Preston did not appreciate being woken up at two in the morning, even if it was for a cool weapon. Eventually, Rob had to splash water on his face to wake up, but for doing that the Tauran demanded that the prince go with him.

'I still don't see why I have to be here-'

'Because Preston needs a weapon, the weaponry's only open at certain hours, and we both find this hilarious. Right Preston?'

'Pfft, yeah.' The brunet grinned, definitely more awake than he'd been a few minutes ago. Robert on the other hand was still tired, practically leaning on his friend as they walked through the halls, but nobody was complaining about that.

'Oh, Seto? I have a question.'

'Go ahead.'

'When we were in the weaponry yesterday - today? I don't know. What was I saying again?'

'Weaponry, yesterday.'

'Right. We saw these weird wing things in there. Cylinder of glass, with wings inside. They could move by themselves.' The sorcerer tensed under his cloak, gripping the flaming torch as he looked dead ahead.
'You weren't supposed to see those. Why did you take the cover off?'
'We were curious, and... I'm sorry.'

All the sorcerer could do at that point was sigh. Hopefully the Prince wouldn't remember before the deadline. 'It's alright, young prince. It was an honest mistake. Just make me a promise, okay?'
'Uh...'
'Don't go near the wings again, understand? And do not let them touch you. Your father locked them up for a reason.'
'Oh. Okay.'

After a few minutes, Seto internally groaned and turned around. 'Someone remind me why we're walking? I can just teleport us there.'
'SETO DON'T-'

In a bright purple flash, the trio appeared by the door of the weaponry. Rob covered his mouth with both hands as he almost threw up, and Preston just stared at the doors.
'Nice design.'
'Thanks, I made them myself. Anyway, just get in, get a weapon and get out before we get caught.' The brunet ordered calmly, pushing them both through the door. Strangely, he didn't pass through the doors.

'So this is what y'all did yesterday, huh?'

'That's the most Tauran thing I've ever heard. "Y'all". I love it!'

'Wow, stereotypical much? C'mon, help me pick out a thing so we can get back to bed.' Preston gently shoved his friend towards a display case, deciding the check out the long-range weapons (and completely ignoring the weird wings in the glass case.)

'Bow and arrow?'

'Eh, maybe. I'm a good shot and all, but - Woah. Those are cool.'

Joining the keeper's side (Was he a keeper? They hadn't seen him use his powers since this whole thing happened), Rob took a look at what he'd seen and whistled slightly. 'Wind and fire wheels, eh? Good choice. They suit your style.'
'Tragically ironic. Do you think it'd be okay if I used these?'
'Of course. Seto can teach you how to use them later, but first it's sleep time.'
He didn't tell Preston who they had one belonged to. He didn't see any point in it.

<<<<<<<+>>>>>>>
MITCH AND JEROME ARE-
'SHUT UP, SETO!'

Being rudely awakened by a certain Candelian screaming at their mentor, Lachlan groaned tiredly and looked up before faceplanting back onto the pillow.
'Too early for this sh-'
Lachlan, if you swear I'll tell Vik that you once cried because snakes don't have arms.
'-oot. Shoot. And how the Hell do you know about that?'
I have my ways. If your partner isn't awake by now, wake them up. The King wants to talk to you all in the secondary hall before breakfast.

'Damnit.' The Astralan muttered, glancing over to the other side of the room. Somehow, throughout all of the yelling, Vik had remained asleep. Absolute madman.
Now I'm gonna feel bad... Wake him up in a few minutes Lachlan. The guy needs his sleep.

So after doing all of the normal stuff a guy does in the morning, Lachlan had to wake his friend up. It took about ten minutes, due to the fact that he'd pass out as soon as Lachlan's back was turned, but eventually they were able to meet up with the other three outside of the courtyard.

'Where's Rob?'
'He had to go in early, something about his dad.' Preston explained worriedly. The blond could understand his concern - They both knew what the King was capable of, even without using his power - but Mitch, Jerome and Vik were oblivious.
'Heard anything yet?'
'Nope. He's been in there for about ten minutes, and you know what he's said before.' The Tauran muttered, glancing at the door every so often as if it would explode any moment.

It didn't, thankfully. The only thing that did happen was Rob opening the doors, albeit shakily, and giving his friends a bright smile.

