*A Building In The Garrison, Marley Is Attending A Meeting. He's Standing In Front Of Five People, Each Person Is In A Stand. The Man In The Middle Speaks.*

Man(Center): *51 year old, race- white, full beard with strands of white hairs, bald and wearing a red suit* And you still have the boy on your team? Have you gone mad Clarke?

Marley: I think you fail to understand that the boy is in control of his power. If we actually help him, he can become the piece we need to put an end to this sad story!

Man(Left): *46 years old, race- black, receding hairline, gray hair, mustache and wearing a white suit* Absolutely not! *Slamming his fist on the stand* The second he learns about his power or even his past, we are all done for!

Marley: *Marley sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose with his right hand* You old heads never use the ol’ head on your shoulders. *Marley lowers his right hand and exhales heavily* The boy was raised by his mother to be a kind helping hand. He set his life goal on saving everyone. He will help us! If anything, teaching him will build trust! *Marley opens his arms, none of them seem to like the plan, Marley lowers his arms* Come on you dust buckets!

Man(Furthest Left): *36 years old, Race- Mexican, wavy hair, clean shave and wearing a dark blue suit* Like a monster would ever make a friend!

Marley: *Marley points at him with a smile* You should watch Shrek!

Woman(Furthest Right): *43 years old, race- white, long bob cut and wearing a yellow suit* Is everything a game to you Clarke!?

Marley: *Marley's glasses slide down his nose, he makes eye contact with her, his orange eyes send a shiver down her spine* Not at all! I just think I have an amazing sense of humor!

Man(Furthest Left): Leave the sense of humor outside when we are talking about things that can end the world inside. Nothing is funny about this situation.

Marley: *Marley shrugs* It's funny to me because I actually am getting to know the boy! He's afraid to kill fiends! What makes you think he will kill us?

Woman(Right): *50 years old, race- black, curly fade and wearing a dark green suit* The same reason Marcus runs the Alpha team. He went from being the nicest person on the planet to a cold blooded killer.

Marley: *Marley cringes* Oh yeah, that boy died and was reborn.

Woman(Right): Then why protect the boy? *The lady is wearing glasses, her glasses shine in the room light* I think we should kill the boy before anything happens. It could stop this “sad story” by not allowing it to start.

Man(Center): I think we should do a vote to-*His sentence is cut off by Marley shooting a black energy ball a few inches away from Man(Center)’s head, the blast hits the wall behind them, causing the entire wall to fall, making the roof above them collapse, Man(Left) quickly moves his right hand over their heads, right to left, making a wooden makeshift roof over them out of the stands to stop the roof from collapsing on them, when the smoke clears, they look at Marley, the hole in the roof makes ray of light shine on Marley*

Marley: Now, let me make this loud and clear. *Marley Takes His Glasses Off And Looks At Them. His Orange Eyes Shrine In The Light.* *Looking left to right* Isaiah, Damian, Caine, Laura, Wonda. The boy is under my watch rather you like it or not. Hurt the boy behind my back and I will kill every single one of you that sits behind a stand. *They stare at him in horror, after a few seconds Marley nods, Marley puts his glasses back on* I'm glad I could get my message loud and clear. *Marley extends his right hand out* As you were, Vanguards. *Marley walks out of the building, Marley walks towards the classrooms* Pieces of shit, thinking they can end a boy's life when it's not even his fault. They don't know how that feels. *Marley sighs with a growl* Having your life taken just because of the curse you were given. I'm too familiar with it. The day they do something towards Aiden is the day the Exterminators change, with their deaths. *Marley continues to walk down the sidewalk back to the training field, once Marley makes it to the field, he sees the team sitting down talking, Marley gets a smile before walking over* How did the mission go, kids? I was informed that it was a possibility of a five star mission!

Richard: *Richard is next to them but leaning on a tree* Don't call me a kid. But the mission went fine. Everyone did their roles and we all made it out alive. *Marley looks over at Aiden and sees Ragabon*

Marley: Who is this young man?

Aiden: *Aiden stands up* Sensei! I wanted to talk to you about adding Ragabon to the group!

Marley: Another student? Our class is already really big! *Marley whispers* We are already breaking rules… The limit is actually four!

Aiden: Is there any way he can be a part of the Fiend Exterminators?

Marley: I am sensing his Mabiki, it kinda feels like the gust of wind from earlier.

Richard: *Richard lets out a deep sigh* I tried to tell the boy but he insisted. This boy here is the killer and the reason all that happened at Haitch’s.

