This is basically just an alternate way I could've had Shanai leave on her mission. I hope you like it, I think it's better than what I originally had and the adults attitudes and decisions make more sense and are more realistic, but I'd sure appreciate it if you readers would leave a review if I should keep it the new way permanently or leave it at the old way. If that makes sense, thanks! So this starts about the time Shanai had just ended the group conversation on her computer, tell me what you think!

I shut down my computer and lay it on my bed. Shiera is on her own bed listening to music and reading Gossip Magazine. I decide not to bother her and just walk out of the room silently. Outside the principal's office Race is waiting like I instructed. "Hey," He says. "Shh." I whisper placing a finger to my lips. I silently crack the door open and listen. I can hear their voices, they're having a very lively conversation. About what? I scoot closer and press my ear against the crack.

"But this cannot be a coincidence, all of them at once? I don't think so." The Principal argues. "We have the situation under control, no need to be alarmed, and neither do the kids have any reason to be alarmed." A man says back in a calm controlling tone. I don't like this guy. "But this doesn't make sense!" The Principal argues still. "You have to get your men investigating!" He says. Investigating? This must mean something is going on. "I'm handling it. You just sit tight and relax," The man says. A chair slides on the floor, he must be leaving. I wave at Race and we run around the corner. Another man comes from the hall and meets the man exiting the Principal's office. "Well?" This new guy asks taking a brief case from the first man. "He's too suspicious, we can't have that." He says tightening his tie. "Take care of it." The man says before reclaiming his brief case and walking away. The man left standing gets an evil grin I don't trust and then walks away himself. "We need to talk to the Principal." I whisper to Race and we hurry into the office. "What-aren't you supposed to be in your dorms?" Principal Rhoding asks once we step in. "We know something's going on," I say boldly. "Oh?" He says in a curious tone. "Yes. So, tell us." I take a seat showing that I won't go anywhere till he answers. "Very well." He says with a sigh at last. "Where do I start..." He trails off. "The beginning would be helpful," Race tells him also taking a seat beside me.

"As you know, The Academy of Magic is in the capitol of our country, and is the home of the Ancients," He starts off. "Whoa, when I said beginning I didn't mean-" The Principal holds up a hand to silence Race. "Let me finish." He says. I nod and he continues. "Well, as the Capitol, we must hear and fix the people's problems. This morning we received various letters stating power outages all across the nation, at first I assumed this to be purely coincidental, but, as the letters kept coming I realized something was going on. So I contacted the Source of Magic Guild to investigate, and this afternoon our very own power was knocked out. That man that just left was an agent for the SMG, they're investigating but I'm not sure I trust them." He finishes. I nod and think this over.

"Where was the first letter sent from?" I ask at last. "Paleton, but they've been coming from all over Callem." He says with a sigh. I look to Race with a devilish grin and I know he knows exactly what I'm thinking. "Well, um, sounds interesting. I wonder what the cause for this is..." I note half to myself. "Yes, but don't go getting any ideas now. I don't want you kids getting into trouble, you hear?" The Principal asks suspiciously. "Oh I wouldn't. Lets go Race," I stand and bow slightly in a show of respect to the Principal, then we walk out.

"That look Shanai, what was that all about?" Race asks for confirmation of what he believes my plan to be. I grin broadly and whisper my plan to him...

After the meeting with the Principal, Race and I went back to our dorms to get ready to leave. I've decided to have an investigation of my own, with the help of several of my friends of course, so Race and I have arranged for a group meeting in the gym with all the students in the academy. I'm gonna need a lot more help then just my friends, I'll need technicians, healers, and lots more for this to work. Paleton is a long way from here, we'll travel a long while and need lots of supplies. After quickly packing some things I'll need I head out. But not before my roommate catches me and gets suspicious. "Where are you going?" She asks sounding rude as usual. "Shiera, I'll be back ok, check your messages." I say before going out and shutting the door. I see several people heading the gym already, they must've gotten the memo. I find Tanner and walk with him to the gym. "What's going on Shanai?" He asks along the way. "You'll see Tanner, it'll be great." I tell him. We enter the gym and I wait till everyone's here before breaking the news.

