Fractured Reality part 3

The Battle Within

Nightfall had fallen finally after a few hours. Within the castle, the four boys were happily sleeping in their beds, well at least three of them were. One of the occupants was having a rather rough time getting to sleep. The blonde member of the group of four was lying in his large bed fit for a king, as Flame had dubbed it and it's one of the softest beds Flame has ever slept in, apparently. Lucas wasn't sure why Flame was so adamant about him taking the bed since the couch in the common area was fine enough for him. Either way it wasn't like Lucas could really sleep anyway. His mind is racing right now, taking in all sorts of information around him, and he was pretty stressed out if he was being honest with himself. Lucas stares at the ceiling underneath the sheets of his bed. He wasn't used to sleeping in such a large bed. He felt bad, especially when Ness and Ninten didn't make a fuss about sleeping arrangements. He wondered why it was that they had allowed him to go along with them.

"I'm not worth all this effort…" Lucas mutters to himself. He didn't like the special treatment if he was being honest with anyone, the kind smiles aimed his way, or the kindness shown towards him felt like a hot knife slashing his skin. He didn't like it, at least he didn't like how it made him feel. Lucas sharply sits up to stare at the window covered by the curtains. He moves to leave the bed, feeling the cool stone against his bare feet, and he walks toward the window.

He moved the curtains to stare out into the night sky. Despite the three suns earlier in the day, the bright giant moon that shined down was breathtaking. Almost like a smaller dimmer sun itself with the amount of light it casts on the world below. It was as if he was looking upon this world in the daylight with a dark backdrop being the difference between night and day. It was actually quite lovely to stare out into and the sight calms his nerves. It was odd that Flame described such a horrid nightlife for this area, but it sounded so peaceful.

"I should probably leave…" Lucas mutters to himself. Flame had spoken on the dangers of the woods but honestly Lucas didn't know if he cared that much. He didn't belong here. He didn't deserve to be here alongside such good people. Lucas clenches his fist stopping that train of thought before it could begin. He probably shouldn't be so irrational. 'Being surrounded by a forest heightened my sensitivity to the environment around me, more than Ness or Ninten. I'd probably be fine on my own'.

Lucas looked toward the sky, seeing a brilliant sky also filled with stars; it was breathtaking for him. He was used to seeing stars but never anything like this. After a few more moments, Lucas decides on what to do. He moves to grab his vest and slips on his shoes without his socks. He told himself he would go back to his room after getting some air. He leaves the chambers of his room walking the stone corridor with his shoes echoing against the stone floor in the quiet castle. He walks briskly toward where he remembered the entrance being. Once he reaches the door however, he feels the presence of another. He sharply turns to see the Hound watching him at the corner of the foyer. The creature eyes him carefully before standing up, stretching then moving over to Lucas' side.

"It's dangerous at night ya know,"

"I just wanted to step outside, don't worry, go back to sleep."

"But who will protect you?"

"I can keep myself safe, don't worry."

"Then me being there will keep you extra safe!"

Lucas sighs at the hound's persistence. He rubs the creature's head and scratches behind its ear to elicit an almost purring sound. Lucas pushes the door open for the hound to rush out first as if surveying the area for a quick moment. Then once Lucas steps out it joins him at his side. The chill of the night air surprises him a bit but Lucas takes it in stride as he walks forward to the edge of the mushroom. He sits himself on the edge with his feet dangling, Buddy joins him at his side sitting against Lucas' body.

"You really don't seem like a wild animal," Lucas notes. The hound seemed rather accustomed to people and very protective as well.

"A nice man found me when I was little. Took care of me. He taught me a bunch of things and I love him a lot. Lost track of him though, he said I couldn't go home with him. But he was really nice, I like his smell. You have the same kind of smell."

"That makes sense. You remind me a lot of someone I loved a whole bunch too…"

"Who?"

"My family dog, Boney. He was smart, strong, and loyal just like you."

The hound's tail wags rapidly, "Oh I like that name! The red haired one gave me a silly name, but since he can't understand me I couldn't tell him. Can I have that name!"

