^^^Cover up above made by the amazing @JessieCae ^_^

Current cover credit to @erisistable

"Hey! Hey, arsehole!" I hollered, making said arsehole turn around.
Frostbite threw me a glare, her glinting brown eyes and tanned complexion really contradicting her name. But the snow-white, fading-into-blue hair of hers, that definitely stood out from the rest of her facial features. An ice queen. But Frost was actually rather warm and helpful. So it did usually take people a few hours to understand her nickname.
Frost was more the type to help out at an animal shelter and beat up bullies. Imagine my surprise at earning a glare from the Academy Institute of Advanced Arts' very own number ten socialite.

"British now, are you?" She asked, sparing me a distracted glance.

I caught up to Frost and looked at her questioningly. "Something up, Frostbite?" I piped. Her eyebrow twitched. "Leave me alone, Shift." I felt a bit worried. "Frost, what's going on? Seriously, you know you can talk to me." She looked straight ahead. Nothing, nothing. Just stressed about the Squads and Teams." I nodded. "Yeah. Assignment Day is tomorrow." I'd been hoping to get a Squad with a few friends, or at least one in it. It'd be nice to have something familiar to hold onto when thrown into the drastically different lifestyle of the fourth years.

At the Academy Institute of Advanced Arts, Assigning Day was the thing all the students of AIAA trained for, readying themselves and training for three years before finally being skilled enough in their own powers to go out in the field and start doing what they'd joined for. Albeit in a group, usually five people, under one of the ten Teams. The Principals and Administrators all got together annually to select Squads and under which Team they'd create an allegiance with.

There were no take backs on your Squad members. You were stuck with whoever the school staff deemed compatible with your powers on the field. And you'd be stuck with then for the next seven years.

Needless to say, people got tense before Assigning Day.

I had to admit, I was nervous too.

"Hey, Frosty, you're practically friends with everyone, aren't you? No worries on compatibility. You'll be fine. In fact, I'd be more worried about me. What if you're not in my Squad? What would I do without you?" Frost smiled at me, and I grinned back. "Thanks, Shift."

She looked up at the hall we'd stopped at and traced down the room she was headed towards. "Hey Shift?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry. You're a likeable person. Trust." She held up two fingers, making a peace sign. I laughed and returned the gesture. "Trust." Frost grinned and headed into her class.

I looked around. Class...oh crap. I looked frantically at the clock.

10:43

I was supposed to be in class ten minutes ago.

"Oh crap, of all days, it just had to be today, didn't it?" I pushed a hand to my temple, trying not to freak out. I had no wish to be in the bad books of the people who'd have my future fate in their hands.

Frostbite poked her head out of the hall she'd gone into. "Shift, c'mon. What're you waiting for, dumbo?" I felt puzzled. "What do you mean? I have to get to class...ugh, I don't even know which one..." Frost rolled her brown eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the hall. I was about to protest, when I noticed we were in the Auditorium. "You really are a scatterbrain, Shift." She said. I smiled sheepishly. "Ah well. Right, the fourth-years beginning of school speech before Assigning Day, right, right..." Frost nodded, while pulling a blue clip out of her brown satchel and pulling back her side bangs to the absolute side and clipping them in place. "Where're Jet and Jans? The presentation's going to start soon." She mused. I nodded. "Hey, there's Mason." I said, pointing towards our other friend, a stocky, quiet guy with coarse dreadlocks kept short, his hair braided to his scalp and the short dreadlocks at the top of his head. I'd always thought it looked a bit like a tarantula. Without, you know, actually being one. Still, it looked pretty cool.

Frost nodded, quickly scaling the steps to the fifth-too row, and navigating past the seats easily, me in tow. I plopped myself down on a chair, and Frost sat next to me. "Hey, Ice Queen. Metamorphy." I was about to reply wittily, but I noticed Mason looked rather nervous, not his usual joking self. "Good luck, yeah?" He said, and Frost nodded. I grinned. "We'll be fine. So will you." He nodded, pulling an uneasy smile and sinking into his seat.

