The world was a place of balance. The energy from one being passed from one to another and back into the Earth itself. The natural flow was a beautiful thing to behold. But…today, something was off. Something there, that wasn't supposed to be. Something beyond comprehension, and…
"Aaaaaaah!" cried young Poo, prince of Dalaam, as he clutched his head with his hands, hoping to alleviate the pain.
"Do you see now, young one?" inquired Pui, master of Mu: the art of nothingness, and Poo's teacher. "That unnatural blight upon the world is what you must someday destroy. It calls itself Giygas."
Poo gradually regained his composure, and returned to his meditative pose. "Master, how can I possibly hope to head such a being?"
"Face such a being," corrected Master Pui. He had begun teaching Poo the English language two years ago, requiring that Poo use it whenever they were training. Poo had come far, but still stumbled over certain expressions. "And the answer lies in your companions. When the time is right, you will join with them and set out to defeat Giygas. Now, let us meditate."
Poo still had questions to ask, but he stilled his tongue and joined his master. Meditation was important to most forms of martial arts, but was especially important to Mu training. By clearing their minds of thoughts, they could better focus at the task at hand. But today, Poo was having a much more difficult time than usual. "Who are these people that I will join? Where do they hail from? What training shall have they undertaken? Can our combined strength stand against…?"
"Poo!" exclaimed Master Pui, startling the young prince. "Do I need to remind you of the importance of proper meditation?"
"No, Master," Poo replied, abashed.
"Good, now let us try again."
The questions remained, but Poo called upon his training to banish the thoughts from his mind, concentrating only on the nothingness in his mind. They stayed like this for ten minutes, though Poo felt it had been much longer than that.
When they finished, Poo began to stand, but Master Pui motioned for him to return to his seat. "Your mind is troubled, young one. Tell me, what is it that bothers you so?"
"These companions that I must join with," began Poo. "What are they like?"
"There are three of them," answered Master Pui. "Two of them know PSI, like yourself, though they have had no formal training."
"No training?" asked Poo. "It took me years to fully understand my own PSI. How can they hope to fight in such a way?"
"Do not begrudge them the circumstances of their lives," admonished Master Pui. "Remember, you are lucky to have been born in a place where your powers are understood. These two were raised not knowing what their powers really were. For years, they possessed only the most basic aspects of their powers. But they have already begun their journey, and the battles they partake in have expanded their powers at an incredible rate."
Poo's eyes widened. "They have already begun their journey? Then why am I here? I must join them!"
"No, young one." Master Pui motioned for him calm himself. "While they have indeed started their quest, they are still a ways from the true threats to the Earth. They have already developed powers that can match, and even surpass your own. If you were to join now, you would only increase the group's power by a relatively small amount. In the later battles, you may even be a liability. You must complete your Mu training; only then can you hope to benefit the world."
Poo forced himself into respectful composure. "Then I shall train with all my strength, day and night if need be, until I complete my training!"
"Your dedication to this end is most commendable," said Master Pui. "But do not forget, young one: when one eye is trained upon your goal, then only one eye is left with which to find the way. Concentrate on your training, and not its completion."
"Yes, Master."
"Now, to finish answering your question," continued Master Pui. "The third member of this team is a very intelligent boy, though he possesses no PSI."
"No PSI!?" Poo nearly shouted. "Then of what use will he be to…"
"That is enough, Prince Poo," said Master Pui sternly. "Do not think that your powers makes you any better than those around you. Of the four of you, he has the strongest mind. Do not let the accident that is your PSI allow you to forget that." Master Pui's face softened. "This boy has a mastery over machines. He can build and utilize devices that you or I could not even fathom the use of."
Poo was silent for several minutes. When he spoke, he spoke softly, "I see I have a long way to go with my training. If it is acceptable to you, Master, I would like to begin right away."
Master Pui nodded. "Of course, let us begin."