This is how I imagine Adrian's trials went. I will be doing this for every character except Nova. This is all fiction and absolutely no part of this is canon because Marissa has not elaborated on how the trials went for any character except Nova.
I know what you may be thinking: Kennedy, isn't Adrian a team leader? Are we even sure he had a trial?
No, we're not sure. But I imagine, to become a leader, he had to prove himself one way or another. I'm sure he had some kind of trial.
I have included Maple (Oliver) because I wanted to offer some background to the friendship between Adrian and Oliver.
*The characters are at a Leader's Only Audition*
*They are sixteen, takes place two years before the books*
"I'm so excited," Maple said.
"You're my friend and all, Oliver, but are you sure you have what it takes to be leader?"
"Of course I do! My mom was a renegade and a team leader until the accident. I'm just like her!"
Maple was nothing like his mother. They didn't have the same power and his mother was much smarter than him.
Adrian shrugged.
He knew the arena was small. He also knew only special people were allowed in. This is the Leader's Trials.
Adrian's dads didn't give him special treatment. They said that he must audition like the rest of the team leaders had to. He stood behind a girl named Luna with Maple behind him. Luna had an interesting power. She was short and small, but she was fierce. Her parents knew she was different when she was born because she came out with silver hair, kind of like an anime character. Her parents named her Luna because her hair color made them think of the moon.
Several months later, when she was sleeping in her crib, her mom came to check on her and realized that she was emitting a blinding white light. She was auditioning because her light could blind enemies and proved to be useful in combat. If she weren't auditioning to be a leader, Adrian would have asked her to join his team.
Well, his future team. With only one member. Himself. He'd have plenty of chances to get new members once he established himself as a leader.
"My buddy, Jesse, thinks I'm so cool. He has powers, too. But he's only fifteen so he can't join the Renegades yet.
Adrian and Oliver knew watch other from school. Adrian always admired Oliver's sense of humor, but the kid wasn't very smart. He also thought he was more team member than team leader. But he wasn't about to insult his friend.
When Luna was confirmed to be a leader, Adrian entered the arena.
The council was there, sitting in large chairs, like gods on Mount Olympus (Percy Jackson was my first serious fandom, so I had to reference the Greek gods at some point). Adrian saw a small group of teenagers who were wearing blazers and button-down blouses. One even held a notebook. They wore fake news station lanyards with fake IDs. He knew they were fake because the oldest girl didn't look a day over sixteen. He wondered how the council let them pass.
There was a group of healers, ready to step in if things went awry. There was another small group of older team leaders who looked to be middle-aged and have probably been a leader since the beginning. And then of course, real news people. Adrian admitted that the fakers were convincing. The real news people looked just like them, just older.
"Name?' Blacklight asked.
"Adrian Everhart," Adrian announced.
"Ok, Adrian. What is your power?"
"I can make the things I draw come to life."
He drew a sword on the floor and pulled it up.
He heard a few impressed sounds coming from all groups.
He sparred a bit with a dummy, showing that he at least had basic skills. He also drew shields and daggers and such, showing that he could make a weapon on short notice.
Since the trials were less publicized, the council had to be careful on who they let become team leaders, so they had Adrian fight the previous contestant, Luna.
Adrian was a little nervous, as Luna was not only a human LED light, but she was a skilled swordswoman, too, and Adrian wasn't that good with the dueling part.
Adrian drew himself a sword and a shield, and Luna picked out a sword from the weaponry display.
Luna was going easy on him, but not too easy. But it was enough to help him get by.
They sparred, clangs of the swords filling the near empty arena.
Adrian used his shield often, using it to block Luna's relentless jabs.
Luna and him sparred for what seemed like a good thirty minutes. Adrian was drenched with sweat, and Luna appeared to be the same way.
Finally, Adrian distracted Luna and expelled her weapon from her hands.
Luna seemed surprised, but said "Good work, Everhart."
Adrian breathed a sigh of relief as Luna exited.
The council talked among each other, as did the middle-aged team leaders.
The team leaders were first to announce the decision.
A team member, Adrian recognized as a former classmate's mom, was the representative.
"We have decided that Adrian Everhart should be a team leader," She stated.
