{Jude}
For some reason, I always seem to know exactly where Rainbow Dash is. Normally, when AI sends out a baby so they can be transformed into an adult and work for it, they don't know who their parents are. Not to mention once the baby is taken their memories of their parents are wiped. That didn't happen to me. I'm going to assume that because AI picked me to be its ruler, it made an exception for me.
Even though I barely knew Rainbow Dash, I still had a strong connection with her. I think it also has something to do with that strange birthmark I have on my right hand.
I can find Rainbow Dash a lot faster than the seekers because of this. The only time I can't find her is if she's in the Sixth, doing her assignments there. To be honest, I'm happy when that happens, because that means she's somewhere safe.
However, I am glad that I finally got a chance to talk to her face to face.
I'm also glad that with all of the elements of harmony broken out of AI, the Feeding Rituals have been less intense. But it still puts me out of commission for a day or two afterwards.
The funny thing is, I don't think AI is seeing Rainbow Dash as a threat to it because I think it figures that Rainbow Dash is more of a threat to herself. I couldn't agree more with AI's thinking on that one.
I keep getting lost in my thoughts off and on thinking about Rainbow Dash and when I'm going to send Firewall Eli to fight her next, when someone clears their throat to get my attention. I turned around expecting to see First Mother, but it wasn't her this time. I was surprised to see Second Mother standing there in the doorway instead.
"It's so nice to see you again, Lord Jude!" Second Mother said, "It's been ages since I've seen you!"
"Second Mother," I said, "what are you doing here?"
Even though Second Mother is more civil to me than First Mother, I've heard about the talk going around the castle about the nickname the Mothers of the Mainframe gave me: The Boy Lord Jude. Honestly, I don't like the idea of seeing any of the Mothers of the Mainframe in the computer room at the moment because of that. The reason I found out about this is because Ivy told me. Oh well AI picked me to be its ruler whether people like it or not.
"Listen Lord Jude, I know you've heard the talk around the castle about your nickname, but me and Third Mother don't feel that way about you. That stupid nickname was started by First Mother of course," Second Mother said.
The fact that she jumped so quickly into defense mode, made me not trust her even more.
I sighed, "It's fine Second mother, but I do wonder why you jumped into defense mode so quickly? It gives me more reason to assume that you actually feel that way. Oh well, it doesn't matter, like it or not, I'm the ruler here. Unless AI changes its mind about that. To tell the truth, I kind of hope it does change its mind but I doubt it will happen anytime soon."
"Well, you know something Lord Jude?" Second Mother said, "Ever since you became the ruler here, AI's power has actually increased for some reason. It's a lot stronger than when me and the other Mothers of the Mainframe were running it on our own. So, yeah I agree, I doubt AI will change its mind about you being ruler. I think it has something to do with the fact that it picked Rainbow Dash to give birth to you."
I shrugged. "Anyway, um, what are you doing here and not First Mother?"
"Oh, that ugly old hag, sent me in her place to summon you for the Feeding Ritual," Second Mother said.
I gasped, "That's today?"
Then I realized Second Mother just called First Mother an ugly old hag, and I found that funny. "Did you call First Mother an ugly old hag?"
Second Mother snorted. "Yeah that's because she's getting on mine and Third Mother's nerves! Although, she is doing her job today. I wonder what that's all about? But in any case, why AI hasn't sent out a baby to replace her is beyond me."
"She's been acting weird towards me lately too," I said.
Second Mother raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Weird? In what way?"
"She's been acting civil towards me," I answered. "And she's been giving a creepy smile, I'd rather her snarl at me like she did before instead."
Second Mother chuckled, "Yeah, that would creep me out too. I agree, First Mother's smile is creepy to me and Third Mother. She's been doing that to us a lot lately too. Well, come with me to the Feeding Ritual. The sooner you get it done, the better."
At this point in time the fact that I had no idea where Rainbow Dash and Agent Oliver was, told me they were safe and I should say that since Agent Oliver is my step-dad now, I should probably start referring to him as Oliver more now. Anyway, as I followed Second Mother to the Feeding Ritual, I felt happy knowing that Rainbow Dash and Oliver were safe.
