the Rarity

Chapter 9

The sound of rusting objects and frantic voices awakes me from my sleep. I hastily open my eyes to take in my surroundings, confusion clouding my vision. Several girls around me in the quarters are tidying up their spaces with nervous expressions.

"What's going on?" I ask groggily, sitting up as I look around to see other girls still asleep as well.

"Legion soldiers are storming the compound. They have demanded that everyone gather in the training room in 10 minutes. Everyone is freaking out. They never come into the compounds and aren't supposed to." A girl with air magic, Blake, says to me with nervousness lacing her tone.

"L-Legion soldiers?" I stutter, frenzied stress filling inside me as well. What if they were called because of what happened yesterday? Did someone hear me talking to Hadley and Matthew last night?

"Does-does anyone know why they are here?" I ask again, anxiety bubbling in my chest.

"Not sure. None of the trainers will say. They just said to wake everyone up, get dressed, and meet in the training room at the request of the Legion officials." Blake responds again sounding almost as nervous as I do.

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Down in the training room, we all crowd around the platform where Hazel and I dueled just the night before. Upon the platform stood about 4 or 5 Legion soldiers and what looks to be a leading General standing above the rest. Legion soldiers also appear to be lining the walls as well, watching us like hawks.

"Trainees," the tall, muscular man calls out into the crowd. He is an older man likely in his 40s or 50s with slightly grey, black hair and deep, steel-grey eyes with bags underneath probably showing nothing close to the true darkness he has seen. "My name is General Sawyer Martinez. By order of the Legion Majesties, King Jacob, and Queen Juliet, we have been required to interview each and every one of you about any information you may have about Rarities. As most of you likely do not know, there have been a discovery of these notorious figures throughout our city and their historical treachery must be prevented from repeating. Once all of you are cleared, you have all been volunteered to join the Legion in our search for these monsters." General Martinez finishes, his entire speech making me feel as though I've shrunk down to the size of an ant waiting to be crushed by his dominating boot.

"They aren't the monsters," I yelling voice comes from behind me. The Legion soldiers surrounding the walls all straighten up as they prepare to take action. "You are!" the girl screams again and gasps fill the room. Charlotte, an earth elemental calls out, "You are the problem, not Rarities! You think they chose to have their powers be different? They can't control it! We, can't control it!" exaggerated gasps fill the room again. She's a Rarity... like me. I think. I thought I was the only one. Is there really more here than just me? Before any of us have a chance to react more, several Legion soldiers are at her side detaining her. "We have done nothing wrong! Nothing! You victimize us like we are predators when the real predators are you! All you wealthy, ignorant pests that infest this kingdom with greed and envy for power. Yet when you find someone stronger than you, the only thing you know to do is how to put them down to make yourselves feel taller. You're monsters! All of you are monsters! And I'd rather die fighting for what is right than live in a world where people like you are in power!" Charlotte finishes, rendering us all speechless.

"Take her away." General Martinez says with a wave of his hand, venom lacing his voice cold, hard voice showing no pain, regret, or guilt in what he is allowing. We are all silent, too scared to say anything else in fear of what fate may await us like Charlotte. "Let this be a lesson to all of you. These Rarities are dangerous. Protecting them will get you nowhere good and defying your orders with likely result in the same ugly end." He states matter-of-factly. His minor speech makes it feel as though there is a hand around my throat squeezing the air from my lungs to the point where I can hardly breathe. "Please be seated and wait to be called in. Once you have finished your interview, please go to your quarters was where your uniforms have already been laid. Pack your things, change, and prepare to join the Legion." He finishes, turning to head to a room at the back of the platform. All the trainees stand awkwardly for a moment in fear of moving the wrong way. Then we all sit almost as if we are all of one mind.