The conference hall was large with many more chairs provided than needed. It had the feel of an auditorium, there was a platform with a speaker’s desk on it and two big banners with the Morpho Defenders Emblem on it.

In front of the stage, there was a familiar grey fox, checking everyone who entered, and guiding them to their seats.

Toby waved at them shortly as he passed by, then he and the other two sat down in the front row, the other six apprentices around them, and their company somewhere in the back.

“You can come out, Memis.” Toby placed his backpack on the floor, Memis quickly came out of it, and jumped on Toby’s lap.

As everyone was seated, Foxor climbed up the stairs and headed behind the curtains, where Charlotte emerged and walked to the podium.

“Greetings, everyone. In the name of everyone working here at the Morpho Defenders HQ, I welcome you all as our new Morpho Defender Apprentices.” Charlotte spoke to the group, her arms were open in a welcoming gesture and she had a mild smile on her face. “Congratulations on passing the test, we all know it’s not easy, and we are sure you guys all have a great future with us. Now… To get to a somewhat serious part. I do hope you all read your contracts, however, I am obliged to give you this information in person as well.”

The smile on her face vanished and her expression turned serious.

“We, as the Morpho Defenders are financially supported by the government, and thus they have complete control over the runtime of this project. If at any given point they want us to end it, we have to obey, close down the HQ and send all Morpho Partners back to their dimension.”

The room went silent to a point where one could hear a needle falling to the ground.

“In addition they have given us the strict instruction that the safety of the human race has the highest priority and must be ensured at any cost. This means... If at any point, an uncontrollable Morpho Mon or a Defender’s Partner will become a danger to anybody, you will have no choice but to kill them with your weapon provided.”

Toby gulped. Maybe he should’ve read the contract more carefully. He wasn’t aware that this job was quite so… gruesome.

The expressions of his fellow apprentices were also heavy, yet they didn’t seem as surprised as he was.

“We play by strict rules, which you all have been provided to read in detail in your contract. Breaking the rules will result in consequences, and we have the right to exclude you from this project at any given time, for any rulebreaking that occurs. Understood?”

Silent nods came from the group.

“Good.” Charlotte smiled again. “Now, if there are no more objections, we will give you your badges, which will complete your uniform. For that occasion, everyone, please welcome our CEO, Mr. Frederic Williams.”

Charlotte stepped aside, and the crowd applauded as the CEO walked in from the side. He was a tall, broad man with grey hair and a chin beard, wearing a similar white uniform as Charlotte’s, except with a bigger badge and a red-orange cape. He was followed by Foxor, who carried a box, which they placed on the speaker’s desk.

Toby’s mouth was agape. He didn’t remember his uncle, after all, the last time he saw him he had been three years old. Yet, seeing him now made him feel an emotion he never felt before. He felt happy, yet heavy at the same time.

“Hellou, students.” Mr. Williams spoke with a soft voice and a smile on his face. “Congratulations on passing the test…”

Foxor placed the box on the podium opened it, and Mr. Williams grabbed something from the inside. It was a badge of the Morpho Defenders Emblem - a red circle within a silver ring, with a winged star on top and a red ribbon at the bottom. The letters MD stood out in bright gold in the lower middle.

“As a last step in the welcoming ceremony, I will need your personal, verbal vow to uphold our rules as stated in your contracts while I hand you your personal Defenders Emblem. After that, you will go to the left-hand door, where you will meet Miss Evans again. She will ask you one more thing… Then you are free to go.” He looked at the emblem in his hand, and read the engraved name out. “Adam Lily?”

The first apprentice and his Morpho Mon stood up and walked up the platform.

“Toby?”

“Hm?” Toby looked down to his Morpho Partner. “What is it Memis?”

The little dog had a concerned expression on his face. “Do you… will you really kill me?”

“What? No!” Toby shook his head. “Why should I?”

“I don’t know… I can’t stop thinking about what the lady said…” Memis sighed. “I mean what if… What if I lose my mind and bite you?”

“Memis- I- I know that’s not gonna happen.” Toby patted Memis’ head. “You’re a good boy, and my best friend!”

“Mmm…” The dog’s tail wagged weakly. “Yeah, that’s true~You are also my best friend! I would never hurt you…”

“We will be best work buddies as well, right?”

“Right!!”

“Toby Williams?” A strong hesitation was heard in Mr. Williams’ voice this time.

“Ah!” Toby perked up. “Yes-!” He put Memis back on the floor and got up, approaching the platform, Memis following him closely.

Mr. Williams stared at Toby in a shocked, yet tender way, kind of like he’d seen a loved one again after thinking them dead for years. “Toby… Williams.”

