During another boring day in class Brooklynn can't seem to stop thinking about the final test. Raylen glances up at the girl staring off into space. Then giving her a light tap on the shoulder. "Hira, is something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing."
Apparently she isn't the only one bored by the lesson as girls start whispering across the room. "The school dance is coming up. Are you going?"
"If I just had a date. I wish someone would ask me." Her red head friend mumbles with a sigh.
"But this is one of the biggest events at Langfield. You won't be able to go next year."
"There's a school dance coming up?" The burnette asks Raylen who's now gone back to writing in her packet.
"Yeah, just next week at a hall not far from the school. The student council is in charge of throwing it every year."
A fancy ball coming up! What if Josef was to ask me?!
Brooklynn's mind drifting away to her standing in the middle of a ballroom. Josef spots her a small smile forming on his lips as he approaches the girl. When Jennifer and Nicole try to intervene the blonde shoved through them both. The girls landing flat on their faces as he quickly kneels down to Brooklynn. "The beauty you have tonight is absolutely breathtaking. My princess, let us dance the night away. Just you and me."
"I wouldn't want anything more, my prince." Everyone clears from the dance floor allowing the two of them to take over. Just when the music stops they both slowly lean in for the kiss.
"Josef..." She gushes, Raylen letting out a sigh.
"Tons of girls will be asking Josef to dance. It's a low possibility in scoring a date with him, so you shouldn't get carried away."
"Maybe but I'm still hoping. Are you going to the dance?"
"I'll probably pass. I don't really care for dances."
The sound of chalk on the board suddenly pauses from its writing. The teacher turning and shushing the few students continuing to chat rather than focus on his lesson. Brooklynn faces foward in her seat going back to her packet, and soon enough the last period bell rings. Gathering her belongings she says goodbye to Raylen before going to meet Sonny in the hallway. Even after the whole Cheryl incident she's happy at least one good thing came out of it. Her and Raylen still do continue to talk now, making some of her classes a bit more entertaining.
"Homework will have to wait today. Ron and Jerry said they'll be coming right after school. Oh, and make sure you bring your mask with you," Sonny explains. The two heading straight for the dormitory to prepare.
...
Sure enough it's a short wait until they arrive. Hopping in the backseat as usual the limo takes off down the street. However this time the car turns a different route than normal. She's been to the agency enough now to know they're going the wrong direction. She peeps her head up front where Ron's eyes are focused on the road. "Um, we are going to the agency for this test, right?"
"Actually no, it'll be somewhere different for today. You will understand more when we get there." Is the only explanation the younger agent gives her. The girl sighing as she flops back in her seat looking out the window. Whatever it is she'll make sure to pass this with flying colors.
Going to the new location the drive is much shorter as they stop by a grassy field. The cloudy sky creating a gloomy look despite the time. With the rundown seesaw and broken swings it appears to be a very old park. "Is this really the place? It looks like a child hasn't stepped foot here in years," she asks, while exiting the vehicle.
"Yup, this park was once played on by children of all ages. But when the equipment got damaged and worn down the park has been closed ever since. It's unlikely anyone will come here unless they don't care about being caught for trespassing," Jerry answers, as he opens up the gate for them to venture inside.
"I guess, but why does the lesson need to be held outside anyway? What's wrong with the training room?"
"Nothing but we feel it's better to have this at an outdoor environment. When going inside the ruins you'll have to learn to use things around you to your advantage. Today will give you a first taste to that style of combat," Ron futher explains, as they make their way through the grass. Once far out enough both detectives turn to face the young teens.
"Today it's time for your final test! This will prove you have mastered all your magic powers, and ready to begin your mission after awakening the power of light. Firstly here are the weapons you chose for yourself to use. We even brought a sack for you to keep for easy carrying." Jerry kneeling down and opening a suitcase with her dual swords inside. Also pulling out a long pink sack to go around her neck for storing them.
"Using your magic excessively can get exhausting, so in the ruins you need to manage casting abilities alongside fighting with your weapons," Ron advices, the female making sure to take mental notes. She picks up all her swords at once getting into a battle stance.
"Okay, I got it! Now what's the final test already?" She guesses they'll probably make her demonstrate her magic skills one by one. Perhaps even throwing in an exercise with her using the swords. What she isn't expecting was for Jerry to open up a second suitcase. Has that been there the whole time? Inside it contains a single weapon.
"For this test you will use everything you have learned to defeat your opponent." Jerry noticing her questionable gaze giving a toothy grin.
