Disclaimer: Pokémon belongs to Nintendo, not me. Gamecube forever, down with the X-box! Ahem, pardon me… Alright then, it should be noted (and thefore I am doing so) that I do in fact own the concepts of the Pokémon Master, the Elemental Shift, and the Ryuken, Willtai, and Kensae fighting styles. In addition I own all original characters herein, including but not limited to Leena Adi, Neerak Istason, Kenda, and Nax. If, for some reason, you wish to use any of these characters and/or concepts after having read this story, you must first ask me. After all it's simply a common courtesy.
Warning: Some language, some violence, etc. Standard warnings are in effect.
Notes: Remember, I love feedback, don't hesitate to e-mail me with comments and/or criticism. Randelm@hotmail.com
-I really enjoy making a few grammatical and/or spelling errors as well as a typo or two for the observant reader to catch and enjoy. Please note that any and all perceived errors are there for your express pleasure.-
Trust is Earned
Team Rocket's interest in Leena has not at all abated
"Unbelievable…" muttered Leena as she read the sign on the Viridian city gym door. 'Gym closed for maintenance, no challenges this week.' "I swear, the powers that be are out to make certain that I don't receive any badges. Well, now what?"
Kenda was examining the door for no reason that Leena could discern; the scizor and scyther were standing on opposite sides of her quite thoroughly not looking at each other and Nax simply cocked his head at her.
"Well that's helpful." The wind began to pick up a bit and Leena looked at the sky seeing the dark clouds that were rolling in and pulling her black jacket a bit closer. "Perhaps it'd be best to simply go find some lunch?"
::Now that,:: responded Kenda, ::is a good idea.::
Leena sighed and smiled. "And what do the rest of you think?"
::I've no better idea,:: said Nax. The scizor and scyther simply shrugged
The group of four monsters and one monster trainer made their way down the rapidly emptying street looking for a place to eat and managing to get inside a small diner before the first drops of rain fell. Finding a booth where the five of them could fit easily, Leena sat down and relaxed a bit.
"Good afternoon," said a cheerful voice
Leena opened her eyes, not having realized that she'd closed them and looked up at a smiling girl about her own age.
"My name is Erin, I'll be your server today. Leena ordered a club sandwich and milk to drink. For Kenda there was a plate of various fruits, Nax had a large bowl of rice mixed with fried vegetables and strips of beef, while the scyther and scizor enjoyed bowls of diced meat with some sort of sweet sauce.
The five of them ate in silence, mental as well as physical. Outside the rain became a deluge making the streets slick and dark. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. The patrons of the diner talked quietly to other trainers or their pokémon. In one corner a man was playing a game of chess with one of the rare slowkings. Music played softly from speakers hidden artfully behind potted plants.
When Erin came to clear the plates Leena paid for the food, then addressed her pokémon mentally. ::I suppose we ought to head back to the hostel, we'll not be able to train in this weather and if the Gym is closed, we can't go there either.:: The others all indicated their agreement. ::So, if any of you would rather ride in a pokéball on the way back, it might be easier.:: Both the scizor and scyther wished to be on the dry interior of a pokéball, but neither Nax nor Kenda did. Calling the two insects into the red and white spheres and shrugging into her black jacket, Leena left a tip and walked to the door. Taking a deep breath, the three dashed out into the rain and began making their way to where they were staying.
They'd been traveling for a minute or two and were currently taking refuge under the awning of some office building when the store across the street caught Leena's eye. It was, of all things, a sword shop.
"Hey, Nax," she tapped the short martial artist on the shoulder, "Take a look at this."
"Chop," he replied causing Leena to roll her eyes.
"Well, shall we take a look?" she asked of her companions.
::I certainly wouldn't mind,:: replied Nax.
::We've got nothing better to do,:: added Kenda.
A quick sprint later and Leena was opening the door to the shop letting Nax, Kenda and herself in. Opening her pokeballs, the green scyther and red scizor appeared in muted flashes of light.
"We decided to look around in here, thought you two might like to look around as well," Leena told them aloud.
::Indeed,:: replied the scyther, ::I find such things interesting.::
The five of them, one human and four pokémon, wandered around the shop with its plethora of blades. There were swords of all different styles and make; one edged, two edged, curved, long, short…
"Can I help you?" Leena looked up to see an old man peering at her through glasses perched on his nose.
"Um, hello," she said. "My friends and I were out in the rain and we saw this place and decided to look around a bit."
