*Ding dong* Sliding doors of the convenient store open to let the teenage girls inside. A group of balloons float next to the entrance, and paper banners displaying sales cover the walls. As they step down the isles, a messy haired boy at the counter nervously waves. Not paying attention, he turns and faceplants against the window, causing Delle and Ellia to giggle. The boy rubs his head, as another person enters the store, a hooded man in dark clothing.
"Boritos?" asks Delle holding the bag, which Ellia replies, "Nah." "Prangles?" "Meh." "Cheezos?" "Hmm. Maybe." Meanwhile the boy at the counter asks the other customer, "What can I get you, sir?" Without warning, the hooded man pulls out a pistol from his pocket and shouts, "EMPTY THE REGISTER!! NOW!!" "Whoa! Sir that gun's illeg-" BANG! A shot is fired up at the ceiling, then pointed back at the teen. "MONEY!! NOW!!"
Behind the chip isle, Delle peeks over on her tiptoes, while Ellia has to float with her wings to see. The sight of the gunman once more reminds the pixie of Victor, with his electric gauntlet aimed at her. "We have to do something," she whispers. Delle quickly pulls her down to the floor and quietly replies, "He's got a gun! We can't do that!" "That dude's life's at risk!" "So are ours! Plus you don't even have your bow!"
Frantically the teenage boy digs into the register, while Ellia peeks from the isle corner. "Do you have your magic stick?" Delle doesn't reply, accidentely giving away the answer. "Use it!" "But I-" "There's no time!" Wads of cash are placed in the burglar's sack as he says, "The Black Nest thanks you for the generous donation." "HEY!!" The hooded man turns to the young girl's voice, finding Delle pointing her magic stick. Pink fire ignites on the tip, then launches out like a flare. Just in time, the burglar steps back, causing the fireball to engulf the balloons.
With each pop, the pink flames burst larger and larger. In only a second they reach the paper banners on the walls, spreading quickly around the store. Seeing his chance to flee, the burglar runs out through the sliding doors with the money bag. Ellia attempts to pursue, but the burning banner falls in front of her. Delle rushes and waves her magic stick around the growing blaze. Some of the flames are absorbed through the tip, but not all. The teenage cashier shouts, "I'll get some water!" "There's no time!" Delle demands, "Where's the back exit?"
The three attempt to escape through the back door, but flames had already traveled too quickly. Black smoke begins to fill the room, causing the teens to cough. "What do we-" *cough!* "do!?" asks Ellia in a panic. Delle doesn't have an answer, and neither does the store boy. Pink fire illluminates the room and surrounds them, with no way out. *Ding dong* The untimely sound catches their ears, and their eyes can't believe the sight.
Blue flames surround Bron's boots as he sweeps his leg across the spreading blaze. The fire is snuffed out by stronger fire, and the mentor's tattoos on his arms and chest glow brightly. Another kick, another extinguish. Blue overtakes the pink. Lastly, a small fire is smothered underboot, and Bron looks down at the scared teens in front of him. Neither say a word, so he observes the damaged store. Every wall, every ceiling tile, every isle had scorch marks. Items burned across each shelf except for one, a bag of Cheezos. Bron grabs the snack and looks at the shaking cashier. "How much do I owe you?"
The console clock on Bron's Reign DR displayed "1:00 AM." A left turn signal blinked three times before pulling into a dirt driveway and shining its lights on an aged, trailer house. Underneath the carport rested a beatup, older model of the same car, though blue in color. Bron shifted the gear in park, and turned towards the girls crammed in the only passenger seat. "Kurt's waiting inside."
Ashamed of herself, Delle slowly stepped out and closed the car door, not even giving Ellia a chance to say anything. "Delle, wait!" The pixie floated out of her seat and landed in front of the sad girl. "I'm sorry. You were right. I-I shouldn't have pushed you to...I'm sorry." A tear rolled down Ellia's ashamed face, and a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. She looked up, finding Delle with a sad smile. "I think I would've done it anyway. I do the same thing for Gren at school, remember?"
The girls hug, with Ellia's white hair brushing against her taller friend's chin. Still in his Reign, Bron crunches on some Cheezos as he watches. After a few seconds they seperate, and Ellia asks, "Call you tomorrow?" Delle nods. "MmmHmm." The witch girl walks up the front porch steps, while the pixie floats back into the covertable. "Are we in trouble?" she asks her mentor. "The governors expects these kinds of things to happen in the first week, so no. The store will be reimbursed."
Still uncertain, Ellia asks, "Are you sure?" Bron replies with confidence, "Trust me, I've been bailed out more times than you can imagine." The painted flames on Bron's red Reign light up, as the engine ignites. Dirt is lightly kicked up by the wheels spinning in reverse. Brake lights shine brightly in the road, then dim. The electric motor revs loudly, as it speeds off down the street.
In the year 2045, a select few are gifted with the extraordinary gene called a Symbol! After generations of skipping, the young Gren receives his family's Symbol and dreams of being a state licensed Symbiolic! However, one obstacle stands between him and his apprenticeship! The Symbiolic Scouting Program is held once every 5 years with open invitations to all gifted teens! Gren sets out to win with his friend Delle, but other teens like the strong Komo, cunning Victor, and pixie Ellia might be too much to handle. In this bright future, will Gren find his time to shine?
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