Rosegarden High

[Ananfal]

Skyler put her head in her hands, releasing a sigh. Slowly her lips curved upwards, although neither of the other pair noticed. "Markus, you're going the wrong way." She called out to him, startling both him and Felicity. She dropped her hand then, revealing the full blown smile on her face. "Come on then, I'll show you the way." She spoke as she turned around and began walking down the hallway opposite Markus. "Best hurry up, I won't wait for you!" She called over her shoulder, a slight chuckle escaping her lips.

 

[Servant]

Markus remained frozen on his spot, doubting if he should follow her. Felicity sighed and signaled him to follow her and Skyler. "Come on, she won't be killing us, at least not yet." Markus was still doubtful for a second, but then decided to follow them. Soon enough he was walking near Felicity, who was just a few steps away from Skyler. "Um...I am sorry for what happened back there. I will make sure to actually hear you out next time before doing anything..."

 

[Ananfal]

A smile still on her lips, Skyler shook her head. "There's no need for that." She spoke as she led them down the hall and took a right. "You did what you thought was right and stood up for something you felt strongly about." She let out another laugh. "If you had just calmly stood by, I think I would have been more upset." She murmured, half to herself and half to them. Looking up, she stopped in front of a door, similar doors scattered around the hall. "These are the empty dorms." She said, gesturing. "And you can call me Sky, or even Night if you want." She added on, turning to look at the new pair.

 

[Servant]

Markus smiled, relived that Skyler was acting so calm. "I am glad you think that way...I was worried that you've gotten mad at me." He looked over at the door and chuckled. "You have been extremely kind today." He now turned towards her. "Sky, thank you very much. I really hope to keep seeing you around" With his luggage in hand Markus opened the door and entered the room. Felicity just crossed her arms and looked at Skyler. "I guess I should be thankful for your help...So thanks." Felicity took her luggage and followed Markus in. "Hey! I want that bed!" "HUH!? But I already placed my stuff there!"

 

[Ananfal]

Sky chuckled at the sounds coming from inside the room. "Just to make sure you two don't kill each other...." She whispered to herself as she called up her shadows and slowly began crafting. The shadows now resembled a small animal-like blob, vaguely shaped like a cat of some kind. "Watch them. Tell me if they get hurt." She whispered before releasing it into the shadows near the entrance of the room. Too late Sky realized that she had never told the shadow creature to stay hidden. Slipping into the shadows herself, she hoped the creature had enough sense to not get caught.

 

[Servant]

Inside the room. Markus was standing next to his bed, beginning to disarm his suitcase while still smiling. Felicity was sitting on the other bed, arms and legs crossed. She had a total of three suitcases and she only opened one to get a microwave she brought out. This particular suitcase also had a bunch of microwave food, and she was cooking one of them right now. "Gosh, how much time will it take for it to heat up?" Markus chuckled. "Don't get hasty, didn't your mom ever tell you the story about the little kid who couldn't wait and the bear got him?" Felicity actually giggled slightly but quickly stopped. "Ha ha ha, very funny..."

 

[Ananfal]

Skyler sighed in relief as it seemed her little creation had managed to get in without being seen. Slipping off to her own room, she stared down at the single little case she had. It contained two other sets of clothing and not much more: a picture of her mother, and her only piece of jewelry - a beautiful necklace with a single moon charm hanging. It used to be her mother's, and she had stolen it from her father before she got sent off to the academy. Swallowing hard, she pushed aside her case and headed out once more, needing to walk and clear her head. Heading outside, she glanced up at the setting sun before turning her back on the beautiful sight. The night time was the place for her. Night, where all unsavory and cursed things ventured. Shaking her head, she ventured back inside the building just as an alarm began to ring. "No..." Skyler's thoughts instantly jumped to Markus and Felicity. They didn't know what it was for.... Cursing, she instantly jumped into the first pair of shadows she saw and flashed to their room, urgently knocking on the door.<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_08/il_fullxfull.453381448_kycg.jpg.7df406f7d5517c81d9b162d49d3b5e27.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="27420" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_08/il_fullxfull.453381448_kycg.jpg.7df406f7d5517c81d9b162d49d3b5e27.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[Servant]

A silence filled the room, but Felicity quickly broke it. "So tell me, what do you think of Skyler?". This sudden question caught Markus off guard, who was now looking around confused. "Where did that come from?...Why would you want to know that anyway?" He chuckled. Felicity remained as stiff as before. "Answer the question." Markus's confusion turned to shock in almost and instant. "Um...Okay then. Well, we just met but I think she is-" The sound of someone knocking on the door interrupted Markus, who then opened the door. It was Skyler. "Oh hey Sky! We were just talking about you!....Is something wrong? You seem alarmed..."