Lucas smiles and chuckles a little, "Well how about Bone instead?"

"I like it thank you! Make sure to tell the red haired boy that's my name now."

Lucas smiles rubbing Bone's head, "I'll be sure to do just that."

Lucas looks out onto the world around him now. There was something unsettling about this world, Lucas could feel it as easily as he could draw breath. He wondered if the other boys could feel it too. Lucas looks down below to notice a prowling four legged creature, it appeared rather large even from how high he was. It seemed to glance up at Lucas, snort before moving in another direction. It may've been tracking the group, most likely smelling the foreign scent and wanting to take in the rare delicacy. 'Yeah, I should leave before I cause anyone trouble,'

"Beautiful night isn't it?" Suddenly the feeling of wonder left him as a chill ran up his spine. He turned around sharply to see a cloaked figure standing by the door.

"Ho-How did-?" Lucas began. Bone stands erect baring his fangs as a growl vibrates in his throat. Bone may sense the danger the same as Lucas does.

"I have my own way of moving about, I am a bit surprised you picked up on me so quickly." the person spoke revealing themselves to be a boy. His voice was so dower and monotone. As if having this conversation was an utter bore to him. "Or did you already know I was close and went to scout me out?" the boy questions.

"I sensed something…odd…"

"Impressive," the boy steps out the shadows into the moonlight to reveal a black traveling cloak that hides his body, black boots, and black hair with bangs that cover his forehead with a short ponytail. His eyes shined a purple that seemed deeper than any darkness. "You must have very unique abilities. But what brings you to Peril?"

The tone of voice made it difficult for Lucas to tell if this was passive curiosity or the boy couldn't care less about his answer, "I-I don't know, I didn't choose to be here."

"That must be frustrating. Would you like help returning home?" the cloaked figure asked.

Lucas looks down at the erect position Bone still has. Clearly despite the friendliness of the conversation, the Hound has not been put at ease of the new arrival. Considering how quickly he warmed up to the others Lucas decided to let Bone's judgement lead him.

"Thank you, but I'll try finding my own way, thanks anyway."

"Hmmm...I can see how I may come across untrustworthy," the boy admits. "Ah, I hadn't shared my name that must be it right? I forget that at times, my name is Void."

"Well, uh, nice to meet you Void. I'm-,"

"Lucas right?" Void cuts in. Lucas flinches now on guard. "Ah, that didn't put you at ease either huh. Well I guess there's no helping it. I mean I'm not the only untrustworthy one here."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"There is something dark inside of you. You don't want your new friends to see it right? But how can they trust you if you don't show them. That is how you build trust," The figure flashes open their cloak revealing a luminescent staff with a jewel piece on top the staff with a crescent moon inside. With that move Bone lunges forward now moving to the offensive. Void sighs dowerly as he takes a few steps back into the shade of the castle. Bone halts suddenly sensing the danger is gone. Lucas also felt Void vanish in that moment.

"Where did he go?" Lucas turns to and fro to figure out where Void had vanished too. A sudden chill ran down his spine.

"Look out!" Bone barks.

Lucas about faces with PSI sparking between his fingers. "Too slow," Void states, plunging the sharp end of his staff into Lucas' chest. "I'll help you out while you help me out."

Lucas begins losing sight of the world around him, "Stop...no...dont…"

"You can't help your new friends and prove your trustworthiness if they don't see you for what you really are," Void remarks despite the circumstances still with that damned bored tone. Void twists the staff for Lucas to scream out as a flash of PSI explodes from his body.

-000-

Ness and Ninten respectively leaped out of bed and darted out their rooms. They glanced at each other in silent communication realizing the other didn't know what was happening. They were also ignoring the unsettling reality that they look even more alike with their caps off. Ness poked his head in on Flame to see the boy curled up in his sheets, shivering in cold sweat. It was a bit concerning seeing the boy with such a look of anguish on his face, but Ness could see he wasn't the source of their troubles. Ninten placed an ear to Lucas's door not hearing anything. He opens it to see that the room is empty.

"Lucas is gone," Ninten called.

