Mike

(House Zayin, Academy Grounds)

Mike woke with a start as his alarm went off.

"Already? Oh man, I hope this doesn't keep up." Mike grumbled in his thoughts, smushing the alarm off with his finger. It was 5:30 and he was beat after yesterday. He had no idea that using his Gift would be so tiring. He'd only ever used it for a couple of minutes at a time before that, but yesterday...

* * * * *

"Do it again Mike!" Sam practically shouted out. Mike's Wisp was...popular among the group. In the spirit of using their gifts constantly, Sam was speeding everywhere, Emma was carrying her floating water with her in one hand, and Daniel, well...

"You know, it's only cool to do this stuff when your powers actually do something. I can't grow grass out of a table." he sighed. They were currently in the cafeteria of the House, sampling the downright best quiches they'd ever feasted on. Sam had insisted on carrying each of their quiches for them, zooming to and from the counter to bring them back to the table. They'd started off talking about the field trip when Emma had brought up Mike's power. They'd asked him what it did, but even Mike didn't really know. It did burn things though. That's when they'd discovered that the Wisp also passed through objects...and people apparently. While attempting to heat up one of their quiches, Mike accidentally set it on fire and he lost focus on the Wisp. It stayed in place, but the dropped quiche made for quite a spectacle as the Wisp phased through it, and bits of flaming quiche squelched across the table, nearly setting it on fire as well. Amidst the ensuing panic, Emma had the presence of mind to use her water to put out the quiche with her water.

It was then that Mike instinctively reached his hand out to the Wisp and commanded it back to him, but he hadn't specified where. The Wisp floated toward him, phased through his hand, and came to a stop right in front of his face. Hence the 'do it again'.

"How did you do that? Your fire can burn and phase through things? That's like, doing two things at once! Though, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense..." Emma trailed off.

"I honestly didn't know it could do that, I'm just as surprised as you!" Mike exclaimed.

"It's epic, but I saw you hold it though, doesn't it burn you too?" Daniel asked.

"Surprisingly not actually. It's weird, but I can 'feel' it, it's not hot, but rather warm and tingly I guess? It's hard to explain." Mike ended lamely.

"Well, my power isn't hard to explain. I grow grass, woohoo. Means I can't train indoors though." Daniel remarked sadly.

"Um, could I suggest something?" Emma chimed in. "What if you carried dirt around with you? I know it might be a little weird, but it would be useful for practicing right? Also, you'd be able to figure out your power if all you had was soil. Maybe you could plant seeds as well and see if you can make them sprout? Sorry, I'm just throwing around ideas." Emma cringed a little.

"That's actually brilliant! Don't feel bad Emma, it's a great idea. Sorry, I don't mean to speak for you, Daniel." Sam exclaimed.

"It's all good, though just call me Dan guys, Daniel is really formal. Thanks, Emma, I think I'll give that a try." he said thoughtfully.

The next hour was spent looking around the house together, and boy was it just as amazing as the rest of the Academy. They started by examining the gym and the pool, which was enormous and fully stocked with every scrap of equipment you could think of. The lounge, which had the most massive TV you'd ever seen, a pool table, and table tennis tables amongst others, the place was just incredible! During all that time Mike had been playing with the Wisp, letting it pass through him, through his newfound friends, through walls, and nearly causing the table tennis ball to catch fire. They all headed back to their rooms when Emma piped up.

"Guys, I don't know about you, but I'm really glad we found each other amongst the hundreds of others here. We're already helping each other a lot, and I think we're gonna have an epic time together!"

"I'm glad too! Though, I hope you guys don't mind if we take in a few strays along the way, I don't want to be 'that' clique." Sam spoke up.

"Gotta agree with Sam there, if there are others like us who wanna join in the A-team, let them come, we'll be all the better for it." Dan agreed.

"Well, I think as long as we've got each other's backs, I'm alright with it too. The more the merrier, we'll also be all the better for it the more we get to know other people's Gifts too." Mike added.

"Then it's settled, from henceforth we are the A-Team!" Daniel proclaimed, pointing at the ceiling as though someone had a camera watching his dramatic moment.

"Yeeeahhh... It would have been fine, but now that you went and ruined it..." Sam trailed off.

"Hey! Take that back, we're still the A-Team, and as the leader, I think it's fair that I get to keep the name." Dan huffed.

"Dan, no offense, but shouldn't the strongest member of the group be the leader?..." Emma added demurely.

