Hello readers! If you're reading the Author's Notes, remember my writing is in italic!
Hi guys! Unfortunately, there's some kind of block going on for me for this story right now...I just...don't know what to write i:... So, you can thank the Mystery Writer for this chapter :) I'll let her give you her hint now.
Hi everyone! You may not consider the following a hint at first, but it's a really good one once you figure out my so called 'identity'. Since this chapter is about acting, let me relate that principle on how this story writing started:
This story all started with a simple game in Wizard101 some good friends made up, which originally came from AlliyahTheAuthor decorating her dorm room a certain way. One player played as the princess, and further characters were added from there. These ideas our author here came up with while acting became stories, and so this one began.
A spark of imagination turning into a roaring, page-turner of a fire.
It's true :) I miss those days sometimes...Anyway, hope you (adore ;) ) the following chapter.
Michael's P.O.V.
"We're gonna what?!" everyone screamed in surprise.
"But I don't wanna be in girl's armor!" whined Andy.
"And this was custom made outfit meant just for me!" Cleopatra added in vain. "Must we do this?"
Christina rolled her eyes.
"It's not just for my personal enjoyment," she giggled. "It's also so Destiny and I don't get recognized!"
"Then how about only you two and two others switch?" Cassandra planned out.
"Well, then it wouldn't be completely fair. I hope I get switched with some good armor!" Fiona aspired.
As reluctant as I was, because I didn't want to end up in girl's armor either, we all switched armor. I ended up with Christina's.
Cassandra, wearing Genna's armor, clapped enthusiastically. "Okay! Now we can begin!"
Destiny's P.O.V.
"Yeah! Now that we've switched outfits, can we head to the meeting?" asked Olivia impatiently.
Everyone else seemed antsy to get there as well. Genevieve's wings sprouted out of her back again and she picked up Lapis from the ground, then safely holding it with both hands confidently.
We're not ready yet...
"Hold on a second," stopped Melissa. "I don't want my brother to sound like Donald Duck again in front of a bunch of professional knights!"
We all agreed on that. I kind of pitied Michael.
Being the only member who would actually qualify as a knight must make him feel like an outcast. Even Andrew doesn't fit a knight's checklist being the youngest of us all. He would fit in the page or squire category though.
"How about you teach him to act Destiny?" Genevieve suggested sweetly. "After all, you did pretty well acting earlier today."
You have no idea how much acting I do daily, I kind of had a lot of practice...
My head ached with guilt. I hated hiding so much from everyone, but they were waiting for me to answer. I couldn't let them down. Michael gulped.
I won't make him do anything that he feels uncomfortable doing, but then again, I've done that pretty much everyday… Why must this be my reality?
I sighed, eventually giving in. "We'll, I guess we'll have enough time to practice before sundown."
Everyone squealed with delight.
Finally! From Mike the chicken to Mike the Knight!
They'll never find out we were even there!
I'm so excited!
I groaned. Great... How many times has my mind reading come up today again?
"Michael," I called, while trying to keep my mind under control.
He came forward awkwardly.
It might feel odd trying to act for the first time in his life in front of his friends. They seem to have high expectations...
And they did. Their expectations flooded into my head like a river overflowing. I decided that we'd go into another room, to much of the others' disappointment.
One: To save both Mike and I from embarrassment in front of our friends,
Two: These thoughts were taking over my brain and I couldn't teach in this kind of state.
Once we reached another ancient, unused, empty chamber, we both sighed in relief.
Michael's P.O.V.
Phew! Glad I'm out of all that pressure, well, sort of. Though I felt relieved, I knew I would have to go back and act like a super brave and tough knight. Easier said than done...
"I may not be the best acting teacher out there, but I'll do my best to help you out," reassured Destiny.
I shuffled anxiously. "Okay. Where do we start?"
I may have sounded excited, but in reality, I was terrified inside and just wanted to get this over with.
She started the lesson with a hesitant question. "Um… How do you want yourself to be, and how do you think others see you?"
Is this some kind of trial? Is she trying to make me admit I have fears? I considered it for a moment. Nah. Destiny is just trying to help me, and this might help. Besides, no one else was nearby to overhear.
