CHAPTER 1: Shocking Realization

Blue, cushioned arm guards block the incoming red, boxing glove. Gren counters with a jab, but Komo meets it with her own fist. The impact causes the boy to lose his balance and fall. Dirt clouds kick up where he lands, but he's not upset. Excited from the exercise, Gren removes his gloves and takes out his mouth guard. "Yes!!" "You lost again," Komo replies, "Why are you so excited?" "Because it took you eight more punches than last week to knock me down! I'm getting stronger!"

Percy claps for his improving apprentices and says to Komo, "And you're moving a lot faster now too. Both of you should be proud." Gren's eyes turn to stars upon hearing his idol commend him, while Komo flexes her arms. Their mentor hands them some sweat towels and says, "To reward you kids, Kurt, Bron and I have decided to let you all have a day to yourselves. So get ready. We leave in an hour."

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Percy's green Reign cruised down the older road. A few decades had passed without renovation, and the bumps were much more intense than the city streets Gren was used to. The small boy bounced up and down in the backseat beside Komo, who seemed unbothered by it. "Oof! How much longer?" Percy chuckled and looked in his rearview mirror. "What? You kids haven't been out of the city before?" Komo held her friend down in his seat to stop him from rocking. "I grew up kinda rural, unlike cityboy here."

The shiny car took a right, then pulled into a dirt driveway. The vertical doors opened to let Percy and his apprentices out, and they observed the house. Grass stood a bit too tall, with some patches growing from the driveway. The car under the metal shelter was a Reign like Percy's but appeared to be a model from the 2010's era. Blue paint was dull with a few scratches, similar to the double wide trailer. "This is where Kurt lives?" Gren whispered to Komo, but Percy overheard him. "Kurt's made some...questionable financial choices."

DING DONG! After ringing the doorbell twice with no answer, Gren and Komo repeatedly mash it with mischievous grins. "Kids, please." The door cracks open, and Delle greets them with a smile. "Gren!" The ruby haired girl hugs her childhood friend so hard, his spirit leaves his body. "Wow! You feel so much firmer now!" she says with joy, "Are your shoulders broader!?" After letting him go, Gren's translucent ghost slips back into his nose. "Hi Delle! You're looking good too."

Percy clears his throat and asks, "Is Kurt awake yet?" "HOLD ON!!" The orange haired man stumbles into the messy living room with his hand on his forehead. "Ugh, my head. When did you get here?" "A minute ago. Once Bron and Ellia arrive we'll head to the capitol building." HONK! "Oh, they're here." "Wait!" Kurt says, "I gotta get the kids' stuff ready."

Four stuncuffs dropped in the middle of the living room, where the floor could use a good sweeping. Furniture appeared older, but not torn or dirty. Kurt held a manual in front of his face, and said, "Ok kids, while we're gone, you're gonna practice using stuncuffs. It says here in the manual, you need to...on page one it says..." The mentor's hangover prevented his eyes from focusing on what the pages said, so he just tossed it to Delle instead. "Just read it yourselves."

After catching the booklet, Delle energetically answered, "You got it, sir! Don't worry about us!" Floating above the floor, Ellia held one of the cuffs. "How hard can it be?" HONK! Kurt peeked out the front door and yelled, "Gimme a second! You kids sure you can do this?" "Yes sir," replied Gren, eager to prove himself. All teens seemed sure of themselves, so the mentor shrugged and closed the door, leaving the teens in the trailer.

Komo's eyes were immediately drawn to the fridge, and Gren pointlessly tried to stop her. "Komo, you can't just go in someone else's fridge without- aaaand it's too late." The girl with a whole tub of ice cream slumped in the old recliner and devoured a big scoop. Attempting to understand the stuncuffs, Delle held the device in one hand and manual in the other. "Ok guys, I'm gonna read this and figure it out first. Step one, turn the activation nob on the underside until it clicks." The witch girl followed the instructions, causing the cuffs to light up. However, unknown to her, Gren and Ellia do the same. "Step two, place both arms of resisting individual inside open cuffs."

Delle sticks her hands through the cuffs, and immediately they tighten around her wrists. An electric shock causes her to seize up and fall to the laminate floor. "EEE!! Ok! Woo...that definitely works. Now you guys read how to get me out." Wide eyes look in disbelief at Gren and Ellia, also cuffed on the floor. "Umm..." ZAP! "...We did it, Delle."

ZAP! The pixie groans and turns her head towards the laughing Komo. "Hey! Get us out of these, you lazy piece of-" ZAP! After consuming another spoonful of ice cream, Komo stands up from the recliner. Her first step lands in a pool of her own melted dessert, causing her to slip and fall. Her hands slide straight into the open stuncuffs, shocking her immediately. With all four teens on the floor, Komo says, "Well, this is bad." "You think?" Ellia sasses back.