* * *
{Rainbow Dash}
When Oliver and I went to greet Spitfire outside of the orientation room, she had the biggest grin on her face that went from ear to ear.
I hope she's not going to be excited to meet me, but she probably will be. I thought. Everyone I meet is always excited to meet me. That's starting to get really old!
"Okay Spitfire-" Finn started to say. What Spitfire said next surprised everyone and Finn's never surprised by anything!
"I can't believe I have such a cool name!" Spitfire said with excitement. "Spitfire beats Iris any day!"
She did something that I've never seen anyone do in a while since being agent for the Sixth. It really creeped me out. She gave me a squee.
Okay, did she just squee because of her name? I thought.
Finn picked his jaw off the ground. "Wow, she's accepted her name a lot quicker than you did Agent Rainbow Dash."
"Ha, ha," I said. I blew a raspberry at him.
Finn rolled his eyes. "Real mature Rainbow! Anyway, Spitfire, these are your trainers, they will help with your transformation and your six-day training."
Oliver nudged me on the shoulder and whispered into my ear, "I think you can do the introductions."
"Me?" I whispered. "You're the main trainer!"
"Nope," Oliver whispered, "you should do it."
"Uh, you know it's not nice to whisper in front of people," Spitfire said.
"So, Spitfire, these are your trainers and I think Agent Rainbow Dash has something she wants to say to you." Finn said with a grin.
I groaned and started off by pointing a hoof at myself, "I'm Agent Rainbow Dash-14," pointed a hoof at Oliver, "this is my husband Agent Oliver-45, at your service."
As soon as I did the introductions, everyone fell flat on their backs laughing. So I tucked in my wings, sat down, crossed my arms, crossed my legs and waited for the laughter to stop.
Oliver grinned. "You know you didn't have to do the introductions that way right?"
I blew a raspberry at Oliver and Finn when they saw that they rolled their eyes.
"Real mature Agent Rainbow Dash!" Finn said.
"If people would stop laughing at every other thing I say, that would be nice!" I snapped.
"Okay fine," said Finn, "that's enough laughing at Agent Rainbow Dash. Anyway, Spitfire, these are your trainers, have fun you three!"
I blew another raspberry at Finn and he walked away laughing at it.
Yup! Just like Loyalty says, laughter material for sure! I thought.
* * *
When Finn left, Spitfire perked up.
"What is it?" I said.
"Did you announce yourself as Agent Rainbow Dash?" Spitfire said. "As in the Agent Rainbow Dash? And Agent Oliver as the Agent Oliver? You two are the elements of Loyalty bearer, and Agent Oliver, you're the new element of Kindness bearer! This is so cool!"
Spitfire smiled at me and started giving me googly eyes. "What's that look for Spitfire?"
"You sure picked a good one, didn't you, Agent Oliver?" Spitfire said. "If Agent Rainbow Dash wasn't married I'd back her up into a corner if you know what I mean."
I could feel my face turn red and I looked at Oliver to see he had burst into a fit of laughter.
Spitfire squeed again. "You are a charmer Agent Rainbow Dash, I can't believe I actually get to meet Rainbow Dash! An element of harmony bearer!"
"Actually, you've met me before," I said.
Spitfire paused. "Uh, huh? When did we meet?"
I changed into my human form. From when I posed as her boss while she was inside of AI.
Spitfire's jaw dropped. "You're my boss Eve? And you're still gorgeous in your human form. No wonder why half the workers at JJ Inc had feelings for you! I'd say that guy Eli was included in that. He was following you around a lot."
I changed back into my human form and I didn't want to reply to that.
"He's Rainbow Dash's long lost brother," Oliver said. "We have no idea what he's up to."
Spitfire frowned. "Oh I see."
She then went back to excited mode again. "Hey! My voice has already changed, cool!"
"That would be your original voice," I said. "You seem to be a little bit too excited about this."
"Oh sorry, it's just everything that's happening now, is so real," Spitfire said.
