Chapter 1

When we were all five years old, we were all taken from our families and had our memories taken away.

No one knows who their parents are. Some lucky people have siblings. Maybe they might have a trace of a smile or a scent of their families.

I'm not that lucky.

We were all taken away to the school in our region. The Northern Region of United America is by far the best. The congress and where Leader claw resides and most of the top military Bases are located there in our Country's Capital, Star 's also Warriors University, which seems weird, because ages five to eighteen go there. There, not only are we taught the most complicated academics in the Country, but we are trained to become the most feared Soldiers in the World. It's basically a Survival/Wilderness school, mixed with "normal" academic periods. If you succeed, you'll be sent to the Capital to serve, and if you're even better, you'll get to go to the frontlines. If you fail in one of your years, whether you're a five year old or an eighteen year old, you'll be killed.

"This Country has no room for failures," Leader claw always says on television. "Not when there's a War going on."

Right.

The War.

Twenty years ago World War X began. We were the United States of America back then. We had states. A fair(ish) Government. Schools where you didn't get killed. But the War took a toll on us, just like it did in on all of the Countries. Most people have forgotten what we've been fighting about all these years. All we know now is that thousands of Americans have died. When Leader Claw was elected, he changed everything. He changed the name of our Country. The states. Our military. Our lives. Now, only he can choose the next Leader, if he ever decides to retire.

He won't.

Like I said, everyone young person in their lives must go to your Region's school. Each year you are moved up a level if you survive depending on your skill. For example, a ten-year-old might be in classes and training sessions with a fifteen-year-old. I'm thirteen years old. So far, I've had twenty-three friends die at the hands of the Dark Warriors. I don't like getting too attached.

My name is Lilyfrost. (I used to be Lilyheart, but something happened, and I couldn't bear the name any longer…)There's this thing about names, you see. None of us have last names because we don't know our parents. The Government changed the rule of names when Leader Claw (Shadowclaw) was elected. Now you must have full names to keep better tabs on you. (You are allowed to have nicknames, though.) The names can't be something like… Sarahflight or whatever. It must be… non-human. "Lilly" is different because it's both a flower and a name. Still.

The Government believes that these weird nature names might keep us better hidden in combat missions, almost like code names. The theory is that the Enemy might hear someone say… Ravenstep and think it's a codename, then they would spend all their time looking for a ghost. Our Government thinks they're clever that way. I don't care. I just care about doing my duty and not getting killed.

Most people feel that way too, I'm guessing.

But today… I'm finally entering Level 10. High School.

Yay….

Warriors University has four separate sections: Elementary, (you would have the word kit at the end of your name instead of a full name,) Middle, (you would have the word paw instead of a full name), High, (you would get your full name then) and Elite. (You could choose to put star at the end of your name in a replacement or choose to keep your name.) If you get into Elite… well… most have managed to get to the Capital from Elite. Usually you wouldn't be killed in that though. You would go on to become a business person, a doctor, a politician, maybe a low profile Soldier, etc if you can't make it as one of the Top. If you make it past High School but you can't get into Elite, you'll get one of the ordinary jobs. You know, engineer, teacher, (some Elite and some High School graduates remained at the School to teach) and again, probably a Soldier.

Most people are Soldiers these days.

The Sections are separated, so a Middle Schooler can't really interact with a High Schooler, much less an Elite. Warriors University is located in the mountains, surrounded by miles of forests and lakes and waterfalls and just… the wild. I love it. High School is located above Elementary and Middle, but of course, below Elite. It's next to a bubbling waterfall and a lake to practice swimming, next to fields to train in and rock faces to climb. There are four more sections in each category. Thunder, River, Wind, and Shadow. Even though you aren't really supposed to have relationships in general with each other, though it's not a written rule, you are definitely not allowed to have relationships with other Sections. It's basically a death sentence. The other Wings are your enemies. Your competition. We're trained to think like that to them. I like to say it's part of our programming. We're instructed to do whatever the Government tells us to do. We can't help it.

And it's not like you can escape from School. Sure, you can go on hikes or whatever, but there's a perimeter around the mountains and the forest. If you even get close to the wall, or pose a threat, you're shot on sight. It doesn't matter if you're an Elite. No one is allowed to leave. (Once a month there's a town trip where we can go shopping and train in different settings, etc.)

I'm in Thunder. I've always been in Thunder. Those in the Thunder Wing like to consider ourselves the best, just like everyone in every other Wing likes to consider themselves the best. Right now, I'm on a bus leading up High School. It was only two weeks ago since I earned my name, a week since I've been in Middle. A girl with chocolate colored skin and jet black hair sits next to me, her nose in a thick paperback book. At the end of our row is another girl with silvery grey dyed hair, chatting to a red-headed girl across the row. The redhead turned away and the silver haired girl shrugged, then turned to me.

