Hardlanding: Kingdom of Secrets

·14·

"Can you believe it?! We're the seven that's going against John and Risa tonight!"

Nick grinned at his friend as they continued to battle against on another. "I can, because we had the best chance to win. Think about it Tom, who would really go up against some of the toughest people on campus?"

"I wouldn't call all of us tough!" Ashlie laughed as she dodged a blow from Cory.

Cory growled as Ashlie shoved him, sending him sprawling into the sand. "I don't fight hand-to-hand, I told you all that already!"

"While you may not fight up close, it is still a useful skill when your enemy is too close for you to use your bow."

Nightinggale aimed a kick at Don's legs after speaking, frustrating the taller boy as she kept low to the ground.

"But who's the eighth?" Don asked after backing up from Nightinggale.

"The girl's name is Kat. She's one of the sins, Sloth." UNi replied as he stretched. "She's nice, but she can be a bit weird. Oh, and don't make her mad."

"Who would make her mad?"

Everyone stopped, turning to stare at Tommy, who chuckled nervously.

"That's it! Pile on Tommy!" Ashlie shouted, shifting into her large werecat form and tackling the boy. 

The rest began tackling eachother, the only ones not joining in Nick and Nightinggale as they stood on the side.

"How come your not joining?" He asked the smaller girl.

"I'd rather take a small break instead of getting piled. Besides," Nightinggale pointed to the far entrance where a girl stood, her hair like flames catching the sunlight. "I'd rather not look like a fool."

Nick laughed before waving the girl over. Approaching, the girl studied Nightinggale and Nick.

"Are you guys the other seven?" She asked.

Nodding, Nick pointed to the others. "I wouldn't worry about them. Their just...making sure that Tommy doesn't scare the newblood away."

"Newblood?! I'll have you know-"

"Don't worry, it was a joke. I'm Nightinggale. Everyone calls me Night, you must be Kat."

Ashlie shoved herself away from the others, shaking out her fur before trotting over. Shifting back to normal, the girl grinned. 

"Ah, the newblood! Oh, and your a redhead! I'm Ashlie! Pleased to meet you."

Kat looked at Nightinggale, who shrugged. "I'm Kat." She sighed as she shook Ashlie's hand.

Don was the next one to pull himself from the pile, taking off his hat and shaking sand from it. Spotting the new arrival, he approached the others while dudting off his clothes.

"Don. Your Kat?" He asked.

She nodded, and he look to the others. "Have you guys introduced the rest?"

"No," Nightinggale responded.

Cory shoved UNi, leaving the boy sprawled across his back. UNi stood with an irritated huff, running a hand through his hair as he ambled over to the group.

"UNi!" Kat grinned, running up to the boy and giving him a hug.

"Hey Kat! How are you, I haven't seen you around the academy," UNi asked as he returned her hug.

"You know, out and about. Who are those two?"

UNi frowned at her generalised answer, and how quickly she changed the topic. "The camera face is Cory and the other is Tommy."