 

[Ananfal]

"You didn't hear that?!" Skyler asked, incredulous. "This school has one alarm and only one. It means a test - of course, in this school, that means to the death." She spoke quickly, grabbing both of them and dragging them into the shadows. They quickly got transported to the yard as all the other students had already assembled there, staring at seven individuals standing in a line. "Those are the teachers." Skyler whispered to Felicity and Markus. "They announce who's fighting then watch the fight."

 

[Servant]

The two new students stared around, confused of what was going on. "What kind of high school is this? They place two students to fight to death? That's just...horrible in so many levels..." Felicity said, her voice filled with both surprise and terror. "I....I don't want to die..." She said in a very low whisper while looking down. Markus looked at Felicity. He couldn't bare seeing people like that, even if he just met them. Very cautiously Markus hugged her tightly. "Um...Don't worry about it, okay? I won't let anyone hurt my friends." Felicity was caught off guard and at first she was extremely tense, but she soon began to calm down. Both of them stared at the teachers, waiting for an answer.

 

[Ananfal]

"I told you that many students would die this year." Skyler told them bluntly. "Only a few fights will actually end in death. Well, from the spectated fights at least. The most deaths actually occur from student brawls." She was about to speak more when one teacher stepped forward, she recognized him as the Martial Arts teacher. "Skyler Morket will fight Mordred Farge." He announced in a clear voice. Swallowing hard, Skyler stepped forward until she was face to face with her most hated enemy, the other students quickly surrounding them. Mordred sneered at her. "Your black magic won't help you now, demon. Ready to die?" He hissed at her.

 

[Servant]

"Yeah, but still. this shouldn't be like this on the first place. Why would they do such a t-" Markus was suddenly interrupted by a male voice, who he only assumed was a teacher. He said Skyler's name. Markus quickly turned towards her, wanting to tell her something, but she was already marching away. Markus looked at her opponent ,but wasn't able to figure out who he was. "Hey...I know that guy..." Felicity said, staring at the male opponent. "Wasn't he the guy who yelled at Sky when we first arrived? You know, the one that called her a witch." Markus had to double-check before he was able to remember him. "It is him..." Suddenly, Markus grabbed Felicity's arm and began to pull her while walking closer to the fight. "HEY! What are you doing!?" Felicity yelled, struggling a bit. Markus simply grinned. "We are going to cheer her on. She must defeat this douche."

 

[Ananfal]

Her attention was caught by movement out of the corner and Skyler had to smile as she saw Markus and Felicity edge closet to her. She was about to speak to them when Mordred cut her off. "Making friends already? You must be so lonely, I mean with your mother dead and your father hating you so much he sent you off here." He sneered, literally trembling with rage. "And its no wonder! You freak, you probably killed your mother when you were born with your freakish black magic!" Skyler couldn't breathe. How did he know about that? Did she really kill her mother...? Her lungs felt like they were seizing up. She couldn't move. However she didn't cry. She couldn't, not anymore. "Stop..." She whispered buy Mordred didn't hear, too busy hurling more words at her. "Stop!" She screamed and it seemed as though all the light suddenly disappeared.

 

[Servant]

Through the loud cheers of the crowd both Felicity and Markus weren't able to figure out what the two participants were talking about, but it was clearly affecting Skyler in a bad way. Markus took a step further closer into the fighting area. "Skyler! Don't let him distract you! Concentrate or he will strike you!" He got closer. Felicity frowned as she began to see the scene. "Come on Skyler! if you were able to fight that stupid wolf then you can surely beat this idiot!" Both of them were now one of the students that were a near as one could get to the fight. They both took a big breath and yelled at the same time "KICK HIS ASS!". Before they were able to cheer her even more the light suddenly died off and the whole scene was immersed in a deep and silent darkness. Nobody spoke. Nobody even made a single noise. Markus and Felicity's eyes met each other even through the dense darkness. They knew what was about to happen.

 

[Ananfal]

It was silent for a moment. Then the screaming began. Skyler, deep inside the emotional state Mordred had thrown her into, no longer had any control over her powers. Shadow beasts emerged everywhere, attacking without recognition. Even the teachers were attacked, although they were more than able to protect themselves. "Enough, Skyler!" One of the teachers commanded but there was no response. Finally there came a blast of bright light, burning through the darkness. Mordred lay upon the ground, bleeding from claw and bite marks all over his skin. Skyler swayed upon her feet, drained from the overuse of her powers. "Stop..." She whispered once more before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

 

[Servant]

In the sudden outburst of chaos Markus and Felicity found themselves attempting to fight off shadow-like creatures. Markus had used his power to electrocute a nearby shadow bear while Felicity had successfully shot down a shadow eagle with a burst of water. Thing were suddenly looking bad for them as more shadow creatures began surrounding them, but luckily the chaos ended as suddenly as it started. Markus and Felicity were trying to adapt their eyes when Felicity spotted Skyler. "Oh crap, Sky!" She yelled while running towards her. After Markus realized the situation he soon joined Felicity and held Skyler on his arms while beginning to shake her a bit. "Sky! Sky wake up dammit!" Felicity placed a hand on his shoulder to clam his down. "She must be exhausted..."