I noticed immediately that she had startling deep blue eyes that sparkled while she spoke.

"Hi!" She greeted, sticking out her hand to me across the black haired girl's lap. "I'm Cinderheart. Call me Cindy." She seemed too perky and cheery, I found it hard to believe she was going into High School. Level 10 doesn't have room for joyful go-getters. But I forced a smile and nodded, shaking her hand.

"Lillyfrost. Lilly," I added hastily. The girl in between us looked up and shut her book, then smiled at us.

"Hollyleaf," She said quietly, pushing a strand of black hair behind her ear. She had beautiful green eyes with flecks of… darker green near the pupils. I smiled back, a real smile, and nodded to her. She was quiet. Most likely a scholar, probably more into learning than fighting. I didn't see her making it into the Elite, but I hope she wouldn't get killed at the end of the semester after Finals. *Shudder.* Finals…

A boy sitting in front of us turned around, grinning. He had dark skin like Hollyleaf, except his was a few tones lighter. He had dark brown, almost black if not black mop of hair on his head, but it was combed almost to perfection. His amber eyes gleamed as he smiled a mischievous smile. I heard Cindy suck in her breath and she struggled to speak, but could only get a squeak out. Holly sighed next to me. I raised one eyebrow and frowned at the boy. He was muscular, probably a Fighter, not likely a Scholar.

"Leo, please," Holly groaned, rolling her eyes. The boy ignored her and turned to me, still grinning.

"Hey. I'm Lionblaze. You can call me Leo."

"You let everybody call you Leo," Holly muttered under her breath. Cindy continued to have loud, labored breathing as she stared at him. My scowl deepened.

"Lillyfrost." He wrinkled his nose and let go of the seat to cross his arms.

"You look a little young to be in High School." I shrugged, looking defeated.

"Yeah, well, I'm thirteen. I'm the generation before you, but I guess I was good enough to get into High School, eh?" Holly giggled. Leo's smile disappeared.

"How'd you do that, then?" I blinked, then looked away.

"I don't want to talk about it," I whispered softly.

"Uh huh." And he turned to Cindy.

Hollyleaf leaned into my ear and began whispering,

"Leo's one of my brothers. He's a real…"

"Yeah. I know what you mean. I had a sister… we were twins."

"Oh? What happened? Did she not skip a level like you?"

I bit my lip to keep it from quivering and shook my head.

"N-no, she didn't. Back in Middle School, in the first Level, she failed this swim and retrieve test. Her punishment was that They drowned her. I barely made it out myself; I've never been good a swimming." Holly touched my hand and murmured,

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine losing one of my brothers, even if they're both idiots. Well, Jay isn't, but he's still a pain." I nodded and forced another smile.

"Yeah."

"Oh," Cindy suddenly sighed dreamily, leaning against Holly. "He's so… yum…"

"Ew, gross," Holly complained, pushing Cindy off of her. "Stars, Cindy, you've had a crush on him since Level 4 and you still can't form sentences in front of him." Cindy shrugged her shoulders and sighed again, this time almost shivering.

"I can't help it." She sniffed and looked at her feet. "I know I've got no chance, but-"

"What do you mean?" I interrupted, inching forwards in my seat to face her. "Cindy, you're beautiful. That pompous jock doesn't deserve you." She managed a weak smile and chuckled.

"Lilly, you don't even know me, but thanks. But girls are prettier than I am if I am actually pretty. They've got more of a shot."

"Let's not talk about boys then," Holly suggested, looking suddenly frantic. "I'm sick of them. Let's talk about…"

"Oh look, we're here!" The redhead across the aisle squealed, pointing at the driver's window. There it was. We were reaching a bend in the road, and as we continued, the full school came into view. It was tall and wide, with gray stone and marble and pillars and rows of shining windows. Near the side, I could see rivers and ponds. Over to my left there were cliffs that watched over the valley below. A lake was nestled below us, under the cliff.

"It's beautiful," I breathed out, placing my palm on the window and gazing out in wonder. "Beautiful."

When the bus screeched to a halt we all grabbed our things from under the seat and jumped off. I didn't have much luggage - a gym bag and a backpack. The gym bag held my clothes, some essentials, (hairbrush, toothbrush, hair ties, boxing gloves,) and a few books. The backpack held more books, a Chromebook, my notebook, etc. The rest of our things are already in our rooms. We all walked in a straight line across the gravel driveway, and almost immediately after the last person stepped off, the bus backed up and headed back down the Mountain road. Right now we were all wearing casual clothes: T-Shirts, blouse, shorts. Even if this school's motto is kill or be killed, it's still a High School. We have dances, proms, celebrations, etc. At least the Government, or our Principal, understands that we're still teenagers.

