PSIonic Gladiators part 14

"Plans For Freedom,"

"Hey Ninten, I've been meaning to ask you this for a bit," Ness suddenly speaks up from his place on the floor laying on his back. Ninten was standing in front of Lucas with hands up as Lucas practiced a few strikes. Lucas using barriers as boxing gloves and Ninten creating barriers around his hands.

"What would that be?" Ninten questions as he motions for Lucas to continue. Lucas strikes two quick jabs. Ninten swipes wide which Lucas ducks under before swinging his leg in a high kick. "Good kick." Ninten comments.

"You said you had poked around in that guy's head, that Jojo guy, but you never told me what you found."

Lucas pauses upon hearing that sensing a discussion to be had. However, Ninten motions for Lucas to continue before speaking, "Yeah, it was a few details about our dear captor. Specifically, some ideas on how to kill him."

"Really?"

"None of it was concrete and what I read lacks a bit of context, but I did make sure to take note of it the best way I could."

"Which was?"

"I used a knife to carve out the terms and keywords he mentioned. Seems like he didn't give up his mission to kill MC after all." Ninten focuses on Lucas. "More hip rotation, yeah there ya go. Now try a combo."

Ness gets up to look around, "Where'd you make it?"

"Under the window."

Ness walks over to see what was carved there.

Control room

Center

Melodic stones

Space distortion generator

Schematics location

"Great job, this seems like some really important stuff dude!"

"Yeah, too bad I have no idea what any of it means or how it correlates."

"Yeah, that is true, I wonder where Jojo's cage is…"

"MC probably would've cleared it as soon as he lost don't ya think?" Ninten states.

"The number of…cages haven't changed at all today…" Lucas sighs before taking a deep breath to before continuing his exercise. As he raises his hands, he notices the surprise stares of the two boys though. "Uh, I sorta counted each one when we first got here… and I have a photographic memory. I notice when a cage vanishes. Measuring it in our time he clears it out in about 48 hours. So far about 13 cages have vanished out of the 143 I counted after our first match."

"Okay, yikes, that's scary," Ness states firstly in a dry tone. Lucas looks a bit glum at that response. Ninten shoots Ness a scathing glare. Ness quickly realizes his mistake and brightens up with a happy tone. "But I mean mostly that's really cool! Our boy Lucas comes through again. So, it's been about a day or so in our time. So, we have maybe 20 hours left. Plenty of time."

"I should preface by saying that is just the average amount of time that goes by. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes far less. I suppose it depends on who it was keeping."

"Good enough for me, now we just have to figure out which one it is."

"What good will that do Ness? We're still stuck in the cage…" Ninten suddenly deflects Lucas's fist almost throwing the boy to the floor. "Too soft!"

"True, but I can't let Lucas have all the glory. He's figured out the collars, the cages, and pretty much everything! Least I can do is get the door…"

"But how?" Lucas asks confused resetting his stance.

"Yeah, Lucas has been stumped on it for a while," Ninten added with his palms raised for Lucas continue practicing.

"It's just like my PSI. Chaotic and crazy. The energy field around it can't be stopped or controlled. But it can be channeled. I was trying a few things while Ninten was going all momma bear on that monster out there."

Lucas pauses in his drills, "Speaking of, what was that power Ninten, it was unlike anything I've ever seen."

"Oh, that's just my PSI Ignite. Its when I throw all my reserve and stored up psychic energy into one final rush. Since I don't have offensive PSI, I learned to channel it through my body, it's like my trump card. I don't usually have a chance to fight long in that form since I destroy whoever gets in my way pretty quickly, but I bet I could last a few hours if I'm careful."

"You used something like that just to protect me…" Lucas seemed mystified by the idea behind Ninten's actions. "I don't get it…"

"Well you were pissing me off!" Ninten raises a fist about to strike Lucas in the head. The blonde flinches to prepare for the hit. Ninten doesn't follow through with the blow, he sighs before giving the boy a soft bop on the blonde's head. "Just be more careful, okay."

"Ah, right I will, I promise," Lucas says with a nod. "But what about the door?"

