Just like i promised, Chapters 5 and 6! And hooray! I finally got a review. Thank you to everyone who happens to read this, I appreciate you taking the time time to do so. I'm not going to whine [like some authors and refuse to post without favorites/reviews. That is rediculous. Chapter 6 turned out kinda.. weird. I'm not sure if I like it yet.

Disclaimer: If i owned MapleStory, it would rain NX cash and pink balrogs. sadly, i don't, so you'll have to deal with my writtings instead.

Chapter Five

Alex tried to hide her look of distaste as Brad walked through the room's threshold. But Jackie caught the look and muffled her laugh. Rick's face gave way to no emotions, but he silently closed back up.

"I'll be your new team captain-" Brad started.

Alex swept her leg out and Brad fell to the floor, stunned.

"Shut up. You don't even know if your going to get a job. Nobody does."

The room filled with an endless silence as Brad pulled himself into a seat. Brad sat, glaring at Alex with intense hatred.

Like I care what that dumbass thinks. He's just another obstacle to overcome, another person in my way.

Finally, an announcement from the loudspeaker cut the contest short as everyone looked up hopefully.

"Thank you for waiting patiently. The system has completed grading all the test papers. We will first announce the top twenty-five tests scorers. Then, we will announce the results of everyone in their respective rooms. If your in the top hundred, it will give you the number of placement. If you are after number one hundred, you will simply get a pass or fail. After the scores are announced, the door you just entered through will reopen, and all of those who did not pass will walk forward. The rest of the group will wait there turn."

"I bet you I'll be first. You'll hear Brad, code #-" Rick elbowed him.

"You're not supposed to share your number unless they announce it. Like Alex said, just shut up."

Alex and Jackie smothered wide grins at Rick's new burst of confidence.

"And besides, I bet you won't even be in the top one hundred."

"Put your money where your mouth is." Brad was seething.

"I'll bet you ten thousand mesos."

For the countless time that day, Brad turned a paler color. His pride wouldn't let him back out now.

"Fine, 10k."

The loudspeaker voiced started up again.

"Highest scorer of the class, Alex, CODE A707, 2nd scorer Jorge CODE A253, 3rd scorer Jackie CODE J737, 4th scorer CODE Kaleigh K566, 5th scorer Mai CODE M186 …."

The monotone voice continued,"10th scorer Rick CODE R492…."

Rick smiled slightly.

"11th scorer Alicia CODE A744…"

The announcer continued until the 25th person was announced.

"25th scorer Anny CODE A111. The rest of you will be announced in your current rooms. Thank you for participating in this year's annual Trainee Assortment Trials."

"Wow, highest scorer."Jackie elbowed Alex.

She expected happiness, even a glint of joy. Just stony determination filled her teammate's face. Alex turned to give Jackie a half-smile, but it didn't reach her pale blue eyes. She was thinking about something, and her eyes gave away her analyzing mind.

"Not too bad yourself, miss third place, and you too Rick, 10th place is great."

This time a warm smile filled her lips.

"Bradley CODE B910 PASS"

"Looks like someone owes someone money." Jackie smirked.

"What place!?" Brad yelled at the machine.

"One thousand and ninety sixth."

Alex let out a humorless chuckle.

"You're a real genius, huh?"

Brad mumbled dark curses at her. The door leading to a new room opened.

"Please walk in a single file line, from highest rank to lowest."An automated voice demanded.

Alex smirked and walked past the scowling Brad. Jackie and Rick followed suit. They silently walked to the new testing room. It all seemed vaguely familiar to Alex. A single, aged wooden table lay filled with weapons. A bright beam from the sun reflected from the table, letting light flood the room.

"Welcome, young explorers. Please step forward."

A harmonious voice flooded the room. Alex squinted, looking at the Four, the four greatest job instructors. She knew that voice, but from where she was not sure. It had to belong to the only female in the group of legends, Athena Pierce.

"You are all here because you show potential for certain paths of life. All of you could turn out to be an Archer, a Warrior, a Thief or a Mage."

She looked at Grendal with a wicked glint of humor in her eyes. He continued the speech.

