PSIonic Gladiators part 6
"Free-For-All," part 2
Everyone wants that moment where they can show the world their stuff. Show the people around you what you're made of. To do something meaningful. Ninten likes to think that's pretty natural for people to want. He used to be a real sickly kid. Got sick easily, couldn't really participate in sports too much or else his asthma would act up, and he felt so frail. He felt like he would be that way forever. Unable to really show the world what he was capable of. He wanted to be stronger. He wanted to surpass his limits, be more than his own limitations. He hated having to be forced to watch after his little sisters who were secretly given instructions to watch after him as well. He often had to stay home not able to go out just to mess around. Even injuries, cuts, and bruises took forever to heal at least to him.
So when the fateful day his powers started to come in. He felt exhilaration. He wanted to break limits and he felt the first step was taken. Granted his lamp attacking him wasn't his ideal first step, but he took it all the same. He went on this crazy journey to meet friends, discover secrets about his family, and a connection with the world he never had before. He finally ventured out into the world to allow himself to be who he wanted to be. Growing stronger and stronger. It was odd, he never developed any offensive powers, which meant he was regulated to physical attacks. Despite that he learned how to use defense as offense. He learned how to get stronger on his own. Then one day, the sickness just faded away. The best he could describe it was a PSI Illness that had lasted the entirety of his life up to that point. It was so unbelievable. Suddenly he wasn't that sickly boy anymore. Suddenly his asthma bothered him less, although he still carried his inhaler with him just in case. Suddenly, his body was so much stronger then he could feasible understand.
How does a kid go from barely being able to throw a baseball, to shatter boulders with his bare fist!? His PSI powers enhanced his physical abilities tenfold maybe more. It was an experience that he thrived in. Allowing the world to finally see what he can do. It annoyed his mother that he was always trying to workout using her car. He could run, jump, play sports, and everything the other kids could do. But then he was back to regulating himself. He went from trying to break his limit, to trying to regulate himself! The ironic twist wasn't lost on him. But he still relished in the moments where he could cut loose. Where he can finally test his true limits. After all he was a limit breaker.
Now, he's on some alien world far from home. With two kids he barely knows but he has to protect. Their strong, skilled, and although Ninten misses his own friends by his side. He's glad to have these two with him all the same. Fighting off an endless wave of enemies that won't stop until a certain number of competitors have been killed. The three of them aimed from the three of them to be in that set number. Ness sees this as a point of survival. Lucas sees this as some strange chance to be a self-sacrificing idiot.
Ninten sees this as a chance to break through his limit.
"RRAAAGH!" Ninten yells out lurching forward at the monstrous robotic quadrapedal robots. They're easily larger than the boy about ten feet tall up close. They looked smaller from a distance. The hounds single eye went from red to blue as they all began moving. They didn't make a sound. The only thing heard was the thunderous roar of their footsteps as they come charging out the portals MC created. As he said the creatures appeared endless as the lives of a few competitors were claimed in only a moments notice.
But Ninten doesn't bother to care. He swings his fist hard, thriving on the chance to cut loose. With one punch it's head goes flying off after pieces of its head are shattered on contact. They all simply come in lunging in at Ninten. Ninten follows through throwing powerful jabs at each lunging mechanical beast. Each blow shattering an enemy. Ninten will admit sometimes he goes on a combat high at the chance of being able to cut loose. He keeps punching as more and more of the mechanical monsters rush him. One locks its jaw on his shielded fist. Ninten inserts his fist into its chest then tears the robot in half before jumping up to jackhammer another into the hard floor. Each of his blows shattering the Quadra pedal monstrosities. He turns quickly with a roundhouse knocking away another before delivering an uppercut into the now shattered jaw. Before turns back to the one he kicked grab it by the face to push its face into the hard ground.
"Ninten!" two voices yell out to him through his mind and verbally. He pauses and at that pause a barrier surrounds him just as a pack lunges at him scratching at the shield with their five inch claws. Ninten pauses starting to come out the haze of his combat high.
"The hell are you doing!?" Ness demands grabbing his shoulder roughly. Ninten almost turned around to slug Ness out of instinct but he suppressed it. But he did however jerk his shoulder out of his grip. It was lucky Ninten even managed to keep the telepathic link open during all that. "You doing that was not part of the plan!"
