Wiggin Academy and the Forbidden Curse

A month passed without a single word from Professor Wiggin about Neo. There weren’t any sightings at the school or anywhere in the region.

Mako, Aiden and Penelope got carried away with all of their school work and training. Projects, assignments drowned them and kept their attention occupied. Mako trained every night with Professor Wiggin and he also helped Penelope and Aiden. Between training and classes, they barely had any time to slack off.

At the time, nothing crossed their mind except preparing for their next class. But they finally got a break when they entered their art class. They were all working on their own piece that Professor Blue helped pick out for them.

Earth alchemists were sculpting out of small chunks of rocks and mud. Air alchemists were using air-brushes to make coloured paintings, which was similar to the water colours the Water alchemists were doing. The Fire alchemists were using their fire to create heavy smoke to sketch the objects Professor Blue positioned in front of them. Mako on the other hand had no idea what to do.

“What do I do, Professor Blue?” asked Mako as her classmates got started on their projects.

“Anything you want, dear,” said Professor Blue.

“But what do I make with black smoke?”

“Just go wild, Mako,” she said chirpily, “stop thinking too much about what you can or can’t do.”

Mako looked down at the blank page and wondered what her black smoke could create. Would it even be beautiful? she asked herself. But Mako knew that it would be because her powers weren’t bad. They were a part of her and she was just like Professor Wiggin, and he accepted his powers without hesitation. No one bothered him about it because they wouldn’t dare even if they tried. She could create something wither really pretty or ugly.

The chakra around Mako’s palm festered into a dark black smoke sphere, that had electric-blue lightning storming inside the cyclone. She turned her hand over the page and very carefully brought it down to the clear page. As soon as she got close enough, the page accidentally latched onto her alchemy. Mako panicked. She slammed her hand down on the page to stop the cyclone. When she did, something amazing laid in front of her. The page and her cyclone connected, which created an explosion of wild colours.

“Woah,” she gaped at the page, she didn’t expect this result at all. The black smoke crafted an odd black spiral in the middle like a rose bud, but then, it twisted into a whirlwind of colours she had only seen as vibrant as a rainbow.

Professor Blue leaned over her shoulder. “Beautiful,” she said. “Like a rainbow cyclone.”

Mako smiled down at her work. She took her inked quill and titled her piece; ‘The Rainbow Cyclone’ very proudly.

The weekend passed and they had just finished their mid-terms. Many of them had started training with their teachers. They have all improved tremendously, according to the teachers. And today, Professor Gregor wanted to put them to the test. All the first years gathered in the gymnasium at five o’clock in the morning, when Professor Gregor summoned them all for a special class.

Professor Wiggin yawned. “Why is this damn class so early?” he grumbled as he entered.

“It’s part of being the youth,” said Professor Gregor with enthusiasm Professor Wiggin was definitely not feeling.

“Screw that,” he crossed his arms. “This is so unnecessary.”

“Still as lazy as before,” remarked Professor Vulcan who pushed past Professor Wiggin.

Professor Wiggin rolled his eyes. “I’m not lazy,” he said. “I just don’t like my time wasted.”

“What are you wasting, John?” asked Professor Vulcan. “You only got one student to train, unlike the rest of us.”

“I’m sure you’ve met her by now, and let me tell you, she’s a handful,” remarked Professor Wiggin.

Mako’s ears perked. “Hey!” she stood up from the crowd. “I am not.”

“Professor Wiggin is more of the handful, if you ask me,” remarked Aiden quietly next to his friends.

“John, why don’t you just sit out of this and let us handle it,” said Professor Vulcan.

“You know what, Hugo,” Professor Wiggin threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it under his boot. “I’ve beat you once and I can do it again.”

“You’ll regret challenging me, John,” Professor Vulcan chuckled coldly.

Professor Gregor got in the middle of the two. “This is perfect,” he remarked. “Why don’t we start of this class with a demonstration?” he asked. “How about it kids, do you want to see a duel between your Professors.”

