A/N: Sorry I missed a week of updating this story. Hope this chapter makes up for it. I can't wait to post more. I really love this idea and I am definitely always trying to improve and get better at story development. Anyway Enjoy. :)
Pete, H.G., Myka, Claudia and Jinks all gathered in the courtyard for training.
"Welcome. I am the Dean here, Arthur Nielsen. Most students call me Dean Artie. I don't care about titles just talent and perseverance." Artie had all the students standing together in the courtyard explaining what is expected of them in this exam. "Good luck and remember don't die."
"First day working together. I guess this is where we find out what everyone is made of huh?" Pete smiled happily. He loved being apart of a team and he had a good vibe about this one.
Myka smiled slyly and took her stance. They were about to be tossed into a simulation that had them battling Grimm monsters of all classes. The easiest to the hardest.
"Time to see what you're made of darling." H.G. practically purred. "If you survive let's do dinner at 7?"
"Get a room." Claudia and Jinks said at the same time before laughing.
"Deal." Myka smirked as the timer counted down. 3…2…1…
Suddenly the entire courtyard turned into a forest and separated the team. They were to spend some time battling Grimm on their own before meeting up with the rest of their team to battle the ultimate evil; the Grimm Phoenix. No one had passed that part of the exam ever.
Myka was breathing heavy as the forest rose around her. She assessed her surroundings and used her knowledge of navigation and tracking to avoid as many stonelanders as possible but still managing to track down some that she could fight on her own. She was meticulous and strong and cunning.
A cracking sound came from her left and she headed in that direction, pulling out her sword. As soon as she felt the wind of a stonelander rushing past her she stood strong. Every move she made was like a dance. The monster that looked like a wolf with stone armor embedded in it's flesh attacked. She countered the attack and took it down with ease before launching herself up into a tree, watching as four others surrounded the corpse. She took her side arm and dropped in the center of the circle, hitting a button that turned the small pocket sized gun into a weapon that connected itself to her arm. She spun in a circle gracefully and stopped herself by dropping to a knee. All the wolves fell apart into hundreds of pieces, her weapon dicing them with a high tech program her sister made for her.
She ran at the thought of Claudia on her own. She tracked her down and found her up against a stonelander bear. She watched as her sister took that bear down with ease. The bazooka she made practically tearing it apart. As soon as Claudia was in the clear Myka ran out to her and they ventured forward together.
They heard Pete and Jinks fighting something big in the distance. They ran to help.
"Jinks watch out!" Pete shouted as a giant eagle swooped down. But it had already gotten Jinks and was up in the air. Myka shut her eyes and squeezed her hands together in concentration. She focused all her energy on her new team member and the eagle dropped him as though by force. He fell and Myka took Claudia's hand in her own. It was as though she was slowing his fall because he hit the ground softly and was able to stand up as though nothing had happened.
H.G. happened to be across them the entire time and saw what Myka had done. She ran out to help Pete and everyone else joined them as soon as they could.
"Sorry Claude… I had to." Myka said as she held back tears.
"It's… okay. I would have… done the same… thing." Claudia was drained. Myka had used her energy to save Jinks from dying.
"Let me give you some of mine."
"No. You'll need it." Claudia hugged Myka and they joined the team.
"We should head this way." H.G. said pointing North. "That's where the tower is that'll have our final tests. We must work as a team to bring it down."
Everyone nodded and they all headed in the direction H.G. suggested. She confronted Myka who was walking behind everyone.
"I saw what you did. Is that… was that your semblance?"
"It was one of them. I have a few. I just can't control that one yet so I rarely use it."
"It's brilliant Myka." H.G. looked at the other girl with admiration and awe.
"Until I can control it, it's dangerous. Being able to transfer energy is not as simple as I'd like. I almost killed Claudia once because of it and ever since, I've tried to keep it at bay."
H.G. stopped her for a moment. "Myka. You should be proud of your abilities. Accepting them will help you control them."
"We should keep going." Myka walked on but glanced back to see H.G. frowning. "What's your semblance?"
"Can't say without sounding like a complete narcissistic arse."
"Try." Myka chuckled.
