//------------------------------// // Chapter Five // Story: The Lements of the School in the Everfree // by ImAPonyXY //------------------------------// A Four-Man Squad "Wha... What...?" It was a good thing that Cinder was sitting down as she felt her knees becoming weak upon hearing that. "I'm.... an experiment?" She was beyond shocked at the moment and she stuttered her words. The headmaster shook his head. "No." he replied, "you are not an experiment. You are still the offspring of your parents. The gene that altered you was an experiment but you, yourself, are not." he said sternly and stood up, "don't ever think that you are a product of twisted nature. You are you and you have only be refined by genetics. Always remember that!" "Oh... Okay..." Cinder said uncertainly, she still wasn't very happy with what she had just heard. Every single Palphony was born they way they were because of an experiment conducted by some people who tried to kill her. This made her feel uneasy and slightly nauseous. It was extremely hard to believe all this and how she came to be. All the subjected hate and discrimination she received could have all been avoided if Sunset, Razor and Fang weren't as twisted as they were. Now though, learning this didn't put her mind at ease at all, and she was still curious of the origin of the Palphony gene. Now she felt compelled to search for more answers. The next time she would meet Sunset's group, she would chase them down and question them. It was funny, she felt different now, she didn't feel as helps or as lost, she knew what she was and how she became it. She wasn't a freak or an animal... she was the product of an experiment. The determination that she felt was admirable and the boon of bravery washed over. It was now that she was entirely compelled to discover the full answer and mother would stop her... Not even her friends. She stopped her thoughts and took another gaze at the headmaster, smiling. "Thank you, sir," she thanked and rushed out of his office. She was to head back to her dorm and speak to her team mates about what she had just leant. Surely they would understand her plight and want to help, but if not, then she would just have to work on this by herself. Never the less, she went back through the school to her dorm where Lyvia, Spike, Scoots and Lil' Dew would be sitting. Although, after today's earlier presentation of Scootaloo losing to Lyvia then Cinder was unsure if they would actually be near each other. Scootaloo had a tendency to act like a child at times and so did Lyvia; although it was rarer. When she reached the common room the sun had already began to set and the orange light broke through the glass of the gigantic centred window that illuminated the area and gave the outlines of all objects an orange glow. As she entered she saw Spike and Scoots sitting on the couch. When they noticed her, they turned their heads to her, "Where have you been?" Spike asked hastily. "I've been at the headmaster's office all afternoon." she explained, "why, did I miss anything?" "No, not really, but we were just concerned. We had no idea where you were, you just disappeared after class." Spike said, "Why did you go?" he asked. "Because I had some questions I needed answered..." "Questions about what?" "About the people who attack us in the forest the other day. I wanted to know who they were and what they were cab able of, just in case we ever met them again." she explained. "What!?" Lil' Dew blurted out, "you were attacked?!" Spike and Cinder stared at Lil' Dew and nodded, however, Scootaloo was the one to actually speak to her. "Yeah, in our entry exam we were attacked by a group that graduated last year. They were powerful and ruthless, well, so I heard. I was unconscious for the entire encounter. But we're at a school in the middle of the Everfree, I'm not surprised that we were attack by some unfriendly foes," she explained carefully and calmly, putting a hand on Lil' Dew's shoulder. "But we're fine, no one got seriously hurt by them, and i doubt that we'll see them again." "Okay..." Lil' Dew said uncertainly, then she turned to Cinder, "what did you discover about these assholes?" Cinder gulped and looked down, fiddling with her wolf tail as she usually did when nervous as she held it firmly between her fingers. "Well, I learnt what they take pride in. They like to experiment with things, whether it be physical or social tests... and I also learnt something else." "What is it, Cinder?" "U-Umm.... I know where the Palphonies come from..." she said slowly, nervously and quiet. "WHAT?!" Scootaloo, Lil' Dew and Spike jerked their attention towards her as shock consumed them. This mystery hadn't really bugged them, but now that there was an answer that their attention soared. Lil' Dew was extremely curious to discover how her best friend became who she was and why she was deemed to suffer a life of prejudice. "Tell us, Cinder." "I... no... we were created as a waterborne genetic experiment that when someone consumed that water would give birth to someone like me..." she gulped and the fiddling of her tail became more prominent. "So you're an experiment?" Scootaloo asked. "Scootaloo!" Lil' Dew yelled and stormed to her feet in anger, "Don't say that! She's not an experiment, she's just a little different. Sure she was the product of an experiment but she wasn't directly created because of it... She's her own person and just because someone else dictated her future doesn't mean that she's any