(Outdated) The King of Elements

I Am the Chosen One

Dre watched over the city of Prescott, standing at the apex of the overpass at the outskirts of town. He had left Blitz at home with Ian so he would be able to get a bath and food. He put his hands on the gates, wondering if he was truly supposed to be the King of Elements. Throughout his weeks training at the academy, neither his sword fighting skills nor his elemental control improved at all. No matter how hard he tried, he just would not get better.

A car began to stop beside him, but Dre paid no attention. "I figured you'd be here." He heard his father's voice call over the truck's engine. He left the truck running as he and another person got out. Great. Mom's here, too.

"What's on your mind?" Abigail said as she and Raheem stood on either side of Dre.

"It's just... I was thinking about what Mr. Toney told me at the first day of school." He felt as if he couldn't look at his parents, so he kept his eyes on the shimmering lights of the city.

"About how you were able to use fira on the first day?" Raheem asked, pride audible in his voice as he ruffled Dre's hair.

If Mr. Toney told them about that, has he told them about me being the King? "That's part of it. He said that the use of fira was what tipped him off about me." He sighed. They have to know. "He also told me to try on the King's ring. It fit perfectly, and it changed into what Mr. Toney called the Suscéptor. And at the tournament, I saw them. Nine of the King of Elements watching as both teams were being named. They looked at me at the end, as if it was a passing of the torch." He hesitated. "What I'm trying to say, mom, dad, is that I'm the King of Elements."

For a moment, both of them was still and silent. Then, Abigail wrapped her arms around Dre's neck, drawing him into a tight embrace. "Oh, Dre," she said in his shoulder, "I'm so proud of you."

Raheem chuckled as he said, "One of my boys, the King of Elements. Who would've thought that would've happened."

"That's just the thing," Dre began as he pried himself from his mother's grip. "I don't feel like a king. I'm not strong, I suck at controlling my element, I'm horrible at sword fighting-"

"Wait, is that what this is all about? Not being strong enough?" Raheem interrupted. Dre gave a short nod. "There's nothing to be worried about, son. You should've seen how the former King of Elements was."

"You knew Hiro?" Dre asked in astonishment as he looked at his father. He had a gash along his cheek and a patch of blood across the shoulder of his shirt.

"Of course, we did," Abigail interjected. "We not only fought alongside him, we were also close friends of his." He turned to her, noticing three claw marts across her battle vest, as well as black, inky material splattered on her gray jacket.

"He was horrible whenever he first got started, too. He was barely able to control his element, and on the rare occasion he was able to move a pebble, it would've hit a bone if it connected with someone." He began to laugh as he continued. "There was this one time, we all went to a forest to do a practice mission, and the guy almost had a heart attack from a rabbit jumping out at him." He laughed even harder.

"Is all of this true?" he asked his mom as Raheem began coughing up a lung from laughing too hard.

"Yeah, just about true. It wasn't until he told us about a dream where he met a blonde man in knight's armor when he began to get better at it. Of course, your father had to say something about that."

"What? Basically, he did say that he had a dream where he met a knight in shining armor," Raheem snickered.

"That's beside the point. You'll be a good King, Ke'Undre. Just have faith in yourself." Dre nodded, though he didn't feel any better.

"You don't look like you too enthusiastic," Raheem said. "Are you serious about being a better King?"

"Yes sir," Dre boldly stated.

"Good. Tomorrow, after your training, I want you to find me. Both you and Ian. I've got something to give you two that'll really help you improve."

"You're not talking about giving our sons steroids, are you?" Abigail asked with a droll stare.

"What? Naw, babe. You'll see what it is here soon." He turned his attention to Dre. "We should be at the house when you get back. Just stick with it and you'll be awesome. I guarantee it."

"Got it. I'll give it a shot, dad," Dre stated, his face hardened.

"That's what I want to hear." Raheem said, stretching, "I don't know about you guys, but I could use some sleep. You need a ride, my liege?" he asked Dre with an overenthusiastic bow.

"Dad," Dre groaned as he made his way to the truck.