'Morning, everybody! Father is just finishing some preparations for the meeting, so if you could follow me to your designated seats that would be great!' The smile was too wide, his tone too cheery, as he guided his teammates into the great hall. Their footsteps echoed throughout the impressive room, paintings on the walls extending into the dome-like ceiling.

Yet again, props to the architect. Preston thought. But why's Rob acting so... Formal?

It's got to be his Father. I knew we shouldn't have trusted that piece of-

Calm, Lachlan. We'll figure it out, just play along. Voice, d'you know what's going on?

The King's said something that's made the prince act like this. Psychological damage is my speciality, I can check it out if you want.

With no-

I won't hurt him, I promise.

Thank you.

What the Hell, Preston?

The voice and I get along now. Something to do with contracts? Eh. Go do your stuff, and I'll let you see that memory about Walls again.

Great!

The voice seemed much more childlike after the talk Preston had selected a weapon. Not that he minded, of course - This version didn't pry into his memories.

'Well hello boys! I'm glad to see you all this morning, despite the...mistake during yesterday's training.' King Sebastian smiled coldly as the team seated themselves. Robert sat further away from his friends, bolt upright with that robotic smile on his face. 'So today, I shall be training my son privately. This isn't what the meeting is for, that was just to let you all know. The real reason you've been gathered here is to meet your... ahem, replacements.'

What's he on about, "replacements"?

Just wait...

The King waved a group of people in.Like their own, this group was comprised of six males -some of which being startling familiar to certain group members. A blond male around Preston's age led the other five, two of which being a slime and a half-robot. Alongside that pair was some kind of humanoid bird, and- Oh, look at that, Preston almost fainted. Then there was Jerome, who looked as if he was about to explode.

I think they know eachother.

'Uh, hi?' Kenny smiled and waved, clearly nervous as Preston slid down in his chair. Even Rob snapped out of the weird mood for a second to worriedly glance at the teenager before returning to his previous position. 'Um, is your friend okay?'

'Preston should be fine.'

'Wait,you're the guy from- Is that Preston?!' The pureblood squeaked. The Tauran just gave a thumbs-up from where he was sitting, and the King glared at the two.

'May I finish? So, if any one of you is incapacitated before the prophecy is fulfilled, one of these will be your replacements.' All twelve boys looked disgruntled at that, with Preston lifting his head just to shoot his own glare at the royal, who clapped twice to catch more attention than he already had/deserved.

'You have ten minutes to introduce yourselves. You're going to be training together, so make sure you don't fight!' Treating them as if they were small children,the King gave a regal wave and turned to walk out of the hall. 'Come, Robert, we must have words.'

'Y-Yes,Father.'

Once the door was shut, Jerome practically launched himself at the slime and robot while Kenny made his way over to his friend. 'Preston, dude, you're alive?'

'Surprisingly. Like the new look?' The blond gave a dazed nod, eyes flashing with an array of emotions as Preston pushed himself away from the table. 'What, do I not get a hug from my best friend?'

And that was his first hug in over ten years. Lachlan didn't say anything, but he saw them both crying, and smiled. It was adorable to watch, but he should probably mingle with the other team too, so he wandered over to one of the guys I couldn't describe. I was so close, man.

'I'd point out the look of horror on your face, but I think you know why it's there.'

'Obviously. That guy is sick, literally calling people replacements like that!' The brunet raged, before pausing in his frustrated hand movements and giving a sheepish smile. 'Sorry 'bout that.'

'No problem, he triggers everyone on the team. I'm Lachlan.'

'Landon. Landon Arsement. So you're a part of the "original" team, right?'

'Yep, and if the prophecy is resting on us, then the world is doomed. We can't use half of our powers in here due to some kind of spell, so Preston's stuck being... wait. You said your last name was Arsement, right?'

'Yeah. Why?'

'...Do you have a relative called Preston.'

'I mean, a few years back I had a cousin, but he's supposed to be dead. He got cursed by a witch.' Landon responded, raising one eyebrow as a cheeky grin made it's way onto Lachlan's face. 'Why're you looking at me like that?'

The Astralan put one hand into the pocket of his hoodie, and used the other to gesture to his friend. 'Let me guess, he was cursed to turn into a lavamob when he was around eight, and went missing about a week after it happened?'