Ness joins Ninten at his side after a moment, "Looks like none of his stuff is here either," Ness looks at the made up bed. "...did he go off on his own?"

"That would be idiotic why would he do something like that?" Ninten asks. The two share a worried look with one another. "Well we felt that rush of PSI so that's gotta be Lucas and it was close."

Ness nods, "Right, let's go see." Both boys rush into their rooms to slip on their converse and rush toward the entrance. They both enter the foyer to see the doors blown off their hinges with Lucas laying on his stomach on the stone floor.

"Lucas!" they both exclaimed rushing over. Ness gets down to the floor to check on Lucas. Once Ninten sees that Ness has the blonde secured in his arms he scouts the room for a moment before stepping through the gapping doorway trying to find what may have done this. Ninten notices the hound laying prone against the castle wall.

"Buddy, hey Buddy!" Ninten exclaimed before running over to try to wake the beast. The hound was slow to respond but after a few shakes it recovered some.

"Bone, new name Bone. Lucas gave it to me." it responds with a snort.

Ninten smirks, "Alright Bone, what happened?"

"Where Lucas?"

"Lucas are you okay?" Ness' voice alerts them that Lucas may be conscious. The two enter the foyer to see Lucas sitting up now with Ness on his knees next to him. Ness seems quite worried and after seeing Lucas' face Ninten can understand why. His eyes look vacant with an indifferent expression on his face. Lucas suddenly moved his hands so that he was looking at his palms.

"Lucas are you okay?" Ness asks again.

"Ness something doesn't feel right..." Ninten says looking at Lucas.

"I'll say, with Lucas's PSI skills I would think nothing could sneak up on him."

"It's not just that…" Ninten looked at Lucas as the boy stands up rather emotionless and unresponsive to Ness's questioning. Ninten felt it at that brief moment then. "Ness get back!"

Ness for once was too slow on the update as he and Ninten were blown back by a powerful shockwave unleashed from Lucas' form. They went flying across the room to smash into the stone wall. The boys landed with Ness lying on top of Ninten as they both looked up to see Lucas walking towards them with the same empty expression.

"Killing you both will be easy with this power," he said as he raises a hand for a light blue hexagon to appear in front of his palm. It expands bigger and bigger until... "PK Love," he mutters as a rush of psionic power comes out. Ness and Ninten both rolled in opposite directions narrowly avoiding the blast as it shattered the stone floor. Ness flanks Lucas from the side grabbing his arm and tackling him to the floor.

"Lucas what are you doing?" Ness asked. However Lucas' form begins shining light blue surprising Ness as a powerful psionic blast knocks him back to the floor. "So your PSI is way stronger than you let on! But I didn't think your PSI was this powerful…"

"I made mental barriers built up over weeks. I tried sealing as much of my power as I could due to severe traumatic shock which led to an inability to control them." Sparks explode out of Lucas left hand making the boy flinch grabbing his wrist to try and control the spasm. Lucas' face only shows minor annoyance at the event. "So problematic…"

"Lucas I-" Ness cuts himself off as he sees Lucas raise his hand to point forward again. Ness felt his body pulled sharply avoiding another blast. Ness looked to see Ninten had grabbed his ankle to pull him back. "I don't think Lucas is in his right mind."

"Duh, the kid can barely make direct eye contact and now he's blasting us!" Ninten throws Ness into the air before diving to the side avoiding another blast of PK Love. "Lucas what's going on?"

"Well you two can certainly run away that's for sure," Lucas said but his voice comes out distorted.

"Lucas what is going on?" Ninten demanded.

"I really don't think that's Lucas right now dude," Ness said coming to his side. "Who are you?"

"Stranger came to talk to Lucas. Took us by surprise, he stabbed Lucas and then there was a flash of light. He vanished, but I can still smell him." Bone says rushing onto the scene. "I find him!" Bone rushes off.

"Well I guess while he does that we try to restrain Lucas I guess…" Ness says dryly. "But I really don't wanna hurt him though…"

"Damn, me either honestly. I'd feel bad, it'd be like kicking a kitten…" Ninten adds.

