A/N: So I've decided that out of nearly thirty fanfics, I would set aside many of them so I could work on a select few and get them done.
Fortunately for you guys, Uncontrollable is one of the three.
Now there should be rather frequent updates, at least twice a month, more if I can get them out. Now, I want to try out something new- replying to reviews!
SladeRavenFan: I know, I hate how Terra fans bash Raven! And how Raven fans bash Terra! Honestly, Raven's my favorite character, second only to Terra. I've got to be one of the only TT fans that likes both of them... As for Slade, I'll admit that I'm a bit nervous about whether or not I'll get him right, but at the same time I'm really excited to write him. Let's just say he'll come in sooner than you think...
AzelmaandEponine: Thank you! BTW, I absolutely love your avi. ^.^
ArtemisHarryAnimorphsfan96: Heh, not for Terra. Thought it'd be interesting for her to be right about this all along.
Thanks for reviewing, guys! You're the best!
Chapter 3: Training
Training began the following day. There were two courtyards in the Markov castle, and one of them was quickly redone to be transformed into a training are for us.
The ground had been stripped of nearly all the grass, narrowing down to the dirt. Target dummies, mainly sacks or spare pillows draped over crossing pieces of wood, abounded everywhere. There were also a few wooden makeshift weapons available to use, I guessed for help focusing our powers or something.
I entered the yard after Brion. Brion was dressed in a pair of old work trousers and a shirt. Sophia had tried to dress me in a skirt or dress for the occasion, but luckily she saw sense that trousers would enable me to move more freely.
As we walked in, two servants fluttered about to place a dummy in front of both of us, then scattered once the job was done. Brion and I planted ourselves firmly in front of the dummies, then straightened our backs as we waited for instructions.
Then Father, accompanied by Dr. Jace, walked in briskly. Once they arrived and stopped, Dr. Jace took a few paces in front of Father.
"You have the powers," Dr. Jace began after clearing her throat, "but you don't have the training. You both must realize that if you don't keep a strong leash on your abilities that your powers will not become a gift, but a curse."
I was mentally screaming. And I haven't realized that?
"Anyways, slow and steady wins the race," she proceeded. "We will take the training one small step at a time. We will do basic steps that slowly increase in level until we're skilled. Sound good?"
As if we had a matter. We nodded.
Dr. Jace nodded briefly once in acknowledgement. "Good. Let the training begin. First, I want you both to place your feet firmly into the ground. Bring your arms up."
We did.
"Now- I want you two to close your eyes and imagine the dirt in front of you. Reach out to it, and once you've grasped it, bend it into a ball. Do not be surprised if you don't get this on your first try- we're all beginners here."
I closed my eyes, and instead of imagining the dirt, my mind flashed to the power to do this flowing through my veins. My mind used that as a gateway to go to the dirt's power as a mental pain started to throb. The pain of so much concentration rang and pulsed in my head that it severed whatever tie I could have had to the earth.
I gasped as my eyes snapped open, and only then noticed the lines of sweat taking formation on my forehead, how much my throat was begging for water- how utterly exhausted I was.
"Great job, Brion!"
My eyes immediately ran to the redhead, and I gasped. Because a sole rock was hanging in the air, quivering, ready to fall at any moment but hovering nonetheless- in front of Brion.
Brion grinned like an idiot while I just stood there, amazed. Dr. Jace and Brion had kept telling me we were Geomancers, that we had the potential to do this, preparing me for this sight- but seeing it right here, right in front of my eyes was a completely different story all together.
Dr. Jace expressed a wiry and proud smile as she clapped a couple of times. "Great job, Brion! That was excellent- your first try!" Her gray eyes then dared to meet mine. "As for you, Tara- well, I'm sure you'll get it. Practice does make perfect."
Her words ignited a spark of anger inside me. Great job Brion and Well, I'm sure you'll get it.
She was wanting me to be like Brion! Everybody wanted me to be somebody to suit their purposes, comparing and matching me!
Before I know it, my teeth were clenched so hard, as if one half of my teeth was trying to rbeak into my other half, seething. I'll show them… I'll show them!