"Sorry, got a bit carried away…"
"Carried away!? You started screaming before you jumped in to start tearing away at those things. Lucas and I had to chase you down to make sure you didn't run off without us."
"Alright, Ness I get it. Like I just said, I got carried away, moving on before those things tear through the barrier."
"What! You can't just-,"
"He lost himself to the fight. We were backed into a corner for a second there so he did save us." Lucas points out trying to be the peacemaker in the situation.
Ness lets out a loud sigh, "Well from Ninten's brief display there and after playing a good amount of video games. I think these things operate off of aggro."
"Aggro?" Lucas asks thoroughly confused with the term.
"He means the one who's drawing the most attention in the fight. The more of those things you take out the more that will come after you."
Ness nods curtly, "Exactly, only a few came our way. But the more Ninten destroyed the more and more that were coming after him. A few of them would've tore your throat out if it weren't for Lucas and I!"
"Geez, if you're going to keep whining I wish it had…" Ninten retorts.
"Let's just stick to the plan."
"Barrier is fading…" Lucas mutters. As he said that a particular hard hit creates a crack in the shiny light blue barrier. Ness and Ninten break eye contact to see they are completely surrounded on all sides of the dome. Ninten clenches and unclenches his fist, clear excitement at being outnumbered. Ness frown at him before taking a moment to think of their options. However, Ninten didn't bother waiting for a strategy. He leaps toward the barriers edge to punch straight through it and into the chest of a lunging beast. Ninten broke out the barrier to begin letting his fist to start flying again.
That was one of the drawback of such great physical might. It was such an exhilarating feeling to tear any and everything apart in your way. The feeling of being invincible, nigh unstoppable in the wake of anyone. It was a feeling that could quickly overcome Ninten. So much physical power with limits he has yet to truly reach. But this time he tries to reel in the feeling now so he doesn't leave his comrades behind like last time.
"I'll aggro them to get their attention. You guys get some distance and I'll fight my way back to you!" he communicates to them telepathically.
"Ninten that is not a strategy!" Ness quickly retorts.
"…He is breaking those things apart pretty easily. I can't concentrate fast enough to break them apart as quickly as he is."
"My physical attacks can't break them at all either…" Ness says in slight irritation. "But that doesn't mean we leave Ninten to his own devices. Lucas charge up one of those PK Loves. Clear a path for us so we can get out of this crowd. These things are practically bearing down on us!"
"Okay," Lucas responds crosses his forearms together as PSI begins to charge up.
"Ninten at least fall back to us to help me cover Lucas!" Ness exclaims performing a high kick into the side of a claw that tried to tear off Lucas' face. Then Ness quickly turns around blasting another with PK Rocken, only in a quick beam form from his hand, that only knocks away the mechanical beast. It was damaged but could very easily rejoin the fight. Ninten wordlessly joins them even though it went against what he was trying to do himself. With Ninten and Ness quickly moving around keeping the machines away from Lucas as he charges his next PSI attack. All of Ninten's blows shatter the monsters to pieces. Ness now more focused could unless quick PSI charged moves that could at least destroy a few, but only one at a time while not at the pace that Ninten was destroying the hounds. Ness and Ninten rapidly move around dishing out fast and powerful blows. Ness was quicker to move around the small circle they created.
"Get behind me!" Lucas orders. "PK Love γ!" Lucas fires out a shot of crystal blue psionic energy that rushes forward tearing apart everything in its path. It keeps going until it reaches the edge of the arena which creates a large explosion.
"Alright let's move!" Ness quickly scoops Lucas up tossing him onto his shoulder easily surprising the dazed boy. The two of them quickly dash down the cleared path while the robots were still scattered and trying to regain their bearings. Luckily, this also successfully cleared a large portion of them away. Also while the beam was traveling it uprooted a lot of rubble while also creating a rather large dugout. Ness quickly dives in with Ninten following dropping a larger piece of rubble in front of the hole. "Ninten, can you make us a shield?"
"Sure thing," Ninten responds creating a dome shield around the three of them. Ness returns Lucas back to his feet.