"Lucas is good at controlling energy, but I'm good at channeling chaotic energy. So…" Ness walks over to the door placing his hand in front of it. He closes his eyes to focus. It seemed as if nothing was happening for a few moments. Until suddenly, the space before Ness' hand begins to swirl, circling around his hand creating a small hole. Then, the hole becomes bigger and bigger. Then a space opens up about the size of Ness' hand. The relaxes dropping his hand as the hole is fixed within a moment as Ness huffs. "It ain't much, but give me some time and I can get this…"

"That's amazing Ness!" Lucas stated thoroughly impressed. "I wouldn't be able to alter energy like that myself."

"Me either," Ninten added.

"I know you guys are just gassing me," Ness says waving off the praise even though he clearly enjoyed it. This may be his way of trying to appear humble most likely. "Still, we can't damage the door without MC or the guards noticing. I can only make a hole big enough for my hand right now." Ninten snickers. "Oh, grow up!"

Lucas seemed to not get the joke that was being made. But elected to move on anyway, "That aside, we can still use this. Activity does die down around here during certain times. We'll use that opportunity."

"Do you know when that is?" Ness asks.

"Seems our natural sleep cycle is different from the aliens on this world. The times we sleep are when they are preparing for matches."

"And you know this because…" Ninten says giving Lucas a pointed look.

"I'm uh a light sleeper is all," Lucas says not meeting Ninten's gaze.

Ness smirks at Lucas shaking his head, "Well, we know MC is so full of himself he feels he doesn't have to keep an eye on us. So, we could probably fly under the radar. Let's make sure MC doesn't get wise to the amount of trouble he just kidnapped."

"I like the sound of that. Alright, when do we move?"

"Let's give it a few hours," Lucas says.

"Alright, in the meantime back to the drills," Ninten says raising his hands. Lucas sighs a bit but raises his tired arms again. Ness chuckles as he sits down watching the two train, well more like Ninten training Lucas. Offering his two cents now and then also talking out loud. After a little while Ninten finally called it giving Lucas a chance to relax a bit.

"Well you're improving. Glad you were able to catch on so quickly. Any particular weapon you use?"

"Well…" Lucas gulps down a bottle of water. "I usually use staffs or bats. I'm not formally trained though…"

"No worries, I'm not either. I use a bat, but I am better with empty handed combat."

"Yeah, probably because no material on Earth could withstand the amount of force you exert after a bit. You really are amazing…"

Ninten rubs the back of his head, "Well ya know I do my best."

"Don't inflate his ego too much Lucas, although I bet he could handle the strain of lugging it around…" Ness states.

"I mean you both are amazing! I missed your fight Ness, but I heard it was incredible. You both seem very adept at combat, plus with you able to create an opening in door, you guys are incredible!"

Ninten takes the compliments in stride. He appreciates the compliment but it felt like Lucas was trying to make them seem more while at the same time making it seem like he is less. Ninten didn't like that, "Don't give us all the credit Lucas. You are pretty great too. You always seem two steps ahead of everyone else."

"Like every fight is just a rehearsal for you. Knowing how to take someone down before they even know what hit em!" Ness added.

"I wish I could be proud of that…" Lucas sighs looking up at the ceiling. "You guys are real heroes."

"Maybe, but I'm sure you've done some amazing things too Lucas," Ninten said.

"Yeah, I have…although not all of it good." Lucas shakes his head of whatever thoughts he had. "That aside, we all agree what our next move should be right?"

"Yep," both boys say in agreement.

"Okay, since you guys are more capable without your powers than I am, I think one of you should move out the cage."

"One of us huh," Ness says looking at Ninten. "Well I can get the door open a bit, so I guess it should be me since it would be easier for me to come and go."

"Agreed," Ninten said with a nod. "But getting the door partially open isn't the same as opening it. How are we gonna deal with that, also wouldn't it be obvious if something happens to it since its easy to notice a brightly colored thing like that shut off?"

Lucas spoke up at this point, "In a few hours, our cage rotates due to some artificial gravity. The setting of our cage sorta feels like we're back home. I'm sure you both have noticed how everything feels a little different when we leave the cage."

"Different?" Ninten asks.

"After having our powers locked and then all of it rushing to our heads its kinda hard to concentrate on anything else around us," Ness admits.

Lucas nodded, "That's fair. I've been out enough to feel it."

"Ah right, your special skill of taking in information."

"Taking in information?" Lucas questioned.

"Yeah, I think I've figured it out," Ness says. "Seems like you are constantly taking in everything you observe. Everything you feel, see, taste, and smell are catalogued in that encyclopedia you call a brain."

