12 Flying
August 19th, 1991 - Earth
Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal
Throughout the past year, alongside delving into the properties and potential applications of his ion manipulation powers, David's mother had conducted numerous tests. Through her research, she discovered that when he generated ions using his chi as an energy source, he became immune to the usual detrimental effects these substances had on people. Just yesterday, she had completed her final test and deemed him ready to learn how to produce ions independently and manipulate them.
Today marked the beginning of David's lessons on using his chi to create ions from the molecules surrounding him. Seated before his mother in the tranquil garden, he listened intently as she began, her voice calm yet filled with anticipation. "David, while martial artists typically spend years honing their chi, you possess a unique advantage. Your powers allow you to instinctively utilise your chi as an energy source," she explained.
Curious, David inquired, "Then why haven't I been able to generate ions since that first day?"
His mother's response was straightforward. "That's because I placed a seal on your chi to prevent you from constantly exhausting yourself by randomly producing ions in your environment," she revealed.
Understanding dawned on David. "Ah, I see. You were concerned I might suffer from the effects of unintentionally generating ions in the atmosphere, like creating random electric fields that would mess with peoples electronics," he deduced.
Impressed by his insight, his mother exclaimed, "My boy is a genius!"
Returning to the matter at hand, she continued, "Anyway, I'm going to remove the seal on your chi. All you need to do is attempt to use your powers again, but this time, focus inward instead of on your surroundings like last time. This approach will help you understand how to use your chi to create ions. The first step is learning how to control the process—knowing how to stop and start."
As the Ancient One released the seal on David's chi, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him, akin to discovering an extra limb that just randomly started moving. Instantly, he began generating ions in his surroundings, electrical discharges sparking sporadically in the atmosphere around him. "Focus inwards now, forget the outside, what do you feel," his mother instructed, her voice steady and reassuring.
Following her guidance, David directed his attention inward, delving into the depths of his being. Amidst the whirlwind of power, he encountered a sensation entirely foreign yet strangely familiar—a warmth that spread throughout his entire body. It was a sensation he had never experienced in his previous life, one that stood out amidst the sensations he was familiar with.
"I feel a warm sensation spread throughout my whole body, it's also outside my body, and the amount of it is decreasing the longer I keep my power active," David relayed to his mother, his voice tinged with wonder.
"Good, well done. Now I want you to breathe in and out in a steady rhythm, and feel the changes in that warmth," she replied, her surprise evident. It was unusual for someone to sense their chi so quickly.
Following her instructions, David began to breathe in a steady rhythm, his focus shifting to the subtle changes in the warmth enveloping him. It was akin to having another limb, albeit one without an instinctive understanding of its purpose. Each breath brought him closer to understanding this newfound aspect of himself, a journey he knew would require patience and dedication.
Relaying his observations to his mother, he watched as she smiled in response. "Good, every day from now on I will release your seal for an hour while you learn how to use this limb, and when you're able to fully control it, I'll remove the seal," she explained, her words filled with encouragement.
She elaborated on the nature of this limb, explaining that it was his chi—a vital force that permeated his being. While he could sense its presence, mastering its control would require patience and practice—a challenge he was eager to undertake.
After completing his training for the day, David relished a moment of relaxation with his mother, their bond strengthened by the simple joy of watching TV together. As they lounged comfortably, nestled in the warmth of their shared space, David couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of american cable reaching their remote location in Nepal.
"How do we get cable all the way out here?" David mused aloud, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
His mother chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Magic, my dear," she replied cryptically, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her lips.
David laughed in response, content to let the mystery linger as they continued to enjoy their time together, basking in the warmth of each other's company. 'There's now way she pays for this though…' David mused as he realised his mother might be a kleptomaniac.
July 19th, 1992 - Earth
Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal
After months of diligent practice, David had finally gained mastery over his chi, allowing him to control its flow and prevent the random generation of ions. With his mother's seal lifted just the day before, he found himself once again in the garden for his daily training, accompanied by his ever-teasing uncle, Wong.
"What am I even supposed to do here? I'd rather keep guarding the library than watch some brat meditate," Wong teased, his tone laced with jest.
Ignoring his uncle's banter, David settled into a meditative position, activating his powers as his mother had instructed. Now able to control their activation, he focused his attention on the next step of his training: understanding how he generated ions and learning to control the types produced.
As he steadied his breathing, David noticed something remarkable. With newfound clarity, he could sense the ions in the atmosphere more distinctly than ever before. Experimenting with this heightened sensitivity, he deftly manipulated the ions around him, effortlessly distinguishing between cations and anions.
"I guess this is why my power is ionic manipulation and not generation," he pondered, his mind racing with possibilities, controlling the ions and knowing what type they were was almost instinctual. Determined to put his newfound skill to the test, he began gathering the ions, arranging them meticulously around him in separate clusters.
A blue aura enveloped him as he concentrated, his pupils glowing with an intense blue hue. With a focused mind and a surge of determination, he generated a field of force around him, harnessing the ions to defy gravity itself. As he levitated slowly off the ground, and became suspended in mid-air, Wong's astonished exclamation filled the air.
"What the hell!" Wong exclaimed, his surprise echoing through the garden.
"Language!" He heard the Ancient One's reprimand in his mind, prompting him to fall silent immediately.
Despite knowing he should focus on his assigned practice, David couldn't resist the thrill of his newfound ability. Ignoring the training plan, he continued to manipulate the ions, relishing the sensation of weightlessness as he soared higher into the sky.
With each passing moment, his control grew stronger, the aura around him intensifying and shrinking until it was just like a green lantern except blue. As he ceased generating ions and focused solely on controlling those already present in his aura, he shot into the sky with surprising speed, leaving Wong speechless once again.
As David soared through the sky, a rush of exhilaration coursed through him like never before. The wind whipped past him, tousling his hair and sending a thrill down his spine. Beneath him, the vibrant landscape of Nepal unfolded in breathtaking detail. He could see the majestic peaks of the Himalayas towering in the distance, their snow-capped summits glistening in the sunlight. Lush green valleys stretched out below him, dotted with clusters of colourful buildings and winding rivers.
The bustling streets of Kathmandu appeared like tiny ant trails from his vantage point, bustling with activity and life. It was a sight that filled him with wonder and awe, reminding him of the vast beauty of the world he now inhabited. As he soared higher and higher, the sense of freedom enveloped him completely, leaving him feeling like he could conquer anything that lay before him.
As David descended back to the garden, his excitement overshadowed his focus, causing him to struggle with controlling his descent. Wong, anticipating a rough landing, prepared to cast a spell to dampen the impact. However, before he could act, the Ancient One appeared behind him, her expression etched with concern as she observed David's aura through the TruthSight spell, and she noticed something.
"Wait, Wong," she said, her voice filled with relief. "Let him land on his own."
Wong hesitated but obeyed, trusting the Ancient One's judgement. With a crash, David landed on the ground creating a small crater twice his size, he braced for impact, but to his surprise, he felt only a slight discomfort. His aura had shielded him from harm.
"Woah, that was amazing!" David exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he turned to his mother. "Did you see that, Mum? I was flying! It was incredible!"
