Well, i decided to go with combining chapters, so here are chapters 1 and 2. Hope y'all enjoy these chapters.
I dont own MapleStory, or any corporations that run/fund it. If i did, i would be taking baths in smega spammers money, not writting this story.
Chapter One
"What the-"
Alex pushed her way through the growing crowd. Two boys in the center seemed to be the cause of the commotion.
"David," Alex growled,
her eyes adjusting from their normal blue-gray to the steely shade of metal. Alex bulldozed the spectators aside. The boy who remained on his feet spun about, his face paled considerably as a spark of recognition filled his eyes.
"Well, hey there girly"
Alex's fist curled into a tight ball. She surveyed the lawn for the missing victim. An average height boy lay in a mess of trashcans, face down.
That explains the noise.
Alex shot David a sweet smile, but the piercing tone of her voice startled him.
"Still not strong enough to attack people from the front? You'll never be a real man will you Davey?"
If looks could kill, the scowl David sent would strike Alex dead. Nevertheless, she continued talking, as if nothing happened.
"No. No I guess not. Well, now little Davey, it's time for you to crawl along. Now scoot."
Snickers erupted from their audience. In a fit of rage, David threw a blue bolt of lightning at Alex. Already expecting it, Alex launched herself forward, and dodged the attack easily. David cursed and fumbled to conjure another sphere, but he was too slow. Alex let a gleam of triumph reflect in her eyes as she executed a perfect roundhouse kick, connecting with David's side. He fell, tumbling into the recently vacated trash bins.
"Your lucky I'm in a nice move today David. I should have scrambled your brain a bit. Maybe some sense would have been knocked into it."
Alex searched a second time for the boy. He seemed to have disappeared. She started to turn around, but felt an odd energy. She ducked, and swept her leg, knocking the recovered David to the floor.
"You never learn, little boy."
She spat next to him, a tribute of her disgust.
The young man who was blindsighted, stepped forward.
" You didn't have to do that. I could handle it myself."
"I didn't realize 'handling it' meant tasting the ground. Get over yourself."
"B-B-But-"
"Just shut up and thank her. Men and their egos."
The new voice belonged to a girl with dark shoulder length hair, tanned skin and big brown eyes. She was petite, but not in a look-at-me-I'm-anorexic way. Her small mouth was quicker to smile then frown. She too wore the basic trainee outfit.
" I don't know whose pride is hurt worse." Alex grumbled
" Don't let them bother you. Hi I'm Jackie. Nice moves over there"
"I'm Alex. Nice to meet you."
The two girls exchanges smiles.
" It was more fun then it looked"
Alex turned her back on the ungrateful boy and took a spot next to her new friend. The two conversed about their homelands and hobbies. Their conversation was interrupted by the barbaric boy.
"Alright. Alright. I'm sorry for being rude. Forgive me."
The duo became a trio as they found new grounds to wait on. They chattered nervously, waiting for a chance to finally prove themselves.
David rose slowly, brushing dirt and grass of off his clothes. He examined his stained clothes with a look of disgust, and limped to an out of sight alley. He quietly made his way to Sleepywood, then entered a hidden chamber.
"David reporting, sir."
'You look horrible Chen."
David Felt the urge to run his hand through his now greasy hair. But, he knew better then to move unless told, or speak unless directed to. Blood streamed sluggishly from his nose, and his shirt had numerous rips and tears in it.
"Yes sir."
"Report."
On the other hand, the man was dressed in a black, finely pressed suit. His dark, short hair was slicked back to perfection. A bland tie and plain shirt gave him the appearance of a normal business man. However, David knew otherwise. The man also contained an air of power and malice.
"Subject one has been contacted. P- A54 and C92 in. 1486 ad."
"Good work, Chen You are dismissed."
David hated the name. Chen. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. The name given to him from his drunk of a father. It disgraced his life. His existence. Just like [IShe[/I did. But, David said nothing, and left the room in a stiff, business-like fashion. He knew better then to argue.
The man sighed. He hated dealing with these low-lives, vile excuses for human beings. His arm snaked to the back of greasy hair and he pulled. The attorney suit fell to the floor, leaving a magnificent view. Blonde shoulder length hair tumbled off his angelic face, framing dark blue eyes. He wore a white robe laced with trim matching his hair. His face twisted in disgust as oil dripped from his hand. Next he muttered words and his hand instantly cleaned itself. The mysterious man summoned a globe of light from his pocket.
