Trials And Error 1/2

Chapter 2 - Trials And Error

A week has passed since the ceremony. Morning light shines through Kai's window as he finishes a set of pushups. After reaching 50, he hears his and his brother's name being called by their stepdad. Telling them it's almost time to leave.

The brothers stand in front of Ally and Chester, ready for inspection to see if they're ready for the Guardian Entrance Exam.

Ally: You two ate enough, correct?

Kai: Yes ma'am!

Ano: Yep!

Chester: Kai, you did your exercises?

Kai: Yeah! I even swapped out sit ups with push ups last week!

Chester: Atta boy!

Ally: Ano you-

Ano: Practiced my Ice range? Yep!

Chester: It's still a miracle we managed to book time for your training at the gym, considering how everyone's gettin' ready for the exam!

Ally wipes a tear from her eye.

Ally: *sigh* I can't believe it's already today.

Chester: It seems off though, like it's just too soon.

Kai: Yeah…. Hey, where's Noah?

Ally: Oh, I think he's too stubborn to say goodbye so he's shut himself in his room.

Kai: Huh? Let me go talk to him.

Kai walks to Noah's bedroom door down the hallway and knocks, to no response.

Kai: Hey, how come you're not saying goodbye?

Noah: Go away!

Kai opens the door and sees Noah with his knees to his head. He sits on his bed, and starts to talk to him.

Kai: Hey bud, aren't you gonna say bye?

Noah lifts his head in anger

Noah: don't call me buddy! You think I'm still your buddy after this!?

Kai: Huh?

Noah: leaving us! You're Leaving us behind! Like it's nothing!

Kai: …You're mad at us leaving?

Noah nods.

Kai: Hey… it's not like that, Ano and I aren't leaving forever. We'll write, and visit!

He stays silent.

Kai: Hmm...Ah! I'll tell you what.

Noah: *looks up* Huh?

Kai: I'll promise to do something special as a Guardian for you. And, in return, you gotta promise me something back

Noah: Really? … Okay… Promise meee…. you'll stay!

Kai: … except that.

Noah: Dang! ….ok then.

Noah takes a second to think about this, before his face lights up.

Noah: I got it! Promise me you'll name a special move after me?

Kai: ...Hah?

Noah: Like on Action-man and his Justice Kick! I want you to name something like that after me!... Not that I watched that lame show after you told me about it. It's too lame for me.

Kai: Ooh, okay! I'll do that.

Noah: Alright… Now, what am I supposed to promise?

Kai: You have to promise me that you'll pick up after me and Ano, and help our parents around the house while we're gone, promise?

Kai raises a fist

Noah: Promise!

The 2 first bump.

Later, at the school once more. Few students are conversing in the campus inside the school. Worrying about the exam. One student shouts at someone to quit tying his ankle to a tree he's next to with Nature Power. Saying it's not a funny prank.

Kai and Ano stand in line inside the school gymnasium to retrieve their exam license, but a voice breaks the silence… specifically for Kai.

Kai: Huh? Who's that?

Ano: I don't hear anything

Kai heard the voice again, telling him he's "down here", leading Kai to look at his pocket.

Kai: Wait….

He reaches in and pulls out his Sync.

Talin: Yeesh! I never thought I'd see sunlight again.

Kai: Oh right…I forgot you talk

Talin: How could you forget something unheard-of?

Kai: Well, to be honest. I thought those rocks hit my head too hard

Talin: You still listened to me, so I guess insanity has its benefit.

Kai: I'll shove you back in my pocket, buddy

Talin: please don't! It's so small!

Kai: Alright, alright… who are you? I know I should've asked earlier, but you went back to sleep when we stopped being synced last week.

Talin: Right, I apologize for that. And for being feral when we first met. Being released from such a long slumber has messed me up, unfortunately… I… I don't remember who I am.

Kai: seriously? Nothing at all!

Talin: No… my memory's a blur.

Kai: Aw, man. Do you… even remember your name?

Talin: My name… is Talin.

"..."

Ano: Kai?

Kai: "looks up from Talin" Hm?

Ano: you've been talking to your sync for a bit… Are you ok?

Kai: I told you, remember? My Sync can talk… you can't hear him?

Ano looks at him with an unamused face.

Ano: …No, I can't

Talin: i think you're the only one who can hear me

Kai: Aw, great. Now everyone will think I'm insane.

Ano: Uh, if you don't feel good, we should-

Kai: No! No, I'm fine. Don't worry!

Ano: Well… Alright, then.

Ano turns back around, choosing to deal with this later.

After the last student in front of them gets their license, the 2 brothers head to the front of the booth.

Booth Lady: Student ID, please?

*Kai and Ano hand them over*

Booth Lady: Ah, the Vinson brothers! Know that me and the other lunch ladies are rootin' you, Ano!

Kai: *snickers*

Ano: Uh… Thanks.

The lady hands them their exam licenses. Walking behind the booth, they move to the gym's backdoor. After showing the coach their licenses, he permits them to go outside to the track field.

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