"Sorry I kinda snatched you up without warning ya. I figured you'd be a little dizzy after that attack and we needed to move fast," Ness apologizes this time without using the telepathic link.
"I-It's fine, I-I get it…" Lucas stutters out. Ness had gotten pretty used to the lack of stuttering on the telepathic link he was surprised Lucas stuttered a bit while talking. Maybe verbal conversation just makes him nervous. Ness lets out a small chuckle at the thought.
"If we wanna stay hidden maybe we should stick to telepathy," Ninten advises glancing up to see more of the mechanical creatures prowling around. "Not exactly out of danger yet…"
"Fair enough. So anybody have any ideas on what we should do now?" Ness questions.
"We could try and hunt down the other remaining contestants." Lucas points out. "Not necessarily kill them ourselves, but help make it easier for these hounds to take em out."
"Geez that sounds so dirty…" Ness says with a clear frown.
"Well if the fighters who are left are anything like Ninten that may be what we need to do."
"What the heck does that mean?" Ninten questions with a deadpanned look aimed at Lucas.
Lucas quickly waves his hands nervously, "I-I just mean th-that you looked like you c-could keep fighting those things all day!"
"Well I guess that's fair to say. You were going nuts on those things Ninten. What was all that?" Ness asks.
"It was just a brief combat high, that's all. Being able to cut loose every once in a while, it's kinda relieving. Especially since it feels like I live in a world made of cardboard most of the time."
"Is that why it's so hard for you to be gentle?" Ness questions.
"I guess…" Ninten shrugs. "But you shouldn't read too much into it. I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again. It was just a really crazy rush. Anyway I think we're getting off topic. You sure pick the worst time to have these conversations Ness. Shouldn't we stay focused?"
"We're catching our breath. Lucas needs a few to recharge, you to catch your breath, and if I don't stretch I feel a Charlie horse coming on." To illustrate his point Ness stands up to reach down and touch his toes. He holds for a few moments before moving into a running stretch.
"Maybe we should focus on healing injuries. Who has the best healing here?" Ninten asks.
"I have PK Lifeup and PK Healing," Ness answers.
"Same," Ninten responds. "Lucas?"
Lucas flinches slightly at being addressed but speaks up anyway, "I'm pretty good at healing. I have PK Lifeup and PK Healing too. I have the omega level strength of the spell."
"Cool, I only managed to get to sigma, think you can freshen us up a bit Lucas?" Ness asks as he sits down to perform a sit and reach stretch.
Lucas only holds out his hand as a cyan light begins to shine from his hand. This must be PK Lifeup, because both boys begin to feel relief flow through them. The soreness, injuries, and bruises they suffered were lightly healed up.
"Wow, my healing was never this good. I could mostly just heal a few scratches, sprains, and muscle soreness. This is really great Lucas!" Ness exclaims looking his hands over.
"Why didn't you heal yourself?" Ninten immediately points out sharply seeing that none of the injuries Lucas has sustained were healed.
"Healing moves aren't really great mid combat, especially when healing yourself. It's easier to focus it on others."
"That didn't answer my question."
"You two are the ones doing most of the fighting. It's more important you guys are okay. Besides the healing affects are worsen if I spread it three ways. Tactically, it's the better option."
"Well tactically us carrying you around makes you dead weight. Heal yourself too."
"I just used a lot of PSI, like Ness said I need a minute," Lucas quickly responds and turning away from Ninten gesturing the discussion was over. Ness decides to reach out towards Lucas to use his own PSI to heal Lucas. Lucas quickly reaches out grabbing the wrist before an ounce of his power could be used. "Stop it, you need to savor your strength."
"Why won't you let him heal you, why don't you just heal yourself?" Ninten demands growing more and more irritated with Lucas' confusing actions. Only a little while ago Ness had to forcibly heal Lucas now Lucas won't even take that.
