NOTE: This is just to set the scene! The training will begin in Chapter 2, after the connections are done! As time goes on, I'd love to know if I'm doing your characters justice!

I'd suggest saving this to your library or a reading list because notifications don't always come through, but I will tag you in every chapter unless you say otherwise!

Situated in Plurg, the Unit for the Abolishment of Evil's Headquarters stood tall.
The building itself was made out of granite, and had prickly vines on the walls that turned a luminescent green at the push of a button.

The building looked uninhabitable, like some great and rich leader had once lived there, but had since left, and no one took up the mantel of its owner.

Its interior told a different story though. Agents from as young as 8 roamed the long halls that had a strip of red along the walls, a nice contrast to the black and white on the walls.

The briefing room was arguably the most important room.
It was where the agents would receive their missions, where they would meet with the other agents that would help them, and where they would get the bulk of their information of what to expect on their mission.

The Trainer's Team— consisting of Astra, Oren, Imelda, Finian, Minerva, Knox, Eila, Caia, and the trainees' Handler Alessa, stood in the briefing room.

Head Guards Aoife and Calihan were also present.
Oren and Minerva looked nervous, Eila, Caia and Astra looked excited, Imelda looked intrigued and the others had an unreadable expression.

"As you all know, it has been two weeks since you received the go-ahead to re-open Case 34675", started Calihan. "We have selected a team who's strengths and weaknesses will be valuable."

"How can their weaknesses be valuable?", questioned Imelda.

"Knowing them will make it easier to utilise their strengths, and to stop the opposition from exploiting their weaknesses", replied Calihan.

Calihan gestured to the door, but Aoife stepped forward. "Wait. Before they are brought in, I want to impress on you all how dangerous this mission is.
You are giving up valuable training time for this."

Aoife looked directly at Alessa.
"And I hope you know that if I find out about one slip up from you, I'll pull the plug faster than it took for you to assemble your little squad."

Aoife, please", said Calihan, his tone stern.

Calihan looked at the door again. "Trainees, you may now enter!"

The blindfolded trainees were guided into the room, though an incredibly tall young man with jet black hair walked straight into a chair.

"D*mmit, my toe!
I'm failing to see the pleasure in these blindfold k*nks sociable people seem to have", he said.

"Trainee Yuan-Ko, we are not that kind of establishment.
The blindfolds are simply so that you do not know where our headquarters are, and so that you cannot see your trainers", said Aoife.

"How will we train with people we can't see?", questioned someone with blonde hair that had black strands at the front.

"Trainee Mizuno, you will meet your trainers later today, without blindfolds. This is just to give them the opportunity to assess how you do in a new environment", said Calihan.

"Wait, they're just... watching us?
I don't know whether to be creeped out, or to strike a pose", remarked a blonde haired girl.

"I can assure you, your physical appearance other than your athletic build is not something any of us are interested in, Trainee Williams."

"Dámn, you just got told 'I'm not interested' by a group of people, but  through one man's voice.
I can't decide whether that's talent or just a tragedy", said a young woman with tanned skin and loosely curled hair.

"Trainers, set up your equipment.
You will meet your trainees shortly", said Calihan.

The Trainers nodded and hurried out of the room, with Astra excitedly patting Oren's arm.

Aoife turned back to the trainees.
"You may now remove your blindfolds."

The trainees took their blindfolds off.
A large monitor on the wall lit up, and their faces covered the screen.

Aoife stepped closer to the trainees.

"Raphael Yuan-Ko, exceptional inventor", started Aoife.

He smirked.
"Extremely exceptional", corrected Raphael.

"And a cockiness to match.
It's a good thing you're incredibly intelligent.
We need that", said Aoife.

"I trust you'll work well with
Agent Ghimire", said Calihan.
"She is a remarkable inventor.
A true asset to our agency."

"Minerva Ghimire?
I've read up on her work thoroughly", said Raphael.

"You are here for the mission, Yuan-Ko. There shall be no fangirling", snapped Aoife.

"Moving on...", said Calihan, hastily.
"... Rhiannon Hendrix.
You've had previous training, which will help us immensely."

"Surely having trained agents will make it harder for you to convert them to your training methods?", questioned Raphael.

Rhiannon wasn't one to talk immediately.
She preferred to assess the situation, choosing to talk when she was comfortable.
However, she knew how important this mission was.
Raphael was trying to make them doubt choosing her, and Rhiannon wouldn't stand for that.

"Actually, formal training means that I'm disciplined enough to listen to my superiors", replied Rhiannon.

Raphael's face contorted into a shape reminiscent of someone that had eaten a lemon.
"Oh whoopy!
You're a conformist."

"I think that everyone having different strengths means they have a more well-rounded team", said Trainee Mizuno, in an attempt to avoid conflict.

Rhiannon nodded in agreement, and although Raphael rolled his eyes, it was clear that he was contemplating on Trainee Mizuno's words.

Calihan grinned.
"That brings us nicely to you, Makoto Mizuno.
Your diplomacy skills make you a much needed member of the team.
Any chance you get to avoid
conflict— use it."

Makoto nodded.

"We understand that you are non-binary", said Aoife.
"We have informed our Trainers, and will inform the rest of our agents and staff.
If anyone purposefully calls you by the wrong pronouns, or bullies you in any way, come to us immediately."

Makoto nodded.
"Thank you.
I appreciate that, truly.
I'm sure I won't have any problems though."

Aoife nodded.
She turned to the young woman with shoulder length blonde hair.
"Trainee Williams.
You have had previous marine training, so your combat skills are the kind we need."

Aoife paused, taking a minute to scrutinise each person.
"You were selected out of over 1,000 potential trainees.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you what is at stake here.
Training will be hard.
There will most definitely be tears and bruises.
If you suceed, not only will you save Agoraville, but you will also become heroes."

The reality of their situation was starting to dawn on the trainees.
None of them knew what to expect, but the importance of the situation was too much for any of them to ignore.

"Your belongings will be taken to your rooms, and you will be allowed to go after your first session", said Calihan.

"Wait, we're starting training now?", asked Ashryn.

Calihan nodded.
"Time is of the essence, after all."

"Your Handler, Agent Arden, will give each of you a tablet and a mobile phone.
Your timetables have been downloaded on to them, and automatic alarms will ring half an hour before you need to be in all of your sessions."

"What about our own phones?", asked Makoto.

"You will be allowed to keep them, but the wifi has been disabled on all of them.
If you need to call home, you may do so", answered Calihan.

"It is important that this mission remain confidential though", added Aoife.

"So what is our first session?", asked Rhiannon.

"You will be taken to room 34C, where you will meet Agent Arden.
From there, you will have a 1 hour fitness session.
Then you will have a 2 hour break, in which time you can go to your rooms and familiarise yourself with your new home.
Then you will be escorted to another room, where you will receive combat training that will last for an hour.
Your final session— the technology session, will take place immediately after", explained Aoife.

"You will then debrief with your Handler, who will escort you to your rooms", finished Calihan.

Calihan gestured to the agents near the door, who approached the trainees.

"You will treat all of your trainers with respect, in fact, everyone you come in contact with must be treated with respect", said Aoife.
"We are very protective of our own, and we will not hesitate to punish you for stepping out of line."

The agents guided the trainees towards the door.

"Don't mess up, trainees.
Many people are counting on you to ensure the safety of their home... and their lives."

[Credit for who made this gif is on Chapter 10!]

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I hope you liked this chapter!

Sophia will appear in later chapters. I haven't written them yet, but I'm assuming it'll be in Chapter 5 or 6.

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