Alex: Are Vincent and Drake really leaving?

Me: Don't worry, you'll see them again.

Flynn: Wait, you mean Drake actually graduated?

Drake: Hey, watch yourself! I'm in SOLDIER now, punk.

Flynn: Yeah, good luck in Midgar. Try not to fall off the plate, okay?

Drake: Why you-! *tackles Flynn*

Vincent: Can I graduate now? I need a break from this absurdity.

(Me: Lots of small sections in this chapter, and a few perspective switches. Sorry about that. I bolded the section markers to help distinguish between the perspective changes.)

While the Shinra Academy's Accepted students recuperated in Shinra Outpost 23, Dr. Phen and his committee of placement officers were busy and compiling reports on each individual. Audio and video files captured from the simulation room over a period of seventy-eight hours had been transferred for review. These reports were assessed and reassessed and then given to Director Gradern for authorization. By the time the Accepted returned to Shinra Academy their future had been decided.

As laborious as it was, Director Gradern enjoyed the recruitment process. There was nothing like weeding out those who should continue on to the Initiate level, and then picking the best of the crop to enter into the Turk or SOLDIER programs, the gems of Shinra Academy. His Chief of the Recruitment and Placement Department, Dr. Phen, did most of the legwork in determining if an Accepted passed based on the results of the examinations and classes, but Gradern insisted on personal conferences as the deciding factor. He prided himself on being able to stare into a youngster's eyes and knowing whether he had the qualities to make the big time.

He settled into the high-backed leather chair, which was the only luxury he afforded himself, and rested his wrists on the edge of the desk. His intense gaze swept across the orderly, sparse office, his chamber of power from where he ruled his realm. President Shinra may be the one to whom he deferred, but the academy was ultimately his to control.

There was a sharp knock on the door and Dr. Phen entered, nodding his head respectfully to the director before stating, "Everything is prepared, sir. Shall we get underway?"

"Very well. Let's start off with the SOLDIER candidates."

The man nodded once more and left without another word, as quickly as he entered. Efficiency was a quality Gradern highly approved of, which was why he had given Dr. Phen the prestigious position.

The director allowed himself a tiny smile in the few moments he was alone. It was time to make and break dreams, and he would savor every minute of it. But his grin was effectively hidden behind a set mask of discipline and iron will as the members of the SOLDIER placement board entered the room: Pier and Goshawk, instructors Dr. Phen had selected as this year's examination board officers, and Fair, the head of SOLDIER recruitment, in addition to Phen himself.

"Take a seat, gentlemen," said Gradern, waiting as the men took their respected places. A lone chair remained facing all the others. In the next minute a terrified student would be sitting there. Gradern did not allow his face to show the eagerness he was feeling. In a curt tone he ordered for the first candidate to be shown in.

xxxxx

Alexa had only been up to the administration level once before when Mr. Tucker had caught her and the others fighting her first year. She had been scared to death of being expelled, but at least she hadn't made that long trip to the director's office alone. But there's still the chance of getting kicked out, thought Alexa, smiling humorlessly at the irony.

Accepted had been called one by one to the director's office starting immediately after their return to the Academy. Flynn had been one of the first to leave for his post-exam conference and she hadn't seen him since. After taking some "data samples" Kitz had arrived at the conclusion that they were being called down by program, and when a few students returned it was obvious these conferences were serious business. A handful of students already had their dreams crushed of ever joining SOLDIER or one of the other specialist divisions, and were now drafted into the Shinra infantry, which was where most students end up.

But this is only the first exam, thought Alexa miserably. We still have half the year left. Why are they making decisions this soon? She knew of two students who had been kicked out of the academy all together.

No one had known when their turn would come, so all the Accepted waited anxiously for the summons well into the night, none daring to sleep no matter how exhausted they were. Three o'clock in the morning saw Alexa travelling through the darkened vacant halls up to the top floor for her conference. Her footsteps sounded too loud to her ears. She didn't know whether her twitchiness was from nerves or sleep deprivation.

Mr. Phen was waiting in front of Director Gradern's office when she arrived, holding his ever-present clipboard across his chest. She told him her name and the man took the pen out of his pocket to check her off his list.

