A/N: And here's Chapter 3. Thanks again to Black-as-Knight14 for reviewing.
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Disclaimer: See Chapter 2
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After moments of anxious waiting, a voice suddenly could be heard from somewhere inside the pavilion. "Greetings, citizens of The Imperial City, and welcome to the swearing in of the new Cadet Jewel Riders! These four special youngsters will be just one away from being our city's next team of Jewel Riders after today! And now, I present to you, the Imperial Jewel Riders and your King and Queen!"
That was their cue. The white wicker gates opened, and the crowd cheered as the Jewel Riders rode through, followed by the Royal Procession. The pavilion area was huge, with enough seating to hold every resident of The Imperial City. There was a "moat" of lush green bushes and flowers that spanned four feet that separated the front row of seating and the interior stage area. When full, the people of the City made the sides of the enclosure look alive, with all their cheering and waving. Though the teens enjoyed the enthusiasm of the people, they as Jewel Riders were not allowed to respond to their cheering in any way. They had to uphold their image of strong, powerful fighters.
They crossed the first half of the pavilion area and stopped. The King and Queen continued past them, traveling to the absolute center of the stage before stopping. Jewel Rider and royalty alike turned their Companion toward the huge crowd of people. Then, the Queen dismounted from Starmark, her platinum silver stallion Companion. Bowing to his wife, the King then turned and left the pavilion area. Starmark followed, but stayed by the door. When they saw that the Queen was safe, the four Jewel Rider pairs stepped forward, until they were only a few strides behind Her Majesty, and dismounted.
"Good morning, my people!" Queen Alayna announced to the still cheering crowd. "Welcome to this wonderful and joyous event; the start of another chapter in the lives of The Imperial City's infamous Jewel Riders! Today, you shall witness the changing of four young people's lives. And now, I give you the soon-to-be Cadet Jewel Riders!" As soon as she finished, the people erupted into shouts and cheers, and the gates opened. The four scared-looking nine year-olds that Fallon had scrutinized earlier entered, and approached the Queen. They bowed to her, and then retreated back near the entrance.
Queen Alayna gave a nod of approval, and then turned behind her. "Now, let's get this ceremony started! Jewel Riders, please recite the Jewel Rider Oath."
"We are the Jewel Riders, sworn protectors of The Imperial City and it's residents,
We will never betray our people, through torture or bribe, sadness or happiness,
We will always finish our missions; we will never leave the evil at large,
We are willing to die for our cause, to die to protect the people,
For we are the Jewel Riders, protectors of The Imperial City." the eight recited in unison. The crowd erupted as they finished, and they turned towards their Queen and bowed. She nodded her approval once more.
Turning to the Cadets, she motioned for them to come forward. It took them a moment, but eventually they all arrived at her side. One of them was literally shaking with fear. A small laugh rippled through the crowd, and the Jewel Riders laughed silently to their Companions. The Queen herself gave a small chuckle, but proceeded right on to business. "Cadets, it is now time to begin your initiation. Alexa, please come forward."
At the Queen's command, a girl of medium height with long emerald green hair stepped forward. She was visibly frightened, but she sucked in her chest and tried to look calm. She was the pre-chosen leader of the Cadets, and understood the immense responsibility that was laid upon her, and also that the others would be following her, so she needed to be calm.
She arrived, and Queen Alayna motioned for her to stand to her left. When she was in place, the Queen looked ahead once more. "Gwenevere, please come forward." A look of shock crossed Alexa's face. She was to be sworn in by the Imperial Princess! She tried to hide her amazement and pleasure, but her efforts were in vain. As the leader of the Jewel Riders left her Companion, the young girl was shaking uncontrollably.
The Princess Gwenevere reached the center of the stage area and bowed to her mother. She then moved to her right and turned to face Alexa. "Raise your right hand and repeat after me," the Jewel Rider announced. The young girl gulped, and stared at her. The Princess looks so powerful in her armor, the green-haired girl thought. Am I really ready to do this? Do I really have what it takes to lead the Jewel Riders? To fight the evil outside the city?
