CHAPTER 19: Review

The capitol building of Zion stood taller than every other building in the city. A drone holding a brush and spray bottle cleaned one of hundreds of windows, and Bron watched it descend from inside the meeting room. Snapping fingers with wrinkly knuckles brought his attention back to the table. "Sorry, Governor Fryste," he said in shame. The mentors sat on one side of the long table, all wearing black pants and button-up shirts, blue, green, and red. Across from them sat an older woman in a navy blue, military coat, matching the walls. An embroidered badge on her right sleeve featured four golden stripes, and multiple medals covered her heart.

The high authority woman spoke in a moderate smoker's voice. "How are your apprentices progressing?" "Gren and Komo show good results," answered Percy. "At first they didn't get along very well, but they're starting to warm up to each other now." The governor nodded and asked, "Their abilities are what I was asking about." "Oh...Well Gren is light on his feet as always, and his muscle building exercises are showing some success. Komo, however, she's incredible. The girl's strength is still leaps and bounds above Gren's, likely due to her Symbol. Overall, I think they'll both make great Symbiolics, Governor Fryste."

After hearing Percy's review, Fryste turns to Bron. "And what of yours?" The blonde haired man grins as he brags on his apprentice. "Ellia's archery is top tier! The way she can hit targets while flying is amazing!" "Soldier," Fryste interrupts, "Please contain your excitement." After awkwardly pausing, Bron resumes in a quieter tone. "Yes ma'am. Her ability to heal is extremely useful, especially with my Symbol's downside. The only slightly negative thing I can think of is that she's kind of a hot head." Percy chuckles and says, "Funny coming from you." "Hahaa. But yeah. If she can focus on supporting a bit more, I think she'll fit great on a team."

"Lastly, Kurtis, tell me about yours," commands the governor. Kurt searches his mind's browser, but finds hazy results about his apprentice. Scattered moments of her creating pink fire and magical beams are mixed in with bottles of booze and drunken raves. "...Uh...Delle is good at making fire." Fryste gives the soldier an impatient look, waiting for more information. "And she's...got a good head on her shoulders. So smart she doesn't really need me to teach her."

Kurt's comrades beside him give him confused glances, and Fryste seems unsatisfied. The woman rubs her forehead in mild frustration. "Kurtis, please tell me you haven't allowed your apprentice to effectively homeschool herself on how to be a Symbiolic." A nervous drop of sweat rolls down his face as he answers, "Of course not, well, except for today..." The governor's expression doesn't give Kurt a reassuring feeling. "...But I'm sure they're fine! By the time we get back, they'll be masters at using stuncuffs."

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ZAP! "OW!" ZAP! "EEE!" ZAP! "YAA!!" ZAP! "GRRRRR!! THIS IS SO STUPID!!" yells Komo to her friends on the floor. Delle reaches for her magic stick, but it's just out of reach. "It's no use. I can't reach it without getting shocked. We'll just have to wait for our mentors to come back." "No! We can't do that," says Gren in concern, "They'll never trust us to handle ourselves again!" ZAP! Ellia seizes up for the twelth time and adds, "Who cares!? It's obvious that we're all too stupid to use these things!" "HEY!! Who're you calling stupid!?" shouts Komo.

The angry girl gives Ellia a mischievous idea. "You, Komo! You're so stupid, you fell into a pair of open cuffs!" ZAP! "YOU BETTER SHUT-" "I mean, what kind of a moron does it take to do that!?" ZAP! "THAT'S IT!!" Steady electrocution afflicts the strong girl as she forces herself to rise. "I'M GONNA..." ZAP! "...PULL YOUR WINGS OUT..." ZAP! "...AND WRAP THEM AROUND..." ZAP! "...YOUR NECK!!" Through sheer force of will and righteous fury, Komo rises to one knee. "Come on Komo!" cheers Gren with Delle. "You go girl!" "GRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

After rising to her feet and standing through the relentless shock, Komo faceplants back onto the floor. The whole house shakes from the impact, and Gren shouts in concern, "Komo! Are you-" *Zzzz Zzzz* "Phew! She's ok." Ellia grunts in disgust. "She could've gone a little farther. Now what?" The helpless Delle looks at her magic stick, just barely out of reach. "If I could reach my stick, I could burn my cuffs off. I just-" ZAP! "Can't reach it." After failing again to set her friends free, the witch girl turns to Gren and finds something potentially useful, an empty can at his feet.