When we pulled open the huge, glass doors I looked to my side and saw another Wing heading the other way, down a smaller gravel path to a side door. I held back a smirk as a black-haired boy glared at me when he walked past.

The lobby is… kind of indescribable. It's almost like a business building's lobby. It had vast, white marble floors and several lounges near the sides. Two water walls stood at each side of the lobby, trickling down uneven pebbles. In the center was a large desk/check-in area that stretched across a solitary wall in the center and stopped when the wall gave way into two openings. The right one had a sign that read, Cafè, Auditorium, Dining Hall. The one on the left read Training Areas, Hiking Entrances. Two staircases were at each end of the wall, curving up to another level. A line of adults stood in front of the long desk. The tall man in the center had a tight smile on his face, as did two ladies at his side. The others managed to make their mouths into a thin line, or a soft smile. The man, who I guessed was the Principal for Thunder Wing, cleared his throat.

"Welcome, Level 10s, to Thunder Wing. My name is Bramblestar, I will be your Principal for the next four years. Let us go down the line to introduce ourselves." The lady next to him with bright orange hair and green eyes stepped forwards. She was holding a brown clipboard tightly, but as her eyes scanned the crowd her smile turned into a genuine one and she relaxed.

"My name is Squirrelflight. I am the Vice Principal. I am in charge of your schedules, so if you have any problems or questions, come to me." She stepped back. The lady one the other side of Bramblestar then stepped forward, a small woman with brown hair tied up in a loose bun and black glasses perched on her pixie nose.

"I am Leafpool; I am the head Nurse. I understand that a few of you will be learning from me this year. My office is on the Second Floor." She nodded to three kids in the corner: A girl in a wheelchair who I'm surprised made it this far in school, a boy who looked liked Leo (I assumed that he was Holly and Leo's brother) and a short boy with strawberry blonde hair and glasses. They all looked so scrawny, especially the boy with glasses, that I predict they might not all make it to the Elite - much less past this year.

They kept going down the line: History, Language Arts, Math, French, Chinese, German, Russian, Spanish, (we had to learn a lot of languages) Social Studies, Science, Biology, Modern World Studies, Algebra, Geography, Tech Ed, Art, Physics, etc. Then the opposite line started. Karate, Krav Maga, more Hand-to-Hand combat forms, Archery, Wilderness Survival, Aviating Classes, shooting lessons, lessons about guns, Wrestling, etc. After about twenty to thirty minutes of introductions, Principal Whatshisnameiforgetoops put on a pained, tired smile and continued.

"Well then, now that we've got that covered, onto Rules and Regulations. When Vice Principal Squirrelflight gives you your schedules, you will find that there is one paper for every day of the week, excluding Sunday. You will not have every class every day, but classes that are scattered throughout the day. Also, before I forget, this year and the next and the next and the next Inspectors will be watching you to decide what your Job will be, and if you will go to the Elite. Also, if you will survive this semester." A few dry chuckles from the staff, but the Students all shifted uncomfortably. I frowned, annoyed at his words.

"Curfew is 8:45 P.M. sharp. Anyone found outside their dorms afterward will be punished severely." His grin seemed to grow into a weird, twisted smile. "We take curfew very seriously here in High School. And there is no, absolutely no going outside the forest perimeters without my or Squirrelflight's permission. Anyone who is caught near the borders or outside the borders will be shot on sight.

"Whitestorm and Sandstorm will pass out your Student ID's, which you must have with you at all times during the day. The Dress Code is casual for Academics, but training uniforms or appropriate wear for training. Examples would be sweatpants, cargo pants, etc. Your official training uniforms will be waiting for you in your dorms. There is no talking back to the instructor. If you fail a test, you are killed. If you step out of line, you are killed or punished severely depending on the crime." Crime. Was going out after curfew a crime? Of course it is, Lilly, I told myself angrily, fighting the urge to run my hands over the scars. You know it is. Remember what happened the last times you broke the rules. Without helping it, I traced one small scar on my wrist, the aftereffect of asking a Teacher the wrong question.

"There will be no relationships or contact with other Wings. Relationships are not forbidden in your own Wing, but advised against." Next to me I felt Cindy quiver, maybe in apprehension, maybe in disappointment.

"Stick to your own Wing," The Principal continued, oblivious to the eyes and heads that had begun to look away in disinterest. "Focus on your studies and your training. Once or twice a month, depending on the time of the year, we will go to town to shop or a 'field trip.' For every major holiday you will get five to seven days off from Academics, not physical training. A map of the School and dorms will be passed out to you shortly. The dorms are up the stairs and - ah, forget it. There you go,"

I hastily accepted a map and my Student ID from a sandy-haired woman, who I recognized as Sandstorm, one of the Wilderness Survival instructors. She nodded briefly to me as she passed, just one, quick head bob, before her green eyes looked away and she hurried off.

