A/N: This is just a little something I've been working on. I've written a story like this on F.F. before, in another catagory, but this one is quite different. Just let me know what you think-- if you think it's bogus then I'll go ahead and take it down.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

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In the dark of the forest canopy, four boys trudged through the muddy ground, off the paved path and through to a broad, open field. In the distance was a large, rotting barn, where the four silhouette's entered as if it was their very home.

A small light shined from the cracks in the wooden floor of the barn, and the leader of the four bent down to the ground, brushing away a few loose straws of hay, and gripped a small metal ring attached to it. He lifted the trapdoor allowing more of the light into the moonlit stables, then stepped inside.

"Hurry," the first boy urged the others in a low voice. "We're already late."

"Yeah, by like, two seconds," the shortest of them insisted.

The four walked single file down the stone staircase and to cave-like room arrayed with so many candles it resembled day. Four older men were already seated on four stone thrones around a pentagram table, and as the younger boys came down, motioned to the empty chair for their young leader to sit.

"You know tardiness is unacceptable," said the older man to his far right. The boy slowly sat down in his chair, while his friends stood around with their heads bowed in humility, and hands folded in front of themselves.

"Sorry, sir," the dark haired boy in the chair said in all sincerity.

"So am I, Mr. Garwin," the man replied apologetically. "In light of recent events, an inquiry is being issued in the Council. I'm afraid your capability to perform your leadership is being questioned."

The black-haired boy frowned and stood up straighter.

"Sir, I assure you, I am perfectly able--"

"Of course you are able in Power. It is your mental state is arousing concern. Until the matter is decided, leadership will be passed to Mr. Danvers."

The black-haired boy stared back in stunned silence for several moments, then quietly stood and let another boy take his place in the stone seat.

"Alright," said the older man with dark gray hair just ahead of them. "That being said, let's get started… Mr. Danvers, Mr. Parry, Mr. Sims, and Mr. Garwin, please step forward."

Each boy stepped up to a different older man of the surrounding thrones, taking a slip of paper from each of their hands.

"Today you officially graduate from your apprenticeship, and you will go out into the world as the new Covenant. When each of you Ascend, you will one by one take our place on these very seats, and we shall step aside to join the Elders as your council. Do you still stand by your vows of silence taken?"

Each of the boys replied with a soft "yes, sir," in unison.

"Do you have any questions concerning the matters I have just told you?"

"No, sir," they replied again.

"Then take your leave and report back to the meeting hall in fourteen days. You are dismissed."

The young boys nodded, bowed their respects and left to go back the way they had come. The old man who had just spoken to them, lifted his head to speak once more.

"Oh, and son?"

The young leader of the new Covenant stopped to look back to the older man with a curious expression on his face. His friends also stopped to listen.

"Good luck on your first day as a senior," the white-haired man said with a sudden smile. The younger simply nodded back in appreciation.

"Thanks, Dad. Say hi to gramps and the rest of the Elders for me, would you?"

"Of course."

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James L. Danvers III whipped out his keys to his midnight Porsche with a frown on his face. He had been looking forward to this day all summer: the day when he and his other friends were officially accepted into the Covenant as their forefathers before them, though, he found himself disappointed at the news they had just heard.

As was code, if the eldest of the four became otherwise unable to fulfill the duties as leader, by default, the rights passed to the second born. So much pressure was now on James, pressure and high expectations that he was not prepared to bear.

"You going home, Jimmy?" said his raven-haired friend to his right, who was also sticking the keys in his own vehicle, a black 50's Cobra he had just finished custom restoring. His friend was obsessed with cars, and took pride in every cent he invested in all ten of his automobiles. This Cobra was by far his favorite, having spent many hours of work and sweat into fixing it up himself, it bore a lot of personal value to him. James nor any of their friends were allowed to touch, or even breathe upon it without his strict surveillance.

But that's just how Joe Garwin was. He loved the things he loved, and hated what he hated. There was never any 'gray areas' with Joe. He was plain black and white. It was why he made such a great leader. Joe appeared to be rather stoic considering what had just happened back there, but that's also how Joe was.

But James had known him long enough to know that the boy was upset. Who wouldn't be? It did seem rather unfair, and James was at a loss on how to remedy it. Instead, he tried to hide his discomfort by mimicking Joe's natural attitude.

"Nah," James replied with a shake of his head. "What's the use? We're gonna hafta wake up in a couple hours… might as well get some riding in."

"See you at school then," Joe replied, getting into his Cobra and starting the loud engine.

"Alright, see ya," James agreed, and got into his own car.

"Oh, and Jimmy?"

James looked back at his friend, fearing the tone of voice. Joe remained expressionless, and simply nodded at James:

"Congratulations."

