Cynthia and the maid walked down the long hallway. To her left and right were many other nobles looking down at her as they were dressed in fancy outfits and had smug looks on their faces. In front of her was a large green and white throne. There, sitting on it was a very large man. From the looks of his massive white beard and wrinkles, he appeared to be on the older side. Yet his physique was intense. Almost like he was a giant. He had very broad shoulders with very muscular arms that looked very heavy. He wore a very fancy mantle. It was red and golden. His boots were leather yet appeared to be tough and heavy. He wore a golden crown that had green jewels on the sides and a red round cushion neatly stuffed at the top. Two armored men were standing next to this man. This man was clearly intense yet dignified as a king should be.
As Cynthia made it to the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the king, she kneeled down as to show respect. The maid that was with her walked up the stairs to the king. As the maid made it to the king, she bowed to him. The king nodded at the maid and she then faced forward right beside the king. The king then looked over to Cynthia who was still kneeling.
King Leon: You may rise, Ms. Cynthia.
Cynthia got up and stood up straight. She made sure that her posture was formal.
King Leon: Ms. Cynthia, I am sure you know why you were summoned here. An unknown electric attack was unleashed that destroyed a mountain that was located outside Tempion. This attack's source came from the school you work at. Do you know anything about this?
Cynthia: Your majesty, I am embarrassed to say that it was the result of one of my students who was practicing a technique I showed them. I take full responsibility.
The nobles began to mutter to themselves.
Man: A child did that?
Woman: Does she take us for fools?
Guard (shouting to the audience): Be silent!
All the nobles stopped talking at once.
King Leon: You may be at ease Ms. Cynthia. As far as we know, none of our residents were on the mountain at the time. Since you have been a very loyal warrior to our kingdom, I will only let you off with a warning.
The nobles started talking amongst themselves.
Man: That's all she gets?
Woman: She is nothing but a brute! I would've sentenced her to prison!
Guard (shouting to the audience): Be silent!
All the nobles stopped talking at once.
King Leon: You are free to leave now.
Cynthia: Thank you, your majesty.
King Leon: One more thing though. I would like to talk to you in private in a few minutes if that's alright with you.
Cynthia (confused): Um, of course.
King Leon: Excellent, my maid will show you to the room. I will see you soon.
King Leon stood up and walked to the left and out of view. Suddenly, the same maid that was next to King Leon was suddenly behind Cynthia which startled her.
Cynthia (surprised): Oh my goodness!
Maid: Ms. Cynthia, please follow me.
Cynthia: Of course.
The maid led Cynthia to another part of the castle. As they walked down the hall, Cynthia could see the maid walking with great diligence. Her posture was completely straight without a hint of faltering. It was almost like she was a machine. They both then walked into a fancy looking room. The room was golden and brown. In the middle of the room was a glass table with two elegant wooden chairs with green cushions on them that were located on opposing sides of the table.. As Cynthia walked in, the maid started to close the doors behind her.
Maid: King Leon will be here shortly. Please have a seat.
Cynthia: Very well.
Cynthia sat down in one of the chairs. As she waited, she looked at the maid who was standing by the door. She was maintaining her poker face as she stared passed her.
Cynthia: So, if memories serve, your name is Sam. Am I correct?
Sam: Yes.
Cynthia: Oh, I see. What a cute name.
Sam: You have my thanks.
Cynthia paused awkwardly as Sam continued her poker face and had still not looked at Cynthia. Cynthia then cleared her throat.
Sam: Do you require a drink?
Cynthia: Oh no. I was just clearing my throat.
Sam: Very well.
Cynthia sat there awkwardly as Sam had still not broken her concentration. Suddenly, Sam reached for the door handles and opened them. King Leon then walked through it and stopped in front of Cynthia. Cynthia started to get up to kneel.
King Leon: Oh no, there is no need for that. We are not in a formal environment. Please have a seat.
Cynthia (politely): Very well.
Cynthia sat back down at the same time as King Leon who sat in the chair across from her. Sam then closed the doors and stood next to King Leon.
King Leon: How have you've been?
Cynthia: Between being a school teacher and a general of the Apex Guardians I've been very busy but everything is going well.
King Leon: Excellent! I am very happy to hear that. Anyways here's the thing, I wanted to talk to you in private about the student who destroyed that mountain.
Cynthia: I see.
Cynthia started to grow anxious as she was getting a bad feeling.