"This is your final and probably most difficult part of your exam. The physical part. Remember, new travelers, just because you are here does not mean you are guaranteed a job. Now, let us start with R492."

Rick stepped forward with a shaky smile. He looked questionably at the weapons.

"Grab the wand, lad," Grendal encouraged.

Rick quickly picked up the wand and waited. Nothing appeared.

Grendal sighed."No worries, not everybody grows up like their parents, eh?"

Rick looked discouraged. He next reached for the basic bow. He gently picked it up, along with a quiver of arrows, which he strapped to his back. Instantly, four trainers appeared. Rick gulped and strung his bow, reaching behind his back for an arrow. Alex's mind was set in motion.

So these are the legendary trainers. Created by magic to train and gauge one's abilities. It is a spell Grendal made. They are solid like humans, and will attack unpredictably. It is said that Grendal's trainers could use any weapon. A rare sight indeed.

Athena Pierces hawk-like gaze studied Rick as his demeanor changed.

He stood upright with a look of contentment on his face. His fingers worked quickly and with an ease acquired by long practices. It took him five arrows to finish off the four trainers. Not one had gotten close to him."

It seems your creation underestimated him, mage man."

Athena Pierce smiled and looked fondly at Rick. He bowed and replaced the bow, then walked back to his place in line. His flushed face showed an earned pride. Alex and Jackie smiled at him.

Rick was nervous. And not just nervous, but knee-quivering , palm-sweating, might pass out nervous.

Tenth.Tenth. Not good enough to be number one in whatever job I get. I know ones of those nine have to be a mage.

Rick silently sighed. He was been slightly disappointed.

"Now, let us start with R492"

SHIT! Of all the times to get bad luck. Oh well, I have to do this.

Grendal told him to pick up the wand. He waited for an opponent. None came.

What? I'm not a mage? That has to be wrong. My mother's a mage. My father's a mage. My grandfather's a mage.

Rick had no idea what to do. A voice slipped into his mind.

But your grandmother was an archer, as was her mother and father, and their mother and father.

Rick carefully picked up the bow and arrows. Four trainers silently appeared.

Be strong, Rick, for yourself, for your job, for……her

He quickly took a glance at Alex, who was watching the battle intently. She had a familiar look in her eyes, and he knew she was calculating. Rick stood tall with pride. How many days had he secretly snuck out and practiced his bow shooting? Or read his grandmother's archer books? Or even listened in to her apprentice class? He competently aimed and fired, spinning around to each target. One arrow went astray, hitting the opponent in the arm. He quickly finished it off with a final blow to the chest.He returned the bow under the praise of his hopefully soon to be mentor, and took his place back in line."I did it," he said silently. Rick flushed with pride and happiness.

Chapter Six

David was sweating furiously. It dripped down his face, matted his hair, stung his eyes. But David continued to run, the consequences too great to ignore. His legs ached with a white hot pain. His breathe came in short, quick gasps from his chest. His lungs longed for fresh air, burned for it. Finally, the familiar, hidden door appeared in his vision. He slowed, taking long painful steps toward the door. He opened in and walked to the center, in a stiff military stance.

"You are late, Chen."

David tried to hide a cringe. A cool chill ran up his spine, fear encumbered his body. He started shaking uncontrollably. His maniacal evil laughter filled the cave. David's shaking steadily worsened.

"Do you know what happens to late messengers?"

"S-Sir. It could not be helped. The informant did not have the information."

"Since when is that my problem, you gutter scum?" The man sneered.

"Sir. It was out of my hands, Sir Colin-"

"Don't address me. That is an honor you have no right to!"

He smacked David to the floor with sheer force. Colin stood over him, motioning with his hand. Two Rouge Warriors stepped forward from their spots hidden by shadow. They each took out solid steel chains and connected them to the walls and roofs. Another Rouge handed Colin a whip.

He continuously tortured David's back with the device, biting deeply into his flesh. Fresh wounds replaced old scars. His back was a biography, displaying his failures in a chronological order, using a key of colors. The older scars were lighter, less visible, but present nonetheless. Each has its own story, purpose and betrayal. He tried to zone out, find a small corner of his memory to prevent the pain. David lost consciousness.

