//------------------------------// // Scorpan's Training // Story: Tambelon School of Knighthood // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Ch. 5: Scorpan’s Training The Moochik is in his chambers, signing proclamations with a large white quill. His signing came to an abrupt stop when he hears a knock on his door. He turns himself around in his chair and faces the door. “Come in,” the Moochik says. To his great surprise, Torarc enters the room. “Torarc? what brings you here?” Moochik asks. “It's Ahuizotl. He dropped Scorpan in the well at the courtyard this morning,” he informs. “That boy! If it wasn’t for his father being a part of my council, he wouldn’t even be here.” “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Scorpan won’t fight back against Ahuizotl because he doesn’t want to get kicked out. Tirek and I already talked, and I want to take him under my wing.” “You do?” “I’ve been watching him during combat training yesterday. Scorpan has a lot of potential to become a knight. He even helped Thorne up after sparring, and that bat took part in his bullying. There’s a lot of honor in him. Besides, if Ahuizotl continues to bully him, Scorpan needs to learn to defend himself. Sooner or later, Ahuizotl will challenge him, and Scorpan needs to be prepared when that happens.” “Indeed, and if anyone can turn a simple farm boy into a knight, it’s you, Old Friend.” “Also, some disturbing info has been revealed. Ahuizotl was camping at Windfall Valley around the time the fire at Scorpan’s old home happened. It can’t be a coincidence.” “Whether it is or not, we can’t accuse Ahuizotl of anything without proof. We’ll just have to wait until Ahuizotl’s arrogance becomes his downfall.” **** In Ahuizotl’s room, they are having a meeting that afternoon. Ahuizotl is pacing around with worry. “What’s wrong, Ahuizotl?” ask the griffin, “I think we gave it to Scorpan really good.” “It’s not enough!” he yells, “We need to get him out of the school now!” “Why? He’s just a farm boy,” the minotaur says. "He's not just any farm boy you...you..." Before he can complete his words of anger, he decided to calm and compose himself, as he couldn't find his next words. “Thorne says that farm boy is from Windfall Valley! And in case you don't remember, we camped there days ago.” “That’s where we set fire to the crops for fun!” the griffin says. “Exactly! If the Moochik finds out, we’ll not only be expelled from school; we’ll be in exile.” “Not to mention what your father will do to you if you don’t get the Medallion,” the Minotaur added. “That’s the worst thing that worries me: becoming a disgrace in his eyes. We must do what we can to get rid of Scorpan.” **** “Sounds like he had two good motives to want you out bad: to get the Medallion and to prevent his awful secret from getting out in Tambelon,” Rainbow Dash said. “That vandal! The nerve of him to burn your farm just for laughs!” Rarity commented. “What happened next?” Sweetie Belle asks. “The following day, we were getting our rooms ready for inspection…” Rep continues. **** “We better get everything ready before Lord Sour’ee gets here,” a young Rep says. “What do you know about him, Rep?” Scorpan asks. “He the strictest assistant headmaster in the world. He expects every kid to follow the rules and have their rooms neat. Even Ahuizotl is afraid of him.” They had just finished making their beds. After they have finished, they see their room in perfect order. “It took half the morning to get everything done, but it was worth it,” Scorpan says. “You said it, Scorpan,” Rep says, “Let’s go down and get lunch before inspection starts.” While Scorpan and Rep walk to the cafeteria, Ahuizotl uses a hair clip to pick the lock on door like last time. Then, he the griffin, and the minotaur start messing up the room as best as they can. They broke, smashed, and tore apart the room with their bare claws. **** A few minutes later, Scorpan and Rep are walking with Lord Sour’ee, who is a donkey in a fancy black tux and a monocle. “Now then, as assistant headmaster, I will write down points on how ell you take care of your room. But if your room is a mess, it will be reported to the Moochik so fast, you won't even have time to think” he informs them. “Don’t worry, Lord Sour’ee,” Scorpan assures, “We perfected our room just the way you like it.” Scorpan is about to open the door when he notices the door knob is loose. “The