I didn't realize that we were in that creepy white room that I had trained in until I looked around. I gulped when I realized I might have to do the blood barrier to start Spitfire's training. "We wouldn't by chance have a unicorn helping us with Spitfire's training would we?"
"Oh boy!" Oliver said. His eyes went wide in terror, cause he realized what we were going to have to do. He gave a nervous laugh, "Unfortunately, no, which means one of us will have to do the blood barrier."
Spitfire tilted her head. "Blood barrier? What's that?"
I gave a nervous laugh, "It's something we'll have to teach you during your six-day training. It's so you can access your pocket dimension and the system database for the Sixth."
Oliver frowned. "It's not pleasant either, Rainbow Dash, I think since you haven't had much experience in training a new agent with this, you should probably do it."
"Why do I have to do it?" I protested. "You're the main trainer!"
"Did you hear what I just said?" Oliver replied. "You don't have experience training a new agent with this and what I say goes."
I groaned, "Fine."
I accessed the blood barrier and just like the last time I did it, it wasn't a pleasant thing to do.
"Okay then, we don't want your wings and tail, yet." Oliver said. "True, we want to get your original body back, we need to concentrate on getting your ears first and the rest of the transformation will follow."
Spitfire looked puzzled by this but didn't seem to mind it so she shrugged. "Okay, you guys are my trainers so yeah."
I groaned as the pain from accessing the blood barrier was getting intense. It felt like my eyeball was being squeezed out of its socket. "Let's get this over with! This isn't going to be a field day you know!"
Oliver smiled. "Where have I heard that line before?"
"Yeah training with Gilda on this was not fun!" I snapped. "If I hear the 'Gilda line' one more time…"
Spitfire laughed, "Gilda line? What's that?"
"Don't. You. Dare Oliver!" I snapped again.
"Sorry Spitfire," said Oliver, "I can't say it because Rainbow Dash will become Rainbow Angry!"
"I wish people would stop changing my last name just to make a pun out of it!" I growled.
Oliver rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's get started."
I accessed the blood barrier. After an hour and a half of trying to get Spitfire's ears back, nothing happened. I pulled out of the blood barrier and shook my head to turn my eye back to normal. For some reason, I had the worst headache I've ever had.
Spitfire frowned and gave me a look of concern. "Are you okay Agent Rainbow Dash? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," I lied, "I just need a break, that's all."
Oliver looked at me with concern too. "You shouldn't be feeling sick Rainbow. You haven't gone over the time limit for accessing the blood barrier."
"I'm fine Oliver!" I said.
"Well, I think that's enough training for today," Oliver said. "Rainbow should probably get some sleep. Let's show you to your room, Spitfire."
Spitfire nodded. "Okay."
When we got to Spitfire's room, on the door was Agent Spitfire-47.
"Um, why am I considered an agent?" Spitfire asked while giving the name on the door a puzzled look. "I've barely done my training!"
"The title Agent will stay on your door, because you're considered a new agent," said Oliver, "after you get past your six-day training, you'll be starting out on assignments you'll get from your Predictor."
I shifted my gaze a little, because I know exactly what happens if a new agent doesn't pass their six-day training. The way a new agent wouldn't pass is if they don't work hard and pay attention to what you're supposed to be doing, that is not getting your pocket dimension by refusing to learn the blood barrier, refusing to train with your weapon and refusing to go through with what the agents trainers are telling them to do to get their old body back.
True, I was hard headed in not wanting to get my old body back, but I did it anyway. I can't fathom to begin to understand why someone would actually refuse to do what their trainers are telling them to do. If a new agent doesn't pass their six-day training, they get sucked back into AI and there's no chance of tracking them down again. But this is Spitfire we're talking about! I'm fairly certain she'll do what needs to be done as an agent of the Sixth.
"Oh, and once you pass ten assignments or more, you'll move up from new agent status to agent," Oliver said.
Spitfire nodded. "Oh okay."
"Now, I think it's time Rainbow gets some rest," Oliver said.
Spitfire turned around and gave me a concerned look again. "I hope you feel better Agent Rainbow Dash."
I nodded and then Oliver and I parted ways with Spitfire for the night.