The Elemental Brigade

Chapter 2 - The rise of Pyronia's new king

   Walker woke up and went to the bathroom. As he was walking past the mirror he noticed something, so he went back and looked at his reflection. Aside from the wing that sprouted from his back last night, he notices other changes as well. In his right eye was a flame insignia in his iris. When held open his eye he noticed his hands also had the insignia as well, so he decided to look for more. to his surprise, he found Three more, one on his chest, and each of his feet. He also noticed he was taller and skinnier as well. Walker sighs and says: "How am I going to hide these? The ones on my feet and chest are hidden by regular clothes. My main concerns are the ones on my hands and in my eye, not to mention my hair. I could wear a hat and gloves to cover my hair and hands. the only problem left is my eye. I guess I could wear an eye patch, luckily I have one around. Guess I better go get dressed." He tries to retract his wings with no luck. He thinks to himself How do I make these things go away? He closed his eyes and calms down by breathing in and out. When he opens his eyes the insignias and wings disappeared and his hair returned to normal. he sighed and returned to his to get more rest.

     A few hours later someone knocks on Walker's door. He tells the person to go away and let him sleep for a bit longer. The person enters his room and heads toward his bed. He says as he hears footsteps getting closer: "Go away. I'm tired. I wasn't able to get much sleep last night." The person stops in front of him. A familiar voice speaks: "What has kept you up most of the night?" He responds: "Last night wings sprouted from my back and I tried to go back to sleep, but they kept getting in the way." The person says: "Wings? Where are they?" He speaks: "Earlier I was able to retract them. That was at six, and I've been sleeping since then." The person says: "That's cool and all, but you have guests to entertain." Walker speaks: "Fine, Wait outside Susan, I'll be out after I get Changed." She looks at the chair and notices his outfit. Susan says: "You love those clothes don't you." Walker sighs as he removes the covers and gets up. He sits on the bed and looks at the clothes and says: "Yeah, after all, she picked them out for me." Susan frowns and asks: "Are you going to visit her today?" He smiles and says: "If I get the chance I will." He stands up and heads over to his outfit. He takes off his shirt revealing two holes running down his back. Susan notices them and watches as he puts on his shirt. She sees him placing his hands on his pants so she leaves the room. She thinks to herself When did those holes appear? Was he telling the truth about sprouting wings? She waits outside as he finishes getting dressed. He exits his room. He looks at Susan and asks: "Ready to go?" Susan smiles and responds: "Yep."

     Walker and Susan walk outside. He is greeted by everyone shouting happy birthday. He smiles and waves. After an hour or so of interacting with his guests, he meets up with Susan's parents. He says: "Hi Mr. and Mrs.Williams. You guys are looking nice today." Mrs.Williams says: "Thank you, Walker, you look nice as well. Our little Susan looks well too." Susan blushes in embarrassment. He smiles and says: "Yes she does. it suits her very well. I didn't get a good look earlier due to my lack of sleep." Mr.Williams asks: "What happened?" He responds: "The same thing as always." Mr.Williams chuckles and says: "The young hero should take it easy. You always push yourself for our daughter. With your current relationship, it's like you guys are married." Susan speaks up: "Dad, not the time or place." Mr.Williams says: "Sweetie he took a bullet for you, saved you and promised to protect as long as he lives. I'll be surprised if he doesn't propose to you-" he interrupts Mr.Williams: "Please don't speak about that day, after all, those guys were after me. In all honesty, I'd rather not be called a hero for something that wasn't supposed to happen in the first place." A voice from nowhere says: "Still doesn't change the fact of what you did. NOt to mention you were such a young age as well." Mr.Williams laughs as soon as he sees who said that. Walker turned around to see someone he hasn't seen in a while. He smiles and says: "Hey Uncle Mike, it's been a while." Mike walked up and put his hand on Walker's shoulder. Mike smiles and says: "Happy birthday kid. I'm glad to see you grow into such a fine man." Walker smiles. Mr.Williams smiles and asks: "Young man, I have a favor to ask you If the situation ever arises would you give your life to protect Susan?" Susan looks at her father with a fierce look. She was about to speak when Walker says: "No." Everyone looks at him with a surprised look while Susan looks at him with a shocked look. Mr.Williams asks with a stern look on his face.: "May I ask why?" He looks Mr.Williams dead in the eye and says: "I love your daughter with every fiber of my being and because of that I don't want to see her sad. I want to make sure she is happy, so that is why I will not give my life. I will live to protect her no matter what happens." Everyone is silent as they stare at Walker and Mr.Williams. Mr.WIlliams laughs and says: "I can always count on you to make things entertaining." Mr.Williams hugged Walker with all his might. He pushed himself away and held Walker by his arms. Mr.Williams smiles and says: "I'd be proud to you as a son." Walker looks at Susan and says: "Sorry if I scared you with that. I just don't like that line." Susan smiles and says with tears streaming down her face: "It's fine, I think I Prefer that line than the other one. I just hope you realize what you've just done." Walker looks at her with a confused look. Mr.Williams looks at Walker's parents and asks: "Is it fine with you?" Mr.Price says: "I don't care." Mrs.Price says: "Of course it is." Mr.Williams puts an arm around Susan and Walker and says while smiling: "With those words, these two are now engaged!" Walker gives a crooked smile and says: "First an accidental confession and now I'm engaged." He sighs and continues talking: "I'm just not going to fight it." Everyone laughs. He goes sit down. Mr.Price walks up to Walker and says: "You're 18 now so go to the store and get me some cigarettes." Walker sighs and says: "Sure, why not. It'll give me a good excuse to visit her." He stands and heads inside. Susan notices this and runs in after him. Mrs.Price says: "Why would you do this? Today is a special day for him and you ruin it by sending him to get cigarettes!!" Mr.Price says while looking at Mike: "I'm just moving things along." Mike nods and heads inside as well. Mike catches up with Susan and Walker. Mike says: "I'll take you kids to the store. consider it a birthday gift." Walker says: "Sure thanks uncle Mike. Can we stop by the hospital on the way?" Mike smiles and says: "Sure kid."