"I've been blessed with intelligence and strength. I have been called a master of strategy." H.G. actually blushed which made Myka smile sincerely.
"I have speed, energy transference and telepathy. And I'm also pretty smart but it's just because I love to read and I have an eidetic memory."
"That's another semblance darling. Your memory is heightened just like your speed."
"Well there's a stonelander coming our way. Let's see your abilities put to the test." Myka winked before disappearing up another tree. "Oh yeah I'm a climber too!"
She heard H.G. laugh and then watched in awe as the girl took the large class 3 stonelander down on her own. There was definitely a lot of strategy in there. H.G. planned each hit and shot meticulously to weaken the monster. She was strong and determined. Myka did feel as though H.G. had been holding back; however she managed to destroy the creature.
They continued on with the rest of the group and ended up at the tower of choice. They would need to defeat the final class 4 stonelander and each take a token that would determine their fate as a team.
Jinks reached his hand forward and pulled up some rocks from the ground, circling them around the group as a temporary shield as they walked. He also planned to use the stones as weapons in case of an emergency.
"Yo Jinksy how is this happening?" Claudia asked.
"I can control metal and there's a small amount of metal in these stones." He blushed a bit, since he was never one to talk about himself or his gifts.
"Cool. Well you keep doing that and I'll just try to figure out how to defeat the phoenix."
"Claudia dear, you can't defeat a phoenix." H.G. said surely.
"Yeah we tried last year. Didn't work. It just keeps coming back."
Myka bumped shoulders with H.G. "I don't know about you but I don't wanna die before our dinner tonight so maybe you and Claudia could put your strategic abilities together and find a way to take this stonelander down."
"Righty-ho then." H.G. stood with Claudia and both whispered as they made their way to the tower of choice.
A few moments had passed and Claudia smiled. "We got it! But… we need everyone. Pete… how's your throwing arm?"
"Finally! I can use these babies for the fight." He flexed. "I can put these guns away." He holstered his weapons. The girls and Jinks just rolled their eyes.
"Myka…" Claudia whispered. "H.G. said we need your semblance."
"I don't think I can do mind control on a class 1 stonelander."
"Not that and not speed. We need your energy transference."
"Claudia I can't do that to you again you might die." Myka warned.
"Not her. Me." H.G. interrupted. "You'll use me. Claudia will wear a piece of metal on her chest, using her weapon that is just amazing to tear the bird apart from the inside out. Pete will throw her, Jinks is going to aim her with his polarity semblance. You'll give Pete more strength, taking it from me." Claudia will destroy this thing from the inside. If it can't burn itself to rise from the ashes, then it can't rise from the ashes at all. We win."
"It's dangerous."
"I know the risks." H.G. took Myka's hand. "I trust you."
"You shouldn't." Myka turned away and nodded her head. "Let's do this."
The phoenix showed up as if on cue. As soon as they saw it, Jinks release the stones in it's direction to confuse it as they got ready.
"Ready Jinks?" Pete asked.
"Ready!"
Pete picked up Claudia and whispered. "Ready kid?"
"I'm ready. Let's kill this thing. Ready Mykes!?"
"As ready as I'll ever be I guess." Myka looked at H.G. who's hand was being squeezed in anticipation. "Are you ready H.G.?"
"Take it away Myka."
"On your Count Claude!" Myka shouted.
Claudia counted down and everyone did their part. Before they knew it, the giant once unstoppable bird was now surrounding them in pieces. They couldn't believe it actually worked. They took down a class 4 stonelander.
As they reached the top of the tower, each student was presented with a set of jewels and stones. They were to pick one.
In the end, if they all made the same choice and depending on the regents evaluation of them as a team, they would remain together.
Myka chose the red ruby and so did Claudia. They knew each other too well. They were destined to be together. They had no idea how the others would choose but they hoped fate was on their side. Without five members, they wouldn't learn all they needed to, to defeat their enemies.
…
As soon as everyone made their choices, the forest and tower disappeared. They were back in the courtyard and not without a few bumps and bruises.
"Congratulations." Artie appeared out of nowhere. "You survived! And now you'll all be official huntsmen and huntresses in training. Get some rest. You'll be having a ceremony tomorrow for your placements." Everyone stood there looking at him and at each other. "Go. Now."
