with members of the League and the Team.

The JL occupied one side of the hall, expressions ranging from excited to quiet confidence.

On the other side sat the Team, their faces filled with worry, determination and unwavering support for Jon.

"This is insane," Kid Flash muttered with a bucket of popcorns, shaking his head as he glanced around the room. "But kind of awesome. Who do you think will win?"

"Batman," Robin said matter-of-factly, earning glares from the rest of the Team.

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Boy Wonder," Artemis said sarcastically.

Robin smirked. "I'm just being realistic. Jon's good, but this is Batman we're talking about. He's on a different level. A Master Martial Artist. Even with his powers Jon would be hardpressed to eke out a victory. In basic terms, he's too whelming."

Green Lantern, hovering nearby, grinned and materialized a clipboard with glowing betting lines. "Well, since we're all so invested, let's make it interesting. Who's betting on the kid, and who's betting on Bats?"

"Always took you for a betting man GL, but I thought you hated Batman?" The Flash asked, stealing Kid's snacks. Too fast for the other Speedster to see.

As murmurs of speculation and friendly banter spread throughout the crowd, Black Canary stepped into the center of the ring, her sharp whistle cutting through the noise.

"Alright, everyone, settle down," she said firmly. "This is a Kumite, a traditional martial arts contest between master and student. The rules are simple: no powers, no weapons, and the match ends when one combatant yields, is knocked out, or steps out of the circle. Understood?"

Batman and Jon stood on opposite sides of the ring.

The Dark Knight was devoid of his utility belt and his spiked gauntlets, the sleeves of his costume rolled up to reveal muscular forearms.

Jon wore a pair of red sun and Kryptonite braces on his wrists, suppressing his Kryptonian abilities.

His movements seemed slower, heavier—a fact that didn't escape Superman's notice.

"This is ridiculous," Clark muttered under his breath, his fists clenching.

"Trust him," Connor said quietly, placing a hand on his father's shoulder.

Black Canary turned to the two combatants. "Are you ready?"

Batman nodded once, his face unreadable.

Jon smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Oh, I've been waiting for this. Let's put on a show."

"Then begin!"

---

Jon launched himself forward, his opening attack a flurry of aggressive strikes.

He used a combination of Muay Thai and Jeet Kune Do, his punches and kicks coming in rapid succession, aiming to overwhelm Batman with a chain of subsequent strikes.

At first, it seemed to work. Batman moved defensively, blocking and parrying each strike with precision.

The Team erupted into cheers, Kid Flash pumping his fist. "That's what I'm talking about! Jon's got this!"

But Robin's voice cut through their excitement. "Don't celebrate yet. His opponent hasn't even started."

As if on cue, Batman shifted his stance.

Abandoning his defensive posture, he transitioned into an offensive style—a hybrid of Krav Maga and Wing Chun—that targeted Jon's openings.

Each blow was deliberate, precise, and brutal, forcing the younger one onto the backfoot.

The League watched with quiet satisfaction as Batman began to dominate the fight.

Wonder Woman nodded approvingly. "Bruce is not playing around. It's a testament to Jon's skill that he's pushing him this far."

In the ring, Jon grimaced as a heavy punch landed on his armguard, leaving a bruise. Batman's longer reach and superior technique was beginning to take its toll.

Every time he tried to counter, Bruce was already two steps ahead, his movements a seamless blend of Karate, Judo, Aikido, and more.

Jon's frustration boiled over, and he switched to grappling, hoping to catch Bruce off guard.

He managed to lock Bruce's arm behind his back and ensnare his feet around his neck. But without his Kryptonian strength, he quickly found himself overpowered.

Bruce grunted, breaking free with ease. Grabbing Jon by the ankle, he threw him off.

Jon hit the ground and rolled up, only for a devastating punch to land on his midsection.

The blow sent Jon flying backward, skidding across the floor and nearly out of the circle.

He collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach as bile rose in his throat.

The room fell silent.

"Get up," Batman said, his voice cold and commanding. "Or was all that talk just for show?"

Superman growled from his seat, voice low but filled with menace. "Bruce."

Jon coughed, wiping his mouth as he slowly pushed himself to his feet.

