Forbidden Fruit

Special Chapter 5: Palladium's Thoughts

Today's the exam day. I wait in the simulation chamber for all my students to arrive. I see Onyx coming in. I shouldn't let her see me looking her way. She needs to understand that we will never be more than a teacher and a student. I start explaining how today will proceed.

"Alright ladies, in a few minutes we'll begin. You'll go one at a time."

I turn on the computer. I hear the girls whispering amongst one another about how nervous they are.

Once I'm done with the preparations, I turn towards my students.

"Alright, do I have a volunteer who would like to go first?"

Nobody volunteers. Of course.

"I knew this would happen. I guess I'll be picking who goes first."

I look at everyone, while trying to avoid any eye contact with Onyx. I just don't think I can deal with that right now...

"Bloom! Which one of the tests do you choose?"

"Um..."

Bloom looks surprised at being chosen to go first.

"Well, the second option sir... I want to work on a damaged environment."

After Bloom says her choice, I motion for her to step forward.

"Come on, then. You can choose the environment. What would you like?"

"Hmm... Well, I'd like a desolate environment. The most desolate possible."

After clicking on a few buttons, I start explaining things to Bloom.

"There's this place called Domino. It's one of the saddest most miserable places in the magical dimension. Have you ever heard of Domino?"

I ask Bloom.

"No, I've never heard of it."

She answers.

"As soon as you enter the simulation room, Domino will appear around you. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I brought a few ingredients and some potions with me. Can I take them along?"

"You may take whatever is of help to you."

I then open the door to the simulation room and Bloom walks in. I then go and sit on the chair in front of the computer. I push a few buttons and a virtual rendition of Domino appears all around Bloom. After she looks around at her environment, Bloom reaches in her bag. Her pet rabbit then immediately jumps out. Bloom then concentrates her magic to sprout some plants. Good. Plants are the first step to reviving an ecosystem.

While she's doing that, the three witches materialize behind her. I didn't program them! I need to do something to stop this.

"What?"

Flora exclaims.

"What are those three doing here?"

Musa retorts.

"Bloom's in danger!"

Stella screams.

"They shouldn't be able to hurt her, since this is a simulation."

Tecna says. She's right about that, but it still worries me a bit. The three then start attacking Bloom. I then feel someone coming up to me. I glance up and see Onyx.

"Stop the simulation!"

"I'm trying, but it won't respond!"

"Can't you just shut it down?"