Headmaster Noah:
"And to Maximus Beor, Griff Beolagh, Durmad Gerald, and Alice Astrid, I present this crest."
Using the game pieces the four received, I combine them into a single crest before holding it up for everyone to see. Once I do, I award the crest to Maximus and his new team.
"This crest represents strength," I say after handing it over. I place my hands on the podium and face the hundreds of students with their eyes on me. I look past the blinding lights and stare right at the students.
"Strength means more than just how strong a person is," I start, "It means how strong you make others, and how much stronger they will make you. Maximus Beor, from this point forward, you and your team will be known as Team MGDA (mega)."
The students cheer as Maximus and his newfound team walk from one end of the stage to the other end. They disappear from the lights as I reach over for the next crest in line.
"Corentin Keanu," I start, looking at the young man as he walks onto the stage, follow by three others. "Clementine Mira. Chadd Owen. Honey Aatish."
"Corentin Keanu, I present this crest to you as leader of this team."
Judging from Corentin's expression, mainly his one raised eyebrow, he is confused as to why I've chosen him to be the team leader. Nevertheless, Corentin still takes the crest from me.
"This is one of the mightiest crests we have here at Yellow Sun Academy," I state, "This crest represents sound."
"Sound," Honey quietly repeats. "He gets sound?"
"Sound is something everyone knows but very few master. It shows volume, how loud you can and are. Others will not only hear you but they will listen to you because you have mastered the art of sound."
"I think we got the wrong crest," Honey whispers.
I nod at Corentin as he stares at the crest in his hands. He shakes his head and tries to get it to another team member, but I grab his shoulder and stop him.
"You are team leader," I say. "This is rightfully yours. Hold it proudly. Students, I introduce Team SCCH (shock)."
Despite my words and introduction, the crest is still shaking in Corentin's hands as he and the rest of his team walk off the stage.
I grab another crest and introduce the next team.
"Renee Eamon. Sulien Bokamoso. Eimear Avita. Alodia Darreth."
Sulien runs for a bit before jumping and leaping onto the stage. He takes the crest from my hands and smiles.
"Uhh," he whispers, "I would actually prefer it if you called me Hothead."
"Yes," I say adjusting my glasses. "I will keep that in mind during your next introduction. For now, however."
I quickly snatch the crest out of Sulien's hands, Sulien now staring at his empty hands.
"Wait," he says. "What?"
"Renee Eamon, I present this crest to you as team leader."
Very much like Shocker, Renee's hands shake uncontrollably as he takes the crest from my hands. He stares at the crest, looking at it and then at me. He turns toward his team standing directly behind him.
"What," Sulien yells. Alodia elbows Sulient, hitting him right in the chest. Sulien gasps as he bends over. While he regains his breath, I decide to go on.
"This crest is also one of our mightiest and proudest. It represents bonds. Teamwork. Unity. It is never me, myself, or I. It is always us, ourselves, and we. I am proud to present this to you, Renee Eamon, team leader of Team RSEA (ready)."
"I--," Renee says, "I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything," Eimear says, pushing Renee and dragging Sulien off stage. "Just smile and go. Smile and go."
While the three of them walk off the stage, Alodia rolls her eyes, crosses her arms, and follows them.
The second they disappear from the lights, I move on to the next team.
Jump:
"I can't believe it," Hothead says, "I mean, seriously! I can't believe it! I wasn't chosen to be the team leader."
"I can't believe I was chosen," Renee says, his eyes stuck on the crest in his hands.
"I can't believe I'm on a team with you two," Alodia says, pointing at Renee and Hothead. "Well, at least I have you."
"Thank you," I say, giving Alodia a quick nod. "And by the way, you two need to shut up. Listen, while I can't really agree or disagree with Headmaster Noah's idea, I do know this. We are a team now, and we got a fancy crest that apparently stands for unity. So let's try and be united."
"Behind Renee," Hothead asks.
"In Renee's defense," Alodia adds, "He is the one that came up with the plan to get across those cliffs and the plan on how to defend the vultuzzard."
We all turn and look at Alodia.
"I'm just saying," Alodia says, taking her seat among the crowd of other students. "Maybe there's a little more to Renee."
"Thank you," Renee says, "I really appreciate that."
"Don't get all sentimental on me," Alodia says. "Frankly, if it was up to me, I would have chosen myself."
We all roll our eyes, shake our heads, and sigh.
Shocker:
I still can't believe it. Headmaster Noah had chosen me to be the team leader of my own team. Why would he do something so crazy?
I'm no leader. I never led anyone ever in my life, and now, I have to lead a team of fighters. Am I worthy?
I stare at the crest in my hands and ask myself this over and over again.
"Hey," someone yells. I turn around and see a smiling Alice.
"Hey," she says again. "I just want to say congratulations on becoming the team leader."
I nod my head.
"Suck I couldn't be on your team but I'm really happy for you."
Alice nods her head before leaving. I nod my head at her disappearing back.
"Attention students of Yellow Sun Academy," Headmaster Noah says, all of us turning to face him. "But while I hate to ruin this festive mood we are all in, it is extremely late now. You have your belongings. You have your team. Now go and find your room for the school year. I suggest getting some sleep immediately. Tomorrow is the start of your year here at Yellow Sun Academy."
Team by team, the academy's auditorium is empty. When it is, Headmistress Amaya walks out from behind the curtain.
"These are our best hopes," Amaya asks, "For what's coming."
"Yes," I say, turning to look at Amaya. "Especially those last two teams. They're our, and the world's, greatest hope for what is coming. I only hope we can train them fast enough."
I adjust my glasses again before escorting Headmistress Amaya out of the room.
Arthur:
I patiently wait on my wooden throne as a small black and white packeran runs into the lair. Panting as it drops onto the floor, I motion for one of the other animals to offer the packeran some water. A slonkey fetches a bowl of water and gives it to the packeran.
The packeran quickly drinks all the water before speaking to me. It tells me that the attacks worldwide have failed because of Noah and his teachers. That our forces had to retreat. Otherwise, they would be been slayed.
"I see," I say, putting my hands together. "Noah and the others had successfully counterattacked against us. If we are to win, then we'll need a new plan. What are our options?"
The steaowl resting on my shoulder whispers an idea in my ear.
"That could work," I say, thinking it over, "But that would mean having to go to Yellow Sun Academy. Are you sure you want to risk it?"
The steaowl nods before jumping off my shoulder and flying off.
"Very well."
I look at the packeran.
"Go and inform the other animals. Tell them our plan. If this works, then Earth will finally be ours."