King Leon: Based on reports, it seems your son, Jason Steel is responsible.
Cynthia: I am very sorry.
King Leon: Don't be. I'm not mad or anything. More so, I'm curious. What I want to know is Jason's future.
Cynthia: His future?
King Leon: With power like that, Jason could be a very powerful asset for the Electren army. Especially with the war with the Obsidian Orcs.
Cynthia: I'm sorry but I have to refuse. Jason is currently working to be an Apex Guardian. Even if he wasn't, I refuse for him to get involved in this war.
King Leon: Not that I wasn't expecting that answer, but I have to know. Why are you against it?
Cynthia: You have a daughter don't you?
King Leon: I do.
Cynthia: If you were told that she possessed incredible power that could turn the tide of a way, would you put her through all that?
King Leon: Okay, I see your point. No, even if she was the strongest in the world, war is the last thing I want to put her through. I won't force Jason. You have my word.
Cynthia: Thank you, your majesty.
King Leon (casually): Cynthia, we are friends aren't we? So you are permitted to be casual here.
Cynthia took a deep breath and exhaled.
Cynthia: Okay then, Leon.
King Leon (enthusiastically): There we go!
Cynthia: Sorry, it's just really hard to get back into the formal act so I try to keep it up at all times.
King Leon chuckled.
King Leon: I know how that feels! Anyways, how are your children doing?
Cynthia: They are doing great. Well, I guess not right now since I grounded both of them and gave them some chores.
King Leon: Aw, why did you ground them?
Cynthia: Why do you think? Because Jason used the Volt Cannon at full power when I told him not to and Valerie told him how to.
King Leon: That's too bad but you reap what you sow.
Cynthia: How have you been doing?
King Leon (loudly): Positively smashing!
King Leon then smacked his chest to show off. A loud smacking sound echoed through the room.
Cynthia (giggling): Easy there.
Cynthia: So how is Princess Lacey?
King Leon: My daughter is doing well. Though there has been some trouble with her behavior.
Cynthia: What do you mean?
King Leon: You know we were supposed to make diplomatic relations with the nation of humans in Rose City before the war happened? Well our nobility needs to show some proper etiquette since the humans refer to us as beast people. Our nobles were already stuck up to begin with so that was easy. However, despite how Lacey acts in public, she is a massive tomboy. She picks fights, she gets herself dirty all the time, and she has recently picked up some very vulgar language.
Cynthia rolled her eyes as she felt she could relate to the frustration.
Cynthia: Trust me. I get it. Jason and Valerie have started using profanity. But Lacey has always been a tomboy ever since she was a child. You can't really blame her.
King Leon: I know but she is a princess and next in line for the throne. She needs to learn etiquette like it's second nature.
Cynthia: Queen Phoebe was always profound in etiquette.
King Leon: Yeah.
King Leon looked up as if he was looking at Queen Phoebe.
King Leon: She was one hell of a woman. I miss her greatly.
Cynthia (feeling guilty): I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought her up.
King Leon looked back down at Cynthia.
King Leon: No, don't be sorry. I'm glad there are still people who remember her other than just a picture on the wall.
Later that night…
As Cynthia made it back home and approached the door, she heard angry yelling from inside. As soon as she walked inside, she saw Jason and Valerie arguing.
Jason (angrily): Who the hell puts an ax that high?!
Valerie (angrily): It's supposed to be for decorations! How was I supposed to know that was going to happen?!
Jason (angrily): IT'S CALLED GRAVITY STUPID!
Valerie (angrily): DON'T CALL ME STUPID YOU LITTLE BRAT!
Cynthia (outraged): QUIET!!!!!
Cynthia's voice roared through the house and cut through Jason and Valerie's bickering. Jason and Valerie stopped as they were startled by the sudden shout and looked at Cynthia.
Cynthia: Why are the two of you fighting?!
Jason: Valerie hung the Battle Axe above the fireplace and it fell and hit me on the head!
Valerie glared at Jason.
Valerie (angrily): Why were you sticking your head there in the first place?!
Jason turned towards Valerie and had a very angry expression.
Jason (angrily): I WAS CLEANING IT!!!
Cynthia (shouting): THAT'S ENOUGH!
Jason and Valerie stopped and stood in front of Cynthia quietly. Cynthia put her hand over her eyes and looked up as she was exhausted from the bickering. She then looked back at the two.