The class roared alive.

Mako laid a hand on her forehead. “Professor Wiggin is going to kill him,” she moaned.

“Don’t be so sure,” said Aiden. “Professor Vulcan is a legendary fighter. He’s no easy opponent.”

“I think Professor Wiggin has a better chance,” said Mako. “What do you think, Penelope.”

“Fight to the death!” Penelope was one her feet, screaming to the teachers and egging on the fight, like they were in some pro-wrestling tournament. “Show us what you’re made of!”

Aiden and Mako were taken aback. “Okay then,” Mako muttered and Aiden chuckled at their friend.

Professor Vulcan and Professor Wiggin both joined in the middle of the gymnasium, and they were ready for the improvised duel.

Professor Vulcan summoned crimson red flames at the palm of his hands. His expression indifferent. But he wasn’t kidding around because he very well knew that once he let his guard down, Professor Wiggin would have his chance.

Professor Wiggin took his time though. He itched his jaw and then lit another cigarette for himself.

“How long are you going to take?” asked Professor Vulcan, clearly irritated.

“I’m waiting on you, Hugo,” remarked Professor Wiggin.

Professor Vulcan’s fire grew as did the anger on his face. With the flick of his wrist, a small flame flew across the room and burned Professor Wiggin’s cigarette to ash.

Professor Wiggin regarded his cigarette on the ground and frowned. “That was rude,” he muttered.

Professor Vulcan found his chance and sent a massive fireball in Professor Wiggin’s direction.

“What is he doing?” Mako watched as Professor Wiggin just stood there, blankly. But then, the flame slammed into a thick wall of black smoke and then it died out. Everyone in the room was stunned as they witnessed what had just happened. Professor Wiggin didn’t even lift a finger, but still, he was protected behind an impenetrable wall. Professor Vulcan broke a sweat by sending multiple attacks, but nothing worked.

“Still using cheap tricks, I see,” remarked Professor Vulcan.

John grinned which irked Hugo even more. “And I see that you’re still a hot-mouth.”

“Hiding behind a wall is so like you, John,” remarked Professor Vulcan.

Professor Wiggin raised a brow. “You don’t want me to come out from behind this wall, or else, you’ll be in serious trouble.”

Professor Vulcan raked his hair. “Show me what you got, John.”

The defence between both teachers diminished and they chose offence now. Their fists had been covered with their alchemy and they used their combat skills, attacking each other with skill. The spectators watched in awe as the showdown between the teachers grew hotter. They were unmatched as both of them landed only a single blow on the other.

Mako watched just as carefully as the rest of her class was, who had all grown quiet from the intense battle. But it was at that moment, Mako found herself studying Professor Wiggin. His form wasn’t solid or firm like Professor Vulcan. But instead, it was fluid like he was never fully grounded to the floor. His feet were constantly moving around. He never once took his eyes off of the opponent. Professor Wiggin was quick with his jabs and no one could see him clearly. But Mako witnessed it all with her alert eyes, that were eager to absorb everything.

Professor Wiggin had summoned a charge of chakra in his hand, which turned into his alchemy as he spun back digging through Professor Vulcan’s fire attacks. The black smoke transformed into a purple lighting staff. He twisted the stick around his hand and slammed Professor Vulcan in the chest. Sending their Fire alchemist teacher flying across the room.

But Professor Vulcan wasn’t an easy adversary. Their fire alchemist teacher landed on his two feet, although his trench coat had been tattered apart.

Professor Vulcan tossed the coat to the side. “That was my favourite coat,” he said.

“That was for burning my cigarette to ash,” remarked Professor Wiggin.

“They’re like kids,” mumbled Aiden beside Mako.

“Kids fighting over candy,” remarked Penelope.

Professor Vulcan and Professor Wiggin both got ready for their next attack. Both of their fists ablaze with their electrifying alchemy. When suddenly, their Earth alchemist instructor waltzed inside the gymnasium. Her expression stern and severe, like always.

