9/9/17

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans

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Cursed

Chapter Eighteen: Return to Darkway Prep

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September 13, 2008

I hug my backpack to my chest as I walk through the halls. The stares of the other students pierce through me, but I make a point of snubbing them. Who needs them anyways?

By the time I reach Headmistress's office, she is already sitting in her chair waiting for me. I'm reminded of the first day I came here, when I ate oreos in this very room and listened to her every word as she explained my strange new life to me. The same uncertain, nervous excitement buzzes through my brain as I shut the door behind me and take the seat in front of her.

"I received your note," I say, trying to control the shaking in my voice. "You would like to speak to me?"

Headmistress nods, pulling out a few files in generic manila folders. "Yes Mallory. It's about your grades."

Oh no, did I do something wrong? I thought I near the top of my class when I was a Level G, and I haven't been given any assignments since I was promoted. My grades should be fine, shouldn't they?

"My grades?"

"You're not in trouble. Quite the opposite, actually."

I sigh in relief. She's just going to brag about me.

Headmistress begins pulling papers out of the folders. "Mallory, no other student in the academy has the same academic drive as you. For years I've found myself lucky to have someone so serious about our… mission. Because of this, I would like to promote you to a Level 1 HIVE Agent as soon as possible."

I nearly jump for joy, before remembering to control myself that is. "Really? You want me to graduate? But, I just moved up to Level H. Aren't there things I need to learn first?"

Headmistress smiles for the first time in years. "Yes, of course, but for someone like you it would be perfectly reasonable to assume you can do it all before December. I've had students do it in even less time. In fact, the reason I've called you in here today is because I have an assignment that, upon completion, will satisfy one of the requirements for graduation."

I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. The pain and lack of Flash Jr. make it clear that this is reality, but I still can't believe it.

"That is, if you're up to it," she says with a scowl.

I realize I must have been staring into space, so I immediately snap back to giving her my full attention.

"Yes Headmistress, of course!" I say, almost pleading. This could be my chance to be somebody. I'd be a fool not to take it.

"Very well then. Do you remember your… impromptu mission to Darkway Prep?"

Of course I do. Memories begin to resurface of our journey. Jade burning her hand, the three of us pulling the fire alarm and hiding in the bathroom, taking the cane from the red-haired boy with ice powers…

"Yes Headmistress," I answer.

She nods, straightening the stack of papers on her desk. "Good. Which brings us to the mission at hand. If you'll remember, you brought me the cane of Headmaster Mod when you returned. However, upon my examining it I realized that it no longer contained its original powers."

"What kind of powers?" I ask.

She lays the top sheet of paper, a picture of the cane, in front of her and gestures to the gem sitting on top of it. "Have you ever heard of the Philosopher's Stone?"

A memory of watching Harry Potter with my family comes to mind. "Yes Headmistress."

"In theory, the gem on top of the cane is supposed to contain it. In this case, the wielder of the cane is granted immortality and powers over the elements, among other things. However, the gem was a fake, only capable of casting illusions," Headmistress says.

I begin to piece together what's going on. "So this has something to do with the mission?"

"Correct," she says. "While these things may seem insignificant, without Mod's powers the school is weakened. And now that the school is weakened, I can reclaim what is rightfully mine."

"What is it?" I ask.

The Headmistress's scowl returns, and I immediately understand that I've overstepped my boundaries. Fear consumes me, and for a moments I'm worried that she won't let me join the mission after all.

"That's none of your concern Mallory. The older students at the HIVE Academy will handle it. However, there is still an opportunity for a group of students here at the Junior HIVE to assist us. And I would like you to be their leader."

"You- you want me to lead?" I ask.

"Of course. You're a natural leader. Unless, of course, you would like to stay here at the Junior HIVE for another year and wait until next December to graduate."

I shake my head. "No Headmistress- I mean- I'll take the job!"

She seems unimpressed with my unprofessional-ism, but hands me a file anyways. "Very well then. The time and date of the first meeting are in the file. Do not be late."

"I won't! Thank you so much!" I say, taking the file and grinning ear to ear.

"You are dismissed. Oh, and Mallory?"

I pause, halfway out the door. "Yes Headmistress?"

Something in her eyes darkens, and the feeling in the room turns ominous. "Don't disappoint me."

I feel as though the blood in my veins has turned cold. I look her in the eyes, and force my voice to stay even.

"Yes Headmistress."

….

Hi again! Holy crap have I been stressed out lately! If any of you live in the areas affected by the wildfires or hurricanes, please stay safe! I'm praying for you guys!

Sorry for the short chapter. I didn't really get much time to write this week because I had a really hard assignment in my online class. It didn't look that hard when I first looked at it, but wow it took a while.

Anyways, quote of the day!

"Wanna play Avengers? I've got goggles to be Aquaman!" -my six year old brother

(Written form cannot properly convey the look of utter confusion his best friend gave him)

Here's to hoping nature calms the heck down!

(and that this statement doesn't become ironic)

~Spectrobes Princess