The group burst into laughter as Dan's jaw dropped wide open, not expecting to be blindsided by Emma of all people. The girls made a swift exit up the stairs next to the reception area. "Goodnight boys, remember we're up early!" Sam shouted over her shoulder as she and Emma continued to giggle up the stairs.

"The name's good, don't you think Mike?" Dan pouted as they walked down the hall to their own rooms, the both of them tired as a bone.

"Honestly dude, I grew up watching the A-Team, so it's totally cool. I'm sure we'll get to keep it, as long as you don't let up." Mike grinned.

"Thanks, dude, you're pretty cool, ya know! You're really strong and fast for someone that looks so skinny! Glad we're on the same side, as it were."

"No problem, I'm sure your Gift will show its worth soon, don't let the grass getcha down." he smiled slyly.

"Yeah yeah, rub it in." Dan rolled his eyes. "Oh, this is me. See ya tomorrow Mike, bright and early."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Yay me. My one weakness. Goodnight!" Mike said over his shoulder as he continued on to his room. He'd got to his room and immediately hit the shower.

It was divine.

The nozzles could spray from multiple directions too! So useful, and if you wanted, it felt like they'd bore a hole through you if the pressure was high enough.

"Definitely using that if I'm stiff from training."

Half an hour later Mike emerged, feeling brand new. And exhausted. He took one look at his bag of clothes and shook his head.

"Tomorrow's problem."

Mike chose to unpack his all-important laptop bag instead, a dive into normalcy he felt he desperately needed. Booting it up though, he felt like he was missing something.

"Oh right, where's my phone?" he thought, looking around for it.

It was then that he remembered that he'd never need one again. He glanced at his laptop, a true beast of a gaming rig, and realized he'd also never need it again if Sam was to be believed.

"Just because I can, doesn't mean I should." he thought stubbornly, grabbing his phone from the bed where he'd left it and checking the notifications. Apparently, the place did have wifi. There, as he thought, were a plethora of messages from Aunty Lauren, first wishing him luck, and then getting progressively more worried as time went on. He decided to put her mind at ease.

Hi Aunty, don't worry, I'm all good! We were sort of magically 'knocked out' when we got here so we could adjust to the magic of this place without hurting ourselves. I'm totally good though, today we had our first classes and it was amazing! Magic is crazy cool, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I see you again! We're going on a field trip this weekend so I probably won't see you then, but I'll let you know when I'm coming to see you guys! Gonna sleep now, I'll chat tomorrow, sleep well!

Mike sent it and then messaged Joe.

Dude, sorry for not messaging, we were magically knocked out when we got into our rooms. A sleep spell, can you believe it? I have to say double sorry though, since apparently I was able to resist it, and met La'ar in person! Yes, THE La'ar Vitae, dude who did the mind projection across the world that everyone except me heard? Yeah, him! Also, he's my teacher, and he and Eris had a bit of a tiff while we were chatting, and it's all just a weird story. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. It won't be this weekend since we have a field trip. Where, do you ask? Oh, only the Livari homeworld!!! Dude, I'm trying so hard not to geek out in front of everyone, but it feels like most of us are pretty…weird in some way or another. There's a total douchebag here too, seems I'm destined to meet them. Gift training has started, and I'm really stuck.

It feels like I can't get Wisp to actually Do anything besides passively burn stuff like a normal naked flame. I got it to spin and 'explode' though, but it didn't even leave a mark on the target. Help? I'm also the fastest and strongest in the class without magic, so that's cool too! My body feels lighter somehow, I can't explain it, but every day it feels like I'm gyming like a madman, but I haven't done anything. Really weird. Anywho, I hope you're great and not dying of boredom at school. Don't worry, I'll keep my eyes out for that hot alien girlfriend! And you won't believe where I am too! Chat soon.

Mike finished sending it and let his phone flop on the bed. He was exhausted, and it was 21:30…

"Enough time to play a little…" These were the last thoughts to go through his mind before he realized much too late that it was 12:30 in the morning.

He logged off, flopped into bed, made sure his alarm was set, and promptly passed out.

* * * * *

"…yeah, I probably would've been fine if I hadn't played so late." He thought, bleary-eyed. He went to splash his face in the stunning bathroom and do something with his hair when a notification popped up in his head via Link.

You have been added to a group chat.

(The A-Team)

Accept?

Y/N

"Huh? The A-Team group? Oh boy… Daniel is one of those guys huh." he thought, pressing yes in his head. They'd all exchanged contacts via Link, and it seemed like Dan had already taken the liberty of starting a group chat for the 'A-Team', as they were calling themselves apparently. Mike didn't care all that much, as long as it wasn’t annoying. Once he'd finished making himself presentable, he went to rummage around in his clothes bag for some exercise-wear. He'd bought some a few days before, so he was excited to give them a try. Brand-new shoes were also an exciting development, though the clothes felt a little tighter than he remembered...

