Sliver of Hope

A week had passed, and still, Orion showed no signs of awakening. Each day, he watched his classmates at kindergarten play with their powers under the watchful eyes of Ms. Hikari. They were testing their strength in a safe environment, designed to ensure that none of the kids were in any danger. He stood on the sidelines, his heart aching as he observed his friends and sisters discovering their newfound abilities.

Luna's telekinesis was particularly impressive. She would lift objects effortlessly, her eyes shining with excitement as she manipulated the world around her. Aurora, on the other hand, demonstrated incredible control over the wind, creating gusts and gentle breezes with a mere flick of her wrist.

Luffy would often stretch his limbs to incredible lengths, grinning wildly as he showed off his rubber-like abilities. Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin would practice with their unique powers, Ichigo wielding his black blade with precision, while Yuzu and Karin honed their spiritual senses.

Hibari's purple porcupine rolled around the ground, playfully dodging obstacles as Sakura and Ino focused on controlling their chakra. Hinata's eyes flashed with the power of the Byakugan, allowing her to see things that were invisible to the naked eye.

Asuna displayed her swordsmanship, gracefully slicing through the air as Mikasa practiced her maneuver gear, soaring through the air with ease. Winry, who they had assumed had not awakened any powers, revealed her incredible mechanical genius, creating blueprints for weapons, tools, and even cyborgs. She would often be found tinkering with machine parts, a wide smile on her face as she worked.

Orion watched them all, his heart filled with a mixture of pride and envy. He was genuinely happy for his friends and sisters, but the feeling of being left behind was gnawing at him. Still, they were kind enough not to point out his powerlessness, and he was grateful for their consideration.

Later that day, as they returned home, Selene finally decided to talk to Orion about his feelings. She had sensed his depression ever since the awakening, but had given him some time to process his emotions. However, as the days went by and his mood did not improve, she decided it was time to address the issue.

"Orion," she began gently, her voice filled with empathy, "I've noticed that you've been feeling down lately. I want you to know that it's okay to talk to me about anything that's bothering you."

He hesitated for a moment, before finally pouring out his feelings. "Mom, I just feel so weak and useless compared to everyone else. They all have these amazing powers, and I'm the only one left behind. I want to be able to protect and support my sisters and friends, but how can I do that when I don't have any powers?"

Selene listened intently, her eyes filled with understanding. "Orion, I know it's hard to see everyone else discovering their abilities while you feel left out. But you have to remember that everyone has their own unique path to follow, and sometimes it takes a little longer for some of us to find our way. I believe that you have incredible potential, and in time, you'll discover your own abilities."

He nodded, but the doubt still lingered in his heart. Sensing his hesitation, Selene made a decision. "Why don't we take you to see Shizune for a test? We didn't do it before because we thought your awakening would happen naturally in time. But if it will help put your mind at ease, we can have her check to see if there's any indication of your powers."

He agreed, grateful for her understanding and support. "Thank you, Mom." He hugged her. "Will Mom Elara come too?"

"No, honey," Mother said, as she kissed his cheek, "She has to work with others to make sure the portal is closed properly."

As they walked towards Shizune's office, Selene began to talk about how she and Elara met and fell in love. "You know, when I first met Elara, I never expected that she would become such an important part of my life," Selene said, a warm smile on her face. "She was so strong and confident, but also incredibly gentle and kind. I couldn't help but be drawn to her."

Orion listened intently, curious to hear more about their love story. "What happened then, Mom?" he asked, looking up at her.

Selene's eyes sparkled as she recounted their early days together. "Well, we started working together on various missions, and I was always amazed by Elara's abilities. But it wasn't just her powers that impressed me – it was the way Elara cared for others and always put their needs above her own. I began to realize that I had never met anyone quite like her, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."

As Orion and Selene continued walking towards Shizune's office, they were suddenly startled by a man who appeared out of nowhere. He snatched an old lady's purse and sprinted towards them with a wicked grin on his face. Selene instinctively held Orion's hand, prepared to pull him out of harm's way.

Before they could react, a brick plummeted from above and landed squarely on the thief's head, knocking him out cold. The old lady approached, picked up her purse, and kicked the unconscious man before spitting on his face.

"Thank you, dear," she said to Selene, who looked as surprised as Orion was.

"We didn't do anything," Selene replied, still taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. The old lady simply smiled, thanked them again, and walked away. Relieved, Selene and Orion continued on their way.

Upon their arrival at Shizune's office, she greeted them with a warm hug and a bright smile. "Orion! You've grown so much since I last saw you!" she exclaimed, burying his head to her ample bosom, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "You're even more adorable than before! How have you been?"

"I've been okay," Orion replied, blushing slightly at her compliments.

Just then, the door to Shizune's office swung open, and a nurse stepped in. "The machine's fixed on its own, Dr. Shizune," she announced.

Shizune looked perplexed but pleased. "Oh, that's lucky news! Thank you," she replied, dismissing the nurse with a smile.

Selene took the opportunity to explain Orion's situation to Shizune, detailing his feelings of inadequacy and his desire to know if he had awakened any powers. Shizune listened attentively, nodding in understanding.

"Well, Orion, we can certainly perform a test to see if you've awakened any powers. However, it won't be able to tell us what those powers are – you'll have to discover that on your own," Shizune explained gently.

"I understand," Orion said, his heart pounding in anticipation. "Let's do the test."

Shizune guided Orion to a room filled with advanced equipment. She attached several small sensors to his temples and wrists, explaining that they would monitor his brain activity and energy levels to determine if he had indeed awakened any powers.

As the test began, Orion could feel a tingling sensation throughout his body, but he couldn't pinpoint any specific ability. His thoughts raced, filled with hope and anxiety in equal measure.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the test results were ready. Shizune looked at the data and smiled. "Orion, according to these readings, you have awakened your powers. However, it seems that they're either too ethereal or complex for you to feel them."

Orion felt a mix of relief and frustration. At least he knew that he had powers, but discovering what they were seemed like an even more daunting task.

Shizune continued, "Sometimes, people can't immediately sense their powers because they're still developing or because they require a specific trigger to manifest. Be patient, Orion. I believe that in time, you'll discover the true extent of your abilities."

As they left Shizune's office, Orion felt a renewed sense of determination. He might not know what his powers were yet, but he had taken the first step towards understanding his potential. With his family's support and his own perseverance, he was sure that he would eventually unlock the secrets of his abilities and stand alongside his friends and sisters.