door knob feels funny,” Scorpan says. He suddenly realizes that someone has broken in and hurries into the room. He, Rep, and Lord Sour’ee find it a mess. Everything is smashed, broken, or out of place. Even the picture of Scorpan’s family is smashed. "Looks like a tornado hit your room," Lord Sour'ee says bluntly. “Honest, Lord Sour’ee!” Rep says, “Our room was perfect when we left for lunch!” Lord Sour’ee suddenly sees a tuft of blue fur on one of the broken lamps. “Scorpan, do you have any blue fur on you?” Lord Sour’ee inquires. “It’s all beige and brown color,” Scorpan says, “Why do you ask?” “Because you boys had an invader.” He shows them the tuft of hair, and Scorpan recognizes it. “Ahuizotl!” He suddenly sees Rep packing up a few of his unbroken stuff. “Rep, what are you doing?” Scorpan asks. “Packing up,” Rep replies, “I’m gonna see about a room transfer.” “You’re not serious, are you!?” “It’s not worth staying here if Ahuizotl is gonna cause trouble for us.” “Well I’m not gonna leave just because Ahuizotl wants me to.” “Doesn’t he scare you at all, Scorpan?” “He does, Rep, but a guy like him doesn’t deserve the Medallion of Knighthood. If we leave, it’ll give him complete power over us. Besides, I’m not gonna leave anyone to be harmed by a bully like him. I’m staying here no matter what he does to me.” “Well if you’re staying, then so will I.” Astonished by Scorpan's bravery, Rep is inspired to do the same thing "If you're staying, then so am I." Rep drops his bag, and they both start to clean up. Lord Sour’ee is impressed by Scorpan’s courage. He walks outside, gets out a special pad with a list with the Four Codes on it, and checks off where it says “Courage of the Heart.” “Torarc is right,” he says to himself, “Scorpan does have potential.” **** “The next day, I got called into the combat room,” Scorpan narrates, “General Torarc summoned me to have a talk.” Scorpan enters the combat room and sees Tirek and his father. “You summoned me, General Torarc?” Scorpan nervously asks. “I have Scorpan. I just wanted to talk.” “What about?” “I’ve been watching you, Scorpan, and I think you have what it takes to become a true knight. ” Scorpan felt shocked. He had no idea that his training was so good, it impressed the general. "Thank you, Sir, but I'm not sure-" Before he could finish his sentence, Scorpan was cut off by Torarc when he raised his hand to pause. "I know what you're going to say. That’s why I decided to become your mentor" “My mentor?” “You have a good heart, my boy, but you lack combat skills. Besides, once I’m done, you’ll be able to take Ahuizotl on.” “Really?” “You’ll have to be trained. If he wants you out of the school bad enough, he may issue the Challenge of Honor.” “What’s that?” “It’s a combat challenge to determine who should get the Medallion,” Tirek informs, “Winner will get the Medallion, but the loser will be cast out of the school.” Scorpan gulps and felt nervous about Ahuizotl becoming that desperate to get rid of him. Then, he thought that training under the greatest generals in Tambelonian history would help him against Ahuizotl. “When can we start training, General?” **** “Over the past few months, Tirek and I trained together under his father’s wing. He had us spare with each other and run us ragged over the obstacle course. During that time, Tirek and I formed a close bond. The two of us were as close as real brothers Nothing could break our bond. Then, one day, during our training in the Badlands, we were doing some rock climbing when suddenly…” Scorpan and Tirek were rock-climbing together under Torarc’s supervision. Scorpan is ahead of Tirek. Tirek’s far right foot stepped onto a small ledge when the ledge broke, causing him to slip. “HELP!!” he screams. “Tirek! Take my hand!” Scorpan shouts as he reaches for his friend. Tirek grabs his hand, and Scorpan struggles as he flaps his wings to carry the both of them up to safety. “Scorpan, I’m too heavy! Save yourself!” Tirek pleads. “No! I’m not letting a friend get hurt!” Scorpan says as he slowly reaches the top of the cliff. The finally get to the edge and land safely on top. “Scorpan, you could have hurt yourself,” Tirek said. “You’re the first friend I’ve made since coming, Tirek, and I never let my friends down,” Scorpan states. Lord Sour’ee saw the whole and checked off “Love for another”. “Not only does he have honor,” he says, “This boy has a lot of heart.”