Unstable (solo)

As he sat resting Stratus realized how much time he spent in the training area. He spent more time here than sleeping. And even then he spent more time above ground hunting than in the cave designated as his bed. But there was a reason for that; he wasn't satisfied with his current skills. A hunger for more power akin to a thirst for knowledge. With each feeding he could feel his power grow, and with each battle he evolved as a warrior. At first he only used his claws in battle, now he used slime to ensnare his prey. He wielded weapons made of heavy crystal now as well. Swords, spears, and other odd shapes all lethal in his hands. But the crystal wasn't just a good weapon it was also a terrific defense. Many times he had used it to save himself from serious harm. It really was an amazing tool, he pooled a little slime into his hand and channeled his energies. Instantly the gel became solid and brittle. No longer was it light, soft, and sticky. Barely bigger than a silver dollar, it weighted almost 10lbs. But the weight was nothing to Stratus, in the past he had covered himself completely with the gemstone becoming living wrecking ball. He grinned
"So wonderful you are." he said aloud the small crystal glittered in the dim light. He tossed the small gemstone over his shoulder, it was time to get back to work. As he stood up he heard the crystal hit the stone behind him, then there was a loud popping noise and then something hit his back. It wasn't a simple pop, it was almost the sound of a explosion. He quickly turned around, his claws tensed for battle. There was no one behind him; there was only a small scorch mark on the floor. He reached and felt his back, there was a small cut. The gray hollow quickly opened his senses. Nothing, no one was remotely close to him. Then what have caused that noise. Slowly he moved over to the small scorch mark. There was more than a mark in the stone, there was now a small crater. He was certain that the hole wasn't there before. The usually cold floor felt warmer around the area. "What the hell was that?" he spoke as he turned around back to his practice. He touched the scratch on his back one more time.

The matter was already forgotten as he went back to his exercises. Stratus favored a dual hand style, a crystal sword in each hand. This worked well for him. Since shinigami used one weapon, having two gave him an advantage. With his brutal self taught style he had been able to fight on par with them. But that wasn't enough, that was the reason for the intense practice sessions. He created a sword of emerald stone in each hand and approached the gem covered target. With his left he swung low at the six foot stalagmite, the blade impacted causing a spark he dragged it upwards in a diagonal slash. As he mirrored the swing with his right hand noticed too late there was something different about weapon he held. The crystal he grasped was shining faintly even in the dim light. The strangely glowing weapon impacted with the crystal before him and then there was an explosion. There was a scream from the gray hollow as a wave of heat hit him and he felt sharp objects cut into his skin. The force of the blast sent him flying backwards into the stone wall. Even after the long distance he was tossed, his body left impression on the wall. Stratus forced himself to move. Everything ached and yet that pain was overshadowed by the smoldering nub that was his right hand. There were holes in his body and pieces of rock sticking out of his skin. He was screaming, but the blast had deafened him so much he couldn't hear himself. Then everything went dark.

He awoke some time later, his body hurt all over. He raised his hand, it was whole again. Had he dreamed the whole thing? He picked himself from the floor as he looked at the target his mouth hung open. There was a large black spot where the target was. Not far from that was a part of his forearm. He looked down at his perfectly formed arm. Apparently he had healed in his sleep. It was abit creepy to see his own severed limb. He picked it up and tossed it across the room. With that gone he examined the burnt pillar. It was burnt, but there were chunks of green rock embedded into it. What had happened wasn't a dream, his crystal had detonated in his hand. The question was why? Why had only the crystal in his right hand exploded? He remember striking the target and then the blast. His left hand was fine, it had be something to do with it's right. Hesitantly he pooled slime into his right hand. He infused the slime with energy and it became heave crystal. He looked at the small gem in his and then threw it a the far wall. The shard chimed as it hit the stone and rattled off the floor. Stratus stood his left hand covering his face expecting and explosion. After several seconds he walked over to the shard and poked it. Then he kicked it. The small crystal skipped across the floor, but nothing happened.
"You okay kid!? I heard some loud noise." Moldale popped his head out of a dark tunnel and waddled into the room.
"Well...."Stratus started looking across the floor where the small crystal lay. After a short pause he explained what had happened. Moldale walked over to the severed limb and examined it.
"Gots bits of crystal in it, so yeah, it somehow exploded." Stratus sighed. He needed to figure out how he did it. Not just to use it, but to avoid doing it when he DIDN'T need to. "Made yourself a nice backscratcher." Moldale said as he used the claws to scratch his shell and mane.
"Stop that!" Stratus said swatting the hand away.
"Well what do you expect from me kid? I can't tell you how your body works. Gotta figure it out for yourself" He got up and walked to the tunnel he had entered from.
"Thanks for nothing!" Stratus shouted at his back, the short hollow raised a single finger on his right hand as he walked out sight. He was right, he just wished he had a better way of saying it. With a sigh he resumed his practice. With each hand he took turns pooling slime and then making into crystal and then throwing it. It was the best method, but it was boring as hell.

It was nearly an hour later til he made a breakthrough. By this time he was actually skipping the crystals across the floor. He had almost forgotten the point of the exercise. In his left hand he made the slime crystal when he noticed the gem was glowing. The hair stood up on the back of his neck. He remembered the sword glowing before it exploded on him. He gave an excited shout, but then realized no one else was in the cave. The crystal in his hand shined it's pale light on his face. With a flick of his wrist he sent it flying at the wall. It it and instantly there was a flash of flame as the emerald exploded. He laughed out loud and raised his arms in triumph. Quickly he raced to the wall to examine the spot. The rock was hot from the explosion and there were shards of crystal driven into the stones. He needed to try again, he had to remember the feeling when he created the glowing green stone. The slime grew in his hand and then he infused the energy. Once again the rock glowed green, this time the crystal was much bigger and glowed brighter. Slowly he placed it on the ground and took several steps back. From the other side of the room he watch the small glowing orb. As time ticked away, nothing happened. Well it was good to know it wasn't a timed effect. Ever so gently he picked up the orb and tossed it across the room and ducked down. The explosion from earlier couldn't compare with the blast. The fire rippled through the air and Stratus heard things whistle through the air around him and heard pieces of crystal rattle to the ground. A good size chunk of the wall was now missing. Moldale's popped out of a tunnel again.
"What the hell are you doing now boy!?" He snorted, quite annoyed.
"Just figuring things out." he laughed


Ability 3: Fatal Impact - Rather than forming his normal crystal an unstable emerald substance is made. It's properties and appearance are the same as his second ability except for some key differences. This new substance glows, and when it receives a sharp/hard impact/force it explodes sending fire and sharp crystal shards in every direction. The larger the emerald the bigger the explosion. Although it is based on his energy, he is not immune from these explosions or the resulting shrapnel (unless using his own protective crystal)