The girl's once confident stance is now losing its composure. "My opponent?" She already has a bad feeling which is confirmed only seconds later as Jerry throws the weapon Sonny's direction. The ginger catches it with ease, extending it to be a purple lance. Now he's the one standing ready for battle.
"Let's see how well I taught you, Brooke."
"W-What, no, that's not fair! Sonny has been using his powers much longer than I have!"
"Don't worry, he'll go easy on you," Jerry insists, but it doesn't ease her tenseness in the least.
"We just want proof you know how to use all powers in a time of battle. There isn't just monsters you have to worry about in the ruins, but also more members of the FDO will be making a move soon. You need to show you have what it takes to hold your own against a human opponent. Ryder had did the same test," Ron calmly informs. With such a valid point there is nothing else that can be said. Though her confidence on nailing this first try has plummeted drastically by this little surprise. "If you can get him on the ground you win. That's all you need to do. I know you have the potential to accomplish this, Brooklynn."
The two silently stand across from one another. The soft wind blowing is completely opposite feeling of the tension in the air right now. Putting on their masks just in case anyone was to pass by. The detectives stand a distance away to observe.
Man, this is crazy. Do I really stand a chance against him...No Brooke, focus! There's an ice cream trip on the line for this, and besides I don't even want to imagine his cocky remarks if he does win.
"Try not to kill each other, alright? You can start...now!" On Jerry's go the boy charges right for her. She tries her best to avoid the swift attacks from his lance, and after a minute of her on defense flips back with his beyond gravity jumps. Quickly making a considerable distance between them. "Electric shockwave!" Letting out a yelp she sprints to a nearby tree and only just reaching it in enough time to avoid the attack. Climbing higher up she perches herself on one of the branches. Brooklynn readying her swords and sending them all flying down towards him at once. However he uses his lance to knock every last blade before any can touch him.
"That's impossible..." Brooklynn's disbelief only further leaves an opening. Sonny gathering fire magic and sending a ball aimed at the very top of the tree. Looking upwards some of the weaker branches have been hit. With the little roots now burnt several piles on top of the girl. Knocking Brooklynn's balance and causing the burnette to fall landing flat on her back. She doesn't get a chance to collect herself before an airborne Sonny leaps up ready to attack. Not having much time to react she uses the reflective shield instead. The lance grazing against it for just a minute. He flips back once more giving Brooklynn the chance to stand on her own feet.
"Ice go!" Sending a wave of ice sickles his way but Sonny casting fire at the exact moment only canceled each other out.
"Elastic come!" The tough rope wrapping around her body tightly as she falls once more to the ground.
"I...can't move..."
"Come on, Brooklynn. I know you can do better than this," Sonny comments, sounding a bit unsatisfied with her performance.
He's absolutely right. At this rate I'll fail for sure. Sonny is holding nothing back with this mock battle. If I keep on relentlessly attacking him it won't get me anywhere. What I need is a plan to catch him off guard...
Forcing a hand to grasp the rope she creates a small fire burning it away. Similar to how her guardian got her free when she was nearly kidnapped the first night. Once loose Sonny runs towards the girl with his lance it clashing against her blades. As the weapons continue in making noise she quickly examines the area for what she can use. The tree technique was a bust and using the old park equipment can be dangerous. Spotting a single trash can just past the gate an idea comes to mind.
"How long are you going to keep this up? At this rate you'll be kissing that ice cream trip goodbye."
Brooklynn pays no attention to his taunting using her telekinesis to lift the can up high. At the right moment she throws the object past the agents heads towards the jungle gym. This even causing the men to flinch as trash flies out everywhere. Just when Sonny takes his eyes off of her at the sound, she casts her teleportation to appear behind him. The ginger spinning around doesn't get a chance to act before Brooklynn's next follow up attack.
"Electric shockwave!" The move temporarily paralyzing him as he falls back on the ground. She sends her swords carefully aiming each one to pin down his clothes to the dirt. Making sure there's no possible way left for him to get back up. "I-I did it! He's on the ground! That means I passed!"
"Good job. You passed the test though I would of preferred not to had been apart of the equation. That last move nearly gave me a heart attack," Jerry adds wearily, and Ron gives a small smile of satisfaction.
"As soon as you gain the power of light you can start searching for the Erebos chest."
"The training is finally over!"
"Um, Brooke..."
"Now you have to take me out for ice cream just like you promised!"
"Brooke!" She glances back to find him still lying in the grass trapped from any movement with her weapons.
"Oh, right." Removing the swords one by one from the ground to release him.
