I took a month off from writing to decide if and/or what I wanted to write next. After finishing the last four part series I wasn't sure if I wanted to tackle another large story. I can't really do short stories or one shots simply because I have more to tell than those would allow. Writing is the best form of relaxation for me so I decided a new series was something I wanted to do. The next issue for me was that I am not particularly good nor do I enjoy simply writing using characters/settings/conflicts already in existence. I need to create my own world and stories for characters to experience which I know isn't always for everyone.

So, I must give the disclaimer that like my other stories this focuses primarily on original characters. It is a continuation of the last series I finished which places it in an original world and setting as well. If you haven't read the other series I wrote this one will be difficult to follow. This story really requires the knowledge of the previous stories to understand.

With that out of the way, thank you for reading.

Freezing

Dark Valkyrie

Chapter 1

How much time had passed so far? The end had to be close now. Eternity was exactly how long it felt since this began. Seconds turned into minutes, and those minutes turned to hours. It was maddening how fatiguing this entire process was. It took every ounce of willpower not to give up and simply lie down. It was a test of commitment to push on and succeed despite the hardship. Defeat was not an option.

"Get your head off that desk and pay attention!" The stern voice made her eyes snap open and her head jerk upright. Directly in front of her stood a woman glaring down at her. Short blonde hair reached down to the bottom of her jaw and her stance, with arms crossed indicated her level of anger was on the rise.

"I'm sorry ma'am." The girl in the desk replied respectfully lowering her gaze. The woman ahead of her shook her head and sucked in a breath of air before letting it out in an exasperated sigh.

"Are you now? If what I have to say bores you then by all means leave. If you don't have the desire to pay attention, then get out of my class." The instructor challenged making the girl's blood run cold. Her boredom was one thing, but facing her instructor's wrath shook her to the core.

"No ma'am it won't happen again. Please don't kick me out." She begged bowing her head low letting her forehead touch the desk.

"Good, wasting my time is bad enough, but you are wasting your fellow student's time as well. From now on I will expect your full attention as well as a higher level of participation in class. Are we clear Ms. Askiligar?" Her instructor ordered. She looked up at her sadly and nodded slowly.

"Yes Ms. Bonaparte, I understand." Seemingly satisfied with her answer Charles Bonaparte, her instructor for this class spun on her heel and walked away resuming her lesson. Today's focus was on the proper activation and control of the basic form of Tempest Turn. A skill utilized by Pandora to combat the Nova. A skill that Skylar Askiligar had already mastered, thus her inability to pay attention.

Fifteen years old and only a month into her first year at West Genetics. Skylar Askiligar had been born and spent her life growing up within the walls of the genetics facility. Her entire life she had been raised amongst the men and women who chose to fight for humanity. Where the rest of the world heard the stories and tales of the Pandora and Limiters, she lived it. It was inspiring and exciting all at the same time for a young girl to see the sights she was afforded.

At least that was how she felt up until around the age of thirteen. By that point the sights and routines of the facility were mundane and dull. It was no longer amazing to witness the abilities the Pandora were capable of. Abilities that they spent years mastering and studying about to properly control. It bored her to death thanks in part to the fact that she was already developing the ability to use the same powers they could. The difference was that she could do it naturally whereas they had to learn it and inherit it from implanted stigmata.

It wasn't long before the word Novaborn began to circulate. A term she was unfamiliar with at the time. It seemed to create quite the stir amongst the administration of the academy. The headmaster of the school visited more frequently as well as the heads of the academy's medical wing. All in an effort to verify that she was in fact this Novaborn they kept speaking about. The answer to that was given to her not long after her fourteenth birthday.

All Pandora learned their skills through the use of implanted stigmata. Genetic material harvested from an extradimensional being known as Maria Lancelot, the mother of Pandora. Throughout history five people were born with the same powers Pandora learned without the need of implanted stigmata. Her father sat with her and explained everything over many hours and it marked one of the only times she craved scholarly knowledge.

Chiffon Fairchild, a former student body president at West Genetics was one of the five. A woman capable of controlling massive amounts of Nova energy. She was the sole child of Maria Lancelot. Even today genetics facilities dedicated entire sections of curriculum around Chiffon and her life as a Pandora. Her untimely death came during an insurrection against the former world power known as Chevalier. Her death set in motion the events that led to the downfall of that same organization.

Claire, and Charon Fairchild were the next two Novaborn who equally commanded large portions of curriculum, particularly, history. Twin sisters of Chiffon that were not born, but created in a lab. Chevalier created them as a means for murder and deception against those who rivaled the organization. They were created for nothing more than to be used as weapons. Only through the perseverance of a coalition of all genetics schools were they able to be stopped and the removal of Chevalier assured. Their deaths and the fall of Chevalier shed light on their creation and the suffering they both endured. Their part in the Pandora Civil War over twenty years ago was that of victims and they were remembered as heroes who died in the fight against Chevalier.