"Right on time. Please enter," said Mr. Phen, and he pushed open the double-wide doors, indicating for Alexa to go in before him.

The director wore the same stern expression as he did on the day Alexa, Vincent and Stark had been called in for punishment. She hoped that wasn't a sign of things to come. Mr. Pier the Current Events instructor acted as if they'd never met, though Mr. Goshawk treated her with a friendly wink behind his thick glasses. The sight of her sharpshooting instructor bolstered her courage. If he was at ease then she wasn't in that desperate a position.

"Miss Alexa Spero," intoned the voice of the final man who was to be her judge: Mr. Banford. "Take a seat."

Even Vincent didn't have much to say about the head of Turk recruitment. Alexa had only seen him a few times before—during the shooting tournaments and once in the elevator. The silver-haired ex-Turk was as much a mystery as he looked. He held himself with the same disciplined confidence as the director, yet while the director's presence was bold and imposing, Mr. Banford was easily overlooked. She guessed being unobvious in a crowd was a good trait for a Turk to possess.

"We would like you to give a summary of the mission. Explain, in as much detail as you can, your experiences and involvement with your team," prompted Dr. Phen once he had settled into his chair.

Alexa had figured they would ask something like that, so she began her rehearsed story of all that had happened since they were dropped off in the simulated jungle. She had debated whether to mention Emiel and Rhodes' fight, but decided to add it in since she figured they must have recorded it on video anyway. The cave scene was the trickiest to retell, since everything had happened so quickly. All her memories were jumbled and chaotic, so she couldn't be sure if she was placing events in the correct order.

Once she was done, Dr. Phen took a moment to read the piece of paper in his hand that was most likely the report on her. I wonder what it says about me? Alexa wondered. She was really taken aback when Dr. Phen's next statement was "Tell us why you hesitated before entering the cave. You were the only one in your group to do so." Mr. Pier leaned forward in his chair and Mr. Banford's eyebrows drew closer together as all the men's gazes pierced her.

Should she lie? She was never a convincing liar. "I'm afraid of caves, sir."

"Oh? Why is that?"

It was extremely uncomfortable revealing her phobia, and she made a face as she as she briefly outlined the happenstance that had traumatized her as a child.

"I see." It was impossible to tell what the men thought of that. "Very well. Now, I would like you to account for which classes you have taken that helped you most during the exam."

It went like that for a good half an hour. Alexa did most of the talking and the men listened attentively but never giving her feedback. Only once did the director speak, and it was to ask her why she felt worthy enough to join the Turks.

"I don't know if I am worthy," replied Alexa before she could help it. Just great, she admonished herself, wincing internally. You're such an idiot! Hoping to recover from the slip-up, she quickly added, "But I have to. I have to join the Turks. And that's all that matters." What would happen to her father if she didn't? And I might have just blown my chance.

The room was quiet for a moment after that, allowing Alexa to stew in dread and anxiety. The director cast a sidelong look at Banford, silently communicating something to him.

Mr. Banford took a moment to straighten his tie and the cuffs of his suit and then cleared his throat. When Alexa felt ready to crack under the pressure the man stated, "You've done well thus far, Miss Spero. Keep up the good work and by the end of the year you could be initiated into the Turk program."

Alexa felt so relieved all she could do was stand there with her mouth gaping open. After a moment she managed a "Thank you, sir."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Don't thank me just yet. You better not disappoint me."

"N-no, sir!" answered Alexa. She'd make it into the Turks, but not for Mr. Banford's sake. There was a promise she needed to keep.

Director Gradern nodded, stroking his goatee with his thumb and pointer finger. "Very well. You're dismissed."

Alexa turned on wobbly knees, hardly believing her luck. She made a hasty retreat out the door, wanting to leave room as fast as possible. She would have skipped out had she more energy. But can I sleep after that? she wondered as she made her way back to her room and then laughed, at the point of hysteria. Heck yes she could.

xxxxx

The room remained silent until the girl had shut the door and was a good deal down the hall.

"Do you really think she's Turk material?" asked Dr. Phen doubtfully. "I still hold to my earlier argument—she's naïve and holds too many morals for that profession. No offense," he added quickly with a look at Banford.