Cynthia (exasperated): Just put the ax to the side and finish your chores.
Jason and Valerie (sadly): Okay mom.
Jason and Valerie turned around to finish what they were doing. Cynthia turned towards her room but then looked back at Jason and Valerie.
Cynthia (calling out): And no more fighting.
Jason and Valerie: Okay mom.
As Cynthia laid in her bed, she took a deep breath as she was exhausted.
Jason (calling out): How did it go?
Cynthia (calling back): I'll tell you tomorrow.
Jason (calling out): Am I going to jail or something?
Cynthia (calling back): I said I'll tell you tomorrow!
Cynthia then heard Valerie talking to Jason.
Valerie: If she's not telling you right now, then I think everything will be fine.
Jason: I hope so.
One Week Later…
Cynthia was sitting on the sofa looking through the mail. She spotted a letter that was addressed to Jason and it said it was from the Apex Guardians. She opened it and read the letter. She then placed the letter on the small table in front of her.
Cynthia: Jason. Come here please.
Jason walked into the room Cynthia was in from behind her and stopped in front of her.
Jason: Yeah?
Cynthia pointed at the letter she placed on the table. Her face was serious.
Cynthia: You might want to look at this.
Jason saw how serious Cynthia looked and became nervous. As he picked up the letter, he saw that it was from the Apex Guardians organization itself. This made him more nervous as he started to fear that his request got rejected. As he read the note, his eyes started to widen. He then looked at Cynthia. Cynthia's previously stern look was now a big cheery smile.
Jason (shocked): I GOT ACCEPTED?!
Cynthia (excited): YOU SURE DID!!!
Jason and Cynthia both jumped up and hugged out of excitement.
Jason: You scared the hell out of me, you know that?!
Valerie then came in.
Valerie: What's going on here?
Cynthia grabbed the letter from Jason's hand and showed it to Valerie.
Cynthia (excitedly): Jason got approved for the Apex Guardians Entrance Exam!
Valerie screamed in joy and hugged Jason.
Valerie (shouting): I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!
Jason (angrily): THAT'S RIGHT IN MY EAR!!!
Valerie then let go of Jason.
Valerie: Sorry. I forgot how sensitive your hearing is.
Cynthia: Now Jason, you understand that this is only the first step. You have to pass a big test before you are accepted as a bona fide member.
Jason (determined): Right!
The next day…
Jason met up with Ethan and Hana at the same field where they practiced for the test. Jason then showed them his approval letter. In response, Ethan and Hana showed Jason their own letters that also approved them.
Jason (excited): We all got in!
Ethan (excited): Hell yeah!
Hana squealed and hugged both Jason and Ethan.
Ethan: Alright, it saids that the entrance exam begins in two days.
Jason: That soon?
Ethan: Yep, so we should take it easy for now.
Hana: I have an idea. Let's get ourselves ready and have a three way fight.
Ethan looked at Hana with an exasperated expression.
Ethan: That is literally the opposite of what I said!
Hana: No, hear me out. We get in a bit of training today, then we rest tomorrow, and then we will be ready the next day.
Jason: It kinda sounds like you just want an excuse to fight.
Ethan: Yeah, I'm with Jason. We shouldn't fight right now.
Jason then turned to Ethan.
Jason: Now hang on. I didn't say I was against having a battle.
Ethan looked at Jason in shock and disapproval.
Ethan: What?
Jason: There's nothing wrong with having a quick sparring session.
Hana: Thank you.
Jason: Besides, I kinda need this. I just got out of being grounded and I hadn't been able to exercise this whole time.
Ethan: So then do some squats or something.
Jason: If that's all that would take, don't you think I would've done that at home?
Ethan: I guess that's a good point.
Hana: This is just a sparring session. Not a duel.
Ethan: A duel is with two people. This is a… uh. What's the name for a fight with three people?
Jason: A truel.
Ethan looked at Jason with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
Ethan: Really? That's what it's called?
Jason: Hey, I didn't make the dictionary.
Hana: Duel, truel, battle royale, roast beef, it doesn't matter.
Jason (confused): What does roast beef have to do with-
Hana (interrupting): Let's just get some exercise in!
Jason (sarcastically): Okay I'm just being ignored now.
Ethan: Fine! I guess I'll join in too.
Hana: Awesome! Don't worry, I know how to make it so we don't over do things.