Gwen saw the unsureness in the Cadet's eyes, and understood her feelings. When she was initiated, the Jewel Rider leader was known for his tough rules and hard commands. Standing before him was more intimidating then it was nerve-racking. She had doubted herself many times in the few moments that passed before they recited the Cadet Oath, but knew deep down in her heart that taking the oath was the right thing to do. The Princess also knew that it was the right thing for Alexa to do, and that it was her job to make sure that she made that decision. Through the narrow openings in the mask, she smiled at the girl with her eyes, telling her that everything would be okay. Alexa must have noticed, for she stood up straighter and calmed a little.
Though she could allow her face to convey kindness and compassion, the Jewel Rider's voice had to be strong and business-like. "Please raise your right hand and repeat after me," the Princess repeated. Alexa, suddenly looking embarrassed, put her right hand up as the older girl did. Giving a slight nod, Gwen went on. "I, Alexa, chosen by the Imperial Oracle to be the next leader of the Jewel Riders,"
"I, Alexa, chosen by the Imperial Oracle to be the next leader of the Jewel Riders," the green-haired girl repeated. This repetition on her part wasn't necessary; she knew the entire oath by heart. She had studied it intensely, making sure that there was no room for error on this special day. But this recital of the Cadet Oath was the tradition, and had to be put up with.
"Promise as a Cadet, to uphold the honor of The Imperial City and all who live there." Gwenevere went on, and was followed by Alexa.
"To train hard and study long, to ensure success as the protector and leader of the city.
"To be fair to all, humans, Companions, and whatever else may come my way,
"And to strive to become the best Jewel Rider that I can be."
The Cadet Oath was finished, and the crowd remained silent, waiting for the Jewel Rider's approval. Though the Queen ran the ceremony, it was the Jewel Riders themselves that actually declare the 9 year-olds true Cadets. The seconds dragged on for what seemed like hours. Alexa looked anxiously at Gwen, trying to read her face, but she couldn't see much of anything behind the mask.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Imperial Princess turned toward the crowd. "People of The Imperial City! I, Princess Gwenevere, hereby declare Alexa as the leader of the Cadet Jewel Riders!"
The entire pavilion broke into a deafening roar as soon as she finished. Alexa, remembering at the last minute what she was supposed to do, turned and bowed to Queen Alayna. Getting the nod of approval, the Cadet turned to Gwen and bowed. She looked up for her sign of approval. The Jewel Rider inclined her head slightly, and then did the unthinkable. The Princess put her right hand on Alexa's shoulder and said, barely audible above the crowd, "Good job. You'll make a great leader someday."
Stunned, Alexa couldn't move or reply as the Jewel Rider left to return to the others. All she could think of was what she had said. As the girl made her way back to her excited friends, the few words ran through her head, feeling like the most important thing that anyone had ever said to her. Suddenly feeling exhilarated, Alexa ran the rest of the way to her friends, barely able to contain herself.
Meanwhile, Gwen made her way back to the other Jewel Riders and her Companion. That was very thoughtful of you, Sunstar commented as Gwen took her place beside her.
What do you mean? the Princess thought back.
Do you realize how happy you just made her? the winged unicorn asked. Getting a personal comment from the Imperial Princess is every girl's dream, one that you just made come true for Alexa.
Just trying to do my part, the teen thought back to her. I guess I did make her feel good, huh?
The winged unicorn was about to answer when the Queen's voice was heard once again. "Congratulations, Alexa; we now have our Cadet leader. And now, for the 2nd command officer..."
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Okay, I know that it kinda leaves you hanging, but I really wanted to post this and didn't feel like finishing the induction ceremony right now. I'll finish it in Chapter 5, ok? Then, after that, the real story will begin!