"That's nice of you guys to say," Lucas states, his voice becoming a bit more distorted. "It's going to be a shame when I kill you both."

"We know that isn't you Lucas!" Ness exclaims.

"How could you possibly know that?" Lucas counters.

"Are you kidding? Your voice has a demonic undertone, not trusting anything you say right now."

"The ability to believe the best in people. That's so nice, it's been a while since anyone saw any good in me. But you're wrong. I'm not good, I'm a monster, if that guy hadn't attacked me I would've left already. I would've been long gone, faraway without saying a word. Ditched you to survive on your own, because staying by me will definitely get you killed. I felt the seal on my powers loosening...now that it's broken I only have one option. Because power comes with a curse ya know."

"...I know someone is making Lucas say this...but the emotions feel genuine. I don't get this." Ninten said.

"Power comes at a price…always has and always will," Lucas raised his hands to gather a large amount of power. Ninten flinches back.

"PK Rocken!" Ness shouted, as he lashed out with a multicolored beam from his hand. The attacks met in the middle pushing against one another until an implosion blew a hole through the ceiling with a large dust cloud following. Ness went rolling against the floor covered in smoke. Ninten quickly rushed to his side helping him off the floor. "Thanks…" Ness muttered surprised but thankful. "But I don't think going PSI to PSI with Lucas is a good idea. That attack of mine was beta level and judging by how long he charged that attack that must've been alpha. His PSI strength is on another level."

"Well you know he can shut down minds too."

"We should be able to resist that with our own PSI, but that still leaves us on the defensive."

"So then what do we do?"

"He's not much of a physical fighter…but I don't think beating the living daylights out of him is going to really help…"

"Well we need to pin him down till Bone can get back."

"Bone?" Ness questions.

"Buddy, he prefers the name Lucas gave him," Ninten says with a slight smirk.

"Of course that makes sense. Well see if you can back him up on that, I'll keep Lucas contained," Ness covers his hands in multi-colored energy before shooting out a jagged beam at Lucas. The blonde is quick to raise a hand cancelling out the attack with his own PSI attack. The attacks create a thick dust cloud. Lucas stares into it and flinches seeing Ninten rushing at him. Lucas creates a barrier around himself. Ninten delivers a lunging punch against the barrier that doesn't break it, but knocks Lucas back hard sending him into the common room. Lucas went rolling against the ground before regaining his footing, then he rushed to leave the room but was cut off by Ness who kicked Lucas in the chest knocking him back to the floor. Lucas glares at Ness rushing back to his feet and pointing his hand out. Ness moves as if flashing out of existence to appear before Lucas redirecting his hand to shoot into the ceiling. Lucas gives Ness a powerful shock getting his wrist free before moving his other hand forward to punch Ness. Ness easily deflected the fist pushing his arm aside as he stepped to the side getting behind Lucas. Ness' arms wrapped around Lucas trapping his arms against his sides.

"Come on buddy let's hug this out," Ness jived with a smirk as he lifted Lucas off the ground with Lucas flailing.

"Let me go!"

"You first you nameless creep!"

"You're still not getting it are you?" Lucas growls. "I'm not worth this. I'm not worth your time, your effort, your compassion, or your pity! Scorn me and abandon me!"

"This isn't you Lucas!" Ness says holding Lucas despite the blonde boy's struggling.

"Oh face facts you can't save me so stop trying and give up! If I don't kill you now, I will later."

Ness mashed his teeth in irritation. "You think you know him don't you? Just because he might think these awful things about himself, doesn't mean they're true! You might know him better than me right now considering you're in his head. But with a move called 'PK Love' I doubt this kid is as dark as you claim. To me he seems like someone who cares more about others than himself."