I searched through the people already seated. There was Tempest, with her strange black mad scientist hair, wrapped around her boyfriend, Brawn, who was known to be a sweetheart, despite the bulging muscles abs physique that usually intimidated everyone. Near the hall, was Estelle, and Manic and Gentry. I'd been in their class the last year, and they were okay. There was Ryden and Gimmick, who were mimicking various people in the crowded Auditorium. Their mockery of Dak, a rather strange guy who didn't talk much, made me have to stifle a laugh, feeling bad. My eyes shifted towards Koi, a girl with koi fish patterns on her skin and cat like green eyes. And with her, her boyfriend Rave. They were a really cute couple, always seen holding hands, and they'd been going strong for two years now.

Koi was really nice, and we were mutual friends. Even though I'd only hung out with her a few times, I still thought so. But whenever I saw her and Rave, a little part of me died. It had never been a serious crush or anything. I just kinda liked him. Lowkey. But he was together with Koi, and I wasn't going to break that up.

"Hey." Delirium's voice made me jump. I looked back, seeing her face staring at me. "You okay?" I nodded. "I'm fine Deli. Just...a bit regretful." She nodded, her silky long black hair tied in a braid. She sat cross legged in her seat, wearing legging and an oversized sweatshirt hoodie. Delirium was rather pretty. She wore light makeup, but with really dramatic eyeliner. I was proud to say I had introduced her to liquid eyeliner.

The only thing that was different about Delirium from an average girl was her eyes.

At least on the outside.

Delirium's eyes were red. Not a fade pink like albino eyes. Ruby red. And her pale face made people think she might be albino.

She wasn't.

She wore that much on her eye to try and drag attention away from it, I knew. But I wasn't one to judge. That was fine. "Where're Jans and Jet?" I asked, surprised the two hadn't shown up yet. "Jans is right there, with Spectro, see?" I smirked, looking down to where she pointed. Jans and his outgoing girlfriend were a couple none of us had expected, and we constantly teased Jans about it. "And Jet?" She shrugged, playing with a piece of hair. "How should I know?" She muttered.

"Because I'm right behind you?"

Delirium let out a quiet shriek, and threw her bag - full of seven textbooks and a few books, all hardcovers - at the intruder's face. "Ow! What the hell, Deli?!" I leaned backwards on my seat, my elbows propped up to get a better view. Jet was lying dazed, trying to get up. "It was your own fault, dingbat." Frost said. "And this right here is how Jet gets a girl. By getting hit in the face with a bag." Mason added. I whistled. "Jet, I can say with absolute certainty that you suck as a Casanova."

Jet's black hair, gelled up, poked out, followed by his face. "And you swallow." I smirked. "Fu-" Before I could make a rather obscene gesture with my finger, the Principal clapped her hands together, calling for attention and making the room fall silent. Jet hopped into the seat next to a slightly red-cheeked Delirium, who was staring obstinately straight ahead. I turned around in my seat and did the same.

"Welcome, fourth years. This is the year you've been training for. And tomorrow is may change you lives." Jet peeked over my seat. "So no pressure or anything." He muttered.

"Assigning Day is a renowned tradition of the Academy. It lets young individuals like yourself get a chance to go out into the field, and do the work you've watched your idols do. To be mentored by true, full-fledged heroes. You get a chance test your mettle and make lasting friendships, that will follow you through your career. And now, to introduce you to the true natures of our Teams, please welcome Mr. Fahlyun."

We joined the students in applause, and adding out voices to several hoots and hollers. Mr. Fahlyun was stepping on the stage, his Medditerean features, dark curly hair, and pearly white smile making several teachers feel faint. Several student too. I'd heard rumours that they'd started a fan club. And I really didn't want to know anything else about it. He was dressed in a suit and tie, and even the Principal looked a bit flushed as she stepped down.

"Students, teachers, and flamingoes -respectively - I am honoured to explain to you all what the Teams really are. So listen up folks. Yes, yes I'm serious. No, this isn't a drill. I can see you guys rolling your eyes. Lets do this, shall we?" Mr. Fahlyun snapped his fingers together, and the auditorium went dark.

A large icon took center stage, clear and crisp. I knew it was a hologram, but it definitely didn't look it. It was in the shape of a red scythe, made of ruby cut stone and with gold detailing. It rotated in place.

