9/8/15

Cursed

Chapter 5: Field Trip

I wake up on the ground today. My powers must have broken my bed frame. Again. I've found that I can usually control them while I'm awake, but it's harder to do while I'm sleeping.

For the past several months, the older students have had to take some time to train my powers so they don't get out of hand. Even though they're not as dangerous as they looked at first, Headmistress is worried they'll get stronger as I grow up. Jade and Roy are worried too- worried that she's just using me. The day I came here, after dinner, Jade pulled me aside and told me all about the truth behind the HIVE. That they're really training the next generation of villains, and only the upper levels are allowed to know. The younger students are taught to think that the special appearances villains make to the older students are to convince them that crime doesn't pay, and as they grow up they are slowly brainwashed to think otherwise. Ridiculous, I know, but I can't help but wonder...

"Mallory, get up!" Jade hisses, shaking my back with her prized possession, a plush Cheshire cat, tucked under one arm. This only reminds me that my own stuffed animals probably aren't in the bed anymore. I yawn and sit up before rolling off the mattress. I find Zippy and Clover on the ground and set them back on the shelf above my bed, next to my backpack.

"You know, I think I'm getting a little more used to your powers. The crash didn't even wake me up this time!"

I scoff and start fixing the bed frame. "Lucky. I don't think I'll ever get used to your powers."

Jade's ability to turn invisible, while useful at times, can be annoying at others. I've been jump-scared one time too many. Roy, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have any powers. Which is odd, since everyone else here does. When I asked Jade about it, she didn't have an answer either. So I guess I'll never know, since he seems so determined to keep his powers a secret. If he even has them.

Jade tosses me a hairbrush just as I finish fixing the bed. I brush my now completely pink hair and pull it into a ponytail just as Jade finishes tying her hair into pigtails. Instead of going into the bathroom to change uniforms, I decide that the one I wore for pjs last night will work for today. We're almost late, so I don't want to slow us down. I tie my shoes, shove Zippy and Clover into my backpack, and run out the door.

"Come on Jade," I yell. A minute later she follows me out, Cheshire cat plushie and backpack in tow. "Aren't we going to be late?"

"If we're not careful," Jade says. "We need to meet with Roy about the plan to get locks for our doors. If Angela's going to keep fighting back like this, we need to be prepared."

I nod my head. Yesterday Angela tried to sneak into our room and trash it. She would've got away with it, too, except her roommate is Roy's roommate's little sister. Naturally, Selinda felt the need to warn us, and I'm glad she did. Otherwise, I'm not sure what would've happened. She had scissors, so I think she might've tried to cut off Clover's head or something. A headless unicorn is not on the list of things I want, so today we're taking all our stuff with us, except for our beds and uniforms and stuff. Well, we did pack one extra change of uniform, just in case. Better safe than sorry.

We hurry to the dining hall, but when we get there we notice that it's a lot quieter than usual. Instead of talking, everyone is anxiously staring at the area that's been cleared- probably for a speech or something. We go through the buffet and take our seats next to Roy. "What's going on?" I ask, pointing to the cleared spot.

Roy shrugs, but his roommate Baran, who's sitting at the table next to ours with his sister, has an answer. "Headmistress has an announcement. Something about Madame Rouge."

A Madame Rouge? What's that?

"About what?" I ask.

"Madame Rouge? She's a supervillain. Pretty high up in the ranks, too. She kind of scares me," Selinda admits. "It's just a rumor, though. Headmistress probably just wants to announce our new ranks, now that the old Level H's have graduated. It's about time, too. I've been ready to be an E since before you came here, Jade."

Jade grins. "Maybe we'll get to the C's!"

"You never know," Selinda says, smiling back.

Baran frowns. "Too bad it's just a rumor. Last time The Brotherhood came they sent General Immortus. Old guys aren't much fun."

"What's The Brotherhood?" I ask.

"Do you always have so many questions?" Baran asks. I shrug and he adds, "They're some of the toughest bad guys in the world. They sometimes come here to talk about combat. No big deal."

From the looks on Roy and Jade's faces, I can tell they're surprised about this too, even with their theories. "And they trust these guys around children?" Roy asks.

