Meanwhile, Jason flipped through the file Gabriel had given him when one name made his breath hitch, Egoshin.
The moment he saw it, understanding hit him like a jolt. Gabriel wasn't speaking in hypotheticals anymore. Jason's thoughts raced back to Joshua and to the boy he saw, who looked just like him at Joshua's funeral.
Jason: What the hell?! He's Joshua's brother!?
Gabriel: Indeed, he is. His family was insistent that I enroll him, even though it's late. Considering the power he possesses, I couldn't deny that he could be of use to us if we continue training him. So, putting him under you and Lisa's tutelage will help him bring out the results his family is expecting. Though, I'm still not sure about this, considering it's right after Joshua's death.
Joshua continued to go through the files.
Jason: They're sending him to fill his brother's place? And you want me to teach him!?
Gabriel: Yes. After seeing how your students performed in the exams, my faith in your skills has grown significantly.
Jason: (scratching his head) It's definitely a lot to process. But if he's got the potential they said he does, we should give him a chance, right? What's his technique?
Jason continued to look through the file and then when his eyes fell on the technique section…
Jason: WHAT!? You mean…
Gabriel: (nodding) Yes. He has not one, but TWO techniques, making him…
Jason: …AN ANOMALY!?
A sharp knock echoed through the room, and when Gabriel called for the person to enter, the door opened to reveal Eric Egoshin. He looked exactly like his older brother and the moment Eric and Jason locked eyes, recognition struck them both at once.
Jason: Wow. You look just like Joshua.
Eric: Of course I look like him. He's my brother!!!
Gabriel: (chuckled) It seems you two have already met.
Jason: Not officially. I saw him at the funeral and thought I was seeing Joshua's ghost. But I was wrong.
Gabriel: Alright. Seems I don't need to introduce you. (to Eric) Eric, this is Jason Enderby. He's going to be one of your teachers while you're at the academy.
Eric: I already know who he is. My brother told me everything about him. You were his best friend, right?
Jason: Yeah.
Gabriel: Well then, Jason, you can show him to his class where he can meet his peers. Also, when you schedule the make-up battle exams, make sure Eric participates.
Jason: Roger that, sir.
Gabriel: Off you go then.
As Jason and Eric walked to the academy, Jason couldn't shake the awkwardness. Eric looked exactly like Joshua, even wearing similar glasses, and even hung his sword in his waist the same way Joshua did his, which made it feel like Eric was cosplaying his brother. Still, Jason decided to break the silence with a question that had been on his mind.
Jason: (to himself) I guess I'll go ahead and ask. (to Eric) Hey, kid. I'm going to ask the obvious question. Why? Why are you joining the academy now? Admission started back in August. Why enroll now, after your brother's death? Did your family send you to fill Joshua's shoes, or do you have your own reasons for being here?
Eric sighed.
Eric: That's a lot of questions, you know?
Jason: Well, do you blame me for asking them?
Eric sighed again before responding.
Eric: My family wants me to fill my brother's shoes now that he's gone. And since I'm an anomaly with the same potential he had, my enrollment was easy. That part is true. But that's not the real reason I'm here.
Eric suddenly stopped walking and Jason stopped too.
Jason: So what's the real reason?
Eric: My brother told me everything he went through on his first mission.
Jason quickly recalled his conversation with Joshua the day before he died.
Jason: He told you about that!?
Eric: Of course he did. I'm his brother, we tell each other everything.
Jason: (to himself) Seems they were awfully close.
Eric: He told me how he hesitated to take a life, because he believed that not all shadows or people labeled as evil are actually evil. I respected that about him. I decided to follow his mindset. But then… he died.
The air suddenly felt thicker.
Eric: After he died, I thought about his ideals. I realized something.
Jason: (raising an eyebrow) A flaw?
Eric: My brother couldn't take the lives of people, even his enemies. Even when they were evil and tried to harm him. And it got him killed. That was the mistake he made.
He gripped his sword tightly as his face hardened and his voice turned cold.
Eric: But I'm NOT my brother. I won't make the same mistake. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW STRONG THEY ARE. WHEN I FACE THE KAIMI DAJA, I WILL CORRECT MY BROTHER'S MISTAKE AND KILL THEM.
Jason looked at Eric, seeing the serious determination in his eyes, and couldn't help but think of what Joshua had told him about the cycle of hatred. Now, it seemed as though that cycle had come full circle with Joshua's death.
Jason: (to himself) The cycle doesn't seem to end, huh? Even Joshua's death has brought his brother into it. How was Joshua planning to end this cycle?
As they arrived at the academy, they met up with Lisa, who joined them as they walked to the classroom where Takimo and the others were waiting. When the three of them entered, Takimo and the others stood to acknowledge their teachers.
Jason quietly observed the state of his student and heaved a sigh of relief.
Jason: I'm glad you guys are recovering after what happened last week. I know you're all worried about Karla and her situation, but dwelling on it won't get us anywhere. The best we can do is get stronger and watch each other's backs. Understood?
Everyone: YES, SIR.
Lisa: I know it's sudden, but we have a new student with us. (points to Eric) His name is Eric Egoshin, and he'll be joining your class starting today. So please get along with him, okay?
Tendo: Egoshin!?
Kazemaru: You mean like Joshua Egoshin!?
Eric: Yeah. He WAS my brother. (to himself) How many times have I said this today?
Takimo: (to himself) He looks just like him.
Silva: (to herself) He's kinda cute, though.
Rin: (to himself) He's joining the academy to get revenge for his brother's death. That has to be the only reason because enrolling two months late isn't normal.
*******
Meanwhile, back at Benville City Hospital, Dana was in the middle of her daily check-in on Korra Hamura when a strange sensation crept over her. The air in the room felt unfamiliar.
Dana paused, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the lingering presence.
Dana: (to herself) What's this strange feeling? she thought. It's like someone else was here… and these residuals, shadow energy? A Shadow was here!? But who…?
Before she could piece it together, Korra suddenly coughed. Her eyelids fluttered and then slowly, she opened her eyes.