"Miss Spero has talent and a decent mind. The records have enough evidence of that," Mr. Banford replied. Then slowly and precisely he turned up the right sleeve of his jacket, revealing a column of straight white scars down his forearm. Lowering his voice, he stared at the marks and said, "When I was a rookie, I gave myself these. Punishment to remember each and every person I killed. I stopped at seventeen, when I found that I no longer cared."

Chuckling darkly, he rolled the sleeve back down. His grin not meeting his cold grey eyes, he spoke, "Morality is a simple thing to break, Doctor, if one knows how. Time, trauma, misfortune; you just need to find a person's weak spot."

Director Gradern did not smile, but he was amused just the same. He could only imagine what the old Turk had in mind, but it was sure to be a high form of entertainment.

Oh, how much he enjoyed recruitment.

xxxxx

It felt odd returning to the structured, uneventful class schedule, but it was extremely welcome at the same time. The first few days were especially tense as boys viewed one another as enemies and would-be assassins, but that too faded and soon all was back to normal. All except for Stark and Flynn, who were even colder towards each other than before.

"He's just annoyed that I killed him," Flynn replied nonchalantly one day after swordsmanship class.

"You didn't actually kill him," clarified Kitz.

"Don't ruin it for him," whispered Alexa, noticing Flynn glaring at the other boy.

"I beat him in a fight fair and square. He's just being a sore loser. And I'd kill him for real if I got another chance," added Flynn stubbornly. His glare should have been able to shoot lasers as he watched Stark turn the corner.

Alexa and Kitz let that comment slide. That was his pride and anger talking; surely Flynn was just as secretly relieved that he hadn't killed anyone as Alexa was… right? Anyway, their feud wasn't worth any blood being spilled. Alexa didn't like Stark either, but she'd never wish him dead.

And it turned out Stark had gotten the same message from Mr. Banford during his conference. No one had been automatically enrolled in any specialty program, though many students carried the pressure of being closely watched by the recruiters for the remainder of the year, including Flynn. Only ten candidates out of all the Accepted seemed likely for a spot in the Turk program, and Alexa was thrilled to be included in that number. Stark's continued candidacy only slightly dampened her mood.

xxxxx

A surprise came to her by the end of the first week back to the academy, one that ultimately had and would continue to help shape her destiny.

She had returned to her room after dinner to discover a package resting on her desk. A strong sense of déjà vu stole over her as she walked over and picked it up. It was a lot smaller than the package last year had been—certainly too small to be a book. But the writing on the front was so achingly familiar she felt tears in the corner of her eyes. Wondering what on earth her father had sent her this time, she began to unwrap the tiny square box.

There was no note in this package, much to Alexa's disappointment. In fact, she thought the box was empty until she noticed a tiny key taped to the lid. It was small and metal and unadorned, and she had no idea what it was for.

She searched through the wrappings twice more, but she found no message to reveal the reason for the package. "Why did you send this to me, Dad?" whispered Alexa as she stared down at the key in her palm. He wouldn't have sent it to her if it didn't have a purpose, but why hadn't he given her a note? It was very unlike him.

Maybe it's too much of a secret to put in writing, thought Alexa, but she was doubtful. That sounded too much like a plot in a fiction novel, and her father didn't have anything to hide.

It had to be important, whatever it was, and she resolved to keep it with her at all times. She fished a thin cord of leather out of her desk drawer and looped it through the key. Slipping it over her head, she tucked the makeshift necklace under her shirt. Hopefully her father would send her a letter soon. Until then she would guard this odd gift with her life.

xxxxx

A couple weeks later the Doyens returned to the academy. She wasn't up on the roof like in her dream, but in the library catching up on her Situational Studies work when she heard the news that the Turk forth years had just gotten back. Both relieved and excited she abandoned her books and she, Kitz and Flynn went up to find Vincent.

He was in his room relaxing when they all but barged in. Vincent looked haggard, but with a small weary smile he let them stay for a bit. He wasn't allowed to give them any details on his mission, only that no one died. But with the completion of the mission Vincent was officially graduating as a Turk.

They in turn entertained him with stories of the goings-on in the academy during the last month, as well as their recent exam.