Selinda shrugs. "It's no better than the Justice League, with all their kid sidekicks. I mean, they've got a ton of them! One day one of them is going to get killed or something on the battlefield and then who's to blame?"

Roy's hands ball into fists. "The Justice League tries not to bring them onto dangerous missions, you know. When they do, they usually try to keep us to the sidelines. Especially the younger ones."

His hand flies to his mouth before he can rant anymore. Baran laughs. "Looks like we've got ourselves a nerd, huh?"

Roy hisses something under his breath. Jade jumps to his defense. "I guess he's got a point. It's not like the sidekicks are disposable or anything. Well, I guess you've got the rumor that there's two Speedy's, but I think that's beyond the point. Besides, how did we get to talking about the Justice League? I want to hear about Madame Rouge. How did the rumor start? Why would she even come here in the first place? Do you guys have something she'd want? You know, like a..."

Jade is cut off when the Headmistress steps up to the makeshift podium. The Headmistress taps on the mic and says, "Students, may I have your attention?"

We all turn our heads to her and she smiles. "Okay students, there have been many rumors about a special guest coming to visit, and I'd like to confirm those rumors. We are pleased to announce that Madame Rouge will be here on March 4."

March 4. Since its February 9, that means we have less than a month to prepare. The crowd cheers in joy before the Headmistress shushes us.

"Silence children!" She yells, and we all calm down. "Now, 15 students will be chosen for a special field trip where we will be meeting up with her. She has agreed to give a speech on combat in exchange for, well... that's between the two of us. However, this is an opportunity that is not to be wasted on those who may not be old enough to remember it. For that reason, we are only allowing students in levels E, F, G, and H to participate. Perhaps a level D, if they are mature enough. The participants will be announced on the 20th. Until then, continue to do your best in your classes, especially if you are eligible to be chosen. That is all."

She steps away from the podium as the room erupts with conversation. I turn to Jade and Roy, who seem really disappointed. I'm about to say something when both of them interrupt me.

"I have to go there," they both say in unison.

I sigh. "I know, I want to go too. But there's nothing we can do about it. She clearly said we can't go if we're not in level E."

"No, you don't understand. I have to go there. My job depends on it," Roy whines.

"Your job depends on it? My life depends on it!" Jade whimpers.

"Okay, I think you two are over-exaggerating just a tad bit, don't you think?" When they both shake their heads, I add, "Alright, fine. But you know there's no way to convince her we're old enough. We're 8, 7, and 5-"

"7 and a half," Roy corrects.

"5 and a half," Jade copies.

"Okay, so we're 8, almost 8, and almost 6. That still doesn't change anything in Headmistress's eyes. No matter how much we complain, she still won't let us go."

Jade sighs. "This is the part in movies where they always manage to convince them to bend the rules. If only this was a movie."

Suddenly, an idea pops into my head. "Maybe we can convince Headmistress to bend the rules anyways."

"How?" Jade and Roy ask in unison.

"We just have to prove ourselves. We'll do something so big, she won't have any other choice but to pick us."

My friends turn to each other, as if they're mentally discussing this with each other. Finally, Roy turns to me and asks, "So what's the plan?"

"Who's ready for a little field trip?" I smirk.

….

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything else I may mention

Hi again! Sorry it's been a while. I try, but I fail. Does this chapter seem a little rambly to anyone else? I mean, I've read over it a gazillion times, but I just can't think of what would make it better. The frustration of a writer, people.

Reviews:

KF Fan: Lol, yeah. I mean, he probably gave Green Arrow this big speech about how he was the perfect undercover agent, filled of all these fake reasons why, but everyone could tell it was just because he wanted to flirt with the villainesses. And because, you know, this is Green Arrow we're talking about, he probably didn't have the foresight to see what a bad idea it was.

My co-op is starting up in a couple days (it's kind of like a club for homeschoolers where we get to meet with other homeschoolers our age and take classes and stuff like that), but I'm going to try not to let it affect my writing schedule too much. We only meet once a week, so I don't think it should mess me up, but you never know. This is the first time I'm going to one, so I'm not that sure what to expect. If I end up liking it, it might inspire an AU or two so keep your eyes out ;)

Anyways, quote of the day!

"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich." -Spongebob Squarepants

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Spectrobes Princess