less than you!" Scootaloo moved over to other side of the couch, "WOAH! watch it! I didn't mean it like that. I never said that she was an experiment." the orange pegasus looked down, she felt bad now. She then looked to Cinder, "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you like that..." Cinder tilted her head and giggle slightly, loosening up a little, "You didn't offend me, Scootaloo. The headmaster already explained to me that I'm not an experiment and I trust his judgement." she explained. "Well that's good." Spike stated, "but, how do you feel anyway. It mustn't be easy discovering something like that?" "Not much to feel, but I guess I feel relieved, maybe excited. All I've ever know is that i was born with the ears and tail of a wolf, it's hard to comprehend that this could be the answer to such a mystery. But I bet none of you really tried to find out the solution, right? Normal people didn't really care, and i've only wanted to be normal, so why should I care too much?" Lil' Dew snickered. "Wow, that was deep!" ... "But don't say that Cinder?" "Why not?" "Because you're not normal, you shouldn't act like something your not, Cinder." ... "Feel how you want, you just find out why you're who you are and you're acting as though it was nothing. Cinder, this is the biggest thing you could learn, it is not nothing!" "Lil' Dew, I know it's nothing, but it's not much of a big deal. Whether or not this experiment happened I would still be i this world. Sure, I would be different and I would look normal, but this piece of information shouldn't dictate how I think and feel." she smiled, "You've always been there with me Dew, there's no need for me to feel left out, like there was chunk of my life missing. I felt complete, I didn't need to know this, but I do. To me it's nothing special for I already knew that I wasn't normal. I don't need someone respectable to tell me why I'm not normal to feel anything." ... "But thank you for your concern." The other three just looked upon Cinder, some with concern, most with happiness and proudness. Lil' Dew for one, was one of them who was proud, this was the first time ever that she had seen Cinder speak up for herself and think of herself like that. She couldn't help but bare a large smile of joy. "Are you sure?" Spike asked concerned, "you do know that if you need to talk about anything that you can speak to us." Cinder nodded, "I know Spike, I just spoke to you guys," ... "Again, thank you for your concern. But I'm fine." "Okay then. Well. Should we get some sleep then. I heard that something special is going to happen tomorrow." Spike suggested and everyone agreed. Without further a dew did the four of them head off to their dorms and go to bed for the night. Most were silent but as usual, Scootaloo caused a ruckus when trying to find her sleepwear. Eventually though, ever dorm connected to the common room fell silent for the night as everyone was asleep. When the morning sun rose it beamed it's light through the large, glass windows and awoke all the sleeping students. The warm rays it gave off put most people in a good mood. I say most people because as usual, Lyvia was pissed off, she was not a morning person. Everyone got ready by having their morning shower, getting dressed into their uniform and heading down to the food hall for breakfast. It was there that they soon discovered of the change of plans that was to happen for today and the next few days. It seemed that the classes would be split up into their teams and assigned a professor for the examination training happening in two weeks. Ever student was given a piece of paper stating who their trainer was and where they needed to go for the next few weeks for training. Cinder picked up hers and examined it carefully, a small smile on her face. Student Name: Cinder Ash Team Number: 8 Team Rank: Strategist Team Members: Spike, Scootalooo Trainer's Name: Shadow Wing Training Location: Grand Courtyard At the bottom of the page she was given was a a note to all students. To all students reading this note, you all to head to the designated location provided to you by the time of 8:30 am in order to meet your instructor and begin your daily training. All classes have been dismissed due to this change unless you misbehave, then you will be sent to the Headmaster for an appropriate punishment. Thank you and have a successful two weeks. Good-luck upon you examinations. There was nothing left to read and so Cinder folded up the note and shoved it into her pocket. She was trying to hold back her fangirl squeal since she had Professor Shadow Wing teacher her and her team. It was so good, they would no doubt be the best team amongst all the other students. With that said, Cinder and the rest would finish off their breakfast before heading down to the Grand Courtyard to meet their trainer. The Grand Courtyard was like all the other basic courtyards except it was significantly larger and it was lined with trees, vines, a pond and hedges. Occasionally some wild, peaceful animals from the forest would come and rest here, animals such as birds, critters and maybe a baby beast. None the less, the sun shone upon the stone to warm up the cloudless day and in the middle of the place stood Professor Shadow Wing. He turned around as he heard Spike, Cinder and Scootaloo step onto the stone and enter the courtyard perimeters. His eyes stuck on Cinder and he remembered her from the day before after he left the Headmaster's office. "Hello miss