Chapter 11

Unknown

One after another the trainees were lead into a large, open training hall. The room was rather simple. There were sparing mats on the ground while one wall was lined with cabinets. If someone were to look inside they would find various sparring weapons. The trainees were lined up along the wall with the door they had just entered in. There was one other people in the room, standing in the center looking at the new faces.

The man was a twenty-one year old brunette male with warm brown eyes and a playful smirk, despite the fact that he was wearing a mask and that smirk couldn't be seen. He was tall, ranging in the six foot area with large, but not overly so muscles. He stood there with his hands on his hips and his head tilted slightly to the side.

"All of you are here because you passed the first two tests to become a Guardian," George said to the trainees in front of him. "This last round of training and testing is the most difficult of the three. I won't lie, most of you won't make it, but those of you who will, will be welcomed in with open arms. You will have more responsibly than most people could ever even imagine, but with that great responsibility also comes great honor, knowledge and privilege.

"But you have to get through this first. My name's George. I'll be your instructors. Let me make myself very clear with all of you," George went on. "You are here for training to become a Guardian and I am here to train you. I am not here to be your babysitters. We are not here to be your friends.

"We will watch you, taking note of your skill, your progression, intelligence, devotion and honor. If we do not think that you possess these traits or acquire them as your training progresses, you will fail and be thrown out. If you don't follow our rules, you will be thrown out."

George wasn't someone to mess with, that was for sure. From how he was explaining all of this to them, they wouldn't be surprised if someone was kicked out simply because he didn't like them. They wouldn't be getting on the man's bad side; that much they knew.

"We group all of those things into one. We consider them to be the number one reason why trainees get sent home," George said. "The second would be that we are not superheroes! If any of you thought that in becoming a Guardian makes you some sort of super-hero; that it allows you to go out and save the world from villains, you are very wrong."

"You may think that you are being honorable by being a hero in the name of the Guardians, but you're just putting everything we stand for in danger. We are silent Guardians, here to protect those that need to stay in the shadows. We do not put ourselves out into the world to be seen and to make ourselves known. In doing that, we endanger not only our own lives, but every other Guardian and the ones we fight to protect. And I know none of you want to be responsible for causing hundreds of innocents to die.

"We do not wear costumes; we wear respectable uniforms. The same uniforms worn for centuries. If you disrespect this uniform, I will personally see to it that I'm the one throwing you out. I will not stand for anybody who dishonors that Guardian name. I will make your life a living hell for the rest of your miserable little lives if you do. Do I make myself clear?"

The group called out in replied, informing him that they understood. "Good," he said. "Today we're just going to get to know one another. Teamwork is essential in becoming a Guardian, so today is just a team bonding day. Mingle! Get to know one another!" He clapped, moving away from the group. He left the room, leaving them to their own devices.

Alex sighed, running a hand through her hair. She knew that being a Guardian would be tough, especially after having gone through two rounds of tests already, but she hadn't figured it would be that hard. No wonder Elliott came back ten times stronger than he was when he left, and he had been strong before that.

After her bullet graze had healed, Mortu arranged for her to be put thru the Guardians tests, which normally took several months. However, Mortu, knowing Alex's abilities already, put her on the the fast track. When normally took five months Alex completed in just over a month. It was exhausting to say the least. She still had her dojo duties. her tutoring, her work at April's and school. She was just lucky nobody had noticed just how tired she was because of it. Most just assumed it was because she was still having trouble sleeping.

And she was, but not as much so anymore. She didn't get sick anymore. She had nightmares every night still, but she was able to go back to sleep after them now.

"Hey, isn't that Elliot's sister?" one of the boys to her left whispered to another guy.

"Yeah, it's gotta be," they answered. "I mean, I heard she was going to be here."

"Yeah, because he put her on the fast track."

"She probably not even very good."

"I mean, how old is she? Twelve?"

Alex sighed. and walked over to one of the walls. She slid down it and stretched. She knew that people talked about her. She heard what they said most of the time. She knew that since her situation was different than theirs, she'd cause some drama among the ranks of other trainees.

That didn't mean it was any less annoying.

They didn't know anything about her. They didn't know her abilities. They didn't know what she was really there. They didn't know who she was and that bugged the crap out of her. If they wanted to know the answers, why didn't they just ask? It was complete and utter bullshit. They needed to grow up and act like a Guardian instead of a tween in middle school.

"Excuse me," a soft voice next to Alex said.

She looked up to see a small guy, who had to be about eighteen or nineteen years old standing next to her. His hair was almost white and very long, pulled back into a low ponytail. At his waist were two swords. She had heard that there was a samurai in their mists instead of a ninja, but until that moment she had just assumed it was a rumor.

"Yes?" she asked the guy.

"May I sit with you?" he asked.

"Oh, please do," she insisted, motioning to the spot next to her. "We are supposed to be "bonding," after all."

"That is true," he said. "My name is Usagi."

"Alex," she introduced.

"Ah, Alexandra O'Neil, sister of Elliott O'Neil, high ranking Guardian official," Usagi muttered. "I see the rumors are true. It must be difficult living under the shadow of your brother. Especially one so large."

"It's not so bad," Alex said. "He, uh, actually doesn't know I'm here."

"Really?" Usagi asked.

"Yeah, Mortu talked to the instructors and we're kind of keeping it hush-hush," she said. "He wouldn't want me here, but it's not really his decision, is it? It's mine."

"That is a very valid point, Alexandra," he nodded.

"Oh, it's just Alex," she insisted.

"All right, if you wish," he said.

"So, why are you here, if you don't mind me asking," Alex said.

"No trouble," he said. "I was approach by Mortu as well," Usagi said. "He believes that the Guardians should not just consist of ninja, but other skilled individuals as well. There is nothing in the rule book saying samurai cannot participate."

Alex laughed, "I suppose there isn't. Well, I'm glad to have you here, Usagi. You're the only person to actually treat me decently."

"I am glad to assist?" he laughed.

"Oh, I can tell we're going to be good friend, Usagi. I can tell already."

Much like how nobody knew about Alex's secret training to become a Guardian, nobody knew that almost every Friday, Alex would stop in at the police station to see Detectives Blake and Longer, often bringing them cookies or pie, or sometimes even full meals like spaghetti or steak.

The two men appreciated the gesture, and in return, disclosed information on the case, though not enough to give everything away. Alex knew that several of the gang members that were in the group that attacked them were in custody, but they still didn't have the shooter. And most of the gang members weren't very willing to talk.