PSIonic Gladiators part 13
"Control and Training"
"Geez Lucas I don't get this!" Ness remarks flabbergasted as he falls back to lean on his hands. He seemed more frustrated than tired. Although it was clear this recent lesson was putting a toll on his energy resources. The three of them had two days, in Earth time, of peace with one another. With no fighting and only time relaxing and a bit of training with each other. It was nice to enjoy these moments of peace with one another. Peace being a relative term since they could still hear the sound of bloody combat just outside their window. The thing that Ness and Ninten were uncomfortable with though was that they were starting to get used to the sounds. Not that they no longer cared about those suffering, its just the sound of it was something that no longer bothered them as much. In a way the shock value wore off after a while. But that didn't stop them from wincing when they heard the tearing sounds, the loud explosion, the loud gasps from the crowd, and the incredible audible snap of bones. It was all uncomfortable to get used to, but the three of them at least kept the sounds from keeping them distracted. They had to remind themselves they were combatants. Not that it was hard for Lucas seeing as he saw himself as a monster anyway. But that was an issue for another time. And seeing Lucas so accustomed to the violence made Ness and Ninten less uncomfortable and more worried for the blonde. Hoping that he would at least get better with time. Yesterday, since they healed up Ness and Ninten began instructing Lucas on basic hand to hand combat. He was a quick learner obviously since he wasn't a novice. But he did require some moves to practice and help him move around quickly when the time called for it.
Today, Lucas was instructing the two of them on how to properly control their PSI powers. "I know it may seem pointless, but this is a really good exercise on mastering control."
"I mean I get that, but I can control my powers just fine."
"You can aim and harness. I wouldn't go so far as to say you can control them. I mean there is a reason you don't use attacks stronger than beta level."
"Well…that's…hmph…"
"Come on Ness give it another go. I'm having a hard time with this too," Ninten encourages.
"Fine, set me up Luke," as sits up straight sitting crossed legs across from Lucas on the floor. Lucas nods sitting no his legs with Ninten sitting off to the side of them. Lucas holds his hand out palm facing upward. He creates a small barrier. Ness raises both hands to position them on either side of the small barrier. Than with narrowed eyes his fingers begin to spark. It already took a lot of effort to create any type of sparks with the collars on. So feeding energy into a sphere was a tough ask. However, he does so as energy builds and begins filling the sphere. Than the shape of the sphere changes into a cube. Ness grunts knowing he has to alter the energy output. Lucas alters the shape of the barrier into a cylinder. Ness grunts seeing the barrier crack a bit as he pulls back on the energy. Then Lucas changes the shape again while Ness was adjusting changing it into a cone. Ness had to fill the cone now. As soon as he does Lucas changes it into a hexagonal prism. Lucas had to fill it even more before Lucas suddenly changed the shape into a small sphere which quickly shattered between Ness palms earning a sharp sting into Ness' hands.
"Yow!" Ness reacts pulling his hands away to vigorously shake them. "I hate this exercise!"
"But you are getting better," Lucas remarks.
"Alright Ninten's turn I need a break," Ness says scooting back.
"This is a really neat exercise Lucas, where'd you get an idea like this from?" Ninten asks as Lucas shifts position on the floor to face Ninten.
"It was an exercise that I picked up from the person who awakened my powers. It's a great exercise in PSI management and control."
"I figured you had some crazy way of learning fine control. So the key is to make sure it doesn't explode in your face?"
"That's the short of it. But you have to pay attention to the shape changes otherwise it'll still explode in your face."
"Gotcha, alright I'm ready," Ninten says leaning forward a bit. Lucas holds his hand out again and Ninten's hands move to either side of the shield. Lucas cycles through the same shapes he did with Ness. Ninten was focused, although struggling more than Ness was. Raw psionics were not his specialty. However, seeing as he controls his augmented strength through his psionics learning particular control wouldn't be a bad idea. Ninten concentrates pouring in and taking out the energy of the shield. Lucas smirks before creating a double helix. "What the heck!" Ninten exclaims struggling to fill the new shape. Finally, it shatters making Ninten flinch back. "What the hell!?" Ninten exclaims shaking his hands.