Black Canary stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "Jon, stay down. This is over."

Jon shook his head, his voice hoarse but determined. "Shut up… I'm not done."

He turned to Bruce, legs trembling, but his eyes blazed with defiance. "I promised to punch the stubbornness out of you, old man. Until I do, this fight isn't over."

Batman's lips twitched into a faint smile. For the first time, he settled into a full stance, his body radiating lethal intent.

On the sidelines, Robin's voice was quiet but reverent. "Now he's serious."

Wonder Woman smiled. "That blow would be enough to break a lesser man's spirit. Rachel was not exaggerating her friend's determination. Superboy is indeed worthy of respect."

Bruce spoke, his voice calm but firm. "You've come far, Jon. I'm proud of your progress. But this will be your final lesson as my student: a lesson in humility. One only taught through humiliating defeat."

Jon grinned, teeth clenched in pain. "And you'll be my stepping stone, Master. The only way to reach the next level is to beat the one who taught me everything. So bring it on."

The tension was palpable.

Black Canary raised her hand. "Begin!"

The two combatants charged at each other, and the room erupted into chaos.

The second bout was a head on clash. The storm of strikes, counters, and grapples was a masterclass in martial arts.

*Muay Thai, Karate, Kenpo, Judo, Aikido, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do*—the techniques flowed like water, two warriors pushing each other to their limits.

Though Jon was holding his own, it was clear he was on the losing side.

Each of Bruce's strikes was faster, sharper, and more deliberate.

But in Jon's mind, he was studying Bruce's movements, dissecting his style with the help of Torquasm Vo, searching for a weakness.

When Bruce landed a brutal elbow to Jon's cheek, the younger fighter used the momentum to spin into a kick.

Batman blocked it despite the suddenness, but for the first time, his expression showed surprise.

The spark of enlightenment hit Jon like lightning.

"Master martial artists move without thinking…" Jon murmured to himself, a smile forming on his lips.

It was the fusion of *Torquasm Vo* (state of mind) and *Torquasm Rao* (state of body).

And now, the real fight began.

---

The Kumite was reaching its peak, every blow and counter echoing like thunder in the training hall.

The spectators were transfixed.

Batman's strikes were precise and calculated, a seamless blend of styles that kept Jon on the defensive.

Each move seemed designed to exploit a weakness, to push Jon further toward defeat.

But something was changing.

Superman left his seat and stood at the edge of the observation boundary, arms crossed tightly over his chest as he watched his son battle his best friend.

His worry was etched across his face, though he said nothing.

A faint pulse of light caught his attention. He looked down at the crystal key necklace carrying Jor—el's AI. He had been looking for a chance to give it back to Jon, the rightful owner.

The crystal shimmered briefly, and then Jor-El's voice emerged, filled with awe.

"Incredible…"

Clark frowned, his brow furrowing. "Father? What's incredible?"

Jor-El's voice continued, tinged with something Clark rarely heard: excitement. "Your son… Jon-el… He has reached a precipice where few have ever stood."

Superman's concern deepened. "What do you mean?"

Jor-El's reply was measured, yet reverent. "The remote scans on his body reveal, he is unifying the disciplines of Torquasm Vo and Torquasm Rao. For a Kryptonian, this is a feat not achieved in over a thousand years."

Clark blinked in surprise. "Unifying the disciplines? What does that mean?"

Jor-El's voice grew almost wistful. "Imagine every cell in your body—every fiber, every neuron, every strand of hair—dedicated to a single purpose. No hesitation. No second thoughts. No distractions. No falsehoods. Only one truth: Full Awareness Control."

Clark's gaze snapped back to the ring, his heart pounding.

In the ring, Batman still moved with ingrained expertise but Jon's movements began to shift.

What had been an aggressive, forward-driving style now transformed into something else entirely.

His stance loosened, his strikes became smoother, more fluid—like water finding the cracks in stone.

Every dodge, every block, every counter was effortless, his body moving in perfect harmony with his mind.

Wonder Woman's eyes widened, her hand tightening on the handle of her sword. "By the Gods," she whispered in amazement.

Black Canary, officiating the match, took an unconscious step forward, her gaze fixed on Jon.