"What's that like?" Ninten asks.

"Frustrating, intrusive, and…" Lucas cuts himself.

"What?" Ness asks.

"It's not an ability I'm too proud of." Lucas admits. "But back to our task at hand. The doorway will be out of sight within a few hours. Ness can slip through unnoticed and if the three of us combine our telekinesis together we can help him move from each cell."

"Which one is Jojo's though?"

"Give me your hands," Lucas says reaching out his hands. Ness and Ninten look at each other before moving towards Lucas giving him their hands. "Ninten can you link us up?"

"Sure," Ninten says with a nod. He closes his eyes and the boys can feel the link open.

"Now think back to the fight with Jojo. I'll do the rest." With that both Ness and Ninten think back to the fight. Ninten remembering all that he saw and Ness being reminded of the intensity of the fight. It was ever so slight, but they could feel Lucas sift through their memories. Lucas's probing felt as if someone was staring at you over your shoulder. It didn't feel intrusive since Lucas was only looking at surface memories or memories that the two were showing the blonde. After a few moments Lucas lets their hands go. "Okay I have a guess." Lucas says standing to his feet and moving to the window.

"Really you do?" Ness asks.

"Jojo, looked at his cell in his last moments and Ninten got a glimpse of it without knowing. Also…" Lucas stands to move toward Ness's shield. It hadn't been closed since Ness had returned to the cell. Lucas looks the item over for a moment before pulling out a small disk lick object.

"Where did that come from?!" Ness asked surprised.

"When he had taken your shield. Jojo, must've felt that he would lose, but understood the threat that MC posed. Maybe he passed on his mission to us, or maybe he felt that Ness would do something meaningful with the information. Thankfully he was right." Lucas hits the button underneath the object for a projected map of the arena to shoot out.

"This is a map of what everyone calls the System," Jojo's voice comes out. "If you are listening and seeing this. That means that you have defeated me. Something not many can do, so congratulations on that feat. Try not to weep for me, I've done bad things to those who may have not deserved it not that it much matters now. I have an eye for seeing who is willing to do the right thing or those with incredible stupidity. Hopefully your collars are translated everything I'm saying otherwise this would be moot. All my knowledge on MC is sealed in my cage. If you plan to be rid of MC and his cursed games, this is your chance. A homing beacon is on this device that will home in on my home away from home. Do your best, and then do better than that. MC is not all knowing, but he is observant. Underestimate him at your own peril."

After that message, the voice cuts off. "Guess he wasn't all bad," Ness says.

"He was a mercenary that killed for sport. No love lost." Lucas reprimands.

"Harsh, but true," Ninten admits.

"I think we can do this if we all pull our strengths together," Ness assured the other boys. Lucas and Ninten share gaze with the boy with resolute looks. "Now, where is Jojo's den?" The device has a red dot begin blinking tracing it toward another red dot. "Cool we have a location."

"Hmmm…" Lucas studies the map. "Okay, we're here," Lucas points to the red dot higher up "And Jojo's cage is here." Lucas follows the line seeing a larger structure that floats a few meters below them. "Based on this map, if it's up to date, his cage should moving into close proximity of ours."

"Which means we can just hop on!" Ness exclaims excitedly. "Oh…what about the door?" Ness asked as he turns toward the door.

"Also, no platform for us to land on either," Ninten adds.

"We probably can't deactivate the doorway without MC noticing something is up. He's careless, not stupid. We'd need to move when we know for sure he's distracted," Lucas advises.

"Like during a match?" Ninten suggested.

"That would be our safest bet." Lucas suddenly stands to his feet. He walks over close to the door then closes his eyes. A spark of PSI comes to his index finger as he begins scribbling into the wall. Once done he backs away to look at his work. Ness and Ninten are suddenly at his side looking over his shoulder. He was surprised to see them then moves away.

"What's that?" Ness asks looking at the strange drawing of what looked sort of like a keypad.

"I uh studied the way the guards hand moved when they released the cage. I have a rough idea of what the code is to open our cage…"

"Whoa you did that?!" Ness exclaims.

"That's amazing! They do it so quick and at such a weird angle there's no way I could've guessed it!"

"Sorry I know I'm weird…I can't really help it…"

"Dude, no we're saying that is totally awesome. This has to be your PSI Skill at work!"

"Memorization?"

"No, like the way you can process information is insane! You see and notice everything! Like you're a freaken genius man!"