"The simulation was very convincing," explained Kitz. "I would have liked to gone back in and experienced it with the knowledge of its virtual nature." Flynn scoffed at that; he was still taking the exam as an injury to his pride.

"And they made us sign contracts not to tell any of the younger students," said Alexa. "I guess you had to too, or else you would have told us."

Vincent nodded. "The Accepted mission is one of Shinra Academy's best kept secrets. Besides, it would spoil the fun if you knew it was all fake."

"Fun… Right," said Flynn, rolling his eyes.

"What I hated was coming out of that room," said Alexa. "Everyone got so sick." She had been a milder case, but even so she suffered from headaches and nausea as her body recovered from being in the simulated reality. Some kids, especially those who had gotten "shot", had flu-like symptoms that left them bedridden for days.

"Yeah, you guys looked terrible," remarked Flynn, who had amazingly been unfazed. He had spent his days in the infirmary bored as the students around him sat bundled in blankets or throwing up their guts.

"Stop gloating."

Two days later the SOLDIER group returned, exciting another reunion. Drake had also passed his exam and would be in the SOLDIER program stationed in Midgar. It was such a relief to have both of them back, and the five students celebrated with a picnic in Drake's room. Alexa had no idea how Drake managed to sneak all that food out of the cafeteria and up seven stories, but she decided not to question it.

"Dude, why did you get tuna sandwiches?" As Flynn said this, the bread of Alexa's sandwich fell limp and spilled bits of wet tuna onto her plate.

"I had to grab whatever was in sight. You're lucky you got food at all," countered Drake, taking a big bite out of his own soggy roll and exaggerated his chewing.

"Pass the napkins, Mr. Flare," requested Kitz, who had somehow gotten tuna juice over the lens of his glasses.

The picnic was a great success. Drake had a melodramatic speech on how he had so many more pranks to pull, and Vincent jokingly suggested that he should write out his ideas and hide it in the library for another generation of troublemakers to find. There was much laughing and teasing to spare, and Alexa wanted to internalize every moment of it.

Before the Doyens had returned she had taken the time to figure out her deal with Drake. They got along well and he made her laugh, not to mention he was cute. But Drake was still Drake and she didn't want to change the way she acted towards him. Drake also seemed eager for things to go back to normal. But every so often Alexa caught him looking at her, as if to figure out what she really thought of him.

"Well, if you all snub my sandwiches..." Drake reached under his bed and pulled out a towering pile of double-chocolate cake slices. "Let's go straight to desert!"

xxxxx

The year gradually drew to a close. It was only a few days to the Accepted's final exam but none of them were worrying just yet. Stress was just a part of their life and they had learned to take it with the good and the bad at Shinra Academy.

Unfortunately in with the bad was the fact that Drake and Vincent were graduating, and they would soon be leaving for good. Vincent and Drake were busy making arrangements for their move to Midgar, where the main headquarters of the Shinra Company was located. In fact, that last week it was nearly impossible for them to find free time to hang out with their Accepted friends. Luckily they managed to all get together one last time at The Spot.

Drake had "borrowed" a ball from the recreational gym and had coaxed Vincent, Alexa and Flynn into tossing it around the rooftop. Kitz excused himself from playing, saying he preferred to sit on the sidelines and watch. The other two boys had been hesitant to play such a childish game, but soon after they got started Alexa noted just how seriously competitive they had gotten. It didn't take long for their friendly game of toss to turn into a fast paced keep-away match.

Flynn was using every inch of height to his advantage, so Drake quickly teamed up with him. Vincent and Alexa teamed up the second after, not wanting to let the other two have the advantage.

"Ha, it's Turks versus SOLDIER. Who's going to win?"

"Don't get your hopes up," laughed Alexa. She admitted to being just as competitive as the rest of them.

"Oh, yeah? Come up here and say that, Alex!" said Drake, miming looking down at her.

"Ouch. Short joke," said Flynn with a wince, and then he and Drake high-fived.

"They won't be so happy when we beat them," Vincent said confidently to Alexa. The other two booed. Vincent raised his hand for the ball. "Okay, we get first possession. Let's go."

