Song listened to: 'Why'd you bring a shotgun to the party?' by The Pretty Reckless.

"You must be the Baby Power I keep hearing all about."

Least to say, when the Powers inducted new people in their fold, it was a special occasion, and one wore their best robes. Not many got the honor of being included in such an elite force, and those who did were humbly excepting, most were humbly excepting of the offer.

It was also least to say that neither Paul nor Akeelah liked the newest inductee all too much.

Sorath thought he was better than most others, because of his quick climbing of the ranks during training, and them to be inducted into the fold of the Powers, he thought himself to be untouchable because of his quickly gained titles.

They both glared up at him, as he regarded them both from over the bridge of his nose, Paul had been polishing Nisroc's sword (a punishment befitting the crime of the trick played against him a few days ago that was taken in good humor) and Akeelah being the good friend that she was offered to join him despite it not being her chore and the day outside a sunny one. They had been joking between themselves when the other had entered into their mood and destroyed it from within.

"You're so small, runt. You could hardly stand against one of us."

"One of who?"

Paul tried to tell her not to get involved, let him spew what he was going to, and then take the matter to the elders later on. But Akeelah had never been known to back away from a challenge, not since the day that she had and her back now held the proof for all her life, and she stared the new Power in the face without a speck of fear.

"One of us, of course."

"You're not a Power.", she spat at him, fingers clenching around the spare rags she was holding onto for her friend at her side, "Powers' are nice and kind and caring. And all you care about is the title. It's just a name, but you'll never be one, not really."

Paul nearly fell back off the bench he was perched on, nearly pulling his friend down with him, when the older angel drew a blade on them. One of the finely crafted swords that all Powers had, like the one he had been cleaning, and Sorath glared at the fledgling with unfiltered rage.

"How dare you!", they scrambled over the other end of the bench, abandoning Nisroc's sword and the rags, stumbling back as the weapon was raised if practiced ease, "You're nothing but a coward, Choir Fledgling."

His friend looked offended, as she should be at the insult, and he barely caught her as she tried to jet forward to take the offender head on. It was one thing to spar each other under a watchful eye, or to practice moves with another Power, but another all together to go up against someone who could very well play dirty. He caught her elbow and shook his head quickly when her eyes met his, tugging her back with him, he kicked the bucket of soapy liquid over in the others advance and ran for the exit.

"You should have finished hours-What's going on here?"

Sorath faltered, hastily putting his weapon away, as his two offenders hid behind the legs of his Captain. Nisroc was not an easy angel to anger but looking down to the two small heads poking out from behind his legs, he looked up with a flame burning in his hazel eyes as he set his hands on their heads.

"Sorath, that was a question."

"I—I—nothing sir."

The Power Captains eyes narrowed slightly, "Do you take me as a fool?", the other was quick in shaking his head, ignoring the smug gaze looking up at him from behind the elder's right leg, "I saw your advance." He pulled the two of them closer, slightly more behind him, "I gift you a position among us, I was the one who gave the recommendation to our Commander despite your disposition, assured that it would be something we worked from you, and I come to you coming after my youngling and my fledgling in thanks for my kindness?"

"Sir—I—I—"

He advanced on him, stepping forward into the armory, looking to his sword that lay forgotten on the floor. He scratched lightly at young Paul's head, the boy turning to look up at him, and he gestured to his sword. The youngling nodded, scurrying forward as he was silently ordered to, and gave the other a wide berth as he collected the sword that all his cleaning had gone to waste on, before returning to the Captain's side. Nisroc's hand reached for his sword from his young grip, pushing him back around with his arm, fingers gripped at the back of his leg a moment later as he turned his attention to the new inductee.

Sorath shook in fear, no one wanted to be on the other end of the Captain when he was in a foul mood, let alone if you were the cause of such a mood.

"They are here on my command. Young Paul is mine. I am his guardian thus giving him every right to be here. Little Akeelah is mine. She was here long before you were and will be long after.", he pointed his sword at the new Power, "We have no qualms in banishing those from within. None. If I ever see you raise your weapon to another young one, you will pray that I go to the Commander about the matter, do I make myself clear?"

"I—Sir—Yes, Sir."

"Good. You will meet me here at 0500. We will begin one on one at that time. Don't be late."

Sorath nodded, looking incredibly nervous at the thought that he was going to be up against the famed Captain, on his own device.

"Dismissed."

He pulled them away from the door as the younger ran out, like a hound with its tail between its hind legs, he was quick in disappearing from their sight and would most certainly be gone for the rest of the night despite their festivities at the joyous occasion.

Nisroc left them standing there as he stepped forward to tuck the sword back into the sheath, resting it on his shoulder as he guided them out of the armory and shut the door behind him. They walked at his side silently as they made their way back towards the glowing Pavilion above them.

"Really?"

Paul was the one to break the silence, looking up to his captain with wide eyes, and both turned to look at him after voicing his inquiry into the silent hall.

"Really, what?"

"You said I was yours. That you were my guardian.", it was sad at how hopeful he looked, and they stopped their trek for a moment for the Power to look down at him entirely, "Were you being for real?"

"Indeed." he smiled and pat his cheek fondly "I talked to Father on the matter yesterday, the reason I sent you and your little troublemaking friend to see Joshua, I took the oath yesterday evening. You are now officially mine. And if I ever manage to find myself alone with that mindbreaker you were given to before, it will be slow and painful before she meets the end of my sword." Paul smiled up at him, a rare occurrence, but becoming more freely seen with more time they spent together and hugged his leg tightly "Thank you."

"Of course. Someone has to keep the two of you in line. Might as well be someone you know."

A warm hand settled on his head and they stood there for a long moment, before turning to make to their trek. They ended up a pace behind him, not out of hearing range, and Akeelah side hugged her friend in congratulations.

"This is so great, Paul! You can be happy again."

"Yea. This is really good night."

They chattered softly for the rest of the walk along the path towards the Pavilion just ahead and a pace ahead of them, Nisroc lowered his head slightly, adjusted his grip on his long sword, and smiled.