Hana held up her hand in the air. Suddenly, a red ball of light appeared from it.
Hana: This ball will stop glowing after ten minutes. When that happens, we stop.
Ethan: Ten minutes…
Jason: Sure.
Hana: Also, a rule for Jason.
Jason (confused): For me?
Hana: No mega lasers.
Jason: Mega lasers? You mean the Volt Cannon?
Ethan: Yeah good point. The last thing we want is for you to hit us with an attack that incinerates a mountain.
Jason: Relax guys, I wasn't even thinking about using it.
Hana: Are you sure?
Jason (exasperated): Yes! Holy shit, what do you take me for?! A maniac?!
Hana: No, I'm just making sure.
Hana, Ethan, and Jason all backed up from each other. Hana snapped her fingers and the red orb of light flashed which started the battle.
Ethan charged his right arm with electricity and then smashed the ground. This created a shockwave that ripped through the ground. Hana leaped in the air to avoid it. Jason bent forward and stuck his hands into the ground to take the shockwave. Ethan then charged at Jason.
Ethan: Good move, but now you're wide open!
Ethan slammed right into Jason with his shoulder and sent him flying backwards.
Jason: Argh!
As Jason dug his fingers into the ground to slow down his momentum, Hana came down from above Ethan and was spinning like a ball. She then landed a swift kick on Ethan.
Hana: How's that?!
As Ethan shoved Hana off, Jason came charging back at Ethan and tackled him. Hana landed behind Jason and dashed at him. Jason however, saw this coming and smacked her away with a backhanded slap.
Hana: Argh!
Hana fell to the ground and appeared to be hurt.
Jason: You should've known by now that sneaking up on me doesn't work.
Hana peaked up from the ground and gave Jason a mischievous grin.
Hana: And you should've known by now that I like fake outs.
Hana suddenly got up and grabbed the air. Suddenly, red strings appeared from her fist and appeared all over Jason. Hana then pulled the strings to her which tightened around Jason and made him fall to the ground.
Jason: Oof!
Hana began to pull Jason towards her, however Jason got up and started pulling against her. Hana then saw Ethan charging back towards the fight with his fist reared up. Hana then ran towards Jason which made Jason lose his balance as he was pulling against Hana. Hana then leaped over Jason and towards Ethan. She then tossed Jason overhead and threw him at Ethan.
Jason (shocked): WHOA! WHAT THE HELL?!
As Jason was falling towards Ethan, he struggled immensely to break free. Ethan then grabbed Jason and threw him back at Hana.
Jason (angrily): HEY!
Hana then jumped off of Jason and headed towards Ethan. Hana smiled at Ethan and then wrapped a bunch of red strings together to form two whips. She then started to fall towards Ethan. Ethan smiled back at her and charged his two arms with green electricity. As Hana swung her whips at Ethan, Ethan punched the whips to block them. Meanwhile, Jason, who was still tied up and falling, fell right on his face on the ground. As Jason finally broke free, his hair began to glow yellow and his face was bright red from rage.
Jason (angrily): IF YOU GUY DO THAT AGAIN, SO HELP ME GOD!
Jason's arms started to glow yellow and was charged with electricity. He then punched the ground so hard that it created a massive shockwave that rippled through the ground. Hana jumped off of Ethan's head to avoid it while Ethan endured the shockwaves that rippled across his body.
Ethan: Whoa man! I didn't know you learned the Seismic Shockwave!
Jason then charged at Ethan preparing to tackle him when Hana fell back down and stomped Jason head into the ground.
Jason: ARGH!
Hana: Look out below!
Ethan (exasperated): You're supposed to say that BEFORE you land on him!
Hana: Oh sorry. My ba-
Before Hana could finish, she suddenly felt herself fall downward a little.
Hana: What the?
Hana looked down to see her legs stuck in a hole where Jason was.
Ethan: Oh you're doing the digging tactic? Guess you forgot what happened last time when you did that, Jason.
Ethan raised his arms to prepare to use the Seismic Shockwave when Jason suddenly emerged from the ground in front of Ethan and slammed into him with a full body headbutt.
Ethan: Argh!
Ethan fell over from the strong impact while Jason stood back up.
Jason: I didn't forget. That's why I made sure to attack before you shake things up.
The red orb Hana made suddenly fizzled out.
Hana: Time's up guys.