"Not every day I get to put on new shoes. I have no idea what we'll be doing, but I'm excited!" Just then, a message came in on the group.

D: Just wanted to wish everyone a great first official day of training. Good luck.

"Well, that's sweet enough. I'll also say something." he pondered.

M: Thanks Dan, good luck everyone, let's kill it today!

"Seems good. Don't wanna overdo it after all."

He finished getting dressed and headed towards the cafeteria. As he left his room and shut the door, he could have sworn it did the lightest of 'clicks' as a locking mechanism clearly activated.

"I wonder if it uses magic?..." he wondered as he saw a few other doors open with a few early risers as well. Mike messaged Dan mentally, asking,

"Hey dude, I'm heading out to eat, you ready yet?"

It wasn't until Mike walked most of the way to the reception area that he got a response.

"Sorry dude, still got a little more prep to do. Check you later."

Bummer. Looked like he was gonna be eating alone, seeing as neither Sam nor Emma had responded to the group message. As he walked past the reception he saw a familiar face wearing what looked like the most formal version of sportswear imaginable. A polo shirt and chino pants.

"Hey Calum!" Mike called to him as he was passing. "How are you doing? Did you get to rest a bit?" he asked with a small smile.

"Mike, good morning, I'm well thanks, how are you?" Calum asked somewhat stiffly. It was then that Mike noticed the slightest discoloration where his collar met his neck. Mike froze.

"Oh no, not here too."

"Sorry, what was that Mike? You alright?" Calum looked slightly concerned.

Mike hadn't realized he'd said it out loud. If there was one weakness he had, it was his reaction to bullying and abuse. Over many years, he and Joe had had their run-ins with various bullies and sent them packing many times, but the trouble was finding out that it wasn't always the kids hurting the kids. This was magic academy though, so surely he could be wrong, but…

"Oh, yeah, sorry that just slipped out. I'm good, but if you don't mind, are you okay?" Mike said, pointing at the mark on Calum's shoulder. Calum flinched ever so slightly at that, and instinctively pulled at his collar to hide the mark.

The hairs on the back of Mike's neck stood up. What set him off was the fact that parents were meant to be their children's protectors, and Mike's parents hadn't been there to protect him anymore. Those that were blessed with parents were supposed to be able to trust them. When those parents betrayed that trust, it triggered him like nothing else.

"Oh, that? It's nothing to worry about. Just a little bruise from sparring is all." Calum said lightly.

Mike would have believed him, wanted to in fact, except for the fact that Calum was acting strangely and that he didn't have that mark when he dropped them off at the House after classes yesterday.

"Are you sure, 'cause..."

"I'm fine!" Calum raised his voice, causing one of the receptionists to look up. Calum plastered a smile back on his face when he realized what had happened. "Please, Mike. Forget about me, it's nothing I can't handle myself. Just a little bruise is all. Now go to breakfast, I'll see you later." he intoned firmly before walking away.

Mike watched him go, his stomach sinking.

"Yeah right, dumbass, like I can just pretend I didn't just see that."

Mike made a mental note to check out Calum's relations sometime and see what he could do.

"Perhaps the President would be able to help him."

Mike put it in the back of his mind, he had a rather intense day ahead of him after all. Just then, a whoosh of wind slammed into him just as he was about to walk into the cafeteria to grab breakfast. That was when a torrent of words erupted from Samantha's mouth, coming out to the tune of a chipmunk.

"Hey, Mike! Are you doing okay? Sleep well? You look kinda drained. Wait, did you game last night? We should totally friend each other so we can play together! Oooh, smell that? Bacon! Scrambled eggs, toast, sausages, pancakes, flapjacks, oh my goodness, I need to get some, don't worry I'll save us a table, don't be slow alright? Okay, see ya!"

And just like that, Sam was gone, appearing at the counter and eagerly ordering from a very confused-looking chef. That was when Emma ran into the cafeteria panting as though she'd been sprinting. "Hey, no fair! A race to the cafeteria is only fun when you don't use powers, Sam! Oh, hey Mike, sleep well?" she said sweetly.

Mike smiled.

"Well, at least my time here isn't gonna be boring." he thought, though he couldn't simply shake what he knew he'd just seen.

"Don't worry Calum, you're not alone."