…
"Myka!" H.G. caught Myka as they all walked back to the dorms. "I owe you dinner."
"I'm not too hungry right now."
"That's alright love. I'll pick you up at 7. Can't wait to see what charming shade of blue you'll be wearing. I'll try to anticipate so we can match." As if out of habit, H.G. kissed Myka's cheek which caused both girls to blush. H.G. ran off before they could even look in each others eyes. "See you soon Myka."
Myka got to her room and was slightly flushed. She searched for the loose blue sweater that came down to the top of her thighs. It was comfortable. She paired it with a darker blue thigh high stocking and loose black shorts with ankle boots.
When she opened the door for H.G. around 6:57 her heart started to race. She didn't even notice H.G. gasp and look her up and down.
"You look breathtaking." H.G. held her hand out. "Shall we?"
"We shall." Myka took her hand and walked out with her. "What's the plan tonight?"
"It's a surprise unless you're gonna read my mind."
"I can shut it off." Myka said casually. "If I couldn't I would go crazy."
"That sounds horrible. To have everyones thoughts in your head all the time."
"At first it was hard to control. When I started controlling it was when it developed into something more and I could control people and animals; anything with a brain. I didn't use it for a long time. Then…" Myka stopped and looked down at her feet as they walked.
"What is it? You know you can trust me and tell me anything."
"I used it to get Claudia and I out of the foster system. It was… it wasn't a good place for us. It's probably why I have a hard time trusting and forming relationships."
"Say no more. If you want to share anything with me you can at your own time. Don't feel pressured to spill all your secrets." H.G. put her arm around Myka and walked with her like that. They both smiled like puppy love school girls; the tension giving way to comfort. "I feel like I've known you my whole life Myka."
"I know the feeling H.G. I couldn't put my finger on it but you feel like an old friend."
"So happy it's not one sided." H.G. joked. "Darling you can call me by my actual name."
"Okay… what's that?"
"Helena." She blushed as she waited to hear Myka's response.
"Beautiful name. I'd love to call you that. Helena."
It sounded even better coming from the other girls lips. H.G. wanted so desperately to hear Myka speak every second of every day.
…
The two collapsed in H.G.'s giant bed, exhausted and cold after running back to the academy in a heavy rainstorm.
"You're freezing Myka. Here." She handed Myka a pajama pants and a large shirt. "You can use my bathroom just there. It might be yours too come tomorrow."
"Thanks but I should get to my room."
"That's all the way on the other side of campus. You can stay here with me tonight. I'm not a bed hog I promise."
Myka looked at the bed for a minute and then back at H.G. and then at the clothes in her hands back to the bed again.
"Let me call Claudia and make sure she's okay."
H.G. was totally jumping up and down inside. She couldn't explain it but she was drawn to Myka; attracted to her. She wanted to be with her every second. She immediately shook her head when Myka popped her head in; realizing she probably heard her thoughts.
They were laying in bed about 15 minutes later. Myka sighed and rolled to face H.G. "I couldn't help but overhear… I didn't mean to and I turned it off."
H.G. blushed. "I'm sorry Myka. I just don't know how to do this."
"Believe me I know what you mean. You… you're attracted to me?"
"You're beautiful and talented and smart. Of course I'm attracted to you."
Myka blushed and smiled shyly, pulling the blanket over herself. "We should do this again sometime. Maybe have it be a regular thing."
"Sleepovers?" H.G. joked around.
"Sure, but I meant dates. Dates that we actually call dates. That is if you want to date me."
"I don't think you need to read my mind to know my answer to that."
"Helena you just have to know that if I ever cause you pain because of my semblances, it's not personal or intentional. I'm still working on control and as great as people think they are, my abilities have hurt a lot of people. I don't want to hurt you."
"Don't worry darling." H.G. pushed a stray hair out of Myka's face. "I trust you. Now you should sleep. We have a ceremony tomorrow and we wouldn't want to be late."
Hope you enjoyed it. :) Please feel free to leave a review or just a comment or even just to say hey. I love hearing from you all. Thanks so much for reading the chapter. You guys are the best! xoxo