Marley: *Marley couches down and gets close to Ragabon, Marley puts his right hand on his chin* Is that so? *Ragabon gets nervous* *Marley slowly smiles* So we have another killer turned good guy! I like it! I guess you accepted him from your own experience huh Richard? *Aiden looks at Richard with a smile, Richard exhales out of frustration*

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Richard: Just take him in dammit. I'm tired of this cutesy shit.

Marley: Well, getting all of you guys on the same team was already a pain but! If anything, I will make sure he joins us even if it means he's under another teacher!

Aiden: *Aiden smiles* Thank you sensei!

Marley: No problem! Why don't you guys head to the cafeteria for some food while I get Ragabon settled in? You all deserve the break! *Richard walks off without saying a word* Come on Ragabon! Let's get you settled in! *Ragabon stands up and walks towards Marley but he turns around to Aiden*

Ragabon: Thank you Aiden, for helping me get a second chance at life. I won't mess this one up. *Aiden nods with a determined face, Ragabon and Marley walk away*

Kazuma: The cafeteria has multiple lines, Chinese food, Mexican food, Pizza. *Kazuma starts walking towards the cafeteria* Come on. You guys deserve it. *Esmeralda stands up rubbing her arm*

Esmeralda: I don't feel like I deserve it.

Rylet: Neither do I. I almost got you killed.

Kazuma: The more you dawn on that the less prepared you are for the next mission. *Kazuma walks over to Rylet and points to his chest* There is no “I” in “team”. All this “I” stuff is irrelevant because we did it as a team. Rylet, that was your first mission ever. I don't expect you to be the best person on the team. *Kazuma looks at Esmeralda* And after everything that keeps happening to you Esmeralda, I don't blame you for being scared. That's why Richard trusted us in those groups. We balance each other out as a team. You messed up, take the truth head on and get back out there, Because no matter what, your mess ups will be caught by each other because we are a team. We put each other on the line for one another. That's the job of being on a team. Now, let's go eat to celebrate our victory because I hate giving speeches. *Esmeralda runs over a hugs Kazuma, she tears up, Kazuma is shocked, he lightly hugs her back with his left arm, Esmeralda lets go and walks towards the cafeteria*

Rylet: Thank you, Truly. I never saw it that way. *They watch Esmeralda walk away* And it seemed like she needed to hear that. I hope she opens up one day.

Aiden: I'm glad I know I can rely on you Kazuma.

Kazuma: I try my best. Again, I hate speeches but I know when someone needs one. *Rylet pats Kazuma's back*

Rylet: Thank you. *Kazuma nods before they walk towards the cafeteria, before they walk in, Aiden stops and looks towards the nursing building, Rylet turns and sees him stopped* What's wrong?

Aiden: I didn't tell you guys but when I helped Tank and Rebecca in the fight, the person we fought was a girl that awakened her mabiki. She tried to kill all of us. When I had the opportunity to finish the job, I choked and got Rebecca hurt. Tank brought her back while I regrouped with you guys so hopefully she's fine. I feel like I should go visit her.

Kazuma: Follow your heart. If you want to see her and apologize, I don't see why not. *Kazuma pats Aiden’s back and walks into the cafeteria*

Rylet: We still need to talk about something. *They stare at the nurse area* We need to talk about Richard.

Aiden: He's a teammate. I thought after learning from sensei, we weren't going to do anything.

Rylet: You were really determined to find my father and now you don't?

Aiden: You really hated him and now you care? *Aiden turns and looks at Rylet* What gives with that? *Rylet clenches his fists* You understand that if we snoop around something so touchy for him we might get attacked right? *Rylet grits his teeth*

Rylet: I understand that, but I want to know where my father is. *Aiden puts his right hand on Rylet’s left shoulder with a smile*

Aiden: That's all I wanted to hear. If anything, we die together fighting Richard!

Rylet: What the hell is wrong with you?

Aiden: We will be snooping around our highest level man! We are bound to die!

Rylet: *Rylet gets an anger vein on his head* But you're a higher level!

Aiden: You really believe that name tag?

Rylet: Aiden, You've had these powers since you were a kid. You fight these fiends like a natural. I think what Clarke said was true. You will pass Richard and him.

Aiden: Maybe you're right but we won't see for a while. I will visit Rebecca, you think on how to approach this plan with Richard!

Rylet: “We” will think of a way to approach.