"Bone?" Ninten calls glancing around. He hears the barking of the hound and moves to follow the noise. He looks down below to see Bone caught between two vicious looking creatures with shiny silver fur, eyes hidden beneath thick fur, a protruding snout with sharp teeth, and a metallic looking tail. They circle around Bone on all fours as the hound seems to be having a tough time. Ninten doesn't hesitate as he plummets to the ground. As one lunges toward Bone, Ninen comes in with an elbow drop on the creature's head plowing its face in the ground. Bone lunges at the other sinking his fangs into the creature's throat, tearing into the flesh of the creature. The beast tries to use it's tail to stab Bone but Ninten leaps in the way, creating a round barrier around his arm similar to a shield. The tip bounces off the barrier allowing Ninten to then grab the tail.

"Let it go Bone!" Ninten calls as his feet crash to the ground. He yanks the beast off its feet to begin swinging it around in a circle. Moving faster and faster until finally launching it faraway into the horizon. "The hell were those things?"

"You just said it."

"Oh, so those are Hellbeast huh…" Ninten says looking at the one whose face is still buried in the dirt. "Clearly they don't live up to the hype…"

"Here," Bone barks. It sounded muffled so Ninten looked to see a staff in his mouth. The staff glows with an eerie glow with a full moon in the jewel of the staff.

"So this thing is controlling Lucas?" Ninten takes the staff for a rush of strange emotions and thoughts to fill his head. Ninten blinks a few times before staring at the item in his hands. "Yeah it's definitely this."

Back with Ness and Lucas. Lucas is still being restrained by the taller and stronger ravenhead. Finally having enough of this, Lucas stomped down his heel on Ness' toes making his grip grow weak as he yelp in pain. Now back on his feet, Lucas sharply turned to point his hands to shoot out a narrow beam of PK Love. Ness was quick though tilting his body sharply out of the path of the blast as it takes out a wall. He grabbed Lucas' wrist then jerked him back as he fell backwards toward the floor with his foot in Lucas's chest. He released Lucas' left arm as his back met the floor pushing Lucas off in a sacrifice judo throw. Lucas' back hit the floor hard. Ness quickly turns to try to pin Lucas down, however Lucas pushes himself off the floor using levitation. Lucas rushes forward from the air and Ness raises his arm to block Lucas' charge as their PSI energies clash together.

"I'm back!" Ninten exclaims rushing in interrupting the clash with a barrier, knocking Lucas hard onto the couch.

"Thanks, was in a tough spot there." Ness looked at Ninten's face to see a sullen and less energetic look in his eyes. "So, any ideas?"

"This," Ninten said, as he held up the staff. "It's how whoever this is, is controlling Lucas. I'm not sure if I should break it or not though...

"Er, what's wrong with you?"

"This thing…I saw it's connected to Lucas…also a lot of negative emotions being concentrated through this thing."

"Yeah, I've been getting an earful of it here myself. But I think Lucas is resisting him. Otherwise this guy would've dusted me and this entire castle by now. Lucas has to have omega level attacks but he hasn't used any….yet anyway."

"Well I've got an idea," Ninten says. Lucas' body suddenly released a telekinetic shockwave that threw Ness and Ninten through the wall and back into the foyer with the staff clattering to the floor. Lucas stood up and raised his hand.

"This is how it was going to end. You should've thrown me away when you had the chance."

"Lucas…" Ninten mutters.

"Come on Ninten, we gotta work together!"

"Right!"

Ness and Ninten rushed forward again with Lucas raising his hands to unleash another PK Love. The blast narrowly avoided them as it shattered another portion of the wall. Lucas raised a psycho barrier around him blocking the physical attacks. Despite that Ninten is strong enough to shatter it with his bare hands. Ness blasted Lucas with a PK Rocken beam again from his palm. Lucas was able to disperse the energy around him with pure telekinetic force. Ness grunts in distaste as he tries to circle around quickly while Lucas recovers. Ninten rushed ahead but Lucas was ready for it. Lucas raised a PSI Counter shield just as Ninten punched forward for his fist to hit a hexagon shield in front of Lucas' face. Ninten suffered the damage of his own attack as he was thrown back to the floor. At this point Ness tried to hammer Lucas to the ground but suffered the same effect with Lucas's PSI Counter shield still in play.

"Forget it, we're breaking that thing. Where's the staff?" Ness asked groaning.

