The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the bustling streets of Novaria. Angelo walked with his head down, hands shoved deep in his pockets, the weight of his recent suspension heavy on his shoulders. The city around him pulsed with its usual energy - cars zipping by, neon signs flickering to life as dusk approached - but Angelo barely noticed, lost in his own thoughts.
"A whole week of suspension? What are we supposed to do, twiddle our thumbs?" Red's voice echoed in Angelo's mind, dripping with irritation.
Blue's calm tone cut through, tinged with dry sarcasm. "Perhaps we could solve the mystery of our parents' demise. I'm sure that won't take more than an afternoon."
"Can it, you overgrown blueberry," Red snapped back. "No one asked for your two cents."
"Oh? Were you soliciting Angelo's opinion then?" Blue retorted, his mental voice as cool and collected as ever.
"It was a rhetorical question, you insufferable know-it-all!" Red's fury was palpable, even as a disembodied voice.
The internal bickering reached a boiling point. "For the love of- both of you, quiet!" Angelo snapped, his voice cutting through the evening air. A couple walking ahead turned to stare, their eyes wide with surprise.
Realizing his outburst, Angelo fumbled for words. "Sorry about that, I wasn't... nevermind." Embarrassment flooded through him. In a flash of orange energy, he leaped to the rooftop of a nearby building, leaving the confused couple behind.
Once safely out of sight, Angelo let out a frustrated sigh. "See what you've done? You've made me look like a lunatic," he thought, annoyance and embarrassment coloring his internal voice.
As the cool evening breeze ruffled his hair, Angelo gazed out over the city skyline. The last rays of sunlight glinted off the windows of tall buildings, creating a breathtaking canvas of orange and purple hues. But the beauty was lost on Angelo, his mind preoccupied with their current predicament.
"We don't have any leads," he muttered. "We don't know where to start..."
Blue's voice, ever the voice of reason, cut through Angelo's despondency. "Perhaps a visit to the Professor's research facility is in order. It's been some time since our last energy donation. His wisdom, while not directly applicable to our situation, might provide a fresh perspective."
"Oh joy, another thrilling adventure in Boringville. I can hardly contain my excitement," Red's sarcasm was almost tangible.
"I mean, there are some complex machinery there that are cool to look at." Angelo argued back.
"Sure, if you're a hopeless nerd," Red scoffed.
Angelo's patience was wearing thin. "Fine. Stay here and count pigeons for all i care. We're going."
"You know full well I'll be dragged along for the ride!" Red protested.
Blue's calm voice settled the matter. "I'm afraid the decision's been made, Red. We're off to see the Professor"
With a flicker of his aura, Angelo's energy tendrils sprang to life. He began leaping from building to building, the city blurring beneath him as he made his way to the Professor's facility.
The research complex loomed ahead, a sprawling structure of glass and concrete that seemed to glow in the fading daylight. As Angelo approached the main entrance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the cutting-edge technology that surrounded him.
An assistant, recognizing Angelo immediately, ushered him through the sleek corridors. The walls were lined with accolades - diplomas, news clippings, and awards all bearing the name "Albert Goldstein." Each step deeper into the facility felt like a journey through the illustrious career of one of the world's most renowned scientists.
Finally, they reached a set of imposing doors. As they swung open with a soft creak, Angelo's eyes fell upon the familiar figure of Albert Goldstein. The elderly scientist stood hunched over a complex array of equipment, his shoulder-length gray and white hair tinged with hints of its original brown. As he turned, the light glinted off his square glasses, momentarily obscuring his eyes.
"Angelo, my boy!" Albert exclaimed, genuine surprise coloring his voice. "What an unexpected pleasure. It's rare to see you here of your own volition."
Angelo fidgeted slightly, suddenly feeling like a child again under Albert's piercing gaze. "Well, we thought it might be time for another energy donation. For your research, of course," he offered, trying to sound casual.
Albert's eyes flashed with interest. "Indeed? And I suppose there's no other motive behind this sudden burst of scientific pursuit?" The old scientist's gaze seemed to bore into Angelo, searching for the truth behind his unexpected visit.
Before Angelo could respond, Blue materialized beside him, bowing slightly in respect. "Professor, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Internally, Red's mocking voice echoed, "Oh, Professor, it's such an honor, please bestow upon us your vast knowledge!" Blue's face twitched almost imperceptibly at the taunt.
Albert's face lit up at the sight of Blue. "Ah, Blue! Always a delight. But where's your more... colorful counterpart?"
Angelo shifted uncomfortably. "Red's... indisposed. Still nursing his wounded pride from a recent defeat, I suspect."
As if summoned by the challenge in Angelo's words, Red materialized in a burst of crimson energy. His expression with barely contained irritation, eyes blazing like embers in the dimly lit lab.
"I am not!" he snarled, his voice echoing off the sterile walls.
Albert's weathered face creased into a warm smile, his eyes twinkling behind his square glasses. "Ah, there you are, Red. I was beginning to think you'd lost your fighting spirit."