Before the probing could continue the mechanical beast tear into their hideaway. The rubble crumbled within moments around them as they start to claw at the shield. Ninten's Powershield is very powerful, stronger even than Lucas', so a number of beast couldn't create a crack in it. Ninten sent a glare in Lucas' direction signaling the conversation wasn't over. The three boys jump to their feet and Ninten shrinks the shield until it again covers his arms. All three leap out fighting through the machines. Ness summoned his guitar to unleashes a multi-string combo of multi-colored psionic blast that lash out seemingly randomly. This time his attack smash apart bot by boy. Lucas uses alpha level of PK Love in order to unleash multiple bullets of PK Love, one at a time from each hand in rapid succession. Swinging out a barrage from each hand. He could break a few if he hits them in weak spots, like their joints, throats, and into the legs. Ninten had need of little tact as he easily digs his fingers into the metal shredding it to pieces like they were wet paper towels.
Suddenly, one of the bots shoots out a laser beam from its eye. This took all of them by surprise. It was aimed at Ness but the boy was quick to side step the attack using his outside leg as an axis to spin on. However, it found a new target tearing into Lucas' shoulder. Lucas yells out in pain. He about faces firing a PK Love at the suspected enemy who fired at him. This PK Love was aimed precisely taking the head right off the shoulders. Also to be spiteful he fires another to destroy what remained. Lucas sighs, but the moment his body relaxes slightly the pain of the harsh burn on his shoulder grabs his attention. It was clear that it hurt quite a lot, even if the smell of melted flesh wasn't enough.
"Lucas are you okay!?" Ninten calls out clearly concerned.
"It was just a graze…"
"Your shoulder is smoking!"
"Focus on the fight!" Lucas responds raising his uninjured arm to create a PSI Counter as another laser attack strikes out. The laser reflects into another bot. It was easy to see the robots were starting to use different methods. The barrage of laser fire being scattered around the battlefield illustrates that perfectly. It was, also clear to see that these things weren't playing anymore as possibly not enough contestants have died quite yet. It was made even more stressful as MC has gone quiet. It's rather disconcerting how quiet the talkative alien decided to be all of a sudden. Maybe he thought it was even more stressful to not announce anything that was going on, on the battlefield as it happens.
Ninten couldn't be bothered with what was going on with MC or the other contestants. He was focused on making sure he survived. That all three of them survived. But one thing was for sure, he had allowed the feeling to overpower him again. Before they set foot out in this place, his job was to protect Lucas. To keep him safe. He's now failed to do that twice. In fact, Lucas has done more to keep Ness and Ninten safe then he has. The most frustrating part of that, is Lucas probably doesn't even see it that way.
Ninten needs to focus up. Instead of feeding his own battle lust he has to focus on keeping the people around him safe. All this strength doesn't mean anything if he can't at least do that. He throws a beast over his shoulder then stomps on its face crushing it under his converse. He leaps into the mosh pit of hounds morphing the barrier around his arms to create a bat. He bashes in the head of a robot on Lucas' right. He wraps an arm around Lucas while swinging his impromptu bat in a backswing as he turns.
"Ninten, what are you-?"
"My job, remember? I'm supposed to keep you safe, not the other way around!"
"Ninten, I'm going to slow you down. You two can fight on your own fine. Just focus on yourselves. I'll be fine."
So that's what all this was. Lucas feels that he's holding them back from surviving. That they can only move when Lucas is able to. That they can only go at the pace Lucas sets since he's physically the weakest and slowest among the two of them. He's powerful, flexible in a fight, but not trained on endurance battles. Especially when he can pretty much one shot most people. Ninten isn't the least bit discourage as move stays close to Lucas keeping all monsters at bay. Even as the laser fire from the center eye focuses on the three of them.
"I got an idea, Ninten, launch me into the air!" Ness exclaims.
"What?"
"Just do it!"
Ninten dispels his bat as he cups his hands. Ness steps on his hands, and in response Ninten grunts at the effort of launching Ness into the air. "Time for a guitar solo. PK Rocken γ!" While in the air Ness summons his guitar then begins strumming a guitar solo the likes of which began raining down a multi-color storm from the sky. Actual musical notes begin ringing out the guitar as Ness strums along to a song only he knows. The multi-colored lights came down as streaks of PSI energy. The streaks of light lash out destroying a few of the dozens of robots surrounding his companions. "Ninten, ya might wanna create a barrier for this next one."
