//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The Trials 
// Story: TEK: The Beginning 
// by Jet Fly 
//------------------------------//



Princess Celestia sat on her throne, Shade Vortex in front of her. Shade's entire demeanor was grim, broken, and full of shame and regret. He couldn't even bare to look the solar monarch in the eyes, his own still red and dripping tears infrequently.

When Celestia first saw what took place earlier in the cafeteria, she thought she'd made a mistake by pushing such an aggressive and uncontrollable stallion to join her school. But when she saw how he had reacted when he realized what he had done - the pain and regret in his eyes, his trembling voice, and the unforgettable sobs of true mental anguish - she began to feel pity for her troubled subject. Something obviously happened to him, and she had a feeling it was connected to the past events of his life, right before he appeared in Canterlot.

"Shade," Celestia finally began, Shade still unable to face her.

"Usually when an event such as this takes place, the offending student would be expelled and placed in custody immediately."

Shade said nothing, his mouth quivering, body heating, and eyes stinging. He simply closed his eyes, waiting for this nightmare he had created to end.

"But after getting all the facts from a certain pegasus, and other eye witnesses, I understand you were provoked from weeks of being bullied. While your actions cannot go unpunished, they will not be nearly as severe since you were a victim in all of this. I cannot say the same for Nova Orbit, however. As soon as he is discharged by the medical staff, he will not be allowed to continue to attend."

Shade couldn't even enjoy the news of his being permitted to continue to attend, still struggling with his conscience.

"Something is clearly troubling you, my student," Celestia said with sincere concern.

Shade looked up finally, his eyes red with tears from silent sobs.

"Tell me... what happened to you in the time before you appeared in Canterlot?"

Shade quickly turned away as his tears began to flow again at the mention of that awful period of his life. Celestia knew the troubled unicorn didn't want to talk about this, but she couldn't help him if she didn't know exactly what was wrong.

Shade felt a warm wing around him as the Alicorn Princess had walked over to give him the comforting embrace, sitting by his side. Shade could control himself no longer as he quickly burried the side of his face in her soft, pearl fur, breaking down in tears. Celestia only wrapped her wing closer around the crying stallion, giving him time to get himself together.
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One year later 
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“I've gathered you together to put you through a team bonding exercises. These will hopefully build trust among you and your partner," Celestia said in her regal, firm voice through the mike.

While saying a few other things about trust and whatnot, the pegasus stallion Jet Fly and the unicorn stallion Shade Vortex turned to look at each other as murmurs ran throughout the stadium.

“Team bonding exercises? Have they ever done this before?" Jet asked.

“Not that I know of. But then again, we haven't really heard much about this school's past," answered Shade in his tough but calm voice.

Much had happened up to this point. News had reached Canterlot how Nightmare Moon had returned, but was soon defeated by the rediscovered, legendary Elements of Harmony. The former Princess of the Night, Luna, was now reunited with her sister as she underwent her reproval.

On the other hoof, after the "fight" about a year ago, Shade had gone through therapeutic training to control both his temper and magic. As a result, he had an extremely calm disposition and was now a skilled mage.

His teleporting skills had improved drastically, and he could now teleport objects separately from himself with a warp beam. Jet in the meantime had been a supportive friend the entire time,  and through some intense training (and a small spell by Shade), had learned how to create small currents in the air that nearly traveled at the speed of sound. “Wind Blades" as he called them were caused when he swung or flapped his wings or tail really fast. Because of his years of training this wasn't really much of a challenge, all he really needed to do was harness his "Pegasus magic" and flap or swing. But they were only capable of cutting bread at this point. But the loyal friends had been through it all together, through thick and thin.

Helping out when the other one needed help, and in the end, they both gained something. For Shade, a trusty friend and for Jet, crazy powers.

“Still sounds like fun to me. Just gives me an excuse to use my wind blades," Jet said slyly, with a small smile creeping onto his face.

Shade merely rolled his eyes.

“Pfft... please, what use would they have? Unless they have bread that needs to be sliced."

Before Jet could retort, the microphone boomed as Celestia ordered silence. Once that was attained, she continued:

“The trials consist of 3 challenges. The first will be a puzzle challenge, the second will be an obstacle course, and the third is a cooperation challenge. Those that pass all the challenges will get a significant amount of extra credit and more."

Excited whispers ran rampant throughout the area. Some were stating how they could really use the extra credit, while others said that they didn't really care about the credit but liked the prospect of a challenge.

“Extra credit, huh? That could actually help me out a little," said Jet with an inquisitive look.

Shade raised an eyebrow at this and asked, skeptically:

“I thought you already have straight A's?"

Jet merely shrugged and answered:

“Extra credit doesn't hurt."