Professor Izusa was a seven-foot robust Earth alchemist, who towered over everyone in this school. She was the head of the Earth users’ department and the teacher for the element of Earth for them this semester.

“Why are two fighting?” she asked with her gruff, deep voice. “I thought this tournament was for the students.”

Professor Wiggin and Professor Vulcan’s fire died right then and there. They stepped back from each other and laid down their arms.

“We were just giving a demonstration,” said Professor Vulcan.

Professor Wiggin agreed. “Yes, and you did a fine job, Hugo.”

“Thank you,” said Professor Vulcan whose whole demeanour changed in seconds. “So, did you, John.”

“That’s all it took to stop them,” said Aiden.

“I would stop too if Professor Izusa told me to,” said Penelope.

Professor Izusa nodded in agreement because the one thing this teacher hated was fights between friends, staff members- basically anyone at the school. She waltzed over to Professor Gregor in her massive combat boots. She fashioned a black kimono tunic that had a dark green sash around her waist. A golden crest of a dragon was stitched into her sash; it was the proud emblem of the Chi-Tatsu clan she belonged to. Everyone was afraid of this teacher because of her charisma, that was just plainly overwhelming. And that also she could crush anyone under her big boot, like they were a bug. Mako, Aiden and Penelope always wondered who this teacher was afraid of.

At that time, two more teachers sauntered inside the gym. Professor Wade was the instructor for the Water element. He had dark skin with tattoos on both of his bare arms, they were tribal and most of them were scriptures. He was tall and muscular and older than most of the other teachers that had gathered. The sides of his head were shaved and the wolf-tail was thick and black. He had a piercing blue gaze that was frightening when the kids first met him, but then, they all came to the realization that he was a big softie on the inside after their first class with him.

The final teacher that came in with an up-beat attitude and an airy vibe was Professor Hokusai. He taught them the element of Air and he was a Guru from the Himalayan Temple. Dressed in a saffron tunic with a sash, he fashioned a bald head and had very kind blue eyes and smile. He was the simplest teacher at this school and all the kids adored him the most. He never gave homework and he always took them outside for class.

“Good. We’re all here,” said Professor Gregor as he stood in the centre. “Today we have gathered in this gym to have a tournament.”

All the kids looked at the Professor Gregor with determination. Not like before when he approached them for a mission.

“What kind of tournament?” asked Silas from the crowd.

“A battle between fellow students,” he said. “Each kid will be going against one of their classmates.”

The tension in the gym grew and the student’s become alert with whoever was beside them. Mako wasn’t nervous at all, in fact, she was more than ready to put her training to a test in a duel.

Suddenly, they were interrupted when the gymnasium doors opened once more. All the kids gaped at the door, when the headmaster strolled inside.

“Headmaster,” Professor Gregor ambled over to his side. “Will you be joining us?”

The headmaster smirked. “I think the tournament this year will be most entertaining,” he said as he viewed the kids, who had hungry looks in their eyes.

“A few words then, headmaster,” offered Professor Gregor.

The headmaster faced the kids with a focused but calm expression. “This tournament isn’t meant to determine who is the strongest or weakest,” he said. “These duels are set to teach you the ways of how to improve your alchemy. You will be graded on how well you put up a fight, but it also grades how smart and resilient you are. And by the end of this tournament, I guarantee that you will be able to determine what type of alchemist you dream to be.”

The words of their headmaster sunk into Mako’s head, and it stuck to her like glue.

“I wish you all the best,” he smiled before his grey eyes landed on Mako for a swift second. Mako held his gaze but she didn’t understand why he looked at her with so much amusement. When he went to his seat on the side, Professor Gregor stepped forth.

“The rules are simple. Beat your opponent until they can’t fight you anymore. The first duel will be between two fire alchemists,” he said as he held up the sheet of paper. “Damian Spectre versus Aiden Phoenix will be the first contestants.”

