Edogon -- Revised (2018)

Chapter 1: Luminary

Avery

I paced the hall as I waited for my name to be called, doing my best to keep my thoughts in line as my stomach swirled with anxiety. I've got this. I told myself. You could still fail, what if all the perfect scores were just luck? The voice in my mind replied as I bit my lip. No. I've worked for everything I've achieved. I answered back. My eyes glance out the window to my left, taking in the scene before me.

A cosmo of various colours meets my gaze. Across the expanse, a few planets can be seen as well, close enough for short trips between the Academy and home for students. Which made going home for break easier for many. For me, however, it was just another reminder of something I didn't have. Something that only the military had given me; a family.

Just then a voice rang out. "Cadets Avery Nickels and Peter Noners, you're up!" My head shot up as the voice inside my head stilled. It was time. Standing tall I made my way to the doors the guards were holding open. As I moved to go inside I brushed up against Peter, he turned and looked at me with a smile on his face.

"Ready?" He asked me. I tilted my head to the side and smiled.

"Always." We both strode forward to the combat mat laid out before the judge's seating area.

"Get into position, you start soon as the ring chimes." Sergeant Grimm told us. I gave a curt nod and walked to the center of the mat with Peter. Positioning myself into my stance I gave myself a pep talk; No big deal Avery, you've got this. Deep breathes, this is only the moment you've been training for since...forever. Peter lined himself up and a ring echoed through the small space.

"Come on Ave, show me what you've got!" Peter yelled at me, my lip tilted up into a small smile.

"You asked for it." I told him before shooting forward with a punch aimed for his sternum, I was met with a satisfying smack of skin as Peter grunted.

Remember, plant your feet hard Avery. I told myself as I wove back to where I originally was and ducked as Peter shot out at me. Pivot with your body as you throw your punch! I thought as I swung back in time to miss another one of Peter's hits before going in for an uppercut that connected all too well to his jaw.

And lastly, I thought, show no mercy.

I ducked low as Peter tried to aim a strike at my shoulder, swinging my leg out I connected with his ankle and caused him to fall forwards. Quickly I dashed behind him as he caught himself and turned around to face me again. Gritting my teeth I swerved out of the way as he went for a kick to my left side and jutted my fist forward smack into his ribs. Peter gave a loud oof and I dove down, rolled, and came up behind him again.

Right as he turned around I grabbed Peter's collar and swept Peter's feet out from under him, quickly shooting forward to pin him down, one leg pressing into his shoulder, the other into his right leg as my hands held his down. I stared into his dark brown eyes and saw the fight leave him as he blew out a breath that sent his light blue hair that had fallen from his small pony out of his face.

"God damnit Avery." He muttered, I smiled down at him.

"Well done Miss Nickels, you've passed this exam." Sergeant Grimm boomed out, I felt my heart fill with a thrill of excitement as I tried to contain an even cheekier smile slipping onto my face.

Hell yeah! Who's the best? I am! I yelled inside my head.

"Could you please get off of me now?" Peter gasped out.

"Whoops, sorry Peter." I said as I sat back and released my hold on him. I could see relief instantly fill his body as he took large, long breaths. We both stood and he looked at me sheepishly.