"Phase one, complete."
Chapter Two
"I'm so nervous!" Jackie voiced with an uneasy smile. Alex put a hand on her new friend's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Jackie's unsure smile developed into a confident one. Alex's chest stirred and she abruptly coughed.
"Leave me- Stop!"
Two boys were tormenting a third by shoving him back and forth. One stepped aside and the young man fell hard. The second assaulter gruffly elevated him and went to raise his free clenched hand. Alex was at his side in a flash, Jackie at his friend's. Brad, the rude trainee from before, just stood back with a look of disdain displayed on his face. Alex grabbed the arm holding the victim, squeezing it until he released the boy. He looked at her with animosity, then apprehensiveness.
Word of the altercation with David has spread quickly, it seems.
"W-Wa-We was j-just playing with 'I'm. I sw-swear. Just ask them over there. Nothing bad was happening just a ga-game and I think-"
Alex's forbidding glare made the boy choke on the rest of his sentence. Alex and Jackie nodded and dropped their hold on the two agressors, and they scampered for safety.
"Hi," the target mumbled, blushing, "I'm Rick."
After introductions, the quartet found a vacant plot of lawn, and sat down in a circle formation. The more the group talked, the less shy Rick became until finally he quit mumbling and stuttering.
"So, have you guys heard of the test?" Jackie inquired
" I heard that the test is really hard. It is a written test, and then a physical one."
"Well thats what I heard, too. But this kid told me that after you pass the entrance exam, there is more tests after it. And if you can pass all of their tests after that, you get invited into this super secret prep school."
"That's just a silly rumor!" Brad scoffed.
The group discussed the tests and what was to come after them. When that topic was exhausted, they talked of their homes in detail. Rick was from el Nath, Jackie from Orbis. Brad said he came from a secret sector of Ludibrum, but no one in their band could picture gruff, indifferent Brad in animated, jocund Ludibrum.
"I'm from Heneys," Alex voiced
"So your parents are Archers?" Rick asked
"My...parents..." Alex repeated slowly.
Her eyes glazed over, and she tryed to focus on a faraway place.
"Parents..."
Ten Years Ago
"Mommy? Mommmmmmmmmmmy?"
"I'm right here sweetie!"
A small girl of five years sprinted as fast as her short legs could carry her. She ran into her mother's arms at full speed, nearly knocking her off balance.
"How was your day at the park?"
"Fun Mommy! Daddy and me rode the swing and I went this high!"
She jumped in the air repeatedly, arms swinging widely, as she tried to successfully show the swing's height. The older women laughed.
"Alright honey, I get it. Lets go clean you up!"
The two entered their quaint house. The girl's mother brought out a brush and began fixing her daughter's hair. It was strawberry blonde and flowed down to her back. It matched her mother's in color and length. She listened for her husband, waiting to hear the door open, straining to hear his footsteps on the feeble yet sturdy floorboards.
"Honey, where's Daddy?"
"Oh. Daddy said 'It is time. Go home and stay with Mommy.' "
Her mother turned ghost white.
"Alright. Stay inside. Do not come outside, whatever you do Honey, DO NOT GO OUTSIDE. I will come back."
The young girl trembled, she had never heard her mother use that tone before.
"OK Mommy."
The elder kissed her baby and hugged her tight. She looked into her eyes, trying to reinforce her command.
"I love you baby"
"I love you, too mommy"
It was an easy promise. Not hard to interpret or understand. It was reasonable, and not complex at all. A promise issued and commanded every day, atleast once in every person's life. A solid promise. A simple one. It was a promise that no one could fulfill that day. A broken promise that changed atleast one life.
A broken promise.
"No,"
She finally answered. Her eyes became more focused and her cheeks flushed as she realized she had spaced out.
"My parents were not Archers."
No one pressed her for details after seeing her response. They once again started chatting, when suddenly a white shimmering light enveloped their group.
"What the-!?" Brad cried out.
The once full lawn was void of life. Mobs of hopeful trainees was replaced by mobs of well cut grass. The nervous chattering replaced by utter silence.
Not a soul was left on Athena Pierce's front lawn.