“Hi, uncle.” Toby grinned at him, and this response struck the man in his heart in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Ah--” He cleared his throat, letting out a deep sigh, then standing straight as before again. “As you stand before me, I ask you for your agreement to our rules and conditions, to work for our cause, learn and aid so we can understand and help the Morphing Monsters, while keeping humankind safe from any harm. For your agreement please salute, and respond with ‘My duty is to the Morpho Defenders, my heart is for humankind’.”

“...” Toby took at least two seconds to recall which arm he had to salute with, then he did. “My duty is to the Morpho Defenders, my heart is for humankind.”

“Great.” Mr. Williams handed him the badge. “Welcome aboard.”

“Thank you!!” Toby carefully grabbed the badge with both hands, as he suddenly felt his uncle’s warm hand tightening around his. “Hm?” He looked up at his face.

“Toby…” Mr. Williams closed his eyes for a second. “You will do great things… I can tell it.” He opened them again, and a few tears glistened in them. “Your father would be so proud of you.”

“... Ah-” Toby chuckled, avoiding getting tears in his eyes as well. “Tha-Thanks--”

Mr. Williams let go of him. “Mmmh… You look so much like him...”

“Ahm- Toby-” Foxor intervened before things got too awkward. “Please move to the left-hand door, would you?”

“Ah- Y-yes!! Sure! Uhm-” He waved at his uncle. “See you around!” He left the platform, quickly grabbed his stuff from his seat and went to the door as he was told, closely followed by Memis.

For a second, Mr. Williams gazed after him, but then he quickly got back to his duty and proceeded with the next apprentice.

Charlotte was waiting for him. “Toby.” She had a weak smile on her face. “Please follow me for a moment.” Quickly she turned around and led the way to another door a little further the way.

“Uhm-” Toby raised his voice. “What’s this about?”

“We… We show this to every new defender.” Charlotte unlocked the door. “I’m sorry, this will be unpleasant, but it’s very important for you all to understand the gravity of our job.”

“The…. the gravity?” Toby looked at Memis, who gave him a confused gaze back.

“Come in.” Charlotte opened the door and Toby and his partner entered.

The room was small and dark, only lit by some candles. In front of them was a wall, with lots of framed pictures of different Morpho Defenders, their emblems and… a black ribbon over the corner.

Toby gulped heavily. This room had a depressing and eerie feel.

“These are all the Morpho Defenders that lost their life during the job.” Charlotte explained. “We see it as our duty to not only honor their work and their lives with every new Defender, but also… to show them the truth.” Charlotte faced Toby with a serious expression. “This isn’t fun and games. Our job is dangerous and we risk our lives daily.” She sighed. “The last casualty was way over two years ago, yet… we can never assure you it won’t happen again.”

“....”

Toby had no idea how to react. The room’s atmosphere gave him a heavy, pressing feeling on his chest. Even Memis, who was mostly bubbly and happy, had the most depressed expression Toby had ever seen on him.

He scanned the faces in the frames. People of all ages were there.

When his eyes fell on the last picture at the very top, Toby was puzzled. The man in it looked… familiar. Toby had a feeling he wanted Charlotte to confirm.

“Charlotte…. Who’s… That man…” His gaze stayed upon the picture above him.

“You recognize him, huh?” Charlotte tilted her head. “The first casualty… Your father, Carter Williams.”

“...” Toby didn’t respond. In a weird way, and very unfittingly for this room, he felt a true connection to his father for the first time. He closed his eyes and folded his hands, for a short prayer. He wasn’t a very religious guy, but he somehow felt like it, giving the atmosphere.

Toby turned around and faced Charlotte again. “Thank you… I think I have a feeling of what you wanted to tell me with the visit.”

Charlotte gave him a warm smile. “I’m glad. Then you’re dismissed for today.” She opened the door again and they left the room. “See you on Monday.”

“Y-Yes-” Toby nodded. “See you on Monday!!”

“Exit is the corridor down to the left.”

“Thank you- See you then!” Toby waved shortly and then left with Memis.

“Man…” The little dog sighed when they were outside. “That was…. Depressing. Way to kill the mood.”

“Well- Just as Charlotte said.” Toby placed his skateboard on the ground and jumped on, slowly kicking forward while Memis walked next to him. “It’s not about fun and games… It’s a job. A… A dangerous job.”

“And you’re sure you can handle it?”

“Of course! Uncle said I will do great things, and I believe him! Besides… As long as you’re by my side to watch out, nothing bad will happen, I’m certain.”

“Aww~" Memis smiled. “You’re flattering me… But yes- I will do my very best to make sure you are safe.”

“Excellent! I will do the same for you too!”

A growl interrupted their talk.

“Awuuu…” Memis whimpered. “I’m hungry…”

“You’re always hungry.”

“So!! You’re also always hungry!”

“Fair…” Toby chuckled. “Let’s get some pizza.”

“Awooo! Yes!!