Ninten follows the instructions as he creates a barrier around himself and Lucas. Ness lands on the barrier created strumming a final note. The concussive c note blast created is able to cover a 360-degree area that knocks back and destroys every hound that had dared to come close. Ness performs a backflip off the barrier to unleash one final note to destroy anything left.
"Whoa, that was quite the solo act there," Ninten remarks dropping his barrier. He walks over to help pick Ness up after he had fell to his knees after the attack. "You okay?"
"Won't be able to do that again. Going to need a little bit more time to recover after that."
"Should we move again?"
"Yeah, try and find cover and heal ourselves up," Ness responds pulling away from Ninten to stand on his own.
"Guys, these things are starting to act strange," Lucas points out. As the blonde says that the quadrupedal robots began to stand up on two feet. Becoming bipedal robots with knees pointing inward, and now the front paws are clawed hands. The singular point on their face charges unleashing a barrage of laser fire. Lucas jumps up holding his hand up to create a PSI Shield. The energy attacks bounce off the shield to destroy the robots that launched it. It was only a moment as the three boys are again swarmed again within a moment's notice. Now the robots' attacks were less predictable, reaching out with claws, laser blasts, and they even acquired energy shields that deflected Ness and Lucas's PSI attacks.
"Lucas stay close to me!" Ninten orders trying to hold back a five hounds that try to overpower him at the same time. The robots are trying to separate the three of them. Ness was forced to only dodge now, unable to throw in attacks of his own as exhaustion was starting to show in his movements. The beasts' claws slashing at him tearing into his shirt, his arms, and knocking him to the ground. Panic was beginning to overcome the three boys. As they found themselves surrounded on all sides.
Even Ninten was starting to panic. The combat high couldn't drive out that feeling either. The glowing robotic eyes that swarmed him. The emotionless barrage of attacks that kept coming, each one aimed to kill. Every breath he draws could be his last. The dread began to seep in, and the reality that his strength may not be enough. That cutting loose won't be enough. The robots were beginning to dodge his blows. He was starting to get slower. He was starting to become predictable. They were starting to strike back harder. The longer these fights went on each one they manage to destroy another more powerful version took its place. Ninten manages to block a claw slash with his arm covered barriers. But another reaches to grab him slamming him into the ground. Ninten launches himself forward tackling another bot in pure desperation. He grabs its jaw and jerks the head right off the shoulders. He turns sharply to use the head as a makeshift weapon to break into the shielding put up by another hound. A crazed frenzy of quick moments, with his life that could be taken at any point in time, at any moment. If he moved too slow, if he raised his arm a second too late, if he didn't notice an opening at the right time, or if all the above didn't happen. He would be dead in seconds. He tries to ignore the soreness, the pain, the blood starting to leak into his eyes. His lungs were beginning to burn and the fact was. He wanted to cry. He wanted to cry because he was tired and he wanted a moment to rest. He was feeling his body start to give out. He could only imagine what Ness and Lucas were feeling. Ness was quick, but he couldn't take as much punishment as Ninten could. However, at the very least Ninten could see Ness moving. Ness was restricting his movements to quick last minute dodges. Dodging and countering. He struck only trying to push back or gain a foothold in the fight. Ninten could hardly see Lucas, but he could hear the boy crying out in pain from time to time. He demanded Lucas to get to him, he tried to move toward Lucas, but it was if Lucas was moving away from him. The swarm was growing more savage the eyes going from blue back to blood red.
Then Ninten swallows his fear. He swallows it down. Because he realizes that it isn't just his life that may be lost. It could be Ness' or Lucas'. It could be his planet, his home, his family, and friends. It could be everything he's ever loved and cared for. With that realization he realized that who cares if his body is starting to give out. He had PSI for a reason. The power of the mind. He drops the barrier around himself to concentrate on healing now. His strength still worked, but he would succumb to physical injuries much easier now. But that didn't matter. He had to keep his companions alive. They could only make it through this chaos if they worked together. He felt teeth sink into the skin of his arms Tearing into the muscles. He yells out in pain but the yell transformed into one of rage. He tears of the jaw that dared to bite down on him. Then sinks his fist into the torso. Using the dented torso as a blunt weapon bashing into everything that was in front of him. He reaches Ness first lunging in to tackle a robot that tried to dive him in his blind spot. He tears out the insides of the robot before turning around to deliver a powerful haymaker. The great strength he pulled into that punch created a powerful blast of wind blew away and destroyed a small platoon of robots. Ness gasped in shock but thankful for the moment to catch his breath. Ness casts a PK Lifeup on himself, but as Lucas had mentioned using spells like that on yourself in mid-combat hardly did much anything. All it did was alleviate some muscle soreness and making the bleeding in certain areas stop. However, that was all the boys needed for the moment. They just had to keep going. They had to keep fighting. Ninten and Ness didn't waste time with telepathy as they move toward Lucas. Lucas incased his back in a barrier as he unleashes quick fire PK Love attacks with one hand from his good shoulder. His injured shoulder was still very much a problem.