She didn't blink, her breath caught in her throat.

"This is impossible…" she murmured, her voice trembling.

Robin and Artemis exchanged stunned glances, their jaws slack.

"What's happening?" Miss Martian asked. "Jon's mind feels...strange. Like a still pool of water."

Jon's face was set in a blank expression. He didn't blink or react to anything outside of the battle. His eyes remaindd eerily fixed on Batman.

Robin's voice was quiet and introspective, "He's… adapting. He's reading Batman's every move and evolving in real time. I've never seen anything like it."

Jon slipped through Batman's defenses with a grace that bordered on supernatural.

When Batman tried to grab him in a joint lock, Jon twisted into his guard and delivered a sharp heel kick that smashed into Batman's nose.

Everyone winced as Batman staggered back, his hand flying to his face. Blood dripped between his fingers, staining the floor.

"Impressive," Batman said, his tone even despite the crimson streak running down his face. "What style is that?"

He'd taught Jon everything he knew, but now his Student's abrupt change left him confused.

Jon didn't answer. He simply stepped forward, his movements light and deliberate.

Batman's eyes narrowed, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert. Something about Jon's footwork set him on edge.

Each step was unpredictable, making it impossible to determine where the next attack would come from.

So he chose to attack first. With a lunge, he aimed a tackle at Jon's hips. The distance between them was too short for the latter to do anything.

'What?!' Bruce gasped as his hands slipped through nothing. In one motion, Jon had sprung upwards and used a hand to vault over Batman by pushing off Bruce's own head.

'It's not over yet!'

Bruce turned with a spinning kick, only to hit nothing once again. His eyes fell on Jon, balanced on Bruce's ankle!

Jon leaped off it and flipped in an action that would put a gymnast to shame.

Batman immediately listened to his instincts and rolled away, evading an axe-kick that echoed across the whole chamber upon hitting the floor.

Black Canary's face paled, her voice barely a whisper. "That can't be…"

Superman heard her. "What's wrong?"

"That's not just skill." Canary said, her voice trembling. "I almost didn't believe it but now I'm sure. That's… 'ONENESS. Jon is completely centered—free of distractions. It's the highest concept in martial arts known. Not even I have mastered it. I only know of one person who has."

Batman adjusted and readjusted his stance, trying to anticipate Jon's movements, but for the first time in the match, he hesitated and started backing away, his lips curled in indecision.

Superman's jaw was left wide open, as his own enhanced sight on his son failed to find any weak points. Just like Batman.

"How? It's like his whole body is a an hungry void, devouring my perception." he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Jor-El's voice was soft but certain. "Rejoice Kal-el, your son has become the first Kryptonian in a millennium to achieve true mastery of the body and mind. He is no longer simply fighting. He IS the fight."

'I'll switch back to full defense and wait for an opening.' Batman, ever the strategist, abandoned thoughts of attacking. He raised his hands in a foreguard and lowered his stance to protect his midsection.

Jon approached with the same strange footwork, as if gliding on an oily floor.

One step away from Batman, Jon finally made his move. Like a ghost, his punch snapped forward, slipped through the foreguard—and stopped just an inch from Batman's mouth.

Everyone held their breath.

Then, to their shock, Jon extended a single finger and gently poked Batman's chin.

Batman's wide eyes blinked in confusion.

And then he took a step back.

He froze, his gaze snapping downward. His foot had crossed the glowing boundary of the Kumite circle.

Black Canary's voice rang out clearly: "Jon wins."

The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief and astonishment.

Batman looked up at Jon, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he reached up to wipe the blood from his nose.

Jon's blank expression cracked into a triumphant smile. "I win."

The Student stepped back, his calm demeanor returning. The Master straightened, their eyes meeting in the knowledge that the torch had been passed.

"Well done," Bruce said quietly, his voice laced with grudging respect.

Jon took a bow. "Thanks, *Sensei.*"

On the outside, Superman's tense expression melted into one of quiet pride.

Jor-El's voice came again, filled with warmth. "He has surpassed all expectations, Kal-El. He has truly earned the name El."

Clark smiled faintly, his heart swelling. "That's my boy."

---

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.