Red scoffed, turning away with a dramatic flourish. "Yeah, yeah, good to see you too, old man. Don't get all mushy on me now."
Albert's keen eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Red's prickly demeanor. His voice took on a thoughtful tone, tinged with a hint of excitement. "It seems our fiery friend is in quite the mood today. Perhaps... yes, I think it's finally time I shared something with you all."
Angelo and Blue exchanged a puzzled glance, their curiosity piqued. "Shared what, exactly?" Angelo asked, leaning forward slightly.
Blue, ever the articulate one, added, "You've piqued our interest, Professor. What revelations have you been keeping from us?"
Albert's eyes gleamed with the fervor of scientific discovery. "Oh, nothing too earth-shattering," he said with feigned nonchalance. "Just the results of my research into your unique energies, and a little theory I've cooked up. It might shed some light on Red's recent... shall we say, difficulties."
Red's aura flickered dangerously, his form pulsing with waves of crimson energy. His eyes, burning like embers, narrowed as he spoke, voice dripping with caustic sarcasm.
"Oh, joy. Another lecture. Just what I needed to brighten my day. Thanks, but I'll pass."
Without warning, Red's body dissolved into a swirling mass of angry crimson smoke. The cloud roiled for a moment before streaking towards Angelo, spiraling around him once and vanishing into his body with a faint red glow.
Blue, ever the diplomat, stepped forward smoothly. His calm voice cut through the tension like a cool breeze. "Please, don't mind Red, Professor. His manners seem to have retreated along with his form. We would be most interested in hearing your findings."
Albert nodded, his expression growing serious as he began to explain. "Well, my boys, it all began when Sleeser introduced us. Do you recall that day?" He paused, his eyes growing distant with memory.
"You might be surprised to learn that it was Sleeser who reached out to me initially. It was shortly after Red and Blue first emerged from Angelo. That old dog, he suspected there was more to your condition than met the eye. Being an energy Auron himself, he could sense something... extraordinary about your situation."
Angelo's eyes widened, surprise evident in his voice. "Wait, what? Sleeser initiated this? But I always thought... I mean, I remember him being there when we first met, when you said you wanted to study our condition, but..."
Albert nodded, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I'm not surprised he never mentioned it. Sleeser always did prefer to work behind the scenes. I suppose he didn't think it was important enough to bring up."
The old scientist continued, his voice taking on the familiar cadence of a lecture. Excitement bubbled just beneath the surface of his words. "After that fateful meeting, you three began donating your energies for my research. And let me tell you, it was no simple task. Measuring and studying the different properties of the energy produced by each of you, comparing them to Sleeser's energy as a control... it was like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces kept changing shape!"
Angelo leaned forward, his curiosity evident in the intensity of his gaze. "And what did you discover, Albert? What secrets did our energies reveal?"
Albert's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, my dear boy, you have no idea how extraordinary you truly are. To understand this, we must first grasp the nature of pure energy."
From within Angelo, Red's groan was almost audible. "Here we go again. Wake me when it's over."
Blue, ever the scholar, was quick to respond. "Pure energy is what we energy Aurons produce, correct? Unlike elemental energies, ours lacks specific properties."
Albert nodded, a spark of enthusiasm lighting up his eyes. "An astute observation, Blue, but not quite accurate. Let me clarify," he said, leaning forward slightly.
"Pure energy, in its truest form, doesn't exist as a physical manifestation at all. It's a concept, a potential, constantly shifting and transforming. What energy Aurons produce is something quite extraordinary - they give physical form to something that, by its very nature, shouldn't have one."
He paused, letting the concept sink in before continuing. "In essence, they create a physical analogue of pure energy. It's not pure energy itself, but rather the closest thing to it that can exist in our physical world. This is what makes energy Aurons so unique and, frankly, fascinating from a scientific perspective."
Angelo's brow furrowed in concentration. "Okay, so how does this relate to our... unique situation?"
Albert's voice took on a tone of reverence, as if he were about to reveal a great secret. "After extensive study, I've developed a new theory: 'The Components of Pure Energy.' It posits that pure energy itself consists of three distinct components."
Blue's eyes shone with intense focus. "Interesting. And you believe this explains our condition?"
Albert's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Precisely. Imagine an object, any object really, say a boulder. Now, if we could split the energy composing that boulder into its three components-"
Blue's eyes widened with understanding. "-we'd create three identical replicas of the original boulder, each composed of a different energy type, yet all fundamentally the same matter. Fascinating!"
Albert beamed at Blue's quick grasp of the concept. "Exactly, Blue! You've got it!"
Angelo, however, looked confused. His brow furrowed as he tried to wrap his head around the concept. "I... I'm not sure I follow. How does a rock splitting relate to us?"
Albert's expression softened, recognizing Angelo's struggle. "Ah, I see. Perhaps another analogy might help. Angelo, think of pure energy like white light. When white light passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum of colors."