Kitz kept a fair record of the score as the others played. One point for a regular toss, two points for a bounce on the ground, three points for multiple bounces or a bounce off the wall, and five points if you threw the ball through someone's legs. Drake and Flynn easily had the most number of passes to each other, but it was Vincent and Alexa who earned the highest score.

"Redo! You guys must have cheated," argued Drake, who seemed in utter disbelief that he lost.

"Right, and SOLDIERs are always so honorable," countered Vincent with a wry grin. He tossed his long bangs out of his face and went to sit next to Alexa against the wall. "Good one, partner."

"Thanks, Vince. You too." 'Vince'? She mentally asked herself. She'd never called him that before, though Drake did. But the boy didn't seem to care about the nickname, so she shrugged it off. Until Drake brought the issue up.

"Vince, Alex…" Drake repeated aloud, crestfallen. "Why don't I have a nickname?"

"How can you possibly shorten your name, Drake?" said Vincent in mock-exasperation. "It's a single syllable already."

"How about 'Dr.' or D-man'? Oh, I know: 'The Drakester'!"

"How about 'Massive Idiot'," offered Flynn with a snicker.

"Want you own nickname Woods? How's 'Lynn'." He punched Drake in the arm and they laughed. Those two hardly got along during the year, though being partners during the game today had somehow got them on friendly terms. Alexa wondered if they should have played this game sooner.

"Well, Alex got a boy's name, so why not vice versa?" asked Drake.

"It's a girl's name too," Alexa defended herself. "And I like it." Those words surprised her; she thought she just tolerated "Alex" but after a whole year of being called that it was beginning to grow on her. Maybe she had changed more than she realized. Her hand strayed to the tiny key around her neck, but she lowered it before anyone noticed.

The sun was now setting, painting the sky shades of pink and purple as the mountains were slowly eaten by shadow. After being in the jungle, even though it turned out to be fake, Alexa realized just how much she missed trees and the color green. It would have been nice to enjoy nature instead of fighting for her life.

"When you leave, can you make sure to enjoy the outdoors?" Alexa asked Vincent.

"I'll take a nap under the first tree I see," promised Vincent with a grin. He had learned through stories of Alexa's childhood as well as a few visits just how green the island of Mideel is and how much that landscape meant to her. She was trapped for two more years on this arid mountain, and Vincent was much more likely to find anything remotely resembling a forest in the near future.

"Good luck finding trees in Midgar," Drake commented. The only tall things there are skyscrapers."

"But Turks aren't always stationed in Midgar. They get sent all over the world," said Kitz.

"Sounds exciting," Flynn said wistfully. "I've never been in a big city like that." He had grown up in a small village on the snowy northern continent, which was a far cry from the sprawling metropolis of Midgar.

"You'll be there soon enough," responded Drake, which surprised nearly everyone with the sincere, non-joking way he said it. "Just stay out of trouble."

Flynn didn't know what to make of Drake's sudden leap of maturity, so he retorted, "That'll be easier with you gone."

"What's it feel like to be going out into the real world?" mused Alexa.

"Or at least leaving this place," Flynn added. He seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Alexa as he admitted, "I can't wait to never see these rocks again."

"It's an odd feeling," responded Vincent slowly. "But we're ready for it, I think. At least we know from our classes what to expect." He frowned at that thought, which made Alexa wonder what her final two years at the academy would bring.

It can't get worse than in the simulation room… could it? But the more she thought about it, the less she agreed with her previous thought. And that was a frightening prospect.

"I'm going to miss this," said Vincent. That surprised her, since she didn't think he'd ever say something like that.

"Yeah," agreed Drake. "So much for being a kid. It's all responsibility from here out."

"I'm sure you'll find ways to entertain yourself," stated Kitz. "It's been a pleasure knowing you, Mr. Flare."

Drake patted the younger boy on the shoulder. "You too, Mr. Bee. Try to find a sense of humor the next time we meet."

I was watching Advent Children while writing most of this xD You can thank that movie (as well as the three-day weekend) for the motivation to get this chapter done :)

Happy end of Year Two! You can look forward to the beginning of Year Three within a month. And yes, Drake and Vincent will both make a return later on.

The theme for the next year: betrayal.