Okay, this chapter may be better or worse than the last chapter as far as the darkness in it. I don't really know, I haven't written it yet. Yes, I write off the top of my head, I mean I plan it out and have some conversations in my head before hand, but I don't write anything down or think of details or anything. Well, I hope that you all like it.

Chapter 6: New Powers

Storm was about nine years old and had been getting more and more lessons from Pronyma. She was still working on her sword skills with her father. Her lessons with Kratos were her favorite moments and she always felt as if she never wanted them to end. Unfortunately, she knew that she would have to go to her lessons with Pronyma. Pronyma was actually a very good instructor and Storm learned a lot from her. She learned quickly, not because she was determined to make herself better for herself, but because she knew if she wasn't good enough she would get a beating from Pronyma. Storm's short temper and bullheadedness always got the best of her and always caused her to win a beating from Pronyma. She refused to back down for Pronyma and Pronyma knew it.

Storm went to her lessons with Pronyma just as she would any other day. She walked inside and waited for Pronyma to show up. Soon, Pronyma walked inside, but was followed by Mithos. Storm was a little confused as to why her Uncle Mithos would be coming with Pronyma to her lessons. Mithos walked up to her and looked her in the face.

"I've heard that you've been disobedient Storm," he announced. "I've come here to make sure that you listen to what you're told to do."

"But...but she's been hitting me!" Storm protested, pointing an accusing finger at Pronyma.

Mithos walked over to Storm and slapped her in the face with such force that she hit the ground. "Never raise your voice at me!" he bellowed. "You need to get rid of those emotions and show some respect to those higher in rank than yourself. I thought that you would know better than that."

Storm looked at Mithos, not so much hurt by the attack, she was used to that, she was hurt that her Uncle Mithos had actually struck her. What was even more shocking was that she felt bad for making him upset in the first place. Pronyma walked over to Storm, ready to use her own form of punishment. Storm saw Pronyma coming and braced herself for the attack. Suddenly, Storm began to glow and spikes made out of rock began to shoot up all over the floor. Storm had no idea how she was doing all of this but she didn't care, it was keeping Pronyma away from her after all.

Once the attack was over Mithos looked at Storm, realizing what she had just accomplished.

"She can use elven magic," he said, never taking his eyes off of her.

"What should we do with her?" Pronyma questioned, still a little stunned that she almost was killed by a few of the spikes.

"Go and get Yuan, we'll have him teach her some of the basics," Mithos began as he led Pronyma out of the room. "I stay here while you're gone, but I want you to keep working with her. If we let Yuan and Kratos work with she'll soften up again. We have to keep her emotions under control," Yuan ordered.

"Yes my lord," Pronyma responded as she left.

Mithos waited until Yuan arrived. He looked at Storm, noticing the blood on her head. He looked to Mithos to receive his orders.

"Yuan, you are to teach Storm how to use elven magic. Somehow, she is able to use it, I need you to help her harness that power. Do not fail me," Mithos ordered as he and Pronyma left. Yuan walked over to Storm who was still on the floor. He looked at her and realized what must have happened before he arrived. He offered her a hand but she refused to allow him to help her and she struggled to her feet on her own.

"I don't need any help...or any sympathy," she said as she glared at him.

"Well, let's just get started on these lessons," Yuan finally decided as he began the lessons with Storm.

Later that day, Storm was walking through Welgaia, when suddenly, she was pinned against the wall by Pronyma. Pronyma had her so she couldn't move.

"I never did get to punish you for earlier," Pronyma laughed.

"Storm! How can you expect me to not tell anyone, are you actually telling me that Kratos doesn't know about any of this?" Zelos questioned.

"No, and you can't tell him either! I know what would happen if you told anyone. They would only give me sympathy and that's the last thing I want. You can't tell Lloyd, Sheena, Kratos, no one, understand? Please Zelos, you're the only one that I can tell this to," Storm pleaded.

"I suppose, but aren't I giving you sympathy? Besides, doesn't it bother you to be holding all of that inside?" Zelos asked.

"Well, that's why I'm telling you, I feel like you understand what I went through more than anyone else. And...it really doesn't bother me. I mean, it wasn't anyone's fault, especially not Dad's. If he heard about this he'd only blame himself, and it wasn't his fault. Anyway, it's all in the past now, it doesn't bother me," Storm explained.

Zelos lifted up her chin and looked into her eyes, he could tell that she was lying and that it really did bother her. "Don't lie to me Storm. That can't really be how you feel. Now let out all the emotions that you're trying to hold in," Zelos demanded.

"I'm sorry Zelos, but that's just the way it is," Storm shot back angrily. She wasn't ready to admit to him how much her past hurt her. Zelos understood and let it go.

"I'm sorry, keep going on with your story," Zelos said.

Storm struggled against the hold that Pronyma had on her but she was unable to get away from her. Pronyma punched Storm, hard, in the stomach. Storm clenched her stomach in pain, but refused to fall to the ground in front of Pronyma. Finally, Storm decided that she didn't really care who Pronyma was, she was going to fight back. She attempted to punch her in the face, but Pronyma was too quick and grabbed a hold of her hand and twisted it behind her back. Storm felt something in her arm either break or pop, but either way she felt her arm go numb.

"You dare attempt to strike me you little inferior being!" Pronyma screamed at her as she kicked her in her back, causing immense pain to run up her spine. Storm landed on the ground, unable to move anything without causing pain. She looked up defiantly at Pronyma.

"One day, I'll cause the same pain that you've caused me," Storm said to Pronyma.

Pronyma glared at her, upset that she was still unable to break the girl's spirit. She bent over and grabbed her chin in her hand. "That's a day I'd like to see," Pronyma responded as she slammed her head against the wall before walking away.

Storm finally managed to get herself off of the ground and she made her way to her room where her father was waiting for her to return for her sword lessons. Storm walked in, still unable to move, or even feel, her arm. Kratos realized that she was seriously injured and almost immediately knew where the injuries had come from. Even so, he still asked her what had happened.

"I got hurt while practicing with my sword, I got pinned up against something," she answered.

Kratos looked at her and knew that she was lying, but he also knew that there was nothing he could do to help her. If he went against Mithos, he could have her killed. Of course, he was wondering if keeping her in Derris Kharlan was the best thing for her anyway. He reached over and put his hand over her arm and began to heal it. She soon felt the feeling come back to her and was able to move it, free of any pain. Storm knew that Pronyma would be back, but she would never give in to her and let her insult her or her family. She would be ready for her next time.

Well, that's it, sorry if it was really short. Next chapter is the angsty chapter so be prepared. Just remember that I warned everyone and even led you all up to it, easing you in. So, please review and tell me what you thought.