Natalie

The initiation came so fast! I mean, they could have told us before! But I'm not scared or anything.

"Nervous?" Ethan asks me. None of us had a trainer, so Ethan was chosen to present us to the Tribunal.

"No. Far from it. Excited is more like it!"

"That's great,"

"What does gold mean?"

"Huh? Oh," he glances at my outfit," it's the Guard's highest honor,"

"Really!"

"Yeah,"

"All of us got this," I hold up the belt

"Wow, that's great,"

The massively large doors suddenly open and the first thing I see is the Tribunal. I've met most of them during my debriefing. They all smile down at me as we pace our way to the lone stool in the center of the room. Before I take a seat, Ethan introduces me.

"I present to you, Natalie Joan Roberts,"

Only when I take the seat do I realize that my legs are shaking uncontrolably. I place my hands on them to steady the shaking. It works to some extent. Lady Devine raises from her seat and steps towards me.

"I present to you the ability to to bear pain," she waves her hands over me

Next is Meridian who presents me with the gift of, "belief in thyself and others,"

Queen Brystianne comes forward with a smile, "I present to you the gift of commitment,"

Sir Syford approaches, "Truth. May you be able to distinguish between the truth and deceit,"

Next is Elenna of the House of Isle, "May you have strength to endure the upcoming events,"

Alexandon moves toward me, "To you, I present the gift of serenity. Keep the peace with you at all times,"

Lady Arabella glides forward, "Natalie," she smiles, "I present to you the enhancement of your skills," as she waves her hands, I feel energy surge through my body,"

Following her is Lord Penbarin, "My gift to you is that of organization," he gives a little chuckle. He must know full well how much of a disorganized person I am, "this will help you make decisions and clear your mind,"

Neriah comes up, "I present to you, the gift of courage. May this help you complete your mission,"

King Richard walks forward, coughing midstride, "Natalie, to you I give the gift of shelter. Use this to create your own shelter in which you can not be heard anywhere, but in your forcefield,"

It is now Matt's turn,

"You have proven yourself many times before to the Guard, I present to you, your wings," I golden light emits from his hands and showers over me. My wings! My mouth hangs open at his generosity.

"Natalie, do you swear your fealty to the Guard, promise to serve and defend on its behalf, adhering to its secret codes, in readiness for the final conflict with the Goddess of Chaos and her armies,"

"Yes," I nod at the same time, my mouth still ajar. He dismisses me and I practically skip my way, out of happiness, to the bench. They've all been so generous with their gifts! I must have forgotten to screen my thoughts for the Tribunal smiles back at me considering this my thank you. They seem to be saving Melissa for last, for they have Zoe and Stephen come up first. Their gifts are equally as great as mine and they come sit beside me.

Melissa

Why did I have to be last? I grip Ethan's arm.

"Relax," he suggests. Ever since I confessed how I had been working for Lathenia, he's been nicer and we've become friends.

"I can't! Why was I last anyway?"

I look down

"Don't worry about it, they have nothing against you. I mean, look at your clothes: white and gold, the Guard's highest honor.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," he grips my arm in reassurance. It's not much help.

The doors open and we walk down the aisle before the Tribunal.

" May I present, Melissa Helen Thames," he has to push me down to take a seat. I'm too nervous to do anything. I hear someone laugh. My face heats up. It cools back down though as soon as Lady Devine steps forward.

"Melissa, I my gift to you is that of faith. Do not doubt in any of your new allies and have faith in thyself,"

"I present you with judgement, to distinguish between right and wrong," Meridian states

"My gift, control, will enable you to have more control over your actions and your emotions," Queen Brystianne says

Next, Sir Syford comes over, "The gift I present to you is clarity. To clear your mind and think clearly,"

Elenna of the House of Isle approaches. She grants me the gift of courage, a gift Natalie had earlier recieved. After her is Alexandon, "Melissa, I give you the gift of sincerity. To find the truth in all and to be sincere with others,"

Lady Arabella takes her turn, "Melissa, I grant you with the gift of light. To see good in all and find light in even the darkest of places,"

Lord Penbarin takes he place, "My gift, is that of imagination. Open your mind to all the possibilities,"

"I grant you the gift of hope. Always remember that where there is evil, there is good. Always look to the bright side," Neriah say waving her hands over me

King Richard makes "his way next, "I present you with the ability of concentration. This will strengthen your gifts and enable you to control time on your own,"

The Immortal is last, "For you, is the gift of virtue. Find all the good you possess and use it to overcome the evil," huh? Haven't I already found the 'good' in me? I think these to myself.

"Melissa, do you swear your fealty to the Guard, promise to serve and defend on its behalf, adhering to its secret codes, in readiness for the final conflict with the Goddess of Chaos and her armies,"

Without any hesitation, I answer, "Yes,"

Okay, initiation is over. And so is the story! Hope you liked it! I'll be posting a sequel as soon as I come up with a good-enough title! Thank you so much to all of my reviewers! (the purple rose, llamas will rule the world, adventurous, E mix roro93, and anonymous! I'm sorry if I did not mention your name, it's cause I didn't find the review you posted...)