2 ½ years ago

A young boy lay in the middle of a grass field. Mushroom Park was a community park, free to anyone. Dark, stormy cirrocumulus clouds shifted overhead. Rain drizzled down from the cloudlets, sprinkling his face, and washing the gel from his spiked hair. Families hurried to avoid the rain, hastily gathering up picnic blankets and baskets. Fathers scooped up their children, rushing them to the safety of pavilions.

They don't realize the safety they have. A father's arms are the strongest fortress, the shield of love protects more then one can realize.

The boy shook his head. It was too bad he had to kill his father. But he was in the way. They all were. He didn't need love or parents. At least he never needed them before. But she changed his life. He could relate with her, she understood him, and he cared for her. He yearned for her compassion, her approval, even her love.

But, she had left him, plucked out his heart and snuck it into her pocket when he wasn't looking. She also took a part of him, his essence, his being, a part of his soul he could never get back. She might have liked him, loved him. But now he was lost. He lay still and unmoving, hoping the rain would drown him like his sorrows did.

"Young man, what are you doing?"

He didn't respond. He ignored the man, hoping he would disappear. Instead the man helped him up.

"I know who you are, your on the news. The boy who killed all those people. How old are you? 13, right? David Chen, that's your name."

"What are you gonna do? Turn me in?"

"I want you to come and work for me."

David sat up, shocked.

"Work... for…you?" He asked slowly.

"Yes. I have a project and I need workers. And in return for your service I will grant you three things. A place in a new world, A decent salary, And revenge on any one person."

David stood up. He extended a hand. The man hesitated and shook it briefly.

"So what do I have to do?"

David finally felt like he belonged. A hand picked him up out of the utter darkness surrounding him. But, he was wrong. David didn't belong. He was more lost then ever. And was not helped up, but thrown deeper and deeper into the darkness closing in over his head.

One Month Prior

"Hey," David mumbled softly. Alex smiled, her eyes turning a sparkling electric blue. He bent over and she kissed him on the cheek, hugging him in the process. David felt himself blush.

"How are you?"

"Fine."

They chattered for awhile.

"Alex…..I…well….It wasn't my fault."

Alex stood up warily.

"What happened?"

David abruptly wrapped his arms around Alex's waist. He roughly kissed her, pouring built up emotions through the contact. Alex wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. She finally came to her senses and pulled back.

"I-I killed my father."

"You What!?"

"Let me explain. He was going to kill innocent people… I-I couldn't let him. He was drunk and out of his mind. But….it was too late. The magic he had planted detonated. They… died."

Tears involuntarily fell down his face.

"I have to go into hiding. Come with me."

"David…. I can't. I must continue my training… I'm only thirteen. I'm not strong enough, not wise enough. You know why, out of everyone you have to understand. It is my burden, my only goal in life, my one purpose."

"Forget about regret Alex! Don't you want to be happy in life?"

"I can never be happy with a killer lose. I can't be happy with life. Why can't you see?"

Alex grinded her teeth in frustration; David clenched and unclenched his fists.

"But, Alex, I love you."

"David… I can't…. I just…can't."

"Fine. I'm leaving."

David ran from the room. Alex closed her eyes. A single tear ran down her cheek. Instead of wiping it away, she let it slide, and tried to picture David's smiling face in her mind. She imprinted it in her memory, so that one day, she could see it again.

David finally regained consciousness to see Colin's twisted smile.

"Never disobey me again. Don't challenge my authority. Speak when spoken to and follow through on your orders."

David stood up and bowed, then quickly left the room. He was wrong. After years of suppressing memories, he saw that now. He would continue with Colin's little game, But David knew what he had to do.

Dun dun dun? Ill either post the next Chapters later tonight, or tomorrow. Warning though, once we hit chapter 10 or so, I'll actually have to go back to writting them. shudders

I left y'all some hints in this chapter, numerous actually. I wonder who caught them?

Mesos- standard currency in MapleStory.

'k'- stands for thousand[s. 'mil' or 'm' stands for million[s.

one month prior- refers to 1 month BEFORE the flashback, not 1 month before the current date of the story.

Thats all for now

Dak