I stood there in silence, my heart pounding as the other scientists turned their attention back to the equipment. They were preparing for the next exercise, and I felt the familiar pressure wash over me. I had to perform. I had to show them I was worth their investment.
"Get ready!" a voice barked. I took a deep breath, forcing my thoughts to settle as I prepared for whatever came next.
The scientists gestured for me to move to the next section, where an intricate obstacle course awaited. It was a maze of high walls, swinging pendulums, and tightropes suspended above a pit designed to catch me if I fell. I swallowed hard, my body tense as I stepped into the arena.
"Focus, Morado! You can do this!" Dr. Saito encouraged from the sidelines, his eyes locked onto me. I nodded, but inside, I felt a storm brewing. What if I failed? What if I didn't measure up to their expectations?
I launched myself into the course, navigating the walls and swinging pendulums with practiced ease. Each leap and twist felt mechanical, as if my body was moving on autopilot. I didn't think about the pain in my muscles or the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind; I simply pushed through, driven by the need to prove myself.
Yet, as I climbed higher and swung across the gaps, I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. I was a performer in a twisted circus, and the audience was cold, indifferent. I could hear their voices—praise mixed with clinical observations—fading into a blur as I completed the course.
"Good job! Well done!" they shouted, but their words felt hollow. I landed at the end, panting, heart racing. I looked up at Dr. Saito who gave me a warm smile.
I smiled back a bit, but quickly hid it.
"Next up is the psychic exam," one of the other scientists said as he looked at his board.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as the scientists exited the room, retreating behind the one-way glass walls. The familiar hum of machines filled the air, their metal bodies whirring to life as I stood alone in the center of the arena.
The psychic exam was about to begin, but this time it was different— I had to use my powers to avoid the obstacles. And they were much deadlier than rings of fire.
I glanced around at the array of machines designed to simulate various attacks—missiles, retractable blades, and panels that would swing down to try and knock me off my feet. The latter was the easiest to avoid as I would just levitate.
"Focus, Morado," I whispered to myself, pushing down the anxiety threatening to bubble over. I could do this. I had to.
The machines whirred to life, their parts clicking and clanking as they prepared for the assault.
"Deep breath," I reminded myself. I could handle this. I was the Morado, the ultimate weapon.
As the first missile launched, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Instead of panicking, I focused my energy inward, feeling the power that swelled within me. With a swift motion, I lifted myself off the ground, levitating above the danger as the missile streaked beneath me, exploding harmlessly against the wall.
"Good! Keep it up!" Dr. Saito's voice echoed faintly from behind the glass, a beacon of encouragement amidst the chaos.
With each successful maneuver, I felt my confidence building. The retractable blades shot out next, but I was already poised to react. I hovered higher, gliding just out of reach as they sliced through the air below me. I could feel the rush of wind as they passed, but I remained unfazed, my focus unwavering.
"Now the panels," I thought, spotting the swinging obstacles that would normally pose a challenge. But as I floated above them, I couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation.
I maneuvered gracefully through the air, my body weightless and free. The world beneath me felt distant, and for a fleeting moment, I could forget the sterile walls of the arena and the expectations that came with my name.
As I navigated the course, I felt the energy within me surge, propelling me higher and faster. The missiles continued to launch, but I easily evaded each one, my movements fluid and instinctual. I was no longer bound by the ground; I was soaring.
"Impressive!" Dr. Saito exclaimed, though I couldn't see his expression behind the glass. It was enough to hear the approval in his voice, a small glimmer of validation that pushed me forward.
Suddenly, a new wave of missiles launched in quick succession, filling the air with a cacophony of sound and light. I narrowed my eyes, concentrating on the projectiles as they raced toward me. Instead of fleeing, I drew upon my energy, envisioning a barrier that would deflect their impact.
With a decisive motion, I thrust my hands outward, pushing my energy around me. The missiles stopped and exploded, but the explosions were quickly contained by my powers, bursting into harmless sparks that rained down like glittering confetti.
I couldn't help but smile at the display. I was powerful, I was strong! But the moment was fleeting; I had to stay focused.
The machines continued their relentless assault, but I was undeterred. I floated effortlessly through the barrage and tried to levitate the machines around me. They were made out of a mix of silver, gold, and platinum, which my fledgling powers had yet to be able to lift. But as the ultimate weapon, I had to overcome these limits.
With a surge of determination, I focused intently on the nearest machine, its metallic surface shimmering under the harsh lights. I strained against the weight of the silver, gold, and platinum, feeling the energy within me pulse as I pushed harder. Slowly, I managed to lift it just a few inches off the ground. It was a small victory, but in this moment, every bit counted.
As more missiles flew toward me, I swung the machine over, positioning it as a shield. The projectiles collided with the metal, the impacts resonating through the arena, but I felt a rush of triumph as the barrier absorbed the blasts. Sparks flew, illuminating the space in bursts of electric light, and the sound of explosions echoed around me.
"Good! That's it, Morado! Keep going!" Dr. Saito's voice rang out, urging me on even from behind the glass. I could feel his support pushing me to do more, to fight harder.
But just as I began to regain my footing, the machines adapted, launching a fresh barrage of missiles and swinging blades that came at me from all directions. I felt the strain of the energy coursing through me, the exhaustion creeping in with every deflected projectile. I was running on fumes, but I couldn't back down now.
"Stay strong," I whispered to myself, tightening my grip on the machine. I swung it again, using it to deflect another missile, but the effort was beginning to take its toll. The weight of the metal felt heavier, and my concentration started to waver.
"Focus, Morado!" I shouted, trying to rally my strength. I needed to finish this training session, to prove that I could overcome these challenges. I couldn't let the scientists down.
I pushed through the fatigue, redirecting my energy to maintain control over the machine while dodging the incoming attacks. I maneuvered through the chaos, the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I desperately sought to finish the exam.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last wave of missiles launched. I instinctively raised the machine to block the oncoming projectiles, and with a final, determined push, I sent the machine crashing against the last missile. The explosion erupted in a dazzling display, the force rippling through the air.
As the smoke cleared and the arena fell silent, I hovered for a moment, panting heavily. I had done it. I had faced the onslaught and emerged victorious, but the victory felt bittersweet as exhaustion washed over me.
Just then, the glass doors slid open, and Dr. Saito rushed in, concern etched on his face. "Morado!" he exclaimed, his eyes scanning me for any sign of injury. "Are you alright?"
I tried to respond, but the words caught in my throat. I was utterly spent, my limbs trembling with fatigue as I finally landed on the ground, the weight of the machines and missiles lifting from my mind.
Dr. Saito was at my side in an instant, his expression shifting from concern to relief. "You did exceptionally well," he said, kneeling beside me. "But you pushed yourself too hard. We need to monitor your energy levels more closely."
I nodded weakly, grateful for his presence, but all I could manage was a faint smile. "I... I wanted to show you I could do it," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"And you did," he assured me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Morado. You've made incredible progress, but you need to listen to your body. Rest is just as important as training."
"Thank you, Dr. Saito," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me despite the exhaustion. "I'll... I'll do better next time."
He smiled, his eyes sparkling with encouragement. "That's the spirit, Purpura. Now let's get you some rest. You've earned it."