 

[Ananfal]

Many of the surrounding students were injured and backed away from Skyler with wide eyes. The few uninjured chose to leave as well, some helping their not so lucky friends. The teachers gave each other a series of looks before they walked over to Markus and Felicity. "When she wakes up, tell her to report to the yard for her punishment." One teacher, the male who had announced the fight, told them while a female teacher went to collect Mordred from the ground and carry him off. The yard was deserted a few minutes later, leaving Markus and Felicity alone with Skyler still unconscious.

 

[Servant]

Felicity sighed as she watched the teachers leave. "Are they seriously going to punish her? It was them who wanted her to fight..." Markus worry slowly began to change to anger as he began to pick Skyler up. "For now I will take her back to her room. You go back to ours because we left the microwave on..." Felicity suddenly remembered that she had left food in it. "MY SNACKS!" She screamed while running away. Markus as he began to head on the direction of the dorm. "When you are done come to Sky's room!" It was a matter of seconds after they were back in the dorm and, thanks to a bunch of students, Markus was able to find Sky's room. Upon entering the room Markus gently tucked her into the bed and then sat down on a nearby chair. "This school is worse than I thought..."

 

[Ananfal]

Skyler stirred about half an hour after Markus had laid her in bed. Groaning, she opened her eyes and winced at the light, closing them again. Turning her head, she squinted and saw Markus sitting next to her bed. "You... stayed?" She asked, her voice hoarse and raspy. She tried to sit up but fell back onto the bed, her muscles aching and unable to hold her up. "Ugh..." She groaned again, closing her eyes. "I lost control... I deserve whatever punishment they give me..." She murmured to herself, struggling to keep a lid on her emotions. She didn't want Markus to see her weak. He had already seen her at her worst, she didn't want him to leave her. Like everyone else did.

 

[Servant]

Markus frowned, stood up and sat on Sky's bed. "Don't say that stuff. You were forced into fighting that guy. You were just trying to survive. if they think they can punish you for doing that, then they will have to hear me out first. Now relax, you used way too much energy and I don't want you to doze off again..." Markus stood up from the bed and walked out of the room. On the hallway there were a couple of vending machines so he paid for a cola can and then re-entered the room. Markus sat back down on the bed's edge and handed Sky the cola. "You should probably drink something with sugar, it will help you recover lost energy faster...I am sorry I didn't step help you back then. I should have done something when I saw you losing control..."

 

[Ananfal]

Skyler opened her eyes and accepted the cola can, popping it open and taking a long drink. The sugar buzzed through her veins, giving her enough strength to sit up in her bed. "You couldn't have done anything, Markus. I've had years to refine my power, to use it fully. You wouldn't have had a chance." She took another long drink, staring down at her hands. "I lost control Markus, I deserve to be punished. The one golden rule of this school is control. Being vicious, or dirty, or even killing someone, doesn't matter as long as you don't lose control." She closed her eyes once more and took a deep breath. "I have to report to the yard, don't I? I'll go there as soon as I can walk."

 

[Servant]

Markus sighed. He wanted to tell Skyler that what she was doing was both wrong and also kind of stupid, but decided to remain quiet instead. "She actually thinks that getting punished for defending herself is a good thing. This school...it's bad news. first they place two students to fight to the death and they are somehow able to get in their minds that it's good to be punished if you aren't able to control yourself. It's like if they thought we were animals..." This very thought made Markus boil with anger and he wanted to punch that stupid teacher's face with all of his strength. Markus looked at Sky "Is there anything I can do to help you or make you feel better?"

 

[Ananfal]

Skyler gave him a weak smile. "You already have. Just by staying here until I woke up. No one has ever done that before." She finished off the drink and attempted to stand, but moaned in pain and fell to the ground. "Ugh, this is so embarrassing..." She muttered, struggling to get up. "I'm not usually this weak, I swear." Shaking her head, she managed to flop back onto her bed. She was silent for a while before suddenly blurting out. "Markus, do you think I'm a freak?" Her voice was soft and hushed. "Do you think I'm... a demon?"

 

[Servant]

After hearing her question Markus couldn't help himself and chuckled. "Let me answer your question with another one. Does that really matter? You could be the son of Satan and I would have still stayed here...." He smiled at her "The point is that even if you were a demon, which you are not, I would have still helped you, because you are my friends and friends are always there for each other. Trust me, even if the whole world turns against you me and Felicity will always be there to support you."

 

[Ananfal]

Skyler couldn't help but laugh bitterly at Markus's words. "We'll see." She said, her lips curving in a smile full of pain and sadness. "Everyone leaves eventually. I learned that as a child. It was beaten into me." Her eyes closed as she struggled not to cry. "Where is Felicity?" She asked, hoping her voice didn't waver. "I would have thought that she would be with you, seeing as you two are inseparable."