He gestured with his hands, mimicking the dispersion of light. "In the case of our boulder, instead of a range of colors, we get three distinct... let's call them 'shades' of energy. Just as each color in the spectrum is still light but with its own unique properties, each component of your energy is still fundamentally energy, but with distinct characteristics."
Angelo's eyes lit up with newfound understanding. "Oh! So, Red, Blue, and I are like... different colors of the same light?"
Albert nodded, pleased. "In a manner of speaking, yes. You're all composed of the same fundamental energy, but each of you represents a distinct component of that energy. These components have different properties and behaviors, but they're all integral parts of what was originally one unified energy."
Blue nodded thoughtfully. "So, to combine the metaphors, we're like three boulders made of different types of energy, yet all originating from the same source?"
"An excellent synthesis, Blue," Albert praised. "That's precisely it. These energy types aren't just expressed differently - they're fundamentally distinct, yet intrinsically linked parts of a whole."
Angelo's mind reeled with the implications. "That's... a lot to take in. But why? How did this happen to us, Albert?"
The old scientist's expression turned somber. "That... I do not know. As far as I'm aware, these components don't exist naturally."
Blue, ever analytical, pressed further. "And these energies, the three components, are they different in any way? This could explain why Red is so... well, Red."
From within Angelo, Red's voice snarled, "Fuck off."
Albert continued, his voice steady and filled with the quiet excitement of scientific discovery. He seemed unfazed by the internal conflict brewing within Angelo, his focus entirely on the revelation at hand.
"My extensive testing and calculations have led me to a fascinating conclusion," he began, his eyes gleaming behind his spectacles. "The composition of pure energy is far from uniform. When split, these energies exhibit a remarkable property - they actually repel each other."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "These findings are key to understanding your unique condition. Based on these properties, I've classified the energies into three distinct types:"
Albert raised a finger, ticking off each point as he spoke. "First, we have Neutral energy. This comprises 50% of pure energy and forms the core of your being, Angelo. It's why you are, for lack of a better term, the 'main body'."
He raised a second finger. "Next, there's Negative energy, making up 25% of the total. This, Red, is the essence of your existence."
Finally, he raised a third finger. "And lastly, Positive energy, also 25% of the whole. Blue, this is what constitutes your form."
Angelo's mind raced with the implications. His curiosity, piqued by this new understanding, got the better of him. "Wait," he interjected, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Is Red's energy negative because he's... well, Red?"
The question hung in the air for a moment before Red's internal voice cut through, bristling with indignation. "Oh, real mature, Angelo. Fuck you too."
Albert chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no. The names imply the level of repulsion. Neutral repels Negative and Positive energies equally. However, in my testing, Red's negative energy and Blue's positive energy showed a much higher level of repulsion."
Blue's voice took on a thoughtful tone. "Professor, if I may... Does this theory explain our physical limitations compared to other Aurons?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Angelo visibly tensed, and even Red's internal presence seemed to recoil. Memories of childhood bullying and physical weakness flashed through their collective consciousness.
Albert's voice was gentle as he confirmed Blue's suspicion. "Indeed it does, Blue. My tests show that Angelo's energy output is roughly 50% of what it should be, compared to a normal energy Auron like Sleeser. This deficiency extends to physical strength as well. Which means that Red is-"
Before Albert could finish, Red materialized in a burst of crimson energy. "That's bull! There's no way I'm weaker than Angelo!" he shouted, his aura flickering with fury.
Forcing a weak laugh, Red continued, "And what... 25%? HA! Don't make me laugh. I'm not a weakling! There's no way I'd ever believe this bullshit!"
Angelo tried to intervene. "Red! That's enough-"
But Red was beyond reason. "NO! Shut your stupid face! Why should we believe anything he says?"
Blue's voice cut through the tension, calm but firm. "Red. Enough. He just confirms what we've long suspected-"
Red's anger turned on Blue. "Shut it, blueberry! Don't you get it?! If I'm this weak, then so are you!"
A heavy silence fell over the lab. Then, Blue turned to Albert, his voice carefully controlled. "Professor, might I request use of the training field? I believe a practical demonstration is in order."
Albert, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, struggled to regain his composure. "Of course, but... to what end?"
Blue's response was cryptic. "All will become clear soon enough. Angelo, shall we? I would like a sparring match."
Red fumed, his aura flickering with a mix of anger and curiosity. "Oh, this I gotta see. The walking, talking encyclopedia thinks he can prove something with his fists? This'll be rich."
Albert raised an eyebrow, a mixture of concern and scientific interest crossing his weathered features. "Well, this is an unexpected turn of events. Do be careful, boys. And if you don't mind, I'll observe. This could provide some fascinating data."
With a nod, Angelo started towards the exit, his mind whirling with the implications of Albert's revelations and the impending confrontation with Blue. As they left the lab, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Whatever Blue had planned, it was clear that this sparring match would be more than just a simple training exercise. It would be a test - of strength, of will, and of the very nature of their unique existence.