Crowley's Apprentice

Well, after slaving for time, I finally get a chance to update. Ill try to do this as frequently as possible.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ranger's Apprentice series or any of its characters. However, I do own any OC's that might be in this story

The couple chapters after this will be dedicated to my friend, Jesse. I went on my myspace for the first time in about two years and I found out that one of my good friends got known in an acoustic project known as "Halfway Deserted". Of course I got all excited cuz hey, I know someone famous now :D jkjk but we're good friends and I plan on starting an acoustic project myself.

So, basically what this means is that I'm going to change the story up a little bit. Im going to make Mikey have a musical side to his life. I'll probably introduce that after Mikey gets apprenticed to Crowley.

Enough about me, On to the Story!

Chapter Three

Down To This

Choosing time

The area is dense, and nervousness and anticipation filled the air of the Araluen fief. Well, at least for Mikey it did. Why, he thought. Why must an area with such high expectations be so nerve racking? The constant chatter amongst the fifteen year olds around him provided no answer. He glanced ahead of him. He had a while until his name was even close to being called. He took a seat by a nearby table.

Then he simply waited, studying the expressions and body languages of each and every adolescent that walked past him. Mostly nervous, he mused. He saw the mentally exhausted faces that were filled with uncertainty. He was so taken by his thoughts that he didn't even notice Sarah casually sit down next to him.

"Thinking again," she asked, wondering if she'll even receive acknowledgement from her long time friend.

Mikey, now interrupted from his musing, turned to see his ward mate Sarah.

"Yeah," he smiled weakly, the tension in both his reply and smile apparent. Sarah continued.

"The other's were picked already," she explained. Nicole was chosen as a corier. Apprenticed to Lady Alexandra."

Mikey smiled. "Suits her perfectly," was his only reply. Then they both waited in silence.

The silence was growing painstakingly annoying, ruining Mikey's mood even more. Despratley trying to end this, Mikey was about to speak when Sarah stood up.

"It's my turn," she said. Mikey now stood up and they embraced in a friendly hug

"Good luck," he whispered to his childhood companion.

"You too," replied Sarah.

After she had left, Mikey soon went back to observing his age group, this time more closely. He scanned their faces, seeing if anyone had not felt nervous at all. He felt a little at ease now that he wasn't the only one going through tough times, but his relief was only short lived as his own name was called. Reluctantly, he followed the attendant into a room where many have walked in previously.

He bowed respectively to the Baron and King. Please don't screw up, were his only thoughts.

"Mikey," Baron Davidson began. "We have been watching you for quite some time, and we are all fairly impressed.

"Thank you, my lord," Mikey choked, but nodding his head in gratitude. He hated the Baron's term "fairly impressed." From a young age he had found some way to make himself believe that he should always succeed, in everything and everything. The Baron's last statement had just ruined his mood even more, Mikey thought.

Mikey did a quick scan of the room. He saw Sir Quinn. He also saw people like the chef, the scribeschool instructor, and many other individuals in which he deemed unimportant. But there was another presence. One watching him closely. Mikey couldn't render the man's face, as it was hidden neatly behind his mottled green gray cloak. Ranger, He thought. He soon realized that he was staring and quickly turned away.

Out the corner of his eye he noticed that the Sir Quinn was starting toward him.

"Hmm. . ." he said as he examined Mikey closer. Mikey felt awkward. "Too small for battleschool," he said casually as he walked away, disappointed.

Even though he never planned on it, the denial of battleschool was still enough to send his confidence spiraling downward. He tried to keep his composure.

One by one different professions walked up, denied and walked away. His confidence was almost drained, but he still amazingly kept his composure. There were still quite a lot of people left. But then Mikey saw what used to be the shady, silent Ranger walking toward him. He immediately felt tense.

Then, the man stopped, as if making his decision he had even reached Mikey. He pulled down the cowl that hung over his head, revealing a somewhat friendly looking man. He then raised his hand and said

"I, Ranger Crowley of Araluen Fief, agree to train Mikey as my apprentice."

The crowd fell silent, eyes focused now on Mikey.

Then, as if zapped by a mysterious spirit, Mikey felt all sense of pride and composure vanish, as well as the color from his face. He was as pale as a ghost. Ranger? he asked himself. He had heard rumors from around the fief that they were filled with sorcery. He felt like throwing up. Was his life really condemned to this?

Thank god that beneath his streaks of bangs, no one could see the his widened eyes that stared at the ground in utter horror.

That's it!

I kind of ran out of things to say at the end :p

But, im finished, at 10:30 at night. *sigh*

Don't forget to review!

The next chunk of chapters will be about his apprenticeship, and how he meets characters like, Will, Horace, Halt, and so on.

-YDG (YahDig?)