"This is the Reaper Team's mascot. They are the forces we send to cause massive heaps of damage to massive amounts of enemies. Members of this Team are well known as seriously skilled fighters. Don't challenge a Reaper. They are for those that think with their weapon, not their mind, mostly. This team is known for their comradeship as well. They are a tightly knit group, who stand by one another like family. If members fight, they fix it with their fists, and are obligated to make up afterwards. In celebration they'll often go on scouting missions or hunting for sport."

Delirium smiled a sideways, crooked smile. "Hm..."

Jet rolled his eyes, kicking his feet into my seat. "Whatever, sounds weird."

Delirium was about to reply sharply, but our attention was caught again when Mr. Fahlyun moved to the side, a new icon illuminating. The Reaper Scythe dimmed slightly. This new object was a mask, with two eyeholes. It was completely silver.

"This is the Vigilante Team. They do things they believe are right, even if it does break the law. We don't encourage this. However, they have a strong moral sense. Vigilantes are often sent out on the field to catch villains and bad guys with moral confusion, that would leave an everyday hero puzzled. Due to their strong moral compass, Vigilantes will know whether or not to, frankly, kick their butts. They are rather skilled and rarely tell others their identities. They aren't as close as the Reapers are. Most Squads stand alone. For celebrations, the Squad goes out to eat, and then they re-enact their best moral capabilities. In the form of a dare. The Vigilante team isn't for those who are too cautious to take chances."

Frostbite chuckled softly. Mason glanced at her, and then looked at me questioningly, but I shrugged. I had no clue as to what was going on with Frost's whirlwind of moods today.

The mask darkened.

Two guns - pistols, I think - crisscrossed over one another in an X. They were red. They glinted metallic. I had to remind myself they weren't real and I wasn't staring at two giant guns.

"Now that's what I'm talking about." I heard Jet say in awe. Delirium huffed. "Do you only have the mindset of a nine year old boy?" Jet seemed to think about it. "Yeah, that's about right."

I glanced over at Frost, who was also overhearing this exchange if words, and had her lips pressed into a knowing smile.

"This is the Bataille Team. They've chosen a simple name, but trust me, Bataille heroes are no one to mess with. Every Team member is equipped with at least ten different weapons on then at all times. This Team is also one of the most versatile Teams of the ten. They can be loud, shy, quiet, or funny. Or maybe all of the above. They are useful in any fights, but taking on multiple enemies is a difficulty when isolated from their Squads. This Team is somewhat close. All Squads keep tabs on one another, but aren't too close otherwise. They are often very involved in individual training, even after they are part of a Squad. It's important."

Mason looked white as a ghost, tensed. It made sense. Out of us five, he and Jans were the only two who hadn't recieved an Alias. Those Aliasless had a harder time with Assigning. But with how skilled Mason was, I was certain he'd flourish and earn an Alias quickly. I didn't know about Jans. He rarely hung with usthese days. Spectro called, after all. And we'd come to terms with his desertion a while back.

So Mason was pretty much alone.

I felt a bit pitying, but said nothing.

The Bataille Team's guns dimmed. A simple cape billowed, and for a moment I almost thought it was real, but the slight flicker of the hologram gave it away.

"The Noble Team. The old-fashioned superheroes, if you will. These superheroes are the ones who stay lone, and even in Squads are worked rather hard, to be strong, fast, and invincible. Unlike other Teams, this Team is for the perfectionists."

The other six icons remained dim, and the four already explained sank into darkness. "Why do we show you only four Teams this year?" Me. Fahlyun gestured a hand out. "Because, the other six are no longer qualified as Heroic enough to be a Team in the school, as decided by the administrators."

An awkward silence filled the large auditorium, each student, from cocky Blast to shy IQ,were too shellshocked to react. For a moment, that is. A few seconds lapsed into minutes, and Mr. Fahlyun clapped his hands together once. The holograms of the Team icons flickered, and disappeared. Five, much larger icons replaced them. Several hands shot up into the air before the teacher could continue. He nodded his head at Bookworm. "Yes, Bookworm?" I'd never actually met Bookworm face to face, or even knew what she looked like,but she had a bit of a reputation for being...well...a bookworm. Her voice was clear,and annoyed. "My Alias is IQ, thank you very much." Mr. Fahlyun's features contorted apologetically. "Sorry."
IQ continued. "Well, how come you still had the other six dimmed? Wouldn't it make more sense to simply not show them? Also, how are they not Heroic? I didn't realize superheroes had given in to society's construct so much that a group of agin teachers decide what makes a hero." Her tone was cold, and even I had widened eyes and a gaping mouth.