These walls were so thick, it's like they're soundproof!
"Well, I want to be like the Penguins of Madagascar. You know, brave, professional, and awesome! But I think most see me as a klutz and a failure as a person," I confessed with shame.
"Well, when it comes to acting, you can become who you want to be," she expressed artistically. "You don't have to be what others think you are as you become a completely different character."
Hmm... Never thought of acting that way. I've always considered acting as a better term for lying and hiding your true feelings...
"Now, this might be hard for you," she warned in advance. "But picture yourself back during the scariest moment of your life."
Hmm. Which one to choose from? I internally groaned.
I decided to go with being locked in a room with a bunch of Kroks that would wake up and get me any second, even though that probably wasn't even close. But, it was pretty darn near. Destiny looked at the floor. I was only able to catch a glimpse of her face full of sadness before she faced it to the floor. It was as if she were genuinely mourning for King Julien's fake death.
What is up with her?
She raised her head by up to face me before I could worry for her. "Got it?"
I nodded in reply.
"Now, replace yourself with who you want to be," she guided. "What would those penguins do?"
I thought for second. "Skipper would say; 'No one's gonna die', and then they'd attack those mummies till they're dead again!"
"Okay. Now, think of the worse thing that could happen to you in the meeting."
Where to start? I groaned again. I've got to choose between all the possibilities if I want to learn to act brave.
But I had to push through this ordeal if I could ever improve myself.
Probably being revealed as a boy in girl armor in front of all the real knights. That would be super embarrassing!
Destiny looked at me as if she read my thoughts. "And instead of acting like yourself, I don't know, feeling flustered, nervous, or scared, act as the penguins would."
"You mean angry, find their curiosity unprofessional, and slap them in the face?"
"Exactly!" She seemed rather pleased with my progress.
"Huh. Really? I thought this lesson would be harder than that..."
"Let's act it out to make sure you got it," she suggested, drawing out Savannah's borrowed sword. "I'm a bold, strong, intimidating knight you've never seen before and would have never thought you'd face."
She covered her face with Savannah's visor. Somehow, she managed to take off the helmet I was wearing with the tip of her thin blade, throwing it across the room and leaving me and the helmet both unscratched!
I gaped in awe. I need her to teach me that move...
"Hide that stunned look. Everyone is looking at you. What do the penguins say and do?"
I knew what I had to do. "What's your problem, dude?! Don't you know that's disrespectful?"
I took Christina's sword out with my left arm, and charged towards the man who had insulted me. I growled.
He'll regret doing that!
My opponent blocked the attack with ease, surprisingly using his left hand like me. I thought I would have had the advantage considering swordsmanship was always a right-handed sport. Left-handed people would be considered cursed or something of the sort. The right were always right, which is why I often considered myself flawed… But this unworthy excuse of a knight was different. This man was purely evil. He was trying to blow my cover and consequently put all the friends I had at risk on purpose. I couldn't help but snarl. He smiled, but I interpreted it as a smirk. I couldn't tell for sure with the bars of his visor covering what must have been his devilish face. He spun the sword I used around my wrist with expertise until I lost grip of it. It ended up with its blade pinned into the cold, old stone ground. I was defenseless.
Oh no. My worrisome self came back to me, putting my arms up to surrender. I am so dead...
The knight pointed his sword at me, and then raised his visor. At the sight of Destiny's face, I remembered it was all just an act. I sighed in relief, leaning on the wall for support.
"Now that," she winked, "was a perfect play!"
I think I might actually be able to do this, I realized in amazement. Except for the fact I'd be dead right if that were real…
I sighed before we headed back to meet with the others back at our hideout. Everyone greeted us, wanting to know how it went.
"I think we may have a star actor here," Destiny responded confidently. "He knows his personality, characters, and role extremely well. He just needs to follow that lead."
"Referring to characters I've watched in shows I like makes it a whole lot easier," I clarified, proud of what I have accomplished.
Hopefully I can do it again…
I looked around at the Knights of the Silver Rose's faces. They were counting on me. I had to do it again.