A/N: I'm just truckin' along with this ficcy. I'm happy with it too right now. Up to writing chapter 5. ^^ Read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 3: Answers

(Tori POV)

Griffin and Ashley were engaged in shouting match for nearly ten minutes until David stepped in. "Knock it off Griffin. She doesn't know any better," he said as he stepped in front of Griffin. Ashley glared at David's back for a few seconds when he stepped in front of her but walked away and sat down on a worn black couch in front of a TV shortly after.

Tori rubbed her temples through out the situation. 'This is crazy. People attack us nearly until the British guy jumps in and saves the day. Literally!' She felt a headache coming on and walked over to the two men. "Can you just please explain these Paladins?" she looked from a starky Griffin to David, who seemed calm. Griffin stormed off around a corner and they heard a thud.

David shook his head and turned to Tori. "Sorry about him. He's got a temper."

"So we've noticed!" Ashley shouted from the couch. They looked over and saw her scowling with her arms crossed.

"Sorry about her," Tori replied in a playful tone. "She's hyperactive. Once you get her going it's like…Kaboom!" Tori waved her hands around and David let out a laugh.

"So you wanted to know about the Paladins?" he asked. Tori gave him a nod and he started towards Ashley and the couch. Tori followed him as he began. "Paladins are a group of people who believe we shouldn't have the ability we have." David sat down next to Ashley and Tori sat across from her on a box. "They're trying to eliminate us by any means possible. Even if it means killing your loved ones," he said in a low voice. "How'd they not find you for so long?" he asked.

Ashley was apparently in the conversation now. "I only started jumping more about four years ago when I was sixteen."

David turned to Tori and she shook her head. "I'm not a jumper. I only sense them."

David had a surprised look. "You can sense the jumps, but can't do it?" Tori gave him a nod. "And you're not a Paladin?" She shook her head. "That's different."

"What do you think we should do?" Ashley asked as she rested her arms across her knees, leaning forward slightly.

He shrugged. "If you asked, Griffin could teach you some fighting techniques to defend yourself. Otherwise, just hide. This is one war you don't wanna be involved in."

Tori shot him a look of wonder. "Hide? But we're already involved. I mean, she IS a jumper and these Paladins were after us."

"That's a good point. And there's obviously no backing out. So we're already in," Ashley said as she stood up. "I'll go ask Griffin about teaching us fighting stuff."

Tori grabbed her arm before she could walk away. "Why don't you let me handle that?" She got up and Ashley sat back down. "Just talk to David." Tori turned and walked away a step before turning quickly and saying, "Stay!"

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(Ashley POV)

Tori told her to stay and she pouted, but listened. 'Don't wanna piss anyone else off today.' She turned to David and said, "So?"

"So?" he said back.

"How do you know Mr. Grumpy Pants?" Ashley asked, referring to Griffin.

David laughed at the nickname she gave him and said, "Well, long story short he helped me out in Rome once and we teamed up after that. There was a fight and I ditched him. Then I went back and helped him, which led to him disappearing for like a month. Now we're a team again." David was all smiles as he spoke, even through the part about their fight.

"How cute," Ashley snickered. Just then, Tori and Griffin walked around the corner. "Tori, Grumpy Pants," she said as she gave each of them a nod. Tori bit back a laugh and Griffin looked as if he was going to pounce on her.

"Ash, behave," Tori scolded lightly.

"Yeah Ash," Griffin chimed in, mockingly. "Here's the deal. I'll teach you two how to fight, but there'll be no whining or fits and you'll do as I say."

Ashley stood up and bowed. "Yes Master Grumpy Pants," she said in a fake Chinese accent. This time, Tori laughed a little.

Ashley stood up straight again and Griffin said, "And none o' tha'. Or deal's off."

She let out a reluctant sigh. "Alright… Deal. But will this mean I get to kick your ass?"

Griffin scoffed. "In your dreams," he said.

Tori poked at her still wet hoodie. "Do you have a place where we can change quick before we start?" she asked.

Griffin sighed and rolled his eyes. "Over there," he pointed to a room that had a door frame pushed in with a shut door. Tori took her bag and walked over, opening the door and shutting it behind her as she walked in.

"Wait, we're stating right now?" Ashley asked as Tori went into the unknown room.

"Tha's right, sweetheart. We are," he said. She narrowed her eyes and walked over to the door to wait for Tori to come out. "David, I'll need your help," Griffin said as Tori walked out of the unknown room dressed in a different pair of jeans with a black and grey striped short sleeved shirt. Ashley made a small sigh and went in. She shut the door and noticed it was a bathroom. She quickly changed into her dark jeans and cream striped thin long sleeve shirt layered over a grey tank top. She was tying her high tops again when there was a knock on the door. "C'mon princess. We're waiting," she heard Griffin's voice call.

'That guy is really getting on my nerves.' "Coming," she called in a sweet voice. "Jerk," she muttered under her breath as she grabbed her bag and walked out of the bathroom. Ashley tossed her bag down next to Tori's and ran over to join them. She noticed David's change in clothes. 'From trendy to trendy-er.' He ditched the long wool jacket, showing a blue t-shirt and semi-muscular arms. He was also clad in a pair of dark blue jeans. 'Wonder how many brands he's wearing?'

Griffin turned to them. "Right, so we're going to a training location. Bring her, yeah?" he said before jumping away. David followed through his jumpscar and Ashley watched in awe.

Tori tugged her sleeve. "C'mon," she whined. Ashley gave a nod as Tori held onto her arm. She followed through the scar into a barren clearing. Ashley stumbled a bit and Tori dropped the grip on her sleeve.

She turned and saw David helping her up from the ground. "Jumpscars are more difficult to stay balanced for," he told her. "You'll get used to it." Ashley turned and saw Griffin swinging around a stick. He tossed it to her and she caught it after fumbling with it multiple times.

"You're with me," Griffin said, holding an identical stick in hand. Ashley sighed again and looked over her shoulder at Tori, who was walking a bit away with David to what looked to be a punching bag hanging from a tree.

Ashley felt something slap her arm and she yelped. "Shit!" She looked at her arm and noticed it was red. She also saw Griffin standing a step or two in front of her.

"Lesson one, always be on your guard," he told her.

She grumbled through a clenched jaw, "Wonderful."