Leonard's memories flashed back to the day he convinced his mother to let him attend New Initiative Academy.
Two days before, at night, Leonard stood firm.
Lucy: "Leonard, this isn't up for discussion. You're not going to that so-called school."
Leonard: "You're not telling me why."
Lucy: "Those kids go on expeditions they can't handle and get hurt in the process. Plus, criminals are starting to target that school. You think I'd ever send my child into the crossfire?"
Leonard's determination grew.
Leonard: "Look, I'm not powerless anymore. Elizabeth helped me so much these past three days. I don't want that to be for nothing."
Lucy's expression softened.
Lucy: "You didn't tell me how you got this nuclei of yours all of a sudden, and why was this girl helping you anyway?"
Leonard's voice filled with conviction.
Leonard: "Because it meant something to her. I don't know how to explain it, but it's something she really wanted to do."
Letoya intervened.
Letoya: "His right, you know...you worry about all of us, but you still do what you gotta do."
Lucy sighed.
Lucy: "Fine...you know you're too stubborn, just like your mother."
Leonard smiled.
Leonard: "Heh, looks like you did a good job raising me then."
Present day, Leonard stood alongside Kevin and Sam in the academy's lobby.
Sam: "Second and third-year students."
Kevin: "How can you tell?"
Sam: "Just take my word for it."
Leonard's nervousness grew.
Leonard: "When and where do we start?"
Kevin calmed him.
Kevin: "Calm down, would you!"
Elizabeth burst into the scene, her bright smile infectious.
Elizabeth: "Heeeyaaa!"
The trio stunned.
Elizabeth: "You guys ready?"
Sam: "Obviously."
Kevin: "Probably."
Leonard: "Definitely not."
Elizabeth teased.
Elizabeth: "Leonard, I expected a better answer than that, especially after all that training we went through."
Leonard's face flushed.
Leonard: "Okay, okay, I'll calm down."
Sam nodded.
Sam: "Good."
Elizabeth pointed.
Elizabeth: "That class right over there."
Kevin raised an eyebrow.
Kevin: "So you're really not going to give us a heads up."
Elizabeth's expression turned serious.
Elizabeth: "It wouldn't be fair to the other candidates. Just do your best, okay?"
The trio nodded.
Trio: Right!
Elizabeth: "You guys start in 15 minutes...the ceremony is about to start. Good luck!"
Kevin turned to Leonard.
Kevin: "I'm kinda surprised you're here, Leonard."
Leonard: "Why's that?"
Kevin: "Your mom, obviously."
Leonard's gaze drifted.
Leonard: "Oh yeah...that went the way it did. I told her how I didn't want Elizabeth's help to go to waste."
The flashback continued.
At Elizabeth's yard, Leonard lay exhausted.
Elizabeth: "Come on, don't tell me you're tapped out already."
Leonard panted.
Leonard: "I like how you say that, considering you've just been sitting in your chair this whole time, watching shock myself."
Elizabeth chuckled.
Elizabeth: "Hahaha....literally. But hey, looks like you've already been getting better. You're able to form it in your hands now."
Leonard sat up.
Leonard: "Mmm, but I feel like there's still way more I can do."
Elizabeth reassured.
Elizabeth: "Relax and give it time."
Elizabeth checks the time on her phone as she mentions.
Elizabeth: "Whoa, I didn't even realise it was this late."
Leonards eyes beams open as he abruptly sits upright and asks.
Leonard: "Crap, what's the time?!"
Elizabeth response with her eyes widened
Elizabeth: "4:17 pm."
Zeus arrived.
Zeus: "Hey, little pumpkin."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
Elizabeth: "Hey, Dad. And I told you to stop calling me that now."
Zeus smiled.
Zeus: "Ohhh, hey Leonard, didn't think you were still here. You're usually home by now."
Leonard hastily gathered his things.
Leonard: "That....is....why....I....gotta...run faster than I've ever ran before.
Zeus offered.
Zeus: "Wait, Leonard. We have a spare room; you could stay for the night. Just give me your mother's details; I'll speak to her."
Leonard hesitated.
Leonard: "Not sure if I should be happy or worried about that."
Zeus and Elizabeth both raise their eyebrows, as Leonard retracts.
Leonard: "Nevermind, it's fine."
At the dinner table, Zeus spoke with Lucy on the phone.
Elizabeth shared.
Elizabeth: "Yeah, my dad's a good cook, but he's hopeless when my mom's not around, so I jump in."
Leonard admired.
Leonard: "This looks great!"
Elizabeth: "Yeah...if you can account for my mother only being around half the year."
Leonard's curiosity grew.
Leonard: "Your mom huh? No wonder I haven't seen her around."
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she shared about her mother.
Elizabeth: "Yeah, she's a scientist at the navy. They study this thing called...the alchemy...that's the only vessel allowed to have black tech."
Leonard's curiosity piqued.
Leonard: "That sounds cool."
Elizabeth's smile wavered.
Elizabeth: "Yeah...if you can account for my mother only being around half the year."
Leonard's empathy grew.
Leonard: "Ohhhh!!...I'm...."
Elizabeth reassured.
Elizabeth: "Don't worry about it; I'm used to it by now."
Her gaze turned thoughtful.
Elizabeth: "And I know you're thinking..."
Leonard hesitated.
Leonard: 'Uhhh..."
Elizabeth's voice filled with conviction.
Elizabeth: "Why I'm helping you with all of this. You see that goofball over there?"
She nodded toward Zeus.
Elizabeth: "He told me that my grandmother said to him that he had his power for a reason, so he should help as many people as he can...and that's what's been driving him for years, opening the school and everything."
Leonard's admiration grew.
Leonard: "I don't know what to say except...thank you."
Elizabeth's smile radiated warmth.
Elizabeth: "It's my pleasure."
Leonard vowed silently.
Leonard: "{I have to make sure that her help wasn't for nothing.}"
Present day, 30 minutes later
The candidates exited the exam room, their faces reflecting varied emotions.
Sam beamed.
Sam: "That...was so good! I actually enjoyed myself."
Kevin stumbled out, looking traumatized.
Kevin: "You alone."
Leonard crawled out, exhausted.
Leonard: "{Sorry, Liz; I don't think I'll be able to keep my promise after all.}"
To be continued....