What bothered Ninten though was how distracted Lucas appeared to be. His head glancing from one spot to the other. As if he was trying to ignore the robots coming down on him. Trying to ignore the cuts, the bruises, the bites, and the lasers. Lucas wasn't going to last long before he collapsed. Ninten lets out a loud roar again to jump up and come down with a double hammer fist drop. He strikes the ground to deliver a strong shockwave. Ness follows up with a telekinetic push that throws a few hounds back opting not to use stronger PSI attacks. However, Lucas still looks unfocused with his eyes flying back and forth.
"Damnit Lucas!" Ninten cries as he sees a robot shatter Lucas's shield that was covering his back. Lucas pays it no mind though, as his eyes move toward Ninten's direction. Lucas had time to respond, he should've felt his barrier weakening, or he could've respond with a PSI attack. However, Lucas ignored that fact to take in Ness and Ninten. Lucas raises his hand to create a barrier around Ness and Ninten for some reason. He ignores the claws that dig into his back probably moving to impale him further as it grabs Lucas's only good arm. Ness cries out in horror. However, Lucas grits his teeth as Ninten notices that a powerful charge of PSI had been built up into Lucas' other hand. He only noticed it because it was just now coming to the surface. Lucas yells out his attack throwing the arm up with a fist clench. Like before he unloads it like a powerful shotgun blast that Lucas' barriers just manage to protect Ness and Ninten from. The powerful shell went sailing by clearing a path and stopping behind them before exploding. Lucas collapses right after the attack. "Lucas!"
Suddenly a buzzer rings out all around them. The droids stop in their tracks all at once. Lucas was about to be killed by a set of impalements but all of them stop. Ninten gasps confused and thrilled all at once. Suddenly a holographic banner appears in the middle of the stadium blaring at what appeared to be confetti.
"Congratulations meatbags, you have all made the cut. Whew, I could tell that it was getting pretty dicey out there wasn't it," MC's voice rings out as he appears above the carnage. "You have all made it as participants in Warrior's Madness! Congrats, now I'm sure some of you are going to need medical attention which rest assured will be coming your way. Just as soon as we clear out all the bodies left behind on the arena. But until then enjoy this brush with death, you'll hopefully be having those quite often if I have anything to say about it."
Ninten was confused, how did things just end like that. Coincidentally right after Lucas' last attack. Ninten looks out towards the trail of Lucas' last attack before he fainted. That's when he notices the prone body on the ground laying in its path. The prone body with a large gaping hole in their chest. Ninten looks over to Ness who had been looking at the exact same thing. They both take a small gulp at how last minute that had really been. Ness volunteers to carry Lucas back as the robots, that were only a few moments ago were trying to murder them, were now guiding them back to their rooms. They field dressed any life threatening injuries they had for the moment like Lucas' wound on his shoulder and back. Ness had a rather serious one on his left leg and arm. Ninten for the most part was fine since he had his barrier covering him for the majority of the fight. He only had a serious bite wound that needed to be disinfected and wrapped up. They would've done this themselves but their powers were shut off the very second the fight was decided. The adrenaline was still coursing through their veins so they hadn't even noticed the sudden sap of strength until they started to come down from it. Ness even started to struggle carrying Lucas on his back because of it.
Once the three boys were back in their cell/new home. They collapse on their carpet floor. Each taking in the moment to come to terms that they had survived that hell. That they had fought with everything they had, together, and they had made it out alive. Together.