"Well, you were doing so well, so I thought a more complicated shape may be more of a challenge," Lucas says with slight mischievous smile.
"Well congrats on barrier manipulation. I've only used them as boxing gloves. I should consider using them in different ways…"
"Imagination is key when using our powers. Imagination and control, with those two things we can do all kinda of things."
"No wonder you're so good with your PSI. You've been formally trained."
"Well, formally wouldn't be the most accurate word. But they were really helpful in getting me to understand what I can do. Also, the kinda damage I'm capable of…"
"I know I pretty much had to learn as I went," Ninten states.
"I started out with a pretty good instructor…" Ness states glumly.
"So, we're all prodigies in our own way I guess," Ninten says trying to bring up the mood as he slapped a hand on Ness' back making the boy wince. "Especially since I've never heard of moves called PK Rocken or PK Love."
"Do you really not have any offensive PSI Ninten?" Lucas asks befuddled a bit.
"I know it's hard to believe but yep. So, I have to be a bit more creative. But like you've seen, I'm no pushover."
Lucas' eyes gaze downward. He can't argue with that statement. The way that Ninten tore those robotic monsters apart with his bare hands and going toe-to-toe that four-armed monster. It was amazing seeing Ninten in combat. But as amazed as he is about his strength, he is even more amazed at how gentle he was capable of being. He remembers how Ninten was able to gently ruffle his hair. It never hurt or caused discomfort, even though it made him feel like a little kid. He clearly knew how to be gentle when the time called for it. It was a bit amazing in a way how someone who could snap a bone with a flick of their finger could also have such a gentle side. Ness was just as amazing too in Lucas' opinion. A fighter and person of action. He doesn't let himself be distracted by things he can't control. Pushing forward, no matter what may be in front of him. The two of them are pretty amazing in Lucas' opinion. He figured he could at least give them something to remember him by even if in this moment he strongly regrets it.
"So, Lucas," Ness suddenly cuts into Lucas' thoughts. The blonde eyes move from his lap towards Ness. He notices that Ninten is also looking at him. Both share a mirrored concerned look. "I wanted to ask you something, especially now that MC can't listen in. Did that guy threaten you and is using us as leverage?"
"Why does that matter?" Lucas responds with instead. This partially confirms the two cap wearing boys' in their suspicions.
"Well, you don't seem to care too much about your own world. So, I figured that the destruction of your world doesn't bother you. If it doesn't bother you than what could he do that could make you want to fight for him?"
"Monsters like fighting." Lucas responds evenly. "I figured being able to exist with my emotions on for a short time and having them off when I fight was the best deal I'd heard."
"Then why'd you fight the ones sent after you?"
"I had thought they were a part of a group of individuals I was fighting at the time. They hadn't exactly approach me with an invitation in hand. They were hostile so I treated them as such."
"So, were you like, in the middle of a warzone or something?" Ninten questions. Lucas looks at the two cap wearing boys trying to choose his words carefully. He knew they cared about him on some level and he knows lying wouldn't put them at ease.
"Not a warzone per se, but it was a world doomed to destruction. Everyone is trying to fight it in their own way. There was just too much evil done and it's beyond saving. I tried…and I failed."
"Ugh that's not fair!" Ness exclaims leaning forward on the table in frustration. Lucas looks at him a bit befuddled. "I fought a literal embodiment of madness and evil! After that I managed to go home to my family. You should be able to have a happy ending Lucas!"
"Happy endings sometimes only happen in fairytales Ness…" Lucas responds with a tired down casted eyes and a drained smile. "It's nice to think that the hero of the story who was willing to sacrifice everything for the betterment of others would get a happy ending for being so selfless. But sometimes…the universe wants to see proof of that resolve. So…after losing everything…I understand I don't matter, but that's okay. My happiness isn't important especially when so many others rely on me."