Mako looked over to Aiden who seemed quite at ease and not shaken up, but that wasn’t unusual. He always approached anything with a simple yet cool attitude, but Mako knew how competitive this kid got. He may not look it, but his mind was already forming a game-plan. Damian was looking smug and rather annoyed like he wasn’t happy with the pairing, but that wasn’t a surprise either.

All the kids were taken to the second floor- that circled the room for their safety. Mako and Penelope were standing right behind Aiden with Professor Wiggin.

“Why do I get paired up with you?” remarked Damian. “It’s complete waste of time using my alchemy to beat someone like you.”

Mako looked around to the teachers who were quiet and hadn’t told off Damian. A nerve was ticked off in Mako when she realized that they were letting Damian have his way for bad-mouthing Aiden.

Aiden stood silently with his hands in his pockets. “It’s just a duel, Damian,” he sighed despairingly. “There’s no reason to get worked up. Unless-” Aiden scowled at Damian- “you’re scared?”

“Scared,” scoffed Damian. “Of you. A Phoenix. You’re nothing more than disgraced boy who has nothing in this world.”

Aiden rolled his eyes; his hand came out of his pocket and a fire ball had ignited on top of it. “Then it should be even more disgraceful losing to me,” said Aiden.

Damian laughed coldly. “I could care less about losing or winning against such a worthless opponent,” he spat. “Unlike yours, my parents taught me class. But then, I forget, you don’t have any parents to teach you anymore.”

Mako’s mood darkened when she noticed the slight stiffen in Aiden. She knew right away that Damian had hit a spot in Aiden that never fully healed. Mako looked over to the teachers who were silently watching, like they didn’t care about what was happening. That crossed the line for Mako and she was done hearing bullshit from Damian.

“You’re not even worth fighting this duel-”

Mako from the top floor screamed; “Fight me then!” She would’ve almost jumped off the ledge if Professor Wiggin hadn’t grabbed a hold of her.

“Mako, calm down,” warned Professor Wiggin.

“No! What’s this crap about family when this is supposed to be a duel between equals. Fight Aiden because he’s your opponent Damian, not because of hatred.” Mako was furious and raging Black smoke all around her. “All this trash you just spoke is making me sick to stomach!”

Damian lifted his eyes to meet her crazed glare. “Why do you even care so much?”

“Because he’s my friend!” she screamed back ruthlessly. “And our classmate that goes to the same school as you and me and everyone else that’s here.”

The gymnasium was pin-drop silence, but the air was heavy from her words.

“This is Wiggin Academy,” she said to everyone who was now looking at her. “We’re supposed to be better than others here. Who gives a shit where we’re from, as long as we can fight and grow stronger, that’s what matters. Aiden tries just as hard as you Damian, maybe even twice as hard.” Mako’s glare darkened scaring Damian. “So, how dare you lessen his worth, his efforts just because he’s a Phoenix!” Aiden looked up to meet Mako’s exhilarating eyes. “Fight with all you got!” she screamed at him. “Show Damian how Aiden wins, Phoenix style!”

“Yeah, go for it, Aiden!” announced Penelope.

“Beat him to a pulp, Aiden!” Mako determination spilled into Aiden.

“You two need to stop talking, so I can do that,” he remarked.

Mako got off the ledge and was dumbfounded by Aiden’s nonchalant attitude. “Wow,” she said after she just ripped her throat out for him.

Penelope handed Mako a bottle of water. “No point in motivating this guy,” chuckled Penelope.

Suddenly, a hand laid on Mako’s slumped shoulder. She looked up and met Professor Wiggin’s warm eyes. He didn’t say anything, but his considerate gaze told her all. Professor Wiggin was proud of his student.

Mako smirked back up at her teacher.

“It doesn’t matter what she said,” Damian remarked. “It won’t change the truth.”