"Wow…no one has ever thought of it that way. It would make people uncomfortable or make them cautious of me. I'm sure if we weren't in this situation you'd hate being around me too…"

Ninten gives Ness a look which makes the other boy rub the back of his head. Ness smile flattens a bit, "I admit it is…surprising. Although if a person can get used to it, I think they'd see how amazing you are man!"

Lucas snorts a laugh, "My mom always said that one day people will understand. That my special skills will help others one day. That may never happen now, but you two can use me as much as you want."

"Lucas," Ness says sternly approaching the boy. The tone he takes gave Lucas that he was about to be reprimanded.

"Sorry, I guess its really wrong of me to make assumptions for you guys. That's rude of me, but it is okay if you guys think of me that way."

"Lucas, you are not some thing in our arsenal or a weapon to use and throw away. At worse your just our teammate! Even if we weren't locked up in some weird dimension forced to fight for our lives, I bet you and I would be great friends. I bet all three of us would be really great friends!"

"You…you don't have to pretend to butter me up Ness. I already agreed to help you both out of here, all of this other stuff is unnecessary. Hating me is normal, I shouldn't even exi-,"

"Stop right there!" Ness exclaims cutting off Lucas. The blonde is surprise as Ness moves closer raising a hand. Lucas instinctively flinches but all Ness does is ruffle Lucas' hair. Lucas looks at Ness confused. "We're in this together. No one is a mistake, and you are here with us. When out there, you can count on Ninten to protect you, ya can even count on me too. You can put your trust in us."

"What if that other me sees that trust as a liability? What if I see hurting you as the most logical course of action? That could happen!"

"I think you're being way too hard on yourself. You can't even accept a compliment!" Ness takes his hand away from Lucas' head. "We'll do our best to respect your boundaries, but know you deserve every bit of praise you get. After all your mom was right, you are helping others with your quirkiness."

Lucas looks to the floor, "I'm sorry…"

"For what?" Ness asked.

"You both are so nice. I must be inadvertently taking advantage of that to make you guys say nice things about me. You guys don't have to treat me with any kindness if you don't want to. You can call me names, insult me, or even hate me. You don't have to feel guilty about that its-,"

"Lucas!" Ness exclaims cutting off the blonde. Lucas flinches at the sharp tone. "Do we really seem like the kind of guys who would do that?"

Lucas sighs, "No you don't. But honestly, you really should-,"

"Then stop trying to make us into something we're not," Ness says cutting off Lucas again. "We're good guys right, and we see the good in everyone right?"

"You…I'm not-,"

"The more you say it, the less I believe it man," Ness said with a shrug. "Just relax for a while, we have time till our little operation begins," Ness walked past Lucas, but not before ruffle the blonde's hair as he passed by. Lucas doesn't say anything as he continues to stare at the floor. Ninten shoots a Ness a smile as the boy returns to his bed to lay down. Ninten moves over to Lucas placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Wanna help me make lunch?" Ninten asked. Lucas sighs wiping the corner of his eyes before turning to Ninten.

"Don't worry about it, I'll do it, just relax. I'll do what I can for you guys."

"Well the offer was for you to help me. I'll be in the kitchen no matter what," Ninten said plainly as he moves toward the kitchen area. Lucas sighs before following after Ninten to help him prepare lunch. Even though he said that Lucas would be helping, it was clear that Lucas was the better cook giving instructions to Ninten as they were working together to make something Lucas called a Skip Sandwich with a twist. Ness watches on seeing Ninten make intentional mistakes such as putting too much sauce on one side of the bread or being too rough with the bread. It did manage to get a reactions that seemed genuine and unreserved for once with him saying

'Ninten that's too much' 'Ninten you're gonna tear it!' 'Ninten I swear to our mighty creator that is not a sandwich!' 'No Ninten we're not frying that turn the stove off!' 'You can't toast bread in an oven!'

Ninten can only laugh at Lucas' more panicked state as he tries to correct Ninten's mistakes. Despite that the sandwiches were completed despite Ninten's antics. The three of them sat at the table enjoying their lunch together. Ninten saying that his tasted weird and wanting to try Lucas' but the blonde keeps it out of the other boys reach as he enjoys his own claiming Ninten wanted to mess with his recipe so he should enjoy his creation.

Ness laughed surprised to see Lucas actually smiling.