"Hello everyone, I know you're all wondering why we've called you here." I start off awkwardly. "Well, you all saw the power outage and I'm sure some of you became suspicious because they made us quite school for the day even though we really didn't need the lights to do our work." Some of them seem to be really paying attention and show interest in this, but others look bored, tired, and annoyed. But I won't let that get me down. Just keep talking. I tell myself. "So, I talked to the Principal and got some information, and apparently this power outage here isn't the only one. All over the country the power is going out, it started in Paleton the cause is still unknown, the SMG, or Source of Magic Guild, is investigating this but I just don't trust them, so I've asked all of you down here because I want to start an investigation of my own, and I need help, so will you join me?" I ask hopefully. No one answers. The room is dead silent except for the occasional cough or sneeze.
I become discouraged. No one wants to help me, I guess I'm all alone in this - "I will." Someone speaks up from the crowd. I don't know who it was but he sure got the ball rolling, more people speak up and volunteer to help. I smile as they step up and tell me their skills and desire to help. I'm so glad that one guy spoke up or I'm sure everyone else would be too shy to say anything.

"Well, thank you all for volunteering, go and pack whatever things you may need and then meet me in the West Wing." I say before rushing to meet Ratio and Herald. "Hey, that was great. I definitely wanna help on this mission," Hamster says excitedly. "Yeah, hey was it either of you who volunteered first?" I ask just for curiosity's sake. "No," "Nope." They both answer simultaneously. "Ok, well do you know who did? I'm kind of curious and would like to thank him." I say taking a look around. "I was here the whole time, didn't see anything." Race answers with a shrug. "Me too," Hamster says as well. I shrug it off and we all go to pack. I scrounge up as much money of mine as I can find and then head out to meet my crew.
They're all waiting at the West Wing just as I'd instructed. I smile at a few of them as we wait for the rest to come. I notice Tawne and Megga aren't here yet. "So, while we wait why don't you all tell me your names?" I say trying to be kind this time. "I'm Capriss and this is my brother Venture," One girl with long curly blonde hair and strawberry eyes speaks up. "I'm Herald, you can call me Hamster." He puts his hands on his vest and sticks his nose in the air feeling important. "I'm Ratio, you may call me Race." I laugh slightly as he copies Hamster. "My names Jor." A boy with brown hair and bright green eyes says in a shy, agitated voice. "I'm Selene." A girl with unusually dark hair and eyes says in a low growl. "I'm Acacia," This girl has blonde hair and pink eyes, her skin is fairly pale and she's got freckles dotting her nose. "I'm Keenama," A girl with pale pink hair and soft turquoise eyes says shyly rubbing her arm. "Names Vent." A guy with green hair and black eyes. "Folder." A boy that can only be Vent's brother, has black eyes as well, but his hair is a blacker green. Then Tawne and Megga rush over and let me know that this is everyone who's coming. "Ok, and I've got all your names?" I ask. "Names Hatori, but you already knew that." I sigh angrily as his voice slithers from behind me. "Why on earth would you volunteer? You don't even like me, what's your motive for joining this investigation?" I demand an answer. He never does something just for the fun of it. He's always got some ultimate purpose for doing everything. So what is it this time? Is he coming to make fun of me for starting my own investigation? Of course he'd do that. He annoys me so much.

Hatori;

I smirk as she demands my reasons for joining her in this 'investigation' She can be so ignorant sometimes. She has no idea - but enough of that, I clear my throat, I've gotta give her her answer. "I wanna find answers just like you." I say with a cocky smile. She frowns and glares at me, her purple eyes penetrating my very soul. "You are never jus like me." She walks off and everyone follows her silently. Great. It doesn't matter what I do she always ends up mad at me. That's probably got something to do with our past, I wasn't exactly a 'prince charming' back then. Gosh, I was so mean to her. Why was I such a jerk? She didn't deserve to be treated the way I treated her. I just wish I could go back and change things. Life's never fair. She lost her parent's and I didn't even try to understand. I understood a little because of the loss of my own mother, but I never knew her, it wasn't like I had anything to miss. But she did, she cried the entire drive home and I didn't even say I'm sorry. What a jerk. Why am I still here? Why do I even bother? Maybe it's because I want something from my future, maybe I want things to change but that can't happen if she's gonna react this way to everything I do. I need to tell her how I feel somehow, someway.

We move on and I just keep to myself while everyone else whispers among themselves. I can only wish for friends as true as theirs. But I brought this on myself being so awful all those years...