I closed my eyes again, calling to the earths' power with my own. The pain sprang up to greet me once more, and this time I was aware of my heating forehead, seeding sweat.
But unlike last time, I pushed against it, back against the wall. This was my moment to shine, and nothing was going to get in the way!
The pain persisted. So did I. I refused to be helpless this time, I would overcome it…
Finally I reached to the rock's energy. I quickly snatched it, attempting to tweak the strings of its energy just a little. Then the pain throbbed once more, sending me a clear message that it would not give up. In a desperate act to quickly avoid it before it consumed and undid all of my work, I pulled on the earth's energy threads- a lot harder than I intended.
I gasped, struggling to breathe as my eyes shot open to see what I did.
My knees had crunched, my arms brought up into the air. Then my eyes enlarged-
The ground was swaying underneath me, as if it were a giant rocking boat. Then six boulder-sixed clumps of dirt shot out in the air, spinning for a moment. Then they started to descend downward at a rate that seemed to be faster than the speed of light.
I could only watch for a few horrifying moments as those boulders- my boulders- barricaded into the brick walls of the courtyard. One massacred a group of dummies close together- if the dummies had been real people then it would have been a bloody sight- one horrific enough to go onto a brochure that displayed nightmares.
Two boulders left. One of them plowed straight into a wall just like the first three- this time the impact was so hard that a bunch of bricks crumbled down.
One boulder left- and it seemed to be sailing straight towards me.
My first impulse that screamed at me was to get the heck out of there. So I did. But when I looked back- I realized that this one was especially large- this time running would do no good.
Think fast, Tara! My nerves yelled at myself as I turned around and stopped. Think FAST!
As the boulder rushed through the air, immediately I pictured the boulder's energy field deep within, like intestines displayed in an X-Ray. Immediately I reached out to it and quickly cut the strings in half.
I closed my eyes tightly and crouched down, hands covering my head. I gritted my teeth as I braced myself for impact…
When the boulder hit, I was almost thrown back. I could hear a rip- probably my pants or shirt. Pain, unlike the one in my head I earned while concentrating, tore through me. I paid little attention to it.
I opened my eyes, greeted by a tan field of dust. A cough emitted, and I forced myself to stand up and survey the area.
Apparently once the boulder had made contact with the ground, it might as well have had exploded to bits. A little better than hitting me. I blinked several times, slowly waning the dust out. Cotton from the dummies was strewn everywhere in that one area where the second hit had taken place.
As for everyone else, Brion had thrown himself over Dr. Jace and Father. The trio didn't look very hurt despite the scene that had just taken place.
I decided to review myself- as expected, there were now holes in both kneecaps of my training pants. In one of my knees some skin had torn open, leaving a small trail of blood flowing down.
No one said anything. Then finally Dr. Jace cleared her throat. "Well. Well. That was rather impressive, Tara. Very impressive, actually, for your second try."
I smiled lightly, nodding. I had lived up to Brion- maybe I had even done more. Scratch that, I'm positive I did more.
Dr. Jace continues. "But, while this is great, as you can see, this little incident almost killed us all. This is what happens to someone who doesn't have much control over their powers. Remember Tara- control is key. Otherwise you'll be hurting yourself and those around you."
I just nod. I guess Dr. Jace saw some sense after all.
Despite the damage I had caused, repair was rather quick. Brion and I continued training a few days later.
Brion and I progressed over the next few months. Brion's abilities progressed steadily, a bit faster than Dr. Jace and her team had anticipated. My older brother was soon able to fight and defend himself with his powers, could fly on chunks of earth- he could do almost anything.
As for me- my powers did progress, but not as steadily as Brion's. I continued to have lack of control- fortunately there was no incident as drastic as the first day, but one time a rock went haywire and gave Dr. Jace a black eye. I was actually kind of proud of that.
Then came that fateful day, when one of the messengers arrived, out of breath. "Prince Brion! Princess Tara! My King!"
Our attention was firmly grasped, grasped enough to cause both Brion and I to put our rocks down. "What is it?" Father questioned, standing up.
"Your Highness, it's General Immortus! He's arrived!"