"There, now that we've gotten that all done, your dorm number and roommates are on your schedule. Off you go then. Classes start tomorrow. Oh! And at the end of this year, your Inspector will give you suggestions of jobs and you will be taking classes and electives next year based on that. Alright, now I'm finished."

Forcing down a grumble, I flipped my Schedule over, skimming over my classes and saw in bold print:

Lillyfrost. (Level 10)

Dorm Number 4 [Fifth floor, Thunder Dorms] I frowned. Were they doing the dorm levels opposite now - highest numbers first, lowest last? Guess so.

Roommates: (Female)

Cinderheart

Hollyleaf

Honeyleaf

Ivypool

Dovewing

(Male)

Lionblaze

Foxleap

Birchfall

Bumblestripe

Mousewhisker

Jayfeather

I didn't think much of how large my roommate list was. The dorms in Warriors University are pretty much like apartments the size of houses. The boys had their own bedroom complex thingy, and the girls had theirs. We each got separate bathrooms for privacy, but that was pretty much it. We shared our living areas. The teachers always told us that these people weren't our friends, but our competition, but of course no one cared what they said. Me neither, but still… I'm not that social. Someone grabbed my arm and I pulled away quickly and looked up to see Cinderheart's beaming face.

"We're together!" She cried out, jumping up and down. "And Hollyleaf too! And - and Lionblaze…" She let out a squeak of alarm and her pale face flushed red. "Oh, Stars…" I flashed her a comforting smile and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. You're better than all of those snobs."

"Are you two… Cinderheart and Lillyfrost?" We both looked to the right and saw a small, pretty girl with golden hair and amber eyes and a taller girl with pale blonde hair, almost white, and icy blue eyes. Cindy and I nodded.

"You can call me Lilly, and Cinderheart Cindy," I replied, motioning to my friend. The smaller girl grinned.

"Cool! I'm Honeyleaf, that's Icecloud."

"Nice to meet you," Cindy greeted, holding out her hand. Honeyleaf took it. Icecloud walked over to me and whispered in my ear,

"Glad to see I'm not the only anti-social one around here." I shrugged and grinned at her.

"Same."

"Dovewing, it's not that big a deal." The four of us turned and saw two girls facing each other. One had hair like Icecloud's except paler, and the other had hair like Cindy's that was braided in the back. The silver-haired one had her hands on her hips and the white-haired one was twirling around, obviously very much excited. The silver girl rolled her eyes, turned around, and walked towards us.

"Sorry about Dovewing, my twin. She's… overly excited that we're bunking together. I'm Ivypool by the way. Call me Ivy." We all exchanged short introductions and Ivy stomped off, retrieved her sister, and shoved her in front of us. The girl, Dovewing I remembered, had a thick layer of makeup that covered a good portion of her face. She tucked a strand of white hair behind her ear and beamed at us.

"I'm Dovewing, and I guess you guys are my roommates." Again, we told her our names, and after I went I looked around for any sign of Hollyleaf.

"You guys, where's Holly?" I asked quizzingly.

"Here I am," She answered breathlessly, running up to join us from across the lobby. "Sorry. I was helping my brother."

"Lionblaze?" Cindy asked hopefully. Holly shook her head.

"Jay." She leaned in closer and said in a stage whisper: "He's blind. He's training as a doctor, not a Soldier. I'm really scared for him. I don't want him to be killed, and-"

Before she could finish, someone screamed. We all whipped around and saw a boy white snow-white hair stumble forwards. A man followed him, rifle in hand. The kids surrounding the white-haired boy took several steps backward as the man raised the gun to the boy's head.

"Snowbush," He growled, his finger locked on the trigger, "How dare you speak ill of Leader Claw? Of the Country?" All color drained from the boy's face.

"I-but-" He stammered, growing paler by the second. The man's jawline tightened.

"Let this be a lesson to your peers," He rasped and cocked the gun. "Respect your Country."

He pulled the trigger.

There were screams, cries, howls.

Blood.

I couldn't tear my eyes away.

It pooled around the boy's head, turning his white hair to crimson. His forehead was replaced with a bloody hole.

Blood.

It kept coming.

The golden haired man walked away, his gun still in hand.

Everyone looked away.

I couldn't.

My mind flashed with images, memories.

Prove yourself.

Do it.

Kill.

Someone touched my arm lightly, but that was all that needed to be done. I walked away, Icecloud holding me by my hand and the boy faded away to memory.

This is a pilot, so I may or may not continue it.