Almost of Touch of Success

The test itself was a success, with Peter grabbing it like a sandwich on a plate. Except, it was a triumphant effort for that flag.

They were now outside the arena, waiting in line for their scores.

Micah and Peter were quite confident they did quite well, especially Peter. The match was possibly the most successful out of the many failures from many students.

Xavier and Caville were the only ones hit, but it was seconds before Peter pulled the flag out of its position, so most likely they were all intact.

Finally, Asiris was handed the papers which it seemed like the giver handed it grudgingly, but nevertheless, the scores were given. Asiris sat down, giving the scores to Micah—to which he didn't seem impressed.

"83%?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean by that? We got the flag easily."

"But, we didn't use strategy—we only fought while we're lucky enough to not get hit by those robots," Asiris explained.

"Yes we did!" Peter argued. "You guys distracted them so I could get it."

"That's an old one in the book."

"But, it still works!"

Xavier was grumbling to himself silently, as Vienne was trying to comfort him.

Peter looked at the two, feeling the disappointment in the group.

What did they do wrong?

Then, something clicked in his mind. That doesn't mean someone got higher than them.

He told them this, but no hopes were raised by much of an inch.

"How can our score be the highest, clearly someone else must've been higher than us. We're not that bad."

"We're the score's worse?"

"Oh yeah, ten years ago, the highest 62%."

"Oh."

"Well, let's go home—I got the limo set up for you," he said towards the princes.

Their heads went down melancholically, as they got up waiting for Asiris to lead them. The limo waited outside, but this time—it seemed like it just came—because the smell of oil was barely smellable.

The boys went into the car, with Asiris and Just which no word was said. The smell of failure was absolutely crippling towards the boys and Asiris, although Just was nowhere near their moods.

In fact, he was quite joyful of what happened today, although the boys didn't know how or why.

Five minutes later, Asiris's phone started ringing—which he still picked up.

It was the VSO, which they wanted to call him for some reason.

He answered, "Hello—" and the silence was almost deafening "—oh! Yes, yes, we'll be there."

He hung up in excitement, confusing the boys into hope.

"Driver, turn towards the VSO again!"

Peter and Micah were now gratefully confused, having a fast beating heart as they headed towards the VSO.

Did they succeed?

Their excitement was very high, as they reached the VSO once again.

The only con was the flashing lights once again, but that was completely ignored by the boys.

They reached the parking spot, but instead of walking, they ran back into the building.

Abruptly, they saw two men in blacks suits and sunglasses, as it seemed they waited for their arrival.

"Hello, winners."

All of them gasped, not even walking when asked to.

Eventually, they did, as they followed them into a room with only one elevator.

When the door opened, Xavier and Vienne were already there, with another one that looked like them but was much taller.

They entered the elevator, which went more upward than usual.

Peter could tell it was past its prime, but that was a good thing in his eyes.

Clearly, there is something more up at the top which was exciting.

When they did, they saw white.

Just a white hall with green doors, which seemed quite peculiar for some reason. "Your room is 385, your majesty's—the rest is 387." "Yes, sir," all of them said in unison, which they never planned to do. Then they all dispersed to their places, which figured out—the rooms were on opposite sides of the hall.

As Peter and Micah entered inside their rooms, Micah started feeling hesitant.

Without knowing, his facial expression seemed troubled, alerting Peter quickly.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know," he responded, descending onto his bed tiredly. Peter went with him, except he was sitting on the bed. "Are you sure you don't know?"

"Alright, yes I know."

"Why?"

"Because, now it's a responsibility I have to take—the whole world is on my shoulder."

"Shoulder?"

"Yes, that term."

"Well, don't worry, you'll make it," Peter responded, trying to comfort him.

But it seemed to be all in vain, for what was ahead was more complaining to be done.

"Think about it—I've only been here for three years and I don't even know what my full power is."

"Well, you probably don't need to."

The disbelief in Micah's face was disturbing to Peter.

He continued, "Maybe it will come eventually."

"I don't think there will be one 'eventually'. I need to know what I have, what I can control."

Micah was now on his two feet, which Peter followed. "You don't need to be so hard on yourself, it takes time." "What do you know?—you only have to fight."

Immediately, Peter found offense in that. "What do you mean by only having to fight? You think that me—this whole group—isn't going to take any blame?"

Micah stayed quiet, still thinking about his choices. Peter, finding out that he was barely listening, said this, "Remember, you're not the only one saving the world."

Peter returned to his own room, as Micah started to think, but not only about what he was thinking previously—in fact—it was mostly about the last thing he said.

He knew he wasn't the only one fighting, but he was the one meant to use the power of the Heather Eye.

What did Peter not understand?

But, what did he not understand?

He was worrying too much about the mission, and not the relationship between his brother.

He sat back down on the bed, but this time—it was much more sapped than the first time he first sat. What was he doing wrong?

Soon enough, the thoughts were getting into his head so much, he didn't notice his eyes dozing off into a sleep.

Because the next morning, he woke up to a shaking, a shaking that made him feel dizzy right after.

He wearily opened his eyes, seeing the curled-blond hair that was convulsing in his view.

The view was starting to clear up, which he identified Peter shaking him, screaming some words he could not understand.

His hearing started to activate and he heard: "We need to get ready for the mission!"