"I see…" the man nodded, still looking at her unblinkingly.
Leena waited for him to say something else, but he didn't. "Right then," she said after a while. "I'll just go look over here." She turned and moved off a bit and began to look at a set of blades. Their scabbards were black as were the leather covered handles. Lifting one off its stand she carefully unsheathed it. It was a straight blade, single edged not quite long enough for Leena's tastes. Not that she was real great with swords, she was at her best with the tonfa currently on her belt.
"Very nice weapon, that one."
Leena nearly jumped. Turning around she found that the old man had followed her. "Ah… yes," replied the girl, not able to think of much anything else to say.
"I'll give you a good price of it, only fifty credits."
She was about to make her apologies, explain that she was only looking, when an idea came to her. "Hey, Nax," she called. The short martial artist monster came over from where he'd been inspecting some gladius style weapons. Offering him the blade handle first, she asked, "What do you think of this one?"
He took the weapon and held it in guard position then swung it experimentally a few times. "Chop," he remarked. The weapon looked perfect in his thick gray hands and Leena began fishing for her money.
"I'll take it," she told the man who was smiling. The best thing about Gym battles was the fact that the winner got a money prize, and Leena had won more often than not in Cerulean and Pewter. Handing the man the money she turned back to Nax.
::Leena, I can't take this,:: he protested.
"Sure you can," she replied, "How else are you gonna master the Kensae style?"
Nearly half an hour later, after Leena had had a hot shower and was relaxing in the room she'd rented at the Viridian City hostel, Kenda dozed in her lap, Nax appeared to meditating with his back to the door of the room and the scizor and scyther were sitting together seeming to be actually conferring without trying to kill each other.
Perhaps they're coming to terms with whatever their problem is. Mused the girl. The rain had stopped, but it was still overcast and a wind was stirring the branches of the trees. Leena was just contemplating a mid afternoon nap when the two insectoid creatures stood and approached her.
::Trainer, Leena,:: the scyther addressed her, ::The way in which you captured myself and my companion was not in accordance with the ancient laws.::
Leena blinked, confused.
::We therefore request a trial of confidence, by which we shall determine your worthiness as a trainer.:: added the scizor.
"What?" Leena managed an incredulous inquiry. "What do you mean I wasn't in accordance with the law? What's a 'trial of confidence'?"
::It's trial by combat, Leena,:: responded Nax, the short monster sounded none to happy. ::As for the other… technically, they're right.::
"I don't get it," replied Leena look from the insects to Nax, "What did I do?"
Kenda replied, she sounded almost as angry as Nax, something that surprised Leena. ::By law a trainer is to capture a monster in one on one combat either with another monster or by themselves. The trainer is allowed to six monsters or five monsters and themselves in the combat.:: The small brown creature sighed and glared at the insects. ::You never attacked them, technically, combat never started.::
::But I could have,:: Leena made sure that her mental voice was projected to all in the room. ::I could very well have initiated combat and in the state the two of you were in, easily captured you anyway.::
Nax nodded. ::That's true, Leena. And they know it.:: The short humanoid looked to be keeping himself from attacking the two, by force of will alone.
Leena sighed and stood up, Kenda jumping from her lap to the floor. ::You could have left anytime you wanted to. You still can.:: Leena stood there staring at the two for a few moments. They simply stared back.
"Alright then," she said aloud. "Let's take care of this." Leena grabbed her backpack and her jacket and exited her room, the four monsters trailing her. A few moments later they exited one of the side doors and found themselves on the still damp flagstones of the hostel's courtyard. It was meant to serve as practice grounds to the many trainers that traveled through the city, but as the rain had only just slackened off a few minutes ago, it was still empty.
Stretching out a bit, Leena took note of her surroundings. It was still chill, but the courtyard was protected from the wind that still blew, that made it warm enough that she wouldn't want her coat during combat. Nax and Kenda had taken up positions by the wall and Leena approached them handing Nax her backpack containing her last potion and her pistol. Taking off her pokédex she handed him that and her jacket as well.
"Wish me luck." Kenda looked worried, Nax looked angry.
Striding to the middle of the courtyard she faced the two insects. They bowed to her and she bowed in return. Two on one? She wondered. But the question was soon answered when the fight began. Scyther leapt into the air, his wings a blur, but it was Scizor Leena was currently worried about. The red insect lunged at her snapping her bladed claws dangerously close to Leena's face, a quick dodge the only thing that kept the young trainer from a short career. Drawing her tonfa she spun the weapons defensively. In the next moment she was glad she had as Scyther came down swinging his bladed arms which were only deflected by Leena's quick movements.