Jason grabbed Ethan's arm and pulled him up to help him get back on his feet. As Ethan was patting the dirt off of him, Jason walked over to Hana to help her out of the hole.
Hana: Hey so what were you guys talking about when you said "last time"?
Jason grabbed Hana from underneath her arms and pulled her out from the hole.
Jason: Last time I tried to dig like that, Ethan used the Seismic Shockwave and buried me underground.
Hana looked at Ethan. Her expression was filled with shock and dismay.
Hana (shocked): And you were going to do it again?!
Ethan: Jason is strong enough to get himself out of the ground.
Jason: Hold on, let's back up for a moment. Why were you guys throwing me around like that?
Ethan (defensively): I'm not going lie man. I wasn't paying attention.
Jason (sarcastically): Oh yeah sure. You seemed to have paid attention enough to throw me!
Ethan: I was paying attention to Hana who was leaping all over the place.
Jason then turned towards Hana.
Jason: And what's your excuse?
Hana: You made a convenient distraction.
Jason looked annoyed.
Jason (annoyed): Well at least you're honest about it.
Ethan: What is the big deal?
Jason turned towards Ethan angrily.
Jason (angrily): You get yourself tied up and thrown around and tell me it's not a big deal! I was getting nauseous!
Hana looked towards the distance and saw something coming towards their direction in the sky.
Hana: Hey guys, you might wanna cover your ears!
Jason looked towards Hana.
Jason: What do you mean?
Hana: Blue Electrens are flying this way.
As soon as Hana said that, several blue streaks of a light flew above Jason, Ethan, and Hana at very high speeds. As they flew past, they created a loud sonic boom that seemed to have shook the air around them. Jason, Ethan, and Hana all covered their ears as the sound hurt their ears. Jason seemed to be affected by the noise more than Ethan and Hana however.
Jason (shouting): ARGH! COME ON!
The blue streaks flew off and the three uncovered their ears.
Ethan: I thought Blue Electrens weren't allowed to fly that fast in public.
Jason: Technically, that rule applies to where civilians are. Like towns and the marketplace. Which we aren't at.
Ethan: Well now that is all over with, should we go for another round?
Hana: Nah, I think I'm done.
Ethan: What?! I know we said ten minutes but that was hardly an exercise.
Hana: Yeah but I just remember that I was going out with my girls. Not to mention Jason's complaining sucked the fun out of this.
Jason (annoyed): Well excuse me for getting upset for being thrown around like a ragdoll!
Hana: Well how do you expect me to enjoy myself when you're always complaining like that.
Jason looked confused.
Jason: What do you mean by always?
Hana: You complain a lot.
Jason: No I don't.
Hana: Yes you do.
Jason: I do not!
Hana: Do too!
Jason: Do not!
Ethan: Sorry Jason, but I gotta agree with Hana on this one. You do complain a lot.
Jason: Since when?
Ethan: You've been doing it for a few years now.
Jason looked embarrassed and ashamed. He tilted his head down.
Jason (humiliated): S-sorry.
Hana: Hey don't sweat it. Everyone has some habit others find annoying. And it's not like you complain that much.
Ethan: Honestly, I think you are just going through a menopause or something.
Jason suddenly looked up at Ethan with a confused and shocked expression on his face.
Jason (shocked): What did you just say?!
Hana suddenly burst out laughing hysterically.
Ethan (confused): What? What's so funny?
Jason: Do you have any idea what you just said?
Ethan (still confused): Huh?
Hana (laughing hysterically): Y-YOU THOUGHT HE WAS GOING THROUGH A MENOPAUSE?!
Hana laughed so hard she fell over on her back. She still continued to laugh.
Ethan (annoyed and confused): What?! What did I say?!
Jason: Do you know what that means?
Ethan: It's like a puberty thing right?
Jason: Yeah, for girls.
Ethan: So what's the big deal?
Hana started laughing even harder. Jason then beckoned Ethan to him. As Ethan approached Jason, Jason leaned towards Ethan's ear and whispered in it. Ethan's eyes suddenly widened and his cheeks turned red from embarrassment and shock. He then quickly backed away from Jason.
Ethan (shocked): That's what that means?!
Jason (awkwardly): Yeah….
Hana started to laugh even harder as she rolled around on the ground with tears in her eyes. Ethan looked at Hana with embarrassment on his face.
Ethan (angrily): It's not funny!
Hana (laughing): YES IT IS!!!