One of the most interesting Novaborn was a young girl named Rin Askiligar. She was interesting to Skylar because Rin was her aunt. She had died in a Nova attack long before she was born, before Rin even knew she was a Novaborn. She was the only Novaborn to die before realizing her natural powers. It is a long accepted thought that when Rin died it began the countdown that would lead to the Pandora Civil War. Her brother would go on to becoming one of the most influential genetics personnel and the prime catalyst in the disintegration of Chevalier.

Varen Askiligar, the only male Novaborn in existence. Brother of Rin Askiligar, former Limiter to Chiffon Fairchild, and the one who slew Charon Fairchild on the field of battle during the Pandora Civil War. He was called the Justicar by all who knew his name, but for Skylar she knew him simply as dad.

She reveled in the knowledge that her father was a man of renown. Her excitement only grew as she read through history books at an alarming rate. She devoured the words in the book Varen gave her. She had always known that he was a Limiter just as she knew her mother was a Pandora, but this was different. He was a Novaborn who lived through the final days of Chevalier. Her mother, Arnette Askiligar, battled beside him through it all forming the elite group of genetics soldiers known as the Nightingales.

Her mind could barely keep up with everything she learned back then. The headmaster of West Genetics, commander of the Nightingales, and nearly every administrative member of the school was a part of the team he led against Chevalier. She felt like she had just found out she was a royal princess destined for greatness.

Now, a year later at the age of fifteen it was a burden. Her abilities rapidly accelerated and with the help of her parents she learned to control them. It put her ahead of nearly everyone in the academy. That was before she even began her time as a student. The initial lessons for the past month were full of material she already knew. It made her restless and desperate for something new. The only bright spot was that she found friends easily within her class. The other students wanted to be near her and almost competed for her attention. One of the many side effects of being the daughter of two war heroes.

"You need to watch yourself Sky. Ms. Bonaparte is friends with your mom and dad." Melissa said after class in the hallway. Long brown hair draped down her back just past her shoulder blades. It was only a few inches shorter than Skylar's which was the same color, but tied up in a ponytail.

"Yeah, I know, I read the history books." Skylar replied rolling her eyes. Melissa Albright had been her best friend since she was ten. She had grown up in West Genetics just like Skylar and met each other while watching Arnette teach third years advanced Acceleration skills. Much like Skylar at the time, Melissa was enthralled by the prospect of hopefully becoming a Pandora. Five years later she underwent the mandatory compatibility testing and found herself a viable candidate.

"I'm just saying, it's only been a month and you are pissing off Charles Bonaparte. She used to be called the Tempest Phoenix you know?" Melissa continued making Skylar close her eyes in frustration.

"Yes, I know. Jeez, every time you come over you spend half the evening hanging out with my mom and dad letting them regale you with tales of their youth!" Skylar replied angrily. Melissa jabbed her finger towards her leaning closer.

"Hey! Your mom and dad are way cool! You used to love hearing about their past! You get to live with them, I make the most of every chance I get to learn from them. Charles is no different, she fought alongside all of the original Nightingales." Melissa said. The two glared at each other for a few minutes before breaking out in laughter.

"We fight over the stupidest stuff!" Skylar said wiping tears away from her eye. Melissa nodded at her friend as they both turned walking down the hallway.

"Seriously though, you are going to be the top student in our class. It's almost guaranteed due to who you are. You'll have a reputation to uphold. There's a lot of expectations for you to meet." Her friend said enviously. Skylar sighed shaking her head as they walked.

"I didn't ask for all that though. Maybe I don't like living in my parent's shadow. Look…I get it Mel alright, my dad was a great man who once led a revolution. My mom fought in every battle with him, and was able to beat Claire Fairchild one on one. They fought with Mrs. Francois, and Mrs. Rotomaster. They stood alongside Ms. Bernstein, Ms. Elipton, and Ms. Evans, and yes with Ms. Bonaparte too. I know all this, but that's not who I am. I want to be my own person, not just the daughter of the Justicar." Skylar said and Melissa put her arm around her shoulders.

"That makes sense, I'm sorry. For people like me we get caught up in the hype of who your parents are. It's easy to forget that you have your own dreams. Sorry Sky." Her friend said and Skylar smiled patting her hand.

"I know. They are pretty cool." Skylar admitted and Melissa nodded.

"And your dad is pretty hot too." She added making Skylar throw her arm off her in disgust.

"Melissa, gross!" She yelled chasing after her friend who ran away laughing.