Backing away from the two of them, Leena found that she'd already begun sweating through her shirt. They're not holding back. There's two of them and one of me. They're masters of their art… I'm just a novice trainer with not a badge to her name.
The next attack came from Scyther, a high cut to her left shoulder. Leena wasn't fast enough, the blade bit into her shoulder causing her to cry out in pain. Her arm went numb and peripherally she felt the tonfa drop from her hand. Red filled her vision and she blocked with her right tonfa before the Scizor's attack could strike. A sudden presence filled her and before she knew what she was doing she swept out with her right leg and then thrust.
"Ay-chop!" It was her voice and yet it wasn't.
Scizor was leaping to her feet and backing up a bit as Scyther was recovering from the kick she put in his abdomen.
::What the hell?:: she asked the world at large.
::As it is lawful for you to feed us power during combat, the reverse is also true.:: Nax's mind voice came through steady and clear, calming Leena and renewing her confidence.
The cut on her left shoulder bled freely and stained her shirt, but the rain was beginning to fall again and the blood began to be washed to the ground.
Whirling the one tonfa in her right hand, Leena waited for the next attack. It came in the form of multiple of Scyther's rushing her.
::Quick Attack!::
"E-Vee!" Leena shouted becoming a blur of action that plowed through three illusions before striking Scyther in the shoulder, but the insect was no sloth himself and rolled with the attack, nullifying most of its force.
~*~
Interesting, mused the presence in a second story room of the hostel watching the spectacle below in the courtyard. She's got great potential for power, I can see why Myotis said we should recruit her. But what is this bizarre training she's going about? Awfully brutal. Ah well, this will make it that much easier to capture her. The rain began to fall and the woman pulled on her cloak making her way down the stairs and towards the courtyard.
Stepping outside she watched the girl evade an attack with fluid grace. But the child was tired and bleeding from several cuts. Pointing her pokégear at the combatants she noted their drained power levels. The machop and eevee seemed as intent on the battle as the participants. Moving from the doorway, the woman walked through the rain, every time her heel connected with the wet stone of the courtyard white-yellow sparks flashed and crackled. The woman felt a small pleasure at each discharge of energy.
The woman cleared her throat. Suddenly five pairs of eyes were on her. She smiled. "Good morning. My name is Neerak, I'm a friend of Myotis." She pulled a one and a half foot cylinder from her belt and held it in one hand. With a flick of a button a yellow beam extended three feet, sparking and crackling where the rain hit it. The build up of electricity began to crackle along her body lifting her cloak, making her hair stand on end. "Ah," Neerak sighed, "I love storms, don't you?"
"Wha- what do- you want?" Leena panted. Her battle with the insects had halted and she glared at this woman in the thick yellow cloak with the strange weapon. Kenda and Nax had moved into position behind her, and Scyther and Scizor were now focused on this woman as well, but Leena knew without out consulting her pokédex that they were all weakened from the battle.
"What do I want?" the woman laughed, a frighteningly pleasant sound. "Why, I want you, dear girl."
"I won't join Team Rocket."
"We shall see. Thunder Wave!"
Leena's body was jolted by the paralyzing attack and fell to the ground. She knew she wouldn't be getting up for a while and her vision went dark but she could still see. Scyther had taken to the air and been mostly missed by the attack, the other three on the other hand seemed to have been incapacitated by the attack as well.
"Scy!" Leena sped towards the Electric Master swinging her scythe like blades. Neerak parried with her own blade like weapon and countered.
Leena felt a burning pain as electricity coursed through her carapaced body and then she fell to the ground. They were all down and there was nothing she could do. Consciousness faded away as thunder rumbled across the sky. The last coherent thought Leena had was anger at the fact that she was once again the prisoner of Team Rocket.
~*~
When she awoke, Leena found herself in disturbingly comfortable surroundings. Immediately she began reaching out with her mind, she found that she couldn't contact her pokémon. Stifling the panic that wanted to surface, she relaxed and reminded herself that this had happened before and they had been fine. Concentrating again, Leena stretched out and found the barest hint of the minds she was looking for. Their presence felt muted, as though they were asleep or hibernating. Assured that her friends were still alive, Leena then attempted to evaluate her surroundings before she gave any indication she was awake.