“You’re right,” said Aiden. “But like Mako said, it doesn’t matter at this school. I may be a Phoenix but I’m also just a kid, like you, Damian. We’re at the same school, we have the same classes, friends and teachers, and that makes us equal at this school. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about me, because I live with myself every day. And as long as I am happy, then that’s all that counts.”

“What bullshit!” sneered Damian.

Aiden shrugged. “You’ve still got a long way to go to learn these things,” he sighed. “So, how about we stop talking, and actually fight.” Aiden’s hands flamed alive, glowing red with furious fire, like Professor Vulcan’s from before.

Damian gritted his teeth and his own hands flared alive with cold, green flames.

The red and the green clashed together. Aiden moved with smooth languid cuts, that very well overwhelmed Damian’s sturdy combat preference. All the students on the top floor could see was the dark smoke from the fire. The red and green exploding together. It was fast, slick moves that kept the boys on their toes.

Aiden and Damian separated. Each stood on the other side, facing the other. Sweat trickling down their heads and bodies. Everyone watched without blinking because it was an intense match for the first one.

Swiftly, Aiden launched shards of fire. They cut through the air like daggers. Damian was on the edge. He dodged the first few, but Aiden sent too many. The last dozen stabbed right through Damian clothes and shredded them. The smoke steamed off Damian’s body from the red flames.

Aiden’s eyes changed, they grew severely serious. He didn’t hesitate with his next attack because he wanted Damian done with the next one. He had gotten Damian on defence and that where he wanted him. Aiden remembered the trick Professor Wiggin had taught him when he needed to attack from afar. It was long and red. A whip appeared in Aiden’s hands, that he firmly held onto it.

“Being a Phoenix has nothing to do with who I am, Damian,” declared Aiden. “It’s just a last name I was born with. That time passed and it’s all long history now. I suggest you get over the gossip and concentrate on yourself.”

Aiden yanked his hand back. With a strong push, the whip cracked like lightening and slammed Damian into the concrete wall. His small body cracked the concrete behind him. It took all of the force from Aiden’s weapon. Damian fell to the floor with a thud. The smoke cleared and Aiden stood alone in the centre.

Mako and Penelope cheered for him.

The nurses entered the room and took Damian away.

“Aiden Phoenix has won this duel,” said Professor Gregor. “It was a good duel on both sides.”

Aiden left the gym after the duel. Mako and Penelope followed him out too, whilst they did, another duel began between an Earth alchemist Misa and an Air alchemist Ash. The three met up in the hall as Aiden made his way to clean himself up.

“That was epic!” announced Penelope. “You totally kicked his butt and showed him.”

Mako patted Aiden’s shoulder. “That was the best, Aiden.”

Aiden wasn’t smiling though. “No. It was such a weak performance,” he told them. They both grew quiet as Aiden was viewing his trembling hands. “We’re nothing compared to the teachers in that room. When Professor Vulcan and Professor Wiggin fought, they looked like masters.”

“We still have a long way to go before any of us become like them, Aiden,” said Penelope.

Aiden shook his head. “I don’t know if we can ever reach their level,” he confessed to them.

“Well, you’re never going to reach it like that,” remarked Mako. She crossed her arms. “We have to train every day, Aiden. That’s the only way.”

“I don’t want to feel this powerless anymore,” said Aiden. “It’s like my alchemy doesn’t fight for me.”

“It’s not supposed to,” said Mako. “You need to fight for it. You need to protect and cherish your alchemy, Aiden.”

Penelope grinned. “We really have a long way to go still if we want to master our alchemy.”

“I don’t care how long it takes,” declared Mako with passion. “I need to become the best alchemist and train until it happens.”

Aiden’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Sounds like a good plan,” he said. He started to walk off again.

“Where you going?” asked Penelope.

“Are you two going to follow me to the boy’s lavatory?” he asked jokingly.

“Don’t tempt us,” remarked Penelope when Aiden had already left.

“I heard that!” Aiden shouted back, startling them.