"Uh I dropped it..." Ninten answered.

"Tch," Ness sucked his teeth as his eyes scan the floor until it lands on the staff in question. "Back me up!" Ness exclaimed rushing forward again. Lucas began charging more PSI energy as a light blue sparks began dancing around his body. Ness was astonished Lucas stored away so much power.

Six Hexagons appeared before Lucas, "PK Love!" Each one unleashes a shot of sky blue energy down at Ness. Ness grabs the staff but wouldn't be able to avoid the attacks. Ninten suddenly warps in front of him to raise a barrier focused as a giant shield to keep the two of them safe.

"Do it!" Ninten grunts.

Ness raised the staff over his head horizontally then broke it in half against his knee. Suddenly Lucas gave a cry of anguish, but this time it sounded like his voice. He grabbed his head in distress as he collapsed to his knees. Suddenly he gave off a powerful discharge of energy that seemed to shift the room as the bricks in the floor and walls were jarred. But right afterward Lucas collapsed to the floor.

Lying behind Lucas' form is another boy in a black cloak. He sits up shaking off his shock and manages to get back onto his black boots with one hand on his head.

"Damn kid…so much power…" he looked forward to notice his staff lay broken in two. "Ah, so that's what undid it. I knew I dropped it somewhere..." Ness and Ninten managed to rise to their feet to look at the boy. They were both surprised as they stood ready for a fight. The boy looked at them with a bored expression. "Geez you guys must like fighting. You've already done plenty of it tonight." He says in a mock tired voice, at least the two boys think. "All I really wanted was to leech off of this kid's energy and negativity to re-energize me. Honestly, this PSI stuff you guys use is pretty potent."

"Who the hell are you!?" Ness demands.

"Ah, forgot to give my name again." He says weather in mock realization or he genuinely forgot is hard to tell with his tone. "I'm Void. We can fight some other time okay." Void says moving to leave the castle.

"Hey you jerk hold on!" Ness exclaims rushing over but as soon as Void entered shade he was gone in an instant before Ness could get him. "Damnit!" Ness punches the wall in frustration.

They were both quiet for a few moments until they heard grunting. Both boys quickly move over to Lucas' side. The blonde slowly pushes himself off the floor.

"Careful Lucas," Ninten advises as the blonde gets to his hands and knees. Lucas moves to sit on his legs staring down at the floor. His hands resting upright on his thighs. He seems to be staring down at them not saying anything. "Lucas?"

"Thanks for helping me…" He mutters. His voice soft, clearly trying his best to hold back emotions. He moves to stand on wobbly feet. Ness and Ninten raise their hands worried the boy may tip over. Lucas manages to stay on his feet though before he walks toward the exit of the castle again. Bone whines meekly but Lucas doesn't even pay the hound any mind. Lucas eventually reaches the edge of the mushroom before sitting on the edge with his legs dangling.

"Poor kid…" Ness mutters. Ninten stands to his full height and walks toward Lucas, Ness following his lead a moment later. The two move to sit on either side of Lucas. No words were shared as the quiet of the night was welcomed after their "infighting". Ness and Ninten suddenly hear a hiccup. Their eyes move to Lucas who is shaking like a leaf in the wind. His eyes focused downward as tears streak down his face. He seemed to be seconds from screaming out but only letting small hiccups slip out.

"It's okay...it's okay...it's okay...this is how it's supposed to be. This is how it's supposed to be," Lucas mutters. Ness and Ninten weren't sure if that was something he was saying to them or himself. "Remember...you deserve it. You deserve it. Never forget, you deserve it."

Ninten reaches an arm around Lucas' shoulder, giving the boy comfort. Ness reaches up gently petting Lucas' head.

"It's okay to be in pain. Hurt is normal. We'll be here every step of the way," Ninten says squeezing Lucas' shoulder.

"As long as we're around, we won't let you hurt like this again. Cross my heart ya hear," Ness says gently rubbing Lucas' head.

"...please...don't hate me... please...I'm sorry...dont hate me…" Lucas had wanted to say that. However he kept those words to himself.