She was in a bed, a comfortable bed with the blankets covering her and a pillow beneath her head. In addition she realized that she was wearing nothing. Squashing the unsettling thoughts that brought up, Leena slowly opened her eyes. The ceiling was an off white color as was most of the rest of the room as further inspection proved. Aside from the bed there was a desk with a chair, and a wardrobe. Upon the desk were her backpack, belt with four pokéballs attached, tonfa, and Nax's sword. Draped across the back of the chair was her leather jacket. Sitting in a neatly folded pile were a set of black clothes at the foot of the bed. Her own clothes were nowhere to be seen.
Grumbling, Leena snatched the clothes up and dressed under the blankets, just in case someone decided to walk in unannounced. Having accomplished that task, Leena got out of the bed and moved to the desk and inspected her stuff. Her pokédex was inside the backpack and she strapped it to her wrist. The pistol was there as well and she put her belt on holstering her weapons at their accustomed places. As she was doing this, she noticed the scarlet R on the right side of the chest of her shirt.
"Very clever," Leena muttered. Slipping on her jacket, she was relieved to note that it completely hid the R. The wardrobe held nothing but a mirror on the inside of one of the doors.
Sitting on the bed, Leena thought. She had all of her stuff, and Nax's sword, but not her pokémon. She sat there for a moment before she remembered something Professor Oak had said to her before she'd left.
"If you ever need me, you can use it to call me."
Leena activated her pokédex and selected the 'phone' option. The number for Oak was stored in the machine and Leena pushed the autodial. It ringed four times before a voice answered.
"Hello, this is Professor Oak…"
"Professor, this is Leena…" but the girl trailed off as the voice continued.
"I can't answer the phone right now. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
There was a beep, and then Leena spoke. "Professor Oak, this is Leena Adi. I've been captured by Team Rocket and don't have my pokémon. Last I knew I was in Viridian city. I need help. Please call when you can. Bye."
Numbly, Leena turned off the phone. So, she was on her own. Alright, no problem, I've escaped the Rockets before, I can do it again.
There was a knocking at the door and before Leena could answer, it opened and the woman in the yellow cloak, Neerak, entered.
"What do you want?" growled Leena, drawing her tonfa. Though she was sore, she was no longer injured and was feeling up to a good fight.
"Only to talk, Leena." Neerak sat on the bed and gestured for Leena to sit as well.
"Where are my pokémon?"
Neerak laughed lightly, "Where else?" she asked, pointing to Leena's belt and the pokéballs clipped there.
Leena could have kicked herself for her stupidness. Just because she rarely carried them in pokéballs didn't mean they couldn't be contained in one. Fingering one of the balls she began appraising Neerak.
"Oh please, Leena, I don't wish to fight you right now, I just want to talk. Besides, there are five guards outside that door and no matter how much potential you have or how much luck you've got, you cannot beat all of us. Sit down."
Sighing, but seeing no alternative at this point, Leena sat in the chair and looked at Neerak.
"Well now, what shall we talk about first?" Neerak smiled at Leena. "Ah yes. You seem to have given Myotis quite a scare, but he won't tell anybody what happened. Not even the Boss. So, tell me, dear girl, what did you do to him?"
Leena crossed her arms and gave her best indolent grin, "I could show you if you like, but you said you didn't want to battle." While her arms were crossed, Leena pushed the button on her pokédex that would display the stats of a pokémon and surreptitiously pointed it at the woman.
Neerak laughed again, a sound that was beginning to make Leena uncomfortable. "Well then, perhaps I shall find out later, hmm?" She chuckled a bit more. "I see you've found your new clothes. Do you like them?"
"Oh yes," replied the girl, the sounds covered in sarcasm, "I've always wanted to go around dressed blatantly as a criminal. I suppose you're not going to give me back my clothes?"
"You see, you could go far in the Rockets, already you have realized that to walk about dressed as a Rocket is not necessarily a good idea." The woman continued to smile at Leena causing the girl to become even more uncomfortable. Quickly, she glanced down to see what the pokédex could tell her.
Name: Neerak Istason, Electricity Pokémon Master
Number: ???
Type: Electric
Species: Human
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 134 lbs
Level: 7
Electricity Pokémon Masters are capable of controlling electricity in all its forms and are immune to most harmful effects thereof. Neerak trains mostly electric type pokémon and has mastered the use of her Lightning Sword a weapon she made herself.
