The group had all gone outside and the training soon began. Chekov and Lexie were getting taught by Kiara along with a helping hand (or paw) by Akela, "We'll start with you Lexie, with the ability to control air also comes the ability to fly." Lexie smiled. "Yes, I discovered that as the same time as my powers, but the wings I had just vanished." Kiara giggled, "Your wings aren't gone, you simply control when they appear. Concentrate on the image of a pair of wings appearing on your back, which will allow you to connect completely with the air." Lexie nodded before closing her eyes, she pictured the feathered wings appearing on her back once more. Suddenly, Lexie felt herself slowly get lifted off the ground, she slowly opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder to see that the wings she had gained before had returned and this time they didn't vanish. Kiara clapped happily, "Brilliant Lexie, you learnt that really quickly." Lexie beamed as she flew high into the air. "I can't believe I'm flying." She whispered to herself, Lexie then glanced to her side to see Delta was flying beside her. "I can see why you dreamed about doing this Delta, this is amazing!" Delta smiled as the two of them landed back on solid ground, "Good Lexie, now…"
Kiara waved her staff to create small floating targets. "Try and hit these targets with a gust of wind." Despite being slightly confused Lexie gave it ago, she waved her hand about but nothing happened, so she tried again. She closed her eyes and focused, Lexie could feel a soft breeze flowing through her hair. Lexie then swung her arm across in front of her and a blast of air erupted from it, smashing the targets to bits. Once again Kiara clapped, "Well done Lexie, you felt the air around you and you channelled that." Lexie smiled as she fluttered her wings in joy. "Thanks Kiara." The Shikari then turned to face Chekov, "Now your training begins, your ability to control earth is a powerful one, so it may take a little while for you to get the hang of it." Chekov nodded, he was a little nervous. "Try and lift a chunk of earth up from the ground." Chekov once again nodded as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he held his hands out in front of him and concentrated. Just then a huge chunk of the earth slowly lifted away and just began to float in mid-air, Chekov then clenched his fists and the earth shattered. He opened his eyes and stared in disbelief, Lexie hurried over and hugged him. "You did it Pavel!"
While Kiara continued to help Lexie and Chekov with their training, McCoy and Kirk were being tutored by Shibuki. McCoy was up first, mainly because Shibuki believed this to be the safest way. Since Kirk had the power of fire and McCoy water it was much better to teach McCoy first, just in case anything went wrong with Kirk. They were stood next to a small pond, the water was crystal clear and there were fish swimming happily about. "Now McCoy, Master Alister had told me that you have already used your powers for healing correct?" Shibuki asked as he looked over at the Doctor, who simply nodded. "Good, now you must learn to fight with your abilities. Water has many different forms, one of which is ice which is a good way to use the element to attack, but one step at a time. Firstly, see if you can slice through that tree stump over there." Shibuki said as he sat down next to Kirk, McCoy turned to face the pond and slowly began to lift up a shaft of water with one hand, while he removed the odd fish with the other, he didn't wish to hurt the little guys.
He then turned to look at the stump that Shibuki had pointed out, before slashing the water across it, causing it to split in half. "Nicely done Bones." Clapped Kirk, "Thanks Jim, guess this old country Doctor still has a few tricks up his sleeve." Shibuki smiled, "You appear to be quite the natural McCoy, now Kirk it is your turn." Kirk was excited to learn how to use his new found powers, but also to learn how to control them since fire isn't the safest thing to be messing around with, especially when you are James . To the side of Shibuki sat five unlit candles, "Try and light these candles." Kirk nodded as he gave it a go, hoping he wouldn't burn down the forest. Much to his surprise he was able to do it on his first try, which shocked not only himself, but also McCoy. "I'm very impressed Kirk, fire is not the easiest of the elements to control but it appears to me that you have a handle on it already. Very good." Kirk smiled at his tutor, "Thank you Shibuki." The lion nodded before the training started again.
Alister had been watching on, but he had been focused on one person in particular. Scotty was sat on a log, just watching the others training, it was clear to Alister that something was on his mind. "You seem troubled Scotty?" Alister asked as he walked over to the lonely Scotsman, "Just got a lot on my mind at the moment Alister, that's all." Scotty replied with a sad look in his eyes. Alister took a seat next to him, "One of those things is about young Lexie, is it not?" Scotty quickly looked over at him. "How did you know that?" "I have an ability which allows me to see people's emotions and who they are directed at." Scotty sighed before looking back over at Lexie, who was soaring through the air. "She's been through a lot in her life, I've been one of the people who have been there for her, I just never really saw how much she looks up to me until the other day." Alister placed a hand on Scotty's shoulder. "Our Guardians have told me about the girls past, it's horrible to think she's been through that while being so young. I also know that she called you dad."