Ness lets out a small laugh before speaking, "You were amazing out there Ninten…" Ness mutters from his spot on Ninten's right.
"Careful…that could be taken out of context…" Ninten mutters lowly as exhaustion starts to bite at his bones now that he could lay on something soft. Even if it was cheap carpet.
"I've never seen anyone fight like that. Seen anyone literally take on an army like it was nothing. Honestly…I got distracted just watching you go at it…"
"Oh…you almost bit my head off before though…" Ninten points out.
"Mostly because you were showing me up you jerk…"
At this both Ness and Ninten let out a hearty laugh. It was strange but Ninten felt a stronger connection to Ness after this. The two of them kicked ass. Ness might be selling himself short a bit in Ninten's opinion though. Ness was moving to cover both Lucas and himself throughout the entire fight. He was watching the entire teams back as everyone fought freely. It was like having a super speedy guardian angel. They all would've been dead within moments if it weren't for Ness. It's at this moment Lucas moves to stand up, somehow regaining consciousness on the way back to the room. He wobbles on his feet before he drags himself over to the far side of the room ignoring the beds. Seeing Lucas do that made Ninten's blood suddenly boil. That brief anger gave some form of strength as Ninten also manages to get to his feet again. Sensing something amiss, Ness sits up, but it's clear that his legs can't hold him up anymore.
"Lucas," Ninten begins. Lucas turns to Ninten only to be punched in the jaw knocking him to the floor. Luckily this was a depowered, post exhaustion punch. Ninten was even so tired he ended up falling after it as well, but the effect was still the same. He stares at the ceiling as he yells, "What the hell was that!"
Lucas turned his face away from Ninten, "I'm sorry…" a sniffle. "I had been…keeping track of everything that was alive…I know we said we wouldn't…but you guys were getting hurt…I sensed them there…I…I…I just acted. I'm-."
"No not that," Ninten quickly cuts in. "I understand why you did that. None of us saw an end to that fight…you made a call…I can respect that…" Ninten begins to drag himself up again only this time not able to get to his feet. So he crawls over to Lucas grabbing the boy to tug him to meet eyes with him. "What I'm talking about is, what the hell were you doing out there? My job was to protect you, not you protect us!"
"…What?" Lucas responds dumbfounded.
"The plan was for you to stick with me. That I was supposed to keep you safe while we were out there in that chaos. You wouldn't let me do my job! You wouldn't let me keep you safe!" Ninten's eyes begin to tear up. "You wouldn't let me help you…"
Lucas continues to stare dumbfounded at Ninten, "…But…you…why are you crying?"
"I'm not!" Ninten retorts even as he rubs his eyes. "It just sucks that you place so much importance on our lives and not your own!"
"I…I…I-I don't understand…"
Ninten grabs the scruff of Lucas's shirt tightly, "I didn't trust you guys before all that. But being out there, fighting alongside you guys seeing you willing to put your lives on the line for me. We weren't just fighting together, we were learning about each other, and since I was the one who linked us I tried to block out a lot of your thoughts. But a lot of them were about each other. Ness was worried about me and you, you were worried about me and him, and I was just trying to break as many of those damn things as I could." Ninten pauses. "But you…you had absolutely hardly any self-preservation. But you were throwing your all into protecting us. No matter how much I hate to admit it, that's really goddamn incredible. A person who cares so little about themselves but cares so goddamn much about everyone else. So much that you were willing to kill and die to make sure we made it through."
"Y-You said…y-you said you wouldn't burrow into my mind…" Lucas responds in horror that was written all over his face.
"Guys," Ness suddenly cuts in from his spot across the room. "Let's pick this up after we're treated and rested. We already have a lot to talk about."
Ninten sighs as he doesn't break eye contact with Lucas as Ness speaks. However, Ninten does pull away to limp over to his bed. He collapses on it while Ness simply stays on his spot on the floor sprawled out. Lucas however turns his back to the other two curling himself into a fetal position. Tears began peeking through his eyes.
"Congratulations my little monster. You managed to fool them into believing in you. Maybe one day they might become your friends."
"No…I can't…I don't want to hurt them…" Lucas mutters in a low voice crying.
A laugh, "When has that idea ever worked out for anyone you know?"