Leena's eyes widened a bit at the power level rating. She knew that pokémon had reached much higher levels, but Myotis had been strong, and this woman was stronger. Idly she wondered if pokémon levels were comparable to human levels. The speculation caused her to miss Neerak's next comment.
"What was that?" Leena asked.
"I said, you have a choice. Join us or your pokémon will be taken from you and used as front line grunts. Cannon fodder." The woman was still smiling that sweet smile.
"Two conditions."
"What're those?" Neerak's curiosity seemed genuine.
"I get to keep all my stuff and my monsters, and I do things my own way. If I'm going to be efficient, I'll not abide by constricting rules meant for grunts."
Neerak smiled. "Good girl. Come with me." The woman stood and opened the door sweeping into the hallway beyond. Leena followed her grabbing Nax's sword as she went. Five men in black Rocket uniforms followed them. They walked through several hallways and Leena tried to remember the way. After a few minutes they came to a metal door. Neerak placed her palm upon a panel beside the door and the metal portal slid into the wall.
The two walked into the room that was set up similarly to the gyms she'd been to before. "Upon induction into Team Rocket, each member is given a test in battle," explained Neerak. "But I must warn you, Team Rocket doesn't play by the rules. We are above any dusty old laws. Understand?"
"Yeah, I got ya'," muttered Leena. In order to win, I'm gonna have to fight dirty. Great.
Leena again pushed her consciousness outward, seeking her friends. All she got was the muted presence that apparently indicated they were in the pokéballs.
A gong sounded and three boys dressed in Rocket uniforms entered the gym. They couldn't have been more than fifteen or so. Even so, they were bigger than Leena and if she were to go up against any of them one on one, that would give them the advantage.
Not waiting for the other's to act, Leena grabbed a ball at her belt and cast it to the floor and continued until all her monsters were present.
::Here's the deal guys. We've been forced into Team Rocket. I don't plan on staying here, but until some opportunity to escape comes up, we've gotta pretend. Right now we gotta fight, and they're not playing by the rules, so we can't either. Let's just try to keep ourselves in one piece.::
There were a myriad of emotions in response; worry, confusion, and determination foremost among them.
The next several minutes were a blur for Leena. The rockets had two monsters each. That made it nine on five, at least, to Leena's way of thinking. The Rocket who had summoned a pidgey and an arbok had a look of utter shock on his face when Leena charged him, tonfa whirling. She caught him across the face with her first blow, sending him reeling. Next thing she knew feathers were filling her vision and Leena swung wildly at the pidgey attacking her, while something thick and scaly wrapped around her legs. She fell to the ground and rolled, kicking hard to disentangle the snake from her feet.
::Waterfall!:: Leena heard the calm mind voice that indicated Kenda had shifted into a Vaporeon. A deluge of water appeared from nowhere pushing Leena's enemies back and allowing her time to stand. Taking a quick look around, she found Scyther battling a sandslash, Scizor paired against a nidorino, and Nax holding off a koffing and bellsprout.
While her recent opponents were still incapacitated, Leena charged over to where Nax was, ::Kenda, help Scizor, we're gonna have to work as a team and switch opponents often if we're to win.::
::Nax, your sword.:: Leena had replaced her own weapons and unsheathed the black handled weapon, tossing it to her short, heavily muscled friend. The grey monster caught it expertly and scored a hit on the koffing.
Leena kept moving and attacked the trainer of those two monsters. This one, like the other, was completely unprepared for the move and waved his arms frantically in defense. There was a crunch when one of her attacks connected with his forearm and then she struck him on the back of the head. His eyes glazed and he crumpled to the floor. For a moment, Leena's heart stopped as she'd thought she'd killed her opponent. In the next moment she was moving on to the next enemy, putting that uncomfortable thought in the back of her mind.
The third trainer, having seen the fate of his fellows, backed quickly away from Leena, but she was faster. A few quick maneuvers later he was on the ground as well, moaning and cradling a broken hand.
Their trainers unconscious or unwilling to fight, the monsters became confused and broke off attacking looking only to defend themselves should anyone approach them. Leena pointed her wrist-mounted pokédex at her pokémon, accessing the damage. Nax had inhaled some toxic gas in his battle with the koffing, the Scyther and Scizor each had a couple of scrapes and cuts, Kenda was tired, but appeared to be uninjured. For having been up against six monsters and three trainers, they had come away relatively unscathed. It seemed to have taken hours, but Leena realized that she and her companions had taken care of their opponents relatively quickly.