Aiden: Alright fine. *They do a fist bump as they go separate ways, Aiden walks to the nursing area, Aiden makes it to Rebecca's room, Aiden watches though the window, Suddenly a hand is placed on his right shoulder, Aiden turns his head to see Tank*

Tank: She's fine, I made it here in time. *Aiden stares at Rebecca, Aiden's face just has nothing but guilt* Don't beat yourself up. We all mess up at least once.

Aiden: That mess up almost cost a life.

Tank: That's part of the job. We are here to protect the innocent. *Tank cringes* Saying that sounds so corny.

Aiden: Why do you say that?

Tank: All I care about is getting that golden fight where I'm not sure if I will see tomorrow. I joined the army because of it. When I realized that war was stupid I left. Not only that, the people were weak. All of them are cowards hiding behind guns. *Tank laughs* You should have seen their faces when I ran through the gunfire and broke the guy's neck! Thanks to that, they sent me home.

Aiden: *Aiden gets sweat drops on his head* Sounds like you didn't leave because it was stupid, you were kicked out.

Tank: Tomayto Tomahto.

Aiden: That's not how it works.

Tank: While bored at home, my family was attacked by a fiend. The fiend was around three stars. It injured my mother and brother pretty badly but when I fought the thing, I have no shame in admitting that I was high on life. I was laughing like a mad man as that fiend's claws were cutting through my skin like a razor on butter. Discovering what fiends were changed me. I knew that this monster wasn't the strongest so that means I knew I wasn't the strongest. Once I killed it, Marley showed up. He told me he was extremely impressed by my strength. He then offered me a spot on his team but if I take it, I must take care of all my teammates. All my brain heard was another opportunity to kill one of those things so I decided to join the Fiend Exterminators.

Aiden: So you were always gifted. Like me.

Tank: You are much different from me. Whatever you have going on, Marley knows. He wouldn't pick you for no reason. He chose me because he said that my strength comes from almost awakening. When someone is about to awaken but has some premature strength, it means they are extremely talented. *Tank smirks* All I heard was powerful. So whatever is at five stars, I'm ready to fight. *Aiden looks at his right hand*

Aiden: I don't know what I have going on. I was born like this, with this super strength.

Tank: I can tell, when you release your power, it feels dark. Your presence feels like something is weighing me down. Like if it is forcing me to bow to you. On top of that, just being near you, it sounds like someone is screaming as if their soul is your aura. Even your aura is dark purple, everyone has a normal shade of purple.

Aiden: *Aiden continues to stare at his hand before looking at Rebecca* Everyone keeps telling me I have crazy potential. It's hard to see it when I'm holding myself back.

Tank: Then stop. *Aiden looks at Tank, Tank is staring at Rebecca with a serious face* Take a long look. *Aiden looks at Rebecca* That's what happens when you hold back. I'm sure Marley has told you, fiends are the human emotions manifested, they feed off the human soul to become stronger. We can't save the souls that mix with the fiends. The best we can do is put them to rest. It's not murder if they are suffering. *Aiden stares with an upset face* I know all you want to do is save people, just know you are. You would have saved Rebecca. Killing a fiend and feeling bad? That person will be able to rest instead of the fiend ripping their soul apart and putting them through agonizing pain. Aiden, no matter what, you are saving families. It's civilians and our families or the fiends. *While Aiden stares at Rebecca, he gets a face full of determination*

Aiden: You are right. A part of me wants to hold on to being able to save them but if sensei can't do it, I believe no one can.

Tank: Smart man. Marley is known as the strongest here. He hates it because he believes everyone on the team can surpass him.

Aiden: *Aiden looks at Tank* Really? That's why he made this team the way it is?

Tank: Yes, he made a team filled with prodigies. He believes everyone in the group will be the next Vanguards. From what he says, the Vanguards aren't the greatest people, they use kids of any age to be Fiend Exterminators, which basically means death. He wants us to protect them when he's gone and make the next generation of fighters so the world is always at peace. But I didn't sign up for that!

Aiden: *Aiden gets sweat drops on his head* You did when you joined.

Tank: *Tank crosses his arms* Whatever. Now go check up on her. Talk to her and accept everything. It's time you become a true fighter. *Aiden looks up at Tank, Aiden's face gets serious as he nods and walks into the room, Rebecca looks over a smiles, Aiden smiles back, they both start to talk as Tank watches, Tank slowly gets a smile and walks away*

(To Be Continued…)