This was not how I'd heard IQ acted.

Apparently she did.

"Detention, IQ. Contact Mrs. Woodbridge about that, right after this assembly." IQ fell silent after that. I closed my gaping mouth. "Asshole." Delirium whispered in disgust. "That's not gonna go well with everyone now." I felt the need to agree. "Shut up guys. Or he'll probably hand you all detentions too." Frost said tersely. "Sorry, your Majesty." I said, closing my mouth and not speaking.

I'd always thought Mr. Fahlyun was a pretty cool teach. He taught Ethics, which made the current situation even more unbelievable and ironic. I hadn't ever heard him raise his voice at a student, and never so far as to give them detention. It left me suspicious and a bit jarred. He seemed like a totally different person.

"Your Squads will consist of five members, each with your own roles. Here are the default roles you are given. As known, once received you must train to get your own custom rank. Each rank is often different after, and still there are newer ones. Here are the basic five." He snapped his finger again, but instead of a politely silent and interested slump, the students jumped slightly, as though expecting something worse. Mr. Fahlyun ignored it.

A person's silhouette stood out. "This is The Leader. Whoever achieves this rank needs authority and needs to be able to think strategically, fast. Leaders are trained in such things." He said quickly. The silhouette flickered and vanished. A grin replaced it. I had to confess it looked creepy. "This rank is the Glue. This person keeps the Squad together in times of fights. They need a great way with words and people. These people aren't trained separately, but are often friends with others of their rank." And end.

Jet snickered,making me look back. "What's up with you?" I whispered. He just grinned. "Look at Jectro." I raised my eyebrows and leaned over the seat ahead of me, to see Spectro pushing Jans (who looked rather terrified) down, as they kissed while Mr. Fahlyun spoke. I couldn't help but snicker too. "Nice." Delirium peered over my head, and Frost leaned across her. Mason just shook his head, a mildly amused smile on his face. "How long do you think it'll be before he breaks?" Delirium asked calmly. "Ten minutes." Frost said. "Five." I chipped in. "Yeah, right. More like two seconds." Jet said.

We all watched with a lot more interest while occasionally glancing over to where our ears were focusing: The presentation.

"This is the Deviser. These people are smart. They have exceptional strategic thinking.uch better than a Leader's. They're also very sharp, shrewd, and difficult to fool."

Jans was exchanging slobber with Spectro still, and seemed to be actually getting into it.

I grimaced. "Ew. Guys, we're wrong. Gross." Delirium clicked her tongue. "He's going bad." Jet said nothing. Even Mason looked a bit grossed out.

"Jet, you're obviously out of the betting." I said.

"The Fighter is the main combat specialist. They have a keen eye of weapons and a tendency to figure out how they work. They are enduring and very difficult to beat."

Jans was beginning to try and get them back up, to their sitting state of before. "Shift, you're out." I snorted. "Only been two minutes, my friend."

"And finally, the Healer. They have a vast knowledge of medical treatments and a tendency to help. They heal, be it the soul or the body." Frost stifled a laugh. "I know someone who's trying to heal their body." Jans was, a bit unsuccessfully, drawing back, and he held a slightly disappointed Spectro's hand nervously. "Oh!" I said triumphantly. "Less than five minutes. I win."

The others rolled their eyes, as I shimmied in my seat a bit.

"And that concludes our presentation. We suggest you all go to your dorms and rest. Tomorrow is a big day. For you and your futures."

I rolled my eyes. "Shall we go, then?" Jet nodded, eager to leave. Delirium quietly got up, and Frost was heading out the door. I turned to follow, but looked back to get Mason. I caught Jans' eye. He watched our group leave, with a slightly longing gaze. I shrugged at him, and flicked a finger at Mason's head, getting his attention long enough to get him to get going.

I turned on my heel and left the auditorium without a second glance.

That was my first mistake.

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Yep! This is happening! You guys can create characters too! Don't be shy.