'Wait, what- How do you know that?'

'I've been working with him for a few weeks before this whole thing began. He's literally right there, dude, go say hi!'

'But, but he's supposed- Our parents told us he'd been killed!'

'Well I hate to tell you, but your parents lied.' Okay he was being blunt, but he really wanted to see more reunions. His friend deserved to be happy. 'C'mon, I'll introduce you. Yo Preston!'

'What?'

'Get your butt over here, it's vitally important!' The brunet rolled his eyes at the prodigy as he wandered over, glancing at Landon every few moments. He knew him from somewhere, but where?

'Preston, this is Landon-' Ah, that's it.

'AS IN MY COUSIN?!'

'Apparently so.'

- - -

So since Vik hadn't recognised anyone in the hall, he'd decided to head to the training arena. He'd left his daggers in there, and could use the practice anyway.

'Oh, hey Vik. Need help with anything?' Seto asked, walking out of the doors as Vik walked through them.

'No, I was just going to practice with the throwing knives.'

'Seems safe enough. The targets are still set up from yesterday, I can't supervise you or anything 'cause I have a lot of paperwork to do. If you injure yourself,just come and find my office,or scream I'll probably hear that.'

And with that, he was left alone with a bunch of knives. Excellent.

After a few shots, the Boralinian's mind began to wander. Every knife he threw, he thought about his friends at home. Were they thinking about him? Were they worried? He didn't know.

I could sneak out, find my way back... No. I couldn't do that to the team.

But they did seem quite distracted earlier. I'm sure they wouldn't notice me gone for a few days.

A grin made it's way onto his face, and he went to collect the blades. I could go now, before they notice I've-

'Vik? You in here?'

Hearing the voice of a certain Astralan, Vik tensed and moved to hide behind the target. Why am I hiding? It's just Lachlan, he can't-

He didn't notice you were gone.

He was talking with his friends.

Yeah, but he could have at least said hi.

I'm seriously arguing with myself right now...

'Vik?'

'Hey Lachy. What's up?' He asked, stepping out from the target just before the blond turned around. He seemed confused for a second, but shook it off and waved.

'I was getting worried for a second. You've been gone for almost an hour.'

'Really?'

'Uh-huh. You didn't turn up at breakfast, so I got you some food before the guys come in. Apparently we're going to be sparring with partners today.'

'Thanks, Lachlan.' Vik grinned, gratefully accepting the pastries as the dragon prodigy nodded. He then turned to grab his swords, almost forgetting to be careful around the blade before noticing the icy particles.

'Oh, right.'

'Hm?'

'Could have just died, don't worry about it... So, who're you gonna partner with? For the sparring.'

'Oh- Uh, I don't really know? Like, I don't really know anybody that well. We've only been here for about a week.'

'I mean, you could work with me if you wanted to.' Trying not to seem desperate, the Astralan accidentally tapped into Vik's thoughts again. Great.

He's so awkward, it's actually adorable. Okay, try not to sound too desperate Vik. Play it cool. 'Yeah, sure, if that's okay.'

'WHAT'S UP, LOVEBIRDS?!' Mitch suddenly yelled, slamming the doors open. Lachlan turned his head so quickly he probably could have died, while Vik jumped and chokedon his breakfast.

'Oh god- Mitch, what the Hell?' He spluttered. Lachlan, being the concerned friend that he is, ended up thumping the Boralinian on the back while the rest of the team filed in.

'Pfft,sorry lads. Did I ruin a touching bonding moment?'

'Not that I'm aware of. Vik. are you okay?' The prodigy asked worriedly. Vik just nodded, taking a deep breath before kneeling down and collecting his daggers.

'Thanks for almost killing me, Mitch. Greatly appreciated.' He joked, returning the knives to their belt as Seto swanned in at the back of the group.

'Welcome to Asdaf study, we're all children of- Nah, just kidding. Welcome to training! Everyone pick your partners, Preston, you're with me until Rob gets back. So we're going to be working on some basic defense today-'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

we haD A BONDING MOMENT I CRADLED YOU IN MY ARMS-

QOTC - Do u ever have a dream

AOTC - Hell yeah I do. Last night I dreamt I was getting sacrificed of a cliff though so that was strange.