eavesdropper, how are you today?" he remarked with a smirk. Cinder sighed and rolled her eyes, she could tell that he was speaking to her since she was the only one out of the three that saw him yesterday. "Sorry about yesterday, sir. I didn't mean to." she apologised and crossed her arms. Wing chuckled and sternly looked at her. "It's quite alright, curiosity suits the sneaky type perfectly." Cinder frowned, she didn't find any of this funny at all. However, Spike and Scootaloo did, and they tried hard to hold back their laughter, but occasionally did they let off a snicker. They found it hilarious that Cinder was caught spying on the principals. "Anyway, enough for the jokes, I think we should start to introduce ourselves. I know you've probably all met each other, but you have not me and I have not met you. So shall we spend a few minutes to get to know one another?" he suggested, and he wash't going to take no for an answer, he would do it whatever the response. "Anyway, let's start." he sat down on a rock and gestured for everyone else to do the same. "So, we'll start off with names, then hobbies, then desires. Occasionally I may also ask questions to you about yourselves if I'm interested enough." ... "So miss eavesdropper, why don't you start off?" "Me?" Cinder perked up and gulped, "Well umm... I don't really know. I guess I could start off," she took a deep breath and eyed their instructor. "Well... my name is Cinder Ash, I'm sixteen years old, a wolf Palphony and I'm not much of a fighter. My hobbies include of eating, studying animals and sleeping. And I desire to become a strong warrior like you," she looked at Shadow Wing, "to be able to prove my self on a battlefield." she finished and smiled. "Well, Miss Ash, let me tell you something, eavesdropping on your principal isn't going to get you far on that pathway. But none the less, that is a worthy goal." he replied. "Next, you." he pointed to Spike. "My name is Spike, I'm seventeen years old and as you can see, I'm a dragon. In my spare time I like to read, research, sleep and eat. In the future I see my self being a guardian of others. I want to help and protect the ones I love and anyone around me." Spike explained with a smile sprouted onto his draconic face. "Interesting, I can always respect a fellow dragon." ... "Now, for the last one," he pointed to Scootaloo, "time to shine." Scootaloo smirked, "Saving the best for last, eh?" ... "My name is Scootaloo, I'm seventeen just like Spike and I'm a pegasus. My hobbies include of flying, scooting and anything involving physical activity. I wish to one day live up to Rainbow Dash's expectations and become a strong warrior, that's why I'm here." "Sounds noble enough." ... "Now I guess it's my turn to introduce myself," he took a deep breath and smiled, "My name is Professor Shadow Wing. I like to train, teach students how to defend themselves and deal damage to the opponent as well as get drunk with my friend Professor Silver Blaze and giving him absolute hell. My main desire is to rid the world of evil and monsters, to keep the defenceless safe and out of harm." he took another breath and relaxed, "and that is all you need to know about me. Any questions?" No one, except Cinder put her hand up. Shadow smiled, "Of course, the inquisitive one asks the question." he chuckled, "please, ask ahead." Cinder pouted and shook her head in disapproval, "Well I was going to ask what made you such a competent warrior, but I', not sure if I want to now." "Too late, you already asked the question," he grinned, "and it is a good question, I like it and my answer would be pure dedication and persistent training." ... "Anything else?" The three of them shook their heads and sat still. Cinder had her hands rested upon her lap after lowering them from her chest when she crossed her arms. She new that Professor Wing wouldn't stop with the jokes about her curiosity, but she didn't even mean to eavesdrop on them, she just walked up to the door and managed to catch a glimpse of their conversation. Shadow stood up and looked at the three of them, "Such capable warriors," he said to himself, then turned his attention to Cinder as he spoke his next sentence. "Now, Cinder already knows this from yesterday, but me, Professor Blaze and Headmaster Tinder Box have decided that each professor should be assigned a team to train and develop over then next few weeks to prepare you for your exam. However, we will also be participating in the exam with you so we can evaluate you closer. We will not intervene in any conflict unless you are about to be killed. We will not aid you in anyway so don't ask us any questions about the exam when within the arena. And may I say again, we will only be marking you closely and jumping into combat to save your life, that is all." ... "understood?" They nodded, "yes, professor," they replied in synchronisation and monotone. That monologue that he gave them nearly put them all to sleep, Scootaloo would have preferred if he just simplified it instead of repeating what he had said over and over again. However, she was snapped back into reality when he spoke once more. "Now, that's enough introduction, we have a busy two weeks and you guys need to be prepared quite a lot. So, we shall start off with basic manoeuvring abilities?" he suggested but didn't bother waiting for a response. "Because that's what you will be working on today. We might as well start off with the basics. So, I want you three to try and do a flip... go!"