DISCLAIMER:  To own, or not to own?   That is the question.  The Truth, however much it burdens me with heartfelt woe, is, alas – I do not. *swoons*

Little Author Bit:  *recovers from dramatic swoon*  Rightio, this is a second instalment considering the last chapter was quite short.  This one isn't so big either, but uploading two at the same time should make up for it, right?  RIGHT!?!??!   ~_^

Italics are my thoughts – internal and external.
~ Squiggles are my characters thought-speech ~
"Normal Talking Dialogue."
And non-fancified text is my characters thoughts (non-conversational ones.. which can still be picked up by me if I'm listening in – annoying eh?)  and actions, etc.

Voices (In One's Head) by `InSaNe`/Schizophrenic Eggplant

Part 2.  Chapter 6:  Training Trouble.

"For the 100,000th time, NO! Absolutely not!"

I'm stronger than what I seem.

"Not from what I've seen, if you're so strong, why don't you fight against the people who make those rule-thingies?"

That's different.  My mortal physical body is useless, in fact you could kill it in a microsecond.  What  I'm in fact meaning is a solid manifestation of my mental and psychic powers, projected as my physical form, combined with elite strength.  How does that sound to you?  Challenging enough?

"Aaaaarh... you'll just get in the way! I train alone!!"

I've heard That one before..

"So have I! What are you implying??"

Nothing, nothing... come on.. pleeeeeaaaaaaaaseeeeee??????

"I have to be focused!  You should understand that!!"

But...!

"But Nothing!!  Once I complete this battle, I may consider playing with you."  Silence.  Good.  I continue my flight path back to my training quarters quickly, my energy boosted by the revitalising snack.   I hear grumbling.  I can't be hungry again already!!?   Ha.  It's her, grumbling in my head.   I can't quite make out what it is she's on about... ahh.. I shouldn't be worrying myself with her petty complaints. 

I touch down at the entrance to the chamber, sprint past the warm-up facility and into the main training area.  Turning to an environmental-control switch, I program it for 1200 times the gravity of this planet, increasing by 200 increments every 2 hours, setting 3000 to the max if I manage to get that far.  The room gives a hiss as it adjusts itself, the air grows heavier, and the humming lights emit a dim red glow amongst their usual brightness.   I punch in a sequence of buttons to activate my training equipment, and stand stock-still. With a whizz and a click, one tile every 100 rows opens up, and closes again with a puff of hydraulics once the training apparatus has lifted clear of their concealed storage places.   These metal spheres crackle and snick with electrical energy, ready to home in on their target (me) once they sense any sign of movement, as it is with Training Level 1.  I have just adjusted my body to the gravitational force, so I make a move to commence.

You're choosing to play with metal balls instead of sparring with someone who at least resembles a formidable opponent???  And I ask myself, who's the crazy one here?

"Quiet you!! I'm-" realising just in time these spheres are also sensitive to sound as the nearest one rushes towards me, halting 2 inches away from my midsection buzzing ominously, it's shiny surface glowing with tiny needles of electricity which are close enough to tingle my skin.

~ I'm TRAINING!! ~

I see that.

~ You are not to bother me, woman!  Get out of my head and continue with your menial existence. This is not your place! ~ 

I concentrate on putting her in the darkest corner of my mind where all her screams and carry-on won't cause distractions.  

Smiling at the ball, I disappear, using my speed to get to higher ground without it noticing my movements.  Cheating of course by moving so fast, but only due to unwanted interruptions.  Level 1 is more agility training than anything, how to get out of tight spaces without being hit.   I fly along the huge distance, and circle, keeping close to the ceiling.  Dodging the rogue spheres which come flying at me from the boiling mass below, they're starting to become smarter, logging my moves and strategies.  2 speed towards me at the same time, then 3, 4, and 10... which I don't find very difficult as I snake around them, evading the sudden rapid advances of their movement. They increase in number until I am surrounded from all sides, packed in solid.  Every time I twitch even a little bit, they inch closer, their combined hum almost hypnotic.

Looks like you've got yourself in a pickle.  Great. She managed to slip through the barrier I had put up to keep her out, while I'm trying to nut out these spheres.

~ I'd like to see YOU attempt it. ~

You can, if I may spar with you.  How does that sound?

~ Be realistic!  That's not an option!! ~

Fine, get fried then.

~ No chance, I have a plan. ~

HAHA!  This I've got to s-

~ It's got nothing to do with you. Take my advice and leave. ~

I know what your gonna do anyway.  And here's some advice from me.  Take some damage.  It'll make you stronger, you'll see.

~ GET OUT!!! ~

Her presence vanishes for the moment.  I have a feeling which makes me seethe.  She'll be back.

She'll be the one taking the damage..oh yes.  Right, now to deal with these imbecilic spheres of doom.  With as little movement as I could get away with, I muster up some of my energy, and push outwards while screaming "COME GET ME, YA SHITS!! HAHA!!"

## ENERGY DETECTED ##  monotones an electronic male voice over my scream, before I was about to let loose.. 

## INITIATING LEVEL 2 ##  Level 2??  Holy Mother of Creation!! (wait a sec, that's me.. sorta).  Erm.... Level 2... Level...2.. No wait!! That's the ki exercise!!  Well, I'm ready for it..

I power up more as the spheres around me begin to glow and I'm looking down 500 small cannons, one protruding from each ball, all aimed at me and primed to fire pure energy.

"Bring it on then!  I'll show you that I can out-power mere machines!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"  A strong burst of ki radiates from within me, a powerful wall, attempting to break through, and BREAK the spheres encircled around me.  It is met by their reply - 500 beams of energy erupt from the cannons, locking around my wall, trying to get past it, weaken it.  I hold strong, scream again, and rigidly stretch my body out to become an extension of the ki, pushing it out further.  Legs apart, arms apart, fingers splayed.. the light emitted from my efforts and that of the opposing mechanical force is blinding.  Just.. a little.. more..

Looks like your going to get the damage after all

~ How can you say that??  My plan is working perfectly!" ~

Yes, I agree.. if you'd been keeping an eye on the time situation..

~ What do you mean by that? ~

I mean you'll have to do away with the spheres in the next 5 seconds if your using the amount of energy you're using right now, unless you can summon up more in a hurry..

~ And whys th- ~

## GRAVITY INCREASING TO 1400 TIMES NORMAL PLANETARY RANGE IN 4... 3... ##

There's your answer..

.##..2...##

~ You doubt my abilities, girl? HA! Watch and learn.. and then Leave Me Alone!!! ~

##..1.  GRAVITY SUSTAINED AT 1400 ##

I grit my teeth, screw up my eyes, and let out another animal-scream.  Below my level of concentration I sense myself dropping altitude.  I now have to stop myself from slipping any further, as well as keeping the energy beams at bay.  The tables have turned, the silver balls have accustomed themselves to the gravity automatically from their internal programming.   They zero in closer, shrinking my wall, which is functioning as a shield more than anything.  Damn their bolts and circuits!!  I struggle to keep myself level, and dig down to the depths of my energy reserves, focussing and concentrating.. visualising the next wave overwhelming them.  That is my goal.  I shall achieve it. 

I taunt the spheres.  "Come on, closer, what are ya!! Scared?"  I dig deep, the hatred of these stupid suped-up ball bearings is my energy-fuel, planning to lure them in, then BOOM! Ha Ha HAA.

I notice their hum is now mixed with high pitched electronic beeps which I'm certain weren't there before..

## COMMAND ACKNOWLEDGED ##

Oh no, what now?

## INITIATING LEVEL 3 ##