“I'm not going to force any of you to participate, and if you don't feel inclined to do it, I won't object. But, I would greatly appreciate it if you did. All those who would like to test their skills shall meet me after this assembly. And with that, I shall end this meeting. A good day to you all," finished Celestia.

With the meeting over, ponies started to file out. As Jet watched Shade walk to the door, he sat back with this head gears in full blast.

“Wait"

The word stopped Shade and encouraged him to turn around. He looked at Jet with a questioning look.

“I think we should try to pass these trials," Jet stated.

“But why? We don't need the credit. We're both straight A students."

“It's not about that. I can feel it. Something's up. No way the Princess would go through the trouble of making an entire arena just for one occasion."

“What do you think she really has planned then?"

Jet frowned at this as his head gears continued to turn.

“I'm not sure, but I'm almost certain that she has something special planned for the winners. I think we should find out what that is."

“Eh, I don't know..." Shade said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“C'mon, we could totally win. I'm the fastest flier here, and your the most talented unicorn I know. Combine your raw power with my intellect, and we would almost certainly win," Jet insistence.

Shade finally relented under his friends stare.

“Fine, not like I have anything better to do. But don't be upset when all we get is extra credit."

“YES!" Jet said as he jumped up in victory.

“Let's go! We don't wanna be late!" he exclaimed excitedly as he hovered his way over to the back of the stage where the Princess was waiting for the participants.
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“Shade, Jet, greetings. I was hoping I would see you two back here," said the Princess as the two ponies in question made their way onto the stage.

“Always a pleasure, Princess Celestia," Jet said charmingly as he bowed down and took the Princess' regal hoof, placing a small kiss upon it.

This action caused the Princess to erupt a small giggle.

“Such a gentlecolt as always, Jet," giggled the solar diarch.

Shade simply rolled his eyes at the display.

*What is up with him?* he thought.

“Hello Princess. Good to see you again."

“Good to see you again as well Shade Vortex. I hope all has been well for you two?" she asked.

They both nodded.

“Excellent. Now we can begin. Come, let us enter the back room where the other participants are waiting for my return."

Once they made their way to the room, Celestia motioned for the two to take their seats alongside the other small hoof-full of ponies in attendance. Jet noticed that there weren't nearly as many ponies as he thought there would be, but shrugged it off as he and Shade took their seats.

“Now that we're all here, I would like to thank you all for accepting my offer," she began.

“The trials were built to test you and your partner to the fullest. Testing reflexes, power, and skill. But I warn you, it will not be easy, so I give you all a final chance: those that would not like to participate may leave now."

When no-pony got up, she smiled and continued.

“Good. Now, as mentioned earlier, there are 3 trials. The first one you have to worry about is a puzzle. If you can solve it and successfully make out the pattern, you win. But no magic or flight will be allowed in this test. The second is an obstacle course, and in this one you can use anything you think will help you succeed. Make it to the end without being hit or giving up, and you win. The third is a team work exercise where you'll be pitted in teams against each other. I'll explain that one better when we get to that part. But for now, let's make our way to the first trial. Please follow me."

She then started for the door. Shade looked at Jet with a look that said “Are you sure about this?" Jet simply nodded.

The small band of ponies made their way deeper into the gym and into a giant hall way. As they walked, the walls slowly started to lose their pure white concrete to brown and black rock.

“I don't remember ever seeing this part of the gym before. This is huge, how is this not visible from outside?" Shade asked inquisitively as the band entered into a large waiting room.

The room was uneventful. It was composed of 4 corners, was about 20 square meters big, and was easily 30 meters high.

“My guess is that it's built into the mountain. That's the only way. Plus, look at the walls. They're solid rock, not the concrete and marble of the castle and gym. Whoever built this meant for this to be kept hidden from the outside," Jet stated with a serious look as they slowly made their way to a door on the other side.

“On the other side of this door is the puzzle. I will let you in one pair at a time. I will call your names and you will enter through the doors. The first pair will be Shatter and Moon Scale. Please come with me."

The two ponies in question looked at each other with excited eyes and made their way to the princess. As they passed through the doors all the rest of the ponies made their way to different corners of the room. As Jet and Shade sat down on their haunches, Jet closed his eyes and mentally prepared his mind for the upcoming test. Shade closed his eyes and began harnessing his raw power into energy he could use. Neither said anything as they both concentrated. They had been through this phase before. Mostly before tests. When they were like this, they had no reason to speak, for they had an understanding.

Jet had no idea how much time had passed as he finally heard his name called. They were both surprised to find out that they were the last ones left in the room. As they made their way to the Princess, Jet and Shade shared an intense look that said “Let's do this."

“Are you two ready?" Celestia asked.

The dynamic duo nodded in confidence as the Princess smiled.

“Very well," she exclaimed as they made their way through the double doors.

What was on the other side made Jet gasp and Shade narrow his eyes a bit.

“Gentlecolts, welcome to the Tile Room."