Ace was beginning to become impatient, a rare thing for him. Ace, Randy & their fathers were all at Thunder Tower, the Lightning Knight's base, waiting for Salvatore. He had promised to bring his apprentice around that day. Ace was especially eager to meet the last member of the team. He was to be the leader of the new team, as was his father before him. Along with learning how to fight, Ace had studied leadership skills. This involved taking initative, control, & being the peace-maker amongst the group.
"I wonder how long he has been training this apprentice. There's no way that it's been as long as our fathers have been training us!"
Randy smiled down at Ace; it was easy to tell he was nervous.
"Don't worry Ace, I'm sure that he will be able to keep up with you!"
Ace grinned. "Who says I'm worried?"
"Only the lines on your forehead!" Laughed Randy. Ace began to relax.
"So I suppose if he's a mechanical mastermind . . ."
"Then I'll have someone to help me. Anyway, I doubt that he will be. Father says he'll probably be a 'dark element', like Salvatore."
"It's a strong possibility, boys. It would be hard for anyone to be trained by Salvatore & not have some of his attitude rub off on them."
"It's not an 'attitude', Euphrates. He's had a hard life, I can understand that he would be bitter." Admonished Adair.
"Dad, what exactly is a dark element?" Asked Ace.
Adair looked over towards Euphrates, who nodded. "We may as well tell them now."
Adair sighed before beginning, "It's not so much a what, more a who. Often, in a group like ours is & yours will be, there's one who is less . . .trustworthy."
"But Sir," Interjected Randy, "Surely you trust Salvatore."
"Of course we trust him, Randy. It's just that, when his wife & son died, he started doing . . .foolish things."
"Like getting drunk regularly!" Added Euphrates, being a little less tactful. Adair rolled his eyes.
"The chances of Salvatore's apprentice being a drunk are pretty minimal. At worst, you can expect him to be a bit hostile, as anybody who is the only outsider in a close group of friends might be. Just treat him as you treat one another, & you'll be fine."
"Anyway, boys." Euphrates placed his hand on his son's shoulder, "Being a 'Dark element' is not something you two will need to worry about!"
It seemed to be the end of the conversation, so Ace sat with Randy & tried to digest this information.
"It seems strange to think of us not trusting one another, Ace."
"Like your dad said, Randy, It's not something we need to worry about." Randy was about to reply when the front doors opened. They were half blown by the wind whirling around outside, & half pushed by Salvatore, who ushered in a cloaked figure before shutting them.
"There's quite a storm brewing tonight, boys!" he greeted his friends.
Ace noticed that the figure beside Salvatore had their head down, & were shivering, despite the heavy, hooded cloak, which looked way too big.
"Randy, Ace, meet Sparx!"
Salvatore pulled back the hood of the cloak, & his apprentice looked up. All four of the men stared on in shock as an ocean of bright red hair weaved & flowed down to its owner's waist. A few kiss curls framed a young face that was distinctly feminine.
Ace blew his fringe out of his eyes. He'd never heard of a girl Lightning Knight before.
Randy could tell by the look on the older men's faces that this was going to be interesting.
Euphrates finally spoke up.
"Who's this?"
Adair was quick to reply, "I believe it's your 'Dark element', Euphrates!"