James let out the breath he had been holding, a sudden and unexpected feeling of relief sweeping over him at these words. He beamed broadly at his best friend.

"Thanks," James replied gratefully.

Joseph Garwin was the one James had always bore closest in their circle of friends, and they were rarely seen without one another. Though Joe was a very quiet, dark, stubborn-hearted individual, he was extremely loyal and wise well beyond his years, but one would have to know him very well to discover this fact, for he usually kept to himself. He never spoke unless it was absolutely necessary, and kept a level head, approaching every matter with full rationality. His skill in the Power was high above James's own, his control beyond comparison, which made James admire him all the more.

But Joe's most annoying fault, and the hardest to overcome, was his recent conversion into a firm pacifist. It was why the Council was questioning him. Joe had completely lost faith in his abilities, and swore off the Power altogether. In fact, he seemed to not even care whether he lived or died. After a recent tragedy in his family, he became a shell of the man he once was. Though he used to be as fun loving and easy-going as the rest of them, the person left was a dark and gloomy fellow, one that James was still getting accustomed to.

James didn't know how Joe could do it. To simply deny the Power every day. James himself found it hard, because of the fun that came from it, the good feeling Using came with inside. He couldn't imagine never Using again, no matter how angry he was. It was a part of who he was… who they all were.

He watched Wayne Perry, the most charismatic of the four, sling a leg over his red Harley and gear up the engine, a motorcycle James knew for a fact that he had purchased to impress his many female admirers.

And admirers, Wayne most certainly had. James could never tell if this was a fact that it was Wayne's Power or natural charm that hypnotized them so, but Wayne's ability to enchant any lady he came across (whether he meant to or not) was definitely there. His tongue was as sharp as they came, and he was rarely left without something to say. His suavity was abrupt, but cool, his flirtatiousness smooth, but shameless. The long auburn hair and golden eyes also only served to add to the ladies-man factors.

Wayne was good fun as a friend, providing many laughs, but he had a knack for denying authority at any excuse. He hated being tied down, and when he obeyed, it was because he simply chose to, not because he had to. For that reason, he was undependable.

And then there was Glenn Sims. You could count on him as the baby of the group, and a social klutz to boot, but you could count on him, nonetheless. His droopy brown eyes screamed innocence, and his perfectly combed dark brown hair flaunted his meticulous need for order in his life. He was dubbed the 'boy scout' by the others, since he seemed to bear all the stereotypical traits of one: He was a die-hard do-gooder, never under-prepared, resourceful in tight spots, and cared not what others thought of him. Shy, but never without an opinion, he often took a stand against James's authority, even more so than you would expect of the others. It was the fact that he didn't agree with how the way James ran things, perhaps thought he should be stricter on the others. Glenn was particular that way. It annoyed James to no end.

James sighed as he drove through the vast countryside, making a mental list of all that he wanted to accomplish in this new year. It suddenly seemed so overwhelming. He quickly relaxed when his destination came into view.

The horse stable was his favorite place in the world. It was only there he could escape all his troubles of his father, his school, and his father's failed marriage with his mother, and their family that was split apart so suddenly. His little sister, Jenny, had been taken with his mother, and he had chosen to stay with his father by his own choice, as had his younger brother Samuel . For a while, it was bearable, but now he was really beginning to wonder what his life would be like if she was still around.

James sighed, and opened the door to the barn, letting the warm sunlight pour into the room. His horse already knew it was him by some power, and whinnied as it lifted his head over the stall door, greeting him fondly.

"No ride right now, Archimedes," James said sadly, glancing at the time on his wristwatch, while the other hand stroked the white horse's neck and mane. "Maybe after school, eh?"

Archimedes snorted an angry agreement. James sighed, stroking him a few times more before the old stable-hand found him.

"Hey, Gorman," James said with a smile toward him.

"Hello, Mr. Danvers. Don't you have to be somewhere... like school, perhaps?"

James grabbed his backpack from the ground and slung it over his shoulder.

"Ever the conscience, Mister Twoberry. I was just leaving."

"Of course, you were," Gorman agreed, and watched the boy walk off. James stopped at the barn door, before turning back around.

"Gorman, would you mind--"

"He'll be groomed, saddled, and ready for your after-school ride, as usual. I've done this long enough, so you don't have to remind me."

James smiled.

"Thanks."

"Oh, yes, and tell Miss Withermoore I said hello, and that I do miss her around here. Athene does miss her terribly as well."

"Will do."

"Goodbye, Mr. Danvers."

James stopped and looked over his shoulder with a smile.

"When are you going to just call me James like everybody else?"

"When you celebrate your fiftieth birthday before me."

"But that's impossible."

"So is this, lad. Now go, don't let me be blamed for keeping you."

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This concludes the introductions. Please review—I really want to know what you think.
Signed,
--RedRogue