The three of the returned to the gym, but the duel had already ended. Misa the Earth alchemist had won. Mako, Aiden and Penelope climbed up the steps back to their teacher.

“You did good, Aiden,” said Professor Wiggin surprising the kids. “What?”

“You rarely compliment us,” said Mako. “So, it feels weird whenever you do.”

Professor Wiggin rolled his eyes and muttered something his breath they couldn’t quite catch.

“The next duel is between Dion Yakuza and Penelope Primrose,” announced Professor Gregor.

“Remember what I told you Penelope,” whispered Professor Wiggin. “Your chakra is strong but so are your fists.” Penelope grinned and confidently got off the second floor to meet her opponent.

Dion was much taller than Penelope and looked quite deadly with his buzz-cut and sharp black eyes. He was roped with muscle for such a young kid. Mako and the rest of the spectators grew a bit weary from the differences.

“Dion looks tough,” mumbled Mako. “Is he really our age?”

“He is,” said Aiden as he watched. “But Penelope will be fine. She’s a fighter through every bone in her body.”

The tension grew thick between the two students. The match began from Professor Gregor’s cue and Penelope and Dion went toe to toe. The solid earth from Dion cut through the gym, but Penelope had been training as hard as anyone in this gymnasium. Her moves were quick as she dodged all of Dion’s attacks. But she couldn’t get one of her own. Dion was too fast for her. And as time passed, all of them could see the frustration grow on Penelope’s sweaty face.

Dion was too fast. Penelope didn’t realize when her feet where caught from beneath her. The earth rose and detained Penelope’s arms. It held her apart and she was stuck.

Penelope was bound by rocks. She screamed her irritation, which was oozing out of her pores. When suddenly, a loud crash cracked the boulders. The water from the tubs on the sides, sliced through her rock prison. But it didn’t help. The earth was too thick. Dion quickly caught her limbs again and took her to the floor on her knees. Dion came up to her and titled his head at her efforts like he was dumbfounded.

“There’s no point in fighting,” said Dion. “You’re too weak, Penelope.”

The restraints grew tighter, that the earth cut through Penelope’s arms and wrists. Blood pooled over her arms and started to trickle down staining the earth. Penelope held onto the floor by Dion; it looked helpless in her situation from everyone’s eyes. But Mako knew better than to judge.

“The fights not over!” declared Mako. Penelope looked up to Aiden and Mako who were grinning. “It’s not over until you say it is, Penelope.”

Penelope smirked, which quickly turned into a hearty laugh. Everyone in the room was surprised, that she’d be laughing even though she was in such a dire situation.

“I may not be as strong as my friends or as smart-” Penelope cried from the pain. But she got to her feet even though the rocks held her down with frightening force. Dion viewed Penelope with astonishment, like everyone else was. “But one thing I do have, is the strength to never give up. I fight with all I got and I use these-” she held up her bound fists- “so, throw all you got at me and let’s go!”

Dion held the earth that restrained Penelope, but she still held on. With one final push that she had mustered. Finding no other way out, she boldly slammed her head right against Dion’s. No one expected such a simple, yet painful move. Blood trickled down from their foreheads. “Now, the fight’s over,” declared Penelope.

The fight ended after Penelope’s eyes blackened and she dropped out of the rock prison onto the concrete floor. Mako, Aiden and Professor Wiggin ran off the benches to aid Penelope. The medical team was quick to act also. They lifted Penelope and took her to the infirmary for treatment. Dion also joined Penelope to patch up his busted forehead.

“How is she?” Mako asked the nurse.

“She’s fine. She had a lot of chakra focused in the middle of her forehead that’s why it started to bleed,” answered the nurse. “Just a concussion and some bruising on her ribs and minor cuts. Your friend will be fine.”

“Thanks, Sue,” said Professor Wiggin.

Professor Wiggin took Mako and Aiden back to the gym after the check on Dion too.

After a good hour and everyone had their duel, Mako grumbled; “When is my battle going to come?”