"We'll drop you back off for today. Notify us once she obtains the power of light," Ron instructs, as they head back to the car. The burnette turns flashing Sonny a cheesy grin who is still brushing off his clothes.
"I did pretty good, huh?"
"It beats how you started off at the beginning of the fight. Though I'll admit it was clever of you distracting me like that. It's getting late and there's homework to do for other classes, so we'll have to go out for ice cream tomorrow."
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The next day during their gym hour the class is running laps, or at least ran laps and are waiting for the remaining few to finish up. The gym teacher paces back and forth blowing his loud whistle. "Faster Hira, faster! Everyone else has already finished but you last slow pokes!"
Giving one final push she finally completes the laps. Coming in second to last as she falls on the hard floor out of breath. The shorter girl walking over to her with a concerned look on her face.
"Are you okay, Hira?" Raylen asks.
"I'll be...alright. I'm...just really tired." She manages between pants as the students are given permission to head to the locker rooms and change.
"My next hour is a far waze from here so I better get going. See you later." Raylen taking off as Sonny is just walking up. She can practically feel his smug look right now though she tries to ignore it.
"I'm really disappointed in you, Brooke. I thought with all the training you would be in better shape."
"Shut up! Like you done any better!" Yesterday the boys did their run and though he didn't come in last Sonny was far from first.
"That's because there's a lot of athletes in our class, but I could still run ten laps in half the time you did." This bet recovering her energy as the girl jumps on her feet.
"Alright, prove it!"
"...Why don't we make this interesting? If I beat your time by half you have to pay for ice cream this afternoon."
"Are you serious?! But you were suppose to be the one treating me out for finishing my training!"
"Sounds like you're afraid that I'll win."
"Fine! But if you lose, which you will, is required to treat me out for ice cream and shopping."
"Kinda sounds like a date."
"You wish."
"Okay, it's a deal then." The teens shake to make it official. With this agreement Sonny has just sealed his own fate. Costing himself to be out of even more money now. She might've went slow but it's no way he can finish the whole ten laps in half that time.
Well it's his own fault. He shouldn't been so cocky.
"I'll grab one of the stop watches to time you." Brooklynn fetching one from the equipment room. After Sonny gets in position she goes to view from the bleachers. "Okay on my word. Ready, set, go!"
He takes off around the gym and she starts the timer. He's flying through his laps and has made it through five in a heartbeat. Way quicker than he was moving just yesterday. "How is he running so fast?" Squinting at the male she notices his feet are just above the gym floor. His toes tapping down lightly and springing his body up a bit. Only actually running a second before repeating the process again. Letting out a gasp she jumps to her feet while he's finishing up the last five. The bell rings though that's no concern to her as she waits to confront the sly ginger off.
Jogging back over to meet her the boy takes a peep at the stop watch with a smile. "Six and a half minutes...That's better than I expected."
"No, that's only because you cheated! You were practically leaping than running! It was obvious you were using your beyond gravity power!" she snaps. Of course he would do so well basically floating through the race.
Sonny simply tilts his head in confusion by her argument. "Huh? But I technically was running, just not fully on the ground. We never agreed that I had to run a certain way, so it looks like I win! You get to treat us both out to ice cream today after school!"
I can't believe I let him set me up!
"Argh, you did this just to get out of paying! I should've known something was up!" Anger jolts through her and she'd like nothing more but to hit her guardian upside that big head of his about now. Though before she can the teacher walks back in suprised to find them still there.
"What are you kids doing? You're going to be late to your next period if you don't hurry and get changed."
Having nothing else left to say to the likes of him, Brooklynn storms out of the gymnasium ahead.
...
Later after school they both change into their usual outfits and head for the ice cream palor. She was so excited to go but now nothing but irritation remains. Hoping to get this trip over with quick so they can just go back to the dormitory.
The walk is a short one and upon arriving she's shock to find three figures waiting out front. "Is that Kite and Raylen? What are they doing here?"
"I ran into them while you were taking forever to get ready, so I invited them to join us," he says with a shrug. Her magenta eyes buck when the sun beams down revealing the last person.
"J-Josef is here too! I can't believe you invited him without telling me!"
"What are you yelling at me for?! I thought you would be happy about this."
"I wish I would have known before..." Brooklynn mumbles, trying to fix her hair and make herself look more presentable. She would've picked out something different to wear if Sonny hadn't kept it a secret from her.
"Whatever you're trying to do it's too late. They already saw us." Not giving her chance to object as he drags her over towards the shop.