Leena was interrupted from her thoughts by the applauding of a single person. Turning, the girl watched Neerak cautiously as the woman approached.
"Very good, Leena, not many win the initiation combat."
"My machop is poisoned, I need an antidote," Leena said, ignoring Neerak's comment.
"Of course, of course," the woman gestured and another young man in the black Rocket uniform approached and handed Leena a small vial.
Taking the vial, she quickly examined it with her pokégear and then took it to Nax.
::How ya doin?:: she asked mentally.
::Achey, I could really use that antidote.::
Leena handed the vial of liquid to Nax who drained it in one swallow.
"Alright, Neerak, now what?"
"Now, we get you ready for your first assignment."
~*~
Leena sat at the desk in the room she'd been given in this secret Rocket base. The wardrobe was now filled with inconspicuous clothes for an eleven year old trainer, including her old stuff, as well as a few official black uniforms with the prominent red R. She'd been told that her rank was Commander. She wasn't really certain what that meant in relation to others, but all the grunts referred to her as 'Sir'. She'd been given a manual with the general rules, regulations, et cetera, but it lay on the surface of the desk, currently forgotten.
Instead, Leena was staring at a piece of paper, wondering where to begin.
Dear George,
I hope this letter finds you and Sten in good health. I have a lot I want to tell you about. First off, I'm alright, as are Kenda and Nax. I've got two new monsters now, a Scizor and a Scyther. The new ones don't seem to trust me all that much, but I think they're coming around.
Now for the important stuff. You may want to sit down.
I'm currently a member of Team Rocket. Now, before you get all worried, I want you to know this isn't permanent, and I plan on escaping as soon as possible. I've tried to contact Professor Oak, but haven't been able to yet, I'll try again soon.
There's another important piece of information you should know. I've been able to trap a human inside a pokéball. I know it's not supposed to be possible, but I did it to a Dark Master from Team Rocket. Apparently it scared him pretty bad, but he's not telling anyone what happened, and I'm keeping it secret as well, a sort of trump card. Perhaps it only works on Masters… Something to keep in mind, just in case.
Now this is the part where I tell you not to worry, but of course I know you will. I do have to ask you to keep this information secret though, as well as the fact that I've contacted you. The only person I trust aside from you is Professor Oak, and I can't contact him right now.
Don't try to contact me, I'm taking a fairly big risk sending this to you in the first place, if it's intercepted… In any case, be careful, I promise I will.
Your Friend,
Leena Adi
Leena folded up the paper slipping it into an envelope and then putting it in the inside pocket of her jacket. Looking around then rest of the room, she found her four monsters looking at her.
"Well, quite a mess I've gotten us into, eh?" she tried to smile, but the stress of the day was catching up with her and she found it all she could do to hold back the tears of frustration that threatened to make themselves known.
::It's not your fault, Leena,:: reassured Kenda.
The trainer shrugged. Taking a deep breath she steeled herself for what she was about to say. "If any of you wish to leave, I'll understand. No hard feelings." She looked to the insectoids.
For a long moment, nobody moved. Finally, the scyther stepped forward.
::Trainer Leena, my name is Hanzou.::
Leena blinked in surprise, but did not respond.
The scizor stepped forward next.
::And my name is Sakura. We would like to apologize for calling a trial of confidence.::
::Indeed,:: added Hanzou, ::I pledge myself to you. Your fate is mine and I will follow and defend you to the end of eternity if I must.:: He sank to one knee and bowed his head.
::I pledge myself to you,:: echoed Sakura, her hissing mind voice much like Hanzou's. ::You are a more than worthy master, my blades are yours.:: And she too bowed her head and went to one knee
Leena looked at them shocked, not knowing what to do, or if she should do anything. Then Nax stepped forward.
::I pledge myself to you, Sister. I will always watch over and love you.:: Nax too, knelt.
Finally Kenda presented herself and Leena found she was unable to look away from those deep black eyes. ::You're my best friend in the whole world and I love you very much. I'd never ever leave you, especially in a situation like this. I pledge myself to you Leena Adi. Forever.:: Kenda bent her front legs and bowed her head.
Leena could feel the tears sliding down her face. She couldn't have stopped them if she'd wanted to. The future looked to be rough, and who knew what was going to happen next, but at least she knew she wouldn't have to face it alone. She had the unwavering trust and loyalty of her friends. The love of her family. Something she had never known before.
"Thank you," Leena replied, "Thank you."
And really, nothing more needed to be said.