“Have patience,” said Professor Wiggin.

Mako slouched on the railing. “But I wanna fight already,” she complained.

When suddenly, Penelope appeared back from the infirmary. “Hey, guys,” she said timidly.

“Are you feeling okay?” asked Professor Wiggin.

“Should you be on your feet, Penelope?” alarmed Aiden.

Penelope nodded. “I’m fine,” she said as she touched the bandage on her head and arms. “Sue said I could return if I wanted.”

Aiden passed her the bottle of cold water. “Just tell us if you get tired,” he said.

“Yeah,” she looked over to Mako. “Did I miss your duel?”

Mako groaned. “No, I didn’t get to go yet.”

Professor Gregor didn’t need the spreadsheet since this was the last duel of the day. “It’s time for Mako Hawthorne and Silas Mizuchi’s duel.”

Silas climbed down lazily after Mako practically ran down the stairs. She was eager to start her duel, that she was waiting for all day.

“Is it really safe to be fighting her?” Silas asked the teachers.

The comment threw Mako off her rhythm. Her smile fell and her skin prickled with needles. “I’m not going to kill you, if that’s what you’re asking,” remarked Mako.

Silas shrugged. “You can never tell with your kind of people,” he said. “Black smoke alchemists have a nasty track record when they get out of control.”

Mako’s alchemy itched through her body. Her skin flared alive. The tremble of her black smoke grew and she knew she was ready to prove herself. “I won’t be treated like some outsider here, Silas.” Mako was very eager for this duel, but she was shut down without even a second thought just because of her alchemy.

“You already are,” he scoffed. “It doesn’t matter what I say.”

Mako froze dead in her tracks. She remembered the days back home, when kids would run away from her or when parents warned their children not to play with the ‘cursed child’. She was an outsider no matter where she went, all because of her powers. But that all changed when she arrived to Wiggin Academy. She found friends who accepted her, a teacher just like her and she was having fun because this school was becoming her home. Hope ignited like a volcano inside of her cold and empty body.

This school taught her that no matter where someone was from, Wiggin Academy accepted everyone. Mako had her doubts in the beginning, but they were all erased because of her friends and Professor Wiggin. They didn’t let her believe that she was cursed or an outsider. Those titles weren’t meant for her or anyone for that matter. But no one else in this class believed that truth. Everyone looked at her as an obscenity or the failure. However, who were they to decide her fate? she wondered.

In the darkness, Mako was blind to her skills, her powers. But Professor Wiggin pulled her out and told her to cherish them. And make her gifts define who she was, not some false reality made up from society.

Mako looked behind her. And she was startled, because Professor Wiggin was looking directly into her eyes. It was like he could read everything in her mind. He understood her better than anyone here.

“It doesn’t matter what he says, Mako,” said Professor Wiggin, shocking everyone here because he didn’t utter a single word until now. “Fight with all you got and with honour.”

Mako faced her opponent. “Alright Silas,” she pointed at the water alchemist. “You just chose to lose this battle because now I’m pissed.”

Silas attacked first. Shards of icicles blared through the air towards Mako. But she acted quick. She summoned a blockade of black smoke to create a barrier. The shards went flying around the gym startling the spectators to duck down. But Silas didn’t stop there. Mako was surrounded by a ring of water, which forced her to move. She tried to dodge the ring she was trapped in. Forcing her to move forward to lose her footing. Mako’s shirt got wet when she sliced through the water ring and escaped.

Mako conjured her alchemy in her palm. The cyclone was strong and fast. She lunged forward and attacked Silas. The water alchemist dodged her attack, but barely. His sleeve was torn off before he could move away.

Mako slammed into the wall. She returned onto her feet, but it wasn’t before Silas attacked her. The water underneath her feet froze. Slippery and unbalanced, Mako stuck low to the ground. Silas was composed on the ice. Mako had to work quickly to figure out how to get herself out of this. The ice was going to slow her down and that’s wasn’t good.