"Wow…" Ness states surprised before his face drops. "I'm really sorry…"
"It's not like it's your fault."
"I know, but its sad that after whatever it is you went through. That's the lesson you learned…"
"Heh, this ideal you have must really suck for the people who love you…" Ninten mentions.
"Ya know we probably shouldn't learn too much about each other. Considering we're from different times, that may cause dramatic affects in your timelines…"
"Why only ours?"
"From what I can tell you both seem roughly familiar with the same locations. But I don't know any of them. Which means my time period is either in the far past or the far future. Judging by the fact that MC sought Ninten first and moved forward in time, I'd say I'm the furthest in the future. Learning about the past will have the least effect on my timeline. Whatever remains of it anyway…"
"That's a good point, we should be careful shouldn't we…" Ness says with thought.
Ninten snickers, "Well way too late for that. The very fact we've met already, we've learned basic info about each other means that we've already affected the timeline. No changing that fact."
"Well…that's true…" Lucas states bashfully in a realization. "Time travel can be confusing…"
"Do you time travel?"
"No," Lucas states.
"Is that a lie?" Ness quirked a suspicious eyebrow at the blonde.
"Haven't lied to you guys yet."
"Fair enough," Ninten states placing a hand on Lucas' head ruffling the blonde's hair. "Still, like I said. I like you Lucas, and you too Ness. So, I want to see to it you guys make it out of all this."
"Me too," Ness adds. "So, don't be stupid and die out there okay. Because that'd be super embarrassing."
"Well nothing I can do about how you guys feel towards me. Just, please, don't push yourselves for my sake."
"Well too late for that," Ninten pointed out. "Like I've said already, anyone who wants to get to you has to go through me."
"Just…don't overdo it. I'll be furious if you die out there trying to protect me."
"Don't put yourself in that position and I won't have to."
"Then its decided," Ness sighs before he perks up. "Oh right, did you guys sense anything in the crowd the past few days. Find any sympathizers?"
"So far, there have been a few disturbed or disgusted by the games. They don't hold onto those feelings very long though to be relied on."
"Nothing concrete yet. But the crowd varies wildly, and it seems there are a lot more aliens packed in during our fights."
"Huh, so I guess in order to further our investigation we have to perform amazingly in the coliseum…"
"I don't know if investigation is the right word…" Lucas mutters.
"You don't even do anything…" Ninten mutters also.
"But Ness is right," Lucas says now speaking up. "We have a greater chance of finding a lead during our own matches. Which means we must put on a wild show, so we can't only win. We must win in a spectacular fashion."
"That would probably entice MC to use us more to fill up seats. More seats, more leads, and the faster we find a lead…"
"The faster we can find a way out," Ninten finishes for Ness.
"Exactly, so-," Lucas cuts himself as he perks up. He turns his head toward the window suddenly not saying anything.
"Lucas?" Ninten questions confused at the blonde's suddenness. He looks toward the window as well not exactly sure what Lucas is picking up. He knows it's not something Lucas can see but he is clearly sensing something.
"Something happen?" Ness questions looking between Ninten and Lucas. Ninten looks at Ness only to shrug unsure what was happening. Eyes move toward Lucas who doesn't shrink away which is something that he usually does under their stares. Lucas's eyes narrow before he relaxes. "What was it?"
"Thought I sensed something…like PSI…but it's gone now," Lucas answers.
"Really in a place like this?"
"I'm too weak to trace it or reach out. But I'll keep a lookout for it again."
"Hmm someone in space knowing PSI…think it's someone we know?"
"Doubtful, my friends would've reached out to me already," Ninten states
Ness sighs, "Same with mine… Lucas?"
"I don't recognize the signal, so it isn't anyone I know," Lucas answers with a shake of his head.
"Huh, that's kinda weird aint it…?"