"How?" Scotty asked quickly, "My ability told me, I can honestly say I can see why she would call you that and…" Alister gave him a soft smile, "Lexie has chosen a brilliant person to look up to, you're a good person Scotty but there's something else bothering you? It's to do with your powers isn't it?" Scotty nodded slowly. "I think your Guardians made a mistake giving me this ability, I'm no fighter and I'm sure as hell no hero." Alister knew this was what was playing on the Scotsman's mind, he knew that since the moment they met. "Our Guardians do not make mistakes Scotty, they granted you this ability for a reason. The unconditional love and friendship you show towards those you care about, that's the reason you were chosen to gain Quintessence." But it still appeared Scotty wasn't convinced, "You said mine is the most powerful of the five, what if I can't control it? What if I end up hurting someone?" Alister felt terrible for Scotty, mainly for the fact that he didn't see that he was worthy. He then jumped up from the log so quickly he startled Scotty, "Come, I have something to show you." Alister said with a hand out stretched, Scotty blinked several times before gently nodding and taking Alister's hand.
The two of them left the safety of the hidden manor and had wandered into the forest, Scotty would be lying if he didn't admit he was slightly on edge. "Are you sure it's safe for us to be out here?" Scotty questioned nervously. Alister nodded, "Don't worry, this part of the forest is enchanted, we're perfectly safe." Scotty felt a little less on edge, he knew that Alister knew what he was talking about. They soon came to a small stone alter which looked like it hadn't been touched in many, many years. "Where are we?" Scotty asked as he watched Alister step up to the alter, "This is the alter which honours the last wielder of Quintessence, one of our Guardians." Scotty joined Alister and looked at the writing which sat on the plaque. "Miguel Arc. Loving Son & Brother." Alister's sighed as he watched Scotty read the plaque, "Miguel was a wonderful man and a brilliant Guardian." "Did you know him well?" Asked Scotty. Alister nodded slowly, "Yes, he was my brother." Scotty turned and just stared at Alister. "Your brother was one of the Guardians?! Why didn't you tell us?" "I don't speak often about my personal life, not even Kiara knows about this. But that's not the reason I brought you here." Alister answered, "Then why are we here?"
Alister placed his hand on the alter and the cracks in the stone began to glow, Scotty just watched in amazement as a section of the stone vanished to reveal a small wooden box. Alister took the box and the opening closed back up, he turned to Scotty and opened the box. "This is known as the 'Amulet of Cecilia'. It was created by the first Guardian of Quintessence to help future Guardian's of the element to control their powers." As Alister spoke he slipped the amulet over Scotty's head, the Scotsman looked down at the blue crystal which was set in silver as it rested on his chest. "Thank you Alister, I hope I can make your brother proud." Alister smiled as he placed a hand on Scotty's shoulder, "I'm sure you will Scotty, you will be continuing his legacy and the work himself and the other Guardians started." Scotty smiled back at him. Just then he heard something coming from deeper in the forest, it sounded like a growl. It seemed Alister had also heard it since he had summoned his sword once again, "We're not alone here…" Alister whispered.
Scotty stood behind Alister, who had his sword tightly in hand. "Alister, what's out there?" Scotty asked with a little stutter, he was now back to being completely on edge. Suddenly something lunged at him from the forest, Scotty didn't have a chance to react but thankfully Alister was much quicker on his feet. He swung his sword at whatever had tried to attack Scotty, it jumped backwards and just stood there staring at them. Scotty could finally see what the thing was, it appeared to be a very large black dog with a tail made completely of dark mist, there was gold and purple markings on parts of its body and a ring of gold seemed to hover around its neck. The dog growled once more, causing Scotty to shiver. Just then something hit him in the back, sending him falling to the ground. Scotty looked backwards to see a huge eagle with a black bandana around its neck, Alister quickly stabbed his sword into the ground which caused a huge cloud of mist to form. Scotty then felt himself getting dragged to his feet and Alister yelling at him to run, which Scotty did without any complaints. "What the hell were them things?" Scotty asked as he ran next to Alister, "They were minions for Queen Alisandra, they must have followed us. We have to get back to the others, creatures of darkness cannot pass through Shibuki's illusion."
Scotty just nodded, he then made the mistake of looking back since he was greeted by the sight of some sort of shadow ball hurdling towards him. Scotty pointed his hand towards it and shot a lightning bolt from his hand, much to his own surprise. "Good work Scotty, you're getting the hang of your ability already." Alister cried, Scotty thanked him as they continued to run. Several times they were hit by attacks which had been launched by the minions of the Queen, at one point Alister was knocked to the floor, his own sword grazed against his arm. "Alister!" Scotty cried as he turned around to help him, "Run Scotty!" Alister insisted, he then looked back to see the shadow dog lunging at him, its mouth opened wide to reveal its sharp teeth. Suddenly a bolt hit the dog, sending it flying. Alister turned to see Scotty standing there, electricity flickering around his hands. "That will teach ya to back off." He called as he helped Alister to his feet. It wasn't long before they had entered back into the safety of Shibuki's illusion, "Master!" Cried a voice. Scotty looked over to see the others running towards them, "Scotty, what the hell happened?" Asked McCoy. "I'll explain later, for now can you use your abilities to heal Alister. He got a bit beaten up." "So did you by the looks of it." Chekov stated, Scotty hadn't really noticed but he also had sustained a few cuts. "Come on, let's get you two healed up." McCoy said as they wandered back over to the pond, so McCoy could begin to heal them.