Focus all your chakra to your feet, the Guardian spoke inside her head.

Mako didn’t hesitate at all. She followed the Guardian’s words. She focused all of her chakra to her feet. To her amazement, the floor wasn’t slippery and the ice melted right beneath her. Silas was caught off guard.

Mako and Silas went head to head with their alchemy exploding through the gym. They were both low on chakra and exhausted. Silas got to his feet after Mako hit him with a Black smoke blast. Silas reached his limit. He used all the water that was in the tubs around the gym. Four waves gathered in the air blocking Mako. It was fast and heavy when it all came crashing down on top of her. The pressure drowned her and she felt her head slam onto the floor. She blacked out from the thunderous pain ripping through her skull.

Silas brazenly celebrated as he saw Mako’s body immobile on the ground. “I won-”

“I’m not finished yet,” Mako coughed blood and water, when she tried to use her groggy voice. Her body may have been battered by the last attack, but she had never felt more strength in her life.

“Just give up already,” said Silas. “I beat you.”

Mako lifted her head and glared at Silas with determination fired up in her blue eyes. “Do I look beaten?” Her glare answered his doubts. “I won’t give up,” she gritted out. “Not now, or ever.”

Silas retreated. “It’s not like you can do anything to-”

“Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do,” she snapped. “People have been telling me that crap all my life and I’m sick of hearing it.”

Silas shook his head. “But it’s the truth,” he said. “A black smoke alchemist has no future. Your destiny is to be a nobody, nothing, because no one accepts your kind to succeed.”

Mako looked dead into Silas’s eyes. “My kind,” she scoffed as her chakra level grew inside her. It staggered everyone in the gym, that she still had strength left in her.

“How,” astonished Silas. “How do you still have so much chakra left in you?”

“Listen up Silas, I’m going to become the strongest alchemist and prove to everyone that I was never some cursed child fated to fail,” she declared loud and clear for everyone to hear. “I am Mako, a student to a Wiggin brother and the last surviving Black smoke user. No one decides my destiny for me because I don’t hand people power over me like that, not anymore.”

“You’re insane,” Silas stuttered.

Mako’s black smoke festered around her like a massive deadly tornado. “Maybe,” she smirked. “But from what I saw today, all of us need a good head-slamming. We all have this twisted way of thinking about our alchemy and our future. But from what I’ve seen, the strongest warriors came from this school for a reason. No one here gives a crap where you came from, as long as you have the will to fight, you’ll succeed to becoming a master. And I know it in my bones, that the next one will be me.”

“That’s just wishful thinking,” said Silas.

“Hell no,” she sneered at him. “I will erase the cursed title off my name, and make sure that everyone here remembers me as the strongest alchemist. That’s my destiny, Silas.”

He shook his head. “Destiny is not something that can be easily changed, Mako!”

Mako cockily grinned. “Watch me,” she dared.

Mako’s hand flared alive with immense chakra that she knew she was ready to utilize. Through the black smoke, she latched onto the electrical surge and harnessed the blue lightning. It ripped through her skin and blood poured out of her abraded hands. But she didn’t let go. Not until the bolt was in her hands. Mako’s eyes cleared from the blaring light and the staff of lightning was in her grasp.

Mako roared; “I am not a cursed child!” The lightning in her hands grew erratic with her anger and exploded in the entire gymnasium. The glass shattered and the doors rumbled like it was a terrible earthquake.

It wasn’t long after when Mako opened her eyes after the severe explosion. She noticed all the teachers swarmed them in the arena. Professor Wiggin and the headmaster were holding her arms captive, whilst every other teacher protected Silas from her. Her legs gave out when blood and the last ounce of chakra drained from her hands and head.

“I’m not cursed,” she mumbled as tears poured out of her eyes. “I’m not-”

“Shhh,” said Professor Wiggin as he lifted her in his arms. “I know you’re not cursed. You never were.”

The last battle ended in a truce.