Simon spoke next. "The Council has also come to that conclusion. Adrian Everhart, you are now a recognized team leader."
Adrian went to the hall and waited to be called back in to duel with Oliver.
Oliver was a good dueler, but Adrian still didn't think he was leader material.
Adrian waited for ten minutes, and the was called back in to duel with Oliver.
The sparred, this one was much shorter than Adrian and Luna's.
Adrian did go easy on Oliver, because he liked Oliver and knew that being a team leader was his dream. He wanted to be like his mom. His dad was also a renegade, but he wasn't a team leader, and for Oliver, being just a teammate like his dad wasn't enough.
The duel ended when Adrian struck Oliver in the chest. Of course, the blade had rubber covers, so it didn't actually hurt Oliver.
"Good job, Oliver," He said. Oliver nodded.
Adrian left before the council made their decision.
An hour after Oliver's turn, the trials were over.
Adrian stuck around because his dads were his ride home.
As he left one of the practice rooms, he saw Oliver sitting on a bench, face in his hands, clearly crying.
A brunette girl his age was patting his back and saying soothing words.
It was one of the fake news station girls. The oldest one, Adrian assumed.
He approached them.
"What happened?"
"Oliver wasn't accepted as a team leader," The girl spoke. Oliver cried harder. She continued to rub his back.
"Oh..."
'This is all your fault, Adrian," Oliver cried.
"Oliver, what did I say about waiting until you're calm to talk to Adrian?"
"Shut up! I don't even know you!" Oliver yelled.
The girl gasped in surprise.
In a second, it looked like she was about to cry.
"Let me talk to him," Adrian said, zooming in on her name tag. "Molly Weasley? I'm almost certain that's not your real name..."
Instead of answering, she briskly walked away. Adrian heard small crying sounds as she was walking away.
"Who was she?" Adrian asked.
"I don't know her. She saw I was sad and started to comfort me." Oliver replied.
"I know you're upset, Oliver, but she was trying to be kind. You had no right to talk to her like that."
"All my life, Adrian. I wanted to be a team leader, like my mom. And the council said I wouldn't make a good leader. All because I lost the duel."
"That's not true. Allen lost a duel but was still accepted to be a leader. So did Lucy. The duel isn't the determining factor."
"Then why wasn't I accepted, Adrian?"
"Your power probably isn't as useful..."
"You draw things! How is your power better than mine? This is all your fault! You beat me in the duel. You could have let me win!"
"I believe in integrity, Oliver." Adrian said.
Oliver shook his head. "I'm worthless. How do I go home and tell my mom that I'm not a team leader?"
"Come on, you can still be a renegade! Just not a team leader."
"That council said the same thing. They said they'd think I'd make a good team member, just not a leader."
That didn't surprise Adrian. He figured he didn't become a leader because the guy has the IQ of a brick. Not because he lost a duel. He knew for a fact Oliver was a strong dueler, but to be a leader, you gotta be smart, too, and make decisions for your team.
"You cane become a renegade. And who knows? Maybe your buddy will end up on the same team as you. And, hey, if you audition, I'll gladly let you on my team."
"Really?"
"For sure, Oliver. You're the coolest guy I know."
Oliver smiled.
As they walked out of the building, Oliver and Adrian noticed the girl who was with Oliver earlier sitting on the stairs leading up to the building. She was no longer crying, but it was obvious she was by the way her eyes were still wet and bloodshot.
But now, she just looked miserable and hurt.
"I think you need to talk to her." Adrian said.
Oliver nodded and took a seat next to her.
Adrian walked down the stairs and joined his dads at the car.
"Ill have my very own team," Adrian said, looking pleased.
So I don't know if I'll write a one-shot explaining this, but the idea is that Oliver joined Adrian's team, and then, once Soundwave became a team leader, Oliver switched to his team.
Anyway, I know this isn't fluff or romance, but I feel like this story has become more of a mixed bag rather than a ships fanfiction. I thought the Trials of the other members would be an interesting take, but I promise that I am not done writing fluff about my ships.
In fact, I am in the process of rewriting Grade School Osby.
So never fear! There will be romance!
Until my next update,
Keep reading!
